The river meanders and is overgrown with weeds and piles of garbage. A huge chimney, the relic of an abandoned mill, stands tall, eerie and ominous. There was no sound in all directions, only the swarthy water of the river, and no sign of life.

At this moment, with a soft pop, a slender figure wearing a hood appeared out of thin air by the river. The figure seemed to be ascertaining its bearings, and after a moment it strode forward with a brisk stride, its long cloak rustling across the grass.

There was another pop, louder than the one just now, and another hooded figure appeared, a size smaller than the former, and chased after him after looking around.

They climbed onto the riverbank, where an old railing separated the river from a narrow pebble alley. They stood side by side, looking out at the rows of dilapidated brick houses on the other side of the alley, the windows of which looked black and lifeless in the night.

"He lives here," Watson said in a contemptuous tone, "and he just came back ten minutes ago." ”

Watson led the way in front, his cloak fluttering behind him. There were a few street lamps in the alley that were broken, and two people walking slowly, sometimes illuminated by the light, sometimes shrouded in darkness.

"Young master, I still have to say. That person is not to be trusted. Watson carefully tipped his tone. "And now that the master is gone, we should-"

"Trust me, Klaus will be in touch with the Dark Lord, and in a way, they can make a win-win deal, one wants to storm Hogwarts and kill Harry, and the other wants to kill me. Sooner or later they will come together. Phoenix sped up and walked deeper into the labyrinthine of abandoned brick houses. "If we don't move, it's pushing a friend to an enemy. As for Snape, I will give him a condition that he cannot refuse. ”

"Well, I'll just get in touch with him. ”

"No, Watson. There is no permanent friend, and I need his loyalty. ”

Finally, Watson strode briskly down a street called Spidertail Alley, where the tall mill chimney towered into the sky like a giant finger raised for warning. He walked past the worn windows nailed with wooden boards, and his footsteps on the cobblestones echoed. They came to the last house, and the dim light peeked through the curtains in the room downstairs.

Phoenix stepped forward and knocked on the door. They stood together outside the door and waited, sniffing the scent of the river of sewage that was blown by the evening breeze. After a few seconds, they heard movement behind the door, and then it was opened a crack, and a man looked at them, his long black hair draped over the sides like a curtain, and in the middle was a gray-yellow face and dark eyes.

Phoenix pulled his hood back to his head. Smiling, looking ill-intentioned in the night.

"Peverell!" said the man, opening the crack in the door wider, and the light shone not only on him, but also on Watson. "Come to me so late—what's the matter?" Snape looked wary, one hand resting next to his wand pocket.

"Won't you invite me in?"

"Of course. He stepped back and let him into the house.

"I'll just go in myself, Watson. Phoenix said non-negotiable. Watson hesitated for a moment, not following.

"You didn't come to me so late for summer homework. Snape replied, thin lips contorted into a slightly sarcastic smile, and the door slammed shut.

Phoenix unceremoniously walked straight into a small living room that felt like a dimly lit, soft-walled cell. Several walls were lined with books, most of them old black or brown leather covers, and a candle-lit lamp hung from the ceiling, casting a dim circle of light with a frayed sofa, an old armchair, and a rickety table crowded together. The place has an air of desolation and desertion, and it seems to be uninhabited.

Snape motioned for a seat on the couch. Phoenix took off his cloak and tossed it aside, sat down, his eyes fixed on Snape. For a moment, his eyes became deep and hollow. The hand moved slightly, and immediately stopped.

"So, what can I do for you?" asked Snape, sitting down in the armchair across from Phoenix.

"I have to admit, I didn't expect you to live in a house like this. Especially considering your level of magic. Phoenix didn't answer the question.

What was he here for? How did he know this was here? His father had asked him to woo him? Snape grimaced, his mind racing as he pondered. Anyway, let's hold it down first. He didn't believe it, there was only one wizard outside the door.

"Would you like a drink?" he said in a slick tone.

"It couldn't be better. ”

Snape drew his wand and waved, and a few seconds later a dirty bottle and two glasses flew in. Snape poured out two glasses of blood-red wine and handed it to Phoenix.

"Congratulations, for being awarded the Order of Merlin. He raised his glass as he spoke, and drank it down.

Phoenix also raised his glass and drank it dry. This time Phoenix tapped the bottle with his finger, and it automatically flew up to fill it for the two of them. Snape furrowed slightly, he didn't have a wand in his hand. How did he do it?

Phoenix stared at him and said, "Professor, what do you think of Dumbledore and Voldemort?"

"Both are outstanding wizards. Snape gave a neutral assessment, placing the cup on the table, leaning back in his chair and resting his hands on the armrests of the chair.

"And where are you standing there, Snape?" said Phoenix, who calmly stopped calling Snape a professor. Snape unconsciously tightened his lips and leaned away from the back of his chair.

Snape smiled, "I don't understand. ”

"I don't understand. You think my family really doesn't know the world. Both the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix have people from my family, and they told me that your identity is a spy, but both sides think you're on their side," Phoenix laughed, "I'm confused. But it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter to me, I see-"

He paused and looked at the house.

"Neither of you has given you any good, power, money, honor, or the love you crave the most. Phoenix placed a photo on the table. It's a Muggle picture, and they won't move. Above are two eight or nine-year-old girls, and if you don't know, no one will think that they are sisters.

Snape's eyes were no longer empty, and remorse and longing were on his face, but only for a moment. He calmed down. The look was returned.

"She's dead, we're just regular classmates. ”

"My subordinates have found quite a few, and the memories of your alumni back then don't look like ordinary classmates. "Phoenix is confident. "I also made a special trip to Azkaban. ”

Snape's face stiffened, and his hand imperceptibly grasped the handle of his wand.

"Don't be stupid, it's not good for either of us. Phoenix took a sip of his drink, "Did you beg him? But he broke his promise, Voldemort still killed her, and now you still have the same loyalty to Voldemort, and still bow down to him?"

Snape's lips trembled, his gaze could not be taken off the photograph, and his breathing became more and more rapid.

"Be my subordinate and do my bidding. I'll let you have Lily forever. "He's no longer tempting or going around in circles with him, Phoenix has already checked him out. Snape's brilliant Occlumency didn't do anything in front of him.

"Say—what did you say?" it took Snape a long time to react, and it seemed like a long time before Phoenix's words reached his ears.

"Lie, this-this can't be. You can't do it -- your family can't do it. Snape said to him roughly, his face flushed. Use honorifics for Phoenix, and don't. He longs for Phoenix to do it, but reality tells him that no magic can bring the dead back to life.

"How do you know I can't do it?" do you know my family?" said Phoenix, looking inscrutable, holding out his hand with a rough gold ring and a heavy black gemstone in the center, "Do you know what this is?"

"The Resurrection Stone can summon the souls of the dead to you. Would you like to tell her something—just turn it in your hand three times and she'll be back. Give it a try. Phoenix took the black gem and placed it on the table. Watching Snape's reaction with interest.

Snape's hand shook so hard that he knocked over his glass. Blood-red wine covered the photo and left to the ground. He gasped, as if there was a tremendous force preventing him from approaching the Resurrection Stone.