Chapter Ninety-Eight: After School Starts
"Dear Blake, how far do you think our Harry Potter can do it for you?" Voldemort paced back and forth in front of Sirius, speaking lightly.
"It's incredible!" Voldemort exclaimed from time to time, "If it were me, I wouldn't have done such a stupid thing." β
"Isn't it just a human life?" Voldemort rejoiced, "But it's a good thing my opponents are so stupid, including Dumbledore and Edge, just because you fell into my hands, you can give up and destroy my Horcruxes!" β
Voldemort said in a cold voice, "Is this the love that Dumbledore is talking about?" β
"Then let's see how far Harry Potter can do for you." Voldemort repeated it again.
Hogwarts has started as usual, and to everyone's surprise, it was Snape sitting in the professor's seat for this semester's Defense Against the Dark Arts class! And the Potions professor was waiting for him!
This made Harry's happy hearts sink againβon the train, they had heard that Draco had transferred to Durmstrang and that they might never see that nasty ghost again, and everyone was overjoyed. But now, they have to face the reality that Snape is going to take over Defence Against the Dark Arts class!
Snape raised his hand lazily, and Harry could see a triumphant smile on his hated face, while the Slytherin table erupted in loud applause.
"Don't tell me Snape is going to do both." Harry said angrily to Dumbledore as he stood up, and Hermione and Ron, who were sitting next to him, could clearly hear it.
"This year, the Defence Against the Dark Arts class will be transferred by our Professor Snape. However, although he stated that he could juggle Potions classes, the school did not think that we needed to oppress a young and good professor......"
"Did he mean Snape?" Ron muttered, his words just enough to be heard by those around him.
For Snape, who had clearly been treated differently between Slytherin and Gryffindor, it was difficult for Ron to associate him with the word excellent.
"I just wish I could get a better Potions professor." Neville should be reconciled. His Potions class had been underperforming, largely due to Snape's discouragement of his confidence.
"I want to have some fun." Harry gritted his teeth, "Didn't you say this class was cursed?" As long as we make it through the year, maybe Hogwarts won't see him again. Ever since Sirius was captured, Harry had hated Snape even more, as he kept saying cool things: "That stupid dog really deserves to die." β
"So, we had the pleasure of having a former Potions professor, Professor Horace Slughorn. That's a pretty experienced professor! Dumbledore said, and his whole body became happy.
"It's just that our Potions professor still has a little work to do, but he asked me to promise that he will be back to school before your first Potions class."
And every day from the first day of school, Harry received a letter with a photo of the event, and the photo showed Sirius who had been tortured.
The photograph was burned as soon as Harry saw it, like a roaring letter, tearing itself up and setting it on fire.
But he couldn't say it, because the photo was written heavily, "Can't tell anyone!" β
This is definitely Voldemort's handiwork! Harry clenched his palms angrily, his nails piercing his skin and bleeding. But he was helpless, because Sirius was in Voldemort's hands.
Harry's nightmares became more frequent, and every night, he dreamed that Sirius had been painfully spelled with the Mind Curse, fearing that one day, Sirius would die at Voldemort's hands like the house-elf.
"Harry, you don't seem to be in a good shape lately." Dumbledore called him into his office with concern, "Is something wrong?" β
"It's nothing," Harry's lips quirmed, he wanted to tell Dumbledore, but he was worried that Voldemort was secretly doing something, afraid that he would do something to Sirius, "just a little worried about Sirius." β
"Don't worry." Dumbledore also wanted to give Harry an explanation, "Last time, according to the direction provided by Edge, we have found out that the house-elves provided are from the Crabbe family. β
"Then the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic followed it up, and they have found Voldemort's whereabouts, and in a few days, we'll do it."
"Really?" Harry looked surprised.
"Of course, I don't have to lie to you." Dumbledore said mildly, "I called you here this time to learn Occlumency with Professor Snape. β
"What?"
"Occlumency. It's a branch of psychic magic, defending against some of the intrusions in the brain. Dumbledore repeated. Harry, you must have noticed that you can sometimes see some true stories. β
"But the problem is that you see it through Voldemort's eyes." Dumbledore paused, ruffled Harry's hair, and touched the scar, "I think there was some kind of connection between you and him that night more than a decade ago, which allowed you to share some of his thoughts. β
"Isn't that good?" Harry was puzzled, "That's how I found out that Sirius fell into Voldemort's hands. β
"It's not that it's bad." Dumbledore softened his tone, "It's just the old man's concern, I'm afraid you'll be disturbed by him in turn." β
Harry didn't want to learn from Snape, "But why Snape!" "Let Snape teach him? God knows what Snape will do to Harry when he takes the opportunity.
"It's Professor Snape!" Dumbledore corrected Harry's title, "Professor Snape, he is a master at this, with him teaching you, I believe you will soon be able to master it." β
Harry still had a glimmer of hope, "Can't that be what you taught me?" "It's a frustration to ask for a gift in person, but Harry really doesn't want to make up extra lessons with Snape.
"But I'm going to deal with Voldemort." Dumbledore regretted, "You know, he's not easy to deal with, not to mention, Sirius is still in his hands. β
"It's just 6 p.m. every Monday evening, but don't talk about it, our Professor Snape is worried that someone will say he's biased."
Harry wouldn't think so. It would be appropriate if partiality was changed to abuse!
It is an established fact that cannot be changed. This is what Dumbledore meant.
Harry had a headache as he thought about the days ahead. He suddenly noticed that there was something more in the Headmaster's office, and in addition to the Sorting Hat, there were Hufflepuff Gold Cups and Slytherin Lockets on either side of it.
"Why are they here!" Harry asked in amazement, "Didn't you say Voldemort was looking for them?" Why not find a place to hide? β
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, making Harry feel embarrassed, "Yes, Hogwarts is the safest place to be, and you don't need to worry about Voldemort coming and taking it." β
"You're right, though." Dumbledore examined himself, "I can't be in the Headmaster's office all the time, you know?" Hogwarts is not completely safe, and Gringotts also let Voldemort break through, so it's better to be careful. Hide them when you turn around. β