Hogwarts: I am Snape

Chapter 147 The Wand Changes Hands
The sounds of wind and rain outside the window seemed blurry and distant.

Malfoy's smile in the Daily Prophet on the table now seemed utterly insignificant.

Professor Flitwick stared blankly, his mouth slightly agape, his small eyes wide, lost in that legendary yet tragic scene—the towering tower in the night, the open prison doors, the silent leader, the slumped followers…

This created an irreconcilable rift between him and the image of the raging, sweeping black wizard he knew.

Snape glanced at the two professors and continued, "For someone like Grindelwald, for a politician and ambitious man who has long seen through life and death, death and imprisonment, things that ordinary people fear, cannot frighten him."

"There is only one thing that can truly break him and make him willingly imprison himself: the complete bankruptcy of his ideal blueprint and the irreversible destruction of the path he firmly believed in leading to 'greater interests'."

"When most wizards were on his side, the defeat in the duel in 1945 not only shattered his power, but also fundamentally negated his path."

"Professors, the person locked in that tower is not a dangerous prisoner, but someone who has no intention of escaping."

"His war ended more than thirty years ago. All that's left for him is that self-imposed tower and a history that has been forgotten or cursed by the world."

"A powerful dark wizard who has lost his ambition might just be a card we can try to play when fighting the mysterious man. There are risks involved, but isn't it worth considering compared to sitting and waiting for death?"
“I think, for Professor Dumbledore’s sake, perhaps we should make some contact with him.”

Upon hearing Snape's last words, Professor McGonagall's arms, which were crossed over her chest, trembled slightly. A hidden, unacknowledged wavering finally appeared in her gaze as she looked at Snape.

She closed her eyes, her expression shifting rapidly. The scene of the European wizarding world in Grindelwald's time, filled with unease and the Muggle world teetering on the brink of collapse, vividly appeared before her eyes.

But who else could it be but the loser imprisoned in the tower of Nurmengard?
A choice lies on either side of the scale: unleash a known shadow to confront the imminent, ruthless, and insane tyrant; or cower in the drifting ark and pray for Dumbledore's resurrection.

After a long while, Professor McGonagall slowly opened her eyes, raised her head, and met Snape's gaze.

“Severus,” her voice was a little hoarse, “you… convinced me. In the current situation, perhaps we really have no other choice, and no possible strength should be given up so easily. We shall proceed to Nurmengard.”

Professor Flitwick was no longer a staunch opponent. His small body shifted restlessly in his chair, his gaze darting between Snape and Professor McGonagall.

Then, Professor McGonagall waved her hand, summoning the magic map from the bookshelf, and her fingers quickly traced across the table:
"We must plan our route carefully. Neumungard is located deep in the Austrian Alps, which means we will need to cross half of the European continent, a long and dangerous journey."

"Given the current situation, any known magical transportation method, such as the International Floo Network, could be under the surveillance of the Death Eaters or the Ministry of Magic. We must find a way to allow the Founders' Ship to bypass those potential detections..."

“No need,” Snape interrupted her planning. “Not ‘we,’ Professor. You can’t risk approaching that place with a ship full of students. The target is too big, and the risks are uncontrollable.” His gaze swept over the map on the table. “Rather than gambling with a whole ship of people, send only one person.”

McGonagall and Professor Flitwick both looked at him.

"Then, who is suitable to do this?" Professor McGonagall pressed, her gaze fixed intently on Snape.

“I’ll go.” Snape answered without hesitation, as if stating a fact that had already been established. “I’ll go alone. You stay here and protect the last hope of Hogwarts, protect the students, and also, protect Professor Dumbledore.”

“No!” Professor Flitwick immediately objected, nearly jumping off his chair. “That’s too risky! Sending a student to face Grindelwald alone? Absolutely not, Severus. We know you’re far more capable than your peers, but this…”

“Felius is right,” Professor McGonagall interjected sternly. “This is beyond the students’ scope. It would be more appropriate for Felius and me to go.”

“I am the optimal solution.” Snape shook his head, staring intently at them. “The two of you are ten times more important to manage things on this ship than to leave.”

“The students need you. Professor McGonagall, in the absence of Professor Dumbledore, you are the anchor of this ship, the pillar of everyone; Professor Flitwick, your knowledge of spells is the key to maintaining the ship’s invisibility and defense.” He paused, “More importantly, I also want to see this once legendary dark wizard with my own eyes.”

"As for the potential dangers?" He raised his chin slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "At this point, do you still see me as an 'ordinary student' who needs to be sheltered in a greenhouse?"

Professor McGonagall fell silent. She stared at Snape, but had to admit that this young man, whom Dumbledore trusted so deeply, had long surpassed the category of "ordinary student." Pressed by his sharp gaze, she could only sigh heavily.

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, although her eyes were still full of worry, the intensity of her opposition had faded.

“Alright.” Professor McGonagall walked to an old locker in the captain’s cabin, which was inlaid with the emblems of the four Hogwarts houses, tapped it a few times with her wand, and opened a hidden compartment.

She took out a small silver badge. It was exquisitely engraved with the symbols of the four houses of Hogwarts: the lion, the snake, the badger, and the eagle. They were lifelike and surrounded a small shield in the center.

“Take this.” She handed the badge to Snape and said, “This is one of the core tokens of the Founder’s Ark. It will act like a pointer, telling you the location of the Founder’s Ark. No matter where you are, whether we are flying or hiding, as long as you activate it, it will guide you home.” She smiled and added, “Don’t lose it.”

Snape solemnly accepted the badge, nodded, and carefully placed it in the inside pocket of his robe.

“Now, what preparations do you need to make?” Professor McGonagall asked.

"Before I leave, please allow me to see Professor Dumbledore." Snape offered no further explanation, turning and heading towards the door. McGonagall and Flitwick exchanged a glance, filled with questions, but quickly followed.

The three left the captain's cabin and headed towards the relatively quiet medical area on the lower deck.

The ward was filled with the faint scent of magic potion. The old man was still asleep, his face pale, his silver beard and long hair scattered on the pillow, his face as peaceful as a child's. He was completely unrecognizable as the wizard who had once dominated an era.

Snape walked to the bedside, bent down, and gently cut a small lock of silver hair from Professor Dumbledore's long, silvery hair at his temples, tucking it into his pocket.

“It seems you intend to impersonate Albus when you meet Grindelwald,” Professor McGonagall said thoughtfully. “That might be of some help.”

“Yes.” Snape nodded.

“Then perhaps you should take his wand,” Professor McGonagall suggested.

Upon hearing this, Snape bent down again, and naturally reached out as if he were simply taking something of his own, gently slipping his hand into the wide side pocket of Dumbledore's wizard robe—the place where he usually kept his wand.

“Buzz—” However, the moment his fingers grasped the wand, a strange buzzing sound seemed to shoot directly from his finger bones into his brain.

It wasn't a feeling of coldness or heat, but rather an indescribable "fit." It was as if a missing part of him had been instantly replaced, and an ancient, steady aura containing destructive power flowed through his entire body, creating an indescribable harmony with his magic.

There was no rejection or barrier, only a natural, unhindered feeling, like breathing. This feeling was similar to when he first picked up the wand Ollivander had chosen for him, but stronger, more unruly, and completely brooking no refusal.

It was no longer a cold tool, but seemed to become an extension of his limbs, giving rise to a feeling of perfect understanding and seamless connection.

"Oh no..." Snape's hand holding the wand almost froze as a terrible thought flashed through his mind, "This Elder Wand has changed hands!"

The details of the Deathly Hallows and the legend of the Elder Wand surfaced vividly in my memory:
The eldest of the Peverell brothers, after obtaining the Elder Wand, was drunk in his inn bed when another wizard sneaked up to his bedside and stole the wand, thus losing ownership of it.

What did he just do? Without Professor Dumbledore's permission, and while the master was unconscious, he "stole" the Elder Wand from his pocket.

Despite their different motivations, his actions have already confirmed the logic behind the transfer of the Deathly Hallows.

Snape looked down at the Elder Wand in his hand, which seemed to fit him perfectly. The touch and the power flowing within it silently told him that this Staff of Destiny had recognized him as its master.

He didn't even need to try waving it; he knew that the wand would unleash unprecedented power for him at this moment.

Fate had worked in such an absurd yet logical way that he became the master of the Elder Wand.

He subconsciously glanced at the sleeping old man on the hospital bed, wondering what Professor Dumbledore would think when he woke up and discovered that the wand he had taken from someone had inexplicably changed hands.

It seems that my mission must succeed; I must bring Grindelwald to this ship.

“Severus?” Professor McGonagall’s voice sounded from behind, tinged with concern. “What is it? You need the Headmaster’s wand; you can borrow it.”

She looked at the elder wand in Snape's hand, unaware of its true identity.

“I think it’s fine,” Snape said, his voice slightly unnatural. “Professor, I will bring this wand back.” Since Professor McGonagall was unaware of the wand’s special properties, he didn’t know where to begin, or whether he should explain at all.

Professor McGonagall, seeing his slightly awkward and unnatural expression, assumed that his hesitation stemmed from respect for the headmaster and from his caution regarding "borrowing" the headmaster's wand.

“Take it first,” she said reassuringly. “Albus won’t need it for a while. Using it to complete your mission is the best way to honor him.” She frowned and thought for a moment. “Oh, right, you’ll also need a flying broom. Come with me.”

Snape nodded silently, carefully putting away the Elder Wand and placing it together with the token badge.

……

After receiving the Nimbus 1001 from Professor McGonagall, which was currently considered to be of superior speed and stability, Snape said to her:

"Professor, could you please explain to my friends that I have some things to take care of and need to leave for a few days? Please don't worry about me." He thought for a moment, then added, "Take good care of them."

“I will,” Professor McGonagall nodded solemnly. “Be careful, Severus.”

Snape said nothing more. He picked up a broom, crossed the corridor, and strode toward the deck.

The storm outside seemed to have subsided a bit, but the dark clouds remained thick, with low, dark rain clouds churning beneath the ship.

There were still quite a few students on deck. They peeked over, and Pandora, Lily... several familiar faces were also mixed in with the crowd.

Snape slung himself over his broom, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, lingering briefly on the worried faces of Pandora and Lily.

Then, he flashed a bright smile at the young wizards and two professors on deck and waved vigorously:

"wait me back!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly pushed off the deck, and the Nimbus 1001 shot through the flexible magical barrier like an arrow, disappearing into the churning gray-black clouds.

Speeding through thick clouds and rain, with churning gray-white air masses before him and icy rain and strong air currents hitting him, he felt a strange sense of freedom.

After about a minute, Snape found a relatively thin gap, swooped down, and his vision suddenly opened up.

Below, instead of rolling dark clouds, lay a vast expanse of mountains and land.

Lush forests cover the rolling mountains, and the winding river shimmers with a gray-blue light in the cascading beams of sunlight.

He couldn't pinpoint exactly where he had landed, but that didn't matter.

Quickly descending, Snape landed on an open riverbank near the river, where the trees were relatively dense and the land was far from the road.

The river flowed with a rushing sound. He looked around to make sure there were no signs of Muggle or magical surveillance.

Then, he drew his acacia wood wand.

His silhouette quickly became blurred and transparent, blending into the changing light and mist on the riverbank at dusk.

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(End of this chapter)