Hogwarts: I am Snape

Chapter 157 Parting ways
Although Snape and his crew successfully instilled strong doubts and distrust of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts under Malfoy's control among most of the students on the ship through carefully crafted newspapers and subtle public opinion manipulation, not everyone could completely escape the invisible pressure brought about by official propaganda.

While temporarily safe aboard the Founder's Ship high in the sky, one cannot avoid the lingering sense of uncertainty and instability.

Above me was a vast starry sky, and below me was a rolling sea of ​​clouds. I was separated from the familiar land, which also amplified my inner unease.

This unease is quietly growing in the hearts of those whose will is not strong enough.

Moreover, memories are sometimes inevitably blurred.

Even though the teachers and students on the ship had personally experienced Abraxas Malfoy's undisguised contempt for "Mudbloods" when he taught at Hogwarts, his almost harsh punishment of Muggle students for breaking the rules, and his brutal attitude of treating house-elves like dirt and frequently beating, scolding, and insulting them.

But time itself, coupled with the carefully edited photos in the newspapers, the "kind" smiles, and the beautiful words that repeatedly emphasize "safety" and "tolerance," seems to possess a certain magic that can unconsciously blur those painful memories and instead give rise to a sliver of wishful thinking: maybe going back won't be so bad.

Therefore, while the worries and fears of most people on board gradually transformed into a sense of belonging to the "Founder's Ship," a unique refuge, and a determination to weather the storm together, the minds of a few still began to waver.

Among them, the most quick-witted, yet also the most timid, was Peter Pettigrew.

These past few days, Insect Tail has seemed particularly restless.

He was obsessed, repeatedly flipping through a newspaper obtained with a copying charm, his eyes occasionally glancing at the exaggerated passages about "ensuring safety" and "welcoming those who have gone astray," which Snape had deliberately preserved.

Those words, like hooks, constantly stirred his deepest longing for a stable and normal life.

Fear, like a cold snake, coiled around his heart. The Death Eaters' brutal attacks, Mr. Green's blue fiends that treated human life as worthless, and the danger of the ship being exposed again at any moment... all of these kept him awake at night.

On a slightly bumpy afternoon, he finally couldn't hold back any longer.

Wormtail took the newspaper out of his pocket and pointed it at James, Sirius, and the others who were leaning against the ship's railing, feeling bored and stifled by the constraints of the ship and their sense of alienation from those around them.

“Guys,” he said, spreading out the newspaper and pointing to the “promises,” “have you read the newspaper? The Ministry of Magic… they said that as long as you go back, they will guarantee the safety of the students, regardless of their bloodline.”

“Jaime, Sirius,” Wormtail looked at them anxiously, “you are purebloods, they won’t do anything to you. I’m thinking of leaving, why don’t you come back with me? I’ll feel more at ease with you here!”

“It’s too dangerous here. Who knows when we’ll be attacked again?” He lowered his voice, his face showing genuine fear. “The newspapers said it was just a ‘naive mistake’ and we won’t be implicated.”

“Getting home safely is better than floating in the sky, right? Besides, that Mr. Green is terrifying; he doesn't care about life at all. Staying with him, I think, would be more dangerous…”

James and Sirius exchanged a glance.

They boarded the ship largely because Professor McGonagall emphasized the seriousness of the situation and wanted to protect their relatively weak friend, Peter.

Now that Wormtail himself strongly desires to leave, and those "guarantees" in the newspapers seem to make some sense, especially for them as pure-blood wizards, the situation is quite different.

Coupled with the stifling atmosphere on the ship and the profound shock caused by "Mr. Green's" ruthless methods, their inner balance began to shift.

“What Wormtail said,” James said hesitantly, breaking the silence, “makes some sense. We’re purebloods; if we go back, we’ll at most get a scolding, a few days of solitary confinement? Or maybe a symbolic fine? It’s better than being on this ship floating in the sky, constantly worrying about being attacked, isn’t it?” He was trying to convince himself.

Sirius Black leaned against the gunwale, his black hair tousled by the wind. Rebellious at heart, he loathed constraints, and the ship's rules irritated him. But he thought more deeply than James, a hint of worry etched on his brow:
"Going back...is it really safe? Who's in charge of the Ministry of Magic now? The Mysterious Man and his gang are no pushovers."

“Professor McGonagall and the others originally only planned to bring Muggle-born students up here. What does that mean?” Peter immediately seized the opportunity, trying to make his words sound more convincing, “It means that, in their view, pure-blood or half-blood wizards are not dangerous staying at Hogwarts.”

"Snape and the others only came along to help or for some other reason. We...we're just going back to 'normal'!"

At this moment, Remus Lupin, who had been holding a book, looked up from his book. He had just heard their conversation, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Jaime noticed Lupin's gaze and immediately asked, "Remus, you're a half-blood wizard, you don't need to worry about your safety, why don't you come with us..."

“I am a werewolf,” Lupin interrupted him calmly.

“Werewolves…” Peter paused for a moment, then quickly interjected, “Werewolves are fine too! The Ministry of Magic has a registration office, and you’ll be fine once you register! The Ministry of Magic has to follow its own rules, right?”

Lupin looked at the almost naive hope in Wormtail's eyes, then at the longing for "freedom" and "home" on James and Sirius's faces, and slowly, heavily shook his head.

“I don’t know, Peter,” he said with concern. “I don’t know what the Ministry of Magic’s ‘rules’ mean to a werewolf who is still studying. Is it tighter surveillance? Discrimination? Or something else?” He didn’t finish his sentence, but the distrust and worry in his words were clear.

Aside from Lupin, the three inseparable friends were now gripped by a strong urge to return to a "normal" life or a safe haven as they sat on the rocking side of the ship.

James and Sirius have been persuaded by Peter, or rather, by their own inner turmoil and longing for the past.

Lupin watched them silently, and finally, when Peter and the other two decided to go to Professor McGonagall to ask to leave, he closed his book and silently followed behind them.

……

Professor McGonagall had just come out of the Transfiguration classroom, her face still showing signs of fatigue from teaching, when she bumped into the group of four with different expressions.

Peter's face showed barely suppressed anticipation and a hint of nervousness, James and Sirius carried an excitement of "finally being free" mixed with a touch of trepidation about the unknown, while Lupin silently followed at the back, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Seeing their expressions, Professor McGonagall guessed what was going on, and her face instantly turned extremely serious.

“Potter, Black, Pettigrew, Mr. Lupin.” Her gaze swept over the four of them, and she asked, “What do you want with me?”

“Professor McGonagall,” Peter mustered his courage and stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly, “we…we are adults now and wish to apply to leave the Founders’ Ship.”

“Are you, especially you, Peter, sure you want to do this?” Professor McGonagall asked worriedly. “It’s very dangerous out there right now. The Ministry of Magic is mandating the registration of all wizards’ origins and conducting ‘screenings’.”

“Potter and Black, with your family backgrounds, perhaps we can make an exception for you.” Her gaze shifted to Wormtail, filled with deep worry. “But, Mr. Pettigrew, you…you might be in real danger if you leave here.”

“Professor McGonagall, we’ve thought it through!” Peter repeated eagerly, waving the newspaper in his hand. “The newspaper says it’ll be safe! And…and we miss home! We really miss home!” “Yes, Professor,” James nodded vigorously beside him, adding, “It’s not good to stay floating in the sky all day. We’ll go back and stay at home or at school; there won’t be any danger. Besides, Sirius and I can provide shelter for Peter. He’s our friend.”

Professor McGonagall looked at their young and stubborn faces, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness.

She sighed deeply, her gaze passing over them and landing on Lu Ping, who had remained silent behind them.

“Remus, your friends are leaving,” she asked. “What are your thoughts?”

The corridor fell silent. The three members of Wormtail also turned to look at Lupin.

Lupin remained silent for a moment.

His gaze swept over Peter, whose eyes were filled with eager pleading, and over James and Sirius, who stood beside him with anticipation and a hint of urgency. Finally, his eyes pierced through the small window on the ship's side and looked out at the vast, boundless sky.

He took a deep breath, as if to suppress all his hesitation and complex emotions, his voice low but firm:

"Professor, I choose to stay."

"Remus!" James and Sirius exclaimed simultaneously, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Why?" James asked urgently, his voice filled with confusion and a hint of hurt. "Come back with us! We're... raiders...we promised to go together!"

Lupin looked at James and gave him a gentle smile.

“No, James. I can’t help you much if we go back. And…” His voice lowered, tinged with self-mockery, “I don’t know if Mr. Malfoy will allow a werewolf to remain at Hogwarts.”

"Thank you for your kindness, but I choose to stay here."

James and Sirius opened their mouths, wanting to persuade him again, but seeing the determination and hidden pain in Lupin's eyes, they knew that their friend of seven years had made up his mind.

A profound sense of disappointment and bewilderment enveloped them; James even turned his head away in annoyance. Peter, however, wore only the excitement and anticipation of his impending departure.

Professor McGonagall watched this scene with mixed feelings.

“Alright,” she finally nodded heavily, “I approve your application. However, you must keep the method, time, and place of your departure strictly confidential, and you must not tell anyone else on the ship. Understand?”

Wormtail nodded quickly in agreement, and James and Sirius nodded as well.

"Pack your essential personal belongings secretly, and don't bring anything that might reveal information about the ship," Professor McGonagall ordered. "Tomorrow night, at 2:30 a.m., either Professor Flitwick or I will take you away. Remember, absolute secrecy is required."

Lu Ping nodded silently to them, said nothing more, and turned to walk towards the student lounge.

Peter and his two companions left hastily with mixed feelings, returning to their dormitory to pack their belongings.

Back in the faculty office, Professor McGonagall informed everyone that Peter, James, and Sirius had requested to leave.

Snape was sitting at the table studying a notebook on human alchemical modifications (written by Grindelwald as a manuscript). Upon hearing the news, he didn't even raise his head, only letting out a cold snort.

“It’s better that he’s gone,” he said. “Especially Peter Pettigrew. If he had stayed on the ship, he would have been a problem, his mind unsettled. Who knows what he might have done if he had been completely swayed by the Ministry of Magic’s propaganda or overwhelmed by fear.”

"Let him leave with his two pure-blooded friends, and from now on, they'll go their separate ways and have no further connection. That would be the best outcome."

“However,” Snape put down the documents in his hand, looked at Professor McGonagall, and added, “for safety’s sake, I suggest that before they leave, you personally take action to selectively modify or remove their memories of ‘Mr. Green’.”

"To prevent them from revealing crucial information under questioning after they return, which would cause us even greater trouble."

Although Professor McGonagall had some reservations about using the Forgetfulness Charm, she understood that Snape's concerns were very real and necessary.

“I agree.” She nodded heavily. “I’ll handle it when I send them off…”

Just then, the office door was flung open, and Order of the Phoenix member Emily Vance rushed in, panting.

She was still holding a flying broom in one hand, obviously having just returned from outside, and in the other hand she was tightly clutching a crumpled copy of what appeared to be the latest issue of the Daily Prophet.

"Professor, everyone, we have news!" Emily's voice was hoarse from excitement and running. She slammed the newspaper on the table and pointed to an inconspicuous news item at the bottom of the page. "I know where Frank and Alice are. Look here!"

"...Frank and Alice Longbottom, convicted of involvement in the Hogwarts Rebellion and the attack on the Aurors, underwent a expedited trial yesterday. With conclusive evidence, they were sentenced to life imprisonment and immediately transferred to Azkaban."

“Azkaban!” Moody, who had been sitting silently in the shadows, stood up, leaning on his cane.

A terrifying rage erupted from his only remaining normal eye, while the other eye, fitted with a strangely rotating, coldly gleaming alchemical glass prosthetic eye, appeared even more ferocious. This was an experimental prototype that Grindelwald had made in his spare time over the past two days, and it was still imperfect.

When he was angry, his glass eyeball seemed to be stimulated and rotated wildly backward, leaving only a black eyeball with metal wires around its edge, making him look like a demon from hell.

"Those bastards!" Moody slammed his cane on the floor with a dull thud. "We have to go save them!"

“We need to hurry.” Professor McGonagall’s face also darkened. “The longer they stay, the closer they get to madness from the Dementors’ torment.”

The crowd responded enthusiastically, their faces filled with anger and determination.

“A rescue is necessary, but,” Snape thought of the kind, friendly couple. Though he shared their concern, he couldn't help but voice his doubts, “we need to make sure this isn't a trap. What if they're deliberately spreading rumors to lure us into a trap?”

　Thank you to Pig Can Fly, Summer Night and Wind, and Qichuan Qianfan for the monthly tickets.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)