Hogwarts: I am Snape

Winter seemed to arrive all at once. The view outside the minister's office window was as cool and sparkling as a mint.

As a green flame rose in the fireplace, a tall, thin man in a black travel cloak nimbly crouched down and emerged, casually brushing off non-existent ashes from his shoulder.

Behind the large desk, a man with neatly combed straw-colored hair was buried in a thick pile of documents, not even looking up when he heard the sound.

"Barty, still busy?" Snape walked across the desk, his tone relaxed.

Little Barty finally looked up from the pile of documents waiting to be reviewed, and glared at him irritably: "Thanks to you."

If this guy hadn't stubbornly refused to take over this mess, he wouldn't be stuck in this office chair, facing endless work every day.

“Isn’t this your own choice?” Snape pulled out a chair and sat down, deliberately exaggerating his tone. “My initial opinion was that ‘Mr. Barty Crouch’ should be the next Minister for Magic. If you really don’t want to…” He drawled, winking mischievously, “there’s always ‘Mr. Crouch’ who’s happy to serve you.”

Little Barty put the quill pen in his hand into the ink bottle, and couldn't help but glare at him again: "You call this a choice? You're so carefree, running all over the world, so free." The envy and resentment in his tone were almost overflowing.

"Oh, don't be angry." Snape smiled, took a uniquely shaped, warm-glazed teapot from his pocket, and gently pushed it in front of Barty. "Look, I brought you a gift."

Little Barty cautiously picked up the teapot, sensing a subtle magical fluctuation.

He examined the winding silver patterns on the teapot closely, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "A bird-snake?"

"A bird-snake?" Little Barty picked up the teapot, examined it carefully, and cautiously did not open the lid immediately.

“Looks like you haven’t forgotten all the knowledge from the Conservation of Magical Creatures class for Professor Kettleburn,” Snape said, flipping through the stack of documents on the table. “This thing is quite rare now; I had a hard time getting it from a local priest in northern India. I wouldn’t normally give it away as a gift to just anyone…”

"Hmm..." He paused, his gaze falling on the contents of the document, "Are those old fogies causing trouble again?"

Little Barty nodded, a hint of weariness on his face, but it was immediately replaced by a mocking smile: "The new election is about to begin, and they just won't shut up, spouting all that ancient tradition, that wizards are pure..."

“However,” he changed the subject, pulling out a copy of today’s Daily Prophet from the bottom of the pile of documents, flipping to the entertainment section, turning it around, and pointing to an inconspicuous corner, “the recent ‘friendly exchanges’ have improved considerably since we decided to equip the Auror offices with those ‘Muggle canes’ as you suggested. Look.”

In the small animated photo, Snape saw a group of elderly wizards in robes, holding signs and protesting. They were all bruised and swollen, groaning and angrily waving their fists at the camera. The accompanying text was vague, only saying that "a minor accident occurred during the protest," but that no protesters had been magically harmed.

“Hmm, this ‘holiday gift’ is quite nice, I like it very much.” Snape nodded with satisfaction. “Using wands on them is really inappropriate. This is just right, it controls the force while still expressing the attitude. Our current laws don’t prohibit the use of ‘wands’ to maintain order.”

Little Barty nodded in agreement and put the newspaper away.

"By the way, I didn't go sightseeing this time," Snape changed the subject, "I've already finalized the matter of inviting Yuhang Dao Law Academy to participate in the Triwizard Tournament after the restart."

"Although Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had reservations about having four magic schools participating in the Triwizard Tournament, I have successfully persuaded Mr. Karkaroff and Mrs. Maxim. The Ministry of Magic can now officially begin the relevant preparations."

“No problem,” Little Barty replied. “It was thanks to the wizards of Yuhang Dao Academy that we were able to resolve the troublesome blood curse on Nagini. They actually said they had quite a bit of knowledge about such complex and ancient magic; they are truly… unfathomable.” He paused, as if remembering something, “As usual, I will reserve five of the best seats for Professor Slughorn; he loves this kind of lively atmosphere.”

At that moment, a soft knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

"Please come in," Little Barty called out.

The door opened, and a young witch carrying a large cardboard box walked in with some difficulty.

She had striking short, bubblegum pinkish-purple hair, but the ends of her hair were involuntarily changing color slightly, seemingly because the box she was carrying was too heavy.

“Minister, this is the latest batch of documents from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement that you need to review. Old Mr. Crouch asked me to deliver them…” Before she could finish speaking, she saw Snape sitting on the other side. “Oh, Mr. Snape, you’re here too!” She tried to free a hand to greet him, but the box tilted to one side.

“Good afternoon, Tonks.” Snape turned to her and greeted her gently. “Just call me Uncle, like you did when you were a kid.”

After saying that, he stood up so that he could easily put the heavy file box on the table for her.

But just as Tonks was carrying the box toward the desk, he somehow tripped over the ornate but slightly curled carpet.

"oops!"

She screamed, lost her balance, and fell backward to the ground. The cardboard box in her arms flew out of her hands, and the documents inside scattered all over the ground like petals falling from the sky.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Tonks scrambled to his feet, his cheeks flushed red, and the ends of his hair suddenly turned bright orange. "I... this is the fourth time I've tripped over this carpet!"

Snape shrugged helplessly and exchanged a glance with Barty Jr. Neither of them said anything more, but simultaneously drew their wands and waved them, causing the scattered documents to fly back into the box and be neatly stacked.

“It’s alright, Tonks, it’s not your fault.” Barty said calmly, looking thoughtfully at the carpet. “That old man sent you to deliver the documents on purpose… He knew perfectly well…” He stroked his chin and snorted, “I just wouldn’t agree to him resigning!”
"Hmm, perhaps we could transfer him to the International Magic Cooperation Department? Next year's Triwizard Tournament needs someone experienced in dealing with all sorts of people; let him handle those tedious diplomatic details..."

Noticing that Tonks was still standing nervously to the side, her fingers twisted together, the orange in her hair not yet completely faded, Snape spoke up to comfort her:
“Relax, Tonks. Three years of Auror training is a long time. You have plenty of time to get used to the ‘terrain’ of the department.”

Tonks nodded obediently, but her eyes kept glancing towards the door, clearly wanting to escape this place that had embarrassed her so many times.

“Don’t even think about running away,” Snape added, seeing through her thoughts. “Come with us to Ottley St. Catchbol. They’re definitely preparing enough food to feed an army of trolls.” With that, he waved for Tonks to use the fireplace first. “Go on, there’s always work to be done, and nothing can’t wait until next year.”

Tonks scratched her ever-changing hair and obediently walked to the fireplace, grabbed a small pinch of glittering Floo Powder from the brass pot on the mantel, and disappeared into the green flames.

Barty briefly explained the work arrangements to a portrait of a wizard wearing a curly wig on the wall, and a moment later, he and Snape went into the fireplace one after the other.

Snape grabbed some Pathfinder and threw it into the flames. The flames instantly turned emerald green and rose high into the sky.

“The Burrow!” he said clearly, then stepped into the fireplace and disappeared into the swirling flames.

A series of differently decorated fireplaces flashed by indistinctly, and a few seconds later, Snape stepped out from another fireplace. A wave of heat, a mixture of the aromas of food, the smell of firewood, and the noise of children, hit him.

Even after two expansions, the Burrow still felt full and cozy on the eve of Christmas, filled with that unique, warm, and lively atmosphere.

He could hear sounds coming from every corner—the laughter of children chasing and playing, the clatter of something being knocked over, and the clanging and banging of cooking coming from the kitchen.

A little girl with thick black hair and emerald green eyes, who was squatting on the ground whispering to a red-haired girl, immediately noticed Snape coming out of the fireplace.

The little girl's eyes lit up, and a bright smile bloomed on her face.

"father!"

She screamed and sprang up from the ground like a small cannonball, rushing towards him.

Meanwhile, several other children nearby were cheerfully calling out, "Uncle Snape! Uncle Crouch!"

Snape greeted the adults and children in the room, then bent down with a big smile, picked up the little girl who was rushing towards him, and affectionately rubbed his slightly stubbled cheek against his daughter's soft face.

“Oh, my dear little Hailey,” his voice was incredibly gentle, “how was your day?”

Hailey playfully pushed Snape's face away a little with her small hand, then began to chatter rapidly as she reported: "We had a Quidditch match on the hillside this morning! I scored the most goals on my broomstick! Charlie even said I have a talent for Seeker..." Her little face was full of excitement and pride.

Just as Snape was listening intently to Hailey's vivid recounting of her "heroic deeds" and carrying her toward the table in the center of the living room, several teenagers burst in from outside the door, bringing with them a blast of cold air and the smell of earth.

They were covered in grass clippings and were holding several struggling, cursing, and mud-covered garden goblins in their hands.

One girl stood out. She had light silver-blue eyes and light blonde hair that reached her waist.

Although her face was dirty and her skirt was stained with mud, her neat and exquisite hair ornaments and proper attire showed that she had received very meticulous and attentive care.

Upon seeing Snape, the little girl immediately tossed aside the squeaking goblin she was holding, let out a joyful shriek, and ran briskly toward Snape.

Snape quickly shifted Hayley from his arms to one arm, freeing up his other hand and half of his embrace to hold the little girl.

The little girl ran up to him, nimbly jumped on the spot, and skillfully hung on Snape. She wrapped her little hands, covered in mud, around his neck and giggled as she smeared the mud on her hands onto his face.

"Oh, my naughty Luna." Snape, unconcerned about the mud on his face and ignoring Hailey's protests of "Daddy!", deliberately turned his head and smeared some mud from his face onto Hailey's clean little face, causing Hailey to cry out and Luna to laugh even more happily.

Snape carried the two girls to the long table, where a little boy with red hair and many freckles on his face pulled out a chair for him.

“Thank you, Ron.” Snape thanked him, carefully placed the two playful little girls in his arms on the sofa next to him, and then sat down in the chair that Ron had pulled out.

He looked Ron closely and suddenly said, "Ron, you have something dirty on your nose."

Ron instinctively tried to dodge, but Snape grabbed him and used the thumb of his free hand to wipe the tip of his nose.

“Uncle Snape—let me go.” Ron squirmed uncomfortably, breaking free from Snape’s grasp, his ears turning slightly red.

"Well, Ron, you little rascal, you've run into trouble again?"

Two almost identical red-haired twin brothers walked out of the kitchen, laughing and joking, carrying several plates of freshly baked, fragrant pastries.

“Shut up, Fred,” Ron retorted irritably.

“I’m not Fred, I’m George,” the boy who put the plate on the table said seriously. “Honestly, Ron, it’s really not good enough that you can’t tell us apart as our brother.”

Seeing Ron's expression begin to turn irritable, Snape spoke up at the opportune moment: "Ron, I received a letter from Piglet last month." He winked mysteriously at Ron, "Don't worry, you'll be satisfied with this year's Christmas present."

“Really?” Ron’s attention was immediately drawn, and his lips curled into a smile, but then his face fell again. “But… Mom said it’s too dangerous… She doesn’t agree…” Despite saying this, the longing in his eyes clearly revealed his true thoughts. “But next year! Next year I’m going to Hogwarts! Maybe then I can apply to join… if I have my own…”

“Uncle Snape,” Fred and George immediately came over, looking at Snape expectantly, “Where’s ours?” George eagerly pushed a plate piled high with steak and kidney pies toward him, “Dobby just made these, eat them while they’re hot, they’re delicious!”

Snape readily picked up a pie that was still slightly hot, took a bite, and savored it: "Hmm, it tastes really good, the heat is just right, and the filling is very well seasoned... It's almost comparable to Kreacher's cooking."

“Don’t worry,” he smiled, looking at the twins’ expectant eyes, “when have I ever let you down? But,” he deliberately drawled, leaning closer to the brothers and lowering his voice, “this time I have a little gift for both of you. It’s perfect for you both.”

"Although its effectiveness has been somewhat diminished due to an accident that Pandora and I experienced together many years ago, I believe it will definitely make your upcoming school life more... colorful and enriching."

"Is there any magic that can make time pass faster?" Fred wailed, becoming increasingly restless and squirming in his chair. "Why isn't it time to open presents tomorrow morning yet?"

"No, wait," Hayley mumbled, still sitting on the sofa where Snape had placed her. Her mouth was full of pie, and crumbs of pastry clung to her lips. As she spoke, she reached for a small tangerine and expertly peeled it. "I'm more excited for the Christmas party tonight than for the presents! Mama said Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Brother Dudley will all be coming. Brother Dudley said he'll be bringing a new Muggle tabletop role-playing game!"

“Yes, the feast is not to be missed.” Snape glanced at the colorful, flower-filled room decorated with magical ribbons, holly, and mistletoe wreaths. Listening to the carefree laughter of the children, and watching Percy sitting upright, trying to find topics to talk about with Barty, he felt a peaceful and warm feeling fill his heart. Even the ugly face of the little garden goblin, bound to the top of the Christmas tree and glaring at him, seemed vivid and adorable in his eyes at this moment.

Outside the window, snowflakes began to fall silently, making the room feel even warmer and more like springtime.

Everyone is here.

All is well. (End of Chapter)