Hogwarts: I am Snape

Chapter 34 The Black Mark
Dumbledore stood up again, walked over to Moorselber, bent down slightly, took his left arm, and rolled up his sleeve to his elbow.

There was something on Muller's skin that looked like a bright red tattoo—a snake emerging from the mouth of a skull.

It's the Black Magic Mark.

“Well, has Voldemort stooped so low as to turn his students into Death Eaters?” Dumbledore said.

His blue eyes blazed with fury, though his voice remained calm.

The name jolted Murseb awake. He shuddered, shook his head violently, glanced venomously at the people around him, and then lowered his head again.

Dumbledore looked down at Moorselber, his face showing disgust and his eyes filled with disappointment.

Then he raised his wand again, and several ropes flew out of the wand with a whoosh, drawing arcs in the air before quickly wrapping around Murseb's body and binding him tightly.

Dumbledore turned to Professor McGonagall and said, "Minerva, could you please contact Frank Longbottom and have him come back at dawn to take Mulceber away?"

“No problem,” Professor McGonagall replied readily. “I’ll settle him in my office tonight.”

She drew her wand and pointed it at Mursab.

Muller's body slowly floated up and followed Professor McGonagall toward the door.

After the door closed, Slughorn twisted his pale purple dressing gown with his short, stubby fingers.

His eyes darted around, and after hesitating for a long while, he finally stammered out:

"Albus, I'm thinking, I'm almost eighty years old."

"Perhaps I should consider having more time to enjoy my old arms and legs."

"Do you want to retire, Horace?" Dumbledore said calmly, "at a point in time."

Slughorn shook his head and said:

"Alas, the fact remains undeniable, I am an old man, Albus."

"A tired old man really wore me out tonight. I just want some peace and quiet."

“You’re not even as old as me, Horace,” said Dumbledore.

“Yes, maybe you should consider retiring yourself,” Slughorn said, sighing slightly. “We’re all getting old, not as good as we used to be.”

“You’re right,” Dumbledore said calmly, “but on the other hand, what if we all retire—”

"—Professor Slughorn," Snape suddenly interrupted Dumbledore, looking directly at Slughorn, "why do you want to retire?"

"At this point in time, I really can't think of anywhere safer than Hogwarts."

"As you can see, there is only a reckless Death Eater carrying out his despicable scheme here tonight. Voldemort doesn't even dare to come here in person. He wouldn't even dare to come when Professor Dumbledore isn't around."

Upon hearing Voldemort's name again, Slughorn protested quietly.

But Snape ignored his reaction and continued talking to himself:

“Where can you go after you leave Hogwarts? I don’t believe the Death Eaters will let such a powerful wizard like you go. Wherever you are, they will definitely come looking for you.”

“What use is this useless old bone of mine to the Death Eaters?” Slughorn retorted loudly. “I think they want you to use your intelligence for repression, torture, and murder,” Snape said. “Do you think they don’t know how brilliant you are?”

Slughorn glared at Snape for a moment, seemingly very angry at his offense.

But after a while, his eyes slowly dimmed, and he said in a low voice, "I don't really like danger..."

“Then you should stay at the school even more. I think that as long as Professor Dumbledore is the headmaster, the Hogwarts staff will be safer than most. Voldemort is only afraid of him, isn’t he?” Snape continued, recalling Harry’s words.

Slughorn paused for a moment, as if carefully pondering Snape's words.

"Sigh, yes, that guy who can't even be named has never dared to confront Dumbledore directly," he muttered reluctantly. "I guess since I don't want to join the Death Eaters, that guy who can't even be named can't possibly consider me a friend..."

"In that case, I'd probably be safer staying with Albus..."

Slughorn's voice trailed off, as if he were trying to find a reason to stay.

Dumbledore looked at them with a smile.

He then went behind the long table, opened a drawer, took out a piece of parchment, and tapped it with his wand.

“Horace,” Dumbledore said, “as an old friend, I still hope that you will continue to serve as the Head of Slytherin.”

“However, take a look at this.” He handed the parchment to Slughorn. “If you insist, you can sign it and retire. I’ve already filled in the rest of the resignation letter.”

“Hahaha,” Slughorn chuckled dryly, then changed his tone, saying, “Albus, I was just kidding. Kettleburn hasn’t retired yet, I have no rush…”

“I’m glad you made that decision,” Dumbledore said. “After tonight, I will rearrange the staff and strengthen security measures at Hogwarts.”

“Yes, yes,” Slughorn said, looking somewhat troubled and frowning slightly. “I guess I’m a little confused.”

"Albus, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now. The old man can't take any more trouble..."

"Excellent persuasion." After Slughorn left, Dumbledore said to Snape, "Tonight... um... thank you for your hard work..."

His expression was somewhat strange, as if he was unsure whether he should praise Snape.

"Over this period of time, you have demonstrated your determination to fight Voldemort, and—and your outstanding ability to act."

"However, I still hope that if you have any ideas in the future, you should discuss them with me first."

“Don’t worry, Professor,” Snape replied quickly without hesitation. This further diminished the credibility of his words.

Then he asked, "Professor, how is Hogsmeade?"

“Hogsmeade is mostly unharmed,” Dumbledore said gently. “Fortunately, the loud crash of the collapsing passage woke up the villagers, and most of the Inferi were trapped inside the passage.”

"Ms. Rosmerta, the landlady who only has three brooms, is more seriously injured. Aberforth has taken her to the school hospital for treatment by Ms. Pomfrey. She should recover in a few days."

"You should also go back and rest."

"Okay, Professor."

(End of this chapter)