Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 103 Dumbledore, This is a gift for you

When Dumbledore asked the question, McGonagall, who was sitting next to him, visibly clenched her fists.

Severus, however, remained calm.

He knew for certain that he was about to face the final test from Dumbledore.

After confirming that there were no problems with his character, abilities, or attitude towards Harry.

That left them with only one concern, which was also the most crucial and sensitive one.

What happened to the original Severus Snape, and where is he now?
Even though Snape the Ghost was a nasty and unlikable character, and might have had some redeeming qualities, he was mostly a bad person.

But there are still people in this world who remember him, worry about his safety, and have doubts about his situation.

This was something Severus had discussed with Ghost Snape before; he didn't think Dumbledore was a bad person.

It's simply because I want to be a truly good person that I think and consider things more deeply than bad people do.

Just like now, even at the final test.

Dumbledore still didn't completely tear off the cloth, and asked directly, "What did you do to the original Snape?"

Instead, he asked Severus questions in a more tactful and dignified manner.

"In most cases, people rarely change themselves voluntarily, right?"

Severus did not avoid Dumbledore's eyes; instead, he spoke in a questioning tone.

"Me too. If everything were normal, I would still be the same person I was before. But because of some unforeseen events that no one can change, I have to change and find a way to embrace this world again."

"But as you said, no matter who it is or what happens, no one can truly sever their past. Moreover, I still have great attachments and regrets about this world. How can he sit idly by and watch me change?"

“He has always been there. I have never given up on my past self. You may no longer be able to see his shadow in me, but he can always see you.”

After he finished speaking, the principal's office fell silent.

Ghost Snape was also quiet inside Severus's body. Just as Severus had said, he silently looked at Dumbledore, as if he could look directly into Dumbledore's blue eyes through Severus's body.

A moment later, Ghost Snape suddenly spoke.

“Tell him that no matter what I become, I will never forget the promises I made to him.”

Severus repeated these words earnestly.

"The old me wants to tell you that no matter what I become, I will never forget the promises I made to Dumbledore."

Dumbledore clasped his hands together on the desk, looked at Severus with deep eyes, and finally spoke.

“I believe everything you say, Severus, and I will continue to trust you with the same trust as before.”

He made a statement, his final statement to Severus.

McGonagall, standing to the side, couldn't help but wipe her eyes and apologize.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure, but no matter what, I miss him very much."

After saying that, she got up and left the principal's office.

Ghost Snape didn't say anything more; he just kept a straight face and remained silent.

After McGonagall left, Dumbledore said softly.

"Minerva has always been a sensitive witch, but many students are intimidated by her stern appearance and overlook this fact."

Severus nodded.

I can understand how she feels.

"Alright, let's talk about something else then."

Dumbledore sat up straight and looked at Severus.

"No one expected what happened to the Crouch family, but it's all thanks to you that you discovered the crucial information that Barty Jr. had escaped from Azkaban in time, which saved Barty Sr. from death."

"But this matter is far from over. Barty Crouch Jr. is his close servant, and after escaping from home, he will never give up on finding his master and will contact all the forces he can to make it happen."

"I'm not asking you to take them all down, but you'd better keep a close eye on this matter afterward, especially on the recent movements of your former friends."

Upon hearing this, Severus already understood.

Dumbledore's request was not unexpected by Severus; he had anticipated it before coming to Hogwarts.

The biggest promise that Snape the Ghost and Dumbledore once made together was to protect Harry.

Both of them believed that Voldemort, who had not truly died, was the final boss who wanted to kill Harry.

Now that Barty Jr. has escaped from Crouch's house ahead of schedule, Dumbledore keenly senses that this may hasten Voldemort's return.

Therefore, he would definitely make Severus pay attention to this matter.

“I had some plans when I was confronting Barty Jr. at Crouch’s house.”

Severus spoke thoughtfully.

“I will contact some old acquaintances. Barty will go to them, but they may not necessarily want to see Barty. The vast majority of the wizarding world genuinely believe he is truly dead, even some of his former servants. After all, their actions during their escape from trial were far from honorable.” “Even if he returns and chooses to forgive them temporarily, their status will definitely not be what it used to be.”

Just as he had just made a promise to Severus, Dumbledore had absolute trust in Severus's arrangements.

"You can go ahead and do what you're thinking. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me anytime."

He made another weighty promise, and then moved on to other things.

"It seems you and Remus are getting along quite well?"

Severus shrugged.

"I can only say that among those four people, he did not cause me as much subjective harm."

Dumbledore shook his head.

"This is the school's fault. In any case, the school should not have led to a situation like yours, where you are at odds with each other to the point of being almost at each other's throats."

“That’s all in the past. Apart from Lupin, none of the four of them can cause me any trouble now, right?” Severus leaned back in his recliner, his casual words carrying a hint of something more.

This surprised Dumbledore.

He clearly sensed a deeper meaning in those words, but he had always been the one to ask others to solve riddles; this was the first time someone had presented him with one.

After realizing what was happening, Dumbledore chuckled to himself.

"As long as you and Remus can get along, let him stay with you for a while. You should have seen the information that I asked Arthur to bring you before. You can try to improve it when you have time. It would be best if you could make improvements, but don't force it if you can't."

"Finally, tell us about yourself."

Dumbledore said seriously.

"Having gone through so much lately, have you noticed any problems with your spellcasting?"

This question startled Severus, who met Dumbledore's eyes. He was surprised to find that not only Snape the Ghost had noticed his question, but Dumbledore had as well!
"When did you find out?"

“On the day you went to bring Potter out,” Dumbledore recalled, “I could tell when you cast the spell in front of him that your spell was slightly different from before. It might not have affected the magic it produced, but it was still a problem.”

Dumbledore obviously wouldn't bring this up for no reason; if he did, there must be a solution!

Severus also took out his newly bought wand.

"I tried a new wand, and casting spells felt different after I switched to it."

"Changing your wand is indeed a good idea, but the wand is only one of the factors; the main problem has not yet been solved."

"What about long-term and continuous spellcasting?"

"This will only get you used to the current problematic casting state, and it won't help you solve the key problem."

Dumbledore directly denied the idea that Ghost Snape had previously given to Severus.

Do you have any better suggestions?

In response to Severus's question, Dumbledore simply pulled out a blank parchment from the side.

After thinking for a few seconds, he wrote something on the parchment, put it in an envelope, and left an address on the envelope.

"If you have time, you can go to France to see my old friend. He should have a solution to your problem."

Severus took the letter from him and saw the address and recipient's name on it.

[51 Rue Montmorency, Nicolas Flamel district, Paris, for Nicolas Lemaître]

Getting this letter from Dumbledore was clearly an unexpected bonus.

Severus's biggest concern now is magic, and Dumbledore, who has already reached the pinnacle of wizarding, said that if Nick Lemaître could help him, then there would definitely be something to gain.

Today's meeting in the principal's office is clearly coming to an end.

Just before Severus was about to leave, he spoke mysteriously to Dumbledore.

"Since you gave me a gift, how about I give you something in return?"

Dumbledore blinked, a curious and expectant expression on his face.

"Oh? It's rare for someone to give me a gift outside of Christmas, so is it sweet?"

"That might disappoint you, it's not something you can eat, but you'll definitely be interested in it."

With that, Severus pulled out the old, worn-out crown he had just obtained from the Room of Requirement from his pocket and placed it on Dumbledore's desk.

"Let's take our time studying it. I'm taking Harry and Lupin with me now; we have some business to attend to at the Ministry of Magic."

He didn't linger; he simply waved to Dumbledore with his back to him and left the headmaster's office.

Only after watching his figure completely disappear did Dumbledore turn his gaze to the crown.

He stared at the object for a very long time, and gradually, an unprecedented solemnity appeared in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)