Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 128 Don’t thank me for your kindness

"Mr. Snape? After these photos you brought back are developed, do we need to add a layer of developing solution to them?"

At the French Ministry of Magic, in the Auror Command's reconnaissance and technical group, an Auror who was developing photos of Severus turned around and asked.

Severus didn't answer, but instead picked up the photos he had developed.

Under the bright blue sky of Paris, the lime-colored apartment building seemed out of place, as if it didn't belong to the same whole as the surrounding buildings with their light and cheerful colors.

"When you see this building, does it remind you of anything?"

Severus suddenly asked the Auror of the reconnaissance technology team.

The Auror, who was mainly responsible for technical work and had virtually no experience working outside the office, scratched his head and said uncertainly.

“This Ottoman architectural style, which was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has remained to this day, is actually relatively monotonous compared to cities like London and Venice. Moreover, if the buildings are too large or too tall, they can appear too gloomy and closed off, like a prison.”

"However, it is precisely because of this architectural style that Paris is what it is today. Many foreigners' preconceived notions about Paris are formed by these buildings. When they come here for tourism, they can only praise that this is the real Paris."

His words made Severus glance at him a few more times.

"You seem to know a lot about Muggle architecture?"

“My parents are both architecture experts and Muggles. If Beauxbatons hadn’t accepted me, I would have become an architect like them.”

Aurora shrugged and muttered a complaint.

"But after learning magic, I'm stuck here developing photos."

Severus smiled at him.

"Fate is sometimes so unpredictable."

At the same time, he took all five photos that had already been developed from Auror's hands.

"Thank you for your help, but there's no need for developing chemicals. The person photographed here isn't anyone, and it won't be published in the newspaper."

After saying goodbye to the Auror who had helped him, Severus walked out of the reconnaissance technology team while looking at the photo in his hand.

At this time, Lupin, who had returned the borrowed camera, also met up with Severus again.

"What are you planning to do next?" Lupin asked.

"A peculiar apartment building, with the top, the central house, the interior incomplete, and seemingly devoid of any effect or influence from the alchemical ritual."

Severus, while pointing out these doubts, handed two of the photographs in his hand to Lupin.

“I have a feeling that the key to this kidnapping case lies here. Although the French Aurors still cannot determine whether the murderers kidnapped Nicolas Flamel for the Philosopher's Stone or for the knowledge of refining it, the alchemical ritual drawn in the apartment building is an action they carried out using Nicolas Flamel.”

"This operation represents their objective. If we can decipher their objective, we have a high probability of being able to deduce who they are and ultimately find the murderer."

Lupin clearly understood the unspoken meaning in Severus's words.

"Don't you still think those people are connected to the Death Eaters?"

Severus shook his head.

“If before I only felt that there was no connection between them based on Barty’s habits, after Shafik deliberately showed up in Lyon to attract the Aurors, I was certain that he was not a Death Eater.”

"These people are most likely using Shafiq's identity as a Death Eater to mislead the French Ministry of Magic, in order to conceal their true purpose and further actions."

Upon hearing this, Lupin's expression turned serious.

"The two wizards we fought today were skilled and coordinated. If what you say is true, they also possess excellent execution, meticulous planning, and organizational abilities. I can't think of anyone other than the Aurors of the Ministry of Magic of a major power who has these qualities!"

“No ordinary person would think of kidnapping Nicolas Lemaître and angering an entire country’s wizards.”

Severus, holding the photos, called out to Lupin.

"Let's go to the Auror's archives."

"What are you going to the archives for?" Lu Ping asked, puzzled.

“Investigate, and ideally find any connection to the apartment building we photographed.” Severus said, then seemed to suddenly remember something, “Oh, and we also need to ask them for a quiet, undisturbed pharmaceutical room.”

Upon hearing the last sentence, Lupin paused, not yet realizing what Severus was trying to say.
"We can also try to improve the wolfsbane medicine. Although it is a preliminary plan, it is quite perfect. It has basically eliminated most of the original toxic effects of wolfsbane and aconite. In addition, after adding fire dragon blood, it has some additional effects of strengthening the body and prolonging life."

Severus's words silenced Lupin, who was clearly feeling ashamed.

He never imagined that one day he would feel this guilt of being repaid with kindness by Severus Snape.

At this moment, he felt he needed to say something to express his gratitude, but when the words reached his lips, he felt that those words were too simplistic. Compared to what Severus had done, such words that could be easily uttered seemed worthless.

Severus, of course, noticed Lupin's complex emotions. He waved his hand and said casually.

"There's no need to feel so pressured. After all, you're my nephew."

This title, which Lupin had almost forgotten, made him stop thinking about it. Since he had reached a point where it was difficult to express his gratitude in words, he might as well keep it firmly in his heart.

"If Wizengamor really approves the Order of Merlin, will you and Lyle still attend the Ministry of Magic's award ceremony?" "Of course, that's the surprise I told Lyle when we parted ways."

"Will a lot of people come?"

"Almost all the wizards who have received medals will participate, as well as some famous wizards, so it should be quite a lively event."

"That's really exciting."

They chatted as they walked toward the archives.

Even Snape, who secretly improved the Wolfsbane Potion, still couldn't truly let go of his past grudges.

But compared to before, his resistance was noticeably less intense.

Inside Severus's body, he remained silent, his face dark, listening to them chat as if they were old friends since their student days, without any lingering resentment towards the past.

“Don’t stay here. Come on, let’s go see Patrick again and tell him what Mary told him, so he won’t worry so much.”

While Severus and Lupin headed to the monastery, Harry was also busy.

He was trying his best to persuade Draco to go to the cell with him again to report to Rozier.

Draco had no desire to meet the Squirrel who had shattered some of his preconceived notions about pure-blood families.

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

He was holding books in his hands, namely "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "The Wonderful Quidditch," which he had borrowed from the Auror Command's library corner.

"Didn't you say you'd already worn these two books out at home? What's the point of continuing to read them?"

“That’s better than finding a Squib!” Draco exclaimed, shifting his position so his back was to Harry, as if he didn’t want to see that face that annoyed him anymore.

Harry, however, had already thought of another way.

"Hey! After we go see Patrick, I can take you to a great place!"

"You're not going to fool me this time!" Draco said angrily. "No matter what you say, I'm not going!"

“Isabel told me where the broom control room at the Auror Headquarters is.” Harry’s face broke into a sly smile. “She said that anyone can go into that room, and there’s a broom testing range inside that’s been expanded with the Unseen Stretch Charm. Except for the newly purchased, cutting-edge flying brooms from the Ministry of Magic, which are locked up, you can ride any of the older brooms in there!”

Draco, who had initially been defiant, suddenly stiffened.

Harry couldn't see his face, but he could guess that his expression must be quite something.

"You really don't want to go?" Harry deliberately dragged out the last syllable, pretending to open his bedroom door. "What a pity. Some people love Quidditch so much, but they've only ever ridden toy brooms. Meanwhile, I, who don't even understand the rules of Quidditch, am going to really enjoy the thrill of speed today!"

Draco slammed the book he was holding onto the table, stood up, and said angrily.

"If you dare to lie to me again, you're dead!"

Harry didn't say anything; he just walked ahead without looking back, a smug look on his face that Draco couldn't see.

This time, the two became much more familiar with the place.

They returned to the corridor of the detention cell, where Isabel, the naive Auror witch who had already chatted with Harry that morning, was still there.

She greeted Harry listlessly.

"What did you have for lunch?"

Harry counted on his fingers as he tried to remember.

"Foie gras, cream of mushroom soup, flambéed crepes, and for dessert, a mille-feuille cake."

The witch sighed.

"They actually gave you a menu for directors! You're being treated so well!"

"Don't you guys usually get to eat these?" Harry asked, puzzled.

“You can eat if you want, but our meal allowance doesn’t reach that amount, so you’ll have to pay extra for the rest.”

Upon hearing this, Harry shrugged.

"That's the same. My teacher is working for the Ministry of Magic for free. It's like the Ministry of Magic is turning the pay that should have been given to him into food."

The witch stared at Harry and clicked her tongue twice.

"I wouldn't have said such things when I was your age."

Draco, however, was already tired of their conversation.

"Hurry up! Don't waste time!"

Urged on by him, Harry led the way back into Rozier's cell.

(End of this chapter)