Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 153 [Snape's Autograph Book]

Grindelwald just stared at Severus.

At this moment, Nico also noticed that the black wizard, whose eyes had been filled with deathly stillness and calm when facing his group of old men, had suddenly developed a completely different expression on his face!
“You are very smart. There are very few people as smart as you under Albus.”

Grindelwald didn't answer immediately; he was just smiling, but the smile was no longer as cheerful as when he first met Severus. Instead, it was somewhat strange and eager.

"The vast majority of people in this world actually hope to be led. The social orientation has given every individual living in this society the same inherent flaws, making them afraid to take responsibility and therefore afraid to make decisions. Instead, they hope that a leader will make decisions for them."

"That's just how Dumbledore is. He makes too many decisions for those around him, to the point that many wizards in England subconsciously rely on him when faced with choices and difficulties, but forget him or even want to abandon him when there is peace and tranquility."

“But it’s obvious you’re not that kind of stupid, Severus Snape.”

He gave Severus a very high evaluation, from every perspective.

Severus remained unmoved. Although the praise he received from Voldemort's predecessor was of great value, far surpassing any casual compliment, Severus understood that the focus now was on the demands he was about to make.

The more you praise him at this moment, the more likely he is to make outrageous demands later on!
As if sensing what Severus was thinking, Grindelwald's smile widened.

"Don't worry, I don't actually want you to give up anything. On the contrary, our goals are the same. I really hope you can perfectly solve the problems you have, Professor Snape. I can also write the formula for that potion for you free of charge. You don't need to give anything in return. Just come to my old man's cell after you succeed."

Before Severus could speak, Nicole asked nervously.

Why do you want him to come back?

“Is this the only case in the magical world?” Grindelwald said softly, “A soul that should not have been able to master the power of magic, yet he became a wizard, and an extremely powerful one at that, destined to leave a significant mark on the history of magic!”

He smiled again, but this time his smile was somewhat manic, or rather, neurotic, which not only made Nico even more nervous, but also made Severus take a step back.

"Even if I know that those ideals of the past are unrealistic and cannot be realized, I still want to see with my own eyes whether there is anyone in this world who can break down the barriers between wizards and Muggles!"

He stared at Severus and Nico, his voice becoming calm as he reassured Nico.

"Don't worry, I'm already this age and in this state, what more do you think I could want to do? It's just that I still have some lingering resentment."

"He didn't seem like he was just feeling resentful!"

The Lemaître family home in Paris.

After leaving Nurmengard, Severus went back to his home with Nico.

Even though he's back, Nicole seems to still be caught up in Grindelwald's last words.

His silver-white hair was loose, and he kept muttering to himself.

Severus had grown accustomed to this behavior, which seemed somewhat abnormal to any normal person.

Wizards in the magical world, especially those who are renowned and powerful, generally have this problem.

They act and speak erratically; whether it's the righteous Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel, or the villains Voldemort and Grindelwald, there are very few normal ones.

This actually corroborates Nico's statement that a rational soul is incompatible with wizards and magic. "He definitely wants to observe you!" Nico suddenly turned to Severus and said, "He saw hope in you again. Someone who shouldn't have become a wizard became one, and now you still have to solve your magical problems. The reason he let you succeed before returning to him is to determine if your special case can be replicated in more people!"

Severus had obviously thought of this as well.

"What if he discovers that my special case can be replicated?"

Nico remained silent; he did not answer the question.

Or rather, neither Severus nor Nico could predict such a future.

What would Grindelwald do if that situation really came to that?
So much time has passed, and his loyal subordinates have had their last bit of resolve shattered by him that night. Could he possibly walk out of that prison and do anything more?

Nicole thought it was almost impossible, while Severus thought that even if it were true, it might be something to look forward to.

Regardless, after this silence, the two tacitly refrained from mentioning Grindelwald again.

“You were recommended by Dumbledore, and you did a lot to save me and my wife, so this is something you deserve.”

In the safe at home, Nico quickly found a rolled-up parchment bound with a red ribbon.

He handed the parchment to Severus.

"Whether it still works for you or not is something you have to try for yourself, but I'm certain that it can gather positive emotions."

Severus took the parchment from him and, in front of Nicolas Flamel, untied the ribbon binding it, unfolding the parchment, which was about 30 feet long.

On the back of this parchment are some symbols that are clearly alchemical patterns left by silver ink, while the front side, which is used for writing, is largely blank, with only two very blurred names at the very top.

Nico extended his wand and offered to help Severus remove the two names from the page.

"These are the people I used to experiment on when I first created this thing; they are all dead now."

Severus asked, staring at the parchment that had been cleaned and appeared to have nothing special about it.

Does this thing have a name?

Nico frowned as he recalled.

"Let me think, my wife once named it."

"Ah! She calls it 'Nico Lemaître's Autograph Book'."

As he said this, he smiled and looked at Severus.

"But now, it should be called Snape's Autograph Book!"

The moment he finished speaking, Severus Snape's name quietly appeared at the very top of the parchment.

(End of this chapter)