Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 169 A Clear Conscience

"Snape, what should we do...?"

Karkaroff's panic was genuine; even in the first semester, he hadn't shown the slightest sign of urgency. But who could have imagined that the Dark Mark on his arm would become increasingly clear this year?

Having been a Death Eater himself, he knew very well what this meant.

"You're the one who should be thinking about what to do, Karkaroff," Snape said calmly.

"Damn it, we're in this together, you...you're not getting away!"

"I never thought of that," Snape said. "What you did back then was unforgivable..."

"You should know that even Malfoy didn't go as far as you did."

"I...I just want to live, I don't want to go to Azkaban!" Karkaroff was covered in cold sweat, and even just thinking about what happened back then made him feel overwhelmed by fear.

"Help me, help me! You must have a way!"

"People always have to pay the price for their choices, Karkaroff." Snape stared coldly at Karkaroff. "Don't make the wrong choice..."

"Tell me what to choose! What should I do!" Karkaroff grabbed Snape's robe, but Snape easily shook him off.

"I can't help you." Snape's voice trailed off, and he glanced meaningfully at Karkaroff before leaving.

The distraught Karkaroff didn't hear Snape's last words before he left:

"There's no one I can help..."

.........

The nights at Hogwarts are never too peaceful. No matter what the school rules are or how much Filch patrols, there are always students out at night.

Some were simply being mischievous, while others had ulterior motives, such as going to the restricted book section to read or having a date under the stars.

Having lived here for four years, Ike had long been accustomed to hearing strange noises and seeing clumsy hiding places during his nighttime strolls around the castle. Of course, none of that concerned him; cautious as he was, he always used the Disillusionment Charm.

He was well aware of the saying that those who drown are usually good swimmers.

After leaving the eighth floor, I went straight to the basement. Snape had left the door open; it opened with a gentle push.

Snape expertly cast a silencing spell on the door, and then cast two spells back, making sure everything was in order. Only then did Snape say, "Did you find anything, Strayed?"

“Yes, Professor,” Ike said. “Professor Moody has been giving you and Karkaroff a dangerous look lately.”

"Moody? That's nothing new." Snape nodded. "As a former Auror, he has always harbored a deep hatred for dark wizards. So, it's not surprising that he reacted this way after seeing two former Death Eaters."

Looking at Snape's unchanging face, even after all this time, Ike still couldn't figure out what he was thinking. However, what Snape was thinking now was no longer important…

"You've already guessed it, Professor, what I'm about to do..." Ike's expression turned serious as he sat down in his most familiar seat, his face full of earnestness.

"Yes." Snape's face finally showed some change, but Ike couldn't tell what kind of emotion he was feeling.

There was disappointment, worry, indifference, and even some... anger...

"I have no intention of judging your choice, Strayed," Snape said slowly. "You're a smart man, and smart men always have their own unique ideas."

"Therefore, I will neither try to persuade you nor stop you."

"Because I know that once you've made up your mind, you will definitely carry it out."

"Thank you, Professor." Ike relaxed, a hint of relief in his voice. "As expected, it's always you I need..."

"Have you thought about what will happen to Philius, and your little girlfriend, Miss Know-It-All?" Snape asked.

"I don't know." Ike shook his head. He didn't want to, or rather, dared not, guess what kind of expression they would have.

"It seems you haven't thought everything through either."

"But that's fine too, at least it seems more real..." Snape's face suddenly showed a hint of sarcasm. "Actually, I think it might have been better if you had taken your little girlfriend with you."

"You know Professor, that's impossible." Ike looked directly at Snape, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

Seemingly sensing the meaning in Ike's eyes, Snape nodded slightly and said slowly, "Alright, I understand."

"You can rest assured, your girlfriend will be fine."

"Of course, if she makes the choice herself at that time..."

Before Snape could finish speaking, Ike said, "That's enough, Professor."

Seeing Ike suddenly relax completely, Snape was at a loss for words. He knew very well that, no matter what, the boy in front of him was not in any danger.

Like that cunning white-bearded fellow, even if danger were to arise one day, it would certainly be within their expectations, and it might even be an indispensable part of some plan.

"You've already figured it out, Professor, so what should you do then?" Ike asked.

Snape nodded, then asked, "Was that really unavoidable?"

"Professor..." Ike paused for a moment before replying, "You should know that it was inevitable, and there was nothing we could do to stop it."

"But at least we can choose when that happens..."

"Just as I thought..." Snape sighed, saying nothing more. He took a box from the drawer and handed it directly to Ike.

"In that case, I think you need this."

"Felix Felicis?" Ike opened the box and recognized it at a glance. "Professor, you know, I've already..."

"Of course I know." Snape raised his hand, interrupting Ike's next words, his tone full of unwavering certainty.

"Take it!"

"...I understand, Professor."

Ike did not refuse, and took the Felix Felicis from the box and put it in his pocket.

"I will use it when the time is right."

"That's good..." Snape resumed his cold demeanor, raised his hand to remove the magic from the door, walked straight over, and naturally opened the door.

"Oh, right, there's an old book in the lockers in the Potions classroom. It has some little tricks in it..."

Snape's voice was very soft, almost inaudible, as if he were just muttering something. But Ike, who was right behind him casting the Disillusionment Charm on himself, heard it clearly.

"Thank you, Professor..."

Snape seemed not to hear the same murmur, and continued walking towards his resting place without stopping.

(End of this chapter)