Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 175 Dawn

A long time ago, Ike discovered that, to some extent, the butterfly effect does exist; many of the things he did produced results different from what he remembered.

However, if he doesn't intervene in certain matters, or if he pushes things along the established path, they will eventually return to their predetermined course.

After angrily rebuking the Death Eaters, Comrade Old Voldemort led them back to the Gaunt House next to the cemetery. They would need to stay there for a while until they found a better place to stay.

Inside the old house, Old Voldemort naturally sat down in the only chair, with Nagini sprawled at his feet, her snake head resting on his knees, thoroughly enjoying the caress. The Death Eaters who had come over stood in two rows below, facing Old Voldemort, much like a scene from an old TV series where Ike would attend court.

"Come here, little Ike, come to my side." Old Comrade Fu called to Ike, who wanted to stand at the back, and pulled him to stand next to him behind the chair.

"We need a new place. This place is too run-down, and it always makes me want to write bad things. I've had enough," Comrade Old Fu said softly. "Lucius, I don't think you'll mind."

"It is my honor, Master," old Malfoy replied respectfully, bowing slightly.

"Very good, I see your loyalty."

"Ah, loyalty..." Comrade Lao Fu sighed, "This is the rarest quality in the world. You are all loyal, even though you all have your own plans, at least you came..."

"Excuse my bluntness, Master... we're still here..."

"Wait a minute, Lucius, we need to wait." Old Voldemort said calmly, "The great Dark Lord is generous and loves to give his servants a second chance..."

"There are still some people who haven't come tonight. I'll wait for them until dawn."

"If they arrive before dawn, the Dark Lord will forgive their sins, just as I have generously forgiven you."

So, let's wait, let's keep waiting...

Comrade Old Fu closed his eyes, leaned back against the chair, and gently stroked Nagini on his lap. Ike stood there motionless, his hands folded in front of him, his eyes also closed.

Everyone waited silently, with only the occasional chirping of insects coming from outside the old house, but this did nothing to alleviate the oppressive atmosphere.

"Snapped!"

"Tap, tap, tap"

Several hours passed, and with a sharp, piercing sound, loud footsteps approached, and a tall man pushed open the door and entered. He wore a long, black robe, and strode in, causing the robe to flutter in the wind, making him look just like a bat.

"Owner."

"Severus, you've come." Old Voldemort opened his eyes, his red pupils fixed on Snape kneeling before him. Without the slightest hesitation, he stretched out his wand and cast a Crucifixion Curse.

Snape collapsed to the ground in agony, curling up and letting out a bloodcurdling scream. Fortunately, it didn't take long, about ten seconds, before Voldemort stopped casting the Cruciatus Curse.

"You're late, Severus. This is your punishment. You shouldn't have any objections, right?" Old Comrade Voltaire said slowly, looking very relaxed, as if he had done something insignificant and taken for granted.

"No...no, Master..." Snape's forehead was covered in sweat, and his face was pale.

"Then tell me, why are you late? Has life at Hogwarts made you forget your master?"

"No, Master, no..." Snape explained, his voice still trembling slightly, "You have no idea how happy I was when I felt your call, I couldn't wait to see you..."

“But you didn’t, Severus,” said Old Voldemort. “Tell me your reasons, and the Dark Lord will give you a chance to explain…”

"I have never forgotten the task you gave me, Master..."

"Go back to Dumbledore, keep an eye on him, and report back to you." Snape had calmed down a bit, and his voice was no longer trembling. "When I sensed your call, I believed that it was in your best interest for me to remain at Hogwarts."

"Oh? It seems you've brought me a gift, Severus."

"Yes, Master, I bring you the latest news regarding Dumbledore, Hogwarts, and Cornelius Fudge..."

In a calm tone, Snape recounted to Voldemort everything that had happened since Harry returned to Hogwarts. The exposure of Barty and Ike, Dumbledore's handling of the situation, Fudge's panic, and Barty's fate…

"Bang!"

When he heard that Fudge had brought a Dementor to see Barty Jr., resulting in Barty Jr. enduring a Dementor's kiss, Old Voldemort slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, his bloodshot eyes wide open, and his slit-like nostrils flared open.

Everyone was so frightened that they dared not utter a sound, remaining completely still like quails.

After a long while, Old Voldemort calmed down, gently lifted the hand holding his wand, and Snape, who was kneeling on the ground, immediately stood up.

"That's enough, Severus. Thank you for the news; you've shown your loyalty," Comrade Old Voldemort said slowly. "Even though it's not what I wanted to hear..."

"You should wait with me until dawn..."

Snape walked to the front left of Voldemort and stopped, standing straight. Like the others, he closed his eyes and waited quietly.

This time, however, no one came over until the sun had fully risen in the east.

"Lucius..." Comrade Voldemort said softly, "Let's go, to your castle..."

"Yes, Master." Old Malfoy bowed. "Please allow me to make the arrangements..."

"Go on, go on." Comrade Old Voltaire waved his hand, and Old Malfoy bowed slightly before leaving.

"Severus..." Old Voldemort said to Snape again, "Go back, go back to Dumbledore, and remember your mission."

"Yes, Master."

"Go, all of you. Just leave Little Ike and Wormtail here, that's enough," Old Voldemort ordered. "I'll summon you when I need you."

"Master, that's enough."

After a while, old Malfoy returned. He paused for a moment, looking at the much-emptier room, but didn't react; instead, he became even more respectful.

"I've called for a carriage; it'll be safer that way."

"Very good, Lucius, you did a good job." Old Voldemort nodded, stood up, and walked towards the door first. Nagini followed closely at his feet.

Wormtail reacted a little slowly, but not too late. Before Old Man Voldemort even reached the door, he darted over and respectfully opened it. Outside, a magnificent carriage bearing the Malfoy family crest stood there, its two Thestrals shaking their heads restlessly.

"Come on, little Ike, get on." Old Voldemort said to Ike as he sat in the carriage, and Old Malfoy and Wormtail bowed down at the right moment.

"Yes, teacher," Ike replied, boarding the carriage and sitting opposite Comrade Old Fu.

"Let's go, Lucius."

Wormtail closed the carriage door upon hearing the sound and sat down in front of the carriage with Old Malfoy. Old Malfoy pulled on the reins, gave a shout of "Giddy up!", and Thestrals immediately galloped up, pulling the carriage slowly upwards until it disappeared from sight.

(End of this chapter)