A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 691 Double Agent

What is the most important thing for a double agent?

trust.

A qualified double agent must be trusted by both sides.

If someone can also become a confidant of both sides, then they are already considered a high-level spy.

If this double agent can make both sides know that they are the spy sent by the other side, but still trust them... then he is truly a god-like existence.

This is undoubtedly difficult, like dancing on the tip of a knife with your feet shackled.

But Dumbledore is making Snape do this kind of thing.

The headmaster sent Snape back and made him tell Voldemort plainly that Dumbledore had sent him back to be a spy, to infiltrate Voldemort's inner circle.

Is this statement true?

Of course it's the truth!

The most obvious and unambiguous truth.

Could there be anything more truthful than this?

But would Voldemort believe it?

Of course I believe it!

Knowing the truth, would he kill Snape?

will not!

The crux of the matter isn't whether Snape was a spy sent back by Dumbledore, but rather... Voldemort felt in his heart:

Whose man is Snape? And whose shape is his butt?

If he were in Voldemort's form, then Snape's move was undoubtedly brilliant.

He was able to effectively lull Dumbledore into a false sense of security, gain his trust, and become a double agent.

Trust means more information about Dumbledore!

If Snape was Dumbledore's man, and really was a spy he sent... no, what spy would be so foolish as to tell others that he is a spy?

impossible!

Therefore, Voldemort would not kill Snape, but would trust him and use him to gather intelligence.

This is an extremely sophisticated psychological game.

The key to victory or defeat still lies with Snape... Let's see who his heart truly belongs to.

William listened in a daze; Dumbledore's seemingly absurd move was both shallow and profound.

As expected of Dumbledore, a chess master!

Compared to Wormtail, whom Tom sent to Voldemort's side, it's on a completely different level!

William even considered sending a spy to Voldemort's side.

Spies are still necessary.

Snape was, after all, Dumbledore's man, and he wouldn't tell William any important information.

While William was still considering potential spies, Snape had already finished his conversation with Dumbledore.

But he didn't move. Instead, his eyes were lowered, and he remained silent for a long time before speaking in a hoarse voice:

"Potter..."

"He's not dead."

Snape looked at the headmaster suspiciously. He'd seen the body, and he was still saying she wasn't dead?!

"I will have William bring him back." Dumbledore picked up his cup and took a small sip.

"Believe me, Harry isn't dead. Severus, go ahead."

Snape's lips twitched, he glanced at William with a hint of displeasure, but still hurriedly left.

Professor Snape left, and William looked at Dumbledore, hoping for an explanation.

"Voldemort has risen from the dead," Dumbledore said succinctly.

William frowned. Although he was somewhat prepared, hearing the news still made him feel...uncomfortable.

Voldemort has finally been resurrected!

The Dark Lord... has descended upon the world once more!

"You know, William," Dumbledore quickly explained the source of the information.

"Professor Snape was once a Death Eater, and he still has the Dark Mark on his arm."

Two hours ago, it was burned to a crisp. This was a command; Voldemort summoned the Death Eaters to appear immediately.

"Kakalov ran away out of fear, and Malfoy quietly left after the match ended; it seems he's probably gone to his master."

Dumbledore was very well-informed; there was nothing he didn't know.

With this information available, William couldn't help but believe that Voldemort had been resurrected.

"How was he resurrected, and by what method?" William asked in a low voice.

"It's not clear yet," Dumbledore shook his head.

"He wants to be resurrected, he has a lot of ancient magic, and he may even invent some magic himself."

That's true.

Four years ago, Voldemort used Quirrell to infiltrate Hogwarts in an attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone and perform some kind of resurrection ritual.

Tom from the diary was also successfully resurrected by magic.

That makes two methods.

Since Voldemort had created Horcruxes, although he was confident, he would certainly have prepared a lot of magic in advance out of caution.

In case of an emergency, they can adapt to the specific circumstances and take appropriate measures.

Dumbledore crossed his arms and continued, "As for which method he chose, I'm not sure yet, but..."

The principal looked slightly puzzled.

"I originally thought he would kidnap Harry and use Harry's blood to resurrect himself."

"Why do you say that?" William asked.

"Because Harry has the magic left by his mother Lily in his blood—that prehistoric mystery related to love," Dumbledore explained softly.

"Fourteen years ago, Voldemort was hit by his own Death Curse, but he probably didn't even realize it at the time."

But four years ago, when he was attached to Quirrell, he couldn't touch Harry... He must have noticed that back then too.

William nodded and said, "I understand. Voldemort fears this power, so he wants it."

Dumbledore sighed, "But he doesn't seem to have chosen this path... That shouldn't be the case."

"Is there anything I can do for you?" William asked.

"I need you to know everything—Harry, Ron, and those Durmstrang students, to investigate why they were killed," Dumbledore said quickly.

William nodded slightly; this was still quite easy.

Because all these people died at school.

As long as you stay within the school, everything is very simple.

Dumbledore's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he said in a low voice:

"William, never entertain the idea of stopping Voldemort from rising from the dead."

The condition for you to leave the time loop is to complete the thought you had when you entered it. If you don't complete it, you cannot end the time loop.

The bronze ring has been enchanted by Ravenclaw, and a certain task must be completed to break the cycle.

For example, when William first entered the time loop, it was because he wanted to learn about the Tywin incident.

He deliberately avoids investigating, thus remaining inside indefinitely. The cycle only ends when he uncovers the truth.

Moreover, since the bronze rings are powered by Hogwarts, William is also unable to leave the school grounds.

To investigate how Voldemort was resurrected, one must leave Hogwarts.

If you enter this cycle with this mindset, you'll end up trapped in it forever.

William nodded solemnly.

He did have a fleeting thought just now: to stop Voldemort from resurrecting.

Now that the discussion was over, William stood up, ready to leave the principal's office.

But after taking two steps, he suddenly turned his head and asked:

"Is it really alright for Professor Snape to go see Voldemort like this?"

While Voldemort might believe him from a psychological game perspective, don't forget... this is a magical world.

There are many ways to get someone to tell the truth.

"Don't worry," Dumbledore smiled. "Snape is a Potions Master; he won't be poisoned by the True Potion."

He's also a master of Occlumency; even I can't see through what he's really thinking.

Voldemort...the same goes for him.

William thought for a moment, then asked:

Why do you trust Professor Snape so much?

Snape's responsibility was heavier than anyone else's. One wrong move could kill many people.

Dumbledore glanced out the window, and after a long silence, he said:

Voldemort believed that only overwhelming power could intimidate everything.

I do not believe.

In my view, ordinary, mundane things, the love of ordinary people, and simple acts of kindness and love can all suppress darkness.

The reason I trust Severus Snape is perhaps because he shows me courage when I'm afraid.

……

This is a huge room.

Professor Snape was hunched over the table, writing a letter, his huge hooked nose almost touching it.

On the table is a kerosene lamp, a group photo, and a bouquet of lilies.

The photo is from a long time ago and has a sense of historical vicissitude: it shows a boy and a girl, both around ten years old, in a nearly deserted amusement park.

The girl was swinging on the swing, and a thin boy was pushing the swing behind her.

This was Snape's most secret place; he always liked to spend his free time here alone.

He's going to find Voldemort soon.

If the Dark Lord doesn't believe him, then he will surely die.

All hope rested on Dumbledore's speculation.

It was a gamble with his life... Snape felt that his life had ceased to be his own on that night fourteen years ago.

The kind of person he is... isn't afraid of gambling!

Dumbledore always said that time heals all wounds.

A person will eventually forget the pain and get better.

Will not.

Some pains can never be forgotten, and some wounds will never heal.

Snape gently folded the letter and put it in an envelope.