Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

Henry placed the teacup back on the tray with an elegant and composed movement.

"That's a very interesting question," he said. "However, before I answer it, I'd like to ask a few questions—if you'd like to answer them, of course."

Harry looked at Hermione, who nodded slightly.

"Ask away," Harry said.

"My first question is, how did you discover this?"

The three of them exchanged glances.

Hermione spoke quickly but clearly: "We learned something from Hagrid. About...about that forbidden room on the right side of the fourth-floor corridor. Hagrid said that something very precious is hidden in there, protected by Headmaster Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel. Then we found out someone tried to break in, and that person..."

She waved her hand in mid-air, as if considering her words.

"And that person, we suspect is Professor Snape."

Henry nodded, his face showing no surprise or astonishment.

"My second question is, what evidence do you have?"

Ron finally snapped. He put down his scones and said angrily, "Evidence? Snape was sneaking up to the fourth floor the whole time! He wasn't even on the staff bench when the trolls stormed into the castle on Halloween! And his leg was bitten by Cerberus, and we saw Filch take him to get it treated!"

Hermione added, "Also, he kept asking Professor Quirrell how to get past Fluffy, which Harry overheard after the Quidditch match yesterday! We suspect Snape is planning something bad with the Philosopher's Stone."

Henry listened and nodded thoughtfully.

Professor, it's no wonder they're suspicious; you're behaving just like an impatient villain.

"The third question," he asked, "did you tell Headmaster Dumbledore?"

The trio clearly hadn't expected Henry to suddenly steer the conversation this way.

"Headmaster Dumbledore?" Harry said. "But...but he might not trust us! Snape is someone he trusts..."

Henry smiled.

"Harry, I have a question for you—what kind of person do you think Headmaster Dumbledore was?"

"He's amazing and kind; he's good to everyone," Harry said without hesitation.

"Do you know why he was able to become the headmaster of Hogwarts?" Henry asked.

Harry shook his head.

"Because he's very good at judging people," Henry said. "He's lived so long and seen countless people. He can tell who's good and who's bad. If Snape really had a problem, Principal Dumbledore wouldn't have been unaware."

Hermione frowned, seemingly pondering Henry's words.

Ron scratched his head, looking confused.

Harry hesitated for a moment and said, "But...but Snape is really suspicious. The way he looks at me is like he hates me. I don't know why he hates me so much..."

Henry suddenly had a wicked sense of humor.

"Every action has a reason, Harry," he said slowly. "There is no love without a reason, nor is there hate without a reason. Harry, why do you think Hagrid likes you so much?"

"Because he had a very good relationship with my mom and dad," Harry answered without hesitation. "And it was he who sent me to Aunt Petunia's house after my parents' accident."

"That's it," Henry said with a smile. "Now think about why Professor Snape didn't like you?"

Harry's eyes widened; this was an angle he had never imagined.

"I heard he used to be a Death Eater. Could it be that he holds a grudge against Harry's parents because of that?" Ron speculated maliciously. "Is he doing this to Harry to avenge his evil master?"

Henry smiled.

"So, who do you think is the greatest wizard in the world?"

"Dumbledore!" Ron answered without hesitation. "Albus Dumbledore is the greatest wizard in the world!"

"That's it," Henry said. "Since you consider Professor Dumbledore the greatest wizard in the world, why do you think he would condone a Death Eater who is obsessed with Void causing trouble at Hogwarts?"

This is clearly a fallacy, but it's more than enough to deal with Ron.

"Then why would he harm Harry?" Hermione finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"That's a very serious accusation, Hermione." Henry's expression turned serious. "Don't think the worst of your professor."

"But Your Highness, do you remember the last Quidditch match?" Hermione asked urgently. "During the match, Harry's flying broomstick suddenly went out of control, do you remember?"

"I remember," Henry nodded.

"That's because Snape cast a curse on him!" Hermione said anxiously, her eyes welling up with tears. "I saw him staring intently at Harry, muttering something..."

"Then how can you prove that he wasn't chanting the spell to protect Harry?" Henry countered with a smile. "Of course, I'm not denying your suspicions. We certainly can't prove that Professor Snape didn't harm Harry, but we also can't prove that he actually did, can we? The law emphasizes 'innocence in cases of doubt,' isn't that the principle?"

Hermione opened her mouth as if to say something, but found herself unable to speak.

Ron frowned, clearly trying to process Henry's words.

Harry sat there silently, like Xu Shu entering Cao Cao's camp, staring intently at his teacup, lost in thought.

After a long while, Hermione finally spoke.

"Your Highness," her voice was lower than before, "you are right. We...we do not have direct evidence. When Professor Snape was chanting the spell, I did not hear what he was saying; his lips moved, but no sound came out."

There's one more thing she didn't mention: although she burned Snape's robes, Harry had already been rescued by Henry before that, so it couldn't be used as evidence.

"However, this is indeed very suspicious," Henry said with a smile. "Anyone who saw this would instinctively suspect Professor Snape, wouldn't they?"

Ron looked up abruptly, genuinely surprised that Henry, a Slytherin, would agree with their views.

After their conversation, he thought Henry completely disagreed with them.

"Your Highness, I thought you..."

"It's important to maintain a reasonable level of skepticism," Henry said slowly. "We can't assume everything someone does is justified just because of their identity."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, I would suggest you approach it from another angle—why not ask the professors what the relationship between Professor Snape and Harry's parents was like back then?"

(Harry Potter through Snape's eyes)