Once you get off to a bad start, things will always turn out worse than you expected.
In the morning, the owl had delivered the welcome letter that Dumbledore was sure to write to every professor before the start of the academic year. At the end of the letter, he told Snape that his Ministry of Magic privileges had expired and that he could return to his former residence.
Snape had written back, too, a few lines short, cutting to the point and applying for the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor for the New Year, listing a few necessary reasons and advantages.
After the owl had flown away, he found time to return to his home in Spider-End Lane, the dark, unassuming door with the Ministry of Magic seal on it. Snape raised his hand and let the wand slip a few inches out of his sleeve, its smooth, cool, familiar texture close to his palm; the silent charm shot out, shattering all the seals, and the door reopened to its former owner.
Inside, as before, it was dark and cold. The floor was covered with a thin layer of ash, and a lamp hung from the ceiling by a wire. The candle inside was lit by magic, and soon it cast a faint, dull light on the ground, giving the dust a rough, sandpaper-like effect.
It is here that the light is most diminished, and even though it is daytime outside, there is no vivid color to be felt.
Repression creeps out of every corner of this room and tenacity grows and freezes the air here. The pale daylight loitered behind the heavy, unpatterned curtains of pure black, and the faint edge of the leak fell on the edge of the wall, creating a thin film of brightness.
Almost everything here had been sealed by the Ministry of Magic, and now it was being magically rolled up and dropped to the ground. With one wave of Snape's wand, all the seals disappeared.
The books on the shelves had been neglected, and as Snape slowly examined each shelf, he noticed, to his surprise, that several copies of Ancient Dark Charms he had collected as a student were missing.
It looks like the Ministry of Magic mess has come to an end. With a frown of disgust, he quickly restored the disturbed bookshelf to its original shape.
Since the Dark Lord's fall, the whole wizarding world has been keen to crush his followers. At the time of the trial, Severus Snape, who had expected to be thrown into the arms of the dementors of Azkaban without question to receive their kiss of death, had survived Dumbledore's bail and negotiation, and had even become head of Slytherin.
This caused quite a stir at the time, and turned some wizarding families who had lost loved ones to the Death Eaters into a collective hatred of Slytherin. The house in Spidertail Lane had been one of the Ministry's high priority search areas during the period before Snape had been released on bail. And for some time after he returned to Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic were still trying to catch him and put him in that sea-prison.
Obviously, the Ministry didn't succeed in the end. Snape, however, remained hidden for most of the next six months after his appointment as Dean, and was able to continue teaching at Hogwarts as he and Dumbledore had planned.
It's just...
He gently unbuttoned the dense row of buttons on his sleeve and rolled it up to the croak of his arm, revealing a very, very faint dark mark on his pale skin.
The Dark Lord was not dead, Snape knew it.
He walked around the room, then went down Diagon Alley to pick out some ingredients for Madam Pomfrey's potions, then turned back to Knockturn Alley, remembering the books of Dark Charm studies that had been taken away by the Ministry. The books were a good choice for research and lesson preparation, and though Dumbledore had not yet made his position clear, Snape knew very well that he should have known that there was no better teacher in the whole of Hogwarts than him.
Now that the Ministry had been forced to stop such frequent inquiries and unseal his own home, Dumbledore would no longer have to reject his application for that reason.
Snape pondered for a moment, taking a basic self-reflection on the outcome of his application.
Borginbock's in Knockdown Lane was as closed as ever, but it was the worst mistake anyone had ever made to think less of it. This shop is different from other shops, opening every three years and eating every three years. Customers don't have to worry about such things. As long as things here are attractive enough, Borginbock will last forever.
Before he had reached the front door, Snape was stopped by the owner at the door of the Black Tavern at the corner of the lane. He was holding a glass which seemed to have been polished with the bones of some animal, and smoothing the hair which seemed to have been soaked in oil over his head. But his hair was not going to do what he wanted, and the mere act of raising the glass made it fall back out of his eyes.
Snape raised his eyebrows slightly as he watched the other mutter. "Mr. Burke."
"Professor Snape, what a surprise to meet you here." Mr. Bock held out his hand to him, bony fingers between his glasses, like the work of some magical sculptor. "I'm amazed."
Snape, picking up on the implicit implication, replied without changing his face. "Yes, and I didn't expect to meet you outside the shop either. Aren't you worried about missing business?" The other smiled, and a sharp and shrewd light shone in his long, narrow eyes. "Since you are standing before me, that means I have no more."
With that he put down his glass, took out a few silver cocks and placed them in the doorman's palm. He pushed back his hair and said, "Let me see. What can I do for you?"
"I need some books." "Said Snape.
Mr. Burke's eyes fell on Snape as he picked up a few potions that were clearly from the best shops in Diagon Alley, realized that he must have been or not chosen Flourish and Blotts, and then smiled pointedly. "That must have been a very difficult book. Come with me."
In the end, Snape was able to buy the books he wanted and watch Mr. Burke fly into a rage when he found the window lock open. There was something missing between his words that even he had never been able to tame.
Snape had expected to rip open the whole of Knockturn Alley at once, but instead of Mr. Burk's cold, twisted smile, he dropped a glittering gold Galleon into the mouth of the skull he had cupped in his hands since entering the shop, and in a silky voice that gave you goose bumps, expressed his simple wish that the thief would die a happy death.
He paid and quickly left the shop. It was now beginning to rain a little. Snape had no umbrella with him, but rain was such a common occurrence in England that it was no more than a matter of drying spells. So when he stepped out into the rain, he didn't even slow down.
Knockturn Alley has no shortage of discerning shopkeepers, and no shortage of discerning thieves. This fact is so normal that it's news when there isn't a burglary here. But it must be said that the thief was brave enough to target Borgingburck's shops and appeared to be well armed. You know, the locks here are all enchanted, so they're immune to any lockpicking charm, and can only be opened with a key.
With this in mind, Snape turned a few corners quickly and walked a little further, but he did, indeed, give a surprise when he saw the familiar little golden figure cornered. Because there's no way she's supposed to be here, that's for sure.
Aurora, catching sight of him now, clutched her umbrella and the tea roll she had slipped into her cuff first, and shouted in horror at Snape, "Professor! Help me!" The girl huddled in the corner, looking like she was about to be swallowed up by the shadowy crowd around her. The grey rain and darkness fell in her frightened, flustered clear eyes, and a little hid the dim colour of her hair.
She looked at herself as if she saw the only light in the darkness.
Snape frowned and looked blankly at the group of downcast wizards and vagabonds who had gathered around Aurora. He stayed where he was, but the cold, oppressive look in his eyes made everyone around him retreat to one side, his back pressed against the wall. As effective and as fast as someone holding a knife to their neck.
Aurora gasped, surprised at how quickly the group had cleared away. She hurried up behind Snape and involuntarily grabbed at each other's long cloaks. Snape turned his face slightly, his dark eyes turned to look down at the little girl, whose face was either streaked with tears or rain, her pale lips pressed into a straight line.
Aurora, realizing she had let go of Snape's robes, continued to touch the damp, temperature-free fabric vacuously with the tips of her fingers, with a blank expression and a slightly shaky voice. "Excuse me, Professor, just a moment. I'm quick... Soon, really."
Without answering, he turned and began to walk back toward Diagon Alley, Aurora hurrying after him. It was not easy to keep the Potions professor at a distance he did not dislike under such circumstances and emotions, but Aurora was trying. She prayed it wouldn't be too far.
When she had returned to the familiar lane, Aurora relieved, her face slowly returned to normal, and she walked a little more briskly aside, keeping the young prioress at a comfortable distance back to the edge of the Forest.
Snape glanced at her, and his voice was as thin and slow as the rain. "What makes a little girl like you think of coming to a place like this, on a rainy day like this?" Aurora shook her head. "I got lost. I went the wrong way in the forest on my way back. I've never had much luck, but thank you very much just now."
He twisted the corners of his mouth with a perfunctory smirk, and added: "That's unfortunate. I hope you find a better place to get lost next time, because people who come here are generally thought to be doing bad things."
"But you came, too." Aurora opened her umbrella because the tea roll hidden in her sleeve poked her arm to warn her that it was raining. The side of the ginger umbrella flapped open just enough to cover Snape's face, which had become less cheerful at the words.
Aurora hesitated, looked at her partner's rain-soaked hair and shoulders, and tentatively raised the umbrella toward Snape. Snape took a sideways step, frowning, and looked as though he had no intention of sheltering from the rain.
After seeing the clouds brewing on her partner's face, Aurora's mind flashed back to the conversation for a very short time, and then, with the same innocent and sincere expression, she added solemnly, "But you're not a bad person. So the first person to say it is an incomplete view."
The smirk on Snape's face turned to a sneer, as though he were looking at a child lying through his teeth.
"But are you sure you don't use an umbrella?" "The little girl asked, looking at the rain that was winding out of the stream. "No." 'he said dryly.' I suppose you can't get lost again here? I hope you remember where your dorm is when you start school."
Snape turned to leave, but Aurora suddenly called, "Why don't you come in and sit down before you leave? I mean, it's raining." She thought it was right. It was her teacher, and she had just saved herself in the horrible alley. She couldn't just watch him walk away wet.
"The shop is very near here." She added, "The Magic pet store where I work. It's tea-time, and the rain may stop soon. English rain always does."
With that, the little girl leaned over to imitate the waiter in the movie and graciously made a gesture of invitation, as if he were entertaining his own guests.
Snape looked at her for a moment but made no objection.
Back in the shop, the owls and other animals were boiling and chattering annoyingly. Before Snape could recover his steps, Aurora waved her wand through the air without any incantation: "Be quiet, we have company."
Then the noisy little things really stop.
Snape raised his eyebrows, remembering once more the author of a Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them textbook he had read as a student, Newt Scamander.
A special but typical Hufflepuff.
'Please have a seat. Tea and biscuits will be ready soon.' Aurora said, putting the umbrella back and turning back to the kitchen. Mrs. Blunt gave Aurora free access to the rooms and facilities.
She took off her rain-soaked raincoat and hung it over the back of a kitchen chair. From the cupboard she took the raspberry yogurt cookies and ginger biscuits she had baked before, and took out the tea leaves to wait for the water to heat. It's a pity we're not at Hogwarts, or we'd be waiting miserably for something that could have been done with a heating charm.
By the time she finally emerged with a steaming pot of Earl Grey and two biscuits, Snape had long since dried out of the rain - thanks to the Drying Spell.
Aurora poured black tea into a China cup at just the right height and handed it to Snape, only to remember that she had not asked him what he liked, but had simply chosen this very traditional afternoon tea, with its unsweetened biscuits, by instinct.
'Don't you mind the tea? She felt it was late, but it was necessary to ask, because it would not bother her to change. The other side took the teacup and looked down at the color of the tea: "It's OK."
As for two plates of cookies -- you can't expect someone who doesn't want to be approached to share a plate of cookies.
At one point, Aurora thought Snape was a neat freak who didn't like to be near people, but she quickly dismissed the idea. After all, from the cleanliness of his clothes to other details, the young master is a man who has a minimum of standards for his own grooming and physical beauty.
He probably just doesn't like to be near people.
After that, the two men didn't talk much because there was nothing to talk about. Even though the dean of Slytherin was next to her own for the rest of the year, because of academic problems, that familiarity was superficial, and only the general nature of his character was known. In addition, Aurora is also a person who does not reject silence. She intuited that if she kept talking, she would definitely make the other party very disgusted.
When the teacup was empty, the rain stopped. Snape got up to leave, and Aurora ushered him politely to the door.
At this moment, the door of Flourish and Blotts bookstore across the diagonal suddenly opened, Beverly bit her lip and rushed out. When the employee who was about to be brought in with the goods was knocked down because of blind sight, another man rushed out and pulled Beverly back.
Snape saw the figure, then his lips moved slightly and his eyes flickered violently, as if surprised at what he saw.
"Professor, Aurora! Beverly shouted at them, and the man who was holding her turned back.
He had soft, slightly curly black hair and deep, shiny gray eyes.
'Sirius? "Aurora blurted out, and Snape gave her a quick look before hearing her apologize in the blank eyes of the other." I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else. You guys... Who are you?"
"Regulus Black." Snape stared at him, a shallow smile curling around his lips that was almost chilling. "Long time no see, what a pleasant surprise to see you."
Regulus hesitated for a moment, then nodded with reserved politeness. "Hello. So am I." Aurora stole a glance at the two men, and suddenly there was a sense that something was wrong.
But this man looked a little like Sirius, only less handsome than Sirius. He was also a Black, so he must have been family. She remembered what Sur had said about Beverly's connection to the Black family, and immediately realized that Sur had earned his reputation as a "mobile intelligence dump."
But Snape was far more aggressive than Regulus. "I heard rumours earlier and thought something bad had happened to you. I think my fears were misplaced."
Regulus nodded, his eyes still blank and cautious, his voice gentle. "Thank you for your concern. I've been fine lately."
Snape's face twisted as he heard this, as though disgusted by the attitude. Regulus, apparently aware of the change, frowned slightly and said, "Sorry, I have to go now because I have something else to do."
With that, he leaned over slightly to pat Beverly on the shoulder and left with a small sigh.
Snape called to him suddenly. "I heard there had been quite an accident at home. I was very sorry about your brother." Aurora swears, ironically enough, that he has absolutely no regrets or regrets.
She's a professor who seems to hate this guy, you know? Aurora shot down the idea with a wink. Snape never showed he liked anyone.
Regulus looked sharply back at Snape, the surprise and bewilderment in his eyes shrinking rapidly as he touched his opponent's expression, and then he swallowed the words that had rolled to his lips with the same gentle politeness: "Thank you. I'll tell him for you. '
Snape's face twisted again, and a smirk settled on his lips. "I hope you have a happy reunion."
"I'm sure I will." Regulus, presumably sensing that he was a difficult man, turned and left much more neatly than he had just done.
Only when the tall, straight figure was out of sight did Snape look down at Beverly. "You know each other?"
"He's my guardian." "Said Beverly reluctantly. Aurora froze for a moment. The man Beverly's master had protected and died for was Regulus Black?
"You're not a Black." Snape used the declarative sentence, which felt oppressive in the environment. "There is no reason for him to be your guardian. Whether it's family, whether it's identity."
Beverly opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something and the eyes of those around her stopped her. Aurora then retreated to the door of the Magic Pet store and opened it. "Why don't you come in and talk?"
So the three men sat down again in the pet shop, and Aurora quickly brought out new cookies and black tea. She walked to the door and turned the open sign over to reveal the words "Closed."