"A fireplace?"
Hermione said excitedly, "Yeah! Speaking of that, I've never used a fireplace before!"
"Both the fireplace and Apparition are the most traditional ways of travelling in the wizarding world, and you can also use a Portkey if the distance is too far," Andy explained.
Hermione said, "I've seen Portkeys in books ..."
Andy said, "Portkey travel can be a very terrible experience, it's like having a hook in your bellybutton ..."
Harry looked at Andy, then turned his head to Hermione, and realised he couldn't even interject a word.
In his thirteenth year, at the school dinner, he stood like a minion.
Harry returned resignedly to the Gryffindor long table and turned his head to Ron for a heated chat.
It was better to be with Ron!
The dinner continued.
Andy and Hermione chatted from ways of travelling in the wizarding world to the scenery of Godric's Hollow, and from the scenery of Godric's Hollow to Christmas presents.
"Last Christmas, I gave Professor Snape a bottle of shampoo. But looking at how Professor Snape looks like now, I can tell he hasn't used it." Andy said with a helpless face.
This professor was so difficult!
Hermione smiled heartily and said, "Shampoo isn't expensive, the professor probably just doesn't like to wash his hair."
Andy nodded thoughtfully, that makes sense!
"Looks like I'll have to put more thought into my gift this year," Andy said.
Andy was still planning on making Snape work for him as a spy, so of course the gift had to be one that would reach the other party's heart.
Hermione suggested, "I think you should give Professor Snape a vial of basilisk blood."
"Fair enough!" Andy nodded.
Just by looking at how Snape carried himself, it was clear that he didn't have any extra hobbies other than making magic potions.
"Speaking of which, ..."
While talking about Snape, Andy also glanced at the professor's seat, "Professor Snape doesn't seem too happy!"
Hermione turned her head to look at that.
The atmosphere in the Professors' gallery was similarly festive, the professors had been busy for months and could finally take a well-deserved break. Dumbledore was also smiling and chatting with Professor McGonagall about something, making her laugh.
In this atmosphere, the grim Snape just seemed a little out of place.
Andy continued, "Although Professor Snape is usually eerie, don't you feel that Snape's expression is a bit more gruff? It's like something is about to happen."
Hermione nodded and said, "He hasn't even eaten much, he seems a bit distracted."
Andy sighed inwardly.
Hogwarts shouldn't be getting into trouble again, should it?
Snape, after all, an undercover on Voldemort's side, and while everyone else's Christmas was a happy family celebration, Snape might have to spend it with Voldemort this year.
Amitabha!
Just thinking about it makes me feel awful.
Seemingly sensing Andy and Hermione's gaze, Snape glared fiercely towards the two.
Andy hastily averted his eyes.
Snape was indeed in a somewhat bad mood.
And it was just as Andy suspected, everyone else spent Christmas with their families, while he, Severus Snape, was spending the holiday with Voldemort this year.
It was something that wouldn't sit well with anyone, no matter who was on the receiving end of it.
Not to mention, the possibility of Voldemort issuing him a quest.
It was good that ... this year's situation was a little different.
The diary, the diadem ...
Two of Voldemort's Horcruxes had been destroyed.
Snape was a little hesitant, if he reported this information to Voldemort, it would certainly put Voldemort on edge.
At that time, although it would very likely make Voldemort rush to resurrect, it was also quite possible that he would tell Snape the location of a certain Horcrux and ask Snape to help him keep one of the Horcruxes.
Either way!
This plan was just too risky, Snape didn't think he had gained Voldemort's trust.
Besides, a weakened Voldemort wouldn't trust anyone.
Learning that the Horcruxes were destroyed, the most likely thing Voldemort would do is rush to resurrect and then kill Snape, one of the people who knows the secret of the Horcruxes.
***
The dinner ended a little after eight in the night.
After the young wizards returned to their respective dormitories, Snape made his way to the seventh floor alone and entered the Headmaster's office.
"Severus ..."
Dumbledore looked at Snape with a complicated look on his face.
This period of time before Voldemort's resurrection ought to be the toughest time for Snape. But if Snape made it through this period, the impact it would have on the situation in the future would be spectacular.
He would be the key to victory or defeat.
"Sit down!"
Dumbledore asked in a slow voice, "Some refreshments?"
"Dumbledore!"
Snape didn't have any appetite at all right now, he looked a little impatient, "This is an opportunity! You know, I went undercover to pry into the secret of the Dark Lord's immortality."
"He won't trust anyone right now." Dumbledore rejected Snape's plan without hesitation.
This plan was not as simple as taking a risk now; it was simply a death wish!
Dumbledore continued, "You can talk to him about Malfoy, he needs help right now."
Snape frowned slightly at that, "You want Lucius to help bring him back to life?"
Before this, Voldemort had been too weak to gather his old forces.
But the situation was different now.
Voldemort had already gained Snape's 'allegiance', and once Voldemort learnt that Lucius Malfoy was also still 'loyal' to him, he feared that Voldemort would immediately plan for a resurrection.
"You can't keep dragging this out if you want to gain his trust."
Dumbledore said in a serious tone, "But I will sabotage his plans and delay it for a while longer. And that would make you much more important."
Snape pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.
This was indeed a good idea.
Once he attempted a resurrection, and it failed, Voldemort would realise that he would have to hide from Dumbledore if he wanted to complete the resurrection plan.
And Snape was that important piece to hide from Dumbledore.
"I know!"
Snape responded, and then queried, "Can't the Dark Lord sense the destruction of the two Horcruxes?"
"I'm afraid so!" Dumbledore said.
Snape was about to get up and leave after mentally weighing the whole plan and realising that nothing was missing when he saw Dumbledore pull open a drawer and take out the diary and the diadem.
These are Horcruxes?
Snape stared at them.
Dumbledore sighed and said slowly, "Horcruxes allow you to avoid death, so technically the only thing Voldemort would have to do would be to remake his physical body."
"And I happen to know a way to remake a physical body."
"If Voldemort wants to use this method to remake his body, then he will most likely have you lead Harry out of Hogwarts."
Snape was stunned at that.
This was indeed a tricky problem.
If Snape didn't comply, then Voldemort would suspect him. But if he complied, then he should be 'exposed' on Dumbledore's side.
----
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