The ancient castle, which had endured the trials of history for a thousand years, still radiated a mysterious magic in the falling snow. During the Christmas holidays, Hogwarts was much quieter than usual.
In the empty castle, the only sounds were the whispers of the figures in the portraits hanging along the narrow corridors and the clanking of the standing suits of armor, occasionally pierced by Peeves the Poltergeist's sharp and grating songs.
Severus Snape's brisk steps made his robes billow like a cloak, making him look like a bat with its wings spread, yet running on its feet. His dark expression and pale lips showed he was in a foul mood.
"Iced lemon juice."
The ugly stone gargoyle jumped aside quickly after hearing the correct password, seeming a bit flustered, as if it was also afraid of something.
Snape strode into the open wall. As he entered the circular office hidden behind the wall, his mood worsened for no apparent reason.
Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the age, was leaning back in his chair. Behind his half-moon spectacles, his deep blue eyes gazed at the high ceiling of the office. His long fingers were interlaced on the desk, which was cluttered with strange alchemical tools and piles of letters waiting for a response.
"Where have you been?"
Snape glanced at Dumbledore, still wearing his purple travel cloak, and asked bluntly.
"Just out for a walk," Dumbledore replied with a gentle smile, withdrawing his deep gaze. "You know, Severus, for an old man like me, it's very important to keep some level of activity."
"Yes, of course," Snape's lips curled into a slight sneer. "Out for a walk for several days?"
Snape's reaction was predictable, and Dumbledore wasn't bothered. He just smiled, "How is Miss Granger?"
"She's stable. Madam Pomfrey has handled her situation correctly. She should be back to normal after a few weeks of rest."
Snape's tone was stiff, but he answered truthfully. However, seeing Dumbledore's relieved expression and his attempt to move on from the topic, Snape couldn't hold back his anger any longer.
"I'm sure you know what those reckless Gryffindors did. They brewed Polyjuice Potion in secret and even had the audacity to break into my office and steal ingredients. Dumbledore, since when has this school become so lenient that breaking rules and stealing from professors is allowed?"
"Underhanded behavior is never allowed,"
Snape's persistence seemed to make the travel-weary Dumbledore feel even more tired. He took off his glasses and rubbed his brow.
"But we should look at the intentions behind their actions to judge whether their hearts are equally underhanded. Severus, I don't believe Harry, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger's attempt to find out the truth about the attacks is a wicked act."
"So you just plan to let it slide, even if their reckless behavior puts them in danger?"
For some reason, Snape's face looked paler in the warm firelight.
The office fell silent, except for the light snores of the former headmasters in their portraits on the walls and the soft, clear chirps of Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix.
After a long silence, Dumbledore spoke again, though his tone had lost its quiet confidence.
"Indeed, the line between bravery and recklessness isn't always clear. But with young people, we should be more tolerant, Severus. This way, we can avoid stifling their natural strengths."
"Tolerance?"
Snape's lips twitched as he reluctantly recalled his own school days at Hogwarts.
"Don't flatter yourself, Headmaster Dumbledore. You've always been lenient only towards the students you like."
Snape's intense hatred for James Potter and his deep love for Lily Evans were projected onto Harry. He was torn between the duty to protect the son of the woman he loved and the bitterness of seeing Harry's resemblance to his father, which made Snape's emotions very complicated.
"Let's end this discussion, Severus,"
Since Harry Potter entered the school, this kind of conversation had happened many times. Even Dumbledore felt helpless about it.
"Could you do me a favor and go to the school gates to welcome a guest?"
Dumbledore stood up, looking down at his travel-worn clothes, clearly unsuitable for meeting anyone.
"Actually, I would have asked Minerva, but she's attending a Transfiguration Today editorial team's invitation to a party about Transfiguration. It's a rare bit of leisure for her, and I'd rather not disturb her."
Snape wasn't interested in Dumbledore's private meeting. He turned and walked away, his face even grimmer than when he had entered the office, due to the memories stirring in his mind.
But just before leaving the office, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Dumbledore, who was using his wand to clean the mud off his robe, his voice suspicious.
"Who are you meeting?"
"Ah—well, I planned for it to be a surprise at the school gate, but since you asked,"
Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes once again shining with an inscrutable light.
"Amorsta Blaine, one of your favorite students over the years."
…
December 31st, 7:40 PM.
After taking the Hogwarts Express and getting off at Hogsmeade Station, Amorsta walked through a long snow-covered path, arriving at the Hogwarts gates right on time.
The two stone boar statues with wings, which had guarded this great magical school for centuries, stood as sentinels. Amorsta's nostalgic gaze passed through the iron gate's bars, over the Quidditch pitch with its tall goalposts, and towards the ancient castle perched on the cliff, eventually disappearing into the endless Forbidden Forest.
He had to admit, returning here felt even better than he had imagined.
"From the moment I got on the train, I knew it would be you, Professor, who would come to greet me."
The rusty gate slowly creaked open, and Amorsta stepped through, walking towards the approaching figure. As Severus Snape's stern face appeared in the dim light, Amorsta put down his suitcase, opened his arms, and smiled warmly.