Homecoming from Hogwarts

The sudden ripples in the air dispersed the clear moonlight like a spring, and Severus appeared on the path covered with low thorn bushes in front of Malfoy Manor.

It was a hot summer day and it was still hot and stuffy even late at night, but Severus still wrapped himself tightly in a black robe.

It's hard to tell whether the wet hair is caused by sweat or oil.

After looking up at the crescent moon hanging high in the center of the night sky, Severus took a step forward and walked towards Malfoy Manor not far away.

Even heavier.
As the distance got closer, the Malfoy Mansion located in the darkness became clear in Severus' eyes.

The gray mist that draped over Malfoy Manor like a veil made Severus' indifferent eyes flicker.

This strange natural phenomenon only appeared in Malfoy Manor after the Dark Lord moved in. Naturally, the Dark Lord was the source of this strange phenomenon.

What does this mean?
I still remember that the last time the Dark Lord was at his peak, such strange phenomena never occurred in the places he appeared.

Did the Dark Lord gain new power, or did he become even more evil after his resurrection?

Breaking through the phantom wrought iron gate, it seemed like late autumn wherever I looked.

The lawns divided into pieces by the roads turned a dull yellow, and the leaves of the sycamore trees that could be seen everywhere had lost their green color, giving the scene a desolate look.

The group of white peacocks that Lucius raised in the garden, which symbolized the family, disappeared. No one knew where they had gone.

There is no strange smell in the air, but to people's senses, there is always a lingering stench of corruption.

The last time he came to Malfoy Manor, he noticed some clues, but he didn't pay much attention to them. But this time, all the strange phenomena were too eye-catching, and he couldn't help but take them to heart.

Dumbledore and Amosta must be reminded.

This thought occurred to Severus just before he crunched on the gravel road into the mansion.

But when he pushed open the door of the towering white building and darkness and fishy smell hit him in the face, all these thoughts were wrapped up by Severus with a heavy void, hiding deep in his soul.

A long table that ran almost the entire length of the marble-floored room was filled with people on both sides.

As Severus walked into the room, he immediately felt the eyes of the attendees whose faces were hidden in the shadows.

The atmosphere was depressing and no one spoke, but Severus felt that some of those gazes were filled with malice.

"I almost thought you wouldn't make it, Severus."

The person who controls everything is not at this conference table.

The moonlight shone into the house through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, covering a slightly rocking recliner in front of the fireplace, with its back to all the believers.

"You know, I can't be too eager—"

Severus bowed, his tone unchanged.

"When it comes to Harry Potter, Dumbledore must be more cautious than anyone else. I cannot show excessive curiosity."

"Of course, of course, dear Severus, we all know that you know exactly how to deal with Dumbledore."

Voldemort tried to show some humor to hide his urgency, and there were some humorous laughter on both sides of the conference table.

"I suppose you have figured something out, haven't you, dear Severus?"

The recliner slowly turned, and a pair of terrifying scarlet eyes emerged from the darkness.

"Yes, Master, I"

"Sit down and talk, Severus—"

Voldemort said,

"Just sit next to Adam. Oh, I don't think you know our new friend yet. After all, you haven't been with us for a long time."

At the front of the long table, a wizard with gray hair and beard, wearing elegant gold-rimmed glasses, trousers and a double-breasted vest, smiled at Severus.

"It is an honor to serve the great Dark Lord with you, Professor Snape—"

The man said, and Severus just looked at him blankly.

"Adam has a distinguished last name, Severus, and I am sure I will be able to get along with you very well."

After Voldemort said this, Severus finally reacted. He nodded to Adam Vogel, walked over slowly, pulled out the stool next to Adam and sat down. He only glanced indifferently at a stunningly cold young witch on the other side, and then turned his attention back to the Dark Lord.

"Dumbledore told me that he spoke to both the Minister of Magic and Amosta, separately, after the press conference this morning."

Severus spoke slowly, and everyone at the conference table listened to him attentively.

"Dumbledore secured for Harry Potter to be temporarily grounded before his trial, but he did not learn much from the Minister of Magic about the Muggle murders that the Ministry claimed Harry Potter had committed."

Severus' dark eyes looked directly into Voldemort's red eyes.

"During their conversation, Dumbledore and Amosta both believed that this was a conspiracy by the Ministry of Magic to divert public attention away from the Azkaban incident. In addition, Dumbledore also revealed that the Minister of Magic implicitly stated that he wanted to negotiate with Hogwarts."

"negotiation?"

Adam Vogel expressed doubt.

"Dumbledore guessed that the Minister of Magic wanted him to make it clear that your return to the wizarding world was just a lie. In addition, Dumbledore also believed that the Minister of Magic seemed to want Hogwarts to be completely under the jurisdiction of the Ministry."

After a pause, Severus continued

"But Amosta has stated that he will not compromise on anything with the Ministry of Magic."

"Ah, so maybe Brian could become one of us—"

Voldemort said in mock surprise,
"Or the Minister of Magic?"

There was a burst of laughter around the conference table.

"So, Dumbledore and Brain are both convinced that Harry Potter's murder was fabricated by the British Ministry of Magic and did not happen at all?"

Adam Vogel asked Severus politely, and after receiving an affirmative response, he fell into deep thought.

"What do you think, dear Adam?"

Voldemort asked.

"How things will develop depends on whether Dumbledore and Brain can find loopholes in the lies made up by the Ministry of Magic, respected Dark Lord."

Adam bowed towards Voldemort and said,
"Both sides knew very well that this was just a conspiracy, a political maneuver, and if Dumbledore and Brainiac couldn't crack it, they would have to accept the Minister of Magic's terms in order to protect Harry Potter.

On the other hand, if they get the key evidence, then Cornelius Fudge will be ruined and will undoubtedly be in big trouble."

The discussion suddenly became heated, with every Death Eater excitedly expressing his or her opinion on the matter, while Lucius and Severus just watched coldly.

"Dear Adam—"

Voldemort did not show any surprise. It was obvious that he could see through all these things with his wisdom.

He kept a cold smile.
"What do you think, Adam? I mean, where we are in this matter."

"It is clearly in our best interest to help the Ministry, your Majesty."

Adam Vogel said,

"In dealing with Harry Potter, the British Ministry of Magic has reached an agreement with us by accident. Moreover, if Dumbledore and Braine uncover Cornelius Fudge's conspiracy, then Fudge will undoubtedly step down. I personally think that it is beneficial for us to have him as Minister of Magic."

"Severus—"

Voldemort turned his gaze to Severus.
"See if you can hold Dumbledore back?"

"I'm afraid it's difficult, Master."

Severus had expected this question, and he said calmly,
"Dumbledore seems to have handed the task of finding loopholes in the Ministry of Magic to Amosstar Blaine, and Amosstar kept the matter strictly confidential. He did not entrust or ask any members of the Order of the Phoenix for assistance and conducted his own independent investigation."

"Isn't that Brian your most talented student, Severus?"

Antonin Dolokhov's long face twisted into a hideous smile.

"You can take the initiative to ask to join his investigation. He will trust you, right?"

Severus twitched his lips, dismissing the question. However, after a brief thought, he said to Voldemort, who was lost in thought,
"Doing so will arouse suspicion among many people. The Order of the Phoenix, including Dumbledore and Brain, all know that I would rather Harry Potter be imprisoned in Azkaban than hope that he will be cleared of all charges." (End of this chapter)