A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 564: Suspicious Snape

After Christmas, days at the Black estate felt somewhat dull.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny were at the dining table doing homework, interrupted every half hour by Kreacher bringing in a steaming pot of tea.

"Thanks, but I can't stomach more," Ron said, his face reddening, before hurrying upstairs to the loo. Ginny looked unimpressed.

She casually picked up her teacup, taking a sip. "Miss Ginny, a picture of elegance," Kreacher complimented, leaving Harry baffled, wondering what Ginny did. "Are you okay, Ginny? Your back?" "No!" she snapped.

Ron returned. "Snape's still in the study," he said, succinctly.

Harry understood. Snape had come the day after Christmas. Amidst the busyness at the Order of the Phoenix, seeing him at headquarters for three consecutive days seemed odd.

"Think positively; maybe he's just eyeing the Black family's library," Ron suggested.

"I saw him last night," Ginny exclaimed, catching Harry and Ron's attention. "I wanted water from the kitchen and saw him gliding down the stairs like a ghost, not a sound..."

Harry and Ron exchanged looks, finding it more suspicious.

"What's he looking for?"

"Maybe he's trying to crack the Order's protective spells!"

"Don't be daft, this place is under the Fidelius Charm; no one can force Dumbledore to spill secrets!"

"Let's write to Hermione; she knows obscure magic," Ginny suggested eagerly.

"Good idea."

For the next few days, Harry and Ron discussed Snape's intentions while anxiously awaiting Hermione's reply. Nearly a week passed before they realized that the Black estate was heavily protected by magic, making it impossible for Hermione to return.

During lunch break, Harry took a stroll and managed to bring back Hedwig, who'd been lingering around Grimmauld Place for days. Hedwig angrily pecked at Harry's ear and fingers, and after he apologized profusely, she dropped a bulky envelope onto his head.

Hermione's letter was long:

"I'm in Switzerland with my parents; it's peaceful here, no signs of war. I suggested they stay for a year, but they adamantly refused, demanding a letter every week!

I've taught them how to subscribe to 'The Daily Prophet' and 'Wizarding World', although they can't read the latter, they find my name in it. They were also curious about 'The Quibbler,' but luckily I managed to dissuade them; I don't want them asking about gnome pies in their letters.

Regarding your query, I do know some spells, but I'm unsure if they'd work on Professor Snape. I recommend a method Muggles use, an idea I got from a detective novel my dad recently read. The specifics involve placing a strand of hair between the pages of two books; if someone moves them, the hair falls... Other methods are attached at the end..."

"What do you guys think?" Harry asked Ron and Ginny after setting down the letter.

Then, his attention shifted to the numerous Muggle motorbike photos covering an entire section. Snape's mention of 'bikini photos' had only a few images; the faded smiles of those girls, frozen on yellowing paper, seemed cut from Muggle movie posters.

Sirius had put these up during his school days, Harry realized. Simultaneously, Snape had been right—Sirius did have courage, perhaps rebelliousness in his youth...

Amidst these, there were plenty of wizarding pictures. Harry was surprised and a little uneasy to finally locate the set of photos Sirius obtained from the Creevey brothers. Dozens of Harry Potters blinked back at him.

Harry couldn't decide between embarrassment or gratitude. His eyes stung, and it took a while before he noticed a few unconventional pictures:

One showed four Hogwarts students, arm in arm, smiling at the camera—his father, Sirius, Lupin, and, of course, the short figure of Pettigrew, each joyously facing the lens;

Another depicted Sirius and a younger man with their arms around each other—Regulus, he knew—the two looked young, before Sirius left home;

The last photo—Harry's breath caught—a black-haired baby riding a tiny broom, giggling, while two sets of adult legs chased after him; that must've been his father, James Potter.

"Lily sent these to me; I found them while tidying up," Sirius pointed at the baby picture, "Hidden in my motorcycle repair manual; I almost tossed it aside."

Harry stayed silent, unsure of what to

say.

"I have a few letters here, written by James and Lily..." Sirius hesitated, "I've been debating whether to give them to you."

"Of course!" Harry replied immediately, eager. He stared at the faded ink marks, wondering why he hadn't thought of this before. He resolved to start keeping Ron and Hermione's letters from now on.

"Is James's Invisibility Cloak still with you?" Sirius suddenly asked.

"What? Oh, yes, Dumbledore returned it to me in my first year." Harry answered, puzzled by Sirius's question, his full attention on the letters. He spotted elegant handwriting, probably his mother's.

He eagerly took them, hoping to feel the warmth of the writer.

Sirius fell silent, his enthusiasm waning. He waved Harry off towards the exit, then at the doorway, he turned back, "Well... Harry, I want to say, your taste is actually quite good." Before Sirius could respond, Harry hurried away.

Thanking the 15th Lord for appearing in this book—sorry, no English name—to the big boss, here are flowers. Thank you for your support!

Also, seeking the guaranteed votes for next month; P.S.: Double votes from the 1st to the 7th.

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