novelraw Chapter 10 He's practically my ideal self!
Chapter 10 He's practically my ideal self!
Snape sat on the sofa by the fireplace, drinking several cups of black tea in one go, but he was still somewhat dazed.
He is a wizard, and he cannot use Legilimency on a Muggle without a proper reason.
But now he really wants to use this magic on old Mr. Anguius.
He wanted to know what had happened to make things turn out this way!
Slack Anguiz, as the son, sat leisurely opposite him, holding a steaming cup of black tea and occasionally picking up a piece of toasted biscuit.
His father, the old Anguiz who should have been abusing him, now stood respectfully by their side like a dutiful butler, serving them tea and refreshments.
This……
My Merlin!
Snape diligently used Occlumency on himself. He was a spy capable of deceiving the Dark Lord and wouldn't easily reveal his emotions.
Unless you really can't help it.
"You seem to know a lot about my family background," Orochimaru said, taking a leisurely sip of his tea. "So you're quite surprised by the current situation."
How could I not be surprised!
Your childhood must have been the same as mine, so why has it changed so much now!
Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Snape roared inwardly once more.
Despite his inner turmoil, he maintained a rare composure and calmness on his face: "Mr. Anguiz, this is your family matter. I don't have such a strong curiosity."
But I think you need to know.
After all, this is part of my demonstration of my magnanimity.
Orochimaru thought to himself, his smile growing increasingly relaxed, revealing a maturity completely out of character for his age.
"My father had many misunderstandings about my mother," Orochimaru said, pausing slightly to organize his thoughts. "He felt that his love for my mother was fake, and therefore took it out on me."
You found out!?
Upon hearing this, Snape's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and he was about to say that it was indeed true.
"I confirmed my father's suspicions and pointed out his mistake." Orochimaru turned to look at old Anguius. "I am innocent. If violence is inflicted on me, my revenge will far exceed his imagination."
Snape couldn't resist taking a big gulp of hot tea.
When he heard Orochimaru say those words, he felt as if a venomous snake had suddenly appeared on the back of his neck, and he could even feel its tongue licking his skin.
This child...
He is far more powerful than he appears on the surface.
Old Mr. Anguius reacted in the same way; his body twitched almost imperceptibly, and then a look of guilt appeared on his face.
"Yes, Slack made me realize my mistake, Professor." Old Anguius nodded, emphasizing, "I was indeed terribly wrong."
But how exactly did you convince him...?
Snape wanted to ask Orochimaru, but he held back. He felt that asking would be beneath his dignity as a professor.
So the topic shifted again.
"Since Mr. Anguius has no objections, let's go to Diagon Alley today. We can buy the wands and some magical items we mentioned earlier."
Snape's topic shift was abrupt.
Orochimaru almost laughed when he heard this. He could sense that someone was behind Snape, urging him to get away from the Jinchuriki Harry as quickly as possible.
That won't do.
In this perilous world, maintaining a good relationship with a Jinchūriki is definitely a shortcut to survival.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru gently shook his head at Snape.
"I refuse, Professor."
"Why?" Snape immediately pressed.
Now, things are not as he expected.
He never imagined that Slack would become friends with Harry, especially since Harry had such beautiful eyes!
He never imagined that Slack would so easily resolve his relationship with his biological father and completely reverse his abusive life, without even using magic!
And the last point, which is also the one that Snape couldn't understand the most.
"Don't you want to enter the magical world soon? Do you want to stay in this world full of Muggles?"
Snape could no longer hold back and voiced his doubts.
He felt that Slyke was very similar to his childhood self, both having a close friend with magical talent who grew up in a Muggle family, both having beautiful green eyes, and both having an eagerness to enter the magical world.
In that world, no one would call themselves a freak, at least most people wouldn't.
In that world, all your talents will be seen and valued, whereas in the Muggle world they won't.
and so……
Why did you refuse, Slack?
Answer me!
Snape's eyes were sharp and resolute, as if he were questioning the version of himself that Professor Glasshorn had taken away, through Slack.
The version of myself who, upon hearing that I could go to Hogwarts, left Lily without looking back or saying goodbye.
He, Snape, wanted to know the answer!
"Of course, it's because of our friends, Professor," Orochimaru said firmly and calmly. "I can sense that Harry and I both possess magical talent, and I'm sure we'll both be able to attend Hogwarts."
Before Snape could ask further, Orochimaru continued.
"Could there be anything more wonderful in the world than stepping into the magical world hand in hand with a close friend who also grew up in a Muggle family?"
no……
Snape groaned inwardly, for this was something he would only understand many years later.
But now he had to shatter Slack's dream, even if he didn't want to, because Dumbledore's orders were orders.
Ever since Slack met Harry yesterday, Dumbledore has been urging himself on—
"Get that child away from Harry as soon as possible. Harry is too young and needs proper guidance."
Although Dumbledore didn't say it explicitly, that was the meaning behind his words!
Does a young wizard who is destined for Slytherin at first glance really deserve to be Harry Potter's best friend?
Snape knew the answer without even asking.
Just like himself, who was obsessed with dark magic and potions, he was destined to be no match for James Potter, who came from a prestigious family.
It's unfair, but that's reality!
Taking a deep breath, Snape spoke to Orochimaru with a force that seemed to drown his past self:
"No, Slack can't right now. You have to come with me to Diagon Alley today. We'll stay there for a while until Hogwarts starts."
Snape even felt his teeth ache when he said those words.
"You can see your friends again on the Hogwarts Express."
His attitude was resolute, and his tone even rose three degrees. In the past, students who heard him speak in this tone would tremble and be speechless, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
This was partly due to his overly strict style, and partly because he had participated in wars, and the murderous aura brought by the blood of the dead would unconsciously frighten children.
As Snape pondered this, he observed Orochimaru's reaction.
Orochimaru remained calm.
He even felt that the murderous aura suddenly emanating from the professor was somewhat like a kitten hissing, not even as strong as a Konoha genin.
Orochimaru was thus able to adopt a calm yet firm tone and speak to Snape again:
"Professor, I hope you understand that a person with strength does not suddenly start screaming hysterically."
"But my hysterical outburst doesn't mean my will is weak. Please look at my lips as I repeat myself."
"This is my will, my decision. I will step into the magical world with my best friend. You may try to twist my mind with violence, but I swear to you, my revenge will far exceed your imagination."
Just like how you took revenge on your own father?
You...you're a born Slytherin...
Snape suddenly laughed when he heard Orochimaru's words.
"I've remembered your words," Snape slowly put down his teacup. "I will convey your will to the person who makes this decision, and I hope you will remain steadfast then, Mr. Slack Anguill."
Bang!
With a soft sound, Snape vanished from Orochimaru's sight.
This must be a space-time ninjutsu, incredibly fast, even comparable to the Flying Thunder God Technique. Orochimaru sighed once more at this magical world, but also grew even more eager to see who would arrive next.
At least in some respects, the magnanimity I displayed today impressed Professor Snape.
Orochimaru thought to himself, and then drank the red tea in his cup in one gulp.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away at Hogwarts, at the edge of the teleportation barrier, a black cloud suddenly fell.
Snape shot out like lightning from here, heading straight for the headmaster's office at the top of the castle.
The rolling black clouds paused before the guardian stone beast, and Snape took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
The things he should have done in the past, the boy named Slack has now done.
That's practically my ideal self...
Therefore, he was jealous, he envied, he regretted, he...
be terribly upset!
Just as Snape was about to utter the command "Sweet Honeybee," the stone beast opened by itself.
Dumbledore, wearing round glasses, slowly emerged from behind the stone beast and quietly observed Snape, who had suddenly appeared before him.
The two remained silent for a long time until Snape could no longer bear it and prepared to break the damned silence.
"No need to say more, Severus," Dumbledore raised his right hand to stop him. "I will personally persuade Mr. Anguillus. After all, it's never too late to start a friendship, is it?"
no!
Some things, once missed, can never be recovered!
Snape wanted to yell at Dumbledore's retreating figure, but he couldn't utter a single word. He simply lowered his head in silence, gazing at the stone beast that had already closed.
Who told him to be a Slytherin, and not a Gryffindor?