Chapter 194 – Snape's Past
"Nonsense," said Hagrid. "Snape's a professor at Hogwarts—he'd never do such a thing!"
Neville, uncharacteristically bold, suddenly blurted out, "Then why did he try to kill Harry?!"
Phineas raised an eyebrow. Harry's friends clearly meant a great deal to him.
"Wait a minute," Phineas said, frowning. "You're saying Professor Snape tried to kill Harry just to steal that thing?"
"Exactly!" Ron replied confidently.
Phineas rolled his eyes—and so did Hermione, standing beside him.
"Even if your theory held any weight," Phineas said coolly, "think about it. If Snape really wanted to steal that object, why on earth would he go after Harry? You think Harry, a first-year student who barely knows any magic, would pose a threat to him?"
Harry, Ron, and Neville hesitated.
"If he truly wanted it," Phineas went on, "he could've gone through Hagrid. He could've learned how to get past the three-headed dog from him. There's no reason for him to harm Harry. Or… do you simply assume he's a villain because of how he treats Gryffindors in class?"
His words cut deep, exposing thoughts none of the boys wanted to admit aloud.
Neville was the first to protest. "But I saw him!" he said loudly. "He was staring at Harry the whole time, not blinking. I read that curses need eye contact—and Snape didn't look away even once!"
Phineas shook his head and turned to Harry.
"Harry, Professor Snape may dislike you, may even treat you unfairly—but believe me: he is the one person at this school who would never let anything happen to you. If it came to it… he'd give his life to protect you."
Ron turned red and snapped, "That's impossible! You didn't see what he did to Harry!"
Phineas turned to him sharply.
"Ron, I don't recall the Weasley family being known for blind prejudice. Molly and Arthur raised you better than this. Even Neville here, facing something he doesn't understand, kept his temper in check."
Harry looked confused. "Neville? What's going on with Neville?"
Phineas sighed and turned to Neville.
"It's long overdue… but I owe you an apology. On behalf of the Black family."
Neville looked startled and waved his hands. "No, no—it's not your fault."
Phineas nodded. He was impressed. Neville's strength of character would someday make him a worthy Hogwarts professor. Few in the wizarding world had his quiet integrity.
"There's a reason Snape is the way he is," Phineas said. "Hagrid, you knew he was close to Lily Evans in school, didn't you?"
Hagrid nodded slowly.
"Aye… back then, Snape and Lily were always together. Good friends, they were. But later... well..."
Hagrid trailed off. The rest was too painful to say aloud.
Phineas picked up where he left off.
"They grew up near each other. Met before Hogwarts. Lily was the only magical child in a Muggle family and faced a lot of bullying at school. Then she met the boy who changed her life—Severus Snape."
"Snape was a half-blood wizard," Phineas continued. "His father was a Muggle who resented magic. He had a rough childhood—unhappy, difficult. But Lily was his light, his only friend. I'd wager they were in love, though they never said it."
Harry's jaw dropped. Ron looked just as shocked. Only Hagrid stayed calm—he had clearly known most of this but never found the right words to share it.
"Don't go repeating this," Phineas warned. "You're not ready to understand everything. But Lily was sorted into Gryffindor, Snape into Slytherin. Over time, because of your father—James Potter—and his friends, Lily and Snape drifted apart. She married James. Snape... grieved alone. He never married, never loved again."
Harry felt a strange weight settle in his chest.
"As Lily's son," Phineas said gently, "you mean everything to him, Harry. He would never let harm come to you. But because you look so much like your father, whom he despised... well, that's why he treats you the way he does."
Ron still looked unconvinced. "And how do we know you're telling the truth? You're a Slytherin too—maybe you and Snape are just covering for each other!"
Before Phineas could reply, Hagrid slammed his mug down, face dark with frustration.
"That's enough!" he barked. "I told you, you're wrong—and you're messing with things that don't concern you. It's dangerous. You're not supposed to know about the dog, or what it's guarding. That's between Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel!"
Phineas winced, rubbing his temples.
Why would Dumbledore tell Hagrid anything like that? Of course—he wanted Hagrid to slip up. Dumbledore wanted Harry to hear that name.
Harry, sharp as ever, latched onto it instantly.
"Nicolas Flamel?" he repeated. "So he's involved too?"
Hagrid groaned and buried his face in his hands. This time, he wasn't angry with the others. He was angry with himself.