Harry listened carefully to Dumbledore's words, but his slightly excited mood had nothing to do with them. His heart practically danced in his chest because he knew Dana might bring his mother to Hogwarts. Even if she appeared as a ghost, Harry felt the thrill of being a child with a loving mother.
The remaining half-week of classes felt unbearably long. Harry was so excited that he almost forgot he hadn't obtained his parents' signature, which technically meant he couldn't go to Hogsmeade.
After a full ten minutes of discussion, Principal Dumbledore and Principal McGonagall finally relented. Harry could visit Hogsmeade under the condition that "Dumbledore is Harry Potter's temporary guardian at Hogwarts." This decree made Harry's joy soar, and S.B., ever loyal, shared in his happiness.
On Saturday, Harry, Ron, Hermione, along with S.B. and Crookshanks, set out for Hogsmeade. Ron chose not to bring his new owl. Owls were unmatched for utility, but they were poor companions for casual walks; nobody carried one on their shoulder all day. Ron's owl, with its peculiar habit of nesting in his messy red hair, made the prospect even less appealing.
For Harry, it was his first trip to Hogsmeade that school year, and the thrill made him almost forget everything else. However, his excitement was short-lived. Hermione promptly replenished her stationery at Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, then waved them off:
"Sorry, Harry, Ron. I need to get back to study."
Harry frowned and tried to persuade her.
"Hermione, you've been pushing yourself all semester. You deserve a proper break."
"A break?" Hermione tilted her head.
"I can't tolerate seeing my peers pull so far ahead. I need to keep up."
Ron chimed in with a shrug.
"Dana isn't taking finals this semester, so you're definitely first in your year. Why overwork yourself?"
Hermione gave Ron a look that mixed pity and disbelief, as if he were a slow-witted child.
"Do you measure brilliance by exam scores? Congratulations, Ron, you're better than most Dragons."
With that, she strode back toward the castle, considering the back-and-forth walk between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade her ultimate relaxation.
"Harry, look at her!" Ron called out after she was a few steps away.
"Why is she so annoying?"
Harry gently pulled him back.
"Ron, Hermione is juggling far more classes than we are—even after dropping Divination. We should understand her pressure."
Ron snorted.
"Percy and Bill both handled twelve classes. Percy was annoying, but Bill never had Hermione's temper."
"Ron, you're asking too much of Hermione," Harry said with a sigh.
"Are you still my best friend if you're defending her?"
Harry smiled faintly.
"It's fine if she's not here. I've got a confidential mission from Dumbledore."
Ron's eyes lit up; he loved secret missions above all else.
"What mission?"
"Sorry, Ron. I can't reveal the details—it concerns Lord Voldemort. I have to be careful, very careful, and then even more careful."
Ron nodded knowingly, crafting a story in his head: Dumbledore, disguised as a retired principal, had gone into hiding to secretly plot Voldemort's downfall. This strategy mirrored Wizard's Chess, where the decisive strike always followed a feigned weakness.
"I'll fully cooperate!" Ron said.
Harry exhaled in relief. Ron was, as ever, a loyal best friend.
"Let's go to the post office and rent an owl directly."
"Why not just have Hedwig deliver it?"
"Dumbledore insists it be sent from Hogsmeade. He always has his reasons—I've never seen him miscalculate."
"That's true. These days, maybe only Dantes rivals Dumbledore in skill."
"Right—he's the Minister now."
Ron nodded, comforted by the contrast with Cornelius Fudge, who had brought shame to the British wizarding world.
The two friends strolled to the post office, but suddenly, someone leapt from the corner, blocking their path.
"Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, where are you going?"
Greasy black hair, a long black robe, a hooked nose, pale skin—it was Severus Snape.
Harry felt a chill run down his spine. Although Snape had nothing to do with the Philosopher's Stone incident that year, the Slytherin Head's reputation had never improved. Snape had once been a Death Eater; their mistrust was deep-rooted.
"Professor Snape, it's my first time in Hogsmeade. Ron's just showing me around."
Snape stared into Harry's eyes before letting out a long, deliberate snort.
"You'd better not cause trouble. Don't think I won't deduct points just because we're off school grounds."
"Understood, Professor," the boys replied, shuffling away with occasional backward glances. Snape, meanwhile, seemed to linger at the post office entrance.
"Do you think Snape wants to tip off other Death Eaters?" Ron whispered.
Harry shook his head.
"I don't know. Let's wait and send the letter when the opportunity arises."
They found a window seat in the Three Broomsticks, with a clear view of the post office. Snape remained, motionless, like a hawk observing prey. Harry and Ron each downed two large butterbeers, but Snape still didn't leave.
"This won't work," Ron muttered.
"I'll find a way to distract him. You rush in and rent the owls."
Harry frowned. "How?"
Ron took a deep breath. "I'll hide, then ambush him from a distance."
Harry's eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"
Ron shrugged. "Got a better idea?"
Harry inwardly missed Hermione, wishing she were there.
"Alright. Be careful."
"Merlin will protect me," Ron said with a grin. He darted from the Three Broomsticks, hid behind Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions sign, and flicked his wand toward Snape from fifty meters away.
"Peskipiksi Pesternomi!"
A harmless prank spell, but Ron aimed it at Snape. The Slytherin professor barely moved, then his eyes swept across the area, catching sight of Ron fleeing.
"Ron Weasley!"
He raised his wand. "If I catch you casting that curse, Gryffindor will lose fifty points!"
As Snape pursued him, Harry rushed into the post office, quickly rented two owls, and sent Dumbledore's letters. Snape, observing the chase, smiled knowingly.
"You little rascal. I saw everything in class this week. Even with master-level Legilimency, your secrets cannot hide. Dumbledore, you overestimate me. But if it brings back Lily, I'll do anything…"
Two days earlier, at the Ministry of Magic…
Minister Dantes was reviewing the month's performance assessment when Wang Shujing entered with a letter.
The Minister took it with curiosity—it was from Severus Snape. Unfolding it, he read quickly:
"Dumbledore is using Harry Potter to send a letter to Gai Avery?"
Dantes chuckled. Snape clearly wanted Lily Evans back. A perfect opportunity to locate Gai Avery had presented itself. Already a double agent, Snape would likely become a triple agent if it meant bringing Lily back.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Liamlivingstone