Hogwarts: I am Snape

Chapter 68 Missing a Backer
“They want us to join now…” Snape murmured the words.

He immediately realized what those words meant: Voldemort couldn't wait any longer; he was already recruiting everyone into the Death Eaters' ranks regardless of age. Not just Barty Jr., but also Regulus and several other older Slytherins.

Snape was turning to go upstairs when he saw Barty Jr. following him out, so he quickly beckoned him to a secluded corner.

“Don’t join them,” Snape said in a low voice. “With your father’s current prestige, even if you become a Death Eater, he won’t lose his power unless he’s willing to protect you, but do you think he will?”

Little Barty shook his head with a hint of hatred.

“So, let’s stick to our original plan,” Snape said. “Once you’re in the Ministry of Magic, you can brazenly declare ‘My father is Barty Crouch’ a few times in his name, and the Director will naturally lose power…”

After saying that, Snape walked down the corridor and upstairs, deciding to go to Dumbledore's office right now.

As he walked, he pondered his current situation. It was now 1977, the year Regulus had proudly joined Voldemort's organization... A year later, Regulus would present Kreacher to Voldemort...

Snape was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the stone monster at the entrance to Dumbledore's office as he walked past it.

It wasn't until the stone beast called out to him several times in a deep voice that Snape paused for a moment, came to his senses, and started walking back.

“Thank you, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Bean,” he said. “We’ll talk again next time.”

At that moment, he had no interest in chatting with the stone beast; he was only thinking about seeing the principal as soon as possible.

"I'm not called Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean," the monster suddenly came to life, jumped to the side, and said with dissatisfaction.

“Thank you, Mr. Sweets Guardian,” Snape said hastily through the gap in the wall without turning around.

The door closed gently behind him, and he arrived at the principal's office.

Snape knocked on the sphinx door knocker and then pushed the door open and went inside.

Dumbledore sat calmly behind the table, looked up and saw him.

"What's wrong, Severus?" Dumbledore glanced at him calmly. "Sit down. Why are you in such a hurry?"

“Professor,” Snape said without sitting down, “I have something urgent and important to discuss with you.”

He handed the crumpled parchment to Dumbledore.

"Who are they and who are we?" Dumbledore spread out the note, his gaze falling on the parchment through his half-moon spectacles.

“This is from Barty Jr., I recently brought him to our side,” Snape said. “He’s still attending the gatherings at Walpuggis, Voldemort officially recruited them into the Death Eaters.”

“Everyone can make their own choice, Severus.” Dumbledore gently brought his long, slender fingers together.

“You’re right, Professor.” Snape had calmed down completely by now. He sat down opposite Dumbledore, looked him in the eyes, and said, “But they are still your students.”

“I only really care about a few of them. Considering that you are the headmaster, this important task of making the choice should be entrusted to you.” Snape also imitated Dumbledore, placing his hands on the table, fingertips touching.

"You are the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Archmage of the Order of Merlin, and Chief Wizard of Wizengamor. As the saying goes, the capable are often given more responsibility."

“I agree with you, Severus.” Dumbledore stood up, walked to the perch, and stroked Fawkes’s feathers. “Thank you for telling me this. Will Barty Jr. join the Death Eaters?”

“Of course not,” Snape turned to follow Dumbledore, who took out several documents and envelopes from the cabinet. “I would never want my men to risk their lives as spies, even if it would bring more benefits.”

Dumbledore nodded, then placed a stack of parchment on the table and sat down behind it again.

"Voldemort's theory was very seductive. He told his followers that in the future, he would allow wizards to no longer hide, but to fully exercise their abilities and rule over Muggles and their descendants in the open."

"Currently, the Death Eaters are mainly targeting Muggles and some Muggle or half-blood wizards. Tom still has a wide following in the wizarding world."

Snape's gaze fell on the documents.

“These are several resolutions of the Board of Trustees,” Dumbledore said. “The Board requires the Headmaster and other faculty members not to interfere with students’ freedom of association.”

"These are letters sent to me by the Malfoy, Carroll, Rozier, Black and other families. They all requested that I not make any major changes to the school's teaching and management methods."

"So there's nothing we can do openly?" Snape asked.

“Yes,” Dumbledore said sadly, “if I disregard the resistance and make major changes, many pure-blood parents will choose to have their children drop out of school and receive homeschooling instead. That won’t change anything.”

“I understand, Professor,” Snape said, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve made your decision. Let them go on as planned.”

“However,” Snape said, “I remember you’ve been nominated for Minister of Magic multiple times. Why don’t you consider a trip to the Ministry?”

“Sigh,” Dumbledore shook his head helplessly, “I didn’t want to be bound by the Ministry of Magic’s profession before, and now, even if I wanted to, there’s no one who could take over as headmaster.”

“Professor McGonagall?” Snape asked tentatively.

Dumbledore gave a helpless look: "I told you before that Tom sought a teaching position in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Since then, we've had to change our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher every year."

"What is not widely known is that Tom's curse also hangs over the position of principal. I think no one but me could stay in this position unscathed for more than a year."

"Huh?" This news was unexpected for Snape. He had hoped to trick Dumbledore into taking a position at the Ministry of Magic, so that he would have a top-notch backer in the ministry. This hope was now dashed.

But that makes sense. Since Tom cursed the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructors, what reason would he have to let the headmaster's position go?

The two headmasters after Dumbledore, Umbridge and Snape, did indeed meet with accidents before completing a year in office.

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(End of this chapter)