Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 272: Clumsy

Croydon District.

The streets were piled with clutter, and everywhere there were people with sallow complexions and dazed expressions.

Professor Snape quickly found the orphanage called Holliss, which was a Victorian semi-detached house that looked dilapidated.

The orange light shone through the thick windows, and Roland Taylor, dressed in old clothes, gazed out the window with his bright, light blue eyes.

She always gazed at the sunset outside, waiting for the person everyone in the orphanage knew.

Some children watched her from outside the room, watching their headmistress. She was always so expectant, even personally delivering each letter to the post office, as if putting the letter in the green mailbox would make things much slower.

Finally, as the setting sun withdrew its last rays, she was greeted by two strange visitors dressed in black robes.

Her hands and feet were not at all as nimble as those of an older woman; instead, she quickly and swiftly walked out of the room.

Beside the peeling paint on the door, the faded "Oak Tree Children's Home" sign is askew.

Seeing Mrs. Roland rush out, Professor Snape's expression changed slightly, and he pulled Sheehan behind him—he remembered the dazed people on the street.

Sheen could only peek out from behind his wide robe, revealing only a small part of his head.

Seeing this, Ms. Roland couldn't help but chuckle:

"You must be Mr. Snape. Please bring Mr. Green in."

She looked at that gloomy, somewhat hostile face, then at her own small face, which she could only see by tilting her head back. For some reason, her eyes welled up with tears.

His complexion has become much rosier, which is good...

After walking through the courtyard, which now boasts more recreational facilities, and entering the house, Sheen saw that the interior had undergone even greater changes than before.

Unlike its simple exterior, the orphanage's interior is quite adequate, which is excellent for this impoverished area.

The warm fireplace burned, evaporating the raindrops on the window;

The walls, blackened by coal smoke, were painted a light yellow. Although it was just cheap paint, it looked very comforting. The iron beds were replaced with new ones, which were hard but clearly numbered. Each child also had their own iron bowl and wooden spoon.

In the center, a large pot was stewing, bubbling and releasing a variety of ingredients, while a group of eager children had already gathered around it.

The dinner party began after Snape and Sheehan walked in.

There are no distinctions of status here. The director, the rosy-cheeked, plump caregivers, and the children are all gathered together at a long table for a meal.

Professor Snape and Dean Roland sat at the head of the table, with Sheehan sitting next to Professor Snape.

Although there are no strict rules, whenever Sheen attacks a dish, no one here will touch their knife and fork.

Seeing this, Snape snorted... What a boring thing to do.

Dean Roland keenly sensed something; she stared at Professor Snape's cold profile for a moment, her eyes dimming slightly.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Snape, but the children here only express themselves in a dull, clumsy way. If they can't say anything at all... God will know that they are not the culprits."

she said softly.

Snape sensed something inexplicably, and when he turned his head, the headmaster was looking at him with a strange and incomprehensible gaze.

This disgusted him.

As night fell and the banquet ended, Snape's unease grew even stronger.

The orphanage only reminds him of one person.

A man whose name cannot even be spoken. Wizards who provoke the mysterious man never have a good ending. His inhuman methods manifested in Snape's mind, so Snape naturally looked at Sheen, who seemed to know nothing.

That's so stupid... How stupid would someone have to be to offend a mysterious person for the sake of some insignificant guy?

The important thing is that he, who was monitoring Quirrell, clearly had the opportunity to stop him, yet he was completely unaware of it... just like in the vault.

He stood in the courtyard, forcing himself to think about every detail. No amount of caution was enough when dealing with the mysterious man who was about to return.

Suddenly, he recalled that a certain Gryffindor headmaster seemed to have spent some time in the Forbidden Forest. At that moment, he could barely contain his rising anger, and he said grimly:

"Minerva McGonagall knew about this?"

Sheen vaguely sensed something, but he still nodded and said:
"Professor McGonagall also noticed Professor Quirrell's abnormality."

Professor Snape swept his cold gaze across the courtyard, and said in a hoarse voice:
“Tell me what happened in the Forbidden Forest—how much does Minerva McGonagall know…”

The night was completely silent, with the occasional crow flying by. Snape, who had calmed down a little, was now trembling with anger.

An ignorant fool dared to decide to confront Quirrell without anyone knowing.

"How many lives do you think you have?! You have no idea how dangerous and terrifying the Mysterious Man is, you idiot! Utterly stupid! Do you think anyone will mourn for you? You monstrous mind, let me tell you! Only fools want to be heroes! And do you know what it truly means to be great? To live! To survive!"

His sarcasm was like a storm, but his anger was tinged with a deep, lingering fear that could be easily punctured.

"Why...why didn't you tell me..."

He stared intently into Sheen's eyes, those green eyes that were not bright at the moment.

All of this will eventually be exposed.

Sheehan knew about this, but he didn't mention it until the end, because there was only one person at Hogwarts who couldn't possibly know Professor Quirrell's true identity.

Just as Professor Snape never declared the ceremony, Sheen handled Voldemort's period of seclusion at Hogwarts with the same care and caution.

For a double agent, any suspicion can be fatal.

Before Sheen possesses the power to decide the outcome of the battle, he cannot allow any deviations to occur regarding Professor Snape.

He didn't speak, but Snape saw himself reflected in those eyes.

He had seen the same eyes before, so he knew what they meant.

The sky was as dark as a thick blob of ink.

There were only two figures dressed in dark robes in the courtyard.

The children here always love something in a slow, clumsy way, hardly speaking, just acting.

Dean Roland appeared at some unknown time, watching silently until the streetlights came on, illuminating the desolate street; until flames burned in the fireplace; until something seemed to be ignited within Snape's heart.

"Remember your confinement—"

Snape managed to squeeze out only a few words.

after awhile.

In the distance, in central London, Spider Lane always appears dirty and shabby.

In the seemingly empty house at the far end, the cold fireplace is burning again today.

　I've missed six updates, but I'll make it up within a week. The detailed outline is finished, and I'll start with six updates tomorrow, ensuring quality and quantity—I promise!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)