The Prisoners of Hogwarts

Chapter 101 Do Nothing

Snape pushed open the door to the headmaster's office and strode in, his black robes billowing behind him.

His gaze swept across the room, his sharp eyes instantly fixing on the leisurely figure by the fireplace—Lynch was lightly inhaling the aroma rising from his teacup. As if noticing Snape's gaze, he raised his teacup in a toast to Snape.

Snape frowned—Dumbledore had summoned him for something important, so what was Lynch doing here? Was it related to him?

"Severus, you've come." Dumbledore's voice came from behind the desk, still carrying a gentle tone.

Snape withdrew his gaze from Lynch's face and looked at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore pushed up his crescent-shaped glasses, his azure gaze piercing through the lenses and landing on Snape's tense face.

"Please sit down." Dumbledore gestured to the chair in front of the table, indicating that Snape should sit down.

Snape glanced at Lynch sitting to the side, who was examining the teacup in his hand, as if trying to figure out why the tea was so delicious.

Snape gave a cold snort, tossed his black robes, and walked to the chair that Dumbledore pointed to and sat down.

"Professor McGonagall said you wanted to see me. What's the matter?" he asked.

Dumbledore picked up a letter covered with sealing wax from the table, and Snape saw a large 'M' on the wax.

"Just now, I received this letter. It's from the Ministry of Magic, requesting that I go to London to explain the death of Wizard Vargadu at Hogwarts. There are two meetings to attend, one tonight and the other tomorrow morning."

2

"So what?" Snape asked, puzzled.

"This letter is fake." Dumbledore's gaze swept over Lynch by the fireplace. "Someone is trying to lure me out of Hogwarts while Mr. Lynch is being held in custody by the Ministry of Magic."

Snape understood instantly. He let out a short, cold laugh, a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "Just when I was doubting whether poor Professor Quirrell still had the guts to act, he finally couldn't hold back and wanted to be loyal to his master. Is he going to act tonight? What do you need me to do? Catch him red-handed?"

.

"No... Severus." Dumbledore shook his head. "What I need you to do is very simple: stay in your office and do nothing."

"What!?" Snape's voice suddenly rose, his brows furrowing tightly as his dark eyes fixed on Dumbledore. "What are you thinking?"

"Make sure you're safe." Dumbledore's tone remained calm. "Severus, you've been monitoring Professor Quirrell's every move during this time, and he's aware of your actions."

"At a time when he is plotting to transfer me, he will certainly not allow you to interfere."

"Don't underestimate Professor Quirrell and the power behind him. He's definitely prepared a surprise for you. Right now, he's likely already arranged something, waiting for you to walk into a trap, or to deliver a fatal blow when you try to intervene!"

Snape's face darkened more than usual; he understood Dumbledore's meaning, of course.

While he was carefully wary of Quirrell, Quirrell would certainly not ignore his presence.

It's reasonable to assume that there are traps set for him.

"but...""

Snape opened his mouth as if to ask Dumbledore who would deal with Quirrell after he withdrew from the scene.

But he realized what he had just uttered.

His gaze shifted to Lynch.

Lynch met Snape's gaze with a warm smile.

"That's right." Dumbledore noticed Snape's gaze and said, "Professor Quirrell will be handled by Mr. Lynch. You just need to protect yourself and make sure you don't get hurt by Professor Quirrell's traps or plans."

Snape took a deep breath.

I've been wary of Quirrell all school year, only to be excluded at the last minute, for the absurd reason that he's afraid I'll get hurt!?

Who do these two people think they are?

A fresh-faced, clueless graduate?

Am I the kind of wizard who needs to be protected?!

Snape slowly exhaled the air he had inhaled into his lungs.

As intelligent as he was, he now understood that Quirrell was not simply a henchman sent by Voldemort; there must be other secrets hidden behind him.

But none of that matters anymore.

I have no right to change the decisions made by these two people; I have no choice but to obey.

But I have to say, this feeling of being kept in the dark is really unpleasant.

His resentment and indignation turned into a suppressed, cold snort.

"I'll be in the potions office if you need me."

Squeezing out his last words through gritted teeth, Snape stood up, his black robes swirling wildly as he walked straight out of the headmaster's office.

He slammed the wooden door shut.

Only Lynch and Dumbledore remained in the headmaster's office.

Lynch looked at Dumbledore, raised his teacup, and asked, "What kind of tea is this? It tastes very good. Where did you get it?"

Just as Snape was leaving the headmaster's office.

Meanwhile, after finishing their exams, Harry, his friends, and Hagrid received an important piece of information from him—the person who lost the dragon egg to Hagrid,

I know how to get it through Cerberus Luwei!

They rushed back to the castle, intending to warn Dumbledore, but learned from Professor McGonagall that Dumbledore had already gone to London.

Harry reluctantly told Professor McGonagall his speculation, but Professor McGonagall did not believe him and instead told him not to overthink things.

The three of them wondered who else in the school could stop Snape.

But they were devastated to find that no one could help them. Headmaster Dumbledore had left, and Vice-Headmaster McGonagall did not believe them.

The powerful Professor Lynch was confined to the stone house by the Ministry of Magic and could not leave.

Even if Professor Lynch hadn't been restricted, Harry and the others wouldn't have dared to go to him. After all, Professor Lynch and Snape were recognized as best friends at Hogwarts. What if Professor Lynch and Snape were in cahoots?

Wouldn't that be even worse?

Thinking about this, Harry and his friends were actually glad that Professor Lynch was being held captive at the moment.

But the problem comes full circle—who will stop Snape from stealing the Philosopher's Stone?

"We'll have to do it ourselves!"

Harry made up his mind.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" a deep voice sounded from behind Harry.

Hermione gasped, and Harry and Ron turned around.

They saw Snape standing behind them, dressed in a large black robe, his face grim.

Harry and his two friends were terrified; they had no idea whether Snape had overheard their conversation.

They stared blankly at Snape.