The Butcher of Hogsmeade

Shen Hou had to use his words to explain what a driver's license was, barely managing to get the Pwitt brothers to understand that "a Muggle's driver's license is equivalent to an Apparition license in the magical world."

"We haven't really considered that," Fabian said, looking troubled. "We all passed our Apparition exams back in school; Gideon, have you ever heard of exams specifically for adult wizards?"

"No. If you can learn it in school, you'll naturally learn it; if you can't learn it, it gets harder as you get older, but in the end you can choose flying brooms and Floonets, so it's not a must-learn. I've really never met anyone like Shen."

Shen Hou then asked, "Don't the Ministry of Magic's employees... like batters, have an internal examination process?"

Fabian said quietly, "When the Auror office recruits, they have very detailed ability requirements, and being able to Apparate is one of them."

"So, my special admission is an exception again? With two exceptions combined, does that mean that even if I learn to drive, I'll only be able to drive without a license?" Shen Hou said with a bitter face.

Fabian chuckled, "Perhaps the Minister would be willing to make a third exception for you?"

"Forget it!" The three laughed and said goodbye to each other before leaving. At this point, it was not far from dawn.

The following morning, a young faculty applicant arrived at the Hogwarts Headmaster's office. Severus Snape, an outstanding Slytherin graduate less than three years after graduation, returned to his alma mater to undergo a one-on-one interview personally conducted by Headmaster Dumbledore.

"You should know that this excuse can only be used twice at most, so what urgent matter requires you to use one of them immediately?" Snape was dressed in a black robe, thin and pale, with a large, hooked nose that made him look sinister.

"It's not just an excuse, Severus. I do intend to hire you as a professor at Hogwarts." Dumbledore saw the sudden light in the other's eyes, so he quickly poured cold water on the idea. "But not for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class you applied for. There's already someone for that class."

"It's alright, I can apply again next year," Snape replied curtly.

Dumbledore shook his head with a wry smile. The unusual phenomenon of changing professors for a particular course every year was already common knowledge in the wizarding world.

"Why don't you consider another position? Your expertise in potions clearly surpasses that of dark magic... Defense Magic."

Snape asked, puzzled, "Professor Slughorn...?"

"Ah, yes, Horace is preparing to retire. He's getting old and doesn't want to continue with the repetitive, tedious teaching work. He wants to seek a different way of life... those are his own words. He very generously gave me six months to find his successor."

"Professor of Potions is not what I wanted." Snape's expression showed some resistance.

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Voldemort didn't specify any particular teaching position for your task. He just wanted you to get into Hogwarts. The Potions professor can also accomplish what he gave you, can't he?"

Snape's gaze suddenly sharpened, an instinctive reaction to being startled, but he quickly regained his composure under Dumbledore's calm gaze.

"I will seriously consider this suggestion."

"Yes, we must report to him; but I believe Tom would agree with my suggestion."

"Can we get down to business now?" Snape asked impatiently.

"Any new developments regarding Voldemort's recent pursuit of the Potters?"

Snape nearly flew into a rage: "Just for this? You summoned me all the way to Hogwarts just to ask such a pointless question? If there's any new information, I'll be more eager to report it to you than you are, you know that!"

Dumbledore looked calmly at his former student. Without a word, his authoritative gaze was enough to gradually suppress Snape's anger. Only after Snape had regained some composure did the old wizard speak again.

"I asked this question in the hope that you will take the initiative to pay attention to a possible change."

Snape leaned back in his chair sullenly, remaining silent as he waited for Dumbledore to continue.

"I suspect that at some point in the future, Voldemort will suddenly develop an unusual interest in Sirius Black; I hope you can find out the exact time, when he first became interested in Sirius. I need as precise a time and process as possible."

"Sirius?" Snape's face twitched, his previously bloodless face suddenly turning bright red, even his eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty glint. "If you remember the conflict between him and me, you shouldn't expect me to protect someone like him."

Dumbledore ignored Snape's sudden outburst of emotion, his voice remaining calm: "If you've been paying attention lately, you should know that the Death Eaters just attacked Marlene McKinnon's house. That girl is Lily's best friend, which is why she was attacked; and if Voldemort or the Death Eaters are preparing to take action against Sirius, it will only be for similar reasons—he is James's best friend and Lily's son's godfather."

Snape had been listening with a furrowed brow, his expression a mixture of deep hatred and impatience, until Dumbledore uttered his last words. Then, he suddenly realized what was happening and exclaimed in surprise, "He...he is..."

Dumbledore nodded: "Yes, he is the Secret Keeper Voldemort is looking for. Protecting him is protecting Lily."

After a brief moment of shock, Snape suddenly flew into a rage, demanding sharply, "Why not you?"

"I did suggest it, but they stuck to their choice." Dumbledore shook his head gently, his tone sincere. "Sirius felt that if I were the Secret Keeper, Voldemort and the Death Eaters wouldn't dare come looking for me. They would give up on finding the Potters through the Secret Keeper and seek other methods, making it even harder to prevent them from doing so. With him as the Secret Keeper, he would be more than just a Secret Keeper; he would be like a human spyglass that is constantly in operation. If something happens to him, it would be a warning that the Potters are about to encounter danger, allowing for timely updates to their defenses."

As Dumbledore narrated, Snape's initial agitation and rage gradually subsided, the color draining from his face, until he finally leaned back in his chair, lost in thought for a long time.

"A conceited idiot who just wants to play the hero!"

Dumbledore seemed oblivious to Snape's sarcastic remarks, and instead earnestly pressed on, "So, are you willing to provide me with information? I need to know when Voldemort began targeting Sirius Black, and if... if I could know Voldemort's source of information, that would be even better."

"That fool has been exposed?" Snape stared into Dumbledore's eyes for a long time, then suddenly realized, "Did you do something about it?"