"Oh, no, Sirius, I just-"
Harry's face became unnatural. He didn't want to tell Sirius the truth. The reason was simple. If he knew what Snape said and did in the Potions class just now, Sirius would definitely go find him. Snape was in trouble, and Harry was certainly happy to see Snape in trouble, but not at the expense of Sirius being reprimanded by Professor Dumbledore.
"It's just that something went wrong with Neville's potion of confusion just now-"
Harry showed Sirius the red mark on his arm that had just been burned by the splash of potion.
"I lost my temper a few times at Neville."
Sirius looked suspicious. He looked at Hermione and Ron, but the two little guys avoided his eyes.
"Okay, I'll go find Snape and find out-"
Sirius was not stupid. Seeing this situation, how could he still not understand the situation? Moreover, he probably guessed the reason why Harry lied to him.
Sirius' face was calm, and there was no sign of irritation. However, Harry noticed that the veins on the back of Sirius's hands were indeed bulging. He grabbed Sirius's wrist and said anxiously,
"Don't! Sirius, it's no big deal, I'm used to it."
"Habit!"
Harry's calming persuasion completely angered Sirius. He threw away Harry's arm with a snap and strode towards the basement. The terrifying look on his face made Neville come out of the dark underground passage. They were so frightened that they leaned against the wall one by one, not daring to block Sirius's footsteps.
"I'm not used to watching my godson being bullied by a snot-nosed monster."
"I'm going to stop him, and you guys go find someone who can solve this problem!"
Harry, who finally reacted, yelled and turned back to the underground corridor.
"Solve it." Hermione yelled in panic, "But...oh, Professor Dumbledore, but he hasn't been in school these days!"
"Are you confused?" Ron grabbed Hermione's wrist and dragged her towards the marble stairs. "Who else can stop him except Professor Blaine!"
Sirius's trip was destined to be in vain, for the man he was trying to cause trouble for had arrived in Amosta's office through the office fireplace.
To be honest, although the relationship between the two is unusual and they are now colleagues, Snape seldom visits Amosta. However, Amosta likes to visit Snape's office when he is not doing anything. , by the way, visit the old professor's storage room.
In the fireplace, the burning red light that suddenly appeared from the burned ashes attracted the attention of Amosta, who was thinking about something at his desk. Then, Snape appeared from a dazzling green fire tornado.
Among the Hogwarts faculty and staff, Amosta's office is the simplest, and he is the only one who puts his bed in his office. After looking around to make sure there were no other visitors in the office, Snape glanced at the camp bed in the corner by the window and said calmly,
"Why don't you find yourself a room just for sleeping?"
"You know I don't care about this--"
Amosta replied casually, then lowered his head and started working on his own affairs.
"What are you doing?"
Snape walked to Amosta's desk and looked down at the manuscript that looked a little older on Amosta's desk. Amosta seemed to be calculating something, writing on the parchment paper he was using for drafting. Full of obscure calculations and spell configurations, these things are so profound that even with Snape's magical attainments, only a small part can be understood.
Wizards' research is a very private and precious thing, but Amosta doesn't care about Snape peeking at his research results. His mind is trapped in his own research.
"An ancient meditation method that can enhance the perception of magical changes in the surrounding environment. But the threshold for entry is very high. In my opinion, in the entire Hogwarts, the only person with this talent who can possibly master it is Luna... Lovegood. I'm trying to see if I can simplify it--"
"Luna Lovegood?"
Snape frowned and quickly found the person corresponding to this name in his mind.
"That weird second-year girl from Filius Court? Her grades in Potions are average, and she's easily distracted in class. I can't see that she has the kind of talent you mentioned."
Amosta almost watched him grow up with his own eyes. This guy had a magical talent that he had only seen in his life, and being recognized by Amosta made Snape a little curious.
"This little girl is indeed gifted, but her talent has not been guided correctly, and she lacks a correct understanding of her own talent. So... Speaking of which, what's the matter with you?"
Research requires an environment that will not be disturbed. Professor Snape, who usually does not visit the house, definitely did not visit him to kill time. Amosta put the quill back into the ink bottle and rubbed the center of his brow. He asked Professor Snape to sit down while he went to the mantelpiece to make tea.
There is indeed no need to hide anything about the relationship between the two. Snape sat on the sofa with a sullen face and asked straightforwardly.
"Did you give Potter that watch?"
The movement of Amosta's hand froze. He squinted his eyes and looked back at Professor Snape on the sofa. For a moment, many thoughts were running through his mind.
Snape noticed something was wrong with the watch?
Theoretically, it is impossible. The magic and alchemy process used by Amosta to hide the true function of the watch is very clever, and it is protected by many interlocking magics - Dumbledore can tell that there is something wrong with this watch, but There is no way to get rid of those disguises without directly destroying it.
Could it be that it was Dumbledore's private instructions?
Judging from the attention Principal Dumbledore paid to Harry, he must have noticed the watch. Amosta originally planned to sneak past Dumbledore when he asked. Therefore, Dumbledore predicted When this possibility arises, why should Professor Snape, who has a closer relationship with him, ask directly?
But isn't this old man on a business trip these days?
"Indeed, I want to thank Harry, Ron and Hermione for their help in finding the Chamber of Secrets. What's wrong? Is there anything wrong?"
Amosta came to the sofa with a steaming cup of tea in his hands and asked seemingly indifferently.
Professor Snape was a trustworthy person, but something was too involved and he had to figure it out.
"I just came to confirm." Snape said expressionlessly, "I'm afraid there are some things you don't know. Amosta, that Potter and his two inseparable friends have the habit of stealing. I have There is clear evidence that some precious raw materials lost in my private storage room last year are related to them."
This lie was obviously used to divert attention, and Amosta could not fail to see it.
At this moment, the fireplace that had just been extinguished became bright again. As soon as Amosta turned around, a silver phoenix as big as a flying swallow quickly jumped out from the rewinding flames and hovered in mid-air.
"Oh, Severus, you're here too—"
There was some surprise in Dumbledore's old voice,
"I have something important to discuss with you in person, Amosta, but since you are a guest here, I can change the time."
Snape wanted to get up and leave, but Amosta stopped him,
"Stay, professor. If any trouble comes to my door later, I need you to help me avoid it."
Snape's mouth twitched, and Dumbledore's Phoenix Patronus flashed a look of helplessness in his eyes. After leaving a sentence of 'Wait a moment,' the Patronus, which had lost the support of its magic power, disappeared like a sand painting.
About ten minutes later, Dumbledore walked out of the fireplace. He was walking in a hurry, wearing a purple traveling cloak. It seemed that he had just returned to Hogwarts and arrived before he had time to rest. Here in Mosta.
"Sit down, Principal——"
Amosta directed Dumbledore to sit on the sofa. He walked to the fireplace and picked up a jar. After shaking it vigorously, he poured out some tea stems and powder.
"What's the matter, Severus-"
Dumbledore noticed a hint of gloom on Professor Snape's eyebrows, he blinked and asked curiously,
"If my presumptuous visit interrupts your pleasant conversation with Amosta, Severus, I can do it some other time—"
There was a hint of sarcasm on Snape's lips. He snorted twice but said nothing.
"No need-"
Amosta came over with a layer of ground tea soup floating in the ground. He smiled and said,
"I gave Potter a watch a few days ago - in order to thank Harry for his help in finding the Chamber of Secrets last year. Professor Snape was curious about it. Because of some unpleasant past events, he mistakenly thought it was Potter. Stolen from me. Anyway, the misunderstanding has been explained clearly."
(End of chapter)
