I'm playing a big knife at HP

Severus Snape had nothing to do with all this—his attention and knowledge of the case was limited to reading reports in the Daily Prophet—until Albus Dumbledore commissioned him to find out Know the intentions of Luo Er's family.

"It's impossible for Catherine Rolle to make such a big battle just to lock Martha in Azkaban for a week or two. There is no one more suitable than you." That's what the old wizard said.

Snape didn't have any contact with Rolle's family, and he wasn't so naive as to think that the other party would casually disclose such important information.But at the end of the day, it wasn't necessary to approach Catherine Rolle to figure out this sort of thing—big men conceived, but it was their little men who acted.These neglected people do the dirty work, get no benefit, but are always blamed: their mouths are usually not so tight.

A few glasses of wine, a little provocation, and a little bit of curiosity and flattery, Snape got the information he needed from a low-level guard in Azkaban.This old guard, who is about to retire and has been doing low-level jobs all his life, is very dissatisfied with his immediate boss: if the big boss asks him to do something, he will definitely be exposed, and he will definitely be responsible for it, and it will definitely ruin his reputation and even make him far away. Dirty things to go abroad.

"I don't want to do it at all, it's a matter of conscience, such a beautiful girl, only 20 years old." The little old guard with bad teeth said in a thick Irish accent, "but what can I do? My immediate boss... cough, he promised me this amount." The old guard mysteriously slapped his hand, "Let me resign and go back to my hometown after it is done. Bah! I believe he is a ghost. That's terrible. You little bastard with rotten lungs, these rich and powerful people are not good things."

After Snape told Dumbledore what he had learned, the old wizard's blue eyes flashed a rare coldness, and he didn't say a word, but his old face looked extraordinarily cold with anger.

"I see. Thank you Severus, this information is vital."

Snape was about to leave, but Dumbledore suddenly raised a hand to stop him, motioning him to retreat to a small room connected to the principal's office.

Ten seconds later, Alastor Moody and Marciana LaRosa entered the principal's office.

"Martha's made up her mind," said Moody, straight to the point.Marciana nodded, "I will admit the crime of law enforcement error. Roller's evidence is solid, and the Wizengamot sentenced me to stay in Azkaban for a month at most. I can still resist the dementor for a month. .”

"Things have changed," said Dumbledore seriously. "I have received reliable information that Catherine Rolle's plan is to have you kissed by a dementor."

"Impossible!" growled Moody in a low voice. "The Wizengamot would never approve of such a judgment."

"Yes, they won't. Martha will be thrown into Azkaban. According to my estimation, the sentence will be between two weeks and six weeks." Dumbledore said calmly, "But the night she was imprisoned, a The guards would 'accidentally' put in a few dementors, and they would 'accidentally' kiss her, and of course by the time someone discovered the unfortunate accident it was beyond repair."

Moody and Marciana were dumbfounded.

"Oh." Marciana said softly, sleepwalking, "I should have thought of it. Luo Er...how could he have forgotten the relationship between Luo Er's family and the dementors... After all, it was his ancestor who appointed the dementors A guard for Azkaban..."

"They can't do that!" Moody jumped to his feet.

"They can. And they will," Dumbledore replied grimly.

There was a momentary silence in the room, save for the pompous snoring of a few portraits.

Snape looked out the small window in the door of the room and saw the confusion on the young girl's face that he had never seen before.

He hadn't seen her in a year, and she was much thinner than when they last met, and her hair, which seemed to have not been trimmed in a while, had grown past her ears.

At this moment, her pair of empty eyes appeared huge on her thin face, her face was so pale that it was almost transparent, and her lips trembled slightly, revealing a rare childishness.He always felt that this girl was really like a little lioness, always full of vitality and confidence, but at this moment she was like a trapped kitten, struggling with nowhere to go, panicked and bewildered.

Snape found himself feeling pity for her—she was just 20 years old, she was full of talent, beauty, character, everyone loved and admired her; No matter how difficult she managed to do it.Snape saw this girl break one record after another and win one victory after another with his own eyes: she was smart and resolute, far surpassing her peers, and even many people who were several times her age were inferior to her.

Such invincibility has fueled her self-confidence and even pride, allowing her to dare to challenge those behemoths that ordinary young people can't imagine.Of course, as expected, she made a mistake, she took the plunge.

Ridiculously, her first failure cost her soul.

A great sadness rose from Severus Snape's heart: the young ones couldn't understand why the old people kept saying that young people's mistakes can be tolerated, but he, and she, made the first mistake Will a mistake cost them an unbearable price?

No, Snape thought, fate was no more lenient with young children than it was with octogenarians.On the contrary, fate is much crueler to a young man who has committed a mistake than to an 80-year-old man, because the young man will not even have the opportunity to die quickly in regret.He will spend the rest of his life regretting the mistakes he made when he was young and ignorant, endure long-term torture, and pay the price bit by bit with interest over the past few decades.

Of course, Marciana's torment would soon be over, and her young, lively, vibrant soul would soon be a dementor's meal.

But what did she do wrong?After repeated attempts to bring to justice the murderers of her family, she personally avenged her family.Whether it is the arbitration of heaven or earth, the law of muggles or wizards, there should be some pity for such a young woman, right?

Snape felt the sadness in his heart turn to anger, the familiar anger that had burned him non-stop when he was young.Marciana La Rosa's mistake was simple and fatal: she had no power, no one to rely on, and she wanted fairness and justice.

Snape looked at the three people in the headmaster's room.Dumbledore was silent, Moody paced back and forth with his head down, and Marciana huddled in her chair with her face down.

"Girl, if the Wizengamot really sentences you to Azkaban..." Moody stopped in his tracks and said firmly, "Then run away."

Marciana raised her face, her eyes were out of focus, and she didn't seem to understand what he said, "Alastor?"

"You run, leave England, go wherever you want." Moody gave an ugly laugh, "I trained you myself, and I know your level best. I'm sure that as long as you run, no Auror can Find you. Hmph! I even doubt how many colleagues will really go after you with their hearts."

Dumbledore sighed.Marciana smiled sadly, "Then what? They will put you in the position of the person in charge. If they can't catch me, they will take you."

"So what? I should have backed off a long time ago." Moody snorted heavily, "I will never watch you get kissed by a dementor."

"I'm afraid that's their purpose." Dumbledore said slowly, "Maybe they weren't just targeting Martha in the first place. Alastor, your influence among the Aurors and the relationship between us Friendship may make some people sleepless."

"I won't run, and I won't hurt you." Marciana said, poking her neck, "Even if I get kissed by a dementor, I won't regret it." She sneered, "Four Death Eaters, plus one It was ordered to kill my family of four. Now the four who did it, Rohr and Rozier are dead, and Dolokhov and Dever are in Azkaban. One life for another, my family is considered It's evened out. It's a pity that...you have to pay for yourself before killing the chief culprit, and you're still losing money."

Moody's bruised face was very rough, "Stop talking about it and there is nothing. Don't you want to go? Then I'll gag you and knock you out. I won't change my decision. Albus, I'm sorry, but I can't watch Martha fall into the hands of the dementors."

"Of course, I too..." Dumbledore stopped suddenly, "Well, there are quite a lot of visitors today."

After a while, the door of the principal's room was opened again, and a wizard walked in.This man looks at ease, and walks unhurriedly. The well-crafted brown-red robe wraps his body neither fat nor thin. He is neither ugly nor handsome, and his height is exactly six feet, one inch. No more than an inch and no less.He is about 50 years old, with short silver hair, combed neatly and neatly with hairspray, and looks refined.He has a kind and honest smile on his face, but his black eyes are shining with a keen sense of humor, which makes people want to trust and love him.

The first time Snape saw him, he thought of a smooth-skinned silver fox.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me, Professor Dumbledore." The wizard stretched out a well-maintained right hand with a smile, "Allow me to introduce myself, Richard Flynn, Flynn-Tiffany International Partner in a law firm."

"Lawyer Flynn, I still remember your speech at the Wizengamot last time, it was very exciting." Dumbledore also smiled and stretched out his right hand, "I remember, you are not an alumnus of Hogwarts, are you? Come on, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Haha, your eyes are shining. I graduated from Beauxbatons - my mother is British and my father is French. But it was more than 30 years ago that I graduated from the magic school. Oh, it is difficult to say that the students of decades ago Do you all remember?" Richard Flynn raised an eyebrow.

"We have been together for seven years, watching talented young people grow up, it is hard not to be impressed."

"You can turn Hogwarts into a world-leading wizarding school, Principal Dumbledore, you are indeed an amazing educator." Flynn said sincerely, "It would be superficial to say that you have a strong memory, I think you are You are more attentive than others. It is really a blessing to be your student."

These few words were spoken so naturally and to the point, like spring wind turning into rain, Snape behind the door immediately looked at this wizard with admiration.Experts look at the doorway, as a standard Slytherin, the current head of Slytherin will not recognize a connoisseur who compliments others.

Dumbledore's blue eyes gleamed happily, "Oh, you're making me blush. I've been in Hogwarts for more than 70 years, and I work hard every year. I dare not call myself an educator, but Honeydukes I have tried all kinds of candies, but unfortunately no student has asked me to recommend them over the years." He smiled slightly, "How about trying this meringue biscuit?"

As he spoke, he conjured up a large pot of steaming black tea and a silver plate filled with small pale yellow round cakes.

Richard Flynn thanked him, took his cup of black tea and a small biscuit, but put it on the tray and didn't eat it.

"I took the liberty to come here today, but it was actually for Miss Larosa."

Marciana didn't show a surprised expression, but just looked at him quietly.

Flynn looked at her with some satisfaction, like a sculptor observing a piece of marble in good condition: "I hope you will allow me to represent your case."

"I've heard of your reputation." Marciana said quietly, "Your results are astonishing, but the fees are also expensive. I'm afraid I don't have the financial resources to hire you."

"You don't have to worry about that at all." Flynn smiled kindly, and waved his left hand in a good-natured manner, "I won't charge you a Knut."

"You don't seem to be the type who often do pro bono services." Marciana said calmly, her eyes gliding over his exquisite hand-embroidered robe, the mithril pocket watch chain, the ring forged by the goblin and inlaid with alchemy runes, And on the dragonhide boots that match the color of the robe.

"Actually, I heard that Barrister Flynn never does pro bono services." Dumbledore added with a smile, "Of course, it's understandable, you are always chased by clients as a superb defense lawyer. Ever since you acquitted Lucius Malfoy, you've been in the limelight like no other in the industry."

"Oh, if you put it that way, my young prospective client will think I'm a cold and heartless person. I'm still trying to win her approval." Flynn laughed loudly and winked at Marciana Blinking, "Why, can't I be brave once in a while and help a lovely lady who is in trouble?"

Marciana didn't smile, she straightened her back, and her clear blue eyes looked straight at Flynn's smiling eyes, "I'm just a little Auror with no power or money, although the case has some attention , but a lawyer of your level doesn’t care about this exposure for a long time. Do you really expect me to believe that you came from Paris to Hogwarts to meet me because I am young and cute?”

The corners of Flynn's mouth still curved in an elegant arc, but his eyes stopped smiling, and instead looked at Marciana very shrewdly and sharply. .

"Martha...can I call you Martha? Martha, do you know what fate awaits you once you are found guilty?"

Flynn paused, and none of the three present answered him.

"I believe that your beautiful little lips." He tapped his neatly manicured nails lightly on his lips, "will get a little kiss, a kiss from a dementor."

Marciana looked at him calmly, without any retreat or hesitation in her eyes.

Flynn raised his eyebrows. "Fine." He said again, "Fine. Yes, I'm not doing pro bono services, but I'm not going to charge you either, because it's actually my old friend Jen Marco commissioned me to make this trip. All expenses connected with your case will be paid by him."

"Gianmarco?" Marciana asked hesitantly.

"The person in charge of the Golden Rose Trading Company controls a considerable part of the international import and export of rare magic materials in Europe. If you need a hint, their headquarters is on an outlying island near Sicily that no one can find."

"... Sicily," Marciana murmured. "But why are they helping me? My grandfather has left..."

"Jian Marco asked me not to mention him, but he said, if you must ask, I will show you this." He handed over a note the size of an index finger, "Don't lose it. Jan Mar can let you have No time to visit."

There is only a short line on the note: revenge is the only justice.

Marciana lowered her head and squeezed the note tightly. When she raised her head again, her blue eyes were as bright as phosphorus.

She showed her first real smile since entering the principal's office today.When Snape saw that smile, he thought the Gryffindor lioness was back.

Dumbledore crossed his fingers on the desk and said calmly, "So, Barrister Flynn, what do you think of Martha's case?"

"You and I both know that this case has nothing to do with her." Richard Flynn returned to his smiling face, leaned back on his chair, and waved his hands affectionately, " Martha...she was like a bird that hit two rolling wheels and was dragged forward, dizzy and bruised."

"Little bird." Marciana repeated blankly.

The three wizards in (outside) the room who knew her a little bit couldn't help shivering.

"That's right, little bird!" Unmoved, Flynn continued his passionate speech, "And those two wheels, one named Barty Crouch, and the other..." Spreading out, reaching Dumbledore dramatically, "Named Albus Dumbledore."

Marciana and Dumbledore raised their eyebrows at the same time, but they didn't say anything to refute. Moody just stared at Flynn sharply.Snape bowed his head and thought for a moment, and soon understood the key point, and couldn't help but admire.

"I'm going to plead not guilty for you - you won't be in Azkaban for a month, not a week, or even a day, no, your toes won't touch the ground of Azkaban, I want you Completely acquitted, not even fines and community service!" Flynn stood up, approached Marciana, his eyes sparkled, "You will walk out of the Wizengamot clean, younger than a newborn baby Pure and innocent."

"You haven't asked me if I'm really innocent," Marciana pointed out.

"Oh, little sweetheart, no one cares about such details." Flynn waved his hand casually, and Dumbledore frowned in disapproval.

"Don't you agree with me?" Richard Flynn saw Dumbledore's expression keenly, "Rohr is a Death Eater, no one cares about his life, to be honest, not even his wife." Caring—Catherine Rolle loves her famous breed cat Lizi much more than she loves her husband. If it hadn’t been instigated by someone behind her back, she would have taken her husband’s inheritance to Bath for vacation. Do you think that now Are most of the people who insist on convicting Martha because of Rohr? Are they disgusted with Martha? No! What stimulated their nerves was Barty Crouch's behavior of using violence to control violence when he gained power a few years ago. Rauch's appointment of the Director of Magical Law Enforcement caused too many wrongs, and the public has not forgotten that they projected their anger on Martha - you see, the same Auror, the same used on the suspect The means reminded them of Crouch at once. They were afraid that once you were found not guilty, it would mean that the Ministry of Magic had softened its attitude towards the extreme hawks, and they were afraid that this would mean that Crouch would regain power. Fear! A thought of compassion is as vulnerable to fear as snowflakes on the stove. Fear will make them feel that it is all right to sacrifice you, a dear little bird."

Dumbledore said calmly, "I think that true compassion will not be extinguished even when life is threatened. We have seen time and time again in history that people risked their lives to help less fortunate companions." , even strangers."

"You are a great and noble wizard," said Flynn sharply, "but unfortunately, most of the people who determine Martha's fate are mediocre ordinary people. And, more frightening than they are Fudge, our mediocre old Fudge, the old Fudge who became a minister because of the tragedy of the Crouch family, how can he forget how popular Crouch was back then? Poor Minister Fudge, he will never have a Crouch Rauch's talent and charisma, and Martha you remind him of that again. You make him uncomfortable like a pebble in his shoe. Martha, he doesn't know you, he hasn't even met you , but Cornelius Fudge is more keen than anyone to throw you into Azkaban, because he has to insist that your approach is not advisable. Only then can he carry out his political views, as always, put Crouch He died in the old-age position of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Speaking of Fudge, aren't you one of the people who made him uncomfortable, the headmaster?" Flynn looked at Dumbledore and shrugged a little teasingly, "Say In fact, I feel sorry for Fudge. He is really unwilling to eat in this position. Every time he sees a wizard who is more talented than him, he is worried that the other party will push him down from the throne of minister. But Fudge, I am Go out for a walk with the dog and meet three people who are more qualified to be the Minister of Magic than him-what's the point of his life."

Snape almost laughed out loud.He felt that he liked this barrister a little bit, and then he was startled again—this kind of charm...such a talent that can easily make people like him, although Snape himself has never possessed it, it does not prevent him from being vigilant about having it. People with such an all-too-useful quality.

"If it is Barty Crouch who is used to stir up public sentiment, then the one behind the scenes who really wants to deal with Martha is undoubtedly you, Principal Dumbledore. Great people always attract jealousy, jealousy, Even hatred, a great person may not be damaged by it, but the people around him are hard to say. Your friendship with Mr. Moody makes people feel that your hand is too long, but fortunately, Mr. Moody is quick Retired, but Martha... such a rising star, with your label all over her body, it's only a matter of time before she is framed by someone."

"So, what's your suggestion?" Dumbledore still asked very calmly.

"For the latter, we don't need to bother. They have spent so much effort, and we are immortal. However, we can win over the former, that is, most of the people who were instigated by them. We want them to see..." Fu Lin put his hands on Marciana's shoulders, "You're not Crouch, no, you're the opposite of Crouch. If he's a hard-nosed, ruthless, sophisticated politician, you're a brave, naive young girl , faced mortal danger in the course of a mission, and had to face the worst nightmare of your young life and muster the courage to protect yourself. In the process, a single inadvertent... alas, even the most experienced The Aurors of the Aurors sometimes have too much blows in the fight. We want to remind them how dangerous your work is. You are a group of fresh young lives, and you must always protect yourself and more innocent people from the hands of the dark wizard. life."

Flynn squatted in front of Marciana, holding her chin with one hand, and looked her face up and down, "Perfect. You are the representative of perfection, youth, beauty, high talent, pure blood, and, The most wonderful... the fragility under the strong exterior." He took a step back and said with an artist-like enthusiasm, "It's this kind of eyes, this kind of eyes that hit people's hearts, this is it-clear, confused, and confused. "

Flynn stood up and crossed his arms. "Your hair needs to be done."

"What?" said Marciana dully.

"My assistant will be in touch with you," Flynn said quickly. "Your hair needs to be styled, and you need to buy some clothes. Oh, don't forget, don't eat too much recently, and don't allow makeup. She is too glamorous, not cute enough, she should be thinner and weaker, and keep the pale and fragile feeling. I will contact you for a press conference next Monday."

"...Press conference? There is only one newspaper in the British wizarding world, the Daily Prophet." Marciana said dully.

"Don't be silly, of course, the "Daily Prophet" reporter is indispensable, but I will also call the "Witch Weekly", "Quidditch Illustrated" contributors. I want all wizards in the UK, as long as they can read, to discuss You and your case. I demand that the Wizengamot be flooded with love letters."

"Wait!" Dumbledore stood up sharply, "I can't agree with your way of manipulating public opinion and fooling the public."

"Oh, don't you agree with my methods?" Flynn shrugged easily, "What are you going to do without me? I think you can defend her yourself at most? How sure are you of the Wizengamot? Will she be acquitted? Even you are not completely sure, right? After all, even the old man who supports you the most will think that the light sentence of staying in Azkaban for a few weeks is a satisfactory ending for both parties. Don't you? Come to think of it, the last time you defended the Wizengamot was for that... what's the name... Oh yes, Severus Snape, he wasn't in AZ before he was released Has Caban been there for a week? But this little girl," Flynn nodded to Marciana, "even if she goes in for an hour, she will only have a beautiful skin when she comes out. I don't care, anyway, Giann I have sold my face, and I have no shortage of customers."

He took out his mithril-cased pocket watch and took a look, "You don't need my help, I'll go back, my favorite dessert shop will be closed in 10 minutes. Let me tell you, their Montblanc..." Flynn pinched the three fingers of his right hand together and kissed, "The best."

"Promise him." Moody's hoarse voice sounded, "Girl, promise him."

"Alastor?" Marciana hesitated.Flynn had a triumphant smile on his face.

"Albus, I'm sorry, but this is Martha. She's like my daughter, no... she is my daughter. Old man, I believe in you, I dare to put my life in your hands. But this won't work. I can't take the risk."

Dumbledore let out a long sigh.

Snape's eyes flicked to Marciana's face, startling him.

The young girl's blue eyes were filled with tears, and large drops rolled down her thin protruding cheekbones and paper-white skin.The tip of her nose and lips were pink.

"A... Alastor..." She twitched and pulled on Moody's robe, buried her face in it, and began to cry.

Snape was terrified.He has never seen Marciana LaRosa cry—as the meanest and scariest professor at Hogwarts, at least [-]% of the girls in each class have cried in his class, and the other [-]% have cried in different schools. Sometimes he was scolded and cried by his homework comments or face-to-face criticism (except for Slytherin).But this witch who once broke her hand in a Quidditch match, was beaten by Muggle boxers, and didn't shed a single tear when she heard that she was going to be kissed by a dementor now cried like a little girl with messy hair, Tears all over my face.

Moody pulled his robe back hard, but he didn't pull it. He said very uncomfortably, "Okay, okay! Why are you crying! Bastard, don't cry!"

Marciana was still weeping convulsively, her thin back shaking like leaves falling in the wind.

Moody finally lost his temper and yelled viciously, "Don't cry!" Marciana raised her head reflexively, wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, hiccupped, but stopped her tears.

Snape gaped - no wonder Larosa had never been afraid of him.Snape compared himself and Moody in terms of appearance, momentum and deterrence, and felt that he really lost.

Dumbledore watched with interest, while Flynn stood up and dusted off his robe, and said with a smile, "Martha, what's there to cry about? Mr. Moody made the most correct decision. You'll make the right decision later." I know, there are many advantages. Instead of getting offended, no, I will make all the wizards in England fall in love with you. You will know how useful it is later, wait for him ten or twenty years, the old Crouch's former seat And Fudge's current position, you can't think about it. But for a few days... remember, don't eat too much."

He turned to Dumbledore with a smile on his face, "Principal Dumbledore, I really trouble you today. Next time I'm a guest, I'll bring you macarons. I know a store in Paris that makes the best macarons."

After speaking, Flynn bowed, turned and left.

The cup of cold black tea and untouched meringues stood alone on the chair he had just sat on.

Moody said hoarsely, "Albus, I'm really sorry."

"No, Alastor, please don't say that. You are right, I am too arrogant sometimes, and your choice is right. Although I still think means are important, there are things far more important than it. As we get older, we sometimes forget...we can do anything to protect the ones we love."

Hearing what Dumbledore said, Marciana burst into tears again.This time Moody didn't scold her, but patted her on the head very awkwardly.

Snape stood behind the door, watching her cry in a daze, while Dumbledore conjured up a soft handkerchief and handed it to her.

"So Martha, it looks like we're going to be working with Barrister Flynn. Do you have any thoughts on what he said?"

"Idea?" Marciana's nose was still red, but she lowered her eyes, "I will cooperate. I will do my hair and play a fragile, lost and confused little bird. Anyway... I You won't hand over your soul to a dementor obediently."

She took an untouched meringue from Flynn's plate and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing slowly.

"But to be honest...I hate macarons the most in my life."

Dumbledore smiled, "What a coincidence, me too."

The author has something to say: Please eat it with the bgm: The fourth season of Vival - Xia. Four Seasons—Summer by Vivaldi

I had a blast writing about Richard Flynn—now you know who Martha got her smile from.Martha turned from a straight-faced senior sister to a smiling tiger, and Flynn played a big role in it.

Moody: What kind of machine is that stinky girl, and she hates macarons, and if she hates Frenchies, just say it!