HP Starlight

Hearing the sound of the door closing with a click, Esther waited for a while, and after making sure that there was no other movement, she quickly flew back to the window, hid in the place blocked by the curtain, and looked in quietly.

Snape sat there calmly chatting with the two visitors.With a wave of his wand, he opened the secret door behind the wall of books, where Wormtail stood stroking his silver hand.Esther was taken aback, thankful that she hadn't barged in recklessly just now, and worried about Snape at the same time.Why did the spy Wormtail live with Snape? Could it be that Voldemort had doubts about Snape and asked him to spy on Snape?Snape should still hate Wormtail for betraying Lily, seeing that the traitor hadn't killed him every day, it took a lot of perseverance.

As Esther was thinking, she was startled by a bang in the room and Wormtail's scream. She carefully looked into the window. Fortunately, everyone's attention was on the secret door, and no one noticed her. Actions.

"Sorry, he's been eavesdropping lately," Snape's voice became elegant and charming, "I really don't understand what he means by doing that... Where did you just say that, Narcissa?"

Esther was a little dazed when she heard that, she never knew Snape had such a charming side besides being deep, stern or submissive.

"Severus, I know I shouldn't be here," Narcissa's voice trembled, "I was told not to tell anyone, but—"

"Then you should hold your tongue!" roared Bellatrix, "especially in front of this man!"

"'This man'?" Snape repeated sarcastically. "How should I understand that, Bellatrix?"

"It's just that I don't trust you, Snape, but you know it very well!"

Snape actually laughed when he heard this, "Narcissa, I think we'd better hear what Bellatrix is ​​eager to say before she interrupts us endlessly. Well, you go on Why don't you believe me, Bellatrix?"

"There are a hundred reasons," Bellatrix stood in front of Snape aggressively, placing the wine glass heavily on the table. "Where do you start? Where were you when the Dark Lord fell from power? Why didn't you make any effort to find him after he disappeared? What have you done all these years to survive under Dumbledore? Why did you Stop the Dark Lord from getting the Sorcerer's Stone? Why didn't you come back immediately after the Dark Lord was resurrected? Where were you a few weeks ago when we fought so hard to get the Orb of Prophecy for the Dark Lord? Also, Snape, Harry. Why is Potter still alive? He has five years to do with you!"

When Bellatrix finished the long list, Esther's heart tightened.But seeing Snape's smile, Esther knew he had a way, and he always had a way.

"Before I answer you—oh, yes, Bellatrix, I do! You can pass on my words to those who talk about me behind my back, you can tell me the truth about my mutiny Glossary to the Dark Lord! But before I answer you, let me ask you a question. Do you really think that the Dark Lord hasn't asked me every single one of these questions? Do you really think that if I don't give satisfactory answers , can I still sit here and talk to you?"

"I know he trusts you, but—" Bellatrix said hesitantly.

"You think he's mistaken? Or that I've fooled him? To have fooled the Dark Lord—the greatest wizard who ever lived, the most accomplished Legilimency master in the world?"

Snape stopped talking, picked up his glass again, took a sip, and continued, "You asked just now, where was I when the Dark Lord lost power. I was where he ordered me to be, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry , because he wanted me to secretly supervise Albus Dumbledore there. I guess you must know that I accepted the teaching position at the behest of the Dark Lord?"

Bellatrix nodded almost imperceptibly, and opened her mouth to speak, but Snape preempted him.

"You also ask why I didn't try to look for him when he disappeared. The reason I didn't look for him was with Avery, Yaxley, the Carlos, Greyback, Lucius," he said. Tilting his head at Narcissa, "Like many others. I thought he was screwed. I'm not proud of it, I was wrong, but that's how it is...if he can't forgive us for losing confidence at that point , and his followers are few."

"He still has me!" Bellatrix said excitedly, "For him, I squatted in Azkaban for many years!"

"Yeah, yeah, good spirits," said Snape in a dry voice. "Of course, you're not doing him much good in jail, but it's a good gesture, no doubt— —”

"Pose!" she screamed, looking a little frantic in her rage. "While I suffer from dementors, you hide out at Hogwarts, comfortably playing Dumbledore's favorite!"

"Not really," Snape said calmly, "he wouldn't give me the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching job, you know. He seemed to think that would make me fall back... lure me back to the old ways. "

"Is that the sacrifice you made for the Dark Lord? Not teaching your favorite subject?" she sneered. "Why do you stay there, Snape? Still spying on Dumbledore for a man you believe is dead." Master?"

"Probably not," said Snape, "but the Dark Lord is glad I didn't relinquish my teaching position: when he returns, I can give him 16 years of information about Dumbledore, rather than endlessly reminiscing about Azka. Considering Ben's tragic situation, this is a more valuable gift..."

"But you stayed—"

"Yes, Bellatrix, I stayed," said Snape, showing impatience for the first time. "I have a comfortable job, why bother to go to Azkaban and go to prison? You know, they were rounding up the Death Eaters. Dumbledore's protection saved me from going to prison. Such a convenient condition, I don't need it in vain." No. I'll repeat it again: the Dark Lord didn't complain about my staying, so I don't understand why you're making irresponsible remarks."

"The next thing you want to know, I suppose," he pressed, raising his voice a little as Bellatrix made an obvious gesture of interrupting him, "why did I prevent the Dark Lord from getting the Philosopher's Stone?" The question is easy to answer. He didn't know if he could trust me. He thought, as you do, that I had gone from being a loyal Death Eater to Dumbledore's lackey. He was in a miserable, very weak position, Sharing a body with a mediocre wizard. He didn't dare expose himself to a former supporter in case that supporter denounced him to Dumbledore or the Ministry of Magic? I'm very sorry he didn't believe me. Otherwise , he could make a comeback three years earlier. Of course, all I saw was the greedy and incompetent Quirrell trying to steal the Philosopher’s Stone, and I admit, I tried my best to stop him.”

Bellatrix's lips twitched, as if she had taken a particularly nasty potion. "But when he came back, you didn't come back immediately, and you didn't rush to him when you felt the Dark Mark burning—"

"That's right. I didn't go back until two hours later. I went back at Dumbledore's orders."

"Follow Dumbledore -" she said, furiously.

"Think about it!" Snape showed his impatience again, "Think about it! After waiting for two hours, just two hours, I promise that I can continue to stay in Hogwarts to do Secret agent! I made Dumbledore think that I returned to the Dark Lord to obey his orders, so that I can keep reporting Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix! Think about it, Bellatri Kex: In those few months, the Dark Mark became more and more clear, and I knew he was coming back, and all the Death Eaters knew it! I had enough time to think about where I was going, and plan my next step. Do something like run away like Karkaroff, don't you?"

"I explained to the Dark Lord that I had always been loyal to him, even though Dumbledore thought I was his. After listening to my explanation, the Dark Lord's dissatisfaction with my being late disappeared without a trace. .Yes, the Dark Lord thought I had left him forever, but he was wrong."

"But what role have you played?" asked Bellatrix sarcastically. "What useful information have we had from you?"

"My information came directly to the Dark Lord," said Snape, "and since he didn't tell you about it—"

"He'll tell me everything!" Bellatrix was furious at once. "He said I was his most loyal, most reliable—"

"Really?" said Snape, changing his tone slightly in disbelief. "Is he still saying that after that defeat at the Ministry?"

"It's not my fault!" said Bellatrix, blushing. "In the past, the Dark Lord entrusted me with his most precious possessions—if it wasn't for Lucius—"

A thought suddenly flashed into Esther's mind: Voldemort gave Bellatrix something, the same thing as Lucius.She was as excited as if she had caught the Snitch in a Quidditch match.But suddenly a name from Snape's mouth made her feel as if she had been thrown a basin of cold water.

"...My information led to the arrest and killing of Emmeline Vance. And if you hadn't procrastinated, you might have caught two of them."

Snape's words buzzed in Esther's mind, did he provide information that led to Emmeline's killing?The elder who sacrificed himself to protect her died because of Snape?Does he even wish to catch himself?Is this why he suddenly avoided himself?Has he already sentenced himself to death?

But another voice kept denying his thoughts, "He won't, he won't betray the Order of the Phoenix. What he said to two Death Eaters, of course he can't believe it."

"But that day was indeed a trap."

"But Moody did warn people that there was going to be an attack."

Esther wrapped herself tightly with her wings in agitation.Suddenly, the curtain that was covering him opened with a clatter and completely covered the window.Esther was taken aback, and his mind calmed down.

"I happen to know about that plan." Snape's voice was much lower than before, and Esther needed all his attention on his ears to hear it. "I am one of the few who the Dark Lord has revealed his plans to. But if I do not know the secret, Narcissa, you will be committing a grave treason against the Dark Lord."

"I guess you must know!" Narcissa said, seemingly relieved, "He trusts you so much, Severus..."

"You know about the plan?" Bellatrix said angrily. "You know?"

"Of course," said Snape, "but what help do you need, Narcissa? If you imagine that I can persuade the Dark Lord to change his mind, I'm afraid that is hopeless, not at all."

"Severus," Narcissa seemed to be crying, "my son... my only son..."

"Draco should be proud," said Bellatrix dryly, "that the Dark Lord has given him great honor. And I'll say it for Draco: he didn't back down from his responsibilities, and he seemed very Excited to have the opportunity to prove what he's capable of, and he's very excited about what's to come—"

Esther wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but she was pretty sure Narcissa was really crying, very sadly.

"That's because he's only sixteen and doesn't know what's in store for him! Why, Snape? Why my son? It's too dangerous! It's revenge for Lucius' mistake, I know!"

There was no one talking in the room for a while, and Esther couldn't help squinting through the gap in the curtain to look in.

"That's why he chose Draco, isn't it?" Narcissa pressed, "Just to punish Lucius, isn't it?"

"If Draco succeeds," said Snape, still looking away, "he'll have a higher honor than everyone else."

"But he won't succeed!" cried Narcissa. "How could he, even the Dark Lord himself—"

Bellatrix gasped, and Narcissa seemed to lose her nerve.

"I mean...since no one has ever made it...Severus...please...you have been, and still are, Draco's favorite teacher...you are an old friend of Lucius... ...I beg you...you are the Dark Lord's favorite confidant, most trusted advisor...can you talk to him and convince him-"

"The Dark Lord cannot be persuaded, and I would not be foolish enough to try," said Snape dryly. "I cannot pretend that the Dark Lord is not angry with Lucius. Lucius should have It succeeded, but he himself was caught, and so many people were caught, and the prophecy ball was not returned. Yes, the Dark Lord is very angry, Narcissa, very angry indeed."

"It seems that I'm right, he chose Draco for revenge!" Narcissa choked up and said, "He doesn't want him to succeed at all, he just wants him to die!"

Seeing that Snape was silent, Narcissa seemed to lose the last bit of self-control.She stood up, staggered towards Snape, grabbed the front of his robes, and brought her face close to his, tears rolling down his chest.She gasped, "You can do it. Draco can't do it, you can do it, Severus. You will succeed, you will succeed, and he will reward you more than all of us." people-"

Snape grabbed her by the wrist, pulling away her grip on his robes.He looked down at her tear-stained face, and said slowly, "I think he was going to send me last. But he decided to let Draco try first. You know, in case Draco succeeds, I'll be able to stay a little longer at Hogwarts, playing my useful role as an agent to the end."

"In other words, he doesn't care if Draco dies!"

"The Dark Lord is very angry," Snape repeated softly. "He failed to hear the prophecy. You know as well as I do, Narcissa, that he is not easy to forgive."

She collapsed at his feet, sobbing and sucking on the floor.

"My only son...my only son..."

"You should be proud!" said Bellatrix grimly. "If I had sons, I would gladly sacrifice them to serve the Dark Lord!"

Narcissa let out a cry of despair, tugging at her long golden hair.Snape bent down, took her by the arm and lifted her up, allowing her to sit back on the couch.Then he poured her some red wine and forced the glass into her hand.

"Narcissa, it's all right. Drink this and listen to me."

She calmed down a little, took a sip of the wine tremblingly, and spilled some on herself.

"Maybe I can...help Draco."

She sat up straight, her face was as white as paper, and her eyes were round.

"Severus—oh, Severus—will you help him? Will you take care of him and keep him safe?"

"I can give it a try."

She threw the glass away with a wave of her hand, and the glass slid across the table.She slipped off the sofa, knelt at Snape's feet, took his hand with both of hers, and pressed her lips to it.Like catching the only driftwood in the water.

Bellatrix's icy voice interrupted Narcissa's momentary joy, "Snape, swear. Make an unbreakable oath."

Snape's expression became elusive, and Bellatrix smiled smugly, "No words, Narcissa, he said he would help him, but when things got serious, he would just slide back to himself like a snake." cave, coward."

Snape didn't look at Bellatrix.He stared intently into Narcissa's tear-filled blue eyes as she continued to hold his hand.

"Draw your wand," he said coldly.

Narcissa showed a happy expression.Bellatrix opened her mouth wide and watched in astonishment as Snape knelt down opposite Narcissa and held each other's right hands with her.

"You need to get a little closer," he said.

Bellatrix, still looking surprised, walked up to the two, and tapped the tip of her wand on their clasped hands.

"You, Severus Snape, will you try your best to assist Draco Malfoy when he completes the task assigned to him by the Dark Lord?"

"I will," Snape said.

A thin, blazing tongue of fire shot from the wand, like a red hot wire, wrapped around their clasped hands.

"Will you do everything in your power to protect him from harm?"

"I can."

The second tongue of flame spewed out, intertwined with the first one, forming a thin, shining red chain.

"If Draco is on the verge of failure...will you continue to complete the task Voldemort gave Draco?"

Snape's hand seemed to be shaking, but he didn't take it out.After a moment of silence, he finally said, "I will."

Bellatrix's face was flushed red by the light of the third tongue of flame, intertwined with the first two, tightly wound around their clasped hands like a rope, like a flame-breathing snake.

Although Esther has never heard of the Unbreakable Vow, she can guess that this oath cannot be broken just by hearing the name and seeing the process of casting the spell.It seemed that Snape would have carried out that mission anyway.

Voldemort's task doesn't sound easy, the Dark Lord himself can't complete it... What is there that Voldemort can't do?Esther only knew that there were two things Voldemort failed to do, one was to kill Harry Potter, and the other was to kill Dumbledore.So who is the target of this mission?

No matter who Snape killed, it would not end well.Kill Harry, Dumbledore will not let him go.Kill Dumbledore, the Order of the Phoenix will not let him go.Was he planning to side with Voldemort?It's also unlikely that the Death Eaters didn't realize that they were an Animagus when they were attacked last time. Their information was incomplete, otherwise they would have died long ago.

Then he just doesn't intend to do anything and wants to break the oath?If you really break your oath, what are the consequences?

Esther showed her sharp teeth irritably. It seems that she is more easily influenced by emotions in the bat state. Now she really wants to find something or someone to bite to ease her bad mood.

Narcissa and Bellatrix had left Snape's house.She really wanted to rush in and ask him what the mission was.But the last rationality pulled her back, there was Wormtail in the room, there was eyeliner by his side, Voldemort didn't trust him that much, she couldn't cause him any trouble.

Maybe that man knows what the mission is, Dumbledore.Esther shook her wings and flew into the night.

The author has something to say:

This chapter is the most blush I've ever written (well, copied) because Ms. Rowling's writing is so perfect that nothing could have been changed.If I don’t quote the original text, I really can’t reflect the professor’s wit, bravery, responsibility, unyielding, humbleness, and balabalabala... (well, it’s just because I’m useless), so I have to bow down and apologize for this chapter.