HP's Lost and the Lighthouse

Snape had never cared much about festivals.This probably has something to do with his family environment.After all, on those days when you have to worry about your own personal safety day and night, it's hard to find the energy to feel the holiday spirit - if it's not getting punched and kicked by his dear alcoholic father A terrific holiday gift.

The only festival he cared about in the past was Halloween, because there were always some well-meaning adults who would bring candy to the children on the street and distribute it to the children, and he could also get a few to satisfy his hunger.But then... let's not talk about it.

Just because Snape didn't care about festivals didn't mean his friends didn't care about them either.Among other things, at Hogwarts, the professors are much more talkative than usual when the holidays are not coming, and they are more willing to turn a blind eye to some innocuous mistakes of the students - except for the Potions professor.Dumbledore always made a point of dragging him to school holiday dinners, though Snape couldn't taste the difference, aside from being more substantial.

This is true in schools, not to mention the rich and leisurely Malfoy family.Snape had chanced upon Malfoy Manor at Christmas time and was impressed.

But the Malfoy Manor in front of him was not what he had imagined at all.Although the garden that had been carefully tended in the past has also been pruned, it always exudes a barren and decadent atmosphere - this is affected by the atmosphere of black magic.When surrounded by dark wizards and dark creatures such as dementors and werewolves, delicate plants are often the most affected.

Snape swept across the manor shrouded in gloomy mist calmly, and walked in first.The Carlo brothers and sisters followed him closely, and the look of showing off their might because of catching him some time ago had completely disappeared.

Lucius helped him open the door of the reception room. His spirit was much better than when he just left Azkaban, and he showed a faint smile when he saw Snape.

As expected, the Dark Lord was already waiting inside.

"Severus." He called his subordinate by name in that high-pitched voice.

Snape glanced at the Carrow brothers and sisters who obviously had no intention of following behind, and walked in.

The door closed behind him with a soft click.

"Master," the black-robed Death Eater replied calmly, not avoiding Voldemort's gaze, and calmly met the strange and menacing face in front of him.When the Dark Lord took the initiative to look away, he lowered his head slightly and made a gesture of submission, "Last night, some students tried to break into the principal's office and steal the sword of Gryffindor."

Voldemort did not immediately respond to his words.Snape could feel the other party's eyes looking at him with a strong sense of presence, and he lowered his head even lower.

"That's why you chose to meet me?" he said in a statement tone. "Why didn't you report it at the meeting in a few days' time, Severus? Since—clearly they didn't succeed."

The Dark Lord's unnerved attitude made Snape's heart sink.He lowered his head: "Yes, I arrived in time and caught those students."

A moment of silence.

"I think that since Dumbledore specifically mentioned that sword in his will, and you have asked about it yourself, it shows that there is something special about this sword..." He continued, "Therefore, as Your loyal servant, even if I don't know its usefulness, I should report the news to you in time."

"Very well," said Voldemort slowly.He moved, out of Snape's sight.

The man still bowed his head, showing a respectful look.After a silence that almost froze the atmosphere in the room, Voldemort's voice came again.

"You're a smart man, Severus," he said, "and you're good at reading the minds of those in charge." He laughed a few times without admiration.

Snape didn't reply.The Dark Lord didn't sound like he needed a response, either, as he was quick to move on.

"So, what do you think we should do?" He walked back, put his long, thin, bony hands on the shoulders of his subordinates, looked down at the other party, who was almost covered by greasy hair face, "Do you think if there is a next time..."

"Of course, my subordinates will do their best to fulfill your orders," said Snape. "As we all know, Hogwarts and Gringotts are known as the two safest places in the wizarding world-but Hogwarts used to have Dumbledore sits in—" He paused without continuing.

The Dark Lord took the cue from his subordinates naturally.He squinted his eyes, like some kind of cold-blooded animal's eyes fell on Snape, and people could clearly feel the dangerous aura that would erupt at the slightest disagreement.

"So you're suggesting that I transfer the Sword of Gryffindor to Gringotts, Severus?" He raised his voice slightly. "You don't think you're good enough to keep it?"

Snape looked up, the look of shock on his face clearly caught in the eyes of the other person in the room.This gaffe was only for a moment, and he quickly calmed down.

After a while of silence, Snape seemed to have finally organized his words.

When he was about to defend himself against the charge, Voldemort spoke again.

"Still," said the superior with a strange snake-like face, "you are afraid—if this sword is lost in your hand—it's not easy to explain, is it? Right, Severus?"

As he said that, he smiled at Snape, with an undisguised coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Of course not!" This time, Snape retorted extremely quickly.His back was covered with cold sweat almost instantly.

Snape had no doubt that as long as he said a wrong sentence and failed to reassure the other party's doubts, the Dark Lord would never mind that one more life was lost under his wand.

The man clenched his limp fingers under the cover of the wide cuffs of the robe, and calmed down: "My loyalty to you is beyond doubt, master, I just hope to ensure that the sword is protected most securely—if you I want it to be kept by me, and of course I will do everything possible to keep the Sword of Gryffindor safe."

Voldemort listened to Snape's explanation without saying a word, and then he said tolerantly: "Of course, that was just a joke. We all know this - Severus, you have always been my most loyal follower. I I believe that you will not let me down by keeping the sword—"

Snape bowed his head silently.He didn't feel at all that the Dark Lord's pervasive suspicions and temptations could be summed up in the word 'joke', but if the Dark Lord insisted that it was just a joke, who could - who would dare to refute it?

Voldemort obviously didn't care whether Snape agreed with his words, as far as he was concerned, knowing that his subordinates would not dare to defy him was enough.As for the so-called emotional connection - that was something Dumbledore cared about.What he believes is that as long as there is enough power to deter everything, no one will be willing to try the consequences of betrayal.After all, there was no Dumbledore who could afford to shelter a traitor right now.

He continued to talk, but his tone has become much more relaxed, and he no longer gives people the sense of tension that is on the verge of firing, and he even put on a little smile: "I heard that you behaved to the students in the school. Out of a considerable tolerance? This is not like your character."

Snape also showed a slightly relaxed look in cooperation, but his heart was not relaxed - he was sure that the Carrow brothers and sisters hadn't had time to complain to the Dark Lord, but the Dark Lord still knew his purpose of protecting those students who almost suffered the Cruciatus Curse The thing... at least it looked like the Dark Lord had been distracted as much as he had hoped.

"I just thought..." he said.

"I think Dumbledore has taught you to soften your heart, don't you think?" The Dark Lord paid no attention to what he said. "A few Cruciatus Curses are harmless, it will teach them a lesson, but even half-bloods , that is also the blood of a precious wizard, you know what I mean, Severus?"

"However, those students who wanted to steal Gryffindor's sword, I hope they will remember this lesson deeply." He said, "Are they half-blood or pure-blood?"

"They're all pure blood, Master," said Snape. "I've already punished them, and I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to punish them again..."

Voldemort glanced at him with his red eyes.It seemed that his subordinates were really struggling to meet his demands.

"Since this is the case, double punishment for one crime is indeed inappropriate," said the Dark Lord coldly, "For the sake of their pure blood..."

"Thank you for your kindness on their behalf, Master." The black-robed man whispered.

"You can leave, Severus." He paused. "In a few days, you can take the sword to Gringotts, where it will be stored in Lestrange's vault. Bella will talk to you about this." You contacted."

The author has something to say:

The more I write, the more I feel that the professor is dancing on the tip of a knife, and then I think of Harry and Ron, who have no clue about things, quarreling blindly, making troubles, and doubting Dumbledore. ——] I want to hit them with a hammer to let them put the water in their minds.

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Don't take extreme statements to heart.

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And I am obsessed with the career line of the code professor [although there is no career at all, after all, the boss has died], I almost forgot that this is an ADSS, I am probably a fake author