Magical Studies at Hogwarts

"Snape, what should we do..."

Karkaroff's panic was undeniable. Even in the first half of the semester, he didn't seem to be anxious at all. But who would have thought that the Dark Mark on his arm would become increasingly clear this year?

As a former Death Eater, he knew exactly what this meant.

"You should think about what to do, Karkaroff." Snape's tone was very calm.

"Damn it, we are on the same rope, you...don't even think about escaping!"

"I never thought," Snape said, "that what you did was unforgivable..."

"You have to know that even Malfoy is not as extreme as what you did."

"I...I just want to survive, I don't want to go to Azkaban!" Karkaroff was covered in cold sweat. Even just thinking about what happened back then, he seemed to be overwhelmed by fear.

"Help me, help me! You must have a way!"

"People always have to pay the price for their choices, Karkaroff." Snape stared at Karkaroff coldly, "Don't choose the wrong one..."

"Tell me, what should I choose? What should I do?" Karkaroff grabbed Snape's robe, but Snape threw him away.

"I can't help you." Snape's voice gradually became quieter, he glanced at Karkaroff with a hint, and then left.

Karkaroff, who was in a state of despair, did not hear Snape's murmur before leaving:

"I can't help anyone..."

………

Nights at Hogwarts are never too peaceful. No matter what the school rules say or how Filch patrols, there will always be students wandering around at night.

Some are simply naughty, while others have ulterior motives, such as going to a restricted area to read a book, or having a date under the stars.

After living here for four years, Ike has long been accustomed to hearing some strange noises and seeing some poorly hidden things when walking around the castle at night. Of course, those have nothing to do with him, and he is as cautious as he will use every time.

Illusion spell.

It is said that those who drown are those who know how to swim, and he knows this truth very well.

Come out of the eighth floor and go straight to the underground. Snape left the door open and opened it with a gentle push.

Skillfully threw a silencing charm on the door, and Snape also threw two magic spells. After everything was safe, Snape said: "Did you find anything, Strider?"

"Yes, Professor." Ike said, "Professor Moody has been looking at you and Karkaroff very dangerously recently."

"Moody? This is not news." Snape nodded, "As a former Ao Luo, he has always hated dark wizards. So, after seeing two former Death Eaters, there was such a

The performance is not surprising.”

Looking at Snape's unchanged face, even after such a long time, Ike still couldn't figure out what he was thinking. However, it doesn't matter what Snape thinks now...

"You have already guessed, professor, what I am going to do..." Ike's expression became serious and he sat in the most familiar position, his face full of seriousness.

"Yes." Snape's face finally changed, but Ike didn't see what kind of emotion he was feeling now.

There is disappointment, worry, indifference, and some... anger...

"I have no intention of judging your choice, Strider." Snape said slowly, "You are a smart man, and smart people always have their own unique ideas."

"So, I will not persuade you, nor will I stop you."

"Because I know that what you decide will definitely go ahead."

"Thank you, Professor." Ike relaxed and said with some relief, "As expected, it has to be you..."

"Have you ever thought about what will happen to Filius and your little girlfriend, Miss Know-It-All?" Snape asked.

"I don't know." Ike shook his head. He didn't want to or didn't dare to guess what their expressions would be like.

"It seems that you haven't thought everything through."

"But this is good, at least it seems real..." A trace of sarcasm suddenly appeared on Snape's face, "Actually, I think it might be better if you take your little girlfriend with you."

"You know, Professor, that's impossible." Ike looked directly at Snape with extremely determined eyes.

As if he saw the meaning in Ike's eyes, Snape nodded slightly and said slowly: "Okay, I understand."

"You can rest assured, your little girlfriend will be fine."

"Of course, if she makes her own choice then..."

Before Snape could finish, Ike said: "That's enough, Professor."

Seeing Ike who was inexplicably completely relaxed, Snape suddenly didn't know what to say. He knew very well that no matter what, the boy in front of him would not be in any danger.

Just like a certain shady guy with a white beard, even if danger does arise one day, it must be within their expectation, and it may even be an indispensable part of a plan.

"You have already figured it out, professor, what should we do then?" Ike asked.

Snape nodded and asked, "Is that really inevitable?"

"Professor..." Ike was silent for a moment and replied, "You should know that it is inevitable and we can't stop it at all."

"But at least we can choose when that happens..."

"As expected..." Snape sighed and said nothing more. He took out a box from the drawer and stuffed it directly into Ike's hand.

"In that case, I think you need this."

"Elixir?" Ike opened the box and recognized it at a glance, "Professor, you know that I have..."

"Of course I know." Snape raised his hand, interrupting what Ike wanted to say next, his tone full of unquestionable firmness.

"Take it!"

"...I understand, Professor."

Ike did not refuse, took out the elixir from the box and put it in his pocket.

"I will use it when the time is right."

"That's good..." Snape returned to his cold demeanor, raised his hand to remove the magic on the door, walked straight over, and opened the door naturally.

"By the way, there is an old book in the locker in the Potions classroom with some tricks on it..."

Snape's voice was very low, almost inaudible, like he was mumbling casually. But Ike, who was behind him and used the Disguise Charm on himself, heard it clearly.

"Thank you, professor..."

With the same murmur, Snape acted as if he hadn't heard anything and walked straight to his resting place without stopping.