Chapter 800: Side Story — Snape 9

Snape was much quieter during the summer.

He had returned to live in Spinner's End, occasionally passing by Privet Drive.

Sometimes, he could hear laughter coming from inside the house.

Both Darren and Harry Potter seemed very happy.

As expected, Darren was popular wherever he went.

Except at that orphanage.

Thinking of the orphanage, Snape smiled mockingly.

He had reported the place. The current Mrs. Linda had been arrested for embezzling donations and was now in prison until she returned all the money she had stolen. Otherwise, her sentence would be determined by the amount she had embezzled.

As for the man named Kenley, whom Snape suspected of having troll blood, Snape had cured him of his so-called *gigantism*. He was now about as tall and thin as Darren. Snape hoped he would be able to withstand the revenge of the children he had bullied in the past.

Because of what had happened last semester, Snape had given it some thought. In the end, he decided to send Darren a photo album containing pictures of Lily and Potter for their birthday.

Of course, if Harry Potter wanted to look at it, Snape wouldn't refuse him either.

He had asked Dumbledore to obtain the photographs from one of Potter's friends.

Then, he had added some separate photographs of Lily to complete the album.

He hoped it would help the two children feel a little less regretful.

He didn't visit them. He remained at a distance. As Dumbledore had said, he was paying far too much attention to Darren.

He couldn't go on like this.

It would make things difficult when he had to act alongside the Dark Lord in the future.

If only he could make Darren hate him to the bone, just as Harry Potter did.

Unfortunately, that little cub was an idiot. He stubbornly continued to believe in Snape, no matter what.

The thought irritated Snape a little.

That night, he received news that Harry Potter had been warned by the Ministry of Magic for using magic outside school.

Honestly!

That was exactly the sort of thing Harry Potter would do.

Snape didn't pay it any attention.

As long as Darren hadn't done the same, he couldn't be bothered.

If Darren received a warning for using magic, however, things could become dangerous.

Next, Snape learned that the boys were staying at the Weasleys' house.

What a lot of trouble.

He brewed potions at home, without any intention of getting involved in their affairs.

One day, he had just arrived at Hogwarts to collect something when he heard one of the portraits mention that Lucius had come to visit and was arguing with Dumbledore.

What madness!

He had argued with Dumbledore last year over expelling Darren. Why was he at it again? And hadn't he heard that he had no decision-making authority at Hogwarts?

Curious, Snape headed to Dumbledore's office to watch the spectacle. To his surprise, Lucius was arguing with Dumbledore about Darren and Harry Potter.

From Draco, Lucius had learned that Darren and Harry Potter had protected the Philosopher's Stone. Now Lucius was arguing with Dumbledore over it.

Why had Dumbledore put the Philosopher's Stone in the school in the first place? Had he mistaken Hogwarts for his own home?

Those words were harsh enough to make anyone wince.

Snape admired his friend's ability to argue.

His sarcastic remarks had managed to anger Dumbledore. Snape clearly still had something to learn.

"Also, Dumbledore, why did you recommend Darren—Darren Potter—to Nicolas Flamel as his heir?

"Have you lost your mind? Damn it! Did you even get my permission?"

Lucius shouted furiously at Dumbledore.

Snape was stunned.

He wasn't surprised that Dumbledore had recommended Darren to Nicolas Flamel as his successor. He already knew about it because Dumbledore had told him.

In fact, Snape thought it was an excellent idea.

He had even privately wondered whether it would be better if Nicolas Flamel were more powerful and could erase the Potter surname from Darren's name.

Personally, Snape thought Darren Flamel sounded rather good.

Of course, those were merely his own little thoughts.

What truly shocked him was Lucius's sheer audacity.

How could anyone be so shameless?

As far as the Philosopher's Stone was concerned, Snape felt Lucius had a point. By bringing the Stone into the school, Dumbledore had already shown a certain disregard for the students' safety.

But recommending Darren as an heir was Dumbledore's private business. What did that have to do with Lucius?

Did Dumbledore really need to inform him first?

"If I hadn't heard about it from the Ministry of Magic today, I wouldn't even have known! Nicolas Flamel is coming to meet his heir, so I made a few inquiries.

"And I discovered that Darren Potter had become Darren Flamel without my knowing anything about it!"

The more Lucius spoke, the angrier he became. His cane struck the floor with a sharp *knock*.

"I would assume that whose heir Darren becomes has nothing to do with you, Lucius," Dumbledore said solemnly.

Snape noticed a momentary flush on Lucius's face. For an instant, it looked as though he wanted to say something else, but he immediately launched into another furious tirade.

Then, after angrily warning Dumbledore, Lucius left the office with Snape, who had been watching the entire spectacle.

Who would have thought that the moment they stepped outside, Lucius would turn his temper on him?

"Severus... Since you knew about this, why didn't you tell me?"

Lucius sounded genuinely heartbroken.

Snape, however, was completely baffled.

What did Darren do have to do with him? Why should he have informed Lucius?

Could it be that Lucius wanted Dumbledore to recommend Draco instead?

"You're being far too fanciful. Have you even looked at what your son has done?

"He spends all day fighting and causing trouble at school. He lies, deceives people, and his grades aren't even among the best. He couldn't even protect the Philosopher's Stone! Do you really think Nicolas Flamel would accept him as an heir just because Dumbledore recommended him?"

Snape complained without the slightest courtesy.

Lucius responded with a sympathetic look.

"What's wrong with you?"

Snape was displeased by the look on his face.

Then Lucius asked hesitantly, "You still haven't forgotten that woman, have you?"

"What's it to you?"

Did his love life now require other people's scrutiny?

"I'm just asking. What if... what if you had a friend, and he... he and the woman he liked..."

*Bang!*

Lucius hit the ground.

Snape looked down at him icily.

"Lucius, consider this your warning. If you dare make another joke like that, I won't let you off!"

"No, no! I was asking about another friend of mine... I mean, he and the woman he loves... and then there's a child..."

Lucius stammered as he tried to explain himself.

Snape gave him a disdainful look.

He had recently heard rumors that Lucius had an illegitimate child.

He hadn't believed them, but apparently, the rumors were true—and the child belonged to one of Lucius's friends.

"I advise you to run as fast as you can. If I were your friend, I'd reduce you to ashes!"

"No problem... No problem!"