Chapter 804: Side Story — Snape 13

On the day the third-year students registered for the new school year, Snape was brewing potions in his office.

That afternoon, he received a letter from Dumbledore.

He was being summoned to the Headmaster's office to discuss some... matters.

When Snape arrived, he discovered that the other three Heads of House were already there. He was the last to arrive.

"Sorry I'm late."

Although he apologized, Snape showed no intention of actually feeling sorry.

He sat down in his chair without ceremony and waited for Dumbledore to speak.

Dumbledore didn't seem to mind his attitude.

"Good. Since everyone is here, let's discuss the list of students who will be permitted to use a Time-Turner this year.

"If anyone has any objections, please feel free to raise them."

A Time-Turner?

How tedious.

Snape didn't care who Dumbledore gave one to. Whoever received it, received it. What did it have to do with him?

Then he heard Dumbledore mention the little cub's name.

Only then did Snape remember that Darren seemed to have signed up for every available course at the end of last term.

*Hmph!*

If only the boy had as much insight into people's minds as he did enthusiasm for studying, Snape could recommend him for a position at the Ministry of Magic.

Snape thought this with disdain.

Then he heard Professor McGonagall ask in confusion, "Severus, what do you think?"

"What do I think?"

Snape felt slightly awkward.

He hadn't been listening to what Dumbledore had just said.

Professor McGonagall pressed her lips together, looking rather helpless.

"Severus, Albus said that Miss Granger and Darren would use a Time-Turner together.

"I think they're both excellent students, with good character and academic records. They'll certainly be able to supervise one another."

"But Miss Kassandra Voray from our House has also applied for a Time-Turner. Why not let Darren use one with her instead?"

Snape remembered the feelings Miss Warley had shown toward the little cub last term. Perhaps that would be a good idea after all.

During the summer, he had investigated Miss Warley and discovered that she had announced to her family that she liked Darren when she was still in first year.

More importantly, the Warley family seemed to approve.

If the family supported the match, then Darren's future would have an additional layer of security once he and Kassandra got together.

Snape thought it was an excellent arrangement.

Yet Dumbledore had actually paired Darren with Miss Granger.

That left him somewhat displeased.

But Dumbledore continued speaking.

"I've seen Miss Granger's affection for Darren on more than one occasion. It's the most sincere sort of affection, the kind Gryffindors are known for. I believe they could develop feelings for each other from an early age."

Snape sneered.

"What sort of feelings are children supposed to develop at that age?"

He was thoroughly dismissive.

However, when he met Dumbledore's clear gaze, the old man asked, "Severus, don't you want to see a Slytherin and a Gryffindor fall in love?"

Those words nearly made Snape burst into tears.

But he frantically reminded himself that the cub wasn't him, and Miss Granger wasn't Lily.

Even if the two of them ended up together, it had nothing to do with him or Lily.

Nevertheless, he eventually gave his silent consent.

"As you wish. Isn't that Potter's privilege?"

Snape said it as dismissively as he could.

Inside, however, his thoughts were in turmoil.

Until—

"By the way, there's something else. Darren nearly collapsed on the train... nearly fell apart?"

What was going on?

What had happened to the cub now? Had Harry Potter caused trouble again?

"Don't worry. It was the Dementors. Lupin saved him, and he's already recovered. So, Severus, I must say that you shouldn't treat Remus that way anymore. The two of you ought to be able to become friends."

Lupin?

That werewolf!

The same man who had stood by and watched when Potter and Black humiliated him.

Why shouldn't he treat Lupin that way? Potter's friends were all bastards.

That was an indisputable fact!

Besides, Lupin was the cub's godfather!

Darren had another relative now.

So what did that make Snape?

Snape rose to his feet in irritation.

"I will never be friends with him, Dumbledore. Don't even think about it!"

He turned and walked out.

His retreating figure looked bleak.

He wasn't even qualified to stand beside Potter's cub. All he had was the identity of a professor!

His anger, combined with his thoughts of Lupin, inevitably brought Sirius Black to mind.

Snape decided to find something for the cub to do.

For example, he could make Darren a prefect.

This year, he would keep the boy busy.

And the little cub had better not have anything to do with that Lupin.

Darren agreed.

But then he got into an argument with Kassandra during the prefect selection.

It was because Kassandra had called him a reckless fool, just like Harry Potter.

Perhaps because the little cub had remained motionless while Kassandra attacked him, Darren eventually turned to Snape and said, "Professor, Kassandra insulted my brother. Can I ask her to apologize?"

Snape turned around.

Kassandra looked utterly miserable.

He remembered the word *Mudblood* he had once blurted out.

He remembered how Lily had grown cold toward him afterward.

Snape looked at Kassandra with sympathy.

Instinctively, he wanted to help her.

But he didn't know how. His own life was already a complete mess.

In the end, all he could do was nod and say coolly, "Miss Kassandra, given your upbringing, I believe you know that you should apologize, don't you?"

Kassandra quickly apologized.

However, Darren, just like Lily, turned away afterward, seemingly unwilling to look at the girl again.

Snape's heart was in turmoil.

Because of this, the next day, when Kassandra hid in his office, he asked the cub why he had fallen out with her.

He had thought about it all night and still felt that Darren shouldn't end their friendship over a single remark.

After all, Malfoy had insulted Harry Potter for years, yet He hadn't become this cold toward him.

But the little cub had actually thought everything through.

He simply didn't want to hurt Miss Warley.

Snape watched Kassandra leave, her expression visibly brighter, and remained expressionless.

Inside, he was jealous.

*How wonderful it would have been if Lily had given me another chance.*

But almost immediately, he covered his face in shame.

He knew perfectly well that Lily had given him many chances.

Lily had been as kind as Darren. She had repeatedly tried to persuade him to abandon the Dark Lord, but he had never listened.

He had lied to Lily time and time again.

After countless deceptions and disappointments, Lily had finally broken with him over that one word: *Mudblood*.

Snape nearly collapsed.

He truly deserved it.