Chapter 87. You Help Him Kill Harry Potter
"The Philosopher's Stone... Harry Potter.
I didn't expect he would value Harry so much," Dumbledore muttered to himself.
Snape's brows knitted.
He was dissatisfied with Dumbledore's light, unruffled manner.
It felt as if the old man before him had known about this all along, so he was not surprised in the slightest.
But if he knew in advance, why let that person into the school?
That was tantamount to pushing everyone in the school onto a ship caught in a violent storm.
Even if that ship had a seasoned captain, it was still extremely dangerous and could capsize at any moment.
"What should I do?" Snape asked in a low voice.
Dumbledore gestured for Snape to sit.
"Wait a moment and let me think....."
Snape pressed his lips together and sat.
He watched Dumbledore's fingers tap lightly on the desktop, one beat after another.
When he had almost counted to a hundred and was growing impatient, Dumbledore finally stopped tapping and raised his head.
"Severus, I need you to make every effort to help Lord Voldemort steal the Philosopher's Stone."
Dumbledore paused, then went on, "And there's one more thing.
Tell him you'll help him kill Harry Potter, so he won't need to lift a finger."
Snape stared at the old man in disbelief.
He wondered if his ears had missed a few words, or if he had simply misheard altogether—Dumbledore wanted him to kill Harry Potter?
The man who regarded Harry Potter as the hope of the future wanted him to kill the boy?
Was this old codger trying to entrap him?
A few thoughts flashed swiftly through Snape's mind.
Baffled, he said, "I don't quite understand, Dumbledore..."
Dumbledore waved a hand to cut him off.
"Since Voldemort has already decided to kill Harry, better that you be the one to act.
Of course, I'm not asking you to truly accomplish either of these things.
I want Voldemort to believe you're striving to do them—that you're sincerely helping him, that you're still the Severus Snape who was loyal to him before.
In this way you'll win his trust and still be able to protect Harry."
An expression of comprehension flickered in Snape's eyes.
"You want me to keep up the pretence?
To help you obtain intelligence?"
Dumbledore rose and moved to the window, gazing out.
Only a few stars shone in the pitch-black sky.
"Are you willing, Severus?
From what you said earlier, I believe Voldemort hasn't truly returned yet.
He's in some peculiar state and very weak, no threat to us."
"However, I have a hunch that even if we drive him back this time, he will definitely return in the future—until we truly stand against him.
If you choose not to help him now, when he does return he will surely doubt you.
At that time, it won't be so easy for you to infiltrate his side, and we might miss a great deal of crucial intelligence."
"Do I have any other choice?" Snape murmured to himself, then continued, "Helping that person obtain the Philosopher's Stone is no problem.
Quirrell seems eager to show off before him.
He only asked me to find out the specific protections around the Stone, and didn't ask me to fetch it myself.
But if I'm to kill Harry Potter as well, that may be a little troublesome..."
Snape turned to Dumbledore.
"Are you certain he can survive if I go all out?
Or do you think I'm incapable of killing a first-year?
If Potter doesn't die, that person will still suspect me."
"You're right.
We must come up with a pretext that prevents you from using powerful means directly against Harry Potter..." Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
When his gaze fell on Fawkes, sleeping on a perch by the shelves, his eyes lit up.
He strode back to the desk, rummaged for a while in a drawer, and took out a miniature phoenix feather with a silvery fine cord tied at the tip.
"What is this?" Snape asked, examining it.
"An old trinket Nicolas once helped me make that never quite found its use," Dumbledore explained.
"It can help its wearer temporarily resist several attacking spells, and it will send a message to a designated person.
I'll find a way to deliver this to Harry Potter."
"When the time comes, you can leak this information to Quirrell, so that he understands I take Harry's safety very seriously and that you cannot strike at Harry within the school.
Otherwise I can use Fawkes to arrive at any time, and then his plan will be at great risk of exposure."
"Oh, and add one more point: the portraits in the castle will also be watching over and protecting Harry nearby."
"Voldemort's primary target now is the Philosopher's Stone.
He certainly won't let you keep taking risks by attacking Harry."
"By the way, you also know Potions..."
It was the first time Dumbledore had wished Snape possessed fewer skills.
"You needn't worry about that," Snape said.
"I'll have a way to explain it to him when the time comes, but I will need an operation to prove myself..."
"Exactly.
What shall we do...."
Dumbledore paced slowly about the office.
After seven or eight steps, he suddenly stopped.
"Severus, what do you say to putting Harry on the Quidditch team?"
"Oh?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Gryffindor happens to be short a Seeker.
If Harry Potter joins, Professor McGonagall will certainly be delighted," Dumbledore said.
"Then you won't need to cast curses at Harry Potter directly.
Broomsticks and Bludgers will be your tools.
Let Quirrell watch you attack Harry with his very eyes, intent on putting him to death."
"I'll attend every match and do everything I can to ensure his safety."
"That is indeed a fine idea."
The corner of Snape's mouth curled.
So long as he didn't kill Harry Potter, he could torment him as much as he pleased.
Nothing could be more enjoyable.
"Only..." Snape thought of a problem.
"Are you sure Harry Potter can play Quidditch?"
Smiling, Dumbledore nodded.
"I once happened to see him in a match.
Although his side lost dreadfully, I glimpsed some of his talent in it.
He has a touch of James's flair."
At the mention of that detestable name, Snape snorted and did not reply.
"Then it's settled.
Tomorrow I'll discreetly hint to Minerva about Harry's flying talent.
I believe she'll be even more eager than us to put him on the Quidditch team," Dumbledore said.
"After losing to you lot for years, she's not been in the best of moods."
"Even with Harry Potter, they still won't win," Snape said with disdain.
Dumbledore smiled.
He and Snape then went on refining every detail to ensure Voldemort would not see through their plan.
Only when the sky lightened did the two of them part ways.
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