[Going to the Ministry? Are you in such a hurry to turn yourself in?]
On the way out of Slughorn's house, Ghost Snape finally couldn't bear the suppressed dissatisfaction in his heart and sneered.
Of course Severus knew what he was unhappy about.
This greasy old bat clearly hadn't taken his words from yesterday to heart and still hadn't fully accepted the fact that the two of them were now bound together.
"Old Snape, Old Snape, use that perpetually unwashed brain of yours and think for a second. If I really wanted to turn myself in now, would I have bothered telling Slughorn to wait until Shacklebolt came looking for him before admitting that I brewed the potion?"
Severus was somewhat speechless in his heart. He felt that Ghost Snape might not be confused, but was asking this question deliberately to find an excuse to mock him.
[Perhaps you simply don't care about the reputation I've maintained all these years!] Ghost Snape said coldly.
This remark made Severus burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Your reputation? Don't make me laugh, Old Snape. You're a shady Death Eater, a blatantly biased Head of Slytherin House. What kind of good reputation do you think you have? Even a model student like Percy whisper behind your back!"
Ghost Snape's face twisted into something resembling a crumpled pumpkin!
All his usual sharp, venomous retorts seemed to evaporate, leaving him speechless as Severus continued.
"But that reputation belonged to the old you. From now on, I can't afford to let my name stay that tarnished. Otherwise, when I travel around the Wizarding World, everyone would gossip behind my back whenever they saw me. That would be too embarrassing."
"I took the blame for that potion, but I can't just admit my guilt without knowing anything. I have to find out what happened first."
"I am going to the Ministry of Magic to look for Shacklebolt now. Since I can't find any useful clues from Slughorn, before the Aurors find out the source of the potion, we should go to the victim. There might be something to discover there."
After saying a few more words, and realizing that Ghost Snape seemed to be so angry with him that he had closed his eyes and didn't even want to look at him, Severus decided not to push his luck and stopped saying things.
Meanwhile, in the real world, Harry, who had been following behind Severus while munching on grapes from his pocket, couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer.
"Professor, how did you know the potion was definitely made by that gentleman?"
Hearing his question, Severus gave an answer that seemed completely unrelated.
"Because Dumbledore asked me to bring him back."
Harry, who was eating grapes, was stunned.
Seeing his confusion, Severus explained further, "Remember that letter I received yesterday at the Leaky Cauldron? It was Dumbledore's invitation for Slughorn to take over my position at Hogwarts. He wanted me to deliver it and persuade that stubborn, fame-seeking old man to return to Hogwarts."
"If everything were normal, this would be an almost impossible task."
"You heard it yourself… Slughorn absolutely refuses to accept becoming my replacement. It would make him a laughingstock behind his back. But while Dumbledore does enjoy being cryptic and has his fair share of eccentric ideas, he never assigns a task that's outright impossible. He must have known something in advance."
"So, what could possibly make Slughorn choose to sacrifice his reputation? The answer is obvious… that vial of Draught of Living Death, a potion not just anyone could brew."
Harry nodded, though only half-understanding.
After all, he is only 9 years old. There were many things he hadn't experienced and many thoughts he hadn't yet considered. This wasn't exactly the best educational case study.
However, like one of those annoying literature teachers assigning reflection essays, Severus pressed further.
"Well then, what insights have you gained from this, Harry?"
Harry hesitated for a moment before answering uncertainly, "Professor, are you saying that when we face problems, we shouldn't lose heart? That if we approach them positively, we can always find a solution?"
Hearing this, Severus burst into laughter.
"No, I'm telling you that whenever you deal with Dumbledore in the future, you'd better keep an extra eye open!"
While Harry stood there, completely stunned, Severus laughed heartily and led him away from the small town.
…
In London, on a grimy street lined with a few dilapidated buildings, a pub, and a wall covered in haphazard graffiti.
Harry and Severus squeezed together into the shabby red telephone booth. Severus then picked up the phone, and dialed the numbers '62442'.
As the rotary dial clicked back into place, a cold, mechanical woman's voice suddenly echoed from above the booth.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
"Severus Snape and Dudley Dursley. We're here to see Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt regarding the investigation into the potion-poisoning case involving Muggles."
Harry stared up in amazement at the ceiling. The other end of the line fell silent for about ten seconds, as if verifying and preparing something, before the voice spoke again.
"Thank you, Professor Snape. Please take your badges and attach them to your clothing. Also, do keep an eye on the child."
Then, there was a clinking sound, and two silver badges tumbled out from the coin return slot.
The two badges had the names of Severus and Dudley on them respectively, and 'Cooperation with Investigation' was written after the names.
They each picked up their own badge and pinned it on their clothes. Then, without warning, the telephone booth began to tremble.
Harry yelped in surprise and subconsciously grabbed the corner of Severus's sleeve, watching in horror as they fell into the ground along with the floor of the telephone booth!
The cold, bureaucratic voice returned with another routine announcement.
"Visitors to the Ministry of Magic, you are required to submit to a security check and register your wand at the security desk, located at the far end of the Atrium."
The descent lasted a full minute, and they finally saw the light again.
A golden glow first illuminated their feet before rapidly expanding, bathing them in radiance as they realized they were now standing in a magnificent, grand hall!
"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day." The female voice droned, oozing workplace apathy.
The telephone booth door swung open abruptly. Severus stepped out first, while Harry, like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time, gaped at his surroundings in awe.
After two or three seconds, he finally reacted and quickly followed after Severus.