"Even if you send people after him, it's unlikely you'll catch him now."
Severus waved his hand dismissively.
"If he had contacted those werewolves long ago, it means he's already established connections outside. He wouldn't have waited until today to make his move. Since they chose to act now, it means they've prepared thoroughly… they won't let you find him."
Scrimgeour knew Severus's words made sense, but even if there was only a sliver of hope, he had to send Aurors to try.
Because if Barty Jr. truly escaped, the British Wizarding World would soon be thrown into panic!
This wasn't just another Dark Mark incident.
Barty Jr. was already infamous at a young age, he's a ruthless, vicious Death Eater.
Before his arrest, he and the Lestranges had tortured the Longbottoms into insanity with the Cruciatus Curse!
And it was his own father, Barty Sr., who had presided over the Wizengamot trial and sentenced him to life in Azkaban.
The scandal had caused an uproar at the time, with repercussions so severe that it even altered the next Minister of Magic's selection.
And now, this very same Death Eater had escaped from a prison that had held its inmates for over two centuries without a single breakout… and it was his own father who had helped him out!
With something like this happening, the Ministry couldn't even suppress the media from reporting it.
From the moment the Dark Mark had appeared, it was clear that Barty Jr. and his group had no intention of lying low. So sooner or later, the public would learn the truth.
But if they didn't keep it under wraps, Scrimgeour could already imagine the uproar this would cause in the Wizarding World.
"Mr. Snape, you have any other findings you can share with us?"
At this point, Scrimgeour couldn't help but lower his voice and ask Severus.
This submissive attitude was something no one would have dared dream of in the past!
After all, this hardline Head of the Auror Office had always been hostile and suspicious toward wizards with questionable backgrounds.
Kingsley, however, wasn't surprised. He knew his superior well enough.
Though Scrimgeour was often stubborn and unwilling to listen to others, his stance against Death Eaters and Dark wizards was unquestionable.
Severus, however, couldn't care less about his principles. His expression remained sour.
If the Aurors had been even slightly competent, his preparations tonight would have resolved everything cleanly.
But now, Barty Jr. had escaped with his followers, and while this didn't affect Severus personally, Harry, Hermione, and Lupin were still in the hands of those werewolves!
"More findings? Do you think I'm some kind of grand seer? There's nothing else!" He turned and went downstairs, "You've already wasted the best chance we had. Figure it out yourselves from now on… I'm done here!"
He had barely taken two steps down the stairs before suddenly stopping and glancing back at Scrimgeour. Then, he said, "Now that your internal issues have been resolved, if you're sending people to investigate those werewolves, don't send me any idiots!"
After saying that, Severus left without looking back.
Only a silent Scrimgeour and a sighing Kingsley remained behind.
With Barty Jr. gone, Severus now had to focus on working with Lyall and Granger to rescue the children taken by the werewolves.
He didn't have time to waste with the Aurors here.
But in a way, Barty Jr. gathering his forces wasn't entirely a bad thing. Before Voldemort's return, these people would never become a true threat.
If they were impatient enough to reveal themselves now, they'd only be dealt with sooner.
He just wondered if Lucius and the other scheming bastards will be lured into the trap by them?
Of course, all of this hinged on one condition… Harry couldn't actually fall into their hands.
The best news right now is that those people still don't know Harry Potter has been captured by them… and Harry is still with Lupin.
Severus knew that it is impossible for Lupin not to recognize the son of his best friend.
Severus stroked his chin, deep in thought, as he borrowed a broomstick from a nearby Auror. After using Apparation to go to the nearest point to the Isle of Man, he mounted the broom and set off to regroup with Lyall and Granger.
[You've cast so many Dark magic today… Have you noticed anything off about your magic?]
Just as Severus was on his way, Ghost Snape suddenly spoke up.
This surprised Severus a little. After all, it was rare to see this old greasy guy actually take the initiative to care about him.
'It's still the same lack of fluidity. Didn't you say that if I used the spells enough, the problem would go away?'
[That was my initial assessment,] Ghost Snape said coolly, [But after observing your spellcasting today, especially with Dark magic, I've noticed something new.]
This immediately sharpened Severus's focus. He had always taken his magical prowess seriously.
Being able to drag Harry around and stand against hardcore Death Eaters like Barty Jr. relied entirely on strength.
But magic wasn't something one could improve overnight… it depended almost entirely on innate talent.
Right now, while Severus's abilities were already formidable, he had more or less hit his ceiling.
He couldn't match top-tier powerhouses like Dumbledore or Voldemort, but among Hogwarts' professors and first-tier Death Eaters like Bellatrix and Barty Jr., he was undoubtedly one of the best.
If he could push his magic even further, he might just stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the noseless freak and the old bee himself!
[I had assumed you'd fully assimilated everything from me… spells, potions, Dark magic, and so on. But watching you today made me realize you're still in an adjustment period.]
There was an uncharacteristic seriousness in Ghost Snape's voice.
'An adjustment period? You mean, my current level hasn't reached your true peak yet?' Severus asked in confusion.
[No, it's not the adjustment period you need to adapt to me, but the adjustment period your own soul needs to adapt to magic.] Ghost Snape said calmly, [Magic stems from a wizard's mind. Things like wands and Patronus Charms vary from person to person. Other spells may not show such obvious differences, but there are still subtle distinctions in how each individual casts them.]
[Your mindset is clearly different from mine, yet your spellcasting techniques and instincts are still based on my own experiences. This means your magic should be capable of greater power, but right now, it's being held back.]
Severus understood what Ghost Snape meant.
The logic was simple… he had reached the original Severus Snape's limits but hadn't yet tapped into his own true potential as the new Severus Snape!
For once, instead of bickering with Ghost Snape, Severus humbly asked, 'So, how do I adjust in the right direction?'
Ghost Snape also dropped his usual sarcasm. After witnessing Severus's confrontation with Barty Jr. today, his attitude had clearly shifted.
He answered plainly, [First, you need a new wand.]