Inside the headmaster's office.
A father's furious roar penetrated the thick stone walls, echoing through the long corridors.
The trembling in the air was like suppressed thunder, carrying undeniable rage and anguish.
However, looking at Lucius Malfoy before him, Dumbledore didn't mind his rudeness. Instead, he showed a pleased smile.
"Lucius... would you like a lemon drop?"
Hearing the hidden amusement in Dumbledore's voice, Lucius nearly ground his teeth to powder.
You still have the nerve to smile? If I could beat you, I'd stuff that thing up your nose and see if you breathe through other places!
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his rage. His frost-covered face gradually gained some composure.
"Dumbledore. I'm taking Draco away right now. Hogwarts' teaching philosophy is no longer suitable for the Malfoy family."
"What a pity... Minerva says I can only eat these when entertaining guests. Are you sure you don't want to try?"
Seeing Lucius's livid face, Dumbledore regretfully put the lemon drop back in his drawer. Then he nodded with a smile.
"Listen, Lucius. Hogwarts never restricts students' freedom. But I think you should ask young Mr. Malfoy's opinion. His progress lately has been remarkable."
Progress? What progress? Progress in getting himself killed?
Lucius Malfoy trembled with rage.
But he was too tired to continue this nonsense. Facing this powerful old madman, even Voldemort wouldn't want to say much.
As if engaging in silent confrontation, his deep, indifferent eyes coldly stared at Dumbledore for several seconds before he turned and walked out. His angry steps carried barely perceptible awkwardness.
As the stone wall slowly closed with a dull sound, Dumbledore's smile grew richer.
"What a beautiful day. I can eat two lemon drops now."
In Hogwarts' corridors, excited students were everywhere. Intense discussions about the just-finished match echoed in every corner.
No matter which house's Quidditch team faced Slytherin's crazy, fierce playing style, they were already seven parts defeated in momentum alone. Not to mention those uniform Nimbus 2001s.
Envious sighs rose and fell.
But these words were like piercing blades to Lucius Malfoy.
He couldn't see Slytherin's fierce fearlessness or the Nimbus 2001s' extreme speed.
He only saw his son who wanted to go home. Only saw the little dragon who needed his parents...
Heavy, hurried footsteps sounded particularly harsh in the noisy corridor. Each step was an emotional release.
Passing students couldn't help but glance at Lucius Malfoy.
Just then, chaos erupted.
"Stupefy! Oppugno!"
Under Lucius's shocked gaze, a Gryffindor suddenly launched a sneak attack on a Slytherin. After staggering, the Slytherin student quickly drew his wand and counterattacked.
In just a blink, several more joined the fight. Without exception, all were lions and snakes.
The narrow corridor instantly became their battlefield. Various spell lights crisscrossed wildly.
In the dust-filled vision, thunderous explosions from Blasting Curses continued...
The Ravenclaw students looked used to it, showing no excessive panic. After quickly walking to a safe distance, they naturally gathered in small groups to watch.
The Hufflepuff students even took out various snacks from their bags, excitedly discussing who would win, betting with sweets.
Until someone suddenly shouted: "Professor Snape is coming!"
The battle stopped abruptly.
"Damn snakes, you got lucky! Motherfucker! Next time I'll bash your heads into your chests, damn bitches!"
Middle fingers rose from inside green-lined robes.
The two sides that had been fighting fiercely retreated at amazing speed. The watching students also put away their snacks and dispersed naturally.
In an instant, the noisy corridor returned to quiet.
Only the lingering smoke and pitted walls proved a fierce battle had just occurred.
Though this was a place he'd once attended school, Lucius felt completely unfamiliar. He blinked in confusion until a familiar voice sounded behind him.
"What are you doing here? Hogwarts has no allies for you."
"Severus Snape!"
The usually dignified platinum aristocrat tore away all pretense. He spun around like an out-of-control beast, grabbing Professor Snape's collar tightly. Every word squeezed out through gritted teeth.
"You damn bastard!" His trembling voice mixed with uncontainable heartache. "You just watched Draco go to his death! Are your eyes blind..."
Before he could finish, mysterious power quietly spread through his body.
Under Professor Snape's deep, cold gaze, Lucius's body involuntarily went limp and slid down to the cold floor tiles.
However, his consciousness remained clear.
His gray eyes glared viciously at Snape, overflowing with silent accusation. His struggling lips seemed to continue the unfinished curse.
"Lucius, I told you long ago. Stay away from those idiots, or pure-blood aristocratic stupidity will occupy your barren brain sooner or later."
Any normal wizard wouldn't casually approach a Potions master while showing malice. This was common knowledge.
Snape's eyes lowered slightly, like the deepest pool under a dark night, showing no emotional fluctuation.
Only the slightly upturned ending of his words revealed the mockery behind them.
"Bas... tard... quick..."
Seeing Lucius gradually calm down, Snape casually took out a potion and used a dropper to give the fool lying on the ground one drop of antidote with obvious disgust.
"Cough cough! Cough!"
The platinum aristocrat somewhat awkwardly turned over and stood up, looking at Snape with gritted teeth.
"So..." Professor Snape put away the potion and asked in a ghostly tone, "You came to Hogwarts just to find a more comfortable place to lie down?"
"I came to take Draco home!"
Lucius glared angrily through gritted teeth: "I don't care how that old madman Dumbledore bought you off, Severus Snape. This isn't over!"
To him, Snape as Slytherin's Head of House watching students commit fancy suicide without stopping them was simply dereliction of duty.
Not to mention his son was involved.
"Heh..."
Looking at his aggressive former colleague, Professor Snape actually let out a rare sneer, full of mockery.
"Lucius... this is your weakness. Sooner or later, you'll fall into endless regret because of this weakness."
With that, Snape stepped past Lucius. His low, distant voice echoed in the corridor.
"Go find your son. If he's willing to leave with you..."
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