bioinnovel Chapter 216 Meeting the Enemy
Chapter 216 Meeting the Enemy
Chapter 216 Meeting the Enemy
In the script that Belvina had prepared in advance, Harry's role was originally not included.
The fear is that Harry might act impulsively and recklessly approach Sirius, causing the butterfly effect to occur.
What's even more frightening is that Dog Dad and his eldest son hit it off and, together, become Gryffindor idea geniuses, completely ruining the entire plan.
Unexpectedly, Harry approached him privately to request a meeting before Sirius "left," rather than risking sneaking into the West Tower for a clandestine encounter.
Since that's the case, Belvina wouldn't mind going along with it and doing him a favor. It would not only benefit Dog Dad and his eldest son, but it might also add an extra layer of insurance to the plan. Why not?
After seeing off Harry, who was hot-headed but not completely feverish, Belvina looked up at the ceiling of the corridor, lost in thought.
The empty pupils seemed to possess a magical power that could pierce through layers of floorboards.
After a moment, Belvina withdrew her gaze, secretly praying that Sirius would remain rational and control his emotions, cooperate in finishing the play, and not do anything out of line, especially when facing Snape.
Based on Belvina's understanding of Snape, it's impossible for the vengeful Snape to remain indifferent after Sirius Black was arrested by the Ministry of Magic and temporarily imprisoned in the West Tower.
Even kicking someone while they were down was considered Snape's great mercy.
On the bright side, Snape might have just gone to Sirius's house to humiliate him, to vent his pent-up hatred of the past ten or twenty years, and to unleash his resentment towards him.
If we consider the worst-case scenario, Snape might have deliberately set a trap to provoke and induce Sirius to suddenly attack someone.
Then, under the pretext of self-defense, Sirius Black was killed on the spot.
Snape had the reason and the ability to do so; the key was whether he wanted to do it and whether Sirius could detect it in time and see through the trap.
With that thought in mind, Belvina strode towards the headmaster's office. She needed to intercept the vengeful Snape there and, at the same time, fulfill Harry's request for a meeting.
However, Belvina underestimated Snape's determination for revenge. He never intended to go after Dumbledore; instead, he chose to bypass the headmaster and head straight for the West Tower where Sirius Black was imprisoned.
The West Tower, as the name suggests, is a tower located on the west side of the castle. It can be reached via a corridor on the fourth floor, and the top of the tower is an owl hut.
Dressed in black, Snape strode through the corridor, his clothes billowing and fluttering like a ground bat gliding along the ground.
Snape couldn't wait to see Sirius Black, to catch up with his old friend and have a good chat.
Snape's eagerness was evident in the fact that he didn't even send the first and second year students back to Slytherin.
Snape didn't go to Dumbledore either, because he knew very well that the headmaster wouldn't allow him to meet with Sirius alone.
Therefore, without saying goodbye to anyone, Snape rushed straight to the fourth-floor corridor, wanting to enter the West Tower and meet Sirius before anyone noticed him.
At the end of the corridor on the fourth floor of the castle, two members of the law enforcement team stood on either side, guarding the entrance to the west tower.
Both guards saw Snape, exchanged a glance, and neither uttered a warning.
The professors who were driven away from Hogwarts were allowed to walk over step by step.
Only when Snape got close did the two team members raise their arms to slightly block him.
"Dumbledore sent me with a few questions he'd like to ask Sirius Black privately," Snape said arrogantly, as if he didn't take the law enforcement team seriously at all.
Hearing that it was Dumbledore's order, the two law enforcement officers, without suspicion, let him pass. They neither asked Snape to show the order nor had anyone verify it.
With an arrogant expression, Snape stepped over the threshold and walked up a narrow, spiral staircase.
The staircase leading to the upper floors of the tower wasn't very long. Snape encountered three checks by the law enforcement team along the way, but each time he looked down on them and used Dumbledore's orders as his pass, allowing him to reach Sirius Black's cell without hindrance.
Two other people blocked Snape's way at the door: one was a strong, short-haired Auror, and the other was a tall, thin young man.
John Dexter and Felix Ferguson stood in the doorway, their eyes fixed on the stairwell and on Snape as he walked up the stairs.
"Professor Snape," said Dexter politely, "this is where Sirius Black is imprisoned."
“I know that perfectly well,” Snape interrupted Drax rudely. “Professor Dumbledore sent me. Do you think I wanted to be in the same room as a murderer?”
"Alright, since it's Dumbledore's order—" Drax said, making way for Snape to walk over.
Delilah had no doubts; he didn't think the Headmaster of Slytherin would falsely convey the Headmaster's orders.
Although Aurora moved aside, the young Felix stood rooted to the spot, not only refusing to give way but also raising his arm to block Snape.
"Professor Snape, please show me Professor Dumbledore's order," Felix said expressionlessly. "Sirius Black is a wanted criminal by the Ministry of Magic. I hope Professor Snape understands."
"Get out of the way," Snape said coldly.
"I'm afraid that won't work." Felix remained blocking the stairs. "It's my duty, Professor Snape, please understand."
Instead of backing down, Snape pressed on, demanding, "Are you questioning me? Or are you questioning Professor Dumbledore?"
"This is a matter of great importance and a matter of duty. I hope Professor Snape understands." Felix stood firm.
The taciturn Dexter glanced at Felix, who was blocking his way, and then at Snape.
For a moment, Dolicho couldn't understand why Felix was so determined to stop Snape. Was it just because Belvina and Snape didn't get along?
There's no need for that. Even if Felix was promoted by Belvina and carries the "Black" label, there's no need to offend a Hogwarts professor for the sake of a prisoner.
"Get out of my way. I'll say this one last time," Snape said coldly. "If you want orders, go and verify with Professor Dumbledore."
"I'm sorry, Professor Snape," Felix said resolutely, blocking the way. "Unless it's time for the shift to change,..."
Otherwise, I wouldn't have left the doorway even a fraction of an inch.
Seeing that Snape and Felix were arguing, Dexter quickly stepped in to smooth things over and prevent the two from completely falling out.
Delilah said, "Felix, Professor Snape has taught at Hogwarts for many years and is the Head of Slytherin. If he's in such a hurry to see Black, it must be something important."
Then, Dexter said to Snape, "Professor, Felix is also doing his duty, please understand. It's not easy for us either, if Black escapes again—"
Snape interrupted Dolittle again, saying, "You think I'd let Black go, let a damn murderer go!"
"Of course not!" Delis denied it outright. He wasn't going to take the blame. "How about this, I'll go in with the professor. If they ask any questions, I'll have an explanation."
"John!" Felix cried urgently. "Boo-yi-yi! Snape must not be allowed near Sirius Black, that's Miss Black's instruction."
"Alright, Felix," Dexter interrupted Felix rudely. "Black may be powerful, but with Professor Snape and me here, there won't be any problems."
As he spoke, Dexter subtly waved his hand, signaling to Felix that instead of getting entangled with Snape here, he should hurry up and get reinforcements.
Although he was unaware of the intricacies between Black and Snape, and didn't care to know, Dexter simply chose to resolve the issue in his own way, striving to avoid offending either side.
"This way, Professor Snape," Drax continued, "Felix is young and lacks flexibility, but he's just trying to do his job well."
Dexter led Snape to the door, took out his wand and gently knocked on the lock. After a series of rattling sounds, the door clicked open.
While Snape was in the room, Dexter subtly waved to Felix again, signaling the young captain of the law enforcement team to get moving and get to work.
Snape pushed open the door and entered the room.
The room where Sirius was imprisoned was very simple, with bare stone walls on all four sides, dirty windowpanes, and a fire burning in a rough and ugly fireplace.
Sirius sat in the only chair in the room, his wrists and ankles adorned with heavy braces, firmly nailed to the stone wall by a thick iron nail.
Hearing the door open, Sirius raised his head to look at the person who came in, a mocking smile creeping onto his lips.
"Oh, what a small world! We meet again, you snotty-nosed brat," Sirius Black said sarcastically. "I can't believe someone like you can teach at Hogwarts. What a disgrace!"
"The world is indeed small, Black." Snape's eyes gleamed with fervor. "The cells in Azkaban must be even smaller. I'd love to see how your old friends will welcome you back."
Upon hearing this, Sirius couldn't help but shudder; even the bravest person wouldn't want to face a Dementor.
The last man, Delilah, locked the door again and leaned quietly against the rough wall, neither listening, looking, nor speaking. "I suppose Azkaban will welcome back the escaped prisoners tonight," Snape continued. "No, maybe two more prisoners will come, the prisoners who sheltered Sirius Black."
"Snotty-nosed brat, you're still as stupid and self-important as ever," Sirius laughed loudly. "Do you use your snotty sleeves when you're teaching your students?"
A flicker of color crossed Snape's sallow face. He said coldly, "I hope you'll say the same thing to the Dementors when you see them. Do you think they'll give you a little kiss?"
Sirius's pale face lost its last trace of color. He said, "I will never go back to Azkaban. That's where you should be. You'll see many old friends there, real old friends."
"Not returning to Azkaban is not up to you, Black." Snape grinned, a hideous, fanatical smile spreading across his face. "I've waited far too long for this day."
"Then you can keep waiting, you idiot," Sirius said dismissively.
Snape stepped forward and stared intently at Little Star.
"Actually, I really hope you can escape from here, so I can catch you myself."