The Sunshine of Hogwarts, Snape

After leaving Hogwarts, Severus and the other two didn't go anywhere else. Their entire day's schedule was packed, as the afternoon was reserved for cooperating with the Aurors in the interrogation process for the werewolf case.

At the same time, Aurors had also brought the Granger father and daughter, as well as Lyall, who had already returned home, to the Ministry.

However, for a case like this, where there was little evidence left to add, and Fenrir Greyback was practically guaranteed a life sentence in Azkaban, the testimonies they needed to provide weren't overly critical.

Thus, when the group reunited at the Ministry, the atmosphere in the Auror Office was quite relaxed.

After the interrogation, the real highlight for Severus and Lupin was yet to come.

Both of them had been privately commissioned by the Minister of Magic, acting as an unofficial investigative force outside the Ministry. Now that they had successfully resolved the case, it was time to collect their rightful rewards.

Bagnold had clearly prepared in advance.

As she had initially promised Severus, an employee from the Department of International Magical Cooperation first handed him two certificates of appointment as Ministry Special Envoy.

The certificates were already filled out with his and Harry's information. They would be valid in any country when presented to any magical government, and in places where the British Ministry had stationed personnel, they could even request assistance from the local branch.

Additionally, with the help of the publisher behind The Daily Prophet, Worple's book was now in the process of being printed and distributed. Worple himself had written to Severus just yesterday, excitedly sharing the news.

Finally, regarding the Order of Merlin, the Ministry had submitted the names of Severus, Lyall, and even Granger, who is a Muggle, to the Wizengamot and was awaiting their response.

Severus's own Order of Merlin, Second Class, was practically guaranteed. As for Lyall and Granger, their nominations for the Third Class had been added at Severus's request in a follow-up letter to Bagnold.

For Lyall, this wasn't particularly unusual, but Granger's case was unprecedented, as he's a Muggle receiving the Order of Merlin. Whether it would be approved ultimately depended on the Wizengamot's internal vote.

Beyond that, Bagnold was quite adept at handling people.

She understood that while the werewolf case was closed, Barty Jr. was still at large, and he's a far greater threat than the werewolves.

Severus, as a key figure, was someone she would need to rely on before her term ended.

Thus, in addition to the previously agreed-upon rewards, she had also gone through the Ministry's procedures to grant Severus a bonus… a full thousand Galleons!

For an ordinary wizarding family, this was an enormous sum. Even for someone like Severus, who was far from poor, it wasn't a trivial amount.

Naturally, Severus had no intention of refusing the money.

However, after accepting it, he immediately divided the thousand Galleons into three equal portions. Before leaving the Ministry, he handed one share each to Granger and Lyall.

"Don't refuse. This is the Ministry's reward… it's what you deserve."

"Lyall, save it for Remus's future wedding. As for Robert, in a couple of years when Hermione comes of age, you'll be able to put this money to good use."

He didn't mention the Order of Merlin yet, as the approval process was still underway. Once everything was finalized, the Wizengamot would send them letters.

After hearing Severus's words, neither of them refused further, accepting the unexpected reward.

After leaving the Ministry, they found a pub and celebrated until nightfall. It was then that Severus received an unexpected letter.

The owl that flew into the pub looked very delicate.

Its feathers were meticulously groomed, its posture elegant, and its plumage lustrous… clearly a high-born, expensive messenger.

After delivering a letter sealed with a black, green, and silver emblem bearing a serpent and the motto Toujours Pur (Always Pure), the owl spread its wings and vanished into the night sky.

At the time, Lupin was explaining some magical principles to Hermione, Lyall was drunkenly reminiscing about his late wife to Granger, and Harry was the only one who noticed the letter in Severus's hand.

The moment Severus saw the family crest on the envelope, he couldn't help but smile.

As he opened the letter, he said to Harry, "In a few days, I'll take you to meet another new friend."

Harry couldn't help but turn his head and look at Hermione. He was feeling slightly troubled that all the young magical children he'd met so far were girls.

Not that Luna and Hermione weren't great, but sometimes, only boys could truly share certain kinds of fun.

"Will it be a boy?"

"Of course, he's a boy your age."

Severus skimmed the contents of the letter before tossing both it and the envelope into the pub's fireplace. With a flick of his wand, the papers were reduced to ashes.

"That's great!" Harry exclaimed excitedly… though he didn't yet realize that his excitement might be premature.

After the busyness of that day, the next three or four days passed without much incident.

July 31st was Harry's ninth birthday. Severus and Lupin prepared a cake and gifts, giving Harry a wonderful surprise that day.

For Harry, a boy who had never celebrated a single birthday since being left at the Dursleys, who had never even tasted a birthday cake, this was a memory he would cherish for the rest of his life.

Lupin had prepared a voucher from the Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley, which could be redeemed at any time for a Flying Broomstick of equivalent value or used to offset the cost of a more expensive model. After all, the reward from the Ministry eased his financial pressure.

Severus, on the other hand, gifted him a second-hand copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1… the very same one Ghost Snape had once used, filled with handwritten notes on spellcasting insights.

Both presents delighted Harry greatly.

The day after Harry's birthday, Severus brought them to the gates of a grand, opulent manor in Wiltshire, England.

Staring at the exquisite family crest above the entrance, the knowledgeable Lupin frowned and said.

"The Malfoys?"

"Who else?" Severus replied casually, "You should know… Lucius was my dear senior. Back when he was still at Hogwarts, he was the one who helped me deal with your lot."

Lupin, however, was very cautious.

"I know you two are close, but I still have to say… you'd best be careful around him, especially with Barty Crouch Jr. on the loose. He's not loyal to anyone, only to what serves his interests."

"Don't worry, I understand him far better than you do. Once we're inside, keep your mouth shut and just watch the surroundings. I'm not worried about Lucius trying anything, but I am concerned he might fall for one of Barty's schemes. That rat is cunning."

"What about Harry?" Lupin asked.

Severus merely smiled.

"Harry will have a playmate."

With that, Severus strode toward the wrought-iron gates and pressed the doorbell.

Almost instantly, a house-elf appeared before them.

Its enormous eyes widened at the sight of Severus, and its ears drooped as it bowed deeply.

"M-M-Master Snape! Master is expecting you inside."

The gates swung open, and the house-elf named Dobby led the way, guiding Severus and the others through the sprawling estate.

Harry had never seen such extravagance before. Even the grandeur of the previous Badminton Manor paled in comparison.

With his eyes darting around, he followed closely behind Severus, eavesdropping as Severus and Lupin exchanged hushed words about the Malfoys' secrets.

"…The Malfoys have always drawn a clear line between Muggles… befriending the upper class while scorning the lower. When the International Statute of Secrecy was first enacted, Lucius's ancestors openly opposed it. Rumor has it they couldn't bear to sever their ties with high Muggle society."

"There's such a thing?" Lupin was extremely surprised.

"The Malfoys deny it, of course, but anyone with half a brain knows the truth. Those familiar with pure-blood history are aware that Lucius's great-great grandfather, Malfoy the First once courted Elizabeth I… only to be rejected."

"There's even a legend that he cursed the Queen in retaliation, driving her to reject marriage altogether."

The more he listened, the wider Lupin's eyes opened.

"How do you know all this?"

"Did you think the Dark Lord's followers were a united front?" Severus said with a sneer. "Back then, gossip ran wild. Every pure-blood family has skeletons in their closet… the Malfoys are no exception."

Dobby, who was leading the way, looked ready to stuff his large ears straight into his earholes. He trembled in terror, desperate to avoid hearing things no house-elf should ever know!

As they passed through the gates, a mist-like barrier enveloped them. Beyond it lay a meticulously landscaped garden, complete with fountains and freely roaming white peacocks.

After crossing the vast garden, they entered a grand foyer, then ascended the stairs to an extravagant drawing room.

Inside, Lucius sat alone in an armchair.

When Severus and the others entered, he did not rise. His face remained cold, his voice sharp as he demanded-

"Severus Snape! Have you come to repent for betraying the Dark Lord?"

The moment the words left his lips, over a dozen wizards emerged, wands raised, surrounding Severus and his companions!