Someone’s looking for me?
Charlie was puzzled.
That shouldn’t be possible…
“I’m coming.” He set down his pen and walked outside.
The moment he stepped through the door, a familiar figure came into view.
Tall and slender.
Deep, penetrating eyes.
A long black robe.
It was Severus Snape.
Their eyes met.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Charlie was filled with confusion.
He had never expected Snape to come looking for him.
After all, only a few days earlier, Snape had sent him a thousand-word letter criticizing him from beginning to end.
Given Snape’s pride, he should have been the last person to come here.
As for Snape…
His expression was unusually complicated.
It looked as though he were struggling with something.
This time, he had brought Charlie a new collection of magical books.
They were exactly the advanced texts Charlie had requested in his letter.
Originally, Snape had no intention of helping.
Charlie’s letter had struck him as presumptuous and disrespectful.
But after discovering that Charlie’s magical theories and corrections to his notes were completely accurate…
Snape’s entire worldview had been overturned.
It was simply unbelievable.
A ten-year-old child.
One who hadn’t even entered Hogwarts.
After reading only a handful of magical books and personal notes…
And apparently for only a single day…
Had developed such profound understanding and insight.
From that moment onward…
Snape’s opinion of Charlie changed completely.
He had personally searched for all the books Charlie wanted.
After thinking it over countless times…
He had decided to deliver them himself.
For someone as proud as Snape…
The only person who had ever made him do something like this…
Had been Charlie’s mother, Lily.
“…You read that letter?” Snape suddenly asked.
“I did.” Charlie nodded with a smile.
A faint flush appeared on Snape’s face.
He felt embarrassed.
His cheeks burned.
“Ahem…” “I acted too rashly.” “I never truly examined your ideas or tested your theories.” “But afterward…” “I looked into them carefully.” “And I verified them myself.” “You were right.” “It’s difficult to believe…” “Please forgive my recklessness.” His final sentence was spoken quietly.
But with complete sincerity.
At this moment…
Snape no longer regarded Charlie as merely a gifted child.
He was Lily’s son.
A wizard blessed by heaven.
“Oh, it’s fine.” “I was actually about to write you another letter.” “I’d only just started when you showed up.” “So this is quite a pleasant surprise.” Charlie replied casually.
As though he had never taken the criticism to heart.
Snape raised an eyebrow.
He was planning to write to me?
The child hadn’t held a grudge at all.
Merlin…
What have I done?
I actually said such vicious things to a child this kind.
I’m a complete fool…
Regret flooded Snape.
It felt as though he had committed an unforgivable mistake.
If Charlie hadn’t been standing in front of him…
He probably would have started tearing at his own hair in frustration.
“Charlie…” “You truly are an extraordinary child.” “It’s difficult not to like you.” “I sincerely apologize.” “For my rashness…” “And for failing to appreciate your generosity.” Snape spoke earnestly.
Charlie was slightly taken aback.
This old man…
He always wears that stern expression…
But he’s honestly a very genuine person.
Now I’m starting to feel embarrassed instead.
“Professor Snape…” “I doubt you came all this way just to tell me that.” Charlie broke the awkward silence.
“Ah…
right.” Snape snapped back to reality.
“I brought you the books you requested.” “They’re considerably more advanced than the previous ones.” “They should keep you occupied for quite some time.” “I don’t know exactly how much you’ve already mastered…” “But when it comes to practical spellcasting…” “I’d recommend waiting until you officially enter Hogwarts.” “Without proper equipment and supervision…” “It could be dangerous.” “I hope you’ll focus on theory for now.” “Build a solid foundation first.” Snape offered his advice.
The two of them then found a nearby café and sat down.
Snape began telling Charlie about Hogwarts.
He explained that Charlie would receive his acceptance letter in about a year.
He talked about life at Hogwarts.
Important rules.
The structure of the wizarding world.
The various organizations.
And many of the taboos that existed within magical society.
They talked for a very long time.
Charlie listened attentively.
Although he already possessed a general understanding from his previous life…
Hearing it explained firsthand by Snape was completely different.
It gave him a much clearer picture of the current wizarding world’s structure.
As for Charlie’s own background…
Snape never brought it up.
Charlie didn’t ask either.
Some things were better left unsaid.
After all…
He couldn’t exactly say, “I remember that night.” “Uncle Snape, you came into our house…” “And in your grief and rage…” “You almost threw my dear little brother Harry to the ground.” Time passed quickly.
The two of them chatted pleasantly.
Snape’s impression of Charlie became better and better.
He couldn’t help thinking that Lily truly had given birth to an exceptional son.
Compared to Harry…
Charlie seemed far more outstanding.
As they prepared to part ways…
Snape hesitated for a moment.
Then he pulled a notebook from inside his robe.
“Charlie…” “I’ve run into several magical problems over the past few years.” “I still haven’t found any solutions.” “If you have the time…” “You can take a look at them.” Merlin…
I actually handed this to Charlie.
The thought flashed through Snape’s mind the instant he spoke.
The problems were real.
They had troubled him for years.
Yet for some inexplicable reason…
Snape felt that Charlie might actually be able to help.
Forget it.
I’ve already taken it out.
He can look through it.
At the very least…
He might learn something from it.
As for actually solving the problems…
That was practically impossible.
Charlie accepted the notebook and nodded.
He didn’t think much of it.
The two said their goodbyes.
Before leaving…
Snape made Charlie a promise.
“If you ever run into any problems…” “Come to me.” “Whether it’s magic…” “Or anything else.”