After saying everything he needed to say…
Weiss noticed that Snape had no interest in chatting further.
Taking the hint, he excused himself.
After all, he had far more important work to do.
Editing.
Formatting.
Publishing.
The next issue of Magical Research was destined to shake the entire wizarding world.
After Weiss left, Snape returned to his office.
He took out a sheet of parchment and a quill.
Then began writing a reply to Charlie.
Charlie, I’ll gather the books you’ve requested.
However, there’s something I need to discuss with you first.
A journal wishes to publish excerpts from your manuscript.
…
After finishing the letter, Snape hesitated for quite some time.
In the end…
He still handed it to an owl for delivery.
Then he packed up his things and headed for the library.
The books Charlie wanted…
Were anything but easy to find.
They were all ancient, obscure volumes covering highly specialized branches of magic.
A few days later…
Charlie received Snape’s letter at the orphanage.
He frowned slightly.
Then his expression relaxed.
They want to publish excerpts from my manuscript…
It might even cause a sensation throughout the wizarding world?
And they’re willing to pay me?
They’ve also kept my identity anonymous.
What a bunch of fanatics devoted to magical research.
Fortunately…
Everything Charlie had given Snape was only a simplified version.
The truly complete techniques still existed only in his own mind.
He didn’t think much of it.
After all…
It was merely a rough draft of one of his cultivation methods.
There were still countless flaws that needed improvement.
And that’s already enough to shock the wizarding world?
Still…
The payment caught his attention.
It wasn’t the amount that interested him.
Rather…
If there was payment, it would almost certainly pass through Snape first.
Which meant…
He would finally have a perfectly reasonable excuse to ask Snape to take him to Gringotts in Diagon Alley.
After all…
The reward probably wouldn’t be small.
It certainly wasn’t something that would simply be carried around in cash.
Most likely, it would be deposited in Gringotts.
Diagon Alley…
Was somewhere Charlie had wanted to visit for a long time.
Besides…
His parents should have left behind an inheritance there.
Though…
Now that Harry existed, the inheritance would naturally be split between the two brothers.
Thinking of Harry…
Charlie fell silent.
He hadn’t seen his troublesome little brother in years.
There was simply no practical way to visit him.
Traveling that far on his own wasn’t realistic.
If he disappeared from the orphanage for too long…
The staff would panic.
I’ll visit him when I get the chance.
Life at his aunt’s house can’t have been easy.
Images of his aunt’s family surfaced in Charlie’s mind.
He couldn’t help shaking his head.
Feeling a little sorry for Harry.
A week later…
Every major faction in the wizarding world convened emergency meetings.
Deep beneath Whitehall in London…
Inside the Ministry of Magic.
The senior conference chamber.
The Minister for Magic sat at the head of the table, holding a freshly printed issue of Magical Research.
A pleased smile appeared on his face.
“You’ve all read this issue of Magical Research, haven’t you?” The officials below all nodded.
“Yes.” “We’ve tested the method ourselves.” “It works exactly as described.” “Does anyone know who authored this research?” One official immediately answered.
“According to reliable information…” “The material originated from Hogwarts Professor Severus Snape.” The Minister nodded.
“Assign a research team immediately.” “Analyze these theories.” “Develop a standardized training system that can be widely implemented.” One official wore a troubled expression.
“What’s wrong?” “Is there some difficulty?” The Minister asked.
The official bowed slightly.
“Minister…” “The situation is somewhat unusual.” “We’ve already visited Professor Snape at Hogwarts.” “He told us this is all the information he possesses.” “And…” “He implied that the true creator of the breakthrough wasn’t him.” “We also questioned Professor Dumbledore.” “He appeared genuinely surprised and claimed to know nothing about it.” “So…” “We’re unlikely to fulfill your request quickly.” “At best, we can produce a simplified version.” The Minister frowned.
“So…” “It wasn’t Snape?” “Nor Dumbledore?” “There’s someone else?” Among the wizarding world’s great scholars…
There were only so many names.
Who else could it possibly be?
“Very well.” “A simplified version will have to do.” “It’s still a remarkable achievement.” “At the same time…” “Continue investigating the identity of this mysterious researcher.” “If the opportunity arises…” “I’d like to visit them personally.” The officials exchanged bewildered glances.
Besides their astonishment…
They were filled with curiosity.
Who exactly was this mysterious master?
Meanwhile…
Inside a meeting room at Hogwarts…
An elderly wizard with a long white beard paced back and forth while reading the same journal.
“Wonderful!” “Simply wonderful!” “So it can be done this way?” “This is nothing less than a milestone in the history of Defense Against the Dark Arts.” “No wonder the Ministry rushed here asking me about it.” He paused thoughtfully.
“…This doesn’t feel like Snape’s style of research.” The old wizard was none other than Albus Dumbledore.
His expression shifted constantly.
Admiration.
Confusion.
Surprise.
“Mm…” “I’ll have to speak with Professor Snape.” “I’d very much like to know…” “Who came up with such a brilliant idea?” “This method of magical cultivation…” “It’s truly extraordinary.” After speaking…
Dumbledore straightened his robes and walked out of the meeting room.
“Albus!” “Where are you going?
I needed to speak with you.” The moment he stepped outside…
He encountered Professor McGonagall hurrying toward him, newspaper in hand.
“Oh, Professor McGonagall.” “I’m afraid I don’t have time today.” Dumbledore shrugged.
Without waiting for her reply…
He walked directly toward Snape’s office.
McGonagall stood there in stunned silence.
She looked down at the copy of Magical Research in her hands.
“I hadn’t even finished speaking.” “And he’s already run off.” “How incredibly rude.”