The Sunshine of Hogwarts, Snape

"George and I have a grand dream!"

"After graduating, we want to open a magical joke shop together in Diagon Alley!"

On their way back to Gringotts, Harry heard the twins' ambitious declaration and couldn't help but admire their enthusiasm.

"You two haven't even started at Hogwarts yet, but you already know so much about all this stuff. I'm sure you'll make it happen!"

His words made Fred and George's faces light up with joy.

"It's rare to find someone who actually gets us! Don't worry, Dudley, we'll scout out Hogwarts for you first!"

After leaving the joke shop, the Weasley twins and Harry looked more like three brothers, while Percy, like an outsider, complained expressionlessly from the side.

"This is a student that Professor Snape has accepted privately. Does he need you two to scout out Hogwarts for him?"

But the twins ignored him. They had long been accustomed to their rule-following, dull older brother.

While Harry happily chatted with the three Weasley brothers about all sorts of fascinating things in the Wizarding World, he suddenly felt an odd sensation… as if someone on the street was watching him.

Harry subconsciously looked in that direction.

A short, bespectacled wizard, who had been glancing his way, flinched when their eyes met and hurriedly walked into a nearby cauldron shop.

This made Harry a little confused.

He was certain this was his first time in Diagon Alley, and before Snape had taken him from the Dursleys, he'd never met a single wizard.

So why did it feel like people were paying attention to him?

But in the end, Harry is just a 9-year-old boy. While the thought puzzled him, he didn't dwell on it for long.

Soon, his attention was drawn by Fred and George's lively conversation, and they returned to the entrance of Gringotts within the time Severus had agreed with them.

When the four of them returned, Severus was already leaning against the door waiting for them.

"It seems like you guys are getting along pretty well?" He asked with a smile.

George exclaimed.

"Can we invite Dudley to the Burrow, Professor Snape? Of course, you're welcomed too. Mum makes the best pies, and Dad will definitely like Dudley, as he's obsessed with Muggle gadgets!"

Harry also looked at Severus with some anticipation. Back at the Dursleys, he'd never had the chance to make friends.

Severus blinked and spread his hands, "How generous of you to include me in the invitation. Don't worry, I will go visit the Burrow with Dudley when we have time. But not now. After we leave Diagon Alley, we still have business to attend to."

Fred shook his head in disappointment, "Oh well."

But soon, he raised his head again and looked at George, then looked at Severus expectantly.

"Can you fulfill your promise now? Tell us, what kind of challenge do first-years have to face during the Sorting Ceremony? We really want to know, Professor Snape!"

Severus pretended to hesitate for a few seconds, then as if he had made a huge decision, he sighed and waved to them.

"Alright, since I did promise… Come a little closer. I can't let others overhear this kind of thing, and you must keep it to yourselves from now on!"

Seeing this scene, Percy looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. It was not until he saw Severus secretly winked at him that he swallowed the words he was about to say.

Fred and George, however, were thrilled.

They were oblivious to Severus's little movements, and eagerly leaned in, causing this former Death Eater, who was well-known in the Wizarding World and now the Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts, to bend down and whisper to them.

Soon, both twins had expressions of surprise on their faces.

George then asked incredulously, "That's it? We don't have to fight a dragon?"

Fred's eyes widened as well.

"So Charlie was lying about people dying during the Sorting Ceremony?"

Severus just looked at them with a smile on his face, "It sounds simple, but only few people can really face their inner selves, right? Remember, don't tell this secret to anyone else."

Ghost Snape heard everything Severus said to the twins, and he remarked coldly, [A childish trick.]

The two boys, who had come to their senses, could not hear these words at all. They patted their chests and made a promise.

"We'll definitely keep our word, Professor!"

"Alright, it's time to say goodbye. It's getting dark, so you should go find your mother now." Severus patted Harry's shoulder, indicating that he should say goodbye too.

"Goodbye George, Fred and Percy." Harry said, waving to them reluctantly.

The twins stepped forward and high-fived him.

"Goodbye, Dudley! You're welcome to come to the Burrow anytime!"

Percy also bowed solemnly to Severus and said goodbye.

"See you at Hogwarts, Professor Snape."

Severus didn't say much in response. He simply smiled and bid farewell to the three Weasley brothers, watching until they disappeared at the far end of Diagon Alley.

Afterward, Severus took Harry to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to buy him two sets of wizard robes, then to a sweetshop for a pile of sickeningly sugary treats, and finally to Scribbulus Writing Implements for some stationery.

They finally returned to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner before heading back to their inn room to rest.

Lying on the bed that was so soft that he could sink into it, Harry still felt as though the entire day had been a dream, as it was utterly surreal.

Just that morning, Petunia had accused him of stealing cake from the fridge, yet by the afternoon, he had stepped into a magical shopping street, enjoyed two lavish meals, used his teacher's pocket money to buy ice cream, and made three new friends from a wizarding family!

He stole a glance at Severus, who was sleeping in the other bed, his feelings toward his teacher-turned-enemy-turned-guardian now deeply complicated.

In that rainy alley, he had been terrifying, just like the dark wizard he had described himself as!

But after officially taking Harry as his student, he had become as warm and kind as the father Harry sometimes dreamed of… gentle and friendly, able to handle anything and everyone with ease, and sincere and bright.

'And what about the future?'

'Traveling with Professor to all sorts of places, meeting more new friends, and then heading to Hogwarts to study?'

'The future really is wonderful...'

With that thought, drowsiness gradually washed over Harry, pulling him into a peaceful slumber.

…

The sky after rain was always exceptionally clear and bright.

Even in London, which was famously called 'The Big Smoke' during the Industrial Revolution, the long-term environmental improvements now allowed glimpses of a blue sky at this time of year.

Early in the morning, Severus woke Harry up, and once they were ready, they gathered their belongings and set out again.

At King's Cross Station, they boarded another train. After nearly a whole morning of travel, they finally disembarked at a small town Harry had never heard of before.

Severus strode ahead as usual, while Harry carried his new clothes and a few belongings, keeping pace beside him.

At this point, Harry finally couldn't help but ask, "Professor, what are we doing here?"

"Looking for my former teacher, the retired Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts." Severus replied.

"Are you here to visit him?" Harry asked curiously.

"It's not just a visit…" Severus said, showing Harry the sweets he had specifically bought in Diagon Alley the day before, "We're also here to convince him to come out of retirement."

"Come out of retirement?"

"After I leave Hogwarts, someone will need to take over as Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin House. The Potions Professor's position isn't too difficult, as you don't have to be a Potions Master to teach those students, but the Head of Slytherin House is another matter. Those little snakes won't easily submit to just any ordinary wizard."

As he spoke, Severus had already brought Harry to the secluded woods outside the Muggle town, where there was a beautiful and quiet courtyard.

"So, Dumbledore has given us a new task… to invite the former Head of Slytherin House, Horace Slughorn, back to Hogwarts to take my place."