The Sunshine of Hogwarts, Snape

Horace Slughorn, the renowned wizard of the British Wizarding Community, a socialite who navigated high society with ease, and a celebrated Potions Master, had not attended or hosted a single party in over a week.

His mood had been rather lackluster lately.

A week ago, he had spent three days turning his entire house upside down in search of something, followed by two days leveraging his vast network of connections to gather information.

Now, he was sitting in his home, tugging at his hair in frustration.

And then, on this particularly clear and pleasant day, which is a stark contrast to the gloom of yesterday, the gate of his old home was knocked upon by two unexpected visitors.

As one of the oldest wizarding families in Britain, the Slughorn Family naturally has house-elves inherited from the past.

The house-elf, named Laka, quickly ushered the two guests inside after they rang the doorbell and promptly informed his master.

"Severus Snape?" Slughorn was startled upon hearing the name.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten his former student. Not only because Severus had succeeded him in all his positions and become the new generation's Potions Master, but also because of the deeply unsettling identity he had held a decade ago!

But Slughorn, reclining in his plush armchair, merely muttered a few words to himself, "What is he doing here?", "We haven't been in touch for many years?", "He didn't even come to the party when I invited him", before instructing Laka to bring the two guests in in.

Regardless of Severus's past affiliations, Dumbledore had vouched for him during the high-profile trials following the disappearance of that man.

Slughorn had never doubted Dumbledore's judgment.

If Dumbledore believed Severus was trustworthy, then Slughorn had no reason to question it.

Soon, his former student, whom he hadn't properly seen in six or seven years, was led into the manor by the house-elf, accompanied by a boy who looked no older than ten.

The moment Slughorn laid eyes on Severus, he was stunned.

Though his memories from a decade ago had grown somewhat hazy, Severus's image had still appeared occasionally in the newspapers and magazines of the Wizarding World over the years.

He had always been that gloomy, aloof figure who barely took care of himself, perpetually draped in black robes.

But what was this Severus now?

Who could have imagined a Severus Snape with his hair tied back in a neat ponytail, dressed in clean and tidy robes, wearing a warm smile, and exuding an air of clarity in his eyes?

If not for the fact that his face remained unmistakably the same, Slughorn might have mistaken him for a younger version of Dumbledore based on his demeanor alone!

"Professor Slughorn!"

Severus took the initiative to greet this old professor, whom he hadn't spoken to in many years.

"It's been a long time since we last met. I'm glad to see that you're still as energetic as ever. It seems that time has not left any trace on you!"

After hearing this, Slughorn's expression turned as if he'd seen a ghost!

No… even seeing an actual ghost wouldn't have shocked him this much.

"Who are you?!"

Slughorn stood up from the recliner nervously, and even touched the wand that was originally placed on the coffee table with his right hand.

His behavior as if he was facing a formidable enemy made the loyal house-elf Laka beside him become alert as well.

Harry, who had originally focused his attention on Lakka and was looking at this humanoid creature he had never seen before curiously, was also startled. He flinched and instinctively took a step back, half-hiding behind Severus.

Severus was momentarily at a loss for words. He blinked, then let out an amused chuckle as he met Slughorn's wary gaze.

"Professor, I am Severus Snape."

'You, acting like this, are no Severus Snape!'

Slughorn's face darkened, his displeasure now unmistakable.

"Enough with the games, Albus! I know it's you! You're far too old for such childish pranks… this isn't funny in the slightest!"

Severus had no idea how Slughorn had mistaken him for Dumbledore, but he knew that he had to find a way to prove his identity.

Fortunately, proving that he was indeed himself wasn't difficult at all.

Snape is a master of Occlumency, and even someone as formidable as Voldemort had been unable to penetrate his mind.

Moreover, his years of working with potions meant he possessed a depth of knowledge shared by only a handful in the Wizarding World.

After briefly recounting a few private conversations they'd had during his school days and examining a cauldron left in the corner of the room, then correctly deducing that Slughorn had last used it to brew a Draught of Peace, Severus finally convinced Slughorn that the man standing before him, who bore almost no resemblance to the Snape he remembered, was indeed Severus Snape!

"Unbelievable! You... utterly unbelievable! What on earth could cause such a drastic change in a person?!"

Slughorn looked at Severus with astonishment, his gaze sweeping over him like a searchlight from head to toe.

If this transformation had happened overnight, it would have been impossible to explain, as even acting couldn't achieve such a shift.

That was why Severus had never intended to deceive Dumbledore in the first place. In fact, the core of Severus Snape had fundamentally changed.

But for Slughorn, who hadn't been in contact with his former student in years, such a change could be explained by the passage of time.

"As long as you are a human being, you will always change." Severus said calmly, "Especially after what happened eight years ago. She died in that tragedy... It was from that moment I began to move on from the person I used to be."

Ghost Snape, who was inside his body and had been silently watching with cold amusement at his counterpart's earlier awkwardness, now glared with a murderous intensity.

And because what Severus said was too obscure, Harry, who had taken a seat beside him on the sofa, didn't understand what his teacher was talking about.

But Slughorn clearly understood.

He had always favored talented young students, and among the students in the same grade as Severus, no one had shone brighter than that girl.

At the mention of her, a shadow of sorrow flickered across Slughorn's face.

But soon, Slughorn adjusted his mood, took the black tea handed over by Laka, and saw the gift that Severus had brought specially-

A large box filled with an assortment of magical sweets.

Yes, just like Dumbledore, Slughorn was an absolute devotee of all things sweet.

"This change suits you well."

Slughorn remarked cheerfully, "I still remember my shock when I first learned that you were employed at Hogwarts. It's hard to imagine that you were only 21 years old at that time, three years after graduation! Even now, you are only 29 years old, and I heard that you have led Slytherin to win the House Cup and Quidditch Cup for four consecutive years!"

"But why, after all this time, have you never responded to any of my invitations to my gatherings?" Slughorn suddenly changed the subject.

To this, Severus answered with practiced sincerity.

"At that time, I devoted myself entirely into teaching at school and researching potions. I couldn't afford to divert my attention elsewhere. I'm sure you understand, Professor."

Slughorn accepted this 'heartfelt' explanation, while Ghost Snape inside sneered at Severus's effortless lies.

The former Head of Slytherin House was sitting on a recliner, smiling relaxedly as he took a sip of the black tea in his cup.

"Of course I can understand that, Severus. When I was young and had just arrived at Hogwarts, I was even more single-minded than you."

As he said this, he turned his gaze to Harry, who was sitting quietly beside Severus.

There was something oddly familiar about the black-haired boy, especially those eyes, but Slughorn couldn't spot the legendary lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

"And this is..."

"A friend's child. He hasn't reached Hogwarts age yet, so I'm taking him around to broaden his horizons."

"What's his surname?" Slughorn asked casually between sips of tea.

"Dursley. Dudley Dursley." This time, it was Harry who took the initiative to say his pseudonym.

Hearing the unfamiliar name, Slughorn's expression didn't change, but it was obvious that he had lost interest in Harry.

He turned back to Snape, and the two fell into easy conversation.

They had much to discuss-

From various studies on potions, to the recent discovery of some rare materials, then to the interesting things that happened in Hogwarts, and then to the various educational reforms taken by the Ministry of Magic in recent years.

Finally, Severus noticed the faint melancholy in Slughorn's eyes when he talked about the many wizards who had graduated from Hogwarts in recent years and how many of them no longer recognized him.

"Professor, if you returned to teach at Hogwarts again, I'm sure you'd be welcomed by many." Severus said smoothly, steering the conversation toward the true purpose of his visit.

However, Slughorn missed the deeper meaning of his words. He just patted his fat belly lightly and sighed, "But Hogwarts hardly lacks for teachers these days. Well... except for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, of course."

"Not just Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hogwarts also needs a Potions Professor... and the Head of Slytherin House."

Severus said suddenly.

His words stunned Slughorn for a moment, and it took him a few seconds to process before he met Severus's gaze again.

Without further preamble, Severus took out the letter from Dumbledore and handed it to Slughorn.

"I can see you miss your teaching days at Hogwarts, Professor. And right now, Hogwarts needs a wizard as distinguished and talented as you to continue Slytherin's legacy."

Slughorn lowered his head and read the letter in silence, listening to Snape's earnest invitation.

But not only did he not show any joyful smile, his expression became ugly instead.