The Sunshine of Hogwarts, Snape

"No, I won't return to Hogwarts, no matter who comes to ask, even Dumbledore himself."

Slughorn said with a cold expression.

He showed an expression that was completely different from the one he had when he was having a pleasant conversation with Severus before, which immediately brought the atmosphere of the meeting to the freezing point.

Severus had anticipated this reaction.

This is also the reason why Ghost Snape, upon learning that Dumbledore had tasked him with convincing Slughorn to return, immediately deemed it an impossible mission.

If Severus had met with some mishap and could no longer continue his post at Hogwarts, leaving the school in desperate need of a new Head of Slytherin House, and Dumbledore personally came to invite Slughorn back…

Then this walrus-like man, who now claimed he would never return to Hogwarts even if Dumbledore himself come to invite him, would hardly hesitate. He would agree on the spot.

Because it would bring him immense prestige.

But the current situation was different. Severus himself had requested a leave of absence from Dumbledore.

This was a temporary break, which may last for a year or two years, but it does not mean that he will not return to the Hogwarts Castle in the future.

Under these circumstances, Slughorn's invitation to teach at Hogwarts wouldn't cast him as a savior stepping in to fill an emergency vacancy. Instead, he would merely be Severus's temporary replacement!

The moment Severus's leave ended and he returned, Slughorn would be dismissed!

Not only would this fail to enhance his reputation in the Wizarding World, it might even diminish it, making others believe he was inferior to Severus.

And beyond that, Severus could see another reason hidden in Slughorn's eyes, a reason he didn't wish to return to Hogwarts.

It is a feeling of uneasiness and guilt hidden deep in his heart.

Severus steepled his fingers, meeting Slughorn's gaze calmly as he asked seriously.

"Professor, do you truly care so much about what others think of you?"

Slughorn let out a hollow chuckle, his smile not reaching his eyes.

"Ho-ho-ho, what do you take the Slughorn Family to be? I am not merely representing myself, but the reputation of an entire lineage, of countless forebears who once held glory."

"I have never acted for the sake of personal pride, Severus. You wouldn't understand."

Severus truly didn't understand, but he respected that everyone had their own perspectives.

With that in mind, he didn't press further. Instead, he nodded and posed one last question.

"What if I could arrange for Dumbledore to publicly announce that due to health reasons, I must take a two-year leave, and thus I pleaded for you to return and oversee Slytherin in my stead?"

Slughorn remained unmoved and shook his head.

"What difference would that make? You'd still return after two years. How would that look to everyone?"

He deliberately adopted a mocking tone, waving his hands theatrically.

"Look! The moment Severus Snape was available, Dumbledore kicks Horace aside and invites him back! Who truly leads Slytherin? Who is the real Potions Master? The answer is clear!"

"So, you see," Slughorn spread his hands to Severus, "How could I possibly agree?"

Severus sighed and nodded once more.

"I understand. Bringing this up was presumptuous of me."

His courtesy earned a flicker of approval from Slughorn.

Few people could maintain such grace after having their requests refused.

"You should ask Dumbledore to find someone else." Slughorn rocked the recliner in a relaxed manner, "There might be other wizards in the Wizarding World more suitable than me, don't you think?"

The atmosphere in the living room became harmonious again, and after serving tea and snacks, the house-elf scurried off to attend to other chores. Harry took a fancy to the fresh grapes in the fruit bowl and hesitated whether he could just reach out and take one.

Just as it seemed the matter was about to be brushed aside, Severus suddenly spoke up.

"Professor, did Kingsley Shacklebolt come to see you a few days ago?"

The relaxed expression on Slughorn's face froze instantly.

It was as if he hadn't expected Severus to bring this up at all.

But he quickly recovered, forcing himself to appear as nonchalant as before.

"Ah, of course he did. Naturally, he came to see me… just as he must have visited you too, correct?"

As Slughorn spoke, he plucked a Cockroach Cluster from the candy box, which made Harry, after seeing this, gave up the idea of eating grapes in disgust.

Slughorn stuffed it into his mouth, pretending that he had something to do at the moment to hide his nervousness.

Severus still had that calm smile on his face. He crossed one leg over the other, with his fingers interlaced atop his knee.

"Yesterday afternoon, he found me at Gringotts in Diagon Alley. He was investigating a case of potion-poisoning. Someone fed a Muggle an enhanced Draught of Living Death, leaving a poor girl in an unbreakable slumber. It's caused quite a stir among Muggles, and they're trying to trace the origins of that potion."

Slughorn feigned casual interest as he picked up the thread.

"Oh yes, The Daily Prophet and other papers have been reporting on it these past few days. The Muggle Prime Minister has contacted Millicent Bagnold, demanding an explanation."

At this time, Severus took out today's Daily Prophet, and the front page of the newspaper was already about the potion-poisoning case.

"At most, Millicent Bagnold will retire next year. She has been a Minister for ten years and has experienced so many turmoil during her tenure… Just when she is about to retire, she is faced with such a serious case."

"In her exclusive interview with The Daily Prophet, she assured the public that she would get to the bottom of it, apprehend the culprit, and uphold the Wizarding Law."

Slughorn also expressed his rejection and dissatisfaction for the perpetrator.

"Using potions to poison Muggles is an insult to the art of potion-making! The culprit must be punished severely… This isn't just about the secrecy between wizards and Muggles, it's a blatant violation of both worlds' laws!"

Severus stared into Slughorn's eyes, letting the silence stretch for three or four seconds… When Slughorn started becoming restless, he suddenly spoke.

"So, Professor… when do you plan to turn yourself in?"

The reception room fell into complete silence at this moment!

Harry, who had finally mustered up his resolve to reach out to take a grape from the fruit plate, jerked his hand in shock when he heard these words, sending the fruit tumbling to the floor.

Slughorn stiffened as if hit by a Petrificus Totalus. It took him a long moment before he managed a strained laugh.

"You're joking, Severus. Why would I turn myself in? What does this have to do with me?"

"I don't know who the culprit is, but you must have brewed that bottle potion."

Severus's smile didn't waver.

"It has to be you, Professor Slughorn."