HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 180 The Final Battle is Approaching

"Severus Snape has been appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts. This is a decision made by the Ministry of Magic. Do you want to go against the Ministry?"

The official holding the appointment letter forced himself to maintain his composure, feeling flustered as he looked at the angry students and professors around him. But the thought of the bonus promised by Gellert gave him strength again. He straightened his back and put on an arrogant demeanor, making everyone angry but unable to speak out.

"I'm sorry, Minerva, I didn't know it would turn out like this." Severus stopped McGonagall from leaving. He hadn't expected Dumbledore's last resort to be this. No wonder he told him to just wait; it turned out he was being pushed into the eye of the storm once again.

"This must have been Albus's doing. I'm starting to wonder if he's really dead or just pretending. Don't listen to what others are saying lately. We all believe you wouldn't do something like this."

She didn't doubt Severus; instead, she felt sorry for him getting caught up in the mess. She patted his shoulder and said, "Move to the headmaster's office as soon as possible these next few days. Don't let the Ministry of Magic find any fault with you and send someone over. We can't get rid of this jerk now. Salafina and I will handle the rumors. Just take care of yourself." With that, she left, as she had many other things to deal with.

Severus stood there, looking in the direction McGonagall had gone. He felt more and more that Dumbledore was going too far. He used to refuse to approve documents, and now he was making McGonagall take charge of the entire Hogwarts without even giving her a raise.

He looked down and stroked the cat in his arms. "Listen to Minerva, we'll go back and pack our things and move in with Dumbledore and the others. Don't do anything reckless, or I won't be responsible if you get scolded."

"Meow~" The cat won't, the cat is very well-behaved.

"Hmph, I know you too well."

He tucked the cat back into his clothes to prevent others from seeing it and trying to take it from him. He'd had his child snatched away too many times before, and now he was a bit traumatized.

Back in the cellar, after thinking for a long time, they finally decided to just pack some clothes and go there, otherwise it would be a hassle to move them later, and they would be back during the day anyway.

Severus walked to the door and suddenly turned back, taking a set of things from the shelf by the door. "Oh, I almost forgot your nail clippers and pin brush." ​​He hadn't brushed its fur for a while, and it took him more than an hour to groom it yesterday. Since he decided to keep a cat, he should treat it well, not to mention that cats can turn into people.

"White sugar rice cake." Emeric glanced at the little blue flower in the window and gave the password to open the door. "Severus, shouldn't we change the password? Otherwise, I think I'll get cavities from saying this every day."

"Go in and find him later. I'm nominally in charge here now, and he can't refuse to change things even if he wants to."

As soon as they entered, they saw Dumbledore and Gellert sitting separately, as if they had just had a fight. Adhering to the principle that one cannot miss a good show, they pretended not to notice the strange atmosphere and went straight to the second bedroom where they had stayed before, intending to leave a crack in the door to listen to the sounds.

Before they could figure out what was happening, the tattoo on Severus's arm was burning painfully, and it seemed Voldemort wouldn't be able to wait until nightfall.

He took out a bottle of painkillers and shoved it into Emmerich's mouth. Ignoring the two arguing outside, he put on the coat he had just taken off and walked straight through the living room out.

"I hope you two will be back to normal when I get back." He didn't want to see them like this again later, as he would have to pay attention to their emotions when they were discussing business.

Upon arriving at Malfoy Manor, Severus was immediately struck by the stench of blood that permeated the entire conference room. He was the last to arrive and was immediately targeted by Voldemort.

"Snape, why are you so late? What's so important? Tell us." Voldemort sat in the middle, looking down at the people below. His voice was hoarse and fierce, his eyes slightly narrowed, and his aura pressed down on Severus, putting pressure on him.

Everyone around him was gloating, eager to hear him spout some nonsense. Not to mention those who originally disliked him, now they couldn't wait to add fuel to the fire and solidify his charges.

"Master, he..." Lucius tried to speak up.

"Let him talk for himself, or do you want to take the punishment for him?"

He was rebuked with a single sentence and could only glance apologetically at Severus, inwardly anxious. The man gave him a reassuring look; he wouldn't have come so late without a reason.

"I'm sorry, Master. I just became the headmaster today and got held up by other people. I don't have a reason to get away right now. I found Harry Potter. He was hidden by Dumbledore in the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts. After becoming the headmaster, I have the entire map of the school in my mind."

Severus's submissive demeanor pleased him, and the information he revealed was quite useful, so he decided to let the man off the hook for being late.

"Get me the map, Severus. You won't let me down, will you?"

"Of course," Severus bowed again, his eyes revealing both obedience and ambition, "Hogwarts will be yours."

The atmosphere at the meeting eased considerably afterward. Voldemort was so engrossed in the joy of about to conquer Hogwarts that he even let the few who stuttered off the hook.

As he left, he paused briefly beside Lucius, slipping a crumpled piece of paper into the man's hand. The paper contained information about Draco's current situation, intended to ease the couple's worries about their child. Simultaneously, a note was given to him, telling him to go to the corner and contact him if needed.

While waiting in a corner at the entrance of the manor, Severus felt a little bored and fiddled with his newly changed cuffs. They were made by Emeric, who had recently become obsessed with jewelry design and had created all sorts of things for himself, covered in countless protective runes.

Just as he was getting so bored that he started playing with the buttons on his clothes, Lucius finally appeared stealthily, holding a small box in his hand, which was probably something for Draco.

"Thank you for your help."

"If you find it troublesome, give me some compensation," the man's mouth was never one to mince words, but seeing the accusation in Lucius's eyes, he changed his tune, "Alright, he's my godson. Don't worry, I'll protect him. You and Narcissa, don't die, I don't have that much money to support him."

"Can't you just wish me well? Ugh, ugh, ugh."

"Tsk, I'm leaving." Severus rolled his eyes at Lucius. Everyone else had already left, so there was no need for him to hide anymore. He took a few steps away from the place with the anti-curse and Apparated back to the school's small gate.

He looked around and, finding no one watching him, went inside. There were too many eyes watching him now, and he could easily get into trouble if he made a mistake.

"Don't worry, young lady, I've chased everyone away here."

"Evelyn, if you call me that again, you can forget about your bonus this month. We haven't settled the score from last time." Severus didn't even need to think to know who was behind this. No one dared to tease him except Evelyn. Luckily, Emeric had told him about her weakness.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Snape, but don't worry, there won't be anyone else near this door from now on." She put away her nonchalant attitude and said in a very serious tone.

He couldn't be bothered with this person, so he walked towards the principal's office, figuring he could just have his salary deducted later.

"I'm back. The Dark Lord is probably going to attack the school soon." Severus dropped a bombshell as soon as he walked in. "He has a snake with him now. We'll have to wait for Lucius's reply for more details. All we know for now is that he values ​​that snake a lot and takes it everywhere he goes."

"Looks like we'll have to send someone to deal with that snake. This is going to be a problem." Dumbledore was troubled. After all, snakes can easily disappear by slithering away, unlike basilisks which are big enough to be seen everywhere.

"He'll definitely bring it out. When things get chaotic, I'll see if I can take the opportunity to kill him." Severus pondered for a moment; this was the best solution he could think of.