Badum! Badum!
On hearing Voldemort's words, Snape's heart skipped twice.
He instantly realised what the 'important thing' might be.
Voldemort's Horcrux!
And it was an unknown Horcrux at that.
Dumbledore must be informed immediately...
But as soon as this thought had crossed his mind, Snape immediately dismissed it.
At the moment, only three people knew this information, and if the news leaked, Snape would be the first suspect.
No one could save him!
The diary, diadem, ring, locket, Harry, and the snake named Nagini were the six Horcruxes known so far.
Without knowing how many Horcruxes Voldemort had, they could not target this Horcrux.
Snape sat expressionless, his Occlumency operating at full capacity. He forged a thought of 'unwavering loyalty' to make himself appear completely normal.
***
After the meeting, Snape left the manor.
The weather in August was still a little muggy, but it could not dampen Snape's rising emotions.
'If this is the last Horcrux...'
Snape thought to himself, 'Why would the Dark Lord inform both me and Barty of such an important task?'
'...Is he testing me?'
Normally, with Voldemort's vigilance, he would only give a task involving the Horcruxes to one person.
Rather than explaining the task in front of a third person.
Snape walked quickly, and his mind raced.
'In any case, Dumbledore must be informed!' Snape made up his mind.
If this was the last Horcrux, then it meant they had a chance to take down Voldemort.
If not… they must also obtain all the information about this Horcrux.
And…
After deciding what to do about the Horcrux, Snape couldn't help but think about Andy.
This is a real headache!
The article smearing Dumbledore's name... Given what Snape knows about Andy, under normal circumstances, Andy would never do something like this—Andy wouldn't waste his time like this.
But there's always a possibility!
If it involves the Deathly Hallows, Snape feels that Andy might really do something to take Dumbledore's life.
This is the terrifying thing about pure wizards, the likes of Ekrizdis, whom he had read extensively about recently!
Good and evil meant nothing to them; they cared only about magic and would give up everything for it.
"Hoo..."
Snape took a deep breath, paused, and then vanished using the Apparition spell.
***
Time passed quickly, and before long, Andy was in his fourth year at Hogwarts.
This time, Andy didn't ask anyone to see him off.
With Andy's current degree of popularity, Andy was really afraid that Helen and Isabel would not be able to go back out if they showed up.
After using the Apparition spell to arrive at King's Cross Station, Andy dragged his suitcase through the wall and entered Platform 9 3/4.
Throughout the entire process, Andy did not try to avoid anyone in the slightest.
Thanks to the Confundus Charm, no one noticed anything unusual, even though Andy appeared and walked through the wall in an open and aboveboard manner.
'Magic...'
Andy carried his suitcase onto the train, mulling over the possibilities. 'In the future, I'll need to invent some new spells to deal with technology.'
For example: a spell to prevent cameras from capturing his image.
And a spell to blind satellites, infrared cameras, thermal imaging cameras, electronic sensors, and so on.
Or a spell to control computers and the online world.
Once these spells become available, there will be no more threat from the Muggle world.
Just imagine. If wizards could control the online world with magic, then wizards could become the gods of the cyber world.
Once the Muggle world enters the information age, wizards can hide in the shadows and control the Muggle information network.
Just think of the horror!
"Hmm..."
Andy pondered for a moment, 'I should discuss this with Grindelwald; he would definitely be interested.'
'Tsk! No, that won't help either.'
'If Grindelwald really masters this kind of spell, the Muggle world might face real chaos.'
Andy thought as he searched for an empty compartment.
After casting a Confundus Charm on the door, he summoned his Fat Cat Patronus and told it to wait for Hermione on the platform.
Not long after, the compartment door was pulled open.
"I have to say... Andy, you really know how to surprise people," the young witch said with a teasing tone.
"This will save a lot of trouble..."
Andy suddenly froze halfway through his sentence.
Looking at the two people following Hermione, Andy raised an eyebrow and hinted at them frantically, "Hey, Harry and Ron, long time no see... which compartment did you guys sit in?"
"We just got on the train and haven't found a place to sit yet..."
Harry said with a broad smile, "Andy, can we sit in with you?"
Andy: "..."
You've said it so bluntly; how can I refuse?
To be honest, everyone knows that it's in their interest to refuse, but sometimes it's really hard to do.
Especially when it's not a big deal.
"Of course!" Andy nodded reluctantly.
Hermione waved her wand and placed the suitcase on the shelf, then gave Andy a disdainful glance. "You should have been more blunt."
"Next time." Andy learnt his lesson.
"By the way..."
Andy looked at Hermione and asked curiously, "Where did you meet? How did you get on the train together?"
Andy felt that he was indeed partly to blame for being so tactful. But Hermione was more to blame for bringing them together.
Hermione looked helpless, shrugged her shoulders at Andy, and said, "They said they needed to talk to you about something."
Meaning that she had tactfully refused, but they hadn't understood.
Andy: "..."
Okay!
It turned out that Hermione's previous comment was based on experience.
After putting the suitcases away, Harry and Ron sat opposite Andy. As soon as Harry sat down, he couldn't wait to ask, "Andy, about Snape..."
"Mm-hm!"
Andy shrugged, "It's just what you think!"
"Snape really is a traitor!" Harry said with a look, 'Finally, the truth has come out'.
Andy and Hermione glanced at each other, speechless.
Indeed, you can't be too tactful.
"Harry, that's not what..."
Hermione just wanted to speak a few words in Snape's defence, but she heard Andy cough lightly and say in a serious tone, "Harry, after the start of the school year, don't discuss this matter at Hogwarts."
"Why?" Ron looked puzzled.
He still wanted to use Snape's matter to mock Slytherin students.
Andy ignored him and gave Harry a warning look.
Harry quickly said, "I know."
"Mm!" Andy nodded slightly.
Without paying any more attention to the two of them, Andy tugged at Hermione's sleeve and whispered, "Lean over."
"What's wrong?" Hermione was a little puzzled.
Andy put his arm around Hermione's shoulders and let her lean on his shoulder before whispering, "Intimate actions can make others feel uncomfortable."
Hermione: "..."
Hearing this, the young witch glanced covertly at Harry and Ron, and sure enough, the two of them were looking embarrassed and fidgeting.
Andy felt smug.
Do you think I can't handle the two of you?
----
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