Although Dumbledore's thoughts were racing like unleashed Thestrals, galloping from herb gardens straight to ancient libraries—
And his lips were moving so rapidly in debate with Bones they nearly left afterimages—
He still couldn't convince her to accept his viewpoint.
This pragmatically-minded minister, while maintaining broad alignment with him, revealed numerous differences in approach and interests when it came to specifics.
Feeling quite weary, Dumbledore took a deep breath and turned his gaze to Snape, who had remained silent, hoping he might offer some support.
"Severus, thank you for watching over them all these days—it's been such hard work for you—"
Following normal conversational logic, he expected Snape to pick up his cue and describe the difficulties of guarding this place's safety.
This would help Bones understand that her Aurors couldn't protect this location—couldn't even manage it with outside assistance.
Bathed in his superior's hopeful gaze, as a dutiful employee, Snape instantly understood what he should answer.
But he didn't want to answer.
His heart was flooded with silent "ha ha's," and something dark was writhing in his chest, about to emerge.
He looked at his half-destroyed, pitiful house, thought about his exhaustion from working four jobs, then glanced at his wizard robes reduced to mere tassels... and felt darkness before his eyes.
Right now he just wanted to throw down his burden and run.
Facing Dumbledore's earnest gaze, he was only thinking:
He needed to seek some legal assistance—
To compensate for his property losses.
Snape raised his head, his gaze hollow and profound, scanning everyone present, searching for potential compensation targets.
First, he looked at the real culprits:
Augustus and Croaker, those two mad researchers—their salaries and family wealth had all gone into research funding, embodying the principle that money was external, bringing nothing at birth, taking nothing at death. Together they couldn't scrape up a single coin.
They radiated an aura of "the barefoot don't fear the shod," grinning shamelessly with their faces clearly saying "we're broke and can't pay—do whatever you want."
Snape turned away in disgust, unwilling to spare them another glance.
With this turn, he saw Jane, whose demolition abilities were steadily growing.
Though every grievance has its source and every debt its debtor, he was naturally biased toward his excellent apprentice.
This accident may have blown up his house, but she had first eliminated Pettigrew for him, delivered Spell-Shielding garments, then released the Dark Mark to assist him, making this accident officially defined by the Ministry as Death Eaters attacking here only to be counter-killed. She even provided him with perfect excuses before the Dark Lord, allowing him to establish his identity on both sides.
He was merely a loyal spy intelligently investigating the enemy's secret weapons for the Dark Lord without exposing himself—nothing like stupid Death Eaters like Pettigrew who only knew how to blow things up everywhere!
Thinking this, Snape's anger over his destroyed house subsided considerably, and he began self-hypnosis:
After all, she's his good student... even if she'd evolved from bringing a pack of Nifflers to demolish his home to bringing a whole group to demolish his home... still a good student...
Though she promised to compensate his losses... but then again, when students make mistakes, professors should be somewhat tolerant...
Severus... forget it, forget it...
Using elimination, only two people remained who could provide compensation—
Albus Dumbledore and Amelia Bones.
Bones, current Minister for Magic, wielding great power—though he acknowledged his emotional intelligence wasn't abundant, he wouldn't be stupid enough to demand compensation from her.
So only one choice remained on the scene.
Snape very naturally dumped this massive blame on his superior Dumbledore.
He knew well that Jane's increasingly brazen demolition behavior was everyone present's responsibility.
Especially Dumbledore... as her guardian, his responsibility was particularly heavy!
If he hadn't spoiled the child, how could Jane act so wildly unrestrained?
If not for Dumbledore, this flammable, explosive laboratory wouldn't have been built at Spinner's End...
If not for Dumbledore insisting he serve as a dutiful security guard and babysitter...
Then his lifelong home wouldn't have been reduced to ashes!
Since this was work for the Order of the Phoenix, watching Dumbledore's child... how wasn't this a work injury... a loss incurred in the line of duty?
Moreover, Jane was still a minor—compensation responsibility should rightfully fall to her guardian...
Yes, exactly right.
Snape quickly completed his self-persuasion, but when he looked up, he suddenly realized unfortunately—
The Order of the Phoenix had no good employee welfare system, no insurance, let alone reimbursement for housing repairs.
This left Snape filled with towering resentment. He didn't pick up Dumbledore's conversational thread, instead directly offering a suggestion:
"Perhaps Hogwarts would be an excellent choice."
Since they'd sent the child to blow up his Spinner's End, along with his books and potions turning to ash—
Then reciprocally, keeping his territory out of harm's way might not be appropriate.
In the depths of post-destruction Snape's heart, some dark matter writhed, about to emerge with sinister satisfaction.
He forcibly swallowed back "I think the Headmaster's office would be perfect," showing regretful eyes instead.
At these words, both Dumbledore and Bones froze simultaneously!
They exchanged glances, each seeing five parts surprise and five parts delight in the other's eyes!
"Yes... Hogwarts... truly an excellent choice..."
Dumbledore murmured, beginning to consider this location's feasibility—
He could keep Jane under his watchful eye, preventing her from causing chaos outside...
It would resolve his disagreement with Bones over Spell-Shielding equipment production, allowing research and manufacturing to continue...
It would also largely ensure the researchers' safety...
Though his two greatest sources of instability would collide, keeping them within his jurisdiction meant he remained the one controlling the chessboard...
This made him nod in approval.
Facing the rebalancing of various interests, everyone present smiled... Bones and Dumbledore shook hands in reconciliation, even Snape's lips curved upward...
Except for Jane, who shuddered in stunned disbelief!
She knew it!
This familiar Hogwarts Law!
It had happened again! It would never let her go!
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