"They wish for us to join now..." Snape quietly read the parchment.
He immediately understood what this meant: Voldemort couldn't wait any longer. He was recruiting everyone into the Death Eaters, regardless of age. Not just Barty Jr., but Regulus, and several other older Slytherin students too.
Snape turned, about to head upstairs, and seeing Barty Jr. following him, quickly motioned him to a secluded corner.
"Don't join them," Snape whispered. "Given your father's current reputation, even if you became a Death Eater, it wouldn't make him lose his power, unless he was willing to cover for you. Do you think he would?"
Barty Jr. shook his head with a touch of hatred.
"So, stick to our original plan," Snape said. "Once you're in the Ministry of Magic, use his name to run wild a few times, shouting 'My dad is Barty Crouch!' The Head of Department will naturally fall from power..."
After saying this, Snape walked down the corridor and headed upstairs, deciding to go straight to Dumbledore's office.
As he walked, he pondered the current situation. It was already 1977, the very year Regulus proudly joined Voldemort's ranks... A year later, Regulus would offer Kreacher to Voldemort...
Snape was so engrossed in thought that he walked past the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office entrance without noticing.
It wasn't until the stone beast called out to him several times in a deep voice that Snape paused, snapped out of his thoughts, and walked back.
"Thank you, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans," he said. "We'll chat again another time."
He wasn't in the mood for small talk with the gargoyle now; he only wanted to see the Headmaster quickly.
"My name isn't Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans," the gargoyle suddenly sprang to life, hopping aside and grumbling.
"Thank you, Mr. Sweet Treat Guardian," Snape said quickly, stepping through the opening in the wall without looking back.
The heavy door closed softly behind him, and he found himself before the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
After knocking on the griffin knocker, Snape pushed the door open and walked in.
Dumbledore sat calmly behind his desk, looking up to see him.
"What is it, Severus?" Dumbledore looked at him placidly. "Sit down. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Professor," Snape said, not sitting. "I have something urgent to discuss with you, something both pressing and important."
He handed the crumpled parchment to Dumbledore.
"Who are 'they' and 'us'?" Dumbledore unfolded the paper, his gaze falling upon the parchment through his half-moon spectacles.
"This came from Barty Jr. I recently managed to bring him over to our side," Snape explained. "He's still attending the Walpurgis meetings, and Voldemort is making them formally join the Death Eaters."
"Everyone has the right to make their own choices, Severus," Dumbledore said, lightly pressing his long fingertips together.
"You're right, Professor," Snape said, now completely calm. He sat opposite Dumbledore, looking into his eyes. "However, they are all still your students.
"Truth be told, I only truly care about a select two of them. Considering you are the Headmaster, the heavy burden of this choice should fall to you."
Snape mirrored Dumbledore's posture, placing his hands on the table, fingertips pressed together.
"You are the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Grand Sorcerer, First Class with Parchment, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. As they say, the more capable one is, the more one does."
"I agree with your point, Severus," Dumbledore stood up and walked over to his perch, stroking Fawkes's feathers. "Thank you for telling me this. Will Barty Jr. join the Death Eaters?"
"Of course not," Snape turned, following Dumbledore's movement as he took several files and envelopes from a cabinet. "I wouldn't want my own people risking their lives as spies, even if it brought greater benefits."
Dumbledore nodded, then placed a stack of parchments on the table and sat back down behind it.
"Voldemort's theories are very seductive. He tells his followers that, in the future, he will allow wizards to no longer hide, but to fully exercise their abilities and openly rule Muggles and their descendants.
"Currently, the Death Eaters mainly target Muggles and some Muggle-born or half-blood wizards. Tom still has widespread support in the wizarding world."
Snape's gaze fell upon the documents.
"These are several resolutions from the School Board," Dumbledore said. "The Board demands that the Headmaster and other faculty members not interfere with students' freedom of association.
"And these are letters sent to me by the Malfoy, Carrow, Rosier, and Black families, among others. They uniformly demand that I not make significant changes to the school's teaching and management methods."
"So, there's nothing we can do openly?" Snape asked.
"Indeed," Dumbledore said with a touch of sorrow. "If I were to disregard the opposition and implement major changes, many pure-blood families would choose to withdraw their children from school and opt for home schooling instead. That wouldn't change anything."
"I understand, Professor," Snape said, leaning back in his chair. "You've made your decision, then. Let them follow their original paths."
"However," Snape continued, "I recall you've been nominated for Minister of Magic multiple times. Have you never considered a turn at the Ministry?"
"Alas," Dumbledore shook his head helplessly. "In the past, I didn't wish to be constrained by a Ministry career. As for now, even if I wished to, there is no one who could take over the Headmaster's position."
"Professor McGonagall?" Snape ventured to ask.
Dumbledore gave a resigned expression: "I once told you that Tom sought the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching post. Since then, we've had a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher every year.
"What's not widely known is that Tom's curse also lingers over the Headmaster's position. I believe no one, save for myself, could remain safely in this position for more than a year."
"Ah?" This news certainly caught Snape by surprise. He had hoped to entice Dumbledore to take a position at the Ministry, which would have given him a top-tier backer there. How could this hope have been dashed?
"Alright, then," Snape waved his hand resignedly. "So be it, Professor. Also, since you can't stop them, please don't try to counsel those students. I wouldn't want Barty Jr. to be in any danger."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement.
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