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

Chapter 75 Conversation 2

(This is a brain storage area. The following words from Lily are all my conspiracy theories, plus some bias. If you want to read it, please refer to my previous article about my conspiracy theories about Dumbledore.)

Severus had a bad feeling. He closed the door and turned around to see the kitten sitting on the chair. He wanted to shoo it out, but that would expose Emeric's identity, so he had to hold back.

"Severus, do you own them? When did you start liking animals?"

"It wasn't me, it was Emeric's."

"I see."

After saying this, they fell silent again. The fact that they hadn't seen each other for many years, coupled with the misunderstandings between them, left them unsure of where to begin.

"I'm sorry, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have suffered so much..."

"Don't say that. The moment the prophecy was revealed, it was destined to reach Voldemort. If it wasn't you, it would have been someone else."

Lily stroked the rabbit in her arms and continued, "Actually, I'm very glad that person was you, because only you would take care of Harry with guilt after I die. Even the most powerful white wizard of this century couldn't stay by his side forever."

"So, back then... you threatened me with your own life, didn't you? All for Harry Potter."

"I hate to admit it... but this is the only way Harry can survive. See, I won the bet, didn't I?"

"Have you... considered the consequences of me being discovered, or what if I remain indifferent?"

Silence again

Emeric sighed. He couldn't help but marvel at how ruthless Evans was. It seemed that the plan to make Voldemort choose his opponent was a collaboration between her and Dumbledore. Otherwise, given Dumbledore's personality, he would rather risk his own safety than let them be in danger.

He jumped off the chair and into Severus's arms, and what followed might have been even crueler. Severus had certainly discovered it, but he still harbored illusions about Lily, believing she was still the pure and kind lily she once was.

"No, the Severus I know won't. You're so smart, you can definitely protect yourself. Besides, you love me, and if something happens to me, you'll take care of my belongings."

The intense emotions caused Severus a severe headache, and he subconsciously tried to control himself using Occlumency.

"Severus, are you alright...? I'm so sorry for taking advantage of your love, but..."

"Sigh...Ms. Evans, I saved you back then not so you could provoke him again. He's already suffered enough."

Emeric supported Severus's body and gave him a bottle of tranquilizer. Once his emotions stabilized, his head wouldn't hurt so much. The brain block should be used as little as possible.

"What's it to you? Get out."

"Severus, you can't do this!!! Why are you so gentle with her but so mean to me! I'm still a child, you can't do this!!!"

The scene suddenly became very strange. Lily looked guilty, while the radish in her arms calmly munched on hay. Severus glared at Emeric, who looked aggrieved.

When Dumbledore arrived, this was the scene he saw. For a moment, he didn't know what to say to avoid being scolded, and he also wanted to know where they were in their conversation.

"Airi, you seem to have had a great day. So you were being treated differently, huh?"

Gellert grinned. It was rare to see Emerick looking so humiliated. If he didn't laugh now, when would he?

"Gellert, if you still want to take aphrodisiacs, just say so. Don't beat around the bush. I guarantee this time I'll give you a huge dose, enough to fill you two old geezers to burst."

"Hey! It was Gail who laughed, Allie, don't take it out on me!"

"That's hilarious! What old married couple still keeps their finances separate? Neither of you are getting away with this."

... ...

"Get out of my cellar, all of you!"

Severus's head was throbbing from the noise. He wasn't upset at all; all he wanted was to get rid of these three annoying people. How could anyone be noisier than a mandrake?

"Perhaps you can explain to me what happened? Since my resurrection, no one has explained to me why Mr. Thaddeus was willing to save me, why Harry and Malfoy became friends, and why I was allowed to stay at Hogwarts."

The three people arguing across from her paused when they heard Lily's question, then pretended not to hear and continued arguing. Since she hadn't called their names, she couldn't be asking them.

Severus stiffened. Explaining this would inevitably involve his romantic entanglement with Emeric, and Harry probably wouldn't dare to tell her about it. He decided to pretend he hadn't heard and brush it off for now.

The four of them were of one mind like never before, and for the first time they were so harmonious. Only Lily, who had been fooled, was very unhappy, so she began to strike back hard.

"What did Mr. Thaddeus mean by 'old married couple'? And what's Mr. Grindelwald doing here? Aren't you and Headmaster Dumbledore mortal enemies?"

"Severus, what's your relationship with Mr. Thaddeus? I saw him get close to you just now, and you weren't angry. Before, you would feel uncomfortable if I got this close to you."

The four people, stumped once again, fell silent. After a fierce exchange of glances, Emeric was pushed forward to explain, since it was his fault for causing the whole mess.

"Ms. Evans, let me explain why I was willing to save you. Severus is a partner in my Potions Company. The contract we signed was that he would research potions and I would manage the company. But ever since Harry came, he's been spacing out all day or taking revenge on his body. So I used a little bit of my power to find out about your entanglement."

"To make Severus work harder, and since Harry and I are pretty good friends, I used some magic to bring you back."

"Oh, I almost forgot, remember to pay me for the materials and nutritional costs. This secret technique can only be used once in a lifetime, so please compensate me double, thank you!"

"The reason I keep you at Hogwarts is to keep you under better supervision. I'm afraid that someone might accidentally find out who you are, which would put me in danger. Others don't believe that secret techniques can only be used once."

The other three listened quietly to Emerick's half-truths and half-lies, and it turned out that entrusting him with the task was the right choice; a mix of truth and lies was what made people believe it.

Severus was somewhat surprised that Emeric didn't take this opportunity to tell Lily about their complicated relationship; he had thought Emeric would boast about his extraordinary romance.

The boy standing in front of him didn't embarrass him; all his answers avoided mentioning Severus, and even those that couldn't be avoided became exchanges of benefits between Emeric and him, revealing not a single detail in the end.

After everyone left, Severus mocked Emeric, "I thought you'd be eager to spread your tail feathers and show off your foolish love to Lily."

"Severus! Liking you isn't a stupid thing, you can't say that about me!!! Besides, this is a private matter between us, why tell others?"

Since their last conversation, Emerick's eyes have been completely open, overflowing with tenderness and affection. Severus was almost afraid to meet his gaze, lest he be burned by the emotion in his eyes.