Moonlight flowed through the twisted shadows of the trees.
The fir trees looked like toys flattened by an invisible giant hand, with bark patterns as orderly as printed designs. It was as lifeless as a world seemingly pieced together with LEGO.
In the moonlight, an elderly man with silver hair held the Elder Wand, a symbol of authority, in his hand. The hem of his robe swept the ground, causing the seemingly real rotten leaves to vanish like scattered pixels.
"Headmaster Dumbledore!"
Hermione suddenly cried out in surprise, as if just realizing it. Her wand almost slipped from her hand, and the broken branch under her feet emitted a crisp sound like plastic shattering as she retreated.
However.
Soon.
The material that was crushed completely restored itself, but unlike the rotten leaves at Dumbledore's feet that disappeared, neither Hermione nor Snape could affect the existence of things in this space.
Perhaps it was related to rank.
After all.
Albus Dumbledore hadn't used any magic when he moved.
"Why are you here?" Snape looked at Albus Dumbledore with a hint of wariness in his eyes. His wand never dropped for even a moment.
Perhaps it was because Albus Dumbledore's words overturned his understanding of Dumbledore, or perhaps his inherent sensitivity as a double agent made him unusually vigilant.
In short.
Snape, having recovered from the initial shock, did not fully trust this Albus Dumbledore in front of him, knowing there were many methods in this world to become someone else.
Like Polyjuice Potion.
This is the most common means to turn into another. It's a potion brewed from grasshopper, leech, flowing liquid grass, two-eared grass, powdered horn from a two-horned beast, African Tree Snake skin fragments, and a small personal item from the person you wish to transform into. After drinking it, one can take on another's appearance.
Or like the Animagus Transformation Spell, Disguise Mage techniques that Snape was well aware of, as there was an heir of a Disguise Mage in the school who could use those techniques.
Who knows how many wizards capable of human transformation exist in this world — for Snape, a sudden appearance of an Albus Dumbledore in the Forbidden Forest was indeed somewhat eerie.
Even Hermione knew Albus Dumbledore's habits; how could Snape not know? Even if he heard a Dragon's Roar and rushed over, it shouldn't have been such a coincidence to meet like this?
For that reason.
Snape, who thought too much, harbored doubts about the Albus Dumbledore in front of him.
Regarding this matter.
Albus Dumbledore could clearly perceive it.
"Severus, do you remember our agreement?" He was indifferent to it, as he had other means to validate his identity to gain Snape's trust here.
"Of course, I remember."
Snape's eyes flickered.
"Good, I hope you've been earnestly fulfilling that promise you made to me." Albus Dumbledore played the Riddler, leaving Hermione bewildered about what they were discussing.
However.
Snape breathed a sigh of relief after hearing it.
"What are you doing here?" He considered he had verified the other's identity since only he and Dumbledore knew about the agreement. Others would have to use Legilimency on either him or Dumbledore to know it.
"It's quite embarrassing to say."
Dumbledore raised his half-moon glasses for a wipe, blue eyes behind them glinting with curiosity: "Like you, I'm attracted by the strange tremors in this Forbidden Forest."
His voice was as rich as mead, but it filled Snape with unaccountable unease — Snape's wand remained tightly gripped, his gleaming eyes filled with suspicion.
"You just said even you are trapped here, so even you can't break such magic?" It's undeniable that this is a deeply unsettling thought for Snape.
You see.
In his understanding.
Albus Dumbledore was already the strongest wizard in this world. If even Albus Dumbledore said he couldn't break it, who else in this world could?
Such magic.
How terrifying must be the life that cast it?
The more he thought.
The more Snape felt frightened.
In contrast to his emotional shifts, Hermione merely felt quite shocked — after all, she was just a little witch who had recently entered the Magic World.
Her understanding of Albus Dumbledore was limited to what she had read in books, much like a student reading articles about how great a country's leader is.
Ultimately, she had never experienced or personally witnessed it. Hermione knew Albus Dumbledore was powerful, the greatest wizard in this world.
But.
Compared to those born into pure-blood families, she didn't have much knowledge of such power, so her impression of Dumbledore being "omnipotent" wasn't fully established yet. This could be seen in her evolving view of Dumbledore from the first grade to later times in the original timeline.
"So what is our current situation, Professors?" Hermione just wanted to understand the current situation; Albus Dumbledore's presence did bring her some comfort.