Slughorn waved his hand and headed straight over to where Link was.
It wasn't that he was angry with Snape. In fact, he knew his former student very well.
He knew how outstanding Snape's talent was, and naturally understood just how bad his temper could be.
If Slughorn himself represented one type of Slytherin... someone skilled in socializing, schemes, intelligence, and arrogance...
then Snape belonged to another type often found among Slytherins. These people might possess extraordinary talent, but they were also extremely withdrawn and stubborn. Sometimes, it could even lead to tragedy.
Slughorn had met plenty of people like that, so he knew that talking more was pointless.
After Slughorn left, it was Harry's turn to feel uncomfortable.
When Snape had snapped at Slughorn just now, he had also insulted Harry in passing.
Of course, Harry was already used to that sort of thing.
The most important thing was that now, whenever he saw Snape, he instinctively remembered Gerald's suggestion... ask Snape for help placing the spatial anchor.
Now that he was face to face with Snape, Harry felt his heart pounding wildly. He was so nervous that he could hardly stand it.
Snape was probably feeling something similar. Neither of them knew what to say, so they simply stared at each other in silence.
The air around them became thick with awkwardness.
After a long while, Snape finally looked away and tried to say, "How about we go over to Link's side as well? It looks pretty lively over there."
Even with Occlumency suppressing his emotions, Harry could tell that Snape's voice sounded stiff.
Harry felt that Snape might be regretting how harshly he had spoken to Slughorn earlier. At least if Slughorn were still here, things wouldn't be this awkward.
And honestly, going over to Link's side wasn't a bad idea.
It was crowded over there. Even if they stayed silent, it would at least ease some of the awkwardness.
But Harry instinctively wanted to refuse.
Link was over there.
Harry wasn't mentally strong enough to spend a few hours planning how to defeat Link, then immediately walk over and chat happily with him.
Besides, Link's Legilimency was very powerful. What if Link noticed something?
Unfortunately, Harry never got the chance to refuse.
Although Snape had phrased it as a question, he hadn't given Harry any choice. The moment he finished speaking, he headed toward Link on his own.
Left with no alternative, Harry could only follow.
The spot where Link and Emily were standing was the very center of the banquet hall and also the brightest place in the room.
That matched their place in everyone's minds.
Everyone was constantly moving closer to Link.
People surrounded Link and Emily like stars around the moon, endlessly offering flattery and praise. Some of it was so exaggerated and sickening that it made people uncomfortable.
Harry couldn't really understand their behavior.
Did they think Link would favor them just because they said a few nice words?
Keep dreaming.
Link's expression clearly showed that he was already tired of it all. He was only maintaining a polite smile out of habit.
That alone proved that all their flattery was having the opposite effect.
So what was the point?
"Are you wondering why they're doing this?"
Snape's voice suddenly sounded.
Harry jumped in shock and stumbled backward several steps, staring at Snape in alarm.
Snape was a master of both Occlumency and Legilimency. Harry had been subjected to Snape's Legilimency more than once.
Seeing Harry's reaction, Snape's mouth twitched.
"Relax. I wasn't reading your mind. There was no need. Your expression is so obvious that your thoughts are written all over your face."
"R-Really?"
Harry said as he covered his face.
His cheeks felt burning hot.
Snape ignored him and continued looking toward Link.
"You find this scene ironic too, don't you? These people are doing something completely meaningless, yet every one of them seems to enjoy it."
Harry hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
Seeing that, a rare trace of a smile appeared on Snape's face.
"That's because they don't understand Link. They don't know what kind of person he is or what sort of praise he likes. So while everything is still unclear, they've chosen the safest approach."
"Safe? I don't see how this is safe. Isn't Link already annoyed by them?"
"But do you think Link is going to do something hostile to them just because they keep flattering him and saying disgusting things?" Snape asked and answered his own question.
"Of course not. Haven't you students all been reading The Quotations of Link Flamel lately? There's a phrase in there that fits perfectly... don't hit a smiling face."
"Right now, these people are using the crudest and most primitive way possible to express goodwill toward Link."
"That approach may not earn Link's favor, but at least it won't earn his hatred. After all, they're showing goodwill. Other than a madman, who would attack someone showing them goodwill? That's what makes it safe."
"Of course, that safety is only temporary."
"At the moment, these people simply don't understand Link's personality. But if they get more opportunities to interact with him, they'll quickly change their tactics and continue expressing goodwill and submission in ways that Link finds more acceptable. They're professionals at this sort of thing."
"Just like Professor Slughorn."
At the end, Snape even made a joke at Slughorn's expense.
Unfortunately, nobody laughed.
Because his only listener, Harry, was staring at him in disbelief.
Only after hearing Snape's explanation did Harry truly understand something.
Snape wasn't some greasy-haired, antisocial, cold bat that nobody could approach.
He understood social interactions perfectly well.
He simply chose not to use that knowledge.
That was the quality a true double agent should possess.
Thinking about it carefully, it should have been obvious.
If Snape understood nothing and merely possessed exceptional Occlumency, Voldemort would have killed him long ago.
Harry stared blankly at Snape.
Ever since he had started letting go of some of his preconceived notions, Snape seemed to change every day.
Now he was becoming someone Harry almost couldn't recognize.
"Professor Snape, Harry, you're finally here!"
At that moment, Link's voice suddenly came from nearby.
The sound startled Harry out of his thoughts. He nearly fell onto the floor.
"No need to be that scared. I'm not going to eat you."
Link sounded puzzled.
Then he helped Harry up, draped one arm around Harry's shoulder and the other around Snape's shoulder, and guided them toward a corner by one of the long tables.
"Shh! Don't say anything for now. I only got away by saying I needed to discuss something with you two. Don't blow my cover."
Link's words immediately stopped Harry from speaking.
Snape merely rolled his eyes.
After quickly reaching the corner, Link finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Alright, this should do. What I'm about to say might sound like bragging, but those people are really too annoying!"
"No, actually... I kind of feel the same way."
Out of nervousness, Harry replied a little too eagerly.
Meanwhile, Snape frowned and said, "So you made an excuse to leave and dumped all that trouble on Emily?"
"No, you've misunderstood me, Professor Snape," Link said.
"When I'm not there, who would dare go bother Emily? She's my fiancée. Even if you gave them ten times the courage, they still wouldn't dare. That could be life-threatening."
A faint killing intent lingered in Link's words.
Harry shivered involuntarily and instinctively looked toward where Link and Emily had been standing.
Sure enough, the crowd that had gathered there had dispersed.
People were now chatting in small groups.
Only Professor Slughorn, Ernie, and a few other familiar faces were still talking with Emily.
Snape nodded lightly.
"This time, you pass. But I still need to warn you. If you ever let Emily get bullied..."
"Come on, Professor Snape, you don't need to keep repeating that." Link waved his hand. "Everyone can see how I treat Emily. She's my fiancée. Of course I won't let anyone bully her."
"Why do you think I'm bringing this up? Your mother already contacted me. She said you refused to hold the wedding with Emily right now. What exactly is that supposed to mean? I'm not your mother. You won't fool me that easily. You'd better give me a real reason."
"Right. She complained to you again." Link sighed. "If you want a reason, I'll give you one. It's simple. I'm too busy right now. There are a lot of things I'll need to do in the future. This isn't a suitable time to hold a wedding with Emily."
The moment Link finished speaking, Snape's eyes sharpened again.
He opened his mouth, ready to argue.
But Harry spoke first, "Huh? Link, what have you been busy with lately? Things at the Ministry of Magic?"
The moment he finished speaking, Harry nervously covered his mouth.
He knew he had crossed a line.
Given his position, it really wasn't appropriate for him to inquire about Link's work at the Ministry.
In Harry's mind, that could easily make Link suspicious.
Yet he couldn't stop himself from blurting it out.
Fortunately, Link didn't seem to think anything of it.
Instead, he smiled and raised an eyebrow at Harry, as if thanking him for changing the subject.
Then he said, "There are a lot of things happening at the Ministry. Recently, the main focus has been military expansion."
"It's not exactly a secret. You just don't know because you've been staying at Hogwarts. Recruitment notices have already spread throughout society."
"There are also large-scale bidding projects for military equipment underway. In another while, we should start seeing real results."
"Recruitment?"
Harry became alarmed.
At this point, he no longer cared whether Link might become suspicious.
"Why are you recruiting again? Didn't we already win against the French Ministry of Magic?"
Link glanced at Harry and said, "I've heard that exact question from more than twenty different people. Honestly, I'm curious. Why do all of you think it's already time to enjoy peace?"
"Our enemies haven't been completely eliminated. Since we've achieved a temporary victory, we should keep advancing and press the advantage."
Hearing that, Snape's expression changed.
He reached out and covered the Dark Mark on his arm.
He felt he understood exactly who Link was referring to as the enemy.
If that were the case, then pressing the advantage really was the best choice.
Because if they wanted peace, that enemy could not be allowed to continue existing in this world.
On the other side, Harry looked horrified.
He didn't know as much as Snape, but he still understood one terrifying implication from Link's words.
"Y-You still plan to continue the war?", Harry asked cautiously.
Link glanced at him.
"Harry, you need to understand something. They were the ones who started the war. We're only retaliating. You can't pity them just because they're weaker now. When they were strong, they wouldn't have shown you the same mercy."
Link's eyes were as sharp as blades.
Harry couldn't bear the pressure and turned his head away, unable to meet Link's gaze.
At that moment, Snape frowned and asked, "You're telling us all this so easily? Aren't you worried the information might leak?"
"Worried? Why would I be worried?" Link sneered. "Even if the information leaks, what can they do about it? Are they somehow going to reverse their defeat with this piece of information?"
Snape froze.
Ever since Voldemort himself had been driven out of Britain and the remaining Death Eaters within the British magical world had gradually been wiped out, he had effectively moved away from the core power circles of Dumbledore and Link.
To put it more accurately, the former double agent had retired.
As a result, he didn't know much about the latest intelligence.
Now that Link had said this, Snape finally realized something.
The results Link and Dumbledore had achieved at the International Confederation of Wizards mediation conference were probably far greater than what The Daily Prophet had reported.
Otherwise, Link would not have such confidence.
Snape took a deep breath and began another round of questions.
He still had many doubts about the war that might come next.