Leonie, seeing Snape's earlier look of "surprise", jumped to the conclusion that he was heartbroken over her rejection.
At a loss for what else to do, she plowed on, "Look, Fleur, my granddaughter is already so grown up."
"And my son will be old enough to be your husband before you know it."
Leonie gave Snape an apologetic look, all the while maintaining a subtle distance. "So, no matter what, I simply cannot accept your feelings."
"…"
Finally realizing he'd been misunderstood, Snape's face darkened further.
However, everyone present was a wizard, and their senses were far more acute than a Muggle's.
So, Leonie's words were naturally overheard by everyone, including Snape's "furious and frustrated" expression.
Naturally, no one could remain indifferent.
Especially Harry and Malfoy's "whispers," which only fueled Snape's rage.
"It's alright, Professor. It's just a rejection. You were bound to be rejected eventually anyway," Harry said.
"Yes, Godfather. While I think your taste is alright, older women are better suited for your... proclivities. Your direct attempt to target someone's birthplace is a bit much. Even as your godson, I can't support you. I'm truly sorry," Malfoy added.
"Even though I understand your frustration from being single for so many years, this is wrong," Harry said.
"So, Godfather, let it go. And there's no need to be sad about being rejected. Like Harry said, being rejected is a given. Just think of it as not the first time, and you'll feel better."
"Yeah, after all, it's not the first or second time we've been rejected. So don't dwell on this one too much. Look at Malfoy; he's been rejected too, and he's still living his life, all smiles," Harry continued.
"Wait a minute, Scarface, how do you know I've been rejected?" Malfoy asked.
"…"
Besides Harry and Malfoy, Luna and Hermione, who were organizing their shopping haul, turned around.
Fleur looked at Snape with a strange expression.
Little Gabrielle, clinging to Tom's lap, looked at her grandmother and Snape with confusion. Hmm… what are they talking about? Gabrielle didn't seem to understand.
"Shouldn't you explain it to him?" Nagini asked, looking at the gloating Tom with annoyance.
"No need. Severus isn't the type to care too much about these things. Even if he's misunderstood, he probably won't care."
Tom reached out and ruffled Gabrielle's hair. "Besides, he's probably only angry because Harry and the others touched a nerve… Anyway, do not concern yourself with him. He shall handle it himself."
And just as Tom thought...
Seeing the situation unfold so strangely, Snape stated his true intentions directly, "Excuse me, Ms. Delacour, I did not mean to overstep any boundaries."
"Actually, what I wished to ask was…"
Snape looked directly into Leonie's eyes. Seeing her instinctively shift slightly away, he did not hesitate any longer. "Could you... spare a strand of your hair?"
"..."
Snape's words surprised Leonie. "Huh?"
Having lived for so many years, she could naturally see the sincerity in Snape's eyes; he was not lying to her.
Although she did not know that Snape could easily lie to her if he wanted to.
So… I misunderstood just now?
And… I misunderstood something so bizarre!
Leonie suddenly felt that being killed by another Dark Lord wasn't such an unacceptable outcome anymore; at least she would be back to the state she was in when she was eager for Tom and the others to leave.
...
England, Hogwarts.
"So she did give you some in the end, right?"
Snape looked at the small tuft of platinum blonde hair in his hand, listening to the teasing voices behind him, ignoring them completely.
Because he was even more frustrated now. Tom had returned and immediately told everyone about him, even if it was only to those two old men… but Snape did not think those two old men would refrain from telling others.
Standing behind Snape, Dumbledore did not seem to care much; that was simply Severus's personality.
Meanwhile, Harry and the others had already been sent back to their respective homes. Upon hearing the news of Harry's return, Sirius Black, who had been drunk at the Leaky Cauldron, immediately abandoned his drinking buddies and rushed back, almost getting hit by a Muggle car.
Therefore, he was scolded by his good godson Harry when he got back, but even if he had been hit, for a wizard, it would only be a minor injury at most.
"Sigh, these young people nowadays…"
Dumbledore sighed, then summoned Fawkes. Tom had captured the goblins that had appeared below Hogwarts; he wished to go see them.
...
Hogwarts' cellars.
Here, there was a makeshift magical cage.
It appeared to be made of metal, but the alchemical traces clearly indicated it was a large-scale creation.
However, the cell door was open, and Lanlock was bound and thrown to the ground.
"Confess, and you shall be treated leniently; resist, and you shall be punished severely! If you do not speak now, I cannot guarantee you will still be alive later."
The old man, Grindelwald, occasionally used magic to control the whipping of Lanlock. "Not bad, you've got guts. I admire that… Very well, I shall first peel off this hideous skin of yours, then crush your fingers one by one, then administer a stimulant before tossing you into the furnace to burn alive…"
However, Lanlock, whilst being whipped, was only focused on shouting and could not answer his questions.
At that moment, a fire suddenly ignited in the cellar, and Dumbledore's figure appeared within it.
"What has happened?"
Dumbledore glanced at Lanlock, who was badly beaten, then turned to Grindelwald in confusion. "Gellert?"
"I could not do anything about it."
Grindelwald shrugged helplessly, ceasing what he was doing. "This goblin simply will not answer me; I cannot help it."
"Is that so?"
Dumbledore, who possessed far more goblin authority than Grindelwald, said, "Lanlock, is it not? Perhaps you should realize that no matter how much you persist, it is pointless... Do not make matters difficult for either of us, agreed?"
"..."
After a long pause, Lanlock finally turned his head, looking aggrieved. "He keeps telling me to talk, telling me to talk... but he has not even asked me a bloody question yet! Waaah..."
"..."
Dumbledore fell silent, then met Grindelwald's gaze, who was equally silent.
"My apologies, Al; it is not my first time being the good guy."
Grindelwald smiled awkwardly, and then Lanlock's voice echoed from behind him.
"And are you not wizards? Why not simply use Legilimency? I never said I was going to resist! Waaah…"
"…"
Grindelwald turned around and looked at the wretched goblin with a malicious smile. "It appears Mr. Lanlock still possesses a plethora of energy. How would you like me to assist you in expending it?"
"Potion! Stop taking so many pills!!!"
"I confess! I confess everything! Whatever you say goes! I blew up Hogwarts! I murdered King Arthur! Stop taking so many pills (crying voice)!!!"
"…"
---