Chapter 8: Hermione Really Knows How To

Despite Dumbledore's strenuous objections, Snape ultimately failed to convince Vessey to adopt his surname.

"He's dead, why should we adopt his?"

"He glared at Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore regarded him with shock, something unheard of for him.

"How could this man have the nerve to say such brazen things?

"Not only had he slandered someone, but now not even his daughter wanted the Potter name. Wasn't he afraid that James Potter's other friends would beat him to death?

"Snape showed no fear.

"You could take Lily's surname, Evans,"

"He vehemently suggested to Dumbledore.

" Dumbledore sneered.

"I have no objection, but if that happens, Vessey will receive nothing from the Potter family. Do you think the Potter ancestral portrait would give anything to a child not named Potter?"

Snape snorted.

He couldn't argue that his family's wealth was greater than the Potters'.

After all, it certainly couldn't compare to the Potters' wealth.

He felt a little regretful, wishing he had inherited the Prince family.

The Prince family had disowned his mother because she married a Muggle.

They couldn't get a penny from the Prince family.

He hadn't cared before, but now he felt a slight melancholy.

 "Mmm, anything you want!"

He said irritably.

He looked back at Vessey.

"Even if your name is Potter, I will treat you like my own son!"

He promised.

Vessey certainly believed it.

He smiled.

"Thank you, you're such a good person!"

Snape was entranced again.

Lily had praised him earlier.

Vessey looked so much like her...

Dumbledore sighed.

He took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Vissey.

"Child, this is your letter of admission. I don't think you've read it yet." 

Vessey nodded.

He saw the Hogwarts crest and smiled dreamily.

"Did I open it?"

Snape and Dumbledore looked at him encouragingly.

He opened the envelope.

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Master and Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot.)

Dear Miss Vessey,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I enclose a list of books and supplies required.

The term begins on September 1st. We'll be waiting for your owl with your reply by July 30th.

Deputy Headmistress

Minerva McGonagall.

There were still a lot of things to buy. Vissey glanced at the letter for a moment and, seeing that it was similar to the original book, put it away.

"Thank you, thank you! I'll definitely be going to Hogwarts!"

She hugged the letter with a cheerful expression on her face.

"Come on!"

Snape said.

Vessey shook her head quickly.

"No, I should say goodbye to the Headmistress..."

she said anxiously.

Dumbledore and Snape wore grim expressions.

"Come on!" The headmistress, no doubt, wasn't a nice person; she would certainly hurt Vessey's feelings.

"I'll go and speak to her first. After all, I am the headmaster of Hogwarts,"

said Dumbledore with a smile.

Even calling him by his name.

He desperately wanted to ask, "Do you treat Harry Potter the same?"

But after thinking about it, he decided not to bother.

"We'll leave when we're done..."

Snape hadn't finished speaking when sirens sounded outside.

Then, a crowd rushed into the orphanage.

Snape cast a Disillusionment Charm on Vissey and turned invisible.

He watched helplessly as every room was opened, every child was rounded up, and every adult was arrested.

"Professor..."

Vessey was shocked.

Had Dumbledore called the police? 

Snape, assuming he was scared, hesitated for a moment and then rubbed his head.

"Don't be afraid, they're arresting the bad guys."

Vessey's mouth twitched.

He knew they were arresting the bad guys.

He was just wondering who had called the police, okay?

But he didn't ask, so Snape wouldn't know.

He comforted him and began contacting Dumbledore.

Just then, Vessey saw his Headmistress, his mother, being escorted away by several people.

"What gives you the right to arrest me? Believe it or not, I'll let them..."

The Headmistress's mother shouted angrily.

 The person next to him sneered, "We've been watching you for three days, and your protector has just been arrested!"

　　 Three days?

　　 Vessey rubbed his forehead.

　　 That couldn't have been Snape or Dumbledore.

　　 That must have been Hermione, right? Hermione, you sure know how to call the police when you're in trouble.