#3 - Chapter 3: Old Friends Reunited
Donning a sophisticated suit, Sebastian examined his reflection in the mirror.
His height of six-foot-one made him appear exceptionally tall.
A thick head of black hair and sharply defined eyebrows gave his gaze a particularly keen edge.
His blue eyes shimmered with light, resembling a serene ocean, almost daring you to meet his gaze. A prominent, straight nose and rosy lips completed his handsome features, making his face seem like a sculpted work of art.
His skin was remarkably youthful, making him appear younger than his thirty years, almost like a young man barely out of his twenties.
He possessed both the maturity and composure of a seasoned man, as well as the vigor and exuberance of youth.
Sebastian smiled slightly, revealing a set of straight, white teeth.
“Still as handsome as ever. If I went to the Muggle world to make movies, actors like Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio would have to step aside!”
Sebastian walked outside the manor gates and gazed in the direction of Hogwarts, murmuring:
“Floo Powder? It tends to soil clothes, which wouldn't be very presentable for today.”
“Then…”
“Apparition!”
After a sensation akin to having his face squeezed flat, Sebastian found himself standing before the gates of Hogwarts.
The gates were magnificent, made of iron, and imbued with powerful magic to protect the students learning inside from harm.
On either side of the gate stood numerous stone pillars, each topped with a winged boar.
Sebastian raised his wrist and checked the time on his magical watch.
9:30 AM.
Precisely on time for his arranged meeting.
Gazing at the distant castle, Sebastian couldn't help but exclaim:
“No matter how many times I see it, Hogwarts Castle remains so magnificent.”
Before he could finish, the gates slowly swung open, and a male wizard emerged.
He was gaunt and pale. His shoulder-length black hair was greasy and plastered to his face like curtains.
He wore a black robe of dull, unremarkable fabric.
As a breeze swept through, the hem of his robe fluttered, making him resemble a giant bat.
Spotting Sebastian outside the gates, his lips curled into a slightly mocking smile as he spoke in a slow, deliberate voice:
“Well, well, who do we have here? Sebastian Swan! The wealthiest man in the magical world graces Hogwarts with his presence. Hogwarts is truly honored.”
Sebastian scrutinized the man from head to toe before raising his wand in front of his chest and retorting, “What is it, Severus? Do you have some critique?”
Severus mirrored the gesture, raising his wand in front of his chest, and replied, “The usual!”
For about three heartbeats, the two stood motionless before simultaneously unleashing spells at each other.
“Babbling Curse!”
“Tarantallegra!”
In a matter of seconds, spells flew back and forth between the two.
Both tacitly refrained from using powerful offensive spells or defensive shields.
Instead, they relied on nimble footwork to dodge the attacks, or used their wands to deflect the incoming spells.
Densaugeo!
Langlock!
Locomotor Wibbly!
Furnunculus!
The two transformed into masters of minor jinxes, each spell streaking through the air with a colorful glow and a sharp whistle.
The barrage of jinxes rained down, causing the protective magic on the Hogwarts gates to ripple.
Snape was on the defensive, struggling to evade the constant stream of spells while seeking opportunities to counterattack.
He couldn't afford to be careless, having not dueled in many years.
His requests to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts had been consistently denied by Dumbledore, leading him to focus his energies on potion research.
However, he didn't want to embarrass himself, especially given their years of separation and the unspoken desire to gain the upper hand.
Moreover—unshielded minor jinx combat was a dueling game they had played since their days at Hogwarts.
It tested a wizard's fundamental dueling skills.
Footwork,
Timing,
Spell accuracy,
Stable control of magic output,
Precise control of magic output,
Physical endurance,
And so on...
The two had entered Hogwarts in the same year, both sorted into Slytherin, and shared a dorm room as their surnames both started with “S”.
Snape had known more spells than half the seventh-year students when he first arrived, but his roommate knew even more. They often engaged in magical discussions and dueling practice, gradually forging a deep friendship.
Not to mention, this person understood him, helped him pursue Lily, and ultimately prevented him from uttering those three hurtful words. Snape remained eternally grateful.
Snape inwardly admitted that he was probably no match for Sebastian.
After all, Sebastian had always possessed stronger magic since their school days, and he seemed to be a natural duelist, possessing numerous advanced dueling concepts and training philosophies.
“Unshielded minor jinx combat” was his invention.
“Even so, I don't want to lose!” Snape thought fiercely.
He didn't want to lose to this arrogant swan.
This showy arrogant swan.
He desperately tried to recall his previous combat experience, and after narrowly avoiding disaster several times, he finally managed to stop being completely overwhelmed.
Just as he caught his breath, Snape heard his opponent shout, “Haha, Severus, getting warmed up? I'm going to pick up the pace!”
Feeling the sudden increase in the frequency of attacks, Snape momentarily became flustered again, cursing inwardly, “This speed demon!”
How did this arrogant swan do it?
Although he had worked as an Auror in the Ministry of Magic for the first two years after graduation,
he had joined the family business after Voldemort's downfall.
After becoming the wealthiest man in the magical world, he had ventured into the Eastern magical world, claiming to be traveling.
Upon returning from the East, he had plunged headfirst into the Muggle world, aiming to seize the opportunity presented by the collapse of the Soviet Union to earn a small fortune of a billion.
When did he find the time to train, and how could he still be so skilled?
Just as Snape was about to succumb, a silvery-white phoenix Patronus appeared between them.
Then Dumbledore's slightly helpless voice echoed from above:
“Mr. Swan and Professor Snape, please cease your duel. The gates of Hogwarts cannot withstand your onslaught.”
“Professor Snape, please bring Mr. Swan to me as soon as possible. I will be waiting for you in my office!”
Seeing that the dueling game could not continue, Sebastian laughed and lowered his wand.
He then strode forward, slung an arm around Snape's shoulders, and headed towards Hogwarts Castle.
“You've deteriorated, Severus. I haven't even exerted myself, and you're already collapsing!” Sebastian teased as they walked.
“Hmph, if I recall correctly, not a single spell actually hit me.”
Hearing this, Sebastian burst into laughter. “Severus, your tongue is as sharp as ever. I suspect Fiendfyre wouldn't even singe it, haha.”
Snape was so infuriated by this that he clenched his fists.
He took a deep breath, calmed himself, then stopped and asked solemnly, “Sebastian, you've achieved success and possess immense wealth. Why choose to come to Hogwarts as a mere professor?”
“Don't be so serious, let's talk as we walk.
Once material needs are met, it's time to address spiritual needs, of course.
Why Hogwarts?
Let's wait until we see Professor Dumbledore and explain it together.
That way, I won't have to repeat myself.”
“Then why did you have the Board of Governors create a Vice-Principal position?”
“I directly requested Headmaster Dumbledore to add a Vice-Principal position, but he didn't agree.”
“……”
“You see, within the rules, a little gold goes a long way. The Governors were quite supportive of me. All roads lead to Hogwarts!”
“I suspect Professor Dumbledore won't be very pleased with this approach.” As he spoke, the two arrived on the eighth floor of Hogwarts Castle, at the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
The entrance to the Headmaster's office was guarded by a grotesquely ugly gargoyle.
Snape gave Sebastian a look that said, 'Good luck,' then stepped forward and spoke the password to the gargoyle:
“Cockroach Cluster.”
