HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 112 Karkaroff

"Brother Ellie, why have you been so happy these past two days?"

"Of course, it's because...it's a secret~"

After teasing Draco, Emeric leisurely strolled to the Room of Requirement. Garian and Lyra asked him to come over, saying they had something to discuss with him.

"So, what is it that needs to be so mysterious?" He looked at Garian with curiosity.

"Young master, I wonder if you still remember Karkaroff? He's been acting up these past few days, showing up at Hogwarts."

"What's that old man doing here? He hasn't even sorted out Durmstrang's affairs, yet he has the leisure to run around. I'll have Ryan find him something to do. I'll go ask Albus what he's doing here. You guys keep an eye on the Death Eaters; I have a feeling something's going to happen."

"There's one more thing. We still haven't found Barty Crouch Jr.'s grave. It's strange that there's no grave next to Mrs. Crouch's, or rather, the grave next to hers isn't her son's."

Emeric became interested at this, looking at Lyra with excitement, as he loved listening to these kinds of everyday stories.

"How so, is the child next to her an illegitimate child or something else?"

"What are you thinking? There's a dog's ashes over there. I suspect Barty Crouch Jr. is still alive, but unfortunately we can't sneak in." Lyra rolled her eyes at Emeric, somewhat disappointed that they couldn't get into Crouch's house.

"No rush, let's ask Albus or Gellert, those two will definitely have a way to get in."

"Is there anything else?"

"That's all."

"Alright, I'll go find Gellert. You guys keep an eye on Karkaroff." With that, Emeric waved and left, heading back to the cellar to gossip with Severus.

Severus was not in the cellar at this time; he had been summoned by Dumbledore to try and extract information from Karkaroff.

"Mr. Snape, did you hear what I said?"

"I don't understand what you're saying, Mr. Karkaroff."

"He's coming back soon! He'll kill us!" Karkaroff cried out, grabbing Severus's sleeve to stop him from leaving. His eyes were filled with fear; he had thought he had found a companion, someone who, like him, had betrayed Voldemort.

"How do you know he's coming back? Besides, this is Hogwarts, Dumbledore's place. Are you sure you want to speak so loudly?"

"Snape, isn't there anywhere safe for you here?"

"Obviously not. Let's talk in Diagon Alley this Saturday. I have a place there that's mine, and it's very safe."

After Karkaroff left, Severus emerged from the corner, slipping away from the others and returning to the cellar.

He pushed open the door and saw Emeric sitting on the sofa waiting for him. Unable to contain himself, he threw his coat at Emeric's head, venting his frustration. He couldn't scold Karkaroff; if he did, Karkaroff would run away and he wouldn't be able to get any information from him. Scolding Dumbledore was useless either; he'd just have him do the work again next time.

Emeric hung the clothes on the hanger, unable to resist taking a deep breath; he loved the scent. Luckily, he turned around, otherwise Severus would definitely be disgusted if he saw it.

"What's wrong? Who made you unhappy? Want to try some freshly baked apple tarts?" Emeric pretended nothing had happened and handed Severus a plate of tarts.

"Little pervert." Severus muttered before starting to eat. He knew this little rascal liked it, but he didn't know who had corrupted him; he clearly didn't have this hobby when he was a child.

"I have to go out on Saturday. You stay here by yourself. Remember to finish the forms for the medical wing and write the lesson plans. I'll check them when I get back."

"Okay, could you bring me back an ice cream? I'm craving mint chocolate ice cream."

"It depends."

No refusal meant consent. Severus watched Emeric's fawning gesture and lazily extended his wrist for a massage. He'd spent the whole morning brewing potions, and his wrist was a bit sore; he needed someone to massage it.

"Uh...sorry I came here, no, hey, what are you guys doing? Ellie, you sit over here! Severus, take your hand away!!!"

Dumbledore emerged from the fireplace and immediately saw Severus leaning against Emeric, the two almost overlapping. Severus's wrists were flushed, suggesting that something had just happened between them.

"Old bee, what's wrong with you?"

"?"

"What are you two doing? Separate yourselves! Ellie, you're too young to do these things!!!"

"Why can't I just get a wrist massage?"

"Huh? Oh, okay, then it's alright."

"Everything looks dirty to me when I'm dirty."

Severus's words struck Dumbledore like a dagger to the heart. Dumbledore withdrew his hand, glared at him, adjusted his posture, and nestled into Emeric's arms, looking at Dumbledore with a defiant expression.

And this was good news! Emerick instantly became obedient, softening his muscles as if afraid Severus would feel uncomfortable and not want to lean on him. His hand quietly went to the man's waist and gently rested on it.

"Emm, let's not talk about that. Severus, how did your talk with Karkaroff go?"

"We didn't have a good talk. He was very cautious and waited until Saturday. I went outside to talk to him. Ouch..." Severus reached out and pinched Emeric, the little rascal pinching him hard.

"Alright, I got it. I'll wait for your follow-up. You two, get out of here right now! You can't be so close!!!" Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, but still reached out and pulled the two apart, feeling that the two sitting together was an eyesore.

"If you're really that free, go teach my class, or leave my cellar."

"I'm leaving right away." Dumbledore didn't even bother to worry about the distance between them and immediately slipped into the fireplace to return to the headmaster's office. He didn't want to go to class; he'd go crazy!

As soon as Dumbledore left, Severus immediately slapped Emeric's hand away and sat down on the sofa next to him.

"Severus, you didn't tell me you were going to see Karkaroff, but I'm going too! That old man is cunning; I'm afraid he'll take advantage of you."

"Not everyone is as good as you, right? Stay home, I'm very busy."

"You really can't take me with you? I can turn into a kitten and sneak into your pocket. I promise I won't be discovered."

"No, if you keep making noise, you have to write a self-criticism."

A single sentence extinguished Emeric's unreasonable temper. He genuinely had no desire to write a self-criticism, so he sighed, lowered his head, and feigned pitifulness. He didn't know if Severus would still fall for this trick; it had always worked before.

"I'll bring you ice cream when I get back. Be good and don't make a fuss. It's too dangerous to take you there." Once again, Severus softened and explained, promising to bring back ice cream.

"Alright, then put on that protective robe and those protective cufflinks. You can't risk your safety just to get information."

"Tsk, fine, I'll agree to everything. Now I want freshly baked cookies, you go make some."

To stop Emeric from nagging, he simply ordered the food and sent him out. Sure enough, Emeric obediently sighed, opened the door, and went to the kitchen to bake biscuits.