Harry Potter: I became Snape

"They hope we'll join them now…" Severus Snape murmured softly, reading the words aloud.

The implication hit him immediately: Lord Voldemort was growing impatient, recruiting anyone into the Death Eaters' ranks regardless of age. Not just Barty Crouch Jr., but Regulus Black and several other older Slytherin students as well.

Snape turned to head upstairs but noticed Barty Jr. trailing behind. He quickly gestured for him to follow into an empty corner.

"Don't join them," Snape whispered urgently. "With your father's current influence, even if you became a Death Eater, it wouldn't strip him of his power—unless he chose to shield you. Do you think he would?"

Barty Jr. shook his head, a flicker of resentment in his eyes.

"Then stick to our original plan," Snape continued. "Once you're in the Ministry, throw around 'My father is Barty Crouch' a few times, act untouchable. That'll be enough to undermine him…"

After speaking, Snape crossed the corridor and headed upstairs, resolved to visit Dumbledore's office immediately.

As he walked, his mind churned over the situation. It was 1977 now, and this was the year Regulus would proudly join Voldemort's ranks… A year later, Regulus would offer Kreacher to Voldemort…

Lost in thought, Snape passed the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office without noticing.

It wasn't until the gargoyle called out to him several times in its deep voice that Snape snapped back to reality, startled, and retraced his steps.

"Thank you, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans," he said. "We'll chat next time."

He had no patience for banter with the gargoyle now; his only thought was to reach the headmaster.

"I'm not called Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans," the gargoyle grumbled, springing to life and hopping aside. "Hmph."

"Thank you, Mr. Sweet Guardian," Snape called over his shoulder, hurrying through the gap in the wall without looking back.

The entrance sealed softly behind him as he reached the door to the headmaster's office.

Knocking on the griffin-shaped knocker, Snape pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Dumbledore sat serenely behind his desk, looking up as Snape entered.

"What's the matter, Severus?" Dumbledore asked calmly, peering at him. "Sit down. Why the rush?"

"Professor," Snape said, remaining standing, "I need to discuss something urgent and important with you."

He handed Dumbledore a crumpled piece of parchment.

"Who are 'they' and 'we'?" Dumbledore asked, unfolding the note. His gaze settled on the parchment through his half-moon spectacles.

"This came from Barty Jr.," Snape explained. "I've recently brought him to our side. He's still attending the Walpurgis meetings, and Voldemort is pressing them to formally join the Death Eaters."

"Everyone has the right to make their own choices, Severus," Dumbledore said, his long fingers gently clasping together at the tips.

"You're right, Professor," Snape replied, his voice steadying as he sat across from Dumbledore, meeting his eyes. "But they're still your students."

"To be honest, I only truly care about a few of them," Snape admitted. "Since you're the headmaster, the weight of this decision should fall to you."

Mimicking Dumbledore, Snape placed his hands on the desk, fingertips touching.

"You're the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, First-Class Grand Sorcerer of the Order of Merlin, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility."

"I agree with your perspective, Severus," Dumbledore said, rising and crossing to the perch where he gently stroked Fawkes' feathers. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Will Barty Jr. join the Death Eaters?"

"Of course not," Snape said, his eyes following Dumbledore as the headmaster retrieved several documents and envelopes from a cabinet. "I'm not about to let one of my own risk their life as a spy, no matter how much it might benefit us."

Dumbledore nodded, placing a stack of parchment on the desk before settling back into his chair.

"Voldemort's rhetoric is dangerously persuasive," Dumbledore said. "He promises his followers a future where wizards need not hide, where they can unleash their full potential and rule over Muggle-born witches and wizards and Muggles alike."

"For now, the Death Eaters primarily target Muggles and some Muggle-born or half-blood wizards," he continued. "Tom still has significant support within the magical community."

Snape's gaze drifted to the documents.

"These are resolutions from the Board of Governors," Dumbledore explained. "They've mandated that the headmaster and staff refrain from interfering with students' rights to free association."

He gestured to the envelopes. "And these are letters from the Malfoy, Carrow, Rosier, and Black families, unanimously demanding I make no significant changes to the school's teaching or management."

"So we can't act openly?" Snape asked.

"Precisely," Dumbledore said, a trace of sorrow in his voice. "If I push for major reforms against their wishes, many pure-blood families will withdraw their children for private tutoring. That changes nothing."

"I understand, Professor," Snape said, leaning back in his chair. "Make your decision, then. Let them follow their fated paths."

"But," Snape added, "I recall you've been nominated for Minister of Magic multiple times. Have you ever considered taking a turn at the Ministry?"

Dumbledore shook his head wearily. "In the past, I had no desire to be bound by a Ministry career. Now, even if I wanted to, no one could replace me as headmaster."

"Professor McGonagall?" Snape ventured.

Dumbledore gave a helpless smile. "As I've told you before, Tom once sought the Defence Against the Dark Arts post. Since then, we've had to replace that teacher every year."

"What's less known," he continued, "is that Tom also cursed the headmaster's position. I suspect no one but me could safely hold this role for more than a year."

"What?" Snape blinked, caught off guard. He'd hoped to maneuver Dumbledore into the Ministry, securing a powerful ally there, but this revelation dashed that plan.

It made sense, though. If Tom had cursed the Defence Against the Dark Arts post, why spare the headmaster's role?

The two headmasters who followed Dumbledore—Umbridge and Snape himself—had indeed met untimely fates within a year of taking the position.

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