i am snape

Snape gazed impassively at Dumbledore's face. 

 Occasionally, a faint breeze would slip through the window's crack, gently rustling the open pages on the table. 

 Dumbledore soon settled back into his chair. In the dim, flickering light of the office lamps, he appeared even older and more weary. 

 "Do you know what that name signifies?" Dumbledore was the first to break the silence. 

 "That's precisely what I wished to ask you, Professor." Snape had already pondered the question deeply. "I seem to find his traces everywhere at Hogwarts." He counted on his fingers. "Winner of the 'Award for Special Services to the School,' Prefect, Head Boy, Professor Slughorn's favorite, the gamekeeper's nemesis, and perhaps even the creator of the Moaning Myrtle?" 

 He paused for a few seconds, then continued, "Such an exceptional person, leaving Hogwarts with so many dazzling accolades, yet choosing Borgin and Burkes, and then vanishing without a trace." 

 "What exactly have you learned from the Death Eaters, Severus?" Dumbledore inquired. 

Whether it was an illusion or not, Snape detected a hint of coldness in Dumbledore's gaze. 

 "Professor," Snape managed to keep his voice steady, "after that night on the Knight Bus, it suddenly occurred to me that Mulciber had once boastfully told me something. He proudly said that his father had been Voldemort's most loyal servant since his school days, and that he was destined for a brilliant future." 

 Dumbledore continued to watch him silently, and under the unspoken pressure, Snape had no choice but to continue. 

 "This gave me an idea. After the term started, I've been researching who the most outstanding students were during old Mulciber's time. Among all the candidates, Riddle's achievements were unmatched by anyone else. Coincidentally, Riddle seemed to have lost his future, while Voldemort had no past." 

 "So, Professor, may I ask you a question?" Snape said slowly. "Is Tom Riddle Voldemort?" 

 Dumbledore straightened up, his fingertips pressed together, a characteristic posture of his. 

 "Remarkable," he said softly, with a touch of resignation in his voice. "Severus, since you've managed to trace it this far, even if I denied it, you wouldn't believe me, would you? Tom was probably the most brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen. More than thirty years ago, I personally taught him here." 

Dumbledore fell into thought, his eyes distant, as if transported back to that distant time. 

 "Later, he vanished after leaving school, traveling far and wide, sinking deeper into the mire of dark magic, mingling with the most wicked individuals in the wizarding world. After many dangerous magical transformations, he eventually re-emerged as Voldemort. By then, he was barely recognizable. Hardly anyone would connect Voldemort with the clever, handsome Head Boy who once studied here." 

 "So it truly was him," Snape murmured, "Among so many paths, he chose the worst one." 

 He looked at Dumbledore, who was smiling faintly. "I am pleased you made a different choice, but I hope you will not pursue this any further. You are a student now, and not yet of age. Your current task is to acquire knowledge and protect yourself. Additionally, please do not share this with anyone else; it could put them in danger." 

 "Yes, sir, I won't. Thank you very much for your trust." Snape said, though his expression was like that of an ox who had just heard a performance. 

 Snape couldn't help but yawn. "It's getting late, Professor, perhaps we should conclude for tonight?" 

 Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Good night." 

 After leaving the Headmaster's office, Snape slowly descended the spiral staircase. When he reached the statue, the gargoyle once again sprang aside, revealing the passage to the corridor. The moonlight streamed through the high windows of the corridor, forming a silver band of light on the floor. 

 Snape had already started down the steps to the dungeons, but suddenly he remembered the damage he had caused to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom during his earlier duel with James, which was still in disarray. "Alas, this is my own doing; I should go take care of it." 

 He checked the Marauder's Map again to see if anything was amiss. After confirming it was safe, Snape turned and went upstairs, arriving at the door to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, and pushed open the wooden door. The sobbing inside abruptly ceased. 

 "Severus!" Moaning Myrtle whizzed to the doorway, crying out dramatically. "You've come back to see me so soon!" 

 "What?!" Snape was so startled he nearly pulled out his wand. "Uh—yes, I'm back. Myrtle, how are you after such a short time?" 

 "Splendid," Myrtle's face suddenly brightened. "I was beginning to think you were tricking me again." 

 "Oh, I'm truly sorry for making such a mess of your bathroom tonight." 

 "It's quite all right," Myrtle said gently. "If it's you, I don't mind." 

 "Ah?" Snape suddenly had a bad feeling, wishing he could leave immediately. He certainly didn't want to be like Ning Caichen. If there was a secret deep within his heart that he wished no one knew: he rather hoped to visit the Albanian forests to see if he could still do something for Nagini. 

"Wait, don't speak." Snape hastily waved his wand, pacing back and forth in the bathroom. As flashes of light appeared, the shattered glass from his duel with James automatically reassembled into a complete mirror, returning to its place above the stone sink. The twisted candelabra holders restored their shape in mid-air, jumping back to their original positions. The candle stubs flew back to their tops, emitting a dim yellow glow once more. A large pile of broken porcelain pieces also automatically repaired into a pristine flushing toilet. Broken, torn, and gaping places throughout the room were restored to normal, and the stains on the floor and walls automatically scrubbed clean. 

 "You're truly so thoughtful," Myrtle sniffled, looking as if she was about to cry. "I don't know how to thank you." 

 "No need," Snape quickly said. "I must go, goodbye." 

 "Can you stay here?" Myrtle said reluctantly. "I can let you use all these stalls." 

 "Absolutely not!" Snape bolted for the door. "Don't bother seeing me out!" 

 Slamming the wooden door of the bathroom shut, Snape finally breathed a sigh of relief. "What in the world was that? Truly dreadful..."