The Sunshine of Hogwarts, Snape

"Stop glaring at me with those dead fish eyes. We both know looks can't kill, let alone the gaze of a ghost."

While Harry was in the cupboard under the stairs packing his things, Severus did not stay inside the house.

He stepped into the Dursleys' yard, and while observing the sky, which is now completely overcast and looking ready to unleash a heavy downpour at any moment, he amused himself by needling Ghost Snape residing within him.

Snape was indeed trying to kill Severus with his glare.

He made no effort to conceal his fury, unleashing a roar that only one person could hear.

[You despicable liar! How dare you speak Lily Evans' name! And how dare you tell Potter that you were her friend!]

In response to his rage and accusations, Severus replied dismissively.

"Are you angry because I lied? Or because those words were spoken in your name? Or perhaps... you're furious because you no longer have the right to say that name yourself?"

The question silenced Ghost Snape.

But he still looked ready to explode with anger. If he had even a shred of physical form, and if he could so much as lay a finger on Severus, he would have wreaked havoc inside his body, pummeling his organs in a fit of rage!

However, he had completely turned into a ghost and could only rage helplessly.

"Do you remember what I told you when you asked what I intended to do?" Severus suddenly asked.

Ghost Snape glared at him coldly and refused to speak.

Severus didn't care about his indifference and continued talking to himself.

"Sincere people are the most worthy of others' appreciation, trust and reliance."

"In your eyes, the preparations I made before coming here, like researching the drilling company, were nothing but deception. But even if Vernon Dursley found out that before today, I had no idea what Grunning was or that a drill wasn't just an electric drill, he wouldn't hold it against me. In fact, he'd feel even more warmly toward me."

"Do you know why?"

Severus didn't expect an answer from Ghost Snape. He simply continued,

"Because this is also a kind of sincerity. In order to get along with him, I went out of my way to prepare, to learn about things I knew nothing about, delving into unfamiliar territory just so our first meeting could go smoothly. Does that count as deception?"

"Seeking common ground while reserving differences, once that's achieved, it becomes the first step toward communication. Instead of starting off on the wrong foot, with everyone arguing because of their differing perspectives."

"Muggles don't understand wizards, and wizards can't be bothered to understand Muggles. But Muggles don't understand wizards by choice… it's because wizards deliberately hide themselves. Wizards disdain learning about Muggles, all while clinging to some innate sense of superiority."

"That superiority is utterly foolish, especially when wizards need to interact with Muggles. They can never let go of their status."

At this, Severus shrugged.

"But I can. I see no fundamental difference between Muggles and wizards, as both are capable of rational thought and emotional impulses, and there isn't even a reproductive barrier between us."

"Once that first step toward communication is taken, which of the things I said afterward was a lie? Which part wasn't considered from Petunia and Vernon's perspective?"

"Isn't that sincerity?"

"You only saw me taking advantage of something I had never experienced, which is the relationship you once had with Lily, to win Petunia and Harry's trust in the end. But, have you considered that right now, I am you, and you are me?"

Ghost Snape remained silent, though this silence carried a different weight from before.

Severus leaned against the outer wall of the Dursley's house with his arms crossed.

From this angle, he could just see through the window with his peripheral vision. At this time, Harry in the house is happily packing his meager belongings all by himself.

Not a single member of the Dursley household was helping him. Even though the entire day's events revolved around him, apart from Severus asking for his opinion at the end, Harry might as well have been an outsider.

"I can be sincere with the Dursleys, and I can be just as sincere with you, Old Snape."

He used a nickname that made Ghost Snape feel an inexplicable throbbing in his temples.

"I've given it some thought. The moment I fully replaced you, you should have been dead by all rights. So why did you end up as a ghost bound to this body? How do ghosts even come into existence?"

"You didn't want to face death. You still have unfinished business in this world."

"Harry Potter, that's your unfinished business."

Ghost Snape, who had been silent for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak again, [What are you trying to say?]

"What I'm saying is, our current state is already set in stone. You are the ghost of Severus Snape, while I am the Potions Master, Head of Slytherin House, Potions Professor at Hogwarts, former Death Eater, future possible member of the Order of the Phoenix, and the Severus Snape, who is destined to never have greasy hair again."

As he rattled off this lengthy list of titles, Severus paid no mind to Ghost Snape's increasingly darkened expression. He even gave his now-sleek, short ponytail a little flick.

"Objectively speaking, we are inseparable. Subjectively, we share the same goal."

"Your unfinished business, the reason you became a ghost, was to protect Harry Potter… Lily's son. And so is mine."

"Because only by doing so can I live freely in this world as Severus Snape, enjoying life to the fullest. The difference is, your protection was driven by guilt, self-sacrificial to the end, while I want a better future for both of us."

"But that divergence isn't a conflict, is it? It's just the difference between good and better."

[And do you really believe your way is better?]

Ghost Snape suddenly spoke in a low, hollow voice.

[I know what you're planning. Taking Potter away from the Dursleys early, trying to build a relationship with him… you want him to forget that you were one of the people responsible for his parents' deaths!]

[But are you so sure that when Potter learns the truth, the hatred he'll feel won't explode tenfold from the sudden betrayal? That he won't despise you even more?]

[And what's more, what you're doing now disrupts Dumbledore's plans! That man will definitely return one day. To keep Dumbledore's trust, you must hate Potter! Not shower him with pathetic little favors!]

Severus didn't react to the ghostly Snape's accusations. He simply replied calmly, "About Dumbledore's plans, you really don't need to worry. Dumbledore has certainly considered far more than you have."

"My guess is that he allowed me to try taking Harry away from the Dursleys partly because Harry is only 9 years old. Even if he shows signs of magic, he won't attend Hogwarts for another two years."

"During those two years outside, as long as I take precautions, keeping him with me won't draw much attention. And if I fail to make any meaningful progress with him in that time, Dumbledore can still steer things back on track once Harry enters Hogwarts. I can even help leave room for that possibility."

"As for whether I can give Harry something better... Well, rather than making grand claims, why don't we wait and see?"

"And as for your point about me being Harry's enemy..."

Severus raised an eyebrow and sighed lightly.

"Fine. Since I've already said we're inseparable now, I can't just take the benefits without the drawbacks. Let's say I was partly responsible for the Potters' deaths."

"If I hide the truth and let him believe I was his mother's dear friend, then yes, when he learns the truth, he will see it as a betrayal."

"But… there's that word again."

"Remember what I told you before about the kind of person who earns admiration, trust, and reliance?"

Hearing this, Ghost Snape was stunned at first, and then a huge sense of panic surged in his heart!

Through the window, Severus could already see Harry struggling to carry a battered old suitcase, which should be something Vernon had discarded who knows how many years ago, and walked out of the room with difficult but cheerful steps without any help from anyone.

"Sincerity. Maintain absolute sincerity." Severus murmured under his breath.

[What else are you planning? Just how much chaos are you trying to unleash?!] Ghost Snape demanded, his voice trembling with barely restrained panic.

"I've been sincere with Vernon and Petunia. I've been sincere with you. So why should I lie or hide the truth from Harry Potter?"

Severus straightened up, smoothing out the already immaculate folds of his robes.

"Just because he's a child? That's never been a good enough reason."

After saying this, he strode forward to meet Harry as the boy stepped out of the house.