"His situation is not normal!"
Snape stood in the center of the office, his expression tinged with fear, "Occlumency has completely failed to work on him, and I have tried my utmost more than once."
"He says he can only sense my emotions, but I believe he can do far more than that, Albus, I have never seen such an unreasonable Legilimency."
Snape's eyes were fixed on Dumbledore.
"It has been proven that some people indeed surpass expectations in excellence, Severus, I think you can understand this point easily." Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged.
He had clearly long realized the peculiarity surrounding Ian.
"It's not that I haven't seen born Legilimens, but their minds don't possess such a domineering invasiveness. His talent is truly too dangerous!"
Snape's expression was extremely serious and earnest, his voice carrying an unmistakable concern, his gaze never shifting from Dumbledore.
That gaze that seemed ready to swallow Dumbledore made him sit up a little straighter with discomfort.
"An exceptional talent is not necessarily a bad thing."
Dumbledore's voice remained gentle.
"We originally agreed! He just needs to go to school normally, then graduate and live an ordinary life! Damn it! Next year, you'll be bringing that person into the school!"
"At such a time, the least he needs is an unusual talent. He just needs to live a mediocre life like those ordinary students!"
Snape always spoke as if reluctantly.
"I think, Mr. Prince's life does not require any of us to decide for him." Dumbledore understood Snape's slightly stressed reaction.
However.
He did not agree with Snape's arrangement, "This is a right that even parents don't possess. I know what you're thinking, and I advise you to give up such thoughts."
Dumbledore stared directly at Snape.
Snape remained silent.
After a moment.
"He will hate you."
Dumbledore spoke softly.
"Do you think I care?"
Snape snorted.
"Severus, if there's anything that long years have taught me, it's never to assume you're absolutely right. It's important to know that attempting to impose your will on someone else's life is utterly foolish."
"Not even the strongest magic can change the adverse consequences such actions will sow." In Dumbledore's silver glasses, the light from the table and Snape's figure were reflected.
"We are all failures, what right do we have to decide what a correct life is?" Dumbledore's words made Snape's expression change like a Chan opera mask.
"You're not a failure, the greatest wizard in the world, the headmaster of Hogwarts—many in the Wizarding World still fear your strength."
"Albus, excessive humility only makes you seem insincere."
Snape snorted coldly, speaking without reservation.
Dumbledore nodded indifferently.
"In fact, when I told you about his existence, it wasn't to change anything about him, but quite the opposite, I want to see how you'll be changed by it."
"Severus, it is you who need him, not the other way around."
Dumbledore's words made Snape furious.
"You're talking nonsense!"
Snape raised his tone several notches.
Dumbledore simply replied with a smile.
"I don't need you to lay out my life either!"
Snape stared at Dumbledore.
"Whatever scheme you're plotting, you need to swear to me, make an Unbreakable Vow with me, and tell me he's not part of your plan."
Snape was clearly not particularly trusting of Dumbledore.
"Firstly, you and many others overestimate my wisdom, and secondly, if this will put your mind at ease... of course."
Dumbledore shrugged helplessly, drawing his wand placed aside—within this Magic World, the "Unbreakable Vow" is a crucial magic rule.
It requires two people, in the presence of a witness, to point their wands at each other and speak the content of their vow. Once the vow is spoken and accepted, it forms an almost unbreakable bond between the two. If the oath-taker tries to break the vow, they will pay a terrible price.
"Now, are you satisfied?"
Retracting his wand.
Dumbledore remained unangered.
"I don't know what you're scheming by trying to bring that guy into the school, but anyway, I hope you truly do what a Hogwarts headmaster is supposed to do."
"Protect the safety of every student."
With the Unbreakable Vow in effect, Snape's expression finally soothed a bit. However, he clearly retained a certain degree of dissatisfaction and skepticism regarding some of Dumbledore's decisions.
"That's my duty."
Dumbledore's voice was steady and powerful.
Giving an impression worthy of trust.
"When that guy comes in, I'll be watching him."
Snape flicked his cloak, pulled a long face, and turned to leave. His figure quickly disappeared from the office—Dumbledore lowered his head once more, looking at the replica of the "Book of Admission" on the desk.
"Dumbledore! Snape has really changed!"
"Indecisive! Truly the shame of Slytherin! I feel he should have gone to Hufflepuff in the first place!"