Harley, who had been taken to the nursery, tried to break free from Lily's embrace, but Lily's arms were as firm as iron pincers, making it difficult for her to move.
Fortunately, Lily was just as curious about the conversation; she only stayed in the nursery for a moment before quietly slipping to the study door and pressing her ear against it to eavesdrop.
Harley pricked up her ears as much as possible, straining to distinguish the sounds coming from the study.
Severus and Dumbledore's conversation had been going on for a while, and judging by Severus's tone, it wasn't going well.
"It's useless to try and play the emotional card with me; I am a Slytherin."
"But The Longbottom family—"
"I also feel deep sympathy regarding the tragedy of The Longbottom family, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the Snape Family."
Severus became increasingly agitated, his words carrying a clear note of anger.
"Has eating too many sweets muddled your brain? You actually think I would disregard the safety of my wife and daughter and involve my whole family in that dangerous plan of yours!"
"Wooo wooo!"
A muffled voice protested in dissatisfaction.
"I apologize, Mr. Grindelwald. I respect Dumbledore, but I do not intend to take back what I just said—under no circumstances will I allow Lily and Harley to be dragged into your plan."
Harley's brow furrowed. Did the tragedy of The Longbottom family refer to the Longbottom couple being tortured into insanity by the Crucio, or was it—"
That's it. Since Lily married into the Snape Family, Harry Potter became Harley Snape, born in Australia. It was only logical that the savior of the British wizarding world would be replaced by Neville Longbottom, who was also born at the end of July.
Unlike her Slytherin husband, Lily was a passionate and impulsive Gryffindor.
When she heard her husband and Headmaster Dumbledore arguing in the study, her curiosity and worry drove her to knock on the door.
"Lily?"
Snape's voice came from inside the study, sounding somewhat raspy.
Lily took a deep breath and pushed the door open to walk in.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation..." Lily said somewhat sheepishly, "but I was just so worried. I want to know, what exactly happened to The Longbottom family?"
Dumbledore and Severus exchanged a glance, and then Dumbledore said, "Just on the eve of Halloween, Lord Voldemort went alone to the small cottage Frank Longbottom had recently moved into and brutally murdered the Longbottom couple."
"He also wanted to kill the Longbottoms' child, but he didn't succeed. He was defeated by an ancient blood magic... I think Frank must have sensed something, which is why he moved out of the ancestral home in such a hurry to avoid involving the rest of his family."
"Merlin's backside—how could this happen!" Lily exclaimed.
Dumbledore paused for a moment, then continued in a soft, slightly mournful tone: "We had a Death Eater spy within our ranks. No one expected that Peter, who usually hid behind James and Sirius, would defect to Lord Voldemort."
"He tipped off Lord Voldemort, allowing the Death Eaters to kill the secret-keeper chosen by Frank Longbottom. After the secret-keeper's death, every member of the Order of the Phoenix who knew the address became a secret-keeper, and Lord Voldemort used Peter to find the Longbottom home."
"James and Sirius were both driven mad with rage; they nearly killed Peter on the spot. Fortunately, Lupin still had some reason left. He sent Peter to the Auror Office of the Ministry of Magic, which barely saved his life—though his right hand was blown to pieces. If he wants to perform magic in the future, it probably won't be as fluid as before."
Lily's face instantly turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"That child, is poor little Neville all right?"
Seeing Lily's emotional state, Dumbledore comforted her: "He is fine. I have already had Hagrid escort Neville to the Longbottom ancestral home. He must stay with his relatives until he comes of age; only then can he receive better care and protection."
"Kind Lily, you are one of the few Wizards who would weep for The Longbottom family. Most people are immersed in the joy of Lord Voldemort's disappearance. They are celebrating and singing Neville's name at the top of their lungs, yet almost no one cares about the tragedy that poor child has just endured."
At the mention of the name 'Lord Voldemort,' both Lily and Severus couldn't help but shudder, as if the name itself carried an unspeakable terror and pressure.
In this world, perhaps only figures like Dumbledore and Grindelwald would dare to address the Dark Lord so directly by name.
Severus calmed his emotions slightly and then said, "Since You-Know-Who has already disappeared, then matters should proceed according to the prophecy. You shouldn't have come looking for us."
Dumbledore slowly shook his head and sighed, saying, "The prophecy has already changed—from the moment you and I made our decision."
"Soon... I bet that in less than ten years, there will be no place in this world safer than Hogwarts with Gellert and me there."
"You have no better choice, and this is also for Harley's own good."
Dumbledore's voice echoed in the room, carrying a majesty that made it impossible to refuse.
Severus fell into silence, hesitated for a moment, but still shook his head.
"It's not that I don't trust you, but the risk is simply too great."
"If you are willing to send Harley to Ilvermorny or Castelobruxo, and let Lily go with her, I am willing to return to Britain with you and join the Order of the Phoenix."
Severus's tone was firm, but his eyes were somewhat evasive, as if he didn't dare look Dumbledore directly in the eye.
Although Lily didn't quite understand what her husband was saying, she immediately retorted upon hearing this:
"Severus! Do you think I would let you face danger alone? Send Harley away, and I will go back to Britain with you."
"No, Lily..."
"I love you. We are one, Sev..."
"Lily..."
"Sev..."
The originally heavy atmosphere was suddenly dispelled by the cloying scent of romance, and a question mark slowly appeared over Harley's head.
Are you two acting out some melodramatic soap opera?
Can you please speak properly!
At the critical moment, Dumbledore spoke up to interrupt this thick atmosphere: "Relying on just the two of you is far from enough. What you can achieve, Gellert and I can do better—the key lies with Harley; she is the indispensable one!"
Severus's face instantly became extremely gloomy. He stared fiercely at Dumbledore with bloodshot eyes, as if he wanted to spray fire from them and burn the other man to death.
"I will not allow you to involve my daughter... even if Lord Voldemort makes a comeback!"
"Do you think if the world were destroyed, Harley would still be able to live a good life?"
Dumbledore did not back down. He met Severus's gaze, and the two of them stared at each other as if time had frozen at that moment.