"Severus, I suppose you've forgotten what just happened, haven't you?"
Dumbledore got up from the ground as if nothing had happened, dusting off his clothes as he casually asked.
Who would have thought that the Hogwarts Headmaster, the most powerful wizard of the age, could be kicked to the ground by his own professor, face first, no less? If this gets out, he'd certainly lose face.
Dumbledore wasn't sure about others, but he was certain Dugald McPhail would be so thrilled he'd shiver with excitement. If he knew, it would be tantamount to the whole Magic Realm knowing.
To prevent this from happening, Dumbledore even considered silencing him.
Hmm... this place is quiet, isolated from the world, fully furnished—perfect for someone like Snape, who lives with guilt, making sure no one can find him.
Meanwhile, Snape was still feeling the lingering sensation from the sole of his shoe... He hadn't paid attention earlier, but now seeing Dumbledore, why did he feel so content?
It was like stepping in a stream made of Felix Felici and Phoenix Tears, an indescribable pleasure and satisfaction flowing from the soles to every corner of his body.
Snape dearly wished he knew of some magic to forever preserve this feeling.
"Severus..."
Dumbledore called out again, bringing Snape back to reality. He vaguely felt a chill breeze pass by.
Curious, he had clearly shut the door, so why was there wind?
"Sorry, it was urgent, I had no choice but to resort to this."
Snape said seriously, "This ring carries a dreadful curse, even for a wizard as powerful as you, there's no way to prevent the harm it brings."
"I understand, Severus, you meant to save me, and for that, I must thank you," Dumbledore said, brushing off the dust and moving closer.
The two tacitly chose not to mention what had just occurred.
At this point, Dumbledore's gaze returned to the ring, a flash of pain and struggle in his clear blue eyes.
"So what exactly is this thing?" Snape couldn't help but ask.
"The Peverell family ring," Dumbledore replied.
"The Peverell family... the three brothers from the tale who got the Deathly Hallows?" Snape reflexively said, "Just an ancient family's ring, no matter how famous, shouldn't cause you to lose composure..."
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something, looking at the ring in disbelief.
"It seems you've guessed," Dumbledore said calmly, "This should be the mythical Deathly Hallows, the Resurrection Stone that can bring people back to life."
At that moment, Snape's breathing became heavy, his hand unconsciously reaching out, seemingly wanting to grasp the ring.
Dumbledore's leg moved slightly under his robe, but ultimately he didn't reach out.
He merely waved his wand, making the ring on the table instantly vanish.
Snape's hand halted in mid-air, almost growling, "Where did you put it?"
"Do you remember what you just said?" Dumbledore spoke calmly, "It carries a curse, specifically made by Tom to protect the Soul Artifact."
"I don't care," Snape roared, "The curse happens only once. If I take it, you won't need to worry anymore, isn't that good?"
"I understand your thoughts, but Lily is dead, and the Resurrection Stone can't truly bring her back."
"Also, have you thought about Conna?" Dumbledore looked at him calmly, "I remember that child is about to take The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers' exam soon."
After a moment, Snape's voice gradually calmed down.
"Perhaps she doesn't need me and could live well on her own."
"I believe that," Dumbledore smiled, "Kael is a fine boy, they're together..."
"Shut up!" Snape snarled again, forcibly interrupting Dumbledore.
For some reason, he suddenly didn't want to touch the cursed stone anymore.
"You should try to accept this, Severus," Dumbledore advised sincerely, "They really are a good match, and I must remind you, even if you oppose, it's futile. You should know that."
"Mention it again, and I'll publish your face-plant incident in the Daily Prophet," Snape said coldly.
At this, Dumbledore also closed his mouth, and the Gaunt's old house fell into a peculiar silence.
Who knows how long it lasted before Snape finally broke the silence.
"Alright... How did you regain yourself," he asked, "I noticed your hand paused at the crucial moment. If not for that, I wouldn't have made it."
"That's what's really amazing," Dumbledore extended his arm, looking at the still visible bloodstains, his eyes turning complex.
"I never imagined that the old promise would let me escape such a predicament."
"What exactly is it?" Snape couldn't help but ask, having always thought those injuries were from the curse.
"Magic Contract," Dumbledore explained, "It restricts me from having thoughts of using the Soul Artifact. Because of this restriction, I can't touch the Resurrection Stone, as it is Tom's Soul Artifact."