The research has made new breakthroughs, but has also fallen into new difficulties.

Snape looked increasingly haggard.

The antidote for lycanthropy is not easy to develop. The concepts of animality and human nature are too idealistic. No matter how he adjusts the formula, the effects are still only those developed at the beginning.

This wasn't the only thing giving him a headache.

Voldemort was not an easy guy to deal with. He was very sharp, especially now that he still had his brain - although Harry always said that Voldemort's brain was probably only slightly better than Crookshanks'.

In fact.

Voldemort is indeed as difficult to deal with as Crookshanks.

Cunning and insidious, no one knows what kind of thoughts will pop up in his mind at any time and anywhere.

He always makes some attempts when he least expects.

There were some temptations that even Snape was unable to notice immediately. He only reacted afterwards and broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he had never said anything good to Potter and Dumbledore and did not reveal any mistakes. This forced him to be alert all the time and be cautious with Bellatrix and the others.

Until the last day of Christmas holiday.

The last day of the whole year.

It is also Tom Riddle's birthday.

Malfoy Mansion was newly decorated with lights and lanterns.

Snape rushed over and was stunned when he saw the newly renovated courtyard, the new plants, and the Death Eaters still deployed on both sides.

This is……

Planning to celebrate your birthday?

He remembered Voldemort's birthday very clearly, but the moment this absurd idea came into his mind, he rejected it. Voldemort had always been resistant to the identity of "Tom Riddle" and refused to even acknowledge his name, so how could he acknowledge the date?

At least after becoming a Death Eater, he had never seen Voldemort celebrate his birthday.

certainly……

It is not ruled out that this young Dark Lord, who has just graduated three years ago, still has such leisure time.

He pushed the door open and walked in.

The Dark Lord put on brand new robes, and his severed right hand was now replaced with a new, mercury-like arm.

"My dear Severus, you are finally here." Voldemort walked towards him, waved his hand and hugged him, "You are one of the protagonists tonight."

"Thank God. If you hadn't come, I would have let Lucius take the risk of contacting you."

One of the main characters?

This word is crucial.

Snape's face was calm. After releasing the hug, he bowed to Voldemort and said, "Master, your gift is an honor for us servants."

"only……"

He raised his head, a little puzzled: "What qualifications do I have to dare to be the protagonist in front of you."

Voldemort was very satisfied with his attitude: "No, my dear Severus, all my dear friends can be the protagonists, and you are no exception."

"As for what..."

"You'll know in a moment."

"Go and tidy yourself up a bit. Today is a memorable day." Voldemort said the last sentence meaningfully, his gaze lingering on the kelp-oiled hair for a long time.

Snape walked towards the bathroom with a blank expression.

Originally in his heart, Potter was the most hateful, but now the Dark Lord was on the same level as him.

What happened to these two people...

I always want to wash my hair.

Is washing your hair fun? Long hair is so troublesome to wash.

When Snape finished, he looked a little more formal, at least his hair was clean and not greasy anymore. When he came out of the bathroom, the layout of the hall on the first floor was officially completed.

Voldemort waved to Snape: "My dear Severus, come here quickly, you should stand by my side tonight."

Snape nodded and took a step forward.

Just at this moment.

The door of the hall was suddenly pushed open, and a man rushed in with a cold face and a wand raised: "Dark Lord, and you Death Eaters! Your death is coming, surrender now."

It was Pierce Thicknesse.

The goatee looks so upright under the light.

Snape subconsciously drew out his wand and pointed it at the man, his eyes sharp and fierce.

Damn it!

What happened...

The Ministry of Magic found out the location of the Death Eaters and acted without talking to the Phoenix Society?

Without Dumbledore and Potter, how could those idiots in the Ministry of Magic possibly be a match for the Death Eaters?

Don't talk about the Dark Lord, and don't talk about yourself.

It's just Bella and Barty Jr., just the two of them can take down the Ministry of Magic.

"Severus, don't be so nervous." Just as Snape was hesitating whether to use his most convenient Sharpshooter or Cruciatus to deal with the man in front of him, Voldemort waved his hand and said in a light tone, "Put down your wand."

Snape hesitated, and lowered his wand.

Thicknesse at the door immediately put away his "righteous" temperament, walked in with a hunched back, and said to Voldemort in a flattering tone: "Master, what do you think of my performance just now?"

"That looks very much like the Ministry of Magic." Voldemort clapped his hands and praised him.

Snape looked shocked.

Voldemort caught it, waved his hand, and explained casually: "Severus, do you think he can't be our friend?"

Snape nodded: "Dumbledore has always trusted him."

"I didn't expect he had always been..."

Voldemort shook his head. "Always?"

"No, no, no, he's a new friend. He was indeed our enemy before, but my dear godson is really capable and convinced Thicknesse to mend his ways."

Thicknesse puffed out his chest, feeling somewhat helpless but also somewhat proud: "It was the master who bestowed upon me the position of Minister of Magic."

"This is something I have always dreamed of but could never obtain. I will dedicate everything I have to the Master."

Snape suddenly realized and nodded.

I'm afraid that Thicknesse's becoming a Death Eater was not as voluntary as he said. He just got on the pirate ship and now can't get off.

Voldemort smiled, took both of their hands, and walked to the center of the hall.

"Now, our two protagonists are here." He said softly, and everyone listened quietly, "Then, let's start our party."

He let go of her hand, took a few steps forward, turned around and stood in front of them.

"Severus Snape," he said the name.

Snape half-knelt before him.

"I recognize your loyalty and your actions." Voldemort put his hand on his head. "After all, there are not many people who are willing to continue to work for me after I got into trouble. My dear godson is one of them, and you are one of them too."

"I even broke an arm because of it."

"So, I will grant you perfect limbs. How can a potion master only have one arm?"

He waved his wand with his other hand, and mercury surged out.

In the center of the hall, a huge Dark Mark condensed.

"You lost your glory, and I gave you a new one, even greater glory."

As soon as he finished speaking, the snake in the skull suddenly jumped out and bit Snape's left arm, making his face turn pale and cold sweat drip down.

Mercury builds up bones, blood vessels, muscles and skin bit by bit.

After a few long minutes, Snape had an arm identical to Voldemort's.

Bellatrix cast an envious look.

"Severus." Voldemort took his hand off his head. "You are outstanding. I hope you can become my right-hand man like my dear godson."

"This is my honor and my pursuit." Snape responded.

Voldemort raised his lips and looked away: "Piers Thicknesse."

The Minister of Magic knelt as well.

Voldemort placed his hand on his head. "I know you may have some complaints in your heart. The means your godson used to make you a Death Eater do not seem honorable."

"No, my great..." Thicknesse said in panic.

Voldemort tapped his fingers. He could no longer speak. "Hear me out."

"But I will make you realize how honorable it is to be a Death Eater. Becoming Minister of Magic is just the beginning."

"Great Britain will not satisfy me."

"But... I still have two biggest obstacles in Great Britain, one is Potter and the other is Dumbledore. Pierce, I need your help."

Having said this, he paused.

"You have a special identity, and Potter, Dumbledore and others hold the right to speak in the wizarding world of Great Britain. I, the great Voldemort, and you, the glorious Death Eaters, have all been stigmatized by them. We are clearly working for a greater future for wizards, but they have labeled us evil."

"Although I am very reluctant..."

"Pierce, I'm afraid I can't give you the Dark Mark right now."

Thicknesse didn't say anything, nor did he show any emotion, but he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

"But, Pierce, your task is heavier than most."

Voldemort's tone turned amused.

"Let's give Hogwarts a little surprise together."

"Isn't the Ministry of Magic going to stand against the Death Eaters now? Then do it thoroughly."

"In order to prevent the great savior from being persecuted, the Ministry of Magic should take over some of the order in Hogwarts, right?"

"And Blake..."

He smiled and said, "Blake has always been my friend. His family is my most loyal follower. Pierce, I think you should understand what I mean."

"Of course." Thicknesse nodded repeatedly, "Master, I will hunt down that damned Death Eater Sirius Black!"

Voldemort nodded: "Very good, very good."

Snape held his breath.

He finally understood why Voldemort "trusted" him so much and told him all these things so openly.

He knew Dumbledore's character well.

The Ministry of Magic, order... this is the Achilles' heel of the old man with white beard.

He didn't care whether he was a traitor or not, nor did he care whether he would tell these things to Dumbledore, because it was useless. These were done by the Ministry of Magic, not the Death Eaters - and only Thicknesse himself knew that he was indeed a Death Eater, but without the Dark Mark, what could he prove?

Tsk…

He suddenly felt a little unhappy. The burden of all this finally fell on Potter.