Although it was difficult to read anything from Professor McGonagall's face, it was still possible to tell from what she had just said that her relationship with Snape was not as terrible as others imagined, nor as hostile as it appeared to outsiders.
In fact, even after losing Dumbledore, the bridge that had once connected them, the trust they had built over so many years of working together had not been destroyed overnight.
It was as if all of this was still part of Dumbledore's plan...
In truth, according to normal thinking, most people would assume that Snape, who had taken over Dumbledore's position as Headmaster and stolen the opportunity that should have belonged to Minerva McGonagall, would provoke dissatisfaction and backlash from the former members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Especially when Snape had done nothing about the Ministry of Magic's, or rather Voldemort's, arrangements. That should have directly ignited the anger in Professor McGonagall's heart, a heart that stood firmly on the side of light and justice.
Because that could be called a betrayal of Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix.
But now, it seemed that McGonagall and Snape were probably still in contact in private, or perhaps there was a silent understanding between them.
At the very least, judging by Professor McGonagall's current attitude, the two of them were not enemies...
As for this, Draco seemed to think of something and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So I was right. Godfather... really is a double agent, isn't he?"
"..."
"..."
Draco's words made Professor McGonagall, who had been keeping a stern face, twitch one eyelid almost imperceptibly.
Clearly, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts had not expected Draco to make such a judgment.
And what nearly made the famously impartial Professor McGonagall lose her composure was not that Draco's words were too shocking, nor that the guess was absurd.
Rather...
Although Dumbledore had said nothing, Professor McGonagall had worked with him for many years, and she was no fool. Naturally, she could sense that something was not quite right.
And from that tiny reaction just now, Draco could tell that his guess was most likely correct.
In fact, what Draco had just said had instead reminded Professor McGonagall of something.
A double agent...
Was it because of the Malfoy family behind him... or had he reached such a conclusion from only a few simple pieces of information?
Professor McGonagall pushed up her glasses. Although she revealed nothing on the surface, she could not help thinking this in her heart.
At the same time, had the timing not been so inappropriate, she might have awarded points to Slytherin...
In truth.
What Minerva McGonagall did not know was that Draco had analyzed it from what she herself had just said.
In any case.
Because of Draco's reminder, Professor McGonagall began to fall into thought, considering the possibility within it.
Unfortunately, Hermione did not notice this. Her attention had been completely drawn to what Draco had just said...
...
Unable to get a word in and unsure how to begin, Hermione finally followed her instincts and relied on the figure she trusted most.
After glancing at Professor McGonagall, who had suddenly fallen silent, Hermione quietly tugged at Draco's robe. "A double agent? Draco, you mean?"
"Mm. Exactly what you're thinking. And if that's the case, then all of Godfather's actions make sense."
"..."
"And it's an identity both sides know about."
"Both sides? You mean Dumbledore and the Dark Lord?! How is that possible..."
"That's not necessarily impossible."
Draco was able to make this guess not because he was smarter than everyone else, nor because he could understand dragon language, and certainly not because his surname was Malfoy.
It was because he happened to know about the secret, special relationship between Snape and Harry Potter.
More accurately.
It was actually because of the complicated love-hate entanglement involving Harry Potter's mother... Lily Evans.
To put it simply.
If there was anyone in the wizarding world who was least likely to hurt Harry Potter.
It would absolutely be Severus Snape.
As the saying went.
Once all other possibilities had been eliminated, whatever remained, no matter how unbelievable, had to be the truth.
And under that premise.
It meant Snape could not possibly stand completely on Voldemort's side, the side that wholeheartedly wanted to kill Harry Potter.
Only because Draco knew this was he able to sort through all the information, find the truth, and analyze the answer.
In other words.
The only reason he had understood it earlier than everyone else was the gap in information between them.
So in Draco's eyes, the possibility that Snape was a double agent was extremely high...
Thinking of this, Draco looked up at Professor McGonagall, who seemed to have reached an answer of her own, and spoke in a certain tone. "It seems my guess was right, Professor McGonagall."
"..."
Professor McGonagall, who had been keeping a stern face, sighed softly under Hermione's surprised gaze. "If circumstances allowed, Mr. Malfoy, you would certainly receive twenty points from me."
Although she did not clearly admit it, saying this was already an indirect explanation of certain things.
Looking at Draco, who had managed to make Professor McGonagall say such words, Hermione gazed at the boy she liked with shining eyes...
...
In any case.
As for whether this matter was true.
Although Professor McGonagall said nothing in the end, nor did she give the answer in her heart, her attitude had already said everything...
Even so.
Neither Professor McGonagall nor Draco had any intention of spreading this matter, nor did they mean to take it to the person involved and ask him directly.
After all, with Snape's awkward personality.
Even if you questioned him about it, he certainly would not admit it. He might even turn around and mock you so sharply that you began to doubt your life as a wizard.
In other words, even if they wanted to give Snape help in this area, they had no clue where to begin and no way to go about it.
Because of that, Draco had no intention of asking Snape.
As for Professor McGonagall...
Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "Compared with Severus's identity, I am more concerned about your situation, Mr. Malfoy."
Although she knew Draco's magical ability was indeed beyond that of an ordinary wizard, as long as he was still studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and as long as he was still her student, then as a professor, she would never allow a student of the school to face danger unless things had truly reached the final moment.
And that was Minerva McGonagall in her purest form.
Faced with Professor McGonagall's well-meaning reminder, Draco did not refuse. Instead, he gave her a very respectful wizard's salute. "I will be careful, respected Professor."
"I hope so..."
From Professor McGonagall's words, it seemed possible to hear that the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry also vaguely knew what Draco and the others were planning.
That was why she was worried about Draco and the others...
However.
Professor McGonagall did not seem to think her warning would have much effect.
Because whenever she thought about the various major incidents Draco had caused over the past few years, Professor McGonagall could not help rubbing her temples uneasily.
She understood very well just how opinionated and full of his own ideas this young Malfoy from Slytherin was.
And also... that impossible-to-ignore confidence.
In the end, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts could only turn her gaze to her favorite student. "Miss Granger, if you truly encounter danger, please remember that all of you are students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please believe that most of the professors will stand up to protect you."
"Yes, Professor."
Draco, standing beside her, raised an eyebrow as well. "I have never doubted that, respected Professor."
When he said this, there was no perfunctoriness in Draco's expression.
Clearly, he truly thought so.
Although neither Minerva McGonagall in front of him nor Hermione beside him quite believed Draco's words.
After all, Hermione's eyes were practically about to roll up to the ceiling...