Chapter 308: Snape’s Discovery – Two Kyles?
Eighth Floor, Headmaster's Office.
After seeing Harry out, Dumbledore reached over to gently stroke Fawkes, who had just risen from the ashes, his feathers sparse and wrinkled.
"He's not telling the truth," Snape said, stepping forward. "I can tell he's hiding something... and he's known he was a Parseltongue for years, yet he's kept silent about it."
Snape had been present in the Headmaster's Office when Harry arrived, and he was clearly unsatisfied.
"Severus, the boy knew nothing of the wizarding world until recently." Dumbledore set the newly reborn Fawkes on his perch, then turned back to Snape. "Perhaps Harry didn't think it unusual that he could talk to a snake—many wizards can. And if he were trying to conceal it, he wouldn't have shown it so openly in the Duelling Club."
Dumbledore held Snape's gaze. "As for the rest... everyone has secrets, Severus. You, me... even Harry."
Snape's eyes flickered away from Dumbledore's piercing look.
"Tell me what you do know," Dumbledore continued, moving aside and taking a sip of his black tea. "About the Chamber of Secrets."
"I don't know," Snape said, his voice firm. "The Dark Lord never spoke of it. You should remember, he never discussed his past."
As he spoke, Snape bent down and, with practiced ease, gathered the ashes beneath Fawkes's perch into a small glass bottle, as though tidying an old shelf. His movements were unhurried and precise.
Dumbledore's eye twitched slightly. Phoenix ashes from Fawkes's rebirth were incredibly rare and valuable, prized in both alchemy and potions. Dumbledore had planned to use the ashes to enhance the enchantments on the Mirror of Erised but had been caught off guard by Snape's quick hands. If Fawkes hadn't given Snape a sharp peck, he might not have kept even half.