Chapter 35 Disappearance

Henry Martin is the Ministry's Special Commissioner assigned to Badminton Estate.

His father is French and his mother is British.

Because of this, Martin attended Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France during his childhood. However, after his parents divorced due to conflicts, he followed his mother to Britain and eventually took up a position in the British Ministry of Magic.

However, this so-called 'Special Commissioner' role was far from an easy job.

The Muggles in this manor were mostly a bunch of arrogant fools who looked down on everyone. They assumed the 'Special Commissioner' was some sort of special agent from the Muggle government.

On the surface, they maintained polite manners, but the contempt deep in their hearts was impossible to hide.

If that were all, that would be fine, as Martin could just turn a blind eye to it.

But ever since the Head of Slytherin House from Hogwarts had stayed behind, his days of discomfort truly began.

Martin understood perfectly why Kingsley had agreed to let Severus remain.

He wanted Martin to keep an eye on Severus… to monitor this man, who was once known as one of the most sinister Death Eather!

But what could he actually do?

Martin hadn't attended Hogwarts, but he had long heard about the infamous temper of the Head of Slytherin House.

Almost all of the new employees recruited by the Ministry of Magic in recent years, which graduates from the other three houses except Slytherin, had some grievances against their former Potions Professor.

So when Martin received this assignment, he had braced himself for humiliation and harsh treatment from the very start.

But the result was beyond his expectations. It turned out that Professor Snape was nothing like the rumors suggested!

On the contrary, he is polite, composed, and considerate. He will consider the other person's perspective and will never do anything to put others in difficult situations.

Just like this morning, he had informed Martin in advance of his plans to go out and even left his student behind at the estate, making things as straightforward as possible for Martin.

Even when his student had a minor accident later, getting lost while playing with the Muggle children in the estate, Professor Snape remained calm.

Before leaving to search for his student, he even reassured Martin, saying it wasn't his fault and that he shouldn't blame himself.

Then before noon, his student Dudley, who had wandered out of the manor and gotten lost, was safely brought back.

This was a huge relief for Martin. If Dudley had truly gone missing, regardless of whether he'd be held responsible, he would have felt terribly guilty.

"What's for lunch, Mr. Martin?"

Upon returning to the estate, Severus appeared as relaxed and casual as ever.

Madan replied with a smile.

"The estate's butler said tonight's lunch is escargot and fried steak."

"French cuisine? Now that's something to look forward to." As he spoke, Severus made his way toward the staircase, "Then I'll just stop by Miss Patty's room first to check on her condition. There's no one inside at the moment, is there?"

"Two Muggle doctors went in this morning, but they left shortly after. There should be no one inside now."

Watching Severus head up to the third floor, Martin didn't find anything unusual about it.

For him, this time before lunch was a rather leisurely moment.

He returned to his room, prepared some tea and a few biscuits, and unfolded that day's issue of The Daily Prophet, wanting to know what major events had happened in the Wizarding World today.

But just as he settled in, over a dozen figures began Apparating into his room one after another!

Looking at the Aurors who kept Apparating, Martin was stunned and the newspaper in his hand fell to the ground unconsciously.

The first to arrive was an Auror Martin vaguely recognized… Gawain Robards, a highly skilled officer and right-hand man to the current Head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour, who was grooming him as his successor.

Following closely behind was Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was another well-known figure among the Aurors. He was a key representative of the pro-Dumbledore faction and the one who usually handled work communications with Martin.

Behind them were a large group of elite Aurors, each gripping their wands, dressed in uniform, with stern expressions. They looked like they were ready to carry out some important mission!

As soon as they landed, Robards strode forward and questioned the still-dazed Martin.

"Where is Severus Snape?"

Only then did Martin snap out of his shock.

He was somewhat dissatisfied with Robards's attitude.

While the other party has a bright future, as the Head of the Auror Office was practically on par with the directors of smaller Ministry's departments, commanding the Ministry's standing military forces, he hadn't yet taken over Scrimgeour's position.

"He is in the estate." Martin replied coldly.

"Where in the estate?!" Robards asked impatiently. He didn't care about Martin's attitude.

"In Miss Patty's bedroom on the third floor. He went to check on the Muggle's condition."

Martin turned to Kingsley.

"What's going on?"

Robards had already stormed off with his team. As Kingsley passed Martin, he sighed, half-answering and half-muttering to himself, "Most likely a misunderstanding. It'll be cleared up soon enough."

After saying that, he led his own group after Robards, the whole crowd surging toward the estate's third floor.

The servants in the estate and the Somerset Family were all frightened by the sudden, aggressive appearance of these strangers!

Even with Kingsley, a familiar face, leading the way, the old butler who looked after the estate still hurriedly caught up and asked who they were.

However, Robards ignored him entirely. He marched straight to Patty's bedroom on the third floor, grabbed the doorknob, and tried to push it open… only to find it locked from the inside.

Robards and Kingsley exchanged glances, one's expression growing increasingly eager, while the other's face darkening by the second.

"Professor Snape, are you in there? If you are, could you open the door? There's been a misunderstanding we need to discuss."

Kingsley called out loudly, but Robards had already raised his wand.

"Alohomora!"

With a simple unlocking charm, the door was completely opened.

The Aurors, who were originally standing on both sides behind Robards, raised their wands in the next second, made all preparations for casting spells, and burst into the room!

However, the bedroom was empty.

Not only was Severus absent, but even Patty, who should have been lying in bed, had vanished without a trace!

Only the wide-open window could prove that someone had been in this room before.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

The Aurors stood frozen, some of them looked at each other in bewilderment. They all sensed that something monumental had just happened!

Robards strode to the window and peered outside, then saw the stone path leading from the manor through the garden and out to the grounds.

He clenched his left hand, which was not holding the wand, into a fist and turned to look at Kingsley.

"Still think this is just a misunderstanding?"

Kingsley's face looked extremely ugly, and he took a deep breath.

"Professor Dumbledore must be informed of this matter immediately!"

"Then go." Robards said coldly, "Go tell him. Let him see for himself what kind of man he's been protecting… the one he let teach at Hogwarts for eight years!"