HP - Shadow Monarch! [BOOK 1]

Chapter 178 - Dealing with the Norton family.

[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]

Third Person POV

Hogwarts.

...

...

A few hours had passed with Severus and Rosaria inside the painting. They reappeared once again in the Norton household, having finished the second painting that Snape had found.

"You damn intruder!!"
"How dare you enter his painting like that!"
"Others complained that you entered the painting on the lower floor!"

Snape ignored all the complaints from the paintings and simply raised his wand. The next moment, flames began to shoot out.

BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!

Snape showed no mercy to those paintings, their screams filling the air as some managed to escape into other frames, while others were completely destroyed.

The next moment, everyone started running away, no longer daring to insult Snape. They just wanted to get as far from him as possible to avoid being destroyed like some of the others.

"You really seem to have a grudge against these paintings..." Rosaria murmured, a bit surprised by Snape's actions.

"I don't like this house at all, and I will show no mercy..." Snape said before continuing. "Before we leave, I'd like to check something."

Rosaria nodded, looking at Snape with a curious gaze.

"If you have something to say to me, say it now." Snape said as they advanced toward the basement of the house, glancing at her by his side.

"What are those portals inside the paintings? How can you do that and enter a space full of creatures trying to kill us...? You never answered me." She asked.

"That is something only I can do." Snape replied, offering no further explanation.

"I have no doubt about that, but I also noticed that you're getting stronger. How is that possible? I found it strange the first time, because when we fought near my house, I noticed your increase in strength. But it hasn't stopped, and now you're stronger than when we first entered this place. And I'm not talking about magic—you're physically stronger and faster... I'm sure there's never been any record of someone increasing their strength like this. Who are you, really?" She murmured, watching to see if Snape would take offense, but he merely shook his head.

"That is perfectly normal, Rosaria. After all, I truly am the only one in this world." He commented.

"My father said that you are much older than you appear, but at the same time, I've seen records of your age. It doesn't make sense..." She remarked, continuing to look at him with narrowed eyes.

"I don't mean to offend you, Snape." She quickly murmured. "I'm not gathering information for my father, I'm just curious. I wanted to know more about you." She admitted, a hint of embarrassment in her tone.

"It's complicated to explain." Snape said. "But I am not the original Severus Snape."

He spoke, and Rosaria gazed at him intensely, but he said nothing more. Thus, they continued toward the basement.

"This feels like a torture chamber..." Rosaria walked slowly, murmuring.

"Yes, the Nortons used to torture Muggles. I killed their patriarch precisely because of what I saw here. Let's see if the family hasn't abandoned their cruel habits." Snape said.