Notes:

In canon it is presumed that Hogwarts seals the Head's office against Umbridge. I am assuming here that it is actually Dumbledore who seals the office, and that he was able to access it via Floo for the whole time he was believed to be absent from Hogwarts. I don't think this is much of a stretch, considering that he sent Harry there by Portkey at the end of OotP, and followed himself by Floo shortly after.

Definition taken from Dictionary(dot)com

Of course I don't own Harry Potter! What are you smoking anyway?

Gambit

gam·bit [gam-bit] noun 1. Chess. An opening in which a player seeks to obtain some advantage by sacrificing a pawn or piece. 2. any maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage. 3. a remark made to open or redirect a conversation.

Hmm, it is somewhat unexpected, indeed, but perhaps not entirely surprising either. Still, it won't do.

I maintain my customary expression of indulgent amusement as I watch the dark man vent his fury, my agreeable facade concealing carefully constructed Occlumency shields. It behooves one to be careful around a man who can so easily lie to a Dark Lord, after all.

He is so powerful! He really could be something if he could only control that temper! Of course, that would hardly be in my best interests. It wouldn't do to lose control of my pieces.

I did not expect those lessons to last as long as this. And now... He is starting to almost identify with the boy. It is clear that their similarities are making him uncomfortable, even if he hasn't admitted it to himself yet. I cannot allow that to happen. It is time to push the issue.

I let my expression shift to one of helpful concern, and project an air of thoughtfulness past my mental shields.

'Severus..'

The dark man stills, and makes eye contact.

'Perhaps, if some of your more, ah, troublesome memories could be temporarily removed..?'

Barely discernable emotion passes through his eyes, so lightening fast that only the most accomplished of Masters could possibly read it. I see fear and hope and pain and trust. Inside my shielded mind, I smile. He is mine. I will not lose control.

'I will see to it that the Pensieve is in your office then.'

This time the emotion is plain in the black eyes. The gratitude there belies the cool formality of the curt nod he gives as he spins towards the door, robes flaring in that dramatic fashion that hints at all that lies hidden in him.

Rising from my desk I walk over to the warded cabinet containing my Pensieve. It will be a simple matter to spell it to be irresistible to a naturally curious 16 year old boy. Of course it wouldn't do to be seen... I smile up absently at Dilys Derwent as I banish the Pensieve to my rooms with a flick of the Elder Wand. Those portraits may be bound to the Headmaster, but they're terrible gossips. Worse than Minerva even.

A short while later, after a few quick incantations and another Banishing spell, the Pensive is in Severus' office.

All is well.

Now where did I leave that bag of lemon drops...?