|Author's Edit: Previously called "Even in This".|

SEVERUS

He raised a hand and knocked smartly on the oaken door to the headmaster's office but not two moments later Harry Potter opened the door. The boy blanched, took a step back, but then changed his mind and brushed past Severus in the doorway, hurrying down the spiral stone steps to return to his dormitory. Severus let himself in, shutting the door behind him and locking it for good measure.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, stuffing objects into its many drawers as Severus approached.

"Good evening, Severus. I'm just tidying up after my lessons with Harry."

"And you still don't care to explain what these lessons are for-?"

"No, not yet, and hopefully not ever if all goes according to plan, but I don't wish to jinx myself, if you'll forgive the phrase."

Severus said nothing, waiting for introduction so that he could address his reason for coming so late.

"Was there something you wished to speak to me about that could not wait until morning?"

"Indeed. A matter concerning Lucius Malfoy."

"Ah, poor Lucius. The Ministry has informed me that unlike the other Death Eaters taken into custody that night in the Department of Mysteries, Lucius is the only one who screams in terror during his sleep. The others are simply maddened statues like dear Bellatrix."

"The Dark Lord has introduced a plan to draw attention away from the school. Much like the mass breakout nearly a year ago, he once again intends to spring his followers from Azkaban so that all available Aurors will be focused on the prison and recapturing those who manage to escape; meanwhile, a host of Death Eaters plan to take Hogsmeade and then march on the gates."

"This seems to be a bit rash, even for Voldemort."

"The Dark Lord assumes that you will suspect the breakout as a ruse and remain at the school, but he hopes that Draco will succeed by then," said Severus dryly.

"Then it is most definitely a plan destined to fail," said Dumbledore, his beard twitching, "for I have no intention of being killed by Draco or anyone else for that matter—at least, not yet. When is the plan set for?"

"The eleventh of March at nightfall."

"Well, we mustn't let on that we know about this, but what will Voldemort do once he discovers that I am alive and well on the eleventh of March at nightfall?"

"He will most likely call his Death Eaters to him and launch a full-scale attack on the school. By then he will have acquired more allies, not all of whom are human."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and combed his fingers thoughtfully through his beard. "When Draco fails to kill me, Voldemort will seize his mother and hold her captive until Draco comes to him and then he will most likely have them both killed or murder them to set an example. Lucius will be left in Azkaban before the dementors join Voldemort's ranks and it is highly likely that Voldemort will order a lieutenant to finish him once he has gained control."

"Once he has gained control?" Severus repeated. "Do you intend to allow him to infiltrate the Ministry and take over the northern European branch of our world?"

"Of course I don't intend for any such thing to happen, but it will because he is powerful and people are terrified. It is as it was before with such doubt hanging over our heads like the ceiling over the Great Hall. We do not have soldiers as Voldemort does, only workers who can be swayed to betray us if only to protect their families. Our greatest force is our students, but how many among them can duel to match the wandwork of a Death Eater? I doubt very much anyone under sixth year or who was never a member of Dumbledore's Army, and I don't intentionally speak in third person. I'm referring to—"

"I recall the name of Potter's rebellious gang of underage wizards, yes," said Severus. He placed his hands palms down on Dumbledore's desk and leaned closer to emphasize the words about to come. "The Dark Lord wishes to demonstrate his strength, intimidate you, and by attacking the school—if by some small stroke of luck, he does not manage to take it—he is openly showing himself to the public eye and parents will pull their children immediately. Then the Dark Lord will distribute his followers to pick and choose between victim or volunteer."

"Extreme, but still rash," Dumbledore observed. "He must be growing bored waiting for an old man to die."

"Not just awaiting your funeral, but also waiting for his followers whose loyalty still hangs in the balance to truly prove themselves. He has trusted me these last few years, but I have done nothing to erase all doubt in his mind; I can see it. I have not killed for him, nor have I risked harm to myself. I have only returned here to the comfort of Hogwarts. He will ask me to kill on his behalf once it all starts."

"Ah, this is the real issue you had, the real reason why you came to speak with me, is it not? Do you fear for your soul, Severus?"

"I am concerned about my acceptance into either fold. If I were to kill, it would be duly noted by the Dark Lord, yet my return to the civilized section of the wizarding world would see only a murderer, even if you vouch for me as you once did. People do not so easily forgive a man when he fouls up his second chance. But if I refuse to kill, the Dark Lord will find it all too easily to snuff out my life and continue about his day without a second thought. So explain to me, Dumbledore, how I am supposed to go about this next step. Suppose the residence I am sent to houses students who have attended this school under my tutelage?"

"As a caring professor myself, I find your concern for the students' well-being quite touching."

"As any professor worthy to teach at this school should, my first concern is only to ensure the survival of our youth to shape our future."

"You are clever, Severus, and extraordinarily talented in the art of deception. I know you will solve this puzzle in your own way."

Severus had to exercise great restraint to not roll his eyes as he would at perhaps Neville Longbottom after the boy melted his sixteenth cauldron. He stepped down, away from the desk when Dumbledore called him back.

"I realize that that is not the answer which you were hoping to receive, but you must trust me when I say that I know what I am doing. You must also trust me when I say that I cannot achieve any of this without you."

"You have something else to ask of me, then? More than what you've already asked for when I have so little to give."

"Oh, come now, Severus, you harbor much more within you than you do without. But in all seriousness, I must ask you if you would be willing to do something for me as a personal favor."

Severus said nothing, waiting for the question to fall before giving an answer he would regret.

"Before Voldemort is given the chance to break into Azkaban once again, I would like to have one individual removed."

"Lucius."

"I cannot vouch for him as I did for you; Lucius was caught in a forbidden department wearing Death Eater garb and he confessed to the attempted murder of six teenagers. The Ministry would never allow him to go free, so he must be sprung by an elite, covert group and put into hiding, protective custody, as it were."

"And where do you plan to hide him?"

"Them. I do this for Draco and his mother. The Malfoy family has fallen from grace and rightly so, but the taint of Voldemort has not yet corrupted their family. They fear him as they always have and Lucius cares more for his son than he does for staying in Voldemort's good graces. Therefore, I am asking you to help me stage this break-in. You and two others will snatch Lucius and I will contact Narcissa and have her leave immediately for a secret rendezvous where I will meet her with Draco. You and your companions will follow with Lucius and I alone will then escort the entire family to a hidden location."

"All of this for a boy who has openly expressed his loathing of you?" Snape queried.

"Draco has been raised on the ideals of his father who was raised on the ideals of his father before him. You see, Severus, bad parenting is one of the greatest sins of humankind. Of course, there are some exceptions—I might name a certain pupil of yours as well as that pupil's current Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Spare me the compliments, Dumbledore. When is this to take place and with whom will I be working?"

"Shortly after the New Year, once the students have returned to Hogwarts from holiday. Despite extreme measures to always be prepared on the job, Aurors do tend to drink one too many bottles of mead in the first week of January and they will not be up to their potential, so there is room to stage this small break-in. Voldemort will not be suspecting of it, and he will have no reason to if no one attempts to contact the Malfoys over Christmas break."

"Dumbledore, who are the other two burglars?"

"Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody."