In the dead of night two hooded figures rushed down a street marked Spinner's End until they reached the very last house where dim light could be seen glimmering through the curtains downstairs.
The two people were Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall and they were two of least likely people you'd except to be anywhere near Spinner's End but they had no choice.
Dumbledore rapped on the door and it only took a few seconds for the door to open a crack to show the mere sliver of the man behind it. When the man saw their faces he looked surprised although only for a moment.
"Albus what are you doing here?" He asked.
"We need to talk Severus," Dumbledore said. "May we come inside?"
"Of course," Severus Snape said opening the door and stepping back to allow them to pass into his house.
They had directly into Snape's tiny sitting room where they quickly sat down on the threadbare sofa removing their hoods as Snape himself settled into the armchair opposite them. "So," He said looking at them curiously, "what is it you want to talk about?"
It was then that he noticed that McGonagall was holding something in her arms that appeared to be a bundle wrapped tightly in black silk.
As he looked at the bundle McGonagall reached up and slowly pulled some of the coverings back.
Snape's eyes widened at what he saw and then he glared at McGonagall. "How dare you bring that thing here!" He said.
Dumbledore sighed. He had been excepting this. "We had no choice Severus," He said. "Where else could we have brought him?"
"I can think of a thousand ex Death Eater homes," Snape said.
"Are you insane Severus?" McGonagall said. "You know what they would do with the boy if they got their hands on him."
"Yes I do," Snape said, "which is exactly why I don't want him. Do you know how much trouble he'll cause me?"
"And do you realize how much trouble he'll cause all of us if he's placed in Death Eater hands?" Dumbledore said. Snape went quiet and when he finally made a sound again it was to sigh in defeat.
"I know what will happen," He said, "and I understand that's why your giving him to me. But please Albus can't you chose someone else? Why not look after him yourself? I have a feeling you'll be much better at then I." But Dumbledore shook his head.
"It will be too obvious," He said.
"And I'm not obvious?" Snape said. Dumbledore nodded and he sighed again. He closed his eyes and began to rub his temples.
It was awhile before he spoke again but finally his eyes opened and he said, "Fine I'll do it." McGonagall let out the breath that she had been holding.
"Oh thank goodness," She said. "I don't what we'd have done if you'd refused."
"I know," Snape said. "But now give him to me," He said holding out his arms. McGonagall rose and did as she was told slipping the bundle carefully into Snape's arms. Snape held the it awkwardly at first but then relaxed holding it carefully and gently.
"Well we'll leave you to it then Severus," Dumbledore said raising from the couch with McGonagall. Snape gave them a brief nod before standing up and heading to what must have been a bedroom.
Dumbledore and McGonagall quickly donned their hoods again and left the house.
As they walked down the road McGonagall looked at Dumbledore worriedly. "Are you sure he'll take good care of him?" She asked. Dumbledore sighed.
"We can only hope," He said.
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Ja ne!
Redluna