Albus Dumbledore looked around his office as he waited. Fawkes slept silently on his perch, occasionally snorting out plumes of smoke. His red and gold feathers sparkled in the afternoon sunlight that poured in from the window overlooking the Quidditch pitch. The Gryffindor team was practicing. Dumbledore smiled as the snitch flew by the window, with Harry in pursuit. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. "Please come in," said the headmaster.
A somewhat out of breath Snape entered and closed the door behind him. "I apologize for my lateness, Headmaster. I can explain," he said, brushing a few strands of greasy black hair out of his eyes. "It's quite alright, Severus," Dumbledore began calmly. "You may sit down." "Thank you, Headmaster," said Snape. "What did you want to see me for?" "Ah, yes, Severus. That's just what I was going to tell you," Dumbledore replied, placing what appeared to be a silver bowl onto his desk. "Go ahead, Severus, you may look into it," Dumbledore said, noticing the hint of curiosity in Snape's eyes. The latter obliged, an expression of slight embarrassment on his pale face. "But be careful not to lean to close," Dumbledore warned. Snape gazed down into the pool of blue and silver swirls. "What….what is it?" he asked in awe. "This is the Pensieve," Dumbledore said. He put the tip of his wand to his head, and pulled out a silvery glowing strand. "I," he started, "have found it quite helpful throughout the years, in keeping my memories." "That's what that was?" Snape asked, with an almost childish sense of amazement. "Yes, Severus. I just extracted a memory," replied the headmaster as he dipped his wand into the Pensieve, releasing the memory into the swirling silver pool. "Many memories, some good, some not, are in the Pensieve right now." "But," Snape began cautiously, "Where do I come into this?" "I had a feeling you would ask me that, Severus," Dumbledore started. "I am giving you permission to use the Pensieve as you wish. It will always be in my office. You may find that it will help you." "But, why, Headmaster?" Snape asked. "I think you can answer that for yourself," sad Dumbledore. Snape stared into the headmaster's blue eyes, searching for some kind of answer, but none came. Dumbledore stood up, and said, "Now, Severus, shall we head down to lunch?" as he put away the Pensieve. "Yes, Headmaster," said Snape. Dumbledore quickened his pace as he exited. "Professor," Snape began, "Why are you in such a rush?" "Ah, Severus, you and your questions," said Dumbledore. "Let us hasten, for we don't want dear Minerva eating all of our treacle tart, now do we?" "Hilarious, Professor," replied Snape, clearly not amused. Dumbledore just smiled as the two walked to the Great Hall in silence.