Disclaimer: I do not own anything, well harry potter that is.

A feverish, semiconscious Dumbledore raises his left hand and tips a goblet of golden potion over his lips while Snape ministers to his right hand, which is blackened. A ring lies upon the desk before them.

"Why did you put it on? Surely you realized it carried a curse." Snape reprimands.

"I was…foolish…..greedy…" Dumbledore slurs.

"Drink the rest. It will contain the curse to the hand for the time being."

Dumbledore's eyes open, examine damaged fingers.

"For the time being?"

"It will spread."

"How long?"

"Maybe a year."

Dumbledore nods, smiles.

"Well, this makes matter much more straightforward."

Snape studies Dumbledore briefly, and looks away.

"Do not ignore me Severus. Was it not you who told me of lord Voldemort's plans to have the Malfoy bot murder me?"

"It is not expected that he will succeed."

"But should he fail, one would presume the dark lord will turn to… you"

Snape does not respond.

"You must agree."

Snape stares in horror at Dumbledore. Dumbledore nods.

"Yes. You must be the one to kill me, Severus. It is the only way. Only then will the dark lord trust you completely."

"You ask too much"

Dumbledore thunders "Too much! Nothing I could ask is too much. You know what is at stake! You more than anyone!"

Snape says nothing. Dumbledore sits back, and painfully studies his hand.

"There will come a time when Harry Potter must be told something. But you must wait until Voldemort is at his most vulnerable."

"Tell him what?"

"On the night lord Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow to kill Harry, and Lily Potter cast herself between them, the curse rebounded. When that happened, a part of Lord Voldemort's soul latched itself onto the only living thing it could find: Harry himself."

Snape stares in disbelief. Dumbledore nods.

"There's a reason harry can speak with snakes. There's a reason he can look into Lord Voldemort's mind. A part of Lord Voldemort lives inside him."

"So when the time comes, the bot must die."

"Yes. And Voldemort himself must do it. That is essential."

Snape nods, pondering all of this. His voice is bitter.

"You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment. You've been raising him like a pig for slaughter."

"But this is touching, Severus. Don't tell me you've grown to care for the boy?"

Snape eyes Dumbledore fiercely, then:

"Expect Patronum!"

A blast of light bursts from his wand soars out the window: a silver doe.

"Lily. After all this time?"

"Always"