This one is entirely written for you, SeverusSnape19: a co-written, short story by His Lil' Half-Blood Princess!

We hope you will enjoy it!

Chapter 1: Worries

Albus Dumbledore was sitting behind the familiar desk, reading paperwork. Occasionally, he took his quill in his hand and signed a paper, or wrote a reply.

Today was certainly a more busier day than normal. Just when he thought he was reading the last one, another stack would arrive.

After a glance at the clock, Albus noted that he had been in the same position for nearly four hours now.

With a sigh, he folded the paper, put it in an envelope, and floated it to the waiting owl. He then moved to open another one, but a rushed knock could be heard, followed by the opening of the door.

Minerva stormed through the door and said, while waving a small object in her left hand, "Albus, you have to see this."

Albus brought the object closer to himself when it was carefully dropped in his hand, and after a quick skim, stood up and walked to the fireplace.

"Does the Order know?"

"So the content... is true then?"

Minerva knew that the object had a hidden meaning – Albus had mentioned it a few times to her – but she was not sure whether it was still true and hoped that he would give a negative response.

Albus was about to stoop a little lower and let some powder fall in the fire, but he stopped and turned his head toward his Deputy Headmistress.

"Could you warn the Order-"

"Most of them are not there now."

Albus straightened his back with a small frown. The last few hours did his mind no good: his brain was processing everything slower than usual.

"Albus?" He opened his eyes, stared at the ground with a small frown, and then glanced at the other again.

"Go to the Headquarters and assemble anyone who can leave." She nodded and walked away, but he suddenly remembered something else.

"Wait." Minerva turned around and waited with slightly raised eyebrows.

"If you're finished with that, I want you to contact the Aurors."

"I don't think the Minister will-"

"No matter. Tell him I will take full responsibility for this action." Minerva's eyes had grown even wider when hearing this. Albus was acting... not quite like himself: from the moment he saw the strange object, his behaviour had changed. She creased her forehead and took a few steps toward him, but his voice interrupted her.

"Minerva." His eyes had gained a different glint, and his tone had lost the usual softness. She knew it was best to leave now, but she couldn't ignore her thoughts.

"Albus... I don't think-"

"Now, Minerva."

Albus wouldn't allow a different view now and would not listen to a voice other than his own, that she could easily see. This part was not seen often, and when it appeared, it would be dampened. This time, Albus didn't even disguise it. That was not a good sign: when Albus – calm, peaceful and analytical – was behaving in this way, it meant trouble. It meant something terrible would occur.

Or... he could be alarmed and stressed. Minerva had no idea what other message the foreign object could have, but she knew that only a few persons could afflict this kind of response from Albus. Her mind conjured the image of the first, and most important one.

Their eyes met again, and this time, she saw a softer glimmer and a small nod: she suspected that Albus had seen her thoughts and the identity of that person – without the use of Legilimency.

With an understanding nod, she quickly marched away. When he heard the door close again, Albus stared at the object again.

Albus had hoped he would never see this again. He had given this to him, a few months before Lord Voldemort's resurrection. The other was reluctant, but after hearing Albus' reasons and a soft 'please', he had accepted it and would use it when needed.

It was an easy system and not difficult to use. It was like Harry's method with the coins: it was safe to use and the short message could quickly be conveyed.

After a last glance, he pocketed it. The message was received, but he had not enough information. The only thing he knew, was that danger was lurking and that it would soon strike. But Albus didn't know the numbers, place and time.

Maybe Minerva was right. Albus knew what she tried to say – maybe they should not act too rashly, without thinking about the reactions – but his mind was too focused on the person who had accepted his present.

What he had thought about many times, was threatening to come true. He was in danger...

Sounds of a fire growing bigger, turned his attention to the illuminating glow. A face had appeared and seemed to be frantically talking to him, but Albus only caught certain words: place, Ministry, correct, now, and a word that sounded strangely like his dear friend's name.

"Albus!" He blinked a few times: yes, he had heard the sentences – at least the important parts.

"I understand. How are-"

"The rest has already left. If they are fast enough, they can arrive before them."

"Good. I'll be there momentarily." The face disappeared and the flames diminished, but they quickly grew bigger again, when Albus scattered some powder in it. He held his wand in his right hand and stepped in the green brightness.

As soon as he saw a different environment, a red-coloured line came to his direction, but he deflected it with a wave of his wand. They were quite eager to fight, he noted. A few seconds after he had arrived, a spell was already thrown toward him. But it turned out to be a wandering spell, forgotten after it didn't hit the target.

He glanced around, taking the scene in: spells flashed in all directions, and shouts – communication, warnings, incarnations – were haphazardly spread across the area. More black could be seen than other colours, indicating that the Order was in minority here, but no party was having a better chance to be victorious: the Order lacked members, but that was balanced by effectiveness and talent.

Albus stared for a few more seconds, trying to find a familiar face in this slight chaos, but he heard a yell and this time, a spell was send purposefully in his direction. He reflected that spell and, not waiting to see if it hit the other, walked forward.

His eyes were still darting to various directions: he must find him!

A scene piqued his interest: two Death Eaters were duelling three Order members. But something was not quite right... one masked wizard was not taking every chance that crossed his road.

Albus stopped and focused on the mask. It took him a few seconds, but he recognized the pattern.

Severus!

He marched toward him and tightened the hold on his wand, but before he had taken three steps, a giant serpent-like flame travelled toward him.

Albus was nearly hit, but managed to neutralise it. This spell, in this shape, could only mean that...

"There you are, Dumbledore!" Albus shielded another spell, while turning his body toward the voice.

"Tom." Voldemort lowered his wand a little, while bending his neck to the right.

"My, my... the old age is really taking its toll..." Albus heard less sounds, and glanced to his left, trying to see what had changed.

A thin line grazed his right arm, leaving a bloodied mark on his upper arm. Albus stared into the red eyes again.

"You shouldn't turn your attention away from me... who knows what can happen?" Voldemort asked almost innocently, but Albus could hear the savouring quality. Albus was about to raise his hand again, but a hot shudder numbed his arm.

"Are you... feeling well, Dumbledore?" The burning sensation was leaving him, but now his fingers were turning cold.

"Not a comfortable feeling, is it?" Voldemort came closer while he spoke.

Sweat was beginning to coat his forehead and a small panicking feeling was trying to break free. No duelling sounds entered his ears. That only meant that one of the parties had won. It was three against two – no, four against one, Albus corrected himself. The chance that the Death Eaters had lost, was big. That should ease him, but it didn't. Albus was sure the three wizards didn't recognize the man behind the mask – how could they, he asked himself, since every person wearing a mask would be seen as the same opponent – so he could be injured and unconscious, or even worse, he could be-

Albus' name was called: it was somewhere left from him. He turned his face and saw someone pointing his wand toward him. Before he could concentrate on the sharpening of his vision, he felt a pushing sensation, and lost his footing.

He saw a contour coming closer, and his name was repeated while he fell on the ground. It could be an illusion, but Albus thought he heard Severus'voice calling him.

Strange...

He was sure that something had happened to him.

He was sure that Severus was...

This was not good.

He was keeping himself occupied with an easy opponent, while glancing around him, trying to spot the Headmaster.

He was still not here...

But then, he saw him appearing and hastily stepping away from the fire. He was a little afraid that he hadn't received his message, or that he interpreted it in a wrong way, but luckily, he was wrong.

From his eye corner, he saw Albus reflecting a spell and glancing around him.

He quickly knocked the Auror unconscious with a well-aimed spell and glanced at the Headmaster again. Albus was not moving, but seemed to be looking for something.

What was he doing?

He sensed two spells coming toward him, and he quickly ducked – avoided one spell – while shielding the other. But, a second later, a spell was fired somewhere behind him and he sensed someone standing beside him.

Lucius, he thought.

This would be an easy duel, especially when it was almost four against one. But still, he would rather have someone else standing beside him: he was already having difficulty playing his Death Eater role well.

A warm temperature froze them, and that was when he saw him: the Dark Lord. Immediately, all kind of things went through his mind: why was the Dark Lord here? Why wasn't he notified of this fact? When did he arrive?

That was when he saw Albus again... but something was wrong. Even from this distance, he sensed that his mind was somewhere else – what could possibly be more important than this situation?

And he was hurt.

What was the old fool doing?

Something – someone – must help him, or this would not end well. Glancing around him, he noticed that no one would interrupt that duel: they were busy with their own fights, were injured or refused to do an action that would not have the desired outcome. In that moment, he decided that he must do something. The chance was small that it would succeed, and his position as spy could be lost, but he refused to do nothing when Albus was in trouble.

So, without a second thought, he subtly aimed his wand to the Dark Lord, and said the first spell that he could find in his mind.

But Albus had moved... to the left, successfully obscuring the Dark Lord, and unknowingly blocking the path.

"Albus!"

It was too late... Albus had turned around, but the spell had almost reached him.

He ran toward him, without thinking about the remaining opponent – it was a miracle that he wasn't hit – and repeated Albus' name.

His cry was muffled, because he heard yells, shouts and running sounds: the Aurors had arrived.

But it was too late.

He knew he should apparate with the other Death Eaters, following the Dark Lord's example, but he could not move. He knew the consequences would be severe, for the Dark Lord had seen his intention, but he did not care. He knew he should not stop running, but he did.

His sole focus was on the man lying unmoved on the ground. He felt several emotions, but one was very visible.

Severus Snape was worried.

The next chapters are already written. So... it will be updated soon!

Next one will be His Lil' Half-Blood Princess'!