Epilogue

Inside the Headmaster's office, Snape sat at his desk with his head in his hands. He heard the faintest 'pop' behind him as Dumbledore's disillusionment charm lifted and he appeared back in the portrait.

'You did well, Severus," he said. "You did all you could do."

Snape nodded, but did not look up. The false sword, still wrapped in its white cloth, lay on the desk. Snape had no energy to get up and repair the case. He sat there, unmoving, for a long time.

And behind the portrait of Albus Dumbledore, the true sword of Gryffindor waited for its hour.