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Chapter Two: In Danger
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Severus Snape stepped out of the fire and strode to the entrance to the Headmaster's Office. "Fizzing Whizzbee," he groaned, as though he found such a password immature and was putting up with it like a child's fad. Still shaky from his encounter with the Dark Lord, the Potions teacher mopped his brow as the spiral staircase rose. He knocked loudly on the door. Dumbledore did not demand the same reverence that Voldemort craved.
"Come in, Severus," said Dumbledore. Snape obeyed. "What did you say to him?"
"I told him that the Ministry knew about his return, Headmaster."
Snape crossed the room to where Dumbledore sat at his desk. Dumbledore spun round in his chair to face the sunset. That man had a power over a person, made one want to tell him everything . . .
"He suspects me," blurted Snape simply. Dumbledore turned again.
"Of course he does," said Dumbledore with a hint of mild surprise in his voice, as though he had expected his employee to know this. "He suspects himself. He knows that young Mr Potter can access his mind sometimes, just as Voldemort-" Snape flinched "-can access Harry's. He does not know if his very thoughts have betrayed him already. So the Dark Lord suspects everyone."
Snape opened his mouth to reply, but realised he had nothing to say. A thought occurred to him. "Sir, what if he calls all the Death Eaters to him to launch an attack? I cannot leave the school!"
"I have already thought of that, Severus," smiled Dumbledore. "You fear that he will see your loyalty is not to himself and kill you." Snape fumed inwardly. He held Dumbledore in the highest esteem, but not so high that it was permittable to speak so casually of his death. "Do not worry. Should Voldemort summon the Death Eaters for a long stay, we will know that an attack is imminent and your service will not be needed."
At that moment a deep gong rang out for lights-out. "I must check on the students in my house," Snape said curtly. He did not wish to speak of the matter any longer. Dumbledore nodded and bade him a good night.
Chapter Two: In Danger
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Severus Snape stepped out of the fire and strode to the entrance to the Headmaster's Office. "Fizzing Whizzbee," he groaned, as though he found such a password immature and was putting up with it like a child's fad. Still shaky from his encounter with the Dark Lord, the Potions teacher mopped his brow as the spiral staircase rose. He knocked loudly on the door. Dumbledore did not demand the same reverence that Voldemort craved.
"Come in, Severus," said Dumbledore. Snape obeyed. "What did you say to him?"
"I told him that the Ministry knew about his return, Headmaster."
Snape crossed the room to where Dumbledore sat at his desk. Dumbledore spun round in his chair to face the sunset. That man had a power over a person, made one want to tell him everything . . .
"He suspects me," blurted Snape simply. Dumbledore turned again.
"Of course he does," said Dumbledore with a hint of mild surprise in his voice, as though he had expected his employee to know this. "He suspects himself. He knows that young Mr Potter can access his mind sometimes, just as Voldemort-" Snape flinched "-can access Harry's. He does not know if his very thoughts have betrayed him already. So the Dark Lord suspects everyone."
Snape opened his mouth to reply, but realised he had nothing to say. A thought occurred to him. "Sir, what if he calls all the Death Eaters to him to launch an attack? I cannot leave the school!"
"I have already thought of that, Severus," smiled Dumbledore. "You fear that he will see your loyalty is not to himself and kill you." Snape fumed inwardly. He held Dumbledore in the highest esteem, but not so high that it was permittable to speak so casually of his death. "Do not worry. Should Voldemort summon the Death Eaters for a long stay, we will know that an attack is imminent and your service will not be needed."
At that moment a deep gong rang out for lights-out. "I must check on the students in my house," Snape said curtly. He did not wish to speak of the matter any longer. Dumbledore nodded and bade him a good night.