Dumbledore looked solemnly into the fireplace in his office,
his usually sparkling eyes were heavy with some heavy burden. McGonagall
looked just as troubled as him, and nervously paced the office.
"Albus... surely we should have heard from him by now?... You don't
think he was discovered do you?" she asked.
Dumbledore's expression became grave.
"I am not certain... but I hope that is not the case." he said.
McGonagall wrinkled her brow in frustration. No one had heard from
Snape at all since he had left on his mission for the Order over the
summer break. The members were all anxious to hear from him to find out
what the Dark Lord was planning. Dumbledore was worried about this
as well, however he also felt that if anything were to happen to Snape
that it would be his fault. That he was expecting too much from him.
He knew that Snape did this to redeem himself from his past actions as
a deatheater. He was still trying to prove himself to him. It grieved Dumbledore to think
that he might be asking too much for one man.
" What if he isn't back or even heard from before classes begin?" she
asked.
Dumbledore sighed.
"I will start looking for a substitute, but I will tell them it
is only temporary. I am sure he is just being held up, and will
contact us soon." he said.
McGonagall looked at him.
" I am concerned that he will not be able to hide his true
purpose to going back to them for long."
Dumbledore nodded.
"I know, Minerva... I have been thinking that myself... but he knows
very well what the risks are, and he assured me that he was willing
to take those risks for the Order," he said. "Even if it meant his death."
Dumbledore sat down in his chair and rubbed his temples.
"I will wait for a message from him, and try to reach him on the mirror again."
he said.
McGonagall nodded.
"I will also try, Albus... it is just unlike him to not at least drop
some kind of hint as to what is happening."
Dumbledore nodded.
"I'm sure we will hear from him soon... it is also not like Voldemort
to keep quite if he has done anything to a member of the Order." he said.
McGonagall shuddered at hearing his name, and the very thought of what
the Dark Lord would do if he ever found out that Snape was not loyal to
him after all.
"Let us hope so, Albus." she said.
