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Quill of Minerva: Severus' potion is very nasty, yes!

Rosaleen: Yes, poor Severus! I think (depending on how long this story goes on for) that the last chapter might be the last one where Severus is injured. But hey, what do I know?

duj: I do admit that Severus' initial reaction to the Pensieve memory is rather extravagant, but keep in mind that he's under just a little bit of stress (I admit that I might have overdone it a bit, though). As for Severus missing classes, I'm interpreting the Easter holidays that the book refers to as a week-long vacation because the book makes the break seem longer than a weekend (teachers assign loads of homework over the holiday, etc.). My interpretation may not be correct (probably isn't), but let's just go with the flow for now, kay? Yes, Dumbledore is gallivanting around Hogwarts without much concern for his safety, but he's always kinda been that way. And, assuming that I am using my interpretation of the length of the Easter holiday, some students will have likely gone home for a day or two to visit with their families. And the headmaster shouldn't have to worry too much about Umbridge, Filch, and Mrs. Norris because they're kinda stupid. Besides, Dumbledore's got a useful technique on his side (read this chapter, and you'll see what I mean).

Rikki8879: Thanks for your nice review! And don't worry, Albus is not in trouble!

kidarock: Don't worry, you're not stupid! I often find myself rereading other people's stories, too! Thanks for your review!

jennykim2007: First of all, before I answer any of your comments, I would just like to say that your reviews don't offend me at all! On the contrary, I enjoy reading your opinions (and thanks for your many reviews!). Now to answer your comments! Yes, you usually don't see Dumbledore calling Severus "child." This will be answered in this chapter (so read, please!). I agree that McGonagall and Dumbledore are very professional towards each other, which is why I'm trying to make their relationship so subtle (I've read some stories that show them making out in front of the entire school, and although some of them are pretty good reads, many of them are very unrealistic.). From your Chapter 2 review, Severus' knocked-over chair does not explicitly indicate that he fell backwards. It could also mean that he shoved his chair back when he stood up (which is most likely, because he was angry). Also, thanks for all of your reviews to The Burdens of an Old Headmaster. I know that Mrs. Weasley's tirade of words was a bit over-the-top. We'll just say it sprouted up because of the stress of the ongoing war. Severus and Minerva might be a bit too friendly, but I think they at least get along as colleagues because they have to work together. I know Albus and Minerva have a gaping age difference, but like they say, "Love conquers all!" (I used to think that ADMM stories were kind of scary, but I saw why people like them so much.) And when I said Antonin Rookman, I meant Antonin Rookman. This character, of course, does not exist in the books, but I needed a name, so I made up a combination of Augustus Rookwood, Antonin Dolohov, and Alan Rickman (Alan Rickman is a good actor!). As for your review from My Poor Werewolf Child, I can understand your thoughts of the story as being a bit cheesy (sometimes when I'm reading my writing, I just think to myself, "You really are a nutter, aren't you?").

Yay, I've finally reached 100 reviews (does a little dance)! Thanks to all my reviewers!

I'm sorry this update took so long (homework sucks!)! This chapter has a bit more ADMM, and it's kinda long (yay!). Enjoy!

saiyanwizardgurl

Chapter 15: Another Near Miss

Albus Dumbledore knocked softly on the office door of the Head of Gryffindor house. When he was sure there would be no answer in the near future, he opened the door tentatively and peered into the office. It was empty, so he decided to try the private quarters. He knocked on that door, and there was, again, no answer. He gently pushed it open and peeked in.

The headmaster smiled. Minerva McGonagall was still in bed, sleeping soundly. Her long black hair was strewn out across the pillows, and her hands were gently caressing the sheets. Dumbledore crept over to the bed and sat down on the edge. He reached out and stroked her cheek softly, letting his fingers linger on her smooth skin. He was slightly surprised when the Transfigurations teacher's eyes fluttered open. "Albus?"

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's all right, dear," she said, snuggling into her pillow. "I need to get up anyway."

Dumbledore waited for a few moments, soon realizing that the Transfigurations teacher was not going to move. "You need to get up, but I trust that you will not?"

"I'm too comfortable right now," she mumbled. "Care to join me?"

"Certainly," said the headmaster. He yawned and lay down besides her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She cuddled into his beard and sighed happily.

"How was Aberforth?"

"He's fine. His goats somehow got loose last night, though."

"Really now?"

"Oh, yes. His favorite goat, the one with the black spot on its right front leg, couldn't be found anywhere, and he was quite devastated."

"Did you find him?"

"We did eventually. He was stuck on a rock in the middle of a nearby river. I have no idea how he could have gotten on, because the tide was quite high."

"So it rained again last night?"

"Yes. It was raining earlier this morning, too. It's sunny now, but I think it'll start up again after lunch."

"I see. Did you check on Severus yet?"

"I was at Aberforth's all last night, so I didn't get a chance. Besides, Severus is a grown man; he doesn't need us to check on him."

"I know; I just worry about him sometimes. And look who's talking!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Who's the one that calls him 'child'?"

"Minerva, I've called him that ever since his first year at Hogwarts. I remember the first time I did it, too. He was so angry."

"That's another thing. Severus mentioned that you thought his getting irritated yesterday was funny. Why is that?"

"Just something between the two of us. You know how he's always asked me for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position? Last year I asked him why he always applies, why he always wants the job, why he won't just settle for what he is most talented at and play to his strengths. He got angry, and you should have seen the look on his face. I had to laugh. He eventually thought it funny as well and started to laugh with me."

"What? I've never seen Severus laugh before!"

"Well, he didn't full on laugh out loud, but he laughed as much as anyone would expect him to."

"I see. Shall we go down to the dungeons now?"

"If that is what you would like to do, then yes, but I must warn you that you have to get out of bed first."

"Oh, be quiet," said McGonagall, swatting Dumbledore gently and rolling out of bed. "Give me a break; I was up late last night."

"Doing what, may I ask?"

"Grading essays."

"Did you finish them all?"

"Oh, yes."

"And you chided Severus for wanting to grade his essays."

"That's different, Albus," said the Transfigurations teacher, slipping into the bathroom to change and closing the door with a small snap!

"How is that different, Minerva?" whispered the headmaster, smiling.

…………………

Ten minutes later, Dumbledore and McGonagall were walking down to the dungeons. They were walking rather quickly because the Transfigurations teacher was worried that her comrade would be spotted in the castle. "I still don't see why you risk being exposed to her," she whispered.

"Minerva, you know very well that I will not allow Dolores to harm my school," whispered the headmaster in reply.

"She's already done a good job of that!"

"That was before I decided to come back."

"But you put yourself in so much danger! I don't want you to be seen."

"Don't worry about me, love."

McGonagall froze. "We need to fix that soon, Headmistress." The Transfiguration teacher's eyes grew wide. That sounded just like…

Dolores Umbridge and Argus Filch rounded the corner. McGonagall glanced to her side. Dumbledore was gone. Good, she thought.

"Professor McGonagall, what a pleasant surprise," said Umbridge with her usual false sweetness. "What would you happen to be doing here?"

"I just have to discuss some Head of House business with Severus," she lied quickly. The witch pulled out a piece of parchment that, oddly, had information on it pertaining to the Heads of House. This was fortunate, for Umbridge snatched away the parchment and scanned it quickly. Apparently satisfied, she thrust it back to the Transfigurations teacher.

"Very well, Minerva; be on your way. Oh, and I wouldn't stray down the corridors too often if I was you; it looks suspicious." And with that, Umbridge and Filch stalked off.

McGonagall stood silently for a moment, watching the two retreat. When she was sure that they were gone and not coming back, she let out a deep sigh and continued walking.

"Well, wasn't that a bit close?" said Dumbledore, materializing next to the Transfigurations teacher.

"A bit? A bit! Albus, you were nearly seen!"

"No, I wasn't. I disappeared in ample time."

McGonagall glared at the headmaster for a moment, but then softened her expression. "I suppose that's how you've been getting around the castle, then?"

"Oh, yes, it's quite convenient."

"Dolores can't get into your office, but I trust that you are going there quite often?"

"When I need things, I do. Here we are," said Dumbledore, pushing open the door to Snape's office.

They stepped inside to find an empty office. "Looks like you're not the only one that slept in today, my dear," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.

"And it looks like you're the only one that didn't," said the Transfigurations teacher, smiling. "But give us a break, Albus; there's only, what, four days left of the Easter holidays?"

"Six days, my dear. You forgot the weekend."

"Weekends don't count!"

"Yes, they do."

"Says who?"

"Says me!"

The witch and wizard stopped their playful teasing abruptly at the sound of a muffled groan. Eyeing each other tentatively, they opened Snape's bedroom door and walked in.

As usual, the room was dark. A small lump on the bed was moving slightly. "Good morning, Severus," said the headmaster.

"Good morning, my butt!" muttered the Potions Master. He tried to prop himself up on his elbows (he was lying on his stomach), but such a position seemed to cause him severe pain, because he let out another groan and plopped back down.

"Are you all right, Severus?" asked McGonagall.

"Had a meeting last night," mumbled Snape. "Dark Lord tried out my new potion. Four people, including myself. Back sore."

"I'll take that as a 'no'," said Dumbledore.

"Why's that?" asked McGonagall.

"Well, the incomplete sentences are one give-away."

"So what happened?" asked the Transfigurations teacher, pulling up a chair.

The younger wizard jumped slightly as Dumbledore sat on the edge of the bed and began to massage the Potions Master's shoulders. "The Dark Lord requested about a month ago a pain potion."

"What does it do?"

"I call it the Caponis Concoction. It's derived from a simple pain potion and a stimulant. The side effects and reactions vary from person to person. A vial or more will cause the drinker to experience intense spasms of various tendons, viscera, et cetera. In other words, the victim's muscles would tense and cramp up, but not like regular pain-inflicting potions. The effects are similar to that of the Cruciatus Curse."

McGonagall's eyes grew wide. "Why did he want it? For questioning?"

"Or torturing. Anyway, I had just completed it last night when he summoned us. I gave him the batch, which was about a dozen vials, and he wanted to test out my potion. See if it really worked."

"And I trust that it did?"

"Yes."

"And he tried it out on you, right?"

"Yes!" said Snape a little too loudly as one of the muscles Dumbledore was rubbing jarred suddenly.

"Sorry, Severus," whispered the headmaster, softly.

"Mmm," mumbled the Potions Master in acceptance.

"So who else did he use it on?"

"Avery, Macnair, and Malfoy. Avery because he doubted the potion's effectiveness. Macnair because he knew what his reaction would be. Malfoy because his group is having trouble keeping up with their part in the mission."

"I see. But why you?" asked the Transfigurations teacher.

"I was late to the meeting. Wanted to make sure that my loyalty wasn't wavering."

"So you gave him twelve vials, and he used four," said Dumbledore, mentally calculating. "He used a third of his reserves. He's certainly being wasteful."

"Yeah, especially since he isn't expecting another batch until next month."

"Well, that would explain his splurge," said the headmaster, thoughtfully.

"How so, Albus?" asked the witch.

"Voldemort it trying to take his time. He's in no hurry to expose himself to the public. He can wait for more torture methods because too much activity too soon will arouse suspicion."

"More so than he already has," added the Potions Master, quietly.

McGonagall sighed heavily. "Well, I suppose nothing can be done except for you to brew more of that potion, right, Severus?"

"Right," mumbled Snape, snuggling into his pillows.

Dumbledore glanced at the alarm clock, which said 11:47 am. "It's just about lunchtime," he said. "I'm starving; shall I call for food?"

"Please do, Albus," said the Transfigurations teacher, smiling.

"It's fine with me," mumbled the Potions Master, "just don't call – "

"Oh, Dobby!"

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