AU – Just an insight on what might have happened before Harry was picked up.
Time to die
Snape entered the office like so many times before, and walked over to sit at the chair, facing Dumbledore's own. He was not there at the moment, but would be back in a short while. The former death eater took a moment to reflect on what he must say …and what he must do …
The door opened, and in strode the greatest wizard of the age, Albus Dumbledore. He walked in silence to his desk, and sat down weakly, his burnt hand wrapped in bandages, as it was still new.
"Dumbledore, sir." Serverus spoke, bowing his head.
"Aah, Serverus," he replied with a slight smile, "I believe you have some information for me?"
"Yes," Snape said, looking hard at the desk. "I do."
There was silence for a moment, before Serverus continued.
"Draco has been ordered to kill you by the Dark Lord," He said, knowing that tact never worked on the wizened wizard.
"Has he now?" Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows. "Hmm, I wonder how he intends to go about it?"
"I do not know." Snape replied. He was used to Dumbledore's easy take on things, even though it was a death threat.
"Hmm," was all the other said. He then leant forward and placed the tips of his fingers together, then resting his chin on them, "and yet I sense that there is more to it than that …"
Snape nodded, still refusing to meet Dumbledore's gaze. "Yes, there is …"
"Well?"
"I made an Unbreakable Vow," he said, "to Draco's mother, that I would assist him …"
"Hmm?"
"And if he should fail … I was to do it."
The two lapsed into silence. Dumbledore realised full well what this meant, and did not need Serverus to elaborate.
"Well," Dumbledore started. Snape finally looked up, and Albus saw for a fleeting second the helplessness in his eyes; "so be it."
Serverus began to protest, "but sir, I can't kill you! I'll-"
"Die yourself, then?" Dumbledore said, knowing well what the charm did.
Silence fell again for a moment, but Dumbledore spoke again.
"My time will have come sooner or later," he said, getting up and pacing behind his desk. "All I will have to do is make certain preparations to ensure I have a successor behind."
"Successor?" Snape repeated, looking wary.
"Yes," Dumbledore smiled. "Someone who will always be loyal to me, even after death."
Snape did not ponder who this person could be, but lowered his head.
"I don't want to kill you," He said, "but I'll do it."
"And watch over Draco, too." The other said.
Snape nodded and left the room, and when he did, he was privately glad that Dumbledore had taken his news so well. The time would come when by his wand Dumbledore must die, and he'd make sure that it came about, now that he'd been given permission.
Dumbledore sighed and looked at the pensive, thinking about what he must do in the year he had left of his life.
"It'll be up to you, Harry."