Since I forgot to do this before ahem I do not own the characters objects and places created by the great JK Rowling.

I have retitled this fic. It's old title has become the title of the first chapter. I wasn't sure if I'd continue this but I have decided to...because I finally organized my thoughts. Thanks to all my reviewers. Luv.

It seemed the entire wizarding population of Britain was pouring out of the Hogwarts gates. Ideal conditions for one to go unnoticed if one wished to do so. Though it was rather like rowing upstream trying to get in against the steady outward current. But two cloaked figures managed it.

They made there way very determinedly through the castle, right up to the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmistress' office. The taller figure said the last password he knew it to be. The gargoyle leapt aside, the password had not yet changed. They rode the staircase up in silence and knocked on the door.

"Enter" said a slightly teary sounding voice. They obeyed. As they stepped forward they lowered their hoods. Minerva McGonagall gasped audibly. "Severus!" she gripped her wand.

"Please hear me out, Minerva."

"How do I know that I can believe you?"

"Do you really think I would dare return if I could not explain everything?"

"Explanations are not always true." Her nostrils flared dangerously.

"But I assure you these explanations will be very true indeed." They all jumped. This was the very first time that the portrait of Albus Dumbledore had spoken.

"You-you remember then?" said McGonagall turning to address the portrait.

"No."

"Then…"

"Portraits do not retain the memories of their subjects but they do present accurate…ah responses or feelings. And I feel that I never stopped trusting Severus Snape even at my dying moment."

"But he killed you…"

"Minerva I did not want to!" Snape said with passion.

"Then why did you Severus?"

"I had to. I had taken the Unbreakable Vow."

"To kill him? But why?"

"I did not know at the time what I was agreeing to."

"But that's reckless!" her eyebrows contracted.

"I went to the window. Dumbledore was standing outside…listening in with an extendable ear. We communicated silently…he told me to pretend as if I knew the plan. But I did not."

"Then why did you take the Vow?"

Snape's face seemed to twitch. "If I hadn't Bellatrix would have suspected me more than she had before. I could not afford to take that chance…others would have lost faith in me as well.

"I told Dumbledore what I had done. I expected him to be like you Minerva…doubtful as to the wisdom of my actions. But he seemed understanding…said I had had no other choice." He paused as if waiting for her to interrupt again but she did not. Draco was staring at his teacher as if searching for an answer in his face.

"All year I tried to keep an eye on Draco, tried to figure out what it was that he was meant to do. He did a very good job avoiding me. But nevertheless we eventually found out that Draco was entrusted with the murder of Albus Dumbledore." The portraits, that had hitherto remained in silent curiosity, put out a sudden uproar.

"So you killed Dumbledore rather than dying yourself? Insubordination sir!" roared the corpulent wizard.

"How Slytherin of you!" said Phineus Niggelus though it was impossible to tell whether he was impressed or disgusted.

"Silence!" shouted McGonagall. They all obeyed though many shifted uncomfortably in their seats. "Go on Severus."

"I argued with him…I did not want to do it. I argued that he was of more worth to the Order than I was. But he would not budge. He made me promise. I comforted myself for awhile with the thought that I had done my best to help him, and that without my help, which he refused, he wasn't likely to get very far. And that he would not even really try, and if he didn't try he couldn't fail and I wouldn't have to do it for him. But when Death Eaters arrived in the castle I knew the game was up." His hands trembled, "It was the hardest thing I ever had to do."

A silence followed. "I believe you Severus."

"Thank you Minerva. I can continue to pass you information on the Dark Lord, but he must not know that I come here. He must also not know that Draco is still alive."

"I understand."