The Memory

"Harry, Professor McGonagall wants to see you in her office," said Hermione.

"Why? Is this because of yesterday?" asked Harry, a guilty conscious arousing inside.

"I dunno. Just go and see what she has to say." Harry made his way to Professor McGonagall's office, still figuring out if he had done anything wrong that made Professor McGonagall called him out.

"Oh there you are Potter," said Professor McGonagall who was waiting for him outside the gargoyle entrance. She led him in to her office and summons him to a seat. It was the first time Harry had been in the headmaster's or in this case headmistress' office since Dumbledore's death. Harry noticed that Dumbledore's prized possessions such as his statues and Fawkes were still there.

"Professor, why did you bring me here?" asked Harry.

"You will see for yourself," she replied and then led him to the pensieve which Harry had first discovered back in his fourth year.

"I think you will find many answers inside. This memory belongs to Dumbledore. He cast it inside before he died."

Harry placed his head inside and then fell through. He looked around to realize that he had fallen through the same place. Just that this time, Dumbledore and Snape were the ones inside. At the sight of Snape, he tried to cursed him but knew it would come to nothing.

"Severus, I know it must be hard for you but you have to do this. You already made the unbreakable vow to Narcissa. You can't break it," Dumbledore said, coughing in between the words.

"So what do I have to do?" Severus replied.

"You'll have to kill me. There is no other choice." At this, Harry gaped.

"But surely there are other solutions. I can't kill you. That would leave Harry alone and that will make the Dark Lord's job of killing him much easier."

"I have grown very old Severus. I can no longer duel with anyone, let alone Voldermort. I have no purpose now. The only thing I can offer is knowledge. And I'm sure I had taught Harry enough. He will be able to fulfill the prophecy from then onwards. You must do as I say Severus. It is an order."

Snape gave a resentful face and then said, "As you wish then. How do you want me to carry out this plan?"

"You know the boy's plan. Assist them in any way you can though you shall try to minimize the damage done to the students. Most of all, Harry Potter. I know Draco wants to kill me but I know he wouldn't. He's not a killer. And that is where you'll come in. After that, you shall follow the death eaters back. You are to keep your cover understand?"

"Yes," Snape replied hatefully.

Professor McGonagall pulled Harry out of the memory after Snape's last sentence. "Now I believe Dumbledore wants to speak to you." Professor McGgonagall brought Harry to Dumbledore's portrait and then left them alone.

"Hello Harry. Long time no see," said Dumbledore.

"Hi. So what do you want to speak to me about?" Harry asked.

'About what you had just witnessed in the pensieve. You may ask questions but please permit me to finish whatever I have to say first. Now, I have given you evidence that Severus is indeed not guilty. As you see, I was growing older and weaker by the day. There was nothing I could do except to transfer knowledge of defeating Voldermort to you. You may wonder why I did not tell you of this plan. The reason is simple Harry. I was afraid you might disagree and will try to change my mind. But believe me, I know what's best. Trust an old man's decision. Now, I know there has been something going on. Care to tell me, Harry?"

"Well, first of all, in the summer, I had this premonition. I forgot what it was about but it has something to do with me going back to Hogwarts. So that's why I'm here. Secondly, Professor Trelwaney made a new prophecy," Harry said slowly, stressing every single word. Harry then recalled the prophecy to Dumbledore, repeating it twice for him to memorize it. "So I believe this girl the prophecy was referring to is Ms. Chang. Am I right?"

"Yes. How did you know?" replied Harry, surprised that Dumbledore knew the prophecy referred to Cho.

"I have my sources. Back to the topic. I believe you understand what the prophecy meant Harry?"

"Actually no. How will my love for Cho aid me in defeating Voldermort?" Harry asked.

"This weapon can be described as a motivation. Your love for Cho will motivate you to defeat Voldermort."

"So Cho doesn't have to aid me in the quest to defeat Lord Voldermort?"

"Physically no. But mentally yes. Unless of course Voldermort hunts her down himself. But I believe she will be safe under your protection. It's the hocrux and Voldermort himself that you should be worried about. So have you found out about any one of them?"

"Yes. The locket. Hermione made a research and came to a conclusion that it was actually at Sirius's house. My house I mean."

"Smart girl that Hermione. I'm pleased at the rate you're going. I can't help you anymore. I know as much as you do as Voldermort's hocrux. It's up to you and your friends to figure it out yourself." There was moment of silence then as neither had anything to say. Then, Dumbledore continued, "I don't really have anything else to say. Do go back to your common room. You may tell Hermione and Ron about the memory you saw in the pensieve. Goodbye Harry."

"Goodbye Professor," said Harry.

"You can call me Albus, now that I'm dead," Dumbledore said, taken aback at being addressed as a Professor.

"Oh right." Harry left the office and made his way to the common room, getting ready to tell Ron and Hermione what he had saw in the pensieve.