The fireplace they tumbled from – just as ungracefully as they had the last time they'd traveled by floo powder – turned out to be the one in Dumbledore's office. As Daniel picked himself up off the floor with a helping hand from Teal'c who was as unflappable as ever, he looked around, self-consciously nodding greetings to the people in the portraits who were straining to get a good look at him and the others.

"Everyone here?" Dumbledore asked, looking around and counting heads. When he was certain that they were all present and accounted for, he pulled out his wand and waved it toward the empty space in front of his desk. A moment later the area was filed with chairs.

"Although the school should be empty," he said, gesturing for them to have a seat and sitting down at his desk. "We don't want to run the risk that someone is here that shouldn't be and have them spotting Sirius. This office is secure, and no one will be able to enter without my permission."

"How are we going to find Jack from here?" Daniel asked, sitting in one of the plush chairs, although the last thing he felt like doing was sitting around when Jack could be – and probably was – in serious trouble.

"We're expecting company," Dumbledore said, waving his wand again. On his desk appeared a tray with cookies and tea. Sam shook her head when he pushed the plate of cookies to her.

"No thank you."

Daniel decided that Sam looked as worried as he felt.

"We should be-"

He was interrupted by the arrival of Fawkes, who evidently couldn't travel by floo powder but was far more efficient when it came to coming and going anyways. The phoenix squawked, and came to rest on his perch, and Dumbledore nodded – as if the bird had been addressing him. Daniel decided he probably had been.

"Severus is here," the old wizard said, just as a motion at the entrance to the room drew everyone's attention that direction.

Daniel had read the first book. Because of that he knew what Severus Snape was supposed to look like. He was also aware now, however, that the books weren't completely honest, which meant that perhaps the man who had been described several times using the adjectives 'greasy' and 'oily' might not be as bad as he was made out to be. After all, Hagrid could cook.

When Snape walked into the office, however, he was exactly as Daniel had pictured him when reading the book. Not all that tall – which wasn't anything terrible, since Daniel himself was no giant – the guy was thin and… well… greasy-looking. His robes were made of a fine black fabric and fit fairly well, but he was gaunt and his lanky black hair hung in his face, giving him a sinister look.

Still, though, Daniel was prepared to look beyond that. He had always considered himself to be very open-minded and willing to look for the good in everyone he met. Perhaps Snape was like Jack; hiding the good guy he actually was behind a façade that only a select few were allowed to pass. Maybe Rowling – the person who had written the Harry Potter books – just hadn't had a chance to get to know the guy and find out what kind of person he really was.

Snape took one look at Sirius, however, and quickly disabused Daniel of that charitable thought. The look was filled with loathing, and the man's black eyes seemed to light up from the inside with pure hatred.

"Look what the cat dragged in…"

The look Sirius gave Snape wasn't any friendlier. Daniel was pretty sure that if he had a choice, Sirius would turn back into his dog shape and tear Snape apart.

"At least the cat could get hold of me, you greasy-"

"Sirius. Severus." Dumbledore's voice snapped like a whip, and both men turned to look at him. "We have bigger problems right now than your petty squabbling."

Snape scowled. Sirius frowned. Both men seemed to think there was nothing more important than the interrupted conversation. But they both quieted immediately, proving to Daniel that Dumbledore had control over both of them. Well, he was the most powerful wizard ever, right? Maybe if they didn't behave, he'd turn them into toads or something.

"Our… discussion… can wait, headmaster," Snape said, silkily, and Daniel decided that the best quality about the man – that he could see so far, anyways – was his voice, which seemed to be able to say several different things, despite the words coming out of his mouth.

"Allow me to introduce you," Dumbledore said, gesturing to Sam, Teal'c and Daniel. "Professor Severus Snape, this is Major Samantha Carter, Doctor Daniel Jackson, and Teal'c."

Snape nodded to all three of them but didn't offer his hand. In fact, there was a sneer on his expressive face when he spoke next, plainly telling them all what he thought of them.

"Teal'c? That isn't much of a name."

"It is more than sufficient for my enemies to remember," Teal'c said, his gravelly voice indicative of the fact that the Jaffa didn't think much of the newcomer. Of course, Teal'c had read more books than Daniel had, so who knew what kind of rat the guy turned out to be later on, eh?

Obviously not expecting a challenge like that in the reply, Snape seemed to be taken back by Teal'c's answer, and Dumbledore was quick to speak up, as if aware that Teal'c wouldn't put up with a lot of nonsense from any of the wizards but that one in particular.

"Severus is our best chance of finding Colonel O'Neill – or at least finding out why Voldemort has taken him."

"Jack's screwed," Sirius said, unable to hide his loathing for Snape. "Anyone who depends on-"

"You're one to talk, Snuffles," Snape said, scornfully. "Look what happens to those who-"

"Enough!" Both men fell silent once more, and Dumbledore stared both of them down until neither would meet his gaze. "This is not just about Colonel O'Neill, but about finding out what Voldemort wants with him. Whatever it is, it can't be good. Not for him – and definitely not for us."

"The Dark Lord feels that Colonel O'Neill can help him find something," Snape said.

"What?" Sam asked.

"He didn't tell me," he replied, looking at Sam.

"Then what good are you?" Teal'c asked.

"Now that he has him," Dumbledore said, answering before Snape could. "There's every likelihood that Voldemort will summon Severus to him to help with whatever plan he has come up with."

"And you'll tell us when that happens?" Daniel asked.

Snape's expression suddenly grew slightly distracted and pained, and he started massaging his forearm as if it pained him.

"It might already have…"