SEVERUS

Flanked by the other Heads of House, Snape led the way into the Headmaster's office. McGonagall was clutching a copy of the Evening Prophet.

Snape knocked and entered without waiting for a reply.

'Ah, good evening – all of you,' smiled Dumbledore, who was feeding Fawkes. 'How are the obstacles coming along?'

'All in place. And just as well,' said McGonagall, laying the Prophet on Dumbledore's desk. Even a few of the portraits around the walls gave gasps of shock. The front-page headline announced, in big black letters: GRINGOTTS STUNNED BY MYSTERIOUS BREAK-IN

Dumbledore returned to his desk and skimmed over the article.

'Goodness …' he murmured.

'We've had a close shave,' said Sprout briskly.

'Credit to Hagrid, of course, for not dawdling,' piped up Flitwick. 'Another couple of hours and he'd've missed it.'

'Hmm,' said Dumbledore thoughtfully.

'Is this merely a coincidence?' asked Snape.

'I don't see why not. Although we have been very, very lucky –'

He was cut short as the office doors burst open again.

'Ah, Quirinius, good evening – Goodness me, that's some headwear,' commented Dumbledore, having performed a double-take.

Panting, Quirrell straightened his large purple turban and said, 'Yes, this was gifted to m-me by an African p-p-prince. He had a spot of b-bother with a zombie and wanted to reward m-my assistance.'

'Smells strongly,' frowned Sprout, but Quirrell seemed not to hear.

'I don't suppose you've heard the news, Quirinius?' asked Dumbledore.

'N-No – what's happened, P-Professor?'

McGonagall passed the Prophet to him. As he read, Quirrell's eyes widened.

'Vault seven hundred and th-thirteen?' he said in a hushed voice. 'But who – how?'

'You were in Diagon Alley this afternoon, were you not? Did you spot anyone acting strangely? Keeping a low profile, perhaps?'

'N-No, not that I recall. It m-must have happened after I left. The Stone is safe, though?'

'It is,' confirmed Dumbledore. 'At least, it will be. You say the protection is in place?' he asked McGonagall.

'Almost. We're just waiting on Hagrid.'

'And myself,' added Dumbledore. 'I know Hagrid is ready to install his, er, obstacle.' He frowned. 'You seem concerned, Minerva.'

'Well,' said McGonagall awkwardly. 'Do you not think these obstacles are – well – a little ...'

'Easy?' suggested Dumbledore.

'Yes,' said McGonagall, looking relieved.

'No, I don't,' said Dumbledore. 'I agree they are not impossible to overcome, but they are not designed to kill the trespasser – merely capture them, or slow them down at the very least. Well, if that's all … have a good day, Professors.'

The Professors bowed and filed out, still talking anxiously about what had happened at Gringotts – all except Snape.

'Severus – what can I do for you?'

'I only wish to know if you are going to move the Mirror now, given what's happened?'

'In good time,' said Dumbledore. 'Quite a remarkable feat, isn't it?' he added conversationally, indicating the Prophet headline.

'I suppose. How on earth were they not caught?'

'How indeed? No one could infiltrate Gringotts without using Dark magic, and it takes unusual cunning to hoodwink a goblin.'

Dumbledore looked meaningfully up at Snape, who raised an eyebrow.

'Surely you don't think the Dark Lord was behind this? I was rather hoping you'd have come to a more sensible conclusion than everyone else.'

'Ah, but does 'everyone else' know what was inside that vault?' countered Dumbledore, smiling. 'We both know Voldemort's still out there, Severus. And we both know he'll be searching for the most direct shortcuts to power, no matter how outrageous or far-fetched they may be.'

Snape still looked unconvinced.

'He's been in exile for a decade. What do you imagine could have happened to change that? Besides, there must be countless men out there who would want eternal life and limitless gold.'

'Very true,' agreed Dumbledore, nodding sagely. 'And do you count yourself amongst them?'

'Certainly not!' Snape replied, looking insulted by the very suggestion.

'I know you don't,' said Dumbledore. 'A man is not supposed to live forever. And yet, this brings us back to Voldemort.'

'Let's say the Dark Lord is after the Stone. He wouldn't dare come near Hogwarts now the Stone is under your protection. You're the only one he ever feared,' said Snape, doing his best to avoid making it sound too complimentary.

'I'm flattered, Severus, but I have said it many times: Voldemort has powers I shall never have. On skill alone, I cannot say I would beat him.'

'Then why does he fear you?' asked Snape curiously.

'Because I know him,' said Dumbledore simply. 'I know him better than his own family did; I certainly know him better than his closest Death Eaters did – and he despises me for it. The truth is our greatest weapon, Severus. You should know that as well as anybody.'

Dumbledore idly turned a page of the newspaper and said unexpectedly, 'Young Harry Potter will be with us very soon. Hasn't the time flown by?'

Snape said nothing, though Dumbledore noticed how rigid the man's expression had become.

'The Stone won't be the only thing that needs protection at Hogwarts,' Dumbledore continued, still peering at Snape over his half-moon spectacles. 'I suppose you recall, ten years ago, giving your concurrence to help watch over Lily's son?'

Snape nodded stiffly.

'Good. Because if Voldemort is indeed on the path to restoration, then Harry's safety will be jeopardised sooner than we anticipated. I see no reason to burden Harry himself with that fact, but we as his teachers must put him at ease as soon as he arrives. Remember, he has no idea of the aura that shrouds him. His upbringing has been untoward to say the least; he wasn't even aware of what he and his parents were until yesterday. Can I trust that you will treat him with compassion, and fairness, as Lily would have wanted?'

Snape's nostrils flared dangerously, and he did not answer.

'Severus?' prompted Dumbledore.

Snape leant in closer.

'No,' he hissed. 'In case you've forgotten, my own childhood was void of any compassion, or fairness. No one was there to coddle me back into a civilised life. My parents were always too busy arguing to bother raising me properly. I was ridiculed throughout school by Potter and his despicable friends. Lily –'

'– Lily loved you,' muttered Dumbledore.

'She left me!' Snape corrected, and anger had propelled him to shout. 'I'm not saying it wasn't my fault, but she left me and ran off with Potter. And if I can stand here having never been cared for, then I don't see why the son of the great James Potter can't!'

'Severus –'

'I have agreed to protect him,' Snape hissed, pointing at Dumbledore. 'I never said anything about repairing him.'

With that, he spun on his heel and swept off.

'Severus,' repeated Dumbledore, sternly this time.

But in a whirl of billowing cloak, followed by the slamming of the office door, Snape was gone.