AN/ I have to say, this was probably my favourite chapter to write so far. I love the relationship between Snape and Dumbledore. I'm sorry if this story is very Snape based, but so much of the story revolves around him and he is by far the most interesting teacher to me. I'm going to try and integrate more teachers from here on out.

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After Students Left for the Summer

Voldemort struck again. Dumbledore sat on his desk and looked down towards Tom Riddle's Diary, covered in dirt and blood. Somehow, he always manages to stay fighting, even if he is far away hiding and barely human.

The magic behind this diary is truly extraordinary. He flipped it over in his hands and studied it. Dumbledore had some theories about it and about Voldemort himself, but that was all they were: theories. There was only one man he knew that might be able to give him some insight on the diary, Severus Snape: teacher and previous Death Eater.

He then walked in with his cloak flowing in behind him and roughly sat down in the chair in front of the desk. "What is it?" Snape was not in a good mood it seemed. Dumbledore took noticed but decided to approach the subject delicately and slowly.

"Would you like some Cauldron Cakes?" Dumbledore offered. Snape looked at them with a look of disgust before shaking his head. "Pity, I do have far too many of these and was hoping you could unburden some during this visit."

His love of sweets was well known, and most people tended to give either candy or books to him as gifts. As an end of the year thank you, the House Elves made him quite a lot of Cauldron Cakes, more than his stomach would be able to handle even if he spread it out over the summer holidays.

In annoyance, Snape snatched one and took a bite. He hated Cauldron Cakes but if it was going to get Dumbledore to get to the point it would be worth it. Dumbledore smiled and leaned back in his chair. "This was an interesting year, I daresay. I do think an apology is in order on behalf of, well, everyone, who was blaming you and Slytherin for the petrifications."

"Honestly, not many people voiced that thought," Snape said. Finishing the Cauldron Cake with a disgusted look. Dumbledore nodded for him to have another but he didn't bite. One was by far enough. "What did you want me for?"

"In a hurry to get somewhere?" Dumbledore asked. It was almost a slap in the face to Snape whose eyes narrowed. It was terrifying how Dumbledore knew his... rather less than exciting summer where he just sat around his old childhood home and mopped like he had between the time that the Dark Lord fell and starting at Hogwarts. "Any plans for the summer? A nice vacation abroad, meeting family somewhere?"

"What do you want?" Snape interrupted angrily.

Dumbledore grabbed the diary and gave it to Snape. "Tom Riddle's Diary. As you know it held an imprint of Lord Voldemort himself, which is what caused the Basilisk to attack the students. I'm just curious if you know what might have caused it?"

"Why would I know?" Snape felt somewhat insulted by this.

Dumbledore raised his hand, "I am not accusing you of anything, and if it sounds like I am, I apologize but you're the only one I can speak openly about Voldemort who was in his inner circle for a while."

Snape sighed and looked down at the diary, flipping it over. "It just seems like a regular diary to me, and I can't think of any spell that would create an real-life imprint of a person, just hallucinations."

"And you never heard of any plot to try otherwise."

Snape shook his head. "No. Though I was in the inner circle, I am a halfblood so I wasn't as trusted as the others who were purebloods. If he was plotting something like that, I doubt I would know about it." He stood up and began leaving.

"I think you're wrong," Dumbledore called out. "I think he trusted you very much, or else he wouldn't have listened to your request on Lily Potter."

Snape was silent, and couldn't respond, instead he just left the room. That is where you are wrong Dumbledore, he didn't listen.