Sitting in the Headmaster's Chamber at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Severus Snape rubbed his temples, scowling. He hated this act, this character he had to play. Today, one of the Carrows had tortured the Longbottom boy for refusing to participate in a class exercise. While he, the headmaster, had sat in his office, unable to do anything about it without tipping off the Death Eaters of his true self.

He had to admit, he was impressed by the boy's newfound resilience.

Beyond this most recent matter, however, he had another, perhaps more pressing concern. His most recent trip to Malfoy Manor had not made him feel any better about what was occurring there. He'd hoped that young Neomi would lie to the Dark Lord and offer her allegiance so that she could escape, but she refused. Now they had to rely on Draco's harebrained scheme, one which he knew could work, but he knew it was dicey at best. It relied on the boy's acting ability, something which remained untested. Snape didn't count pretending to be an ass during his school years as acting, and he hadn't really been doing so since the Death Eaters had moved into his home. He'd mostly stayed in the basement with the girl. Whenever he was upstairs, he stood around and glared sullenly at everyone.

It was hardly a performance worthy of any note.

Still, it was their last shot, unfortunately. They were running out of options. The last he'd heard of the girl, she'd been starting to talk back while they tortured her. It wasn't a good sign. It meant she was starting to crack, something that they couldn't allow. Regardless of her position in the war and the purported prophecy, Neomi was one of the few truly good souls he'd ever known. The girl had refused to do so much as use the term mudblood at Lucius' behest; even knowing it would mean pain for her.

She could very well have been Lily's daughter, if he really thought about it. She wasn't, of course. But the two were so alike in their convictions that he could clearly imagine it. If things had turned out better the first time around, Lily would likely have spoiled the girl. He couldn't imagine Neomi being kinder, but Lily would have made her so.

He leaned forward on the desk, resting his face on his knuckles, thumbs out under his chin and the first finger pointing out. He sighed ever so slightly as he heard the tell-tale clicking of Minerva McGonagall's heels as she came up the stairs. He glanced back into the eyes of Dumbledore's portrait, meeting the ex-headmaster's painted gaze before drawing his face into its usual apathetic expression and looking forward. She entered the office scowling.

"What on Earth could you possibly want, Headmaster?" She sneered as she said the word. Of all the remaining professors, she was the one who was the biggest thorn in his side. If she knew the truth of him, he liked to think that she would understand the position he'd found himself in. He hoped that she would believe him and be willing to help.

"Minerva," he began carefully, "I find myself in a situation where your… insight could possibly be of use." I want you to tell me that you know where Harry Potter is.

She glared at him, inclining her head ever so slightly. She was suspicious. He'd known she would be.

"What situation would that be, Severus?" Her voice was cold, the characteristic lilt breaking ever so slightly.

"You see, Minerva," he replied, not bothering to correct her use of his name. If it helped her to feel that they were on more even footing, he could make the small concession. Besides, he didn't much feel worthy of the title. Dumbledore, for all his faults, had been a great man. And Severus had been put in the position to move forward the Dark Lord's agenda.

"I find myself in need of… not the information itself, I certainly would prefer not to have it, in fact. But I know someone who is in need of it. And I should like to know if there is anyone who could, perhaps, pass it along to this individual."

He had to tread lightly. Speaking in code was not necessarily a requirement, but he was rather afraid to spell it out. It was highly unlikely that Voldemort would ever hear of anything that occurred within the office walls, but he could never be too careful. This was likely the safest place for this conversation, but he still was hesitant to simply come out and say what he needed.

Her eyes sharpened. "What information could you possibly want from me? I have been here since term has started. I know nothing of anything occurring beyond these walls," she told him.

She was lying, he knew. Though he doubted that she knew much at all, she had to know something. Of all the people here, she was the one most trusted. The Order's unofficial second in command and the person who should have been named Dumbledore's successor, it made no sense that she should be kept in the dark. Particularly not when one considered the fact that, despite the presence of Death Eaters in the castle, this was still one of the safest places to be. Here, within Hogwart's hallowed halls, its students were relatively safe. They could be tortured for insolence, but never killed. Outside they would be killed.

"A former student has come to me with concerns as to the wellbeing of his sister," he began, knowing Minerva would know who he was talking about. "He has wishes to extract her from their current location and have her brought to people who would protect her."

"You are speaking of the Malfoy girl, I presume," she replied, a statement rather than a question.

"Precisely. Now, I know that you are one of the few people aware of young Neomi's place in all this mess. So you understand the importance of getting her to the right people-"

"As if I would ever help you bring one of them into the folds of the resistance!" she shouted, catching herself too late. "If it were possible for me to do so, of course," she added in an attempt to cover her tracks.

Snape arched a brow. "Minerva, you remember what she was like, don't you? Stubborn, strong. Resilient. Whatever makes you think she would be a danger?" he asked, attempting to smooth her over. This required delicacy, and time that they did not have.

"She is a Malfoy," McGonagall said simply.

"You know better than most that she is not. You know the truth of her identity. I personally informed you of it on her first day of school. When you questioned the presence of a second Malfoy child at the feast, I told you who she is. When you questioned my knowledge, Dumbledore confirmed it. And yet you think, knowing her history and the identity of her father, that she can be swayed by them?"

"She has been with them for many months now. Whatever would make me think she was not doing his bidding?"

"She is strong, as I said. She has not been seen because he and his people are trying to sway her. They have not been able to. But she is growing weak. Not in resolve, but in mind and body. Draco… and I, we both fear that she will soon either die or succumb to madness. If she is not saved, she will be another victim of the Dark Lord's insane war," Snape told her, a tear forming. There were few people in this world he cared for. The Dark Lord had taken Lily from this plane. He would not take her too.

McGonagall's eyes widened at the sight of the tear, her gaze locked on it.

"You are truly worried. You, who are known to be his right hand man, are contemplating a second betrayal, to save the life of this girl? Dumbledore's life was worth nothing to you, and yet you ask me to help you save her?"

"Minerva, I… It was an order. Dumbledore was dying. You know as well as I that he makes plans, sets them into motion to further his agenda. He asks things of us that we find repugnant but dare not refuse. Had I not done it, he would have died just the same, and Potter would not be in a position to end this." Snape felt a sense of intense relief at being able to tell her this, at being able to tell someone. Having to kill Dumbledore, even at the man's request, had weighed heavily on his soul.

Minerva gazed into his eyes, unsure of whether or not to believe him. He had fooled them all, had made them trust him and then betrayed them all. Even if his story about the truth of Dumbledore's death were true, it didn't explain why he allowed the occurrences at the school. Though, if she were honest, it could be part of the plan. He had to act as the loyal servant and allow these atrocities, or reveal his true colors and risk everything.

"I believe you, Severus," she said, scarcely believing that the words were coming out of her mouth. "What do you need to know?"