Albus Dumbledore stood looking through the large window that decorated his study. His wise and tired gaze travelled over the school grounds, extremely empty and marred after the battle. He was weak, probably he would never be again the legendary Albus Dumbledore all future grandparents would tell theirs grandsons about, but he was regaining strength with each passing day. When he saw the dark figure of his Potions Master striding the grounds in response of his call, his brow furrowed and he let a shadow of unease go through his features. Life had been unfair with the man, or maybe he had just been unlucky - whatever you prefer to say - but Albus could not help but feel regretful that some of his past decisions about Severus even thought they all seemed necessary at the time. It's true the man made the wrong choices first, but… He shook his head in sadness. What's done it's done. He only hoped this last daring move wouldn't be a terrible mistake on his part. With that last wish and a grimace of pain, he stood up and walked slowly towards his desk to await Severus Snape.
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When the Potions Master entered the room Fawkes drew a welcome note before closing his eyes again to continue his sleep. It was the first time Severus had entered Hogwarts since the battle. After a nearly whispered 'hello, Fawkes' Severus turned to receive the embrace from the Headmaster.
"Welcome back, my boy, I'm truly glad you could make it. I trust your back is healing properly…"
In front of the affable soft light in Dumbledore's blue eyes, Severus couldn't help but ease his expression, dissolving for a moment all the ill feelings, and let the little smile tugging at the edges of his mouth reach his dark eyes.
"It's improving with each passing day, but I'm sure it would have been even better had you refrained from constricting me with that slip of a hug." The Headmaster's eyes twinkled with a smile that quickly turned sombre again while he seated himself in his chair.
Severus sobered too, "How do you feel, Albus?"
"Weak, I feel very weak. But you had already noticed, hadn't you?" said Dumbledore with a rueful smile.
Snape sighed and collapsed on the chair in front of the older man, "Yes. Will you…"
"…ever fully recover? No, I don't think so." He waved his hand to belie its importance, "Don't let this trouble you, my boy, my main goal has been achieved. I no longer need to be the legendary Headmaster, so I will undoubtedly get over it." Snape could only nod. To guess Albus was weaker than he let out was one thing, but to have him confess it was entirely another.
"So what do we do now, Albus? I'm sure it's an honourable act to protect the injured in St. Mungo's from the photographers and admirers, but that's not the order mission… As a means to gain time and keep the people occupied, I can see, but how long until they see it too?"
"Always so perceptive, aren't you?" smiled Dumbledore, and then sighed. "That is the main motive why I have required your presence. We have to act. The pain is great, but there are still things that have to be done, both here in Hogwarts and in the outside. We have already lost enough time as it is. But there are so few of us left… I think it will be necessary to work with the younger generations." Dumbledore paused for a moment gauging Snape´s reaction.
"You have a plan, then?" Said Snape, whose mood was darkening with each passing moment.
"Yes, I happen to have a plan that I will be presenting at the extraordinary meeting scheduled in three days from now. But I would like to have your opinion on the matter first…" Snape waited for the Headmaster to develop his plan, who seeing he wasn't going to receive any encouragement from the Potions Master, continued: "You will, no doubt, agree with me that some of the older students, especially those who have been greatly implicated in this war, have proven by far their abilities, even thought their studies haven't been properly attended this past year and they haven't had the opportunity of earning their NEWTs…"
"Yes, Albus, I know who you are referring to and I think I know their capabilities even better than themselves… The NEWTs problem, as far as I know, has already been solved and the students will be taking them in October… So, your point for all this gallivanting is…?" interrupted the Potions Master with a definitely darker mood. He had a bad feeling about all this. He knew the Headmaster well enough to know his next words wouldn't be to his liking.
Albus sighed once more "Well, since you prefer it this way… I'm about to arrange private lessons of sorts for some of them with a few of the veteran Order members, such as Minerva, Remus, Kingsley, and Arthur. I want you to be one of the tutors. I will pair each of you with a student both for his lessons and your missions. You will be their instructors and it would result in a training of sorts, helping them both with their NEWTS studies and with getting better acquainted with the running of the Order."
"I see. And to whom, pray tell, would I be paired with?" asked Severus quietly, feeling nearly livid at this turn of events.
"Miss Davoren. And before you start complaining, think about it. She's the logical option," Dumbledore added with a raised hand to stop Severus' retort momentarily.
"The logical option is it now?" asked the Potions Master, barely restraining himself.
Even now, when it was all over, the Headmaster was still playing with the facts to suit his purposes. No matter that it was always for the greater good, it hurt the same. "Would you care to explain that?" said the irate Potions Master.
"Severus, I'm going to be frank with you in this. I remember clearly our last conversation about the girl. Back then you became enraged with my assumptions and I recognise I may have overreacted but… you surely understand that at that time we couldn't allow the possibility of something… unexpected happening."
Before the dangerous glint in the Potions Master's eyes could turn into words, the older man leaned slightly over the table and infused his words with an authoritarian tone. "And I want you to acknowledge this, Severus, because we both know in one way or another, that girl had come closer to you in a few months than any of the Order members or fellow teachers in nearly nineteen years."
At these words the Potions Master visibly deflated in his armchair and looked away from the Headmaster's piercing eyes.
"Well, even if that were ever true, all this is now well in the past. And you know I would never–." The words failed him and he let a hand roam through his hair. "Anyway, what's the point of being again exposed to 'the unexpected', as you called it?" he finally said, regaining some of his usual snide tone.
Albus observed these reactions closely, feeling somewhat reassured of his decision, and let Severus' tone slip past.
"As I have already told you, she is the most logical option to be paired with you. You both have the same "areas of expertise", one could say. I truly think she will be more than apt with what I need you to do. Besides - and this can't be said of any of the others - it has been proven you are able to work together…"
"Enough nonsense, Albus! Yes, the girl is brilliant at Legilimency but this is preposterous! How can you even think of giving her - any of them - serious Order missions, MY Order missions? It would be utter foolishness! It is way too dangerous for any of them. For Merlin's sake, they are little more than children!"
"Stop deluding yourself, Severus! They are no longer children. They have fought a war and they have lost people they loved. They have acted, for years now, as fully-grown adults. No matter how difficult it may be for us to conciliate the children we knew and the adults they became. It always happens, and these particular 'children' have been forced to grow up sooner rather than later because of the war. One would think that you especially would have noticed that fact…"
"That was uncalled for, Albus." Severus glared challengingly and, after a pause, continued more calmly "I know they have been forced to act as adults but we are talking about chasing Death Eaters, the Death Eaters capable enough to have disappeared without a trace. Bring them to Hogwarts. There should be enough material here ready to be spelled or curse-broken. That would be training. If they are with us - if she is with me… There is a great risk, Albus. You know there will be casualties if you proceed with this nonsense."
"I see the danger, Severus, but we do need them and, as I have said, they are more than able to cope with the missions I intend to give them. Besides, only Miss Davoren and Mr. Potter would be in missions such as 'chasing Death Eaters'. You know they are very skilled. They would, undoubtedly, be a bonus to the Order," Dumbledore said with finality. They stared each other for a moment.
"Fine. If you want to risk their lives so irresponsibly, it's fine by me," barked Severus. "But I would rather work alone. I don't want to be burdened with a novice. I don't want to deal with her – with anyone, for that matter - on a daily basis. What about Lupin? Tonks?"
"They have their own assignments. Besides, neither of them are a Legilimens. That's another reason why I need you two paired together, I want you both to train in Legilimency. You will be an extremely effective pair of 'hunters', or 'chasers', as you wish to call it," Dumbledore said stressing its importance.
Confronted by the Headmaster's determination, Severus deflated again. Visibly downcast, he ran his hand through his hair once more and decided to play his last card and show his main fears.
"But Albus… what if it happens again? What if she gets close again? It's still a dangerous situation. It will complicate matters. I will react badly to this and we will end up making each other's lives hell. I don't understand why you would want to put me through this once again."
"Severus… I know I have hurt you in the past because of my decisions. Believe me; it hasn't been easy for me either because I've come to think of you as a son. But even though there are still things to be done, you can now go on with your life and I think that, perhaps, she could help you one way or another to open up." This made the Potions Master rise suddenly from his seat, losing all the self control he had held during the meeting.
"So that's it! That is your true motive..!"
"No, Severus, that's just a poin…"
"Enough, Albus! I won't let you burden her with me - with this - to ease your conscience about me. I'm tired of your meddling. I don't want it and I most certainly don't need it! You wanted my opinion, you have it. Now I'm asking this of you; drop this idiocy and don't put the both of us at risk."
With that, he turned around and left the office uttering an angered 'Goodnight, Headmaster.'
Albus watched his retreat with sad eyes, the shadows of all the doubts and remorse lurking behind them, to eventually decide and with a new determination start writing letters to five ex-students and five Order members.
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Severus strode the deserted corridors all the way to the dungeons and only when he had finally stopped in front of his chambers, did he realise that he was trembling out of rage and weakness. How could he? How dare he interfere in that? Damn Albus and all his plans! I was at peace with the world now, of course I still have some issues but… how can he throw me into chaos again? He punched the wall next to the tapestry that hid the entrance of his quarters so hard he drew blood. The sudden pain acted as a channel of his ire and he was able then to focus in his magical signature and pass through the tapestry and into his living room. Once there, he took a vial of pain reliever for his increasingly aching head, neck and shoulders from a cupboard and seated himself in the armchair by the window, where he stayed watching the sunset and the night skies for hours, lost in his turbulent thoughts. Eventually, he felt asleep, having managed to almost convince himself of an unlikely change of mind from Albus Dumbledore. Almost was the key word.
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The next days for Severus Snape were spent between Spinner's End and his Hogwarts quarters, successfully evading Albus Dumbledore. He wanted to make a point of his position, stating clearly his distaste. He had tried to put the topic out of his mind, immersing himself in the removal of his things to Spinner's End to avoid a further emergency move because of the building work. It was nearly lunchtime and the last boxes were already packed. With a last longing glance at what he had always considered 'home', he went through the tapestry and an ancient passage before Dissaparating to his childhood house.
Spinner's End was as creepy and neglected as it always had been, at least as long as he remembered, so he didn't give it much thought and quickly entered his house. The already dusty living room seemed even more untidy because of the large amount of boxes scattered about. And this was just half of them. The other half were left in his parents' old bedroom or in the attic. He had a most needed shower, lathering profusely both the body and hair to clean the dust accumulated from the morning activities and went to his bedroom to look for something to wear. When he opened his old wardrobe he felt a sudden wave of melancholy, seeing his Muggle clothes. The last time he had used them he was seventeen. Probably shortly before taking the dark mark, because he hadn't worn anything Muggle ever since. At that time he had already become disgusted with everything 'Muggle-ish', due to his abusive Muggle father and the influence of some of his Pure-blood acquaintances. It was years later when he regained his true thoughts about it, but at that time he already had a façade to portray. But now… now, who was going to stop him? With a last glance towards his customary black robes -enough of that for the moment - he summoned his wand and within five minutes he had a plain, black t-shirt and a pair of jeans adjusted to his current size. Not that his body had changed noticeably since then. The blandness of his youth had helped him become slim with wiry muscles, and his shoulders felt wider, somehow, but he was still skinny, and now, just after the war, his face looked gaunt. On the other hand, he was gaining weight and without the burden of his spying he seemed to exude power. He put on the boots and after taking all the emergency Muggle money he had concealed for years in his bedroom, he left the house with a pop, apparating to London.
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After a quick lunch in an Italian restaurant, he spent the first half of the afternoon just walking through the city, amazed at the new developments. The rest of his free time passed, by window-shopping and, finally, buying a wide range of Muggle clothes and books, deciding he needed to make amends with this part of his life. Exhausted, he came back to Spinner's End, having another shower. When he went out of the bathroom and into his bedroom his eyes darted between his new acquisitions and his conservative wizard robes. Once again in this quandary, he eventually decided to wear the safer, customary attire, thinking he might need to feel comfortable and look imposing because of some of the possible developments of the night, but fervently wishing he wouldn't. Once dressed in his black robes, he promptly Apparated to Grimmauld Place to attend the Order meeting.
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When Severus Snape entered the house, it was to hear hurried footsteps and young laughter coming from above and realized with a pang that she was surely upstairs. He hadn't seen her in two weeks, since she had come to visit him in St. Mungo's. He had shunned her from the room the moment he had woken up and realized it was really her who was by the bed table. He hadn't wanted anyone to see him in that vulnerable state, much less her, and that was the first thing he had demanded from St Mungo's the moment he had woken up. How she had managed to convince the aurors and fool the Mediwizards – or vice versa -, he didn't know. He noticed at that moment, he had been staring at the bottom of the stairs and with a shake of his head, he turned and entered through the door that leaded to the meeting room.
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Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, and Arthur, Molly and Bill Weasley were already seated around the table, chatting animatedly even though all of their expressions had noticeable marks of sadness.
"Severus! Glad to see you at last. I had hoped you would come before now. I was just leaving…" said a pale Molly Weasley, who was still devastated because of the illness of Charlie and Percy's loss, while hugging him. He, in turn patted her back affectionately, even though he hadn't completely gotten used to her affection yet.
"I'm sorry about your loss. I truly am," he replied, gravely.
She nodded and gave him a weak smile before turning to leave towards St. Mungo's, where Charlie still rested. With a nod to Lupin and Bill and a shake of hands with Mr. Weasley he took a seat next to Minerva McGonagall, who put her hand on his and squeezed it with a small smile. She, Molly Weasley and Albus Dumbledore were the only people who dared/cared and he allowed having physical contact with him. At that moment Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived, and Dumbledore, seeing all of them where now here, rose from his seat and started the meeting.
"Dear friends. Thank you for coming. As I told you in my letters, I think we have to re-organize the Order and our roles in it to better suit the current situation. Voldemort is gone, but now we have to deal with the consequences. As you may have deduced, at the moment there are three main points of interest for us: Hogwarts, the Ministry and the remaining Voldemort's followers, and so, I want the Order divided in three groups. The first of them, and the largest one would be working at Hogwarts, where we have to rebuild both the structure and the complex net of ancient enchantments and protective shields. I am going to be personally involved in these labours and I am counting on you to help supervise this with Minerva, Arthur and Bill, who have already shown their interest in the Castle's fate." At this the three nodded their agreement receiving a grateful nod from Albus in return, who continued.
"The second group is the one infiltrated within the Ministry. Well, maybe 'infiltrated' is not quite the word because, as you know, most of our members have been uncovered. But still, we are a strong group and can give much needed pressure. At the moment that isn't as important as it was, but it is fundamental for us to have first-hand information, and a means of search and access to the archives. To this I count with you, Kingsley to organize and supervise the other Order members immersed into the Ministry. And of course, with you too, Arthur, when you decide to reincorporate to your job." Arthur nodded again, while Kingsley, new Head of Aurors, vocalized his response.
"Of course you can count on me and I'm sure I am talking for the rest of the 'infiltrates'. But, why aren't they here? Why there are so few of us today?"
"Patience, Kingsley. I am getting at that." Dumbledore smiled kindly. "With that there is just one more group left. We all know most of the identities of the remaining Death Eaters, but there are innumerable hidden followers, who may or may not be a menace. The two last groups should work together to find his hidden followers and investigate their true motivations to support Voldemort. In addition, the third group will be the responsible of follow the trace of disappeared Death Eaters… and werewolves." With that last remark all eyes flicked to Lupin, then to Bill, who were listening with a fierce determination etched in their features.
"As you both may guess, Remus, Severus, you are included in this last group and you will lead the investigations for these purposes," Dumbledore said and made a pause before continue. "I know our objectives are ambitious, but if we don't propose them, no one will." He made another pause, this one a little longer, to let his words sink. "Now, I am going to answer your previous question, Kingsley. I have summoned you today because I have conceived a project to make the most of our resources. We have been greatly decimated and I think we need to employ the potential of the youngest members who have proven themselves to be capable enough to face problematic situations. I have ideated a way to improve the abilities of some of these students to face the NEWTs they will be taking in October and to be useful to the Order at the same time." His eyes were darting between all the Order members in turn, reassuring them and watching their reactions closely "I want each of you to take under your 'care' one of these students both for their formation and your assignments." The reactions for this were divided. While McGonagall and Kingsley looked slightly interested, Lupin and Arthur Weasley had furrowed their brows in concern.
"Of course I have taken into account the abilities they have excelled in and their personal interests to pair them with you and make successful matches. However, if any of you have any suggestions or problems with the pairings or the project, they are open for discussion." With that Severus snorted, though some expressions relaxed a bit. The Potions Master became tenser with each passing moment under the concerned gaze of Minerva McGonagall: 'He's going to do it, he's going to do it…' his mind was chanting. And he did it.
"The pairs are Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy with Minerva, Arthur, Bill and myself working at Hogwarts. Ronald Weasley with Kingsley, I think he would prove himself a great strategist and a skilled fighter if necessary, although I want you to instruct him especially in the ways of the Ministry." Kingsley nodded his agreement.
"Finally, Harry Potter with Remus, and, although I have taken into account your opinion on the matter, Severus, your partner is Ariadne Davoren."
Here it went. Severus glared mutinously for a moment at Albus Dumbledore and without further ado, he rose suddenly from his seat making his chair crash into the wall and strode furiously towards the door.
"Severus!" called Albus. "Be reasonabl…"
"No, Albus. The other day I was reasonable. It is you who isn't being reasonable here. You have heard all I have to say on the matter and even now you insist in this foolishness. Fine. I see my judgment is of no value to you, so I just want to tell you one more thing: I've warned you. Remember it, Albus, when something happens, because it will."
And with that ill-fated omen, he crossed the door that had opened before him in a spontaneous bout of magic and departed Grimmauld Place unceremoniously, leaving a dumbfounded gathering behind.
Albus Dumbledore watched Severus Snape's furious retreat for the second time in as many days with mixed feelings of doubt, remorse and, eventually, determination.
Meanwhile, a worried-looking Lupin was the quickest regaining his wits and was ready to confront Albus.
"Even though I am not as fatalist as Severus… I do believe it would be an irresponsibility to expose the children to such risks. I think they at least should be banned from 'the third group' missions. They are far too dangerous for those so inexperienced," Remus said, with an energetic nod from Arthur.
"You too are underestimating them. They are no longer children. They have fought a war and precisely the two of them who would be immersed in those kind of missions are as skilled as most of the Order members, maybe even more," replied Dumbledore. Lupin shook his head.
"We are talking about Werewolves and cornered Death Eaters. The results might be worst than death. I don't want any of them in that danger, not after all they have gone through. They are still entirely too young," said Arthur Weasley.
"I can understand your concern. I know you feel strongly towards them, but they have grown to become extraordinary young people, and they too would want an active participation in the Order," Dumbledore retorted gently "They will, however, have the last word about it, being completely aware of the risk and the other options," he added with finality.
Lupin nodded, with a defeated sigh, and leaned back in his chair with an increasingly turbulent expression.
After that, the meeting diverted to the explaining of the different courses of action and some of the specific assignments for each of them, thought most of them couldn't ease the wave of apprehension that had come over them. The Order was moving once again.