"M-me?" Freddie asked, looking up at Dumbledore, surprised. "Join the Order of the Phoenix?"

"Yes, Miss Gray. I know you care about Severus and I know he trusts you, maybe more than he trusts anyone else in this world. I know you want to help him," he said gently and Freddie nodded quickly. "This may be a way that you can help. Join the fight against Lord Voldemort and help us put a stop to his quest for power before too many people get hurt. ...Unless you prefer just sitting around worrying about what dangerous situations Severus may be in? I would not blame you in the least if you didn't want to be a part of the fight...but it seems to me that, with Severus, you already are. This is an opportunity for you to help."

Freddie's mind worked quickly, thinking not only of Snape but of Daniel, and Lily, and Ada and the countless other people who had been or could be killed by the Dark Lord. Snape hadn't been able to save Lily and she couldn't save Daniel...but maybe she could help save others like them.

"I'll join," she decided and Dumbledore beamed at her. "I want to help however I can...although I'm not sure what I can do to help. I've never even been in a real duel before."

"Not to worry," he said. "I believe that your position at St Mungo's could potentially be an asset for us."

"How?" she asked curiously.

"I am not certain yet. But with the Minister refusing to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, we're going to need all the help we can get."

"Anything I can do to help, sir," she said. "Just let me know."

"Thank you, Miss Gray."

Freddie found herself looking towards the gates again, wishing that Snape would appear. She wanted to help the Order, yes, but she needed to know that Snape was alright. Dumbledore stood there with her for a moment before drawing his wand. She watched curiously as he waved his wand and two thermoses appeared in the air before them.

"Tea?" he offered as the thermos danced in the air before her. "I know I could use some."

"Oh, thank you sir," she said, surprised. She took the thermos and unscrewed the lid. The scent of peppermint tea wafted out on the steam and she took a sip. She felt a little more alert almost instantly.

"Not as good as the tea Severus makes I'm afraid," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. "But it'll have to do until he returns to us."

They stood by the gate drinking their tea in silence for several minutes. Freddie wondered if the headmaster was going to wait with her the entire time. What if Snape didn't come back til morning?

Then out of nowhere he appeared with a pop just outside the gates. Freddie knew something was wrong immediately and she dropped her thermos on the ground as she ran to his side.

"Severus," she cried, relieved to see that he was at least alive. He was clearly injured though. He was doubled over when he Apparated outside the gates, but straightened up with some difficulty as Freddie approached. She wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around him, but she was terrified of hurting him. His face was pale and it looked as if he'd aged ten years in the last few hours. He grunted softly as he started to walk towards Dumbledore, and it was clear he was having a hard time moving.

"Do you need to go to the Hospital Wing, Severus?" Dumbledore asked soberly, but Snape quickly jerked his head 'no' in response and continued past them towards the castle.

"Are you sure?" Freddie asked, wishing he would stop and let her check him for injuries. "What happened?"

Snape glanced quickly at Dumbledore then turned his gaze back towards the castle as he trudged down the path.

"Cruciatus Curse," he said through gritted teeth. "Felt like hours. Thought it would never end."

"I'm sorry, Severus," the headmaster said, his voice full of regret and sympathy.

"Had to be done," Snape grunted. "Expected it."

"Did it work?" Freddie asked anxiously. "Are you- is your position safe?"

Snape glanced at Dumbledore again before looking at her.

"I'd be dead if it had not," he said wryly and Freddie didn't know whether to feel relieved or not.

"You can tell us more once we reach my office," Dumbledore said firmly. Freddie nodded in agreement and walked slowly alongside Snape, ready to catch him if he started to fall.

Snape didn't fall as he walked the path to the castle, but when they reached the Grand Staircase and the impending seven flights of stairs they'd have to climb he visibly paled. He made it up a few steps before his legs gave out. Freddie was at his side in an instant, bearing the brunt of his weight as he was forced to put an arm around her shoulders.

"I can do it myself," he snapped and he started to pull away but Freddie kept an arm around him.

"Shut up and let me help you," she said coolly. She wasn't upset that he had snapped at her, but she thought he'd respond better to her cool tone than an affectionate one. He grunted but didn't protest as she helped him up the stairs.

As they approached the seventh floor Freddie could see Snape had his face screwed up in concentration, his eyes almost shut, and he was sweating slightly. She knew he was focused on his Occlumency, trying to block out the pain he was still feeling from the Torture Curse.

When they finally reached Dumbledore's office Snape all but collapsed in one of the chairs before the headmaster's desk. Freddie stood behind him, concerned, as Dumbledore walked around his desk to sit down.

"Tell me what happened when you left here tonight," the headmaster said in a gentle tone, but Snape gave a jerk of his head.

"Winifred should go – wait for me in my office and I'll-"

"No," Freddie interrupted immediately. "I'm not going anywhere. I told you. I deserve to know-"

"Deserve?" he scoffed, not looking at her. "I don't owe you any explanations. No one deserves to-"

"Severus," Dumbledore interrupted in a calm but commanding tone and Snape fell silent. "Miss Gray is a part of this. Whether you wanted her to be or not, she is involved. She cares for you and she's been waiting for you for hours. I do think you owe her this."

"Albus, she should not have to listen to this," he protested, still staring at the stone floor. "No one should..."

"Miss Gray has agreed to become an official member of the Order of the Phoenix-"

"What?!" Snape yelped, jerking his head up so quick Freddie thought he might jump out of the chair. His face had turned an ugly shade of red as he looked from Dumbledore to Freddie. "She- you- Albus, she can't! She's too young, she's – I won't allow you to put her in danger!"

"I'm already in danger, Severus," Freddie pointed out, sinking into the chair next to him. "We all are. At least this way I can actually do something to help. To fight back against the Dark Lord. He- he killed Daniel, Severus, and He's going to kill others until someone can stop Him. If there's anything I can do to help stop him, then I have to try. I owe it to Daniel and Ada and all the other Muggleborns out there to do whatever I can."

Snape seemed at a loss for words and his face went from red back to dangerously pale. Dumbledore was watching their exchange with what seemed to be an expression of mild interest. Snape didn't seem to have any energy left in him for arguing, he was in too much pain, but he cut his eyes at Freddie once more.

"We will discuss this later, Winifred," he said tightly.

"Of course," she responded lightly, but she knew there was nothing he could say to talk her out of it. She'd made up her mind already. She would be a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

"Tell us what happened tonight, Severus," Dumbledore said calmly, leaning forward in his chair. "Whenever you're ready..."