It impressed Albus immensely how in check his two rivaling heads of houses had kept their composure through their entire round of drinks with Bagman. Minerva's eyes were darting between them all, still visibly upset about the choice to allow Harry to compete, her eyes especially cutting through Severus who had disagreed with her in front of everyone. Severus, loyal to a fault, had agreed with Albus's decision, his eyes burning into Bagman every time he made a pass at Minerva. The tension had been too thick for a knife, a chainsaw would have better suited it, Albus thought to himself. The Headmaster wondered if Bagman was truly as clueless as he seemed or too smitten to be sharing a drink with Minerva to care. However, when the door closed behind the Ministry official, Minerva was all daggers.

"And just when did you two collectively decide that we were going to just throw Harry to the wolves?"

"When Potter decided to put his name in that cup," Severus replied.

Minerva glared at him. "Oh, shove it, Severus!" she shouted, a stack of papers that sat on the desk beside her rising and scattering around in the air until they hit the floor. "You know Harry didn't put his name in the goblet."

"Minerva," Albus said, stepping between the two before they blew up his office. "You are going to have to accept my decision to let him compete. Our hands are tied- we cannot do anything once his name it taken out of the cup."

"You are choosing not to do anything, and for once, I can't figure out why!"

Albus glanced to Severus for support, but he was avoiding eye contact altogether. He sighed. "If Harry did not compete, then it could bring more danger to the boy. It's a binding contract, Minerva."

Minerva sighed, running a hand through her hair. She didn't say anything for a few moments, and the two men let her compose herself. She had managed to walk towards the door, leaning one hand against it until she turned to face them. "If so much as a hair is injured on that boy," Minerva said, her lips drawn thin, and her voice slightly shaking. "I swear to Merlin, I'll kill the both of you." Without another word, she opened the door and walked out, letting it slam behind her.

Turning to Severus again, Albus said, "Thank you."

"He's nowhere ready to compete."

"I know," Albus admitted, sitting back down at his desk, gesturing for Severus to do the same. He poured them both another drink, sighing. He let the harshness of the whisky run down his throat before speaking. "Someone put his name in that goblet." Severus opened his mouth to speak, but Albus put a hand up to stop him. "And it wasn't Harry."

Severus stared at him, taking a sip of his drink. "You have a lead?"

"Keep an eye on Karkaroff."

"He left the Dark Lord the moment things went south."

"He left because he didn't want to be put in Azkaban," Albus interjected. "Not because he didn't still believe in the cause. If Voldemort is returning…"

"And on that I think we both can agree," Severus replied, pulling up his sleeve. Leaning forward, Albus looked at the tattoo that marked the man's skin. It looked less like a tattoo and more like the three-dimensional reminder of Severus's past loyalties. It wasn't quite the throbbing black it was when Voldemort was in full power, but Albus could tell it was going to get there sooner or later.

Although he had always known the Dark Lord was returning, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of dread at the reality check that was branded on Severus's arm. "How long?"

"The last few weeks."

"Does Minerva know?"

"She's noticed the mark getting darker; I cannot hide it from her."

"You're going to have to hide a lot more from her going forward," Albus said, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow. It was a conversation he knew that the two men needed to have. With the return of the Dark Lord looming, it was more imperative than ever that Severus play his role.

Severus visibly tightened his jaw. "I don't need to be reminded of what I signed up for."

"If this thing with Minerva is to continue-,"

"Stop," Severus snapped.

"You knew when you two started this that there would come a time where your role was going to become more important."

Severus stood, beginning for the door before turning around to face him. His eyes were narrowed. "I've given up everything to do your work."

"And I'm going to continue to ask you to give up more."

"All of this!" Severus exclaimed, his voice hitching. "And you never even saved Lily. I got on this sinking ship so you would save her, and you let her die. Now, I'm going to have to throw away…"

"You love her, just like you loved Lily." Albus recognized the look in the normally bleak eyes. Severus was a master Occlumens, could keep even the Dark Lord out of his mind. But, when he spoke of Minerva, his eyes changed. That look was what had softened Albus to the former criminal all the years before.

"I…" The Potion's Master's voice trembled slightly. "What I feel doesn't matter," he said, gritting his teeth. "You're going to keep taking. And what did I ever get in return? A drab castle, a job I despise, and you didn't even save the one woman that mattered…and now Minerva…"

"I gave you your life," Albus replied, trying not to grow agitated. "A life free from Azkaban."

"This place is beginning to feel a lot like a prison," Severus growled, grabbing his robe and walking out the door.

Pouring himself another drink, Albus glanced at the portrait of Headmaster Dippet. "I cannot believe you allowed the two of them to be engaged in a relationship for so many years," he commented.

Albus rolled his eyes. "It never affected their teachings," he replied. "It made them happy."

"And now you want it to end."

"It must," he replied. "Love has driven Severus to extremes before. Their relationship will complicate his role."

"And what role is that?" Armando asked.

"Spy," Albus said. "You know he will be working both sides. It would hurt them both if their relationship was revealed."

"You should have banned it from the beginning, Albus," his predecessor replied. "You know I told you never to allow that type of behavior by the staff. It makes for a highly unprofessional environment."

"Minerva is my best friend," Albus admitted. "She was happy; they both were. Severus had lost so much…so had she."

"You've always had a soft spot for that one," Armando commented. "Your deputy- I've noticed it over the years. I understand why. She's a lovely woman- always about the school, about the students!"

Albus chuckled, downing the rest of his glass. "That she is."

Armando was quiet for a moment, Albus thankful for the silence as he shut down his office for the night. Making his way towards his rooms, Albus heard the portrait call his name again. "McGonagall, her loyalty? It's to Hogwarts."

"Always," Albus replied, squinting to see the man's painting in the now dark office.

"Then, maybe you need not worry about the two of them."

Albus laughed at the man's change of heart. "That's a bold statement coming from you, Headmaster."

"I've never seen as dedicated a teacher as Minerva McGonagall in all my years. And, Snape…he is dedicated to you, no matter the fight he puts up. I can recognize loyalty. I did in you."

Nodding, Albus smiled slightly. As he settled into bed, Albus's mind raced with what was going to happen to his two dearest colleagues as the world darkened around them. He couldn't ask Severus to end things with Minerva; even he could see through his plan clear enough to recognize the pain it would bring them both. But, Severus would need to know what to hide from Minerva. When the Dark Lord returned, Severus's role would be more crucial than ever. He would need to be in with the Death Eaters, committing heinous acts, pledging his loyalty. Minerva couldn't be part of that. Voldemort would kill her. There were many people Albus knew he would have to sacrifice for his plan; he would never allow her to be one of them.

The two men would need to talk without Severus walking out, and Albus rolled over onto his pillow, unsure of when that time would come.