Snape asked abruptly.

Dumbledore looked weary.

“Why? You aren’t trying to give him more detentions, Severus? The boy will

soon have spent more time in detention than out.”

“He is his father over again – ”

“In looks, perhaps, but his deepest nature is much more like his mother’s. I spend

Time with Harry because I have things to discuss with him, information I must give him

before it is too late.”

“Information,” repeated Snape. “You trust him…you do not trust me.”

“It is not a question of trust. I have, as we both know, limited time. It is essential

that I give the boy enough information for him to do what he needs to do.”

“And why may I not have the same information?”

“I prefer not to put all of my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that

spends so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort.”

“Which I do on your orders!”

“And you do it extremely well. Do not think that I underestimate the constant

Danger in which you place yourself, Severus. To give Voldemort what appears to be

Valuable information while withholding the essentials is a job I would entrust to nobody

but you.”

“Yet you confide much more in a boy who is incapable of Occlumency, whose

magic is mediocre, and who has a direct connection into the Dark Lord’s mind!”

“Voldemort fears that connection,” said Dumbledore. “Not so long ago he had

one small taste of what truly sharing Harry’s mind means to him. It was pain such as he

Has never experienced. He will not try to possess Harry again, I am sure of it. Not in that

way.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Lord Voldemort’s soul, maimed as it is, cannot bear close contact with a soul

like Harry’s. Like a tongue on frozen steel, like flesh in flame – ”

“Souls? We were talking of minds!”

“In the case of Harry and Lord Voldemort, to speak of one is to speak of the

other.”

Dumbledore glanced around to make sure that they were alone. They were close

By the Forbidden Forest now, but there was no sign of anyone near them.

“After you have killed me, Severus – ”

“You refuse to tell me everything, yet you expect that small service of me!”

snarled Snape, and real anger flared in the thin face now. “You take a great deal for

granted, Dumbledore! Perhaps I have changed my mind!”

“You gave me your word, Severus. And while we are talking about services you

owe me, I thought you agreed to keep a close eye on our young Slytherin friend?”

Snape looked angry, mutinous. Dumbledore sighed.

“Come to my office tonight, Severus, at eleven, and you shall not complain that I

have no confidence in you…”

They were back in Dumbledore’s office, the windows dark, and Fawkes sat silent

As Snape sat quite still, as Dumbledore walked around him, talking.

“Harry must not know, not until the last moment, not until it is necessary,

otherwise how could he have the strength to do what must be done?”

“But what must he do?”

“That is between Harry and me. Now listen closely, Severus. There will come a

time – after my death – do not argue, do not interrupt! There will come a time when Lord

Voldemort will seem to fear for the life of his snake.”

“For Nagini?” Snape looked astonished.

“Precisely. If there comes a time when Lord Voldemort stops sending that snake

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 498