The Enemy of my Enemy

The Meeting with Snape

After much hassle, Mo finally was able to contact Severus and request a meeting between himself and Teddie. The former Potions Master of Hogwarts was hesitant at first, but curiosity won out and he agreed to meet. It was still summertime, and no students were at the castle, which also meant most Professors, both old and new, were also away from campus.

The meeting was arranged for 7:30pm on July 30th. Teddie was to Floo from Flint Manor, under the disguise of a new student, and return home no later than 9:00pm. Both sides of the Floo were secured for travelling, and Teddie promised that she wouldn't dawdle or take any detours; she understood that times were bad, and what she was asking for was a lot. Neither Mo nor Snape could afford to break anymore rules. Not even for her.

At 7:29pm, Teddie stood in the fireplace of Flint Manor. Her hand clenched around a fistful of Floo powder.

"Severus will be waiting for you," said Mo. "Discuss what you need to, and come straight back. Do you understand?"

Teddie nodded. "What's my cover, again?" she asked.

"Your name is Alice Montgomery," said Ursula. "You're a transfer student from Germany."

"Why do I want to go to Hogwarts while Britain is the in the brink of a war?" Teddie asked. It didn't seem logical, especially with most parents pulling their kids out of school or sending them abroad to continuing their teachings.

Ursula sighed. "I guess you can come up with a reason," she said. "To be honest, we were very surprised ourselves when Severus agreed to meet you."

Teddie nodded. The idea that neither Ursula nor Mo had a plan for this part of the plan was unsettling. What had she asked them to do, and was it worth it now? What if something went wrong? What if she couldn't think on the spot or her lie wasn't convincing enough?

"Hey, stop thinking," said Mason. "You know you don't do well when you overthink. You'll be fine."

Teddie released the breath she had been holding and smiled at her brother. He was right, she usually did her best work under pressure. When things were down to the second, and she had no other choices to go with, that's when she usually produced her best ideas.

"You're right," said Teddie. "I can do this."

Marcus checked his watch. "It's time," he confirmed. "Professor Snape will be expecting you."

"Be careful, Teddie," Mo warned.

Teddie nodded. "I can't thank you enough for this," she said. Taking a deep breath, she dropped her handful of powder and shouted "HOGWARTS. HEADMASTER'S OFFICE!"

With a whirl of green flame, Teddie disappeared.

~X~

Severus looked up from his desk as his fireplace sprung to life. He waited a few seconds for the green flames to disappear and then took in the image of the brown-haired teenager that tumbled out.

"You still need to work on your landings," Snape commented.

Teddie rolled her eyes as she picked herself up, dusting off her jeans with her hands. She straightened and looked around. The office looked exactly has it had before, portraits of former Headmasters and Headmistress hung on the walls, some were snoozing in their frames, others were vacant, but one, the biggest of all, Teddie noted, hung behind Snape's chair. The man in the portrait was watching her, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.

"Professor Dumbledore," Teddie breathed, mesmerised by the painting.

Dumbledore smiled knowingly at her, winked, and then slumped down his seat, eyes closed. For a few seconds Teddie watched him, the slow rise and fall of his chest before she turned to her gaze downward and onto Snape.