Shadow & Love

5* Arrangements

Severus Snape paced back and forth in the circular office of the Hogwarts' headmaster. Fawkes, the Phoenix, tilted the head and eyed Severus suspiciously. Albus Dumbledore sat with a stern look behind the desk and watched the potions master through small reading glasses. The heavy dark travelling cloak enveloped Severus Snape as usual these days when leaving the castle. The look of it matched the desolate mood of the wizarding society; a stark contrast to the supernormal, hot, and sunny summer weather. A wicked game brooded below the surface.

After a while the old man said discerningly, "It is Leonor Scott's decision to return to England. There is nothing I can do in that matter. You knew the limitation of the mission. Richard told me that there will be no prolongation of the stay. The team was successful."

"And they cannot hide her at St. Mungo's either? The Dark Lord never ordered to attack it; it is supposed to be safe," spat Severus.

Albus Dumbledore replied with an almost amused intonation, "You mean 'employ' — that is outside my area of responsibility."

Severus stopped abruptly in front of the headmaster's desk. The dark eyes flashed menacingly. "You tried to persuade Leonor to stay in England or why did you call her to one of the order meetings even though I asked you to abstain from inviting her? You are looking for replacements of Sirius and all the others who cannot participate in the fight anymore!"

"Of course, I do. Your master does the same. There have been losses and you were not able to avoid them either."

"The Dark Lord is not my master," spat Severus. "You wanted me to give certain information to him to remain in his good books. He planned the actions well and succeeded. The Order is weak!"

"As you say, the Order of the Phoenix needs the support, Severus — no matter of our personal wishes. It is even impossible to recruit in the half-open meanwhile, but you should trust that I do my best for the good."

"Is that the explanation for sneaking out of the castle to who-knows-where? What are you looking for?" challenged Severus.

"I will respect if Leonor changes her mind to remain non-participating. It is not your choice to make. Do not forget that Leonor hates you for misusing the trust. You played your role well. I'm pleased with your efforts," replied Dumbledore coldly.

Severus bellowed accusingly, "You always wanted to recruit Leonor! Lupin can do the necessary surveillances like in the past. The fight acquiring the werewolves is already lost. There's no need to send him out. The Dark Lord pays Greyback and his folks since he returned a year ago. They are tame meanwhile."

"It is Remus' decision to go to the pack of werewolves and convince them of Voldemort's real intentions once he won the war. They won't be paid forever." The headmaster took the Daily Prophet and started to read.

Severus gave another hard and haunted glance to the old man who was supposed to be his adviser — or at least Severus saw Dumbledore that way in the past — and when Albus did not react, he left the office and rushed into the courtyard and out of the Hogwarts grounds.

It was good that all the students left the school this morning or Severus could not have guaranteed that someone on his way survived. The blood was racing — if the information received by Dumbledore was true, then all British returned from Brazil in a few days. It made Severus even more nervous that he was supposed to live at Spinner's End this summer. It was almost impossible to control Hogsmeade from there. Voldemort assigned Peter Pettigrew to assist him while he was no resident at Hogwarts. Whatever tasks Severus needed to accomplish during that time; Wormtail would observe him and report like a weak-kneed chatterbox to the chosen master.