As Albus Dumbledore stared blankly at the closed door Harry and Hermione had just disappeared out of, his hand reached out and took another small yellow candy from the dish on his desk. As he popped it in his mouth, he settled back in his chair deep in thought of the young man who had seemed so desperate the day his little group had been discovered. Contrasting that person to the much more confident young man who had just left his office, Dumbledore could only come to a single conclusion. "It must be the influence of Miss Granger. Harry obviously opened up to her and she saw through the layers of falsehoods," He thought. "I wonder if I can use her influence to convince Harry he must allow Tom to kill him. Her logic might see that it's for the Greater Good, and though he will probably live through the encounter because of his blood, he must not know that. If he should die, his willing sacrifice will protect those who continue the fight just as his mother's protected him," He finally concluded that he'd need to watch her closely, maybe make suggestions to lead her to the same conclusions if it became necessary to share the last of his secrets.
It was a few minutes more of silent contemplation before he remembered there were other things that still needed to be done. He rose from his desk and walked to his fireplace. He reached into an ornamental vase that sat beside it. Pulling out some glittering powder he threw it into the flames. "Severus, a moment of your time please," He called into the green flames that flared.
"You're back?" Came the reply a few seconds later. There was a hint of surprise in his voice as well. "I will be in your office shortly then," Snape refused to use the interoffice Floo network because the ash would stick in his hair.
Fatigue was evident in the Potions Master's face when he entered the Headmaster's office several minutes later. "Yes Headmaster? I presume this has something to do with Potter and his latest act of stupidity?"
"Very much so," Dumbledore acknowledged.
"Did we lose many Order members rescuing the brat?"
"Thanks to your warning they did arrive at the Ministry, but well after Harry had met the Death Eaters though. Fortunately luck was on Harry's side last night," Dumbledore replied. "He and his friends somehow defeated the Death Eaters it seems. They claim eight of them died including Bellatrix, three were captured and Lucius Malfoy was witnessed escaping with Voldemort after Harry dueled Tom in the Atrium."
Snape sat in silence as he digested what he'd heard. That Death Eaters had died was most unexpected. He had expected and even hoped that some might be captured. He knew Dumbledore abhorred killing and it was a standing rule of the Order to never kill their opponents. Death Eaters of course did not live by the same rules and Snape had fully expected several Order members to be lost in the rescue of the foolish child. Severus had hoped that at least Black and that werewolf would meet their demise. Nervousness broke out inside him as he wondered how he would be received by the Dark Lord. On one hand, he had made it appear that he had handed Potter to him, but if he thought he'd been led into a trap he would be most displeased.
Dumbledore misinterpreted the look that flickered over Snape's face to be one of concern. "I know you are concerned, but Mr. Potter is safe as well as his friends. No Order members were injured in the least."
"That is... very fortunate," Snape replied after a slight hesitation. "I never dreamed he'd actually try to get to Sirius. I presumed after he threw his childish little tantrum he'd come to his senses and return, but when he didn't come back I first searched the forest and then..."
"Don't hold yourself responsible Severus," Dumbledore said "You did all that you could."
"Thank you Headmaster."
"Now I think you know what I need," Dumbledore started. "I'm sure he will call for you soon."
Snape swallowed as he nodded. Again we wondered at the reception he'd receive. If the Dark Lord truly had lost that many Death Eaters and it wasn't another arrogant tale by the 'mighty Harry Potter', Voldemort reception could go either of two ways. If he accepted that Snape was not to blame, Snape's position would be very secure. Otherwise the Dark Lord's displeasure would be painful if not fatal. "I'm sure he will too. I will go prepare."
"Thank you Severus," Dumbledore said. "I appreciate all that you do. I know I put you in difficult situations at times."
"Think nothing of it Headmaster. I do what I can," Snape replied as started to leave the office.
"One other thing you might want to know. Sirius was declared innocent," Dumbledore added. "He is a free man."
Snape paused as he felt his stomach lurch as the news of his nemesis sunk in. He turned back to Dumbledore. "The Dark Lord sent Pettigrew?" He couldn't think of any other way Sirius would be found innocent so quickly.
"No, but it seems my Pensieve that I had left in your care made its way into Harry Potter's hands. He gave it to Madam Bones and showed his memories," Dumbledore replied.
"Potter..." Snape snarled. "I knew it was him. He and his friends were the only ones who knew about my having it but no locating spells could find it."
"He's always been a bit headstrong," Dumbledore replied. "But he means well."
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