FanFic: "A Loyal Friend" Chapter 8: Revelation

Chapter 8 of A Loyal Friend. Enjoy!

 Scott and Professor Snape made their way to Dumbledore's office together, carrying a cauldron with a potion that would heal an injury of the Headmaster. It was the summer between Scott's fifth and sixth years at Hogwarts; Scott had just received his O.W.L. results the day before and had received an "Outstanding" in every test with one "Exceeds Expectations" in History of Magic. Early that morning, Professor Snape had sent a message to Scott at his mother's house asking him if he could come to the school to assist him with something for Dumbledore. Scott replied at once and by early afternoon, Snape had apparated to his house and taken him back to Hogwarts. Scott was wearing his blue Ravenclaw robes that almost rivaled Snape's billowing black robes. They spent the afternoon making the potion together and as they made their way to Dumbledore's office, Scott gathered that Snape had asked him there on Dumbledore's request.

When they entered Dumbledore's office, Scott nearly dropped the cauldron in surprise when he saw the Headmaster. Dumbledore was leaning heavily on his desk and appeared to be out of breath. His right hand appeared to be burned and his overall appearance looked weak. Scott and Snape set down the cauldron on Dumbledore's desk before Snape helped Dumbledore sit down, took out his wand, grabbed Dumbledore's right hand and began muttering an incantation under his breath. As he did so, Dumbledore reached for a glass on his desk, scooped up some of the potion and began to drink it. When Snape was finished muttering, he pulled his wand away. Dumbledore's right hand was blackened, it almost looked like it was dead.

"I have contained the curse to your hand," Snape explained, stowing his wand away in his robes. "It will spread, Albus."

"How long?" Dumbledore asked.

"Maybe a year," Snape replied.

"Headmaster, may I ask what happened?" Scott interjected.

"Of course, Scott. Have you ever heard of a Horcrux before?"

"Yes, I read about them in this awful Dark Arts book. They contain part of someone's soul, don't they?"

"Correct. Well it seems that I found something that may have been a Horcrux and without realizing it, I touched the object and because it was cursed, it attempted to attack me. Thanks to you and Professor Snape, the curse shall be contained to my hand but will spread. It will eventually kill me."

With that, Snape suddenly stood up and made to leave the office. Dumbledore, seeming to have regained some of his strength, sat up on his desk.

"Don't ignore me, Severus," he said, making Snape stop in his tracks. "We both know that Lord Voldemort has ordered the Malfoy boy to kill me."

Snape slowly turned around and faced Dumbledore. "Yes, it is true. The Dark Lord intends for him to kill you, or fail trying in an attempt to punish Lucius."

"But, Draco doesn't have it in him to kill anyone. As much as he is unpleasant, I don't think he could ever kill anyone, not even if his family is threatened," Scott said.

"Precisely," said Dumbledore. "Which is why I believe that should young Mr. Malfoy fail, I should presume the Dark Lord will turn to you. You must be the one to kill me, Severus. It is the only way. Only then will the Dark Lord trust you completely."

Snape looked at Dumbledore with a blank expression. Scott looked from the pair of them, confused that Dumbledore was seriously asking Snape to kill him.

"There will come a time when Harry Potter must be told something. But the two of you must wait until Voldemort is at his most vulnerable."

"Must be told what?" asked Snape.

"On the night Lord Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow to kill Harry, and Lily Potter passed herself between them, the curse rebounded," Dumbledore explained, standing up and holding the wall for support as he began to pace around the room. "When that happened, a part of Voldemort's soul latched itself onto the only living thing it could find: Harry himself. There's a reason Harry can speak with snakes. There's a reason he can look into Lord Voldemort's mind. A part of Voldemort lives inside of him."

When Dumbledore finished speaking, Scott fully understood what Dumbledore intended Harry to know. As if he could read Scott's mind, Snape voiced what he said.

"So when the time comes...the boy must die?"

"Yes. Yes...he must die."

"You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment. You've been raising him like a pig for slaughter!" Snape said.

"Don't tell me now that you've grown to care for the boy."

Snape's facial expression appeared livid for a split second before it changed into something else. Scott couldn't read it but thought perhaps Snape was feeling remorse for something. Snape drew his wand out again and waved it as he casted a spell.

"Expecto Patronum!" Snape said. A Patronus in the shape of a doe appeared and galloped around their heads for a few seconds before disappearing. Snape looked at it with the curious expression on his face. It looked as though he was going to cry. When the doe disappeared, Dumbledore spoke.

"Lily...after all this time, Severus?"

"Always," Snape replied.

"Lily? Lily Potter? What does she have to do with that doe?" Scott asked.

Snape seemed unable to answer and looked away. Dumbledore looked at Scott with a somber expression on his face.

"Scott, I'm about to reveal to you the reason I so trust Professor Snape. Can I trust you to hold the information to yourself. And when I say that, I mean you must tell nobody else. Professor Snape and I are the only people who know about this. Do I have your word?"

"My word," Scott replied.

"Very well then," Dumbledore continued. "Lily Potter has everything to do with the doe. You see, that was her Patronus when she was alive. Professor Snape here was and still is in love with Lily Potter. After he accidently sent Voldemort hunting down Harry and his family, Severus felt total remorse for his actions and came to me for help. Unfortunatley, Lily and James put their faith in the wrong person, and as a result, they were killed by Lord Voldemort. When I informed him that Harry had survived, he vowed to do everything in his power to keep Harry safe in order to honor Lily's memory. Ever since, he has successfully played the role of double agent for me. You too Scott have done the same for me and for that, I thank you endlessly. The Wizarding World is safer because of the both of you working for me right under Lord Voldemort's nose. Now Scott, you must tell nobody about what I have just told you. This is a private matter between Professor Snape, myself and now you. Do you swear to keep this secret to yourself?"

"Absolutely," replied Scott.

"Very good. Now Scott, you may return to your home. Thank you for your time today, I knew I could trust you with this information and with helping contain the curse. Professor McGonagall is going to meet you at the entrance in five minutes time. Have a good rest of your summer, I will see you when term starts."

Scott nodded at Professor Dumbledore and Snape before turning and leaving the office. When the door behind him closed, Snape spoke to Dumbledore.

"You're sure when can trust him, Albus?"

"Of course we can Severus. Scott will stay true to his word, I'm sure of it. I know what he is capable of and I know he will be able to keep your secret to himself. Just continue to trust him and protect him from the Dark Lord if it is needed. Thank you for your help Severus."