There was a long silence, broken only by an odd clicking noiseFawkes the phoenix was gnawing a bit of cuttlebone
"Would you like me to do it now?" asked Snape, his voice heavy with irony"Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?"
"Oh, not quite yet," said Dumbledore, smiling"I daresay the moment will present itself in due courseGiven what has happened tonight," he indicated his withered hand, "we can be sure that it will happen within a year
"If you don't mind dying," said Snape roughly, "why not let Draco do it?"
"That boy's soul is not yet so damaged," said Dumbledore"I would not have it ripped apart on my account
"And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?"
"You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation," said Dumbledore"I ask this one great favor of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year's leagueI confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved - I hear http://www.ooluxury.com/scategory_26_Chanel-Jewelry.html" target="_blank Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it
His tone was light, but his blue eyes pierced Snape as they had frequently pierced Harry, as though the soul they discussed was visible to himAt last Snape gave another curt nod
Dumbledore seemed satisfied
"Thank you, Severus\a133"
The office disappeared, and now Snape and Dumbledore were strolling together in the deserted castle grounds by twilight
"What are you doing with Potter, all these evenings you are closeted together?" Snape asked abruptly
Dumbledore looked weary
"Why? You aren't trying to give him \imore\i 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'sI 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\a133you do not trust me
"It is not a question of trustI have, as we both know, limited timeIt is essential http://www.culuxury.com/categorys_95_Gucci-Boston-Bag_1.html" target="_blank 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 wellDo not think that I underestimate the constant danger in which you place yourself, SeverusTo 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 himIt was pain such as he has never experiencedHe will not try to possess Harry again, I am sure of it
"I don't understand
"Lord Voldemort's soul, maimed as it is, cannot bear close contact with a soul like Harry'sLike a tongue on frozen http://www.culuxury.com/scategory_9_Louis-Vuitton.html" target="_blank 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 aloneThey 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, SeverusAnd 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
"Come to my office tonight, Severus, at eleven, and you shall not complain that I have no confidence in you\a133"
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 http://www.naluxury.com/scategory_25_Gucci-Watches.html" target="_blank how could he have the strength to do what must be done?"
"But what must he do?"
"That is between Harry and meNow listen closely, SeverusThere 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 astonishedIf there comes a time when Lord Voldemort stops sending that snake forth to do his bidding, but keeps it safe beside him under magical protection, then, I think, it will be safe to tell Harry
"Tell him what?"
Dumbledore took a deep breath and closed his eyes
"Tell him that on the night Lord Voldemort tried to kill him, when Lily cast her own life between them as a shield, the Killing Curse rebounded upon Lord Voldemort, and a fragment of Voldemort's soul was blasted apart from the whole, and latched itself onto the only living soul left in that collapsed buildingPart of Lord Voldemort lives inside Harry, and it is that which gives him the power of speech with snakes, and a connection with Lord Voldemort's mind that he has never http://www.irluxury.com/categorys_94_Chanel-Purse_1.html" target="_blank unders