He was travel-worn.
Godric's portrait had faded several shades lighter.
In the Headmaster's office, both Snape and Harry were present, watching Dumbledore pour himself a full glass of honey water and down it in one gulp, letting out a long sigh of satisfaction. "Harry, Severus, these past days have been so hard for this old man."
"Besides the Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron, not a single pub out there serves real honey water."
"They all fake it—what they bring is a bit of honey mixed into a full cup of warm water. My God, can that even be called honey water?"
Harry stared at him coldly. "Did it ever occur to you that that is the normal kind of honey water?"
"The way you drink it—a whole glass of honey with just a splash of water—is what's abnormal."
"Hermione's said more than once that it's unbelievable how you still have all your teeth after abusing yourself like this."
Snape sneered. "Potter, that's only because you haven't seen how pitiful he looks when he cos begging for potions when he has a toothache."
"It's quite pathetic."
Dumbledore sighed and turned to Snape. "Severus, anything from Voldemort's side?"
Snape folded his arms, face dark. "Quiet."
"Other than going after people he used to call friends but now considers traitors, he's done little else."
"He spends most of his ti alone."
"I'm only allowed into his bedroom when summoned to treat him. Even then, I see nothing. He's beco more cautious, more guarded. He trusts no one completely."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "And the Horcruxes—no new developnts?"
Snape shook his head. "None."
"He's ntioned them—perhaps Barty Crouch Jr. knows more about their locations—but beyond that, he's shared nothing with anyone."
He paused.
"I've seen Barty Crouch Jr. He's still alive."
"However..."
"He's starting to beco more and more like him."
The "him" obviously referred to Voldemort.
Dumbledore tapped the table. "Seems Voldemort is very confident in how he's hidden his Horcruxes."
He turned to Harry with a smile. "Harry, you never cease to amaze ."
"Hogwarts..."
"What a beautiful word. I even went to the Great Hall to admire the crest. It was beautiful..."
Harry waved dismissively. "Get to the point."
"Well, while you were stabilizing Hogwarts, Godric and I weren't exactly off on vacation," Dumbledore continued. "Aside from Voldemort himself, I probably know Tom Riddle better than anyone. I've been searching for clues in his old orphanage in London and in Little Hangleton."
"You know..."
"Voldemort is old—he's in his seventies now."
"Even if he didn't try to hide his past, there'd be few traces left. But he did go out of his way to erase his tracks."
"Still, with Hogwarts in good hands, I've been able to search at a calr pace. And I did find sothing."
"I may have found another Horcrux."
Another Horcrux?
Harry and Snape's eyes instantly sharpened. They both turned to Dumbledore.
"Looks like your life isn't a complete waste after all," Snape sneered. "Where?"
"Far from Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "A very unlikely place."
"If Tom hadn't had such a bleak life, with so few mories he truly valued, I might never have thought of it."
Snape averted his gaze. That hit a nerve. In many ways, his life wasn't so different from Tom Riddle's—so barren, their joys could fit on a single page, and still leave most of it blank.
"By the sea. Near Margate," Dumbledore said, pouring himself another glass of honey water.
"One of the few happy mories from little Tom's childhood. The orphanage once took the children to the seaside. He apparently treasured that one trip and hid a Horcrux there."
"I must admit, it was cleverly hidden."
"I got inside, but I can't retrieve it alone. I need help."
Harry nodded. "I'll go with you. Snape will go tattle?"
Snape's expression darkened further.
Dumbledore smiled. "Of course, Severus, I'll have to trouble you for that."
"Ah yes, to serve my great master—how could that ever be trouble," Snape stood, face cold. "May I use your fireplace?"
Dumbledore tilted his head. "You might try the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's fireplace. I believe the Ministry hasn't revoked its access yet."
Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Snape paused, visibly grinding his teeth.
Damn it.
Did he have to deal with Sirius Black again?
The thought stabbed his already-wounded pride. He took a deep breath and stord out, slamming the door behind him.
"Are we heading out now?" Harry stood, inviting Dumbledore.
Dumbledore shook his head, swirling his glass. "No rush. Let rest a bit. I was in London just this morning."
"He went to a movie," Godric's portrait flew over, grumbling, "But he doesn't know how to deal with Muggles—couldn't buy a ticket, didn't know how to get one. Ended up using Disillusionnt Charm to sneak us both in. Even dismantled my fra!"
Harry stared at him blankly.
Dumbledore coughed lightly. "Yesterday..."
"Yesterday he went kite-flying in Amsterdam," Godric added, gleefully exposing him.
Dumbledore set his glass down and sighed, ntally reviewing his recent itinerary. "Fine, fine. Let rest a bit longer. An old man like can't keep up. At least wait for Severus to inform Tom."
Outside Malfoy Manor, Snape expertly passed through the wards and strode inside.
Just as he entered the house, Bellatrix Lestrange stopped him in the sitting room.
"Severus? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised. Snape never ca outside of weekends—and this wasn't one.
Snape frowned. "Urgent matter. I need to see the Dark Lord."
"Oh?" Bellatrix asked. "What matter?"
"You're not qualified to know." Snape brushed past her toward the bedroom.
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes at him.
Outside the bedroom, Snape took a deep breath and knocked.
A mont later, the door opened.
Snape entered respectfully, head bowed.
"My dear friend, Severus, what brings you here today?" Voldemort asked cheerfully. "Is there sothing? I heard your words downstairs."
Snape didn't lift his head. "Master, Dumbledore—"
"No need for that. Raise your head. Speak to directly."
Snape looked up.
And saw a very different room. Before, the bedroom had only the pool and a large bed.
Now, it was filled with sinister Dark Magic tos, scattered pages inscribed with complex spells, and grotesque diagrams of human modification.
Their eyes t.
Snape spoke calmly, "Dumbledore has discovered one of your Horcruxes, my Lord. He's taking Potter to retrieve it."
"Horcrux?" Voldemort's expression shifted slightly. "Which one?"
"In a seaside cave near Margate," Snape replied.
Voldemort nodded slowly, then relaxed, a smile returning to his lips. "Ah, that one."
"Dumbledore is truly remarkable."
"It seems no trace of magic escapes his eyes."
Snape remained silent.
Voldemort beckoned him closer. Snape stepped forward, their eyes locked.
"So why would Dumbledore tell you this?" Voldemort asked.
"He still trusts you?"
His gaze flicked to Snape's freshly bandaged arm.
A mark.
"No one knows what Dumbledore is thinking," Snape replied flatly. "But he's badly injured. There's a wound on his arm. Since returning, he's been dazed and paranoid."
Voldemort grinned. "What a sha—I wish I could've seen it for myself."
"Severus, may I borrow your mind?"
Snape imdiately knelt, head bowed.
Voldemort drew his wand, touched it to Snape's head, and slowly closed his eyes.
Monts later, he pulled the wand away, laughing triumphantly. "So delightful!"
"Has Dumbledore truly grown so old?"
Snape rose, once again locking eyes with him.
"Severus, you are loyal," Voldemort praised. "Keep an eye on them."
Snape was briefly confused by Voldemort's indifference to the Horcrux.
This... seed too casual?
"I've personally checked all my Horcruxes," Voldemort said softly. "Each and every one. So, my dear Severus, everything Dumbledore's doing... is within my expectations."
"Don't worry. You'll soon understand why."
Snape nodded.
Voldemort sighed, gaze shifting to the pitch-black sky outside the window. "Severus, can I truly trust you?"
"Of course, my Lord," Snape answered without hesitation. "You may trust completely. I am your most faithful servant."
"Then I have a task for you," Voldemort turned, his eyes black with a hint of crimson. "Find a way to kill Dumbledore for , will you?"
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