THE PENSIEVE PAPERS

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[See note on Pensieve Files.]

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Location: Hogwarts Hospital Wing. Present: A. Dumbledore, S. Snape, M. McGonagall, P. Pomfrey, R. Weasley (unconscious), H.J. Potter (unconscious).

SNAPE: I did my best.

DUMBLEDORE: [admonishingly] Severus. You did admirably.

SNAPE: I worry that –

DUMBLEDORE: [brushing him off] Both made it in the end. I must imagine that it was you who brought them there.

SNAPE: It was hardly me.

DUMBLEDORE: [shaking his head] Severus, Severus. Always underselling yourself.

SNAPE: I did not expect –

DUMBLEDORE: Hardly your fault. Hardly your fault.

SNAPE: Nevertheless.

DUMBLEDORE: Yes?

SNAPE: How – I do not understand how we can proceed.

DUMBLEDORE: What question is there?

SNAPE: Surely we can’t – advertise – what has happened.

DUMBLEDORE: Oh, Severus. We need not advertise. Don’t you realize? By this time tomorrow, the entire school will know.

SNAPE: How can they possibly –

DUMBLEDORE: The nature of the rumour, Severus.

SNAPE: There’s been no announcement –

DUMBLEDORE: Severus. An announcement. Really. Announcements do not contain news, my dear. They contain affirmation.

SNAPE: I do not understand.

DUMBLEDORE: Perhaps you needn’t.

SNAPE: I apologize, sir. I do not understand how this could possibly be anything other than the least preferable of circumstances –

DUMBLEDORE: Does the boy believe he has accomplished his task?

SNAPE: I – I do not know.

DUMBLEDORE: Step over and look at him.

SNAPE: I will not.

DUMBLEDORE: [suddenly stern] Do it.

[Snape turns and lifts the curtain surrounding H.J. Potter’s bed. He glances inside, then turns and drops the curtain. He scowls.]

DUMBLEDORE: [bemused] His jaw is set – on what?

SNAPE: What?

DUMBLEDORE: [closing his eyes] Victory.

SNAPE: You truly believe – truly – even with – with –

DUMBLEDORE: Perhaps you ought to learn from Master Weasley, Severus. Even the queen, in the end, is disposable.

SNAPE: So says the player who lost her to a pawn.

DUMBLEDORE: Oh, Severus. Hardly a queen. Hardly a queen.

[Snape pauses for a moment, glaring at Dumbledore. Then he turns to leave without acknowledgement. He passes through the door. M. McGonagall stands at the door. Dumbledore beckons her in.]

MCGONAGALL: I have an incident report prepared.

DUMBLEDORE: No need. This is a personal matter of the Headmaster’s Office. Nothing requires reporting.

MCGONAGALL: What about the boy?

DUMBLEDORE: A personal matter.

MCGONAGALL: The other boy. Weasley.

DUMBLEDORE: Ah. You can think of something, surely?

MCGONAGALL: I’m thinking of the truth, Albus. The boy was found –

DUMBLEDORE: Yes, of course. I’m sure you can think of something.

MCGONAGALL: It was my chess set –

DUMBLEDORE: All the more reason to find an explation. Eh, Minerva?

MCGONAGALL: Yes. Yes, of course. And the girl? Granger?

DUMBLEDORE: No bodily harm, I understand?

MCGONAGALL: None.

DUMBLEDORE: Then no matter.

MCGONAGALL: Yes.

DUMBLEDORE: Anything else?

MCGONAGALL: There is a man in your office. I do not recognize him. Sallow-faced gentleman. He asked that I give you this.

[She passes a note to Dumbledore. He glances at it before sliding it into his robes. P. Pomfrey emerges from behind a curtain.]

POMFREY: Albus, the boy is waking – you asked me –

DUMBLEDORE: Yes, yes, Poppy. Many thanks. [He turns back to McGonagall.] Minerva. I trust you can –

MCGONAGALL: Yes. Yes.

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