"Albus, the Sandpotion has been completed."

"Wonderful news, Severus!"

Snape, seated in front of the Headmaster's desk, stared at him with a determined look. "I believe it to be my duty to inform you that I have performed extensive tests among the Death Eaters, and that I have observed that, in higher dosages, the potion might alter their personalities so drastically that they prove themselves incapable of continuing the practice of the Dark Arts."

"You haven't used the Death Eaters as guinea pigs, have you?"

"My tests were performed within perfectly acceptable safety limits."

The Headmaster stroked his long beard. "That will cause me problems in the future, I guess."

"Nobody suspects anything; don't be concerned. If I might ask, I would like to know what are your plans concerning the Sandpotion."

"Oh, from what you have been telling me, it has wonderful effects upon the wizards. It enhances their perceptive powers. I believe we are going to need it when the war intensifies. And even now, we can use it as an instrument of physical and psychological healing."

"Anyway... knowing it can be used to... turn the Death Eaters away from their evil purposes..."

"That's dangerously close to Dark Arts. I wouldn't like to deal with this, Severus."

Snape got up, angry. "Albus, I don't understand. Why don't you finish the Dark Lord once and for all?"

Dumbledore tilted his head, surprised. "Even if we managed to change the personalities of every single Death Eater so Voldemort is left without any followers, he can always find others. As a last resource, he could use Imperius. The Death Eaters are not the problem; the problem is Voldemort. And the Wizarding World."

"That was not what I asked and you know that very well. I want to know why don't you defeat the Dark Lord once and for all."

The Headmaster got up too, and went to Fawkes's perch. He stroked the scarlet feathers. Fawkes raised his golden tail.

"Do you like to play chess, Severus?"

"I have no time for games. And I know that, in your game, I am just a pawn."

"Oh, you are wrong. You are a very important piece."

"The Rook, perhaps."

Dumbledore grinned. "Be that as it may, in the game as I see it, Harry is the King. He still doesn't have the possibility of broad movements, and must be protected. I am... the Queen."

"Ha."

"The piece with more resources and freedom of movement. You know that losing the Queen is something very dramatic in a game."

"You are saying that you don't want to take risks, because we have to protect the little King."

"Precisely. If I decided to face Riddle, perhaps I would win, perhaps not." Dumbledore lifted his hand to stop Snape's protest. "I know, you think I am more powerful than he is. But sometimes the more powerful is not the winner in a duel. Especially when the opponent doesn't play fair."

A little begrudgingly, Snape nodded. "But if we 'turn off' the Death Eaters with the potion, this will disturb the Dark Lord's plans. I know him well. That would delay his plans. And gaining time is crucial... for our King."

"Severus, this will be a long war. It will take decades, perhaps."

"How can you know?"

"I don't know!" Dumbledore declared with a mischievous look. "But I feel that it will be. Because... the Wizarding World won't change in one day. This is a long process."

"You... What are you talking about? To change the Wizarding World?"

"I have defeated a Dark Lord before. And has the world changed? As soon as one was gone, another was rising. I have lived 150 years, Severus, and I'm tired. If I, you or perhaps Harry go there and simply kill the Dark Lord, we will be worshipped and tempted to become the next Dark Lord. Or another powerful Dark Wizard will appear. We need to show the Wizarding World that the dark path is not the correct one. We need to defeat the Darkness tactically and strategically, and have the Wizarding World rise against those ideas that cause the appearance of those nefarious characters and movements."

"Politics. You are talking about politics. However, while you perform your... political moves... people die. People sacrifice themselves. People live in hell."

Dumbledore approached Snape, and grabbed his shoulders. "Don't think that I don't know, my boy. Don't think that I don't care. It's just that I have a more comprehensive view of the entire picture, of the entire game."

"A more comprehensive view..." Snape snorted. "How convenient, for you, to have this 'more comprehensive view'! You don't do anything. You don't risk yourself. You are the most powerful wizard in the whole world. What about us, mere mortals? What about your little King, whom you raised like one raises a monster?"

Dumbledore stared at him in astonishment. Furious, Snape turned and left the Headmaster's office.

~* ~* ~

In a few minutes, Harry would be entering that door. It was always both joy and a torture to have him near: the joy of being close and the torture of not being allowed to touch him.

"Hi!"

There he was, coming in his direction, so full of energy, so alive.

"Good evening, Mr Potter," said Snape.

"Good evening, Harry," said a voice coming from a portrait.

"Hey, hello, Phineas! Severus, did you find another portrait of Phineas?" asked Harry, looking to the wall facing Snape's desk.

"I found it in an abandoned class in the dungeons. Godric and Salazar will be happy to know that now Phineas can come here and disturb me when he is bored."

Phineas snorted. "As if you didn't love to gossip with me about Albus!"

Snape scowled at him. "Go talk to the Headmaster, will you? I need to have a serious talk with the hero of Gryffindor."

Grumbling, Phineas disappeared from the portrait.

"Severus... What's going on with you? There's something troubling you." Harry sat in front of him, at the desk.

"I shouldn't tell you this. If I had a plan, if I knew what to do, I wouldn't tell you."

"But you know how I hate when people hide things from me. Or don't my feelings count for anything, in your opinion?"

Snape gave him a bitter smile. "I would like to be Slytherinish now and bargain for a... reward, considering that I am going to tell you anyway. But you know, I have no energy for that now."

"Spit it out, Severus."

Snape stared deeply in Harry's eyes.

"Dumbledore doesn't want to use the potion on the Death Eaters. He doesn't want to face the Dark Lord now. He wants to gain time and play politically to raise the Wizarding World against the Dark Lord."

Harry blinked, and pondered for some instants. "I see. He doesn't give a damn about what happens to us." He smiled sadly.

Snape would have liked to hug him, to tell him that everything was going to be all right, but he would be the last person to lie to Harry. And there was another unpleasant subject to mention. "Harry, today is our last Remedial Potions class this term. Summer holidays are near."

"Yeah. I know."

"You will have to go to the Dursleys. Dumbledore has confirmed it for me."

"It's always the same. I'm already used to it." Suddenly, a flash of pain crossed the boy's face. "Oh. We won't be able to meet during the holidays, right?"

"We still have two Fridays until then. Tomorrow, and the Friday after your exams. On the second Friday of June, there will be an Order meeting. Dumbledore wants us to spend the entire weekend at Grimmauld Place. And after that, we will be on holiday." Snape looked at Harry inquisitively. "The day after tomorrow, Saturday, it's the Quidditch final. Perhaps you would prefer to stay at Hogwarts on the eve, resting, instead of..."

"No! If we only have two days, I will be there, there's no question about it. We can go back one night with the Time-Turner, so that I can rest before the game, can't we?"

Snape gave him a half smile. "You are a fool indeed, trusting me that way. What if I put something in your drink?"

Harry narrowed his eyes at the Potions master. "If you try something funny, you will taste the fury of my vengeance!"

Almost painfully, Snape gave in and laughed.