As they listened to the latest report from the male wizard in the portrait, the Headmaster's office once again fell into deathly silence.
The portraits all turned to look at Snape, unable to help feeling some sympathy for the new headmaster—and curious to see how he would handle this matter.
They had not forgotten that Snape had once promised Dumbledore he would do everything in his power to keep Hogwarts students safe.
Now was the time for him to fulfill that promise.
Snape paid no heed to the strange looks from the portraits. He turned to stare at the sleeping old man in the portrait hanging behind the desk.
"Things often turn out unexpectedly."
As though sensing Snape's piercing gaze, Dumbledore opened his eyes and awoke from his feigned sleep.
"They certainly have," Snape said darkly. "I imagine it will not be long before they turn Hogwarts upside down."
"The situation is not as bad as you think," Dumbledore consoled him.
"No, it is very bad." The muscles in Snape's face twitched violently twice. "If they really establish that so-called Dumbledore's Army, with that lot's level of secrecy, the entire Hogwarts will know about it before long. When that happens, do not expect this to end smoothly."
"Neither Carrow nor Parkinson is someone to be trifled with. Carrow especially has hated Anderson and his Defense Association ever since Amicus Carro was killed through Scrimgeour by Anderson. What do you think she will do once she learns those students have formed Dumbledore's Army?"
It was no wonder Snape was so furious. They were all a group of troublemakers.
Whether it was Rubeus Hagrid, that reckless and stupid oaf, or the brainless students led by Longbottom, every one of them was doing some foolish thing they thought was right—and he had to