"It truly surprises me that you'd come to me for help at a time like this. Looks like that plan failed."
McNeil was quite surprised that Snape had come to him. He stepped aside and invited him in to talk, then casually fetched a bottle of red wine from the cabinet and poured him a glass.
"The net caught a big fish—and got torn apart."
Snape accepted the wine McNeil handed him and explained, "The Order of the Phoenix showed up. I suspect they weren't the only ones; the Defense Association probably went too. Hogwarts Castle will soon fall under their control."
"So you ran off on your own?"
McNeil had not expected Snape to abandon the others and flee without hesitation.
"I killed Dumbledore. The Order of the Phoenix won't let me off easily." Snape knew what McNeil was thinking and said softly, "If I'd run any slower, I'd probably have been surrounded and killed at the school."
McNeil clinked glasses with Snape and asked, "How do you need me to help?"
"I need some assistance."
Snape took a sip of red wine and stated his purpose.
"It'll be difficult to gather enough men and retake Hogwarts in such a short time."
McNeil frowned slightly. At this hour, everyone else had already gone to bed. Where was he supposed to find people?
"Send the Aurors!" Snape reminded him. "Hogwarts has been invaded this time. I think it's time the Aurors served a purpose."
"Er... are you sure they won't switch sides at the last moment?"
McNeil was hesitant. Most of the Aurors under his command were untrustworthy. Many had remained at the Ministry of Magic only for the Aurors' high pay and generous benefits.
"They probably won't. If they wanted to switch sides, they'd have done so long ago.