"The situation isn't as bad as you think. Mr. Anderson is far more formidable than you realize."
The portrait on the wall watched Snape for a moment before offering quiet comfort.
"He pushed the Dark Lord too hard and made him feel threatened." Snape believed the Muggles' misfortune had come from Albert forcing Voldemort too hard.
If they had hidden away quietly, perhaps there would not have been so many conflicts.
"That is only one reason. The conflict between both sides has been irreconcilable from the very beginning. You cannot expect either side to back down willingly, especially now that the Dark Lord's forces are beginning to decline. There is even less reason to expect them to yield."
"Then..."
Snape abruptly trailed off and looked up at the familiar figure emerging from the rising emerald flames.
"Good evening, sir!"
After stepping out of the fireplace, Malfoy reached up to brush the soot from his cloak and greeted Snape behind the desk.
"What brings you all the way to Hogwarts to see me?" Snape asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Pansy is pregnant. We both hope you can become the child's godfather." A long-lost smile appeared on Draco Malfoy's face. At that moment, the burden the Malfoy family had placed upon him seemed to be lifted by Pansy's pregnancy.
"Congratulations."
Upon hearing the news, a faint ripple seemed to pass over Snape's expressionless face. He believed his old friend Lucius would be delighted to hear the good news.
At least, the Malfoy family no longer needed to worry about their line dying out.
"Thank you. Will you be the child's godfather?" Malfoy did not sit in the armchair Snape had conjured. He stared fixedly at Snape, clearly hoping he would agree.
"I'm afraid not, Draco. I'm not suitable for it." Snape shook his