Watching Harry's retreating back, Dumbledore withdrew his gaze and glanced sideways at the grandfather clock by the wall. He walked to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo Powder from the box, and tossed it into the burning hearth. As the flames surged up, he said, "Severus, I need to talk to you."
Before long, Snape stepped out of the rising Forest Green Flame.
"What is it?"
Snape had actually already guessed why Dumbledore had summoned him.
"You handled Miss Bell's matter very well." Dumbledore gave Snape a long look and got straight to the point. "But I do not want anything similar to happen again. We were fortunate this time, but we cannot expect to be so fortunate every time. I hope you can keep the situation under control, provide Mr. Malfoy with help and guidance, and stop him from continuing to attempt such dangerous things."
"I will. Draco will not give up easily until he has experienced failure. This time, I will thoroughly convince him to follow my plan." Snape was rather helpless about it as well.
To be honest, he had also felt relieved that Katie Bell had not died. Otherwise, there was no telling what might have happened in the end.
If Katie Bell had truly died because of the Assassination Plan, he did not think Dumbledore would easily forgive Malfoy—would forgive a murderer.
He knew Dumbledore.
"Good. I hope everything proceeds according to plan. You know how important this is to everyone," Dumbledore said softly. "There is one more thing I must remind you of. If a similar incident occurs again, the Ministry of Magic will definitely intervene. At that point, every suspicious student may need to undergo Veritaserum screening. I think you know Scrimgeour's way of doing things very well."
"You think the Ministry