"Really unexpected. I never thought you'd come to me for help at a time like this. Looks like that plan failed."
Macnair was quite surprised that Snape had come to him. He stepped aside to invite him in for a proper discussion, then casually fetched a bottle of red wine from the cabinet and poured him a glass.
"We caught a big fish, and it tore the net apart."
Snape accepted the wine Macnair handed him and explained, "The Order of the Phoenix came. I suspect it wasn't just them—the Defence Association probably went too. Hogwarts Castle will soon be under their control."
"So you ran off on your own?"
Macnair truly had not expected Snape to abandon the others and flee.
"I killed Dumbledore. The Order of the Phoenix won't let me off easily." Knowing what Macnair was thinking, Snape said quietly, "If I'd been any slower, I'd probably have been surrounded and killed at the school."
Macnair 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.
"Gathering enough people and retaking Hogwarts in such a short time will be difficult."
Macnair 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 for the Aurors to do their jobs."
"Well... are you sure they won't switch sides at the last minute?"
Macnair was somewhat hesitant. Most of the Aurors under his command were unreliable. Many had stayed at the Ministry of Magic only for the Aurors' high salaries and generous benefits.
"They probably won't. If they wanted to defect, they would have done so long