Communicating with Snape had been unpleasant, and it left Dumbledore hesitant.
Was it still necessary to keep this man at Hogwarts?
But he quickly pushed the question aside. He had to finish the task at hand first.
"Severus, I need his help."
Dumbledore gestured for Snape to sit, but the latter remained standing. "You've heard the Prophecy. It came true, didn't it?"
Snape stared at Dumbledore for a long while, then suddenly said, "If you've already made up your mind, there's no need to ask me."
Without waiting for Dumbledore to reply, he turned and headed out.
"Severus."
Dumbledore rose and called after him. "Are you sure you want to leave like this?"
Snape stopped. He seemed hesitant, but soon strode away.
Dumbledore sat back down and rubbed his temples. He felt truly old.
In the past, he would have written Snape's dismissal letter by now. But these days, he no longer had the strength to do that.
After sitting alone for a while, Dumbledore picked up his wand and sent out his Patronus.
Some time later, McGonagall brought Harry in.
"Did you bring your wand, Harry?" Dumbledore asked directly.
"Yes, Headmaster." Harry nodded.
Dumbledore glanced at him, then suddenly froze. "Have you been learning Occlumency?"
"Yes. Professor Snape thought I needed to learn it." Harry nodded.
Dumbledore furrowed his brow, but didn't comment further. He simply said, "Come with me, Harry. We need to go out for a while."
Harry obediently nodded again, without asking where they were going.
"Hold on to me."
He had Harry take his arm, then beckoned. Fawkes flew over.
"Whoosh."
After a burst of sparks, the two of them vanished from the Headmaster's Office.
"Buzz."
A dazzling point of light rose from the wand, illuminating the surroundings.
"You know your mother left a