the_debt_of_time

Snape was pacing up and down in front of Dumbledore. "—mediocre, arrogant as his father, a
determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking, and impertinent.. ."
"You Potters sure do know how to leave an impression." Sirius sighed, raking his
hands through his hair. This trip down Memory Lane—and not his own—was becoming
more and more worrisome. Why did Snape need Harry to see all of this? To rub it in his
face that he loved Lily first? One last moment to take a shot at Harry and James?
"You see what you expect to see, Severus," Dumbledore said, without raising his eyes. "Other
teachers report that the boy is modest, likeable, and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging
child."
The scene changed once more and they stood again in Dumbledore's office. Sirius
and Harry watched carefully as Snape hovered over Dumbledore, staring at the blackened
hand of the old headmaster.
"You have done very well, Severus. How long do you think I have?"
Snape hesitated, and then answered, "I cannot tell. Maybe a year. There is no halting such a spell
forever. It will spread eventually; it is the sort of curse that strengthens over time."
Harry openly gaped at the scene. "He was already dying."
Sirius put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"The Dark Lord does not expect Draco to succeed. This is merely punishment for Lucius's recent
failures. Slow torture for Draco's parents, while they watch him fail and pay the price."
"In short, the boy has had a death sentence pronounced upon him as surely as I have," Dumbledore
said. "Now, I should have thought the natural successor to the job, once Draco fails, is yourself?"
There was a short pause.
"That, I think, is the Dark Lord's plan."
"The boy must fulfil his mission," Dumbledore spoke, and Snape turned and scowled at him.
"You would have a mere child throw away his life?" Snape narrowed his eyes. "After all he's
risked so far? The Marking ceremony nearly killed him!"
"I would have young Draco fulfil nearly his entire mission," Dumbledore clarified. "I would not
have the boy's soul ripped apart on my account. You must be the one to kill me."
"Malfoy was telling the truth!" Harry shouted.
"And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?"
"You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation,"
Dumbledore said. "I ask this one great favour of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as