"Nothing, Professor," Snape quickly said, putting the Sorting Hat back on its shelf. "Just looking."
"Albus," the Sorting Hat suddenly twisted, a wide crack opening in its brim like a gaping mouth, and an indignant voice burst out, "He touched me!"
Huh?!
Snape slowly formed a mental question mark. Does this hat even hear itself?
"How is Professor Slughorn?" Snape quickly asked, loudly, to prevent the Hat from uttering anything more outrageous. "Is he alright?"
Dumbledore stepped forward, patted the Sorting Hat to soothe it, and then said gently, "Horace is asleep. I gave him some of Madam Pomfrey's Dreamless Sleep Potion."
"Ah, tonight certainly wore him out," Snape sighed. Slughorn had experienced such immense emotional turmoil tonight; at his age, it really wasn't easy.
"You've worked hard too," Dumbledore said, looking at Snape with approval. "To have gained such important information from Horace."
"However," he continued, his tone turning serious, "it seems you've forgotten my previous admonition. You're still investigating information about Voldemort alone."
"That's not fair, Professor," Snape complained. "If you're not making progress, am I not allowed to investigate on my own?"
"Ah, never mind," Dumbledore said with a sigh of resignation. "Tonight's news is incredibly important. Regardless, I must thank you, Severus.
"I'm afraid I can't award you House points for this, as it requires absolute secrecy. Aside from that, is there any reward you would like?"
"Ah, no House points," Snape grumbled inwardly, who cares about a few House points? but he put on a look of disappointment. "That's a shame, Professor.
"How about you give me a phoenix and make me Head Boy next year?"
"The latter part is certainly worth considering," Dumbledore nodded, a twinkle in his eye. "As long as you don't run off to a place like Borgin and Burkes after graduation and become a common shop assistant."
"Ha, ha, ha," Snape gave a few dry laughs. "You do have a way with jokes, Professor. I'm far too fond of my face for that."
"Well said," Dumbledore praised. "Young wizards should cherish their looks as much as they cherish their talents.
"By the way, Severus. Do you remember the McKinnon family who were attacked by Death Eaters last summer?"
"Yes, I do. Why? Were they attacked again?" Snape pressed.
"No," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "But tonight's news has given me a theory."
He paused, then continued.
"After their attack, I've been pondering the uniqueness of the McKinnon family. Now, it seems, if Voldemort has created Horcruxes, then everything makes sense.
"The McKinnon family has been running a small potions apothecary in Dundee. If there's anything special about them, it's their considerable experience in treating accidental soul damage, and they're rather well-known in the wizarding world for it."
"Are you suggesting Voldemort sought them out to heal his soul damage?"
"Yes, at the moment, I can't think of any other more plausible explanation."
"Are they safe now?"
"You needn't worry about that; they've temporarily closed their apothecary and found a place to hide."
Snape heard this and thought to himself: While I don't particularly care for their safety, that's hardly reassuring. So he pressed on: "Who is the Secret-Keeper?"
"Oh, you know that charm," Dumbledore sounded a little surprised. "I am the Secret-Keeper."
Well, at least he's not completely befuddled this time, Snape thought.
"Now, tell me, when you told Horace there was a Horcrux in the castle, was that to draw information from him, or was it the truth?" Dumbledore asked.
"Hmm," Snape hesitated for a moment, finally deciding to tell the truth. "It's true, Professor. The Horcrux is in the Room of Requirement."
"Ah, the 'Come-and-Go Room'," Dumbledore sighed softly. "That is indeed a most peculiar room.
"One morning, I took a wrong turn on my way to the lavatory and found myself, quite by accident, in a magnificently appointed room I had never seen before, filled with various elegant and luxurious chamber pots.
"When I went back to investigate thoroughly, I found the room had vanished. But I imagine it only appears at half-past five in the morning, or perhaps only during a crescent moon – or maybe when one's bladder is particularly full when looking for a lavatory."
He chuckled here. "Later, it was the house-elves in the kitchens who told me that the room only appears when one truly needs it. The house-elves call it the 'Come-and-Go Room' or the 'Room of Requirement.'
"However, that Tom was foolish enough to hide a Horcrux in the Room of Requirement. You see, Severus, this is another lesson: we should not unnaturally split the soul."
"I agree, Professor," Snape responded. "However, I must confirm with you beforehand, do you have a way to destroy a Horcrux?"
"While I believe it won't be an easy task," Dumbledore said, tilting his head slightly with confidence, "with my abilities – forgive my saying so – if even I cannot do it, then no one can."
"Overconfidence isn't always a good thing, sir," Snape almost rolled his eyes. "Voldemort taught us that much."
"You are right, I apologize, I should not be so smug," Dumbledore immediately apologized sincerely. "Now, why don't you lead the way to this Horcrux?"
"Let's go, Professor. Another night of insufficient sleep, I suppose. Can I get a note for tomorrow?" Snape said helplessly, turning to lead the way.
"No problem at all," Dumbledore readily agreed.
Gazing at the mountainous piles of various items, Dumbledore couldn't help but exclaim, "How many generations of students and teachers have accumulated all this? One can only wonder how many stories are hidden within."
"—Or accidents," Snape added.
He led Dumbledore through towering walls of clutter, past a preserved troll specimen and the remains of a Vanishing Cabinet, arriving before a tall mound of junk.
After clearing away the objects covering it, Snape found his half-severed sleeve.
"Professor, when we see the Horcrux, don't look directly at it. It can bewitch people and make you want to put it on."
Seeing Dumbledore nod in agreement, Snape took a deep breath, trying not to focus his pupils, and with difficulty, magically moved the sleeve aside.
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," Dumbledore softly read the inscription on the diadem, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem."
"Professor, you—"
"Don't worry, thank goodness for my extraordinary intellect. It won't easily bewitch me."
"Oh."