Ah, character motivation. Well, maybe...
How do you get a Potter to strip off?
1. Put the sword of Gryffindor in the icy pool.
2. Make it Accio-proof.
3. Wait.
Well, it worked for Snape. :D
"Good. Very good!" cried the portrait of Dumbledore behind the headmaster's chair. "Now, Severus, the sword! Do not forget that it must be taken under conditions of need and valor - and he must not know that you give it! If Voldemort should read Harry's mind and see you acting for him - "
...
"Don't worry, Dumbledore," he said coolly. "I have a plan..."
And so begins Operation Silver Doe.
Need and valor? Mmmkay. Snape could put the sword of Gryffindor up in a tree - surround it with a ring of Fiendfyre - have it guarded by ferocious creatures - try some other Snape-ish deviousness.
But no. He puts it under water, and he makes it Accio-proof. He hides and watches.
Riiight.
~ ~ ~
"You made him do WHAT?" cried the portrait of Dumbledore.
"Strip to his underwear and jump in the pool."
"In the snow? Are you crazy? Do you want him to die of pneumonia before Voldemort gets him?!"
"Oh, pish-tosh - he didn't even catch cold." Snape rolled his eyes. "Besides, it was probably my last chance..."
"What?"
"To see if he's got Lily's nipples as well."
The portrait facepalmed. "Severus..."
"I know, I know. Focus on the mission!" Snape swung his feet up on the headmaster's desk. "No side-tracks! Well, perhaps just the one..."
"Severus!"
"Sherbet lemon?" He held out the bowl, smirking slightly.
The portrait glared.
1. Put the sword of Gryffindor in the icy pool.
2. Make it Accio-proof.
3. Wait.
Well, it worked for Snape. :D
"Good. Very good!" cried the portrait of Dumbledore behind the headmaster's chair. "Now, Severus, the sword! Do not forget that it must be taken under conditions of need and valor - and he must not know that you give it! If Voldemort should read Harry's mind and see you acting for him - "
...
"Don't worry, Dumbledore," he said coolly. "I have a plan..."
And so begins Operation Silver Doe.
Need and valor? Mmmkay. Snape could put the sword of Gryffindor up in a tree - surround it with a ring of Fiendfyre - have it guarded by ferocious creatures - try some other Snape-ish deviousness.
But no. He puts it under water, and he makes it Accio-proof. He hides and watches.
Riiight.
~ ~ ~
"You made him do WHAT?" cried the portrait of Dumbledore.
"Strip to his underwear and jump in the pool."
"In the snow? Are you crazy? Do you want him to die of pneumonia before Voldemort gets him?!"
"Oh, pish-tosh - he didn't even catch cold." Snape rolled his eyes. "Besides, it was probably my last chance..."
"What?"
"To see if he's got Lily's nipples as well."
The portrait facepalmed. "Severus..."
"I know, I know. Focus on the mission!" Snape swung his feet up on the headmaster's desk. "No side-tracks! Well, perhaps just the one..."
"Severus!"
"Sherbet lemon?" He held out the bowl, smirking slightly.
The portrait glared.