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snapeaddict · 2 years

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Snapetober day 15 - Defensive

@mmad-lover you made me nostalgic what have you done

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Albus looked up. It was night; he had gotten rid of his glasses long ago and now the full moon, as if to tease him, was blinding him completely. That was quite impertinent. He had still a lot more to write, and such bright lighting would not do - the glimmer of candles in the dark had been giving him headaches, and he suddenly felt a strong, almost compulsive desire to shout at both candles and moon. The sleeping portaits around him surely would have been surprised, not because talking to inanimate objects was in the slightest out of character for the old headmaster, but because he never shouted.

Merlin. How long had he been sitting here? Three days? A week? He had slept, yes - but on the couch. He had occasionally been out - but that must have been days ago. He had eaten - again, on the couch. He chuckled. 'Working with the ministry is turning me into an adolescent boy' he thought.

Mentally thanking the moon for reminding him of the existence of the outside world, he checked the wall-clock, and, as it was only nine in the evening, headed out to the staffroom. As he expected, Severus and Minerva were there, sitting in their usual dark-green armchairs by the fireplace. Both had a glass in one hand - surely one of Minerva's Highlands whiskeys - and Albus noticed that Severus' fingers were stained with dark ink. It was not unusual, but he knew that the boy always carefully washed his hands on school days, and it was only at the weekend that he indulged in what Minerva called his 'mad scientist episodes' - basically, research over boiling cauldrons with notes taken in between 'small' commotions. So it was the weekend! He had barely seen them in a week.

Minerva raised an eyebrow.

'Well, look who is here. It seems that - wait, the bat metaphora is taken already. Ah, yes, I have got it: it looks like the mole is out of its hole.'

'You mean that the bear is out of its cave, Minerva', Severus said nonchalantly without looking at the headmaster.

She nodded thoughtfully at this witticism.

'Indeed. Moles are not known for their bad temper. Bears waking up, however...'

Looking half-apologetic, half-amused, Albus took a sit between the two of them, glancing at Severus in his usual paternal way. But the boy busied himself with the essay that was lying on his knees.

'I know, I know, I owe you both an apology. I have been terribly busy, this has made me quite... Irritable. And forgetful. I do not even know whether it is Saturday or Sunday. But surely you can forgive this old man? Come, I am fully ready to discuss anything you like tonight. Severus, you can complain to me about Harry - Minerva, you can complain to me about Severus.

Minerva tried hard not to laugh, and to this effect affected disdain again. Severus gave her an amused glance.

'Surely you have better things to do with your evening? Severus and I merely gossip - or we fight - we shout, sometimes - really, nothing of your calibre.'

Albus suddenly remembered an evening, perhaps four days ago, when he had rather coldly explained to his colleague that he was busy with matters of the upmost importance and had no time for a game of chess with her - game of chess which he himself had requested the week before. He might have been the most gifted wizard in his generation, he felt quite like a foolish schoolboy at this moment - and Minerva's piercing gaze, evidently, was not helping.

'I suppose I deserve that. Again, I beg for your forgiveness' he said humbly.

It was Minerva's turn to look at Severus, who had been awfully quiet since Albus had entered the room. Truth is, he had been much vexed by the headmaster's behaviour these last few days: he had not said a word on the subject, but she knew him well enough to know when he was irritated and tried to hide it. It was not hard to spot, as usually, when something annoyed Severus, he let you know, but he had not talked about the headmaster in a week. And it had been an important week: his latest paper had been accepted for publication, and he had been granted additional funds for his ongoing research. They had been celebrating when Albus had come in and, Minerva could tell, the Slytherin was definitly hurt that Albus had so easily forgotten about this week's important events. She was certain that if the headmaster did not remember to ask, he would not say a word on the subject.

At the very same moment Albus was thinking that Severus unquestionably looked as if he was mad at him, but he could not figure out why, and was very surprised that the boy should be the one giving him the silent treatment. Did Severus care about his own attitude towards him? Had his absence... Affected him? He looked at Minerva, silently begging for her help.

She smiled to him warmly and poured him a glass of whisky, a sign that all alleged hostility between the two of them was definitly over.

'I forgive you, Albus. I know Fudge is a irksome. I'd rather volunteer for a hundred detention hours with first years than have to send him back his dull reports. But you are not the only one who had an eventful week', she added, glancing suggestively at Severus. Would he...

Ah, there it was, the sudden enlightenment in his eyes.

'Severus!' Albus exclaimed. 'By Merlin's beard, your paper! And the funds! You needed my signature for something - I was so busy - I am so sorry. Do you have news? Is there anything I can do?'

It was Severus' turn to affect indifference, though to those who knew him best, it was clear that he was hesitating between giving the headmaster a look of satisfaction, or rolling his eyes.

'You need not apologise, headmaster', he said coolly. 'You have priorities, that is perfectly understandable.'

'No, you are mad, that is perfectly understandable my boy. I know you needed my signature for the funds, about your lab. I will write to the academy'.

This time, the Potions master looked defensive.

'I have told you, Albus, it is of no importance.'

'You are mad.'

'I most certainly am not'.

Albus opened his mouth to reply, glanced at Minerva who looked at him knowingly, and fell silent. Hidding a smile, he took a sip from his drink, settling comfortably in his chair.

So Severus was mad - Severus was mad he had not talked to him in a week, Severus was mad he had not wished to discuss the news with him last Monday, Severus was mad he had not come to ask him about his paper. The boy had missed him. Albus felt a sweet, pleasant warmth fill his chest, and the large smile on his face seemed to annoy Severus even more.

'Your paper was accepted, wasn't it?'

'Yes.'

His smile grew even larger, if that were even humanly possible.

'My boy, I am so proud of you. Between us I had no doubt it would be. They have never refused any of your papers - this one certainly is daring, they can be quite conservative, but it was too brilliant even for their prejudices.'

'Indeed'.

'I will write to the academy tonight, I'll explain. I am sure I can do something about the funds' he added in a purposive tone.

Severus smirked and took a sip of his own glass. It was his turn to look amused.

'No need, headmaster. I already got the funds'.

Albus gave him a puzzled look. 'Really? But how? I thought you needed my signature'.

'Yes. Minerva helped me fake it.'

'You what?'

This time, both he and Minerva smirked.

@sxvxrxssnape

#I don't know what this is #I don't know what I'm doing #But this was cathartic #I have so much to say but I won't so just #Have this #severus snape #pro snape #minerva mcgonagall #albus dumbledore #severus and minerva #So much nostalgia. So much.#snapetober 2022 #snapetober #snapetober22

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sameboot · 1 year