Both Dumbledore and Voldemort want Snape for themselves. But their reasons differ greatly and cause Snape to slowly lose himself.
A little warning before I begin; this particular story will contain some slash (male/male). This chapter has no slash, but it will appear in future chapters. If this makes you uncomfortable, then I suggest you turn back and read another story.
The Great Hall was crowded with students while they were eating dinner. Their carefree chatter and laughter were signs that most of them were in a happy mood.
The teachers too were in a good humour: they were talking about their day or discussing an interesting topic. A laugh or a raised voice would be detected occasionally when someone heard a joke or a funny thing.
Albus Dumbledore glanced to his right. There, a few seats away, was an empty seat. He watched the chair for a few moments but turned his eyes to the back door when it opened. A man appeared and he closed the door just as quickly as he had opened it. He walked to the only vacant chair and seated himself.
Foods and drinks appeared immediately, but he didn't touch his plate. Instead, his hand went to his goblet containing pumpkin juice. He raised his glass and sipped. He grimaced a little at the foul taste of the liquid. He then picked up his fork and knife and was about to eat when he heard a voice speaking to him.
"Ah, there you are Severus! So, how was your day?"
Snape didn't reply. He brought a mouthful of potatoes to his mouth, chewed many times and swallowed it with some effort. He hoped that McGonagall would get the hint that he wasn't in the mood for small talks, but she persisted.
"A rough day, then, Severus?"
Snape sighed and put his cutlery down. He glanced at McGonagall and replied in a slightly hostile voice. "What do you want, Minverva?"
The Transfigurations Professor raised her eyebrows. "A little cold today, aren't we? Very well then. A student, quite distressed, came to me today after Transfigurations. He was very upset and told me that you've punished him unfairly." She looked meaningfully at him.
"Your point?" Snape asked while he ignored the hidden meaning of her gaze.
"My point? A week detention is a little too much, don't you think? The poor boy didn't make a big mistake. He told me that and, frankly, I agree with him. I think you should rethink your decision. A few days at most is more than enough!" She stared at him sternly with a pair of piercing eyes.
Snape stared at her for a few seconds and then looked over her shoulder. He frowned a little after a moment and turned his head away from her direction.
"Fine then, have it your way. If you'll excuse me now, I have a detention to supervise." He spoke in a slightly defeated voice.
He stood up, walked to the back door and slipped through the gap and disappeared from sight.
The confused witch frowned and looked back at her own food. A voice then appeared.
"Don't worry, Minerva. He's just having a turbulent day." She turned her head to look at Dumbledore, but he wasn't focusing on her: his eyes were concentrating on the back door and his face was drawn in mild concern.
After the student had finished his tedious and unjust punishment, Snape sent him away wordlessly. The Potions Master glanced at his clock: 9.30 PM. He walked to his desk and resumed his previous task; grading students' essays. It was quite a dull chore, but it occupies his mind.
Anything is better than... that…
He picked up his quill and began to mark the papers.
He looked up, as he put the last essay on his finished-pile, to find the clock: 10.20 PM. Snape stacked them in a neat pile and used his wand to put them away before he stood up and walked to the door.
Dumbledore had invited him for tea at 10.30 PM. The Potions Master hated tea, but he couldn't decline the Headmaster's call. He had never refused an offer before, and he would not be doing that this time either.
Snape didn't run into any students on his way to the Gargoyle. It was a good thing, actually. He was in a pretty sullen mood: he didn't know for sure whether he can stop himself from taking points as soon as he saw one coming in his sight.
He uttered the password to the stature. It moved aside and he walked up the stairs. He wanted to knock when he came to the door, but a voice called before he could react.
"Come in, Severus."
Snape raised his eyebrows a little and opened the door. Dumbledore stood with his back towards his desk, already smiling. Their eyes met for a moment, but Snape looked away and greeted him with a short "Headmaster."
"Shall we go to the next room?"
Snape hesitated. He opened his mouth, but closed it after a few seconds with a small grimace. His gaze was focused on the ground.
Dumbledore's smile vanished and his eyes narrowed in concern while he studied his visitor. He looked tired; his shoulders were a little slumped, his pace was slow, and his responses were silent and became more formal.
"Unless there is something you wanted to discuss with me?"
"No." He answered immediately. He walked towards the living room. Dumbledore followed a few seconds later.
The living room was small and round, but cosy at the same time. Every item in this room radiated a calm and soft sensation. Snape walked to the couch and chose a place in the far right corner. Dumbledore followed him and sat beside him.
The couch was the first thing that Snape saw when he came here for the very first time. Its colour stood out. It was dark green with a tinge of black. He was surprised: he had always thought that the Headmaster would choose red instead of green and he couldn't stop himself from commenting.
"A green couch?" He whispered to himself. He snapped his mouth shut as soon as he had spoken it out loud. He cursed himself for voicing that thought. But he heard a small laugh behind him and he smiled imperceptible at his reaction.
He couldn't stop himself from smirking a little at that silly memory.
"What is it, Severus?"
"Nothing, Headmaster."
Dumbledore didn't comment, but raised his wand to summon some tea. They appeared at the small round table before the couch. He stooped forward and prepared their tea with precision and a sharp eye.
He had always invited Snape for tea. This habit had started since his first year here in Hogwarts as a teacher. At least once every week, he would invite Snape. In the safety of the Headmaster's office, they discussed many topics and common interests. Snape could remember that he acted a little suspicious and cold towards the Headmaster. But his heart was melting, each time when he visited him. He didn't know any more when he became comfortable around him. At some time, Dumbledore stopped to send his invitations because it had become a routine.
Snape accepted the freshly made tea from Dumbledore. Their fingertips touched for a short moment. Snape flinched away as soon as he felt the warm fingers on his cold ones. He quickly looked away and put his hand on his lap. Dumbledore frowned a little and tried to look at his face. The other didn't meet his eyes. He decided not to push him. Yet.
The Headmaster lifted his own cup and took a sip. He put the porcelain on the table and waited for Snape to begin.
Snape coughed silently. "I apologise for my behaviour at dinner, Headmaster."
"No need to apologise, my boy. I'm sure that you have a good reason for acting the way you did." Snape didn't reply.
"But… enough of that. How are you, my boy?" Snape looked at his untouched tea, while he frowned a little.
"I feel fine. Is there a reason not to?"
"Of course not, dear boy, but you look a little tired."
"Who wouldn't when-" Snape stopped talking and took a deep breath while he set his cup at the table. He grimaced a little when his back touched the couch again. His eyes were transfixed at the lone cup.
Dumbledore became more concerned by his peculiar behaviour.
"Severus, is there something troubling you?"
"Should there?" He snapped back immediately.
Snape closed his eyes as soon as the words had left his mouth and he rubbed his temple with his right hand. Dumbledore's frown deepened while he studied him intently.
"I apologize. It has been a rough… day for me." He sighed while he released his head.
"I understand. Care to enlighten me?" The Headmaster asked.
Snape didn't answer. He looked at his hands on his lap, before turning his head to Dumbledore.
"I have... a lot of essays to grade and... potions to prepare..." The younger wizard shook is head.
"I see... make sure not to overburden yourself, you are impossible to replace." Dumbledore leaned a little closer to him. "In more than one way." An enticing glint appeared in his blue eyes and Snape quickly looked a little to the right.
"Of course..." His voice shook and he tried not to show his uncomfortable behaviour while he thought of a possible way to stop it.
"It's getting quite late. I think I'll retire for today…" He took another sip and put his tea on the wooden table. He moved his arms on either of his sides and applied a little pressure at the couch, ready to leave the furniture. He stopped when his eyes fell on the blue orbs.
"Unless… unless you wanted to discuss something?" They continued to gaze at each other, the one seated calmy on the couch, the other hovering a little above the furniture with a slightly tensed body. They both searched each other's eyes for a minute before Dumbledore replied.
"No, nothing of importance."
Snape nodded and raised his body off of the couch and walked to the door leading to the office. Dumbledore followed a moment later.
They remained silent while they walked to the exit. Snape put his hand on the handle of the door, but a voice stopped him.
"Goodnight, Severus. I see you tomorrow at breakfast."
Snape didn't turn around, but replied. "Goodnight, Headmaster."
His hand and voice were shaking a little while he replied. He opened the door and closed it silently behind him.
This will be my very first story, and I am very excited already. As always, reviews and comments are very welcome!
Edit: I've changed this chapter a little: I've omitted a small part and replaced it with something else.
