Regrets


­Author's note: - I know you've seen this one before, but (and there is a but), I'm going to eventually combine it with 'Behind the Sneer.' It was going nowhere with the other plot-line, and I would prefer to change a plot than leave something unfinished.
I'm trying to control myself
So please don't stand in my way
I've waited for the longest time
This is what I wanted in my way
Severus Snape marched down the Hogwarts halls his black cloak billowing out behind him. First year Hufflepuffs almost dove out of his way as he approached, and he assumed that he looked the epitome of rage. He had just come back from his potions class with Fifth year Gryffindors, where Neville Longbottom had managed to turn a simple calming draught into a lime green concoction that caused boils to erupt from any person unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. Add to the fact that he also managed to melt the cauldron containing the said potion, and Severus was left with 15 howling students who he had to escort to the Hospital Wing.

He reached the staff room, and was preparing to wrench the heavy oak door open when he heard soft music coming from inside. His curiosity peaked, he opened the door silently and slipped inside undetected. What he saw brought a soft smile to his face and he felt his bad mood evaporate.

Minerva McGonagall stood in front of the kitchen bench swaying gently to a tune he didn't recognise that emanated from a small wizarding radio. She was making a cup of tea, but continued to sway as she poured boiling water from the kettle into a small teapot. She summoned a mug toward her and pouring in the resulting tea. The music reached a crescendo, and her feet began to move in complex patterns. Severus smiled from the shadows as she allowed the music to overtake her. A small smiled graced her features and all stern lines had vanished from her face.

Her hand fluttered to a button at her throat, and with a twist of her fingers she removed her heavy outer cloak leaving her clad in a simple combination of a white blouse, and a skirt of the same emerald green as her robes. Severus gaped at the lithe figure this action revealed, and was further nonplussed when she reached upwards and removed a strategically placed hairpin, causing her hair to cascade down her back. Thick, dark and slightly wavy, it fell to below her shoulder blades framing her face. Her hair contrasted with her ivory skin and Severus was sure it would highlight her emerald eyes had they been open.

She spun lightly on her feet in perfect rhythm to the music, and Severus impulsively moved forward and placed a tentative hand on her waist. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Taking confidence that she didn't draw back, he reached for her hand and clasped it gently within his own. He pulled her toward him and they began to move in slow circles their movements as natural as if they had danced together for years.

The music began to slow as Severus spun Minerva away from him and he felt a sense of regret that the dance was coming to an end. She spun backwards and rested her back against his chest as the music reached its finale. They stopped dancing and Severus let go of his hold on Minerva's waist and stepped backwards. She turned to face him and smiled gently.

"You're quite the dancer it would seem," she said softly in a voice far different from her usual abrasive tones.

Severus merely nodded mutely as his extensive vocabulary eluded him. She smiled again and moved past him toward the kitchen bench where she retrieved her tea and sipped it gently.

"There's more in the pot," she said, gesturing at the tartan-patterned teapot he himself had brought her as a Christmas present after declaring that all she owned was tartan.

"Thank you," he said finally, taking the pot and pouring himself a cup. They sipped their tea silently as they stood next to each other. Severus was reliving the dance in his mind and glanced over at his colleague who looked penseive.

"Penny for your thoughts," he said looking down at her.

She gave a soft smile, "Do you have any regrets, Severus?"

He gave her a pointed look and she smiled apologetically. "Ignore me," she said looking away from him and drinking from her cup.

"What about you, Minerva?" Severus asked examining her profile. As he had expected her dark hair accentuated her eyes.

"What are my regrets?" she said into her cup, "I have too many to count."

She fell silent and Severus didn't press the topic. She finished her tea and placed the empty cup back on the bench. She reached down for her cloak and withdrew her wand from her pocket. She pointed it at her hair and it was immediately drawn back into its customary tight bun. Severus reached for her arm as she prepared to pull on her outer cloak.

"Don't," he said softly withdrawing his own wand and waving it so her hair once more fell down her back, "You look beautiful with your hair down."

She raised her eyebrows as he flushed and he dropped his arm letting it fall back to his side.

"Thank you," she said, giving him what could only be called a shy grin.

He shook his head, "I was speaking the truth."

She gave a small laugh as she turned from him and began to walk across the staff room. Severus watched as she gathered a large pile of parchment and prepared to exit. He quickly strode across the room and took the parchment from her. Their fingers brushed and Severus felt a slight warmth at his fingertips.

He felt Minerva looking at him and jerked himself back to the present.

"Severus?" she asked her voice full of concern, "Are you alright? You've grown rather pale."

Severus nodded though Minerva didn't look convinced. She reached upwards and felt his forehead making him all too aware of how soft her skin was. She frowned slightly and took the stack of parchment from him and placed it back on her desk.

Severus finally found his voice, "Minerva. You know what you said about regrets?"

She nodded slowly clearly unsure where he was going with this line of thought. Severus leant forward and brushed his lips against hers for a brief moment before drawing back.

"I think I may have regretted not doing that," he said standing straight again.

Minerva touched her fingers to her lips and stared at him incredulously. He nodded his head toward her and quickly strode past her toward the door. As he opened it he turned back and saw that she hadn't moved, and was standing in the same position. He gave a soft smile and walked out into the corridor past the same Hufflepuffs who looked slightly alarmed that he wasn't angry anymore.

He ran his tongue lightly over his lips. He could still taste Minerva's lipstick…


Author's note: - Hope you enjoyed! Please review. Minniequill