Beggars Can't Be Choosers

by Verity

Prologue

(Title is a small homage to Nancy Kress's delightful Beggars in Spain, if in name only.)

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A. L. Dumbledore

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Scotland, UK

July 5, 1995

Dear Severus,

I regret to inform you…

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Severus Snape

Malfoy Manor

Yorkshire, UK

July 6, 1995

Albus-

Thank you for inquiring after my health. I assure you, the Mark is not causing me as much pain as I had feared; if I need to, I will owl Madam Pomfrey for some materials from my stores. I am sure that she can manage at least that menial of a task under your competent direction.

The true point of my reply - I regret having to upset your arrangements, but I fear that I simply cannot lodge in Orion Tower. I understand that my laboratories also received some, though less grievous, damage from Peeves' latest joke with the plumbing. Am I to see to their repair from six stories above? Not to say that your decision wasn't in the best interests of all concerned, of course.

I am sorry if I sound somewhat harsh. Spending a few minutes in the company of a Malfoy is a trial for even the most insensitive of men… thank Merlin the Dark Lord has decided to finish off this Meet by the end of the week. The Order should find of use the information attached – any replies sent by stealth owl should reach me.

I will respect your judgment, whether you feel the need to heed my admittedly frivolous whims as to my rooms or not. However, I will remind you – Orion is somewhat uncomfortably near Gryffindor Tower.

Yours truly,

Severus

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A. L. Dumbledore

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Scotland, UK

July 7, 1995

Dear Severus,

I am sorry to disappoint you, but the only living quarters in the dungeons besides yours are in such a dreadful state of disrepair that it is entirely unfeasible that you take residence there. Besides, the mice enjoy their nest behind the velvet hangings.

As for your rooms – while the plumbing has been return to its usual state of genial disgruntlement, and is none the worse for the wear (so Myrtle tells me), I fear that the rooms themselves are simply not salvageable! It is fortunate neither your closet's contents nor your library were not damaged badly, though I cannot say the same for your other furnishings.

Winky has been most helpful in decorating your new quarters – I think she's taken quite a liking to you!

Albus