Disclaimer: All characters that appear in the published works of J.K. Rowling, along with all places and plot points appearing therein belong to her.
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Severus Snape ducked his head as he stepped into the organized clutter of Albus Dumbledore's office. Sunlight glinted off the shiny metal arms of several astrolabes that sat on a nearby table. Most of the portraits were softly snoring, but a turbaned man was arguing vociferously with the silver-haired woman in the frame above him. Snape turned away with a look of barely contained contempt.
Where was Dumbledore? The summons had been unusually curt for the old Headmaster. Be in my office fifteen minutes before dinner. Snape caught sight of Fawkes, the renowned phoenix, preening on his post beside the Headmaster's desk. The office smelled of old leather and spices. Inviting, he supposed. His own office in the dungeon reeked of potion ingredients and the stench of soiled surfaces left to fester. Not even members of his own house, Slytherin, lingered long there, and Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws went out of their way to avoid spending any time in the cold, forbidding stone room. He could hardly blame them. He took no joy in it himself, but over the years it had become familiar. It was no more than he deserved.
"Ah, Severus," spoke Dumbledore, descending the steps from his observatory, "You are here."
"You asked for me, Headmaster?"
"Please, have a seat."
Snape nodded and settled gingerly into an ancient leather chair. The frame creaked, but held.
Dumbledore stepped behind his desk and sat down, then opened a large volume, scanning the yellowed pages with one finger. Seeming to find what he was looking for, he gave a satisfied grunt.
Snape laced his fingers together and schooled himself to patience. Over the years he'd learned that trying to rush the Headmaster would get one nowhere. Best to let him go his own way, and you'd learn what you needed soon enough.
"Now, then, Severus. The reason I've asked you here. You have heard, perhaps, that Professor Trelawny is taking a sabbatical this year?"
Yes, he'd heard. He couldn't say it saddened him, either. The fool woman was always predicting someone's untimely demise, as if it were an honor, or as a means to draw attention to herself. She didn't know what it felt like to live with death as a constant specter, always looming just outside her range of vision, its chill fingers gripping around her heart in the dead of night, waking her in a cold sweat, throat raw from screaming...
"Severus?"
"Yes, Headmaster. I'd heard." He shook himself. This was no time to dwell on the pain that was his life. Albus Dumbledore was the only one who knew. The only one who understood.
The Headmaster's face softened momentarily. "It is no weakness, you know, Severus."
Choosing to ignore the Headmaster's words, Snape changed the subject. "And Professor Trelawny's sabbatical should interest me why, precisely?"
Clearing his throat, Dumbledore pulled a scroll from a drawer and unrolled it. "A new teacher of divination has been appointed for this school year. Her name is Rowena Rowan." He glanced over the top of his spectacles at the potions master. "I need you to take her under your wing. See that she is familiar with Hogwarts and its-- quirks."
Startled, Snape sat up straight. "Why me, Headmaster?"
Snape could not abide divination. It relied too heavily on hocus-pocus, on magic that was neither tangible nor quantifiable, on the powerful hold that the practitioner wove over her subjects. It smacked of coercion, and coercion was a very sore subject for him. Not once had he been witness to a prophecy he fully believed. Occasionally, Professor Trelawny had startled him, almost enough to pierce his firmly held prejudice, but never quite succeeding. Her theatrics grated on his nerves. And now there would be a new seeress...
"Because, Severus, I trust you. I cannot tell you everything, but Miss Rowan is coming to us for more reason than to teach our students. She needs a friend, a protector. I think you are that person."
Abruptly, Severus rose to his feet and crossed to a diamond-shaped window that looked out over the lake. His body vibrated with frustration. He crossed his hands in front of himself, his fingers digging into his forearms.
"You don't understand what you ask."
Dumbledore's voice was soft as he replied, "I understand, Severus. More than you know."
Late summer sunlight sparkled off the rippling waters of the lake. So peaceful, so beautiful. Years ago, Snape would have been happy to walk along its shore in quiet contemplation. Before the day his life changed forever.
He spun to face the Headmaster. "I cannot do this. Please do not ask me. I am forbidden friendship."
Albus rose to his feet, shaking his head. "You are forbidden nothing. You choose to keep yourself close. You choose this, Severus."
Angrily, Snape ripped back the sleeve of his jet-black robes, revealing the dim outline of the Dark Mark, emblazoned forever upon his skin. "This!" he spat. "This forbids me! I beg you, do not ask this of me."
"I am sorry, Severus. I have no choice. Rowena Rowan must be protected and there is no one better suited for that duty."
Severus Snape clamped his jaw, reining in his anger, struggling to calm his racing heart. After a moment's pause, he bowed crisply to the ancient Headmaster. "I will show this divination professor the ways of Hogwarts. I owe you this much as your teacher. I will not-- cannot-- swear to be her friend."
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "So be it. She will be introduced in the Great Hall just before the sorting."
Severus turned and stalked towards the exit.
"And, Severus," Dumbledore called after his departing form, "Welcome back."
Snape paused for a moment, then stepped onto the spiral staircase. As the stairs descended he heard Fawkes' high cry echoing off the stones. He shuddered.