It was the end of August; only a few short days remained before classes started up again. The castle was empty, save for the odd ghost or professor; the only sounds to be heard were the echoes of Peeves' mischief, and the whispering summer winds that entered through cracks in the castle's stained-glass windows. It was, in Severus' opinion, the most beautiful time of the year.
On this crisp end-of-summer evening, he sat hunched over his desk, pouring over various potion-making notes. He'd been working for hours, and had barely noticed the sun's retreat from the sky. He found that he'd always gotten the most work done on nights like these- without the distractions of whining first-years, without the looming grading deadlines, and without the stress of Slytherin's seemingly hopeless battle for the house cup. Of course, as of late, he'd had bigger, more sinister things to worry about, as his dual role in Voldemort's ever-advancing war got bigger by the moment. The beginning of this school year would surely bring him more stress, more misery, and more pain than any in the past. And so he worked on, indulging himself by studying what he truly loved to do, enjoying his last few days of freedom.
It must have been past midnight by the time Severus looked up from his notes. It was easy to lose track of time in the dungeons. The lack of windows made it virtually impossible to deduce the time of day. Noting the incessant hunger pains with an irritated groan, the potions master at long last left his desk. His graceful gait echoed through empty halls as he exhaustedly made his way out of the damp darkness of the Hogwarts dungeons. Retrieving his wand from his cloak, he flicked it once, and after a brief nonverbal spell it was illuminated, filling the corridors with light.
After a light meal from the Hogwarts kitchen (filled, of course, with unapproving ramblings from the house elves about his appetite as of late), he was finally free to roam the empty castle. Sleep had been nonexistant for Severus for quite a while now, and he'd made a habit of pacing about Hogwarts from late night until morning almost every night. Tonight, he set out immediately for one of his favorite thinking spots, the astronomy tower.
The night was quiet, and the sky empty. There were no clouds. He sat in his usual spot, perched on top of the tower, leaning against the castle's stone wall, gazing up at the stars. The stillness of the night was beautiful.
He'd noticed that the Hogwarts elves had been bustilng about faster and more anxiously than usual. The ghosts of the castle too, were chatting ceaselessly about the new batch of first years to come. This was a yearly happening; they'd boast about who's house would receive the most students (oftentimes the Bloody Baron would win these arguments, his threatening gaze winning out over any of the other ghost's opinions).
'Is it already the thirty-first?' Severus thought to himself, running a hand through his neglected hair. He did some brief mental math, and realized that it was indeed the penultimate day of his summer break. Truthfully, Snape wasn't prepared for this year to begin. There was so much being asked of him, both from Voldemort and Dumbledore. He'd recently learned of the Dark Lord's request of the Malfoy boy, and had, in a moment of stupidity, taken an Unbreakable Vow to protect the foolish boy. How he was going to be able to contend with the demands of playing a double-agent in the most dangerous war of his time, running the Slytherin house, and teaching Defence, he hadn't worked out. He sat in a solemn silence, evading responsibility and sleep once again, until the sun was at its peak the next morning.
"Ah, Severus. I thought I might find you here. Another sleepless night, I presume?" The voice was unmistakeable, but Snape turned his head, blocking the sun from his eyes to see the familiar half-moon-spectacles of Albus Dumbledore staring back at him.
"Looks that way." Severus responded, coldly.
Albus chuckled, and regarded his old friend warmly, despite his snarky attitude.
"It really would do you well to get some rest. I've offered many times, I can make you something to help-" Dumbledore began, but was at once cut off.
"I don't doubt your magical prowess, Albus, but as I've told you time and time again, I am fine. Now if you'll get on with the real reason you've saught me out, I haven't the patience for your nonsensical musings this morning."
"My dear Severus, it is hardly the morning." Dumbledore responded with twinkling eyes. "I merely came to escort you to the Great Hall, for the beginning of the term staff dinner, if you'll have us."
The older wizard held out his arm, expectantly. Severus sneered, before accepting Albus and walking beside him back towards the castle's center. They were an odd pair; Dumbledore hummed a nonsensical tune, his long lilac robes dancing along with him through the halls, while Severus' scowl and hair-covered eyes made even the portraits along the walls duck out of sight as his black robes swept by.
He'd expected Dumbledore to try and learn more about the doings of the Death Eaters. He was pleasantly surprised, however, when they had made it all the way to the doors of the Great Hall in silence. Albus stopped before entering the hall. He stood across from Severus, his warm blue eyes smiling.
"In but a few hours, the hardest year yet at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will begin. I do hope you're prepared for the challenges ahead," he spoke cheerfully, "I feel especially sorry for the Malfoy boy." He added quietly, before opening the doors with a swish of his wand, and joining the rest of the staff at the head table.
Severus stood behind, bewildered. He hadn't told Albus of Draco's task yet. He had been hoping to avoid the subject, and was nothing short of shocked when Dumbledore had brought it up as casually as if he was commenting on a change in the weather.
"Foolish old man." He muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. Noting the awkwardly quiet table of professors at the end of the hall in front of him, he began striding towards the table at long last. They'd clearly been waiting for him before they began their final meal before the beginning of the year. He took his usual seat beside Madam Hooch, regarding her with a curt nod.
Albus stood at the head of the table, a goblet in his hand.
"To the start of another year!" He exclaimed finally, breaking the silence, "And to the good health of our returning Potions master, Horace Slughorn!" He raised his goblet, and the rest of the staff followed. Food appeared suddenly on the table, a large banquet of the finest meats and sides the house elves were capable of making. As the staff conversed, catching up with one another, Severus locked eyes with Dumbledore. His black eyes bored into the old man with a questioning gaze. Albus' eyes twinkled. Snape thought he saw the slightest wink before the Headmaster broke his gaze, and sat down to resume conversation with an eager Slughorn.
'Albus Dumbledore, you will be the absolute death of me.' Snape thought to himself, grimacing, before helping himself to the midday meal.
The professors remained chatting merrily for hours as the sun climbed and began to fall again in the sky. The growing darkness was met with the anticipation of arriving students. Slowly the party broke up, and everyone readied themselves for their first night duties. McGonnagall fetched the Sorting Hat, Albus cleared the tables, and Severus left the castle. He stood in the dusk light by the grounds' gates, leaning tiredly against them. Any moment now, the thestrals would be carrying the second through seventh years to the castle on their usual path, and his quiet summer would be over.