"Sit down, Severus," Dumbledore said, quietly.
Snape took a seat in the headmaster's office and awaited for him to speak first. Dumbledore only stared for a moment, until he spoke.
"The Potter boy has come to Hogwarts. He's a Gryffindor, yes?"
Something with that first sentence didn't make Snape feel right. 'Potter boy'? He could tell Dumbledore had admired the boy for years, and now he was calling him 'Potter boy'? Snape simply rubbed it off as Dumbledore awaited a reply from him.
"Yes, he is in Gryffindor."
"Just like James."
Snape felt something inside him cringe at that name. He kept his face normal, however. Dumbledore chuckled as if he knew what Snape was thinking.
"He was nearly sorted in Slytherin. What a surprise that would've been, eh, Severus?"
"A surprise, indeed. Master, might I ask to what these questions hope to gain?"
Dumbledore raised an old eyebrow. "Pardon?"
"I can't help but feel like you wish to tell me something."
"We're old friends, Severus, my boy. Don't friends talk?"
Snape thought for a moment. He never felt as though Dumbledore was his friend. He was his master whom he obeyed and respected. Dumbledore may not have confessed, but Snape knew that he had something to tell him and he was using Harry Potter to make him soften or more vulnerable. He played along and shook his head.
"Forgive me," he mumbled.
"There's nothing to forgive. You are aware that the Sorcerer's Stone is well protected and it is your job to make sure it remains that way."
Snape nodded. "Yes."
"How's your arm, Severus?"
Snape grimaced at that. "Sir?"
Dumbledore got up and walked over to Snape, holding out his hand. "Let me see it."
"I don't see-"
Dumbledore threw him a look and said, "Do not argue, Severus. I am merely trying to help you."
Snape hesitated but slowly rolled up his sleeve on his right arm. On his pale skin, was the Dark Mark. It had been burning since he had arrived at Hogwarts. He hadn't told anyone of it, not even Dumbledore. Dumbledore held his arm and examined.
"Is it burning?"
Snape lied. "No."
Dumbledore's thumb slowly made its way up his arm until it reached the mark. Suddenly, he pressed his thumb against it. Snape flinched and shut his eyes, making Dumbledore raise an eyebrow.
"It doesn't burn, Severus?"
Severus bit his tongue. "No."
Dumbledore grabbed Snape forearm and squeezed it until Snape gave a small cry. It was as if someone had pressed his forearm onto a hot surface. Dumbledore released his arm and returned to his seat, folding his hands. Snape blinked several times as the pain slowly died down.
"You're not being honest with me, boy. That disappoints me. Why did you lie to me, Severus?"
Snape swallowed before speaking. "I..."
Why hadn't he told Dumbledore the truth? He didn't completely trust him. The way he spoke of Lily's son angered him. Not only that, but he refused to believe the Dark Lord was going to return. That entire day, his arm burned and he refused to believe that it was proclaiming the Dark Lord's return.
"I see," Dumbledore said, breaking his thoughts.
He stood up and clasped his hands behind his back as he paced. "You don't trust me, do you, boy?"
The potions master kept his eyes lowered and remained silent. Dumbledore shook his head. "Not only that, but you lied to me. Remember what I said before, Severus?"
Snape swallowed. "Yes."
"And, what was that?"
"To be completely honest with you, headmaster."
"Do you know what honesty is, boy? It's something that you're not very good at."
He stood next to Snape's chair and leaned into his face. Snape still didn't look at him, but began to stand up. Dumbledore placed his hand on his shoulder and firmly sat him back down. "You are acting very disrespectful today, Severus. That's so unlike you. You're usually very submissive and...vulnerable."
Snape narrowed his eyes at that. "I am not vulnerable. Nor am I submissive."
Dumbledore nodded at that as his hand moved from Snape's shoulder to his chin. He gripped it tightly and spoke so softly, it was worse than a scolding. Snape's hands gripped the arm rests of the chair and held his breath.
"Don't forget who has made you look good in front of the Ministry, boy. Without me, you'd be lying dead in a gutter or in Azkaban, if you were lucky. You'd do well to remember that and be a little more grateful to me for it. One word and I could have you handed to the ministry."
Snape spoke back with a harsh tone. "I am no longer seen as a threat to the ministry."
Dumbledore snapped and slapped him across the face. "You think they'll listen to a miserable urchin like you or myself?"
Snape reached a hand to take out his wand, but Dumbledore already had his own out. He cast the freezing spell and Snape couldn't move. Dumbledore traced Snape's jawline and spoke quietly.
"It hurts for me to speak to my most loyal friend this way, Severus. Don't anger me again and keep your eyes open. The Dark Lord is on the brink of returning. Take care of yourself. I'd hate to see something happen to you," he said, unfreezing Snape.
With a blink of his eyes, Snape quickly got up and left the room, approaching the door backwards. His skin as paler than usual and he only turned to the door when he had to open it to leave. Suddenly, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Is that you how you leave your master, boy?"
Snape closed his eyes and turned his face back to Dumbledore. When he made it very clear with the look on his face that he didn't care, Dumbledore nodded and gripped his wand. With a wave of it, Snape suddenly felt a force push himself forward and gave an awkward bow.
"Have a lovely term, Severus," was the last thing the headmaster said, as Snape regained control of himself and hurried out.
