CHECKMATE

Cheers to all my readers and reviewers, I'm glad you're enjoying the fic!

Chapter Four: Getting Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed

Severus groaned as the morning chimes woke him up. Stretching lazily, he yawned and made a move to get off the bed when he realised with a start that something was blocking his way. Opening his eyes he nearly choked when he saw a sleep-filled pair of emerald eyes staring at him.

'Potter?'

'Umm ...' Harry began, unsure what to say.

'Potter ... I'm going to say this one time and one time only - MOVE!' he shouted.

Harry didn't need to be told twice as he bolted out of the bed in a heartbeat. 'Sorry, Professor,' he said quietly and walked over to sit down on the sofa.

Severus walked over to Harry and sat down on the sofa next to him. 'What was it this time?'

Harry bent his head forwards and sighed deeply. 'It was Ron. He was saying these really nasty things and I ... I just couldn't stay in the dorm anymore. I didn't want to disturb Remus again ... and I couldn't find Sirius ... so I ended up here.'

'I have no issue with you staying here, but I recall we agreed on you using the sofa during these times. My bed is not an acceptable alternative.'

'I know but it was really cold when I got here and there wasn't any blankets or pillows on the sofa and the fire was out so I didn't want to get a house-elf and -'

'For the love of Merlin, Potter, take a breath!' Severus said shaking his head in exasperation. 'I will make sure that in the future to have adequate blankets, pillows and a fire blazing when I go to sleep. Now, I suggest you go back to your dorm before anyone realises you're gone.'

'All right, though I seriously doubt anyone will care,' Harry said and walked over to a large painting that had a portrait of a man in his mid-forties on it. 'Morning,' Harry yawned.

'And a very good morning to you, Harry,' the man said cheerily. 'Password?'

'Pure-blood,' Harry said yawning again.

'Very well, though next time, do try to come in sooner won't you? Two in the morning was a bit late,' the man said with a slight sniff.

'I'll try. Sorry to wake you up like that,' Harry said then waited as the man opened the portrait. Turning back to Severus he said, 'See you at rehearsal, Professor.' With that he was gone and the painting returned to its original position.

Severus got up from the sofa and walked over to the fireplace, a strange expression on his face. 'I suppose it's my own fault isn't it, Salazar,' he said to the painting.

Salazar shrugged. 'The boy needed someone to be a role model. Certainly you don't think Black is doing a better job of it?'

Severus scowled. 'He's not doing any job of it, that's the blasted problem! If he was then Potter wouldn't have turned to me in the first place.'

'Oh stop griping and accept the fact you like the boy,' Salazar grinned. 'He's not as bad as you thought he was.'

'No, he's worse,' Severus grumbled.

'And you're enjoying every moment that he spends in your company, face it,' Salazar argued. 'He's giving you a challenge, Severus. Besides, you're the one who told the boy that he could come to you whenever he needed to.'

'Yes, though I certainly didn't mean for him to start sneaking into my bed!' Severus said in disgust.

'Why not? He's grown into a fine looking man,' Salazar said appraisingly.

'Are you daft, Salazar? The boy is my student, not to mention the fact that he is young enough to be my son,' Severus said angrily

'Heaven forbid you should ever have a child, Severus Snape,' Salazar said rolling his eyes. 'That would be nothing short of a travesty,' he smirked.

'Considering I am as camp as they come, the hopes of me ever having a child is out of the question. I have never bedded a woman in my life, and I certainly do not intend to start now,' he said firmly.

'Oh I see, why have a woman when you can have a certain werewolf in your bed instead, eh?' Salazar asked innocently.

'Will you shut up already?' Severus huffed. 'Why I keep you here is beyond me.'

'Because I let you use my private rooms that's why,' Salazar retorted. 'Besides, you know you couldn't get on without me, who would you confide in if I wasn't here?'

Severus scowled then shook his head and sighed deeply. 'I hate it when you're right. Now, if you don't mind I have to get ready for the day. I have rehearsal after breakfast, then a double class with the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, followed by a double class of Gryffindors and Slytherins.'

'The horrors of being a Professor,' Salazar grinned. 'How is the play moving along by the way?' Salazar asked as Severus headed over to the wardrobe to pick out his clothes for the day.

'It's moving along, though barely,' Severus said. 'In the past fortnight since rehearsals began it has been one nightmare after the other.'

'I assume Black is making your life a living hell?' Salazar grinned.

'Black is an odious, aggravating, selfish pain in my arse,' Severus said through clenched teeth.

'What did he do now?' Salazar asked.

'What doesn't he do?' Severus replied throwing up his hands in aggravation. 'He's got something to say about everything. You should have seen the fit he threw when he found out that -'

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

'Snape! Snape open the door, I need to talk to you!'

'Bloody fucking hell!' Severus groaned and in two strides was at the door throwing it open. 'What the hell do you want? It's seven in the damned morning; couldn't you have at least waited until rehearsal before annoying me with your presence?'

Sirius didn't even bother to say anything as he walked into the room and held out some papers. 'You never said anything about this part,' he said heatedly.

'What part?' Severus asked.

Sirius turned to a page of the script. 'This part ... here,' he said pointing. You don't seriously expect me to complain about you eating strawberry yogurt do you? I don't even like yogurt!'

'It is painfully obvious that in the fortnight since we began this production you still know nothing about the game of Chess, Black. It's not just a ploy in the play, it was an actual tactic used in 1978 by Viktor Korchnoi, one of the world's greatest champions.'

'Oh … really? What was this ploy supposed to do?' Sirius asked curiously.

'Korchnoi's complaint about the yogurt was that Karpov, the man he was playing, was using some sort of subversive message by having violet coloured yogurt delivered to him during the match,' Severus said. 'In layman's terms, Korchnoi thought Karpov was cheating.'

'Was he?' Sirius asked.

Severus shrugged. 'Who knows? In the end the jury on chess etiquettes met and decided that Karpov could have a drink during the match, but no more yogurts.'

'Sounds funny to me,' Sirius said.

'Funny or not it's the way it happened. Now, unless you have something of actual importance to ask me, please leave. I have things to do before rehearsal, including getting dressed, and you are in my way,' Severus grumbled and sent a glare towards the other man.

Sirius rolled his eyes. 'Well getting dressed shouldn't be all that difficult considering you haven't got a wide range of clothing to choose from,' he said dryly as he glanced at Severus's wardrobe.

'Get out before I lose my patience with you, Black,' Severus said coldly as he held the door open.

Sirius waved a dismissing hand his way as he walked out the door. 'Can't lose something you never had in the first place, Snape,' he smirked, but before Severus could respond he was gone.

Severus slammed the door shut behind him and stomped back over to the wardrobe, trying in vain to calm his temper. 'I hate that idiotic man! Why Lupin puts up with him is beyond me!'

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Severus growled and once again threw open the door. 'What now?' he yelled then blinked as he saw who it was standing there. 'Oh ... err ... I apologize, Albus. Come in,' he said in a more subdued voice.

Albus glanced at Severus curiously as he walked into the room. 'I take it you've not been having a good morning, Severus?'

'As it happens I am not,' Severus replied. 'What do you want?'

'I came by to inform you that Sir Nicholas finally got in touch with that ghostly orchestra you asked him about,' Albus said.

'And?' Severus asked with a raised eyebrow. 'What did they say?'

'They agreed and will be here in a few days' time,' Albus said.

Severus sighed in relief. 'Well, that's one less thing I have to worry about then,' he said, then looked back at Albus. 'Did you manage to correct the problem with the theatre yet? As of yesterday the acoustics were still sounding rather tinny.'

'I have a few house-elves working on the problem as we speak,' Albus nodded.

'House-elves?' Severus asked in astonishment. 'What on earth do they know about how a theatre should sound?'

'Now, now, don't get upset, Severus,' Albus said soothingly. 'Remus has been working with them since early this morning. I never knew he had such a lovely singing voice. He's a tenor I believe?'

'He's an alto,' Severus said absentmindedly then realised what he said. 'He used to be anyway.'

'Oh?' Albus asked curiously. 'I thought he auditioned for his role as everyone else did.'

'No,' Severus said and turned away in order to busy himself in his wardrobe. 'I assumed he still had a decent voice, so I gave him the part. I haven't actually heard him sing in a while.'

'Ah, I see,' Albus said and walked back towards the door. 'I do hope your day improves, Severus. One should never start their morning on the wrong side of the bed,' he said with a knowing twinkle in his eye.

Severus turned to stare at the old man. 'And what exactly does that mean?' he asked suspiciously.

'It means whatever you want it to mean,' Albus replied.

'I do hope you are not implying I am doing anything immoral,' Severus said coolly.

Albus chuckled and shook his head. 'No, of course not, I know you better than that. I am merely glad that a certain troubled young man has managed to find some comfort in your presence. For that I am grateful to you.'

Severus shook his head sadly. 'I don't really know what more I can do for him, Albus. For some undetermined reason the boy trusts me, but to what extent … that yet remains to be seen.'

'It's enough that he seeks you out when he needs it,' Albus smiled. 'Perhaps your play will help him, as well as another young lad that could use some help.'

Severus raised an eyebrow in curiosity. 'And who exactly would this other troubled student be?'

'How much attention have you been paying to your house as of late, Severus?' Albus asked.

Severus thought that over and with a sigh realised what Albus was saying. 'You're right, not very much.'

'Severus, you know I hate to mess about in personal affairs -'

'Bullshite, you love to do that and you know it,' Severus scoffed.

Albus chuckled. 'Well, perhaps a little.'

'A little?' Severus said rolling his eyes. 'I think I'm the only staff member in the entire school that hasn't yet succumbed to your meddlesome "matchmaking" spells,' he snorted.

'No, Minerva hasn't as of yet,' Albus said with a slight sigh. 'She's young though, there's still time.'

'I'm not interested in Minerva's love life, Albus,' Severus said irritably. 'Now tell me which student in my house I have apparently been neglecting?'

Albus smiled 'Look back over your cast list; I think subconsciously you already have figured it out. Now, I'll let you finish getting your day started, see you at breakfast,' he said, and before Severus could reply he walked out the door.

Severus stood there a moment wondering what Albus meant. Closing the door to his chambers he didn't even stop at his wardrobe this time, instead he went to his desk and looked down at the cast sheet. He poured over it for a good ten minutes then finally sighed and shook his head.

'What am I missing, Salazar?' he asked and looked up at the man in the painting, though when he saw what the man was doing, and with whom, he coughed and looked away. 'Ah ... well … good morning, Rowena.'

'And good morning to you, my dear Severus,' Rowena smiled as she tidied her hair and dress. 'Well, so much for our early morning rendezvous eh, Salazar?' she chuckled.

'We'll have time later, dear,' Salazar smiled and patted her playful on the bum then turned back to Severus. 'You really don't see it?' he asked.

'Would I be asking you if I was seeing it ... whatever "it" is?' Severus muttered.

'Now, now, play nice you two. What is this all about?' Rowena asked curiously.

'Oh it's really nothing, dear heart,' Salazar said off-handily. 'Other than Severus is completely missing the fact that it's the Malfoy boy who needs his help.'

'Malfoy?' Rowena said and pursed her lips in thought. 'I knew an Armand Malfoy once. He was an odd man, though incredibly rich and rather charming. Shagged like a fiend as well,' she grinned.

'Rowena! Are you cheating on me?' Salazar said sounding hurt.

'It was before we starting having our affair so wipe that look off your face, it doesn't become you. Now, is this Malfoy person related to the man I knew?' she asked and turned back to Severus.

'Possibly, I really haven't a clue of the Malfoy lineage,' Severus shrugged. 'Are you sure it's Draco, Salazar? Why on earth would the boy need help on anything? He is a Malfoy after all; they're little more than a conceited, pompous lot.'

'Definitely must be related to Armand then,' Rowena chuckled. 'A more narcissistic man I have never met.'

'I'm not interested in Armand Malfoy, Rowena!' Severus huffed. 'I am only concerned for one Malfoy, and that would be Draco.'

'Oh stop griping, Severus,' Salazar grumbled. 'If you're that curious as to the problem, then keep better tabs on the child.'

'And how do you intend I do that? Please, do enlighten me on this one, Salazar.'

'Honestly, do I have to think of everything around here?' Salazar grumbled. 'Severus, the boy is in your play, is he not?'

'Yes, and?' Severus asked puzzled.

'Good grief and you say Black is dense!' Salazar said in exasperation. 'What better way to observe the boy then during your rehearsals? Honestly, even a troll could have figured this one out.'

Oh that's a perfect idea! The boy won't even realise you're watching him,' Rowena said.

'That … is actually a good idea,' Severus said thoughtfully. 'There is still a fortnight until we open, so that gives me time to figure out what is going on with him. Now, let me get dressed in peace so I can at least try to make it to breakfast.'

'Of course, go right ahead,' Rowena grinned then winked at Salazar. 'We'll just go for a walk to give you some time to yourself.'

'Yes, a stroll round the castle would be a lovely idea. I believe Godric and Helga should be awake by now, shall we go call on them, my dear?' Salazar asked whilst holding his arm out for his lady.

'Good luck, Severus!' Rowena called out. She then took Salazar's arm and they both flitted off to wherever it was they were headed.

Severus grinned as they left, and not for the first time he thought how different the two famed Hogwarts founders really were. He was one of a very privileged few that knew that two of them had been lovers long ago. It was not long after Severus had taken over as the school's Potion's Professor that he was relocated to different quarters. A few days later the painting had mysteriously shown up on his wall, and that's when Severus found out who the rooms he had belonged to.

When the portrait had first shown up he suspected Albus had placed it there for some unknown reason, though when he finally got around to asking the Headmaster about it the old man was as surprised as Severus had been. To this day he still hadn't a clue how or why the painting chose him, and after a while he no longer even cared.

Somehow Salazar had imbued the portrait to house his very spirit, something that all four of the original Founders had also done when their deaths came to pass. Severus wasn't quite sure where the other three paintings were, only that they were scattered in remote sections of the castle. Not that it had been easy having the spirit of Salazar Slytherin around all the time, it certainly wasn't. The spirit boasted quite a nasty temper at times, and had plenty to say about students and staff members (usually none of it good either), yet Severus had come to truly admire the man over the years and was often glad to have his company.

However, he knew it was a lonely existence confiding in a spirit and not a human being, and it only became worse when he woke every morning to an empty bed, especially when he could have had a very willing partner to wake up next to. The night he had shared with Remus had been a welcomed surprise, and he fully admitted that it had felt more than good to have the werewolf still next to him by morning. He had returned to Hogwarts that evening, happy in a way he had never remembered being, though it would be months before he would experience that happiness again. They had had only a few more days of bliss when suddenly, every plan they had made for the future turned to ashes before Severus's eyes, and all because of one single man.

It had been jealousy that night in the Shrieking Shack four years ago that had been the catalyst of everything falling apart. Not that he was going to admit it to anyone, but it had been cold, ugly distrust that made Severus become so violently angry towards the man whom he shared a bed with. When he had seen Remus embrace Black that night Severus was positive his lover would leave him without hesitation, and that was something he couldn't deal with.

The worst of it was that he knew it had been his own fault that he had flown into such a rage. If only he hadn't been so afraid to tell Remus the truth about how he felt things might have turned out very differently that night. If he could have only said those three little words before Black had returned then Severus might not have lost the only man he would ever love. He was going to fix it though, no matter what he had to do he was going to get Remus to leave Black and return to him. He had to, because now that Remus had come back he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he needed the werewolf more than he ever would have imagined.

His thoughts were interrupted as the school's chimes indicated breakfast was about to begin. Quickly he got himself dressed and once more focused his thoughts on the play, as well as the new problem with Draco. He would have to pay far more attention to the boy now, and that wasn't going to be easy. One thing Malfoys prided themselves on was their ability to keep their emotions shielded from the world. He would have to bide his time and come up with a plan to get Draco to drop his guard, though how he would do that he still hadn't a clue.