Pep Talk
Several hours later, Snape drew in a deep breath as he stood outside of the polished oak door. He was still berating himself on how he should have known beforehand that Harry wouldn't have been naturally adept at Occlumency. The boy really wasn't naturally talented in anything except surviving, flying, and Defense. Due to Potter's frustrating failures, Snape had to take a quick shower to freshen up. Since he was in a rush to make it on time, he allowed his hair to air-dry, which he knew right away he shouldn't have done. Instead of his hair laying flat as it usually did, the ends curled slightly and gave his hair a sort of wavy look to it. In a horrifying way, his hair had a sort of Sirius Black likeness to it.
Instead of wearing his usual long black robes, Snape wore a black turtleneck covered up with his frock coat and black slacks. He had spent nearly a half hour deciding on what to wear, which he found to be utterly ridiculous. It should not matter what he wore to Aurora's quarters. He had already won her. However, he knew that if he had shown up in his robes, it would be like any other typical day. He did not want that. He, like Aurora, was tired of their constant bickering, so a change was in order.
Snape's hand silently rose to knock on the oak door. At the last second, though, he pulled back. He knew he was behaving preposterously. After all, what sane man was afraid to knock on a door for goodness sake? He drew in another deep breath and tried again. However, yet again, his knuckles failed to connect to the door. Shaking his head irritably, he whirled around and stalked towards the staircase to retreat to the safety of his dungeons. A certain white wizard with an amused look stopped him, though.
"My boy, you wouldn't be heading back already, would you?" Dumbledore softly asked.
"I should have known you'd be here, Albus," Snape muttered. He then watched Dumbledore silently slip his hand into his silky white robe before pulling out a small potion bottle. "Headmaster…?"
"For the nerves, my dear boy," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his blue eyes.
"Somehow I doubt even that will help me, Albus."
"Perhaps not, Severus," Dumbledore responded smirking. "However, I know you, my dear boy."
"How am I supposed to go in there, Albus?" Snape asked gloomily.
"I have always found it helpful to knock, my boy."
"Yes, well, thank you for that, Albus. I so did not know that already," drawled Snape.
"Surely, my boy, Aurora Sinistra does not scare you?" Snape didn't reply. "I thought not, but how else am I to explain our situation?" Albus then sighed. "I have never seen you shy away in this manner before, my boy, not even Voldemort brought forth this response."
"Yes, well, I didn't have to be in close proximity to him for…" Snape's voice trailed off.
"Ah, I see. It is perfectly natural, my boy," Dumbledore said as he noticed the slight blush color Snape's pale cheeks while the younger wizard ranted. "She is a beautiful woman, after all, Severus."
"I cannot do this, Albus," Snape whispered with his head bowed. A few seconds later, he glanced up at Dumbledore. "I am a…a miserable old grump. I cannot be with her. I do not deserve her, Albus."
"Nor do I deserve Minerva, yet I am with her."
"I have killed people, Albus!"
"Forgive me, my dear boy, but so has Aurora."
"I served the Dark Lord for nineteen years! Nineteen, Albus," Snape hissed. "I do not deserve to be with anyone. Let alone her. I should be in Azkaban, not here…not with her."
"My dear Severus, you have never been a coward in your life. Do not start by being one tonight."
"I am not a coward, Albus," Snape snapped.
"Then knock on that door, Severus, or you'll have another thing to add to your list of regrets. I should think that list is rather full already, don't you agree?"
"Fine," Snape replied grudgingly. He then walked back towards the door with newfound resolve. After all, Dumbledore was right. He had stood up to the Dark Lord. Surely, he could handle one date with Aurora. He lifted his hand to knock against the oak door, but pulled back again. "I can't do it." When he turned back around to leave, he watched in horror as Albus's knuckles rapped against the door.
"Enter," a soft voice called from the other side of the door.
"Albus," Snape hissed instantly afterwards. He was positively seething now.
"I'm sorry, my boy, but this really is for your own good." The door then opened on its own.
"How in God's name—" His words were cut off as Albus shoved him abruptly into the room.
