"Finally!" I hear you sigh. So sorry. I haven't had the time.
Well, here you go!
Oh yeah, and thanks so very, very much to SpencerReid, and Seclinalunica for unstucking me!
~*A DRINK, A SLAP, A SIGH*~
"Is that all, Severus? Nothing else about what he so desperately wants?" Dumbledore pressed anxiously.
"No, Albus, nothing else," he sighed, impatience hinted in his voice.
The faces of the member Orders were clearly disappointed.
It was like they were blaming him!
"Umbridge is annoying," Tonks' weak voice suddenly broke the silence, from his side.
He jumped, heart leaping into his mouth.
He hadn't realised she was there. She was missing her bold as brass aura, and she looked extremely glum, hunched over the table.
She looked, so, so tired; her normally jaunty hair a dull grey; horrible, over-large bags under her eyes, and she looked as though she had been crying.
Snape felt pangs of pity playing on his heart strings.
But ignored them.
Everyone was staring at Tonks now, concerned expressions on their faces.
Tonks' bottom lip quivered, as if she were about to cry. She leaned back on the table again, lost in her thoughts.
"Right. Everyone clear out, now!" Moody roared, as the room emptied rapidly.
"Let's all the blokes go for a drink! In celebration of Lupin's success in finding werewolves on our side! I've been promoted, so it's on me! Guess it's my celebration too," Kingsley's deep voice cut above the quiet chatter.
Baritone cheers rose.
Cheers that Snape ignored.
Because of memories he preferred to block.
"What about me?" Sirius asked, hurt in his voice.
"You can be my overgrown pet dog! I doubt Lucius Malfoy goes to The Three Broomsticks, probably goes to Le Baugette Magique, or whatnot," Lupin smirked, "Come on, Severus! It's on us!"
"Yeah, in case you can't afford it!" Sirius sneered.
Snape shook his head sharply, desperately trying to block back memories...
"...bring me my tumbler, woman!..."
"Aaw, can Snivellus not take alcohol? Or maybe he can't stand being with other human beings?"
"What do you mean 'we're out of beer'? WHAT?"
There were several scolding whispers from the men gathered around Sirius.
Snape turned around, ignoring Sirius, more concerned about what was happening to him.
His mother, lying on the floor, beaten, after a whole day at the pub for his father...
He grasped the table, closing his eyes and scowling, as Sirius' jeering grew worse by the second- he could tell by his tone, but he couldn't hear the words...
No... not a flashback... he'd promised himself... no more flashbacks, you have your life at risk, idiot! You can't just let old memories wander into your mind again!
The sneering had stopped.
And was continued by an angry female voice.
"... I remember what you did to him at school! He doesn't need to go for a drink if he doesn't want to!" Tonks was shouting at Sirius, hair flickering red.
Sirius took this in with a laugh.
"Oh look, Snivelly! You have little Nymphadora to help you-"
SLAP!
A series of 'oooh!'s gathered from the men.
Snape turned.
Tonks had slapped Sirius, making him recoil.
He snarled and backed away, as they all left for the pub.
Tonks looked back swiftly, and leaned against the wall with the sigh.
Read and review, please! I need to know how I'm doing! This chapter continues...