"Took you long enough. Close the door behind you and sit down."

Draco pulled the heavy wood door shut before making his way into the upper-year Potions laboratory. Snape was still a teacher in some aspects, lending help occasionally to the small number of visitors to the room. More often than not it was Draco himself, just finding comfort seeing his godfather—even if it was in portrait form. Severus Snape looked imposing as ever, even two-dimensional. He still wore the same black robes that he wore when he was alive and was bent over a potion in his frame. Once Draco had sat down, Snape made his way around his potions table and leveled Draco with a flat stare.

"Potter, really, Draco?"

The boy's face flushed at the suggestion coating the question.

"It wasn't really like that. It was a prank—we were bored. Simple as that."

Draco moved to stand up and make his way out the door.

"Did I say you could leave? No? Then sit. back. down."

There was a faint plop sound as Draco quickly retreated back to the chair.

Snape was silent for a moment, staring at him once again. Draco tried to keep his gaze but averted his eyes soon enough. His godfather had scary eyes sometimes, and right now they looked particularly haunted.

"I won't keep you here long, I expect you believe you have much better places to be," the man said sarcastically. "As it is, I owe Minerva an infinite amount of favours, and I believe you need to hear what I have to say."

Snape paused for a moment here, almost looking unsure of what he wanted to say next, if Draco thought that was possible for the man. The blonde haired boy didn't want to let out a breath lest he broke the tense silence. Finally, Snape spoke.

"I was once in love with a Gryffindor as well. And I did exactly what you did—I ignored my feeling and pushed any romantic notions to the back of my mind. And for a while, it worked. Our stories differ from here, but my biggest regret was never acting on my feelings—instead, I put a permanent distance between myself and her. I wonder if things would be different if I had spoken up, then maybe…

"My point, Draco, is to live. Your father isn't here to tell you to hold back what you feel anymore. Take the next step and live a happy life. Don't lose Harry like I lost Lily."

Snape turned away quickly and made his way back towards his simmering potion.

"You know the way out."

Draco took that as his cue to stand up and make his way towards the door. Before he closed it behind him, he murmured, "Thank you, Uncle Sev."

It had been years since he called the man by that name. The door shut swiftly behind Draco, leaving no one to witness the small smile that bloomed on Snape's face.


"You're quite in a tizzy aren't you, my boy?

Harry turned his eyes away from the closed door of the room with downcast eyes, the same door Draco had just exited. Dumbledore was now seated in his gold-framed portrait. His blue eyes still twinkled even as a portrait and Harry relaxed a bit without realizing.

"Sort of, sir."

The old wizard smiled gently at Harry.

"Boy troubles? I know the feeling."

Harry gaped for a second before continuing, "I guess I'll just blurt it out then...I like Draco. I mean I like like him."

Dumbledore nodded his head seriously.

"Minnie told me all about your prank with Draco. I must commend you and , my boy. From what I've heard, your prank was stupendous. It takes me back to your father's time at school."

A question came to the front of Harry's mind that had been simmering in the background.

"Sir, I was wondering if you could tell me about the final prank my father played at Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore let out a small chuckle, "I was wondering if you would ask me about that, Harry. The Marauder's final prank was their greatest one. They hooked up sensors around the school that let out bursts of glitter whenever anyone walked past. No one knew the properties of the glitter, your father and his friends refused to share the details, so the castle descended into chaos. I can't remember the infirmary ever being filled nearly as much as it was that hellish week—everyone was worried that a simple pimple or cut was a result of the glitter. And the glitter, Harry, was the worst part. No matter how much people cleaned themselves, they would always find more glitter! One boy had a breakdown after his third shower in a row. The crux of the prank? It was muggle glitter, charmed to be resistant to spells. It seems the material has natural properties that make it hard to get rid of. Once the prank was in motion, your father kicked back and relaxed and watched the chaos unfold for the final week of school."

Dumbledore looked a bit sheepish when he admitted, "Even I got caught in the prank when I continued to find glitter in my beard day after day."

A smile spread across Harry's face the longer Dumbledore spoke, ending with it stretched from ear to ear.

"That's brilliant, Professor."

Dumbledore met the boy's smile with one of his own. Slowly it disappeared, leaving a more serious expression on his aging features.

"Don't hide behind pranks to cover your true feelings, Harry. James was lucky enough to have this method work; I'm quite certain you don't have enough time to woo a girl for seven years. You only started seducing Draco a few months ago, and while you were successful in gaining his affections, it seems you're having trouble sealing the deal.

Harry's face flushed with how easily Dumbledore was talking about a romantic relationship between him and Draco.

"You have to admit it to him outright," Dumbledore continued, "but you must also prepare for the chance that Draco isn't ready to return your feelings."

They stared at one another a moment, Harry looking away first. Dumbledore looked on thoughtfully.

"A final word of advice, Harry, and then I'll let you go. I see guilt in your eyes, even as you try to hide it. I can only guess it has something to do with Draco so I will give these last parting words: apologize. You will regret it for the rest of your like if you lose Draco here. We can only find forgiveness if we look for it, remember that Harry. Now, if you would excuse me…"

The portrait then pulled out a pair of knitting needles connected to a pair of...socks? And were those bumblebees on them? As Dumbledore started humming Here Comes the Bride.

Harry slowly backed out of the office until he felt the wooden door against his reaching hands. He shut the door behind him as quickly as he could, drowning out that awful tune. Thank Merlin.


A/N:

Unedited

Do you guys hear a resolution right around the corner, because I do! Well, I hope I did Snape and Dumbles a little justice, though of course I would never be able to encompass their full characters in a few pages. If you like this story, check out the others on my profile :) Leave a like and review if you enjoy! (Accidentally deleted so sorry about the double post)