Chapter 25 – Sunny moods

Severus woke up the second time that morning. He lay on his back unmoving and blinking in the bright light. When his eyes adjusted, he looked outside the tiny window – the sky was a clear blue and pretty much reflected his mood. Severus could not remember the last time he had felt so good. He had never slept better. He was full of strength and joy. He felt as if he could do anything today.

He breathed in deeply and stretched himself. What time was it? He looked to his right to check the clock. Severus stared at it, trying to understand if he was seeing right. If he was not mistaken, it was quarter past eleven.

He cursed, jumping out of the bed and rushing to the bathroom. He never slept this late. But of course, this had not been a usual night, he remembered, looking down at himself and realizing that he did not need to undress to take the shower.

Severus showered faster than any other time. He was supposed to be in Dumbledore's office an hour ago to discuss the previous night's meeting with the Dark Lord. Not that he had found out anything extremely important, but Dumbledore liked punctuality.

As he struggled to pull on his robes on his still wet body, he remembered about a certain student still in his bed. He sighed and looked at himself in the mirror. Had that really happened? Had he really let it happen? Severus could not quite believe it. He smiled at himself and left the bathroom, pulling the black robes on his bare torso.

He stopped in the doorway. Regina was sitting on the edge of his bed, pulling on her socks. She had already put on her Slytherin uniform. Gods, she looked good in it. He shook his head and at this moment the young witch noticed that he was watching her.

'Morning,' she said, giving a little, uncertain smile.

Severus nodded and watched as she reached for her shoes and put them on.

'You were in quite a rush,' she said, getting up.

'Yes,' Severus mumbled, 'I have an appointment.'

'Ok,' she nodded.

'How are you feeling?' he asked.

'Great,' Regina's lips formed a little smile again and she looked away, biting her lip.

Severus smirked and looked her up and down. Her hair was a bit ruffled up. Her clothing was a bit creasy. But she looked nice. She looked the exactly right amount of messy for him to understand that she had indeed had a great time.

She looked back at him and smiled at his smirk.

'What?' she asked.

Severus shook his head and stepped closer to her.

'You know …,' he began, just to be interrupted by her.

'I know,' she said hastily.

Severus raised an eyebrow.

'I can't tell anyone about what happened last night,' she said, looking up at him, 'wasn't that what you were going to say?'

That wasn't exactly what he was about to say, but once she had brought it up … It was definitely worth telling her that. But she was a smart girl. She understood such things herself. He bit back another smirk and nodded.

'Well I won't, trust me I've had enough people talking rubbish about me to tell them something about my life myself.'

He nodded again slowly, still watching her, not really believing that she was here and that she had been here all night.

'Well then, shall we?' she asked, nodding towards the door.

Severus blinked at her. She smirked and leaned closer, whispering, 'your appointment.'

'Oh yes,' he said and felt as if his mind emerged to the surface of murky waters, 'of course.'

Severus had to shake himself mentally again as he led her out of the room, and then in the dark corridors of the dungeons.

'Where are you going?' Severus asked her, when she did not turn towards the Slytherin Common room, but towards the stairs leading up.

'Breakfast,' she said a little uncertainly.

He smirked at her, 'too late.'

'What? But it's holiday! Don't they leave breakfast on the tables longer?'

'Till eleven,' he said.

She crossed her arms and stood frowning at Severus, looking affronted. The corners of his mouth twitched.

'Well, maybe there will be something left on the floor,' she said sardonically, turning to the stairs once again, 'Slytherins eat like pigs.'

It was his turn to frown.

'No offence,' she looked at Severus over her shoulder smiling, and starting to climb the stairs.

He smiled back, 'not at all, but there aren't many Slytherins here at the moment.'

'There's this little chump of a boy with grey hair,' she said, pulling her face in an expression of hard thinking, 'what's his name?'

'Emmery?' Severus offered, as he glanced sideways at her.

'Oh yeah, that's the one, he'll definitely have left something for me. I heard he likes me.'

Severus smiled a little again and she laughed. They had already arrived at the Entrance Hall. They stopped in the middle of it, facing each other in absolute silence. Regina opened her mouth to say something, then apparently thought better of it and shut her mouth again. Severus just stared at her, not knowing what to say.

'Alright, I'll just go, to cut this short,' giggling Regina turned and entered the Great Hall, leaving Severus standing alone in the Entrance hall, staring after her.

***

'Come in,' called Dumbledore's voice, after Severus had knocked on his office door.

He opened the door and stepped in, closing the door behind him.

'Ah, Severus,' Dumbledore said, looking up and smiling at him, his blue eyes twinkling, 'I expected you earlier in the morning. I almost wanted to go to you myself. I was concerned. Did something go wrong yesterday?'

'No,' Severus mumbled, occupying the usual seat in front of the Headmaster, 'I overslept.'

A cold hand had closed around his insides. What would have happened if Dumbledore had come looking for him? He did not even dare to think about it.

'I see,' Dumbledore said and his smile seemed a little bit too understanding, 'now that you're here. What news?'

'They are planning something, Draco and the others. I am Merlin-knows-why left out of it,' Severus finished sarcastically.

'Do you have any idea what this might be?'

'There's only one thing Draco might be planning.'

'No doubt, I just hope Draco knows what he is doing. We'll have to keep our eyes open. If he has recruited the rest of the Death Eaters for this, it can turn out very unpleasantly.'

'It will turn out very unpleasantly for you anyway,' Snape said sulkily.

Dumbledore merely smiled, his blue eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. Fawkes, the Phoenix was gnawing at a bone loudly.

'So, did you hear when they are planning this?' Dumbledore asked.

'No idea.'

'I'm afraid young Malfoy is not so fond of you anymore, is he?'

Severus snorted, 'since he believes I wish to steal his glory, I suppose he's not.'

'Oh my,' Dumbledore sighed, 'you'll have to try and get more information from the rest of the Death Eaters. Meanwhile I will warn the Order to stay alert.'

'I'll do my best, but I can't say that the rest of the Death Eaters are very fond of me either.'

'Well, not everyone can be the Dark Lord's favorite,' Dumbledore chuckled.

Severus scowled at him, 'I doubt I'm his favorite. At least not until I've done what he wants me to do, concerning you.'

'Ah, yes, certainly,' Dumbledore said thoughtfully, watching Fawkes over Snape's shoulder.

'Well,' the Headmaster said after a moment, clapping his hands together, 'have you had breakfast yet?'

Snape shook his head, watching as Dumbledore got up, his eyes stopping at his blackened hand. Dumbledore caught him looking and raised his hand in the level of his eyes, 'you know, it is not as bad as I thought it would be, maybe I'll not drop my forks so soon, after all.'

Severus snorted and got up too, 'sure, and maybe the Dark Lord will wring your cursed hand and ask for forgiveness.'

This remark seemed to amuse Dumbledore greatly, for he burst into merry chuckles. Together the two men left the Headmaster's study, closing the door to the warm sunlit room and making their way to the Great Hall for a breakfast.