Snape glanced up from staff renewal contracts as Harry Potter walked into his office.
"Mister Potter," He drawled slowly. "I was not expecting you."
Harry shoved his fists into his pockets. He looked uncomfortable. "Right. I was just visiting Hermione."
"Indeed," Severus said.
"You didn't know?" Harry asked.
"Of course I was aware," Severus said and set his quill down. He leaned back into his chair and crossed his arms across his chest. Something about Potter's body language unsettled him. "I am Headmaster of this school. I know who comes and goes. Aside from that, Hermione informed me of your visit earlier this afternoon."
"Right," Harry said again. He looked nervously toward the window. "I was wondering if I might talk to you about something. I've spoken with Hermione about it already. She felt it best if I talk with you alone."
Severus narrowed his obsidian eyes. "Very well. Do sit down and stop standing there like the awkward school boy you once were," He said sharply and gestured to the seat across from him.
Harry sat and wiped his hands on his jeans. He swallowed, glanced at Snape, and then looked at the desk. "I suppose I should just... start from the beginning then."
Severus frowned. "That is usually the best place to start."
"That day... The battle... Before I went to meet Voldemort," Harry stopped when Snape flinched and he looked at the Headmaster apologetically before continuing. "Before I went to meet him, I... used something. You've heard of the Deathly Hallows?"
"Yes," Severus said with a mild hint of irritation.
"In the forest, I used the Resurrection Stone." The emerald eyes met the black, and Harry saw a rare look of confusion on Snape's face. Severus clearly had no idea where he was headed, and had clearly not expected whatever this was. "When people that we truly love die, they never really leave us. So I... Saw people." Snape's eyes darkened considerably. "I saw Sirius... And my dad. And..." Severus stared at Harry though Harry broke eye contact. "I saw my mum."
The words hung between the two wizards for probably well over a minute. Snape didn't even seem to be breathing. When the Gryffindor looked at his former teacher, he saw the gears in Snape's head turning quickly, trying to work out what Harry was getting at.
Harry scratched at his head. "I've got the Invisibility Cloak. The Elder Wand is buried with Professor Dumbledore. After the War, I searched the forest for where I dropped it. I found it, and I've had it since. I don't want to keep two of the Hallows together anymore. I've felt this way for years, but I have had... moments of weakness where I've used it..."
It was Snape's turn to look away, but it was because his embattled heart hurt for the boy. He considered a desire to see his parents and Godfather weakness, but he knew the rumored power of such a stone.
"It's time for me to get rid of it, but I wanted it to be kept safe. There is no place safer than Hogwarts. I've known that since I was 11, but I... I spoke with my mum..."
Severus' frowned deepened. "What are you playing at, Potter?" He growled angrily.
"Nothing!" Harry said quickly. "Nothing! I wanted to bring the stone here for safekeeping. I needed... I need to be rid of it. It's... Taking a toll on me."
"So, you want it to take a toll on me?" Snape arched a dark eyebrow.
"No," Harry said. "I want it to disappear here. That's what I want to do. But... I..." Severus studied Harry for a long moment while Potter collected his thoughts. "I spoke with my mum and she..."
Severus' anger boiled in his chest. "What, Potter?" He spat.
"She wants to speak with you... If you want to. I thought it.. Might be closure. I talked to Hermione, and she agreed that if it brings closure to things you've suffered far too long, then you should be afforded the chance."
And then... Severus felt suddenly cold, and numb. His heart was pounding and his ears were ringing. He'd closed the door on Lily. He'd tied it all up with a string. Years ago, he had begged for her to speak with him and she'd refused. Now her son claims she wants to speak.
"Your mother had a chance to speak with me many years ago," Severus said lowly. His expression was impassive.
Severus knew the theory of how the Resurrection Stone worked. He knew he'd have face her. He knew he would hear her voice, but honestly... His anxiety stemmed from the possibility of someone else appearing from his use of the stone.
Harry smirked. "She said you'd say that, but the offer still stands." Harry pulled an envelope from his robes pocket and set in on Snape's desk. "Turn it over three times in your hands." Snape eyed the envelope coolly, but the ringing in his ears became louder. "The Room of Requirement is repaired, yes?" Severus nodded. "That's where I'd hide it then. That's where I hid your old Potions textbook." Severus' lip twitched, but he remained silent. "I'll leave you to your thoughts." The Gryffindor stood.
Snape stared at the envelope as if it might eat him.
Harry looked back at Snape over his shoulder, but Severus' eyes were trained on the envelope, and Harry stepped into the Floo and disappeared into green flames. Severus sat quite still for a moment, and then he stood, levitated the envelope to a drawer in his desk, locked it, and swept out of his office.
His robes billowed behind him as he stepped into the Hospital Wing. Hermione, who was talking to Horace as he delivered a stock of potions, glanced at him in surprise.
"Severus," She greeted.
"Why did you send him to me?" Severus demanded.
Hermione glanced at Slughorn, who awkwardly cleared his throat and then excused himself. Severus' eyes never left Hermione's face. She moved to him. "Severus, I was only trying to respect that this might be an opportunity for you to receive closure."
Severus' eyes narrowed as he stared at her. He frowned. "If I recall correctly, you were there the night I went to Godric's Hollow and stood before a grave and received the closure of which you speak."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I remember. But I also... When Harry said his mum would like to speak with you... I wasn't thinking about you getting a chance to talk with her... I..." She closed her eyes.
Severus bit his lip. "You assume someone else will appear, too." He hung his head. She hadn't been trying to hurt him, it wasn't a move borne out of jealousy, it wasn't a set up... She'd known, as he had.
She looked at him and his eyes are full of tears. "I think his mum did, too, but she didn't want to tell Harry."
Severus nodded. "Probably."
Hermione said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to feel cornered, or like I had ulterior motives, but I wanted to keep Harry out of the loop. I wanted you to know I support you."
Severus' head dropped and he pinched the bridge of his nose hard to stop the stinging tears. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Mum..." He choked into her ear.
"It made me realize how I needed to stop punishing her for something she couldn't help [...] because sometimes things happen to people and they're not equipped to deal with them." ~ Catching Fire