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Challenges listed at the bottom.
Written for: Afternoon Tea: Rainbow Layer Cake: (location) Headmaster's Office
Word Count - 351
Settling Scores
Harry pushed the door open and slipped inside. The office was dimly lit, and he looked around. When he'd come in a few days earlier, to use the Pensieve, he hadn't had the time or the inclination to see what had changed since Dumbledore had been headmaster.
Honestly, it didn't look all that different. Part of Harry would have expected to see potions ingredients lining the walls, or gruesome art depicting people being cursed with particularly inventive spells.
Instead, it was still the same royal colour scheme Dumbledore had favoured, and the many odds and ends that he'd always been so curious about still lined the shelves.
In fact, the only real difference was the added portrait frames on the wall.
Harry took a moment to greet Dumbledore, before he turned to the portrait he'd actually come to see.
Snape regarded him with an arched eyebrow. Harry wondered if he'd expected him; if portraits could expect things at all.
"Professor," Harry said, nodding his head deferentially. "I came to thank you. Without those memories, without the many times you've saved my life over the years, I wouldn't have been able to do what I did. So, thank you."
Snape nodded once, a sharp movement that made his shoulder length hair sway.
"I did not do it for you," he said, eventually, breaking the tense silence. Harry thought even the other portraits had been holding their breaths. "But… I am glad you survived, Potter. You deserve the chance at a normal life."
Harry's lips tilted up. "I'm not sure I know what normal looks like anymore, Sir. I, uh. I should go, Professor McGonagall will want her office back I'm sure. Thank you for agreeing to see me."
Snape nodded again, and Harry offered Albus one final smile before he turned away.
He knew that he'd find himself back in that office one day in the future, perhaps visiting with Professor McGonagall, or perhaps to find himself employment at his old school.
He liked the idea of such a thing; teaching. He thought he might enjoy it.
For now though…
"Goodbye, Professors."
