Much thanks to my editor, Gwen McCormick, and to my dear friend DUJ. All mistakes are mine. Obviously, I am not JKR and am making nothing from this.
The Course of True Love
Chapter 23
July 1999
"Is that everything?" Severus asked. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked around.
"I believe it is," Albus Dumbledore said with a sigh of relief. "Ah, Severus, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to retirement."
Severus hummed and hid a smirk.
"Minerva should be here any moment. Let's sit down. I didn't realize retiring would mean so much work." The old man, wearing a bright purple coverall, plopped down into one of two flowery chintz settees. "Thank you again, Severus, for helping me with the packing. I never would have finished without you."
Severus Snape dusted his hands on his Muggle blue jeans and straightened his favorite T-shirt. He stepped around one of the two leather armchairs and settled into the opposite sofa. "There's our esteemed Headmistress now."
Minerva McGonagall entered her new private sitting room and stopped briefly before the sofa. She arched an expressive brow. "What the hell are you two wearing? Albus, you look like an aubergine!"
Albus Dumbledore laughed and patted the seat beside him. "My dear, these are our work clothes," he explained. "You wouldn't want us covered in dust and dirt, would you? It's been quite a chore sorting through the things I've collected."
"Well, you're finished now, and I won't have you dirtying my new settee." She flicked her wand and changed the purple-colored coverall into something cleaner and more sedate. Looking him over, she nodded. "Much better."
"And you, young man-" She paused to read Severus' shirt. "Your T-shirt is misspelled."
"I would imagine a woman of your age would recognize one of the greatest English bands of all times." He pulled the shirt tight against his chest.
"Smart ass," she muttered fondly. "I saw them play back when they were called The Quarrymen." With a slight gesture, she conjured tumblers and a new bottle of firewhiskey, and she poured them all a glass.
"Thank you, dear," Dumbledore said, accepting the glass. "I thought Filius and Pomona would be joining us."
Minerva paused to take a sip. "They're running a bit behind today."
Severus snorted. "They're fighting again, you mean," he said. "This is excellent whiskey, Minerva. Where did you get it?"
"Not necessarily fighting, Severus," Dumbledore replied. "They could be making up," he added with a great twinkle in his blue eyes.
"Sweet Merlin," Severus muttered. "I'll need a refill, Minerva."
Laughing, she poured him a double. "Yes, this is a very special bottle," she answered. "When I became Deputy Headmistress," she continued, "I splurged for a bottle of Royal Lochnagar's Liquid Lava, putting it back for the day when I would become Headmistress." She took a long pull on her drink. "I'd advise you to do the same; now that you're Deputy Headmaster."
Severus' mouth dropped open. He set the glass down on the table beside him and stared at the witch sitting across from him. "Me?" he asked, his voice sounding small. "I am beyond honored, Minerva," he murmured, "but, by all rights, it should be Filius."
"You," she reiterated fiercely. "Filius has seniority, I'll grant you, but he hasn't your strength. He wavers when it comes to making decisions, overthinks everything."
"That's the problem with him and Pomona," Dumbledore added as he sipped his drink. "He won't commit."
"In any case, Severus," Minerva stated firmly, "I'd much prefer a Deputy that I can count on to stand behind me, and besides, you have experience."
"Such as it was," he muttered darkly. Then, he smiled. "Thank you, Minerva," he told her sincerely. "I am happy to accept." He settled back in his chair and sipped at the firewhiskey, trying hard to keep the proud smile off his face.
"The job comes with a substantial rise in pay as well as larger living quarters," she added with a smile.
"That extra space does come in handy when one has overnight visitors," Albus declared. Over the rim of his glasses, he gazed intently at the new Deputy Head. "I've heard from a reliable source that our Severus has presented a certain lady with a rather expensive piece of jewelry, and you know what that suggests."
One raven eyebrow rose. "You are either badly misinformed or far more senile than I thought," Severus returned quietly.
"Really?" Minerva asked in surprise. She grinned cheekily, hoping he'd finally noticed a certain apprentice. "I'm very glad to hear that. Anyone I know?"
"Oh, I'd say you do." Dumbledore nodded. "I believe the lady in question will be around this year."
"Well," she teased, "I know Aurora is still pursuing Minister Shacklebolt, but what about Sybil or Septima?" Minerva grinned. "And there's Rolanda, Irma, Poppy-"
"Please, I may vomit," Severus growled at them. "I can assure you both that-"
Suddenly the door was flung open. Pomona Sprout, with a thunderous expression, stormed into the room and slammed the door behind her. She marched over to where Severus sat. "Budge over!" she ordered him. Flopping down beside him, she bounced the settee causing him to spill his drink.
Moments later, the door was calmly opened. Filius Flitwick stepped briskly into the room and settled into one of the leather chairs. "Please forgive my tardiness," he said coolly.
"We were just getting started," Minerva said. "Severus, would you pour Pomona and Filius a drink?" She waited until everyone was settled. "We're covering staffing," she explained in a brisk, professional tone. "Rolanda, Hagrid, and Irma will be back, as will Aurora, Septima, and Sybil."
"I've heard the American has left," Filius spoke quietly, casting a quick glance at Pomona Sprout. "Have you found a replacement for muggle studies?"
Minerva took a sip of her drink and added, "I've put Jane Court in the Muggle studies position. Do you remember her? A bright, lovely young Hufflepuff?"
"Oh, yes, I remember her," Pomona said, "lovely girl."
The Headmistress continued blithely. "Narcissa Malfoy will be replacing Binns, and Nymphadora Lupin will take Defense Against the Darks Arts. They will share a family suite with Andromeda Tonks and little Teddy."
"Minerva," Filius said slowly, "far be it from me to make trouble, but Mrs. Malfoy? The Death Eater's widow? Bellatrix Lestrange's sister? A teacher?"
"Mrs. Malfoy should not be held accountable for the actions of her sister or her deceased husband. She herself made no vow of allegiance to the Dark Lord. I can attest to that," Severus pointed out.
"She did take a N.E.W.T. in the subject," Minerva said, "and over the years she has also taken classes at Trinity -"
"You mean Lucius Malfoy allowed his wife to attend university?" Pomona asked in surprise.
"She wasn't allowed to matriculate," Minerva conceded, "but she completed all of the requirements. However, had he allowed her to do so, Narcissa Malfoy would now hold a Master's degree in Magical History."
"She deserves a second chance," Severus said.
"Well, I agree," Pomona remarked. "Severus, at least, knows how a gentleman should treat a lady." She patted Snape on the shoulder, muttered a soft "congratulations," and gave Filius a pointed, fake smile.
"Ah, Mrs. Malfoy!" Albus declared, his eyes gleaming. "The very lady I was speaking of earlier, Minerva!"
Severus bolted up from his seat. "Old man, if you've spread any rumors -"
"I never!"
"It's not like we don't already know," Pomona told him gently. "Word does get around."
"Enough! All of you!" Minerva hissed, elbowing Albus in the ribs. Hard. "I apologize, Severus," Minerva told him sincerely. "We shouldn't have teased you, should we, Albus?" She elbowed the older wizard again.
Albus took Minerva's arm, moving her sharp elbow away. "I'm very sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, Severus," the old man said contritely. "It won't happen again. Please, sit down."
Clenching his teeth, Snape nodded sullenly and slowly lowered himself into the chair.
Filius cleared his throat. "And the transfiguration position?" he asked.
"I hope you've hired Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, and then he enthusiastically added, "The girl has finished nearly three years' worth of Transfiguration work in only one year!"
"Miss Granger is quite remarkable," Severus agreed, his voice and eyes softening. "I have no doubt that one day she'll surpass you, old man, but as you pointed out, she still has another year to complete her transfiguration Mastery."
Noting his sudden change of attitude at the mention of a certain young witch, Minerva was confused. Engaged to the one? Sweet on the other? She narrowed her eyes at Severus. And where does that leave young Weasley?
"Headmistress?" Severus prompted her. "The transfiguration post?"
"Of course," she murmured and turned to face Dumbledore. "I have the perfect candidate," she gushed. Her eyes sparkled with delight. "He has nearly twenty years' experience teaching transfiguration. He's been a Head of House, and–"
"Sounds wonderful," the old man noted.
"I'm so glad you approve, Albus," Minerva interrupted him loudly, "because you need to teach transfiguration this year and finish Hermione's apprenticeship."
"What?" The old man began blustering, and his blue eyes ceased to twinkle. "Now, see here, Minerva, I'm retiring. I've put well over sixty years of my life into this school, and –"
"-and what better instructor could this, or any other, school hope to have? Why you are the very essence of transfiguration!" She clasped her hands over her heart and batted her eyes at him.
Dumbledore's face turned a deep red. "Minerva, I'll not do it. I'm sorry, but I've done more than my share for-"
Minerva dropped the playful act. "Albus Dumbledore," she interrupted him, "you owe us this."
"You certainly do," Severus insisted. "Hermione deserves a chance to complete her education. You can't run out on her now."
"Remember what you put us through? Thinking you were dead! And you? Attending your own funeral?" Flitwick demanded. "It might have brought you a great deal of hilarity, imagining yourself a British Tom Sawyer, but it was a perfectly atrocious thing to do to those who care for you."
"Not to mention the pure hell poor Severus went through," Pomona added sharply. "I don't believe any of us will ever get over the guilt we feel at the way we treated him."
"All right! All right! One year!" Dumbledore conceded. "I'll stay and teach transfiguration for one year."
"And you'll take Hermione as apprentice," Severus demanded.
"And take Miss Granger as apprentice," he growled.
"And take over as Head of Gryffindor."
"Minerva, you're pushing me too far!"
"Well, to whom do you suggest I give the job?" Minerva asked in exasperation. "Rubeus or Rolanda?"
Albus blew out a huge breath of air, knowing he'd been beaten. "Yes, yes, to all of it," he agreed.
