AN: I had a hard time deciding how this prompt would go but I'm fairly pleased with it. It's actually another take on the flashback scene in one of the earlier chapters of As Potter is to Snape, where Dumbledore gives Snape a book to read in the Hospital Wing. So if anyone remembers it differently, that's why lol

Thank you, as always, to everyone who has been reading these and favoriting, following, and leaving reviews. You're all so wonderful!

Day 9- Old Books

Severus ran a hand idly along the spines of the old books as he took in the titles.

He was in Dumbledore's study in his home away from Hogwarts. Until a few months ago, Severus had just assumed that Dumbledore lived at Hogwarts year-round.

Of course, a few months ago, he hadn't known that he and McGonagall were married either.

Or that everything with his father would come out.

Or that they would want to adopt him.

A few months ago, everything had been different and he was still getting used to all of the changes.

"Find anything of interest?"

Severus was so startled that he dropped the book he was holding and turned around, pressing his back against the bookshelf.

"I'm sorry," Severus said quickly. "I-I didn't mean to." He stooped down and retrieved the book before Dumbledore could even fully come into the room. "I'll just get out of your way."

The older man smiled gently at him and waved away his apology.

"It's quite alright, Severus," he assured him. "You are more than welcome here. There is not a single room in this house that you are not permitted in."

Severus dropped his gaze to the book that he still clutched in his hands. "I shouldn't have been messing with your things," he murmured quietly.

Dumbledore moved slowly around the desk and came to stand in front of Severus. He held his hand out and Severus immediately handed over the small, leather-bound book.

"The Adventures of Captain Felix the Feared," Dumbledore read with a smile. "Ahh, pirates have always been some of my favorite stories."

Severus shrugged. "They're alright."

Dumbledore passed the book back to him and Severus replaced it on the shelf.

"Actually," Dumbledore said, "why don't you take it?"

Severus shook his head. "That's okay, I don't—"

"Please," Dumbledore interrupted as he took the book back down, "I want you to have it. The thing about books, you see, is that if they're not read they get forgotten. That would be an awful shame, don't you think?"

"I suppose," Severus replied timidly.

Dumbledore smiled and the twinkle in his eye was as bright as ever.

"Splendid," he exclaimed as he placed it back in Severus's hands.

A little while later, Severus sat alone on his new bed, in his new room, inside his new home, and stared down at the book that Dumbledore had given him.

Pirates, he thought. It was hardly suited for someone who was nearly fifteen and yet, Severus couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness whenever he looked at it.

He walked over to his desk and pulled out a quill and ink. Then, in the bottom right-hand corner of the first page, he wrote his initials.

Claiming it as his own.