OBSCURE SORROWS AT HOGWARTS

DRABBLE PROMPT 001: XENO

The smallest measurable unit of human connection, typically exchanged between passing strangers—a flirtatious glance, a sympathetic nod, a shared laugh about some odd coincidence—moments that are fleeting and random but still contain powerful emotional nutrients that can alleviate the symptoms of feeling alone.

Staircase number 42- or 45? Snape had lost count, but it certainly joined the fifth floor Charms and Transfiguration classrooms. Or was it the seventh?

At the top, he allowed himself a grim sigh as moonlight illuminated thousands of dust motes. Argus Filch always swore he cleaned up here, but nobody believed him.

He sneezed- just stifling the sound in time. What was worse than dust? Silence. Hogwarts' silence, unknown to man or beast, clogged his ears. Even at night, he ought to have heard Filch's shuffling and wheezing, or pranksters giggling, or Peeves hooting with laughter.

Not tonight.

For a few moments, he stared at the owls outside as they disappeared into the gloom.

What was the Chamber of Secrets to them?

The burden always fell on his shoulders, one way or another. Either he survived tonight by the skin of his teeth, or... Wouldn't it be curious, to see Professor Snape, the Potions Master, sprawled on the ground tomorrow morning?

When the chill in his bones had dissipated somewhat, he walked down the corridor. Peering into classroom after classroom, he could not decide whether the total lack of movement comforted or disturbed him more. Squeak, click. Nothing in this classroom. Squeak, click. Nobody in the other.

And yet thousands of students slept nearby.

Shutting the final classroom door, he was just about to ascend to the next floor when a pale light glowed behind him.

"Who is-?!"

"Calm down, Severus: it's me."

"Minerva! What-?" He took a step back, glad the moonlight couldn't expose his quivering hands.

"Nothing to report. I'm going up." She hurried past him.

"Ah, it was my intention to-"

"Beds are outside the Hall," she said firmly. "Hagrid's snores should deter the monster, I'd say."

Before he could answer, she had run up the next staircase.

Snape stared at her retreating back for a while. Then, with an imperceptible nod, he left for the Great Hall.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

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