author: Raven Dancer
disclaimer: All characters belong to Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.
summary: After surviving another attempt to break into Hogwarts, Dumbledore plans, Snape heals, and school tries to get back to .
Dumbledore walked down to the great hall. It was breakfast and he was nearly late. The reason for this slunk along at his side. Lupin had come up to his rooms to wake Snape. The Potions Master had already woken, had cleaned up and had been dressed when the DADA professor wandered in. A one-sided argument ensued as the professor tried to get Snape to join them for breakfast.
But Snape just smiled and declined. No reasons given. Dumbledore decided the man did not want a grand entrance, did not want the glory that was his due. He had to drag Lupin out the door and down the stairs. Then deal with his huffy, melodramatic whining. They entered the room, nearly full of students and professors, and walked up to the staff table. He noted breakfast was just appearing on the table.
The Headmaster poured out tea and reached over for some toast. Bacon looked good; so did the eggs. He glanced at McGonagall as she speared a banger. So many choices! A flight of owls added to the merry chatter and general morning noise.
He didn't notice when the silence descended on the entire hall, but the unnatural stillness finally pierced his brain and he looked up. All the students and staff were looking at the large doors, back on new hinges after being torn open.
It was Professor Snape walking in with a couple late first year Slytherins. He was listening to the animated chatter of the youngsters as they all headed towards his house's table. With a stern glance he pinned Lupin in his chair. No fanfare.
Snape worked his way slowly up the long house table, sitting several times to rest and to better hear his students. He still looked stern, but the anger was gone. In fact, unless he was very much mistaken, Dumbledore saw a slight indulgent smile on the Potions Master's face as he accepted hugs from some of the more demonstrative students.
The only time he stiffened was with Malfoy's little group. His black eyes flashed as he greeted the untrustworthy students. Dumbledore wished he could hear that bit of conversation. Malfoy himself blushed slightly before returning to studying his tea.
The professor spent the most time with the first years group sitting nearest to the staff table. He looked at various treasures the children had brought down to breakfast, glanced at a few parchments and allowed them to invade his personal space, leaning on him, drawing comfort from him.
Once done Snape moved around to the staff table. The students had been restrained in contrast to the staff's welcome back. Hagrid got the Potions Master in a massive bear hug, whispering something into the trapped wizard's ear. Once released Filch nervously shook his hand and Snape managed to smile and say something appropriate.
As he worked down the table the reclusive man was hugged, kissed and patted on the back by each and every one of his colleagues. Dumbledore smiled as he noted Pomfrey and Sinistra greeting him enthusiastically. Hopefully bygones would be bygones and the variety of hexing incidences would stop.
Finally students and staff began to exit the hall. Snape wearily sat down next to Dumbledore after accepting a parting hug from Lupin.
I've been pawed. I've been slobbered over. Am I through?
the Potions Master gruffly asked. The older man looked at him with amusement.
I'm not sure if you're through, Severus. But you've made
it through the most difficult part walking in this morning, he poured out tea for his friend and shifted toast onto his plate. Snape sipped at the tea watching the great hall empty.
I never thought I'd see those doors rehung, he said almost too casually. Dumbledore regarded his friend closely.
You didn't expect to make it? he asked softly.
Snape sighed. Dark eyes met and held the clear blue.
When it was all over and I was standing there looking down
at the wreckage I wondered what had happened. Who
had caused these death eaters to collapse? I felt so
weak; I knew I couldn't have done much to help the
battle, he sipped more tea.
While I was lying in your bed I kept hearing everyone
say how amazing I had been; how I'd saved Pomfrey first
then McGonagall and Flitwick with a shielding charm. Me?
I could barely shield myself! How in the hell could I have
shielded two other wizards and done battle? he looked in his best friend's eyes.
Me, Severus Snape. I still don't believe it. He looked away, across the room at the doors. Dumbledore followed his gaze.
It is hard enough accepting the doors fell in, Snape murmured. He was very tired between the walk down and the emotional upheaval. Dumbledore shifted his gaze to regard his friend. He knew it would be another few weeks before the Potions Master would be able to teach. Just in time for summer.
Whether you believe yourself capable or not is not the
point. When your colleagues were threatened, the older man reached out to touch Snape's chin, gaining his eyes,
when the children were threatened, you were more
than capable. You thought of nothing else but the
children. Your need, your desire to protect the children
made you capable. You are a powerful wizard, Severus.
More than you know.
Snape did not respond immediately. He held Dumbledore's gaze for a long moment.
I suppose if I told you I was terrified? he began
I wouldn't doubt that you were, the Headmaster agreed.
Snape looked away.
I always wanted to be a hero, to gain acclaim and awards
for doing brave things. But all those things mean
absolutely nothing. I'm still Severus Snape. I'm still
a frightened man skulking in shadows.
Dumbledore watched Snape quietly.
Let's go back upstairs, Severus, the older man stood and held out his hand. After a moment he accepted the hand and was pulled to his feet.
I'm not a cheery beam of sunshine, am I? Snape groused as he forced his body to stand upright. A fine tremble seized him for a moment. With a small push Dumbledore propelled him towards the great doors. Snape slowly ran his hand over the carved oak. He could feel the reinforced charms that ran through the doors. Finally he leaned his forehead against the cool wood.
I suppose Lupin still wants his party? he asked carelessly.
Yes, Remus wants to celebrate, Dumbledore answered patiently, waiting for the man to move.
Snape turned his head and looked at the Headmaster.
Then let's celebrate the rehanging of the doors. Even
after being pounded with every opening curse they
could muster, they didn't break.
Dumbledore looked amused,
Most people would agree they broke, Severus.
The younger wizard took his mentor's hand and placed it on the wood. With a little magical nudge' Dumbledore saw the door. He felt himself run through the grain, following intricate paths through the surface. Then they went down into the thickness, all solid and true. There were no mars, no flaws. Even where the metal was bonded into it with screws and spells there were no weaknesses.
What happened? Dumbledore asked in awe. He was led through to the hinges, into the frame itself.
Snape said softly, and here. The hinge plates
are different. Have any improvements' been made
to the doors lately?
Last spring, they were tested by the Ministry's team.
I think Fudge mentioned needing to fix some of the
bonds? I don't recall exactly the term he used, he was still glued to the door with the Potions Master.
They twisted at the hinges, Albus. The wood never
splintered on the door itself, not even the frame. Stepping back Snape waited for Dumbledore to finish. After another minute the Headmaster stepped back.
Yes, I think we'll let Professor Lupin arrange a party
for the rehanging of the doors, no smile as he looked at his friend. Snape wobbled a bit and steadied himself on the Headmaster's arm. Together they moved slowly towards the stairs.
Only Snape and Dumbledore knew about the Ministry's treachery. They had no proof but each time the Headmaster passed through the doorway he hurt inside. His own side giving them over to Voldemort. Of course, they didn't know if it were one of the carpenters or the Minister himself that procured the hinges, nor did he know who first decided to have the doors checked. In any event, the crew that rehung the doors had removed the old hinges completely. They couldn't check them.
Lupin threw himself into the planning of the party, getting as many students involved as possible. There was a long discussion bordering on argument on the actual decorating of the door. It was finally decided each house would have one quadrant, based on the school's standard, to decorate. This created a lot more discussion in the individual houses, more students were involved which was what Lupin wanted.
The house elves were excited, wanting to try some new recipes. Lunch and dinner began to get very interesting as the wizards taste tested and voted on each new dish. Even Filch got into the action cleaning the hall and doors thoroughly.
Invitations were drafted; McGonagall held a contest for the artwork. When Snape mentioned something about the history of the doors, Hermione Granger leapt at the chance to research and write. She poured over books and with Snape's help produced a fine essay from which a timeline was created and included on the inside of the invitation as the top and bottom border.
The entire program was given over to the students; no staff, including Dumbledore, would be speaking (although the Headmaster was the defacto Master of Ceremonies). The history would be presented, then the individual quadrants explained. All the students voted to toast the doors, with a representative from each year tendering their own.
Dumbledore had been so pleased with the preparations that he didn't notice Snape's subtle addition to the time line until the invitations were gone and the party was a few days off. The Potions Master had finally returned to his own rooms to sleep, but he still spent a good part of the day in the Headmaster's rooms reading and planning.
Dumbledore had called to him as he drowsed on the couch.
he tried again, singing the name.
came back a not-quite-awake response.
Se-ver-us, I need to speak with you, part song, part firming voice. Snape twitched, then roused himself. The voice calling him did not sound exactly pleased. Pushing up he managed to sit and clear his head. Finally, he gained his feet and walked slowly over to the chair nearest the vast desk.
Snape stifled a yawn, trying to look awake. A piece of parchment floated over to him. An invitation. He glanced at it and then looked at the older man.
Severus, have you looked at this? Dumbledore certainly was serious, eyes searching. Snape lifted the parchment, carefully looking at the front, back and interior.
Yes, Headmaster, it is a copy of the invitations we sent
to the guests. I believe we also sent one to each student
and staff member as a keepsake, the parchment was charmed so the great doors opened and closed. The recipient could actually see the tables and banners inside the hall if they looked closely.
The time line concerns me, Severus, the Headmaster led him to examine that bit of the parchment.
Hermione and I checked out all the dates; if there was any
contradiction, we settled on the decade or left it out
entirely, Snape said very calmly, not giving ground.
I'm very interested in one of the entries, Dumbledore continued.
Near the end, March 23 to 27th of last year? he narrowed in to the specifics.
Ah, when the ministry had the hinges replaced, Snape said innocently.
EXACTLY! Severus, how could you do that!!! Dumbledore's voice was loud, causing Fawkes to squawk indignantly.
Did I get the date wrong? Snape looked concerned, peering closely at that part of the time line. He could feel the Headmaster's angry eyes ripping him open, but he held his facade up under worse situations.
NO YOU DID NOT GET THE DATE WRONG! he screamed. Snape gave a relieved sigh.
Ah, that's good! I hate to make mistakes, especially
since that date is so important, and he set the invitation down and settled back in the chair. Raising his calm eyes he met the glare. For long moments neither spoke nor moved. The Potions Master unruffled, the Headmaster striving for control.
I did contemplate printing that particular entry in blood
red, but I thought it would cheapen the effect, Snape finally said.
Although maybe a dark green, and he waved his hand over the bit of parchment and tossed it back to the Headmaster.
More subtle. But if you favor the bold, then red it is, and the younger man waved again, changing the entry to gory red. Dumbledore stared at the offensive parchment as the entry changed from black to green to red several times. He took a long, deep breath.
Well, definitely not red. Green maybe, and he softened, a very small smile graced the Headmaster's face. He settled back in his chair and studied his friend's serious face.
Severus, just when were you going to mention this to
me? A few people might take offense, Dumbledore gently chastised him.
Let them, said a totally unrepentant Snape. I'm more
interested in the ones that feel guilty.
Dumbledore had to agree with the Potions Master. Looking at Snape he could see he was still tired.
Up late last night? he changed topics.
Trouble sleeping lately. Stupid dreams, Snape snarled.
That and last night Lupin wanted to go over some of
the arrangements, wanted me to tell him they'd made all
the right choices, Snape yawned again.
He came bursting through the door after one in the
morning worried about the table linen.
Table linen? Dumbledore repeated, slightly confused.
He wanted to be sure to get the colors right, I guess.
I must confess I don't understand Lupin most of the time, he yawned again.
He isn't up here much, but if I'm out of the rooms he's
right at my shoulder chatting away. Curious. But Dumbledore held his tongue and stood up. Coming around the desk he held out a hand.
Come, Severus, I could use a nap just about now, too, and the older man pulled Snape up. The went to the lounge and settled down.
Haven't done this for a while, Snape noted.
Haven't needed a nap, Dumbledore said. He pulled the quilt over them and let the younger man nestle against his chest.
the older man said softly, come to me if
you have troubles sleeping. I'll help. Jeffrey will help,
too. We care about you, you know.
Snape sighed contentedly. He was healthy, nearly 100% according to Dr. Barnes, but he still was worried. He hadn't slept too well of late although no one had caught it until just now.
Sorry, Albus. I didn't want to disturb you. Lupin keeps on
about how busy you are getting ready for the party. Seems so trivial with everything else going on, Snape yawned.
Severus Snape trivial? Bah! Dumbledore gently ran a hand over the sleepy man's upper back.
Sleep, Severus, sleep, and he sent Snape into good dreams with a simple charm.
That's where Lupin, Harry and Hermione found them over an hour later, curled in sleep. They had come up to discuss the final program with the Headmaster. Harry pulled them out of the room quietly.
Let them sleep, he said, I know Severus hasn't slept
well of late. Lupin looked at him curiously and Harry shrugged.
I asked him; he answered evasively. I asked him again
and he mentioned he'd been having problems with
nightmares, Harry smiled. I'd have em too, given what
he's been through!
He could have told me, Lupin huffed a bit, I could have
charmed his sleep for him! Harry eyed him carefully.
So could Dumbledore or Barnes, the student replied.
They're busy. Dumbledore is very busy. He shouldn't
be bothering him when I'm here! Lupin asserted. Both students now looked at him strangely.
I don't think the Headmaster would agree, Hermione ventured. Lupin glared a moment then backed off, resuming his normally pleasant demeanor.
Sorry, I was up late and I'm getting rather controlling
since I've been caught up in this big party! Both students chuckled.
We'll go up after dinner, Harry patted his friend on the arm. As they headed down the stairs Lupin turned to look at the door. Harry looked quizzically at Hermione. They both shrugged in unison and snickered.
Another person was looking at the door. Dumbledore. He wondered why Lupin had come up with Harry and Hermione. They'd decided at breakfast to meet after dinner with the students to go over the final program. He wondered about Snape's comment, how Lupin had been hanging around him a lot lately. Looking down at his snoozing friend he hoped it was only a bit of jealousy. He closed his eyes and drifted.
