Before the Board we Stand
Chapter One

"Albus." Cornelius Fudge said walking into Albus Dumbledore's office, only a week before the new term started.
"Cornelius." Dumbledore replied smiling and shaking Fudge's outstretched hand. "Sit down! Sit down! This is a pleasure, and what can I do for you?"
"It's about the Budget."
"Oh." Dumbledore replied slightly confused.
"As you probably know we have to cut back on the school budget this year." Dumbledore nodded in agreement, it wasn't just the Muggle government that faced financial problems, it was the Magic Government as well. "We can't find any area to cut back the budget to."
"And you want me to suggest an area?" Dumbledore suggested.
"No," Fudge seemed apprehensive about telling Dumbledore this next part. "We, the school governors, have decided to lay off a member of your staff."
"What!? You can't lay off a member of my staff!" Dumbledore was shocked, it was his job to appoint and sack staff members not the governors.
"I'm afraid we can, the staff member must be told by you."
"Who is it?"
"Severus Snape." Dumbledore gasped.
"In this kind of case you normally give an older member of staff early retirement, not sack a young, in fact the youngest, member of staff!"
"I know, but the mans record is against him." Fudge defended.
"He hasn't any black marks on his record." Something was going on.
"Yes well…" Fudge began to sweat and shuffle nervously. "Circumstances being what they are…I mean we had to let someone go…and…and…and…Snape was the boards decision."
"What's the real reason?"
"Haven't I just explained?" Fudge asked irritably.
"No, not the exact reason."
"Well, I am afraid I can't let you into that, good day to you, and I am sure that you will tell him as soon as you get chance?"
"Yes." Dumbledore replied miserably, "Goodbye." Fudge left the office, closing the door softly behind him.
He had never sacked anyone before, he had hoped he would never have to. This was the Boards decision, not his.
Slowly he took up his quill and wrote to Severus Snape.

* * *

"What?" Snape gasped and sat down heavily in the chair.
"That's exactly what I said," Dumbledore agreed.
"No, I mean, why me?"
"That I don't know. They say your records against you, but you and I both know that's not true."
"There must be some reason."
"Indeed, would you perhaps know of any reasons why you should be sacked?"
"No…unless…no that can't be it." Snape stammered slightly
"Can't be what?"
"I've only told Minerva McGonagall, so be that."
"Told Minerva what?" Dumbledore's patience was being put to the test.
"That…I'm…" Snape couldn't say it.
"Your what?"
"Gay." There, he finally said it. Dumbledore stared in amazement.
"Severus Snape! Of all the people! Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was afraid, because of many of our kinds attitude towards sexuality you'd sack me." To his astonishment
Dumbledore smiled and gave a small chuckle.
"No, nothing of the sort. I hold no prejudice against people's choice of lifestyle, no matter how absurd. How would the governors know?"
"I don't know, only McGonagall knows and she promised that she wouldn't tell anyone. You know she never goes back on her word."
"So you think someone else has found out and informed the governors?" Dumbledore was curious, which cold hearted individual on the staff; his staff would be prejudice enough to inform the governors about a certain member of staffs' lifestyle.
"Yes." Snape replied sadly. "Now the governors want to sack me because my choice is something they hold very strong displeasure to." Although Severus hardly ever showed any emotion it was clear from the thickness of his Welch accent that he was upset and perhaps a little scared.
"Well, we can't be sure. I'll write to Fudge putting my thought to him and seeing what he says. For now I suggest you go back to Wales and enjoy the rest of your holiday."
"Thank you." Snape stood up and shook Dumbledore's hand.
"I'll do everything in my power to get you justice."
"Goodbye." Snape called as he left the office.