Chapter 15: Reconciliation

            The next morning Severus met his daughter in the small living area between their bedrooms. She greeted him with a hesitant smile. "Good morning Daddy. Um…would it be alright if…if I went…to Hogsmeade tonight with Grandfather and Grandmum? They were going to take Harry and I out for dinner and I needed to get some dress robes for the Yule ball."

            He smiled gently at her and crossed over to kiss her head. "Of course you can go love. And who knows, maybe I'll go too."

            Alathea's eyes lit up in delight. "Really?

            "Yes really." He chuckled. "When some higher power decides to send my little brother back from the dead to knock some sense into me I figure its time to let go of the grudge."

            "Oh Daddy that wonderful!" She threw her arms around him and ran to the door. "I'm going to go tell Harry!" She ran back and hugged him again. "Oh I'm so happy!"

            He waited until she left and then tried to stir up his courage. It finally worked and he threw some powder into the fire place. "Headmasters chambers."

            "Al…" he started, then realized it wasn't really appropriate to call the headmaster by his first name any more, although he didn't know if he was ready to call him 'Dad' either. "Um..Hello?"

            "Severus?" A woman's voice returned, and Minerva's head was suddenly peaking at him from the other side of the fire. A warm smile graced her face. "Albus is in the shower now. How are you doing?"

            "I'm fine…." His face slipped into confusion once again.

            "Whatever you feel comfortable with Severus is fine with us. You can call me Minerva." She told him as she picked up something from the floor. She tsked quietly and folded the garment. Albus came out of the bathroom at that moment and she shot him a light glare. "Really Albus, what have I told you about leaving your clothes all over the place? It isn't the house elves job to clean up after you simply because you're lazy."

            He smiled affectionately and placed a light kiss on her lips. "So sorry my dear."

            Severus watched the scene in awe. They were a normal married couple; they were everything he had dreamed his parents should be when he'd been a boy. And they were his parents. "Breakfast starts in twenty minutes if you plan on eating in the Great Hall today. And Severus is in the fire place." She told him as she continued straightening their bedchamber.

            Albus looked over to the fire place and smiled at him. "Good morning Severus. How are you?"

            "I'm alright…sir."

            "You can call me Albus still."

            Severus shook his head. "It doesn't seem right…it's disrespectful."

            The old wizard shrugged unconcerned. "Alright then, whatever you'd like."

            "Just…give me some time." Albus looked like he was going say something so, Severus rushed over him, nervous. "I saw James last night."

            There was a clatter from the other side of the room and Severus and Albus looked to see a glass smashed at Minerva's feet. It appeared to have fallen from her grasp. Albus walked over to her and guided her back to a chair by the fire. "Is he alright?" She asked weakly.

            "Well, he's still dead…but he seemed to be doing okay. He got special dispensation to come back and talk to me. And, well, while we talked I realized…it's okay. And I forgive you guys."

            "Thank you Severus." Minerva whispered. There were tears in her dark eyes, eyes that he had inherited.

            "Alathea tells me you're taking her and Harry to dinner tonight…"

            "Oh, you're welcome to join us!" She said perking up immediately.

            "Thank you. I'd like that….Mum."

            Her eyes watered again and Albus rolled his eyes from over his shoulder. "Sometimes I'm amazed how she stays so collected in front of the students."

            Minerva swatted his arm. "We're going to leave at about five thirty, Alathea needs dress robes and I think Harry's outgrown his. We're going to dinner after."

            "Five-thirty then." Severus confirmed. "Now I'd better go, get ready for those ridiculous children I'm supposed to try and teach."

            He pulled his head out of the fire and went about his day.

            The Gryffindor/Slytherin class came in three periods before lunch. Severus looked up, his sharp, cold gaze missing nothing, but melting a bit as his nephew came in with his two best friends. The three of them watched him curiously. Alathea had already informed them of his decision to attempt a reconciliation with the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress, which meant of course, that he had to recognize James and Harry as well. A small smile almost crossed his face.

            He assigned their potion quickly then went about stalking up and down the isles. "Potter." He greeted the boy softly as he came to their table. "I trust your day is going well?"

            "Yes sir." Harry mumbled back. Next to him Ron and Hermione were staring in open shock at their professor.

            "Good. I will see you this evening. Mr. Weasley, watch what you are doing. If you add any more belladonna to that cauldron you will blow it up and I think it would be easier for Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger and yourself to go about the day in one piece." Snape left them then, moving to watch the other students. Ron tipped the vial back staring in shock after their professor.

            Snape didn't even turn around. "Ten points, Mr. Weasley, from being distracted during a lesson." The potions master snapped with his back to them.

            Ron shook his head and turned back to the cauldron. "Same old Snape." He muttered under his breath. "Sort of."

            Five-thirty came around far too quickly in Severus's opinion. He changed from his work robes into a slacks and a white dress shirt. He threw a black cloak on over top and went up to the entrance hall. His parents were already there, but his daughter and nephew were no where to be seen. He greeted Albus and Minerva with a nod of his head as he approached. Minerva immediately tsked and walked over to him. "You have a smudge dear." She told him as she rubbed the spot on his cheek. It wouldn't come off. So she wet her index finger with her tongue and began to reach for his face again.

            Severus dove out of the way. "What do you think you're doing woman?!"

            "Severus." His father reprimanded him sharply.

            A pout settled over Minerva's face. "I was just trying to clean the soot off your cheek."

            "Yes, well, please don't do that again Mum." He pleaded in a softer tone. Harry and Alathea arrived just a few moments later and the five of them headed off to Hogsmeade.