A Rose By Any Other Name.
By Kes.
Disclaimer: As ever, not me.
"Come in Severus."
Severus shuddered. I'll never get used to that.
He walked in slowly, feeling oddly like an annoying adolescent boy who was attempting chivalry by asking his date's father for permission to date the girl of his dreams.
He felt seventeen again… not that this had happened to him at that age.
"You wanted to see me Albus?" He nervously sat down in the chair that was offered. They were sitting at Albus' desk.
Shit.
That meant business.
Does it mean good or bad business?
Severus uncharacteristically shuffled in his seat whilst Albus offered him a lemon drop. Too in shock to do anything, his motor functions kicked in and moved his arm in the direction of the sweet dish. With his head down, he failed to notice Albus' eyes twinkling.
"Yes, I did want to see you Severus. I've been informed by Minerva that Miss Granger and you are...pursuing a relationship?"
Oh God, I hate this.
Severus found that his throat had closed up slightly. He cleared it and spoke. "Well, yes. That is to say, we enjoy each other's company and..."
"How far has it gone?" Albus stated bluntly.
Severus' eyes shot up, glazing with fear and rage. "Is that what you think this is? A plan to get a student in to bed!" He rose from the seat and began pacing the room. "I had hoped you thought better of me than that, Albus."
"I'm sorry Severus, but these things need to be asked, for all of our sakes. If the Ministry were to find out about this, even the Daily Prophet, yours, mine, and Minerva's careers would be over, and as for the repercussions for Miss Granger..."
"We are well aware of the consequences." Severus replied sharply. His eyes shot back to Albus, who was looking at him kindly.
"I know you are, and so am I. In fact, I had to use muggle and magical bug spray in and around this room to ensure we didn't have any 'unwelcome guests'."
Severus looked puzzled. "Rita Skeeter?" He sat back down.
Albus nodded. "She knows something's up, you know. I don't know how, but she does, I'm sure of it. I've had a couple of 'visits' from her in her human form. She seems intent on Miss Granger. Although, she was the one who discovered Miss Skeeter's...talent..."
"Pity it wasn't in writing..." Muttered Severus. However, something suddenly clicked in his mind. He rose once again from his seat.
"If she does anything to hurt Hermione, I swear I'll hex her so far back down the timeline, she'll see Voldemort's conception! That ought to give her a story!"
He paced intensely up and down in front of Albus, his robe spreading out bat-like. He continued muttering what seemed like plans to himself.
"Severus Snape!" Yelled Albus. Severus looked at him, startled. "Sit down, my boy, sit down."
Reluctantly, he sat down.
"You do realise, Severus, that you are breaking school rules with this relationship?"
"You do realise, Albus, that you are breaking school rules with this conversation? You're supposed to have fired me as soon as I came through the door..." Severus replied wryly.
"Well yes, technically, but I need to know some details before I pass judgement. I'm attempting to remain impartial, but your emotional outbursts are doing nothing for my resolve."
Severus laughed.
"What, pray tell, is so funny?" Inquired Albus, eyes twinkling, despite his best efforts.
"Albus, you just used me and the word 'emotional' in the same sentence...I can be a bit angry - "
Albus coughed discreetly, to which Severus glared slightly.
"Alright, very angry, but emotional?"
"Please stay on the topic at hand Severus." Said Albus, eyes twinkling away. "If, if I let Miss Granger and yourself carry on this relationship, you would have to be discreet."
Severus nodded. "Naturally."
"No one would ever be able to know...at least, not until after her graduation." He added the last part; clearly he was making this up as he went along.
"Agreed. But really Albus, what do you think I would do? Shout from the rooftops? The astronomy classroom, perhaps? That would be quite ironic actually, considering Hermione absolutely loathes it up there..." He added, smiling slightly to himself.
"Alright Severus, you may continue this relationship." Severus smiled gratefully and nodded. "However, one thing is out of place in your demeanour, and I shall have to regrettably ask you to end it. Understood?"
"Yes Headmaster."
"Good. Now, there's just one question left: Do you love her?"
Severus sat there. Bewildered. He was unsure. He could hardly believe it, he still did not know!
"I...I don't know Albus." I can feel myself blushing again...I really hope no one can actually see it. How can I not know if I love her?
Albus smiled cryptically. "You may go."
So Severus left, somewhat deflated than before. He clicked the door shut.
"So he does love her!" Albus declared to an empty room.
A/N: Albus' logic will be described later on…