A/N Thank you, thank you, thank you Maria for beta checking this! Any
remaining errors are because of changes I made after sending her the
supposed final copy.
After making another adjustment to the portrait he was hanging, Filius Flitwick stepped back to observe his work. Finding the positioning satisfactory, he removed the portrait's covering.
"In a bit of a hurry are we, Headmaster?"
Filius let out a squeak, startled at the unexpected voice. "Don't sneak up on me like that, Severus!"
"Put a password on your new office and I won't be able to." Severus looked past him to the newly revealed painting. "I was under the misconception that the unveiling was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I suspect our young Minister is going to be quite disappointed to have missed it." Severus scornfully spit out the words 'our young Minister' not with any real passion, simply out of long standing habit.
"I don't think it will hurt anyone to put the drape back on tomorrow in time for the Minister to have the honor of removing it."
Filius rested his hand on the gilded frame of the newest addition to the collection of portraits of former Headmasters and Headmistresses lining the walls. His immediate predecessor was seated in a high backed chair, her hands folded demurely in her lap. Her face was in profile, staring over her left shoulder. It was the way that he remembered her best, having gazed at her in that pose for the more than forty years of meals in the Great Hall that passed before it became her time to sit at the center of the table.
"What do you think, Severus? I know it was finished somewhat quickly, but I think it suits her. I really do."
"Somewhat quickly? The process usually takes months, but you had it sketched, painted, and enchanted in three days. Was there some pressing matter upon which you needed her council?"
Looking at his colleague, Filius tried to keep the pity out of his voice. "Have you never loved, Severus? Parted from your heart's desire, three days can seem an intolerable eternity."
Severus chose to change the topic rather than answer. "Anyway, in all that has happened in the past few days, I don't know that I ever took the time to properly congratulate you, Headmaster Flitwick."
Filius blushed and managed to produce a slight smile. "Thank you and congratulations yourself, Severus."
"Call me Deputy Headmaster Snape, I insist."
Despite the circumstances, Filius couldn't help but chuckle. "Shall we go down to dinner?"
As the door shut, two of the portraits began to move. Minerva McGonagall sought to abandon her frame. Albus Dumbledore shifted on his painted settee to make room for her. That Albus Dumbledore was eccentric had always been known. When, shortly before his death, he had declared his intention for his portrait to be depicted on a seat for two, rather than seated in a chair as all the other former Headmasters and Headmistresses were, no one thought it anymore odd than usual for him. Reaching out to take her hands in his, he helped her into his frame.
"My dear, you have no idea how I have missed you."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I know, believe me, I know."
After making another adjustment to the portrait he was hanging, Filius Flitwick stepped back to observe his work. Finding the positioning satisfactory, he removed the portrait's covering.
"In a bit of a hurry are we, Headmaster?"
Filius let out a squeak, startled at the unexpected voice. "Don't sneak up on me like that, Severus!"
"Put a password on your new office and I won't be able to." Severus looked past him to the newly revealed painting. "I was under the misconception that the unveiling was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I suspect our young Minister is going to be quite disappointed to have missed it." Severus scornfully spit out the words 'our young Minister' not with any real passion, simply out of long standing habit.
"I don't think it will hurt anyone to put the drape back on tomorrow in time for the Minister to have the honor of removing it."
Filius rested his hand on the gilded frame of the newest addition to the collection of portraits of former Headmasters and Headmistresses lining the walls. His immediate predecessor was seated in a high backed chair, her hands folded demurely in her lap. Her face was in profile, staring over her left shoulder. It was the way that he remembered her best, having gazed at her in that pose for the more than forty years of meals in the Great Hall that passed before it became her time to sit at the center of the table.
"What do you think, Severus? I know it was finished somewhat quickly, but I think it suits her. I really do."
"Somewhat quickly? The process usually takes months, but you had it sketched, painted, and enchanted in three days. Was there some pressing matter upon which you needed her council?"
Looking at his colleague, Filius tried to keep the pity out of his voice. "Have you never loved, Severus? Parted from your heart's desire, three days can seem an intolerable eternity."
Severus chose to change the topic rather than answer. "Anyway, in all that has happened in the past few days, I don't know that I ever took the time to properly congratulate you, Headmaster Flitwick."
Filius blushed and managed to produce a slight smile. "Thank you and congratulations yourself, Severus."
"Call me Deputy Headmaster Snape, I insist."
Despite the circumstances, Filius couldn't help but chuckle. "Shall we go down to dinner?"
As the door shut, two of the portraits began to move. Minerva McGonagall sought to abandon her frame. Albus Dumbledore shifted on his painted settee to make room for her. That Albus Dumbledore was eccentric had always been known. When, shortly before his death, he had declared his intention for his portrait to be depicted on a seat for two, rather than seated in a chair as all the other former Headmasters and Headmistresses were, no one thought it anymore odd than usual for him. Reaching out to take her hands in his, he helped her into his frame.
"My dear, you have no idea how I have missed you."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I know, believe me, I know."