It's been three years since that fateful night when all those letters came. A lot has happened, but nothing's really changed. I'm the same snarky, bastardly man I've always been, and everyone hates me, just as usual
"Professor Snape, sir, Professor Dumbledore orders that your rooms be cleaned"
I growl as I place my finger on the page I had been reading before closing it around the digit and standing up
"Why does he think my rooms need cleaning after all this time? I see no problem with them. Do you see a problem with them?" I'm being a jerk, I know, but I don't like being interrupted when I'm reading
"N…n…no, sir," the little house elf stutters, unable to disagree with me, "But they're Dumbledore's orders, sir, you must under…understand. Crayson is sorry, sir, for the inconvenience"
I sigh again, "Fine, but do try and make it quick," I sit back down and open the book once more, "And also try and be quiet! I hate noise when I read," I don't, really. Noise is fine, as long as I don't have to respond to it. The elf squeaks as it walks out to my study to begin its cleaning
It's not until maybe 15 minutes later that I'm interrupted again. The house elf tries to come in quietly, I can tell by the way it's lightly treading, a look of pure fear in its eyes
"What is it now?" I bite out
"Sir...I found...I found..." I see an envelope in the little hand, "it was under...under your desk, sir," they're offering it to me now, but I simply look down at the envelope in boredom. After I don't take it, the house elf speaks again, more shakily, "I thought...I thought sir would want to see...to see it. So I brought it i...in," the blasted thing is still offering it to me
"Leave it on the table, if you will," I order and watch as it sets the offending item on the coffee table in front of me before rushing out
Instead of going back to reading, I simply stare at the off-white rectangle, sitting there mocking me. I am surprised to find the distinctive handwriting on the front of it. I would know that handwriting anywhere...the scrawl of Harry Potter is not forgotten quickly. This is, however, the neatest I've seen his writing...possibly ever
The appearance of the envelope reminds me of that fateful night three years ago...the last night Harry and I ever talked outside of class. By the coloration of the paper, it seems almost as if this could be from that same night. But how did I miss it?
I shrug as I go back to reading, ignoring the letter. However, distracting myself only works for so long, apparently. My attention is drawn back to the parchment. I stare at it for a long while again, finally sighing in resignation as I reach for it. I know what it will say...those same two words that were the closest I ever came to forgiving him
Just as I'm about to open it, though, Fawkes comes in and drops another letter in my lap. I lay Harry's back down and open the one from the Headmaster
'Dear Severus,
Harry is coming back to Hogwarts today and I need someone to go meet him down at the gates to welcome him. I know this is rather last minute, but everyone else is busy doing other things for me, so I will need your help. Treat him well, Severus. It is crucial that he wants to stay around
He is due to arrive at 3:30. When he does get here, please bring him to my office. Thank you for agreeing
Albus'
I growl as I look at the clock: 3:25. No time to back out of this, and no time to read the letter from the young man I must collect
I slam the book shut, stand up and head out the door. As I head down to the gates, the only thing I can seem to think about in my head are two questions: 'Am I ready to forgive him? Can I do that?'
I lean my right side against one of the gates and wait for him. After merely two minutes, give or take, I see the young man walking up the drive. He doesn't look much different from when he graduated, except more fit and tan, most likely from his job as a professional seeker
I can tell when he notices that it's me, because his eyes look down at the ground. They remain down until he reaches me, only to rise for one split second before he acknowledges me, "Professor," he says meekly
"Mr. Potter," I nod in greeting, my voice icy. Maybe I'm not ready to forgive him for what he's done quite yet...but maybe I will be someday soon, "Follow me, Potter," I say, turning on my heel and heading back to the school
"Yes, sir," He mumbles quietly before following me, eyes still down
The trek to the Headmasters office is quiet...uncomfortably so. As we rise on the stairs, Albus comes into view
"I have done what you asked of me, Albus, so if you please, I will be heading back down to my chambers now," I say as Potter exits the stairs but I remain on them
"Oh no, Severus," Albus' eyes twinkle, "You're an important part of this conversation, as well. I insist that you stay for awhile," And the blasted man has the nerve to grab me by the arm and haul me off the stairs!
"I was coming, Albus! You didn't need to force me!" I fume. I look off over to the boy, expecting to be met with a smile from being made a fool of, but he's still looking down at the ground resolutely, sad as ever
'What has happened to you, Harry?' I think sadly...wait...Harry? Oh whatever, he's not a student anymore
"If you boys would follow me..." Albus says, leading us up another flight of stairs to reach his office. Once inside, he signals for us to sit down, and we do. Harry takes the chair furthest from the door, while I take the other
"Lemon drop?" Albus asks, smiling brightly. We both turn him down, "Ok then...I'm sure, Severus, that you're wondering what you have to do with anything here, correct?"
I nod my assent and he continues on, "It would seem that Voldemort has been even more cruel recently and that it is not safe for Harry to be out on his own. It is safer for him to be here, with better protection," he says this last sentence more to Harry than to me...the boy is still looking down
"Again, Albus, what does this have to do with me?" I grind out
"He will have nothing to do here until the school year starts, at which point I hope he will be filling the role of DADA instructor. He must continue his training, not only to keep him sane, but to help him in the final fight"
"It is futile to attempt to teach him Occlumency! I refuse to do it, Albus, I refuse!"
"Who said anything about Occlumency? Harry has already mastered that, on his own will, and even knows Legilimens, too. No, he must be trained in hand-to-hand combat, and who better than you, Severus?"
"Why me?" I ask, shocked at the new battle technique
"Who else knows how to wield a sword, or daggers, even? I can't bring anyone from the outside to teach him, in fear that they would not be loyal to the side of the light and turn him over to Voldemort or something else to that effect"
I sit there thinking...I have no choice, I cannot turn him down...he'll still make me do it anyway, "I have no choice in the matter, do I?" I sigh
"Of course you do"
"I never do. When do we start?" I say, not wishing to get into an argument with him about this right now
"Tomorrow. Harry will be staying in the South Tower, and the lessons can be conducted in any of the empty classrooms. Will you please show him where he will be staying? He is behind Miss Estrate"
"Of course," I nod curtly and then stand up
"Harry," I hear Albus quietly say to the young man, and see him finally raise his gaze, "You'll be ok here"
The boy looks down again, nodding in understanding before pushing himself up, "Thank you, sir," he says quietly before walking towards the door, eyes still firmly on the ground
"Harry, will you wait in the other room for a moment? I just have some quick information for Severus before he leaves," Albus requests, looking sad
"Of course, sir," he says and walks out, closing the door behind him
"Albus, what is wrong with the boy?" I ask
He shakes his head sadly before saying, "I don't know. It took everything I had to get him to come back here. I don't understand it any more then you do. I thought he liked it here and would be happy to be back. I guess I was wrong"
"Maybe...the war is affecting more than he's letting on?" I suggest
"Maybe..." he says airily, "but either way, it is important that you treat him well. Make him feel welcome, Severus. I beg you, be nice"
"I can try, but I make no promises that I can be," I say, heading towards the door. I never told the Headmaster about the pensieve incident, and to this very day I still don't know why
"That's all I can ask from you. Thank you"
I walk out, "Come on, Potter, I'll show you to your rooms"
---
I'm sorry it took a while to get this out, and that it's so short, but I first had a friend spend the night, and then my aunt last night...no time to get work done on it. I hope this is satisfactory for you all...it made me happy to get such positive feedback on it
I'm not sure how far I'm going to take this story, so I don't know how long it'll end up being. But if you guys stay with me and keep me on it, it most likely will not be an unfinished work...I hate those, both reading and writing them
IF YOU DO NOT REVIEW, I WILL NOT CONTINUE. Sorry dudes, but my rule is that you have to work to get more if you want it. Plus, feeding my ego helps a lot