Disclaimer: I know, I know...It's unfair that J.K. Rowling owns it all...but, let's face it...she owns it all...
Comments:
XiaoGui: Don't worry; your comment did not offend me at all! I was planning on Severus getting "back to normal" by this chapter anyway, so I'm glad you let me know that his dialogue was a little out of character. Thanks again!
bigkihap: Thanks for your comments, and yes, Dracosballduster is a moron (wink, wink)!
ADandMMeva: Thank you for your very thorough review and your assurance that I don't suck (as Dracosballduster put it)! And yes, I agree, HARRY POTTER IS NOT GAY!
Lou. McGonagall: I'm glad I made your day! Your review made my day!
Rikki8879: Yes, Dracosballduster's review was quite...er...interesting. But that's not important! Thanks for your review!
Lady Urquentha: Yes, finally, some ADMM. Unfortunately, there's not too much ADMM in this chapter (but more is to come)!
Q-BriarXJade-Q: Yeah, the PokeMon thing was kinda weird. And don't worry, if Dracosballduster really hates Harry Potter, then he must also dislike Draco Malfoy, making Draco yours still!
TabbyMin: Yes, I'm sure you love it now! More ADMM will come in later chapters, too (I'm sure you'll love that)!
Rosaleen: Families need to bicker sometimes (my family included)!
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Quill of Minerva: Yes, Minerva's answer was awesome!
Thanks to all who read and reviewed! And I'm SO SORRY that this chapter wasn't posted sooner! I have loads of school work to do, but I wanted to make sure I got at least one chapter to you guys. Please forgive me, and enjoy this chapter!
saiyanwizardgurl
Chapter 13: Forgiveness
Albus Dumbledore sat up on the couch and stretched. He winced slightly as his back cracked. The headmaster yawned, still a bit tired, but more rested than he had been in days. He stood up and stumbled into the bathroom to put on his robes. Five minutes later, he came out and glanced at the clock, which read 9:57 am. Wow, it's late, thought Dumbledore. I guess I'll never get used to the lack of sunlight in these pitch black dungeons.
The light that spilled out of the bathroom lit up the room, and the headmaster saw an empty, neatly made bed. Assuming that the Potions Master was in his office, he folded his blanket on the couch with a flick of his wand and made to walk out of the room, but he suddenly heard a voice coming through the cracked-open door that sounded exactly like…
"Are you sure that you don't have any more Veritaserum," simpered Dolores Umbridge. Dumbledore froze.
"Dolores, I already told you; I've checked my private stores three times. You'll just have to wait while I brew another batch," said Snape, a hint of impatience in his voice.
"But you only gave me a small amount the last time!"
"That's because I gave you the last of what I had. If you want more, you'll have to be patient," said the Potions Master.
The headmaster could just see the furious look that was no doubt playing on Umbridge's face. "Very well then, Severus. My need for the Veritaserum is not great at this moment. I shall let you know when I need it." He heard her walk out of the room and slam the door.
Snape sighed. "You can come out now, Headmaster."
Dumbledore started. "How did you know I was up?" he asked, opening the bedroom door. Snape was sitting at his desk, which was covered with many piles of neatly stacked paper.
"I saw you turn on the bathroom light," said the Potions Master. "Lucky for you she didn't see it." He gestured towards the door.
"What did she want the Veritaserum for?"
"I'm not sure; probably wants to trick Potter into drinking it." Snape stiffened slightly at his mention of the Gryffindor.
Seeing the Potions Master's discomfort about the subject of Harry Potter, the headmaster quickly changed the subject. "What are all these papers?" he asked, picking one off a huge stack.
"Exams, essays, the usual."
"Do you really need to grade them now?"
"Yes, I do."
"But Severus, there's plenty of time left before the Easter holidays are over; it's only Monday. The purpose of the holiday is to take a break."
"Headmaster, I spent the entire weekend taking a break. I need to get these all graded before the holidays are over."
"What time did you start?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"What time did you start grading papers?" asked Dumbledore.
"I'd say around seven."
"It's past ten right now; why don't you take a break?"
"Headmaster – "
"Only for a little while," said Dumbledore, raising his hands. "Your papers will still be on your desk. And besides, a little break never hurt anyone."
The Potions Master sighed. "Very well. I shall amuse you for the time being."
"Thank you, Severus, you are too kind," said the headmaster as he sat down across from Snape. "Oh Dobby!"
They heard a small pop! "Yes, Professor Dumbledore, sir?" said the house-elf, bouncing up and down on his toes. "What can I be doing for yous?"
"Could you please bring us some tea, please?"
"Oh, yes, Professor Dumbledore, sir!" squeaked Dobby, excitedly. "Will yous also be wanting some snacks?"
"Yes, that sounds nice," said the headmaster.
"Very wells. I am being back shortly!" said the house-elf before vanishing with another small pop!
Snape sighed. "Do you call him here just to irritate me?"
"Excuse me, Severus?"
"The elf, Dobby; do you always call him just to irritate me?"
"Why, Severus," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling, "I would not think of doing such a thing!"
"You always call him here, and he always has to take orders while doing his little happy dance!"
"Who does a little happy dance?"
The two wizards turned towards the door. Minerva McGonagall was standing in the doorway, wearing deep navy-blue robes and a politely confused look.
"Dobby," said Dumbledore, smiling. "Severus seems to think that I always summon Dobby just to irritate him."
"Nonsense, Severus!" said McGonagall, who also smiled. "Why would Albus do such a thing?"
"Because he thinks it's funny."
"Well," said the headmaster, thoughtfully, "now that I think about it, it is rather funny."
"See! Even you admit it!"
"Oh, come now, Severus," said the Transfigurations teacher, sitting next to Dumbledore. "Dobby's not that annoying! Just don't let him bother you."
"Easier said than done," muttered the Potions Master.
Pop! "Dobby is being back, sirs!" said the house-elf, placing a tray of tea and cookies on Snape's desk. "Oh, hello Professor McGonagall, how are yous being today?"
"I'm just fine, thank you, Dobby," said McGonagall with a smile.
The house-elf beamed at them. "Please be calling if yous are needing anything else!" said Dobby. He bowed deeply and disappeared with a small pop!
"See, Severus," said the headmaster, pouring out tea and handing Snape and McGonagall a cup before taking one for himself, "he isn't so bad."
"Whatever, just please don't be calling him again!"
The other wizard and witch laughed. "Not bad, Severus," said the Transfigurations teacher.
Dumbledore picked up a paper from one of Snape's huge stacks. "Mind if I have a look?" he asked, holding up the parchment.
"Go right ahead. Maybe you'll see what I mean when I say that my students are dunderheads."
"Severus!" said McGonagall.
"All right, most of my students. You can look too, if you like." The Transfigurations teacher smiled and picked up an essay to read, and the Potions Master went back to his grading.
They sat reading and grading in silence for a while, until Dumbledore and McGonagall noticed the lack of the scratching of the Potions Master's quill. They both looked up and saw him staring at an essay, his eyes and quill unmoving.
"What are you thinking about, Severus?" asked McGonagall.
Snape looked up. "I was…it's…nothing," said Snape as he shifted his gaze to the fireplace.
"No, it's not, Severus; something's bothering you. I can tell," said the headmaster, walking around the desk to stand behind Snape. He put his hands on the Potions Master's stiff shoulders and began to massage them gently.
"Well…I…I was wondering…what are you going to do about Potter's Occlumency training?" said Snape, quietly.
McGonagall looked up at Dumbledore, who was wearing a look of extreme regret on his face. "Well, Severus…I was, at first, disappointed that you cut off his lessons with you," began the headmaster, slowly. "But I realize your mutual dislike for each other will not allow you to make any progress. I also realize that I should have never suggested that you teach Harry. I subjected you to what happened. I should have realized that Harry's curiosity would get the better of him if he was put in a situation like that, and – "
"Albus – " began the Transfigurations teacher.
"No, Minerva, it is my fault and my fault alone. Severus, you do not need to train Harry in Occlumency any more. I will postpone his lessons, at least until the summer. If my name is cleared by that time, I will teach him."
The Potions Master was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry, sir."
Dumbledore stopped rubbing rhythmic circles into Snape's shoulders, but kept his hands on the Potions Master's shoulders. "You have no need to apologize, Severus. I was in the wrong. I made a bad judgment call, and I'm so sorry for what I put you through." The headmaster dropped his head.
The younger wizard placed his hand on one of Dumbledore's hands and gave it a small squeeze. "Thank you, Headmaster."
The three let themselves be lost in thought for a long time. Silence threatened to consume the room, until the Potions Master broke it. "Well," he said, "I guess I should get back to work." He stood up and moved the pile in front of him to the edge of the desk.
"All right, Severus, just don't work too hard," said Dumbledore, pulling him into a hug. Snape stiffened, and the headmaster held him tighter. "I will be at Aberforth's house this afternoon, but I won't be gone too long."
After a few moments, the Potions Master relaxed and briefly rested his head on the older wizard's shoulder. "All right."
The headmaster let go of the younger wizard, and the Transfigurations teacher immediately wrapped Snape in an embrace of her own. The Potions Master was caught completely off guard, but soon regained his composure and briefly returned the hug. "I'll be back to see you later, Severus," said McGonagall.
"All right," he said, pulling out of the embrace. "I'll see you later."
The witch and wizard turned and walked out of Snape's office. The Transfigurations teacher made to head back to her office, but the headmaster grabbed her arm and swung her around, pulling her into his arms. He smiled at her, and she smiled back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him tenderly. "I'll see you later, love," said Dumbledore. He let her go and headed out of the dungeons. She smiled to herself, and after a few moments, McGonagall walked back to her office.
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