Nightmares

Epilogue – June, 1996

Severus and Albus sat in the old man's office at opposite sides of a muggle chess board, a vial of Dreamless Sleep potion sitting adjacent to the board. "Alright," Severus announced amiably, "you know the drill. One game; loser takes the potion."

Fourteen years after Severus first came to Hogwarts as an adult and neither man's nightmares had lessened – if anything they had gotten worse. Both the Headmaster and the Potions Master hated inducing peaceful sleep through potions, but, on occasion they played a game in which the loser had to drink the draught. This was one of those occasions.

They played in silence for several minutes, both trying to best the other's silence. Surprisingly, as the game of chess moved toward their midgames, Severus was the one whose resolve crumbled first. "I'm not happy he's dead, I hope you know."

Dumbledore moved his rook forward, capturing one of Severus' pawns. "I never even thought to consider that you were," Albus answered in a placating tone.

"I won't pretend to grieve his death…" Severus started again, harshly.

"I wouldn't expect you too."

"…but I'm not happy about it," the Potions Master finished.

A silence fell over the two friends, and they played their game in silence for awhile. Again, it was Severus who finally broke the silence.

"I'm sorry for the Wolf, but that's all," announced Severus, almost desperately.

"His name is Remus," pointed out Dumbledore, not taking his eyes off the board. "I would think that a smart boy such as yourself would've been able to pick that up, considering you've known him for more than twenty years."

Severus only glared.

Silence fell over them again, like it had a thousand times before in the early hours of the morning. This time Severus didn't feel the urge to speak, and it was Albus who shattered the silence. "For a moment, when Tom took Harry's body and asked for me to kill him, I considered doing it."

"What stopped you?" queried the Potions Master, taking his queen across the board.

"I came to my senses. I was momentarily lost in the heat of the battle when he started to possess Harry and I heard Harry's screams. It was just too much for a moment."

"It might have worked," argued Severus. "Prophecies are always far too open to interpretation for their own good."

"I did not want to gamble the freedom of all wizard-king on a 'might', Severus," contested Dumbledore, moving his knight, putting the younger man in check.

Severus beat a hasty retreat, both verbally and in the game, and they played in without words for a few minutes more. After being put in check himself, Dumbledore peered at Severus and admitted, "Harry blames you for what happened to Sirius."

Severus actually smirked at that. "Of course he does," he said off-handedly, "That's always been the point, has it not?"

Dumbledore lowered his head, admitting that it was. "Still," he added, "it's difficult to see him so hateful towards you."

"It must be this way," said Severus, moving a pawn forward into the last square on the board, promoting it into a queen. "For many reasons, which we both decided upon long ago."

Dumbledore sighed. "I know, Severus."

More moves were made, and Severus thought he was close to winning when he said, "Perhaps, when everything is over, I will demand a collective apology from Potter and the other two."

"Will you indeed?" inquired Dumbledore with an upraised eyebrow. "That would be a sight to see."

Severus smiled slyly and continued, "And, after he was finished and the slates were wiped clean, I would take utter delight in informing him that he had a fifty-fifty chance of being my child."

A small smile was the only response that came from Dumbledore, though Severus knew he was greatly amused. "I would imagine," Dumbledore understated, "that he wouldn't appreciate that."

"After seeing the look on his face after that, I could die happy."

"That's good," said Dumbledore mildly, "because he'd probably kill you."

Coils of laughter that both men had been holding sprung free at that point, and each lost themselves in laughter. As they began to gain control of themselves, Dumbledore, wiping tears from his eyes, said, "It's good that we can laugh like this, Severus. When Tom steals that, he will have truly won."

Severus nodded and said, "Then it's a good thing we have people like the Weasley twins around, who will never cease laughing or inspiring people to laugh."

"Yes it is," said Dumbledore, and then he finally made the fatal move for which Severus had been waiting.

"Checkmate," Severus said after making his killing move. Then, grinning triumphantly, he pushed the bottle of potion towards the Headmaster and sat back smugly in his chair, putting his hands behind his head.

Dumbledore calmly watched this spectacle and then said, "I should force you to play against Mr. Weasley so you could learn some humility."

"One lucky match when you are eleven doesn't make one a chess master," quipped Severus.

"An undefeated record against all comers in Gryffindor belies his skill," returned Dumbledore.

"Yes, but Gryffindor has never been known for their chess stars."

Dumbledore put an end to their banter by stating, "Ron is among the best players I've ever seen, and I've played against the likes of Paul Morphy."

"Fine, fine," said Severus, holding his hands up in defeat. "Now take your potion, old man, and then you can be rid of your damn delusions of Gryffindor superiority."

The old man in question laughed lightly and then knocked back the vial in a single swallow. Then, without a word, he slowly began to make his way to his personal quarters. Severus watched his friend go until he was out of sight, and then he whispered to himself, "Happy reprieve, friend."

With a wave of his hand the chess pieces moved back to their starting positions. Sighing, Severus stood up and glanced at the clock.

It was only two thirty; with any luck some exceptionally courageous Gryffindor would still be out. Severus set off to the halls with a grin on his face.

The End