A/N: I am starting to feel really sorry for Dumbledore. He has ticked off a lot of people in my story. LOL! But don't worry. Things will get better for him. I truly am not attempting to turn him into villain, I promise. Also, a small warning: I am changing the rating on this story, because I used a couple of questionable words in this chapter. They are not truly offensive, but I don't want anyone to be surprised. Also, I know these last few chapters have been angsty, I promise the mood will lighten eventually. Well, maybe somewhat. : ) Anyway, please read and review!
Severus stalked up to the Headmaster's office, trying to control the rage he was feeling. Esme had not talked to him in two days and it was all Dumbledore's fault. The fact that Albus would dare offer her a teaching position, when he was well aware of the plans that Severus and Serena had made, was appalling. Somehow, Severus knew that he should not be surprised by the Headmaster's meddling, but his lack of respect still stung.
Rapping sharply on the door, he took a deep breath. The door swung open and Severus glowered at the man before he could utter some inane pleasantry.
Albus' smile slowly dissipated. "Why don't you come in, Severus? I've been expecting you."
"Of that, I have no doubt," Severus said darkly, as he brushed past Dumbledore and entered the room.
Albus sighed and closed the door, feeling the anger radiate off Severus. Raising his eyes to the ceiling, he wondered what he was doing wrong. It seemed like no matter what he did, someone was absolutely furious with him.
Making his way to his desk, he sat down and eyed the man still standing stiffly in the middle of the room.
"I was just about to order some tea. Could I persuade you to join me?"
Snape sneered at the weak attempt to placate him. "Tea is the last thing I came here for, Headmaster. But I am sure that you are aware of that."
"Yes, I am well aware of that. But to be honest, I expected you here a little sooner. I assume you were indisposed." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and looked at him knowingly.
Severus flushed at the veiled reprimand. Dumbledore gestured to the empty chair. "Please have a seat, Severus, and let's have a civilized discussion."
Severus moved and sat down awkwardly on the edge of the chair. He looked at his hands clenched in his lap, reminding himself to remain calm. Looking up at Albus in annoyance, he said, "Why in the world would you offer her a job? You know what Serena and I wanted for her."
Albus sighed and massaged the area between his eyes. It seemed he had done nothing but deal with angry individuals over the last few days and he could feel a headache beginning to form. Maybe once he got through this, he could impose on Severus for a headache remedy. He dropped his hand and said quietly, "I know what you wanted, but it wasn't what Mesmordia wanted."
"She is my daughter, not yours," Severus said through clenched teeth. "It was not your place to turn her head with your words. She had her life before her and with one suggestion from you, she has abandoned all the plans that we've made."
Albus stared, a shocked expression on his face. "Turn her head? What exactly do you think I could have said to convince her to do something that she didn't want to do in the first place?" Dumbledore waved his hand, as though waving aside Severus' argument. "No, I didn't have to turn her head. She's stubborn and untrusting, traits I know she inherited from you, but underneath it all she wants to please those she cares about. She was willing to give up her desires to make you and Serena happy. I merely gave her the opportunity to make her own decision, to live her own life. You have taught her well; don't you trust her, Severus?"
Snape melted into the chair, the anger that he had harbored for the past two days slowly fading. Propping his elbows on the arms of the chair, he leaned his head back, a wave of exhaustion sweeping over him. He hadn't slept in almost two days and that lack was beginning to catch up with him. He silently conceded the fact that Albus may have a point, though he would never admit it out loud. Closing his eyes, he answered, resignation coloring his voice, "Of course I trust her. I just don't want to see her stuck in a job she hates for the rest of her life."
"Like her father?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
Snape tightened his lips and nodded slightly. "I just want the best for her."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "I would expect nothing less. However, she is no longer the three year old who follows her father around like a shadow, doing everything he says."
Severus lifted his head, his mouth twisted into a disdainful smile. "No, she is definitely not that little girl any longer. What happened to the girl who listened to every word I said and obeyed without question, knowing that I was looking out for her interests?"
"She grew up. It does tend to happen to the best of us. We grow up and our parents are no longer the all-knowing, infallible beings that they once were."
Severus glowered at Albus. "I am not letting you off the hook, you know. Especially if she decides two weeks into the term that she despises teaching."
Dumbledore held up his hands and grinned at Snape. "I accept full responsibility for whatever may happen."
"And the next time you feel the urge to meddle in the lives of my children…"
"I will speak to you first," Dumbledore finished for him. Snape nodded in approval and stood.
"I will take my leave then. I must start preparing for the new term and Poppy mentioned that she was out of some various potions, which will take me awhile without S-"
Dumbledore watched as Snape's mouth closed with a snap and a shuddered look settled on his face. He knew that Serena and Severus had often worked on the potions for the Infirmary together. He opened his mouth, but was unsure what to say that wouldn't strain the shaky truce that seemed to have been reached in the last few moments.
Severus looked at the ceiling briefly, and took in a shaky breath before looking back at the Headmaster.
His mouth set in a grim line, he said quietly, "Anyway, I must go." He turned and quickly made his way to the door, practically fleeing the enclosed room. Dumbledore sighed as the door closed, knowing that the next school year would be particularly difficult.
Severus closed the Headmaster's door and shakily wiped his mouth. He licked his lips and contemplated heading back down to his chambers and finishing the bottle of Firewhiskey he had opened two days ago. It sounded a hell of a lot better than returning to a lab full of memories. Running a hand through his hair, he cursed his weakness and the emotional episode he'd just had, especially since Dumbledore had witnessed it. Now he would no doubt be receiving invitations for those blasted teas on a regular basis in a feeble attempt to get Severus to share his feelings. His lip curled in disgust. There had only been one person with whom he had shared his feelings and he wasn't looking for a replacement.
Slowly, he started walking down the hallway, wondering if he could make it a whole school year when everything that he did and everywhere that he went, reminded him of her. Turning the corner sharply, he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't see the person in front of him until it was too late. Hitting a wall of human flesh, Severus lost his balance and sprawled on the floor in an ungraceful heap. He looked up in anger at the man who was somehow able to remain upright despite the impact.
"You idiot! Why don't you watch where you are going?" he growled.
The man held out a hand which Severus grudgingly accepted, only to be pulled roughly to his feet.
"I could say the same for you, Professor," he said, his lips twitching in amusement.
Severus dropped the hand and dusted off his robes, muttering under his breath about careless people. Glaring at the openly amused man, he gave his most intimidating look: the one that would turn the first years into a quivering mass of jelly slugs. His eyes focused on the faded scar on the man's forehead and the menacing glare wilted, replaced by a look of bewilderment.
"Potter?" Severus asked questioningly. Harry Potter hadn't been back to Hogwarts since he had graduated. Why in the world would he be here now? Suddenly, with a flash of insight, Severus knew. He was here to take Serena's place. A bubble of burning anger settled in his chest. Less than a week after he buried his wife and Dumbledore already had a replacement lined up.
Harry watched the conflicting emotions flicker across his old Professor's face: confusion at his presence, understanding abruptly dawning, and then the inevitable anger. Harry took the moment to study the man in front of him. He had aged since the last time Harry had seen him. Of course, it had been seventeen years, so he guessed he shouldn't be too surprised. But what did surprise him was the vulnerability that seemed to be surrounding his once most hated teacher. Harry frowned. Vulnerability and Severus Snape was not a combination that made Harry feel comfortable. In fact, Harry had relied on the strength of Snape during the final battle. It had been one thing that he could consistently count on.
Harry cleared his throat and said softly, "I was sorry to hear about your wife, Professor Snape. She was an exceptional teacher."
Snape's angry expression faded and a cold look slipped into place. "Thank you, Potter, for your condolences, but if you're here for the funeral, then you are a little late."
Harry winced at the biting tone behind Snape's words. He should have been here. Serena Snape had been his teacher for four years and many of the spells and counter-curses she had taught him had been instrumental in defeating Voldemort.
"I apologize that I was unable to attend. My work keeps me extremely busy," he said lamely, the words sounding false even to his own ears. He had been an Auror for a long time and was able to deceive the most dangerous wizards and witches in a variety of circumstances that required him to think quickly on his feet, but put him in front of his former Potions professor and he was suddenly unable to think of a convincing story.
Snape merely nodded, a sneer on his lined face. Potter never changed, always thinking of himself. At least the brat could have come up with a credible lie. Serena's voice flittered through his mind:
"Why are you so hard on him, Severus? He's just a boy," she said.
"A boy who is responsible for the fate of the entire wizarding world." He tilted his head and gazed at her in disapproval. "I think I should be a little harder on him. He has to realize what he will be up against."
Serena shook her head, her green eyes glittering, "I think he is well aware of what he is up against. I don't think he needs you to remind him of that. But he deserves the chance to be a boy and not have to worry about what evil may be around the next corner. Let him live his own life and enjoy what happiness may come his way."
Snape blinked his eyes rapidly, pushing the memory aside. His face paled and his hands started to tremble slightly. Clasping them together, he hid them in the folds of his robe. The last thing he wanted was to appear weak in the eyes of anyone, let alone Harry Potter.
Harry narrowed his eyes. Even without his years of training as an Auror, he wouldn't have missed the trembling hands or pale face. "Are you all right, Professor?"
"I'm fine, Potter," Severus answered harshly. "Mind your own business." He jerked his head toward Dumbledore's office. "He is waiting for you. I'm sure you are anxious to begin your new assignment, but don't for one instant think that you can replace her."
He pushed past Harry and stalked down the hall, his robes swirling around his frame. Harry shook his head as he realized that some things never changed. Snape always did know how to make an exit. He bit the inside of his cheek. The sight of Snape in pain was a disturbing one. When Harry had been his student, he had often wondered if the Potions master had a heart. Now, in the span of a few moments, he not only realized that the hateful man had a heart, but that it was obviously broken. Harry wasn't sure how that fit with his memory of an insufferable, unfeeling Snape, and he wasn't sure that he wanted his preconceived notions to change. Turning, he walked the few feet to Dumbledore's office. He sighed deeply, feeling as though he was walking from one confrontation to another. Knocking lightly, he momentarily wondered if Snape would be alright, and if the snarky bastard he was used to would return.
A few floors away, Snape dropped into the chair near the fire and grabbed the bottle off the table. Pouring himself a glass, he set the decanter down and picked up the frame. He gazed at the woman in the picture. Although she was smiling at him, he could almost sense her disapproval. Turning the frame over, he laid it gently on the table.
"I'm sorry, darling," he choked out as he drowned the contents of the glass. The amber liquid flowed to his stomach, leaving a warm trail in its wake and creating a familiar fuzziness that seemed to soften the edges of his pain. He sat back, his eyes watering, although he wasn't sure if it was from the alcohol or something more disturbing.
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