Again, huge thanks to my Beta, NinjaDevil2000!

-2. Severus Snape-

Dobby entered the office with a crack. He was balancing the tray on his hand and had to be extra careful not to stumble. He took the cup and placed it on the desk.
Severus Snape didn't seem to have noticed the elf, he was sitting on his chair, with his back turned to Dobby.
'Your tea, sir,' squeaked the elf. 'Dumbledore has sent Dobby to make you a tea!'

Now, the man turned around. Somehow his expression always made Dobby jump – he didn't know why. 'Thanks,' he said grumpily, not looking at Dobby.

Dobby made a bow and when he looked up, he spotted a small tear in the corner of Snape's eyes. Dobby's eyes widened as he saw this, but he said nothing. Snape took the cup and stared down into the water.

'Is there something else Dobby can do for you?' asked Dobby gently. It was hard to keep your voice encouraging, if the person before you barely looked at you, but Dobby did his best. Snape looked up and shook his head. Now, there was definitely a tear running down his cheek. And Dobby didn't care that it was grumpy Snape who was crying – it broke his heart. In the past, Dobby had sometimes cried, but never for long, because there was no one there to comfort him anyway. He jumped towards the professor.

'Sir, is you feeling alright?'

Snape stared down on his hands and said nothing. Dobby looked around, a bit helpless, and then snapped with his fingers. In his hands, a small tissue appeared. He handed it over to the man, who took it, without even looking at the elf. Dobby looked around, wondering what else he could be doing.

'Sir, shall Dobby leave you alone?' he asked friendly.

Snape looked up. His eyes were red. 'Everyone's always leaving me alone,' he whispered, before he turned around. He stared into the fire and started kneading the tissue in his hands. 'Everyone.'

Dobby didn't quite know what to do, or to say. Snape had never been the man to sympathize with, not as bad as the Malfoys, but more than once he had snarled at the elf. And now he was sitting here, crying his eyes out!

'Dobby is sorry, sir,' he squeaked. 'Dobby can be your friend, sir, Dobby is friendly!'

But Snape did not look at all pleased. 'I don't want you,' he snarled. Dobby backed away shyly. He knew this tone from the Malfoys. Maybe it had been foolish of him to expect Snape to see him somewhat capable of being equal to him. Very foolish, indeed.

But Snape's mind was already on something else, his eyes fell on an old photography on the desk, and he looked thoughtfully at the elf. 'Dobby, you can disapparate within Hogwarts, can't you?' he asked, a bit more friendly.

'Of course, sir, I'm an elf!' Dobby smiled, happy to see the professor cheering up a bit. The Malfoy family had never sounded appreciating of him.

'Good,' said Snape, and he got up from his chair. 'I want you to bring me somewhere, and then you return here and tell Dumbledore I will be absent at tonight's feast, will you?'

Dobby looked at the professor, thoughtfully. 'We has been working on the feast for days,' he squeaked, 'Dumbledore is said he is looking forward to it, you is not to disappoint him - '

'Dumbledore'll understand,' interrupted Snape harshly. 'He sent you for tea, after all. Just remind him it's the day of Halloween.' Snape's expression got, if possible, even more sad. Quickly, Dobby jumped over to him.

'Dobby is ready when you is ready, sir,' he said, and stretched out his arm. 'Where is you wanting to go?'

Snape's face was empty. 'Godric's Hollow,' he said. Dobby nodded happily, and the next second, the office was empty.