Enchanted Parchment
Dear Everyone, I appreciate your opinions, I read them all, and I listen to every one of you. It is your encouragement and kind words, that you do not have to give but do so in such a wonderful way, that keep me writing. If you feel that my writing is weaker than usual, you can of course tell me because I know you will word it well, and give me constructive criticism, and I will listen to you. I love you all :)
I have returned to humour, not because my mood has lightened, but because it seems to be more popular. We'll see.
Yours, humbly, SS19.
Psst! Severus!
What, Headmaster? I am trying to read my book.
No, no, see, you need to whisper.
Why do I need to 'whisper', pray tell?
Because we are sat at opposite ends of the staffroom and I do not want our conversations to be overheard!
...Headmaster...we are writing on parchment...
Perhaps we should use invisible ink? Or a special code?
...Have you been reading Muggle literature again?
Maybe it was Severus in the staffroom with the Killing Curse...?
It almost certainly will be in a moment!
Whispering, my boy! Whispering!
No.
Humour me!
Fine. I'm whispering. Did you want anything in particular?
Our conversations do not need to have a purpose, my dear boy. That is why we are friends!
Because we are pointless?
No. Because we can just talk to each other.
Or whisper?
Exactly! Now you are getting it!
I am humouring you.
Only you could humour me! So. What are you reading?
A book.
My Merlin, really? A book? You are...reading, a book? Whatever next?
Ha ha.
That sounded sarcastic. Please. I am interested in your reading material.
It's a book on spirituality.
...Spirituality? Are you quite sure about that?
Well...the title suggests so...perhaps I was not thinking at all when I picked the book up and read through the first...three hundred pages...and I still haven't realised that it's not really a book about Dark curses and vampires.
Oh, don't be so stereotypical. I was not criticising, I was simply intrigued!
Indeed.
So, have you read anything interesting?
Not really.
Anything we can debate?
No. Not until I have -
Severus?
Quirrell.
So I see, my boy. Must you glare at him in such a way?
Do you think it is a coincidence that I feel ill every time I see him?
Well, that is a rather garish fashion statement, the turban, and that is coming from me - who, by the way, would never attempt such an...interesting...piece of clothing, no matter how good I seem to appear wearing a hat...hang on. You are serious, aren't you?
Hmmm.
When you say 'ill', how do you mean?
Headaches for the most part. Nauseous.
Have you ever had these symptoms before?
Yes.
When?
In the past...
Do not make me beg for it, Severus. When?
Sometimes, if I was in his very near vicinity...he had this effect on me. I believe it has something to do with my arm.
Voldemort's presence?
Don't -
Sorry, I forget. Not all of us are afraid of nine letters written down on a page - I joke - but surely this is psychological? He cannot be here. Are you just worrying too much?
Perhaps. They are potent though.
What?
My symptoms.
I see. Have you tried actually talking to Quirrell yet?
No. In case he truly is in league with the Dark Lord. I am not sure suggesting I am Dumbledore's right hand man would go down very well.
I suppose not.
Now I see why we have to whisper, what with all this suspicion...
Exactly! Whispering! Invisible ink! I shall implement it immediately!
May I, perhaps, finish my book?
Yes, I grant permission for that. Enjoy it, Severus dear.
I will.