Enchanted Parchment
Very Small Prophet, I accept your challenge - and am working on something in between everything else in which Severus might actually bite back - for now though, let me continue to torment you with my ever so patronising Albus!
Enjoy - yours, most humbly, SS19
PS Don't forget to vote on my poll! If His Lil' Half Blood Princess has her way, I'll be writing about Severus and *shudders* Lily. SAVE ME FROM SUCH A FATE!
You looked!
Well, hello, Headmaster. How are you on this fine Monday morning?
I told you not to go near the thing!
Birds are singing...
I said it was dangerous!
The sky is a crisp wintery blue...
I said it could drive men insane!
The trees have shed their leaves and are preparing for the bitter cold...
Severus Tobias Snape!
You called?
I told you not to look into the Mirror of Erised!
Ah yes, the Mirror of Erised. Of Desire, if you will? Such a fascinating thing.
...Are you quite all right?
Just pretending to be you.
And succeeding, I see. Well, stop it. So. What is it?
What is what?
Severus. What is your innermost desire?
Oh. You would like to know, would you?
But of course. ...I'll tell you mine...if you tell me yours...
Something about that phrase coming from you unsettles me. Besides, I already know what yours is.
Is that so?
Yes.
How could you possibly know what I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the absolutely magnificent and completely wonderful...sees in the Mirror of Erised?
Ah. That would be telling.
How?
I'm a spy. Why would I give up my methods?
You have deflected me! What do you see?
Severus?
Socks?
You made me spit out my lemon tea! You absolutely positively do not see socks!
Ah, Albus, how little you know of me.
I may not know every facet of you Severus but I know for a fact that you do not see socks.
Fine.
So, what do you see?
If I tell you, you must promise not to tell another living soul, Dumbledore.
I promise.
On your life?
Yes, on my life.
Do you swear it?
Yes!
Make the Unbreakable Vow?
Just tell me, I'm starting to get concerned.
Very well. I see the Dark Lord.
Oh, but of course. You would see him defeated, and the Light triumphant.
No.
...Then what do you see?
The Dark Lord. Victorious. He's taken over the Wizarding World, put Muggles and Mudbloods in their place, killed that infernal Potter boy, and is generally incredibly powerful.
...Severus...
And then there's me - his Lieutenant - His Left Hand -
Stop this. This is not funny.
Why not? Am I not allowed to wind you up?
No. You most certainly are not.
I thought that was the point of this friendship?
Severus, if the Ministry were to read those words - they would have you thrown in Azkaban -
No, they wouldn't.
Severus!
I know they wouldn't, because I have a particularly good protector who I trust to keep me safe.
Severus, Voldemort will not be able to - oh. Thank you.
You are very welcome.
So, it's nearly Christmas.
Oh no.
Which means!
No.
I have to start thinking about your Christmas present!
I'm really fine, Headmaster, after last year, I think you...
No, nonsense, my dear boy. I will be finding something equally perfect.
I'm thrilled.
Excellent!
Also. For your information. I never looked into the Mirror of Erised.
But...I saw you coming out of the room, looking more preoccupied than you normally do -
Yes. I got up to the Mirror, but never removed the cover. Sometimes, I do actually, unbelievably, listen to you in staff briefings.
Oh, I thought you focused all your attention on glaring at me - or Quirrell - or the chair in front - or the carpet - or the fireplace - or the ceiling - or - you're glaring at me now.
Indeed.
Ah, the bell. Perhaps you are saved by it.
Perhaps you are, Headmaster.
Enjoy your next lesson, my dear. Now...where are my knitting needles?