Severus ignored the disapproving stare he was receiving from his colleague as he went about cleaning up the small litter on his desk and replacing his medicine kit in the cupboard. He knew why she was watching him so intently, despite her attempts to hide it. It would have been impossible to have missed the whispers in the Teacher's Lounge, or how several of his colleagues would fall silent whenever he walked into the room.

As far as he was aware, it was just supposition now, and not yet rumors, but it was clear his colleague's found his sudden amiability with Potter odd. If Severus had had to guess, he'd have said the whispers had begun after the night Potter had spent in his rooms. At the time, it had been harmless gossip over the strangeness of the circumstance, but after his invitation to tutor the Gryffindor, and the subsequent petition to put the Wizarding Savior in his course, the whispers had grown in frequency. Severus didn't doubt that the students' own whispers about his engaging Potter in conversation at the village had helped to fuel his colleague's imaginations. Still, as far as he knew, they weren't prepared to outright accuse him baselessly of impropriety.

"Was there something you needed, Minerva? I have another class, as I'm sure you do," Severus said, finally addressing the animagus.

Minerva pursed her lips. "What has gotten into you, Severus?"

"In reference to what?"

"You just took points from your own House!" The witch said accusingly. "I've worked with you twenty years and I'd never thought I'd see this day! You showed real concern for a student I'd have laid good money on you hating, and you've become almost pleasant to be around in the last few weeks."

"You speak as though I've done some grossly horrendous act," Severus said, his tone light. "I would think you would find these new character traits satisfactory, in light of your own past attempts to encourage precisely what you are now complaining about."

Minerva's lips tightened further. "I'm not complaining, Severus, I am concerned. You know as well as any of us that the students are off-limits, no matter what their age, or how much consent is given. I'm asking you to be careful, Severus, as your friend."

"I have done nothing to warrant such an advisement," Severus said, still maintaining his infuriating calm. "I have never, and shall never, touch a student inappropriately. Your concern is misplaced."

"He was in your apartments," Minerva hissed, her face a mask of worry. "As his Head of House, I was informed of the developments in his psyche that you uncovered as a result, but you should have known better! People talk, Severus, and your continued involvement with Potter has become a favorite topic as of late."

"I've done nothing wrong!" Severus growled, finally losing the tenuous hold on his temper. His colleague, his friend, was dangerously close to laying an accusation she couldn't retract.

"Then explain!" Minerva retorted. "Explain what has happened to you!"

For the first time in months, Severus thought of Potter's thoughtless kiss. That had been the beginning, and he recalled it now without feeling the disgust he'd felt at the time. What had happened to him? Minerva was right, that he had changed, and, without saying so, she was right that it had been Potter who'd brought it on. So, what was it that had so fundamentally changed his outlook? Severus was surprised to find a blossom of some unidentifiable good feeling in his chest when he thought of the time he'd spent with the younger wizard over the holiday. He was unsurprised to realize he wasn't yet prepared to analyze this overwhelming emotion, particularly not under duress and unspoken accusation. He scowled.

"I will explain nothing, as there is nothing to explain," The Potions Master snarled.

"But, Severus-!"

"He is my friend! Nothing more!" Severus shouted. He fought to hide his own surprise as Minerva gaped at him openly. When had Potter become his friend? "I have a class I need to finish preparing for, and you have caused enough of a disruption for one day. I presume you know where the door is."

Minerva straightened, her lips pursing so hard that they turned white. "Alright, Severus, I can see you aren't going to be swayed. I just ask you to be careful. The gossip is limited to us teachers for now, but tongues will wag. Be careful."

Severus' scowled deepened. "Please, leave, Minerva. I have had about all I can take of prying Gryffindors today."

With a final, hard glare, the Transfiguration Professor harrumphed and left the classroom. Severus sunk into the chair behind his desk, tenting his fingers. She was right, gossip could be dangerous. It was mostly harmless, as it circulated amongst the professors, but should the rumors reach, or begin anew, amongst the students, it could become a real threat. Still, the hard-hearted Severus couldn't bring himself to care. There was a stubborn streak buried within him, and that streak of crimson knew he had done nothing gossip-worthy. Let the tongues wag, it wouldn't prevent him enjoying the first real connection he'd felt with another human being since Lily's death.