Severus paused as he entered the Teacher's Lounge following his return from Hogsmeade. As soon as he'd entered, conversation amongst the other professors had died abruptly. He glowered around at his colleagues, and they stared back suspiciously. It was Minerva who approached him.
"Severus, what have you done?" She demanded crossly.
"How could you, Severus?" Filius demanded, behind her.
Severus scowled. "What are you on about?"
"The students are talking, Severus, as I said they would!" Minerva answered. "They're saying you spent the day in the village with Potter, on a date! You were seen holding hands!"
Severus scoffed dismissively. "Little more than gossip."
"So you deny it, Severus?" Aurora asked.
"Of course I deny it!" Severus snarled at the witch. "I'll grant that I spent the day with Potter-"
A collective gasp moved across the room.
"Severus! He's seventeen, and a student of this school! What have you done?!" Minerva cried again.
"I've done nothing wrong!" Severus snarled, glowering at each of his accusers in turn. "I noted Potter was without his friends and made a decision as his friend to remedy the situation! It was not a date, and we certainly didn't hold hands like school children!"
"Severus, you were seen!"
"And the students have never exaggerated rumors, Minerva!" Severus spat sarcastically. "How dare you accuse me so baselessly!"
"It is not without evidence!" The diminutive Head of Ravenclaw claimed in his grating voice. "You've been spending an inordinate amount of time with the boy, Severus, we've all noticed. Never before have you taken such an interest in a student's welfare. You must admit, this sudden companionship is suspicious."
"I admit nothing of the sort," Severus argued, seething. "You must admit that there has never, and likely never shall be again in our lifetimes, a student like Potter! That adult wizard has been through more hell than any of you combined! Is it so surprising that he would come to me, perhaps the only one amongst us who can truly understand his plight?"
"It is, Severus," Pomona said primly. "And what of that evening Potter spent in your quarters? Or his sudden renewed interest in your course? Are you saying that none of this has been borne of indecent behavior with the student in question?"
"That is precisely what I am saying!" Severus said, ignoring the twinge of guilt he felt as he recalled the more than improprietous spark of yearning he'd felt for the younger wizard while they'd been in the village. A surprised laugh escaped him, visibly startling his colleagues. "Surely you are all saying this in jest!" He proclaimed, trying to stifle his laughter. "You cannot seriously think so little of me as to believe I would stoop to debauchery with a student!"
His colleagues, his supposed friends, stared back at him defiantly, and his laughter vanished.
"I see," He muttered darkly. "I am Severus Snape, the Death Eater, and I cannot possibly show someone goodwill without some ulterior motive."
"Severus, that isn't-"
"Fair?!" Severus demanded of Minerva, a woman he'd thought himself close to. He stepped away as she reached for him. "No, it isn't Minerva. Damn you all; whatever monster you may think me, I will not allow you to reduce my friendship with that heavily scarred young man into something your miniscule opinion of me can digest. Potter is my friend, and he shall remain thus, especially as it has become clear that he is the only one I have."
"Severus!"
The Potions Master ignored the pleas of his colleagues as he stormed from the Teacher's Lounge to return to his dungeons where he belonged. A secret ache in his heart yearned for Potter's presence to brighten his dark mood. An even more secret ache, one he shied away from shamefully, yearned for the feel of silken, bronze skin under his fingertips.