Dumbledore POV
The class is going surprisingly well, the children appear to be enjoying making Amortentia, but who wouldn't? The chance to have a sneaky smell of what you desire. I watch Charles at the back of the class with Potter, he's keeping his head down and doing most of the work, occasionally letting Potter add some ingredients and stir. Potter keeps trying to pull him into conversation but Charles keeps his head down, occasionally muttering something back.
After asking him to join me for tea later on, the boys start giggling. I know I should let boys be boys, Charles needs friends, but, I'm not quite ready to share my boy yet. He's not ready to start making friends yet, he needs to get used to who he is now!
I walk over to the boys and they are still smiling with the occasional laugh. "Now boys, I know you've finished early but, do pray tell me what's so funny?" The boys look up at me, Charles's smile drops and his face falls so he's talking to his chest "Nothing Sir, Sorry Sir". Good, at least there's respect there still, I turn to Potter, he's wiping tears from his eyes "Sorry Headmaster, just trying to get to know Charles." Blasted boy, stay calm, the point of this was for Severus to start a new life wasn't it? Yes, yes it was, but not to make Potter laugh. I glare at the boys, and can see that Charles shrinks slightly in his chair, Potter stops laughing "Sorry, Siry."
"I would appreciate, any messing around to be done outside the classroom. 10 points from Gryffindor. Charles, please stay after class." As I turn, I can see Potter's mouth falls open with shock, I try not to smirk when I sit back at the front of the class whilst the others are busily trying to finish their potions in time.
I know it's harsh, I shouldn't alienate Charles, especially this early on. I've already grown attached the boy, and not having him near me last night was unexpectedly hard...perhaps tea can rectify that and I can work out how to get him to stay for the occasional night. The class continues in silence, Charles ignoring any notes or whispers Potter sends in his direction. The bell finally rings and I dismiss the class, Potter pats Charles on the shoulder as he leaves and soon enough it's just me and the boy left in the class.
Snape POV
I stay sat at the back of the class, cringing internally, I stay quiet and people complain I don't talk...I talk and I lose points in my first class. I really will be the reject all over again. I can feel myself tensing up, I stay looking down at my notes, I can hear Dumbledore walking over and he sits next to me. I refuse to look up, I know he's annoyed. If he doesn't talk straight away, it's always been a sign of his annoyance. I continue to look down, watching my red and gold tie intently. He reaches out and touches my chin, pulling it to face him. He's glaring at me, great. I give him a weak smile, trying to stay calm. Why am I getting so wound up? I used to be a master at hiding emotions and not reacting, now I'm a quivering mess.
He summons an elf and the next thing I know, with his other hand he's holding a cup of tea for me, smiling. His left hand still on my face, his thumb gently rubbing my cheek now, whilst the other hand pushes a tea towards me. I take the tea and drink it down quickly, and he pulls me into a hug. He ruffles my hair, "I am sorry my boy, I didn't mean to react like that. You've got a break now before your next class I believe, is that a free in the library? Go calm down, and I'll see you this evening for tea." He pulls me in closer to him, I relax and snuggle as close as I can, he smells of sweets. I feel myself reacted as his hand rubs my lower back and I quickly pull away before he notices, I know my face is red...hopefully he won't notice. I nod and run out of the class. I'm sure I was better at controlling those sort of reactions in the past?
I catch up to Potter in the library, and try to find a space. "Hey Charles, I saved this space here for you" he whispers as I walk towards him. Maybe I was wrong about this Potter, he seems nice enough… "what did Dumbles want? I didn't even know he was able to glare!" I smile at the thought of the Headmaster knowing everyone still called him Dumbles, whilst unpacking my bag. "Oh, no, nothing much. Just wanted to make sure I was going to come to tea tonight still and then I hadn't forgotten after...well, when he got grumpy for no reason."
Potter smiles at me again, "Eh, fair enough. So he's your guardian then? That must be weird!" I open my book, knowing I already know the content, but a chance to try and figure out what I'm going to say… "Yep, he's an old family friend. Family...well...yeah, some stuff happened and Dumbledore has taken me in for now I guess." It seems enough to satisfy Potter's curiosity as we sit in silence.
We've been reading for about 30 minutes, well he has, I know this book off by heart. My heart is still fluttering from the hug the headmaster gave me before, and I'm glad about the school robes I'm wearing. I keep trying to move, to get rid some of the tension below, then I can feel Potter is watching me. "You okay there Charles?" I turn to look at him, and nod quickly, my face going red and hiding behind a book again. He makes a snorting noise and goes back to reading "You really are shy aren't ya? I've already said I'm not going to bite." He throws his book back on the desk, "Don't know how you can still be reading that, all of it goes over my head. I bloody hate potions, the stuff just doesn't make sense. You're good at it though?" I give him a little nod, why do I have to be so shy? I slowly put my book down, no point in pretending to read it now. He's still watching me, I know he's trying to get me to talk. I bite my bottom lip, trying to work out what to say. "Think of it like…..cooking….you know, baking a cake or something? You any good at that?" There, not only did I talk, I asked question. Great achievement Severus...you managed to respond to a child. Potter doesn't answer me, he's not even looking at me properly anymore, not even giving me eye contact. Look slightly slower, my nose perhaps? I cock my head slightly, and furrow my eyebrows. Typical Gryffindor, starts a conversation but can't even finish it.
I sigh, Potter still hasn't responded, I start to pack my books away and he suddenly snaps back into reality, I guess he realised he's been ignoring me he's turned red.
"Hey Charles, why don't we get lunch and then it's Charms?" he stumbles around grabbing his stuff and he's off.
The rest of the day goes by disaster free, I manage to get some points from Flitwick, after again being picked on to answer a question. I've got a feeling that the next few years here are going to be dull...at least I should get decent OWL marks, again.
I watch the clock, slowly creeping towards 5pm and I can feel myself getting more and more excited. The time may be going slowly, but I can't wait. I've never looked forward to tea with Dumbledore before but I'm literally buzzing at 4:45pm as I slowly make my way to the office. I must just be getting excited over the prospect of an adult conversation, rather than the typical 15 year old boy conversations.