Professor Septima Vector looked up from grading papers when Severus stormed into the staff lounge. Not that that was a strange occurrence.

Septima put down her quill and braced herself. It probably wasn't a good idea to poke the bear when he was already fuming, but if she didn't confront him now, she would lose her resolve. And they were the only two in the lounge. It wouldn't do to make this public.

"Severus, I have a bone to pick with you."

He turned on her. "Do you?"

"I do. You know Hermione Granger? Third year, Gryffindor. Very bright, excellent work ethic..."

"I know the girl."

"Couldn't help but overhear. She's good friends with the Longbottom boy."

"And?"

"It's not his fault his boggart looked like you."

Severus stared daggers at her. Septima stared back. She had spent years perfectly her unnerving stare. She wouldn't be outdone at her own game.

Severus broke first. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?"

"Obviously you heard about it. Did you hear about what he did to me? How he humiliated me?"

"So take it up with Remus. The boy told him you were the thing he was most afraid of and Remus fed him a solution. Is it really the boy's fault that he's terrified of you?"

Severus didn't respond.

"While I'm on the subject, what have you done to him that his boggart is you?"

"That's none of your business."

"I think it is. They're my students, too, and, as far as I'm concerned, there is never any excuse for being an asshole to children. They're children! You're a grown man. So grow up."

"You don't know..."

"What? What you went through? How hard it was for you when you were their age? That's irrelevant."

"It is not irrelevant!"

"In this, it is. Look. You're my friend. And I'm sorry that your childhood was awful. I really, truly am. If I could go back in time and fix it, I would, but I can't. And neither can you. And no amount of making everyone else miserable is going to make you any happier."

"Septima, I swear..."

"Grow up. Act right. Or I'll go to Dumbledore. I know he lets you get away with murder, but I think he'll be on my side for this."

"Are we done here?"

Septima considered him for a moment. He had never listened to her before. Nor had Dumbledore.

"For now."