The Review
Severus/ Dumbledore
- Tsubaki
"Severus..."
Snape rolled his eyes in disgust. Ignoring the annoying chatter from Albus, Snape concentrated on finely chopping the large root he held to the table firmly. He needed a full three-hundred-and-ninety-four-percent dedication to this complex potion, or else it would be ruined. Severus Snape did not tolerate ruined potions.
Adding precisely four strips of finely chopped root to his cauldron, which simmered on low heat while he prepared the next set of ingredients, Severus was once again reminded of the Headmaster's presence in his personal laboratory.
"Severus," Albus spoke quieter this time, his voice low and authoratative.
Snape sneered but continued to ignore Dumbledore. He stirred the cauldron clockwise exactly three times, taking great care to count the seconds in between each stroke of the ladle. He turned to his mortar and began to grind thick beans into a powder substance, a task that would have taken an amateur a few minutes to produce. However, Snape was no amateur. Conducting himself in such an elegant flow of energy from his upper arm to his wrist, Severus quickly obliterated the beans in a matter of seconds. He added the powder to his cauldron, smirking in satisfaction as the brew transformed itself a shade of bright blue, clear as day.
Dumbledore leaned against the door frame as Snape worked, his eyes blazing through the dark and not missing a single sweep of Snape's movements. He cleared his throat not in annoyance, but simply out of amusement. He knew Severus Snape very well; he knew Snape was the type of man to put work ahead of everything else in his life, including himself. The man rarely ever 'rested', always brewing new potions or grading worthless essays of the sort. Oh yes, Snape hardly ever indulged himself any guilty pleasures; in fact, Albus was not even sure that the man had guilty pleasures. Such a formidable aura he always exuded. Severus Snape was a tough mystery to solve.
"Severus," not a plea, but a demand.
Snape cursed under his breath, his patience finally giving out. He cautiously turned the flame off before rounding on the Headmaster, his obsidian eyes narrowing in distaste. His eyebrow twitched profusely.
"WHAT do you WANT you insufferable OLD MAN?! Can't you see I'm busy?! It may have escaped your notice, but not everyone has time for afternoon tea and ginger snaps, Headmaster," he emphasized the man's title, practically spitting it out. "If you want to harass me, might I suggest picking a time when I am not preoccupied with an intricate potion under my possession!"
Ah. That is the Snape he knew and loved. All bite to go with that bark. Dumbledore could not help the genuine smile that spread across his face.
"Your review came in today. You have been cleared for the Defense Against Dark Arts position. I thought I'd come tell you in person."
Severus's face paled, his mouth slightly agape, and his dignity somewhat damaged. The ladle fell to the ground with a loud 'ping', the only sound echoing in the room for quite a while.
"Yes, well, you should have very much said so at the door, Albus. You know how I get when I brew," Severus recovered, his bravado back in place.
"Yes, yes, Severus. I know you quite well."
Dumbledore smirked as he moved to exit the lab, leaving Severus gaping at his shadow as he walked.