Severus woke up feeling warmer and lighter than he had felt for a while. His backside was still a little uncomfortable but totally bearable. And the potions and nap had worked wonders. Now all that was left was dealing with the awkwardness of facing his dad. He groaned thinking about how at his age, he still got spanked. And there was also the disappointment of disappointing Albus.
Just then Albus entered the room and said brightly, "Oh you're up. I was fretting whether I should let you get the rest you clearly need or wake you up for food and potions. I'm glad that dilemma is solved. Let me arrange for the food."
"How long was I asleep?"
"A little over 5 hours actually."
"How could you let me sleep for that long? I have things to do."
"Even the Queen takes a break when she's sick, Sev."
"But unfortunately I'm not the queen and don't have the luxury."
"The only responsibility of yours that can't wait is Draco. And I have invited him here after dinner and you can check in on him. Alright?"
"Yes sir."
"Come on now Sev, none of that, please. You have been punished. It's over. Yes, we have some discussions pending about poor choices but not now, okay? Let's eat and you can tell me what's been going on with Draco and I'll listen. Let's see if we can't figure it out together, okay?"
Severus wanted to say that he didn't want to have any more discussions and to ask the headmaster to sod off but right now the peace felt good and he still felt a little worn out so he just went and hugged Albus. ALbus was a little surprised but enveloped Severus soon enough and rubbed his back. Finally letting go, Severus said, "So I did hear right, you can't swat me till madam POmfrey clears me. Oh, the possibilities!"
Albus chuckled as he said, "Possibilities of creative punishments, absolutely."
They walked to the comfortable dining table and settled down with their food. Before Severus was ready to share, he wanted a story in return. "When was the time that you felt completely at a loss about what to do with me?"
Albus recognised that this was a serious question and regarded Severus from under his spectacles as he said, "I've never felt completely at a lost because I always knew that I had to love you, no matter what." Sensing that Sever us was about to cut in with impatience, he continued, "But the closest I have to come to feeling that I didn't know how exactly to show that love was around the time when you won that award for Young Prodigy in Potions in your sixth year."
Both of their minds went back to that memory.
Albus was woken up from his rather short sleep - your body refuses to sleep as you grow older and once you reach a century it feels almost impossible to fall asleep - by an incessant knocking on his door. He was a little scared because nobody would disturb him at this time of night unless it was a serious emergency like a dark wizard attacking Hogwarts. When he opened the door to find Filch holding his son by the scruff of his neck, he almost wished for a dark wizard who he could duel against. It would have been easier than dealing with an angsty teenager.
He didn't even need to prompt Filch.
"Headmaster, sorry to bother you at this hour but I found this scoundrel wandering the halls at night, with illicit potions ingredients, a book from the restricted section of the library and coming from nowhere. I believe he has something brewing in the Room of Requirements. He wouldn't tell me what he is brewing. You should ask the castle to let you in and give this young man a taste of his own medicine. He really deserves to be hung by his toes for such blatant…"
It really was late and so Albus interjected, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Argus. I will take it from here."
Filch looked like he wanted to say more but when Albus held the boy's arm, Filch had to let go.
Albus directed Severus to the middle of his living room and left him standing there. He sat down on the sofa in front and after a few seconds of deep breathing said, "Do you need a Beozar or any other antidote?"
"No sir."
"Does anything hurt?"
"No sir, there was no accident. I'm a proficient brewer."
"And that is an excuse to be out of your dorm in the middle of the night with items you have no business having?"
Severus shrugged.
"Sorry son but I find it hard to believe you right now so I am going to run a diagnostic spell."
"Whatever."
"Hundred lines of 'Being respectful at all times is a sign of a good upbringing' by tea tomorrow."
There goes all his free time. Couldn't the man just give him something shorter like 'I will be respectful'!
He was about to smart off again but before he could, Albus started the incantation of the diagnostic.
After a few minutes, Albus said, "You're healthy but you haven't eaten dinner and haven't been drinking enough water for quite some time."
As if on cue, Severus' stomach growled.
"It is really late for a snack. But you may have some tea to soothe your stomach ill breakfast. I hope there's a lesson here about eating meals on time?"
Albus hated keeping food from the kid but he had to remind himself that had Severus not been caught, he would have got nothing till the morning and giving him food right now would just make him sick.
"Would you prefer tea first or punishment?"
"I'd prefer the tea to be my punishment, for nothing."
Albus sighed.
"Go on to your room. I'll have tea sent there, drink it if you like, then go to sleep. I will wake you up an hour before you have to leave for breakfast and we'll deal with this at that time. It's late. You need your sleep."
"Why can't I go back to my dorm?"
"Good night, Severus."
"Arrgghh," Severus stomped off and Albus decided to let it go for now. But then he remembered and asked, "Does the potion need any attention in the next month?"
Severus was about to argue and so he explained, "it's late, I don't want to argue. I didn't even ask what you were brewing for now. I just want to know if it poses any danger and needs my attention?"
Severus sighed, "No sir, I finished brewing."
Before he could realize his mistake, Albus had accio-ed the vial from his robes.
He stuttered but wisely kept quiet. Albus broke the tension in the room with a "Go."
The one good thing was that Severus did choose to drink some tea.
Albus knew that he couldn't go back to sleep now so he sat at his desk, trying to get a headstart on some paperwork but his brain just kept considering how he was going to deal with his son. The boy had more than earned the cane with the multiple major rules he broke and put himself in harm by brewing experimental potions alone. But did he have it in him to use such a brutal implement on his son? One who was on the cusp of adulthood? But would anything else make an impact? He really wanted to do right by his son. If only he knew what was the right thing to do. He hoped the morning would bring some answers.