CHAPTER ONE:

Departure

"Did you have relations with her?"

"Yes," Severus answered.

"Not that I find this distinction necessarily relevant one way or the other, but, on Hogwarts grounds?"

Severus winced. "Yes."

Dumbledore nodded. "You are, of course, terminated."

"Yes, Headmaster."

Even though he had been expecting it, Severus still found himself blindsided. The very notion, spoken out loud.

Of course he would be let go. Of course he was out of line. He had known that. Yet, somehow, he had been so focused on the incoming Ministry assault, his role as the runaway convict, he had momentarily forgotten what his (now very public) relationship with Hermione Granger would mean.

Severus watched, waiting for Dumbledore's diatribe to commence, for the full wrath of his employer to rain down upon him in brimstone and hellfire.

But, as the seconds ticked by, Dumbledore remained calm, unspeaking.

"You do not seem… angry," Severus said at last.

"Severus," Dumbledore responded. He sounded almost weary. "It is not my business nor ever has been, but I have long thought that you needed the support and affection of a person who might—"

Severus felt his hackles raise in an instant. "I do not need anything of the sort," he spat. "As though she were a tonic to some manner of incurable illness. The idea is absurd."

Dumbledore leveled a discerning gaze through his spectacles. "You asked for my reasoning. Do not discount it simply because you claim to disagree."

Severus made a deliberate effort to unclench his fists. "I apologize," he said quietly.

"You are forgiven," Dumbledore replied.

"Headmaster…" Severus struggled to find the right words. He had never imagined himself to be in such a situation. The circumstances were so foreign. How to proceed? How to ask for a favor? He knew he had no legs to stand on, but damned if he wasn't going to try. "I do have one request," he said finally. "My actions are my own and I take full responsibility. Miss Granger must not be blamed."

Dumbledore nodded, understanding immediately. "She will not face disciplinary actions. Not dire ones in any case. I do believe Minerva has insisted on counseling, which, in truth, is a notion that I find quite agreeable. Miss Granger will be required to meet with her Head of House every week until the end of term. And though I doubt Miss Granger will find this arrangement convenient, I'm certain she will abide by it nonetheless."

Severus nodded, unsure what to say, so remaining silent.

"In addition…" For the first time, Dumbledore took on a mild, if very deliberate severity. "I must ask that you not see her again until she has finished her schooling at Hogwarts. As of now, you are no longer under my supervision and I have no authority to make a direct order of you, so I concede that you may do as you wish in this regard. But, nonetheless, I do ask. Miss Granger is in our care and though I by no means condemn the romantic joining of two intelligent and consenting adults, I do feel that her studies must take priority. You would be a very… inopportune distraction. Not only to her but to the school at large. I do not think her peers would react very kindly were they to be faced with the blatant reality of a former professor taking up with one of their own."

"I understand and I consent," Snape said. "You have my word. I will not … distract her for the remainder of term."

"Must you always be so taciturn, even in agreement?"

"Yes."

Dumbledore sighed. "Such as it is."

For a moment, Dumbledore seemed contemplative. He gazed not at Severus but at something just beyond him, as though he were not regarding anything in this room, his eyes seeing only the inner world of his own mind.

Finally, Dumbledore focused again on Severus. "Do you think she loves you?" he asked quietly.

Severus shifted uncomfortably. "That word… The idea, it… has not been discussed."

"Do you love her?"

Enough, Severus thought. Too far. "As I am no longer under your employ," he said coldly, "I do not have any obligation to answer questions of such personal nature. You are correct. It is not your business."

Dumbledore shrugged. "As you say." He then straightened up a bit in his chair, a recognizable sign that they could now move on to other business.

Severus felt his shoulders relax slightly.

"You will have time, of course," Dumbledore began, "to make new living arrangements. I'm sure you are aware that your current quarters will no longer be provided."

Severus nodded at once. "I'll leave tonight."

"Really, Severus, I do mean for you to have some care. I'll not see you put on the street."

"It turns out, I already have living arrangements available."

"Do you?"

"Yes. It appears my aunt recently passed and, as I am the only living legacy to the Snape name, I have inherited the estate. I received the owl first thing this morning."

"My condolences."

"Keep them. For I will further mention that, not so coincidentally, her passing occurred yesterday evening at Godric's Hollow, by the wand of our own Order member, Argyle Thopps."

"I see."

"The world is well to be rid of her."

Dumbledore did not voice agreement. Severus knew the Headmaster forever took pains not to revel in the death of anyone, no matter their obvious malevolence. The one exception, of course, being Voldemort. Even then, Dumbledore expressed sorrow rather than jubilation. Sorrow for the life itself, that it had become so corrupted and reached such a point of mortal corrosion that nothing but pure and total destruction could save it.

In any case, Dumbledore let Severus's comment go. He stroked his beard, thoughtfully. "Now that's settled, we must discuss the Ministry. It is my understanding that they are going to pursue charges. Arthur confirmed it this morning. There is no time to waste, but I want you to know that I have already sent the first of many correspondences requesting written testimony, and Nymphadora Tonks has personally volunteered to testify on your behalf, as well as several —"

"No."

Dumbledore heaved a long, tired sigh. "I suppose I know you well enough to accept that any further exercise I make on this matter will be futile. Your mind is made up, is it?"

"You are, as they say, a very perceptive man."

Dumbledore made a clear noise of exasperation. "You will be a pariah, my boy. No one will accept your employ, the wizarding world at large will scorn your name. What are you prepared to do for work, to make a living?"

"I mentioned, did I not, that I have received an inheritance?"

"Is it sizable?"

"I will be comfortable for many long years. Supposing I do not live them extravagantly."

"Still, even with your housing and finances in order, I do wonder. You are not an idle man, Severus. What do you intend on doing with yourself?"

Severus thought of Hermione's proposal. The research, largitio hunting, their mutual endeavor to recreate her Phoenix potion. "I have… possibilities," he said. "Potential ambitions. As yet posited but so far undetermined."

Dumbledore folded his hands sagely. "Mh. Mysterious."

"Quite."

Dumbledore searched Severus's eyes. It did not take him long to see the resistance in them. Gracefully, he yielded.

"I shall ask no more on the subject," he said.

Severus gave a gracious nod.

Their meeting carried on very little after that, as Severus was already fidgeting, ready to leave. Dumbeldore, having known him longer and perhaps more deeply than anyone ever had, was quick to end their discussion once it became apparent that Severus had reached his limit.

They stood for a moment at the office door, readying their parting words.

"I am… sorry, Headmaster," Severus said haltingly. "For many things. For the trouble caused by Frend, the death of Black, for my arrest. I am sorry for my departure now, that I have caused such disruption." But, I am not sorry for her, he thought. I will never be sorry for her.

In response, Dumbledore put a hand on Severus's shoulder. Then, without warning, he suddenly yanked him into a full embrace.

Severus was too shocked to respond, stiff with inaction as the old man's thin frame held him close, the hair of his beard like a soft cloud alighting on his shoulder. Before Severus could properly disentangle his senses and perform a rudimentary sentence, Dumbledore pulled away and stepped back, beaming fondly.

"For seventeen years I have wanted to do that. As a member of my staff, it felt out of line, but, now, as my friend, the opportunity seemed more than nigh."

"Friend?"

"Oh, yes. I should think so."

Severus was not sure how to respond. Eventually, he held out his hand. A handshake seemed so inadequate in the face of all their experiences together, but it was the best he felt comfortable offering. Dumbledore seemed to find it more than acceptable, however, and took his hand up warmly in both of his own.

"Farewell, my boy. Do take care."

Leaving Dumbledore's office, Severus found himself in a deep turmoil of conflicting emotions. Despite Dumbledore's ultimate… approval? Support? The old man's nuanced notions were hard to decipher. Severus still felt sufficiently chastised. Obviously any termination of employment, even if expected and accepted, was enough to make anyone second guess the circumstances that had put them there.

Severus wasn't second guessing his feelings for her — no, those remained. His actions, however, those he now… regretted? It was hard to be sure. Because looking at each instance, every untoward move he had made, even those ultimate revelations of desire that had so consumed them in the Room of Requirement, he could not for the life of him determine which, if any, he would take back.

This is what put him in such a mental predicament. What to do now? On the eve of his departure? Even though he would not undo his relations with Hermione in any capacity of that silly term, it did not sit right with him to see her today given how his attentions towards her had just ended a seventeen year tenure. The problem of it all was, knowing her sensibilities, he understood that if he did not see her, she would take it as a very deep, possibly unforgivable, offense.

After much deliberation, many pacing laps around his private lab as he packed, and cleaned, and prepared, he decided, ultimately, to play chaste.

Dumbledore's embrace still lingered. And despite Severus's discomfort, that gesture had not been without meaning. He wanted more than ever to make a deliberate effort towards propriety, towards keeping the word he had so recently pledged.

Furthermore, as an imminent "pariah" of the wizarding world, he would certainly need every ounce of good grace he could find.

So, Severus decided. He would write Hermione a letter and take his leave, without fuss, without spectacle. Of course, a part of him preferred the notion. Spectacle of any kind always turned his stomach. Had he talked himself into this method of departure for selfish reasons? He did not think so. But it was enough to make him pause on the thought.

No, this was the right choice. He was certain of it.

Still…

A letter.

Merlin help him.

A letter.

She was going to be furious.