Chapter 105: A Rightful Promotion And An Issue Of Warning
{A/N: Here's Another Update...}
My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.
Three Broomsticks Tavern, Hogsmeade Village, Wizarding World...
Smoke filled the room as Severus Snape did his best to ignore the many puzzled stares as he sat at a lone table in the Three Broomsticks Tavern. He had taken note of Rosmerta eyeing him a time or two rather suspiciously. Everyone knew Snape much preferred to meet at the Hogshead Inn, but Dumbledore of all people insisted on discussing the upcoming term here. Snape rolled his eyes when the elder wizard approached him annoyed by all accounts by the prospect of being summoned to begin with. Still, he had known quite well that since Umbridge had been vacated from her role as Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor the previous year, the position was now in need of being filled. Dumbledore smiled as pleasantly as possible, no doubt to unnerve the younger dour wizard.
"Good evening, Severus." he said as his blue eyes twinkled upon his arrival.
"What do you want old man?" asked Snape already embittered about the new terms' implications.
"I've asked you here today to inform you, that you are absolutely correct about the need for a new Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor." said the old man.
Snape arched a brow at this unsure of what to make of his being correct in this situation. He'd been after the position for a good number of years and always denied it, he had little reason to believe it would ever be awarded to him. Still he had to attempt some means of ensuring that both his wife and Potter were properly prepared for the war to come if only to keep another mishap like what happened at The Ministry Of Magic Offices from happening.
"Well out with it old man, whom are you going to give the position to?" asked Snape growing rather impatient despite Dumbledore's constant need to play mind games and speak in ridiculous riddles.
"After some careful consideration and a bit of reflection from last year, I have decided to appoint you as Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor this coming term." replied Dumbledore with the same sickening smiled filed across his aged face. "You concerns about the previous events spilling over to the new term and the lack of even basic training on the part of the students is sure to get them killed should the worst come to pass and as a result, I am entrusting you to get them ready for what is to come."
Severus Snape knew all too well what was to come.
He had dreaded it even as he sat in this place amid the sickeningly sweet scent of butter beer and the warmth from the ongoing fireplace.
War was on the horizon and once this upcoming term had concluded the wizarding world would never be the same.
Snape knew for certain that if Dumbledore had awarded him the new position then he was most definitely worried about the students and what would become of them.
"The boy is enjoying his summer, I take it?" asked Snape making conversation he knew it would eventually steer in the direction of Potter and now that he had his answer he wasn't as opposed to speaking about the elephant in the room as before.
"About as much as Miss Granger is." said Dumbledore with a flicker of knowing behind his eerie blue eyes.
Snape once more rolled his eyes at the elder wizard's deliberate use of his wife's maiden name.
"You have grown quite close these past few months." said Dumbledore seemingly puzzled as he appeared to be studying Snape for a few moments.
The Potions Master turned his attention to his drink, he had nearly forgotten he had ordered it after first entering the three broomsticks in a bid to wait for the old man.
"Severus, we have discussed this once before." said Dumbledore in something of a stern tone. "Miss Granger, is your wife due to the need for her protection."
"As you've said Headmaster we've already discussed this and she is my wife in every sense of the word." Snape replied in challenge.
"No good can come of your feelings for this girl." warned Dumbledore.
"It's not for you to decide now is it?" remarked Snape not in the least going to let the old man attempt to dictate his feelings for his wife.
"What say you, Severus?" asked Dumbledore still with a stern expression. "What is more important to you?, Your dalliances with your young wife or the position you've coveted since you began teaching at Hogwarts?"
"Don't do this old man." growled Snape in annoyance once more.
"It's a simple choice, the position you've always wanted or your continued association with your wife?" replied Dumbledore as if he had not a care in the world. "I'm sure I could find a suitable candidate for the upcoming term..."
Snape glared at the older wizard knowing full well that he wasn't above putting the safety of the students in jeopardy when it came to his "selectiveness". With war on the horizon there was no room for error. If Potter and Hermione were going to survive this war they needed proper instruction, even if it meant that he would have to end his association with his wife to do it.
"I look forward to the day you rot in hell old man." hissed Snape as he got to his feet and walked away from the table leaving a smiling Dumbledore in his wake to finish off the Butter beer that had just arrived.
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Severus Snape said hardly a word to anyone as he took his leave of Hogsmeade Village altogether seething with rage as a result of the old fool once more boxing him into a corner. He couldn't allow anyone else to teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts and put the students as well as Potter and his wife at risk, but at the same time he knew very well that he would never be able to stay away from Hermione. Snape sighed taking off rather swiftly as he did his best not to think of the last time he'd been with Hermione. Dumbledore had been right of course, the main reason for their marriage was so that he could keep Hermione safe and due to the folly of one Harry James Potter and his Dumbledore's Army nonsense she had very nearly met her end, had it not been for him interfering of course.
At this rate, the old fool had known all too well what his choice would be, He couldn't afford his wife coming to harm nor could he stomach yet another incompetent teacher instructing the wayward students about the dark arts when a full blown war was on the horizon.