The semester was in full swing. Professor Whisp stepped into the staff room between classes to see Snape buried in a pile of parchment and McGonagall making a cup of tea. Snape carefully controlled the blush attempting to rush to his face and concentrated on looking busy and unfazed.
"Oh Evelyn," Minerva said, buzzing with excitement, "Who are your galleons on for the Quidditch Cup this year?"
This was a dangerous subject as Professors Snape and McGonagall took immense pride in their students and were fierce competitors on their behalf.
"If you're looking for odds, you would be better off asking Septima. My discipline follows the maxim that surety brings ruin. Too many spirits I know lie through their teeth anyway." This seemed to be a safely neutral and dismissive response. She sat at the table opposite Snape with her own stack of parchment. Their eyes secretly met for a brief moment.
"You're no fun," Minerva said, turning toward a cabinet behind Snape, still in a jovial mood.
Now, news had spread about a certain boggart donning a tall hat with a stuffed vulture at the top, a long green dress, fox fur scarf, and, of course, a big red handbag. It should also be noted that Minerva McGonagall and Augusta Longbottom were very old friends who maintained sociable correspondence.
Minerva turned stealthily, holding the hat, creeping up behind Snape while suppressing a giggle and slipped it onto his head. He turned, annoyed at the interruption, to see Minerva's smirking face. Upon realizing what had happened, he let out an exasperated sigh.
"I think it looks quite smart," Evelyn commented sniggering. Snape's glare looked like ice, but there was humor behind it. He knew that he looked ridiculous, but the ladies were having fun. At least Minerva had the taste to perform this stunt in front of a small trusted group and not in the Great Hall. He was meant to be in on the joke, not humiliated. After a childhood of ridicule, he had to remind himself that this was a friendly gesture.
"Longbottom will have more to worry about than a little shrinking potion for his toad," Severus added dryly.
"You wouldn't really have fed a botched potion to an innocent toad, would you?" Evelyn worried, having heard rumors from class.
"Wouldn't I?" Severus responded, a sardonic smile crossing his face. He would have looked menacing but was still wearing the hat. Laughter broke out around the room.
Minerva lightly squeezed Severus's shoulder for being a good sport. "Alright now," Minerva composed herself, "I ought to be checking in on Mr. Lupin before, you-know-what." She hadn't intended to refer to him as though he were still a student, but old habits came out when she was worried.
Snape had been reflecting on the grudges that he held and was coming to the conclusion that holding onto malice was only hurting himself.
"Actually, I've been thinking," he stopped her. "I might be able to help."