Chapter 13: Dunderhead
Obscurial didn't know what to think of Dunderhead as the two sat down. This new Snape seemed too... happy. Far too happy to be another version of the same man.
"... you answered the advert," Obscurial began.
Dunderhead nodded simply. "Yeah, Lily showed it to me, and I thought it'd be fun."
He thought... it'd be... fun. "And I assume you're aware of Gestalt?"
"Oh, yeah, when I heard about that, I thought they were taking the piss!"
"... alright," Obscurial said, not bothering to mince words. "What the hell happened to you?"
"What do you mean?"
Obscurial gestured to Dunderhead's nametag, which caused the latter to look down. Dunderhead's good mood shifted, the warmth leaving his face as he took a more solemn look.
"I uh..." Dunderhead shifted in his chair, his fingers now drumming the arms of the chair. "Well, do you remember our Defense O.W.L?"
"Yes."
"And we were attacked."
"I recall."
"Well... I cast a spell at Potter, and then they retaliated by swelling up my head. And then they lifted me up and dropped me on my head, and I... well, I lost everything."
Obscurial took a moment to process the words. "Elaborate."
"I woke up in the hospital wing at Hogwarts and... I mean, I lost all my memories. I didn't even know who I was. And then Lily showed up, and she helped me remember, though it took a bit for my memory to catch up."
"So, you remained friends with Lily?"
"Friends? We got married right out of Hogwarts. Had to, given she was pregnant with Alice-Marie."
"And what about the war with Voldemort?" Obscurial was concerned with the implications of this divergence. "Did the Death Eaters pursue you?"
"They lost interest when they heard about my head, up until the war. By then, I'd sorted my head out."
"And...?"
"I mean, we won- wait, how is this related to the advert?"
Obscurial looked down at his ledger. "You applied for janitorial duties?"
"I thought, once this club starts getting busy, you might need some help with that."
"I- alright, fine, you have the job."
"... is that it?"
Obscurial nodded. "Go find Caretaker at the bar."
"And that would be...?"
Obscurial stood and led Dunderhead out of the office and pointed down the corridor. "Follow the signs."
Dunderhead nodded and left, almost turning the wrong way before correcting himself, much to Obscurial's dismay.
"Sev?"
Obscurial turned to find Lily, or Widow, standing by his side. "Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Obscurial replied.
"... no, you're not." Widow took a step forward and leaned into Obscurial, giving him a hug. "What's wrong?"
"It's really nothing..." Obscurial trailed off as he met Widow's eyes. "... one of them used magic."
Widow didn't respond immediately, but her expression gradually changed to that of understanding. "... Sev, it's been ages."
"I-"
"You're allowed to use magic," Widow cut in, repeating the mantra Obscurial had heard many a night. "It's allowed."
Obscurial hesitated, but hugged her back.
"You won't turn evil," Widow assured him. "You're not evil."
Obscurial nodded as he felt Widow kiss his cheek.
"Now," Widow said with renewed vigor, "go out there and entertain for a bit."
"Phantom's probably playing something by now."
"Well, you ought to go and hear what he's playing." Widow nudged his ribs.
Obscurial smirked and kissed her on the forehead before leaving, returning to the bar he'd left in Caretaker's hands. He re-entered the room, finding the other Snapes talking amongst themselves as Phantom played classical music on the stage piano. Dunderhead was behind the bar, helping Caretaker with the drinks.
"He's returned," Princeps said, gesturing to Obscurial. The other Snapes turned to greet him.
Obscurial walked behind the bar, picked up a rag, and started cleaning one of the glasses. "Would anyone like-"
The door opened, all Snapes turning to find a new Severus Snape enter.
