Chapter 18

1st of September, 1991
London

The crushing darkness of Snape's office gave way to a maelstrom of neon lights, and pounding music. Albus fucking Dumbledore and Severus sasuking Snape stood in the queue for an enormous nightclub, a pulsing beacon of nightlife. The air hummed with energy, laughter, and the scent of sweat mixed with perfume. Bright neon lights flickered above, casting kaleidoscopic hues over the throng of people.

Directly in front of them, a cluster of teenagers whispered anxiously. One boy, barely old enough to be out past curfew, nervously adjusted his ill-fitting blazer. "Do you think they'll buy it?" he asked, his voice cracking with anxiety. His friend, trying to appear nonchalant, nodded vigorously. "Just act like you belong. Confidence is key."

To their left, a woman in a fishnet suit stood out, her body a study in curves and confidence. The fishnet fabric clung to her like a second skin, revealing tantalizing glimpses of smooth, pale flesh beneath. Her eyes, heavily lined with dark, smoky makeup, locked onto Snape's with a predatory intensity. Her lips, painted a deep crimson, curled into a knowing smile as she held his gaze.

She moved closer with the fluid grace of a cat, each step causing the fishnet to shift and reveal more of her alluring figure. Her hips swayed rhythmically, the motion hypnotic and deliberate. The fabric of her suit created intricate patterns over her body, leading the eye along the curves of her breasts and hips.

"See something you like?" she purred, her voice a low, seductive whisper that sent a shiver down Snape's spine. Her breath, warm and fragrant, brushed against his ear as she leaned in slightly. Snape felt his face flush with a mix of embarrassment and unexpected desire. His heart raced as he quickly turned away, muttering a curse under his breath - well, not really a cruse, you get it-, struggling to regain his composure while the woman's sultry laughter echoed in his ears.

Nearby, two burly men, their faces flushed from alcohol, were locked in a heated debate. "I'm telling you, it's your round!" one slurred, waving a meaty fist in the air. The other shook his head vehemently, almost losing his balance. "No way, you still owe me from last weekend!" Their voices rose above the thumping bass, creating an oddly comedic counterpoint.

A little further down, a group of young women in sparkling dresses were huddled together, taking selfies and laughing. "Get the lights in the background!" one of them squealed, her voice barely audible over the music. They posed and giggled, the anticipation of the night ahead reflected in their eyes.

Closer to the entrance, a street magician in a sequined jacket was entertaining a small crowd. With a flourish, he made coins disappear and reappear, his hands moving with practiced ease. "And for my next trick," he declared, pulling a deck of cards from his sleeve, "I'll need a volunteer!" His audience, a mix of skepticism and delight, watched with bated breath.

Dumbledore's eyes lit up with childlike excitement. "Oh, Severus, look! A magician! I simply must see this." Before Snape could protest, Dumbledore had elbowed his way to the front of the crowd.

"What the hell is that, Headmaster ? And why are we here?", asked Snape.

"I'll volunteer!" Dumbledore called out cheerfully, raising his hand. The magician, a bit taken aback by the enthusiasm, nodded and gestured for Dumbledore to step forward.

"Wonderful! Now, sir, could you pick a card, any card," the magician said, fanning out the deck. Dumbledore, with a twinkle in his eye, selected a card with dramatic flair, showing it to the crowd before handing it back.

The magician shuffled the deck, performed a few deft moves, and then, with a flourish, revealed the card Dumbledore had chosen. The crowd clapped appreciatively, and Dumbledore beamed, clapping along.

"Marvelous! Truly marvelous!" Dumbledore exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. "You, my good man, are a wizard in your own right."

The magician, clearly pleased, bowed theatrically. "Thank you, sir. The magic is all in the hands."

"Indeed, indeed," Dumbledore said, winking at Snape. "It's all in the wrist, Severus", Dumbledore whispered to the potion Master.

Snape, his patience wearing thin, hissed, "Headmaster, we really should—"

But Dumbledore was already moving back toward the queue, his attention caught by another spectacle. Completely at ease, he turned his gaze to a striking Asian woman in her early thirties, dressed in a gothic outfit. Her raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting starkly with her pale skin, which seemed to glow under the club's neon lights. Her corset, crafted from black leather and lace, cinched tightly around her slender waist, pushing up her ample breasts and highlighting her hourglass figure. The intricate lace patterns teased the eye. Her skirt, made of layered tulle and lace, swished around her thighs, revealing long, shapely legs adorned with intricate Yakuza tattoos. The dark, elaborate designs snaked down her legs, drawing the eye to her high-heeled boots that added an extra edge to her gothic allure.

Dumbledore approached her with a playful twinkle in his eye, clearly captivated by her sultry presence. As she turned towards him, her eyes met his with a curious, inviting gaze. Her full, red lips curled into a seductive smile, and she leaned slightly towards him, the movement making her corset creak softly and accentuating her already voluptuous figure. The soft fabric of her skirt brushed against her thighs, revealing more of the smooth, tattooed skin beneath.

Dumbledore, undeterred by Snape's mounting impatience, stepped even closer, fully absorbed in the erotic presence of the gothic beauty before him. Her perfume, a mix of jasmine and spice, enveloped him as he leaned in, ready to deliver his next line.

"My dear lady," Dumbledore said, his voice dripping with charm, "if you were a spell, you'd be one of a kind, because no one can resist you."

To Snape's utter disbelief, the woman giggled, a flush creeping up her cheeks. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" she replied, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

Dumbledore, undeterred, leaned in closer. "Do you have a magic wand? Because you've just cast a spell on me."

The woman laughed, clearly enjoying the attention. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

Dumbledore winked at Snape, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "It's all in the wrist, Severus, and perhaps a touch of magical charisma." He turned back to the woman, his smile widening. "Are you an illusion? Because when I'm with you, nothing else seems real."

Snape's growing impatience was palpable. "Headmaster, we really should—"

But Dumbledore wasn't finished. "If you were an incantation, you'd be 'Astonishing,' because you've left me spellbound."

The woman's laughter was like a tinkling bell. "You're incorrigible!"

Dumbledore placed a hand over his heart. "Only for the most enchanting of creatures, my dear."

After a few more minutes of Dumbledore's shameless flirting and Snape's mounting exasperation, they finally reached the entrance. Standing there, arms crossed and exuding an air of authority, was none other than Remus Lupin. Dressed in typical bouncer attire, his tight-fitting shirt revealed a surprisingly muscular build. Lupin's eyes widened as he recognized the pair before him.

"Headmaster Dumbledore? Sniv..Snape ?" Lupin's voice was a mix of shock and disbelief. "What are you two doing here?"

Snape's face contorted with displeasure. "Lupin? What in Merlin's name are you doing working as a bouncer in a Muggle club?" His voice dripped with disdain, his eyes narrowing as he glared at one of his old school tormentors.

Dumbledore, catching the tension, stopped speaking to the woman as she slipped into the club. He glanced down at his hand, where her number was scribbled in neat, black ink, then turned to Remus with a cheerful smile.

"Remus, my good man!" Dumbledore greeted, his tone warm and familiar. Remus gulped, clearly taken aback by the presence of the venerable Headmaster. As an outcast, Remus was acutely aware of how much he owed Dumbledore—his education, his safety, and probably his life. A werewolf who attacked a student would have been executed without a second thought.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," Remus replied deferentially, his eyes flicking to Snape with mixed feelings. Now an adult, Remus regretted the pranks he and the Marauders had played on Snape, realizing they had crossed the line into bullying. He saw Snape's bitterness and understood it more than he had as a boy.

Snape's expression twisted with hatred. "Still finding ways to make my life miserable, Lupin?" he sneered. "Or is this just a new low for you?"

Remus bristled at the insult, a flash of anger in his eyes. The wolf inside him felt aggressive, ready to defend against the hostility. "Severus, this isn't the place—"

Dumbledore raised a hand, cutting off Remus. "Now, now, let's not get carried away." He chuckled softly, then his expression grew serious. "Remus, Severus, I'm here to right some wrongs."

Both men recoiled in surprise, their voices overlapping in disbelief. "What?"

Snape's mind raced. Is he... is he going to...?

Dumbledore took a deep breath, his eyes softening with regret. "I realize now that I made a grave mistake, allowing the Marauders to 'prank' Severus without proper consequences. I thought it was harmless fun, but it was anything but. I failed to protect one of my students, and it has haunted me. It may be late, but I must correct my past mistakes."

Both men stuttered, struggling to process the Headmaster's words. "I—what—" Remus began, but Snape's voice cut through.

"You... you mean it?" Snape's voice was barely more than a whisper, disbelief mingling with a flicker of hope.

Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Yes, Severus. I should have seen it for what it was and acted accordingly. I am deeply sorry for the pain it caused you."

For the first time in a long while, Snape felt a warm feeling in his chest. The bitterness and anger that had been his constant companions seemed to waver. He looked at Dumbledore, a glimmer of something softening his usually harsh expression.

Remus Lupin hesitated. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. On one hand, he knew he had bullied Snape, and he felt deep shame. The pranks, the cruelty—they haunted him. But on the other hand, pride was a stubborn remnant of his youth. And Snape... Snape had become a Death Eater, aligning himself with dark forces. It was one thing to apologize to a wronged schoolboy, but to the man Snape had become? That was a bitter pill to swallow.

Dumbledore broke the silence with a firm but gentle command. "Remus, you need to apologize to Severus."

Remus's internal struggle was evident on his face. He glanced at Snape, seeing the mixture of hope and suspicion in his eyes. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he spoke. "Severus, I'm sorry. For everything. For the pranks, for the bullying, for not understanding the impact of our actions."

Dumbledore nodded approvingly but added, "More sincerely, Remus."

Remus took a deep breath, his voice gaining a steadier, more genuine tone. "Severus, I truly mean it. I'm deeply sorry for the pain we caused you. I wish I had been wiser and kinder."

Snape smiled, and a flicker of satisfaction crossed his features. He looked at Dumbledore, who gave him an encouraging nod. "Now, Severus," Dumbledore prompted, "say that you accept his apology."

Severus' scowl deepened, but he managed to utter, "I... accept your apology, Remus."

Dumbledore suddenly brightened, his usual cheerfulness returning. "Splendid! Now, punishment time!"

Before anyone could react, Dumbledore moved with surprising speed. "Behold, the Whirling Phoenix!" he cried, grabbing Remus by the wrist and spinning him around. With a flourish, he executed a textbook hip toss, sending Lupin flying through the air. As Remus landed with a thud, Dumbledore transitioned smoothly into an armbar. "And now, the Sleeping Dragon!" he declared, applying just enough pressure to render Remus unconscious without causing harm.

The other bouncer, seeing a client attacking his colleague and not understanding the situation, charged forward. "Oh, I love this one!" Dumbledore exclaimed with a twinkle in his eye. "The Gryffindor Grapple!" He sidestepped the bouncer with the agility of a seasoned martial artist, then executed a perfect suplex, lifting the bouncer off his feet and slamming him down hard. With a swift motion, he applied a sleeper hold. "Say goodnight with the Slytherin Slumber!" Within moments, the second bouncer was out cold.

Snape stood there, eyes wide with shock and a trace of amusement. "What in Merlin's name—" he began.

Dumbledore straightened up, dusting off his hands. "Well, Severus, sometimes a little dramatic flair is needed to set things right. Now, let's get inside, shall we?"

As they stepped over the unconscious bodies and entered the club, Snape couldn't help but feel a strange mix of confusion, satisfaction, and the faintest glimmer of hope. It seemed that this night, chaotic and unexpected as it was, might just be a turning point after all. The noise of the club enveloped them as they moved through the crowd, the pulse of the music matching the newfound rhythm in Snape's chest.

Suddenly, Snape's eyes widened with realization. "The Welcoming Feast!" he blurted out, his voice barely audible over the pounding music. "Fuck, we're going to be late."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricate device. It was a delicate hourglass, suspended within a complex network of golden rings that seemed to shimmer with their own internal light. "Ah, Severus, you worry too much. Allow me to introduce you to the Ministry's finest bit of time magic—a Time-Turner."

The hourglass glinted under the club's neon lights, the sand inside appearing to flow both forward and backward. "I acquired this from the Ministry under a rather humorous pseudonym," Dumbledore continued, his voice barely concealing his amusement. "It seems a certain brilliant student named Bladus Dumblebledorre needed it for his exceedingly important studies. This particular Time-Turner is quite special—it can take us back up to forty-eight hours, though it does require a significant cooldown period afterward. So let's go in."