- People! Applaude and be upstanding in the welcoming of our newest recruit - Severus Snape.
A person in voluminous black robes swiftly stepped forward and dropped on one knee in front of Voldemort.
This memory flashed in Potions Master's mind as the Hall full of students clapped politely. After they gave a curt nod and sat, and the start of term ceremony carried on, distracting everyone's attention from the teacher's table, they heard someone pass behind Professors' chairs and come to a halt at the spot Snape occupied.
- A word, after dinner.
Snape recognised Headmaster's calm and even voice and their hand slipped beside Snape's and away leaving a small stone plate behind.
- It's a pass: give it to the Gargoyle. - Dumbledore answered other's quizzical look.
Dumbledore saw Snape suppress the urge to ask for details and quickly snatch the pass from the table, giving the other a nod.
- Thank you! - they breathed before moving on.
Snape had never had to enter the Headmaster's study alone. They paused in front of the stone statue in utter bewilderment : how come they never payed the slightest attention to the way the other accessed their quarters? The stone lump didn't react to any sort of spell and it appeared practically impossible to make it "take" the pass as its paws were rooted to the floor. A Gargoyle, indeed!
Snape huffed in frustration, and, convinced that they will now have to wait until Dumbledore comes out to check why they are an hour late, faced the thing with an almost calm mind. When looked at properly, the statue had a peculiar charm to it: a mix of a wild bird and a ruthless dragon. A sudden wave of admiration made Snape run their fingers over the peculiar patterns on its muzzle, thinking: "I'm sorry, it's not your fault I don't know how the pass works". Their eyes widened when Gargoyle's beak opened forming a perfect slit for the plate.
Half way up the stairs they heard footsteps running down and realized, too late, that their preference for darkness didn't prompt them to turn on the light and their spy nature made their footfall remarkably quiet, so that the shaft looked undisturbed. Mentally prepared to be thrown down the spiral stairs at any moment, they froze when a figure of the Headmaster stopped abruptly somehow noticing them.
- Ah, Severus! I'm sorry, I forgot to mention how to find your way here. After you...
- I don't like to precede. - they didn't find anything civilized to answer to the first part, as the struggles by the door rushed vividly to their mind.
- Francly, neither do I. Luckily there's another option. - Dumbledore waved their hand and the stairs moved upwards, the two professors sharing a step.
Snape was pleasantly surprized to see that the light in the study came only from the window, the room bathed in the evening shadows. The bright light so late was downright painful for them, both physically and mentally as it reminded them of the luxury of Death Eaters' meetings, and as a result messed with their circadian rhythm. By conventional standards it made the atmosphere unofficial, but then Dumbledore wasn't a conventional person. For some unexplainable reason, Snape didn't want to be on their guard, but they knew better than to follow their wishes. The second their eyes met, Snape's Occlumency barriers were up high, an instinctive reaction to the lilac hue in Headmaster's eyes - a feature of a strong Legilimence, discernable only by Occlumences. Hard to forget how skilled and formidable they were.
Dumbledore left the door ajar (the entrance was guarded anyway and there was no need to cut out the exit) and put as much distance between them and the Potions Master as possible for a conversation still be comfortable. It didn't seem to work at all, so far was obvious from the somewhat stiff and grey expression on other's face. Dumbledore sighed and started to talk, they hated the aura of power that some people gave them, it put an abyss between speakers, a communicatif barrier, apart from being completely inaccurate.
- I am told to keep an eye on some students. They are of age and can participate in various organizations, so, the ministry is_ suggesting_ I should spy on them. Through my staff, of course. Instruct them. To punish anti-ministry, or anti-restrictive-policy views.
Snape felt the scrutiny of other's careful but Legilimency-free gaze. Their phrases were statements but bore the full load of a question.
Snape didn't know what to make of it, so they remained silent.
- They, obviously, will check: ask if there was something suspicious. But they won't come to me asking those questions, you understand. Do you want me to continue?
- Are you giving me a chance to say that I love the ministry and that your suggestion appalls me? - said Snape sardonically.
- Well, yes. I wouldn't necessarily expect that from you, but one never knows. - retorted the other, brightening up. They hopped to sit on the windowsill and their mischievous smile made their eyes twinkle in the twilight.
- I am ready to help, what is it that you need from me?
- To lie.
The casual tone that Dumbledore mastered so well for stakes so high, threw Snape off balance as usual.
- Who is safe?
- The staff, mostly ... Not the management, though, especially not Umbridge. I'm mostly hiring myself.
- Did you give all of them the talk too?
- I am not giving you the talk, I am begging you, don't you see? - Dumbledore laughed.
Snape merely raised an eyebrow.
- To make it more believable I offer you a favor, anything. - said Dumbledore, ready to have one spy short. They weren't on an equal footing with others and Dumbledore strived to give them a chance on a less disadvantageous position. It seemed obvious what they would ask for, replacing them would be a struggle, probably impossible, but Dumbledore thought it over and all in all_
- I'd like to fight you.
Snape didn't expect the other to look more saddened than surprised and wondered why it was the case. Other's expression, however, quickly shifted to a congenial smile.
- If you wish.
- When, where?
- How about now? I'd say Forbidden forest would be a convenient spot.
- It works. I concur.
Snape frowned at the hand stretched to them:
- I hope I can walk myself, I'm not a five year old, you know.
- Don't you want to Apparate?
- One can't Apparate in the Castle.
- Hmm, you can't, but I can.
Snape rolled their eyes, amused:
- Well, obviously, Headmaster.
They reached for other's hand, but they promptly took it back:
- Brian.
- Is it how you want to be addressed to?
- Yes.
- In private?
Dumbledore rose their eyebrows:
- Anywhere you wish. Up to you.
- I won't abuse it_ Brian.
Dumbledore smirked and stretched their hand again. They locked their forearms by the wrist and the cold and putrid air of the forest invaded their senses in an instant.
They still had to take a walk to find the best position and put up protective shield charms.
Dumbledore run a test and found a weak spot on Snape's side. They approached to mend it:
- I never saw you cast an imperfect shield charm before... Please don't tell me you doubt yourself. - they said pensievely.
- Would you deny your skill? I'd be a fool if I weren't losing my shit right now.
Their tone was customarily embedded in irony, but had an undercurrent of worry.
- To the first blood. No killing, right. - they added almost as a question.
- Of course. - Dumbledore said calmly.
They stood on the opposite ends of a clearing. Snape cast a challenging spell and the duel has began.
For quite a while they were mutually blocking each other's non-verbal spells, then Dumbledore's curse managed to breach Snape's defences, leaving a lingering painful sensation in their leg. Both of them showed quite powerful prowess, but Snape's wandwork took them a little more effort. They were doing ample movements with their arm, whereas Dumbledore used slight wrist motion only. The results however were just as impressive. After about ten long minutes of jumping around and slashing the air with the spells. They both've got a gush in their arm and stopped. Dumbledore had to lean against a tree trunk and Snape limped over with an awkwardness of a suddenly incapacitated person who's used to walking way faster. Dumbledore's face was calm as ever, if only a little too grey in a feeble moonlight.
When Snape approached their knees were about to give way and their whole body felt wrecked. Dumbledore offered them their uninjured arm and when the other leaned in, gently wrapped it around other's ribs. Snape was muttering healing incantations under their breath, making the cut in other's shoulder disappear. Dumbledore, in turn, cast a counter-curse on Snape's forearm. It took a while for their breathing to even out, and it reminded them of the last time they've been cursed and summoned Snape to their rescue.
Snape was kneeling beside their chair in an uncharacteristic state of nervous agitation:
- Why didn't you summon me a little earlier?! I could've repelled the curse quicker, save you much pain. - their voice, usually low and quiet, had briefly spiked up with fury.
Dumbledore's mouth twitched in a feeble attempt to smile politely at other's concern, because Snape's upturned face translated real pain: apparently they didn't bother to mask, counting on the suffering to cloud other's mind and beside the two of them there wasn't anyone in the study. This sight made Snape bite their lip; for some reason, they were so mad at the Headmaster.
- I... didn't want anyone.. to know. - Dumbledore muttered stiffly.
Snape shot a glance at the ring laying on the table. When they spoke, they sounded even quieter, force to keep their pitch comfortably low suddenly almost abandoning them.
- I didn't mean_ You don't have to explain. You can rely on my discretion.
Dumbledore came back to the present feeling Snape's arm slip away.
- Well, that was fun. It's a draw. - said Dumbledore.
Snape remained silent for a while apparently processing the fact that they didn't lose to Dumbledore themself.
- Yes, thank you.
They stood in silence for a second before:
- I thought_ - Listen, I_
- After you. - smiled Dumbledore.
- I admire your personality and I think I might be sensually attracted to you, just wanted to get it out there. It doesn't have to change anything, just in case. Also, I wanted to thank you for making me feel like we're friends, it's very pleasant indeed.
Dumbledore's eyebrows flew upwards for a second.
- Well, the pleasure is mutual. I, personally, wanted to say that I like you. I would love to spend more time with you. As friends or platonic partners, whatever you' d like to call it. Although, I should warn you that I have several people with whom I am more or less intimate and our possible ... relationship, for lack of a better word, isn't going to replace them.
- It's not like I am a monogamous person. - smirked Snape.- I just am not involved in anything right now, maybe never will be, but it doesn't mean I'm waiting for "The One"...
- Yes, I understand.
Snape nodded.
- I don't have sex with other's, you know that, right? - asked Dumbledore.
- Your Pride Wall is quite explicit, yes.
- Not everyone knows aroace labels. I'll tell you, most people don't. They think it's about some kind of magical club.
- I am from this club myself, so, I would know. - laughed Snape.
- Right, I saw you with the ace ring on exactly once. And that was an accident, because you worn gloves that day.
They laughed again.
- I'm not looking for anyone, so why bother with merch?
- Fair enough. I just like being out and loud about it.
- You are loud and proud about everything.
Snape slipped their hand underneath Dumbledore's on the trunk to which they leant still.
Almost unbearably soft. Dumbledore forced their finger's between their's and gave their hand a squeeze receiving one in response.
They broke apart.
- Do you have classes tomorrow?
- No. First D. A. lesson is in three days.
- Me neither. Only a night shift in the City of the Glen.
- Yes, you sent me your schedule. Mind joining me after breakfast?
- What for? Watch you do the paperwork?
- It's about the research. I'm taking a trip. It's rather far away.
- Should I bring anything?
- Clearance solution.
- Not the Land of Confusing Fog?
- I'm afraid it is.
- I suppose you'll tell no one as usual?
- Of course.
- See you tomorrow, then. - said Snape, heading to the Castle.
- Good night! - Dumbledore called after them, before disappearing into thin air.
The next morning Snape briskly pushed through the cold autumn air to join Dumbledore who waited on the wooden gallery of a bridge pitched over a chasm on the east end of the grounds.
When they approached, Dumbledore started walking immediately. They crossed the bridge over to the place where both of them could apparate.
- I can show you where to go. - a silver light shone in Headmaster's eyes - an invitation into their memory.
Now they stood in front of a giant valley, clouded over with the thickest fog. They stepped in.
Snape spoke first:
- Cette sensation est si bizarre, on dirait que ma tête se vide.
- Eigentlich sollten wir die Fähigkeit zum Sprechen verlieren, aber anscheinend haben wir nur das Englische abgeschafft.
- You mean, I am speaking my first language? Shit, I'm not exactly fond of it.
- Yes, and I speak German right now.
- How do we understand each other, then?
- That's the magic of the Land.
- Aren't we supposed to go bonkers? You sound surprisingly sensible.
- We're not deep in, maybe it's just the beginning.
- How encouraging.
- Oh, look there's a rabbit hole. Let's jump in?
- Good idea.
They jumped on the spot.
- For how long have we been walking?
- Since we came in.
- It seems like we didn't move an inch.
- Maybe if we stop walking we're gonna get somewhere.
- Worth a try.
Now they started to move on.
- It worked. But where are we heading?
- I think in the direction we were walking in before... It only makes sense
The word about Castle school napkin design being used in Durmstrang spread as quickly as the smoke from a burned cauldron and promptly reached the ministry. Dumbledore had to investigate. Shortly after the incident, a new D. A. teacher was appointed : " to aid the Headmaster in the matter of utmost importance".
- The Minister suspects that it's not the design that has been stolen, but the napkins themselves. - Moody said in a solemnly secretive voice. - It wasn't disclosed to the public not to raise panic, because this sordid affair might threaten national security.
- And also the proof is rather difficult to come by. - deadpanned Dumbledore.
- Yes, that too.
"Not like that would've stopped you" - Dumbledore thought.
- Speaking of which. It's been decided to send one of your teachers to find some evidence and as you said they were already busy spying on Voldemort... And as I, the renown ministry malcontent, think you're right in mistrusting this slimy git and can make my suggestions you know where: the Triwizard Tournament will be held this year at the Castle. Don't worry, I'll be there to help if needed.
- I appreciate that, Alastor.
- Pajama party, is it? - growled Moody, approaching Snape.
He continued as the other didn't reply.
- What are you doing, sneaking around school potions supply closet, ein?
- I have as much right to be there as you do. Besides, I am the Potions Master. And what brings you here?
- Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye on you.
- Dumbledore happenes to trust me - hissed Snape through clenched teeth.
- Remarkable, isn't it? Dumbledore isn't a trusting person. Have you mixed something into their pumpkin juice? Every time you two talk, it's like you've been sleeping together enough for a golden jubilee.
- Maybe not everything is dialed down to intimacy - snapped Snape, before pushing past Moody and disappearing in the thick of darkness.