Yule Ball
"What I do during this ball really is none of your business!"
"It is, as the school's reputation depends on it. Every member of the staff must be dressed up! And look at you, you're still in your teaching robes."
Severus rolled his eyes.
"And it's going to do just fine."
"Certainly not. I remember those dark green robes you had on for Christmas. Put those on. They were so dark that you were practically in black anyway."
Severus put his cup of tea back on the tray, glaring at her.
"Very well, what else? Would you like me to get a hair cut? A tan maybe?"
Minerva got up, smirking.
"Well, I doubt someone as pale as you can tan in Scotland, but I'll take care of your hair if you want. I'm actually the one who cuts Albus' beard when he doesn't have time."
"I won't let you cut my hair."
She sat beside him, taking out her wand from her pocket. A comb appeared out of nowhere.
"I promise I won't cut anything, just make it all look a little more... Appropriate."
Severus raised an eyebrow, but did not get up. Oh, if it pleased her, he did not really care. He was saving up his energy to survive that horrible event. A room filled with enamoured students, the headmaster attempting to dance, Aurora giving him meaningful looks; he did not even have the option to get drunk to make things end more rapidly. A pity.
"What are you doing?" he asked, feeling heat coming from her wand. She was rolling up a strand of his hair around it - she waited a few second, then dropped it carefully.
"It'll just add a little more volume to your hair. Stop moving", she said in an authoritative tone.
"Minerva, if I end up looking like a doll you combed, I'll get my revenge."
"You will look decent young man. Stay still."
"I don't even want to go!"
Minerva chuckled. "And you think I do? Albus keeps glancing at me with long looks. Doesn't bode well if you ask me."
She dropped another strand of hair which Severus did not dare to look at.
"I may know why, but I won't tell you if you persist in forcing me to go to this stupid ball."
"Stop acting like a sulky child, it doesn't work with me."
"Yes, mother," Severus replied ironically.
Minerva looked indignant.
"Take this back!"
"Well, stop acting like you are. I tell you from experience, it's not an easy role to play. Can't I move? I want my tea."
"I am almost finished."
A few minutes later, she was brushing his hair and leading him to the mirror that stood at the back of her living-room. Severus gasped.
"You curled my hair? With your wand!"
"Oh, stop fussing", Minerva replied, admiring her work. I think you look just fine. Though I'm not sure it will hold for very long."
Severus still looked horrified.
She put a hand on his shoulder.
"If I were your mother, I would say you are very handsome. But I'm glad I am not - I already worry too much about you. Now get dressed", she said softly.
Well, Severus thought, refusing to look at his slightly blushing cheeks - he could do that for her, could he not? After all, they were both going to need one another's emotional support.
Albus was going to dance.