Minerva
Months had passed since the war, the days, hours and weeks had been filled with repairs on the castle, funerals, grieving and for the staff at Hogwarts, the grim realisation that Severus Snape was their man. That he’d protected them with the same cold calculation as he’d protected his cover, his secret, his love.
Minerva had seen Severus’s memories that he’d given to Harry through his tears, they sat swirling in the pensive, her own tears streaked down her face when she’d emerged from the enchanted artefact.
“Albus, how could you? How could you do that to him? To use his pain like that?” She’d demanded of Dumbledores portrait.
“I asked much of Severus, I know. He shouldered the weight of this war -“
“He’s dead, Albus. He’s dead and my last words to him were to call him coward.” Minerva said, her voice breaking under the weight of her regret.
Before Dumbledore could reply, Minerva had transfigured a throw pillow into a large drape which she hung over Albus’s portrait. She’d wiped her eyes and settled to set forth on putting the school to rights.
But still, the months had passed. Severus had left some potions books to Draco, but all his other possessions he’d willed to the school, his home, his savings and curiously, a letter to Minerva.
Minerva,
I sincerely hope this letter finds you well, preferably alive. As you are reading this, I surmise that I very much am not well nor, indeed, alive.
I wish to convey to you, to my colleagues, my sincerest apologies for the years of my life, for ever, ever taking the mark. For my demeanour, my behaviours and for replacing your loose leaf tea with cat nip on several occasions throughout my time as a professor.
Minervas sorrow came as a barked laugh as she read.
I wish to express my profound gratitude for the years you spent as my colleagues, for each scathing quidditch remark to the many hours we lost in games like chess, or cards. I won’t, however, admit to using legillimancy to win.
I knew this was likely the outcome of the war, however, I wished truly that I could have told you that I was on your side. I hope one day, that you understand why I held my silence.
Please find enclosed the instructions to brew my hangover cure, god knows you’ll all need it in the months to come.
Sincerely,
Severus Snape.
The ink had smudged ever so slightly on the page where it was evident his tears had fallen. Minerva dabbed at her eyes and picked up her quill, dipping it in the inkwell and taking the nib to the parchment before her. Once the letter was composed, she tucked Severus’s letter into her pocket and made for the owlry. With an anxiousness, she awaited a response. It came on a Thursday morning a few weeks later, after the staff had read the letter from their fallen colleague.
“Is it him?” Pomona asked, craning to see the letter Minerva held in the staff room.
“It is.” Minerva replied, “he said he’ll do it but the fee, it’s extortionate.”
“I’ll pay towards it.” Pomona said firmly.
“If it’s what I think it is, I will too.” Affirmed Filius.
“And me, it’s the least I can do for the boy.” Came Horace’s voice.
Each of the staff members had offered to help towards the cost of something invaluable, Harry had offered too, having heard about the idea from Hagrid. Within a few days, a considerable sum was delivered via Gringotts transfer to the account in question. A few months later, an aged and mousy looking man was ushered into the headmistress’s office, a large, flat and rectangular package floating behind him.
“Where shall I…” he started.
“Just there, Mr. Provac, if you please.” Minerva said, pointing.
The mousy man set to work and stood back, looking to Minerva for approval.
“Perfect.” She whispered, her hands clasped to her chest.
“I’m not able to guarantee he’ll be in it, he was quite a difficult character.” Mr. Provac explained.
“He was in life, too. No matter, I’ll uncover it shortly. We can’t thank you enough for this.” Minerva replied, offering the man a polite bow.
In the afternoon, she settled once more at the desk, eyeing the covered object apprehensively. With a sigh, she scraped her chair back and with a swish of her wand, vanished the covering. What she found before her caused her eyes to well.
Severus Snape stood in his black robes, his hands clasped before him within the frame of the portrait.
“Severus?” Her voice wobbled.
“Minerva.” His did not.
“I’m- I don’t know where to start, I suppose first by way of apology would be something. We-“
“You’ve naught to apologise for lest you bring potter in here to -“
“He’s coming tomorrow. He wants to speak with you.” She said with a smile.
“And here I was, under the impression that death would grant me some form of peace.” He said dryly, rolling his eyes.
“Keep that tone and I’ll hang you up next to Albus.” Minerva replied, raising her eyebrow at him.
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would. - Severus, wait! Please!” She said desperately as he went to leave the frame.
He stopped and cast his eyes over his shoulder, his features softened slightly when Minervas eyes met with his, brimming with tears.
“I wish we’d have known, so we could have helped you, supported you, thanked you, even. When potter told us what you’d been through, when I saw those memories, I just… Severus we’re sorry, for all we said to you, for -“
“Casting daggers at me?”
She chuckled. “Yes.” She whispered softly, “for all of it and we’d give anything to have you here with us, anything.”
“Your apologies, whilst appreciated, are not necessary. I knew it was highly unlikely I’d survive this war. I didn’t-“
“You didn’t deserve to die. It wasn’t fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, Minerva. Better people than me went to an early grave.” He said softly.
“You were a good man, Severus. Awkward, tough, yes. You made your mistakes and you paid the ultimate price, but you were a good man. Please, speak to Potter tomorrow.”
He seemed to mull the proposal over for a moment, his shoulders drooping with resignation.
“Very well, but I’ll take none of his nonsense, chosen one or not.”
“He just wants to talk to you, that’s all. He’s most angry with Albus over your death.”
“He shouldn’t be. It’s justice.” He barked, folding his arms uncomfortably.
“Justice is fair and decided Severus. It’s a grievance, a loss we all feel deeply. Hogwarts isn’t the same without you.”
“Maybe it’s better off, though.” He said sadly before walking out of the frame.
Minerva smiled sadly at the empty frame as she turned to sit back at the desk, penning a letter to Harry. Severus may not believe he deserved forgiveness, but the wider world certainly felt he did.