Anoher chapter
Dumbledore fidgeted in the head of their bed adjusting cushions to sit more comfortably, Snape left their coat on the chair beside a bookshelf, their gaze followed rows of books and various objects all the way up to the ceiling.
- I'm rather bad at decorating: those things do not reflect who I am at all.
- Don't worry. I'm not exactly an advert for regular updates. - they answered, demonstratively waving their left hand.
Once prompted against cushions beside Dumbledore, briefly showing the Mark and then pulling their sleeve down:
- It isn't going away, it's certain now.
- But it haven't been hurting you lately?
- No.
- Can I...
Snape's hand shook slightly in theirs. Dumbledore looked up inquiringly.
- I am not_ proud... - Snape explained.
- Yes, it's understandable... _ But, please, don't be ashamed of it. - Dumbledore let go of other's arm, looking at them seriously.
Snape's overall expression didn't change, they silently examined their Mark, then, after a pause as if making a decision:
- I think, you can touch it now, it's not gonna do any more harm. - they looked up, then added quickly - Not that you would like to, obviously, just in case... - significantly more confused.
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose and fell quickly, they were smiling. They reached out to other's forearm, lifted it up slowly, running their fingers over the twisted patterns of an inky black snake, then pressed their lips against it and slowly traced the outline of the reptile with the tip of their tongue all the way up to the crease of the elbow.
When their eyes met, Dumbledore leaned over Snape, their quick and quiet breathing matched only by their friend's:
- I want you to kiss me. - they said.
The other smiled briefly before fulfilling their wish, aware of their body being snugly tugged against Dumbledore's. The latter felt their lips being softly eaten, Snape's fingers trying to squeeze and caress their neck at the same time.
The summer evening sun that lit the room had gone a little bleaker by the time the movement on the bed subsided.
Dumbledore, reclined on the cushions, threw the hair out of their face, Snape turned to face them and found their move reciprocated. They were inhaling deeply, soothed by each other's smell and feel.
They drifted in and out of sleep, layers of sheets between them. When at some point Dumbledore half opened their eyes they didn't know what time it was. Apparently it was night as their head ached in a tired fashion of a person who'd gone to sleep but had been awaken too soon after to be properly rested. Their muscles were sore and locked. They leaned into the touch, feeling other's hands softly travel over them. Snape moved closer, their lips pressing gently against exposed areas of Dumbledore's skin.
- I will need to speak to you tomorrow morning. - Dumbledore's voice was barely audible over the chorus of quiet breathing.
- About?
- Tomorrow. - they said vagely stretching a little under another caress.
- Alright.
They felt Snape stir in their arms, pass their fingers gently over their closed eyelids. Once Snape've surfaced, they threw on their freshly conjured dressing gown, magically picked up their things and left.
Hermione and Harry stood under the dark creaking arches of the Unhindged Bridge, leaning on the rails and looking into the whispering depth below.
- Ron is back next year.
- Yes, I know.
- And you...Is it definite? I thought you'll pursue the Defence career.
- It never was my cup of tea. I just kinda... slided into it. No, I'm going into visual art, graphism, painting, dunno. Trying it out.
- Well, you do whatever you want... I didn't see that coming, the best student in Defence and all, but... - dragged Harry.
- Don't worry, things are changing! I would be excited to witness that.
- I am excited. It's just ... What if Ron changes his mind? I'll be alone. Everybody's gone. Well, almost. Those Slitherins are always into advanced stuff. I'm not looking forward to hang out with them.
- They might not be all that bad. Don't look at me like that! Ginny is off with Muriel.
- Yeah, thanks for reminding me she's off too.
- Sorry. ... Oh, I just remembered! Dumbledore spoke about you!
- Oh, yeah? - Harry brightened a little.
- Yes, they wished you luck! I saw them leave this morning_Oh.. oh, sorry!
Harry stared gloomily down again. "What made them resign midterm?!."
- I bet Snape is staying. That would be a funny joke. - he said out loud.
- No, they're off in a week: filling in the new Head of House and such. Busy.
- Seriously, how do you know all that?
- I just needed to return them some equipment, 'cause our tutoring program was over.
- Right. _ You'll keep in touch, though?
- Ugh... Sure. _ Well, I need to pack. Bye!
Harry felt the bridge sway under Hermione's steps and squeezed the rail a bit faster. She's finally out at large, starting a new and thrilling life. He was pretty sure that she wouldn't want to keep in touch at all, but those were his worries for another day.
When Hermione went through one of the Castle back doors it was nearing dusk and the sky had this grayish dusty rose tone to it that suggested that it derived from a storm cloud. She descended a few steps and turned to cross the grounds. It was practically empty, only a few people scattered alongside the gallery and several entrances. She stopped abruptly having almost ran into a chicken and having let it pass, sped up towards a steep path that let to the River. A flock of swans took off as she approached, and she crossed an expanse of water separating the shore and a stone sitting in sand a little further. For a while everything was still, then she heard wet footsteps on the shallowly immersed round stones in the direction she came from, like the sound made by bare feet. She looked around, it was a pigeon, she looked away trying not to scare the bird out. Hermione stood up and walked along the bank in the water.
The pigeon turned their head for a second and the feeble evening light made their eye glow ruby and look translucently deep.