FIC: for prompt 'Snape and McGonagall during Snape's entire year as Headmaster' Title: Letters of a Changing History Author: daughter_moon Type: Fiction Length: 829 words Pairings: gen Warnings: implied canon death Rating: G Summary: An exchange of letters between friends turned enemies turned forgiven friends again. Notes: Not beta’d – sorry. For the prompt Snape and McGonagall during Snape’s entire year as Headmaster.
Letters of a Changing History
Dear Minerva, I have been appointed the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. Please ensure the staff is together pending my arrival. S. Snape
Dear Headmaster Snape, I would ask that you give me some warning of when you are likely to arrive, so I am not calling the rest of the staff back early from their much-deserved holidays. We are also missing, as you may recall, a Defence Professor. What are your plans regarding his absence? Professor M. McGonagall.
Dear Professor, I notice a certain chill to your letter. Please remember that, whether you trust me or not, I am now your superior, and deserve to be treated with respect. The Dark Lord has plans for the post of Defence Professor, and for the Muggle Studies position also, since it has come to our attention that Professor Burbage has vanished over the course of the summer. S. Snape.
Dear Headmaster, Considering my closeness to the previous Headmaster, and the part you had to play in his… departure, I am sure you will not fault me for feeling less than sympathetic towards your hurt feelings. Although you are now my superior in technicality, I taught you for seven years and that will count for something, although our previous friendship obviously does not. You are correct in your information about Charity Burbage, though I don’t suppose you or your Master had anything to do with her disappearance. I will await further instructions. Professor M. McGonagall.
Dear Professor, You are treading on dangerous ground. Never assume that I am the only one to read our correspondence. S. Snape.
Dear Headmaster, As requested in the staff meeting, here is the list of returning seventh-year students. As you can see, Harry Potter has vanished and so is not expected to return. Most of the Gryffindors and all of the Slytherins will be here, as will all of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. It is currently unknown which of the Gryffindor students have chosen to go into hiding with Harry Potter, although Ronald Weasley has been given leave of absence due to a severe case of spattergroit. He should be joining his siblings within a few months. Professor M. McGonagall.
Dear Professor, Thank you. However, contrary to your optimism, I have no doubt that Mr. Weasley will be joining his friend along with, at the very least, Miss. Granger, before the year is out. The presence of his family within these walls will not change that. Idiocy seems a trait of Gryffindors. S. Snape.
Dear Headmaster, What you call optimism can perhaps be more attributed to the thought that my students will stick together. Perhaps you are confusing idiocy with loyalty? It is a virtue not only found in Hufflepuff house. Professor M. McGonagall.
Dear Professor, What would you say of Slytherin, then, if the lines between the houses blur so? What would you say of me?
Severus, Once I would have said you had the bravery of any Gryffindor, and an intellect to make Ravenclaw proud. Now, I am not so sure. Have I underestimated the cunning of a Slytherin? Minerva.
Minerva, A true Slytherin would never let you know. Severus.
Dear Professor McGonagall, Miss Genevra Weasley has broken into my office in search of some artifact she will not reveal to me. I leave her punishment and interrogation up to you, as head of house. Please inform me of your decisions. S. Snape.
Dear Headmaster, As I have told you in the past, any confidence entrusted to me by any student will remain private. I am in no position to reveal if I even have any information. Miss. Weasley has been duly punished. That is enough. Professor M. McGonagall.
P.S. I would take this opportunity to object yet again to the appointment of the Defence and Muggle Studies professors, as I still feel neither is suited either to the subject or the role of teacher.
Minerva, Again, it is out of my hands. I do not lie in this; please trust my judgement in maintaining what little harmony there is still to be had in this school. Severus.
Severus, You are not yet forgiven, but I will trust you, because I have no other choice. Minerva.
Minerva, They are meeting again. Speak to them; this game is too dangerous to play in. Severus.
Severus, They have their reasons, as we all do. As long as you do not catch them, there is no reason for them to stop. It will help them, and I do not think you will try. Minerva.
Minerva, So the end has come at last. Forgive me. I was doing as commanded, just as you were, though all evidence speaks to the contrary. When all is over, for better or worse, remember me as a man of honour. The truth will never be spoken, so let resentment rest. It does not do to speak ill of the dead. Severus S. Snape Faithful, still.