Severus Snape thinks you're an idiot. Yes, you. (rusedeguerre) wrote in unforgivenrpg, @ 2010-09-30 08:07:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, 2000-09, c: severus snape, type: narrative |
Who: Severus Snape & Portrait!Albus Dumbledore
When: 29 September 2000, afternoon
Where: Spinner's End
Rating: S for Snark
Summary: Severus receives his portrait and has a moderately snarky conversation.
Severus looked around his cellar workroom and nodded with satisfaction. The place was already warded to a fare-thee-well but he’d increased the wards considerably over the last few days. This place was his sanctuary now. His refuge from the idiots, including the one living in his home. No one could get down here unless he permitted them and keyed them into the wards, no sound would leak out unless he wanted it to and no magic could be detected past them. He would dare even the Dark Lord to get past these wards. Of course there were disadvantages to having his potions workroom warded to this point. If he made too disastrous a mistake, there could be dire trouble as no one would be able to help him but he was prepared to take that risk to gain some privacy.
He glanced down at the wrapped package at his feet and picked it up. This was the other reason he needed the privacy. Explaining this portrait to almost anyone would be… interesting. Irrespective of that, the portraitist had been true to his word. He had said two weeks and two weeks it had been. Severus had even been lenient enough to add a little more to what he’d paid the man. Not enough to take it up to the full amount such a portrait would normally command but certainly a little more than the two hundred galleons he’d initially offered.
He quickly unwrapped the string and brown paper from the portrait and hung it on the wall. The frame was empty but it didn’t last long. Less than a minute after the portrait had been hung, Albus Dumbledore meandered into the frame and smiled benignly down at Severus.
“My dear boy,” the former Headmaster said with pleasure. “How delightful to see you again.”
Severus felt the usual irritation at having to deal with Albus when he was being cheerful start to rise within him. It was familiar and normal and he almost sagged with relief. It was the first time he felt anywhere near normal since before Albus’ death and it probably said something very pathetic about him that he needed this.
“The Dark Lord is swanning around in your school, the Order are all but defunct and forced marriages and slavery are all the rage and all you can say is how delightful it is to see me?” he snapped.
Albus sat down in the large overstuffed armchair that had been painted into the portrait and looked down at the small bowl of lemon sherbets that were also there. He plucked one out of the bowl and popped it into his mouth. “Well, it is, dear boy. The current circumstances don’t change that.”
Severus slumped down into the armchair that he had positioned in front of the portrait. “We’ve lost.”
Albus gave Severus a look of mixed sympathy and disapproval. “It’s a little premature to be saying that, Severus.”
“Potter is dead,” Severus said flatly.
A wave of sadness and grief washed over Albus’ face and he was silent for a while. “Ah, poor Harry,” he murmured finally. “My fault. I should...”
“It was what was meant to happen, wasn’t it?” Severus said snidely. “To destroy the Horcrux within him. Why mourn him now?”
Albus’ expression hardened and he gave Severus a warning look. “I had reason to believe things might be... different for him.”
Severus snorted. “How?”
Albus waved a hand wearily and sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I was wrong and Harry has paid the price.”
They were both silent then, lost in their own thoughts. Albus’ thoughts lay with Harry while Severus’ had drifted much further back and lay with a certain red-haired girl he’d know when he was younger.
It was Albus who eventually broke the silence. “Have all the Horcruxes been destroyed?”
“How should I know?” Severus said with a scowl. “I was not involved in their search except in the periphery. They still think I am a murderer.” The words which I am hung in the air for a moment before both men ignored them.
“Have you been in contact with the Order?”
Severus shrugged awkwardly. “Moody. And Aberforth.”
A tiny mischievous smile twitched at Albus’ lips. “I see. And how did my brother greet the news.”
The scowl returned to Severus’ face. “He punched me.”
Albus chuckled sadly. “Well, you are in good company there. Abe has always liked using his fists.” He paused and tapped a finger against his chin. “Can you find out about the Horcruxes?”
Severus paused and thought. “Maybe but I can give you no guarantees. The Dark Lord has been secretive since taking over Hogwarts. We rarely see him and he rarely summons us. You are more likely to see him than I am.” He paused for a moment. “He has Ginny Weasley with him. You might care to talk to her and see what she can discover.”
Albus beamed at him. “A wonderful idea. I shall do just that.”
Severus grunted and the scowl deepened. He decided that what he really wanted to do was change the subject away from him.
“Who is Teodor Gregorovitch and why does he get the Dark Lord so out of sorts?” Severus sprung the question out of nowhere, hoping the startle the answer out of the former Headmaster.
He didn’t get an immediate answer but he did have the pleasure of seeing surprise then calculation on Dumbledore’s face before the familiar bland, slightly amused expression took up residence again.
“Why, I believe he is a rather talented wandmaker from Bulgaria,” Albus said innocently. “Perhaps Tom is upset at the quality of a wand he purchased?”
Severus snorted. “Try again.”
Albus sobered and an introspective look grew on his face, a look that was quickly mixed with guilt and grief before disappearing again. But Severus had seen every one of those expression and his curiosity was well and truly caught.
“Albus?”
The Headmaster drew in a long breath then let it out slowly before apparently making a decision. “You are an intelligent man, Severus. I do believe you can figure it out. I will give you one clue though – it involves a wand.” He looked around and abruptly changed the subject himself. “Not in your living room, I see.”
“No,” Severus said flatly, wanting to press the subject of Gregorovitch further even though he knew he would not get anything more out of Albus. He hesitated for a moment then decided to let the change of subject stand. He could tackle the Headmaster again when he’d done a little research. “I have a... servant. Orla Quirke. I did not wish her to start asking questions about why I have a portrait of you in the house. She cannot get down here.”
“Pity. It would have been quite invigorating to have a conversation with him,” Dumbledore said, looking disappointed then he perked up and smiled. “Well, it does give me the opportunity to observe you at your craft. I do believe I will enjoy that.” Then he changed the subject again abruptly. “You can’t trust her?”
Severus gave Albus a withering look, well and truly used to dealing with Albus. “She doesn’t know I’m a spy. Nor have I any intention of telling her unless it becomes absolutely necessary.”
Albus sighed. “You do have to start trusting people sometime, Severus. Life is too lonely otherwise.”
“I have. I’ve trusted Moody and Aberforth and that’s more than enough. And I don’t need anyone else in my life.”
The look Albus gave him was shrewd and Severus shifted uncomfortably under it.
“Everyone needs someone,” Albus said quietly.
Severus scowled. “No. We are not having this discussion again.”
Albus gave the dark-haired man a long look then sighed. “At least think about it, dear boy.”
“I have and I have made my decision.” Severus whirled around and headed for the door. “I must go.”
“Do not forget what I have asked of you.”
Severus fixed the portrait with a fierce, dark look. “When have I ever?” he snapped before turning on one heel and stalking out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The wards snapped fully into place after him.
“Never, dear boy,” Albus said quietly to the empty room. “But occasionally you do need a little shove in the right direction.”