Severus Snape thinks you're an idiot. Yes, you. (rusedeguerre) wrote in unforgivenrpg, @ 2010-10-20 11:20:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, 2000-10, c: severus snape, type: narrative |
Who: Severus Snape and Portrait!Albus Dumbledore
When: 19 October 2000
Where: Spinner's End
Rating: Low
Warnings: S for snark and sarcasm
Summary: Severus brews potions (unsuccessfully) and Albus prods and pokes (also unsuccessfully... maybe)
Severus leaned over the cauldron and frowned at the potion simmering gently within. It was much the same look he’d given the many student efforts and it was likely that many of them would be amused to see him directing that very same look at a potion he’d brewed himself. Of course the major difference between the two scenarios is that with the students Severus had been frowning at poor attempts at simple, everyday potions that any idiot ought to be able to brew while his effort was a high level experimental potion. An experimental potion that wasn’t doing what he’d thought it would do.
“Oh dear, that doesn’t look at all good.”
Severus didn’t even twitch at the unexpected comment from the portrait on the wall. Partly because he’d be a pretty damn poor spy if he twitched at every unexpected occurrence but mostly because he was becoming used to these random interjections while he worked. He tolerated them because, as few people seemed to remember, Albus Dumbledore had been a truly outstanding potioneer and alchemist when he was alive. If Severus chose to ask for advice, what he got was usually very good.
“Really?” he said with trenchant sarcasm. “I would never have guessed.”
“Now, now,” Albus chided lightly as he peered at the contents of the cauldron. He then gave Severus a look of surprise. “Wolfsbane? You’re experimenting with Wolfsbane?” A glint of amusement appeared in his eyes. “I would have thought you’d leave that potion well enough alone unless I browbeat you into making it.”
Severus scowled. “It is a challenge,” he said irritably.
“And you could never resist a challenge, especially in regards a potion.” Albus eyed the cauldron with interest. “What went wrong?”
Severus grimaced. “I think I added too much moonstone. I was hoping to counteract a couple of the changes I had made. Obviously it didn’t work.”
“Moonstone can be tricky to work with.” Albus’ tone was absent as he pondered the problem. “Are you attempting to simplify the brewing process or are you looking at substitution of the rarer and more expensive ingredients?”
“The latter,” Severus replied as he pulled out his wand and gave a flick to vanish the contents of the cauldron. He set the cauldron aside to be cleaned then walked over to the cupboard to pull out another. The one he brought back got a raised eyebrows look of surprise from Albus.
“Silver?”
“It’s merely a thought,” Severus replied as he placed the cauldron in position and started fetching ingredients.
“You’ll never find a werewolf willing to test a potion brewed in a silver cauldron.” Albus looked amused more than anything else.
“Who says I’ll tell them it was brewed in a silver cauldron? They don’t need to know that.”
Albus sighed but the give-me-strength expression was tempered with fond amusement. “Do try not to kill anyone important.”
This time Severus did twitch and the muscles in his back shifted and crawled into new and painful positions. “No, I’ve already done that,” he snarled, the sarcasm deep and harsh.
Albus sighed but expression was firm, even stern. “To spare me a painful and exceedingly unpleasant death. Never forget that, Severus. I did not ask it of you lightly and I much preferred a clean death that achieved something than a messy one with everyone standing around my bed wringing their hands uselessly.”
Severus didn’t reply and simply concentrate on chopping and slicing ingredients but the tense lines of his shoulders and back spoke louder than words.
Albus sighed and sank into the armchair that had been painted into his portrait. He stared at the tense black-clad back with regret and some exasperation. Severus really could hold a grudge to a ridiculous extent.
“The Weasley girl is as feisty as ever,” he said blandly. “I have seen her around the castle in my travels.”
Severus snorted derisively but some of the tension left him. “She is an idiot.”
“Defiance is not necessarily a bad thing, Severus,” Albus chided.
“It is if it gets you killed or gets other people killed.” Severus’ reply was short and blunt. “She would do better by trying to ingratiate herself with the Dark Lord. She is close enough to have access to valuable information if she ever chose to engage her brain.” He paused then added acidly, “Presuming she does in fact have a brain. Given she is a Weasley, that is highly debatable.”
“Have you tried suggesting that to her?” Albus said mildly.
“Of course not. She does not need to know the truth about me. I would assume her skills at Legilimancy are as good as the rest of her ability at discretion. The Dark Lord would know the truth within five minutes.”
“She is young,” Albus pointed out. “What occurs naturally to you may not to her. It is possible she merely needs a little guidance.”
“Then she can find it elsewhere,” Severus snapped.
Albus rolled his eyes since Severus’ back was too him but let the subject drop. He had raised it and pushed it and now it would be established in Severus’ mind with the potential to be used in the future. It was always better to let Severus ruminate on an idea for a while before goading him into action. Pushing him headlong into one without preparation just made him grouchy and recalcitrant.
“Perhaps you ought to try adding the moonstone in separate batches?” he suggested before getting to his feet and ambling out of the frame.
Severus whirled around and watched him go before making a small irritated noise and heading for the ingredient cupboard. He’d intended to leave the moonstone out and see what happened but Albus’ suggestion wasn’t a bad one. It was certainly worth trying.