Who: Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape When: First Thursday in September, After this communication Where: Baxter Bakery What: Meeting Rating/Warning: Low/None (talk of Dream Death, this will have spoilers, etc.) Status: Complete
Severus was a little nervous about coming to see his former student. Well, his Dream-Former-Student, anyway. He wasn’t sure what to think, wasn’t sure how much of this was real, how much of it he could simply ignore. He stepped into the bakery, purchased a tea from the redhead behind the counter, then moved over to sit down and listen to the tail end of Draco’s music. That certainly looked like the Draco Malfoy from his dreams. Only, a little less weary, a little less grown-up-too-fast. There weren’t dark circles under his eyes and he seemed… happier.
Draco was very happy. Married to a man he loved, career taking off and friends he really cared about. He noticed Snape as he finished the last song, thanking everybody he packed his guitar away and joined the older man at his table.
"Hi" he said, "Thanks for meeting me here"
“Not a problem.” Severus Snape was much happier in this world than in the dreams as well. He had a beautiful and loving wife, an amazing daughter, and a steady, challenging career. He was a very different man from the man he dreamed he was. “You’re very talented.” He added, motioning toward where the younger man had been playing on the tiny stage.
“Oh uh, thanks” Draco said as he sat down, rubbing the back of his neck as he did when nervous about something, “My husband is taking over my management just to see if there’s any scope in breaking into the business you know?” he smiled, he didn’t mind talking about music, it was his safe zone.
Husband. Interesting. Severus wasn’t one to judge. He didn’t care if the boy liked boys or girls. It was a difference from what he’d seen in the dreams, though, he supposed. And that was how it became interesting. He’d seen Draco Malfoy running around with Pansy Parkinson in the dreams.
“I’m sure you’ll find your way in. If you’re tenacious enough.” Severus said with a nod, absent-mindedly turning the mug of tea in small circles on the table.
“That’s the hope” Draco smiled, “I’ve had lots of encouragement so far from those I know and who’ve heard me play” he said, “So what is it you do here?” he asked, curiously.
“I work for a pharmaceutical company.” Severus said. His exact title wasn’t important. “In the lab.” He did a lot of different things, but it all boiled down to making chemistry. Potions, really. “Not all that far off from what I did in the Dreams.” Only, no teaching.
“Pills and potions” Draco said with a small smile before nodding, “I’m sorry” he said quietly, “For the part I played in the Dreams. If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t have...well I’m just sorry”
Severus shook his head. “You have nothing to apologize for, Draco.” He wore a soft expression. It was very different from the man in the dreams. He felt more guilt, less anger. “You are not the villain of that story.”
“Maybe not the main one but I’m still a villain” Draco replied, “I bullied and used people without care or concern for them” It was one of the things he had most struggled with when the dreams had started.
“You were a child. Children are, by definition, childish and selfish. Don’t beat yourself up over it.” Severus gave a one-shouldered shrug. He didn’t seem to think that Draco was that bad in the dreams. “You had a lot on your plate.”
“I’m not sure some would be as quick to forgive but thank you” Draco said, “I think it helps that I am quite different to my dream counterpart, and I have to admit the dreams help keep me that way” He was determined not to become anything remotely like his dream self.
Severus could understand. Things were different in this world. Even if he was surrounded by similar personalities (Severus was, for certain) he could still come out differently. Without Voldemort, Severus’ life had been completely different. “I understand. They help me to be thankful for the things that I have here.”
Draco nodded, “I’ve always considered them as something of a warning, like a behave or this is what you could turn into type of thing”
Severus considered that for a moment. It was something he’d thought of, sure. But the idea that someone else had thought of it, too… that gave it more merit, didn’t it? He leaned back a little in his chair and steepled his fingers under his chin. “A warning.” But the things that had happened in his dreams--the things that had set his life in motion… they weren’t his fault. One little mistake, one cursed word, destroyed his friendship with Lily Evans. But that wasn’t the reason she was killed. That wasn’t the reason that the Dark Lord rose to power.
“Yeah, just the way it always seemed to me. Like if I head down the wrong path at any point I’d end up becoming like him you know. Selfish, mean, a bully”
“I don’t think it’s the kind of thing that happens overnight,” Severus said, shaking his head. “Your exterior in the dreams was shaped by an uncountable number of circumstances, not simply a few steps down the wrong path. But still, anything that makes you more aware of your actions and your surroundings is a good thing.”
“Yeah I guess. It does keep me thinking though so we’ll go with it now” he shrugged, “So do you wanna know anything particular? I mean you don’t have to have anything but figured I’d help if you have any gaps or anything”
“Thinking is important.” Severus paused for a moment, then let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. “Does the Potter boy do it? In the end?”
Draco nodded, “He does” he replied, “The dark...Voldemort thinks he’s dead but he comes back. Potter wins. There were sacrifices, as you know, but it was worth it”
Severus nodded. “I thought he would.” He’d hoped, anyway. He didn’t want his sacrifices to be for nothing. “...And the school?”
“The teachers and students fought back and everything was damaged but most of the students went back for their last year” Draco said, “McGonagall stayed on as headmistress too”
“They used the Room of Requirement? To go through?” Severus asked. He knew far more secrets about the school than most gave him credit for. He was protecting his students as best he could, still, without losing power. Some may say he didn’t do that great of a job at it, but his main goal was to make sure none died, or were broken to the point of no return.
Draco nodded, “Led by Neville Longbottom of all people” he said, “Pretty well organised they were too” Draco himself had been partly responsible for the fire in the Room of Requirement and the death of his friend Crabbe but he didn’t feel there was any need to share that information.
Severus nodded. He knew that Longbottom was a leader at school. He’d seen as much. He didn’t have all of the details, but he wasn’t surprised to hear. “Potter survived?” He asked, a little nervous about the answer to that question. He wondered, really, after what Dumbledore had said about Harry being a Horcrux.
“Oh yes, he survived” Draco confirmed with a smile and a nod. “Like I said, sacrifices were made and a lot of people did die but Harry didn’t”
“Huh.” Severus said. A noncommittal noise and folding of his arms across his chest. “I see.” He was a little surprised, but then again, not really. Dumbledore seemed to think he could do it, so Severus believed him. “I’m glad things turned out for the best,” he added, somewhat lamely.
“I was surprised” Draco said, “I was convinced Voldemort had won especially when he managed to enter Hogwarts but I should have known Harry would get lucky. He usually did” It had been strange for Draco, he’d been there after the final battle with his parents in the great hall feeling very out of place.
“There were a lot of pieces of the puzzle that were hidden until the last moment. Many things put into place didn’t seem to click until things got serious.” Severus said, frowning softly. “It all fell down to the choices that were made, both good and bad.”
Draco nodded, "Yeah, I guess so" he said, "Still I'm glad I'm who I am here and not living dream Dracos life. No matter the circumstances he was a douchebag"
Severus couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “Yes. And I’m glad I’m here and not there.” His life in the dreams was pretty much miserable. “I have a wife, and a daughter here.” He said, and then Severus Snape did the most un-Severus Snape thing he could possibly do. He pulled out his wallet and drew out a family portrait of himself, Romana, and his daughter. He held it out for Draco.
Draco took it with a smile, "That's awesome" he said, "You all look so happy together" he handed the photo back and pulled out his phone turning it on and showing Snape his wallpaper background of Zuko. "That's my husband" he said proudly, "We haven't talked about kids yet"
Severus put the photo away and pocketed it. When he accepted the phone, it looked a little awkward. Severus was a man torn between worlds at the moment, after living through everything in the Wizarding world, he was a bit awkward in this one. He looked at it, and nodded. “You look very happy.” He was instantly curious about the other boy’s scar. Though, he had enough tact not to mention it.
"We are, very much so" Draco replied easily, "He's managing me too right now while he goes back to school so things are working out great" Draco was very proud of Zuko for returning to school while Draco himself had dropped out.
“I take it that your career is on an upswing, then?” Severus asked. Awkward. He’d been so protective over the boy in his Dreams, and yet here it was… strange. He was a stranger. So many things were different, and only a few were the same.
It was strange, Draco knew Snape pretty well in the dreams but here he knew so little. "Yeah we are just about to launch my first single" he smiled, "So just gotta hope it goes well"
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.” Severus said in his dry voice. It was hard to tell sometimes if he was being sarcastic. In this case he wasn’t being sarcastic. Nor was he being literal--he’d need those fingers--but he meant the sentiment, anyway.
“Thanks” Draco nodded, before he caught sight of the clock on the wall. “I should probably be going, Zuko is expecting me and this place will be closing soon. But it was great to meet you” he said honestly.
“You, too.” Severus nodded, responding equally honestly. He was glad that he wasn’t considered… a villain. He knew that’s how he was viewed in the Dream world by so many. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“No chance” Draco replied with a grin, “You’re stuck being my friend now, gotta grab as many potential fans as I can. I’ll see you soon” he smiled and waved before picking up his guitar and heading out.