"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" Snape murmured as he glided into the opulent tower office. His impassive features disguised the irritation he felt about being summoned without clarification or reason. Nearly disguised it that was, with Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes catching the ire as he smiled serenely. Gesturing to the perch in front his desk, he leant back in his chair and rested his chin upon his interlocked fingers.

"How was your week, Severus?" he asked genially as the younger man settled himself stiffly, conjuring up a pot of tea that sat between the two of them, with an additional helping of digestives and butterfly buns. All of which were resolutely ignored as Snape raised a questioning brow. He hated chit chat. Abhorred it, in fact. Dumbledore was acutely aware of that fact, and so, he was logically fishing. Not in any mood to be baited, Snape tilted his head to the side.

"Something on your mind, Headmaster?" he asked, his velvety tones making the question appear perhaps a jot less rude than it otherwise would have sounded. Not that he cared for mannerisms as a rule, but even he didn't dare to be outwardly aggressive to the man in front of him. He watched through black eyes as Albus smiled his knowing smile and spread his cloaked hands in a charade of dignified defeat.

"One of these days Severus I will succeed in teaching you the art of untargeted conversation," he promised lightly, before straightening up in the high backed chair. "But alas, at the moment, you are quite right in your observations. There is indeed a certain subject that I wish to discuss with you, if you would be so kind?"

Barely repressing the urge to roll his eyes, Snape nodded with a certain degree of curtness. If this was about yet another cry baby Hufflepuff, whimpering and whining on about his teaching methods, he wasn't sure he could stand it. It really did those children no favours the way Sprout continued to indulge their miserable tales of woe. He took a moment to pride himself on a job well done with his much hardier Slytherin's, before zoning back into the present conversation.

"Of course," he murmured, inclining his head in a show of deference.

Dumbledore nodded delightedly, as if this was an answer he hadn't expected to attain so easily. "I wish to speak with you…about your, shall we say, relationship of improvement with our friend Mr Potter. I have observed from afar for quite some time now, and I must confess myself heartily pleased with that I have seen Severus. Would you care to share the nature of your turnaround of sorts with the boy? I must admit, I am extremely curious to know."

Snape stared.

His trademark sallow skin was beginning to take on a pink, bordering on crimson hue as he digested the question posed. The idea…the very idea that he had let his mask slip so criminally so to as draw attention from Dumbledore himself was absolutely horrifying. He should have known, he had chided himself over and over again. The infernal Potter boy was melting him like the most struck down, globally warmed ice cap. He had grown to even enjoy the boy's company over the last few months, taking a ridiculous pleasure in the marked improvement in his potions skills.

But…he hadn't accounted for this.

He hadn't accounted for the shame of being seen to give an owl's hoot being commonplace.

It was…intolerable.

Jolting back to his senses, with Dumbledore's keen gaze upon him, he raised his head high.

"I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean, Headmaster."

The velvety tones were back in place, thick and dripping with a cool sarcasm. He would simply play this off as a horrific misunderstanding. He was after all, a practiced con man. He knew how to play a role, and how to execute it to standing ovation levels. He forced his jaw into a tight line and ensured that no trickle of this treacherous emotion trickled through.

It wouldn't do.

"Come now Severus," Dumbledore chided lightly, though fully expecting this response, "you surely don't expect me to believe such a poorly conceived tale? I may be edging closer and closer to my, I'm sure blessed retirement, but you cannot think me so senile?" He allowed himself a small chuckle. "Well, perhaps you do…but let us say for this argument, I am not. So…yourself and young Mr Potter…do tell all?"

He leaned forwards then, in a show of sheer expectancy as Snape's jowls quivered indignantly.

He recovered quickly.

"Headmaster, I do not wish to be rude-"

"How novel!" Dumbledore interrupted with a twinkling laughter.

"…but, I am afraid I must prepare for tomorrow's lessons," Snape continued doggedly, artfully pretending the interjection hadn't occurred. He made to rise with a quiet "so if you'll excuse me," but before he could hoist so much as one buttock from the chair, Dumbledore's frown had him rapidly seated once more.

"Severus…I think we both know that you shall not be leaving this office without divulging the information I so determinedly seek?"

Snape's muttering was graciously ignored as Albus swiped the frown from his brow. "So…whether you are comfortable with admitting the situation or not, there has been certain…bonding between you and young Harry. Even other members of staff have noted and remarked upon it, with delight I must add. So, please…if you will, how did this curiosity come to pass?"

The horror that had engulfed Snape since Dumbledore had explained the reason for his summoning instantly went through the roof. Not only had the man in front of him noticed how foolish that maddening offspring of Lily's made him act, but his colleagues had too? His colleagues that he barely tolerated, save for a select few…all noticing his simpering idiocy? His cheeks were rapidly losing their sallow condition once more as embarrassment flooded through him.

"I would have thought you would be too busy running a school of this scale to entertain idle gossip."

Dumbledore hid a smile.

"Tone, Severus," he reprimanded quietly, "and generally speaking, I am. But I'm sure you're aware that any tittering regarding Harry…tend to get noticed by me. Now…I do hate to repeat myself, but I really do feel it would be much easier for both of us if you would just explain the turnaround between you two. Preferably before Mr Filch demands my presence at the sight of what I fear shall be quite the Poltergeist travesty."

Severus hid a snarl.

He had been around the wizard in front of him long enough to know he was the most tenacious man he'd ever met. Particularly when it came to the Potter boy. Swallowing a sigh, he made a show of throwing his black eyes upwards, causing Dumbledore to clear his throat warningly, before beginning.

"Very well," he snapped, "I daresay if you have been informed by the clearly underworked gossipers, you're aware that I am of a less…shall we say, hostile disposition towards Potter?" At Dumbledore's encouraging nod, he continued slowly. "Over time…and over a series of certain events, I've…found myself seeing less of him in the child and more of…her."

Dumbledore felt the familiar stab of pain for Severus' pain, but held his peace.

This was incredibly difficult for his protégée of sorts, and he knew it.

"Do not misunderstand me. The boy…possess many of the traits of his father, that despite my best efforts…I fear will be with him for life…" the two exchanged a brief smile that was so small, it was gone in a blink. "But…she is shining through him more and more as the day's go on…and I confess, I found myself some months ago noticing it more and more. He is…intelligent, though desperately lacks a solid work ethic, but I am hoping Ms Granger might be of some use there. I noticed it one day during Potions…which was the usual dismal affair, but…when I ignored his mess of a draught and said nothing…the boy, he rectified it."

Snape was looking off into the distance now and Albus deeply suspected he was talking more to himself than him, and he was more than happy to indulge that misconception.

"I'm not sure what it was…maybe it was her determination. You remember? The way she had to get the things she got wrong, right? Maybe it was that…but watching him siphon out the mess he'd made and start anew, this time doing it right…it just, reminded me of her." Snape sucked in a breath then, lost to his own memories. "He's been as unruly as ever this term, so he's been in detention with me more than all my Slytherin's put together."

Dumbledore wisely kept the "that wouldn't be difficult," comment to himself.

"He's not as aggravating as you'd think, you know? He's actually quite…quite interesting, I suppose. He has her way of looking at things. Full of questions. He's never really asked me questions before…but then again I suppose I've never really been that…err, receptive of them. But he's inquisitive, and after detention after detention…we got to ahh…talking."

Albus was quite sure at this point that Severus was only partially aware of his presence in the office.

"It's ridiculous…utterly stupid, but I quite simply have grown to…care for the child. Her child. To the point," he let out a self deprecating laugh, "to the point where my hatred for Lupin has grown to include the affinity he has with the boy. The easy relationship they share…not marred by the two years of mistreatment I've meted out to him." He rubbed a hand across his face and sighed. "It is growing to be one of my biggest regrets…the way I abused that child. She would have been disgusted…she would have thought me better." His eyes glazed over slightly. "But then…she always saw the best in people, did Lily. Even that simpleton of a sister of hers…"

He trailed off, and the soft expression that he'd only seen when the younger man was speaking of Lily left his face, and a cold anger replaced it. An anger Dumbledore instantly sensed wasn't all that fresh, and an anger he instantly sensed the younger man had been waiting his opportune moment to vent. And…he had a sickening feeling that he knew exactly what it was about.

"Did you know?" Snape suddenly demanded, his eyes finding the older man and locking upon him with an arctic glare. "Did you know the kind of treatment that child has suffered at the hands of those muggle buffoons? How they locked him in a…broom cupboard. How they barely fed him. How their monstrosity of a son bullied him with their blessing. How her own sister allowed him to be caged like a recalcitrant animal. Did you know about all that, or is something that is all part of your plan for the boy, and not to be questioned by the likes of me or other mere mortals?"

Albus exhaled slowly.

He'd been right about the source of the anger.

…and it fell a million times short of the regret, guilt and remorse he threw at himself for it.

"I did," he replied softly, simply. "I knew when I left Harry on that doorstep that he would face eleven young years of mistreatment, misunderstanding and misery. I knew that he would be treated like a pariah. I was well aware of all those face Severus, and continued to be aware as the years passed, with Mrs Figg playing her role remarkably well. I assure you, I have lost the sleep I have deserved to lose over Harry's plight. I have. But, I confess…the reason I have dragged the nature of your relationship with the child from you, is tied up in your very cause of anger."

Snape merely stared in confused anger.

"What are you talking about?" he spat, his anger heaving in his chest. The images of Lily's child being so horribly treated, much like he had been himself swimming in his mind. Where had he been all that time the boy was being used as a punching bag? Loathing him. Loathing a boy he had never even met, and who's state of orphan-hood rested upon his shoulders. He should have moved heaven and earth to ensure not only the safety, but the happiness of her child. Instead he had shown not a morsel of interest in Dumbledore's explanations of years passed. How the familial bond between Lily and Petunia would keep him safe.

Because he didn't care.

Now…now he did care.

But it was too late to take back those years of misery.

The memory of them were burned into Harry's mind and were there to stay.

"I'm talking about an issue that has arisen quite recently Severus," Dumbledore murmured, "an issue that I am faced with two solutions to. One being you. And one…being Remus. I pitch this solution to you first, and you are well within your rights to take your leave and refuse. If you do, I shall never mention it again, nor shall I hold any ill will against you. You have my word on that matter."

Snape shook his head slowly, a dread filling him.

"What are you talking about?" he repeated slowly, but with no bite.

Dumbledore inhaled slowly.

"I am talking about the fact that the summer is fast looming upon us. I am talking about the fact that those simpering, suffering muggles you were speaking of have exacerbated an already tenuous position. They are…shall we say still highly aggrieved at the unfortunate incident with Harry's aunt last summer, and are quite simply refusing to take him back this summer by not being there themselves. They are taking some form of…err boating…expedition, and will not occupy Privet Drive for the entire holidays."

He took another deep breath.

"Of course you know the nature of the enchantment which protects Harry will be broken when he cannot call the place he resides with Lily's sibling home. I am not willing to gamble that a…cruise ship befits the description of home. Therefore, alternative arrangements must be made."

He took another deep breath.

"Hogwarts, of course is the obvious choice. The Weasley's are more than willing to accommodate, but such a long expanse of time leaves me uneasy. I, as you know, cannot stay here during the summer. We will not discuss the why's of that now, as you know. But…it begs the question, doesn't it? Obviously a highly trained, highly skilled witch or wizard must remain on the premises, if Harry is to take the unusual step and spend his summer holidays here."

Snape was getting paler and paler as Dumbledore pressed on.

"The obvious candidates, well versed in the dark arts no less, are yourself and Remus like I have said. Now, if you were to-"

"The boy…would no doubt prefer Lupin's company over mine," Snape blurted out in interruption, with an odd bitterness. "I give him discipline, he gives him dungbombs."

Dumbledore resolved to have a private word with Remus.

"Actually Severus," he countered, a softness entering his blue eyes as a situation he had never before precedence replayed itself in his mind, "I have already spoken to young Harry about the situation…" he trailed off, looking at the glumness on Snape's face, and felt his brow's raise. The man…was disappointed. Dumbledore blinked. He'd seen u-turns before, but never something like this. A warmth spread throughout him as a sort of natural order realignment played out before him. The idea…the very idea…that Severus Snape would be smarting because he believed Harry Potter to prefer Remus Lupin to him was flabbergasting.

And it was also, to his mind, a stunningly right occurrence.

One…Lily would have approved of.

"I assume he felt faint at the idea of having to follow rules for an entire holiday and…"

Snape fell silent as Dumbledore raised a hand.

"He said he would prefer if you would stay with him."

The world jolted off its axis. Black eyes faltered, as a curtain of lank hair was swept out of their bemused wake. Perhaps he had heard wrong. He must have heard wrong. All the students…bar his own, raved about freaking Lupin. He was their clad iron favourite, whilst he…remained in the top spot for most universally despised. Shaking his head to clear the fog of confusion, he looked up at the elder wizard in amazement.

"He said…what?"

Dumbledore couldn't remember a smile he had smiled that was so torn between unwavering joy and piercing sadness.

"He chose you," he said simply, "he chose you, Severus. Now…the question I suppose, is…do you accept? I meant to say…Harry and young Mr Weasley and Ms Granger are a force together, but you shouldn't underestimate their ability to wreak havoc divided. You should be aware that-"

"Yes."

Dumbledore blinked.

"Yes?"

Snape nodded, without hesitation.

"Yes."

Albus sat numbly. This…was frankly not the outcome he'd expected. He'd seen with his own eyes the changes Harry's third year had brought about in the relationship between he and his protégée…but he had never dared dream they would be this extreme. He expected to feel a sense of foreboding. But…he did not. He felt only a naturalness. Unorthodox though it may be, he knew, just as he knew all the many and wonderful things that he knew, that this summer would be a success.

In more ways than even his brain could countenance.

He felt his heart, often so heavy with the burdens it carried soar freely as he took in the stance of the man in front of him. The man who had come so far from the informant that had started the whole trail of fire in the first instance. He knew as he looked at the determined and yet utterly amazed line of Severus' face that protecting Harry was now his goal. His mission. His ode to the woman he had loved so much and yet who'd grown so alien to him.

Harry was his second chance, and as Snape rose to shake his hand in concretisation of their agreement, he knew that he wouldn't need a third.

As he left his office, Dumbledore knew that for the young educator…nothing had changed, but nothing would ever be the same again.

It would later be insisted upon by two excitable first years that some kind of ghost horse had sprinted across the frost bitten grass that night.

The corporeal doe's euphoric canter really had been a sight to see.

…

FIN

….