THE PORTRAIT OF SEVERUS SNAPE

Life as a portrait was boring, infinitely so. He now knew why the other Headmaster portraits pretended to be asleep. Sometimes (only when he completely lost his head mind you; and that too only for a short while,before he was reminded of reckless James), he would wish he was a spy again. That at least, made him feel like he was alive and kicking,and pulling the Dark Lord's leg.

Armando Dippet was the dumbest moron he had ever met, he annoyed Snape with his foolishness ('Now I see why Tom Riddle's what he was; sheer desperation to kill this dunce must have done it.').Dilys Derwent's knowledge of Potions was delightful,but she was a Healer! A St. Mungo's healer for twenty years before she became Hogwarts Headmistress. Pathetic. And he never had enough patience for Hufflepuffs.

Phineas Nigellius Black,he must say,was the only person he got on fairly well with. They both shared a lot in common: interest in the Dark Arts and their Defences,Slytherin slyness,disapproval of Harry Potter and contempt of Sirius Black. But whatever said and done, Black was rather condescending and never really agreed on equality of blood status; the hypocrite.

Tamina Bristlecone, silent and stern; with gimlet eyes,a thick wand like a birch rod and a threatening stance,was certainly not a person to cross, not even to be taken for granted. She reminded him of the heavy-lidded Bellatrix Black ('Seriously,how did she ever fall for that ass of a Rodolphus,'),

minus the fuss and adoration of 'Her Lord'. He nearly got heart failure when he learnt she was Ravenclaw.('What the hell..!'). Though he never showed it (he had a dignity to maintain after all),he simply loved those times when Tamina threatened Phineas. A million times more entertaining than Quidditch matches.

And then there was Albus Dumbledore,still cool,calm and composed; with a twinkle in his bright blue eyes and a pleasant smile. That perpetual sad look which haunted his eyes were gone. Maybe he got the chance to make his apologies to Ariana and Grindelwald, he never dared to ask; lest he was posed with the same question.

He had made it up to Lily first thing; avoiding the burning stares of Potter,Black and Lupin, hot and trembling all over; looking at his veined hands, his dull leather shoes,choking occasionally,wishing feverishly to just sink in the ground. When he finished and chanced a little glance at her, he saw the biggest smile he had ever seen adorn her face. She flung her arms around him. Her green eyes were blazing with joy and her voice sounded like nectar as she said,"I already forgave you, Sev". James was grinning from ear to ear,clapping him on the back like an old friend."Thanks for looking after Harry, mate".Sirius was laid back,but he was smiling too. He sent forth his best scowl in reply to both. Lupin,overrode his horrified protests and gave him a hearty hug. Looks like he's elated that he's no more a werewolf,the poor bloke. But that was the last time he ever saw her.