Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-4-

After the dinner, I found McGonagall from her classroom and she lead me to the Headmaster's Office. On our way there, we had some time to talk and tell more about ourselves and get to know each other little bit better. What I learned is that she has a husband - no kids, but her nieces and nephews are always welcome to visit them whenever they please. She and her husband are quite happy where they are in their lives now. Somehow it's so amazing to hear all of these little stories and getting to know her on another level. It's all just so different now than years back when we were a student and a teacher. She's surprisingly easy to talk to. And soon enough, we came to stand next to a big phoenix statue.

I look at the professor next to me slightly confused. I mean, I do remember there were some spiral stairs to go up, but there aren't any. Have I really forgot this much over the years? McGonagall gives me a knowing smile and turns to the statue. "Sherbet lemon." she says and the spiral staircase appears. Woah! She then turns to me:"Bet you can handle from this now on.". "Thank you, Professor McGonagall." I gently smiled at her. "Between you and me, you can call me Minerva." she nods with an approving smile. "Minerva." I repeat. It sounds weird to say out loud, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Then, her face goes more professional:"But not in front of the students.". I nod with light chuckle:"Of course.". Pretty much after that, she continued her way and I went up the stairs.

By every step I take, I get more nervous. My heart keeps beating faster and faster in my chest. The memories from the past starts coming back to me. Meeting the Greatest Wizard privately is something I never thought I'd get to do. Immediately when I step into the office, I see him. The Headmaster. "Ah, Professor (Y/L). Welcome, welcome. Please, take a seat, (Y/N)." he gestures the chair near to his desk. "I'm..- I'm fine standing, thank you." I smile shyly and place hands neatly in front of me. Is it rude to decline? Maybe? Oh, no! Think I just messed up! Dumbledore has a gentle look on his face as he approaches me:"How has the first day been?". Both of my eyebrows shoots up:"Great! I mean, everything has gone pretty well. Thank you.". Oh, Merlin's beard, my hands are sweating!

He nods:"Glad to hear. I hope the students have behaved well on their first day.". My mind goes to Draco Malfoy and our interaction in the corridor earlier today. "...I might've taken some points away from a student, sir. Someone who isn't from my House." I admitted. "Ah, from Slytherin's House." he says. He knows already?! Guess he saw the look on my face as the reassuring gaze came up on his wrinkly face:"No need for a panic, (Y/N). Every now and then, a professor has taken points from slightest reasons before. But, I do hope none of you will use it for your own good, for the hope that the House you are representing would win the House Cup.". I shook my head:"No, sir. Of course.". That was one of the first rules as being Hogwarts professor; be as unbiased as possible. One particular professor has trouble to remember that it seems.

I then look down to the floor, little ashamed and afraid what my actions might have cost for the rest of the year. "Chin up. There is no reason to be all gloomy." the Headmaster suddenly said, and my gaze snaps right back up - immediately meeting his eyes. "Despite today's events, you have already given a great impact on our students. So I suggest you'd keep it up." he flashed encouraging smile. A heavy weight got lift off my shoulders:"Thank you, sir.". He soon turned around and starts looking for something from his desk:"And, don't take Severus too seriously. If you happen to run into him.". I crossed arms over my chest and looked outside of the window next to me. Well, too late for that...

Headmaster continued:"But that wasn't the reason I invited you to come here at this hour...". "Right, McGonagall said you wanted to see me before... Well, that." I take a step forward. He takes a thick envelope out of one of the desk's drawers and brings it to me:"Pomona left you a pile of notes and letters she believes might help you with the days you are going to have ahead.". "Oh, thank you. These will come in handy." I take the envelope and stare at it with a smile on my face. Her handwriting has stayed the same. For a moment, Dumbledore stares at me with gentle smile as I keep staring at the letters and the writings on them. "Good to see you are doing well." he hummed pleased. Huh? The smile I had drops, and my head snaps right back up to meet his eyes. He gives me a knowing look which brings a shy smile to my lips:"...Yeah. Aunt-Ruby has been a huge help.". "Ah, the brunet with the curls? Yes... She was quite something when I met her." Dumbledore thinks out loud while stroking his long beard. "She's married, sir." I reminded him. "Why, yes. Yes, of course." he answered. Not fully sure if he actually heard me correctly or not...