Severus Talks - Severus Snape (COMPLETE)

Hazy

Severus would never be able to say what made him do it. Or did he do it? He had been so confused...

Bloody Potter and his two cronies, Weasley and Granger, had succeeded in knocking him out when he had been trying to save them. Consequently, he had suffered a concussion and had been forced to undergo Poppy's maternal care as soon as he returned with the Golden Trio and Black in tow.

However, due to his concussion, he had said a lot of things he hadn't meant to. He knew the three troublemakers hadn't been under the Confundus Charm - he might have been trying to save his own teaching skin with that one, and he had also revealed Lupin's werewolf status. The man was packing as he sat there, utterly miserable.

Minerva was ignoring him. So was Albus. Poppy was only talking to him to ensure that his concussion had disappeared. The rest of them: Rubeus, Pomona, Filius, Aurora and Rolanda, were all subtly staying away. The only person he blamed was himself.

He felt that the Minister had been leading him on. Forcing him to say things, continue speaking, even as he'd remained in an almost semi-conscious state. He'd never liked Cornelius Oswald Fudge.

*

Severus finally plucked up the courage to look his colleagues in the eye at lunchtime. He was seated beside Minerva, and picking at his food; a nondescript plate of red, yellow and green. Minerva was the first to break the silence.

"Eat up, Severus," the woman said eventually. "How will you get better if you only eat a gram of food per day?"

"I won't," grumbled Severus in response. "I'll waste away, like all of you want me to."

"It was a mistake," Minerva assured. "A terrible one, admittedly, but we all know what happened. You weren't in your right mind, Fudge was fishing, and out it came. No-one blames you, Severus."

"Some mistake."

"Remus doesn't blame you."

"He doesn't?" Questioned Severus, looking up from the table. Minerva was eyeing him carefully.

"Of course not," she replied. "He lasted a lot longer here than he did anywhere else. Also, he would only have been in that post for a year, don't forget, Severus. You may have freed Remus from a worse fate."

"I doubt it," Severus snorted.

"Ask him then," Minerva told him. "Ask him to forgive you. I swear I'm always asking you to apologise to people," she added, sighing.

Severus just rolled his eyes, and left.

*

Lupin wasn't a pretty sight. He had fresh scratches on his face and old wounds had been reopened. Severus grimaced.

"Don't look so disgusted, Severus," laughed Remus. "I'm sure you've seen yourself in a worse state."

"True," Severus murmured. "You don't look surprised to see me."

"I saw you coming," revealed Remus. He gestured towards the familiar map on the table before him. "I figured you'd have something to say, after everything."

"I'm sorry."

"I thought it could be that. Listen, Severus, I don't blame you. I'm sorry that Harry, Ron and Hermione took it out on you. You were only looking out for them."

"Not that they'll ever think that," Severus replied, looking down. "And I'm not sure I want them to. It would ruin my reputation."

"I've ruined mine," Remus said cheerfully. Severus gave him a look.

"Can I ever repay you?"

Remus gave Severus an identical glance in return. 

"I'm sure that you'll save my life one day soon, Severus Snape, just you wait."

"Oh, I'm waiting," said Severus. "Always waiting."

"Don't wait. Be ready."

*****

A.N. Goblet of Fire next! A hint of what's to come, with Severus saving Remus' life.

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