Part IV

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit tribute to the works of JK Rowling, who created and, together with her publishers and licensees, owns the characters and settings elaborated herein.

Many thanks go to my fabulous beta, Karelia, to my fantastic revisor, Notsosaintly, and to those reading this story.

*************

Dedication: To DUJ. And to Severus.

Part IV

Dumbledore had been staring helplessly at his younger colleague since the early hours of the day. When morning finally arrived and the trembling light of the torches brightened the corridor, the old wizard called softly, "Severus..."

No answer came, so Dumbledore insisted, "Please, Severus, talk to me. Sharing worries will help both of us..."

Slowly, the younger wizard turned, and Dumbledore gave a sharp gasp. Paint had broken in an irregular, deep crack on Snape's chest, and the wizard was moving with evident suffering. While Dumbledore stared speechlessly, Snape raised a hand and passed it softly just over his heart. His fingers touched gently the edges of the gash while he breathed painfully. Then Severus closed his eyes and waited for Dumbledore to speak, but the old wizard was lost in immense desolation. So, after a while, Snape turned his head again and stared blankly at the walls, closing himself in his sorrowful thoughts.

*************

Afternoon had just begun when a cheerful Minerva arrived.

"Good news!" she announced with a beaming smile. "Soon you'll be back where you belong. I hope you'll be happy with the change..." She winked conspiringly at the younger wizard. "Especially you, Severus."

But only silence answered and she looked around in perplexity. What was happening? The day that Severus Snape should spare her one of his polished snappy remarks, the castle would probably crumble!

"Severus!" she called, adjusting her spectacles on the bridge of her nose to have a better vision. That weird disinterest was disconcerting.

"Severus..." she repeated uncertainly. "Is everything right with you?"

The wizard didn't answer, and getting closer, Minerva suddenly noticed the long, horrible break in the picture.

"Severus!" She gasped. "How did this happen?" She fretted in shock. "Has the change of place caused this? Oh, I'm so sorry! Why didn't you tell me immediately?"

She worriedly considered the portrait, then she raised her arm.

"Reparo!" she exclaimed, flickering her wand anxiously. But nothing happened, and the old witch stared in even more terrified wonder. Never in her life had she experienced anything like this, and she felt horribly helpless. But then, she noticed the two men's unusually quiet attitude and turned to Dumbledore.

"Why are you both so silent? Albus... Please, answer me, at least you!"

"You can do nothing for him, Minerva... and neither can I," the great wizard replied simply.

"Why? What happened?" she cried, upset at Snape's total apathy.

"Please let Severus be. You can't do anything for him now, Minerva," Albus repeated slowly.

The witch was very agitated. "But I can't leave him this way," she murmured, looking around as if asking for invisible support.

"Minerva... please... leave us alone," Dumbledore pleaded, and the old woman stared at him. Surely it had to be a private matter between the two wizards, more proof of the strict connection that had linked them during life and that was still linking them. A battle of gazes took place, and finally, she inhaled deeply and capitulated.

"I don't understand, Albus, but I will do as you ask."

"Thank you very much, Minerva," the old wizard answered, keeping his gaze anxiously fixed on the younger, silent man.

Turning to leave, Minerva suddenly saw a little notepad on the floor, and unnoticed, she bent to pick it up and put it in her sleeves.

*************

Albus Severus was back the morning after.

"I've spoken with dad," the boy said hesitantly. "He sends his best regards to you both." He looked anxiously at Dumbledore, who smiled encouragingly. The boy swallowed and went on bravely, speaking haltingly in short sentences and this time specifically addressing Snape.

"Dad explained everything to me. He said that, huh, it is mostly his fault because he never told me what really happened. He also said that he is very happy you decided to tutor me, and he hopes that our lessons will continue."

Albus Severus paused and glanced expectantly at the dark wizard.

"I, too, hope that our lessons will continue..." he ventured timidly, lowering his head immediately after. "I am very sorry, sir. I shouldn't have listened to Malfoy."

"And why not, Potter?" Snape interrupted him with infinite sadness. "He told you the truth."

The boy bit his lips. "I know that you won't be able to teach my brother," he went on tenaciously, ignoring the comment. He was evidently determined to voice all his feelings, and to find the courage needed, he kept his head obstinately down. "But I have resolved to give you more time. Perhaps in the future you will decide to offer him a chance. James deserves it, even if you don't like his name."

Dumbledore smiled fondly at these words, and Albus Severus finally raised his head, looking at the picture with a hopeful gaze. It was then he noticed the gash that was cruelly cutting Snape's black robes and gasped, "But you... you have been hurt!"

"It's only a crack, Potter. Paintings become old and arid... exactly like men," Snape said, placing a hand on his chest to hide the gash.

"It looks scary! Are you sure it doesn't hurt?" The boy looked pointedly at the man.

"Not as much as our last conversation," Severus replied with a bizarre smile.

"I'm sorry." The boy gulped again, and Snape said briefly, "Don't. It wasn't your fault."

Albus Severus stood silent, evidently thinking of the best way to express his thoughts. Then he said, "Perhaps I can help." And, without warning, he raised his wand and determinedly exclaimed, "Reparo!"

Snape shivered suddenly, and the crack closed immediately, leaving a smooth surface.

"Well done, Al!" exclaimed Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling in joy and tenderness.

Albus Severus looked up with a triumphant expression and asked respectfully, a hint of satisfaction colouring his voice, "Better now?"

Snape looked at himself and then at the boy. There was a nicely mischievous smile on that little face. He crossed his arms, feeling a sudden, healing, beautiful feeling powerfully filling his soul.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Potter." Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement. "I see I didn't waste my lessons."

"Could we begin again, then?" Albus Severus was radiant.

"You mean you still want me to teach you?" the dark wizard asked slowly.

"Yes, please! And then I must convince you that my brother is worthwhile."

"Stubborn, aren't we?" Snape said curtly, but there was a smile hidden behind the words, and the boy smiled too. The wizard frowned. "I suppose I will have to give your brother a chance one of these days."

"Will you?" Albus Severus exclaimed, raising his eyebrows in joy.

"Don't jump too fast to conclusions," Snape replied firmly. "I will have to think about it."

Albus Severus smiled again, the quiet confident smile of those who know that victory is just round the corner. "Thank you very much, Professor. I have to leave now. See you in the afternoon."

The boy went away, and the two wizards stared at each other. Dumbledore was stroking his beard with that knowing smile Severus hated so much. The dark wizard clenched his fists.

"Don't say a word, please, Albus, " he snapped.

Dumbledore had a surprised, amused expression.

"It wasn't my intention."

*************

The afternoon lesson had just finished when Minerva made an unexpected appearance in the corridor.

"I had arranged for a restorer from St. Mungo's special section for paintings, Severus. But I see you have unexpectedly recovered," she said, raising her eyebrows with a meaningful smile.

"Mr. Potter!" she then exclaimed and frowned as if she had noticed the boy only at that moment. "I wonder what you are doing here?"

"I was..." Albus Severus hesitated. Smiling again, the old woman handed him a little square object. "I suppose this is yours."

Recognising the precious notepad he thought he had definitely lost, the boy's face lit up in happiness. Then, understanding that he had betrayed himself, he blushed and said honestly, "I was studying Potions, Headmistress. Professor Snape is an excellent teacher."

"I know. But unfortunately your lessons end here. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape must come back to their place this evening."

"Oh!" Albus Severus was very disappointed. "But why?"

"Past Headmasters' portraits should stay in the Headmaster's office, Potter," Minerva explained, carefully scrutinising him and Snape.

The boy looked very sad. "Oh..." he murmured. "Then I have to say good-bye..."

Minerva smiled kindly. "You can always come to visit them."

The boy brightened. "May I? Thank you very much! See you there then, Professor Snape. Uncle Albus..."

With a last, regretful smile, Albus Severus ran away.

Minerva crossed her arms.

"Today I received a very strange letter from Harry Potter, in which he gently suggested that I visit this corridor at this precise time of the afternoon. Now, Severus... Do you have anything to say?"

"I... I don't want to come back to the office," Snape's eyes looked diffidently at her, but there was an uncharacteristically pleading tone in his voice.

"I see," the witch replied patiently. "And what about you, Albus? Are you part of this same conspiracy?"

"No, Minerva, don't worry." Dumbledore suddenly winked. "I'm too old for adventure, and surely Severus will be happy to stay away from me. Although I will miss him a lot."

The old witch stared at Snape, lost in meditation. Then she said slowly, as if expressing her own doubts, "The only problem is exactly the one I was just explaining to young Mr. Potter... who, I suppose, has got nothing to do with your decision, has he, Severus?"

The dark wizard was sullenly silent. She considered his harsh features and unexpectedly smiled. "Rules are made to be broken, sometimes. Would you like to teach again, Severus?"

"Minerva!" Suddenly Snape was very agitated, but she could hear hope mixing with anxiety in his voice. "How could I... How could Hogwarts admit..."

"Oh well! We have had a half-giant, a centaur, a ghost and a werewolf teaching here, not counting a brainless seer. I don't see any objection to also having a painting, especially when he is such an experienced teacher."

Snape closed his eyes, his face suddenly flushing with emotion, and Minerva smiled again, seeing how strongly he was fighting to dissimulate his immense joy. Then she continued, severely, "But this implies that you will have to accept young James Potter too, and all the other children we decide to present to you."

Snape sighed and lowered his head.

"Does this mean that you agree?" Minerva teased him cheerfully, and the younger wizard narrowed his eyes.

"Your quiet cunning has always surprised me, Minerva. You really should have been sorted into Slytherin," he replied disdainfully.

"Harry, Minerva and Albus Severus. Three Gryffindors against you, Severus! I think you have been out-Slytherined." Dumbledore laughed in quiet satisfaction.

Snape didn't reply. His mind was full of confused, contradictory thoughts and feelings. Yet, there was one thing he was absolutely, comfortingly certain of. Life had unexpectedly reserved him a second chance. And this time, he would make sure that it wouldn't be wasted.