For the Greater Good

Albus’ colorful attire was a stark contrast to Severus’ own sleek black. The only jewelry he wore was a necklace, tucked safely away under the layers of his high-collared robes. It’s not as if Severus detested colors, as most of the students seemed to believe, quite the contrary. The beautiful hues of the headmaster’s robes and jewelry always caught Severus’ attention, but rarely did they hold it long. Staring was rude.

Black eyes pulled away from the enticing colors - perhaps next time, Severus, for now, you must stick with the black - and moved up to Albus’ features. “I have dozens of feet of parchment to grade on the art of potion making,” he explained dryly. “Other than that, yes, I’m fine. If you discount my frustration over why eleven year olds don’t know how to spell properly. These children did attend Primary school, did they not?” It’s a rhetorical question at best, so he quickly waves it off, opting instead to ask another. “Your visits are rarely without alterior motive, Albus, no matter how small the other motive. So what is it you need? Other than to check on me, which is—nice.”

Albus Dumbledore did many a nice thing for people to whom others wouldn’t have given a second chance. He was generally considered to be a kind elderly sorcerer. But he was also very powerful, and very steadfast indeed. He had an all-encompassing aura about him that could reassure and cow into submission in one breath. He was a dichotomy between a gentle mentor and an inexorable master. Severus Snape brought out both sides of him, which was a rare thing.

“Come now, Severus. Some children just need a little more time to adjust. As do new professors - I was a young new teacher too, once. I understand the nerves.” there was a certain significance in his lapis lazuli orbs, positively smouldering as the firelight danced with their hues. Clever boy, he thought amusedly. He knew Severus to have a more perceptive mind than most, and for being a no nonsense, pragmatic man. Of course he’d jump straight to it. 

“That doesn’t make sense, sir,” Theo said, unable to help herself from pointing out what seemed to her to be a logical flaw. “Wouldn’t the people who actually grew oranges have already invented orange preserves? After all, people have been preserving fruit much longer than just two centuries. It sounds like that witch didn’t invent marmalade so much as she reinvented it.”

“That’s a very sharp observation, Miss Nott.” the headmaster sounded very pleased indeed, and his fathomless mind was clearly thinking something over. 

“Indeed, that is a legend. It is likely to have been invented in a more rudimental form of preserve earlier, especially for ships, so that they could store fruit for longer. It was a thick paste, rather than the syrupy, sticky treat that we love. It became closer to our modern version when some ingenious minds added more water and lemon juice to the recipe.”  he gave a small nod then, the small beads laced with the silvery stream of his beard chiming softly at the motion. 

Sad Starters - accepting.

Sad Starters - accepting.

Sad Starters - accepting.

Sad Starters - accepting.

“It’s not as simple as that.” the words hurt him more than he should have allowed them to; but nothing--nay, no one was worth it, not when the price to pay was so steep. “But my perspective has changed, and so have my priorities, Gellert.”

Sad Starters - accepting.

The headmaster’s arcane gaze settled on the sallow visage of his most trusted, the soft glow of fondness just behind half-moons. 

“Oh no– on the contrary, my dear boy.”  even pawns had their significance, a part to play; and if there was one who could stoke P O T E N T I A L where it dwindled, who could see value where others saw none, that was Albus Dumbledore. 

“You are crucial. You are the only one who can do this.” he spoke gently, wrapping the most solitary burden under the shimmering, illusory veil of reassurance.

Sad Starters - accepting.

“A wise outlook, indeed. Alas, some of the more spirited people in illicit possession of a Time Turner would disagree.” fortunately not everyone was that lucky, and that foolish.

Passing by the Great Hall on her way from the dungeons up to the library, Theodora was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore exiting into the corridor. She was even more surprised when he spoke to her, and for a moment she stared at the bespectacled man as though he’d lost his mind.

“…I prefer marmalade, sir,” she said, once she’d wrapped her head around the fact that yes, the headmaster was actually speaking to her, and that he was speaking of crumpets, of all things.

Clearly, her father was right. Albus Dumbledore was utterly dotty.

“Interesting choice.” he couldn’t quite remember if he knew anyone under the age of 45 with that preference. 

Harry supposes that Dumbledore has a point. The headmaster usually had very good points. He’s still angry that he was supposed to be this—sacrificial lamb, but he can’t really hold it against Dumbledore. Especially not enough to stop heeding his council now, and in all honesty, Harry does still trust him. It doesn’t matter what he planned, because Harry would have done it anyway. “For the greater good” and all that. If there’s anything about Harry Potter that is truly Gryffindor, it’s not being able to see others suffer and do nothing. “I—I suppose sharing isn’t a bad way to look at it,” he mutters.

Harry’s eyes widen. “Professor—Snape?” He honestly can’t imagine uptight Severus Snape having any sort of experience in this particular field of magic, and he’s not sure he wants to know how Dumbledore knows otherwise. The very idea of going to Snape for this kind of tutelage makes Harry’s face turn a little red, the heat creeping from his cheekbones down to his jaw. “Do you—really think that appropriate, Sir?” Age wasn’t a concern, Harry is eighteen after all. No, what concerns Harry is, “I’m pretty certain Professor Snape still doesn’t like me, I’m sure he wouldn’t want to waste his time teaching me—that.”

“The Muggles say ‘sharing is caring’ for a reason.” and despite what the young wizard might have been inclined to think, people did care for him. Deeply, and more than they realised themselves. He’d been brought down by that same affection, the one he’d hoped to distance himself enough from so not to compromise what he needed to do.

“ And what if your best is different from mine, headmaster? Goodness and evil are subjective, is it not?” 

"Was..I not good enough?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Was it something I did?"

"Was it..something I said?"

"How could you?"

"I don't miss you.."

"I miss you so much, my heart bleeds when I think of you.."

"It's my fault.."

"I should have been there."

"I'm..so..so sorry I couldn't protect you."

"You're dead to me."

"Maybe he was right."

"Maybe she was right."

"I'm not worth your while, am I?"

"Am I so insignificant?"

"I need you."

"It's your choice, now you have to live with it."

"I want to be once again with you."

"You choose the road, love. And I'll make the vows."

"You had it coming."

"You only have yourself to blame."

"I only have myself to blame."

"I have only tears to shed."

"My heart is black and my mind is darkness.."

"The truth is, we're both frauds."

"At least you had good intentions."

"He was too strong."

"I hate this life."

"Once something is truly lost, one can never get it back again."

"You had better start believing in nightmares, you're in one."

"Don't worry about my falling limbs and broken heart, my stitches feel no pain. I love you, that's all that matters."

"You just have to let it go."

"Some things happen, and there is nothing you can do about it."

"This the end."

"Scream all you want, no one can hear you."

"No one can save you now."

"Rest in peace."

"You will never see the light again."

"Lost.."

"Just let me die."

"Just leave me behind."

"I won't say it to him, but he's got us beat."

"There is still a way to defeat you."

"Fine, knock yourself out. I mean it."