A Twisted Web We Weave

CHAPTER 2

He was fuming. Completely and utterly beyond angry, so much so that for the first time in his life words failed him and his usual grace and eloquence had completely gone. His face flushed with built up rage and with no words to express himself his last option was violence.

It took only a half second for the antique shelving to collapse on itself as the vase struck it at full force. The vase was followed by a pensive stand and a large gold platter of tea cups which had unfortunately been within to close a range to his grasp. With the rage released he stood up and began pacing his breathing erratic and fists clenched in anger as he tried to control himself.

All the while the old gray haired wizard sat perfectly calmly at his desk watching as all his things were tossed around him like firewood.

“If you’ve quite done throwing my things….” The elder of the two wizards was cut off abruptly by the other who quickly butted in.

“I can’t believe you’ve done this behind my back, Albus. After all the years I’ve given to this blasted school, you go and do this!” Without meaning to do so a tone of hurt slipped out with his words as he addressed the older wizard.

“I’d hardly say I went behind your back Severus, after all I am telling you now.” The headmaster watched carefully as his potions professor began pacing again, all the while his right hand waving about in clear frustration. To be frank Albus Dumbledore hadn’t expected such a reaction from Severus Snape about the news, in fact he’d hoped for the opposite. Reality however had hit much harder and Albus was being privy to a side of one of his professors he’d rarely seen, or, he imagined, had anyone else.

“Yes, now! After the deals done, the contracts signed and nothing can be done about it! Didn’t you think I would have appreciated a little say in this, he is MY brother after all!” Severus was still irritated and Dumbledore’s brow furrowed in confusion as he watched the professor continue to make a rather large fuss over seemingly nothing.

“I thought you would have been pleased to be allowed to work with your brother. Besides the decision to ask Julius to teach here at Hogwarts was quite frankly none of your business.” Severus spun around sharply at the headmaster’s words and threw him a glare that made Albus shiver in his seat. Never had he ever seen anything like this before from Snape, who was usually so calm, so collected and so accepting. “I thought you said you have a good relationship with your brother?” Albus was beginning to see something different in Severus eyes, an unidentified emotion not so well hidden at present beneath the icy glare.

“He’s the only relative I still speak to Albus, but that doesn’t mean we’re friends, only that we’re family.” Severus turned his eyes away from the headmaster and over to where Fawkes was sitting fluffed up on his perch, his beady little eyes glaring at Snape across the room. Snape had never liked that blasted bird, and sneered at it like he did his more irritating students.

“Forgive me if I’m wrong Severus but do I detect some jealousy…” No sooner had the words left Albus’ lips than the man regretted them as Snape spun around his wand out as he hexed the headmaster’s desk turning into a smoldering pile of ash in seconds.

“I am most certainly not jealous of my own brother headmaster and I’m offended you would suggest such a thing. I am merely concerned that my brother after ten years of living outside the acceptable magical society is the right wizard for teaching ‘Dark Arts’ to a bunch of school children.” Severus stared at the headmaster who was now still sitting at his chair but in front of nothing but a charred pile of ashes.

“Defense Against the Dark Arts, Severus.” Albus corrected cautiously watching as Severus put his wand back into the fold of his robe sleeve.

“Whatever. You know as well as I that my brother’s previous employment has been less than reputable and his social skills or lack there of are not to the standards of what Hogwarts would expect of a professor.” Having seemingly recovered his use of language other than profanity Severus calmly walked back over to the fireplace as he waited for the headmasters reply.

“Standards? Using your own account of Hogwarts standards Severus, you yourself are not fit to be a professor, the mark on your arm overshadowing anything your brother might do while in our employment.” Slowly Severus turned around to face the headmaster who stared knowingly at where the potions professor hid his mark beneath the safe folds of his teaching robes.

“Touché.” Severus whispered as he looked purposefully away from Albus’ knowing stare.

“Then you will accept your brothers employment here?” Albus watched as Severus turned and began walking towards the door, having known already he’d lost the fight.

“Yes. After all, what damage my brother could do here, is no less than what your other poor choices of professors in the past have done.” With a nasty glance over his shoulder Severus paused in the entrance way long enough to compose himself into his usual mask of indifference and straighten his robes before he strode confidently from the room, leaving Albus still sitting behind the remains of his smoldering desk.

With an exaggerated sigh Albus flicked his own wand at the mess Severus had made of his room, all of it returning to its normal state of organized chaos that he liked. Albus had certainly not expected such a reaction from Snape about the news of his brother coming to work at Hogwarts. There had been something amiss with Severus from the moment he’d heard the news, an unseen emotion that had built and festered over the years that Albus was sure had only just been restrained in his office this evening. Albus had known Professor Snape for most of his life, and having seen such an uncharacteristic outburst from the wizard sent warning bells off in the headmasters mind. Severus was hiding something about his brother and Albus was determined to find out what it was before the restrained emotion broke loose and Severus Snape showed the world just what he was capable of. The professor was a very talented Potion Master but he was also a great wizard he just chose not to express it. With another sigh Albus flicked his wand at himself and changed into his nightshirt and cap, and having summoned a house elf with a cup of hot tea and a bedtime cookie disappeared into his bedchamber. Perhaps Julius Snape would provide another interesting year at Hogwarts after all…

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>