Sweet Soul Music

Disclaimer – The places and characters you recognise are JK Rowlings

Chapter Twenty One.

He was in a black mood all that day, and has students were even more wary around him than normal. He was so angry that house points were being deducted for the smallest infraction. He had even taken ten points from Slytherin, his own house damn it, when a student had sneezed while he was talking. What could he do? There was no chance she would even hear him out, let alone forgive him was there? Even if she did there was the small matter of swallowing his pride and apologizing in the first place. Words of apology were generally not heard coming out of Severus’ mouth, derision and scorn those were more his style.

The more he thought about things the more he realised that maybe an apology wasn’t too bad an idea. He had looked into the eyes of Voldemort and lied; it couldn’t be much harder than that he mused involuntarily shuddering at the recollection. The only difference would be that he would be speaking the truth, he was genuinely sorry for hurting her and he hoped that given time she would understand his reasons and give him the forgiveness that he craved. Perhaps he should speak to Dumbledore again, he knew her better than anyone else here, and maybe he could suggest a plan of action.

Cat grew increasingly curious as the day passed.
“Not the best move for someone with your name” she joked to herself as she settled down in her rooms. Okay, maybe not but Albus had obviously spoken with him after breakfast and she couldn’t help it. Had he told him the reasons? No doubt the headmaster would pop in to see her tonight and give his report. Perhaps after that she could move on. Move on and do what though? Even after everything she still had some feelings for that arrogant prick. The fact that he was so damn sexy didn’t help, what little sleep she had been getting had been plagued with dreams of him making love to her again. She absent mindedly gazed at the floor. The two of them had made love right there in front of her fire. She could honestly say he was the best lover she had ever had. The way he touched her that night had been a revelation, his fascination for her body had made her feel like some kind of goddess.

Lost in her thoughts a loud pop made her jump suddenly and the smiling face of Dumbledore appeared in the fire beyond the point she had been contemplating intently.
“Sorry to startle you, dear.” he chuckled “I have some things to tell you. If you would come to my office tonight…”
Cat stood up “I’m on my way”
“I have some parchments I need to look over first, could you give me half an hour please. Then I can give you my undivided attention.” the fiery version of the wizard said.
“No problem I understand” she said sitting back down again.
“Excellent, see you later” the old man vanished with another loud pop.

The headmaster sat behind his desk and turned to the phoenix that resided on the perch next to it.
“I’m not interfering Fawkes, honestly” The phoenix let out a sharp twitter. “Well maybe just slightly then” he admitted gently stroking the birds head. Taking his seat behind his desk he waited for his first visitor. Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door and Severus walked in.
“I had inkling that I would see you again soon” the headmaster smiled knowingly from behind the desk before Professor Snape had chance to say something. “I’ve been thinking about earlier and it seems to me that you have a lot of grovelling to do, my boy” and the smile broadened further, his eyes twinkling. “I think I have just the thing to help. Wait here for a moment while I fetch it.”
The headmaster was meddling again, it seemed that he couldn’t help it, but for once he was actually pleased. The task ahead wouldn’t be easy so any help or advice that anybody could offer would be welcomed. He removed his outer robe and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the large leather covered desk.
“It could be a long discussion, best get myself comfortable” he said to Fawkes who was watching him out of one eye.

What could possibly be taking him this long? He had left five minutes before.
“Probably forgotten where he left whatever it is” Severus chuckled to himself “he is getting old you know”
The minutes ticked by as he sat and contemplated the silver plate of assorted sweets on the desk, how Dumbledore actually had any teeth left was a miracle, he was constantly munching these things. The door behind him creaked open, at last. Turning in his seat he opened his mouth to speak but stopped short. Unless the headmaster had transfigured himself into a very well proportioned young woman that wasn’t him.

Cat stopped dead, that wasn’t Albus, what the hell was he doing here?
“Miss McEwan?” he sounded surprised.
“Professor Snape” she replied coldly.
“I wasn’t expecting to….that is I thought you were the headmaster” shit, why couldn’t he string a sentence together?
“Well, I wasn’t expecting you either.” she tried to speak with as much venom as possible, not sure if it was working. “I have an appointment with him”
“I’m sure he will return shortly. He was just fetching …something for me. I’ll be leaving after that.”
Cat took the other seat at the desk and tried her best to ignore the wizard sat next to her. It was harder than she thought, part of her wanted to knock that prominent nose off his face and the other part of her wanted to rip his clothes off. He didn’t have his robe on, just his shirt and trousers, same as he was wearing that night.
“Get a grip girlie” she told herself “Don’t let him get to you”

After a long awkward silence Severus cleared his throat quietly, no time like the present.
“Miss McEwan?” she looked at him in stony silence, her eyes were flashing a mixture of different emotions and he couldn’t read them. “I can’t apologise enough for the way I have treated you….”
“No, you can’t” she cut him off mid sentence.
“At least let me try” he replied, there was a sincerity and softness in his voice that made her hold her tongue. She simply arched her eyebrows at him and motioned him to continue.
Severus looked at the witch next to him, how could he explain properly? He didn’t know the right words. If only she could see everything that had led up to that point. Of course, why didn’t he think of that sooner?
“Cat, Miss McEwan, sorry. I cannot explain…that is I don’t know how….I’m not very good at these things, excuse me.”
“Hmmph” she snorted derisively. This had better be good.
“The only way I can think of is for you to use legilimency on me; I promise I won’t hide anything about you away.”
Fine if that’s what he wanted, she didn’t have to forgive him afterwards but at least she could find out what had caused the change. Nodding she looked into his black eyes and Pulled out her wand.