MetaFic

8 Sep 1991

“Severus, we have a problem.”

“Oh, Headmaster?” Severus leaned back into the chair he was sitting in, trying to be as comfortable as possible before classes resumed on the morrow. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, as always, with the fire quietly burning in the corner, though the phoenix was absent this evening. Severus wondered briefly at where it might be.

“Indeed. A most extraordinary thing happened on Friday, and I have spent all weekend dealing with the fallout.”

Once again, the headmaster was being obtuse in his approach to a situation. Severus felt that it was a tedious mechanism for delivery, but after five years of tolerating it, he believed he was getting better at hiding his irritation. “And what might this event be, sir?”

“In a moment. I had a few questions I wanted to ask you first, if you would.”

It was typical Dumbledore, always polite and calm, slower than the seasons. “By all means, Headmaster,” Severus said, trying to put at least a semblance of a smile on his face. “I am at your disposal.” He idly began trying to recall the exact amount of potions ingredients he would need for the first class Monday morning, at twenty-one students, with at least two false starts.

“What is the purpose of Hogwarts, would you say?”

Severus paused in the maths to calculate the volume of toad bile. “Purpose? Teaching.” Really, the man was slipping further and further into the obscure in his dotage. Severus realised he would need to order more toad bile before the end of the week.The NEWT class would need more than he would have left by Thursday.

“Excellent. And if you were to identify the single most important lesson we must impart, what would that be?”

Lace wings, he definitely needed another bulk order of lace wings. “The single most important lesson?” Once more into the philosophy, Severus realised. It would likely be a long night. “Perhaps not to wave a wand carelessly.” If he offered some of his surplus newt eyes, he might get a discount on the lace wings.

“While that is important, I do not feel that it is the most important.”

Hagrid had connections in the creature community; perhaps he could find a cheaper lace wing supplier. Of course, in order to find that out, Severus would need to waste time socialising. “With all respect, you have decades more experience than I do. I would be surprised if you agreed with me, or even if I agreed with myself ten years from now.” He had to see Hagrid in order to collect some unicorn hairs regardless, so perhaps he could sneak lace wings into the conversation at that time and save himself an hour of idleness.

“Very astute, Severus. I’ve always felt that you were quite intelligent. In my opinion, the most important lesson is that actions do have consequences.”

Severus paused again to consider the words of the headmaster. It was an obvious statement, once said, which meant it was likely a human tautology. At the same time, it seemed unrealistic to think that people did not know this maxim before they came to the school. “Perhaps, but it seems that children should have learned that long before coming here.” He could almost feel the headmaster’s gaze sharpen as soon as he said this.

“In a manner of speaking, they probably did. However, as children, they think as children. A child’s notions of fairness, justice, and consequences are not the same as an adult’s. And it is within these walls, Severus, that this critical change manifests. They leave here no longer thinking as children, and they should know that everything they do will have consequences on their lives and the lives of others.”

For the first time in several years, Severus became uncertain of the headmaster’s intent. He stopped considering the potions store and tried to understand why the man was talking of these abstract concepts with him. “I suppose I see your point.”

“I’m glad that you do. For it is that point which we must discuss.”

Severus sighed thankfully, glad that the conversation would finally be moving toward conclusion. “In what way, Headmaster?”

“I have had discussions with at least three students of each year, from every house, since Friday. And I have been forced to apologise to most of these students, for it is clear that Hogwarts had failed to teach them this lesson about consequences.”

This was news to Severus, and it indicated something very unordinary. While the headmaster routinely talked to students, it was usually only in passing or for brief moments. To have deliberately sought out so many students suggested that there was something critical on Dumbledore’s mind.

“I was informed on Friday, in the Great Hall, that you had failed in your trust as a teacher. Having a public, formal complaint about you left Minerva and me with no choice but to fully investigate the students’ allegations of abuse, favouritism, and inadequate instruction.”

Severus was stunned. He was certain that the Headmaster must have heard grumblings about his teaching style before, but after nothing had occurred, he had simply carried on. The students needed to learn the harsh realities of life, not be swaddled with cheer and devotion.

“I am disappointed with you, Severus.  You chose to do what was easy, to attack and belittle the students, particularly those of families or backgrounds you disliked. You seldom bothered to instruct in anything. You did not do what was right, which was to emulate the very best examples you have had in your life. Based on what I have discovered and conversations I have had with the Board, I regret to inform you that you are immediately terminated from your roles here.”

“Terminated?” The word sounded foreign as they echoed in the room. None of the portraits moved or gave any indication they were awake. The room was quiet, and yet it was deafening.

“Your choices as a child carried grave consequences, but they were your choices. I firmly believe that you would make different choices now, but you are still living as though you have no say in life anymore. Severus, you need to let go of the past and forgive yourself for the mistakes you made. Once you have forgiven yourself, you can forgive others. I would be pleased to welcome you back here in the future, but only after you have achieved this.”

Severus was beyond stunned. The Board of Governors had agreed to his summary dismissal, and Dumbledore was no longer protecting him. Whatever event had triggered this fallout, it had transpired on Friday. The only new thing on Friday had been the first-year Potions class.

Potter. It had to be.

“This is Potter’s fault, isn’t it?” Hate was too kind a word for what he was feeling at that moment.

“That is an excellent example of the larger problem, Severus. Harry is not James. You cannot see this; you only see your past grudges. I am amazed at how well Petunia has apparently put aside her differences and raised the child. He is self-confident but not full of pride or ego. He is clearly intelligent and knows more than he lets on, but he does not flaunt it. He knew of his fame, yet he makes no effort to use it. In all, she has done a remarkable job in a most challenging situation. In no way other than appearance is Harry Potter like James Potter.”

Potter was responsible. The headmaster made no effort to deny it, which told him everything he needed to know. Hate was far too weak a word. He, Severus Snape, was the reason that the boy had been raised well. He, Severus Snape, was the one who had secured the boy's future. He, Severus Snape, was the one who made sure Dumbledore never found out of the trickery. He, Severus Snape, was being thrown out because of that very child’s petty complaint.

“You will have to find some other way to resolve the life debt you feel you still owe his father, Severus. The decision is final. The elves have already collected your belongings and transferred them to your cottage in Spinner’s End. I am sorry it has come to this, but I wish you to know that my fire will always be open to your calls. I shall miss your wit and intellect here, and I hope that you might return in some few years.”