Redemption Part 8/100 (PG13/R - overall)
Title: Redemption Part 8/100
Rating: G
Prompt Set: 100.2
Prompt: 009. Home
Word Count: 893
Summary: Following Severus' path toward redemption, spanning from the First War to the Second War.
The moment he stepped through the heavy oak door leading to his newly appointed personal chambers, Severus breathed out a sigh of relief. He was finally alone. Staggering over to the plush, dark blue, high-backed chair by the slumbering fireplace, he sat down, the weight of his entire body collapsing onto it. He rested his head against the back, closed his eyes and drew his legs up, letting his feet rest on the edge of the seat and wrapped his arms around the bent knees. Severus’ chest rose and fell slowly as he breathed in the almost stale air of the dungeon chambers.
A few specks of dust found their way to his throat and caused him to jerk up, his feet hitting the floor with a thump as his body raked with coughs, when the light irritation tickling his gullet had transformed into a heavy lump scratching it until he couldn‘t stop himself from coughing. Hastily he made his way out into the bathroom and stuck his head under the faucet, gulping down the cool water until he could feel the irritation disappear and he was able to breathe freely again.
Severus reached up and plucked the small towel from its hook, wiping the soft fabric across his mouth. Slowly he raised his head and looked into the mirror above the sink and grimaced at the face that greeted him. He knew he was barely anything to look at, but with the added months of irregular meals and rarely an opportunity for a bath, he looked worse than ever before. Face gaunt and shallow, his skin was more pale than he remembered, Severus reached up and picked at the locks of greasy hair that hung limply, the tips curling slightly just above his bony shoulders. He just didn’t have the energy to take a shower at the moment, though it would help to make him feel slightly human and clean again. He sighed, replaced the towel to its place and left the tiny bathroom.
A roaring fire greeted him as he entered the living room again, the scent of burning wood and smoke sifted by his nostrils. A plate of sandwiches and a pot of tea awaited him on the small round table, situated directly in front of the fireplace and in-between the chair, he had curled up in earlier, and its twin. Severus silently made his way over to his chair and sat down, his body revelling in the warmth the fabric had absorbed from the hearth. He raised his head and looked at the man occupying the other chair, silver hair spilled over the armrests and the bright purple robes, decorated with yellow birds were doing their best to blind him. Blue eyes twinkled at him from under bushy white eyebrows and a gentle smile was hidden under the long beard.
“How are you settling in, Severus?” Dumbledore asked as he leaned forward and began pouring tea into two cups, then handed one to Severus, who took it and held it close to his chest, breathing the scent of strawberries. “I assumed you have not yet eaten since leaving the watchful eyes of our Madam Pomfrey. She was not too harsh, I hope?”
Severus carefully sipped the hot liquid, not wanting to scorch his tongue. “The woman is a nightmare.” He ventured with softly spoken words.
The old headmaster chuckled warmly. “She does have a habit of being overprotective of her charges.”
“I’m not a child.” Severus muttered sullenly. “I have no need of her pampering.”
“My dear boy.” Dumbledore reached for the plate of sandwiches and held it up in front the younger man’s eyes, willing him to take one. Severus stared at the plate and with a sigh picked up a sandwich, biting into it. “I’m afraid when dealing with Madam Pomfrey, you are out of luck. She may be the youngest on the staff other than you, but she will not be deterred until she deems you fit to leave her care.”
Severus glared at the older man, while chewing slowly on the cheese and ham sandwich. The headmaster appeared far to happy about the subjugation Madam Pomfrey exercised over him, he mulled and took another bite, feeling oddly content for the first time in a long while. And it had been brought out by simply sitting here and listening to the Headmaster tell him about his fate concerning the Hogwarts matron.
He looked at Dumbledore as the other man went on to merrily tell him about some of the antics the grounds keeper had gotten into with his love for obscure beasts over the past couple of weeks, ignoring completely the fact that Severus might not have any interest in these stories. However he felt no inclination to stop the old man from talking as he wasn’t expected to give any input to the tales himself and leant back against the comfy chair, a cup of tea in his hands.
Dumbledore acted as though the past five months had never happened, giving Severus a sense of calm and peace as his weary body was lulled further into the depths of sleep in the presence of the only person he trusted completely.
He was breathing steadily, deep within a dream, when a blanket was gently tucked around him and a voice spoke softly. “Welcome home, my boy.”
Rating: G
Prompt Set: 100.2
Prompt: 009. Home
Word Count: 893
Summary: Following Severus' path toward redemption, spanning from the First War to the Second War.
The moment he stepped through the heavy oak door leading to his newly appointed personal chambers, Severus breathed out a sigh of relief. He was finally alone. Staggering over to the plush, dark blue, high-backed chair by the slumbering fireplace, he sat down, the weight of his entire body collapsing onto it. He rested his head against the back, closed his eyes and drew his legs up, letting his feet rest on the edge of the seat and wrapped his arms around the bent knees. Severus’ chest rose and fell slowly as he breathed in the almost stale air of the dungeon chambers.
A few specks of dust found their way to his throat and caused him to jerk up, his feet hitting the floor with a thump as his body raked with coughs, when the light irritation tickling his gullet had transformed into a heavy lump scratching it until he couldn‘t stop himself from coughing. Hastily he made his way out into the bathroom and stuck his head under the faucet, gulping down the cool water until he could feel the irritation disappear and he was able to breathe freely again.
Severus reached up and plucked the small towel from its hook, wiping the soft fabric across his mouth. Slowly he raised his head and looked into the mirror above the sink and grimaced at the face that greeted him. He knew he was barely anything to look at, but with the added months of irregular meals and rarely an opportunity for a bath, he looked worse than ever before. Face gaunt and shallow, his skin was more pale than he remembered, Severus reached up and picked at the locks of greasy hair that hung limply, the tips curling slightly just above his bony shoulders. He just didn’t have the energy to take a shower at the moment, though it would help to make him feel slightly human and clean again. He sighed, replaced the towel to its place and left the tiny bathroom.
A roaring fire greeted him as he entered the living room again, the scent of burning wood and smoke sifted by his nostrils. A plate of sandwiches and a pot of tea awaited him on the small round table, situated directly in front of the fireplace and in-between the chair, he had curled up in earlier, and its twin. Severus silently made his way over to his chair and sat down, his body revelling in the warmth the fabric had absorbed from the hearth. He raised his head and looked at the man occupying the other chair, silver hair spilled over the armrests and the bright purple robes, decorated with yellow birds were doing their best to blind him. Blue eyes twinkled at him from under bushy white eyebrows and a gentle smile was hidden under the long beard.
“How are you settling in, Severus?” Dumbledore asked as he leaned forward and began pouring tea into two cups, then handed one to Severus, who took it and held it close to his chest, breathing the scent of strawberries. “I assumed you have not yet eaten since leaving the watchful eyes of our Madam Pomfrey. She was not too harsh, I hope?”
Severus carefully sipped the hot liquid, not wanting to scorch his tongue. “The woman is a nightmare.” He ventured with softly spoken words.
The old headmaster chuckled warmly. “She does have a habit of being overprotective of her charges.”
“I’m not a child.” Severus muttered sullenly. “I have no need of her pampering.”
“My dear boy.” Dumbledore reached for the plate of sandwiches and held it up in front the younger man’s eyes, willing him to take one. Severus stared at the plate and with a sigh picked up a sandwich, biting into it. “I’m afraid when dealing with Madam Pomfrey, you are out of luck. She may be the youngest on the staff other than you, but she will not be deterred until she deems you fit to leave her care.”
Severus glared at the older man, while chewing slowly on the cheese and ham sandwich. The headmaster appeared far to happy about the subjugation Madam Pomfrey exercised over him, he mulled and took another bite, feeling oddly content for the first time in a long while. And it had been brought out by simply sitting here and listening to the Headmaster tell him about his fate concerning the Hogwarts matron.
He looked at Dumbledore as the other man went on to merrily tell him about some of the antics the grounds keeper had gotten into with his love for obscure beasts over the past couple of weeks, ignoring completely the fact that Severus might not have any interest in these stories. However he felt no inclination to stop the old man from talking as he wasn’t expected to give any input to the tales himself and leant back against the comfy chair, a cup of tea in his hands.
Dumbledore acted as though the past five months had never happened, giving Severus a sense of calm and peace as his weary body was lulled further into the depths of sleep in the presence of the only person he trusted completely.
He was breathing steadily, deep within a dream, when a blanket was gently tucked around him and a voice spoke softly. “Welcome home, my boy.”