The Space Between Failing and Falling • Snarry •

Chapter 5: Correspondence and Cooperation

With that in mind, when the time comes, you ought to consider publishing your work under an alias. Your academic contributions should stand in its own right.

Regards,

- S.S.

****

2nd April 2000

Hi,

How's school? Slytherin won anything yet?

"Who's writing to you?" Aurora cuts in. "You don't usually smile at your post."

He pushes the letter into his pocket, partially unread. "No one of consequence."

Severus is painfully aware that he lives for these letters; there has been no news of Harry in the papers for months. But he ought not to encourage the boy further.

He scratches Somnus on the head and refills his pumpkin juice for him.

"That owl looks shattered. Is it yours?"

"No," Severus says.

He gathers the rinds of his bacon into his palm for Somnus to nibble. "You've done very well," he murmurs. "Very well indeed."

****

Severus is at breakfast one morning, chewing slowly through the pain, when Aurora leans across Septima to speak with him. "Read this. I don't think you'll like it." She stuffs the Prophet into his hand.

He raises his eyebrows at a notably bad photograph, even for him, taken from his trial last year.

His gaze is drawn to the headline:

'CONCERNS FOR MENTAL STATE OF THE CHOSEN ONE'

He drops his fork.

When he skims it, certain phrases jump out at him.

..."My mentor and friend, Professor Snape, deserves the highest level of respect"... Snape suspiciously exonerated...there are rumours Potter is under the Imperius Curse...the Prophet staff are deeply concerned...the results from a random poll of members of the public suggest that the majority believe he may benefit from a prolonged stay at St Mungo's..."I haven't seen my good friend Harry at any parties, so yes, I am worried about him," states anxious friend, Tony Goldstein...

He looks up and folds the paper. "Thank you for notifying me. I do have a reputation to uphold, of course."

"The last thing you need is to lose respect from the children," Septima says.

"I'm not overly concerned," he says with a smirk. Some tiny second-years are staring up at him from the Slytherin table in awe, as Septima piles scrambled eggs onto his plate. "Stop mothering me. Two galleons Slytherin win on Saturday?"

****

20th May 2000

Hi,

I'm enclosing a job advert I saw in Quarterly Defence News.

I think you'd like it here. Everyone is very bookish. (No offence).

Harry

P.S. Do you want to look around? My Floo address is 37B Winchester Walk. You can come by any time.

****

6th July 2000

Hello,

Somnus came back without a reply & I wanted to check you got my last letters? Also I've just moved house & my new address is 12 Thames View.

I presume you're not dead—it would've made the news.

I've got my godson every other week, so I've dropped my course to part time.

You said before not to tell anyone about the clarity potion. Is it illegal?

Let me know before I ask the apothecary—it would be a poor start to get arrested now I've got a baby ha ha!

Harry

****

15th August 2000

Dear Mr Potter,

Whilst not unlawful per se, it is only obtainable via St Mungo's and isn't commercially available.

The casual potioneer ought not to brew it at home.

I enclose another bottle. Be cautious.

- S.S.

****

Thanks!!!

****

5th October 2000

Dear Professor Snape,

I normally write to you in the peace of the WUL library or the noise of the café, but guess what? I'm now doing it between naps. Ted is a boisterous 2 year old & is driving me up the wall.

Did you know Metamorphmagi can give themselves a monkey's tail?

I'm now seriously considering removing the banisters in the name of child safety.

Isn't it crazy that there isn't a primary school for magical children! Did you go to school with Mum? Or did you have to learn spelling at home? Is that why your handwriting is so bad?

(for once I'm glad I'm not there with you cos you'd hex me if I said that to your face)

In fact, you can scrap all the above as the ramblings of a tired person who is losing his mind, if he hasn't lost it already.

- Harry

****

20th October 2000

Potter,

You are searching for sympathy in the wrong place. You know full well I voluntarily surround myself with hormonal children—in a boarding school, of all places, where I cannot get away.

Count your blessings you won't have to do the contraceptive potion talk—leave that to his Head of House. Nor are you genetically responsible for him, as he is not your true spawn.

If all else fails, look on the bright side: you get to return him every week.

I did not attend a primary school. I did, however, learn Latin. So do not pity me. Be assured that I had a wonderful time.

- S

****

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