Chapter Text
Severus walked quietly beside Auror Black and Auror Shacklebolt. Severus hadn’t spoken properly to Sirius since their school days. During the birthday party at Malfoy Manor in late June, Severus had done a fine job of avoiding him. It was part of the reason he hadn’t moved in with Regulus.
Sirius looked good, his long plaited braid trailing down his well toned back only made Severus feel gawky and strange. Some things never changed, it seems. Disregarding the widening of Sirius' silver eyes, the other man had not said a thing to Severus.
Severus only followed along and watched him, ignoring the Auror behind him. Sirius was taller than he remembered, a staggering 6’1. It wasn’t much taller than Severus, only 4 inches. The length of his muscled legs, striding forward, tensing with each step.
The maroon of his uniform seemed to contrast with the bright red carpets, a fact that brought a chuckle to Severus' lips. Mania heightened by the absurdity of the situation at hand, Sirius jerked and looked back disbelievingly, confusion knit into his well groomed brows. The taller man slowed his steps and fell in line with Severus, an ache of uncertainty filled the shorter man.
“Is something… wrong?” The sound of Sirius's voice was soft, like a whisper.
“Not really.” A smirk played on Severus' face that he tried to hide behind a turned head.
“This is weird, right?” Turning to face the taller man, Severus searched Sirius' eyes for an answer.
“What?” Severus sighed audibly at Sirius's obtuseness.
“Walking near each other, without the threat of hexes and curses being thrown about,” The bitterness in Severus' voice shocked them both, Severus flushed in embarrassment.
“We’re not kids anymore, besides. It wouldn’t be as fun as it was before.” Sirius stared down at him from the corner of his eye. Severus pursed his lips as his head whipped around to contemplate Sirius.
“Was it?” The hoarseness in his voice was raw.
“Were we just having fun?” Severus' nose scrunched up, taking a deep breath he faced forward again.
“Wish I’d known that.” He stated tersely. Sirius flushed at Severus' words.
“I guess not, look. When you’re done here, can we grab a coffee?” Sirius asked.
“If you pay, I’ll go.” Shamelessly, Severus grinned with spite and Sirius nodded in agreement.
“Also I want to go to The Ritz. We can go to the wizarding side.” Severus said with finality, Sirius sputtered and Auror Shacklebolt, who was still behind them, laughed softly.
Sirius flushed a lovely pink as he sent a glare at his coworker. Ignoring Kingsley Shacklebolt, Sirius sighed in frustration while taking in Severus' appearance. Despite being only a few inches shorter, Severus felt rather small in comparison. Delicate, almost. Which was clearly not true, he was a hell cat with a wand.
“Sure, I hope you don’t mind. Maybe Remus and James could join us? If it’s not a problem for you?” Severus contemplated, pursing his lips in thought.
“I don’t really mind. I mean, I’m not exactly comfortable with the idea but after James and I had a conversation recently, it’s come to my understanding that the fo- three of you heard about the letter. I guess I need to clear the air with you lot?” Severus looked up at the ceiling as they continued to walk, a sense of awkwardness surrounding him. Sirius nodded his head.
“I mean, James kinda gave us the rundown already. So that’s not really important. I don’t want to give it away but I feel like there are a lot of apologies that need to go around. It’s a bit awkward right now but I think if we just all sat down together and had it out, maybe life could run a little smoother,” Sirius was kind enough to ignore Severus slip up of almost mention Peter, which Severus was kind of glad for.
“To be quite honest, I don’t want to be mature. I don’t want to hash it out or talk or go over it all. What’s the point? The one person I really want to apologise to is Lily, she’s also the only one I want an apology from. But she’s dead. I’m not trying to make it all about me, I know she’s left a widow and a son who won’t ever know what it’s like to hear her laugh. But that’s just the plain truth,” Bitterness coated Severus' voice as he spoke.
“At the end of the day, the only person I feel truly awful for is Harry and a little bit myself. Wouldn’t it be best if we just all acted mature for the children and completely ignore each other in every other aspect of life?” The words that left Severus' mouth sent a sting of rejection through Sirius.
“Heh, that’s gonna be a bit hard to do, Snape. I can’t exactly tell you why right now but you’ll understand once your meeting with Scrimegour is done.” Severus faltered at the spitefulness of the taller man's words. Severus gaped at Sirius.
“That doesn’t sound ominous at all.”
“It’s supposed to,” Sirius' face was blank, giving nothing away about his state of mind. Silence crooned around them and an edge seemed to slither up Severus' spine. A terrible, dreadful feeling he hadn’t felt since the train ride home from school in 1975. It was like his stalker had made a recurrence.
“Ah, Mr Snape. Here we are. Head Auror Scrimegour is just inside.” Auror Shacklebolt's words frightened Severus from his thoughts as he jumped into the air. Both Aurors chuckled at his reaction, Sirius laughing a little too loud.
“My apologies, sir. I meant no harm.” The black man snickered as he spoke and a flash of heat painted his cheeks red in embarrassment.
“It’s no trouble Auror Shacklebolt,” The brunette man said with a quick glare sent Sirius way.
“You’r more careless than I remember,” Sirius explained with a grin. Still as handsome as always, Severus thought to himself.
Without knocking, Severus turned the knob of the door and entered Scrimegour's office. Like everywhere else in the ministry, the carpets were a deep red. The walls oppressively brick, lined with oak libraries and curio cabinets. Each surface, cluttered with knick-knacks and loose files. Scrimegeour himself drowned in the leather seat, which was high backed. He looked up, with a grimace.
“Ah, Mr Snape. Welcome, welcome. Please sit.”
“Master Snape,” Severus corrected. He didn’t achieve his mastery, first class for nothing and Scrimegour wasn’t a friend who could so easily speak freely to him. Scrimegour flushed at the correction while narrowing his eyes.
“Of course Master Snape,” The older man purred.
“I’m sure you must be confused about your summons, and escort to boot?”
“I am, but I'm sure you will enlighten me?”
“Yes. I’m sure you’ve read by now that Pettigrew has escaped Azkaban?” Severus nodded absently, still unsure as to why that mattered.
“Yes, it’s been all over the Prophet for days now. Your point being?”
“It appears as though the madman has designs on you,” Every pretense in Severus dropped. His dread came back tenfold.
“W-what… do you… mean?” Scrimegour rifled through the paperwork, opening and closing files as he searched and before long, he pulled out a single image.
A mould infested cell, with a withered mattress and rusted bed frame was shown to him. The worst part, however, was the scrawling chicken marks of his name. Severus, Severus, Severus carved into every surface sent a chill up his spine. Fear and confusion warred in his heart at the site.
“I… I don’t know what to say. I mean, after leaving Hogwarts in 1975, I had no connection to Peter Pettigrew.” Severus uttered quietly, Scrimegour only nodded.
“I know Master Snape. I hope you don’t feel too uncomfortable, but I did a background check just in case.” Scrimegour searched his face as he spoke.
“For now, it’s believed that you are directly under threat and as such will need an escort at all times.”
“An escort? I’m bumming it in Malfoy Manor right now. I can’t just have Aurors following me around the grounds with a 12 year old. I highly doubt Lucius *or* Narcissa would let strangers around their son!” Severus hissed at the man,
“Oh, I know. I’ve already made arrangements with Regulus Black. He’s prepared space for you in his home and as he has no children it should be fine. Auror Black would also be joining you in residence and Auror trainee Tonks.” Severus blanched at the sheer audacity of the man to make arrangements on his behalf.
Fuck! Severus cursed internally, the whole reason he’d moved in with Lucius was specifically to avoid Sirius and his friends. Now he was being forced into their proximity. Regulus was probably laughing at him right now. Sirius too, the absolute cunt.
“I see,” Severus spoke calmly, the complete opposite as he felt.
“Not to worry, though, Master Snape. You have about three hours to pack and move into Grimmauld Place.” Scrimegour said with a grin, cursed old bastard. Severus stood to leave with a grimace.
“Very well, it seems I must take my leave, Head Auror Scrimegour. Adieu.” Severus didn’t wait for a reply and left the office with finality to find Sirius grinning at him. A woman of 5’6 standing at his side. Trainee Auror Tonks, perhaps who wore an apologetic smile as she waved. Her hair colour flashed between pink, purple and yellow.
Severus only glared and stomped past the two Aurors.