♔ Always with the band ♔

“So the little Potter boy is here now?” Snape’s portrait echoed throughout the empty Headmistress’s office. “I can only imagine how this one will turn out. If he is anything like his brother, this office will be destroyed by the end of the year.”

A small chuckle was emitted by the portrait next to him, hanging right over the Headmistress’s chair. “Now Severus,” the portrait of Albus Dumbledore said, “I assure you that this boy is nothing like little James Potter.”

“Uggh, do not mention that name to me again Albus.”

The office was then silent until the creaking of the door was heard. Both former headmasters, as well as all the others, looked towards the door to see a small boy with shaggy, dark hair entering the room. However, Severus was not focused on his hair, instead it was his brilliant green eyes that he had inherited from his father. They were the eyes of Lily Potter. The small boy walked over to the large desk and looked at the portrait of Dumbledore.

“Hi,” he said shyly, looking down at his shoes. “Um, my brother told me to ask the Headmistress if I could come in here. He said there’s something I should see and I need to talk to you and some person named Snape about it.” He looked up at Dumbledore. “Professor McGonagall said it was okay, so I came up here after putting my stuff in my dormitory.

Albus smiled and looked at the little boy. “And might I ask, what house did the sorting hat put you in, young fellow?”

He looked down again. “Slytherin,” he muttered, sounding somewhat ashamed.

Albus glanced at Severus, who had an amused look on his face. “A fine house, indeed. I suspect that Slytherin house gained an excellent student.”

The boy smiled. He glanced at the portrait next to Dumbledore, and then to the name plate. “Severus Snape,” he whispered. He looked at Dumbledore’s name and gasped. “Albus Dumbledore? Severus Snape?” He questioned.

Both men nodded and the small boy’s eyes widened. “My dad said I was named after two headmasters at Hogwarts. My name is Albus Severus Potter.”

Dumbledore smiled proudly while Snape’s eyes widened and he gasped in shock. “Potter named you after me…us? After us?”

Albus nodded. “Um…were either of you in Slytherin?”

Severus nodded. “I was.”

Albus walked up to the portrait of Severus and looked into the eyes. Once again, the green eyes met the black. “My dad said that you were the bravest man he ever knew. He told me a story, a while back, about a man who saved his life a lot. He said he did it because he was in love with someone who had died…I think my dad said it was my grandma, and he said that you protected him because of how much you loved her. He said that without you, he wouldn’t be here and neither would I. He told me to say thank you, and that his mom would be proud.” Albus grinned, staring into Severus’s eyes. “I think you’re an awesome man if you actually did that. Thank you for saving my dad.”

Severus just sat there shocked. After a few moments of silence, Albus broke eye contact, breaking Severus out of his trance. “Tell your father,” Severus started, coughing back a couple tears, “tell your father I said thank you. And you will be a great addition to Slytherin house.”

Dumbledore smiled. “Tell Mr. Potter we expect a visit from him soon.”

“I will,” Albus said. “Um…I had better get to my house. I don’t wanna get in trouble.”

Both Headmaster’s eyes widened. He was nothing like James. “Goodnight Mr. Potter,” both men said as the little boy ran out of the office.

Dumbledore glanced over at Snape, who had a single tear rolling down his face.

“After all this time, Severus?”

“Always.”