the_debt_of_time

Dumbledore teach Harry?" Even though he'd already asked before, he had to look like he
was doing something for the boy's benefit. Otherwise, he would just appear weak, which
was how he felt—weak and useless. "Why you?"
"I suppose because it is a headmaster's privilege to delegate less enjoyable tasks. I
assure you, I did not beg for the job. I will expect you at six o'clock on Monday evening,
Potter. My office. If anybody asks, you are taking Remedial Potions. Nobody who has seen
you in my classes could deny you need them." Snape turned to leave, his black travelling
cloak billowing behind him.
"Wait a moment," Sirius called out, sitting up straighter in his chair.
Snape turned back to face him. "I am in rather a hurry, Black. Unlike you, I do not
have unlimited leisure time―"
"I'll get to the point, then." Sirius approached Snape carefully, keeping an eye on
the wand hand of his childhood rival. "If I hear you're using these Occlumency lessons to
give Harry a hard time, you'll have me to answer to."
"How touching," Snape said mockingly. "But surely you have noticed that Potter is
very like his father?"
"Yes, I have," Sirius replied proudly.
Snape smirked. "Well then, you'll know he's so arrogant that criticism simply
bounces off him."
Sirius rounded on Snape, pulling out his wand as he went; Snape whipped out his
own. They were squaring up to each other, Sirius livid, Snape looking calculating—his eyes
darting from Sirius's wand tip to his face.
Sirius thought he heard Harry call his name, but it did little to stop him. "I've warned
you, Snivellus, I don't care if Dumbledore thinks you've reformed. I know better."
"Oh, but why don't you tell him so?" Snape whispered. "Or are you afraid he might
not take the advice of a man who has been hiding inside his mother's house for six months
very seriously?"
Sirius's jaw tightened. "Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he's
delighted his lap dog's working at Hogwarts, isn't he?"
"Speaking of dogs," Snape said, "did you know that Lucius Malfoy recognised you
last time you risked a little jaunt outside? Clever idea, Black, getting yourself seen on a safe