It was dark before you had both even left the room. The tea was cold and so was the atmosphere. Despite being able to talk to each other like adults, there was little consensus that you could come to. Eventually, Severus gave up.

"You are as argumentative as they come." he noted. "But it is very late. Please allow me to escort you to your quarters... Can't be so sure who's wandering the castles these days..."

"Fine." You huffed, stood up and held out a hand. Severus eyed it curiously. What did you want him to do with it? After a few more seconds of awkward silence, you grabbed his own hand and pulled him with you. "It's so we don't lose each other in the dark. The paintings really do hate to be shined on."

Although it was too dark to see it, he blushed and his hand took a more authoritative grip on your own. Eventually, he was able to outpace you and lead the way.

"Mischief managed!" a familiar voice muttered in the dark directly in front of you. Immediately Severus lit his wand up.

"Potter. What're you doing wandering the corridors at night?" Never mind himself, actually.

"I was... I was... sleepwalking..." A sneer curdled the corners of Severus' lips. But he still hadn't let go of your hand. After all, one could hardly see you.

"How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter. He, too, was exceedingly arrogant. Strutting about the castle--"

"My dad didn't strut. Nor do I. Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate you lowering your wand. That, or turning it to the person beside you..."

Severus eyed Harry coldly, trying to contain himself and not give you any more ammunition. Eventually, he lowered his wand.

"Turn out your pockets." Severus demanded. "Turn out your pockets!" He's handed a paper. "And this. What might it be?"

"Spare bit of parchment..." The boy wasn't a good liar. It would be tough to teach him Occlumency, you thought.

"Really... Reveal your secret!" He demanded of the parchment. To the boy's horror, words begin to appear. Snape studied him, a sadistic half-smile on his lips and handed it back. "Read it."

"Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs offer their compliments to Professor Snape and..."

"Go on."

"... and request that he keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business." You chuckled at this, earning a squeeze from the professor.

"Why you insolent little--"

Remus' voice interrupted him. "Professor...s?" Snape turned, seeing Lupin standing in the shadows.

"Well, well. Lupin. Out for a little walk in the moonlight, are we? Seems a touch dangerous if I were you."

"We don't all have secret rendezvous at night. Harry? You all right?"

"That remains to be seen. I've just now confiscated a rather curious artifact from Mr. Potter. Take a look, Lupin. This is supposed to be your area of expertise." Lupin took the parchment, which now displayed a rather unflattering caricature of Severus and a pair of potions. "Clearly, it's full of Dark Magic."

"I seriously doubt that, Severus." As do I... I can only assume who Moony is. You rolled your eyes. Why was Severus so serious? "It looks to me as if it merely insults anyone who tries to read it. I suspect it's a Zonko product. Nevertheless, I shall pursue any hidden qualities it may possess. As you say, it's my area of expertise. Come, Harry."

And with that, the two of them disappeared and you were dragged along to your quarters and left alone with nary a word.