To Find Where We Belong

Severus' temper was past the boiling over stage and had entered the "if you speak to me, I'll kill you" stage. Despite all the other chaotic occurences at Hogwarts, Dumbledore still found time to keep up with Severus' newly found social life, such as it was. Dumbledore, in spite of his concern for Clara's situation, found the entire exchange extremely amusing and had a difficult time keeping it from his irate potions master.

Severus, as could be imagined, was not amused in the least by Dumbledore's amusement.

"Now, Severus," soothed Dumbledore over a pot of tea the two men were sharing in Snape's office on Valentine's Day, "she is a grown woman and capable of making her own decisions."

"I'm not so certain about that," growled Severus into his tea cup. He snatched a frosted heart-shaped cookie and glared at it's bright red sprinkles before taking a huge, satisfying bite out of it.

"I must admit, it's most disconcerting to know that Malfoy is, as usual, up to no good and to have someone of your acquaintance within his reach but surely things cannot be as bad as you are making out." Dumbledore also took a heart-shaped cookie from the pile that he'd conjured on the small china platter earlier and nibbled on it.

"She's rash, reckless and liable to tip them off that we're on to whatever they are up to." Severus downed the tea in one gulp, ignoring the severe burn sliding into his stomach from the steaming liquid.

Dumbledore considered a moment before shaking his head. "Yes, well, as to that, we have no idea what Malfoy is up to, so that's not entirely an accurate statement."

"But you don't deny that Malfoy is likely up to something in the Muggle world," pointed out Snape irritably.

"I do concede that point, yes."

"And that Clara is now in the middle of it whether by hook or crook."

"Very true, very true."

"A-ha!" Severus slapped the arm of his chair and then frowned.

Dumbledore looked amused again. "A-ha what?"

"No idea," mumbled Severus, looking embarassed now. "She's turning me into mush, that's what. Between her, Moody and Karkaroff I'm going to be a basket case before the year's end."

"Moody?" Dumbledore looked perplexed. "What has Alastor done?"

Severus glowered at him a moment. "Nothing," he finally muttered and sought to change the subject again. Unfortunately his change of subject infuriated himself further. "I haven't sent her anything for Valentine's Day? Should I? I don't want to seem like I'm courting her, but she did send me a card and it's only courteous to send something in reply. I've no idea what though. A box of chocolate frogs? Or maybe some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans?"

Dumbledore shuddered at the mere idea. "Not Every Flavor Beans. It would be your luck that the first flavor she pulls from them is vomit or seaweed. Chocolate frogs are rather in poor taste as well, Severus, very childish in their presentation, though from what you've said, her quirky nature would definitely find them charming."

Severus sneered at the idea.

"Why don't you wander down to the village for a bit and stop in at Honeydukes. Get the young lady a box of special wizard sweets and send it by post owl to her?" Dumbledore leaned back, apparently pleased with his notion.

Severus was appalled. "What?" he said, aghast. "And have the whole village wondering who I'm sending sweets to on Valentine's Day? Are you mad?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Then tell them you're purchasing them for me, that I'm going to give them to the other school representatives as gifts. In fact, it's an excellent idea!" Dumbledore dug into his robes and came up with a handful of Galleons. He passed them to a still appalled-looking Severus. "Purchase several boxes of assorted candies while you're at it. Gives you a logical reason to be there and you can sneak one in for you to send to the lovely young lady in London."

Unable to argue (or unwilling to do so), Severus admitted defeated, bundled himself up and took the winding path to Hogsmeade. On the walk there, he considered what chocolates Clara might like, why he was even bothering and what the devil he was doing walking when he could easily have used the Floo Network to get there in the first place. Deciding that Clara would probably like anything he sent her, that he was bothering because for some unknown reason he was intent on keeping up good intentions with her and that he was walking because it was a decent form of self-punishment, Severus entered Honeydukes.

He never knew making a special box of candies was such a pain. He chose several flavors of nougat chunks, quite a few pink squares of coconut ice, he avoided toffees (having never cared them much himself), and filled the boxes with varying milk and dark chocolate chunks. Figuring that he might as well use Dumbledore's Galleons to their best advantage, he also purchased an array of 'fun' candies for the students of the other schools. He ordered three boxes of the chocolate candies and four assorted bags of candies. One box was for Clara but he neglected to mention that to the shopkeeper.

He paid for the purchases but paused when he went to scoop up the large bag that contained the sweets. 'Clara would like the special wizard candies,' his conscious nagged. Sighing in defeat, but vowing to give them to her when he was present so he could explain the effects of each item, Severus relented and went back over to the candy counter. Casting his mind to his childhood, Severus picked out some his favorites: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Fizzing Whizbees, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Ice Mice and sugar quills that were exactly like cotton candy. He also resolved that he'd take some butterbeer with him as well on his next trip to London.

Finally satisfied with the whole lot, he trudged to The Three Broomsticks for a warm-up butterbeer and a transport to Hogwarts. He downed the butterbeer in two swallows, growled something rude to Madam Rosmerta, who owned and operated the pub, when she inquired what was in the bag, and disappeared into the Floo Network.

He emerged in his office and took the purchases to Dumbledore's offices. Dumbledore was delighted and insisted on seeing every box, oohing and aahing over Severus' selection like a child. By the time the entire exercise was finished and had been given Dumbledore's stamp of approval Severus could really care whether or not he saw another peice of sugar-based product ever again. He stalked to the owlry and sent the box of chocolates with a terse note that said "Happy Valentine's Day. Here's some chocolates from a popular wizard shop. I have more surprises for when I see you next time. -Severus".

With that task completed he headed back to his offices and hopeful refuge. Luck was not with him when the Durmstrang headmaster, Igor Karkaroff, waylaid him and began to badger and fret over their Dark Marks. Severus listened with half an ear as Karkaroff moaned and wondered whether or not Clara would like the candies after all.