Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 604

Think About It

The cottage was quaint, but not what Severus would've expected of Potter, had he given it any thought.

Okay, so he'd given it some thought. Not that he'd ever admit to that.

Regardless, it was surprising. He walked up the narrow path, eyeing the flowers either side, and knocked on the door.

He waited, resisting the urge to tap his foot impatiently as he stared up at a spider building it's web in the top corner of the little alcove that held the door, and he'd just raised his arm to knock again when the door flew open.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm in the middle of baking," Potter said, before he noticed just who it was that was knocking. "Snape?"

Potter looked rumpled and yet still managed to pull the look off, his red t-shirt caked in flour.

"In the flesh," Severus agreed dryly. "Might I come in, I have a matter of some importance to discuss with you."

"Uh, sure."

Potter stepped back, waving him through and then herded him into a mouthwateringly scented kitchen.

"What brings you here," Potter asked, gesturing him to the kitchen table, while he rounded to the oven, opening the door to release more of the delicious smells.

"I was in the neighbourhood," Severus replied, glibly, making Potter chuckle as he pulled out a pie from the oven. "I'm in need of a Defence Professor. And since I can find no evidence of you doing anything worthwhile with you life, I rather thought you might fit the bill."

"You want me to come back to Hogwarts?"

"Apparently, as Headmaster, it's my job to ensure that the lessons actually have professors."

Potter nodded. "Yes, I imagine that would be helpful to the students. Though thinking about it, we could have done without a few of ours."

"If that was a jab at -"

"I was talking about Umbridge and Lockhart, settle down. Do you want a slice of apple pie and a cup of tea?"

"This isn't a social call, Potter."

"No? Okay, suit yourself. I don't want to be a professor."

"You're lying."

Potter shook his head. "I'm perfectly happy here, in my cottage, without hoards of people staring and gawking and pointing and muttering. There's no way do I want to put myself back into a position where that will return to being the norm."

"So it's not the job you object to, but being back at the school where children will whisper?"

Potter shrugged. "Children, adults, makes no difference when you're having expectations heaped on you. I can't do that again."

"Potter… the only expectation on you will to be a good professor, which, given the way you taught you little army in your fifth year, I have no doubt you will excel."

Sighing, Harry sliced up the pie and clicked the kettle on.

"It's not that I don't want to teach. I enjoyed it in my fifth year, and I wondered a few times about making a career of it. But… I've gotten used to the solitude of not dealing with the public."

"You're hiding," Severus retorted. "And I've believed you to be many things over the years, Potter, but a coward was never one of them."

He stood up and moved to the doorway of the kitchen.

"Snape -"

"I expect a letter before the fifth of August, with a final decision. Think about what you're doing to yourself, Potter. I'll see myself out."

…

Severus was standing on the steps to the entrance hall when his new Defence professor arrived, and he smiled, offering his hand to shake.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts, Professor Potter."

Written for;

The Brand's War - Spider Man - Web / School / Neighbourhood / Spider / Red

Days of the Month - Teacher Appreciation - Favourite professor at Hogwarts.

Cooking Corner - Flour - Baking

Insane House - 985. Pie

Holmes Mystery - Occupation - Professor