[ Severus does not want to say any of this, but it isn't a deep dark secret. Everyone at home knows. He's not going into his role in the war - and he won't. Sirius Black has no bloody idea no matter how much of a fit he throws, and Severus has the ultimate trump card anyway: the Boy Who Lived is here and apparently trusts him. So bugger off, ship.
It is important he maintains connections. He knows Charles has the potential to be a very useful one, and so he's going to do this. He likes him just fine, it's just that Severus doesn't really understand how normal friendships or even normal acquaintances work. He is startlingly perceptive and capable of great empathy but he does it from an outside perspective, making him useful in some situations but totally lost in others.
Which is why he just tilts his head at that opener. 'Friends' is a strange concept, but even he doesn't think that's how it's supposed to work. ]
no subject
It is important he maintains connections. He knows Charles has the potential to be a very useful one, and so he's going to do this. He likes him just fine, it's just that Severus doesn't really understand how normal friendships or even normal acquaintances work. He is startlingly perceptive and capable of great empathy but he does it from an outside perspective, making him useful in some situations but totally lost in others.
Which is why he just tilts his head at that opener. 'Friends' is a strange concept, but even he doesn't think that's how it's supposed to work. ]