Snape, Snape, Severus Sn(ape)

“But this is touching, Severus,” said Dumbledore seriously. “Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?”

“For him?” shouted Snape.

“Expecto Patronum!” From the tip of his wand burst the silver ape. He landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched him fly away, and as his silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.

“After all this time?”

“Always,” said Snape.