It is very strange that Draco Malfoy has willingly enclosed himself in a trap - an unintentional one, the back door is for paranoia, not luring in serial killer victims - and it does not escape Severus's awareness that among the possibilities is a man looking for vengeance against Dumbledore's spy. He paces in his office, having unconsciously picked the habit up, considering. Weighing out his options. He can't leave right now anyway, it would be suspicious if anyone noticed, and he must be available at certain hours.

Draco is waiting for an awfully long time.

When he does arrive it's not through the fireplace, and there is no ominous fanfare. Just quiet footsteps in the hall and a regular key turning to unlock the front door as wards let him slip by, seamless and soundless.

Severus is as ever, if much younger. Still ugly, pale, black-clad and always, always with that default expression of barely tolerating the world around him. He shuts the door behind him and the look turns on its own.

Hello.