Albus knows this all too well: Severus cannot abide pity or charity.
"I do not think you would wish to be professor of astronomy, but ... Madam Pomfrey's old post is open, Head of the Hospital Wing. With your mastery of potions and healing arts, you could well fill that post, had you the interest in doing so. You would have to deal with many students who had done things you would consider foolish and unwise ..." Albus knows that patience is not Severus' strong suit. However, he had patience enough to teach Potions for years while waiting in desperate hope for the DADA position, and patience enough to guide bumbling children through explosive cauldron messes. "You would be doing much-needed work. You would become once again indispensable to Hogwarts."
That is the key.
His voice lowers. "Yes. Harry Potter is here, and Ron Weasley, and some others of the children we last taught. They know, Severus, that you are the one who killed me. I will speak to them if you wish it."
no subject
"I do not think you would wish to be professor of astronomy, but ... Madam Pomfrey's old post is open, Head of the Hospital Wing. With your mastery of potions and healing arts, you could well fill that post, had you the interest in doing so. You would have to deal with many students who had done things you would consider foolish and unwise ..." Albus knows that patience is not Severus' strong suit. However, he had patience enough to teach Potions for years while waiting in desperate hope for the DADA position, and patience enough to guide bumbling children through explosive cauldron messes. "You would be doing much-needed work. You would become once again indispensable to Hogwarts."
That is the key.
His voice lowers. "Yes. Harry Potter is here, and Ron Weasley, and some others of the children we last taught. They know, Severus, that you are the one who killed me. I will speak to them if you wish it."