"This has nothing to do with you, Snivellus!"
Sirius stared coldly at Severus's face and said indifferently.
"Oh, I just thought you might be ashamed of yourself, Black—"
Ignoring the helpless expressions of some people in the kitchen, Severus put on a show of insincere sympathy.
"After spending thirteen years in Azkaban, the first thing you did after getting out was lose your ancestral home. I imagine the ancestors of the Black family must be very proud of you, wouldn't they?"
Sirius, burning with rage, shot to his feet.
"Want a fight, Snivellus? I'd be happy to oblige!"
"Must it be like this?"
Remus shook his head and gave a weak smile. The moon had been growing fuller these past few days, and he had once again fallen into an uncontrollable state of weakness.
"Sirius—"
The instantly hostile atmosphere whenever Sirius and Severus met made Amelia nervous, and she called out softly.
Sirius pressed his lips together, moved his gaze away from Snape's mocking face, and sat down without a word.
"Severus—"
Mrs. Weasley rubbed her hands uneasily against her apron.
"I suppose... you haven't had dinner yet?"
The table was crowded with people. Some, like Bill and Tonks, had once been his students, and for their sake, Severus did not launch any further verbal attacks.
After scanning the room, he found a seat between Mr. Weasley and Tonks.
"Dumbledore said he isn't coming."
Snape's first words after sitting down took everyone by surprise.
"What trouble has held Albus up?"
Lupin looked somewhat surprised.
"As for that, I suggest you ask our charming headmaster yourself."
Severus silently accepted the plate Mrs. Weasley handed him, nodded to her with an almost imperceptible motion, then answered Remus's question with veiled barbs.
"He is always impossible to track down."
The news dampened the