"What is that?" Exclaimed Remus upon Severus re-entering the dormitory later that day.

Remus had barely moved, idly flicking through a Muggle comic. However, on seeing Severus with the Sorting Hat perched upon his head, he looked up and stared.

"The Sorting Hat," Severus stated smugly, throwing himself on his bed.

"What_ you didn't steal it, did you?" Remus gobbled.

Severus gave him an exasperated look.

"As if I stole the Sorting Hat from Dumbledore's office when Dumbledore was there," he deadpanned.

"Then how on earth have you ended up with it?" Remus questioned, amazed.

Severus gave him a superior look.

"It's a birthday present."

"A birthday present from Dumbledore? He's definitely got favourites."

"Well, he hasn't yet awarded Ravenclaw a hundred points all in one go," Severus pointed out fairly.

"As if Dumbledore would do that!"

"You'd be surprised," Severus muttered.

"He can't be seen giving out ancient relics, can he?"

"He is my guardian," Severus begrudgingly revealed.

Dumbledore had signed all the relevant papers the day after Severus turned up at Hogwarts with a bruised face.

"Really?" Remus gaped.

"If I wanted to, I could adopt the name Dumbledore."

"You should do that just to see the look on Potter's face," Remus grinned. "His precious godfather picking you over him - he'd be furious."

"It would be interesting to see," Severus thought aloud with a malicious smirk.

"Is this James Potter you speak of?" Asked the hat, coming to life all of a sudden.

Remus jumped and Severus laughed at him.

"Yes," Severus replied.

"An interesting boy, that one," the hat mused. "Very preoccupied with his own image."

"Sounds like your alter ego, Sev," Remus commented, chuckling.

"What, the hat or Potter?" Said Severus, looking put out.

"The hat, of course," Remus said, knowing better than to accuse Severus of being like James bloody Potter. "It's all the long words, you know."

"Not all of us are primitive creatures, Remus," Severus pointed out wryly, amused in spite of himself.

"Yes, especially not me," the hat said, annoyed. "I am far above you mere mortals."

"I reckon nobody ever knew that the Sorting Hat has the disposition of he-who-must-not-be-named," Remus commented idly.

If it was even possible, the hat's mouth curled into an expression of strong distaste.

"A hat can have a surly disposition," the hat said, annoyed. "I have been mostly sat in the same room for almost one thousand years."

"So you're saying you need to get out a bit more?" Questioned Remus. "I never thought I'd see the day that a hat says that."

"Implies that," Severus corrected.

Remus glared at Severus and both the boy and the hat perched atop his head stared coolly back.

"That's really intimidating, you know," Remus said nervously. "I find Severus scary enough most of the time."

"Most of the time!" Severus exclaimed. "I should try harder."

"Please don't."

Simultaneously, Severus and the hat began to smirk. Remus gave both sentient beings a frightened look, then slowly returned his gaze to his comic.

*

"How is the hat settling in?" Albus asked as Severus sat opposite him in his office a few days later.

"Very well," Severus commented. "It's currently getting to know Lupin but I think Lupin is rather scared of it."

Albus chuckled.

"Just wondering," Severus said suddenly, "you know there's the Hogsmeade excursion next week..."

"Yes?" 

"Would I be allowed to go? You are now my guardian, after all."

"Of course," Albus replied, surprised by the request. "Severus, you are an adult. You are, within certain excessive limits, allowed to do whatever you want. As long as it doesn't involve endangering your own life or the lives of anybody else."

"Thank you," Severus said gratefully. "And..."

"Yes?"

"You know I could legally take your name now..."

Albus looked both curious and cautious.

"Would I be allowed to?"

"That's entirely your own choice, my boy," Albus stated.

He rubbed at the corner of his eye although Severus was positive the headmaster couldn't be crying.

"But I would be honoured," he finished softly. "I can think of no-one better to carry on the Dumbledore lineage."

"I would like to," Severus declared determinedly.

He might not explain why exactly but he was sure the old man knew regardless. Albus Dumbledore was more of a father figure than Tobias Snape had ever been and this was a way he could finally shake off his checkered past. It was time to put the Snape name behind him and it was far too late to adopt the name of Prince. He'd tried that once and it hadn't gone well. The Half-Blood Prince was dead and buried in another life.

"Well, that is certainly the best news I've heard all day," smiled Albus. "I'll write to the ministry in the morning and inform Gringotts that my vault needs to be shared."

"You can keep your money," Severus said shyly.

He wasn't doing it for the money or for the prestige. He hoped Albus knew that.

"No, I'd like to share it," said Albus.

"What about Aberforth?"

Given that Albus' brother wasn't common knowledge to most people, Albus was taken aback slightly before he remembered who he was speaking to.

"He has his own provisions," he said quietly. "We're both well provided for."

"Well, thank you, Albus," Severus smiled tentatively back.

"That's quite alright, Severus. Now, about that Hogsmeade visit. It's Valentine's Day then."

"Yes?" Severus said hesitantly.

Albus had a twinkle in his eye.

"Is Lily Evans to be the lucky lady of your invite?"

"Possibly," Severus mumbled. "But just as friends."

"Ah, of course," Albus said knowingly. "Be sure to avoid Madam Puddifoot's."

"Yes, yes, of course," Severus said, horrified.

Gilderoy Lockhart's schemes had once led to the entire staff being forced to go into Madam Puddifoot's on Valentine's Day. Severus had vowed to himself that he would never again step foot in the horrendous, gaudy tea shop. Gilderoy Lockhart was currently a student in this lifetime but Severus was still fairly sure that Lockhart would reach fanatical heights of lunacy once more.

"Well, have a good time, Severus," beamed Albus. "I expect there to be no drama over your decision to take my name."

"Thank you, Albus," he grinned back.

He was sure there would be drama. In fact, he was counting on it. Just as Remus had wanted. And Severus couldn't say no to Remus.

*****

A.N. I thought I needed, at long last, to do a slightly more light-hearted chapter. Remus gets scared by a hat, Severus takes on the name Dumbledore... it's all looking positive! Even though the Sorting Hat does seem to be taking on the characteristics and traits of Loki from the MCU. xD 

All the fics I've ever read with a reformed Sev in, he ends up taking the Prince name and inheriting the Prince fortune. However, I think it's fair to assume that, if he didn't inherit a fortune the first time round after his mother's death, there won't be a fortune the second time either. I thought it would be more symbolic to have him taking Albus' name to show his impact in Severus' life. 

Next up: Valentine's Day. Oh, and James Potter will be a drama qween. That's to be expected, of course. :)

Thank you so much for reading and please comment if you like!