The portrait guarding the door was now a snake. Harry had commissioned it, so he could use parseltongue for the password. When he stepped into the room he was surprised to see Severus sitting on the sofa drinking tea, a warm smile lit his face at the sight. Severus rarely came to the school he was not allowed to use the floo and walking meant he might run into people who wanted to ask questions Severus considered impertinent. It had taken an embarrassingly long while before Harry realised how much Severus hated to be constantly asked how he was feeling.