droxy prompted me with Snape/McGongall: referee, armor, desk.
Two Strokes towards Forgiveness (G; Severus/Minerva; 100 words)
It's Minerva who first comes to him. It has to be because St. Mungo's doesn't permit cats. He reaches down to stroke her fur.
In an instant, she's herself again. "But for that armour, I might have killed you."
He blinks; she doesn't.
With an effort, he says, "Don't flatter . . . yourself."
"Well, that's better than I'd hoped," says Minerva. "The dragon at the desk said you were refusing to speak."
"No one . . . worth speaking . . . to until . . . now."
Minerva strokes his hand. "I'm glad we have no need of a referee. I thought you might not be in a forgiving mood."