Disclaimer: Looueez doesn't own anything geez!

XxXxXxX

No student particularly liked to venture to the Headmaster's Tower. It usually meant impending trouble, or worse, a lecture from one of the greatest wizards to tread the earth. Though, the menacing stone guardian wasn't exactly inviting either.

"Are you going to just stand there all day boy?" The statue sounded irritated as it spoke.

"I will stand here as long as I must."

"Well I for one prefer piece and quiet. You here translates to neither peace nor quiet," it grounded out in a hoarse, not used to speaking voice. The gargoyle watched the boy intently, waiting for him to depart. He didn't budge. "You are being most difficult."

"As are you," he clipped. "I only wish to see the headmaster."

"Which, might I point out, is available for your gazing pleasure everyday at breakfast, lunch, and dinner," the statue stated in monotone, egging the boy on.

The boy himself had very low tolerance for others to contrast with the mountains of pride he carried for himself. Insults coming from such a lowly creature did nothing to placate his already agitated psyche at all.

"You know what I was talking about you blundering bunch of granite stupidity! I want to – no need to, speak with the headmaster!" he glared into stony eyes, stomping his foot down for emphasis.

The gargoyle watched on with little interest, the boy was stubborn. "Has my purpose escaped you so easily? I cannot grant, nor would I wish to, anyone entrance without the headmaster's password."

The boy, still undeterred replied. "Clearly if I believed otherwise I would have said something hours ago," No one wanted to speak; so they continued on in silence.

So the two figures continued to brood and glare in silence, and it wasn't until the stone creature pointed out that it was near curfew that the boy reluctantly left.

xXxXxXx

The floo roared, emerald green flames coming to life. Albus Dumbledore stepped out of them, his face carrying a broad range of negative emotions. As of late, it was never a pleasant venture when he left the castle grounds.

A good night's sleep would surely do the aging man some good, but putting off problems never put them to rest. Dumbledore trekked across the office, nodding to the gargoyle guardian to decend. What had surprised him though, was the fact that the stone started speaking.

"You know headmaster, I highly suggest teaching your students proper decorum towards magical creatures. Especially your Slytherin horde."

"I believe that this is the first you've spoken in years Alavar. I shall make note of it." Dumbledore commented.

"Indeed." The statue uttered before lapsing into yet another period of silence.

Painful reminders always assaulted Dumbledore's mind whenever he ventured toward the Slytherin dungeons. Regret always being the strongest, and Dumbledore, a prideful man, took several years before he finally learned to accept his failures and shortcomings.

Learning from them was yet another story. There were many paths to take, and his previous actions greatly influenced any actions he took now. Was overbearing Tom and setting expectations so very high what caused him to turn? Or was it the fact that Dumbledore was sorely lacking in the amount of guidance he could offer the young Riddle? The headmaster needed to know where he had gone wrong; now sooner than later.

Parallel paths were being walked at this moment. So similar to one another that they radiated an eerie presence. Wasn't it just countless years ago that Dumbledore had found another boy painfully scarred by the blood that bound him to the non-magical world? He had no doubt what Tom would do if he saw a reflection of his younger self in another. And what was that young boy to do when shown an ounce of affection? The boy would crave it. Seek it. Do anything to have it.

xXxXxXx

Severus wanted sleep to claim him. Actually, anything at all that would cause his mind to rest from its fitful turning and tumbling would suffice. A feeling of foreboding had snuck upon him just two weeks ago. His mother had stopped sending him bi-weekly letters. Something she never failed to do. Ever.

Eileen Prince might have fallen far in her life, but she always made a point to at least attempt to give her son some semblance of stability. She tried, so really hard, but Eileen was only human after all.

Severus himself finally had enough of hording up all his worry and anxiousness within. Lily had been looking at him oddly all week, knowing something was wrong, but didn't pry into any further. A thing he was gravely thankful for. Severus just knew a dam within him would burst as soon as he let even a slight trickle appear.

The young Snape was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice headmaster's presence in the common room. Albus found himself a bit shocked as well, he expected no student to be awake at this time of night, much less the one he needed to talk to.

"Something keeping you up child?" he asked gently, though it didn't seem as if Severus was paying attention.

"Just trying to figure out what I must have done in my past life to deserve all this," Snape answered back automatically. He instantly straightened and turned to the headmaster, startled. "Sorry, sir! I wasn't paying attention there..." he trailed off not knowing what to say. Dumbledore waved him off.

"No worries, you must have quite a bit on your mind then." He took a seat on a chair across from the fireplace. "Care to unload?"

Severus shook his head, a typical reaction. The headmaster didn't know him and vice-versa.

"Mr. Snape, based on personal experience, I know someone like you doesn't wear their heart on their sleeves," He paused stroking his beard thoughtfully. "But that doesn't mean you have to bottle everything up inside you. It is a very bad habit indeed."

Severus nodded, shifting his gaze to the fire knowing the headmaster was watching him. "Is there a reason you're here, Sir?"

"Do I need one?" Dumbledore quirked an eyebrow.

"No, but I find it highly unlikely that the head of Hogwarts would personally try to counsel a child at this hour," Severus replied, his tone even.

"You speak beyond your years child."

"So I've been told."

They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a while. Dumbledore had taken the liberty to use the time wisely, carefully planning how to reveal the news with the least backlash. It didn't do much good. There simply wasn't a round-about-way to go about this sort of thing.

"I won't lie to you Severus, there is reason why I'm here." Dumbledore sighed pulling out a newspaper clipping from his robe pocket. "You understand that these are turbulent times, yes?"

Severus nodded at him, still not knowing where he was going with this.

"From what I gather, you know its vastly different in muggle world correct?" Receiving anther nod, he continued. "Good, now, before I go any further I want you to promise me not to overreact."

"I'm fairly certain I can keep my composure, sir," Severus replied, finally focusing his attention to the man.

Dumbledore took a deep breath before nodding to Severus. "Even though the muggle world and ours differ in problems, we simply cannot pass it off as if they have no problems Severus -."

"- My apologies sir, but -"

"- I'm getting there Severus," Dumbledore halted the interruption with a hand. "What I'm trying to say is, your parents had a lot of problems Severus. Some of which, eventually spun beyond control. Momentary reliefs morphed into addicting and entrancing vices," he looked up at Severus, the boy's eyes were starting to calculate already.

"Something happened," his voice was soft, not questioning, but in disbelief. "What happened to my parents?" his voice was rising.

"Severus please, calm down" Albus urged gently.

"Just tell me!" he asked harshly, voice croaking. "Please."

"They passed away Severus." Dumbledore stood and approached the boy, laying a hand on his shoulder.

Severus jerked from the touch, trembling as he stared at his hands. "You're lying!" but he knew Dumbledore was not.

"Believe me Severus, I wish for this to be nothing more than a hoax as well, but we have to face reality. I do not have the sick mind to toy with your emotions like this."

"H-how...when?"

"How did it happen?" Dumbledore asked, Severus nodded. The headmaster gave a sigh before continuing. "I imagine your home life was far from ideal...your father had his...problems-"

Severus scoffed, but it came out as a half sob. "An overly polite way to put it. He was a drunk nicotine addict sir, no need to prance around the subject."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very well then. What I'm about to tell you is roughly what the authorities and muggle officials have told me.

"You're father's habits had finally caught up to him last night. They believe that your father had tried to light a cigarette while in a drunken state using the stove burners. He-"

"Used the left one first right? Its lighter doesn't work, so he switches to the right one. Usually my mother ends up having to shut off the gas afterwards...but that didn't happen this time did it?" he barked out the last bit bitterly. His breath was starting to become labored.

Dumbledore looked contemplative for a moment. "I believe that goes into much farther detail than the firemen were able to conclude at the moment."

Severus looked puzzled. He was certain they would be able to figure out the cause of a gas leak fairly quickly...even if they were just muggles.

"There was a fire," the headmaster explained simply. "The amount of gas filling the house finally got to the point where even a flicker of electricity from a light bulb would spark flames."

In his chest Severus could feel his heart thumping fearfully. "My mother...did...did she suffer?" He asked, eyes filling.

Not knowing, Dumbledore decided to go with the best option: lie. "They don't believe so, the amount of gas concentrated to the upper floor should have been enough to allow your mother to slip peacefully in her sleep."

Stifling a sigh, Severus body rocked with relief. At least fate decided to take a small ounce of pity towards him. "Thank heavens," he choked out.

"Indeed." Albus uttered, reaching out once again to give the boy's shoulders a comforting squeeze. Thankfully, Severus didn't pull away this time. Looking at his left hand, Albus remembered the piece of newsprint he had acquired. "A muggle reporter had this published in time for this mornings issue."

Severus took the clipping, a picture of his mother and father stared back at him. They couldn't have been more than twenty in the picture. Still happy. Still living. The times before he had come into the world. "I don't think I've ever seen this picture"

"The reporter must have good sources then."

Severus nodded slowly, quickly wiping away the moisture at his cheeks. He folded the paper and tucked it carefully into his robes.

"Theres no shame in crying my boy." Dumbledore urged gently.

Severus stared up at him blankly. "I'm afraid of the backlash releasing my emotions would cause sir," he looked at the clock hanging above the fireplace. "If it wouldn't be too much to ask, I'd like to be alone for a few hours before classes."

"Take all the time you need, the professors will understand," he patted the boy's shoulder. "I mean it Severus, eventually you'll need to let it out. The longer you wait, the more painful it will be."

Severus watched him walk away, but spoke up just before the headmaster took his exit. "What's going to happen now sir, with me and...well everything."

"Leave most of it to me Severus, we'll talk further later," he nodded sadly before walking out.

xXxXxXx

Severus continued staring blankly at the space Dumbledore had occupied. He felt completely numb and alone. In a trance like state, Severus made his way to the dorms.

Ignoring the snores of Avery and Mulciber, Severus fell onto his mattress. His robes would surely be rumpled in the morning, but that was the furthest thought from his mind. Sleep took him, and his dreams were non-existant; something he was to tired to be thankful for.

xXxXxXx

Heylo people. I've noticed recently that theren't aren't enough Snape/Lily stories out there. The few out there aren't nearly enough to satisfy someone that's fell in love with the pairing, like me. So I've decided to let that little plaguing plot bunny out, and hopefully you'll enjoy this as much as I will.

Currently, I don't have a beta, so I'll apologize in advance for any errors I've missed. My 10th grade English and grammar is most certainly sub-par. So guys and gals, bear with me for now. My update speed is also going to be less than appealing. I've got maybe...five max hours in a week that doesn't involve school, homework, work, family or my sports. So forgive me if I'd rather spend my free-time lazying about with friends or catching up on some sleep. I'll try to update once a week though, probably on either Friday or Saturday night.

Hope everybody enjoys this!

Thanks,

Lou.