Take Me Home
They were a second too late.
The orphanage exploded into a ball of flame and smoke.
Those who had tried to enter the building just before leapt back in shock and horror.
But there was nothing they could do.
Severus Snape stood by the forest. His eyes were fixed on the burning remains of the building. Wood had been such a wonderful kindling.
He thought he had heard the voices of twenty children screaming out in fright and fear the second before the building exploded. Their voices echoed throughout his mind.
He felt sick. He did not know if that was the smell of the smoke, or if it was because he was imagining the smell of acrid and shattered flesh. It filled his nostrils and his mouth and he could feel his stomach churn.
He was trembling. He knew it was through shock. He was in shock. He had tried so hard to rescue those children. And he had failed.
He bowed his head.
Albus Dumbledore's heart was heavy. They had never meant for this to happen. He sighed between his teeth. The lives of those children, gone, stolen by Lord Voldemort and his sick war against Muggle children.
Alastor Moody crossed to his side. "There are no survivors." He murmured, and Albus nodded in recognition of this fact. "Very well. Make sure the Daily Prophet are informed that Voldemort was responsible. Then take your Aurors home."
Moody exhaled, "They are taking this one hard."
"It was no one's fault but Voldemort's." Albus replied.
Moody contemplated him for a moment. "You may want to tell that to Snape."
Albus stared at him. "Where?"
Moody pointed.
"Severus. This is not your fault."
Silence.
"You did not know it was going to happen a minute before you had been told."
No response.
"My boy. You are not responsible."
Severus glanced at him. "Take me home."
And Albus took his hand in his wizened fingers and brought them both back to Hogwarts.
They sat in the Headmaster's office. Severus just stared into the fire. Albus stood and decided to leave the other.
"Stay. Please stay." Severus begged. Albus turned.
"I hear them. I see them. I smell them." Severus whispered, as if he was trying to deny the reality to himself.
Albus crossed to him and sat beside him. "You could do nothing."
Severus' expression was still blank.
"Severus."
"Hold me."
So Albus did.