A/N- Still do not own! Still AU and Non-canon complaint! Why yes, it is extremely short. But for a reason. It is merely an interlude. Next up? All Hallows Eve. But first, Albus and Tim need to have a bit of a chat. It is centred completely on Tim and Albus, no Severus in this scene, but no fears. He will be back. Thanks to SpencerReid for help with the plot and Excessivelyperky for getting an idea (however inadvertly) stuck in my head. Without both of you, I'd still be throwing words at paper and hoping that they landed in the right spot!

~Case

-x-

Albus rubbed his forehead. Gods, he was tired. Running a school was hard work, without adding to it by doing more. Of course, he knew he should have always been making House visits and checking up on his Heads of Houses. Well, he knew that now. Headmaster Dippet certainly never did and had not taught him that in his instructions. Dippet had mostly just informed him of most of the Headmaster's duties, how to run a school and the wards. But Dippet had trusted his Heads of Houses to do what was best. He knew better. Filius, of course, was wonderful with his Ravens, and indeed with students from other houses. He set rules, boundaries, discipline. He knew when a scolding or a gentle word was necessary. He treated his students like they were his own children. Very much like Severus did, actually. Filius had years of experience, Severus was learning it as he went. Then why could Pomona and Minerva not set similar rules and boundaries? Minerva expected her students to know how to behave, even the first years, without any guidance on her behalf. He did not manage a trip to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw towers last night, but had ran into quite a few Gryffindors out of bed after curfew, many of whom were out of bounds.

One of the reasons he had prepared breakfast in his quarters this morning. So that he could eat, with Severus, without Minerva's glares. Breakfast had gone...well it had gone. Severus had choked down three bites of eggs and half a piece of dry toast at his insistence. Lunch had gone much the same. Except it was in the Great Hall, and a few of his teachers were starting to talk. He knew that Filius would keep his mouth shut, but Pomona was a gossip and Minerva could be vicious. He had quelled the rumours among the staff, but he knew Severus had heard one or two of the whispers. Of course, they were not whispers about his failing health or his self injury. No, those women had to gossip about Severus staying with him, which was not as unusual as it might seem. He had had several professors stay with him in bouts of depression or serious illness before. But none like Severus. He had to do something. Perhaps removing the boy from Hogwarts for a while, on leave, would be best for him. For Albus did not care what they said about him, but he would be damned if those women foul mouthed his child. Severus had enough to deal with already and a change of scenery might be good for him, if it was necessary. He would mention it to Tim.

-x-

Tim sighed, hesitating on the stairs outside of Albus' office. It was time that they got to the bottom of this. They needed to have a serious conversation, not as friends but rather as healer and patient. He took a deep breath, managing an expression of calm and concern, his 'healer' face as Albus liked to call it. With a quiet knock, and the sharp 'Come in", he strode purposefully into the office, shutting the door behind himself. "Afternoon, Albus."

"Tim. What can I do for you?" Albus looked up from hiss endless paperwork, glancing at the young healer. He had a feeling he would not like this, not at all. "How is Severus?"

"For the moment, he is holding his own. Stubborn as an ox. But I did not come here to talk about Severus, Albus." Tim replied, settling down into an armchair in the corner of the office.

Albus hid a grimace, glancing toward the persistent healer. "I do have work to do, Tim."

"As you always do. However, you can spare a half hour, surely, to talk with your healer. Can you not?" Tim asked sharply, watching the older man. He knew Albus well. If the man did not speak to him soon, it would not be Severus having a break down.

Albus sighed, stacking his papers neatly. Tim could be even more stubborn than Severus was. He stood and moved toward the other armchair, ignoring the couch. He liked having his own space, sometimes. He raised an eyebrow at Tim, waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak.

"Tell me what's going on, Albus." Tim requested softly, leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees.

"I have no idea what you are speaking of, Tim. Besides trying to care for Severus and run a school, nothing is 'going on'." Albus evaded, turning his gaze out a nearby window.

"I meant, Albus, what is bothering you? What is eating away at your mind and causing you to merely pick at your food? Yes, I have noticed. Not a very good example for Severus is it? I want you to talk to me, Albus." Tim sighed.

"I am just stressed Tim. It does come with the job." Albus frowned, turning to glance at the healer.

"It's more than that Albus. I have known you for quite a few years now. This is more than just job stress. Talk to me."

"Really, Tim. There is nothing to talk about."

"Well then, let's start with how you feel about having Severus live with you." Tim suggested.

"Severus... It is different to say the least. To realize how much he was hurting, how much of that was my fault. Difficult indeed." Albus mused.

"How was it your fault Albus?" Tim asked gently. He knew from experience that a few nudges in the right direction and Albus would give in. To an extent, at least.

"I drove him here! I never stepped in. I let ...things get out of hand. I just couldn't see it." Albus sighed, staring blankly ahead, lost in thought. "Again, I cause him pain. But for what reason, other than my selfishness?"

"Albus, stop that nonsense now." Tim scolded. "You are helping him, greatly so. He is no where near healed, but he has a chance of healing, thanks to you. The past is just that, the past. The things that you said or did not say are not as important as what you say and do now for him. Perhaps you could have ended the bullying. Indeed, you should have stopped the abuse, but you did not know for a fact that it was happening. You had no proof. The bullying was different, but did you not believe that your Heads were handling it?"

"Of course I did. One of the training sessions for all staff is on handling bullying. I know at least two of my professors dealt with it, but the others? I thought they would handle it, but clearly they did not. His own Head of House ignored it. What kind of message does that send to a child?" Albus' eyes were not twinkling anymore, but hard, sharp crystals. It was partly his fault and he knew it.

"If you saw an instant of bullying, did you stop it?" Tim asked gently, hoping to guide Albus to where he needed to be.

"Yes. Any student bullying another was stopped and punished. Twice I lost my temper at those bullies. Both times were for Severus. One of his bullies almost killed him, on purpose! I could not even expel the damn boy. There were two victims to his stunt, he dared to call it a prank to me. It was not. Jokes do not harm! The werewolf child would have been executed for even coming close to attacking Severus. Two innocents and both of them were almost lost that day. Because of one selfish, stubborn, angry child." Albus growled. To this day it still made him angry. It had only been a few years, granted, but he almost lost the two boys that he thought of as sons. Because of one boy's misdirected anger.

"You could not have stopped the stunt Albus, if you had not known about it. If I remember correctly, we have spoken about this incident and your discipline of the two bullies in the past. I understand that Severus might bring some of these memories back up, especially as he is still suffering from the bullying, mentally at least. It will take time to heal Severus, but you cannot live in the past. He needs you here Albus. Not feeling sorry for him or yourself. Beating yourself up and wallowing in guilt will not make him better. Talking to him will. Apologize to Severus for what happened, for your role in it. Tell him the truth, Albus. Even if that truth puts you in a bad light. Be honest with him and let him forgive you. Because he will. It will take time but he will forgive you. And you should forgive yourself as well. To heal him, you need to heal as well. I told you it would not be easy, healing never is. You both hold guilt over things you have done in the past and perhaps together both of you can learn to let it go." Tim studied the older man in front of him, reaching out a hand to him, one that Albus automatically took. Albus did not need calming magic but a bit of magic that would help his system feel recharged. Otherwise, the man would let his past anger and guilt take over and would be useless for the rest of the day.

"Thank you Tim. Enlightening as ever. I shall think on it." Albus sighed, finally pulling his hand away.

"That is all I ask, Albus. Now, is there anything else?" Tim replied gently.

"Actually, yes. I am worried about Severus. The staff are starting to talk and I am afraid that his duties and his health might be too much to handle at once." Albus straighten, going back into his in charge mode.

Tim frowned briefly, thinking. He always knew when Albus was done talking because of moments like this. Moments where he went from being Albus' healer to the healer of someone in Albus' care or his friend. "Removing him from Hogwarts temporarily would be good for him. However he cannot live alone right now. He either needs to live in a centre or with someone who can watch after him. You cannot leave Hogwarts for that amount of time. Perhaps an hour or two a day, but not all day. You are needed here." Tim remarked quietly, thinking aloud.

"I cannot leave, true. He will not stay in a centre nor do I want him there. Severus needs a place of quiet and peace. Somewhere he can feel safe. I'm not quite sure what to do." Albus sighed. He had a place in mind, of course. But no idea on how to make it possible.

"Would you be able to visit daily?" Tim asked quietly. He had a thought and it might actually work. It would be tricky, of course, but with the right wards it could be just what Severus needed.

"I would make it so."

"Severus should be alright here for a week or two, at most. That will give you time to find a substitute as well as give me enough time to set things in order. Severus will need therapy still and a safe environment. But he also needs a sense of freedom. Maple and I can stay with him, if you have a place in mind?" He asked.

"I do. The wards against harm are still intact, but might needed strengthening. We can manage that while Severus is teaching one day. I think, however, it would be best to not tell him until all the details are set." Albus nodded.

"Of course. We shall have him moved and settled in after All Hallows then." Tim stood, grinning briefly. It was a good idea. With that last thought, he headed back to the dungeons to check on the unsuspecting potions master.