Convergence of Birth - REVISED
Author: Saavik
Disclaimer: There is no fee to read this. Therefore, the lawyers chasing me can go away.
Summary: Back story and missing scenes to Contemplations of Birth. Not full accounts, mostly just story elements from different POV's other than Severus'. This explains some of the events hinted at in Contemplations and Complications. AU starting at the end of Book 5.
Pairings: Pre-everything
Warnings: Spoilers for Book Five big time. Mild Death Eater scenes.
A/N: Before anyone says that Albus is out of character, think for a minute. Mr. Twinkles can't be all perky all the time. It's impossible. Eventually he'd self combust and take out the whole island with him. So, therefore, I'm letting the exulted leader of the Order of the Phoenix vent a little. (Plus I'm the author and I want to do it. So blah. Mergph. And erneg.)
Chapter Three Arpeggio
The Headmaster's Office, August 1996 (Summer before Harry's 6th Year)
Albus Dumbledore had a headache. A large, all consuming, debilitating headache. The cause of this horrendous, monstrous, unending throbbing was sitting across form him doing a wonderful job of pouting. Only Albus was ever lucky enough to be privy to such a display. Although, he doubted anyone else would have recognized it for what it really was. The less observant would have assumed it to be a slightly half-hearted version of the usual sneer.
"Severus, you went too far this time."
Severus Snape started to say something in defense of the mysterious 'to farness' he was being accused of, but the powerful glare the older wizard leveled at him caused his mouth to snap shut involuntarily.
"You stopped Harry's Occlumency lessons last year." Albus held up a hand to stop the inevitable flow of words from erupting out of Severus' mouth. "I don't care why. I've heard it all before. The short of it is, you gave up. And now I have to spend an hour every night trying to teach him myself. Not to mention having to deal with a claustrophobic Sirius Black. The stress of this war, running the school, leading the Order, and keeping the Ministry in line is quite enough. Now I have this burden too." Albus tiredly rubbed his eyes. "I should never have left him with those muggles, no matter what protection they provided. If we'd known about the dreams in his fourth year we could have instructed him earlier, before whatever link is between him and Tom had fully formed."
Severus crossed his arms defensively. "This isn't about me at all is it? You're feeling guilty. And you brought me here to try and cheer you out of it by watching me squirm. Guilt doesn't go away that easily, Albus. And I don't intend to squirm."
"You would know about guilt." Albus snapped.
Severus narrowed his eyes. "Do not push me, Dumbledore. I don't care how depressed you are feeling. I'll not let you blame me for this. I'm paying for my mistakes. I won't have you dredging them up again."
The older wizard sighed and a considerable amount of his anger deflated, "I'm sorry, Severus. I don't know what's gotten into me." Severus took in the blood shot eyes and the pained expression. Without a word he pulled a vial of headache potion from his robes and handed it to his friend.
"Thank you." Albus gratefully accepted the bottle and impatiently waited the ten seconds it took the potion to start working.
"Now that you're not going to snap at me in pain, why am I really here?"
The headmaster pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Harry is going to need Occlumency lessons." Albus held up his hand, "No, I don't want you to teach him. As thinly stretched as I am, I can handle that. What concerns me is why he is still getting glimpses of what Voldemort is doing."
Snape narrowed his eyes. "I thought that after the failed possession in the Ministry Building the link was all but broken."
Albus shook his head. "No, not broken, changed somehow. As near as I can tell, Harry can see inside Voldemort's mind but not the other way around. The polarity seems to have changed. What Harry is experiencing now is more akin to what Voldemort was this time last year. In short, it's as if Harry is casting Legilimens through his scar."
"Can the Dark Lord switch the link back to the way it was? Force it to change in someway?"
"That is what I have called you here to ask. Does Tom seem to know Harry is spying on him?"
"He has not given an indication of it. But that does not mean anything. He could be planning something large."
Albus sighed. "Regardless of the chances of the link returning to its original form, I must find a way to stop these visions. Whatever good information we can glean from them is not worth the risk to Harry and his mental health. Things cannot remain as they are forever. Two minds linked like this is unhealthy."
"I would say it is. So, what do you have planned to rectify the problem?"
Albus gave a rather uncharacteristic shrug. "That's the issue - nothing. I've scoured the library and I can't find anything that even remotely resembles this situation. I'm at a complete loss."
Snape tried to hide his surprise. The great Albus Dumbledore couldn't come up with a plan.
"Oh stop it, Severus! I can tell you're shocked. Of all the people on this Earth you should know I'm perfectly fallible." The headmaster sighed. "You and Harry have seen that fact first hand."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Albus, I'm all too aware how human you are. It's just a rare thing to hear you admit to it. I'll go see what information I can glean from my Dark Art's books. Perhaps there is a similar phenomena recorded there."
Albus sat back in relief. "Thank you, my friend. I hate to delegate this to you, but all these lessons with Harry are taking their toll. And I'm an inch from pushing Sirius back though that veil."
"Would you like some help?"
"Severus," Albus reprimanded with a twinkle, "Really."
"It was your idea." Severus smirked and conjured a pot of tea. He enjoyed the irony of offering a cup to the headmaster in his own office. It certainly was a novelty. One he hoped did not become common place. An unsure headmaster was a frightening thing. He filled his own cup and picked the conversation back up. "I think you need to rant."
"You don't need to hear it. You have enough problems without listening to mine."
"True, but you've always let me yell out my frustrations. It's only fair if I return the favor. Besides, I want to know what Black's done now."
"Nothing, and that's what's driving me bloody insane!" Albus huffed and glared at his untouched tea. "The man won't leave Harry alone. And to top it all off he's trying to train the boy as an Animagus."
Severus rolled his eyes. "While I'm sure it will cause us all to suffer innumerable pranks, it could save his life. What is the problem?"
"The problem is Sirius. He couldn't teach a chair to sit. I've had to take over those lessons as well." Albus raised his hands over his head in exasperation. "And he's so damn hyper! He can't stand to stay in the house but he won't leave Harry alone there. And since it's not safe for Harry to wander about, Sirius stays indoors even though his name is cleared." Albus gritted his teeth. "Stays indoors and tap dances on my last nerve."
Severus smiled. "You know, most of the children would die of shock if they heard you right now."
Albus snorted. "If it meant no more headaches I'd consider it. But the paperwork…"
Both men laughed for a moment before Albus actually thought to sip his tea. "De-stressing potion? Good choice, Severus."
"Thank you." Severus sipped his won own. "It's the only thing that's kept me out of Azkaban for murdering one of the little dears."
Albus sobered and gave the potion master a serious look. "Thank you for doing this, Severus. You do so much for the Order and I... I hate to add more to it."
"I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none." Severus smirked.
Albus twinkled and took another sip of the doctored tea. "At least I've managed to instill some humility."
"There is still hope for you yet, headmaster." Severus answered and calmly finished his tea. Hope for them all, he thought, hope for them all.