Disclaimer: Don't own nothing not even a smidgen. All works owned by J.K. Rowling Bloomsbury paperbacks and a few others.

Summary: A gift has arrived to none then Severus Snape and due to reasons, will not accept it. Will Dumbledore be able to persuade him to keep it to open his heart and trust before it's all too late? 1st ff be nice RR

Love and Trust of the Heart

Chapter 7- Misunderstanding

When Severus awoke his face was wet, and his eyes were puffy. Severus realised whatever emotions he suffered through the memories he acted. He swung his legs over the bed sitting on the edge. Severus didn't know what to say, think or do. Severus yawned rubbing his eyes he was slightly tired. It was then Severus noticed the plush armchair beside his bed. Albus had been here- meddlesome old coot; unbeknownst to Severus that he smiled somewhat. Severus looked at the clock to realise that dinner was about to start in 10 minutes. Had he been watch in those memories over a day? He got up and went to the bathroom doing his usual business. Severus changed into clean robes when his stomach let out a large hollow growl. Severus began walking towards the Great Hall when he remembered a secret passage he found when he was a child. He took a right pressing into one of the bricks with a little marking in the left corner, before it opened up revealing some staircases. Severus trod carefully making his way up the staircase. Before long he came out just left of the Great Hall. Severus was about to open the Great Hall doors when he met up with Minerva. Severus had to control himself not bursting out laughing.

"Severus,"

"Minerva."

"Great to see you out of your dungeons after two days," she replied.

"W-What?" Severus replied.

"Last time I saw you was Monday night, today is Wednesday. Albus said you weren't to be disturbed. What were you doing down there?" she asked as they entered the Great Hall.

"None of your business Minerva."

"Touché," Minerva muttered to herself.

Severus sat down at the head table; Flitwick was glaring at him. He obviously hadn't forgotten the incident when Severus knocked him down. Well it was his fault anyway for being so short. He was the charms professor, why didn't he just charm his legs longer.

Dinner was served and it was another dinner without Albus. What was he doing?

"Minerva what is Albus doing or where is he?"

Minerva looked at him stiffly before mocking, "That is no concern for you Severus," before returning to her meal.

Severus glared at Minerva before letting out an angered cat meow; Severus smirked as it still had the effect of winding her up after 20 years. Her head whipped in his direction.

Severus just chuckled, "Look whose touché now," he mocked back.

Severus smirked watching Minerva grit her teeth from letting out a retort which she might regret later.

"Tell me in my two day absence have you been able to find a DADA professor?"

"I might teach it again," Flitwick replied.

"Will you Filius," Minerva replied happily.

Severus just raised an eyebrow, "So by your statement Minerva, you haven't found another candidate. Least I know the students are going to have good aim by the end of the year if you teach Filius."

Severus knew Minerva didn't get the insult when she replied, "Did he just compliment you, Filius," before Minerva put her hand to Severus' head, "Severus are you feeling ok."

Severus just replied, "Gryffindors complete-"

"Completely intellectually challenged," Flitwick interrupted.

Severus and Flitwick just laughed as Minerva let out an angry hiss.

"I was going to say utter fools, but intellectually challenged are the proper words."

Severus earned a slap across the head, from Minerva. Severus noticed Minerva's nostrils flaring.

"Animagus- a cat indeed, I swear on Merlin's grave, you were a horse in another life."

This made Flitwick spit out his drink in laughter.

"And if you had an animagus Severus you'd be a slug," Minerva retorted.

Minerva's retort wasn't really that much of a comeback. She simply huffed and stormed out the Great Hall.

"Look, when you really look at her she even walks like one," Severus snorted.

Flitwick laughed loudly "She does doesn't she."

Severus thought this was going well considering Filius was angry with him before, and was now laughing. But a new threat had arisen. Filius was challenging for the Dark Arts position, and would most probably receive it again. Severus was sure Filius just said that to try and tick him off, but to be on the save side, he better apologise.

"Filius, I do apologise for knocking you over they other day," he relied quiet enough, for no one else but him to hear. Severus saw Flitwick's very shocked expression. He looked like a fish out of water.

"Minerva is right, are you feeling ok?"

"I'm fine, last time I ever apologise to anyone," Severus snapped. Severus just began muttering to himself, "try to do the right thing, and they think you've lost you owls in the owlery."

Severus could still see Filius' shocked expression out the corner of his eye.

"Apology accepted Severus," Filius replied quietly.

After he had eaten, Severus yawned. All that memory searching for two days had finally tired him out. He walked down to his dungeons, with his mother's promise still plaguing his mind. Severus entered his bedroom, his eye catching the photo frames on his bedside table. The one of his father, mother, and himself was taken on a family picnic. His father was ruffling his hair before tickling Severus, while his mother watched with a glass of champagne in her hand. He rested his eyes on Sabrina and him. Sabrina was crying cradling her arm and Severus watched himself kneel down to Sabrina hugging her tightly, tickling his sister, making her laugh, where she then buried herself in his chest, smiling, before kissing his cheek.

Severus placed the photo fame back down before going to his bookshelf about doing some light reading before going to bed.

Severus was interrupted from his reading, by his bedroom door opening. Albus walked through the door, obviously surprised seeing Severus awake. Severus stared at him, unable to speak. Severus saw Albus stop in his tracks uncertain to walk in, Severus had never seen Albus unsure before, and it was slightly disturbing. He eventually walked in the tension the room slightly lifted.

"Severus," Albus replied lightly.

It took a while for Severus to find his voice, "Albus,"

"Well..."

"It worked," Severus replied nervously. His memories- new memories kept resurfacing.

Albus sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at him, uncertainty looked like in his eyes.

The tension built up in the room once again. Severus looked at his hands.

"I-I don't know what to say," Severus replied.

"It's ok Severus, you are welcome."

"I-I-" Severus couldn't say it.

"I've missed you Severus," Albus replied quietly. "Does this change our friendship?" Albus asked hesitantly.

"Of course it does," Severus replied.

Severus suddenly felt sadness around him radiating off of Albus. Albus hadn't said anything he was just sitting there, his breathing rather erratic. Why was he sad- Severus realised he had just misinterpreted what Albus had asked. Albus was asking was he forgiven for what he did years ago, not whether the relationship of friendship had changed.

"Albus I-"

"N-Never mind Severus, I understand," Albus replied, standing up off the bed.

"No you don't."

"I maybe old Severus, but I haven't completely lost my owls in my owlery yet."

"Will you just listen for a-"

"Severus I understand, how much pain do you have to inflict I-"Albus just wasn't letting him speak; Severus wanted to say he misinterpreted the question, but how was he supposed to if he couldn't get a word in. He wanted his attention; suddenly a memory arose again. Severus paled slightly, should he, what would be the consequences of the word? Suddenly another question arose, what would be the consequences of Albus leaving the room without understanding? Severus took a deep breath; hell was going to pay for this.

"Hug!" Severus called loudly, stopping Albus in mid-sentence. He had the expression of confusion and lost, so Severus tried again, rather croakily "Hug,"

Albus was still shell-shocked, obviously because he hadn't moved, his eyes like quaffles. Severus cleared his throat.

"Now that I have your attention Albus, I misinterpreted your question. I forgive you, but as I say before it changes the relationship between you and me, I'm sort of lost. I have these memories that resurface every time I see you, one of the headmaster, friend, confidant they other of that man, that I called Uncle Alby, the person who helped me, when my father died. It's all very confusing."

Severus watched Albus move back to his bed. Severus could feel Albus' cheerful presence once again. This made Severus a lot more comfortable, Severus never liked to upset Albus after all he had done for him in his life- even before his new memories. Severus began to relax after a few minutes, when Albus struck up a casual conversation. Severus could feel himself getting drowsy but due to the respect he had for Albus didn't tell him to leave. Albus' tone of voice became more soothing, quite and droning, making keeping his eyes open a lot more difficult. Severus could feel his eyes heavy every second, before they completely closed.

Severus tried opening his eyes when he felt, a gentle firm grip lie him down, but they wouldn't open.

Before Severus was overtaken by sleep he heard a soft distant voice reply, "Sleep well my child, we'll talk more in the morning."