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Chapter 24
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Sirius didn't know what to think. All he had planned was disarming Snape and taking him directly to Dumbledore. His comments surely didn't illicit that reaction. Watching as the green streak of magic shoot towards him, he was certain that Snape had snapped. He did have time to wonder how slow death was.
He blinked, somehow his reactions didn't work right. Ducking was almost impossible.
The next moment his eyes opened and he was standing in some clearing free of Snape. Was this death? He certainly felt alive. But he hadn't gotten out of the way, had he?
He was willing to admit to himself that he was confused. Plain and simple. If he was alive, how. If he was dead, this was not what he was expecting. Might as well look around and figure out where he was.
And a vampire was not what he wanted to see. But at least it answered his questions.
"He tried to kill me," were the first words out of his mouth, before he could stop himself.
"Yes, I saw that," the vampire said emotionlessly.
"He tried to KILL me!"
"Consider it pay back for your attempt at that feat. Now, I should go see to a possibly deranged wizard." Irvan made to leave.
"Deranged?" All right, he wasn't thinking too clearly. Though a deranged Snape solved everything.
"Yes, being in your presence is enough to make anyone deranged."
"But he tried to kill me!"
"Your point?"
Point? That was the point wasn't it. A Death Eater tried to kill him. A Death Eater Dumbledore supposedly trusted. That action hadn't convinced him of a secured allegiance.
"I suggest you return to the castle," Irvan spoke up, sounding incredibly tired. "Take this up with Dumbledore."
Of course he would take this up with Dumbledore. Perhaps now the Headmaster would understand that Snape was never on their side. Allies did not go around casting the Killing Curse because they were slightly annoyed. Granted Sirius expected Snape to do something other than stand there when he go going with the accusations. Casting the Third Unforgivable only proved that he was not a good guy.
Snape equaled Death Eater equaled traitor equaled bad guy equaled slimy, annoying git.
* * * * * * * *
"Avada Kedavra!"
The next instant his intended victim was gone. He knew from experience that the victim of that curse did not disappear.
It had seemed the right thing to do at the time. There had been a breach in his fortifications, stemming from Black. His reasoning: remove the offending object.
It had seemed the right thing to do.
Then why was he staring at his wand as if it had betrayed him?
He had not lost his control during his encounter with the Dark Lord. It had been much the same as his discussion with Dumbledore. The Dark Lord knew everything he had wanted from Malfoy. True he had asked for clarifications in some matters, but left most of the ordeal behind and moved on to future events.
He had actually congratulated himself on not spilling everything he knew to the Dark Lord. His mind had bulged with the need to release. He hated to admit it but Irvan had been right. He had built a dam against certain memories. He could feel it now. He could feel it now because there was a hole in the wall. A hole that had been bored through by a president Black asking the wrong questions, forcing him to try and recall what had actually happened.
He could patch the hole, right? It would take to much time to remove the wall. Patching wouldn't take as long. Then he could find the time to dismantle it slowly, so as not to be overwhelmed. That would have to do. Patching would only be temporary. But that was all be needed. He just need to keep anything from spill over the dam before he was ready. He hated the vampire for being right.
Though he needed to know where that pest, Black, had gone off to. And wanted to know how he had gotten away. Severus wasn't too disappointed the missed. He hadn't wanted to succeed, though that would have been a bonus. But he had done something to keep the animagus alive. And received the wrath of Dumbledore for it. But he couldn't quite recall what that deed was. The Dark Lord was involved. He knew that.
So was a breach in his promise to Dumbledore. Re-giving his word barely made sense. He just couldn't remember why he had broken his word.
He shouldn't dwell on that. If he didn't remember, then thinking too hard might cause the barrier to break. He did not need that right now.
He didn't need a lot of things right now. One of them was the barrier. Which he could not remember why he had erected the thing in the first place. Though he bet he had something to do with his incarceration in the Ministry. And everything Black had been ranting about.
But why was it there? Better yet, how had it come to be there?
No, he did not want the answers. Answers would cause problems. He needed to get back to the castle before Black cast all the blame on him. It was probably too late. Black was always the first to explain the situation. Why would now be different?
But if it wasn't for Black, he wouldn't be in this mess. He would be on his way back to the castle, give a cursory report to Dumbledore, and be in bed, asleep. Instead, Black had to show up and shout unfounded accusations at him. Which in turn broke through his defenses. Which he would still be unaware of had it not been for Black.
Barriers like that were normally used against penetration. Irvan had mentioned something. Occlumency. Damn it. Occlumency is the practice of blocking foreign intrusions. But it was possible to block things from yourself. Not common, but documented. And documented in the highest mastery.
He needed to think this through. But he needed to do that back in the castle. Back in the castle where no one could find him accidentally.
But why was the barrier collapsing? Surely nothing short of strong Legilimency would cause that.
He needed to patch this hole. Memories were starting to come through. At a time when he needed to think not remember. Think and get out of the forest.
This was not a good time to reminisce. This was not a good time.
* * * * * * * * *
Irvan stood just out of sight, watching. Severus was not aware of anything. A very bad sign. He was sorely tempted to look into Severus's mind and try to determine the damage. Granted that was not a good idea, even if it wasn't against his promise. But even his promise could be breached if he thought Severus was going to loose it. If this was going to continue, he might hazard a try.
Though he should do so before the damage becomes irreparable.
Severus was being to look ill. Not to mention beginning to mutter nonsensically.
Slowly, he pushed his awareness of Severus deeper. His plan was to slip in without notice and stop any breach in the barrier that he could. Severus would not he happy about any of this, but it was likely the best option, as Severus was currently oblivious to anything.
When he touched the outskirts of Severus's mind, he was unprepared for the chaos. There were no solid memories to view. They were flittering back and forth through a widening hole. A hole was seemed to be varying sizes, if one could measure it, as if someone was trying to close it and failing.
Tentatively he moved to assist.
Only receive a full blast curse square in the chest. He glanced off a nearby tree, slowing his decent.
"Never. Never enter my mind. Ever," Severus was shouting.
"That's twice," he grumbled, bracing himself against a tree trunk. "Twice. Should have learned form the first time." Ignoring Severus for the moment, he concentrated on standing and clearing his own head from the residuals of Snape's chaos. An amazing task considering the volume level. "Severus, look," he interrupted. "Nothing is getting done here." Severus stopped abruptly and released his patented glare. "I would rather find you in the castle before you implode."
"You will not order me to do anything." Irvan watched as the Potions Master paused as though thinking. There was a thought that was coming together.
"Where is he?" Severus demanded.
Irvan regarded the wizard before him coolly. Oh, he knew who Severus was referring to. He just wasn't convinced his charge wouldn't rampage off in attempts to finish what he started. "On his way to the castle," he responded tonelessly.
He was suddenly feeling very close to two thousand years. This entire situation was very easily too much for him to handle. Petty hatred, yes, that he could deal with. Attempted murder, also not a problem. Consolidating a broken mind, something that he knew, even if it was unusual. But having all of these problems isolated into one case was overwhelming. And he, a vampire with little knowledge of wizard sanity, was suppose to keep a key link between the two factions of war from collapse when all signs point to inevitable failure.
Why him? Suddenly getting killed by a slayer or a werewolf was looking to be the better prospect. At least the dead don't have to live a cursed life.
Without warning Severus swept by him.
Perhaps he had been wrong. Perhaps he couldn't handle Severus. There were far too many instances where the wizard had gotten the better of him. And now the man was going to implode his own mind because he refused to take the time and deal with the situation. Not to take in account the wonderful invention that was coursing through Black's veins. Things were definitely not in his favor. The only thing he could hope for was for Dumbledore to see through this mess with a clear eye.
Sighing he picked himself up and trotted back to the castle. Perhaps a third account would help. This was ludicrous. Why did he have to get stuck in the middle of this? There were several time throughout the ages where he could have laid down and died. But no. He had to be the idiot that kept on living. Whatever god existed sure had a funny way of protecting fools.
"Blood and bloody ashes, the next time Severus was to commit suicide I'll just bloody let him."
* * * * * * *
Sirius's unexpected arrival so late at night caught him off guard. The convict had marched into the Headmaster's office raging about how Snape tried to kill him. Offering the normal lemon sherbet calmed the man somewhat, enough to where he could converse and not rant to himself.
Dumbledore listened and waited for it to wash out of Sirius's system. Severus cast the Third Unforgivable. In a situation where it could have easily been avoided.
He had to school his face not to show his disappointment. Sirius would misread the expression as a disappointment of him. Sirius had done what he could in a trying scene. It was Severus he was worried about.
"He tried to kill me, Professor. Aren't you going to do something?"
Glance back at his former student sitting in righteous rage, he felt weary. No one should have gone through what Sirius had. "Yes. I will discuss this with Severus when he comes in. I cannot do more until I have listened to him." If only he could discuss the other issues surrounding Sirius Black at the moment. If only he could discuss those issues with Remus and Harry.
There were too many problems to face. He had just received Severus from Azkaban. Had discovered to his dismay that Sirius was a potential pawn for Voldemort. Now this.
Dumbledore was about to console Sirius again when his office door opened once more. This time smoothly, not banging loudly against the bookshelves. He was very surprised to see Severus walk through the threshold. His Potions Master normally rapped softly on the door and waited to be beckoned.
"Forgive my intrusion, Headmaster, but I thought you would wish to see me immediately," Snape said silkily.
Albus Dumbledore could sense immediately that there was something wrong with Severus Snape. Nothing physical, despite the slight defensive stance the wizard was taking now that he was fully aware of Sirius Black. No, the change was in his mental stability. Before, during dinner, that problem was different and contained. Currently, the mental balance seemed to be teetering on some undefined edge.
"Yes. Please have a seat, Severus. I gather there was some excitement upon your return from Voldemort?" he asked in his most unpressing tones. The Headmaster was not one to miss the calculating glance Snape shot at Sirius. Over all the scene was playing out remarkably similar to one at another time. Severus did not respond verbally, but his shifts in posture spoke volumes. The poor boy already knew he was in trouble and couldn't get out gracefully. Or at all. "Did you cast the Killing Curse?" No answer. Eyes flashed but made no contact. Mental activity was still rushing. "Severus, I need you to either confirm or deny the accusation."
Dumbledore wasn't going to dress up the issue and try to dance around the claim. Severus would find it disgraceful. However the Headmaster disliked being the tough taskmaster, and after the incident with the Ministry, he was loath to play the interrogator.
"Why are you asking him? We both know he did. There's no question," Sirius said loudly from his chair.
"Sirius, please. When it comes to trials, no matter how apparently obvious the conclusion seems, the accused has the right to confirm or deny the charges."
Faintly, Dumbledore scarcely heard Sirius mutter under his breath, "Tell that to the Ministry."
"Severus," he prompted again. He knew Sirius spoke truth. The Gryffindor never did otherwise.
"So what if I did," was the answer. Not unexpected, but not desirable. The Headmaster had hoped there was a mistake. But perhaps his Potions Master was more disjointed than he had thought.
"Yes or no, Severus," he returned tartly. Snape recognized the tone for what it was worth and sat a little straighter.
"Yes."
Dumbledore released the breath he was holding. "This is a grave matter, Severus. You know what the consequences are for casting an Unforgivable." He didn't bother to hide his disappointment this time. But at least he had not had to demand the wizard's wand for proof.
"He's alive, isn't he. No irreparable harm done."
The statement caught him unprepared. Obviously he wasn't the only one who recognized the situation from the odd sense of dejavu. * You're alive, aren't you. No irreparable harm done. * Had he really been that naive? To think no harm would have come from that episode. Though Severus said it with much more malice.
"Severus, that was merely a prank. Completely different from this."
"Forgive me, Headmaster," Snape said slowly, being sure the words did not miss their mark. "Only a prank. How foolish of me to confuse the issue."
"Aw, you're not still on about that? That was years ago," Sirius plowed through. "What a stupid thing to brood over." Luckily Sirius deceased when he caught sight of Dumbledore's warning look.
Severus had a right to be disgruntled over that incident. Granted Sirius was right about it being ridiculous to hold a grudge for so long, Snape was correct in desiring a just conclusion. Just as Sirius was demanding at the present.
"Then you understand, Severus, the stance I must take in light of this event."
"Of course, Headmaster." The answer was cold. "Far be it from me to keep you from serving justice. Then you also see how I must retract our conversation we had just following the midday meal. When you reach your decision, I do hope you find it relevant to inform me." The Professor rose to leave.
"Severus, I have not finished. Sit." There was some hesitation before the man obeyed. "Why?"
"As I recall, motivation was not required to convict a man." The pause lasted an inordinate amount of time. "Surely Black as informed you of his unfounded accusations."
"His words should not have provoked that response." The Headmaster hazard a glance at Sirius. The animagus watched intently as the drama unfolded. He had gotten what he wanted and was now content to be an observer. "What prompted you to choose that curse?"
The man in question was struggling against something. Something deep within the confines of his mind, where Dumbledore had only been once. There was something wrong with the barrier Snape had constructed to deter the Aurors. Something Dumbledore couldn't see. Something Severus had hidden well. But what all had the boy hidden?
"What prompted you to use an Unforgivable?"
The struggle intensified. Would it be better to smash the wall now or more beneficial to stop hammering away at it and slowly remove it?
"Was it something at the meeting you went to tonight?" Severus didn't seem to have heard him. He was staring at the small glass orb resting innocently on the corner of the Headmaster's desk. "Why the Killing Curse?" he asked softly this time.
He wasn't surprised to see Snape's wand pointing directly at his throat. Not surprised, but relaxed. This was a serious problem. Black stood to assist, or take down Snape, but Dumbledore cautiously waved him to his seat.
The rigid stance the former Death Eater took told tales of his proficient history at the duels and the troubled state of his mind. "Why the Killing Curse?" he asked again. He knew perfectly well Severus would never answer his question. He also knew that was not what Severus was contemplating. Then without warning and without a word, said wizard sent a violent stream of magic straight into the glass orb.
A door slammed shut as the after effects lingered, blinding those in the room.
"Thank Zeus. I didn't know if he would realize what the glass was for," a deep disembodied voice said from behind the Headmaster.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Sirius was always quick to anger at the unknown. Irvan showed himself and walked around to study the glowing ball of the clear, hard substance.
"He came in before you arrived, Sirius. Irvan told me what had happened from the moment he come upon you and Severus. I am quite glad he did. Otherwise you wouldn't be here to demand Severus committal to Azkaban."
Eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do you mean?"
Dumbledore glanced at Irvan, silently requesting him to explain. Pursing his lips, the vampire complied. "Your reflexes have been dulled from disuse, so it was very unlikely that you would have dodged the curse. But still plausible. To be on the safe side, I increased the rate at which you move. When I was certain you had reach a safe speed where I could move with you, I took you out of range of Severus and his curse. I believe I told you once that I do not intend to deprive Harry of the only thing that resembles a relative." The vampire nodded, signaling he had finished. "I should take this down to Severus," he said, gingerly plucking the orb from the desk.
"You sped me up?"
"In layman's terms, yes. It takes a great deal of energy to do so. So if you will excuse me, I'll take this to Severus and be about my way." Irvan decisively left the room before anything else could be said.
"What did he mean, he sped me up?"
"Have you never wondered how Irvan reached here before you? After all, he had to go see to Severus first."
"What do you mean?"
"Vampire have a unique magic about them that lets them speed up, shall we say, their persons so they can travel at near instantaneous speeds. Of course there is also their magical skill that allows them to pass through objects, much like a ghost if I had to liken it to anything."
"Did he tell you?"
"Oh no, Irvan didn't tell me. I had spoken with Sybil's father before the war with Grendelwald. He was more than delighted to answer my questions about vampires. A shame he was killed by one."
Sirius remained silent for several long moments. Dumbledore didn't pry, nor did he even attempt to search his former student's mind for a hint of what he was thinking.
"What's with that piece of glass?"
Ah, yes. The glass orb. Sirius had always been curious. Not as much as Severus, but curious nonetheless.
"A perfect sphere of glass can be a receptacle for memories. Instead of using a pensive, you temporarily store memories in it. The problem with an orb is that memories can be lost should the glass be imperfect or break. It is also very temporary. Memories cannot last longer than forty-eight hours in a sphere. Longer and they begin to fade and are lost. I can only speculate that Severus is rebuilding his memory after placing such a large amount in that orb. But enough for tonight. You should get some rest."
Sirius nodded and took the floo network to Remus's rooms.
Dumbledore was worried. Would replacing Severus's memories stabilize his mind? Or had Azkaban taken his sanity as it had so many others.
Chapter 24
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Sirius didn't know what to think. All he had planned was disarming Snape and taking him directly to Dumbledore. His comments surely didn't illicit that reaction. Watching as the green streak of magic shoot towards him, he was certain that Snape had snapped. He did have time to wonder how slow death was.
He blinked, somehow his reactions didn't work right. Ducking was almost impossible.
The next moment his eyes opened and he was standing in some clearing free of Snape. Was this death? He certainly felt alive. But he hadn't gotten out of the way, had he?
He was willing to admit to himself that he was confused. Plain and simple. If he was alive, how. If he was dead, this was not what he was expecting. Might as well look around and figure out where he was.
And a vampire was not what he wanted to see. But at least it answered his questions.
"He tried to kill me," were the first words out of his mouth, before he could stop himself.
"Yes, I saw that," the vampire said emotionlessly.
"He tried to KILL me!"
"Consider it pay back for your attempt at that feat. Now, I should go see to a possibly deranged wizard." Irvan made to leave.
"Deranged?" All right, he wasn't thinking too clearly. Though a deranged Snape solved everything.
"Yes, being in your presence is enough to make anyone deranged."
"But he tried to kill me!"
"Your point?"
Point? That was the point wasn't it. A Death Eater tried to kill him. A Death Eater Dumbledore supposedly trusted. That action hadn't convinced him of a secured allegiance.
"I suggest you return to the castle," Irvan spoke up, sounding incredibly tired. "Take this up with Dumbledore."
Of course he would take this up with Dumbledore. Perhaps now the Headmaster would understand that Snape was never on their side. Allies did not go around casting the Killing Curse because they were slightly annoyed. Granted Sirius expected Snape to do something other than stand there when he go going with the accusations. Casting the Third Unforgivable only proved that he was not a good guy.
Snape equaled Death Eater equaled traitor equaled bad guy equaled slimy, annoying git.
* * * * * * * *
"Avada Kedavra!"
The next instant his intended victim was gone. He knew from experience that the victim of that curse did not disappear.
It had seemed the right thing to do at the time. There had been a breach in his fortifications, stemming from Black. His reasoning: remove the offending object.
It had seemed the right thing to do.
Then why was he staring at his wand as if it had betrayed him?
He had not lost his control during his encounter with the Dark Lord. It had been much the same as his discussion with Dumbledore. The Dark Lord knew everything he had wanted from Malfoy. True he had asked for clarifications in some matters, but left most of the ordeal behind and moved on to future events.
He had actually congratulated himself on not spilling everything he knew to the Dark Lord. His mind had bulged with the need to release. He hated to admit it but Irvan had been right. He had built a dam against certain memories. He could feel it now. He could feel it now because there was a hole in the wall. A hole that had been bored through by a president Black asking the wrong questions, forcing him to try and recall what had actually happened.
He could patch the hole, right? It would take to much time to remove the wall. Patching wouldn't take as long. Then he could find the time to dismantle it slowly, so as not to be overwhelmed. That would have to do. Patching would only be temporary. But that was all be needed. He just need to keep anything from spill over the dam before he was ready. He hated the vampire for being right.
Though he needed to know where that pest, Black, had gone off to. And wanted to know how he had gotten away. Severus wasn't too disappointed the missed. He hadn't wanted to succeed, though that would have been a bonus. But he had done something to keep the animagus alive. And received the wrath of Dumbledore for it. But he couldn't quite recall what that deed was. The Dark Lord was involved. He knew that.
So was a breach in his promise to Dumbledore. Re-giving his word barely made sense. He just couldn't remember why he had broken his word.
He shouldn't dwell on that. If he didn't remember, then thinking too hard might cause the barrier to break. He did not need that right now.
He didn't need a lot of things right now. One of them was the barrier. Which he could not remember why he had erected the thing in the first place. Though he bet he had something to do with his incarceration in the Ministry. And everything Black had been ranting about.
But why was it there? Better yet, how had it come to be there?
No, he did not want the answers. Answers would cause problems. He needed to get back to the castle before Black cast all the blame on him. It was probably too late. Black was always the first to explain the situation. Why would now be different?
But if it wasn't for Black, he wouldn't be in this mess. He would be on his way back to the castle, give a cursory report to Dumbledore, and be in bed, asleep. Instead, Black had to show up and shout unfounded accusations at him. Which in turn broke through his defenses. Which he would still be unaware of had it not been for Black.
Barriers like that were normally used against penetration. Irvan had mentioned something. Occlumency. Damn it. Occlumency is the practice of blocking foreign intrusions. But it was possible to block things from yourself. Not common, but documented. And documented in the highest mastery.
He needed to think this through. But he needed to do that back in the castle. Back in the castle where no one could find him accidentally.
But why was the barrier collapsing? Surely nothing short of strong Legilimency would cause that.
He needed to patch this hole. Memories were starting to come through. At a time when he needed to think not remember. Think and get out of the forest.
This was not a good time to reminisce. This was not a good time.
* * * * * * * * *
Irvan stood just out of sight, watching. Severus was not aware of anything. A very bad sign. He was sorely tempted to look into Severus's mind and try to determine the damage. Granted that was not a good idea, even if it wasn't against his promise. But even his promise could be breached if he thought Severus was going to loose it. If this was going to continue, he might hazard a try.
Though he should do so before the damage becomes irreparable.
Severus was being to look ill. Not to mention beginning to mutter nonsensically.
Slowly, he pushed his awareness of Severus deeper. His plan was to slip in without notice and stop any breach in the barrier that he could. Severus would not he happy about any of this, but it was likely the best option, as Severus was currently oblivious to anything.
When he touched the outskirts of Severus's mind, he was unprepared for the chaos. There were no solid memories to view. They were flittering back and forth through a widening hole. A hole was seemed to be varying sizes, if one could measure it, as if someone was trying to close it and failing.
Tentatively he moved to assist.
Only receive a full blast curse square in the chest. He glanced off a nearby tree, slowing his decent.
"Never. Never enter my mind. Ever," Severus was shouting.
"That's twice," he grumbled, bracing himself against a tree trunk. "Twice. Should have learned form the first time." Ignoring Severus for the moment, he concentrated on standing and clearing his own head from the residuals of Snape's chaos. An amazing task considering the volume level. "Severus, look," he interrupted. "Nothing is getting done here." Severus stopped abruptly and released his patented glare. "I would rather find you in the castle before you implode."
"You will not order me to do anything." Irvan watched as the Potions Master paused as though thinking. There was a thought that was coming together.
"Where is he?" Severus demanded.
Irvan regarded the wizard before him coolly. Oh, he knew who Severus was referring to. He just wasn't convinced his charge wouldn't rampage off in attempts to finish what he started. "On his way to the castle," he responded tonelessly.
He was suddenly feeling very close to two thousand years. This entire situation was very easily too much for him to handle. Petty hatred, yes, that he could deal with. Attempted murder, also not a problem. Consolidating a broken mind, something that he knew, even if it was unusual. But having all of these problems isolated into one case was overwhelming. And he, a vampire with little knowledge of wizard sanity, was suppose to keep a key link between the two factions of war from collapse when all signs point to inevitable failure.
Why him? Suddenly getting killed by a slayer or a werewolf was looking to be the better prospect. At least the dead don't have to live a cursed life.
Without warning Severus swept by him.
Perhaps he had been wrong. Perhaps he couldn't handle Severus. There were far too many instances where the wizard had gotten the better of him. And now the man was going to implode his own mind because he refused to take the time and deal with the situation. Not to take in account the wonderful invention that was coursing through Black's veins. Things were definitely not in his favor. The only thing he could hope for was for Dumbledore to see through this mess with a clear eye.
Sighing he picked himself up and trotted back to the castle. Perhaps a third account would help. This was ludicrous. Why did he have to get stuck in the middle of this? There were several time throughout the ages where he could have laid down and died. But no. He had to be the idiot that kept on living. Whatever god existed sure had a funny way of protecting fools.
"Blood and bloody ashes, the next time Severus was to commit suicide I'll just bloody let him."
* * * * * * *
Sirius's unexpected arrival so late at night caught him off guard. The convict had marched into the Headmaster's office raging about how Snape tried to kill him. Offering the normal lemon sherbet calmed the man somewhat, enough to where he could converse and not rant to himself.
Dumbledore listened and waited for it to wash out of Sirius's system. Severus cast the Third Unforgivable. In a situation where it could have easily been avoided.
He had to school his face not to show his disappointment. Sirius would misread the expression as a disappointment of him. Sirius had done what he could in a trying scene. It was Severus he was worried about.
"He tried to kill me, Professor. Aren't you going to do something?"
Glance back at his former student sitting in righteous rage, he felt weary. No one should have gone through what Sirius had. "Yes. I will discuss this with Severus when he comes in. I cannot do more until I have listened to him." If only he could discuss the other issues surrounding Sirius Black at the moment. If only he could discuss those issues with Remus and Harry.
There were too many problems to face. He had just received Severus from Azkaban. Had discovered to his dismay that Sirius was a potential pawn for Voldemort. Now this.
Dumbledore was about to console Sirius again when his office door opened once more. This time smoothly, not banging loudly against the bookshelves. He was very surprised to see Severus walk through the threshold. His Potions Master normally rapped softly on the door and waited to be beckoned.
"Forgive my intrusion, Headmaster, but I thought you would wish to see me immediately," Snape said silkily.
Albus Dumbledore could sense immediately that there was something wrong with Severus Snape. Nothing physical, despite the slight defensive stance the wizard was taking now that he was fully aware of Sirius Black. No, the change was in his mental stability. Before, during dinner, that problem was different and contained. Currently, the mental balance seemed to be teetering on some undefined edge.
"Yes. Please have a seat, Severus. I gather there was some excitement upon your return from Voldemort?" he asked in his most unpressing tones. The Headmaster was not one to miss the calculating glance Snape shot at Sirius. Over all the scene was playing out remarkably similar to one at another time. Severus did not respond verbally, but his shifts in posture spoke volumes. The poor boy already knew he was in trouble and couldn't get out gracefully. Or at all. "Did you cast the Killing Curse?" No answer. Eyes flashed but made no contact. Mental activity was still rushing. "Severus, I need you to either confirm or deny the accusation."
Dumbledore wasn't going to dress up the issue and try to dance around the claim. Severus would find it disgraceful. However the Headmaster disliked being the tough taskmaster, and after the incident with the Ministry, he was loath to play the interrogator.
"Why are you asking him? We both know he did. There's no question," Sirius said loudly from his chair.
"Sirius, please. When it comes to trials, no matter how apparently obvious the conclusion seems, the accused has the right to confirm or deny the charges."
Faintly, Dumbledore scarcely heard Sirius mutter under his breath, "Tell that to the Ministry."
"Severus," he prompted again. He knew Sirius spoke truth. The Gryffindor never did otherwise.
"So what if I did," was the answer. Not unexpected, but not desirable. The Headmaster had hoped there was a mistake. But perhaps his Potions Master was more disjointed than he had thought.
"Yes or no, Severus," he returned tartly. Snape recognized the tone for what it was worth and sat a little straighter.
"Yes."
Dumbledore released the breath he was holding. "This is a grave matter, Severus. You know what the consequences are for casting an Unforgivable." He didn't bother to hide his disappointment this time. But at least he had not had to demand the wizard's wand for proof.
"He's alive, isn't he. No irreparable harm done."
The statement caught him unprepared. Obviously he wasn't the only one who recognized the situation from the odd sense of dejavu. * You're alive, aren't you. No irreparable harm done. * Had he really been that naive? To think no harm would have come from that episode. Though Severus said it with much more malice.
"Severus, that was merely a prank. Completely different from this."
"Forgive me, Headmaster," Snape said slowly, being sure the words did not miss their mark. "Only a prank. How foolish of me to confuse the issue."
"Aw, you're not still on about that? That was years ago," Sirius plowed through. "What a stupid thing to brood over." Luckily Sirius deceased when he caught sight of Dumbledore's warning look.
Severus had a right to be disgruntled over that incident. Granted Sirius was right about it being ridiculous to hold a grudge for so long, Snape was correct in desiring a just conclusion. Just as Sirius was demanding at the present.
"Then you understand, Severus, the stance I must take in light of this event."
"Of course, Headmaster." The answer was cold. "Far be it from me to keep you from serving justice. Then you also see how I must retract our conversation we had just following the midday meal. When you reach your decision, I do hope you find it relevant to inform me." The Professor rose to leave.
"Severus, I have not finished. Sit." There was some hesitation before the man obeyed. "Why?"
"As I recall, motivation was not required to convict a man." The pause lasted an inordinate amount of time. "Surely Black as informed you of his unfounded accusations."
"His words should not have provoked that response." The Headmaster hazard a glance at Sirius. The animagus watched intently as the drama unfolded. He had gotten what he wanted and was now content to be an observer. "What prompted you to choose that curse?"
The man in question was struggling against something. Something deep within the confines of his mind, where Dumbledore had only been once. There was something wrong with the barrier Snape had constructed to deter the Aurors. Something Dumbledore couldn't see. Something Severus had hidden well. But what all had the boy hidden?
"What prompted you to use an Unforgivable?"
The struggle intensified. Would it be better to smash the wall now or more beneficial to stop hammering away at it and slowly remove it?
"Was it something at the meeting you went to tonight?" Severus didn't seem to have heard him. He was staring at the small glass orb resting innocently on the corner of the Headmaster's desk. "Why the Killing Curse?" he asked softly this time.
He wasn't surprised to see Snape's wand pointing directly at his throat. Not surprised, but relaxed. This was a serious problem. Black stood to assist, or take down Snape, but Dumbledore cautiously waved him to his seat.
The rigid stance the former Death Eater took told tales of his proficient history at the duels and the troubled state of his mind. "Why the Killing Curse?" he asked again. He knew perfectly well Severus would never answer his question. He also knew that was not what Severus was contemplating. Then without warning and without a word, said wizard sent a violent stream of magic straight into the glass orb.
A door slammed shut as the after effects lingered, blinding those in the room.
"Thank Zeus. I didn't know if he would realize what the glass was for," a deep disembodied voice said from behind the Headmaster.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Sirius was always quick to anger at the unknown. Irvan showed himself and walked around to study the glowing ball of the clear, hard substance.
"He came in before you arrived, Sirius. Irvan told me what had happened from the moment he come upon you and Severus. I am quite glad he did. Otherwise you wouldn't be here to demand Severus committal to Azkaban."
Eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do you mean?"
Dumbledore glanced at Irvan, silently requesting him to explain. Pursing his lips, the vampire complied. "Your reflexes have been dulled from disuse, so it was very unlikely that you would have dodged the curse. But still plausible. To be on the safe side, I increased the rate at which you move. When I was certain you had reach a safe speed where I could move with you, I took you out of range of Severus and his curse. I believe I told you once that I do not intend to deprive Harry of the only thing that resembles a relative." The vampire nodded, signaling he had finished. "I should take this down to Severus," he said, gingerly plucking the orb from the desk.
"You sped me up?"
"In layman's terms, yes. It takes a great deal of energy to do so. So if you will excuse me, I'll take this to Severus and be about my way." Irvan decisively left the room before anything else could be said.
"What did he mean, he sped me up?"
"Have you never wondered how Irvan reached here before you? After all, he had to go see to Severus first."
"What do you mean?"
"Vampire have a unique magic about them that lets them speed up, shall we say, their persons so they can travel at near instantaneous speeds. Of course there is also their magical skill that allows them to pass through objects, much like a ghost if I had to liken it to anything."
"Did he tell you?"
"Oh no, Irvan didn't tell me. I had spoken with Sybil's father before the war with Grendelwald. He was more than delighted to answer my questions about vampires. A shame he was killed by one."
Sirius remained silent for several long moments. Dumbledore didn't pry, nor did he even attempt to search his former student's mind for a hint of what he was thinking.
"What's with that piece of glass?"
Ah, yes. The glass orb. Sirius had always been curious. Not as much as Severus, but curious nonetheless.
"A perfect sphere of glass can be a receptacle for memories. Instead of using a pensive, you temporarily store memories in it. The problem with an orb is that memories can be lost should the glass be imperfect or break. It is also very temporary. Memories cannot last longer than forty-eight hours in a sphere. Longer and they begin to fade and are lost. I can only speculate that Severus is rebuilding his memory after placing such a large amount in that orb. But enough for tonight. You should get some rest."
Sirius nodded and took the floo network to Remus's rooms.
Dumbledore was worried. Would replacing Severus's memories stabilize his mind? Or had Azkaban taken his sanity as it had so many others.