AN: Alright everybody. Normally, I wouldn't dream of asking, but is anyone reading this? I don't write just for the reviews, but two! I'll admit, it stings a little. So, if it completely sucks, flame me and let me know. I'll put us all out of our misery.
Without a sound, Albus appeared in the midst of a thick clump of trees. Quickly, he looked around, and when he didn't see anyone in the area, he began walking. Dry leaves crunched underneath his feet and birds sang high in the trees, but Albus noticed none of it. There was too much to be done, and he knew that time was, once again, his most bitter enemy. There were too many people to meet, memories to be gathered, coerced if necessary, even if the very idea turned his stomach.
Albus already knew he would be spending most of the next year away from the school, 'and Minerva,' he thought sadly, but there was no other way. There was only one person that could be privy to his actions in due time, and he was still stranded in his own little piece of misery. The Chosen one. Albus scoffed at the very thought. He wondered if Harry had been able to forgive him for the mess they found themselves in. True to his word, Harry had sent a letter every third day, but Albus wasn't satisfied. While every one had said the same thing, 'I'm fine, nothing to report,' Albus had needed to see for himself. So, without telling anyone except Minerva, Albus had made the trip to Privet Drive once every evening. Transforming into a squirrel, he sat outside in the hot summer air and simply watched the young man.
He watched Harry spend countless hours simply staring into space, the weight of an entire world resting squarely on too small shoulders. Never once did he see Harry speak with his family. He had been shocked the first time a tray with what looked like cold soup was shoved through a hole in the bottom of the door, but it hadn't seemed to surprise Harry. Every night he returned home, just the slightest bit more angry and all the more determined to return him to the people who truly cared. "Soon," he said to himself. Looking around, Albus was surprised when he realized he had reached his destination. He chided himself for his lack of attention; now was not the time to loose one's focus.
Albus walked down the dingy winding lanes of the small muggle village. He still couldn't help but marvel at his surroundings. True, they were like many other villages in the muggle world. There was nothing extraordinary about the landscape, the houses housed no noteworthy families, and no great battle had been fought on its land. It wasn't the battered village, but a certain villager, that fascinated him so.
Albus was sure that if he even attempted to tell his friends about Severus' choice of residence, they would lock him up in St. Mungos faster than you could say Nox. Even Minerva had doubted him the first time he told her. Of course, none of them knew what Severus was, who he was. It was a simple, yet sad fact, that to most people, Severus Snape was nothing more than the shadow that plays against the back of your mind, something that darted away before you could actually identify it.
Reaching forward, Albus gave three quick knocks to an old wooden door and waited. In a few seconds the door opened a fraction, and two gleaming black orbs stared back at him suspiciously. They widened instantly in recognition, and the door was thrown open to allow him entrance. "What have you heard Severus?"
Eccentric as he may be, Albus understood when not to push his Potions master, and this was one of those times. "I haven't heard much," Severus admitted, shutting the door behind them. Albus could feel the wards resetting themselves, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. "Narcissa has, in her first intelligent move thus far, not informed the Dark Lord about the vow. Although, I think he was suspicious of Bellatrix's lack of belittlement last night."
Albus stopped perusing Severus' collection of well worn books, and his head snapped back to him. Albus only just realized just how tired and worn Severus looked. He didn't even bother with a question. "You were summoned."
"I was," he said as the pair sat beside the empty fireplace. "I also came across another interesting piece of information concerning your beloved Potter." Severus paused, dragging out the suspense for his own satisfaction. It was rare that he could hold sway over the old man that, whenever the opportunity presented itself, he enjoyed it to the fullest.
"Our Lord has begun to employ Occulmency against the little brat. He's decided that having Potter able to dance around in his head in the evenings could prove to be..unfortunate for some of his future plans." Severus waited again, trying to gauge Albus' reaction. But, as always, Albus simply looked back, giving nothing away. "At least this saves you the unfortunate privilege of teaching Potter Legimency. Heaven's knows if even you have the patience for such an endeavor."
"Unlike yourself?" Albus shot back, for once letting his temper begin to get the better of him. Severus was a grown man, and given everything he had been through, Albus couldn't understand why Severus just could not understand that a man is not always the exact reflection of his father.
Severus bit. "Yes, like myself. How I kept from poisoning the little golden boy is beyond me."
Albus' eyes flashed and he stood up, turning his back on Severus. "Well, I'm glad you did not. Finding one professor will prove difficult enough. I would hate to have to replace the Defense professor as well."
"I'm sure, that would." Severus' voice dropped off as his eyes grew wide. For once, his biting wit deserted him to the enemy. "Wait..what! Headmaster, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying Severus, that unless you've decided to murder my students, that you can stop harassing me during the break. You did still wish to be the Defense professor, did you not?"
The man known for his cutting wit and cruel manner was actually at a loss for words, a rare treat indeed As happy as Albus was to see the unadulterated joy that seemed to radiate from Severus in the one instant, he couldn't also help but feel a little guilt as well. Albus knew what was to come, one way or another, as he cautiously clenched his charred fist and felt the now familiar wave of nausea. Things that could not be undone had been set into motion, and more than one person would forever changed before the end.
"But, what about," he managed to choke out before Albus interrupted him.
"Why don't you let me worry about it. Unless you're planning on stringing up the students for target practice, I dare say we may beat him this year." Albus took a step forward, putting a hand on Severus' shoulder. "I like you Severus, I do, but you can be a right bastard sometimes. Try to enjoy this, please. There are those who would care if you would let them."
The shock seemed to be wearing off, and Severus managed his customary sneer. "I'm sure," Severus drawled. "Now, if you'll excuse me headmaster, I have lesson plans to draw up."
Albus just shook his head at the hungry look in Severus' face before nodding and apparating away with a faint pop. There was one more stop to be made before he returned home.
Albus allowed himself the first laugh of the long morning as he looked up at the monstrosity known as the Burrow. Rusted cauldrons littered the yard, and he could see the gnomes trying to make off with some of Molly's carrots in the vegetable patch. In his humble opinion, it was the perfect place to raise a family.
He hadn't even taken three steps when the back door was flung open and Molly began walking toward him. "Albus, what are you doing here? Is everything alright? Is it.."
She stopped as Albus smiled and held up his hand. 'Some things never change,' he thought wryly. "Everything and everyone is fine Molly. I just stopped by for a little chat. Where's Arthur?"
Molly ushered him into the kitchen and put a cup of steaming tea down in front of him before sitting down herself. "He's back at the Ministry. They've had him working round the clock since the incident. He just had three more people transfer into the office. How about you? How are you and Minerva?"
Albus nodded, careful to keep his hand underneath the sleeves of his robes. "We're both fine Molly. A little tired, but nothing uncommon these days. I wish Minerva would take a little more time to recover, but," here he leaned in farther and whispered. "Don't tell her I said so, or she'll hex me into next week."
Molly laughed and shook her head at his antics. It never ceased to amaze her, or anyone who paid enough attention to know, how much those two still enjoyed the laughter. They were by far the oldest couple in the Order, but, she thought, they were also one of the youngest.
"Your secret is safe with me Albus. Now, when are you bringing me my other children?"
The question had seemed so natural that Albus was sure Molly hadn't even realized what she said. "Now Molly, you wouldn't be trying to coerce your old headmaster, now would you? How very Slytherin; I didn't realize you had it in you."
His eyes twinkled as she laughed again, her cheeks flushed. "There's no reason to get insulting Albus. Now really, when are they coming? I want to be ready."
"Don't worry Molly; that's actually why I stopped by. Miss Granger will be arriving this Wednesday, and I will be retrieving Harry on Friday. But, I wouldn't expect us before Saturday morning. Horace is being more difficult than I thought was possible. I'm hoping that Harry will be able to convince him; we'll be making a slight detour before we arrive."
"But how can," Molly never finished.
"Sometimes," Albus interrupted, looking at her over the top of his glasses, "Horace just needs a visual to be reminded of his options. Now, if you will excuse me, I should be getting back to the castle. Minerva will be waiting for.." but this time it was Molly who interrupted.
"Albus," she said, her eyes full of concern, "how is she, really?" She watched him, and she could see the internal battle he was fighting with himself.
The withered hand beneath her own went limp and he let out a tired sigh. "Not as well as I would like to be honest. She tries to be strong when I'm around, which isn't often," he said more to himself, "but I can see it Molly. He's always had a certain...pull on her, which is to be expected. It's not as if there is any reason to worry," he said, more to reassure himself than anything.
"But, she does still remember the boy she thought she knew. Some things," his eyes grew dark and troubled, "cannot be undone or taken back, no matter how much we may wish it. The nightmares have returned, and..I just don't know. Something is different this time. You remember what she was like during the last war?"
He watched as she nodded and plowed on, seemingly unable to stop the flow of thoughts that had been building up for the last few weeks. "It's worse, but I don't know what could have caused the difference, and it pains me to think I cannot help her. The only thing I've been able to do is keep Alastor away from the castle; he's the last thing she needs to deal with right now."
She watched as his brilliant blue eyes dropped to the table, and she could literally feel the despair radiate from him in waves. It always amazed her that the man who was supposedly all knowing could miss so much. "Albus," Molly said softly. She gave his hand a squeeze and waited for his eyes to travel from the table top back to her own. "Things are different this time. She's scared to death for you. That," she motioned to the hand placed under the table, "gave all of us quite the scare. Believe me, we all know that you are only human, but nothing like that has ever happened before. It's bound to bring the lesson home. Just give her some time Albus, and don't pull away from her. Even you need someone."
Albus nodded faintly and nodded. Standing up, he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek before straightening up. "Thank you Molly, and don't forget Saturday morning. If anything changes, I'll let you know. Do say hello to Arthur for me."
With that he turned around and let himself out. He left Molly sitting at the table, shaking her head. "You foolish man," she said to the closed door.
