"We should just turn him over to the Ministry!"
"Sirius!"
"What?"
Hermione refused to be intimidated by the feral glare that Sirius brought up in defence against her objection.
"Sirius, you are fully apprised of all the facts surrounding Albus' unfortunate encounter with death. You are here because of it, despite your own stupidity. You have seen Professor Snape and his family. Small children cannot act that fastidiously…"
"His could."
A cold hard frown settled itself onto Filius Flitwick's countenance. It was not an expression that his face was accustomed to and therefore looked all the more intense because of the unfamiliarity.
"How dare you! Severus' part in the war has been explained numerous times by the Headmaster and by Harry. His family should be proof enough for you. There is no magic on this earth that could conjure such unadulterated honesty, an honesty which has clearly been taught to them by their parents. Sirius, you were given much latitude when you were at school because of you family history and your placement in Gryffindor. You have proven your merit with the Order, but do not assume that mere friendship with Mr. Potter's parents is enough to grant you totalitarian decree over all. You do not have carte blanche to dictate the "goodness" of others. Even Albus has enough darkness in him to warrant questioning. Severus was on OUR side of the war. If he had not been then it would not be finished. Although I am rather inclined to think that he may have been able to sway matters in the other direction, should he have chosen to do so. For goodness sake, have you looked at his life at all?"
Sirius sunk into the armchair but was determinedly unabashed.
"He was Death Eater…"
Albus slammed his cup down into its saucer, shattering both.
"Enough! Sirius may not have carte blanche to declare the "goodness" of individuals but I believe that both Harry and myself have been afforded that privilege, no matter how dubious such a discernment may be considered. Severus acted under my orders at all times. I have reiterated this numerous times in the past and I shall repeat it again. I shall even make my pensieve available to those who do not believe that Severus objected to the events which I prescribed. Severus and his family require our help and protection and they DAMN WELL deserve it!"
Albus fairly screamed the last part of his rant, which caused him slight embarrassment as a hesitant knock sounded against the inner door of his office. Other than Severus, all of those who could conceivably bypass the gargoyle were in the office with him.
"Come in"
Severus peered around the edge of the door, taking in the Order meeting which was evidently in session.
"My apologies Headmaster. I can return later, when it is more appropriate."
"Severus. No, please do come in. Your timing couldn't be better."
Severus raised a solitary eyebrow. He had not been able to hear the specifics of the conversation but it was clear that he had interrupted an argument.
"Sir, I have no wish to intrude upon Order business."
"You are still a member of the Order Severus; you have every right to be here."
"And every right to choose not to be! No offence Albus but I am not a part of this world now. I am only here to ensure the safety of my family."
"Severus, please, come in, take a seat."
The aged hippy reluctantly moved further into the room and perched on the edge of a vacant chair. He didn't meet the eyes of anyone save the Headmaster.
"Severus, your children are delightful. I am sure that they must make you very proud."
Severus met his old mentor's eyes and froze for a moment before accepting the status quo. He nodded and offered a vague smile.
"They obliviate my past. They cement the future in flesh and enforce my own values upon my actions. I do not know whether that makes any sense but they have changed my world. Jude dragged me out of the pit in which I deposited myself but the children, Livia specifically, brought me truly to life. I cannot properly remember a time when they were not with me. I can, but it holds no meaning. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone other than myself."
"Of course it does, my dear boy. I remember when my own children were born, it felt as though the world had shifted slightly to the right of any normality that I had experienced before. Mirabelle was pregnant with Granville when I went against Grindlewald for the final time. I had never been more scared. Not because of Grindlewald but because I was risking my life when I was to be a father."
The room had stilled as Dumbledore's words were recognised. Only Severus, Filius and Minerva had known of Albus' family before this point. Gaping would be the obvious description of the assembled audience but as none bar themselves were aware of their own individual reactions, it seems superfluous to mention it.
"There is nothing more life changing than becoming a parent. It is not an allegorical statement to say that the world shifts, it does! What one creates for one's children defines one more than any other act in one's life. Defeating Grindlewald was nothing, defending against Voldemort was nothing, combating the darkness in each vulnerable student was nothing – what defined me was creating the world as I wished my children to perceive it. Teaching them how to go about their lives; there is nothing that can teach one more about life than examining how one interacts with it in order to train a child to be better than everyone who has come before them."
Dumbledore lapsed into silence. Filius smiled up past his eyes. Minerva looked contemplative but amused and recognisant. Severus met the old man's eyes and nodded, he allowed himself a shallow laugh and gritted his teeth against the onslaught that might come from the rest of the group, content in the knowledge that at least one amongst them understood where he had been.