Disclaimer and Notes: JKR owns it all. No money made, but lots of time wasted. I am converting from serial drabble format for this fic, welcome to my first attempts at long fic. I have no beta, all mistakes are mine, all mine.
Title: Paths Walked in Time
The two wizards glided silently down the torch lit halls, descending the moving stairways and past the portraits whispering secrets in the shadows.
Snape wondered why Albus led them to the kitchens; he certainly did not feel like eating.
All the bustling activity ceased in the warm brightly lit room when they entered. It was rare for the Headmaster to visit the kitchens let alone with the dour Head of Slytherin House.
Dumbledore spoke kindly, "there there now, no need for alarm. I am merely here to get a couple of baskets of discarded toast from this morning's breakfast." As soon as the words were spoken elfin chaos broke loose again.
Dobby came forward toddling beneath a basket of stale toast so large you could only see his gaudily decked feet. Another elf, a little shorter than dobby placed a basket at Severus' feet then dashed away.
"This food is not good Sir! Dobby can get you something much better," squeaked the elf firmly.
"Oh my," replied Albus smiling, "this is not for us. But thank you anyway."
Dumbledore's mind seemed to be someplace else as he gestured towards his friend. "Let us go for our walk now."
The chilly night air was comfortably crisp and dry; the wispy white puffs of breath from the wizards the only mar against the clarity of the air.
Snape looked up at the glittering spectacle of the Milky Way. His thoughts drifted to Hermione, she loved looking at the stars. Each mindless step he took on the well traveled trail was another step in life without her. He recalled a picnic she organized and how he did not want to go but was glad he did. She surprised him with a kiss in exchange for the last crisp.
The same path that led him to that fond memory was also a trail of sorrow. He remembered a darker day traveling the same October path finding her crying by the lake. It was the day she told him she was dying.
Snape halted in his tracks choking on the wave of fresh grief, his voice heavy and bitter announcing forward into the darkness, "I see no point in any of this. Where are you leading us?"
But the response came from behind as a warm hand clasped his elbow edging him forward. "I am not leading us anywhere Severus. It is you who chose this trail," commented Albus quietly as if not to disturb the night.
"I thought you were ahead of me since leaving the castle," he replied mirroring the hushed tone of the older man.
"It appears we are being led by whatever means and perhaps we should follow through," counseled Albus, who chucked adding a request. "Humor an old man Severus. I've brought this toast to feed the squid before the freeze and it would unkind not to fulfill my task."