When nightfall came, it was to find him, the greatest wizard of his age, on a windswept hilltop in Hogsmade, waiting patiently for Severus. That afternoon he had finally had the chance to sort through his memories of the previous (or should he say next?) sixteen years. Now he needn't to worry anymore of slipping on things he shouldn't have, but, even if he did, well, everyone would attribute it to his being eccentric and almost all-knowing...

Being himself had its perks: he could only imagine if something like this had happened to somebody else, like Sirius, or Severus, or, heavens forbid, to Harry...the boy had already had such a hard life, he wouldn't wish this on him, and yet he knew that if Harry had been presented with the chance of going back, he would have done it. He had a "saving - people thing" and the biggest heart, and Albus would live to make sure his life was going to be better.

He was sure little Harry's life was already better, just by living with Sirius. And Remus. Merlin, he hoped Remus was helping, because Sirius had almost no clue about how to take care of a baby, apart from changing nappies and being a furry pillow...

He should go check them soon, maybe bring along Minerva and, if all went well, even ...

His musings were interrupted by the quiet pop of apparition.

Severus was thinner than the "last" time he saw him, when he had come to plead for Lily's life. His skin was tighter around the eyes, stretched almost painfully on his cheekbones, who had grown more pronounced with lack of food and rest.

He wished he could comfort the man, but he knew that other things needed to be done first, so he only turned around and started walkig towards Hogwarts.

"Follow me, Severus."

Albus was still extremely agile for his age and Severus was still remarkably young, so it was no surprise they reached his office in ten minutes. Neither man spoke during the walk, and it was only in Dumbledore's office that Severus let his mask shatter.

Making a terrible noise, like a wounded animal, the young man slumped on the chair in front of the Headmaster's desk.

Dumbledore was immediately by his side, placig an hand on his shoulder. Severus' own father had never touched him with such gentleness; in fact he had avoided touching him at all, if not to beat him when he came back drunk from the pub.

It was that small act of comfort that broke Severus' feeble attempt to reing in his emotions, and he started crying silently, his whole body shaking with the cries of anguish and grief he wasn't able to stop.

He cried for a long time, and at a certain point he was sure Dumbledore had rubbed his back soothingly, but when he had regained some control of himself, Dumbledore's had was yet again on his shoulder, leaving him to wonder if he had imagined it or not.

"I thought...you...told me...you were going to...protect her"

"She and James trusted someone they shouldn't have..."

"Rather like you did, Severus... "

"Didn't you ask Lord Voldemort to spare her? To give her to you, as a reward for your services?" Asked Dumbledore, voice laced with barely veiled disappointment and a tip of - entirely faked- disgust.

Severus' breaths were quick and shallow, his lungs wouldn't expand properly.

"Her son survives, however..."

Severus's head abruptly snapped up.

"Her boy lives, Severus. He has his mother's eyes, precisely of the same colour and shape. You remember the shape and colour of Lily's eyes, do you not?"

"Just...STOP!"

Ah, anger...Severus had reached the second stage of grief.

"Gone..Dead..."

"Is this remorse, Severus? " Dumbledore knew he had to make Severus keep talking, otherwise the young man would never begin to recover from his loss

"I wish...I wish I were dead..."

Depression, the fourth stage. But he needed to go through all of them...Only he knew his ex-pupil loathed to be pitied...

"And what good would that be to anyone? It wouldn't bring her back." Said Dumbledore sharply.

"If you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear."

Severus' eyes were clouded with pain, as was his mind, and the words seemed to take a long time to reach him.

"What...what do you mean?"

"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son."

"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord is gone..."

"The Dark Lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in mortal peril when he does."

There was a long silence, only interrupted by Severus' previously erratic breathing slowing down. He was undoubtedly employing Occlumency to do so. At last he answered.

"Very well. Very well. But never...never tell, Dumbledore! This must remain between us! Swear it! I cannot bear...especially Potter's son... I want your word!"

There, bargaining and acceptance, mixed together... Now he had to convince Severus of the foolishness of his request. He hoped the man could be swayed from his resolution, for his own good.

"My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?" Dumbledore sighed, knowing what was coming, while watching Severus' fierce scowl, his face lined with anguish.

"I will never tell..." Snape immediately relaxed.

"...because you will tell him, and his guardian, yourself".

Sometimes one must be cruel to be kind. He knew what would say next would be terribly manipulative, but Severus needed a family, and he would give it to him, even if the man ended up hating him for it.

Severus was bellowing, protesting vehemently about the injustice of it all, when Dumbledore raised his hand, silencing him. That however, didn't prevent Snape from glaring at him, in a remarkable imitation of a Basilisk.

"I will not repeat myself, Severus. I will protect you from the Ministry, but I must insist that you do as I have said. Hate me if you wish, eventually you will see it was for the better."

Severus slumped again on the chair in front of his desk, defeated and wary.

"Now that we have reached an agreement on that front, I would like for you to go to Madame Pomfrey; when you'll fell better, we will discuss your duties as Professor and all of what it entails, including, but not limited to, your potion research and your expected wage" With a twinkle in his eyes Dumbledore observed the man's reaction.

Severus' mood seemed to have improved slightly with his last sentence, and he exited the office without quite succeeding in slamming the door.

Albus only chuckled and went to dinner in the great hall. He knew all the ways in which Severus could communicate his displeasure and his exit only spoke of a mild discomfort .

He hoped the elves had made treacle tart.