Shaking Albus turned to Snape, "I am sorry…" He started to apologize but the anger flared in Severus too swiftly to be mollified, "DO NOT APLOGISE TO ME!" He yelled, "YOU OWE THIS BOY AN APOLOGY…YOU OWE THIS BOY MUCH MORE THAN AN APOLOGY AND BY MERLIN I WILL SEE THAT HE GETS IT!"

Albus nodded, leaning back in his chair he swallowed, "I will see that he gets an apology Severus…Poppy, please can you check on Harry and make sure he's okay." Dumbledore turned to the frozen med-witch hovering beside Dumbledore.

Poppy glanced at Severus, assessing whether or not he would allow her to touch Harry. Relenting Snape gave a slight nod and leaned back in his chair trying hard not to look at the rest of the injuries. Swallowing Severus spoke softly, "I am sorry Dumbledore…I just…was reminded…to greatly…"

Albus shook his head, "No, I am afraid that your blame is well placed…I should have checked on Harry after…" Pausing he looked at Severus, "I assume you want to continue to be his guardian." Poppy hesitated in her care, glancing at Severus before quickly continuing waiting with one ear for the answer. Severus looked down at Harry, memories overwhelming him as he thought about his own childhood. Excusing herself Poppy quickly left the two to talk.

"If you don't…If you back out of this then Fudge has a legitimate chance at taking Harry from us." Albus explained, looking at Severus. "We would lose him. I have connections but it would be impossible to get him."

Severus looked up at Albus "Whose fault is that!" He sniped feeling his anger fight to get free. "I can't do this! I can't go back there!"

Albus leaned forward, his blue eyes saddened as he watched Severus struggle with himself, "Understand that I would not ask you to go back there….Under normal circumstances."

Severus pushed his chair back, stalking the room resisting the urge to destroy the room, "I will not do this! I will not do this!" He yelled. Severus had survived long ago by locking down every fear and memory associated with his childhood and locking them away in his mind. He never thought of that door, never went near it. The idea of getting close to it for Potter's sake….. "NO. I won't do it!"

Harry opened his eyes slightly to the sound of Albus and Severus fighting; he wished they would go somewhere else as his head began to ache. Closing his eyes he listened to Albus plead, "You must help him….He is our only hope."

"NO…I will not help him….I can't do it Albus. You ask too much!" Severus hissed.

"Then the world is at an end…." Albus continued.

"That is NOT MY PROBLEM….GIVE HIM TO FUDGE IF YOU THINK THAT HE CAN DO BETTER BUT I WILL NOT DO THIS!" Severus yelled, "Do not saddle me with this guilt."

Harry could feel Albus touch the bed as he stood, "Not even for you worst enemy would you send him to Fudge. I know you…Why are you being so hesitant Severus! Why will you not do this?"

"I will not be forced to do something so loathsome that I cannot stomach it!" Severus yelled.

Harry fought down the hurt as he turned away from the battle unnoticed and pretended to sleep. Albus shook his head, "Severus we have no choice….The time has come. He is in need of you!"

His anger snapping at the leash Severus held so dear, he never knew how he crossed the room or how his hand found purchase around Albus neck as he squeezed. "I will not do this thing you ask!" He growled, feeling a sick thrill as he clenched his hand tighter.

Albus refused to move, breathing in small gasps as he watched his potion master's eyes become clouded with anger. They both knew he could break the connection at any time, but Albus held still waiting to see what would happen next. He could see the internal battle inside Severus and waited to see which side was stronger. The hands shook as they clenched harder, "I will not go back there!" He whispered.

"Then we will all die….And Voldemort wins." Albus said softly, watching Severus's eyes flicker. "Good will be brought to its knees and we will all be bowing before Voldemort before long." Severus took a shaky breath as his fingers relaxed and finally let go of Albus's neck.

"I wish that on no one." Severus said softly.

"Then you know you must take Harry….You are the only one who can keep him." Albus explained, "I am sorry to have to do this to you Severus."

Severus stalked towards the exit, his hands began to shake at the thought of opening that door and helping Potter, his known enemy, with things he refused to think about himself. "So am I headmaster." He whispered turning to look once more at the boy before retreating to his sanctuary.

Albus sat down next to Harry trying to keep his hands from shaking. He knew that Severus was capable of great things both terrible and beautiful. He knew that he pushed the man too far asking him to open his closet and reveal a part of himself to Harry that he refused. Sighing, Albus wished he could see in this one moment he could see into the future. Absently Albus brushed back a strand of Harry's black hair from his face, "Let this be okay." He prayed softly before standing and heading back to his office.