My Beloved Child Chapter 2
The younger man turned his eyes on Albus with such a profound sadness that the headmasters' throat constricted at the pain he witnessed in those fathomless eyes.
"Please, don't-"
"Don't what? Don't care, Severus?"
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
When the younger wizard dropped his head on to his raised knees the elder wizard had his answer. The older wizard thought back to the first time he knew he cared for the boy.
Flashback
He had been waiting in his office for Severus to return from a Death Eater meeting several months before the Potters went into hiding. Not an uncommon occurrence lately, the trips had become more frequent, two some times three in a week. Severus would come make his report and leave. The pattern was always the same. Never in the past had the elder wizard even asked after the boy. Despite knowing that Voldemort often cast Unforgivables on his followers to "discipline" them. Nor did the boy ever reveal that he was anything but fine.
"The Dark Lord is growing exceedingly impatient with the inability of his follows to find out more about this prophecy, Headmaster." the potion master stated evenly, his voice never giving away the pain he was surely suffering.
His spy went on to describe the latest attack so stoically that had Albus not have spent numerous hours training him in the art of olcummency he would have thought the young man to be heartless. But he knew, now, that the boy often hide behind an expressionless mask to keep others away.
It was not until the younger wizard had taken his leave and turned to retrieve his cloak that had slipped from the back of chair that he suspected he was hiding something. Seeing the slight limp and the shiny-was that a wet spot on the back of his robes?-caused him to inquire after him.
"Severus, are you well? The elder wizard had rounded his desk as the boy insisted he was fine. The boy didn't complain, he NEVER complained about himself. Oh sure he had made many snide remarks about the students and staff, almost daily in fact, but that was all. That should have been his first clue that things were not as they appeared. Abused children never tried to draw attention to themselves.
"If I may be excused, I have potions to brew, sir." his voice still giving away nothing.
"But you are injured are you not?" the headmaster searching the pale face before him.
"I-It is nothing, sir" the potion master stammered averted his eyes at the cursory glance the headmaster was giving him. A look that was never directed at him or any other Slytherin.
Without warning the headmaster reached a hand to lightly touch the soiled area of the younger mans robe only to have Severus recoil as if he had been scalded. A strained gasp leaving his lips.
Recovering his façade he quickly added. "It is nothing I haven't dealt with before, sir, now if I have your leave I… his voice trailed off as he watched the headmaster stare at his blood covered hand knowing he had been found out.
How many times had this teenaged child hidden his pain and suffering from him? Why? Did he not believe me when I said I would help him? Guilt struck him will the force of a gale storm. The child would rather retreat to his dungeon rooms like an unwanted dog and lick his wounds than seek his aid. This could not be born! How many other children's blood did he carry on his hands.
"What do you care? I am not one of your Gryffindor pets!" Severus screamed venomously.
"This, thrusting his hand before the boy," is not nothing!" Albus exclaimed in disbelief at the boy blasé attitude. The elder wizard had not intended to project the rage he felt at himself towards the teen. It was Albus who recoiled next as the boy raised his hands to defend himself and cowered in fear waiting for a blow that would never come.
"No, my child, I am not the father who abused you or the monster you served." Albus reached up to gentle bring Severus' hands into his own. The younger wizard struggled against the hold. He crouched a bit to bring himself to eye level with the younger wizard. But Severus refused to meet his gaze "I am far worse."
That got the boys' attention. The headmaster continued his sapphire eyes seeking out black." I was entrusted with your care for seven years and in all that time I have never given you cause to believe I would treat you fairly. For that Severus I am truly, truly sorry. You should have had me to guide you all along. You have no reason to trust me I have treated you with little more than disgust. Your actions caused harm to shadow a dearly loved student of mine. I have not been able to see past that nor the color of your Hogwarts uniform. Albus dropped the trembling hand of the teen before him to retrieve his wand. " I give you MY wizards' oath to care for and protect you to the best of my ability, if you will have me."
Severus just stared at the Greatest Wizard of His Age like he had gone nutters! He was light headed and having trouble seeing straight. He hurt so that this surreal speech from the headmaster must be a hallucination. His ebony eyes shifted from the extended wand to the blue concerned filled eyes before him twice before he was engulfed in darkness.
The wizen man reached forward just in time to receive the unconscious boy, quickly scooping him into his arms. He was so much lighter than he had expected. As he searched the face cradled against his chest he realized how peaceful and impossibly young he seemed without his trademark sneer in place.
Albus leaned down and whispered to the youth in his embrace. "This I promise you. You will never be adrift again. I will shelter you and ensure your faith in me."
Author's Note: This is my first fic. So be kind. I am also the worlds slowest typer so do not expect daily or weekly updates. I have been a lurker since I was stuck in the a hospital room with a critically ill child. I credit reading all the fantastic authors in the Harry Potter realm with keeping my sanity the past year plus. I live for reviews!
To be continued…