"Fawkes, my dear one, is there anything you can do for this? " The man rolled up the sleeve, revealing the scarred flesh caked with blood . Conjuring a cool damp cloth, he sponged the area clean. He looked to his familiar again, "Can you help our boy?" his eyes beseeching the flame colored bird to aid him.

The phoenix leaned forward, not even hesitating, and trilled a sad tune. Before long a single precious healing tear fell. Albus sighed in relief as the wound noticeably improved. But would it be enough? Tears of another kind threatened to spill as he starred, transfixed at the mark of his own failings. How had the child ever thought this would lead to success? This is your fault, his mind repeated.

"I am sorry, so very sorry, my child. If I could take this for you…" tears of remorse fell against the baby soft head against his cheek. This is just like…her.

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Albus Dumbledore sat in quiet reflection sipping his customary night time cup of tea as he examined the slumbering boy. He was lying on his stomach with one arm having fallen off the side of the bed. Albus reached forward to retuck his boy in pausing to pat his silky black mop. Thank Merlin for Dreamless Sleep potions! He looked so peaceful; as if the last forty-eight hours had not occurred. But they had. He had the eerie feeling that he was witnessing the calm before the storm to borrow a Muggle phrase.

It was a time of great rejoicing for the wizarding world and a moment of incredible personal sorrow for him. Voldemort was dead!

The last few weeks before the Potter's had been killed were especially trying. The Potters had been put under the Fideus Charm and betrayed! Ultimately, Lily and James had died and their orphaned son, Harry, was credited with destroying Voldemort. While their loss grieved him deeply, the fact that they had been outed by their best friend, a Gryffindor, Sirius Black was unimaginable.

Since Albus had stepped in and imposed boundaries for the youngest potioneer of his time they had become-closer. He had begun to see a different side of the acerbic Potion Master. One he was sure not many were privileged to experience. His attitude had greatly improved since Easter with only minor reprimands the past two months. One such instance was during an Order meeting when his attitude got him into hot water. Seeing that stern looks and warning glances were not working with the lad Albus called for tea. Whilst he discreetly escorted his boy to his personal chambers. After a lengthy discussion involving several stinging swats with a ruler his wards' desire to hex Sirius Black into a Pomeranian was squelched.

He was still mistrustful at times, but even those instances were lessening. They had even enjoyed several games of Wizard's chess, many ending in a draw. These brief moments of companionship he sensed were dear to both of them. Although he was certain Severus would never admit to enjoying time spent with him. Since the night he did not respond to his summons, Severus had willingly surrendered to his ministrations rather than an extended stay with Madame Pomfrey. A sign of at least a fledgling trust.

His boy was finally free of that abominable monster that tormented and tortured him. Albus had taken to cringing every time Severus was summoned. The worst was his first summons after his "no show." Severus had been spending several hours per night in Albus's chambers so he would be able to alert the headmaster immediately of his summons. That time came two weeks before the Potter's were murdered.

"Now remember child what we discussed and the false memory you must show him first." Albus instructed as he held his boy, by the shoulders, at arms length his eyes silently trying to reassure his charge that all would be well. Had Severus used Legitimacy on him he would have seen the truth; he the Greatest Wizard of His Time was terrified for the boy before him. "Promise me, at the first sign of danger you will use your emergency Port key." he implored the youth before him. "You have it with you?"

"It is here," he pulled out the small silver and gold phoenix necklace, reversing the disillusionment charm on it momentarily causing it to twinkle in the firelight.

"Good boy. And the activation is…" Albus pressed on, patting his shoulder.

"My Safe Haven." the young wizard rolled his eyes at the words that would bring him to the safety of Albus' bed chambers. "Really, sir contrary to what you believe I am not heading to my first day of primary school! I have fooled the Dark Lord numerous times, you know." he retorted sardonically.

The elder wizard gave him a warning glare that spoke of time contemplating his tone and attitude in a corner if he didn't correct it. If his hands move to his hips he would without a doubt be taking a smarting backside to said corner. "Your word, young man!" Albus demanded his grip tightening.

Severus looked the older man full in the face while fingering the charm. "I promise." He would never admit it but he secretly craved the attention he had begun to receive lately. It had been too long since someone actually cared for him, much less expressed it openly. With that the younger wizard, squared his shoulders, and stalked to the floo.

"Severus"

"Yes, sir" he looked back to the older man in confusion.

"Be safe, my boy."

And he was gone…

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The floo flared to life a few moments later unexpectedly. Poppy came through with her arms full of potion vials. Seeing the headmaster's deeply creased forehead she asked," He has been summoned then?"

"Yes"

"I did not know what he may need…I brought a little of every thing…some Skelegrow, Dreamless sleep, pain potions-" the med witch began setting the items one by one down beside "Severus' bed." with a little smile.

"Please, Poppy I can not bear to think of him needing any of those now." the white wizard had begun pacing before the window overlooking the Forbidden Forest. It was there that Severus would reappear if he was able to apparate safely home. It was times like these that he dearly wished he could be in two places at once. Alas, no wizard, not even Merlin could accomplish that.

"Come Albus, join me for some tea. It is your favorite, Lemon Zinger." the matron motioned for him to have a seat. When the headmaster continued pacing she added, "worrying will not help our boy in the least, nor will wearing yourself out."

The older man stole one more glance out the window, willing the form of his ward to appear. "You right, Poppy, its just…" he collapsed in the nearest chair taking the offered cup and saucer. Poppy had neglected to inform him she had added a rather potent calming draught to it.

"It is a terrible feeling helplessness is. I experience it all to often when I suspect a child is being mistreated but I have no concrete proof. How I long to step in for them and take there pain, but I can not." Tears gathered in her eyes as she sat with a far off look on her face.

She watched him finish the cup in two gulps. She had wanted to caution him to go slowly but then he would know…

"I met him once, Voldemort, before he attended here." Albus blurted abruptly. "He was a child, little more than eight, in a Muggle orphanage then."

"I knew he had been there for some time. I had found him because of an enormous burst of what appeared to be accidental magic at the orphanage." he continued solemnly.

"I went to see him… I -I left him there…knowing what kind of life he had. There was no kindness or love there. Not even nine and the light was gone from the boy's eyes. I-I used Legitimacy on him. What I saw truly frightened me. He hurt people, other children for sport. It was not just pranks or bullying either. I could have brought him here, but… His eyes where like a sharks, cold black orbs of death. He was a Parseltongue, too, and I…I feared him. I did not even have that power." He confessed. "I did not know it then, but I had met the Darkest Wizard of all time. I wanted to cast the killing curse on him…it was like he could draw forth my darkness to the surface. A side of me I fought to keep hidden since I was very young"

"Oh, Albus…"Poppy raised a hand to her mouth. A look of horror etched on her face.

"I some times wonder if I had not thought of the needs of the many, I might have rescued the few or the one." the headmaster covered his face as his finger tips massaged his temples. "Perhaps had I acquiesced to the needs of the one I might have saved many."

Regaining her composure she questioned," Or perhaps had you put him in a burlap sack and drowned him like an unwanted kitten things might be different. Is that what you think? Could you have lived with yourself had you knowingly murdered a child , Albus?"

"I -"Albus struggled to form a response, but he could not he knew the answer would shock her.

Before he could answer Twinkle interrupted with a soft pop.

"Twinkle is watching for young master and is bringing him straight away, as yous asked Great Master." the elf bowed before Dumbeldore as he levitated a stretcher body to the bed. The boy was deathly still. Albus paled as the boy was lowered on to the deep green coverlet.

"Severus!" Both exclaimed simultaneously.

TBC… Next up: What happens at the Death Eater meeting and other secrets are revealed…

Thanks for all the super reviews. They really keep me motivated. I will be going on vacation next week so ….maybe there will be an update before I leave on Wed.? Hey, JanAQ, I love, LOVE, your site. If this was a SEV/HARRY story how many chocolate frogs would you give me?

Also a reviewer said their opinions shouldn't matter, but they do to me. They give me ideas!