"My dear, you are more right than you know. I must see to Severus. Would you permit Phineas Nigel to guide you to one of the portraits in my office so that we may speak further?" he replied sadly.

"I'd like that, sir. A change of scenery would be most welcomed. A person can only look at pickled dragon eyes for so long with out going barmy." Eileen smiled briefly.

The headmaster strolled to the door and paused, turning back to the portrait.

"Oh and you need not worry about Severus he is in good hands."

"Thank you, sir, for understanding he is not himself at present"

Severus fled to his bedchamber, his heart racing…he had done magic! He slipped and fell over the corner of his coverlet, crab walking to the far corner at the murmured voices coming from the other room. His parents were fighting again over him. How could he lose control of his magic like that! He had studied so hard to learn to shut off his emotions so these situations did not happen. Would his father beat Mother again? He didn't think he could stomach seeing her bloodied on the kitchen floor once more. He was such a coward. He should be able to stop him…but the one time he tried at 12 his father had cut a switch and flayed his back bloody.

The creak of his bedchamber door caused him to curl even further into his corner hoping he would not be noticed. As the footsteps increase he felt physically ill. His mind was swirling with all sorts of horrifying things he wondered if he was locked in a nightmare. He didn't dare look up for it would only anger father further. He tried not to cry as the footsteps paused just in front of him. But a whimper escaped his lips before he bit his lip to keep from crying out again. It would only make his beating that much worse if his Father thought he was a sissy. He had not cried in front of his father since he was nine. So he held his breathe and waited for the blows to begin.

"I'm sor-ry Fath-er, so sorry" the boy whispered.

"Severus, your father is not here" the headmaster replied calmly and quietly. Had he been he would have shown that man the evil side of magic. He could only imagine what growing up around that muggle must have been like. How confusing for a child to be loved one minute and hated the next for having magic. "He will never hurt you again, child. You have my word on it."

Albus reached down and touched the youths' shoulder. Wetness coated his hand before the boy jerked away. "Your soaked and trembling, Severus" A wave of his wand dried his clothes and cast a warming spell.

"Your safe, child, your at Hogwarts…there is nothing to fear. Your in your quarters in the dungeons of Hogwarts. You won't be punished for doing accidental magic here." With the litany of soothing words he noticed the boy relax slightly as he realized where he was.

"Look at me, Severus." But the young man refused to lift his head.

"Your mother, Eileen, is quite worried about you. She doesn't understand why you are so upset. I do not understand either. Perhaps you can shed some light on all this… Albus trailed off.

A pale tear streaked, frightened face peered up. "You did not tell her? His eyes searching his mentors face.

"Tell her, what? He asked in an even tone.

"That her son is a Dea-th eater." he mumbled into his sleeves.

"Ah, so she doesn't know you took the Mark? The older wizard shifted to sit on the bed nearest the crouched teen. "No, I will not tell her…but you shall."

Shocked obsidian eyes shot up at the older man's words. "NO! I-I can't-"

"She must know or suspect by now. How long do you think you can deceive her?

"I-I don't know." he sounded so defeated that Albus reached out and stroked the lads' hair back from his face. "I don't." The tears that had threatened earlier slowly made their way down his cheeks. "She will be-e so dis-apoint-ed in me! If she ever new what I have had to do…she'll hate me!" With that he buried his face in the crook of his arms and sobbed. "I c-ant lo-ose he-r too!"

"There, there surely she will not like it. But she loves you of that I am certain." The headmaster patted the younger wizards' back. "She will forgive you, Severus."

"H-How w-would you know…he whispered.

"Oh, Severus, children make mistakes and it is a parents' duty to help them see the error of their ways and forgive them. Have you never done something wrong as a child? He asked raising one eyebrow.

The younger wizards breath hitched as he nodded.

"You ha-ve?" a tearfully hoarse voice asked.

"Yes, my boy, I have." his blue eyes looking as sincere as ever.