AN:// thank you all for the wonderful reviews and following my story this far. :)
Upon entering the Headmasters quarters Sirius tightened his grip on Severus who seemed interested in doing anything but seeing the Dumbledore.
Severus only felt like throwing up. Whether it was from terror or from all the alcohol content he wasn't sure.
He watched carefully as Minerva whispered the password and opened the door.
Peering inside Severus could see the Headmaster was drowning himself in papers at his desk-as he normally did.
Snape felt the intense screaming inside his head; telling him-demanding him to get away. He tried to pull away from the mongrels grasp... without much luck.
He not only felt Sirius tighten his grip-again; but also push Snape forward towards the giant threshold.
Anxiety shed throughout his whole body. He really didn't want to face the Headmaster. Dumbledore, never really was there for him while he was in school, what would change now-what would be so damn different? He lost a spy and Snape was certain that Old Dumbles would want that old man back-for that reason, and that reason alone.
Dumbledore looked up from his paper immediately memories kicked in. "Snape?" Dumbledore dipped his head to the right. "Snape, my boy? What in Merlin's name happened to you?"
Snape couldn't find his voice. Whoever changed him, wanted him to completely suffer; Snape was absolutely positive. There was no doubt that. Re-living possibly one of the most painful experiences he ever went through...
Serving for the dark side was a whole different story... but at least he could take that with dignity rather then fixed emotions controlling his every whim.
"I found him-with this, in the hallways; a few moments ago." Sirius lifted a small sack containing Snape's small possessions. "I take it Snape wasn't interested in staying here much longer."
Dumbledore seemed to lose the twinkle in his eye for a split second and it wasn't unnoticed by Snape. "Is this true Snape? Were you planning on leaving the castle?" The three physical adults paused and waited from Snape's response.
"I-I don't know, sir." Snape's voice had finally fallen back into his fourteen year old maturity. It wasn't as deep as it used to be, just like any other teen his age.
"How can he not possibly know?! He is obviously lying!" Sirius could hardly help the urge to smack the boy across the seat of his pants… but Snape was still Snape on the inside right?
As if answering the question for Sirius, Dumbledore asked Snape to verify. "You are no longer the man you once where, correct? Now you are back to who you where years ago? You have the mind, ability and physical appearance as if you where shot back in time without ever living all those years?"
"Yes, sir." Snape knew it was true.
Everything had finally changed. He would be surprised if he still knew any of the spells for serous dark magic. When he tried, he couldn't think of anything but what was already taught in school before he turned fourteen. All of his memories where starting to fade and only the deepest impressions did in fact stay... however they were more like nightmares a child would never forget.
"So what now Headmaster? Where will he go?" Minerva questioned studying the child still in Sirius hold.
"Why not back to his father? It would be like a grandfather, but at least by now-" Sirius felt the body underneath his hands tighten and the word father. Something was off and he couldn't help but pause wondering what in the world had gone through the teens head.
"I know what you are thinking, Sirius... but his father is gone." the Headmaster paused also watching Snape's body fall, slumping into itself. "All his blood-line family... is gone."
"What now? Who will take him in then? You never answered her question." Sirius was beginning to panic. There was obviously an orphanage that would take him, but the dark lord would find him there... and this time Snape wouldn't come back to the light.
He would never be the same.
"Now we find a guardian, mark papers, and... who did this you, my boy?" Dumbledore already thought he knew a few suspects falling into place... but maybe Snape knew someone who possible did do it.
"I d-don't know." Snape still kept his eyes on the ground not really bothering to look up or try to take off.
Now, he was stuck.
"Very well. However; not just anyone may take Severus in. They must be from the order... or somehow bound to Severus. He is not to go outside of these boundaries, or the dark shall surly find him once again."
"I'll call upon the Order." Minerva said and took this as her leave.
Sirius still stood in the same stop. "Headmaster? May I have a word with you?" The Headmasters blue eyes twinkled chaotically. "Alone."
"Of course, of course, Severus? Would you mind if you stay here for a moment?" Sirius had already opened the door and was waiting for Dumbledore. Severus nodded his head releasing Dumbledore to Sirius.
Once outside the closed door Sirius set off a spell that would only allow them to be heard by each other and no one else. "Headmaster, I am part of the Order now." Sirius began carefully watching the headmaster closely. "And you know for a fact that only I or Remus can, or will take Snape in."
Dumbledore looked like he was about to protest. "No, just think about it for a moment. Honestly, you and Minerva cannot take him in, you have other duties, along with most of the order. Everyone else will not be willing to take him in. He once served for the dark... They have not forgotten. I know that Remus would be a very good guardian, in heart-but he is a wear-wolf."
"I understand all this already Sirius, but what do you purpose I do?" The Headmaster was very good at playing games. He already knew what Sirius wanted, but was he ready?
"I think that you should allow him to come into my guardianship. I know what you're thinking. We were enemies, we have our differences and so did Harry." Sirius took a moment. He knew what he was doing and what he wanted.
"That was a long time ago, however; I can take him into my care; as I did Harry..."
Dumbledore was still waiting; he still needed something more before he let Severus go. Taking in a deep breath Sirius stood strong.
"I am ready."