Disclaimer # 1 - These characters aren't mine.

Disclaimer # 2 - Squick fest. non con. mpreg.

Madam Poppy Pomfrey believed that she had seen it all. In all her many years of dedicated service at Hogwarts, she had witnessed feast, famine, fire, dragons, hexes, curses, love potions that had gone right or completely awry, fights of magical, physical and a combination of both varieties, a werewolf and on more than one occasion, she had even rolled up her sleeves and delivered a baby or two. But she had never found herself standing outside the Headmaster's office, unable to get in during the midst of a Magical Crisis.

An extremely loud Hogwarts shaking explosion had taken place in Albus' office, and she couldn't gain entrance, as the office was locked up tight. Even the House Elves couldn't get into the office.

"Where's Lupin," she fiercely growled. Normally the most even tempered of souls, the very idea that Albus Dumbledore was injured, possibly dead in his office, no doubt in part due to his overdeveloped sense of whimsy, and that the mediwitch was unable to assist, browbeat or bury him as required had her quite vexed. It would do her no good to badger a corpse, after all, but that didn't mean that Poppy's eulogy would fail to be suitably caustic.

"I'm here, I'm here," Lupin called from the corridor. The DADA Instructor was racing down the hallway at a pace close to a sprint. "What happened?"

"The office is in Lock Down," Poppy explained. "Something's happened in there that's activated the defense wards, and I can't get in."

"Oh, and that's where I come in," Lupin calmly remarked. "It will open for me, and you will have wait outside until I tell you that you can enter, Poppy."

The look on Poppy's face plainly said that she would do no such thing, and the normally easygoing Remus growled.

"Poppy, the last thing Hogwarts need is for our Mediwitch to be injured, especially when Albus may be in need of your help. Agree, Poppy, or I'll have Filius bespell you. Speaking of him, where is he? I might be in need of his assistance."

Rolanda Hooch then arrived at the scene of the crime and she shook her head. It took her a moment to catch her breath.

"Filius is in there," Rolanda gasped, after her low grumble about her need of getting off her broom to exercise more often. "He had a meeting with Minerva and Albus. As far as I know, all three of them were in there, when whatever the hell happened, happened."

"Very well, Rolanda, you're to keep Poppy out of the office until I give the all clear. You have my permission to use physical force if necessary." After seeing Poppy's eyes bulge, Lupin had added that last bit for good measure. "Now, if you don't mind. I have to open Albus' office."

Times like this required a Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor to be cool, calm and collected. He needed to instill faith in his colleagues that he was the perfect candidate to handle the current situation. Well, actually he was the only candidate, as the Head Master, the Deputy Head Mistress and the Senior House Head were all on the wrong side of the Office Door.

Yes, outwardly he was the Perfect Picture of Calm Composure, but inwardly, he was running around in circles, and screaming off his bloody fool head. Whatever had happened in Albus' office had not only apparently incapacitated Albus, but Filius Flitwick AND Minerva McGonagall. Three of the strongest mages he knew had been adversely affected, and he was expected to pick up the pieces?

"Very well, Rolanda. If anything happens to me, please contact Kingsley Shacklebolt," Remus stated calmly.

Yes, Rolanda Hooch was settling down, and he gave her a bright smile.

Then he continued to smile as he began to take down the wards that protected Albus' office. That way if he died, he'd have a smile on his face.

That Remus fellow, always so happy. He even died with a smile on his face after he got bit by a Nargle and developed septicemia.

The time for such whimsical thoughts quickly passed, as he needed to concentrate completely on the wards. They were such complex charms that one false step could cause one level to collapse on top of another, which would then fall onto the next layer.

"No, Poppy, I can't do this any faster," he hissed, as he could feel her eyes shooting daggers into his back. "Well, actually Icould."

"I knew it," Poppy loudly snapped.

"But then I'd run the risk of bloody blowing up the entire school and most of Scotland."

"We don't want that," Pomona Sprout insisted. She had also decided to make an appearance in the hallway, and Remus scowled when he saw Horace Slughorn and the rest of the instructors were now standing in the corridor.

"Who is watching the school?" Remus questioned. He managed not to voice his annoyance, but all the faculty members, including FILCH, were standing in the corridor. All he needed was a House Elf to bring a spot of tea, and comfy chairs for the Greek Chorus.

"We dismissed classes and had the students return to their Common Rooms. Horace had the bright idea to call it a 'drill'," Pomona explained. Her voice was puzzled as though she was surprised that a Slytherin had come up with such a practical idea.

Horace, naturally, heard Pomona's derision, and blithely ignored it. Now, he didn't forget or forgive the comment, but he'd remember it the next time Pomona needed a complex Herbology potion.

"Any idea what happened?" The Potions Master questioned.

"If I could stop answering inquiries, and actually get into the office, I finally might be able to answer that pressing question," snapped Remus.

"Very well, lad, carry on," Horace stated. With a quick snap of his wand, the Potions Master created a comfy chair and sat down. "I'm not stopping you."

He would not scream, he would not scream, Remus vowed. Though he was beginning to believe that the secret reason Albus Dumbledore had a silly little smile on his face whenever Remus saw him was because Albus was a drinker.

Filius Flitwick regained consciousness, and for a long, painful moment, he wished he hadn't. His head hurt… no… it was long past such descriptions such as hurt, and in fact, it was closer to blinding pain. Filius shut his eyes, and he called out, "Is everyone alright?"

Least he thought he did, but he didn't hear his voice. After clearing his throat, Filius called out louder. His lips moved, he could feel his breath on his hands, but no sound.

Not good, he thought.

Carefully, he opened his eyes once more. This time he was prepared for the sharp pain caused by the bright light and Filius shielded his eyes with his forearm.

"ALBUS?" Filius bellowed.

He couldn't hear his own voice, but he knew that he had put a great deal of effort into it.

I'm deaf. Hopefully, it's temporary. But I need to shield my eyes. Damn it, where are my glasses?

Not having a lot of options, and knowing that spellcasting while he was injured was a sure way to end up in the Infirmary, not that he didn't belong there right away, Filius removed his cravat from his neck and used it as a blindfold. With a little bit of magic that couldn't be helped, he managed to make it sheer enough to see shapes through, but dark enough to protect his eyes from the bright light.

Fanfuckingtastic., he couldn't see, couldn't think because of the excruciating pain in his head and he couldn't hear. What the bloody hell had happened?

Minerva.

Albus.

They must be hurt. Else they'd be futzing around wondering why he wasn't up and about.

Yes, he fuzzily remembered they had been Locating Severus when everything had gone straight to Hell. Albus had been acting rather odd, even for Albus, dabbling in Blood Magic. In fact, they had located Severus…

SEVERUS

Oh Bloody, Bloody Hell. They had found Severus, gotten a port key to the lad, and…

That's when everything went to hell.

Remus had finally brought down the last ward, and he gingerly opened the door. He ignored someone's (Horace) nasty comment about people hiding behind conservative methods when boldness was required especially since time was quite possibly of the essence. For a moment, he wanted nothing more than to throw the Potion Master in front of him as bait, so he'd be the one attacked by blood thirsty, savage Cambions intent on shagging a powerful wizard in order to procreate.

Lupin also promised himself if that he survived this adventure, he'd stop listening to Luna Lovegood's barmy babblings.

"DON'T COME IN!" A bloody, bruised, blindfolded Filius Flitwick screamed. "IT'S A BLOOD RITUAL. DO NOT STEP IN THE BLOOD. YOU NEED TO RESANCTIFY AND PURIFY THE ROOM FROM WHERE YOU ARE."

"Why are you screaming?" Remus questioned. His sharp hearing was picking up the sound of someone… someones whimpering in fear and pain. "Filius has been hurt, Poppy. I don't know about the others. You still can't come into the room until I tell you! ROLANDA! Keep her out of the room!"

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU! CAN YOU HEAR ME? NOD YOUR HEAD IF YOU CAN HEAR ME."

Remus nodded his head, and Filius cursed.

"ALBUS, MINERVA AND POSSIBLY SEVERUS ARE IN THE ROOM." Filius continued to bellow, as he had no idea at the volume at which he was broadcasting. 'THEY WERE IN THE APEX WHEN THE SPELL COLLAPSED."

"Severus?" gasped the Greek Chorus who stood behind Lupin.

"Oh my giddy aunt! They've found the boy!" Pomona cheerily announced before she hugged a startled Horace Slughorn.

There was a loud sound from the room, a wounded animal's cry of pain, but amplified. It had to be an animal, Remus thought, as no human should be reduced to making such a sound.

"Enough! I need to get INTO the room." Remus snapped. "Everyone into the corridor, NOW."

Poppy gave him a fierce look so he quickly amended his fierce statement with a, "Except for Poppy."

Severus Tobias Snape was off his broom, completely and utterly off his broom.

That was the only explanation, as there could be no other justification for the fact that a blindfolded Filius Flitwick was screaming, "CAN YOU HEAR ME?" at the top of the Charm Instructor's little itty bitty lungs in the middle of Albus' office at Hogwarts.

Giggling insanely during bouts of weeping hysterically, he had assured Filius that he could hear him just fine but still the instructor continued bellowing.

"DON'T COME IN! IT'S A BLOOD RITUAL. DO NOT STEP IN THE BLOOD. YOU NEED TO RESANCTIFY AND PURIFY THE ROOM FROM WHERE YOU ARE."

"Why are you screaming?" Remus questioned.

REMUS? REMUS LUPIN?

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU! CAN YOU HEAR ME? NOD YOUR HEAD IF YOU CAN HEAR ME."

Flitwick launched into a set of curses that would shame a hag, and Severus laughed even harder. The saintly, much respected Filius Flitwick would never utter such salty language.

Originally, Sev had been quite alarmed at the very idea that perhaps he had been rescued, and Remus Lupin would find him in such a beraggled state, looking like a soap-dodger and smelling more than a bit niffy. But far worse for Severus would to be face to face with the real Albus while he was covered in fresh polyjuiced Albus' spunk, all sprogged up, complete with a belly and sore man boobs.

"ALBUS, MINERVA AND POSSIBLY SEVERUS ARE IN THE ROOM." Filius continued to bellow. 'THEY WERE IN THE APEX WHEN THE SPELL COLLAPSED."

No. No. Please, Merlin, the Dark Lord had decided to increase his torment. Albus hadn't actually…. Rescued… him?

Cautiously, he turned his head. On his left side, a bloodied, no… not… lifeless…, she couldn't be dead, she just couldn't be. NOT MINERVA. Not the compassionate, empathetic woman who had gently warned him against his hopeless, childish fascination with Albus.

No, she couldn't be dead.

She had to be knocked out due to the collapsing spell; he refused to consider that the human dynamo known as Minerva McGonagall was deceased. Not now, not when he needed her empathy more than ever.

In all those years as fellow House Heads forced to present The Sex Talk to a bunch of know it all brats, how many times had they needed to sit together as they held The Serious Talk with a pregnant witch? How many times had he made The Potion and left it by a student's bedside? How often had the student decided to keep the child?

Severus had never understood why a seventeen year old girl would want to be saddle with a mewling brat until one of his Slytherins, a thin girl with haunted eyes who had reminded him too much of himself, had given him the answer. Clarisse had such potential, and yet, she had given up everything for a frantic shag with a Hufflepuff who hadn't wanted to acknowledge the fact that he had gotten a Slytherin wench up the duff.

Merlin knew he had tried to give the girl some much needed advice, warning her that it was a dog's dinner to have a child out of wedlock, but Clarisse had insisted. So as her House Head, he had supported her decision. When her Hufflepuff paramour transferred out of Hogwarts for 'private instruction', and her parents had disowned her for keeping her spawn, he had been the one to sit with her during her long hours of labor.

When at long last his screaming goddaughter had been delivered, Clairisse had softly crooned to it. Only through his heightened hearing honed by far too many years of teaching was he able to hear what she was saying.

"My parents never loved me. Jamie assured me that he loved me, but he just wanted to get into my knickers. But I know you love your mommy, my beautiful little girl. For the first time in my life, someone will love me. ME.Unconditionally."

McGonagall was in the fetal position, both of her hands still maintaining a painful death grip on his left arm in spite of Minerva being unconscious … his left arm… that ended… half way between his shoulder and his elbow…

Terrified, fearful that he was about to spew as the full realization of the current situation was overwhelming him, Severus turned his head to the right.

Please, Merlin, don't let it be…

ALBUS.

Albus' lenses were cracked and his spectacles' frame was bent cockeyed as they had landed near the wizard's limp hand. Albus' unrestrained long hair was wild and snarled in knots, there was bright, red blood oozing from his mouth and his newly rebroken nose. The Headmaster wasn't stirring.

He wasn't moving at all.

But his blue eyes were open and staring at Severus in a manner that Severus could only describe as absolute loathing.

The scream that Severus had been biting back finally erupted from his lips. He was still shrieking when Remus entered the room.

Three hours later. Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom.

Once again, Remus Lupin was calmly explaining to Kingsley Shacklebolt everything that he knew regarding the current situation involving what had occurred in Dumbledore's office.

"For the last time, Kingsley, I don't have a bloody clue what the hell happened. Filius is the only one of the four that's able to talk at the moment. But he won't be able to answer your questions unless you write them down," Remus explained to Kingsley for the one billionth time.

"And Severus?" Shacklebolt questioned in his deep voice.

"Poppy says that it's doubtful that she can reattach his arm, as both locations where the amputation took place are quite septic," Remus explained for the forty seventh time.

"They should be in St. Mungo's Hospital," Kingsley authoritatively decided for what was now the twenty-seventh time.

"You've got three School Instructors involved in an accident caused by a Blood Magic ritual. Do you really…"

"Believe that Albus would want that in the Daily Prophet?" Shacklebolt answered. "Yes, I know that I'm repeating myself. I'm just concerned."

The Auror looked around at the classroom, and scowled when he saw the painting depicting the Cruciatius Curse. He then turned a most fearsome glare upon the purple haired Nymphadora Tonks who was not bothered taking part in the conversation that had begun repeating itself some hours previously.

His voice was stern when he thundered, "Auror Tonks, I've just found out that you're skiving off the afternoon to spend some time here with your boyfriend!"

Tonks stood up quickly, and accidentally knocked a book unto the floor. She blushed, and quickly magicked back to place.

"You are, Tonks? You didn't tell me that," Remus teasingly protested. "Unless you've got another boyfriend hanging around here?"

"It's all the protection I can give you, as I will tell the Aurors Office that Tonks is here for that reason." Shacklebolt quickly explained to stop the lovers quarrel that was about to erupt. "I'll contact the rest of the Order regarding recent events. Please keep me posted."

Shacklebolt quickly left the room, and then Remus Lupin gazed happily at Tonks. The witch gave him a wicked smile, and then whispered something in his ear. The werewolf listened for a bit, and then he laughed.

"Yes, I was exceedingly foolish to enter Albus' office first and I didn't realize how worried I made you both. Is Sirius in my quarters?" Remus questioned.

"Yes, and he's angry," Tonks admitted. "So let's go have the fight, and then make up. Repeatedly."

Minerva McGonagall ignored Poppy's urgent request to sit down. She would sit down when and only if she decided to sit down, and well, if she decided to sit down then and there, it wasn't because Poppy was ordering her to do so!

"How are the boys?" Minerva questioned as she collapsed into a chair.

"Fillius' hearing should return with the next day or so. I've given him assorted potions about ten minutes ago and tucked him into bed in one of isolation chambers. He was asleep before I left the room. I'll be checking on him all through the night."

"Albus?" Minerva questioned.

"Weaker than I like to see in a man of his age. He's still rather dazed and extremely concerned about Severus. He was getting quite wound up, demanding information about Severus and I finally put him to sleep. I expect him to have a long lie in tomorrow as he'll be sleeping off the potion I gave him."

Minerva nodded her head, and then asked about Severus, "And?"

"It's a bloody good thing that Filius was conscious and gave me the alert on what to expect. Else I would have been completely gobsmacked when I examined him. He's in a bad way, Min. Not just because of that, but his arm. He's refusing to let me reattach it."

"What?" Minerva protested. She quickly stood up in order to find Severus and talk some sense into the boy, and Poppy not so gently grabbed her by the arm to prevent Minerva from collapsing.

"You're being rather dense, Min, there's no way you can run around like nothing happened today," Poppy snapped, as she helped Minerva sit back down. "But Severus doesn't want me to reattach the arm. He's insisting on it, claiming that it's the only way he'll ever be free of the Dark Mark. Also, the wound wasn't cleaned properly and it was deliberately left to fester. Minerva, if I did manage to reattach his arm, Severus would in all probability lose the use of his elbow, his hand and his fingers, besides being in near constant pain. Whoever took the arm off had no skill, a butcher would have done it cleaner."

"That poor boy," Minerva whispering, remembering how agile Severus' hands were. Whether as a Potions Master, Defense Against the Dark Arts Instructor or even as a lover, Severus always taken such pride in his nimble hands. "Poppy? You didn't leave him alone, did you?"

"Rolanda's sitting with him now," Poppy admitted. "I didn't tell her what exactly happened, just that the boy has been Cruciated repeatedly."

"ROLANDA?" That bit of information gave her enough energy for her to stand on her feet. "I'll sit with him, Poppy."

"Rolanda can be quite soothing when she wants to be. I've warned her to be on her best behavior."

"Rolanda!" The very idea of Rolanda Hooch with Severus empowered her enough to actually storm through the infirmary to locate the boy. She found him in an isolation room, a thin figure hidden under far too many blankets.

"Min!" Rolanda whispered. The witch quickly hugged Minerva and then motioned for her to take the chair. "He's been so worried about you, even after Poppy assured him that the three of you were fine. I'm so glad you're here."

"Go, I'll stay with him." She made a shooing motion with her hands, and Rolanda gave her a doubtful look.

"Poppy?" Rolanda questioned.

"She can sit with him for a bit," Poppy decided. "Maybe thirty minutes?"

It didn't matter to her, as she walked over to the side of the bed where Severus was resting. He was lying on his right side, staring at the wall, and she sat next to him on the mattress. Her heart broke, as the boy looked as though he had been ridden hard and hung up wet.

"Sev," she whispered. "I'm here, dear. May I hold your hand?"

"No," Severus' utterance was a soft, hoarse ruin of his former glorious voice. "I'm sorry…. If there was anyone that I could bear … to touch me… it would be you."

"We're going now; call us, Min, if you two need anything. I'll be back in thirty minutes with some more potions for Severus," Poppy reminded her. "Min, there's a green vial on the chest of drawers. Sev, you can drink it as it's the one we discussed earlier. You know what ingredients are in it, and that it won't cause an adverse reaction. Min, he'll be very talkative after he's taken the dose, so please wait until we both leave. "

After a few minutes of silence, Severus softly questioned, "Are they gone?"

"Yes, they are," Minerva assured him.

He sighed in relief, and Minerva tried to blink back her tears. Severus struggled for a moment, determined to do so under his own power, before he was in a sitting position. The exertion left him winded, and Severus closed his eyes. After a few minutes, Severus opened his eyes, and nodded his head toward the potion.

"Here," she offered, as she put the vial to his lips.

He swallowed it in one gulp, his face twisting in obvious displeasure. "That was foul. Need to rest for a little bit."

After a brief time, Severus appeared somewhat stronger, and he moved to a more comfortable position. His left arm was hidden beneath the blanket, and his right hand compulsively clenched at the blanket.

"Minerva, I consider you a friend." Severus admitted that slowly, as thought that confession was difficult for him to voice.

"And I consider you a friend also," she quickly assured him. "Now don't say anything, Severus, you need to rest."

"No… I have to say this; it's the reason why Poppy gave me the draught. I need to talk to you, and do so quickly while the potion is making me talkative. Minerva, I've often thought that you were my only friend. You warned me about him," he whispered.. "Would that I have been strong enough to follow your advice regarding my unhealthy obsession. I endeavored to do so, you know. I really did."

"I know you did, dear. Severus, what you felt for him wasn't unhealthy; it's just that he'd never reciprocate your feelings," Minerva gently explained. "There's no shame in loving him, Severus. I just didn't want you to squander your precious youth hoping for more from him. Albus is… damaged…"

She paused, wondering why she was defending Albus to Severus.

"But he's like the sea, you know," Severus softly explained. "And I'm so weak right now. He'll engulf and overpower me so easily. I'll drown… in the blue waters of the sea… unless Minerva… you help me?"

"Yes," she promised. "I'll help you."

"He'll want to talk to me. I am so weak right now, that he'll be able to convince me of the necessity of following his wishes in a particular matter. Minerva, what do you know of…" Severus paused, and then bit his lip before he continued. "Paters Gignere Ingeniter?"

"Severus, I know," she whispered.

As she feared, the shattered Severus reacted badly to her bluntness.

"He told you?" Severus fearfully questioned.

"Yes, Albus informed me of what happened, and some of what they did to you." Truth demanded that she add, "He was quite upset over what happened."

Severus looked away from her, and he began softly muttering to himself. "Albus must have made his plans already. He must have. He's had time to prepare, and I'm so ill equipped for our looming clash."

He then turned back to Minerva, and he began whispering to her.

"Minerva, I beg of you, don't let him take it from me. Legally, he has no right to it, no justification to insist on termination, and most importantly no obligations to it as he didn't sire it. Biologically, the child may be his, but it is not a child of his intent. I've asked Poppy to confirm the conception date. Once that's been confirmed, Albus will not be able to legally request that I terminate it."

"Lad? You want it?" She tried to keep her concern from her voice. Times like this, Minerva needed to project an aura of calm acceptance.

Snape seemed deeply troubled, as though he was thinking one thought, and voicing another. Merlin's Beard, was Severus under aCompulsion?

"I've had the misfortune of loving people, who did not return my affection. My parents, Lily, Albus…. For the first time in my life, there is someone who will unconditionally return my love. I know this is so, because I loved my parents, though they did not love me."

"Severus, how can I help you in this?" Left unsaid was that she thought the boy was in no physical or emotional condition to have this child on his own. Like it or not, Severus Snape had just landed himself a nursemaid that would make Poppy the harridan look easygoing.

"He'll desire to speak to me in private, to keep this shame quiet. You will insist on being there during these conversations. If I weaken in my conviction, you will need to create a distraction." Severus pleaded.

"Yes, I would have insisted on attending any conversations you have with Albus, even without you asking," she easily agreed.

"The potion's wearing off," Severus slurred. "One last question and I fear it is the most important. Would you consider being Godmother to the child?"

"Severus…" Minerva whispered, stunned by his request.

"I do not expect an immediate answer, Minerva, as you will need to carefully weigh your decision. If anything happens to me, I would have you to raise the child. You have always been fair to my Slytherins. Would you be able to care for my misbegotten child?"

"I'll love it as if it were of my own blood and body, Severus." That promise was easy to make, for she had once dearly wanted children of her own.

"Will you swear to protect her from Albus? No doubt, she'll fall under his spell, much I did, and he will break her heart." Severus' voice was plaintive, and his dark eyes were full of fear.

"Yes, I'll keep her safe," she promised. "When you're stronger, I'll swear an Unbreakable Vow."

For his answer, Severus squeezed her hand. It was quick, frightened gesture, and she hid her tears once more.

"Let me tuck you in, Severus. You and the wee Bairn need you to rest," she reminded him.

"Bairn? It's a sprogling," he retorted, a faint flash of his acerbic manner returning.

Flashes of memory that made no sense to her came to the forefront of her mind and Minerva wondered where she had heard the term sprogling before. So much of what happened in Albus' office was still a blur to her, perhaps Albus had called the child a sprogling?

"I'm a Scottish Godmother, Severus, I will call it a bairn," Minerva insisted.

The next day, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore had a most unique experience in a lifetime full of exceptional experiences, when he was most assuredly outranked and outmaneuvered by Madame Pompfrey. While Dumbledore was in charge of the school, the mediwitch held dominion in the Infirmary, and sometimes she had no qualms about putting Albus in his place.

"You can not speak to Severus at this time, Head Master."

Albus had to give the mediwitch proper credit, she was at least making an effort to be polite.

"I am quite concerned about his condition, Poppy," the Head Master patiently explained.

"And I'm not,?" The retort came to Poppy's lips quickly, her tone dripping acid.

"I never said that," Dumbledore reminded her. "You know that Severus has me listed as the person empowered to make all his medical decisions if he's incapacitated or he's deemed unable to make rational decision regarding his healthcare."

Poppy's eyes narrowed, as she detected the faintest whiff of a looming ethical dilemma.

"For my own comfort, I'd like to see how the boy is doing," Albus explained. "Considering what has been inflicted to him, and how it was done, surely you can understand why I wish to see him."

"And you most surely can understand why my patient may not wish to see you," Poppy calmly stated.

Dumbledore conceded the point, and then he softly requested, "Can you not ask him if he'll let me visit? I'll abide by his wishes, but I am sincerely concerned about Severus."

Poppy nodded her head once and agreed. "I hate you when you get sincere, Albus. It's impossible to turn you down, but you can see him only if Severus agrees,"

The mediwitch hustled out of her office, and Albus summoned a House Elf. It was Dobby, and he was wearing a tea cozy among assorted oddities, and he greeted the Head Master warmly.

"Ah, Dobby, I am wondering if you could do a favor for a barmy old codger," Albus questioned.

"Dobby doesn't wish to call you that, Sir," Dobby insisted, his big eyes full of disapproval. "Dobby likes Albus very much, Sir."

"I deserve to be called far worse, Dobby. But now, I need you to arrange for two platters of Ecckle Cakes be sent to the Slytherin Common Room. Make sure that you note on the platters that it's compliments of me. If you can, I'll also need a small plate of them. Bring that here, please."

"Dobby is delighted to serve!" The House Elf cheerily assured him and then Dobby carefully asked. "But Dobby wish to confirm, Sir. Eccle Cakes is only for the Slytherins?"

"Yes," Albus agreed. "Just ensure the House Elves have their share, though. Hopefully Severus won't be bothered by that traditional courtesy."

Dobby quickly popped out, and before long, he had returned with a large plate of Ecckle Cakes. It was gaily adorned with an Emerald Green and Silver ribbon, and Albus thanked the House Elf. The Head Master sat in Poppy's office, thinking dark thoughts and wondering how he'd be able to salvage the current state of affairs, when Poppy returned.

"He's agreed to see you," Poppy informed Albus.

"Thank you," Albus interrupted. He picked up the plate of Ecckle Cakes, and showed them to Poppy. "I'll endeavor to ensure that he doesn't eat too many of these."

"Hold it, Albus. The boy's well and truly gutted over what happened. I've given him an assortment of potions in order for you to have a chat with the boy. You're to make this quick, or else, Head Master or no Head Master, you will deal with me."

Albus nodded his head in agreement, and then Poppy dropped a real bombshell.

"He's also insisting that Minerva sit in on the conversation."

Severus was clutching her hand so tightly that Minerva knew that she'd have a bruise. The boy didn't want to face Albus, but he had agreed to do so only to get the much feared conversation out of the way.

Minerva and Poppy had managed to get the boy into clean clothes, and had him sitting in his bed. He was off color, and Snape had spewed earlier, necessitating the change in clothes. His dark eyes were glassy, and he was compulsively swallowing.

"It's alright, love. I'm here," she assured him. "He won't hurt you, not while I'm here."

That promise earned a nod of his head, and the two of them sat there, until there was a knock on the door.

"Severus, Minerva, it is Albus. May I enter?"

Glancing at the boy, who nodded his head once, Minerva then assured Albus that he could enter the room.

The door gradually and quietly opened, and Albus entered Severus' sick room. Minerva noticed that the Head Master had changed his appearance. His long hair was loosely braided and pulled away from face, and he was wearing a simple, dark colored robe. When Albus walked into a room, his presence usually dominated everyone's attention. He was Albus Dumbledore, after all, but today, he appeared nothing more than an old, exhausted, man, heavily burdened with concerns and sorrows.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me, Severus," Albus softly stated. "May I sit?"

Severus nodded once, and Albus pulled a chair close to the bed. He watched Severus as he did so, and he positioned the chair carefully, as though attempting to find a suitable distance that would make Severus feel secure.

"Minerva, may I give you the Eccle cakes that I brought for Severus?" Albus gently questioned.

With her free hand, Minerva took the plate from him, and she noticed that a sharp eyed Albus had observed that Severus was holding onto her hand tightly. His eyebrow arched in concern, and then Albus glanced at Minerva, and then Severus, obviously wondering about their relationship.

"I sent two platters to the Slytherin Common Room, Severus. Like I promised you that I would," Albus calmly stated, as though he had not noticed Severus' unease. "I assured Poppy that you wouldn't have too many."

That exchange earned Albus a shallow nod from Severus.

"Severus, how are you?" Albus' voice was soft and soothing.

"Quite well, thank you for asking," Severus politely replied, as though they were exchanging pleasantries at the Head Table. "And you?"

"Quite concerned about you, truth be told. What can I do for you? How can I assist you?"

"You need not be concerned. I am quite well," Severus' hoarse voice belied his cheery assurance. "You have far more important issues that require your attention."

It was the first time in twenty odd years; Minerva saw that Albus was at a complete loss of what to say. Twenty years ago, it had been Minerva gently informing Albus that their passionate affair had come to an end. Now, like then, a staggered Albus was quite bewildered, obviously scrambling to find some words to make everything better, to ease the pain that he had caused through his failings.

There are no magic charms that will heal his wounds, Albus, just time and compassion.

"Severus, at this moment in time, I can assure you that there is no one more important," Albus assured him.

Severus' voice was monotone as he began to talk. "I hope you will permit me to stay here at Hogwarts until Poppy declares me healthy enough to leave, Head Master. Do you still have my personal affects? They were not numerous, but some were…. important … to me."

His voice grew shaky as he admitted that.

"Yes, Filius oversaw the packing. He took a great deal of care with your belongings, I assure you."

"Head Master? Would it be possible to allow me the brief use of a House Elf?" Severus' voice was calm, but his hand squeezed even tighter onto Minerva's, and she had to bite back a gasp of pain.

Merlin's bloody pants! Severus had nearly broke her hand just then!

"You don't need to ask, Severus. All staff members may make use of the House Elves."

"I must, as I will require their help in transporting my belongings back to Spinners End. House Elves are not allowed to leave Hogwarts without permission of the Head Master, therefore I require your consent."

"You're leaving?" Albus was surprised, and he glanced at Minerva for confirmation that he heard correctly.

Severus hadn't mentioned that tidbit to her, and she shrugged her shoulders, signifying that it was news to her.

"Yes, right now I am not much better than a squib. I can not teach Defense, nor can I teach Potions… in my current condition, and I do not foresee a change… in my status for some time. Perhaps after the child is born, I will regain use of my magic."

"You're… keeping… it?" Albus' voice was shocked, and he instinctively reached toward Severus.

There was no doubt in Minerva's mind that Albus meant it for a comforting gesture, but the boy shied away from him. The boy moved closer to Minerva for protection, and Albus let his hand drop to his side.

"Yes. Understand that I know you have no obligations to this child. Biologically, it is yours, but legally, it is a nameless bastard that can not inherit or use your name. By that, you also have no rights with regards to it." Severus' voice broke, and he began shaking.

"Severus?" Albus questioned. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," Severus stated. "I will remove myself from your sight. Albus, I must beseech you to be merciful and for you not to be prejudiced against if it attends Hogwarts. Its manner of conception nor the person who carried it to term, should not be held against it. It is an innocent, Albus. I beg you to look kindly upon it."

Albus' eyes were a blazing shade of blue, and he nodded his head.

"But, Severus, you have failed to address one very important issue. What if I'm the true father? What if Poppy discovers that the baby was in fact, created on Christmas, on the night when I took an inconsolable boy to my bed? Do you believe that I will simply step aside and let you flee to Spinners End? Do you think that I will not claim my rights? If necessary, I will go to the Wizengamot, and argue my case."

"No," Severus whispered. "Minerva… please…"

"Minerva, you do understand that it highly unlikely that Severus will actually prevail in the Wizengamot against the Chief Warlock?"

"Albus?" Minerva softly questioned. "Is this vindictiveness truly necessary?"

"That's a question that you truly need to ask Severus, Minerva," retorted Albus. "Severus?"