Disclaimer # 1 - not my characters.

Disclaimer #2 - mpreg, non con, unhappy stuff, angst fest!

A/N - thanks to Excessively Perky for her helpful comments.

Poppy cast the paternity spell, and after a long, painful wait, she quietly announced, "Christmas night at roughly 11:30pm."

He nodded his head once, and he tightly closed his eyes. It was the confirmation of what he had both feared and perversely craved.

I now possess a part of Albus that will always only be mine.

"Albus?" Poppy gently questioned.

He nodded once, unwilling to say more. Severus fully expected a very jolly Poppy to cheerily suggest letting the not so happy father immediately know, but instead she gently rubbed his back. Rubbing his back was a kindness, or so she thought, a way of silently offering him comfort, but all he wanted was to flee from her touch.

Marked by the Phoenix, soiled by the Dark Lord, I can no longer tolerate to be touched.

"You need some time alone to digest this latest news. I'll make sure you're not disturbed by anyone, especially Albus, for the next few hours. Do you want a Class One Calming Draught?"

Again, he mutely nodded his head once, and Severus quickly drank the potion she offered. Poppy had followed his suggestion on how to improve the flavor, as he could detect the faintest tang of peppermint. It helped settle his rebellious stomach, and perhaps he might be able to keep his highly anticipated feast of broth down.

How the hell could the sprogling actually grow to a proper size if he didn't stop vomiting?

"Minerva can come in," he softly informed Poppy, his voice barely more than a whisper. "No one else… especially him."

"Very well," Poppy agreed.

Calmness descended on him like a blanket, and soon he found himself trapped in a memory.

Quietly, Severus rolled toward the side of the bed, not wanting to leave Albus' bed, but knowing that he wasn't strong enough to face the normal Morning After reaction. The disdainful yet puzzled look upon his lover's face as his… no… never his… Albus strained to remember if he had actually willingly bedded the Slytherin would utterly break Severus' heart. No, it would be best for him to hurry back to his room, perhaps take the next few days off as a Holiday, and give Albus space. Yes, returning back to Hogwarts after the New Years would be a good idea. Perhaps, if Severus was lucky, Albus would be willing to pretend that it had never happened.

But Severus would remember tonight, and treasure it.

He was quite adept at leaving his lover's bed in the middle of the night. If he moved just so, and nonverbally cast a few spells, the mattress wouldn't shift beneath his weight and his lover would never wake. He was casting the first spell when he was interrupted.

"You're going so soon?" Albus gently questioned. "Don't go just yet, for the night is cold, Severus, and my bed is warm. Stay with me, Severus."

He should have left then, but Albus reached for his hand, and pulled him back into the bed. Strangely powerless to refuse Albus, Severus found himself back in Albus' bed. Albus was lying next to him and Albus' warm hand was gently caressing Seveus' face.

"It must not have been very good for you if you're sneaking out in the middle of the night. I'm so sorry, Severus."

"No, no," his tongue tripped and twisted upon itself, causing him to stutter like the lovelorn fool he was. "You were… brilliant… utterly, utterly brilliant..."

"Brilliant?" Albus quirked an odd smile. "Brilliant, and yet you were sneaking out… Oh."

Albus' voice paused, and his smile faded.

"Afraid to face my possible reaction in the morning, Severus?" Albus gently asked. "Don't worry; I'm not ashamed of what we did tonight."

There was no hiding his thoughts from Albus, and Severus began to tremble. What if Albus found out?

"Shh… You're shivering from the cold, Severus. Roll on your side, Severus."

He did so, and he felt Albus position himself behind him. They were nestled together like two spoons, and Albus entwined his fingers with Severus's cold fingers. To Severus' stunned surprise, Albus brought their hands to his lips, and Albus gently kissed each of Severus' fingers.

"There, they're warmer now," Albus teased. "The night is still young, barely 11:30. Perhaps, you shouldn't be in such a rush to leave. Who knows what might develop later on?"

"I promise that next time it will be better for you," Severus whispered, unsuccessful in hiding his deep shame.

"Severus, stop worrying so much about my enjoyment. Did I not tell you that your pleasure is paramount to me?"

They kissed then, and Severus tried to contain his happiness.

He should have known that Albus would instinctively realized how much Severus wanted tonight, and how Albus would make it perfect for him. He loved Albus but a lifetime of bad experiences made Severus too apprehensive to actually trust Albus. Oh Merlin, he should have trusted Albus.

He needed to stop letting his fear of rejection control him. Be bold, be Gryffindor for once, he savagely chastised himself.

And so when Severus believed that Albus was asleep, Severus hesitantly touched his lover's face, ran his fingers through his beard, and then whispered two words that he would never have dared to say out loud.

…love you…

For he would

…for he did

…for he had

Albus' eyes opened, merely shamming that he was sleeping and instead of their usual sky blue eyes, they were as dark blue as the ocean in winter, cold and austere.

Frightened, he fled from Albus' bed then, and Albus prevented him leaving his bedchamber.

Then Albus said those four words that caused Severus' world to shatter.

This was a mistake.

He started shaking then, quite glad no one was there to see Snivellus revert back to form. The walls of the isolation chambers were closing in on him. With the paternity of his child revealed, there was no escape; he'd be forced to deal with Albus now.

To his surprise, he felt Minerva's comforting arms embrace him. She held him tightly, uncaring that he was soiled and damaged.

"It's Albus' child, isn't it?" She whispered. "Let it out, lad. I'm here for you. I'm here for you."

When his trembling had stopped, Minerva moved so that she was sitting on the bed next to him. She had her right arm around him, and she had carefully positioned the stump of his left arm so it was resting on her shoulder. She had actually touched his ruined left arm, acting as though the stump was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I'm sinking, Minerva. There's nothing for me to grasp to stop me from drowning," Severus's voice was quite low when he admitted that. "He'll take this to the Wizengamot. What if he threatens to send me back to Azkaban unless I do exactly what he wants? I can't go back there, Minerva. I can't. I barely survived the experience."

"Albus promised that he wouldn't inflict the Wizengamot on you," Minerva reminded him. "He spoke to me, and he is willing to abide by your wishes. Albus wants nothing more than to support you during this."

"I can't trust anything he promises me, Minerva. For Albus, Gryffindor priorities will always take precedence over the desires of a Slytherin."

"Severus," Minerva whispered. "I know you truly believe that because of your experience in the Shrieking Shack. It was tough, unpleasant decision for both of us, and I willingly admit that we failed you. Yes, Sirius Black deserved to be expelled, but we couldn't expel him without letting the Board of Governors know that Remus was a werewolf. They would have executed Remus for attacking you. Remus didn't deserve to die because of Sirius Black being a complete arse. Will you ever be able to forgive me for being fallible?"

"It's water under the bridge, Minerva. But I'm Slytherin. He'll hate the child because she has Slytherin blood in her veins. Albus adores his Gryffindors, they can do no wrong. Look how he lets that Golden Trio merrily romp through the rules and regulations of this school. If they were Slytherin, they'd be expelled."

He turned away from her and then he spoke.

"Minerva, did you make your decision about being Godmother to the sprogling?" Severus' voice cracked, and his dark eyes were agitated when he finally looked upon her once more. "It's very important to me, Minerva. You'll be able to keep an eye on her, ensure that Albus hides his dislike for all Slytherins from her. She's an innocent in this, and she needs to be protected. It's not easy being a child unwanted by your father, when there is no bond but hate between your parents."

Minerva was far too empathetic, as the witch knew that he was talking from personal experience.

"Albus doesn't hate you," Minerva quietly stated. "He does cares for you."

"You're the only one strong enough to stand up to Albus. If you're Godmother, you can soften the affects of his rampant anti-Slytherin bias on the sprogling."

"Yes, I'd be honored to be Godmother," Minerva easily agreed. "I will love your wee sprogling as if she were my own."

Severus nodded his head, and he grasped Minera's hand with his right hand.

"I don't have a great deal of money, Minerva. Most of my salary goes for my mother's care, but I think I can give you enough. It will be difficult to do so, as I'm not collecting a salary, but I believe that I can sell some of my potions books. Some of them are rare first editions, and I foolishly spent too much on them." He leaned toward her in a conspiratorially fashion, and whispered, "I'll have to put some aside for my mother's care, but by far, most of the money will go to you. Don't let anyone know about the money; else they'll take a lien on it for my mother's care."

"You're giving me a stipend, Severus? You're selling your potion books? Why are you worrying about money? Albus will ensure that you're set up properly. You won't have to be concerned about money, Severus."

"It's highly unlikely that I will live to see her take her first breath. Whatever happens to me, you're to inform Poppy that my wishes are that the baby takes priority. Hopefully, I can keep the two of us alive until she's viable."

"Severus," Minerva weakly protested. "Don't talk like this."

"Don't let Albus say otherwise, Minerva. She comes first, and as her Godmother, you will keep her from harm. Now, regarding the stipend, with it, you're to buy her a present on her birthday and Christmas from me every year until the money runs out. Perhaps, you could purchase her student wand for me? If she's talented, that is. It's very important to me, Minerva that you agree to this request."

"I think you should buy your own presents for your daughter," Minerva chastised; deliberately refusing to understand the reason why she would be the one buying the gifts.

Merlin's bloody scrote, Minerva's fortitude was such a source of comfort to him. It was hard to be fearful and maudlin when she was nearby. He was, but he would be in the fetal position, sobbing, if she wasn't here to give him The Minerva Look. That Look put metal in his backbone and caused his unsettled mind to calm, allowing him to plan for the future.

"Buy her something for me, something exceptional. A child deserves a special gift for Christmas, Minerva. I never got much for Christmas, but what little I did, I prized. When you give my presents to her, you will assure her that I loved her. Tell her that I made many mistakes in my life but that she wasn't one of them. Now, Minerva, will you cast the binding? I want it done as soon as possible."

"Did you discuss this with Albus?" The witch carefully asked. Severus' nerves were strained, and she didn't want to sound accusatory. "Did he agree that I could be Godmother? Doesn't he wish to be here for the bonding?"

Severus' dark eyes rapidly blinked and he shook his head.

"Severus, listen to me. I care about you deeply," Minerva admitted that carefully. "I would never lead you astray with bad advice. But please trust me when I tell you that you need to talk to Albus about these unilateral decisions you're making. You've been deeply traumatized, Severus, and I worry that your current decisions are more panicked reactions than deliberate action."

He said not a word, and she felt him withdrawing into himself.

"I love you," Minerva whispered in his ear. "You probably don't believe me, but I do want the best for you. I know how Albus is and I can certainly understand the basis of your fear of him. Severus, if you continue to make decisions without even discussing them with Albus, he'll be damn near impossible, and he will put his foot down. Do you really want to go through the next seven or so months with him hovering over you? Let me predict what he'll do if you continue on your current course.""

Gently, she brushed his dark hair out of his eyes. Strange, how Poppy's touch frightened him, yet Minerva's gentle touch was a source of comfort.

"First of all, he'll magically ensure that your confinement will be at Hogwarts, as he will trust no one but Poppy to look after you. Spinners End? I'm surprised he didn't stroke on the spot. Yes, I understand you thought it would be best for all if Albus wouldn't have to deal with you and your burgeoning belly, but there would be no medical care there and absolutely no way of ensuring that you're safe from the You Know Who's forces! We nearly killed three mages to free you; do you think Albus would let you skip to Spinners End? Do you truly believe that Filius and I would just wave a merry goodbye as you ran away from Hogwarts? No, Albus will ensure that you won't be able to leave Hogwarts for any reason until you have the baby."

"Next thing he'll do is order the House Elves to make sure you eat, as you're looking rather thin. That means you'll have a literal army of zealous House Elves wanting to stuff you full of breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, brunch, tiffin, lunch, tea, dinner, supper, dessert and a late night snack. Have you ever dealt with a House Elf determined to make sure you eat? Can you handle seven months of eleven meals a day?"

The Slytherin turned green, and Minerva gently touched his flat stomach.

"You'll have a proper belly then. The nausea should soon pass, or so I've been told, and you should be able to put on the weight you've lost. Thirdly, he'll install you in his quarters so he can keep a personal eye on you. I'm surprised he had hasn't started casting an addition to his quarters. I believe your personal belongings have already been moved there."

"Fourthly, I predict that he'll bond you, with or without your consent, so that he'll be able to support the two of you magically during this. Do you feel any special affinity with him? I don't remember much of what happened when we Transported you to Hogwarts, but I know you were very close to death. He may have laid the foundation for the bond then, to give you enough energy to heal."

He struggled to protest, to tell Minerva that Albus' bonding him would only succeed in weakening the mage, that it was part of the Dark Lord's plan, and the Dark Lord's compulsion managed to still his tongue.

"If I talk to him, all this will happen anyway," Severus finally managed to say after considerable effort.

"Yes, but the leash won't be as tight. Explain your concerns to him, and he might surprise you. Eleven meals a day is a bit much…" Minerva dryly quipped. "Perhaps, Albus will insist on only seven, plus a late night snack."

"Perhaps Horace will be kind enough to lend me a dress robe," Severus sniped.

"Instead of Albus incarcerating you in Hogwarts for the length of your confinement, you offer to only leave the Hogwarts ground if you're escorted by me." Minerva ignored his comment, but her eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Yes, I'll definitely want to waddle around Hogsemeade and Diagon Alley." Severus snapped. "I can be the cautionary whale warning young wizards not to be tempted by the Dark Side. This could happen to you, if you decide to switch sides."

Minerva laughed then, and she nodded her head in approval.

"Yes, that's my Severus!"

The witch was utterly barmy!

"Your Severus will not willingly be the subject of ridicule. I have experienced the joys of that enough first hand, and I have no desire to waddle through Diagon Alley solely for the amusement of every mage in London. Do you want me to strip in Knockturn while I'm at it?"

"Glamours, boy. I can actually do other spells besides Transfiguations, Severus. Most importantly, Filius is working on solutions for several of your pressing issues. A permanent Glamour charm to hide your condition, as I'm sure you don't want it common knowledge around Hogwarts. Most importantly, Filius is attempting to figure out how to give you the use of a wand."

"I have no magic, Minerva. All of it is being consumed by the sprogling," Severus reminded her.

"Filius has an idea… of a magical reservoir of sorts… what is that Muggle term?" Minerva paused, and Severus remembered with a surprise that Min was a Pure Blood. She displayed none of the subconscious Blood superiority that he instinctively credited to Pure Bloods. "Ah, battery. Good for one big spell, possibly two. Mainly for defense, you understand, but surely no one would think your magic is…"

"Buggered up," he inserted.

Minerva laughed and hugged him. Her quick movement caused him to instinctively tense, and she gently extricated herself.

"I'm sorry, I should have asked before I did that," she apologized. "Severus, you truly need to talk to Albus, and do it soon."

"Will you be there?" Severus softly questioned.

"I'd like to see you try to not have me there. I have to find out if I'm the Godmother!" Minerva retorted. "Seriously, Severus, don't sell your potion books just yet. You can leave them for me, so if something happens…. I can sell them…"

"Perhaps… tonight, after dinner, the three of us could discuss…" he paused.

"I'll see if he's feeling well enough to have this discussion. He's not quite himself, yet."

Severus nodded his head, and then he closed his eyes.

"Please tell him this unhappy news, Minerva. I should tell him, but I can not bear the thought of telling him. Inform him that yes, I still want the child."

"Sleep well, Sev," Min whispered. "I'll stay until you're asleep."

Albus arrived promptly after Severus finished his broth. He was wearing a dull rust colored robe with a matching hat. Minerva noted with unease that Albus still looked rather haggard, but he appeared far spryer then he had that afternoon.

"Thank you for letting me visit, Severus." Albus looked uncertain and then he hesitantly handed a rather bulky package to Minerva before he sat down in a chair that was located several meters from Severus' bed. "I thought Severus might like this. If you don't like it, Severus, let me know, and I'll exchange it."

Minerva handed the neatly wrapped package to Severus, and Severus whispered his thanks.

"I finally felt well enough to speak to Remus. I gave him a brief overview of the situation; mainly that it was my fault that the castle rattled yesterday afternoon. I informed him that we rescued Severus, and that he has a bit of a recovery ahead of him. He's to tell different versions of that to the teaching staff and to the Order."

"You didn't mention…." Minerva paused, and arched her eyebrow.

"No," Albus firmly stated. "The decision when and where to announce the happy news to family and friends will be chosen by Severus."

Severus was tentative in opening the package, having an obvious problem untying the bow. The package slid across his lap as he tried to unfasten the bow, and Minerva silently whispered a sticking spell.

"You don't have to do that," Severus protested. He glared at both Minerva and Albus, not definitely sure which one had stopped the package's movement, but knowing that it had been at least one of them who had intervened.

"Minerva, how are you feeling?" Albus deliberately refused to argue the point with Severus, and Minerva nodded her head.

"Still tired," she answered. "And you?"

"Been sleeping most of the day away," he admitted. "Filius' hearing is returning, and he expects to be able to teach on Monday. I told him to take the day off, and that I'd cover his classes for him. He is older than I am, and he didn't bounce particularly well."

"I don't remember any of us bouncing very well," Minerva retorted. "In fact, I seem to recollect someone making a rather large purple splat as he hit the wall."

"I doubt someone of Filius' size is physically capable of making a large splat," Albus impishly retorted. "Perhaps you also need your hearing checked."

Minerva and Albus had a lighthearted chinwag, while he struggled to unwrap Albus' present. Whatever it was, it was soft and squishy, but it felt like there was something else wrapped inside it. Why the hell did Albus have to put a bloody bow on it? Just to pointedly remind him that he couldn't use both his hands to open it?

No, he was being a little too thin-skinned. There was a ribbon because Albus always put a bow on his gifts, Severus reminded himself. Albus always put too much thought into wrapping presents, insisting that the wrapping paper and the bows were perfectly color coordinated.

He tore the paper, and he hissed his annoyance. Normally, he always carefully unwrapped Albus' gifts to show his appreciation, but his nerves were really quite shot. There was something silky and green underneath the paper, and he finally gave up all pretenses at carefully opening the package. Instead, he recklessly ripped the wrapping paper.

It was a silk green dressing grown, and when he held it up to look at it, something fell to the floor with a soft thud. Minerva picked the item off the floor and handed it to him. He put the robe down, and Severus examined the book. It was a leather bound book, and his hand began shaking when he realized WHAT book it was.

A first edition of Phineas St. Clare's "Guide to Advanced Potions for the Clever Practitioner". He had only been looking for a copy of his own for only a dozen or so years. Severus had certainly never dared hope for a first edition. Merlin's beard, he only guess how dear a pristine first edition was.

The silk robe was in the Emerald Green of the Slytherin House, and intricately embroidered in silver. The sleeves been tailored specifically for his precise needs, as they were wide enough so his bandaged stump could easily slide through the arm hole. A great many small niceties on a rush job, which meant that it had cost a very pretty knut.

"I can't take this," Severus softly protested. He pushed the book and the robe toward Minerva. "It's too expensive a gift for me. I don't deserve it."

"I thought you were looking for a copy," Albus gently questioned. "You had mentioned it several years ago, and I managed to track it down. It's a Valentine's Day gift, Severus, don't worry about the price. This is the book that you wanted, correct?"

"Yes…" he slowly confessed.

"Wonderful! You'll have something to read while you're recuperating. Try on the robe; I wasn't quite sure about your size as you've lost some weight, so it was necessary to guess."

Severus glanced at Minerva, and Minerva nodded her head quickly. Try it on, she mouthed.

"Will you help me?" Severus whispered.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Would you mind not looking?" Severus quickly asked Albus. "I have to take off my old one…"

"And you would quite prefer if I don't gawk. That's quite understandable, so I'll close my eyes. Let me know when I can open them again, as if I keep them closed for too long, I might fall asleep." Albus easily agreed. "There should be socks also. Warm, black socks."

It took far too long to get him out of the old robe, and into the new one. As it was, he was quite winded by the time he was finished changing. Minerva was almost physically supporting him, as she helped him back into the bed. And yes, she even put the socks on his feet.

The robe was warm, and soft to touch. It felt almost as if Albus' arms were around him, protecting him and the sprogling. His right hand kept compulsively caressing the fabric while his mind was unable to understand why Albus had given him such a gift.

"I specifically asked that they cut the sleeves a little large. I didn't want the left sleeve to be too tight," Albus explained. His eyes were still tightly shut.

"You can open your eyes now, Albus," Minerva stated when it became obvious to her that Severus was planning on keeping Albus' eyes closed for quite a while longer.

Albus opened his eyes, and he approvingly nodded his head.

"It should be warm," Albus explained. "You feel the cold so easily that I thought you might like it."

Albus paused and then looked at Minerva. In response, the witch gave both men a bright cheery smile.

"It's a lovely color, Severus. You should wear your house colors more often," she announced.

The three of them said nothing for the longest time, and then Severus broke the silence.

"You don't have to try so hard, Albus." His voice was shaky as he protested Albus' generosity.

"Severus," Albus raised his hand in protest. "I behaved badly earlier. Will you allow me the chance to try acting properly this time?"

"You don't need to buy me, Albus." Severus whispered. "I am well aware that I'm entirely dependent on your willingness to tolerate this impossible situation. I have no job; I can not financially support myself until I'm able to work once more. I can't leave Hogwarts because the Dark Lord supporters will no doubt find me easy pickings. Give me your conditions, Albus. Put your leash on me, and I will be your loyal dog."

Albus glanced at Minerva, who shook her head.

"Severus has asked me to be Godmother to the child before Poppy determined that you were the father. Severus would still like me to be Godmother, but naturally, he thought you'd want your input."

"I'd be delighted to have you be Godmother, Minerva," Albus easily answered. "Do you have anyone in mind for the role of Godfather, Severus?"

"I'd thought it would be quite fitting to ask the Dark Lord to be Godfather," Severus retorted.

He barked a dry laugh. It was a horrible laugh, full of self hate and the stunned look of bewildered concern on Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore's face made Severus laugh even harder.

"Will you be so kind to ask him next time you two chat?" Severus questioned. "Perhaps, if you ask, Potter the Golden Boy will be kind enough to give him the message."

He starting laughing again and Minerva's lips thinned in concern.

"Maybe at the christening, we could request Filius put a Phoenix tattoo on her right arm, and the Dark Lord will put a Dark Mark on her left." He barely managed to gasp that request out between bouts of uncontrollable laughter.

It wasn't funny, but yet, he couldn't stop laughing.

"Get Poppy, Minerva. Now," Albus softly ordered. He moved closer to Severus, who shrank away from him.

"I don't believe I should leave you two alone," Minerva softly protested.

"Go, Minerva. Go now," ordered Albus.

"Yes, Minerva, be a good little Gryffindor. Do everything Albus wants. Do it without question, no matter what the personal cost. Never admit your secret longing that one day he actually might care for you. When I'm dead, Albus will notice you then. He will see you as someone that can solve his problem of having to deal with a motherless Slytherin whelp. Perhaps in time, Minerva, he will finally see you as a woman, rather than a brother-in-arms."

"ENOUGH!" Albus roared. "You will not denigrate Minerva while I am here. I will not tolerate such behavior from you."

Albus' anger frightened him, and Severus began to tremble. What had he been thinking? To disparage Minerva like that?

"Minerva? Minerva? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Severus pleaded. "Please don't be angry with me. Please… tell Albus that you forgive me."

Minerva said not a word; instead, she was resting her face in her hands, refusing to answer him.

"Minerva? Please?" Severus' voice was shaky as he beseeched the witch to forgive him. "Please, Minerva, I don't know why I said that. I'm so sorry, please, please. Don't be angry with me. You know how I am. Albus, please tell Minerva how horrible I am. Remind her that I'm a worthless piece of humanity, that I smell like the fetid sewer in which my mother spawned me. Tell her, Albus. Perhaps, she'll forgive me my innate limitations."

"I will say nothing like that, Severus," Albus softly whispered. "For that is not the truth."

"But you told me that, over and over. Every night… I tried to clean myself…attempted to make myself presentable for you, but you always told me that I smelled of the gutter. But you liked my mouth well enough, as I never spilled a drop, even when I feared that I'd choke and gag."

"Severus…that wasn't me," Dumbledore quietly protested in a very sick sounding tone.

"You liked my soft mouth though," Severus' voice was a sickening mixture of fear and a perverted sense of pride, and his dark eyes were glassy. "You kept forcing your cock between my lips, as you simply couldn't get enough of my talented tongue and my lips. You didn't have to keep ramming it in my mouth, Albus. I would have willingly done it… I had wanted so badly… for so long to taste you."

"I never did that to you." Albus' voice was almost inaudible.

"I thought… you'd taste of sherbet lemons," Severus whispered. "I thought you'd be sweet… but your taste was just as foul as everyone else I've ever swallowed."

Minerva placed her hand on Severus' forehead. Her eyes were full of tears, and she gently stroked his long hair.

"You need to rest, Severus. You're quite feverish, and Poppy will need to examine you," the witch gently informed him.

"Do you forgive your Severus?" The Slytherin pleaded. "Please?"

"There's nothing to forgive, Severus. You've been badly hurt, and you need to heal. This meeting was a horrible idea as it was too soon and you're simply not strong enough. Let me get Poppy," Minerva requested.

He reached for her with his right hand. Grasping her hand with all the strength he possessed, he refused to let her leave his beside.

"Don't leave me with him, please," Severus begged. "He's angry and he'll hurt me."

"Albus isn't angry," Minerva insisted. She turned toward Albus and motioned for him to chime in an agreement.

Albus' blue eyes were blazing, and he was furious.

"Oh, Minerva, I am infuriated right now. Not at Severus, you understand, but at Tom. Tom will pay for this, if it's the last thing I ever do."