Summary: The war for the wizarding world has ended, but one wizard has been cast into the shadows, still broken and in pain. He who was considered last in everything must now be put first, not only for his sake, but also for the sake of those who still care. May contain spoilers. AU as of HBP.

Disclaimer: All wizards, Muggles, magical creatures, magical places, and everything else out of the Harry Potter series was created and is owned by J.K. Rowling. I claim no ownership to any of the series' content, and I am making no profit in the writing of this fan fiction.

Hey guys, I'm back!

I can't believe that this is my fifteenth story (my fifth that is multi-chaptered)…it's crazy. Three years ago, I never thought that I would get this far. It's all thanks to you wonderful readers! I never would have gotten here if it wasn't for your reviews and encouragement. Thank you so much!

Just as an update (because it pains me to say that I haven't updated anything for over a year now), I have not given up on Before the Order. I have one more chapter to go, and I really do not want to disappoint everyone that has waited patiently for me to get a move on. I want the ending to be what it should be, so please be patient with me. Also, in addition to having worked on this story, I've been working on a story involving Severus and Lily. That's all I'll say for now, but I do hope that you will check it out once I post it.

Anyway, if I'm quite honest, I've always wanted to do a story like this. There was a bit of this kind of element introduced in A Blissful Sleep, The Easter Holiday, If You Need Me, Mental Cruciatus, and The Side Effect, but I don't feel as if any of those stories really centered on Severus' healing at the level I wanted. I really want to focus on just Severus for this one and let Albus and Minerva's romance step down for a while…but only for a bit…

I hope you all enjoy!

saiyanwizardgurl

Chapter 1: Another Chance

"How is Severus?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

"I haven't seen Severus in weeks."

"Then you should go down to see him."

The war was over. The boy Tom Riddle that had transformed himself into the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort no longer plagued the magical world. Society had returned to normal. Or, at least, as normal as it could after such massive devastation. Wizards and witches everywhere were trying to mend their broken homes, their broken families, their broken lives. Hogwarts and its residents were no exception. Much of the fighting at the end of the war between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters had taken place at the school, and the upper half of the student body was now considerably smaller because so many of them had chosen to take a stand for the Light. Countless others had been wounded and sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, among them the wizard currently up for discussion.

Prior to his release from the hospital, Severus Snape had resigned as Potions Master of Hogwarts. Since the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position had finally been lifted, the headmaster had offered him the post as an alternative, and the younger wizard had turned the job down flat. Albus Dumbledore had never been so surprised in all of his long life. It was no secret that Snape had always wanted the position; the fact that the man had applied every year since he began teaching proved it. But the headmaster had sensed from the wizard an exhaustion that was more than just physical. He dismissed the pang of sadness that had pricked at his heart; maybe Snape was just tired of teaching.

In addition to offering him another job, Dumbledore had also inquired as to where the younger wizard would then go now that he was giving up instructing.

"Where will you go, then? Spinner's End?"

"No. I do not think that I could ever return to that house. There are too many things that I would be reminded of. Things I never want to have to remember. Things I never want to think about again. I would like to remain at Hogwarts, but I would be too much of an imposition."

"Nonsense, Severus. There will always be a place for you at Hogwarts."

"My quarters will be needed for whoever is to replace me. Besides, I've hurt too many people there for them to want to be in such close contact with me."

A solution to this problem had come up almost instantly. Two days later, Hagrid had come up to the headmaster's office and informed Dumbledore that he wanted to spend a few years in France with Madame Maxime while she recovered from her injuries. The headmaster explained the situation regarding Snape, and the gamekeeper was more than willing to let the former Potions Master use his now empty cabin. Dumbledore told the younger wizard at once, and Snape accepted the offer gratefully. Since he had moved in, however, no one had ever seen him. The only thing that left the house was the occasional wisps of smoke from the chimney. Snape had shut himself away from the rest of wizarding society, and he showed no sign of letting up.

"I do not think I should."

"But why not, Albus?"

"After he checked out of St. Mungo's, Severus was bombarded with another group of reporters. They threw question after question at him, and they would not cease until I stopped them. When they quieted, he only said one thing. 'I just want to be left alone.' And then he walked out. I was quite surprised when none of the reporters followed him. I did not catch up to him until I had Apparated outside the grounds. He was going into Hagrid's, or rather his, cabin. I tried to talk to him, but all he said was 'I'm sorry, but I just need to be alone for awhile.' He looked so defeated, so tired, so weak. I do not know why, but I just could not bring myself to stop him, to further invade his privacy. You know that Severus is a very private person, and I think the end of the war just pushed him over the edge."

"But surely he did not want you to stay away forever?"

"I just don't know, Minerva."

"Albus," said the Transfigurations teacher softly. The headmaster turned around. "Of all the witches and wizards I know, Severus trusts no one more than he trusts you. If anyone can help him now, it is you. He may be secretive, but I think that he gets lonely too often. I know that he was always happy when he was with you."

"Will you come with me?"

"I think not. At least not for this first time. I know that Severus and I shared trust, but what he needs now is someone to be there for him. I think he would prefer if he saw you – just you – first. If he wants me to visit with you in the future, I will, of course, go with you. Because I want to see him also."

"I don't know – "

"Just go down to him, Albus. Knowing Severus, the worst thing he could do is slam the door in your face."

"That's very comforting, Minerva."

"Isn't it just? But also, knowing Severus, I think he will let you in. He will want to know how you are doing."

"I suppose you are right, my dear."

The Transfigurations teacher smiled. "Of course I am right. And if you leave now, you'll be just in time for afternoon tea."

………………………………

Dumbledore found himself walking down the school's lawn much earlier than he expected. The grounds felt so empty during the summer. There were no students to trample on the green grass, no infectious shouts of laughter to brighten the atmosphere. I suppose that Severus is grateful, at least. The headmaster smiled as he approached the familiar structure that was now Snape's cabin. Well, Minerva, thought Dumbledore, let's just hope that you are right.

The headmaster knocked on the front door and waited for a response. When none came, he lifted his hand to knock again. "I'll give you fair warning. If you are a reporter from the Daily Prophet, go away."

Dumbledore let his arm drop. "And if I am not?"

Silence. And then a sudden flurry of footsteps. The door swung open, and in the frame stood a thin wizard clad in what looked like pajama bottoms and a dressing gown. "Headmaster?"

"Good afternoon, Severus," said Dumbledore. "It has been a while."

More silence. "I know. I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize. I understand that you have been under a lot of strain as of late."

Snape hesitated before saying, "Would you care to join me for a cup of tea?"

The headmaster smiled. "I would love to."

The younger wizard stepped aside to let Dumbledore pass. In almost an instant, the headmaster was seated and had a steaming cup in his hands. "I'm sorry that – "

"Severus," said the older wizard, putting up a hand, "I said that you have no need to apologize. Now sit down and tell me how you've been."

He sat across from him. "I've been fine, I suppose."

"You suppose?"

"Some days are better than others. I've managed to evade a majority of the reporters, I've gotten some rest, and I've done quite a bit of reading."

"Ah, yes, all of those things are very good. But I trust that I am correct in thinking that you have been quite alone for the past five weeks?"

"I haven't had any visitors. The Prophet reporters don't count."

"None at all?"

"You are the first."

"Because you wanted to see me or because you felt obligated to?"

Snape paused. "Because I wanted to see you. I was wondering if you were angry with my."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because I resigned," he said, his gaze shifting to the table. "And I turned down you offer." The headmaster noticed that the younger wizard drew his arms protectively around his torso.

"Severus," said Dumbledore softly. Snape looked up. "I will never get mad at you for making a decision like that. There will always be a place for you on the Hogwarts teaching staff should you choose to rejoin."

The younger wizard smiled slightly. "Thank you, sir."

"There's no need for such formalities. I am already aware of my extraordinary age. The students already succeed at reminding me of how old I am, so I would prefer if you addressed me by my given first name."

"You're not old, Albus," said Snape softly. "You have youthfulness that wizards less than a third of your age could only dream of having."

"You are too kind to this old man."

"And you are too kind to this Death Eater – "

"Might I remind you that said former Death Eater has redeemed himself in the eyes of the public?"

"The Ministry, you mean. The public still hates me."

"Does their opinion hold such a high place in your conscience?"

"Usually."

"Do not worry about what people think. It is not worth your consideration."

"What do you think?"

"About what?"

"Me. What do you think of me?"

The headmaster smiled sadly. "I think that you have done more than your share to help bring peace back to our world. I think that you have suffered much for people you do not know or particularly care about. I think that I am at fault for much of your pain, and I am sorry that you had to do some of the things I asked you to do. And I don't think that I have ever properly thanked you for sacrificing yourself, so thank you, Severus. Thank you for everything. Thank you for giving us another chance to save our world. And thank you for giving our students hope for a future."

The younger wizard smiled softly. "You are quite welcome, Albus. And thank you. It means a lot to me to hear you say that. Those words would not have any meaning for me if someone else were to speak them. Well…"

"Well what?"

"There are a few others who could say those words to me and truly mean them."

"Like who?"

"Hagrid, I suppose. And as much as I detest the idea, Lupin is quite sincere. Flitwick, too. And maybe Sprout. And Minerva. She is the closest person to me after you. She has some understanding of…what went on throughout the war.

"Speaking of Minerva, she wants to see you, too. Minerva misses you, and she has requested to accompany me when I visit you if you do not mind."

The other man allowed the smallest of smiles to play across his face. "I would like that very much," said the younger wizard softly.

Their conversation was cut short by a knock at the door. "Excuse me, Mr. Snape," said a rather loud, booming voice. The former Potions Master winced. "My name is Sylvester Martinus, and I'm here to interview you for the Daily Prophet." The headmaster raised his eyebrow and glanced at the other wizard. Snape put a hand to his temple and closed his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. He sighed and made to stand, but Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder so that he would remain seated. The older wizard rose and opened the door so that Snape would be blocked from the reporter's view.

The headmaster thought that he had gone blind when a sudden burst of white was all he could see. It took him a few moments to realize that his temporary loss of vision was due to the flash of a camera. "Oh, Headmaster Dumbledore!" exclaimed the Daily Prophet reporter. "So sorry! Is Mr. Snape in? I am supposed to interview him."

"He is," said the older wizard as he tried to clear the spots from his sight, "but he is unavailable at the present time. Severus is still recovering from his injuries, and he is resting right now."

"Oh, I see. Do you know when he will be available?"

"I'm not sure. If you want to schedule a time with him, you should submit a written request, I think."

"All right," said the reporter dejectedly. "I hope he gets better soon; the Prophet has wanted an interview with him for weeks."

"Yes, well, I'm sure you will get your chance soon enough," said Dumbledore. "Good day."

The headmaster watched the other wizard begin to trek down to the edge of the grounds before shutting the cabin door. He remained standing with his hand on the wood until Snape broke the silence. "Thank you, Albus," he said softly. "I do not think I could have handled that at the moment."

"I know," said Dumbledore, retaking his seat at the table. He sipped his tea. "Do they come often?"

"About four times a week."

"I see. Now Severus, I of course have no doubts in you abilities as a wizard, but I think you need protection from all of these reporters." He took another sip of tea, his eyes twinkling. "I for one believe that Poppy would be most displeased if you were not recovering in peace. She would probably insist that you be brought under her care."

"Oh Merlin!" said the other wizard, tilting his head back against the top of his chair. "I do not think that I could handle that either."

"Then I think Minerva and I will be visiting often in order to ensure that you are left alone."

Snape closed his eyes, smiling slightly. "I think I might be able to handle that."

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story! Please review! I really appreciate it!

And just as a side note for all those who have been wondering where the heck I've been, I blame my absence on dance, college, work, family time, eating, sleeping, and all of the other facets of my life. This is the first day in quite a while (maybe since I last posted, even) where I have nothing that I really need to do, nowhere that I really need to go, and no one that I really need to meet. I hope I will be able to plug myself back into my writing a bit more so that I can complete what I have already started and start some new things :).