Severus might hate a lot of things including Hallowe'en but detention was on a whole new level. Detention was boring and pointless for both the student and the teacher. The futility of detentions was why Severus had either enlisted troublemakers to help him brew potions (if they were half-decent at Potions, of course) or sent them to do dirty work for Filch. In fact, sending people to serve detentions with Filch was probably how Severus got into the Caretaker's good books in the first place.

Currently he sat opposite Professor Bulstrode in her dingy little office, appreciating the ugliness of his surroundings but, to Severus' immense relief, there came a knock on the door after a mere fifteen minutes.

"Come in," Bulstrode called in her horrid nasally voice.

Professor Dumbledore walked in, startling both professor and student.

"Oh," she said, before she could help herself.

Dumbledore spared her no attention.

"I'd like to borrow Mr Snape, if that's alright with you, Professor Bulstrode."

"Well, he is currently serving detention_"

"It's rather an urgent matter; I'd prefer not to waste time while Mr Snape, or even the both of you, could be doing something productive with this time."

Severus stood, sensing that victory was on the horizon. Bulstrode gobbled unattractively but had no port of call she could look to for a strong defence. 

"As an aside, Professor Bulstrode, I think you'll find that it is against the school rules to hold detentions during dinner. All students, whether they are in detention or not, reserve the right to eat."

Severus smirked a little and left, leaving a speechless Bulstrode behind.

Once outside, Dumbledore turned to Severus.

"I think a visit to the kitchens is in order."

"Sir, I'm not hungry," Severus stated.

"Well I am, so I suppose you'll just have to join me."

Dumbledore's tone brooked no room for an argument, and Severus couldn't tell whether the headmaster was in a good mood or not. Regardless, he followed the professor down to the kitchens and waited impatiently as the house elves fussed over their master. In the end, Dumbledore ended up with an entire hamper of food.

"Surely people will wonder where you are," Severus commented irately.

"I have the reasonable excuse of needing to look for one of my students," Dumbledore replied calmly.

"That isn't a headmaster's job," Severus said blithely.

Dumbledore stopped and turned to look at him but Severus stared coolly back. Severus of all people knew what a headmaster's job entailed.

"I could stop and argue with you, Severus, as you seem to want me to do, or we could actually have a perfectly civilised conversation. I want to find out how you're doing, not have a petty dispute."

Severus stared at the floor and the old man sighed.

"Just come with me, Severus. If I don't have the energy to argue with you tonight, I can only imagine how you're feeling."

Severus remained in silence but nonetheless followed Dumbledore up the winding stairs to the Astronomy Tower. He stopped, however, at the top of the stairs.

"Severus?" Dumbledore inquired, beckoning.

Severus remained where he was, frozen.

"Twenty years ago today I tried to commit suicide here," he said emotionlessly. "I drank poison and I jumped off the parapet."

Dumbledore's calm exterior, sufficiently ruffled, morphed into compassion and concern.

"Twenty years ago I was not standing where I am now. Unlike then, I am here to make sure that you won't fall."

Severus edged a tiny bit further forwards, his eyes still locked on the darkening sky.

"I haven't told you everything," he spoke hesitantly.

If Dumbledore was surprised, he betrayed no sign of it.

"Your Occlumency serves you well," he murmured.

Severus didn't allow Dumbledore to put him off. He walked forwards, closer to the parapet and the headmaster watched him carefully, cautiously.

"Even as a child, I was clever. My books were my friends and they served me well. I came to Hogwarts and was the best in my year. But I was also well-versed in all kinds of spells; my spells were the fortress I hid behind."

If Dumbledore knew where he was heading, he didn't let on.

"I was a rather large blip on the radar of two very powerful, important people. I was a weapon that could be used by both sides even if I wasn't willing. Manipulated for years, I joined the Order of the Phoenix. I saw horrors that no sixteen year-old should ever see, I saw death and suffering. Then I was offered compassion, something I could relate to. Lord Voldemort told me about how he'd suffered at the hands of Muggles. I told him about my filthy Muggle father and the years of torture I'd endured at his hands."

Severus saw Dumbledore flinch but continued regardless.

"On both sides I learnt. That's all I ever wanted - to learn. Voldemort taught me things the light side could only ever dream of. Under his command I learnt things his most loyal followers were promised but were never taught. The Order of the Phoenix taught me that the light side was horribly, hideously outnumbered."

Severus took a deep breath.

"I bore the Dark Mark long before I left Hogwarts and I was the youngest Death Eater in Voldemort's ranks. I took the mark to protect Lily if a time came when Voldemort ruled supreme over the wizarding world. I told Voldemort about the prophecy which resulted in her death, after pleading for her to be saved. He rejected this plea so I came to you instead - tired, frightened and so terribly alone. I asked you to keep all three of them safe but only one survived.

"But you had me under your thumb. I became Potions Master for sixteen gruelling years, then DADA professor, then Headmaster. I killed you at your own request, which I did because you believed I had nothing left to lose. By doing so, I lost the few friends I had ever made. I was the faithful servant of two masters, both of whom wanted me dead. Voldemort killed me when I was only thirty-bloody-eight. Am I justified in being a tiny bit annoyed?"

Severus stared at Dumbledore with very wide, feverish eyes. He now stood by the railings and Dumbledore stood a few metres away, wary.

"Severus," said his mentor, "I can learn from those mistakes. By giving me your memories, we can both ensure that these atrocities never happen again."

"Why couldn't you stop them the first time?"

Severus didn't often shout and this was reflected in the shock on Dumbledore's face.

"I can't answer for the man you knew before. I can only answer for the person I am now - a person who wants be your friend and help you."

Dumbledore gazed in concern at Severus' anguished, slightly tearful face.

"Severus, I can help you and I promise that I will. You no longer need to be afraid of falling."

Dumbledore thought he saw a glimmer of hope in the dark, unfathomable eyes.

"For I will never, ever let you fall."

*****

A.N. I know this rarely happens but I really, really enjoyed writing this chapter. I love the dynamic between Severus and Dumbledore when they're friends who can trust each other and there are some brilliant fanfics out there which detail this. Even the books showcase a strong bond between the two. If you want the name of some good fanfics, just DM me or comment here.

I know I ran out of people to dedicate chapters to but I'd really like to dedicate this chapter to @Cassie20052 who most of you should know from here. She's been my best follower from day one and always comments the best things. As I consider this chapter to be one of my better ones, I'd like to dedicate this to her as a show of my wholehearted appreciation of her loyalty. If you ever need a wonderful person to follow or to read the stories of, follow her - there really is no better person on here. :)

Thank you so, so much for reading and please do comment! I couldn't possibly have hoped for a better, nicer fan base. You're all wonderful. <3