Knowledge is Power

Chapter 62

Severus had to run to catch up with Albus.
"Are you alright?"
The headmaster shook his head, still practically running.
"What's the matter?"
"I have been mentally assaulted," Albus said.
"I'm going to my office for a drink. Come if you like."

"Grindelwald did something," Severus asked angrily.
"Yes...But likely nothing like whatever you're thinking," Albus said.
"Just...I want to forget about it"
Severus frowned. That made no sense.
"But if he did something to you, should we not deal with it?"
"I see no point," Albus said.
"Will you just tell me what he did," Severus demanded, openly frustrated.
They'd reached Albus's office and he flung the door open with a sigh.
"No. I've been through enough this week and I will not suffer the indignity of talking about it."
Albus stalked over to his desk. Slumping into his chair he rummaged in a drawer until he came up with a bottle.

"But," Severus protested.
//Oh for fuck's sake,// Nightshade exploded.
//I looked into his mind. You know the Skeeter thing has him all upset, so I guess this just made it worse or something. Grindelfuck sent him a nasty mental image of he and Zabini shagging one another's brains out.//
The owl gave a mental snicker.

//Classless...But that's all,// Severus asked and the owl bobbed his head in a nod.
Severus glanced over at Albus who was swigging directly from his bottle.
"Want some," he asked and Severus shook his head, smiling in amusement in spite of himself.
"Do you know I've had this bottle for thirty years? I've never had a desire to sit here at my desk and do this."
He swigged from the bottle again to punctuate.

Before either man could speak again, a knock came at the door and Albus sighed, taking a final swig for fortification before replacing the bottle in his desk and moving to the door. He had a murmured conversation before returning.
"Mr. Zabini and Mr. Grindelwald wish to study the enchantments on the sorting hat so that they can incorporate any that they find useful into the scrying mirrors they're making us for the school," Albus said.
"They're going to key each mirror to different parts of the school so that those professors who have them will be able to monitor the entire castle more closely next year which should be very helpful."

Severus nodded. Albus produced the battered sorting hat from somewhere and returned to the door with it. Before long he was back at his desk.
"At least Grindelwald kept those thoughts to himself that should remain private," he said.
"And they are continuing to make themselves useful," Severus said, hoping to provide a bright side to the insanity.
Albus sighed.
"I really hate hating people, Severus, but right now I truly do hate Rita Skeeter."
Severus nodded. He didn't mind hating people at all especially when they deserved it and Skeeter certainly did.

Another knock came at the door and Albus sighed. This time when he opened the door Severus heard his voice raised in an exclamation of what sounded like shock. This had the potions master out of his chair and rushing to Albus's side. Once there he understood Albus's shocked reaction.
"Regulus Black? How..."
//Nightshade...Is it really Regulus?//
He could look himself but when the owl did, it couldn't be sensed so well even by one strong at occlumency.

//Well as I've never met him, how the fuck should I know,// Nightshade snarked.
//You should know by what he's thinking. Don't be obnoxious,// Severus told him peevishly.
"Please, may I come in," Regulus asked.
Severus blinked, his mind struggling to take in what his eyes were seeing. Regulus Black didn't appear to have aged a day.
"Of course," Albus said and stepped back to allow him to enter the office.
It was only then that Severus noticed Kreacher with him, practically clinging to his robe.

//He's thinking that he's nervous,// Nightshade said.
//He kind of fucking radiates depression and misery. He doesn't like himself much. He has come to help against Voldemort. He thinks about Kreacher a lot. That he loves him and missed him and he feels very guilty about something. Does that sound like Regulus Black?//
Severus gave a mental shrug.
//I suppose. Regulus vanished, and we assumed he turned on Voldemort and died for his effort.//