Into the Light

You can be certain that we'll pull through it together

-Flashback -

Whenthey had returned to Hogwarts that night, Severus and Michael hadinformed the staff about the decision the Ministry of Magic had made.Christopher needed to be monitored, yet Severus had been given thefreedom of choosing who his son's mentor would be.

Uponbeing informed by the Minister of Magic about the council's decision,Severus' mind had raced with countless thoughts and opinions, yet thequestion of who the mentor of his son could be, was answered already.It had been clear to him the moment when they had listened to themany conditions that Severus had to oblige.

"Theoutcome of our visit to the Ministry does not seem to bother you toomuch." Michael said as he left the conference room with Severusand walked down the gloomy corridor.

Severusshook his head slowly. "No, it was a good decision to go thereand as you had said earlier today, despite everything what hashappened between my son and wife, I still have a say. That mattersthe most to me. It's not completely out of my control."

Michaelnodded thoughtfully.

"That'swhat I had feared." Severus admitted. "That this situationwould slip out of my hands and that I wouldn't be able to protect myfamily."

"Iknow that." Michael said. "I've seen it in your eyes."

Severuspressed his lips into a thin line as Michael's words angered him. Howcome, that other's could read him so easily? He shook his head almostimperceptibly as he kept pondering about this fact. Of course, theoccurrences of this day had been extraordinary, and had gone farbeyond anything he had expected. It had triggered in him a fear thathad shaken him to the very core of his being. Severus exhaled the airthat he hadn't known he had held and swallowed hard.

Itwas trust that had started to build within him, a trust, that heloathed, but at the same time, he held on to it with all hisstrength. He needed it in order to survive. That made him feelvulnerable and weak. But no matter how negative this developmentseemed to him, in the end he came out stronger. The events of the dayhad proved him that the reality was different than he had expected.

Hewouldn't get through life with only his wife and son by his side. Itwouldn't work, it wasn't normal. And the demand of the Ministry ofMagic forced him to reach out to other wizards and witches, and allowthem to be a part of his life - their life - for this wasn't justabout him. Severus was glad that despite his initial reluctance hewas able to do so, for he had understood this fact already before theultimatum had been made by the Ministry. He had already actedaccordingly when he had allowed Michael to interact with Christopherthe way he did.

Severuslooked over at Michael who walked beside him.

Michaelnoticed his glance and clasped his hands behind his back. "Itseems to me you already have someone in mind when it comes tomentoring your son." He said. Then he fell silent and waited forSeverus' reply.

"Yes,that's right." Confirmed Severus with a firm nod.

"Thisexplains your calm mood." Michael commented.

Severusnodded and continued to observe his colleague.

"Andwho is this wizard?" Inquired Michael curiously.

"You."

"Me?"Michael asked with a grin.

"Yes,you." Severus confirmed. "My choice does not reallysurprise you." He stated the obvious.

"Ihave to admit that I did not want anyone other than me to do it."Admitted Michael and grinned.

"Why?"Severus asked seriously.