Albus watches Fawkes, who is poking at something in the ground, listening but not speaking. When Severus has stopped again, he sighs before speaking, rather quietly.
"I won't argue with you about that which is first of all, past, and second of all, involved other versions of myself. I can not speak for him, any more than you can speak for the other you. Yes, it was horrid. But so was the prospect of dying ever more slowly. So was the prospect of Draco becoming a killer. So were a million other scenarios." He holds up a hand. "And I don't wish to dwell on any of it at this point."
Fawkes looks up at him, tilting his head and crooning softly. Albus reaches out to pet him.