Severus sighed. Al was right, and it should have been humiliating, but all Severus could feel right now, was sorrow.
I was a fool to think that the prophecy would bring the war to our doorstep. The war was already here: before the prophecy, even before I came forward in time. The war arrived with Riddle, and it won't leave us alone until the fucker's dead.
Severus bent his head over their joined hands, and pressed slow, ceremonial kisses to Al's fingertips, one by one. "That's very wise of you." he husked, a thready, weary sound in the deep evening hush. "Thank you for being so understanding."