Author's Note: After reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, I reread this work. I still love it but since the last part was written almost immediately after HPDH, I was not so ambitious as to put Albus Severus in Slytherin, though it had crossed my mind. As I thought about the title of the 8th story prior to its release, the idea of a Slytherin in the Potter/Weasley family made more sense. This chapter is not to erase the previous, of which I am immensely proud, but rather to investigate Albus Severus further. The troubled young man we meet in HPCC holds great potential at changing the wizarding world.

And this did not turn out in the same vein as the previous two chapters. . but I cannot feel bad about it. I guess I was not feeing very introspective while writing it. Definitely ended up more lighthearted than expected.

Spoilers: For Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Out of Memory: Reprise

"It's alright, Scorpius. I'll write to you when I get home. I don't intend on catching the train and I've already told my father. Professor McGonagall promised I could visit the Headmaster portraits once school was over." Albus waved to his friend as they parted ways.

"Promise?"

"Promise." The walk to the Headmistress's office seemed to take no time at all. In the past he had only been called to deal with the aftermath of trouble. Those times he was more interested in the Portraits on the walls. Finally he was allowed to speak to those sleeping heads. Or those that wanted to speak to him anyway. They were magical paintings after all. One could not force them to do anything. It was an unusual request. Only the current Headmaster or Headmistress spoke to the paintings, seeking advice on current situations. But Albus had argued that since he was named after two of these Headmasters that he should at least be allowed a brief conversation with them.

Professor McGonagall had agreed but only after the last students on his last year. Today was the day. Albus stood in front of the gargoyle and waited. He did not have a password to enter. Frowning he spoke to the ugly stone creature. "I would like to see Headmistress McGonagall please." For a moment Albus swore the gargoyle cocked its head in thought, then it slid aside to reveal the staircase.

At the top of the circular staircase, the door opened revealing Headmistress McGonagall. "Ah yes, Mr. Potter. We have been expecting you."

Walking in to the trinket filled office, Albus noticed something different. "They're all awake."

McGonagall pinched her nose, saying tiredly, "They're always awake. Some are just better at pretending otherwise." The portraits were indeed awake and watching the young man. Albus had never seen them awake at any point in his many visits. "They are all curious to meet you officially though I suspect you have come to speak with Professor Dumbledore." The Headmistress motioned the old man with the long white beard hanging above the Headmistress's desk. "Take your time. Don't touch anything. And I will be back in a couple of hours." McGonagall smiled slightly and was gone.

Albus was already gazing around the room at the Portraits who were staring back. A few greeted him with phrases like "Well met, Mr. Potter," or "It is a pleasure." Albus simply nodded in return then focused on Albus Dumbledore's portrait. The old man simply studied the boy with twinkling knowing eyes. "Well now, you have grown. To what do we owe the pleasure, Mr. Potter."

"I don't really know, to be honest." Albus shrugged. "I just felt that I had to see you and speak to you before I left Hogwarts. Maybe understand you a little. It's not like anyone really tells me any details about why I was named after you. I read the biographies but they don't help explain anything."

"Honestly young Mr. Potter, I cannot tell you why your father named you after me. I am honored, but only he can give you that explanation."

Albus sighed. "I know. But I had to hope." He walked over to the only portrait in the room that did not magically interact with the world. "Dad seems alright talking about you, Professor Dumbledore, but he does not really explain much about him." The black clad, black haired headmaster moved stiffly in his frame. It was small compared to the others and never appeared to sleep like the others. Headmaster Snape's portrait was an after thought. Placed many years after the Battle of Hogwarts at the insistence of Harry Potter. Most people in the wizarding world were now regarding Snape as the least favorite headmaster, completely eclipsing Phineas Nigellus.

"I don't think your father can fully explain Severus Snape. Not many people can. He kept so many secrets from everyone that not even I fully understood him."

"Scorpius told me many things. It seems the Malfoys had a better relationship with him. He even told me about the changed future where Professor Snape was alive and said he was proud that I had his name. I just want to understand."

"I understand, my boy. But there are some things that life will not let us understand and I fear that you may always be searching for an explanation that will never come. What has your father told you about why he named you after Severus and myself?"

"Well, the only clear answer he ever gave me was that I was named after a Slytherin and he was the bravest man dad ever knew."

Albus Dumbledore smiled slightly at these words. The rest of the room was silent but they took in every word. "Your father did not come to that conclusion without a great deal of struggle. Don't ever doubt that Severus Snape was anything but brave and loyal. No matter what the public wishes to believe. He did so many things that put his life at risk that I sometimes wonder if he did not belong to Gryffindor." A portrait behind Albus snorted. Dumbledore mildly glanced across the wall and asked, "Was there something you'd like to add Phineas?"

"I see no reason to insult his name by identifying it with such a house. Severus Snape was most completely a son of the House of Slytherin. To suggest otherwise ridicules the very ambition that placed him there."

"I don't understand," Albus said.

"Pity. Did that Gryffindor family blind you to the very basics of what it is to be in Slytherin? Pure unadulterated ambition is the foundation of Slytherin. Severus Snape did everything that needed to be done to complete a goal that was beyond himself. Bravery is not a trait solely claimed by Gryffindors, though if you ask me reckless endangerment of others clearly falls into their scope of behavior. It takes bravery to do what must be done to further your ambitions."

"Overall, I agree with you, Phineas." Dumbledore nodded pleasantly and the Slytherin headmaster actually looked surprised. "I have noticed over time that Slytherins tend to things that are bigger than themselves. Ambitions that are nearly intangible. Two of the most influential Slytherins held such ambitions. Both Tom Riddle and Severus Snape sought lives that were greater than what they knew. Different from what they knew. Phineas is right in that it takes great bravery to achieve this. But one thing that should not be forgotten was that it took great love as well for Severus to complete his ends."

"Love?" That was one word that Albus had heard many times in referring to Snape, but one that never quite sat well with the history the wizarding world was creating for the Death Eater turned Hero.

"Yes, love. It is well known now that Severus Snape loved Lily Evans, your grandmother. And it is that love that spurred him to do what we see as great acts of courage and sacrifice. I can only hope that Harry named you after Severus because of this love. Your father might not know the full extent of it, but it is a nice thought. Love brought Severus from the brink of total darkness. Love for your grandmother which prompted him to try and save her life. That love encouraged him to protect your father despite his hatred for your grandfather, James Potter. I know much of that love came in the form of frustration when your father placed himself into situations that placed him in danger. I had to listen to many rants and rages about how Severus was certain Harry would kill himself from stupidity. Don't misunderstand, there was no attempt to be kind towards your father. Simply the love that remained for Lily. He always held that close. And you must understand the political situation at the time. Most people believed Lord Voldemort dead and gone. I suspected otherwise and shared my thoughts with Severus. And in order for him to continue his job as a spy he could not be seen to favor Harry Potter in anyway. But he always attempted to keep the boy safe."

Dumbledore paused with a sigh. "It's a shame really. Despite the hatred, Severus was capable of great love. I suppose once Harry came to understand that he felt obligated to forgive the man. I don't think Severus would have understood at first. But if you as you say that future version of Severus said he was proud then I would like to think Severus would have come to understand and accept with time. That was… what twenty years or so following Voldemort's defeat?" Albus nodded, taking in the ramblings of the former headmaster with rapt attention. This was perhaps the most insight he had ever had into who Severus Snape was.

"Now what most people will not know is how deeply Severus cared for the children in his House. Very few people place Slytherins above the others. I confess that I am not one of them. Severus, coming from that House and experiencing our failings, did everything he could to elevate Slytherins. It was not immediately obvious. He was a young professor teaching students he had once shared a common room with. But they respected him nonetheless as they saw he did indeed put their concerns first. And over time that grew. Like all teachers eventually, Severus placed the safety of the student population over that of himself. It was that love that protected the students in the darkest days of Voldemort's reign. Without Severus as Headmaster I fear that many more students would have suffered greatly."

Dumbledore pinned the young Potter with a sharp stare. "I do not envy you, Albus Severus Potter. Your father honored both Severus and myself by giving your our names. But in turn he gave you a heavy legacy that most people will never seek to understand. Do not let our names and our history dictate your actions. Take only what will make you stronger and decide your own future. You are a capable young man, Mr. Potter. Never let self doubt overcome your common sense."

Albus Potter sighed and frowned. "I wish my father told me these things."

"It is doubtful that your father knew these things. He was after all simply a child at the time. I only gained these insights after working with Severus over the decades. There was likely only one time when Severus was truly disappointed in what your father became. As much as he hated your father, Severus still wanted Harry to succeed. As I understand it, the incident included a duel with young Mr. Malfoy and Harry using an unknown spell by an unknown author that could have killed Draco had Severus not been on hand to save the boy."

"Dad never told me about that."

"Of course he didn't. I suspect he does not talk about those years much."

"No… I don't think he does. Though sometimes I think Mum tries to get him to talk."

"Ah yes, Ginerva Weasley. She might get him to open up more. Don't blame your father, Mr. Potter. I am certain he is trying as hard as he can. Without having his own parents as a guide, raising his own children was no doubt a difficult matter. I am certain he loves you regardless."

"I suppose." Albus admitted. "It would have been nice to talk to him, you know." Touching the plaque that read: Severus Snape, Headmaster 1997-1998. The poorly animated image of Headmaster Snape turned his head to look down at the hand then up to the face it belonged to.

"That would be an interesting conversation to be sure," Dumbledore chuckled.

"Dad said the public was upset that he wanted to put Snape's portrait up."

"Well it was very recently after the war and most people still thought Severus was a cruel traitor. But as you can see, tradition won. Severus though would likely have put up a fuss."

"Why?"

"He never thought he was much of a Headmaster. And he loathed the association with Voldemort. He always said he never had time to get a portrait done. Or that no one could be trusted with his memories except for himself. At the time I believe it was completely true. Though I have heard that a constant recording spell had been placed on that portrait."

"Dad would not have done that."

"No. But your father did not paint the portrait. Professor McGonagall does not believe me."

"And she shouldn't," Headmaster Dippett interjected. "There is no evidence and you have no portraits that could have overheard such a thing. Don't spread rumors."

"Well I don't think he is completely wrong," an elderly Headmistress from the upper wall where Albus could not see the nameplate added. "My other portrait is in my many greats grandson's studio and he took the commission. And I did overhear a conversation between him and Mr. Potter about what type of magic should be involved. Granted Mr. Potter was reluctant for any sort, I know that grandson and he would have placed any number of recording spells simply because he could. After all we all have one on us, otherwise how could we interact with different generations and keep them straight. Much less remember current events."

"Yes, yes, Millius." Said another Headmaster from the opposing wall. "But what Albus is implying is that the portrait of Severus Snape records verbatim what occurs in this office. We simply retain a basic memory."

"Well why shouldn't he have a recording spell. He was a spy after all. And you can't deny that it would benefit future Headmasters to see accurate logs of what happens in this office. Our own recording spells or memory spells are faulty on account of our individual memories. At least if it is true then Severus Snape can finally be the only honest observer here." It was Phineas that came to the dubious defense.

Dumbledore chuckled. "I think he would have liked that. Severus Snape and honesty. If nothing else in his life, Severus was truthful. Where he was allowed. He never once denied his interest in the Dark Arts. Never once lied about his opinions. He always tried to present the facts of every case he observed. He was bias, yes, but when the facts were clear he accepted them. I almost pitied him when he learned of Peter Pettigrew's role in the betrayal of Lily and James. Still he accepted it, eventually, and continued on. Yes, I would very much like to believe the artist placed such a recording spell into that portrait. It would very much be a legacy that Severus would have liked. The only thing missing is his snide and sarcastic remarks."

"Thank you Headmaster Dumbledore. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble." Albus Potter interrupted, smiling slightly at how the conversation disintegrated.

"Nonsense my boy. We don't get enough company. Good luck. And tell your father that you and he are welcome to return anytime." Dumbledore smiled as Albus waved goodbye.

Authors Note #2: And with that last part I think I have cursed myself with a series of one shots. So be on the look out for anything entitled Through the Eyes of the Portrait.