“What if he wasn’t dead?” Sirius asked hesitantly. It was something he could barely stand to think of, never mind speaking the thought aloud, but he could still hear that terrible, mocking laughter ringing in his ears.

“He was dead,” the other man assured him, tapping the spoon he held against the side of the teacup as if to underscore his point.

“But what if-“ Sirius began.

“He was dead, Black,” _________ spat angrily, suddenly whirling to face him. “I was there, it happened less than six feet from where I stood; no one, no one survives that.”

~*~*~

What if I told you that I could offer you respite from all of that?” Caligula whispered. “An end to your suffering?”

“If you intend to kill me, then I will humbly ask that you do so without this needless foreplay,” Severus murmured, sounding much less scornful than he had intended.

~*~*~

“Sacrifice,” Caligula breathed, and Severus shivered as the Cardinal’s lips brushed his cheek, “Is necessary for redemption.”

~*~*~

“I think you’re mad,” he said finally, his voice as hollow as he felt.

“Most great leaders are,” Caligula replied with a slow nod.

~*~*~

“Sirius,” Severus murmured, fixing the man across from him with a glare so intense he could feel his own eyes burning. “If I do this for you, you will help me bring him back.”

“That’s-“ the Cardinal began, but Severus silenced him with an upturned hand.

“It’s possible,” Severus said quietly.

~*~*~