Severus had one of the only pleasant first days he could recall - as he thoroughly unnerved his students by being semi-pleasant. Since he would never be a spy again he could lighten up a bit on his students. He would never be anything but strict and somewhat harsh, but thankfully he could end the cruelty and humiliation he had had to dole out to keep Death Eaters happy and trusting in him.

And, of course Harry would have been disturbed if he continued to make Hufflepuffs cry on a daily basis, give Ravenclaws nervous breakdowns with his weekly pop quizzes, and have Gryffindors do all his menial work in endless detentions.

Severus frowned a bit, and watched his last class of the day enter - 3rd year Gryffindors and Slytherins, and sighed. He liked having his cauldrons cleaned and ingredients sorted, chopped and/or dissected by sullen Gryffindors while they served detention.

Severus looked out over the students, smirking a bit to watch the lions shudder in dread. He supposed he could cut down on taking points and serve out detentions instead - to all the houses. So - fewer tearful Hufflepuffs, and nerve-racked Ravenclaws - they could enjoy the sharing out of detentions with the lions, instead. If detentions -and work - were shared among the houses there would be less whining about favoritism, although they would not be seeing many Slytherins in detention.

Severus looked at his beaming snakes, he would always favor them - they needed someone to do so, but he would also be working on swaying them away from the rhetoric that lead to thinking Voldemort was correct and should be followed. That would involve corresponding with their parents as well, and feeling out who could see reason and who was in too deep.

Severus greeted the class and threw the chalk toward the board, where it wrote the potion they were to make and its directions. The class crowded toward the ingredients closet and Severus looked down at the sheet of parchment on his desk. It would need to be cut into three pieces and handed out. In spite of the other Head of Houses idealist beliefs, not all of the Death Eater families were Slytherin. In fact Hufflepuff had as many purebloods in it as Slytherin did, and many of them sneered openly at the idea of any muggleborn being equal to a pureblood. He had made a list of children in other houses that had parents or other relatives that were Death Eaters or supporters of the Dark Lord.

They would not be pleased to receive the lists, but possibly they could keep an eye on them and perhaps also persuade them away from joining when Voldemort re-emerged. Severus grimaced; he could hardly wait to inform Minerva and Albus that, indeed, some of their lions were at risk as well to become Death Eaters.

Severus shoved the parchment to one side, he would think on it later. There were 3rd year students who might need practice in shredding shrivelfigs, and he had a barrel of them that needed it. He could provide instruction during a detention.

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Petunia looked at the lunch table with satisfaction. She had become accustomed to planning fancy meals for Vernon's clients, but everything was certainly easier with house elves. Her own sets of china and flatware were stored at Spinners End, and she had sent Tinker to fetch the pretty floral set to use for Andromeda and Nymphadora.

The boys finished their classroom work and came down, waving more essays, making her smile. She had enjoyed the ones about unicorns, yesterday. The floo sounded and Tom nodded to her and went to allow the two women in, she assumed. Tom was always polite, and there were even occasions where he was friendly - she suspected he simply forgot she was not a witch at those times. Severus had said it would take time to win him over.

‘Andy' and ‘Dora', (as they had said to call them) came in with the boys (who were freshly scrubbed) and greetings were exchanged. They sat and the salads were served. Dora and Tom were seated beside each other, and they immediately started discussing what subjects to review first. Dora was quite eager to begin the review, Tom was cute and only about a year younger so the work was hardly burdensome.

Andy and Petunia chatted happily about motherhood in general as the coconut encrusted prawns were served with a rice pilaf and asparagus. Andy volunteered to take the boys on a ‘nature walk' after lunch. Dora would be here Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Andy felt at loose ends at times, and filling in afternoons for Tom on the Tuesdays and Thursdays would actually be welcome. The money being paid to Dora was very generous, so giving a little extra help soothed her pride a bit and it would be pleasant to visit with Petunia as well.

Tom and Dora wandered into the library after the meal ended, taking their key lime pie wedges with them, still talking heatedly about runes. Petunia excused herself to go upstairs before Tinker could nag her to ‘take her nap'.

Andy waited until the youngsters were done and then stood. Tom had told her about the ‘little contest' they had going and knew not to let them ‘just pull up anything to replant or gather for ingredients'. She had the list of things they would like for the garden, and what would be welcomed for the potions lab. Bags were fetched and they started to stroll across the meadow, taking a different path so they (hopefully) would find different plants than the day before.

They found several asphodel plants and monkshood. Andy smiled over their scrupulous attention to points awarded for each plant found. The plants were sent off with Tinker, so Dobby could carefully plant them and the sacks were already filling with other potions ingrediants as they entered the woods. The boys had paced themselves better today and weren't tired this time as they entered the trees.

Andy glanced at the map in her hand. The wood was large enough to become lost in, so she did have an emergency portkey that Lucius had made. Even with Albus okaying Lucius, Andy was suspicious and was reluctant to even consider using the portkey. She shoved it deep in a pocket and hoped the map was good.

The woods were cool and rather pretty, with light filtering through the trees and lighting the area softly. Harry's eye caught a silvery glitter from a low branch. He trotted up and looked at it, and carefully pulled it free. The others gathered around and Andy smiled.

"You've found a unicorn hair, either a tail hair or from the mane. You're lucky - and Professor Snape will be quite smug. They are very expensive." Andromeda grimaced; she was almost as suspicious of Severus Snape as she was of Lucius, in spite of the Headmaster's reassurances.

"Yes, I wrote an essay on the uses of unicorns in potions. Since these are found, and from a living unicorn and not forcibly taken they can be used in a lot of potions." Harry looked at the strand happily. Andy conjured a parchment envelope to put it in. They kept a sharp eye out for more strands of hair and few more were found - mostly by Harry. To Andromeda's relief they found their way out with the map and went to the house with their sacks and unicorn hairs.

Harry was the clear winner of the day, with the unicorn hairs in his possession. He happily ordered up strawberry shortcake making the others mutter about his 'berry obsession'.

Tom and Dora had gone over the 6th and 7th year charms and tranfiguration texts to find theories or spells Tom might be unfamiliar with. Theory hadn't changed much, but there were new spells. Lucius had obtained lists of spells used in the last ten years on NEWT exams, and Tom had checked off those he already knew. They had gotten quite far, as Tom was a quick study. There had been only one hitch, near the end of the lesson.

"You know, I don't know your last name, Tom." Dora threw at him out of nowhere.

Tom barely tensed, he had been expecting this at some point, and answered carefully with Yvane talking to him soothingly, knowing that the answer would be repeated to Dora's mother and from there would likely be sent on to a certain Headmaster.

They had known that with Andromeda contacting Albus that the man had likely ended the interview with a ‘don't hesitate to let me know how things go, m'dear'. And Andromeda would do exactly that.

Lucius and Severus had conjured a story that was essentially a continuation of the story they were already spreading around regarding him. Tom had practiced telling it until he could say it without a hitch.

"My full name is Tom Riddle; my mother knew my father's real name and the orphanage named me after him. She was a witch, but had fled the dark lord to the muggle world. When she had me, she tried to do it alone and when she was found, well she didn't react well to muggle medicine. She lived for a few days - long enough to tell them my father's name and her name and a confusing tale so no one could find her family. When my magic manifested, her great-uncle tracked me down and took me in until he died." Tom ended the tale with a grimace.

The three of them had expected that when Albus heard the name Riddle, he would be alarmed and suspicious. With any luck he would believe Tom to be Voldemort's son, just as the Goblins did, even if he did look exactly like the other Tom Riddle. Between the change in his magical signature, and the fact that any scan would insist he was sixteen, almost seventeen, and would hopefully convince Albus of the truth of the tale.

Tom's magic was mixed with Yvane's enough to change his signature - Severus could ‘see' a persons magic well enough to be able to tell them that no one who knew Voldemort's signature would believe it was him. They would say it ‘felt familiar', most likely - but not know why. The goblin magic identified him as a 1st degree relative of Voldemort's, so they were sure wizard identification magic would do so as well.

After that they would have to hope Albus didn't hold his genetics against him. Luckily they had come up with an excuse for him to be here in Severus' household.

Dora patted his arm sympathetically, "It must have been very hard for you."

"When my great uncle Seneca Prince died, I contacted his only living relative - Severus Snape."

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Arthur Weasley arrived home early, taking a few hours leave time. He couldn't believe Molly was so very upset by this. Yes, he had always thought the twins would be in Gryffindor, but this wasn't the disaster that Molly seemed to think it. Arthur knew that many of his family should have been in other houses than Gryffindor over the years, but no harm had really come from it. He, himself, thought it all nonsense.

The Prewetts were almost as bizarrely attached to the idea of ‘everyone being in Gryffindor'. Ravenclaws were tolerated, but others were considered ‘failures' much of the time. He suspected that the boys had talked the hat into it. Very sneaky...it was a wonder the boys hadn't ended up in Slytherin, he mused.

Molly was still cooking and fussing when he entered. Ron and Ginny looked at him with relief, as he sat at the table.

"Ginny would you finish the stew? Molly, please sit down." Molly sat to his right with a harried air. "Molly, why are you so upset about this? I've always believed that Weasleys who belonged elsewhere have been talking their way into Gryffindor - and its totally silly. If the twins are now in Hufflepuff it's perfectly fine. It's time we stopped worrying about such things - Hufflepuff is a fine house of loyal and hardworking wizards and witches. They may even learn to become responsible." Arthur tried for humor and Molly smiled tentatively.

"I suppose it is fine, it was just such a shock." Molly answered slowly. Arthur's two older brothers looked down on them a bit, so it had been a point of pride that all their children so far had been in Gryffindor. Bilius' second son was in Ravenclaw, and they had fussed for months. But, if Arthur didn't care she wouldn't either - and let the family say what they would.

Molly bounced back, as she always did once she realized her world was still intact and all was well. Supper was served and Ginny pitched her plea for the variances to her father, who was quite surprised at her enthusiasm. Ron protested to deaf ears and sullenly listened to his father make plans to ask Ms. Hopkirk for the variances.

"I'll ask for Ron's first, and then say that the younger sister would like to learn with him. She'll likely say yes, and as long as there are no ‘incidents' there should be no difficulty." Arthur said cheerfully. Molly and Ginny blithely agreed, ignoring Ron's irate expression of horror at the idea of adding work to the usual home schooling they had.

The floo sounded just as the table was being cleared and Molly's Aunt Muriel came through, looking flustered and quite upset. Tea was offered and they all sat in the living room. "What is it, Aunt Muriel?" Molly asked hesitantly.

"I can't believe it. I thought these problems were done with, but here he is again." Muriel looked flushed and was clearly fuming over something. "When my squib son, Lawrence stormed off to the muggle world I thought ‘that was that', but now he's back. He had two children and apparently both have magic. The oldest one just started this year, and Cadmus and Ernest are quite upset. Cadmus is afraid that he's going to stir that old argument back up, again."

"I'm afraid I never really understood what the argument was about, Muriel." Arthur said uncertainly. Muriel fanned herself and flushed further, and Molly looked upset and hesitant.

"Well, when my husband died Ernest as eldest took control of the magical plant and food cooperative. Bilius was just out of school and learning to help. Lawrence had always been good with mathematics as a child, and when we realized he was a squib he started taking muggle courses, even though I told him he didn't need to - we could have found him a job in the co-op, unloading things and delivery. You'd have thought I wanted him to shovel dragon dung!"

Muriel fanned herself furiously and continued. "When Ernest took over Lawrence came in waving some certificate or award or something he got from his muggle school, saying he could work in the accounting department of the co-op."

Muriel hesitated; she hated remembering how proud and hopeful Lawrence had looked that day. Why couldn't the boy have accepted his lot in life? It was lucky she'd been there that day to tell Lawrence what was what. She had seen the look on Ernest's face - he'd been on the verge of allowing Lawrence to give it a shot. Squibs in the Prewett family had never tried to take a normally magical job, and she didn't let him to rock the boat that day, either.

"Anyway, when he found out he couldn't, he took his belongings and left for the muggle world and we have not heard from him since." Muriel leaned back and closed her eyes for a moment in apparent horror. "Now he's sent Ernest a letter, saying he wants the vault that would have been his given to his son Martin - to help them pay for schooling for he and his sister, and to help get them started in the wizarding world."

"Well, that's not so bad. He's just asking for what would have been his, so..." Molly was cut off by Muriel's huff of anger.

"We planned on giving it to Ernest's younger son. He graduated two years ago and he's contracting a marriage with a nice witch. The vault would have set them up nicely, now Lawrence's brats expect to take it." Muriel grumped. "Lawrence is managing to mess it all up. He went and married a muggle and couldn't even make that stick, now he's divorced with two children to support."

Muriel fumed at the idea of giving the children of a squib and a muggle a vault. She had nothing against muggles - as long as they stayed in the muggle world, and squibs were to be protected and taken care of and should stay in their place. The idea of her rebellious squib son claiming a vault was ludicrous.

"Well, it is his vault - unless as Head of the Prewett family - Ernest plans to disown Lawrence and seize the vault." Molly said, in what she hoped was a practical voice. To her and Arthur's shock, Muriel actually looked thoughtful at that, apparently considering the possibility.

"Well, I don't know what we'll do, but I thought I would let you know that this ‘Martin Prewett' is attending Hogwarts and is a Ravenclaw - so he dug up the first year's tuition somewhere. Your twins started this year - maybe they can find out what's what on that end." Muriel requested brightly.

"Ah, yes - I was planning to write them tonight, anyway to congratulate them on getting into Hufflepuff." Arthur smiled jovially at Muriel's stunned face. "It's an excellent house - very loyal. Something many could learn." Arthur continued smiling, although Molly's face flushed and she bit her lip. Muriel remained oblivious to the implied insult.

Molly knew Arthur never really liked her Aunt Muriel and her gossipy and overbearing ways. Molly, though, loved her dearly and overlooked her faults. Her Aunt had always been available to help with the kids, had bought necessities at times when things were lean, and was always supportive with her.

As the mother of seven, Molly had desperately needed the mental, physical and yes - financial support at times. Arthur simply didn't understand that. She could have somehow managed without Muriel - but things would have been so much worse - Molly hated to think of how bad it might have been without her help. The situation with Lawrence was one she had difficulty accepting, but perhaps Muriel could be talked around. Luckily, Aunt Muriel was ready to go; now that she had vented to her relatives.

Muriel stood and brushed her robes off. "I have to get back to Ernest and Cadmus; we're supposed to meet tonight to discuss this." The floo flared and Aunt Muriel was gone.

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Severus watched the twins casting the charm on the dummies he'd conjured with satisfaction. He'd invented the charm back in his third year during his prank war with the marauders - back when the pranks had not been as dark or humiliating as they had become later. They had still hurled horrible insults at him, but the pranks had been lower level.

Severus shook his head; he needed to leave those memories in the past. James and Peter were dead, Sirius as good as dead and Lupin - well he was already under as horrible a curse as he could imagine.

The twins had been given parchment and quills and told to write to Dudley and Harry while he explained the spell and its effects. They had done so cheerfully and snickered as he told them what the spell would do.

It took them a good hour to master the spell, and for Severus to be satisfied. Then he helped them plan a bit.

"Charlie is a prefect this year, and tonight he is assigned to patrol from 9pm to 1am. He always spends his last hour grabbing some food from the house elves. I'll show you the corridor and since it is close to the Hufflepuff common room, you should be able to make a clean getaway. Have some of you housemates help you with the ambush. Both of you should cast the spell - that way he won't be able to break it easily as it will have both your signatures in it, and it should last 24 hours. The charm has an automatic two hour delay, so the victim won't know who cast it." Severus smiled at their glee.

"Thank you professor, you're the best." They said in concert.

He showed them the corridor to the house elves kitchen and then they scrambled into the Hufflepuff common room to finalize the planning. Severus returned to his quarters and read a book.

Severus reflected that it was nice to have no marking to do as yet, since he hadn't given a ‘first day pop quiz' to make the ‘Puffs cry and the Ravenclaws quiver. He always left the summer homework for the weekend, so he could actually enjoy his first evening back. He shifted uncomfortably; - it was too quiet, really. He should be hearing Harry and Dudley laughing, and Tom muttering to Yvane under his breath.

Severus comforted himself that he would see Harry soon, he would have to make the eyesight potion, and he would have a weekend off soon, as well.

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Fred and George grinned madly with glee. They had told those in the common room who were interested in pranking Charlie for his insults about the charm they had ‘found'. Cedric approved the prank as not being ‘overly harmful' and the target as ‘appropriate'. He'd made it clear that they were to clear all pranks with him, and also made it clear that the order was from Professor Sprout, so they had better listen. They had decided to try things his way to see if it worked - after all, that meant they could recruit henchman.

They had found a fourth year and a couple third years to help them hide for the ambush and make a getaway, and the prank had gone better than they ever imagined. Charlie hadn't even known he'd had a spell cast on him.

The next morning the entire house of Hufflepuff was in attendance at breakfast bright and early, breathless with anticipation. Severus had also been a bit earlier than usual so he would not miss the action.

Minerva arrived looking harried and muttering about inconsiderate wizards. She glared at Severus. "Someone found that spell you used on James and Sirius years ago and cast it on Charlie."

Severus laughed a bit meanly. "You'll have to be more specific, Minerva." She huffed in aggravation, but Charlie arrived at that moment and she just waved a hand in explanation.

Severus looked at the fuming Gryffindor; the twins had cast it quite well. The figures of the lion, snake, raven and badger were all clearly formed as they chased around and about the wizard. The animals crawled up and down his body. The two smaller animals chased after the lion, snapping at his heels and making him roar in a rather whiny voice. The raven was a work of art, flying swiftly around Charlie and diving in to peck the lion's head. Charlie batted at them, but his hands passed through them like they were ghosts.

The Hall erupted. The Slytherins were laughing rather hysterically and cheered every time the snake caught the lion; the Ravenclaws were awestruck and giggling at the raven's antics. The Hufflepuffs were laughing and urging the badger on as the animals defied gravity in their chase.

Professor McGonagall shot sparks in the air and called for silence. "I realize we're all quite impressed with the spellwork, but kindly finish your meal so you won't be late to class."

The Headmaster arrived then, and looked reproachfully at the unrepentant Potions Master. He remembered the spell, and who had invented it. He sighed and looked at Charlie. It really was a very clever charm, and Severus had invented it in third year. Albus for the thousandth time wished he'd paid more attention to Severus as a student.

Charlie's first class was Charms and Professor Flitwick had been thrilled to drag the embarrassed Charlie to the front of class to show them how such a charm was crafted and cast. The class tried to smother their giggles as the lion crouched on top of Charlie's head and the snake and badger stood on his ears snarling and snapping at the lion. The raven circled Charlie's head and dove at the lion occasionally. Charlie could only hope no one found a camera.

Transfiguration was next and the fuming Minerva placed a silencing charm around him, because the lion had taken to roaring loudly at his pursuers. The fact that that class was with Hufflepuffs hadn't helped because to his horror three of them had the dreaded cameras.

Lunch was a nightmare made worse by the arrival of a blisteringly angry letter from his parents. Percy still wasn't speaking to him, so he still couldn't ask if he would help undo the charm. Flitwick insisted that the spell was for only 24 hours, but he wanted it gone, now. He shoved the letter in his pocket and glared at his brothers, he was sure they were somehow behind this. They waved cheerfully at him and shouted to Percy that they would send copies of the pictures to him. Percy waved and shouted his thanks back.

Charlie grabbed some sandwiches and fled - even his own house was snickering at him. The animals crawled down his arms to sniff at the food. He batted ineffectually at them, again.

Potions was next and he almost skipped it, but didn't quite dare. The animals seemed tired and the snake had curled up on top of his head and the raven perched on its coils. The badger yawned and fell asleep on one shoulder; the lion crawled into a pocket with just his head poking out and snored loudly. The class giggled with every particularly loud snore.

Professor Snape smiled blissfully and took points for Charlie's 'inability to control his pets'.

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