No matter what anyone might say, or what you might think, considering his typical attitude, Severus Snape had always enjoyed the peace of the summer. And this time he was sure he deserved it as well! After 9 months of Gilderoy Lockhart, and a giant snake that was attacking people all over the school, not to mention Potter making EVERYTHING more complicated. He was very much looking forward to a nice, quiet, casual summer, sitting in his living room, with a nice milky tea, reading something not at all academic, and relaxing.

Was that too much to ask?

Albus?

It started out perfect. He arrived in Dover the day before yesterday, with Albus' assurance that his presence would not be required until August 30th, for the pre-class general staff meeting.

He'd had one pleasantly peaceful day of reacclimating himself to his cottage.

Then the paper arrived.

SIRIUS BLACK ESCAPES FROM AZKABAN!

MAD MASS MURDERER AT LARGE!

Harry blinked at his uncle in shock.

"What?" He asked again. He was fairly certain he hadn't heard that right.

"Go and pack a suitcase!" Vernon snarled angrily. "Don't make me repeat myself again!"

"Where am I going?" Harry tried. The rules did say 'don't ask questions' but he was pretty sure he was entitled to this time. Vernon's face twisted into an angry snarl.

"You're coming with us to Bristol." He grumbled.

"What?" Harry cried in shock. He was going with them to visit Aunt Marge?! But that was impossible! They never took him on holiday with him. "What about Mrs. Figg?"

"She's in the hospital." Vernon grumbled, "something about forgetting to take a booster for something. Apparently it's really contagious and leaves her an invalid, and she doesn't want you to get it. And we wouldn't either..." of course Harry knew that wasn't due to any sort of affection, or worry for his person, but because if he became bedridden with sickness the Dursleys would have to do all of their own chores until he got better.

"Surely the neighbours..." Harry began.

"And make us look bad?! You'd like that wouldn't you boy! Now stop asking questions, or there'll be no supper!" Vernon threatened angrily before returning to his paper. Harry turned away with slight shock. His first holiday! Course he was going to stay with Aunt Marge, so that would probably be a disaster. But maybe he could make himself scarce! Then he'd be able to explore Bristol on his own! He didn't know much about it, but it had to be much more interesting than Surrey.

"The Ministry wants to what?!" Snape shouted at the face in his fire, looking surly and irritated. "Albus, that is madness!"

"The Ministry insisted. They say there is too much of a chance that Black will be coming for young Harry." The wizened old headmaster's face replied.

"Of course." Severus drawled. "We must protect Potter."

"Now Severus." Albus began admonishingly. "You were the one who swore to protect him."

"Yes. But evidently, I have been mostly protecting him from himself." Severus snapped. "Which is a fool's errand."

"Severus..." Albus began. Then he paused. He seemed to be mulling something over. He even opened his mouth a few times before he finally smiled. "I was just calling to inform you of what has been done to the school's security. I'll let you get back to your well-deserved holiday now."

"Albus!" Severus called with a frown. He had the district feeling now that the man was hiding something from him.

"Have a good summer, Severus!" Albus cried cheerily before the fire returned to its natural colour. The potions master stood in his living room with a tightened eyebrow before he sighed and tried to return to his novel. But frustration made the experience rather less relaxing than he had hoped.

Harry smiled and lifted his cheap camera up to the castle on the hill with a grin. He'd been overjoyed when Petunia had shoved the polaroid in his hands, as well as a few ten-pound notes and told him to leave as soon as he finished unpacking their bags. Seemed like she wanted to avoid the confrontation between Marge and him as well. Aunt Marge hated his guts, and Harry wasn't exactly a fan himself. So here he was, wandering around Bristol with nothing but a camera and the clothes on his back. It was a nice town, with the scent of the sea on the breeze. He walked out to the harbour and stared out across the water with a smile. He'd always loved the idea of the ocean. The idea that there were other places to see and explore on the other side of that big expanse of water. As he sat and stared at the waves he smiled and dreamed of going to see those far off places once he graduated Hogwarts. He'd heard of plenty of witches and wizards who took a year to explore before settling into a career. And to be fair he wasn't even sure what he wanted to do. Maybe something with defence? He had enjoyed the duelling practice last year. Granted he had only liked it cause Snape threw Lockhart across the room. That, in his humble opinion, was worth all of the man's abuse and taunting. He did feel a little bad about Lockhart losing his memory at the end of the year. But only insofar as he would have rathered he had been able to get the professor to confess to his crimes. And maybe reverse the memory charms he put on all those poor people he'd stolen his stories from. Harry shoved his camera back into his baggy hoodie and walked down the streets a little more. The pier was up ahead and he'd read in a brochure that they made a kind of salt water taffy that was supposedly world famous. But as he crossed an alley he froze.

Something wasn't right.

Call it the instinct he'd developed from years of running from Dudley, and also battling all sorts of magical things at Hogwarts, but he knew that someone, or something, was following him. He pulled out his wand. He knew he wasnt technically allowed to use magic outside of school, but surely they would forgive him if it was to save his life. As he stood there, in the middle of the street something suddenly urged him to go home. Right then. Harry stuffed his hands into his pocket but kept his wand close and hurriedly rushed for his Aunt Marge's house. But just as he crossed the road a hand grabbed him. Harry opened his mouth to scream but another hand covered his mouth.

"Shhh!" the woman cried in a panic. "Sh sh sh Harry it's okay! It's okay! Please don't scream! Just come with me, and I'll explain! You're in terrible danger!" the woman insisted. She was a stately woman, tall, with a green scarf wrapped tightly around her neck and long brown hair braided into a bun at the base of her neck. Harry shook his head as she released him.

"Look! I dont know who you are, or how you know me, but I need to get home!"

"Wait!" the woman cried. Harry rushed around the corner and ran towards the end of the street. As he approached the house he slowed. The door was open. Harry cautiously took several steps towards the house. But then he saw the mutilated corpse of one of his aunt's dogs. The woman grabbed his hand again. "Harry! We need to leave!" she cried in a panic. Harry turned around and sucked in a breath as several tall ominously dressed wizards stepped out of the shadows behind them. The woman pushed Harry behind her. But the fight was far from fair. Five to one, as Harry was pretty sure he didn't know a single useful spell to take down these people. "Harry..." the woman began with a whisper, "run." the boy quivered in fear. "Run! Now!" she cried. That woke Harry up. He turned and bolted away from the house as spells raced over his head before he skittered around the corner. The trouble was, he wasn't sure where to go. In Surrey he knew a handful of places he could go to hide, that were perfect for this sort of thing. But he'd never been to Bristol before, and everything was unfamiliar. But he resolved to run until he couldn't hear the sounds coming from his aunt's house. He rushed down a few alleys. After about a minute of running, he slowed, a stitch forming in his side. He leaned against a crumbly old brick wall and wheezed. His eyes flicked over every shadow. Any one of them could hold one of those vile wizards. Then suddenly there was a sound like a car backfiring behind him. He jumped a mile and whipped around.

"Oh!" he cried, a smile forming, "it's you!" Then he faltered. There was a jagged cut above her eye that was bleeding rather alarmingly, and her scarf and hair looked a bit shinged, and she looked generally beat. "Are you alright?"

"Harry!" the woman cried before her smile widened, "oh thank goodness you're safe... now," she grasped his shoulder. "We need to get you out of here."

"Wait!" Harry cried. "Are... my family... are they..." the woman's face grew tragic.

"Yes... I'm so very sorry Harry," she replied. Harry's shoulders sunk. So this is what it meant to be truly alone. To have no one. "Come on." the woman said encouragingly. "Take a deep breath for me and hold on tight." Harry nodded. Then she spun on her heel.

Harry stumbled as they landed before he turned and dry heaved into the bush next to the gate they landed next to.

"Oh are you alright?" the woman cried in a slight panic. Harry straightened up, swaying on his feet before he nodded slowly, making sure to keep his eyes closed. "You're doing quite well you know... most people throw up their first time apperating."

"That was apperating?" Harry croaked in shock. It was awful! Wizards got around like that all the time?

"Yes dear." the woman responded with a chuckle. "Now come on, we need to get inside." She turned back to the gate and lifted her wand. "Ignis aeternus!" The gates opened with a crackle of fire. "Let's go." Harry followed her down the long drive, glancing back as the gates closed behind them and a shimmery shield descended across the gates again.

"Er... excuse me... but who are you? And where are we exactly?" he asked. The woman froze.

"Goodness, I never got the chance to introduce myself! My name is Emmeline. Emmeline Vance. And we're at Dumbledore House, just outside of Hexham, Northumbria."

"Dumbledore House? So this is where Professor Dumbledore lives?" Harry asked with a blink.

"Yes. He thought something like this might happen this year because... oh well I'm not supposed to say." Emmeline cut herself off abruptly. "Usually Mrs. Figg would take care of you, but she's laid low with Dragon Pox, so Dumbledore sent me to watch you instead."

"Hang on, Mrs. Figg knows Dumbledore?!" Harry cried in shock.

"Yes. He bought her a house near you, so we could keep an eye on you." Emmeline explained casually as they walked up to the rather imposing house that was rising up from the rolling hills around them. Harry was silent as he processed the information she'd just given him. He looked up at the phoenix-shaped knocker on the door and held his breath as she knocked. This was so very reminiscent of when he'd been sent to the headmaster's office last year. Suddenly he rather felt like he must be in trouble of some kind. But the door opened. It was answered by a weather old elf with a tiny pair of spectacles balanced on his long pointy nose.

"Hello?" the elf said, before adjusting his glasses. "How can Tipsy serve you?"

"Hello, Tipsy, we need to speak with Albus, please tell me he's home," Emmeline begged with a tired whine. Tipsy nodded and opened the door further before disappearing with a pop. Emmeline rushed him into the house with a glance over her shoulder. The house looked very very old. But despite the dated interior, it was very well kept. Harry looked around in awe.

"Harry my boy!" came a cry. Harry turned to his headmaster and smiled. The man didn't look much different than he usually did, with long billowy robes. His high-heeled boots had been replaced by a pair of slippers, and his half-moon spectacle in favour of a pair of taller square frames. "Are you unhurt my boy?" the man said with a note of concern.

"I'm fine." Harry assured him, "Ms. Vance saved me." Dumbledore looked over to the ruffled Emmeline and his bushy eyebrows shot up.

"Emmeline! Goodness gracious my dear! What happened?"

"Death eaters," Emmeline said worriedly. Dumbledore's face went sallow. "Seven of them. Two were still inside when I showed up with Harry."

"The Dursleys..." Dumbledore began worriedly.

"Dead," Harry said flatly. Dumbledore's eyes filled with sorrow. He descended the final step and placed a hand over his shoulder.

"I am so sorry Harry," he said with a sympathetic frown. Harry shrugged. The old wizard gave him a worried look before glancing at Emmeline again.

"Emmeline, can you stay with young Harry while I make a few calls?" Dumbledore asked. "I'll have Tipsy bring some potion for your forehead as well."

"Of course," Emmeline said before she settled into one of the sofas in the main room. Dumbledore gave Harry one last pay before he went up the stairs again, with a speed his age hid very well.

"Don't worry Harry." Emmeline piped up with a smile. "Dumbledore will have everything sorted." The elf returned with a tray with several potions which Emmeline gratefully accepted. Harry continued to stand in the centre of the hall feeling very lost. "Come sit with me, Harry dear." Emmeline suddenly called. Harry looked over. The woman looked much more put together. The cut on her head was healed, and she'd washed the soot and grime from her face. She patted the spot beside her on the sofa. Harry slowly walked over and perched on it before he glanced nervously at the door Dumbledore had disappeared behind. "Don't worry Harry," Emmeline repeated with a smile. "Dumbledore will have everything sorted. Just have a little patience."

Severus was finishing up the last of his afternoon tea when the fire in his living room roared to life. Snape's face fell into a scowl and he marched in from his dining room.

"Albus, I swear to merlin-"

"Please Severus," the man began with a weary look. Severus froze.

"What has happened?" he demanded.

"I need you to be honest with me, Severus," Albus said, ignoring his question which irked the man to no end. "Have you been contacted, or heard any whispers from your old... colleagues?"

Severus's veins filled with ice.

"Albus... what has happened?" he demanded again. Dumbledore took a long slow breath.

"Death eaters attacked Mr. Potter's family while they were visiting Bristol." the man said, giving Severus a weary glance. The man felt his chest tighten.

"Potter-"

"Is safe," Dumbledore assured him. "I had a member of The Order watching him. She managed to fend them off and rescue Harry." Severus narrowed his eyes. There was a but there. "The boy's entire family was killed." Severus froze. He knew exactly where this was going.

"Albus... don't you dare-"

"He needs to be kept somewhere safe, Severus." Dumbledore began, raising his voice over Severus's. "He needs someone constant! Poppy is on tour with healers without borders, and you know Minerva visits family during the holidays. Rolanda has her season tickets for the Hollyhead's and Filius is lecturing in America. Septima is getting ready for her wedding in the spring and Charity and Bathsheda are finally going on their honeymoon. I care for them dearly but I wouldn't trust Sybill with a pet hamster," Severus had to agree there, with a quintessential snort, "and Aurora can barely remember to feed herself, let alone a child. Irma has already threatened to quit once this year, when Gilderoy attempted to seduce her, so I'd rather not give her another excuse. Silvanus has finally retired, and Rubeus needs time to prepare for his new classes." Severus scowled as he heard that. He still thought Albus was an absolute fool for even thinking of asking Hagrid to teach classes, let alone Care of Magical Creatures. Someone was probably going to get eaten! "As for Cuthbert, well I don't think I have to tell you why that would be a disaster. Now that the death eaters are active again, the other members of The Order are going to be quite busy. " Albus finished before he huffed, causing a few ashes to flutter onto Snape's hearth rug. "This is all besides the point!" he levelled the man with his most grandfatherly and stern of looks. "You are the only member of staff and The Order I trust to keep Harry safe. Your cottage is the most secure location. It has to be you, Severus." The potions master gave his employer a long look before he let out a slow suffering sigh.

"Fine," he said shortly.

"I'm going to send someone from the order along as well," Albus assured him. "To help keep him occupied, so you can have a little time to yourself."

"Fine." Severus agreed to that as well, though he was already dreading that. There weren't many people in The Order he got along with. It was probably Moody, or worse 'Tonks'. There was only so much of that rambunctious woman he could handle before he wanted to strangle her and several others in the vicinity. The old man's face disappeared for a moment and the fire returned to its usual colour. Severus took a few steps back and folded his arms menacingly. He was sure Potter was going to be a blubbering incorrigible mess when he arrived. Severus stared skyward and huffed. So much for a relaxing summer. The fire glowed emerald once again. Severus sneered and levelled the fire with his most menacing glare. And finally, two shapes appeared in the flames before stepping out. Snape's face went completely blank. The woman also went white as a sheet and turned back towards the fire.

"Albu-" she began with a panicked note, but the flames went warm orange once again. She took a second to take a deep breath before turning once again. "Hello Severus," she said slowly.

"Emmeline," he replied quietly then flicked his eyes down to the boy who was glancing around his house with mild shock. "Mr. Potter. I assume my house meets your exacting standards?"

"Severus!" Emmeline snapped in frustration. "The poor boy's family was just killed! Have a little heart!"

"Sorry," Harry said nervously, as he avoided his professor's cold gaze. "It... wasn't what I was expecting."

"What? Did you think I lived in a rancid damp cellar all year?" Snape drawled.

"Well no I just-" Harry began.

"Contrary to what you might think, Potter," Snape began with a cold look. "Teachers do have lives outside of school. We can't spend all year with you dunderheads. The mental strain would be insurmountable." Harry scowled as he said that. He knew exactly what Snape was implying when he said dunderhead. "Where are your things?"

"We didn't have a chance to grab them," Emmeline admitted. She glanced at her watch. Before looking down at Harry. "I'll just be a moment, can you tell me where your things are at your house?"

"My uncle locked my truck in the cupboard under the stairs," Harry said quietly. "All my magic books and robes and things are there."

"Right," Emmeline said before she gave Severus a nervous look. "I'll be back soon."

"Right." Snape agreed, he turned and watched the woman walk out the front door like she owned the place. He turned back to Potter with a raised eyebrow. "You'll be staying in the guest bedroom. Upstairs, second door on the left. The door on the right is the bathroom."

"Oh... er... where will Ms. Vance sleep?" Harry asked worriedly. Snape sneered at him.

"She is a witch of some skill. I'm sure she can transfigure something suitable, or sleep on the couch." he drawled.

"Oh well I can-" Harry tried worriedly. It hardly seems fair to force her to sleep on the couch after she'd saved him from the dead-whatevers.

"Just take the spare bedroom, Potter!" Snape snarled angrily. "And show a little more gratitude! I am giving up my well-deserved vacation to mind you!"

"Sorry, sir." Harry said quickly. He could tell that Snape was already in a terribly bad mood., though strangely it didn't seem like Harry was entirely the cause. The man walked away, through the dining room into what Harry assumed was the kitchen beyond. He was muttering to himself as he went about making tea. It sounded to Harry like he was damning Dumbledore. Harry wrung his hands as he stood on the hearth-rug, not sure what he should do. Snape came back into the living room with his mug and frowned.

"Stop standing there like a pylon, Potter." he drawled. "Or is my sofa not good enough?"

"I just didn't know if I was allowed, sir,'' Harry muttered. Snape's eyebrow rose.

"Of course you're allowed, Potter. You're going to be staying here for the foreseeable future. You think I'd want you standing there in the way until September?" Snape said. Harry shook his head and slowly settled onto the sofa. Snape was marvelling at his bizarre behaviour. The boy was obviously still reeling over the deaths of his family. Severus was sure he'd be back to his usually impertinent self in a few days. Probably even more so. Severus groaned silently. Emmeline had better keep him occupied. His knuckles tightened around the mug in his hands. Emmeline. This was so like Albus! To spring her on him after all this time! He grunted and took a sip of his tea. The door opened again.

"I'm back!" Emmeline cried with a smile on her lips. "I have your trunk here dear, as well as your broom."

"Thank you, Ms. Vance!" Harry cried as he rushed to grab it. He cradled the nimbus to his chest like it was an infant bird before he grabbed his trunk and pulled it towards the stairs. As he strained to lift it over the bottom step Snape tisked and shot a feather-light charm over the trunk. Harry yelped and tumbled backwards into the next step as the trunk was suddenly much lighter.

"Don't scuff up my stairs, Potter." Snape drawled coolly. Harry gave him a twisted look somewhere between a frown and a look of gratitude before he disappeared around the bend.

"Severus," Emmeline scolded quietly, "that was very childish." Severus did not respond to her admonishment. He just opened up the magazine on his coffee table and ignored her. "I take it, I'm sleeping on the couch?"

"I see your deductive skills have not reduced," Severus muttered quietly. The woman rolled her eyes before dragging her suitcase to the other side of the sofa. Snape opened his mouth to yell at her to not scratch the hardwood when Potter came back downstairs.

"Er... sir? am I... that is-"

"Spit it out, Potter." Snape snapped in irritation. His stuttering was extremely irritating.

"Can I go flying?" Harry asked nervously. Snape frowned before he set down his mug and steepled his fingers.

"I do believe this is the perfect opportunity to set down some ground rules," he said with narrowed eyes. "Number 1: You are to be in the guestroom by 9 o'clock. Lights out at 10. Spend that hour either getting ready for bed or doing something quiet. Number 2: The pantry is strictly off limits. Breakfast is at 9 am; dinner at 7:30 pm. Lunch is something I expect you to make for yourself. Number 3: you will pick up after yourself! That includes keeping the spare bedroom neat. A Hogwarts house-elf comes by every week to pick up dirty laundry. Do not leave it lying around! Put it in the laundry basket! Number 4: you are currently in St Margaret's Bay, Dover-"

"Dover?!" Harry said in awe. "I've never been to Dover! Can you see the cliffs from here?"

"If you would let me finish," Snape said warningly. Harry clamped his mouth shut. "As I was saying. We are in St Margaret's Bay. Specifically east of the town's centre. It's a two-minute walk to the road, then a 16-minute walk down The Droveway." Snape explained. "You are not to go into town without myself or Emmeline." he paused before he huffed. "And to answer your question... yes, you can see the cliffs if you walk along St Margaret's Beach." Harry beamed! Now there was something he had to see! Maybe Emmeline would be willing to take him to see them tomorrow. "As for flying. The house is surrounded by a muggle repelling charm as well as notice me not charms. They extend out to the stone wall surrounding the house and up to the top of the willow tree. Provided you are exceedingly careful, and Emmeline agrees to supervise you, I see no reason why you cannot fly. But I want this to be made crystal clear, Potter." Snape began as Harry smiled widely. "These are privileges. Failing to follow the rules will result in those privileges being revoked. Am I understood?"

"Yes sir."

"In addition." Snape began, "I hardly think you should go about flying or exploring the bay when it sounds as though you have not even started your summer reading." Snape drawled coldly, "my essay is not something to be put off until the train ride, Potter." Harry's spirits sunk

"Er... right... I suppose I can finish my homework first." Harry muttered before he turned back towards the stairs.

"Severus-" Emmeline began with a sad note in her voice.

"Do not start Emmeline," Severus growled lowly before returning to his magazine. The woman huffed and settled onto the sofa, as far from his armchair as she could get.

This was going to be a long summer.

Harry sat on the stone wall down the path from Snape's front door out to the sea. It had been three days since he’d arrived in Dover. His mind was still reeling with everything that had happened. 

His whole family was dead.

He shuddered and cradled himself in his arms. 

He knew that there were dark wizards. He'd met Voldemort twice now. He knew exactly what the man was like. He just never realized that there were others just as vile. 

Dudley hadn’t been much older than him after all. 

Harry sobbed and a few tears dribbled down his cheeks. Then he angrily scrubbed them away. He was acting like such a baby! But no matter how he tried, the tears wouldn't stop coming now that they'd started. 

“Harry?” came the sound of Emmeline's voice from the door. He turned to her and tried to keep a straight face. But the tears gave him away. “Oh Harry dear!” she rushed forward and pulled him into a tight hug. Harry sobbed as she pulled her green shawl around him. He held tight as she rubbed his back and whispered small comforts into his hair. After a minute he did feel a bit better. He sniffed and rubbed his face again. “Better?” she asked. Harry didn't trust his voice so he just nodded. “Well come inside. Someone just arrived. I think you're going to be pretty happy about it.” Harry blinked and hopped off the stone wall to follow her. As they marched in, Snape levelled Harry with a warning look.

“Consider this an extension of rule number 3, Potter,” he said warningly.

“What?” Harry asked in confusion. Then there was a familiar screech. “Hedwig!” Harry raced over to the dining room, where the owl was perched on the head chair. She gave another screech and flapped her wings as Harry raced over to pet her. She nibbled his fingers comfortingly before hopping onto his shoulder and preening his hair. “I sent her to Ron's when we left for Bristol…” Harry murmured. 

“Post owls are incredibly intelligent creatures,” Severus explained. “They are always able to find their masters.” his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “However, I must insist, Potter, that you not use her if you intend to send post to your friends.”

“What?! Why can’t I write to my friends?!” Harry demanded furiously. Snape growled.

“Did you not hear what I said, Potter? I said ‘if you intend to write’. Where in there did I forbid you to speak with your friends?” he demanded in irritation.

“So... I can write them?” Harry asked in confusion.

“Yes!” Snape cried with a huff. “My only request is that you use my owl, Orville, instead.”

“Why?”

“Because your owl is a Snowy, Potter,” Snape said with a huff. “Tell me, are snowy owls native to southern England?”

“Er… no I guess not.” Harry assented with a blush.

“Contrary to what most wizards would think, muggles are not stupid. They might notice a snowy owl flying around in the middle of June. Especially during the day. Orville, However, is a Tawny and therefore much less noticeable. He lives in the willow tree outside. I would prefer you keep Hedwig indoors-” when Harry opened his mouth to retort Snape cut him off “Not necessarily in her cage, Potter!” he snapped before the boy could object. “Just not somewhere she might be seen.”

“Alright,” Harry said quietly. Hedwig had stopped preening and was now watching Snape with narrowed eyes. The man glared back at the bird before he huffed and waved Harry away. The preteen didn't need any more dismissal than that and rushed away.  Emmeline, who had been watching them from the archway with a smile, watched him go before giving Severus a look.

“It was very kind of you to let him write to his friends.”

“Contrary to what you might think, Emmeline, I am not an emotionless monster.” Severus drawled quietly. Emmeline snorted.

“Not anymore at least,” she said bitterly. The man turned to shout at her, but she was already retreating upstairs after Potter. He snarled in frustration and marched towards the pantry. 

“Hey, Harry,” Emmeline said as she tapped on the spare room door. 

“Hey,” Harry said as he hurriedly scrawled across a parchment. “I'm just writing a letter to Ron and Hermione.” he paused. “Am I allowed to tell them where I am?” Emmeline frowned. Then she huffed. 

“You'd have to ask Severus,” she said plainly, though it sounded like she wasn't recommending it.

“I'll just tell them I'm safe.” Harry reasoned sheepishly as he continued scrawling across the page.

“How's your potions essay coming along?” Emmeline asked as she walked up to his small desk with a smile. Harry let out a gust of breath.

“It's a really difficult topic,” he complained. “I think Snape assigned the hard ones on purpose.”

“To be fair to Severus, he does teach one of the most dangerous subjects.” Emmeline reasoned. “He has to make sure you all know what you're doing so that no one gets hurt.” Harry blinked. He'd never really thought about that before. No one in his class had been purposely damaged yet, though there was that time with the firework. And all those times Malfoy had chucked something in his potions to ruin it… although come to think of it, those additional ingredients had never caused anything more than the potion turning into sludge. Evidently, Draco knew more about potions than he thought. 

“Maybe Snape has a book I can use as another reference.” Harry reasoned. “I don't have the new textbook yet…”

“I'm officially vetoing any more homework for today.” Emmeline declared. Harry blinked at her. “You need a change of air. Let's walk down to the beach. A short hike to stretch out legs will be just the thing to help.” she insisted. Harry smiled and grabbed his coat. Emmeline led the way down the stairs. 

“Er… shouldn't we tell Snape?” he offered worriedly. Emmeline rolled her eyes. 

“Severus is in a mood today. I'd rather not spend any more time with him than I have to.” she insisted. She pulled open the door and Harry followed her. 

Harry lifted his camera and snapped a few more photos of the cliffs. The angle wasn't stellar, but it was still awe-inspiring. 

“How's the old song go again?” Harry asked jokingly. Emmeline smiled and took a deep breath.

“There'll be bluebirds over

The white cliffs of Dover

Tomorrow

Just you wait and see”

Harry gaped at her.

“Ms. Vance! That was amazing!”

“Thank you, dear,” Emmeline said with a smile. “My mother and I used to sing that together when I was younger.” Harry smiled brightly. They walked along the rocky shore in silence for a while, just listening to the waves.

“Ms. Vance…” Harry began quietly.

“Harry, how many times must I tell you to call me Emmeline?” the woman cried with a chuckle. 

“Ms. Emmeline.” Harry amended, which made her snort. “Can I ask a question?”

“Of course Harry dear,” Emmeline assured him. “What is it you’d like to know?”

“How exactly do you know Snape?” Harry asked. Emmeline stopped and gave Harry a thoughtful look.

“We used to be together.” Emmeline finally admitted after a beat of silence. Harry stumbled on the sand.

“Snape?! Dated?! You?!” Harry cried in shock. Emmeline laughed loudly.

“What part of that was the most shocking?” she asked merrily. “The part where Severus dated, or the part where I was the one who dated him?”

“Both! All of it!” Harry cried in shock.

“Your teachers are humans too, Harry.” Emmeline reminded him with a mirthful smile.

“I know that!” Harry cried with a bashful blush. “It's just… Snape.”

“Severus wasn't always as cold and bitter as he is now,” Emmeline assured him. She stared out into the ocean, looking rather forlorn. “He was incredibly kind,” she murmured. Then she shook her head. “But that was many years ago.” she looked out to the horizon again and nodded. “We should get back. Severus has probably stopped brooding by now.” Harry nodded, but he remained thoughtful the whole hike back to the little cottage. 

“Where have you been!?” Snape shouted as the door opened. His scowl was thunderous and his eyes fiery. 

“Harry and I went for a little walk,” Emmeline said matter of factly.

“Funny,” Snape drawled coldly, “I thought I'd made it rather clear he wasn't to leave until his homework was finished.”

“He needed a break,” Emmeline argued coolly. Snape sneered.

“Well! I hope it was worth it,” Snape said firmly, “because there will be no more ‘breaks’ for the foreseeable future.”

“Harry,” Emmeline said flatly, “please go upstairs.”

“Yes Ms. Vance.” Harry murmured worriedly as he scampered out from under Snape’s watchful gaze. As he closed the door he heard the voices below him grow very heated. It seemed to go on for hours. After a while, Harry covered his ears with his hands and groaned. Eventually, the door slammed. Harry hugged his knees to his chest and thought about what Emmeline had told him. No wonder the pair were always so snippy. It couldn't be easy having to be around your ex all the time. There was a tap on his door.

“Commin,” Harry murmured. Emmeline walked in. She looked down at Harry's scrunched-up position and let out a weary sigh.

“I'm sorry you had to hear that Harry,” she said as she came to sit on his bed. “I'm afraid Severus is still being a stubborn arse.” Harry let out a sputter of shocked laughter. Then he frowned.

“Where did Snape go?” he asked worriedly.

“I told him he had to take a walk.” Emmeline declared a matter of factly. “Evidently he agreed with me.” Harry blinked and couldn't help but bite his lip to keep from laughing. Emmeline caught his eyes with her own conspiratory eyes. 

“Toad in a hole for dinner?” she offered.

“I can help,” Harry argued. Emmeline gave him a look.

“Certainly.” she finally decided. 

Severus appeared on the cliff side with a crack. As he stood on the top of the edge, fist-shaking, and temper broiling he couldn't stand it any longer. He let out a furious angry scream.

“Bloody Emmeline, and her bloody bleeding heart!” he screamed as he kicked a rock into the swirling ocean below. Then he took a deep breath, rubbing first his eyes and then his temples. Why did she always do this? How did she push his buttons and attack the loose thread that frayed his nerves so quickly? It was hard enough controlling the boy during the year without having her undermine his authority! Now she was coddling him! He growled and kicked another rock over the edge. She always made him want to kick something! He took another deep breath. He looked out to the horizon and huffed again. He better get back to the cottage. Leaving Emmeline and Potter alone for too long was a bad idea. There probably wasn't even a cottage to get back to. Despite this, he turned and began the walk back to the cottage. It was about an hour when he finally marched up the path to the door. As he opened the door a delicious smell hit him. 

“Oh!” Harry cried in shock from the dining room “Hey Professor! We've got some under stasis for you.”

“‘Some’ being?” Snape drawled casually.

“Toad in the hole and mushy peas,” Emmeline responded with a smile. “Harry shared his recipe with me. It's really quite marvellous."

"I beg your pardon?" Snape asked incredulously. "You say Potter gave you a recipe?"

"Yeah. For the mushy peas." Harry said, "though I mean technically it's my aunt's recipe, but I was always the one who made it."

"Impossible," Snape said plainly.

"What? Why?" Harry demanded with a scowl.

"Because Potter, you can't cook," Snape said with a roll of his eyes.

"Yes, I can!" Harry shouted angrily. "Take a bite and you'll see."

"I know you can't cook Potter," Snape said firmly, "because you're terrible at potions."

"How is that even remotely similar?!" Harry cried in exasperation. Snape dropped his spoon on the table and scrubbed his face with his hands.

"Potter, tell me, when you cook, do you not have to prepare certain ingredients in a certain way, while maintaining specific temperatures and stirring in specific ways?" Snape demanded with utter exhaustion in his voice. Harry blinked, opening and closing his mouth a few times before a sheepish blush lit up his cheeks. 

"I.. er… never really thought about it like that." He admitted.

"You never really thought of it like that," Snape repeated before he huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he picked up his spoon and took a bite of the food in front of him. The deliciousness seemed to make him even more frustrated as he began grumpily muttering in between bites. Emmeline tossed Harry a conspiratory smile and a wink before she tucked in herself. As the meal wound down Snape cleared his throat.

"Let me say this Potter, if you apply yourself with half as much effort in potions as you apparently do for cooking, I suspect you just might be able to get through next semester with a passing grade… and possibly fewer house points lost." The latter was said with a bit of melancholy. Harry smirked.

"I'm sure you'll find some other excuse to take points, professor." The teen argued. Snape scoffed and walked into the kitchen with the dirty dishes. 

"You just encouraged Severus to take points from you," Emmeline remarked with a chuckle. Harry blinked before groaning and covering his face with his hands. Severus couldn't help but look up as Emmeline burst into melodious laughter.

Dear Harry,

It is so wonderful to hear from you again!
I was starting to get worried when you didn’t write after a week or so. Ron told me Hedwig was with him of course, but then she dissappeared. I'm glad to know that she's with you.

I'm so sorry to hear about your family. I know they hadn't always been the kindest to you, but even still, it must be pretty horrible.

I know you said you wouldn't be able to tell me where you're staying, but I am grateful to know you're safe.

I hope to hear from you again. Let me know if you need any help with Snape's essay. It's a particularly complex topic that even I found a bit tricky.

Love,
Hermione

P.s. I wouldn't wait on a response from Ronald anytime soon. Apparently Scabbers has gone missing and he's been rather frantic about finding him. Seems the rat came back from Egypt with some kind of illness. I tried to remind Ronald that Scabbers was quite old and he probably left for that reason. He didn't like that very much

Harry set down the letter with a snort. Of course Hermione would say something as callous as that. He was sure Ron didn't need to be told that his beloved pet was probably dead. Harry reasoned to write again and tell Ron that the pudgy rat would turn up eventually, though he hated to cause a larger rift between his friends.

"Was that Weasley or Granger?" Snape drawled casually as he poured out his morning coffee.

"Hermione," Harry murmured around a piece of jammy toast, earning him a scowl. He roughly swallowed before speaking again. "Can I tell her I'm staying with you?" Snape gave him a withering look. "Just to put her at ease! She’s really worried about me!"

"I can lay spells to hide delicate information." Emmeline offered from the living room. "It's one of my specialities."

"Fine. But don't tell her where we are." Snape said flatly. "I don't want to risk that much."

"Alright.” Harry muttered before he rushed back upstairs, eager to write a response.

Dear Hermione,

Thank you. For saying that about my family. I always turn into a bit of a mess when I think about it too long. I just can't help but think about Dudley. He was only a couple months older than me. Apparently someone went back to my aunt's marges house to see what fully happened. They didn't tell me any details, but from what I could infer it wasn't pretty. I can't help but wonder if I had been there, maybe none of them would have died.

I'm getting off topic.

I wanted to tell you a bit more about where I am. I can't tell you exactly for security reasons, but I can tell you who I'm staying with! It's Professor Snape! So far he's acctually been

Well not decent persay. But he hasn't insulted me

Much

It's not just me and Snape though. There also Ms. Emmeline. She's part of this group that Dumbledore created to fight Voldemort during the first war. She’s pretty cool actually. She was showing me some stunts on the broom I can't wait to try on the pitch this year.

But that’s not the only cool thing about her!

Apparently, she and Snape used to date!

I don't have all the details, but I really want to find out more. You couldn't find two people more opposite! Everytime I see them interact I have so many questions!

Mostly how?

And how?!

I don't know.

I'm going to ask Snape next. See if I can't get some kind of explanation.

I just have to wait for Ms. Emmeline to leave for a bit

Hope to hear from you again!

Love,
Harry

P.s. I think you should be a little kinder to Ron about Scabbers. Losing someone you care about is really hard. It's easy for you to be blunt from the outside looking in, but Ron's had Scabbers for a long time. Think about how you'd feel if one of your dear friends disappeared without warning one day.

Dear Harry,

You can't blame yourself for what happened Harry! If you had been there you would be dead! I don't know why Voldemort’s followers are coming back now of all times but their evil habits are not your fault!

I can't believe you're staying with Snape of all poeple! What is his house like? If it's anything like his office it must be pretty unnerving.

Emmeline sounds nice, but really Harry I think you should leave well enough alone. Our professor's old relationship is really none of your business. Playing with fire rarely turns out well.

Love,
Hermione

Emmeline wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and looked down at Harry slowly eating his oatmeal with dissintrest. She could tell by his face that today was one of those days. She glanced at her watch before walking over to the door to the pantry and knocking. There was about two minutes of silence before the door whipped open.

"What!" Severus snapped in irritation. Emmeline gave him her coldest withering look.

"Dumbledore has called. He said he needed my help with something today. New ward over the school I think. So I need you to keep Harry occupied for a while." Severus made a face and went to push past her when Emmeline stuck out an arm to block him. "Severus," she began with a whisper, "please try to be gentle. He's having another bad day." The potions master grunted. "Severus! The boy feels responsible for his family's deaths." Emmeline reiterated for what seemed like the millionth time.

"It's ridiculous." Severus grumbled in frustration.

"To us!" Emmeline argued, "but the boy is twelve!"

"Thirteen in a few weeks." Severus murmured. Emmeline blinked.

"We should start planning his party." She said thoughtfully. Snape snorted and rolled his eyes.

"I take it you want me to coddle him and pet his hair?"

"Goodness no!" Emmeline cried with a laugh, "The poor thing would die of shock!"

"Then what?" Snape demanded in irritation.

"Something calming." Emmeline insisted with a huff. Honestly he could be so obtuse sometimes. "And remember Severus! Gentle!"

"Alright woman!" Severus complained before he marched up to Harry with hard eyes. The preteen looked up from his breakfast. Upon seeing his professors look he paled.

"What did I do?" He demanded worriedly.

"Guilty conscience, Potter?" Snape demanded with a glare.

"No!" Harry insisted, though he did briefly avert his gaze. Emmeline huffed before she gave Harry a comforting look.

"I'm going to be going out for a while, Harry."

"Okay…" Harry said as he gave his potions professor another harrowed glance. Emmeline huffed before looking at Severus again.

"Behave." She implored. The man scoffed with a raised eyebrow which made her even more frustrated before she half stomped out of the cottage. Harry and Severus stood in silence for a moment before Snape cleared his throat.

"I seem to recall Pomona saying you had a passable grade in herbology." He said quietly.

"I'm okay I geuss." Harry offered with a shrug. "As long as the plants don't attack if you prune their favourite leaves or whatever." Severus snorted.

"Come along then. I'm sure you can't make more of a mess than the school year already has."

Harry didn't dislike gardening. He actually took great pride in the roses he'd managed to coax back to life after a year of his aunt's neglect. Not that that was anything new. At least Snape told him what to do for the plants he didn't recognize. He was currently trying to salvage the remains of his potions patch.

"I should really hire an elf to manage this during the year." Snape muttered darkly as he plucked away at the bushel of crab grass attacking his monkshood.

"Can't you just put a stasis charm on it?" Harry questioned.

"Yes, To stop the weeds. But then nothing would grow now would it, potter?" Snape reminded him with a scoff.

"Oh yeah." Harry murmured with a faint blush. As he finished the last of his garden bed he turned to watching his professor. After a few minutes the man leaned back to survey his work and made a face.

"It'll do." He muttered. Then he held out his hand for the trimmers. Harry handed them to him and continued to watch as he pruned away the dying leaves.

"Professor," Harry finallybwgan, after plucking up for courage. "Can I ask you a a question?"

"I don't know Potter," Snape drawled before giving him a look. "Can you?"

"May I ask you a question?" Harry corrected with a huff.

"Yes what?" Snape demanded with a sigh, already predicting it would be something mundane and foolish.

"How did you and Ms. Emmeline meet?"

He nearly sliced his finger off. After a few seconds he collected himself.

"At Hogwarts." He said quietly.

"Is that where you started dating?" Harry asked innocently.

He actually dropped the trimmers that time, lest he sever something artirial.

"Emmeline told you?!" He demanded with a note of rage.

"Yeah." Harry said quietly. "I asked her how the two of you knew each other. It's kinda obvious that you knew her."

"I hope you haven't told your friends!" Snape shouted rather frantically. Harry blinked.

"Er… was I not supposed to?" Snape buried his face in his hand.

"There goes that carefully crafted reputation." Snape muttered bitterly.

"I only told Hermione!" Harry insisted. Snape’s eyebrow shot up.

"Oh? And what did Mrs. Granger have to say about you asking all these intrusive questions?"

"Er… well she said is wasn't any of my business." Harry addmited quietly.

"And, as always, she is correct." Snape said matter of factly. Then he turned back to his gardening. They continued to work in silence for some time. But Severus was keenly aware of the boy’s staring. As he finished his garden box and looked over to see Potter repeatedly digging a small hole and filing it again in bordum he heaved a sigh. "To answer your previous question… yes. Emmeline and I dated while we were at Hogwarts together. She was in her fifth year when I was in my seventh."

"You're older than her?" Harry said with a slight grimace.

"Two years is not a capital offence!" Snape argued with a bit of defensiveness. Then he cleared his throat. "We met through the Slytherin commons study group."

"Ms. Emmeline was a Slytherin?!" Harry cried in shock. Snape rolled his eyes.

"Yes Potter."

"But she's…" Harry began.

"Contrary to what I'm certain has been drilled into you from all sides," Snape began with a hodgepodge of rage, irritation, and a little dissapointment, "not all Slytherins are 'evil'. There have been plenty of noble and honorable Slytherins throughout the years. The founder of the wizarding hospital, Saint Victor Mungo, was a Slytherin. As was the current chief of the auror department, a well as several of your professors." Harry didn't look entirely convinced before he shrugged in that nonchalant way that drove Severus mad.

"I suppose." He murmured with uncertainty.. Snape gave him a bit of a glare before he huffed.

"I will admit… even in our youth Emmeline was not like many of our peers."

"Why is that?" Harry asked curiously.

"Are you aware of the Greek concept of the fatal flaw?"

"That’s the one where there is one bad thing that causes your ultimate downfall, yeah?"

"Correct." Snape said with a hint of surprise that made Harry scowl. He wasn't a complete idiot! "For most Slytherins, their fatal flaw is hubris. The beleif that if they work hard enough, they can obtain glory even greater than a gods."

"Isn't glory a Gryffindor thing?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Gryffindor aren't normally so self centered about it." Snape argued while Harry nodded emphatically. " Emmelines fatal flaw was diffidence."

"Diffa-what?" Harry questioned with a frown.

"A crippling lack of self confidence and assertiveness." Snape defined with a drawl. "She vascilated when she should have acted and let poeple walk all over her."

"I don't know sir," Harry began with a smirk, "she seems pretty assertive to me."

"Yes well she has a the benefit of further expirience." Snape argued with a glare. He knew well what Potter was implying. "But when we were younger she spent an awful lot of time incredibly worried about what everyone else thought of her." Snape's face grew rather wistful and contemplative. "except the poeple that actually mattered." He finished under his breath.

"So that's why you broke up?" Harry asked.

"That enough." Snape said firmly, with a glare that told Harry right then that this little game of questions was over. Harry didn't need to be told twice as he shut his mouth and didn't object when Snape dissappeared into the pantry once again.

Dear Hermione,

So

I didn't follow your advice. I know I know you'll probably make a big deal but I'm glad I didn't!

I don't know what happened exactly. I'm gonna have to ask Ms. Emmeline this time. Snape might chop me up into potions sized pieces if I try anything like that again.

But from what I do know:

Ms. Emmeline and Snape started dating at Hogwarts

Ms. Emmeline apparently was super self conscious about

something, and

Broke it off? I geuss?

But the way it sounded from Ms. Emmeline, it seemed like she thought it was Snape's idea.

I have to find out more, Hermione.

They've both been so snippy with each other lately. And I just can't help but feel like

If they just sat down and talked all this would turn out to be just a big misunderstanding! I'll talk to you later.

Love,
Harry

The first week of July was sweltering. Harry spent the day wallowing in the back garden, trying to soak in some kind of comfort from the shade under the big willow. But the little pond in Snape's backyard was mosquito-ridden, making the lounge much less enjoyable. One day Harry decided to try and climb the old willow. He was settled in fairly well, about halfway up, resting his back against one of the gnarled knots. The sway of the branches was so calming that he slowly drifted off to sleep.

"POTTER!" 

Harry yelped and rolled over. He had to make breakfast! Uncle Vernon must be furious. But the fall to the floor was much longer than he expected. And when he landed he let out a shriek.

"HARRY!" Emmeline cried in horror as she rushed over to the crying teen.

"Bloody hell." Severus cried in alarm. "Come! Bring him inside!"

"It's alright sweetheart." Emmeline soothed him even as Harry clutched his leg with a whimper.

"On the couch," Snape said as he held the door open. "Tear the pant leg."

"Right," Emmeline said as her hands shook slightly. She let out a horrified gasp as she saw the painful swelling of Harry's leg and around his knee. The teen let out an anguished wail as she moved to press on it. She immediately flinched back. Then Snape pushed her aside.

"Harry." He said sternly. The teen instantly looked at him in shock. "I won't lie to you. This is going to hurt. But if we don't do this, you'll have a limp for the rest of your life. So do not attempt to stop me. Do you understand?"

"Yessir." Harry choked out.

"As soon as it's straight I have potions to cut the pain," Snape assured him

"Can't I take them now?" Harry begged pitifully.

"The potion is what helps heal the break," Snape explained. "Receiving one now will just result in the leg having to be broken again." Harry let out a strangled sob which the older wizard couldn't help but snort at. "exactly. Now take a deep breath."

"I'm right here," Emmeline assured him, though her voice did waver.

"Hold his head in your lap," Severus told Emmeline. The woman nodded and got up, helping pull Harry into her lap with only a little whimpering. Snape reached out and grasped his leg. "Ready?" Harry took a deep shuddery breath and nodded. Then Severus twisted it. His leg made a sickening crunch as he let out a desperate scream. Strangely though, it didn't hurt quite as much as it had before. "Here," Severus said, holding out the potion and a glass of water. Harry just chugged the first down rather frantically and nearly sunk into the couch with relief. He didn't even care that his mouth tasted like pond scum! Okay, maybe he did care a little. As he grabbed the glass of water he blinked.

"You have a tattoo?!" Harry cried in shock. Immediately the man shot his hand back as if Harry had burned him and pulled down his left sleeve. "It looks pretty old… did you get it during Hogwarts?" The potions master was white as a sheet before he snarled. Before he could open his mouth to retort back, Emmeline cleared her throat.

"Harry dear…" Emmeline began. " I think you should thank Severus."

"Oh! Right! Thank you, sir!" Harry said before he frowned. "Sorry, my brain is kinda all jumbled up."

"A side effect of the potion," Snape muttered after a beat of silence. He would have to thank Emmeline later for that effortless save. "Are you in any other pain?"

"Er… my back kinda hurts," Harry admitted after a sluggish second. Snape went pale once again.

"Wiggle your toes." He insisted. Harry blinked before he did as instructed. Severus didn't let himself show any kind of relief just yet. "Can you sit up?"

"I think so," Harry said before he groggily set himself upright. As he did Emmeline lifted up his t-shirt. She let out a hiss of sympathy. The poor boy's back was horrible chaffed, probably from the tree bark as he rolled off.

"Dittany and murtlap?" Emmeline asked casually. Snape gave her an impressed look and disappeared into the pantry. He returned with the little bottle, a cotton swab in tweezers and a jar of something slimy. As he dropped the dittany on the swab Harry pulled a face

"This is gonna sting isn't it." He whined.

"Maybe you won't go climbing trees anymore." Snape drawled as he began the slow task of healing the scratches. Emmeline was petting his hair with each stroke.

"I was perfectly fine!" Harry cried before a particularly deep graze drew out a hiss. "Until you startled me!"

"You were high enough in a tree to break both your lower leg bones and twist your knee cap!" Snape shouted.

"Harry dear," Emmeline interrupted before they could both get into another shouting match, "please listen to Severus."

"Fine," Harry muttered. Snape scoffed.

"You're impossible." He complained as he unscrewed the jar and began dabbing the green viscous liquid inside over the recently healed scratches.

"You're both impossible!" Emmeline cried with a laugh. The two wizards turned to her with varying looks of affront. "Oh don't give me those looks! You know I'm right!" Then she rubbed Harry's shoulder. "Do you want some pumpkin juice to wash down the potion?"

"Yes please," Harry said quietly. As she walked away Harry turned to stand.

"Ah up up up!" Severus said quickly. "Get that leg back on the couch young man."

"What?" Harry cried with a whine.

"Keep it still and elevated for at least the next few hours."

"And do what?!" Harry cried in frustration. Severus huffed and tossed a book at him.

"Read that." He insisted. Harry scowled and grabbed the book with a huff. It was probably some extremely dry and boring potions text. But the title indicated otherwise.

"Sherlock Holmes?" He questioned in confusion.

"Yes. That's a very rare copy so please don't spill anything on it." Snape said blandly as Emmeline returned with his juice.

"Severus always loved mysteries," Emmeline explained with a grin. "Particularly the gentlemen detective."

"I enjoy fiction which requires a certain amount of deductive reasoning and thought." Severus drawled.

"You should try SciFi," Harry said with a grin. "I bet you'd love the classics! I used to read Jules Verne in primary."

"I prefer more believable stories," Severus said plainly.

"Sherlock Holmes is believable?" Harry demanded with a raised eyebrow.

"More believable than spaceships and laser guns." Snape insisted. Then he huffed. "Just be quiet and read, potter." The teen huffed but did as instructed.

Harry ended up falling asleep not long after the third story. The excitement of the morning caught up with him. Harry woke to the sensation of someone massaging his leg. He blinked and groggily raised his hand up to rub his eyes and made a noise as it became tangled up with the blanket that Emmeline usually slept with. Severus looked over with a raised eyebrow.

"Good evening," he said before rubbing Harry's knee with his palm. "Was it pain that woke you?"

"Doesn't hurt." Harry slurred.

"Good," Severus said softly. Harry yawned widely and stretched. "I'd say it's good to put some weight on it again." Harry hesitated, seeming to be debating whether he wanted to remain tucked up cozily on the couch or make his way up to the spare room. Eventually, he sighed and turned to stand. He tested his leg rather gingerly at first before settling into a natural stance. "Now, moving forward."

"I won't climb any more trees," Harry muttered tiredly.

"Thank you," Severus said. "But I was going to say no running, heavy lifting, or flying for at least a week. There is still the potential for a rebreak."

"Fine," Harry said pitifully.

"May I ask why my shouting startled you so much?"

"I… I thought you were my uncle." Harry admitted quietly. Snape blinked. "He always called me Potter too. Sometimes you say something… or you shout a certain way and…" Harry turned away, looking ashamed. "I know it's stupid. I know they're dead but I-'' he cut himself off as his professor's hand descended on his shoulder.

"You are not responsible for your family's deaths," Severus said firmly. Harry nodded. "I want you to say it."

"I am not responsible for my family's deaths." Harry parroted back with some roboticism. Snape narrowed his eyes.

"Consider this a new summer assignment Harry." He said firmly. The teen blinked at him. "I want you to repeat that phrase every day. With any luck, by the end of the summer, it might sink into that hard skull of yours." Harry shrugged and shuffled away to his bedroom. Snape watched him go for several seconds before he tsked. "You're terrible at spying, Emmeline."

"Well, then it's a good thing I don't do it very often," Emmeline argued. She was beaming at him.

"Or smirking." He quipped.

"I'm not smirking. I'm smiling. You should try it sometime. It might help with the crows' feet." Snape grunted. Her face softened. "Thank you."

"Hmm?"

"For being kind to him."

"The boy fractured his femur." Severus drawled. "I wasn't exactly going to beat him black and blue."

"You could have been much more cruel than you were," Emmeline argued. The man grunted again which made her roll her eyes. " You know, the two of you have quite a bit in common."

"I have never been so insulted in my life." Snape drawled bitterly. Emmeline huffed.

"Severus, sometimes I think you are purposely obtuse."

"Perhaps." The man countered with a raised eyebrow. Emmeline growled before she shook her head in irritation. This man! He drove her mad! "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For distracting Harry earlier," Severus muttered as he rubbed the sleeve over his left arm, once again hiding that vile symbol of oppression he'd foolishly thought meant freedom. He violently flinched away as Emmeline's hand tried to join his.

"Severus…" Emmeline began worriedly. The man turned his back to her with stiff posture. "You know I never blamed you for thinking…" she let out a sad sigh. "I'm sorry."

"As am I," Severus muttered. He turned back around with harrowed eyes. "But all the apologies in the world won't erase what I've done." Then the potions master turned away, escaping the woman, with her damned ever pitiful eyes that promised a comfort he didn't deserve.

Harry looked up from the garden with wide eyes.

“Huh?” he asked.

“I said, go put on something more presentable and come back downstairs,” Snape said with a roll of his eyes.

“Why?” Harry asked in confusion.

“We’re going to Diagon Alley,” Snape explained. Harry grinned and scrambled to his feet. Then he frowned.

“But why am I coming though?” Harry asked. Snape raised an eyebrow.

“Would you rather not?” he demanded. 

“No!” Harry said quickly. "I mean yes! Er… yes I do want to go!" He finished frantically. Snape snorted and rolled his eyes.

“Then go get ready already.”

“Yes sir!” Harry cried with a grin. He dashed upstairs and quickly pulled on the least stained or holey t-shirt he owned and rushed back downstairs. As he did, Snape frowned.

“Harry, I told you to be presentable!”

“Er… well this is the nicest thing I own,” Harry admitted quietly. The man gave him an even harsher frown.

“Well then!” Emmeline cried with a huff. “I suppose a trip to Malkin’s will be tacked on to this little excursion.”

“You’re coming too?” Harry cried with a grin. 

“yes,” Emmeline said with a smile. “I need several things at the shops. And Severus has run out of rare potions ingredients that for some reason,” she began giving the man an indulgent smirk. “He refuses to have mailed in.”

“The last time I ordered from Jigger’s, they got the measurements all mixed up and sent me twice as much lacewings flies and half as much crushed scarabs than I'd ordered!” the man cried angrily. Emmeline caught Harry's eyes as hers sparkled with mirth. 

"Now Harry, hold still," Snape said before he waved his wand over Harry's head.  A shiver ran down the teen's spine and he looked over at the mirror and gaped. His hair was several shades lighter, matching Emmeline’s more closely and his eyes had dimmed down to a much deeper green. His hair was also less 'all over the place' and had more wavy smoothness. "It's a temporary guise that will hold up under scrutiny. But try not to draw too much attention to yourself."

"Right," Harry said before he frowned. "But why do I need a disguise?"

"Has… did you not tell him, Emmeline?" Snape demanded with slight horror. 

"There was never a good time."

"Now isn’t exactly ideal either." Snape murmured before he gave Harry a nebulous look, "but I'm not leaving the cottage until you know these facts."

"Okay?" Harry said with confusion. 

"Earlier this summer, a man named Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban prison." Snape began, a sneer entering his voice as he said the man's name. "He is a highly dangerous and mad criminal who was sent to prison for murdering 13 people, 1 wizard and 12 innocent muggles."

"Alright," Harry said with a nod. He understood the need for caution now. "But what does that have to do with me?"

"He was also a traitor." Severus began quietly. "He was the one who sold your parents out to the dark lord." Snape declared. Harry's blood went cold.

"He… he told Voldemort where they were hiding?" Harry demanded as he began to shake. Snape nodded gravely.

"After you defeated the dark lord he went to try and kill you. But he was stopped by Dumbledore. But you remain his primary target. To this day, he still seeks revenge for the dark lord." 

"So… if he finds me," Harry began nervously.

"He will most assuredly try to kill you," Snape confirmed. Harry suddenly felt very nervous about going to Diagon alley. 

"Is that why the death eaters have come back?" Harry suddenly asked worriedly.

"It is likely." Snape reasoned. "But that could also be indicative of… much graver circumstances," Snape said as he grew the slightest bit nervous. Harry gulped as he saw the shadow of fear on his professor's face. He'd always thought his professor was an immovable wall. Anything that gave him even just that molecule of fear was terrifying. 

"Oh stop it, Severus, you're scaring the boy." Emmeline scolded him angrily. She put her hands over Harry's shoulders and smiled. "Don't worry dear. Severus or I will be with you the entire time. Nothing is going to happen." Harry gave her a vaguely skeptical look while Snape rolled his eyes and turned for the door. 

"We're not flooing?" Harry asked casually. That had been how the Weasley's went after all. 

"Apperating is quicker," Snape said firmly. As they walked out of the house Snape grabbed his shoulder tightly. "Ready?"

"Yeah," Harry said. Then with a crack, they disappeared. Harry still shuddered as the lingering feeling left him. Though thankfully he didn't feel like vomiting this time. 

"It grows less unpleasant with practice," Snape assured him. Harry nodded.

"Alright!" Emmeline cried as she came up behind them. “Harry and I are going to run the circuit while you head to Jigger’s. Shall we meet up at Malkin’s?"

"Yes. Though for the duration of this exclusion, his name is Damien." Severus declared. 

"Right," Harry said with a nod. 

"We'll see you in a bit," Emmeline confirmed before leading Harry away.

Snape moved down the dark and grimy alley with purpose in his step. Knocturn Alley was much more crowded than Diagon, which was rather concerning and indicative of the growing darkness in the wizarding world. Sirius Black’s face was plastered over near every surface, his mad scream captured on loop. As Severus walked he took several steps to ensure he wasn't being followed before he stepped into Judgson’s apothecary.

"Two vials of sphinx blood and werewolf hair." He said to the heavily burned clerk. Then he grabbed the man's arm before he turned. "And make sure it's the genuine article this time. I will know, and I have no qualms about putting poison in my next delivery." He threatened lowly. The clerk disappeared behind the curtain.

"Well well well," came a familiar voice from the doorway. Severus spun around and sneered.

"Lucius." He greeted with levelled cordiality. "How are you?"

"Very well thank you." The blond aristocrat replied with a grin. His face grew thoughtful. "Such… exciting things are brewing."

"Hmm?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow. Lucius laughed.

"You spend too much time over a cauldron, my friend!" He gave the potions master a thoughtful smile. "You haven't heard the rumours?"

"Rumours?” Severus began as casually as he could. Lucius’s smile grew as poisonous as the merchandise around him.

“Well, it makes sense. You were noticeably absent from the last little… soiree” Lucius purred. Severus froze.

“There was a gathering?” he demanded.

“Oh, did you not hear?” Lucius drawled, though his eyes glittered with viscous mirth. A small pout made its way to his lips. “How tragic. And here I thought you were one of the most favoured.”

“Lucius-” Severus began with stiff posture. 

“Perhaps you played your little role too well my friend.” the aristocrat narrowed his eyes. “The dark lord has been watching you, Severus. Very closely. And he is not pleased.” Lucius finished coldly. Severus swallowed and his eyes flicked down to the man's cane. Lucius did twist his hand around it. But then he relaxed again. “Let this be my last token of friendship. I wouldn’t conduct any more business today, Severus. I suspect the Diagon crowds will become rather… frantic.” Severus felt his veins fill with ice. The death eater couldn't possibly! Then he paled. Harry and Emmeline! The potions master abandoned his purchases and rushed for the door. “And Severus!” Lucius called to him. “When we next meet, I may not be so inclined to be kind.” Severus sent the man a sneer and disappeared into the shadow of the alley.

Harry stared into the bags of clothes Emmeline had bought him with a slight blush

“Please let me pay you back!” he begged again.

“Nonsense,” Emmeline repeated yet again, this time with a roll of her eyes. Honestly, the boy could be more stubborn than Severus!

“But it's so much!” Harry whined.

“It’s no trouble, Damien,” Emmeline assured him. 

"But-" Harry began nervously. 

“Hush!” Emmeline cried with a sigh. “Now help me look for Severus. He couldn't possibly be taking this long just to go to Slug and Jigger’s.” Harry looked over the alley. It wasn't terribly crowded like it became in late august. There were plenty of people, but it wasn't the shoving pushing match of Hogwarts students. 

“There!” Harry cried with a grin as he pointed to the alley between the junk shop and Gringotts. “Hang on-” he muttered. Emmeline’s face went ruby red. 

“Severus Tobias Snape did you go to Knok-”

“We need to leave.” Severus declared as soon as he was in earshot. “Right now!”

“Why? Emmeline demanded angrily. “Because you don't want to have to explain why you were lurking around Knocturn alley!”

“No, we have to-” Snape began with grit teeth when suddenly the storefront two doors down exploded. Harry froze and was struck by a terrifying sense of Deja Vu as the sinister-robed men he remembered from Bristol began appearing all along the alley. Suddenly Emmeline was pulling him down a side street. He looked back to see Snape fending off two of the men simultaneously before suddenly he was sucked into apperation. 

“Go inside,” Emmeline cried, shoving him towards the cottage. “Lock the door and don't answer it for anyone.” 

“What about you?!” Harry cried, “where are you going?!”

“I have to go back and help Severus.” Emmeline declared.

“No!” Harry cried in alarm, “it's too dangerous!”

“I'll be fine,” Emmeline assured him with a frown. “Now do as I said!” Harry opened his mouth to protest once again, but Emmeline disappeared with a crack. So he went inside, locking the deadbolt with a little hesitation before going and sitting on the stairs, where he had a clear view of the door. 

Harry had kept his silent vigil for what seemed like hours. The pile of bags of clothes Emmeline had bought him was at his feet, but he dare not move from the stairs to put it away. More than once he’d thought he'd heard a sound that made him jump out of his skin, but it had turned out to be Orville and Hedwig getting into another one of their little arguments over who got to sit in the stand by the back window, or else the gas heating regulator clicking on and off. Then finally he heard something he was pretty certain wasn't the noises of the house. The door handle jiggled slightly. Harry bolted up to his feet and rushed for the door when he froze. Emmeline had told him not to answer it for anyone. But what if she or Professor Snape were injured?! Then the door burst open, making him scream and pull out his wand. Severus stumbled in, glancing around frantically while supporting Emmeline. As his eyes landed on Harry the teen perceived that his teacher looked oddly… impressed.

“You have good instincts, Harry,” he said as he brought Emmeline to the couch. 

“Holy hell!” Harry cried in alarm. The woman's shoulder was nearly slashed through, and blood was pouring down her arm at an alarming rate.

“I'm alright dear.” Emmeline slurred comfortingly, though she was horribly pale.

“Shush.” Snape insisted as he rolled up his sleeves. “Harry, I'm going to need your help.”

“I don’t know any spells for healing sir,” Harry admitted as he wrung his hands. Snape was already waving his wand over it, muttering a surprisingly song-like spell.

“Nothing like that,” he said after a moment. “I need you to go to the panty and head downstairs. In my lab, there is a case. The potions are arranged by colour and size. I need you to bring me the smallest blue potions, the square red, and the golden box. Do you understand?”

“Smallest blue, square red, gold box!” Harry called back as he sprinted across the dining room.

“Be careful on the stairs!” Snape crowed loudly as Harry rushed for the pantry door. The stairs were rather rickety and smooth, making Harry grateful that he was still wearing his shoes. He rushed across the potions lab for the case and quickly gathered the potions he needed. He froze as he inspected the blue section. There were two bottles that were ever so slightly different but appeared to be the same size. Harry winced and grabbed them both. Snape would probably chew him out for that moment of confusion. He rushed back up the stairs, cradling the potions and box in his arms. “Here sir!” he said as he dropped them on the couch. “I er… couldn't tell which blue one was smaller.”

“They're both the same,” Severus assured him. He was still singing the spell over Emmeline’s arm. Harry was shocked to see that all of the blood that had dripped on the floor, the couch and into Emmeline’s clothes was gone. Emmeline also looked much more sturdy on her feet. “Give her the red one first.”

“Right!” Harry said as he unstoppered it. Emmeline opened her mouth and swallowed. She pulled a face.

“Ugggh,” she whined. “Severus, that was horrible.”

“Give her the blue one now,” Severus murmured. Emmeline took that one and sighed.

“Much better,” she said with a smile. 

“Now Harry,” Severus said as he continued to wave his wand. “Open the box, and put two drops into the wound.”

“Into it?” Harry demanded with a wince.

“It won’t hurt her,” Severus assured him. So Harry opened the box. The vial inside was minuscule, not much more than a miniature test tube, cradled in a velvet bed alongside a small eyedropper. Harry frowned. The liquid didn't look like anything. Just plain water. But he dutifully filled the accompanied dropper and slowly dripped the liquid into the wound. As soon as it fell Harry knew exactly what this was.

“Phoenix tears!” he cried with awe. Severus gave him another impressed smile as he slowly brought his wand to a stop as the wound closed. There wasn't even a scar!

“Correct,” Severus said as he took the vial and dropper from Harry and very delicately replaced them. “Albus gave me the very first vial for my 20th birthday.” he looked down at the box with a slightly melancholy and harrowed expression. “This is the ninth.”

“Ninth?” Harry demanded with a horrified expression. Snape had needed nine vials of phoenix tears? The potions master gave him a flat look before he closed the box with a snap.

“Go Severus,” Emmeline said as he rolled her shoulder. She was still rather pale but looked infinitely better than when they’d first arrived. “Albus needs to be told about the attack.” Severus seemed to hesitate, hovering over the couch in uncharacteristic uncertainty before nodding and rushing for the floo.

“Harry,” he said sternly. “Bring Emmeline anything she needs until I return. She shouldn’t be up and about. If anything happens, the floo powder is here.” he gestured to the small box on the mantel. “Call for the Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts.”

“Yes sir.”

“Emmeline,” Severus began, his eye hovered over her and Harry thought that it looked as though Snape actually had a lump in his throat. “I am sorry.”

“Go Severus.” Emmeline insisted. The man huffed before he turned and stepped into the floo, disappearing in a rush of green flames.

“What was that about?'' Harry asked in confusion. Emmeline sighed.

“Severus created the spell that caused my injury,” Emmeline admitted. Harry blinked in horror. “He always gets rather guilty when it's not used for its intended purpose.”

“What could the intended purpose of a spell like that be?!” Harry cried in horror.

“Killing Sirius Black.” Emmeline declared with a note of sadness. Harry blinked. “The man went to Hogwarts with Severus. They were in the same year.”

“Professor Snape knows Sirius Black?” Harry asked in shock. “Like, they shared a room?” Emmeline gave Harry a thoughtful look.

“Sirius wasn't a Slytherin Harry.” she finally said. Harry blinked.

“He wasn’t?” he asked in confusion. “But I thought-”

“Not all those who go dark are Slytherins, Harry. Just as not all Slytherins are dark wizards.” Emmeline declared bitterly. “I am a prime example of that fact.”

“Right,” Harry admitted. “So what house was he in?”

“Gryffindor.” 

“Gryffindor!” Harry cried in horror. 

“Darkness can spring from any house, Harry.” Emmeline proclaimed. She sighed again. “Black tried to kill Severus in their fifth year… I'm hazy on the exact details. But ever since then, Severus was determined to prove that Sirius was a monster. Unfortunately, no one believed him,” Emmeline's face grew sad, “until it was too late.”

“How did he know my parents?” Harry asked quietly. Emmeline gave Harry a sad look.

“Your father and Sirius were inseparable. They never went anywhere without the other. People used to joke that they probably loved each other more than James loved Lily!” she recalled with a slight laugh. Harry didn't find that very funny. If anything, it made what happened all the more tragic. “Which is why…”

“Why what?” Harry asked in concern. Emmeline gave him a sad look.

“Harry dear… there is something you should know.”

“Emmeline!?” he cried nervously.

“Oh, Severus!'' Emmeline cried from the top of the stairs. The man rushed up them with a scowl.

“You're supposed to be resting!” he growled.

“I know but- oh Severus I’ve made a terrible mistake,” Emmeline admitted as she walked down the hall towards Harry’s door. “I… I told him about Black.”

“What do you mean?” Severus demanded.

“I told him about Black being his godfather.” Emmeline cried. Severus' face relaxed. “He was so furious, Severus. Everything started shaking, I was worried the house would collapse! Then he came up here and shut himself up in his room. I tried to get him to come out-”

“Shush.” Severus proclaimed as he half pushed, half guided her into his bedroom. “Lie down. Get some rest.”

“Oh no Severus I'm fine on the couch-” Emmeline began worriedly.

“Shush.” Severus admonished again. “Lie. down.”

“Oh alright.” Emmeline huffed. “But what about Harry?”

“I will handle Harry,” Severus assured her. “Get some sleep.” Emmeline settled into the bed with a groan and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Severus clenched his jaw. Part of him wanted to march in there and box Harry's ear for panicking her like that, after specifically telling the boy that she needed rest. But he knew that wouldn't solve anything. So he marched up to the boy's door and pulled it open, not giving a care to his privacy as Emmeline had. The teen was sitting in the dormer seat of his window, gazing out to the sea with a sullen air.

“Come along.” Severus proclaimed, startling the boy so much he nearly fell off the seat.

“What?” Harry demanded rather rudely, though with a note of confusion.

“Come along,” Severus repeated. Harry scowled and debated telling the man to piss off. But the stern gaze of his potions master, with his faint scowl and folded arms, told Harry he wouldnt enjoy that outcome much. So he sulenly clambered off the seat and followed the man. He led Harry downstairs and out to the front lawn. Then he grasped Harry’s shoulder the way he had when they were heading to Diagon alley earlier. Harry was suddenly worried.

“Um… sir? Are we going somewhere?” he asked.

“Yes,” Seveurs confirmed.

“W-where?” Harry asked, cursing his nerves. Was Snape sending him away? Was he taking him back to Dumbledore and demanding he be put somewhere else?!

“Are you ready?” Severus asked him casually. Harry nodded slowly. So they were sucked into the tight tube of apperation. When they landed Harry blinked in awe. They were at the very top of the cliffs of Dover. The wind was whipping all over and the burning sunset had set the sea ablaze. Suddenly his professor took a step right up to the end of the cliff. Then he took a deep breath and screamed at the top of his lungs. Harry leaned away from the man in sheer bewilderment. Had he gone mad?! As he finished the man let out a surprisingly relaxed-sounding sigh. Then he turned to his young charge with a raised eyebrow. “Well?”

“Er…”

“Try it, Harry,” the man said, “it is surprisingly effective.” Harry gave his potions professor a skeptical look before he gazed out over the edge of the cliff. Then he took a deep breath. His scream was much angrier than Severus had been. But as the last of his breath left him, so did most of the anger. His shoulder slumped as he stared out into the red water and slowly dimming sky. “Better?”

“Yeah,” Harry admitted in awe. That worked? How? 

“Come.” Severus proclaimed. “Let's get some dinner.” Then he led Harry down the path. Harry could see the lights in the distance and followed the man towards them. It wasn’t a short walk, about 40 minutes, but the summer heat was cooled by the wild winds atop the cliffs, making the walk a lot less strenuous and more relaxing. Snape led him to a small white building, called The White Horse. Harry glanced around at the rustic decor with wonder. 

“Half a pint of your craft, a small coke and two orders of fish and chips,” Snape ordered effortlessly.

“Catch of the day is sea bass!” the waitress supplied with a grin.

“Of course, it is,” Severus muttered under his breath. “That's fine,” he said louder. Harry leaned back in his chair, soaking up the cozy atmosphere. Then his professor suddenly let out a tired sigh and buried his face in his hands. “Today has been very long,” he muttered.

“Sir,” Harry began, “may I ask you something?”

“Harry, if this is more about myself and Emmeline, please don’t start, I am really not in the mood.” Severus proclaimed, with his eyes still covered by his hands.

“It's not,” Harry said though he did still have questions about them. Perhaps another time. “I wanted to ask… have you always lived in Dover, sir?”

“No,” Severus admitted as his hands finally fell away. “I was born and raised in a small town in Yorkshire called Cokeworth. I bought the cottage several years ago from an old Hogwarts professor.”

“Really? Who?” Harry asked in confusion.

“Her name was Riley Jenkins.” Severus supplied. “She taught defence for a year.”

“Ah,” Harry said with a chuckle. That explained why he'd never heard of her. “And she sold you the cottage?”

“For knuts of the galleon.” Severus admitted with a chuckle. “She was originally from America. The cottage had belonged to her grandmother. But her tenure at Hogwarts… did not end well.”

“Does it ever?” Harry questioned with a snort, “for defence professors anyway.”

“Indeed,” Severus remarked with a chuckle. “She found the entire experience altogether too much. She decided to sell all of her assets here and wash herself of England completely as soon as possible. So I bought it for a fraction of the market value. Last I heard, she was studying Magizoology in Australia.”

“Wow,” Harry remarked with a note of surprise. “When you said completely you meant completely.”

“Quite.” Severus agreed with a chuckle. The waitress returned with their order, which had Harry's mouth watering as soon as it landed. He was starving! He dug in with relish. “Slow down before you choke Harry!”

“Sorry,” Harry said after a rough swallow, “I haven't eaten since breakfast!” Severus rolled his eyes.

“Teenagers,” he muttered. Harry scowled before he swallowed again.

“But how come you know so much about the area and where everything is if you’ve only lived here for a few years?” Severus’s gaze grew far away.

“My father used to take me here on holidays when I was younger.”

“Was he from Dover?”

“No. He was also born and bred in Cokeworth.” Severus said plainly. “But he was stationed here during and after the second world war.”

“He fought in World War II?” Harry asked in awe. Severus nodded.

“He was an R.A.F. pilot.”

“Cool!” Harry cried in amazement. He’d always heard so many interesting stories about the R.A.F. pilots. “Did he fight in the battle of Britain?!”

“No, he turned eighteen and gained his pilot's licence in 1944,” Severus said with a chuckle. “He did fly relief supplies to France and helped repair planes during the Berlin airlift, however.” Harry grinned.

“What about your mum? What did she do?”

“My mother was a pureblood heiress,” Severus informed him with a chuckle. Harry blinked.

“What? Like Malfoy?” he demanded in shock. “But… your dad was a muggle, right? How did-”

“They met while my mother was on holiday,” Severus explained. “They always told it as ‘love at first sight’.” Severus proclaimed, though by his tone Harry knew the man didn’t really believe that one.

“So… what happened?” Harry asked. 

“When my grandfather found out about their little summer romance he forced her to make a choice.” Severus paused and gave a rather uncharacteristic shrug. “She chose love. My mother was disowned, My father married her, and they moved back to Cokeworth. The rest, as they say, is history.”

“That's kinda sad,” Harry remarked. “Your mother being disowned, I mean. Just cause she loved someone.”

“Yes. but my mother never saw it like that.” Severus muttered as his eye grew slightly more wistful.

“Do they still live in Cokeworth?” Harry asked. 

“My father does,” Severus said quietly. “He's in his late sixties.”

“What about your mum?” Harry asked with a frown.

“She died,” Severus mumbled quietly. “Just after I graduated Hogwarts. Lung cancer, likely due to exposure from the coke works. My father worked there for some time until it was closed down in the sixties.”

“Oh,” Harry said with a sad frown. “I'm sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for Harry,” Severus said before giving the teen a pointed look.

“I know I know: 'I’m not responsible for my family’s deaths',” he repeated for what seemed like the hundredth time. Severus huffed at his tone. “What’s your dad like?” The man grew very quiet, staring into his half-drunk beer with a nebulous expression.

“I… don't know.” Severus finally said.

“Huh?” Harry asked in confusion. “How can you not know?”

“When my mother died, my father took it quite hard. Specifically, he turned to drink to cope with her loss. He became a rather different person when he drank. I have not spoken to him in many years. And the last time was… not pleasant. So I am not sure what he is like anymore. I can tell you in my youth he was a stern but fair man who enjoyed fishing, though he was terrible at it, and chess.” Harry slumped down a bit more.

“That's even sadder,” he remarked. Severus hummed in thought and the pair finished their meal in relaxed silence. As they were finishing Severus waved over the waitress again. 

“Can we have a toffee pudding with cream and another order of fish and chips wrapped to go please.” Harry grinned. As the toffee pudding landed he reached out from it, but Severus pulled the desert away. “Excuse me,” he began casually, “but I seem to recall telling you to keep Emmeline on the couch.” he broke up the pudding with his spoon, “sending her into a panic outside your bedroom door for an hour is decidedly not that.” Harry blinked at him in utter shock before he slumped down into his seat. Then he sullenly slid down his chair, avoiding Snape’s gaze as the man ate his pudding. As soon as he finished and paid the bill he shoved the fish in chips into Harry’s hand. “You’re going to deliver that and apologize to her when we get home, Harry.”

“Yessir,” he muttered in irritation. The professor rolled his eyes indulgently as they walked out into the surprisingly cool summer night.

“The next time we come, I'll buy you a pudding,” Severus promised him with a chuckle. Harry couldn’t help the little smile. Then Severus's hand descended onto his shoulder again. He gave his professor an inquisitive look. The man looked back at him for a moment, similarly contemplative, before he cleared his throat. “Ready?” Harry nodded. And they disappeared with a crack.

Emmeline looked up from her half-eaten chips with a smile. Then she pouted.

“Really Severus I have no problem staying on the couch.”

“Not until you recover.'' Severus insisted as he lay his blanket and pillow out across the sofa. 

“Fine, you stubborn old arse.” Emmeline complied with a chuckle. Severus rolled his eyes. “Thank you for supper.”

“You're very welcome.”

“What did you say to Harry to get him to calm down?”

“Nothing,” Severus admitted. Emmeline blinked. “I just shared a little technique my father used to suggest when I was a sullen teenager in need of an attitude adjustment.”

“I see,” Emmeline said with a chuckle. They really were surprisingly alike. "Severus… I've been meaning to ask."

"I see the desire to play maddening games of twenty questions is contagious. Perhaps it's a new epidemic." Severus drawled in irritation.

"Harry was being nosy again?" Emmeline questioned with a chuckle. Severus sighed.

"He wanted to know where I was from, which led to questions about my family. Honestly, the boy's curiosity is insatiable."

"Well, this question is for you about Harry." Emmeline offered. The man waved his assent. "Why don't you call him Potter anymore?" Severus blinked then shifted his stance.

"Harry said I reminded him of his uncle when I called him Potter." Severus mumbled. "and since the boy is taking his family's deaths ridiculously hard, I figured calling him by his first name would be better." Severus explained. Emmeline pulled a face.

"His uncle called his Potter?" Severus nodded. "How utterly bizarre."

"Is it?" Severus asked casually 

"Do you have any uncles, Severus?"

"None that I know of."

"I have three, and I can tell you, not one of them has ever called me Vance. And especially considering that the man raised him." Emmeline shook her head. "Surely he couldn’t have called his own nephew Potter the whole time. Maybe it was just when he misbehaved."

"Perhaps," Severus murmured thoughtfully. "Has he spoken to you about his family?"

"Vaguely. He mentioned helping his aunt in the kitchen a lot." Emmeline recalled with a frown.

"Yes." Severus agreed. Then his face grew rather conniving. "I think it's time Harry's little game became reciprocal."

"What? Are you going to trade questions?" Emmeline demanded with a chuckle.

"Yes." Severus declared. "That is exactly what I'm going to do."

"Goodness!" Emmeline cried as another gust rattled the windows. "Are the storms always this bad, Severus?"

"You should see the winters." The man muttered over his tea as he read a potions magazine. 

"I'm bored." Harry declared. He didn't care if Snape decided to cure his boredom with chores, or some revolting dissection. He just wanted something to do! 

"I have an entire shelf of Agatha Christie novels," Snape muttered without looking up. "You're free to read them."

"I'm sick of reading," Harry complained. He'd gotten his new textbooks mailed in a few days ago and had spent that time finishing up his homework. He was definitely read out. Snape gave him a thoughtful glance. Then he turned to Emmeline. Harry frowned as the pair shared a silent conversation. Then suddenly Emmeline blinked.

"Oh!" She suddenly cried, "I completely forgot about my appointment!" Then she quickly got up and began rummaging around in her trunk for an outer cloak. 

"What for?" Harry asked casually.

"Harry!" Snape admonished. "Don't be rude!"

"Hush Severus," Emmeline scolded. "It's just a healer's appointment. A check-up. I'll be back by dinner." Emmeline assured him before she snapped the cloak over her shoulders and stepped up to the floo. Then, calling out for the magical hospital, she was gone. There was a stretch of semi-awkward silence, cut by the occasional window rattling gust or peel of thunder before Snape cleared his throat.

"Tell me, Harry, do you play chess?" He asked as casually as he could. Harry blinked.

"Er. Well, I'm not very good, but Ron and I have played a few games." Harry offered. Severus hummed in thought. 

"Ronald Weasley would be a difficult opponent," Severus remarked. Harry blinked at him.

"How do you know?" He asked. Severus rolled his eyes. 

"Minerva has a record of the moves from that match down in the secret chambers. She has been playing chess for more than 60 years and even still, Weasley was able to beat her. She even tried to get a name for the last two moves with the knight and the bishop. She wanted to call it the 'Weasley gambit'." The man huffed slightly, "she is unnaturally proud of all your rule-breaking." Harry grinned widely.

"That match was even more astounding to watch. And to be fair, I didn't really see how everything was going out until the end." Harry admitted. Severus raised an eyebrow. 

"The fact you recognized the play is still moderately impressive. You hadn't played much chess before, had you?"

"Not loads," Harry admitted. "Ron and I have played a lot more since." Snape nodded and went over to one of the bookshelves, he leaned down and opened the bottom cupboard and returned with a somewhat bulky chest box. The board was framed with cherry, while the squares were polished white marble spider-webbed with thin black lines and dark varnished pine. Harry gaped in awe. It was stunning.

"A Christmas present from Minerva a few Christmases ago," Severus explained. "Please be very careful with the pieces." Harry went about setting up the white prices, admiring every piece as he did. The stone was cold to the touch and the carving was so smooth, and the veins seemed to dance across the surface. It was really a marvel. "Now. Before we begin, I'd like to add a rule."

"Huh?" Harry asked casually.

"I have noticed you seem to be possessed of an insatiable curiosity." Harry blushed slightly. 

"Er well, I-" he stuttered out sheepishly.

"I would like to propose that we use this game to indulge it. In order to move a piece, one must answer a question. The answer must be truthful. Once you move the price you must ask your opponent another question. We will continue in this vein until the game is complete." Severus explained before giving Harry a raised eyebrow. “is this suitable?”

"Sure!" Harry said gleefully. Finally, he could get more answers about him and Emmeline;

"Very well Harry," Severus said before he cleared his throat. "For my first question, I’d like to ask what you did for fun during the summer last year." Harry blinked. Last summer? He hadn't really been let out of his room last summer. Especially not after the incident with Dobby. That was until he was rescued. A grin spread across his face.

"I helped de-gnome Ron's garden," Harry said with a smile. "I know that's technically a chore for most people, but I'd never seen a gnome before, and the way you get rid of them is hilarious!" For some reason, Snape narrowed his eyes. But Harry didn't mind as he moved his first pawn out to free his rook. Then he grinned at his professor.

"How long did you and Emmeline date?" Snape rolled his eyes. Of course, Harry would use this session to squeeze out more information about himself and Emmeline. He'd hoped it would have something to do with his youth again, but apparently, the boy was more clever than he'd given him credit for. 

"Four years." Severus supplied before he moved his queen's side bishop's pawn. Harry blinked.

"But you said you started dating her in your seventh year… you still dated her after you left Hogwarts?" Harry questioned incredulously. 

"On question per turned Harry." Severus admonished. Harry huffed. "What did you do for fun back on Privet Drive?" Harry blinked. That one was much trickier. He mostly did chores all day. And he didn't have much in the way of entertainment in his cupboard or Dudley's second bedroom unless he wanted to play with his cousin's broken toys. So he shrugged and decided to answer truthfully. "I actually don't mind gardening. My aunt had this rose bush that had been slowly dying forever that I managed to bring back to life." A small smile crossed his face. "Dan was furious that first summer they bloomed again." Severus raised an eyebrow but didn’t react as Harry moved his piece. As Harry finished his play and gave his teacher an expectant look Severus huffed.

"To answer your previous, though illegal, question. Yes. I continued to date Emmeline the two years she remained at Hogwarts." The man's gaze grew rather far away. "I won't lie and say it didn't negatively affect it. Things definitely didn't get better." He moved his price. "Who is Dan?"

"He's my neighbour," Harry explained merrily. "He and Annie are unusually nice for Privet Drive. Dan used to have the prettiest roses on the street before I saved aunt Petunia's bush. We used to share gardening tips all the time." Harry answered. Of course, he hadn't talked to the man in a whole year now, since he'd been trapped inside half of the last summer, and this year he'd gone to Bristol in the first week before his aunt even asked him to tend her garden again. Suddenly his face fell. The rose bush! It was probably completely dead by now! He'd completely forgotten about it until now. He sighed and moved his piece, suddenly feeling depressed. All that hard work for nothing. Then he shook himself.

"When did you two break up?"  Snape flinched but sighed.

"December of 1979. About a week before Christmas." Severus murmured. Harry gapped.

"You broke up with her near Christmas?! I'm a guy and even I know that's cold!" He admonished. Snape sent him a withering look which Harry huffed at him. Snape moved another piece.

"Emmeline tells me you helped your aunt in the kitchen. How often did you do that?" He questioned.

"Oh all the time," Harry admitted freely, "unless my aunt was making something fancy, then you'd better get out of her way. Last year she made this massive two-tiered pudding with icing roses and cherries for one of Uncle Vernon's work contacts. It was honestly pretty spectacular. It took her hours." Then Dobby showed up, dropped it on the important guest's wife's head and got Harry locked up for the rest of the summer. He scowled at the memory. Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry's look. There seemed to be more to that story that Harry wasn't touching on. 

"How did you and Emmeline keep dating while she was still at Hogwarts?" He asked casually.

"I would come and visit her during Hogsmeade visits, and of course, we wrote to one another. She came to visit me during the Christmas break as well of course, and we spent our summers together." Severus recalled. His chest tightened as he thought back to those days. Back when he didn't realize the mistakes he was making would damn him for all time. He had been so carefree with Emmeline. She had guided him through the loss of his parents. 

"What's Hogsmeade?" Harry asked in confusion. Then he blinked. Snape waved his hand in assent. He knew that wasn't to be Harry's actual question, simply a request for clarification. 

"It's a village not far from Hogwarts, students year three and up can visit the village, provided they have permission from their parents or guardians. I am not sure Albus is continuing the tradition this year, however. With the recent attacks and Sirius Black running amok, the risk on the students would be too great." Severus explained. He moved another piece scanning the board again. "Do you still speak with your friends from primary school?" He offered. He knew the boy probably attended some kind of institution. Unless Petunia homeschooled him, but he remembered her from his youth and knew she wouldn't have patience for such rubbish. 

"I didn't really have any friends in primary." Harry admitted quietly. Severus blinked.

"Not one?" He demanded. Harry shrugged.

"My cousin's scared most of the other kids off." He mumbled. Severus frowned. So Harry's cousin had been a bully? Hmm. He wondered if his parents had known. He probably saw Harry as a rival for their affection. Harry moved his piece. "Did you have any friends growing up?" Snape's heart twisted. He'd known it would come up after he asked. He'd tried to prepare himself. Yet somehow, he still had to swallow a lump to speak.

"Yes," he began as casually as he could. "A young girl named Lily Evans." Harry gaped at him.

"You knew my mum?!" He cried in shock.

"We grew up together," Severus admitted. "She was my only friend for many years, and we remained friends for several years while attending Hogwarts." Before I bollocksed everything up to save my ego. He paused and took in Harry's face and leaned back. The boy looked lost. His face showed that he had a million and one questions to ask and Severus knew it wouldn't be fair to move on just yet. Finally, Harry seemed to pull his question out from the jumble.

"What was she like?" He asked desperately. Then he looked down at his hands. "It's just… well no one ever talks about her. They're always going on about how much I look and act like my dad. Seems like the only thing I got from my mum was my eyes." He declared bitterly.

"You received much more than your eyes from your mother." Severus declared, making Harry look at him as if he were a spring in the middle of the desert. "Your tenacity. Your drive. A stubborn streak a mile wide." Harry choked out a strangled laugh. "Even your perchance for practical jokes."

"I thought that was my dad's thing," Harry remarked. Severus rolled his eyes.

"Oh certainly, but James Potter took it to absurd levels. Lily was more of a casually practical joker. She liked to tell rather witty dry jokes at other people's expense that most of our peers didn't really understand." Severus explained. Harry could tell from the tone that his professor had been one of the few who could. Harry smiled. Severus could see the boy was a lot more stable and so he moved his piece. "Did your aunt never speak of your mother?"

"No," Harry said flatly. "I wasn't allowed to talk about magic. I couldn't even say the word." Severus's eyebrows rose.

"At all?" He remarked in utter confusion. He understood the banning of performing or practicing magic, that was just the law after all, but not even talking about it? Surely Harry had misunderstood. But the boy just silently nodded and was becoming slightly uncomfortable under the scrutiny. Severus looked away feeling slightly hollow inside. Surely Petunia must have known what doing that to her nephew could have led to. She wasn't ignorant of the magic world.  And yet. Severus turned back to the board as Harry moved his piece. This game had already lasted almost an hour, rather surprising since Harry had claimed to be so middling. He didn't have a perfect strategy, but he had taken a few pieces. 

"Where did you get your tattoo?" 

Severus froze.

The boy had asked it with casual nonchalance but his eyes were glittering with mirth as if he expected there was a rather embarrassing story about getting drunk, or maybe a dare. 

But there had been no dare. No drunken stumbles accompanied by equally drunken friends. Just a foolish lonely old bastard in way over his head. 

"That's enough for now," Severus said coldly. Harry blinked then scowled.

"Hey! That's not fair! You can't just end the game now!"

"Go to your room." Severus declared, getting angry. Harry stood up from the couch, looking furious.

"What did I do to deserve that?! All I asked was where you got your tattoo!"

"GO TO YOUR ROOM!" Severus roared. Harry flinched. Suddenly he seemed to realize who he was arguing with. Severus for his part was starting to feel sick to his stomach. He put a shaky hand to his eyes. "Just go." He begged with a whisper. So Harry turned and fled. Severus continued to stare at the chess board in front of him grappling with everything that had been said and done. 

Emmeline stepped out of the floo with a grin.

"Boys! I brought ice cream back from Fortescue's!" She cried happily. She'd popped into Diagon and was happy to see if had mostly recovered from the death eater attack, though she attributed that mostly to the stubbornness of the shopkeepers themselves, and less to the ministry, whose only response had been to put two rather lazy and bored looking Aurors at the entrance. But only silence hung in the air. She frowned and looked around. There was a half-finished chess game on the coffee table but otherwise, everything seemed to be the same it had been when she left. Maybe they'd gone into town? Emmeline turned to put the ice cream in the freezer and froze. Severus was slumped into his arms, a half-empty bottle of scotch on the table next to a tumbler. She groaned. So the game of questions hadn't gone well.

"Severus." She repeated before she shook him awake. He violently flinched back before grasping his head in agony.

"Green potion." He begged with a slur. Emmeline almost didn't want to give it to him. But she didn't want to punish him more than he'd already done to himself. So she found the little green bottle, one of several tucked into Severus' liquor cabinet and gave it to him. The man downed it before he groaned and buried his face in his arms again. 

"I take it you just remembered what you got black-out drunk for," Emmeline murmured. But she froze when the man looked up again. There were tears on his cheeks. Tears she hadn't seen since he'd come to her with the news that his mother was dead and his father was now a man he scarcely recognized. Instantly she wrapped her arms around him and whispered into his hair that she was there. That she was willing to hold him. After a few minutes, which Severus tried and failed to stop shaking in silent tears he croaked out an explanation.

"He asked about the mark." Emmeline froze. "I… I didn't know what to tell him, Emmeline. I just… I sent him to his room."

"Gently I hope," Emmeline whined. But Severus groaned and she knew that that was not the case. "Oh, Severus."

"There's more Emm." He mumbled tiredly. The woman sighed. Severus hadn't called her Emm since they were still at Hogwarts. It spoke to just how vulnerable he was feeling. "Something was wrong with that house."

"What do you mean?"

"He wasn't allowed to say the word magic," Severus told her. Emmeline blinked.

"What? Not even the word?"

"No, Emm. And Petunia never talked about Lily. Not once. How could you do something like that to a child." Severus moaned. "To not tell them a single thing about their own parents…"

"Severus." Emmeline began slowly, "you need to tell him the truth."

"What?" Severus demanded, with terror flooding his eyes.

"You need to tell him about the dark mark." Emmeline insisted. Severus stared at her.

"Emm…"

"Severus. He will find out the truth eventually. It would be better for you to be the one to explain, rather than for him to jump to his own conclusions."

"But." Severus stuttered nervously. Emmeline grasped his hand.

"I will be there, Severus." She rolled her eyes. "I seem to be the only one who can smooth out you two's rough edges." She stood up, pulling the potions master with her and sat him down on the couch. "Wait here." Severus continued to stare down at his folded hands for some time. Then Emmeline cleared her throat. He looked up to see Harry staring at him, looking terrified, shaking slightly.

"Harry," he began. But his voice died in his throat. The teen shifted on his feet.

“I'm sorry sir,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to pry… I should have known not to ask questions.” that had always been the rule back home. And now he was starting to understand why it might actually be a good idea.

“No!” Severus croaked in horror. “No Harry, I am sorry. I should have explained why I wasn't prepared to answer that particular question, instead of getting angry with you.” he threaded a hand into his hair with a sigh. Harry looked down at him nervously. “Please sit.” the teen slowly sat down. Emmeline joined him, grabbing the teen's hand.

“Harry…” Emmeline began quietly. “Severus is going to tell you how he got it.”

“Is… is it something bad?” Harry asked quietly. 

“Yes,” Severus admitted outright. Harry looked back at him in slight shock. “It was perhaps the biggest mistake of my life.” he took a deep breath. Then he gave Harry a sad look. “As you recall, I informed you of how and when my mother died, and the way my father had reacted.” Harry nodded. “At the time. I was 18 years old. I had just left Hogwarts… options for myself were… limited.” Severus murmured with a slight grimace. He didn't have a single fond memory of that year he'd lived on his own, save the few times he spent with Emmeline, and even then, she had been a brief bright sparkle in an otherwise dismal world. “I had very few friends, no assets, almost no money.” he looked down at his hands. “I was definingly desperate. I needed something, anything, to gain some kind of foothold.” he started ringing them slightly. This was the part of the story that always made Severus feel so… worthless. “The only thing my time at Hogwarts had really provided me with, outside of a formal education, which I was struggling to do anything meaningful with, were connections.”

“What sort of connections?” Harry asked worriedly.

“You have met Lucius Malfoy?” Severus offered bitterly. Harry flinched back in shock.

“You were friends with him?!”

“No,” Severus said with a snort, “Lucius doesn't have 'friends', he has connections. And I was one of them. Not for anything I could get from him, however, but for what he could gain from me.” Severus swallowed. “Lucius had been in a position of power while he was at Hogwarts. He was prefect when I started attending, and so many of us looked up to him, myself included. And he wasn't afraid to buy that respect if he thought it was lacking,” Severus explained. At Harry’s slightly skeptical expression, Severus rolled his eyes. “No I am not exaggerating Harry, the first year I attended Hogwarts he bought everybody, and I mean everybody, the entire house, mink fur winter gloves for Christmas.” Severus scowled. “To ‘ward off the dungeon’s chill’.” Harry gaped.

“No wonder Malfoy is such a tosser,” he muttered in awe. Severus scowled and opened his mouth to chastise him when Emmeline cleared her throat. 

“Lucius was willing to finance me through my potions mastery.” Severus declared. Harry gaped again.

“Hermione was saying that getting a mastery is like going to uni though!” Harry cried. “That's thousands of pounds! And he paid for it?” Severus nodded. “All of it?!”

“Including living and equipment expenses,” Severus confirmed. Harry looked vaguely impressed. But then an understanding dawned on him.

“He wasn't doing it to be nice though,’ he muttered. “There was a catch.” Severus nodded gravely. “What was it?”

“He wanted me to use my mastery to supply potions to a group of individuals that Lucius was bankrolling,” Severus murmured. “It was initially pitched to me as a government lobbying group, run mostly by the pureblood elite, that was dedicated to preserving dying wizarding tradition, many of which had been banned by what they referred to as ‘radically liberal political parties'.”

“What kind of traditions?” Harry questioned in confusion.

“Things like traditional holidays, holy pilgrimages, ancient rituals, even certain spells, as they argued,” Severus explained. “The holidays were the most contentious issue. Witches and wizards used to worship the changing of the seasons in rituals held on sabbath days.” Harry blinked. 

“Like Wiccans?”

“Yes,” Severus confirmed, grateful that the boy knew at least vaguely what he was talking about. “But the tradition fell out of practice for the common wizard after the statute of secrecy was enacted in 1692. It was mostly because rituals such as that drew far too much attention. It just wasn't tenable for wizards living amongst muggles to continue to worship using the old rituals.” Severus snorted, “In fact, many of the people in the very group Lucius wanted me to help still worshipped, and in fact still worship to this day, using the old rituals, because they were mostly rich purebloods with large private states away from muggle eyes!” he covered his hand with a sigh. “The fact of the matter is, the statute of secrecy never prohibited the act of worship. It just made it impractical. And that impracticality led to disuse. Disuse led to obscurity until wizards simply abandoned archaic presentations of faith for more modern ones.” he frowned. “It is not uncommon to burn a yule log or hang rosemary over doors on Beltane. It's just less flashy.” Severus argued. Harry looked fascinated but a quick glance at Emmeline made him realize that he'd fallen slightly off-topic. He cleared his throat. “The real reason Lucius and his cohorts were ‘rising up against radical liberalism’ were because they had seen a significant decrease in their power. I mentioned before how the vast majority of them were purebloods. I hope you understand what that implies.”

“They were all muggle and muggle-born hating pricks?” Harry offered worriedly. Severus didn't feel any urge to chastise him that time.

“Yes. They were purists. They didn't care about ‘dying’ wizard traditions. They were concerned with how much equality muggle-borns had been achieving in politics. But when I first heard about it, I had no idea.” he looked down at his left sleeve before he unbuttoned the cuff and slowly rolled it up. He stared down at the faded gray stain on his arm with a flood of revulsion. “They had a calling card, a way to differentiate between those who were with them, and those that were against them.” Severus covered the skull with his hand. “At first, the leader of this group was willing to accept my potions without question. But as time went on, he began to grow suspicious.” He uncovered the mark again, staring into the skull's eye sockets, lost in the horrible memory. “He wanted me to prove my loyalty to the cause. To prove my loyalty to him.”

“Voldemort.” Harry suddenly declared. Severus looked up to see the horror on the boy's face. “You’re talking about Voldemort… he said… he said he had ‘loyal followers’,” his face went paler still, “death eaters… you were a death eater?!” he demanded in shock, rising to his feet. Severus felt his chest tighten. But he couldn’t deny it.

“Yes,” he admitted, making the boy flinch. “I foolishly believed the lies I had been told about making the world a better place. And by the time I realized…it was too late.” Severus muttered before he looked down at the mark again. Then he closed his eyes and turned away from it. Then he heard the door slam. He opened his eyes to see Emmeline standing. She was repeatedly looking from the door to him, looking very distressed. “Go.” Severus croaked. 

“Oh Severus,” Emmeline whimpered.

“Go Emm,” the potions master declared a little firmer. “He shouldn't be alone, now more than ever.”

“Don't raid the liquor cabinet again Severus.” Emmeline insisted before she opened the door to chase the boy into the raging storm outside

Emmeline was legitimately terrified when Harry rushed from the house. There was a worrying mix of rage and fear on his face. The kind she’d seen drive certain people, certain potions masters to be specific, to do rather impulsive, and often disastrous acts. But she was loath to leave Severus, looking so lost and pitiful. But the man had insisted. He was at least right that the poor thing was in more danger than he'd ever been. So Emmeline pulled open the door, ready to scour the whole country if she had to. But Harry was there. Standing in the rain he hesitated at the edge of the wards.

“Harry,” Emmeline said quietly. The boy flinched and leaned away from her hand. "Darling… please come back inside."

"No!" Harry cried, whipping around to face with both horror and rage. "How could you say that?! How could you even suggest it!? After what he did!"

"He made a mistake," Emmeline argued. Harry scoffed.

"Pretty big this to call 'a mistake'. I wouldn't exactly call joining a group of bloody terrorist 'a mistake'." Harry argued, turning around and kicking the wall. He hissed and rubbed his foot against his leg in pain. Emmeline sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't pull away this time. In fact, he looked more lost than he'd done when she'd first stepped out of the house. "How could I trust him again after that…"

"Tell me Harry, has Severus ever done anything to physically hurt you?" Emmeline demanded. Harry opened his mouth to argue that yes! As a matter of fact, he had! But that would have been a lie. As long as Harry had known the man he'd always been on the sidelines, ensuring his safety. Yes, he was abrasive and scolding, yes he seemed to have an almost obsessive compulsion for putting him in detention. But Harry hadn't exactly been innocent in every instant. He could begrudgingly admit that he may have deserved at least some of those punishments. Then he shook himself.

"That's just because Dumbledore is there watching!" Harry insisted angrily. Emmeline rose an eyebrow.

"Huh, yes I suppose you're right," Emmeline offered, making Harry blink at her in confusion. "Isn't odd how Albus continues to trust Severus around children and with your safety?"

"He probably doesn't even know," Harry argued, but even to him that sounded flimsy. Emmeline laughed. 

"You think Severus could keep something like this from Albus?! Harry, I think you give the man far too much credit!" She said with a chuckle. 

"Yeah, well everyone knows Dumbledore is barmy!" Harry argued.

"But when you needed protection, somewhere to lay low, he asked Severus. Isn't that rather telling?" Emmeline argued. Harry didn't have an answer for that one. Emmeline smiled. "Harry… there is more to the story if only you'd let Severus tell it."

"But what if it's all lies?" Harry argued. "What if he's just trying to get my guard down so he can bring me to Voldemort?"

"I'd kill him myself before I'd let anything like that happen," Emmeline said matter-of-factly. Harry blinked. Then a peel of lightning flashes across the sky, followed by a roar of thunder. "Please come inside. It's not safe in this rain." Harry hesitated before he sighed and followed the woman back into the house. He hesitated in the doorway as Snape looked up, slightly shocked.

"That was fast," he remarked.

"I never left the wards," Harry admitted under his breath. Severus rose an eyebrow.

"Very wise." He responded flatly. 

"Harry is ready to hear the rest of the story, Severus," Emmeline informed him as she went to sit on the couch again, this time in between the pair. Harry stiffly followed, eyeing Severus with an air of vague distrust. Severus sighed. 

"After I received the dark mark, the dark lord dropped all pretenses around me. Likely believing that I had always known what his little group was truly about." Severus complained. Harry pulled a face.

"Why do you call him that?" He demanded. Severus scowled down at the mark.

"The mark has a very powerful compulsion charm embedded in it. Marked death eaters are unable to refer to the dark lord as anything besides that, 'his lordship', or My Lord." Severus complained, drawling his lordship out like an insult. His face grew rather melancholy, "that had been my first red flag after receiving the mark. I tried to say 'thank you sir' and it came out as 'thank you, my lord." Severus recalled. Harry shuddered. The more he learned, the more truly evil this man became. 

"So what did you do, after you realized what had happened?" Harry asked nervously.

"I went to the only man, rumours claimed, the dark lord was afraid of."

"Dumbledore," Harry confirmed. Snape nodded.

"I begged him to help me break the bond, to free me from the dark Lord's clutches." Severus said before growing bitter. "but Albus said he knew of no way, short of sending the dark lord to his death."

"So then what?" Harry asked. Severus gave him a firm look.

"I dedicated my life to killing the monster once and for all." Harry blinked.

"So… you were fighting against Voldemort? From the inside?"

"Specifically I became a spy," Snape informed him. "I passed information from the meetings to Albus, who in turn used that information to halt the dark lord's plans." At this Emmeline made an irritated noise. As both boys looked at her, Severus with resignation, Harry with confusion. the woman sighed.

"Sorry Harry, but I always resented Albus for asking Severus to be a spy. I blame him for the way our relationship ended." She gave Severus a hard look. "It was after one of those little 'missions' that Severus decided to break things off."

"Emmeline," Severus said tiredly. The woman just huffed and looked away. Severus gave Harry another heavy look. "Of course, these actions were not entirely invisible. I knew I would be seen with someone the dark lord deemed 'unsavoury' at some point. So Albus and I decided on a cunning plan. I would convince the dark lord that I was capable of infiltrating The Order, the resistance group Albus started in the late 70s, and pass on helpful information to him. The dark lord agreed, so I became a double agent, acting as though I were a spy for the death eaters when really I was a spy for The Order."

"So.. you're a double agent?" Harry asked with a frown. 

"I was," Severus remarked, then he slowly rubbed his mark. "But it's unlikely I will reprise that role." 

"Why?"

"Lucius Malfoy found out that Severus betrayed them," Emmeline informed Harry quietly. Harry blinked and looked over at his professor with slight trepidation.

"But… what happens if Voldemort finds out?" 

"Lucius strongly implied that he already knew," Severus muttered before he finally rolled his sleeve back down. "It is highly likely that I have surpassed you on the dark lord's list of people he would very much like to murder personally," Severus remarked dryly. At Harry's frown, he explained. "The dark lord usually sends a death eater after his less important targets."

"So… your in as much danger as me," Harry muttered with a sigh. Severus nodded.

"Especially considering Black," Emmeline remarked. Harry flinched. He was still wrapping his head around the fact that the man was technically his godfather. That was horrifying. 

"What does Sirius Black have to do with professor Snape?"

"I told you how they had a rivalry, and how black had tried to kill him in their fifth year?" Emmeline began. 

"Sirius Black was also part of The Order." Snape finished for her. "We think now that he was an unmarked spy, passing the death eaters much more sensitive information than I ever did." 

"Like we're my parents were hiding," Harry muttered darkly. Severus nodded gravely. 

"Hang on… unmarked? There are unmarked death eaters?" Harry demanded worriedly. 

"Technically only those who bear the mark are truly death eaters." Severus admitted, "but there are those extremely loyal to the cause who do not possess the mark," Emmeline hummed gravely.

"It's part of what made hunting down all of You-Know-Who's supporters so difficult after his defeat." She recalled with a slight hitch. Harry looked between them worriedly. 

"But if people who don't have a dark mark can be death eaters… then how do I know who to trust?" He asked worriedly. Snape blinked before he straightened up.

"At that point Harry, you must learn to trust your instincts. You've already proven to me that you are reasonably quick to the draw, which is a good skill to have in these times. You are fairly observant, which is highly useful in ascertaining dangers." A scowl bloomed. "All you have to do now is train yourself to run away from them, not toward." He gave the teen a firm glare. "like going into a hidden chamber only you could access with nothing but a dangerous wizard you knew was a fraud and your strategically brilliant but middlingly wand skilled friend, to kill a bloody basilisk !" By the end of the tirade, Harry had shrunk slightly into the couch with a rather sheepish wince. Then he tried to give a weak smile.

"I did save Ginny though." He argued. The potions master huffed, throwing his hand into the air and smacking it back down again.

"This is why I don't spend time with Gryffindors!" He bellowed before marching away toward the kitchen. Emmeline gave Harry an indulgent smile. Then she put a hand on his shoulder. 

"Are you alright?" She asked. Harry looked towards the fire. 

"I mean… it kinda explains a lot. I guess he kinda had to seem like he was a massive jerk while at Hogwarts cause Malfoy was there. He was always going on about 'his father hearing about this'... Kinda a crappy spy now that I think about it. You're basically telling everyone to hide things from you." Harry remarked with a chuckle.

"He is a crippling disappointment," Severus muttered. "A despicable godson." Harry blinked and turned around watching Snape sip his tea casually.

"Malfoy is your godson?!" He demanded in shock. Severus snorted.

"Unfortunately," he muttered, "Lucius practically forced him on me. Mentioned something about paying me back for all the potions I'd made him over the years as if I'd want to mind his spoiled brat of a spawn. Lucius had a habit of dumping him on me when he was younger so he and Narcissa could go on vacations to Venice or Switzerland." He rolled his eyes. "I think Lucius just wanted a free babysitter." He sipped his tea again, this time with a grimace, "at the time my loyalty had been called into question due to a series of botched raids, I was trying to ingratiate myself with as many of higher-ups as I could," Severus grumbled slightly, "and now I'm stuck with the kid until my death, which may be a lot sooner now… perhaps it's not all bad after all." He finished with a sarcastic joke. Emmeline scowled.

"Severus!" She admonished loudly, "don't joke about things like that!" The man gave her a nebulous look, somewhere between a grimace and something else Harry couldn't identify before he went back to sipping his tea. Suddenly Harry let out a very wide yawn. "You should head to bed dear." 

"Alright." Harry agreed.

"Sleep well, Harry," Severus said quietly. Harry paused at the base of the stairs. Then he gave a small smile.

"You as well professor." Then he was gone. Severus let out a long sigh.

"That went about as well as could be expected." He murmured. "At least the boy was smart enough not to actually leave the wards…"

"Oh hush Severus," Emmeline said with a chuckle, "that was more than better than the worst way it could have turned out. Now finish your tea and go to bed."

"Yes, mother," Severus muttered into his tea. Emmeline hit him on the shoulder.

Harry was eating his breakfast casually when a barn owl landed on the table silently. He jumped.

"Eerrr… professor!" He called with slight worry to Severus. The man looked up from his novel on the couch and turned around.

"That's a Hogwarts owl, Harry. See the ring around its leg." He said sardonically. 

"Oh… right," Harry said sheepishly. Emmeline quickly came in through the kitchen with a smile. 

"Your exam scores?" She asked as casually as she could. Harry smiled.

"Actually, Dumbledore cancelled all non-essential exams last year. Which honestly I'm glad for. I didn't exactly have the time to study anything, what with Ginny getting kidnapped and Voldemort trying to kill me. Again." Harry said with a slight huff at the end. Severus stood up with a grumble. 

"It's probably the letter for selecting your electives," Severus muttered. They need it relatively early so they can send your book list."

"I thought you already bought all my books," Harry argued.

"I bought the ones for your core classes, which I already knew as Minerva and I were the ones who built the list. But as I had no idea which electives you wanted, I did not purchase those." Severus said. Harry smiled and ripped open the letter.

"You're right. I have to pick my 2 electives. Is there a list? Ah!"  He scanned it.

Arithmancy

Students will submerge themselves in the study of triangular and circular relations to develop new spells.

 

Care of Magical Creatures

Students will interact with and learn the proper care and protective procedures for the many Magical creatures of the wizarding world.

 

Divinations

Students will learn the fundamentals of all the different techniques used to gaze into the future, from tarot cards to tea leaves and all things in between.

 

Muggle studies

Students will interact with the latest muggle inventions and learn about muggle culture to help make them better citizens of the world.

 

Study of ancient runes

Students will develop a firm understanding of the runic language and its various uses in architecture, ritualism, and wizard craft.

"Arithmancy… is maths?" Harry asked.

"Essentially, you learn the trigonometric patterns necessary to create spells. It's quite a fascinating subject." Severus argued.

"Severus took Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts." Emmeline supplied. "He wanted to learn more about potion creation. Often times you need both, as harvesting ingredients from creatures is essential, and new potions usually need an arithmantic base to keep them stable." The potions master stared at her.

"You remember my lecture from seventh year?" He said in awe. Emmeline gave him a smile.

"Of course I remembered Severus. It was something you found interesting. I wanted to be able to keep a conversation with you after all." Severus stared at Emmeline with slight awe. Harry tried to hide a slowly forming smile. He knew there was still something there! Maybe if he asked the right questions. But not now. 

"I was never good at maths in primary." He admitted. "Best pick something else. Care of Magical Creature sounds like it would be a good idea."

"I'm not sure about that anymore," Severus grumbled. Emmeline scowled.

"Severus! Don't be so coarse!"

"Why? Did something happen?" Harry asked in confusion.

"The old professor decided to retire this year," Severus muttered. "Albus has decided to replace him with Hagrid." Harry started to beam before the full weight of that fell on him and he grimaced.

"I get what you mean," Harry said with a wince. Emmeline stared at him with horror.

"Harry! I thought better of you!"

"Ms. Emmeline… he has a pet Cerberus named Fluffy."

"He does?"

"And a giant pet spider that lives in the forbidden forest," Harry admitted. Severus choked on his coffee.

"I beg your pardon?!" He demanded in shock. Harry ignored that.

"Not to mention, he tried to raise a baby dragon in a wooden house." Harry finished. Emmeline blinked before biting her lip nervously.

"Alright… perhaps you might be right that Hagrid may not be the best choice for this subject." She finally admitted.

"It's fine," Harry said as he put a little check next to the subject anyway. "I'll just wear body armour to the class. That should help right?" 

"That might be smart." Severus agreed. Harry went down the list

"What's Divinations like?"

"Don't take that class." Severus declared point blank. 

"I agree with Severus on this one. Your time would be much better served elsewhere." Emmeline insisted.

"The professor is a drunkard who can barely remain upright, let alone teach." Severus admonished. "Her subject is hardly academic, mostly about guesswork and manipulation. Plus she has the annoyingly macabre tendency of singling one student out in each new class and insisting they will die within the fortnight. It makes the students annoyingly jumpy every year." Severus muttered darkly. Harry winced. Then he chuckled.

"Well, I could always take Muggle Studies!"

"Harry James Potter if you take that class I will be extremely disappointed in you." Emmeline admonished fiercely. Harry flinched. "You are not who that class is meant for."

"Who is it meant for?"

"Purebloods, so that they better understand the muggle world. Mostly to help with more believable integration. Though I must say, I keep trying to remind Charity to include a unit on proper muggle dress. Some wizards are woefully ignorant of that." Severus argued. Harry sighed.

"Fine. I won't take it. But it would be the easiest class ever." 

"Exactly." Severus admonished. "Pick something more academically engaging."

"What's the study of Ancient Runes like?" He asked casually. Emmeline's eye lit up.

"Oh, Ancient Runes are absolutely fascinating! There are so many things runes are capable of. Truly monumental things have been built with runic load stones. Hogwarts has thousands of them embedded in her structure. The building is truly a magical marvel." Emmeline cried. Severus chuckle.

"You'll have to forgive her. She tends to get a bit excited about squiggly lines carved in rocks."

"Oh shush!" Emmeline growled before giving Harry a wide grin. "When I'm not babysitting grumpy old potions masters, I'm a Magical architect."

"You build magic buildings?!" Harry cried in awe. She nodded.

"And ward fences. Like the wall around the cottage. The rune stones at the base of the wall are truly impressive things. I didn't add a few extras for additional protections, but it was otherwise flawless."

"Ancient runes are also used to conduct rituals; like the religious rites I mention last night or those performed at weddings and funerals." Severus continued

"They can also be used to craft magical artifacts like self-weighing scales or Molly's fantastic knitting needles," Emmeline added with a chuckle. Harry looked awestruck.

"Sounds like it's been really useful and bloody interesting too." He said then he nodded and put his second check mark.  Then he stuffed it into a new envelope and passed it to the owl, who dutifully took it and flew away. 

"I can lend you a short compendium of ruins if you like, to help you get started." Emmeline offered happily before she turned to her suitcase. 

"I hope you realize she will be picking your brain for the rest of the summer," Severus muttered. Harry slowly grinned. The more he thought about it, the more that sounded like it wouldn't be so bad.

Severus winced as the door to the pantry squeaked. As was his habit in the summer, he'd begun an advanced development project some days previous. It was in part due to Albus' prodding. Prodding for something which Severus was still vehemently against. But why should Albus listen to anything he had to say on the subject? It wasn't as though he'd asked him to keep Harry safe or anything. The problem with these development projects was that Severus tended to become rather enthralled in what he was doing. Which led to him losing track of time. Hence why he was creeping through his own bloody home at two in the morning. Honestly. He was so unused to having to sneak around people during the summer. If this were any other year he'd simply head to bed following his usual routine. But now he had to walk past Emmeline, nestled on his couch, avoid that one squeaky step he was constantly fixing and then get to bed. Thank goodness Harry slept at the other end of the hall. That would be a nightmare otherwise. As it was, he froze when the witch on the couch made a noise and rolled over. He desperately wanted to avoid the lecture he knew he would get from her about getting proper sleep. He silently huffed. She was so motherly it was revolting. And depressing. He let his eyes drift closed.

"Severus?"

Damn.

"Emmeline. Go back to sleep." Severus whispered.

"Can you go check on Harry? He was very orange last night." She murmured then rolled over again. Severus blinked. Then he chuckled. Of course! How could he have forgotten that the woman talked in her sleep! He snorted again as he processed what she'd said. Orange? He'd looked normal as far as Severus could tell. He'd have to ask Emmeline about her dream in the morning. Severus moved swiftly for his bed. But as his hand landed on his bedroom doorknob he paused. Perhaps it would be wise to check the boy. He knew that it had all been the machinations of Emmeline's subconscious, but Severus was willing to trust it. The human mind was complex. So Severus moved down the hall. He couldn't hear anything as he approached, so he reached to open the door to take a glance inside. The moment he touch the door handle the silence ended.

"-o! No, stay away from me!" Harry sobbed. "Mum! Mum, please! Don't leave me!"

"Harry!" Severus shouted as he rushed into the room. Why had the boy laid such powerful silencing charms?! "Harry wake up!" He cried as he shook the boy. Instantly his eye shot open, but he seemed delirious with fright.

"I'm sorry uncle Vernon! I'll try to be quiet! Please don't put me in the cupboard again!" He sobbed, flinching away from Severus' hands into the corner of the bed against the wall. Severus blinked in shock. The cupboard? Harry wasn't talking any sense. But he obviously still asleep, at least mentally.

"Listen to my voice Harry," Severus said calmly. "Take a breath. You're safe. You're in Dover with Emmeline and me." Slowly the light of recognition entered Harry's eyes. 

"Professor?" He said in confusion. Then he rubbed his eyes, clearing away tears and sleep. "what happened?"

"You were having a nightmare," Severus murmured before he folded his arms. "Now would you care to explain the silencing spells? You are aware that it is technically illegal to perform magic outside of Hogwarts unless your life depends on it." 

"What silencing spells?" Harry asked quietly. Severus blinked.

"You mean to tell me that you have been putting them up using accidental magic?" Harry shrugged. "Yes or no Harry."

"I guess so." Was the teen's noncommittal response. Severus narrowed his eyes.

"How long have you been having nightmares, Harry?" The teen shrunk a little, trying to make himself as small as possible, and shrugged. "How. Long?"

"Since I came here," Harry murmured. "They've gotten a bit better. I kept seeing aunt Marge's dead dogs for about a week." 

"You've been having nightmares for two months?!" Emmeline cried in alarm from the doorway. Both Harry and Severus jumped and looked over at her. Her usually braided hair was falling around her shoulders in cascading waves, making her look dishevelled. "Harry darling! Why didn't you say anything?!" The teen looked away.

"I… I thought you were just ignoring me." Harry murmured. He'd never realized that he had been casting silencing charms over his room. But that explained why his uncle hadn't barged into his room to scream at him that first night back. He'd had a nightmare about Tom Riddle, with ink pouring out of his eyes and mouth, screaming about murder. And judging by how he'd finally woken himself up, i.e. landing hard on the bedroom floor covered in a cold sweat and panting like he'd run a marathon, he hadn't exactly been quiet.

"Harry," Severus began sternly. "I know you have a rather grim view of my sense of empathy and sympathy. But even I would not leave someone to two months of intense mental distress. Much less a teenage boy." 

"And what made you think I would let him?!" Emmeline cried wrapping her hands around Harry's. The boy shrugged. 

"What was your dream about?" Severus said as he sat on the boy's bed. He seemed a bit stunned by their concern, which worried Severus further. He now had enough evidence against the Dursleys to pray they were receiving their proper divine punishments. Every time Harry flinched or hesitated just added to the pile. 

"I was here. In Dover, on the beach. Mum was there too. We were just walking along. It was nice. Quiet. The kind of thing I always wished I could do." Harry murmured as he pulled his knees to his chest. Emmeline hummed and moved to sit on the bed as well. Her own hand had never left the boys, even as he shifted into his current position. So she began to run her fingers through his hair in a way Severus knew must be comforting. "But then these shadows started coming out of the rocks. It was like the beach itself was fighting us." Harry's breath grew slightly hitched. "Then something grabbed mum and started dragging her into the ocean." He started crying, choking back his sobs. "I tried to save her! I really did! But there were just too many and I couldn't do anything! I tried! I'm so sorry!" Harry sobbed before he finally pulled his hand away from Emmeline and sobbed into them. Severus gestured to Emmeline to step back as he pulled Harry's hands away from his face.

"Harry," he began gently, "what is your summer homework?" Harry hiccupped at him in confusion.

"To say 'I'm not responsible for my family's deaths.' every day?" Harry muttered.

"And to believe it." Severus reiterated. "You are not responsible for anything that death eaters or the dark lord does. And of the deaths that have regrettably followed you, your parents are ones which are your fault the least." Severus swallowed thickly, "and your mother least of all." Harry blinked at him. Severus took a deep breath. "Your mother sacrificed herself to protect you, Harry. She willingly gave her life to keep you safe. To take fault or blame for that is to discredit the nobility of her actions. She loved you. More than anything in the world. Her death was not about fault or destruction. It was about love." Severus finished passionately. Harry looked over at Emmeline and nearly choked again. The woman was staring at Severus with a look akin to bitter heartbreak. Then she looked away as if she couldn't stand to look at him any longer or she might shatter. Harry looked back at his potions professor and scanned his face.

"You loved her." He mumbled. Severus flinched back as if Harry had slapped him. "You were in love with my mum." There was silence in the room.

"Yes." Severus finally admitted. "For a time. But that was many years ago. Long before you were born." But the way Emmeline scowled proved to Harry that the man was lying. Or at least, as far as Emmeline was concerned he was. Severus let out a sigh before he glanced at the clock on Harry's bedside table. "It is nearly 3 am Harry. Try to get some more sleep. At least a few more hours." Then he waved his wand. "and no more silencing charms. From now on, Emmeline or I will come to wake you." Harry gave the man a skeptical look. "Trust me, Harry. Just lay down and close your eyes." Severus muttered, slowing his voice. As Harry relaxed Emmeline came forward again and resumed the carding of his hair. "Count backwards from 100," Severus instructed. Harry made a noise but slowly stilled until his breath evened out. Emmeline drew back and lead the way out of the room. Severus closed the door as silently as he could. Then instantly the hallway became the most awkward room Severus had ever been in.

"You lied to him." Emmeline accused. Severus flinched.

"Emm…"

"Don't 'Emm' me." The woman snapped. Then she turned away with a grumble. "Hell hath no fury, Severus."

"Emmeline." He repeated, placing his hand on her arm. "Please listen. I did not lie to him. I told him I loved lily."

"Years ago," Emmeline muttered. "But we both know that is a blatant lie."

"Emmeline, listen!" Severus snapped in frustration. The woman clammed up, realizing that Severus was genuinely irritated. "I stopped loving Lily the day my parents died." He said flatly. Emmeline blinked. "Lily wasn't the one who held me in my grief and promised to stay by my side. She didn't even come to my mother's funeral."

"I didn't either," Emmeline argued. 

"You were still at Hogwarts," Severus said bitterly. "You had an excuse. Lily didn't." Emmeline sighed.

"And yet." She muttered. Severus looked at her, waiting for her to finish her thought, but she just huffed and turned away. "I'm going back to bed. Goodnight."

"Emmeline," Severus began

"I'm too tired to keep arguing with you Severus," Emmeline whined. 

"No," Severus said with a huff. "I wanted to ask you to keep Harry occupied tomorrow. I'm going to be… investigating something."

"Oh?" The woman asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Just keep him busy," Severus muttered. Emmeline huffed before she frowned.

"I can think of a favour I can call in." She muttered. "What time is it?"

"3:15," Severus muttered in exhaustion. He really was very tired.

"5:15… he should be up by now." She murmured with a grin before she turned and rushed back downstairs. Severus rose an eyebrow but didn't question as he finally turned into his room to get some sleep. 

Harry woke up surprisingly well rested the next morning. It was the smell that woke him. A sweet smell he knew well, after a decade of standing over a frying pan dreaming of table scraps that would never remain. He stumbled out of his room with almost zombie-like hunger until he was standing in the kitchen doorway, salivating.

"Good morning Harry!" Emmeline cried happily as she piled three blueberry pancakes up onto a plate. "Here you are. Syrup and strawberries are on the table." Harry stood there, holding the plate in his hands. He was afraid to move lest he completely break down. He was still surprisingly raw from the revelations of last night. 

And now Emmeline was fulfilling one of his earliest childhood dreams.

Aunt Petunia almost always made Dudley one of his favourites after he had a bad dream as a child. Usually, it was something like a sundae or chocolate cake. 

But Harry's childhood favourite had been pancakes. Not even the scratch ones, since aunt petunia didn't know how to make the batter correctly, just the stuff from the box mixed with water. Sometimes she'd add dried blueberries or chocolate chips. Harry remembered the one and only time he'd got to have any. Dudley had a sleepover with Piers. The night before the boy had stayed up extremely late, pigging out on sweets and popcorn while they watched Star Wars on the telly. They'd both been so sick the next morning that Dudley had two bites of his pancakes before he ran upstairs and sicked up. Harry had been allowed to eat the rest of Dudley's pancake.

 It was amazing.

And ever since, Harry had loved pancakes. He always tried to burn a couple, or ruin his first pancake on purpose, in the hopes that the Dursleys would leave it for him. But Dudley was always such a greedy arse that he'd gobble them all up and leave Harry nothing. 

In his youth, he'd always dreamed that after his nightmares, his mum would magically come back, and she'd make him pancakes like aunt Petunia made sundaes for Dudley.

"Oh, Harry darling! What's the matter, dear?!" Emmeline cried in shock. Harry blinked and realized he'd been crying for some time now.

"Thank you." He choked out. "You have… no idea how much this means to me." Emmeline looked at him with a touch of worry before she stepped forward and gave him a side hug.

"Do you still want blueberries? I have a few plain ones if you prefer." Emmeline offered. Harry shook his head rapidly before he finally turned to the table. Setting the pancakes down and wiped his face before covering the pancakes in strawberries and syrup. Then he looked up on a whim.

"Do we have whipped cream?" He asked quietly.

"I can get some right away!" Emmeline cried from where she'd been watching Harry for any more signs of distress. The boy seemed so exhausted today! Maybe she shouldn't have sent that letter after all. She wasn't sure if the excitement would be good for him. But still, she set the whisk going with a spell and served her own pancakes, then grabbed the powdered sugar and melted chocolate. " Would you like to try it the way my mother always made them?" She offered with a smile. Harry nodded then watched as Emmeline drizzled chocolate over his syrup and strawberries, then shook the sieve spoon of powdered sugar, till just a light dusting was over it. Then she dipped back into the kitchen and returned with the homemade whipped cream. "I've never had it with whipped cream myself, but I'm sure it's very good." Harry nodded and scooped two tablespoons of the fluffy creme onto the top of the pancakes. Once again the emotions threatened to overwhelm him as he stared down at this most precious of meals. "Are you sure your alright dear?" Emmeline asked again. Harry nodded with a smile.

"Yes. Thank you again, Ms. Emmeline." Harry said quietly. Then he took his first bite. Instantly he moaned in delight. The blueberries were fresh and tangy, bursting in his mouth with flavour. The syrup had soaked into the pancakes, making them sweet and delicious. The whipped creme melted in his mouth, mixing with the powdered sugar and chocolate. Then the strawberry joined the blueberries to add a final burst of sweet and tangy goodness. Emmeline smiled as he dug into his meal with a relish common to teenage boys. She chuckled as he scrapped his fork over the plate to scoop up the last dropped of the sticky syrup. 

"Would you like seconds?" She asked happily. Harry smiled but shook his head. 

"I think I'd burst." He admitted as he pat his stomach. Three were surprisingly filling. They hadn't been small though, not much smaller than the plates in fact, and very thick and fluffy so that probably played a part. Emmeline glanced up at the clock and made a noise.

"Well good! We've got to go meet a friend of mine in an hour or so. I told him to wait for low tide." Emmeline said before she stacked the plate. Harry made a noise of stress as she tossed them into the sink. They shouldn't leave the syrup sitting like that! Then suddenly the scrub brush rose up on its own and began to wash the rest of the dishes as well. "Come along Harry. You'll enjoy this." She promised as she pulled on her green shawl. "especially if you're excited to learn more about magical creatures."

"It does sound interesting," Harry agreed, "even if the thought of Hagrid does make me a bit nervous." 

"I'm sure you and Severus are exaggerating," Emmeline argued. "He can't be that bad!" 

Severus walked down Magnolia Crescent with what he hoped was a casual air. He apparated into Arabella Figg's backyard, startling one of her many cats as he landed. She had merrily waved at the window, looking only slightly green now that the worst of the infection had run its course. He was suddenly reminded to get Harry his boosters. All 8 of them, including the yearly dose for flobberworm flu. Honestly how the boy hadn't been killed by a magical sickness yet was in it of itself a major miracle! So if he looked a bit stormy he should be forgiven, he was slightly annoyed with Albus Dumbledore right now. The man's possible negligence was leaving him a touch upset. Suddenly a pair of teens on bikes cut him off as he crossed into Privet Drive. He held his breath from cursing the pair.

"Damn you, hooligans!" A loud voice to his left. He looked over to see a woman walking a small Scottish terrier in a sweater of all things. Didn't she realize the thing had fur? That it was perfectly capable of keeping itself warm? Evidently not. "Can I help you?" The woman demanded haughtily. Severus looked up, realizing that he'd been staring at the dog for a noticeable time. 

"My apologies madame," Severus said with a tip of his head, "I'm afraid I have a lot on my mind. But, could you perhaps direct me to number 4?"

"Oh, I wouldn't bother I'm afraid." The woman declared. "The Dursleys are on holiday. The entire family left some time ago, and they've yet to return. My Dan has been going over to water their gardens for them for a few weeks now." She said plainly. "But I'm sure they'll be back eventually. Their son goes to a very prestigious private school in the area. Petunia wouldn't let him miss even one day I'm sure." The woman muttered with a roll of her eye. But Severus had latched onto something she'd said much earlier.

"This Dan wouldn't happen to grow roses would he?" He asked quietly, praying that, for once, Lady luck had smiled on him.

Harry followed Emmeline down the beach along the cliffs with slight trepidation. They had been walking along for some time now. They were almost directly under the tallest point of the cliffs for sure. There wasn't another soul for at least a mile on either side. Who could she possibly want to meet all the way out here? And why couldn't they meet close to the bay?

"He should be here fairly soon. We met a few years ago when I was called on as a consultant for a magical archaeology expedition." Emmeline explained as she glanced at her watch. "They'd uncovered an ancient city in the Black Sea. He was instrumental in transporting artifacts and negotiating with the local merfolk for safe passage."

"You help at archaeological sites?" Harry asked.

"Most magical buildings, particularly ancient ones, possess some truly astounding runic cornerstones. A magical archeologist can have a minor mastery in runes, But if none of those working on that site are, they will call an architect as their certifications tend to lean into runes more heavily. I just so happened to be close friends with the particular archaeologist running the expedition and she knew I would be excited about it." Emmeline chuckled. "She's always tried to convince me to be an archaeologist as well. But I didn't want to spend all my time looking at crumbled old buildings. I wanted to make things. And while it was exceptionally exciting to study that cornerstone and interact with the runes on its surface, It was much more exciting using what I learned to create new structures." Emmeline explained. Harry grinned before gazing out at the water. Then he frowned.

"Hang on? The man we're meeting helped ferry artifacts? How could he do that if the city was-" he was cut off as a massive wave suddenly shot up from the otherwise peaceful ocean. Harry stumbled back in awe and surprise as a massive blue-green… thing jumped out of the water and landed on the surf. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was a strange hybrid creature with the front half of a horse, with fins and gills instead of ears and black beady eyes with a somewhat slimy-looking mane of tentacles instead of hair. Its lower half was covered in scales and ended not with a second set of legs ending in hooves, but a massive fishtail nearly half as tall as he was, which was swishing back and forth in the water lazily.

"Emmi!" A loud booming voice cried with a thick accent. "Wonderful to see you again!" 

"And you Yusuf!" Emmeline cried back. Harry blinked as the tall middle Eastern man unbuckled his legs then turned and slid off the creature. "Harry, this is Yusuf Kaya. Yusuf, this is my dear friend Harry."

"Harry!" The man cried with a grin, holding his hand out and then giving Harry a body-quaking handshake. "Nice to meet you!"

"What is that thing?" Harry responded, still reeling from the dramatic entrance. The man let out a loud laugh. 

"This is Adem! He's a hippocampus." Yusuf proclaimed. "Emmeline said you were interested in learning more about magical creatures. I took magizoology for my mastery. I learnt about all sorts of creatures. Hippocampus are my favourite of course." He said with a laugh as Adem snorted and pushed into him. Harry grinned. "Would you like to say hello?" 

"Er…" Harry began nervously. Adem was massive! His head was almost as big as his torso! And his eyes, so black and shiny, were a little disconcerting. 

"Here Yusuf proclaimed as he stepped forward, unbuttoning a pouch on his hip with a smile. "Hold out your hand." Harry did as instructed. Then Yusuf dropped a pile of green slimy gunk in his hand. He grimace and shuddered as it dribble through his fingers. Yusuf laughed at his face. "If your squeamish about that boy, you'll not go far in magizoology!" So Harry swallowed thickly and banished his nausea. Yes, it was slimy, but at least it wasn't too smelly. "Just hold out your hand and let Adem have a taste. Then he'll let you pat him. Hippocampus are a bit like dogs. Feed them enough and they'll die for you." he joked. So Harry took a step forward and held out his hand. The hippocampus took a curious sniff, as soon as he did he dipped his surprisingly soft nose into Harry's hand and slurped up the goop with relish, his tail swishing happily. Then he tossed his head and knickered. "Give him a scritch now." Yusuf encouraged. So Harry reached up and scratched the hippocampus' face. The skin was surprisingly soft and smooth, yet not at all slimy. The mane was a bit slimy, but not sticky, just kind of wet. Emmeline leaned over and whispered something in Yusuf's ear which made the man's face light up. "Would you like a ride?" 

"What?!" Harry cried in shock. He was sure about that one! Feeding and petting him was one thing, going on his back in the water was a completely different story! How did Yusuf even breathe down there!?

"Come on!" Yusuf encouraged before he picked Harry up, making the teen yelp and dropping him on Adem's back. The hippocampus whinnied in excitement and stomped his hooves. "Barış!" Yusuf barked before he showed Harry where to put his legs through the belt loops on either side of the hippocampus's saddle. Then Yusuf pulled the belt tight around both their legs. "Here you are!" He said as he handed Harry a pair of goggles not dissimilar from the swimming goggles Dudley wore. Once they were right the man tapped his head and a bubble of air suddenly wrapped around his mouth and nose. So that's how he breathed underwater! "Now hold on to his mane tight, I have the reins. Are you ready?" Harry nodded, despite the fact that he was still nervous as heck. Adem was very powerful, and Harry was on his back. "Alright!" Yusuf cried before he pulled the reins back towards the ocean. Adem squealed again and turned for deeper water. "Gitmek!" Yusuf commanded. Harry's stomach gave a lurch as the creature rose up and then dove down into the water. He gasped as the cold water struck his face. The speed of the creature's dive pushed his hair back wildly as they descended down until the hippocampus' hooves grazed the sea floor with each stride. As powerful as he had seemed on land Harry marvelled at his speed in the water. They passed schools of fish and massive ethereal rock formations. Even a few sunken ships. The sunlight filtered down casting everything in a beautiful blue glow. Harry reached out a hand, feeling the water current push against it. A smile spread across his face. If this is what it was like to work with magical animals all the time, he definitely made the right choice! Suddenly Adem's course changed, he rushed for the surface, charging the light blue ocean ceiling. Harry braced himself as Adem suddenly leapt out of the water, spinning in the air and landing with the same monumental splash he'd made when he'd first arrived. Harry was still a bit dizzy from the spin as Yusuf pulled Adem's reins and urged him back to the shore. As the hippocampus beached once again Emmeline clapped happily. Harry stumbled slightly as Yusuf unbuckled him and set his back down on dry land. 

"Well?" She asked happily, tapping her wand on his head to dry him off and warm him up. "How was it?" 

"Amazing!" Harry cried happily. He turned back around and rewarded the hippocampus with another nose scratch. Adem snorted in his face and knickered. Yusuf laughed. 

"Sounds to me like he likes you!" He declared. Harry grinned. Then Yusuf tied his legs again.

"I'm afraid I've got to read back. The Istanbul circuit is in two weeks and we have a lot of training to do." Yusuf declared. 

"Istanbul!" Harry cried in shock. "You came all the way from Turkey?!"

"Yep!" Yusuf declared. "It only took four hours too! I'm pretty sure it's a record!" Then he pulled the reins back and again. Then with a final wave and shout, he disappeared below the waves again. Harry smiled at the ocean, now knowing some of the secrets that lay below its churning surface. 

"Too soon for lunch?" Emmeline offered. Harry grinned. 

"Not if we walk to The White Horse! It might take a while, but I think I could get us there if we keep walking along the beach."

"The White Horse?" Emmeline questioned. Harry grinned.

"Come on!" He assured her. 

Severus watched with his hands folded as Anne served him and Dan a tea service while the small sweatered terrier snoozed under the garden tea table. Once she did Dan leaned back and looked at him contemplatively.

“So you work at St. Brutus’s?” Dan demanded with a raised eyebrow. Severus nodded, despite still not being entirely sure what these muggles were talking shout. “Brave man.”

“It's not nearly so dire,” Severus muttered around his tea. “Most of the students are moderately behaved.” he imagined the Weasley twins and grimaced, “save a few.”

“And Harry? Which is he?” Dan asked. Severus rolled his eyes.

“Harry is an interesting case. The boy never seems to cause trouble, at least not on purpose. But he has an irritating habit of attracting it.” Severus complained. Dan hummed. 

“Figures,” he murmured. Then he gave the man a hard look. “I'm going to be honest with you, sir, but when Petunia told us he was headed to St. Brutus’s, I didn't think Harry would survive. No matter what Petunia might say, he's not exactly an ‘Incurable Criminal Boy’.” instantly Severus blinked. Incurable criminal?! Petunia told her neighbours Harry was going to some kind of boy’s only prison?! “Does he have any friends?”

“A few.” Severus supplied readily, speaking truth where he could. “Like most, he has a core around him. He does have a few rivalries, but that is to be expected.”

“Well, that's good to hear,” Dan muttered. “I was honestly worried he'd end up alone again.”

“Again?” Severus questioned. Dan frowned at him.

“You said Harry talked about his life here?” Severus nodded. “So he must have mentioned his cousin,” Severus remembered.

“Ah yes. The boy were rivals as well.”

“Rivals gives Harry too much credit,” Dan muttered. “He was Dudley's punching bag. That’s how we met actually. The boy had quite a shinner one day, I asked him how it happened. He said he hadn't been fast enough and Dudley‘d caught him.”

“His cousin beat him up?” Severus demanded angrily. 

“Almost daily when they were younger,” Dan recalled. “But Harry got quicker as they got older. And better at sneaking around.” Severus frowned. So that explained how it was he could explore the castle so silently. He had practice trying to avoid his terrible housemate. “I will say, the first time I saw it, I thought about calling the police.” 

“Hmm?” Severus questioned.

“Well I thought it could have been Vernon,” Dan admitted. “Have you ever met the man?” Severus shook his head. “Consider yourself lucky! He was a brute and make no mistake!” Dan shook his head. “Once Harry was cutting the grass when he tripped on the cord and punched a hole through our hedge. Vernon screamed at him for a solid hour. And the kid just stood there like a wall, nodding and saying yes. If that’d been me I woulda decked him and suffered the consequences.” Dan admitted with a snort. Severus went a little pale.

“How old was he at the time?” Dan frowned.

“Hard to say really. The boy was always so small. But if I had to guess, maybe 8?” Severus balked.

8!?

He remembered his own lawnmower growing up. It was twice as heavy as he was now and difficult to manoeuvre when it wasn't running. How on earth had Dursley expected his nephew to manage at 8?! And he was small for his age! Severus frowned.

“Did that happen often?”

“The mowing? About the usual amount. Or do you mean the crashing into the hedge? That never happened again.”

“Forgive me,” Severus amended, “but it seems to me as though Harry had almost been set up to fail there. It couldn't have been easy for him pushing that mower around.”

“Not to mention the heat.” Dan agreed, gaining a small frown. “Truthfully I'd never really thought of it like that before, but now that you mention it, that does seem like what it was. And if thats the case! There is one thing I can definitely think of!” The man stood and walked towards the back gate. Severus followed him, stepping through the alley and watching as Dan unlatched the garden gate for number 4. He followed him down the garden path to an absolutely immaculate rose bush. The blooms were bright pink with a diameter of a human hand and each had the familiar fragrance that Severus remembered his mother wore. They were truly perfect English roses.

“This bush was dead four years ago.” Dan declared a matter of factly. “I'm not exaggerating! It was a barren stalk! Not one leaf! Then one day Petunia marched Harry out here and told him she wanted the garden to be perfect. She was hosting a garden party or something and wanted everything ready by the end of the summer. I remember thinking ‘there's no way that bush ‘ll bloom by August. But Harry managed it somehow. After just a week of watering and pruning it had leaves again. And the blooms burst a week before Petunia's big party. She boasted about how hard she'd worked to all our neighbours. But I knew better. When everyone was gone I asked Harry just how he did it.” at this Dan huffed. “He still won't tell me his secret! Just said water and weeding but I know better! No way you can get from dead to blooms with just water! There had to be something else!” Dan finished.

Severus knew how he'd done it.

Harry had used magic. 

He had desperately wanted those blooms to be ready. And his magic had answered his plea. It was still answering it even now. The bush looked a thousand times better then any of the blooms he’d seen on his walk. Suddenly Severus sneered.

Petunia Dursley had dared to take credit for his magic!?

After she had vilified it so heavily!

He wanted to drag her up from the pits of hell and throttle her right back!

Dan suddenly made a noise of alarm and stepped back. Severus blinked and realized that his magic had gotten a bit out of hand. Several of the tulips around the roses had wilted and the crawling ivy was now barren of leaves. He took a deep breath, shaken from a display he'd not made since his teenage years. 

“Thank you, sir,” he said before he drew his wand. Then he bewitched the muggle, sending him off with a modified memory of him seeing Severus off at the back garden. Severus was grateful for the Dursley's tall garden wall, perfect for keeping the nosy neighbours out. Then he turned to the conservatory and opened the door with a spell. The inside of the house was covered in a thick layer of dust but was otherwise immaculately pristine. Severus drifted through the barren kitchen to the living room and observed all he could. The picture frames showed a chubby baby growing into an even chubbier boy with a mop of blond hair plastered to his round head. Not one photo of Harry was on the walls. Severus glanced around before he turned for the stairs. The first room he found was filled nearly to the brim with toys scattered on nearly every surface but the bed. There was a personal computer, a tv, and multiple gaming consoles, as well as a massive stack of game cartridges. There were tapes and CDs and action figures and card games. Severus stared at this temple of excess with a sneer. It was almost disgusting how spoiled this child was. Even Draco was not so decadent as this. Severus turned to the next room and blinked.

Locks.

A whole row of them. 

And underneath that a small cat flap. 

The door was blasted off its hinges by Severus' rage. He couldn't contain it. Inside the room was so bare he nearly screamed. They had let their son wallow in the lap of luxury, and locked their nephew away like a dangerous criminal! Then his eyes fell on what he was sure was one of Harry's few personal treasures. A small leather-bound book, well thumbed at the edges. A quick inspection made him choke. 

It was a photo album. 

It contained dozens of photos, some he even recognized, of James, Lily, and Harry, as well as several of his friends, and even one of Hogwarts itself, with owls swooping by in the distance. Severus grabbed it and waved his wand, summoning anything else that might belong to Harry. A Gryffindor banner whizzed up from under the bed, as did a chocolate frog card and a sketch of Hedwig, looking mopily from her locked cage (yet another thing that made Severus seeth). Then suddenly he heard a rattling from down below. Severus frowned and walked back out of the room and down the stairs. The door to the cupboard under the stairs was rattling. Severus blinked and reached forward to unlatch and open it. As soon as he did, an empty ink bottle floated into his hand, followed by a single piece of tatty paper with two push pins sticking into it. Evidently, Harry considered the pins his as well. But Severus froze as he turned the paper over and stared down at it. It was a crudely written sign, obviously written with a child's hand, and quite faded and wrinkled with age. but while the doodles were the nonsensical etchings of childish whims, the writing was surprisingly legible.

Harry’s Room

Harry was exceptionally happy. Today had been one of the best days of his life. First, he'd had pancakes for breakfast! Pancakes that he didn't have to make, and didn't have to beg and needlessly hope for! Then he'd got to ride on a real live hippocampus! Now there was something to write to Ron and Hermione about! Then he and Emmeline had walked along the cliffs to the Dover pier. They'd had lunch at a fast food chain instead of The White Horse. Mostly because by that time they reached the other end of the cliffs, they were both starving. Harry was marvelling at his appetite lately. He'd never got nearly this much food at the Dursleys', but now he ate whenever he was hungry. He was pretty sure he'd gotten taller too! That was nice! After lunch, he and Emmeline walked along the pier. They say a few war memorials, and Emmeline even gave Harry a few pounds to use the periscopes to see France. He grinned out across the water. There was so much out there in the world that he just had to see one day! Maybe he'd get to see those hippocampus races in Istanbul!

“What's Turkey like?” Harry asked excitedly. Emmeline laughed.

“I wasn't in Turkey actually. The sunken city was off the coast of Georgia, closer to Russia. Yusuf just happened to be the underwater expert the team hired.”

“What's Georgia like?” Harry asked just as enthusiastically.

“It's very temperate and mild. There were quite a few muggle luxury resorts in the area we stayed in. Not that we stayed at any mind you. We were living out of a local wizard's garden shed.” Emmeline admitted with a chuckle. Harry grinned. “I will say, the most interesting place I ever stayed for work was Mahoutokoro.”

“Mah-who where now?” Harry asked in shock. How did she say it all in one breath like that?!

“Mahoutokoro,” Emmeline repeated. “It's the wizarding academy of Japan.”

“You've been to Japan?!” Harry demanded in awe. Emmeline grinned.

“Yes. I was allowed to research and assist in repairs for the school's rookery during my apprenticeship. It was truly an astounding experience, even if I did get pooped on by one of their giant petrels.” Harry laughed. Emmeline looked out to the ocean with a smile. Harry had been so carefree today. All her worry from earlier was unfounded.

"Ms. Emmeline, may I ask you a question?" Harry suddenly asked as the periscope turned off once more.

"Yes, dear?" Emmeline said.

"Did you ever date anyone else besides Professor Snape?" He asked as casually as he could. Emmeline's chest tightened.

"Yes." She admitted quietly. "As a matter of fact, I was married for a time."

"Married?!" Harry cried in alarm. She'd been married?! But he'd been so sure that she was still in love with Snape!

"Yes. For a year." Emmeline muttered. 

"Only a year?" Harry questioned in confusion. Emmeline sighed. This was always a difficult thing to discuss.

"It was an arranged marriage," Emmeline explained. Then she sighed heavily. "I happen to be a descendant of a very powerful business family."

"Really?" Harry asked in awe. But she seemed so… normal.

"My grandfather is the CEO of The Cleansweep Broomsticks Company. He helps develop the broom himself." Emmeline admitted. 

"That's why you're such a great flyer!" Harry cried with a grin. Emmeline nodded then she looked out to the water, lost in a memory.

"My mother is the daughter of the broom creator. My father owns and operates a publishing company that produces popular wizarding magazines like witches weekly." Harry let out a low whistle.

"So you're like… really rich," Harry said. Emmeline laughed.

"Well no. In fact, you probably have much more money than my family." Emmeline reminded him.

"Oh yeah!" Harry cried, then he laughed. "You know, I constantly forget about all that money. I went so long with having so little that I never really process it all." Harry admitted. Emmeline hummed before she shook her head.

"The Vance name is quite young compared to the Potters. We're just starting to amass wealth." Her face twisted. "At least that's what my father had planned for me."

"But it didn't really work out that way?" Harry asked casually. Emmeline shook her head.

"The family name will likely die with me," Emmeline said flatly. "Unless by some miracle my mother has another child."

"Well, couldn't you have kids?" Harry questioned. 

"No," Emmeline said flatly. Harry blinked at her with a confused frown. She sighed. "That is why my husband left me. There were… many attempts. Eventually, it was discovered that I am unable to bear children." Harry choked on his breath.

"Oh! Oh my goodness, Ms. Emmeline, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-" Harry began with wide, horror-filled, eyes. Emmeline placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright Harry dear. I know you didn't mean anything by it. You're just curious." Emmeline said tiredly.

"Why did he leave you for that?!" Harry suddenly demanded, a firm scowl darkening his face. "I mean seriously! What an absolute prat!"

"You sound like Severus." Emmeline declared with a chuckle. "He offered to poison him."

"Why didn't you take him up on the offer?!" Harry demanded. Emmeline chuckled. Then her face grew far away.

"I didn't want to be a Slytherin." She finally muttered. Harry blinked.

"What?" Emmeline gave him a sad look.

"My parents had always been very disappointed in my house. My father even forbade me from mentioning it at family gatherings. After Hogwarts, I tried to distance myself from that time as much as possible." Emmeline sighed. "It's somewhat unfair of me to entirely blame Severus for how we ended. I was the one who started forcing him to meet in secret. I wouldn't even introduce him to my parents, because I was worried how they would react."

"Did you ever meet his parents?" Harry questioned. Emmeline gave him a sad look.

"No. I never got the chance." She sighed sadly. "His mother sounded like such a lovely woman."

"And his dad?" Harry questioned. Emmeline made a noise.

"I'm afraid any of what Severus had told me of his father before his mother's death has been completely negated by the despicable way he treated Severus at her funeral." Emmeline declared. Harry nodded. He knew that was probably the case.

"Did professor Snape ever meet your parents?"

"Not while we dated," Emmeline confirmed. "He did meet my father a few years ago during an interview for potions monthly."

"Oh," Harry muttered.

So their relationship had already been falling apart even before Snape broke things off.

"Guess you two leaving Hogwarts kinda ruined everything," Harry remarked. Emmeline sighed.

"Yes." She said flatly. "It really did."

"Would you have married him?" Harry suddenly blurted out. Emmeline blinked.

"If he had asked…" Emmeline whispered. She looked out to the water, lost in thought and memories. Finally, she bit her lip. Then she turned to harry with a rather lost expression. "Perhaps." She finally answered. Harry didn't say anything or react. 

He had a feeling he'd reached the moment Snape would have told him to mind his own business long before then. 

Ms. Emmeline was just too nice to tell him to stop.

Severus was staring down at Albus, barely holding back his emotions. The man was staring at the paper in front of them with wide eyes and a horrified expression.

"A cupboard?" He finally choked out.

"Yes. Alongside brooms and rubbish." Severus sneered. The old man let out a distressed moan and sunk his eyes into his hand. 

"A cupboard." He finally repeated. Then he looked up. His face was not distraught, but absolutely furious. Severus took a step back as the old man folded his hands in his lap. " Petunia and Vernon were exceptionally lucky."

"What do you mean?" Severus demanded in confusion.

"Lucky that the death eaters killed them before I discovered this." Albus declared. "I would not have ended their suffering quite so quickly." He finished menacingly. Severus blinked. The man suddenly leapt up from his desk and stomped over to his floo. "Arabella!" He roared. The old squibs face appeared with slight worry.

"Yes, Albus? Is everything alright?"

"Come through," Albus demanded. "Now "

"Oh Albus I'm still-" Arabella cried in alarm.

"NOW!" Albus roared. The woman jumped before she disappeared, only to reappear in the room a moment later. She looked tired, and her skin had the quintessential green tinge but was otherwise healthy looking. But Severus reminded himself to disinfect before returning to Dover. He wouldn't want to have to help Harry through Dragon Pox on top of… everything else. "Would you care to tell me why you chose not to tell me about the extent of the neglect which Harry faced with the Dursleys?" Albus asked coldly. Arabella blinked.

"I'm not sure what you mean Albus. I told you they didn't feed him as much as I thought was right, and that the Dursley boy was a little tougher than I would have liked, but otherwise, everything seemed fine."

"Seemed being the keyword." Severus sneered. Arabella blinked at him in confusion.

"What has happened?" She asked worriedly.

"Severus found this during his expedition," Albus explained, holding the paper out to her. Arabella looked at it with slight confusion. It seemed like a normal child's drawing, something you might see on the outside of a door. "He found it in their cupboard under the stairs."

"What?!" Arabella cried in alarm. "On the door?!"

"The back of it, near the bottom," Severus confirmed. "There was an old cot folded up, which I assume is what they had him sleep on."

"They made him sleep in a cupboard?!" Arabella whispered in horror.

"So you had no idea?" Albus demanded with a frown.

"No!" Arabella cried in shock. "Goodness no! Albus if I had known I would have told you immediately! To do such a thing to a child!"

"Harry never told you? Never indicated anything like this?" Albus argued. 

"No," Arabella confirmed. Tears were starting to form in her eyes. "Oh, the poor dear! I should have known, shouldn't I? I should have seen something!" She began sobbing into her hands. Albus' harshness soften and he sighed, putting a hand on her shoulders.

 "Hush now Arabella," Albus reassured her. "How could you have known, if Harry never said anything." The old headmaster sighed. Then he turned to Severus, who was watching this with narrowed eyes. 

So Albus had known about the beatings and the lack of proper meals. 

And still, Harry had suffered. 

"Severus," Albus began upon seeing the man's judgemental glare.

"I hope you realize how badly this has affected Harry." Severus interrupted keeping his voice level, despite the rage bubbling under the surface. He folded his arms tightly. "You put him in my care. So I will be doing my very best to repair this damage." 

"Severus," Albus began, "please understand. I only kept him there because of the wards. Lily's sacrifice. I was willing to risk it for his ultimate safety. But if I had known this-"

"See Albus that is the great difference between me and you," Severus interrupted again, before levelling the old man with his coldest sneer, "I could never justify the torture of a child for the greater good." Severus finished coldly. Albus' face had gone sickly pale by this point. Severus didn't bother remaining to hear the man stutter out his justifications. Instead, he took the paper, rolling it up into his pocket, then he waved his wand, disinfecting his person, and stepped into the flames, disappearing for Dover and the teenage boy he would now have to get into a very difficult conversation with. 

Harry grinned as he rushed up the drive to the cottage. Emmeline had promised to go flying with him again. Honestly, this day was just getting better and better! Every time Emmeline flew with him she taught him some new trick. Last week she'd been teaching him how to effectively steer with no hands and a few days ago she'd shown him how to fly upside down! But when he opened the door he froze. Snape was leaning on the back of the sofa, arms folded casually, though his eyes looked contemplative and far away.

"Oh, Severus!" Emmeline cried with a grin. "You're home. Did your business go well?"

"Emm, can you go make some hot chocolate?" Severus said plainly. The woman blinked. Hot chocolate was Severus' beverage of choice when bad news was going to be delivered. She cautiously looked between Harry and Severus then made an almost silent grunt of dread. 

"Harry dear… why don't you and Severus go sit in the dining room." She suddenly declared.

"But what about flying!?" Harry whined rather petulantly. Severus gave him a nebulous look, looking one part admonishing and one part rather a bit surprised. Emmeline frowned.

“Later, Harry.” she insisted. The teen gave her a sad look before he slumped in a dining chair, giving his professor a dirty look. The professor flicked his wrist, casting a spell over them before he placed a piece of paper in front of him. Harry sucked in a breath. He stared down at the sign in sheer terror. His vision began to tunnel slightly.

“-rry! Harry listen to me!” Severus shouted. Harry blinked at looked at his professor, who was rubbing his back and squeezing his shoulder. “Take a deep breath.” Harry sucked in a breath as instructed. He continued to do so, with Severus' deep voice guiding him along. With each breath, he felt a little steadier, as his professor continued to rub his back and squeeze his shoulder with each slow intake. When Harry leaned back into the chair Severus released his fortifying grip. “Better?” Harry still didn't quite trust himself to speak. So he just nodded. “Now… when did it start?” Severus murmured as gently as he could. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. He couldn't talk about this. He was supposed to be safe here. The Dursleys were gone! What did it matter? “Harry… please,” Severus begged. Harry opened his eyes. The man looked distraught. He was actually begging. 

“Forever.” Harry finally choked out, he looked down at the sign he’d made. It was the second one he'd made. The first had been torn up by Dudley after their teacher complimented him and not the brutish boys. He made the second one using the pack of broken crayon stubs Dudley hadn't wanted anymore. But when he'd foolishly asked Aunt Petunia to hang it up for him, she'd flown off the handle and crumpled it up. Harry had fished it out of the trash after dinner. He asked his teacher for the push pins the next day. “As long as I can remember,” he repeated, as a few tears dripped onto his cheeks. He rapidly tried to rub them away when suddenly his face was buried in the shaggy, slightly scratchy, grey sweater of his potions professor. Harry hiccuped as the man held him to his chest. Then he buried his face fully and sobbed. He told him everything. Every injustice, every hurt, every impossible task. The cat flap, the bars, the endless chores, the childhood dreams that had never been fulfilled, and above all that old belief he clung to in his youth, that maybe, just maybe, if he was good, and he did all they asked and he followed all their rules,

Maybe they would love him.

He was extremely tired by the end, and the potion master looked just as exhausted. He was rubbing his face with his hand, looking utterly drained.

“I'm very glad that Albus was not here to hear this.” he suddenly declared.

“Why?” Harry asked, voice hoarse from the periodic crying.

“He did not take even just the minor revelation that you slept in a cupboard very well,” Severus muttered bitterly, both at the fact that sleeping in the cupboard had truly been a very minor thing in the sheer scale of the Dursleys' neglect and the fact that Albus hadn't seen the little neglect he had known about as justifiable enough to save the poor boy from his truly disastrous childhood if you could even call it that. Then he flicked his wrist and the bubble disappeared. Immediately Emmeline rushed in looking terrified.

“What did you say to the poor boy Severus?!” she cried as she wrapped Harry's head in her arm and pulled his face to her chest, giving the man a scolding frown. she looked down at the puffy-eyed boy and pet his hair. “Oh, Harry darling are you alright?”

" 'm okay…” Harry whispered, his gaze flicking down to the picture on the table. Emmeline followed his gaze and frowned. She gave Severus a confused look but he just waved her off and mouthed ‘later’. She huffed before she drew back into the kitchen, and returned with the promised hot chocolate. 

“Now. Here is what we're going to do.” Severus piped up after he took that first fortifying sip. “Tomorrow Harry, you and I are going to go to St. Mungo's. It's been a terrible oversight of mine, but I realized today that you haven't been giving any of your vaccinations.” Harry made a face.

“Do I have to take needles for them all? The nurse at school gave me the measles vaccine a few years back and it really really hurt.” Harry complained.

“A needle? Like a sewing needle? How would that help?!” Emmeline cried in shock. Harry blinked.

“No, wizards don't administer vaccinations with needles,” Severus assured him with a chuckle. Emmeline really should have taken Muggle Studies instead of Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. “It is a series of potions, but you will have to stay to be monitored, in case you have a bad reaction.”

“Alright,” Harry muttered.

“We’re also going to get your eyes checked.” Severus declared, knowing now that Harry's glasses were likely not his proper prescription. “I think I'll ask the healers for a general check-up as well. I know Poppy gives basic health checkups when students become injured, but getting a baseline for your health is important.”

“Thank you, sir,” Harry murmured, cradling the hot chocolate in his hands. It was surprisingly good at banishing the gloom that was lingering.

“I'm only doing what should have been done from the beginning.” he insisted, some of his earlier rage returning. “Wherever your aunt and uncle are, they are likely getting quite the angry lecture from your mother.”

“Most definitely,” Emmeline agreed. “I don't what you know about your mother Harry, but Lily Evans was a terror when she was angry." 

"It's a redhead thing," Snape muttered into his already half-empty mug. Emmeline rolled her eyes. 

"That's just an old myth."

"I dunno…" Harry piped up, a small tired grin spreading. "Mrs. Weasley is pretty frightening when she's upset, and Ron gets so angry his whole face goes red!" Emmeline huffed. 

"Shush you and drink your cocoa." She declared. Harry nodded, sipping at it slowly, savouring the sugary sweetness. When he tipped the last bit back Snape cleared his throat. 

"Harry… I have a new rule for you to follow." He suddenly declared. The boy blinked at him. Had he done something wrong? Or said something he shouldn't? "You are to tell us if something is bothering you or upsetting you." He gave Harry a stern frown, "failure to comply with this rule will result in the removal of your privileges."  Harry blinked. That was it? Well, that would be easy enough. His life had been pretty awesome since coming here. He couldn't think of anything that upset or bothered him.

Aside from the air of awkwardness that surrounded Emmeline and Severus every so often.

But he was working on that one. 

"Alright." He responded after that short internal monologue. Severus nodded.

"Now, why don't you go take a nap? We'll come to wake you for dinner." Harry nodded, and drifted, almost wraith-like up the stairs. Emmeline turned to him, gaze growing very accusatory and concerned. He sighed and gestured for her to take Harry's seat before he renewed the silencing charms. 

He had a feeling that Emmeline was not going to like this.

Harry had always been a bit nervous about hospitals. The cold antiseptic nature of them made him uncomfortable. Severus also seemed tense as they sat stiffly in the waiting room. He'd been reading a two-year-old issue of potions monthly but had otherwise taken to sternly sitting beside Harry, gaze fixed on some point across the room. Meanwhile, Harry’s gaze was all over the place. He couldn't help it! There was so much to see! From the gentleman with purple skin and horns coming out of his cheeks to a pair of girls running around, giggling, with feathers coming out of their ears, to the gentleman who sang operatically whenever he opened his mouth. 

"S. Snape!" A voice suddenly called out.

"Up." Severus declared as he led the way across the waiting room with Harry trailing behind him. 

"Follow me." The woman in mint green robes declared. Severus nodded and followed. She led them to a small room very reminiscent of the nurse's office Harry remembered from primary. Severus gestured for Harry to sit on the bed. 

"The healer will be with you shortly." The woman declared before leaving again. 

"Hold still a moment." Severus declared as he held out his wand and waved it over Harry's body. "Honestly. That man! Letting his daughter run around with chicken pox!"

"Chicken pox?! But they didn't have any red bumps!" Harry argued. Severus rolled his eyes.

"It doesn't affect wizards quite the same way as muggles." A man suddenly declared, stepping into the room. He was an older gentleman, with salt and pepper hair, sporting the same mint green robes the younger woman had, "Wizards tend to get a fever, followed by feathers coming out of your ears and sometimes your nose, particularly when you sneeze. In adults, it tends to cause compulsive clucking noises, and some start growing feathers instead of hair. It usually wears off on its own, but a potion may be required if the infection remains for longer than a few days." The healer explained with an indulgent smile. "It is still just as contagious, however." He gave Severus a once over before giving Harry another smile. "My name is Healer Fargus. Now how are you feeling, young man?"

"Alright," Harry muttered truthfully. He hadn’t been sick, and aside from his broken leg a few weeks back, he was much less injured than he typically would be during the summer. 

He did still feel bad about Dudley though.

"Well, let me just run a few diagnostic spells and we'll see how things are." Healer Fargus declared before he waved his wand, which conjured a parchment. The scroll grew longer and longer as the man watched, eyes slowly bugging out of his skull. Snape was also watching the list getting stormier and stormier with each added inch. Harry shrunk slightly as the scrolls touched the floor. Then finally it stopped growing. Both Severus and the healer were speed reading the scroll as the healer read down the list.

"BASILISK VENOM?!" The healer suddenly cried in horror. Severus groaned.

"Yes. Young Harry saw fit to attempt to battle a basilisk, completely alone, using nothing by a long sword." Severus declared, pinching the bridge of his nose. Harry gave the horrified healer a weak smile.

"If it makes you feel any better, I was healed by a Phoenix a minute later." He offered, gesturing for the man to keep reading. The healer made a noise and read a bit further, but his grunt made it very clear that he didn't find that small comfort very comforting. When he reached the end he made another noise, this one more of a grunt of relief. 

"Finally a properly healed injury." He muttered under his breath. He quickly amended his statement, "well apart from those healed by Poppy. She's a fine mediwitch. She really knows what she's doing. I met her again just a few days ago actually. She was in Norway, helping with an outbreak of dragon pox." The healer remarked casually. Then he duplicated the scrolls twice, tapping one and sending it to an unknown fate, and handing the other to Severus, "for your perusal." Then he sat down on his desk chair, holding the first scroll. "Now, moving forward, I recommend titans brew to properly repair all of these broken bones.  In addition, I think adding a nutritional supplement to his diet should help get him into a proper weight range. His height is only slightly below average, which I suspect is due to the improved diet. The nutritional supplement should help in that regard as well. I also notice he doesn't have any of his vaccinations."

"I was hoping to rectify that today," Severus admitted.

"Very well." Healer Fargus declared before standing again. "I'll be right back with those."

"How many am I getting?" Harry asked casually.

"8." Severus declared.

"8?!" Harry cried in horror. "What for?"

"Dragon pox, chicken pox, flobberworm flu, spaggeroit, tetanus, biting blisters, Mungo's plague, and singing sickness." Severus listed. "Though the last two are a booster you need to take once every 7 years and the flobberworm flu is a yearly thing." Harry blinked.

"I didn't know about any of this." He declared. Severus growled.

"Most muggle-borns get an appointment set up with Poppy at the start of the term. Albus probably told her that you already had them." Severus complained. "as previously explained, he believed your upbringing was a lot better than it actually was." Not that he thought it had been good, Severus silently added with a dark growl. 

He was still very angry with the man.

"Here we are!" Healer Fargus declared as returned, toting a floating tray of potions behind him. "Lay down Mr. Potter. We'll get these administered and have you up and about in an hour or so"

"An hour?!" Harry yelped. He hadn't realized it would take that long! He thought he'd just take some potions and then be gone! 

"We have to wait and judge your reactions after each one." Healer Fargus explained before he lifted the first bottle. "Bottoms up." Harry groaned before he did as instructed. 

Emmeline was darning one of her shawls when the fire suddenly roared to life. She looked up and her eyebrows skyrocketed as Harry stumbled out of the fireplace covered in Blue polka dots with a dopey grin on his face. 

"Hi-hic-Emmeline!" He sang. Severus suddenly appeared behind him looking very tired.

"Go to bed Harry!" He barked.

"But I -hic- don wanna!" The teen moaned sadly. 

"Harry!" Severus snapped angrily.

"Finnne." Harry said woozily, "but you're a -hic- mean ole grouch." Then he stumbled on the last Stepp and broke into a fit of giggles. 

"What on earth…" Emmeline began as  Severus huffed and went to help the boy whose uncontrollable hiccups were now so bad they were making his whole body shake. 

"He had a bad reaction to the singing sickness vaccine," Severus explained. "The healer said to bring him home and have him sleep it off."

"My tummy -hic- hurts." Harry moaned suddenly. Severus sighed and conjured a bucket as he pulled the boy properly to his feet. Emmeline set down her needles and joined Severus in helping him to bed. His limbs seemed like they were made of rubber and his intermediate bouts of giggling and hiccups made his whole body shake. Severus stood off to the side as Emmeline tucked him in, purring words of comfort looking and acting like a mother hen. 

It made his heart hurt.

Finally, the boy was asleep, snoring rater melodiously, a quintessential symptom of singing sickness, and Emmeline pulled away. Severus stared at her for a few moments as she closed the door behind them, lingering for a moment.

"Say it," she suddenly said bitterly

"Say what?" Severus demanded, feeling as though he'd already said something to upset her.

"Say that I'm being a sap. That I'm living vicariously through him…"

"Emmeline," Severus said tiredly.

"Well, I don't care!" Emmeline suddenly snapped, and Severus could see the unshed tears in her eyes. "I don't care."

"Emmeline… when the summer is over-" Severus reminded her slowly. 

"Then let me have this summer, Severus." Emmeline begged bitterly, "let me live through our dream. And then I can say I lived it. That will be enough for me." Severus swallowed roughly. 

He remembered when they made that dream. Severus had been lamenting the loss of his friendship with Lily, and how lonely the summers had become. Emmeline had regaled him with her own tales of childhood boredom, with no playmates but dolls and elderly nannies. 

They had dreamed of a large household, full of curious and inquisitive children. 

It had been such a wonderful dream.

And then Severus had ruined it all.

The potions master sighed.

"I do not begrudge you this time, Emmeline." He finally responded. "I only think of what will happen when it is over." 

"I can take care of myself, Severus." Emmeline spat. "I've only been doing it for 14 years." Severus winced before the woman marched away. 

Harry groggily trudged downstairs with a groan. He felt just awful. Yeah, the spots and hiccups and the weird uncontrollable giggling were gone, but in their place, he felt like he'd lost a fight with a mountain troll.

"Good afternoon," Severus said before he slid a cup of tea under his nose. He moaned in delight as he knocked it back, its sweet warmth a balm on his scratchy throat.

"How long was I asleep?" He asked. 

"Two hours. Aside from the ache, are you otherwise well?" Severus asked. 

"I have a bit of a sore throat and my ears feel like they're stuffed with cotton," Harry complained slightly.

"That's the normal reaction to the vaccine," Severus assured him.

"The spots were normal right?" Harry argued with a whine.

"You're allergic to Gandy root." Severus declared. Harry blinked.

"Really? I had no idea." Then he blinked. "Wait did the healer tell you that? I don't remember that."

"I know it's the Gandy root because I had a similar reaction the first time I took it," Severus explained. "It's a very uncommon ingredient, not usually worked with in simple brews. But if you do use it later be warned, your hands will tingle and the tips will turn blue for a few hours."

"Gandy root… that's like a form of ginger right?" Harry questioned. 

"Correct," Severus said with a touch of surprise.

"Do you get a rash when you eat ginger too? Cause I noticed that the last time I had gingerbread. They tasted good, but I got a rash all over." Harry explained, gesturing to his lower face.

"I confess I don't work with ginger very often. My mother never made gingerbread. We had shortbread for Christmas." Severus admitted. He knew he was setting himself up for another round of Harry's inquisition, but he found himself more open to it, given the revelations of the week. Harry was curious as a result of a decade of being barred from asking anything at all. And if his indulgence encouraged Harry to ask adults questions, perhaps that could lead to him asking adults for help. 

"Only?" Harry cried in shock. "I made all sorts during Christmas. Granted, I usually didn't get to have any of them, but you're missing out! Gingerbread is almost worth the rash, especially with icing, and sugar cookies are great! Plus my aunt made these peanut butter cookies that were amazing!" Harry declared before his face fell. He seemed to lose all his energy all at once. "I'm never going to have one of those ever again." He whispered in shock.

"Why do you say that?" Severus asked quietly.

"Because she's dead." Harry croaked. "she never shared the recipe with me… she developed it herself and she wanted to keep it a secret." Tears suddenly collected under his eyes. "Oh god, she's really gone." He whispered. Severus immediately jumped up and pulled Harry into yet another impromptu hug. He had noticed that Harry had been refusing to refer to his relatives in the past tense, almost as though he couldn't vocalize that they were no longer alive. But he'd finally conceptualized it. He had realized their passing was permanent, and no matter their abuse, Severus knew it was very difficult to move on from the sudden death of someone you had known for over a decade. 

It had taken him two years to fully conceptualize Lily's death.

And he hadn't spoken to her in over a year.

Eventually, the boy's shoulders stopped shaking, but he didn't seem inclined to leave the cocoon of Severus's fleece. But the man had a feeling it was more out of embarrassment than comfort. But when he pulled back he wasn't blushing or looking ashamed. 

"Thank you." He whispered.

"Would you like some hot chocolate?" Severus asked casually. Harry smiled.

"Why do you always offer hot chocolate before or after something sad?" He asked. Severus made a noise.

"Chocolate has honestly astounding restorative properties in wizards. Parts of the cocoa plant are key ingredients in most restorative and rejuvenations. Some wizards choose to eat chocolate, but I prefer to drink it."

"So hot chocolate is basically a potion?" Harry demanded, his grin growing cheeky.

"Yes, and it's the only one with sugar," Severus said with a roll of his eyes. Harry laughed. Then he blinked.

"Oh! The optometrist appointment!"

"Is in an hour," Severus said with a bow of his head. "I planned ahead for any minor complications." Then he disappeared into the kitchen and returned with two steaming mugs. "Now shoosh and drink your hot chocolate."

"Yes sir," Harry said with a smile.

Harry looked around the office with wonder. When Severus had told him they were returning to Diagon Alley he'd expected a lot of boarded-up shops, but the alley was almost completely healed from the Death Eater attack. In fact, according to the paper, the Death Eaters seemed to be laying low again. But Severus admonished him that the Death Eaters weren't gone, no matter what the Prophet thought. And Harry couldn't help but agree. After all, as far as everyone else was concerned Voldemort was dead and gone. 

But Harry knew better.

The Shop was further down the alley than Harry had ever been, and had a massive sign out front that looked like a pair of eyes behind eyeglasses. The eyes winked at him as he approached which made him gasp in wonder.

"Oh don't mind the sign, it's a terrible flirt." The shopkeeper, a tall but portly woman with blue and orange striped robes with a pair of octagonal gold glasses with a chain studded with crystals, cried as Harry stopped to look up at the sign. "Oh! Severus darling! Wonderful to see you dear!"

"Mrs. Wetheringston," Severus responded with a bow.

"Gilda please!" The woman huffed. "I've only known you for 30 years!"

"You needed glasses?" Harry cried in shock.

"I fit Severus with his correctives when he began attending primary school." Mrs. Wetheringston explained. "so that by the time he went to Hogwarts he didn't need them anymore."

"Correctives? You mean you have glasses that can fix bad eyesight?!" Harry cried in awe.

"Eyeglasses alone will not correct eyesight for muggles." Severus explained, "but magic is very adaptive, and it works to correct that which is broken based on feedback."

"Technically, you could achieve the same results with muggle-made glasses," Mrs. Wetheringston admitted, "The difference between magical corrective and muggle ones is that muggle ones need to be replaced as the eyes improve. Whereas magical ones adjust to you gradually until they are obsolete." Then she patted the padded chair in front of an array of mirrors. "Come sit dear and let me see those." Harry sat in the chair, which immediately made him curl up in comfort. It was the plushest, softest chair he'd ever sat in. Mrs. Wetheringston made a noise as she inspected the glasses. 

"These are being held together with magic and spellotape." She complained before she snapped them in half. "Cheap muggle things." Harry made a noise of alarm. "Don't worry darling. We're going to give you much better frames than this." Then she waved her wand and conjured a scroll. "Read as far as you can dear." 

"Er…" Harry said as he squinted. But he couldn't read any of it. It was all blurry lines. The woman made a noise. 

"Just relax darling." She said before she tipped the chair back so she could lean over him. Harry flinched as her wand appeared in his face, dangerously close to his eyes. He flinched back as a cold feeling brushed across his eyes but a blink banished the feeling. Then she did it again for the other side. When she was finished she tipped him back up.

"Goodness Severus, his eyes are worse than yours were!" She admonished. 

"Can he still use correctives?" Severus inquired. 

"Yes, although his eyes are more developed than most who start to." Mrs. Wetheringston admitted. Severus hummed with thought. Harry was starting to form a headache, the blurriness of the room making him rather discombobulated. Then suddenly everything flashed into stark clarity. He flinched back in shock. He could see! And not just see as he could see before. Actually see! He looked over at his professor with the biggest grin on his face. The man snorted and shook his head indulgently.

"Now," Mrs. Wetheringston began as she tapped the top of the lenses. "Do you still want round frames? Personally, I would recommend square for you, dear. Your face has a nice shape that would be complemented by a more angular frame."

"Can I try it out?" Harry asked.

"Of course!" Mrs. Wetheringston assured him before taking the lenses again. A pair of square frames appeared. Harry smiled. He did look a lot better with those.

"What colour would you like? Black, silver, gold is quite nice." Mrs. Wetheringston offered, lifting her own glasses. 

"Silver might be nice." Harry offered. She waved her wand and the wire became a sparkling silver. "Can the wire be a little thicker?" He questioned. 

"Tell me when." She said before she half her wand over them. Harry watched until the wire was a quarter cm thick. 

"That's good." He said casually. Then he turned his head, gazing at his reflection. "They're perfect!" 

"Not quite perfect." Severus admonished before he turned to Mrs. Wetheringston with a huff. "Can you please reinforce the frames against breakage? And the joints against wear. Harry tends to fiddle with them when he's absorbed in things like schoolwork. Also, the lenses should be scratch and crack-resistant. And permanent water repelling and anti-fogging charms would be useful."

"Any anti misplacement charms?" Mrs. Wetheringston offered as she tapped the frames or waved her wand to apply everything that Severus had listed.

"Yes please!" Harry cried with relish. He vividly remembered all the times Dudley had stolen his glasses. 

"Do you want them returned to your bedside table or your pocket?" Mrs. Wetheringston asked.

"Best go with pocket." Severus reasoned.

"Anything else?" Mrs. Wetheringston offered casually.

"No. Now, what's the damage?" Severus demanded. The woman conjured a scroll and hummed.

"Well. Regularly, 60 galleons, 4 sickles and 2 knuts." She replied. Harry choked on air. 60 galleons?! That was almost £300! He opened his mouth to argue that he would pay for them. "But because you're such a loyal customer, I'll only charge you 30 galleons and let you keep the change."

"Thank you," Severus said before he pulled out a small pouch of coins and handed it to her. Harry flinched again.

“erm… sir. I really can pay for it," Harry begged, "it's really no trouble."

"Nonsense." Severus insisted plainly. "I'm not providing you with anything less than what you have always deserved." Harry felt his throat tighten as the man said that.

Nobody had ever said that Harry deserved anything before. 

It was nice.

It told him in such a deep and profound way that he mattered. 

And not because he was the Boy Who Lived

But for being just Harry.

"Come along then." Severus insisted with a wave. "We're going to have to let Emmeline have a look at you."

"Emmeline?! Vance?!" Mrs. Wetheringston crowed with a cheeky grin. "Igniting an old flame eh Severus." The potions master's face grew stormy, though Harry was shocked to see a slight blush on the man's cheekbones.

"Thank you for your services, madame." He ground out before he pulled Harry out of the store. "Bloody incorrigible gossip." The man grumbled as he stomped away.

"Thank you for the glasses, sir." Harry said as he gazed around Diagon with new awe. Everything was so crisp! So clear! He had never realized that the sign above Quality Quidditch Supplies sparkled. Or that border on the Honeydukes sign was actually a swarm of golden bees wiggling around.

"You're very welcome," Severus replied. Then he glanced at his watch. "Let's get some Flortesques." 

"My treat!" Harry cried quickly. "I can't let you spend another galleon after these! I can't believe she gave them to you for half off! Especially with all the extras!"

"I just ordered what I thought was necessary," his face grew rather exhaustedly resigned, "I have come to accept that there is nothing I can do to convince you to be less reckless. You're a hopeless Gryffindor." Harry looked away with a sheepish blush.

"Now then!" He cried before marching up to the counter. "One black forest cake, one pumpkin juice, and one-"

"Raspberry peanut butter." Harry finished. That one looked particularly delicious. 

"Sweet Merlin, you're Harry Potter."  The old man behind the counter said in awe. Instantly the teen flinched and rose up a hand to smooth his hair over his scar. Severus cursed under his breath.

“Should have given you a disguise,” he muttered. Then he gave Florean a firm glare. “You won't be announcing us understood?”

“O-of course.” Florean stuttered nervously. “So one black forest cake, one pumpkin juice and one raspberry peanut butter?” he asked again.

“Yes please!” Harry confirmed. The man turned and quickly made them up. Then he handed them to Severus. “How much?”

“Oh, nothing for you.” Florean insisted with a grin. “I should be paying you!”

“But-” Harry cried.

“Now please move!” Florean said a little firmer, as if Harry was causing trouble, “you're holding up the line.” Then he gave the teen a wink. Harry expected all the eyes would be on him, despite Severus' threat. But in fact, the patrons were all tossing Severus dirty looks. One woman even sniffed and muttered to her sons.

“That's what happens when a father doesn't teach his son proper manners.” Harry nearly choked on his first bite of ice cream. 

Now that was a scary thought!

He tried to gaze at Severus as casually as possible through his fringe. The man looked more tired than angry.

“Very clever Florean,” he muttered darkly

“Sorry, sir.” Harry whispered.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Harry,” Severus assured him. Then he flicked his wrist, casting a spell over the ice cream. “Now let's be off.”

Emmeline smiled as Harry turned his head back and forth.

“Very handsome!” she cried. Harry blushed. 

“Thanks,” he murmured. 

"And thank you for the ice cream," Emmeline said before taking a large bite. 

"I got it for free," Harry admitted sheepishly. "Mr. Flortesque wouldn't let me pay for it."

"Well, that was kind of him."

"I guess," Harry muttered, "but I wish people would treat me like a normal person. Instead of some all-powerful superhuman." 

"I highly doubt Florean sees you as a superhuman," Severus argued as he brought a tea tray in from the kitchen. "Merely as a young man who has done astounding things and deserves recognition."

"But I haven't really done anything!" Harry argued.

"I see. So saving Ginevra Weasley wasn't an incredibly noble and courageous thing." Severus complained. "Merely a foolish and reckless one." 

"Er-well no I guess-"

"And halting You Know Who's second rise to power at the age of 11 wasn't all that impressive either I suppose?" Emmeline added with twinkling eyes.

"Well, I mean-"

"Saving a fellow student from a mountain troll using nothing but your wits and well-placed spells," Severus added. Harry gaped.

"But you were angry about that!" He countered.

"Angry that you didn't think to inform an adult, but instead rushed in headlong without first analyzing the situation." Severus said firmly, "but that doesn't mean it wasn't an impressive feat."

"To be fair, when we told professor McGonagall about the stone, she didn't believe us," Harry argued. Severus scoffed.

"She believed you, Harry, she just didn't want you to panic." He snorted in hindsight. "or do anything reckless. She sent word to Dumbledore as soon as you left and immediately sent Filius to set up alarms on the door so that we would know when someone entered the Chambers." Severus rolled his eyes. "Of course by dismissing you so coarsely she convinced you to go after it yourself. A foolish miscalculation that she has assured me will never happen again."

"Okay… so maybe I've done some pretty cool things." Harry argued with a huff, "doesn't mean I should be treated differently than everyone else all the time." 

"Perhaps not all the time." Severus agreed. "But you should have a little more confidence in yourself, Harry. I know the attention is grating. But you should also be proud of what you've achieved." 

"Alright." Harry assented with a shrug. Severus nodded.

"Would you like to test out your new glasses on your broom?" Emmeline offered with a smile.

"Heck yes!" Harry cried excitedly before rushing upstairs for his boom. 

"Are things all ready for tomorrow?" Emmeline asked casually as she stood.

"Yes. I went to collect everything while he napped. They're hidden in the basement."

"Excellent… I am a bit sad that we couldn't do more though."

"It's disappointing, yes, but this is safer."

"I know." Emmeline assented before Harry thundered down the stairs with his broom over his shoulder. 

"What are you gonna teach me this time?" He asked excitedly.

"How are your corkscrew turns?" She asked happily. Harry shook himself in flabbergasted shock.

"Corkscrew turns?! Bloody hell isn't that professional Quidditch level stuff?!"

"Emmeline used to play chaser at Hogwarts and used them all the time. " Severus reminisced casually, "also no cursing!"

"Sorry," Harry muttered sheepishly. Then he dove into a rapid-fire interrogation of Emmeline's time on the Slytherin Quidditch team.

Harry was snuggled up, all warm and cozy, in the bed in that spare room he secretly called his.

He knew that eventually he'd probably be sent away somewhere else. 

That Dover was just a last resort that Dumbledore had thought up on a whim. 

But in his dreams, this room was his own. And Emmeline was there and Snape stayed the way he was now. 

A kinder, more understanding man who made Harry feel safe.

Like he was worth something. 

There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Good morning darling," Emmeline said softly. "Are you awake yet?" Harry turned and stretched out. 

"Yeah." He said before yawning "what's up?"

"Severus wanted your help with the garden again today," Emmeline explained. Harry smiled.

"Alright." He said. "I'll be down in a bit." Emmeline left again and Harry quickly got dressed, pulling on his gardening clothes. Then he opened the door and froze. His smile became beaming. He knew that smell! "Pancakes!" He cried happily as he rushed into the dining room to see a small stack of Emmeline's perfectly fluffy pancakes on the table.

"Chocolate chip," Emmeline confirmed before putting three on his plate and pushing the bowl of whipped cream under his nose. "And I made cream ahead this time."

"Thank you!" Harry said happily. 

"Eat quickly," Severus muttered as he set down the paper. "I want to have all of the yard work done by the afternoon."

"What are we gonna be doing?" Harry asked around a massive bite, making Severus scowl slightly. 

"We are harvesting everything that can be harvested, preparing it for preservation, and pruning everything down in preparation for the school year."

"Maybe we should lay some mulch down to cut off the weeds," Harry added handily. Severus rose an eyebrow.

"Yes, I suppose that would be a good idea." He agreed. "It will have to wait, as I don't have any right now. The harvesting, however, cannot wait." Harry nodded and shovelled more of Emmeline's absolutely delicious pancakes into his mouth. When he took his last bite he stood up, brushing crumbs from his shirt.

"Let's go then."

"Indeed." Severus assented before he turned to the back door out the kitchen, sparing one final look at Emmeline, who gave him a thumbs up, before following Harry out of the garden. "Right!" He cried, rolling up his sleeves. "There is much to do! Pay attention, and we'll get it done as efficiently as we can."

Harry wiped the sweat from his brow with a slightly breathless huff. Severus hadn't been kidding. This was a lot of work! But at least he didn't have to do it all by himself like the Dursleys had made him. The potions master had been buried elbows deep in peat soil as well. 

The first thing they did was harvest every flower, leaf, and berry of all the plants that Severus insisted needed to be harvested. Then they worked together to pull up all the plants whose roots Severus needed. And then they had plucked out absolutely every single weed in the plots. 

Severus had been very particular about that part.

He hadn't let Harry take a full break until every little sprout was gone.

He had gone in to get Harry some water and pumpkin juice with ice though; so that was nice. 

Now they were just sitting on the edge of the flower bed in front of the huge baskets of their harvest exhausted from the summer heat. Harry saw a flash of black out of the corner of his eyes and looked over. His stomach flip-flopped as he realized what he'd seen was Severus lifting his left arm to wipe his brow. The Dark Mark was so stark against his skin that it was jarring. Harry looked away as Severus felt his eyes on him. He quickly lowered his left sleeve.

"My apologies." He muttered, "I'm sure it must bother you."

"N-no!" Harry insisted, cursing his nervous stutter for making him sound so unconvincing. "It's just. I'm curious is all."

"Oh, I am well aware of that fact," Severus complained with a snort. "You're more curious than a cat. Which is going to get you killed one day." Harry scowled.

"I think I'm pretty good at getting out of life-threatening situations!"

"The point is to remain out of them in the first place Harry," Severus argued with a chuckle. Harry opened his mouth and then clamped it shut. Yeah, he guessed the man had a point. 

"Well… I don't always try you know! I mean the situation with the broom during quidditch was not my fault! Malfoy was the one who stole Neville's remembrall. I just so happened to catch it while McGonagall was looking. How was I to know that A: she wasn't going to give me detention, and B: Voldemort would use the match as an excuse to try and kill me?!" Severus sighed.

"I will admit, that situation was not entirely your fault. Though Rolanda did say you were all supposed to remain on the ground. But seeing as it was Draco who broke that rule first I cannot fault you for that either." His face twisted up. "That boy is a menace to society. One of these days he's going to say something that he won't be able to take back to someone that won't let him off the hook for it."

"I'll say," Harry grumbled under his breath.

"And knowing him as I do. That person will probably be the Dark Lord. Which will not end well for him or Lucius."

"Hang on… Malfoy wants his son to be a Death Eater?!" Harry cried in horror, "why?!"

"Because Lucius Malfoy is a coward," Severus declared blackly, "who would sooner curse his son to a life of torture and death than suffer in his stead. The Dark Lord will demand it of Lucius. And he will do it to save his own skin. Even if it would mean the death of his wife and son should Draco underperform."

"That awful " Harry said with a sallow face. "Doesn't he love Draco? Even just a little?"

"Draco is not a child to Lucius," Severus explained bitterly, "he's a chess piece. And everything Draco says and does is weighed in Lucius' mind against the time he had invested into him."

"I thought dads were supposed to love their kids," Harry muttered sadly. Severus sighed.

"That is how it should be. But not all parents can give what every child deserves. Draco is a product of Lucius' own upbringing, which was even more brutal and regimented than Draco's." Severus paused. "I think that perhaps in his own way Lucius does love Draco. But he was brainwashed so heavily by his own father that he will never show it." 

"That's really depressing." Harry said glumly, "it's just this vicious cycle that keeps going on forever and ever."

"Indeed." Severus muttered, "perhaps one day a scion of the Malfoy family will have the courage to break this cycle. But I highly doubt that Draco will be the one to do it." Harry snorted.

"Malfoy couldn't be brave against a flobberworm." 

"No, likely not." Severus agreed with a chuckle. Then he reached out and ruffled his hair on a whim.  Harry looked up at him in slight shock, the man looked equally amazed at his behaviour. He then removed his hand, cleared his throat, and picked up the baskets. "Can you get the door for me?"

"Yep!" Harry agreed before he rushed to open the door. Harry followed the man when suddenly he stepped to the side.

"SURPRISE!" Emmeline cried with a grin. Harry blinked in shock. There were colourful streamers strung across the ceiling and gold and red balloons floating around, occasionally lighting up or whistling 'for he's a jolly good fellow'. And on the dining table was a square slab cake with thirteen little candles dazzling in it. "Harry Birthday Darling!"

"It's… it's my birthday!" Harry cried in shock. He'd completely forgotten!

"Come sit!" Emmeline insisted with a hand wave. Harry grinned and rushed to sit in the head seat that Severus usually filled. He stared down at the loopy icing which wished him a happy birthday. "It's strawberry flavoured."

"Really?!" Harry cried happily. he loved strawberries! Then suddenly a pile of presents landed on the table.

"You have far too many friends," Severus complained. "I almost ran out of space downstairs."

"All those are for me?!" Harry cried in awe. Severus rose an eyebrow.

"Are there any other young men turning 13 running around that I don't know about?" 

"Why don't we all have cake first? Then you can open your gifts." Emmeline proclaimed. Harry smiled then blew out the candles one at a time. When he got to the last one he hesitated.

He knew what he wanted to wish for. 

But it was one of those wishes that he knew would never come true. 

So he plucked it from the cake and shook it out instead, drawing raised eyebrows from the two adults beside him. Emmeline tossed Severus a worried look which the man remained silent and stoic about. They both suspected this was yet another traumatic habit Harry had obtained thanks to his despicable relative. Emmeline chose to remain silent as well, save to ask Harry how big of a slice he wanted. As he dug into the cake he moaned in delight.

"This is delicious!" He proclaimed. 

"Thank you, dear," Emmeline said with a smile. Severus meanwhile was lost in a memory. Emmeline had made this very same cake for his birthday the first year they had dated. Convincing the house elves to let her cook in the kitchen had taken a solid hour according to her. But it had definitely been worth it. It was the best birthday he'd had in a very long time. "Severus?"

"Hmm?" He said with a slight jolt. Emmeline looked at him worriedly

"Are you alright?"

"Yes sorry," Severus mumbled with a slight cough. "Lost in thought. The cake is spectacular."

"Oh thank you," Emmeline said with a grin. Then she watched Harry take his last bite. "Presents?"

"Yes please," Harry said with a grin. 

"Weasley's gift is first," Severus said as he handed the small, poorly wrapped box over. Harry tore it open and blinked.

"Some kind of spinning top?" He question as he held the small device up.

"It's a miniature sneakoscope," Emmeline explained. "It lights up, spins, and whistles if someone untrustworthy is sneaking around."

"Surprisingly practical," Severus muttered with a raised eyebrow.

"It's like you said, Ron is strategically brilliant. He's just not good at homework." Harry argued, feeling a bit defensive of his friend.

"Granger next." 

"Probably a book," Harry said with a chuckle. But when he pulled off the wrapping paper he let out a cry of delight. "It's a broom servicing kit!" He looked at the list of contents with a beaming smile. "I can finally fix that loose twig you were telling me about!"

"I can show you how to properly use the polish as well," Emmeline assured him. "It can be a bit tricky. And applying it incorrectly can lead to a wobble. Which you don't want, especially in bad weather." Harry nodded. 

"Miss Weasley next," Severus said as he handed over the box.

"Ginny got me a gift?" Harry said in shock. He opened it and made a noise. It was a stack of slightly beat-up comic books, featuring a young witch battling various beasts and dark wizards. The illustrations even moved around, though some of them left shadows behind, evidence that the movement charms were beginning to wear off.

"Oh!" Emmeline cried in delight. "The Wonderful Witch! Oh, I used to love those when I was your age! A very entertaining read. There's one where she has to battle a dragon to save her friend's cat." Harry flipped through the first one with a smile.

"I wasn't expecting a gift from her." He admitted.

"Mr. Oliver Wood," Severus said. As he held out the small pouch and letter. Harry blinked.

"Oliver?" He opened the letter first then snorted and shook his head. "It's just a command to practice more." Then he opened the little pouch, made a noise of surprise, and tipped the familiar golden walnut-sized ball out into his hand.

"A practice snitch!" Emmeline cried with a smile. "Well, you can put that to good use."

"Mr. Longbottom."

"Neville?!" Harry cried in shock. Now he hadn't expected that at all! Inside was a remembrall accompanied by a small thank you card. Harry grinned and held the ball up to the light. The gray smoke sparkled inside of it. 

"Mr. Thomas."

"Wow, I did get a lot this year," Harry muttered. Dean had given him a football decked with the arsenal logo. Harry grinned. He was looking forward to playing with Dean again. It had been fun. 

"Is that some kind of new Quaffle?" Emmeline wondered in confusion.

"It's a football," Severus said with a chuckle. "It's an extremely popular muggle sport."

"I see," Emmeline said with a smile. "Perhaps you can teach me?"

"Sure! I don't know all of the rules, but I know the general premise." Harry said.

"Next is Finnegan."

"Seamus too?!" Harry cried in awe. Inside was a Quidditch magazine espousing the Irish World League team. Harry made a noise of awe. 

"Did you know that Ireland is projected to win the World Cup next year?!" He said with a grin.

"No, I was not aware," Severus admitted with a shrug.

"I was," Emmeline added sheepishly. When both boys gave her incredulous looks she laughed. "The entire team and all the reserves just bought the latest Cleansweep racing model, the Firebolt. Analysts are saying it's the fastest broom ever made." 

"Holy heck really?" Harry asked before he rapidly flipped through the magazine until he found an article discussing what Emmeline had just described. "Nought to 150 in ten seconds?! Sweet Merlin that's an amazing broom!" Harry looked at her in shock, "your family makes these?!"

"Yes. My grandfather used to test them himself in fact, until his fall in '87. Now he pays someone else to do it."

"That's a job?!" Harry cried with sparkly eyes. Now there was a career! Testing new brooms all day?! That would be amazing!

"Finish your education before you dream about falling off untested brooms for a living," Severus said with a snort. 

"Er," Harry chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I should do that first." Severus rolled his eyes before he lifted another present, placing it in front of him. Harry blinked and opened it. Inside was a stage fountain pen. It had a silvery metal tip, but no inkwell and the handle felt like cold Stone.

"What's this?"

"It's a rune stylus." Emmeline declared with a smile. "You use it to create runes."

"Please be cautious should you attempt to practice with it. The stylus is designed to etch the runes via heat which can cause some serious burns if you aren't careful." Severus said firmly. Harry nodded. Then Emmeline pushed another bow towards him.

"Guys… this is too much." Harry insisted. He'd never received so many gifts before! It was a little overwhelming. 

"It's alright darling." Harry sighed and opened the box. Inside was a hand-knit hat and mitts in stripes of blue and green. Harry stared at them before he looked up at Emmeline with misty eyes. 

"You made these for me?" He asked thickly. Emmeline smiled and put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," Harry said quietly. "So so much… for everything… all of it." Emmeline rubbed his back as he cried into the hat for a minute or two. Severus reappeared with a mug of hot chocolate which made his sobs turn to laughter. He sipped it pensively when suddenly there was a tapping at the kitchen window. Severus frowned and got up to allow the Hogwarts owl to flutter in, clutching a package in its claws.

"Strange…" Severus muttered. The bird dropped the package in front of Harry and left as quickly as it could, seemingly terrified. Harry reached out to open it when Severus grabbed his hand. 

"Just a moment!" He snarled. Then he waved his wand over the package. Instantly the package glowed red then gold. "Whatever is in there is enchanted in some way that could cause you bodily harm." 

"What?!" Harry cried in horror as he pushed the package away.

"Whose it from?" Emmeline demanded coldly. Severus waved his wand again and instantly scowled.

"Hagrid."

"Hagrid?! But what would he give me something that might-ooooh." Harry said with a wince. "This is one of those times when he thinks it can't be all that bad."

"Indeed." 

"Well let's open it outside." Harry offered. 

"Right." So Harry led the way to the front garden. Emmeline set up a ward around the present so that whatever the thing was, it couldn't escape.

"Revlishio!" Severus cried with a jab of his wand. Instantly the wrapping paper fell open. Harry blinked. 

"A book? How can a book be dan-" then suddenly the thing opened up and charged for them, snarling and growling and snapping at the ward. Harry jumped back with a scream. "Bloody hell!"

"Language." Severus reminded him coolly. Harry flinched.

"Sorry… but I should get a pass! Who expects that?! The book was to eat us!"

"The Monster Book of Monsters by Edwardus Lima. How original." Emmeline read with a roll of her eyes. "Stupefy!" The book flipped over then squealed and flipped back looked docile from pain, but not subdued. Emmeline flinched.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" She cried.

"Obviously there must be a humane way to calm it and make it readable." Severus insisted. 

"Well, Hagrid says the trick with anything is to know how to calm it. And that it's usually really unexpected." Harry said before he took a step forward. 

"Harry!" Severus growled as Harry stepped into the wards. The book was glaring at the teen with its beady yellow eyes. When Harry reached a hand out it clamped down on it. Hard. Harry flinched but didn't try to fight back, despite the dribble of blood from where the book's tiny fangs had priced his skin. Instead, Harry reached out and pet its cover. The creature made a weird noise between a sound of shock and purr. Then Harry stroked down the spine, with the grain of its furry spikes and its eyes fluttered closed and it definitely purred then before opening up fully. Harry looked down at his hand with a wince. He had four little punctures on the top and bottom of his hand but was otherwise unharmed. The book was still purring as Harry closed it. So Harry pet him again and it made a little whistling noise. As he stepped out of the wards with the now becalmed book in his arms Severus let out a growl.

"I'm going to send a very angry letter to Hagrid!" He proclaimed even as he rubbed a salve on Harry's hand. "Monster Book of Monsters! And he thinks that's a suitable school book?! I better warn Poppy! The school is going to have a lot of hand injuries in September!"

"It's not that bad really." Harry insisted before he pet the book creature again. "I wonder what it likes to eat?"

"School children seems like," Severus muttered as he inspected Harry's hand one more time then huffed. "Well I would say read ahead, but I'm on half a mind to send it back!" The book made a whining noise and opened its beady little eyes to give Severus a pitiful look akin to a small wet puppy lost in the cold. The potions master made a noise of incredulous disgust. Harry was also giving his slightly heartbroken looks.

"He's my birthday gift!" He argued. "I'm naming him Snappy."

"Damn," Severus muttered. There was no getting rid of it now. So he just shook his head and waved him off. Harry grinned and ran upstairs with all his new treasures. He had a lot of thank you letters to send. Including several questions for Hagrid about his new pet. 

Harry looked up from his magazine with a start. Snappy was sleeping at his feet, after finding the warmest, sunniest spot on the dormer seat. Harry found his little snores endearing and so hadn't dared move him to the shelf Hagrid told him he'd find most comfortable. In addition, Hagrid helpfully informed him that his favourite food was parchment. Harry laughed as he read that before feeding Snappy a couple of sheets. But Snappy wasn't what startled him.

"Come in." He said casually. Severus opened the door.

"I see you're putting Mr. Finnegan's present to good use." He remarked, pointing out the parchment full of scribble on his lap.

"Oliver said last year that he wanted us to come up with tactics over the summer. The Irish team had a lot of members with really interesting signature moves I think could be adapted." He turned to face the professor, becoming more animated. "Moran has this thing he does where he rushes the goal post then feints and throws the Quaffle back. Angelina is great at that sort of thing! And McTavish is an amazing seeker! He's famous for jumping off his broom into the crowd to confuse the other team. I kinda wanna try it! How cool would that be? To hide in Gryffindor for a few minutes and then jump out when Malfoy least expects it!" Harry cried happily.

"Ah," Severus said with a raised eyebrow. "So you're planning to use all these newfound strategies against Slytherin eh?" Harry blinked then scowled.

"Hey! You can't tell them what I planned! That's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair young Harry. Slytherins do what they must to achieve victory" Severus argued with a sneer. Harry gapped at him before the man chuckled. "But regardless, I won't tell them your secrets. Just as I won't tell you theirs. Even though it would make the matches more interesting."

"There interesting enough!" Harry complained bitterly. "What with all the cheating!"

“Slytherins only cheat when they know that they cannot beat someone fairly.” Emmeline piped up from behind Severus. Harry got up and poked his head out the door at her.

“Did you cheat when you played on the Slytherin team?”

“All the time,” Emmeline admitted un unabashedly. “The best was when I spent the entire match flirting with your father. That was hilarious.” Harry and Severus both choked on air.

“YOU WHAT?!”

“We were dating!”

“What about mum?!” Emmeline laughed.

“Honestly Severus. You said it yourself. A Slytherin does what she must to achieve victory.” she argued with a sly grin. “Though it wasn't my idea. Carrow was the one who thought of it. Alecto and I were the only girls on the team. We knew James spent far more time thinking with his pants rather than his head. I just sallied up, batted my eyelashes a few times and complimented his hair. He spent the rest of the game trying to ask me what I liked about it. That's how Amycyus got him with that bludger.”

“Oh, it was that game!” Severus cried in awe. “I remember that one! That was very bizarre… also the only one we won that season.”

“That's because Lily Evans called him a chauvinist pig and made him promise never to flirt on the pitch ever again,” Emmeline said with a snicker. “Mostly because the first thing he said when he came to was ‘where's Vance?’.” Harry was staring at Emmeline with slight shock.

“My dad really did that?” he whispered in shock. Both adults turned to him. Emmeline winced, nibbling on her lip. Severus sighed.

“Harry… you should understand. Your father was a very different man in his youth. We all were. Emmeline was demure as a mouse off the pitch.”

“Oi!” Emmeline piped up in irritation.

“I was an unlikable snot with a bad attitude.”

“So not much has changed there,” Emmeline said matter of factly. Severus sent her a very clear ‘not helping’ look.

“And your father was…”

“A womanizing egotistical prat.” Emmeline finished for him. Harry flinched. “But,” she began as she came forward with a smile. “He was a good man in the end. Severus and I both fought with him in the first war. He was brave and chivalrous and good in the end.”

“Really?” Harry asked nervously. It was the same story he'd always been told. But it seemed so strange to think he'd changed so much.

“Your mum really straightened him out,” Emmeline argued with a laugh. Then the laugh drifted off and she glanced at Severus. “She was good at that… straightening people out… smoothing out their rough edges.” Severus cleared his throat.

"We came up here to ask if you're ready to head out." He said. Harry instantly noticed the way Emmeline seemed to wither a bit at his dismissal, almost as though she'd wanted him to say something about his mother. To agree or disagree. 

"Go out where?"

"To dinner. Neither of us feels particularly inclined to cook, and it's a special occasion after all." Severus argued casually. Harry smiled.

"The White Horse?"

"Yes!" Emmeline declared. "I simply must see this famous restaurant the two of you keep mentioning." Harry smiled and looked down.

"I'm still dressed in my gardening stuff." He admitted sheepishly. "Give me five minutes."

"Right," Severus said before he closed the door. Harry rushed over to the dresser. As he finished pulling on a new shirt and uselessly running a comb through his hair he felt eyes on him. He went over to the now awake book, ripped a corner off the parchment stuffed into his magazine and let the book snap it out of his hand before giving his a pet down the spine. "Bye Snappy. See you tomorrow." Then he put him into the bookshelf when the book purred before going completely still. Harry was suddenly reminded of all those enchanted books in the restricted sections. Lying in wait to ensnare their next victim. Harry chuckled and rushed downstairs. 

"Ready to go?" Emmeline asked before she held out her hand. Harry stared at the scene. She was dressed up. Not super fancy, but nicer then she usually was. Severus also looked put together, especially with his hair pulled back by a clip. But it was more the tableau that made him pause. A tall father standing by the door with his watch and an expectant smirk, while a kind mother with a smile reached out for her son's hand on their way to dinner. Harry closed his eyes.

This is what he'd wish for. 

But he knew that it was all a dream. 

Still, he took her hand. He felt instantly warmed by her reassuring grasp. 

"I'll get a pudding this time right?" Harry said to Severus with a cheeky grin. "You did promise last time."

"I did, didn't I?" Severus said with a disappointed sigh. "How incredibly foolish of me." 

Harry and Emmeline laughed loudly into the night.

Emmeline felt uncomfortable in that tight room. So many eyes still gave her curious, even shocked looks whenever they saw her. 

So she'd been a Slytherin?

So what?! 

She'd still fought for the order! 

"Everyone please be seated." Albus cried over the bustle. The room was surprisingly loud for having so few people in it. "How goes the hunt for Sirius Black?"

"Abysmal," Kingsley admitted with a sigh. "Part of it is that he knows all our tactics! How are we supposed to catch the person who helped us plan how to catch people?!"

"Come up with something new!" Hestia Jones argued. "It can't be that hard!"

"Well, for starters we don't know where to look," Tonk argued.

"Try all the Death Eater attacks." Alastair Moody piped up with a scowl. "Speaking of Snape, how are those?"

"I don't spy for the Order anymore Moody." Severus spat bitterly. "You of all people should know that, considering how you gloated about it so much."

"Oh right. You've been demoted to an over-glorified babysitter." Alastair dug shamelessly. 

"Alastor!" Minerva cried angrily. "Severus is protecting Harry Potter at great personal risk! How dare you belittle that!" 

"Speaking of the Death Eater attacks, have we been able to discern a pattern?"

"No. They're random as far as we can tell."

"No completely," Bill Weasley argued. "The attacks have been mostly centred around places owned or operated by sympathetic purebloods."

"So they're attacking 'blood traitors'?" Emmeline pipped up casually.

"Seems like it." Tonks agreed though she gave Emmeline a narrowed look. 

"Perhaps we can use this," Albus argued. "They likely hope to intimidate these people into joining their cause. But if we position ourselves as willing defenders, we can send them our way instead."

"That is if we can predict where they'll attack next," Tonks argued. 

"Redouble your efforts to find Sirius Black," Albus proclaimed, "I am certain if we find Sirius, we will know where the Death Eaters will strike next." The Order members all nodded and rose to leave. "Emmeline and Severus, could you stay a moment?" The pair exchanged a look.

"We really shouldn't leave Harry alone," Emmeline argued. 

"It will only take a moment," Albus assured her. So Severus and Emmeline remained behind. "How is young Harry?"

"Why do you care?" Severus demanded coldly. Albus' face grew sad as Emmeline gave him a shocked look.

"Severus-"

"Albus if you held us back just so you can ask inane questions about Harry we will take out leave."

"Hold a moment Severus." Albus said, "I didn't hold you back just to ask about Harry."

"Then what do you want Albus?" Severus demanded.

"Are you prepared for September? In terms of that special project I was hoping you'd take on."

"Yes." Severus ground out bitterly. "But I stand by my declaration that it is a bad idea. Given his connections-"

"What is the old adage? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I would feel better having him under my nose. But you also know that I do not doubt his loyalty. He was just as shaken as we were after all."

"Or an exceptionally better actor than we thought." Severus drawled bitterly. "Regardless, I am prepared."

"Excellent. Now, Emmeline dear, could you stay a moment longer?"

"Certainly." Emmeline offered though her curiosity was more than piqued. She gave Severus one last look, which he answered by giving the old man behind her an irritated scowl before he disappeared into the floo.

Harry looked up from Snappy as the floo roared to life. He close the book a little quicker than he ought, which made the enchanted book whine slightly. "Sorry!" He said before quickly petting his furry cover. "Where's Miss Emmeline?"

"Albus held her back, " Severus grumbled.

"Why?"

"You'll have to ask her when she comes back." He said with a huff. "Tea?"

"Yes please," Harry said before he stroked Snappy's spine again and flipped to the section about Hippocampuses again. He'd been overjoyed to see those pages and was fascinated by what he'd read. This Edwardus Lima really knew their stuff!

"Is it well written at least?" Severus demanded with a huff as he handed Harry his tea.

"Oh, it's brilliant! Really informative, and every section comes with these cool anatomical drawings." He lifted the book and showed how taping the symbols next to the illustrations showed things like organ positions, skeletal and muscular structure, as well the nervous system. The chapter on dragons was particularly fascinating, as it showed the different heads, and therefore skulls, of every domesticated dragon species. If you could call a dragon domesticated. "Fantastic Beasts was alright, but it was more anecdotal. This is more academic. Say what you will about Hagrid, but he knew how to pick the book. And the author explained in the foreword that the purpose of the enchantment was to prepare you for the journey of entering the field of magizoology."

"Hmmm," Severus said slowly. "Well, I suppose Rubeus may not be such a terrible professor after all."

"Oh, he's probably still gonna get someone injured," Harry argued matter of factly. "I love Hagrid, I really do, but he just doesn't see creatures the way everyone else does. No matter what he'd ever say to me, no way would I ever see Fluffy as 'cute'." 

"Decidedly not." Severus agreed with slightly harrowed eyes. He'd barely escaped that bloody beast with his life, let alone his leg. He frowned. "How did you get past the beast anyway?"

"Play a bit of music and he falls right to sleep." Harry said quickly "Quirrell had left an enchanted harp. Hermione was going to play her music box. It stopped playing at some point and he almost ate us whole but we managed to jump through the trap door before he could." 

"Right into a dark pit full of devil's snare."

"Hermione helped there again. She lit a fire." He snickered, "once she remembered she was a witch. I used the broom to catch the flying key."

"Weasley defeated the chess match," Severus recalled. "And the last few challenges?"

"Hermione solved your potion puzzle." Harry readily admitted. "I'm pants at logic puzzles. I definitely would have drunk poison or gotten drunk off of the wine."

"There were no poisons or wines," Severus admitted. Harry blinked. "all of the other potions were sleeping draughts. You would have simply collapsed and been collected when Albus came to rescue you from the Dark Lord."

"Well, that makes me feel loads better," Harry said with a sigh of relief. "I was genuinely terrified, you know!"

"That was the point," Severus said with a chuckle. "People who are fearful for their lives tend to make more mistakes."

"Right," Harry said with a huff. "Quirrell had already gotten rid of the troll. Pretty sure he killed it actually. Since Hermione solved the puzzle all I had to do was find the stone and beat Voldemort. Again."

"Oh yes," Severus said sardonically, "just that. Nothing too difficult for an eleven-year-old boy." 

"Er… well I didn't mean it like that," Harry argued sheepishly. "Voldemort wasn't even really alive anyway! He was just a husk or whatever. I'm sure the real deal would crush me in no time." Severus gave the young teen a nebulous look before he took a deep breath.

"I would rather you not say such things, Harry." He finally said. "It serves no purpose to tempt fate like that."

"Sorry." He replied sheepishly. Suddenly the fire roared to life again. Into the living room stepped Emmeline, looking one part shocked, one part flabbergasted. She looked between the two of them absolutely lost.

"Emmeline?" Severus began worriedly. "Are you alright?"

"Albus fired Cuthbert." Emmeline declared. Harry's jaw dropped.

"Binns?! But how? How can you fire a ghost?!"

"Who is he having replace him?!" Severus asked immediately after.

"Me," Emmeline admitted. Severus blinked.

"What?" 

"Albus said he wanted more Order members on staff, and that he's been getting more angry letters about Binns lately. He asked if I'd be willing to take the position. He said it would just be for a year, and if I didn't like it he would find someone else."

 "You're gonna teach History of Magic?" Harry cried in awe. Emmeline nodded. "Brilliant! That means the class isn't going to be terrible anymore!"

"You're not exactly qualified Emmeline," Severus muttered.

"I've studied plenty of history!" She argued. "Granted it was mostly through the lens of architecture, but I know of plenty of great resources to draw from." Suddenly she went wide-eyed. "I need to draft lesson plans! And find a good textbook! And send out summer homework!"

"Oh no!" Harry whined. "Please no more homework!"

"It'll be something simple I promise!" Emmeline assured him. "Now if you excuse me, I have several letters to write to colleagues of mine! Sensei Tsujinko will have great textbook suggestions I'm certain!" The woman cried exuberantly before digging into her suitcase for parchment and ink.

Harry was reading the wonderful witch on his bed while Hedwig peered over his shoulder. She seemed to like the comic, particularly scenes which included the wonderful witch's own owl, Daedalus. He was a tiny pygmy owl, who the wonderful witch had charmed to speak, and was very insightful. Hedwig cooed every time his little illustration flapped its wings or squawked in horror. Suddenly the door opened.

"Here you are, Harry!" Emmeline cried before she placed a book with a piece of parchment in the front cover on his desk. "Your final price of summer homework. It's due the first week of class, so you'd best start now." Harry groaned and dragged himself up and crossed the room to see what this homework was. Instantly he blinked.

Hogwarts: A History

"This is our textbook?" Harry cried in shock.

"Yep!" Emmeline said happily. "I've decided to rework the first through fourth-year curriculum into more of a British-based history course. Fifth through seventh becomes world history, starting from the dawn of recorded magic and ending with the end of You-Know-Who's the first rise to power."

"Really? That sounds fun. But why Hogwarts: A History?"

"It's not just about Hogwarts. The book is a rather cohesive history of Great Britain, even including references to the Irish giant wars and the Welsh dragon revolts.

"Dragon revolts?!" Harry cried in shock. Emmeline's face soured.

"Cuthbert really wasn't doing a very good job I see."

"The man's been dead for a century." Harry reminded her with a chuckle, "he probably was senile before that."

"Right," Emmeline said. Then she sighed. "The course will cover chapters 8 through 12, but I would suggest you read the whole thing once before doubling back. You don't need to read the text to answer the question though." Harry frowned and pulled out the sheet of parchment.

Using the space below, tell me which part of the castle is your favourite and why. 

Harry blinked. That was an odd question. He gave Emmeline a weird look.

"I'm using the homework to get to know my students a little better." She explained with a smile, "First years are going to tell me what they're most excited about. Second years have to tell me one thing they would change. Fourth years have to propose something new. Fifth years are tasked with creating a rough map of the school based on their own experiences. Sixth years provide a list of all the places they spend the most time and what they do there. And seventh years are to list five things they most going to miss upon leaving Hogwarts."

"Sounds interesting." Harry assented before he looked at the question again. It was surprisingly difficult the more he thought about it. His favourite part of Hogwarts? He didn't really have a single favourite! On another scrap, he began listing all the places he liked more than others. Emmeline smiled and walked away, letting the teen muddle it out. Severus looked up as she descended the stairs. 

"I take it Harry was none too pleased with the prospect of more homework?" 

"I think I surprised him," Emmeline said with a chuckle. "No matter what you say about being too kind Severus, I want to get to know my students before I teach them."

"Just as long as you realize that once September starts failing to be sufficiently stern will make them walk all over you."

"The difference between your class and mine Severus is that I don't have to stop my students from blowing themselves up." Emmeline insisted, "just keep them from falling asleep."

"Being stern would achieve the same outcome."

"But it isn't my way,"

"Your way is too soft!"

"Well, your way just accentuates your bitterness!"

"I am not bitter!"

"Oh yes, you are!"

"Erm…"

"What?!" both adults snapped before they realized Harry was the one interrupting him. He didn't seem hurt by the harsh word. Rather he appeared to be rather amused. He wondered if the pair had realized how close they'd drifted towards each other during that little spat. 

"I finished my homework," Harry said. "It was a surprisingly hard question you know. At least for me. I'm sure Hermione will say the library and Ron will say the Great Hall or something. But I really had to struggle." Emmeline took it, still folded and cleared her throat.

"Thank you, darling, sorry for snapping at you."

"It's okay," Harry assured her, cheeky grin drifting back into place. Then he skedaddled back up the stairs. Both adults watched this with slight confusion. But when Emmeline turned back around the weight of the room became suffocatingly awkward. She cleared her throat again and unfolded Harry's homework.

My favourite part of Hogwarts is the entrance hall. Because every time I see it it reminds me that I'm there again, and that I get to be with my friends and family and have adventures. I'm sure most people would say the Great Hall would be a better place to feel reminded of that, but to me, the entrance hall just feels so welcoming. Standing in the entrance, it feels almost like Hogwarts itself is giving you a hug, and welcoming you back. That's why it's my favourite.

She felt her eyes moisten as she reached the end. It wasn't flowery or fancy language. But Harry had shown he didn't need it. He just expressed his though, honestly and sincerely. Emmeline passed it to Severus with a sly, though emotional expression.

"Still think my questions are stupid?" She asked as he took the price of parchment.

"I never said they were stupid," Severus argued before he looked down to read the little note. By the end, he was staring at the page in blinking shock.

"This is… surprisingly profound." He finally muttered in awe. Emmeline laughed.

"Oh Severus," she began before she placed a kiss on his head, just above his temple. 

Instantly the rest of her thought disappeared.

Emmeline was straight as a board, still as ice. What did I just do?!

Severus wasn't much better. The parchment in his hands was fluttering in his fluctuating grip while his eyes stared at it blindly. Did she just- But why? Good Merlin did she-

"I should go." Emmeline declared. "I need to get my office organized! Good night!" Severus stood and opened his mouth to wish her well, but the fire was red again before he had the chance.

Or maybe the courage?

The man scowled and rubbed his face.

"Dammit, Emmeline." He berated her gently. This was so like her! Then he stomped off back to his lab. He had to triple-check his project now anyway. Thanks to Albus' nagging he was now hyper-aware that he might have missed something. 

Dear Harry,

Happy birthday!

I'm sorry we couldn't have a party again this year…

One of these days it'll happen.

I hope you find your gift useful! I know you've only had the broom for two years but I figured it would be nice to have in the future.

I'm so excited to hear that you decided to take something more academic rather than something easy. Ron decided to go with divinations for the easy credit. Ancient runes will be much more useful!

I can't believe Ms. Vance will be replacing Binns! And having Hogwarts: A History as a school book is wonderful! It's one of my favourites you know! And now you and Ron will have to read it too! You'll finally see what all the fuss is about!

I was very intrigued by the homework that she assigned as well. Rather unconventional, but I suspect she's using the question to get to know us better. She seems to be an intelligent woman based on what you've told me. I'm very excited to learn from her.

Summer is almost over. In just a couple of weeks we'll be in Hogwarts again. I can't wait to see what the new year has in store.

Hope to hear from you again soon!

Love,

Hermione

Dear Harry,

How's your summer been? I hope you like your gift! I bought it in Egypt! The bazaars had all sorts of cool stuff. Fred and George wanted to buy a couple shrunken heads that insult people's intelligence but mum wouldn't let them.

I can't wait to tell you all about the trip! It was really cool! The tombs were really amazing!

I was kinda miffed when Hermione said your taking ancient runes. I thought we'd be in divinations together! Ah well. We're all taking care of Magical creatures together. So I guess it's fine. 

Speaking of creatures, I still can't find Scabbers. I've looked everywhere! Fred joked that I must have left him behind in Cairo but I swear I didn't! I had him when we got home! 

Hermione said  

Well, it doesn't matter. She wrote to apologize and gave me a whole bunch of things she read about to help find rats.

He'll turn up

But I'm really worried. He got really sick when we were in Egypt. What if he

Can't wait to see you again in September.

Talk to you later!

Ron

Harry looked at Ron's letter with a sad frown. Ron still hadn't accepted that his furry friend was probably dead. If he'd been sick before coming home that was the logical conclusion. He was glad Hermione had apologized, but he knew that eventually, Ron would have to accept it. He blinked at looked out the dormer window to the distant ocean. 

Well, that was rich coming from him, wasn't it?

Harry looked down at the letters in his hands.

Dudley had friends who probably would never know what happened to him. Not really anyway. He wasn't even sure if the Order had just covered it up or if the muggles ever knew what happened to his family. He suddenly imagined Piers, looking sad and forlorn as he wandered around Privet Drive without Dudley. It was strange to feel so genuinely sorry for one of his oldest tormentors, but he couldn't stop the tears that dropped down his cheeks. He sniffled and wiped his face for what seemed like the millionth time this summer. He just felt so pent-up. He had all these emotions that he didn't know how to get out-

He stopped.

Yes, he did! 

Then he faltered.

Could he really ask Severus…

It made him… embarrassed.

Then he scowled.

What was he talking about! He was a Gryffindor! He could do this! It wouldn't be that hard. So he went downstairs. But it was eerily silent. Emmeline must have left again for some reason. Severus was likely in his lab. Harry hesitated. Severus had said his lab was absolutely off limits. But he'd also sent Harry down there to get stuff to help Emmeline. Maybe it would be okay if he got permission. So he walked up to the pantry door and knocked. There was a moment where he thought that maybe the man wouldn't hear him, given the distance he knew stretched from the door to the actual lab. But then the door opened so quickly he jumped back.

"Emm I-" Severus began before he blinked. "Oh… Harry. It's you."

"Did you and Emmeline get into another fight?" Harry asked as casually as he could. He hadn't heard anything this time. But maybe they'd used silencing charms. He really hoped it wasn't about him again. That had been so awkward and uncomfortable. 

"No." Severus insisted. "Nothing of the sort."

"Okay," Harry said then he felt his earlier nervousness rear its ugly head. "Erm…"

"What's wrong?" Severus demanded.

"Well, I was wondering… if you're not busy of course. But you probably are so I should just… yeah, what am I talking about? nevermind." Harry muttered. But as he turned to walk away, kicking himself for his stupidity the man's hand stuck out and grabbed his shoulder. 

"Harry," Severus admonished sternly, "what is rule number 5?" Harry frowned. Honestly, he didn't remember the other four, besides the one about picking up after himself, which he would have done anyway. He was pretty sure one was about mealtimes, but Severus or Emmeline always called him down for those, so it was kinda moot. "You are to tell Emmeline or me when something is bothering you."

"Oh yeah," Harry said sheepishly. It was such a weird bizarre and backward rule that he'd ever had during the summer. He then realized that Severus was still looking at him, now rather frustrated and expectant. "I just… I was wondering if you could take me to the cliffs of Dover again." He finally mumbled. Severus rose an eyebrow.

"I see. Any particular reason?"

"I just…" he paused. "can it help… when you're sad as well as angry?"

"Sometimes." Severus accented slowly. "What exactly has you upset?"

"I… I can't stop crying." Harry admitted and instantly looked away in horror. He couldn't believe he'd just admitted that to Severus Snape of all people! But then the hand on his shoulder gave him a gentle squeeze. 

"About your family."

"Dudley." Harry clarified. The minute he said the name his breath hitched. "he was my age… he had friends, and school and… and he didn't deserve that." Harry sniffed as more tears dribbled out. "he was just a kid!" He sobbed. "it's not fair!" And suddenly his face was in the familiar, slightly scratchy feel of the fabric of the cardigans that Severus always wore. Harry sobbed and wrapped his arms around the man and cried into his chest. After a while, the familiar feeling of Emmeline's fingers carding his hair returned which made him calm considerably. A while later his hiccups finally quieted. He pulled away and turned around to thank Emmeline, but she wasn't there. He looked back at Severus in blinking confusion. Then Severus pulled his hand away from his hair. Harry blinked. Had Severus done that because he knew Harry found it calming? 

"Come sit," Severus instructed as he pulled out a chair. Harry nodded and settled into the chair. Despite the good cry he still felt miserable. He snarled and wiped his face again. He was so sick and tired of being sad! A cup of hot chocolate landed in front of him. Harry stared at it and sighed. 

For once, he didn't feel like hot chocolate. 

Severus sighed which made him look up.

"I've signed you up for grief counselling." The man declared. Harry blinked. 

"Counseling… like… with a shrink?" Harry demanded with a touch of rage.

"A child psychiatrist." Severus corrected. "She comes highly recommended here in Dover."

"I'm not crazy!" Harry cried, angrily rising to his feet. The act bumped the table, sending his hot chocolate cascading across the surface. Severus flicked his wand before the hot liquid could reach him, with a heavy sigh.

"I did not say you were crazy," Severus said as evenly as he could. "I said you were grieving. Which is a perfectly sane and natural thing for you to do, given the circumstances." He sighed, placing his mug down and folding his fingers in front of him. "But I've found that you seem to be… struggling. And Emmeline and I are not fully capable of helping you through these issues." Severus gave Harry a firm look. "I know this is something you struggle with Harry, but there is nothing inherently weak about asking for help."

"I don't not ask for help because I think it's weak!" Harry argued angrily. "I don't ask because no one ever gives it anyway! So what's the bloody point!"

"Well, I have asked for you," Severus said firmly. "And she was more than willing to offer it."

"Well, maybe I don't bloody need her help!" Harry snarled. "I don't need a shrink prying! I'm perfectly alright to fix this… whatever on my own!" 

"Harry you are a thirteen-year-old boy," Severus said in exasperation. "You cannot truly think you can solve all of your life's problems on your own."

"I was handling it just fine!" Harry said angrily.

"The tear stains on my cardigan say otherwise," Severus muttered, plucking at the aforementioned garment. Harry's cheeks went red first with embarrassment and then with shame. Then his face twisted up in a vile scowl.

"This is just what you want, isn't it? To do all this so you can go back to Hogwarts and tell all the Slytherins what a weak and pathetic crybaby I am." He spat. Severus stared at him in silence for several minutes.

"You must truly have a very low view of me if you think I would do such a thing." He finally said. Harry flinched at his tone. It sounded almost… hurt. "I am not doing this for any other ulterior motive but to see you mentally and emotionally well again Harry. I know that hearing this will be truly unbelievable, which in itself is a tragedy of the highest order, but it is the truth, whether you believe it or not." the teen stared down at his feet, feeling rather ashamed about his outburst. Then slowly he sat down again.

“When am I gonna meet her then?” he mumbled.

“Next weekend,” Severus said matter of factly. “I have told her about your… circumstances. As a muggle of course I had to reword it slightly. She believes your family was killed during a somewhat atypical home invasion. She’s also under the impression that I'm fostering you. Neither of these is far from the truth if we’re being honest.”

”aside from the fact that the Death Eaters were looking for me,” Harry argued bitterly. Severus huffed.

“Harry, even if that were the case that does not make you responsible for your family's deaths. The Death Eaters had the power and the means. They alone are responsible.” Harry scowled. He wasn't hearing anything new from the man. Why couldn't he see it the way Harry did? 

If he had been there, then the Death Eaters would have just come after him. 

Then Dudley would still be alive. 

Maybe the shrink would get it.

"Who is she anyway?" Harry suddenly blurted out. The man frowned before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a business card.

"Dr. Clarisse Fobbs-Warwick" Severus read aloud. Harry pulled a face. Ugh. What a mouthful. Hopefully, she wouldn't be a stickler about that. "Try to keep an open mind, Harry."

"Fine," Harry muttered sullenly.

"Do you still want to walk out to the cliffs?" Severus asked him. Harry frowned. He kinda sorta did. So he nodded. Severus nodded as well and stood up, casting a spell over his cardigan so it was clean and pressed once more. "Grab a sweater. It's a bit nippy out." Harry nodded and rushed to get one. As he came back downstairs Severus was scribbling a short note to Emmeline before setting it on the couch. Then he reached into the umbrella stand. "In case it rains." Then he opened the door. Harry followed him and then frowned as the man kept walking through the stone gate towards the drove way. The sky was already a deep ruby orange and the setting sun was sinking down over the horizon. 

"We're walking?" He asked. Severus looked back.

"I enjoy the hike from time to time. It's a good walk for clearing one's mind." He reasoned. Harry shrugged and followed. It wasn't a quick walk. By the time they reached the cliffs, only a tiny sliver of the sun remained, casting the sky into a deep pink while a twinkle of stars scattered above them. Harry looked up at the heavens and marvelled. He'd only ever seen stars like this at Hogwarts. Living in a suburb, in the gloam of southern London, stars were a luxury rarely seen. He looked back out to see the last of the pink light filter down down until the sky was only black and the stars shone brightly.

"I guess we should head home," Harry muttered absentmindedly. Severus faltered as he stood.

Home?

He looked at Harry, who looked so small and lost in the darkness.

He needed a home.

had Severus really given him one?

Could he really give him one?

But then what was home but a place where you could be yourself? Where there were people who cared for you and catered to your needs and whims. In that way, Severus truly had given Harry the home he'd always deserved.

It was a shame that it couldn't last.

Severus suddenly had another thought. But this thought was a little more…

Ambitious

But then again

He was a Slytherin. 

"Indeed." Severus finally answered. He reached out a hand for Harry's shoulder. The teen braced himself. Severus took that moment to give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before they disappeared, leaving the cliffs to their nightly peace.

Harry stared out his window with a sigh. 

He was bored.

It was sunny out, so he could feasibly go flying. 

But Emmeline had been avoiding Dover for the last week. Something happened between her and Severus. Harry wasn't quite sure what, and both adults swore up and down that they hadn't fought, but Harry wasn't sure why else she'd be so vehemently against spending more than a few minutes at a time at the cottage. She had taken him to his first counselling session.

That had been… interesting.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry looked around the office feeling sullen. The office was bright and airy, but he knew that he was here because Severus thought he was an emotional basket case (no matter what the man said otherwise). This doctor whatever probably thought so too.

“Mr. Potter?” came the accented voice of the doctor. She was a short woman of Nepalese heritage with kind eyes and a kinder smile. Harry looked at her with slight apprehension. 

“Go on darling.” Emmeline encouraged him. Harry slumped slightly before he got up and followed the woman.

“Hello,” the doctor said casually as she sat on her sofa. “My name is Clarisse Fobbs-Warwick. I’m a doctor of child psychiatry. I obtained my degree at The University of Kent in Canterbury.  I came to England in My teens, but I am originally from Kathmandu in Nepal.” she gave him a curious look. “Now that I have told you about myself, can you tell me about you?” Harry shrugged.

“My name is Harry. I grew up in Surrey, London, England. I used to live with my aunt and uncle and my cousin… but they were killed this summer.” Harry said, hoping to get on task. The doctor made a little note on her clipboard.

“Where do you go to school?” she asked. Harry frowned.

“Er… well it's a very exclusive private school in Scotland,” Harry asked nervously.

“That sounds very impressive.” the doctor remarked, once again making a note, “why did you live with your aunt and uncle rather than your parents?”

“They're dead,” Harry said flatly. He remembered answering this question over and over when he was younger. And it always got the same reaction (oh how tragic)

“How did they die?” Harry paused.

He could tell the truth, that his parents had also been killed by someone who came into their home. But how bizarre would that be?

Alternatively, he could tell the old lie. 

But his heart hurt to tell it. 

“They were killed.” he heard himself saying.

“Oh my.” the doctor muttered with a sigh. "And how old were you when this happened?"

"One."

"So you do not remember your parents." The woman confirmed with Harry's silent nod. "You must rely on stories of them." Another quiet nod. "And what sort of stories do people tell?"

"For my dad, it's always the same," Harry murmured tiredly. "That he was a good man who cared about his family a lot." Then he faltered. "More recently I found out that while he was popular and had a lot of friends, he was also a bit of a sleazy jerk before he finished school, and that he was kind of a douchebag to people he considered 'weird'."

"I see," the doctor remarked as she put another note on the clipboard. "And what about your mother?"

"No one really talks about her actually," Harry muttered. "It’s always, oh you have your mum's eyes, but you look so much like your dad, so here's all this stuff about how awesome he was." He took a deep breath, "but recently I heard a bit more about what she was like. She was nice, and she liked to help people, even if everyone else thought they were weird or different. She had a kinda dark sense of humour." He paused and thought over the stories Severus and Emmeline had told him and grew a little sad. "But she was also pretty vengeful, and could sometimes fly off the handle if something was happening that she didn't like." 

"It's important to remember that your parents were people, Harry," Dr. Clarisse reminded him with a smile. "And that people have flaws. Do not be discouraged so much by hearing these flaws. You are not defined by your parents." She sighed. "Though I am sure it seems like it from time to time."

"Yeah," Harry muttered sadly. "My parents went to the same school I did, and a lot of the same teachers still work there. I hear stories from them all the time."

"There will always be expectations, Harry. You can never escape those. But learning to define your own expectations will be a skill you grow into. And while hearing stories of your parents your whole life must make you dream of living up to them, your successes and failures are for yourself. Not for them."

"I didn't hear those stories all my life," Harry admitted bitterly.

"Oh? What other stories did you hear? And who told them."

"My aunt and uncle," Harry whispered quietly. "They… didn't like me." He said, hoping that maybe Severus had told her a little more about his life with his family. 

"I see." Dr. Clarisse remarked quietly, "and why do you think that was?"

"Because I was…" magic "different."

"And why do you think being different made them dislike you?" Dr. Fobbs-Warwick asked casually. Harry blinked.

"I… I guess I scared them." Harry murmured quietly. "They weren't used to dealing with things that were different."

"That sounds plausible though, of course, highly irrational. It is exceptionally closed-minded to be fearful of things just because they are different. For instance, you and I are different in many ways. Do I frighten you?” Dr. Fobbs-Warkick asked with a smile. Harry winced.

“Er… well… not the same way the Dursleys did. I am a bit worried you’ll tell everyone I'm mad as a box of cheese.'' Harry admitted with much hand wringing. The woman smiled, looking very much like she wanted to hold back a small chuckle.

“You have absolutely no need to worry, Harry. These sessions are entirely confidential. Anything you say is completely private, and I would never think you're mad.” The doctor assured him. She righted herself and lifted her pen to get back on track. "What sort of stories did your aunt and uncle tell about your parents that were different from the typical ones?"

"They told me that my father was a lazy good-for-nothing who got his wife killed while driving drunk. And that my mum was a-" he cut himself off. Granted his aunt Petunia had never said that. But aunt Marge had. And it had stung. A lot. 

"I see." Dr. Fobbs-Warwick remarked with a frown. "It must have been very distressing to hear that everything you'd heard about your parents was wrong." Harry nodded. "Did you confront your aunt and uncle about their lies?" Harry wrung his hands.

"Sort of." He admitted with a wince. "But I wasn't allowed to talk about them when I was home. Or school. Or my friends."

"What were you allowed to talk about?"

"Er… well I wasn't really allowed to talk at all really." Harry finally admitted with a wince. 

"I see." The doctor muttered as she scribbled another thing onto her clipboard. "and how is that different from how things are with Severus now?" 

"Well…" Harry began with a frown. "He makes sure I have proper clothes. And proper glasses. And he took me to a doctor to get my shots and to make sure I'm healthy. And I guess he signed me up for this too." He admitted with a slight blush. The woman grinned. "And… well he doesn't tell me to be quiet or tell me not to ask questions. Heck! One of his rules is that I have to tell him if stuff is bothering me which is just… so weird."

"So he's treating you with respect and dignity."

"Yeah." Harry agreed with a nod. "And… well… he makes me feel like I matter… for just being me." 

"I am happy to hear that you are in an environment that is healthy and encouraging. It promises a major improvement to your mental health." Then she glanced at the clock above the door. "I'm afraid our appointment is finished now, Harry. I look forward to speaking with you again."

"What?" Harry questioned in shock. "But we haven't talked about the Dursleys' deaths at all!" The doctor chuckled.

"Do not worry young man. Every step on a journey is part of reaching the destination." Harry frowned but nodded slowly. He was still frowning in consternation when he and Emmeline returned to the cottage. Emmeline watched him with worry.

"I don't know if this is really helping him Severus… he seems so… flummoxed."

"Flummoxed is better than depressed," Severus muttered candidly.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Depressed

Was he really depressed?

He supposed that probably yeah. 

After all, here he was, on a bright and sunny day, and he just didn't feel like flying. Granted he wasn't supposed to fly alone and, as previously stated, Emmeline wasn't here. But he knew for a fact that Severus could ride a broom. Maybe not as well as Emmeline, but well enough! 

But he just didn't feel like it. 

He'd talked to Dr. Clarisse about these feelings. She had encouraged him to acknowledge them, and then to think more about what was causing them. 

He sighed and pulled himself up.

She also said that he didn’t have to do something big and energetic every day, but that he should at least maintain a routine of getting out of bed and getting dressed. He'd been pretty consistent about that. Today was the first day that he hadn’t wanted to do anything at all. He hadn’t even bothered to take Snappy off the shelf. He still didn’t feel up to that in fact, even though he'd mastered the art of becalming the book and even enjoyed playing with him.

Usually at least. 

Despite all this, he still stood up from the dormer seat. 

He couldn't lay around his room being mopey all day. Dr. Clarisse would be disappointed. 

He made his way downstairs and walked towards the kitchen. Severus was there, stirring something in a pot.

"Spaghetti Bolognese." He suddenly declared. He turned around, with the spoon still in hand. "Care for a serving?" Harry shrugged. "A verbal response please Harry."

"Sure." He muttered blandly. So he drifted to the table. On the table, there was a stack of mail. Harry blinked. It was muggle stuff! A census card, a couple of bits of bumf and a water bill. 

"You get muggle mail?!" He cried in shock as Severus walked up to the table with the two bowls.

"Nosy." Severus admonished quietly. "The cottage has a PO box at the end of The Droveway. The muggles around here know it exists, but as far as they're aware it's still owned by the quiet elderly widow who owned it two people previously." 

"But wouldn't they realize she's probably dead by now?" Harry argued.

"That's where magic comes in," Severus argued with a chuckle. 

"Oh right." 

"It's also why they never bother to come to check up on her. The moment it crosses their minds they remember a slew of errands that need to be done instead." Severus muttered. Harry frowned.

"Well… I guess that means they get lots done. As long as they're nice people."

"I wouldn't know," Severus admitted with a slight frown. "I prefer my privacy. It's safer."

"But lonely though" Harry muttered sadly into his lunch. Severus looked up with a slight frown. Harry casually looked over at the flyers. They were your typical stuff really. A bit for the local grocers, the flashy menu of a Chinese takeaway. But one stuck out. It was a simple sheet of light green printer paper with a Corinthian border and a date. Harry pulled it closer to himself.

WELCOME, WELCOME, ONE AND ALL!

to the annual

SHAKESPEARE ON THE CLIFFS!

FEATURING

The Farthing & Wright Players

Johnstonsons acrobats

fun and games

FREE ADMISSION, DONATIONS ACCEPTED

August 9th - The Merchant of Venice

August 10th - A Comedy of Errors & The Tempest

August 11th - Macbeth

Harry's eyes lit up

"Shakespeare in the park?! I love Shakespeare in the park!" He cried with delight. Severus blinked at him in shock. "There's a troupe that comes to Surrey every year. My school hosted a modern telling of Twelfth Night when I was about seven. They usually do something at the park just past the A3. I used to beg to go out there every year." Harry recalled. "I haven't for a while though. Not since Hogwarts." Severus looked contemplative.

"I suppose we could go for one night. Saturday would be best." He muttered. Harry's beamed. "Provided Emmeline agrees. I don't feel comfortable being the only one keeping an eye on you in what is sure to be a rather crowded setting." Harry's face fell.

"But… but she has been around since that fight you two had."

"For the millionth time, there was no fight!" Severus cried in exasperation. "Emmeline and I did not fight about anything. She's just busy getting ready for the new year."

"Well, how come you’re not that busy then?!" Harry demanded, "You're a professor too!"

"I don't have to rewrite the units for every year from scratch or re-organize my office." He reminded the teen with a scoff as he stood and reached out for Harry's bowl. Harry grumbled and handed it over. How was he supposed to ask Emmeline if she was so busy she couldn't even be bothered to pop in and say hello?  Then he had a thought.

"There's a floo in Emmeline's office, right?" Harry questioned. Severus paused.

"Yes, I believe so."

"I'll just call her then!" Harry said with a grin before he went towards the hearth. He grabbed the box of floor powder when a hand reached out to still him. Harry frowned at the potions master and opened his mouth to yell that it was a bit weird to try and stop him if they didn't have a fight!

"Don't be such a sullen teenager," Severus grumbled. "I was just going to say that for an extended call, you need a lot of floo powder." He picked up a mug that had always been sitting on the hearth but Harry had never known what for. Severus used it to scoop a large helping of powder. "That should be good. The flames will pop twice to warn you when your time is running out. Some wizards just toss on more floo powder but that can be dangerous. If you happen to go over I would be more comfortable if you disconnect and restart the call."

"What makes it dangerous?" Harry questioned. 

"Let's just say it would be rather hard for your body to get on without while your head is in northern Scotland," Severus warned sardonically. Harry instantly felt very afraid of the idea of floo calling Emmeline. Especially if sudden decapitation was a genuine risk! "Just relax and pay attention to the popping. At two, tell Emmeline you're out of time and you'll call back, then call back." 

"Right," Harry said. Then he took a deep breath. He remembered Molly Weasley's advice. Speak very very clearly. "History of Magic professor's office, Hogwarts!" Then he dumped the cup into the hearth. The flames sparked green instantly and Harry quickly dove his head into the flames. Instantly he could see the inside of the rather small office. There was a desk in front of him with the door to the classroom to the opposite, and what looked like the corner of a bookshelf to the right. To the left, he could see a doorway and what looked like a wardrobe through that. But the office was otherwise empty. "Emmeline?!" Harry cried into the room. Maybe she was just out of sight. "Ms. Emmeline?! Are you in here?!"

"Harry?" Emmeline called out, stepping out from the wardrobe-containing room. She looked rather casual, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt with one of her green shawls wrapped around her shoulders and a messy bun replacing her braid.

"Over here!" Harry cried with a grin. Emmeline looked towards the floo and jumped.

"Oh! Harry darling!" Her grin was so… nice. It made Harry really happy for some reason. But then her smile faltered "What's the matter? Has something happened to Severus?"

"No. But that's nice to ask, especially since you two have been fighting lately." Suddenly a hand struck through the flames to the back of his head. "ow!"

"Fighting? What are you talking about?" Emmeline demanded with a confused frown. Harry meanwhile had half turned away from the fire.

"Yeah well, then why are you so distant whenever I bring her up huh?!" Emmeline smiled as she realized the poor boy was getting a lecture from Severus and was probably making things rather worse for himself. "Yeah, Well I'm not blind anymore! You should know! You're the one who got my glasses fixed! Now go away this is my call!" There was another beat of silence in which Harry's face went a little pink. "Er … yeah actually… Now that you mention it, a pillow would be nice… thanks." He turned back to her with a sheepish grin. "Sorry bout that."

"Severus and I haven't been fighting dear," Emmeline assured him. "I've just been terribly busy with the preparations for the next semester."

"Well if that's the case then you really need a break," Harry argued. Emmeline raised an eyebrow.

"I suppose a break would be nice."

"Well, that's why I'm calling," Harry said excitedly. "There's a Shakespeare in the park festival happening on the cliffs this week! I really want to go, but Severus won't take me unless you agree to come too. He says he needs another set of eyes on me." Emmeline smiled.

“Well I would love to!” she cried happily. “I'm rather fond of Shakespeare myself.”

“Brilliant! It's this Saturday, see you then!”

“Right!” Emmeline agreed. Then Harry’s head disappeared and the flames turned cherry red once again. she smiled and turned back to her bedroom. A break would be rather nice.

By Saturday morning, Harry was buzzing.

"I've never seen A Comedy of Errors before," he declared excitedly, "Tempest yeah. Is it true it's Shakespeare's shortest?"

"Yes," Severus confirmed.

"Have you ever seen it?" 

"No. I have read it though. I have a copy of Shakespeare's complete works." The man admitted as he plucked the small book from the shelf and passed it to the teen.

"Cool!" Harry cried excitedly before he cracked it open. A little message on the inside cover caught his eye.

To my son,

May this book be a feast for that clever mind of yours,

Love, 

Pappy

Harry felt his heart tighten as he read that. To think that Severus had once called his Dad 'Pappy'. That they'd had such a close relationship. And how one death had sent it all tumbling down into ruin. 

"You're free to take it," Severus said. "You can return it whenever you’d like."

"Thanks," Harry said as he flipped to the table of contents and read through the various titles. Flipping to a random page he noticed it was written in old English dialect, though it had helpful annotations in the margins. In addition, Severus himself had come in with his own thoughts, adding tiny notes in the margins remarking scathingly on the intelligence of certain characters, or the different ways that magic was represented throughout. Harry smiled. Severus seemed to have had a bit of a book-defacing problem. He wondered how Pince would feel. And if he'd ever been banned from the Hogwarts library. Suddenly the fire leapt up, burning bright emerald green and out stepped Emmeline, wrapped in her green shawl, hair in a braid, with a wide smile.

"Good afternoon boys!"

"Emmeline!" Harry cried before rushing to give her a tight hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you too darling," Emeline said with a chuckle. "But I was only gone for a week?"

"A week is a long time!" Harry crowed whineily, "plus Severus isn't nearly as good a flyer as you."

"Oi!" Severus barked crankily.

"Well, it's true!" Harry argued. 

"Seems like you two have been driving each other mad," Emmeline remarked with a chuckle. Severus let out a grunt while Harry harumph himself. Emmeline beamed. Then she glanced at her watch.

"It's four o'clock now, should we head out?"

"Yep!" Harry agreed before he went over to the door. "Got some blankets and a picnic too!"

"Wonderful!" Emmeline cried happily. "Are we walking down?"

"Apperating to the edge of the park," Severus muttered. "I for one don't feel like lugging this all the way to the cliffs."

" It's not that heavy," Harry argued. "The picnics got to be heavier than the blankets."

"Yes, but you have a handle," Severus argued as he shoved the blankets under his arms. Emmeline smiled and pulled one out from under the pile to carry herself. Severus nodded his head gratefully. Emmeline suddenly found herself lost in Severus' gaze. It was so casual. So open. His deep eyes were surprisingly peaceful.

"Emmeline?" Harry questioned. The woman jumped and ripped her eyes away. 

"Yes, dear?" 

"You alright?"

"Oh yes, I'm perfectly fine!" She insisted with a smile. "Just a bit tired from all the work I've been doing. I really wish Albus had asked me more than a month before classes started. Planning lessons for an entire year is not easy to do in a few weeks."

"Well try to relax," Severus said candidly. " Personally, I only develop loose plans for the second semester and confirm them later based on the individual classes' progress. Don't take on more than you can chew. You don't want to burn out before the year has even begun.”

"I suppose you're right," Emmeline said with a smile. "You are the expert."

"How long have you been teaching sir?" Harry asked curiously.

"14 years in September."

"Really?! You started teaching at 20?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"Well… you taught people you'd gone to school with!" Harry thought.

"I didn't interact with very many people under my own year," Severus muttered. 

"Except for myself of course." Emmeline reminded him with a chuckle. "And a few friends of mine."

"Yes but by then all of you had already left Hogwarts,” Severus argued with a roll of his eyes. “Regardless, I had no trouble asserting authority over my students.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Harry said with a grin. He couldn’t imagine his professor being anything less than the pushy disciplinarian he was today. Severus immediately cuffed him upside the head, which left Harry snickering even as he rubbed the spot. 

“Oh calm down you two!” Emmeline admonished with a huff. “Really Severus! I came to watch Harry, not you as well!” the man sputtered out his indignation, which made Harry howl with laughter.  

Harry was still laughing when A Comedy of Errors wrapped up. It really was a funny one! Things went so wrong so fast, and yet it all seemed to work out in the end. 

"There will be a short intermission!" The actor playing Egeon cried merrily. "The Tempest will begin in  half an hour hence!" Then he gave another bow and the player disappeared behind their little pop-up curtains into the tent behind, likely to set up their costumes for the next play. Harry craned his neck around to the sweets stall he'd seen when they walked up.

"Can I grab some treacle?" He begged quietly. Severus made a show of sighing and pulling a ten-pound note out of his wallet. When Harry reached for it he slipped it away quickly.

"Buy me a green caramel apple." He said firmly. Harry nodded and scrambled away. Then he quickly scampered back and pointed at Emmeline.

"Candy apple. A red over a green please." She responded with a chuckle. And Harry was off again, like a bat out of hell. Severus straightened up, pulling the blanket that was wrapped around his and Emmeline’s legs (now that had been an awkward interaction) straining to see him through the wandering crowds. Emmeline chuckled.

"Oh relax Severus. It's less than 30 feet away. What do you think is going to happen? He's going to be snatched up between here and-"

"Harry!" came a girly shriek of glee. Both adults jumped up like a shot and dashed through the crowds with fear in their throats and thunder in their ears. What they found was not the young boy being dragged away to some horrible fate, but instead trapped in the embrace of one extremely exuberant Hermione Granger, complete with him spitting out clumps of her bushy hair. 

"Her- pfth! pfthbb! -mione?" Harry choked out in shock. The girl pulled away with a wide smile.

"Harry! It's so wonderful to see you!" Then she hugged him again, though this time Harry was grinning as well. 

"Miss. Granger." Severus drawled from behind her. The girl jumped a mile and whipped around.

"Oh!" Hermione cried in fright before smiling, though a bit tentatively. "Professor Snape! Harry said he was staying with you." She looked over to Emmeline, much more relaxed. "And you must be professor Vance."

"Indeed," Emmeline said before she reached out to give Hermione a firm handshake. "Harry has told me some wonderful things about you."

"To me as well about you," Hermione said with a grin.

"Hermione darling, where are you?" came Jean Granger, followed by her father, Frederick. "Oh! Hello Harry! How wonderful to meet you again!"

"You as well!" Harry cried before he frowned. "But what are you doing here? I thought you were in France?"

"I was!" Hermione said happily. "We just got back. We saw a flyer for this festival at the harbour and we just had to see it! I absolutely adore Shakespeare in the park! The Kingsbury Players do As You Like It in the park every summer!"

"Me too!" Harry cried happily. "The Shakespeare in the park bit, not the performing."

"We have a bit of a picnic if you care to join us. The next show is The Tempest. Should be starting fair soon." Emmeline offered merrily. The Grangers smiled.

"Why thank you! We'd love to join you." Jean said happily. Harry very quickly rushed over to buy the sweets, with Frederick accompanying. He did admonish that as a dentist, he didn't strictly approve, but he supposed that as long as they all brushed their teeth it would be fine. Severus performed a very discreet bit of magic, duplicating one blanket and widening another so that their new guests needn’t sit on the grass in the cold. About halfway through the show Emmeline pulled out the sandwiches and fruits, Harry devoured them so fast that Hermione poked his stomach in slight shock. Then she frowned and raised her hand to her brow before gaping.

"You've gotten taller!" She cried in awe. Harry grinned happily. 

"Yep! And I got new glasses too!"

"I knew there was something different!" Hermione cried with a smile. "They look very nice."

"Thanks."

As the show wound down the sugar from the treats had left Harry and Hermione a bit wired. They were very excitable, chattering away like crickets as they walked in the general direction of the cottage. Severus had invited the Grangers back to the cottage for a drink (after a bit of nagging for Emmeline). About halfway he stopped Harry with an indulgent roll of his eyes.

"Huh? What? Is something wrong?"

"We're apperating the rest of the way."

"Oh," Harry said before he looked at Hermione with a grimace. "Hold your breath, this bit is pretty awful." 

"Oh, I know all the theory. I've read all about it." Hermione explained before Severus grasped her arm firmly. When they landed she went an ugly shade of green and convulsed before taking a very thick swallow, followed by a horrified shudder. "That was nothing at all like the book described." She admitted shakily.

"Let's get you all some water," Emmeline said to the equally ill-looking Mr. And Mrs. Granger. Jean glanced around the cottage before giving Emmeline a charming smile.

"It's a very lovely home."

"Thank you," Severus responded tonelessly. He seemed rather awkward about having guests. Which made sense, considering his earlier cries about wanting privacy. 

"Come meet Snappy!" Harry suddenly declared before dragging Hermione up to his room. Severus shook his head before turning to his liquor cabinet.

"Wine? Or perhaps something a bit stronger." Severus offered.

"I would love a glass of wine," Jean said happily.

"I'll have the same." Frederick agreed. Severus returned with four glasses and poured a generous amount.

"Did he really?!" Jean cried with laughter "flashing pink?!"

"With confetti," Severus added with a note of disgust. "It was ridiculous."

"Sounds like it!" Frederick chuckled. "But why on earth did Dumbledore hire him, if he was so incompetent?"

"Well you see," Emmeline began with a smile. "There's a bit of rumour. It started not long after I started Hogwarts actually."

"Oh longer." Severus insisted. "I heard whispers in my first year."

"Whispers? Rumours? Sounds awfully mysterious." Jean remarked.

"There is a, at the moment still unproven, rumour that the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is cursed," Severus admitted with a sniff. "No professor has lasted more than a year, with varying degrees of tragedy befalling the teachers. Case in point, the previous owner of this house. The castle itself seemed to turn against her. She somehow ended up in a sealed room with no windows or doors for three days." Severus recalled with some trepidation.

"And despite that Severus still insists on applying for the position every year!" Emmeline scolded. "Do you think perhaps Albus is denying you not because of some perceived failing, but because he doesn't want you to end up horribly disfigured? or dead?”

"Oh, ye of little faith," Severus grumbled. "I could weather the curse, I'm sure of it!" 

"Lockhart ended up with absolutely no memories, dead to the world!" Emmeline said firmly. "And Quirrel is literally dead!"

"Well, there were extenuating circumstances!" Severus bickered in frustration. Emmeline scoffed in disgust into her wine. 

"Sounds like a losing battle, love," Jean muttered as she leaned up to Emmeline with a mirthful smile.

"Tell me about it," Emmeline responded in equal volume. Suddenly Severus stood.

"I ought to go check on the children. Make certain they're not getting up to something they shouldn't."

"Oh, I'm sure they're fine. Hermione is a sensible girl. And Harry is such a lovely polite young man." Jean argued.

"I trust Harry to be a good lad." Frederick agreed. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"You don't seem to recall what it was like to be a teenage boy, Mr. Granger. I do… vividly." He turned down his heel. "I'll be right back." Severus made his way up the stairs. There was a girlish giggle that made him a bit nervous. But when he opened the door just a crack he found Hermione Granger feeding 'Snappy' bits of spare parchment.

"Oh I really should apologize to my poor book when I get home," Hermione said with a sigh. "I'm usually so good to my books! I should have known a living one would require a more gentle hand!"

"I think most people would have missed the point," Harry admitted as Snappy hopped up to him and whined to get picked up. Severus frowned. That book needed to learn some manners. Maybe you could train it like a dog. "I mean how often do you come across a book with eyes!"

"You'd be surprised," Hermione muttered with a chuckle. "There are plenty of sentient books out there, most of them are… less furry." Snappy gave her a pouty whine. "Oh, your fur is lovely!" Hermione insisted with a wince. Severus chuckled before he closed the door again. 

"Well?" Frederick asked as Severus rejoined them, "is my daughter's honour still intact?"

"Yes," Severus assured him.

"I told you so!" Jean crowed. "Harry is a good boy." 

"Yes." Severus agreed quietly. "Yes, he is."

"Well thank you so much for all your hospitality!" Jean cried as she guided Frederick and Hermione to the door. "But we really ought to be heading back to our hotel." 

"I can apparate you if you like." Severus offered, as he tucked the Granger family dental practice business card into his trousers.

"Oh no, thanks!" Frederick said with a grimace. "Hate to chuck up that lovely wine you gave us. We'll just head to town and find a cabbie."

"Have a good night!" Emmeline waved after them.

"See you at Hogwarts!" Harry waved with a grin.

"Bye Harry!" Hermione called back. Then the door closed, dimming the light that poured out from the cottage. Then suddenly her mother jumped.

"Oh! The house just disappeared!" Hermione blinked and looked back. It still looked there to her.

"Magic sure is fascinating stuff." Frederick reckoned with a grin. Hermione smiled. 

"I really am happy for Harry, you know. From what you’ve told me about his relatives, he seems far better off." Jean said candidly. "The professor and his wife and very lovely people."

"Professor Vance isn't Professor Snape's wife." Hermione corrected quickly.

"What?!"

"They're both single," Hermione confirmed.

"Poppycock!" her mother cried. "Hermione darling, I've been married for 15 years! I can recognize a marriage when I see one!"

"I'm telling you!" Hermione insisted.

"Well," Frederick suddenly butt in. "Snape better get a move on! A clever woman like that? Well, I'm surprised she hasn't gone off to find someone else!"

"He clearly has feelings for her." Jean agreed. " And they definitely act married!" Hermione raised an eyebrow in contemplation as her mother dove into a complex explanation of all the little things they’d done, secret touches, the ways they finished each other's sentences, that had shown just how deep their relationship went. Hermione had a very intrigued smile by the end.

Maybe Harry really was onto something.

Harry looked down at the paper with slight apprehension. 

Another attack.

This time around Shropshire. 

No one was killed, but several families' houses had been burned down and a couple of people were hurt, including the house of Eloise Midgen, a girl in his own year. Her father had also been injured in what The Prophet described as a 'mad panic' which Harry took to mean some kind of stampede. He'd never given much attention to Eloise, owing to her rather splodgy complexion and doughy features. But he really ought to be kinder the next time he saw her.

But that was only one side of the paper. The other side was just as ominous.

SIRIUS BLACK SIGHTED!

Madman Seen Skulking Through London

Ministry bungles at Black's brashness

It was a damming title. But what really irked him was that Black had apparently been seen not far from Kings Cross.

And it was September 1st

"Harry darling? Are you ready to go?" Emmeline called from downstairs. Harry hesitated. When Emmeline had offered to take him to King’s Cross last week he'd been ecstatic. But now he was terrified that he might be putting her in terrible danger again. As he looked down at his trunk, filled with apprehension and doubt, the door opened.

"Come along Harry!" Severus growled. "Emmeline and I need to be at Hogwarts by noon." Harry blinked. He'd forgotten how dour and menacing Severus was in his teaching robes. He seemed too stiff and starched. And much more relaxed in a cardigan and cotton trousers.

"Can I… just apparate with you?" Harry questioned nervously. Severus raised an eyebrow, then looked down at the paper and sighed.

"I'd hoped you hadn't seen that " he muttered before snatching up the paper and tossing it onto the desk. Harry looked around the once again empty room and felt his heart twist.

The end of the dream.

"Where am I going to stay next year?" He suddenly blurted out. Severus gave Harry a quiet contemplative look.

"I do not know." He answered truthfully. "Albus is trying to figure out what would be best. I can nag him about it for you if you'd like." He scowled lightly. Albus had been pretty cagey about it lately. Something about his casual suggestion had set off alarm bells in the old man. "Might help him make a decision before your thirty." He finally grumbled under his breath. Harry just smiled. He was used to Severus' sarcastic wit by now and understood a lot more of his cutting remarks as extremely thickly veiled compliments. He also had a predominantly self-effacing black humour, complete with the occasional muttered profanity, which tended to come out more when he was in a somewhat bad mood. Of course, he couldn't be heard saying these things in the halls of Hogwarts, which explained his perchance for being a snarling old grouch. 

But Harry hadn't missed his time here.

In fact, he'd probably miss it more than Hogwarts.

"Boys?" Emmeline finally said as she pushed open the door. "We're going to be late soon. What's going on."

"Harry is nervous about the article about Black," Severus said casually. He didn't mention anything about Harry's apprehension about what lay after the school year, for which Harry was very greatful.

"Oh, you don't have to worry darling! Severus and I will be with you, watching for any sign of danger."

"Yeah, but what if you’re being there doesn't matter to him? Peter Pettigrew being there didn't exactly hold him back the first time." Harry reminded her with a wince. The last thing he wanted was for both of them to end up unsightly splodges on the brickwork.

"If you are concerned about Black not holding back should he attempt to attack King’s Cross, you needn't worry. I have no intention of holding back either." 

"What about Death Eaters! What if they attack the train?" Harry demanded. Severus chuckled.

"Harry, who are the Death Eaters?"

"Disgruntled purebloods with unnecessarily large chips on their shoulders?" Harry replied. Severus smiled at that response. Very accurate.

"And what do many of them have in common with one Lucius Malfoy?"

"They're all prats?"

"A lot of them have children, Harry," Emmeline explained with a smile.

"Children who attend Hogwarts, and who would be too likely to be hurt as collateral should the train be attacked." Severus reminded him. Harry sighed.

"I know that once I'm at Hogwarts, I should be relatively safe, but I can't help but feel like something bad is gonna happen." He huffed. "This is gonna be the longest Hogwarts Express ride ever."

"That will give you plenty of time to catch up with your friends!" Emmeline argued with a grin. Severus snorted and rolled his eyes.

"Well, you'll miss the train if we don't leave now." Then Snape leaned down and picked up his trunk. "So come along." Harry nodded and trudged after him and Emmeline. He looked around the cottage one last time. He swallowed thickly.

"Harry darling?" Emmeline called with slight worry. "Are you alright?" Harry turned around and gave her what he hoped was a convincing smile, but he was pretty sure his eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

"Yeah." He said. "I'm fine." He watched with the weight of finality on him as Snape turned and locked the cottage door behind him and placed a number of charms over it. 

That's it then.

Goodbye Dover

A hand landed on his shoulder. The weight was a familiar comfort now. He wondered when he might feel it again. He looked up at his professor with all the doubt and worry and sadness he dared show. He didn't think he imagined the small squeeze that had followed before he was pulled into the crushing force of apparition.

Harry walked down the platform, trolley and hands. It was a familiar path now. Well… relatively. The last two times he'd come here hadn't exactly been ordinary. 

Ordinary for wizards anyway.

"The train leaves in twenty-five minutes," Emmeline muttered. Harry smiled.

This year really wasn't either.

But in a good way.

Harry picked up the pace, practically jogging to get to the platform. When he saw the section he broke into a run.

"Harry darling!" Emmeline cried in exasperation, "wait for us!" But the momentum of the cart pulled Harry into the platform. It was very crowded, and everyone seemed to be arriving at once. Instantly Harry froze. He was in a massive crowd of unknown wizards.

Completely alone. 

"POTTER!" 

He screamed and drew his wand, spinning around and jabbing it into the chest of his attacker. Then he looked up and froze. Severus was staring down at him with a blank face, hands raised in surrender. Harry swallowed and sheepishly lowered his wand. Severus leaned down, so they were practically nose to nose.

"I apologized for startling you." He hissed, though his face was snarled up as if he was absolutely furious with him. "Until I know the extent of the destruction of my reputation, I am going to act as though we are still enemies."

"Oh," Harry muttered with another stabbing pain of loss. Then he sighed 

It was a dream, Harry.

Time to wake up.

"Come along!" Severus snapped as he grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him back towards Emmeline. His hand wasn't painful, but rougher than he'd been all summer, painfully reminding him of who his professor had always been. Then he frowned.

"Hang on! You acted pretty normally around Hermione."

"I trust Granger to understand discretion," Severus muttered darkly. "I do not trust the greater Hogwarts population, with its ever infamous rumour mill."

"It'll come out eventually, Severus. Nothing stays secret at Hogwarts." Emmeline countered. "Nothing."

"I am content with eventually." Severus drawled, "provided that eventually is after we get to Hogwarts."

"That might be a touch difficult," Emmeline said softly. "Lucius is here." Harry froze and went to turn around but Severus grabbed his shoulder. 

"Don't." He hissed, though he looked slightly apprehensive. "Go. Get on the train."

"Wait a moment!" Emmeline said before she smoothed out his robes and ran a hand through his hair then gave him a hug. "See you soon darling. Be good."

"Not much I can get up to on the train," Harry argued with a grin. Severus scowled.

"I wouldn't put it past you, Potter." He argued, sounding familiar for the first time since Harry had stepped onto the platform. Harry couldn't help the small smile that pulled at the corner of his lips. The old Severus was under there. He just had to look real close. Emmeline placed a kiss on his forehead, just left of his scar. 

"Go on darling." She insisted. Harry felt his heart still. It was another scene from his birthday wish. Sure Severus was doing an excellent job of looking like he wished to be anywhere else, but Harry could imagine a very different look on his face. But instead of saying anything he turned and stepped onto the train. He turned back, as the train whistle blared and the doors closed. He wasn't alone as others leaned out windows and waved to parents. He didn't wave, but he did smile as Emmeline did. Then something made him freeze.

"PROFESSOR SNAPE!"  He cried in horror. That split-second warning was enough. The man whirled around, catching the knife that had been about to plunge into his throat and flipped his aggressor over. Harry made a horrified noise of alarm as Emmeline drew her wand. Then the train turned the corner. Several students were leaning nearly half out the window making noises of alarm and shock. Suddenly a Slytherin prefect charged up the train with wide eyes.

"Flint jumped the train!" He declared. 

"Did he attack professor Snape?!"

"Why?!"

"How could he possibly think that was a good idea!"

"Harry!" The teen whirled around.

"Ron! Hermione!"

"What happened?! We saw someone jump Snape on the platform!" Ron cried in shock.

"Marcus Flint," Harry confirmed.

"Bloody hell!" Ron cried then he sighed. "Too bad Flint ’s a knob." Harry scowled. Then Hermione struck the ginger teen on the arm.

"Ronald! How could you say that? You of all people should know how important professor Snape is to the school!"

"I don't want him dead!" Ron argued. "Just… not teaching. Flint could have cut his vocal cords, or maybe messed up his eyes?" Harry was slowly turned differing shades of green and red. He was seriously considering punching Ron in the face.

"Ronald!" Hermione cried in frustration. "Stop talking!" Then she looked around and huffed before dragging Harry and Ron down the hall to a more secluded car. She dragged them into the very first compartment and pulled the blinds closed. "Ronald, Harry has been staying with professor Snape all summer. It would not be an unthinkable thing to assume that he and professor Snape would have reconciled!"

"Reconciled?! Seemed like He was treating Harry like a prat, same as always!" Ron argued.

"Yes! But given the current political climate, that makes perfect sense!" Hermione argued furiously.

"Political climate?" Ron questioned.

"What is it you're always saying, Ron? All Slytherins are evil Death Eaters? By that estimation, and indeed Marcus Flint has just proven this, so are lots of students! And therefore, it simply wouldn't do for the head of Slytherin house to be seen in public being chummy with Harry Potter now would it!" Hermione said angrily. Ron blinked.

"Well .. yeah I guess… but what about those years he was a dick before?! Harry, you haven't really reconciled with him have you? How could you?! After everything!"

"He's not so bad, you just have to get to know him, and figure out his sense of humour."

"But he's an ugly evil prat!" Ron roared. Harry growled and curled his hands into fists.

"That is it, Ronald!" Hermione shouted and stepped between them, to stop the upcoming fight. "You are not allowed to talk about professor Snape until you write an essay about sensitivity and the importance of maturity."

"Wot?!" Ron cried in shock. "I'm not writing an essay for you! You're not a teacher!"

"Excuse me." A reedy hollow-sounding voice called from behind them. The trio jumped, Harry immediately drawing his wand on instinct, and whipping around. Turns out the compartment wasn't empty. A thin weak looking man was curled up in the window seat with a tatty patchworked cloak wrapped around him. He had a small smile but looked absolutely bushed. "As entertaining as this conversation has been to listen to, I am rather under the weather and would like to continue sleeping before we arrive at Hogwarts. So if you could continue your conversation at a quieter volume that would be wonderful," he asked weakly. Hermione scanned him once before she nodded.

"Sorry professor Lupin." She said gently. The man smiled and nodded before pulling the cloak over his eyes once again. Ron blinked.

"How do you know his name? And how do you know he's a professor?!" He whispered. Hermione rolled her eyes

"The monogrammed Suitcase. The fact he said 'we' arrive at Hogwarts, and the fact that Gilderoy Lockhart is currently in a psychiatric ward. Therefore, by process of elimination, he is likely our new defence professor." She muttered. 

"Oh," Ron said with a wince, before leaning in closer. "Well this one will be quick, looks like a strong wind will blow him over. Suppose it's another Quirrell?" Harry swallowed roughly.

"I hope not." He said worriedly. With the Death Eaters running around, and Black on the loose, the idea that Voldemort would try to get into the school again, directly and not through whatever magic his diary was, was terrifying.

“Honestly Ronald, how thick can you be!” Hermione growled before hitting the boy again.

“Ow!” he whined. “Alright alright! Keep your knickers on.”

“I mean what I said before! No more talking about professor Snape.”

“But-”

“None!”

“Fine.” Ron accented with a grumble. Harry smiled. Now, this was familiar. It helped banish a lot of his anxiety about Black. Then he sighed.

“Sit down,” he began tiredly, “I’ve got to tell you something.”

“So Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?!” Ron cried in horror. Harry just nodded tiredly. Hermione looked distraught.

"Not only that but, in addition to him being your godfather, he's also the man responsible for bringing Voldemort to your parents?!"

"Yeah."

"Bloody hell mate," Ron said with a wince.

"That's horrible." Hermione declared with a sad look. 

"It's been a tough summer," Harry admitted. He really had loved living and spending time in Dover, but he'd also been extremely tense ever since Emmeline and Severus had told him the truth about his connection with Sirius Black. He constantly felt as though he was putting the people he cared about in danger by proximity.

"Well… The Ministry will catch him!" Hermione insisted. "It's their job!"

"Well yeah," Ron agreed skeptically, "only… well no one has escaped from Azkaban before, and the Death Eaters have started to come back…"

"Ronald," Hermione began with an irritated scowl. The ginger blinked before he looked at a somewhat queasy, extremely nervous-looking Harry. "Not helping." she finished with a hiss.

"But yeah!" Ron hastily added. "I'm sure they'll figure it out! He'll be caught by Christmas!" Harry sighed and shook his head.

"Here's hoping," then he huffed, steeling himself. "Let's just forget about all this! I want to get to Hogwarts, have dinner and go to bed. And then we'll all have a nice normal quiet year at Hogwarts!" He declared. 

The train screeched to a halt, throwing Harry and professor Lupin half off their bench. 

"Oh, bollucks." Harry cursed bitterly. Trouble already?! He wasn't even at Hogwarts! "Really shouldn't have jinxed it."

"Maybe we've broken down," Hermione argued. Then the lights began to flicker out, plunging the train into darkness. Ron looked out the window, but the dark night beyond was a sea of murk. There was a sound of groaning metal and the train rumbled slightly.

"I think someone just boarded the train." He muttered with slight fear.

"Quiet!" Professor Lupin suddenly snarled. Harry looked over in the general direction for the voice with some relief. He'd forgotten he was there for a second. He was very grateful for the man who, at least theoretically, knew how to defend himself. Then all of the sudden the temperature plummeted. Harry's teeth began to rattle as a cold feeling pulled at his chest. The thought of sunlight and warmth was now impossible, and the idea that he could be or even ever was happy disappeared in a fleeting moment. He was fleetingly aware of Lupin's voice rumbling out something. He looked over and his mouth opened in a silent scream. A massive, cloaked thing was towering over him. Then it turned its… face?... towards him and sucked in a rattling breath. Harry's chest seized as cold filled his lungs. The world went dark around the edges before it took over. The last thing he heard as the world went black was a woman screaming out his name. 

"-rry? -arry? Harry!" Hermione shouted. Harry winced and opened his eyes. The lights were back and he could feel the train moving under him again.

"Finally awake again." Professor Lupin said with a smile. "Here." He said before he held out half a bar of Honeyduke’s best. "Best eat all of that. I'm sure it won't spoil your dinner." Harry readily took two bites. But the relief he was expecting wasn't as strong as he was used to making him grimace. "Something wrong?"

"It's really better to drink it." He muttered. "Gets into your bloodstream faster, and makes it stronger." Remus blinked before he laughed.

"You've been spending too much time with Severus." He muttered, though his smile was all mirth as he gave harrys shoulder a surprisingly firm pat. Then he stood up. "Now please excuse me, I need to have a little word with our conductor. It was a pleasure meeting you, Harry."

"You as well sir," Harry muttered as he continued to eat the chocolate. The more he ate the more he could feel it working, but it was definitely not as effective as hot chocolate would have been."

"What was that?" Ron demanded with a frown.

"What was what?" Harry asked.

"'Gets into your bloodstream faster’?! Bloody hell mate he wasn't kidding, you sounded just like Snape!"

"Ah ah ah!" Hermione cried "what was the rule?"

"Wot?! Oh, come on!" Ron crowed angrily.

"Forget about that!" Harry insisted, exasperated, "what was that thing, from before?"

"A dementor," Ron said nervously. "They're the guards for Azkaban prison, professor Lupin said they were probably checking the train to make sure Black wasnt on board, seeing as he was spotted near King’s Cross the other day."

"Those things guard prisons?!" Hermione in horror, "well no wonder Black is mad! I mean look what it did to Harry!"

"Dad says that some people react stronger than others to them. He said there was one guy he knew that couldn't get within twenty feet of a dementor without vomiting. And another would faint just from mentioning the word!"

"Pretty sure that's an exaggeration." Hermione scoffed. Soon their bickering became a comforting familiar lull as Harry closed his eyes and let the chocolate do its job.

Harry stepped out of the rain into the entrance hall with a grateful relieved sigh. Finally home. Nice familiar Hogwarts, with its familiar feel and its familiar walls. 

"Harry!" He blinked as was suddenly hurried in soft velveteen robes. "Oh, Harry darling are you alright? I heard what happened on the train! Were you hurt?! Let me look at you!" Emmeline cried before she pushed him away and inspected him, turning his face back and forth.

"I'm fine!" Harry whined, feeling self-conscious as his classmates looked on with intrigue and a few snickers. This was so embarrassing!

"Are you sure?" Emmeline insisted. Then she huffed “Albus added hot chocolate to the dinner service. I want you to have at least two cups!"

"Muuum!!" Harry whined before he froze. Emmeline also flinched back, dashing her hands away in an instant. His classmates were now staring at him like he'd grown another scar. Emmeline just cleared her throat.

"Terribly sorry Mr. Potter." She said, instantly sounding official, which made Harry wince further. "You better get inside." She said as she turned away to enter the Great Hall herself. Harry instantly wanted to skip the feast and go straight upstairs and bury his head under the blankets of Gryffindor tower until the year was over. He'd probably get over his embarrassment by then.

"Come on Harry," Hermione muttered as she dragged him toward their table. The teachers were all standing, muttering in a little cluster before they separated to their seats. Harry looked at professor Snape, but he looked the same as always. Flint's attack looked as though it hadn't fazed him at all. Harry sat and quietly watched the sorting ceremony, clapping when a new Gryffindor arrived of course. Then Dumbledore stepped forward for the start of the term speech.

"Hello hello! I'm sure all you older children will join me in wishing our newest students a heart Hogwarts welcome!" There was another smattering applause. "I have a few start-of-term announcements to get through before we can commence our lovely feats. First, professor Cuthbert Binns has been… convinced to take a short break," Dumbledore offered with a chuckle. "In his place, professor Emmeline Vance will be taking up the post of History of Magic professor." Emmeline stood and smiled at them and the student clapped politely. "Next, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, professor Remus Lupin. Good luck professor."

"You’re gonna need it!" Fred Weasley bellowed from Gryffindor table. The entire school laughed or snickered. Professor Lupin didn't look affronted or shocked; he just smiled and waved at them all cheerfully. Harry grinned. Then he looked over at Snape again and blinked. The man was seething. Honestly! He'd never even looked at Harry with that much loathing. Then Harry looked back and instantly saw why. Lupin and Emmeline were whispering to one another, chatting like old friends. Then Emmeline laughed and put a hand on Lupin's arm. Harry looked back to see Severus mopping up his spilled wine, muttering under his breath in what Harry was sure was one heavily profane rant.

"And last, but certainly not least, professor Kettleburn has decided to retire, in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs," Dumbledore said candidly, which raised another slight chuckle in a few of the older students. "I'm his place, I'm delighted to announce that the post will be taken up by none other than our very own Rubeus Hagrid!" Most of Hogwarts sent up a cheer, save a few Slytherins, who turned their noses up in disgust. Hagrid caused a bit of a stir as he stood up, pushing the long staff table forward and knocking over a few goblets. "And finally!" Dumbledore called, drawing everyone back down, "I have some… less jubilant news to announce." His tone grew grim and his face stern. "Due to the rise of activity in the terrorist organization known as the Death Eaters, all Hogsmeade visits will be cancelled until further notice." A few older students let out cries of alarm and distress, but Dumbledore raised a hand to silence them. "In their stead, professor Vance has agreed to host an official Hogwarts Chess tournament, while Madame Hooch has agreed to host open Quidditch matches, for any and all who wish to play, regardless of team status, age-restricted of course. Aside from that, I'm sure there is plenty else that you can do to occupy your time within the grounds." Dumbledore insisted with a reassuring smile to a few lingering pouting faces. Then his eyes flicked over to Gryffindor table, "and I'm sure your fellow classmates would be more than willing to provide any necessary… additional entertainment." Harry could practically hear the Weasley twins grinning ear to ear. He was more than certain now that Dumbledore was absolutely barmy! Giving Fred and George practical permission to cause mischief?! Filch looked seconds from having a stroke! "One last item of note." Dumbledore said grimly, "as many of you discovered on the train, the search for Sirius Black continues. Until such time that he is caught, the Ministry has sent the dementors of Azkaban to safeguard our school. I must warn each and every one of you to maintain a safe distance. Dementors are vicious creatures, and they make no distinction between their prey and those who stray too close. Give them absolutely no reason to harm you." Dumbledore finished before he stepped back. "And now, professor Snape would like to say a few words." Harry blinked. Severus? What did he have to say? Was he going to reassure everyone that he was alright? Maybe tell them what happened to Flint? The hall’s silence was deafening as everyone else seemed poised on the edge of their seats, waiting for the news. All that could be heard was the ominous clack of Snape's boots, which any who wandered the halls at night was hyper-aware of, after years of desperately listening for them, lest Snape descend on them unsuspectingly. Snape stepped up to the podium and stared at them with a stern glare, perfected from years of practice.

"Earlier today," Snape began as if he were starting a lecture. "One of your fellow classmates made an attempt on my life." Everyone held their breath. "He was promptly arrested and carted away to the Ministry, where he is currently awaiting trial." The professor flicked his eyes over to Slytherin. "The reason this classmate foolishly decided to attack me, is because of my political views. Which, I feel a must now declare openly." The man cleared his throat. "I am and have always been loyal to Dumbledore. In my service to him, I have presented myself as a loyal follower of the Dark Lord. But this is not the case. As such, there are many of you within the crowd who see me as a traitor, and would no doubt like to follow Mr. Flint’s example, and to that I say:'' the man paused, giving the entire room a cold sneer " By all means. Go ahead. If you think you can do better, you are more welcome to make the attempt. Just know that you, like Marcus Flint, will fail. But be my guest." Snape finished with a raised eyebrow and a flippant hand. The entire hall was practically gobsmacked in shock as Snape whirled around and went back to his seat, cloak billowing dramatically behind him. Dumbledore said something in effect to start the meal, but everyone was still reeling from Snape's speech.

"Bloody hell," Ron said in awe. "I might not like him, but that man has some serious bullocks!"

"Ronald!" Hermione shrieked. Harry pulled a face.

"Well, I'm just saying! He was practically egging them on! That takes guts!"

"Don't you mean courage?" Harry argued. Ron scowled.

"No way Snape did something like a Gryffindor! There has to be a reason."

"There is." Hermione insisted. Both Harry and Ron looked at her. "By painting a target on himself, he's drawn the attention away from other targets of the dark. Like for instance Harry, or professor Dumbledore."

"Ha! As if one of them could kill Dumbledore!" Ron barked out with a laugh. Hermione huffed. 

"I'm not saying it's probable, but he is definitely a target, and Harry most certainly is. Or was. But now, every student who's even thinking of joining You-Know-Who will be gunning for professor Snape." She paused and glanced up to the staff table, "it's quite clever really. Very impressive."

"Shame about Hogsmeade, Fred and George have been talking up Zonko's all summer. Though that chess tournament sounds cool."

"I'm sure you'll win it, no questions asked," Harry argued. Run rubbed his chin.

"I dunno. Some of the Ravenclaws are really good." Harry smiled as he tucked into his meal and listened to Ron describe a match he saw two Ravenclaws playing the year before. He smiled around his bite. There really was nothing quite like being back at Hogwarts. 

Harry looked up from his potion with a slight frown. He double and triple-checked the instructions again. And he was CERTAIN that he'd done them all correctly. But it was just a shade wrong. And the consistency. Something felt off about it. So he did something that last year would have been a suicide mission. He raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Severus asked casually.

"Professor, can you come to look over my work? Something seems wrong and I'm not sure how to correct it." Harry admitted. Severus swept over, still looking stern, but not nearly as cruel as he might have been. Everyone in the class still stared in shock. You'd think after a month, they get over the fact that Snape was finally being a good professor. 

Maybe it was the half a dozen arrests associated with those trying to kill him that still made everyone a bit nervous. 

"I can tell you what was wrong right away." Severus declared. "Hand me those Valerian flowers." Harry handed them over with a frown. "You see the way the petals are curled ever so slightly around the edges? That indicated that they were slightly over-ripe when they were cut. It is easy to miss, but it must still be looked for. I want you to review the chapter of 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi on signs of spoilage. Then, make a list of all the ones we commonly use in class for you to review when necessary." 

"Yes sir," Harry said.

"As for how to repair this, adding a sprig of mint would be a harmless addition. Can you tell me why?"

"Mint is a stabilizer, that helps balance the pH of strong acidity ingredients, in this case, the bat's bile. That makes it enhance the effects of the Valarien roots, which have lost their potency due to an improper harvest time." Harry explain confidently. Snape nodded with a barely-there smile. 

"Exceptionally well recited Mr. Potter. 10 points to Gryffindor."

"Thank you, sir," Harry said before he picked up his mint. He picked up his ladle and swirled the spoonful around with a wince. "How much of a sprig do you think?"

"About 2 inches should do it," Severus muttered back before walking away. Harry did as instructed and grinned as the potion finally reached its correct colour and consistency. 

"Bloody hell mate…" Ron muttered in awe. His own potion was an unsightly sludge. Harry winced.

"Er… if you add a bit more bats bile you might be able to salvage that."

"Save your ingredients," Snape muttered with a slight scowl. Both Ron and Harry jumped a mile. They hadn't heard the man come behind them. "Mr. Weasley, you obviously didn't follow the precise timing and stirring instructions. I want a six-inch essay on why those are important, with particular emphasis on why ignoring those instructions is dangerous." Ron looked grumpy and turned away from his potion with a scowl. 

"You know Ron-" Harry began casually.

"Piss off." Ron snapped. "I don't need help from you. Snape little pet! I don't care what Hermione thinks! He's a foul git! And you're a traitor to Gryffindor for being nice to him!" Harry flinched back with hurt in his eyes which cut deeper as Ron turned away from him and began muttering darkly into his textbook. So he turned to Magical Herbs and Fungi while his potion simmered. Then suddenly his potion began to sizzle and froth. Harry jumped up in shock and horror. How?! It was perfect!

"Mr. Malfoy!" Severus snarled. "Detention! And twenty points from Slytherin!"

"What?! But I didn't do anything!" Draco argued. Snape's face went cold.

“I saw you through those toad eyes, Mr. Malfoy. So you will lose twenty points for purposely destroying another student's work and detention for willfully endangering your fellow classmates! In addition! I would like you to write a foot on why the addition of ingredients to an already completed potion is dangerous for everyone involved!" He finished with a snarl. Draco looked as furious as Ron and stewed in his seat angrily. "Now! Bottle your potions and bring them for grading." Harry stared down at the ruined slop that was his potion. It was mostly foam and looked like pond scum. He felt absolutely dejected. "Mr. Potter, don't bother, I saw your finished product, before Mr. Malfoy saw fit to tamper with it. You will receive an E for this class."

"Thank you, sir!" Harry cried happily. His smile faltered when Ron gave another irritated snort and stuffed his potion somewhat sloppily into his vial, which made some of it splatter onto Harry's face. The teen flinched and quickly tried to rub it off, but found that the sludge was stuck to his glasses. He whimpered and took them off and desperately tried to clean them. Soon he was the only one in the class, still furiously trying to wipe the crud away.

"Mr. Potter, what are you still doing here?" Severus demanded with a frown. Harry looked up and felt his throat constrict.

"I'm sorry sir! Ron splash me with potion and now my glasses-" he looked down at them feeling utterly wretched. A few tears made his still weak vision blur even further. "They were so expensive and I tried so hard to keep them nice. I can pay you back sir! I can get more next summer! I can ask Hermione to read our notes and use a dicta-"

"Harry!" Severus cried. Harry blinked and looked at him. "Relax. You are not in trouble. Now may I see your glasses?"  Harry handed them over. Snape inspected them before pulling a potion out of his clock and pouring some on the dirty lens. In seconds, the potion evaporated, taking the unsightly mark with it. "There you are. And easy fix. Now I want no more of this ridiculous talk about paying me back, understood?"

"Yes sir! Thank you, sir!" Harry cried happily. Then he collected his books and quickly rushed for his next class. Severus frowned and stared after him. He'd noticed a growing tension between Harry and his classmates as of late. A tension which seemed to stem from Harry's newfound enjoyment of potions, something he'd been quick to foster. The boy had talent, so long as Severus framed his instructions in a more cooking methodology. Through he noticed several other students had also improved with his new approach. Even Longbottom had improved slightly, though the boy still had a habit of stuttering in his presence. And the one time he'd answered a question, slowly but correctly, and Severus had awarded him points and the boy had subsequently dropped into a dead faint had turned him off that little experiment. How the boy had been sorted in Gryffindor at all he would never know. Severus was heartened to know that the tension between his housemates was not universal. Finnegan seemed a bit put out at first, but Longbottom, Thomas, and Granger seemed more impressed, though of course Granger also had intermittent bouts of jealousy. Severus shook his head. That girl had far too much superiority for his liking. Weasley seemed the most put out of them all. He suspected that he too was jealous. Severus rolled his eyes. Weasley would have no reason to be jealous if he actually put the effort in, instead of being sullen about his friend's new understanding. He'd seen Harry offer help many times, but Weasley was far too petty to accept it. Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He hated teenagers. He left the classroom, locking it behind him, to keep out the more… experimenting youths (the Weasley twins came to mind). As he stalked through the halls eyes followed him. Some were cold and calculating, others horrified. He smirked. Fear had always kept the dunderheads in line. He was glad that his loosened grip in the classroom hadn't affected his reputation as much as he'd feared. When he opened the door to the staffroom his mood crashed into the lowest dungeon, just as dark and gloomy.

"Oh, Remus!" Emmeline chortled with her head thrown back in laughter. The vein in Severus' forehead throbbed. Why did she insist on… pawing at him? It was obscene. "I'd forgotten how funny you were!"

"I hardly try," Remus said with a chuckle. "I think it's lack of exposure." The werewolf looked up and gave his usual casual smile. "Hello, Severus."

"Lupin." Severus ground out through his teeth. "Having fun?"

"Oh Severus," Emmeline began with an indulgent roll of her eyes. "Stop being such a grouch and sit. Have some coffee. Relax." 

"I rather prefer my chances keeping my guard up." Severus sneered with a cruel glint in his eyes. "Safer. Less likely to induce bodily harm. Especially when he's off-leash." Remus flinched. Emmeline saw red.

"Severus!" She shouted furiously. "What a horrible thing to say!" 

"It's quite alright Emmeline." Remus insisted, placing his hand on hers. Severus wanted to break all of his fingers. Then Emmeline smacked his hand away.

"No, it's not!" She shouted before standing and marching up to Severus with a stern scowl. "Apologize! right now!" Severus rose an eyebrow and scowled.

"I am not a student Emmeline. You can not scoldingly demand things of me."

"Oh yes, I can!" Emmeline insisted with a furious glare. Remus tried, but his chuckle escaped. Severus snarled.

"Shut your mouth Lupin!" 

"Severus!"

"I'm sorry Severus," Remus apologized, though his eye glimmered. "I was simply marvelling at how little has changed between you too. You always bickered when we were younger too."

"Yes," Emmeline agreed with a huff. "Severus is just upset that I don't let him win anymore."

"I'm glad." Remus declared matter of factly. "You have really blossomed into an amazing woman. I don't think you could have managed that…" he trailed off. Emmeline had a slight blush and a small smile. Severus saw red. But he knew that Emmeline was so fully attached to the mangy cur right now that any attempt to rebuke him now would just result in further reprimanding. So instead he whirled away, so fast his robes snapped, and stormed back to his classroom. And if he was a little more vitriolic than his new reputation warranted, well then it was just an exercise in keeping the brats on their toes. 

“I think we’ll end here,” Emmeline said with a smile. She had her students in little groups. They had been tasked with drafting a peace treaty to end the goblin rebellion of 1612, which the students had been shocked to learn the more intimate details of. The fact that Hogwarts had been under siege for instance. Of course, the original story had a much grimmer ending, involving the death of several hundreds of goblins and a nearly unbearable series of repressive actions. Emmeline’s smile slipped as she thought more about it.

How little they had learned.

Not her students of course! She hoped greatly that they had learned a lot.

Humility for instance.

And empathy.

She waited as each student brought their treaties for grading. She scanned each one with varying expressions. The Slytherins had some particularly… worrying ideas about how to placate the goblins.

That Goyle boy especially had … quite a sadistic streak.

Selling ministry workers' wives? For food?

She shuddered a bit.

“Er… Professor Vance?” 

“Yes?” she said looking up. “Oh, Harry! How are you dear?”

“I'm alright,” Harry said with a slight frown. “Only… do you know why Professor Snape is so… cranky?”

“Severus?” Emmeline questioned before she rolled her eyes. “Oh Harry, pick a reason. I think he's been cranky since birth.” the teen grinned before he shook his head.

“I dunno professor. He was pretty upset.” Emmeline huffed.

"Well, he hardly has a reason! Especially after what he said to Remus this morning!"

"Ooohh," Harry said with profound understanding. " 'splains everything."

"What do you mean?" Emmeline questioned.

"I take it you and Professor Lupin were having lunch… or tea… or coffee or whatever." Harry listed before batting his hand. "Doesn't matter. You were having a conversation and then Professor Snape walked by slash in?"

"Yes," Emmeline admitted with a blink. Harry nodded.

"Yeah, that makes sense then. Professor Snape being cranky I mean."

"Why?" Emmeline demanded. Harry winced and scratched the back of his head.

"Erm… well… Professor Snape really doesn't like Professor Lupin. But… Well, he really likes you. So when he sees the two of you together he gets… sorta…jealous."

"Jealous?!" Emmeline crowed before she let out a loud peel of laughter. "Oh Harry, darling, that's absurd!" She insisted. "Severus jealous?! That ridiculous!" She chuckled a bit more before she sighed. "Oh, Harry I'm sure that's not it at all. Severus is just having a bad day. He'll get out of his mood same as he always does."

"Maybe you should ask him." Harry offered with a grin. Emmeline blink, absolutely flabbergasted.

"Fine," she said after a beat. "I will. But only because it's likely to make him laugh and therefore improve his mood, however slightly. Now get along! Lunch will be almost over by the time you get to the Great Hall. Growing boys need to eat!" Harry then scampered off leaving Emmeline to ponder.

Severus's mood had softened a bit.

But only in that, he was using his mental energy to be flummoxed.

Emmeline had been very quiet a dinner. Usually, she and Remus chatted away, catching up as she called it, and reminiscing about 'the old days'. Severus was rarely invited to join these tete-de-tetes.

Not that he'd want to have such a conversation with Lupin of all people. 

And seeing Emmeline talking so casually with the wolf made his blood boil. 

But tonight she'd been quiet and contemplative, barely registering the food she was eating. And she had to be reminded when the meal ended. 

It was very curious. 

And Severus couldn't help but wonder what had made her so concerned. 

As if the school itself could hear his innermost thoughts as he turned the corner of his designated patrol route he crossed Emmeline's path.

"Oh!" She cried, momentarily startled. "Goodness… you're going to give a student a heart attack one day, Severus. How can you walk silently in those boots? I thought the point was to make noise…" Emmeline muttered. 

"Sometimes," Severus admitted. "And other times I muffle my steps so the students are none the wiser until I'm breathing down their necks." Emmeline snorted.

"You've certainly changed your tune about little midnight trysts since we were students," Emmeline murmured with a smirk. "Didn't we once meet in this very hallway?" Severus looked around.

"No… I think it was a little further down. Around the corner. It's more secluded, better for… such things." Severus finished. Emmeline chuckled at the innuendo. Then her face grew contemplative again. Severus narrowed his eyes before straightening up. "What is troubling you?"

"Hmm?" Emmeline asked with a start before she huffed. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a ridiculous notion that Harry had."

"Oh Merlin, spare us," Severus muttered under his breath, already anticipating the worst. "What hair-brained scheme has the foolish boy gotten himself into this time?"

"Oh, nothing like that." Emmeline insisted with a shake of her head. "It's just… well he had a rather silly theory about the cause of your bad mood."

"The cause of my bad mood?" Severus demanded with a raised eyebrow. "What was his theory?"

"Oh it's really quite silly," Emmeline insisted with a huff, "I don't know why it's been bothering me so much." Severus rose an eyebrow and levelled her with his signature 'well get to the point then' look. Emmeline huffed. "Harry said that he thought the reason you were so 'cranky' is because you saw me with Remus. And he thinks that seeing me with Remus makes you feel jealous." Severus blinked.

"Jealous." He repeated slowly, letting the word hang in the air.

"I know!" Emmeline cried with a chuckle. "How ridiculous, right?" There was a moment of silence.

"Yes," Severus confirmed. "Absolutely ridiculous."

"Right," Emmeline said with a snort. "Because there really is no reason for it. Remus and I are just friends. We've always been just friends. And you and I-" she trailed off letting the unsaid history hang in the air, making things instantly 

oppressively 

awkward.

Severus was the first to break the silence. He cleared his throat as casually as he could. 

"Well don't trouble yourself with it anymore. Harry has too vivid an imagination for his own good. He gets fanciful ideas into his head."

"Right," there was that silence again.

"Goodnight Emmeline," Severus said before he continued down the hall, robes billowing dramatically behind him.

"Goodnight!" Emmeline called after him. She was struck by how… enchanting he was as he walked through the darkness, melting into the shadows. Suddenly she imagined him swooping down on her in the dark. 

Very quickly she turned away, rushing for the darkness of her quarters, categorically ignoring the faint blush of her cheeks.

Harry landed with a stumble. He was exhausted, soaked to the bone, and cold. The entire team looked like miserably wet cats. All of them except Oliver who looked more like an angry bulldog.

"You call that flying?! My Nanna can do better than that!"

"Wood, come on. We're trying to practice in gale-force winds! Harry almost got blown into the goal hoops! Twice!" Fred argued. 

"Really hope this weather lets up. Tomorrow's match will be a nightmare." George complained dramatically.

"No, it won't, because we're going to get back up there and run the drills again until you get them right!" Wood barked.

"Ollie!" Angelina suddenly cried. The teen turned to her with murderous intent. Somehow she held firm. "It's almost curfew. Gryffindor won't be winning any games if the entire team gets detention for staying out late. Besides, we need to be well rested if we want to win." Katie and Alicia nodded in emphatic agreement. Oliver got a sour look on his face before he looked over at Harry. Upon seeing the young teen's miserable face he winced. Only a moment though. Then he huffed in irritation.

"Fine." He complained. "but mark my words! Don't underestimate Hufflepuff! They may be all smiles and hugs off the pitch, but they're nasty in the air! Especially that Brooks bloke!"

“You say that about all the captains,” Katie remarked with a roll of her eyes. Oliver harrumphed and stepped into the change rooms. Harry let out a sigh of relief as he ducked into the tent, finally out from the bitter rain. But as he pulled for his clothes he made a realization.

"Probably shouldn't bother." He grumbled. Fred and George looked up from where they'd been peeling off their soaked clothes and stopped. 

"Actually he's got a point."

"Just have to change again anyway."

So they all trudged back up to the school. True to Harry's prediction, they were soaked to the bone again by the time they got back to school. Oliver sprayed the mud off their shoes before they went in. 

"Goodness!" The Fat Lady cried as the quidditch team walked up to her. "Foul weather isn't it."

"Cold."

"Open."

"Password?"

"Really?"

"I cannot open without it I'm afraid."

"My brain is too numb to remember words!"

"Excalibur!" Harry suddenly blurted out. The fat lady winced.

"That was technically last week's, but I'll allow it." Then she swung open, which the teen let out a grateful cheer about.

"You are a literal lifesaver, Harry!" Angelina cried as she wrapped him into a tight hug and kissed the top of his head. Harry made a noise of discomfort and tried to pull away. 

"Oi! Let him go change Angie!'' Oliver gripped. “He needs to be well rested and ready for tomorrow's match!”

“Bloody hell Ollie calm down…” Fred argued with a wince.

“You’ll give yourself a coronary.” George agreed with a nod. Harry smiled and followed the twins as they teased Oliver. Suddenly a peel of thunder boomed over the conversation. The team all froze in the stairwell leading to the dormitory doors and looked at the window.

“Really hope the weather lets up,” Alicia muttered with a groan. Harry nodded before he slopped into his dorm.

"Bloody hell mate… did you go for a swim?" Ron demanded in shock. Harry frowned.

"I thought you weren't talking to me." He said bitterly. Instantly Ron's cheeks went red.

"Er… well… I finally… got around to writing that essay Hermione assigned. I realized that… well I was being a prat. It doesn't really matter who you do or don't like. And while I don't like him much, it's not really my place to say nasty stuff about him if you like him." Ron said. Harry narrowed his eyes.

"There's a but there."

"Well… It's just .. you've been showing off! Making yourself out to be this snooty all knowing Ponce! Hermione is bad enough without you parroting off all this potions knowledge and reciting our textbook at the drop of a hat. It's like you've become Snape's little teacher's pet! How did you suddenly get so good at potions anyway?! You used to be rubbish like me!" Ron complained bitterly. Harry blinked.

"Oh… well Professor Snape said I should try approaching potions like it's a cooking thing. And Professor Vance says I'm pretty good at cooking. I wasn't trying to show off. It just makes more sense now. Like the other day, when the old Valerian roots ruined my potion. That would be the same thing that would happen if you used old carrots in a stew. It wouldn't taste right and the consistency would be all weird." Harry explained. Ron looked flabbergasted.

"I didn't know you could cook."

"Oh yeah!" Harry said with a grin. "Loads. Apparently, I'm great at baking too!" 

"Huh," Ron said before he grimaced. "I don't really know anything about cooking."

"Don't you help your mum in the kitchen?" Harry questioned with a blink. 

"Well yeah. But just with prep. Cutting and peeling you know. That bit's easy. I don't know anything about making a stew."

"Oh…" Harry said with a blink before he smiled. "Well, I can teach you if you like. It's pretty easy really."

"Alright," Ron said with a weary smile. The sky rumbled loudly again, pounding in the boys' chests. Both of them moved to the window with wide eyes. "Oliver doesn't actually expect you all to play in this, does he?! It's pitch black out there!"

"You know Oliver," Harry said as he finally pulled off his soaking uniform, teeth chattering. "Quidditch or death."

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered in worry. Harry smiled and gathered his things to have a quick shower before bed. 

"Hey Ron," he said in the doorway. The boy looked over with an expectant look. "Thanks. For what you said about Professor Snape. And I'll be sure to tell Hermione about what you said so she can stop nagging you like I know she probably has been." Ron gave a grimaced roll of his eyes, making Harry laugh out loud.

Harry stared at his breakfast with a bitter, exhausted grimace. Then another boom rattled the rafters.

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelped in horror. He looked over at Oliver who was looking straight ahead in seeing. The entire Quidditch team was exchanging glances and muttering. Everyone else was glancing back and forth between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Mason Brooks, captain of Hufflepuff, looked a bit uncertain as his team all hissed things at him. Then suddenly Oliver slammed his fists on the table.

"Alright!" He barked. "Let's get out there and show this Scottish weather who's boss!" The Gryffindor team let out a cheer, Harry included and marched out into the storm. As soon as they did, Hufflepuff was quick to join. As they walked, Oliver pulled Harry close.

“Alright Harry, things are going to be a bit different this time. Regularly I’d say you have an advantage over Diggory. He’s much too stocky for a seeker I say, but in this weather, he's much less likely to be tossed about. Stay close to the towers. They'll provide some wind cover.” Harry nodded.

"And do us a favour Harry," Fred piped up.

"Catch the snitch as soon as possible." George finished. Harry grinned widely.

"Harry!" The boy turned.

"Professor Vance!" She walked up to him with a frown.

"Alright, Harry. You'd better keep your wits about you. Playing in bad weather is the true test of a player's skill."

"Got any fancy manoeuvres for me?" Harry offered with a grin. Emmeline pursed her lips.

"In this weather. It's better to fly smart, not stylish." Harry nodded. Emmeline suddenly smiled happily.

"Good luck darling." Harry grinned and chased after his teammates.

He wasn't grinning anymore. 

An hour of punishing wind, pouring rain and at least two lost brooms due to lightning strikes on both sides had rather killed the vibe. The good news is that Diggory was actually pretty nice. He hadn't had much luck with trying to find the Snitch either and was periodically flying past him to see if he was okay. Including one time when Harry did a swerve to avoid a bludger and would have spun out into the wind if Diggory hadn't grabbed the back of his robes and stopped him. Hooch had called a foul then, but Harry argued against it, which earned him a death glare from Oliver. Harry realized that they probably could have used the penalty shot.  As he was flying as close to the south tower as he could Hooch's whistle suddenly blew. Both captains gave her a look before the teams dropped to the field. 

"Timeout!" Hooch barked. "You've got ten minutes!"

"But-" Oliver's said with a frown.

"Alright!" Mason quickly acquiesced, to the relief of his players. Oliver was still frowning.

"What is it?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Neither of us called a timeout," Oliver muttered as he pulled open the Gryffindor changing room tent flap.

"I did." The entire team jumped and looked over to Emmeline with shocked faces. The woman looked surprisingly stern as she stood, looking a bit damp, in the middle of their changing room. Then she held out a hand.

"Harry, give me your gloves." The boy blinked before he did just that.

"Harry!" Oliver cried in horror. "What are you doing?!"

"What?" Harry asked in confusion as Emmeline drew her wand across the surface of his gloves. Harry took them back and grinned widely. It felt as though she restored the gripping surface, which had worn smooth with use, to the rough stubbled version he had bought them as.

"I added a gripping charm as well, to keep you on the broom, as long as you keep a grip on it. Do you remember what I taught you to get back on? It'll be harder in bad weather, but it's by far the safest method."

"Yeah." Harry accented with a nod.

"That's cheating!" Oliver roared angrily. Emmeline gave him a scathing glare.

"Mr. Wood I assure you it's not. You can read the handbook if you don't believe me." Oliver scowled. Then Emmeline gave Harry a firm pat on the shoulders. 

"Now go out there and end this game." 

"Yes, Miss Emmeline." Harry said with a salute. The history professor grinned before leaving. Suddenly the gloves were ripped from Harry's hands.

"Hey!" He cried in distress. Miss Emmeline had just made those for him!

"Shows what she knows!" Oliver barked. "You're a seeker! Using gripping charms is illegal and could cost us the game!" He threw a spare pair at Harry with a scowl. "Just wasted 10 minutes of our time!" Harry looked down at the somewhat tatty spare Oliver had tossed him and huffed before pulling them on.

"I want those back after the match," Harry argued. Oliver huffed. 

"Yeah sure, just don't use them until you get Vance to take the charms off." Harry flinched. Oliver had snarled out Emmeline's name the same way he used to say Snape. It made him feel a bit cold inside. He pulled on the spares, scowling at how they were just a touch too small and followed his team out. As he walked back into the driving rain, scowl still firmly in place, Fred and George suddenly stopped in their tracks.

"Bloody hell." One of them whispered.

"Who-" the other started before the pair exchanged a glance in one of their silent communications. Harry frowned in confusion. That was odd.

"Are the teams ready?" Hooch shouted over the rain. 

"Just a minute!" Mason said before he walked up to Oliver. "Listen Wood… we can't go on like this."

"Are you forfeiting?" Oliver demanded.

"No, I'm saying we should postpone the match and wait. These conditions are dangerous. For everyone!" Mason complained.

"Scared of a little rain Brooks?"

"A little rain?!" Mason cried in alarm. A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky just to prove his point. Oliver sneered.

"No reschedule. No rematch. If you don't want to keep playing forfeit. But Gryffindor isn't backing down!" He snarled. Harry wanted to smack himself in the forehead. Oliver was being such a stubborn prat! But he didn't, because he did want to show how divided the team had become in front of the other team. It was too likely they would try to use it to their advantage. Brooks huffed.

"You're a right git, Wood." He snapped. Harry flinched. He'd never heard a Hufflepuff speak so… angrily before. Then he stomped off back to his team. 

"Are we ready?" Hooch shouted. Both captains nodded as everyone remounted their brooms. Hooch blasted her whistle and the team tore into the sky again. 

Emmeline scowled as she watched the teams retake the skies.

"Oliver wood is such a stubborn fool." She muttered. Minerva shot her a knowing look.

"I seem to recall a certain chaser who was more than willing to fly through hurricanes to win." The deputy headmistress reminded.

"Yes," Emmeline huffed. "I was willing. That doesn't mean Walden let me," she muttered.

"Which is surprising when you think of the many things Walden McNair has done and would do," Severus remarked sardonically. Emmeline groaned.

"He is a terrible person, I do not doubt that. But he had the sense to turn away when the odds could be more favourable."

"That's just cunning," Severus remarked with a smirk. "Can't expect Gryffindors to understand that my-" he cleared his throat. Emmeline rose an eyebrow. Had Severus almost called her 'my dear' like he'd done all those years ago? She gave him a look. Severus suddenly became heavily focused on the game. A smile slowly spread over her face. Then a flash of gold caught the corner of her eye. She turned, just in time to see first a yellow, then a red blur streak past. She gasped and stood up, joining Albus as he peered over the ledge to see Diggory and Harry streak off into the wind, before winding back around and disappearing into the low clouds. Emmeline held her breath, waiting for the boys to return. Then suddenly her breath began to fog. A feeling of fear descended before she turned to Severus with horror.

"Expecto Patronum!" Lupin suddenly shouted from the back of the stand. Emmeline whipped back around to see dementors slowly descending from the cloud cover. So she summoned her own Patronus. The silvery pheasant burst out of her wand, long tail feathers leaving a wispy trail. As she watched it fly she was reminded of just which memory she still used to summon it.

The day Severus had asked her to buy a house with her.

Then suddenly a shadow tumbled out of the sky. Emmeline turned in slow motion. The red robes were flapping around in a flurry 

"ALBUS!" she shrieked. The man turned and lifted a hand.

"ARESTO MOMENTUM!" He bellowed. Emmeline held her breath and prayed the man was as powerful as he had just attempted to be. Then Harry slowed. She let out her gasp and rushed for the stairs. Severus hesitated.

"Go!" Minerva shouted angrily.

"No," Albus spoke up as he watched Harry fall into the waiting arms of hooch, who was bringing him down towards Poppy and a rapidly approaching Emmeline. "Severus, I need you to help drive them off." The man shook before he sank to the benches.

"Albus!" Remus cried in alarm. Albus smiled at the wolf indulgently.

"I mayhaps have pushed myself a touch too far," Albus admitted. "Give me a moment, I will recover. But Severus," The man growled and turned back to the stands

"Expecto Patronum!" He growled. And his doe exploded out, the shock wave sending many of the closest dementors fleeing. But his eyes never left the small cluster of red-robed teens moving off the pitch with all speed. 

Emmeline looked back when the sky flashed white. It was a softer light than the lightning. She saw the doe streak across the sky and let out a sigh. Then she turned back.

"Mr. Wood!" She barked coldly. The captain whipped around and turned to her with a blink. "I would like to have a word with you when we get to the hospital wing."

"Yes, professor." He said cautiously. Emmeline felt her expression soften. She didn't want him to be frightened of her, really. But then she looked down at Harry again and her blood boiled. "Where are Harry's gloves?!" She snarled furiously. No wonder the poor thing had fallen off his broom!

"I…" Oliver began as he cautiously pulled them out of his back pocket. Emmeline saw red.

"You utterly daft stubborn idiot!" She screamed. The entire team was looking at her, completely horrified. Not one of them had ever heard her speak louder than a voice necessary to command a classroom, and never with so much anger. She took another deep breath and re-oriented herself, though her eyes still simmered with fury. She was silent the entire march up to the hospital, though hooch now had a smirk on. Emmeline cleared her throat as they approached the hospital wing. "Mr. Wood," She began coldly, "stay out in the hall with me." The teen swallowed and hung back. Hooch leaned on the wall and grinned. "Firstly, I will be taking twenty points from your house, for deliberately discarding the sound advice of your elders." She said. Oliver flinched but didn't seem that bothered. So Emmeline moved to her masterstroke. "In addition. You are going to be serving detention every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday with Professor Hooch."

"What?!" Oliver cried in horror "we have quidditch practices on the weekend!" He turned to the flying instructor desperately. "tell her what she's doing! This could cost us the cup!"

"FOR MERLIN’S SAKE BOY THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN QUIDDITCH!" Emmeline screamed furiously. Oliver Wood shrunk before her fury. "As captain, you have a responsibility to improve your team's performance, yes, but you also have a responsibility to your players and their well-being! This reckless disregard for common sense in the obsession of victory nearly got one of your teammates killed!" The last word made Emmeline's throat tighten. She suddenly wanted to rush into the hospital to make sure Harry was truly fine, and that she hadn't imagined Albus's powerful display. She took a deep breath. "I understand the drive to win. I was a Quidditch player myself. And I will admit, I did on occasion do things which were downright idiotic and certainly reckless in order to win, but my captain made it his priority to ensure our safety. What you did today was selfish and irresponsible. You showed a complete lack of care for your teammates or their input, focused only on the end goal and not the steps you would need to take to get there. I understand that you want to seem brave, tough, or some other ridiculous thing." Emmeline finished with a huff, maybe Severus was right about these Gryffindors. "But retreat is the better part of Valor. It is the living who return to fight another day." Emmeline finished. Oliver Wood looked utterly ashamed, staring at his navel with a miserable expression. "Now. I want you to come inside and apologize to your team for disregarding their safety. Then you should all go change out of your robes, lest you all join Harry with whacking great colds."

"And by the way," Rolanda piped up, looking thoroughly impressed with how well Emmeline handled the situation. "Diggory caught the snitch right before Potter fell." Oliver looked crushed. "However, your fellow captain asked that the match not go towards the final points count, citing dementor interference as an unfair disadvantage. So the next time you see Brooks, you should thank him, because he likely saved your season. And while you get very well acquainted with the smell of broomstick polish, you should reflect on why Brooks is a better captain." Then Rolanda turned and walked away. Emmeline sighed and placed a hand on Oliver's shoulder and gently guided him into the hospital wing. The Quidditch team was all huddled around the edge of the curtains, trying to peer in through the gap as Pomfrey worked.

"Hey guys," Oliver said quietly. The team all turned to him with worried frowns. "I'm… I'm really sorry. I guess I was so hung up on winning the match that I didn't really think about how you guys must be feeling… Harry is the youngest of us and I have a responsibility to you guys as captain." He trailed off, his words getting all muddled as he thought about everything Emmeline had berated him on. 

"You were a prat." Angelina piped up with a frown. "But you're our prat. And you wouldn't be you if you weren't."

"Well… actually I'm not going to be able to practice with you guys for a while. I've got detention with Hooch on the weekends." Oliver said with sad shoulders. Then he straightened up. "Till I'm back, I'm making Angelina interim captain. So don't give her any sass! That means you, Weasleys!"

"Who, us?!" The left tried innocently

"When have we ever given you sass?!" The right demanded, though his smile was ruining the played-up innocence. Oliver rolled his eyes.

"Well, I probably deserved it." He finally muttered. The entire team smiled and pulled Oliver into their little circle. Emmeline smiled and walked to the curtain as well. Then suddenly they disappeared.

"Potter is on the road to recovery," Pomfrey said with a stern look. "Let him rest. No shouting." She gave Emmeline a look which Emmeline ignored with her own flat face. The team all bundled around the bed muttering nervously while Emmeline pulled a chair over and began to slowly smooth out Harry's hair. Poppy's drying spells had made it stick up at all ends which Emmeline knew bothered the poor boy endlessly. Then suddenly the door opened again. A sopping wet Neville Longbottom, half his face painted a slowly running crimson, stumbled in.

"Where’s Harry!" He cried. Pomfrey gave him a death glare. The boy winced and clamped his mouth shut as several other of Harry's friends rushed in. Ron Weasley ran right up to the bed and winced.

"Bloody hell he looks terrible."

"Course he does!" Fred barked.

"He fell over a hundred feet!" Geroge agreed 

"Yeah, Ronnie let's chuck you off the astronomy tower!" Fred offered.

"See what you look like!"

"Probably a lot better than he does now." Came Harry's groggy response. A chuckle and bright smile rang out across the room. Harry groaned and slowly pulled himself up. Emmeline got up and stepped back as the Quidditch team explained what happened before Oliver launched into a very heartfelt apology and told Harry about how much trouble he'd gotten into. She smiled at Harry's sympathetic expression. That boy would need to learn some self-serving habits. 

"Professor," Hermione called to her quietly.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"Something has happened." She said with a bite of her lip. Emmeline frowned. Nothing good ever followed that phrase. "It's Harry's broom you see." The girl said as she wrung her hands, leading Emmeline over to another bed in the hospital. "The wind picked it up and blew it off course…straight into the Whomping Willow." Emmeline sucked in a gasp when she saw the pile of splinters on the blanket, with just a faint glimmer of gold etching on the distinct handle reading Nimbus 2000. Her heart sank. "How… how should we tell him?" Hermione finally asked. Emmeline put a hand to her brow. 

"Leave it to me." She insisted. It would come better from her. Then she cleared her throat. “I think we would give Harry some time to rest!” she piped up. The gaggle of Gryffindors turned to her with sade expressions. “You're all soaking wet anyway! Go change into something warm and dry. Harry will be out of the hospital by tomorrow morning I’m sure.” the children all gave quiet whines of disappointment before they trickled out. Weasley gave her a worried look, which Emmeline calmed with a smile. Then she trailed back to Harry's bedside and sat down once again.

Severus walked through the halls towards the hospital wing with weariness etched into his face. He was mentally and emotionally exhausted. After hours of working damage control for Dumbledore while the man recovered from the magical over-exertion he just wanted to check on Harry. The only news he'd gotten all day was that Harry was alive and awake. It did a little to calm the worst of his fears, but it wasn't the same as seeing the boy or hearing his voice. As he turned down the hall he could hear the clock ticking away, which made him even more conscious of time and its passing. But then he stopped. Dumbledore was standing in the hallway to the hospital, looking out the window to the waxing moon. As he saw Severus he smiled.

“Hello, Severus my boy. You’re here to check up on our resident Gryffindor seeker I presume?” he asked casually. Something about his tone set off alarm bells in Severus' mind. What was the man up to?

“Indeed,” he responded with measure. “And send Emmeline off to bed. Rumour has it she hasn't left his side.”

“Ah yes,” Albus said with a smile. “She's grown rather attached to the dear boy.”

“It's Emmeline,” Severus muttered with a huff. “She could grow attached to a flobberworm.”

“She always was rather nurturing.” Albus conceded. Severus narrowed his eyes.

“And?”

“And you were not,” Albus said, still looking at the moon. Severus swallowed. “I think perhaps you could have been, had you invested the time and practice. But no.” Albus turned to him, expression still soft and kind, but Severus could see the disappointment, the disdain, that lurked behind that twinkle in his eyes. “I have thought more about your request Severus.” the man went stiff as a board.

“And?” he asked. But he knew the answer now. 

“And my answer is no. I think Harry would be far better suited with someone more…” he didn't finish the rest of his thought, just came and gave Severus a little indulgent pat on the shoulder, as if he was a small child throwing a tantrum. “Goodnight my boy.”

Severus could have screamed. 

He wanted to throw things at the old fool. Rage and curse him with unspeakable evils. He wanted to weep for Harry, who had never had a say in his entire life, though Severus knew the boy would never pick him of the many options he had. Instead, he just deflated and drifted into the hospital wing with none of the purpose and drive he'd first approached it with. True to the rumours Emmeline was there, sleeping upright in one of the hospital chairs, Severus feeling a learned sympathy for her back in the morning. He too had fallen asleep while watching over one of his students. He tapped her on the shoulder.

“Emmeline,” he whispered. The woman jerked awake and groaned.

“What time is it?” she asked wearily. 

“Nearly 1,” Severus whispered. “Go to bed.” Emmeline stood up, yawning widely.

“Will you stay with him? In case he has a nightmare?”

“Of course.”

“He probably will too,” Emmeline muttered before her face crumpled. “Oh Severus, He was so heartbroken.”

“About what?” Severus asked in confusion.

“His broom,” Emmeline remarked, motioning to the tiny twig Harry had clutched in his hands. “The wind blew it off course and it got thrown into the Whomping Willow.” Severus felt his eyes drift closed. Then he sighed and looked at her again.

“I'll be here. Go get some sleep. I, unlike you, don't have any classes until after lunch.” and so Emmeline left, but not before he trailed a hand over his shoulder, a caress that he found so comforting in the face of the disappointments of the day. And there he sat, staring at Harry as he slept, clutching that desperate twig and mourning what might have been.

Emmeline smiled as her class quietly finished their test on the magical push for Scottish independence. It was an interesting divide really. While the muggles had nominal separation, the magical community had successfully lobbied for more complete separation in the 1800s. Of course, the magical economy being what it was, there wasn't as much logistics to work on. After the founding of the international confederation of wizards, all member countries had agreed to use the same gold galleons, though a few places in remote China still accepted old iron coins called Cuòshī. Scotland didn't have its own minister for magic, but it did have its own ministry offices in Edinburgh, and a chief Administrator who did everything Cornelius Fudge did without the title. Next year the students would learn more about the current push from the Scottish magical community to separate completely, and the role Hogwarts played in that struggle. Emmeline watched her hourglass trickle out.

“Time!” she cried. “Please bring your tests forward. By next week I want you to review the first half of chapter 10. With the holiday fast approaching we have just a few more things to cover, then we'll be starting the second half when you come back.” Emmeline explained. “We’ll be doing another relay next week, so you had better come prepared!” Emmeline said, smiling as the class sprouted massive grins. The relays were their absolute favourite challenges. Emmeline would divide the classes into houses, and they would stand in a line facing the board. Then she would ask a question. The front students would then have to race to the board and write down the answers. The first correct answer would gain their team a point. The students did have options to skip their turn and move to the back of their line, but each second could mean the difference between winning and losing. 

While it didn't exactly lead to a particularly… calm classroom environment the students often walked away having retained a lot more information than if Emmeline had simply lectured at them, or given them a written test or reading assignment. 

That's not to say she didn't ask for such things, she assigned essays and gave out tests the same as any professor, but many of her students found her group activities and re-enactments refreshing after years of listening to Cuthbert drone. 

Harry was the first to hand in his test, rushing up to her and dashing back to pack his bag and then out the door. Emmeline blinked.

“Harry seems in a rush?” Emmeline remarked to Hermione as she handed in her test.

“He's getting private lessons with professor Lupin during the first half of lunch,” Hermione explained with a smile. Emmeline rose an eyebrow.

“Oh? Whatever for?”

“Professor Lupin is teaching Harry how to fight dementors.” Emmeline's eyebrows shot up.

“That is very advanced magic,” she remarked. Hermione nodded.

“Harry said as much, though apparently he's making decent progress. He said he managed to create a wisp for more than a minute a few days ago… whatever that means.”

“That is very impressive for a thirteen-year-old!” Emmeline said with a smile. Hermione smiled. 

“Harry really has taken a proactive stance on his studies this year. He's been working on his midterm project for ancient runes for months now! I think my advice about studying has finally gotten through to him!” Hermione said with a bit of pride in her chest. Emmeline chuckled indulgently. 

She didn't have the heart to tell the girl that it was probably more to do with Severus standing over Harry with a firm expression all summer that encouraged him to be a bit more studious. She was still smiling as she stepped into the staff room and poured herself a midday coffee. She’d noticed Remus's absence from their little pre-lunch tete de tetes lately. Knowing why made her less concerned and happier. A dark shadow stalked into the room.

“Good day Severus!” she said happily. The man turned to her with a slight scowl before his expression softened the way it always did. His eyes flicked around the room.

“Lupin is still avoiding you?” he offered blandly. Emmeline took a deep levelling breath. Wouldn't do to fly off the handle at him over one little remark, even if it was irritating .

“He's giving Harry private lessons,” she said plainly. The man spewed out his black coffee and began loudly hacking up a lung. So much so that Filius and Pomona both looked up from their respective marking with alarm and a touch of worry.

“Are you alright Severus?” Pomona asked.

“Since when?!” Severus cried around his hoarseness. Emmeline rolled her eyes at his display.

“Probably since the match. He's teaching Harry the Patronus charm.”

“He what?!” Severus added with a wheeze. “The boy is thirteen!”

“He has been attacked by dementors twice now,” Filius remarked. “Makes sense the boy would look into defending himself. Lupin is the defence against the dark arts professor. It's all very logical.”

“Logical?!” Severus snapped angrily at his colleague. “The boy is THIRTEEN!”

“Oh, really Severus don’t be so dramatic,'' Pomona said with a bat of her hand. “It's not as if he expects Harry to produce anything corporeal, I'm sure. But even a wisp is helpful when you think about biding your time until someone more powerful can help you.”

“I think its wonderful that Remus agreed to help Harry,” Emmeline said into her coffee. Severus' sneer could curdle milk.

“Of course you are." Severus spat "you seem to forget that Lupin has fangs!"

"One night a month!" Emmeline shouted in frustration. "All other times of the year he is as gentle as a mouse!"

"Rodents are just as bitey! If not more so!" Severus argued angrily. Emmeline ground her palms into her eyes.

"Why do you hate this man so much Severus, what has he ever done to you?!" Emmeline demanded. Instantly Severus straightened up. His face went a bit sallow and Emmeline blinked in confusion.

"Is this a bad time?" Remus asked from the door. Emmeline sighed. Severus seemed to twitch away from the man ever so slightly. Emmeline looked between them and huffed.

"Severus was just leaving." Emmeline offered. The man gave her a look somewhere between a disdainful glare and relief before he swirled out of the room.

"Who spilled coffee all over the table?" Was the last thing he heard as the door closed behind him.

Harry cleared away the scraps from his and Ron's potion. Ron had really improved after Harry explained the steps for making a stew to him. It was really quite simple once you took all the complicated bits out. Ron was carefully portioning it out into vials. Both boys were excited to use the samples that professor Snape had agreed to let the class keep. It was a colour-coding potion that would automatically highlight the important parts of a book or notes. Harry wanted to use it on his ancient runes notebook. That would be perfect for the end-of-term review Professor Sinistra kept hinting at.

"Mr. Potter," Severus suddenly barked from his desk. "Please stay behind after class."

"What did you do now?" Ron asked wearily. Harry had to agree that Severus looked decidedly put out. 

"Dunno." He whispered back nervously. He waited patiently as everyone filtered out before approaching the man's desk, where he was waiting stoically. "You wanted to see me, professor."

"I heard a rumour," Severus began, steepling his fingers, "that professor Lupin has been teaching you the Patronus charm." Harry smiled.

"Yeah, he has! It's been brilliant! I managed to make a shield last week! Only for about a second, plus I'm only practicing on a boggart, but professor Lupin said that even that is impressive for a thirteen-year-old. He says that most people don't even learn it for their newts anymore. Which sounds a bit weird, at least to me, because if there are things like dementors around wouldn't the ministry want people to be able to fight them off? Well, I guess since they're prison guards maybe not, but what about innocent people-"

"Harry!" Severus said firmly, lips quirked. The boy really was an awful lot like Lily. She was also prone to going off on over-excited tangents with no end in sight. But he was getting sidetracked. "I wanted to talk to you about these lessons. I do not think they should continue."

"What? Why not?" Harry asked in shock. Did he not think Harry should learn this stuff? He'd already been attacked by a dementor twice! He didn't want to be defenceless if they tried again.

"Because I do not trust Lupin," Severus said plainly. "I have very vivid memories  of just what the man is capable of and I do not want you to get caught up in the inevitable crossfire."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked in confusion. "You mean in the first war?"

"Before actually, " Severus muttered tiredly. "Lupin and I went to school together, we were in the same year."

"Oh! So that means he was in the same year as mum and dad too!" Harry remarked with a grin. He'd have to ask the man about them as well. Though it'd probably be more of the same. 'oh your mum was so clever. But your dad was just like you.'

"And Sirius Black." Severus reminded Harry coldly. Harry instantly froze.

"He… he was in Gryffindor with Black and my dad?" He asked worriedly.

"Yes," Severus admitted. "The three of them were… sort of like the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. Only worse." Severus recalled with scathing disdain. "While your father could be pretentious and generally mean-spirited, Sirius Black was cruel. He seemed to revel in causing people anguish and drew particularly sadistic glee from causing others humiliation and shame.  Remus Lupin trailed after the pair of them. And while on occasion he did try to reign in Black's more… violent urges, he more often than not pretended as though he could not see what was happening. Even though he was a prefect, he almost never tried anything more than a cough or a half-hearted rebuke." Severus suddenly grew contemplative. "There was a long-standing rumour when we were in school that Remus and Black were in a relationship." Harry blinked. "Now I have nothing against this. But I cannot help but wonder if Remus Lupin still harbours some of those feelings for Black. And if so, he may try to contact the man, if only to see if he could try to bring him back onto the path of light, though I personally don't think he was ever on it." Harry stared at the man with a pained expression suddenly feeling so conflicted. "All this to say, I think it would be best to put a bit of distance between you and Lupin. I can admit that he is a skilled wizard, but he is also deeply naive. And I would not put it past Black to manipulate Lupin's feelings in order to get to you." Harry felt his stomach roil as Severus said that. 

He kenw Black was evil, but that was a whole other level.

And why hadn't Remus told him?! 

"If you still want training, I can teach you if you like." Severus offered. Harry winced.

"Er… well I actually basically have it. Professor Lupin said I just needed to practice." Harry muttered. Though of course now all of Remus' advice sounded like cold poison to his heart. What else had the man lied about? What else was he hiding? Severus nodded.

"Regardless, I'd love to see what you've managed." His face grew calculating, "It's very advanced stuff I'm sure you know. Not usually taught until N.E.W.T.S, and only to those who are specializing in defence."

"Yeah " Harry agreed. "It was tough at first. But I think I've got the hang of it. He shrugged. “Honestly the hardest part was finding a strong enough memory."

"Indeed," Severus muttered. It didn't take a genius to figure out why that was the case. He cursed Albus Dumbledore for the thousandth time. 

"Do you want to hear it?"

"No!" Severus cried in horror before he cleared his throat. "Sorry Harry it's just," he shook his head. "Many witches and wizards consider the memories they use to summon their Patronus to be a private thing. They are very…personal." Severus explained. Then his face went rather scathing. "I take it Remus did not tell you this."

"Er… no. But I think he only asked because I was having so much trouble at first." Harry admitted with a wince. "I tried the first time I rode a broom first." Severus hummed.

"Yes. Well in the future it would be better not to share those things with others. And it's considered rather bad form to ask."

"Right," Harry said. But Severus could see the glint in the boy's eyes. So Severus sighed and looked skyward.

"The first dinner which Emmeline and I shared in our flat." He muttered. Harry blinked. 

"What?"

"The memory which I use is the memory of the first dinner Emmeline and I shared upon moving into the flat we lived in for a year after Emmeline graduated," Severus explained. "It was an absolutely terrible plate of Indian takeaway. We could barely stand it. But it was ours." His words trailed off as he became absorbed into everything that memory had meant: freedom, independence, stability. And always Emmeline's giggling after each of his grimaces even if she'd agreed it was foul. It felt like a balm of his soul, to know that once, someone had loved him, truly and deeply, for no other reason than that he was himself. Harry had a grin on his face when Severus finally returned to earth. Something about it set the man on edge. "You ought to get moving or you'll be late for your next class." He barked snappishly.

"You're my last class of the day, sir," Harry remarked, still smirking. "It's almost dinnertime," Severus growled.

"Well then hurry off to dinner!" He ordered. Harry did, snickering behind his hand. 

Emmeline watched Harry pack his things away with a frown. Just last week he'd left in a mad dash. Now he was trailing behind with Ronald, happily chatting obviously in no rush at all. 

"Miss. Granger!" Emmeline suddenly called. "Might I speak with you a moment?"

"Yes, professor?" Hermione asked with a concerned frown. Emmeline could see the girl internally reviewing her entire behaviour since September trying to figure out what she'd done wrong.

"Is Harry no longer attending lessons with professor Lupin?" Emmeline asked casually. Hermione's face fell.

"No. He told professor Lupin he wanted to focus on our ancient runes review. But I don't think that's true. To be perfectly honest, Harry has been acting a bit strange around professor Lupin lately. Ever since professor Snape held him back last Thursday." Emmeline froze and her expression immediately darkened.

"I see." She said with tight lips. She took a deep fortifying breath before giving Hermione a strained smile. "Thank you, miss. Granger. Off to lunch with you." Hermione winced. 

"I hope I haven't gotten professor Snape into too much trouble." She muttered quietly. Emmeline scoffed.

"Oh, he got into trouble all on his own," Emmeline assured her with a scowl. Hermione had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as she retreated out from under the history professor's ire.

Severus poured himself a measure of brandy as he leaned back with a releived sigh. He really needed to start assigning fewer essays. There was only so much written stupidity he could stand. Especially the second years. Some of them were worse than Longbottom! There was a sharp rap at the door which made Severus frown. It didn't sound like one of his students, and certainly not like any of the prefects. His first thought was an angry parent, but he couldn't think of any student he'd recently punished who would have dared try and get him in hot water with their family. 

"Enter." He beckoned. Then the door opened, nearly as dramatically as he flung it open for his first years. His shoulders sunk.

Emmeline.

"What did you say to Harry?" She demanded angrily before slamming the door closed behind her.

"About what?" Severus demanded tiredly.

"You know perfectly well about what!" Emmeline snarled. Severus huffed.

"Enlighten me."

"Remus you obtuse prat!" Emmeline growled. Severus face tightened into a scowl.

"I simply told Harry that I felt like Remus' past association with Black could lead him into danger." Emmeline gave him a look of horror.

"Oh, Severus how could you say such a thing!" She cried with a whine. Severus rolled his eyes.

"I only told the truth."

"The truth as you know it from rumours!" Emmeline snapped. Then her expression darkened. "Harry has had precious few people whom he could trust in his life. Remus was one of them. Your rumor-mongering and misguided hatred will only succeed in making him even less likely to rely on adults!" Severus paused. He hadn't thought of that.

"Well, then Remus shouldn't have been so ommissive."

"What has Remus Lupin ever done to you!" Emmeline huffed angrily. "I don't recall him ever being anything but polite to you."

"After fifth year." Severus agreed with a sneer. "But only because I knew his secret."

"That he was a werewolf?" Emmeline asked with a raised eyebrow. "How did you find out about that?"

"Because Sirius Black thought it would be hilarious to send me off to meet up with his little pet on a full moon." Severus sneered. Emmeline blinked.

"Oh god that was how he tried to kill you?!" Emmeline demanded in horror. "Poor Remus!"

"Poor Remus?!" Severus growled in rage. "He wasn't the one who was almost mauled to death! If Potter hadn't come along…" he trailed off, eye drifting closed. He still remembered the look of panic on James Potter's face. And horror in his eyes. But as soon as they were back to safety James pushed him up against a wall and swore him to secrecy. Severus never told. But Remus had been unnaturally polite for the rest of their time at Hogwarts.

"Can you imagine how guilty Remus would have felt if anything happened?" Emmeline demanded. "The man feels bad when he pours the wrong amount of cream into someone's coffee. If he had hurt or god forbid bitten you, the guilt would've killed him."

"So I'm supposed to feel bad for him?!" Severus demanded angrily.

"You're supposed to try and feel a bit of empathy!" Emmeline snarled. Severus huffed.

"I can feel a bit of empathy for the guilt which Remus would have felt. But nothing happened." Aside from a monumentally bruised ego. "Instead, I can be angry at him for trusting Black to be mature. And I can be appauled by the utter lack of consequences Remus foisted upon him. Not even a cold shoulder! They were laughing and thick as thieves the next fucking day!" Severus took a deep breath. "I can feel angry about the fact that even after all that, Black was still the golden boy who could do no wrong." Emmeline looked at him, biting her lip. Then she sighed.

"You can't fault him for being fooled the same as the rest of us, Severus. I didn't think Black was all that bad either."

"Yes but Remus did!" Severus snarled, slaming his fist on the desk, upending his ink vial which splattered across the desk. "He fucking knew! James too! And they still fucking trusted him! And what did that get him hmm? A fucking grave! I will not stand here and let that happen again! Albus thinks that Remus would never, but Black has made his heinous actions dissappeared before the fool's eyes before. I will not let Harry be the next Potter to be betrayed by that bastard!" Severus snarled around a lump in his throat. 

There was silence as Emmeline stared at Severus, a look of concern and understanding on her face.

"I am afraid for Harry too." She whispered. "I am fearful every day I read of Black's supposed sightings. And it is true that Remus is slow to judge and quick to forgive. But it is only because he has spent 3 decades of his life being vilified and treated like dirt because of something he has no control over. It's not as if he chose to become a werewolf. He didn't choose to be targeted. But despite all the abuse and insults and angry letters from parents calling him an animal or saying he should be exterminated, Remus always strives to be the bigger man." She gave Severus a firm look. "You'd think after everything you've been through, the things you've done, that you could be one as well." 

"And if Black returns?" Severus demanded. "If he is once again laughing alongside Remus like a dear old friend while he butchers Harry? Will 'being the bigger man' save him?"

"Perhaps." Emmeline argued with a smile. "because perhaps if you are kinder, Remus will be less inclined to latch onto an old familiar, albeit flawed, face." Severus looked skeptical, but also so tired that he just didn't feel up to fighting anymore. He pressed his palms into his eyes, propped up by the elbows on his desk. Emmeline's hands were on his shoulders. He sighed and lowered his hands. 

"Why did things have to get so complicated this year?" He complained quietly. Emmeline smiled.

"It's part of life I'm afraid." Her hands withdrew, which made Severus realize how much their absence truly had affected him all these years. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go find Harry and fix your mess."

"Fine." Severus assented with a grunt. "And I'll try to be… better… around Remus." He offered. Emmeline huffed. It wasn't really what she wanted but it was a start.

Remus burst out laughing.

"Really?!" He cried, still grinning widely. "That was a rumour? Sirius and I were a couple?" He started laughing again. Harry was slowly smiling himself. Obviously, that was one of the wild Hogwarts rumours that weren't actually true, like everyone insisting Oliver wood had a tattoo of the Puddlemere United logo on his butt or that professor Vector was part of the Irish mafia. Eventually, Remus's laughter died down. "Rest assured Harry, I harbour no feelings of the sort for Sirius Black." His eyes drifted closed. "I will admit… I spent many days wishing that it was all a lie, that Sirius was innocent, and I even debated visiting him once or twice, at particularly bad times. But I never did. I have no doubt about Sirius's guilt. And if that is why Severus encouraged you to stop these lessons, I will assure him that there are no such risks." Remus sighed. "It's not going to be an easy task mind you."

"A bit of advice?" Harry offered, which Remus quirked a questioning brow at. "Don't try it during your lunches with Emmeline. Professor Snape really likes Emmeline, and when he sees you with her he gets really jealous." Remus chuckled.

"The more things change." He muttered. "He was the same with the library study group, you know. He used to hang around just to serendipitously put his arm around her whenever I told her a joke to silently remind me she was 'taken'." Harry chuckled. That did sound like something professor Snape would do. "But thank you, Harry, I shall take your advice into council… and now that that has been settled, are we going to continue with the lessons?"

"Yes please!" Harry said with a grin. Remus chuckled. 

"You better be glad I hadn't gotten rid of the boggart yet." He said before his tone went scathing. "Especially after it broke out last week and I had to chase it all over my office for 3 hours." Harry winced and gave the man an apologetic smile.

Emmeline looked out at the crisp snow that blanketed the grounds. It was pretty damn cold for mid-November. She blamed the Dementors that were still circling the grounds. They had made it frost nearly every night since October. Now things were going into a deep freeze, turning even light, fluffy snow into ice crystals that bit the cheeks as the wind blew.

Definitely not the sort of place that would be happy for the holidays.

"Hello, Professor Vance!" Hermione Granger called happily. Emmeline smiled. She admired Hermione's tenacity, though she was slightly miffed at the girl's insistence in providing essays that always over-measured by at least an inch. And in tiny, albeit neat, handwriting that was difficult to read as the day wore on.

"How are my dear?"

"Wonderful!" Hermione said with a wide smile. "I'm going to be visiting my grandmother in Wales for Christmas! I haven't seen her in years, not since Hogwarts. Of course, I'm going to have to say something else."

"Tell her you go to a very exclusive private school for gifted individuals, by invitation only." Emmeline supplied swiftly. Hermione beamed.

"Brilliant! Thank you, professor!" Emmeline nodded as the girl ran off. Then she turned to go back to her office. Her mood had slagged somewhat.

Christmas.

Oh, how she absolutely detested Christmas.

Not the cheer of others, oh no. She wasn't a Scrooge either and admired the spirit of generosity and kindness.

But she hated how everyone wanted her to be happy.

But how could she be happy when this was the time when she'd had her heart ripped out and stomped on by a man she'd thought she would be spending the rest of her life with.

She scowled and rubbed the corner of her eyes with her sleeve.

"Hiya professor!" Fred Weasley crowed as she walked past. Emmeline immediately stretched a smile over her pain.

"How are you, Mr. and Mr. Weasley?"

"Alright," George replied.

"Looking forward to the holidays." Fred agreed.

"Except for Aunt Muriel." They finish in unison with a grimace. Emmeline raised an eyebrow.

"Muriel Weasley is coming to stay with you? I was under the impression she never left that house of hers in Cambridge."

"She doesn't." They responded with a grumble.

"We're going to visit her,"

"This year,"

"Mum insisted,"

"It's going to be just awful." The twins finished with a slight whine. Emmeline frowned.

"I thought Harry was going to be staying with you this year?"

"He was."

"But Mum sent Ron a letter saying he should tell Harry it was probably best for him to stay here."

"She didn't want to have to subject Harry to Muriel."

"I see," Emmeline murmured. And she did. Having met Muriel only once, Emmeline knew that the Weasleys would have a very very exhausting holiday. Then her brain caught up with the full connotations of that sentence. "Oh! Poor Harry! The darling must have been devastated!" She bemoaned with a whine. The twins winced.

"He was a bit bummed, yeah."

"But he seemed resigned to it really,"

"Not the first time he's stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays."

"Is the first time alone though."

"Hmm."

"Alone?" Emmeline demanded with worry.

"No one else in Gryffindor is staying over the holidays." The left twin admitted while the right nodded slowly.

Emmeline felt her heart sink.

She turned away from the twins walking away feeling reached. A scowl scrunched up her features.

She really hated Christmas.

It came to her the next morning.

"Shame about the Dementors!" Minerva piped up, rather loudly from down the table, trying to catch Albus' attention. "It's really a lovely day for flying!" It was a familiar argument, as Minerva got on Albus' case about being too deferential to the Ministry. But Emmeline was suddenly frozen, staring straight ahead, spoon abandoned and slowly sinking into her porridge.

Flying.

Her eye flicked down to the Gryffindor table, where a young black-haired child was putting on a forced smile as he listened to all his friends tell him about their holiday plans, save Hermione and Ronald, who both seemed to be understanding of his melancholy mood.

And in an instant, Emmeline knew exactly what she needed to do.

She looked down at her porridge, which had sucked in her spoon like quicksand.

She knew… but could she actually do it.

She looked at Harry again. The boy winced and muttered something to his friends before leaving the table alone.

Emmeline frowned angrily.

Oh yes. She most certainly could.

Severus was sitting, eyes drifted closed in a facade of drowsiness. But he was awake. Falling asleep in the Great Hall would be tantamount to suicide, what with…

He paused in his thoughts.

It had been a month since anyone had tried to kill him. The last attempt resulted in four sixth years, one from each house, being sentenced to life in Azkaban. He wondered if perhaps, finally, the idiots had gotten the message and would give up on their little games.

So, feeling confident and a bit smug, he snapped his fingers twice. This was the teacher's universal signal to the house elves below to add their chosen alcohol to any beverage they were currently drinking. Severus hummed happily as the smell of double-malt Scotch whiskey began to rise from his coffee. But just as he was about to indulge Emmeline walked past in robes so austere and high collar Severus almost mistook her for Minerva.

"Emmeline… what are you wearing?" He asked in slight shock. Then he flinched. The woman had large bags under her eyes, and her braid, usually much more loose and flowing, was pulling her skin tight, making the various lines on her face very prominent.

"Is there alcohol in that coffee?" She asked wearily. Severus nodded slowly. Then Emmeline grabbed it and knocked the whole thing back in a few gulps. Severus didn't have the time to be upset over his worry. The woman never drank black coffee. No sugar, but a heaping pile of milk and the occasional Irish cream. "What is wrong?" He demanded. Emmeline took a deep breath before she whipped out a makeup palette and began fixing the bags under her eyes.

"I'm going to meet with the promotional manager of the Cleansweep company today." Severus froze. He clenched his jaw so tight his teeth felt like they were close to cracking and the loose grip on his fork tightened to white knuckles.

"Why?" He snarled slowly, trying to keep his temper in check.

"Because I'm getting Harry a new broom for Christmas." Emmeline declared. "A Firebolt, to be exact." Severus went slack-jawed.

"A Firebolt?! Emmeline, those aren't exactly inexpensive!"

"Which is why I'm going to the promotional manager." Emmeline reminded him. Severus snarled.

"Should have let me poison him. I could have made it look like an accident. It wouldn't be hard, in his line of work."

"Shush Severus." Emmeline admonished. The man huffed.

"Fine. But if you come back in tears I will be sending him a very unfriendly Christmas present." Emmeline chuckled and turned on her heel, sweeping out of the Great Hall, passing Remus without so much as a smile. The werewolf looked very confused and turned to Severus with a shrug. The man had to suppress the monumental urge to sneer at the man and just shook his head with an eye roll.

Emmeline hated the corporate offices of his grandfather's company. The workshop was in Wales, on one of the sprawling moors and had a general air of chaos and fun. The corporate offices were in the heart of London, hiding in a nondescript office building. They were painfully starched and stuffy. She walked up to the reception desk, the glamour over her dress robes disappearing as she crossed the threshold.

"Hello," Emmeline said to the man at the desk. "I'm here to speak with Charles Tippet."

"Do you have an appointment?" The man droned in a dull level tone.

"The name is Emmeline Vance." She said firmly. The man instantly went wide-eyed. "I think he'll speak to me."

Emmeline looked out the window of the office, not a penthouse, or even a top floor, but the view was nonetheless spectacular.

"Emmeline?" Came a very familiar, very painful voice. "What are you doing here?"

"I have a proposition for the Cleansweep company," Emmeline said, refusing to turn around. He would come to her.

"What kind of proposition?"

"I want a Firebolt," Emmeline said, getting it out of the way. There was a stumble.

"You want me to give you 4000 Galleons worth of profit!?" Then the man laughed. Emmeline flinched. She hated his laugh. It was so cold. Even when he was happy. It grasped her heart and squeezed it. "Emmeline… have you finally gone completely mad?" Emmeline sneered. She could hear the smirk on his face. So she finally turned around. But her sneer had melted away to a blank look.

"I intend it to be a gift."

Charles hadn't changed.

His blond hair was still styled in that way that made him look like a young playboy, though he now had more wrinkles around his eyes, and his suit was still as sleek and tailored in the latest fashion. She noticed a glint on his left hand and resisted the urge to vomit.

"A gift to who?" Charles demanded equally flabbergasted, but a cruel glint in his eyes indicated that he felt as though he'd won that little battle of wills about the window. "You don't talk to anyone or do anything. Who could you possibly give that broom to? Just admit that you're trying to use your position as the CEO's granddaughter to get a better broom." He drawled, making his way around to his desk.

"I teach History of Magic at Hogwarts," Emmeline said firmly. The man stumbled again and whipped back around.

"What?! Since when?"

"September. When Hogwarts started. Obv-ious-ly." Emmeline drawled out, the way Severus might. The man scoffed.

"Well, what does that have to do with anything?"

"One of the students lost his broom during a match. He is very skilled, and the school brooms are simply unacceptable."

"Alright, but I still can't give some random student a Firebolt!" Charles exclaimed angrily. "That would be ludicrous!"

"The student is Harry Potter." Emmeline declared. Charles froze.

"THE Harry Potter?" He asked in shock. Emmeline raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think?"

"Hmm… well… that changes things a bit."

"I figured it would." Charles was staring contemplatively at his ceiling. Then he gave Emmeline his cold business look.

"Would he be willing to give an interview?" Emmeline pursed her lips.

"I'm not so certain about that. He's only 13, Charles." She reminded him. Then she huffed. "you can make a statement. And I'll send you a photo from when he receives it, but whether or not he's willing to do an interview will have to wait until AFTER he's received it." Charles narrowed his eyes

"What's stopping you from holding out on me?"

"My honour," Emmeline said. "Something you would know nothing about." Charles stared at her for several moments before he sat back in his chair.

"Alright." He assented. "I'll have it delivered two days before Christmas. You'll be at Hogwarts I presume?"

"Yes."

"Right." Then Charles handed her a piece of paper. It was an official receipt. Emmeline folded it and tucked it into her robes. She would be holding onto it. If Charles didn't hold up his end of their little bargain, she would go over his head.

"How're things?" Charles suddenly asked. Emmeline scoffed.

"Don't try and act like you care just because I happen to know someone famous, Charles." The man scowled and began shuffling his papers, trying to downplay his obvious ploy. "I could see it from a mile away." Emmeline declared with a sneer. Charles chuckled darkly.

"It's only what I'd expect from a snake like you." Emmeline smiled.

"Oh Charles, it's been a long time, and I'm afraid I don't give a horse's arse what you think of my Hogwarts house. Now if you'll excuse me." Then she left. Despite the calm cool exterior inside she was crumbling, shaking like a leaf and sobbing. But she refused to give that man, that bastard, the satisfaction of seeing her break. As soon as she left the offices she let out a stuttered sob. She took a deep breath, pulling herself together before she disappeared back to the safe, secure, walls of Hogwarts.

Severus approached the office door with some trepidation. The tray of hot chocolate in his hands had seemed brilliant at the time of him going to the kitchen and asking for it. But now that he was reaching his destination, he wasn't entirely sure he would be welcome.

Still.

He cleared his throat.

"Emmeline?"

"Oh god," Emmeline whined. "Oh, Severus please not now." The man winced.

"Very well," he murmured, but he was certain she could still hear him. "I'll just leave this at the door…" he placed the tray down and began to walk away. Then the door opened. Emmeline looked terrible, eyes puffy and red, with exhaustion running its dark circles around them, and cheeks rudy red. If Severus didn't know any better he'd say she was down with a terrible cold.

But he did know better, and it only served to sadden and infuriate him in equal measure.

Emmeline was staring at the tray of hot chocolate with a wobbly lip. Then she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Severus was momentarily horrified before his rage came back. He scowled and marched up to her. Ignoring any protest she might have, he scooped her up into his arms, made the tray magically follow him in and closed the door behind him. He walked through her office, where her desk was littered with an empty bottle of gin and a decimated tissue box, and straight to her bed chamber, which consisted of the standard Hogwarts staff furniture of bed, desk, lounge chair, dresser, standing mirror and side table. He placed her on the bed, propped up on the pillows and pulled first her shawl and then her blankets around her still shaking shoulders. Then he put the hot chocolate into her hands.

"Drink." He insisted, with all the same tone and fury he directed to the whiny brats in the hospital wing, that turned their noses up at the brews he painstakingly crafted to heal their idiotic injuries. Emmeline took a shuddery breath and sniffled before doing as he instructed, taking a slightly choked drink at first, then longer slower ones as she calmed. Severus knew the half dose of calming draft was a good idea.

"You shouldn't lace young women's drinks." Emmeline admonished quietly. Her voice was weak, but her tone indicated her true appreciation.

"My offer still stands." Severus reminded her as he folded his arms grumpily. Emmeline shook her head, pulling her blankets further around her into a sort of cocoon of warmth. Severus huffed. "Fine." He turned on his heel fully intending to leave when a sudden doubt filled his mind. "Emmeline…"

"Yes, Severus?" The woman asked with a sigh.

"Of the two of us… who do you despise more?"

"Oh Severus," Emmeline said with a sad smile. "I don't despise you." She fell silent and looked out her window. "You hurt me. There can be no denying that." She looked at him suddenly serious. "I don't despise you. But I do despise Charles." Severus' hand on the doorknob tightened. Emmeline looked so angry. Angrier than he had ever seen her. It was simultaneously breathtaking and terrifying. "You had the decency to make yourself scarce after you ripped my heart out. But Charles," she chuckled darkly. "Charles felt the need to rub it in. He had to show me how much better his life was without me. He sent me a Christmas card with his new fiance, an invitation to their wedding, and an invitation to celebrate the birth of both his children."

"Please let me poison him!" Severus begged furiously. Oh, how he HATED this man! Emmeline shook her head.

"I don't have anything against his children or his wife. She is a lovely woman, and the girls are very sweet." Emmeline admitted. "It's just him I can't stand. But I wouldn't want them to have to go through something so wretched."

"I could always take away his ability to reproduce." Severus drawled coldly. Instantly he wished he hadn't. Emmeline went pale as milk and shook her head.

"No… never… how could you even." She put a shaky hand over her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Severus said hastily as he fell to his knees in front of her, feeling so utterly foolish. "That was a terrible thing to say and I-" Emmeline placed a hand on his cheek.

"You couldn't possibly understand what a horrible experience that is. " Emmeline muttered to him, with hollow eyes. "For which I am eternally grateful. I would never wish that pain on even my worst enemy Severus." The man raised a hand to the one on his cheek and pulled it away, so he could hold it in both of his. She smiled gratefully and gave his hands a gentle squeeze. Then she closed her eyes and sighed. "Today has been so incredibly long." She complained bitterly. Severus nodded and released her hand, rising back to his feet.

"You should rest." Emmeline nodded, setting the mug on her side table. Severus paused in the doorway again. "Goodnight Emmeline."

"To you as well Severus," Emmeline muttered as she pulled off her shawl and placed it on her chair. Then Severus closed the door behind him.

"Harry is the only student staying for Christmas?!" Emmeline cried in horror. Minerva looked up from the list, or rather the sheet of paper with Harry Potter's name scribbled on it with a grave wince.

"I'm afraid so," she admitted. "The parents are skittish it seems."

"What about those students without parents?" Severus demanded in irritation. Harry wasn't the only orphan at Hogwarts. There were several who lived in foster homes and even a few in orphanages. 

"They all decided to return to their residences for the holidays," Minerva admitted, then her eyes narrowed and her volume rose slightly. "Probably to escape the dementors." Albus sighed heavily. 

"I have yet to secure Harry a full-time residence outside of Hogwarts." Severus' hand tightened around his armrest, "so young Harry is the only student currently residing in Hogwarts who truly has nowhere to go."

"Well, he can't just stay here!" Pomona cried. "The poor dear, all on his own?"

"Well he is not completely alone," Albus admonished with twinkling eyes. "We are here after all."

"We," Charity began with a sniff, "have lives and families of our own Albus. We can't just cancel our plans to stay and babysit a single student! And how on earth do you propose to keep track of him in the castle?! One student will be much harder to find than a group."

"How many of you intend to stay for the holidays?" Albus asked. Emmeline and Severus both raised their hands, as well as Filius and Aurora. Sybil wasn't in attendance, but her staying at the castle was a moot point. Albus blinked and looked at his deputy, slightly hurt. 

"My sister has been nagging me to come visit for the holidays all summer," Minerva said pointedly. "And I distinctly remember you organizing something with your brother."

"Theoretically." Albus reminded her as casually as he could. The woman quirked an eyebrow. "A single drink at a local pub does not take very long."

"If you think the pair of you aren't going to end up at St. Mungo's like you did last year,"

"And the year before that," Filius reminded

"And the year before that," Poppy added.

"Point taken," Albus muttered with slight frustration. Then suddenly his eyes landed on Severus. The man held his breath. Surely… "Severus… I have a request."

Harry stood in the doorway to the dormitory watching everyone pack. Ron was the most reluctant.

"You don't understand," he moaned to Dean. "My aunt Muriel is awful. She's sooo cranky. Dad says it's ‘cause she gets lonely, what with living on her own. I think she just misses picking out the flaws in people! Last time we were there she complained about my hair being too red. What am I supposed to do about that?! And she was getting on Ginny for being too tall! How is she supposed to fix that?! Drink Shrinking Solution?"

"Wouldn't recommend," Harry said with a weak grin. "Unless Ginny wants to go through puberty again."

"Absolutely not!" Ginny cried in horror behind him. He turned around and gave her a grin. She smiled before turning to her brother. "Can I put some things in your trunk?" 

"What?! No! Why can't you fit it in your own!"

"’Cause of all the presents I got you tosser!" Ginny argued. The siblings began to bicker with the other third-year boys snickering as Ginny successfully bullied Ron into putting a few of her jumpers into the top half of his trunk.

"She's not bossing me around for anything," Ron argued. "Just didn't want to listen to her whine anymore is all."

"Sure mate," Seamus muttered with a grin.

"Keep telling yourself that," Dean added. Then suddenly they were all shutting their trunks. Harry felt his throat tighten. 

"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own mate?" Ron suddenly murmured to him worriedly. Harry forced a smile.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Won't have to worry about waking anyone up when I get back from exploring the castle at night." Harry offered cheekily. Ron grinned. 

"You better show me the cool places you discover when I get back."

"Course, mate." 

"Potter!" Percy's voice suddenly barked from the door. He was standing in the doorway with narrowed eyes. "What have you done this time?" He demanded. 

"Ease off Perce," Ron argued with a huff. Percy had gotten pretty snooty ever since he'd become head boy, which he'd taken to loudly reminding people of at any given moment. Accompanying this snootiness was a general dislike of troublemakers, including Harry, despite the fact he hadn't actually been in much trouble this year. Mostly because Snape hadn't given out detentions at the drop of a hat like he used to. 

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked with a frown "I haven't done anything!"

"Then why is professor Snape at the portrait hall demanding to speak with you?" Percy argued with a raised eyebrow. Harry paled.

"Bloody hell mate what did you do?!" Ron whispered in horror.

"No idea!" Harry hissed back in a panic before he cleared his throat and turned back to Percy. "Er… I'll go talk to him."  Then he pushed past Percy and through the Great Hall. A few people were staring at him with winces of sympathy. Someone muttered something about the shoe finally falling. Hermione was standing by the door with a worried expression.

"What did you do?" She asked nervously.

"Is it that bad?" Harry asked worriedly. Hermione bit her lip. 

"He looks pretty upset." Harry sighed. He couldn't think of anything off the top of his head, but then perhaps everyone was just overblowing this. Severus was probably just cranky. So he opened the portrait hole. Snapes expressed made Harry flinch. He looked murderous. But the second he saw Harry the expression softened slightly and he let out a sigh.

“Percival Weasley has gotten quite full of himself hasn't he?” he commented with a huff. Harry grinned.

“Just a bit.”

“It's extremely irritating,” Severus complained. Harry chuckled before he shifted on his feet slightly.

“What did you want to speak to me about?” the Gryffindor asked worriedly. Severus cleared his throat. Harry was shocked to realize the man was nervous. 

“It has come to the staff's attention that you are the only student remaining for the holidays.”

“In Gryffindor, yeah.” Harry agreed.

“No, Harry, you misunderstand me,” Severus said quietly. “You are the only Hogwarts student remaining. No other students, from any other house, have decided to stay.” Harry felt himself completely deflate.

Nobody?

At all?

He felt his stomach twist into knots. It hadn’t seemed so bad, staying alone in Gryffindor, but the idea that there would be absolutely no other students around made him feel utterly alone.

“The staff have all agreed that this is entirely unacceptable,” Severus muttered quickly. Harry looked up at him quickly, blinking in shock. “So we have arranged for you to spend the holidays in a place that would be easier to keep an eye on you.” Harry held his breath.

He couldn't mean…

“I want you packed by tonight. As head of house, I will need to remain until the train leaves to make sure all of Slytherin gets on the train, but I want to be in Dover before-” 

Harry latched himself to the man, burning his face in the man's chest. His shoulders shook, despite the beaming smile that Severus could feel the boy was sporting. He allowed himself the smallest, slightest smile as he gently weaved his fingers into the boy's hair. Then the boy pulled away, smile still bright and cheery, despite the tears that were still dripping slowly from his eyes. “I want your trunk in the Entrance Hall by eleven.”

“Yes sir,” Harry said, still beaming. He turned back to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who looked pleasantly amused. Then he stopped.

“Professor… is Emmeline coming as well?” Harry asked. 

Severus froze. 

“I… am not certain that would be a good idea, Harry,” Severus muttered quietly. Harry gave him a look, cocking his head.

“You should ask her,” he said casually. “The worst she could say is no right?” Then he was gone. Severus scowled slightly.

There was a touch more than ‘no’ that Emmeline could say.

And she would be well within her rights to say it.

But as the day went on the idea wouldn't leave him. Until finally it was dinner, and the whole day of wondering and worrying made him blurt out over the meal.

“Would you like to join Harry and me for Christmas, Emmeline?”

The table went silent. 

Minerva and Poppy both leaned over the table to stare at him in shock and confusion. 

Hooch leaned over and slipped two galleons into Charity’s hand with a grumble. 

Remus had frozen midbite and the food was slowly sliding off his fork. 

Severus was keenly aware of how pale and sickly he must look, as nervous and weary as he felt. Then everyone turned to Emmeline. She was equally shocked, and her eyes seemed a bit glazed over. He felt infinitely worse for the memories he must have stirred up. In fact, what was he thinking?!

“Never mind!” he declared, rising to his feet, the meal completely abandoned. “Forget I asked.”

“Certainly.” Emmeline finally responded. Hooch groaned and slid another two Galleons to the Muggle Studies professor, who was biting her lip to keep from squealing with glee. Bathsheda was beside her indulgently smiling with a roll of her eyes.  And Septima had a hand over her mouth with a teary smile. Severus turned around and stared at Emmeline with slight shock. “I would be honoured.” Severus cleared his throat to dislodge the sudden obstruction.

“We’ll be leaving around noon,” he muttered. Emmeline smiled and gave a nod. Then Severus turned on his heel and left the great hall. The conversation hadn’t been loud, but several of the closest students were staring after him with shock. He had no doubt that rumour would have completely worked its way through the mill by the time the students returned from the holidays. He suspected that the post owls would be very busy indeed this holiday season. He watched the rumour make its way down the Great Hall along with him. He took a second to glance at Harry, as he leaned his ear to a fellow student, his blooming smile made Severus’ heart slowly warm. They met eyes and Harry gave him a smug grin. Severus rolled his eyes and swept out of the great hall. Up at the teacher's table, Remus choked on his hot chocolate.

“Are you alright Remus?” Emmeline asked worriedly. Remus stared at Harry and looked at the Great Hall doors before his eyes flicked over to Albus and slowly narrowed. But then he looked at Emmeline and smiled.

“Perfectly fine,” he assured her. Emmeline rose an eyebrow before going back to her dinner. But her heart was fluttering too quickly to even dream of eating, and she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to sleep much either. And she realized that it wasn't fear, pain or even trepidation filling her with jitters.

But excitement.

A beaming smile slowly spread across her face.

Maybe Christmas wasn’t quite so terrible after all.

Harry grinned as he pulled his trunk down the last flight of stairs. Emmeline was standing, waving off a few of the students with smiles. When she saw Harry her smile widened. Then she shook her head with an indulgent smile.

“Harry darling, you could have asked the elves to bring it down for you.”

“Oh,” Harry said with a blink. “I er… didn't think about that.” Emmeline chuckled. Then suddenly Severus ascended from the dungeons, trailing all of Slytherin house behind him. He stopped as he saw Emmeline and Harry, then gave his students a firm look. They stumbled to rush from where they had obviously stopped to eavesdrop on their professor. Malfoy did pause when he passed by them, but Severus just gave him a withering glare and the boy scampered off, which the man rolled his eyes at. 

“You have everything?” he asked Harry. The teen nodded. “Excellent, I have to escort Slytherin house to the train, but I will be back. We'll leave as soon as I return." And then he spun away, boots crunching through the snow at the end of a trail of students, excitedly chattering away. Emmeline looked down at him and smiled before she adjusted the scarf she'd knitted for him. 

"So, what do you want to do first when we get to Dover?"

"I dunno…" Harry began, "does professor Snape usually decorate?"

"I'm not sure," Emmeline admitted with a weak smile. "We'll have to ask. But I have a feeling he does."

"Then maybe we should get a tree." Harry reasoned. His smile faltered. "Do… so you think we can get a live one? I've never had a live tree before."

"What other sort is there?" Emmeline demanded with an incredulous chuckle. Harry launched into a long description of various Muggle Christmas decorations, such as fake trees, string lights, and a list of all of his aunt's tackiest ornaments. She was staring at him, pleasantly bemused when Severus finally emerged from the cold, shoulders and hair dusted with snow.

"Professor, do you decorate for Christmas?" Harry asked. Severus paused.

"Not usually." He admitted. Harry's shoulders slumped and his smile faltered. "However," Severus began slowly, "I suppose it would be only fair." Harry grinned widely. Severus gave him his own subtle smile then tapped his and Emmeline's trunks and shrunk them so that they fit in his pocket. 

"We'll be walking down and apparating at the gates," Severus explained before he turned his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" 

Harry gaped in awe.

"Professor Lupin didn't show me that!" He cried in awe. Severus looked back at him, as the doe trotted around looking watchful yet serene.

"They can also be used to send messages." Emmeline informed his. "Watch." Then she brandished her own wand. "Expecto Patronum!" The pheasant burst out, fluttering through the air before floating in front of her expectantly. "Go to Minerva McGonagall and tell her that we are leaving." The pheasant bobbed its head before it whizzed away in a pearly blue blur. Harry stared in awe.

"That's amazing!" He cried. "I wonder what my animal will be."

"It will either be something of great significance to you," Severus explained, "or something which symbolizes your current identity." 

"Current? So the animal can change?"

"Yes," Severus muttered.

"Mine wasn't always a pheasant," Emmeline admitted with a smile. "When I was younger, it was a King Charles Spaniel."

"Mine was a raven," Severus admitted casually. 

"Why'd they change?" Harry asked. Emmeline's face fell and she opened her mouth to try and figure out a delicate way to explain.

"That's enough," Severus said warningly. Emmeline opened her mouth to admonish Severus but Harry just nodded and changed the subject, asking Severus about what kind of decorations they would get, and whether or not they could get a live tree. She blinked. Evidently, Severus and Harry had developed some kind of code for when Harry's game of twenty questions was over. Then suddenly the doe perked up and slowed her pace, going from serene to surprisingly threatening for a deer. Harry shrunk away, closer to Emmeline as the trio walked under the watchful - eyes? - Of the dementors. As soon as Emmeline felt the pair of them breach the wards she turned on her heel, whisking Harry away from their disconcerting aura. The boy let out a sigh of relief before he smiled happily. The cottage was covered in snow, and the windows were dark, but somehow the sight of it made his whole body warm up. Another crack sounded as Severus arrived. "Had to close the gate behind us." Then he marched up to the door, shaking out his keys and opened it up. Emmeline waltzed in, wand high, and cast a quick dusting charm, as Severus lit the lights. Harry grinned before he turned to Severus.

"I'll take yours and my trunks up!" He offered happily. Severus retrieved all of the luggage, returned it to its actual size and cast Featherlight charms on all of them. 

"Just at my door if you don't mind."

"Yes sir!" Harry said as he trumped up the stairs excitedly. Severus rolled his eyes. Then he raised an eyebrow at Emmeline, removing her mitts and hat. "What are you doing?" 

"Hmm?" 

"We're going to get a tree now aren't we?" He offered with a quirked eyebrow. Emmeline blinked before shaking her head with a chuckle.

"Harry darling!"

"Yeah?"

"Come back down, we’re going to go get our tree!" Instantly the House was filled with frantic stomping as the boy rushed down the stairs so fast Severus was worried he would slip and break his neck.

"Really?!" He cried excitedly. Severus opened the door. 

"Come along." Harry didn't need to be told twice.

Harry stared down at the chessboard with a harsh frown. Then he reached out a hand. It hovered slightly as he examined the board then he moved his piece. Severus made a noise, somewhere between irritation and amazement.

“Very good move,” he muttered. Harry grinned widely. Emmeline chuckled.

“Well he came to a few of those tournaments, mostly to watch Ronald, but still, he had to have picked something up,” Emmeline remarked with a smile. Harry nodded and leaned back to look at the decorations while Severus surveyed the board and reevaluated his options. The mantel was covered with pine boughs, magically made impervious to any sparks, with golden baubles nestled within them. The tree was right by the window and covered in sparkling fairy lights and red, green, silver, and gold ornaments of various sizes. On the top was a sparkling white star that slowly spun, casting a pale comforting light out across the living room. Harry pulled the throw blanket around him further and smiled. He looked over to Emmeline, casually reading a book at the other end of the sofa, then looked back to Severus as he rubbed the lower half of his face with calculating eyes and couldn't help his eyes growing watery. At that moment Severus looked up and frowned.

“What's wrong?” he asked worriedly. Harry smiled wider.

There was so much in that action.

So much that he didn't think Severus could ever understand.

“I’m fine,” he assured the man, grinning like an idiot. Severus raised an eyebrow before he leaned down and finally moved his piece. Harry looked down at the board once again and contemplated his option when Emmeline looked up at the mantel clock

“Goodness, it's almost midnight!” Emmeline cried in alarm. Harry looked over as well and blinked. Severus waved his wand and picked up the chessboard, where the pieces were now magically stuck.

“We’ll continue the match some other time.” Severus reasoned. Harry nodded and made his way upstairs. 

“Sleep well darling,” Emmeline called to him with a smile. Harry felt his emotions bubble up again as Severus walked up to Emmeline with a glass of wine. He looked at the tree and them and the decorations.

“Thank you.” he suddenly declared. “For everything.” then he turned and continued up the stairs. Both Emmeline and Severus stared up after him. Then Emmeline set her glass down and put a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. Severus by contrast clutched his harder and settled into his chair stiffly, keeping his face as neutral as possible.

“Severus,” Emmeline finally muttered. “What are Albus’ plans for Harry?”

“Not me.” he spat in frustration. Emmeline made a noise of utter disgust and frustration.

“I'll take him.” she declared. “I'll take him in a heartbeat,” Severus growled.

“Good luck with that. Albus has been acting very strange this year. The death of the Dursleys seems to have thrown all of his ‘plans’ up in the air.”

“Well good!” Emmeline huffed, “maybe his plans were terrible!”

“I am inclined to agree,” Severus murmured. Emmeline suddenly stood, taking her wine with her.

“This is Harry's first real Christmas. We have to make it absolutely perfect!” she declared as she sipped her wine. Severus hummed into his own sip with a nod.

“Agreed.”

Harry grinned as he put the finishing touches on his Christmas wrapping. The boxes were small, but he was still proud of what was inside of them. It had taken a long time to get them to actually work and without any side effects. Professor Babbling said it was an impressive network, and that it was rather clever to include the seasonal runes as stabilizers. Harry grinned before he picked up the two packages and brought them down to the tree, where he nestled them into the ever-growing pile of gifts. He felt his chest bubble as he saw the few with his name scrawled on the tags in Severus' loopy handwriting. He hadn't really expected that. Gifts from his professors. But it made him feel like-

"Oh, that man!" Emmeline shrieked furiously before something slammed on the counter. Harry blinked and watched over towards the kitchen with a worried frown.

"Are you and Professor Snape fighting again?" he asked. Emmeline jumped a mile.

"Harry! Oh no darling Severus and I are fine… I was complaining about someone else." Emmeline assured him, even as she eyed the back kitchen door with a slightly craned neck.

"Are you waiting for a parcel?" Harry asked. Emmeline whipped back around with slight horror.

"You didn't take anything did you?!"

"I'm guessing it's for me then?" Harry questioned with a grin. Emmeline pursed her lips.

"It's meant to be a surprise!"

"Well I haven't seen any owls today," Harry assured her. "And I'll try not to be nosy."

"That would be impossible." Severus drawled from behind him as he emerged from the panty. He too had a parcel for the tree.

"I can mind my own business!" Harry argued. Both Severus and Emmeline gave him a deadpanned look. "I can!" Neither adult deigned to comment on his insistence. But Emmeline did roll her eyes.

"Come help me with the cookies. I'm making ginger snaps."

"Erm… professor Snape and I are allergic to those." Harry reminded her casually. Emmeline blinked and then smacked herself on the forehead.

"Cinnamon snaps then!" she amended as she put the powdered ginger away and reached for the whole cloves instead. "Can you grind those in the mortar for me dear?"

"Sure!" Harry cried happily before he dove into helping.

"I think we should go to the Christmas market tonight," Severus remarked. "What do you think? Ham, beef, or goose?"

"I've never had goose before," Harry remarked casually, "what's it like?"

"It's a juicier meat, but a bit more gamy than turkey."

"Goose is to turkey what venison is to beef." Emmeline reasoned as she began adding the cinnamon and baking soda to her creamed butter and sugar.

"Erm…" Harry began with a wince. "Never had venison either." Emmeline blinked.

"Forgive Emmeline, her privilege is showing." Severus drawled with a chuckle. Emmeline responded to that by throwing a bit of the unfinished batter at him. Harry bit his lip at the man stared at the bit of butter and spices stuck to his shirt. Then he took a deep breath and unbuttoned his cuffs, and rolled his sleeves down. Emmeline stared at him when suddenly the man sprung across the kitchen and grabbed a handful of flour.

"Wait wait wait!" Emmeline cried in fear. And Severus threw it into her face. She yelped and then coughed out a laugh as she choked on a mouthful. Severus chuckled and dusted his hands off in the sink while the woman shook with laughter. Harry laughed as well as Emmeline wiped her face off.

"Well!" She cried, though her smile was still beaming, "someone's not getting any cookies!"

"I am a master of stealth and deception." Severus declared darkly, looking frighteningly serious. "If you think you can keep cookies from me in my own home, you have another thing coming." Emmeline rolled her eyes before going back to actually making the cookies.

Emmeline stared at the goose currently soaking in the kitchen sink with a scowl.

"Last time I ever ask Charles for anything." She spat angrily as she slapped the kitchen towel over the counter.

"It still hasn't arrived?" Severus demanded with a frown.

"He said he'd have it delivered two days before Christmas!" Emmeline cried angrily before she fished into her pocket and pulled out the official receipt. "See! It lists the delivery date!"

"This says Hogwarts," Severus remarked. Emmeline blinked and turned it over again, scanning the page rapidly before she turned her head up and groaned.

"It'll be back by now… I'll have to go pick it up myself." She whined desperately. Severus shook his head.

"There is no way I will allow you to subject yourself to that man two days before Christmas."

"But-"

"You have other gifts for him. It's not the end of the world. You can give it to him when we get back to Hogwarts. He wouldn't be able to ride it around as high or fast as he'd want anyway." Severus remarked. Emmeline sighed.

"But I wanted this Christmas to be special, and it's something he'll really appreciate."

"He'll probably appreciate anything," Severus muttered bitterly. Emmeline sighed, despite knowing that he was right.

"I feel awful though…" Severus shook his head.

"I'm sure Harry wouldn't mind and will understand." Emmeline huffed but nodded regardless.

Harry woke on Christmas morning with the dawn. He rushed to his window and watched the sun creep up over the horizon, casting the snow into brilliant sparkles. Then he rushed down the hall. He paused at the door. Was this a good idea? Ah, what the heck. He banged on the door with a big grin. In a second the door burst open with Snape brandishing his wand, looking bleary-eyed but battle ready. Harry jumped back in shock with a yelp. The man blinked.

"Harry?"

"Happy Christmas!" The teen cried, "Now come downstairs!" Then he grabbed the man's housecoat by the sleeve and tugged him down the hall. He released him about halfway down the stairs as he rushed towards the couch where Emmeline was already groggily sitting up, looking equally bleary.

"Where are the Death Eaters?" She asked groggily.

"No Death Eaters!" Harry admonished. "Just presents!"

"Shouldn't we have breakfast first?" Emmeline whined tiredly. Harry looked crushed.

"But presents!" he begged.

"At least let me make coffee first," Severus complained as he marched past them groggily. Harry pouted even as Emmeline yawned widely.

"We always have breakfast first," she murmured tiredly. Harry looked back at her heartbroken. Then Severus came back with two steaming mugs, though they both looked a lot lighter than their usual brew. The second Emmeline took a sip, she moaned in delight.

"Oh, how I love the Irish," she murmured. Severus agreed with a grunt. Then Harry dashed over and thrust his presents into both their hands. They both glanced down at their matching boxes and gave him a curious look. He was practically vibrating as he grinned at them. So they both pulled the ribbon loose and opened the boxes.

"Oh!" Emmeline cried with a wide smile. "Oh, Harry! Thank you!" Severus lifted up the medallion with a curious expression.

"This division… It's very unique. I recognize the central rune as a mark of a yule stone, but the others,"

"It's a guardian stone." Emmeline supplied with a smile. "The runes - well I suppose Harry should explain them."

"These runes here are defensive and should ward you against simple jinxes. This one detects poison and will heat up slightly, which I know you don't really need, but maybe if you have a cold," Harry offered Severus with a bat of his hand. "The Yule rune in the centre would usually mean that after the solstice the runes would lose their effect, but I wanted them to be useful all year long, not just close to the solstice. So I figured out a way for the winter solstice to sort of… recharge it every year. So it is a Yule stone, but it's a year-round one." Harry offered with a grin. The pair were staring at him, looking highly impressed.

"That is remarkable," Severus remarked before he lifted the medallion and settled it over his neck, then tucked it into his shirt. Emmeline put it on as well but left it over her shirt.

"I know it works better against the skin," Emmeline assured Harry as he opened his mouth, "but I'd like to show it off, it's really quite wonderful. Thank you so much darling" Harry blushed and smiled at his knees.

Around eleven, after Harry had finished opening his many many presents, and Emmeline had just started their breakfast of chocolate pancakes there was a knock at the door. Severus made a grumbled noise and walked up to the door.

"Albus I swear-" but the man on the other side of the door was not Albus. He was a tall, slightly portly fellow with wispy, wild white hair coming out of the side of his head while the top was completely bald. He was leaning on a cane in one hand, and propping a very impressive-looking broom on his shoulder with the other.

"Jolly Holiday!" the man cried with a beaming smile. "Is my little Emmi in?"

"Grandfather?" Emmeline cried in awe as she stepped into the doorway. Her jaw dropped before she grinned. "Grandfather!"

"Emmi!" he cried before he stepped into the cottage. "How are you my darling dearest treasure?"

"Wonderful!" Emmeline assured him. "What are you doing here?"

"Why I came to deliver this!" the man cried as he held out the broom. Harry's eyes bugged out of his eyes.

"That's a Firebolt!" he cried in awe. Emmeline beamed.

"Yes!" she agreed. "Yes it is." then she held it out for him. Harry blinked and then slowly stood up. He took the broom in shaky hands. As he stared at it he looked up at her with shiny eyes.

"F-for me?" he stuttered in shock. Emmeline nodded. Harry looked like he was about to faint.

"Thank you!" he finally cried.

"You're very welcome young man!" the older gentleman cried with a grin. Harry blinked at him.

"Thank you Mr. Cleansweep!"

"Please!" the man cried, with a raised hand, "Mr. Cleansweep was my father. Arnold is fine!"

"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" Severus offered politely. Arnold raised an eyebrow.

"Presents before breakfast? Bit backwards isn't it?"

"Harry insisted," Emmeline remarked with a chuckle. Arnold chuckled.

"Ah, the exuberance of youth. I smell pancakes?"

"Yep!" Emmeline accented. The man smiled.

"Well I wouldn't miss your pancakes for anything!" he cried, "then I better stay to make sure this fine young man is satisfied with his Christmas present." Harry sputtered.

"Oh I totally am!" he assured the man. "A Firebolt! A Firebolt! Ron is gonna go mental!"

Harry laughed as he rushed down the street ahead of the pair walking. Severus chuckled indulgently as the boy worked off the mountain of sweets he'd received from them and his friends. He was certain the boy would sleep well tonight, once he crashed through the roof of his sugar high. He couldn't help but reflect on that great irony that he usually found exuberant children, particularly Draco, highly annoying, but with Harry all he could think was how funny it all was.

"He's going to sleep well tonight." Emmeline read his mind beside him. She had dressed up for their evening out and her braid was cascading over her shoulder and decorated with little snowflake pins, framing her face with sparkles. Severus couldn't help but stare.

She was truly breathtaking.

"I agree. I almost think we should walk the whole way ho-" he cut himself off.

There was that word again.

Home.

But he'd already tried that with Emmeline.

And look how well that had turned out.

If Emmeline did notice the full connotations of his slip, she didn't comment. Just serenely kept walking beside him down the snowy street. It was cold, which was why Emmeline had wrapped one of her scarves around Severus' neck, all the while scolding the man for not having proper winter gear. Harry was occasionally slipping on a patch of ice, which caused the boy to give out giddy giggles. Then he finally fell. There was a loud thump, which cause both adults to suck in a breath and rush down the street to help the boy off the ground. He was wincing, holding his shoulder with discomfort, but still smiling.

"That was a bit stupid wasn't it?" he muttered.

"A bit foolish, yes." Severus admonished. "Let's get back to the cottage. I want to look at that shoulder. Then we'll have some hot cocoa and finish our chess match, then I think bed." Harry nodded. And the trio of them disappeared in a turn of his heel. Luckily the shoulder wasn't badly injured, just a bit bruised. Once he was changed in his new pj, a fleece sort with little stars on them that twinkled and would occasionally shoot across the back, we curled up on the sofa and sipped at his cocoa. Severus had pulled out his wireless, a real treat, since most of the music that played these days was not to his taste. But he seemed to be tuning the music out as he finished settling into the game.

"What was your favourite Christmas?" Harry asked casually before Severus moved his piece. The man paused and looked up at him. Another game of chess and questions? Very well.

"Fifth year. My mother gave me a rare Hawaiian obsidian potions knife. Very exciting. I still have it actually. It does interesting things to potion's potency when I use it in the preparation process." Harry hummed, intrigued. "You'll learn about the importance of equipment materials in seventh year." Then he moved his queen's rook. "Which class has been your favourite this year?" Harry hummed in thought as he looked at the chessboard.

"That's a hard one." he finally admitted. "I've had a lot of fun in Ancient Runes. But Care of Magical Creatures has been really cool too. And I've learned a ton in Defence. Professor Lupin is an amazing teacher." Severus let out a grunt which Emmeline gave him a stern look for. Severus rolled his eyes but watched Harry move his bishop. Instantly Severus' eyes lit up.

The Weasley gambit.

"If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?" Severus blinked.

It was a more hypothetical question than he was used to.

Could the boy be trying to get him off his game?

His eyes flicked down to his left sleeve. That was certainly one option.

He looked up to Emmeline who looked back at him with curiosity. Perhaps that's why Harry had asked it.

He looked at the chessboard.

"I would be less of a coward." Severus finally responded.

Then the king's side castled. Harry blinked and looked at the board again in slight shock.

"Wha- but… I." then he slumped back onto the sofa in shock. Severus chuckled as the boy fully processed.

"Telling Ron 'bout that one," he muttered in irritation before he stared at the board again, deep in thought. Then he looked up expectantly at the professor.

"I'd ask you the same question." Harry bit his lip.

"I… I guess I'd try to be more assertive." he finally muttered. Severus blinked and quirked an eyebrow. Harry smirked, "I guess you would say I'm too diffident." that raised a scoff from Emmeline.

"I still take offence to that," she muttered into her hot cocoa. Harry looked at the board again before he moved his knight at the cost of his bishop. Severus didn't think he imagined the wince as Harry lifted his hand from the piece. Then he remembered that that bishop had been Harry's position. He frowned at the internalized self-sacrifice that Harry had exhibited over his love of the knight. Then he remembered that that knight had been Ronald Weasley, and while still self-sacrificing, it made a bit more sense.

"What was your favourite subject after potions?" Harry asked. Back to casual questions then?

"Arithmancy." Severus replied easily "it was by far the most interesting. It was more interesting than potions in certain semesters."

"Didn't think that was possible," Harry muttered. Then his face crumpled as Severus moved his bishop. He crumpled and let out a moan of defeat, then flicked over his king. Emmeline blinked."He won, he beat me! Ugh!"

"I'm afraid it will take at least another thirty years to reach my level, Harry." the man remarked with a chuckle. "I learned to play when I was seven and practised against some of the best chess minds in the world until I was eleven. Then I continued to practise all throughout my life."

"You were in chess tournaments as a kid?" Harry asked in awe. Severus smiled.

"Yes. At a park with all of the elderly men in the local old folks." he declared. Harry blinked.

"The greatest chess minds in the world? At a seniors home in rural Yorkshire?" he drawled. Severus took a sip of his cocoa.

"You can go to all the chess tournaments and watch all of the most official and pretentious of matches, where each move is analyzed and counted and counter-counted against every move before and after," Severus began with a sniff. "But you don't meet a chess master until you find the one that thinks to cheat."

"Well, they would be much of a master if they had to cheat!" Harry argued, more out of frustration than anger. Severus marvelled at how far they truly had come that he could now tell the difference and not be angry himself.

"Not actually cheat." Severus specified. "Think to cheat. It is a man that would think that will make spontaneous sacrifices or aggressive acts. He will do the unexpected because he thinks the costs are worth it for reasons that go beyond official numerical values and prestige. And with each act, he develops a keen sense of understanding of the real aspect of the game. You must think of the history of the game, which was to simulate the commanding of an army. A commander may make mistakes, he may change his mind on a whim of fate or a flight of fancy, he may rage forward in a storm of passion, or retreat in a bout of cowardice. One must learn to play the game as a general," Severus said, moving one of his pawns to an arbitrary spot on the board, "before they attempt to play as a queen." He placed his queen beside the pawn for emphasis. Harry smiled. He looked at the board again and smirked.

"I don't think you should call yourself a coward." he put the queen back. "I could have taken the queen with my first bishop! That would have still put you in check!" Severus lifted his eyebrow then his rook and moved it up one square. "Oh."

"Come now Harry, you forfeit because you knew the match was over six moves before it actually finished," Harry grumbled something under his breath as he filled the little velvet-lined drawers that held the pieces. By the time he was done he was yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Go to bed darling," Emmeline said with a smile. "Tomorrow I want to see more of what your new broom can do, even in a confined space." Harry grinned widely.

"Absolutely!" Then he yawned again.

"To bed." Severus crowed as he put the chess set back where it belonged.

"Night!" Harry cried as he marched up the stairs. And suddenly Severus was alone with Emmeline, as crooning, holiday love songs poured out of the wireless. She looked effortlessly perfect, curled up on his couch.

But he couldn't help but think of that day, nearly twenty years ago now.

How much he'd ruined everything.

Suddenly Emmeline let out a sigh.

"What are we doing, Severus?" she asked before she looked at him in that knowing way she did when Severus was certain she must be a legilimens, for how her thoughts so often mirrored his own "we know how this story ends. We've been down this road before."

"Emmeline…" Severus began. But the words refused to leave his throat as if that first syllable was barring the way. And then he lost his nerve. "Can I take your mug?" Emmeline sighed again and handed him the mug. He retreated to the kitchen and spent a bit of time scrubbing them by hand, rather than using magic. When he finally finished berating himself and returned to the living room Emmeline was asleep, curled up on the sofa. It was a familiar scene, which made Severus' heart hurt. Then he made it worse by laying the throw blanket over her.

What were they doing?

Being the fools they had always been.

Severus sighed and left the living room, ending Christmas day the same way he always did, awash with regret and bad memories.

Harry closed his trunk with a wide smile before he grabbed his firebolt and slung it over his shoulder. He couldn't wait to see the look on Ron's face! And he couldn't wait to actually test the firebolt out. True, the wards were as tall as the willow tree, but it still wasn't enough space to really let him test the speed of the broom. He did get to talk to Arnold (who had privately told harry to call him grandfather, which made his stomach flip flop happily) about its development though, which had been truly fascinating. He was exceptionally knowledgeable and yet, knew how to talk to Harry about it in a way that he could understand. He was excited to test out the spiralling stabilizers that the broom developer had shown him. That would require attaining a height he just couldn't get in Dover. But as he rushed downstairs he stopped. 

“Where's Professor Snape?” he asked. They were supposed to apparate straight to Hogwarts. Emmeline sighed.

“He had to go, Albus called a core staff meeting to review the upcoming semester.” Emmeline huffed. “He also asked that you not come directly to the school.”

“Oh… so we're going to 9 ¾ after all?”

“Yes. I’ll be riding the train up with you.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because I haven't ridden the Hogwarts express since I was seventeen?” Emmeline offered with a chuckle. “Am I not allowed?”

“No of course you're allowed!” Harry assured her. Though he was a touch embarrassed at the thought. He could hear Seamus and Dean snickering. Hopefully, she wouldn't nag him like she’d done at the start of the year. That had been the worst. But Emmeline didn't nag him as they arrived at the platform. In fact, as soon as Harry spotted his friends, she seemed to melt into the crowd. Harry did admit, he sort of missed her well wishes but figured she'd find him on the train anyway. 

"So how was Wales?" Harry asked Hermione as they brought their trunks to the baggage train. He loathed to hand his firebolt over to the person loading the car but eventually forced himself to pry his fingers free of the fantastic broom. 

"Very interesting. My grandmother took us to a lot of local museums. It was fascinating to see the things that were happening parallel to the wizarding world in Wales. The dragon revolts coincided with various rebellions and reprisals. I can't help but wonder if they were linked. Or maybe reactionary? I'll have to ask professor Vance about it in class."

"Or you can ask her on the train." Harry reasoned. "She's riding with us."

"Oh? Why?"

"Nostalgia I think." Harry guessed. "But I also think she's worried. The death eaters have been pretty quiet the last few weeks. Part of that is the holiday I think. They've all got fancy gallas and partys to attend and organize. I think she's worried they might compensate for their lost time."

"What happened to, they won't attack if their children might be injured?" Harry rolled his eyes.

"I never said it was logical. Just what I thought." He drawled. Hermione blinked.

"You know you've been acting a lot like professor Snape this year." She remarked. Harry blinked. "Not the old one, of course. But still."

"Oh… er… well I guess it's cause I spent so much time around him." Harry reasoned. Hermione nodded.

"Makes sense."

"Hermione! Harry!"

"Ron!" Harry cried with a grin. "How were your holidays mate?"

"Awful!" Ron bemoaned desperately. "Aunt Muriel was worse than ever. She complained about my eyes this time! Said they were too blue. What the bloody hell am I supposed to do about that?!" Harry chuckled.

"Well just wait until we get to Hogwarts, then I can show you what I got for Christmas. It'll drive you mental, I'm sure of it." 

"Can I have a hint?" Ron asked excitedly. But Harry stubbornly refused to say anything. Not even when Seamus and Dean popped in for a spell to beg, then came back a bit later with Neville to beg some more. It was about 2:30 when Emmeline finally found them.

"Harry darling there you are! So sorry I didn't board with you, I was stopped by another student and their mother. She was very concerned about her NEWTS. Wants to become an archaeologist." Emmeline's tone turned a bit scathing "mostly wanted me to assure her mother it was a legitimate career path." Harry grinned as the professor let out a huff before giving a smile to his friends "how were your holidays Mr. Wealsey, Miss. Granger."

"Quite lovely, thank you."

"Not great," Ron admitted with a sigh. Emmeline winced.

"I take Muriel is still as difficult as always?"

"You've met?"

"Once."

"Yeah, she is."

"Ah." Harry laughed.

Then there was a great lurch. 

The four of them really were unseated as the train came to a sudden, screeching, halt. The bags that Hermione and Ron had stowed up above tumbled from the shelf and Harry had to jump to avoid being concussed. Hermione was not so lucky. She gave a loud scream as the bag landed on her leg with a crunch. Then the train car began to tilt. Harry gave a cry of alarm as suddenly they we sliding down the bank of the tracks. As the car finally stop sliding, thankfully not tipping over, Emmeline leaned out of the compartment and gave a shout up and down the train. 

"Everyone remain calm!" She bellowed. Everyone did not do that. They all gave panicked whimpers and looked around frantically. Then suddenly the rear door to the cars opened.

"ALRIGHT!" came a loud, stupid-sounding roar. "I WANT ALL YOU LITTLE KIDDIES TO KEEP YOUR MOUTHS FIRMLY SHUT!" Emmeline immediately ducked back into the compartment, pale as milk. "We're here for Harry Potter! Stay out of our way, and we ain't gonna hurt ya!"

"Who-" Ron began with a whisper.

"Death eaters," Emmeline muttered before she peered cautiously into the hallway again. They were going up the train, compartment by compartment. There were only two she could see, but she figured there had to be more guarding the outside. They had separated the baggage car from the looks of it, but the engine appeared to still be attached. If they could get up to the front of the train, Emmeline was sure she could barricade the toilets, which would provide just enough time for her message to be heard and for help to arrive. She went back into the compartment. "Expecto Patronum." The pheasant lit the space up brightly, which Emmeline winced at. Anyone outside must have seen that light, in the early gloaming. "Go to Severus. The train has been attacked. Harry and I are in the toilets at the front of the train. Hurry!"  Then the bird whizzed off. That definitely caught their attention. Harry was about to ask a question when Emmeline grabbed his hand and pulled him into the hall. Sure enough, the pair were trying to rush up the aisle, their white skull masks sinister under their black pointed hoods. Emmeline immediately fired a curse before she pushed Harry ahead. "Run!" Harry didn't need to be told twice. He rushed for the front of the train as Emmeline held their pursuers back. Then another emerged from an entrance further up the train. Harry began firing his own spells at the man, though his skill was not nearly as impressive as Emmeline's. When a spell nearly struck Harry Emmeline whipped around and threw a petrifying curse at the man, who topped over.

Then a death eater sent a wicked-looking blue spell at Emmeline while she was distracted. Harry heard the ripping noise, smelt and then saw the blood that soaked through Emmeline's coat as she turned back around, gasping in pain, and fired two more curses at the death eaters. Harry yelped as she wobbled before he began holding her up.

"Take us to the front Harry." Emmeline wheezed, even as she continued to shout and fling spells. No more death eaters emerged behind them, though several did through the front. Harry heard various screams as Hogwarts students ducked into their compartments to avoid stray spells. Then suddenly there was a bang and several seventh years, including Percy Weasley, rushed out of their compartments, right as the death eaters passed. Harry made a noise of shock before he began frantically dragging Emmeline into the toilets. 

"Okay, we're here! The others - the seventh years- the other death eaters- why would Percy - what should I do?" Harry cried in a panic, unsure which thought was the most urgent.

"Harry," Emmeline slurred, growing paler by the minute. "I need you to set up wards. At the base of the door, scratch out a Thurisaz. Then I need you to place these spells. Salvio Hexia, Protego Totalum, and Salvio Sancti." 

"Okay!" Harry cried before he dove and did just that. he had to transfigure a provided Bobby pin into a sharp needle to etch the rune, but once he did placing the spells was easy. They felt much sturdier for the rune, which made Harry finally breathe a sigh of relief. "Okay, what now?" Harry asked. Then he froze. Emmeline was slumped over, sitting in a slowly growing pool of blood. "MUM!" he dove and pulled her upright, which drew a small groan from her but filled Harry's heart with hope. "Come on mum you've gotta stay awake! Dad'll come and he'll make everything better like he always does!" Harry sobbed, so relieved that she was still alive that he wasn't even registering how he'd slipped. How he'd admitted his greatest wish. "You just gotta stay awake! Come on, please! Don't close your eyes!" Harry begged. Slowly, with much effort, Emmeline opened her sluggish eyelids.

"You're doing wonderfully dearest." She slurred. Harry choked on a sob.

"Please don't close your eyes!" He sobbed. "I don't know what I'd do without you!"

"Hush sweetheart I'm here," Emmeline whispered. Her eyes began to droop again. "I'm so tired."

"No!" Harry cried. "Stay awake! Keep your eyes open!" Then suddenly someone was banging on the door. Emmeline instantly snarled.

"Come in! I dare you! You touch one hair of his head I'll eviscerate you!" Then she lifted a shaky hand, but after just a few moments couldn't hold it up any longer. That one final act of protective defiance drained the last of the colour from her face and she slumped over again. 

"MUM!" Harry sobbed as he lifted his own wand. Then the door was finally forced open. Harry's eyes blew out. "DAD! Dad, you have to save her!" He sobbed. Severus was already on his knees, pulling Emmeline into his shaking arms. His breath was frozen in his chest and his mind was trapped in a horrible memory on loop. No. No no no no no. Not again! He wouldn't let it happen again. He reached out a hand and grabbed Harry's shoulder.

"Oddment!" He bellowed. Harry blinked before something that felt let a hook just behind his navel gave him a yank and he was consumed in a spiral of colours. Then just as suddenly as it began, the hook let go and he landed, quite hard, on the floor of the hospital wing. "POPPY! POPPY!"

"Over here! Put her here! Oh, dear sweet Merlin Harry!" The matron cried as she glanced past Severus to the boy. Severus whipped around and notice for the first time that Harry's chest was covered in blood. It had soaked into the new jumper that Emmeline had knit for him, and was seeping into his jeans below. His knees were also slowly collecting blood and the poor boy was crying. Sobbing like an Infant. Severus immediately rushed to him, horrified. But closer inspection showed that his only injuries were a pair of split knees from the hard fall into the unforgiving stone. 

"Tell me mum is gonna be okay!" Harry sobbed into his robes. "Please she has to be okay!"

"Emmeline will be fine dear!" Poppy assured him, even as she frantically poured blood-replenishing potions down her throat and prayed that it was not too late. Severus was torn, frantically uncertain between checking on Emmeline and comforting Harry. But then the door opened and Minerva rushed in, holding one of her lions aloft. All of the staff had rushed to the train as soon as Emmeline's Patronus had interrupted the meeting and arrived to a train in chaos. Several of the seventh years students had sprung into action, defending the younger years against half a dozen death eaters. Two of them had still been fighting in the hallway when Severus forced his way through Emmeline's very impressive ward network, for something thrown up on the fly. Percival Weasley seemed to be the ring leader of the operation, which had caused Severus to soften his earlier opinion of the boy. Yes, he was a nosy arrogant busybody, but at least he could be assured of the boy's moral character. Behind Minerva Filius was levitating two more students, both unconscious. he once again thanked heaven above for Albus's special password-protected portkeys. Though he still wished the man would change his ludicrous passwords.

"More are incoming!" Minerva hollered. "All of the death eaters were captured."

"Who?"

"Augustus Rookhood, Daedalus Flint, Benjamin Tatters, Winston McTavish, and Walden McNair." Minerva listed with distaste.

"Oh, how convenient that none of them have children in Hogwarts anymore," Remus remarked with a heavy frown. "I hope the others that do have second thoughts for a change." Then he looked up at Severus. The man was pale, shaking like a leaf and generally unstable. Then suddenly the dam broke. The man lifted a hand to his eyes and began silently sobbing. Minerva looked momentarily stunned, and Filius nearly dropped one of the students he was levitating. Remus set the seventh-year Ravenclaw, who looked equally mesmerized, on a bed and rushed to the man's side. "Come on," he said as he practically carried the man out of the growing chaos of the hospital. "Sit." He said as he guided the man into a chair. "Close your eyes and breathe. Use those Occlumency skills of yours. Breathe. Harry is safe. Emmeline is safe. They're both safe." He repeated this mantra over and over until Severus finally let out a shuddery sigh.

"Remus." He muttered, "thank you."

"Unlike everyone else in that room, that was not my first time seeing a panic attack," Remus admitted with a chuckle. "You tend to see a lot of them when you're a professor people see as approachable. They come to you for their worries." Severus nodded even as he swallowed more gasps. "Comes with being younger I guess. Wonder if Emmeline has had to coax someone out too?" Severus let his eyes drift closed. He could still see her. Crumbled on the floor (leaning on the crib).

Crumbled.

Broken.

Gone. 

"Oh god." Severus moaned as he smashed his palms into his eyes. Remus squeezed his shoulder.

"Breathe." He reminded him. Severus choked before he climbed to his feet. 

"I have to check on Harry. Make sure he's alright!" 

"Severus," Albus' voice suddenly called from behind them. Both men turned to the headmaster, which still ruddy-faced and distressed, the other annoyed. Now? Albus really thought that now was a good time?

"Albus-" Remus began warningly. It really couldn't be a worse time!

"Albus, I need to check on Harry!" Severus argued before Remus could voice his full complaint. The man smiled serenely. 

"And so you shall. But in a few minutes. I think," the man paused, rubbing his beard and looking skyward. "Yes, I think now would be the best time. Considering everything." He turned to Severus with a sad expression. "For I owe you an apology, Severus. I have been unfair, and I have-" the man cut himself off. "Now is not the place. Can you please come to my office? I promise that once I am done, you may check on Harry and Emmeline for as long as you would like." Severus let out an exhausted sigh but followed the old man regardless. Remus stayed by the door before he turned into the hospital wing himself.

Severus settled into the chair already dreading this conversation. Albus had been unusually quiet as they marched up to his office. He was contemplative, which worried Severus. In his experience, a contemplative Dumbledore was never a good sign. It meant something grim had occurred.

"The year was 1979." Albus finally began, after a minute of sitting in his office, listening to his table of odd instruments tick and whirl. " It was December. A couple of weeks before Christmas. I'm sure you remember this part." Severus closed his eyes. 

How would he ever forget?

December 3rd, 1979

"I think it's grand!" Emmeline argued with a chuckle. 

"You didn't grow up Anglican!" Severus argued as he stared up at the mildly frightening angel on the top of their Christmas tree. Yes, it was a little early, but Emmeline had wanted to be extra festive in their first house, and Severus wasn't about to rebuke her for her enthusiasm. He liked her enthusiasm. 

"And a star is better? I think it's supposed to represent the star that led the wise men?" Emmeline reminded. Severus snorted.

"Well, at least the star doesn't have eyes!" Emmeline laughed and return to the sofa, snuggling into his side before giving him a gentle kiss. 

"Well, I like the angel. I think it's beautiful."

"You're beautiful." Severus argued, "that thing is just creepy." Emmeline laughed again when suddenly an owl tapped at their window. Emmeline scrambled off, despite Severus' whine of disappointment, and retrieved the letter. She recognized the creme station art instantly.

"It's from Dumbledore." She muttered before she held it out to him. Severus scanned the letter quickly.

Dear Severus,

I hope this letter finds you well this holiday season.

That being said, and you know I'd hate to do this, but something has come up. 

Seems those old trouble makers I've told you about got into my yard again. They made a right good mess, but my gardener thinks she can fix it though.

We need your help however. Delicate fingers and all that. Not to mention your connections. Could you please come at your earliest convenience. Preferably before the holidays are over. I really want these flowers delivered on time. 

Best wishes and seasons greetings,

Beed Alewise

Severus let the letter settle with a pained expression. 

"What is it?" Emmeline asked. Severus sighed.

"Albus has a mission for me. He needs it down before the holidays. It's another one of Potter's damned fool schemes." Severus muttered as he trailed a hand through his hair. Emmeline sighed. 

"Go." She finally said. Severus stared at her in shock. "We'll have more Christmases. Yes, this was meant to be our first one, but there will be more. Besides, maybe it'll actually work out this time and you'll be able to make it home before Christmas!"

"One of Potter's schemes? Working? Emmeline darling I think you've had just a bit too much eggnog." Severus argued with a roll of his eyes. Emmeline huffed and bat her hand.

"Well, you never know! There's a first for everything and I'm trying to be optimistic!" Severus smiled before he flipped the parchment over and summon a quill to own his reply."

"I felt terrible for dragging you away like that," Albus muttered. "It was unfair." Severus didn't comment. He'd had 13 years to grow bitter about that letter. It had been the catalyst that ruined everything. "Of course, for once, James' scheme did actually work. And with your help, we were able to play the listening devices with ease. And thanks to Lily's clever charms, they never suspected a thing! Truly ingenious really, disgusting a listening device as a piece of thread and then magically sewing it into a seam. And as long as the thread was strategically placed they were highly effective as well."

"For all the good it did," Severus muttered darkly. Because that particular operation hadn't amounted to much a year and 10 months later when James and Lily Potter drew their last breaths. Because he'd never thought to plant a listening device on Black, and he'd never be able to plant one on Voldemort. 

"Well, it did do one thing," Albus said before he opened a drawer and withdrew a light green, well-thumbed envelope.  He stared at the letter for a few moments. "This letter was delivered to me on November first. It appeared on my desk alongside another, imploring me to pass it on to its true recipient." Albus looked up at Severus. "But I did not listen. I was desperate for answers you see. And I was fearful of what this letter might contain. So I opened it and I read its contents. And I have kept its secret for 12 years. I was," Albus paused and looked down at the letter with sad eyes. "I was uncertain if what the sender thought was true. I didn't believe that you could be-," he trailed off again before he shook his head, "But today… today my eyes have been opened. I had far too little faith in you my friend. you proved me quite wrong today. I think that I do not need to keep this a secret any longer.” Then he held out the letter to Severus and stood up when he took it, then moved to the window, staring at it contemplatively. Severus flipped it over and nearly choked. There is the unmistakably loopy handwriting of Lily Potter was his name, scrawled in her favourite green ink on her typical light green stationery. He cautiously opened the letter with a shaky breath. But the second he say the date his hands began to tremble. 

July 31st 1980

She had written this the day Harry was born. 

And she'd written it to him.

And Severus felt a horrible twisting in his gut.

Dear Severus,

As I write this letter, I'm overcome with a sense of grief.

Grief for myself, for I feel in my bones that I will not live to see the end of this war. 

Grief for you, because I know you will blame yourself for it, even if you aren't connected to it at all.

Oh how little she'd known

Grief for my son, who may never grow up with a mother, if the rumours I've heard are true. Which, if they are, I'd like to preface with my utter disappointment. 

One drunken mistake is not worth throwing away your best shot at happiness Severus! In fact, as my final wish, I command that if they are indeed true (and even if they aren't for that matter!) you will find Emmeline Vance and you will kiss the living daylights out of her. Because you deserve each other! Of that, there can be no doubt!

I know Emmeline and I had not always gotten on.

And I shamefully admitted my reasons that drunken night in question. 

But I always felt, seeing you together, that you were a good fit.

Which is why I loathed myself so much to get between you.

I will never truly know why I did it. Drunkenness and jealousy could not be the only reasons. 

But I will say, as I stared at the beautiful creation in front of me, that I can not regret it now. 

Even if I feel like I've stolen someone else's dream. 

Your dream.

But I could not help but feel it was for the best. You were throwing yourself into more and more dangerous missions, burying yourself in your work and seemingly trying to drive yourself into an early grave (no doubt in some kind of twisted act of penance, which is highly overvalued. Most men would just sleep on a couch for a bit. But Severus Snape takes near suicide missions) 

For the good of both of you, we had to keep this secret.

James was happy to help. He's extremely excited. Sirius too. They'll make such excellent parents one day. James says I'm too optimistic. But I think he's still stuck in the pure-blood mindset. Someday they'll be free to walk proudly and not have to fear what anyone will say. Maybe in 10 years, maybe in 20, but I know it will change. Call it another feeling in my bones. 

I named him Harrison. I know your grandfather was someone you admired, though I'm not sure if that's true anymore. Hopefully, it is, otherwise, my sweet gesture will have backfired horribly. 

He's very small. The healers say proper nutrition and supplements should have him at the average height by his teens. Magic truly is amazing.

I wonder if he'll need glasses like you did…

Oh, listen to me rambling. I haven't even gotten to the important bits!

If you're reading this letter. Then I'm dead and gone, but you're still here.

And Harry is going to need you.

Need you to be the father I know you dreamed you'd be.

And if you are still with Emeline. I need you to apologize for me.

For stealing her dream.

Even though I'm sure if you are still together, Harry is probably now the oldest of a nearly Weasley-sized brood!

If you're not, then you need to apologize and fix that.

Because even a year is too long to brood over one drunken fumble. 

Even for you.

I wish you all the best Severus.

Please tell Harry I love him. 

And don't you dare worry!

You will be the best father in the world.

Of that, I have no doubt.

Love and regrets, 

Lily

Severus let the letter fall to the desk with weak fingers.

Harry was his son.

Harry was his son.

"Severus?" 

Severus looked up at this man.

And saw red.

"How dare you." He whispered. Then he sprang to his feet. "HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU KEEP MY SON FROM ME! HOW DARE YOU SEND HIM TO LIVE WITH THOSE AWFUL PEOPLE! HOW DARE YOU LIE TO ME! HOW DARE YOU TRY AND KEEP HIM FROM ME AGAIN!" Severus screamed, spitting with fury, as he charged at the old man until he had practically pinned him against the wall. "I never want you to be alone in a room with him ever again." Then he turned and tore down the states, two at a time and rushed for the hospital wing. And all the while his mantra repeating:

Harry is my son.

Harry is my son!

He pushed open the door with a flair for dramatic he typically reserved for intimidating first years. Then he froze in his tracks. 

Emmeline.

"Oh, Severus!" The woman cried with a relieved smile. "Thank goodness. Were you the one who came for us? Harry conked out as soon as Poppy gave him a calming draft apparently. The poor dear was completely wiped out." 

Severus crossed the hospital wing as quickly as he could before he grabbed Emmeline's cheeks and mashed their mouths together in a heated kiss. The woman made a shocked moan before she threaded a hand into his hair as the other clung to the front of his robes to keep upright. Severus didn't care, he just continued to express every drop of relief at her continued living and affection in that slow kiss. Then someone cleared their throat. Severus broke away, breathless and a bit frantic. Emmeline for her part just looked a bit dazed, but also pleased. The offended party was Minerva, who was glancing at them over her spectacles in a way which very much made the pair feel like teenagers once again, caught in one of their little secret alcoves.

"A bit of decorum in front of students please." She murmured, though she was slowly forming a smile. "Though I am very happy for you." Then she walked away. Emmeline was the first to fully recover, running a hand down his front to straighten his robes. But once she was finished her hands remained, though much gentler. 

"I'm sorry," Severus mumbled. He'd rushed into that with little to no regard for Emmeline's own wishes and cares, so desperate to reassure himself that she was indeed alive. 

"I've been waiting 13 years for that kiss," Emmeline argued with a smirk. "As the wise old muggles say, 'better late than never'." Then she leaned up and kissed him again. And Severus basked in it. Even as he contemplated the secrets he still kept, and the ones that had been revealed.

Emmeline still felt herself occasionally reeling with how affectionate Severus had been feeling lately. Case in point, he'd come up to her office, during lunch, to give her a kiss on the cheek and to remind her to eat. She remembered that he was attentive in their youth, but he was almost indulgent now. At first, she was certain it was a symptom of her injury, which even she knew had been a very close thing. Harry had been beside himself with worry over her. The entire conversation in the toilets was a bit fuzzy, save when she told him how to lay the wards (something Severus had been momentarily stunned about), but she had a distinct feeling that he had called her mum again.

Emmeline never knew how to feel when she heard that.

On the one hand, it made her heart twist, because she'd dreamed of being called that her whole life, nearly.

On the other, she was not his mother. His mother was dead and gone, and she and Lily hadn't exactly been friends.

In fact, a contemporary viewer might even say they'd despised each other.

Except Emmeline hadn't truly hated lily.

Oh, she'd been jealous, make no mistake.

After all, Lily was smart, pretty, and funny. She'd known Severus for years. And even after their falling out, which is when Emmeline had entered the picture, she still caught Severus occasionally watching the redhead, with a sad longing that Emmeline recognized from all her own years of pining.

When they had graduated and left her behind, Emmeline had been certain that Severus would leave her, and try again with Lily.

But then his mother died, and suddenly Severus seemed to forget all about Lily. Something about her not bothering to come to the funeral had taken the majesty away from Lily in Severus' eyes.

She was still beautiful, still funny, and still smart.

But Severus couldn't trust her anymore.

Emmeline wondered if Lily ever realized her mistake. If she had regretted it.

Severus' affection, however, was not falling equally.

She realized it at the end of her first class back.

After a week of convalescence, lying on her stomach in the hospital wing The student body was ecstatic to see her, though they also showered her with get-well-soon cards and candies.

But she couldn't be happy. Because the second her third years had come into the class, happy to see her and excited to get back to work, she could see it.

Harry was absolutely miserable.

She couldn't fathom why. Until she thought about all the attention Severus had been showering on her. Could Severus have forgotten Harry, in the depth of his returning emotions for her? Emmeline sighed.

"Mr. Potter," she called as the students were preparing for class to end. "please remain behind." Harry winced and waited as everyone else filtered out of the room.

"Did I do something wrong, professor?"

"No, I just wanted to check up on you. How have you been feeling since the attack?" Harry shrugged. Emmeline pursed her lips.

"Harry, have you been having nightmares again?" The boy flinched. "Don't lie to me, " Emmeline said warningly. So Harry nodded. Emmeline sighed. "Why haven't you gone to Severus?" Emmeline asked worriedly. Harry's expression twisted into a scowl.

"I tried! But every time I want to talk to him, he has an excuse for why he can't! He's been avoiding me! I actually saw him turn around and go another way yesterday when I was walking towards him." His angry expression crumpled. "I just don't know what I did wrong. I tried to ask him, but he just got this weird expression on his face and told me to get to class." Emmeline frowned. That was odd behaviour, even for Severus. "Do… do you think it's cause I called him dad?" Harry mumbled with a blush creeping up his face. "I didn't mean to. It just kinda slipped out. I know he didn't like my real dad so maybe he's angry about that?"

"Oh Harry, even Severus wouldn't be that petty," Emmeline assured him. Then she put her hands on his shoulders. "I'll talk to him. In the meantime, try to get proper sleep tonight. And if you do have a nightmare, remember to breathe. You're safe at Hogwarts." Harry nodded slowly, which Emmeline felt wasn't very encouraging. But she dismissed him nonetheless. Then she sighed and headed to the staff room.

Remus settled in beside Emmeline with a smile. He could tell she was stressed.

"Rough week?"

"You have no idea," Emmeline muttered. She'd been so excited to get back to work, but Remus couldn't help but worry that she'd pushed herself a bit too much. She looked absolutely bushed.

"Severus helps though?" Remus asked with a small smile. He was genuinely happy for her if he was. If he wasn't, however, they would be having…words.

"Yes and no," Emmeline muttered as she rubbed her temples. "He's a perfect gentleman to me. But for some reason, he's been avoiding Harry "

"Well I'm sure it must be awkward" Remus reasoned with a sigh. He hadn't exactly been not upset when he'd managed to get it out of Albus. The signs had all been there of course, but of course, as usual, he had failed to notice them until it was, in some semblances, too late. Once he had found out about it all though, he'd been on the old man's case to actually tell Severus. He'd even threatened to do it himself! But then Albus chose the worst possible moment. Remus was a bit upset with himself. He probably should have been the one to tell him. It would have been easier. Even if he probably would have been hexed.

"Awkward? What do you mean?"

Remus froze.

"He still hasn't told you?!" He cried in horror.

"Told me what?" Emmeline asked with slowly narrowing eyes. Remus groaned and rubbed his temples.

"Emmeline… has Severus ever told you why he left you?" Remus asked her genuinely. Emmeline paled slightly.

"No," she admitted. "We … we don't talk about it."

"Ask him." Remus insisted a touch annoyed now. He'd have to admit it then. He couldn't hide. "And don't let him try and weasel out of it." Emmeline frowned.

"Remus I don't-"

"Trust me, Emmeline. This is very important. You know I wouldn't insist if it wasn't." He urged with a sigh. Emmeline then stood, looking shaken, but also a bit frustrated. As Remus watched her go he felt lost in reminiscence. He remembered when he'd first met her. Just thirteen and so bubbly. He'd not expected it from a Slytherin and had been glad to consider her a friend. She'd been so different from most of the other students. Fantastically athletic, but yet not quidditch obsessed. Academically focused, but not above having fun. Remus wasn't above admitting that he had been enamoured with her for a time. But Severus and her had fallen for each other before he'd had a chance to see if it could have amounted to anything. And by the time they had crumbled, Remus had lost interest, distracted by other things.

Other things that hadn't wanted anything to do with him.

Not that way anyway.

Remus sighed.

How had their lives ended up like this?

But then again.

Remus shook his head. There were good and bad parts after all. And he wasn't going to forsake the good, just because he was feeling momentarily depressed.

Emmeline hesitated as she approached Severus' office. What could this man be hiding from her that would make Harry so miserable? And how did Remus know?! The longer she stood, the more annoyed and frustrated she became until she finally knocked on the door, with such frustration she nearly pounded on it. Severus cautiously opened the door, looking apprehensive, until he saw her and pulled it open fully.

"Emmeline!" He said with a slight smile. But then his expression tightened. "What's wrong?"

"We need to talk," Emmeline said coldly. Severus flinched.

"Emmeline you of all people should know how utterly terrifying those words are." He muttered.

"Good! I'm glad they terrify you! Especially since I know you've been hiding something from me." Emmeline snarled. Severus blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you break up with me?" Emmeline demanded. Severus froze.

"Emmeline-"

"Don't you dare make some excuse, Severus! I deserve to know! It's been 13 years! I was fine to dismiss it when we finally reconnected after all those years, but now I find you're hiding something and it's linked to it."

"Why does it matter?" Severus cried, sounding uncharacteristically frantic.

"Why won't you just tell me!" Emmeline shouted back.

"What do you want me to say!" Severus demanded, finally showing some of that infamous temper. "Do you want me to say that you were just a phase?! That I left once I'd gotten what I wanted from you?! That I was only with you out of pity?! That I never loved you?!" Severus snarled cruelly. Emmeline was getting paler with each word until she swallowed roughly.

"If that's the truth…" she whispered, though her heart felt like spun glass.

"WELL ITS, NOT!" Severus roared in frustration. "I love you with every fibre of my soul. You were the only thing that kept me going. The only light in a world of darkness that has been slowly drowning me for decades!" Severus admitted in exhaustion.

"Then why did you leave me?!" Emmeline sobbed, one part relieved, one part still desperately hurt at the horrible things he'd said to her in his anger. "Just tell me! Why did you leave me?! Tell me!"

"BECAUSE I CHEATED ON YOU!"

Emmeline froze. She stared at this man, who was now burying his eyes in his hands looking utterly broken.

"Who-"

"Who do you think?"

Emmeline felt that bitter thorny vine twist around her fragile heart.

"When?"

"I would think that was obvious."

"That mission… just before Christmas … how-"

"The typical way."

"Don't be obtuse."

"There was a party. After it was over. Potter insisted. I think he mostly wanted to brag. One of his hair-brained schemes actually worked for a change."

Emmeline nodded. That made sense anyway.

"Why?"

At this Severus let out a defeated groan.

"Because I was drunk? Because she was drunk? Because she was unhappy, but I wasn't? Because I was there? Because I was a fool? Emmeline, I have asked myself that question for 13 years, and not one of my answers has ever seemed true. I couldn't tell you why. I still don't know why myself." Severus finished as he dropped himself into his desk chair, once again hiding his face in his hands, posture screaming his shame to the world. Emmeline sighed and took a step closer to him.

"You know the most tragic part of this Severus," Emmeline began, with a gentle smile. "Is that I would have forgiven you. It might have taken a while, and you definitely would have been sleeping on the couch…" maybe even the floor, considering just who he… "but I would have forgiven you."

"I wouldn't have wanted you to, " Severus declared firmly. "Because I wouldn't have deserved it. I barely deserve it now."

"Oh Severus," Emmeline sighed with a sad smile. "You are such a martyr." Then suddenly her mind went blank. "Harry." She whispered. The man stilled beside her, confirming her suspicions. "But? Surely James!"

"Seems he was too busy getting buggered by the man that sold him to the dark lord," Severus muttered tiredly. "I suppose those rumours about Sirius being gay weren't all false."

"I heard people joke!" Emmeline cried. "but I never thought - James and Sirius… how tragic."

"Lily was James' front," Severus explained. "A way to appear straight in certain social circles. But Lily hadn't thought about the pressures that would place on her. She was desperately unhappy, and felt isolated from James' 'real' life." The potions master's face sunk into his hand again. "She wanted… well, It's quite clear what she wanted evidently. She sent a letter, spelled to deliver itself to Dumbledore upon her death. He was supposed to pass it on to me, But Dumbledore refused to deliver it, believing he knew better than everyone, as usual." Severus finished angrily. "In it, she revealed the truth, she also wanted me to find you and quote 'kiss the living daylights' out of you. I will admit I'd been thinking about doing it for a while. And I was so relieved to see you awake and alive."

"It was nice," Emmeline assured him with a smile. "Even if Minerva didn't approve." The man smiled before it slipped away again.

"She'd kept his parentage a secret because of all the dangerous missions I'd taken on after I left you. She correctly guessed that I was doing them as a means of self-induced punishment for the way I had betrayed you. She felt that my life had become too dangerous and that it would be better for everyone to think he was James and Lily's son, not mine. But she also thought that if she should die, I should at least know, and better yet, that I should be a part of his life."

"So why haven't you been?!" Emmeline demanded, putting her hands on her hips. "Harry says you've been avoiding him! I thought-" Emmeline paused, then her mouth dropped open briefly. "You haven't told him yet?!"

"What am I supposed to say?" Severus demanded with a wince. "The boy is 13! I'm fairly certain he doesn't want to know about my drunkenly buggering his mother at a Christmas party!"

"Well, you don't have to say it so crassly." Emmeline scowled with a glower. Severus sighed.

"I will tell him." He assured her. "I will… just… not yet."

"Then when?" Emmeline demanded in frustration. "The semester won't last forever, Severus, and as far as Harry knows, he's still alone in the world. I know he'll be overjoyed to return to Dover, but you can't just make excuses for the rest of his life. Lily was right to tell you the truth, you deserve to know, but so does he!"

"Alright!" Severus cried in exhaustion. "Just… I need a few days to… wrap my head around it all." Severus finished tiredly.

"Well fine," Emmeline said with exhaustion. "But in the meantime, stop avoiding the poor dear! He is driving himself spare trying to figure out how he upset you and it's not doing him any favours." Severus sighed again then reached for her hand. Emmeline looked at it and took in Severus' repentant face. Then she rolled her eyes. "Oh, I forgive you, you bloody fool. Wouldn't make much sense to punish you now, since you've been doing it to yourself for nearly half your life."

"I'm still not sure I deserve that," Severus admitted with a sigh. "But I will endeavour to prove I do." Emmeline rolled her eyes and placed a gentle kiss on his temple.

"Now I know where Harry gets his terrible habit of blaming himself for everything. Didn't realize things like that could be genetic!" Severus did give a weak weary chuckle as she left his office.

"So he finally told you," Remus remarked with a chuckle as he and Emmeline walked through the grounds on the shockingly mild spring morning. "Was it like pulling teeth?"

"Worse," Emmeline admitted with a sigh. "He said some rather cruel things. But it was mostly because he was scared and frustrated, and his temper has not gotten better with age." Emmeline admitted with a sigh. At Remus' worried look, she batted the worry away. "Oh he would never say such things to Harry, and he felt terrible for saying them to me. He's not used to talking to people who actually care how he feels about them. Harry especially. But then I think Severus actually cares about what Harry thinks. And he's not used to that either, wanting to please someone."

"Hmm."

"How did you know about all this Remus?" Emmeline demanded. "How did you find out before me?" Remus stopped.

"I was there." Remus finally admitted. "At the Christmas party. I was there. I watched Severus and Lily leave the party and then watched Severus leave later. The smell gave away what he'd been up to. I didn't think about Harry until later. They look alike. But I don't think most people would notice unless it was right in front of them. I only noticed just before the holidays. Harry had a very distinctly 'Severus' expression. I immediately went to Albus and made him confirm my suspicions. I was the one that finally convince him to tell Severus, to confirm it if the man had suspicions, though he ended up picking the worst possible time."

"When?"

"Right after the train attack."

"Of course." Emmeline drawled bitterly. That really couldn't have been a worse time.

"Did he? Have suspicions I mean."

"No," Emmeline admitted. "He'd assumed that Harry had been carried to term."

"So did I," Remus muttered. "But I probably should have known better. James only had eyes for Sirius back then." Remus trailed off, the deep sadness of betrayal swimming in his eyes. Emmeline sighed. Then she frowned.

"Why were you watching Severus so closely that night? For you to notice them leaving."

"I wasn't watching Severus," Remus admitted. "I was watching Lily." Emmeline froze.

"You? And Lily?!"

"No," Remus said with a bitter smile. "No, Lily didn't want anything to do with me. Not like that anyway, to her, we were just friends. But… a man can dream."

"You… probably hate Severus as much as he hates you," Emmeline muttered. Remus chuckled.

"I did. For a very very long time, I did. I hated him because Lily chose him over me. And I hated him for leaving her anyway. For how he'd gotten everything I'd ever wanted, and then thrown it all away. But I don't hate him anymore. I can see that it was petty and sad and that I wasted some of the best years of my life being bitter and angry over something I couldn't control. Lily never loved me, and don't think she ever would have, and I've come to accept that. It's just the way things are." Emmeline gave him a sad smile before the pair continued to take their leisurely walk. "So how did Harry take this revelation? Mixed feelings I presume?"

"Severus hasn't told him yet." Remus smacked himself on the forehead.

"Of course not! Honestly! You'd think with how angry he is with Albus about this that he'd be more willing to share with Harry!"

"He's willing!" Emmeline cried with a sigh. "He just… isn't quite certain how he should tell him."

"Hmm," Remus muttered. "Yes, I suppose it will be quite awkward."

"Quite." Emmeline agreed with a chuckle.

"If he still hasn't told him before the end of the semester, I will." Remus declared. Emmeline chuckled.

"I'll be sure to pass that message along. After I explain how you knew of course. That will probably make him start outwardly hating you again." Emmeline admitted with a sigh. Remus chuckled.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm used to that!"

Harry was leaning over, listening to Oliver planning out their strategies for their last few matches. Gryffindor had actually performed reasonably well and Oliver claimed they actually had a fairly high chance of winning the cup, finally. It'd been almost 20 years according to Hooch. Ravenclaw had won the most. She chalked it up to good captains and strategy. Slytherin had won the last six years which Oliver vehemently blamed on absolutely vicious cheating. Angelina and Alicia both agreed.

"But this year, we have a chance!" Oliver insisted. After Christmas Emmeline had released him from his detentions, in part thanks to his assistance against the death eaters on the train. Most of the seventh years had gotten a load of points, in fact, making the house cup race the highest scoring and most Gryffindor skewed in history, leading with 850 points! Professor Snape had grumbled a bit about that but hadn't argued that the points weren't well founded. Oliver's reinstatement as captain had led to a round of clapping during lunch. But as soon as he settled in he assured the team he was going to change. "Being competitive is good. But I can't let it blind me." Harry's new broom had made Oliver so happy he'd picked the teen up in a gleeful bearhug and spun him around. And watching Harry fly on it had nearly brought the young man to tears. "That cup is ours!" He cried as Harry landed. This match, however, would be the hardest for Harry yet.

"You can't catch the snitch," Angelina informed him "until we've got more than 150 points. We have to have at least 300, or we'll be out of the running."

"150!" Harry cried in horror "I've never drawn a match out that long before!"

"You have to!"

"But how am I supposed to stop the other seeker?!" Harry cried in horror.

"Chang is easy enough to distract," Oliver argued. "Just-"

"Flirt with her?" Harry offered. The entire Gryffindor team stared at him in shock. "I er… heard someone else try it once."

"Did it work?" Oliver asked. The team turned to him, equally shocked.

"Yeah," Harry said with a shrug.

"Then do it."

"Ollie!" Angelina cried in shock.

"Hey if it works it works! Anything to win," Oliver argued.

"What happened to 'there are more important things than winning'?!" Katie cried with a snarl.

"Harry James Potter, if you toy with that poor girl's heart, I will never call you a life saviour ever again!" Angelina said with a surprisingly Molly Weasley-esque tone. That made George snicker and jab his elbow into Fred's side, which made him jab right back, though less snickering and more annoyed.

"Alright alright!" Harry cried with a wince. "I won't flirt with her!" Angelina opened her mouth when suddenly Dumbledore loudly cleared his throat.

"Good morning children, I thought it best to announce this now. I am fairly certain that it will make its rounds before the day is done. In light of the recent capture of various death eaters, The Ministry has seen fit to lift certain restrictions on Hogwarts students." Dumbledore began with a smile, "I am pleased to announce that Hogsmeade visits have been reinstated. There will be one this weekend for all students in year 3 and up, provided you have guardian permission. I took the liberty of sending the forms out once again." The hall was already buzzing before Dumbledore even sat back down.

"Hogsmeade! Brilliant right!" Ron cried with a grin.

"Oh, I'm very excited. The town has so much history!" Hermione cried excitedly. Ron rolled his eyes.

"And Honeyduke's, and Zonko's! Not everything has to be about school you know! You can just have fun!" Ron argued. Hermione sniffed.

"Well while you're 'having fun', I'm going to take a walking tour. They're supposedly quite informative."

"Hard pass," Ron argued with a wince. Hermione harrumphed and walked away. Ron turned back to Harry with a grin.

"Too bad right? While she's off being boring, you and I will have all the fun!"

"Just you," Harry muttered quietly.

"Wot?" Ron said with shock. Harry sighed.

"I don't have guardians anymore, remember? I never managed to get my form signed in the first place. Who would I even ask to sign it now?" Harry asked, feeling only a little bitter. This situation had really put his lack of progress into stark relief

"What about professor Vance?" Ron offered. "She'd sign it, wouldn't she?"

"Absolutely not!" Emmeline cried with firmly crossed arms. Harry stared at her, heartbroken.

"Why not?" he whined.

"Need I remind you," Emmeline began with a cold look. "That there is a mass murderer after you! He wasn't caught during the train attack, now was he?" Harry blinked.

"Oh… right," he shifted on his feet. "I forgot about him."

"You forgot?" Severus suddenly piped up from where he'd been leaning on Emmeline's desk, the first thing he'd said since the start of the conversation. He unfolded his own tightly crossed arms as he pushed himself up. "You forgot about the man who has made it his life mission to kill you?"

"I dunno!" Harry cried, exasperated, "A lot's happened! He hasn't been spotted in weeks and I've been busy!"

"That should make you more anxious!" Severus snarled, "it indicates that he's finally figured out how to avoid detection! For all you know, he could be stalking the halls as we speak!"

"Severus!" Emmeline admonished, "There is no need to frighten him needlessly!" she turned back to Harry with a reassuring smile. "You're safe at Hogwarts. I'm sure there's no way that Black could get in." Harry nodded slowly. "But you are absolutely forbidden from leaving the grounds."

"What?!" Harry cried in desperation. "But-"

"The risk is simply too great!" Emmeline cried over his arguments. "True, several death eaters were caught during the train attack, but that was far from all of them. And you are in enough danger without walking around a rural town, completely unsupervised with only your friends. Frankly, I'm surprised you wouldn't think of the danger that would put them in!" Emmeline finished with a slight frown. Harry did feel that flicker of shame as she reminded him of that fact. "The fact of the matter is that I wouldn't sign that form even if I could." Emmeline finally admitted. "Which, I'll remind you, I can't! I'm not a guardian… or parent." she finished. Severus stumbled into her desk and then coughed to cover it up. Harry looked at him with a raised eyebrow then sighed.

"Fine," he said mopily before he turned and left the office. Emmeline watched him go, waiting for the absolutely irritating man behind her to say something.

"Has he always looked like that when he raises an eyebrow?" Severus whispered in shock. Emmeline huffed.

"So what did she say, mate?" Ron asked with a grin.

"No," Harry admitted. "And she made a lot of good points. Black is still out there, and he still wants to kill me."

"Oh yeah," Ron began with consterned expression, "forgot about him."

"Me too," Harry readily admitted, "so much else has happened lately that it kinda just slipped my mind."

"Well… maybe you can still come."

"Not likely," Harry complained. "She said I was forbidden from leaving the grounds."

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her." Ron reasoned. Harry huffed.

"Yeah? How the bloody hell am I supposed to get to Hogsmeade without being spotted."

"Well, you'd be invisible of course!" Ron offered. Harry blinked. His invisibility cloak! That was an option.

"Only…" Harry began before he bit his lip. "I dunno Ron, professor Vance made a fair point. Black is still out there."

"How is he gonna get into Hogsmeade and attack you while you're in a crowd with a hundred other people, invisible?" Ron argued.

"By blowing those hundred other people up?" Harry offered. "He's done it before, remember?"

"Yeah but as far as he's concerned, you're not there! So he wouldn't have a reason! Apart from being stark raving of course." Ron argued. "Which wouldn't even be your fault!"

"But-"

"Come on mate! It's Hogsmeade! You really wanna stay up here all on your own?"

"I won't be completely alone! I can hang out with Ginny!"

"Yeah, and Colin." Ron piped up with a smirk. Harry's face went sallow. Spending the day with Colin Creevey was not an enjoyable idea. The boy was a nightmare. "Come on!"

Harry caved.

Getting to the village had been surprisingly easy. Harry had remarked that if it had been earlier in the year it would have been a nightmare, with the snow giving him away. But early spring rains had banished most of it, and the gravel road to Hogsmeade provided excellent cover. Harry was free to walk alongside Ron under his cloak, leaving none the wiser. The boys had agreed not to tell Neville, Seamus, or Dean, since having so many people in on it would have increased his chances of getting caught. As it was Ron had to strategically tie his shoe or make double takes into the street multiple times to let Harry in and out of various shops. Honeydukes had been the trickiest. Harry had to very carefully slip a galleon into Ron's hand so he could buy all the sweets that Harry had nudged. And then he had to be patient while the other boys pigged out on their own sweets.

"Shame 'bout Harry," Seamus muttered around his jelly slug. "Bet he woulda had loads of fun with us."

"Ah, I'm sure he's fine," Ron argued. "Didn't get to explore Hogwarts over Christmas remember? Probably catching up for lost time."

" 'Spose." Dean agreed with a shrug.

"Should we go to the three broomsticks next?" Neville argued. "I could really go for a butterbeer."

"Sure!" Ron cried happily. So the four, secretly five, made their way down the street towards the famous pub when suddenly Ron froze.

"It's the-the-the-" Ron stuttered, eyes like saucers and pale as the few patches of remaining snow.

"What's wrong with him?" Dean asked in confusion. Seamus looked around with a frown.

"Dunno!"

"The Grimm!" Ron cried and pointed down the road. Harry followed the ginger boy's finger to see a mangy black dog sniffing around at some rubbish by the side of the road. Neville groaned.

"Oh come on Ron, you're not still hung up about that are you? Everyone knows Trelawney is a hack."

"What's he on about?" Dean asked in confusion.

"Be glad you to arithmancy," Neville muttered. "Divinations is a nightmare. And all year professor Trelawney has been telling Ron that he's got a death omen in his future. The so-called 'Grimm'."

"It's not just made up!" Ron cried with a wheeze. "My great uncle Bilius saw one once! He dropped dead the next day!"

"I thought your great uncle Bilius was the crazy one," Neville muttered. Ron went red.

"Er, it was a different Bilius."

"You had two great uncles named Bilius?" Dean demanded with a snicker.

"Shut up!" Ron argued with an ear-reddening blush. "But see! Look! It's a Grimm!" The four of them looked back at the dog.

"Mate. That's just a hungry stray." Seamus argued with a snort. "Probably be really friendly if we give him a bit of food. Think he'll like my pumpkin pastie?"

"Seamus!" Ron whined. The Irish teen ignored him and gave a whistle.

"Here boy!" Seamus called, whistling more. "Got something tasty for you!" The dog perked up and turned to them before cocking his head. Then he padded closer, tongue lolling out and tail wagging happily. "See! He's a sweetheart!" Then suddenly the dog stopped. His posture completely changed. Slowly his hackles raised and he sunk down, lips rolling back as he snarled, baring his dangerous-looking teeth. Ron screamed and scampered back in terror.

"It's the Grimm! It's come to kill me!"

"Calm down boy!" Seamus cried. "It's okay, we're not gonna hurt you!"

"Seamus!" Dean cried frantically "Leave it alone! It's obviously not a sweetheart!"

"Just huck the pastie!" Neville argued. So the Irish teen did just that. The dog turned and watched it land a few meters away before he turned back to stare at the four boys. Harry was somewhat horrified to realize its black eyes were staring straight at him. Then the dog rushed forward. Harry tried to jump out of the way, but the dog seemed to know exactly where he was! So Harry turned and tried to run without making the cloak fly around. But the dog managed to grab his cloak in its gaping jaws. Harry choked on a gasp and tried to pull it away. But the dog wouldn't budge. So Harry tried harder, and the dog pulled tighter. Eventually, Harry got so frustrated he didn't even care that the cloak's hood had long fallen off and the trio of Gryffindors who hadn't known were staring at him in shock.

"Let bloody GO!" Harry finally snarled before he yanked as hard as he could. The dog didn't budge. Instead, with almost human intelligence it adjusted its grip and pulled.

RIIIIIIPP

Harry stumbled back in shock as a huge, gaping, massive hole was torn into the cloak. Harry stared at it in horror. His dad's cloak! The only thing he had from him! It was completely ruined! Then the dog made a grab for it again and tackled Harry to the ground.

"Oi!" Neville cried. "Get off him!" That seemed to wake Seamus and Dean up and all three of them fired spells at the dog. It jumped away to dodge, eyed the little group, then gave a whine and ran away. Harry slowly climbed up to his feet before he fully removed the cloak, not caring who saw now to inspect the damage. The hole was huge, nearly wide enough to stick his head through, and caused the fabric to drag along the ground. He was horrified to find more, smaller, holes from where the dog had been pulling before. The whole lower half was practically in tatters!

"I'm so sorry mate…" Ron muttered with a pained expression, having overcome his temporary paralysis of fear, "maybe there's a way we can fix it…" Harry sighed heavily.

"HARRISON JAMES POTTER!"

Harry went white as a sheet and whipped around. Severus Snape was staring at him, so livid Harry thought he might burst a blood vessel. He immediately grabbed him by his scruffs and nearly lifted him off his feet. "What are you doing here?! After you were expressly forbidden from leaving the grounds?!"

"I-I-" Harry began. Severus tightened his grip on his shirt collar before looking at the other Gryffindors with absolutely livid eyes.

"I suppose you all thought it would be absolutely charming to completely ignore the school rules and the risks so you could all have a lovely frolic around the village! 50 points-"

"They didn't know!" Ron blurted out quickly, drawing all of Severus' ire. "I didn't tell them…and it was my idea. Not Harry's." Severus narrowed his eyes.

"Very well. 50 points from you, Harry, and Mr. Weasley. The rest of you may go." Severus' hand snatched out for Ron's collar as well. "You boys on the other hand." Harry gulped audibly. This was going to be awful.

"I cannot believe that you would deliberately disobey us like that!" Emmeline cried furiously. "Putting yourself and your fellow classmates at risk! It was horribly selfish! And utterly disappointing!" Harry felt his gut gurgle nervously. It had seemed so harmless yesterday evening. But now he felt like his insides wanted to escape. "Do you have any idea how horrible we would have felt if anything happened to you?"

"Pretty horrible?" Harry murmured, despite his worry that he might vomit from shame if he opened his mouth.

"More than pretty!" Emmeline argued. Then she sighed. "Why did you even think it was a good idea?!" Harry shrugged.

"A verbal response if you don't mind," Severus said quietly. He'd been surprisingly quiet as Emmeline talked. Harry realized the man was thinking something over, and it was taking up most of his mental energy. Harry felt a knot of worry form in his chest. Was he thinking about all the times Harry had disobeyed him at ho- in Dover? Was he thinking of going back to the way things were, with the yelling and the berating and countless lost points? (no more hot cocoa. No more hands on the shoulders. Nothing!)

"I dunno!" Harry cried after that moment of panic. "I dunno! Ron just… made it seem like it wouldn't be that big a deal!" Harry argued. "No one else knew I was there! If it hadn't been for that stupid dog-"

"The dog that attacked you!" Emmeline cried. "That wouldn't have attacked you if you hadn't been in the village!"

"It didn't hurt me!" Harry argued. "All it did was rip my cloak and tackle me to the ground."

"Only because your friends knew enough magic to shoo it away!" Emmeline argued. "What if they hadn't been there? What if you had fallen behind? You could have been mauled!" Harry flinched and looked at his shoes.

"Emm." Severus suddenly murmured. Harry looked up at the man. His contemplative look had changed and now looked determined.

"Now?! Really?!" Emmeline cried in shock.

"Can I have the room?" Severus asked. Emmeline huffed but walked out. Severus conjured another armchair and motioned for Harry to sit. The teen did so, moving carefully and cautiously as a nervous deer.

"You once asked me why Emmeline and I separated." Severus began. Harry blinked. "I didn't answer then. Mostly because I hadn't told Emmeline the reason myself. It was something I had been very ashamed of. In fact, I'm still a bit ashamed, but it can't be kept a secret any longer." Severus sighed and rubbed his temples. "You need some context. Lily and I had been friends for many years. We first met when we were nine. And we tried to continue to be friends at Hogwarts, despite the fact that I was a Slytherin and she was a Gryffindor. My being in Slytherin was the first hurdle. Being there I was forced to associate and interact with people who simply didn't see your mother as human, which required that I at least appear to do the same. This … irked your mother, to put it mildly. She would have preferred I not associate with them at all. A bit difficult, I'm sure you'll agree. It would be like never acknowledging the existence of Mr. Finnegan or Mr. Thomas. Not exactly conducive to a peaceful sleeping environment. And I doubt your roommates would respond to such a slight with dark curses."

"No." Harry agreed with a wince. It sounded like Severus was in a rock and a hard place back then. Either he was nice to his housemates, which made his mum upset, or he was nice to his mum, which his roommates would probably have murdered him for.

"This… stalemate lasted for five years," Severus explained. "In that time, my feelings of affection for your mother had slowly evolved into a rather unhealthy… obsession. I was deeply infatuated with her. It was a bit pathetic looking back." the last part of that was said with a sardonic chuckle. Then he sighed heavily "For this next part… I have to talk about James." Harry frowned. Severus called his mum his mother, but James was just 'James'? "James… didn't like me back then," Severus admitted. "Not that I liked him much either. If I had to describe him in a way you'd fully understand… he was a lot like your cousin." Harry pulled a face. "Indeed. And just like him, James hated me because I was different, or at least, different from him. He was a narcissist, rich, good-looking, and clever but not very book-smart. I, on the other hand, wasn't exactly handsome, dirt poor, clever AND book-smart. A modern psychologist might accuse him of jealousy. I think I just made him feel uncomfortable. He'd been spoiled all his life, made to think he deserved the world. But I outperformed him regularly, and I think I made him feel inadequate." Severus explained. "Whatever the reason, the animosity between us had been growing for years. And in fifth year everything boiled over." Severus sighed and rubbed his forehead. He always hated this part. "It was after a defence practice exam. I was reviewing the work to see what I was struggling with when James and Black jumped me. They lifted me up into the air upside down and pulled down my trousers."

"Bloody hell," Harry muttered in horror. That was horrible!

"It was deeply embarrassing." Severus agreed, though nearly twenty years of separation had helped calm some of the shame. "That was when your mother swooped in to save me. It was basically her job at that point. James flirted with her daily and she seemed to have mastered the art of getting him to do what she wanted. But I was so deeply mortified and so upset that I lashed out at her. Specifically, I called her a Mudblood in front of a crowd that seemed like hundreds, but was probably 25 at most." Severus admitted sadly. Harry paled when he heard that word and was looking at his professor with a pained expression. "She never forgave me. Which is perfectly reasonable I suppose. I had called her a slur to her face. Not exactly conducive to a healthy relationship. Friendly or otherwise. It was around that time that I started dating Emmeline. Our relationship didn't exactly start very healthy either. Emmeline has since admitted that she too had been rather obsessed with me. Don't ask me why. She says she found my dark brooding nature compelling. I think she was just a swotty teenage girl."

"I'm telling her you said that," Harry said with a grin. Severus raised an eyebrow as if to remind Harry that he was in trouble. And it did the job marvellously. He clamped his mouth shut immediately.

"For me, Emmeline was what the children refer to today as a rebound. Someone I could direct all the energy that I had once been directing at Lily to. Again, definitely not healthy, but very few teenage relationships are. And all the while, Lily was still there in the back of my head. I caught myself staring at her on occasion, like I'd done before, only made much more pathetic by the fact that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with me." he leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "When my mother died was when I realized that Lily and I would never truly reconcile. While Emmeline was still at Hogwarts, finishing her final year, Lily had no such obligations. She had known my mother since she was nine, spent time with her on occasion, and even attended her birthday party once or twice. And yet she had refused to attend the funeral, simply because I would be there. She couldn't let go of our animosity for a single hour to pay her respects. It was petty even by her standards and made me realize that I didn't want to be infatuated with her anymore. From that moment on I tried to devote myself utterly to Emmeline, apart from my mastery, and later my work with Dumbledore against the dark lord." Severus folded his hands, looking forlorn. "And for quite a while it's seemed to work. Emmeline and I were happy, We got a flat together, and I was even seriously considering asking her to marry me."

"Why didn't you?" Harry asked with a frown. Severus took a deep breath.

"After Hogwarts, James and Black both joined the Aurors. They were fairly skilled in defence and James was excellent at transfiguration. But their greatest skill - well they were a bit like Fred and George Weasley." Severus admitted. "They were always coming up with new-fangled devices for things like distractions or non-violent takedowns, mostly inspired by your mother's love of crime dramas. They tried to invent a magical flashbang once. That had been an irritating weekend." Severus muttered sardonically. "They became rather infamous in the order because they saw us all as 'willing' test subjects. Note the sarcasm on willing." Severus muttered. "The irritating part was that most of their devices never actually worked. Or they did, but not the way they were meant to. It became a running gag for the order. Which one of Potter's weird contraptions wouldn't work this week? Most of us dismissed them outright. Dumbledore, on the other hand, loved to encourage them on the off chance that something might work." Severus stared at his laced fingers. "And then one finally did."

"What was it?"

"A listening device, transfigurable, that could send audio information to a receiver over extremely long distances. Nearly halfway around the world, according to James." Severus explained. "Very clever bit of magic. The only way the pair could get the thing to work was with your mother's help. She was brilliant at charms and her transfiguration was only slightly less impressive than James'. He and Black had developed several, with the intention of planting them on various important death eaters, maybe even the dark lord himself." Severus recalled the plan with all of the melancholy that thinking of those days always filled him with, for how pointless the whole endeavour had ended up being. "For that, they needed someone who could get close to him."

"You." Harry deduced. Severus nodded.

"It was the first week of December," Severus recalled, so easy now in its repetition. "Dumbledore sent a letter, asking me to help with the mission. It was meant to be Emmeline and mine's first Christmas, but she convinced me that it was more important. So I went. It took a week to plant all of the devices on all the people they wanted that I could get to. I was forced to witness the death eaters' idea of holiday celebrations, which I will not now nor ever recount to you. When I returned to the order headquarters I was exhausted, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I just wanted to go home." Severus said with nearly a whine of old desperation. "James had other ideas. He insisted that I stay for the party. Even had Black hex me every time I tried to leave. It was maddening. So I drank. Quite a bit. To this day I'm not even sure how I safely got home when I finally did leave." Probably guilt, or maybe your gut turning shame. This was the most difficult part of the story. "Your mother was also at the party. And she too had been deep into her cups. We drifted away from the loudest part of the house. Once we were alone… Lily began to… lament, about how unhappy she was. Her marriage with James had not been going well, and she felt trapped. She wanted freedom, to feel something." Severus swallowed.

"Now I had told myself that I was devoted to Emmeline, that I loved her and only her… but it hadn't been exactly true. Part of me was still in love with Lily, or at least the idea of her. So when she… propositioned herself to me…" Severus fell silent as Harry stared at him with shock and disbelief. "I knew I had made a mistake the minute the full weight of my actions hit me. I was so utterly ashamed that I left the party right then and there, Black's hexes be damned. I went straight to Emmeline. I should have told her then. It would have been the right thing to do." Severus shook his head. "But I'm a coward. Instead of telling her the truth, I left without so much as a note the next morning. And I didn't speak to her again for six years. And then not again until this summer, when she came through the floo after you." Severus muttered. He still had to explain the hardest part. "Your mother… found out she was pregnant. She knew it wouldn't be safe for you, so she sent a letter when she died to Dumbledore. He was supposed to pass it on but, as usual, he came to the conclusion that he knew better, and instead hid the letter for twelve years. Until about two weeks ago."

Harry's hand had started shaking now. In fact, his whole body seemed to be vibrating though his face was conspicuously blank. Severus sighed. Then he stood. "Come." Harry blinked before he followed. Severus led him through the halls, which drew a few whispers. Evidently, the news of his and Ron's transgression was already rapidly spreading throughout the school. Then Severus led him outside. They marched across the grounds until they were on the cliffs overlooking the Black Lake. Harry didn't need prompting this time. He took a deep breath and let out the angriest scream of his life. When that didn't work he screamed again and even kicked a rock into the lake.

"Bloody Dumbledore and his bloody stupid fucking-" Harry trailed off with a slight blush.

"I'm not going to punish you for those," Severus muttered with a slight chuckle. "But only because they are completely correct in this particular situation." Harry smiled slowly. Then he looked out across the water.

"So James… he didn't really have to die for me… did he?" Harry whispered. Severus took a deep breath

"No," he said, "but then neither did your mother. They both chose to give their lives for you. That is the noblest part of their sacrifice, and what made them both such excellent people. James Potter didn't have to love you, but he did anyway. You, the son of his oldest enemy. So do not doubt us when Emmeline and I tell you that he was a good man. You cannot doubt that now." Harry shook his head in agreement. He couldn't. The pair of them stood there on the cliff in silence for several minutes until Harry blew out a slow breath.

"What now?" He finally said.

"Now," Severus began before he turned to Harry, his son, with a slight smirk. "You find out your punishment." Harry groaned. "From now on, I want you to spend any time you have outside of class with Emmeline or myself. Since you can't be trusted to not make hair-brained schemes whenever you're unsupervised. We'll also be taking you to and from your quidditch matches, and practices. We'll escort you back to your common room at curfew." Harry had winced with each new item listed and now his shoulders were hunched up nearly to his ears. Severus didn't seem at all sympathetic. "Just be thankful that Emmeline thought making you eat meals with us was too excessive. And that she trusts you between classes without an escort. And that she was willing to let you stay on the quidditch team. I wanted to take those actions as well." Harry sighed.

"So basically, I'm grounded?"

"Yes," Severus said plainly.

"Until?"

"Further notice." Harry made a sound somewhere between a whine and a groan. "Maybe you should have thought of this before you deliberately disobeyed us."

"Well, how was I supposed to know!" Harry argued. "Only parents do stuff like this!" And suddenly a warm feeling filled his chest.

Parents.

He had parents.

Actual living parents!

He broke out in a smile so wide it made his cheeks hurt. Severus snorted before smiling himself.

"Yes, I suppose you couldn't have known. But that doesn't change what you did." Harry's smile slackened as he let out a sigh.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry." He murmured. A hand landed on his shoulder giving him that familiar reassuring squeeze.

"I know you are. Now come on. I have some marking that needs to be done. You can do some schoolwork." Severus said firmly. Harry let out another sigh before he followed the professor, his dad, back into the castle.

Harry flopped down onto the couch beside Ron. Both boys looked miserable.

"Mum sent another howler," Ron murmured with a broken expression. "At dinner. Said I wasn't allowed to go to any quidditch matches and I'd be scrubbing the chicken coop with a toothbrush as soon as I got home. Everyone was laughing… it was horrible." Ron recounted with harrowed eyes.

"I'm not allowed to be anywhere alone except for meals, the common room and between classes," Harry muttered back. "Otherwise I have to be with..." he trailed off a big grin spreading again.

"Be with who? Don't tell me Snape let you off easy and you have to be with Hagrid or something! Are we sure it's the same man? Maybe he got swapped before summer and you've been staying with some other random bloke?" Ron argued. Harry laughed.

"No, it's definitely him. I mean who else can make his robes billow all menacingly like that?"

"Fair point. So why are you smiling?" Harry's grin relaxed.

"My parents."

"Your mum and dad? What do they have to do with anything? Are you saying that Snape will kill you? That's pretty excessive…"

"No… I-" Harry took a deep breath. "I just found out that one of my parents isn't who we thought it was, and they're still alive."

"Really?!" Ron cried in shock. "Bloody hell Harry that's amazing! Who is it?"

"Professor Snape," Hermione said from behind them. Harry turned his head to her with a gaping mouth.

"How long have you known?!" He demanded.

"I suspected." Hermione clarified, "I didn't know. About Halloween. Your expressions. You picked a lot of them up from him and it really brought out a lot of your visual similarities. You look almost identical when you scowl."

"Bloody hell…" Ron whispered, staring straight into the fire. Harry turned back to his best mate and bit his lip. "Bloody hell…"

"I'm still me," Harry assured him. "I just… have parents." He finished with another wide grin.

That felt so nice to say.

Parents.

"Bloody hell " Ron repeated.

"Mione, I think I broke him," Harry whined worriedly

"Oh pull yourself together Ronald!" Hermione cried with a huff. "It's not the end of the world!"

"But! Mione! Snape is Harry's dad!"

"Yes!" Hermione agreed. "Which is excellent news!"

"But-but-" Ron whined. Hermione huffed and ignored him.

"I'm very happy for you."

"Thanks," Harry said with a grin.

"I hope he gave you a proper good scolding!" She added. Harry sighed.

"He did. I'm grounded."

"Till when?" Ron asked.

"Further notice."

"Rotten luck."

"Luck had absolutely nothing to do with it!" Hermione shrieked angrily. "If you hadn't convinced him to go out without permission, none of this would have happened!" Then she hit him over the head with her book. The ginger made a distressed noise and shielded his head as she continued to berate him. Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Splains a lot," Neville remarked over dinner the next day. "Thought you looked vaguely intimidating."

"Thanks?" Harry offered with a wince. He didn't know if he should be happy or not that the others seemed to have taken it so well.

"We figure it out months ago," Fred admitted.

"Before Christmas." Geroge agreed.

"During that awful match with the Gale and the dementors."

"You two looked-"

"Identical." The pair finished with a snicker. As Harry stared at them he found himself trying to imagine what James and Sirius must have been like as teenagers. His dad - his dad - often said they behaved a lot like the twins, but meaner. But Harry couldn't imagine the twins being mean. They were just so high-spirited. Oh, they could get revenge, no doubt, but they didn't believe in causing actual pain, or even humiliation that couldn't be reversed with a word. Harry couldn't imagine them stringing someone up and pulling down their trousers, that was for sure.

"You alright mate?" Ron asked casually.

"Yeah sorry, lost in thought." Harry muttered. "still kinda getting used to it all."

"I give it about a month before you get sick of it," Seamus muttered darkly. "Parents are the worst."

"Easy for you to say," Harry muttered. "You've had them your whole life. I just got mine back thanks."

"Sorry," Seamus muttered with a blush. "It's just my dad wants me to go to some army cadet summer camp this year. It's pointless! My mum and I keep telling him that I'm a wizard! Not like I'm gonna join the army once I'm done Hogwarts. He says it'll teach me discipline! As if I need more of that!" Dean winced.

"Rotten luck. My mum just signed me up for football camp."

"Lucky," Seamus muttered darkly as he stabbed a piece of broccoli with a glare. Harry made a noise.

"I wonder if there any kinda clubs I could join in Dover. I'm not gonna be able to fly much at home." He trailed off, another wide grin spreading over his face.

Home!

An actual home!

With pancakes and a garden, he wasn't forced to work in and food whenever he wanted!

He swallowed to stop himself from crying like a little swot in the middle of dinner.

"Why not?" Ron asked with a frown. Harry cleared his throat.

"Oh uh, the wards aren't really tall enough. They only extend as tall as the willow tree. They're tied to the rock wall that goes around the house, so they're pretty permanent. Mum added a few extra runes last summer, but other than that, there's not much else you can do." He was smiling again.

Mum.

An actual living breathing mum.

He started to sniff.

"Are you okay mate?" Ron whispered worriedly. Harry smiled and wiped his face.

"Yeah sorry, just… a lot to take in." He whispered hoarsely. Somewhere cleared their throat behind him.

"Mr. Potter," Emmeline said with a somewhat admonishing expression. "If you would accompany me to my office." Harry sighed but stood and followed her, without glancing back at his friends at all. "Are you alright darling? You were crying at dinner."

"I'm okay," Harry began, still trying to swallow the lump. "I told my friends about… you know."

"I see, " Emmeline said with a sigh. "I take it they were less than pleased? I can talk to them if you like."

"Oh no!" Harry cried "they were really happy for me. It's just… I'm still wrapping my head around it." As they stepped into her office he sighed heavily. "I've spent so long wishing for a family. I used to dream about it at the Dursleys. Dream that some long-lost relative would come to take me away. But when I came to Hogwarts and I learned more I realized that was a lost cause." Harry's smile widened, even if it was a little watery. "And now all my dreams are coming true! I've got a home, and a dad and-" he cut himself off and gave the woman a suddenly serious expression. "Ms. Emmeline… is it okay if I call you mum?" Emmeline choked.

"I-" she began as her heart nearly exploded. "Of course darling!" She cried with a bright smile and her own collecting tears. "It would be my honour. Even though," she paused. "Your father and I may not always be together you know."

"A lot has changed since back then," Harry assured her. "Dad definitely has."

"Oh, he has." Emmeline agreed. "I just don't know if we should tempt fate." Harry pursed his lips and let out a sigh.

"Alright. Still gonna call you mum though." He assured her. Emmeline had to bite her lip to keep from sobbing.

"Thank you." She eventually whispered out shakily. Then Harry gave her a big hug and she couldn't hold back anymore, clutching onto him and kissing his hair as she shook with silent happy sobs.

Severus walked through the halls, on the lookout for misbehaving teenagers. Darkness had descended over Hogwarts, making it his domain. There was a dark alcove in this castle Severus didn't know. Not a secret nook he hadn't mentally mapped. There would be no late-night dalliances as long as he stalked these halls. Then he turned the corner.

Emmeline. She was standing in the window, framed by a beam of pale moonlight. She looked almost ethereal, with her gaze fixed on the horizon. Severus waved his wand and muffled his steps before he crept up, right behind her.

"Miss. Vance." He purred. The woman jumped and spun around, eyes wide with fright, before softening into admonishing mirth. "Just what do you think you're doing out of bed?"

"Why Mr. Snape," she crooned back, placing a hand on his chest. "Waiting for you of course."

Severus wanted to ravage her.

Then Emmeline made the first move.

Severus sighed as she kissed him, so like they had done in the hospital wing. When she finally let him go they were both breathless. Emmeline sighed and leaned her forehead against his shoulder.

"Harry asked if he could call me mum today." She whispered. Severus felt his stomach flip flop. The pair had had a similar conversation the evening previous, where Harry had asked Severus if he could call him dad. It was surreal.

And wonderful.

"Do you think Lily would hate it?" Emmeline muttered nervously. Severus immediately shook his head.

"No. In fact, she wanted me to apologize to you for her. For quote 'stealing your dream'. She also said that if we were still together she expected us to have a Weasley-sized brood." Severus murmured gently as he could. Emmeline hummed.

"Well, I'm glad she stole it." She whispered. "It wouldn't have come true otherwise." Severus frowned.

"There must be some way." He muttered. Emmeline sighed again. "I could develop a potion that-"

"You can't." Emmeline insisted. "It's my magic." She explained. Severus went slack. "My magic is what kills it. It doesn't recognize the new cells and attacks them as a threat. So there is nothing you can do. No one magical has ever survived losing their magic, and even if I did, potions would be off the table." She explained with a sad expression. She sighed. "Charles and I had this same conversation…" Severus immediately reaffirmed his grip.

"The difference between us is that I do not blame you for this Emmeline."

"Why not?" She demanded bitterly. "It's my body! My magic! Why shouldn't you blame me?!" She demanded, but her face and posture were so crumpled. Severus pulled her into a hug.

"I don't blame you, because you'd have to be blind to not see how much this is crushing you." Severus snarled. "Charles Tippet is Definitely blind." Emmeline chuckled even as she buried her face into his chest. Then she straightened up again, looking forlorn, but still smiling, that way she could that Severus would never understand.

"Let's get back to your rounds then." Emmeline insisted with a smirk. "Wouldn't want to have any unafraid children running about." Severus smiled before they began walking together, at a much more subdued pace. That's when Mrs. Norris scampered up to them and meowed loudly. "I really don't like that cat," Emmeline complained. "Seems like an unfair advantage."

"Come now, Emmeline," Severus said with a roll of his eyes. "Who said life was fair." He followed the cat, who would inevitably lead him to students who would soon be in big trouble. Instead, it led him to another cat. It was twice as big and fluffy as she with a squashed face as though it had run headfirst into a wall. Severus rose an eyebrow at the door it was scratching at.

"Emmeline." He murmured. "Fetch Poppy."

Poppy Pomfrey scanned the shelves one more time before leaving the room.

"Several nutritional potions are missing, as well as a large quantity of aconite."

"For what purpose?" Emmeline demanded.

"I'm not certain. The nutritional potions are used to provide missing nutrients should one of the students not be able to keep anything down. Aconite-" she paused. "Well considering Remus, it may be to incapacitate him."

"What do you mean?"

"Aconite affects werewolves differently than most," Severus supplied with a frown. "It suppresses their wolf-like traits: enhanced strength, enhanced sense of smell, improved eyesight." As he listed them his eyes narrowed "someone is trying to sneak around without being seen."

"A student?" Emmeline question. Poppy immediately shook her head.

"This ward was too powerful for any student to break. It was taught to me by a healer at St. Mungo's. They use it to keep patients out of their storerooms as well. It's password protected. But whoever did this removed it through brute force." Emmeline frowned.

"I'll put a trap rune down." She muttered before she crouched down and etched a rough set of runes into the threshold. "That should tell us when someone tries to break your ward next," Emmeline muttered before she closed the door. "Reset your ward?" Poppy did so. The door frame glowed blue for a second before returning to normal. "Try your password?" Poppy leaned forward and whispered her key phrase. The door opened as normal. Emmeline nodded. "Right. The next time someone tries to break it I'll know. I'll come straight to you and we'll come to inspect the runes."

"I hate to voice this possibility," Severus muttered. "But it is a legitimate chance. Black may be the one who did this." Emmeline froze.

"We can't tell Harry." She insisted. "He's weary enough as it is!"

"Hardly." Severus drawled, exasperated. "He forgot about Black, remember."

"Well, he can hardly forget now, with you reminding him about it every five minutes," Emmeline argued with a scowl.

"It is not every five minutes!" Severus said with a roll of his eyes. "He's exaggerating."

"Exaggerating or not!" Emmeline snarled. "You've been frightening the poor thing!"

"Good! Maybe a little fear will remind him what's at stake!"

"How could you say such a thing!" Poppy cleared her throat. The pair looked over at her with a start. Instantly they remembered where they were and consciously took a step back.

"Regardless of your discussion," Poppy began with a little amused glint in her eye. "The others should be informed. I'll tell them and check up on Remus in the morning." Then she gave the pair a firm look. "It's very late, and the pair of you are both snippy from stress and tiredness. So go get some rest!"

"Alright," Severus said with a sigh. The matron was exceptionally good a reading people if she could pick up just how tired he was. Emmeline nodded as well. The pair slowly made their way toward Ravenclaw tower. Emmeline raised an eyebrow as they passed yet another stairwell toward the dungeons.

"Aren't you going to bed, Severus?"

"I think it would be prudent to see you settled first," Severus muttered. "Considering we have no idea who might be sneaking around. If only to put my mind at ease."

"Hmm." It was a casual walk, the argument from before banished by the gentleness of the night, though the apprehension still lingered. At last, they arrived at Emmeline's office, and then the quarters beyond. Severus seemed to hover in the doorway, uncertain. "Stay." The man blinked.

"What?"

"Stay," Emmeline repeated, as she pulled off her outer robes and gathered up her nightclothes into her arms. "Please." Severus frowned. Though they had reconciled and returned to casual affection, they had yet to do something so profoundly intimate as sleep in the same bed. He could not help but think up the other times they had done so. "You better be changed when I come back out!" Emmeline cried from her little attached toilet. Severus cursed under his breath and quickly pulled off his own outer robe and jacket before transfiguring his clothes into something more suitable for sleep. Emmeline returned in a loose t-shirt and sleeping trousers, her hair left loose in that rippling curly way that Severus found so beautiful. Then she slipped into the covers, motioning for Severus to do the same. And then they were cuddling, nestled in their shared warmth. Severus let out a sigh and buried his nose into her hair. And slowly he drifted off, lulled into sleep by Emmeline's gentle breathing.

Emmeline hummed with a little smile, watching Severus do up the ridiculous number of buttons on his overcoat. She could count forty with her pleasantly tired eyes. Then she stretched out, causing the sheet that was barely covering her to ride up ever so slightly

"That was nice." She murmured. Severus looked over at her with a nebulous expression, which Emmeline knew the meaning of instantly. "Wonderful. In every way." Severus chuckled, and placed a hand on her thigh, rubbing a small circle with his thumb. Then he drew back to pull on his boots. Emmeline watched him still with a smile. Then she frowned and let out a melancholy sigh. "Oh, I wish we could stay here all day."

"As do I," Severus muttered, pulling his laces tight. "But unfortunately, you and I have chosen teaching as our primary method of obtaining income, the fools we are, and as such, I am obligated to go down to the dungeons and teach ungrateful brats how not to blow themselves up. And you," he turned and leaned over her. Emmeline grinned and tilted her head up, expecting a kiss, but Severus just pulled the sheet further up, covering her fully. "have to teach those self-same ungrateful brats the history of their country." Emmeline huffed into his face with a pout. Severus stood up, pulling his grey outer robes on, once again the image of an angry black cloud.

Emmeline honestly felt a little light-headed with how handsome he was. As he moved for the doorway she sighed again.

"You can tell Harry about Black," Emmeline insisted, sitting up, pulling the sheets with her. "Just… promise to try not to frighten the poor dear. Too much anyway." Severus crossed back over the room and did lean down to give Emmeline a kiss, a gentle one just aft of her temple.

"I'll try." He murmured against her skin before he whirled away, cloak billowing, leaving Emmeline a touch breathless.

Harry rubbed his arms with a deep breath.

The Ravenclaw match.

He groaned and banged his head into the table again.

"Hey!" Oliver shouted angrily, "no concussions! At least not until the match actually starts, Geez." The teen joked, giving Harry a firm pat on the back.

"Sorry, but I thought I was going to be fighting for a place in the running, not the actual cup!"

"So Hufflepuff creamed Slytherin," Oliver offered with a shrug. "You should celebrate! Ravenclaw is a much easier fight than either of those teams!"

"Yeah but… we still have to make at least 300 points to actually win!" Harry argued with a whine. Oliver chuckled.

"It's not just about winning, you gotta have fun too."

"Seriously Ollie, did you die over the break and get replaced by some much more relaxed clone?" Alicia demanded with a shocked face. Oliver laughed.

"Nah, but I think all the broom polish might have killed a few brain cells."

"Naw your just as stupid as you were before." Fred offered with a smirk. The teen scowled at him. The team snickered and Oliver began harping on both twins for their continued insubordination.

Harry landed with a groan. The weather was leagues away from the awful match with Hufflepuff, but this match was not being kind. Trying to distract Cho Chang away from the snitch had taken him getting her to fall for a feint, usually unsuccessfully, and Fred and George aggressively flinging bludgers at her for what had to be at least an hour. The match had been progressing well enough, but they were still leagues away from the 150 they needed.

"This is a nightmare," Alicia complained.

"They're way too coordinated, and their strategy with the beaters is working." Angelina harped. Katie looked at them before her eyes flicked to Harry. Then she huffed.

"Still think you can flirt with her?" She asked.

"Katie!" Angelina cried in horror.

"Oh come on, we're dying out there. And nothing will distract Briggs more than watching Chang lose her mind and start actually following him around. Don't know if you noticed, but she hasn't taken a single one of Harry's feints." The other two girls whined before they sighed.

"Fine." Angelina finished. But then she narrowed her eyes at Harry. "But you have to keep any promise you make to her."

"Huh?" Harry asked with confusion.

"If you say your gonna go on a date, you have to go on a date."

"O-oh." Harry stuttered nervously. "Okay." And suddenly his stomach flip-flopped. He'd never been on a date before. He wasn't sure what it would mean. Emmeline hadn't mentioned any of these rules when she'd done it. Then he remembered that she was a Slytherin, and probably didn't feel the need to 'keep her promises'. There hadn't been that expectation.

"Alright!" Oliver cried loudly, marching back to the pitch. Ravenclaw joined a second later. So Harry took a deep breath and prepared himself. He had the perfect early opportunity. Cho Chang was exceptionally graceful in the air, but a bit of a klutz on land. So when she tripped slightly, Harry reached out a hand and caught her, so she didn't stumble off. Then he flashed her what he hoped was a dazzling smile.

"You okay?" He offered.

He knew the second it worked.

The top of her cheeks when slightly pink and she slowly smiled back.

"I'm okay." She murmured back. Harry kept grinning and nodded, before going the rest of the way toward his team. Then Hooch blew the whistle. He tossed one last look to his team, who gave him varying looks of begrudging acceptance and grim determination before he kicked off, rising into the air.

Emmeline scanned the pitch with an expert eye. Her grandfather had plopped her on a broom before she could walk. She'd been born with a broom in the delivery room. She knew quidditch. She knew every play, every manoeuvre, every trick to get a slow broom faster or a wobbling broom steady. Severus can back to his seat with a box of popcorn, holding it out to her.

"Score?" He questioned as Emmeline took it robotically.

"90 - 100, Ravenclaw." She muttered quietly. Remus reached back and made a frantic grasping motion.

"Gryffindor needs another 70 points for the cup." He muttered as Emmeline held out the popcorn.

"60," Emmeline argued.

"60 to win, 70 to be sure!" Remus argued

"And catch the snitch of course," Severus added.

"Obviously." Remus and Emmeline said in unison. Severus snorted.

"You weren't much of a quidditch man when we were young Lupin."

"Got into it later. Pudds for the win." He held up his fist which Emmeline immediately punched in. Severus rolled his eyes.

"The harpies are leagues better than United." He whinged. Emmeline turned to him with a horrified gasp before looking back.

"Grounds for divorce right there," Remus argued as he reached for popcorn again. Emmeline responded by whacking the wolf upside the head.

"He is right though," Emmeline argued with a furious scowl, though her eyes glimmered with mirth. "I simply cannot be with a man with such despicable taste in quidditch teams." Severus hummed as though he wasn't really listening before he held up a pair of binoculars with a frown.

"What on earth is Harry doing?" He asked as he handed the binoculars over, still squinting at the two figures hovering high above the match. Emmeline peered up before she let out a loud laughing scoff.

"Being a horrible copycat!" She cried. She put the binoculars down and smiled at him. "He's flirting."

"Wot?!" Remus cried as he snatched the binoculars away and zoomed in. "My word! Don't tell Minerva, she'll be devastated!"

"Don't tell half the female school population." Emmeline argued with a chuckle, "more than half the girls in fifth year and below have a crush on him." Severus pulled a face. Emmeline rolled her eyes. "Oh you were all 'two years isn't that bad!' over the summer, but the second it's Harry suddenly it's cradle robbing?"

"It's different!" Severus argued.

"Why?"

"Because he's our son!" Severus argued. He stopped as he processed what he'd just loudly declared to the faculty. Charity turned around with a grin before she held out her hands and received her winnings from a very irritated Vector and Sinistra. Albus leaned over with a smile.

"You'll have to get used to the idea of young Harry dating eventually Severus. After all, you'll want grandchildren one day I'm sure."

"When he's thirty-five and has his mastery!" Severus growled back angrily.

"If he wants that," Emmeline argued. "Pretty sure he wants to be a professional quidditch player."

"Or a broom tester." He muttered trying not to sound too disappointed. Emmeline chuckle. Then she took the binoculars back from Remus and trained her eyes on Harry again. The boy was telling some kind of story, complete with gestures. Then he made a move as though he'd lost his balance and had to go back to gripping the broom, which cause Chang to move closer with worry. Emmeline huffed. She knew for a fact that Harry had some of the best hands-free balance she'd ever seen, owing to her coaching him on it over the summer.

"He is toying with that poor girl's heart," Emmeline murmured. Then he started to bring them lower, still talking, but a little more subdued without the gestures. They seemed to be talking about something else now, possibly more academic, as Chang had the same expression on her face that Emmeline often saw in class. They were drifting down by the Ravenclaw goals, still out of the way. Then the Ravenclaw keeper made an excellent save. Cho and Harry both applauded, and Harry even shouted a compliment. The keeper turned to him, a little confused. Then spinnet scored a goal. A cheer rose up and Cho turned to Harry with an affronted shout. Harry smiled back, looking more like James Potter than he had in a very long time and tried for an apologetic shrug. The girl fumed for a bit, then he said something and she blushed. Emmeline snorted. "Definitely not a Slytherin."

"Give me those." Severus snarled as he grabbed the binoculars again. As he continued to watch he let out a growl. "I'm going to give him a stern talking to! he's supposed to be a Gryffindor!"

"One would think you'd hate that!" Remus joked. Severus tossed him a dirty look. Then suddenly three black shapes emerged from behind the Slytherin stands. Everyone in then scattered with a scream, and Chang was off in a flash. Severus stood, tossing away the binoculars and drew his wand. But then Harry lifted his own wand. There was a brilliant flash of white light before an equine… thing burst out and dove right for the three dementors. Severus went slightly slack-jawed, while Remus stood up, beaming.

"He did it! Did you see that?! Corporeal and everything!" He shouted proudly. And then the dementors crashed into the goalposts. "What the-" he picked up the discarded binoculars and scowled. "Severus you better get down there." He said in frustration. Severus took the offered binoculars and instantly went pale and thin-lipped with rage. Then he whirled away, cloak billowing behind. Meanwhile, the game had descended into slight chaos. The Ravenclaw keeper, along with Chang and Bell, were all hovering over the 'dementors' with visible looks of confusion. Harry seemed to be rather stunned at his exceptionally powerful magic. Then suddenly he snapped out of it and motioned to Spinnet and Johnson. Instantly the two rushed the Ravenclaw goalposts and got two goals in before the Ravenclaw keeper even realized what was happening, and by the time he did, Johnson and Spinnet had developed a keen rhythm, and expertly dogged his saves and twists all with wide grins. Harry was crouching lower and lower to his broom, winding up. Then when Chang turned around, saw the rapidly increasing score, saw Harry and her expression grew furious. Harry spared her one last look before the score was 160- 110 Gryffindor and he was off. Emmeline sighed for the poor girl. The firebolt was the fastest clean sweep model on the market. She wouldn't have won even if she'd had a head start. Emmeline had seen Harry following the snitch the whole game, as every moment he took his eyes off Chang, he was checking on the snitch. So as soon as he shot off he was already on the snitch's tail. She turned the binoculars down to the black splodge that was Severus to see him loudly shouting at Draco Malfoy and his two cronies, lifting the blond by his scruffs and shaking him slightly. She almost felt sorry for the boy.

Then Hooch blew her whistle.

"GRYFFINDOR WINS!" She hollered with a sonorous. The red stands erupted into cheers, while the blue slumped down in abject disappointment. Emmeline smiled and stood with the rest of the faculty, save Minerva who looked to be basking in a wave of triumphant glory. She made her way down to the pitch just in time to see Cho Chang marching up to Harry with fury in her eyes.

"Hi," Harry began with a wince "look I-" Cho smacked him. Then she walked away, flushed with anger and a few embarrassed tears. Harry hand a hand over his cheek with a slightly shocked look.

"Should have warned you about that one I see," Emmeline murmured, even as she grinned down at him indulgently.

"Huh?" Harry demanded in confusion, looking a bit stunned. Emmeline chuckle.

"My captain, Walden McNair, thought that my little flirting trick was ever so clever that he suggested one of my male teammates try the same thing with the Hufflepuff puff seeker during our next match. It did work, but once she realized he'd duped her she was none too pleased. That." She motioned to his hand on his cheek, "is the general reaction one receives."

"Oh," Harry said with a wince. Emmeline took pity on him

"She won't be mad forever, Amycus and Sophie ended up dating by their seventh year." Harry sagged in relief. "But I suspect you're going to be receiving a lot of female ire until it blows over." Harry let out a pained groan. "Should have thought of that." Harry winced again. "Let me see then?" Emmeline said with a motherly smile. Harry lifted his hand. "Oh, she got you good."

"It really hurts," Harry murmured.

"Go see your father tomorrow for the bruise." Emmeline offered. "But I think you should leave it for the night. Make sure you don't forget the cost of your victory."

"Speaking of victory!" Remus cried with a grin. "excellent patronus Mr. Potter! Very well done!"

"Thanks!" Harry cried. "I didn't know I had it in me you know! I just did it! Did you see what it was? I couldn't really see it."

"You could always conjure it again."

"I don't think I could," Harry admitted with a sigh. "Maybe after a bit more practice. I think it only succeeded because of adrenaline."

"Understandable," Remus muttered. Suddenly Severus swept up to Harry, expression stormy as he dragged Draco beside him.

"Your cousin," he snarled with a teeth-bared sneer. "Has something he would like to say." Draco looked like he wanted to curl into a ball and hide for the rest of the year, judging by the expression. Harry knew the feeling and instantly felt just a smidge of pity for the young Slytherin.

Only a smidge.

"I'm sorry." The blond said with a tight face. "It was reckless and dangerous and I could have killed you and myself and several others. It was a stupid, immature, tactless prank and I won't ever do it again."

"I don't think dad would let you do it again," Harry muttered trying desperately to keep from laughing. Draco pulled a face like he was going to throw up.

"You have worse cousins than Harry Draco." Emmeline piped up with a roll of her eyes.

"Name one." Draco drawled bitterly.

"Morag McNair," Emmeline responded flippantly. The teen instantly pulled a face.

"Fair point."

"I have a cousin named Morag?" Harry demanded with a grimace.

"No," Severus assured him with a still tight expression.

"Mr. Potter." Albus cried, breaking up the little conference. Hooch was standing near him, with Minerva and the rest of the Gryffindor team. "It is customary for the seeker to help hold the cup aloft."

"After all!" Oliver cried with a beaming smile. "You won us the match!" Harry grinned and rushed over, grabbing the quidditch cup along with Oliver to the still cheering stands. Severus finally released his grip on Draco after one final stern glower, before he watch the proceeding, a tumble of emotions ranging from pride to frustration.

"I'm going to miss that cup in my office," he finally bemoaned, "and Minerva is going to be a nightmare."

Remus and Emmeline threw their heads back and laughed.

Harry looked up from his homework with a slight frown. He was still grounded but had noticed his parents (parents!) Getting more and more relaxed around him as the punishment drew on. The end of the term was fast approaching and he wondered if it would continue when they went back home (home! A real home!).

"Dad," he finally piped up. "Am I still grounded?" Both of the adults looked up, one from their marking, the other from their book and exchanged a glance. Finally, Severus sighed.

"No." He assented. "I think you've learned your lesson. Harry smiled.

"Okay." He said before he went back to his work, more relaxed. Severus rose an eyebrow.

"I take it you won't be joining us in the evening after dinner anymore?" Harry frowned again.

"Well, maybe not every day." He agreed, "but I might come by still. Only… do I have to do my homework while I'm here?"

"Emmeline smiled.

"Of course not darling!" Harry let out a relieved sigh.

"Good! I feel like I've been buried in parchment since Christmas!" Harry complained as he dropped his Quill and stretched out.

"Well come have a break then," Severus said as he motioned for Harry to come to join him in one of the chairs by the fire. He'd taken his boots off and was lounging in his sock clan feet. Harry grinned and came over, sliding into an almost mirrored position with a sigh.

"Can I ask a question?"

"I thought you were past asking for permission." Severus drawled with a chuckle. Harry blushed with a grin.

"How come before, at the cup match, you said that Malfoy was my cousin, but Malfoy's cousins weren't?"

"Because three of your grandparents were muggles." Severus reminded him. Harry blinked.

"Oh yeah! Sometimes I forget about that…"

"The only connection to Draco for you is through your great-grandmother," Severus explained, staring into his coffee mug contemplatively. "Biologically, my grandmother was Draco's grandfather's eldest sister. But most of Draco's cousins come from his mother's side, which you have no connection to."

"Why did you specify biologically?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Because legally, my mother had no parents," Severus said with a hint of bitterness. "She was disowned in her last teens. Draco may be your cousin by blood. But under the full view of the law you have absolutely no relation at all." Harry couldn't help the way of relief that swept over him.

"You are related to one other pure-blood family though…" Emmeline argued. Severus pulled a face.

"It's too distant to matter."

"Who?" Harry asked.

"Technically, Sirius black is your cousin," Emmeline argued. Harry's shoulders sank.

"He's my Godfather and my cousin? What's next? Am I betrothed to him too?"

"Over my festering dead body!" Severus snapped angrily. "He's 33! Some old pureblood families might condone that but I certainly don't!"

"Me neither." Emmeline agreed with a sour face. Harry sighed.

"How are we related?"

"As I argued," Severus began with a slight glare at Emmeline. "The claim is distant. That same grandmother I mentioned, her mother was a Black. Sirius's mother's cousin I believe. It would make your fourth cousins twice removed or some rot. Not exactly the sort to invite to a family event."

"Was James related to him?" Harry asked. Severus frowned.

"Yes." Emmeline supplied after a moment. "James' mother, Isadora, was Sirius's aunt. They were first cousins." She said with a wince.

"Wouldn't that have made Walpurga happy," Severus murmured into his mug. Emmeline tossed him an admonishing frown.

"It's so weird to think that all these people are related," Harry said with a sour face. "Haven't these people heard of the Habsburgs?" Severus had to stop himself from sputtering, while Emmeline held a hand up to her mouth with mirthful eyes.

"Probably not." She answered after collecting herself. Then she frowned. "Maybe I should mention them in my later units! They were very into magical prosecution, but there was at least one Habsburg Duke who was a wizard." She huffed "he was mad as a bag of cheese, but still." Harry chuckled before the room slipped into a comforting silence, where he slowly dozed off.

"Harry?" Ron called with shock. The teen looked over to his best mate from the bench and waved with a grin. The ginger rushed over. "Bloody hell mate I thought you were grounded until your grandkids graduated!"

"Nah. Dad let me go. Said he was pretty sure I learned my lesson."

"Brilliant!" Ron said with a grin. He winced. "I'm just hoping my mum will have forgotten by the time the year is over, otherwise my summer hols will be a complete wash."

"What were your plans for the summer?" Harry asked. Ron shrugged.

"Lazing. Chores. Nice to have time off ya know. Not have to worry about anything, cept summer homework. But I usually put that off."

"Don't think that'll ever be an option for me," Harry argued with a chuckle. "Dad practically tied me to my desk until it was done last summer. Except when mum took me out for a break." Harry said with a reminiscent smile.

"Who knew that… the bad stuff," Ron said delicately, "could lead to such good things." Harry paused.

He had thought about the Dursleys for months now.

And as he sat next to Ron and he thought about them he felt a sort of peace descend on him.

He hadn't ever been happy living with them. And they hadn't really been happy either.

Maybe now they would be.

Of course, both Severus and Emmeline had said things about his mother ripping them new ones.

And Harry could see that they deserved it.

Except for Dudley, who really was the victim in this whole mess.

That old pang in his heart struck him and his face crumpled again.

"I still feel really sad about what happened to Dudley," Harry admitted. "I know he was awful to me, but he was just following his parents' example, and he was just a little kid. He'd only just turned 13." Harry reminisced. Ron nodded.

"Yeah," he agreed with a frown. "It just really goes to show how evil the death eaters are. I hope they all get gotten rid of."

"The loose cannons all did with the train attack," Harry admitted. "I just don't understand who was egging them on. Malfoy has been making threats to dad, but he hasn't actually done anything."

"You-Know-Who is still out there," Ron argued. "Maybe he's riding on the back of somebody else's head! Maybe Black's!" Harry huffed.

"Oh great. Two people that want to kill me for the price of one." Harry muttered bitterly.

"It's just conjecture." Ron supplied. Harry gave him a look.

"Conjecture?"

"Been spending a lot of time with Hermione," Ron admitted. "On account of you being grounded."

"I might still eat lunch with them, and maybe after dinner," Harry admitted with a slight blush. "It's… nice. Hanging around. Makes me feel like-" like I matter. Ron didn't say anything, he just put a hand on Harry's shoulder and smiled.

"So you wanna go flying? Seeing as your finally free?"

"Absolutely!" Harry cried before he followed his best friend.

Harry looked up from his charms essay with a sigh.

"I am not gonna be able to focus." He complained.

"Why?" Hermione argued from across the library table, still scribbling away

"I'm just jittery. Ever since the cup, we haven't had as many practices." Harry complained. "I feel like I need to blow off some energy."

"We could go practice your patronus again." Ron offered. He'd very much enjoyed watching Harry perform it. Especially since he had to do so in the transfiguration courtyard and it tended to attract large crowds. Crowds that had been distinctly lacking girls for a few weeks. Seems everyone had heard about Harry's little stunt. The boys thought it was fine. But Hermione and the other girls had been less than impressed.

"Sure." Harry agreed before he and Ron wrapped up their work and left the library, saying goodbye to Hermione.

"Can't believe school will be over in just two weeks," Ron said with a smile.

"I know," Harry said with a smile. "I feel like so much has happened. And yet-"

"Compared to the last two years," Ron continued.

"Yeah." Harry agreed. Then suddenly a furry grey thing whizzed past them through their feet. Both Ron and Harry froze.

"Scabbers?!" Ron cried in shock before his smile bloomed. "Scabbers! Scabbers thank goodness you're alive!" He ran and scooped up the rat. It immediately began writhing in his grasp and squeaking frantically before latching onto his hand. "Ow! Bloody hell what's gotten into you?!" Ron cried before he grabbed the rat by his tail instead.

"Maybe he's gone feral," Harry argued. "See it all the time with cats. They get desensitized to humans and turn into furry monsters."

"Scabbers!" Ron cried with a moan. "Come on Scabbers you remember me don't you?! It's me! R-"

"Maybe we should take him to - huh?" Harry trailed off. Ron had got white as a sheet and frozen in position, while Scabbers continued to squeal in terror, trying to gnaw on the hand holding his tail. "What is it?" Ron slowly lifted his finger and pointed dead ahead. Harry turned and froze.

It was that dog.

The same big black one that had attacked him in Hogsmeade.

Only it wasn't looking at him this time. It was staring at Ron. Its fangs were bared, mouth slightly open, snarling with its hackles raised. Then suddenly it let out a loud bellowing bark and rushed forward, claws skittering on the stones. Both teens did the sensible thing and ran. They passed several people who watched them first in confusion, before screaming and diving out of the way of the massive hound that continued to chase them. Harry pulled Ron towards Ravenclaw tower. It was about halfway through lunch so-

"MUM!" Harry screamed to the woman two landings up. Emmeline frowned and turned around from where she'd been heading, the staff room for tea with Remus.

"Harry?" She called back. Then suddenly the dog skittered around the corner and she paled. She quickly raced after the boys, who were headed for a dead-ended corridor. But by the time she turned around the corner, it was too late. Both boys were backed into a corner as the dog crept closer and closer, snarling with murderous eyes. "Stupefy!" The dog sprung to the side, dodging the spell with ease. Emmeline gaped in shock. She'd never seen an animal behave like that before. Then it lunged. "NO!"

"Argh!" Ron cried. "Let him go! Let him go!"

"Wha-" Emmeline began. Then the dog ripped the thing that Ronald had been holding so tightly away. It was a large fat rat. The dog was shaking it back and forth until it threw it into the corner and began to snarl and snap at it instead. The things were squealing in sheer terror until suddenly it began to grow. Emmeline went slack-jawed and shouldered as the rat was replaced by a man that she thought had been dead all these years. "Peter?" The man turned to her with horrified eyes when the dog leapt up and slashed his face open with a swing of his paw. The man started to scream as he fell over and curled into a pall, cowering in fear. "Stupefy!" Emmeline cried again, aiming for the dog. But it dodged again and the spell struck Pettigrew instead. His cries went silent and the dog turned around to face her, finally subdued. Then before her eyes, it began to change as well, until Sirius black, clad in rags, was standing before her. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair matted, and his face sallow and sickly.

"Vance." He croaked raspily. "Thanks for the assist."

"Black?" Emmeline cried in shock. "You- and he- what-"

"What the devil is going on here!" Severus cried as he rushed down the corridor. "Someone said Harry was being attacked by a-" he stopped in his tracks. "YOU!"

"Snape." Black spat with cold eyes. Severus drew his wand.

"Step away from my son!" The potions master snarled.

"Gladly," Black said with a glare in Harry's direction. "As if I'd want anything to do with your bastard. He's the one who killed James." Harry choked and looked at him with horror.

"That's rich coming from you!" Emmeline snarled. "You were the one who sold them to You-Know-Who!"

"No!" Sirius snarled. "He was!" He jabbed a finger at the still-stunned Pettigrew. Then his face went melancholy. "They lied to me. They said Harry was theirs. They said… and I believed them." His face twisted. "Then James told me the truth. How could he have done that!? How could he have lied to me?! I thought he loved me! How could he possibly think I'd want to be Godfather to Snivellous' bastard son?! I told Peter to take over…" at this point, Sirius's expression turned cold again. "James should have left. He should have let Lily and your brat die. Then he'd still be here." Sirius argued. Severus' face was white with a mix of rage and disgust. But it was Emmeline to stepped forward.

"You would rather James have done the cowardly shellfish thing, just so you could have what you wanted?" She demanded with visible disgust. "Did you know him at all?"

"Shut up!" Sirius growled, "I don't need to hear this from Slytherin's whore!" Severus immediately charged forward and punched him. There was a crack as his fist connected with the man's cheek, snapping his now brittle cheekbone. The man collapsed with a grunt, holding his face.

"Incarcerous!" Severus snarled before black ropes wound their way around both Sirius and Pettigrew, an extra one going around Sirius' face to gag him. "I'll bring them to the headmaster. Take the boys to Poppy." Emmeline nodded and pulled the huddled boys out of the corner.

"So… so he wasn't trying to kill me?" Harry whispered.

"Apparently not." Emmeline agreed.

"Scabbers…" Ron muttered in shock. "Scabbers..."

"Let's get you both to the hospital," Emmeline said before leasing them away.

"So that big black dog in Hogsmeade was Sirius Black?" Dean cried in shock. Harry nodded.

"And he was hunting down Peter Pettigrew, who framed him for both selling out your parents AND his own murder, which he faked by turning into Ron's pet rat Scabbers?" Neville asked.

"Scabbers was always Pettigrew," Harry explained again. "Percy found him first. Then gave him to Ron. But he was Pettigrew the whole time."

"Bloody hell." Seamus cried in horror. "So we've been sleeping in the same room as a mass murdered for the last three years?!"

"Have a thought for Ron," Neville argued. "He's been living with one for twelve."

"Bloody hell," Dean muttered in horror. "But how did he get in? What with the dementors."

"Apparently animals aren't as affected by them. Professor Lupin said he told Dumbledore about the passageways and Black being able to turn into a dog, but he didn't think he'd be able to get past the dementors around Hogsmeade. Of course, the ministry took those away after the death eater attack. But that probably wouldn't have mattered all that much."

"Wait which passageways?" Seamus asked in confusion.

"Apparently there are a bunch of secret passageways that lead out of Hogwarts to various places. He thinks Black probably used the one from Honeydukes."

"Honeydukes?!" Seamus cried with a smile. "Can you imagine! Go through and getting all the candy you could want?!"

"Stealing all the candy you could want?" Neville reminded with a raised eyebrow. The Irish teen winced.

"Fair point."

"So what's gonna happen now?" Dean asked. Harry shrugged.

"Apparently there's going to be a re-trial. Blacks probably gonna be acquitted. Pettigrew apparently confessed to organizing the death eaters. So he's probably going to get… well they called it a sure what that means."

"Dementors kiss," Neville said wearily. "It's how we execute people. They have a dementor suck out your soul. It's horrible."

"Bloody hell they can do that?!" Harry cried in horror. "And they thought it would be a good idea to send them to a school?!"

"Yeah sound pretty barmy when you spell it all out." Dean agreed.

"You don't know the half of it. Gran's been furious ever since I told her." Neville agreed.

"My mum too." Seamus agreed. "Mark my words. Ministries not getting away with this."

"Well hopefully now that the ring leader is gone, the death eaters will go away and we won't need them around anymore." Harry offered.

"Thought they were for black anyway. Not much point if he's a free man." Dean argued. Harry nodded.

"Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall called, stepping into the common room. Harry looked over. "The headmaster requests your presence in his office."

"Later guys," Harry said as he jumped up and followed his head of house. As they arrived at the office Harry blinked. Both his parents were in the room as well as Black, who looked much more cleaned up, but still sullen and grumpy.

"Ah Harry," Albus said with a smile. "Thank you for joining us. Now, what exactly was it you wanted Mr. Black?"

"James' cloak," Black said coldly. "He doesn't deserve it. It doesn't belong to him. It belongs to James' son."

"Listen here you-" Emmeline began with a cold snarl, Severus just gripped her hand and gave the man his coldest sneer.

"You may be his godfather," Severus said coldly. "But that does not mean you have the right to march in here and demand things black."

"I don't want to be his godfather!" Black bellowed. If I could absolve myself of the duty I would! I'd rather die than have any association with your brat!"

"Easily arranged." Severus threatened coldly.

"Gentleman!" Albus roared, louder than Harry had ever heard him before. "This is besides the point." He turned to Black, peering at him over his half-moon spectacles "I'm afraid you have no right to take it from him, Sirius. You see James willed it to Harry. Legally, Harry is indeed James' son. James adopted him as his heir before his death. Now a widow may claim to have a stronger connection. But I'm afraid the ministry's views on homosexuality have not changed drastically in the last decade, though there has been progression, and progeny still is more highly valued than romantic attachment." Albus ended, giving the man a stern frown. Black snarled and stood.

"Fine. Let him drag James' legacy through the mud! Shows just how little you care!"

"I don't know why you even want it!" Emmeline snorted cruelly. "Seeing as you made the thing practically useless when you attacked my son in the spring!"

"Your son?" Sirius demanded with a cruel short of his own. "Sorry Vance, but you're not Lily. And you never will be. Snape's just with you out of pity and because no one else would ever fuck him."

"GET OUT!" Severus finally roared. "Leave! Or I will make you!" Sirius sneered, tossing one last glare at Harry before he disappeared into the floo. Harry was left stunned, feeling melancholic. Then Emmeline opened her arms. Harry took the invention and gratefully burrows his face into her tight hug.

"Severus I want a restraining order for that man." Emmeline finally muttered after the man's thirty seconds of fuming silence as he tried to regulate his temper.

"I doubt you will be able to manage that," Albus admitted tiredly. Severus growled.

"The ministry needs to get hit over the head with a blunt object. Might knock some sense into them." He grumbled. Albus chuckled. Then he trailed off, face growing grim.

"I do not believe that Peter Pettigrew was the true source of the heightened death after activity," Albus admitted. " Hiding twelve years as a rat indicates a cowardice that I do not believe would inspire him to such actions. It is more likely he is acting as a scapegoat to lull the ministry into a false sense of security. I would not be surprised if he expects to be rescued from the ministry's clutches. His false faith in lord Voldemort will be his undoing."

"Who do you think is behind it then?" Emmeline questioned as she pet Harry's hair comfortingly. Albus shook his head.

"I do not know. But I suggest vigilance. I doubt this will end the chaos. In fact, it has likely barely begun. With that the little family left the office, each weighed by separate worries.

Harry stepped off the train with a grin. He turned and gave Ron and Hermione a wave before he ran up to Emmeline and Severus.

"Why didn't we just apparate from Hogwarts?" Harry offered with a chuckle.

"Was the train yard unpleasant?" Severus asked with a sniff. Harry blushed.

"No, it was fun." He admitted. He turned and the three of them picked up his luggage and Hedwig's cage. The owl looked a bit disgruntled.

"You'll be out of there in a few moments you feathered beast," Severus said to her with a roll of his eyes. The bird gave him a somehow scathing look before ruffling her feathers and giving a screech. "Yes yes."

"You have everything?" Emmeline asked. Harry nodded as he slung his firebolt over his shoulder. Emmeline grabbed his free hand before Severus grabbed his shoulder. Then they disappeared. Harry took a deep breath in. The sea breeze was coming in from the beach and filled him with an instant sense of calm.

"Give us a minute to unpack," Emmeline said with a smile. "Then we can come help set up your room."

"What?" Harry muttered in confusion, a lump forming.

"I'm sure the off-grey paint wouldn't be your first choice," Severus argued as he pulled his and Emmeline's suitcases through the door. "Don't put anything up on your walls. Or it'll change colour."

Harry was still frozen in the living room, staring at his father with tears slowly collecting in the corner of his eyes. He sucked in a hiccup which made Emmeline turn to him with horror.

"Oh Harry darling, are you alright?!" Harry immediately latched onto Severus and sobbed into his shirt. Severus sighed and pet his hair gently.

"It's alright " he murmured. "I know."

"Thank you," Harry whispered into him. Severus placed a lingering kiss on the top of his head.

"Go unpack." He insisted. Harry pulled away, grinning through his tears before he tore away and did just that. And instantly Harry's grip was replaced by Emmeline, who was sobbing into his shoulder. Severus sighed and shushed her gently as well.

"Come on Emm. We have to clear a space in my wardrobe for you…" Severus complained. That made the woman wail a little louder for a second before she suddenly turned away, tears still streaming down her face, but seemingly determined to ignore them. Severus chuckled and followed her.

Harry stepped back from his wall with a smile. He had his Gryffindor pendant and his various drawings all pinned up the way he liked them. Dean had given him a signed David Beckham poster for Christmas, which he was still reeling about. The thing was probably worth his weight in gold! With the pastel mint green walls and the new mahogany finish of the furniture, Harry felt those years well up again.

His room.

Not a spare.

Not Dudley's second.

His.

Emmeline walked in to see him standing in the middle of the room crying into his hand.

"Darling," she began delicately. "It's almost time for supper." Harry sobbed again before he turned and fell into her embrace.

"I love you, mum." He finally sobbed. Emmeline had to bite her lip from sobbing herself as she took a deep breath and gave him another kiss on the head.

"I love you too Harry darling." She whispered. Then she pulled out a handkerchief and wiped first her own eyes and then his. "Now come along!" She cried, grasping his hand. "Time for supper!"

'There'll be bluebirds over,

The white cliffs of Dover,

Tomorrow,

Just you wait and see.'

Emmeline pulled the clothesline tight again, hanging up Severus' cardigan with a huff. That stain was stubborn for sure. She'd have to get him a proper apron for Christmas. Why he didn't already have one specifically for his lab was a mystery to her.

'There'll be love and laughter,

And peace, ever after

Tomorrow,

When the world is free.'

She pulled up Harry's favourite jeans next and sighed. Grass stain on the knees again! The boy needed a knee pad for gardening, honestly! She paused to look over at his little vegetable garden and smiled.

'the shepherd will tend his sheep,

The valley will bloom again,

And Jimmy will go to sleep,

In his own little room again!'

She stepped back from the wash with a slight grin because she turned back to the house and belted out the last chorus with glee.

'there'll be bluebirds over,

The white cliffs of Dover,

Tomorrow,

Just you wait, and, see!"

"Emmeline," Severus whispered in awe. The woman shrieked and tossed the laundry into the air before she grasped her chest.

"Sweet Merlin Severus, you scared me half to death!" She cried with a frown. "No stalking silently in the house! Save it for tormenting the students!"

"Sorry," Severus said with a wince. "Habit. Usually, it takes me about a week to start walking normally again." Emmeline scoffed and shook her head before she picked up the scattered clothes again. "I… I was wondering…"

"Yes?" Emmeline asked.

"I was thinking we might have dinner out tomorrow," Severus explained casually.

"The White Horse?" Emmeline offered. Severus nodded. Emmeline smiled.

"Harry will like that. I think he might be addicted to their treacle."

"Not with Harry," Severus said as casually as he could. "Just the two of us." Emmeline's smile widened.

"Why Severus… are asking me out on a date?" She demanded with a grin.

"Yes," Severus admitted with the telltale dusting of pink on his cheekbones.

"Well, I accept. Only… are you sure we can leave Harry on his own?"

"There's plenty of food in the fridge. And I trust him not to burn the house down… intentionally anyway."

"The boy is a magnet for trouble though," Emmeline argued. "I'd feel better if someone came to watch him."

"Who do you have in mind?" Severus asked.

Remus sighed and rubbed a hand against his neck to try and rub out that one sore spot he could never seem to get rid of. The last moon had been a hard one, compounding stress making the change all the more painful. A knock on his office door made him look up in confusion. Albus usually used the floo and Minerva always sent an owl. Then the door opened before he could even access it and the identity of the visitor instantly filled Remus with a flicker of rage.

"Remus!" Sirius cried, a sloppy grin on a familiar face. "It's been ages! I see you're buried in marking. Must be why you haven't come to visit me!"

"Among other things." Remus agreed in a cold voice. Sirius blinked in shock and his smile weakened slightly.

"Come on old friend. Surely I can't have upset you already? I've only been here a minute!" He joked. Remus had to drop his Quill. Despite the moon still being two weeks away, his strength was getting the better of him. "Whatever it is- say the word- I'll apologize for it!"

"You don't realize what you've done wrong?" Remus demanded cooly. Sirius scoffed.

"Obviously not," he declared, suddenly growing annoyed. "I wouldn't have asked. I don't understand why you're being so hostile."

"You made a promise Sirius." Remus reminded him. Sirius blinked before he winced.

"Ah? Is this about your birthday? Look I'm sorry about the… situation… with Peter. But I thought it took precedent!"

"'I dedicate myself to the safety and well-being of this child, given the name of Harrison James Potter, to protect him from all ills and shelter him from pain, anguish, and all other evil deeds'!" Remus bellowed, rising to his feet with a fire in his eyes. Sirius was momentarily stunned. Then slowly his face curled into a sneer.

"You can't be serious? This is because of Snivellous's bastard?! Why do you even care?!" Sirius demanded. Remus shook his head in disgust.

"You are the most loathsome person I have ever known." Remus declared. "So utterly petty that you couldn't let go of a schoolyard rivalry 4 YEARS after we had left. It is absolutely pathetic. And even now, at the cusp of a brewing war, you still hold onto your childish past."

"You're seriously upset because I don't what to have anything to do with a child whose real identity was hidden from me by two people I thought I could trust more than anything?!" Sirius demanded. Remus snorted and shook his head again.

"I'm upset because you can't take responsibility for your own actions." Remus declared. "Right there, you blamed Lily and James for tricking you. But if you hadn't been such a pathetic arse, they would still be alive." Sirius flinched at Remus' coldness "because the truth is that you killed them, Sirius. Not Harry." Sirius was shaking with rage now, face a twisted mask of anger and hurt. "And until you can accept that, we can never be friends again." That snapped Sirius out of his anger.

"What?" He croaked in shock.

"As you can see Mr. Black, I am very busy with some last-minute marking. The headmaster had to pull several strings to get me an allowance so I really must get back to it. Unless you have an inquiry about a student at this institution, kindly vacate my office." Remus said, keeping his voice level and professional as he returned to his marking.

"Remus-" Sirius began, utterly distraught.

"I did not give you leave to use my first name, Mr. Black." Remus drawled cooly "that is a right reserved for friends," he gestured to a photo on his desk, taken of Hogwarts staff, sans Rolanda, at a quidditch match. He and Emmeline took centre stage sharing popcorn. Occasionally Minerva would pop in with a witty joke and the pair would laugh, or Charity would turn around and make a sly comment that made Remus blush and Emmeline nearly fall out of her seat laughing. It was at these moments that Severus' nose would poke out of the book he held over his face the vast majority of the time with the faintest hint of a smile. As Remus stared at the photo a sense of peace descended over him and he smiled. Yes. This was the right call. Sirius was staring at the image with some shock before he looked at Remus with what could only be described as a look of utter betrayal. "Now, once again, please vacate my office, or I will have to remove you by force." And suddenly Sirius's face went utterly stony. He looked at Remus with shiny eyes before he scowled again.

"Fine. But I hope you've realized what you've done." He whirled away towards the door. But before he left he turned back into the office for one last snide comment. "And you're wrong. I didn't kill James and Lily! It was their own damn fault!" Then he slammed the door. Remus stared at the door in horrified shock. He could not believe the depths of that man's delusions! Despite his early comments about being swamped he now felt so utterly drained. He buried his face in his hands and groaned.

"Hot cocoa please." He moaned to the room. There was a faint pop as a steaming mug of the requested beverage appeared along with a chocolate scone and a few tea biscuits. Remus sighed then snapped his fingers twice. He moaned as the pleasant aroma of spiced rum rose from the mug.

"5 o'clock somewhere," he muttered to himself, a habit he picked up from his mother forever ago and took a slow sip, then moaned again and slid into his chair further. Definitely necessary after that painful conversation. Suddenly the fire behind him roared to life. The man sighed and set down his mug.

"Yes, Albus?" Remus called as he trained around.

"Not Albus!" Emmeline responded happily. The man blinked and grinned.

"Emmeline! How can I help you on this fine day?"

"How is your marking coming along?" Emmeline asked in turn. Remus blew out a huff.

"I'm chipping away at it. I'm just glad Albus was alive to get me an extra week from the governor's. The last moon really knocked the stuffing out of me." Remus admitted tiredly.

"Do you think maybe you need a break to help rejuvenate yourself?" Emmeline asked. Remus hummed.

"Perhaps? Did you have something in mind?"

"Would you be willing to watch Harry for a few hours tomorrow night?" Emmeline questioned with a grin. Remus smiled happily.

"I would be more than happy to! But what's the special occasion?"

"Severus asked me out on a date," Emmeline replied readily. Remus chuckled.

"Took the old dog long enough!" He barked.

"Shush you!" Emmeline admonished with a playful frown. Remus chuckled.

"What time should I be there?"

"Good question!" Emmeline's head turned out of the fire slightly. "Darling! What time are we leaving for dinner tomorrow?" There was a moment before Emmeline turned back into the fire fully. "Around 6:30."

"Alright, I'll be there. St. Margaret's Bay right?"

"Yes. The cottage at the end of The Droveway." Emmeline began before she tilted her head out and then back in again. "We'll send Orville to come meet you."

"Brilliant," Remus said. "See you then."

"Thank you!" Emmeline said before the connection cut.

"Have fun you two!" Remus cried with a grin, hands tucked into his tweed cardigan with a smile. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"Oh shush you!" Emmeline said with a smile. Severus looked like he was struggling mightily to keep from sneering. Remus just closed the door behind him.

"I think your dad was having a stroke." He whispered to Harry with a smirk. Harry snickered before he lifted up a stack of board games.

"Dragon Reserve, Don't Wake The Giant, or Parcheesi?" Harry asked excitedly

Emmeline sipped her wine happily as she watched the soft folk band on the little stage behind the restaurant croon out a gentle tune. Severus was shifting in his seat and had to wipe his hand on his trousers a few times.

"Ready for dessert?" Their waitress asked with a glance in Severus' direction.

"Yes please!" He said quickly. Emmeline raised an eyebrow before she glanced at the menu again.

"Let's have the chocolate mousse cake."

"To share." Severus agreed. The waitress nodded. Emmeline saw this and frowned.

"What are you up to, Severus?"

"Hmm?" He said, with a feigned innocent expression. "Up to? Why Emmeline, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Now that's just bad form." Emmeline scoffed. "I thought you were the head of Slytherin house? That was some of the worst lying I've ever seen."

"Apart from Harry?" Severus argued. Emmeline winced.

"Yes, apart from Harry. The boy couldn't lie to save his life. Which, as his mother, I'd say is good. But as someone who's fought in a war, that may very well be continuing soon… it's worrying." She said with a sigh. Severus nodded.

"He needs to be taught the skills necessary to survive."

"What do you have in mind?" Emmeline asked.

"I think I'm going to try and teach him Occlumency this summer," Severus muttered. "It would be a good idea."

"But I don't know if that will be a very good experience," Emmeline argued with a weary sigh. "He's very emotionally driven. He relies on those feelings heavily. I think it'll be very hard for him to shut them off."

"It's not his emotions I'm trying to suppress," Severus argued. "I'm trying to protect his mind."

"I'm not saying it's a bad idea," Emmeline argued. "I just think that maybe you should wait until he's a little more mature." She reached out and grasped his hand. "Let him have this summer to be a child. He deserves it." As she said this the waitress returned placing the tray with its cloche still on, before she carefully lifted it. Both Emmeline and Severus looked down at their cake, but Emmeline could see strange emotions creeping into Severus' eyes. He looked up at her and swallowed roughly.

"Emmeline… I've known you for 15 years. In that time I have loved you, I have cherished you…" he swallowed again. "I have betrayed you. And somehow you have forgiven me and found it in your heart to love me back. And though our dreams may not have turned out… quite as we planned them." Severus joked with a weary smile, as he held her hand a little tighter. Then he spun the plate around. Emmeline looked down and choked on her words. She looked up to see Severus on his knees in front of her, holding her hand in both of his now. "Would you … could you find it in your heart, to stand beside me? To be Harry's mother in more than just name?" Emmeline's free hand jumped to her mouth as she struggled to hold back a happy sob. Then she nodded. Severus leaned over, plucking the delicate diamond ring from the ring of chocolate syrup that circled it and slipped it onto her finger. Then she leapt forward with a tight hug around his shoulders. Suddenly the waitstaff began loudly clapping, along with several other dinners. Emmeline sobbed as she wiped her face again, as Severus placed a kiss to her temple.

Harry was standing in the doorway, backlit by the glow from inside with an anticipatory smile.

"And?" He asked as soon as his parents crossed the threshold of the stone wall. Severus chuckled.

"She said yes." He confirmed. Harry whooped and rushed to give a still-emotional Emmeline a tight hug.

"I love you, mum." He said again, less emotional than he had been the day they arrived, but with a new meaning that had Emmeline sobbing into his hair all over again.

'There'll be bluebirds over,

The white cliffs of Dover,

Tomorrow,

Just you wait and see.'

The dark.

Always, for as long as he could remember, Peter had been terrified of the dark. Its reaching claws and shining eyes and eerie noises. And there was nothing more suffocating than the grim dark of the ministry holding cell he had been thrown into. The only thing that was keeping him sane was a quiet promise whispered in his ears what seemed like an eternity ago now.

"Serve me well, my loyal Wormtail, and you will be rewarded."

And so he sat, curled up in the corner of that suffocating cell in that suffocating dark, shivering in fear and did what he had always done.

He waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Until at last his waiting paid off. The loud creaky door down the hall swung open. Followed by the tumble of a body hitting the stone.

"My lord!" Peter cried ecstatically, rushing up to the bars and attempting to squeeze his face through them so he could see his master's surely impressive approaching figure. "My lord! You've come to rescue me!"

"Come now Wormtail," came a voice. Instantly the man froze before he began to shake again, in a combination of rage and the first niggling of fear.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded with a cockiness he didn't truly possess. "Where is our lord? I thought he said he would get me out of here!"

"The dark lord said you would be rewarded, my slippery friend." the man replied, with a widening grin. "And there is no greater reward than sacrificing yourself to his will." Then the dark-robed figure drew his wand and Peter jumped back from the bars, flattening himself against the far wall, eyes blown with fear.

"No, please! Please don't kill me!" he begged pitifully. The man chuckled.

"And deprive the dementors of their meal?" The man tsked at Peter as if he was ashamed of the rat. "Really Peter. I expected better of you. Maybe chivalry really is dead." the man snickered at his own joke before levelling his wand again.

"W-what are you doing then?" Peter demanded with a quivering lip.

"Just ensuring that you can't ruin the dark lord's plan with that feeble mind of yours. Couldn't chance you turning coats again, now can we?" the man purred.

"Wai-!" Peter tried one last time.

"Obliviate!"

~*~*Donec Iterum*~*~