Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/41244069.

Rating: General Audiences

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: F/M
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationships: Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, raba,
Bellatrix Black Lestrange/Rodolphus Lestrange, Regulus Black & Severus
Snape
Characters: Original Muggle Character(s), Original Male Human Character(s), Original
Female Character(s), Original Slytherin Character, Lily Evans Potter, Lucius
Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Voldemort (Harry
Potter), Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Bellatrix Black Lestrange,
Rodolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, James
Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Marlene McKinnon, Regulus Black, Kreacher (Harry
Potter), Lestrange Family (Harry Potter), Eileen Prince
Additional Tags: Death Eaters, The Dark Arts (Harry Potter), Slytherin Centric, Marauders Era
(Harry Potter), Marauders, Hogwarts, Severus Snape-centric, Young Severus
Snape, Eileen Prince Lives, Song Lyrics, Peter Pettigrew is a Little Shit
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2022-08-24 Updated: 2024-01-20 Words: 79,436 Chapters: 44/60
 Boulevard of Broken Dreams
by blaisegellert

Summary

Young Severus Snape loses his father at a shockingly early age. He and his mother are forced to
live with his grandfather Prince who dislikes him for being a Half-blood. When he is finally able to
attend Hogwarts, he expects a better life, but the Marauders quickly dash those dreams. Follow
Severus through his seven years at Hogwarts as he forges a path toward the worst mistakes of his
life.
 Daddy's Little Wizard

Prolog: Daddy's Little Wizard

The six-year-old boy flew in awkward zig-zags on his broom perhaps a meter from the ground.
Occasionally he'd tilt at a hard angle either to left or right and the dark haired hook nosed man
hoovering watchfully at his side would steady him.

"That's my little wizard," Tobias Snape bragged with a proud chuckle as Severus rose to shoulder
height without the broom tipping at all.
"Don't go too high, Severus," Eileen called as she leaned fretfully out of the parlor's small window
to watch her son's latest flying exercise. "We shouldn't even be allowing him to fly so young," she
added half to herself.

"They excel if they start young," Tobias reminded her for the third or perhaps the thirtieth time.
"That goes for Muggles and Wizards alike."

"But a Mum will worry," Eileen reminded right back, also for the third or thirtieth time and Tobias
chuckled.

"What if he falls," Eileen worried as Severus rose to just above Tobias's head.

"He won't, and if he does I'll catch him. Strong arms don't require magic, as you know."

Eileen's lips twitched. "Don't I know it."

Tobias grinned at his wife's playful tone, and Severus peered over at his Mum. "Look how high I
got, Mummy," he ordered.

"Yes, Baby, you're doing very well. Just don't go higher until you can remain entirely steady for the
entire flight. Now it's time for you to come down... And don't forget to land slowly or you'll break a
bone."

Tobias rolled his eyes and Severus grinned.

"Yes, Mum," he sighed, and began to descend almost as slowly as Eileen would've preferred.

The very next morning, Severus was ready to fly again, but Eileen woke with a dreadful stomach
bug and she asked Tobias to go to the potions shop in Knockturn Alley for a belly tonic. He
promised to be back within the hour and set off.

Severus passed the time playing with Muggle building blocks that Tobias had given him for his last
birthday. The elder Snape believed magical toys were fine, but that a child also required the mental
focus that nonmagical toys provided. Severus sat on the floor of the parlor, carefully building a
castle, his mind on the upcoming broom ride he planned to take as soon as his father was back to
watch him.

When the door finally burst open, it wasn't Tobias Snape who rushed through it, though. It was
Eileen's best friend Jean, and she was screaming. Severus sat still in the middle of the floor,
building blocks forgotten as his young obsidian eyes rounded in terror.

Perhaps if Jean weren't so terrified herself she would've handled the situation better. Perhaps then
she wouldn't have screamed her dreadful news out in front of a six-year-old child. She was terrified,
though, and as such not thinking at all.

"EILEEN! HE'S DEAD... TOBIAS IS KILLED... HE DID IT... IT WAS VOLDEMORT! HE SAID
NO MUGGLE HAD THE RIGHT TO SET FOOT IN A WIZARDING SHOP AND HE
JUST...JUST STRUCK HIM DOWN! GODS EILEEN HE'S DEAD!"

Severus felt his entire body running with sudden hot and cold chills as his ears rang with shock.
Jean crumpled to the floor beside the open door of Eileen and Tobias's bedroom, sobbing in terror.
There was no sound from the darkened room where Eileen lay in bed with a stomach bug. Not until
she began to scream. Severus curled into a ball beside his half finished castle of blocks and began
to sob.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Even as he sobbed the name, he knew his father was never coming home. He
also knew that Voldemort had done this, and silently vowed to make him pay. Over the years, this
vow as well as the need to fulfill it would only grow stronger.

Though Jean was certain that Lord Voldemort hadn't bothered to find out who Tobias Snape was,
Eileen still feared for the safety of herself and her young son. As such she made one of the greatest
sacrifices a mother can. She put her child first and did that which she most did not want to do. She
crawled back home to her father who had disowned her for marrying a Muggle. Old man Prince
made no secret of his dislike for Severus for being a half blood. More than once, he'd look down his
nose at Severus and claim, "He'll be no Prince, that one."

Severus hated him at first sight. He'd never met his grandfather due to the fact he'd disowned Eileen
for marrying Tobias Snape before Severus was even born. Anyone who disliked his father, wasn't
ever going to be someone Severus cared to impress.

Every time old man Prince claimed that Severus would be no prince, Eileen would retaliate by
proudly informing her son that he was her precious little Half Blood Prince, which made him all the
more special. In spite of his grandfather's constant belittling efforts, Severus grew up with a high
opinion of himself. In part because of his grandfather's near constant fighting with his mother, his
opinion of others wasn't quite so high.
 Finally An Escape?

Chapter 2: Finally An Escape?

He'd waited for this for years! Severus had literally counted down the days until he could get away
from his grandfather's house at least for approximately nine months out of the year. Since he was
seven years old, he'd set his sights on that eventual escape. Not only would he get away from his
horrid grandfather who lived to remind Severus and his mum what rubbish he was, but he would at
last make friends his own age and learn great feats of magic!

Of course his Mum had already taught him great feats of magic, and for the most part she allowed
him to study any of her books that he liked, but at Hogwarts he would be exposed to all sorts of
professors. Each knew different things and had different methods of imparting that knowledge, and
Severus was hungry for all of it.

As soon as Eileen apparated them to King's Cross station, he gave his mum a tight hug then waved
her off. He didn't want any potential new friends seeing him standing with his mum like a baby. It
just wouldn't do.

"I'll see you on the holidays and I promise to write soon," he said. "Hopefully HE shall be a bit
kinder to you with me away."

It was obvious that Severus referred to his grandfather, but Eileen made no comment.

"I wish Toby was here to see you now," she said instead, choking up as her eyes welled.

"Me too, Mum," Severus agreed as he swallowed down the lump in his own throat. Though this day
was an exciting and glorious one, it would've been so much better were Tobias Snape present to
share in the moment. He would have so loved hearing about all of Severus's magical experiences at
Hogwarts, not to mention, with his father alive, Severus wouldn't be desperate to get away from
home. But no. The old Prince home wasn't his and never would be.

"Don't you want me to wait with you for the train," Eileen asked wistfully and Severus felt himself
flushing with embarrassment as he shook his head.

"I'd like to perhaps try to make some friends, Mum. They'll think I'm a baby waiting for the train
with my mum."

"You are my baby, and always shall be," Eileen proclaimed, reaching to give him another hug.
Severus returned her embrace, before stepping away firmly.

"I promise to write in a few days," he said.

"Very well, then," she said with a sigh. Bending she tapped his trunk with her wand. "I've put a
feathering charm on it so it won't appear to weigh anything. That'll make it far easier lugging it
about."

He grinned in appreciation. "Thanks, Mum. I love you. Now go... Visit some friends or something.
Enjoy your free time and try to stay away from HIM."
Eileen nodded, and apparated away with a final wistful look. Severus hated that his Mum felt sad,
and in part hated leaving her. If they only didn't have to live with Grandfather Prince, things would
be so much nicer. The sallow old man was always being mean to Severus and shouting at Eileen to
the point there was never any peace. For that reason, Severus was just glad to escape, and hoped
she found ways to stay away as well. Perhaps she'd go and visit her old school chum Jean.

Glancing around, he couldn't spot anyone his own age. He'd insisted on coming early just to escape
as soon as possible, and only a few older kids were milling about so far. Some of them had even
apparated themselves, he noticed, impressed. As there was no one his age about to talk with and the
older boys and girls were somehow too intimidating, Severus bent to his trunk to retrieve a book.

He never minded reading while he waited for anything. Books were his friends, his solace, his
distraction and his happy place. He loved books! He could completely lose track of time when
reading, and today was no exception. More time had passed than he realized, because when the boy
jostled into him, he glanced up to see several students around his own age waiting on the platform.
The boy who'd rammed him was bigger, and wore a belligerent scowl.

"Leave it to a Dark Arts freak to be the one taking up space with his stupid trunk on the platform,"
he sneered.

Severus blinked. He hadn't done anything wrong.

"He'll be in Slytherin for sure," a thin yet equally tall boy in glasses chimed in. Like Severus both
boys had fair skin and black hair, but these two were far more richly dressed. Though Grandfather
Prince had plenty of money, he refused to spare any of it for Severus or Eileen to have better
clothes.

Eileen had to scrimp and save what she could get from selling her potions to the local shops in the
two alleys and sometimes to Hogsmeade. This meant that she nor Severus could afford new outfits
very often, but as Severus was a growing boy as she so frequently said, his clothing needs were met
first. He was quite excited for the brand new school robes.

"I hope so," Severus spoke up proudly. "My mum was in Slytherin house and it has brilliant
qualities."

"Oh does it, now," the bigger boy sneered. "Let's see," he continued, beginning to count pointedly
on his fingers. "It has the qualities of bigotry, open fascism, backstabbing, cheating, lying and...
being ugly!"

Severus felt the heat of anger and embarrassment coloring his face. "None of that is true! You take
it back!"

"Or what," the big boy demanded, pushing him again, harder this time.

Severus stumbled over his trunk and nearly fell. Both boys laughed as they began to turn away.

"Dark Arts won't save you from a spill," the thin one remarked in open amusement. "Better watch
your step," he advised almost kindly.

"I wouldn't have to watch my step if that Git hadn't pushed me," Severus snarled.

"Perhaps so," the thin boy agreed with a smirk.

The prat had messy hair, Severus noted. He behaved as if he was so superior, but couldn't manage
to have organized hair for all that. Probably because he was stupid!

"Push me again, and I shall show you precisely what Dark Arts can do," he shouted after them. He
hadn't come here to escape from Grandfather Prince just to be bullied by these smug gits or anyone
else. He replaced his book in the trunk and slammed the lid closed.

Sadly the gesture did nothing to soothe his foul mood. So much for a new start, he thought
wrathfully. Was everyone in the bloody world going to be dreadful like Grandfather Prince? He
nearly wished he was allowed to attend a Muggle school. His father had been a Muggle and he was
a good person.

Then again lots of Muggles had done rotten things to wizards so perhaps it was just everyone,
Muggle and wizard alike, being mostly awful. When everyone began boarding the train, Severus
lifted his trunk, once again grateful for his mum's feathering charm that made it hardly weigh a
thing. As he watched, students grouped up to share compartments. Not willing to deal with another
ugly and unwarranted face off, he lagged back, hoping to find an empty compartment in the back if
he allowed everyone else on first.

It appeared that luck was with him, because when he entered the very last compartment, it was
indeed empty as he'd hoped. Heaving a sigh of relief, he retrieved the book he'd been reading from
his trunk before settling down for the ride. This wasn't how he'd imagined his first train ride but at
least it would be peaceful and free of mean bullies. He was truly shocked at how those boys had
behaved. He'd hoped to make friends that were like him, or even more interesting. Friends who
could give him new experiences and with whom he could have fun. With faith lost in the student
body of Hogwarts, he could only hope that the professors would be far kinder and more beneficial.

When the train began to move, Severus let out a sigh of relief. He'd won! He would have the entire
compartment to himself. If anyone else was going to enter, they'd have done before the train
started. With it moving, everyone would have to have a seat for the ride, so he was free to relax
without fear of anyone coming in to disrupt him.

When the compartment door burst open, Severus's heart sank in disappointment before flaring with
rage. Why! He glanced carefully up from his book, trying not to be too obvious about it. If it was
the gits again, he'd just draw his wand and show them a thing or three, he vowed silently. It wasn't
them, though. It was a far larger older boy. His shoulders were wide and his arms looked like tree
trunks. He was tall with short curly black hair and large laughing green eyes. Because he was older
and bigger, would that make him meaner? The boy glanced around in disappointment, then sighed,
swearing under his breath as he took a seat.

"She's really hid good from me this time," he remarked. "Say, may I have a look at that book?"

Severus scowled darkly. "And if I say no, you'll just take it, is that it?"

The boy's large green eyes rounded in surprise before he scowled back. "Of course not. I'll just call
you a git."

It was then that Severus finally noticed that the older boy at least wore Slytherin robes. Dare
Severus hope that would make him a decent human being? "You won't take it from me?"

The boy's eyes rounded in surprise again as he shook his head. "Of course not. It's yours."
Severus sighed and passed the book over. "Just be careful with it, then."

"Of course! I have the largest wizarding library in all of London, or at least my family does. I know
how to treat a book right." He grinned. "I'm Raislen, by the way. Raislen WestCraven."

"Severus Snape," Severus replied.

"What's got you in such a foul mood," Raislen wondered.

"I met some gits on the platform," Severus admitted. "They seemed upset that I was reading that
book and they pushed me twice. One of them did, rather and the other was amused by it."

"Gits," Raislen said. "It's a good book. I've actually never seen it before," he added, clearly
impressed by that fact. "It's hard to find a book I haven't seen unless I leave Europe."

"Who were you looking for," Severus wondered. He recalled Raislen mentioning that someone had
hid good so found himself curious.

Raislen grinned happily. "Her name is HeatherToy. Well that's my name for her. Her name is
Heather Knight and she's the prettiest girl in Hogwarts."

Severus's lips twisted. "And she's hiding from you."

Raislen laughed. "Yeah, I don't know what her problem is. Hey I have some books too. Do you
want to look at one of mine?"

Severus had already read the potions text that Raislen held once, so nodded eagerly. "Yes! Thanks."

Raislen dug into his trunk and produced a thick heavy and very old looking book. Its cover sported
the title of Ancient Lost Curses. The words were nearly faded, but not quite, so they were still
simple enough to read. Severus let out a reverent sigh as he carefully reached out to take the book
into his hands.

Raislen grinned. "At least I dont have to tell you to be careful. It's nice to have another book friend.
Before you, HeatherToy was always the only one who had anything good that I actually cared to
borrow."

Severus grinned, rightfully taking the words as a compliment. "My mum has some great books."

"Was she a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw," Raislen asked. "It's usually one or the other."

Severus grinned. "Slytherin, like you."

Raislen grinned back. "Great. Hopefully you'll get into Slytherin, and I can show you around. I'm a
third year so I know the ropes. If you end up in another house, I'll hang with you anyway."

Severus smiled, suddenly feeling his whole body relaxing as his mood lifted. Perhaps Hogwarts
would be good after all. Hopefully the gits from the platform wouldn't be in Slytherin house.
 On The Hogwarts Express

Chapter 3: On The Hogwarts Express

Though Severus was fascinated by Raislen's book, his concentration wavered. That was unlike him,
but he was feeling self conscious about his clothes. Raislen wore his Hogwarts uniform and looked
so smartly put together in it that Severus felt even shabbier than usual. He didn't want to go around
Raislen's friends looking shabby once they got off the train. "Ur... Would you mind turning around
while I changed into my school uniform?"

Raislen shrugged. "We both have the same thing and you're not my type, but sure."

Severus snickered, but gave a sigh of relief when Raislen turned. His underpants were shabbier and
more worn than his outerwear and he didn't want anyone else seeing them. It was just too
uncomfortable and private. Hurriedly he dug into his trunk for his uniform after carefully placing
Raislen's book on the seat beside him. It only took a few moments to scramble into his Hogwarts
attire.

Suddenly he already felt more posh somehow. "You can turn around now," he told the other boy as
he hastily crammed his Muggle clothes into the trunk.

"Good. It was hard reading while twisted round like that," Raislen said.

"Sorry," Severus said. He felt his face flushing in embarrassment. "I've never... um... really had
friends that much. Just a few cousins, and that's different."

Raislen nodded gravely as he glanced up from the book to meet Severus's dark eyes with his green
ones. "Yep, cousins are different."

"I like your book a lot, but some of the curses seem rather easy," Severus added, glancing back to
the book lying on the seat beside him.

"They get more complicated a few pages in," Raislen assured. "And you're eleven in case you
hadn't noticed. How much do you know about curses?"

"A lot, actually," Severus said. "Mum didn't like the girls in school much. A lot of them were mean
to her and the boys too so she learned to hurt them so they'd respect her and leave her alone. She
taught me all she knows in case..." In case Grandfather Prince ever decided to hit him, but Severus
didn't want to say that aloud, not knowing how Raislen would take it. He didn't know the other boy
well enough to get too personal, and besides, he was sure it would be embarrassing talking about
his grandfather. Best move on to something else.

He frowned, shifting on the seat. "I suppose I was stupid for expecting it to be different for me. I
didn't think people would be mean at Hogwarts now. I thought it was just the old fashioned time
she grew up in or that those witches and wizards attending Hogwarts at that time were... I don't
know backwards or something. But those gits on the platform just started with me for no reason as
if they simply wanted to fight!" It felt good having someone to vent to, Severus realized. Other than
his Mum he'd never had that before.
"If you spot them out when we get off the train, you show me who they are," Raislen said. "I'll keep
an eye on them and give them what for if they start in on you again."

Severus smiled, feeling his shoulders relaxing at the idea of having back up. He realized that he
was dreading surprise attacks in the back of his mind from the gits, and that was serving to dampen
his eagerness to see the school. "Thank you," he told Raislen, who nodded.

"Hey, no problem.""

Not knowing what else to say, Severus went back to reading Raislen's book. Fortunately the older
boy was right, and the curses did become more complex a few pages in. Both boys were happy to
read as the train chugged along. When the door to their compartment eventually opened, Severus
started, hastily glancing up from Raislen's book with trepidation suddenly gripping his chest.

He supposed he wasn't ready for new people yet, or perhaps he feared those gits would be looking
for him to continue their torment. As it turned out, it was only the lady with the Trolley of snacks.
Though his mum had spoken of it often, he'd quite forgotten about it what with so much going on
to claim his focus.

"I'm getting pumpkin pasties," Raislen said eagerly. "I've been thinking about them all summer!
What are you getting," he asked Severus as he dug into a pocket of his school robe to pay for the
pasties.

Severus shook his head. "Nothing. I'm not hungry," he lied.

"Ah at least try a cauldron cake," Raislen coaxed. "If you're a potions guy, and from the book I am
guessing you are, you've got to have one your first train ride! It's a thing, or at least it should be."
He grinned.

"I don't have any money with me," Severus admitted, his face flushing hot in embarrassment.
Grandfather Prince with all that money and not a dime to spare for his family. Gods how Severus
hated the man. Grandfather Prince hated Muggles, but Tobias Snape, a Muggle, was a far better
man than Prince would ever ever be even if he had forever to try!

"Well I have enough money to share," Raislen said cheerfully. "That'll be four pumpkin pasties and
two cauldron cakes, please."

"Thanks," Severus said, trying hard not to feel embarrassed and failing.

"Hey, you're doing me a favor," Raislen assured. "I hate eating alone."

The pumpkin pasties were delicious. The cauldron cakes were good too, but they were just
cauldron shaped cupcakes, and Severus had never tasted anything like a pumpkin pasty before.
They were far different than the pumpkin pie his Mum used to make on the holidays. Pumpkin pie
was very good, but other pumpkin treats were just as tantalizing. "Cauldron cakes are just like
Muggle cupcakes," he told Raislen.

"Why are they cupcakes," Raislen asked. "And is the cup at least a fancy goblet, because otherwise
cauldrons should be better."

Severus frowned thoughtfully. "You have a point there, I suppose. The cups are made of paper and I
suppose they aren't even really cups."
"How do you know about Muggle foods," Raislen asked. "Are you a halfblood?"

Severus nodded. "My dad was a Muggle," he said proudly. Somehow his chin began to tremble as
he was suddenly overwhelmed with wave upon wave of deep sadness. He really missed his dad. He
supposed his mum bringing him up earlier had gotten to him more than he knew. "He is dead," he
added, blinking hard in case any tears thought to trickle out of his eyes and embarrass him.

"I'm really sorry," Raislen said, seeming to mean it.

Severus nodded, letting out a breath as the tightness in his throat eased a bit. "Thanks."

"Um... What happened to him if I may ask?"

"He was killed... By someone for being in a wizarding potion shop to pick up something for my
mum." Severus didn't dare speak the name of Voldemort as his mum said it wasn't safe to mention
him in wizarding society.

"By Voldemort or one of his," Raislen asked and Severus found himself nodding. Raislen was his
friend, and he'd been nice to him so Severus didn't want to lie. Besides, Raislen didn't seem to like
Voldemort, judging by the tone in which he spoke his name.

"He's a bad one," Raislen said. "Crazy too. He thinks killing is literally the answer to everything,
but hell I don't have to tell you that, do I?"

Severus shook his head.

"Lots of dark wizards follow him, but not my family. We're mostly Slytherin all the way with a few
Ravenclaws sprinkled in, but none of us are interested in buying what he's selling. For one, we
aren't into following, you know? Not into being told what to do, because we already have our own
ideas."

Severus nodded. He could certainly relate to that.

"Also while we don't love the way Muggles have treated us in the past, we don't see that his way of
doing things would truly solve the problem. Eventually the Muggles will just get more pissed off
and rebel in ways he would never imagine."

Severus nodded again. "I've never thought of that before, but it makes sense," he said. He realized
that he really liked talking to Raislen. "Do you think he'll be stopped?"

Raislen nodded confidently. "Eventually he'll have to be. Madness won't go unchecked for too long
without self destructing. It's simply impossible. Only it would be far nicer if he were stopped
sooner rather than later before he's created more problems for the rest of us."

"Or killed more people's families," Severus said and Raislen nodded.

"For sure that."

Severus cleared his throat, suddenly nervous about what he was about to have to say. "Um would
you promise not to tell anyone that he killed my dad? My mum said it wasn't safe to bring it up."

Raislen nodded quickly. "Of course. She's right, you know. Some of the students attending
Hogwarts are in families who serve him, and they'll do the same when they graduate if not sooner."
Severus's eyes widened. That made sense, but how had he not considered it himself? "Yes," he
agreed.

"I promise to keep your secret," Raislen vowed, and Severus smiled. He believed him. Raislen felt
solid and safe and he was nice and fun. Perhaps Severus had been right about Hogwarts after all.
Perhaps it would be full of more people like Raislen and perhaps he'd love it there.

Perhaps it would be the home he'd longed for since they'd had to go and live with Grandfather
Prince. From the time he was seven, and his Mum had started telling him about the magic school
inside of a castle, he'd imagined how wonderful it would be and how much he'd love attending.
He'd even wanted to go early, but Eileen assured him that it wasn't allowed. Now his time had
finally come, though, and he was ready for it.
 Welcome To Slytherin

Chapter 4: Welcome To Slytherin

Severus's Mum had told him what to expect from the boat ride, but of course she couldn't have
known he'd be stuck in a boat of Gits. He'd actually feared as much, because it would be just his
luck. When they left the train, Raislen promised to find him in the great hall.

The larger boy clapped Severus on the shoulder, wished him luck and assured him that he would be
fine. So confident was he, that Severus almost believed him. He got put onto a boat with the two
gits from earlier and another shorter boy who seemed thrilled to be having their attention. At first
dismayed sight of them, Severus attempted to back away and find another boat but the large man,
the half giant, Hagrid, waved him onto the git boat with a gruffly cheerful, "Go on with ya then!
It'll be fine."

Did the oaf think Severus was frightened of the stupid boat? Hefting his trunk over the side he gave
a resigned sigh. When Severus settled resentfully onto the seat nearest the short boy, the bigger boy
who'd pushed him on the platform sneered.

"Here comes Mr. Dark Arts. Wouldn't you know?"

The short boy made a face, giving Severus the side eye, and the other two smiled in open approval.

"Dark arts...That's just asking for trouble," short-brain said, apparently deciding to opine on the
matter in hopes of continued approval which he received when the other two enthusiastically
nodded.

"It was actually a book on potions," Severus sneered.

"I know that book," the big boy said. "It's in my family's library. There are some very dangerous
potion recipes in the thing."

Severus fixed a resentful gaze on the lake after giving the big boy a venomous glare. He wondered
how the prat could dislike the Dark Arts if his family had them in their library, but he didn't wish to
speak to him long enough to ask.

Throughout the ride, he focused his mind on what would happen when he was able to exit the boat.
He would find Raislen. Then the feast and sorting would be far nicer. Full of talk of books and
interesting things about the school. When the boat drew to a stop he was the first off.

"Good riddance," the tall thin boy with the messy dark hair called and the other two laughed.
Severus hurried away, trunk in hand, not looking back. So eager was he to put as many first year
moving bodies between himself and the three gits that he nearly ran down a small man. He had
bright black eyes and shoulder length thick black hair.

"Slow down before you kill us both," he chuckled, reaching up with a small yet strong hand to
grasp Severus's upper arm.

Severus felt the heat rushing to his face. "Sorry... I am sorry."

The small man smiled kindly. "It's alright. I'm Professor Flitwick, by the way. If you need any help,
that's what I'm here for."

Severus forced a smile. The little professor was being kind, after all, and that was apparently a rare
thing. "Thank you, Professor. I'm Severus... Severus Snape."

"Well done then. Head right this way," Professor Flitwick said, waving Severus to join Hagrid and a
group of first years. Though he could see the gits far ahead of him, many others were there to serve
as buffers as they formed a line toward the castle. He was happy to trail in the back of the line, the
conversation with the professor having held him up, giving the gits plenty of time to get well ahead
of him.

As everyone moved toward the castle, Severus took it in with a sense of awe. Though his mum had
told him about how grand and stately Hogwarts was, seeing it was so much better. It was
impressive, and the idea of living in such an ancient looking structure full of rare magic was
terribly exciting.

He learned the names of the three gits while watching the sorting. The bigger boy was Sirius Black,
the tall thin one was James Potter, and the short prat was Peter Pettigrew. They all sat with Remus
Lupin, another boy who was sorted into Gryffindor.

Because he was chatting happily with the other three, Severus decided to hate him too. Being their
friend told him all he needed to know. It meant that he was rotten just like the other three. When it
was his turn to go up and take a seat on the sorting stool, Severus felt a thrill of excitement. He'd
get into Slytherin with Raislen for sure, just like his mum.

It was a relief that the prats were in Gryffindor, because of all the houses, he was certain he'd not
end up in that one. If the sorting hat said otherwise, he'd protest until it got fixed. Gryffindor was
the worst, full of hot heads and apparently bullies. He wanted no part of the rubbish house. The hat
was on his head for less than a second when it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

Severus felt his face breaking into a grin as he slid down from the stool, removing the hat from his
head with one hand. He glanced up as a shadow fell over him, expecting to see Raislen there, but
instead it was a tall willowy blond boy in Prefect robes.

"Welcome to Slytherin, Severus Snape," he said, clapping Severus expansively on the shoulder.

The words were friendly and inclusive. Severus felt his smile growing as his chest filled with
happiness and pride to at last have a place where he belonged and better yet was actually wanted!
"Thank you."

"Come right this way. I'm Lucius Malfoy, and if there is anything you need, I am here to help. The
first years sit here," he said, leading the way to the Slytherin table and waving at the end where
other first years were clustered.

"Severus! Come sit with me and HeatherToy! You don't have to sit with the first years if you don't
want." At the sound of Raislen's voice, Severus turned eagerly in his direction.

Finally he would meat the infamous Heather, Severus thought. As he approached a red haired girl
at Raislen's side punched him hard in the stomach. Raislen let out a woof of air as he bent double.
"Don't call me HeatherToy," she snapped before turning to smile kindly at Severus.
"Hi, Severus. I hear you also have rare books. I will be your friend forever." Severus laughed at her
joking tone and the conspiratorial wink she gave as she spoke. Her hazel eyes seemed somehow
kind. "I will be your friend forever, that is, as long as you don't call me HeatherToy. If you do, you
will also get punched."

Severus nodded as he took a seat across from Raislen. "I won't call you that," he promised. 'It is
nice to meet you, Heather. Between the three of us, it seems we have a book club."

Heather nodded happily. "Yes! Books are the best."

"Far better than most people," Severus agreed.

"Did you see those gits who were mean to you," Raislen wheezed, finally straightening from
Heather's punch. He rubbed his belly as he glanced inquiringly over at Severus.

Severus gave a sour nod. "Would you bloody believe I got stuck on a boat with them? It was
rubbish! They got sorted into Gryffindor."

Raislen's green eyes narrowed. "Figures."

"They're Peter Pettigrew, James Potter and the worst one is Sirius Black."

At that Heather and Raislen exchanged a surprised glance.

"What," Severus asked.

"Well just the Blacks are all usually in Slytherin," Heather said.

Severus made a face. "Well this one would've only made the House look bad, so I'm glad he's not."
Having Sirius Black or any of the others in Slytherin would've completely ruined school for him, he
just knew it!

Raislen and Heather nodded in agreement. "For sure," Raislen said.

The hall suddenly fell silent as the kindly looking old Headmaster came up to the front to make his
speech. Severus listened carefully to every word, taking it all in. When the table suddenly filled
with food, he started, then grinned because it all looked delicious!

"It's so good, I eat until it hurts, then hate myself for the rest of the evening," Heather said
cheerfully.
 First term

Severus honestly didn't find most of his classes to be much of a challenge. He learned a lot in
Charms and Astronomy. For that reason, he decided to think that two out of seven wasn't bad. He
hated Transfigurations because it was more difficult than he felt it should be, plus he didn't see
many practical uses for it in real life. Between the spectrum of liking and disliking were where the
other classes fell. Those he didn't enjoy so much were a challenge, but not because he found them
to be difficult, but more because he found it annoying to attend them. He'd stupidly expected to at
least learn something in potions class, but found himself correcting Slughorn on a few points from
time to time. At least the elderly professor seemed to find it amusing.

Severus may have perhaps enjoyed all the classes more if he could skip two grades and attend the
third year subjects with Heather and Raislen. He'd already surpassed the first year level in his
solitary studies or learning with his mother. He didn't connect with those students in his own year,
and there were also the four Gryffindor Gits with whom to contend. Duel was more the word if one
wanted to be accurate. At least fighting four to one gave Severus practice in using some of the
hexes he found most fascinating. When reading about them in his mother's favorite dark arts books
and studying how to cast them just in case whilst passing his days at Grandfather Princes, he hadn't
expected anyone to present themselves and beg to be hexed so soon. The prats really hated him, as
if he'd done something personal to them by simply attending Hogwarts in their same year!

He went from dreading the sight of them because he knew what heckling then hexing was to come
to almost looking forward to the challenge depending on his mood. To be fair, if one could be fair
in such a situation, he'd begin the hexing first sometimes, but he knew it would happen no matter
what and if he struck first, the bullying ended faster. The Gryffindor Gits as Heather and Raislen
called them, loved to make him uncomfortable, to watch him squirm. Striking back was his only
way of taking control, taking his power in the situation. Ignoring them did not work, as he'd tried
that a few times with no success.

His Grandma Snape used to say that ignoring something or someone made it go away eventually,
but she was incorrect. The Gryffindor Gits only persisted more strongly when ignored, as if they
considered it to be some wordless subtle challenge Severus had thrown down. Oddly enough he
could even hate the Gryffindor gits more for making him think of his Snape grandparents.

Why not add one more offense to the long and ever growing list of offenses that was all their fault?
Severus missed his Snape grandparents and he knew his Mum did too, but Eileen feared for their
safety, so stayed away. She told them she feared association with them after Tobias's death would
put them in danger. Though her friend Jean assured her that Voldemort hadn't shown any interest in
learning who Tobias's family was for whatever reason, she wouldn't risk the grandparents. They
treated her like a daughter, and losing them after losing Tobias hurt her as much as it hurt Severus,
but she said to do otherwise and put them at risk would be selfish.

"I couldn't live with myself if I got them killed too," she told Severus more than once.

This caused him to wonder if she believed she'd gotten his father killed simply for asking him to
dash out to the potions shop. She hadn't known Voldemort would be there or that he would notice
that Tobias was a Muggle. Tobias would not have advertised the fact, after all. He wasn't stupid.
He was well aware that while some wizards were kind enough to Muggles, others were anything
but. He'd met Grandfather Prince, after all, when helping Eileen to pack her things. Grandfather
Prince, rather than supporting Eileen's wedding to a Muggle, disowned her only taking her back
grudgingly when Tobias was killed.

Of course Severus didn't blame his mum and the idea that she blamed herself made him sick to his
stomach. Still the thought of asking her about it felt even worse so he never did. She promised they
could visit the grandparents when Voldemort was dead and it was safe to do so. This made him
long for Voldemort's death even more than he longed for the death of Grandfather Prince.

During those early days living with said Grandfather the longing was equally distributed between
the two. With Voldemort dead, Tobias would be at least somewhat avenged, and the world could be
safe again. Eileen was certain that Voldemort would make a mistake sooner or later that would
either cause his own followers to turn on him or lead the Ministry to his door, but it had not
happened yet.

Without a safe world, he was not free to see his father's parents, and the only family he had was his
Mum and his dreadful grandfather Prince. His Mum was enough, but he knew she needed support
as well. Things were hard for her after Tobias's death as much as they were for Severus. His father's
parents were all they had left of Tobias and they didn't even have them. As they were far nicer than
grandfather Prince, it just wasn't fair.

They were warm and kind and whenever he thought of them, hugs and pie and cookies and fresh
baked bread came to mind along with the friendly laugh of his grandfather as he patted Severus on
the shoulder. They were kind, yes, but helpless against wizards and magic. They could be killed so
easily. They wouldn't stand a chance. So for this reason, Severus knew that his mum was right to
keep away from them, even if doing so removed all connections to Tobias Snape from them both
and left them with no one to turn to but a cold bigoted wizard who hated about everything and
everyone that wasn't him.

For this reason, when Raislen invited Severus to come to Westcraven manor for a few days of the
Christmas holiday he was eager. Eager yet still reluctant to leave his mum alone with Grandfather
Prince during the holidays. Though he wanted to see Raislen's huge library more than anything, in
the end he couldn't abandon his mother even for a few days. Raislen assured him that he'd be home
in time for actual Christmas, but Severus still couldn't do it. The Westcraven library was the family
pride. For centuries each generation traveled far and wide on their family vacations, seeking out
ancient, rare and interesting books to add to the vast and ever growing collection.

Severus only loved a few things in the world, those being his mum and books. Though the books
were practically calling to him, his mum won out. Raislen promised to bring more unique books to
share when he returned to Hogwarts, and Severus eagerly promised the same. His Mum had some
brilliant dark arts tomes, and hopefully Raislen wouldn't already have at least one of them. Though
Severus would miss the two friends he'd made, he was eager to see Eileen again.

When she met him at Platform nine and three-quarters, he eagerly told her about Heather and
Raislen before he spoke of anything else. He was proud that third year Slytherins treated him like
one of them. Well except for the embarrassing fact that they called him Kid or The Kid, but he
didn't tell Eileen that. He didn't bring up the bullies until she asked if anyone had been mean to
him. Something in her tense expression told him that she'd understand, and the words spilled out of
him. He spoke in a rush of the Gryffindor gits, how they ganged up on him and hated him simply
for his interest in the dark arts. She gave a slight nod, but mostly listened without commenting.
When he bragged of holding his own against them thanks to her instruction in Dark Arts, she gave
a proud smile and hugged him.

"That's what I wanted. That's why I taught you so young. People are mean, and I didn't want my
baby being hurt. Mummy is proud of her boy for being such a good fighter."

Severus felt his face breaking into a happy grin.

"Love you, Mum! Thanks... And thanks for teaching me."

"I had to make sure you were prepared...It's what any good parent does, and what your father
would've wanted."

"I..."Severus hesitated.

"I thought you were making me ready in case HE came to kill us too."

Both knew well that HE was Voldemort, and neither needed to say it.

Eileen stared into space, and gave her head a slight shake, one hand still resting distractedly on
Severus's shoulder.

"No...If he came for us, I doubt anything we did could matter. I was more thinking of other random,
dreadful people in the world who could give you problems.

"Were prats mean to you when you attended Hogwarts too," Severus asked and she nodded.

"There shall always be prats who are mean to anyone who is different. But you must remember, my
dark little Pumpkin, that different is better. We don't think like the rest so therefore we can rise
above them."

Severus nodded. That felt good even if they hadn't risen quite yet. Well he supposed they had,
they'd just fallen again with Tobias's death.

Though the Prince manor was a grim cold affair, Eileen always did her best to warm it up for the
holidays. Grandfather Prince only allowed a few decorations along with a stately Christmas tree.
They weren't allowed to put on any of the ornaments Eileen had brought from the house on
Spinner's End, though.

Those ornaments were familiar and full of happier Christmas's, but Grandfather Prince claimed
they were eyesores so Eileen tucked them away, promising that Severus could have them when he
grew up and had his own family. She still owned the house on Spinner's End, and promised to give
it to him when he was ready to move out on his own. She professed to be in no hurry, but he was in
a hurry to get away from Grandfather Prince and to help her to do so as well as soon as he grew up
and could begin making money.
 A Brand New Year

"I see you didn't get any new clothes for Christmas," Sirius Black jeered as Severus huddled on
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. He was peering about eagerly for Heather and Raislen, excited
to know what new books they may have gotten for Christmas. Instead of his friends, though, he got
Sirius Bloody Black of the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. Reaching into his pants pocket for his wand,
Severus gave a resigned sigh. A New Year full of new opportunities! That was how people always
spoke of the early days of January, but for Severus Snape, nothing had changed.

"No," he snapped darkly, whirling to face Black. "Instead of clothes, I got a stocking full of very
useful hexes. Would you like me to show you?" Severus's wand flashed up as he felt his heart flood
with eager adrenaline.

"Of course that's what you got," Sirius said as his own wand came up in kind. "Bring it. I've got
something for your hexes."

"Is he starting in again already?" The complaining voice came from James Potter. He approached,
staggering slightly under the weight of an obviously heavy trunk.

Sirius smirked, pulling a face. "He's taking up space on the platform and darkening said space with
his greasy existence. Does that count?"

James paused, pretending to consider gravely as he set his trunk down at his feet with a thump.
"Yeah...I think it does," he decided, then drew his own wand.

Severus couldn't help that his hair had too much oil. He washed it every day. Rather than explain
this to the Gits, considering they would only happily use anything he said against him, he snarled a
hex at them between gritted teeth. Said hex would cause their tongue to grow each time they spoke
and he looked greatly forward to watching them trip and fall over their own insults very soon.

"James! Sirius! Don't speak!" The third of four Gryffindor Gits had finally arrived. "That's a nasty
one." The chastising tone and mildly apologetic look he received from Remus Lupin made Severus
want to forget his wand and personally punch the other boy in the face. Before he could weigh the
pros and cons of that option, however, Remus was reversing Severus's hex on the other two
Gryffindor Gits. "Look guys! It's a brand new year," Remus was saying. "Can't we all just get along
or at least leave one another alone?"

"Easier said than done with that one," James muttered darkly and Sirius nodded enthusiastically.
Before Severus could sling a well deserved insult, he heard Heather's voice calling out from the
other side of the platform.

"Severus! There you are! I was looking all over for you. I certainly didn't expect to see you
standing with a crowd of filth. Come, let's find a compartment. We'll get you cleaned with a charm
once we're settled...you know to remove the filth germs."

He turned to grin at Heather Knight who was still waving frantically at him. As he hurried over to
her, he didn't hold back his pleased chuckle over her insulting the Gits. She and Raislen knew what
royal prats they were, after all.
"Want to help me with this heavy ass trunk," she pleaded. "There may be some new books in it for
you to borrow," she added in a wheedling tone, just in case he required convincing, which he didn't.
He could be a gentleman to his few friends, after all. His Mum had raised him properly as had his
dad before Voldemort killed him. A new year indeed, Severus thought darkly as he hefted Heather's
trunk in the hand that wasn't lugging his own.

"How was your Christmas," Heather asked eagerly as she led the way onto the train. "Did you get
any new books? My parents got me an absolutely terrifying one on Necromancy! Like it literally
gave me nightmares already! You and Raislen will either hate it or love it, depending on if you're in
the mood to be traumatized. My grandparents came to visit, which was wonderful, but they are
encouraging my parents to teach me the harp and I am dreadful at playing anything! I don't want to
do it."" Heather's grandparents on her Mum's side were talented bards as were both of her parents.
While she could carry a tune well enough, Heather had no particular magic in her voice or any
interest in music.

"You shouldn't have to play the harp if you aren't interested," Severus agreed. "And yes I did get a
very rare potions book for Christmas." Though the book was extremely exciting, he knew his Mum
had to save up likely all year for it, so he felt guilty. Some day he'd make enough money to set his
Mum up in style, he vowed silently. That did a little to assuage his guilt, at least enough to allow
him to tell Heather about the potion in his new book that he was most eager to try making. "It has a
focus potion in it that I am very eager to brew up for all of us to share. It should make it far easier
to cram for any test. Hopefully Slughorn will allow us to use the dungeon after class one day."

Heather nodded eagerly. "Here's an empty compartment! Let's grab it. As for Slughorn, I bet I can
even talk him into giving us extra credit for making that potion of yours...which sounds very
exciting by the way." Severus followed Heather into the empty compartment she'd found, plopping
their trunks down onto the floor with a relieved groan.

"For extra credit, Raislen may even be able to go an entire week without calling you HeatherToy,"
he said with a laugh as he settled down into the seat furthest from the door. "I wonder where he is
anyway." Raislen was usually anywhere Heather was, after all.

"I know," Heather said. Her voice was muffled due to the fact she was bent double with her head
practically in her trunk. "I want you two together when I show this Necromancy book." She
chuckled. "I want to see your reactions at once. The bits where it talks about why fresh corpses are
better than the nasty rotted ones are really horrific...On so many levels!"

"Am I sure I want to see this," Severus wondered in open doubt, and Heather giggled happily.

"Oh you're going to see it," she threatened. "Ha, here it is!" Straightening, she triumphantly waved
a thin book with a half open grave on the cover.

"HeatherToy! And Severus! Hi!" Raislen barrelled through the half open door of the compartment
and Heather promptly whacked him in the side with the Necromancy tome.

"Stop.Calling.Me.HeatherToy,"she ordered through gritted teeth.

"Oh I just love you," Raislen cooed, bending to kiss her on the cheek. "Let me see the book."
Groaning and wiping at her cheek with the sleeve of her winter green wool dress, Heather allowed
him to extract the book from her hand.
"She was waiting for you to get here before we could look at it," Severus told Raislen eagerly as the
other boy sat down. "It sounds rather horrifying unless you fancy disgusting rotted things!"

"You were really waiting for me, HeatherToy," Raislen asked, his face lighting up. Heather
approached him, smiling sweetly. Nodding she smacked him hard on the head and he yelled in
pain, holding up her Necromancy text to shield his face.

"I told you not to call me that," she said almost sweetly as she settled down in the seat closest to the
door before reaching to slide it closed.

"Sure but you know I've got to," Raislen defended. Sliding closer to Severus so that the younger
boy could see the book as well, he eagerly opened to the first page. "Now let's horrify ourselves. If
it's really bad we won't even be able to eat when the snacks come round!"
 Great Minds

The new year was much like the old year. Classes continued. Severus continued to have skirmishes
with the Gryffindor Gang of Gits, and he spent his time after classes and at lunch with Raislen and
Heather sharing books or talking of books and spells. More so with Raislen, because Heather only
hung with them at lunch and rarely after classes. She openly if half jokingly admitted to only
socializing with Raislen for his books.
"I'd hang with you more, Severus, but your always with him and if I hit him every time he calls me
HeatherToy, he won't survive it."
"You could just give up on hitting him," Severus suggested hopefully. He enjoyed spending time
with both of his friends equally, after all. That and when Heather wasn't about, Raislen was restless
or wanting to rope Severus into helping to hunt her down which inevitable led to her being annoyed
and hitting Raislen.
Heather shook her head. "Won't happen. He gets me too angry and he refuses to stop calling me
that. He's a prat. He's lucky he has books I want to read."
Severus knew better than to argue, and just shrugged. Heather and Raislen had their routine well
developed before he arrived at Hogwarts and there was no changing it. Instead, whenever Heather
chose to socialize with her girlfriends from Slytherin or ravenclaw rather than hang with the two of
them,Severus began trying to distract Raislen from fretting over where she was. When Raislen
would suggest looking for Heather, Severus proposed another activity instead.

"Or we could invent a new spell! I bet we could come up with some brilliant concepts if we put our
heads together," he told Raislen one day after classes as they sat together in the Slytherin common
room. Raislen stared listlessly into the fire.

"I bet HeatherToy would have some good ideas to contribute as well, though," he said.

Severus nodded. "Certainly. But we can start working on something, and when we tell her of it at
breakfast tomorrow, she'll be so impressed that she will want in on whatever we're doing."

Raislen turned his large green eyes from the fire to regard Severus. "You know, Kid, that's not a bad
idea at all! Did you have something you'd like to start working on?"

Severus considered. "Well I would like to come up with a trick for conjuring books from home. I
have trouble making the conjuring charm work when the books are too far away."

Raislen nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "Distance does make things difficult. You're fortunate that
your attempt didn't work. Once I tried to conjure a book from my grandfather's vacation home in
Greece, and half the pages were torn when I got it to me."

Severus shuddered, extremely relieved that his own attempts had failed. Shredded pages were far
far worse than failure.

"I think that when an item is too far away to allow the proper magical connection, the conjuring
can't take," Raislen mused. "So we need something to amplify the connection."

"A link of sorts," Severus said, struggling to explain the concept that was forming in his mind. A
linking charm from the item to the magic of it being conjured by whoever applied the charm. If we
put a linking charm on a book, linking it to our magic, I bet that would allow us the connection
required to conjure it from a great distance. It will recognize our magic and respond properly."

Raislen nodded. "I like it. Do you know a linking charm other than the one that allows two people
to link for casting a more powerful spell?"

Severus shook his head. "No. Just that one. Of course there is the one that connects two magical
objects but that one won't give us the proper connection to activate the conjuring. I am wondering if
a modification of both of those might work. Considering our objective is to link a wizard to an
item."

Raislen grinned. "I'm up for trying, but we should begin with a book we don't like just in case it
explodes on the first attempt!"

Severus chuckled, nodding. "That sounds wise."

Raislen bounded to his feet. "I'll go and write Dad at once. I plan to ask him to send me a book
from home to try the spell on. Once we link me to the book, I shall send it back home via owl post
then try conjuring it."

"What book are we going to potentially explode on our first attempt," Severus asked. He was
beginning to feel excited at the idea of inventing a charm with Raislen. Perhaps if they invented
enough brilliant spells together, they'd be rich and famous. Then Severus could provide lavishly for
himself and his mother. Everyone would know he and Raislen for the most brilliant wizards of their
generation and Grandfather Prince could go hang along with the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. They
would all be sorry they'd been so horrid to him. All of them would know how much smarter he was
than they would ever be.

"We have a really boring one on Wizarding opera," Raislen said, making a disgusted face. "I'm
going to ask for that one. If anything befalls it, the world will be a better place. I hate opera!
Magical opera is no better than Muggle opera. They both make your ears hurt and never have
catchy tunes."

"Didn't some wizards help to fight a war once with wizarding opera," Severus asked. "By shattering
glass as well as ear drums and bodily organs of the enemy?"

Raislen shrugged. "Yeah but I can't sing so I don't care."

Severus chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Fair enough. It shall never be relevant to us, after all."

"That's right, Kid," Raislen said gravely. "You and I shall just have to come up with even more
unique ways to harm our enemies."

Severus brightened. "You mean it?"

Raislen nodded gravely. "You bet I do. As soon as we perfect this book conjuring situation, we'll
move right on to something more dangerous. What sort of Slytherins would we be otherwise?
People will need to know not to mess with us, especially with the way the world is today."

Raislen lowered his voice, glancing around to be certain no one was listening to them. He'd told
Severus more than once that though Slytherin wasn't the only house by far to hold Voldemort
supporters, it did likely hold the most. It was a thing that Raislen, Heather and Severus all found
embarrassing. Slytherin was a grand proud house, and had been so long before the likes of
Voldemort. "Want to come with me to the owlery," Raislen asked. "After I write my dad, we can
start sorting out ways for combining those two linking charms. By the time he gets that opera book
to me, with any luck, we'll be ready to give it a go. With the two of us working together, the trial
and error should at least go faster." Severus nodded and stood, eager to get started. As they left the
Slytherin common room, Raislen chuckled gleefully. "Even if we just perfect a book exploding
charm, think of the pranks we could play and the weapons we could make. It'll be the book is
mightier than the sword."

Severus cringed. "Just let's always make very certain that it is a very bad book. The worst sort of
useless piece of rubbish."

"But of course," Raislen said. "What do you take me for? I adore books as much as you do, after
all. I would never harm an innocent book."
 Three Heads are Better than...

As it turned out, great spells, like Rome, weren't made in a day. Even great wizards couldn't simply
produce brilliance in a flash, especially when they were only eleven and thirteen years old. Severus
and Raislen discovered this the hard way. They were up half the night working on the blasted
distance conjuring dilemma. As such they were quite heavy-headed with sleepiness at breakfast the
next morning.

"I still think the problem lies in the merging of the tried and true linking charms," Raislen muttered
to Severus around a yawn as the two struggled to keep their eyes open. They sat miserably at the
Slytherin table, struggling, each in his way, to wake up. Raislen ate, professing that a good solid
breakfast fueled one for the day. Severus wasn't hungry so he swilled pumpkin juice in hopes that
fluid would jump start his body. He remembered his dad mentioning something about that. Tobias
had been talking of water, but hopefully pumpkin juice would do the trick. Eileen said pumpkin
was quite healthy, after all.

"I don't know," Severus replied doubtfully. "I still feel that something else is missing, though I can't
quite put my finger on what which is driving me to bloody distraction!" Reaching into a pocket, he
dragged out his copy of their notes from the previous night. Smoothing the parchment out on the
table beside his pumpkin juice, he stared at it through heavy eyes.

"You forgot to comb your hair, Raislen," Heather pointed out dryly as she plopped down into the
chair beside Severus. Reaching up, Raislen ran a hand through his thick dark curls. "Shit," he
muttered. "Did I? I'm so tired! At this rate, I bet I'll be utter rubbish in every class!"

Severus snickered. He still found swears from his older friends amusing, likely because they didn't
swear often. "I'll be rubbish too, I'm sure," he told Raislen, wanting the older boy to know he wasn't
alone. As he spoke, the realization of what it could mean if he were rubbish today made his
stomach begin to sink. If the Gryffindor Gang of Gits started in, and they always did, he may not be
so fast on the draw today. Oh how he wished, wished, wished, he could be in class with Heather
and Raislen rather than in stupid first year! It wasn't as if he'd bonded with a single bloody person
in first year in his house.

"I shall probably hate myself for asking, but why are you both so rubbish today?" Heather's
expressive gaze darted from Severus to Raislen as she appeared to brace herself for their answer.

Wordlessly Severus pushed his notes at her along the table as Raislen explained their decision to
invent a long distance conjuring spell. He explained what had happened to the book he'd attempted
to conjure from Greece the previous year and Severus found himself shuddering again in horror as
he pictured the poor book's shredded pages.

"Such a thing can't be allowed to happen again," he told Heather firmly.

Raislen nodded. "The Kid is right. So we were working on that last night and it got later and later.
We were so invested in our progress, then our lack of progress that we quite lost track of the time.
Then when we noticed the time, we ignored it because we were too worked up by then to sleep."

"That's because we were stumped on this connecting bit," Severus explained, gesturing with a
forefinger to the bottom of his scroll. "You see, the progress stops on the point of linking.
Something isn't right." He sighed as he and Raislen exchanged a glance of pure thwarted
frustration.

With a thoughtful frown, Heather scanned Severus's notes. "Okay, be quiet for a moment so that I
can study this and think," she ordered. Both boys obliged, Raislen turning back to his loaded plate
of breakfast and Severus to his nearly empty cup of pumpkin juice. "I think I've got it," Heather
said after less than a minute had passed. Raislen and Severus turned to her eagerly. She cleared her
throat, straightening in her chair. "Well, weight, distance and shape would all affect the conjuring
spell. I think those considerations are why Raislen's spell failed when he attempted to conjure the
book from Greece. The conjuring created a pull, and without compensating for what the pull does
to a book over units of time, the shape of it gets affected."

"Genius," Raislen breathed.

Heather smiled. "I know," she said happily and Severus chuckled. If one had it, one should flaunt it,
he supposed.

"Wouldn't those aspects be factored in when we link our own magic to the item, though," Raislen
asked. "Wouldn't it be automatic?" Heather frowned, shaking her head.

"Never make assumptions in magic," Severus said. "Doing so can leave holes in a spell where it
can go wrong. That's one of the first things my mum taught me when I was six years old."

Heather laughed, tossing back her long red locks in open amusement. "Yes, Raislen," she mock
chided. "You are forgetting those important six year old lessons."

Severus turned to blink at her. "Didn't you both learn that when you were six?"

The two exchanged a glance before speaking in unison. "No!"

Severus frowned in confusion. "But why not? What were you learning instead?"

"I was playing with my cousins, solving puzzles, making forts outside, kid stuff like that," Raislen
said offhandedly. Severus just stared. He never enjoyed playing outside. He had no desire to get
dirty, and he'd rather read besides. Not to mention most other children made him feel
uncomfortable during his younger years. They were so rough and tumble and he had no idea how to
relate to them. They sensed this and either didn't like him or tried to be overly friendly which only
put a strain on everyone involved. He never quite understood them and it kept things awkward.
Those children in question were mostly cousins or the children of his mum's few close friends so
interaction was thankfully limited. Severus most enjoyed playing alone or reading or practicing
magic but mostly reading. Books were his best friends, his escape, his solace and his addiction and
he never minded one bit.

"I was traveling at that age," Heather said. "My family always traveled a lot. With two bardic
parents, there was no other way it was going to be. We'd move from town to town as they
performed. Sometimes we'd travel around the world, being in a different country each week and
others, we'd remain in Britain, but there was always a lot of travel. I enjoyed finding new toys in
each different part of the world. It was my way of learning about the different countries and their
cultures. I loved knowing what other kids my age played with in other parts of the world."

Severus nodded. That did sound rather interesting. He certainly would've liked to have Heather's
early childhood for himself, he decided. "What about you, though," Heather asked. "Besides
learning the rules of complex magic when you were six, what was your childhood like?"

Severus shrugged. "I read a lot."

"So did we," Heather nodded. "But what else."

Severus shrugged again, finding himself glancing about as discomfort gripped him, squirming
around like an unwanted worm in his inner awareness. "I had toys, and...I don't want to talk about it
anymore, alright?" His anxiety was swiftly rising and he was suddenly uneasy. With these two, his
first true friends, the experience was a new one. As he found himself glancing around again, he
realized that it wasn't about Heather and Raislen. It was about the fact that they sat at the Slytherin
table where others could hear. His heart sunk a little when he saw Heather and Raislen exchange a
hurt glance. "Just not now, okay?" Lowering his voice to a near whisper he added,"In private. I
don't want anyone else knowing my business."

"Got it," Raislen said quickly, and Severus guessed the older boy was remembering their
conversation on that first train ride to Hogwarts. Severus gave him a nod and a grateful smile and
Raislen smiled back. "Well, HeatherToy? Are you going to help us apply those thoughts of yours to
our spell after classes are over for the day? Had you not avoided us yesterday, you could've been
there to help, and The Kid and I would've gotten a good night's sleep."

Heather leaned over Severus to punch Raislen casually in the stomach. "Yes. I will help and you are
probably correct. The two of you do need me to function properly under pressure."

Raislen let out a groan as he doubled over. "That's a full stomach you're punching, HeatherToy!"

"Don't call me HeatherToy and you won't get punched. In other words, you should've thought of
that." The fact that Heather continued to lean over Severus served as a clear indication that she
hadn't finished with Raislen yet.

"And you just did it again," Severus pointed out incredulously to the older boy.

"That's right," Heather agreed. "Now straighten up so I can punch you again. Let's get this over
with and perhaps you shall learn to say my name properly."

Raislen sighed and straightened up, hands protectively over his stomach. Heather reached around
and landed a decent blow on Raislen's upper belly just under his ribs. She sat back smugly as he
doubled over again.

"Ten points from Slytherin for punching," Professor Slughorn bellowed from the staff table. The
reluctant tone in which he bellowed made Severus think that another professor had prompted him
to act. He was betting on blasted McGonagall.

"Look what you did, Raislen," Heather snapped. "Are you bloody happy?"

Raislen shook his head. "Nope. In fact I feel as if I could throw up. Are you happy?"

Heather smirked. "Perhaps."

Severus chuckled, shaking his head in baffled amusement. Did Raislen fancy being punched by his
toy? He didn't dare ask at present, lest the answer lead to costing Slytherin more house points.
Somehow Severus made it through the day without falling asleep in any of his classes. When he
staggered tiredly into the Slytherin common room to put his books away, Heather was waiting for
him with a look of concern on her face. That, combined with the fact she wore a heavy cloak,
somehow made him suspect trouble. "I told Raislen to meet us at the lake," she said. "So grab your
cloak before we go."

Severus arched his brows. "We're working on the spell out there rather than in here?"

"Of course," Heather said. "There is too much activity in and out of here and I'll never be able to
focus. Besides," she added, lowering her voice. "I want to talk."

It was then that the brief topic of early childhood he'd inadvertently raised at breakfast returned to
Severus's mind. She must want to dig into that some more. He sighed. "Just let me put my books in
the dorm, and I'll be right back." Heather nodded and he rushed into the first year boy's dorm to
drop his books down beside his bed. Reaching under it, he dragged out his trunk and dug his cloak
out of it. He had the room to himself, so it was a pity he wouldn't be remaining there to study.
Rarely did he have the room to himself. Ah well, he thought as he hurried out to join Heather. With
how tired he was, if he remained in the dorm to study today of all days, he'd just end up falling
asleep. Heather led the way out of the castle and to the lake. They walked in silence, which was
fine with Severus. He was too tired to talk if he didn't have to. The brisk pace Heather set combined
with the cold winter air served to wake him up a bit, however, which was pleasant.

When they arrived at the lake, Raislen waited, sitting with his back against a tree. He was wrapped
in his own heavy cloak, and thanks to the cold air, his expression was once again wakeful. "I have
read that the mind functions better in the cold so long as it isn't freezing," he greeted. "I'm eager to
find out if it's true."

"First, though, I want to know why you had no childhood," Heather told Severus. He wasn't certain
how he felt about the sympathy he saw in her hazel gaze.
 The Best Of Both Worlds

"I had a childhood," Severus told Heather. "Just nothing at all like yours. It was..." He paused to
interrupt himself, glancing briefly to Raislen, who sat watching impassively. "Look Heather, if I am
to tell you my personal business, I need to know you won't tell anyone.""

A scowl crossed Heather's face before her expression softened again. "Of course not, Severus.
What do you take me for anyway?"

"It isn't like that," he explained hastily. "Only things could get dangerous for me if too many people
know. It's too difficult to have close friends and hide everything, though, I suppose."

Heather frowned, worry beginning to seep into her expression. "This is getting dark. Of course I
won't say a word. I swear it. Is that good enough?" She met his gaze directly as she spoke, eyes
earnest.

"Yes, of course," he assured hastily before drawing in a breath to begin. He never enjoyed speaking
of this, but soon it would be over. With that fortifying thought for comfort, he began. "My
childhood was grand until the middle of my sixth year of existence. It was magical and fun. I was
happy. With my mum a witch and my dad a fun loving Muggle who embraced magic, I was
exposed to a great deal of things I enjoyed from magic lessons to Muggle movies about
extraordinary feats of magic. The real and the imaginary both stimulated my imagination, and I
believe influenced my study choices as well." He paused, scuffing the toe of his shoe against the
hard winter ground. "I am trying to paint an accurate picture of how things were for me, because a
lot of wizards don't understand the good Muggles so well." Especially his fellow Slytherins, but
like him, Raislen and Heather dared to think outside of the box. On the train that first day, Raislen
had made no derisive comments upon learning that Tobias Snape had been a Muggle. Severus
believed that if Heather felt differently, Raislen would've given him some sort of warning.

"My dad wasn't afraid of magic. He found it fascinating. He was thrilled with it, and always called
me his little wizard." Severus couldn't help a sad smile at the memory of Tobias Snape's voice in
his mind. It was warm and fond, and it always made Severus feel safe and loved. He knew that his
mum loved him more than anything in the world, because she showed it, but she also told him so
excessively. She didn't always sound it so much, though. All too frequently she sounded strained
and sad. He understood why, of course, and it made him hate Grandfather Prince all the more. "Dad
exposed me to all the best Muggle things. Like rock and roll music about wizards, and trick or
Treating on Halloween and movies and cartoons on Muggle television about magic or horror,
which is also magic."

"What's horror," Heather wondered. "I mean I know the literal meaning of the word, but it seems
you're speaking of it as a form of Muggle cartoon or movie?"

"Both of which we have heard about in Muggle studies," Raislen said proudly.

"And my family has played in Muggle pubs and such just to see how they are affected by bardic
music," Heather shared. "It seems they are moved by the bard gift abilities as much as wizards,
which is truly fascinating!"
"Have you heard any Muggle music," Severus asked, wondering what Heather thought of it if she
had.

She shook her head. "No...Well not much. Not enough to truly form an opinion," she said
regretfully.

"I can try to show you some of my favorites," Severus offered. "I will have to sort how to get the
record player and such to you or...getting you to it would be easier I suppose."

We'll sort it together," Raislen said with a grin. "Now you've got me curious."

Severus nodded, relieved to have help on that one as it would most certainly have complications.
"When,"Heather asked.

"Whenever there is an opportunity," Raislen answered.

Heather nodded. "Fine. Go on, Severus."

"Oh yes, you asked about horror movies," Severus recalled. "Many were based on classic Muggle
literature, but the grand thing is that much of the Muggle literature was actually written about real
witches and wizards! I think it began with Merlin and Nimue, because there are tons of Muggle
movies about them, but there are also horror classics on Jekyll, you know that potions master and
dream wizard from the eighteen-sixties? And there is also a movie about the most famous of
vampires, Dracula."

"Truly," Heather asked, eyes rounding in startled awe. "The Muggles are aware of Jekyll and
Dracula?"

"At least a few were to be able to write a book on each that eventually became very successful
movies," Severus said.

"Bloody fascinating," Heather breathed and Raislen nodded.

"As many Muggles are easily frightened, the movies about Jekyll and Dracula are considered
horror," Severus explained. "My dad wasn't afraid, though. He loved those old movies and he
allowed me to watch them with him. I loved them too. It was fun telling him about how Jekyll and
Dracula are real. I wanted Audrey II from Little Shop Of Horrors to be real too, because he's a
funny, talking, man eating plant, but Mum says that movie has no basis in truth," he opined sadly.
"If I had Audrey II, I'd feed Grandfather Prince to him."

He noted the horrified look Heather gave Raislen and shot her a scowl. "Grandfather Prince
deserves to be fed to a man eating plant," he defended himself hotly. "He's horrid to me and my
Mum just because my father was a Muggle. Now we're stuck living with him and it's horrid! It's
been horrid for five years! He even makes the holidays miserable, and I used to love Christmas so
much."

"Okay, I'm sorry," Heather said quickly. "I'm sure he's a bad man who richly deserves this Audrey
to have him for lunch...But Severus, what happened to your dad," she asked gently.

Severus swallowed. Somehow talking about this bit or even thinking about it never got easier. "He
was killed by Voldemort. It happened when he went to pick something up for my mum in a potion's
shop in Knockturn."
"Oh Severus, I'm so sorry," Heather said. All the color had drained from her face and she stared
with wide shocked eyes.

Severus nodded tightly. "Thank you. So am I."

"So when you moved in with your grandfather, things got bad," she asked.

He nodded. "I just stayed in my room and read a lot. He made sure my room wasn't nice. The house
my dad bought wasn't the most fancy. Dad built houses and made decent money, but life is
expensive as he always said. We had a two bedroom house. We still do but Mum can't afford to
maintain it so she is leaving it for when I am eighteen, then it's mine. When Mum and I moved in
with him, Grandfather Prince made sure my room was as shabby as he could make it, claiming that
he wanted me to feel at home. Oh how I hate him." Severus kicked out at a rock on the ground, not
bothering to keep the venom from his voice.

"I can see why," Heather murmured sympathetically.

"Sounds like a right bastard for sure," Raislen agreed darkly. "One day he'll get his, though. That
sort always does."

Severus smiled, comforted by that thought. "You did get the best of both worlds, though," Heather
said, reaching to give him a hug. "You got the best the Muggles had to offer through your dad's
influence, and the best magical education from your mum, who is obviously quite talented. You
will be great some day, and we're going to start you on the road to that right now by finishing that
long distance conjuring charm. We'll make your dad proud, because where ever he is, I truly
believe he is watching you."

Severus awkwardly returned Heather's embrace, briefly pressing his cheek into her shoulder to hide
the sudden tears that sprang to his eyes. The thought of Tobias keeping an eye on him was
wonderful in a way that he couldn't quite put into words.

"We'll all be great, because Tobi wouldn't like his son hanging about with worthless wizards,"
Raislen concluded cheerfully. He was obviously trying to lighten the moment, and it worked
because Heather laughed.

"Um...Can we just do it inside," Severus asked. His teeth were beginning to chatter. "It's very cold
and I don't think I could focus out here for long."

"Agreed," Raislen said fervently. "If we don't iron out the kinks in our spell within the hour, we
shall all three turn into snow wizards!"

Heather sighed. "Very well. But I can't focus in the common room, so let's see if Professor Flitwick
will allow us to borrow his class. It isn't as if he's using it in the evenings anyway."
 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

It would be grand not to mention fitting the tales of all great wizards and their vaunted flawless
success, to say that Severus, Raislen, and Heather perfected the long distance conjuring charm in
less than an hour. Instead they spent most of the night in Flitwick's class room. When the three at
last staggered to the Slytherin dorms, it was four in the morning. They would only get a few hours
of sleep, and only a few if they slept through breakfast.

"We did it, though," Heather cheered tiredly.

"We did," Raislen grinned. He hefted the opera book in one hand, waving it over his head. "The
blasted thing is forever in one piece," he complained and Heather giggled. Once they'd made
Heather's amendments to the spell, Raislen tested it out. He did this by calling his family's house elf
to take the opera book back home. Then he conjured it directly into his hand without a single page
even being slightly crinkled.

"This is only the first of many brilliant original spells we shall craft," Severus told his friends. He
spoke with a confident certainty that he felt with every fiber of his being. The idea of that felt
exhilarating and empowering.

"But before we do that, we've got to actually wake up in the morning," Heather said around a huge
yawn. "Look, if I'm not at breakfast, send one of my girlfriends to wake me, will you, Raislen?"

Raislen reached to tug at the ends of her red tresses and Severus sighed, knowing what was certain
to follow. "Only if you'll be my favorite Heathertoy," he crooned, grinning mischievously.

"You are such a git," she snapped, pushing him away before punching him in the stomach just as
she never failed to do when he called her HeatherToy. "Without my input you wouldn't have
properly completed that long distance conjuring charm!"

"We would've eventually," Severus foolishly interjected. "Granted not as quickly but..."

He broke off when Heather turned from Raislen to bestow her wrath on him. "You little prat! If you
want to take his side after I helped you, you can just go hang the next time you need help sorting
out one of your spells."

Severus held up his hands in surrender. "Sorry! I just meant that eventually, we would've sorted it.
We are very grateful for your help, though, because sooner is definitely better than later. We always
want your help when we're working on such things. It's just you don't always want to be around
us."

She frowned. "It's only Raislen I don't always want to be around until today. Now I've added you to
the list."

"Really, Heather. I didn't mean it in a bad way, and I am sorry," Severus said tiredly. Sometimes
girls could be so strange.

Heather sighed. "Fine. Alright then. Only because you've apologized and said that you want me
around."
"So now may we go to bed," Raislen asked, rubbing at his stomach. "I promise to have you woken
if necessary, providing I'm awake myself."

"And if I am awake and I don't see either of you, I'll go wake Raislen and make sure some girl
comes to wake you, Heather," Severus promised.

Heather nodded. "All bases are covered unless none of us wakes up," she said with a chuckle.
"Good night, Prats."

"Good night," Raislen and Severus said nearly in unison.

Severus woke to the sounds of his dorm mates moving about the room, readying themselves for the
day. He was so very sleepy, but as he was actually awake, he forced himself to roll out of bed. He
wanted to be excited about their success on the new long distance conjuring charm, because it was
going to be quite useful whenever he wanted books from Grandfather Prat's library, but he was just
too bloody sleepy at present to feel much of the glee he knew he should. There was plenty of time
for that, though, and his emotions would be properly responsive after a good night's sleep.
Unfortunately he was facing the second day in a row of dealing with the Gryffindor Gang of Gits
on low sleep with poor reflexes as a result. He'd gotten lucky the previous day, as the gits were
occupied with their own affairs and thus not opening their snarky mouths to him. The few times
he'd spotted them during the day they were huddled together whispering over some bit of
parchment, and not even glancing in his direction. Normally he would've wished to discover what
they were up to in hopes of using it against them, but at present he was too tired to care about that.
For now he'd avoid them and hope they paid him the same courtesy, though using that word in
conjuncture with them was nearly laughable. In a half aware haze, he got himself dressed and with
an effort managed to make it up to the Great Hall and over to the Slytherin table. If Raislen wasn't
there he planned to go and wake him, but the older boy was already seated, hungrily eating a
heaping plate of breakfast. "Did you have someone wake Heather," Severus asked, pausing before
taking a seat at Raislen's side. He always preferred sitting with Raislen and the other third years to
the first years to whom he still had little to say.

"Yep," Raislen said around a full mouth. "I asked one of the Slytherin girls to go wake her even
before I started eating," he added proudly. Severus nodded, then took a seat. Reaching for a cup of
pumpkin juice, he downed half of it in hopes that it would rejuvenate his energy. "I want to ask Prof
Slughorn for more energy potions, but I'm afraid he'll disapprove of us using too many," Raislen
lamented.

"You mean you're afraid he shall disapprove of our lack of sleep," Heather said as she settled into
the empty chair on the other side of Raislen. "Thanks for waking me, by the way."

"Yeah, that's it, and you're welcome," Raislen said, neatly covering both of Heather's statements in
one sentence.

Severus hadn't even noticed Heather approaching, he was that tired. "How did it go with the spell
you three were using my classroom for?" Professor Flitwick stood beside Heather's chair, giving
them all a cheerful smile. The small man's eyes were bright and interested, quite as if he'd had his
eight hours of sleep, Severus noted enviously.

"Yes sir," Raislen answered, giving the charms professor an enthusiastic smile in return before
lifting his hand to cover a yawn. "We can now conjure books from a long distance without
shredding them!""""
A wide smile broke over Flitwick's face. "How grand! If you'd like to demonstrate this to professor
Slughorn and myself at lunch, I can bet there would be house points in it for you." He sighed. "I
feel the hat erred by not sorting the three of you into Ravenclaw house," he lamented. "I always
did."

Severus felt himself puffing up with pride. Of course he, Raislen and Heather were proud of their
late into the night conjuring accomplishment, but to hear such words from the head of Ravenclaw
house and one of his favorite professors gave him the much needed shot of adrenaline that woke
him up a bit. "We'd love to! Thank you, Professor. We'll find you at lunch as soon as we've eaten a
bit if that's alright?""

Flitwick nodded. "Of course. That gives myself and professor Slughorn a bit of time to eat as well.
I love to see students using their after class time wisely, and I hope to see more of the same from
you three."

"Of course, Professor," Raislen promised. "That's already our plan."

Flitwick smiled again. "Brilliant. Until lunch then." He gave a wave as he headed back to the staff
table. As the little man clambered onto the stack of cushions in his chair that he used to make
himself tall enough to reach the table, he was already speaking animatedly to Professor Slughorn.
He was surely telling the other man how brilliant the three of them were, Severus imagined. The
acknowledgement from established adults was thrilling if a bit unexpected. Though he planned for
this first spell of theirs to be their first step on the path to magical greatness, Severus hadn't
expected anyone else to care yet. The excitement over this gave him enough energy to fuel him
through classes until lunch. As soon as history of magic ended, he was first through the door,
hurrying toward the Great Hall to meet Heather and Raislen. Perhaps what happened next was a
result of the fact he hadn't slept much at all in the past two days. Perhaps it was because he was so
intent on hurrying to the Great Hall quickly. More than likely, though, it was a combination of both.
Either way, he completely missed the foot shooting out to trip him. Before he had time to catch
himself, he was spilling onto the floor, the stack of books in his arms pelting down around him. The
snickers above him were all too familiar. He didn't have to look up to place the voices of three out
of the four Gryffindor Gang of Gits. Either Lupin wasn't present or he wasn't amused. Gritting his
teeth, Severus decided that he would not give them the pleasure of even glancing up at them. Nor
would he waste time getting into a scrap with them. Not when he had better things to do. He was
about to demonstrate the long distance conjuring charm with Heather and Raislen to Professors
Flitwick and Slughorn. Severus was not about to allow the Gryffindor Gang of Gits to make him do
it on an empty stomach which was what would happen if he spent the time he had to eat dueling
with them instead. He would settle the score with them later, he vowed silently as he scrambled to
his feet with as much dignity as he could. Knowing that if he looked up into their stupidly smirking
faces, he may slip and lose his temper, he steadfastly kept his gaze on his scattered books. Reaching
out to snatch them up as quickly as he could, he kept his jaw set, struggling for dignity through the
rage and embarrassment in which he was awash. He was reaching for his charms text, the one that
had slid the furthest when it slipped from his arms, when a foot kicked it out of his reach. With a
growl of frustration he rose and stomped down hard on said foot. The howl of pain from Sirius
Black made him smile. The smile faded when James Potter swooped in to snatch up the charms text
before Severus could retrieve it.

"Oh look what I found," he said, his voice full of feigned pleased surprise. "What do you think I
should do with it, Sirius?"
"I think you should put it away for safe keeping," Sirius said. "Snivellus didn't want it, after all. He
just threw it in the floor, didn't he?"

"I think he did," James agreed cheerfully.

"Give it back or I'll make the lot of you sorry," Severus snapped angrily. At last he lifted his head to
glare dark daggers at the lot of them. Peter, James and Sirius all pretended to be frightened, mock
shrinking back as they snickered. As it happened, Lupin wasn't present after all. Severus was
considering which series of hexes would get him his book back the fastest so that he could make it
to the Great Hall in time to meet with the professors if not to have any lunch when the sound of a
throat clearing behind him caused the Gryffindor Gits to freeze in place. Severus turned to see the
Headmaster of Hogwarts standing there, giving the group a pleasant smile. "What appears to be the
hold up," he asked. His tone was kind and somehow managed to sooth Severus's rage. "I for one am
starved. We should all be having lunch right about now."

"Severus wasn't paying attention and fell down, sir," James said, giving the Headmaster what most
people would call a charming smile. It was the sort of expression that Tobias Snape used to call a
shit eating grin. This made Severus think how much he'd love to make the entire lot of the
Gryffindor gits eat an entire troth of horse dung.

"Yes Sir," Sirius chimed in. "We just stopped to help Severus pick up his books because he dropped
every single one of them when he fell down."

Severus glared indignantly."I fell because you stuck your foot out, you lying Git! And you tried to
steal my charms book!"

Professor Dumbledore frowned at the group in frank disappointment. "Is this what happened," he
asked. James, Sirius and Peter all shook their heads.

"No Sir," James said gravely. "Perhaps this is Severus's interpretation of what happened, but
Sirius's poor feet are just big. Sometimes, Sir, they just get in the way."

Severus nearly strangled on his rage. "You lying little..."

"Well as you have so kindly picked up Severus's charms book, why don't you return it to him,"
Dumbledore prompted James.

James nodded, then presented Severus's charms text to him with a slight mocking bow. Glaring his
hatred, Severus extended a hand to snatch the book, adding it to the stack in his other arm.

"Get on to lunch now," Albus said, waving James, Sirius and Peter in the direction of the Great
Hall. He dropped a hand on Severus's shoulder as he spoke, so Severus remained still. "Have you
plans for directly after classes have ended for the day," he asked.

Severus felt his eyes widening in surprise at the question. "Um...Probably something with Heather
Knight and Raislen WestCraven, Sir. We just came up with a long distance book conjuring charm
that prevents any damage to the book. We may begin work on something else today if we aren't too
tired."

"Tired," Dumbledore asked, curiosity in his tone as well as in his twinkling blue eyes.
"Yes sir. We didn't get a great deal of sleep last night due to being up late working on the
conjuration charm. The night before wasn't much better." Speaking of the lack of sleep somehow
made Severus sleepier and he yawned. "Excuse me, Sir."

"Ah. I see." Dumbledore nodded pleasantly. "Well do you think you could spare a few minutes
before you join Mr. WestCraven and Miss Knight to have tea with me in my office?"

Severus felt his eyes widen again. That was important. Dumbledore inviting him to tea was
important! Dumbledore may be a simple Headmaster, but he was also a genius, and he'd just asked
Severus Snape to have tea with him. "Oh yes sir! I will be there as soon as my final class is over

"Wonderful! I'll see you then." Albus Dumbledore dropped his hand from Severus's shoulder and
headed off toward the great hall, whistling cheerfully to himself all the while. Ha! The Headmaster
hadn't asked the Gryffindor Gang of Gits to tea, Severus thought as he slowly followed. With any
luck, he'd have time to at least grab a few bites before he, Heather and Raislen met with professors
Flitwick and Slughorn to demonstrate their book conjuring charm.

"Where were you," Heather demanded as soon as Severus sank down into the seat Raislen had
saved for him at the Slytherin table.

"I got held up by the Gryffindor Gang of Gits, but then the headmaster asked me to tea directly
after classes are over for the day," Severus replied as he snatched up a piece of roast chicken.

"Why," Raislen asked.

"Not sure," Severus replied around a mouthful of delicious, savory chicken. He wasn't one to speak
with his mouth full, but if they were going to continue to ask him questions, he was in no position
to choose between politeness to friends and hunger.
 Philosophy or Foreshadowing

Severus's spirits were high as he hurried to the Headmaster's office after classes were over for the
day. He, Heather and Raislen had each earned fifty points for Slytherin house for their work on the
long distance book conjuring charm. Granted one-hundred-and-fifty points was only the start to
what the three would accomplish, but today it would do. Both professors were impressed with the,
as Slughorn had put it, unconventional combination of concepts that made their particular
conjuration charm work. Flitwick even asked to be made aware of their future projects. All that
combined with his curiosity over precisely why the Headmaster had invited him to tea provided
Severus with enough energy to get through the day. As he neared where he understood
Dumbledore's office to be, he caught sight of the man in question, standing beside one of the
school's many gargoyles. Severus smiled in relief, speeding up his steps a little. "Good! I wasn't
certain I could manage to find the office without asking someone for directions."

Dumbledore's lips twitched. "That's quite intentional, my boy! It keeps me from being interrupted
with too many complaints. You aren't one to complain, so you have never sought me out." As he
spoke, a brief shadow of...was that sadness? Crossed Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes. It made
Severus mildly uncomfortable in the pit of his stomach for a reason he couldn't quite define.

"I like the gargoyle," he said, his gaze returning to the thing. He meant it. To him gargoyles were
grand, even lovely things. To his surprise, the stone creature's face crinkled briefly into a grin. Then
it shifted aside to reveal a rotating staircase.

"He must like you," Albus marveled. "He's supposed to wait for a password," he added, giving the
gargoyle a meaningful look.

"I see no reason for that when you are right here," the gargoyle rumbled in a voice that sounded like
stones grinding together. Severus found himself nodding in agreement. That made sense. The
gargoyle smiled at him again. "Go on, then," he encouraged and Severus turned his attention back
to the stairs. Uncertain as to how to step onto one of the stairs without losing his balance, he took a
deep breath and jumped high enough to land onto the second step with both feet. When it spun
about, he laughed in delight. Of course this wasn't the first moving staircase he'd encountered at
Hogwarts, but all the others were larger and wider so more manageable. This one was smaller and
seemed as if it should be trickier to navigate. Though Severus Snape was an intelligent and often
precocious child, as well as a serious child who many claimed behaved like a little adult, he was
still a child. At that moment, he was a child losing himself in the joy of a fun moving staircase that
gave him a bit of a challenge. He couldn't resist running up and down, nearly dancing with the turns
of the staircase as he predicted its movements. Sometimes he was correct and sometimes the thing
nearly tripped him up, but he only laughed with glee as he quickly caught his balance. "This is the
best," he called breathlessly to a smiling Albus Dumbledore who stood patiently waiting at the very
top of the stairs beside his closed office door.

"It has its moments," he replied with a chuckle. "As you appear to have charmed your way into the
stone heart of the gargoyle guard, you may come and enjoy a turn or two around the stairs any time
you like."

"Really," Severus gasped in a mix of glee and awe.

"Really and truly," Albus confirmed with a chuckle.

"Brilliant," Severus shouted, clapping his hands and eagerly jumping up the last two stairs to stand
at the Headmaster's side. "Thank you, sir!" He planned to come and play on the stairs every day! At
least every day that he wasn't working on something important with Heather and Raislen.

Albus smiled. "Of course." As he spoke, he turned and opened the door that led into his office. As
soon as they stepped inside, Severus noticed all the portraits of the former headmasters covering
the walls. They gazed directly at him with varying expressions ranging from curiosity to boredom.
"How fascinating," he breathed. "Amazing! You get to share an office with history."

"At least he appreciates us," a balding portrait in the far right corner grumped,, shooting a
meaningful look at Albus who merely rolled his eyes behind his half moon spectacles.

"You are appreciated, oh esteemed one." Severus couldn't be certain if Dumbledore spoke to the
portrait in sincerity or sarcasm and did not feel the need to ask. "Do have a seat and make yourself
comfortable, Severus." As he spoke, the headmaster rounded the desk and sank into the large
comfortable looking chair behind it. Severus seated himself in a smaller yet still comfortable chair
facing the headmaster on the other side of the massive desk. A tea tray sat between them with two
steaming cups already poured and waiting. A small pitcher of milk stood beside a matching dish of
sugar lumps. The tray also held an intriguing array of tiny cakes and sandwiches that caused
Severus's stomach to rumble. Due to missing a great deal of lunch, he'd only had that single piece
of chicken and was suddenly ravenous!

"I wasn't sure how you prefer your tea, so left it to you to fix as you like," Albus said, gesturing
with a little wave at the tray. "Help yourself and enjoy."

"Thank you, sir," Severus said. He added two lumps of sugar to his tea and picked up one of the
small egg salad sandwiches. So caught up was he in gratifying his hunger, that he quite forgot to
wonder why he was there for a moment or two. As Severus ate, the headmaster attended to his own
snacking needs, depositing five lumps of sugar into his tea and eating a small round lemon cake in
two bites.

"How are you liking Hogwarts," he asked at last.

Severus considered as he studied the plate of snacks, wondering if he would have another sandwich
or if he should try a cake before he got too full to want one. A square covered in sprinkles that
looked as if it would be vanilla had his attention, so he reached for it as he replied. "It is alright,
sir."

"Alright," Dumbledore repeated thoughtfully. "As I recall, I did not feel particularly challenged in
many of my classes at first either, so like you, I sought to expand myself with extra curricular
intellectual pursuits."

Severus nodded. "Yes sir. You were writing essays that were published in wizarding journals when
you were my age as well as corresponding with famous wizards! Any famous wizard I would like
to talk with is dead, I am afraid," he added with a regretful sigh and Albus Dumbledore chuckled.

"You would write to Slytherin?"

Severus nodded. "Oh yes sir, and Ravenclaw but mostly I would write to Merlin and Nimue!"

Albus nodded thoughtfully. "What would you ask Merlin and Nimue. Or would you tell them
things instead?"
"I would ask them to teach me the spells they found most useful, and I would ask for their favorite
potion recipes."

Albus nodded sagely. "Good choices."

Severus's favorite book was one his Mum had given him when he was five years old. It was called,
Druids and Warlords, where Magic and Muggles once met. The cover had always inspired him with
its very sight, filling him with excited awe. Merlin stood in flowing green robes extending a crystal
ball in both hands who's depths held a fire like sparkle, as if magic itself was trapped within its
crystalline structure. The book showed a unity between Arthur the Muggle and Merlin and Nimue,
the druids who believed in his cause and fought for it with their magic. Severus knew that Merlin
and Nimue would not dislike him for being half Muggle, because like him, they knew that there
were some good Muggles who actually liked magic.

"I was writing essays at your age, but you are crafting new spells, which is just as advanced. I don't
see other eleven-year-olds at this school having such aspirations," Dumbledore said.

Severus smiled. "Thank you, sir."

"It is only the truth," Albus assured. "I am saddened to hear that Hogwarts isn't impressing you,
though. If there is any way I could help..."

"Oh could I skip ahead to the third year with Heather and Raislen," Severus asked excitedly. He
bounced slightly in his seat as he spoke, filled with the eager hope that it could be that easy. Could
one simply ask for what they needed and actually get it simply for asking?

"Alas I cannot do that. The board of education won't allow it," Dumbledore said, honest regret in
his kind blue eyes. The kindness didn't serve to make Severus's disappointment any less, though.

"But why...sir!"

"It is just how the board of education operates," Dumbledore replied in the same kind gentle tone.
"Believe me if I were able to skip ahead grades, I certainly would have myself, but I took seven
years to graduate just like everyone else. It is the board's belief that a young witch or wizard
requires a certain amount of practice in a skill before it is safe for them to continue to a higher
level. In most cases, they are likely correct, but not all. If I could, I would test you and put you
through to as many advanced classes as you could pass into, but though I am the Headmaster of
Hogwarts, I am not fully in charge." Albus smiled, though the expression did not touch his eyes this
time. "Don't tell anyone though," he chuckled.

Not fully in charge, even though he was headmaster? That sounded like a foul deal to Severus.
"That must be annoying."

Albus nodded. "To say the least. Other than your issue with classes, though, is there anything else I
can do to make your time here more enjoyable?"

Severus sighed. "I suppose you can't send those Gryffindor Gits away to Australia or some place
equally as far," he wondered dryly and Albus chuckled.

"You've got tough requests today. Unfortunately I cannot grant that one for you either." Lifting his
cup of tea, Dumbledore took a sip before continuing. "Believe it or not, Severus, it takes all kinds
to make the world run properly. Those boys may seem difficult, and they may be difficult, but there
is a place for them in this world. There are positions only they will be suitable to fill, even if they
may not particularly wish to do so, and what they do can be useful when it counts the most. Just try
to remember that when they seem most difficult. And of course never hesitate to come to me if they
get too out of hand."

Severus knew that he was quite unable to keep the doubt from his expression when Dumbledore
spoke of the Gryffindor Gang of Gits having a place in this world. Tobias had always said that
Severus's thoughts showed plain on his face. This got him in trouble far too often with Grandfather
Prince even when he didn't say a word. When Dumbledore offered to intercede if the Gits got too
difficult, Severus merely shrugged. He could handle them. He'd done so far.

"You are a lot like your mother," Albus observed thoughtfully. "She was a very talented student, but
I believe unhappy."

Severus shrugged again. "Her father is a git. He likely made her life miserable for some reason or
other. Currently it's because she married a Muggle, but as Grandfather Prince seems to thrive on
being dreadful, I'm certain this wasn't his first problem with my mother."

Albus nodded in understanding. "Ah. And your father? Is he able to help with the situation?"

Severus bit his lip. "Not anymore. He is dead. He made my Mum happy. Now she hardly laughs."
He hated how difficult it was to speak of his family, and he hated the fact that stupid tears always
stung at the back of his eyes when he thought of how his parents had been.

"I understand family suffering perhaps better than most," Dumbledore said. His eyes were suddenly
sad and old, and that made Severus believe him. Not knowing what to say, he merely nodded as he
picked up his cup of tea.
 High Hopes

"So what did Dumbledore want with you," Raislen asked Severus. He and Heather were waiting, as
promised, in the Slytherin common room. Severus had headed directly there after his tea with the
headmaster.

He shrugged as he settled down into a chair near the fire across from Raislen. "I'm not precisely
certain," he said thoughtfully. "It was interesting, though. He is encouraging our after school
pursuits, which is nice."

"That is nice," Raislen agreed enthusiastically.

"If the Headmaster remains interested in what we do, considering the connections he surely has, we
could have a helpful leg up in whatever we choose to pursue after graduation," Heather mused,
briefly glancing up from the book she held.

Severus nodded, because that was true enough. "He also made sure that I understood that there is a
place for everyone in the world including the Gryffindor Gang of Gits." He made a face. "I refuse
to believe there is a use for them if it isn't for making compost."

Heather snickered as she slid a rabbit shaped book marker between the pages of whatever she was
reading before closing the book with an audible snap. "Did he actually defend those gits?"

Severus shook his head slowly. "No. I don't think so."

"Everyone has a place in the world is just Dumbledore's world-hugging way of trying to see the
good in just about every little shit there is," Raislen said. "He's a weird one, and that sort of weird
person's brain is usually a mixed bag of useful and pain in the ass to people like us."

Heather gave another laugh. "There goes Raislen, being wise beyond his years for three seconds,
before he becomes annoying again," she opined almost fondly.

"Ah, Heather Toy! I'm moved!"

Sighing, she rolled her eyes as she reached over to casually punch Raislen in the stomach. "You
see," she told Severus. "There he goes, proving my point."

"But I was only," Raislen wheezed.

"Do shut up, Raislen," Heather snapped. "Or I shall go away."

"He's very sorry," Severus decided quickly. "What are we working on today?"

"Aren't we too sleepy from being up for literally most of the night to begin something new already,"
Heather asked around a yawn.

That was a thought. She had a valid point. "We could decide today what to work on next without
working on it until tomorrow," Severus said and Heather and Raislen both nodded in agreement to
that.
"I think I'd like to work on more techniques for defense," he began, mind going back to his
unwanted skirmish at lunch with the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. "No, make that something for
attack...Defensive attack," he said, clarifying the idea in his own mind as he spoke aloud.
"Something to make whoever is attacking you regret it very hard."

Raislen regarded him thoughtfully, giving an understanding nod. "I hear you, Kid."

"I'm thinking it should be constructed in such a way that it's difficult to see," Heather began
thoughtfully. "That shall make it likewise more difficult to undo. Perhaps a hex that indirectly
attacks the airways." Severus felt a surge of excitement at the very thought. As Raislen gave
Heather a dreamy smile, Severus was gleefully picturing James, Sirius and Peter's faces slowly
turning purple as they gasped and attempted to beg him for mercy. Attempted because due to not
being able to breathe properly, they couldn't talk so well.

"I think I'm awake enough to begin work on that today," he said.

Heather gave him a dry smile. "While I'm pleased that you two like the idea, I am too tired so it's
tomorrow."

"I actually agree," Raislen said. Severus gave a despondent sigh over being outvoted. "That kid has
energy," Raislen marveled to Heather, nodding sagely toward Severus.

"I think I got energy from playing on the stairs leading to Dumbledore's office," Severus said. "I
suppose what they say about exercise being good for the body and the mind is true," he mused.

"Playing on the stairs," Raislen asked, arching his brows.

Severus shrugged. "They're more narrow and steep than the others in the castle therefore more of a
challenge to navigate," he explained.

Raislen nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. I could see that."

"Well Dumbledore won't allow us to play on his stairs when we need energy," Heather complained.

Severus shook his head. "I wouldn't be so sure. He said I could come and play on them whenever I
liked. I bet he'd allow me to bring you along. I could ask." He didn't feel right just trying to bring
them without asking, even if he didn't see why it should be a problem. Asking was more polite and
could make all the difference in that sort of situation. Heather and Raislen thought the same as they
nodded.

"Very well." Heather said. "I don't know if I truly think it would help us work, but I'm willing to try
anything if it gives me energy and focus for studies. If he says we may, we will come with you and
give it a go."

Severus grinned, thinking the stairs would be even more fun with his friends along.

"I will try anything that keeps me fit," Raislen said. Raislen had a natural strength, and a bigger
muscular build. He said many class mates were on to him to play quidditch for Slytherin, but he
just had no interest in sports unless one counted wizarding chess, which one should. Though few
knew it, chess was classified as a sport. Though Severus didn't have a build for quidditch in
particular, so doubted anyone would be begging him to play, he shared Raislen's utter disinterest in
sports. Severus preferred the mental sports involved in his studies. Those stairs in front of
Dumbledore's office were brilliant, though. A sport one could play alone, no rules only fun. "I'll ask
him tomorrow," he said eagerly. "Then anytime we're stuck for what to do on one of our future
projects, we can just go run it out on the stairs until the blood and inspiration are flowing.""

"Wait... Ours or someone else's," Raislen laughed. "Cause that could be taken a few different ways,
and I don't think old Dumbledore will allow us to hurt anyone on his stairs."

Severus rolled dark eyes dismissively at Raislen's antics, but Heather answered him seriously.

"Don't dare call me Heather toy on those stairs, or we shall be finding out," she warned.

Three days later the sound of shouts and echoing laughter could be heard in the stairwell leading to
Dumbledore's office as Heather, Raislen and Severus chased one another up and down until they
were breathless. Though the guardian gargoyle may just deny it if asked, even he gave a gravely
chuckle or two at their antics as they zipped around one another in their attempts to reach the top or
the bottom of the staircase first.

"Hey Severus, it does work," Heather gasped. "I have much more energy now, and being out of
breath like this gives me a perfect idea of how to use a blocking charm on someone's airways that
should be nearly impossible to detect. Raislen, would you mind if I practice it on you? Severus can
watch and add any necessary touches to make it perfect.

Raislen halted in his tracks, deep set green eyes widening. "You want to practice a subtle
strangulation charm on ME? Yes, in fact I do mind very much, and it's a definite NO! Not even for
you," he told Heather firmly. As he was speaking, he'd remained stock still, allowing Heather to zip
around him.

"I won," she laughed, dancing in place at the top of the stairs.

Raislen huffed a sigh. "Because you cheated."

Heather laughed again. "We're Slytherins! Of course I did. But really you chose to stop running,"
she pointed out.

Severus found himself nodding in agreement. "She has a point."

"Did you at least really have the idea for the blocking charm, though," Raislen demanded.

Heather nodded. "Of course I did! What do you take me for? And don't worry. I'm certain there are
a few troublesome Gryffindors who shall give us plenty of opportunities to practice it."

Severus grinned, nodding at the wisdom of Heather's words. "Likely sooner than even we think,"
he said.
 Reality Is Always Such A Drag

The rest of Severus's first year at Hogwarts passed quickly enough. He spent his time with Heather
and Raislen studying spell and charm combinations to create new ones. He avoided the Gryffindor
Gang of Gits when he could and hexed them when he could not, chocking each of those
experiences up to dueling practice three to one. He still rarely found his classes a challenge.
Dutifully he wrote his mum once a month or so. He would've written her more because he missed
her very much, but there wasn't a great deal of news to report other than his magical explorations
with Heather and Raislen. Though he did make casual mention of them, he opted to leave most of
the details to in person conversations because he and his friends frequently worked on some rather
nasty hexes and curses. He wasn't certain how safe or wise writing details of that in a letter might
be if it fell into the wrong hands. Those wrong hands belonged, of course, to Grandfather Prince.
Though the old man could appreciate a hex or curse as much or more than most, he simply could
not find it within himself to appreciate anything coming from Severus in particular. This had hurt at
first, but Severus quickly learned to replace hurt with hatred and anger when it came to the dreadful
old man. When he wasn't working on defensive hexes and such with Heather and Raislen, they
were coming up with better ways to conceal treasured items, which though less dark, could be just
as useful. All this made the time fly and before they knew it, end of term was upon them. While
most students were eager for summer, Severus wasn't at all. Of course he looked forward to
spending time with his Mum, but he would miss the company of his friends badly. Their warm
acceptance and appreciation of him provided a sharp contrast to Grandfather Prince, to whom he
must return. When he expressed this sentiment to Heather and Raislen on the train, both promptly
promised to write him at least once a week. The prospect of that did actually help some. Both had
vacation plans with their families, so their summers were sure to be far more interesting than
Severus's. Heather insisted that her plans weren't vacation plans. Severus would have considered
himself on a vacation if he had Heather's summer plans, though.

"It's just a bunch of traveling all over Europe while my parents perform," Heather groaned. "Part of
the time, we will even travel in a caravan with some gypsy wizards they know. It shall be hot and
dreadful! I already have a headache just thinking about that desert heat!""

"I think it sounds exciting," Severus said. "Gypsies are interesting. Do you think they'll tell your
fortune? Will you ask them to?"

"I don't know how much of the future I can stand knowing," Heather admitted, twisting a strand of
her long dark red hair around one finger.

"I don't think they call themselves gypsies, though," Raislen interjected.

Severus blinked in confusion. Heather shot Raislen an annoyed scowl. "Well THEY aren't calling
themselves, Raislen."

Raislen sighed. "I meant that they may not like that word or something."

Heather rolled her eyes. "It isn't an insult or swear and I doubt I'd need to use it to them anyway. It's
the word I have always heard."

Raislen shrugged. "Okay. I was just talking matters of general interest is all. I'm sorry you have to
go and get all dirty in the desert."
Heather made a face. "Thanks. I will try to use cleaning charms every five minutes and hope for the
best." She sighed. "I always feel so...I don't know inferior on these trips. Both of my parents are
talented bards with magically gifted voices and I'm just me, literally along for the ride. It's
awkward, I suppose."

Raislen nodded. "I can get that. Sorry. It'll be over in a few months, though, and perhaps you can
spend the time brainstorming some ideas we can all work on when term begins."

Heather nodded despondently. "I will try. Hopefully I shan't be too distracted by riding on that
camel my parents mentioned." She made a face and Raislen laughed.

"That's hard to picture. Just tell them you want to ride inside the caravan."

"I plan to," Heather said. "They seem to feel the camel riding is some sort of fun adventure."

"At least they don't hate you like my Grandfather Prince hates me," Severus couldn't help saying.
"The camel does sound unappealing, but the rest may not be so bad. If you strongly object to the
camel, you should be able to get out of it. Just tell them the idea makes you ill. And look on the
bright side. Not even the camel is as bad as my grandfather. The camel won't hate you personally
for your half blood."

Heather and Raislen both turned sympathetic gazes to Severus. "Sorry, Kid," Raislen said, reaching
to pat him on the shoulder. "You have a point." Heather nodded.

"I'll try to find you a neat gift from the oddest place I end up in," she promised.

"Thanks," Severus said, feeling his mood brightening some at the prospect.

"So what are you doing this summer, Raislen," Heather asked.

"Just staying around home for the first half of it," Raislen answered with a shrug. "My family is
book hunting for the second half in Egypt."

"Ooh!" Heather leaned forward eagerly in her seat. "I bet you'll find some good stuff there. I almost
can't wait for the new school year to begin now!"

Severus grinned, nodding in eager agreement. "Do you think you'll actually be able to find some
scrolls from those ancient Egyptians who made all of the magical and technological advances that
were eventually lost," he asked hopefully.

"It's the goal for sure," Raislen said. "My family travels every year to find new and of course rare
additions to the family library. My great Grand father started it two centuries ago and it's been our
honor and duty to keep it growing."

"I'd die to see it," Severus enthused and Raislen grinned.

"How about I invite you for a weekend on the winter holidays, then?"

"Really?" Severus practically shouted in his excitement.

Raislen chuckled. "Sure! It'll be fun."

The summer would likely take forever, Severus thought. It only stood to reason that the months at
Grandfather Prince's manor would drag, when Severus was already ready for Christmas.

Heather kept her promise and sent him a gift from Russia. It was a set of wooden Russian nesting
soldiers that when separated fought one another. They gave Severus hours of entertainment, making
it easier to hide away in his room at Grandfather Prince's. His summer consisted of studying,
practicing various forms of wandless magic with his Mum and playing with his set of Russian
nesting soldiers. All in all it wasn't quite as bad as he'd expected it would be. He was still thrilled
when it was time to return to Hogwarts, though. The only downfall was the knowledge that he
would once more have to deal with the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. When he expressed as much to his
Mum just before boarding the train, Eileen's expression grew cunning and thoughtful. This usually
meant trouble for whoever she was thinking about. Fortunately this time was no exception. "What
you need to do is to find something to hold over their heads," she said. "Something you can use
against them. Everyone has secrets, especially nasty people, as they're the sort to make enemies and
find trouble."

Severus nodded. "There is that one odd thing I've never been able to figure out. It's only about
Lupin, though, and he's truly the less of the four evils. He never starts with me. He just ignores the
fact that his friends do for the most part."

"Yes but if they care about him at all, you can still use any secret of his against them. Granted they
may not truly care about one another, being the Gits that they are, but it won't hurt to find out."

Severus nodded. "Lupin is gone for a few nights every month. I've heard that it's because his mum
is ill, but when he returns, he's sort of the one who looks ill...or at least very tired." He frowned.
"Something just feels off about it."

Eileen nodded. "Well try to find out what and use it against him shamelessly. Promise to make
whatever it is publicly known if they don't let you alone. Even if he isn't one of the ones who
always starts in on you, he seems to me a coward who can't stand up to his friends. That weak sort
is always easy to handle once you learn their secrets."

Severus nodded. "Thanks Mum," he said, kissing her on the cheek before rushing to board the train.
He couldn't wait to hear about Heather's travels. He was also eager to see if Raislen had found any
fantastic scrolls in Egypt that could answer some questions about the magic the ancients once
wielded.
 Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Severus found Heather and Raislen waiting for him near the edge of the platform. They boarded the
train together and found an empty compartment quickly enough. Severus was the happiest of the
group to be returning to school, but Heather was still glad to be done with the summer. Unlike her,
Raislen had enjoyed his summer travels. As it turned out, his family had found some very
fascinating scrolls in Egypt. Most of them dealt with potions, much to Severus's glee. One
particularly intriguing one was for sleep as well as pain management and made from milk of the
poppy among other things. Even more interesting, when this milk of the poppy was mixed with
other herbs, it could serve to open one to prophetic dreams while they slept. Bottled, Severus knew
that would sell for a pretty bit of gold. Many of the required ingredients were rare and likely pricey,
but that meant the end result would be even more so. All the scrolls Raislen brought from Egypt
were extremely rare, so it wasn't as if too many other copies would be floating around either. The
potion would be unheard of in most circles, and that was a definite advantage for someone selling
it.

"While I do appreciate the concept, I'm not sure I would wish to know about the future," Heather
mused. "I suppose it depends on if I believe I can change it."

Raislen nodded. "Good point."

"Well enough people would like a glimpse into the future, and they're the ones who shall some day
pay me a great deal of gold for a potion that will allow them a chance at it," Severus proclaimed.

"So you'll be a rich potions shop owner, then," Heather asked. "Is that it?" Her smile was amused,
but not doubtful so Severus smiled back.

"Perhaps. I may have to hire someone else to deal with the people, though. I could very well lose
customers if I am forced to interact with them. So many people are annoying, or stupid, or both."

Raislen nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah...I was thinking about that. You'd be excellent at brewing rare
potions to sell, and coming up with ideas for your own, but I was having doubts about the business
aspect myself...you know, because of the dealing with people. So I think you hiring someone else to
do it is a brilliant idea. Lots of creative geniuses don't get on with others so well, you know," he
added.

"While that's nice to know, I don't mind not getting on with people," Severus said, vaguely
uncomfortable at Raislen's effort to make him feel alright about disliking the majority of humans
due to their own individual lacks and mental shortcomings. "I like those people who are worth
liking...Like you and HeatherToy...Sorry, Heather, it's his fault," Severus said quickly. Raislen
always called her that, and if one heard a thing said enough, they would eventually slip up and
bloody say it as well! Though Severus wasted no time in correcting himself, it hadn't mattered.

Nodding gravely, Heather casually reached to punch Raislen in the stomach before doing the same
to Severus.

"Hey," Severus shouted, doubling over in pain.

"Don't learn from him," Heather snapped.

"I may have just taken you off the list of people I like," Severus told her darkly.

Heather laughed, unconcerned. "You'll change your mind the next time you and Raislen are stuck
on one of your hexes."

That was true enough. Whenever he and Raislen were stuck Heather always stepped in with the
suggestion that completed whatever they had going. Most of the time it was Severus or Raislen
who came up with the idea for a spell, but Heather knew how to tweak it to make it most efficient.
"True," he said. "And I'd miss your letters in the summers too."

Heather smiled, mollified. "Writing to you and Raislen got me through my summer of hell," she
admitted. "If I hadn't had the two of you to vent to, I may have gone out of my mind."

"Wasn't there at least one good part, though," Raislen asked doubtfully. Severus understood his
incredulity. It was difficult to believe that traveling to so many interesting places was so dreadful in
all aspects.

"Roads, dust, and languages that I need a constant translation charm to understand with foreigners
who probably disliked us or wanted to cheat us or both...No," Heather said fervently. Severus and
Raislen exchanged a glance, then a shrug before allowing the topic to drop.

"I asked my parents if you could come visit for some of the holidays, Severus," Raislen said.
"They're fine with it, of course. Especially after I told them about your rat of a grandfather. That
was alright, wasn't it," Raislen asked hastily. "I mean I didn't tell them, you know, about who killed
your father or anything overly personal."

Severus shrugged, nodding. He guessed that was alright. "I'll write my Mum and ask her if I can,
then," he said.

Raislen gave an excited grin. "It'll be brilliant! We'll have the most fun ever! My parents suggested
having you come a day or so after Christmas, then just returning to Hogwarts with me."

"Sounds good. I'll ask Mum," Severus said. He wrote Eileen that very night after the feast and her
reply arrived the very next morning at breakfast. "Well," Raislen asked expectantly as he watched
Severus reading his mum's reply. "What did she say?"

"She said yes!" Severus nearly shouted with glee. Term may have only just begun, but he was
already ready for the winter holidays!
 The Most Magical Place On Earth

It felt to Severus as if the next few months were twice as long as others had been during his time at
Hogwarts. Nothing significant changed from the previous year. The Gryffindor Gang Of Gits were
still just as gittish as ever, and most of Severus's classes lacked challenge. The upside of his days
involved working on crafting new spells with Heather and Raislen. Often, though, if they had no
particularly brilliant ideas, they'd just exercise by playing on Dumbledore's stairs to get their
thoughts flowing. They'd also help one another study. It was more like Severus helping Heather and
Raislen study, because their classes presented more of a challenge for him than his own. He didn't
mind, though. He did mind the time dragging its feet, however, because he was very much looking
forward to visiting Raislen's library for the holidays. Often to pass the time, he'd try to imagine all
the books he would encounter when browsing the shelves. While he had some ideas, the more
exciting bit for him was the mystery. He knew there would be many surprises, books he'd never
imagined. Raislen's family had books thousands of years old in their vast and ever growing
collection, and thanks to preservation charms, in a few months, Severus would be holding them in
his hands! For as long as he could remember, he'd always thrived on books much in the way a fish
enjoyed water, so as the weeks past, his excitement nearly built to a fever pitch. To him books were
opportunities, new windows to so many things! For the first time since his father was killed,
Severus was looking forward to the Christmas holidays with the gleeful excitement that a child
should, knowing that wondrous Christmas magic was just around the corner. Granted in this case he
pictured towering book shelves rather than a sparkling Christmas tree whose branches spread over
a pile of wrapped gifts, but it was just as magical to him. So busy with his friends and distracted by
sugar plum dreams of Raislen's library was he that Severus could almost forget about the
Gryffindor Gang Of Gits when they weren't planting themselves in his way in order to insult him
with stupid words or obnoxious spells. Even those they chose to use as hexes were reflective of
their mentality. Basic hexes like Locomotor Mortis, were not only easy to counteract but amusingly
illustrative of the gits petty thought processes. Such elementary hexes only got the best of Severus
during those times when he was distracted and caught unawares. Unfortunately day dreaming of
Raislen's library was the cause of such more than once. The fact that the Gits had such a need to
torment him was shocking. It was stupid to make enemies and assume they wouldn't attempt to hurt
you some day. Severus wasn't about to give them that heads up, though. He simply countered what
they did and retaliated with more advanced hexes that took them longer to remedy. Of course this
meant they'd gang up three to one to make him pay later, but watching them squirm in his itching
binds or terror tangles was always well worth it. It wasn't as if they could go and complain to any of
the Hogwarts staff either, because if they did, they would only implicate themselves, considering
they usually always started with Severus first. *Usually* because Severus did at times start with
them first if he felt the need for a pay back. Such was the case if they managed to get the best of
him three to one in something obnoxious that still took him longer to counter. A few times Heather
or Raislen would come upon the Gits ganging up on him and help him fight against them. Then the
fight was not only easy, it was pathetically easy! Heather and Raislen being two years older knew
dueling tricks that Severus knew but the Gits did not. As it turned out, the Gryffindor Gang Of Gits
didn't enjoy doses of their own medicine. They didn't enjoy being ganged up on and beat badly at
their own game. They'd walk away from such skirmishes angry and embarrassed. Often they took it
out on Severus later once they could get him alone again. Those times they made him pay for his
own group victories with his friends. This only made him hate them more. He'd get them good
some day, he vowed more than once over the first few months of his second year at Hogwarts. At
those times, he always remembered his Mum's advice on getting one up on Lupin, but as of yet, he
was able to make no progress in that endeavor. He kept an ear open when he could get close
enough to the Gryffindor Gang Of Gits conversations when Lupin was around, but nothing was
ever said about the three nights a month that he went to spend time with his ill Mum. Granted
Severus couldn't often get close enough to hear their conversations unnoticed. They were in
separate houses, thank all the gods, so during and in between classes were where his main
opportunities could be found. He could attempt to spy on them after classes when they weren't in
the Gryffindor common room or dorms, but in truth, he preferred to spend time with his own
friends in the evening, rather than wasting effort on those Gits when he had better things to do.
More than once, more than twice, quite frequently in fact, he reminded himself that some day he'd
be a renowned and accomplished potions master, spell crafter and all around more powerful wizard
than all of the Gryffindor Gits combined! The certainty of this made him feel powerful and got him
through his rageful interactions with the prats. That and the support of his friends, of course.
Though he'd far prefer to live in that future where he was already a powerful and esteemed wizard,
Severus had to make the best out of being at Hogwarts for now. If exciting trips to Raislen's library
were to be in his present, though, he could manage. Though term passed slower than Severus
wished, it still eventually passed, and at last everyone was going home for Christmas. He felt a bit
guilty being eager for Christmas to pass as well so that he could go to Raislen's and see that library,
but it was probably the biggest library in the world, or at least the biggest personal library and he
was beyond excited to explore its treasures. Knowledge was power, as Raislen himself often said.
Severus wanted as much of both knowledge and power as he could get. Still he did miss his Mum,
and she always put so much effort into giving him the best Christmas she could, that he tried his
hardest to put his mind off the library during his time at home. It wasn't as difficult as he'd
expected, because as soon as he exited the train and saw his mother waiting for him on the
platform, her dark eyes, so much like his own, warm and full of love, he recalled just how much
he'd missed her. Swallowing the lump in his throat he dashed toward her, lugging his trunk and
waving with his free hand. "Mummy! I missed you so!"

"I missed you too, Baby," Eileen said, and laughing with joy, she caught him up in her arms,
causing him to drop his trunk to embrace her in return. Even Grandfather Prince's sour disposition
didn't dampen Severus's holiday...At least not much. He and his mum made Christmas cookies
together on Christmas Eve and concocted their own eggnog, because she swore it was one of the
most difficult potions to make. For Christmas, he got a brand new potions set. The cauldron came
with a bat shaped stirring spoon, and there were six fat potion bottles with matching corks. Three
were shaped like miniature cauldrons and three were shaped like skulls. Severus couldn't wait to
take them to Hogwarts and use them in potions class while the other prats were stuck using their
standard old boring cauldrons and vials. He went to Raislen's three days after Christmas. Eileen
took him so that she could meet Raislen's parents. He packed his trunk for school, because he was
returning to Hogwarts with Raislen on the train. Raislen's parents had gone to school with Eileen,
but though they were in the same house, Eileen was four years younger, so they hadn't interacted
much. As Severus and Raislen stood politely and quietly by, the parents got chatty. Mr. and Mrs.
WestCraven invited Eileen to tea, and Raislen dragged Severus toward the library.

"Well come on," he said excitedly. "You've got to see our family's pride and joy! We both know it's
at least one of the reasons you're here, after all." Raislen gave a good natured grin to Severus's
eager nod. As Severus had expected, WestCraven manor was large, but unlike Grandfather Prince's
home, it was decorated in comfortable warm colors. Though classy, full of heavy antique furniture
and with medieval art on the walls, the place looked lived in rather than cold and frigid. It projected
a welcoming feeling that Severus found comforting right away. And then they entered the library!
The towering shelves of books were even higher than Severus imagined, and the room was so large,
that he could not see where it ended! He stood for a moment just inside the door taking it all in and
breathing in the delightful smell of old books. The floor under his feet seemed to hum with
welcome as if recognizing an old friend. Severus had never imagined such a wonderful place, much
less that he'd actually be standing in it. Of course he'd tried to picture Raislen's library, but his
imagination hadn't even come close. Severus laughed with delight as he spread his arms wide. "Oh
Raislen! It's so beautiful!"

Raislen grinned, green eyes laughing as he shrugged. "Well...That's one word for it, I suppose. I
usually think amazing or awesome, but to each his own."

As Raislen spoke, Severus's gaze continued to hungrily drink in the room. Aside from the endless
expanse of towering shelves, the library held a smattering of large square mahogany wood reading
tables and comfortable looking arm chairs. There was a sofa along one wall situated across from a
large fireplace. The sofa looked inviting. It was a rich maroon color that drew the eye and it looked
quite comfortable. Yes, he'd sit there once he'd decided what to read first, Severus decided.
 Merlin

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 16, Merlin

The next few hours passed in a blissful haze for Severus. He couldn't recall the last time he was so
happy. It honestly felt as though he were spending time in a brilliant dream. Raislen's library had to
literally be the most magical place on Earth! Its vast shelves not only held all the books his
imagination had hoped for, but there were even more he'd never conceived of before on topics he'd
never heard of. His brain could expand forever in this place!

"If I had my way I'd live in this library," he declared wistfully as he wandered among the shelves.
Each book was somehow more fascinating than the one before it, and deciding what to read was
nearly tearing his mind in two! Who would've thought that he could be surrounded by so many
exciting books, that the problem would be deciding upon one to start with?

Raislen gave an amused chuckle. "It's so damned fun just to watch you running around in here like
a kid in a candy store! I'm so glad you like it here. I thought you would, but your reaction
is...literally more than I could've ever expected," Raislen declared, chuckling again. When Eileen
came in to hug Severus before she departed after having tea with Raislen's parents, he still hadn't
decided what to read yet. He had a 'to read list' in his mind, but he was too eager to see everything
the library held to settle yet on one book. "Don't forget to spend time with Raislen," Eileen gently
chided as she kissed Severus on the tip of his nose. Though his mind was entirely captivated by the
most magnificent library in the world, the fact that his mum was treating him like a baby in front of
his older friend did not go amiss. "Mum," He groaned. He felt the heat of embarrassment flushing
his face. He couldn't look at Raislen. What a baby Severus must look with his Mum chastising him.
What must Raislen think of him now?

"It's okay, Mrs. Snape," Raislen assured cheerfully. "He hangs with me enough at school. I can
survive if he mostly wants to hang with the library while he's here. I assumed we'd spend a lot of
this visit reading, but really I love books as much as Severus, so I don't mind at all."

"Still, Severus. Don't forget to pay attention to your friend," Eileen said before she turned to
Raislen. "It was lovely meeting you and your dear parents, Raislen. Thank you for having
Severus...I wish I could invite you to ours, but...you'd likely not enjoy yourself so much." The
hesitant, apologetic tone in his mum's voice made Severus's stomach flip in embarrassment. Of
course she spoke the truth, but hearing the discomfort in her voice as she did, only served to
enhance his own.

"Yes, Mam. I understand and it's quite alright," Raislen assured.

"He knows all about Grandfather Gitness," Severus informed helpfully. Though embarrassment
flickered over Eileen's sharp features, she nodded, sighing.

"Well, the two of you have yourselves a grand old time," she said, hugging Severus again before he
and Raislen saw her out. Of course they returned at once to the library, where Raislen's family elf
served them tea. The little thing wore green velvet, and his name was Roky. His expression was
serious, but his round blue eyes studied Severus with open interest.
"I haven't had a friend to stay before," Raislen explained around a mouthful of chocolate raspberry
scone. The scones were delicious. Severus wondered if things would be better at home if
Grandfather Prince had an elf. Likely no elf could stand him, though.

"Really good scones,"Severus observed. "And I haven't had a friend over either, but certainly for
different reasons."

Raislen nodded. "Yeah I just never wanted to spend that much time with anyone other than
you...and Heather Toy of course but you know, it isn't appropriate to have a girl to stay or
whatever."

Severus snickered at the thought. "Do you think she would come if you invited her, were such
permitted?"

Raislen considered, then shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps if I promised not to call her Heather Toy.
She does love my books." He grinned. "Speaking of books, did you ever decide what you want to
read yet?"

Severus sighed upon being reminded of the quandary that his mum, then raspberry scones had
allowed him to forget about for a few minutes." Not yet," he said, hurriedly polishing off the scone
so that he could resume his prowling of the towering book shelves.

"Oh I should show you the Projector charm," Raislen said, hurrying to Severus's side as he spoke.
"It allows you to read the titles on the highest shelves without having to bother with one of those
annoying step stools." Raising his wand above his head, he swept it hard from left to right.
"Projectum," he said firmly. The titles all along the highest shelf above their heads were suddenly
displayed in the air in front of them in well lit huge red lettering. "If you want one of the books, you
simply use a summoning charm after pointing your wand at the title," Raislen explained and
Severus nodded.

"Thanks."

Severus scanned the titles, finding them all to be various histories. The History of Faeries. The
History of Britain. The History of Runes. The History Of Druids and Merlin. As his gaze landed on
that title, he made a wordless sound of glee. His favorite childhood book was about Merlin and
Nimue. It was called, The Magical Adventures of Merlin and Nimue and the wondrous cover had
always enchanted Severus's imagination. Merlin stood in a curtain of silver sparkles, holding a
crystal orb cupped in both hands. The colors shifting and dancing in the crystal never failed to
captivate Severus each time he gazed upon it. He'd read it over and over and over, beginning when
he'd gotten it as a gift at the age of five. It wasn't so much of a history, as it was a book for children.
It told the story of Merlin and Nimue training Arthur to protect Britain against the Saxons and
teaching him about magic even though he was a Muggle. Considering Severus's Mum had shown
magic to his father, the concept was dear to his heart. Like Tobias, Arthur found magic to be a
wondrous thing rather than something to fear. That meant Tobias was a special Muggle just like the
famed Great King Arthur. Discovering another book about Merlin at last ended Severus's quest for
what to read first. It had to be this history of Druids and Merlin. Flicking his wand, he excitedly
conjured the book into his hand. It was a heavy, solid and thick tome, just the way he liked them
when written on his favorite topics. The thicker the book, after all, the longer it lasted. Unlike his
childhood favorite about Merlin, this book's cover looked more primitive than magical. The art was
hand drawn rather than being constructed of shiny, animated magic sure to jump start the heart and
ready imagination of a fanciful child. This was a history book for scholars, and it showed. Merlin
and Nimue stood beside a huge red dragon with glaring eyes. A cave could just be seen at their
backs. Rather than smiling and bathed in magic, the dragon as well as the two druids wore serious
and concentrated expressions. True histories were generally grim rather than pretty, so indeed this
was a history book rather than one for children.

"Merlin looks so different," Severus murmured. "On the cover of my book at home, he almost
looks like Dumbledore, but here he's so much younger." On the cover of this book, Merlin was tall
and wide shouldered, with long wavy black hair, green and silver robes, and a clean shaven young
face with a strong jaw. Nimue was tall and willowy with long black hair and a sharp featured face
with a slightly mad look to her eyes. He supposed war probably did that to one, though his
childhood favorite had kindly avoided speaking of that aspect.

"Oh," Raislen said. "You must have The Magical Adventures! I loved that one as a kid too. It's
around here somewhere in the kid's section. It's way different. That one there is far more dry, but
very informative."

"I'm going to read it right now," Severus said, eagerly clutching the book to his chest. Settling onto
the sofa, he opened the book and figuratively fell inside.
 Like A Long Lost Friend

Chapter 17, Like A Long Lost Friend

For several hours, Severus was enthralled by the history of Merlin and Nimue, nearly forgetting
where he was so engrossed was he. The druidic couple, in truth, had been early childhood friends,
at least in his imagination at the time. Discovering this book was like reuniting with them on a new
and deeper, more grown up level. He'd missed them and it was grand seeing them again and getting
to know them even better. The book began in Merlin's youth. He quickly rose to Arch Druid in his
late teens. Though that fact did not surprise Severus, because Merlin was Merlin, it fueled him for
his own grand future successes at a young age. He could be like Merlin if he worked hard, he just
knew it. Knowing that Merlin was a Slytherin was all the more encouraging. For him, this was
solid proof that Slytherin was the best house. Back in those days, Druidry was one of the intensive
fields in which one could major at Hogwarts, but over the centuries, as fewer and fewer were
skilled enough to take up that mantle, it became nearly a lost art. Though there were some druids
still tucked away in Cornwall or deep in the Welsh hills, their skills were no longer taught at
Hogwarts.

Merlin decided to help the Muggles of Britannia against the Saxon invaders because his visions
were clear on the fact that life would worsen, even for wizards, if the Saxons were not held at bay.
Severus wished he had visions like Merlin. It must make greatness a bit easier, if one had visions,
he thought. When Merlin approached the most powerful warlord in all of Britannia, a Welshman
named Uther Pendragon, offering magical aid, this Muggle warlord was eager and willing. He
knew of druids, and though Merlin was a druid with more magic than some, he was still something
Uther was familiar with to some degree. Being a wise as well as brave Muggle, he was glad to have
magic on his side to wield against his enemies. He took heart when Merlin shared his vision
concerning his new born son, Arthur. Uther lost heart, however, for a time when Arthur's mother
died shortly after his birth, because this meant he had to be a full time father while fighting a war.
More than once, the warlord literally fought with the sleeping baby in a sling on his back. Merlin
assured him that Arthur's easy adjustment to war meant that he would be the great warlord
Britannia needed when he grew up. He would rally enough forces behind him to do what needed to
be done to win the war and protect the homeland from invaders trying to take what did not belong
to them. Merlin could see that people would love and follow Arthur, and this inflamed Merlin's soul
so that he loved the child as well. The young druid that was Merlin traveled with Uther Pendragon
on his war campaigns against the Saxons. He helped to fight for the land that was his home as
much as any Muggles and attempted to get other magic users to do the same. Though many were
unwilling, including most with whom he'd attended Hogwarts, a few of the more powerful druids
were willing including Nimue. He'd attended Hogwarts with her and never worked up the nerve to
make his interest known, but war times made things different. When Uther's men gathered with
those druids willing to help, Merlin decided he would have Nimue for his own as well as for his
apprentice. She was nearly as young as he, only two years his junior, but he was well ahead of his
learning curve, and his skills far surpassed druids twice his age. For this reason, he had more than
enough to offer her in the way of teaching, was she willing. Though many druids practiced sex
magic to gather power to unleash on the enemy the night before a large battle, Merlin always
abstained. The night he decided to make Nimue his, he chose to take part. He chose to perform the
sex magic with Nimue, allowing the other druids to raise the circle of power while they called upon
the fertility magic to win them the upcoming battle. He sent one of the other druids to bring the
lovely Nimue to him. When she saw him, she was clearly taken aback.
"You are Merlin?"

He frowned. "Why the shock? We attended Hogwarts together. We were in the same house."

"Yes, but there are others who could be named for the falcon, and considering the reputation you
have, I couldn't see how it was you. The Merlin we have come here to assist has immense power. I
assumed he had to be far older, and that perhaps you were even named for him."

Merlin laughed. Clearly he had something to prove, but he knew he'd have no problem doing it. "I
am the strongest Britannia has to offer, and I offer you myself. I see something special in you,
something similar to what I am myself," he confessed. "I will teach you things that shall enable you
to rise to power far faster than you could alone, and in doing so, I will gain the assistant I require."

Severus was uncomfortable reading about the sex magic, so skimmed those passages quickly. At
first Nimue was unimpressed with the process, but eventually, developed a liking for the physical
pleasures with Merlin as well as what he was willing to teach her. She quickly became an
invaluable partner as well as a good student and the friend Merlin never quite realized he'd longed
for. Having someone to gradually help to shoulder some of his burdens as she learned, made all the
difference in the world. By that time, young Arthur was six.

"Severus!" The sudden touch on his shoulder made Severus start.

"Yes? What is it?" He glanced up from the book to see Raislen staring at him, mild amusement in
his deep set green eyes. "It's time for dinner. Didn't you hear Roky come in and tell us?"

Severus shook his head, reluctantly lowering the book. He felt a flush coming into his cheeks. "I
must have been...lost in the book," he said, giving a slight shrug. Truly he very much wished to take
the book with him to the dinner table and read while he ate, so difficult was it to tear his mind from
the pages of Merlin's story. He knew that would be rude, though, so put it down on the sofa beside
him with a reluctance that he could not hide. "May I leave it hear to finish later," he asked and
Raislen nodded.

"Sure," he said with an easy smile. "It's so bloody great finding friends who are as into books as I
am. You and Heather Toy are great!"

Severus grinned as he rose from the sofa to follow the older boy from the room. "I'll be back," he
said over his shoulder as they left.

Raislen chuckled. "Are you talking to the book or the library."

"The library," Severus replied with a dreamy sigh. "It's so amazing."

"That's why you're worthy of it. You appreciate it's greatness," Raislen said with a chuckle. The
WestCraven's stately dining room was stately, heavy with old oak yet still with a comfortable lived
in feel. Raislen's parents, Mr. and Mrs. WestCraven were warm and friendly. Though the dining
room, in some ways, was similar to that of Grandfather Prince with its old world, old money feel,
the atmosphere was entirely different. Rather than coldly disapproving, the WestCravens were
warm, friendly and cheerful. As they ate, both asked Severus about himself, his favorite subjects in
school and his future aspirations. It made Severus feel a bit special that they cared to know his
plans for the future and seemed genuinely interested. He spoke of his fascination for crafting
potions and dark spells. Not until he asked them what they, themselves did, did Severus realize that
he'd never wondered where Raislen's parents worked. He supposed they didn't talk much about
family when at Hogwarts, distracted by school life and the pursuit of their own private projects.

"We're Unspeakables," Raislen's father replied readily. "But don't tell anyone or I shall have to kill
all of us."

Raislen laughed. "Why all of us," he wondered.

"Well I feel wrong killing an innocent child, so I'll just take us all out," Mr. WestCraven replied
cheerfully.

"He's teasing, Dear," Mrs. WestCraven told Severus, having noticed the silent horror on his face.
"No one is getting killed. Raislen obviously trusts you entirely, else you'd never be here."

Raislen nodded. "He's a great kid," he assured his parents. "Plus I know secrets of his, so we're
even."

"Ur...What, precisely, is an Unspeakable, if I might ask," Severus queried carefully.

"Oh, it means we work in the department of mysteries, at the Ministry Of Magic...studying and
protecting said mysteries," Mr. WestCraven answered. "We're Unspeakables, because we can't talk
about our job to anyone...due to the mystery aspect."

Severus nodded. "I understand, Sir. It all sounds very interesting."

Mrs. WestCraven sighed. "It can be, but more often it's frustrating," she grumbled.

Raislen nodded, giving his parents a good natured smile. "I was quite disappointed when I grew old
enough to understand just how uneventful your work often is," he lamented. Turning to Severus he
added,"You'd think they'd be studying fascinating items and sorting how they work, but it's more
like being confounded by fascinating items or weird ones, and infrequently if ever learning much
from them at all."

Mrs. WestCraven laughed. "Our boy explains things so well!"Severus agreed with Raislen that the
job sounded as if it should be quite grand and fascinating, so the fact it often was not was a bit of a
let down indeed. The food was delicious and Severus stuffed himself on thick lamb stew, cheesy
bread and the best chocolate fudge cake in the world! After the evening meal was over, Raislen
asked Severus to come up to his room and help him with a magical puzzle he'd gotten for
Christmas. "It's about to drive me mad," he complained. "Every time I figure out where a piece
goes, another moves. I think I've figured out a way to cheat the blasted thing, but it takes two, so I
need your help. It's about being faster than it is, see and four hands are clearly better than two."
Severus eagerly agreed, forgoing the library for the time being to follow Raislen upstairs. The
puzzle was a large, grand affair, that when put together, formed an enchanted forest. Of course the
towering trees with magical creatures flitting among them as mages and witches strolled to and fro
put Severus once again in mind of Merlin and Nimue. The catch to the puzzle was that if you didn't
solve it fast enough, the last piece you put down would move back to the box in which all the
pieces were housed. If you didn't figure which came after the piece you laid down fast enough, and
it retreated to the box, you had to fish it out again, put it back in place, then resume trying to sort
what came next. If this happened more than three times, the piece would retreat sooner each time
you replaced it. Worst, it took two hands to lift each piece from the puzzle box in which it came, so
you couldn't sort through pieces with one hand while holding the last piece in place with the other.
The makers of the puzzle, however, weren't thinking like Slytherins as Raislen was quick to point
out. "We'll solve it together, and perhaps one of us can hold the bloody last piece down if necessary
to," Raislen said.

Severus grinned. "Very Slytherin of you," he said proudly and Raislen nodded. Raislen's room was
large and spacious, so they had the puzzle spread out on the floor. The thick green carpet was so
thick that it was even comfortable to sit on. Luxurious, Severus thought with a contented sigh as he
settled down to do some serious puzzle solving. By the time they had the puzzle completed several
hours later, Raislen was covering wide yawns, and glancing repeatedly in the direction of his large
four poster mahogany wood bed. Fully put together, the Enchanted Forest puzzle covered almost
half of Raislen's floor. It was magnificent!

"I think I'm going to leave it there until I get tired of looking at it," Raislen decided. "Thanks for the
help, Kid. That was really fun!"

Severus grinned. "How long will it take for you to be tired of looking at it?"

Raislen shrugged. "Probably a while. It does look amazing, so I shall enjoy looking at it and I'm not
here that often."

Long months at Hogwarts were a relief to Severus in some ways, but now he wondered if such was
the case for those who did not mind being at home.
 Home Is Where The Heart Is

Chapter 18, Home Is Where The Heart Is

"May I read for a bit before I sleep,"Severus asked in an excited rush. He knew he would never be
able to sleep without knowing what would happen next with Merlin and Nimue in his newest
favorite book.

"Sure," Raislen said with a shrug. "Go ahead. When you're sleepy, your things were put in the room
next door to mine. It's the one on the right."

"Great," Severus said, bounding eagerly to his feet. "Good night, then."

"Night," Raislen replied around another yawn. Severus hurried out, closing the door to Raislen's
bedroom softly behind him. Once back downstairs and in the library, he returned to his spot on the
sofa. The room was full of a soft, warm light, perfect for reading. Not too bright, but instead just
bright enough to easily see without putting a strain on the eyes. It was perfect. His book was
waiting right there on the sofa cushion where he'd left it. Lifting it lovingly into his hands, he
reverently opened it, quickly finding just where he'd left off. Just like that, he was once more
immersed in the world of Merlin, Nimue and Arthur, the Muggle they loved as a son. The next
thing he knew, there were three voices speaking over him and morning light was poring in through
the windows. This light, far brighter than the soft lamp lit glow of the previous night, was jarring.
As he hastily straightened, a sharp pain in his neck made him groan. Raislen and his parents stood
over him, bemused grins on their faces. They were speaking, but his mind was still partially fuzzy
with memories of the dream he was having before their presence roused him from sleep. He'd been
with Merlin and Nimue, hadn't he? Were they speaking to him? Something about not being able to
find Arthur, but Severus had found them somehow. He'd traveled some natural path in his mind and
found them."

"The poor dear fell asleep on the sofa," Raislen's mum was saying, and with her words, the vague
recollections of his dream faded even more. If only he could remember!

"You alright, Kid," Raislen asked, concern taking the place of amusement in his large green eyes as
he regarded Severus.

"I...My neck hurts," Severus said, feeling silly about talking of his dream in front of Raislen's
parents. And it was true, his neck did hurt. It sent sharp stabbing pains from his neck into his
shoulder every time he moved his head so much as a fraction.

"Of course it does, poor boy," Raislen's mum said. "You were sleeping at such an odd angle. I'll get
you a cold compress and a pain potion for it right away. Only you must eat breakfast for otherwise
that potion shall upset your stomach."

"Yes Mam," Severus said automatically as he slowly rose to his feet, feeling rather like an old man
with his stiff movements. He placed the book on the sofa as he stood to follow the Westcravens
from the room. He hoped to get back to it later in the day. Breakfast and a pain killing potion for his
neck both sounded great. Nearly as good as reading, in fact. An hour later, his belly was full and the
pain in his neck was gone. He and Raislen went out to play in the snow, because they wanted to
build a snowman and animate it. The building part went as planned, and was quite fun. Before
they'd left Hogwarts for the Christmas Holiday, Severus told Raislen and Heather the story of
Frosty and they all thought animating a snowman would be grand fun. When first watching Frosty
with his father when he was three years old, Severus was certain a wizard had animated the
snowman, or rather that the hat Frosty wore had been created by a wizard to animate snowmen. For
that reason, he'd always wanted to try making a Frosty of his own, and Raislen thought it sounded
like great fun.

His father even donated a dashing green top hat and holiday scarf. Though the building process
went well, the animating bit wasn't as successful. In fact it wasn't successful at all. When they tried
enchanting Frosty's hat, the snowman simply fell apart when he tried to move. When they
attempted to enchant the snowman himself directly, it simply turned into a block of ice that cracked
when movement was attempted. Eventually they gave up for the time being and simply rebuilt their
Frosty just to be a regular snowman to decorate the front lawn of Westcraven manor. Though the
enjoyed crafting spells, it was the holidays, and mostly they wanted to enjoy their off time and just
play.

If crafting a spell ended up feeling like play, it was all well and good, but when it became
frustrating, they decided such puzzles were better picked apart with Heather when they returned to
Hogwarts and had nothing better to do. After they'd made their new un-animated Frosty the
Snowman as perfect as he could be, the two abandoned him for a rousing snowball fight. When
being pelted with snow chilled them to the point that it was no longer fun to be outside in the
freezing Christmas weather, the two retreated inside for lunch. They had hot chocolate, thick turkey
sandwiches and plum pudding. Raislen's mum dosed Severus with another draft of the pain killing
potion just to make sure the stiffness in his neck would not return. "Neck pain is a monster. I hope
sleeping in the library was worth it," Mr. Westcraven teased with a chuckle.

"It was, Sir," Severus said in all seriousness.

Mr. Westcraven chuckled again. "A boy who loves books enough to sleep among them is one after
my own heart."

Severus sighed happily, smiling back. "Your library is, by far, the best place in the world."

"And it's always expanding," Raislen said. "Each year we ad more so it shall just keep getting better
and better. When I grow up I'll ad more and my children shall do the same."

"You're having children," Severus asked, somehow startled by the idea.

"I guess I will. Doesn't everyone," Raislen asked.

Severus shrugged. "I shan't. I don't like children."

Raislen's parents laughed good naturedly, exchanging a glance. "You are a child. Raislen is a child.
So you must like children," Mrs. Westcraven pointed out.

Severus frowned. "I like us, and Heather, but not most other children. Especially those in my own
year at Hogwarts," he said firmly.

"Some of them give the kid shit," Raislen said. "I don't know why except they're gits."

"Similarly to the way I don't know why you're swearing," Mrs. Westcraven suggested with an
arched brow at her son.
Raislen sighed. "Sorry, Mum, but they're dreadful Gryffindor prats who appear needlessly and
vastly offended by any sort of Dark book."

Severus nodded. "This is true. If it matters, though, I don't like most other children either, even if
they aren't attempting to pick fights with me over my choices in reading material. They're loud and
dirty and too frequently stupid."

"Can't argue with that," Raislen said. "I don't dislike people as much as you do, but you do have a
point or two," he told Severus.

"Perhaps it's the fact that the two of you are only children," Mrs. Westcraven mused. "Heather is an
only too, isn't she, Raislen?"

Raislen nodded thoughtfully. "Would you have liked a sibling, Kid," he asked Severus.

"Perhaps," Severus said after a moment of serious consideration. "So long as he or she wasn't a
prat." He smiled at Raislen. "I've got you and Heather, though, and that's enough."

An odd expression flickered over Raislen's face that made Severus feel suddenly embarrassed.
"Damn, Kid, I'm touched. And same here."

"Raislen, the swearing," his mother complained.

"Sorry, Mum. It's all the older boys at school, they swear a lot and I hear it in the common room. It
sticks in the mind. I'll try to watch it."

Severus grinned. He didn't recall Raislen swearing at school much if at all. Perhaps talk of gits
simply brought it out in him.

Mrs. Westcraven smiled at her son. "Thank you. What are you boys doing for the afternoon?"

"I guess we'll check out some of the new books," Raislen replied.

"What? With Severus already falling asleep in there, don't you think he'll be booked out...or is it
up," Mrs. Westcraven laughed.

"Never," Severus insisted and Raislen chuckled.

"That's what I thought. With us, there are never enough books, as you well know, Mum."

"Alright then," Mrs. Westcraven said. "If you change your minds, I am considering cleaning out the
attic later. I would be more motivated with a bit of help.""

"Well we can still do that," Raislen said and Severus nodded.

"We move about at school to get the blood flowing properly to our brains, so helping you in the
attic should work nicely for that here," he told Raislen's mum cheerfully.

Mrs. Westcraven smiled at Severus. "Thank you. You're a good boy. It's your vacation, yet you're
not even complaining about helping out."

Severus shrugged, feeling his cheeks heating. He wasn't accustom to receiving compliments other
than from his Mum. Other adults calling him a good boy was refreshing, though. He was finding
more and more reasons to love being here as the visit progressed. Raislen and Severus spent the
afternoon in the library. An hour before dinner, Mrs. Westcraven did call upon them to assist her in
the attic. Though neither boy expected to find any treasure while helping her to carry out junk,
Raislen came across an old notebook that excited him very much. It had apparently belonged to his
great grandfather, and held records of everywhere he'd shopped for books all around the world. The
records were extremely detailed, with lists of where had what sorts of books. Raislen's parents
considered the findings useless. "Likely all those book shops are gone by now," Mrs. Westcraven
pointed out. "That or their inventory likely won't be the same."

"You never know, though," Raislen said, clutching the old notepad possessively to his chest. "I'm
going to use this when I start going on my own book hunting travels." Turning excitedly to Severus
he continued."It has shops listed from all around the world. Some are quite literally underground
shops! Those ones are in Persia and Egypt."

"Brilliant," Severus breathed excitedly. "At least some of them should still be around." The idea of
a shop under the ground sounded like the most exciting thing ever. He could picture walking down
narrow stairs, down and down into a darkened earthy shelter that was lined wall to wall with
ancient rare tomes.

Raislen nodded. "Yeah! And you can come along with me on my first book hunt if you'd like."

Severus's heart leapt in excitement, but it fell just as quickly. "That shan't work. After you graduate,
I shall still be in school."

"I'll go in the summer," Raislen assured. "Directly after graduation, so you can come along."

Severus brightened. "Good. Thanks."

"Do you think Heather Toy will want to come too," Raislen asked hopefully.

Severus snickered. "Perhaps not if you call her Heather Toy."

Raislen and Severus spent the next few days in the library or playing wizarding chess or helping
Mrs. Westcraven with some project or other about the manor. Their house elf attended to the
chores, but when it came to matters of arranging or clearing things out, Mrs. Westcraven liked to
attend to such herself. Each night, Severus asked to read when Raislen went to bed, and each night,
he ended up falling asleep in the library. On the third morning of him waking up on the sofa with a
stiff neck, Mr. Westcraven decided to fix the situation.

"Would you like it If I brought in a cot so that you can just sleep in here," he asked Severus. "We
have one in the attic."

"Oh could I truly, Sir? That would be amazing!"

Mr. Westcraven chuckled. "I shall bring it down directly after breakfast." Severus slept far more
comfortably in the library every night after that.
 Until The Other Kiddies Knock Him Down

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 19, Until The Other Kiddies Knock Him Down

When it was time to return to Hogwarts for the second term, Severus experienced a feeling akin to
grief over leaving the library. Raislen and his parents promised to have him back again next year at
the sane time for the winter holidays providing Eileen gave her permission. Raislen said he'd have
invited Severus over the summer, but the family would be away book hunting for the entire break.
Severus knew he should've found this more disappointing, but, the promise of more new books was
just too exciting. After he finished the book on Merlin and Nimue, Severus read dark arts texts as
well as history books on Egyptian wizards throughout the rest of his stay at the Westcravens. On
the train back to Hogwarts, he and Raislen told Heather all about the visit. She listened with rapt
attention as they spoke. "And he didn't even pull your hair," she drawled to Severus. "Lucky
bugger."

"I save that for my favorite Heather toy," Raislen crooned, reaching for the ends of Heather's hair.
She attempted to move away, which resulted in him chasing her around the compartment while
Severus watched on in open bemusement. The chaos stopped when the snack cart arrived. Once
they were settled with pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes, peace was restored. "I envy your
snowman," Heather said eventually, speaking around a mouthful of cauldron cake.

"Why, we didn't get the poor bloke animated," Severus said with a chuckle.

"Because it just seems fun to make a snowman with friends! I never get to spend the holidays with
friends, and all my cousins are younger than me so there's no fun there," she explained.

Raislen nodded at her. "It was fun. If it snows again this winter, we'll build one at Hogwarts with
you. How's that?"

She brightened. "Yes, that sounds great. Thanks, Prat."

Raislen grinned as if she'd called him darling. Severus sighed and rolled his eyes. He preferred
books to weirdness with girls any day! Books didn't make things strange and complicated. Not at
all. Never! "Would you like having a sibling," he asked Heather suddenly, recalling the discussion
with Raislen and his parents about not liking children. They'd asked him if he wanted a sibling, and
he still wasn't certain. Not that it mattered now, with his father gone anyway. He hastily returned
his focus to Heather in order to avoid missing his dad today. It wasn't going to bring Tobias back,
so he could miss him another day when there was nothing better to do.

"Hm," Heather said thoughtfully. Finished with her cauldron cake, she moved on to her pumpkin
pasty. "I can't decide. Sometimes I think it may be nice, and then again it could be annoying. On
one hand, I'd have someone to build a snowman with over the holidays, but on the other, if my
parents had another child now, I'd probably be stuck minding it all the time." She made a face.
"Then again it would grow up someday, and having a sibling that didn't require looking after may
be alright. I suppose it hardly matters, though, as they don't seem interested in having more
children."
"Well you and I have the kid," Raislen told Heather, nodding at Severus. "He's all the little brother
we need, and he doesn't require minding, so it's perfect."

Heather chuckled. "True."

The three of them were able to build that snowman sooner than Severus expected. It snowed hard
two weeks after their return to Hogwarts. Raislen, Heather and Severus were outside in the snow
the instant classes were over. They had an energetic snowball fight, then built their snowman.
When he was complete, Raislen stuck an extra Slytherin school robe on him and a scarf. "He's a
Slytherin Snowman," he declared happily.

"He does appear to be the most posh snowman ever," Heather said, giving Raislen a smile of
approval. Severus found himself hoping the older boy wouldn't ruin it by calling her Heather Toy.
Fortunately, Heather continued speaking before Raislen could. "That was great fun, guys. Thanks
for making a snowman with me."

"Any time," Severus said, spontaneously pelting Heather with a snowball. Squealing with the shock
of cold snow in her face, Heather bent to scoop a snowball into either mittened hand.
Simultaneously, she lobbed one at Severus and one at Raislen. That second snowball fight of the
day went on for a good five minutes. When it was over, they were a bit tired, so settled for the more
leisurely activity of making snow angels. Raislen drew horns on his, turning it into a snow demon
to Severus's amusement. "It's far more fun playing in the snow with others than by oneself,"
Heather observed. She lay on her back, looking up at the winter sparse trees.

The next day, it was cold enough that their snowman hadn't melted. Raislen suggested they attempt
to animate it again now that they had Heather to help sort out the kinks.

"The trick shall be to keep the snow a powder rather than harder ice, while allowing it to flow
without crumbling when he moves," Heather said, frowning in concentration as she stared hard at
their Slytherin snowman.

"Yes, that's the bit we never quite managed," Severus said, unable to keep the frustration of that
memory from his voice. All three of them just stared at their snowman in contemplative silence for
several minutes. Their concentration was suddenly broken when their Slytherin snowman's head
fell off. It was then that they saw the barrage of snowballs flying at him from behind.

With a yell of pure fury, Raislen dashed in the direction of the flying snowballs, Severus and
Heather on his heals. Whoever had decided to ruin their fun was going to pay. When they
discovered just who had chosen to do so, it was not at all a surprise. James, Sirius and Peter
laughed, lobbing their snowballs at the three of them now rather than their snowman. That hardly
mattered, because all their pelting had already knocked him down.

The Gryffindors' snowballs weren't soft and harmless as were the sorts Heather, Raislen and
Severus had made to strike one another for their snowball fights. Instead, James, Sirius, and Peter
had packed their snowballs down so that they were rock hard. They must have made enough of
them in advance, Severus thought as a dark rage filled him.

They must have seen their Slytherin snowman and decided that it would be great fun to ruin him.
How he hated them. What sorts of prats had fun doing such things? This was precisely why he
disliked most other children. They were either like these gits, or somehow thought gits like them
were the greatest thing after self stirring cauldrons. Yelling, he forgot to throw snowballs, using his
feet and fists on all three Gryffindor Gits instead. Of course they responded in kind and Heather
and Raislen also joined in the fray. None of them ever knew who, but some Prefect or other must
have reported them, for Professors Slughorn and McGonagall were suddenly there, yanking them
apart with magic, effectively ending the brawl.

"One-hundred-and-fifty points from Slytherin," Professor Slughorn thundered.

"Precisely," McGonagall snapped out. "One-hundred-and-fifty points from Gryffindor as well. I do

hope you are all quite satisfied."

"But that isn't fair," Raislen burst out, turning indignantly to professor Slughorn. "They started with
us."

"Untrue," James said smoothly. His tone was reasonable, as if he'd never done an unjust thing in his
life. Severus glared. "We were actually attacking their snowman," James continued. "Snowmen
have no feelings, so we did no harm. It was just a joke. They charged at us like three wild bulls
over a snowman!"

Sirius nodded. "They're all three a bit mad if you ask me."

"I'll show you mad, you little," Raislen growled.

"Mr. Westcraven," Professor Slughorn snapped. "Because I am a reasonable man, and because you
are usually a good student, I shall offer you a choice. Detention with the headmaster to whom you
can explain your unjustifiable behavior or fifty more points from Slytherin. Which is it to be?"

"But they," Raislen began angrily.

Professor Slughorn cut in with a sharp clearing of his throat. "Which is it to be, Mr. Westcraven?"

Raislen sighed as Severus glared daggers at the three Gryffindor gits. That glare held a promise for
retribution to come.

"Detention, I suppose," Raislen said glumly. "Slytherin house shouldn't have to pay simply because
I am not allowed to protest unfair treatment."

"I am warning you, Mr. Westcraven," Slughorn said.

"May we have detention with him, Sir," Heather asked suddenly. Severus nodded hurriedly,
wishing he'd thought of it. He'd just allowed the gits to distract him with rage. If today had taught
him nothing else, he'd learned that rage was difficult to think through.

"That is very fair of you, Miss Knight," Professor Slughorn said, giving her a pleased smile. "You
may all report to Headmaster Dumbledore tomorrow directly after classes. For now, it's to the
common room with all of you." As the three walked away, they could hear McGonagall berating
the three Gryffindor Gits. At least that was something, Severus thought darkly. Just not nearly
enough. No one spoke until they were in the Slytherin common room where they huddled together
in a corner. All three were so angry that they forgot to remove their heavy winter cloaks.

"It's not fair," Raislen growled through gritted teeth. "What was Slughorn thinking?"

Severus found himself wondering what Dumbledore would say tomorrow. "Who knows," he
muttered darkly. "It makes me sick how they always manage to paint everything as a harmless
prank, though."
Heather nodded. "Somehow enough people seem to fall for it too," she marveled.

"It's alright," Severus soothed all three of them. "We'll get even eventually."

The next day, they all met up after classes so that they could arrive at their detention together.
Somehow it was important to present a united front. Headmaster Dumbledore gave them a pleasant
smile of greeting, but the expression didn't last long, quickly becoming a look of open
disappointment. "How is it that none of my favorite students ever invite me to tea for a nice sit
down and catch up? Instead I only see them when there is trouble."

"But they started it," Raislen protested at once. "Sir," he added hastily.

Dumbledore nodded, tugging at the ends of his sweeping mustaches. "Would anyone care for a
lemon drop," he inquired distractedly. All three accepted a candy to be polite. Once that pleasantry
was done and over, the headmaster continued to speak. "They started it, and they goaded all of you
into losing points with them, when it could've just been them who lost house points. They also
goaded you into this detention and you allowed it. Do you know what this means?" When they all
three sullenly shook their heads, he gave a sad smile. "It means that you gave up your power. You
could've simply reported them instead. A very neat solution, simple and free of violence."

Raislen shook his head. "They'd have just said something smarmy and gotten away with it as
always."

"Perhaps not," Albus said. "Not if you'd gone to the right professors, who are aware of such tricks."

Severus thought of Flitwick right away, and even Dumbledore himself. He found himself giving a
slight nod of understanding. "We could've done," he admitted. "But later they'd make us pay so why
not just be done with the fight now?"

Albus sighed. "I think you are all smart enough to come up with a better way. Remember, when
you give up your power, you don't just give it up. You hand it to someone else," he said gravely.
Severus turned this over and over in his mind as he stood in front of the headmaster's large
cluttered desk. Eventually he glanced at Heather and Raislen to see thoughtful expressions on their
faces as well. They were also considering how to best apply that lesson for the future. "For now,
though," Dumbledore continued. "Why not have some tea. I can see that I have at least given you
something to think about, and that's enough for today."
 The Other Brother

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 20, The Other Brother

Throughout the rest of that school year, Severus thought frequently about the concept of power that
the Headmaster had introduced to them on their day of detention in his office. Of course being
powerless meant that someone else had your power, but often one didn't think about it like
something that they just handed over.

Instead one could feel as if power was simply taken away, but Albus Dumbledore knew better and
now so did Severus. He never forgot it and the realization was turning his mind more and more to
ways of keeping his power. Clutching onto it so that it would be all his to use and no one else's. Of
course this manifested itself in his choice to keep his emotions more in check when it came to the
Gryffindor Gang of Gits. Showing his emotional hand too readily clearly gave away too much
power. If they had to guess what he was thinking or planning, it put him in charge of that game, or
at least more in charge of it.

They may be three or four to his one, depending on the day, but he was smarter and better than all
of them. And of course Heather and Raislen took any opportunity to pay the Gits back when they
could as well. For his part, Raislen pretended to play pranks on them. It was a pretense, because
where his pranks were amusing and harmless to his friends, they were more uncomfortable and
embarrassing for the Gryffindor Gits.

Severus channeled his efforts for keeping his own power into planning toward his future. There was
only so many ways a twelve-year-old could have power. As Raislen was always so fond of saying,
knowledge was power. With that ever in mind, Severus buckled down even more when it came to
books and hands on magical practice of all sorts. Of course he dedicated the most attention to the
things he loved most, potions, Dark Arts, defense, Wards, Charms, and magical history, but he
studied all of it. Well most of it, as he did tend to neglect Transfigurations simply because his utter
lack of enjoyment in the art as well as the class sapped his energy. Perhaps it was due to being
immersed in his studies, but thankfully interactions with the Gryffindor Gits were sparse for the rest
of the year. Oh there were certainly run-ins, but they were few and far between. Though Severus
didn't always come out on top, he never failed to leave his mark so that the gang couldn't feel
entirely victorious.

Due to the fact he always leaned toward darker studies where the Gits did not, his retaliative hexes
always left a sting for them to remember him by. Once Heather paid a Gryffindor Prefect to
'accidentally' lock them out of their own common room for several hours which was precious.
When the school year ended, Raislen and Heather promised to write as they had last year. Raislen's
family was off to Ireland for the summer to book hunt, but Heather was staying home. She'd
begged her parents for a relaxing summer this year, so they agreed to take some time out of touring.

Eileen surprised Severus with a note the day before everyone was to return home on the Hogwarts
Express. She told him not to ride the train, but instead to wait for her to pick him up in the
Headmaster's office because she had a surprise for him. Though disappointed to miss the train ride
with Heather and Raislen, Severus was excited to see what his Mum had planned.
"Try to have a good summer, Kid," Raislen said, giving Severus a quick hug as he and Heather
headed out.

"Yes, and I'll write as soon as I have anything interesting to say," Heather said, ruffling his hair as
she passed. "If there is nothing interesting, I'll write in a week for sure just to see how you are."
Severus waved them off as they lugged their heavy trunks out of the school. Once they were out of
sight with the other departing students, he hurried to Headmaster Dumbledore's office to meet his
mum. When he arrived, the two were chatting. Both wore serious expressions that made Severus
feel oddly uncomfortable. He was relatively certain they were speaking of him. Both Eileen and
Dumbledore brightened as he entered, and Eileen wasted no time in sharing her surprise. It was a
three day stay at the Three Broomsticks. "I thought it would be nice to spend a few days knocking
around town...away from your grandfather. We can eat out and shop, and just enjoy ourselves," she
said.

"Brilliant," Severus said. He threw his arms around her and hugged her tight. "Thanks, Mum!" Any
excuse not to return to Grandfather prince's was good, but this miniature vacation did sound like
great fun. He was eager to have his Mum's attention all to himself. At Grandfather's she was
overworked with making potions for the shops she sold to and emotionally beaten down from her
father's constant disapproval when it came to...basically everything she or Severus ever did.

Headmaster Dumbledore wished them a good summer and they left Hogwarts. Chatting randomly
about this and that just for the sake of doing so, they walked into town. Eileen floated Severus's
trunks along behind them with her own, and both were in a light carefree mood. The weather was
pleasant, and it just felt good to be outside. Neither was much of an outdoors person by nature, but
both could enjoy it on occasion, especially when doing something they particularly liked.

They took their time with a leisurely stroll through town. First they went to drop off their trunks at
The Three Broomsticks. Eileen paid for a room with two beds and they took a few minutes to settle
in before heading back out into town. The afternoon was full of shop browsing and ice cream. They
returned to the Three Broomsticks for dinner, then went up to their room for a long overdue family
game night. Eileen had packed several board games.

Some were magical and some were those Muggle ones that Severus and she used to play with
Tobias. For too many years, playing them was too sad for them to stand. At last, though, they could
enjoy them again, thinking of the man who'd taught them both how to play with fond smiles rather
than sadness. Enjoying Tobias's memory together, away from the condemning glare of Grandfather
Prince, added an extra element to their time of family bonding. The next two days were much the
same, with their mornings and afternoons spent in town and evenings spent relaxing at the Three
Broomsticks. Spending this time with his mum showed Severus just how much he'd missed her
while at school. Being away from Prince Manor was amazingly freeing for them both. It just felt so
much more mentally healthy. They were free to laugh and chat without the certainty of a rude
comment from the Prince family patriarch. They were free to just be happy.

For too long, simple happiness had not seemed easy for either of them. Of course when their three
day vacation was over, and they had to return home, the difference was definitely felt. It was far
easier to be themselves, to expand into their full potential away from Prince Manor. Severus's mum
was his happy place, and he was hers, but neither could fully bloom or be themselves under the
cold influence of Grandfather Prince. Even when he wasn't in a room, his cold influence permeated
everything from the decor down to the ever present chill in the air. The place was never warm, even
in the summer.
Severus's bedroom, just under the attic, was the only room in the place aside from the attic itself not
to have a chill. The rising of the summer heat made it extremely stifling. Unfortunately, this meant
that it was quite uncomfortable, which didn't serve to improve Severus's mood. Heather's letters
were far more frequent than Raislen's as she was home where he traveled. She and Severus mainly
wrote back and forth about the books they were currently reading as neither had big summer plans.

Heather was happy to remain at home for some restful peace and quiet' as she put it, but Severus
would've preferred to be anywhere else. Grandfather Prince never missed an opportunity to put
Severus or Eileen down, so his very presence was infuriating. As such, Severus would've given
anything to be away from it. Near the end of the summer, Heather wrote to announce that she'd
been made a Prefect. She was excited about this, believing it would give her more power to get the
Gryffindor Gang of Gits in trouble when they started in on Severus. Severus had to admit that
thought was an uplifting one. Raislen wrote to both twice over the summer, mostly listing off the
new books he'd gotten so they could request the ones they wished to borrow. Their book requests
were the ones he'd bring along to Hogwarts with him. Though many sounded intriguing, the one
Severus was most eager to see was called Lost Potions Of Ancient Rome. The book was as good as
he'd hoped. It was so fascinating, in fact, that he was more interested in reading it on the train than
chatting with Raislen and Heather.

"He doesn't even want to talk to us," Heather huffed, reaching to tug the book gently from Severus's
hands. She made sure to be gentle because the book was very old.

"I wrote to you all summer," Severus protested. "I think we exchanged sixteen letters."

"But you haven't written sixteen times to Raislen, or heard how his trip went. I want to know how
he found books about Rome in Ireland."

"It was a really good book shop," Raislen said. His expression was full of awe, which made
Severus really want to see that book store if it could impress Raislen that much. "They had stuff
from everywhere...and I do mean everywhere, including some places that no longer exist."

"Wow," Heather breathed. "I have envy."

"Same here," Severus agreed, reaching to take the book on ancient Roman potions back from
Heather. "I am going to soothe my envy by reading this book, because for now, it is as close as I'll
get to that store."

Heather sighed in resignation, lifting her hands in defeat as Severus reclaimed his treasure. He was
still reading during the sorting, due to having no interest in any of the first year prats. That was
until a name filtered through his consciousness, causing rage filled adrenaline to shoot through him.
"Black, Regulus," Professor Mcgonagall called out. Could there truly be another one? Was fate
truly that unkind? Sirius Black was bad enough. With a brother at his side, adding to his raging
gitness, Severus didn't know if he'd be able to stand it. He'd beg to transfer to Durmstrang. He'd run
away. He'd..."

The kid was far smaller than his prattish older brother, and held his head proudly as he approached
the stool for his sorting. What was he so proud of, Severus wondered darkly. How well he could
bully someone? Sirius and James would just love to have another prat in their gang, he was sure. To
make matters even worse, Severus was too vexed to enjoy the book on Roman potions, at least for
the moment.
 A New Ally

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 21, A New Ally

Severus turned to look for the Gits over at the Gryffindor table as Sirius's little brother adjusted the
sorting hat on his head. Likely Sirius was expecting the little git to be in Gryffindor as well. To
Severus's surprise, the git didn't look particularly happy, though. He was leaning to mutter
something to James, glaring darkly at Regulus as he did.

"SLYTHERIN," the hat shouted, and a look of relief mixed with pride flickered over Regulus's face
before he coolly rose, replacing the hat on the stool. Smiling widely, he walked to the Slytherin
table with his head high.

"Do we try to talk to him," Heather whispered, glancing from Raislen to Severus. "Sirius-Prat was
certainly glaring daggers!"

So immersed in his own personal issues was he over the situation, that Severus had nearly forgotten
that his friends were there with him. As such, Heather's hushed voice almost caused him to start.

"It could be interesting for informational purposes," Raislen replied thoughtfully. "What do you
think, Kid?"

"Better hurry and decide," Heather murmured insistently. "He's about to sit down."

"Fine," Severus decided in a rush. "I am curious. But if he's like his brother, we make him pay."

"Done," Raislen agreed happily. Lifting a hand, he waved the younger Black brother over. "Why
don't you sit with us," he invited. "There are no first years for you to sit with yet, after all, and we
can answer any questions you have about the school if you like." Raislen spoke with his customary
easy friendliness, giving Regulus a warm smile.

"Unless your older brother has already prepared you for everything, of course," Heather added
smoothly. She kept her voice just above a whisper, because the sorting was still going on. Severus,
not so much a people person, admired their easy talent when it came to making polite conversation.

Regulus sat down near Severus, smiling gratefully. "Thank you," he murmured, also keeping his
tones hushed. "That's very kind. And no...My older brother hasn't told me much at all about
Hogwarts. Any information I have about this place comes from my parents and older cousins, who
of course also attended."

"I'm Raislen Westcraven, this is Severus Snape, and our brand new Prefect Heather Toy Knight!"

"It's Heather Knight," Heather said, reaching to punch Raislen in the stomach as usual. As he sat
right beside her, her her fist had no trouble reaching its target. Regulus's expression of polite,
friendly interest turned to one of alarm at the casual assault.

"Don't worry," Severus drawled, finally addressing the younger Black brother."She won't hit you if
you don't call her Heather Toy."
Heather nodded. "Right. It's that simple."

Regulus's brows shot up. "In that case, why do you call her that," he asked Raislen.

Severus sighed. "It's one of life's great mysteries."

"It's just me showing affection," Raislen insisted, laughing.

"SHUSH," Heather said, glancing worriedly toward the staff table. "You're laughing too loudly."

Regulus's blue gaze narrowed thoughtfully. "So she is showing affection when she hits you?"

Raislen laughed again. "Perhaps. Is that it, Heather Toy?" Heather's fist swung, and Raislen caught
it in mid air with a chuckle. "She's so fast, like a spin top toy," he insisted to Regulus. "I've never
seen anyone move as fast as Heather Toy does when she's angry."

"Yes, Raislen," Heather said. Severus could clearly detect the sarcasm in her sugary sweet tone. "I
am very affectionate." Leaning forward, she hit him in the stomach with her other fist. Raislen
made a pained grunting sound as all the air rushed from his lungs. It was Heather's turn to laugh.
Severus couldn't help but cringe. It must have been a hard one. At least Raislen was quiet now,
though. Raislen released her wrist as he doubled over.

"Better stop, or you'll cost us house points," he managed.

"Which probably wouldn't look so great from a Prefect," Severus added tactfully.

"Fine, but Raislen had better stop too, else I'll use my prefect status to do something to him,"
Heather told Severus, clearly ignoring Raislen.

"That will only hurt the entirety of Slytherin, though," Severus pointed out.

Heather sighed. "True," she admitted. Regulus gave them a bemused glance.

"He's wondering if we're all nutters," Raislen grumbled, and Regulus grinned.

"He's good," he commented to the ceiling.

"So, are you disappointed not to have been sorted into Gryffindor with your brother," Heather
asked, at last getting to the heart of what they all wanted to know.

"Not in the least," Regulus said coldly. He shot a dark glare toward the Gryffindor table. "Unlike
Sirius, I have no desire to shame my family. He behaves as if he is far too good for the Noble and
Most Ancient House Of Black, but he is nothing but a shame and a blatant embarrassment to us
all."

Severus let out a small sigh of relief. "Well that's good to know," Raislen said. "Because if you
were anything like your older brother, we'd have to hurt you."

Regulus laughed, then clapped a hand to his mouth. It was his turn to cast a worried glance toward
the staff table. "Perhaps you lot aren't too insane after all, then. At least you know who is rotten."

Raislen grinned. "For sure. He started off on his first day giving The Kid here hell." As he spoke,
Raislen nodded toward Severus, indicating that he was The Kid in question.
"Sirius and I are in the same year," Severus explained. "He and his friend James disliked the Dark
Arts book I was reading, and so thus myself as well. They informed me of this by starting trouble
that has never really ended to this day. Their little group of four love to gang up on me, but I can
hold my own at worst and embarrass or hurt them at best."

Regulus's eyes showed momentary surprise when Severus mentioned Sirius ganging up on him
with a group, but then his lip curled in open contempt. "He was a bully when it was only him. I just
bet he loves having more like him to help spread the joy and love."

Severus burst into rare laughter at that, and Heather and Raislen smiled. "So he bullied you at
home, then," Severus asked. Somehow that didn't truly surprise him. Perhaps it was because he
couldn't imagine the closeness siblings could have, being an only as were his friends. Perhaps it
was simply because Sirius and his lot were so dreadful that he could picture them bullying anyone,
even a younger sibling.

"Oh he tried," Regulus said tightly. "He always disliked me and Kreacher too."

"Kreacher," Severus asked. The name was odd yet interesting.

"He's my best friend...And our family house elf," Regulus explained, adding the later bit nearly as
an afterthought. Kreacher and I do our best to uphold the family values, and Sirius hates the family
values and thus us.""

Severus nodded. That explained how they'd treated him over his book quite a lot. It explained it, it
did not excuse it. "What have The Dark Arts ever done to him," he asked and Regulus shrugged.

"He just hates everything. As soon as he learned how dreadful Muggles are, he decided to learn all
he could about them and take up some of their trends just to vex our parents." At Regulus's words
about Muggles, Severus could practically feel Heather and Raislen exchanging a look. He felt a
sinking in the pit of his stomach. Regulus had seemed so promising. He could've been a new friend,
as well as an ally against The Gryffindor Gang Of Gits. He and Severus could've stood against
them together like brothers in arms. Before he could decide what to say, or if he planned to
comment at all, Regulus was going on. "And of course he hates everything The Dark Lord stands
for. He went and got himself sorted into Gryffindor intentionally to shame our family."

"Be quiet, you lot," Professor Slughorn hissed. He'd come over from the staff table without any of
them noticing. Severus dropped his gaze to the table, hoping the professor wouldn't choose to take
points from Slytherin. When he only walked away, Severus relaxed. Slughorn didn't like his house
to lose, so he let things slide when he could. The silence while the boring sorting continued,
allowed Severus to think, and take stock of the situation. He could've had an ally in Regulus, but
the boy may, in his way, be as bad as his older brother.

He admired Voldemort, the monster who'd killed Severus's own father. That wasn't the sort of
person he wanted to call friend, and he knew Heather and Raislen felt the same. They'd always
been clear and united on their anti-Voldemort stance. Through the years, though, Severus had never
wavered on his deep inner desire to take Voldemort down for the killing of Tobias Snape. Were he
to befriend an admirer of Voldemort's perhaps he could learn useful things about his enemy.

He knew he could be too quick to react at times, so this forced lull in conversation had been a
blessing. It had given him time to process the situation, and thus to handle the situation in the most
advantageous way. Regulus Black could be another bit of power for Severus if he played his friend
card right. With Regulus as a friend, he would have an ally against Sirius, as well as a good source
of information when it came to Voldemort. People like Regulus could likely teach Severus a lot
about the monster in question if he kept his own feelings on the matter to himself.

A voice calling from the far end of the Slytherin table drew Severus from his thoughts. "Already
trying to lose our house points on your first day, Black? Making friends and losing points, that's the
way!" The sorting was over as was Dumbledore's speech. The food had just appeared and
everyone, or most everyone was tucking in. Severus glanced toward the end of the table to see the
seventh year Slytherin Prefect waving at Regulus, laughter in his dark eyes.

Regulus squirmed, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, Rabastan. We were just talking about..." He jerked
his head expressively toward the Gryffindor table. "My new friends don't like him either."

Regulus called them friends, Severus registered. Good. That was good.
 The Fab Four Of Slytherin

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 22, The Fab Four Of Slytherin

When everyone headed from The Great Hall for their common rooms after the feast, Regulus
tagged along with Severus, Heather and Raislen. "It's so brilliant meeting other people so soon who
also hate my elder prat of a brother," he gushed. "And the fact you all appreciate rare books is
another huge plus." Fancy being considered one of the cool kids, Severus thought in bemused
amusement.

"Pleased to be of service," he quipped and Regulus laughed.

"Regi! Come along with me for a bit. I'm showing all the first year Slytherins about so you lot
know what's what!" The call came from Rabastan Lestrange, Slytherin's head boy. Regulus flushed
from his neck to the tips of his ears.

"Do. not. call. me. Regi." As he spoke, he turned to glare darkly at Rabastan.

The tall, lanky youth was nonplussed, merely grinning and giving a shrug. "It's easier and faster to
say, so you're going to have to learn to live with it. There is only so much time in the day, after all,
and I won't be taking up all of mine saying REGULUS all the time when I could just as easily say
Regi."

"Go ahead," Severus told Regulus. "We'll just be reading in the common room. You can catch up
with us there."

"Thanks," Regulus said, giving a hasty bob of his head. It was clear that he was still embarrassed
by Rabastan calling him Regi. Severus supposed he could relate. He'd not be at all pleased if
anyone were foolish enough to try calling him Sev. Rabastan and Regulus appeared to know one
another very well. As the Blacks and Lestranges were both very old wizarding families, famed for
their purist values, it was no surprise. Regulus hurried off with Rabastan, and Heather, Raislen and
Severus headed for the Slytherin common room. Severus was glad for the moments alone with his
friends. It gave him the opportunity to share his thoughts on Regulus. As soon as the three were
seated in their favorite knot of three chairs before the fire, Heather turned to Severus, speaking
before he could. "Soooo..." She arched her brows enquiringly and waited.

"I plan to keep him around. He's alright save for the dislike of Muggles bit, and perhaps I can use
him some day. He's Sirius Black's bloody brother and he hates him too! Sirius will hate that we're
friends, and we could work together against him." He had to admit to a rush of glee at the very
thought of having an ally against Sirius and his lot. While Heather and Raislen were more than
happy to help Severus pay the Gryffindor gits back for their gitnesses, they did so out of loyalty to
him. It was touching if embarrassing at times. When it came to Regulus, though, things were
different. Severus relished having someone on his team who, like him, had personal reasons to hate
Sirius and his lot.

Heather's mouth gaped. "But isn't the dislike of Muggles bit a rather big bit? She was clearly
confused and incredulous. Severus looked to Raislen, certain the other boy would understand, but
Raislen just looked oddly worried. He remained silent, listening as the conversation unfolded.
"I want to make HIM sorry for what he did, and you know it. Knowing people like Regulus shall
only make that easier," Severus murmured. As he spoke, he glanced around furtively to be sure no
one else was within earshot. Obviously Heather and Raislen would know who (HE) was.

"And you don't have plans for how this will happen yet," Heather asked. "Carrying out such a plan
shan't be easy...or safe either for that matter."

Severus shrugged. "I won't be rushing into anything without planning it out carefully. I just want to
do what I can to put an end to someone that many people don't want around for good reason. I'm
sure I shan't be alone. Besides, there is nothing I can do now but gather information, and people
like Regulus can be useful in such an endeavor."

Heather spared a quick glance for Raislen, who remained stoically silent. Huffing a sigh she
shrugged. "Whatever. Just please be careful."

"Obviously," Severus said. "I'm not into self-sacrifice."

"Good to know," Raislen said with a short laugh.

"Someone's got to stop him," Severus said, not liking the odd way Raislen was behaving on the
matter.

"Yeah and that's what Aurors are for," Raislen said. "I'm for keeping me and mine safe."

Severus frowned. He didn't want to be an Auror. "Well the Aurors aren't succeeding, are they? How
many shall die while we wait about for that?" Raislen opened his mouth, then shut it again. Severus
was enjoying his small victory when Regulus hurried in, clearly peering about for them as he
entered.

"Over here," Heather called, waving at him.

"Hi," Regulus said brightly. "At least that didn't take long. Hopefully now I shan't get lost trying to
find my classes."

"Don't count on it," Raislen said with a chuckle. "It's not you, though, it's the castle. I think it likes
to play about."

"What does that mean," Regulus asked. As he spoke, he pulled another chair over to join their little
cluster by the fire.

"You'll see eventually," Raislen said cryptically. "If you do get lost, in a way that seems to have no
logic to it what so ever, nearly like you're dreaming and things got all wonky, just remember this
conversation." He chuckled. "There is usually someone about to ask for directions, or at least a
ghost or portrait. If not, the castle will right itself eventually. In that case, the dream switches back
to normal, and things are suddenly once more where you thought they were."

"Ah. That nearly makes sense," Regulus chuckled. Leaning back in his chair, he regarded the
ceiling thoughtfully. "Do you know if it's intentional, or if the castle is so full of old magic, new
magic, and enchantments running constantly that it's gone a little wild?"

"We don't know, but I'm betting on the later," Raislen said. Severus liked the way Regulus thought.
He was nearly as smart as Severus himself was at his age.
"So do you and Lestrange go way back, then," Heather asked suddenly.

"Oh sure," Regulus said, straightening up in the chair so that he could properly regard her. "He's
Rod's little brother, and Rod is married to my favorite cousin Bellatrix. I knew the Lestranges long
before that, though. They're old family friends, and Rabastan was always about with Rod who was
always about with Bella, who was my favorite cousin, I was always about with whenever the
families got together." He grinned suddenly. "Did you manage to follow all that," he asked Heather,
good natured amusement dancing in his blue eyes.

She returned his smile. "Yes, actually."

"Do you know Rabastan well," he asked. "I mean I assume you know him some, being in the same
house."

Heather shrugged. "He's older and runs with older kids, so not really. He's never bothered me,
though, unlike this one." She shot a pointed glare at Raislen who smirked back.

"Well has Rabastan Lestrange ever allowed you to borrow his rare books?" As he spoke, Raislen
snatched the book Heather was holding from her hands. It was, of course, one of the new ones he'd
brought with him that very day. He'd gotten it on his summer travels.

"Hey," Heather protested, snatching the book back. "I didn't say I liked him more or anything. He
just doesn't call me Heather toy."

"You don't speak, so how can he call you anything," Severus pointed out.

"Yes." Heather nodded.

Raislen sighed and shook his head in resignation. "Girls are weird," he told Regulus. "Be careful of
that."

"You...Are calling me weird," Heather exclaimed incredulously. "I think my head is going to
explode."

Regulus cleared his throat. "Well, if your head is going to explode, you won't be able to read that
book, so may I see it?"

Heather blinked at Regulus, then down at the book of Raislen's that she held. Laughing, she passed
it to Black after glancing to Raislen for permission.
 With Great Power Comes Great Enjoyment Of It At Times

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 23, With Great Power Comes Great Enjoyment Of It At Times

"Where is Heather Toy," Raislen wondered. He glanced around the Slytherin common room as if
expecting the very question to summon her.

"Best not call her that in case she shows up," Regulus warned. He, Raislen and Severus had just
convened in the common room to decide what they'd do with their evening before dinner. Classes
had just concluded for the day but they all still had plenty of energy left for a bit of fun. "So are we
going to race on Dumbledore's stairs," Regulus asked.

"Yeah, probably, but let's wait for Heather Toy," Raislen said.

"Again be careful with the calling her that," Regulus said, frowning in open concern.

"She won't hit us, just him," Severus assured, properly reading the reason for Regulus's concern.
"As long as we don't say the T word, we're safe. Granted hearing the T word constantly makes this
more difficult than you might think," he added. It was his turn to scowl at Raislen, who didn't
notice.

"She'll know where we are," Regulus said, picking back up with planning their pre-dinner activities
now that he knew he was safe from being stomach punched by Heather Knight. "She'll just meet us
at Dumbledore's office."

"Probably, but let's wait a bit. She probably got stuck with Prefecting," Raislen said.

Clearly impatient, Regulus sighed, slumping into the green couch on which he sat with Severus.
After staring broodingly into the fire for several seconds, he sighed again and rose to his feet. "Fine
then. I'm going to go and write Kreacher. If Heather gets here before I return, you aren't allowed to
leave me. You waited for her, you can wait for me."

"No," Raislen said, a good natured grin of amusement playing over his lips as he pointed out the
flaw in that line of thinking. "You know we'll be racing on Dumbledore's stairs, and Heather Toy
does not. So you can go to Dumbledore's if we aren't here because you are aware."

Regulus shook his head, having a ready comeback with his own logical conclusion. "But the race
will already be started, and that's no fair. You'll all be on your third or forth lap and I'll be far
behind," he complained.

"I guess," Raislen agreed reluctantly.

"Thank you," Regulus said, mollified. "Say, how do you know that Heather isn't just doing
something with her girlfriends, anyway," he asked. "How long must we wait about?"

"She does do things with the girls sometimes, but she always lets us know," Raislen explained.
"She didn't mention it. We'll just wait for half an hour, okay?"
"Fine," Regulus sighed. "I'll go write that letter, and be back directly."

"Why are you writing a letter home so soon anyway," Severus wondered. "You've not even been at
Hogwarts for an entire week." It was three days to be precise.

"Because Kreacher will wonder how it's going with me," Regulus said. "And he may have news to
report for all I know. We always share news as well as our general thoughts on things. It's rather
nice to have someone to do that with." Severus felt a stab of envy at that. He had Raislen and
Heather now, but clearly Regulus had had Kreacher long before arriving at Hogwarts. Having a
friend during those younger years would've been nice, Severus admitted silently to himself.

"Besides," Regulus said, an eager smile suddenly breaking over his face. "Kreacher shall just pop
when I tell him about you, Severus!"

"Why," Severus asked. He couldn't help giving Regulus a startled glance, for he hadn't been
expecting that.

Regulus chuckled. "Because Sirius and James hate you as much as they hate me and Kreacher,
remember? Sirius really hates the fact that we became friends so quickly."

Severus grinned, because that was true. Though Sirius and James hadn't turned things physical,
they'd given he and Regulus plenty of dirty looks over the past few days. They'd also attempted to
turn Regulus against Severus the first day of classes. Sirius actually told his brother that Severus
could not be trusted.

Except he called Severus that other horrid stupid name he'd come up with. Regulus had laughed in
his face and otherwise ignored him. Of course that hadn't gone over well, but other than dark looks,
Sirius had taken no action as of yet. Neither Regulus nor Severus was foolish enough to believe it
wasn't coming, though. They both knew Sirius too well, after all. Sirius would never be content just
letting them be. The very sight of their faces each day would be too much for him. "I still don't get
why he thought you'd believe anything HE said of all people," Severus said. He raised his brows,
giving his head a baffled shake.

"I know," Regulus said. "I'd never believe anything he says, which he ought to know. And even if I
hadn't met you yet, I'd have befriended you at once upon hearing how much he disliked you," he
told Severus, giving an amused smirk.

"He isn't smart, and he is desperate, so there you are," Raislen said. "He hates the fact that you have
even more back up now. He really hates the fact that you'll have back up when Heather Toy and I
are gone." Severus felt his stomach sinking at the very thought of Heather and Raislen no longer
being with him at Hogwarts.

"That'll be a long time from now," he insisted hurriedly.

Raislen grinned, nodding. "That's true.""

"So now that you know what I'm going to write Kreacher about, I'm off," Regulus said dryly. He'd
only taken a few steps away from the couch and toward the door of the Slytherin common room
when said door flew open and a wild eyed Heather rushed inside.

"Oh gods, it was brilliant," she breathed, rushing over to them. "I was so amazing!"
Regulus and Severus both brightened with interest. "I can easily believe that," Raislen said. "What
did you do?"

"Oh it was utterly, epically, awesome," Heather said. Her expression was nothing short of ecstatic
as she whirled in a circle in front of the boys, then began excitedly skipping in place. "I made
James Potter drink toilet water!"

Severus choked as his eyes flew wide. This may possibly be the best day of his life, he realized.
"Oooh," he breathed. "How!"

"Why not Sirius too," Regulus demanded unhappily.

Heather shot him a dark look for not being as impressed as he should be. "Because, Prat. For some
reason, he wasn't there."

Regulus sighed. "Very well. What happened?"

"Welllll," Heather said, clearly drawing out the moment as she continued to skip in place. "I went to
grab a book from the library for that upcoming project for History Of Magic." She cast a look to
Raislen, who nodded as he shared the upcoming history project with her.

"I thought you lot could help Raislen and I work on it today," Heather continued, nodding at
Regulus and Severus. "I happened to hear James and Peter talking about slipping into Slughorn's
office in order to find the answers to next week's potions test for third years." She grinned. "That's
when I knew I had them. I said if James didn't drink toilet water from the lavatory just outside the
Great Hall, I'd tell Slughorn!" Her brown eyes sparkled. "I said I'd recorded them on my wand, and
would play it back to Slughorn if he did not comply. I reminded him that as a Slytherin Prefect,
Slughorn would always take my word over his regardless. I bloody loved the sweet, sweet taste of
power," she concluded breathlessly. She smiled happily at Severus as he gaped at her.

"Well, did he drink it," he asked.

Heather laughed. "You bloody bet he did. Just a swallow, but he drank it. He refused to drink more
and said I could just tell Slughorn if that wasn't enough, but I told him that we're good this time."

"Why," Regulus demanded angrily. "They would've lost house points for cheating."

Heather gave a sigh of clear regret. "I know, but I didn't really record the conversation. There
wasn't time. I didn't even know they were in the library until I heard them talking on the other side
of the book shelf that I was looking at. Hey, I did tell him that this was for being rubbish to you all
the time, Severus," she added, the happy smile returning to her face. "I showed him."

Severus blushed. "Thanks, Heather." Rising, he gave her a quick, awkward hug.

"That bloody ruled," Raislen said, reaching to clap Heather on the shoulder. "May I hug you too?"

"Thank you, Raislen, for the compliment, and no, you may not," Heather said. She did smile at him,
though, and that softened the words a bit as Severus saw it.

"I must go and write Kreacher now," Regulus said. "I have far too much good news not to share it
right away."

Raislen sighed. "Fine. We'll wait for you, but hurry."

 Fool Me Once, You Will Pay

I Walk Alone,

Chapter 24, Fool Me Once, You Will Pay

The three waited almost patiently for Regulus to write his elf. They would've been more impatient
but the general mood was lifted for all by Heather's antics. Soon enough Regulus was back, though,
his face flushed from running. "I did my best to hurry, but I had quite a bit to write," he said
breathlessly. "Kreacher shall be so thrilled that I've made us some new friends."

Severus, Raislen and Heather exchanged a glance. "Us," Raislen asked.

"Sure," Regulus said. "You are certain to meet Kreacher some day if we all remain friends, and I
see no reason why we shouldn't. Kreacher is brilliant and funny with very useful magical abilities.
Anyone should be glad to be his friend, and I'm sure you all shall like him as much as I do."
Severus hadn't met many elves, but none of the few he'd encountered seemed particularly interested
in direct friendships with wizards. They were all polite and respectful enough, but that was a far cry
from close friendship as he saw it.

Regulus appeared to be a bit of an odd one but that wasn't always a bad thing. Some would call
Severus odd as well, a fact of which he was well aware. *Some* as in certain specific gittish
Gryffindors. Perhaps he was odd at that, but there was nothing wrong with not being like everyone
else. When it came down to it, he felt he was more than most people. More intelligent, more
talented, more perceptive and brave enough to be himself. There were all sorts of bravery, not just
the annoying Gryffindor sort, whatever that sort truly was. If it meant attacking one person with an
entire pack, he wasn't impressed.

The group's high spirits held throughout the evening. They enthusiastically raced one another on
Dumbledore's stairs before settling down beside the lake to work on various homework
assignments. They good-naturedly helped one another out with ready answers or helpful
suggestions. All in all, the evening was pleasant.

They were all even in relatively good spirits at breakfast the next morning, though no one truly
wished to be awake yet. By lunch, however, Regulus's good mood had slipped. When he joined the
other three at the Slytherin table, he was scowling darkly. "Of course he can't just bloody leave me
alone. I'd be happy just ignoring one another, but that just isn't in his blood," he practically snarled
through gritted teeth.

Severus didn't need to ask who. "What's Sirius done now," he wondered, making a face.

"He can be next," Heather said happily and Regulus chuckled, relaxing into his chair at the
supportive words from his new friends. "It wasn't really anything he did. I mean he only talked. He
cornered me on the way to The Great Hall and got in my face, leaning over me in some weak
attempt to intimidate I suppose." He made a derisive face. "So he's all in my personal space, telling
me to watch it and that my friends should learn to leave his alone. I said that if only he and his
friends set such an example first, I'm quite certain they'd be glad to."

"True enough," Raislen nodded. "Had that lot not started with Severus the first day for literally
existing, none of us would ever have cause to even speak to them." Severus nodded in agreement.
He certainly never would've started with them first, that was for sure. He left people alone with
whom he did not wish to deal, and it was just grand when they did the same.

"He's such a git," Regulus ranted on. "What does he expect to gain by making petty threats?"

Heather smiled complacently. "Well now that I'm a prefect, it's about all they can do, and
apparently they're actually smart enough to understand as much."

That sounded logical, only Severus had doubts about the smart bit when it came to the Gryffindor
gits. Bravery of the Gryffindor sort and smarts didn't specifically always go hand in hand, after all,
especially with that lot. Also self-control didn't appear to be their strong suit, if that was what
Heather expected. Though if they were planning something, why warn Regulus? That wouldn't be
smart. Then again, hadn't he just considered the lack of smarts bit on their part? He sighed, not
wanting to give himself a headache by thinking about them for... any time longer than he had to.
"Can we talk of something nontoxic," he asked, suddenly feeling peevish. Oh well, the good mood
had lasted for nearly eighteen hours.

Regulus chuckled. "Sure, of course. It's just he's such a git! But you're right. What are we doing
after classes today," he asked, changing the subject as Severus had requested.

"Heather and I have to go hunting mushrooms near the forest today for Herbology," Raislen said,
making a face. "If you two want to come along and help, it'd go far faster which would be grand. I
don't really enjoy hunting mushrooms."

Heather nodded. "Yes, your help to hasten our progress would be truly appreciated. I hate the idea
of getting dirty in the dirt."

"Well when you make it so tempting, how can we resist," Regulus drawled.

"Indeed," Severus agreed. "So do we meet in the common room, then?"

"Sounds good," Raislen said. "The faster we get it done, the faster we can find something better to
do."

"Which shan't be too hard considering," Heather said with a laugh. "Gods, I hate Herbology!"

"It has its uses," Severus said.

"You would think so," Heather nodded. "I mean potions can't survive without herbs."

"True," Severus said. "And learning what's what ensures one doesn't get poisoned or sold the wrong
thing."

"You're sounding like a professor," Raislen groaned. "I'd prefer books to digging in the dirt any
day."

"Yes," Heather and Regulus said nearly in unison.

"I didn't say I preferred it, just that it has its uses," Severus said. "And I don't want to be a
professor." When classes were over for the day, Severus found himself eager to help Heather and
Raislen with their Herbology assignment. Due to the fact he was more interested than they were in
herbs, he knew he'd probably find the mushrooms they were after first. He was admittedly a bit
eager to show his skills off to his friends as he hurried out of History of Magic, his final class of the
day.

"Severus! Wait up!" The voice came from behind him, and belonged to Regulus Black, but what
was he doing near History of Magic? He was two years behind Severus, so they shared no classes.
Severus paused and turned to face the younger boy. "What are you doing here?" They were all
supposed to meet in the Slytherin common room, after all. "How'd you get out of class so early
anyway?" Had something come up, he wondered, giving Regulus a confused frown.

Regulus shrugged. "I told Flitwick I had to use the lavatory. I just got so bored, you know? Besides,
I wanted to show you something!"

Severus wasn't aware that Regulus found charms to be dull. He looked excited, though, so Severus
was intrigued. "Well what is it? We're supposed to meet Heather and Raislen to hunt for those
mushrooms, remember."

"Oh yes, that," Regulus said, shrugging again. "Of course we'll do that, but first, there is something
you've just got to see! You'll never believe it!"

"Well can't we get Heather and Raislen first," Severus asked. "And what is it anyway? Is it about
Sirius and James?" What else would have Regulus so excited, after all.

Regulus laughed. "You're good. But I won't tell you. It's too brilliant and you've just got to see." He
chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "I want to see your reaction. Trust me, it's good. Now come
on!"

Severus sighed. "Alright, but we must hurry. Heather and Raislen will be waiting for us." It wasn't
as if Heather hadn't kept them waiting yesterday, after all. Hers had been for a good cause, but from
the sound of it, whatever Regulus had to show him could be as well. Though he didn't see why
Heather and Raislen couldn't come along. Assuming he was missing something, and because
Regulus was so eager, he followed along. "We've got to hurry, though," he insisted.

"It isn't far," Regulus said. He hurried ahead of Severus, eventually turning down a corridor that
lead to the Astronomy tower. It was one of the rather round-about routs, and Severus frowned.
Whatever had even brought Regulus here to discover anything. He was just opening his mouth to
ask, when a sound of scuffling came from his left. He turned sharply to see Peter and Sirius pressed
against the left wall, wands pointing at Severus, jeering expressions on their obnoxious faces.
Before he could react, Severus was flying fast to the right.

His body slammed into the right wall, leaving him facing Peter and Sirius. He lifted his hand to
reach for his own wand, but they must have used a sticking charm, because he could not move. His
entire body was stuck to the wall! Smirking, Regulus came to stand in front of him. Severus felt his
eyes widening in shock. Regulus? Helping them? Had he been that wrong about Sirius's little
brother? If so, the two had played a great game. Then he understood. James was nowhere in sight.
He was never away from Sirius and Peter. Lupin wasn't about at the moment either, but at times he
wasn't, so his absence didn't seem particularly strange in itself. He'd never once seen James without
Sirius, or Sirius without James, however. "Polly juice is it, James," he asked the probably fake
Regulus. Fake Regulus smirked.

"I'd say fifty points for Slytherin, but your evil house doesn't deserve points," he said. Stepping
forward, he snatched Severus's wand from where it stuck up out of the left pocket of his school
robe.
Peter snickered. "Yeah, do it!" Grinning, James otherwise known as Fake Regulus, shoved the
wand into Severus's nose. It hurt! It really hurt, but Severus ground his teeth, determined not to
make a sound. These gits would so pay for this. Oh how they would pay! The rage that swept him
was almost delicious in its intensity. Peter cackled. "Oh he looks brilliant! You're brilliant, James!"
He clapped his hands. "That wand looks like a beak sticking out of his nose!"

Sirius scowled. "I'm the one who thought of getting Regulus's hair."

"Yeah, but James played such a good Regulus, and had the wand up the nose idea," Peter argued.

"Let's go," James, otherwise known as Fake Regulus said. "I'm not in the mood to hang out with
Snape any more today."

"Tell your friend Heather hello for us, Snivellus," Sirius said as the three, still smirking, walked
away. "Tell her that this is what happens when she tries to fight little baby's battles for him."

Severus felt his face flush in a mix of embarrassment and rage. He'd never asked Heather to do
anything, and these gits would so pay. It wasn't as if any of them ever fought battles alone! Oh how
he hated them. Struggling with all his might to unstick himself from the wall, he let his utter hatred
for the Gryffindor gits fuel his efforts.

Sadly hatred did not serve him in this endeavor, for though his muscles bunched and cramped with
the effort, he remained just as stuck to the wall as he'd been before he'd begun trying to unstick
himself. He couldn't move a millimeter. Next he attempted to blow the wand from his throbbing
nose, but also to no avail. James Fake Regulus had wedged it up there but good. It was perhaps half
an hour later that the rage subsided enough to finally allow him to panic.

How long would he be stuck here before someone finally found him? This was a little used
corridor, after all. When someone finally did come across him, how embarrassing that would be!
What a ridiculous, undignified idiot he must look stuck to the wall with a wand up his nose! The
corridor was silent and chilly. How often did anyone even come here, he wondered as his panic
grew. What if he eventually had to wee? If he was forced to wet himself, he would literally kill
James and Sirius. Peter too just for good measure and also for his stupid expressions.
 I Got All My Friends With Me

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Chapter 25, I Got All My Friends With Me

"Oh Dear! Here he is!" Filius Flitwick's voice reached Severus's ears, sounding a mix of relieved
and dismayed. Then came the sound of several sets of feet rushing down the corridor. Flitwick
came into view first, and without a word he hurried to set Severus to rights. With a flick of his
wand, Professor Flitwick had Severus's own wand flying out of his nose and into his now free
hands. Never had a wand in his hands felt so good especially after being powerless and stuck to the
wall for however long it had been. It felt like hours! Thank all the gods, he hadn't had to wee before
he was rescued! Severus stumbled forward, suddenly unstuck from the wall.

"Oh," Regulus groaned. "It was those Gits, wasn't it?"

"The Gryffindor Gits strike again, and my how they will pay," Raislen growled.

"No, this one is mine, Raislen," Heather snapped tightly. "They did this because of my little
exchange with Potty Potter."

Professor Flitwick cleared his throat. "I hope you all know that I did not hear any of that."

"Good," Heather said grimly. "Because they have it coming."

"They have detention coming as well," Flitwick promised.

"No," Severus exploded. "If you do that, Professor, they'll just come for me harder!" That was
precisely why he hated for anyone to defend him. He'd paid today, and he would continue to pay.
"They can gang up on people, but they can't and won't stand for it being done to them! It's called
blatant hypocrisy."

"Indeed it is," Regulus agreed. "They're a bad yet pathetic mix of cowardly and mean. How they
got into Gryffindor I'll never know."

"There are many levels to the concept of bravery," Professor Flitwick said. "There is the berserker
battle rage that is also a form of..." While the little charms professor philosophized about bravery
with Heather, Raislen and Regulus, Severus felt his mind drifting, because he didn't care. Whatever
sort of brave they were, Severus didn't value it and they made Gryffindors look bad if indeed they'd
ever looked good. Dumbledore was the only outstandingly admirable Gryffindor that he was aware
of anyway.

"What happened," Regulus asked.

Normally Severus would've been too embarrassed to go into all the humiliating details of what had
happened. No matter that he was badly and unfairly outnumbered, it was still humiliating
describing it in detail to his friends. In this case, Regulus had been used, though, so he had a right
to know. They may need to work out some sort of code words so they'd know they were truly
dealing with who they thought they were from now on, he thought grimly. "I suppose I shouldn't
have fallen for it, but they made me think you wanted to show me something, Regulus. Clearly they
got your hair and made a Polly juice," Severus said, not bothering to keep the sneer of self-disgust
from his face for buying into the ruse so easily.

Regulus's cheeks flooded with red as an expression of pure rage twisted his face. "How I hate that
git! You know he was in my face earlier today and I bet that's when he took my hair! You can't
know how rubbish it is not to be able to trust your own family in the bloody slightest!" Considering
his relationship with his own grandfather, Severus could relate. "I'm so going to pay him back for
this," Regulus vowed wrathfully. "Just you wait."

"What are you planning," Raislen asked, interested.

"I haven't got that far yet, but it is going to happen," Regulus said darkly. "Right now I am too
angry to think, which is a problem, because that's the time when one should be thinking at one's
best.""

"Though such would certainly be helpful, it rarely happens," Professor Flitwick said cheerfully.
"Anger instills the fight emotion which is geared far more toward direct action over thought. That's
why most people regret those actions taken when they allow themselves to fly into a rage."

"In other words," Heather interjected gently, "Don't think like a Gryffindor."" Regulus flushed,
nodding. Clearly he got the point.

Professor Flitwick chuckled. "And that is why Miss Knight is a Prefect. She has a good head on her
shoulders." Severus didn't miss the appreciative look Raislen gave said head at that. Shaking his
own head and rolling his eyes, Severus ran his hands over his school robes in case they needed
smoothing down. After being stuck to the wall like that, he could very well look a mess for all he
knew. "You're both right," he told Heather and Flitwick, "But with those gits, it's so very hard not to
become angry and lose your temper in the most epic of ways."

Regulus made a wordless sound of agreement.

"And that, my dear friends, is where a little self-control comes in," Heather said. "Who laughs last,
laughs best, after all."

"And there are many perks to learning a bit of self control," Flitwick added. "It makes one a far
stronger wizard. Now who wants a snack? We still have a few more hours until dinner, after all."

"It just burns me up that they did that to Severus because they were too cowardly to face me,"
Heather fumed. "Me, a girl!"

"Or perhaps they simply aren't comfortable beating up on a girl," Regulus speculated. "Not that I
am in any bloody way defending them, but perhaps that's a line even they have."

"Doubt it," Heather muttered darkly.

"So no snacks, then," Flitwick asked.

"It's not like they ever try to face us all as a group, though," Raislen said. "Sure Heather Toy and I
are older, but before Regulus got here, it was still three to four. They only dared come at all of us
that one time when they ruined our snowman," he recalled mutinously. Severus frowned. That was
true. The fact they weren't ever trying to make things fair was no surprise, though.
"It would've still been three to three really though," Heather said. "Lupin is there but never really
helps. I'm not defending him or anything," she hastened to assure. "He never tries to stop them
either, which makes him just as despicable as his friends."

"Well I am giving them detention for this no matter what the rest of you do," Professor Flitwick
said. "All four of them."

"Lupin wasn't present," Severus admitted reluctantly. Reluctantly because he was very tempted to
let him be punished with the rest. Flitwick would take his word over theirs, and he knew it. That
was why he was honest, though. He liked Flitwick and liked the fact that Flitwick liked him. Those
gits weren't worth potentially ruining that over. It was far better to have the trust of someone he
admired over a bit of petty revenge, even for him. This didn't stop him from savoring the brief
daydream of Lupin suffering through a detention or three for something he hadn't done. It would
serve him right to see how a bit of unfair treatment felt after he'd sat back so often while his stupid
friends tormented Severus.

"We still have to do that Herbology thing," Heather said. "We didn't yet, because we were busy
looking for you. When we couldn't find you after an hour or so, we got really worried and went to
Professor Flitwick for help. He was able to work a location charm that led us to you."

"Yeah it was a neat charm to learn," Raislen said enthusiastically. "We'd have enjoyed learning it far
more if we weren't so worried about you, though. Anyway, the charm works by being linked to an
item owned by the person one is seeking out. I borrowed a book of yours from your dorm room.
When the charm is performed on the object, a ball of light leads you to the person to whom the
object belongs."

"It worked brilliantly," Regulus said. Severus shifted, suddenly overwhelmed with discomfort over
being the one who needed rescuing because he wasn't good enough at defending himself. He was so
rubbish at it, in fact, that he allowed himself to get bloody stuck to the wall with his wand up his
nose! "If it gets dark before we find what we need for Herbology the Gryffindor Gits shall pay for
that too," Heather stated darkly.

That made Severus smile. He'd been about to apologize for being the reason their Herbology
assignment was delayed, but Heather's words reminded him that it wasn't his fault. "I'm lucky to
have friends who care enough to look for me," he said, suddenly feeling humbled rather than
embarrassed. "Thanks... To all of you." He glanced from Heather to Raislen, then to Regulus and
finally Professor Flitwick.

"That's what friends are for, and some day we shall probably all need your help too," Regulus said,
smiling back.

"Yeah, like right now, we could still use your help for our Herbology assignment," Heather said.

"Sure could," Raislen agreed.

"How long was I missing, anyway," Severus wondered as their little group began walking down the
corridor toward the rest of Hogwarts civilization. The area James and co had chosen was so far
removed from anything that Severus may not have been discovered until far later without his
friends bringing a professor into it.

"Nearly two hours, I think," Raislen said.

"Sounds right," Regulus agreed. As Severus felt the rage struggling to rise up inside of him again,
he reminded himself of Heather and Flitwick's words. He could still get even, but it would go far
better with a cooler head.
 Hogsmeade

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Chapter 26, Hogsmeade

The fab four were in the forest hunting for mushrooms for Heather and Raislen's Herbology
assignment when Heather suddenly let out an excited gasp. "I nearly forgot. We shall have a
Hogsmeade weekend coming up in a few weeks! You did get your permission form signed, didn't
you, Severus?"

"Of course I did!" Severus practically shouted with glee, because at last he could go to Hogsmeade.
For two entire years, through some shared feat of amazing perseverance, Heather and Raislen had
been able to refrain from going to Hogsmeade more than once or twice a year. They hadn't wanted
to abandon Severus, who wasn't allowed to go yet. The few times they went, Severus had stuck to
the Slytherin common room to avoid the Gryffindor Gang Of Gits. Heather and Raislen were
always kind enough to bring him back something from their magical shopping sprees, which
always made him feel special. Now he could finally go and buy his own things. He hadn't much
money, so he'd have to spend it carefully.

"That's rubbish," Regulus grumbled. "You lot are going to go off and have fun while I sit in the
Slytherin common room and read."

"You didn't mind reading yesterday," Raislen pointed out. "Reading is fun."

"Yes, but I can read any time and you bloody know it," Regulus said resentfully.

"We'll bring you back something nice," Raislen said.

"You don't have to," Regulus said with a sigh. "I've been to Hogsmeade plenty of times with my
parents and Kreacher. I just thought it'd be even more fun to go with you lot. That's all." Suddenly
Regulus's eyes narrowed. "What if I can meet you all in Hogsmeade?"

"But how," Heather asked. "First years aren't allowed. You know that."

"Are you going to turn me in if I somehow manage, Miss Prefect," Regulus teased, laughing.

Heather frowned. "Of course not. I'd never turn you in for being a proper Slytherin. But if you get
caught and lose us house points, I will be angry, because getting caught would be stupid." Regulus
nodded sagely. "Indeed. Getting caught would be stupid, and I have absolutely no intention of
doing so. The last thing I would do is cost us house points. I have very personal reasons for wanting
to beat Gryffindor out for the house cup, after all. My prat of a brother has shamed our family by
being sorted into that rubbish house."

"Very well, so how are you going to meet us in Hogsmeade," Raislen wondered.

Regulus smiled mysteriously. "You'll see. Where shall you go first?"

"Honeydukes," Severus said excitedly. He remembered well that this was where Heather and
Raislen always liked to go first when they'd gone to Hogsmeade without him in the past. Every
time when they'd come back they'd given him all the details so he'd know what to look forward to
when he could at last come along.

Raislen chuckled. "Yep. It's best to fill up on sugar first so that you have plenty of energy to run
about town. looking at potions and books. Perhaps I'll even visit the joke shop this time too."

Heather frowned. "What do you want from there?"

"Nothing to do with you," Raislen told her. "So don't be all suspicious. I was thinking of buying
something to use on the Gryffindor Gits. You know, something I can amp up with a bit of magic to
make it end up being even funnier than intended."

Heather smiled in approval and Severus snickered.

"Don't expect them to take any one else's jokes well that aren't their own," Regulus warned.

Raislen grinned. "Oh I'm counting on it."

"You know, now that I've calmed down, I think I may wait a while for my revenge on those
Gryffindor prats," Heather said. As she spoke, she resumed her hunt for mushrooms, bending over
to carefully move aside the leaves of ground foliage under which they were supposed to be
growing. "I think it'll be so much better if they think they scared me off. They'll be all stupid and
complacent, and then it will happen. When it happens, they shall learn the hard way that they did
indeed not scare me off and that I am not to be trifled with."

"Um I think it was me who got trifled with," Severus muttered. "I found one," he added
triumphantly, waving a fat mushroom in the air.

"Give me," Raislen said. "Regulus gave the last one to Heather Toy. It's my turn."" Severus handed
Raislen the mushroom and he dropped it into a basket that hung over his arm. "Thanks, Kid," he
said, then grunted in pain as Heather's fist flew into his stomach.

"See? Just like that. Raislen stupidly did not see my fist coming for calling me that dreadful name,
and that is precisely how it shall be with the Gryffindor Gits. And yes, Severus they did trifle with
you, but as you even said, it was because of what I did, so I owe them but big."

"What are you going to do," Raislen asked as he straightened and rubbed his belly. "What is this
big IT that you have planned for them?"

"I don't know yet, but I have plenty of time to figure it out. Time is stage one. As I said, it shall
allow them to grow complacent which will make it even worse when I pay them back. It shall be
before Christmas, though," she assured. "I don't want to wait too long. Wait too long and they could
forget what they're being punished for by the time it happens, which wouldn't do at all. It's all a
balance, you see. Too soon and they don't get all complacent, too long and they forget what it's all
about and neither of those make for proper revenge."

"She's scary," Regulus said appreciatively. He chuckled.

"That's my Heather Toy," Raislen said, then dodged aside as Heather swung at him. Darting
determinedly toward him, she swung again. Laughing and shouting Raislen ran backward away
from her until his back crashed into a tree and her fist finally struck home. Raislen groaned as the
air left his lungs and he doubled over.
"Sadly, even some otherwise smart individuals never learn certain things," Heather lamented
calmly to Severus and Regulus.

"I can see that," Regulus said, giving Raislen an amused smirk. Severus rolled his eyes and shook
his head before resuming his hunt for mushrooms along with the rest.

There must have indeed been something to Heather's thought process on revenge, because the
Gryffindor Gang of Gits left Severus and Regulus alone for the most part for several weeks. For the
most part, because of course there were still the random name calling incidents between classes, but
they were half-hearted. This didn't mean they didn't make Severus's blood boil, but he took comfort
in the knowledge that revenge was to be had. Hopefully when Heather decided what she was going
to do, she'd let him help. He owed them even more than she did as he saw it. If she did not include
him, it just meant he'd have to get them back on his own, and that was alright too. It meant they'd
get what they had coming two or three fold, considering Raislen had plans as well.

Severus hoped the older boy got inspired by something at the joke shop when they went to
Hogsmeade. The more ways the Gryffindor Gits could be made to pay for being their Gittish selves
the better. Maybe one day they'd eventually feel they'd paid enough and actually leave he and
Regulus alone. Though Severus didn't see much to like in most people, he truly did not understand
the inherent need of the Gryffindor Gang of Gits to actively seek someone out and start rubbish
with them! He genuinely didn't comprehend the appeal. He was quite alright with not thinking at all
like the Gryffindor Gits, though. Granted if he did, he may be able to sort faster ways to pay them
back, but then again perhaps not. By the time their first trip of the year to Hogsmeade came around,
the Gits were the last thing on his mind, so eager was he to explore the town with his friends.

Like Regulus, he'd been to the wizarding town with his mum, but going with friends was different.
It made one feel all grown up somehow, free to do whatever one liked! When the big day arrived,
he woke full of energy and eager anticipation. While Heather and Raislen bought a ton of sweets at
Honeydukes, Severus was more careful with his money. He planned to spend most of the little he
had at the potions shop so only got two pieces of his favorite candy ever. The name said it all. Best-
In-Three-Worlds chocolate with almond.

Raislen and Heather were taking their time selecting their own sweets in order not to be too
obvious while waiting for Regulus. As he was finished shopping far faster, Severus took the
opportunity to inhale one of the two slabs of chocolate. He was almost finished with it, when
Regulus dashed in with an unusual looking house elf at his side. The elf's nose had a pronounced
hook to it, causing him to look rather severe instead of cute as many other elves did.

"Here I am," Black sang out happily. The elf glanced carefully around, clearly assessing the
situation. His watchful expression relaxed when Heather and Raislen waved from where they stood
across the shop in front of a glass enclosed rack of tiny Fun-Fudge cakes. Severus approached
Regulus as he shoved the last bit of almond chocolate into his mouth. He tried to smile with his
mouth closed while still chewing in way of greeting. The attempt must have worked out alright,
because the elf smiled back as Regulus introduced them.

"Severus, this is my friend Kreacher. He helped to sneak me out of Hogwarts, because the
Apparation blocks don't work on elves!" He gave a pleased smile. "Told you I'd get here. I even
informed my parents so they'd not bother Kreacher for the entire day. As I knew would be the case,
they were fine with the arrangement."
"Kreacher," Raislen called. He hurried over before Severus could say more than "Hi." That was
good, because Severus rarely knew what to say to people he didn't know. He gave Raislen a
relieved smile and Raislen grinned back before returning his enthusiastic focus to the elf. "So we
finally get to meet the individual that Regulus is always writing to." He extended a hand for
Kreacher to shake. Seemingly surprised, the elf blinked his large eyes, then extended his own and
shook.

"Kreacher is pleased to meet any friends of Master Regulus, especially when they dislike Master
Sirius. It says much for their upstanding character."

Raislen chuckled. "Awesome! I'm Raislen WestCraven, by the way."

Kreacher bobbed his head. "Kreacher is pleased to meet Raislen WestCraven."

"I hate it when you call me Master Regulus," Regulus complained, frowning at Kreacher.

Kreacher shrugged, frowning back. "It is only proper."

"I said I hate it," Regulus retorted darkly as if that were more important. Severus supposed it
probably was.

"We don't care about proper in this group," Heather said cheerfully as she approached. Her hands
were full of individually wrapped Fun-Fudge cakes. Severus couldn't help eying them hungrily.
They were so delicious and gave one the experience of having the time of their life when eating
one, thus their name Fun-Fudge.

"Don't worry, we got enough to share," Heather told him. Apparently his hungry glance hadn't gone
unnoticed. "That goes for the two of you as well," she added to Regulus and Kreacher. "We can
stop in first at The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. While we're there, we can snack on the
goodies we bought here before going to plunder all of our favorite shops!"

"Brilliant," Regulus breathed. "Isn't it brilliant, Kreacher," he asked the elf excitedly.

Kreacher gave the cakes a skeptical look. "Kreacher supposes it could be. He has never had one of
those cakes before."

"You look as if you could do with some fun," Raislen told him. "It'll loosen you up a bit."

"Oh Kreacher is plenty of fun," Regulus insisted as Heather and Raislen went to pay.

"Like pranking Sirius or what," Heather asked, peering curiously at Regulus and Kreacher over one
shoulder.

"Not so much, but he's a great chess player and we read books together all the time," Regulus said.
"And we talk. He and I can talk about anything and we can tell our secrets to one another. It's nice
to have someone you can tell anything to, you know?"

Before Raislen and Heather, Severus couldn't relate, but now that he had them, he could nod right
along with them in understanding. He did envy Regulus having someone like that far sooner than
he himself had. "Kreacher dislikes Master Sirius more than even he dislikes Muggles, but he dares
not prank him," the elf said regretfully.
"It is a pity, because Kreacher's pranks would be Darkly wicked... Nasty, and horrific. Master Sirius
would be very sorry he ever was unkind to Kreacher and Master Regulus if Kreacher felt free to do
anything he liked to him." Severus decided to ignore the Muggles comment. Kreacher was not
insulting Tobias Snape. He'd never met Severus's father, and perhaps if he did, he'd give him a
chance and grow to like him quite a lot. Severus had to think so. So he didn't comment on that bit,
focusing instead on the bit of what the elf said that he agreed with.

"I can completely relate," Severus said fervently. "Only nothing is stopping me from *pranking*
him. I just need the proper opportunity and... well you know, not getting myself thrown out of
school or put in Azkaban."

Kreacher snickered, nodding. "Kreacher understands."

"Well now that we all agree on how rubbish Sirius Black is, let's go and have fun," Heather said.
She and Raislen happily picked up their now paid for bags of sweets and led the way from
Honeydukes.
 Heathens

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 27, Heathens

As soon as the group of five entered The Three Broomsticks a female voice called out from a
corner table near the back. "Regi and Kreacher! What are the two of you doing here?"

"Don't call me Regi," Regulus groaned through gritted teeth without even turning to look in the
direction of the voice. "Never mind," the voice continued. "I don't care. You and your little friends
should come sit with us, though. We haven't seen you in months."

"Little friends," Heather huffed under her breath.

"Sorry," Regulus muttered. "She's one of the good ones, though. My favorite cousin Bellatrix. She's
a bit older but you know, she doesn't treat me like a baby. Neither do Rodolphus or Rabastan. They
just insist on calling me Regi, which I hate." He made a face as though he'd just bitten down hard
on a lemon.

At the name Rabastan, Severus turned to peer over at the table from where the voice had come. He
recognized the Slytherin Head Boy seated with four other people in the far corner of the room. Two
young women and two young men. One of the men, the blond one, looked familiar. It was then that
Severus recalled him from his own first day at Hogwarts.

Lucius Malfoy was his name, and he'd been very kind to Severus, offering to help if he needed
anything. Back then, Lucius had either been in his sixth or seventh year. Severus didn't recall. The
two never shared classes, being so many years apart. Because Severus spent all his spare time with
Heather and Raislen, he never had cause to mingle with other students so many years ahead of him.
He didn't even mingle with those Slytherins in Heather and Raislen's year. While there were a few
that both Heather and Raislen called friends, they weren't close friends and never spent time with
them after classes, so Severus considered them unimportant. Heather also hung with a group of
girls comprised of a few Slytherins, Ravenclaws and even Hufflepuffs, but they never came around
Severus and Raislen, which was fine. Heather had her girl friends for boring girly things, and
Severus and Raislen for the smart stuff.

"I guess we'd better go sit with them, then," Regulus said. "They're great, you'll like them. It's
alright, isn't it?" As he spoke, his glance passed swiftly between the group of school friends with
whom he stood and the table in the far corner where his cousin sat.

"Sure," Raislen said. His tone sounded calm and mild, but Severus knew him well enough to hear
the doubt it held as well. Regulus didn't notice it, though, and literally bounced across the room to
the table with Kreacher hurrying along at his side. "Yo Kreach," Rabastan said, giving the elf a
friendly casual grin. "Why don't you drag that other table there over to combine with this one, then
we can all sit together and still spread out. I don't want to be too close to Lucy, after all, lest he get
the wrong idea." He winked cheekily at the elf, and Lucius Malfoy shot him a peeved pinched
frown.

"Rabastan mistakenly believes himself to be quite the amusing one," he drawled.

"No, he is amusing. Bella and I were quite amused." That had come from the other man at the table,
who Severus assumed by process of elimination to be Rodolphus. He was built like a brick wall,
wide and strong with short black hair. He sported a hard jaw and a cold nearly blank stare that
frankly made Severus uneasy, because it wasn't normal. A peeved or angry expression he could
understand and relate to. It conveyed emotion. But that cold blank look just felt disconcertingly
dangerous somehow. Kreacher gestured to the nearby empty table that Rabastan had indicated, and
it floated over to line up flush along side the one at which everyone sat. "There," Rabastan said
happily, smiling at the elf. "Thanks, Kreach. You're the best. Now you lot can sit without making us
all need to squish together to make room."

Kreacher smiled back as their little group seated themselves. "Kreacher knows. He is far better of
an elf than stupid Dobby," he said proudly.

"Bloody right," Rabastan agreed.

"Most elves are better elves than Dobby, I would wager," Lucius said. His upper lip curled in open
disgust.

"Dobby is the Malfoy family house elf," Regulus explained helpfully to Severus, Raislen and
Heather who were clearly confused. "Everyone, this is my cousin Bellatrix," he continued, nodding
at the thin woman with long dark hair wearing a form fitting long black corseted dress who sat
close beside Rodolphus. "This is my other cousin Narcissa." He nodded to the other woman, an
ethereal looking blonde who sat leaning into Lucius's arm. She looked up into his eyes with a
devoted smile curving her lips.

"Perhaps we can train Dobby to be better once we're married," she murmured soothingly before
smiling and nodding at Regulus's group of friends. "It is wonderful to meet all of you, I'm sure."

"Kreacher would not count on Dobby's potential to improve," Kreacher muttered darkly. Narcissa's
lips twitched, but she politely made no comment.

"This is Rodolphus," Regulus continued his introductions, nodding at the strongly built man with
the terrifying lack of expression and the intense stair. "And this is Lucius Malfoy and of course you
all know Rabastan."

"Yeah, Heather is a fellow Prefect," Rabastan said, nodding at Heather. "Sorry I am no good with
names," he added to Raislen and Severus apologetically.

"It's alright, this is Raislen WestCraven and Severus Snape," Regulus enthused. "And for those of
you here who are not currently at Hogwarts this is Heather Knight."

"Well if they aren't currently at Hogwarts, they hardly count," Rabastan teased, causing Heather to
smile.

"All of my friends hate Sirius as much as we do," Regulus told Bellatrix and Rodolphus happily. At
this Rodolphus's expression warmed again for an instant as he gave their group a friendly smile.

"Right on," he said. Bellatrix simply nodded, but the look she gave them was one of approval.

"I shall order the next round of Butterbeer for everyone," Regulus said, rising from his seat. At
once Kreacher sprang up to follow him.
"Shit," Rabastan laughed.

"We're all drinking something harder, but thanks for the offer, is what he means," Rodolphus
explained. His expression cracked again, lips twitching slightly as he regarded Regulus with an
amused glance. Just when Severus thought that perhaps he might be human after all, the look
quickly faded, the hard blank stair taking its place once again.

"Yeah, and they won't let you buy what we're drinking, cause it's age restricted," Rabastan added.

Regulus shrugged, making a face. "Very well then. Butterbeer for me and my lot then. I'll be right
back."

"Hey thanks," Heather called.

"Yeah, thanks a ton," Raislen added.

"Yes, thanks," Severus echoed. He'd likely be expected to repay the favor some day, and with his
lack of funds, the concern made his stomach knot in anxiety.

"That's right, get your baby drinks," Bellatrix cackled.

"Ours taste better anyway," Regulus shot back over his shoulder as he headed away.

"Kreacher agrees," the elf could be heard telling him fervently as they crossed the room.

"That little fucker's voice carries like nothing else," Rabastan said happily and Bellatrix laughed.

"True." Though she'd needled her little cousin, her dark gaze was fond as it rested on Regulus and
Kreacher as they ordered five Butterbeers. "It's good of you lot to protect Regi from that bullying
prat Sirius," she added, her piercing gaze suddenly on Raislen, Heather and Severus.

"Sure," Raislen said, shifting in his chair in sudden embarrassment. "The way he and his friends
gang up on Regulus and The Kid here, it's the least we can do."

"Some day, there shan't be a place for worthless wizarding trash like him and his friends when The
Dark Lord has properly cleaned things up," Lucius drawled.

Severus felt himself freeze in place at the unexpected mention of Voldemort. Then he felt like a
complete idiot for not expecting as much. Somehow he'd begun to like Regulus and in doing so,
he'd forgotten how mucked up the younger boy's head was over Voldemort. Clearly his family were
just as bad, and it was a bit of a disappointment. but he pressed his lips together without a word. He
had a difficult time believing that someone like Voldemort, who could just kill an innocent man for
being in a shop, could truly clean up anything. Perhaps if he got rid of Sirius and his lot, though, it
would at least be something. It would never make up for the loss of Tobias Snape, and Voldemort
still had to die, but if he could just be useful for a moment first, that could be just grand.

"We're good at helping him to clean up the trash too," Bellatrix said. "It's quite satisfying."

"It really is," Rodolphus added without that cold expression wavering in the least.

"You lot could help if you liked," Rabastan offered. His tone was cheerful and friendly, as if
inviting them to build a snowman with his friends or something. "We can always use more wizards
and witches with proper values to help to rebuild the world so that it serves wizards and not
Muggles. It's how things were always intended to be." Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix and Rodolphus
all nodded in grave agreement as if this were the most obvious and true statement in the world with
no holes what-so-ever in the reasoning and logic on which such a statement was built.

Thankfully Regulus and Kreacher returned then with a tray holding five bottles of frosty Butterbeer
floating ahead of them. As Kreacher and Regulus resumed their seats, Regulus began to chatter
about Hogwarts which drew Rodolphus, Bellatrix, Narcissa and Lucius into reminiscing about their
own school days there. Thankfully this kept the conversation light and away from Voldemort. As
Regulus's people had more drinks, Bellatrix and Rodolphus became increasingly inappropriate,
kissing frequently with her practically in his lap. Though he didn't miss Raislen's envious
expression as he surely thought of Heather Toy, Severus found himself glancing away from the
couple often, wondering why Pure-blood wizards who thought themselves so much better could so
easily forget how to behave in public. Then again, what did he truly know of what any of them
thought? Narcissa and Lucius conducted themselves far differently, only holding hands and
exchanging fond glances as they spoke of shared times at Hogwarts.

"So are the two of you an item, then," Narcissa asked Heather and Raislen during a lull in the
conversation.

"NO," Heather practically shouted.

"Fine," Raislen said. "In that case, how about I ask out one of your friends?"

Heather glared. "We're all too young to date, Raislen. Besides, I can't allow you to inflict yourself
upon them. I'll get the next round," she added, snatching up the empty tray and stalking off.

"Why did she not just use magic to float it," Regulus wondered, bemused.

"I think she likes you," Narcissa told Raislen, giving him an encouraging smile.

This caused Raislen's angry scowl to slip. "Do you think?"

Narcissa chuckled. "I heard what she did not say. She did not say that she was uninterested in you,"
she pointed out. She made a point to keep her voice quiet enough not to carry to Heather where she
stood across the room waiting to order more drinks. Severus decided that he may not like any of
Regulus's people that much because they were devoted to Voldemort, but he still thought Narcissa
may be the best of the bunch.

"What's that about being too young to date anyway," Rabastan wondered. "You two are fifth years,
yeah?"

Raislen nodded. "That was weird of her," he agreed.

"Right, me and Bella were shagging in our fifth year," Rodolphus bragged.

"Sixth, idiot," Bellatrix said sharply, and he grinned at her.

"Same difference. We were snogging at fourteen, so I think by our fifth year we considered
ourselves dating."

"Well that's true," Bellatrix agreed. "It is not the same difference, though," she added with a half
drunken laugh. She gave him a fond smile, then glanced at Raislen. "Roddy was beating the hell
out of a Hufflepuff one day and it was so hot I just had to grab him and snog him. Perhaps if you
pummel Sirius and his lot into the ground more often, Heather will at last find you irresistible."

"I'd rather not touch them, but I get the idea," Raislen said with an amused chuckle. By the time the
five left The Three Broomsticks, they had to hurry to the shops they wanted to visit, because their
time in town was nearly over. They hadn't expected to run into Regulus's people and visit with them
for so long, so the entire schedule was thrown off, which Severus found rather disappointing. While
he supposed the encounter interesting in its odd way, he would've enjoyed spending more time in
the potions shop. When it came down to it, most potions were far more interesting than most
people.
 Philosophy is a walk on the slippery rocks

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 28, Philosophy is a walk on the slippery rocks

Kreacher Apparated Regulus back to the Slytherin boys' dorm just before everyone else started
heading back to the school. Though Severus would've liked to spend more time looking at potions
supplies in Pippin's, he did manage to find two older potions books, before Raislen hurried them
along to the joke shop. After buying said books, nearly all of his meager funds were spent, but he
had no desire to shop for jokes anyway. While Raislen and Heather looked around, he waited just
inside Zonko's flipping through one of his two potions books. He loved finding older books like
these, because he'd found that in many cases older was better. Knowledge got lost over time, and
older books still had it while newer potions texts liked to cut corners that he felt should not be cut.
Weaker ingredient substitutions were made if the herbs were more affordable or accessible, for
example, but what was the point when the potion lost part of its potency? When Heather and
Raislen were ready to go, they approached Severus, each carrying a small bag. Raislen's expression
was satisfied and Heather's excited. "It's going to be so difficult not to get my revenge too soon,"
she breathed. "So very difficult. Because I found the perfect thing!"

"So did I, and I don't have to wait for any sort of revenge timeline," Raislen said.

"What did you get," Severus asked, glancing eagerly from one to the other.

"No," Raislen said. "We decided not to tell you. When it happens, you'll truly be as shocked as
anyone, so you won't be implicated. They'll look to you first, after all."

Heather nodded. "Yes. And trust me, if you did know what either of us have brewing, it would so
show on your face, because it's that good!"

"But will I know when it happens," Severus asked. Though he supposed he understood their
reasoning, he was nonetheless disappointed.

"Oh you'll know," Raislen promised firmly. "You shall most definitely know!"

As they headed back to the castle with everyone else, Severus took the opportunity to speak to
Heather and Raislen about Regulus's people. Their little group was surrounded by loudly chattering
students who weren't paying a bit of attention to them. Even better, Rabastan Lestrange was no
where in sight, so it was safe to speak without being overheard.

"Regulus's lot," he began. "They almost seemed alright, you know, if they weren't, you know, doing
what they're doing."

Raislen gave him a sidelong thoughtful look and nodded. "Yeah. It's a shame. Most of them will
probably end up dead or in Azkaban."

Heather nodded, her expression one of mild regret. "It isn't as if you can ever talk that lot out of it
either," she said sadly. "It's why I'm so careful about the friends I make. I don't want to see decent
people going down a road they won't come back from." Knowing that he had plans to pay
Voldemort back for killing his father, and that those plans may lead him down some uncomfortable
paths out of necessity, Severus glanced away from his friends. Staring off into the darkness as they
moved onto Hogwarts grounds, he hoped he wouldn't be one of those who couldn't come back from
whatever he had to do.

He hardly saw how this could be the case for him, considering he was on the side of right and
would be a part of taking Voldemort out no matter what it took. He would be bold enough to do
what even Heather and Raislen didn't wish to do. At least they hadn't ever expressed a wish to be a
part of taking him out.

"Of course not every Death Eater is decent," Raislen said. Though everyone in their vicinity was
laughing and talking loudly among themselves, still charged from their time out on the town, he
kept his voice pitched low, careful not to be overheard. "Some of them are just mean sadistic bullies
who are glad of the free ticket to hurt and kill people that their leader oh-so-happily provides."

"Yes and that lot won't deserve any mercy or pity," Heather said. "It's the ones who truly think
they're helping the wizarding world that I can almost feel sorry for. You know those like Regulus or
Narcissa, I suppose. I mean they do have historical reason to think somewhat as they do. Just they
should see that this bloke isn't the right person to take them there, or even a decent person at all."

"You have to wonder how well he hides that bit, though," Raislen said thoughtfully. "I mean if
people who aren't just sadistic bullies could believe that he shall lead us into a better place as it
were when it comes to how things are with us and Muggles, he has to come off as far better than he
is when he's around them. Severus learned first hand who the monster is, and we get the news as it
truly happens from those friends of our parents in law enforcement at the Ministry, but I bet his lot
is fed an entirely different sort of news report."

"For sure!" Heather nodded her agreement. "And it isn't as if they'd listen if we tried to talk to them
to share what we know. That's the frustrating bit. Muggles may have hurt wizards, but because of
monsters like him, more wizards shall be getting hurt." Severus knew that Heather meant that
Voldemort's misinformed followers would be getting hurt, but he thought of his dad. Tobias Snape,
an innocent Muggle, had also been hurt by Voldemort. Hurt to the point of no return, and for that
Voldemort would pay. "You're being unusually quiet, Kid," Heather observed. "What do you think
about all this?"

"I think you are both right," he replied honestly. "Voldemort must be stopped." They entered the
castle on that note.

"Well hopefully the Ministry will pull its head out of its own nut sack and get to that really soon,"
Raislen said tightly. "It honestly frightens me that we have such a literally incompetent
government."

"And if they don't," Severus asked. "If they are somehow unable to stop him, then what?"

"I... I don't know," Raislen said. Severus was pleased to see the frown of concern on his face,
though. It meant that he was thinking about it at least.

"I hope they do, though, because no one else is equipped to stop him," Heather said, a tight
underlying fear in her voice. "If stopping him was so easy, he'd be stopped by now, so they'd better
do something! What's a government good for anyway if not to stop people like him? They should
have resources that we don't, and if that is not the case, we are so in for it."
"That's true," Raislen murmured. On that oh-so-hopeful note, they walked in silence the rest of the
way down to the Slytherin common room.

"So what did you think of Kreacher," Regulus demanded as soon as they entered. Surprisingly, they
were some of the first few back. The place was nearly empty as most of the younger kids who
couldn't make the Hogsmeade trip yet had already retired to their dorms for the night.

"You're asking about the elf over the proud Death Eaters," Heather asked, lips twitching. Raislen
shot her a warning look but she merely shrugged.

"They're just normal people with decent values," Regulus said. "I love my family but Kreacher is
my best friend, and you lot are my friends, so I wanted to know what you thought of him," he
pressed.

"If we didn't like him, would that matter," Raislen wondered curiously.

Regulus considered for a moment. "Yes. I wouldn't like you anymore, which is inconvenient
considering we all agree on the important things like Sirius's utter and complete gitness!"

Raislen chuckled. "Unfortunately I had no time to speak in depth with Kreacher, but he seemed
interesting. I haven't met a lot of elves in my long fifteen years of life, but he does seem unique for
his kind."

"Oh he is," Regulus said, face breaking into a smile. He glanced expectantly to Severus and
Heather.

"He seems very nice," Heather said. Severus shrugged and nodded. He didn't dislike the elf so he
supposed he was alright.

"I think I like the fact that you'd have taken umbrage if we didn't like him," Severus decided. "It's
loyal of you." He valued loyalty, though he'd never thought of it in those direct and specific terms
before.

"Well the trait doesn't belong exclusively to Hufflepuffs, you know," Regulus told Severus with a
chuckle.

"Speaking of Hufflepuffs," Raislen said. "I have a Hufflepuff friend that I need to go ask for a
favor. I'll be back." He hurried out of the common room with the small bag he'd carried out of
Zonko's still held loosely in one hand. Heather stared after him with a pleased smirk on her lips and
a sparkle in her light brown eyes before flopping down into the nearest chair. Severus settled down
on the sofa beside Regulus and opened the potions book he'd been reading while waiting on
Heather and Raislen to finish up with their shopping in Hogsmeade.

"I wonder what that was about," Regulus said of Raislen's departure.

"Nothing at all," Heather said firmly. Severus knew then that it was clearly about the revenge
Raislen had planned for the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. "What did Kreacher think of us," Heather
asked Regulus suddenly. "You asked what we thought of him, but it should cut both ways. I mean if
he hates me I may just be afraid to sleep tonight." She laughed. "Elves have some impressive
powers, after all, and Kreacher did not give me the impression of being someone a person should
trifle with."
Regulus gave her a thoughtful look. "Kreacher has a heart of gold, but I am certain he would
appreciate the compliment. He thought that all of you seemed of sound family stock, and he likes
you for hating Sirius. He trusts you because the rest seem to think you're alright. This is the first
time that Kreacher and I have had new people in our lives, so he may take a bit to get to know you,
but he is open to meeting up again." Severus could tell from the grave and thoughtful way in which
Regulus spoke that he highly valued Kreacher's opinions.

"The dynamic of the rest is interesting," Heather said. As she spoke, she bounced up in the chair, a
curious expression in her eyes as she glanced over at Regulus. "Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers
didn't seem impressed with Lucius Malfoy, but they're hanging with him?"

Regulus shrugged. "It's just how it is. Family sticks together even if Narcissa insists on marrying an
insufferable bore. Narcissa and Bellatrix are sisters and they love one another." His mouth
tightened."They're lucky. I have an evil sibling, while they get to be friends." Glancing down at
Severus's book, he asked, "Did you get that in town?" He seemed eager to change the subject from
having a rubbish brother to something more interesting like books. As Severus approved of the
sentiment, he nodded and passed it over.

"You can look, but don't lose my place."

 And The Joke's On You

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 29, And The Joke's On You

It happened the next day during divinations class. Everyone was split into groups of two so that
they could practice reading stupid tarot cards for one another. For Severus tarot cards felt like too
much of a game of chance to actually have any real go at accuracy. One just drew cards and hoped
those random cards had some actual guidance? Though Severus had little faith in tarot cards, he
had even less faith in working with other students. The social interaction that such required was
always literally painful for him, even with members of his own house. Everyone was either boorish
and thick, causing him to do all the work while feeling resentful and extremely uncomfortable as he
did so, or they were uppity and know-it-all, wanting to boss him about while not doing things as
well as he could on his own. Either way he hated the experience because as a rule, he hated most
people for the simple reason that most of them were problematic in some way or other. While
Professor Trelawney was sorting people into pairs, Severus silently lamented, as he always did in
such situations, that he couldn't just skip ahead two grades so that he might have classes with
Heather and Raislen. If she made him work with one of the four Gits, he would claim to have a
headache and ask to go to the hospital wing, he silently vowed. Otherwise, if he had to work with
any of them he'd have detention and surely lose house points for hexing which ever git with whom
he was made to partner into next year!

"Mr. Snape, you will partner with Mr. Mulciber," Trelawney said, and Severus sighed in relief. He
didn't know Mulciber well even if the two were in the same house and year, but the other boy had
never personally annoyed him, so that was something. As Severus was glancing around for him,
Mulciber was already approaching Severus's seat. "I grabbed us a pack of cards," he said, gesturing
to the small table at the front where Trelawney had stacked several tarot decks.

"Thanks," Severus said, forcing a smile. Mulciber was slightly shorter than Severus with a ratty
looking face and short fine blond hair that looked disturbingly like the feathers of a baby duck.
Meaning if one touched that hair, it would probably feel far too soft. He was being decent so far,
though, so Severus ignored his creepily soft hair. Instead, he forced himself to focus on the stupid
cards that Mulciber placed on the desk between them as he settled across from Severus.

"We shall start by one person asking a question and his or her partner seeking an answer in the
cards," Professor Trelawney intoned dramatically.

"You want me to ask a question, or do you want to," Mulciber asked. He seemed cheerful enough
about this stupid assignment, Severus thought darkly. Why?

"You can decide," Severus said. "I don't think these stupid things work anyway."

"Perhaps not," Mulciber agreed. "Let's give them a go and find out, though. You can have the first
question. I can't think of one anyway."

Severus frowned. What would he ask? He found himself chuckling. "I can't either! How about, will
I get to go to Raislen's for a holiday visit this year?" That was simple. He saw no reason why his
mum wouldn't allow him to visit again when last year's visit had gone so well and she'd liked
Raislen's parents. If the cards said no about that, well it would just prove that they were as
inaccurate as Severus suspected them to be. Mulciber nodded gravely, then lifted the deck of cards
carefully into his hands.

"First I shall shuffle them," he said. As he did so, Trelawney lit an incense, and the room quickly
filled with the heady smell of what Severus assumed to be sandalwood. Mulciber placed the cards
on the table, spread into a fan. "Go ahead," he invited."Draw five and place them face down."

Severus grinned. "I'm glad one of us was paying attention when it comes to how this should be
done," he admitted. "At least now I'll be able to follow your lead and do this properly when it's your
turn to ask a question."

Mulciber grinned back. "Hey I'm rubbish at Herbology, so I get where you're coming from. I don't
trust any fuckin' plant that can move and bite me or scream and kill me, you know? Fuck that. If I
get hurt, I want to be able to fight back, and I'm not getting that vibe from the bloody stupid plants,
you get me?"

Severus laughed again. "It's just knowing how to handle the plants really, but yes, I understand
where you are coming from. If we're ever sorted into pairs in Herbology, I'm happy to be your
partner and help you out any time you'd like," he offered impulsively.

Mulciber smiled. "Hey, thanks! I just might take you up on that."

Severus sighed and glanced down at the freshly shuffled deck of cards. "Very well, let us get this
rubbish over with," he muttered. Drawing in a deep breath, he picked up the first card and placed it
onto the table. He then reached for the next.

"Wait," Mulciber said. "You're supposed to hold the cards and even shuffle them again if you like,
or you know, at least not just pick from the top."

Severus blinked. Why? Rather than wondering this aloud,, he simply nodded and picked up the
cards. He was rubbish at shuffling, so he just began to draw cards from different points of the deck,
placing each face down. Mulciber didn't comment again, so he assumed this was suitable. When
he'd chosen the fifth card, he replaced the deck on the table and waited.

"Very well, then," Mulciber said. Nodding gravely to himself, he began carefully turning each card
over. "Four are in reverse and only one is upright, so it looks as if you'll get an invite, but not be
allowed to go," he said.

Severus felt his stomach sinking with disappointment before he remembered that this was just a
stupid pack of cards and no true form of actual divining. "Very well. Thanks. Your turn to ask a
question, I suppose." He picked up the deck and did his best to shuffle them, though he knew he
wasn't nearly as smoothly polished at it as Mulciber. He had played card games often with his
father as a child, but no matter how many times Tobias had attempted to show him, he'd never truly
gotten the hang of the bloody shuffle!

"Hm," Mulciber said. He bit his lip in thought. "I think I want to know if... Eu what's that fuckin'
smell!"

Severus opened his mouth to remind the other boy that Professor Trelawney had just lit incense a
bit ago when the foul odor struck his nose as well. It was most certainly not incense! The sound of
mingled shrieks and laughter had him glancing across the room to where James and Sirius sat near
Remus and Peter. Like everyone else, they had tarot cards spread out before them. All four of the
gits looked quite horrified as the students around them pointed, laughed, shrieked and in a few
cases gagged.

"Oh my god, something literally died in their pants," a red haired Gryffindor girl practically
shouted. She was one of the few who had actually been gagging when Severus first glanced over.

"Oh shut it, Evans, we have not," Sirius snapped. "It had to have been something in those eggs we
had for breakfast. The rest of you shall be suffering as well soon, so don't laugh too hard!"

"That smell really isn't natural," another Gryffindor girl said firmly. "I literally think you all should
go to the hospital wing." Professor Trelawney was coughing as she opened all three of the room's
windows to let in some fresh air. As the stench continued to waft over to Severus's side of the room,
he tended to agree with the girl who'd said the smell wasn't natural. It smelled of rotten Sulfur but
had an odd motor car chemical smell in it as well.

"I think I need to be excused," Peter said. As he stood, the smell got even worse. Everyone around
the group of Gits screamed.

"Oh man, I think he shit himself," Mulciber said excitedly. Cackling with glee, he leaned around
Severus to have a better look. "Yep it's for sure shit! It's even in his chair!" In a louder voice he
called. "Go Go Gryffindor!"

"This is not funny," Professor Trelawney nearly howled. "Fifty points from Gryffindor. Now get out
of here, all four of you! Go to the Headmaster this instant!"

"But Professor... It really isn't our fault," Remus Lupin said miserably. "If we might only be
excused to wash up. I fear that all of us have had incredibly embarrassing accidents." Oh blessed
Merlin! Had they all actually literally soiled themselves? Severus thought he may be having the
best day ever if so. Then it hit him. This had to be Raislen's revenge! Only how had he done it?
Severus would be finding out later, that was for sure.

"I'm telling you, it was bad eggs," Sirius groaned. His belly made a dangerous rumbling noise then
that carried all the way over to Severus's side of the room. He bent double across his desk, causing
his spread of tarot cards to slide onto the floor.

"It really does hurt, Professor," James gasped. He clutched at his stomach and Severus was
positively gleeful to see that his cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and probably misery as
well. Good. That was very good. That pained expression looked absolutely perfect on James
Potter's obnoxiously arrogant face. Severus was so happy, he was nearly high with it, but he kept
most of this off of his face with an effort. Instead of showing the utter and complete joy he was
experiencing, he kept a look of contempt on his face as he regarded the four Gryffindors. "That lot
will do anything for attention," he told Mulciber. "Literally anything."

"Clean that foul mess up this instant, and then get yourselves to the Headmaster's office directly,"
Trelawney bellowed. "And don't give me any ifs, ands, or buts."

"She said butts," Mulciber whispered with a gleeful chuckle. "Get it, she said butts!"
 Tarot

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 30, Tarot

"How did you do it," Severus shout-whispered to Raislen as soon as he settled into a seat beside the
older boy at lunch. As usual Raislen was saving the seat for him so that no other fifth year would
take it.

At the question, Raislen's face split into a pleased grin. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking
about, Kid. If I did know what you're talking about, though, I would say that having Hufflepuff
friends who can slip something into food because their common room is connected to the kitchens
is very useful indeed."

Severus's eyes widened. "Brilliant," he breathed. "That is bloody brilliant."

"How did it happen," Heather asked quietly from where she sat on the other side of Raislen.
Severus studied her calm expression. How did she remain so bloody composed in the face of such a
wonderful, much deserved bit of victory?

"Why are you looking so calm like that," he asked just as quietly. "It's strange."

"If I look too eager, it will draw suspicion," Heather said. Her tone suggested that Severus was
thick for asking and he flushed.

"Yeah that's true. You're right."

"So how did it happen," Heather persisted impatiently. Her tone sounded impatient but her face was
still calm and even impassive. Severus was impressed.

"Oh it was so beautiful," he said. Though he struggled to keep the glee from his face, he knew he'd
never be as good as Heather at hiding how he felt. If he was half as good, he'd be satisfied. "It was
in Divinations class. They soiled themselves literally in class! And it smelled like something rotten!
To clarify, by that I mean worse than someone's waste usually smells."

"Clearly," Heather said, lips twitching.

Raislen snickered. "I bought sulphur drops from Zonkos. The bottle promises that if you put a drop
in someone's drink, they'll pass the most foulest of gas. Apparently some freaks find that funny. But
I got to thinking... What if someone had an entire fourth of a bottle in their pumpkiney pumpkin
juice?!"

Severus spluttered with laughter that he unsuccessfully attempted to contain. "But wait," Heather
said. "There is more." Though her tone and face remained implacably calm and impassive, Severus
could see the mirth dancing in her eyes.

"Well then I also got to thinking that what if I worked an enhancement charm on the bottle of
sulphur drops before I arranged for my very loyal friend whose common room is attached to the
kitchens to put it in the juice the four Gryffindor Gits would receive with their breakfast." Raislen's
smile was extremely self-satisfied, as it should be.

"Oh gods," Severus murmured in open awe.

"Yep," Heather said, giving Raislen a proud grin. "He did good. I bet those Gits haven't stopped
shitting themselves yet!"

"They could run out of shit," Raislen speculated thoughtfully.

"Well then there's always liquid," Heather said.

Raislen nodded sagely. "There's that."

"That is the most brilliant," Severus said carefully. He spoke carefully to avoid shouting with glee.

Raislen grinned. "Thanks, Kid. They had it coming. I could've done far better, but I had to keep it
harmless to avoid being expelled or something." He chuckled. "The point is, it certainly won't be
harmless to their precious wittle egos."

"The egos of bullies are always fragile," Heather said."Else they'd not have those emotions that
make them want to bully."

"What emotions," Severus found himself wondering.

Heather shrugged. "Dunno. Not a bully."

Severus laughed. "Fair enough." He grinned at Raislen. "And you're right. That really will hurt
them in the worst of places. Raislen you are so bloody brilliant!"

Raislen grinned happily. "I know, but I am in good company." Raislen had always had a grand self
esteem, but he never needed to be the star, always sharing the glory with his friends. Severus had a
good self esteem himself, when it came to his own intelligence, so this worked for him. The only
thing he felt self-conscious over was the fact that Grandfather Prince kept him so poor. It was
humiliating. That and the ever-pressing-fact that though he was a far more skilled duelist than any
of the four Gryffindor Gits, they could still manage to get the best of him when in a group. Not
today, though, he thought with an inner cackle. Today they weren't even getting the best of the
toilet!

How he wished he could manage to corner and attack them today. He could show them how good it
felt to be ganged up on. Even though he'd be one while they were four, they'd be too busy soiling
themselves or trying not to to fight back. Alas, he hadn't been able to watch them suffer further
after Divinations, because they hadn't attended the next two classes before lunch. He assumed they
were likely in the hospital wing. As such, it was no surprise that they weren't attempting to eat
lunch. If they had, it would likely just exit again quickly, right into their chairs just as had happened
in Divinations class. That image caused Severus to think of the tarot lesson. "Say! What do the two
of you think of tarot? Do you think it's real," Severus asked glancing from Heather to Raislen. "I
myself think it's a load of rubbish."

"Well tarot decks are most definitely real," Raislen said dryly and Severus kicked his leg under the
table. Raislen laughed, jerking aside so that his shoulder accidentally bumped Heather's. She didn't
seem to notice. Her expression was thoughtful as she studied Severus.
"I have actually gotten some rather accurate tarot readings from gypsies during the dry, hot,
miserable summer travels while my parents tour."

"Really?" Raislen turned to her in interest. "How did you know they were accurate?"

"Yes, how," Severus chimed in.

"Well I got a reading when I was twelve that said I'd make a new close friend the next year. That's
when you came to Hogwarts, Severus. When Raislen and I were thirteen."

Severus frowned. "But that's so general. Everyone makes new friends." Well everyone normal.
Severus didn't make many new friends. He had made Heather and Raislen in his first year, then
Regulus and perhaps Mulciber in this, his third.

"True," Raislen backed him up.

Heather shook her head. "But there was more! The gypsy who cast those cards said that this friend
had a tough family life. I didn't even know that the reading was so accurate until you told us about
how dreadful your grandfather is to you and you know, what had happened to your dad," Heather
told Severus quietly. "Any would-be reader can invent generalities that apply to everyone, but she
was more specific. She also said that you are a good and loyal person," she added, giving him a
warm smile. "So does this prove that at least some tarot readers are accurate?"

Severus shrugged, still undecided. "That's still somewhat general."

"True," Raislen agreed.

"A reading I got last year told me I'd be a Prefect," Heather said. "Is that specific enough for you?"

Severus and Raislen exchanged a glance before both shrugged nearly as one.

"Sure, if it works for you, Heather Toy," Raislen said, giving her a casual smile.

Twisting in her chair, Heather struck Raislen in the stomach with an angry fist, then did it again.

"That was different," Severus observed. "Usually it's just the once."

"Yeah," Raislen wheezed as he doubled over in pain. "What gives, Heather Toy?"

"Sit up so I can get you again for that," she snapped darkly. "The second one was for patronizing
me about my tarot experiences. You weren't there."

"But I wasn't," Raislen protested without straightening up. That was wise, as it kept him from being
hit again, but he couldn't remain doubled over all day, Severus thought. "I really did mean if it
works for you. Severus and I haven't had your experiences, is all. We can't just believe something
without experiencing it." Severus nodded in silent agreement.

"Fine," Heather said. "Sorry for that second one, then. I'll give you a pass on the second Heather
Toy and call it even this time. Are we good?""

Grinning, Raislen straightened. "For sure," he agreed.

"So you haven't had an accurate tarot reading," Severus asked Raislen.
"I got accurate generalities that could be true for most people, so I couldn't draw conclusions. I
think the cards are basically designed for accurate generalities, though. That's their shtick." Severus
nodded, because that made sense.

"How about you," Raislen asked.

Severus shrugged. "I'd never had a reading until today in class. The Gryffindor Gang of Gits had
their smelly accident just in time to keep me from having to give a return reading, so it was doubly
brilliant," Severus said.

"So your reading was accurate generalities, then," Heather asked.

"Well no," Severus said. "Just wrong. We were told to ask a specific question about something. The
good thing about that is, well it's harder to keep it general with a direct question."

"So," Heather asked. "What was it?"

"I couldn't think of anything good to ask," Severus admitted. "So I chose something that I already
basically know the answer to and asked if I'd get to visit Raislen's library... ur I mean Raislen for
the holidays again this year," Severus said. He flushed because the library slip up had truly been
accidental. He did miss that library, though. He missed it so very much. He did wish to see Raislen
over the break as well, but he had literal dreams about sleeping in that library again.

Being surrounded by the heavenly smell of old books while staring at floor to ceiling shelves that
were literally packed with them. The soles of his feet still recalled the literal hum of power he could
feel from the floor that always seemed to call to him, welcoming him lovingly as he entered.

"So what, the cards said you'd be visiting," Raislen asked. "And I will tactfully ignore the bit about
visiting my library instead of me," he added pointedly. Severus flushed again, but Raislen was
grinning in open amusement.

"Oh no, that's just it," Severus said."The experiment just proved what I already believe about tarot
being fake rubbish. According to my partner Mulciber, the cards said that I won't be allowed to
visit. I can't see why not, so it is clearly all rubbish."

"What if Mulciber simply doesn't have a talent for tarot," Heather asked. "The cards can't do it all
on their own without a skilled reader. It's a fifty-fifty thing."

Severus shrugged. "I don't know, but for now I think they're rubbish. If I ever get an accurate
reading, I'll change my mind."

"Fair enough," Raislen said, nodding. Just then Regulus hurried up. His cheeks were flushed and
his eyes were bright with excitement. "I had to write Kreacher about the good news," he said. Of
course they knew precisely what good news he meant.

"You just missed the secret explanation of how it went down," Heather told him. An amused smile
tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Ooh you must tell it again, then, please," Regulus said. "Just wait while I get a chair." There were
no empty chairs at their part of the table, so he grabbed one from where all the first years were
sitting and dragged it close to Heather's. "I didn't do it," Heather said, gesturing at Raislen. "He'll
explain it all, but of course, you can't tell a soul."
"Obviously not," Regulus said. "Just Kreacher, but you know I tell him everything."

"Sure but not in letters. You tell him when you get home over the Holidays or if you see him in
person again for Hogsmeade before the holidays," Raislen said firmly.

Though his face fell a little, Regulus nodded. "Letters could be tampered with. I understand."

"Good lad," Raislen said, then proceeded to fill Regulus in on how he'd managed to make the
Gryffindor Gang of Gits make a big smelly mess all over Divinations class. Severus picked up the
story to tell of exactly how it had unfolded during his own lesson. He concluded by asking, "Do
you believe that tarot is accurate?"

Regulus shrugged. "No idea, and don't care."

"You may when you have to do it some day in Divinations," Heather said with a laugh, and Severus
rolled his eyes.
 Not In The Cards

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 31, Not In The Cards

For the next few weeks, the Gryffindor Gang of Gits actually left Severus and Regulus alone unless
a few hostile, suspicious glances counted. Surely they suspected that the group of Slytherins had
some hand in their literally shitty experience, but they had no proof what-so-ever. This surely
provided a bit of well deserved torment for them. This was sweet, and Severus savored it, enjoying
the weeks of peace. Eventually as the holiday season neared, he wrote his mum to confirm that he
could visit Raislen after Christmas again, returning to Hogwarts with him as he had done the
previous year. When he got the reply, he was sitting with his friends at breakfast.

Dearest Severus,

Mummy is so sorry to tell you that your Grandfather insists that you remain home for the entire
holiday. He says it makes him look bad to other Pure-blood families if you don't even want to be
home for Christmas. I suppose it does, and I suppose it should, but I didn't say any of that. I begged
him to reconsider, reminding him that visiting friends for the holidays is perfectly normal, but he
refuses. I did tell him that his treatment of you is the reason that you may not wish to be here, and
that did not go over well as you can guess. He continues to feel that his treatment of both of us is
somehow entirely justified. We won't have to live here forever. Some day I'll make enough money
with the potions making to get us out of here, Baby. I promise it shall be a special Christmas.
Mummy loves you.

Severus stared in dumb shock at the letter before dropping it onto the table beside his plate.

"What's wrong," Heather asked. "Is someone hurt?"

"Only my hopes and dreams for a nice holiday," Severus said dully.

"What happened," Raislen asked, shocked.

"Grandfather Prince won't allow me to visit yours after Christmas," Severus said. "He thinks my
not wanting to be there makes him look bad to other decent families, in this case being yours."

"Rubbish," Raislen groaned and Severus nodded, for indeed it was rubbish.

"He is just doing this because he hates me so much," he said thickly. "And oh how I hate him too. I
hate him more!"

Heather chuckled. "I bet you do. My but he's a git! I'm sorry, Severus."

"Thanks," Severus said tightly. "Me too." Glancing up the table to where the other third years were
sitting, he waved at Mulciber. "Mulciber," he called. "You were right."

Mulciber grinned happily. "Great!" Then he looked curious. "Bout what?"

"Well your tarot cards were right," Severus amended. "You gave me an accurate reading. Though it
did not seem likely, my holidays are ruined."

"Great," Mulciber called cheerfully. After a moment, he seemed to process more than just the bit
where he apparently had talent with the tarot. "And sorry to hear that, Mate."

"If it helps matters any at all, you shan't be the only one spending the holidays with a git in the
family that you hate," Regulus said, giving him a conciliatory smile.

"We could form a club," Severus said darkly and Regulus chuckled.

"May Kreacher join? He also suffers Sirius, you know."

"Sure," Severus replied, slumping dejectedly in his chair. He stared glumly at his half finished plate
of breakfast, no longer hungry.

When it was finally time to go home for the holidays, Severus wasn't nearly as excited as usual.
While he was always pleased to see his mum, the idea of having to be in his dreadful grandfather's
infuriating presence knotted his stomach with impotent rage. He hated feeling so angry, yet
knowing that there was nowhere for that anger to go. While Regulus wasn't at all looking forward
to being home with Sirius, he was eager to see Kreacher.

Severus felt guilty for not feeling more excited to see his mum this time, but right or not, it felt as if
she should've been able to do more to help him in this. Grandfather was never going to be tired of
punishing her for daring to love and marry a Muggle. Ever. Likewise he was never going to stop
hating Severus. This would ever be the case even though Severus was his grandson, his own flesh
and blood. Even though Severus was part of a Muggle, he was also part of old man Prince. Though
Eileen had told her father this many, many times, he didn't seem to see as much. In truth, even
though it may have made him a bit more merciful if he had, Severus was glad that the old man saw
nothing of himself in his own grandson.

It only served to make Severus think even more highly of himself. It was evident that Eileen had
spent all her savings to give Severus a good Christmas. This warmed his heart toward her again. It
also caused him to feel extremely guilty for his sulky nearly cold shoulder treatment of her since
he'd come home. It also made him feel the prat for enjoying his gifts when he knew she'd spent
much of her meager savings on them because he'd been denied his visit to Raislen's. Opening his
gifts was nonetheless exciting, though. They sat on the floor of his bedroom on Christmas morning
to unwrap gifts away from grandfather Prince and any rude comments he could make. Even if there
seemed to be no room for a rude comment, the old man would surely find one, so times that were
intended to be happy, were always had away from him.

Gift opening was never an exception to that rule. Severus tore into his first gift eagerly. He got
grand new dress robes in a vibrant green, which Mum said would make his dark eyes stand out
nicely. He'd been told by a few Hufflepuffs with whom Heather was friendly that his eyes were
scary, so his mum saying they'd stand out in the new dress robes caused him to smile in pleasure.
Nice looking robes that made his eyes look scary could never be a bad thing.

Tomorrow Grandfather Prince was having his stuck up friends over, and Eileen wished for Severus
to have nice clothes when he was presented to them at dinner. Normally his attire was on the
shabby side due to Eileen's lack of funds. This made it even easier for Grandfather to silently put
him down with a mere glance. Rather than being embarrassed to have Severus around, the old man
seemed to enjoy having his grandson's presence when friends were over. It gave the old man a
grand opportunity to make scathing comments about Severus's shortcomings, all of which involved
any physical traits he'd gotten from Tobias as well as his generally shabby appearance and of
course his tainted blood. Severus would never stop being proud of having Tobias's blood in his
veins, no matter how cutting the old man was about it. At least tomorrow he would look dapper
even if he could change nothing about his physical person, so it was one less thing the old man
could jab him about while his friends looked on in open sympathy that old man Prince had such a
despicably embarrassing grandson.

The next gift that Severus opened was a stack of potions books that turned out to be hollow. "You
can use them to hide anything, and no one shall think to look, unless they've a mind to read
potions," Eileen told him with a chuckle. Most people weren't nearly as interested in potions books
as Severus and his mum were, so it was a safe enough hiding place.

"Plus I can place locking wards on the opening," Severus added excitedly. "Thanks, Mum." He
gave her a hug before reaching for the next package. When he tore off the wrapping, he gave a
shout of glee. It was a board game meant for four or more players called Arthur's Quest. It had
animated game pieces, and one of them was even Merlin himself.

"I get to play Merlin! How brilliant!" It was his game, so he felt it only fair if he got to pick who he
played first, and he was always going to choose Merlin. If there weren't enough players, he'd take
Nimue as well. He gave his mum another hug, and laughing, Eileen returned it.

"I just knew you had to have it when I saw it in the Never land Toy Catalog's holiday addition," she
said. "I figured you would enjoy playing it with Heather, Raislen and your new friend Regulus."

"Indeed," Severus agreed eagerly. "I plan to play it the first night we return to Hogwarts!" The next
package held a mixed bag of all his favorite candies. This totally made up for the fact he could only
buy two pieces at Honeydukes on the trip to Hogsmeade with his friends. There was even a bag of
his favorite gummie fruit flavored Muggle candy, which meant his mum had to go Muggle
shopping for it. He hugged her again, clinging tightly for a long time.

The candy made him happy, but it also made him miss his dad so very much. "I wish he was just
still here," he said into Eileen's shoulder around the lump in his throat. "Everything would be better
if he hadn't gotten killed." He wondered if it had made her feel sad going to a Muggle shop for that
candy. "I'm sorry Mum," he said, feeling the sharp unwanted sting of tears of regret pricking at the
backs of his scary black eyes. He. would. not. cry. like. a. bloody. baby! "I'm sorry I was such a
prat. It was grandfather's fault, not yours that I wasn't allowed to go to Raislen's, and I shouldn't
have been angry at you."

Eileen clung tightly to him in return. "I can understand how you feel it is my fault, though, at least
in part. I should have more money for us with all the potions I make. I should be able to support us.
We do still have our old house. But there are things that you don't understand, Severus. Things I
was keeping from you because I knew how angry you would be, and it will only make things worse
if you lose your temper."

At her words, Severus's head popped up from her shoulder so that he could look into her eyes.
"What are you talking about, Mum?" Now he was worried, the joy over all of his amazing gifts
momentarily forgotten. "Mum, please tell me you aren't unwell!" His arms tightened around her as
he spoke.

"Oh no, Baby, Mummy is fine, I promise. Physically, Mummy is fine," Eileen hastened to reassure.
She hugged him tight. "Mummy will never leave you."
Severus sagged briefly into her hug as relief flooded him at that. "Good. I am holding you to that
for ever and ever. So what is it then?" He drew back, settling back onto his heals to listen. They sat
in the floor together surrounded by the gifts he'd just opened.

Eileen took a deep breath. "You know I never had it easy around your grandfather when I was
growing up either. My blood may be pure, but I was never pretty enough or girlish enough or social
enough. Then when I married Tobias I was even more of an embarrassment." Severus nodded
uncomfortably. This was not new news, but hearing that his grandfather thought so poorly and
wrongly of his mum always enraged him. Just because she enjoyed practical things like potions
over silly pink dresses did not mean she wasn't pretty, and just because she did not wish to go into
wizarding stocks did not make her any less smart.

She was brilliant at potions, which was way better and her marks were always high in school just as
Severus's own were. Grandfather was such a roiling git and supremely stupid to boot! He behaved
as if they weren't good enough and they were far smarter than him. Tobias had been as well, but
Grandfather would never see it, much less admit it, because stupid people couldn't see anything that
did not match their own level of stupid.

"After you and I had to come back home when Tobias died, I told Father that we'd be out as soon as
possible. I told him that we still had the house Tobias had bought for us when he and I first got
married and that I planned to return there with you as soon as I was making enough money. While
he did not mind me living on my own, he hated that I did not plan to sell that house and buy
something in Hogsmeade like any self-respecting witch would according to him. I can't sell that
house, Severus," she said, voice breaking. "It's all we have of Tobias."

"I know. Never sell it. You promised it was to be mine some day," Severus said, hands clenching
into fists at his sides at the very idea that Grandfather wanted them to get rid of the only real home
he'd ever known.

"It is yours," Eileen assured. "I promise you that. Your grandfather was extremely displeased at the
idea of his daughter returning to live among Muggles again, continuing to shame him and all that
nonsense. For that reason, Severus, he made sure that I never make enough to do more than scrape
along with only our basic necessities seen to. He knows the shop owners who buy my potions and
he either makes sure that they lowball me or that if they refuse to do so, they don't buy from me
often enough to allow me any sort of a savings." She sighed, slender shoulders slumping. "That's
what his influence over wizarding finance can accomplish, I suppose."

Severus swore darkly under his breath, and to his relief, Eileen didn't notice, or if she did, she didn't
comment. How he hated grandfather. He hated him so very much. "I wish he'd just hurry up and die
already," he said venomously. He meant those words with his entire heart and soul. "He is evil and
shouldn't be here if that's all he's going to be." It seemed only the good people died, though, he
thought darkly. They died while the bad ones lived on and on.

"Please don't say anything to him about this, for it will only make it worse. If I make even less
money, I don't know what we shall do or how I shall even pay for your school things," Eileen
pleaded.

Severus sighed, nodding. It was going to be very difficult to say the least not to speak out, but he
knew his mum was right. "Alright. Very well. I promise."

"And that's the best Christmas present you could give me, for I know it shall cost you dear," Eileen
said, reaching to give him a tight hug. "Mummy loves you very much."
"I love you too," Severus said, hugging her back.

(Dear Reader,

Arg, it seems so many of Severus's Christmas's are tearjerkers for some reason or other. If you'd
like to read more of such in his adulthood, *it really isn't intentional, LOL*, do check our story,
Knowledge Is Power.)
 Wide Awake In Dreamland

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 32, Wide Awake In Dreamland

It wasn't until Severus was packing to return to Hogwarts on his last night at home for the holidays
that it hit him. Heather had forgotten her joke on the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. She'd said she would
do it just before the holidays. It appeared that her entire timing theory had backfired on her, because
so much time had passed that she'd forgotten. Though this was irksome, Severus reminded himself
that it didn't matter when the gits got theirs from Heather so long as they got it. She wasn't about to
forgive them, so it would happen. Still, hopefully she wasn't right about them forgetting what it was
for if she waited for too long. Still it was the first thing he said to her when he found her and
Raislen waiting on Platform Nine and Three-quarters.

"Hi, Kid," Raislen called, waving as Severus hurried up, dragging his trunk along in one hand.

"You forgot," he told Heather, giving her an accusatory glare.

"What?" Heather gave him an innocent look. "I clearly don't remember what you're talking about."

Severus frowned. She was being too calm again. "So you did remember?"

Her lips curved into an amused smile. "Of bloody course I did. What do you take me for? I only
forgot to tell you about it on the way home on the train as I'd planned, because we were all so
bummed about your grandfather ruining the holidays." It was oddly touching to know that she and
Raislen had been that bothered over his situation.

"I thought about it, though," Raislen said. "I figure a visit is a visit, so how about over the summer?
Then you can stay for even longer. I asked my parents and they already said yes. They said you can
stay as long as you like, so just ask your mum when you can come and for how long because it's all
fine on my end."

"Really," Severus gasped. He was momentarily distracted from his burning desire to know what
Heather had done to the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. "Oh Raislen, that's so great! Thank you! I hate
being stuck there all summer! They're always arguing, and I swear it seems like he's even worse in
the heat." Severus made a face.

"It is easy to get all bitchy in the summer heat, but we hate him so he has no right," Heather said
and Severus nodded, unable to resist grinning at her in appreciation for the sentiment.

"Kreacher sent cookies," Regulus Black shouted as he dashed up to them. "They're his holiday
recipe and they are amazing!"

"Tell him thanks for us," Severus said, smiling saved him money that he did not have for when the
food trolley came around on the train.

"He said he'd have sent cookies along anyway, but after what Heather did, he sent extra," Regulus
gushed. "Oh Heather, it was absolutely brilliant! Sirius had the most miserable Christmas ever!"
Heather smiled complacently. "Good. I am sure that means the rest of them did as well. And I can't
think of four gits who deserved it more." Now Severus was itching to know what happened.

"Well, tell me," he said, practically bouncing on his toes with eagerness to know.

Heather frowned. "I think it's safer to wait until we're all settled in our compartment so we won't
risk anyone hearing your reaction."

Severus laughed. This had to be good. "Fine," he acquiesced.

"In that case, I'll hold off on telling about my holidays as well," Regulus said with a smirk. "As
Heather can likely guess, it's all connected." That had Severus nearly bursting with his desire to
know all!

"So how were your holidays, kid," Raislen asked sympathetically. That question served nicely to
dampen Severus's excitement a bit. He sighed, shrugging. Though it was kind of Raislen to ask, it
wasn't precisely a pleasant topic.

"Educational, I suppose," he bit out. "I did get some nice gifts, though."

"Educational," Heather echoed, clearly concerned.

Severus forced a reassuring smile. "Not like you're probably thinking. Old man Prince wasn't too
bad. Perhaps because he felt he already got to ruin my holidays by not allowing me to go to
Raislen's. Then again, it may have had something to do with the fact he wasn't able to look bad in
front of his friends due to my new dress robes serving to make me look suitably posh instead."

"It's so hard to imagine people like that actually having friends," Heather said. "It just means they're
all rubbish people to want a friend like that."

"For sure," Raislen agreed.

"You just called all of yourselves rotten people then, for dealing with my little shit of a brother and
Snivellus." Sirius Black laughed as they all turned to face him. The sound was high and oddly
manic. Severus felt his eyes widening, because that was not normal. Black had dark circles under
his eyes, yet looked energetic in a jerky sort of way. As he spoke, he was constantly shifting from
foot to foot as if he found it difficult to stand still. "Ha-ha, I said Snivellus," he shared, as if they
somehow hadn't heard. "That's so f-funny!" There went that rapid fire manic laugh again that was
beginning to set Severus's teeth on edge. Black was behaving so strangely that being called
Snivellus wasn't even enraging him at the moment. Not in this weird context. It was just too hard to
take seriously when presented in Black's current half mad tones.

"Aren't you sleepy yet, Prat," Heather asked him with a harsh laugh.

"He hasn't been sleepy all during the holidays," Regulus said, widening his eyes in clearly feigned
concern.

"Snivellus," Sirius tittered again. "I could say that word all day."

"As for friends," Raislen told him. "All of yours are rubbish for dealing with you,and if you can't
see that Severus and Raislen are decent blokes, it's entirely your loss. Now bugger off with your
Snivellus self before I give in to my urge to shove your stupid head up your own pratish behind!
It'd quite likely get me expelled, but right now it feels so worth it."

"Sirius, Siri Sirius! Where is everyone else?" The call came from Peter as he waved at Sirius from
near the other end of the platform. The little git's wild eyes and speech patterns were also oddly
manic, Severus noted with growing fascination. What ever had Heather done?

"Huh-Snivellus," Sirius giggled to himself as he turned toward Peter and began moving in his
direction.

"Oh and Sirius," Heather called sweetly after him. He paused at the sound of her voice and turned
to stare at her. He still moved in place, shifting energetically from foot to foot as he waited to hear
what she had to say. "And if you ever take your battles with me to Severus again it will only be
worse next time. Got it? Don't try taking me on either, because you will never win. I am older, with
more power plus I will always, always be smarter than you. Think about that carefully before you
act. And before you even think of thinking that it's unfair, at least now you know how it feels. Not
to mention it is very fair, because if you hadn't started with Severus and Regulus and Kreacher,
none of this would be happening. Now get with you!" Sirius turned and hurried to Peter's side.

"He's so out of it, I don't even know how much of that he understood," Regulus said with a gleeful
cackle. "He got into so much trouble for being constantly weird during the holidays, and it just
didn't stop!"

"Remember! We're waiting until we're on the train to talk about that," Heather reminded firmly.
"Back to your vacation, though, Severus. What else happened?"

Severus scowled. Back to that again, was it? While it was nice to know his friends cared, he wished
that caring didn't have to involve such unpleasant topics. "I found out from my mum that he's
keeping her from making enough money to go back home to the house my dad bought for us in
Spinner's End."

Heather's eyes widened as her mouth made an O of shock. "How's he managing that," Raislen
asked.

"He deals in finance, and he's using those connections to make it easier for those with whom he
does business to either buy very little from my mum or lowball her on the prices, knowing that she
needs the money and has no choice." His lip curled in disgust. "How I hate him. I hope he dies."

"I don't blame you," Regulus said fervently. "What a bloody piece of work." Heather and Raislen
nodded, both giving Severus sympathetic looks. Everyone began to board the train, and Severus
was glad for more than one reason. He was quite eager to hear what Heather had done to the
Gryffindor Gang of Gits, but nearly as glad to have cause to drop this particular topic. Thinking of
it just made him too rageful for comfort, so he had to take it on in small doses. The four grabbed a
compartment quickly, and as soon as the door was shut, Severus turned to Heather. "Now!""

Heather laughed. "Yes, do sit down and relax," she said.

"Now," Severus pressed as they all sat, Heather included.

"I took a page from Raislen's enhancement idea and enhanced an energy potion. I got his
Hufflepuff friend to make sure they got it in their morning juice before leaving for the holidays.
Even better, I made it slow release. They maybe slept fifteen minutes a night. Do you know what
lack of sleep does to the mind," Heather asked eagerly.

Regulus laughed. "I do now!

"So when will they sleep normally again," Severus asked. He'd thought Raislen's idea was amazing,
and it was but this... What Heather had done was bloody art... Dark Art!

"They will sleep tonight, and perhaps they'll even fall asleep on the train. As I said, I made it time
release. I knew we'd be in for it with Dumbledore if those gits behaved like manic monkeys at
Hogwarts," Heather said.

"You are an evil Genius, who I am proud to call my friend," Severus said, suddenly springing up to
give Heather a quick hug.

"It was literally my gleeful pleasure, Kid," Heather said, hugging him back.

"That was good shit, right there, Heather Toy," Raislen said, grinning proudly at her.

"Thank you, Raislen," Heather said sweetly, then punched him in the stomach.

Regulus sighed and Rolled his eyes. Severus nodded in agreement. "Sirius was so weird over the
holidays," Regulus said, bouncing slightly in his seat with glee. "He kept saying weird stuff at
inopportune moments that he thought was funny. The parents were half certain that he was on
drugs! Bellatrix and Rodolphus must have hexed him six times over Christmas for not shutting up
with the insults, and I think Rabastan beat him up twice. It was epic! Kreacher and I mostly just sat
back and watched the wonders unfold." Thank you, Heather."

Heather chuckled. "It was the gift that kept on giving to everyone," she said. "I always like to be
giving."

"Speaking of that," Regulus said, reaching under his seat where he'd stored his trunk, "Who wants
cookies?"
 OWLS

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 33, OWLS

Save for random insults in the hall or in classes the Gryffindor Gang of Gits left Severus alone for
the rest of that year. The same went for Regulus. Severus didn't know if Heather's prank had scared
them off, or if they were just busy with something else, but whatever it was, he'd take it. Regulus
enjoyed the peace as well. They dedicated their time to their studies and to having fun with their
friends. Heather and Raislen were preparing for their OWLS and Severus and Regulus were glad to
help them study. It allowed both a glimpse of what was to come. "If we're lucky, we shan't have to
study as hard when it's our turn," Regulus said. "In helping you, we're helping ourselves."

"Said like a self-serving Slytherin," Heather chuckled.

"Well it's true," Regulus said. "And I'd be remiss to ignore it. Even if it didn't help us, we'd still help
you regardless. And do you know why? Because we are wonderful friends," Regulus bragged
shamelessly.

"You are," Raislen agreed, grinning over at him. "And we appreciate you for it."

"You're a super smart kid, just like Severus," Heather told Regulus warmly. "Which is why I think
you should consider doing something more with your life than following someone else."

"But if he wins, if he fixes the wizarding world and I help, I will have done the greatest thing with
my life that any self-respecting wizard can," Regulus insisted.

"But... But what if he isn't who you think he is, and he doesn't do all that," Raislen asked carefully
after exchanging a glance with Heather.

"Well that's impossible," Regulus said. "He's one of the most powerful..."

"Power has nothing to do with a person's character," Raislen cut in gently. "And it has nothing to do
with how things could end up if that person is outnumbered by those who stand against them.
Grindelwald failed, after all. Changing the world isn't at all easy, especially when the world doesn't
want changing."

"I'm sure he has taken that into account," Regulus said.

"Well account or not, many have tried and failed, so it's a bigger risk you're taking than you think,"
Heather told him. "I'm just wondering if you've considered that."

"I'm sure he's considered that," Regulus said.

"And if you're wrong," Heather pressed.

"I'm not," Regulus assured confidently. Seeing that there was no getting through to him on that,
they went back to prepping for their OWLS. Severus hadn't said a word for he'd already seen
months back how far gone Regulus was on Voldemort and his cause. He'd considered telling
Regulus what Voldemort had done to his father, but decided against it.

Regulus would just justify it as Voldemort defending wizarding society from Muggles and the harm
they could do. He wouldn't understand. He knew that Heather and Raislen liked Regulus so sought
to save him from becoming entangled with Voldemort, but it wasn't going to work. That was
alright, because Severus still had his own plans. Perhaps some day, Regulus would see what he'd
gotten himself into and then Severus would still be there to support him as true friends did. Regulus
could even help Severus to take down Voldemort. That would be grand.

All that was quite far away, though, and right now Heather and Raislen's OWLS loomed so he
turned his attention back to that. He and Regulus diligently spent the rest of the evening taking
turns quizzing them. When they got into Transfiguration, Severus felt his own anxiety beginning to
rise. "I hate this class," he muttered. "I know I'm going to fail my Transfiguration OWL, because
it's my worst subject." He always passed the class but admittedly and shamefully by a narrow
margin, and he hated it even more for being the low mark that ruined his near perfect record.

"We'll help you prepare when your time comes, Kid," Raislen assured.

"Outside help can only do so much for my comprehension of the bloody mechanics," Severus
muttered. The unwavering anxiety in his stomach didn't feel confident that outside help would help
anymore than his mind did.

Heather must have seen as much on his face, for she smiled and reached over to pat his arm. "We'll
start helping you next year even," she promised. "I'd say this year, but this year is no good. You
know, because it's about us and our OWLS this year."

Severus chuckled. "I completely understand. This year you have your own panic on which to focus.
Besides I don't think help will help no matter how long it is given, but I suppose we can try next
year." He certainly didn't mind putting off the process of attempting to bend his brain into
comprehending the deeper levels of Transfigurations. Once you got him past the basics, his lack of
comprehension just became infuriating. He tried to perform the bloody spells and when they didn't
work, he had no idea why or when he did, he had no idea how to improve his lack of understanding
in order to correct it.

"Ah don't give yourself panic over it, Kid," Raislen said easily. "We'll fix it, I promise."

"But you can't fix my lack of understanding," Severus said, hearing his own voice rising in
frustration and yes, panic. "I just don't get it, or when I think I do, it still doesn't come out right, so I
am unable to explain what I didn't understand, because apparently I thought I did understand. Oh
bloody never mind, I hate even thinking about it," he grumbled. "We'll worry over it when the time
comes."

"It isn't that hard," Regulus murmured, looking baffled.

Severus shot him a glare. "Shut up, Black," he said venomously.

Regulus cringed back, an expression of hurt shock passing fleetingly over his face. "I'm just going
to go now," he said, rising stiffly. "I've forgotten to write Kreacher. Severus you can finish this
quizzing session and I'll pick it up tomorrow."
"I'm sorry," Severus said, suddenly feeling like a git, even though Regulus had been the smug prat
in his opinion. Black hadn't needed to rub in that Transfiguration was easy for him when Severus
clearly had issues.

Regulus hesitated and Severus let out a small sigh of relief. "I just don't understand what I did
wrong," Regulus murmured, shifting his feet on the carpet.

"Nothing," Severus said. "It's just that it isn't easy for me."

Regulus nodded. "Very well, and I don't understand how. That doesn't make me bad," he said. "I'll
try to help you any time you like."

Seeing the true confusion on Regulus's face, Severus sighed and shrugged. The younger boy really
didn't understand that he'd been gittish. He simply truly didn't understand how his comment
could've come across as annoying.

"Well I'm glad that it's an easy subject for you, but try not rubbing it in my face when I'm fretting
over the possibility of failing my bloody Transfiguration OWL in two years."

"But I didn't mean to rub it anywhere," Regulus exclaimed. "I thought we were just talking about
Transfigurations. You find it difficult, and I don't understand how. That is all I meant to say. I do
apologize if you took it any other way." The expression on his face was regretful and sincerely so
and Severus smiled.

"Very well. And I'm sorry for misunderstanding."

"It's a nuanced thing, probably an age gap issue, and neither of you did anything wrong," Heather
said thoughtfully. She and Raislen had remained silent while the two younger boys worked the
situation out between them.

"I guess so," Regulus said, settling back into his chair and shrugging.

"I meant it, though, Kid. Don't stress the Transfiguration OWL," Raislen said. "We'll get you
through it one way or another."

"What way is there to get me through it if I don't understand," Severus asked.

Raislen grinned. "Trust me, there are ways."

 A Spanner In The Works

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 34, A Spanner In The Works

Severus was so focused on helping Heather and Raislen study for their OWLS that he nearly forgot
to write his mum about visiting Raislen for the summer! By the time he remembered to do so, it
was already early May. When his mum didn't respond right away, he forgot about it, basically
assuming that it would be fine when she did not say no. Raislen and his family were traveling as
they did each summer for their yearly book hunting expedition, so he and Severus planned for
Severus to come in August and spend the entire month. The two could do their Hogwarts shopping
together and ride back together on the train!

For some reason, shopping with Raislen seemed particularly exciting! There was no particular
reason for this, as his mum didn't make shopping unpleasant or anything. The thought of exploring
Diagon and Nocturne Alley with Raislen felt more adventurous somehow, though. "I'll deserve a
fun summer after all this cramming for OWLS," Raislen had said more than once as he and Severus
made plans. Heather was actually going to be home for the summer.

For once in ages, her parents had no tours booked. Raislen invited her to pop over any time while
Severus was visiting. She promised to visit as often as her parents permitted. "I don't see why they
won't allow me to visit as often as I like," she said. The three of them would have quite the time
among the books in the WestCraven library. Severus was certain of it. He was thrilled by the
prospect of socializing with his friends outside of Hogwarts. Noticing Regulus's wistful expressions
as they made plans Raislen included him with a smile. "You can come over as well if you'd like,
Regulus." During this particular conversation, the fab four sat in the Slytherin Common room
taking a much needed study break. For the past few hours Severus and Regulus had grilled Heather
and Raislen hard for their OWLS. Thankfully said OWLS would be happening soon, so all this
studying would, at last, be over.

"Really? I'd love any excuse to escape Sirius," Regulus said eagerly. "And of course to see that
library of yours. The way Severus talks about it, it's practically heaven."

"It really is," Severus said, giving a dreamy sigh.

"May Kreacher come as well," Regulus asked, and Raislen nodded.

"Of course." It shall be nice to see him again."

For once, Severus found himself quite excited about the summer to come. For this reason, he was
eager for the term to end. The sooner it did, the sooner he could get to Raislen's. Due to this sound
logic, he wasn't at all sad when term ended. Heather and Raislen had done well on their OWLS, and
both proclaimed that it was largely due to Severus and Regulus's help. Severus didn't truly believe
it, because both Heather and Raislen were good students who always had high marks in all their
subjects, but the praise and appreciation was nice nonetheless.

On the train ride home, Raislen promised to have some sort of celebratory lunch when all four of
them were together at his over the summer. "Heather Toy and I need to celebrate our high marks
and Severus and Regulus deserve a grand lunch as a thank you, so there are two good reasons this
should happen."

"I agree, and that's sweet, Raislen," Heather said warmly. "Nonetheless, though, calling me Heather
Toy is never ever going to go unpunished." And with that, she slammed him in the stomach as per
usual. Severus exchanged a world-weary look with Regulus over this, which had also become per
usual. The friends parted on Platform Nine and three-quarters, promising to meet again soon.
Severus rushed to his mum, giving her a firm hug. "I've missed you," he said. For a moment they
clung together wordlessly, and he pressed his face to her shoulder, savoring the familiar scent of the
perfume she always wore.

"Oh I have missed you too, my baby boy," Eileen said. "I promise we'll do as many fun things
together over the summer as I can afford."

"That's great, but you know I shall be at Raislen's for enough of it, which will save you some
money," Severus said. Eileen's thin mouth tightened into an even thinner line as she flicked her
wand at his trunk to float it ahead of them. Taking his hand, she walked off the platform.

"I didn't write you back on that matter, because I was trying to talk Father into changing his mind,"
she said. "I tried for months, but to no avail. I'm sorry Severus, but he doesn't want you going away
for the summer."

"Why," Severus shouted. "I'm not his! What business is it of his anyway?" He heard a snicker at
that and whirled to see all four Gryffindor Gits walking behind them. All but Lupin were smirking
at Severus and his mum. Severus shot them a venomous glare. "I hope a giant shark eats every
single bloody one of you," he shouted.

"Not if he eats you first," James shouted happily back. Eileen turned to glare at the group, but
before she could speak they ran away. Lupin shot an apologetic glance over one shoulder as James
dragged him along, and Severus made a rude gesture that he'd learned from his father involving the
middle finger.

"Dreadful little prats," Eileen said. "Those are the ones you told me about, are they not?" Severus
nodded mutinously. For a moment he'd nearly forgotten his fury over Grandfather Prince's needless
meddling, so overcome with rage was he at the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. "I hate them so much.
Nearly as much as I hate Grandfather Prince and Voldemort." He spoke Voldemort's name under his
breath so that only Eileen might hear."I know you do, Baby. I'm so sorry you have to deal with any
of them ever," Eileen said sincerely and Severus sighed.

"Me too, Mum. Why won't he allow me to go," he asked dully. The reason didn't matter, because it
was sure to be a stupid one.

"He didn't even say," Eileen admitted. "He just insisted that you saw your friends enough during
term and that you should stay home."

"But he hates me! You'd think he'd be pleased as bloody punch to have me away," Severus said. He
was so angry that he was nearly shouting again. "He's more pleased to make me suffer though," he
added wrathfully.

"I'm so sorry," Eileen said. "If I could afford to live away from him and not follow his rules, I
would." She sighed. "But Severus, he's going to punish me and by proxy, you, for Tobias until he
dies."
"I wish I could help him along," Severus said between gritted teeth. "And I always thought that
visiting the sins of the parent on the child was the stupidest thing ever. Not that you ever sinned.
Dad was always worth a million gits like him.""

"Indeed he was," Eileen said. The overwhelming sadness on her face caused Severus to swallow
back a lump that suddenly rose in his throat. He knew that he and his mum would never ever stop
missing his dad, but this was as it should be. Tobias deserved to be missed. The sadness served to
quell his rage for the most part, and the ensuing adrenaline crash left him feeling tired and subdued.

When they got home, he went directly up to his room to write Raislen, figuring that he may as well
get the delivering of bad news over with. After he'd done that, he wrote Heather and Regulus too.
He told everyone to get together without him, because they shouldn't miss out on the fun just
because he had to. Strangely, he didn't hear back from Heather or Raislen. He may have wondered
if Grandfather Prince was withholding his mail, but he did receive a reply from Regulus by lunch
the next day. Regulus was sympathetic as could be expected.

He spent a few pages commiserating over how they both had to live with insufferable gits. He
concluded by promising to write often. Though he appreciated this, Severus didn't write back
directly, because he had nothing of interest to say that he hadn't said the previous day in his initial
letter. Along with sharing the news of Grandfather Prince ruining his summer, he'd also shared the
encounter with the Gits on the platform as he and his mum were departing.

He tucked the letter away for the present, planning to answer it when he actually had something
interesting to say. Likely this would involve whatever book he happened to be reading in the next
few weeks. At least his mum had promised to take him to Nocturne Alley for book shopping soon.
Normally this would've thrilled him to no end, but it paled in comparison to the visit at Raislen's.
Not wanting his mum to feel worse, though, he didn't indicate as much to her. Instead, he pretended
excitement that he couldn't quite muster.
 Cruel Summer

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 35, Cruel Summer

The next few days passed with Severus remaining in his room brooding and reading. He didn't want
Grandfather Prince to see how much not getting to go to Raislen's for the summer had gotten to
him. As he wasn't very good at keeping his feelings from his face, the best way to accomplish this
was simply to remain to himself. He kept expecting letters from Heather and Raislen, but none
came.

He began to wonder if old man Prince was withholding them, but he'd gotten Regulus's so likely
not. Eileen seemed to make an effort to get the mail first to make sure she and Severus received
their letters untampered with, which he appreciated. He wouldn't put anything past his Grandfather
if it made either Severus or his mum miserable, after all.

During that time, he only emerged from his room for meals and bathing. During meals he did his
best to keep his expression blank or at the very least, low level sullen. He chatted with his Mum,
only giving his grandfather a cursory nod of greeting. He'd not have bothered with that if the old
man wouldn't have started a fuss over how rude he was. Such had actually happened in the past
when Severus pointedly ignored him. At times the old man could truly be stunning in the worst of
ways. Why would Severus not ignore him when the old man hated his mere existence? Yet in spite
of this sound logic, Severus was expected to be polite because he lived under old Prince's roof.

Granted Prince basically forced Severus and Eileen to live there, but again, logic had no place in
the old man's cruel machinations. Nearly two weeks later, when Eileen invited Severus to go book
shopping in Knockturn Alley, he was finally glad to escape the four walls of his bedroom. Though
he'd found a welcome distraction in books over the past few weeks, his mind kept wandering back
to the strange fact that neither Heather nor Raislen had written him. Not with a comment about the
fact that his summer was being ruined, and not with any of their own news. He'd exchanged two
letters with Regulus, but the other boy hadn't heard from the two older Slytherins either.

Severus considered inviting Regulus and Kreacher to meet them in Knockturn, but he didn't want it
to appear that he didn't wish to spend time with his Mum, so decided against it. He'd basically
ignored her while shut away in his room, after all. Normally during summer vacation they spent
time together discussing potions books or playing board games or taking walks if it wasn't too
dreadfully hot out. He didn't want to take his upset out on her, but for those first few weeks, he
simply hadn't felt social. Probably it pleased Grandfather Prince to no end, knowing he'd made
Severus that unhappy.

For that reason, and because he did wish to spend time with his mother, he vowed to do better for
the rest of the summer. They had a lovely day in Knockturn Alley book shopping and having lunch
at a small cafe called The Spider and The Fly. It had the best salads with a delightful berries and
cream dish for dessert. Severus and Eileen always enjoyed having cool lunches in the summer to
combat the heat. Though Severus spent a lot of time browsing the book stores, there were three of
them, he only bought two books, not wishing to tax his mum's limited funds.
The books were both old moth eaten rarities that he was eager to get home and read. Neither had
been cheap, thus he'd stopped at two, and there was enough left over for Eileen to get herself a
book as well; A thick botany text larger than Grandfather Prince's old bible. Severus didn't
understand Christian wizards, considering that their god didn't feel like suffering witches to live,
but it may have been the least of Grandfather Prince's evils. When they returned to Prince manor
after book shopping, Severus hugged his mum tight, thanking her for a wonderful day. "I'm just
glad you're feeling a bit better," she replied, hugging him back.

Rather than retreating to his room to read, Severus perused his new books with his mum in the
parlor where she immersed herself in her new botany tome. For the next several weeks of the
summer, Severus spent the majority of the time out of his room spending time with his Mum. When
they weren't reading, playing board games or strolling outside in the fresh air, he was helping her
make potions. About a week after their trip to Knockturn Alley, a large order came in from one of
the magical mail order catalogs that bought her potions.

"Having you here to help when they want two-hundred potions in a week makes such a difference,
my baby boy," Eileen told him gratefully. The two were up late finishing the final batch of Polly
Juice. The catalog proprietors had wanted twenty bottles of that and they were nearly out of
supplies by the time the order was filled. "I think I'm going to study how to make perfumes and
eventually begin selling those as well," Eileen shared suddenly. As she spoke, she pressed the final
cork stopper into the last bottle of completed potion and passed it to Severus so that he could slap
on a label. "That botany book has given me some ideas." Her smile was excited, and the sight of it
lifted Severus's heart. He hadn't seen his mum excited in a very long time, and it made him smile
back.

"That sounds great, Mum."

She nodded. "Perfumes are potions too, after all, so I should be able to manage it with ease. They
will be all natural and perhaps some shall even have magical traits. Scent is very powerful, after all.
I could likely craft perfumes to draw people to whoever is wearing them, not desire, because that's
just wrong, but captivation or something, where people think the one wearing it is at least very
interesting," she went on excitedly.

Severus felt himself becoming excited for her as well, for her own joy was pleasantly contagious. "I
could probably get away with that without the Ministry coming down on my head, and such
perfumes would certainly sell for a nice chunk! And I could also craft some for things like focus for
the one wearing it or energy or... I could do all manner of things, and sorting them all out shall keep
me busy when you return to Hogwarts. That's a good thing, because when you're gone it can be so
dreary around here." Severus nodded, knowing that it had to be dreadful, shut away in this dreary
mausoleum with old man Prince and his cold disapproving looks. As if reading his mind, her
expression went sad. "Living here your childhood has been so similar to my own, and I wanted it to
be so different," she said. "Tobias and I would have made it different too if only..."

"I'm glad you'll have something to do that you enjoy," he told her brightly. He'd liked the lighter
moment and strove to bring it back by giving her a bright smile. "You must write me updates as
things progress."

"Of course I will," Eileen promised with a chuckle. "It shall give me something interesting to talk
about for a change."
"I always enjoy our letters even if nothing is going on," Severus told her, meaning it. "They help
me not to miss you quite so much."

"Yours too," she said, smiling warmly at him. "And I always appreciate you taking the time to write
your old Mum when you're so busy with your friends and your studies."

"You aren't old, and I'm never too busy for you," Severus told her firmly.
 Flying High Again

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 36, Flying High Again

The summer passed as summers did. Severus grew more and more angry that Heather and Raislen
hadn't written him, so around mid July he'd attempted to write both again, asking if they'd gotten
his letters. Heather wrote back briefly, saying that they were just busy, and reminding him that
Raislen had been gone book shopping for part of the summer as well. Regulus had gotten no
communication from them at all, so Severus supposed he should feel privileged to have at last been
told something. He didn't though. While Heather and Raislen liked Regulus, they liked and trusted
Severus more for obvious reasons. That and he was their friend first. He didn't answer Heather's
rushed letter, finding it annoying and not knowing what to reply anyway.

(Don't you care that I wasn't even able to visit Raislen as we'd all planned?) would've sounded too
pathetic. While it certainly felt odd to him that they did not seem to care, he wasn't about to
mention it to them if they didn't. He was a bit hurt over their behavior but more angry than
anything. Why were they being all weird?

One day in early August, he was reading in his room before lunch when there came an insistent
tapping on his bedroom window that made him jump nearly out of his skin. The bedrooms in
Prince manor weren't on the first floor, so hearing a tap at the window was a literal first. Could it be
an owl, he wondered as he cautiously rose from his bed to approach the shut and shuttered window.
The summer sunlight pouring into the room made it far too hot so he and his mum both kept their
rooms dim. Desk lamps provided both with enough light to read by which was all they needed. As
Severus approached, the tapping came again, and he stiffened, freezing in place. The sound was too
rhythmic to be an owl. Too intentionally rhythmic, but who could get up to his window and what
for? Someone on a broom perhaps, he thought.

With a sigh, he pushed back the shutters with one hand and slid the window open with the other.
The sight that met his eyes caused his jaw to drop. "Heather? Raislen?" He couldn't believe what he
saw! His two gleefully grinning friends sat with their legs tucked up under them on a bloody flying
carpet of all things!

"Hi, Kid! Ready to go? We came to bust you out. Grab whatever you need and get ready fast so we
can get out of here! Severus gaped as his mind took in Raislen's words while his eyes were still
struggling to take in the fact they had a flying carpet.

"We didn't want to write our plans, because we didn't want your git of a grandfather intercepting
your letters and stopping us," Heather said. "Sorry for the silence.

Severus swallowed as a wave of relieved joy swept over him. They hadn't forgotten him after all,
and they had cared that he hadn't been allowed to come to Raislen's. "How did you get a flying
carpet," he demanded excitedly. He'd never seen a real life flying carpet before, and it was most
certainly as magical as he'd expected it to be. It was covered in old world Persian designs and quite
colorful. It was a large, thick rug, able to comfortably hold perhaps five people, and the underside
appeared to be fortified with a harder stiff sort of fabric to make sitting easier. Magic practically
radiated off of it, and Severus could not wait to go for a ride.
"I figured if we busted you out, he wouldn't actually make you return home," Raislen said. "You
know, it would be too embarrassing for him and would gain too much negative attention that I
suppose he doesn't want."

Severus blinked. That just might work! "Brilliant," he breathed. "I'll hurry and pack, and I've got to
write my Mum."

Raislen nodded. "Of course. Sure. We wouldn't want her to worry." Severus smiled before hastily
retreating to his desk to write the letter. Worry was the last thing his mum deserved. He left the
window open so Heather and Raislen could peer into his room. "It's so small and cramped,"
Heather said, clear surprise in her tone.

"It's just under the attic. Worst bedroom in the place, so you know he made sure I got it," Severus
said as he hurriedly snatched quill and parchment out of a desk drawer. He hastily scribbled a note
to his mum, telling her where he was going and that he'd had no idea Heather and Raislen were
coming to get him. He concluded by telling her he loved her and begging her not to be angry.

He added a P.S, promising to stay home with her for the entire Christmas holiday. Of course if he
asked to go to Raislens for any part of Christmas break after this, Grandfather Prince would surely
say no, but that wasn't the point. He meant that he wasn't even going to ask. He would spend the
time with his mum. After writing the note and leaving it folded on his bed, he dragged his school
trunk from the bottom of his wardrobe and hastily began tossing things into it.

Things for the summer as well as things for school. He was ready to go in under ten minutes. The
faster they got out of here, the more chance there was of actually getting away without old man
Prince interfering. "Where did you get that carpet," Severus asked in awe as he approached the
open window, trunk in hand.

"It's my grandfather's," Raislen replied. "I found it in his attic when my parents and I stopped off at
his to drop off some books on our vacation. I asked him if I could borrow it."

"That was really nice of him," Severus said. "Do I just hoist the trunk out the window onto the
carpet, then?"

"Yep and we'll put it between all of us once you're on so it won't slide off," Raislen replied. "And he
said no, so I sneaked it out later when he wasn't looking. It occurred to me right away how best to
use it. Heather Toy and I had already decided we'd break you out when I got back, just not how. So
when I saw this beauty, I knew this was your ticket outah here! Grandfather thought it was too
dangerous to let me use it until I'm of age, but what he doesn't know probably won't hurt anyone,"
Raislen chuckled.

"Raislen," Heather said, her tone grave and overly calm. "I just want you to know, that I won't hit
you while we are high in the air, but as soon as this carpet is on the ground, I will pay you back for
the Heather toy rubbish. Someday I will train you out of calling me that if it's the last thing I do."

"You're scary," Severus snickered, hefting the trunk out of the window and pushing it onto the
carpet.

"Why thank you," Heather said sweetly. Grasping the trunk she pulled it into the center of the
carpet as Severus excitedly climbed out of his window and onto the carpet, joining his friends.
Turning he quietly slid the window shut.
"Fly away from the house," Raislen sang out and the carpet obeyed, shooting away from Prince
Manor. The wind whipped Severus and Heather's hair around their faces and he laughed with glee,
clutching his trunk with one hand and a bit of the carpet with the other. "Now go left," Raislen
called and the carpet did so. It was firm and solid under Severus's weight, a confirmation that the
harder looking underside was intended to provide a steady ride.

"This is so exciting!" He called gleefully.

Raislen grinned. "It is, isn't it?"

"How'd you figure out how to guide it," Severus wondered.

"Trial and error, Kid," Raislen laughed. "Now go right," he added to the carpet, after taking a
second to peer around to see where they were.

"I could fly on this thing every day," Heather shouted to be heard over the wind. Her brown eyes
sparkled and she looked nearly blissful. Like Severus, one of her hands clutched the carpet but the
other held Raislen's arm. Severus grinned, knowing that Raislen must be on cloud nine over that
even more than the experience of a magic carpet ride.

"I wondered why the two of you hadn't written or said a bloody word about me not being allowed
to come," he admitted.

"Sorry about that, Kid,"Raislen said. "We hoped you'd assume something was up. We couldn't risk
anything ruining our chances of breaking you out."

"Thanks again for that," Severus said. "Really!"

"Of course," Raislen said. "We couldn't leave you there all summer. If that Git Grandfather of yours
is so concerned about the opinion of his so-called friends, I figure we can use that against him by
playing hard ball right back. If we do it right, you don't have to keep taking his shit. At least not all
the time."

Severus couldn't help but grin at Raislen's sports reference considering how hard Slughorn tried to
get him to play for the Slytherin Quidditch team. Raislen's tall muscular build was perfect for
Quidditch, so Slughorn insisted, but Raislen wasn't interested. He kept himself fit but declared the
sport and most sports to be stupid and pointless pursuits for people who had nothing better to do.

Though he had offended many with that statement, Severus tended to agree with him. He also had
no interest in sports, but fortunately as he did not have Raislen's build, Slughorn wasn't pestering
him to join the Slytherin Quidditch team either. One had to appreciate small favors where they
found them, as his mum often said. As the carpet took them to Raislens, Severus stared around,
drinking in the view from on high. They flew high above the trees, and Severus found himself
hoping it was high enough to avoid any Muggles seeing them. He would feel dreadful if Heather
and Raislen got into trouble for helping him. The fact that they did care, and hadn't forgotten him
made him happier than he could put into words. That said, he didn't want the Ministry restricting
their magic or something over a flying carpet incident. "Do you think anyone will see us," he
fretted, and Raislen shook his head.

"We put a don't notice me charm on the carpet," he assured.

Severus gave a sigh of relief. "Brilliant idea."

Soon they were at Raislen's. "Hold on," he called as they drifted toward the lush grass of his front
lawn. "I haven't ever landed this thing before." Severus tensed himself for a rough landing, but the
carpet settled lightly onto the grass. Fortunately they were in one of the wizarding neighborhoods
of London's suburbs, so they didn't have to fret too much over getting into trouble for anyone
noticing them landing on a flying carpet. Severus climbed off with a bit of regret that the ride was
over. "Thanks, Carpet," he said, patting it gently as he stepped off onto the grass.

"Yeah," Heather agreed. Thanks, Carpet." She patted it as well and Raislen followed suit with a
chuckle.

"Do you really think it thinks," he asked Severus who shrugged.

"I don't know, but it's always good to be safe just in case," he said.

"True enough, I suppose," Raislen agreed as he bent to roll up the carpet.

"Raislen," Heather called. "Wait!" Raislen straightened, giving her a look of inquiry that quickly
became one of pain as she slammed him in the stomach with her right fist. "I told you I'd get you
for that Heather Toy comment as soon as we were back on the ground. Now proceed." Raislen
groaned, doubling over in pain. After a moment, he was able to attend to rolling up the carpet.
Severus moved to help.

"What do we do with it," he asked.

"We'll take it into the parlor and have my parents return it to Grandfather's," Raislen said. "They'll
understand why I had to borrow it." He took one end and Severus took the other and together the
three friends headed across the lawn toward the manor.

"Ur... Do your parents know that I'm coming," Severus asked. If not things were going to get
uncomfortable rather fast.

"Of course they do," Raislen huffed. "What do you take me for? They just didn't know how it was
going to happen or that your grandfather said no, but we'll sort that out, don't worry."

"We will," Severus asked. A pit of fear that he would be sent home was already growing in his
stomach. If that happened, Grandfather Prince would make the summer even worse, of that he was
certain.

"Severus, they aren't going to make you go back home to that bastard. I mean if your mum came to
get you, that's one thing, but you know she won't. You get to enjoy the rest of the summer," Raislen
said. Already Severus's mind was traveling to The Library and how he planned to sleep in it again
for the entire visit.
 We Were Never Being Boring, Never Being Bored

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,

Chapter 37, We Were Never Being Boring, Never Being Bored.

Raislen was correct and while his parents were mildly exasperated that he'd 'borrowed' his
grandfather WestCraven's magic carpet without permission, they weren't angry. They were even
touched by his motivations for doing so. Severus thought they were great parents. The same sort
he'd have had if Tobias still lived. Eileen was kind and understanding, but he knew she would have
consequences for that from Grandfather Prince that Raislen's parents would never have from his
Grandfather WestCraven. He pushed this out of his mind with an effort, though, set to enjoy the rest
of his summer.

The WestCravens weren't angry and they were allowing him to stay! Raislen's mum even gave him
a hug and said that she was glad he was out of there for the rest of the summer and that he should
enjoy himself to the fullest. The joy that this gave him even made the hug bearable, and he really
hated hugs from anyone but his own mum. That first day of escape from Prince Manor felt like a
celebration. Heather even got to stay over to the WestCravens for dinner. When she went home,
Severus remembered Regulus.

"Should we write Regulus that summer plans are back on," he asked and Raislen nodded.

"Sure we can. I didn't write him for fear he'd snitch to you, so we'll explain all that too. We can
invite him to come over Saturday, and I'll write Heather Toy about it too if he's allowed." Severus
nodded. That sounded like great fun. Having the friends together outside of the confines of school
somehow felt exciting and novel. Raislen chuckled. "I'll even make sure that Regulus knows he can
bring Kreacher!"

That night, Severus slept once more in his precious library. To his surprise he actually slept rather
than reading all night as he'd expected to do. He woke in the morning, well rested and happy, the
book about Arthur's father Uther Pendragon on his chest. Before falling asleep the previous night,
Severus had learned that the meaning of Pendragon meant head dragon, or leader. This was fitting
for a war lord, be it Arthur or his father Uther. Raislen's father entered as Severus was sitting up on
the folding bed, readying himself to go and see if anyone else was awake yet.

"Morning," Brien WestCraven said, giving him a cheerful smile. "Let's see what you're reading?"
He headed over, bending to glance at the spine of the old book that Severus lifted for him to see.
"You really like the Pendragons, don't you? Do you want to be a warrior, then?" The man's warm
green eyes were truly interested, which loosened the tongue of a usually shy Severus. Well shy
around strange adults if they weren't being gits to him. Raislen's father wasn't strange, but he hadn't
spoken with him much one on one, so Severus's shyness around him could resurface unexpectedly.
He took a moment to actually consider the question before answering.

"Um... I don't think so," he decided. "Perhaps under the right circumstances I could be a battle
wizard, but it isn't the art of war that draws me to the Pendragons. It's the fact they're wise
Muggles... Like my dad was."

Mr. WestCraven nodded gravely. "And that is a very good reason to admire anyone."
"I expect I'd go about war in a more Slytherin sort of way," Severus explained. "I could never win
in a direct fight against the likes of Voldemort, after all, so I'd need to do something sneakier than
that to bring him down."

"A worthy goal," Mr. WestCraven said with a smile. "But first, breakfast! It's ready if you'd like
some."

Severus nodded, rising from the small folding bed and carefully placing the book on his pillow for
later. "Oh indeed, Sir. That sounds wonderful."

"Good. I was also hoping for a favor first, if you wouldn't mind?"

Severus gave Raislen's father a surprised look, but nodded readily. "Certainly." He was an
unexpected guest in their home, after all, so if he could do anything to help out, he was more than
willing.

"Good then," Mr. WestCraven said with a chuckle. "Raislen is still sleeping upstairs. I was hoping
you'd go wake him for us."

Severus grinned. "Oh that's all! Right away, then." He dashed from the room and upstairs to bang
on Raislen's door. "Your dad says time for breakfast," he called. "So wake up."

"Yummy," Raislen called back around a yawn. "Be right down. Thanks, Kid."

"Sure," Severus replied through the door before pounding back down the stairs. Most stairs were
fun to run upon, even if they didn't move like Dumbledores. He never ran or played on the stairs of
Prince Manor. The few times he'd tried as a young child, Grandfather Prince quickly put a stop to it
with sharp reprimands and rude observations so he'd wisely stopped trying.

Raislen's parents were already at the breakfast table enjoying steaming cups of coffee when Severus
joined them. "Raislen is on the way," he said, puffing himself up as if giving an important message,
which to him he was. He'd completed an assigned task successfully, and wished to report as much.

"Fabulous!" Mr. WestCraven smiled. Gesturing to a fat teapot in the center of the table beside the
coffee pot he added, "There is pumpkin tea for you and Raislen this morning."

"Oh! That's what the dessert smell is," Severus said, grinning in pleasure as he eagerly reached for
one of the two teacups stacked together beside the teapot. The pumpkin tea was rich and full,
indeed tasting like dessert in a cup. It was, in fact, the best and most delicious tea he'd ever had. He
decided then and there that drinks like this were definitely the way to start off a morning! He was
half way through with the cup when Raislen hurried sleepily into the room and slumped down into
his chair at the table.

"Morning everyone," he managed around a yawn. "Awesome, pumpkin tea again!" He grinned over
at Severus. "I usually only get this on special occasions, so they must really like you."

"Indeed, and having a favorite friend over to visit is definitely a special occasion," Raislen's Mum
agreed with a smile.

"Thank you," Severus said, feeling shyly embarrassed, but not in a bad way, which sounded odd,
but it was true. After a breakfast of ham, eggs and fried potatoes, Severus and Raislen went outside
to climb trees. Raislen claimed it was great exercise and one of the ways he stayed in shape. "Just
don't look down and you're golden," he said.

"Got it," Severus said. "No looking down. And if I happen to fall, do catch me with a spell, and
we're golden." To his surprise, he rather enjoyed climbing trees! When the two came in for lunch,
there was a letter from Regulus which Raislen read aloud.

"Raislen,

Oh thank you so much for the invitation. Kreacher and I are very excited to have somewhere fun to
go for a change. We have been at home for most of the summer save for a few family gatherings. It
will be wonderful to see you, Heather and Severus. I am happy to know why you and Heather were
so absent with us over the summer, and I forgive you, as it was for a good cause. Mum says to let
me know if there is anything we should bring, and Kreacher offers to make cookies.

Sincerely,

R. A. B.

"Regulus shall surely free Kreacher when he grows up," Severus commented when Raislen finished
the letter.

Raislen nodded. "Yep, and hopefully if they follow Voldemort, they'll survive it to go on and do the
great things of which they are both clearly capable."

"Are you writing him back about the cookies," Severus asked.

Raislen grinned. "Of course I'm writing back about the cookies! Kreacher's cookies are fabulous! If
he is willing to supply cookies, we will most certainly take them!"
 Growing pains

Chapter 38, Growing pains

Severus savored each and every day of the rest of the summer. It passed far too quickly for his
liking. Before he was at all ready for it to end, it was time to return to Hogwarts. He hadn't minded
so much in the past when summers were over, because it meant that he would get to see his friends
again. While at Raislen's however, he saw them every day, so returning to Hogwarts only meant he
would also be seeing the Gryffindor gang of gits every day as well. There was no good trade off
this year, as he saw it.

Though he was looking forward to returning to a few classes, potions, charms, and Astronomy
mostly, he was not looking forward to them enough to warrant facing off with the git gang during
each and every bloody class. Not only that, but he could learn all the Astronomy and potions he
liked on his own. Only Flitwick truly had something to offer him that he couldn't teach himself.
The little man was genius when it came to the innovative ways to combine charms to achieve
effects most people would not even consider. Returning to classes and facing off with the gits rather
than enjoying unstructured time with his friends and that precious library had him feeling glum.
When he and Raislen met Regulus and Heather on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, it just felt
wrong.

They all belonged back at Raislen's, not here amongst the clamor of other bothersome students
returning to Hogwarts. It all just felt intrusive. "I would like for you all to meet my parents,"
Regulus said. He turned and waved to a couple who stood back a few paces, regarding Severus,
Raislen and Heather with thoughtful searching expressions. The looks on Regulus's parents faces
made Severus glad to be wearing neatly pressed robes thanks to Raislen's kindly house elf. "We
hear that Sirius hates the lot of you," Regulus's mum said haughtily. "You especially," she
concluded, dark piercing eyes honing in on Severus in a manner that made it extremely difficult not
to squirm.

She and Regulus's father looked remarkably similar! They were both tall and willowy with black
hair and proud elegant features. Both wore sweeping dress robes in patterns of green and silver
though hers was of a far more feminine cut and style. Regulus's mum also wore a large emerald
around her neck and his father sported a large signet ring on the well manicured hand that he
extended to Severus and then Raislen.

"This, of course means that you must be doing something right," he said, and Raislen chuckled
appreciatively.

"We try hard, Sir," he said.

"We certainly did not raise Sirius to behave as he does," Regulus's mum said. A brief expression of
sadness and true disappointment flickered across her face. Severus knew that it would hurt to see
such a look of disappointment on his own mum's face, but Sirius had richly earned it. Even worse,
Sirius wouldn't care or he'd even be proud as if it was some sort of grand accomplishment. With
that thought in mind, Severus was addressing Mrs. Black before he even realized it.

"I am sorry. I would hate to disappoint my mum so deeply."

To Severus's acute horror, Mrs. Black looked for an instant as if she might cry. "Thank you, child. I
am quite certain that you could never disappoint your dear mum as Sirius has disappointed us. Not
with such a perceptive heart."

Thankfully they had to board the train then. Thankfully, because Severus had no idea what else to
say. While he was truly sorry for Sirius's parents, the unexpectedly emotional interaction was more
than he'd expected or wanted. "That was kind of you," Regulus told Severus once they were all four
settled into a compartment near the back of the train. He looked as discomforted as Severus felt, so
Severus merely shrugged and nodded.

The train ride to Hogwarts was different this year, as there was no need for the four friends to catch
up on what each had done over the summer. Instead, the conversation that Regulus's parents had
begun on the platform continued in its way. "I didn't want to bring it up this summer, but Sirius has
been a worse git than usual these past few months away from school," Regulus said. "I just thought
you'd want to be prepared," he added, glancing over to Severus. "It really got him that I could
spend time with my friends while he was stuck home with nothing to do. Nothing to do, because he
hates my entire family and avoids us like the plague, so it isn't as if he'd ever want to share any
activities with the rest of us."

Regulus's lip curled in scathing contempt as he spoke of Sirius. "He was unable to see his own
friends because they were all off doing other things... you know with their families. As he hates his
own, he had no one. He stayed shut away in his room most of the time, which suited Kreacher and I
just fine." He smirked.

"Did he make you pay for it, though," Severus asked. "If so we'll all make him sorry." He couldn't
help an eager smile from crossing his face at the idea of raining down retribution onto Sirius's head
as he always richly deserved it for something.

"Not yet," Regulus said, biting at his lip. "Mum and Dad would've made him sorry. He may lie and
get away with enough at Hogwarts when it comes to professors like McGonagall, but my parents
never fall for his rubbish! Interesting, Severus mused. Regulus referred to Mr. and Mrs. Black as
*his* parents rather than *their* parents. He supposed that made sense as Sirius clearly wanted
none of them. "He will certainly make me pay for it now that he has his three git friends to help and
no Mum, Dad or Kreacher to back me up, though," Regulus concluded glumly.

"You have us, though," Heather reminded, reaching to pat the younger boy reassuringly on the
shoulder.

"Yes, but not in class, and not everywhere that he can get me or Severus alone," Regulus said,
flashing a quick glance to Severus as he spoke. "He never comes after the two of you if you aren't
with us. It's always us. You and Raislen have your own schedules, and you can't be everywhere
they are just to look after us. I'm certain Severus and I could easily manage against them if we had
all our classes together, but as we don't, each of us is vulnerable. I hate Sirius so much!"

Severus nodded in thoughtful agreement to Regulus's words."Yes, but it needs to be about making
it too unpleasant for them to fight with us. It's about constructing hexes and curses that terrify them.
Ones they aren't smart enough to replicate."

"That last bit shouldn't be difficult," Heather said with a derisive laugh. "Lupin is the only one with
a real grasp of intensely complicated magic, and he'd never use the Dark sort of hexes that we will,
so he won't ever be a threat."
"That and while he's better than the rest, he's no where as skilled as we are," Raislen said.

"Well clearly not," Heather agreed.

"I've been working on spells, but nothing has clicked yet. I haven't found The one yet," Severus
said almost dreamily. "I'm close, though. I know it. The angrier they get me, the closer I bloody
get."

"You just need that exact moment of inspiration," Raislen said and Severus nodded, knowing that
he was right. "And when I find it, every single one of those Gryffindor Gits shall be sorry they ever
trifled with me," he vowed. "You too," he added as a hasty afterthought to Regulus. "We shall make
them sorry they ever trifled with you as well. When I come up with a hex dreadful and horrifying
enough to force them to leave me alone lest I hit them with it again, you'll be the first person I teach
it to. It shall be difficult, but you're intelligent enough to master it."

Regulus nodded, expression grave as he silently considered Severus's words. "What about us,"
Heather teased with a chuckle. "Aren't you teaching this fabulous new hex to me and Raislen?"

"Sure, if you don't actually help me come up with it instead," Severus replied with a grin. He was
fine working alone, but he enjoyed those joint efforts with Heather and Raislen even more.

"Perhaps Kreacher would have some ideas as well," Regulus spoke up. "Elf magic is ever-so-
powerful, after all."

Severus frowned. "Indeed it is. So powerful that it surpasses that of wizards. Whatever Kreacher
could come up with, would be ever so simple for him, but likely incomprehensible to us."

"So true," Heather laughed. "My aunt's elf, Rosebud, folds bed sheets so perfectly with a spell in
under one second. Give me one to fold and with or without magic, it takes ages and looks rubbish!"

Regulus bit his lip as he nodded. "That is true. Kreacher never allows me to help out in the kitchen
even when I offer, behaving as if I can't do anything properly!" He shook his head. "Even
something as basic as stirring a soup, he believes must be done a certain way else the entire soup is
at great peril of being ruined! How can one stir a soup wrong, I ask you?"

Raislen chuckled. "I'm sure we could all somehow manage. It's the little things involved in their
magic that our clumsy wizard eyes can't see. Granted I never feel that my wizard eyes are clumsy
until I attempt to understand the beautiful subtleties of an elf's spell. So yes, surely Kreacher could
help us stick it but good to your brother and his friends, but if he weren't around to work the spell,
we'd never manage it."

Severus sighed. "I'll sort it eventually. And when I do, they will all be terrified of us!" Little did he
guess that Bellatrix Lestrange would be the one to give him that inspiration on one of their
Hogsmeade visits, though it would be nearly a year later.

When the snack cart came around, Heather and Raislen began to whisper as Regulus ordered
something for everyone. "My treat," he insisted happily. He seemed genuinely pleased to have the
funds to treat his friends rather than being a showoff prat about it. Severus could appreciate that. It
made it easier to accept the gesture without being embarrassed. Of course Heather and Raislen
would not need to be embarrassed, because they had the funds to treat right back next time.
Severus did not, thanks to Grandfather Prince. The thought of the horrible old man caused his
stomach to knot. He knew he'd have to go home for Christmas. Then the old man could make him
pay for getting away during the summer, and he certainly would. Spending time with his mum
would be worth it, though. He worried about her if she spent too much time alone at Prince manor
without him. The place was depressing at best, after all. "What are you two whispering about," he
wondered grumpily as the door to their compartment closed behind the retreating snack cart.
Severus knew that he wasn't so much peeved at Heather and Raislen for whispering as he was about
the thought of dealing with Grandfather Prince for the holidays, but as he couldn't do anything
about the holidays, he would simply be annoyed over his whispering friends.

"For us to know, and you to find out, isn't it," Heather snarked. Severus scowled, but as she had
said he'd find out, he decided to let it go. If they were shutting him out or keeping secrets, they
wouldn't want him to find out. He would learn whatever it was eventually, and he supposed he
could be patient for a little while. Surely they had their reasons. He allowed himself to be distracted
as Regulus began eagerly passing out Cauldron Cakes. After they had their snacks, Heather left to
do her Prefect duty, as she called it. Raislen stared gloomily at the door of the compartment until
she returned in around half an hour. Regulus and Severus chatted aimlessly about books, full and
content from stuffing themselves on Chocolate Frogs and Cauldron Cakes. Raislen didn't say much,
listless with Heather away.

"He's got it bad," Regulus mock whispered, jabbing Severus in the ribs. "I'm never going to be like
that over someone. It's silly and ridiculous."

Severus nodded emphatically. "Indeed," he drawled. "Books are far better."

Raislen snickered. "Better stop shagging my books, kid! Or I won't allow you to sleep in my library
anymore."

Severus spluttered indignantly. "I do not shag your books! Don't be disgusting!"

"Seriously," Regulus muttered, looking horrified. Raislen just chuckled again. The compartment
door slid open, and Heather hurried back inside, to the relief of everyone. "I found the little prats,"
she said, smiling triumphantly at Raislen. "I told them they'd better leave Regulus and the kid alone
or you and I shall have something really bad for them. They have no idea what, and I at least have
them worried!"

Raislen cheered, waving his arms in the air as though they had just won a victory, which perhaps
they had. "That is what you were whispering about." Severus said and Heather nodded.

"Yep. I wanted to attend to it before actually saying anything in case there was any sort of hitch.
You two shouldn't have to worry about those prats." She sighed, resuming her seat. "Some day
they'll hopefully grow up and out of this tormenting phase."

"Do you think," Severus wondered darkly. "It seems more a part of their bloody souls rather than
something they shall ever grow out of."

Regulus nodded. "Indeed. It doesn't seem to be something they plan to give up, considering they
enjoy it so much."

Fortunately for Severus and Regulus, the gits at least eased up some, thanks to Heather even if they
did not entirely stop their bullying ways. There were only a handful of encounters with them before
the holidays, and in most cases, Severus and Regulus came out on top.
The first half of the year passed uneventfully enough. Christmas break was as rough as Severus
expected. Though he had no idea what old man Prince would do to him, he knew it would not be
pleasant. He was not wrong. Grandfather Prince made him stay in his room for Christmas. Eileen
went to their home at Spinner's End to make the Christmas dinner just as Severus liked it, and the
two ate in his room alone. "There are no gifts this year, I am afraid," Eileen said, biting at her lower
lip. "Father said that I was not allowed to buy you any, even with my own money or he would put
us out. He is very angry over you leaving this past summer to go to Raislen's. I don't blame you at
all, but I knew he would make you pay for it. Mummy is sorry." It was not the lack of gifts, but
rather the tears standing in her eyes that set Severus's blood boiling with a silent rage.

"I knew he would make me pay for it too. Don't worry, Mummy. I don't need gifts." He gave her an
impulsive hug, clinging and squeezing her tight. "You're plenty gift enough."

"Oh I love you so much, Baby. Your dad would be so proud!" Severus grinned into his mum's
shoulder. Those words were the best gift she could've given him." Thanks, Mum," he said quietly.
"He'd be proud of you too."

When the winter break was over, Severus was eager to meet his friends on Platform Nine and
Three-Quarters. To his relief, Regulus was there without his parents. They must have already gone.
Severus did not dislike them, but the pity he felt for them made him uncomfortable. Glancing
around, he silently wondered where Sirius and his git friends were. "They saw Heather and Raislen
so hurried the other way," Regulus said happily, properly reading Severus's face.

"I love power!" Heather enthused.

Raislen laughed. "Little gits," he said.

 Ready Or Not

Chapter 39, Ready Or Not

Severus knew that being Regulus's friend was what truly made Lucius Malfoy interested in him. Of
course Lucius was likely interested in all Slytherins to some degree as potential followers of
Voldemort, but it was no secret that Regulus considered Severus a particular sort of kindred spirit.
Sirius and his git friends had a hate on for both of them, after all. One would think they would hate
Regulus more, considering Sirius had grown up with him and thus, by all rights, had more time to
grow to hate him. Severus seemed to be particularly gifted at inspiring the hatred of all the
Gryffindor gits, though.

His friendship with Regulus seemed to make things worse rather than better as he'd initially hoped
would happen last year. He'd hoped that ganging up on them with one more on his side would make
them back off, but he supposed he hadn't thought out the logistics of that. Just like Heather and
Raislen, Regulus was never in any of his classes, between which much of the bullying took place.
Regulus was never there, so he could not help by having Severus's back. The gits rarely started with
him when he had back up. He assumed it simply wasn't as much fun for them. Not to mention, the
bigger the group was, the more attention from professors or other students it would gain, so having
the gits vs Severus, Raislen, Heather, and Regulus meant more people were likely to notice.

In such cases everyone got detention, and the gits never enjoyed that. Their unwanted attentions did
benefit Severus, though. It gave him the necessity that he may otherwise not have had to come up
with various spell combinations that worked well against entire groups of people. Thanks to James,
Sirius and Peter, Severus was becoming quite good at nasty hexes and curses in a charming variety
of combinations.

The other surprising upside was the unexpected attention of Lucius Malfoy. Regulus clearly spoke
often and well of Severus to Bellatrix and that lot, for Lucius, in particular, seemed to think very
highly of Severus if one were to judge by the friendly, nearly affectionate way in which Malfoy
frequently addressed him. Without Regulus's friendship, Severus certainly never would've seen
Lucius Malfoy again after the later had graduated Hogwarts.

He came along with the Lestranges at least two out of the three times they all met at the Hog's Head
on those Hogsmeade weekends. Lucius always made a point to greet Severus as though the two
were old friends. This was a bit surprising, because the first time they'd met on the first Hogsmeade
weekend when Severus was finally allowed to go, Lucius hadn't greeted anyone in particular and
had seemed bored to be there.

Severus assumed he was just there because Narcissa wanted to be with her sister that day. With that
in mind, he was a bit surprised to see Malfoy turning up again, sometimes even without Narcissa.
Once he offered to buy the next round of drinks for everyone, then asked Severus to come up with
him and help carry them. Severus felt like a git saying no, so went along even though Malfoy
could've easily floated all the drinks without requiring help. He wasn't foolish enough to believe
that Malfoy had no ulterior motive, but likewise, he was smart enough to know that he could use it
for his own ends. Malfoy was a Death Eater, after all. Severus had planned to use Regulus as an in,
so this was still workable. Rather than serving when they were older as a direct in to Voldemort
himself, Regulus was serving as an in to the Dark Lord's inner circle right now. Though Severus
wasn't at all ready to begin his path of revenge against Voldemort yet, before even finishing school,
he'd learned that life did not seem to wait until one was ready for it. Life had not seen fit to wait for
him to get a bit older before it killed his father or set the Gryffindor Gang of Gits on him, after all.
If he was anything, Severus was a fast learner.

"So what do you plan to do with yourself after graduation," Lucius asked him as they stood
together at the bar waiting for Aberforth Dumbledore to ready their large drink order. There were
five Firewhiskies for Lucius, Narcissa and the three Lestranges, and five Butterbeers for Severus,
Heather, Raislen, Regulus and Kreacher.

"I... I have many options, so I have yet to settle on one," Severus replied, after only a second of
hesitation.

"Hm," Lucius said. "Wise already at such a young age." As he had not posed another question,
Severus made no reply, leaving Lucius to continue, which he did. "You know, Our Lord could use
someone like you." As he spoke, he dropped his voice, leaning conspiratorially closer to Severus.

Severus was careful not to appear too eager, instead, pausing to pretend to consider. "Perhaps."

Lucius smiled, apparently satisfied for the moment. A laugh from the direction of their table caused
both to glance in that direction. The younger Lestrange was laughing at a comment that Raislen had
made, while Kreacher and Regulus appeared to be strenuously objecting to it. "He takes that
annoying elf everywhere," Lucius sneered.

Severus had to struggle to keep the surprise from his face. The group at large seemed to accept
Kreacher, taking him as a given and even liking him. He nearly asked Lucius what Kreacher had
done to him, but decided that it would be safer to ask Regulus later instead. Showing Malfoy as
little of his true thoughts as possible was surely the wisest course, all things considered. Fortunately
Aberforth presented their order then, pushing two chipped wooden trays across the counter.

Lucius paid without tipping and scooped up the tray of Firewhisky, leaving the Butterbeers for
Severus. Lifting his tray, Severus approached the table at Lucius's side. As the two placed their
trays on the table and resumed their seats, Severus's eye was caught by something silver spinning
across the table to end sticking straight up in the wood beside Malfoy's hand. It was an ornate
dagger topped by a skull covered in equally ornate swirls of filigree. The thing had an antique look,
and Severus wondered where it had come from. Lucius drew in a sharp breath and scowled at the
extremely close proximity of the blade to the tender flesh of his hand.

"Isn't my pretty new dagger nice, Lucy," Bellatrix asked dreamily. "Roddy gave it me last week. I
want to turn it into a wand." She cackled at the frown of distaste on Lucius's face as he looked
down at the sharp blade not a millimeter from his little finger. "Don't worry. I didn't miss. If I had
intended to take the finger, you would no longer have it," she crooned.

"Is Miss Bella high again, Kreacher wonders," the elf rasped quietly, lips pursing in low key
disapproval.

"All three of us are high, Kreacher," Bellatrix said. "Now if you ruin our fun, I will have to send
you and Regi away on an extremely dull errand, so do shut up for your own bloody sake."

"What sort of errand, Kreacher wonders?"

"And don't bloody call me that," Regulus added darkly. Severus wondered exactly how the three
Lestranges were supposed to be high. He did not bother to hide his perplexed frown as he looked to
Heather and Raislen for the answer, but they looked equally confused.

"Bella," Narcissa interjected smoothly, a low tone of warning in her voice. "Be nice, do."

Bellatrix sighed, not even glancing at her sister as she snatched the dagger's point from the table.
"Anyway, as I was saying. I want to turn it into a sharp shiny wand that can cut people when I point
it at them and wave it!"

"Not subtle enough," Severus said without thinking. "Anyone can see a dagger coming. It's a spell
that does the same thing that you want."

Bellatrix scowled. "No. I want a dagger wand. I enjoy knife-throwing and playing with pretty
pointed things."

Severus felt his lips turning up into a smile as a sweet realization struck him. "Very well. In that
case, it is I who need something more subtle that can't be seen coming, and you've just given me an
idea."

Bellatrix smirked, waving the dagger happily at Severus. "Well in that case, you are welcome."

Raislen and Heather exchanged an uneasy glance before both returned their focus to Severus.

"Be careful, Kid," Raislen said. "That's all."

Severus nodded. "Careful is my middle name." Well it may as well be, he decided.

"I can't decide if I want to be horrified or excited," Heather said. "I think I'll go with excited and
trust you to be careful."

"That spell we were talking of at the beginning of the year on the train? The one to use on Sirius
and his lot," Regulus asked eagerly. Severus nodded. Kreacher gave Regulus a questioning glance,
so the younger Black leaned close and began whispering into the elf's bat like pointed ear. As he
spoke, Kreacher's large round eyes narrowed in thought, then his face broke into a grin.

"I thought those gits had sodded off, at least mostly," Heather said.

Severus shrugged. "Mostly. Now it's more pretending that I started it or pretending that they're only
joking, or pretending that whatever rubbish thing they do is a bloody accident," he sneered. "In
other words, they've gotten mildly creative, at least for them."

"Not to mention, they've begun calling me Baby Black for running to older kids for protection,"
Regulus said. "That's surely you and Raislen," he told a now darkly scowling Heather. She nodded
tersely before turning her gaze to Severus.

"Did they say that to you too, Kid?" She demanded.

Severus shrugged. "Something like that. They don't call me Baby Black, though." No. Instead they
called him something far worse when accusing him of running to Heather and Raislen for
protection. They called him Snivellus.
 Fledglings In Darkness

Chapter 40, Fledglings In Darkness

Severus was so caught up in his plans for how to formulate a hex that cut people much as a dagger
wand would that he hardly noticed when Lucius and Narcissa took their leave. As soon as they did,
though, Bellatrix leapt to her feet and stalked angrily around the table to lean over the back of
Kreacher's chair. Bending she pressed the dagger to the elf's cheek. Heather let out a small gasp, but
Regulus and the other two Lestrange men did not react. Even more odd, Kreacher hardly reacted,
only giving Bellatrix a slight frown. "I was attempting to defend you, little prat," she told him."So
stop opening your mouth about us being high. Do you know how little Malfoy respects you?"

Kreacher shrugged. "Kreacher is respectable. Kreacher is not stupid Dobby. Stupid Dobby is
annoying, so perhaps, as such, he has it coming," the elf suggested, unmoved by Bellatrix's anger.
"When Miss Bella, and Master Rodolphus and Master Rabastan are high, they are at times too wild
and careless. They could bring trouble to the family if they are not careful. Kreacher worries. Good
kind responsible Kreacher he is." Kreacher managed to turn a disapproving gaze to her without
disrupting the flat of the blade that still persistently rested against his cheek.

"Lucius seems to dislike all elves, somehow believing himself better," she hissed."He is likely the
reason Dobby is so bloody daft. Perhaps he kicked the little idiot's head in from childhood."
Kreacher snickered, but Bellatrix's tirade continued, not allowing the elf an in to speak his opinion
on the matter if he had one. "He has made snide comments about you before when you and Regi
aren't paying attention, I'll have you know. We have defended you, of course, and you repay that by
running your bloody mouth about things that are no concern of yours." Idly Severus found himself
wondering how Kreacher was to repay the favor of being defended if he was only just now being
made aware of it. Apparently being high, whatever that entailed, did not make one particularly
logical.

"That isn't why you decided to terrorize Lucy with your knife, though, Bella," Rabastan said."You
decided to terrorize him because he's an annoying prat."

"It was part of the reason," Bellatrix replied haughtily."Regardless, Kreacher needs to keep his
mouth shut or I shall cut his ever flapping tongue out for him."

"Kreacher knows that Miss Bella never would," the elf said, clearly bored."And when she is high,
she is more careless as Kreacher has said. Kreacher is merely concerned. He wishes she would
remove the dagger from his face. It is cold." Reaching up, he patted her hand.

Bellatrix's dark eyes glittered dangerously as she narrowed them at Kreacher. Her knife hand
dropped, but the other rose up to sharply tug at Kreacher's ear. The elf let out a squeal, and
Bellatrix's lips curved into a satisfied smirk as she returned to her seat. Somehow Severus still felt
that Kreacher had won that argument. He couldn't help a smile at the thought that Bellatrix did not
miss. She shot him a dark scowl, but made no comment. The interaction did serve to remind
Severus of something he meant to ask Regulus, though.

"Lucius did say something about Kreacher while we were getting the drinks that I did not find very
nice concerning him always being around, though," he said, looking over at Regulus. Regulus
glanced up with a frown from the bottle of Butterbeer in front of him. He'd been idly pulling the
label off while Bellatrix and Kreacher had their little apparently playful exchange. "So what did
Kreacher do to Lucius," Severus wondered. It was easy to imagine the elf doing something, he
thought with another amused smile.

Regulus shook his head. "Nothing. Honestly. What an ass."

Kreacher nodded."Kreacher is no longer sorry for Lucius having to deal with the daft likes of
Dobby. Kreacher now wishes lots of Dobby on Lucius forever and ever."

Bellatrix tittered. "Sounds fair."

"So your sister seems nice. What does she see in him," Heather asked, looking curiously to
Bellatrix.

Bellatrix's lip curled as she shook her head. "None of us have the bloody slightest idea, but we've
never been able to stand him." As she spoke, she glanced from Rodolphus at her side to Rabastan
where he was seated across from them near Raislen. It was clear that 'we' meant her and the two
Lestrange men. It was odd and interesting how the three moved as a constant unit, Severus thought,
not for the first time. Perhaps it was somewhat akin to the way others saw him with Heather and
Raislen. Considering the fact that Bellatrix and Rodolphus were married, he thought that Raislen
would find the comparison a positive one. Perhaps he would even take it as some sort of magical
sign that he would eventually marry Heather Toy.

"He's such a fucking killjoy," Rabastan groaned of Lucius. "I would bet my right nut that he's never
been high a day in his whole life." Bellatrix snickered.

"It would be interesting to see him high, though," Rodolphus speculated. "I bet it would fracture his
mind. Or perhaps make him quite unable to stand himself! Either way it would surely end him in
St. Mungos!" He laughed. Severus found the Lestranges' dislike of Lucius interesting and a little
surprising. Before his odd comment about Kreacher, the blond hadn't seemed that bad. Not
particularly warm, mind, but there were worse. Voldemort for example. Of course Lucius followed
Voldemort, but so did Regulus, and Regulus clearly wasn't a bad sort.

The Lestranges, though, he didn't truly know what to think of them. This getting to know actual
Death Eaters wasn't something Severus had particularly counted on when deciding to infiltrate
Voldemort's ranks. When he'd made the decision to do so, he'd assumed that anyone who would
follow the monster of a man was just as bad as the man himself. Regulus had disrupted that theory,
though. The Lestranges were clearly Darker than Regulus, but he cared for them and they clearly
cared for him in return. There was family loyalty, but the three did seem genuinely fond of Regulus
and Kreacher personally. This had to mean they had some redeeming qualities, did it not?

Their reasons for following Voldemort made a twisted sort of sense as well. Muggles in masses
were dangerous and foolish. Wizards had certainly been the ones to pay for Muggle flaws over the
centuries. The Lestranges and other such wizards did have valid points in resenting this situation. It
still did not mean that Voldemort was the answer, however, so that was where his small amount of
empathy ran out. Still with Malfoy and the Lestranges not being dreadful to him or completely evil
and with him actually liking Regulus quite a lot, it did cause unwanted gray areas to form in his
mind when it came to the entire Death Eater mess. Though he still intended Voldemort to die no
matter what, he wasn't as sure about his wishes for all of those who chose to follow the man. It was
annoying. Severus liked things to be simple, cut and dry.
"Oy, Sev!" Mulciber's voice called out, and Severus turned to see him waving from across the
room. Severus had liked Mulciber well enough until he'd just called him Sev. He was not a Sev.
"It's Severus," he called back.

Regulus smirked, raising his bottle of Butterbeer to Severus in a toast. "I hate when people butcher
my name too. It's bloody demeaning. It isn't so difficult to simply say a person's name."

"It can indeed be difficult at times," Rabastan replied haughtily, and Regulus pointedly ignored
him.

"Sorry then," Mulciber replied good naturedly as he jogged over to their table. "I was supposed to
meet my brother here, but the prat is late. Can I sit with you all while I wait?" Severus shrugged.
Malfoy's chair was free now, after all. He gestured to it and Mulciber took a seat. Severus found
himself suddenly wondering if he should make introductions. Rarely if ever was he put into
situations where he had to know the proper social ways to behave. This was, of course, because he
was bloody not social! He had not asked for this social situation, yet here he was, wondering if
bloody introductions were necessary. Thankfully Rabastan Lestrange, of all people, saved the
situation.

"I remember you! Mulciber, right?"

Mulciber grinned and nodded. "You've got that prefect memory, don't you?"

Rabastan grinned back, nodding. "Yeah. A Prefect must remember who fuckers are. Especially
when they're in his own house. I remember looking the other way for you a few times while you
were stealing Gryffindor homework."Mulciber practically glowed under the clear compliment.
"Hufflepuffs sometimes too," he bragged. "You really need a Ravenclaw's homework to be sure all
the answers are right, but they really know how to guard their bloody stuff." He sighed regretfully.
"Bloody inconvenient, that."

"If you don't do your homework, it means that those who do are smarter than you, which is
dangerous," Rodolphus Lestrange rumbled. The man spoke so rarely, at least in this present
company, that when he did, Severus was always mildly disturbed. One of Rodolphus Lestrange's
large hands was wrapped around his glass of Firewhisky, while the other covered Bellatrix's on the
table. It was when Severus studied their joined hands that he noticed the two wore matching raven
skull rings. Each skull sported a rune on the forehead. It was a battle rune of protection.

If Severus recalled his Ancient Runes text properly, that rune was called the Helm of Awe.
According to myth and legend, it was a helm worn by a dragon before its shape was made into a
rune. The helm had even won victories for a dragon. The dragon was eventually defeated, so
Severus wasn't sure what happened with the protection and why it had not protected said dragon.
He wondered if the Lestranges knew, but Bellatrix looked annoyed so he didn't ask. Mulciber gave
Rodolphus a surprised look, then slowly nodded. "Okay, yeah. I guess I thought I was smarter for
taking their homework and not having to bother wasting my time doing it, but I guess you're right."

"Of course he is right," Bellatrix said with a pleased smirk. Once again, her comment put Severus
in mind of himself, Heather and Raislen. They all thought quite highly of one another as well. It
was nice to be proud to be someone's friend, or in the Lestranges case, family. Then again Heather
and Raislen were more Severus's own family than Grandfather Prince would ever be, so perhaps it
was the same. Mulciber sat chatting with them until his brother entered. His brother was older, a
big muscular young man with a distracted smile as he waved a greeting to everyone while Mulciber
hastily rose to join him. "Thanks for keeping my little brother company," he said.
"We do it with this one as a rule, so we're in practice," Bellatrix said, jabbing a slender finger at
Regulus.

"I thought you just liked spending time with me," Regulus snapped. His face was flushed in sudden
hurt, or was it embarrassment? Kreacher cast confused glances between Regulus and the
Lestranges.

"The two concepts can mutually exist, silly," Bellatrix told Regulus. "If we don't visit you here, we
only see you on the holidays and during the summer. That's only a few times a year each year, then
you're all grown up and you've become a stranger to us. That's the way it would end up if we did
not visit you here. So of course we like spending time with you."

"Sorry,"Regulus muttered, giving her a sheepish smile.

"Good," Bellatrix replied. Mulciber and his brother headed out, and Severus waved a brief farewell.

"The elder brother was a Ravenclaw, but I forget his name," Raislen said. "I felt like a git for
forgetting so I didn't want to ask."

Rabastan grinned, nodding. "Same. If I'd had another drink in me, I'd have asked, but I'm not quite
there yet."

Regulus chuckled. "Give Rabastan enough drinks, and he'd ask anyone anything."

"Not quite anyone," Rabastan muttered. Severus found himself wondering if Rabastan could be
referring to Voldemort, but he wasn't quite brave enough to ask.
 Some Crimes Are Worse Than Others

Chapter 41, Some Crimes Are Worse Than Others

As Regulus was usually with them, Severus rarely had private conversations with Just Heather and
Raislen anymore. If there was anything he wanted to discuss with the two older Slytherins, he
always had to think it out in advance so that he could share all of his thoughts and have time to get
theirs in return before Regulus was finished writing his daily letter to Kreacher. The Monday after
their last Hogsmeade weekend, Severus had thoughts about the Lestranges that he expressed in a
hushed whisper as soon as Regulus headed out to the Owlery. "What do you both think about the
Lestranges?"

"What?" Heather lowered her quill and glanced distractedly up from her homework. "I think
Rodolphus Lestrange was right about homework."

"But he follows HIM," Severus whispered. Rodolphus was, in his way, mildly terrifying, but the
following Voldemort bit did not serve to soften that opinion. He was decent to Kreacher,
though,and did not treat Regulus like a child who was in the way as many others in his place who
were a decade older would certainly do. It was indeed a quandary that Severus struggled to express
to his friends. "But that's just it. They seem by halves terrifying and decent, so I don't know what to
do with that."

Raislen nodded, lowering his history of magic text book. "Situations like this would be far easier
were they black and white. It's easy to like a person until you dig deep into their foundational
views. When you see how different those views are from yours, it tells you if they are someone
you, in particular, can trust. There are some people that no one can trust. Then there are others that
some people can trust, but not others, and that's where the views and values matter. To like a person
well enough is one thing, to trust them is another. If you can't, it's a game changer. It is never wise
to befriend a person you can't trust." Severus considered Raislen's words for several seconds before
replying. "And Regulus? We trust him to a degree."

Raislen nodded sadly. "I like Regulus. I think if he knew about your father, he'd even be sorry. I
think he could appreciate that your father was far different from the Muggles that persecuted our
kind. But he has chosen to cast his lot for reasons with someone who killed a good Muggle and
surely would do the same again. Perhaps if Regulus knew who he was truly serving..."

"He is fanatical about Voldemort, though," Severus said. "He won't be listening to anything against
his precious Dark Lord."

"Perhaps we will find a way to show him before it is too late," Heather said. "We must just be on
the look out for inconsistencies in Voldemort's actions and his propaganda. He's nutters, so I'm sure
we can find enough over time. Hopefully we can reach Regulus before he actually signs up. You
know, becomes one of them like the Lestranges are. It's too bad, but it's likely too late for them.
One can only hope they survive until someone kills Voldemort or puts him away forever, though
I'm personally for killing."

"My kind of girl," Raislen said, flashing a proud grin at Heather.

She flipped her long red hair over one shoulder and frowned at him. "Don't start, Raislen," she
warned calmly.

"Hey, I didn't call you Heather Toy or anything," he protested, then gave a grunt of pain when her
fist shot out as usual, slamming him in the upper belly.

"For a smart bloke, sometimes, you know you can be rather stupid," she told him conversationally.

"I did not call you it. Just saying it should not get me punched! That isn't fair," he wheezed.
"Therefore I am not stupid and I resent you saying I am."

"I disagree," she said. "I resent you calling me Heather Toy and you know it. Don't say it. Saying
you aren't saying it but still using it could be a slippery slope so just don't."

"I see I didn't miss anything," Regulus said dryly, slipping into the arm chair beside Severus's own.
And there went any more opportunity to talk things over with Heather and Raislen without Regulus
around, at least for that day. The four began helping one another with homework, which as Heather
and Raislen were a few years ahead of Regulus and Severus, always served to advance the younger
boys in their studies. Idly Severus wondered if this was always Raislen's plan when he and Heather
pretended to want their help.

Then again Severus and Regulus were very well read and magically advanced, so perhaps Heather
and Raislen really did feel the two younger boys could help with classes they hadn't even taken yet.
Of course he could just ask, but Slytherin to Slytherin, could he truly know if their motives were
pure? He knew that Raislen and Heather would never lie to him, but when it came to homework, no
one could be trusted!

In the face of Heather's Advanced Astronomy and Raislen's killer Plants assignment for Herbology,
all thoughts of Voldemort and his Death Eaters were forgotten. At least until the next morning at
breakfast. Regulus's parents always had the Daily Prophet sent to him via owl every morning at his
request. While Raislen, Heather and Severus sleepily attended to their morning plates of food,
Regulus read and reread an article, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he did.

"So is it good news for once," Severus asked at last. He was not a morning person to put it mildly,
so it took him several minutes to wind up enough energy to be at all curious about precisely what
had Regulus so worked up at such a bloody early hour. Had his sleep fogged brain been more alert,
Severus would have suspected Death Eater activity, but he was not known for his clear head early
in the morning. At night, he tended to become more alert and energized no matter how tired he may
have been all day. Mornings were his bane.

"Just a bit of victory for us is all," Regulus said excitedly. "The streets are being cleaned of Muggle
criminals along with the trash. As if burning witches and wizards wasn't enough, they also do
murder and worse on their own. It's disgusting." Raislen reached over to pluck the newspaper from
Regulus's hands.

"Wanna share that," he quipped. Regulus grinned, allowing Raislen to read the article without
objecting. He did, then passed it silently to Severus. Severus took the paper, scanning the story on
the front page. The Dark Mark was chalked onto two Muggle streets in downtown London near the
dead bodies of two Muggle criminals and a cluster of dead homeless Muggles. Clearly Voldemort
and his Death Eaters wanted to make certain they got the credit for these deeds without a doubt.
Severus wondered if the Lestranges were involved. It stood to reason that they were. How did he
feel about it?
He thought that over as Heather took the paper from his hands. She skimmed the article before
passing it back to Regulus. It only took Severus that long to decide that he did not really care what
Voldemort and his lot did to criminals and homeless. They were wastes of space that society was
often expected to spend their hard earned money to support and clean up after. In a way, taking
them out was better for all involved. Not that he'd ever say that anything Voldemort did was good,
but he would not waste energy avenging homeless madmen or drug addicts when more valuable
Muggles were being killed too. Those more valuable Muggles like Tobias Snape were who Severus
wanted to make Voldemort pay for taking out. Regulus carefully removed the front page of the
Daily Prophet which held the story of interest and tossed the rest aside, clearly no longer interested.
"This is a good one. I'm saving it for my bedroom wall."

"Your bedroom wall?" Heather blinked at him in perplexed confusion.

"I have all the best of HIS achievements in a collection that I post up on my bedroom wall,"
Regulus explained proudly. "Looking at them gives me inspiration and motivation to study hard
and accomplish great things so that I shall be worthy to serve when it is time." Severus noticed that
in spite of his open adoration, Regulus was careful not to speak Voldemort's name aloud. Even
though he was proud of his loyalty, it was still illegal.

Severus felt his lips twitching in an ironic smile that he couldn't bother to hide. It seemed Regulus
Black had a wall full of horrors in his bedroom back home. How blasted charming. Noting his
smile, Regulus returned it, likely assuming that Severus was impressed with his sense of decorating
style and dedication. That suited Severus fine, because one day, he would need Regulus to speak a
good word for him into Voldemort's ear.
 This Ain't The Summer Of Love

Chapter 42, This Ain't The Summer Of Love

A few weeks before Severus's fourth year at Hogwarts was to draw to a close, his hopes for another
nice summer at the WestCravens' was dashed. As many bad things do, it happened in the morning.
Oh how Severus detested mornings! Though the topic had not been fully broached, Severus
assumed he would see his friends at some point during the summer. Those hopes were dashed when
Raislen got an owl from his parents at breakfast one morning in late May. The large brown owl
swooped innocently enough over to the Slytherin table, dropping a letter beside Raislen's plate.

Raislen paused in the process of shoveling eggs into his mouth to breakthe seal and scan it over
quickly. When he began to reread it, Severus frowned in concern. "Is something the matter," he
asked. Letters did not usually require a rereading, after all.

"Hm," Raislen said. "Depends on how you look at it. "My parents plan for us to spend the summer
abroad book hunting."

"They always do that, though," Severus said, failing to see how this was different from any other
summer.

"Yes, but not the entire summer. This time, they have taken off work for most of my summer break.
Apparently there is a traveling book fair thing, and they've signed us up. It tours various places
from old libraries to excavation sites where ancient scrolls could be uncovered.

Only certain wizards get an in to buy from the establishments who own these libraries and host the
excavations. Dad has a friend at the Ministry with whom he works that got us in. It's a rare
opportunity so I am excited, but it means we won't be able to rescue you at all this summer, Kid."
Raislen sighed. "Shit. Makes me feel guilty for being excited."

"Don't be," Severus said, meaning it. "I'm excited for you! You'll find all sorts of amazing things,
and I know that you shall allow me to borrow anything I like, so it's alright."

"Really," Raislen asked, giving him a hopeful smile.

Severus nodded. "I'm not excited for me, because my summer will likely be dreadful, but that does
not mean that I cannot be excited for you.""

"I'm sorry, Kid," Raislen said glumly.

Severus shook his head and forced a smile. "Really. It's alright. It's only a summer." He'd gotten
through worse. He would get through it.

"You could come and visit me, and we could annoy Sirius together," Regulus invited happily. "Or
perhaps I could come and visit you?"

Severus nodded. Surely that would be better than nothing. His stomach had a hollow pit in it that
knew better, though. Regulus was nice, but he wasn't Heather and Raislen. Not to mention, he
could only be trusted so far. Not because Regulus could not be trusted, but because of where his
loyalties lay. No matter how much Severus liked a person, them signing on with Voldemort was a
deal breaker in the end.

At least if he had to use Regulus to get into Voldemort's ranks, though, it was easier on the nerves
to like him. Severus had trouble being social much less friendly with those he did not like, so
having to pretend to be friends with Death Eaters he could not stand would make things even more
unpleasant than he already knew they would be. "And if you're about, you can come over too if you
like, Heather," Regulus added brightly.

Heather frowned, hesitating for an uncomfortable second before replying. Severus flashed an
alarmed look at her, wondering just what she was going to say. Could this bloody summer situation
get any bloody worse? Suddenly he regretted being happy for Raislen's exciting summer
opportunity. It would've been better had Raislen just stayed home. Then things would not be
complicated.

"I would like to, Regulus," Heather said slowly, true regret in her tone. "I would adore the
opportunity for all three of us, no four counting Kreacher, to gang up on Sirius like the prat
deserves. It's just that my family will be away for most of the summer too because my parents have
another boring bardic tour lined up on which they are dragging me. There is more, though... I don't
want to lie to you, Regulus, because I think you're a nice person really, but my parents won't allow
me to come to yours because of your family's loyalties. My parents feel it could be too dangerous."

Regulus's mouth fell open and his blue gaze grew round with shock. "But you're a pure-blood with
proper values! I know you are."

"Proper values as in not being an utter Muggle sympathizer, yes. I and my family do understand the
danger they can present as well as the danger they have presented in the past. But the Voldemort
way, it isn't ours. It... Well Regulus, it doesn't seem sound or safe. Not to mention many great
wizards have failed in the attempt before when it comes to managing the Muggles, and Voldemort
is clearly after doing far more than that. I do hope we can still be friends even if we disagree on
this, though. I don't see why it should have anything to do with the friendship we all have."

"Of course we're still friends, silly," Regulus said. "You and your parents are just wrong about The
Dark Lord is all, but I'd never stop being friends with people I like just because they are wrong.
That would be prattish of me. I'd be no better than Sirius." He gave Heather a quick hug, and
grinning in relief, she hugged him back, patting him on the shoulder.

Severus glanced away, squirming in discomfort, because such emotional displays were weird. He
was relieved when it was over, and likewise relieved that everyone was remaining friends. He
would've hated for his double agent in to be ruined over Raislen's inconvenient summer opportunity
even if it did involve rare reading materials. That and he did like Regulus, and would have missed
talking to him in truth. Also Severus would be lying if he didn't admit to enjoying the fact he was
good friends with Sirius Black's younger brother. How Sirius must hate that! "I will write to my
Mum and ask if I can come to yours at least for a few days if nothing else," Severus told Regulus.

Regulus nodded eagerly. "I know my folks will be fine with it. They liked you quite a lot, after all."

"My git of a grandfather should approve, but if for some reason, he decides to punish me for
existing anyway, perhaps you and Kreacher can at least visit me a few times in hell for lunch or
something. Trust me, you won't want to be at mine for more than a few hours at a time. It's a cold
depressing place." As Severus spoke, he realized that his grandfather hated him in precisely the
same way as the Gryffindor Gang of Gits. Simply because he existed.
Of course Old Man Prince had never said as much, but that did not make it any less true. He got the
same hatred at home as he did at Hogwarts. When people claimed Hogwarts was a second home,
they had no idea how accurate that was for Severus, but in the worst of ways."It's cold depressing
place around mine too with Sirius about," Regulus said. "So I bet I'm used to it."

"I bet you are not," Severus muttered darkly, thinking of how unpleasant old man Prince could even
make a conversation at the dinner table. "At least your parents are able to stand up to Sirius's
rubbish while my own mum does not have the same luxury."

Regulus nodded. "You've a point. If you are unable to come to mine, though, I'll still brave it in the
name of friendship." Perhaps that was the first time that Severus felt a flash of guilt for the lies he
knew he would have to tell Regulus Black, his friend, in the future because of Voldemort. People he
liked were bloody hard to find, and loyal people he liked, even harder.

Had he a choice, he would've been Regulus's friend with no ulterior motives, but Regulus's loyalty
to Voldemort made this impossible. After breakfast and before first period Transfiguration class,
Severus hurried to the Owlery to write his mum for permission to visit Regulus at some point
during the summer. Regulus came along to write his parents for permission to have Severus visit.
"If my folks say yes, and your Grandfather says no, perhaps we can make him change his mind by
saying that my parents may be offended or feel slighted," Regulus suggested. One never knew what
may work on old man Prince, for he was not always consistent, but Severus definitely felt it was
worth a try.

"Good thinking," he told Regulus appreciatively.

As it happened, both Eileen and Regulus's parents said yes to a visit. Severus was allowed to spend
a week at #12 Grimmauld Place. Eileen said that any time was fine if it suited Regulus's parents. "I
think we should make it in the middle of the summer," Regulus suggested. "If it's too close to the
beginning or the end, you will still have much of the summer without respite from your
grandfather. With the visit in the middle of the summer, at least you have a break half way
through."

"That makes sense," Severus agreed. They sat at the Slytherin table having breakfast and sleepily
reading their mail while Heather and Raislen, who had no mail, watched on in interest.

Regulus grinned. "We can spend the first half of the summer writing back and forth planning out
what we will do during the visit." Then there would just be the second half to get through once the
visit was over, Severus thought glumly. He hoped that staying home would not be even more
difficult because he'd gotten out last summer, but something told him that it would.

"I so wish I could help you torment Sirius," Heather said wistfully. "Know that I shall be wishing I
were there while I am, instead, riding in a hot caravan and being miserable while daydreaming
about helping you lot torment Sirius."

Regulus chuckled, bouncing slightly in his chair as his eyes glittered eagerly. "We promise to get
some extra torment in there just for you."

"Why thank you," Heather said.

"Does Sirius know that Severus is visiting," Raislen asked Regulus, an amused glint in his large
green eyes.
Regulus guffawed. "Of course not! It isn't as if I bloody talk to him!" He shuddered. "My parents
don't write to him while we're here because why would they? He hates them. So he shall just find
out the fun way when Severus rings the bell and is ushered in by Kreacher and myself. I have
already asked my parents not to allow his friends to come and visit as James and the rest would
only ruin things. I don't think they would have allowed Sirius's git friends to visit anyway, but I put
in the special request just in case."

"Sounds like you've got things covered," Raislen said. "I hope you, Kreacher and Severus have a
nice time and that Sirius does not."

Severus was feeling distinctly glum when term ended, because he knew that letters would only be
sporadic from Raislen and Heather while both were traveling. Owls tended to get confused when
not working from their usual locations. Rarely did people have time to write when traveling and
having their normal routines uprooted anyway. Regulus promised to write so they could begin
making plans for Severus's visit, and that would have to do.

Raislen promised to bring him something special back, which did pose an exciting prospect. "I'll
miss you both," he said, staring miserably at Heather and Raislen as the train pulled into King's
Cross. He was fourteen and felt like a baby being so silly about the two being away for so long.
They had the right to travel with their families and to enjoy it, even if Heather would not enjoy it.
At least her parents weren't dreadful to her like old man Prince was to him. In truth, Severus
thought her vacations sounded interesting.

At least more interesting than him staying shut up in his hot attic bedroom to avoid a grandfather
who sought to make him pay for existing at every turn. Watching him being mean to Eileen without
fighting back was difficult too, but any time he fought back, things were harder for both him and
his Mum. As that was never Severus's intention, he eventually gave up attempting to defend either
of them. His grandfather always called it disrespecting him, no matter how much he had
disrespected them first.

"We'll miss you too, Kid," Raislen said, giving him a quick hug. Heather did the same, and Severus
didn't even mind hugs from either of them for some odd reason. "I shall miss you too, Heather Toy.
Can I get a hug," Raislen asked hopefully.

Heather smiled sweetly. "No, but you can have this instead." As her fist hit him in the stomach,
Raislen groaned.

"What'd I do?!"

"You know what you did," Heather shouted at him. "Stop acting stupid."

Raislen blinked, slowly straightening as he rubbed with one hand at his belly. Glancing from
Severus to Regulus he asked, "What'd I do?!" Severus did not even bother to answer.

"Did you not even notice that you called her the t word," Regulus asked doubtfully.

Raislen blinked. "No. Actually I didn't. I swear, I didn't notice," he insisted to Heather's
disbelieving expression. Well, Severus thought as the four friends reluctantly joined the throng of
students on Platform Nine and three-quarters, at least they had parted on a normal note. Eileen gave
him the third hug of the day, and like the other two, he did not mind it at all. He never minded hugs
from his mum, though."I'm taking us out to dinner," she said exuberantly. "I figured we could at
least start the summer off with something nice." He loved her so much for how hard she tried to
make things nice for him.

"Thanks, Mum! Where are we going?"

"There is this place your father used to take me in downtown London. It has the best shell fish. I
was in the mood to go there. It's Muggle, but I brought you a change of clothes, so everything is
taken care of."

"Thanks. That sounds great," Severus said, warmed by the thought of eating somewhere his father
had loved to go. The place was small, and pleasantly cool with pictures of ocean life on the walls
along with the largest shells Severus had ever seen. Coming in from the hot London street was like
a breath of fresh air.

"Of course we aren't telling your grandfather that we ate at a Muggle place," Eileen said, and
Severus nodded.

"Obviously not." He chuckled. "Though watching him bust a gut over it would be amusing if he
would not make us pay for it." And pay they surely would with lectures and berating that could go
on for hours. Severus and his mum knew well how to keep secrets from the old man, though.
They'd had plenty of practice, for secrets were a necessity if they wished to have any joy in their
lives. The dinner was brilliant. The seafood was delightful and the conversation was relaxed and
cheerful. Conversations were never so at Prince manor. Not with Grandfather Prince nitpicking at
everything one said.

"So did you ever discover that Lupin boy's secret," Eileen asked as Severus popped another fried
clam into his mouth.

"Not yet, alas. Perhaps Regulus and I can squeeze it out of Sirius when I visit Grimmauld, though,"
Severus said thoughtfully.
 #12 Grimmauld Place

Chapter 43, #12 Grimmauld Place

As promised, Regulus wrote Severus frequently during the next month to sort out plans for their
visit as well as to talk about the books they were both reading and how their respective summers
were going. Sirius had already been rude to Kreacher three times after having only been home for
five days, so Mr. and Mrs. Black were not allowing him to visit his friends in Hog's Meade at all for
the summer.

That meant he would likely be even more angry to see Severus being able to visit Regulus. While
this certainly meant there would be more unpleasant exchanges, Severus did not mind. This time
Sirius would be outnumbered, so revenge promised to be sweet! Regulus also wrote that the
Lestranges had agreed to come and take them shopping in Knockturn Alley if they wished to go.
Rodolphus had heard from a friend of his that Borgin and Burkes had just gotten in some
interesting new items.

Of course Severus was intrigued, even if he did not have much money to spend. Looking allowed
him to make mental wish lists for Christmas or future savings. When it came to such matters, he
had learned to be patient, mainly because there was no choice. To his surprise, when time for the
visit came around, his mum gave him fifteen Galleons to take along to Regulus's for spending
money. "Work has been busy so far this summer," she explained with a smile. as she pressed the
coins into his hands as he was packing for the trip. "It is almost as if your grandfather isn't
interfering with my potions sales to the mail order catalogs," she stage whispered.

"He has been occupied with his friends of late," Severus observed dryly. "Let us hope that
continues."

"For sure," Eileen agreed.

"Are you certain we can afford it, Mum?" Severus felt a sudden stab of guilt at taking that much
money on a frivolous trip to see a friend.

"Of course we can," she assured. "I want you to have a nice time away and not worry about
anything." As Severus hugged his mum in thanks, he vowed to either buy her something while out
shopping, or to bring back enough of the money to return to her. If there was something particularly
amazing that called out her name, he would get it for her as a show of his appreciation and if not,
well he knew she had plenty of uses to which to put the money.

When she Apparated him to #12 Grimmauld Place the next day, Regulus and Kreacher opened the
door together. Severus took in the old stately manor with fascination, because not only was it the
home of his friend Regulus, it was also the home of his enemy Sirius. Of course the place could tell
him nothing of Sirius, because he surely detested every stone of it, but the realization was
interesting nonetheless. "Yea, you're here," Regulus exclaimed gleefully.

He turned back into the manor, shouting over one shoulder. "Mum! Dad! Severus is here!"
Regulus's parents came to greet Eileen and Mrs. Black gushed about what a good boy Severus was.
Eileen was more than happy to expound on just what a good boy Severus was, from his high marks
in all classes to what a good loving son he was.
"Unlike Master Sirius Black, Master Regulus has quality friends," Kreacher commented and Mrs.
Black nodded, looking pleased. Though Severus felt mildly embarrassed by all the focus being
directed at him, the praise felt nice nonetheless. Kreacher reached for Severus's trunk. "Kreacher
will take this up to Master Regulus's room. Master Regulus had suggested putting Severus Snape in
the nearest guest room, but Kreacher feared there would be trouble with Master Sirius Black. For
that reason, Kreacher suggested that Master Regulus share his room. Kreacher brought in a folding
bed from the attic for Severus Snape."

"I know it's weird, but Kreacher fears, probably rightfully so, that Sirius would attempt to push you
into using wandless magic if he corners you alone here," Regulus said. "We do not want you to get
into trouble because of him."

"That is thoughtful of you," Eileen told Kreacher with a smile.

"Kreacher is a dear, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our family," Walburga said, giving
the elf a fond smile.

Kreacher beamed from ear to ear at the compliment before Apparating away, presumably to
Regulus's room, with Severus's trunk. "His parents passed in a magical accident when he was very
young, so he's practically one of ours," Mr. Black explained, a sad smile briefly ghosting across his
face.

Severus had not expected to find such personal common ground with Kreacher. Sadly it was
nothing he would likely ever bring up to the elf. He did not relish lying to his friends, and Kreacher
was a friend of sorts. If the elf were to ask how Tobias Snape had died, there was no way that
Severus dared explain that Voldemort had done it. That was not likely to go well considering how
utterly devoted Kreacher and Regulus were to the monster. To Severus's relief, Eileen made no
comment about Tobias either. All she said was,"How dreadful."

"At least Kreacher does not remember their deaths, due to being so young, but it was indeed
dreadful," Mrs. Black said. Before more could be said on the matter, if indeed anymore would've,
Kreacher apparated back into the room. "There," he said, giving a pleased smile. "All is now
organized for Severus Snape in Master Regulus's room."

"Thank you," Severus said. Eileen departed and Regulus turned excitedly to Severus. "While our
library isn't Raislen's, it is a bloody good library. I figured you would want to see it directly, so let's
get that out of the way."

"Brilliant," Severus said eagerly.

"Master Regulus and Kreacher spend many afternoons reading in our library," Kreacher said.
"Kreacher thinks that there are several obscure texts that Severus Snape shall enjoy having a look
at."

"The three of you have at it, then," Mrs. Black said with a chuckle. "I assume we shan't see you
until dinner."

"Sounds right," Regulus told his mum before starting off down the hall, gesturing for Severus to
follow. As he did, his attention was caught by an odd umbrella stand.

"What is that made of," he wondered, glancing at Mr. and Mrs. Black who still stood together near
the front door.
Mr. Black's lips twitched. "It's a troll foot. Word has it, said troll ran afoul of my great, great
grandfather. As you can see, the troll lost." Severus laughed before hurrying after Regulus. Though
he knew he would never love another library as he loved Raislen's, he was still eager to see this
one. He hurried down a long hallway lined with heavy ornate picture frames which held portraits of
imperious looking Black family relatives.

Most if not all had features similar to those of Orion, Walburga, Regulus and Bellatrix. Sirius put
Severus in mind of the strapping farm boy addition, already more bulky than the rest by far even at
his young age. With a sound of disgust, Severus sped up his steps when he realized that he was
thinking of Sirius Bloody Black instead of books, because that would not do. He caught up to
Regulus and Kreacher just as Regulus opened the library door. Right away the delightful smell of
old books struck his nose, and Severus drew in an appreciative sniff.

Nothing in the world smelled as good and magical as old books! The room was pleasantly cool,
providing a welcome bastion from the summer heat outside. The light that came from black shards
of glittering crystal set into the ceiling was just bright enough to read by without straining the eyes
while not being bright enough to be annoying. Heavy dark gray curtains were drawn over a tall
window across from the door. That was good, because it kept the hot sun from harming the books,
Severus thought.

Raislen's library had no windows for that very reason. For a moment, Severus simply stood just
inside the library, familiarizing himself with the layout of the room. It was slightly larger than
average size, and thick dark green carpet on the floor kept footfalls silent. Severus appreciated the
quiet offered by carpeted reading spaces. It meant that no one was disturbed when others present
went for another book. The walls were lined with ornate oak shelves and several arm chairs for
reading were scattered about.

The chairs were wide sturdy affairs that appeared to mean business, ensuring a person's reading
experience was a comfortable one. Thus far, those chairs were the least ornate item that Severus
had spotted in the manor. Wandering over to the nearest book shelf, Severus began to scan the
titles. "Our shelves are arranged by subject," Regulus explained. "That shelf is history. The shelf
just beside it holds rare magic books. That's where our best books on hexing live. Perhaps one of
them would have something inspiring for you when it comes to that cutting spell you are trying to
sort out."

Severus brightened. "That would be nice. I've run into a few snags with it. I've been practicing it on
pillows, or rather I was at Hogwarts before term ended." He sighed, not bothering to hide his
frustration as he stepped over to the shelf that held the tomes on rare magic. "Let us just say if I
tried it on a person at this point, I would tear chunks out of their skin rather than making small cuts
in it."

Regulus cringed. "I would say it's not quite ready."

Severus chuckled. "Too right it isn't. It's a control factor when making the cuts that I lack. No
matter how small the movements of my wand, big chunks just keep coming out of the blasted
pillows!"

Kreacher frowned. "Perhaps Severus Snape is practicing upon the wrong material."

Severus felt his eyes widen in mild horror. "Well I can't very well practice on one of the gits in case
those big chunks come out of them as they did with the pillows!"
Kreacher smirked. "Kreacher was thinking of a chicken. He has one in the kitchen at this very
moment that he intends to prepare for lunch tomorrow. He could allow Severus Snape to practice
on it before he cuts it up. If Severus Snape would like to, that is."

"Oh!" Severus said, suddenly feeling quite stupid as well as embarrassed. A chicken was far more
similar to the actual make up of a person than was a pillow. "That's a great idea. Thanks, Kreacher."

Regulus grinned. "No need to look embarrassed, Severus. You would have thought of a similar idea
yourself, but unlike Kreacher, you don't have raw meet at your constant disposal."

Severus nodded. "Yes, right." Material and matter density definitely factored in to such spells,
though, and he still should have known as much. Ah well, he would never be forgetting it again. He
spotted several books on hexes that he had never seen before that kept him busy until Kreacher
announced that it was time for dinner. He and Regulus had sat side by side reading their own books
right along with Severus, yet still somehow the elf had known what time it was. That was
impressive, considering the room appeared to have no clock.
 Family Dynamics

Chapter 44, Family Dynamics

It was only natural that thoughts of running into Sirius at dinner gave rise to thoughts of the cutting
hex on which Severus was currently stuck. "I just realized that I can't bloody practice the hex on
your chicken, Kreacher," he said glumly as the three left the library. "No magic outside of school,
remember?"

Kreacher smirked. "Kreacher has invented non detect wards that he can place around his kitchen,"
the elf replied. "He developed them as a silencing charm when Master Sirius was a babe, then
expanded it to a magical muffling charm. If Severus Snape remains in the kitchen after Kreacher
places the charm on the room, he shall be inside Kreacher's field of influence, and the Ministry will
not be able to pick up on what Severus Snape's wand is doing." His lip curled back in contempt as
the three retraced their steps down the long hall of portraits. "Those alerting charms applied by the
Ministry are truly rather pathetic.

Severus let out a breath, impressed by that simple statement to the extreme. Kreacher was, what
Tobias Snape would have called a right bad ass. "Are all elves as powerful," he wondered.

Kreacher snorted. "Perhaps, but most of them aren't nearly smart enough to apply their power
properly. Pathetic and useless, Kreacher says," Kreacher muttered darkly. "Like that stupid, stupid
Dobby, for example. His Kitchen isn't even organized properly, and his food is uninspired not to
mention he has the constitutions of a nervous house fly."

Regulus snickered. "And that's Kreacher being kind," he told Severus.

Kreacher nodded. "Kind Kreacher. Gentle Kreacher." Severus couldn't help chuckling because, not
only were the words amusing in themselves, but they were more so because Kreacher somehow
seemed to mean them. Kreacher led the way into a large dining room with a high ceiling and a
gleaming marble floor. A sparkling chandelier hung above a heavy oak table with matching high
backed ornately carved dining chairs. Sirius was strangely nowhere in sight. "Sirius is always late
for dinner," Regulus said darkly. He must have noticed Severus glancing about for the git.

"Shall Kreacher go and fetch him," Kreacher asked Mr. and Mrs. Black reluctantly. The two adults
were already seated respectively at the head and the foot of the ornate oak table.

"I suppose you should," Mrs. Black said with a sigh. "He won't be happy until he has put someone
to unnecessary trouble on his behalf." She scowled.

Regulus gave a sudden grin, a bright contrast to his mother's dark expression."Hey Severus! What
do you say you and I go and keep Kreacher company? Sirius doesn't know that you're here yet I
don't think. It shall be a fun surprise for him... Or at least for us!"

Severus couldn't help grinning at the thought of Sirius's face when he saw him standing in the
hallway outside his bedroom with Kreacher and Regulus. Why it may just cause him to lose his
bloody apatite! "Yes, let us do that," he agreed.

"Now boys, no starting a fight," Mr. Black said mildly as the three headed out. "I really do not need
the stress."
Regulus hesitated to peer back at his father over one shoulder. "No sir, we won't start anything. We
can't speak for Sirius, but at least if he starts with us, we are three to one so it should end quickly."
Mr. Black sighed, but made no comment so the three hurried away with Kreacher in the lead.
Instead of the straight shot to the library, the elf turned right toward the manor's front door as they
exited the dining room, then left up a long flight of dark stairs.

Though Severus did look forward to his presence annoying Sirius, he also hoped this vacation
would not be a struggle with the prat the entire time. He did wish to have a bit of peaceful fun
while away from Prince manor as well, after all. At least Sirius would never wish to visit
Knockturn, so they were sure to be free of him when they went shopping with the Lestranges. At
the top of the stairs, Kreacher turned right, leading the way down a long hall, equally as dark as the
stairwell. He stopped at a door near the end, pausing to glance at Regulus before tapping at the
door.

"Master Sirius. Dinner is served," the elf rasped calmly. There were several long seconds of silence
while the three in the hall waited. Eventually small shuffling sounds could be heard from inside the
room as of someone moving about.

"You sound too polite," came Sirius's suspicious reply. "You are usually far more angry when I lose
track of time and Mummy Dearest sends you up here to fetch me. I do wonder why. Have the
bloody Lestranges or Malfoys come to call, I wonder? You always love it when they are here as
they always end up needling me.

"Needling you as you needle others, brother mine," Regulus asked, tone hard with sudden angry
dislike. "No, the Lestranges nor the Malfoys are here. Now come and eat before it is all gone."

Sirius sighed, and they could hear the sound of his feet thumping down onto the floor before his
steps proceeded toward the door. Here it came, thought Severus. Sirius was about to see who was
here instead of the Lestranges or Malfoys.

"You little prat," Sirius snarled as he yanked open the bedroom door. At once, the hateful glare
faded from his face, a look of shock replacing it as he spotted Severus. For a few glorious seconds,
his mouth worked silently while he struggled to find words. Severus smiled. "What is he doing
here," Sirius demanded.

Regulus sighed, casting his gaze imploringly toward the ceiling. "We always knew that he was not
the brightest Black by far, but I do declare, Kreacher. He is growing positively dimmer by the day."
Kreacher snickered and Sirius's foot shot out. Though the elf easily dodged aside, Regulus glared
daggers of pure hate at Sirius. "What did Mum tell you about being nasty to Kreacher, you piece of
Muggle-loving trash! I am telling!"

"I hate you all," Sirius snarled back. "You cannot begin to imagine how I hate everything about..."

"Why?" Severus cut him off suddenly. Gods, but he was such a royal git to the most royal gittish
extreme! "Wait, I know! Is it because we all exist, Sirius?"

Sirius sighed, nodding. "Yeah, Snivellus. As a matter of fact, that is precisely it. Ten points to
bloody Slytherin! Ten more if you tell me just what you are doing here?" He sighed, shaking his
head. "Never did I expect to have you here tainting my summer as if it wasn't always bad enough. I
truly am in hell."
Suddenly Severus had to battle a very strong instinct to punch Sirius right in the face. That prat had
no idea of what it was like to have a bad summer. Old man Prince hated him no matter what, and
Sirius's family only disliked him because he was constantly antagonistic. "You always bring your
hell on yourself, Sirius and you are simply too stupid to see it," he said flatly. "I am here visiting
Regulus. Ten points from bloody Gryffindor because you are too thick to deduct the obvious."

"There," Regulus said. "He has answered your foolish question. Now we are going to eat. Do what
you want, but we have delivered our message, so our filthy work is done here. Come, Kreacher."
Head high, Regulus swept past Severus and Kreacher, heading back down the hall. Giving a
resigned sigh, Kreacher pushed Severus after, bringing up the rear himself. Severus wondered why
until he recalled that it was Kreacher's idea for him to share Regulus's room for this visit.

He likely did not trust Sirius not to pull some nasty trick if Severus was the last to depart. Severus
hurried after Regulus, only pausing once to peer over his shoulder to make certain that Kreacher
was following. He was, and Sirius stood watching in the doorway of his bedroom with a dark
glower on his face. After a moment, the sound of Sirius's door slamming resounded through the
hall, and his footfalls could be heard soon after. It looked like he was coming to eat with the rest of
them after all, which Severus found a bit disappointing. As soon as he was certain that Sirius was
coming, Regulus began to run down the stairs, forcing Severus and Kreacher to do the same if they
wished to keep up. "Mum," Regulus called. "Sirius tried to kick Kreacher again!"

"Thank you, Dear," Walburga called back tiredly. Not for the first time, Severus found himself
feeling sorry for her.

"Whatever, Regulus," Sirius growled. "Tell like a baby. I do not care. Do you understand me? I. Do.
Not. Bloody. Care!"

"Babies tell, Regulus," Severus told his friend. "What real men do is gang up with a few other real
men and start fights, several to one. Grow up, Mate."

Regulus snickered as they strolled into the dining room. "Finally we can eat. You will love
Kreacher's lamb stew. We're having it tonight because it's one of my favorites and Kreacher thought
you may enjoy it as well."

"That means he wished to show off, so better pepper him with compliments, or your next meal may
lead to a stomach ache, Snivellus," Sirius snarked as he trailed in behind them. To his
embarrassment, Severus felt the heat rushing to his face. He never enjoyed the name, but at least he
could usually retaliate. Doing so in front of Regulus's parents did not seem at all proper, though so
he forced himself to ignore Sirius.

"Hello, Sirius," Mr. Black said dryly. "Please do not call our guests rude names if you wish to sit at
this dining table."

"Yes, hello, Sirius," Mrs. Black chimed in almost sweetly. "You are not going to be allowed to visit
those dreadful Muggle-loving friends of yours at all this summer. One would hope that this
punishment shall eventually train you not to be unkind to Kreacher, but if not, it is at least taking
something away from you in retribution."

"You weren't going to allow me to see them anyway," Sirius muttered resentfully. Striding around
Severus, Regulus and Kreacher, he flung himself into a chair two down from his father. Regulus
settled into the chair beside his mother and Kreacher sat to his other side.
Severus hesitated, glancing to Regulus as he wondered where to sit. "Just anywhere you like,"
Regulus said, waving a casual hand. Severus nodded and seated himself to Kreacher's other side as
it was nicely away from Sirius. Suddenly the table was full of food, nearly like at Hogwarts. Before
each person was a steaming bowl of thick savory smelling lamb stew. Beside each bowl on a small
plate was a wedge of fresh baked bread with a delightfully flaky crust.

Cups of hot tea sat to the other side of the soup bowls of Regulus, Severus and Sirius while Mr. and
Mrs. Black had sparkling crystal goblets of red wine. There was a small pot of cream for the tea
sitting in the center of the table in a gargoyle shaped pitcher. Kreacher snatched it up at once and
poured a liberal amount of cream into Regulus's tea before doing the same to his own. Sirius gave
the elf a disgusted look before snatching at it for his own tea, but Kreacher was faster. Switching
the pitcher deftly to his other hand he turned to Severus.

"Would Severus Snape like cream in his tea?"

Severus shook his head. "No thank you. Everything smells and looks delicious, though."

Kreacher gave a pleased smile before almost reluctantly passing the gargoyle pitcher to Sirius.

"So. Not only do I not get to see my friends at all this summer, which is nothing particularly rare,
but I have to look at Snivellus's ugly face for how long," Sirius demanded.

Mrs. Black drew in a sharp breath. "I did not teach you to be this rude," she thundered.

"He'll be here until he leaves, so you get to wonder. And stop calling him names, Dog Breath!"
Regulus replied calmly, quite as if Mrs. Black had not just shrieked. That was impressive, because
she had nearly caused Severus to jump out of his skin. Perhaps it was just her normal reaction when
it came to Sirius, causing the rest of the family to be used to it. Turning to Severus, Regulus smiled
eagerly. "Wait until you taste Kreacher's bread! He actually puts the butter inside. It is so creamy
and amazing!"

"Not to mention far less messy," Kreacher added.

"This is true," Mr. Black said, before taking a hardy bite from his own slice of bread. Severus
followed Mr. Black's lead, biting into the wedge of bread beside his bowl of stew. The warm butter
inside merged perfectly with the bread. The bread itself was soft on the inside and crunchy on the
outside just as Severus liked it. Perfection. "Kreacher has the right to brag," he managed after two
buttery, crunchy mouthfuls.

Regulus smirked. "Wait until you try the stew!" Regulus was right. Two bowls later, and Severus
was certain he would pop, but he was unable to resist seconds. It was so good. Rather than making
him feel like a pig for wanting the seconds, Kreacher beamed from ear to ear when Severus gladly
accepted another bowl at the elf's invitation. While the family chatted politely, Sirius ate with
listless sullen disinterest. Severus was just happy that the prat was polite enough to shut up!
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