The Boy Who Found a Home

For the week preceding the Christmas holiday, most of the students were distracted in the anticipation of returning home to see their parents. Some students, while looking forward to a break from their studies, knew they would be spending the holidays at Hogwarts.

Lily Evans had been so distracted with excitement that she blew up her Invigoration Draught. Professor Warwick had to chase six of his students around the dungeon to give them doses of Snail's Pace Potion. The six students leaned heavily on their tables trying to regain their breath, and Lily lost Gryffindor five points and received detention for her lack of concentration.

Peter, unwisely, complained about the 'bloody wretched Potions professor' in front of Professor McGonagall. Five more points were taken by his Head of House for speaking badly of a professor. Peter had an evening's detention with Mr. Filch. James, Remus and Sirius wisely refrained from commenting on their professors in front of their Head of House, the prefects and the Head Boy and Girl.

Hagrid felled trees in the Forbidden Forest and dragged them back to the castle to be decorated. The Great Hall was heavy with the scent of pine, nutmeg, cinnamon and bayberry. Professor Flitwick spent an entire afternoon decorating the trees ringing the large room. He charmed glass balls, garlands and candles onto the trees, but he left one tree undecorated at the Headmaster's request.

Once the Hogwarts Express had departed from Hogsmeade, Professor Dumbledore assembled the remaining students and staff in the Great Hall.

From Slytherin House, Severus Snape and the two Goyle brothers remained behind with two students from Hufflepuff, Clem Diggory and Nancy Bones. Ravenclaw's Craig Brocklehurst was the only member of his House to remain for the holidays. All the Gryffindors had gone home to spend time with their families.

When the six students entered the Great Hall, they found Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Warwick and Pulmule were standing around a table, busily working at manufacturing decorations. Professor Flitwick was clapping his hands so eagerly, that his hat teetered precariously on his head.

Professor Pulmule and Hagrid had begun to pull holly boughs apart and were weaving them into long swags. Professor Dumbledore transfigured the swags into crystallized sugar boughs which Professor Flitwick charmed up into the tree.

Professor McGonagall was spreading small objects along the table to use in transfiguring into ornaments for the tree. Professor Warwick had a small cauldron heating on a stand on the table.

"Good, you have all joined us!" Albus smiled at the group as they approached the table. "I thought it might be fun for us to decorate a tree. We have found all manner of things to spark your creativity. Professor McGonagall has glass globes that are particularly interesting to transfigure; while

Professor Warwick has mixed a paste that is guaranteed to stick to anything -- except animals or humans." Dumbledore looked pointedly at the younger Goyle brother. The Headmaster dipped his finger in the glue and smelled it. "Ah, lemon curd!" he said as he licked the glue from his finger.

"Each time you dip into the glue, you get a different flavour!" Professor Warwick announced proudly.

"Just promise us there isn't earwax," the old wizard said, and moaned at some long remembered memory.

"No promises, Headmaster." The Potions professor laughed good naturedly.

Professor Dumbledore smiled to the children and indicated the table. "Find a place, and allow your imaginations to run wild with the decorations."

Severus crept to the far side of the table as far from his professors as possible. He'd felt the request to join, had been nothing less than an order.

Hamish Goyle immediately went to the glass globes Professor McGonagall had set out; and he began to transfigure some into different size bird nests and some into birds common in Britain. Professor McGonagall had a smile playing around her mouth seeing the creativity of her student. She felt the Slytherin prefect showed great skill in transfiguration.

"Mr. Goyle, don't you think we should attempt something a bit more spectacular for the tree top?" Minerva McGonagall asked with a smile.

"How about a dragon?" Goyle smirked at her and transfigured the largest glass ball into large green dragon.

"A dragon, Goyle? A good Scottish unicorn is what we need for the tree topper!" Minerva exclaimed, and with a raised eyebrow, she aimed her wand at the dragon, transfiguring it into a unicorn. Hamish soundly applauded his fellow Scot, and added the Hogwarts shield to the unicorns flank.

Evan, Hamish's younger brother, had reached for a pair of scissors and began to cut rectangular strips from bits of paper and foil. Taking up a stiff glue brush, he pasted the strips into interlocking rings. Clem Diggory joined Evan, and began to paste the bits of paper and foil into rings, too.

"This isn't lemon curd, its peppermint cream!" Clem cried loudly, licking his fingers and obviously offended that the Headmaster had mistaken peppermint cream for lemon curd. He'd obviously forgotten Professor Warwick's comment about each dab tasting different.

Evan dipped his own finger into the glue, tasted it and immediately spat it out into his handkerchief. "You're daft, you bloody Hufflepuff! Its vomit flavoured!"

Craig Brocklehurst joined Professor Dumbledore in transfiguring buttons and pincushions into tops, shooting stars and reflectors for the enchanted candles.

Severus stood to the side of the group moving things around the table, feeling completely out of his element. His parents had never celebrated, much less decorated, for any holiday. Once, when he was around four years old, he remembered being taken to Diagon Alley by his mother during December. He'd been fascinated by the decorations, and commented to his mother about them.

The entire place had been decorated to a fair thee well. Holly swags with tiny fairies that twinkled were draped across the street. The fine odour of spiced apples, nuts and gingerbread oozed from the very cracks in the bakery.

"Mother, look at those!" he cried out pointing at the toy shops window.

Brightly coloured Quidditch dolls flew about one of the window cases in sweeping arcs. In another window books fought with one another to display their illustrations, while in the last window, tops spun in a continuous frenzy, leaping over one another to demonstrate the superiority of the charms controlling them.

She'd looked down her nose at him. "I suppose you think you might like to have a shiny decoration of some sort or a toy?"

"Mother, may I have one of those?" he asked, pointing at a top.

He couldn't believe his ears; his mother was offering to purchase something frivolous for him, something not educational! His eyes had lighted in excitement as he looked in a shop window full of sparkling crystal decorations. Then he realized his mother had been silent, and he looked up at her expectantly. Her expression had turned hard and cold as the pavement beneath his feet.

"You want a senseless piece of trash, just because it is shiny and pretty? I will inform your father what a selfish, spoilt child you are."

Hydra Snape seized his arm and dragged him back to the Leaky Cauldron to Floo home. After that, the fear of disappointing his father kept him from revealing the things he hoped for.

Nancy Bones approached him to help with the garland, and seeing Hagrid looking encouragingly at him, he grudgingly agreed.

"No, not like that. That's not how you do it. You're supposed to weave the ribbons like this," Nancy scolded in the way of bossy young girls.

Severus managed to slip away from the group, and went to sit on the far side of the Great Hall in front of the fireplace. He sat with his back to the rest of the room and stared into the flames. When can I go back to my room and read? I hate this.

"Well, Snape, are your parents off researching?"

Severus jumped hearing Professor McGonagall next to him. He was always on guard near her because normally she only spoke to him to reprimand. She reminded him of his mother --- cold and unapproachable.

Distracted, Severus did not see the glass globe roll under the table. Nancy reached her hand out to grasp the globe and froze when she heard that strange Severus Snape talking.

"Their home but my father wanted me to remain behind and study, Professor," Severus said sullenly.

"Surely, they wanted you to come home?" Minerva asked.

"No. I told you, no!" Severus yelled rudely, and turned his back on the witch.

Nancy saw a pair of fancy embroidered curled-toed Turkish slippers walking down the aisle and she scooted further under the table.

"Minerva," said the Headmaster, as he nodded to the table at the front of the room, "I believe there is a wonderful Dundee cake on the plate."

"Dundee cake? I must see this before Hamish eats it all!" The witch swiftly bustled down the aisle.

Severus sat resentfully facing a wall. What does he want now? Can't they just leave me alone?

The Headmaster sat down at the table, leaving several feet between himself and the solitary young wizard. He had observed that the boy was remarkably sensitive to any intrusion and liked to maintain a physical space between him and others. Albus sat silently for several minutes.

"Hagrid told me that the unicorn foal is doing very well in the Forbidden Forest," the old wizard said conversationally. "The foal still comes back sometimes. Have you been down to visit him, when he does?"

Severus remained silent and stared up at the mullioned windows. Why is he telling me that? I don't want to think about Sherbet Lemon. I miss him. Slowly, Severus brought a shaking hand up toward his mouth then caught himself and lowered it to his lap.

"Hagrid said it wouldn't be good to; it wouldn't know to keep away from people," he said barely controlling his voice.

"I hope you will not spend all of your holiday in the library. If you do, I will have to ask Madam Pince to limit your time there." Albus carefully arranged his robes around his feet.

"You can't!" Severus cried aloud, turning to look at Professor Dumbledore. "My father isn't happy with my marks!"

"I want to see you outside with the other children," the old wizard said firmly.

"My father..." Severus began to argue.

"Your father is not here. Here, I tell students what they need to do. I want to see you have fun." Albus smiled to relieve his harsh words.

"B-but I have to study, Headmaster. My father will never forgive me if..."

"He will forgive you for less than perfect grades," Albus interrupted.

Nancy crept away, thrilled to have some interesting gossip to share with her friends after Christmas.

***

Christmas morning, Hagrid organized a snowball fight near his hut. Looking at the six children, he decided Hamish Goyle, the sixth year Slytherin prefect, and Craig Brocklehurst, a fifth year Ravenclaw, would be on opposing sides to equalize any physical advantage.

Evan thought Hamish took being prefect far too seriously. Evan thought the opportunity to hit his older, more studious brother with snowballs was an opportunity not to be missed. So, he joined Craig's team.

As a prefect, his brother didn't favour his House as much as he'd hope, much to the disgust of Slytherins member. Lucius Malfoy had often attempted to pressure the prefect into altering his stance but failed. Even more damning was the fact that Professor McGonagall appeared to like and respect him.

Yet, it was Hamish's friendship with another Slytherin which redeemed him in his House's eyes. His best friend was Trevor Lamont, who was reputed to be the finest student dueller Hogwarts had seen, since Professor Flitwick's student days.

Hamish chose Severus and Nancy Bones for his side, while Craig chose Evan Goyle and Clem Diggory for his side.

Nancy Bones began to cry as soon as she realized she had two Slytherin team mates. She shook at the thought of being struck by snowballs intended for her team mates. While the prefect had always been kindly toward the younger students, her terror of Severus' reputation put her into a near panic. When Hamish suggested she remain behind the wall and pack snowballs for himself and Severus, she wept in relief.

Severus was baffled at the point of a snowball fight until one of Evan Goyle's struck him on the back of his head. He quickly learned how to pack a snowball and throw it to find its intended target, while not leaving himself exposed.

The Goyle brothers seemed to expend a great deal of energy striking one another with snow. Clem and Craig were laughing so hard they spent more time on the ground that hitting anyone with snowballs.

After an hour, Hagrid tried to end the snow fight and found himself the target for snowballs instead. He took the volley good naturedly. Albus Dumbledore looked down from his window and smiled to see so many happy faces.

With the return of the students in early January, Professor Dumbledore spoke briefly as he welcomed back the students, and reminded the fifth years that they needed to be serious in their preparations for the O.W.L.s, and the seventh years that they needed to prepare for their N.E.W.T.s. Moans erupted from the four tables. The old wizard also informed the sixth and seventh years they could work on the Apparation tests, if they were of age, but only with a qualified witch or wizard in attendance.

The winter term began with Professor Illingsworth requiring more effort from the first year students. Often they left his class physically and mentally exhausted.

Peter Pettigrew learned that the Head of Slytherin had heard of his indiscreet words and went out of his way to remind Peter that this professor would keep a very close eye on him. With white, fluffy hair that stood out from his head, Professor Illingsworth looked to be someone's favourite kindly uncle. In fact, Illingsworth was anything but kind.

Even his Slytherin House members were not entirely comfortable around him. The possible exceptions were, Lucius Malfoy and his two friends, the very frightening MacNair and Lestrange. Lucius chose his allies very carefully, aware that any error in judgment could prove catastrophic to his family's plans.

Vagus Malfoy, wanted information about every Slytherin, and his son was to keep tabs on its members. Lucius was the conduit to Slytherin House, passing information to his father about every new student. Vagus in turn, gave the information to his Master.

The Malfoy heir had one of the finest people training him in curses and the Dark Arts. Professor Illingsworth did an excellent job teaching his students how to defend themselves from unfriendly curses. Of course, no curse was friendly if it was aimed at you.

Lucius learned via Evan Goyle that during Christmas, Professor Dumbledore had talked at length with Severus. Evan had been unable to overhear the conversation, but he had noticed that their fellow House member had been very agitated for several days. The fair-haired Slytherin set out to speak with Snape.

"I hear the daft old Headmaster cornered you over Christmas," Lucius said. "The man means well, I'm sure, but his views are contrary to what the majority of wizards believe. Dumbledore is so senile that he doesn't realize how much he favours the Gryffindors. Potter had less than half the detentions and points taken than you had, and yet caused twice the trouble! And, Potter's hex was a lot more underhanded than yours was."

"While normally I wouldn't wish to see a Slytherin spend so much time with a professor from another House, I do think it is valuable for you to learn more from Warwick. You could learn to create some really fascinating potions. It could make you some extra Galleons... If you could find the right buyer," Lucius' smooth voice let the suggestion hang for several moments.

"I mean, look at the state of your robes! And you're a pure-blood. You'd think your parents would have more pride. Really, Snape you've got to do something about your appearance. Your hair is disgusting. At least you have stopped that disgusting habit of biting your nails."

Severus had listened to Professor Warwick. When Warwick warned him about the dangers of biting his nails, and the possibility of poisoning himself, he'd worked hard to break the habit. But when he felt pressured he sometimes still did bite them.

Severus knew people commented behind his back about his appearance. It made his stomach hurt so that he often couldn't eat. Many times when he passed a group of his classmates, the Gryffindors in particular, he would hear the words: 'overgrown bat' or 'vampire' or 'greasy git.'

Once lessons had resumed in January, Severus overheard Sirius Black talk about him as they entered Transfigurations.

"Your father didn't want you to come home, did he, Snivellus?" Sirius asked, grinning to the surrounding students. "You're too much of an embarrassment from what I hear."

It took all of his self control not to draw his wand on the Gryffindor loud mouth. Severus glared dangerously at Sirius and pushed roughly past him.

"Did you give your parents anything for Christmas, Snivellus, other than not having you hanging around the belfry?" Sirius snarled a his question and several students began to giggle.

"Sirius, I don't think it is wise to..." James Potter took Sirius by the arm and pulled him down the corridor.

"Shut it, Potter," Severus interrupted angrily.

"Oi! Don't tell James to shut it, you greasy haired git," Peter cried out and stepped forward.

"Pettigrew, you are so close to being a Squib," Evan Goyle said, and stepped forward.

"Is your mother a troll, Goyle?" Peter snapped back. "You look about as bright as one!"

"Goyle, Pettigrew! What, may I ask is the difficulty here?" Professor McGonagall stared down at the boys. "We don't call people names here at Hogwarts. I've a good mind to give you both a detention in addition to the two points I am taking from you."

"But, Professor, Black started it by calling..." Evan's mouth fell open.

"Goyle, I certainly took no offence at Black or Pettigrew's pathetic attempts at witty repartee. I can't help it if Black finds humour in such worthless drivel," Severus smoothly interrupted.

"I want an explanation before any of you leave this corridor," Minerva McGonagall said. She pursed her lips angrily, sensing more was involved in this situation than the boys let on. Sirius had a wily grin on his face.

James cut Sirius a 'don't even think it' glare. Sirius shrugged his shoulders and gave his most beguiling smile to Professor McGonagall. She stared coolly down at him.

"It was a misunderstanding, Professor." Sirius Black knew how to charm her with a smile and polite words.

"Well, don't let it happen again in my corridor. Get into your seats."

Minerva wasn't a new professor who normally could be taken in by a student's innocent smiles and pretty words. She had seen many try in her years, and few succeeded; yet she was blind to Sirius Black and James Potter.

If that had been my excuse, I'd be in detention, Severus thought bitterly.

"What is repartee?" Peter asked James

"Quiet!!!" their professor said loudly.

After a lecture on how to transfigure a clam shell into a locket, Professor McGonagall walked around the room observing her pupils. Some of her first years had definite ability. James Potter was very good with his technique. The way he would flick his wand was an illustration of the superior teaching skill of Professor Flitwick.

I can always tell one of his students. Never flashy like that boy ---what was his name? Lock---something. Flitwick had definitely improved the wand work of young witches and wizards.

James Potter noted her standing next to him and looked up to smile at her. Sirius Black was a bit slower, but he was more than adequate in transfiguration.

Lily Evans had an intense look of concentration on her face. She really was the sweetest girl Professor McGonagall had taught in a long while. Her red hair was worn in two braids with outrageous ribbons tied at the ends. It really wasn't proper school attire but she could not bring herself to tell Lily to remove them. Megan leaned over and the two girls giggled. Minerva realized she overlooked a lot of things Lily did.

Evan Goyle did not have his older brother's talent, not by a long shot, and he tended to be easily frustrated. It was such a pity Hamish was put into Slytherin. He would have been a fine Gryffindor, smart, charming, and focused. She privately wondered if the Sorting Hat had an evil sense of humour.

Professor McGonagall walked silently past Severus Snape. He, too, had benefited from Flitwick's superior teaching.

The wand work was quite good. But not what James can do! Why does that boy always cause such discord? Yes, he is talented, though I have to wrestle to get anything from him. I cannot help it; I just don't like the child.

Severus looked up at her as if sensing her thoughts. "You have a question, Snape?"

"No, Professor." Severus looked back down at his clamshell.

Minerva didn't like where her thoughts were taking her. She prided herself on being fair and treating all the students equally. Now, Severus Snape was shaking that faith.

Why does Albus invest so much interest in Snape?

Two days later, Lily sat studying in the library when Nancy Bones sat down with a big plop across from her. She glanced up and returned to her reading.

"Lily?" Nancy asked tentatively.

"Hello, Nancy." Lily kept reading her book, Magical Plants of the Amazon.

"May I talk to you a moment?" whispered the Hufflepuff, spying Madam Pince frowning across at her.

"Sure."

"Outside in the corridor?" Nancy pleaded, seeing Madam Pince rising from her desk.

Lily followed her into the corridor, struck by girl's obvious nervousness.

"I-I did something silly," Nancy said, and began to wring her hands.

"Did you forget something for class?" Lily asked thinking whatever the problem was could be easily solved.

The Hufflepuff girl looked down at her feet and shook her head. She pushed the toe of her shoe into a crack in the paving stones.

"Well, did you get a detention or something?" Lily was mystified.

The other girl began to cry, a tear ran slowly down her cheek. Nancy's nose began to drip and she swept the back of her hand across her face. Lily gave her the handkerchief from her pocket.

"I told Sirius something I overheard in the Great Hall at Christmas 'cause..."

Lily's eyebrow shot up.

"...I shouldn't have repeated what Professor Dumbledore said." The witch dissolved into loud sobs.

"Nancy, calm down. Just apologize to the Headmaster."

"I can't!"

Lily was truly confused now. What could Nancy have possible heard that would get her in so much trouble?

"Why not?" she asked the distraught girl.

"It wasn't just what the Headmaster said; it was what Severus said." Nancy wiped her nose which was now as red as her eyes.

"Ohhh..." Lily bit her lip hoping the girl hadn't told Sirius about Sherbet Lemon.

"When Sirius told me that I was cute, I just melted. I think he is really sweet, don't you?" The girl looked hopefully at her.

Lily nodded in agreement; she had discovered she was always watching Sirius. He had such nice eyes and looked so cute when he teased her, even though he was a bully.

"I didn't think that when Sirius asked me about what happened here during Christmas that telling him would..." The Hufflepuff girl's next words were lost as she sobbed. Nancy swallowed deeply and continued. "...that his father... Then, the Headmaster said..." Followed by another large sob.

Lily understood little of what was being said, but could feel the upset Nancy was experiencing. Boys just weren't as interested in girls as the girls were them, yet. Lily had a crush on a sixth year Ravenclaw boy and would blush whenever he looked her way. She purposely had gone to the library when she knew he would be there. Peter teased her about it.

"... and Severus will hex me," Nancy gasped out fearfully.

"You don't honestly believe everything you hear, do you?" Lily returned to the present and kneeled down next to Nancy and put a comforting arm around the girl's shoulder. "Why are you telling me about this?"

"Because you're the only one not in Slytherin he doesn't snap at," Nancy said as if it were obvious.

"He snaps at me too!"

"Not the same way, Lily."

"I honestly don't think he's going to bother you." Lily sat back on her heels thinking, he doesn't snap at a lot of people.

Hope began to brighten Nancy's spirits. "You think?"

"Just promise me you'll be more careful what you repeat."

Nancy smile weakly. "I will Lily. Do you think Sirius really thinks I am cute?"

"Yes. I have to get back to my Herbology book now. We have two scrolls due tomorrow."

"Thank you Lily. Professor McGonagall is right; you really are the nicest girl at Hogwarts. Oh, I did it again, didn't I?"

***

Valentine's Day arrived with cold clear weather. The Great Hall was bedecked in large red and pink hearts. Lily sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Peter. She spooned eggs and tomatoes onto Peter's and her own plates.

"Evans, I don't want tomatoes," Peter protested grumpily pushing his plate aside.

"You should eat more vegetables, Peter," Lily said and pushed it back.

Peter grumbled. She was as pushy as his mother.

"You're lucky, she cares about you, Peter," Sirius said to Peter, but he looked at Lily speculatively.

"When's the post arriving?" Lily asked. She was looking up at the corner of the ceiling where the owls flew in.

"Same time as always," James mumbled through a mouth of porridge.

"James, would you mind not sharing your breakfast with all of us?" Sirius asked, scowling and turning his face away. "It's disgusting."

"Sorry. Hey, here's the post now."

Sirius caught a large package. He tore open the wrapping and smile. "Mum sent Bernie Bott's Chocolate Cupids." He sighed and passed the box down the table. "Just mind the arrows. My father got one wedged in his back molar for week last year. I think my bitch of a mother hexed it."

Lily was still looking expectantly at the owls flying into the Great Hall. The Pettigrew's owl zoomed into the Hall and landed neatly in front of Peter. He untied the parcel tied to his leg and ignored the owls search for a reward.

Sirius' eyes returned to closely watching the owls as they entered the Great Hall.

"Peter Pettigrew! Give your owl a piece of toast; it flew a long way in snowy weather to bring that present."

He ignored the young witch so she stroked the owl's head and gave it some toast soaked in milk. It hooted and rubbed its head against her hand, then nipped Peter sharply in reprimand and flew off.

Another owl landed on the table in front of Lily. It held out its leg for her to remove the small package. She smiled and complimented the owl on flying so far. It squawked in acknowledgment and flew off.

"Is that from your sister Petunia?" Peter asked looking over Lily's shoulder.

"Maybe."

Peter sulked and turned away.

"Oh, all right. Here." Lily held out a pink envelope she'd pulled from her pocket. Peter smiled.

"Is that a Muggle card?" Sirius asked having noticed the card and plucked it from Peter's hand. He looked at it.

"It's boring, it doesn't do anything," James said mournfully as he looked over Sirius' shoulder.

"What did you expect, James?" Lily asked. "Muggle cards don't do things like wizard ones do. They just have sentiments written on them."

Sirius looked scandalized.

"Peter's got a girlfriend," James sang out causing Peter to blush crimson. Lily threw a piece of toast at James.

Sirius, who had been unusually silent, was watching as more owls flew into the Great Hall. He watched a swift burrowing owl fly in and sweep across all the tables before folding its wings and dropping to the table in front of Severus Snape. Evan Goyle had to prod Severus as he was reading at the table.

"What? I'm reading, Goyle," Severus hissed in annoyance. He was intently reading about slipper plant extracts.

"You've got an owl."

Putting his book down, Severus reached for the owl with its outstretched leg. The owl, just past its fledgling stage, was very proud it had found the correct person. It fell over as it lost its balance in its eagerness to deliver its mail. Severus tried to pick up the fluttering owl and squeezed it accidentally, causing it to screech.

"You're going to be a disaster in Magical Creatures, if you can't even get an owl to hold still." Lucius looked disgustedly at Severus. He held the owl until Severus could remove the packet. Then Malfoy released the owl, giving it a piece of apple.

"Who's it from?" Evan asked.

"It's not like your parents send a lot of loving letters to you," Lucius said, and poked at the sausage on his plate. Severus shrugged and broke the seal on the scroll. It would have been like his parents to send an impersonal postal scroll. Unrolling it Severus' eyes widened.

It was pink and red hearts floating on lace. The hearts gave off a sweet rose scent and tinny violin music played a romantic score. Flashing across the top of the scroll were the words: To our darling sweet boy, Severus! Mummy and Pappa.

At the very bottom, in a tiny postscript said: Please don't come home, ever!!!

Severus' head snapped up and he began to look around the Great Hall. Peter Pettigrew was talking animatedly to Lily. His eyes continued down the table, coming to rest on James Potter, who was in a conversation with Remus Lupin; they appeared interested only in a box of chocolates.

Then, he saw Sirius Black staring at him with a wide grin on his face. Black blew a raspberry across the room at him and began to laugh loudly. Severus seethed. Lucius Malfoy said something about how nice it was that his parents sent a scroll.

"It wasn't from my parents," he hissed angrily and started to rise.

Lucius followed Severus' glare across the room and saw Sirius Black laughing.

"What's so funny?" Potter was asking his friend.

Sirius answered and James Potter spat his pumpkin juice across the table. Lily Evans looked past Peter Pettigrew questioningly. Potter coughed out an answer.

Malfoy put a restraining hand on Severus' arm to keep him from rising further. He shrugged off the hand.

"Sit down! Wait, he's expecting retaliation now. You can play with him and keep him guessing. It will increase his fear and bring you so much more pleasure," Lucius hissed. Severus allowed his breathing to slow. However, when he looked up, he still saw Sirius Black staring at him.

"Don't look at him; you have to be the one with mastery over him. Your control will cause him to make a mistake. Then, you'll get your revenge," Lucius' voice was stroking Severus, calming him. "Very good, Snape."

***

Professor Warwick had been watching the owls flying into the Great Hall delivering Valentines to the students and staff. A smile played across his face. He loved seeing the children grow and eventually discover the truer meaning of Valentine's Day.

A small burrowing owl (practically a fledgling) fluttered in awkwardly. They really shouldn't let the younger smaller owls have such a responsibility --- especially the lesser owls. The small owl practically fell onto the Slytherin table in front of Severus Snape. Professor Warwick watched as the boy tried to catch the owl but it fluttered around too much. Lucius Malfoy finally held the owl steady.

Professor Warwick saw a look of puzzlement pass over Severus' face when he read the Valentine. At that moment, Professor Kettleburn asked Warwick if he had heard from his daughter recently. He smiled and relayed that she had sent an owl that very morning from Paris.

Some instinct made him look back at the Slytherin table suddenly. Hagrid had also suddenly looked up. Professor Warwick began to scan the room for trouble. Hagrid's eyes went to the left while his went right and stopped at the Slytherin table. Severus Snape had half risen from his seat, and Lucius Malfoy was pulling him back down and talking to him.

He spared a quick glance to the other tables and stopped when he saw Sirius Black smiling like a cat watching the Slytherin table. No, that wasn't correct. He was watching Severus Snape with an intense interest. Remus Lupin was slapping James Potter's back while he was coughing fiercely, and Peter Pettigrew was giggled like an old lady.

Silently, Warwick cursed. Why do children find so much pleasure in taunting one another? The Potions professor leaned across to Professor McGonagall. "Do you have the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins today?"

"No, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Why?" Professor McGonagall was sorting through some scrolls.

"I was just going to suggest you keep a close eye for trouble if you did."

Professor McGonagall looked at the tables. Her eyes stopped on Severus Snape's angry, pinched face. Minerva pursed her lips in annoyance. Sniffing loudly in indignation the Transfigurations professor looked over the top of her glasses at the Potions professor. "I think we should talk in the corridor."

"You have double Potions with them this afternoon, Warwick. You'd be well advised to keep a sharp eye on Snape. He always is in the middle of trouble with my Gryffindors."

"Maybe some of your Gryffindors are in the centre of the storm themselves," Warwick said sternly.

Professor McGonagall looked ready to get her hackles up.

"You know very well, Minerva, my opinion of most of the Slytherins. However, I must point out that at least three of your Gryffindors find great delight in harassing one Slytherin in particular."

Minerva began to sputter in outrage.

"I can understand that Snape is not at all a likable child. He is arrogant and totally lacking in social skills. Still, Snape has many of the best qualities of Slytherin. He is intellectually ambitious and focused," Warwick said with intensity.

"Why are you defending him? He's not even from your House. I have rarely known a child so fascinated with the Dark Arts and unafraid of hexing his fellow students as Snape is." Minerva was angry.

"No, he isn't in my House, Minerva. I don't know why I have taken an interest in the boy. But, I have noticed that Severus doesn't attack students weaker than himself, like Malfoy, Goyle, McNair, or Lestrange do.

"Severus is lucky that he is bright. He doesn't have a great deal else going for him. The other children ostracise him and the professors tend to unfairly criticise him. The boy is starving but doesn't know he is allowed to eat."

Professor McGonagall stood in silence. "I suppose you and Albus think you can teach him to eat?"

"Minerva, pray he eats from our table and not someone else's."