The Boy Who Found a Home

When the aristocratic, white-blonde Lucius Malfoy sat down next to Severus, the younger boy gave him a suspicious glare. After their disastrous first meeting the previous term, Malfoy had more or less ignored him. The very real fear that Lucius had turned his attention to him again caused his heart to race madly in his chest.

The dark-haired wizard tried to keep his eyes on the table before him. He tried to not look around, either at his House table or around the Great Hall. From underneath his long, lank hair, he glimpsed Black and Potter; they were trying very hard to catch his attention.

Once the Welcoming Feast was completed, the upper forms were free to mingle for half an hour before they were expected to return to their common rooms for words of inspiration from their Head of House.

The blonde teenager chatted amiably with those around him, occasionally even trying to include Severus in the conversation. Feeling increasing confused by the attention paid him, he fled the Great Hall. A sensation of not belonging had quickly built when the returning students burst into the large room with an explosion of easy companionship and camaraderie.

The Slytherin feared that others knew of his altered situation. He supposed that Black and Potter had some inkling of it - Sirius spent the entire Sorting and Welcoming Feast with a huge smirk on his face.

Severus saw the Headmaster smile in the direction of the Gryffindor table. He frowned, disgruntled by the betrayal.

Professor McGonagall studied the assembled students, attempting to ascertain who was on friendly terms and who might pose potential problems. As she looked over the Gryffindor table, she saw Lily Evans smile at her. The Head of Gryffindor graced the girl with a tight smile in reply. Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus sat together and were scrutinizing the Slytherin table.

It took Minerva several minutes before she located Severus Snape seated amongst the older Slytherins. The young wizard looked distinctly unhappy; his down-turned, sallow face stared a hole into the tabletop.

Severus glanced up at her, seeming to have sensed her examination. She raised an eyebrow at him and he instantly dropped his eyes.

Turning back to her own House table, she saw that Remus was looking equally uncomfortable. One of his friends leaned over and said something; Remus glanced at the rival Slytherin table and cringed.

***

Over the following days, the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress were pleasantly surprised that neither Snape nor any of the Gryffindors had points taken or detentions assigned them. In fact, other than Sirius and James' continual interest in the Slytherin, there seemed to be a pleasant lack of aggression from either side.

The subsequent week, however, matters rapidly degenerated. James heard and observed Lucius Malfoy needling Severus. It was quite obvious the older boy was attempting to get a rise out of his younger House member, though about what, Potter didn't know.

James felt a thrill of excitement when Severus suddenly rushed out of the Great Hall. Malfoy's smug, self satisfied smile should have given the Gryffindor a clue that Severus was close to exploding.

James, Sirius, and Peter quickly rose to follow. Remus put out his hand to stop them, but they shrugged it off and walked determinedly out into the corridor.

Once in the entry hall, Peter pointed his fat fore-finger up to the disappearing figure of Snape on the second level. "There!"

"Snivellus! Oi, Snivellus!" James called in an exaggerated stage whisper. Failing to get a response, they jogged up two levels in an attempt to catch the Slytherin. Potter felt a thrill of excitement and pushed forward without caution.

Turning a corner, James and his friends found the spell end of a wand levelled at their faces by a very irritated Severus. "Leave me alone!" the Slytherin hissed at them.

"What's the matter, Snivellus? Can't you go crying to mummy anymore?" James taunted cruelly.

Static snapped from the end of the Slytherin's wand as his hand shook in anger.

"Boys!" the Deputy Headmistress exclaimed sharply as she stepped out from a concealed nook. The witch quickly surveyed the four boys. Only Severus' wand was visible, though she suspected the others were concealing theirs in the folds of their school robes.

"He pulled his wand on us!" Peter cried indignantly. "We were just walking down the corridor and he pulled his wand on us!"

Professor McGonagall motioned Snape to put up his wand. With a rebellious look, he petulantly obeyed and replaced his wand into an inner pocket.

"Mr. Snape, return to your common room," she ordered, dismissing him.

Severus glared at the three boys before he turned and walked towards the dungeons.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to have a word with you. Follow me." With a snap of robes, their Head of House turned on her heel and swiftly walked to the Headmaster's tower with the trio of boys following.

Knocking, Professor McGonagall pushed the heavy door open and waved her charges to stand before the large desk. She took her place beside Professor Dumbledore's desk.

"James, Sirius, and Peter! How was your ride on the Hogwarts Express?" the Headmaster asked with a smile. "Are you prepared for another year's study?"

"It was fine, sir," James replied. "I think I may speak for my friends and say we all..."

"Our new students seem like a fine group of wizards and witches, don't they?" the old wizard interrupted coolly. He stood and walked to the fireplace. "But then, there are many fine wizards at Hogwarts, some less fortunate than others."

James shifted his feet, confused by the old wizard's topic. Sirius glanced at him, equally surprised at the abrupt change of conversation. Giggling nervously at the strange mood, Peter cried aloud when Sirius punched him on the arm.

"Alas, I must request the three of you to not repeat the information concerning Mr. Snape," Professor Dumbledore said, coming directly to the point of his conversation.

James felt his mouth fall open in surprise.

"Why? The git would tell the entire school if it was one of us!" Sirius said, the first to recover. "You know Snivellus would say something if it brought him any advantage."

"He's right, Headmaster. Snape would tell the entire school," James restated his friend's point.

"All the same..." Professor Dumbledore reiterated.

"Why are you...?" Sirius interrupted.

"I would very much appreciate if the three of you would do as I wish." With a chilly expression, he peered at them over the top of his half moon glasses.

"Headmaster, Snape hasn't got any family or money, so why is he still here?" Sirius demanded with a sharp edge to his voice.

"Suffice it to say, this is between me and Mr. Snape," Professor Dumbledore said with a firmness they hadn't heard before.

Peter stared at Fawkes' cage as he often did when reprimanded. Sirius stood silently fuming, while James felt defiance burning in his heart.

"Snape is going to make trouble, Headmaster. You know he will. He'll say something stupid and I might let something slip out," James said in a harsh whisper.

"Mr. Potter, since you are already anticipating the possibility of difficulties, you should be planning a way to avoid using such hurtful information."

"Sir, things happen when..."

"No! I have requested that the three of you keep your silence on this matter. Should I hear a hint of any of this repeated I shall be extremely disappointed. This is not a matter open to debate. Am I clear on this?" Professor Dumbledore asked sternly.

Sirius and James looked taken aback by this demand.

"Headmaster." Sirius and his best friend bit back their anger.

Peter, who hadn't been paying attention, didn't reply with them. Sirius gave him a swift punch to the arm and jerked his head in the Headmaster's direction. The old wizard had raised his eyebrows in question as if expecting a response.

"No, sir," Peter said.

The plump boy obviously saw the sudden darkening of the clear blue eyes and quickly changed his answer. "Er, yes, Headmaster Dumbledore?" He really wasn't certain what he was agreeing to.

"You are dismissed." The old wizard released them with a wave of his hand.

James glanced at Professor McGonagall; her face had remained completely and utterly blank throughout the conversation. They walked across the carpet and down the stairs into the corridor below.

"Clever, James. We didn't outright promise not to say anything," Sirius crowed with a half laugh.

James stormed down the long corridor back to the Gryffindor common room. "We didn't, but Peter did. What were you doing while Professor D. was talking to us?" he demanded as he swept a hand through his hair.

Peter rushed to catch up with the longer legged boys. "I drifted off a bit. It was a bit warm in there and he droned at us forever."

"Why do we put up with you?" Sirius asked, shaking his head before he draped an arm over James' shoulder in camaraderie. "Say, did you notice how much more there is to Nancy this year?"

"Nancy? Which one is she? The Hufflepuff? Yeah, she has grown big melons over the summer, hasn't she?" James asked, his hands outlining an hourglass shape. The three boys laughed full-heartedly amongst themselves.

"Your cousin Narcissa doesn't look so bad, either," Peter added with a whinnying laugh.

"If you like that sort," Sirius mumbled as he walked to the painting of the Fat Lady. "Lion's mane!" The painting swung out, revealing the Gryffindor common room.

Peter pushed his way past the two taller boys and dropped onto the sofa next to Lily Evans.

She looked up from her book. "You missed your favourite dessert."

"Noooo, they didn't have...?"

"Yes," Lily replied, picking up her book on Transfigurations theory. "They did. Where did you run off to?"

"Nowhere special."

Lily's face clearly showed her incredulity at Peter's words.

"We were just following Snivellus," he admitted proudly.

Shaking her head, the witch glanced over at Sirius and James. "Why do you find such pleasure in bothering him?"

James sat on the back of the sofa behind Lily. "Because he is an insufferable, know-it-all, Slytherin, pain-in-the-bloody-arse git."

"But what exactly has he done to merit your constant mockery?" she asked curiously.

"Well, it's more because Snivellus is, if you know what I mean," James said loudly enough for the entire common room to hear. Some in the room laughed at his witty comment; James bowed to them.

Lily pushed him off the back of the sofa and onto the floor. "Why not try looking in the mirror once in a while?"

James, looking up at her from the floor in surprise, brushed his hand through his hair and smiled widely. "My mirror tells me I'm lucky not to be Snivellus."

"Perhaps you ought to get a new mirror."

"Perhaps you'd like to tell me what you think?" James asked, leaning against the sofa.

"I'll tell you that you are an insufferable bully! But somehow, I think there's a better chance that Severus would listen than that you would." She shoved him away when he was within six inches of her face.

Anger quickly crossed James' face. "You think old Snivellus would listen to you? Ha, that's a laugh!"

"As a matter of fact, he isn't condescending to me, like you and your barely literate clique are. All you seem to be interested in is how little school work you can get away with," Lily snarled. She stood, snapped her book shut, and stomped up the stairs to the girls' dormitory. The sound of a slamming door reverberated through the room below.

Damn it! This is all Snivellus' fault, James thought just as the silence in the common room became deafening. He punched the back of the sofa. Looking around, everyone had turned to avoid his angry scowl. Great!

He dashed up the stairs to the dormitory room; Remus looked up when he entered and pushed his pillow behind his head.

"I imagine you heard that?" James asked, still stung by Evans' harsh words.

"It was difficult not to hear." Remus leaned back on the headboard and looked at him through a fringe of light brown hair.

"I imagine that there may be someone in Wales who didn't hear her." James flopped onto his bed.

"Where did you all go?" Remus asked hesitantly.

"We had to follow Snivellus. We wanted to ask him a few questions." James smiled.

"Did you? Ask, I mean?"

"Didn't get the opportunity. McGonagall happened upon us at that point. She saw he had his wand out," James said disgustedly.

Remus looked at him as if considering his question. "Did she take points from him?"

"Now that you mention it, no, she didn't. She didn't even give him a detention; she sent him on his way."

"Perhaps Professor McGonagall is giving him a bit of room."

"Hopefully just enough to box himself into a corner," James muttered. "Why would she give a stinking Slytherin the benefit of doubt, though?"

"Well, his father died last May. Then his mother shut the doors to him, or so you claim. I imagine that would be a pretty good reason," Remus said softly.

James had overlooked that possibility. "I don't understand why Evans is nice to him."

"Lily is pleasant to everyone, no matter who it is." Remus smiled.

"She won't talk civilly to me, and then she goes out of her way to be nice to Snivellus. She's always jumping down my throat for something or other. She's so damned sensitive about anything and everything I say!"

Remus chuckled and found James' pillow landing on his head.

***

There was an impatient rap against the heavy oak door. Albus watched, via his spy glass, as Vagus Malfoy glanced at his reflection in the shiny brass fittings. One hand went to the edge of his cloak to tweak it back into perfect alignment.

The door swung silently open. Malfoy walked forward, his gait carefully measured. As he reached the desk, he paused and gave Albus the most perfunctory of bows.

The Headmaster made certain he had a pleasant, dotty look on his face.

Albus Dumbledore had been surprised when Vagus Malfoy took four months to request a conference. The grey-eyed wizard's patent dislike was clearly evident.

"Dumbledore," his guest said lazily.

"Vagus, this is, as always, a pleasure. Please, have a seat." Albus' voice held the most benign smile to it.

There was a tightening in the other wizard's lips at the use of his given name, and he looked contemptuously at the overstuffed chair. All the same, he threw his cloak back over his shoulders and gracefully sat on one of the chairs.

"How may I assist you?" Professor Dumbledore asked courteously.

"I will not lower myself to idle chit-chat. I am here about the boy."

Albus tightened his hold over his own thoughts and expression. He briefly considered playing innocent, but decided Severus deserved better than to have games played with his happiness at stake. "Yes?"

"I understand the boy has had an unfortunate turn of events." The emphasis, though minute, was very clear to the Headmaster's ears.

"He was orphaned," Albus stated.

"Yes," Vagus said with consideration. He then continued, as if offering a great deal, "I will take him."

"Why would you wish to take in an orphaned child, Vagus? He is not related to your family; he has no money..."

"I do have a concern for a fellow Slytherin who, through no fault of his own, has found himself in an unhappy situation," the pale wizard interrupted slickly. "Lucius is quite fond of the boy."

"This is most welcome information. I've been under the impression the two boys have upon occasion had substantial disagreements."

Albus leaned forward in anticipation. This would prove to be quite an enjoyable Wizard Chess match of a conversation.

"Only the sorts of disagreements children frequently have."

"Most children do have disagreements," he conceded. Raising a white eyebrow, the old wizard smiled again. "I am concerned that this child has suffered; he needs people who can offer him the home and care he deserves."

"I will take him, Dumbledore." A tight smile of perfectly white, straight teeth crossed Malfoy's face. The smile did not reach his eyes, leaving a flawlessly smooth face above it.

"Alas, the school matron feels - and I agree with her - that, for the amount of disruption he has endured these past few months, it is best for the child to remain in a place where he feels a sense of security."

The porcelain face developed a slight frown. "He would be with fellow Slytherins in my home."

"You haven't mentioned the child by name, Vagus. Do you know his name?" Albus asked reasonably as he began to raise the stakes.

The grey eyes flicked in irritation. "Of course I know the child's name. I know every person in Slytherin. Snape - Severus Snape."

"How did you come to learn of Severus' situation?" Albus asked, sitting back into his well worn chair cushion.

"A Slytherin knows when one of their own is in need," he said, the tight smile again on his face. "It is my one wish that he should feel at home with members of his extended Slytherin family; therefore, I would like him to be an extended part of my family."

"It has been well over five months since Severus found himself without a home. Why didn't you come forward earlier?"

The calculating smile was on Malfoy's face again. "I hoped there might be some blood relation to take him."

Albus felt a thrill of danger in his heart. "As a matter of fact, someone has come forward: a family member distantly related to Severus' father."

"The Prewetts?" Vagus Malfoy said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "They know nothing of raising a Slytherin child."

"While membership in a House adds to a child's sense of belonging, wouldn't you agree that a child's need to feel loved outside of the school environment is more important?" Albus was now fully alert.

"I will take him for Christmas," the grey eyed wizard said firmly.

"It's a shame you didn't speak to me sooner. Severus has already had an offer extended to him for the holiday."

"Very well, deliver him to me for Boxing Day."

Professor Dumbledore carefully considered his options. Albus had heard from his sources about the wizard's attempts to circumvent the Wizard Social Services Inspectorate. Malfoy would not let up until he was given something.

"Hagrid will escort Severus to the Leaky Cauldron at ten in the morning on Boxing Day. I would appreciate your returning him by five," the Headmaster stated with great firmness.

Vagus Malfoy's grey eyes narrowed considerably. The man gave in with a nod of his head and left the room.

Albus picked up the red rubber ball and began to spin it in the air. Great caution and cunning would be needed now that Tom, through his agent, Vagus Malfoy, had openly staked a claim on the child.

***

Professor Warwick was preparing for his next lesson when he heard angry voices in the corridor outside his classroom.

As he stepped out to investigate, he saw Severus Snape hanging from the ceiling. James Potter and Sirius Black stood beneath him, their wands pointed threateningly at the hapless boy. A quick survey showed that Severus' wand was lying against the steps that led up into the upper levels of Hogwarts.

Not having seen the Potions professor, James poked the point of his wand at the red faced Slytherin. Sirius was leaning against the wall with a smirk on his face. The inverted Severus was spitting his Slytherin fury in some very creative obscenities.

"Really, Snivellus, such words beg us to wash your mouth out," Sirius said lazily and pointed his wand up. "Scourgify!"

"Stop this now!"

Sirius and James turned as one and saw the Potions professor's very angry face.

"Put him down," he ordered crisply. Seeing James raise his wand in a sharp arc, he added, "Gently."

The arc was moderated and the Finite Incantatem cast as the Slytherin's feet touched the stone floor with minimal impact. Rage coloured Severus' face; he was close to a complete explosion as he spat soap bubbles onto the paved floor.

"You two, your wands," Warwick ordered and held out his hand to the two Gryffindors. "Black, retrieve Snape's wand and bring it to me."

"I don't want his filthy Gryffindor hands on my wand," Severus hissed menacingly.

"Quiet!" the professor yelled. "Black, bring me the wand. Now!"

Sirius walked to the stairs and glared down at the wand lying on the floor. "Stupid prat."

"I did not ask for your comment, Mr. Black." Warwick was acutely aware of the magic held barely in check by the Slytherin. "You two get in my office immediately. Mr. Snape, go to the Headmaster's office."

James and Sirius entered the classroom with a look back over their shoulders at Snape. Severus held out his hand to the Potions professor, requesting his wand. His face was carefully devoid of expression.

"I don't think so, Severus. The Headmaster will have your wand," Warwick said quietly.

***

As the SlytherinSeverus climbed the last flight of stairs towards the Headmaster's Tower, he saw Professor Dumbledore standing next to the staircase leading up to his office. One of his wrinkled hands was holding Severus' wand. Professor Dumbledore returned the wand to its owner and began to walk up the flight of curved steps to his office. The young wizard pocketed his wand and followed.

"Tell me what happened," the Headmaster requested as they reached his office. The cushion of his chair made a faint whooshing sound as he sat down.

Silent and sulky, Severus sat opposite him.

"We have discussed this before, my boy. When I ask you a question, I do expect a response," Professor Dumbledore said firmly.

The icy exterior melted momentarily. "Potter and Black cornered me."

"Sir," the old wizard reminded Severus.

"Black and Potter accosted me as I was leaving the Potions dungeon, sir," Severus replied in an aggrieved mood.

"Explain to me why Professor Warwick sent me your wand?"

Rolling his eyes and squirming on his seat, the boy bit his lip. "You'd have to ask him, Headmaster."

"Severus..."

"I imagine Professor Warwick thought I might hex Potter and Black if I had the opportunity, sir."

"Would you?"

A barking snort and the crossing of arms across Severus' chest spoke volumes.

"Well?" His guardian still insisted that the child answer him verbally.

"Of course I would have, Headmaster. Do you expect me to continue to be the butt of their entertainment?" Severus snapped back in anger.

"I expect you to show some self restraint. We have worked together on this for quite a while."

"I didn't do anything, Headmaster. They were the ones who had me hanging from the ceiling, in case you've forgotten."

Albus watched as his young charge fought to maintain his temper. He was pleased with how well Severus had restrained himself since the beginning of term.

Why is everything involving Severus and those boys always so frustrating? he wondered. Their mutual dislike and distrust seemed unsolvable.

It is just unbelievable that James would purposely pick on Severus unless provoked; he just isn't the bullying sort, and neither are the others. Well, maybe Sirius can be a tad aggressive, but then, so can Severus. Yet there are four of them, while Severus is alone. Hardly a fair fight at the best of times!

Albus could not work out why Severus never sought help from his House members; it would have been the obvious thing to do. He wondered if the boy's reluctance was a result of his orphaned state as well as the abandonment he'd experienced in the past year.

The boy seemed to have little trust in others ever since Hydra's callous disposal of him. No, that wasn't accurate; he'd never expected or asked for assistance from anyone the previous term, either. A twinge of sadness clouded the Headmaster's thoughts momentarily. The boy had always been alone.

It did explain why the Slytherin seemed too consistently on the short end of the broomstick. These little confrontations normally had Severus winding up either in the infirmary or his office while James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were in their common room enjoying a game of Exploding Snap.

Sighing deeply, he looked at the boy sitting opposite him.

"I didn't feel I was about to lose control of myself, sir. I've been working at not allowing them to get under my skin. It's not like I go out of my way to attract their attention," Severus said, seeming to anticipate Professor Dumbledore's unasked question.

"Yet, sadly, you continue to do just that!"

"I try not to, Headmaster," Severus said petulantly.

A large sigh escaped Professor Dumbledore. He didn't understand how an intelligent boy like Severus could continually find himself in trouble.

"I'd like to hear your side of the story."

Severus picked at his cuticle and played with the buttons on his sleeve in an effort to stall his reply.

Albus watched him fiddle with the buttons for several minutes. The Headmaster was doing his best not to be irritated by his student's tendency to carefully calculate his answers.

"How far do you wish for me to go back, sir?" Severus finally asked, worrying his lip.

So, it's going to be a long, drawn out description of the wrong done to him. He settled himself for a long discussion and pulled his tin of sweets closer. "I think we need only go back to the beginning of this term, Severus."

"I thought you meant today," Severus said, taken aback.

"Your explanation of today's events will suffice," Albus said apologetically. The child still managed to surprise him upon occasion.

The look of anxious suspicion indicated Severus wasn't completely confident. "I was walking from Potions this afternoon when Black and Potter - They -" His explanation and courage petered out.

"James and Sirius were walking behind you, and they -?" Albus felt some frustration that Severus wouldn't complete his thoughts.

"They were saying things that were..." The young Slytherin felt the humiliation rise in his gut.

"What did they say, Severus?" Albus found his impatience grow, and his tone reflected it.

"Never mind, Headmaster. May I leave now?" Severus asked, obviously feeling incredibly mortified.

Inhaling deeply, Professor Dumbledore closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, the Slytherin was not looking at him; he was running a finger over his lip.

"I'd very much like to hear about whatever is bothering you."

"They said that orphans without money don't belong at Hogwarts, especially a half-blood bastard Slytherin orphan," the child whispered. "And someone left a note on the board outside the Slytherin common room that said a half-blood was in their midst, fouling the purity of the House."

Albus did not want to believe James or Sirius would go back on their promise to him, yet puzzle pieces were coming together to form a picture.

"You may return to your next lesson," the Headmaster dismissed Severus, and the boy practically ran from the room.

Opening his desk drawer, Albus retrieved a crumpled parchment and read it. With a moment's hesitation, he rose and walked to the fireplace next to Fawkes' perch. His hand knew where to reach for the small box of Floo powder. Kneeling, he dropped the small pinch into the opening and called out, "Professor McGonagall!"

"Yes, Headmaster?" Professor McGonagall asked as she turned to face her hearth.

"Would you be kind enough to send Misters Black and Potter to my office once their lessons are completed for the day?"

"Certainly, Albus."

An hour later, James and Sirius rode the spiral stairs to the Headmaster's office. Sirius rapped on the door. It swung open. Since January, the two boys had been making regular visits to the Headmaster, so they felt quite at home in the office. James strode across the room and dropped into one of the chairs, draping one leg casually over the arm. Sirius, more cautiously, stood before the untended desk, swivelling his head, searching the office.

"Where do you think he is?" Sirius asked cautiously.

"Don't know."

The two boys remained silent for five minutes before James broke the silence. "How many points do you think he took from Snivellus?"

"Don't know," the other teenager responded as he continued his visual sweep of the office. He looked up at the paintings of the former headmasters. Either the subjects of the portraitures were gone, or they pretended to be busy.

"I don't like this, James," Sirius murmured in a hushed voice.

"What's that?"

"Why'd McGonagall send us up here if Professor D. isn't about? Something's not right."

"They have nothing on us." James lowered his voice.

Widening his eyes in warning, Sirius glanced around the room. He'd lived far too long in a house that would maliciously, and even willingly, reveal secrets.

"Shut it, James."

James' second leg joined the first in hanging over the chair arm. "You're so paranoid."

"You'd be too if your mother had the house charmed to report your every misstep to her."

"Your mother really is a bitch, isn't she? D' you think it's a Dark witch thing?"

"Don't know."

"'Cause Snivellus had a Dark witch for a mother, too!" James laughed, enjoying ribbing Sirius.

"Shut it, Potter! Snivellus and I have nothing in common."

"Well, you both have bitches for mothers." James continued to laugh.

"Well, for your information, mine actually is my mother."

"I wouldn't exactly be proud of that, Sirius."

"Well, I won't get the shit kicked out of my stupid arse when my House mates discover the truth, will I?"

James was about to respond when he saw the Headmaster sitting behind his desk with an unreadable expression on his face. He swallowed deeply. There were times Professor Dumbledore seemed to just appear!

"I did not give you permission to sit, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said.

James scrambled to his feet to stand beside Sirius. He avoided looking into the Headmaster's eyes; his gaze roamed over the desk instead.

Then he saw it. Damn it!

The note he'd written when they'd been larking about was lying on the desk. He was certain he'd put it in his book bag.

Shit!

From the corner of his eye, he saw his friend freeze. He was quite certain he had seen the parchment, too.

Peter! That little shit was going to get a serious Jelly-Legs Jinx when he got back to the dormitory!

Play it innocent, he told himself, knowing Sirius would instinctively do so.

The Headmaster remained silent for several minutes, looking up at them with that unnerving and scrutinizing stare. Both boys began to fidget, sensing they were being toyed with.

"I believe I spoke with you about a certain matter in September. It now appears you have elected to disavow your promises to me."

"Sir, we haven't broken our word, technically," James began.

"You thought you could cleverly manipulate your response, Mr. Potter. I will not accept your manoeuvring of the oath as an excuse for this sort of behaviour," he said, holding up the note.

"We were all playing around; I wrote it as a joke. It was never supposed to be put up, Headmaster. Sirius will tell you; I put it in my book bag. Someone else must have put it up. It wasn't either of us."

"What do you have to say, Mr. Black?"

"It's like James said, sir. We were larking around and James put it in his bag."

"I made it abundantly clear I did not want to hear the hint of a whisper of that information ever revealed. I made it clear that revealing that information was unacceptable. Yet you both elected to make use of what I considered to be a private matter. Use of something of this nature reduces Gryffindor--"

"Snivellus would've used the information if it was us!" Sirius exploded.

"You will not speak until I give you leave!" the Headmaster said with great firmness.

"No! You know a Slytherin would use something like this to his advantage, so why shouldn't we?"

James gasped at his friend's boldness. I am going to be in detention for the entire year!

"Sirius, shut it!" James hissed. "You can't talk to Professor Dumbledore like that."

"I'm pleased you have respect for someone, Mr. Potter," Albus said pointedly.

"I-I'm sorry, Headmaster. I should've destroyed the note -" James began, only to have the old wizard interrupt him.

"I hadn't thought you capable of such behaviour, Mr. Potter. I am giving you both the opportunity to come clean and tell me what else you have done."

"We haven't done anything else," Sirius said with a show of petulance that would have made Severus proud.

"I am Headmaster or sir, Mr. Black."

"W-we might have said some things to Sniv...to Snape, sir," Sirius said, correcting himself.

"In the presence of others?" Professor Dumbledore asked turning to James.

James hung his head, not answering the question.

"I asked; did anyone else overhear your comments?" Professor Dumbledore asked slowly and carefully.

"I don't think so, Headmaster," James quietly responded, completely put in his place.

"Have the four of you been baiting Mr. Snape since the beginning of the year?"

Silence met the Headmaster. "Boys, I grow weary of repeating my questions. Have you been purposely attempting to bait Mr. Snape?"

"Well - not exactly," James said, prevaricating.

One white eyebrow rose in question.

"Maybe - a little." James' tone was embarrassed.

"Have the four of you been in on this?"

"No, Headmaster. Remus doesn't much care for it," Sirius answered truthfully.

The cool blue eyes appraised James before moving over to the black haired boy beside him.

"Each of you will have twenty-five House points taken, as well as two weeks detention for your lack of compassion," Professor Dumbledore said firmly.

"Fifty points?" Sirius cried, his face paling.

"No Mr. Black, one hundred points. The four of you were involved in this horseplay; you can all suffer for it together."

"Sir, Remus wasn't involved in it. He doesn't much like when we..." Sirius said.

"Was he there?"

"Y-yes. But he wouldn't join in our..."

"Did Mr. Lupin attempt to intercede?"

"Well... no. But..."

"Then Mr. Lupin will suffer the same fate," the Headmaster said and waved them from the room.

James and Sirius stood staring at the man behind the desk in confusion.

"But, sir..." James began.

"The matter is closed, Mr. Potter. You are dismissed."

***

After they left, Professor Dumbledore paced his office, thinking over the situation. He felt great irritation that two of his favourite students had chosen to dance around the edges of their promises. He'd held great hope for these boys.

He stopped beside Fawkes and ran a hand down the sleek feathers. The bird pushed his head up and into the strokes. A slight tilt of the bird's head, and one beady black eye was looking directly at him.

Reaching into a pocket of his robe, the old wizard drew out several pumpkin seeds. Fawkes greedily seized one from his fingers and flipped it about in his beak to crack the shell, splitting the seed length-wise, then dropping the casing onto the floor below his perch.

How much of Severus' erratic behaviour was the result of events the boy could not control? He'd seen a real growth in the child over the months he'd been under his protection. The obstacles life had placed before the boy had given Severus a thick shell that was difficult to crack. Yet there were moments when the shell thinned and a charming, sweet boy was revealed.

He remembered Severus' genuine smile of pleasure when he learned he could remain at Hogwarts and when he'd successfully transfigured a bowl for Anne Prewett. It had warmed his heart. Severus was a boy with too few smiles and with too little happiness in his soul.

Turning to his Pensieve, Albus touched his wand to his head and brought the memory down to the silver surface. Floating on the surface was the image of Severus during his outburst the previous morning. The child had been doing so well in avoiding violent confrontations. Oh, he still got himself into some sticky situations, but nothing that had merited a visit to the Headmaster to receive punishment.

Poised over the shimmering surface, Albus watched Lucius Malfoy and Evan McNair walk ahead of Evan Goyle and Severus toward the Slytherin table. Madam Pince and Professor Pulmule entered the Great Hall just behind the Slytherin faction.

Severus left the group and went to speak with Craig Brocklehurst at the Ravenclaw table. Peter Pettigrew sat up when he observed the Slytherin sitting with his back to the Gryffindor table. It was a rare opportunity for the plump boy.

Albus turned his attention back to his ward.

"Did you read through the chapter on wraiths in Spectral Airs?" Severus asked and sat down next to Brocklehurst. The two boys were assigned to work together.

"I read it, but it's somewhat..." Craig began, then halted to stare wide-eyed at the Slytherin. "What is wrong with your hair?"

Severus looked puzzled.

"It's, erm -" the Ravenclaw boy said, moving as far from the other boy as possible.

Something moved and crept down his head to his shoulders. It skittered around his neck and slowly climbed up his face. Severus' eyes grew huge and his chest pounded.

He glanced at Brocklehurst, who hurriedly said, "I didn't do it; I swear!"

The Slytherin turned with unbelievable speed and sent a Tarantula hex flying at three boys who were laughing loudly into their pumpkin juice. The mugs transfigured and wrapped their handles about their victims' hands and held them tightly while the rims snapped and bit at the captive hands with needle sharp precision.

Peter Pettigrew pushed up off his seat and ran about the Great Hall as he shrieked. James tried to knock the mug from his hands only to have it tighten its stranglehold. Sirius attempted to reach for his wand, which peeked from his robe pocket, only to have a particularly vicious bite inflicted on his thigh. Remus jumped up from the table and drew his wand.

"Accio wand!" Severus whispered. Remus' wand flew across the space and into Severus' waiting hand.

"Severus Snape, put down your wand this minute!" Professor McGonagall said angrily.

"Finite Incantatem!" she said with a wave of her wand to end the attack on the three Gryffindors. With another swish, she removed the spiders that infested Severus' hair.

Taking Remus' wand from Severus, Minerva pointed out into the entry hall. "I believe you know where to go, Mr. Snape."

With ill grace, Severus left the Great Hall and followed the Deputy Headmistress. Minerva pushed the Slytherin up the stairs and into the Headmaster's office. The boy had a rebellious countenance and was barely able to sit still.

"Minerva, I will deal with Mr. Snape," the Albus of the previous morning said.

The now Headmaster saw his Deputy hesitate momentarily before she left, muttering under her breath. Interesting, he thought.

"Severus, I am quite astonished by your egregious misbehaviour over these past two days. I want to know what's going on in your head. It is unacceptable for you to behave this poorly. If you have any explanation for why you continue to lose your temper, I'm ready to listen," Professor Dumbledore heard himself say.

"I have none, sir."

"That answer will not suffice, Severus." Albus watched himself grow frustrated with the child.

"I-I don't know why. Things just get away from me; I'm not aware of it happening, sir."

The Headmaster watched as the earlier Professor Dumbledore looked at the boy sitting across from him. Severus was staring a hole into the carpet; many children found his carpet of great interest.

"Severus, look at me," he heard himself say.

Slowly, the pointed face looked up.

"I know controlling your temper is very difficult. It is something that you simply must learn to do, or I fear for your future..." Albus listened to himself say.

He remembered not being able to fathom what drove the child to so completely lose control of his senses, when he normally had a great deal of self discipline. Albus attempted to help Severus to recognise the point at which he began to lose control. The child had made progress during the summer holiday, but less than a month after lessons started, he'd slid backward.

Severus wasn't a child who easily trusted others, but he'd allowed himself to begin to trust the Prewetts. They had done much to ease the anger that simmered in the boy. The Headmaster knew that much of the posturing in Severus was done out of fear and anger.

Truth be told, before he'd spent the summer holiday in Severus' company, he could have believed the child would fall under the lure of Dark wizardry; his emotions were on the surface. But after weeks spent observing and talking with Severus, he had changed his opinion of the odd child. His hidden eyes and ears at the school agreed with his change of view.

An early childhood spent under the charge of a deceptive witch of a Dark nature had not driven him further into it when she cast him from her home. To be sure, the child had a fascination with all aspects of the Dark Arts, but then many children did when they were exerting their independence or were aimless.

Albus found help in reshaping Severus' interest in the Prewetts. The Headmaster knew that to keep his young Slytherin to the true path, he would need to show him the way through positive influences.

Just then, the substance within the Pensieve flowed to the memory of yesterday's staff meeting.

Through the shimmering silver substance of the Pensieve, Albus saw that the staffs were seated for the usual biweekly meeting, which was coming to a conclusion. The group had spent two hours in discussion of the relative merits of either altering the grading system to the one used on the Continent or retaining the British system. The group concluded that the current system had been working perfectly well for over a thousand years, so there was no need to change to a European form for fashion's sake.

"Is there anything more?" he heard Minerva ask. When no one spoke out, she closed the meeting.

The present Headmaster noticed what the past Headmaster hadn't: Professor Flitwick nudging Professor Warwick's arm meaningfully.

"Professor Warwick and I would appreciate a private word with you when you have the time," Flitwick suddenly spoke up in his high voice.

On hindsight, he realized that both professors had been quiet during the meeting. In fact, Horatio Warwick had appeared preoccupied throughout the discussion.

"I have time now, if it suits you," the then Professor Dumbledore said and smiled at the two wizards.

The Charms professor sat back on his pile of cushions. "Albus, I believe you dealt unfairly with Severus earlier today."

Professor McGonagall stopped and turned when she heard her diminutive colleague's words.

"I did not imagine Severus Snape hexing four boys," Minerva said with a bit of heat.

"We were at the High Table. However, unlike you, we had just commented about Pulmule's outrageous hat; he had, as you will recall, entered directly behind Mr. Snape," Warwick said. "We both saw Snape sit and speak to Craig Brocklehurst. We saw Peter Pettigrew hex him."

Albus saw Minerva's mouth purse tightly in astonishment. With the start of the new term, she'd found it easy to once again expect that Severus was the initiator of trouble.

Professor Flitwick added, "Brocklehurst said they were in a discussion about a joint project when he observed a - movement on Mr. Snape's head, just prior to observing spiders crawling about the unfortunate boy's head. It quite distressed Brocklehurst; he is not at ease with arachnids."

"Filius, how can you be certain Pettigrew initiated the confrontation?" the then Albus asked.

"I saw him take out his wand and aim it in the direction of the Ravenclaw table," Flitwick said firmly. Horatio Warwick nodded his head in agreement.

"I find it difficult to believe that Peter managed to hex Severus Snape," Minerva argued.

"Yet it would give a reason for Snape's reaction, Minerva, wouldn't it?" Horatio asked emphatically.

The present Albus frowned to himself.

There was another movement within the Pensieve as Madam Pomfrey entered the office in full sail, irritation on her face.

"In what way may I assist you?" he heard himself ask.

Madam Pomfrey rested one hand on her hip while her toe tapped a mad staccato against the carpet. "You are the reason for my visit, Professor."

Albus remembered this conversation quite well. One did not forget a disagreement with the school matron.

"I?"

"Yes. That boy needs someone outside Hogwarts."

"The Prewetts have agreed that Severus will be with them for holidays."

The witch looked exasperated.

"The Malfoys have extended an invitation for Boxing Day," he added slowly.

Madam Pomfrey dropped heavily into one of the overstuffed chairs. "You're not seriously considering..."

Raising his hands, the Headmaster of the past smiled briefly. "He will be with the Malfoys for a brief time, and I don't believe any harm will come to him. Vagus might have a point; the boy needs to meet other Slytherins.

"And, if you will recall, there is the Higgs family. Each and every member of the family has been in Slytherin and quite beyond reproach. Malfoy will be unable to find fault in Severus dividing time between the Higgses and the Prewetts next summer. Both are pure-blooded lines going back nearly seven hundred years."

Still wearing a sceptical expression, the school matron smoothed her apron. "I will not apologise for speaking my fears; Severus is still vulnerable. I should hate to have him become a ball thrown back and forth just to satisfy other people's desires."

"My dear Poppy, I understand your concern for the child. I feel as deeply as you do that he should have a family's loving embrace. I think the Prewetts are the closest thing to a perfect match we could hope for. We both have seen how much Severus has come to trust them, and in time, I hope he will learn to love them."