Disclaimer:
I own nothing created and or mentioned, by J.K. Rowling, in the books of Harry Potter. This story is a product intended for enjoyment not financial gain.

Rating: Mature
Language Content; Sexual Content; Dark Themes; Drug Abuse; Child Abuse; Implied Rape; Implied Incest; Underage Drinking; Underage Drug Abuse; Implied Underage Prostitution

". . .I don't care who his family is Superintendent. I will not turn any child away from this school. Especially one with circumstances such as Severus Snape," Albus Dumbledore explained calmly, his half-moon spectacles resting on the edge of his nose while his eyes twinkled above the frames like two setting suns.

"Listen to me Albus," Began Leon Gilligan, the superintendent of The United Kingdom magical education reform and maintenance department. "He isn't just one of those snot-nosed-blood-supremacists that we allow to roam these halls year in and year out. This is a Snape we're talking about! This is the pureblood family who placed themselves into isolation over six generations ago based on the sole passing of The Muggle Equal Rights Act of 1803!"

"I do believe it was the passing of The Muggle Born Alliance Act a few years later in 1806 that sent that particular family into isolation," Dumbledore corrected him kindly, those twinkling eyes ever penetrating.

"Which ever act, Albus! They're depraved! Have you heard the rumors that circulate about that lot? They say the father, Tobias, takes Black A-"

"I'm well aware of the rumors that circulate about the Snape family, Leon" Dumbledore interrupted quickly, not having any tolerance to hear the gossip of the Snape family again and again. He had heard nothing else since Monday last: the day he announced to the school board that the arrival of one sixth year, Severus Snape, was imminent come the following week.

"The rumors that circulate about that family are the very reason we must go ahead and accept this child into this school. He's lived a hard life no doubt and will be in dire need of guidance," Dumbledore said as he stood from his desk revealing his brilliant turquoise robes.

"To the devil with guiding him! That boy has to be evil to the core! Mark my words, Albus. And then there's this Dark Lord rising to power its just—I do hope you know what you're doing," he said looking quite anxious, eying Dumbledore cautiously as he twirled his bowler hat nervously in his hands.

"As a matter of fact Superintendent, I have never felt more confident. I believe young Mr. Snape has a need to be at Hogwarts far greater than any other student here presently. That if he doesn't attend his life will be in terrible jeopardy. In lamest terms his well-being hangs in the balance," Dumbledore relayed. There was no real evidence but a simple aura about The Headmaster. An aura of knowing, as if he knew exactly how events would unfold.

. . .

The news of an emerging Snape had raced through the magical community like a fire consuming a dry meadow. The inevitable end of not having seen a soul of that bloodline in over a century stirred much commotion among the common magical family. Especially the common pureblood family. Who's social class had always considered the gesture the Snapes set with their isolation in the highest regard. Not all found their controversial idealism acceptable. The reputation of said family was less than immaculate among those who they would consider blood traitors and mudbloods. Being peppered with the whispers of deep-rooted prejudices, dark magic, mental instability, drug abuse, and pureblood mania, they were the type of people many mothers would instruct their children to avoid.

The whispers that were seeping through the cracks of the communities didn't fail to ooze through the halls of Hogwarts. Not only was his arriving in sixth year and two weeks into term an anomaly but the expected buzz over the return of the Snapes was also alive in the corridors. Gossip flying rapidly, passing from friend ground to friend group, staff to student, house elf to ghost until the formidable Thursday when he was destined to arrive. Whether you were a Hogwarts student, a family who valued the Snape's ideas, or a family who didn't the return of such a mystery was enough to cause at least mild curiosity. This was an opportunity to erase the false rumors and embrace the true. This was an opportunity for answers—but for Severus Snape it was simply an opportunity.

At mid morning Severus stepped off the train that had been arranged especially for him. He inhaled deeply of his new surroundings, his eyes surveying the unfamiliar wilderness before him. He could see the castle in the distance and was unexpectedly impressed with the sheer size. His stomach gave a tiny flop as the concept of supply and demand entered his mind. To supply a building of such a magnificent size the demand would have to be massive. There were a lot of children here and Severus had absolutely no experience in interacting with his peers. Or anyone for that matter.

He stood there awkwardly, unsure of what he was supposed to do. He looked down the platform to the right: no one. His head shifted to look to the left: no one. Sighing in irritation he snapped his fingers causing his school trunk to levitate off the ground and follow his every step as he chose to walk towards the dirt path just ahead. Nerves pulled in his stomach as he walked, making him feel sick. His worries began to multiply as he continued on. What if this was the wrong place? Shouldn't there have been someone to meet him? Did they truly expect someone like Severus to know how to get to the castle on his own? He licked his lips anxiously looking about for any sign of a figure upon the horizon to escort him to the Hogwarts doors. As Severus walked further dread filled him. Just up ahead there was an enormous gate that gave no hope of climbing and even so, Severus was sure it was impregnated with defensive spells.

Another sigh fell from his lips as he kicked a pine cone at his feet. Watching it roll, it hit the base of a tree making a small crunching noise at its impact. Severus cleared his throat and looked back through the gate to where he saw a large shadow of a man standing at least ten feet tall walking down the path towards him. Severus drew his wand as his eyes became engaged and calculating. Giants were an unexpected surprise but Severus was certain he could handle it. One artery bursting curse and the giant would be on his knees, begging for mercy. As the figure drew nearer more detail came into view. A large scruffy beard with a mane to match, ripped and hole-covered boots, shabby tattered coat, and was that a—yes it was a beast; a dog trailing at his feet. Severus swallowed any left over apprehension and readied himself for a fight.

"I warn you Giant, I have a wand and an extensive knowledge of disfigurement jinxes I would come no closer if I were you!" Severus called as the unfamiliar man came within ear shot.

"You whaa'?" Came a scratchy and booming voice that made Severus' stomach vibrate. "Are ya Snape, Serverus Snape?"

". . .I am," Severus replied suspiciously, ignoring the mispronunciation of his first name. "Who might you be?" He asked, his wand still pointed avidly in the giant's direction.

"Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of keys N' grounds 'ere at Hogwarts," he boomed proudly. "I'm s'posed ta be takin' yas up ta the castle—No need ta be scared, I won't bite cha," he added with a laugh as Severus showed no signs of moving. His wand still drawn at Hagrid's chest.

"I'm not scared," Severus spat as if repulsed by the idea. He lowered his wand slowly, his glare still intently focused on Hagrid. In his opinion it was just shy of ludicrous that they would allow a giant to be employed at Hogwarts. It was even more revolting that they didn't even seem to enforce any kind of hygiene regime or dress code for it.

"I'm not accustomed to fraternizing with giants, that's all," He concluded as Hagrid undid the latch to the gate, allowing the young wizard access.

"Yer' not accustomed ta fraternizing with anybody are ya?" His said with a chortle.

Severus did not laugh. A dark flash stabbed his eyes as he whipped around to face Hagrid once more. His glare increasing in intensity. He knew people would tease him if they knew about the way he was raised. He knew it would happen but he didn't think it would in the first five minutes.

"And what am I to understand by that?" Severus asked as if it were painful to stay cordial.

"I meant cha no offense lil' man," he said as he began to walk toward the castle.

"Giant!" Severus called. Although Hagrid had only taken a couple of steps Severus had to run to catch up to him. His floating trunk struggling to keep up with his burst of speed. "You never answered my question."

"I reckon I meant its common knowledge tha' ya Snapes keep ta yerselves,"

"You weren't ridiculing me then?" He asked shifting his eyes at the giant.

"No, no, no, I would never!" Hagrid said happily looking down at the scrawny boy who appeared to be satisfied with his reply. This was the first time he was able to observe the mysterious young wizard.

He stood up straight, very straight—almost too straight. He walked with his head held high, but the confidence didn't seem to meet his eyes. Eyes that seemed too old for his face. It was as if his perceived certainly in himself was a mask to protect a weaker part of himself buried deep inside. His hair was long, black and sleek, tied back in a single low ponytail. He had already donned his Hogwarts uniform but Hagrid could guess that were he permitted to wear his own robes they would be quite old-fashioned. He was a pale fellow, painfully obvious he spent a lot of time indoors. This assumption was further confirmed by how soft his hands looked, void of any scaring or callous. Typical pampered Pureblood, probably never did a days hard labor in his life.

"Go on, Fang!" Hagrid commanded, sending his dog away before grabbing a large ring of keys from his belt loop. " There were once a time when ya was able to come to and fro through these doors," Hagrid explained to Snape as he searched for the proper key "Ya can't be too careful in these trying times though. Ya make no mistake of that."

As he waited for the doors to be unlocked Severus took a moment to crane his head to view the top of the porch. A bird had made its nest on one of the rafters above but seemed to have long since abandoned its home. The doors began to slowly creak open, drawing Severus' attention from the bird's nest to the delaying moment which he craved so fervently: entering Hogwarts. When the wood finally swooshed aside Severus was basking in the ambiance of a Hogwarts in full swing. It appeared to be passing period as Snape was lead up a flight of stairs sitting in the center of the room. It was all he could do to take in every aspect that crossed his path. The abundance of company manifested by the many who walked the halls, enchanted paper birds and airplanes floating above their heads, the sheer merriment of it all! Such things were foreign to Severus Snape.

The giant lead him to a secluded corridor to a gargoyle statue that sprang to life and jumped aside upon muttering the idiotic word of fudgesicle.

"Go'on up there, Headmaster Dumbledore will be waitin' fer ya," Hagrid beamed at him. "And welcome ter Hogwarts Serverus!"

"It's Severus," he snapped as he mounted the stairs towards the headmasters office. He didn't listen for a reply from the blundering giant but rather focused his attention on his new goal which was speaking to Headmaster Dumbledore. Oh, Severus had read books and books about this character. The ups and downs of his rise to power before destroying Grindelwald in a fierce duel. An interview with this wizard was more than he could have ever hoped for before his father made the hasty decision of sending him off to school. Now it seemed as if anything was possible. With three raps on the door he began his new life.

"Come in," came the calming voice of Albus Dumbledore.

Severus took a deep breath and exhaled before reaching for the knob and opening the door. The first thing Severus noticed was the abundance of ticking in his office. The old codger had at least twenty-five clocks splayed across his desk and appeared to be deep in thought over one. There were an assortment of artifacts and keepsakes on the shelves surrounding the office and Severus had to make an intentional effort to not go snooping straight away.

"Ah, Mr. Snape welcome! Come sit my boy, sit," he said fondly as he stood and gestured to the chair across from his clock covered desk.

"Thank you, Sir," Snape said, walking to the appointed chair with his trunk still trailing him incessantly. With a quiet snap of his fingers the trunk fell to the floor with a soft thud.

"Please, do excuse these clocks. I'm right in the middle of a lengthy time study that I'm afraid must stay assembled until completion."

"May I ask your area of study?" Severus asked hopefully.

"Another time my dear, another time! There is simply too much to do today, so little time. We must get started," Dumbledore explained as he walked towards one of his many shelves to take a ratty old hat from a singular stand. "This is the sorting hat, my dear. I am unfamiliar with how much you know of our system here at Hogwarts but we take the liberty of sorting our pupils into one of four houses to promote comradery and healthy competition. This hat is what determines which student goes where. As I mentioned before there are four houses: Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. None better than the next."

"Mother told me I am to be in Slytherin," he said stubbornly as if he had no intention of putting the hat on his head.

"Well, we'll have you try the hat on and perhaps you will be placed into Slytherin," Dumbledore replied calmly.

"No—I'm to be placed into Slytherin," he reiterated hesitantly.

It was like he was torn between obeying his headmaster or obeying his parents. Dumbledore was not fooled by his persistence. He could see, quite clearly, the fear Severus harbored of disappointing or perhaps disobeying his parents. This was not banal teenage rebellion taking place, that much was certain. There were too many shadows in that boy's eyes for it to be so base. He placed the sorting hat on a stack of books that was close to him and folded his hands delicately before him before speaking.

"It is a common thing, Severus, for our parents to want us to follow in their footsteps. They wish to see you succeed where they've failed and walk the path of life as they did. It is unfortunate for those who cannot distinguish their own lives from their ancestors. I have found these people to suffer bitter disappointment from it. It's perfectly normal to want to please your mother and father, Severus, but you must also find ways to please yourself. I urge you to make your own choices, attempt your own endeavors, and become your own person. Your mother might have been an exceptional Slytherin, it's true but Severus might be better off in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. So, why don't you give the sorting hat a try and find out where Severus belongs?" The Headmaster inquired as he took the hat from the stack of books and once again offered it to the young man.

Nobody had ever cared what Severus had wanted before, nobody had even asked. Nobody had ever been interested. He had always done what he was told and said 'thank you' for doing it. Then—this man comes along. This old man who, right off the bat and without even knowing him, offers him a chance to be well—himself. Severus stared at the hat with a weariness that seemed almost child-like before flickering his gaze back to Albus who was smiling encouragingly at him. His thin shoulders heaved up and down with an audible sigh as he again looked down at the hat before his long fingers curled around the fabric, slowly lifting it from The Headmaster's grasp.

"Go on, child don't be frightened," he said reassuringly, his eyes glittering with anticipation.

Severus swallowed hard and hesitantly placed the hat on the top of his head.

"Well, I'll be," whispered the hat in his ear, forcing Severus to suppress a startled jump. "A Snape under my bonnet. I haven't sat upon one of you since the early 1800s. Yes, you possess all the keen dispositions and intellect as your ancestors before you. You lack a certain bristle I recall being associated with your bloodline, however. Very interesting— my first instinct is to put you in Ravenclaw— but wait a moment—ah, and a Prince as well. Perhaps Slytherin would be best suited for your needs. I sense a lot of the cunning and ambition that is the prize of all born into the Prince bloodline. Yes, better make it—"

"SLYTHERIN!"

Severus felt the weight of the world being taken off his shoulders. Not only was he free to make his own decision and given the opportunity to forge his own path but he was still able to obey his parents. There would be no awkward discussion where he had to explain to them why he was placed into Hufflepuff over their preferred Slytherin. A shallow pride welled within his chest as he lifted the hat from his head and presented it back to The Headmaster.

"You see my boy? Nothing at all to worry about," he said kindly as he received the hat with gentle hands.

Severus smiled mechanically in return, seeing beyond the old man's kind words—way beyond. He saw disappointment. Faint, suppressed, but certainly-couldn't-be-anything-else disappointment. Severus was overwhelmed with the distinct impression that The Headmaster was hoping he would've been selected into a different house. He didn't want him to make his own choices. He wanted him to stray from his family's instruction. He wanted him to go against them simply because he didn't agree with the way they decided to live their lives. This old crank thought that he could just slyly manipulate him into betraying his mother and father? He would not be so easily fooled. His father had warned him about this phenomenon taking place. Just as quickly as he had trusted Albus Dumbledore when he entered his office, by the time he was leaving with the prefect of his house for the Slytherin common room he distrusted and resented his headmaster's very presence.

. . .

Severus and his trunk stood before the door of the boy's sixth year dormitory, the door looming over them like the gate to hell. With the desire for the room to be deserted in the forefront of his mind he turned the knob and walked into the room. To Severus' dismay there were three boys inside. One, who was large and muscular with short brown hair, seemed to be in the middle of changing his robes. The other two, a slight blonde boy and a stocky brunette boy were playing a dice game.

"Thought you'd show up here," the large muscular one said as he spotted Severus. He was buttoning his shirt over his massive pectoral muscles that seemed almost too large to fit. "I'm Mulciber."

"Severus Sna—"

"Snape we know," the slight blonde one explained as Severus hesitantly traveled over to the bed that looked the least inhabited. His trunk clunking obediently behind him.

"It appeared there a few minutes ago," the blonde one continued as he bounced off the bed he was sitting on to stand next to Severus. He offered him his hand. "I'm Avery." He said with a grin that had two teeth missing. One right next to the other on the left side.

Severus shook Avery's hand with mild awe. He wasn't used to being treated this well—nice.

"That one's Evan Rosier," Avery said pointing to the stocky boy still perched on the bed, unwilling to abandon his card game.

"Pleasure," Rosier said cooly, giving him a slight sneer which Severus returned with a curt nod.

"A real-life Snape, huh?" Mulciber said as he lay down on his side against his pillows. "Merlin's balls! What its gotta be like being cooped up in one house your whole life. This is a playpen for you isn't it?"

"Hardly," Severus retorted feeling mild irritation towards Mulciber for bringing up what he was most insecure about: his life-long isolation.

"Hardly?" Mulciber inquired incredulously. "You have no idea what you've stumbled into do you?"

Severus opened his mouth to answer.

"You'll find out soon enough," Mulciber continued with an omniscient smirk. "We'll show you around, make sure you make friends with the right people."

"He talks a lot," Avery mouthed simultaneously rolling his eyes unbeknownst to Mulciber before walking back to his card game.

"How gracious of you," Severus commented giving Mulciber a quizzical expression as if studying him.

"I try," Mulciber replied arrogantly, taking a magazine from under his pillow and opening it half way through.

Severus rolled his eyes as he opened his trunk. He drew his wand and gracefully waved it three times over the contents. The items within began to vibrate making the trunk containing them shake against the floor; causing a rapid thunkiing noise. One by one, in single file, Severus' belongings rose into the air where they formed a line around his four-poster bed. Severus ran his hand through his hair and surveyed his surroundings, observing what space he had to work with. As he scanned the area he was displeased to catch his dorm mates watching him silently. Sighing quietly, and trying to ignore present company, he held his chin in his long fingers before he snapped them and pointed to his cluster of hovering robes. The articles of clothing slowly floated forward, awaiting instruction. Severus snapped his fingers once more and pointed to the dresser next to his bed. The clothes immediately began folding and placing themselves in various drawers.

Once his clothes were neatly put away he risked a look over his shoulder for a full view of his audience. He failed to suppress a smirk when they all looked startled and instantly went back to what ever it was they were doing. Severus shook his head lightly before assigning his other belongings a place in his new dormitory.

. . .

The classroom was warm, that was Severus' first impression. It was still passing period when he arrived, making it very noisy with the chatter of many students. Severus sighed in determination, swallowing the last bit of apprehension before moving his shaky legs forward. He walked slowly and confidently up to Professor Slughorn's desk where he handed him a small piece of paper that Dumbledore had given him for all his teachers to sign.

"Oh, you must be Severus Snape," Professor Slughorn beamed happily, receiving the note and scribbling his initials on it.

"Yes, Sir," he replied as he received the piece of paper back.

"You were sorted into Slytherin I see," he continued, giving him an interesting look that Severus couldn't quite interpret. Was it playful? "That's wonderful! I'm the head of Slytherin house you know? Now—you're Eileen Prince's son aren't you, my boy?"

"Yes, Sir," Severus answered slowly, sounding almost unsure about his answer.

"Well—excellent! I look forward to being your teacher! Your mother was a brilliant potion brewer— a pleasure to teach. No, doubt you'll be the same eh, Mr. Snape?"

"With any luck, Sir," he responded, beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable with his professor's familiarity.

"Now, let's find a partner for you shall we, my boy?" Slughorn said as the bell rang throughout the hall and classroom. "Lily!" He called over the persistent noise of the classroom." Lily, will you come over here for just a moment?"

Severus turned his head towards the sea of students and his jaw almost dropped as an angel emerged from the crowd. Her radiant red hair, that fell in heaps down to her breasts, bounced lightly as she walked to the front of the classroom. Her lips were the perfect shade of pink as her eyes were the most magnificent green. He could stare into those eyes every minute of every day if given the chance.

"Yes, Professor?" She asked, pushing a bundle of that luscious hair behind her perfectly rounded ear.

"Lily, this is, Severus Snape, he's just transferred in. Now, seeing as your partner Giselle is going to be on a nine month—leave, as it were, I see no reason to not pair our new friend here with the brightest witch in the class, what say you?"

"I would be delighted, Sir," She said flashing him a magnificent smile that made Severus' knees ache.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Severus, this is, Lily Evans, she'll be your partner here in class for the rest of the year. A true strike of luck my boy there's a whole lot of brains hidden beneath that pretty face!" He joked lightly.

"You flatter me, Sir," Lily said smiling and laughing good-naturedly.

"Nonsense, nonsense! You know as well as I you're the smartest in your year! But that's enough chit-chat have you turn to page fifteen and begin working. That's for all of you! Turn to page fifteen, today we will be brewing. . ."

But Severus wasn't listening instead he was following the goddess-like woman walking in front of him, her hips swaying as she walked. She looked back at him and smiled before turning and sitting at a station not too far from the classroom door. Severus slowly sank into the seat next to her, trying his hardest to not stare but her incessant beauty was making it difficult.

"So, this is your first time in a real school?" Lily asked kindly, her eyes glittering jovially. He had never seen eyes that looked so alive.

"Yes," he answered slowly. It was as if he anticipated his response to be unacceptable.

"Wow, it must be super different from what you're used to then," She commented, her features becoming larger with her disbelief. "Do you like it so far?"

"Yes, it suits me just fine, thank you," he mused with a small smirk playing at his lips.

"Well, great," she said wiggling her head in an endearing sort of manner. "Maybe we should, you know, get started?"

"I agree," replied Severus as he pulled the French Currian Roots towards him. "Do you know how to dice properly?" He teased.

"I'll have you know, Severus, that I was at the top of my potions class last year and have been known to dice something fierce," she said dipping her weight to one side in jest.

"Wonderful," he replied with a mischievous smile.

"You have a—really nice smile," she said, flashing him her own.

"Not as nice as yours," said Severus as he paused momentarily in his skinning of the roots to feel terribly embarrassed. The pair smiled at each other in a moment of silence before Lily's cheeks blushed a fierce pink and she looked away. He still caught her peering at him through her lashes. . .

"Here we go," said Lily happily as she corked their vial. "Initial here."

Severus scribbled his initials on the tube before Lily swept it away to turn in to Professor Slughorn. Snape was mesmerized by the sway of her hips as she walked. Swinging back and forth with every step. He had never felt this way about a girl before. He had never felt so—physical. He straightened his back in his chair as she turned back around and bestowed upon him, the pleasure of walking in his direction. As she passed by him she brushed her hand over his shoulder for support and left a warm spot there to spread.

"Think we'll get an 'A'?" Asked Lily as she took her seat.

"I can't imagine why not," Severus replied haughtily.

"My mum will have to hang it on our fridge," she laughed.

Severus' face dropped at the mention of this foreign object.

"What is a— fridge?" Inquired Severus as suspicion clouded his eyes.

"You know—a refrigerator? They're the tall rectangle ice boxes that muggles use to keep their food cold?"

"M-muggles?" His heart began to race. She couldn't be one of them.

"Yeah—you okay?" Lily asked, giving him a quizzical look. "You look a little nauseous or something."

"You're related to muggles?" He asked, his face taking on an expression of incredulity and perhaps hopeful misunderstanding.

"Uh—yeah I'm muggle-born," she said, her smile finally faltering.

"Merlin!" Snapped Severus, jumping up from his seat as if he spotted a rare and poisonous snake.

"What's the big deal?" Lily asked with an uncomfortable laugh.

"You're a mudblood that's the 'big deal'!" Severus enjoined loudly.

The classroom went absolutely quiet and all eyes had focused on Severus and Lily. Lily was staring up at him with a look of curiosity. It appeared to be an echo of the emotions one would expect her to be experiencing. Snape, however, had color high in his cheeks and was mildly panting as he looked down at the girl in disgust. Not just disgust for her blood status but disgust for his apparent attraction to her as well.

"Mr. Snape!" Called Professor Slughorn. "I don't know what you've been told in the past but that kind of language isn't tolerated here at Hogwarts. I'm afraid I'll have to send you up to The Headmaster. Collect up your things— off you go then."

Severus huffily collected his bag, all the while glaring daggers at Lily. He stomped down the stairs, head held high as he marched right out the door. He took his time getting to The Headmaster still being far too angry to discuss the audacity of that teacher for not providing him with some kind of mudblood disclaimer.

How could she have been a mudblood? Father had told him muggle borns had flat heads. Lily didn't have a bloody flattened head. Her head was rounded and— perfect—she was a seductress! Even when not in her presence he could feel the effects of her operating on him. Making his mouth dry and his groin ache. To add to his chagrin his reluctant legs found the old gargoyle statue and forced it to come to life with the dictation of that ridiculous password: fudgesicle.

"Come," said the voice of the headmaster.

"Headmaster," Severus uttered in greeting as he opened the door, shutting it behind him with a snap.

"Yes, what can I do for you, my boy? Settling in I trust?"

"I must confess, Sir, not as smoothly as I would have liked. I've run into an issue you see," Severus explained.

"Indeed—and what issue might that be, my dear?"

"Your daft teacher had me sitting next to a filthy mudblood!" hissed Severus with the venom of a man twice his age.

"I shall tell you once, and only once, Severus, so I want you to listen to me very carefully. We do not tolerate such derogatory terms at this school. You will do well to refrain from using such language immediately or suffer disciplinary action, do you understand, Mr. Snape?" Inquired Dumbledore softly yet firmly.

"No, I do not understand," Severus pushed as he seethed with revolt. "My mother had told me that mudbloods attended this school but I was certain they would be contained to their own wing for the good of the rest."

"I am sorry to disappoint you but the rules are the rules. We treat every student here as equal regardless of blood-status or anything else for that matter. I'm not asking you to change your beliefs, Severus, only insisting that you adhere by the rules and refrain from using such coarse words," he countered cooly.

Severus stared at Dumbledore for a moment before blinking slowly. Was the old man truly so obtuse? Did he truly believe a mudblood could ever be the equal to a pureblood? The idea was enough to make his skin crawl and his skin was already crawling. He had actually felt physical attraction and otherwise to one of them; a mudblood.

"Can I go now, Headmaster?"

"Yes, my boy, you may," said Dumbledore as Severus bounced rapidly to his feet. "But, Severus, I feel that the lesson I'm attempting to teach you has fallen on deaf ears. This being evident I shall request you return here on Saturday morning to a receive a detention."

"What takes place at a detention?" Inquired Snape as a small flutter of fear erupted in the pit of his stomach.

"I intend to instruct you further on the demerits of prejudice propaganda," Dumbledore said truthfully; bluntly.

"Instruct me? In what manner?" Severus asked while eying his headmaster with the utmost suspicion and dislike.

"An essay I daresay," Albus replied.

"An essay?" Severus repeated as if he couldn't believe his ears.

"Yes— and out of mild curiosity why do you ask, my dear?" The Headmaster inquired, his twinkling eyes becoming very engaged.

Severus rolled his neck. He ardently wished for The Headmaster to stop calling him his bloody 'dear'. He wasn't dear to anyone.

"No, reason of importance, Sir," he replied forcing a pleasant smile.

Severus was in awe. He couldn't believe he had broken the rules and all he was going to have to do was write a stupid essay. It seemed too good to be true. In his father's home breaking the rules came with more—severe consequences. Way beyond the punishment of an essay.

"Can I trust you'll be here on Saturday morning at shall we say ten O'clock?" Dumbledore inquired. He posed it as a question, the words were, however, a very clear command: 'you will be here on Saturday morning at ten O'clock'.

"I—Yes, sir," said Severus, accepting The Headmaster's authority. Even if he was a mudblood-loving fool. "May I leave, now—Sir?"

"Yes, my boy, you're dismissed," Dumbledore said with a small wave of his hand. "Good day, Mr. Snape."

"Good day Sir."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading the first chapter of Abstersion, I do hope you enjoyed it.