Chapter 1

"Hey, Potter," I could hear an exasperated sigh as Potter turned.

"Hi Ced… Oh God, Professor Snape," this began his stuttering. Of course since he knew who I was there was no point in hiding; I clicked my fingers instantly I no longer looked like the so annoying Hufflepuff Head-Boy; and far more myself the oh so hated Potions Master. After running into young mister Malfoy – as Cedric of course – I will have to discuss with him his attitude towards the Hufflepuff.

"If I may Mr. Potter, now that I look like myself; how did you know it was me?"

"Well sir, the eyebrow," instinctively I raised said eyebrow. "Preciously like that sir, it's one of your mannerisms; an easy tell if you will." Potter defended well, and for once politely.

"You do know that I can't actually help what that particular eyebrow does, don't you?" Just great Severus your making conversation with Potter, your either losing your touch and going soft or the world has ended. You must pray Severus, for the latter.

"Well I do now. As I was going to ask Cedric, sir, what do you want?" Ah, there was the Potter I knew.

"You informed Mr. Diggory about the dragons, yes?" My tone was hushed and far less harsh than I had wanted, damn it Severus you are losing your touch.

"So what if I did? Gonna take points for doing the right thing? Sir," clearly my hushed tone had done something, his tone was also hushed but far more defensive than I would have expected. So I decided to do something unexpected.

"Actually Potter, er, Harry," that got him, he looked stunned; well-done Snape you can now stun someone using words, "I was going to add points to your precious Gryffindor; so that's five for being uncharacteristically polite, and ten for doing as you put it the 'right thing'," once I had finished adding points to those insufferable little lion cubs, it was clear Potter was beyond stunned, I may just have put the Boy-Who-Lived in shock. By being nice. I shuddered at that thought: Severus Snape and nice in the same sentence; NEVER, but yet it happened. "I thought you may need some advice on how to work out that clue of yours," I indicated to the egg that I knew was in his bag, he had neglected to add any potions work or books for my subject at all; clearly McGonagall was fiercer than I gave her credit for. I wasn't needing a reply as I was going to continue, until the Boy-Wonder as Mad-eye had called him, cut me off.

"You want to help me? Like voluntarily; you're not being forced into it by the headmaster or anything?" Maybe I should lie to him; yes I should I do need to keep my Slytherin reputation intact; but I can't. What's wrong with me I've lied to the boy before?

"Yes to both, Potter. Now I would suggest opening the egg underwater; then I shall meet you and Longbottom in the Herbology section of the Library. Perhaps your night time wanderings might come in handy after all; Mr Potter. Good day to you." With that I left, I couldn't have been more detailed; unless I took him to a bathroom and threw the egg in for him to hear, and then told him what the riddle inside meant. But still I had to find Longbottom, which wasn't too hard as always he was in Greenhouse Two, with Madame Sprout great – I really didn't have time to deal with her today but I had to get Longbottom.

"Pomona, might I," the glare she threw at me was possible of death almost as bad as that bloody great Basilisk, Potter killed in the second year. "Might I borrow Mr Longbottom, for some time?" I continued unfazed, amazingly.

"As long as you, Snape, take him back to Gryffindor Tower in one piece,"

"Very well Pomona. Mr Longbottom with me if you please," I could see the boy shaking, looks like I hadn't lost my touch after all. But even I could not help pitying him, I would be first in line to kill Bellatrix. Not for Longbottom – of course not – but for the rest of humanity; she had to go. As I was soon realising Longbottom wasn't following, "Longbottom!"

"Yes, sir,"

"Would you kindly follow me to the library were we will be having a conversation with Mr Potter,"

"What's Harry got to do with anything, sir?"

"You do know the Triwizard Tournament is being held here, at this very moment, Mr Longbottom," I had softened my voice slightly as to not scare him further than I normally did and I doubt my approach with Potter would have had the same affect.

"Yes, Professor," at least Longbottom seemed more at ease, and finally the library was reached about five minutes before curfew.

"Prefect, plenty of time," I murmured.

"For what, sir?" He was clearly nervous.

"For you, Mr Longbottom, to find out as much as you can about Gillyweed," I could see the excited glean in his eyes; perhaps he might finally prove that he wasn't a waste of my time – not that I was going to tell him that he could never be a waste of my time or anyone else's for that matter.

"Surely you know all about Gillyweed already,"

"No-one can know everything Neville," damn, I'd done it again, nice to the ones I should hate, but never really could. I was only ever indifferent.

"So your human then sir?" His question caused both my eyebrows to rise as I turned to him, I did however notice the muffled laughter from behind one of the selves.

"Yes Longbottom, despite popular belief I am actually human. Harry, would you kindly stop laughing," I could tell that Neville thought I had finally gone mad – actually I may have – but Potter simply appeared out of thin air.

"Sorry, Snape,"

"Ah, we're back to the surname without respect are we, Harry?" I said scornfully.

"Ouch there Professor," at least Potter knew the difference between amusement and everything else.

"Hey Harry, what are you doing here?"

"I, Neville, am discussing some important stuff with you and Professor Snape," Potter then turned to me and asked "Was that polite enough, sir?" I must admit I was amused, since he added just the right amount of sarcasm to the sir, as he always did.

"It's an improvement. Now Professor McGonagall has suggested that I keep an eye on you over the course of this year, for obvious reasons," I cut off waiting for some kind of remark, but none came, so I continued. "What do you understand of the riddle?"

"Well sir, it's obviously the black lake; something about an hour long you'll have to look to recover what we took," a look of revelation appeared across Potter's face, "There aren't merpeople in the black lake, are there?"

"So far correct, Harry and yes there are. But that's not the key issue right now, so what do you think this treasure of yours is?" there was silence in return, until

"To Harry personally sir, that would be his friends," Neville had finally looked up from the large manuscript he was struggling to hold.

"Excellent Neville, fifteen points to Gryffindor," both looked at me in shock; well Longbottom more than Potter, since I'd already given him points. We all stared at each other for the next two or three minutes, until I got bored of the silence. "Yes well, clearly Potter's particular best friends I do believe would either be Miss Granger or the youngest male Weasley," I expected Potter to agree but he actually added another,

"But sir, what about Cho?"

"What about Miss Chang?" I was actually hoping he didn't have a girlfriend; I'd never live that sudden lack of observational skills down.

"Well sir, they're going out. With each other. If you didn't get it," Yep, I had lost the only two non-potions related skills I had, the ability to terrify students and my uncanny skill to know a scary amount about each student; just by watching what happens around me.

"I had hoped, you weren't going to say that. Either of you," I glanced at both Potter and Longbottom.

"Why's that sir; do you secretly like Harry?" Longbottom was grinning like a Cheshire cat; Potter was staring at him with his mouth open, I had placed my hand over my face in a sign of clear disbelief – I do believe that the younger muggleborns call it a face-palm.

"I actually cannot believe that those words left your mouth, Mr Longbottom," of course I had no choice but to use my most dangerous tone that I usually saved for either McGonagall or the Headmaster himself.

"Neville, I'm insulted," Potter was almost shaking with rage, in its own way it was an amusing sight but also a most disturbing one.

"Yes alright I get it, but the timing was just perfect; besides we didn't know you cared, sir," Longbottom almost forgot the sir but had added it quickly at the end.

"I forgive you, Nev, just be nice to our dearly hated Potions Master," Harry smiled at me – me of all people – it was the same smile his mother gave me when we were still friends. I had actually forgotten they were there when I muttered to myself "I do so doubt that you could possibly hate me, as much as I hate myself," I quickly cleared my throat as small tears began to fall down my face; you could almost say that I no longer cared if these two boys saw my emotional side.

"Professor, you could do with some counselling, sir," I knew he was trying to lighten the mood that had suddenly darkened.

"Thanks Potter, but I tried that before; why do you think the Headmaster trusts me like he does?"

"Well we never wanted to ask, sir," that was Neville again, at least he was beginning to come out of his shell so to speak; but I needed to change the subject.

"Longbottom, I asked you here so that you could give Potter the Gillyweed a few moments before he leaves for the second challenge," I glared at Potter who for once clearly understood what I was trying to say: Do what you think to be right.

"Why don't you give it to me, sir?" He was thinking something more about Slytherin reputation, I could tell." I would like to keep my job, Potter, It was clear he didn't believe that; so for once I explained, "It's the one thing you, I and dear Professor Trelawney have in common; care to guess?" it was obvious that he felt we had nothing in common, but he still got it right.

"Hogwarts is our home," I could see tears beginning to swell in his eyes.

"Very good; Longbottom," I turned to Neville; I didn't think I could handle Harry Potter crying.

"Yes, sir?"

"I want you to wait until tomorrow to give Potter the Gillyweed, just as you get to the boats; is that clear?" I waited for his response.

"Perfectly, sir,"

"Excellent, no go stand next to Potter. This may take some explaining," I had confused them both; but that was nothing compared to what I had to do next. "I need to confund you both so that you only know parts of this conversation that are important, the rest will be temporally forgotten," I waited for the shout of hatred that I was used to, but they never came.

"I take it you're going to remember everything then, sir?" Longbottom didn't even sound afraid.

"Yes Neville, I will remember all of this and for reference if I say that you're useless or anything else like that, know that I'm lying and that I don't mean it. Potter the same if I'm ever cruel to you again," he cut me off – Potter cut me off – when I was apologising.

"I'll know you've gone back to normal, sir," I could see the glittering in his eyes, how very Dumbledore of him.

"I'm sorry," I continued as if I hadn't heard him, the three of us knew that I had.

"When the Tournaments over will you let us remember?" Neville was getting nervous.

"That depends on who wins the staff wager, Longbottom," I had to clarify, not that they'd remember when I eventually got around to taking them back to Gryffindor Tower. "Flitwick, Sprout and Madame Pomfrey believe that Diggory will win; being the deluded individuals that they are. The rest of the staff, including Filch are convinced that you will win, Harry. I didn't take a side, and placed a customary bet on both of you," I could see Potter summarising this new information, he'd have one hell of a headache in the morning – well when he woke up later on today, hopefully on time.

"Always so logical, Professor Snape," I knew the voice immediately, it always left me paralysed.

"Alastor Moody, as much as I'd love to obliterate you for what you've no doubt heard; but I'm afraid no-one will believe you, the mad ex-auror," I placed particular emphasis on the 'mad' and 'obliterate', as I drew myself to full height towering over the old fool; clearly having some effect on the boys as both shivered but Mad-Eye seemed undeterred by my enhanced presence. I no longer had a choice either be blackmailed by an auror or blackmail him first; personally I didn't like either option. Oddly, I could feel that he knew this; and that I wouldn't do anything to Potter or Longbottom with his eyes on me. "Fine; Potter, Longbottom you can return yourselves to your dormitory, and if anyone asks you were both doing a detention with me with was most unpleasant," I handed them a roll of parchment each, "These will excuse you for being out after curfew, and please don't talk about this," I put a softer tone on 'please', I now had to show them some of the feelings which I had desperately tried to keep hidden. Both nodded, leaving the library most briskly. Once their footsteps had turned into a run and then there was silence; I waited for Moody to talk first, but he had just taken a rather large gulp of whatever he had in that cursed hipflask. I could smell it and it reminded me of polyjuice potion; but then that couldn't be right – could it?I


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