When I'd accepted the invitation to Draco's graduation ceremony, I'd had no intention of spending the evening fooling around with the ghost of my past. Having had too many one night stands and fruitless relationships, I was sick of love and unsatisfying nights wasted at the bar. But looking at him was making it hard to remember all that heartache…. even though he'd been a part of it. I had been so scared to come back to Hogwarts High School for the Gifted, back to my past. Now all I wanted to do was go home before I made a complete and total fool of myself. I was dumb to think I wouldn't see anyone I knew here. Surely those who graduated with me would wish to send their children to the best school in England! AS soon as I walked through the door, there was a squeal and I was suddenly wrapped in a hug.

"Severus! It's been so long! How have you been?" a voice asked.

"Charity?" I said in shock as I looked down at her. She smiled at me and let go. "You look good."

She gave me a twirl, as if she were still a teenage girl and not a grown woman. "Thank you. You always were polite, weren't you? What are you doing here? I didn't think you had children…."

"I don't. It's Draco's graduation and Narcissa asked me to come."

"That's sweet. What have you done with your life- still aspiring to be a novelist?" she asked.

"I'm a high school chemistry teacher, actually," and erotic porn writer, I added silently.

She stared at me in disbelief. "Teaching? Really? You don't seem the type!" She laughed.

At that moment I spotted Narcissa and Draco across the room. "If you'll excuse me," I said to Charity before making my way over to them.

Narcissa was fussing with Draco's green cap and gown while he complained loudly. "It's fine, Mother! Everyone will be too far away to notice if it's a bit crooked!"

"That might be, but I'm sure you'll catch it in the pictures later," I said, placing my hand on Narcissa's shoulder. Draco brightened when he saw me, but Narcissa jumped.

"Severus!" she exclaimed, "You scared me!"

"Hello, Draco, Narcissa." I said.

"You cut your hair?" Draco asked, slapping his mother's hand away from his collar. "How come?"

I ran my hand through my now short hair. I used to have long, greasy black hair, but I had chopped most of it off in the hopes that I might be less easily recognized. The hairdresser had looked at me like I was crazy when I told her to get rid of all of it. Instead, she had cut the sides short, but left the middle a little longer so I could easily style it.

"Draco dear, sometimes people need to look like adults," Narcissa joked. I frowned, and she punched my arm lightly. Draco ignored her, instead dashing off to get someone he said I had to meet. It didn't take long before he was lost in the crowd. Sissy sighed.

"He was so excited when you said you were coming. All year he's been talking nonstop about a boy he wants you to meet."

I cocked an eyebrow. "A boy?"

Sissy nodded. "Yeah. Apparently they used to be rivals of sorts, but they've become quite good friends. If you ask me," she leaned in closer to me, as if she was going to share a secret. Though she couldn't whisper due to all of the noise, she tried.

"What?" I asked. She rolled her eyes at me. "I said, I think they're boyfriends!"

"And why would you say that?" I asked.

She looked past me and smiled. "Oh," she said, "just a motherly feeling."

I turned around to see Draco hurrying over with a slightly shorter, black haired boy hot on his heels. When they reached us, I gave the boy a quick once-over. He was fairer skinned, with dark, unkept black hair. A pair of round, wire framed glasses sat perched on his long, delicate nose. It was too obvious to me who this boy was; he looked almost exactly like his father. A Potter.

"Severus! This is my friend, Harry." Draco said, smiling at the boy beside him.

Harry, huh?

I had heard of the tragedy 17 years earlier. James and Lilly had perished when their house caught fire one evening. Firemen had managed to save their son before the whole structure had collapsed. By the time the fire had gone out, there was nothing left of the couple or their beautiful suburban home. Everything was lost; except Harry. There was no explanation for what had happened. Foul play was suspected due to an eyewitness account saying there had been a man in the backyard. He had supposedly been carrying a very bulky object, assumed to be a gasoline can from the description. The man they apprehended for the alleged murder was James' friend, Sirius Black. He was tried and sent to prison for twelve years before he escaped. He had come after Harry, hid godson, who helped prove his innocence.

Harry smiled and held out his hand for me to shake. "Harry Potter, sir."

Huh. He's quite polite…. That was unexpected, considering he's James' son. But then again, he's also Lilly's. "Good to meet you," I said, taking his hand. "I've heard that Draco talks about you quite a bit."

Harry's face flushed. "Really?"

I tried to hide my amusement of the awkwardness as he shifted from foot to foot. He looked up at me after a while.

"Draco says you knew my parents."

Did he tell you how? "Yes. I didn't know your father very well, but Lilly and I were close."

He sat there awkwardly before blurting, "What was she like?"

I smiled at him a bit sadly. "She was a very bright student. She could charm anyone with her quick wit, and she had a flair for sarcasm. She was always friendly, and as I recall, shamed countless bullies around the school with her kindness. She was the kindest person I'd ever met."

Harry looked down at his feet and Draco sent me a worried look. He placed a hand on Harry's back comfortingly.

"I can see her in you," I said. I didn't know how much was too much for him to handle. It seemed that his parents were a sore spot for Harry, and I didn't want to push him. I chose my words as carefully as I could. "You look a lot like your father, but you have your mother's kindness. I can see it in your eyes. She would be proud of you."

Harry's shoulders began to shake. I was suddenly worried I had crossed a line and said something I shouldn't have, but he looked up at me and smiled through the tears in his eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered before he turned to Draco, who wrapped him in a tight hug.

Definitely boyfriends. I glanced over at Narcissa and noticed she was crying too.

After a few moments, Harry pushed Draco back. "I should go. Sirius will be looking for me."

I flinched, looking past the boys. "I think he's found you, actually."

They both turned to where I was pointing. Sirius was making his way through the crowd, all swagger and cocky smile. His face was weathered and his hair a bit grayer than it should have been for a man of only thirty years. Someone hurried along behind him… someone who looked vaguely familiar…

"Harry! What have I told you about running off like that? It's too easy for me to lose you in a crowd like this!" Sirius said as he and his companion strode up and joined us.

Harry blushed slightly. "Sorry. I had to meet someone." He gestured to me, and I felt myself tense.

Sirius narrowed his eyes and studied me for a minute. "Snape?"

Oh please, no! I swallowed. "I'm surprised you recognized me after all these years." And I kind of wish you hadn't.

"How could I forget you? You were my old rival!"

You mean punching bag. And just to prove the thought, he punched my arm harder than what could be considered friendly…. or necessary.

"You made my school days so interesting." He smiled maliciously at me before he said, "I've got someone I'm sure you're anxious to see again. You remember Mooney, don't you? You two were always friendly."

I felt myself pale and my knees went weak. NO. Not him, please not him! But as I looked at the figure beside Sirius, I knew immediately who it was. It was impossible to forget him; I knew because I had tried everything.

I had hoped to never see his face again, but here he was, right in front of me, almost exactly as I remembered. Dark blond hair, bright blue eyes. Tall, lean, and absolutely beautiful.

I swallowed. "Remus."