"Severus? Are you listening to me?" Severus wearily lifted his head from his arms, glaring blearily at the Headmaster. "Yes sir." In truth, he hadn't heard a word, but none of it was new information. A new school year was beginning. The boy's first year. It was his duty to protect him. Blah blah blah. Severus knew all of this, so why was Dumbledore subjecting him to yet another lecture. "The dark Lord is still at large. We will be providing refuge to those affected. I will need your help in keeping this discreet." Severus nodded. Voldemort had been setback eleven years ago. But he'd risen to power once again, his legion stronger and more furious than ever before. It was a wonder Hogwarts even remained open. Presently, no one knew the whereabouts of the dark lord. But his death eaters were out and proudly working in his name.

Severus's mind began to wander to a dark Halloween night eleven years ago. He would be forever haunted by that night. It was the last time he ever saw her. That night was also the first night he'd ever held her. He remembered how cold she felt, how lifeless. She was pale, perfect, and smelled faintly of vanilla. He loved the smell of vanilla.

He'd gently brushed a strand of red hair from her face and held her close to his chest. So many words bubbled on his lips, yet all remained unsaid. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I love you." So many sentiments he could now never express.

"Severus." Dumbledore was starting to get annoyed. "We will be using the Room of Requirement. I have already seen to it that it is prepared and ready to receive our…. Guests. There is a passageway hidden from students that we will be using. You and Minerva are the only teachers, besides myself, to have access to it. I will show you the location before the students arrive. Oh yes, I have one more important matter to discuss with you." He clasped his hands behind his back, allowing a pause. "Black is among the refugees. I expect there to be no fighting."

Severus hissed at the mention of his old nemesis. "Sirius Black is a suspected death eater."

"I can assure you, he is not among them."

"How can you be so sure? Just because he does not bear the dark mark, it means nothing!"

"You bear the mark. I trust you…" He sighed. "You are biased, Severus. Blinded by years of petty quarrels and mistrust."

"How quickly you forget, Black and Potter nearly killed me."

"An unfortunate incident. Severus, you must put the past behind you. Black is in need of our help. He has information that could lead to his death, or worse, his torture. I know you may think he deserves it, but it is our duty to protect him."

"I will do what I must but do not expect me to become friends with him."

Dumbledore laughed. "No, that would be asking far too much of you, Severus."

Severus scowled. Sirius Black's return to Hogwarts was not something he'd expected in his first year as a teacher at Hogwarts. Black was wanted for questioning, both by the ministry and by the death eaters. Protecting him would put the whole school at risk. "Headmaster…" he licked his lips while searching for the right words. "Is it really wise to bring Black here? Amongst the students and innocents? Surely his presence increases the danger tenfold."

Dumbledore shook his head. "There is nowhere safer than Hogwarts."