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Author's Note: Still no reviews.. Heartbroken… I'll live. I write for my own entertainment. Enjoy.
It had been 6 years since Severus had been sorted. He thought about the time he had spent in school, the friends he had made, the girls he had loved and lost. This was his last year. The Potter brat had spent the years pestering him, and the Longbottom boy had managed to defeat Voldemort the end of last year. The wizarding world was safe yet again. Yet Severus still felt empty.
"Dunderhead, watch out!" Called his youngest sibling, Tobias, as he threw a quaffle. Tobias was 8, and only starting to learn about magic. His younger sister, Eileen, had just turned 10 and would be going to Hogwarts next year. Severus caught the quaffle in time for his blond headed cousin to walk through the door.
"Severus, all ready for school? Father says we have use of ministry transport this year." Draco preened. Severus was beginning to see the vainness in his cousin, but he loved him none the less. Both boys had taken after their respective fathers. Draco was slim, with long blond hair, and the most dashing face ever. Severus was tall, thin, with long black hair, and looks his father had never possessed.
"I've been ready since last month." Severus retorted, cheerfully throwing the quaffle at the younger Snape boy's feet. Tobias fell, his face landing in the mud.
"Mommy!" Eileen screeched. Bellatrix burst out the door. She picked Tobias up, and then looked to her older son.
"Need I ask?" She implored. Severus could only smile as him and Draco walked inside Prince Manor. Bellatrix and her two younger children followed suit. "Your father says to be ready for the last trip to Diagon tonight. Draco, dear, are you staying for dinner?"
"Of Course, Tante Bella. " Draco replied as he removed his black leather gloves. Bellatrix couldn't help but blush at the French word for Aunt. Severus picked up his own pair of black gloves and gingerly placed them in his pocket. "Father has given me one of the Ancient Malfoy canes. He feels bad about the mishap…"
"It was my fault." Severus insisted. Draco looked down to his leg, knowing full well it wasn't Severus' fault for Draco falling off his broom and shattering his ankle. Draco patted his best friend on the back.
"Don't, Sev. It's over and done with. All we can do now is hope the healers can keep it healing." Draco chuckled. He pulled Severus into the Office that had been set up for personal and business use. "With only the two youngest Weasley's on his side, Potter shouldn't be a problem this year. Father has asked us to leave him alone. Apparently James Potter has complained to the Board of Governors. Father said if we left him alone, he'd give us money for our journey."
Severus couldn't help but grin. Draco and Severus were going to go on a journey through the magical world before they continued on with their careers, and possible families. They had their trip planned down to the hotels they'd stay, people they'd visit, and historic sites they wanted to see.
"Then we will want for nothing. Dadd…. Father has promised me the same." Severus grinned and clapped his cousin on the back. Even though he had turned 17, he still called his father "Daddy" and didn't want his cousin to pick on him.
"I guess we should try and accept Granger this year. Father feels she'll be joining the Ministry." Draco explained. Severus thought back on the mousey girl that had been sorted into their house.
"We tried all the time. She wouldn't accept us." Severus retorted in a low voice. Draco pulled a piece of parchment from a drawer, then a pen. He quickly sketched a few names, attaching them with small lines.
"This is Hermione." Draco pointed to the center person, and then traced a line to the next few people. "These are her friends. See who they' attached to? Our friends, the people in our confidence. Perhaps give her some of the old Snape charm?"
"Get serious. She's a bookworm. When have I ever laid my hands on a book?" Severus straightened his back. Draco poked his chest.
"Last night. You read every day." Draco laughed. Severus couldn't help but laugh too.
"We'll try. No guarantee." Severus said as he and his best friend left the room.
"Tante Bella? When is Oncle Severus arriving?" Draco fairly purred. Bellatrix Snape's face turned a bright red.
"Any second now." The last word was drowned out with a pop. The older Severus appeared from the thin air.
"Ah, my favorite son and nephew!" The Potion's master grinned before kissing his wife's cheek. He withdraw a rolled up parchment from his robes. "I've news.." Bellatrix snatched at the paper, and Draco sat down.
"Tell us, Father." The younger Severus demanded.
"McGonagall retired. I've been made Deputy Headmaster." The older man rolled the parchment out to show his new title, as well as increase in pay.
"My god, Severus." Bellatrix exclaimed while Draco sent the Younger Severus a brief look. Lucius Malfoy had made this happen. And all in the Snape family knew it. Even though they were already vastly wealthy, they knew they deserved the money. Severus Snape the Elder had worked hard all his life. Then the older Severus withdrew another packet from his robes, and handed it to his son.
"What is this?" The younger Severus questioned. The Potions master grinned and motioned for him to open it. Draco grinned and yanked it from his cousin. He peeled the seal off, and pulled out the letter.
"Dear Severus Snape, the Younger, You've been made Head Boy. Blah Blah Blah." Draco mimicked, and handed his cousin his Head Boy badge. "Wonder who Head Girl is…."
"We'll see next week." Both Severus' retorted.
Draco had left Severus in the front compartment to find their friends. Severus sat in the corner, wondering who the Head Girl was. His mind drifted slightly, staring outside as the train started to depart.
"I do love the train ride." A girl pushed into Severus' thoughts. He looked up to see none other than Hermione Granger. "I see you've made Head Boy. Don't think I'll let you slide if you don't do your job properly." No longer was the girl the bushy haired book worm he knew last year. She had a Slytherin green mini skirt on with a white blouse that accented all of her curves perfectly. Her hair, the usual tangle, was neatly pulled back into a ponytail.
"Hello and evening to you, too, Granger." Severus managed to speak. His throat felt dry, his palms felt sweaty. He stared into her brown eyes, but he could feel himself starting to blush, so he quickly looked away.
"I hope you don't mind, I've brought a few muggle items. The school bores me sometimes." She admitted. Suddenly she looked deep in thought. "It's like Wireless. They call it a radio."
"I know what a radio is. Draco and I used to blast them for fun." Severus retorted quickly. Hermione smiled a little, and handed him a piece of parchment. He looked up at her as he took it from her. It was a list of items she expected him to buy to keep their room neat.
"Alright… I'll owl my mother as soon as we're done with everything. Perhaps Father will know a few enchantments as well." Severus explained. Hermione's face scrunched up a little. "Do you doubt my father's abilities? You doubt his, and you doubt mine. Have I ever done anything to you?"
"Now that you mention it… There was that time you cast that hex and it bounced off the wall and hit me…" Hermione rattle off. Severus tossed his hands in the air, and looked back to the window. She looked closer at him. "Perhaps... If you're not busy… First Hogsmead trip… You could take me to tea or something… I mean, if you'd like."
