"It's this year, Severus. Her son is coming here this year. Are you happy?" Dumbledore asked.

"Happy? When have you ever known me to be that, Headmaster?" I fired back readily.

"I had merely thought," Dumbledore started, thoroughly taken aback at my harsh tone, "that you would be glad to see her son. Even if just once. You remember that he has her eyes, do you not?"

"It's his fault she's dead," I stated coldly. "Why would I be glad that he's coming to Hogwarts this year?"

I did not know that you still felt so strongly about this, Severus," the kind old fool had tears in his eyes that burned into my soul with a pleading type of air in an attempt to find proof that I had lied to him. "I do hope that you won't be so harsh on him when he shows up, Severus. No matter how much he looks like his father, he is his own person and needs to grow up as that.

"I know that, Headmaster," I replied feeling mildly scolded.

"Well then, I'll let you get along with your preparations for the new school year."

With that dismissal, I left the headmaster's office to return to my own. As I walked, I got wrapped up within my own thoughts and ran into a wall. As I collected myself up off of the floor, Minerva, Poppy, and Filius gathered around in a worried cluster.

"My dear!" Minerva exclaimed.

"Are you alright?" inquired Poppy.

Filius, looking as though he would topple over in concern, merely helped me to my feet.

"I'm fine, don't worry," I murmured in embarrassment. "I was just lost in thoughts."

Before they could ask any more questions, I quickly slipped away and into the comfort of the dungeons.

'yeah, so what I he's coming here this year? If he hadn't been born, or even been born just a few days later, Lily would be alive and happy. And as if I didn't already know that it was this year. I've been keeping track of how old he is so I can give him enough pain for it to pay him back for what he put me through for these past eleven years, whether it was intentional or not. Well, that's enough brooding. I have to finalize my first day speeches and all my other plans for the year.'