Severus stepped through the flames and onto the small hearth of Harriet Potter's fireplace. The tall man swiped the soot from his grey wool sweater and took in his former students living room. It was spacious with cream coloured walls and exposed wood beams that lined the ceilings. Her furnishings were modest contemporary pieces that continued the cream theme with spots of blue lapis accents. Pictures also adorned the walls. Most were scenes of Potter with her friends, Granger and Weasley, but a few contained faded photographs of Lily and James. Severus scowled and turned away from the frames, the images of James doing nothing for his stormy disposition.

"Hello? Professor, I'm in the kitchen setting up some tea for us, just beside the living room there!" The wizard rolled his eyes, the girl had no manners, not even greeting a guest? What was this world coming to? A rapid clicking sound grabbed his attention once more as a furry monster rammed into the Potion Master's shins, almost causing the man to clatter to the floor.

"What is the meaning of this!" Severus snarled, sidestepping the mass of black fur and drool. Potter suddenly appeared in the aforementioned hall and quickly attempted to scoop up the animal, hissing apologies and admonishments simultaneously.

"Oh! I am so sorry, I should have put him outside or in his kennel, he gets so excited with new people, I am so so sorry. Bad boy, you can't just jump on people like that, you know better!" The dog seemed to give the reprimand no mind, simply yipping and staring at the irritated man. The Potter girl stepped back, blushing slightly, and cleared her throat.

"Before we sit, I wanted to apologize to you for our previous meeting, I was just so surprised to run into you and I really just wanted to talk…" she trailed off, blushing even more insistently at his glare. "Right, um please follow me, I have tea and biscuits in the kitchen-"

"That won't be necessary Potter. What I have to say will not take long," the wizard drawled, stopping Harriet in her tracks. She turned back to her professor with a puzzled expression.

"What do you mean? I-I thought-"

"You thought wrong. I simply came to inform you that the results of your poor decision making have allowed Rita Skeeter to spread a cloud of misinformation around your departure from the wizarding world. As such, she is beginning to turn the public against you. It is time for you grow up and address them before that She-Devil take this any further."

Harriet gaped at the man, attempting to process everything that he had just said.

"So...that is why you came here?"

Severus nodded stiffly, a part of him pleased with the rattled look on the spawn of James' face. "Yes, you've had your fun out here playing 'muggle', but now you must stop pathetically hiding and fix your mistakes. Address the public and tell them where and why you've gone or that unscrupulous woman will be your undoing."

Harriet's nostrils flared slightly as she breathed through her anger. She had gained a lot of patience from teaching but that was with children, dealing with stiff-necked adults was another matter entirely.

"Well then," she said slowly and carefully, "if that was all, I will bid you good day." Harriet placed the dog back on the ground, shooing him into the kitchen, and crossed her arms resolutely.

Severus smirked at the picture of vexation. "What? No biscuits or tea now that you haven't gotten your way? Precious Potter-"

"Out," The girl said softly, her expression murderous, "Get. Out. Of my house."

Severus dropped his smug expression but remained where he was, as if held to the spot by the witches anger.

"You come into my house under the pretense of speaking with me about an important matter, only to insult me with every other word? I have apologized for my own rude behavior so enough is enough. I am no longer your student. I am an adult and you are on my private property. I told you to leave!" The girl's anger was palpable and her magic radiated outward with each clipped word she snarled. A bulb popped in a standing lamp near the fireplace, snapping Severus out of his stupor, providing a cue for the wizard to depart. As he quickly made his way back towards the fireplace, Severus stole one last look at the angry girl. There were tears in her green eyes, he always hated when Lily's eyes bore them and now…

The wizard shook his head and stepped through the flames.

Harriet stood rooted to the spot, shaking in her residual anger that she felt towards that horrible man. The witch sniffed, blinking back tears of anger and frustration, she should have expected this. She remembered what he was like back in school, why on earth did she think he would behave any differently? Harriet wiped at her eyes and made her way back to the kitchen, collapsing into the nearest chair. Copper padded over and placed his face in her lap. She scratched behind his ears and allowed herself to be comforted by her dog.

"Sorry about all the noise, none of it was because of you. Just us humans being foolish."

Copper woofed softly and licked her hands, coaxing a small smile from his owner. With a tired sigh Harriet summoned a Takeaway Menu from the top of her fridge. She definitely didn't feel like cooking or doing much of anything now, but maybe some curry would cheer her up.

Damn...well that didn't go according to plan, did it Severus? Poor Harriet, something's gotta give for these two and soon, right gang? Anyways, read and review :)