Thank you all for the encouragement!!!!

Snape had not bothered to shrink their grocery bags, so they divided them up and headed back to Spinner's End, at about mid-morning. Harry, apparently emboldened by the relative kindness he had so far been shown, decided to ask about the interesting design on the wrist cuff he kept catching glances of.

"Sir, the band on your wrist. . . what does it mean?" Harry murmured, peering up at his professor.

Snape did not slow his pace, remaining silent for a few moments.

Finally he spoke: "It symbolizes balance. . . of power, of the elements, of society, of nature, and of knowledge. The metal itself was washed in a sacred pool deep in the Caledonian highlands. It is imbued with protective qualities."

Harry frowned. "I didn't think stuff like that was real. I mean. . . what I learned at Hogwarts seems more. . . Science-y."

"There are places of power where the concentration of magic is more palpable. Our abilities are intertwined with the earth. Of course, not all magical folk adhere to this truth anymore, choosing to believe their magic is an independent quality they posses, rather than channel. This old truth undermines certain pureblood beliefs of superiority, which is ironic considering that most who still adhere to such teachings are old purebloods. Most old knowledge and traditions, and certain abilities of a type similar are labeled dark, by the ministry, and are dying out. . . though it is my belief that most are not truly intrinsically dark and your intent is what matters, especially considering the ministry only gains more power by outlawing certain practices and knowledge, and can only benefit from a handicapped and ignorant populace! I have seen a tickling charm kill a man, but a sacrificial spell labeled "dark" give life to a dying child, their parent willingly performing the spell!" Severus stopped his rush of speech, his eyes suddenly focusing on the familiar green eyes, the eyes of his old companion with whom he used to share such thoughts as he just expressed, but in the wrong face.

The boy seemed outraged at the thought of Ministry control, and did not notice that Severus was becoming outraged over something completely different. His hate was arrested by someone screaming, "Rus!"

Both Snape and Harry turned, and we're confronted by a weary looking woman dressed in form fitting brightly colored clothes, flashy but surprisingly practical heels, and rather garish makeup. Her hair was an unnatural blonde, and she looked to be a bit North of sixty. Her water blues eyes were wide in shock as she took in Severus and Harry.

"Mary." Severus dipped his head politely.

"Who's this then?!" The woman exclaimed, staring at Harry.

Severus to his surprise noted the boy shuffling closer to his side, shyly, as he answered; "This is Wren. My son."

The woman blinked rapidly, then turned to the boy and smiled at him. "Good t' meet ye, Wren. M' name's Angel, but m' friends call me Mary."

Harry, still rather uncertain, murmured a polite reply.

"Didn't Ken ye had a chil' 'Rus." The woman commented, turning to Snape, her curiosity apparent.

"It's an unexpected development." Severus muttered.

The woman nodded wisely. Her eyes slid to Wren, then back to Snape, a small smile on her lips. "Y'ave gorgeous green eyes, m'lad. Like yer mum's." With this pronouncement, the woman passed them by.

"Got to go 'ome and get some shut eye. us workin' girls need t' keep a good schedule." Mary shot over her shoulder, smirking slightly. "G'night m' boys."

Snape rolled his eyes heavenwards as he and Wren echoed her farewell. They continued on their walk. The older wizard silently counted the seconds, not surprised when he only reached fifteen before the boy asked his question.

"Where does Mary work, sir?"

"She's a prostitue." Snape replied bluntly.

Harry's eyes grew to resemble saucers.

It wasn't that he was embarrassed to be familiar with someone who could be considered the dregs of society by both wizards and muggles alike. Hell, he technically fit in the same social bracket; former convict and ex-terrorist most likely afflicted with PTSD who lived in a slum, and spent his time off term getting pissed on firewhisky and occasionally certain addictive drugs and potions. . . and it wasn't like the boy was actually his son, and had potentially been cheating on Wren's mother either (obviously), but he still felt the need to defend himself.

"I don't and have never patronized her particular business, boy, or anything like it, so don't look so horrified. She's always been rather motherly to the Cokeworth brats, she knew me since I was younger than you." Snape growled.

". . . oh."

Snape rolled his eyes.

"She was nice." Harry added.

"Yes."

"Aunt Petunia always said that prostitutes were 'uncouth slags' that couldn't find a man who would marry them." Harry commented.

"The bitch would say that," Snape growled. "Prostitution is just what Mary was forced to turn to to earn enough money to live on, Wren."

"how do you know her so well, sir?"

Snape looks suspiciously at the boy, searching for any hidden meaning in his question, but found none. he sighed. perhaps the boy would be morw willing to talk about his home life if he spoke about his own.

"my muggle father made me get a job at the factory the summer before my 5th Year. all my wages went to him, to "earn my keep." Snape spat." After I got the job, they reduced my hours. I knew he wouldn't be pleased, and I wasn't keen on his reaction, so among other things, I ended up begging on the high streets to try to supplement my pay. Mary found me, got the story from me, and gave me some of her earnings every week until I went back to Hogwarts. We became rather familiar." Snape fell silent after this clipped account.

They continued walking side-by-side. Harry occasionally glanced at his Guardian in a contemplative manner as they went back to the house.

"she knew my mother too, sir?" Harry finally ventured.

" Yes. We were always about town together. Mary would have remembered that."

". . . Did. . . you and my mum like each other?" Harry murmured.

"What kind of stupid question is that, Potter?! of course we liked each other, we were friends!" Snape growled.

"No. . . I mean Liked each other." Harry mumbled.

"What the hell. . ." Snape abruptly realized what the boy meant and scowled. "Lily and I never dated, Potter. Nowind your own damn business!" Snape hissed.