Title: Goidte Chuimhneacháin, pt 6

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"Potter,

Why is it that you assume you've done something wrong and that you need to try and buy my affections with an outrageously expensive gift? You know I cannot accept it, correct?

S. Snape"

It was the day after she'd sent the letter with the box with the cloak inside tied to a school owl, another owl – the one that brought her the gift if she recalled correctly – returned with a slip of parchment and the box tied to its claws.

"Dear Sariah,

Why do you assume that I bought you this gift to win your favor? I thought it was lovely and I thought that you would like the gesture, it is purely innocent. I promise.

Yours,

James"

James sat at the breakfast table with his parents and his best mate Sirius. Sirius was more moody today than he'd been since Lily started avoiding conversations with him. It was odd, James knew, and he wanted nothing more than to fix his best mate's problems. Not that James himself was a miracle worker, for he had his own problems with the unwavering witch that was named Sariah Snape.

The family owl swooped in at that moment and he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement and yet he could also feel trepidation at what she wrote especially seeing as that blasted box was still attached to his owl. He read her words and growled deep in his throat.

"Potter,

I do not assume, I presume – and yes there is a difference. Say I believe that you were completely honourable in your intentions and did not wish to buy my affections; what is it that you want in return? And do not insult my intelligence by saying nothing, for I shan't believe you. Just be frank in what you want or keep your gift.

S. Snape"

"May I be excused?" He asked his parents, who nodded before watching him walk – storm – out of the kitchen and up the stairs with the letter clutched in one hand and the box underneath his arm.

"I wonder what she had to say." Sirius replied amused at his best mate's antics.

Alisa Potter laughed, "I'm not sure, but perhaps we should remind him that this house is old and we wouldn't want him to fall through the staircase."

Harold laughed with his wife before meeting Sirius' eyes. "What is going on with him and that witch?" He asked curiously.

Sirius halted the need to use the nickname he'd given the witch. "Sariah's her name, she's a Hufflepuff in name but she's got a wicked bite and is sharp as a whip like those who are in Slytherin or Ravenclaw." He explained. "Or that's what James says about her." He added. "She's best mates with Lily Evans-"

"-isn't that the witch he fancied?" Alisa interrupted.

Sirius shrugged. "Used to, I guess." He paused. "James said that she fancies someone else before he became slightly obsessed with Snape."

"Snape?" Harold asked. "Isn't there a boy you two tease with that last name?"

Sirius nodded, "-yeah, Sni-Severus Snape is Sariah's twin." He barely caught himself from saying 'Snivellus' but the displeased expression he received from Alisa Potter he knew he wasn't off the hook about the name calling. "I should probably go check on him." He said after several minutes of silence. "Is that alright?"

"Yes, you're excused." Harold said and watched with mirth in his eyes at the teen that left the room – quieter than his best mate – and pondered what they'd been told. "What are you thinking, dear?" He asked, seeing the calculating gleam in her blue eyes.

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"Mrs. Potter!" Pomona greeted, breaking the silence within the greenhouse where she and Sariah were working on getting the plants ready for the second semester. "What brings you to Hogwarts?"

The regal woman came in to the green house and tisked, "Pomona, please call me Alisa." She then leaned closer as if she had a secret. "The title 'Mrs. Potter' reminds me of Harold's mother Dorea." She then sat down at the one of the work benches. "As for what brings me to Hogwarts, I thought I should pay you a visit. Make sure my son isn't causing any unnecessary problems for my favorite professor."

Pomona laughed, "-of course not, Alisa. You know how wonderful your son is. Very studious, though not with Herbology – I'm afraid. He doesn't have your talent." Both witches smiled at each other. "How are you?"

"I am well." She said, glancing towards the young witch with dark black hair that was piled loosely on top of her head that was working around them. "And who might this be?"

Pomona looked towards Sariah. "Oh, Alisa, please let me introduce my newest prodigy – Sariah Snape." She gestured with her hand. "Sariah, please come meet Alisa Potter."

Sariah froze for only a moment as she gazed at the woman sitting next to her head of house. "Please to meet you, Mrs. Potter." Sariah said nodding her head, blushing a bit at the dirtiness of her robes compared to the polished witch in front of her. She could definitely see where James got his looks from, Alisa Potter was breathtaking. She had pale blue eyes and dark black hair. Her features were softer, more feminine than James' were, her nose was smaller and her chin wasn't as pronounced as her son's. "If you'll excuse me, Professor, Mrs. Potter, I should go and get cleaned up for lunch."

"Don't rush off, Sariah." Alisa pleaded softly. "James has spoken highly of you."

Shocked she responded, "-he has?"

Alisa chuckled softly, "-of course, though we had to get your name out of Sirius. My son seems to be very tight lipped when it came to that information."

"Black actually said my name?" Disbelief was written throughout her tone. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that." She said after realizing how her words may have come across.

Alisa leveled her with a steady gaze. "Sirius and James must've hurt you fairly badly –"

"It's not me they've hurt." Sariah interrupted politely. "At least not directly." She added softly. "I just don't understand why they pick on my brother so." She responded looking down, ashamed to be talking about this in front of her professor and James' mother but she was also saddened by the memories of the pranks they'd pulled on her brother.

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"Dad, where's mum?" James asked coming into the den where his father spent most of his time working. He had an office building, but he always seemed to do his best thinking in the comfort of their home.

Harold looked up. "I believe she went to Hogwarts."

Confused James asked, "-why would she go to Hogwarts?"

"I'd imagine, visiting Professor Sprout." Harold responded, standing up to go to his bookshelf. Looking at the titles of the books he picked up the one he was looking for. "Is there something you needed to speak with her about?" He asked noticing that James hadn't moved from the doorway.

Shaking his head no he answered, "I just wanted to know if it was alright if Sirius and I went to London." At his father's expression he explained, "-we're going to meet up with Peter and Remus."

Harold chuckled, "-of course." At his son's pleased expression he added, "-be sure to be home in time for supper though, your mother will be home by then and will want to have supper as a family."

"Ok, thanks dad." James agreed. "Is it okay if Remus and Peter come?" He asked after he turned towards the door.

"Yes, that should be fine." Harold agreed. "Have fun and be careful!" He called to the retreating back of his only son.

"We will!" Sirius called from the living room where the out-bound fireplace was.

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It was later that night when a lone owl swooped into the great hall landing in front of Sariah, who was telling Severus about Mrs. Potter's visit that afternoon and her embarrassing confession to the older witch. Absentmindedly she accepted the letter, offering the owl a treat before glancing down at the letter. The writing was unfamiliar and very beautiful. Confused she opened the envelope and read,

"Dear Miss Sariah Snape,

I'm pleased to invite you and a guest to the Potter's annual New Year's Eve Party. Dinner will be served promptly at 6pm followed by an evening of dancing until midnight when we bring in the New Year. Being that you're an underage witch, I have already asked Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Sprout and they have agreed to allow you to leave Hogwarts for the festive event.

I do hope that you will come and please note that dress robes are required for the evening. Please RSVP by simply writing your answer at the bottom of this invitation, if you are in attendance a carriage will be awaiting you at 4:30 sharp.

Yours truly,

Alisa and Harold Potter"

The invitation fell onto the table and Sariah simply just stared at it like it was going to eat her.

"Sariah, what is it?" Severus asked, putting a calming hand on her shoulder. Not answering his question she simply pushed the invitation towards him with her forefinger. "Are you going?" He asked.

His tone wasn't what she expected from him and she turned to face him. "I don't know." She answered honestly. "New Years Eve is in a couple days and I haven't any dress robes." She whispered the last part as though she were ashamed.

Severus nodded, "-perhaps if you sell some more of your plants to the apothecary you'll have enough to buy some robes."

"You think I should go?"

"If you want to." He allowed. "You obviously made an impression on Madam Potter if she is willing to invite you into their home for an annual party." He reread the first line before suggesting, "-perhaps Lily would like to go with you."

"I will ask." She said suddenly apprehensive over what her red haired sister would say to the invite. She wanted to take Severus with her, but she knew that even at James' parent's home he might not like her brother there. Plus Black was most likely going to be there and Black still hadn't learned to control his tongue in regards to her brother and she didn't want to make Severus uncomfortable.

After several hours trying to get the wording correct she sent off a letter to Lily. She also penned a letter to the apothecary to see if they needed any more plants so that she could get some money to buy robes. If they didn't, she supposed she could transfigure one of her everyday robes into something nice – though she was loathed to do that as she wasn't a master at transfiguration and she wasn't about to botch up a set of her robes to try it out.

Sariah woke the next morning to the tapping of an owl on her window pane. Crawling out from under her warm blankets she opened the window. She was the only fifth year witch in Hufflepuff to remain at the castle which was nice as she got to spend time alone without fear of anyone interrupting her quiet time.

"Sariah,

Wow, that's a lot to take in. Of course I would like to go with you! I wouldn't feel right about sending a badger into the lions den alone. I've asked my parents, they say that I can travel to Hogwarts the day before New Year's Eve and stay there for the rest of the break, so long as it's okay with my head of house. I've written Professor McGonagall asking if it was alright, so I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.

Do you need help picking out robes? Or transfiguring a set? I would be more than happy to help you out in any way that I can.

I can't wait! I will see you on the 30th.

Love,

Lily"

Sariah let out the deep breath she didn't realize that she was holding in. Of course Lily wouldn't have turned her down, though she could feel the surprise in her writing that Sariah was even considering going to the party. She told her about Mrs. Potter's visit and the kind way the witch treated her and about what Severus said.

Pulling out the invitation she took her quill and at the bottom wrote, "Two in attendance" and watched as the letters seeped into the parchment before disappearing.

Dressing she exited the Hufflepuff rooms and entered the great hall. She saw Professor Sprout heading towards her from the head table and she waited patiently for the earthy teacher to reach her. "Miss. Snape, I've heard that you've received an invitation to the Potter's for their New Year's Eve Party." She said and without waiting for a response she handed the young witch a money sack. "For your help in the green houses this year." She added seeing the shock on the younger witch's face.

"Professor," Sariah started. "I can't accept this."

Pomona smiled, "-consider it poor payment for all your wonderful help the past four years. All the student's you've tutored, helping me prepare for the younger years and keeping up with the plants. I don't know where I'd be without your help."

"Thank you, professor." Sariah said softly. "But you needn't have worried about it."

Pomona just smiled kindly. "I would appreciate your help later in green house number 5 if you have time."

"Of course, you know how I love Herbology."

"And that, dear, is why you'll accept my humble payment of gratitude."

End pt 6