The rest of summer seemed to pass in a haze. Severus was still helping Hal with work in the shop, and he continued to find himself enjoying the physical labour. Surprisingly, Hal noted that Severus seemed to have a knack for it; the precision that was needed for some of the more exact work. It felt weird, being told by someone that they were proud of him. He didn't know what to do with that. But still, he liked the feeling it gave him. He'd wanted so badly to hear it, for so long.
Then there was the recent news in the Daily Prophet. Dumbledore had since contacted him, and assumingly also Lupin. He let them know that he'd used some connections in the Ministry to bury their files, and that, in the meantime, he was working to get the decree's repealed, or at least altered to be less discriminatory, and protect both parties. At the very least, the language needed to be changed. A total repeal would be the best case scenario. Unfortunately, no matter what occurred it would take some time. Dumbledore had a lot of political power, but even he did not have the power to change laws on a whim. There were systems in place. Dumbledore could get everything started, and encourage others to review their decisions, but ultimately, people had to be persuaded.
He'd thought about contacting Lupin again, but figured he'd see him at Hogwarts soon enough, regardless.
A part of him was still reluctant to trust the boy who has helped make his life hell. Lupin had many a time, ignored his friends as they bullied Severus.
But he was the one who truley understood. Lupin knew full well how helpless the entire situation felt. Even Lily, as much as she tried, didn't understand. Not in the same way. He didn't want her to either.
It was all so confusing.
On top of everything else, the Evanses had family from London come and visit. Her cousins Asher and Dhalia, along with their parents - Hal's side of the family. They were nice, but in the handful of times Severus had met them, he'd decided they really didn't have much in common. They mostly hung around Petunia, and honestly, that suited Severus just fine. He'd never been great with people if he was honest. And before they knew it, their Hogwarts letters had arrived. Then the next few days were a blur of back to school shopping, both for them and Petunia, who would be leaving for the University of London within the week.
She would be starting a secretarial course, clearly intending to get out of Cokeworth.
When they did make their way to Diagon Alley during the last week before school, it became clear that they Alley had changed. The colourful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind the large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them. Most of these sombre purple posters carried blown-up versions of the security advice on the Ministry pamphlets that had been sent out over the summer giving the attacks and disappearances that had been happening.
Unfortunately, that also came along with a lot of seedy individuals hanging about. Severus could easily spot a number of shabby-looking stalls had sprung up along the street. The nearest one, which had been erected outside Flourish and Blotts, under a striped, stained awning, had a cardboard sign pinned to its front: AMULETS: Effective Against Werewolves, Dementors, and Inferi
A seedy-looking little wizard was rattling armfuls of silver symbols on chains at passersby.
"One for you, young lady?" he called, leering at Lily. "Protect your pretty neck?"
Severus glared at the amulet seller, grabbing Lily's hand.
"Because there is no way they're not all faulty," Lily said sarcasticLlg. "Let's get out of here before someone does something stupid, shall we?"
"Truer words have never been spoken," he said with a snort. "They don't look remotely reputable."
"Stupid greed," Lily said, shaking her head.
Severus nodded. "Where do you wish to go first?"
"I think we'd better do Madam Malkin's first," said Lily. "I'm showing too much ankle in my school robes, and you've grown a lot too."
She had a point, Severus thought, as he glanced at both their robes. It felt strange not having to worry about the cost of his school supplies this year. The Evans' had made it very clear that they weren't letting him go back to school with shabby clothes and supplies.
He didn't think the red would ever fade after that conversation. It's not like he was able to help it. Honestly. He didn't ask to be born in poverty, and to an obnoxious drunk who just wasted the little money they did have.
"Very well," he said. "Come on then."
"Perfect."
While walking, everus noticed that many of the people who passed them had a harried, anxious look and that nobody was stopping to talk anymore; the shoppers stayed together in their own tightly knit groups, moving intently about their business. Nobody seemed to be shopping alone. Not that this was very surprising.
It wasn't long before they were stepping outside of Madam Malkin's, and entered the little shop together. It was empty when they went in.
"Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.
"New uniforms, dears?" she said when Lily started to speak.
"Yes, thank you, Ma'am," said Lily, smiling.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Follow me this way."
THe both of them were then lead to the back of the shop and went to stand on the stools. Both of them knew the drill at this point.
Madam Malkin slipped a long robe over Severus' head and began to pin it to the right length. A second witch did likewise with Lily.
She seemed rather distracted while doing his fitting, but it wasn't long before they were finished and she bowed them out of the shop.
"That's you done, my dear," she said to Severus, who immediately hopped down from the footstool. Lily wasn't finished much later.
They then made their way over to Flourish and Blotts to get their school books. For his Sixth Year he would need; The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 6, Quintessence: A Quest, Confronting the Faceless, Flesh-Eating Trees of the World, Advanced Potion-Making, Numerology and Grammatica, as well as A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration.
Severus had Advanced Potion-Making, Quintessence: A Quest, and The Standard Books of Spells from his mother, and didn't see the point of making the Evanses purchase new copies for no reason. The rest of the books he would need to purchase, however.
After Flourish and Blotts they went to Amanuensis Quills, the Magical Menagerie – where Severus didn't buy anything, and then popped in at the Apothecary. Both Lily and Severus were continuing Potions and needed to restock their ingredients. They could always do it throughout the year, but it made things much simpler this way.
"Would you like to stop by Florean Fortescue's? It is quite hot out today," Lily suggested.
"Well, -"
"Sev, you should know by now my parents don't mind spending money on you," she said. "You're family."
"Still, I don't feel like costing them too much."
"Do you want me to smack you silly?" she said with a snort. "Relax, Sev."
"Oh, all right," he said awkwardly.
"Good," said Lily with a soft smile. "So Fortescue's, Sugarplum's Sweets, or the Leaky Cauldron?"
"I don't care," said Severus honestly. "You decide."
"Ice cream sounds good, but the Leaky Cauldron has actual food," said Lily thoughtfully. "It probably wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Leaky Cauldron it is then," he said. "
"All right, let's go," said Lily beaming.
Severus ended up having Cornish pasty for lunch, and Lily – some Steak and kidney pie. Both of them were excited about the upcoming year, although Severus was slightly anxious. They discussed the coming year, and what N.E.W.T.s they were planning on studying.
"Do you think anyone is continuing with History of Magic?"
"I can't think of anyone of the top of my head," said Lily.
"I'm not surprised."
"Nor I," said Lily. "In any case, we get more free blocks this year, right?"
"Yes, although I doubt they'll be truley free."
"Hmmm."
"You realise all that free time this year is so we study right?" stated Severus.
"And I thought we'd caught a break," teased Lily.
"You wish," he said with a snort. "You do know what N.E.W.T.s stands for?" Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test
"Yes," she chuckled. "I still can choose to live in blissful ignorance, no?"
"If you wish." He rolled his eyes.
"Oh, you know you love me."
Severus just huffed in reply, and they went back to their lunch.
After lunch, they went to Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment and finally the Apothecary.
"Do you have everything?" asked Lily.
"I think so," he said, giving his list another quick once-over.
"Brilliant," said Lily. "And we have a half-hour before we have to meet Mum back at the mall."
"Want to head there now?" he inquired. "It might take us that long."
"Actually, we have one more stop."
"We do?" .
"Yes," she said.
"And where would that be?"
"We have to go pick up some clothes I ordered from Madam Malkin's," said Lily.
"We were just there," he said, slightly confused.
"And I ordered some other clothes while you were being fited."
"Oh."
"They're for you actually."
"Lily -"
"Mum's orders, Sev!" said Lily. "This is why I didn't say anything until the last minute. It's already done. They're ordered."
Severus started wringing his hands.
"Relax, Sev. It's fine."
"I don't want -"
"Severus, you're not a burden. You need clothes and food. Your father might have thought they were previlages, but they shouldn't be."
"But -"
"Sev, you're a teenager. Let the adults worry about it."
"What did you order?"
"Well, I know Mum bought you three new muggle outfits. And I did the same with your dayrobes."
"Hmmm."
"Mum wants to do this, Sev."
Severus nodded stiffly, following Lily to pick up his new clothes.
Once home, they spent most of the afternoon outside, avoiding Petunia, until they were called in for supper.
Severus admittedly wasn't hungry, and usually didn't eat much, but he didn't really have a choice at the Evans house, so forced himself to finish a plate, and then the seconds that Violet gave him.
"You're a growing boy, Severus." That was her response whenever he said he wasn't hungry. He'd since given up even arguing the point. He did notice it was getting easier though. And especially after a full moon, he was actually quite hungry.
He supposed his appetite was becoming somewhat normal. He knew his appetite hadn't been exactly healthy.
Oh well.
After supper, Hal through a film on the telly, and they sat down and watched it: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
It was an odd film, Severus personally thought. He did enjoy himself, however. Watching the movie, and eating sweets; simply relaxing with the rest of the family. That was a weird thought. Hmmm. Maybe Lily was right. He was family.
That thought made his lips turn upwards, forming a small smile.
The film was about a boy named Charlie Bucket who received this Golden Ticket, which was part of a contest. With the ticket, he is allowed to go and visit a man named Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with four other children from around the world. A bunch of antics took place with the children, and the parents, as rather stupid decisions were made throughout. Some of it, which Severus did actually find quite entertaining.
They even had these weird singing numbers, where these creatures... Oompa Loompas... would sing in reaction to whatever ridiculous thing has just transpired.
It was quite a bizarre film, really.
"What was your favourite part, Sev?" Mrs Evans asked.
"Not sure."
"Hmmm," said Lily. "Well, mine was the scene where he showed the golden ticket. It was adorable, all the excitement and dancing."
"I couldn't stop watching the Oompa Loompas," Severus said with a snort. "They are odd, cheaky, little things."
"That is one way to describe them," said Petunia.
"My word," said Lily, "their songs are hilarious. I loved the blueberry scene."
"Of course you did," said Petunia.
"Everlasting bubblegum," Hal said.
"I thought the ending was sweet," Violet chimed in.
"Oh, it was," Lily agreed.
Not much later Severus helped clean up and went to his room to relax before likely going to sleep. It was already getting late when the film ended.
The room was actually quite clean, not surprising if you knew him. Severus had a tendancy to be slightly particular about his belongings. Not having much growing up, what he did have, he made sure to take care of and make last. The only thing particularly messy was the owl feathers by the recently acquired cage. Then there was a number of spellbooks lay higgledy-piggledy on his desk, alongside a mess of newspapers. The headline of one of the papers blared:
MINISTRY GUARANTEES STUDENTS' SAFETY
Minister of Magic, Harold Minchum, spoke today of the tough new measures taken by his Ministry to ensure the safety of students returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this autumn.
"For obvious reasons, the Ministry will not be going into detail about its stringent new security plans," said the Minister, although an insider confirmed that measures include defensive spells and charms, a complex array of counter-curses, and a small task force of Aurors dedicated solely to the protection of Hogwarts School.
A large trunk stood in the very middle of the room, mere feet away from the owl cage, and his desk. Its lid was open; it looked expectant; yet it was almost empty but for a residue of old underwear, sweets, an empty ink bottle or two, and a broken quill at the very bottom. Nearby, on the floor, lay a purple leaflet emblazoned with the words:
Issued on behalf of The Ministry of Magic
PROTECTING YOUR HOME AND FAMILY AGAINST DARK FORCES
The Wizarding community is currently under threat from an organisation calling itself the Death Eaters. Observing the following simple security guidelines will help protect you, your family, and your home from attack.
You are advised not to leave the house alone.
"Not hard to figure out why," Severus thought to himself.
Particular care should be taken during the hours of darkness. Wherever possible, arrange to complete journeys before night has fallen. Review the security arrangements around your house, making sure that all family members are aware of emergency measures such as Shield and Disillusionment Charms, and, in the case of underage family members, Side-Along-Apparition. Agree on security questions with close friends and family so as to detect Death Eaters masquerading as others by use of the Polyjuice Potion (see page 2). Should you feel that a family member, colleague, friend, or neighbour is acting in a strange manner, contact the Magical Law Enforcement Squad at once. They may have been put under the Imperius Curse (see page 4). Should the Dark Mark appear over any dwelling place or other building, DO NOT ENTER, but contact the Auror office immediately. Unconfirmed sightings suggest that the Death Eaters may now be using Inferi (see page 10). Any sighting of an Inferius, or encounter with same, should be reported to the Ministry IMMEDIATELY.
He sighed. This summer would have been a reasonably happy, peaceful holiday - even with the transformations - had it not been for the stories of disappearances, odd accidents, even of deaths now appearing almost daily in the Prophet. Things were getting bad out there. That thought scared him. If anyone found out he was a werewolf... most already thought him dark. They didn't need to be able to label him a dark creature as well.
Werewolves were not exactly looked upon kindly, in either the Muggle or Magical worlds.
Strange, really... The Evans' being able to accept it as well as they had. Then again, they did accept Lily as being magical. Nor did they grow up hearing real-life horror stories. Sure, they had been slightly uneasy about it towards the beginning, but they seemed to accept Severus was only a monster one night a month. It wasn't him. Severus didn't even remember what happened during his transformations. It wasn't him. It was like somebody else taking over your body, and waking up several hours later wonder what had transpired. That still didn't sit well with him; not having control of anything, especially his memory.
Snapping out of his reveries, Severus glanced at the time. Realising it was late, he folded the paper back up and went to bed.