Dark blood-discussions on the train

Well this is good! Two chapters on the same day is not bad. Anyway once again Thankyou to all of you who made my day:)

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On the Hogwarts express

Harry and his friends were all set and ready to go when they heard a slam by the train door. It was soon followed by a yelp and shouting.

Neville faced Harry."what is that?"

Harry shook his head."I have absolutely no idea. " But that voice sounds really familiar, Harry thought to himself. He stood up.

"I'm going to have a look. Neville, come with me. We'll be right back after we've checked it out"

The remaining four nodded and carried on their conversation about Quiddich. Harry and Neville left the cabin and stepped outside cautiously. Just as they walked out Neville bumped into a tall, dark, intimidating figure. He wore thin black glasses over his stormy grey eyes and had a hood shadowing his face except for his piercing eyes. They blended in well with the black trench coat he wore.

The dark man grunted."sorry, I just needed someplace to calm down"

Neville gulped. "Uhhh that's ok. We were just...uhh-"

Harry intervened. "We just wanted to see if everything was ok." Harry hadn't realised he had whipped out a wand and was pointing it at the man.

Until now. The man looked shocked and had his eyes glued to the wand. Then he looked up to meet the green eyes of Harry. Then he spun around quickly and ran off to the other part of the train. Neville looked at the wand and spoke softly.

"Harry, that's not your wand. It's black and long and-"

"I know Neville. This is professor Snape's wand. I found it in the shack where he... Where he died. I keep it with mine." He lifted it to show Neville." I guess I pulled his out by mistake instead. I don't know why that man was so surprised though."

"He seemed in a hurry. Anyway we should get back inside."

Harry nodded but as he was about to go back, he looked in the direction that the man took off in. He couldn't shake the strange feeling he had gotten through those eyes. Like he had seen them before.

Servine ran back to the cabin, they had taken as their own. Alder was no where to be seen and the suitcase had been left unattended. Servine took the opportunity to sit down and let the dizziness fade. Despite his personal daily treatment for the venom, he still suffered from dizziness when his body was taxed too much. On occasion he passed out completely, but that only happened when he Really over did it. He had to be careful for at least another month before he could even hope to get better. He couldn't let someone like Potter see his weakness-Potter! The boy had just seen him. Well not exactly because luckily he had been smart enough to put his hood up before walking around. Though the charms were still in place. Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in despair. There was no need to run off like that, they wouldn't have recognised him anyway and there was no way he could keep running off every time he saw Potter. He was going to teach the boy for Merlins sake!

"Servine? Are you alright? Servine? Severus?"

Servine's head snapped up. He hadn't realised Albus-Alder was referring to him. Great. He had just ignored his new name. He would need to be more careful or that could happen again, only in front of others. Namely Potter. Servine growled in frustration and put his head in his hands, clearly at war with himself. The guilt, pain and suffering bombarded him like a Blizzard and his emotions began to overwhelm him.

Alder didn't like this slumped form of Severus and took a seat opposite him observing him closely. He momentarily considered using legilimency to read the wizards thoughts but immediately refrained from it. It wouldn't do to impose on ones privacy, especially Severus'.

"What is bothering you child?"

Servine didn't even bother to comment on the use of 'child'. Instead he gave a muffled reply."pfffidonntwanttodothis"

Alder leaned forward. "Pardon?"

"I said I don't want to do this." He looked up. "Why are we going back? You know I feel guilty. You know it hurts me yet you still..." Then he dropped his head in his hands again. Alder grabbed Servine's wrists and slowly pulled them away from the saddened face. He gazed into the now grey eyes and whispered. "Severus. You have to forgive yourself. They have forgiven you, I am sure. There is no need to feel so worried. You have nothing to fear, child for you have done no wrong. Even Lily has forgiven you-"

Anger flashed across the grey eyes.

"Don't."

"It is true, Servine, I speak the truth" Alder let go off Servine's wrists and leaned back on his side of the cabin. Servine also leaned back.

"This has nothing to do with that"

"Oh but it does. The whole reason you cannot let to of guilt is because you have lived with it for so long. You cannot continue to do this to yourself."

"We are done discussing this. If you want to talk to me about this headmaster, it will have to wait till another time. Right now, I am not up for it" and then silence filled the cabin. Alder looked slightly hurt but tried to hide it. Servine saw this and felt bad for creating the hurt in the green eyes. He sighed and spoke.

"I saw Potter just now."

The hurt was soon replaced with curiosity and Servine was relieved. "And? Child what happened?"

"Nothing of great significance. I was wondering around and Neville bumped into me, with Potter tagging along. They both asked if everything was alright to which I said yes. That is until I realised Potter was pointing a wand at me." Then Servine stopped for a moment and sat up straight to whisper something to Alder. Alder reciprocated the action and leaned forward to listen.

"Albus. That was...it was my wand he had"

"Really? Are you sure?" Albus seemed genuinely curious and excited.

"I am absolutely sure. It was long birch, twelve inches and black with no intricate designs visible. I know it's mine because all the designs are-"

"On the handle. Yes Severus, I know. And I also know what Harry's actual wand looks like. The question is, why does Harry now have it? And I wonder if there is a way to get it back."

"Headmaster. I care not, how he managed to acquire it. I just want to have it back. I will not have Potter's son waving it around with probably as minimal care as is possible. "

"Severus, you can stop that now. There is no need to hate Harry anymore. I know why you did before, but that was then and this is now. You can acknowledge that he is part of Lily too. As for your beloved wand, give me some time to think of a way to get it back. We will"

Servine relaxed a little and looked at the floor. "Old habits die hard. Nevertheless I will endeavour to look at Potter differently from now on"

Alder's green eyes twinkled and he smiled. "Good. I am glad my son listens so well."

Servine rolled his eyes. "This is becoming an irritating pattern. First, an increase in the use of the word "child", now the reference of 'son'? What next? Are you going to start giving me candy canes and lollipops every few minutes?

Albus chuckled and pulled out a lemon drop. Severus groaned and soon the train came to a halt.

It wasn't long before the two new professors were standing outside the gate to Hogwarts school of witch craft and wizardry. Albus inhaled deeply and smiled. Severus on the other hand, had gone pale and was clenching his fists.

"It's alright, child. No one can recognise us anyway"

The gates opened and they made their way through the empty hall and into the Headmistress' office. When they opened the door, the sight they were met with wasn't what they had expected at all. They were not alone with the headmistress.

"And here they are now. Neville, Luna, Ginny, Hermione, Ronald and Harry. I would like you to meet our new Potions and Defense professors, Alder and Servine Slade."

All six students in the room, plus Minerva turned to Albus and Severus. Severus could literally feel the sweat forming on his brow. His went mouth went dry but luckily Albus rescued him.

"Pleased to meet you all. I am professor Alder Slade and this is my son professor Servine T. Slade. We look forward to teaching you this year"

"Indeed. It is truly a pleasure to-" Severus, who had just found his voice was suddenly cut off by the one voice he didn't want to hear. Harry Potter was staring at him and yelled,

"It's You!"

TBC;)