Chapter 11:

The cold November winds swirled orange and red leaves down the street. People pulled their coats closer as they watched dark clouds roll in. "Looks like we're getting snow early," one man said to a colleague, who groaned.

"That's not good," the colleague replied. "I hate going to work in slush and I can't easily shovel my walkway with a swish of my wand."

"Oh, right, you live in a mostly muggle neighborhood."

"Exactly. I remember when it snowed when I was younger, Dad would just flick his wand and the sidewalk was cleared. Of course, we lived in Diagon Alley—no muggles allowed." The two turned the corner and nearly collided with a young man. "Watch where you are going!"

"The youth nowadays! And still wearing his robes, he just came from a muggle section."

"Probably came from that apparition point on the verge of the two areas." The two men shrugged as they stopped their conversation. They couldn't afford any suspicion from the muggles—not when the wizarding world was experiencing such peace. Of course, they didn't know how soon that peace would be shattered—from the inside.

Will never knew he had bumped into two wizards as he entered the magical zone. He was a wizard on a mission and nothing was going to distract him. He turned onto the street where the Ministry of Magic placed the Malfoys as part of their early release. Things had just taken a turn for the worse for the Snape family and Sam didn't need her relationship with the Malfoy family revealed then. Lily, Jamie and Will all believed that the Snape daughter was crazy for doing so, but respected her wishes. He stopped outside the house and knocked.

"Hello, you must be Will," said the woman who answered the door. She was thin, blonde haired and had blue eyes. Will knew then she must be Narcissa Malfoy. "Unless there are any other boys Sam's been bringing around."

"I wouldn't know, but I believe I am the only one. Is Sam here?"

"Yes, she just finished babysitting Selie for Lucius and I when I decided to invite her for dinner. She's inside, helping set the table."

"Could you get her? It's urgent," Will said. Narcissa seemed to note the young man's anxiety and nodded. She motioned him inside. He stood in the foyer as Narcissa spoke with Sam in the dining room. He could see Lucius sitting with Selie on his knee, both looking curious. Sam walked out to meet Will.

"What's up?" she asked, smiling. It quickly faded when she noticed Will's somber mood. "Narcissa said it was urgent. Is everything okay? Are my parents okay?" Sam was starting to panic.

Will placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it comfortably. "Your parents are fine. Well, as fine as they can be. Newman's reached new lows. He's taken over Hogwarts."

"What?" Sam thought her knees had given out. Luckily, she had Will's hand keeping her steady. "He's the new Headmaster? What qualifications does he have?"

"What qualifications did he have to start investigating the school in the first place?" Will countered. "But you might want to go home immediately."

"Home? Home where? To the apartment?"

"No. You are to go to your family. Snape Manor, I believe."

Sam was now hysterical. Lucius came out and was hugging her, making Will slightly jealous. "Snape Manor! They kicked my parents out of Hogwarts? How dare they! They've lived there forever!"

"Shh," Lucius said, rocking her slightly, as if she were Selie having a nightmare. "It'll be fine. Go home. I think they need you now." Sam nodded, taking her coat from Narcissa. "Thank you. I'll contact you guys when things quiet down. If they ever do." The Malfoys nodded and watched her leave with Will.

"Will Sammy be okay?" Selie asked, clutching her father's hand. He hugged her closer, sighing.

"I think so, sweetie, I think so. Come on, let's go eat."

Sam spent the weekend at Snape Manor with her parents. Well, more accurately, she spent it with her mother trying to help calm her father down. Severus was not taking his expulsion from the school he had called home nearly his entire life very well, which was honestly expected. There were times he would storm around the house, knocking everything over. Sam and Kiki would trail him whenever they could, muttering "reparo" quietly under their breaths. When they couldn't, the house elves would sweep the pieces up to be repaired later. Fortunately, he would never hurt his family and his anger was never physically directed at his wife or daughter. His temper was shorter than usual and they would often find themselves being snapped at, but an apology was quick to follow.

Then there were times he was pensive, staring off into space. He would walk as if a zombie, scaring Kiki and Sam the most during these times. He didn't respond to anything they said, he didn't eat, he didn't show emotion, he just…existed. They didn't like him like that at all. Then there were times, usually after this happened, when he would lock himself in his room. After sending in a house elf to spy on him the first time this had happened, they were more relieved when he went there. He just curled up on the bed and slept. Of course, trying to get him out of the room or for him to eat was an impossible task for either woman. There were times that they were tempted to call Dumbledore, but realized that not even his father figure would draw Severus out of his funk.

By Sunday night, Sam was ready to go back to the apartment as she still had class and clerking to go through during the week. "You think he'll come out?" Sam asked her mother, motioning to the door to the master bedroom.

"Fat chance," Kiki replied. "And he's always going on about Gryffindor stubbornness. He is more stubborn than any Gryffindor I have ever known—save Dumbledore himself."

Sam laughed. "Well, I'm going to try to see if he'll let me in."

"Good luck. If he does, let me know. I'm not enjoying this whole sleeping in another room thing," Kiki said, walking into the parlor. Sam shook her head before turning to knock on her father's door. She was met with silence, nothing signifying her father had heard it.

"Daddy, it's Sam, can you let me in?" Nothing. "Okay, listen, I just wanted to tell you that I'm leaving for class tomorrow morning and going back to the apartment afterwards. I had hoped I could say good-bye to you in person. I love you, Daddy." With that, Sam walked off to her room.

Later that night, Kiki finally got annoyed and when Kiki Snape was annoyed, the entire world ducked for cover. She marched up to her perpetually locked bedroom door and pounded on it. "Severus Snape, I'm your wife dammit! Let me in!" she yelled. "I vowed to stay by your side through good times and in bad ones. I meant every single word of that vow, as I know you did too. We've had our share of bad ones, but we've always managed them together! Let me help you now, just let me in, please?"

Nothing. "Fine. Be that way! You should know me! I'll let you open the door, but if you haven't done so in ten minutes, I'm opening the door myself and you better hope to Merlin that you are asleep when I do!"

Kiki pulled across the hallway, leaning against the wall. She crossed her arms, just staring at the door. The seconds ticked by, soon moving into minutes. She knew the clock was about to strike the hour—meaning Severus' ten minutes would be up. Kiki moved to access the sleeve where she kept her wand when a clicking noise caught her ear. Carefully, she approached the door and turned the knob. Pushing gently, she was relieved to find it opened. She slipped into her room, closing the door behind her.

It was early, but Sam needed to leave then if she wanted to make her first class. She pulled her bag over her shoulder, holding the tea the house elves pretty much shoved into her hands, as she stepped on to the veranda. "Miz Snape cants leave without a muffin!" Itsy rushed after the girl, frantically waving the muffin Sam couldn't leave without.

Sam giggled a bit. "Thank you, Itsy. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Be safe, Miz Snape!" Itsy disappeared back into the house. Sam smiled, sighing a bit. She adjusted her bag so she could easily hold the muffin and tea.

"She's right, you be safe. And eat that muffin. You're too skinny," a male voice rumbled from her left. She turned to see her father sitting on the porch swing, watching her.

"I'm not too skinny," she said, the first words that popped into her head. She sat down next to her father. "Do you want some?"

"No," Severus replied. "Either your mother or Itsy will shove another down my throat later."

"Daddy…"

"I'm not a pleasant person, Samantha."

"You usually are with me," Sam replied. "Well, with the exception of when I was in your class, but you had a reputation to protect. And any boy I bring home. And anyone who threatens me. But other than that, you are really pleasant when you're around me."

"I'm your father. I'm supposed to scare off unworthy dunderheads and those who would harm you."

"Daddy, not every boy I've ever brought home—or will continue to bring home—has been a dunderhead. Admit it."

"I have high standards. And in that case, they are all dunderheads. Even James. Hopefully he's just a phase Madi'll grow out of soon."

"Daddy," Sam admonished for the second time within ten minutes. He sighed, putting an arm around her.

"I'm sorry. This isn't really how I pictured saying good-bye," he said, pulling her closer.

"I'm only going back to school, Daddy, I'm not going away forever."

"I know. It's just…my entire world has been pulled out from underneath me. Everything feels different, Sam, and I have no control over it."

"Mom and I don't mind seeing you weak. Mom seems to have a knack for taking control when it is needed."

"Indeed, probably stems from her need to be involved in everything. But that sure has helped."

"And I came to help, too. I'm not the little girl who you always have to protect, Daddy. You have to realize that I can now protect you as well."

Severus sighed, kissing his daughter's forehead. "Go on. I don't want your protection over me to cut into your school time. Get those good grades, get a job and get out of my house," he said, pushing her off the veranda.

"I have my own place!" Sam called back. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, too, little girl."

"You know I hate that!" With that, Sam was gone.

Severus leaned back. "She's right you know," a voice drifted over her.

"I know."

"You have to realize you can't always be our protector. Sometimes, the kids and I can do fine on our own," Kiki said, sliding next to her husband. "You just have to sit back."

"You make me sound obsolete."

"Oh, never, darling!" Kiki replied, kissing his cheek. "We can handle ourselves, but we will always need you. Sam needs someone to talk to when she wakes up at night since she's still such a light sleeper. You are the best at calming Madi down when she has a panic attack. And Garret adores you, wants to be just like you even now as a teenager.

"And I'll always need a knight in shining armor," she whispered in his ear. He smirked, kissing her neck. "Good, now you're in a better mood. In that case, let's get some food in you. You, sir, haven't eaten all weekend!" With a "tsk," Kiki hoisted her husband up and dragged him to the breakfast table.

"So, Arden, how's Maxim doing?" Polly said, plopping down on one of the Ravenclaw couches. Arden shot her roommate a look before turning back to the book and parchment on her knee. "Are you ignoring me?"

"No, I'm trying to write an essay."

"An essay? You're giving up gossip for an essay?" Polly looked aghast.

Arden sighed. "Polly, what are you doing in Ravenclaw?"

"I'm smart."

"Smart doesn't automatically mean Ravenclaw," Arden replied. "Unfortunately for you, there isn't a house that is mainly about gossip."

Polly turned to their other two roommates. "Claire, Lauren, care to help me out?"

The two girls looked at each other and shook their heads. Claire turned back to her own essay while Lauren addressed their friend. "Sorry, Polly, but we're working on our own essays as well."

"Essays!" Polly screeched in disgust. "What are you all doing essays for?"

"Charms. Weren't you listening when Professor Weasley gave out the assignment in class today?"

Polly smirked. "I highly doubt that we need to do that essay," she replied. "I don't think Professor Weasley is long for the school. She's probably going the way of Professors Snape, Lupin and Anderson."

This caused Arden to snap her head up. "What are you talking about?" Polly just smirked in a superior way.

"You weren't at dinner tonight," Lauren commented. "I thought you were eating at the Slytherin table with whoever your boy toy of the week is."

"No, I was eating with Headmaster Newman. He's a very interesting man. I think he'll vastly improve this school. Look at how good it's going now—the werewolf and his whore is gone as is the traitor," Polly replied. Arden, Claire and Lauren gasped. "Oh, girls, this is the new order. Ravenclaws are supposed to be smart—be smart enough to realize we need to comply and figure into the new order." With that, Polly walked off.

"That isn't good," Claire said. "We'll see you later, Arden." With a nod, she and Lauren walked off. Arden sighed, leaning back. As she did so, a note dropped out of her charms textbook. Curious, she picked it up and read it. She stood up, moving to the group that contained Serenity Longbottom, Christina Michaelson and Allison Dumbledore. She dropped it casually amongst the friends before continuing to the fifth year dorms. Allison would make sure that the note would get to her brother.

"Things aren't looking too good right now, are they?" Lily asked the small group gathered in the apartment. She sat on one couch between Sam and Giachi, while Jamie and Kevin took the two seats. "The newsroom is so silent and still. Aunt Bianca called it 'the calm before the storm.' She's nervous."

"We're all nervous, Lil," Giachi replied, pulling her closer. Sam and Jamie would've noted it and teased her about it later, but the situation was too serious. "How's Uncle Severus?"

Sam sighed. "Mom says he's doing a lot better now and predicts that he'll be ready to storm the castle in a few days to retake the school back. Of course, Grandpa Albus won't let him do it then nor would he let Daddy do it alone."

"Naturally," Jamie countered. "But what about our sibs and friends still inside Hogwarts with that goon?"

"Look, Rawlins, Madi and James were with us when we were kidnapped. And, if my memory serves me correctly, we drove nearly everyone in that mansion to the brink of insanity. And were just children—they just tots!" Giachi commented.

"Giachi's right. Now that they are being trained in magic, they are more lethal than we were with just the little our parents and aunts and uncles had taught us up to that point," Sam replied. "They can hold their own and can do their part. What's ours?"

Kevin finally entered the conversation, still slightly uncomfortable at being there. He mentored Giachi as he was about to leave the academy and Jamie was a good friend, but these four had a lifelong friendship and history. And some serious rivalry between Giacomo Black and Samantha Snape. But he would offer some suggestions. "Maybe we can work with the adults?" he said.

The other four looked at each other and three of them started to laugh, but Jamie remained pensive. "Sorry, Kev, it's nothing against you. It's a wonderful suggestion," Giachi said between gasps. "But the adults aren't going to let us join them."

"To them, we're still supposed to be about 121 centimeters tall, not yet old enough to be in Hogwarts, let alone out of it, and still playing tag on the Hogwarts' lawns," Lily said, smiling.

Sam agreed. "That's just the way our parents and the other adults are. It's kind of annoying given that, at Rawlins' age, Uncle Harry was fighting Lord Voldemort. Merlin forbid we should help fight off a meanie like Newman."

"I think Newman is gearing himself up to be the next Moldy-Voldy," Lily said. "Remember what Arden told us?"

"Who's Arden?" Kevin asked.

"My sister," Giachi explained. "She's a fifth year at Hogwarts and a developing Seer. She had a dream where the spirit of a past Hogwarts student came to her and warned her about history repeating itself."

"Which I would like to avoid, especially since my father's however-great grandfather was killed during that and Mom had a premonition about my father's death. Not something we want to come true."

"Your mother is Seer also?" Kevin asked Sam.

"A very reluctant one. Back to the task at hand. What can we do?"

"Keep our ears and eyes open," Giachi said. "You're in the ministry, Lily's in the newsroom, while Jamie and I can listen around the Academy. Maybe our parents might slip something out."

"And, if this ghost student told Arden the truth, the Order has been raised for a while—not just the two weeks Grandpa Albus would like us to believe—and they know more." Sam sighed. "Just good luck getting them to tell us what that is!"

"What about Kevin?" Jamie asked, pointing to the man next to her. "He's known to Sirius has just a student, not a little kid he watched grow up."

"They'll let you in," Giachi said.

Lily continued, "Or tell you more than they would tell us. You up to it?"

"Certainly," Kevin replied. "Anything to help." The others smiled and continued to talk.

Maxim and Rawlins looked around the room at the group of students gathered in there. As seventh years, they felt it was their duty to keep the younger ones safe and to form this group. "Attention, this meeting of the newly formed Dumbledore's Army has come to order," Rawlins replied.

"Shouldn't it be Snape's Army? I mean, he was the Headmaster," Draco asked.

"Dumbledore's Army is the traditional name," Maxim argued.

"You're only defending it because it's your grandfather's name," Garret said. "Snape's my dad."

"We're leaving it at Dumbledore's Army because the original name was Defense Association, since it was created when Umbridge was around," Rawlins explained. "At least, that's what Aunt Hermione told me."

"Can we start?" Maxim asked, arms crossed. Everyone nodded. The boy was still shy, but no one wanted him angry. They had all learned that bad things happened to whoever made Maxim Michaelson angry. He had a quiet form of revenge. "Good. Now, we all now the basics. The cancellation of DADA class, Aunt Kiki's vision, Arden's dream and now, the expulsion of Uncle Severus as Headmaster. Now, Newman is headmaster. Anything else?"

"I think Aunt Mione is the next teacher to go," Arden replied. "I was talking with my roommate Polly—well, actually, she was bothering me—while doing my Charms homework. She said that she heard from Newman himself that Aunt Mione might be fired."

"Did she hear at dinner?" Jessica asked. Arden nodded. "There have been several students who have been asked to eat with Newman. I think he's trying to form a core group of followers. He's tried with many Slytherins."

"All of them have said no," Garret interjected. "He replaced a Slytherin headmaster and as cunning as we are, the house isn't going to let such a slight to our reputation go unnoticed."

"He tried to approach the Gryffindor house, but I think he knew it was fruitless," Alida explained. "He took one look at me and walked away."

"Well, not before calling her the 'werewolf's brat' for good measure," Susan said, disgustedly. "And my mother is supposed to get fired? She's going to have a nervous breakdown."

"As much as we love Aunt Mione, I think my mom and Uncle Ron should handle the nervous breakdown and we should handle the growing number of students joining Newman," commented Molly. "From what we figure, they are mostly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws."

"More Ravenclaws," Christina said. "Though Jonathan Newman is a Hufflepuff, Ravenclaws are aligning themselves with the new headmaster."

"That makes sense," Maxim replied. "Grandpa always said that when it came down to it, Hufflepuff would usually side with the Gryffindors while the Ravenclaws would run with the Slytherins."

"Okay, Arden, you're a prefect. Work with the other Ravenclaw prefects to try to curb the amount of students who are signing up with Newman. Christina, Allison, Serenity and Brian, try to convince your peers as well. But stay low. We're not high on Newman's list right now," Rawlins warned. "Now, let's go back. It's after curfew and we only have one Marauder's Map." With a nod, they dispersed.

The Gryffindors were a larger amount of students, so they flipped a coin to decide whether the Ravenclaws or the Slytherins would get the map. The Ravenclaws won. Arden walked ahead of the others, map in hand, wand at the ready in case she needed to wipe it clean. "Looks like we're pretty safe as are the Gryffindors," she said. "We'll be back in the dorm so—uh oh. Looks like Filch is heading straight for the Slytherins and we can't warn them." The others looked concerned, praying for their friends.

"Well, well, well, what have we here? Students outta bed?" The group froze as Garret sighed. Of course, Filch would catch them because they didn't have the Marauder's Map. They all turned around slowly.

"We're sorry, Mr. Filch, we'll be heading back to the dorm," Garret said, trying to plead with the man. "You've known me since I was a baby; you know I'm good for it."

"Yeah, I've known you since you were a baby. You know who else I've known since infanthood? Mrs. Norris. Raised her from a kitten."

"Mr. Filch? What does Mrs. Norris have to do with us being out of bed?" Jessica asked.

"No offense," Draco added quickly.

Filch looked around. "Seen Mrs. Norris lately?" The three Slytherins looked at each other and realized they hadn't. So, they shook his head. "New Headmaster's allergic to her. Threw her out!"

"I'm sure Hagrid's taking care of her. You can always ask him," Jessica comforted, feeling really weird doing so.

Filch nodded and leaned forward. The kids caught a whiff of brandy. They knew that Filch never drank when both Dumbledore and Snape were headmasters. "You kids plotting to get rid of that bastard? Like your parents would do?" The kids nodded. "Good. Go on. I'm not going to do anything to you." With that, he walked off. The kids were confused but quickly rushed to the Slytherin common room before their luck wore off.

"Sam, come in," Lucius said, holding the door open with his cane. "What's going on? How's your father?"

"Incensed."

"And that's…?"

"An improvement from how I found him when I left. Thanks for the comfort on Friday."

"Anytime. I may not be your father, or trying to replace your father, but I can still provide a shoulder to cry on." Lucius sat down on the couch, motioning for Sam to join him. "I'm glad you came. Cissa took Selie out for some school supplies and the silence was starting to drive me insane." Sam laughed. "So, what do you need?"

"Your experience." Lucius' eyebrows shot up. "As you know, my father has been replaced with Newman, whom we think is poising himself to become the next Dark Lord. Now, of course, my parents and other adults aren't telling us much because, you know, we are adults ourselves. We need someone who has knowledge about how a Dark Lord operates."

"And since your father won't tell you, I'm just as good," Lucius said.

"If not better. My father turned at the end of the first war. You were deep into Voldemort the entire time."

Lucius nodded. "Well, glad I can finally be of use," he joked as the door opened.

"SAMMY!" Selie yelled, bolting from her mother's side. She attached herself to the older girl. "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Glad to see you, too, Selie. Have a good week?" Selie nodded eagerly. She was practically dancing around. "Are staying for dinner?"

"That's up to your parents, darling."

"Well, actually she beat me to the punch," Narcissa replied. "It'll be ready in about a half hour. Sounds good to you?"

"Sounds fine," Sam replied, smiling. Selie smiled bigger, jumping on to Sam's lap. Lucius smiled at the sight.

Harmony shrugged shifted to get a better grip on the grocery bags she was carrying. She turned back to address her husband, who had the rest of them. "Hurry up! I'm hungry and we can't eat until we get the food home!" she said.

"I'm going as fast as I can. There are only two of us. Do we need all this food?"

"You're forgetting we live next door to Sirius 'Bottomless Pit' Black, who likes to eat us out of home after he does the same to his house," Harmony replied. "Now, let's go."

"Mony, please, my arms are killing me. It's too soon after…you know." That stopped Harmony. Remus may have been whining, but he had a point. The full moon was only a few days ago and had been hard once Newman expelled both him and Severus from Hogwarts. He moaned a little, causing her to grin—despite her annoyance.

"Fine. We'll rest a while. But only a few minutes. Once you feel back up to it, let me know. Okay?"

"I love you," he replied, kissing her. She rolled her eyes but let him rest for a bit, allowing herself to rest as well. They watched the street, mostly residential, so it was quiet. However, one door opened and a very familiar brunette stepped out with a familiar looking blonde attached to her waist.

"Is…is that Sam?" Harmony asked. "And does that girl look like she could be Draco's little sister?"

"That's Sam, but that girl can't be a Malfoy. Sam wouldn't go near them and there was no mention of Lucius and Narcissa having a daughter."

"True. We're probably over…oh, Merlin." Oh Merlin was right because Narcissa Malfoy was trying to pull the little girl off of Sam. The Lupins could clearly see Lucius leaning on a cane, standing slightly behind his wife and, obviously, his daughter. The little girl pulled away from Sam, who waved. She walked down the street as the Malfoys went back inside. "This is too weird."

"Agreed."

A/N: Sorry about last week. I'm entering my last week classes and so there were homework assignments and projects due. You know how hard it is to find info regarding Muslims in Elizabethan England? Well, thanks to all who reviewed! I seem to have people in suspense about who Sam's secret admirer is…and now Harmony and Remus know about Sam's relationship. Dun dun dun! Mac