School Begins

The students are terrified as they approach the Defense class for their first day with Professor Snape as their teacher. "I've heard he already knew more dark magic during his first year than most seventh-year Slytherins of his time."

"And I've heard it was You-Know-Who who cursed the Defense job." Another kid says. "Maybe that's how Professor Dumbledore had no choice but to hire a death eater."

The terrified children enter and, upon seeing Snape's classroom, they become even more terrified. After leaving, they're even more terrified. At lunch, Snape meets Lily. "Severus, did you really have to scare these poor kids?" Lily angrily asks.

"I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lily." Snape replies. "The topic has to be scary. And how did you do?"

"Your idea worked, Severus." Lily answers. "It did increase the children's desire to learn potions."

They then get their issues of the Daily Prophet and find an interesting topic. "Regulus Black posthumously receives the Order of Merlin, Second Class, for discovering one of You-Know-Who's Horcruxes. Sirius Black, Regulus Black's brother, is now seen receiving the award from minister of Magic Bartemius Crouch." They also read a note about the funeral's date. Because Regulus' body has never been recovered from the Inferi lake, the funeral will be symbolic.

"Severus, I don't want to insult Regulus Black since he's your friend but Crouch probably is just doing it to retain enough popularity to keep his post as the Minister of Magic." Lily comments.

"Agreed." Severus replies. He and Lily then see one owl arriving. It leaves a letter for Lily and another for Severus. Lily opens hers first.

Dear Lily,

I know how much my brother and his Slytherin friends used to hurt you so I'll understand if you and Prongslet refuse but it'd mean a lot for me if you came to give me moral support during Regulus' funeral.

Sincerely,

Sirius Black

Then Severus Snape opens his.

Snivellus,

The more I despise you for being a greasy-haired Slytherin git and trying to steal my best mate's girl, I understand you used to be friends with my brother so, if you come to his funeral, I'll try to forget for a while how much I'd like to use your Levicorpus on you.

Sincerely,

Sirius Black

"So, are you going?" Snape asks.

"Well, I'm not that much of a friend of either Black but I'd like to pay my respects to someone who gave his life to make Voldemort weaker." Lily replies.

"Let's go together." Snape suggests and Lily accepts. Then they change subjects.

"So, what do you think of being a teacher, Severus?" Lily asks.

"Oh, it's so great to see all those children afraid of having a death eater teaching them." Severus replies in a tone that makes Lily wonder if he was serious (no pun intended) or sarcastic.

"Excuse me, Severus. I have to see if Harry is okay." Lily says and then leaves.

"I'm going with you." He replies.

Harry is having his lunch at Lily's quarters when Lily and Snape appear. "Hi, Mum. Hi, Uncle Sevvie."

"Harry, are you enjoying your lunch?" Lily asks. Before Harry has a chance to answer, Lucius Malfoy's face appears at the fireplace. "Severus?"

"How did you know I'd be here, Lucius?"

"You weren't at your own quarters so this was the obvious next choice." Lucius explains. Lily maliciously smiles at Snape after this comment.

"Severus, are you also going to Regulus' funeral?" Lucius asks and Snape nods.

"Are you going, Malfoy?" Lily asks with a mixture of surprise and anger.

"Of course I'm going." Malfoy replies. "We're family." He adds and then leaves.

Severus Snape looks at her ashamed face. "I-I forgot Regulus Black is Mrs. Malfoy's cousin." She explains.

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