On the morning of the 27th, Severus awoke early to the sounds of people chattering brightly in the den. He rose and readied himself for the day. After putting on the nicest set of robes he could come by, he briefly thought of tying his hair back. When he actually saw himself with this hair style, he gagged and released the hold. There were some things he'd do for a girl, and some things he wouldn't.

Finally he emerged from the room, nervous because he knew no one. He started to curse himself once again but stopped when he remembered the brilliant time he'd had with Elise the day before.

"Hello," he greeted Elise's younger brother, Philippe. The small boy widened his eyes and fled Severus's presence, which had become a customary greeting between the two.

"Severus! You're finally up! I'd like to introduce you to…" and the list went on and on. He could read the glints in the eyes of every relative he met- "Who is this strange greasy haired boy? Surely not her catch of the day!" Severus sighed. He certainly didn't like to be sized up visually, as in his opinion, this was not his strongest attribute. Yet he met them all, smiling like the perfect gentleman he was pretending to be.

Most of the guests were French, seeing that Ferrous had been born and raised in Marsailles.

"The Celebration of the life and death of Ferrous will being shortly," Elise's mother announced in a smooth French tongue, and the crowd began to move outside to the backyard. Elise took Severus's hand and led him with the crowd.

"Where is everyone going?" Severus inquired.

"To Ferrous's grave. Ministry officials will be there to monitor the ceremony, making sure we're not trying to carry on Ferrous's legacy."

"Right," Severus said falling in line behind Elise. They made their way to a portkey, which was used by all those too young to apparate.

Upon arrival, Severus was astonished at the view. Ferrous was buried on a hill by himself in seemingly the most random place anyone could have chosen. A small fountain set in front of the tomb. The tomb itself was small, unremarkable, and said simply

"Jacques Hector Bourgeois. The Dark Lord Ferrous. Born August 23rd, 1887 in Marsailles Died December 27th, 1937 in London, England."

"It's in English," Severus noted.

"Yes it is, because the Ministry of Magic in London were responsible for the burial and would not allow the family any kind of say over what was put on the headstone. The fountain was added years later by my mother, who put some kind of sticking charm on it so it could not be removed." As if on cue, the fountain sprang to life, and Elise's mother began to speak.

"We gather here to honor the life and death of our beloved family member, my father, Jacques Bourgeois. He…" Madame Aguirre began. Elise translated for Severus as her mother began a sorrowful ode to the memory of her father. Apparently, as much as the Dark Lord Ferrous was a homicidal killer, he loved his family (this sentence is awkward and I don't know how to fix it….) There were tears form his children and saddened gazes from grandchildren, cousins, and distant relatives. The man had been dead since 1937, around forty years ago, and yet here were mournful relatives gathered with happy memories floating in disillusioned heads.

"The man was psycho," Elise whispered, halting her translation. Severus glanced over at her.

"What?" he asked, feeling slightly awkward at her blunt statement.

"He murdered hundreds of people, and for what reason? Women, children even!"

"That's what made his reign so terrible though," Severus whispered so as not to disturbed the service.

"In 1931, he-"

"I know the history well. But did you ever know why he did the horrible things he did?"

"Well he- no. I have no idea.." Severus trailed off.

"The ministry keeps it out of the text books. They don't want us to know. But I know." Severus was no longer interested in the service, desperate to hear Elise's precious, illegal knowledge.

"Come with me," she whispered. Grabbing his hand, she lead him away from the service. They found a spot a few meters away behind a bush.

"What do you know about my grandfather?" she asked.

"He produced the single largest mass murder of ministry officials and their families for seemingly no reason. He damn near killed everyone- even the Minister of Magic at the time, for seemingly no reason. There was no motive, just mass murder."

"That's not completely true. There was a motive. Have you ever heard of Antoinette Elise Bourgeois?"

"No.." Severus trailed off.

"Wife of Ferrous. My grandmother, I guess. People say they were so in love- three children in three years. My mum was the youngest. In 1929 they vacationed in England. My grandfather went out with my two aunts and my mother. While they were gone, a group of ministry officials stumbled out of a local tavern and saw Antoinette picking public flowers planted by an area restaurant. In their drunken stupor they crudely yelled at her for her incompetence. She only spoke French, and the officials picked her up, took her to an unknown location, raped her, cast some unknown spells that left her body mangled, and left her to die."

"My God," Severus whispered.

"When they found her, it was too late, and she died. Of course, Grandfather cracked and became suicidal. However, he did not take his own life because of his three young daughters. Instead, he found young Englishmen privy to his cause and went on a mass killing spree. One of the disillusioned young men he recruited was Albert Harrison, a.k.a.-"

"Grindelwald," Severus whispered.

"Yes. He killed so many people to avenge the death of my grandmother. What finally made him break was the pardon granted to those who killed her."

"He must have really loved her," Severus said, looking tenderly into Elise's chocolate eyes.

"He did what he could in the name of love. But to kill so many innocent people? Killing the ministry officials, I understand. But children? Why?"

"That's what Ferrous is most hated for."

"I know. But all of these people here, praising his name as though he was a savior or something? I mean, when I was younger I used to participate, and we had food and games, but now… what were we celebrating? No wonder the ministry won't leave my family alone! My family is insane, and I'm a traitor because I think that. Sure, grandpa loved my grandma and his children, but everyone else in the world is expendable? It isn't right. What the ministry did isn't right either, but celebrating the life of a murderous lunatic? Is that right? My mum grew up without her parents! I can't even imagine what that must be like! Being raised by Aunts and family friends your whole life? My grandfather wasn't a dark Lord- his reign was short, only a few years, but- I just don't know. I never even got to meet my grandparents…" Elise trailed off, emotion filling her fragile voice. Severus was concerned, yet he held back. This was dangerous territory. Should he put an arm around her and comfort her, or keep his distance? He decided to try words first.

"I don't know my grandparents either," he said solemnly, staring at the ground.

"I'm sorry," she replied. The air between them was thick with sadness, regret, and thoughts of the unknown.

"If…If you ever want to talk, I-"

"Shut up, Severus," she said quietly. Then, without warning, she leaned in, eyes closed, and placed her lips softly against his. He inhaled sharply, her fresh scent filling his nostrils. She held herself there for about twenty seconds, and then, without another word laid her head in his lap. The two stayed like this for the remainder of the service, their future shrouded in uncertain happiness.

Back at Elise's house, the party had been underway for an hour before Severus could speak to the girl again.

"So…when do we eat?" Severus asked, trying to alleviate the tension between the two.

"Soon. Mum's nearly finished setting the buffet out. Hey, uhm, Severus?" she asked

"Yes?"

"Thanks for listening to me. And sharing a bit. That meant a lot to me."

"I don't want you to be sad," Severus replied, staring down at his feet.

"Well, thank you. I appreciate it." There was a loud noise as about five men apparated into Elise's house. "Oh, look, here come the ministry officials again." Severus casually glanced over toward the new arrivals and nearly choked on the air he breathed.

"Shit!" he swore, running off in the other direction.

"What? What- Severus?" Elise asked, following him. Severus ran outside onto the snow covered ground.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Elise asked him as they got outside.

"Why, I believe I am what is the matter with him. Hello, Severus. Care to give your grandfather a hug hello?" The tall man smirked down at the young teenager, who narrowed his eyes and bared his teeth, much like a dog.

"Get the hell away from me. I don't want to see you," Severus whispered, his voice deadly.

"Now what kind of welcome is that for your dear grandfather? Your mother will not be pleased. I'll have to tell her when I return home. She's having such a great time, Severus, it is only too bad you do not wish to see her."

Severus, trying to keep his composure in front of Elise, sucked in a breath. It took all his might not to hex his grandfather into a dark oblivion.

"S-Severus?" Elise asked, witnessing the staring match between two Prince generations.

"Hello, dear! I don't think I've properly introduced myself. I am second in command at the Ministry of Magic, and Severus's-" He looked over to the boy whose knuckles were white as they clutched his wand- "Grandfather." Elise, sensing the odd tension between the two, decided to stay a perfect lady, and curtsied in front of the elder gentleman.

"Good day, sir, I am Elise Aguirre, and this is my father's home."

"Ah yes, I've heard wonderful things about your father at the ministry. He's making strides, Miss. Aguirre, in the transportation department." The man smiled deceivingly and then turned back to his grandson.

"Right well, I must be going. Until next time, Severus, Elise," And he turned and walked back into the house.

Confusion played upon Elise's face as she turned back to Severus, who was glued to his spot, his hand still tight around his wand.

"Severus-what just happened? I-I thought you said you didn't know your grandparents."

"I don't. They are dead to me. That man is a-a-a bastard," Severus stumbled, releasing the grip on his wand. "And someday, Elise, someday I am going to kill him."

Elise, mouth open in surprise, took a few steps forward to him.

"Now you don't mean that. Whatever he's done, it can't be that bad-"

"OH YES it can, and when I am strong enough, when I am powerful enough, I will kill him."

"Do you- do you want to talk about it?" Elise asked meekly, staring into Severus's black, unforgiving eyes.

"No," he said harshly. Leaving her outside, he stalked into the house and shut himself in the room he was staying in, trying to ignore everything that had happened that day.

The next day, he left the Aguirre house, thanking them for everything they'd done for him. Elise had tried to speak to him the night before, but he had either been asleep or completely shut off from the rest of the world.

That morning, he had decided to go ahead and leave, as the plans had been all along.

After the episode that had taken place between his grandfather and him, Severus was eager to get back to Hogwarts and start planning his revenge. He had been thinking of some spells with which to avenge his mother, but none of them had turned out right. Creating spells was particularly difficult, especially for a wizard who was not specifically trained in the art of creating new spells, but Severus had been working on a few of his own. They were being created to defend himself, not just against his grandfather, but against Potter and Black as well. One particular spell, Levicorpus, was coming along rather well, and Severus was eager to test it out on the two dunderheads.

But now, he had to say goodbye to Elise and make his way back to the school.

"I don't know what happened yesterday, between you and that man, and I don't know why you stayed locked in your room, but please don't turn away from me anymore," Elise said quietly as he was packing his things.

"I wasn't running from you. I'm not turning from you. I don't even know what is going on, I just need some time. It isn't about you…it has never been about you," Severus said cryptically.

"What does that mean? Severus- I- I don't know, I guess I'm developing some feelings for you, and it scares me, because of what it will mean for both of us," Elise replied pensively.

"Why?" Severus asked, his interest sparked.

"House lines. What people will think. I-I like you, Severus, but I don't know if I should jump head first into a relationship."

"No one is asking you to," Severus answered truthfully. "What happened in the woods…it was nice. It was more than nice. But OWLs are coming up and I have things to do." Severus was speaking from his hear, even though it was hard for him to say the words. He admired Elise more than anyone else at his school, more than his friends, more than his house mates. She was one of a kind, and he adored her for that. But the truth she was saying, it was truth indeed.

"So- we're agreeing to be friends still…for now?" Elise asked.

"Friends. For now," Severus said, his lips curled in a small smile- a rarity.

"See you at start of term, then," she said.

"I'll see you then."