A/N: Hello and welcome to chapter 11. First things first, thanks to MrsBates93 for being an awesome beta. She's fantastic. Thanks for the reviews and messages, I love hearing your thoughts!


Chapter 11

July 1977

"Good job Severus. If you could start on the anti-nausea potion, you'll be done for the day." Severus nodded as Ayo left the room. Severus bottled the boil cure potion and glanced over to the calendar. Kem would be returning tomorrow. Every weekend Kem reported back to Niwango. It always felt like the longest two days of his life. So far over the summer, Severus had not seen much of Lily. Whenever she came into the shop she avoided him. Now Severus made it a point to stay clear of her.

"Severus, you can take a quick break. A few of you friends are here," Ayo said from the doorway.

"Huh? What friends?" Severus frowned. No one from Hogwarts knew he worked here.

"It's Sirius Black and James Potter, haven't seen them in ages. Sirius asked for Kem, but you can go skive off for bit if you want I don't mind." Severus broke a glass vial in his hand.

"What are they doing here?" Severus thought to himself. He threw off his apron and cast a Disillusionment charm.

"Come on Sirius; let's go back to Lily's. Okafor isn't here. Her old man said she'll be back tomorrow," James said.

"Snivellus is around here somewhere and there are a couple of curses I want to try out," Sirius retorted.

"Have it your way mate, I'll see you later," James said, leaving his friend. Sirius grumbled and followed after him. Severus clenched his fists so hard that he broke the skin of his palm as his nails dug into it. James was visiting Lily, and he'd even been invited into her home.


That night at dinner, Severus stared moodily at his stew. His mother sat opposite him, quietly eating her meal. When he was home, his mother never said much to him. Sometimes she would open her mouth to speak only to change her mind and hurry off to another room. Severus didn't mind. Now that he was of age, he'd be leaving home soon, even though he wasn't quite sure where he'd be going. A crash from the sitting room startled Severus and his mother. They leapt from their seats to find Tobias stumbling in, drunk. Tobias' foot was stuck through the coffee table. He cursed as he tried to free himself.

"Stop moving," Severus said to his father. Severus reached into his pocket and withdrew his wand.

"Don't use that bloody twig on me boy!" Tobias slurred.

"Put that away!" his mother screeched. Severus removed himself with his brow furrowed. He slammed the door to his bedroom. "Last time I try to help them," he thought to himself.

Severus listened to his parents argue and the sound of more furniture breaking. Severus cast a deafening charm onhimselfto block them out. He fell asleep while reading the new D.A.D.A textbook.

Severus awoke startled, from a sharp stinging across his left cheek. Kem was straddling him, poised to slap him again.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he yelled. Kem quickly covered her ears. She started talking; Severus saw her lips moving but no words came out. He rolled his eyes when he remembered to undo the Deafening charm.

"Why are you attacking me? Get off me." A small blush came to Severus' faceas he thought of the last time he was in this position.

"I've been trying to wake you for ages," Kem replied. "I got back from the compound this morning. I've brought goodies."

"Well go wait outside while I dress," Severus said, still annoyed. Kem hopped to her feet and departed. Severus dressed as quickly as he could. He wanted to get out of the house without seeing his parents.

"You've grown quite a lot since I've seen you last," Severus heard his father say.

"Not really. I've been the same height since I was twelve," Kem replied somewhat uncomfortably.

"Come now—"

"Let's go Kem," Severus said. Tobias crushed the beer tin as they left.


Severus sat on Kem's bed as she emptied an unseemly amount of books from a small satchel onto the bed. She made a separate pile of a dozen books and pushed them towards Severus.

"All those are for you. Ogonna really wants me to study them, so they must be about dark magic," Kem said. Severus picked a black and white magazine. The words on it looked like they were either Chinese or Japanese.

"What's this?" he asked. Kem snatched it from his hands before he could turn the pages.

"It's a Japanese comic book. You wouldn't like it." Kem hurriedly put the comic under her pillow. Severus rolled his eyes and went over the items she'd given him. Without warning a silver translucent bear bounded into the room

"Kem love, Lily is here to see you," the bear said in Ayo's voice. Severus let go of the book he had been clutching. Thankfully Kem did not notice his brief moment of unnerve.

"I'll be right back Sevvie, there's some strawberry pudding in the cupboard, help yourself."

"Oh Lily!" Kem ran to Lily, flinging her arms around her. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"I know, dear, I know. It's been three days since we've last spoke." Lily kissed Kem on both her cheeks.

"I was going to come over; I have a few things for you and Petunia," Kem said.

"Well I'm glad I stopped you. You see…" Lily paused. "James and Sirius are at my place right now."

"No! Why Lily? Is that beast there too? Your family won't be safe!"

"By beast I hope you don't mean Remus. He's not there anyway. James and I have been writing to each other earlier this summer, and he sort of popped over," Lily explained.

"But why is Black with him? Did they come to harass Severus somemore? They don't get enough of it at school."

"If you must know, Sirius ran away from home. His parents wanted him to join the Death Eaters and he ran away. He lives with James and his family now. I stopped by because Sirius wanted to see you and I didn't want you two to battle in the streets. They're leaving tomorrow."

"Ugh. Why does Black want to see me? He knows I hate him."

"He fancies you, you silly beggar. Of course you know that. A proper girl like you would set him right."

"Gag and barf. I'd rather snog an Inferius," Kem said pretending to vomit. Lily shook her head with a giggle.

"Anyway! Petunia wanted you to come over for dinner tomorrow; she said she has some big news."

"Fine, just make sure to get the Potter and Black smell from your house." After Kem hugged Lily goodbye, she returned to the flat. She found Severus in kitchen in front of a big empty bowl.

"Sev! I know you like strawberries but you could have save some pudding for me. Wowzers, trousers." Kem dramatically flung herself onto the sofa while Severus blushed as he placed the spoon on the table.


"Severus convince her to stay," Ayo pleaded with mock desperation.

"Oh daddy please, your frightening the normal people." Kem tapped her wand at her head and her halo of coils became a thick braid down her shoulders.

Severus leaned against a wall and watched as the father and daughter interacted, sometimes trying to pull him into the conversation.

"I'm only heading over to Lily's for dinner. I want to know what Petunia's big news is."

"Maybe she's going to have reconstructive surgery on her face," Severus added.

"That's not nice at all Severus. I happen to like Petunia's face, vey equine it is." Kem gathered several frilly wrapped packages in her arms.

"I'm going now daddy. Kisses." She went on her tiptoes so Ayo could kiss her on the forehead. Kem fumbled with her wand and disapparated away.

"So Severus," Ayo turned to him, "hot date tonight?" Severus almost choked.

"Erm no sir. Just some homework and practicing a few spells I've invented."

"All work and no play isn't good at all, Severus. Speaking of work, what do you plan to do after graduation? Are you going to move away?" Ayo asked.

Severus knew he wanted to become a Potions Master, but he didn't think about where he was going to live. He only knew he would leave his father's house.

"I'm not really sure yet," Severus answered lamely.

"You're always welcome to work at the shop, proper wages and everything. Well I'm knackered, bed for me. You can practice down in the office, don't worry about the wards, it recognizes you." Ayo patted Severus on the shoulder and left him to his own devices.


Severus strolled down the lane, very satisfied with himself. The spell he had been practicing the longest, Sectumsempra, had finally worked the way he had expected. He ruined a few pillows in the process, but the results were satisfactory. Severus frowned as he saw a couple snogging in front of a police box. The woman giggled in a slouched sort of way. Severus walked to the other side of the street so they wouldn't see him.

"Like that do ya?" the man slurred, which caused Severus to freeze.

"Oh Tobias!" the woman cooed. Severus stormed over, pulling his father off of the woman.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Severus yelled. His father wreaked so much of alcohol he recoiled from him.

"Piss off boy; this ain't got anything to do with you!" He shoved Severus, going back to the woman.

"What about my mother or did you forget that you're married?" Severus snarled.

"I said piss off!" Tobias lunged at Severus. Thanks to training with Christopher, Severus managed to avoid the first blow, but not the second. Tobias' fist connected cleanly with Severus's right eye. Within a minute of regaining his stance, Severus drew his wand.

"Sectumsempra!" The spell hit Tobias in the middle of his chest. Tobias fell against the police box, blood flowing profusely. The woman took one sight of the blood and fainted. Severus tried to calm himself down. He placed his hands on his father's chest to stop the bleeding, but only became soaked in the process. Severus began to panic as he heard footsteps. Was it the police or aurors?

"Severus! What happened?" Severus looked up shocked as he saw Kem rushing towards him.

"I...I…How did you know where I was?"

"My watch sensed you were in trouble. Now what happened?" Kem ripped Tobias' shirt, further exposing the wound.

"Expecto Patronum!" Kem whispered. A silvery fox jumped from Kem's wand.

"Father bring Blood replenishing and Mulberry vine. Hurry!" Kem said to the fox.

"Vulnera sanentur," Kem sang as she traced over Tobias' wound. Severus remembered the spell; it was the same one she used after he was attacked by Lupin. Kem's sweet words caused the skin to reseal itself. As she worked, Ayo appeared next to them with Beemo carrying a bag.

"Daddy, I think she might need to be Obliviated," Kem said as the woman began to stir. Ayo quickly helped the woman up, taking her away from the scene. Severus sat quietly as Kem healed his father.

"I think he's going to be ok," Kem said. She handed some empty vials to Beemo, who cleaned up the blood.

"Son, you're going to have to tell us what happened," Ayo said at last. Severus took a deep breath and told them everything that had transpired, Severus' black eye was fully visible now.

"You two go back to the flat, I'll take your father home," Ayo said as he waved a leaf under Tobias' nose which caused him to awaken. He placed one of Tobias' arms over his shoulder and started off.

"Let's go Severus." Kem heldout a hand to him. Specks of his father's blood were on her brown skin.


"This is terrible, everyone is leaving," Regulus said. He released a chocolate frog from its packaging. It hopped around the carriage before ending up in his mouth.

"It'll be alright Regulus; we're only graduating, not falling off the face of the earth," Kem said. She leaned against the carriage wall with her feet on Severus' lap.

"Yeah, I guess," Regulus said moodily. Kem swiftly sat up, kicking Severus in the process.

"Is that Pettigrew with Avery?" Kem asked

"I can't see through books can I?" Severus growled, rubbing his knee. Regulus shrugged, looking out of the window. Kem muttered an apology to Severus and peered through the window, but the pair had disappeared.


The start of term went on without much fuss. Though he couldn't congratulate her, Severus was glad that Lily had been named Head Girl. He was far less pleased to learn that James had been named Head Boy. He had seen the two of them together, which Severus deduced was for Head duties. One thing he had noticed so far was that Sirius harassed him far less than normal. He no longer jinxed him, but he still received dirty looks from the roguish Gryffindor.

"Oh they look so cute together!" Severus heard Lakshmi Patil say as he entered Potions.

"I know! Chang and Okafor would make the cutest babies!" Amelia Bones said. Severus almost stopped breathing.

"My sister says his sister told her they were quiet cosy at Okafor's summer home," Patil said. Kem entered with Professor Slughorn and took her seat next to Severus.

"Hiya Sev, Beemo made these really good fruit tarts and I brought you some," Kem offered.

"I don't want them." Kem frowned at Severus' tone but popped a mango tart in her mouth. For the entirety of the Potions lesson Severus had been irate and snapped at her. When class was over he ran out of the class without speaking to her.

"So Okafor how's Chang?" Patil asked. She and Bones cornered Kem in the hallway.

"Erm…I don't know, why don't you ask him yourself?" Kem replied bewildered.

"Some girlfriend you are, don't you care about Chang's feeling?" Bones questioned.

"What are you two on about?"

"You and Chang dating," Bones said

"He was at your place all summer," Patil added.

"Yes he was at my place. His father and my grandfather are business partners. I had to show him and his sisters around. I'm absolutely not dating Chang or anyone else." Both girls looked crestfallen at Kem's explanation.

"Dozy things," Kem muttered to herself.


"This place is ace Lily! You have to let me sleep over one night," Kem said as she entered the Head Girl's room. She plopped down on Lily's bed, bouncing on the plush blankets.

"What this?" A piece of parchment peaked from under Lily's pillow.

"Don't read that!" Lily attempted to snatch the paper away, but Kem rolled away with it and jumped to her feet.

"Girls: Camillia, Rose, Jasmine, and Marigold. Boys: Jonathan. Are these people in trouble or something? What did they do?" Kem questioned.

"They aren't people, not yet anyway. They're baby names."

"Lily! Are you pregnant?" Kem's eyes widened.

"No I'm not! Those are just names I like. I wrote them down so I wouldn't forget." Lily snatched away the parchment with a blush. Kem quickly yanked it back from her.

"Here." Kem took out a quill and wrote on the paper.

"Nkemdilim Harriet Oluchi Evelyn," Lily read. "Is this your whole name? Didn't leave anything out did you?" Kem nodded and handed the list back to Lily.

"I'm going to make one too." Kem rummaged through her pockets and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. After only a few minutes she handed her list to Lily.

"Girl, Severine Lily, boy, Lyle Severus."

"Lyle is the boy version of Lily," Kem stated.

"I gathered. You're going to name your kids after me and Sev?"

"You're my best mates, of course I am. If I have more, I'll probably go for Xenophilius or Xena."

"Aww, that's so sweet! Whatis the male version on Nkemdilim?" Lily asked.

"It's unisex. Done and done."

"Neat. I'll add, Steve for Eve and," Lily jotted as she spoke. "Harry for Harriet and Oliver for Oluchi. Now that's all finalized we have to stick to it."

"It's a deal," Kem said firmly.

"I have something to tell you and you might not like it," Lily said hesitantly.

"It is so bloody hot, it's worse than hell I reckon," Regulus said, taking a next to Severus.

"Then why on earth have you come to sit next to the fireplace?" Severus retorted.

"This is the most comfortable chair in the common room." Regulus began to remove his robes and hitched up his sleeves. Severus dropped his book when he saw the mark on Regulus' left arm.

"You took his mark?" Severus whispered fiercely. Regulus quickly rolled down his sleeves, covering his arm.

"I had to Severus. With Sirius running off…It was the only way to redeem our family. The Dark Lord isn't a bad guy. He's like a politician. Malfoy says he's going to run for Minister. He's really trying to change things," Regulus said.

"Change how? By killing all the Muggle-borns?" Severus demanded.

"He doesn't want to kill anyone! He only wants to regulate the magical community. Did you know there's a program to hire Muggle-borns over Purebloods? Muggle-borns are getting special loans from Gringotts. They are even tearing apart families. If it weren't for those stupid motor bikes Sirius would've never left. The Lord only wants to keep things fair."

Severus did not seem convinced.

"And you wouldn't believe the things he can do Severus. He's probably the most powerful wizard there is. Even greater than Dumbledore. Wouldn't you want to be on his side?" Severus furrowed his brow. He'd been hearing more and more about Lord Voldemort, several of the boys in his year were to take the mark.

"Severus Snape is requested." Beemo appeared out of thin air right in front of him. Before Severus could acknowledge the elf, she took his hand and disapparated away.

Severus opened his eyes to see that he'd arrived in a vaguely familiar dorm room.

"That was quick," Kem said entering the room. "Beemo go back to the kitchens." The elf bowed and disapparated.

"What's wrong with you Severus? You've barely said two words to me in over a week," Kem said firmly. She stood in front of him with her arms crossed.

"Nothing to say," Severus ground out. Kem stared hard at him.

"Just bugger off, I'm sure Chang is out there looking for you." He started for the door.

"Why the bloody hell would Chang be looking for me?" Kem demanded.

"I don't know what you and your boyfriend get off on," Severus replied. When Kem burst into a fit of laughter Severus felt insulted.

"I'm not dating Chang! Or anyone one else for that matter. If I do, you'll be the first to know," Kem said reassuringly.

"No…that's not what I want," Severus mumbled. He was angry at himself for his behaviour and confused about his feelings.

"What do you mean Severus?" He felt her brown eyes scanning him. He knew she could have easily used Legilimency but she didn't. Severus thought about what he wanted. Kem stood in front of him with a look of concern on her face. Severus moved as if he was being controlled by an outside force. He closed in on Kem, backing her against the door. He placed a hand just under her chin and the other around her waist.

"Sev…"Severus cut her off by placing his lips against hers. He felt Kem resist, but only for a moment. Her soft lips parted, allowing him to explore her. Severus acted purely on impulses, even though he was not quite sure what to do. He did not feel awkward or anxious, but he began to withdraw. Once they were fully separated, Kem gave Severus a small yet sharp slap across his cheek.

"You don't just kiss your mate out of the blue," Kem said with a wry smile.

"Do I need to have your expressed written consent?" he asked in jest.

"Not anymore. Now get out of here before my roommates get back."


Entering December, Severus felt as though nothing could perturb him. Not much had changed. His relationship with Kem had for the most part stayed the same, only with intermittent kissing and very recently light petting. He, for the most part let Kem set the pace, which was much slower than he would have liked. Severus headed to Charms class to accompany Kem to the green house for Herbology.

"Oh, come on Okafor, why are you being so pig headed?" Severus scowled as he saw Sirius approaching Kem.

"I do. Not. Like. You," Kem replied.

"Lily didn't like James and now look at them. We could have what they have," Sirius said smoothly. Severus looked over at his former friend; she was holding hands with his worst enemy. Sirius grabbed for Kem's hand, which she quickly snatched away. At this point Severus decided to make his presence known.

"Don't you get tired of grovelling like a dog, Black? Clearly she isn't interested," Severus stated.

"Piss off Snivellus; this ain't got anything to do with you," Sirius stated dismissively. Sirius went grabbed the closest part of Kem he could, her long braid, causing her to stumble into a column.

"I'm so sorry Okafor…" Before Sirius could finish Severus lunged at him. Severus managed to deliver two blows to Sirius's abdomen and face before James pulled him off.

"Don't you ever touch MY girlfriend again!" he raged. Severus gathered Kem's items that she'd dropped, ignoring the slight ache in his knuckles. As they departed Severus didn't hear James calming down the cursing Sirius, he only heard Kem's attentive voice as she healed his minor wounds.


"What will you do? You won't be bored will you?" Kem asked as Severus helped her from the carriage.

"I'll be at a bookstore or something until you're done," Severus replied. "Who are you meeting today?"

"Just Tutors Chinyere and Christopher." Severus heaved a sigh. He hated the thought of Kem wrestling with Christopher.

"Don't look so glum. You know it was a silly little crush. I have to hurry; Chinyere might jinx me if I'm late." Kem gave Severus a quick peck on the cheek and hurried off. Alone, Severus made his way to the Hog's Head.

"How nice of you to join us Severus," Lucius Malfoy greeted him. Severus nodded awkwardlyand took a seat. In the letter Lucius didn't mention anyone else coming.

"Us?" Severus inquired.

"We meet again Severus Snape." Severus quickly rose to his feet when Lord Voldemort entered the room.

"Leave us, Lucius." Lucius bowed and left.

"Well Mr Snape, I hear your skills have developed exponentially."

"Yes sir, I practice very hard."

"You were the only one to successfully brew Polyjuice and Veritaserum."

"My ingredients were far better than the school stores," Severus said almost humble.

The Dark Lord smiled. "It must go a long way to have a lover so invested in Herbology."

Severus tried not to blush at the term lover, but quickly frowned. "How does he know who I'm dating?"Severus thought.

"Do not be alarmed Severus, I try to find out all I can about those who interest me."

"I interest you?"

"Why yes. I can tell you have potential. You seek power."

"Oh?" Severus remarked impassively.

"You have surrounded yourself with very powerful people. Malfoy, Black, and Avery. They all speak very highly of you. Tell me this Severus, what does Ogonna Okafor think of you?"

Severus tried to be as impassive as he could, he had honestly never thought about it.

"How do you think Okafor would react to hearing his heir was in a relationship with some penniless, no name, Half Blood?" Severus kept his breathing calm; he could tell the ominous man was trying to get something from him.

"I can help you Severus. I can help you gain the veneration and prestige you deserve."

"What would I have to do?" Severus asked barely above a whisper. The Dark Lord smiled at Severus. A smile that reminded Severus of a snake that was about to strike.


Hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you at chapter 12!