The end of the summer vacation came too quickly for Severus' liking, he was now filled with the familiar foreboding about the school year to come. Going back to having to hide who he was, and being the Marauder's punching bag, was not something Severus was looking forward to.

On their last evening, Violet made up a lavish supper that included all of his and Lily's favourite things, ending with a mouth-watering treacle pudding. He then played a game of chess with Hal and then it was time for bed.

It took a long while to get started the next morning. They were both up at dawn, but somehow they still seemed to have a great deal to do.

Hal shook his head as Lily dashed about looking for spare socks and quills, half-dressed, with a piece of toast in her hand. He then helped her and Severus load their trunks into the car.

Finally, Hal started up the engine and they trundled out of the yard.

The journey to King's Cross was very uneventful, and they reached King's Cross at twenty to eleven. Severus and Hal then dashed across the road to get the trolleys for their trunks before they hurried into the station.

By now, the lot of them were more than familiar with the routine. Now, the tricky part was getting onto platform nine and three-quarters, which wasn't visible to the Muggle eye. What you had to do was walk through the solid barrier dividing platforms nine and ten. It didn't hurt, but it had to be done carefully so that none of the Muggles noticed you vanishing.

"Have a good term," Violet giving Lily a hug.

"And you," said Hal, glancing at Severus. "Don't get into too much trouble, lad."

"Never," he quipped. He knew his foster father was merely speaking in jest.

"Just don't do anything I wouldn't do," Hal said with a grin.

"Of course," said Severus with a smirk.

"Don't corrupt the boy, Hal," said Violet rolling her eyes.

"I reckon it's too late, Mum," said Lily, watching bemusedly.

"I fear you're right, Lily flower. Now, don't listen to Hal, Mister!" said Violet, as she moved to give Severus a hug. "He's always up to no good. Write, and we better see you at Christmas, laddie."

"I wouldn't miss it," Severus said with a grin.

"Perfect," and Severus was shocked, but pleased, when she gave him a second hug.

"Have a good term; the both of you!"

"And, Sev, make sure Lily studies!"

"DA!" said Lily, rolling her eyes. "I'm quite responsible thank you very much."

"No worries, Hal," Severus replied with a grin. "Lily will be seen with no less than ten textbooks at a time."

"Perfect," Hal jested.

"You hate me," said Lily, glaring at Severus. "I swear, you hate me."

"Revenge is a dish best served cold," he drawled.

"Oh, just you wait, Severus Tobias!" she threatened.

"Shaking in my boots, lassie!"

Hal just rolled his eyes.

"Run along you two," said Violet, checking the time. "You don't want to be late."

"True enough," said Lily. "See you two at Christmas if Severus doesn't have me half dead in the library."

"Would I ever?" Severus said, feigning innocence.

"Probably," she deadpanned. "I honestly wouldn't put it past you."

With a shrug, Severus made sure that Zeno - his recently acquired brown Tawny Owl - 's cage was safely wedged on top of his trunk and wheeled his trolley around to face the barrier, Lily doing similarly with her Barn Owl, Antheia. Waving goodbye to the Evanses, he and Lily bent low over the handles of their trolleys and walked purposefully toward the barrier, gathering speed. A few feet away from it, Severus broke into a run and found himself on the platform; followed closely by his Lily. He then looked up to see the Hogwarts Express, a scarlet steam engine, puffing smoke over a platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train.

"Oh, there is Frank and Alice!" said Lily, waving enthusiastically. The couple quickly noticed and made their way over to them.

"Do you want to sit with us or did you want to sit with your mates?"

"I'm not in the mood to deal with Mulciber right now," he said.

"Why?"

"Something happened?"

"Not really," he said. "He's just been annoying as of late." More like... I never attended a meeting I was supposed to, and he will probably have my head for it. I'm not in the mood to deal with all the questions.

"If you're sure."

Moments later, Severus, Frank and Alice were walking down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment. As it turned out, all were full except for the one at the very end of the train. Marlene had apparently been saving them a compartment.

Lily had to go to the Prefects' compartment for the first part of the journey but said she would join them when she could.

The train began to move, and Alice leaned out of the window and waved at her parents until the train turned a corner and blocked them from view. Houses flashed past the window.

"What all did you lot do these past few weeks?" Frank asked.

"Well, my family and I - " said Marlene, and immediately they began swapping stories and chattering away.

While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

Around half past one, there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"

Both Lily, who had finally managed to join them, and Frank stood up. Marlene followed suit.

Lily paid who silver Sickles and eight bronze Knuts for some Chocolate Frogs, and Cauldron Cakes. Marlene grabbed some Licorice Wands and Pumpkin Pasties.

Frank grabbed some Cauldron Cakes and Licorice Wands.

When the lot had sat back down all the treats were split amongst the group.

The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills.

At long last, having changed into their school robes, the train stopped at Hogsmeade station, and there was a great scramble to get outside; owls hooted, cats meowed, and the Head Boy and Girl could be seen trying to help direct the students to where they needed to go.

"Firs' years this way!" called a familiar voice. Severus and the others turned and saw the gigantic outline of Hagrid at the other end of the platform, beckoning the terrified-looking new students forward for their traditional journey across the lake.

Severus and Lily followed the rest of the school along the platform and out onto a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the remaining students, each pulled, Severus could only assume, by an invisible horse, because when they climbed inside and shut the door, the coach set off all by itself, bumping and swaying in procession.

The carriage slowly trundled toward a pair of magnificent wrought iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars.

The carriage picked up speed on the long, sloping drive up to the castle; Lily was leaning out of the tiny window, watching the many turrets and towers draw nearer. At last, the carriage swayed to a halt, and they got out and made their way up the stone steps to the castle.

The lot of them joined the crowd swarming up the steps, through the giant oak front doors, into the cavernous entrance hall, which was lit with flaming torches and housed a magnificent marble staircase that led to the upper floors.

The door into the Great Hall stood open at the right, and the group made their way inside.

The Great Hall looked like its usual splendid self. Decorated for the start-of-term feast. Golden plates and goblets gleamed by the light of hundreds and hundreds of candles, floating over the tables in mid-air. The four long house tables were becoming packed with chattering students; at the top of the Hall, the staff sat along one side of a fifth table, facing their pupils.

He then waved goodbye to Lily, as they made their way to their separate tables.

"I'm tempted to smack you," said Mulciber as Severus took his seat at the Slytherin table.

"Can I ask why?"

"You missed the meeting this summer, didn't reply to my letters, and then there is how you were acting at the end of last year," Mulciber said. "You also didn't join us in our compartment. You always join us."

"I was occupied."

"And we both know what that means," the other boy said with a sneer. "I'd be careful, by the way. Malfoy wasn't exactly pleased."

"I spent most of the summer ill," Severus hissed. "And had a million and one family issues going on. I also didn't have an access to an owl for some time."

"Your bastard of a father?" Avery asked.

"Is it ever anyone else?" Severus deadpanned.

"What happened?"

"Disowned."

"Oh. I'm sorry then," said Mulciber. Yeah right, you git. "Although, I can't say it hasn't done you some good."

"I'll say," said Avery.

"You have no idea," he quipped. "At any rate, send Lucius my humble apologies."

"Certainly." Mulciber gave a curt nod. "Although, I think I'll leave out the word humble... it's you."

"Arse," he said Severus with a bemused smirk. "It's not my fault I'm more intelligent than half the dunderheads at this establishment."

"And you just proved my point," said Mulciber, amused. "I will, however, intercede on your behalf."

"I am much obliged."

The two nosey nebbies appeased for the moment, they watched as Professor McGonagall led a long line of first-years up to the top of the hall. All of them were shaking from nerves as they filed along the staff table and came to a halt in a line facing the rest of the school.

Profession McGonagall now placed a three-legged stool on the ground before the first-years and, on top of it, an extremely old, dirty, patched wizard's hat. The first-years stared at it, as did everyone else. For a moment, there was silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the hat began to sing:

'So here the story begins,

Smart Ravenclaw, bright and clever,

Was always on the ball.

She took the quick and able,

Each and every one,

To teach them our ways,

Cunning Slytherin, shrewd and witty,

Would do anything to reach his ends,

Bold Gryffindor, brave and stubborn,

Audacious, and true to his nobility and daring,

He welcomed those brave at heart

To sit with him at his table.

Kind Hufflepuff, caring and considerate,

She took the miscellany,

Each and every one.

These for great Houses,

To which do you belong?

So, come now, and put me on.

I'll look into your heart,

And show you where you'll call home.'

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

"Allen, Christa."

A terrified-looking girl stumbled forwards and put the Hat on her head; it only just managed to not falling right down to her shoulders. The Hat considered for a moment, then the rip near the brim opened again and shouted: "Hufflepuff!"

The Hufflepuff table clapped loudly as Christa Allen made her way to their table and sat down, looking quite happen to have the debacle over and done with.

"Baker, Ethan."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Blishwick, Simon" went to Ravenclaw, as well as "Carter, Lydia." The Ravenclaw table exploded in cheers. "Flores, Rionach." was quickly sorted and became the first new Slytherin.

Then there was "Harper, Joshua," "Jacobs, Chase," and "Longhurst, David" who ended up going to Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.

Slowly the long line of first-years thinned, and Severus could hear Avery's stomach rumbling loudly.

"Can we eat already?"

"You'll live," he said with a snort.

"Arse."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Of course you will."

"Obviously."

As tedious as the Sorting was, they watched as the line continued to thin.

"Sayre, Martha" was immediately sorted into Slytherin along with her brother.

"I knew you could do it," came her elder brother, William's voice.

"Welcome to Slytherin," the Slytherin Prefects could be heard saying.

The sorting dragged on and at last, there were only a handful of students left to be sorted.

Finally, "Xavier, Michael," was called and they watched as he made his way up to the stool, and was quickly sorted into Gryffindor. Professor McGonagall then picked up the Hat and stool and marched them away. Professor Dumbledore then rose to his feet.

"To our newcomers," said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands – welcome back! I have only two words to say to you; tuck in!"

Not seconds later, and the empty dishes filled magically before their eyes.

"Finally," Avery said.

"You're a pig, Callum."

"And you're not, Taurin?"

"If you don't mind, some of us would like to eat," Severus said with a snort. "Just shove some food in your mother Callum, before I try out a hex I learned over the summer."

"You remember when I called you an arse?"

"Yes?"

"Just checking."

"Never change, Snape!" Evan Rosier said with a laugh. "Never change."

Rolling his eyes, Severus loaded his plate, giving himself a rather generous serving of mashed potatoes.

Once everyone had their fill, the remains of the first course vanished and were replaced instantly with puddings.

The new Slytherins were stuffing their faces, and one was talking with his mouth full, which Severus was utterly revolted by.

Everyone was talking about their new Defence Professor and were all wondering what Defence would be like, and if his stories were true. The Steward family had quite a reputation, James Steward in particular.

When the puddings, too, had been demolished, and the last crumbs had faded off the plates, leaving them sparkling clean, Albus Dumbledore got to his feet again. The buzz of chatter filling the Hall ceased almost at once.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!"

He paused before continuing.

"I have several announcements. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well," stated Dumbledore; his twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of Black and Potter.

"I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors," continued Dumbledore. "Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual."

"Merlin, I hate Filch," said Rosier. "The stupid squib."

"Do you want Pringle back?"

"No," said Rosier with a wince.

"That's what I thought."

Apollyon Pringle was a complete arse. All the students hated him, and with good reason. Yes, Filch was a bitter git, but Pringle literally ran the corridors with an iron fist. Merlin, help whoever he caught stepping out of line; the man did everything he could to find trouble. If you so much as got a speck of dirt on the floor, Pringle would lose it, not unlike Filch, actually. Fortunately, Filch had more restraint. Many a student had been caned for being out late or various other offences by the old hag. Quite a few older students still had marks from Pringle.

At least you didn't have to be scared of Filch. All he'd do was whine. Pringle was another matter altogether.

"The best thing the filthy squib ever did was retire," William Sayre said.

"Ain't that the truth," Rosier said.

Pringle retired at the end of Severus' first year, and nobody had looked back. Severus was of the opinion, that even his colleagues hadn't particularly liked him.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued "And finally, I am pleased to welcome a new teacher to our ranks this year. Professor James Steward, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Well, he should be decent then," Stebbins said.

"I believe so if even half of what the rumours say is true."

There a wave of enthusiastic applause as the red-haired Defence Instructor stood up.

"Yes, welcome Professor Steward," Dumbledore said, the usual twinkle in his eyes.

The Headmaster then gave the word that it was time for them all to go to bed. Not needing to be told twice, they made their way out of the Great Hall with the other Slytherins, before turning to go through a door on the right.

They then descended the stone steps, making their way down to the dungeons.

Once there, Severus found his old dormitory, which now had a sign on it saying SIXTH YEARS. He entered the familiar, circular room, with its six four-posters hung with dark green and its high, narrow windows, looking out under the lake. Their trunks had been brought down for them and stood at the ends of their beds.

That night he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.