Chapter Twenty-One

Maurice Unlabeled

"How I love the winter thaw!" Beth declared as she, Ronnie, and Mari walked towards the football pitch. "Like how the smells of wintry slush and mud mix with the first scents of spring. I expect those flower bulbs we planted near the new barn will be pushing up leaves soon enough... especially the crocuses, they're always first."

"I bet Professor Hauk doesn't like spring thaw. I don't think he's very keen on Muggle football," Mari said. "Not that I blame him."

"Then why do you play?" Ronnie asked.

"Because I was too young for Quidditch this year," Mari shrugged. "And I still think it's too muddy to start practicing."

"I'm sorry, but you really need help with your footwork. We can't have you tripping out there again, not after our house went to such trouble to get on competitive footing with the others. I did promise Maurice we wouldn't have another embarrassing finish like we did that last game against Hufflepuff."

"They do have us at a disadvantage since a lot of them knew how to play before school. Anyway, just where is that boyfriend of yours? He's not much into football either, is he?" Mari asked.

"Well, no, but he always goes to the games. Right now he's in the library studying for OWLS again. Ambrose is helping him with his History and Ancient Runes," Beth explained.

"He really must be bad at History and Ancient Runes then," Mari said, Beth giving her a dirty look.

"I think Maurice is hoping to ace his exams. It hasn't been done since Aurelius Snape graduated, although I hear Ambrose only missed one," Ronnie explained.

"Oh, I get it now, he's being coached! That's probably why Auror Snape has been hanging around the castle too!" Mari concluded.

"Mari, do me a favor and keep your nose out of house business, regardless of whose it is, or I will find someone to rearrange it for you," Ronnie warned.

"Can I volunteer?" Beth inquired.

"No, I'd prefer someone who is a bit more neutral. Either way, butt out, Mari. Bad things happen to Slytherin that go against their prefects. Very bad things," Ronnie said. Mari grimaced at the reminder.

Maurice waited impatiently for Ambrose to take his lunch break, books in hand as the two of them walked out of the library.

"So, what did you think?" Maurice asked in a low voice.

"I thought it was good, but you probably ought to stick to things you can publish," Ambrose whispered with a grin.

"Why, was it that bad?" Maurice asked anxiously.

"I didn't mean it like that. I meant it more like... do you really want anyone else but me to see it?"

"No, craters no," Maurice admitted, waving both hands in front of him in protest.

"I suppose I could write it in a female voice. A lot of poets have done that, including Robert Frost."

"You'd still have to rewrite most of it. Witches want different things out of relationships than wizards do," Ambrose pointed out.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Maurice sighed. "You're annoying, you know. You're almost a year younger than me and yet you're so damn wise."

"It's in the blood. I can't help it. Anyway, where do you want to have lunch?" Ambrose asked.

"Would you mind if we took some sandwiches or something out to the football pitch? Beth said they had practice today," Maurice suggested.

"Sure," Ambrose said. "Hey, maybe you should write a poem for her and try to get that published."

"I'd have to think about it. It'd be a lot harder to express," Maurice decided. "You know, Beth is actually pretty sweet once you get past that snotty attitude she uses as a defense; and that's there because of other house members. Ever since I agreed to see her, she listens to everything I say, is the first to defend any decision I make, and has become one of the best friends I have. She even read the entire MC series... not because she was interested in it, but because I was interested in it. She even borrowed some of my Muggle poetry books."

"She knows about the poetry as well?" Ambrose asked curiously, stepping in the kitchen long enough to pull a couple of bags off a cart filled with them.

"It's terribly hard to keep things from her. She says she knows me better than I know myself. Rather funny considering that if she did know me that well, I doubt she'd give me the time of day, not to mention the fact she'd probably tell everyone else in the entire castle about me," Maurice said, shaking his head.

"I don't believe that, Maurice, not if she's been as good of a friend that you say she has been," Ambrose said.

"Despite the fact she's older, I'd say she's practically perfect for me. At least she would be if I was normal," Maurice sighed.

"You're normal now," Ambrose said firmly. "Stop treating it as a curse. You're just condemning yourself for being yourself when you do that."

"It is a curse, and it affects my whole family as well as Beth," Maurice said. The two of them chose a quiet spot in the front row of the stands so that the Slytherin players could see he was there to support them. "I hate myself, and I wish I could be as dedicated to Beth as she is to me."

"You can't wish your feelings away, Maurice," Ambrose said, shaking his head.

"I also can't potion them away. I already checked," Maurice muttered. "I envy you, Ambrose. You can be whoever you want to be and like whoever you want to like, and nobody in your family is going to care about it."

"I don't think you give your family enough credit," Ambrose argued. "And I'm really getting tired of you thinking that there is something wrong with you! Is there something wrong with me too, then?"

"Yes, obviously, a bit..." Maurice began, so Ambrose stood up. "Wait, Ambrose."

"No. I tried my best to help you but it's obvious you'd rather condemn yourself than to listen," Ambrose said angrily. "Well, you're not taking me down with you. I like who I am and I will feel what I'm going to feel whether anyone else agrees with it or not. It's time you grew up and learned how to live with yourself, and hopefully learn how to like yourself. Until then, I really don't want anything to do with you, thanks. So go and be with Beth. Considering the way the two of you are taking advantage of each other, you both deserve being miserable the rest of your lives."

"But I was hoping that you'd help me..." Maurice blurted out, but Ambrose waved him off and kept on walking.

On the field, Beth barked at Mari, who had stopped to watch.

"Come on, Maxen, you're one of the main reasons we're out here early this year," Beth reminded her. Mari pointed towards the stands, and Beth looked up in time to see Ambrose storm off, Maurice looking a bit flustered.

"Looks like they had a lover's spat," Mari observed.

"That's it. I'm not going to let a squirrelly little first year like you talk about a prefect like that," Beth said in fury, storming off to Ronnie, who nodded then frowned disapprovingly at Mari.

"What now?" Maurice asked with exasperation when Beth walked over to him.

"I have a thorn in my side," Beth explained and then suddenly kissed him. Maurice returned it in surprise, staring at her questioningly when she backed away. "Mari. But don't worry, Ronnie is going to take care of it."

"Might I ask what prompted that? And in front of all those house members, no less?" Maurice complained when she hugged him and started hanging on his arm.

"She's decided that you're simply dating me because I have a respectable family and a lot of money. I'm a convenience," Beth said with a pout. Maurice threw Mari a dirty look. He also decided he didn't mind Beth hanging on him so much.

"You said Ronnie was going to handle it?" Maurice asked.

"Mari's been pushing her luck all year with that mouth of hers. If you ask me, it's overdue when she starts throwing those comments at us," Beth said.

"Very overdue," Maurice agreed.

Mari woke up howling the next morning, using her hands in a vain attempt to hide her enlarged nose. Nearly every Slytherin was still in Conspiracies that morning, waiting for what just happened to happen, although only the upper classmen knew what was going to occur.

"Nice, that. Cyrano Hex or Pinocchio curse?" Maurice asked casually.

"Pinocchio Curse," Ronnie said proudly.

"We should have followed her then, that's bound to turn fun," Keir grinned.

"Yes, too bad we don't know about it," Maurice said calmly. "Hopefully she'll be a little more careful about who she targets in the future." Beth smiled warmly at him, holding onto his arm.

In some ways it was a grueling two weeks, but Maurice welcomed the long, silent hours and rigid testing. Having to force himself to concentrate completely on his academics proved to be quite a relief, so much so that he found himself dreading that last day. Still, did it really have to stop there? He could just keep on studying. Perhaps he could get started on his research papers for Scribe and Black a little early.

It wasn't until Maurice had gotten some suggestions from both of them about what to research and went down to the library that he realized the flaw in his plan. Ambrose sat at the desk, attempting to ignore him.

"I need some help finding some titles for my research papers," Maurice said. Ambrose glanced over his reading list. Then he got up and led Maurice to the scroll racks, pulling two scrolls out before going to the bookshelves. "Oh, they weren't bound books. That explains why I was having trouble finding those," Maurice commented as Ambrose picked through the others he needed on his history report.

"Take this one as well. I'm sure you'll find it a lot more useful than the suggested literature," Ambrose suggested. "As for your Muggle Studies list, you're not likely to find any of those here except maybe the periodicals. I suggest you sign up for a computer lab at the Muggle Farm. Most of those are on the web." Maurice moaned at that.

"Fine, I guess I'll start on this first. Thanks," Maurice said. Ambrose nodded to him and turned to walk back to the desk. "You don't have to be quite so cold, you know."

"I'm not the one who's cold, Maurice. I'm just doing my job," Ambrose said evenly.

"Well, I think you're being quite petty over nothing," Maurice said.

"Craters and candles! Are you two still at it?" The two of them looked around, a bit startled to see Mari Maxen standing there, looking at them critically. "You have got to be the worst prefect that Slytherin has ever had... at least, I hope there haven't been any worse. All I've heard growing up is heard stories from my Grandfather about how Slytherin wasn't like the other houses and isn't full of sniveling pansies, but apparently that's changed since Snape took over."

"Didn't you learn your lesson the last time you started making waves? Just who the hell do you think you are, anyway? You're a nothing first-year!" Maurice berated her.

"I am the ghost from Slytherin Past," Mari said with a grim smile. "And you have been found lacking in the fact that you don't seem interested in promoting Slytherin's ideals." She glanced at Ambrose and back to Maurice with disgust. "You only seem to be worried about your perverted inclinations towards other boys."

Ambrose barked a warning and tried to grab Maurice's wand arm. But Maurice was much too quick, blasting Mari backwards that a simple spell that put a zipper on her mouth. Books went flying when she hit the shelves, and students jumped up with surprise, several students running forward to get between them when it was obvious that Maurice was going to cast to again. Just then, Maurice took on a stiff appearance and would have fallen backward had several Slytherin not gotten to him first.

"Enough, it's over," Ambrose said, sticking his wand in his belt and picking up Maurice's wand. "Someone take Mari to Hauk's office and let him know she was instigating a prefect again," Ambrose looked towards the Owl room door, unsurprised to see several of them were looking out to see what was going on. "Winnie, get over here and escort Maurice to the Headmaster's office for casting on a first year," Ambrose barked. "The rest of you get back to what you were supposed to be doing. That means studying," he added for good measure.

When Maurice loosened up and slowly became aware of where he was, he found himself standing in front of the Headmaster's desk. Severus sat behind it with a stern expression.

"Very well, Winifred. I think he's able to stand on his own now. You may go," Severus said.

"Yes, sir," Winnie said, unwilling to look in Maurice's direction as she slipped out and closed the door behind herself.

"This is rather out of character, isn't it?" Severus observed. "In fact, I don't think you have had a single detention since you stepped foot in this school. Now you've done something that warrants being in front of my desk."

"I take full responsibility for my actions, but I won't apologize for them," Maurice said, moving his arms back and forth to finish loosening them. His wand, he realized, was on the Headmaster's desk.

"You hit Maxen with a zipper hex so hard that she toppled a bookshelf. Witnesses say you would have cast on her again had Ambrose not petrified you," Severus said.

"True enough," Maurice agreed.

"Then may I ask what exactly she did that you decided was worth risking expulsion for?" Severus asked. Maurice frowned.

"I wasn't thinking that far ahead, actually. I let my temper get the better of me," Maurice said evenly.

"Obviously. But you haven't answered the question."

Maurice thought about it for a moment.

"She was questioning my authority as Slytherin prefect," he answered at last.

"Then why wasn't this incident handled internally as it should have been?" Severus asked.

"I let my temper get the better of me," Maurice stated.

"Back to that again, are we?" Severus sighed, pulling over a piece of official stationary.

"I really ought to at least suspend you. Fortunately for you, when I took this job, I made a running tally of every student I thought should have been thrown out and wasn't while Dumbledore was in office, and I promised myself I'd give leniency to that many students when he probably wouldn't have as a personal means of closure. You're lucky that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are on that list multiple times or I would have run out by now. Even so, you will have more than one detention, and I will be writing your father..."

"No!" Maurice blurted out in horror.

"Actually, I don't think it'll be bad for you when it comes to that. I'm sure he's been expecting one of these for years now..."

"Please, don't! He'll keep hounding me for specifics if you do that..."

"Yes, he will," Severus agreed. "But since you're unwilling to tell me any specifics, I really have little choice, do I?"

"Little choice?" Maurice repeated. "You can do anything you want because you're the Headmaster! I'm the one with little choice in the matter! Don't write my father!"

"You have plenty of choices, Maurice, the first being not to have attacked a fellow student in the first place," Severus said firmly.

"But she thinks..." Maurice stammered, flustered, and feeling as if Severus' calm, steady gaze was looking right through him. Still clenching his fists, Maurice burst into tears, unable to contain his anger any longer.

"Why did this have to happen to me? Why? Tell me that!" Maurice shouted. "I'm the last Craw, the only son! Family is everything, and I have a responsibility to continue the family line. I don't want to be this way! Please tell me there's some magical fix for the way I feel!"

"Magic or no magic, you cannot really run from yourself, Maurice," Severus said quietly. "Acceptance really is the best answer."

"I won't! I refuse to ever accept it! I didn't choose to be like this!" Maurice snapped.

"Perhaps not, but once you accept who you are, you will have choices as to where to go from there," Severus advised calmly. "Maurice, this issue is more than about who you're attracted to, you know. Over time, you've tied that one aspect of your life to every other nuance of who you are until it's overrun it, causing you to deny more and more of what you do like about yourself in the process. A lot of that build up is because you believe it is your fate to settle down with a witch and have a family that your parents would be proud of. That isn't fate, Maurice, it is simply what your parents were hoping for, which isn't the same thing."

"It is to me," Maurice murmured.

"I know you see it that way, but it is important that you understand that your parents' hopes for you were never, ever meant to be a burden for you to carry. In fact, they would both... yes, even your father... be terribly upset if they knew just how much pressure that has actually put you under," Severus said quietly. Maurice sighed.

"Yes. I know that. But you're not going to tell them, are you? Please don't... wait. I'm not sure I actually told you, exactly..."

"Tell me what?" Severus asked in such a tone that Maurice shook his head with a thin smile, knowing that Severus knew already. "Tell you that you're not a label? Very well, you're not a label. I don't like those sorts of labels, and it's probably because I'm very much in debt to myself for overusing them when I didn't know any better. Andrew hates them more than I do, however. Ask Mr. Hauk about that one if you dare."

"Are you still going to write my father?" Maurice asked quietly.

"No, not when you're attempting to be honest with me, as well as yourself. So why was it that Mari was attempting to label you, since I suspect that's the real reason things came to blows just now?" Severus asked.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because she noticed how much Ambrose was helping me study for OWLS this year," Maurice said somberly.

Severus stared at him and then let out a groan.

"What a foolish thing to do," Severus murmured.

"Yeah, I know..."

"No, not you, I was talking to myself, actually," Severus admitted. "Never mind about that. You know, Maurice, those sorts of taunts and accusations are thrown out by students all the time... every day in fact, as a sort of manipulation tactic. I'm not completely convinced that's not all that this was; you were simply more sensitive to those comments because of your current situation."

"You mean because it was true," Maurice said dryly.

"Really that's for you to discern. I'm not going to get into that. But if you take a step back and learn to distinguish that, you will be able to handle it better. And yes, it's true that it is abhorrent that such labels are used as jaunts and insults, and even more abhorrent that so many people accept them as being insults. But society is where it is, and if you take a deep breath and view the situation analytically, it may help keep you from unleashing your Craw wrath whenever anyone mentions it," Severus suggested. Maurice grimaced.

"I did overact. I... it's all been pinned up," he admitted.

"Well, now that some of the pressure has been released, what do you plan to do?" Severus asked, deciding to stand up and make some tea.

"I don't know. I'm kind of numb at the moment. I mean, letting off steam didn't really solve my problem, did it?" Maurice pointed out.

"Perhaps not, but it will help you think clearly. Let's set aside your family's hopes for you for a moment. Ultimately what they truly want, despite what has been spoken of in the past, is for you to be happy with yourself and your life. You and only you can decide what that happiness is."

"But that's a problem too. I already know what I want," Maurice said, Severus raising an eyebrow questioningly. "I want both. I do want to get married and have a traditional family; I've had names picked out for kids since I was ten. But I want to be allowed to be myself too."

"Maurice, you do not cease to be yourself once you get married," Severus said flatly. "Your closet space may cease to exit, but you do not."

"I know I may never be a fifty-fifty sort of both like Ambrose is, which is how I started thinking about it in the first place. I'm more like an eighty-twenty, but... I would like to try, and I don't care if both sides condemn me for trying it. I can't be happy unless I'm true to my family, and I'm starting to realize that I can't be happy unless I'm being true to myself either," Maurice admitted.

"You are right. Both in your last sentiment and about the fact there will be some on both sides of this issue that will condemn you for your decision. You also need to make sure anyone you have a relationship with is willing to accept your decision. Relationships tend not to work well if you're not completely honest from the start. That said, you should also be cautious when you're ready to confide in them... at least until you're willing to tell your father about it," Severus said.

"I don't think I'll ever be that ready to tell him, and he certainly won't ever be ready to hear it," Maurice snorted. "Maybe after I've been married for a while and he has a grandchild on his lap... maybe I'll tell him then."

"And what of your sister? You should at least confide in her. If anyone would understand what you're going through, it's her; at least when it comes to the burdens of being a Craw," Severus suggested.

"She doesn't know already?" Maurice asked nervously. Severus looked thoughtful for a moment and then handed him a cup.

"I don't know," Severus admitted. "To be completely honest, I'm not sure she would bring it up even if she guessed before I had Aurelius protect your thoughts."

"What! Rel's been protecting my thoughts? Why didn't you tell me?" Maurice flailed.

"Because I didn't want you to get the impression that you could hide this situation forever," Severus said. "But as I was attempting to explain to you, Jennifer probably knows nearly every students' sexual orientations and who their particular crushes are better than anyone else in the school. No student comes into Potions class and thinks only of Potions," he said dryly. "But as such, she was also trained to filter all of that out as a privacy issue and she tends to keep it to herself. It's not something she would see as threatening to you in any way, and I think family loyalty would also entice her not to say anything if she did suspect it. As you're aware, she is as family loyal as you are and loves you very much. She would make an ideal confidante." Maurice shook his head. "You know, Maurice, I am awfully busy. I may not be able to always be as available to you as I've tried to be lately."

Maurice stared at him for a moment before he grimaced again. Severus had always been available when Maurice needed him nearly every time that year, he realized. It also hadn't been a coincidence that Severus had always been free when Maurice needed him.

"I guess you're right. It probably would help to have a confidante or two to help me sort this out... as long as they don't talk to my sister or parents about it," Maurice amended hastily.

"Armando, Maurice Plan B if you can manage it," Severus told the painting.

"They were already on stand-by the moment he was called to your office, Severus," Armando assured him.

"Drink some of your tea, Maurice," Severus suggested, but it wasn't long before there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Severus called out, and Sally Scribe slipped into the door with an enigmatic smile on her face.

"Ah, good! Tea! It's that common brew, though, isn't it? Do you have anything else?" Sally asked cheerfully.

"Look under the tray, I suppose. They may have seen you coming," Severus suggested.

"I may have a tin somewhere in a pocket if not," Sally assured him. "Hello, Maurice! It is good to see you in here at last!"

"I have a bit of a confession, Maurice. I've been consulting Sally rather heavily on what you've been going through, lately," Severus explained. Maurice frowned.

"Why?"

"Why would you suppose?" Sally asked. Maurice frowned at her. "I'm from a very prominent wizard family in South Africa. When they found out I was non-conforming to their ideals of what a daughter should be, I was kicked out of the family, denounced, ordered to leave the country, and was told if my sexual orientation was ever made public that they would make sure that myself and anyone I cared about would suffer. And on that note, I'd prefer very much if you never mention that fact short of this room or my office, please."

"Wow. I had no idea," Maurice admitted.

"Well, what I went through made me develop a few quirks, really, and I prefer it be kept under wraps. But I am sure you do know that I have an intolerance for intolerance... although acceptance is better than the idea of 'tolerance' any day," she added.

"Yes. I agree," Maurice nodded and she smiled.

"I think we can have some good conversations together, you and I," Sally decided with a smile.

"Her philosophies in life have definitely made her a good history and composition instructor," Severus offered.

"I like to look at history with an open mind, yes. I'm too much of an underdog supporter to allow the victors to write the 'facts', which is why I just teach the dates and let the students fill in the blanks... well, that and they tend to be more inventive in their essay writing that way."

"By the way, Maurice earned two detentions for casting a spell on another student. Care to take one?" Severus asked. Maurice winced at that.

"Delighted," she said, looking over the tidbits on the tray. There was another knock at the door and Sally hopped up.

"I'll get it! I bet it's another nonconformist!" she said in a sing-song voice and opened the door. "Even better! It's two nonconformists!" Sally declared. She then made way for John Carnegie and Earham Singh. Maurice's jaw dropped.

"Good morning, Maurice, Headmaster Snape," John said, and then saw Maurice's reaction. "'Tis shocking, I know, but I am married to a nice lad," he teased.

"You I knew about. You're obvious," Maurice said.

"True, true," John agreed, then accepted a caviar on toast that Sally handed him.

"Earham? Not you too! But you're a goblin!" Maurice said.

"If there are two sexes, there are two choices, are there not?" Earham challenged him.

"No, there are four. Male, female, both and neither," Maurice said.

"Severus, I thought you said he still needed some guidance. It doesn't sound like he is confused to me," Earham observed.

"He seems to be getting better by the minute," Severus explained.

"Does my father know about you?" Maurice grilled Earham, having no intention of letting his best friend off the hook for not telling him.

"Of course he does, Maurice, but after accepting a goblin wizard, the other part wasn't as big of a stretch," Earham said dryly. "Besides, your father doesn't care about a person's personal life. They just need to agree with him when he's right, be brave enough to stick up to him when he's wrong, and be punctual when he asks them to lunch. I really don't think you have much to worry about."

"I don't want my family to know," Maurice said firmly.

"Accepted," Earham said readily.

"You can count on me," Sally added.

"I understand the sentiment intimately, Maurice. My father was less than enamored with my personal choices, as it were," John agreed. "And although I may not be your first choice to go to about these sorts of problems, you can count on me in a pinch. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm always around during the school year."

"By the way, John, I'm giving you one of Maurice's detentions for striking a student," Severus said.

"Oh? Who did you take out?" John asked with interest.

"Mari Maxen," Maurice admitted.

"Oh. Then she probably deserved it," John decided.

"Maxens are bad news. I wonder what they're doing back?" Earham asked with concern.

"Let's not get off the subject. Maurice, is your support group acceptable?" Severus asked.

"Yes," Maurice said with a smile. "Thank you!"

"I'm just glad the worst is over," Severus said. Realizing he was right, Maurice nodded. "Although I still think you should consider telling your sister."

"I agree with the Headmaster. She would be nothing if not supportive," Earham said.

"She would, Maurice. She cares for you so," Sally added.

"No doubts about that," John offered.

"Not just yet. Maybe someday," Maurice said.

"Perhaps we can discuss it in our next letter. Don't worry, I'll charm it so no one else can read it," Earham said. "I really need to be heading to the Pannage for lunch, though."
"I'd best walk you down, Mr. Singh," John said.

"Lunch is a grand idea, as well as some real tea," Sally said.

"Snob," Severus accused her.

"Only when it comes to food," Sally laughed. "See you at detention, Maurice."

"You ought to be going to lunch as well. And don't be surprised if the hourglass is fifty points down when you're in the Great Hall."

"I think I'll go eat in the Owl Room then," Maurice decided. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Severus said.

He shook his head and was staring at the door when there was a soft knock from somewhere else in the room.

"Is it safe to come in now?" asked the voice of Icarus.

"Yes, sorry, I suppose that cut into your appointment time, didn't it?" Severus asked distractedly.

"Students first, after all," Icarus said, appearing with a folder in hand. "Here are the scores of students who took the OWLS for Divination and Astrology. It's longer than usual; even Aurora managed to pick up a student major this year."

"Ah yes, Miss Aster. She attempted to fall asleep in my Runes course. When I asked her what was so important that it was worth missing enough sleep that it caused her to dose off in my class, she presented me with a star chart she had chalked up showing significant conjunctions."

"Yes, that's the one," Icarus said with a thin smile. "But what was it that you were shaking your head about you just now? I assume it's something about your brother?"

"He won't go to her... possibly afraid of how she might react. He would have saved himself much of what he's been going through had he done so a long time ago," Severus said.

"Yes," Icarus agreed thoughtfully.

"What bothers me is the fact that everyone else in the family seems to take Jennifer for granted, and I think they often underestimate how much she loves them," Severus said.

"I wouldn't say all of them do, Severus. Aurelius knows, I think, and so does Corey."

"Fair enough. Aurelius has understood her since that rotten year with Malfoy, and also because of his Truth Seeking. Corey understands her because he tends give his heart away just like she does."

"I think Maurice will come to understand her as well, Severus. I think he's been very brave in the way he has been handling this, actually. If he had been born any other year, he may have been Sorted to Gryffindor."

"He has turned himself into one of the best Slytherin prefects we've had in many a year," Severus said, bristling a bit.

"True, but he did have to turn himself into that person, Severus. I often wonder what would he have been like had he felt he could be himself from the very start?" Icarus mused.

"And you of all people should know we must accept the present for what it is," Severus reminded him before going over his paperwork.