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By November, the gossip about Sirius Black began to die down. The first few days had been hectic, with rumours flying around the castle. Despite the chaos, Severus was glad they 'd stopped talking about the boggart. Even most of the Slytherins were concerned; they knew how insane Azkaban could drive any convict, and Sirius Black had been in there for over a decade. Snape was keeping an even closer eye on Lupin; he knew the wolf was helping the psychopath. He just needed proof.
The portrait of the Fat Lady was taken to be repaired, and the deranged knight Sir Cadogan had taken over, torturing the Gryffindors by changing passwords nearly four times a day, and challenging those who tried to enter the Tower to a duel.
The staff were keeping Potter guarded at all times; he could not even walk in the corridor without a professor flanking him. Snape offered to chaperone the boy more than anyone because it angered Potter so much.
Severus relished in substituting for the wolf that month. Most of the students entered the DADA classroom and froze on the spot when they saw him standing behind the podium. For some reason, they all adored the werewolf. 'Of course, they do,' thought Severus, 'everyone loves that mangy beast.'
Meanwhile, he continued to inspire fear and hatred in all of the students, except his charges. Longbottom nearly fainted at the sight of him in the Defense classroom, but he managed to scramble to his seat under the Potion Master's heated glare. First-year girls squeaked in fright and sat quietly, and most of the rest looked as if they might wet themselves. Granger and Draco were the sole exceptions. Miss Granger beamed at the sight of him, despite his sneers and glares, and took up a seat in the front row. Draco was thrilled because he expected his godfather to give him special treatment once more, which Severus denied.
Harry Potter rushed into the classroom a whole ten minutes late, and Severus docked him five points. The boy just glared at Snape, ready to start a fight, as he ambled to his desk, causing him to lose more points.
Wanting to pay Lupin back for the boggart, Severus directed the third-year class to page three hundred and ninety-four: Were-Dier. Hermione tried to open her mouth to protest, but a furious glare from him shut her mouth after the first two syllables, and she opened her book with a sad expression in her eyes.
"He's a right git you know..." Ron snarked to Hermione.
"I want a two-page essay on the differences between a Were-Dier and Animagus by Monday morning."
"Sir, there's Quidditch tomorrow," Harry argued.
"Your point?" Severus asked raising an eyebrow, Harry just glared. "If the curriculum is too much for you to handle Mr. Potter, maybe you should quit Quidditch to focus on your studies. This is an educational institution after all."
Severus' classroom stunt did not go unnoticed. He was called to Dumbledore's office and scolded like a child for his behaviour. It felt like being a student again; the Marauders always got off for their pranks while Severus, the victim, was always scolded and given detention.
"Severus I don't want to hear any more of this childish behaviour." Dumbledore scolded like a father.
"You are seriously not asking me to be friends with Lupin?"
"I can't force you to talk to Remus, Severus. However, you are not a child anymore, so I ask you not to ask like one."
"So are you going to talk to Aberforth, before you die?"
The Headmaster was glancing over Severus' shoulder instead of meeting his eyes, and the slump in his posture gave his answer away.
The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff was underway in a terrible rain storm. Thunder rumbled, and winds howled, causing the rain to fall sideways instead of straight down. The staff had cast impervious charms on their robes, and Minerva threw a warming and drying charm over herself and Severus. Severus sat in the stands, a stoic expression on his face. He rarely came out to watch Quidditch, unless his own house was playing, but with Black able to access the school grounds, he vowed to remain vigilant.
As the Seekers, Potter and Diggory, dove for the Snitch, struggling against the gales, black-robed figures emerged through the black skies, illuminated by the lightning. As the Dementors approach the pitch, all sound seemed to disappear, and Minerva could feel the chill in the air. The students began to cower in fear, attempting to protect themselves, when a scream alerted the two Heads of House. A dark-haired figure was falling out of the sky, unconscious – Potter – falling to his death.
Albus stood up, and Severus could faintly hear him below "Arresto Momentum!"
The spell slowed the boy down until he touched the ground like a feather floating gracefully. Dementors were still swarming the sky above the Quidditch pitch.
"BEGONE!" Albus was livid: he aimed his wand at the sky and cast his Phoenix Patronus, banishing the Dementors angrily from the stadium. Severus rarely saw Albus angry, the incident in which he begged for Lily's life and offered to become a spy, the most prominent in his mind. At these moments, Albus was every bit the robust and fearsome wizard that Voldemort feared; the persona he usually hid under the façade of a grandfatherly old coot.
The next day, Severus received a missive requesting his presence in the Headmaster's office for lunch. "You want me to do what?! Severus snarled, barely keeping his temper in check.
The headmaster smiled, eyes twinkling, "I would like you to help Lupin teach Harry Potter the Patronus Charm."
Severus felt his jaw twitch, "And why can't that wolf teach him alone? If I recall correctly, he is the Defense Professor," he pursed his lips, "besides, Potter's magic is laughably mediocre, teaching him would be a waste of both time and effort. No thirteen year old can repeal a horde of Dementors."
"Exactly why Remus needs your assistance Severus, the charm is very advanced in one so young."
"I refuse."
"Really, Severus? Refusing to teach a child because of a silly schoolboy grudge. What would Lily say if she knew?"
"I've no idea what Lily would think, and I don't particularly care," Severus lied smoothly, "She's dead."
After another long moment of silence, The Headmaster spoke soft his eyes weary. "Severus, Please?"
Clenching his teeth, Snape let out a long deep exhausted breath, "Fine, I'll teach the boy, but I won't coddle him."
"Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore smiled.
"I have to ask, though I suspect you won't tell me, where have you been travelling?" Severus asked, changing the subject.
Severus snarled and paced around the empty classroom, ignoring Lupin as he tried to chit chat. Potter was fifteen minutes late for his first lesson. Severus was becoming more enraged with each passing second. Finally, the boy arrived with Hermione Granger in tow, her presence surprising both men.
"Twenty points for failing to respect your Professors' time Potter," Severus hissed before glancing at Hermione, "Why are you here Miss Granger?"
"I want to learn the Patronus charm as well sir."
"That's wonderful, Miss Granger," Lupin praised and award he twenty points for her work ethic.
"We are not doing this for charity, these lessons are to be taken seriously," Severus hissed. "If you arrive late again and these lessons finished Potter."
Potter nodded.
"Good make sure you remember," Severus said coldly, "Now follow me."
"Wait... what..." Lupin twitched his nose wondering what Severus had planned.
"It's too small to train in here," Severus drawled as he led the students outside of the castle with Lupin trailing behind.
Many students watched in bewilderment as they passed by, muttering under their breath or smirking, believing the two Gryffindors to be in trouble. Lupin was left wondering where Severus was leading them as they neared the edge of the Forbidden Forest. His question was so answered leaving him completely pale; chained to a tree was a Dementor. The creature noticed them and tried to make its way over only to be thwarted; whatever was holding it was a compelling bond.
"Don't tell me you feel bad about it?" Severus asked to Lupin, who looked physically ill.
"You're not seriously teaching them with a real Dementor?" Lupin shouted flabbergasted.
"The Headmaster force… asked me to do this, also there's a world of difference between training with fakes, nothing compares to the real deal," Severus glanced at Potter who still looked furious. "Believe me, Potter I am just as thrilled as you are," he spat bitterly.
"Okay..." Lupin rubbed the back of his head; he was uncomfortable with being around Severus. No matter how much he tried to engage him with a simple conversation, Severus avoided him like the plague. It's not as though he blamed Severus, all the years when he just stood by and let James, Sirius and Peter attack him. He felt shame for it all but was worried that they would leave him if stood up for him. "…Which one of you can tell me the patronus charm?"
Not surprisingly at all, Hermione raised her hand and Harry blinked back at the professor, dazed and confused. Lupin smiled and pointed at her.
"The Patronus charm is a kind of positive force to repel a Dementor or other dark creatures. For it to work, the enchanter needs to think of a happy memory, a powerful memory, then speak the incantation 'Expecto Patronum'," Hermione recited.
"Excellent, Miss Granger; so who would like to go first?" Lupin asked Potter, stepped back.
"I'll try," Hermione stepped up to the Dementor and closed her eyes, she thought about her receiving her Hogwarts letter and aimed her wand at the Dementor: "Expecto Patronum." Nothing happened, and Hermione's cheeks grew red, and she hung her head in embarrassment; she had never failed at a spell before.
"Miss Granger some Aurors are incapable of performing the spell," Severus reassured.
Next, Harry stepped up, and the Dementor seem to grow even wilder and furious as the third year approach. The boy closed his eyes and thought of his first flying lesson, and like Hermione, nothing happened. Hermione stepped up giving it a second try thinking about buying Crookshanks; she grew disappointed that she failed again. Harry stepped up and thought about meeting Ron for the first time, and nearly cursed for failing still. It was so embarrassing with Snape watching, with his bored, expressionless face. After a few more failed attempts, the Professors called it a day.
Later that night Severus was patrolling the hall after midnight, searching for Sirius Black. Students believed that Snape never slept and wandered the halls every night looking for unsuspecting students out of bed. After twelve years of patrolling the halls, Snape could walk these halls blind, turning a corner he saw a light quietly disappear. Approaching he lit his wands and found the Boy Who Lived.
"Potter," Severus hissed, "What are you doing wandering the corridors at night? Did you forget about the serial killer that recently broken in looking for you?"
"I...I..." Potter stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse but Severus standing over him menacingly startled him.
"So," Severus said, hovering around Potter. "Everyone from the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts has been trying to keep the famous Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black, but famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself. Let the ordinary people worry and his safety! Famous Harry Potter goes where he wants to, with no thought of the consequences."
"I...I..."
"Silence!" Severus snarled, "Turn out for pockets."
Potter refused.
"Turn out for pockets! Now."
Potter slowly complied and pulled out an old sheaf of parchment. Severus stared at it, and he was confident that this was the map James Potter and the Marauders had used to hunt him down as a teen. Severus violently swiped it from the boy's hand; opening it, Severus found vile taunts and jabs confirming his suspicions.
"Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business;
Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git who would be better off to the dead;
Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that Professor Snape hasn't killed himself yet;
Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day and advises that he die alone."
Severus growled with rage, and Harry let out a frightened little squeak.
"Think you're funny you, don't you Potter?
"I.I...I"
"Silence," Severus growled.
"Severus?" Severus turned around and spotted the wolf behind him. Potter was silently thanking Merlin that Lupin appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Lupin? Out for a little stroll in the moonlight?"
"It is good for my health." Lupin smiled.
"Potter here is following in his father's footsteps, thinking himself above the rules," Severus smirked, and removed points when Potter protested. Lupin just smiled and swiped the parchment for Severus, playing the parchment as a harmless gag.
"Severus, I will escort Harry back to Gryffindor Tower."
"See that he stays there."
The Potions Professor found the boy glaring at him with absolute hatred. Severus resigned held fast in his pledge to Lily's mother. Everything he did was for the boy's mother, even if her son is an obnoxious welp, he had vowed to be there for her son. Sometimes Severus wondered if Lily could see him now in the afterlife and what her opinion would be. The boy had an uncanny ability to get under his skin, but Severus knew he must continue to fight for the cause she believed in and protect her only child.
The house tables had been moved aside, and a single table stood at the Great Hall. Severus took a seat, one that was at a proper distance away from both Minerva and Filius, who were partaking too much in the festive season for Severus' liking. Flitwick was dressed like a bloody Christmas Elf. Most of the staff had gone home for the holidays, Lupin was having an 'episode', and very few students were left for the holidays, which cheered Severus up slightly. Only four students, including Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, remained. The rest of the children called home by their concerned parents after Black's break-in.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Granger! Merry Christmas Harry!" Dumbledore cried just as Severus had sat down, "as there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the house tables... sit down, sit down!"
The two children sat next to Hagrid and Hermione greeted everyone, wishing them all a Merry Christmas. Severus nodded to her politely. The day had not been a total waste: he'd received an excellent set of vials from Lucius that were enchanted to preserve the contents better and remain unbreakable. There was no doubt that Lucius wanted Severus to brew a poison to kill Buckbeak the Hippogriff. The vials were well made and worthy of a Potions master. He'd also received a wonderful gift from Minvera; The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.
"Crackers!" Charity announced loudly, offering Severus a large silvery one. Severus took it with distaste and tugged; causing a loud noise and out popped a witch's hat with a stuffed vulture. Severus could hear Flitwick and Minerva sniggering, remembering the Boggart lesson. He pushed the hat away growling as Albus snatched it and put it on his head, "How do I like look!" he smiled at Severus.
"Fantastic, if I were a hundred years older I'd date you myself," Severus deadpanned.
Potter held his hands to his mouth to avoid giggling while Granger looked eyes wide and jaw dropped.
"So you're saying there's a chance Severus?" Albus smiled, his eyes having the audacity to twinkle at the younger man, making him stutter worse than the dearly departed Quirrell. The entire table erupted with laughter; Severus sighed and helped himself to an extra helping of mashed potatoes, masking his embarrassment with carbohydrates.
Sybill Trelawney joined the table, mumbling nonsense like always. No one paid her any attention and Hermione looked away awkwardly trying not to make eye contact with the Professor whose class she had stormed out of just a few weeks ago. Severus glowered when Sybill took the empty seat next to him; everyone knew Severus detested Trelawney and her constant mooning over the Potions Professor. The Seer sat down and began explaining something ridiculous about crystal-gazing and Black, while Severus just ignored her stone-faced, thinking about his latest research.
Albus was listening attentively as the children described their Christmas presents. Hermione was delighted with the books she received from her Head of House, Headmaster and Uncle Phil. Harry talked about a picture book that Lupin gave him, Severus turned to the boy who was so happy to have pictures of his parents as children; the pictures of Lily were from Severus, but of course, the boy didn't know that.
"I also got... um, a present without a name," he said, sounding slightly uncomfortable.
Severus stopped chewing and then swallowed his bite quickly, "What present? Did you touch it?" he barked sharply, his black eyes narrowed. The two third-years recoiled in their seats, and Hermione looked frightened, while Harry was just left confused as to why the git would care.
"No, sir. I... " He added fast, as Severus had half risen from his chair in alarm.
Severus relaxed fractionally and sat down again. "It's best you go retrieve it immediately and bring it to the Great Hall."
"NO!" Harry protested.
"Severus what's the harm?" Minerva asked.
"The harm? Are you daft? Black or one of his former associates could have sent it. It could carry a curse!"
Dumbledore turned to Harry, "You have no idea as of who gave you this gift?"
"No, sir, no idea."
"With your permission, I would like to investigate the object. It might be just a mistake, after all," said Albus.
"Of course, sir, but just you," Harry said, glaring at the Potions Master, "I'll bring it to you immediately after the meal."
It was a bright Wednesday evening, and Severus and Remus were once again teaching the two Gryffindors the patronus charm. Hermione closed her eyes tightly focusing on her thoughts. She pictured how made friends she'd made in her first two and a half year at Hogwarts; a small smile appeared on her lips as a vapour like a shield emerged from her wand for a few seconds, Lupin and Potter both smiled at her, and she beamed with pride.
"Good job, Hermione," Harry patted his friend's back in support.
Harry stepped up to face the Dementor, and he thought of night Hagrid told him he was a wizard and took him to Diagon Alley; Harry smiled as he felt the memory flow through him and he was able to keep the struggling Dementor at bay. Severus smiled a little when the boy wasn't looking.
"Well done Harry!" Lupin praised, Harry was smiling proudly at his accomplishment.
A four-year-old who had carefully dressed for his first day of Preschool made his way downstairs. Most parents would have helped the small boy with his mismatched socks and poorly buttoned coat, but not in Severus Snape's case.
Entering the living his father was watching the game, "Daddy, you going to take me to preschool?" He hugged his father, who just waved him away and told him to play outside.
"Preschool?" Severus asked.
His father replied by puffing smoke from his cigar into the little boy's face, which was his way of ending a conversation.
Severus wandered into the kitchen and tugged on his mother's apron as she spoke on the telephone to the neighbour, and was also waved him away.
"I'm going to preschool!" Severus cried out desperately one last time hoping his parents would hear, but as always he was ignored. Severus toddled out of the house as it began raining. The small child was soaked as he continued on the street. None of the adults in the seedy neighbourhood paid the small child any mind and a car splattering him with dirt and mud as it hit a puddle.
Severus took a shortcut through an alleyway where he was attacked by a feral dog who ran away with his lunch. As Severus finally made his way to preschool, he felt the rain suddenly stop. A small girl with red hair as bright as the sun and emerald green eyes, holding an umbrella, covering him with it and chirped, "Hi, I'm Lily!"
Severus was left confused by the new girls' kindness. He was so used to aggressive anger and abuse at home, and he was suddenly enraptured by this pretty girl who showed him an ounce of unselfishness. In a world where he only knew pain and neglect, Lily was the first person ever to show him kindness, the small child didn't know that this small act of kindness would stick to him for a long time.
Severus was asleep, dreaming of something he couldn't quite remember, but he had a faint smile on his face. The rare night without nightmares was interrupted when he was startled awake by loud knocks on his chamber door, the dreams fleeing his mind.
Severus cursed as he climbed out of his bed, walking to the door as he struggled to pull his housecoat over his nightshirt, eyes still bleary. It had been an exhausting day, Longbottom having managed to melt his cauldron, spilling two vials of toxic ingredients onto his worktable; then he had to break up a fight between two hormonal sixth-years arguing over a girl.
Albus had just raised his fist to knock again when Severus opened his door, "What is so urgent that it required you to ruin my sleep?"
The elder wizard looked very concerned, and pushed his way past Severus into his chambers uninvited, "Come in." Severus hissed still exhausted.
"Severus, Sirius Black is in the castle again. He managed to break into the Gryffindor boy's dormitory and slashed Ronald Weasley's bed curtains with a knife."
"Weasley's bed? What would Black be doing in the there?" Severus grumbled, his mind whirling. "He should be trying to get to Potter, not Mr Weasley... and he couldn't have gotten into Gryffindor Tower. The boy must be lying. They desperate for attention just like a Gryffindors are."
"Perhaps not," Albus said, shaking his head. "Minerva spoke with Sir Cadogan. The portrait told her that he let a man into Gryffindor Tower. He had a whole list of passwords..."
"A list...?"
"Mr Longbottom had decided to write them down," Albus sighed, "and then lost the parchment."
"Longbottom, why is it always Longbottom!" Severus snarled, "He is the bane of my existence and a danger to everyone in this castle. "
"The boy has been reprimanded, and he will be punished... his grandmother has been notified. She'll undoubtedly let him know her displeasure."
"Is the boy alright?" Severus asked wearily, his exhausted brain finally catching up with him. "Potter, was he attacked? Was anyone attacked? Did anyone check up upon them?"
"He's fine," Albus said calmly, "Minerva checked up on them first. The boys were shocked, and Mr Weasley's bed curtains are shredded, but nobody was injured. The girls were woken up by the ruckus in the common room."
Severus sighed as relief flooded him, and he slumped into a chair by the fireplace. "I still cannot fathom why Black would go after Weasley."
"It is probable that he did not know which bed was which," Albus said quietly.
"Black is a deranged mad man; it is impossible to attempt to understand how his mind works."