Chapter 34: The Late Arrival to Third Year
"You whaaaat?!" squealed Mary.
Lily's face was about as red as her hair.
"I…kissed Sev. On the cheek!" she hastily added.
Mary looked positively evil with the plastered grin on her face.
"I knew it! I knew it! I absolutely called on it with your sister!" she laughed.
"What's so funny?" asked Lily indignantly.
"I can just imagine you trying to kiss Severus on the cheek and end up snogging a spattergroit spot instead!" cackled Mary.
Lily frowned. "I may have done…but it still felt nice to kiss him…I have…wondered…and now that I have, I also want to see what it would be like to kiss his cheek without spots…or maybe somewhere other than the cheek."
"Like here?" asked Mary, pointing to her lips suggestively.
"Maybe." murmured Lily shyly.
Mary squealed hopping on the spot, making Lily positively sick.
"Must you be so dramatic? I only kissed his cheek." she said crossly.
"Yeah, but we've been wondering when one of you would make a move!"
"All of you?!"
"Yeah, you clearly like each other!" cried Mary, frustrated at Lily's naivety. "You hang out all the time, even though you've both made friends of the same gender here! You always visit Hagrid together, you have had talks of going to Hogsmeade together! You never make plans without involving the other, and I'm sorry, Lily, but your hair is nothing compared to your face whenever Severus is around lately!"
Lily tried to hide her blush at that point.
Mary hugged her.
"Seriously though, Lily, if you like him, give it a try! Maybe even invite him to Hogsmeade on a date!" she suggested.
"Um, I know I said I like him…and that I kissed him…"
"On the cheek!" added Mary melodramatically.
"…but I'm not sure I'm ready to date him. I mean, we're only thirteen."
"The perfect age to gain experience about dating!" said Mary expertly.
"What makes you such an expert?" scoffed Lily. "You've never been on a date in your life, I'll wager!"
"You'd lose that wager!" teased Mary, folding her arms in mock offence.
"Oh? Is there something you're not telling me?" asked Lily with a cheeky smirk of her own.
"Maybe, maybe not." said Mary innocently.
"You're so full of it!" replied Lily.
Mary stuck out her tongue in response as the two girls, along with Marlene and Rebecca got ready for bed on their first night back as third year students.
In the Ravenclaw Common Room, Quincey was feeling less cheerful as his best friend was not there with him and would not be for a whole month.
"Look on the bright side." said Nora Waynefleet before he went up to bed. "You have the Union for company still and you can hang out with Elizabeth and I until Severus returns."
Quincey thanked Nora for her kindness and went up to bed to read up on the new Defence text.
At dinner, they had all been introduced to the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, a Professor Murdoch, a Pure-Blood wizard, known for experience in the Auror's office at the Ministry, though not as experienced as Rufus Scrimgeour and Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody were. Frank took a liking to the middle-aged man with greying black hair instantly.
"He'll hopefully be able to coach me on Auror training!" he said enthusiastically. "I could get some experience early on to speed up my official training."
"Is that what you want to be then?" asked Quincey.
"Always has wanted to." said Alice, whom had recovered mostly from her spattergroit, though she had a couple of pockmarks that may or may not fade in a few years' time. "Both of us have."
Quincey nodded considering the possibility himself, hence why he was reading up on his text in bed. He absently looked over to Severus' bed near his and hoped his friend was coping with his spattergroit illness.
Severus was resting in bed for weeks, though did come down for meals at his own insistence after his mother pandered to him for a week and never let him out of his bedroom.
The potions were working, and he was gradually recovering. But he couldn't help but worry. He missed Lily a lot and was constantly paranoid that James Potter was taking advantage of his absence to make the moves on her. He felt some joy at Lily's kiss of his cheek too, but was still unsure of her intentions, not to mention fairly certain that it was not entirely pleasant for her considering the state of his complexion at the time. Fortunately, that issue was increasingly subsiding with the effects of the medical potions.
Eileen doted on her son and received two weeks off work and was even supplied help and nourishment from two of Septimus' house elves, though she still wished to be independent after so many years of living under her parents' or Tobias' thumb. Robin understood this about his girlfriend and left her to her own devices unless she asked for it. However, he didn't know that some women don't ask for help, yet they expect it.
Luckily, there had been no major fallouts yet, but that was because Eileen was still scared of potential repercussions for answering or fighting back, and Robin was too concerned for Eileen's fears to say or do anything against her.
Severus could tell this from both sides and knew they needed to get past these insecurities if the relationship was to proceed and grow healthily.
"How are you this morning, Severus?" asked Robin at the breakfast table, eating buttered toast whilst reading the Daily Prophet.
"Not bad, I guess." said Severus. "But I wouldn't mind getting back to Hogwarts, and soon."
"Don't worry, just another couple of weeks and you'll be on your way." said Eileen kindly.
Severus smiled softly and helped himself to some bacon sandwiches.
His homework was sent often by Lily and his teachers, and he received a group message from the Union, telling of how they were proceeding well without him, and recruited two more Hufflepuffs so far. They also spoke of Professor Murdoch and how he strictly but adequately taught their classes.
"Sounds like another improvement from that teacher who died." said Robin.
"And hopefully more responsible than that foolish woman from the past year." said Eileen coldly.
"She was a great teacher, Mum." defended Severus. "She didn't realize her symptoms until it was too late. She's not a trained Healer."
"If you insist on being lenient, very well." said Eileen. "But nevertheless, she is the reason you are in your current condition."
"Like you said, another couple of weeks and I'll be back at Hogwarts in no time." said Severus.
Eileen wanted to point out how far behind Severus could be by then, but as she was the one trying to dissuade her son from taking that negative point of view, she suppressed the need to speak up and went on with cleaning the dishes, with magic.
It was early October. The leaves were by now fully browned and were rapidly falling from the trees of the Forbidden Forest and the Whomping Willow itself, giving an exposed view for people in the higher parapets of the never-changing castle.
Lily was impatient and more and more nervous. She desperately wanted Severus to come back and spend time with her. Tomorrow was when he would return. Dumbledore had arranged for him to arrive by Floo Network in his office that evening after dinner and would go straight to bed in the Ravenclaw rooms, but that meant Quincey and the other Ravenclaws would have the benefit of reuniting with him first.
"You'll see him in the morning." said Mary kindly.
"It's just been such a miserable month without him." said Lily. "And we spent next to no time together at all over the summer."
"True, but you did have lil old me!" said Mary sweetly.
"Yeah, but not so much this month." said Lily. "Where do you keep going after class?"
"Maybe you can find that out soon." said a voice.
It was James Potter, accompanied by Sirius and Peter.
"Thought you guys were hanging out with Remus." said Lily.
"He wanted to take a nap." said Peter.
"Feeling a little under the weather." explained Sirius.
"Wanted to get some rest in before dinner tonight." added James.
"What did you mean by she might find out where I've been going after class?" asked Mary, a trifle nervously.
"We've been working on something." said Sirius. "Might come in handy in stopping disputes between the houses."
"What is it?" asked Lily.
"Not telling." teased Peter. "But it's brilliant!"
"And helpful." promised James. "Still pining at Severus not being back yet?"
"She can't wait to see him in the morning." said Mary cheekily.
"Severus and Lily sitting in the Whomping Willow!" sang Peter.
"Oh, shut up!" snapped Lily.
Peter consented, but James was laughing like mad.
"Is that why?" he asked. "Didn't know for sure, but yeah, we all wondered."
"She-"
"Quiet, Mary!" warned Lily savagely.
"I won't force you to kiss and tell." said James.
"I might though." said Sirius. "James has had some experience in the kissing profession over the summer."
James stamped on his foot.
"OW!"
"Oh? Do tell!" giggled Mary.
"Uh, nope! Nothing to tell! His mouth is malfunctioning just as much as Severus' health and Peter's wand! Hehe, gotta go! NOW!" he barked to Sirius and Peter, neither of them keeping a straight face.
"Well, well, sounds like we're not the only ones thinking of romance at the early age of thirteen." said Mary, mocking Lily's own words.
"Well, I don't care about that right now." said Lily sadly. "I want Sev back."
"Cos you loooove-"
Lily smacked Mary round the head before she could finish the sentence.
After the feast that evening, Dumbledore returned to his office, expecting either Eileen Prince or Robin Kennedy to Floo Severus into the room.
Eileen did so not long after his own arrival.
"Robin offered to take him to the Hog's Head, but the boss wouldn't let him leave to escort Severus to the castle." she said.
"That's 'the boss' for you." sighed Dumbledore, thinking of his bad-tempered brother, Aberforth.
"If anything is wrong with him, will you inform me immediately?" asked the concerned mother.
"Yes, Miss Prince, your son is in safe hands, and I daresay he'll lodge a complaint against me personally if he is not satisfied." replied the good-natured headmaster.
"Thank you." said Eileen, though she still had a mistrustful attitude towards Dumbledore, considering all he had done to her son in his past life.
After a farewell hug, which Severus felt embarrassed about now, especially as a teenager, but allowed due to the lack of affection they shared in the past, Eileen Flooed back home, leaving him with the Headmaster.
"Happy to be back, Mr Prince?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, sir." said Severus. "I assume I cannot go and see Lily."
"Not tonight, but you have my permission to speak to another version." Dumbledore placed the Resurrection Stone on the desk, suppressing his own desire to use it, which he had by now gained a tolerance for with help from his own advanced Occlumency skills.
Severus felt brightened in spirits, though was still eager to reunite with the Lily who had kissed his cheek the month before.
"Thank you, sir." he said.
"After you're done, you may place the Stone by my desk again and leave." said Dumbledore cheerily. "Good evening, Mr Prince."
"Good evening, Professor." said Severus.
After Dumbledore vacated the room and into his own private chambers, Severus seized the Stone with more desire than he had encountered the other times, but that was possibly because of the fact that he was late speaking to Lily Potter and was keen to catch up and see if she had any news for him, as much as he had for her.
He turned the Stone thrice in his hand, and Lily appeared with a broad smile, her hair flowing with a soft breeze upon her arrival.
"Here at last, eh, Sev?" she said.
"Yeah, sorry." he replied sheepishly.
"Don't be." chuckled Lily. "I'm only teasing, I saw what had happened to you." She sounded grim.
"Just a few spots, that's all." he said, surveying himself. He only had a few left, but they looked hideous, but not infectious and were soon going to be ready to burst on their own without any scarring. However, Severus did have a scar on his left hand after sleeping on it overnight and bursting the pustule prematurely in the process.
"Yeah and there's no major damage to your visage." said Lily approvingly.
"I guess, though…"
"What?"
"Isn't my visage naturally hideous anyway?" He felt silly talking so superficially after hearing it from young girls in both of his lives.
"No. If anything it looks even better, after you sorted your hair out and had your nose fixed properly by your mother." said Lily, fondly remembering Severus' best birthday to date.
"Oh." said Severus, looking relieved, yet uncomfortable.
"What is it?" asked Lily.
"Well…um…not that it matters now, but is that another reason you didn't…want me?"
Lily sighed. "I've always wanted you, Sev. Maybe not in the way you wanted, but your looks meant nothing to me. I didn't care about the way you looked, or Petunia would have succeeded in keeping me away from you during those first few weeks we'd known each other. I'm not as superficial as, say, Marlene McKinnon or even Mary."
Severus frowned in remembrance to the old Mary MacDonald, the one who had been amongst the more notorious of Lily's Gryffindor friends who wanted her to get shot of the slimy, greasy, freaky Slytherin who hovered over her like a shadow for many years, and was also among the most delighted and snarky to learn of Lily's decision to finally get rid of him from her life.
"I'm sorry to lower the spirits, no pun intended." said Severus morosely.
"Never mind, Sev." said Lily. "Like we agreed, we let the past go. Besides, Mary has been quite repentant towards you since she found out all you did for me. She's quite keen to apologise to you once you return here."
"That Mary is dead?" asked Severus.
"Yeah, she died during the First War." explained Lily. "She was killed by my side, fighting the Death Eaters. I think it was Dolohov's doing…or was it Mulciber?"
Severus shrugged, but was also deeply worried.
"Check with her the date of her death, and her killer." he said urgently. "Then tell it to me when we next speak. I can try and make sure it doesn't happen again this time round."
"That's a good idea." smiled Lily. "I'm sure Mary will appreciate that."
"Besides…" added Severus, "…I'm okay with this one. She's much nicer. The Lily I'm meant to be with this time round must have really put her in her place."
"She did." said Lily. "I saw the conversation. I was interested to see what this new Mary was like."
Severus smiled slightly.
"Any news on the Horcruxes?" he asked Lily.
"No, but Bellatrix and Rodolphus are becoming more and more loyal to Voldemort and he is beginning to see their potential. Plus he was on very good terms with their fathers, as far as Voldemort can go in that sense. So, he sees a lot of promise in them both. Hopefully, he'll hand them the Cup by the next time we meet."
Severus nodded in hope.
"Sooner the better. Hopefully I won't have to save Mary's life. I can't afford for Voldemort to still be alive by the time the prophecy comes into being." he murmured.
"If anyone can stop him in this world, it's you, Sev." said Lily with full confidence.
"You seem so sure."
"Look how far you've come, Sev." she said. "You have friends and family helping you now, you even have friends, best friends, watching over you in Heaven, willing to help you in your quest to take down Voldemort! You can do it!"
Severus smiled faintly. He still didn't like getting his hopes up too high.
"Thank you, Lils." he said.
"Always, Sev."
Severus' lips trembled at that first word. He remembered the memory of confirming his eternal love for Lily to Dumbledore only too well; the day Dumbledore realized just how severely he had underestimated Severus' love and the agony of heartbreak and guilt he had suffered for so long.
"Shall we call it a day?" asked Lily. She could see that Severus was feeling the haunts of his memories.
Severus nodded softly. He was blushing with embarrassment. Without Occlumency, he felt awfully exposed and vulnerable, and that frightened him.
"You need to embrace the past, Sev." said Lily. "I still have to, even in Heaven. But embracing and accepting the past is the best way forward, and you've been very lucky to have an additional course to that acceptance too. Don't waste it by being afraid, okay?"
"Okay, Lily." promised Severus.
"And by the way, for a first kiss of affection, that one was probably not the best to remember and to witness. Maybe try to make your first romantic kiss more enjoyable?" she teased.
Severus nearly dropped the Stone in surprise and embarrassment.
"You think she…meant something more than friendship and concern in that kiss?" he asked.
"I don't think, I know." smiled Lily. "Who knows me better than…well, me? Besides, she's been speaking with Mary about it…and though she's afraid of falling for you, especially whilst so young, there is no doubt in my mind…she's falling in love with you, Severus Snape."
Severus couldn't help but grin eagerly. Lily had never looked so happy for him in her life or afterlife, and she certainly had never seen him look so happy in any of his lives.
"Good luck, Sev." she said. "See you after Christmas."
"See you soon, Lils. And thank you!" added Severus, before dropping the Stone.
The next day, Severus arrived for Potions and sat beside Quincey, as Lily had partnered with Mary. Usually, it was Quincey and Mary together, then Severus and Lily, but due to his absence, Slughorn had changed the partnering for the year, and Quincey had to work with other couples, mostly Lily and Mary, until Severus' return.
"Great, so no more Lily in classes." sighed Severus.
"One: only for this year, and maybe not even that, you could gradually shift back after Christmas." said Quincey in mock hurt. "And two: what's so bad about being partnered up with me, pray?"
"Well, for a start, you can't brew the Strengthening Solution for toffee flavoured Bertie Bott's Beans!" teased Severus in mock vanity.
Quincey knew better than to club his best friend over the head in Potions Class, so saved it for History of Magic where no-one, least of all, Professor Binns, would notice.
Severus, thanks to Lily's letters and parcels filled with homework, had next to no trouble fitting in and catching up on the homework. But that was not all that Lily had done to help. She had also written the important learnings of Potions, Herbology, History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures for Petunia to choose from to learn once she and Severus were able to help teach her some magic.
Petunia was always happy to hear of their adventures at Hogwarts, but when Mary visited, it was plain for anyone to see that she was suppressing impatience at learning these wonders for herself.
At lunch, Severus and Lily had a proper reunion, but Severus was nervous about starting Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures. He had not done any homework on it yet, but Lily said there was none set by Professor Kettleburn, and she did not choose to do Ancient Runes, but Divination instead, as the idea of being able to see the future intrigued her no end.
"Pity I didn't know your choices before." said Severus, over a goblet of pumpkin juice. "I could have told you that Divination is absolute rubbish. Prophecies don't always come to pass, and you have to actually be born with the Sight to be able to accomplish the subject."
"Professor Uran says it is entirely possible to gain the Sight if one broadens their mind enough in class." insisted Lily.
"He has to say that, or he'd lose his living!" retorted Severus.
"Oh, shush!" giggled Lily. "You're just jealous that I'm going to able to see the future and tell you that you'll be a grumpy old teacher one day throwing out detentions everywhere!"
Severus shuddered. That was more or less a perfect prediction of how his old life turned out. He was almost frightened that Lily would see his past in a crystal ball.
In Care of Magical Creatures with Kettleburn, Severus learned to pet a Hippogriff, though he was still tremendously concerned for his safety with them, considering how he was once attacked by Buckbeak when trying to flee Hogwarts after murdering Dumbledore. Quincey was keener, but Kettleburn reprimanded him for advancing too quickly and narrowly avoided getting slashed by one bronze coloured Hippogriff named Winghoof.
Severus was even more worried when he went to Ancient Runes later that week. As Lily hadn't been able to supply him with the basics and the homework, he was heavily behind.
"I can give you remedial lessons, Mr Prince." offered Professor Babbling, whom was fairly young, a new teacher for that year apparently, brunette with a firm yet friendly expression in black robes.
"Thank you, Professor." said Severus, though he felt a little ashamed he had to take remedial classes.
By the end of the week, Severus was swamped with Ancient Runes homework but fairly up to date with the other subjects, though he was asked by Kettleburn to do extra studies on two other creatures that had been explored the previous month.
He also approved of Professor Murdoch, who was clearly a master of his craft, though Professor Millburn was a more sympathetic teacher, and he had seen the man turn very strict when other students, such as Peter and some Slytherins struggled with some defensive wand movements.
That evening, after a lengthy dinner with Lily and the Union as well as doing homework for an hour with Quincey, Nora and Elizabeth, Severus went to bed. He was happy to be home, or one of his homes. Hogwarts had always been his most beloved home. He hated Spinner's End in his old life, and although it was a happy home now, he preferred Hogwarts still as it was the only place he truly called home and sanctuary in both of his lives, despite all the terrors that took place for him within it.
"I hope…"
But he didn't really know what to hope for most. He thought of destroying Voldemort, of finding love with Lily, of having a happier, more contented life than last time…but he knew he still had some figurative distance to go before those three hopes could begin to come to fruition.
On that note, and heavy-headed from his long week of education, Severus fell fast asleep.
So that's Chapter 34! Hope you all like it! Chapter 35 will be up soon enough! Thanks for your patience and for reading! Please review!