Chapter twenty-five:

Something's Brewing

The summer seemed to go by slowly this year, with Harry losing another loved one that was close to him, Victoria noticed his lack of interest on activities that he usually enjoyed outside of Hogwarts, such as lack of response to his friend's letters. Victoria decided to let Harry grieve in his own way and gave him the space that he needed while she did the grocery shopping and errands. Eventually, Ron and Hermione stopped by to check up on Harry and when they did so, Victoria would go out to do the usual errands. Victoria wanted to visit Snape while out but she wad the type who wanted to be polite and ask first which would be appropriate no matter how odd that sounded. Several of her letters were replied to and unfortunately, Snape would inform her he was quite busy.

Harry would visit Surbiton and ride the trains to help take his mind off of losing Sirius months ago. Though Victoria was wary of him going out by himself, Harry insisted he would be fine. "I'm going to head to the Burrow...Ron said he had to rearrange the gnomes in the garden and figured I could help." Harry explained. Victoria figured since Snape was busy and she had gotten errands done, that she would tag along with Harry and visit the Weasleys. "I will go as well... I've been needing to ask Molly about that Treacle tart recipe." Victoria stated. Harry smiled a small smile before they stepped out to their backyard and apparated to outside the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. It wasn't a far walk through the vacant field of grass before spotting the burrow and one of the Weasleys standing outside, near the garden whom was Ron.

Walking behind Harry, Victoria watched as Ron mumbled to himself while attempting to move a gnome, which was a chore that Ron hated to do before coming to a stop near the burrow. "Harry! And erm, Professor Hawthorne." Ron greeted, slightly awkwardly not expecting Victoria to tag along. "I'll be inside the house, Harry." Victoria informed him before walking up to the front door, giving it a knock a moment before it swung open and Victoria entered the burrow. "I didn't know you would be coming!" Molly greeted before the door shut. Victoria walked over to the sitting area of the burrow and sat down on the sofa while Molly brought in some tea before they got to talking. As the hours went by, Harry had helped Ron with the regnoming and Victoria ended up getting that recipe for the Treacle tart.

Molly invited them to stay for dinner which Victoria couldn't say no to, knowing Molly wouldn't take no for an answer then headed back home for the night. It was a few days before school would start up, Harry seemed to have gotten back to his normal self a little more. That night, Victoria and Harry sat at the dinner table, eating the Shepard's pie that Victoria had made with some tea when there was a knock on the front door. Victoria set her fork down on her plate of her three-fourth eaten Shepard's pie and stood up from her seat. "I wonder who it might be..." Victoria trailed off. Harry got up as well, following Victoria towards the front door. Victoria's eyes peeked into the tiny window of the door, recognizing the long, white bearded man before opening it to spot Dumbledore standing there patiently.

"Albus...this is a surprise. Come in." Victoria greeted, her tone was of surprise. As Victoria stepped aside, Dumbledore stepped into the house and Victoria closed the door. "Do not worry, Victoria. I'm merely here to speak to Harry..." Dumbledore reassured before spotting Harry nearby. Harry was standing in the living room, wondering what had caused Dumbledore to visit him at this time of night and what for exactly. "Is everything alright, professor?" Harry questioned. Dumbledore gave a brief nod to Harry before parting his lips to speak. "Everything is fine, Harry. However, I need you to assist me on a visit to an old friend of mine, to help convince him to return to Hogwarts this year." Dumbledore explained briefly.

Victoria was skeptical about this, not knowing exactly who this friend of Dumbledore's was but she knew that Dumbledore had only the best interests at heart for Harry and Harry trusted him. "I suppose this has something to do with-" Harry stated before being interrupted by Dumbledore. "-yes. I will spare the details later, Harry." Dumbledore explained before looking over at Victoria. "Harry will be returned before midnight, Victoria." Dumbledore pointed out, knowing that Victoria was about to ask the question by the uncertain expression she had placed on her face. Victoria formed a light, brief smile at the reply. "Thank you, headmaster. Be safe, Harry." Victoria replied. Harry nodded gently before giving his aunt a reassuring smile before he left with Dumbledore to what would be a visit to Horace Slughorn. After an hour or two, Harry had arrived back home and had only told Victoria that Slughorn was going to return to Hogwarts to teach Potions, which had gotten Victoria curious about which position Snape would take if that was the case.

The following day, Victoria had taken Harry to Diagon alley for school supplies and visiting Fred and George's joke shop while Snape had been in his study at his house on a rainy day in Spinners End, with Wormtail visiting. Of course Voldemort would have someone checking in on Snape, testing his loyalty, but hopefully soon Voldemort would be trusting him fully. Until then, Snape knew he would have to keep his relationship with Victoria brief when it came to outside of Hogwarts, though they needed to remain professional while at the school as well. If Victoria were to visit Snape at the very moment, it would give Wormtail something to snitch on Snape about to Voldemort, putting Victoria in danger. Reading the Daily Prophet at his desk, Snape heard a couple knocks on the window of his front door, causing him to eavesdrop while keeping the paper in front of him.

"S-Severus, Bellatrix and-" Wormtail stuttered, obvious that he as nervous around Bellatrix Lestrange before Bellatrix cut him off. "-i think Snapey has got the point! Come on, Cissy." Bellatrix spat, walking into the study where Snape was sitting. Wormtail had watched the scene nervously before Snape folded the top layer of his paper and looked over to spot Bellatrix and Narcissa. "Run along, Wormtail." Snape ordered, waving his wand to close the door on Wormtail before standing up from his chair. Narcissa made herself comfortable on the armchair that was in the center of the room while Bellatrix found herself wandering around the room, casually looking at Snape's belongings on the shelves. Snape walked over to Narcissa and stopped in front of her, causing Bellatrix to stop in her tracks to listen on.

"I know i may be wrong to be here and the dark lord himself forbade me to speak of this-" Narcissa began explaining but stopped in her words, noticing Snape parting his lips to speak. Bellatrix started being nosy once again, this time trickling her fingers over the items he had placed on the shelf such as miscellaneous potion bottles and some antiques from his mother. Snape pierced his dark eyes on Narcissa. "If the dark lord has forbidden it, then we ought to not speak of it -- put it down Bella, we must not touch what isn't ours." Snape spoke in one, full rapid sentence before pausing as he watched Bellatrix put the object back down. "As it so happens, I'm aware of your situation, Narcissa." Snape added, bringing his contact back to Narcissa as Bellatrix let out a scathing scoff, not because she was being told what to do, but what Snape had stated about Voldemort informed him of Draco's mission.

"The dark lord told you?" Bellatrix said remaining skeptical, the words came out as if she was insulted by what she had heard. Snape knew that Bellatrix wasn't fond of him and of course, she didn't trust him like Voldemort seemed to have, which may have caused jealousy among Bellatrix who always seemed attention from Voldemort. "Your sister doubts me...understand that over the years I've played my part well, so well that I've deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time." Snape pointed out. Of course, Snape meant that he was fooling Voldemort but he wouldn't let it show. Every single day that he was surrounded by death eaters and Voldemort himself, Snape had to keep himself on guard - they would jump on any chance that he would give them if he had opened his mind around them, which was why occlumency was so important for Snape to have perfected in order to block them all from his thoughts, keep it blank. Keeping it blank meant not even thinking about Victoria, which sometimes became a struggle for him but knowing what he had to do, Snape had to momentarily forget about her for safety on both parts.

Bellatrix snorted at the statement about Dumbledore. "Dumbledore is a great wizard, only a fool would question it." Snape added, watching Bellatrix from his side vision. Narcissa had remained seated but eager to help her only child survive this task. "I don't doubt you, Severus...he's just a boy." Narcissa clarified in concern for her only child. Snape knew the hardship of being a death eater and having someone you care about be in danger, but knowing Voldemort, when his mind is made nobody can sway it without risking themselves being killed. "I cannot change the dark lord's mind...but it might be possible for me to help Draco." Snape stated, expressing some compassion. Narcissa stood up from the chair in front of Snape, willing to jump at any chance to protect Draco from the risky mission.

"Severus..." Narcissa trailed off, showing her relief before Bellatrix would butt in. "Swear to it." Bellatrix butted in, causing both Narcissa and Snape to look over at her. "...make the unbreakable vow... otherwise its just empty words...he'll give it his best effort...but when it matters most, he'll just slither back into his hole." Bellatrix added, in a hushed, mocking tone as she approached them. Bellatrix then circled Snape, before whispering into his ear in a normal tone "...coward." Bellatrix said before she walked back over to Narcissa. Snape didn't like Bellatrix's words, underestimating him but he also didn't like the risk of putting himself further into harm's way. It had only took a few moments to think it over, knowing that he had to build Voldemort's trust which was a task Dumbledore had wanted, before he decided to do the unthinkable. "Take out... your wand." he stated, his voice laced with irritation, though patient as usual.

Snape and Narcissa held each other's left arms, gripping them lightly while Bellatrix began to cast the spell that would intertwine around their arms like fiery barbed wire. Amusement played on Bellatrix's expression, thinking this predicament would cause trouble for Snape to fulfill which certainly was underestimation. "Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy as he attempts to fulfill the dark lord's wishes?" Bellatrix asked, speaking the words in slight cheer. Snape hesitated for a moment before answering. "I will." Snape replied. "And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm." Bellatrix spoke once again. "I will." Snape agreed once more nonchalantly. "And if Draco shall fail, will you yourself carry out the deed the dark lord has awarded Draco to perform?" Bellatrix asked, closely to Snape now.

Snape hesitated a little longer this time, holding back his dislike for Bellatrix. "I will." he responded. The vow was now finalized and they both removed their hands off each other before the sisters left Snape's home. Wormtail had left the house as well soon after Bellatrix and Narcissa left, leaving Snape alone at his own home. Snape then closed the door to his study again and took a moment to let the whole event sink in. Snape knew that he had to do this and the worst scenario would be that he would die if Draco died, which was highly unlikely while at Hogwarts but there was still a possibility. The only other worst scenario after that would be that he would have to be the one to complete the mission that Voldemort had given Draco, something he wouldn't want to do if given a choice - to kill Dumbledore.

What would Victoria think if he would have to be the one to commit the murder? There wasn't a way Snape would ever be able to inform her of his position, it was too risky on both ends. Would this be a replay of when Lily never forgiven him for something wrong he had done? This thought was floating in the back of his mind. Of course, Snape knew that this year was only going to be more difficult each day regarding how close Voldemort was planning to start another war. With the information he knew, he would himself began to prepare for what was ahead, making a plan if there was a war lingering in the future. Snape had lost Lily already and wasn't bound to lose Victoria as well.

Soon, it was the new school year and as usual, Victoria had dropped Harry off at the platform to catch the Hogwarts Express while she made her way to Hogwarts. She eagerly wanted to see Snape, curious on how his summer had gone and of course, spend a little time with him before the students would begin to show up to the school. Once she had gathered her papers and books into her suitcase and such, Victoria made her way to the entrance to Diagon alley and apparated to Hogsmeade, to once again take a carriage up to the castle by thestrals. Upon arrival to the castle, Victoria noticed that there had been a check point outside the castle instead of inside like normal, having to be stopped at the gate by Flitwick using a clipboard.

Victoria stepped out of the carriage with her things and walked over to the gate that opened on its own, approaching Flitwick. "This is new, Filius. I wonder why I wasn't informed." Victoria pointed out. Flitwick flipped the parchment over, looking for Victoria's name. "Oh, yes, it is quite new. I had came late yesterday and was told by the headmaster of extra safety precautions were in place for the students." Flitwick explained, looking up at Victoria as if he was waiting for her name though he had already known. Victoria watched as Filch went to look through her things, watching him closely with her emerald eyes before hearing a cough from below. Victoria instantly looked back at Flitwick and gave a light smile. "Victoria Hawthorne." Victoria replied before glancing back over at her things, which happened to be back to it's normal place, giving Victoria a sigh of relief - she didn't like anyone going through her things without her knowledge.

Flitwick checked Victoria in and motioned for her to continue her way up to the castle. Victoria took her things and made her way towards the castle, slightly annoyed with Filch going through her things though she knew there was permission from none other than Dumbledore. The ministry of magic had to have something to do with the extra precautions, most likely due to the fact that they finally had noticed Voldemort return last year according to what Victoria had heard and the headlines on the Daily Prophet. Clicking her heels against the stone floors of the school, Victoria made her way to her classroom and then into her office and living quarters to unpack her things for the new school year.

Once Victoria finished unpacking and setting up her classroom like she had every year, she exited the classroom and made her way towards the direction of the dungeons. Stepping down the stairs towards the office of the Potions professor, Victoria gave a swift knock at the door before folding her hands in the front of her, awaiting for the door to be opened or granted to enter. When the door had opened, Victoria formed a puzzled expression, spotting an unfamiliar face in Snape's office - Horace Slughorn. "Oh hello there! Can I help you?" Slughorn asked quite cheerfully. Victoria felt slightly embarrassed by the fact she had expected to see Snape and was excited about it but to come face to face with Slughorn instead.

"Oh...yes, I thought this was Severus' office? He normally resides here during the school year." Victoria explained, obviously embarrassed. Slughorn chuckled slightly at the confusion and knew that not every professor was alerted of his arrival. "I'm sorry to disappoint, Miss...?" Slughorn trailed off in question of her identity. "Victoria Hawthorne. Professor Hawthorne, actually, I teach History of Magic here at the school." Victoria pointed out. Slughorn opened the door wider, stepping aside to motion for her to come inside the office. "Ah, I see. Come on in, Professor Hawthorne. I apologize for the disorganization, I had only just arrived. You see, the headmaster, Dumbledore, had asked me to return to the school to teach Potions. I had previously many years ago. I'm Horace Slughorn." Slughorn explained.

Victoria stepped inside and stood around Snape's former office, spotting some of Snape's potion items still remaining on the shelf before turning to Slughorn. "Well, that certainly breaks the confusion, Horace. What does Severus teach now?" Victoria asked curiously. Slughorn was organizing some things on his new desk before someone else entered the office. Victoria looked over to spot none other than Snape coming to a halt at the scene before him. Snape was gathering the rest of his potion items when he entered the office. "Ah, yes, Professor Snape is teaching..." Slughorn went on to gather his memory. "... Defense Against the Dark Arts.... however, I'm merely just gathering the rest of my things." Snape explained. Victoria was glad to see Snape again and knowing he now teaches something that she heard he had been striving for the position.

Snape walked over and grabbed his items before walking out of the office. Victoria furrowed her eyebrows in the reaction she had gotten from Snape before looking back to Slughorn. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Professor. I need to speak with Professor Snape, I will surely be seeing you around throughout the year." Victoria politely excused herself before exiting the office and making her way up the stairwell of the dungeons. Walking down the hall of the floor that Defense Against the Dark Arts, Victoria entered the classroom and then approached the office that would be Snape's new office before knocking on the door. As she waited, she had noticed a smell of a potion brewing from the office or possibly from the living quarters nearby the office where Snape was now residing, but couldn't put together what it exactly could be before the door swung open.

Victoria was now face to face with her boyfriend and co-worker once again and had just formed a warm smile on her lips. "May I come in, Severus?" Victoria asked, her smile turning into a soft smirk. Snape took a moment to himself before propping the door open wider and allowing her to step inside before shutting it behind her. Victoria didn't spot any brewing cauldron in the office so it must be from his living quarters. Once Victoria was about to turn around to look at Snape, she found herself even closer to him as Snape had approached her from behind, placing his hands that the cuffs of his black sleeves had covered partially, onto her hips ever so lightly. Victoria placed her soft, dainty hands on top of Snape's and leaned into him, taking in the moment after waiting the entire summer to be reunited with her boyfriend.

Snape had took the moment to gently embrace Victoria, reminding himself of her gentle touch, the intriguing rose scent of her ginger hair and knowing how he felt about her was mutual, unlike it had not been with Lily. But knowing the unbreakable vow he had made with Narcissa about watching over Draco and possibly even having to fulfill the deed of killing Dumbledore had meant that he may end up losing Victoria one way or the other, whether it was his death if Draco were to be killed or having to leave her once it comes to fulfilling the deed for Draco. Snape couldn't imagine losing Victoria. Victoria looked up at Snape, spotting his dark gaze on her before breaking his embrace to turn around and face him. She could tell something was slightly different about Snape but wasn't entirely sure what it was.

Before she could speak a word, Snape placed a gentle hand behind Victoria's head, having his hand laid gently on he ginger hair and crashed his lips against hers, kissing her tenderly. Victoria had lost her train of thought during the kiss, it had been something she looked forward to the entire summer, but unfortunately it had only lasted a few moments before Snape pulled back. Victoria showed a small, warm smile before parting her lips to speak. "Well, hello...I take it you had a pleasant summer?" Victoria asked curiously, watching as Snape formed a brief smirk on his lips before walking away to his desk. Whatever Snape was brewing in his living quarters was doing fine being left to sit for an hour.

Snape wouldn't consider playing double agent in the presence of a dark, dangerous wizard and making an unbreakable vow to be a good summer but he cannot inform Victoria or anyone for that matter outside of Dumbledore. "It was persevering...however, I much preferred to have your company. Unfortunately, work does not get done by itself. I assume yours was eventful?" Snape explained, keeping his attention on Victoria as he sat in his chair at his desk. With a sigh, Victoria edged closer to his desk and folded her arms. "Not quite. I was mostly left to myself since Harry was still mourning the loss of Sirius...I let him have space. But, I did get errands and what not done." Victoria explained.

Snape wasn't surprised that Harry would mourn Sirius but Snape truly did not feel an ounce of sorrow for Sirius due to his past with the marauders. He had too much on his plate with numerous things such as playing double agent, maintaining a relationship with Victoria, being a professor, planning ahead and one other thing hanging on his mind, which he caught himself drifting to the bottom drawer of his desk before quickly bringing his attention back to Victoria before she would notice. "I'm sure Potter will find himself distracted upon arrival to the school. Plenty of schoolwork will surely take his mind off of such tragedy." Snape pointed out. Victoria formed a slightly amused chuckle at the words of homework occupying Harry during the school year, knowing that all children don't like homework.

"Hopefully...I see that you're needing to get things organized once again before the students arrive, since you've moved to a new position." Victoria stated. Snape placed a brief smile on his expression that faded slowly. "Unfortunately Dumbledore had sprung it on me upon arrival. However, I will see you in the great hall at dinner." Snape replied, not wanting to excuse her but they both were professors and were at the school which had to remain professional, meaning they had to get their classrooms sorted before the welcoming feast. "Yes, I'll see you at dinner." Victoria said, turning around to leave the office but before she went fully out the door, Snape's words caused her to stop for a moment. "Don't miss me too much." Snape stated in a light, teasing manner which had been something not many had gotten the pleasure to hear from known stern, closed off Potions master. "Don't worry, I always will." Victoria replied with a gentle smile before walking off it of the office completely, the words leaving Snape touched.

The Hogwarts Express had arrived and students began flooding into the castle from the carriages and the first years from the boats. The professors had been seated ahead of the students at the front of the hall, including Victoria and Snape. Watching the students enter, Victoria noticed that Harry wasn't entering the great hall, normally he would be walk side by side with Ron and Hermione. Snape had been seated down on the other side of the table next to Slughorn as every year they had assigned seating for the welcoming feast, though from the distance, Snape could see Victoria's worrisome look as she continued to look for Harry in the crowded room among the sorting hat talking about being brave during these troubled times, having students taking their seats before there had been one last person walking through the great hall doors - Harry.

Victoria let out a sigh of relief though she noticed he kept putting his hand to his nose, something had happened but she would have to find out soon after the feast was over. Dumbledore had walked up to the podium and began making a speech, sounding quite gloomy this time compared to the prior years before. "Very best of evenings to you all." Dumbledore began, waiting to draw the attention from all of the students. Victoria took a quick glance at Snape who had matched her look before she turned away, not sure what this year would entail. "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff - Horace Slughorn. I'm happy to say, that he has agreed to resume his old post as Potions Master. Meanwhile, the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape." Dumbledore stated, looking back slightly at Snape.

Victoria clapped in regards to congratulate Snape on the new position as only a few claps came from Slytherin, which Victoria knew most didn't like a strict teacher, which was how she seen it. As the claps died down, Dumbledore look back at the students and continued his speech. "As you know, each and every one of you were searched upon your arrival here tonight. You have the right to know why...once, there was a young man...like you, sat in this very hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept under it's roof. You see, to all the world, a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle. Today of course, is known all over the world by another name. Which is why as I stand, looking out upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of one sobering fact. Every day...every hour...this very minute, perhaps dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, the greatest weapon...is you." Dumbledore explained.

Victoria followed closely to the story that Dumbledore told, not knowing too much about Voldemort but having only known him by the name everyone knew around the entire wizarding world, not so much Tom Riddle. Being informed of this made her realize just how much darker the years have gotten since she moved to the UK and started teaching at Hogwarts. She was surprised that Snape seemed to be unmoved by the words spoken by Dumbledore, wondering if he had already known the reason it had gotten tighter at Hogwarts or perhaps, he was just not one to be easily frightened. "Just something to think about. Now off to bed, pip pip." Dumbledore added, motioning the students to finish up their food and head to their dormitories. Being Harry's guardian, Victoria wanted to learn more about Voldemort, to know what entailed and get herself even more prepared if things gotten worse at Hogwarts, even though she was an experienced witch, she wanted to be the utmost protection for Harry as possible.