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Chapter 70

Severus was not himself. He was angrier than he ever felt before. Angry at Minerva, Albus, Tom and Tobias. Hermione was not wrong when she told everyone he needed time. It was better now, but he did not think he could see Tom just yet. He just started being civil with Minerva last week. It helped that he was constantly in trouble and she was not as strict with him. The Minerva from his other seventh year would not have put up with his mouth. He spent the first few weeks observing Lizzie and fighting with the mutt and the toerag. He had alternating detentions with Minerva and Slughorn every Thursday until Christmas break so far. Potter was warned to stay off of him or he would lose quidditch. Black was in detentions every week too. Hermione and Lily were very upset with them both. He had an earful from an angry Lily and a very disappointed Hermione. Hermione asked him to try time and time again for Lily's sake. It was surprising however that his classmates took part in the inter-house aggressions. Of course, the marauders and him initiated the altercations. It was strange however to see seventh year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws joining the squabbles. Hermione and Lily saw a simple reason for it. "You and them interrupt everything with your silly fights. Harland Merchant from Hufflepuff got hit with a rictumsempra from you and then knocked Marlene who hexed some Goldstein. Honestly you three are the worst." Lily said.

It was true, it seemed his seventh-year class served more detentions than the last time he was a seventh year. He truly was surprised with his fellow Slytherins' attitudes and defense of him. Rosier, Avery and Mulciber were cautious of him at first. Evan however was friendlier. He had a lot to lose. He was now the head of his family. Vinda was gone and his father was rumored to be on the run. Evan had to step up. He made sure to let Severus know that he did not intend to lose the last of his money and family prestige to pureblood mania. Hugh Mulciber did not care about politics. He cared to do nothing really. He was lazy, did not have the mind for thing. He sidled up to Julian Avery. Avery was neutral, he cared for money and influence. He knew better than to spout pureblood mania now.

Severus prepared for an outing with Hermione. It was her birthday weekend and he wanted to give her something nice. This year he chose to give her a nice set of earrings. He got flowers for her, daisies. Hermione loved daisies. He stole them from professor Sprout's private garden. Pomona had a large range of flowers.

This year he did not have an exhibit in mind but he did not have sex last year. He would play professor to her student. Severus grinned at his thoughts. If he were honest they were having sex every night. He did not get tired of her and she did not tire of him either. They had a plan to have him come into the Gryffindor common room. He disillutioned himself or used the cloak to make his way and fly up to the dorm landing. Hermione woke him up in the early morning and let him out the hole. They were lucky so far.

Severus wore nice black jeans a blue jumper with a black scarf. He waited outside the Gryffindor Common room. He saw Pettigrew come out with Black who sneered at him but did not try anything with him, maybe because the rat pulled him along. He smiled when Hermione appeared. She wore a green peacoat jacket and black woolen tights. He kissed her.

"Happy birthday weekend." He twirled her. She looked beautiful. She gushed about the flowers. "Let me put them in my room. I'll be back in a second." She kissed him again.

Severus waited for another three minutes before she came back. She looked at him adoringly. Lupin looked sad behind her. Severus could not care less. "We are going to have tea at that ridiculous place." Hermione positively squealed. "You are wonderful." He kissed her once more for good measure. Let the werewolf see whom she belonged to.

They walked the trail to Hogsmeade hand in hand. Severus did not let his grimace show when they reached Madame Pudifoot's. They sat down to drink coffee around the other couples. Severus smiled at her, "why would you want to come here?"

Hermione blushed, "I always heard Lavender and Parvati talk about this place. Ginny also spoke of it."

Severus smirked, "you are far better than those silly girls." He said openly. Hermione basically attacked him. They snogged until they heard someone clearing their throat. It was Lily and the toerag.

Lily smiled sunnily at them. "We prepared a surprise for you at the Three Broomsticks. Come in an hour." She said and they left.

Hermione looked at him with her beautiful brown eyes, "it would mean the world if you came." Severus kissed her once more. "I will, for you." Hermione always asked. She did not demand anything out of him. It was her birthday. She could easily demand that he be nice to her friends.

They spent another half an hour in the tea room and then walked to the quill shop. Hermione ordered two sets and then they walked to the Three Broomsticks. Hermione smiled when she saw the marauders and a few Gryffindors sixth years. He saw Marlene and nodded at her. Black was by her side and had an arm around her shoulders. They were going out then. Lily came with a cake and sang happy birthday to her. Hermione blew her candles and accepted a piece from Lily. Severus accepted one from her too.

Severus watched as Hermione talked and accepted well wishes from their peers. He stood back. No one spoke to him but for Lupin who tried to engage him.

"Did you write the essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Lupin asked off handedly. A clear attempt to strike conversation. Severus had half a mind to glare at him and moved to another corner but he then saw Hermione who looked so very hopeful.

"I did." Severus replied, "what did you think of the ways to identify the inferi?" He started.

Lupin and him started talking and then Marlene joined in. "Hello boys. Snape, I hope you don't mind. I may need some help with the potions assignments."

Severus remembered helping her once upon a time. He clearly remembered helping Marlene and how fun that had been. He nodded, "I am sure Lily would be delighted if you joined our study sessions."

Severus and Lily were still potion partners and very successful too. Marlene smiled winningly.

Lupin drank his butterbeer. Black came by and dragged Marlene to speak to Potter and Lily.

Lupin and him remained back. "Thank you."

Severus frowned, "for?"

"For not telling others about my affliction." Lupin said affably.

"There is nothing to thank me for." Severus replied honestly.

"James and Sirius were sure you would tell your fellow Slytherins and I would have parents asking for my removal." Remus said.

Severus shrugged, "not my place to tell anyone."

Lupin nodded, "Hermione said you have a sound system and that it actually works."

Severus nodded, "it does. She gave me some records. I play them in my dorm. Rosier likes some of them. Mulciber and Avery claim is noise."

Lupin laughed, "Sirius is converted. He now loves Led Zeppelin. Honestly, he would love anything that goes against his family."

Severus rolled his eyes, "such a rebel, living with every comfort known to man."

Lupin laughed once more. Severus was surprised, "don't look at me that way. Sometimes, those two thinks too highly of themselves."

Hermione came by, "Hey." She said and Severus hugged her shoulders. "It's nice you two talking. Remus have you told Sev about our schedules?"

Severus frowned, "what schedules?"

Lupin shrugged, "study sessions. Hermione figures if we start next week, we can be in very good shape for our NEWTs."

"I rather study by myself." Severus pointed out. He saw no need to overexert himself. He took those tests and passed most of them with perfect scores.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "you will be begging for my help once by the end of the week."

"Likely." He rolled his eyes back. Hermione laughed and kissed him. Severus smiled and then looked at Lupin who looked away. There is was, the look of longing. Severus disliked that deeply. He was the only one allowed to look at Hermione with longing.

"Love, should we leave?" Severus kissed her forehead. Hermione nodded. She was so easy to please. It was all so easy with her. He found that he loved her more every single day.

"Let me say goodbye to Lily." She said and ran along.

Severus then looked at Lupin who was uncomfortable. "I don't think the study sessions will work. Hermione and I will study by ourselves."

Lupin frowned slightly, "we'll see."

Severus was about to speak once more when Pettigrew, Potter and Black joined. "Is he bothering you?" Black, as always.

"Severus and I were just having a nice conversation." Remus replied with a grimace.

"Were you?" Potter asked and flashed the Headboy pin.

"Oh, Fuck off." Severus sneered and moved away.

"Oi, you have a very filthy mouth Snivellus." Pettigrew called after him. He was flanked by both Potter and Black.

"What did you call me?" Severus turned and glared at the rat.

"I saw you the other day, begging the Fat Lady to see Granger." The rat then showed a nasty smile. Severus remembered, it was a particular hard night and he'd gone earlier than expected. He needed to see Hermione. He missed his last class that day and fell asleep. He woke up from a nightmare. He'd been in a state.

"Don't you call me that every again." Severus hissed at the smaller boy.

"Or what Snivellus?" Black echoed the horrible moniker. Severus saw red and aimed his wand at the rat, horrible and painful warts exploded in his face.

Black and Potter aimed at him then. He almost got hit with a stinging hex by Black. Madam Rosmerta pushed them out of the tavern.

"Severus are you ok?" Hermione rushed by. She glared at him once she looked over at him.

"They started it." He defended himself.

"You know better." She said. They walked in a mood.

"Oy, not so brave, now are you?" Potter bellowed, "you change him back now."

"I will not." Severus yelled back. It was back, all the anger.

"Severus don't." Lily said then they were hexing each other. Black joined in. Severus made short work of them both. They were on the floor gasping from the same hex.

Lily and Hermione looked at him. "You change them back now." Lily said quickly.

"No, they deserve it. You know they do." Severus clutched his wand reflexively.

Hermione went by his side and touched his arm. "Severus, please." She plead with her eyes.

Remus was on the floor, thinking of every single counterjinx that he knew without any success. There were more people gathering around.

Severus waved his wand. "Don't you ever call me that again." They were back to themselves.

"James, love, are you ok?" Lily asked and checked him over.

"You are so brave with your wand. You coward." Potter said.

Severus saw red once more. He didn't need a wand. He didn't need magic. He would kill him with his own fists.

Severus punched him hard on the nose. He felt Black punching him too. He heard Lily and Hermione yell and try to use magic to separate them but Severus created a field around the three of them. He would fucking kill them. They were two against one. It did not matter he would kill fucking Potter and Black.

"ENOUGH." Albus bellowed and the force field was gone. He was on the floor; his nose was bleeding. He looked to the side and found Potter and Black just as bruised.

"Evan, help Severus up. Remus you help James; Peter you are in charge of Sirius." Albus apparated. "I expect you three to meet Madam Pomfrey at the infirmary and then join me in my office."

Severus took Evan's hand and limped with him on the side. Hermione and Lily by his side. Hermione looked sick to her stomach and Lily cried silently.

They arrived to the infirmary after what seemed like hours. Severus was worse than Black and Potter. He knew that because Poppy worked on him first. She fixed his ribs, set his arm and worked on his nose and swollen eye.

Severus sat up and looked at Hermione who hugged him tight. "Never do that again."

Lily looked away from him and into Potter who looked ashamed. She then looked away and hugged him. She unlike Hermione was silent.

"The headmaster said we were to escort them to his office." Rosier looked at Lupin.

Severus stood up and followed Evan. Black and Potter followed them too. Severus was enraged. He walked stiffly until they reached the office.

Evan and Lupin left. Severus was not surprised to see Minerva and Slughorn. He was surprised however to see Tom and Orion Black.

Both men sat down in front of Albus. The headmaster looked thunderous, "violence is not tolerated at Hogwarts. You three are on very thin ice." Albus said.

"Mr. Potter, you will no longer be Headboy or play quidditch. Minerva, you may appoint whomever you desire to fill his posts. You will serve detention with professor McGonagall until seventh year is over" Potter paled. He looked like he would throw up.

"Mr. Black, you are to serve detention with professor Slughorn until term ends as well." Black blanched. "Albus, if I may, I will take Sirius home. Walburga and I will discipline him as well. Fighting like a common muggle." Orion sneered.

"Mr. Snape, you are to serve your detentions with professor McGonagall too, on a different day." Albus pointed out.

"I called your guardians for a very specific reason. This sort of behavior is not to happen again or I will be forced to expel you. I've grown tired of your squabbles. You will learn to ignore or live with each other. This castle is big enough for the three of you. Another fight and you three will not receive NEWTs." Albus said clearly.

"In addition, the seventh years are no longer permitted to go to Hogsmeade visits." Albus finished.

"All seventh years?" Black asked.

"All." Minerva said. "You three have single handedly revived years of unhealthy rivalry between houses. Have fun explaining to your fellow classmates why they cannot enjoy the village during their final year. Fifty points from your respective houses each." She was seething.

"May I leave?" Severus stood up and did not wait for anyone else. He went to the room of requirement. Hermione waited for him.