Severus watched the scenery outside the window flash by as the Hogwarts Express faded into the night. His heart was pounding; another year at Hogwarts was opening up and he couldn't wait to jump in. There was a knock on the compartment door and Severus turned around; Evan was writing on the condensation of his breath the question, "May I come in?"

The raven-haired man laughed and waved at him. The now fourteen-year-old Evan was a few inches taller and his thick tawny hair was longer and more dishevelled.

- 'I didn't see you at the station, Ev'- Severus said as he watched him sit down comfortably, facing him.

- I was so late I nearly missed the train- his friend explained - I forgot to pack some things. My father was worse than an angry giant- he added with a grin.

- And what are you doing here all alone?

- Lily was here earlier- the other one answered- she joined some of her friends.

Evan snorted.

- What did you do this summer? - he asked again.

- The bastard was quite quiet, kind at times. Mum and I even managed to go to the beach- Severus said - Oh, and Lily and I did a couple of funny experiments with Mum's frog eggs and seaweed.

His friend raised his eyes imperceptibly to the heavens.

- And you? - asked the raven-haired man.

- Bah, same old stuff, Evan said, some boring lunches or dinners with relatives or important friends, studying and fighting with my father.

- Topic of the summer? Severus asked.

- He found the books- the tawny man explained succinctly.

Severus didn't hold back and laughed heartily.

- 'And you weren't there to see it,' Evan continued -'But who gave you this rubbish! You are a disgrace to the Rosiers, indeed to the Purebloods! If I find out you have any Mudblood friends...-

The raven was laughing at the imitation.

- But you know better than me, Sev', that I don't give a damn about anything - added the friend, then he immediately became serious - What does it matter anyway? Conservative or progressive, Ministry or Death Eater, they all just want to get rich, to have more power. They spit at each other, point fingers, denigrate, frighten. The Wizarding World is rotten; sooner or later it will fall by itself-.

Severus had stopped laughing and was watching the tawny man carefully.

- Nice speech, Rosier- said a mocking voice.

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were standing in the doorway.

- What do you want, Potter?- asked Evan sharply, maintaining a relaxed posture. Severus, on the other hand, had stiffened.

James turned his attention away from the tawny man.

- Hey Snivellus- he said to the raven - have you learned how to wash yourself or am I going to have to clean up the grease you leave in the corridors again this year?

Sirius and Peter began to laugh loudly. Remus looked bloody embarrassed.

- The only thing you'll have to clean up is the shit that comes out of your mouth every time you speak- said Iago, who had arrived with Gaspar, Antonin, Enoch, Bellatrix and Lucius and Narcissa hand in hand. The group entered the compartment and took their seats. Evan had gotten up to stand next to Severus. Gaspar handed out sweets to his friends.

- Is it true Potter that your father was caught shagging the Minister's secretary?- he asked casually. James blushed violently and after muttering a 'Bastards' he left with his companions.

- I'd missed that one- said Severus, popping a Fizzy Bee into his mouth.

- We've got a lot of catching up to do- Enoch said.

- Like about Iago's beautiful earring!- Antonin interjected, applauding, followed by everyone else. Iago smiled and touched his right ear: a silver chain connected the lobe to the upper part with a diamond. As a pendant was a small dream catcher.

- But even more sensational was his escape- said Lucius.

- Indeed! - exclaimed Severus in amazement.

Iago finished his Cioccorana and then grinned.

- I couldn't breathe in that megalomaniac cage- he said - so I packed a bag and took an Overnight to my friend Avery's house.

He patted Gaspar's chest and he leaned forward, making everyone laugh.

- I have to say that they haven't found me yet- Iago added.

- Maybe it's because they never started looking for you- Bellatrix joked, triggering another wave of laughter. Iago stuck his tongue out at her, which was immediately reciprocated.

- Sorry- said a female voice. Lily stood in the doorway, slightly nervous. - Severus, did I leave Emme's present here?- she asked her best friend.

He nodded, took a small golden box from the top of the luggage rack and handed it to her. While Lucius fiddled with Narcissa's hair, Iago and Antonin played whoever clapped the other's hand first and the other three murmured funny stories to each other. Only Evan, besides Severus, was looking at Lily.

- Thank you- she said.

- Hey, Lily- Evan said at one point.

Their eyes met.

- I hope your holiday went well.

- Yeah, thanks- replied the other.

- Lily- said Antonin - why don't you say hello to your friend Sally for Enoch?

The boy in question blushed violently.

- Shut up- he hissed. The group giggled. Lily also cracked a smile.

- Hi Sev'- she added.

- Hi Ly-

The compartment door closed again.

- So what were we talking about?- asked Gaspar.

- Tell me about Potter's father- said Severus.

- Ah, yes, yes, that's very funny...

\\\

The Great Hall was its usual mess. Sorting had begun and the first year boys were dangling one by one towards the stool.

- Hey Ev'- said Severus holding out a hand to his friend who was chatting with a sixth year.

- Is that Sirius Black's brother?- the raven-haired man asked, pointing at one of the first years, a pale boy with long wavy brown hair and a frightened look on his face. - Bella's cousin?

- Yes- Evan answered, craning his neck - Well, he seems nice. I mean, he doesn't look like his brother.

Iago snorted in amusement.

- In fact look at him- he said. The three of them turned back to the Gryffindor table, where Sirius was watching the Sorting Machine apathetically while James whispered something in his ear. Black and Evan's eyes met and the Gryffindor immediately looked away. The tawny man smirked.

- Regulus Black- McGonagall called.

The young boy walked awkwardly to the stool, sitting down trembling. There was a moment's silence.

- Funny, funny- the Hat was murmuring into Regulus' head -you're not as rotten as your family, but you're not as bold and rebellious as your brother.

- Please... - murmured Regulus - I beg you... -

- SLITHERYN! - thundered the magic object, making the silver-green table explode in applause.

Regulus reached his new companions, greeted by Antonin's smile, Lucius's handshake and cousin Bellatrix's pat on the shoulder.

- Welcome- Severus said.

- Thank you- mumbled the boy. He shook his hand and it felt terribly cold.

- Are you all right?- asked Evan. Regulus nodded.

Severus and Evan exchanged a look.

- Well, welcome again-