Chapter eight:
Forgive and Forget
Throughout the past week, it was normal class days with Victoria teaching and correcting papers in her office before Friday came around. Victoria found herself both intrigued by the idea of having more private time with Snape even though it was a test of her defensive spells but she was also nervous, knowing that Snape deemed to be very well crafted in magic. She took this duel lesson as a challenge which she would be sure she would herself. She watched as the third year students began their trip to Hogsmeade, which McGonagall had excused Harry's permission form after Victoria had clarified it to Dumbledore, and walked back to her classroom shortly after. Victoria was happy that Harry would be able to enjoy Hogsmeade with his friends while she gets herself ready for the upcoming duel lesson from Snape. That evening, there was a scene at the seventh floor regarding the Fat Lady portrait and Sirius Black, by the Gryffindor house which turned the great hall into a campout for all the Gryffindors, making the great hall off limits for her private lesson with Snape. Later that night, sitting in her office, Victoria looked through her students papers then had them float to a shelf before she spotted a figure at the entrance of her office.
"Severus." Victoria acknowledged shortly after her green eyes laid on his dark figure. "I would assume that you are ready for the lesson, Victoria. I had a change of plans on the location, perhaps your classroom is suitable?" Snape asked, keeping his piercing gaze on her. Snape wanted to be sure that Victoria was strong enough to face any death eaters that may cross her to get to Harry, let alone facing Voldemort himself. Victoria had stood up from her chair and straightened herself up. "Yes, I'm ready Severus. It is fine." Victoria answered, stepping away from her desk. Snape studied her for a mere moment before slowly turning around to the entrance. Victoria left the office, following Snape into her classroom and she took out her wand, clearing the desks from the center of the classroom, setting them onto the sides of the wall. Snape watched as she did so before flicking his wand at the door, locking it and flamed the torches along the wall in the classroom before he swiftly went to face Victoria. Victoria met Snape in the middle of the classroom and kept her wand at the ready as Snape had his ready. "I want you to use only protective spells against me, Victoria, as i attempt to attack you." Snape instructed.
Victoria nodded before they split up and at the opposite ends of the classroom. "Everte Statum!" Snape casted, aiming to knock Victoria off her feet. Before the flash of light could hit Victoria, she focused on her shielding charm. "Protego!" Victoria casted the protective charm, blocking the spell immediately, having Snape's spell bounce back at him and caused him to fly back onto the floor. Victoria felt bad if the fall hurt Snape but stood her ground. Snape seemed merely impressed by her quick movement before getting up and attempting another spell. "Stupefy!" Snape casted. Victoria once again casted Protego but nonverbally, blocking the spell that bounced back again, Snape immediately blocked the spell bouncing back at him before casting again. "Rictusempra!" Snape casted immediately after, catching Victoria off guard. Victoria didn't get the shielding charm out fast enough this time around and once the tickling charm hit her, she began laughing and giggling. Snape flashed a prideful smirk on his lips, entertained by Victoria's laugh. Snape walked over to Victoria from across the room and came to a stop in front of her. "Finite Incantatem." Snape casted the counter spell, causing Victoria's laughing to come to a halt.
Victoria stopped her laughing and turned her focus back onto Snape who kept his amused expression. "Very funny, Severus." Victoria said playfully. Snape adjusted himself and his expression went back to becoming serious. "Should've protected yourself." Snape stated in a mere sarcastic tone and a shrug. Victoria crossed her arms as she rose a brow to refrain from slipping a smile. "I'll have to be fast next time." Victoria responded. Snape stepped away towards the end of the classroom once again, immediately drawing his wand towards the five erasers on the chalkboard. "Oppugno!" Snape casted towards Victoria but Victoria kept her focus right, beating him to the punch. Victoria casted Protego nonverbally, having the chalky powder fly everywhere from the erasers that hit her shield charm then fall to the floor. Victoria pointed her wand at Snape. "Expelliarmus!" she casted, disarming Snape, having his wand fall to the floor. "Impressive..." Snape trailed off, picking up his wand from the floor. Victoria smiled softly at what she took as a compliment from Snape. "Thanks." Victoria replied, watching Snape approach her once more. Having been called impressive by the potions master at the school made Victoria slightly giddy, though she wouldn't express that on the outside - she wanted to keep a professional demeanor most of the time. "I would, if i were you, stay on guard at all times when watching out for Potter. You are, otherwise, well prepared." Snape informed.
"I will be." Victoria replied in agreement. From what she had been told about her nephew and this dark wizard that was after him, she knew that she would be one of several people protecting him and someone close to him, which was indeed dangerous. Though, Victoria was a woman that would do anything to protect her family, even one she had just met. Snape still remained skeptical about her being Harry's guardian due to the dangers but as he was doing for Harry due to Lily's sake, he would secretly, for the time being, make ways to protect her as well. "That's all for tonight...goodnight." Snape stated before unlocking the doors and exiting the History of Magic classroom. "Goodnight, Severus." Victoria replied. Moments after, Victoria took her wand back out and began moving the desks and chairs back to their original spots then turned in for the night.
In the late hours of the night, Snape met with Dumbledore after checking the dungeons shortly upon exiting the History of Magic classroom, speaking with the headmaster in the great hall as they watched over the students sleeping on the floor with sleeping bags. "I've done the dungeons, Headmaster. No sign of Black. Nor anywhere else in the castle." Snape informed. Dumbledore turned his attention from the students and onto Snape. "I didn't really expect him to linger." Dumbledore replied, turning his gaze back onto the sleeping students. Remarkable feat, don't you think? To enter Hogwarts castle on one's own, completely undetected..." Snape hinted, doing his best to convince Dumbledore that Sirius Black had help into the castle. Dumbledore seemed to not be taking the bait that Snape was trying to give him. "You may recall, prior to the start of term, I did express my concerns when you appointed Professor-" Snape added before he was interrupted by the headmaster. "I do not believe a single professor inside this castle would have helped Sirius Black enter it, Severus." Dumbledore refuted while the two walked in the cleared pathway in between the students. Snape didn't like having Lupin at the school who was part of the group of bullies that picked on him alongside James Potter when he was in school; not to mention, Lupin could easily let slip to Victoria what Snape had called her sister. "I feel quite confident the castle is safe. And I'm more than willing to let the students return to their Houses. But tomorrow. For now, let them sleep...it's astonishing what the body can endure when the mind allows itself to rest." Dumbledore added, keeping his eye on Harry in particular before Snape left to turn in for the rest of the night.
As the weekend began, students relaxed and some that were fourth years and older went to Hogsmeade. Victoria had reflected on the lesson she had gotten from Snape the previous night and that seemed to have clouded her mind through breakfast that morning. Victoria was back in her office, correcting the rest of her students papers with the help of Wingaurdium Leviosa that changed the stacks of papers from her desk and onto the shelves. There were footsteps coming from her classroom and towards her office when she spotted Harry. "Can i talk to you, Aunt Tori? Professor Hawthrone?" Harry asked by the entrance of her office. Victoria nodded and watched Harry enter the office. "What is it, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously. Harry walked over to desk and thought over what he was going to ask. "I was wondering, instead of going back to the Dursleys for the holidays...i wanted to ask if i could spend it with you?" Harry asked curiously. Victoria wasn't surprised by his request but after seeing how close he was to the Weasley family at the train station before summer began, she figured he would spend it with his friends. "Well, seeing that i will most likely become your guardian four days after Christmas, i see why not." Victoria smiled warmly at her nephew.
Harry had to be honest with himself - he was thrilled to soon live with his newfound aunt. She reminded him of what his mother looked like from the pictures he's seen and what he saw of his parents from the mirror of erised during his first year. "That would be brilliant." Harry stated. Victoria set down her quill and looked at Harry. "Is everything okay, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously, knowing about the whole Sirius Black situation going on at the school. "Yes...well, i think so. This entire thing about Sirius Black is..." Harry trailed off. Victoria knew what he meant and sighed. "...confusing? Scary?" Victoria replied. Harry walked around the desk to face her while Victoria turned in her chair to face her nephew. "Not really scary, just confusing." Harry pointed out. Victoria liked his courage, which may be why he was a Gryffindor. "I wish i knew more. But we will in time, Harry." Victoria replied, smiling warmly. Harry nodded before exiting her office.
It was November 3rd and it had been previously a full moon the night before. Snape had been asked by Dumbledore to step in for Lupin and teach his Defense Against the Dark Arts class, in which he took up with no hesitation - it was his way of being able to tease Lupin's secret that he knew to give a warning due to the situation with Victoria the week prior. As the students entered the classroom, they sat down and waited for their professor to only be surprised with Snape walking into the classroom, making it swiftly to the front of the classroom to Lupin's desk after draping each window with a flick of his wand. "Turn to page 394." Snape instructed. The students looked at each other and at Snape as he blew out a candle. "Excuse me, sir, but...where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked. Snape pierced his stare at Harry. "That's not really your concern, is it, Potter? Suffice it to say, your Professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present time. Page 394." Snape replied sternly, pressing the students to turn to the page that he instructed. Snape then walked around the classroom over towards the projector and tapped on the projector to turn it on before spotting Ron Weasley carelessly turning page by page. Snape flicked his wand, causing Ron's textbook to turn to page 394 in a swift second.
Ron looked surprised to see the creature they were to be studying next. "Werewolves?" Ron asked in shock. Snape was rather pleased by the attention the subject was getting, before his eyes shifted towards Hermione Granger. "But, sir, we've only just begun learning about Red Caps and Hinkypunks. We're not meant to start nocturnal beasts for weeks-" Hermione pointed out before being cut off by Snape. "Quiet!" Snape ordered. Snape wasn't going to be swayed from the subject of werewolves he was going to teach - it was his way of blackmailing Lupin. "Now. Which of you can tell me the difference between an Animagus and a werewolf?" Snape asked, flipping a slide on the screen of a werewolf attacking, looking around the room and ignoring Hermione's raising hand. "No one? How...disappointing." Snape pointed out in the mere silence. "Please, sir, an Animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice in the matter. Furthermore, the werewolf actively hunts humans and responds only to the call of its own kind-" Hermione explained without being called on, only to be interrupted by a howl coming from Draco Malfoy. "Quiet, Malfoy! Though one must admit to feeling your pain. That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger. Tell me. Are you incapable of restraining yourself? Or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" Snape responded harshly towards Hermione, not appreciating her speaking without him calling on her.
Snape returned to the desk, taking out a quill and dipped it into ink. "Five points from Gryffindor!" Snape announced, writing it down onto parchment paper before looking back over at the students. "As a antidote to your ignorance, I prescribe two rolls of parchment on the werewolf by Monday morning, with particular emphasis placed on recognizing it." Snape informed. The students whined while Ron leaned over to Harry, who was clutching a note Draco had passed to him. "If it's true that your aunt fancies Snape, i wish she would work on convincing him to make our lives less bloody miserable." Ron insisted in a hushed tone to Harry. Harry sighed and shook his head at the comment, obvious that Harry wasn't too thrilled about the idea of possibly having Snape as an uncle at the moment. Snape noticed the two boys talking in hushed tones before walking over to them. "Passing notes, Potter?" Snape accused, snatching the crumbled up paper from his hand, spotting the drawing of Harry playing quidditch and getting struck by lightning. "Not exactly Picasso, are you? I hope you demonstrate more talent on the Quidditch pitch this weekend then you do as an artist." Snape remarked before adding, "If not, I fear you'll perish, given the weather forecast. Until that time, however, you'll forgive me if I don't let you off homework. Should you die, I assure you...you need not hand it in." Snape then walked off as Draco and his cronies snickered.
Later that day, it was the quidditch match of Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor and it was a stormy day to play quidditch. Victoria was sitting in the staff section of the stands as she watched the match, hoping that the players would be safe out there from the storm and lightning, especially Harry. Moments after the match began, lightning struck the tail of Angelina Johnson's broom, catching a fire before she fell to the ground from the sky. Victoria looked over to the row in front of her to spot Snape carelessly watching the match as Victoria sat next to McGonagall. "I don't understand why the match couldn't be rescheduled. This is far too dangerous." Victoria spoke to McGonagall. McGonagall nodded in agreement with Victoria, being just as concerned as she was. As Harry spots the snitch in view, he flies up, following the snitch all the way through the chilling, cold wind up to the clouds and nearly out of view, having Victoria keep an eye on him. When Harry came back into view, it wasn't a positive one. Harry was falling from the sky, falling through a circle of dementors moments after there was a cheer of Cedric Diggory grabbing the snitch. His broom was thrown into the whomping willow as Victoria, along with Dumbledore and other staff stood up immediately. "Arresto Momentum!" Dumbledore casted, having Harry's fall come to an abrupt halt a couple feet from the ground as the staff went to the field.
Victoria made her way down to the field with the staff after teaching the third years hours previously and went along with Dumbledore and Hermione to the hospital wing while Harry remained unconscious. "He's going to be alright, isnt he?" Victoria asked Madam Pomfrey. Pomfrey looked to Dumbledore who nodded gently. "She's Harry's aunt." Dumbledore explained. Pomfrey walked over from the bedside to Victoria. "He should be ready to go by the end of the day. The dementors are a nasty business, but all you need is some chocolate and rest." Pomfrey stated before moving onto the next patient in the room. Victoria walked over to Harry's bedside for a moment, taking a seat in the wooden chair before Ron and his twin brothers entered the hospital wing. Ron looked at his best friend while the twins and Ginny sat at the otherside of the bed. "Looks a bit peaky, doesn't he?" Ron asked before looking from Harry to Victoria then back at Harry. "Peaky? What d'you expect him to look like? He fell fifty feet." Fred pointed out. Harry was beginning to wake up. "Yeah, c'mon, Ron. We'll walk you off the Astronomy Tower and see what you look like." George mocked. Victoria couldn't help but be amused at the conversation, but turned her focus onto her awakening nephew.
"Probably a right sight better than he normally does." Harry stated upon waking up, being cheeky. They were all at the foot of the bed and the side, peering at Harry. Harry looked to his left to see his aunt Victoria there, who smiled at him and brushed his hair with her hand carefully before setting her hand back onto her lap as he smiled back softly. Fred and George looked at each other. "Maybe we should end up in the hospital wing sometime so she could brush our head." George commented in a teasing manner, Victoria rolled her eyes slightly. "Harry! How're you feeling?" Hermione asked in concern. Harry turned to his friend and sighed. "Brilliant." Harry replied. The twins then turned back to Harry. "Gave us a right good scare, mate." Fred stated. George nodded. "What happened?" Harry asked curiously, referring to the match. "You fell off your broom." Ron pointed out. Harry sat up in the bed but Pomfrey noticed. "No, no you lay back down Mr. Potter." Pomfrey instructed from across the room. Harry then laid back down. "Really? I meant the match. Who won?" Harry corrected. The room was silent before Victoria decided to break the silence. "Mr. Diggory caught the snitch moments before you fell, Harry." Victoria explained gently. Harry laid his head back in disappointment.
Snape had entered the hospital wing, looking for Victoria and walked up after immediately spotting her, holding a pile of twigs wrapped up in a quidditch banner and stopped feet away. "Victoria...i need to speak with you for one moment." Snape stated. Victoria got up from the chair and walked over as the students watched. "Potter's broom was found by the whomping willow, apparently it's more so firewood than a broom now." Snape observed. Victoria was disappointed in her nephew's broom now destroyed, it was just more bad news for him. "Thank you, Severus. I appreciate it." Victoria replied courteously, taking the pile into her arms as Snape glanced from her and over towards the students before exiting the hospital wing swiftly. "No one blames you, Harry. The Dementors aren't meant to come on the grounds. Dumbledore was furious. After he saved you, he sent them straight off." Hermione explained. Victoria walked over before one of the twins elbowed Ron to help Victoria with the pile she was carrying, noticing it was Harry's broom. "There's something else you should know, Harry..." Ron trailed off, walking back to the bedside. "Your Nimbus...when it blew away...it sort of landed in the Whomping Willow. And well..." Ron explained, showing Harry the broken up broom. Harry was even more disappointed with the bad news in addition to losing the match. Harry was then excused an hour later from the hospital wing.
Later that day, Victoria went to teach her last class of the day which happened to be the seventh years. She had went over all the subjects she had taught each class for the seventh years could revise the entire year for their finals. After that class was done, she had exited the class an hour later to possibly stop by Hogsmeade in order to get more ink before the next day when she spotted Harry and Lupin enter the castle. Lupin had been talking to Harry one on one since classes were short that day for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Lupin noticed the ginger haired professor before departing from Harry. "Excuse me, Harry, i need to have a word with your aunt, well, Professor Hawthrone." Lupin stated. Harry politely excused himself before deciding to head to Hogsmeade with Hermione and Ron but grabbing his cloak first, walking passed Victoria as Victoria smiled warmly at her nephew before looking at Lupin. "Where are you off to?" Lupin asked curiously yet in a friendly manner. Victoria shrugged. "Figured I'd take the chance to make an errand to Hogsmeade, I'm needing more ink and sugar quills for my classes." Victoria elaborated. Lupin was still in awe of Victoria's resemblance of Lily, it felt like he was in school again.
Lupin put his hands into his coat pockets and parted his lips to speak. "Ah, right. Mind if i tag along? I would like to tell you more about Lily." Lupin asked. Victoria was intrigued to hear more about her sister and would likely take the chance given. "Of course." Victoria said. As they left through the front doors, Snape had just walked around the corner to spot Victoria leave with Lupin. Snape stood stiff for a mere moment just before Harry was to pass by him on his way towards the Gryffindor common room, giving him a side glancing glare before dashing off towards the dungeons. Victoria and Lupin apparated from the grounds of Hogwarts to the snow covered Hogsmeade and went to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. Looking around, Victoria looked through the variety of ink bottles as Lupin trailed behind her, continuing the conversation about Lily. "Your sister wasn't fond of bullying. Matter of fact, she didn't even date James until he matured and quit his antics. You see, he used to pick on Severus quite a lot in school." Lupin explained. Victoria had taken a few bottles of ink and paid for them at the counter. "So, my sister married a bully?" Victoria asked curiously, though her tone came off slightly judgemental. As they left the shop, they headed to Honeydukes to pick up the sugar quills. "Well, when she married him, he had stopped the bullying. I never encouraged it, but they were my only friends in school. I don't think Severus really ever forgave James for bullying him." Lupin explained further.
Victoria did feel sad for Snape being bullied in school as she was as well; she had revealed that to Snape and he had mentioned he was as well but didn't explain it much. "It's awful to be bullied. I know first hand, i was bullied in school myself but by other girls." Victoria explained, then made her way over to the counter, paying for the sugar quills and left the shop with Lupin. "Being bullied is terrible period. But, Severus had a new group he hung out with eventually, they practiced the dark arts." Lupin pointed out as they made their way to the top of the snowy path before apparating back to Hogwarts grounds. "I don't promote the practice of dark arts, Remus, but it's not entirely a bad thing to know what is out there in case such magic comes your way from dark wizards or witches." Victoria explained. They entered the castle as Victoria held her two bags of items she purchased and walked casually towards her classroom. "It wasn't the dark arts that drove Lily away from Severus though." Lupin replied. Victoria and Lupin came to a halt midway in the hall as Victoria turned to face him. "What was it? How could it be worse than dark magic?" Victoria asked.
Lupin felt bad about what he was about to tell her but she had the right to know what she was getting involved with regarding Snape and knowing about every little thing about her sister, even though he was hiding his own secret of being a werewolf. "Severus got so frustrated with James bullying him and having to have Lily protect him, in the midst of being dangled by his feet from the Levicorpus spell, he called her a mudblood. She had a hard time forgiving him." Lupin explained. When Victoria heard that word, it tore her up a little. She always hated that word and was hurt to hear the word had came from someone like Snape towards her sister. Having her sister be called that was like being called that herself since she shared the same blood. Coincidentally, Snape had exited the dungeons, making his way down the hall towards the second floor to go to Dumbledore's office when he spotted Victoria and Lupin. Snape witnessed the look of disappointment and hurt on Victoria's facial expression which caused him to freeze as they locked eyes for a moment. Upon spotting Snape, Victoria turned around and immediately walked off towards her classroom. "Victoria." Lupin called out but was too late when the door slammed, he was going to explain the rest of the story but didn't get the chance. Lupin figured she wouldn't take it well but when he turned around, he spotted Snape standing there, having witnessed the scene. Snape narrowed his eyes at Lupin, suspicious as to what exactly Lupin said to her although he could only suspect it was about Lily. Snape marched up to Lupin, backing him up against the wall, his hand gripping Lupin's collar. "What did you say to her, Lupin..." Snape stated in a vindictive tone. Snape was easily intimidating and Lupin knew since school how experienced in spells Snape was. "She had to know, Severus." Lupin stated abrasively. Snape gripped Lupin's collar tighter. "Know...what?" Snape asked, his tone remaining strongly vindictive but then became a little questionable.
Lupin sighed, hoping that Snape would've known but having the hall be empty, it became even more menacing. "I told her what you called Lily. She had the right to know, Severus." Lupin confessed. Snape bit his cheek at the words. Lupin can see the aggressiveness diminish from Snape's eyes, knowing it may have ruined Snape's chance at redeeming himself. Hearing footsteps down the hall, Snape let his grip on Lupin's collar go and stepped back a bit. "This...isn't...over, Lupin." Snape spat out threateningly before leaving to Dumbledore's office. Lupin felt bad at what just unfolded but he had always been the one to bare truth. Meanwhile, Victoria was in the classroom and had shoved the new boxes of sugar quills into the drawer of her classroom desk and went into her office to set the ink bottles onto her office desk. She didn't know what to make of the information she had gotten, though Snape never directly called her a mudblood, but having called her sister that felt the same as she was called the name. Her feelings had conflicted because she wasn't sure if she had the right to be upset as the derogatory word wasn't towards her or if she was right on feeling so. As the day progressed, Snape wanted to immediately speak to Victoria but he was afraid she would be closed off to him like Lily was to him.
Snape hesitated by the History of Magic classroom door but overheard talking between Victoria and Harry. Harry had just found out in Hogsmeade of Rosmerta, Fudge and McGonagall's gossip about Sirius Black. "He was their friend, aunt Tori..Sirius was their friend and he betrayed them." Harry informed her what he heard, his tone was of hurt. Victoria patted her nephew's back in support. "I'm sorry, Harry. Perhaps Azkaban is where he belongs and will return there shortly." Victoria replied, not knowing what to exactly say, the whole day was upsetting. "If he ever finds me, aunt Tori, I'll be ready." Harry clarified. Victoria sighed. "Harry, he won't touch you under Dumbledore and my watch." Victoria stated. Harry nodded. Snape had suspected Lupin of letting Sirius Black into the castle but Dumbledore wasn't buying it. "Is everything okay?" Harry asked his aunt. Victoria didn't know how to explain it but she didn't want to burden her nephew as much as he already was. "Yes...I'm fine, Harry." Victoria lied with a smile. Snape noticed her hesitation before deciding to walk off to the great hall. "You sure?" Harry asked reassuringly. Victoria nodded. They both then headed into the great hall for dinner, Harry going to the Gryffindor table while Victoria headed up to the podium and sat at the professors table. Victoria noticed Snape's occasional glances through the meal but she attempted to avoid eye contact, she was surprised he hasn't tried speaking with her. "Severus, just speak to her. She and Lily are two different women." Lupin insisted in a benevolent tone. Snape pierced his eyes at Lupin and stared with belligerence. "You are the one who caused this catastrophe, Lupin." Snape informed, being skeptical. Lupin knew that but he pressed further to attempt to help the potions master. "I wanted her to know the truth. Now, you can confront her and talk to her or i will." Lupin pointed out. Snape shot a scathing glare towards Lupin. "I warn you, Lupin...stay...away..from her." Snape warned. Lupin threw his hands up before going to finish his dinner, he gave up on trying to help Snape.
Once dinner finished, Victoria made her way out of the great hall which Snape noticed. Departing the great hall as well, Snape followed Victoria in the direction of her classroom, entering it but remaining in the shadow of the classroom. Victoria turned around to spot Snape standing beside her classroom desk as she was near the entrance of her office. "Can i help you, Severus?" Victoria asked, her voice wretched. Snape parted his lips to speak. "I have apologized to Lily, constantly after i called her that word that nobody should ever be called the same day i had said it." Snape stated in remorse, his expression became empathetic. "I would never call you that, Victoria." Snape added. Victoria remained motionless, taking in what seemed a sincere apology. Snape felt uneasy and his expression of melancholy was obvious that this flashback of apologizing to Lily was debilitating. He decided to leave, assuming Victoria was going to be difficult to forgive like Lily was but he came to a halt when Victoria spoke. "I am not my sister, Severus." Victoria pointed out sternly, stepping away from her office and walked slowly down the floor of her classroom towards Snape. Snape turned around in astonishment, meeting her eyes with his. "That's the difference between her and i. I don't hold grudges." Victoria explained. Snape had began realizing the differences between Victoria and Lily, thinking perhaps he still was able to be redeemed. "Obviously, you were upset..." Snape trailed off. Victoria folded her arms. "I was, for a moment, but i was more shocked to hear that it came from you. However, i came to realize that it wasn't directed towards me and i looked passed it. I have far more things to worry about than past mistakes." Victoria explained. Snape was more relieved that Victoria was different from Lily and actually given him a chance, having the burden of the secret be lifted. "Good to know...though i suspect you're speaking of guardianship of Potter, i assume?" Snape assumed. Victoria nodded. "Yes. Next month." Victoria replied. Snape knew she was capable of defending Harry if need be due to their duel lesson but he still worried for her safety. "Indeed. I best be going, Mr. Finnigan has to serve detention...hopefully it'll be the last cauldron he blows up, perhaps?" Snape informed as he edged towards the classroom door. Victoria smiled crookedly, clearly amused by his words. "We can hope. Goodnight, Severus." Victoria replied. Snape spotted her smile before barely letting a soft smile pass his before exiting the classroom. Victoria then went to turn in for the night, glad to have ended the day on a good note.