Chapter 25: The First Summer Holidays
Severus and Dumbledore's victory at destroying the diadem and the cursed ring went by quietly, and they had high hopes for Helena in her afterlife, especially as the Bloody Baron left with her, clearly in love with her.
The two of them went their separate ways after the ghosts' departure and agreed to meet just before term ended to discuss using the Stone at the end of July, as that would be when Severus was due to see the old Lily once again via the Resurrection Stone.
Meanwhile, the current Lily was feeling more than ecstatic at the thought of returning home to Cokeworth for the summer, and to reunite with her family, as Severus would reunite with his mother, and at some point, over the summer, his grandparents too. He was keen to see them, as Septimus' return to the Ministry felt such a triumph over the Malfoys and other supremacist families who had tried to drag him down.
Lucius Malfoy's mood didn't improve as the remaining few weeks at Hogwarts went on, and his OWL exams did nothing to improve his temperament. His lackies were no better. Every time one of them passed Severus and his friends in the corridors and out of earshot of a teacher, they would snap at him and hurl no end of offensive insults. Many a time, Severus was tempted to inflict the Bat Bogey Hex or something worse upon them, but Lily and Quincey always managed to soothe him in time. James and Sirius on the other hand were much more difficult to negotiate with. They revelled at the idea of retaliating against Malfoy and his Slytherin buddies. It was when Lily reminded them that they were aiming to make some Slytherin friends next year that they decided to restrain themselves.
One day at breakfast, Professor Dumbledore called out for an important notice. The students hushed down, wondering what it could be. Dumbledore rarely addressed all the students for important announcements.
"I am sad to inform you all that Professor Reynolds has passed away, after being poisoned by a particularly dangerous plant in the Hogwarts greenhouses." said Dumbledore grimly.
Many students gasped, and Lily's hand clasped over her mouth in shock.
Severus groaned. How could he have forgotten? He knew Reynolds died this way last time, and he looked up at Dumbledore with a guilty expression.
Dumbledore looked to him and smiled faintly. As everyone around chatted incessantly about the death of their teacher, Dumbledore jerked a finger upwards in a casual manner, and Severus understood that he was to meet the Headmaster in his office that evening.
After listening agonisingly to Lily and the others talk of the poor professor's untimely passing, Severus had many a morbid thought in his head by the time he reached Dumbledore's office. The most predatory thought in his mind by now was that the death of Reynolds was his fault. If he had only remembered, if he hadn't been so focused on the big picture and thinking of other alternate incidents, he could have made sure Dumbledore stopped Reynolds from entering the greenhouse to try and steal the poisonous but valuable plants. He could have saved his life. And he failed.
He soon found himself inside Dumbledore's office. The Headmaster was looking at him very seriously.
"Did you know Professor Reynolds was going to die, Severus?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." mumbled Severus. "I forgot about it though, after everything that's gone on this year already…I can't believe how careless I had been. I could have saved him, I could have…"
Dumbledore's serious expression softened into one of sympathy. It was plain for anyone to see that Severus didn't forget on purpose, and he was punishing himself with his bad habit of blaming himself for everything that goes wrong.
"Severus, Professor Reynolds' actions were his own responsibility, and I think you know as well as I that something would've happened to prevent his return to Hogwarts anyway, thanks to a certain curse cast by Lord Voldemort." said Dumbledore mildly.
"Yes, but he could've still lived." said Severus miserably. "He could have been caught by you or Professor Sprout had I intervened, and you would likely have sacked him for theft. He didn't have to die, if I hadn't been so narrow-minded as to forget that a teacher's death was coming!"
"There would have been no guarantee." said Dumbledore. "Not everything that happened in your universe is set in stone here. Look at the differences you have seen so far. Your mother is still alive, you have a relationship with your grandparents, your role in the Shrieking Shack incident has been reversed, you have more friends, Moaning Myrtle isn't here, the Grey Lady and the Bloody Baron have moved on, and more importantly, Lord Voldemort is getting closer to death quicker than he had in your last life. You may have remembered to warn me about Professor Reynolds, but I may not have reached him in time, I could have gotten poisoned in his place or he may have tried again a different day. You just don't know, and with that knowledge, I refuse to believe that you can possibly blame yourself for this unfortunate occurrence. I certainly don't blame you in the least."
Severus would not usually succumb to other people's beliefs that he wasn't to blame for things, but today, hearing it from Dumbledore so sincerely, so kindly, especially in the low ebb he was in, Severus couldn't help but feel relieved. Dumbledore didn't blame him for Reynolds' death. Even in his last life, Dumbledore dropped hints that suggested he didn't believe Severus had a clean slate. He manipulated Severus' remorse for his role in Lily's death, he remarked on how he watched innocent people die whilst spying on Voldemort, as if blaming him for not being able to save them, even though he had to act indifferent on the Headmaster's orders. This Dumbledore was certainly a much more forgiving and tender-hearted man than his predecessor.
"Thank you, sir." he mumbled, trying not to shed yet another tear. He still had a belief that showing his emotions would be seen as weakness.
"It's alright, Severus." said Dumbledore. "Professor Reynolds' body has been claimed by his family, and now all that remains is the inquiry, though the fact that he was in the greenhouse at a ridiculous hour will justify the situation itself, and the need to advertise for a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Severus nodded. "I still wish I could have done more."
"You've done more than enough this year so far." assured Dumbledore. "Thanks to you, we have eliminated two Horcruxes, and we now have a fool proof and undetectable spy to help us find the others. Your failure to alter Professor Reynolds' fate is not your fault. Something would have happened either way thanks to the curse on the post. Reynolds believed the rumours. He knew the risks. His fate was in his own hands."
Before Severus could interrupt, Dumbledore raised his hand.
"I want you to forget all about this unfortunate occurrence, Mr Prince. I do not blame you, and nor will anybody else. Summer is nearly here, so I expect you to enjoy the holidays. Now go and make some plans and enjoy your temporary time of luxury."
Severus knew this was his cue to leave. He still felt some guilt, but Dumbledore's genuine insistence that he was not to blame appeased him somewhat. He just wished Dumbledore's eloquence could have been as effective in his past life, not that that version of the Headmaster was ever as truthful and affectionate, to him anyway.
"Goodbye then, sir."
"Oh, and Severus." said the Headmaster. "I'll be owling you the Stone, with wards on it so nobody can intercept or remove it from the envelope. Only your touch of the letter will remove them. Once you seal the Stone back up again, the wards will be put back in place, and you are to owl it straight back to me. And please, add a note with any information your old friend has for us."
Severus bowed his head to say he understood and shut the door behind him.
Severus and Lily were quite excited for the holidays by the time the term fully ended. They also had made many plans on how to spend the summer. Lily was going to come with Severus and Eileen to visit his grandparents for the second week. On the first week, they would just enjoy their own times together in their neighbourhoods. Mary invited Lily to visit her at her house on the third week, along with Marlene and Rebecca. Severus would remain at his grandparents' manor that week but would then visit Quincey and his parents over the following weekend.
James and Sirius tried and failed to get any of the four friends to visit them, but as Sirius didn't like his own household anyway, that wasn't much of an issue. But James invited Sirius to visit him instead and extended the invitation to Regulus too. Lily and Severus approved of the idea, as it would be a good start to gaining the boy's friendship. Instead of Severus, Lily, Quincey and Mary, the two Marauders-in-making invited Remus and Peter over to stay at James' house instead, which made both friends feel very happy and wanted. Remus was also invited by Severus to stay with him and Eileen on the week before the last one before school began again. Remus and Peter were the most delighted to have invites to their new friends' homes, as they felt like the lesser members of the group, one because of his condition, and the other because of his inadequacy in magic compared to everybody else, though he compensated for this in James and Sirius' eyes when he stood up to Lucius Malfoy.
Remus was also happier due to the Wolfsbane Potion. Dumbledore ordered for Slughorn to brew enough for the two full moons over the holidays, as well as for the first term back to Hogwarts. He was fully prepared for his transformations.
Soon, they were all on the Hogwarts Express, and as they settled down to their sweets and games in their compartment, Severus, Lily, Quincey, Mary, Marlene and Rebecca only had pleasant visitors, such as James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Frank and Alice. Nora Waynefleet also paid a visit to ask Severus and Quincey if they wanted to meet up for ice cream at Diagon Alley, which they agreed to. No unwanted guests made an appearance at all.
A few hours later, they all got off at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and the four friends' parents greeted them and one another respectively, which took a good fifteen minutes, and all the arrangements were made.
After a cheerful farewell to all their friends, Severus and Lily joined Rose, Trevor and Eileen in the car back home, their trunks packed in the boot.
"Where's Tuney?" asked Lily.
"Back home." said Rose. "She's keen to learn all about your first year, but said she wanted to see something on the television while we were gone. She said it was important for a summer project."
Lily was curious for a mere moment before she and Severus grew drowsy and fell asleep not long after, her head on Severus' shoulder, and his drooping on his mother's. She smiled softly, kissing his head. She definitely enjoyed life this time round, hands down. She had her parents back, her husband was no longer causing her grief, and her son was happier. Not to mention her new social life…
It was evening by the time they got back to Cokeworth and pulled up on Spinner's End to drop off Severus and Eileen. The sky was still bright blue, but the sun was beginning to make its descent to the lower horizon. Severus found it a pleasant sight when he awoke.
"We're home, darling." said his mother quietly.
Severus stretched and smiled at Lily resting on him. He nudged her softly and she yawned.
"I need to get out, Lils." he said regretfully.
"Okay, Sev. I'll see you tomorrow, perhaps."
"Definitely."
As Severus was helped by Trevor to get his trunk out of the boot, Eileen was guided further away by Rose.
"Don't forget to tell him, dear." said the latter quietly. "You avoided telling him over Christmas, but I don't think you can avoid it over the whole summer."
"I told you already, Rose, I will." promised Eileen. "Just need to find the right time."
"He'll be delighted for you, I promise." said Rose encouragingly. "See you in the week."
And with that, Rose got back into the car, and Trevor followed, taking the driver's seat. The Princes waved as the Evans family drove away.
"Let's head in then, Severus." she said cheerily, as the car faded from view.
As for Lily, she was still fairly drowsy when they pulled into their little drive. She was helped by Trevor in getting her trunk out. Lily felt some minor regret that she was no longer privileged to use her wand now that she was outside of Hogwarts. She couldn't even perform magic in the safety of her own house as none of her family had any magic.
Rose opened the door.
"Petunia, we're home!" she called.
At the same moment she said this, Rose and Lily walked into the living room, and saw Petunia was watching a piece of news, and was eager to switch it off.
"What was on the news, Petunia?" asked Rose. "You look a bit frazzled."
Lily noticed that Petunia did indeed look flustered.
"Oh, um, something weird. One moment, they were talking of some political situation in Greece, and just now, this new piece came up, something about a magazine for homosexuals being released, first of its kind, or something like that, in America, I think." she explained.
"Ah, heard about that at work this morning." scoffed Trevor. "Gay News, they're gonna call it."
"What's wrong with that, pray?" asked Rose with folded arms.
"Well, bit unnatural." shrugged Trevor.
"Is it now, Daddy?" asked Lily, suddenly looking very similar to her mother, hands on her hips, with a stern glare. "I have magic, does that make me unnatural?"
"No, no, not at all, dear." said Trevor.
"Though this is odd." said Petunia quietly, looking down, which suggested to Lily that her sister didn't want to cause another magic-related argument.
"Why?" asked Lily.
"Homosexuality is against the nature of the Lord." said Trevor.
"So is magic." said Lily.
Trevor had to agree, but it was clear for Lily to see that he and Petunia were on one side, and she and her mother were on the other, though she was unsure if Rose was all for homosexuality or not, as she may only have defended it because she had enough tact to see that Lily related the 'oddness' of it to her unique ability to practice magic.
Nobody spoke on the delicate subject for the rest of that evening.
Lily and Severus had a grand time on that first week of their summer holiday. They spent many an afternoon laying side by side by the river and compared notes on the past year and its excitements. Not once did Lily question anything about Severus' private times, but she knew he was a reserved individual a lot of the time, plus she seemed too carefree to worry about anything.
If they weren't privately playing together at the river or in the park, the two best friends would either be spending some time with Petunia, discussing with her all the things they had learned in Herbology, and tried to forewarn her about how she might not enjoy History of Magic, because even Lily disdained the subject, but Petunia was adamant that she would want to give it a go. When they went out on their own, Petunia didn't mind, since she had her new friend, Clare Willett, round more often. Rose and Trevor called the girl a delight quite often. This made Lily happy that her sister had reinstated herself in Muggle society once more so successfully.
Sometimes, both friends felt that Petunia was trying to communicate something to them but couldn't bring herself to do so. She looked slightly distressed whenever these moments came up, but Lily assumed she wanted to ask for another favour but was too self-conscious to ask as they had done so much for her already.
Over the weekend before going to the Prince Manor, the two families went to one another's houses for dinner. They had joyous conversations, and Petunia was given a tour of Eileen's collection of old school things, including her Gobstones set. Severus, Lily and Eileen were more than happy to show her how to play.
Then the following Monday, all six travelled via the Floo Network to the Prince Manor.
Septimus and Desdemona greeted them all warmly. Septimus looked much more cheerful than he had been over Christmas. He also gave Lily, Severus and Petunia a rare book each on magic, Petunia's specifically relating to Herbology.
"Hard to find, easy to pay for." he said cheekily. "The Minister was keen to compensate my unfair treatment."
All those present laughed, especially when Severus and Lily described Lucius Malfoy's disgust at learning his father had failed to keep Septimus out of office.
"Someone ought to give that boy and his unworthy father a good thump." said Desdemona dubiously.
"Oh, Peter Pettigrew from Gryffindor gave it a good try after he attacked Remus and Potter." said Severus.
Then he and Lily explained about the incident in the Great Hall.
"At least he was disciplined." said Desdemona. "What was on that note Dumbledore sent you anyway, Severus?"
Severus continued his lie about specific books he wanted that the Headmaster obliged himself to supply.
"Must think you're an exceptional student, lad!" said Septimus approvingly.
"Lily's exceptional too." said Severus. "Many teachers said she was the most talented Muggle-born student they'd had in many a year, particularly Professor Slughorn."
"You might wanna avoid standing out to old Sluggie." warned Septimus. "Otherwise he'll coerce you into them flipping clubs and parties of his."
Severus remembered those only too well, but felt they would be unavoidable, plus with a stronger friendship with Lily in this lifetime, he pondered on the possibility that the Slug Club would be much more enjoyable this time.
Petunia and Rose went to visit the house elves, and were treated to cupcakes, then the whole group discussed what they would do for the week, before the Evans family returned home. Not only was Lily going to see her girlfriends that week, but Petunia was having some sleepovers between Clare Willett and several other friends too.
Severus wondered at which week Dumbledore would send him the Stone. Ideally, the best week would be on the fourth week, as he had nothing special planned for that week, just some peace and quiet with Eileen and Lily, like the previous week had been.
After a whole week of leisure, flying brooms, food, drink and even demonstrations of potion brewing for Severus, Lily and Petunia, the Evans family went home. Lily waved to Severus, and neither of them had noticed that Rose was giving Eileen a warning glare.
Eileen knew what Rose wanted her to do. But she wasn't sure when the right time was. What if Severus didn't approve? What if he was scared that history would repeat itself?
During the third week, where Severus remained with his grandparents, he often found himself missing Lily more and more each day. He kept correspondence every other day with her and with Quincey, whom was looking forward to seeing him on the coming weekend. Quincey's parents sounded very pleased to have Severus as a house guest, even for just a weekend.
One thing that struck Severus as odd over the week was that Eileen often seemed to Floo off somewhere without explanation, and return after several hours, with a light smile on her face, but with trepidation in her eyes.
Then Severus remembered Eileen's secret. He hadn't dwelled on it much for some time, since he had been so preoccupied with exams, Dumbledore learning his own secret, and the hunting of the Horcruxes.
He wondered if this was what Eileen was doing. But what was she doing?
When he asked her about it, Eileen simply said: "Later."
But the later went on until the end of the visit.
After a loving and cuddly farewell to his grandparents, who promised to visit Severus and Eileen on the last day before term began again, Severus was Flooed by his mother not to Spinner's End, but straight to Quincey's home in Kent.
Eileen greeted Mr and Mrs Arnolds warmly and asked them with concern, as only a mother could and should, to take good care of Severus.
Severus would have been embarrassed, but he just couldn't be. Not after knowing how uncaring his mother became in their first lives. He instead felt warm, flattered and deeply loved, and he was eternally grateful for it.
"You can be rest assured, Miss Prince, that Severus will be perfectly safe here. We owe him that much for making our Quinny feel so welcome at his new school." said Mrs Arnolds.
Severus tried not to smirk as Quincey's face blanched deep red at the embarrassing nickname.
"See you on Monday, then, Severus." said Eileen affectionately, kissing her son's cheek, making his face turn pink.
Bye, Mum." he said. His embarrassment in that quick moment made him forget to remind her that she still had something to tell him, and she Flooed away before he could.
Quincey and Severus had a fun time that weekend. Quincey showed Severus how to play games he never bothered trying even after meeting Lily and Petunia, such as football and cricket. Many of the local neighbours who played these sports were nothing like the prejudiced bunch in Cokeworth who avoided Severus like the plague, thanks to his father's reputation and his own former bizarre appearance during his first nine years of life. Severus found himself enjoying the Muggle games and the Muggles he was now associating with, some of them very good friends of Quincey's. He wished he could have known them in his past life. With Petunia and his father as primary examples of Muggles in his first life, it was hardly surprising that Severus had grown to heavily dislike them in general.
After this active and fun-filled weekend, Severus bade farewell to Quincey, thanked his parents for their hospitality and then Flooed home himself, as he had by now had enough practice as well as memories of the experience from his past life.
Eileen was waiting for him there.
"Hello, dear. Had a good time?"
"It was great." admitted Severus truthfully. He told her about his experience of playing with the local Muggles.
"Not so bad, really, are they?" smiled Eileen in an approving manner.
"Not all of them, I'll admit." shrugged Severus.
Both mother and son's eyes daunted at the remembrance of the worst of Muggles, Tobias Snape.
"Anyway." said his mother after an awkward pause. "This arrived by owl this morning. Seems to have magic on it, it's for you. From Professor Dumbledore."
Severus realized what it was and took the envelope eagerly.
"Thanks, Mum." he said.
"What is it?" asked his mother.
"A small bezoar." lied Severus. "I wanted to look at one for an idea I had in Potions. Dumbledore approved mine and Slughorn's request to have one."
"I see." murmured Eileen. She looked doubtful, but then she glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece above the wooden fire. "Heavens, is that the time? I need to head out, Severus. Why don't you go and show Lily your bezoar? She came home yesterday. I saw her arrive while visiting Rose and Trevor. See you later, darling."
"Mum, where are you going?" asked Severus swiftly.
But Eileen was already out the door, and he heard the pop of her Apparating away.
Severus frowned, but then dismissed it, because now the house was empty, and he had an opportunity. He sat down at the kitchen table, and twirled the Stone thrice in his hand, and closed his eyes with excited anticipation.
"Hey, Sev." said his childhood friend.
Severus looked to see Lily Potter sat opposite him, how that was possible he didn't know, with a smile on her face.
"Hey, Lils." he replied pleasantly. "How are things in Heaven?"
"Perfect, except for the limitations of seeing you." said Lily.
"Why don't you seek…other versions of me?" asked Severus, slightly hurt by his own suggestion.
"Cos nobody could replace you." said Lily truthfully. "I don't care if there's a Severus out there who was the perfect child, he wouldn't be my best friend."
Severus nodded thankfully that she perceived him as uniquely as to forbear herself to meet a new version of himself.
"How are things with Potter?" asked Severus.
"James." corrected Lily with no malice. "He's good with me, but he has Sirius and Marlene round far too often. Marlene helps to distract me, but god, that man is insatiably annoying, even in death."
Severus smirked.
"Sounds like the Black of old." he sneered.
"Yes." agreed Lily. She still disliked Sirius for how he still disliked Severus, but then again, Severus would never be likely to forgive the original version either. And she didn't expect him to; Sirius nearly killed him.
"Changing the subject, I have no current news on the other Horcruxes, I'm afraid." said Lily dimly.
Severus suspected as such.
"Nothing interesting has happened concerning the Malfoys or the Blacks, though the Blacks are rather insistent towards Regulus to not let them down the way Sirius had done." she added.
"Which will make it harder for us to befriend him." said Severus.
"Indeed." said Lily. "But don't give up. It's a good idea!"
Severus agreed wholeheartedly.
"Oh, and the Lestranges have married last week. The Blacks attended, except Sirius. He refused to go and has spent a lot of the holidays with James and his parents." said Lily.
"Have the Lestranges already joined Voldemort?" asked Severus.
"Yes, they were branded three days ago." replied Lily. "Voldemort was very proud to see two more Pure-Bloods keeping to the 'true' way of Wizarding marriage and purity and all that crap."
Severus cringed at the thought of it.
"We need to try and steer Regulus clear of that nonsense soon, fast." he murmured.
"But try not to be as stubbornly forceful as you tend to be usually, Sev." said Lily, giggling at the sight of a twelve-year-old talking so seriously and conspiratorially.
Severus rolled his eyes at her below-the-belt humour.
"I will do my bit with Regulus." he said. "I hope you still want to help out with your spy role?"
"Of course, I do, Sev." said Lily assuredly.
"You know you don't have to." said Severus.
"Alternate world or not, Sev, people's lives are at stake and I would not forgive myself knowing I had the means to help this world be a better place to live in and did nothing." said Lily in a logical manner.
Severus saw her point. Both Lilys liked to help and to see the best in things. And she also liked to make the best of a bad situation…most times anyway.
"Well, again, thank you." said Severus with a smile.
"You're welcome." smiled Lily.
"If that's all the information you have, and we have nothing unawkward to talk about…I guess this is farewell until October." said Severus.
"Yeah, Sev. Halloween okay?"
Severus wasn't sure that it was okay. After all, Halloween was the day he had lost Lily, seemingly forever, over thirty years ago. But he nodded in assent.
"Don't worry about that, Sev." said Lily. "Remember, I am happy, and we're friends again."
"Best friends." corrected Severus sternly. "This new Lily may well be my true love one day, and Quincey's a best boy friend, but you will always be the one who was my inspiration to be the best bloody spy against the most evil wizard of all time, the light in my dark tunnel…the woman I first loved, and will always love, only now in the way you preferred."
Lily had a tear in her eye, smiling.
"I'm still sorry about hurting you, Sev." she whispered.
"As am I. But we forgive each other, don't we?"
"Yes. Very much, yes."
"Then I just need to live the perfect life and then we can all enjoy a perfect paradise, with you and I as best friends."
"Always." added Lily happily.
With a smile apiece, Severus and Lily bade farewell for that visit, and Severus let go of the Stone.
Quarter of an hour later, the envelope was resealed, with a note for Dumbledore, written with the words:
Nothing that you don't already know (likely) has come to light. No items revealed.
Gabriel was there, as if he knew Severus required his services, and so he attached the envelope to his leg, and with a piece of bread crust placed in his beak, the helpful little owl took off into the sky, taking the Stone back to Hogwarts, while Severus locked up the house to go and spend time with, who was hopefully going to be, the love of his life.
(Here's Chapter 25. Quite a long one. Hope you all like it! Please review and feel free to point out any mistakes I made.)