Severus was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling of his new dormitory. It was completely different from the one in which he lived at Hogwarts for five years. After he told why he would like to move, he was given his private room despite not getting approval from the former director. The only inconvenience was the fact that all summer holidays he passed the exams allowing him to enter the seventh year at the new school. It was an exceptional situation and the teaching staff understood that their new student did not want to inform anyone about his new whereabouts.

- Can I go in? - he heard the voice of the boy living next to him.

- Of course. - Snape rarely smiled but Corvus was the most cheerful boy he had ever met. It was impossible not to like him.

- What are you thinking about? - He asked. - I hope not about the previous school. You'll be better here. Heard you passed all the O level exams. Principal Newport wondered whether he should send Dumbledore a basket of thanks. Let such a student out of your hands …

The ex-Slytherin looked closely at the boy sitting in front of him. Despite the disposition typical of those who stick to the sidelines, Corvus attracted the eyes of almost everyone he met. Tall, slim, athletic. His blue-gray eyes and neatly styled dark brown hair were also not to be missed. Before his thoughts traveled further than they should have been, he felt a flush creep slowly across his face.

- I was thinking about the forbearance of this school. If I had known there was such a thing, I wouldn't have waited five years to transfer. - he said, sure of his words.

- Relax. You will still get bored of this school. Contrary to Hogwarts, which focuses only on general education, Ignite Academy also runs classes that prepare for work and further education. Also ahead of you are the next five years spent within these walls.

Severus smiled under his breath. Half a year ago, he would have considered it a nightmare. Today it is his blessing.

xxx

Narcissa Black was concerned. So is her fiancé. Contrary to what many thought about heirs coming from purebred families, she was not only an attractive but also an intelligent woman. Therefore she noticed Lucius' deteriorated mood. She suspected it might have something to do with the lack of response from young Severus, but she made sure as he looked everywhere on the platform but not at her. He was looking for him. He missed him. Narcissa knew Lucius loved her, but she also felt that the raven haired Slytherin had crept into his heart as well. Although Lucius himself was not yet aware of it.

- Cissa! - Her sister Bella's voice interrupted her thoughts. - That boy isn't here. He wasn't on the train, his things in the dormitory weren't there… His usual seat at the table was also empty.

Evan Rosier cut in on the conversation. The absent boy's roommate. - Sev hasn't been in contact since we left the Hogwarts Express before the summer vacation. I sent him a dozen owls and he didn't answer any of them. His house is empty and there is a sign on the lawn saying the property is for sale.

Now Narcissa's anxiety has reached its zenith.

xxx

There was a strange silence at the Griffindor table during the welcome feast. At least between four friends called the Marauders. The words spoken while they rode the train still rang in the heads of three of them. How could they not have noticed the questionable quality of Lily Evans' attitude.

- What's going on, James? Remus asked, wanting to break the awkward silence. - You're pretty quiet. You usually can't help but say what a great summer you had, even though you spend most of your time with us anyway.

James looked at his friend and said shortly - I think.

- About what? - Sirius asked, hoping that his friend was thinking the same as him and that they could discuss it. Lily finally sat at the far end of the table with her roommates.

- Peter, why didn't you tell us what you thought earlier? - James asked the other boy instead of answering Sirius.

Peter felt uncomfortable the moment three pairs of eyes began looking at him. However, after talking to his parents during the summer vacation, asking for advice on what to do in such a situation, he knew that he could not run away from responsibility any longer.

- Because I was scared. We're roommates. Friends, but I'm not so stupid as not to see that there is something other than friendship between me and you. Each time I was afraid that I would be in Severus' place.

None of the three boys expected such an answer. However, before they started to protest, Peter decided to continue his speech.

- We are practically unpunished. How can I be sure you won't turn your back on me right after I make a mistake? After that, my parents explained to me that we were criminals. In the Muggle world, we might already be in jail. For stalking, stalking, damaging property, sexual harassment, and unintentionally killing a person. - Peter knew he was prolonging his happiness, but he didn't want to be the one to follow someone for fear of being alone anymore.

Sirius was angry - Sexually Harassment? What are you talking about?

- You probably don't know it, but exposing someone against their will counts as sexual harassment. You don't even know how ashamed I am for participating in all of this. And by whom? For a girl who's not worth even a minute of my time.

xxx

Professor Minerva McGonagall looked around the Great Hall. Every year she felt satisfied to be part of this school. However, this opening was different from all the others. The Slytherins seemed concerned and were not satisfied with even the increased number of new students assigned to their home. Her four favorite Gryffindors sat in complete silence which was quite unusual in itself. But what surprised her the most was the angry look on Peter Pettigrew's face as he left without finishing his dinner.

xxx

Malfoy Manor has seldom been anything other than an oasis of peace. Based on the appearances, rules and manners it has become almost a museum. Therefore, it was remarkable that a scream rang out in the corridors of the manor house late in the evening. Abraxas Malfoy and his guest, Tom Riddel, stunned, burst into Lucius's room. The view they found was something they did not expect. His unusually well-behaved son cried.

- He's not here. He's gone. The boy sat down on the floor hiding his face in his hands.

- Tom, let's move to another room. You have to let the emotions go away from him. I'll talk to him after that.

xxx

Dinner at the new school wasn't as sumptuous as he was used to. However, it did not bother him. On the contrary. Despite the four main houses, the meals were in a mixed form. Houses were divided not on the basis of character traits by the old hat, but on the basis of skills and interests. Above all, no one saw anything wrong with someone wanting to move to a different home during the school year. Sorting is not intended to divide students here, but to facilitate organization between teachers and students.

- Why are you sitting alone? A young and completely white-haired man approached him. Adding to this intensely pale skin and red pupils, one might think that his appearance is due to albinism and not to magic.

- Professor, I don't know anyone here yet. I hope that the situation will change a bit after tomorrow's classes. - he said, feeling his words weren't a lie.

- There's a table in the back of the room. Usually only prefects occupy him, but I don't think they will mind your company.

- How can you be so sure?

- They are individualists, even for the conditions of this school. And one of them is your dorm neighbor who asked me for help. Mr. Prince is sure you would say no to him, but the faculty will not.

- Prince?

xxx

Abraxas entered his office with sad eyes. Curiously, Tom followed him and asked as they sat down. - Could you tell me what happened to your son?

- He has no contact with his friend. For two months. Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the letter on Luc's desk. Today it turned out that he did not return to Hogwarts. The blonde sighed. - I know they are friends, but I think or something happened between them or he had no chance to tell him how he felt.

- I thought he was engaged to Narcissa. The daughter of Orion. - Tom replied.

- You're right. I know that my son, unlike me, loves his fiancée, even though we chose her ... I think he would be more pleased if we officially invited Severus Snape to the triad. This has happened several times in my family history.

Tom Riddel gasped. And he didn't know if it was more about the fact that Brax would be able to join the half-blood to the family or if it was about the boy's name. - Did you say Severus Snape? This boy who was supposed to join us thanks to your son's recommendation?

- Yes, this one. - Lord Malfoy sighed. - I will have to go to the non-magical world myself for the first time in my life.

- He didn't answer me either, so instead of sending another letter, I just went there. He doesn't live there anymore. His family home was up for sale.

xxx

Severus walked confidently to the prefects' table and ignored the rest of the teenagers - Why didn't you say you were from the Prince family?

Corvus was surprised for a moment and then said - Why should I do this? My last name means nothing. It is important who I am and what my skills are.

Snape was embarrassed and answered right away. - The point is, I'm the son of Eileen Prince. I don't know if you can talk to me. I don't want to cause you problems.

The black-haired boy was immediately embraced by a new friend and he heard a whisper straight into his ear - We were looking for you when your grandfather came to his senses after that quarrel. Welcome back, cousin.

Severus Snape's cheeks were redder than the Weasleys' hair. He had to admit to himself that for a moment his heart skipped a beat at the sight of a potential cousin.

New beginnings are not easy.

xxx

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