Meanwhile, in the Slytherin common room.!

'Just one more drop.'

'Yooo hoooo..Sevvy darling!!'

'BUGGER!!'

'What you brewing, baby?'

'I WAS brewing a potion.'

'Ooooh, what kind of potion?' Lucius peered over Snape's shoulder, standing on his tiptoes.

'Lucius - ' Snape took a deep breath and turned around.

A grinning Lucius Malfoy wrapped his arms around Snape's waist. 'You're so clever, Sevvy! Really you are. I can't begin to imagine where you get your ideas from.'

Snape smirked, and kicked a 'Batman' comic under a nearby desk. Quietly, he detached himself from Lucius' arms, and began packing up his cauldron.

A sarcastic, yet exasperated voice sounded from the corner of the room. 'What's gone wrong *this* time, then?'

Lucius stood up straight. 'Nothing! Sevvy has it all worked out, don't you Sev?' Snape sighed.

'Is it your fault again this time, Father?' Draco smirked, and sat down in one of the green leather chairs.

Lucius' eyes began to fill with tears. 'Was it, Sevvy? I'm so sorry, Sev! I never meant to! I just think you're so clever and everything, I didn't mean to make it go wrong!'

Snape shot an evil look at Malfoy Junior and tried to reassure Lucius. 'No Lucius it wasn't your fault. It wasn't.'

He walked over to Draco. 'Unless you WANT to find somewhere else to live, I suggest you KEEP QUIET.'

Draco stood up, outraged. 'I DO WANT to live somewhere else! I hate this school and everyone in it! I hate it! I hate teaching! I didn't even want to be your apprentice, Snape, but Father said he would donate my Trust Fund to charity if I didn't.'

He pushed past Snape and Lucius to stand in the doorway of the Common Room.

'I hate you all!' he screamed, and stormed off.

Lucius watched him go for a minute, then shook his head, smiling slightly.

'Ah, teenagers.'

Snape looked at him in disbelief.

'Lucius - He's 24!'