-Hogwarts, 24th October 1976
Two weeks after the conflict in the Slytherin dormitories, Severus had stopped meeting with Mulciber and Avery altogether, and even with Rosier, he didn't talk anymore.
Although Severus' relationship with Evan Rosier was not bad or problematic, it was not the same as before, since Rosier was part of Avery and Mulciber's group, as well as all the future death eaters...
So Rosier and they stuck together and it wasn't acceptable to hang out with Severus after what happened.
Of course, Rosier could have chosen to continue hanging out with Severus, but since Severus had made it clear that the Princes would remain a neutral house, he couldn't do this since his house supported the Dark Lord and in Slytherin, he had to stay together with the other future followers of Voldemort...
It would not take long for them to officially join the ranks of the Dark Lord and obtain the mark that would identify them as Death Eaters.
Currently, Severus was in the Great Hall at the Slytherin table eating alone.
Mulciber and Avery as embarrassed and angry as they were did not provoke him again since the last time, but they did not hang out with him either and since most of the students in Slytherin supported the Dark Lord due to their families or other circumstances, they all stayed away from Severus.
This was for the same reason as Evan Rosier, those who supported the Dark Lord stayed together.
But despite his isolation in Slytherin, Severus wasn't worried or upset as he didn't interact with much with anyone either, so it wasn't a big change for him.
As Severus ate quietly, Olivia Greengrass came over to the section of the table where he was and stood next to him.
It was strange for her to approach him as they had no relationship and even Severus believed that she disliked him and his companions very much.
"Can I sit here?" asked Greengrass suddenly with an expectant look in her light brown eyes.
She was a very beautiful young woman, with dark brown hair that reached only to her shoulders, white fair, well-groomed skin, long legs, light brown eyes with delicate and elegant eyebrows, and a small nose that looked quite lovely above her seductive mouth.
"Sure" Severus replied not bothering to find out what she was up to, though he wouldn't lie that he was curious, but everything comes in its own time.
Olivia Greengrass moved to sit and settle delicately beside him, then picked up a few things to eat and remained silent for a few moments as they both ate quietly.
"So... about last night..." Greengrass finally spoke, but Severus knew instantly what she was referring to, she must have her doubts about what happened in the Slytherin common room yesterday.
"It doesn't involve you, it was a message to them, don't think about it," Severus said lightly as he continued to eat, it was something between Abraxas Malfoy and him, he didn't want others to intervene, that's why he didn't take kindly to Abraxas sending two students to talk to him and press him for a favourable answer.
"I know, I'm not an idiot Prince, I know what you meant," commented Greengrass, rolling his eyes at Severus' behaviour.
It was entertaining to see such a peculiar expression on such a delicate, serious, and elegant face, but it still looked good on her.
Yes..., the Greengrass always had beautiful daughters in every generation.
" Good, then don't talk about it any more, don't waste your time with it."
It turns out that yesterday two seventh-year students in Slytherin went to speak to Severus at Abraxas Malfoy's request.
Both students were already official death eaters, but as they were new to the Dark Lord's ranks, they were only doing little things like delivering messages or in this case asking Severus for an answer to what Abraxas had told him in the letter he had sent him at the beginning of the year.
Since Severus didn't answer anything to Mr. Malfoy, he was quite impatient, at first he just waited quietly, but it had been more than a month..., almost two months since he sent the letter and now it was almost time for the initiation of the new death eaters, so Malfoy wanted an answer.
That's why he sent these two students to ask Severus personally, as he assumed that a letter would not be enough, apparently.
Since the last one did not receive an answer, Abraxas Malfoy felt he had to make sure that this time he would receive an answer from Severus.
But to the surprise of the two 7th-year Slytherin students, Severus' reply was pretty straightforward, saying that Prince House would remain neutral and that he had nothing to consider, that this was a definite thing and would not change.
Of course, these two tried to pressure Severus so that he would "better consider his options", but that only resulted in the two of them ending up in a similar situation as Potter and Mulciber.
Although Severus didn't hang them long enough to make them faint, he just gave them a little warning.
And despite their anger and embarrassment, the two finally left him alone, though they would be assured to take revenge in the future, but until then, they both just made sure to make their decision known to Mr. Malfoy.
Well..., as usual, several students saw and heard what happened that day, so rumours soon spread of what Severus said to the two seventh-year snakes.
"I just want to know if what you said is really true, if now as Prince you are not going to support the cause and actually remain neutral," said Olivia Greengrass with clear intrigue and curiosity in her voice, though her gaze was steady as if she wanted to know the truth as she looked into Severus' deep, cold, black eyes.
"Tell me, why are you so interested in knowing that?"
"I just want to know if you are aware that last night was a clear slap in the face to them and those who support the cause," Olivia clarified lightly, but her curiosity was palpable in her eyes.
"Well, that was my intention, if I didn't make things clear it wouldn't enter their little brains and they would just keep persisting."
"So it's true..., you won't get involved with them?" asked Greengrass as her beautiful eyes wandered from Severus' for a few moments to look at Mulciber, Rosier, Avery, and the rest of their usual group as if she wanted him to know she was referring to them.
"Why so many questions Greengrass?" asked Severus rather curiously now.
She sighed for a moment causing her delicate eyebrows to furrow for a few seconds then settled back and stared at Severus as if she had made up her mind.
"I think it makes sense for us to be together," she stated suddenly with seriousness.
Severus looked at her curiously and amused by her inappropriate comment, though he knew she had just misspoken.
"Wow, you're propositioning me so directly?"
"Huh?... What?!...no that wasn't...I didn't mean that Prince" Olivia Greengrass looked confused for a moment as she made a rather amused and cute face.
Then she was a little embarrassed by what Severus was implying, which made her blush slightly but it didn't last long as she finally pulled herself together and went back to her serious face and look.
"Uh-oh, I see, you should be more careful with the words you use then, it can lead to misunderstandings" Severus joked.
"You...!" she looked at him irritated and was about to complain, but decided not to play along with Severus, she restrained herself and didn't say anything else to him regarding that topic.
"Look, I only propose that we stay together in Slytherin, as two heirs of neutral Noble houses of renown it is beneficial for both of us," she added after calming down.
She didn't think talking to Severus would be so irritating and tiring, she definitely didn't expect him to joke with her like that.
"Sorry... For both of us?...what would I gain by spending my time with you?" asked Severus with a raised eyebrow as he really didn't see any benefit other than wasting his time by having to hang out with her, something he wouldn't do unless he was interested.
And as beautiful as Greengrass was, he wouldn't hang out with her just because of her looks and they didn't know each other well enough despite having been in Slytherin together for years.
"You...!, Merlin, it's not like spending time together, it's just staying together at meals and in the common room to show a united front" Olivia clarified trying to explain that it wasn't showing up as a couple or having to do specific activities as friends, just getting together at certain times where he was usually alone, like meals in the Great Hall.
"My parents told me that it was better to stay together at Hogwarts with those who remained neutral in the conflict and if someone else was from a noble house of renown, it would be convenient," she added in an attempt to clarify everything.
"Hmm..., that's why you stayed away from me and the other possible supporters of the cause," Severus commented now understanding why she always used to stay away or avoid talking to him and his group, even Severus' roommates who were part of her group used to stay away from him.
Olivia Greengrass just nodded at what he said.
"I understand..., but I'm not interested, besides you already have other housemates with whom you usually hang out that aren't immersed in the conflict," Severus said lightly causing her to frown.
"Yes, but the pressure and tension in Slytherin is growing and there aren't many to trust anymore. The Greengrass and the Princes are families that they can't easily pressure and united at Hogwarts it will be even harder for them to bother us and those with us," Olivia explained hoping that Severus would get her point.
"So you want to hang out with me to show that our two families are united and show a neutral front?"
" Yes, it may sound weird, but if we do that, a lot of students from minor families in Slytherin will be able to join us and feel a bit safer at Hogwarts" she nodded calmly but happy that he finally understood what she wanted.
"A false security you mean, they may be safe at Hogwarts being with us, but outside they are easy prey."
"At least it's something," Olivia said seriously.
"Yeah..., I guess so..." nodded Severus without really bothering to think about it too much.
"So...?" asked Olivia with intrigue and hope in her usually serious light brown eyes.
She really hoped that he would reconsider doing this and agree to it.
"I'm not interested."
"You...!" Olivia almost thought about casting a spell on Severus, he was making her feel quite exasperated, and his refusal was too quick and direct.
'At least he thought about it?' complained Olivia internally at Severus.
"But if you want to pretend to stand next to me along with your little group, I don't really have a problem, just don't expect me to do anything and everything will be fine" Severus added before she could say or complain about his earlier reply.
"Huh? wait, does that mean you agree?" Olivia who always remained calm and elegant felt that today in this conversation she had gone through more emotional changes in her face than she had in a whole year.
And she felt it was exhausting, though it felt a little good to get out of the usual, but it was too sudden and Severus was too annoying to her standards.
"As I said, I'm not interested, but I don't lose anything by your proposal either, as long as you don't ask me to do anything...I suppose we both gain," Severus said lightly.
"Good, I take that as a yes, thanks Prince," Olivia nodded quickly.
She was pleased that she succeeded, now things might be a little easier for her and the others, lately, everything was quite complex in Slytherin, and her friends along with their families were going through some very complicated situations.
And Hogwarts, which should have been a place where they could relax a bit, it wasn't because Slytherin was under the control of the Dark Lord's followers, maybe it wasn't obvious and that's why nobody could or would do anything, but for those who lived in the house of the snakes it was obvious, and they were going through very difficult times.
Only the Greengrass family allowed the snakes to breathe a little without being pressured by the rest of the Death Eater aspirants, as they were the only renowned family with children at Hogwarts.
But still, Olivia Greengrass couldn't do much on her own and her parents were already doing their best to help the other families stay neutral.
Luckily several neutral families helped each other outside Hogwarts, but inside it wasn't so easy without having a son to represent them like the Greengrass.
But now Severus Prince was a breath of fresh air and Olivia wanted to make the best of it to improve at least a little the tense atmosphere in Slytherin.
Something Horace Slughorn should be doing as head of his house, but he was either simply blind or just didn't want to see everything that was going on in his own house, which caused many in Slytherin who weren't interested in being part of the cause to be pressured by others to be part of it.
"Don't thank me, it's mutually beneficial and you can just call me Severus, we've known each other for years."
" Alright, then you can also call me Olivia" she nodded complacently and with a slight smile on her pretty lips.
Then the two continued eating and chatting quietly about something or other.
That was how Olivia Greengrass along with other students in Slytherin from less important houses began to get together to eat or meet to talk in the common room, or study together with Severus Prince.
Of course, Severus never participated much in the conversations they had, but when they were all together they gave the impression of being a close-knit group.
A group that remained completely neutral to what was going on between Slytherin and the death eaters.
It was a small relief for all the Slytherin students who had no support and had to be left behind by the aspiring death eaters just to survive in the snake house.
They now had another option which was to join the small neutral group that had formed within Slytherin and Olivia was very good at persuading others.
Yes... for the first time, Slytherin now had a secured second option for those who didn't want to get involved in the conflict and Severus was being one of the 'leaders' of this group along with Olivia without even anticipating it.
Sure, Olivia Greengrass took a bit too much advantage of the whole situation, but for now, Severus wasn't really affected by it, she was the one doing everything.
-Hogwarts 31 October.
In one of the many halls of Hogwarts, two students were practising spells.
"Severus... can we...please rest...for...a...few...moments," Hermione asked exhausted, she was already pale, her breathing was heavy, her whole body was sweating, her hair was sticking to her face, her hands and legs were shaking, she couldn't go on any longer.
"Sure, let's rest, I suppose that's enough for today," Severus nodded, calmly, he was also sweating, but his breathing and body seemed in perfect condition.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful to Merlin that he decided that was enough for today, she didn't think she could take another round.
She sat down hurriedly on the floor... or rather collapsed on the floor from exhaustion and then took a breath, yes, a lot of breath, she needed to get her brain working again after so much hard work.
"You know, you should start training more, Hermione, you look very pale," Severus added with a smirk that Hermione found no less than irritating.
'Whose fault is that!' Hermione rolled her eyes and grumbled internally at him, to her he was simply a bloody demon.
But today she wasn't blaming Severus...
No...
She blamed Draco, the bastard didn't come to practice and as usual, she had to replace him...
The problem was that doing both her part and Draco's part in training with Severus was too much.
And to make matters worse..., Severus wouldn't commiserate with her for being alone at practice, no, he would force her to the extreme and then make fun of her poor performance.
'As if his resistance was normal!' Hermione snorted internally again at the thought of that, she was above average in terms of resistance, and that he was exaggeratedly above it was not her fault.
But she didn't say anything to Severus, now all her efforts were on regaining the air and energy she had lost.
"Merlin, I'm so tired, I don't think I can even make it to the dormitories in this condition," sighed Hermione tiredly and breathing heavily as she looked at Severus who stood in front of her in perfect condition.
"Well..., I may have overdone it a bit with the training this time," replied Severus as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
'You bastard, acting like you didn't want to continue,' Hermione looked at Severus with a blank expression.
Usually, Draco, Hermione, and Severus would do training like this every week.
But they usually take turns between Draco and Hermione so they don't get too tired.
Because Severus really was a monster when it came to resistance.
At first, it was just spell practice and study, but after the duel on the first day of class, Severus suggested they start doing dueling practice between the three of them.
And Hermione was delighted and excited with the idea as she saw Severus' skills and thought it would be a perfect training to prepare for the current conflict and all that she and Draco had planned.
Plus she saw how Draco improved just by dueling against him, so training every week could bring them many benefits.
Draco was more reluctant to accept since it wasn't part of the deal, but with Hermione's insistence that it would be very beneficial for them, he agreed, of course, since it wasn't obligatory, he sometimes didn't go and Hermione was the one who replaced him.
And that only ended up with her sitting on the floor, breathing heavily, sweating, and with all her muscles trembling due to overexertion.
"In a few minutes we should leave or we'll be late for the Halloween feast," Severus commented as he looked at Hermione who was still on the floor trying to recover.
"Merlin, I had already forgotten that today was Halloween, I guess my head still isn't working properly," said Hermione as she tried to get up to go to the dormitories, then shower and then go to eat.
" I guessed that when I saw you relaxing so peacefully on the floor" Severus joked.
"You...!" Hermione wanted to raise her wand and charm him but not only did she not have the energy to do this but she also knew it wasn't that simple.
'Why did he have to be so bloody good at using magic?' Hermione complained again as she glared irritably at Severus.
"Well, see you at the party Hermione, I hope you're not late."
"Wait, Severus..."
"Yes?" asked Severus looking curiously at Hermione who seemed to be having difficulty to say what she wanted to say.
"This..., I..."
"Come on, tell me at once, it's going to be late" sighed Severus.
"I can't get up," Hermione finally said embarrassed as she turned her gaze away from Severus.
Severus looked at her in amusement as he knew she was tired and that he might have overdone it with her in training today...
But he hadn't expected her to be so bad that she couldn't even stand up on her own.
" Slight inconvenience, right?"
Hermione just rolled her eyes at his shameless comment.
"Could you help me please get up and go to Gryffindor?" asked Hermione finally resigned, as embarrassed as she was she didn't have much of a choice.
"Sure, it shouldn't be a problem, it's not far from here" replied Severus still amused by the whole situation.
"Thank you..." thanked Hermione, she thought he would just tease her, but it was a good thing he didn't.
After a few minutes, the two of them reached one of the corridors that led to the entry of the Gryffindor house.
"Right, here we are, sure you want to go for your own gutter from here?" asked Severus lightly as he looked at Hermione who was holding onto his right shoulder as they walked.
He was just holding her by the waist as she held onto his shoulders to make less effort to walk.
" Yes..., I should be fine to walk this far out by myself" Hermione nodded even though she wasn't really that confident.
Now she knew that if she wanted to go to the feast she would have to take a shower with some magical salts that would allow her to recover her muscles a little faster.
And a strength potion wasn't suitable for recovery, as much as she wanted magic couldn't do everything.
"Well, in that case, I'll wait for you," Severus said with a smile.
"Huh, that's...no need you can come back, I'll be fine on my own."
"Oh sure, I just want to see that it really is"
Hermione cursed him silently, she knew he just wanted to laugh at her attempts to make it all the way to the Gryffindor entrance.
She finally released Severus to walk on her own and he instantly let go of her waist.
At that precise moment she regretted it, the physical and magical effort she had made was too much, and her whole body screamed and cried for a good rest.
Despite her body's complaints, she tried to walk to Gryffindor with her willpower.
'So stubborn, I guess that's why she's a Gryffindor' Severus thought in amusement as he watched Hermione's pointless efforts to walk when she luckily could stand while her body trembled.
"You know, if you ask me it wouldn't be a problem to carry you to the entrance" Severus finally said, as amused as it was to see Hermione's unnecessary suffering, he didn't have much time and he was already planning to return to Slytherin.
"No, I can..., just a little more..."
"Hermione, you only made two steps"
"..."
She fell silent not knowing what to say, it wasn't that Hermione didn't want him to carry her to the door, but it could be for trouble if some Gryffindor annoyed Severus.
And she didn't even want to imagine the situation if the marauders were there, that could only end badly, very badly.
Or even if they crossed paths with Lily it would be an awkward situation.
Severus wasn't an idiot and he knew what Hermione was worried about, but it didn't really bother him, it wasn't his problem what happened, he wouldn't do anything, but it would be another thing if others did something that made him act.
"Fine, please help me walk to the entrance," Hermione sighed and ended up resigning herself to the fact that he was going to take her there.
Severus just nodded and helped her.
Finally, the two of them reached the door and Severus quickly dismissed her to go to his dormitory.
When Hermione saw Severus's back to Severus she sighed in relief that nothing happened, only a few Gryffindors looked at them strangely, but apart from whispers, nothing else happened.
Besides, most of them already knew that Severus used to hang out with his two cousins in private, so it wasn't that strange.
As Hermione was about to finally enter Gryffindor, a person suddenly came out and faced her.
"Lily!," Hermione said surprised by her sudden arrival.
"Oh, Hermione, there you are, I was beginning to worry you weren't going to make it to the Halloween feast" smiled Lily.
"Yes, I had some difficulties..." nodded Hermione a little embarrassed.
"I see..." Lily saw the state she was in and understood, then her bright green eyes shifted her gaze to the corridor and there she saw the figure of a young man with black hair and Slytherin robes.
'Severus..., ...he has really changed a lot,' Lily thought as she saw him but then shook her head and cleared those unnecessary thoughts from her mind.
"Would you like a hand?" asked Lily to Hermione as she saw that she was having difficulty even standing up already.
"Help would be appreciated" smiled Hermione exhaustedly.
Lily just smiled warmly and helped her to reach the dormitories.
But she didn't know that Hermione had noticed how her eyes were straying to look at Severus' back.
Later, in the Great Hall, Severus entered along with Olivia Greengrass and their usual group of Slytherins.
The group that started out as just Olivia with her closest friends, grew to a quarter of Slytherin students from different years who decided to remain neutral and be part of the Prince and Greengrass group, two houses that could not be easily touched by the other snakes who supported the Dark Lord.
Plus with Severus being so cold and intimidating to everyone who annoyed him it was even better for this group as no snake wanted to suffer the same fate as Mulciber, Avery, the two seventh years in Slytherin, Potter, or Black.
Yes, Severus Prince was an excellent repeller of "poisonous snakes" as Olivia Greengrass liked to tell aspiring death eaters.
When Severus entered the Great Hall the first thing he felt was the sweet smell of roasting pumpkin that perfumed the whole atmosphere.
Then he saw thousands of magical bats fluttering vigorously on the walls and ceiling.
Of course, Hogwarts had put a lot of effort into the decorations, there were a lot of low clouds floating around the tables in the Hall and a lot of candles floating around illuminating everything.
Finally, when they reached the Slytherin table, everyone smiled and drooled at the sight of the delicious food that suddenly appeared on different golden and silver plates.
"Looks like the Old Man really wants to use this to show off," muttered Severus as he looked at the detailed design of the Great Hall.
"It's his way of telling everyone that Hogwarts is safe, that everything is fine, that they can be calm and happy, just a bad joke," said Olivia in disgust as she listened to him as she stood next to him at the Slytherin table.
She already knew that Severus liked to call Dumbledore Old Man, she thought it was strange but didn't comment on it.
"Yes, but there's no denying that it has its effect," Severus said pointing at the little wizards who were happily eating or looking at the decorations in delight.
Olivia who saw this only sighed and had to accept that it was true, Dumbledore knew how to do things for his convenience.