Severus did not want to go to the feast. Those little innocent first years, the cheerful students, the Gryffindors, too much trouble for him. And Lily, damn that Malfoy, how dare he insult the best student Hogwarts has seen- apart from Voldermort- and the most beautiful. He made his excuses to Dumbledore, telling him he had got a little train sickness, and needed to rest in his office. When he got there, he saw an owl clutching onto a small piece of parchment. He opened it up and looked at it:
Dear Severus,
Harry Potter is not only James's son.
It wasn't signed; Severus sat down and read it again. Who sent that? Who knew about Lily and me? It wouldn't have been one of his old housemates; they had all become death eaters years ago. Black? No, he would have signed the note Lupin? Doubtful Dumbledore? It could be him, that is the sort of thing he would do, and he loved Harry like a grandson.
There was someone at the door, Severus put the note in his drawer and went to see whom it was. It was Potter, holding a plate of food and looking like he was disgusted at having to be there.
'Professor Dumbledore said I should bring this to you.' He handed Severus the plate.
'Thank you Har…Potter.' Harry looked surprised, then turned around and left.
Severus sighed, he was so like Lily sometimes, he couldn't help hating him, his favourite person and his most hated all in one, how do you behave to someone with that mix. Why didn't he agree to be Harry's godfather? When Lily died he could have looked after Harry, how was he to know that Lily and James would be murdered though? He wasn't going to be Harry's godfather was long as James was Harry's father, so he refused, and Black became his godfather. Black loved Lily too, and he knew he was angry when Severus got asked to be Harry's godfather first.
It was Thursday morning, and soon the Gryffindor and Slytherin 5th years would be coming for their first potions lesson of term. Severus had decided to give Potter a chance this term. He would have to continue letting Malfoy do what he wanted during lessons, it was too big a risk to have him complaining to his father again. Severus had received a furious letter from Lucius Malfoy, angry that he had punished Draco. Severus knew that it wouldn't be long till Lucius discovered he was spying for Dumbledore, but he didn't want him to have reason to realise any sooner than necessary.
Eventually the class was sitting down and in most cases listening.
'This year will be your hardest so far, at the end of the year you will have a potions owl, I will be very surprised if all of you pass. My Malfoy, which potion contains Dragon Scales, Snake tongues and owl feathers, to which boiling water is added?'
'Adulescens Potion, Professor'
'Incorrect Mr Malfoy, one point from Slytherin, I know you are a skilled potions brewer but that does not exempt you from homework. Mr Potter, do you know the answer?'
'Exsanguis potion?'
'Correct, a point to Gryffindor'
Severus inwardly smiled at the class's reaction. He'd never in his entire time at Hogwarts, given a point to Gryffindor.
Severus set the class to work and sat down to do research on the immortalis potion that Dumbledore thought Voldemort was working on. Suddenly there was a scream from one of the Gryffindors. Severus looked up to see Malfoy with his wand pointed at Granger
'Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger, What is going on here?'
'He called me a Mudblood professor so I..I insulted his father and then he threatened me with his wand!'
'It's true Professor', interrupted Potter
'Malfoy? Is Miss Granger telling the truth?'
'Yes professor'
'Well then the two of you will attend detention tonight for fighting during lessons and
3 points from Gryffindor and 5 from Slytherin. Now sit down and get back to your potions'.
Both houses were silent for the rest of the lesson.
There was a knock on the dungeon door, and Malfoy walked in, scowling.
'Ah, nice of you to join us Mr Malfoy.'
'Professor, there is a problem in the Slytherin common room, some spilt potions and broken furniture.'
'I see, well Draco give me your wand, you shall clean the Slytherin common room now, while your housemates are at dinner.'
'But profess…'
'No buts, Miss Granger you shall be cleaning the dungeon.'
Draco left the dungeon, 'However Miss Granger because I do not want my dungeon looking like a bomb site you shall have your wand, I am sure you know the appropriate charms.'
'Yes professor.'
Severus went into his office to carry on with his research, when a large owl entered through the window. Severus took the letter and saw the Malfoy seal:
Dear Severus,
Points taken from Slytherin, detentions given to my son? I hope you are aware that the dark lord requires death eaters to stick together, and I'm sure you know of Draco's upcoming initiation. Please see that this does not happen again, whatever the circumstance, or you may find our lord hearing about this, and you know he would not like that.
Yours with warning,
Lucius