A/N: Okay guys I'm sorry this took so long, first I had writers block, then Spring Break….but here is chapter 14. And as a side note, because of a special request, I have written a short story in the same universe as this one, where Fred and George find out about Minerva's school record. It's called "The Goddess of the Troublemakers" so go check it out! And Review, both that one and this one.

A/N 2: I'm also starting a new story tonight, naturally is AD/MM its called "Past, Present, Hell" Go read it!

Chapter 14: A Rude Awakening

            "Wake up." A hand slapped his face and Serverus struggled to ignore it. "Wake up damn it." The hand smacked him again. This time he opened his eyes and the glare melted into a look of disbelief at the rather solid James Potter sitting on his bed, grinning down at him. "Always wanted to do that."

            "If this is you, alive, please come back and tell me next week. I really can't handle any more shocks."

            James smirked at him, and suddenly it struck Severus that they really did look quite a bit alike. Except their eyes, and their noses. "Relax; I'm not here to tell you I'm alive, no matter how solid I am. I'm here to talk to you about Mum and Dad."

            That made the potions master sit up sharply. "You knew!"

            James rolled his eyes. "The living can keep very few secrets from the dead big brother. That's why we're so forgiving, because we can see everything you think."

            "That's disturbing."

            "What the fact that I can read your mind? Or the fact that you're my big brother?"

            "Yes." Snape growled. "Now, what exactly are you here for?"

            "Mum and Dad. They did their best Severus. Just like you did, just like I did, and just like Lily did."

            "They left me with the Snapes. Not to mention, it's clear who they loved more. After all you and your friends didn't get expelled for trying to kill me."

            James sighed rather histrionically. "First of all, I know they told you they didn't have a choice in whom you got left with. Come on, do you really think Mum would have left you with Satius Snape after what he did to her?"

            "I don't know what he did to her." Severus admitted.

            "Yeah, well, trust me. And if you think we didn't get in trouble for that prank, despite the fact that Sirius did it all by himself you are sadly mistaken. Mum and Dad did everything but expel us. It was the worst punishment of our lives." James smiled at his brother. "At the time, I couldn't understand how my head of house was so clearly favoring a slytherin."

            "Because I was right." Snape muttered darkly.

            "You were not."

            "James…" Lily's voice floated into the room, although she her self did not appear.

            "Lily?" Severus searched for her, sitting up straighter.

            "I'm not here Severus. But I will see you again, maybe even soon."

            "The point I was trying to make by coming here," James interrupted loudly, "Is that it's really time to forgive them for trying their best. I mean geez, it's been two weeks, even Harry's accepted it happily at this point. You're acting like a child."

            "Pot, kettle." Was the dry response.

            "Listen Severus. You can kiss my ass. I told you, I know exactly what you're thinking. Stop being such a prick, and go be happily accepted into a family. And after that, do you think you could do me one more favor? Outside of class, I know better than to ask for miracles, do you think you could fill in for me…with Harry? You're a decent father Severus. Just don't hold my life and my mistakes against him okay?" James asked quoting the man he was talking to.

            "James…I…" Severus stole a glance into the pleading blue eyes of his brother, how had he missed how much like the headmaster's they were? "I don't know how receptive Harry will be." He held up a hand to stall the ghost's protests. "But, I will try. Alright?"

            James nodded, then much to the professor's surprise he wrapped his arms around Severus and pulled him in for a hug. "Goodbye Severus." Then he was gone. Severus sighed in his once again empty room and lay back down, to hopefully catch a few more hours sleep.

            But it was not to be. Only five minutes later, someone was banging rather loudly on the oak doors to his chambers. With a growl of irritation he got up and opened the door. Standing on the other side was Margery, who looked to be a picture perfect hellion at the moment. "Is something the matter Ms. Nolten?"

            "Yes. As a matter of fact there is. I wasn't going to say anything; I didn't feel it was my place. But I changed my mind." She shoved passed him into the room and turned to glare at him, hands on her hips. "Your daughter, my best friend, is a total wreak right now, and it's your fault." He merely raised an eyebrow. "She feels like she's being disloyal to you and that you're going to be mad if she has fun with her grandparents, and she doesn't want you mad at her. But she also wants to be around her grandparents, after all, they've been a part of her life for a very long time and she does love them."

            Snape ran a hand through his hair. "What is this? Beat up on Severus night? I plan on doing something about this in the morning Ms. Nolten. Provided I actually get any sleep tonight."

            That left the young woman in front of him rather deflated. Shock rode on her features and she blinked in surprise. "Oh…well…in that case…good…goodnight."

            He showed her to the door and forced her out it. "Yes. Goodnight."

            Then with a sigh he went back to his bed. "James, if I ever find out that you put the idea to come yell at me in her head, I swear I will invent a potion to bring you back solely for the purpose of kicking your sorry ass."

            Naturally, there was no answer.