Severus looked through the neatly stacked books and papers on his desk, but noticed that the one book he needed was not there. He sighed; the way things had gone today he had gotten hardly any work done. Aside from the duties that were required of him as a teacher he continued to do research on the side. One of the most successful of his research projects that he had worked on was the Wolfsbane potion that he continued to make for his colleague, Remus Lupin.

His current project, although not nearly as interesting as the Wolfsbane project, was important nonetheless. He got up from his desk and headed out of his study. The book he needed was in the library.

Severus paused in front of the door to the library and looked at the pile of quidditch gear lying on the floor. He absolutely hated it when his children left things lying around like that. He could feel his headache returning.

Severus side stepped the pile of quidditch gear on the floor, but paused again when he saw that Serena was in the library, visibly angry.

He entered the room and began without preamble, "I have told you before that I do not want your quidditch supplies left lying around all over the house. You will put them away now."

"They are not "lying all over the house", they're in one neat pile," Serena made no attempt to keep the bitterness out of her voice; she was too angry right now. She stopped her pacing and sat down moodily on the couch, clutching a pillow to her chest.

Severus walked over to the nearest bookshelf and scanned the titles for the one he was looking for. "I don't particularly like your tone of voice young lady, and I believe I told you to pick up your things."

"I'll do it later."

"You will do it now, and furthermore, I do not appreciate the attitude I am getting from you right now."

"You can blame Kamen for my attitude, he is such a jerk!"

"Young lady, you are responsible for your own attitude, and I will not be spoken to in that manner."

Serena lay back on the couch, took the pillow she was holding and held it over her face. She screamed into the pillow. Why couldn't she just be left alone right now?!

Severus waited for the muffled scream to end. He located the book he had come in for and took it down from the bookshelf. He waited for Serena to emerge from under the pillow.

Serena slowly lowered the pillow from her face and chanced a glance at her father. He did not look happy.

"When you feel that you are finished with your childish tantrum you will pick up your belongings and put them away. Then, when you have calmed down enough to be reasonable we are going to have a long discussion about your attitude." Severus turned and exited the library. This felt like the longest day of his life, and his headache had definitely returned in full force.

Serena sat up and clutched the pillow to her chest before burying her face in it. Maybe if she was lucky she would be able to avoid her father for the rest of the evening. He was always in such a horrible mood right before the start of the school term.

Dierna sighed as she leaned against Stefan. They were sitting on a bench outside, the cool evening air was soft and carried the faintest sent of wildflowers.

Stefan looked down at Dierna as she snuggled up to him. He loved her, but knew that he could not tell her that now. It would have to wait. He sighed, that, he thought, is one of the draw backs of having a girlfriend who was still in school. But, as far as he was concerned, it was the only drawback. He knew that he could never rush Dierna into anything; all he could do was hold her close and wait.

"Want to go for a walk?"

Dierna leaned back to look into his eyes and asked not very innocently, "Is that all we're gonna do, walk?"

Stefan laughed as he pulled Dierna to her feet, "Oh no you don't." He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I don't exactly relish the thought of having your father come after me. This will have to be kept totally innocent if you want the both of us to live past tomorrow."

Dierna leaned into Stefan as they started to walk together, and wrapped her arm around his waist. She sighed contentedly when she felt his protective arm slide around her shoulders. She didn't care what they did or didn't do with one another as long as they could simply be together.

Serena got up off the couch and gently placed the pillow back down. Her hands were shaking. She was furious with her brother for being a jerk and for getting her so mad, she was furious with her father for not leaving her alone when she was angry, but she was angriest with herself for letting her temper get out of control the way it had.

She needed her mother.

Serena, left the library, but left her quidditch supplies where they lay. She found that she was close to tears and knew that her mother would be able to calm her down.

Serena headed towards the kitchen, she knew that her mother had been working in there earlier, and hoped that she would still be there. Serena entered the large, high-ceilinged kitchen and saw that her mother was sitting on a long bench on one side of the kitchen table, papers spread out around her.

Morgan looked up when her daughter entered the room. She could instantly tell that something was bothering her raven haired girl. "Come sit by me sweetheart and have a cup of tea."

Serena moved across the wide kitchen slowly and slid onto the bench next to her mother, but shook her head at the offered mug of tea. "I don't feel like any right now. I wanted to know when we were going to Diagon Alley to get school supplies."

Morgan eyed her daughter knowingly, she was avoiding what was really bothering her, "Not tomorrow, because Auntie Graine and Uncle Bill are going to stop by for a quick visit. And I promised Graine that I'd go shopping with her later this week, so I'll probably have your father take you day after tomorrow. Now, do you want to tell me what's really wrong hon?"

Serena leaned her head against her mother's shoulder, "I'm trying to stay away from Dad right now," she admitted softly.

"Why don't you tell me what happened. I think it will make you feel better."

Serena poured the whole story out, from how Kamen had provoked her and made her lose her temper, to her angry words to her father. She felt a few tears run down her face as she finished her narrative. Serena was truly ashamed of the way she had acted and was still mad at herself for letting her anger control her.

Morgan wrapped her arms around her daughter and gently stroked her silky black hair. She felt that she really should scold her daughter for her earlier behavior, but knew that it would be best if she remained neutral in this situation. Long ago she and Sev had made a pact. Whenever one of them laid down a rule or punished one of the children the other parent would not interfere. Morgan knew that it would be best if she left this situation in Sev's capable hands. "You know hon; I have a feeling this isn't going to be as bad as you're thinking. Your father has become a lot softer in terms of strictness and discipline over the years. He's nowhere near as bad as he used to be."

"Mum, you have got to be kidding, I mean, he's way harsher on us kids than you are."

Morgan looked down at her daughter's tear streaked face, "just because I'm a bit more laid back than your father is doesn't mean he hasn't softened up quite a bit. Remember, I had your father as my potions professor too. He was quite a bit stricter then. He's just a big softy now." Morgan smiled gently as she brushed a damp strand of hair out of her daughter's eyes. "Don't worry darling, your father and I love you no matter what, and I promise that I'll be here should you need a shoulder to cry on later."

"Thanks Mum," Serena settled in and moved closer to her mother, who put an arm around Serena as she continued to work. They stayed in that peaceful position for quite some time.

"Nimue, why don't you head up to bed, you look like you're about ready to fall asleep in that chair."

Nimue looked up at her father and realized that she really was exhausted. But she didn't feel like she was ready to leave the sanctuary his study provided her. After what she had experienced in Hogsmead the week before she had no desire to be left alone. "I'm alright Dad really, I'm not tired."

Severus looked up from the papers he had just finished sorting, "Go to bed before you fall asleep sitting there."

Nimue sighed, she would be alright. Nothing could harm her at home; at least she hoped that nothing could harm her at home. She laid her book down on an end table and headed out of the study, she paused at the door.

"G'night Dad."

"Goodnight Nimue."

Severus bent back over his work, intent on finishing before it got too late

Nimue trudged up the stairs slowly, hoping that sheer exhaustion would get her past the mounting fear that she felt.

Severus glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 10:30, which meant he had been working steadily for the last hour with no interruptions. It amazed him. He hardly ever got that kind of time to himself during the summer; usually he was constantly being interrupted by his children.

10:30, he frowned at the clock. He had told Serena that he wanted to talk with her nearly two hours ago. He sighed, if he was going to speak with his daughter he would have to find her himself.

Numerous black cloaked figures filed into the dimly lit room. It was a rather ghastly looking room; it was damp and cold, even though the late summer evening was warm.

When all had assembled the figures began to slowly lower the hoods that had covered their faces. Many of the names present were those associated with the reign of Lord Voldamort: Macnair, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, along with many other names associated with the dark lord. But, although the names were the same, many of the faces were different. In some cases the original Death Eaters had returned. But many of the men currently there were the descendants of those who had fallen with the defeat of Voldamort.

A man with white blond hair stepped forward out of the shadows. "Greetings my followers. I trust that you are ready for the task that lies before you. Especially as there is no one to stand in our way this time."

"But sir, what of Potter? Surely he is still a threat to us."

The man with white blond hair, who was the obvious leader of the group turned quickly to face the man who had spoken and sneered, "Potter? He is nothing, especially with Dumbledore gone. He will be of little consequence to us. We will succeed; there is no one powerful enough to stand up to us. Those mudblood lovers will pay dearly, as will those who turned on our dark lord." He smiled, the effect made him look even more menacing, "We will make sure that they will pay dearly for our grievances."

Severus moved put of his study, intent on finding Serena. He stopped to check the library, but found it empty. However, her quidditch gear was still lying in front of the library. That did nothing to improve his mood. He moved towards the stairs, perhaps she was in her room.

Severus checked the twins' room, it too was empty. He sighed wearily. Why was it that his children seemed to disappear when he wanted to find them? Severus stopped before heading back down the stairs. While he was up here he might as well check on Nimue.

He slowly opened the door to his youngest daughter's room. She had fallen asleep on her bed with her clothes still on. Severus moved quietly over to his sleeping daughter and pulled a blanket over her. He then leaned down and gently pressed a kiss to the top of her head and smoothed her hair back out of her face. He extinguished the candles before heading back out of the room to continue his search for Serena.

Severus reached the bottom of the stairs and debated where to look next till he heard the voices in the kitchen. He moved swiftly in that direction, but paused in the doorway. Serena was leaning against Morgan and the two of them were talking quietly.

Serena felt so safe when she was in her mother's embrace. She had finally accepted a mug of tea and cradled it in her hands as she leaned against her mother. Perhaps she would head up to bed and hopefully put off that conversation with Dad until tomorrow.

Morgan looked up from her daughter and noticed her husband standing in the doorway. He raised an eyebrow at her. Morgan nodded back silently and gently nudged her daughter. Serena looked up and noticed her father standing in the doorway. He raised a hand and motioned for her to come to him.

Serena looked at her mother, the urgency apparent in her eyes, "Please Mum, can't I..."

"Shhhhh..." Morgan gently hushed her daughter, "go, I'll be here if you need me later."

Serena quickly wiped the back of her hand across her face, which was still slightly damp with her earlier tears. She could tell that her eyes were probably red and puffy, but found that it really didn't matter. She was to distraught to worry about anything but what her father had to say to her.

Serena slid off of the bench and moved slowly to stand in front of her father, all the while keeping her eyes firmly focused on the ground. Expecting to be yelled at she was surprised at the quietness and the apparent calmness with which her father addressed her.

"Serena," she looked up tentatively when her father spoke her name. Severus expected respect from his children, which meant they were to look at the person speaking to them, not at the floor. Severus continued speaking as soon as he was sure that he had Serena's full attention, "You will go put away your quidditch supplies, which I was none to pleased to find still laying in the hallway, then you will wait for me in my study." He stepped back and held the door open for his daughter as she exited the kitchen, then moved towards his wife.

Severus sank down in a chair opposite Morgan at the kitchen table. He propped his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands, his head was throbbing. "Why do they do this every year? Right before school starts it feels like all hell breaks loose in our home. Sometimes I swear our children will be the death of me."

Morgan smiled gently, "I have a feeling it is because it's their last week of summer. Our children have always had to return to school a week earlier than their friends. They're probably acting out on that and getting all of their pent up energy out of their systems before they go back to school." She gently reached for her husband's hands and held them in her own. "Sev, you are a loving and capable father, be thankful that you can handle anything our children can throw at you."

"You are right my dear," Severus smiled gently at his wife, "you always are, but you have to admit, your children can be incredibly difficult at times."

"My children, Severus Snape! Why is it that they are my children when they misbehave, but they are your children when they act like angels?"

Severus took in the affronted look his wife was giving him and answered her calmly, "Because my dear, you know perfectly well that you do the exact same thing."

Morgan opened her mouth to protest, but promptly closed it again. He was right. Morgan knew that whenever her children acted up she referred to them as their father's children, while when they were good she was more than happy to say that they were her children.

Morgan gently shook her head to clear her thoughts, then took a deep breath and proceeded calmly, "Sev, Serena is probably waiting for you by now. The longer you make her wait the more nervous that poor child is going to get. Go talk to her, but please remember to take a deep breath and count to ten before you decide anything."

Severus gently removed his hands from his wife's grasp and stood up. "Do you remember, dearest, what happened to you the first time you gave me that piece of advice?"

Morgan felt her face flush and rolled her eyes. "I would have thought that you would have forgotten that by now..." her voice softened at the memory. She tilted her head to the side and looked at her husband, her brown eyes sparkling mischievously, "I believe that I ended up in detention with a certain overly strict potions master just because I offered him a little useful advice."

"Really? Because I remember it slightly different from that. I recall a rather sassy seventh year Gryffindor telling me the best way to deal with her when she was caught down in the dungeons after hours." Severus sighed, "I wonder what ever happened to that impudent student...."

Morgan winked at her husband, "I think I know what happened. Last I heard she had married the man of her dreams and was busy with five wonderful children."

Severus smiled, "Do you think that she is happy with her life?"

Morgan returned the smile as she felt her heart melting for the man she loved, "She couldn't be happier, her life is as close to perfection as one can get." Morgan glanced at her watch, "and you better get going or your daughter is going to perish from the unnecessary suspense you're putting her through. You're not as tough as you like to have our children think you are."

Severus smiled as he nodded his head in response and exited the kitchen; his customary black robes swirling around him as he turned sharply on his heal. Morgan sighed, it was amazing the things that her husband did to her heart, every time she looked at him she fell in love all over again.