New Term


The following week was a good week; Severus had to admit that much despite his characteristic inclination to see only the negative side of things. He'd been summoned only once, and his master hadn't even killed him although he hadn't managed to complete the poison in time - in fact the Dark Lord hadn't seemed too interested in this matter anymore and couldn't have cared less. But more than that, Severus hadn't laid eyes on Potter even once since the evening the boy had stormed out of his office. And every day without Potter was destined to be a good day.

Tonight though he'd be seeing him again at the feast; him, his loyal sidekick Weasley, and Granger, the brains of the trio. And let's not forget Longbottom, the walking talking blueprint for disaster. It was just like Potter's father and his friends, and as their longstanding opponent: Draco Malfoy with his two dull bodyguards. Seeing those kids always reminded him too much of his own past although he truly hoped that he hadn't been a follower quite as brainlessly loyal to Malfoy Senior as Crabbe and Goyle were now to the younger Malfoy. Didn't they say that history would always repeat itself? He just wondered which one of Potter's friends would turn against him, which one of them would sell him for money, power or anything else the Dark Lord might have to offer. He had something to offer for everyone, and Severus was convinced that for the right price, everyone could be bought. Even those righteous Gryffindors.

He'd been too lost in thought to notice that it had already become too dark in here to read and only now closed his book and put it back onto the shelf above the dark fireplace. He had only twenty minutes till the arrival of the students anyway so it was about time for him to go up to the Great Hall. Severus strode across the room, put on one of his black cloaks and stepped out of the door. The moment the torches in the corridor ignited he saw movement on the floor as dozens of little creatures fled from the light. He'd already gotten used to them and didn't pay them a lot of attention anymore. At least it was only mice. Rats would have been much worse; due to Peter Pettigrew he'd developed a distinct aversion towards rats. He set off along the corridor and just around the next corner he came across another visitor to his dungeons, a gray tabby cat this time.

Minerva, pleased to see you. Severus greeted the cat. If you should have a few spare minutes you could take a look around here, the dungeons seem to be infested with mice once again.

The cat immediately transformed back into a witch throwing him a very stern look. I'm glad to see that you're finally your old snotty self again, she replied. And regarding the mice I suppose you should consider asking Mr. Filch for his assistance.

I already did but he couldn't seem to find the time to take care of this. Obviously he's pretty busy with all this new security... He waved a hand vaguely in the direction of the Entrance Hall. Well, he just had more important things to do lately.

McGonagall muttered and for a moment she stared past him into the darkness of the empty corridor. But I think we should be done with that now. Aside from the fact that we still haven't found a way for you to get back onto the castle grounds without triggering an alarm.

Severus snorted. Oh, don't even bother. I could camp out in the woods if that would make things easier.

I'll consider that, McGonagall replied. Ten minutes till the students will arrive. Actually I just wanted to ask you if you're going to show up for dinner.

Of course I will. I always do.

Good. Come on then. She started walking again, dragging him along. I just checked the first years list and came across a Victor Crabbe.

Another one for Slytherin, Severus replied. Vincent Crabbe's younger brother.

I thought so. You should keep an eye on him.

I'm keeping an eye on everyone in this castle.

Good to know. McGonagall gave him a pat on the shoulder and sent him on his way to the Great Hall on his own while she waited for the first years to arrive.


During dinner Severus was seated between Lupin and Dobberstein and not very happy about that because he didn't feel like talking to either of them. Unfortunately this didn't seem to be obvious enough - or more likely, Lupin simply didn't care.

A lot of Ravenclaws this year, don't you think? he said a few minutes after the sorting ceremony had ended. Together with Graysmark having to repeat the year there are nearly twice as many in Ravenclaw as in Slytherin.

Why do you have to talk to me? I thought I had made my point clear enough so even you should understand that I simply want nothing to do with you unless absolutely necessary. Severus curled his lip and glanced over at him. Why are you actually sitting there, Lupin? he asked. As far as I've been informed you're not employed as a teacher here.

Don't worry, you won't have to see me every day, Lupin replied. Maybe two or three days a week. Four at the most, he added and grinned upon seeing his colleague's expression darkening

Severus felt a lot like punching him in the face just to make that stupid grin disappear. After all the fuss he'd made about the little incident with Potter he'd hoped that Lupin would leave him alone for a while. Who did he just think he was to believe he could talk to him like that and now come crawling back again as if nothing had happened? The werewolf was lucky that he'd promised to pull himself together a little. Otherwise he might really have punched him.


For Severus the first day of the new term started with the questionable pleasure of meeting his new sixth year NEWT class for the first time. At least Potter and Granger were the only Gryffindors there. Because they'd been the only ones to get a good enough grade from him. He'd really wanted to get rid of Hermione Granger, that annoying little teacher's pet, and a mudblood on top of it.

Muggle-born. Old habits really seemed to die hard. Well, at least he didn't say that word aloud anymore. Mostly because McGonagall had assured him that she actually did have the authority to make him polish every single goblet in the trophy room if she ever again heard him say , whether he meant it or not. To him personally the term had never meant anything special, it had always been quite a common word where he came from.

Unfortunately he hadn't been able to find a reason that could have justified giving Granger a grade worse than Potter's and now she was sitting there right next to her fellow Gryffindor. Aside from them there was one Ravenclaw, no Hufflepuffs but seven Slytherins. For understandable reasons Potions had always been quite popular among the Slytherins and for the sixth years it was the line of the least resistance on their way to a good final exam.

Severus had been standing motionless in front of his class with his arms folded for a few seconds before even Draco Malfoy stopped talking and gave him his undivided attention.

You all should be aware of what is expected from a student in a NEWT course so I'm not going to waste our time by telling you that from this day forth this class might actually ask some effort of you.

He decided to make his welcoming speech a little shorter than usual. Most of you I'd have expected to see here whereas some of you I'd have neither expected nor recommended to take this class. But you all shall get a chance to prove yourselves. Severus glanced over at Potter and Granger but they seemed to have expected that already and neither of them looked very impressed. Or maybe they both were still too much out of breath to care about his remark; they had obviously had to run all the way here from the large dungeon after finding out that their Potions classes would be held in one of the smaller rooms a floor below from now on. You're going to spend the following two hours in the library, doing research for your first essay which is due tomorrow. He walked around his desk, took a small stack of papers from the drawer and placed it on the table in front of him. These are the topics for your essays. Each of you step forward now, take one and then begin with your work, you're going to need the time.

When he looked up into the class again he saw that Hermione Granger had raised her hand and for a moment contemplated if he should simply ignore her. Miss Granger? A question? he finally asked instead.

Yes, Sir, she said and lowered her hand again. Tomorrow's Saturday. Do you want us to hand in the essay on the weekend?

That's what I just said, Severus replied. Feel free to hand it in today though if you should feel uncomfortable with that.

She didn't seem to have too much of a problem with it, at least she said nothing else. Some of the other students gave him a skeptical look but after a moment all of them began stuffing their books, parchments and quills back into their schoolbags and then walked up to his desk.

Malfoy was the first one to take a paper, Goyle and Crabbe right after him. Unlike them Draco remained standing next to the desk for a moment after he'd read it.

Severus replied softly, watching the two Gryffindors instead of looking at him.

Are we all going to write about different topics then? Malfoy asked.

But we never had to do that before, Malfoy said.

The times they are changing, Mr. Malfoy, Severus muttered in reply and smiled faintly. Not at him, though, but to himself.

There were only two papers left on the table now as he watched Hermione Granger walking towards him, followed by Potter. So Potter would either have to write the essay about Jacinda Fotheringale's view on the wide range of use of coral snake skin or, should he choose to take the last one, about the invention of the Polyjuice Potion and the development of the legal provisions regarding its usage. Both equally boring and neither to be managed within a day, so this time even the little know-it-all Granger wouldn't be able to help him and he'd definitely get the failing grade he deserved.

He watched as Hermione took a paper and then as Harry picked up the last one.

Ah, the Polyjuice Potion, Severus said, glancing down at the paper over Harry's shoulder when he turned it around and read it. Quite a sophisticated topic, Mr. Potter, no doubt. But I'm sure that won't be a problem for you, will it?

No, Sir, Harry muttered, crumpled up the paper and stuffed it into his bag. It won't.


Severus was mildly surprised when Harry handed in his essay on time, but he was truly surprised when he read it the following day and had to find out that it actually wasn't nearly as bad as he'd expected. In fact it was pretty good; Potter seemed to have spent the last twenty-four hours in the library.

He stared down at the paper for a moment after he'd finished reading and then set it aside without marking it.


He had the next class with his sixth years on Monday before lunch. Malfoy and his two cronies were ten minutes late so Severus told them he'd appreciate it if they tried to make sure this wouldn't happen again. Then he spent two uneventful hours watching his students cutting up roots and preparing two dozen other ingredients that they then had to put into a jar together with what Draco Malfoy had called that slimy blue stuff over there.

The ingredients have to remain in there for at least forty-eight hours so write your name on your jar as soon as you're finished and put it on the shelf over there, he said and checked his watch. There were only a few minutes left till the end of the lesson so he returned to his desk, took the stack of papers and started walking through the rows to hand back the essays.

Crabbe, Goyle, good. Malfoy, very well done, he said and put their essays down on the desks in front of them. Parkinson, well done. All of the Slytherins got something like a good or a well done from him.

Once all of his house had their papers back he returned Padma Patil's to her without any comment and then stood in front of Hermione Granger, staring down at her essay for a moment. Miss Granger. He let the paper drop onto her desk. How fortunate Mrs Fotheringale has been dead since 1749 because had she read this essay it would definitely have killed her. Disappointing.

With that said he whirled around and returned to the blackboard. He started writing down five chapters in three different books he wanted his students to read for the next lesson, well aware of and completely ignoring the fact that Potter had raised his hand.

Yes, Potter? he snarled and reluctantly turned around, not really able to ignore him any longer.

Uhm, you forgot mine.

No, Mr. Potter, you forgot yours, Severus replied calmly.

But I handed it in, I know that, Harry said, sounding a bit bewildered.

And I know that I never read it. So are you suggesting that I misplaced it or maybe that my memory is beginning to fail me?

No, Sir. I'm just saying that I handed it in, Harry said again. I gave it to a house elf in the staff room.

For a moment they stared at each other out of equally cold and loathing eyes and Severus had the impression that it had become completely silent around them while everyone was waiting for their next move.

Class dismissed, he said softly. Except for Mr. Potter who may use his lunch break to actually do the assignment.

He saw Potter hesitating, contemplating if he should pack his things and leave or if it was wiser to just swallow his pride, sit down and write his essay once more. Not-so-Gryffindorish rationality seemed to have won over Gryffindor pride, at least the boy slumped back down onto his chair while his classmates left the dungeon.

Severus took two of the heavy old books out of the shelf behind his desk and placed them on the table in front of Harry. Hand it in before sunset if you're interested in having a remote chance of not receiving a failing grade.

Potter just stared down onto the blank piece of parchment in front of him and was obviously waiting for him to finally leave the room so he could get started with his essay. For a moment Severus contemplated staying here and watching him just to annoy him but quickly decided that it wouldn't be worth giving up his lunch break; at the moment he felt much too hungry for that.

Severus had almost forgotten about the whole issue when he was interrupted in searching through his desk drawers by a knock on his open office door early in the evening.

Office hours are from five thirty to six, come back tomorrow, he said without looking up to see who it was, hoping that it really was past six already. And even if it wasn't, nobody would dare to argue.

I'm actually not a student, Lupin replied and stepped forward to stand in the doorframe.

And I actually don't care. What is it now, Lupin? Severus snarled. Anything else you want to ask me, anything else I can do for you? Or do you simply enjoy getting on my nerves? It was the fourth time today that the werewolf seemed to have felt the need to show up somewhere around him and ask him for something and by now it was getting truly annoying.

A little bit of both, Lupin said and let the ten page essay he'd been carrying with him drop onto his desk. Harry's essay, he explained when Severus finally looked up. I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that he received a detention from Eliza for working on it during Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

I'm not very interested in Potter's leisure activities, Severus muttered. As a matter of fact, right now he didn't want to hear anything about any student at all. He'd had enough of them for one day; he'd had enough of being a teacher. He wouldn't have complained about the fact that he had to take a second year Hufflepuff girl up to the infirmary after she'd managed to nearly cut off two of her fingers in an attempt to chop some roots. Neither would he have complained about the seemingly endless stupidity that had made two of his fourth year Slytherins eat some poisonous herbs because they'd thought it was a great way to test their courage. But it had really been too much when those two idiotic Gryffindors had blown up their cauldron. That slimy, sticky substance they'd called a potion had been everywhere, on every student, every table and every wall. And of course all over their teacher as well. So would that be all? he asked impatiently.

No, actually not, Lupin said and smiled at him although he knew for sure that all he'd receive in return would be another loathing glare. I'm looking for a book.

The library's said to have plenty of them.

The Silence of the Dark Mind. They have it, but Flitwick borrowed it a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I can't find him anywhere but Madam Pince told me that you owned a copy of it as well so I thought I could ask you. Just for a few hours, I'd give it back to you tomorrow.

Planning to practise the Dark Arts?

It's a necessity to show the students what they have to defend themselves against, isn't it?

Severus didn't want to think about the necessity of using Dark Magic in order to teach how to fight it and he didn't want to continue this conversation either. For a moment he just sat there, glared down onto his table and considered telling Lupin to go over to the shelves and find the book himself but then decided that his primary objective was to get rid of his uninvited visitor as quickly as possible and that therefore it would be better if he got it for him. Lupin waited patiently while Severus slowly and reluctantly got up from his chair and sighed at all the effort that was being asked of him. He walked over to one of the shelves, pulled out a large old book bound in dark green leather and walked back across the room.

There you go, he said and handed Lupin the book. Anything else now? Severus was standing right in front of him, one hand resting on the door handle, the other on the wall, blocking Lupin's view as well as his way into the room.

Lupin said quickly. You're sounding pretty annoyed already so I suppose I should just keep clear of you for the rest of the day.

How about the rest of the month? Severus muttered and slammed the door shut again right in front of his face.


It was close to ten in the evening when Severus finally left his office and his work behind for the day and started on his way through the dungeons towards the Entrance Hall. He'd almost forgotten that he'd promised Minerva to meet her and tell her what he thought about the article she'd written for some magazine he'd never heard of. But at least he'd read that article. They'd been asking her for ages if they could publish something she'd written and now she'd finally agreed.

Severus himself had never published anything. And he wasn't very interested in it either. He could have, of course. They'd even asked him. Well, not on a weekly basis like they asked Flitwick. Two times in the last fifteen years actually. But he'd always decline anyway; it didn't seem like the best idea to have his name in the papers while he was trying to keep a low profile. And that was basically what he'd been doing ever since he'd become a teacher here.

He reached the stairs leading up to the hall, came to a sudden halt and whirled around. Out of the corner of his eye he'd seen a flicker of light and now he could see where it had come from: the torches in one of the smaller side corridors.

Potter. For some reason that was the first thing that came to his mind. The torches would only ignite if they detected motion on that corridor so there had to be someone there - and who else could it be?

Severus walked back along the hallway until he reached the brightly lit corridor: there was nothing there except for an old suit of armour. I know you're here, Potter. Probably sneaking around here with your Invisibility Cloak, aren't you?

No chance to escape, Potter, he said softly and slowly started walking along the corridor. The torches will give you away, no matter where you go.

He whirled around again, convinced he'd seen a shadow floating across the floor but again, there was nothing. Suddenly, with a loud rattling sound, the suit of armour dropped its buckler and a cat jumped out from behind it and dashed along the corridor to disappear around the next corner.

Bloody cat again... Severus muttered. He'd told Filch more than once to make sure Mrs. Norris would keep clear of the dungeons; he just didn't like it when that cat watched him all the time. He shook his head and continued on his way upstairs.


The door opened just when he was about to knock and McGonagall stood in front of him, carrying some rolled up parchments.

You're early. She greeted him. I'll just have to take these up to the owlery and send them, I'll be back in a minute, she explained, and before he even had a chance to say anything she'd already disappeared around the next corner. Severus shrugged his shoulders and stepped through the door into the room.

It was pretty dark in here with the only light coming from the fireplace and a single candle on the writing desk in the corner. Pleasantly dark, like his dungeons. Just a little cosier, probably because there were no dead frogs, lizards and snakes staring at you from the shelves.

He closed the door behind himself, slowly walked over to the window and for a moment he just stood there looking down onto the empty dark grounds before he noticed the little silver tree that was standing on the window sill. It was a tiny tree, no more than four inches high and there were little metallic bronze leaves hanging from its silvery branches. He hadn't seen it in ages; the last time had been when he'd been a fourth year student and had been waiting in McGonagall's office because she'd wanted to talk him about why he hadn't been doing his Transfigurations homework for the third time in a row. Severus reached out, held his hand above the little tree and the bronze leaves started shaking and jingling softly.

It's the magic running through you that makes the leaves move. You're going to be a powerful wizard one day.

That's what she'd said when she'd caught him playing with it all those years ago. And she'd been right; powerful he had become, no doubt.

The door opened, he turned around and the jingle of the leaves stopped immediately.

Sorry to have kept you waiting, McGonagall said as she closed the door again. Can I offer you a drink?

Sure, thank you.

Gin or Scotch?

I'll stick to the Scotch.

So? Did you read it? she asked, as she poured some Scotch into a glass and handed it to him.

Of course I did, Severus replied.

Well? What do you think?

Couldn't find any spelling mistakes, he muttered as he sat down in one of the dark red armchairs. McGonagall threw him a stern look and he shrugged his shoulders. An essay about turning non-animagi into animals - that's just over my head, I told you before. I can't even remember how to transfigure an earthworm into a shoelace.

McGonagall frowned at him, suddenly looking very much like a teacher. You really should know that. Every second year student here can do that.

When was the last time you saw me wearing lace-up shoes?

She hesitated for a moment and then obviously came to the conclusion that she didn't want to discuss shoes and shoelaces any longer. Then what do you think about the part dealing with the Polyjuice potion?

Could you please just give me your opinion?

I mean it, it was intriguing. You seem to know more about it than I do, Severus replied. The only thing you might want to consider is taking another look at that passage about the development and the changes regarding the ingredients. A little more detail perhaps.

Yes, you're probably right, she said slowly. Maybe I should read that paper Mr. Potter wrote for your class...

How do you know about that again? Who did Potter actually not complain to? Is that all he's doing, walking around and complaining about me to everyone in this castle? Well, at least that would be a rather safe hobby that's not likely to get him killed... Do me a favour and don't even start with that now.

I didn't say anything, did I? McGonagall replied, took a stack of parchments from the small table next to the fireplace and disappeared into the adjoining room. Actually Potter got a detention from me today. She called back into the other room. Fifteen minutes late and then he has the front to say he'd forgotten what classroom he was supposed to go to. It's been one and the same classroom since his very first day here!

Severus smiled to himself; at least he didn't seem to be the only one Potter regarded as stupid enough to feel safe lying straight to his face. Successful day for Potter then, he replied while staring down into his glass of Scotch. From what I heard he also received a detention from your friend... Professor what's-her-name-again.

You know, you could really be a little nicer to Eliza, McGonagall said as she stepped back into the room.

he asked incredulously. I'm not aware of being particularly unfriendly.

You're about as friendly to her as you are to Remus, she said and sat down in the armchair opposite him. Couldn't you just try to be a bit nicer? You might actually like her.

Yes, I'm sure we'll get along great. Letting Potter serve detention is a good start at least. Fine. I'll try to be nicer, Severus said reluctantly.

That's all I'm asking of you, she replied and smiled at him. So how was your day? I heard you spent an unusual amount of time in the infirmary today.

Please don't remind me, he growled. Is it just my imagination or are those kids getting more stupid every year? They're eating those herbs although - no, because - I tell them that they're poisonous. Just what's wrong with them?


It had become late once again. Neither of them would have noticed if there hadn't been a knock on the door that made them both look up at the old clock on the mantelpiece. It showed exactly half past one.

Expecting anyone? Severus asked and got up from his armchair.

Definitely not, McGonagall replied. Would you mind getting the door for me and send whoever it might be to hell?

With pleasure. Sending people to hell is fun. He walked across the room, opened the door and was a little surprised to find Lupin standing in the corridor. Him especially.

What are you doing here? Lupin asked before Severus had a chance to say anything.

Do you know what time it is? Severus asked in return.

Is Minerva here?

What on earth do you want?

They would probably have continued talking at each other without ever listening if McGonagall hadn't come to the door and taken care of the matter herself. What is it, Remus? she asked.

It's Harry. He's... I can't find him anywhere, Lupin replied.

Well, you won't find him here, Severus muttered.

I'm not joking, Severus. I'm really worried, Lupin said.

He's probably taking another one of his little midnight trips together with Weasley and Granger, Severus said.

I don't think so, Lupin replied in a low voice and stepped aside so they could see Ron Weasley who'd been standing behind him. He has no idea where Harry could be either.

Mr. Weasley? When was the last time you saw him? McGonagall asked.

Around ten. After the DA meeting, Ron replied.

Three and a half hours, Lupin said. Too much time to just be sneaking through the castle all alone, isn't it?

It is indeed, McGonagall said. I'll get the headmaster.



AN: I'm sorry that it has taken me so incredibly long to update. When I posted my last chapter I was really glad to see you're still reading this so I hope I didn't lose all my readers by now ;) I hope you enjoyed this one.


Enahma: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, sorry for the long wait... hope you're still reading

Chi7890: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :) Thank you so much for your other reviews as well. As you can see, I'm not always that fast Did you post that dialogue you've written? I'd be interested in reading it.

Denise: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it, I hope you still like it!

falling-alone: Thank you! Nothing from Harry's pov this chapter though, hope you still liked it.

Barrie: Thank you! I'm happy to hear you liked it and I'm glad you think I have everyone in character.

Jaximillion: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, hope you're still reading although it took me so long to update.

greengirlblue: Thank you! I'm really glad to hear you liked it, hope you liked this one as well.

Empress Guinevere Sparrow: Thank you! Obviously the next chapter wasn't almost finished yet, hope you're still reading!

Anna Mette: Thank you :) I'm always glad to hear you liked it :)

LinZE: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. No MM/SS though, I've never written any romance and I most probably never will; hope you're not disappointed

Athalia: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the last one, I hope you also liked this one.

Ronnie: Thank you! I'm glad to see you're reading this and that you liked it. You're right about Lupin but I suppose even he'd lose his patience with Snape at some point ;)

Boromir: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it and thank you so much for all your other reviews as well, made me happy when I got them all :)

Phoenix of the Stars: Thank you :) I'm glad you liked it, I hope you liked this one too!