Thank you so much for the response to the last chapter. I'm glad to know that people enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.

This interlude is part of a plot thread that will unfold for a little while before it gets anywhere. Sorry.

Interlude: Another Letter From Severus Snape

December 24th, 1993

To: Hellebore Shiverwood

Department of Magical Family and Child Services

Dear Madam Shiverwood,

My name is Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I have found myself rather unexpectedly taking charge of a thirteen-year-old boy after long years in which I had no children of my own. If you have been following the Daily Prophet, you have learned by now that this child is Harry Potter, the twin brother of the Boy-Who-Lived.

I find myself quite anxious to make sure that I am doing the right thing. While I had a pureblood mother and was raised with full knowledge of many wizarding laws and customs, my father was a Muggle, and I had learned before I was seven to expect no children of my own. Therefore, my mother neglected to teach me the many pureblood dances that deal with the relations between parents and children. I would like to request information from your department so that Harry might know the pureblood side of his heritage, and also to know how the Ministry approves of treating children.

The Ministry's good opinion is important to me. While the Head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour, recently visited Harry and me, and was gracious enough to say that he thought Harry could remain with me, I would appreciate it deeply if the Department in the Ministry most concerned with cases like mine and Harry's could make a recommendation concerning his treatment. It is only because of the unusual nature of Harry's case that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and not your office has handled it. I would trust your advice more than theirs.

I understand that some of the information that I am requesting—anything connected with the laws on child-care, for example—is sensitive. Please be assured I would not have written this letter were I not concerned for the welfare of my ward. This information shall be used only to benefit him.

With respect,

I remain,

Severus Snape.