Severus Snape knew it would not be an easy year. He had known this for a long time. After all, he was aware in what year his persecutor's son would start school. However, he did not expect that Harry Potter would end up in his house. He still couldn't believe it, even though he looked at him as he stood in the Slytherin common room.

- First, I would like to congratulate all first years on getting into the so-called snake cave. I'm aware that Slytherin doesn't have the best reputation, but ... - he sighed before he continued - you have to know that we care about our own - he hesitated - regardless of the blood status.

The man looked at the girl, who rolled her eyes at his statement.

- Miss Granger? - He pretended to make an effort to remember her name.

- Yes. - she replied confidently.

- You disagree with something? - he said in a tone sharper than he intended but he did not scare the girl.

- With the 'blood status' issue. I am aware of the reputation of snakes. As a Muggle-born, I have a right to have doubts about how I will be treated.

- It is true. There are prejudices on this background and I will not hide that there are some who strongly believe in it. Much misunderstanding has arisen because the old wizarding families fear the loss of their culture, because with the influx of Muggle-born wizards, wizarding traditions are being supplanted by the Muggle-born ones. An example is Yule's postponement to Christmas. Apparently it's only a few days of difference, but it seems to have a symbolic meaning. So, in fact, despite the blood prejudices, in many cases it is about not respecting tradition. Got it?

- I think so … - After a moment, she added quietly, but not so much that Severus did not hear it. - Beltane is my favorite celebration.

Severus Snape looked at the students again and asked in a stern voice - Are you sure you are a Muggle-born? It is rather not a popular holiday.

- Professor, Beltane, I mean Walpurgis Night is a tradition in my home. During Samhain, we have a feast by two fires.

The Potions Master gave up for the time being. He decided to talk to her later. - Let's continue this well. You must remember that our goal is to show that we are a worthy home. For six years the House Cup has been in our hands and I would prefer it to stay that way. I can assure you that despite your best efforts, you will receive fewer points and will be penalized with more.

- Professor? - he saw Hermione Granger raise her hand. - I have an idea how to fix it.

- Yes? - at that moment he realized that this girl would be one of the causes of his frequent headaches.

- I read that the Board of Governors is here. Is it possible for us to use them to establish a prize for the winner? However, they would have to demand that the scoring be settled instead. After all, we would not like the headmaster to suddenly tip the scales of victory with additional points in favor of someone else due to some unforeseen circumstances.

- Hermione, why are you mentioning this? - Harry asked uncertainly.

- You know, maybe you didn't notice it, but Headmaster Dumbledore was, to put it mildly, furious with your sorting. Therefore, I would not be surprised if he wanted to tease us right after he stole you from us.

The Potions Master was surprised. He was so shocked by the situation that he didn't even think to pay attention to the old man's reaction.

xxx

After the briefing, Draco Malfoy went with his friends to look for his assigned room in the boys' dormitory. He didn't know what to think about this girl at all. He had never seen anyone so openly stood up to his godfather. He also did not think that someone born and raised among Muggles would know holidays that derive from wizarding traditions.

xxx

Draco Malfoy did not realize that not only he was intrigued by the girl's knowledge and behavior. However, Pansy Parkinson had the opportunity to get answers to her burning questions.

- Grander? Can I ask you something?

- Yes, but this is Granger, not Grander. And I would prefer Hermione. It's weird to call someone's last name if you share a room with them.

Daphne chuckled, clearly annoying Pansy.

- Then I'm Pansy Parkinson. The one who giggled so aimlessly is Daphne Greengrass. Our fourth will be Millie Bulstrode. Moving on to the question ... How do you know our holidays? I don't think they're very popular with Muggles.

- My grandmother and mom insist on celebrating the changing of the seasons. Out of gratitude to Mother Nature or something. We are a Catholic family so I guess it must have been practiced in my family before. I do not know if we respect the true meaning, rather we treat it as an opportunity to tighten family ties. Only watching nearly naked family members run around the fire is traumatic.

- Naked ?! - both girls were shocked.

- I'm joking. - Hermione had a fake smile on her face that gave Pansy a hint that maybe she wasn't really joking. - Linen is a mandatory outfit for rituals. I mean, I mean linen clothes that look a bit like pajamas.

Draco Malfoy has never expected him to live in a room with Harry Potter in his entire life so far. He also never expected that after so many lectures by his father about Mudblood's inferiority, he would become interested in one almost immediately. Like the hero of those bland love stories his mother reads.

- And how do you find yourself in Slytherin Potter? - he heard Blaise's voice.

- I don't know and you how? - The boy did not even wait until the answer to his question was given - Maybe we'll introduce ourselves first? Due to Hermione's constant interruption, I missed that part. My name is Harry Potter.

- I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. - He proudly extended his hand to the boy.

Harry chuckled, not hiding it at all.

- Are you laughing at my name? - Draco felt angry with himself.

Harry held out his hand saying - Not your name, but the manner you introduced yourself with. There is a Muggle series of James Bond books. He presented himself that way. "I am Bond. James Bond''.

- My name is Theodore Nott. Who is this Bond?

- A spy. - Harry calmed down as he felt Draco's hand in his. - I know who you are. Hermione told me about your last meeting. Or rather, your father's behavior.

- Theo didn't tell us what happened then. - Blaise replied speaking to Harry.

- Hermione mentioned to me that she would like to go to Slytherin but was concerned that due to her legacy it might be difficult. She was confirmed in this after meeting you at the Diagonal. But she told me the abbreviated version only after I noticed the scar on her hand.

- A scar? - the three of them asked.

Draco looked at one of his friends and thought only of one "what happened over there?"

- Will you tell us? - Zabini asked.

- That's not my story.

xxx

Severus stared at the window, expecting an answer from his friend. He sent him a note saying that he had to meet him. He knew he should just flinch, but after the last time ... he didn't take any chances. To this day, he remembers wanting to visit Lucius and Narcissa while Draco was away. What, like what, but the fact that they will have sex on the couch in front of the fireplace, he did not expect at all.

- Severus, you can come in. - The man tried not to show that he was scared by the head of a friend he was just thinking about. - You won't have any surprises. I promise.

- I hate you. - he grunted in response.

- I know that you love me. Come. Narcissa is already making your favorite tea and Misty has baked the chocolate cake that you have been enjoying so much lately.

xxx

Albus Dumbledore was furious. He wanted to set fire to the letter Molly Weasley had given him. He was sure he had planned everything carefully, but he had miscalculated. He did not think that when he returned to his office from the feast, he would see information from a woman concerned about the absence of Harry Potter on the platform. She claimed that they arrived at the right time and even drew attention to themselves so that the boy would follow them. After all, without detailed instructions, he wouldn't be able to get there on his own. So what happened there? Who made the move without his knowledge and consent? The mysterious Miss Granger?

xxx

Severus looked around the living room, making sure he would not encounter any undesirable surprises. Admittedly Narcissa was an attractive woman, but seeing Lucius naked again will permanently burn his eyesight.

- I thought you told him it was safe to come. - he heard Narcissa's voice coming from down the corridor.

- He doesn't believe me. I don't know why at all. - Lucius replied simultaneously appearing around the corner. Instead of saying hello, he immediately said – Severus. I believe we need to talk. My wife choked on that our son had a crush on a Slytherin Muggleborn.

- Muggle-born? Not a Mudblood? - Severus raised his eyebrows in surprise, which gave him a rather grotesque look.

Narcissa looked at him and, ignoring the manners instilled from an early age, replied in place of her husband - You haven't been using such vocabulary since ...

- I don't, but your husband is.

- He doesn't use it anymore. I forbade him. Our future daughter-in-law must feel comfortable with us. - she said with satisfaction.

The Potions Master regarded the weary Lucius Malfoy with amusement. The Black women rarely gave up on their plans, and apparently an idea began to form in Narcissa's mind.

- We barely let one child out and this crazy woman is already thinking about her grandchildren.

- She doesn't think about grandchildren, but she has empty nest syndrome. This affects both Muggle-borns and witches. You can't fool biology. - he knew that he must direct the conversation to the desired topic, otherwise it would come out without solving the problem with which he came - Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something. Or rather, with you as a member of the Board of Governors. This is why I am here.

- Good because we want to talk to you too. As a friend and caretaker of my son's house.

- Maybe I'll start. Miss Granger gave me a fairly apt loose concept for countering unfair scoring in the House Cup. She asked if I knew anyone on the Board of Governors who could offer the director a prize for the winner. However, in return, this person would have to expect predetermined rules regarding what and how many points can be gained or lost.

- Miss Granger you say? Interesting ... - the man paused for a moment before he said what he thought about it - I could finance it myself, but with my reputation it could be interpreted as an attack on Dumbledore's competences. A better option would be to file a motion at the council meeting. I think the idea would be accepted. It is a rather noble way of encouraging the young to achieve higher results. Cissa, what do you think?

- I could also raise this topic at the Wives Association meeting. After all, it would be appreciated that a large part of society is willing to support youth education. - she said between sips of her cinnamon tea.

Lucius looked surprised at his wife and then added - I thought that now everything will revolve around Harry Potter and here is such a surprise.

- What do you mean? - Severus said, pleased that the concept of the enigmatic schoolgirl had not been rejected.

- Lucius means you have to take a look at this girl. You know Thorus's ability to remember a face. Nott knows her mother from somewhere. - The woman said in her seemingly disinterested voice.

- Shit ... The girl also reminds me of someone. And I can't match who.

xxx

- How do you know Hermione? - Nott asked after they got into their beds.

- From the platform. I did not know how to get to platform 9 ¾. She helped me and even though she knew who I was, she treated me like a human and not an animal in a zoo. She and her mother were very nice to me.

- Mother? Have you seen her father?

- Her mom is a force in her own right. You approach her, but even though she looks like a warm woman, you still respect her. Father was not within reach. And she hadn't mentioned him herself. Are you interested in her?

- As a friend. We had a good conversation until my father came and gave a lecture entitled I am the master of the world, because I have pure blood. As if I did not know that a few generations back, we had a half-blood in our family.

- I'm half blood. Does it bother you?

- I do not know yet. However, you are a completely separate category. You defeated the Dark Lord. They will love you even if you were a Muggle.

- I'm not sure if I beat him. After all, how do you know what happened then if no one other than my parents was there, you-know-who and me?

- Interesting point of view.

- Unfortunately not mine. When Hagrid gave me my Hogwarts letter, he told me what happened to my parents. He said he came for me when it was over. Hermione pointed out to me that I really know what happened there? Because what I was told is based on guesswork rather than evidence.

- Do you trust this girl?

- It's not a question of trust. Just logic. Hermione made me questionable. What will happen next, I do not know.

xxx

There was a wheelchair in the dimly lit room. The woman sitting on it thought about what had happened in the last days. Not long ago she did not dream about getting out of bed and now? She had hopes. She felt her legs. However, after so many years of being motionless, they did not have the strength to lift her body vertically.

- Mum turn on the light? Jean came to see her mother again to see if the improvement was only temporary or permanent.

- Yes honey. Will you sit with me for a while? She looked at her daughter's darker and darker hair. They slowly resembled her father's shade.

- Of course. - After she sat down on the pouf she asked the question - What are you so worried about?

- I don't know if we didn't put too much on our girlfriend's shoulders. She is so shy and we told her to act against her instincts.

- She's not shy. She is insecure about herself. I think we did the right thing to tell Hermione about a small part of her father's life. No school principal should allow a homicide attempt to be covered up. It doesn't matter whether it was the result of a cruel joke or not. I know it was drastic, but my daughter needed to know that she couldn't trust everyone. - the younger woman sighed.

- And here's the problem. My granddaughter has a strong sense of justice. After she listened to your story, I saw a gleam in her eye. The same gleam I saw in Tom's eye when he was her age. If she digs up Albus' remaining bad deeds, she could start a revolution. Not now. She is too young. However, she is also very patient and will plan everything before she hits it.

Jean looked at her mother. She knew the older woman was right, but she also felt that this man's rule should end. He wasn't bad, but he had long pushed the boundaries within which his actions could be justified with "greater good."

- Hermione can spoil some of his blood, but he won't do anything we should be worried about for a long time. Now we should focus on finding the father. From what you feel we know he is recovering. We can't let Hyde take him again.

- You're right child. You're right…

xxx

Do you like this story? Feedback is appreciated. The fact that someone appreciates the work of the author of fanfiction encourages further writing. Regards and thanks for reading. katie-krum