January 2, 1971 - Hogwarts

"How are you feeling, Remus?"

Their quiet friend had been taken ill yesterday and had spent the night in the hospital wing. He looked exhausted, really, pale, and with bags under his eyes.

"Rough night?" Cassie added, observing him from her chair.

Remus let out a bark of strange laughter. "You could say that. I am feeling better, though."

"I'm glad," Cassie answered, and Severus nodded.

Cassiopeia and Remus had bonded quite closely, despite being in different Houses. Both of them had a penchant for Transfiguration and were often the first and second in the class to complete their practices. As such, Professor McGonagall often asked them to help others in the class, which nobody enjoyed. Cassie and Remus were quiet and shy as a rule, and forced interaction only made them uncomfortable. The struggling students often resisted having another student help them as well, which had led to an interesting exchange between Cassie and Marlene McKinnon, three weeks prior. While, in front of the class, Cassie had maintained an indifferent mask, she had broken down crying on his shoulder back in her dorms - not understanding why McKinnon was always so hostile to her.

"Your potions, Remus," Madame Pomfrey announced, stepping out of her room. She did not seem surprised to see them - merely gesturing for them to move out of her way. "Drink up."

There were two separate vials, but Severus was only able to identify one - Pain Reliever. The other was a bright orange concoction that smelled to him like the coffee his ma liked to make - an unusual disharmony of sight and smell.

"Is that Pepper-Up?" Cassie asked the medi-witch, ducking slightly behind Severus when Pomfrey turned to look at her.

"It is dear," she answered, tipping the potion down Remus' throat.

"Oh," Cassie whispered to Severus. "Lucius gave one to me."

"How do you feel now, Remus?"

"...A bit better."

Cassie frowned, darting to the brown-eyed boy's side. "But I though' Pepper-Up cured illnesses."

Pomfrey turned her kind eyes to Cassie. "I'm afraid that Mr. Lupin's illness is a bit too severe for Pepper-Up alone to fix."

"Remus," Cassie whispered, and Severus felt his heart beat faster in his chest, logically, he knew that Remus wasn't greatly ill, but...

"It's not that bad, Cassie, Severus. Don't worry," Remus smiled wanly, squeezing Cassie's hand. "We're not sure exactly what it is, but I'm fine."

Poppy smiled at them one last time, retreating to her office.

"Good," Cassie sighed, shyly moving closer to Remus while Severus stood awkwardly off to the side. The dark-haired boy felt a flare of jealousy when Cassiopeia clumsily hugged Remus from above, both blushing.

Cassiopeia didn't hug just anyone. To this day, she had only done so with him, Lily, and Narcissa. Even Aurora hadn't been allowed that close in, yet.

But she kissed my cheek, he argued to himself as he watched them, the memory bringing a blush to his pale face. Great, now all three of them were blushing.

Cassie and Remus looked up at him, definitely wondering why he was red as well. There was a second of silence.

"Severus," Augustus called, walking into the infirmary. His brow was furrowed slightly, and he ruffled his curly brown hair with one hand. His arrival was much appreciated - diverting from the discomfiture. "Professor Slughorn is looking for you."

"Do you know why?" Severus asked quietly, instantly on edge. The relief was gone, replaced by a gnawing worry in the pit of his stomach. Had he done something wrong?

"Apologies. I'm not sure."

He nodded, while Cassie and Remus looked on anxiously. "I'll go to his office."

"Ah, Severus. How wonderful to see you!" Slughorn exclaimed jovially, his walrus-mustache twitching. Severus had to suppress a shiver of disgust.

"Professor Slughorn," he answered curtly, while the portly man gestured for him to come further in. His heartbeat started to slow. "Why did you call me?"

"Ah..well, you see," Slughorn replied, shifting uncomfortably. "Well, I'm finding that I just don't quite have the time to finish all of my brewing for the infirmary. As such, I would like to request you to brew a few of the potions, instead. You are, after all, the most talented in your class."

...Thank you for the compliments, Slughorn, his internal voice replied. Sure, I'm the best in my class but I'm still a bloody first-year. You're just worried that the older years would tell on you, or ask you for some enormous reward. He scoffed almost audibly. As if I wouldn't do that.

"Thank you, Professor," he said instead, then paused, trying to sound more mature. "I'm sure you understand that some additional provisions will be necessary."

"Such as?" Slughorn asked expectantly.

"I would like access to your private lab at all hours of the day. I'll move to the classroom if you need to use it, of course." Like that's gonna happen often. "Access to the storeroom, that goes without saying – oh, and permission to experiment in altering and creating my own potions."

Slughorn frowned, presumably thinking that his list of demands was too long and unfair. Fortunately for Severus, Slughorn was also extremely lazy, and the demands didn't actually require anything of him. "Very well. But for your private experiments, there must be at least one other person in the room at all times - to limit accidents."

"Of course," he agreed, as if an additional child could prevent explosions. They'd only be collateral damage if something went wrong. Slughorn really was appalling in his incompetence.

"I'm glad we could come to an agreement. This is the list, and will need to be finished by the end of the month," Slughorn said, summoning a piece of parchment. With a quick glance, Severus could guess that these were most of the potions that the infirmary used, with only the most advanced not included - ones that no first-year could brew. "The password to the lab is 'occamy feather', and to the storeroom is 'phoenix grass'. The entrance to both is in the classroom, but I'm sure you were aware."

"Very well. Thank you, Professor," he answered. "I'll inspect the lab now, if that is acceptable."

"It is."

He nodded. "Good evening, then."

"Good evening."

He almost ran from the classroom, so excited was he to see the potions lab. Merlin, he had hoped to one day possess his own, and to get close to that as a measly first-year? He couldn't be happier.

Just as he was opening the door, however, he paused, his mind flashing guiltily to Cassie. She was probably worried about him, and here he waas, planning to hide away in here for hours.

A stab of irrational irritation hit him. Cassie was great, really, she was, but at that moment he wished for nothing more than to be able to just explore. He didn't want to delay that by having to walk all the way upstairs.

"Severus? Professor Slughorn said I'd find you here," Cassie's soft voice called out, and immediately his annoyance turned into guilt. How could he have even contemplated leaving his friend wondering? She always told him where she was, never keeping anything from him, and this was how he repaid her? He didn't deserve her friendship if this was how he treated her.

"Are you okay?" Cassie asked, her thin arms wrapping around his torso, and bringing him close to her. She lay her head on his shoulder, and tried to offer him comfort. "You seem sad."

"I–Cassie–"

He was helpless against her, and the story came spilling out of him. He waited for her to pull away, to yell at him, to do anything, but she simply held him tighter.

He finished his explanation, and tensed as Cassie sighed, lifting her head to stare into his eyes.

"Severus," she said, a slight frown between her brows, and he waited for the inevitable with a pained expression. "You're too harsh on yourself."

He startled, because that was not what he'd been expecting.

His friend sighed again, squeezing him tighter. "I'm not angry - I know how much you love potions. Yes, I was worried, but in the en' it doesn't matter - you can't always be thinking of me."

"Really? You're not mad?" he asked, ashamed by how small his voice sounded.

"No," she said, a fond smile on her lips as she looked at him. She shook her head slightly. "Come on, why don't you show me the lab? I still can't believe Slughorn's letting you use it."

His relief was so great, he almost broke down. "I can't believe it either, but...I'm very happy."

"Of course. Who wouldn't be?" she asked rhetorically, finally pulling away. "Well, what's the password?"

"O–Occamy feather."

Cassie hummed with a smile. "Smart. An ingredient, but not an actual one so that nobody says it accidentally."

She placed her hand on the door handle. "Occamy feather."

The wooden door swung open slowly, as if aware of the great treasure it revealed and wanting to dramatize it.

"Wow," Cassie uttered softly, walking inside. Severus followed behind her, speechless.

The room was beautiful. A bit smaller than the classroom, it looked like, but filled with all the instruments he could ever dream of. Cauldrons, stirring rods, and burners - all made of shiny, gleaming metal. And on the stone walls, wooden shelves, just waiting to be lined with prized ingredients.

"Merlin, most of these look never-used," he observed, running his finger delicately over the rim of a cauldron. "This is...amazing."

"I'm happy for you," Cassie said with a large smile, her bright blue eyes shining. Such a simple statement, but it meant the world to him.

"Thanks, Cassie. You're the best."

January 10, 1972 - Hogwarts

Defense Against the Dark Arts was one of Severus' favorite classes. Potions was his passion, but Defense held a special place in his heart, right alongside Cassiopeia. Their teacher this year, Edward Dalle, was a good teacher and generally well-liked amongst the students. Not hailing from Hogwarts, he seemed not to hold a bias against any House, and treated everyone fairly. His lessons were also interesting, well, as interesting as theory could ever be.

"Pass me your assignments, kids."

Severus and Cassie retrieved their two feet of parchment on defensive and offensive spells out of their book-bags, handing them to Lucy - whose own parchment was definitely longer than required.

Once everyone's homework had been collected, Professor Dalle clapped his hands and gestured for them to stand up. The two of them did so, exchanging confused glances with the rest of the class.

"I am aware that normally at Hogwarts, your practical training in Defense Against the Dark Arts starts in your second year. However, at Ilvermorny we began practicing the most basic of spells in our first year. I have consulted with Headmaster Dumbledore and he has approved this new venture. I would like you to get out your wands."

Severus grabbed his out of his robe-pocket, the comforting weight in his palm a reassurance. He could do this.

Unfortunately, at his side, Cassie wasn't feeling quite as confident. Her hands shook, almost causing her to drop her wand. While the theory hadn't been that difficult, DADA still wasn't her favorite subject. She didn't want to fail in front of everyone, didn't want Severus to see how much of a failure she was.

"Find a partner, and spread out," Professor Dalle commanded, flicking his wand and moving the desk to both sides of the room. Cassie hated the sudden feeling of being exposed.

"Sev'rus?" she asked, in her nervousness reverting back to her natural accent.

"Of course."

She nodded, glad that at least she wouldn't be working with somebody she didn't know well. Despite being acquainted with every Slytherin in her year, she only spoke with Aurora at length, and Augustus occasionally.

"We will be practicing the Expelliarmus spell, one of the most basic offensive maneuvers. I hope you remember the movements for it, and the correct pronunciation. Practice with your partner until you are able to knock the wand out of their hand. Begin."

Cassie and Severus faced each other, raising their wands. Already, people around them were trying and failing, producing loud 'bangs' at most.

"Expelliarmus," Severus said, slicing his wand through the air. He felt a ripple of magic pass through him, but it was too weak to make anything happen. He felt angry at himself - this was one of the easiest spells in the book!

"E–Expelliarmus," Cassie tried herself, but to no effect.

"You'll get it soon" he assured her. "Maybe try a little harder next time."

"I don't want to hurt you," Cassie frowned.

"You won't," he reassured, shaking his head. "My turn, alright? Expelliarmus."

The magic ripped through him this time, making a loud bang that caused him to cover his ears and Cassie to flinch. "Sorry, Cassie. That was a bit too strong, I think."

"Don't worry," she answered, although he could see that she was still scared.

"...Alright. Your turn."

Cassie bit her lip worriedly. "Expelliarmus."

He felt his wand be tugged in her direction, not particularly weakly, but not nearly enough to make him lose his grip. Unfortunately, as he was preparing to cast, another person's wand banged, the sound so loud it made his wand clatter to the floor.

"Woah, a little less power there, Mr. Potter," Professor Dalle corrected, making Potter blush in embarrassment.

Severus bent down to pick up his wand–

"Expelliarmus!" Cassie yelled, and half-a-second later there was a large crack as Sirius Black's body was propelled backwards by the power of his wand shooting out of his hand.

"Miss Nayzalensky! That was not your partner!" Dalle scolded angrily, as Severus stood up.

Cassie's face had drained of color, making her look almost ghost-like. Her voice shook as she answered, her accent slipping back in, though she tried to keep her composure. "I'm sorry, Professor Dalle. Sirius was pointing his wan' a' Sev'rus an–an' he opene' his mouth to cas' a spell. I...reacted."

Dalle turned to Black, who had just picked himself up from the floor. "Is this true, Mr. Black? Did you try to curse Mr. Snape?"

"No! I wasn't trying to do anything like that!"

"What were you trying to do, then?"

Sirius floundered, his jaw opening and closing as he struggled for a response. Apparently he hadn't thought about what would happen if Dalle asked an additional question.

"I see," the Professor said, his tone conveying anger and disappointment. "Mr. Black, detention tomorrow at eight pm with Mr. Filch. Miss Nazyalensky, 20 points from Slytherin for casting on someone who was not your partner." He paused, "And twenty points to Slytherin for being the first to manage the spell."

Cassie nodded in understanding, and soon the rest of the class went back to practicing – Black still sending occasional glares in their direction–and Lily looking like she wanted to him a piece of her mind.

Severus saw that Cassie was still pale and unmoving, and hurriedly walked towards her. "Is everything alright?"

She shook her head, her fingers fluttering at her sides. Her wand had fallen to the floor some time ago, and she still hadn't picked it up.

"Cassie?" he asked, now very worried.

"I h-hur' somebody," Cassie whispered. "I hurt him. I didn't mean to!"

He frowned slightly, not understanding. "He's fine, Cassie. Thank you for protecting me."

That brought a flicker of a smile to her face, but it disappeared moments later. "He fell–loudly. It must have hurt him. I–I don't want to hurt people! I don't want t-to be like–"

He understood then, and his heart squeezed in sympathy. "Cassie, you are nothing like him. Nothing like him at all. Black isn't hurt, see–" he pointed to the still-annoyed boy, "–and what you did, you did in defense of me. You didn't hurt him on purpose, and that's all that matters."

"A-Alright," Cassie said, though she looked unconvinced. "How about–how about you just practice for the rest of class, and not me...okay?"

"Of course," he said, sighing internally with relief, and squeezing her hand. "I'll go do that."

By the end of the class, he, Remus, and several others had finally managed to cast correctly. Personally, he had needed to control the amount of magic that he sent out – which was more difficult than it sounded – but he felt pretty comfortable with the spell, all in all. Cassie hadn't attempted to cast again for the rest, as she had said, still seeming shocked at what had happened. She had, however, congratulated him when his spell forced her wand from her hand.

As they walked out of the classroom together, heading towards the Great Hall for dinner, they overheard a conversation between Lily and Sirius - one which caused them both to smile.

"Sirius Black! How could you have done that?! Severus is my friend, and you tried to curse him?"

"Sorry, Lily," Black tried to calm her down, "It was only supposed to be a prank."

"A prank! In the classroom? We're trying to learn!" their friend exclaimed angrily.

"Alright! Alright! No more pranks in the class," Sirius responded, putting his hands up, then muttering under his breath. "Can't believe I got stupid detention for that."

"You did deserve it," Lily pointed out. "And don't you hurt Sev or Cassie ever again!"

"I promise."