Author's note:

The school year will probably first start in part 3. I hope you enjoy!

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Year 6 Part 1 (chapter 29)

Word count: 2.1k

Warning: Receiving of the Dark Mark

It's July and it's quite hot in the neighbourhood of Spinner's End. Most people are outside, enjoying the beautiful weather.

Except for the Potions Master of Hogwarts - he's sitting on his couch, taking a sip of his firewhiskey while reading a book.

It's not just any book - it's the book his favourite student gave him for his birthday a year and a half ago.

He has read it many times, and yet he loves the experience whenever he reads it. It's definitely his favourite book.

He suddenly hears a tap on his window.

As he looks up from his book, he notices an owl. Severus raises an eyebrow. Who in Merlin's name has sent him a message? The Dark Lord nor Albus would call him by owl.

He can only think of three people who know where he lives - the Malfoys.

Sighing, he puts down his book before rising up from the couch. He walks towards the window and lets the brown owl inside.

As the bird flies inside, Severus takes a good look at it. He has never seen this owl before - did the Malfoys buy another one?

When the owl signals with its leg for the man to grab the letter, Severus does so. He then inspects it.

"To Severus Tobias Snape, Spinner's End. From Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, Y/L/N Manor" it says on the envelope.

He looks at it in disbelief. Did Y/N really send him a letter? How did she get his address? He decides to finally open it, immediately reading it over and over.

--

"Dear Severus,

I hope you are well. I already miss Potions classes, in fact so much that I have read all of my Potions books a few times.

Anyway, you are probably wondering how I got your address. I asked Draco. I really hope you don't mind, but if you do, I promise I won't write again.

I'm writing to you because I want to invite you to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.

I hope this isn't inappropriate, it's just that you do so much for us, so I thought it was time that somebody did something for you, and I thought perhaps you would like a drink.

If you would like that, you can owl me a date and time. I completely understand if you don't want to nor have time.

I hope you have a good summer so far.

Sincerely,

Y/N"

--

Severus can't help but let the corner of his lips turn upwards as if smiling. He finds it amusing that she misses Potions so much that she has read through all of her books.

He definitely doesn't mind her writing to him, he might have to thank Draco next time he sees the boy.

He sits down at the dinner table before levitating a piece of parchment and a quill. He then writes back.

--

"Dear Y/N,

Thank you for your letter. It came as a surprise, but a nice one nonetheless.

You must really miss Potions classes, huh? Well, I can recommend you a few books as well as a difficult potion to brew. I think you will find that Felix Felicis is indeed difficult, however, I know you can do it with ease as you are quite talented.

I do not mind you writing to me. Quite the opposite, in fact. As for the Leaky Cauldron, I would love to meet you there. How about this Thursday at two in the afternoon?

My summer so far is nice and quiet. I do prefer peaceful days by reading a book and brewing a potion. I do hope yours is good as well so far.

Best regards,

Severus"

--

As he finishes writing the letter, he looks at the brown owl. "So you are Y/N's owl, huh?" he asks the bird. The owl hoots happily, nodding its head.

"Well, would you like some food?" he offers. He usually doesn't pay much attention to the owls delivering letters, but since it's Y/N's owl, he's making an exception.

As the animal nods its head, Severus levitates a piece of bread. He breaks off a few small pieces and feeds it to the bird. It gratefully hoots once it's done eating.

He also levitates a bowl filled with water. The owl drinks it up.

Once the water is gone, the owl jumps closer to Severus, nuzzling his arm as if saying "Thanks".

Not knowing what to do, Severus clears his throat. "You are... welcome. Do bring this to Y/N" he says as he ties his letter to the owl's leg.

Nodding, the owl flies out the window with the letter attached to its leg.

Severus chuckles to himself. What an... adorable owl.

--

The next day, Severus is once again reading the book. This time, he's doing it while drinking coffee. Yes, he's drinking coffee while it's hot outside.

He can't wait to meet Y/N in a few days. He just hopes it won't be awkward as they will be among other people.

Most people would probably agree that a student and a teacher seeing each other during the summer isn't appropriate.

Well, he doesn't care about that. There's no harm in talking to a student over a drink.

He suddenly feels pain in his left arm. He sighs in annoyance. What does the Dark Lord want now?

Severus reluctantly puts down the book, gets up from the couch and apparates to Malfoy Manor. Once he's there, he's met by the Dark Lord and all the Death Eaters.

Well, all the Death Eaters who aren't in Azkaban.

"Ah, Severus, there you are. As Lucius isn't here, you may take his seat" the Dark Lord says as he gestures to the seat between Narcissa and Draco.

Nodding, Severus does as he says. They are all gathered at the dinner table. On the opposite side, Severus notices Y/N's father.

The Dark Lord rises from his seat, gaining everyone's attention.

"As you all know, Lucius and the others who were on the previous mission are still in Azkaban. I will get them out once the time is right. How unfortunate that Lucius isn't here today as it involves his son" he says as he looks at Draco with his cold eyes.

The boy looks down at the table while Narcissa looks distressed.

Severus looks confused for a few seconds. What will happen to the boy?

"Today, Draco will join us as he receives the Dark Mark" the Dark Lord announces.

Bellatrix, who's sitting next to Narcissa, smirks as she looks proud. She probably believes there is no greater honour than getting the Dark Mark and showing one's loyalty to the Dark Lord.

"My boy, come here" he hisses.

Gulping, Draco slowly rises from his seat and steps towards him.

"Your arm" he demands.

The boy slowly reaches out his arm as the Dark Lord grabs it. He puts a finger on Draco's forearm while he mutters something in Parseltongue.

As the Dark Mark burns into his skin, the boy screams in pain while tears leave his eyes.

Narcissa instinctively rises from her seat to go and comfort her son.

Severus however stops her in time. "Don't. He will just punish you" he whispers in a warning tone.

Narcissa has tears in her eyes as she can't do anything to help her son.

Once it's over, the Dark Lord lets go of the boy. "Congratulations, Draco. You are now one of us. I'm sure Lucius is proud" he says, smiling evilly.

"T-thank you, m-my Lord" Draco says, his voice cracking.

Still having tears in his eyes, the boy retreats to his seat. Severus however stops him as he quickly takes his seat instead so the boy can sit next to his mother.

As he does so, Draco gives his Godfather a grateful look before hugging his mother who shushes him.

Nobody seems to notice, not even the Dark Lord. Thank Merlin for that.

Speaking of the devil, he now looks at Y/N's father. Severus' face turns rather pale.

"So, Y/F/N," the Dark Lord starts.

"Your daughter must be the same age as Draco. Y/N is her name, correct?" he asks.

Y/N's father gulps before nodding. "That is correct, my Lord" he says.

The Dark Lord gives a nasty smile. "Well, I think we know who will be the next to join us-" he says just as the man interrupts him.

"Please, not my daughter, my Lord! I beg you! She cannot join us, she has too many responsibilities in school!" the man pleads, trying to reason with him.

Raising a non-existing eyebrow, the Dark Lord turns his gaze to Severus.

"What is your verdict, Severus? You are after all her Head of House" he says, waiting for his opinion.

Severus has an unreadable expression. "I do believe joining us would distract her, my Lord. The girl has a lot of potential and ruining her education would be most unfortunate as she is a very bright student" he states, hoping the Dark Lord will consider his words.

He would hate it if she was forced into this like Draco.

After a long moment of silence, the Dark Lord nods. Very well. I will not make your daughter take my mark, Y/F/N. You have Severus to thank that for" he tells the man.

"The meeting is over" he hisses, signalling them all to leave. They all immediately do so.

While Narcissa guides a distressed Draco upstairs, Severus confronts somebody he has been meaning to talk to for a long time - Y/N's father.

He strolls towards the man before he can leave. "You haven't told your daughter, have you?" he questions.

Y/N's father sighs in frustration. "Correct, I haven't. And I won't - she doesn't need to know" he says, a bit aggressively.

Severus raises an eyebrow at that. "She will find out sooner or later. You can't hide the truth forever" he states.

The man huffs. "What are you going to do? Are you going to tell her, huh? I will make sure that she will never know. You don't understand, the truth will destroy her" he shouts.

Severus sighs in irritation. The longer they wait, the more damage it will do.

"Maybe I will tell her" Severus merely says, looking serious.

Y/N's father laughs in disbelief. "Oh, really? I don't think you will. You are the one who she has been sending a letter to, aren't you? I don't know what you think you are doing, but let me give you a good advice - stay away from my daughter" he says through gritted teeth.

Severus raises an eyebrow. Why in Merlin's name is he acting like this?

"I can assure you, I will not stay away from your daughter as she is in fact one of my students. Besides, we have become friends over the last few years - there's not much you can do about it. By the way, you are welcome" he says, referring to the man not thanking Severus for helping his daughter.

Huffing, the man quickly turns around and disapparates.

As Severus is in deep thought about what just happened, he doesn't notice someone approaching him.

"I have never liked him, neither has Mother and Father" Draco says, looking disgusted.

"Draco? I thought you were upstairs. How is the arm, by the way?" Severus asks, looking at his Godson.

Draco huffs. "I was, but I noticed you talking to Y/N's father, so I sneaked downstairs without Mother noticing me. And my arm is fine, it doesn't hurt anymore. I heard everything, by the way" he admits.

Severus looks puzzled. "You did, huh? What is the man's problem?" he questions.

Draco snorts. "He probably just wants to protect his little girl by pretending not to be a Death Eater" he says, shrugging.

"She will have to know sooner or later" Severus mutters, sighing.

"Well, are you going to tell her, then?" Draco asks, smirking as he knows his Head of House won't do that.

His Godfather huffs. "Maybe I will. By the way, I guess I should thank you for giving her my address" he says, giving a warning look.

The boy's smirk widens. "You are welcome, professor. And don't worry, she's the only one who I have given it to. So, when are you two meeting?" he asks.

Severus raises an eyebrow at him. "This Thursday. How did you know?" he questions, wondering if she told him.

Draco gives an innocent look. "Oh, sorry, Mother is calling. I should probably head upstairs. Have fun on Thursday, professor!" the boy says, looking smug as he heads upstairs.

Looking confused, Severus is deep in thought as he apparates back to Spinner's End. What does the boy know that he doesn't?