A/N: Written for Frumpologists Wheel of Doom Chaos Fest! Thank you so much to Frump for all her hard work on putting this amazing fest together! We were allowed to choose our levels of chaos and I chose ultimate chaos with a side of chaos, haha! My prompts were: Cormac McLaggen, Eileen Prince, Filius Flitwick, Fluff, Fluff but make it 8th year, "Why did someone just say they ship us?", Someone can't stop sparkling, and Story starts with hairbrush lip-syncing. Phew, that's a lot of prompts. Hopefully I fulfilled them all.

Grammarly kindly beta'd this for me. All mistakes are mine.

Enjoy!

If you liked this (or hated it) let me know about it in a review! You can find me on Tumblr at crochetawayhpff or Facebook at Shan Crochetaway. Enjoy!

Summary: Eileen Prince spent the years after her husband died ensconced in the Muggle world, earning her doctorate in psychology. She comes back to the wizarding world in time to be hired as the mind-healer for Hogwarts the year after the war. While her goal is to ensure all of the students at Hogwarts have access to therapy to heal from the wounds of war, she can't help but hope that perhaps she'll be able to reconnect with Severus again.

Pairing: Gen - Eileen Prince

Rating: G

Warnings: Fluff, Hogwarts 8th Year, Mental Health Issues, PTSD Mentions

Hope For the Future

Eileen Prince wandered down the west corridor, searching for the room being guarded by the portrait of three Hippogriffs drinking tea. Headmistress McGonagall wrote directions down, but Eileen had been up and down the corridor, and still can't find the correct portrait. Though, it did sound like someone down this way was having a good time. The Weird Sisters latest album was blasting, filtering out into the corridor. It was at its loudest, just as Eileen caught sight of a Hippogriff in an otherwise empty portrait.

"Teatime!" Eileen shouted at it, relieved when the portrait opened just as the Hippogriff fled again and the sound of the Weird Sisters boomed out at her. Was there some sort of welcoming committee that McGonagall forgot to tell her about? She entered what were supposed to be her quarters for the year to see a young man wearing nothing but a pair of maroon pants and lip-syncing his heart out into a hair brush. The sight honestly brought a smile to Eileen's face. She knew her work this year would be difficult, but it warmed her soul to see someone his age enjoying himself.

A goofy smile was on the young man's face as he lip-synced, eyes closed, head back, wailing along with the lead singer. It was enough to turn her smile into a full-blown grin. She decided not to interrupt him, unless he decided to also take off his pants, but she didn't think he was going to do that. He was having too much fun just singing and dancing around.

When the song ended, he opened his eyes and looked at her. She assumed he yelped, but the music was so loud that she couldn't quite hear him. He hurried to the record player and shut it off, shrugging on a robe at the same time.

"Can I, uh, help you?" he asked.

"Maybe," Eileen tilted her head and studied him. "Why are you in my quarters?"

"These are mine?" the young man responded, sounding unsure and glancing around as if all of his belongings were suddenly missing.

"Ah, it seems the Headmistress has double booked us. I'm afraid I don't know you, I'm Eileen Prince." She held out her hand and he shook it firmly.

"Cormac McLaggen, I'm Flitwick's Apprentice," he told her.

"I'm the mind-healer they've hired this year to help the students who've been through the war the last few years. You look rather young, were you here during the war?"

Cormac's face turned bright red and he mumbled something under his breath, not quite meeting her eye.

"It's alright, dear, you can tell me," Eileen assured him. "Whatever you say to me goes no further."

"I wasn't here, in Britain, during the war. I graduated two years ago and my parents sent me away last year," he admitted, still looking sheepish.

"Well, that's nothing to be embarrassed about. War is difficult and there's no shame in making the decision not to participate. Probably better for your overall mental health anyway," Eileen said giving him a comforting smile.

Cormac gave her a relieved look and Eileen's heart clenched for him. If only she had the wherewithal to have sent her own son out of the country twenty-some years ago. She might not be here, things between her and Severus might not be as they were today. It made her sad that she hadn't found her strength until after Tobias had died. Perhaps, that was meant to be though.

"Well, I'll get out of your hair and go find the Headmistress to see if we can get this figured out," Eileen said. "Sorry to have interrupted, however, it warmed my heart to see someone your age so carefree. I have a feeling there won't be much of that this year."

"I'll go with you," Cormac offered.

"You're too kind," Eileen patted his arm as he held it out for her and they made their way up to the fifth floor and the Headmistress's office. Eileen asked Cormac questions about himself along the way, she got the feeling he was a young man who didn't mind talking about himself and she wasn't wrong. He chattered to her the whole way up.

"Madam Prince! Mr McLaggen, what can I do for you?" Minerva asked as they came across her just outside of her office.

"I fear there has been a mixup with my and Cormac's quarters," Eileen said. "He's already settled into the quarters being guarded by the tea-drinking Hippogriffs."

"Oh, oh dear," Minerva touched her head, closing her eyes. "I apologize Madam Prince—"

"Please, call me Eileen," she interrupted with a kind smile. "I know you have a lot on your plate. Are their other living quarters in that corridor? Perhaps Cormac and I can go exploring."

"Yes, excellent idea," McGonagall nodded. "Find Filius, he has all the passwords and can help you with the house-elves."

"I'll take you to Professor Flitwick," Cormac said. "I know his favorite research hideout in the library."

"Lead the way," Eileen beamed up at him. She ignored the way her heart twinged at the thought of her own son, surely he was here in the castle as well, but they hadn't been on speaking terms in so long, that she actually wasn't sure. She hadn't the heart to ask Minerva.

Coming to Hogwarts to be the mind-healer wasn't about reconnecting with Severus, though she couldn't help if a small part of her hoped that they would be able to put the past behind them. As long as her being here didn't upset him too badly. He was always the prickly sort, but it was a big castle, if he was that upset about it, they could avoid each other easily.

"You know, you remind me of someone," Cormac said as they entered the library. He turned a thoughtful gaze to him and she patted his arm.

"That's kind dear." She hoped he didn't figure it out, the last thing she needed was someone to know before Severus knew.

As they passed under one of the high windows in the library, Cormac stopped dead in his tracks and looked curiously at her. "Are...are you sparkling?"

Eileen stifled a laugh and held up her hand under the sunlight where sure enough, she was sparkling.

"It appears to be the side effect of my Anti-PTSD Charm," Eileen told him. "I'm trying to find a way to stop the sparkling. The first iteration had me sparkling in all lights," she laughed, "but I was able to make it so that I only sparkle in direct sunlight. Perhaps Filius and you can help me with this project?"

"What's Anti-PTSD?" Cormac asked.

Eileen frowned. The lack of mental health awareness in the wizarding world was an epidemic that she was trying her best to fight. So she explained to him the basics of PTSD, how many people would likely have it coming back this year, and how she was working on developing spells to help with the symptoms. "PTSD can't be cured, not permanently, but with several of the spells I have created, we can at least nullify most of the worst symptoms."

"It sounds like a very interesting project," Cormac said, "I know of a few charms that cause sparkles, perhaps we could incorporate some of their anti-charms into your Anti-PTSD work?"

"That's a possibility," Eileen said as they rounded a corner and stumbled on Filius. Books were stacked taller than him as he bent over a desk.

"Professor Flitwick," Cormac said with a cough, interrupting his mentor.

"Cormac! Good to see you, didn't think we were meeting quite this early though," Filius said with a glance at his pocket watch.

"Sorry to disturb you," Cormac explained why they were there and Filius brightened.

"Well, I could use a break anyway," he said as he led them off to the third floor to figure out which quarters would suit Eileen.

The students weren't due to arrive for another week, which for Eileen's part at least meant she had plenty of time to set up her office. Every student, regardless of age or status in the war was due to meet with her at least three times, and she was hoping she would be able to coax most of them into meeting with her more often. It meant a heavy load, but Eileen was never one to shy away from work.

It surprised her, though to see that Severus barely showed up for mealtimes and when he did, he offered her no more than a glare. She supposed she looked somewhat different, but her heart hurt a little at the idea that maybe her son didn't recognize her after all these years.

Two days before students were due to arrive, she finally gathered the courage to go track him down in the dungeons. She was a Slytherin in her own time as well but had never considered the dungeons much of a home, so she was a little baffled that Severus spent all his time down here. The more she thought about it—the Slytherins living in literal dungeons, hardly seeing the sun unless they went outside—she didn't like it. It was one of the many things she would have to petition to change. Perhaps it might even be something she and Severus could bond over. The idea of bonding with her adult son made her heart warm.

She knocked on his office door and it opened under her touch. "Severus?" she said as she pushed the door open. He was hunched over his desk, working on lesson plans, and sent a glare her way.

"Can I help you?" he grunted, keeping his head bent over his desk and refusing to make eye contact.

Eileen frowned at him. She entered, closing the door behind her, and sat in one of his visitor's chairs, clasping her hands in her lap. "It would be highly unethical for me to be your mind-healer, Severus, but I would encourage you to see somebody."

"Mum," he hissed out, his glare becoming icy. "I thought we settled this years ago."

That tiny Mum was everything and it was nothing. Everything in that he knew who she was and acknowledged their relationship and nothing with the bitterly cold way he spat the word.

"I'm pretty sure the only thing settled years ago was your father's death," Eileen said calmly. She wasn't trying to slip into therapist mode, but Severus was so damaged, by her, by his father, by living through two wars, she almost couldn't help herself. "You pushed me away to keep me out of the eyes of the Death Eaters, and I do appreciate that. But they are all gone now."

"And I've lived more than twenty years without a mum," Severus responded chillily. "I don't think I need one now."

"No, but maybe you'd like one," Eileen offered, giving him the most tentative of smiles.

His frown became slightly less chilly and he sighed. "I wouldn't know what to do with one," he admitted. He leaned back in his chair and let his gaze settle over her.

"I might have an idea or two." Eileen broke out into a full grin then. "It's good to see you."

"You as well," he admitted. "I have to confess, I thought you may have died. I looked for you—"

Eileen nodded, it was her turn to sigh heavily. "I didn't want to be found. I immersed myself in the Muggle world. I earned my doctorate in psychology. And after the second war. When I knew the Dark Lord was gone for good, I couldn't help myself. I had to come back and provide any assistance I could."

"It will be good to have you here," Severus said, his shoulders slumped and he rested one elbow on the desk, rubbing the spot between his eyebrows. "It's not been easy for this crop of students, particularly the eighth years. Potter's year mates."

"Potter," Eileen murmured. "Like his father, isn't he?"

"Arrogant. Thinks he knows it all, yes, very much like his father," Severus mused. "Though, he's much like his mother too. Too smart for his own good, and sassy. More sass than brains."

"Ah, that does sound like Lily." Eileen bit back a smile, pleased to see that Severus could talk of his old friend and her child with such ease. There was a hint of bitterness to his voice, but no real anger or rage. "I look forward to meeting him and his friends."

"Imbeciles, the lot of them," Severus told her. "But they've been through more than most people twice their age. They'll need both a normal year and delicate handling..."

"I'm familiar with some of what's gone on. Though perhaps you could fill me in on what I'm missing?" Eileen tried not to sound hopeful, but she was sure she failed. The last thing she wanted was Severus to think she was desperate for him, desperate for a relationship with him. And though part of her was, she was doing her best to take what he was willing to give.

He nodded thoughtfully. "I think that could be arranged." Then he narrowed his eyes at her. "Mum, are you sparkling?"

The start of the school year went about as well as it could go. There was a bit more crying on the first day than in years past. First years were notorious for crying in the first few days, but this year it was the sixth through eighth years who were responsible for most of the tears. It made sense, they were the ones who were most affected by the war. It didn't help that there were more ghosts this year. Another project for Eileen to add to her ever-growing list. If she could get one or two of the younger, newer ghosts to move on, perhaps that would make things a little better for the rest of the students.

As much as she loved her son, she was thankful that she wasn't introduced by Minerva as his mother. The staff all knew now, of course, but it would only help her reputation with the students if they were unaware of the connection. It wasn't until the third week of school that she overheard a phrase she had to find someone and ask them about.

"Cormac? Do you know what shipping is?" Eileen asked late one afternoon in the staff room.

"Shipping? As in the carting of goods?" Cormac looked confused, which Eileen had figured out wasn't hard for him to do.

She laughed. "I don't think that's the context it was used. Earlier today I overheard a student say that perhaps Severus and I should be shipped together, that it might improve Severus's attitude."

Cormac threw his head back and laughed. Eileen had a faint smile on her face, though she wasn't quite sure what was so funny.

"Care to share?" she asked calmly.

"Oh, Godric," Cormac giggled. "Shipping in that context is short for relationship and is generally the term for a romantic relationship. He's saying that you and Professor Snape should be in a romantic relationship. And well..." he trailed off, still laughing, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Oh," Eileen said, her smile slipping from her face. "That's awkward. I'll have to think about this."

Cormac nodded, breaking off into giggles again as Eileen left the staff room. She was happy with the students not knowing her relationship with Severus. So far, it had made her meetings with students a pleasure, but she was sure once they found out her relationship to the most cantankerous professor on staff, it may start to color their view of her and that she definitely didn't want. Therapy was only as good as the effort the patients put into it, and the entire student body had fairly negative associations with Severus. Though, perhaps that was another thing she could add to her ever-growing list of things to change about Hogwarts and the wizarding world at large.

Despite the ever-growing list, Eileen didn't feel discouraged by it all. She was excited to be back in the wizarding community after so many years away and excited to contribute in truly meaningful ways to the future of that community. She hoped that by setting up shop at Hogwarts, they could continue to offer psychological services long after she felt her work here was done.

By the time Halloween rolled around, Eileen was feeling more in the groove with the school year and felt she had a good rapport with most of the students. Unfortunately, she was still sparkling. Her experiments with Cormac and Filius weren't bearing any fruit. The Anti-PTSD Charm was a good one, but she knew with the sparkling side-effect that she couldn't in good conscious cast it on anyone else.

She was only a little disappointed with this development though because despite knowing a spell could help, like therapy, the spell only helped with certain aspects of the condition. PTSD was for life, even in the wizarding world. It could be managed with therapy and time and the reduction of triggers, but there was always a chance it would resurface again. The triggers were why she was trying to treat with a spell, to begin with, though if the spell wasn't going to work, maybe she needed to try a different avenue.

Eileen considered her options as she walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast. It was a bright, sunny day and she sparkled as she walked under the windows. The students were used to it now though and didn't bat an eye as she passed them.

If a spell wasn't going to work, perhaps she could talk to Severus about his thoughts on helping her develop a potion? Potions weren't really her area of expertise, so it had always mildly surprised her that Severus was so adept with them. She was much better at charms, which was why she had developed the Anti-PTSD Charm instead of a potion. She would have to think more about whether working with Severus was going to be worth potentially harming their tenuous relationship. It could bring them even more together, but there was an equally likely chance that it could irreparably harm their relationship.

It was a tricky situation, but Eileen believed in the viability of treatment for the triggers caused by PTSD. So it was worth introducing a topic that could set her relationship with Severus back if it meant helping the hundreds of people in the wizarding world who were harmed by the two wars.

The Great Hall was decorated for the holiday already and Eileen smiled as she took them all in. It brought up her own memories of Hogwarts and she was glad she had tucked her gift for Severus in her robes. When he was little they used to always exchange small gifts on Halloween and even when he went to Hogwarts, she always made sure to owl him something. It was a small tradition that, she hoped he remembered. But she certainly wasn't going to be upset if he didn't.

The seat to the left of Severus was open, so she took it, giving a smile to Filius on one side and greeting Severus with a small, "Hello."

"Here," he said gruffly passing her a potion bottle. It was unlabeled so she lifted an eyebrow at him. "Should stop the... sparkling," he sneered, his lip curling as he looked at her. Under the charmed roof of the Great Hall, she sparkled almost as much as if she were to stand outside in direct sunlight.

"Severus, thank you!" Eileen said happily, picking up the bottle. "I've something for you too."

She pulled out the small package she had tucked into her robes and set it next to his plate. Severus frowned, looking at it, then looked up at her. "I didn't think you would remember."

Eileen gave him a warm smile and patted his arm. "Of course, I remembered."

Severus nodded and swallowed hard. He reached for the package and opened it to find a pair of hand-knitted socks inside. They were black and decorated with tiny white bats. Eileen hoped he appreciated the joke.

She was slightly alarmed when his face went red and she braced herself, expecting him to begin shouting. But in a move that equally surprised and delighted her, he slid an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. "Thanks, Mum."

If hearts could grow in size, Eileen's had just grown at least three times. She wiped the tears that threatened to spill and beamed up at him.

"That's enough of that," he muttered and tucked the socks into the pocket of his robes.

As happy as Eileen was about the development with Severus, the jig was up with the students. Those sitting nearest to them had clearly heard everything and by the time lunch rolled around it was common knowledge that cool, bubbly Madame Prince was actually Professor Snape's mother.

It was for the best, though. Eileen was happy to correct any student who questioned her, and soothe those brave enough to say something loud enough for Severus to hear. The bonus was that the anti-sparkling potion worked like a charm. And an idea was born out of that. Perhaps the Anti-PTSD charm was fine how it was, and it just needed to be paired with the anti-sparkling potion.

She'd have to run some experiments, which she couldn't do on underage students, but it was a promising route and she definitely had some hope for the future.

~Fin~