Hey everyone! Hope you've had a nice few weeks, sorry I haven't updated, it has been crazy. I hope anyone who received exam results was pleased! I was accepted into the University of Birmingham, so very excited about that! This chapter shows a revision session with Jane, a talk with Hermione and Ron, and dinner with Severus!

Enjoy and please review :)

The first week of term went quickly for the fifth year students, who were not quite adjusting to the amount of work they would be receiving this year. All of their classes had given them homework in the first lesson, something that had never happened before. They had even received work in Care of Magical Creatures. They had been warned that the work load was increased heavily this year, but they had brushed it off. Hermione, Harry and a few select others were the only prepared ones, and Harry (on his part) could only thank Severus for that.

Harry had elected three extra OWL classes alongside the necessary ones, namely Care of Magical Creatures, Divination and Muggle Studies. His timetable was pretty full, and his homework pile was high. Ron kept complaining at him that he was turning into Hermione 2.0, because during that week he had been starting if not completing homework on the night it was set.

Quidditch practise was about to resume, which he was also incredibly happy about. While Ron's complaining gave him a headache, there was truth to it. He had never spent this much time on his work, and he was looking forward to having another evening activity. The rush that flying gave him as the wind whistled past his ears never failed to cleanse his mind and put him in a more positive mood. He had not been down to his Art Studio during the first week of term, or spoken to Severus all that much, bar their evening parchment relays. He was going to dinner down to the dungeons on Sunday night, therefore, and intended to ask about Umbridge's red quill then.

Meanwhile, his free periods between classes (Thursday and Friday evenings, before Astronomy) were spent with Jane, who he was helping in defence. However, it soon became apparent that Jane did not need help in defence; not with the text they had been given. She was apt at the beginner spells and theory work, which was all Umbridge was inclined to teach them. They spent a few hours Saturday afternoon, therefore, going over past fifth year defensive work, just in case anything came up on the exam. Hermione had been all too happy to lend them her bunch of previous exam papers, happy that Harry was taking his studies seriously.

They had been chatting amicably. It was breaking a lot of barriers in Harry's mind, especially his previous thoughts about the people sorted into Slytherin House. Jane was nothing like Malfoy, Bulstrode, Parkinson, and the rest of the 'darker' crowd.

"What's it like in Slytherin then?" Harry asked her that Saturday, as they sat crowded by exam papers and text books.

Jane looked up from her exam paper, "What do you mean?" She asked, dipping her quill into the inkpot. She made a note next to one of the questions on the paper, and then let her quill sit on the table. She looked at Harry questioningly.

"Just… I don't know, what's it like? Living in the dungeons and all that."

"Are you expecting some graphic tale of how we sacrifice first years and chop them up for potions ingredients?" Jane teased.

Harry grinned, "Maybe three months ago, but not now. I mean it seriously, I'm curious. You've asked me about Gryffindor, it's only fair."

"Do you mean the people or the actual living in the dungeons part?"

"Both."

"I like living in the dungeons, believe it or not." Jane told him, "In our common room, there is a great glass panel so we can see right into the Black Lake. We sit there for hours at a time, watching the merpeople. Some have learned to communicate with them with sign language."

"You wouldn't want to live in one of the Towers then?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't think so. I'm afraid of heights, so that excludes Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. The Hufflepuff common room is quite close to the kitchens, so out of the three I think I would enjoy that the most." Jane grinned at him.

Harry grinned back at her, and then doodled something in ink on the corner of his own paper, "What about the people in Slytherin?"

"Well, I suppose in terms of people, Slytherin is a bit split down the middle. You have the half who is in alliance with you-know-who, and you have the half who isn't. They are pretty equal in size, and you obviously know which side I am on." Jane moved her hair behind her ear, and kept talking, "You can usually tell who is who. Other than that, I would say we are all very loyal to our house, no matter which side of the war we are on, and very respective of the Slytherin code and the man who enforces it. We enjoy being Slytherin, most of the time."

"Most of the time?" Harry repeated.

Jane shrugged, "Even us nice Slytherin's get discriminated against, just because we wear the green and silver ties. No one bothers to get to know us and find out differently. That's why I like this study system so much – I never thought I would be studying with the 'Gryffindor mascot', of all people."

Harry visibly recoiled, a look of disdain on his face, "The what?"

"Oh, that's not what I call you!" Jane rushed to add, "It's just a nickname for you in Slytherin. I can't remember where I heard it, someone not very nice, I am sure. I have never called you that. Well obviously now, but that's in conversation with you, it doesn't count. I didn't mean it."

"Really?" Harry said, unbelieving.

"Harry, honestly, I have never called you that to anyone."

Harry stared at her for a moment, and then picked his quill back up, "We should get back to studying."

Jane looked at him helplessly, realising she had made a mistake. When she grasped that Harry was not going to continue their conversation after that comment, she picked up her quill and resumed her work. Every so often she looked at him from the corner of her eye, but he wouldn't look back.

The rest of their revision session was frosty, and quiet. Neither of them said much, unaware of how to diffuse the tension that now lay between them. Harry did not want to be known as a 'Gryffindor mascot'. Of course he was proud of his house, but 'mascot' had very different connotations. He left Jane in the library after a while. She protested, apologising again. He replied that he knew it wasn't her fault, but left anyway. He kicked stones in the corridors and walked up the stairs with a sombre look on his face.

It wasn't until the next morning, when Harry's trio of Gryffindor friends were doing some Sunday morning revision (Harry and Hermione were writing their essays, Ron was throwing candy into the air and catching it with his mouth), that his mood was noticed.

"Is everything alright Harry?" Hermione asked him, "That's the sixth potions question you have gotten wrong, and you live with the potions professor."

Harry barely let out a chuckle, and shook his head, "Nothing to worry about Hermione. Next question. What, in a cauldron of babbling beverage, would placate the –"

"Come on mate," Ron swung his legs over the side of the sofa so he was sat upright, leaning forward with his arms on his pyjama bottoms, interrupting Harry's question to Hermione, "Is this about Umbridge?"

"No." Harry replied, putting the question card to the back of his notes.

"Severus?" Ron guessed again.

"No." Harry said quickly.

"Oh for peet's sake Harry, we are your friends, just tell us." Hermione said bossily.

Harry sighed, placing his revision notes on the table. Ron and Hermione were always over-interested in his life outside of their friend group. He had never grasped why, though he had his ideas. He had always wondered whether they were just waiting for drama to happen, and didn't want to feel left out if there was something going on. There was always drama happening around Harry.

"I had a sort-of fall out with Jane." He finally told them.

"Define a 'sort-of fall out'." Ron requested.

Harry explained what had happened in the library, and both of his friends looked marginally offended, "She said that she had never personally called me that… She said she heard it from someone who clearly wasn't nice. I don't know… there was this kind of guilty look on her face that made me doubt her."

"That could just be about upsetting you." Hermione pointed out.

"True." Harry agreed.

"It doesn't matter anyone mate. You've just to put up with Jane for the rest of the year and then you'll never have to see her again. Who cares if she thinks you are a mascot or not." Ron scoffed, taking another bite of candy (which had seemed to replace breakfast).

Harry and Hermione both stared at him, "What on earth is that meant to mean? The study system will most likely be in place for the next few years of Hogwarts." Hermione told Ron.

"Well, the study system may go on, but the whole getting along thing won't last forever, will it? The war is coming after all. The ones we've been paired with, they seem alright, but they're still Slytherin's. They're not our friends." Ron said, shrugging.

"Jane's my friend." Harry said defensively.

Ron stared at Harry for a moment, "You promised you wouldn't go making friends with Slytherin's."

"That was before I met one I actually like."

"But she called you a 'mascot'." Ron reminded him, looking irritated.

Harry took a second to take in the tone of Ron's voice, before responding, "She may not have meant it. Jane isn't vindictive, or cruel. She was most likely telling the truth that she had never said it. I probably overreacted."

"Yeh mate, of course, because you sound so convinced." Ron said snidely. The way Ron emphasized the 'so' in his sentence angered Harry. Ron was mocking him.

"Don't make fun of me Ron." Harry told him coldly, "Don't be that friend who gets jealous."

"I'm not jealous!" Ron threw his hands up.

"Really?" Harry questioned, sitting up, "Then why does it bother you so much that Jane and I are friends?"

"Boys come on… Let's get back to –"

"You promised." Ron argued, pointing a finger at Harry's face, "The day you told us about your damned wardship with bloody Snape, in Grimmauld, you promised you would never go making friends with the Slytherin's."

"Well I'm sorry!" Harry yelled, and Hermione was silently thanking Merlin that they were the only ones in the common room at this time on Sunday morning, "But for the record, I have not made friends with 'all the Slytherin's', I have made friends with one of them. She is kind, and sweet, and doesn't ally herself with you-know-who! What the hell is your problem?"

"She could be a spy!"

"Do you hear yourself?!"

"Boys!" Hermione finally snapped, moving to get them apart, holding her arms out between them. As their voices had gotten louder and louder, the two boys had drifted closer and closer, until they were barely half a metre away from one another, screaming in the other's face.

Harry let out a noise of frustration, grabbing his things and making his way up to the dorm room. Ron moved back to lie on the couch, his motions suggesting his annoyance. Hermione sighed, and returned to the girl's dormitory, where her roommates eagerly awaited. They had heard the shouting from upstairs, and were sat on their beds waiting for her.

"Don't ask." Hermione said simply, climbing back under her covers.

HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP

After a day of avoiding Ron and Hermione (the latter of whom obviously hadn't done anything wrong, Harry just wasn't in the mood for one of her lectures on the importance of friendship), Harry made his way down to the dungeons at four o'clock. Severus had said that dinner would be at six, but Harry fancied talking to his guardian for a while, about everything that was going on. He didn't send a message first. Severus had told him that Sunday afternoons were usually spent marking homework's, for all the teachers.

When he arrived at Severus' portrait door, he spoke to Elspeth for a short while. He had the time. The painted snake told him the dungeon's gossip, mainly about who had arrived at the potion master's door in the first week of term. This mostly consisted of home-sick first years and one dark-eyed seventh year that had been senseless enough to get into a fight with his roommate at the end of last year, and had left it unfinished over the summer. Afterwards, Harry told Elspeth the password (Athena) and was let in.

Severus was sat on the sofa in the living room, and looked up with interest when Harry entered their quarters, "You are early." He commented, placing down his paperwork on the table. He looked at Harry with an unsaid request for answers.

"I had a fight with Ron this morning, and one yesterday with Jane. It is safe to say I am avoiding people." Harry told him. Severus raised his eyebrow, but waited until Harry had sat down until he began asking questions.

"Are those two events linked, or coincidentally separate?" Severus asked when Harry had made himself comfortable on the opposite sofa.

Harry shut his eyes, "They are linked, unfortunately. What happened with Jane was just a little dispute, but Ron and I had a full-blown argument this morning that followed what happened with Jane. We haven't yelled at each other like that since the start of the Triwizard Tournament."

Harry recited the events of the past two days, asking if Severus had ever heard the Slytherin's call him a 'mascot'. Severus looked at him sternly but sympathetically, "It was not right of you to be so upset with Jane, that nickname was not her doing. It has been prominent within the Slytherin common room since you were taken onto the Quidditch team in your first year. Many felt it was favouritism, and the 'mascot' name developed there."

"And you never thought to tell me that?"

"I was never in a position to tell you that until now."

"Fine…" Harry groaned, "I will apologise to Jane. What do you think about Ron's comments? He is being unreasonable, isn't he? He can't seriously believe I will give up on my friendship with Jane as soon as the year is over, just because she is Slytherin. That's absurd."

"I cannot disagree with you on that account, Harry. Unfortunately, those in Gryffindor to not face the same scrutiny that those in Slytherin do. It is likely that you, with the media pressure you are put under for the things you say in relation to you-know-who, are one of the only people in a separate house to Slytherin to know how they feel." Severus told him forlornly.

Harry sat up, "I don't understand."

"Slytherin's are discriminated against, whether they are good or they are bad. We are mostly certainly not all evil, but few see us in any other light." Severus explained, "You have been portrayed in many different lights by the media, and you cannot stop that, much like the good Slytherin's are unable to stop people thinking wrong of them."

"It is all so unfair." Harry commented miserably.

"Yes, it is. Unfortunately, I fear there will always be prejudice against Slytherin house. That is a spell that may never be broken."

"But the study system is helping," Harry argued, "With people like me, I get on so well with Jane."

"Yes, and I am rather proud of the fact you have overcome that particular prejudice." Severus told him, half-smiling at his ward before it turned into a frown, "Those, however, who have the views of Mr Weasley, will most likely still carry their prejudice long after they have graduated, and long after the war has been won."

Harry looked at Severus strangely, contemplating the change of conversation, "You think we will win the war?"

Severus bowed his head, "Not to sound too much like Professor Dumbledore, but I believe the purest magic will always overcome the darkest. Love magic, pure magic, is, by its very nature, more powerful than anything bred of contempt."

Harry smiled at the thought, "You are particularly philosophical tonight."

Severus scoffed, "Do not make such jokes at me, I am merely being truthful. I taught you nature magic over the summer; you see what pure magic can do. Tell me I am wrong."

"I wouldn't dare." Harry quipped, and then shielded himself from the flying newspaper. He emerged from under his arms, grinning, "I had something else I wanted to ask you about, actually."

"Oh?" Severus moved towards the kitchen, turning on his muggle kettle to boil some tea, "And pray do tell, what would that be in relation to?"

"When I had detention with Umbridge, earlier in the week, there was this strange red-feathered quill she wouldn't let go of." Harry described, and Severus turned to him with interest, "I mean, the grip that she had on it was insane… I couldn't decide if she was paranoid that I was going to take it off her, or if she was going to make me write with it instead of my own set."

"You are telling me tales of a quill?" Severus asked, slowly.

Harry blushed, "It sounds silly, I know. There was just…"

"What?" Severus pressed.

Harry continued at the insistence, "There was just something about it. Something that drew my eye to it, besides Umbridge's hold on it. I felt as if, wherever it had been in the room, my eyes would have gone to it."

Severus narrowed his eyes, "Describe the quill."

Harry startled slightly, since Severus' tone had changed to be more serious than teasing. He drew on his mental image of the quill, and the quick drawing he had done of it back in the dorm room, "It had a silver tip, at the writing end, and looked very sharp. It was thin, and long, and had something black coiled around the quill where the hand went, I think. The feather was curled and a dark red colour. Ron said that Scribbulus sell red-feathered quills, but it didn't look like any quill I have seen in a shop."

Severus nodded slightly, and then wandlessly summoned a notepad and pen. It always astonished Harry how many muggle inventions (such as the kettle and the pen) Severus kept inside his quarters. The potions master made a clear note of Harry description, and then pocketed the paper, telling Harry he would look into it.

"Now that you have spoken of your troubles, I would like to talk to you about a letter I received last night." Severus said, swiftly changing the subject. He drew a different piece of parchment out of another pocket in his robes, walking back over to where Harry sat.

Harry creased his eyebrows slightly as Severus handed him the letter. His guardian was notoriously private about his own affairs, so Harry was curious about what he was about to become privy to. He unfolded the letter, and read,

Snape,

I know we have never been on friendly terms, I don't intend that to start now. However, I haven't spoken to Harry since he came to Grimmauld in the summer. I am concerned for my godson. If you could tell me how he is, I would be grateful.

Sirius Black.

(Seal of the Ancient and Noble House of Black)

"I always thought his pride was too big to ask for help." Snape commented, when Harry looked up from reading the letter, "Especially help from me. Clearly you are the exception, Harry."

"It doesn't change what he said to me, or how he acted when we last saw each other." Harry said firmly. He started to scrunch the letter up with his hands, when he realised the property was Severus', not his own. His hands released the paper and he handed it back to Severus.

"No, it doesn't. Though, it does show how much he misses you."

"He needs to apologise."

"Would you like me to tell him that? I believe he is expecting an answer, but I thought I should speak with you first about what you would like me to respond with." Severus re-pocketed the letter, patting down the pocket where he had stashed it.

Harry paused, then shook his head, "No, it's something he should do on his own. If he cares that much, he shouldn't have to be pushed. Simply tell him that I am fine, and that my studies are going well. "

Severus inclined his head, "If you wish."

Harry nodded, sunken in thought for a second, before he shook his head and smiled, "So, what's for dinner?"

Severus rolled his eyes at his ward, but then guarded him to the kitchen. Dinner was ratatouille and sausages, apparently one of Severus' favourite meals from when he was a child, and they prepared it together while speaking of how Harry's studies were going. Severus offered advice, and summoned some books from his personal library that he believed Harry would find useful. Harry recognised a few. He had explored Severus' personal library in detail during the summer holidays, considering it held many tomes that the Hogwarts library did not.

They ate slightly earlier than six o clock, since they had begun preparing the dinner earlier. During their meal, they spoke of many different things, including Jane's description of Slytherin house. Soon afterwards, once they had finished clearing the table, Severus drafted his reply to Sirius, so that Harry could look over it.

Black,

Harry is fine. He is enjoying his friends having returned to Hogwarts, and his studies are going well. There has been no trouble regards his pronouncements about you-know-who, and even fewer disagreements regards his wardship under myself. I am taking care of him. There is no reason to be concerned.

Severus Snape.

(Seal of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry)

Harry read it three times before approving it. Severus promised to send it with a Hogwarts owl in the morning, and when Harry questioned the seal at the end of the letter, Severus explained that all the Hogwarts staff sent letters with the Hogwarts seal during term time, even personal letters.

"Being a staff member at one of the most prestigious wizarding schools in the world is seen as a great honour, and therefore we are inclined to use the seal of the school in our letters. Personal or professional." Severus told him, as he rolled up his short response to Sirius, and tied it with a green ribbon.

They spent the evening lounging on the sofas, and Harry asked her for help on a difficult Herbology question that he had brought down with him, specifically to receive advice. Severus gave him notes that would point him in the right direction, but refused to outright give him the answer. Harry understood that that was fair, and took the notes with gratitude.

"It is almost curfew, Harry." Severus informed him, as the clock ticked closer to twenty to ten, "You should leave in a minute, if you want to reach the Gryffindor Tower in time, and avoid the wrath of Mr Filch and Mrs Norris."

Harry chuckled slightly, "Actually, do you mind if I spend the night here? I'll get up early tomorrow so I am in time for breakfast and my lessons."

"You cannot hide from Mr Weasley forever, Harry." Severus replied, knowing exactly what his ward was doing (and Harry had the good grace to look slightly shameful),"But, as long as you are up early enough to be ready and collect your books and have a hearty breakfast, I will allow it."

"Thanks." Harry said, standing and stretching his limbs, "I'm going to spend an hour in the art studio, and then get some sleep. Thank you for talking; do you need another piece of information for the day?"

"That is up to you, you did tell me some things about the Dursley's this evening already."

Severus was getting used to holding his anger when it came to the muggles Harry had spent his childhood with. This evening, when Harry had described the trip to the zoo they had taken before Harry's first year of Hogwarts, and the consequences that had followed, he had come close to breaking point.

Harry thought for a moment, then grinned and said, "Watching Hagrid bend Vernon's gun was the funniest thing my eleven-year-old-self had ever seen."

Severus watched Harry collect the books he had been lent, and retreat into his room. After his ward's bedroom door had been firmly shut, Severus stood, and went into his study. He used his wand to unlock the charms on a particularly well-guarded cupboard, and reached in to take out a long, rectangular box at the back. He waved the door shut before opening the lid.

On the red velvet cushion sat a quill with a silver tip at the writing end. It was thin, and long, and had a soft black material coiled around the quill where the hand went. The feather was curled and was a dark red colour.

Severus stared at the quill for a number of seconds, and then closed the box's lid. He placed it back into the back of the cupboard, replaced the maximum protection charms, and left the room. He would look into why Professor Umbridge had a blood quill in the morning.