Hey everyone,
Well, it looks like I needn't have worried. Lily's side of this chapter was already quite great and only needed little bits of editing and adding here and there. Just the dialogue and reactions to the chapter alone were already enough to create a nice, fine picture of what her life as a teacher at Campbrina was like, which I am happily surprised about.
Let's have fun,

Venquine1990


Chapter 20
Riku Reads, Lily Reads

28th of January 1996
Destiny's Haven
Riku's POV

I love the playfulness of my mate, yet I am quite sure that the upcoming chapter is going to be hard as it is dedicated to someone who seems to have a seriously unfair grudge against the little brother of my best friend and as much as I hate it, a grudge like that reminds me of how I had been behaving to Sora throughout our first adventure.
The facts that I had a grudge against him for having supposedly replaced me for Donald and Goofy and then after that for having the Keyblade and even getting it back at the near end of the adventure are facts that I know I need to watch from Sora's POV in order for me to, perhaps, let go off it and feel better about myself again.
Then I shake my head and think to myself: "I don't need to think like that. Sora not only forgave me, he loves me and he is my mate. He and I are bonded through his heritage and the only thing that the movies will do is bring us closer together." And with those self-uplifting thoughts do I turn my focus on the book in my hand.

Lily's POV

James had come back from the power of Lady Destiny with a great sense of happiness and pride and he had happily enjoyed telling us all about the hour the great powerful deity had given him alongside his family, as well as telling us about Harry actually having a mate from another world who went by the name of Lea.
Molly had questioned him in such a way it almost felt like an interrogation, but James was too high on the experience he just went through to really notice. He had just happily answered some of her questions and ignored others in favor of gushing over the hour he got to spent in the other realm, which is apparently called Destiny's Haven.
The man had given us incredible descriptions of what Sora, Riku and Lea looked like and expressed his delight over the visit several times throughout his tale and more often than not we had to get him back on track with the story as he had lost himself in gushing over how wonderful his family was and how great it had been to have been in their presence again after so many years.
All of us had greatly enjoyed his tale, me a little more than the others because I saw James after we left and while Albus had only been able to hear it through the fireplace and his House-elves casting spells to keep his body from growing uncomfortable, had he happily accepted our request to retell this story to the rest of the school and those close to Harry and Sirius over there.

Yet while all of that had been amazing and while, after this, James, Remus and I had again reconvened in the room Molly Weasley had given James and me – regardless of the fact that we're not married, but bonded as siblings – has something happened that we really hadn't been expecting, even with our knowledge of the Lady's powers.
James had told us of how Harry and the others were actually reading books about Harry's life – and tried explaining us about the movies, which he didn't fully understand and which, eventually, I explained to everyone else – yet none of us had expected for parts of at least one of the books to suddenly appear before me.
Yet just the first page had intrigued and interested me and I had read a few parts of each page, the reading making me feel worried and wary and while I had avoided reading names other than those I knew Harry was familiar with, had I stopped after a few pages and asked: "Remus, who currently teaches Potions class?"
And while James had been confused, had Remus cringed before looking away, making me repeat his name in question before he mutters: "Severus – Severus Snape. And – and he is definitely not the man you remember, Lily." Here I sigh as I had kind of expected that and I mutter: "Well, a gift's a gift." Before I start reading.

The Potions … his scar?"

This part alone confuses me and Remus sighs as he says: "Harry has a famous lightning bolt scar as a constant reminder of how he supposedly became an orphan all those years ago. Needless to say, that fame has gone to everyone's head – but his." And while this makes me feel proud of the boy that is my nephew, do I read on.

Riku's POV

"Urgh, I swear that scar's more famous than any talent known to my family." Harry groans in utter irritation and Sora whistles as he says: "Getting recognized only by a mark on the face. That's just serious tough luck." And Harry mutters: "Don't I know it. And why the face anyway?" And as I simply cannot answer, do I read on.

Whispers followed … again, staring.

"Didn't that cause them to be late for class or something?" Sora asks and Harry groans as he says: "Yeah, it did. Some of the more stricter teachers even had facial expressions that said leave before I put you all in detention." This shocks even me and I ask: "They wanted to put you in detention for them being late?"
And Harry answers: "No, for my scar disrupting classes. I swear to this day, the only reason they didn't was because it was our first week at the castle. Had it happened this year or last, I would have had detention for a week to longer." And while I can barely believe how utterly ridiculous that sounds, do I read on.

Harry wished … at Hogwarts:

Lily's POV

"He counted?" James asks shocked and Remus and I answer: "It's in the pamphlets on the message board." This shocks the man and I look at Remus, who turns red and says: "Muggle raised. The whole furry little problem was my closest encounter with magic other than Hogwarts." Here I nod at the man and smile as I read on.

wide, sweeping … a lot.

"That's mostly thanks the moving staircases. Those are actually guided by the magic of those inside of it, so on the first few days it always gets a power boost and goes haywire – to the annoyance and confusion of all new first years. Huh, it's tradition." Sirius shrugs in the end Harry hums as he says: "I never knew that." As I read on.

The people … for class.

Lily's POV

"You know, I don't think Pads and I ever properly thanked you for keeping Peeves under wraps for all those years, Moony old pall." James tells his friend, which shocks and confuses me and Remus sighs as he asks: "If you believe you never did, then what were that new wardrobe, those countless book vouchers and that annual new writing set?"
Yet Remus walked right into that one as James starts counting down and says: "New wardrobe, have you even met my mum? The countless books; we were teens and we were grateful, yet we sucked at showing it. And with grateful I mean for more than just Peeves. Annual writing set; those were birthday gifts, you dolt."
And Remus actually slaps himself over the head as he says: "They were always several days to a week late." At this I want to glare at my brother, yet James rolls his eyes and says: "Remus, remember my 13th birthday? Sirius was a godforsaken month late. It was just how we were back then." And the man sighs resigned as I read on.

He would … first morning.

Riku's POV

"That has got to be a new record!" Sirius mutters shocked, but then Harry groans and says: "It was a dumb bloody accident. Though now that I know about that power boost, I blame the staircases of the Grand Staircase. Back then I thought it was just us being clueless little firsties." And this definitely has me read on in intrigue.

Filch found … third floor.

Lily's POV

"There was a corridor that was out of bounds in Harry's first?" James asks and Remus hums as he says: "I think I remember that. I had reason to be at the castle in Harry's third and – a few times – I heard Hagrid mention that corridor. It was mostly in anger and – well, Sirius can be glad he is where he is, to be honest."
"What does that mean?" I can't help but ask and Remus sighs as he says: "Listen, guys. The – the Order may know the truth about Sirius, but – but the world believes a lie. And – back then, so did Hagrid and – so did I." This shocks us and James whispers: "Wow, someone tricked Moony." The man nods and I read on.

He wouldn't … was passing.

Riku's POV

"Why would a teacher be passing a forbidden corridor only 24 hours after the Headmaster said it was forbidden?" Sora asks and Sirius mutters: "Maybe to keep back the more rebellious students?" Yet I shake my head at this as just the mention of this man makes me feel as if I am smelling some kind of stench and I whisper:
"He smells of darkness." Making the others look at me and I say: "I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but – it's almost as if his very name has a stench of darkness attached to it. I – I can't really explain it." Yet then Harry says: "You don't need to; the story will." And I nod at him with a smile before I continue reading.

Filch owned … good kick.

"So I guess those are like the members of high school faculty that everyone just grows to hate?" Sora asks and Harry says: "Yeah, though in the next book you will get to know a little more about him." "Why not this book?" Sora asks and Harry mutters: "I had others catch my attention." Which makes me read on intrigued.

And then, … mixed up.

Lily's POV

"I don't remember this professor Sprout, but at the same time, I really can't believe that they kept Binns for that long. Wasn't there a petition made between Houses to just let him move on or something going on?" James asks incredulously and then Remus sighs and asks: "James, that petition got destroyed, remember?"
Yet James seems to have forgotten this as he leans back against his headboard with his arms crossed and Remus asks: "The fire of '74? The only time Voldemort actually managed an attack on Hogwarts? The attack that –." And then James sighs and says: "That cost Eleanor Slim her life. Yeah, now I remember, Moony, thanks."

The man nods and I close my own eyes in pain before James shocks me as he says: "I do believe she was the first girl Sirius ever had a crush on, wasn't she? Didn't her death scar him into dating as many girls as possible before anything happened to them?" And while I look at the two, does Remus sigh and nod before he says:
"Yeah, he didn't stop with that until he came to live with you and your parents. Several sessions with your mum was the only thing that helped him get over it, remember?" Here James smiles and says: "I am still very grateful for her for that – and proud of Sirius too. He actually wrote a letter of apology to all girls after that."
And while I am again amazed at having missed such an amazing sign of the four boys growing up and becoming true adults do I then smile at the two men of the trio that stayed true to who they are and then ask: "James, if Eleanor had lived, would Sirius –?" Yet the man smiles and says: "No chance." Making me giggle as I read on.

Professor Flitwick, … first class.

"I'm writing that down. Minnie will love that." James says before Remus hums and says: "You know, both you and Sirius were right geniuses with that form of magic, yet – Harry seems to have – well – missed the mark." To which James shrugs and asks: "So? He's our son, not our clone." And Remus nods in agreement as I read on.

"Transfiguration is … rare smile.

Riku's POV

"I can only imagine Minerva talking with James about this." Sirius mutters and Harry rolls his eyes as he says: "She's probably going to pull a Snape on me when that happens. You know, talk only about the more negative sides of me; how I constantly cause trouble, how I don't have mum's talent, how I just don't show her or the other teachers proper respect."
Yet Sora crosses his arms and shakes his head at this and says: "Respect and trust are earned. And I'll admit, I easily trust people, but I can more than understand why you don't. I mean, you had no one to trust growing up, so why should you trust teachers that are just total strangers to you." At this I can't help but shake my own head and snicker as I say:
"Coming from the boy who can make friends with talking lions, skeletons and even a living gigantic snowman." Yet Sora shrugs and says: "Harry's who he is and I'm me." Making me smile at him in great love and I huskily whisper: "I know – and I wouldn't want you any other way, my Sora." And we share a loving kiss before I get back to the book, Sora tucked under my arm.

The class … he went.

Lily's POV

"That guy had some serious issues." James says and Remus goes on: "I heard from Minerva that he vanished at the end of the year. She assumed it was to get over the fear that had been haunting him all year.""Why only then?" I can't help but ask and Remus shakes his head as he says: "Even she didn't know." Before I read on.

Harry was … head start.

"A head start in what?" Molly Weasley asks as she passes our room, which I only now realize still has the door open and James answers: "Schoolwork. Lady Destiny sent Lily bits of the book Siri and the others are reading." The woman looks shocked and then conjures herself a chair and says: "Please, keep reading." To which I comply.

Friday was … lost once.

"Wait, when is this?" And while part of me wonders why she didn't ask that before asking me to start reading, does Remus answer: "It seems to be the start of the boy's first year. We just read how they got in an accident on their first day and how they experienced their first day." The woman looks intrigued and I read on.

"What have … us," said Harry.

"How would they learn anything if they get favored?" Molly suddenly asks and I reply: "Well, there is a difference between someone favoring you and someone giving you a free pass of the year. It really does depend on how someone gets favored." Yet the woman seems to disagree with my argument, which makes me shrug and read on.

Professor McGonagall … their laps.

"Oh, I do hope Harry likes the little things I send him and the boys every now and then. He seemed so lost and helpless when we met; I felt I just had to include him in my week to by-weekly owls." The woman says, yet I had read on and mutter: "Eh Molly, I don't know if the book is lying or –." And instantly the woman asks:
"Are you calling me a liar?" And instantly I reel back, almost dropping the book and James jumps to my defense as he says: "No, she isn't! She's just telling us there is something weird going on because of what the book tells her. A book send by Lady Destiny." And that cuts off the woman's next retort, before I hurriedly read on.

Hedwig hadn't … school owls.

This shocks the woman and she says: "But – but – but Hedwig visited our own Owlery every week for years. She even visited here several times when she was sure Umbridge and the Ministry weren't watching her." To which James says: "Which means someone else is actually accepting Harry's gifts in his name."
But the woman shakes her head and says: "Hedwig is much too loyal to Harry for that. She would never give his gifts to anyone but him." Which confuses all of us and then I notice Remus looking down in pure agony, making me ask: "Remus?" And we all look at the man as he clinches his eyes closed in pain as he says:
"It's – it's just that – that if Hedwig somehow lost all of Harry's gifts from Molly, then – then even now he – he must be – must be of the belief that I – that I broke my word.""What in Merlin's name would make Harry think that? Remus, he thinks the world of you. No way would he think such a thing, not a chance!"

Yet Remus shakes his head at Molly's words and says: "At the end of his third year, I told Harry I was sure we would meet again very soon. I tried bringing truth to those words by writing him, but Hedwig always came back without replies. I didn't get it, yet I never questioned it. Now I – I just don't know what to think."
At this we all look at the man worried and then James smiles softly and says: "You know, there is a high chance I can get summoned back to Siri and the others and once I do, I can check with the Special Room there as to where your letters and whatnot were left." At this the two smile at the man and I continue reading.

This morning, … hated him.

"That's not because Harry looks like James so much, is it?" I can't help but ask, yet while Molly and Remus look uncomfortable does James look strangely confident and he says: "He doesn't anymore – and soon he will probably never look like my clone or anything like it again." This confuses us all and Molly asks:
"What do you mean? Did Sirius charm him? Was there a glamour on him or something?" To this James shakes his head and says: "I don't remember if it was a glamour or if something else got the chance to change Harry around, but I do know that I got the special privilege of being witness to Harry confessing to a personal secret."

This makes Remus and me look at each other and then James seems to sense something as he uncrosses his arms with a curious hum and when he reaches into his robe pocket, does his hand come back with a potions bottle at which he smiles, almost smirks, and says: "Here you go, Lily, the secret lies with these leftovers."
And I take the potion bottle before looking at what seems left of a dark blue potion that has a strange red hue around the draught and that has a few small dark blue bubbles still popping over the top surface. I look at the potion with a curious eye and conduct my personal list of experiments, yet the results shock me senseless.

I look at James and ask: "Your – your – your pregnancy secret?" Feeling like there is no other way to uncover the truth and the man nods and says: "Seems my desire for the change transferred to, at least, one of my kids. I even changed my own cloths while we danced, but Sora kept to his denim and leather outfits. Harry, on the other hand –."
And while the man lets the sentence hanging with a large smile on his face, do the rest of us look shocked and then Remus says: "Albus needs to know of this, right away." But I shake my head and say: "I want to see why Lady Destiny send me these papers first." And while he looks troubled, does Remus nod as I read on.

Potions lessons … their hands.

"They sound like you and your friends growing up." I can't help but tell James and the man sighs as he says: "I thought we agreed at Campbrina you would never remind me of that era of my life." Yet at this I smirk: "I only swore on that – as long as we kept to our secret, remember?" And the man groans as I continue reading.

Snape finished … without effort.

Riku's POV

"Okay, seeing all I know about how Snape has been treating you for the longest time – I am actually surprised that you complimented him; even if it came through a book written by Lady Destiny." Sirius says and Harry sighs as he says: "I do hate Snape for his behavior and teaching, but I respect his skills – for them being skilled.
However, thanks to his behavior, I respect those skills on a very neutral level and only respect them for being how experienced they are. However, if they had belonged to someone like you, Lupin or even Mr. Weasley or Kingsley – I would have respected them a lot more thanks to your and their behavior and characteristics."
Here the man nods and Sora asks: "So –?" And Harry answers: "I will always admit it when someone has a talent and will respect that talent for being there; it just depends on how the person with the talent behaves for whether or not I will let my respect for that person count. And with Snape, it just doesn't." And with that, do I read on.

"As there … to teach."

Lily's POV

This makes me stop in shock, whereas my voice had become awed the more I read of this speech and I ask: "Ehm – why is he a teacher again? He sounds as if he is better off just giving seminars or working for an apothecary. Teaching – especially at a school as nationwide as Hogwarts – heh, I'm not sure." Yet this seems wrong of me to say.
"Lily Rose Potter. Albus himself trusts Severus and appointed him. He has kept the man as a teacher for years and if Albus thinks –." Yet here James growls: "No." Shocking the woman before he says: "I won't deny that Albus, from time to time, may have good ideas, but he can also make mistakes – and in this case, I believe he did."
"That's just because you and him used to be rivals!" Molly snarls, but then James shocks her silent and snaps back: "No, it's because I want the assurance that my sons will be taught by someone who can actually teach. Who has the qualities needed to be a teacher. And Snape does not show those qualities – at least not yet."

"You're – giving him a chance?" Remus asks shocked and James smiles as he says: "What you guys have to remember is that I was a teacher for several years myself. I was asked to start teaching right after I graduated and I took the position fourteen years ago. Therefore, I know what it takes to be a good and proper teacher.
However, for now all I know about Snape is that he seems to see me in my youngest, that he teaches Potions, that he has a clear dedication to his favorite subject and that he seems a little biased when it comes to the talents of the students. I don't believe I know enough just yet to declare judgement." And with that do I read on, a little peeved with how astonished Remus and Molly look.

More silence … of wormwood?"

"Uhm, excuse me? I don't teach my class the theory behind that until halfway through the second year. That potion isn't even second year material. It's post O.W.L. material." I can't help but exclaim and the others look shocked before James sighs and says: "Let's just see if Harry knows the answer." And I read on agitated.

Powdered root … isn't everything."

Riku's POV

"He set you up." I growl, feeling furious that someone several years senior to my mate's little brother would plan something so underhanded and Sora looks shocked, yet neither Harry nor Sirius seems surprised or shocked and their calm neutrality actually unsettles me as I look at them and instead I read on, fearing the worst.

He ignored … a bezoar?"

Lily's POV

"Is he being serious? Wasn't that first question enough? Why is he asking questions that don't come up until at least the third year exams? Are the Hogwarts and Campbrina curriculum that different?" I ask and James says: "Let's ask Albus when the chapter is over. We can tell him of the potion then too." I nod at this and then read on.

Hermione stretched … and wolfsbane?"

"Okay, now I know for sure he's lost it. Both those ingredients are way too volatile for a first year to handle. Why the heck is he even thinking of asking a question like that? It's only reference material books that have lists of what ingredients students shouldn't be using based on their years and exam scores. Surely he knows this."
I can't help but ask and Remus sighs as he stands up and says: "I'll go and see if I can get Albus to come here. He may have trusted Severus for all these years, but I doubt he will accept singling out in such manners." I nod and James says: "Persuade him with the secret, if necessary." And his friend nods as he leaves and I read on.

At this, … that down?"

"Severus, you – are just not a teacher." I state, knowing I am talking to a book and yet not feeling stupid about it at all and Molly asks: "You doubt Albus' trust in him?" To which James asks: "Depends. Is that really the kind of teacher you want for your kids?" And the woman yelps in indignation as I read on.

There was … cheek, Potter."

Riku's POV

"Translation; a point will be taken for you voicing your aunt's spirit and cheek and proving yourself related to her." I hear Sirius snark and I look at the man with a raised eyebrow to which the man shrugs and says: "Snape is obsessed with teenage Lily and still hates that she bonded with James – or, as he believes, that she married him."
"What do you mean teenage Lily?" Sora asks and Sirius rolls his eyes and says: "I mean, the Lily that was his friend. Lily and him had a breaking of friendship in their fifth, yet Snape seems to cling to the Lily from before that fight and as much as he voices his hatred over their bond, he'd rather just ignores it ever existed."
This seems to shock even Harry and then Sirius leans back and says: "Knowing that, I kind of wonder whether or not Lily is reading alongside us and how she thinks about this." To which the powerful voice of Lady Destiny speaks and says: "She is and she is not impressed." Making Sirius mutter: "As I expected." As I read on.

Things didn't … to like.

Lily's POV

"See? Favoring is not something someone should want from their teacher." Molly snaps at us, yet I roll my eyes and say: "You know, Molly. You are quite the hypocrite.""EXCUSE ME!" The woman shouts and I say: "You tell us to trust Albus' decision in Severus and yet you still criticize the same man you tell us to trust."
The woman looks shocked and then I say: "Also, I never meant these levels of favoring. I didn't mean individual favoring, Molly. I meant that Minerva should at least show her own House a little favor. A few extra points here; a guiding to a reference guide there. Just small simple things that will make Lions feel welcomed by their Head."
The woman looks shocked and James says: "Campbrina may have never had Houses, yet it was practically a rule amongst teachers that those who either had special talents for our subjects or struggled more than they should need to deserved to be favored in different ways, depending on which of the two they were like.
That is proper favoring." The woman looks shocked and James smirks as he says: "You may be a mother – but we were teachers. When it comes to teaching, we just know proper etiquette, rules and behavior a little better." And while the woman seems cross with this fact, do I just share a look with James before I continue reading.

He was … people's shoes.

"Ehm, excuse me? Is that a joke?" I ask, suddenly feeling my old anger at how people treat Potions and the dangers around brewing them coming back up and I instantly ask: "How is that even possible? Doesn't Severus have a ward up that drains cauldrons when the potions become dangerous?" And an elder voice asks:
"A ward that does whatnow?" Making me look up and Remus says: "He came as soon as I told him you were reading about your nephew and your old friend." This makes me roll my eyes and I ask: "Albus, surely you know of the Danger Draught Ward? Horace Slughorn taught it to me in the short time I was his apprentice."
Yet the man looks shocked and I shout at him as I ask: "You don't know about it! Albus! That means Severus could have easily disabled it and you didn't even know! Don't you know what that means! Going by international law, Severus should have been fired the minute he touched that ward. Breaking it down is forbidden, Albus."

The man looks shocked and then mutters: "Surely Severus –." Yet I glare at him and snarl: "Albus, that law was set up when Potions Class became a mandatory class in 1289. It has been an International Law and the Ward has been practically famous amongst Potions Masters worldwide since the early fourteen hundreds.
You are a Potions Master. Did your tutor never teach you about that ward?" Yet the man hums and says: "You know what? I do believe Nicholas mentioned it a few times he taught me, yes. I – I must have forgotten about it, seeing all the other things he taught me." Here I sigh and say: "Seeing who Nicholas is, that makes sense."
"However, Albus –." Yet the man stops me and says: "Lily, Severus plays an important role – even vital now that Voldemort has returned. He is a spy for our side and only if –." Yet here I stop him and ask: "Albus, is that war really more important than the health and safety of your students?" And the man looks at me shocked.
"Severus brought down an international ward; he broke a law that – in some countries – is punished with the Death Sentence through a drainage of Magic. And by doing so, he endangered the students by exposing them to the risks of ruined potions. Here, just listen to this part." And with pain in my voice, do I start to read.

He was … and legs.

Here the man looks shocked and I bookmark the page before closing the text and say: "Albus, that potion had been turned into an acid draught. It burned holes in people's shoes and probably even led to several students getting burns. However, that only happened – because the Danger Draught Ward has been taken down."
Here the man sighs and I say: "And that was just a simple cure for boils. Just imagine what could happen to the students – if one of them blotches up something like a Felix Felicis." And the man instantly whitens worse than his beard, relieving me as it means he remembers the risk of that before he says:
"I will speak with Severus. I – I think I can tweak this to our favor with – without taking the risk of Severus losing favor with Voldemort – however –." And James says: "However, for the sake of my sons, Molly's kids and any potential kids my sister might one day have – it would just be unwise to keep Severus as a teacher."

Albus nods, looking quite defeated and I say: "You're a good man, Albus, and wanting to believe in someone like Severus isn't a bad thing. Just – don't let your trust in him endanger the sole purpose of your profession." And the man smiles at me, grateful for my advice before he asks: "Is there anything else I should know?"
And Remus and I smile at James as he says: "I don't really know if Harry has a lot of friends at Hogwarts, but – well, they might like to know that, if Harry has any female friends, he will soon be sharing a dorm with them instead of the guys." This shocks Albus greatly and he seems to leave in a dazed state as I read on.

"Idiot boy!" … the fire?"

"Speaking of which, why didn't I hear Severus speak of the dangers of taking – why am I asking this of the man that took down a ward that is punished by international law when touched?" I groan to myself and James says: "I hate admitting it, but it doesn't sound as if Severus has changed much from when we were teens."
Yet to this Molly huffs and says: "No, and he isn't the only one, I assure you." This makes Remus sigh in resignation as James and I look at her inquiringly before she says: "I'm just saying that, even with Lady Destiny's approval, I think that someone other than Sirius should have been chosen to read alongside those boys."
This alone angers and confuses me and James asks: "And the reason you believe that Sirius doesn't deserve first rights to be around his kids?" And while this seems to silence the woman, does she regain herself and say: "My reason is because you, James, are proving you have indeed grown up from the teenager you once were.

Sirius, on the other hand –." At this Remus groans loudly, making Molly send him a confused glare while James and I turn our inquiring glances at him and he says: "Sirius and Molly – have been butting heads when it comes to Albus' orders and Harry's care since the minute we decided to make this Order Headquarters."
"Yeah, and what a genius decision that was." James growls and Molly snarls: "It kept Sirius safe as long as he stayed inside." Yet at this James glares the woman silent and he snarls: "You have no idea what safe even means, do you? Or the horrors that transpired here in this retched place?" The woman turns white and James snarls:
"For your information, Sirius may have told others, and maybe even our kids, that he escaped his family's clutches here on Christmas in our Sixth and that he then managed to flee to my place – however, the truth is – Sirius owes me and my dad – a life debt." And the woman whitens at how cold James sounds as he says this and stutters as she asks:

"A – a – a – a life Debt? Why?" And James answers: "Because if it weren't for the fact that the Ministry had just pushed through a law that stated that no Noble House could imprison another Noble House during the years of war – this place would not have been Walburga's grave. It would have been Azkaban – for the attempt of murder."
And this seems to make the woman look ready to faint before James draws back on himself and his emotions, taking his previous stance against the wall, but then with his eyes closed and mutters: "Sirius almost missed out on his exams that year, Molly, all because he was going through a very severe medical treatment back then.
I almost lost my mate and Harry and Sora – were almost never born. Why in Magic's name do you think we feared that woman so much we kept our relationship such a tight-lipped secret?" And while looking at the woman makes me wonder if she is even aware of James having asked her a question, do I just sigh and read on.

Neville whimpered .. the quills?

Riku's POV

"Seriously WHAT IS HIS PROBLEM!" Sora asks in utter rage, the concern he feels for this other boy practically radiating off of him together with the anger he feels over the injustice this petty man is bestowing upon his brother and Harry sighs: "He never grew up, that's what." Making Sora growl in anger as I sigh and read on.

Thought he'd … very nasty."

Lily's POV

"And highly irresponsible, it sounds like." I growl in anger, never having imagined in even my angriest of times that Severus would be so stupid and reckless as to endanger generations of future Brewers and while I vow to myself that, if Albus doesn't take him to task I will, do I then calm myself with a deep breath and read on.
Yet as I turn my focus to the next line, do my eyes widen and say: "This – I think this is a new chapter. Should I read on?" But James shakes his head and says: "Don't ask me why, but – I think we should wait and have Lady Destiny tell us when the others are reading those parts." And Molly, Remus and I nod in agreement.

Riku's POV

"Your family has read along. I will let them know when you have, once again, caught up to their next part. They have already taken action and my sister has told me their new paths have much glory strewn across them." Lady Destiny tells us and we all share a smile, happy to know we are not alone in our reading before I continue myself.

As they … with you?"

"Now there's a true friend. Always there to distract you when you're feeling down." Sirius smiles widely, the look on his face proving he wants to get past the whole Snape topic just as badly as the Ron in the book and the three of us all send him knowing smiles to which he replies: "Oh, shut up." Before I read on snickering.

At five … black boarhound.

Here I see Sirius smirking widely before he suddenly vanishes and in his place a huge bear-like dog appears, the dog barking and jumping down the couch he was sharing with Harry before he starts running laps around the coffee table, laps that suddenly get exchanged for him chasing his own tail, which makes me read on laughing.

There was … a plate.

"Were those any good?" Sora asks as he scratches Sirius behind his ears, the dog himself having gone to lie himself down at my mate's feet with his head on the boy's lap and Harry shrugs as he says: "They have good taste, but they really break your teeth if you don't let them soak in warm water for some time first."
The boy cringes and Harry nods as he says: "Ron and I often just have tea with Hagrid and then take some of his treats back to the common room where we fill a pot from the bathroom and then let the treats soak before they become our afternoon snacks or even our extra little bit of desert." And this makes me read on intrigued.

"Another Weasley, … the forest."

"And the other half he failed keeping three other boys out of there." Harry snarks and Sirius barks back as if in protest to which Harry says: "Oh come off it. Did Hagrid even know about Snuffles until this year?" And the way that the dog keeps quiet, yet growls under his breath speaks volumes, making me read on snickering.

The rock … to it."

"He sounds as if he is actually working to make others hate him." Sora says incredulously, but Harry shakes his head and says: "No, that's Snape." Making Sora and me look at him shocked and he says: "I'm not saying I trust the man, but Professor Dumbledore insists that Snape is spying on Voldemort for our cause."
"And because of that he behaves like the git we read about?" I ask in shock and Harry answers: "Neither Lucius Malfoy – Draco's father – nor Dumbledore ever truly believed that Voldemort was truly defeated all those years ago, so Snape had to become a teacher, yet he also had to prove his loyalty to the Snakes.
I just personally wonder which of the two he actually works the hardest on, sometimes." Harry grumbles at the end and I shake my head and think: "Making a possible spy a teacher. That Dumbledore needs a reality check." And while hoping I can have another talk with the man sometime soon, do I continue reading.

Harry told … with animals."

"Let me guess, Ron and Hagrid are close friends." Sora quips and Harry asks: "However did you guess?""It's a talent." Sora boasts, yet the only response he gets is disbelieving looks, which on Sirius in dog form looks pretty ridiculous and as my mate turns an adorable shade of red, do I laugh and hug him close before I read on.

Harry wondered … this afternoon.

"Wait, what?" Sirius asks, the shock over what I read having made him transform back quite suddenly and then he yelps as Sora's hand gets stuck in his hair, causing for Sora's caressing to almost pull some hairs from his head and Sora cringes in apology before Harry says: "It's part of the plot." To which I read on as Sirius sits down.

Harry remembered … were there!"

"Please, for the love of Lady Destiny herself, tell me it didn't." Sirius almost begs his son, yet Harry cringes and says: "It didn't happen while I was there, but I did meet the thief before then." And the man sighs as he asks: "Let me guess, the thief is a member of the staff?" And Harry nods, making the man groan before I read on.

There was … tell Harry?

"As much as I want to go and forbid you from doing anything regarding this clearly dangerous event, do I know it would be the acts of a hypocrite, even if I want to out of nothing more than fatherly concern. Still, this all already happened so – I guess we should just read on." Sirius sighs and we all look at him worried as I bookmark the page and close the book before Harry asks:
"Would it cheer you up if I tell you a day where good and bad events take place will probably be part of next chapter?" And the man sighs as he says: "Depends on what the good and bad things are." And Harry sighs as he says: "Quidditch, Malfoy's arrogance, Ron's unhelpful help and Hagrid's love for pets." Confusing me senseless.


Hey everyone,
Like I said, this chapter hardly needed ANY editing or adding. Yes, I added bits here and there at the start, but once I got to the reading part, it all just fell to the background. Heck, the biggest change I had to make was in a conversation held between Harry, Sora, Riku and Sirius and that concerned Minerva, not Snape.
Surprise, surprise,

Venquine1990