Haarii-chan: Hey guys! Sorry you had to wait so long for an update. I admit to having lost my notes for this story and was unwilling to continue until I found them again. So
here we are at last!

Severus-kun: . . . (glares)

Haarii-chan: What? Are you finished hexing those idiots yet? Out of potion ingredients? (foxy grin) Wanna snuggle?

Severus-kun: (slight twitch) Why am I still here? I have better things to do than sit here and entertain you dunderheads.

Haji-kun: (narrows eyes) She IS the author. She CAN make you disappear. . .

Minato-kun: No matter how much it would hurt her feelings. . .

Allen-kun: She's been nice. Our Haarii-chan can turn nasty just as quick. . .

Goku-kun: (munch munch)

Haarii-chan: Easy boys. It's just his way. I do not ask you to change your personalities, please don't ask him. Severus, you are still here because you WANT to be. I'm not keeping you here, there is no wand pointing to your head. You can go to Starbucks and get a coffee if you want. I have connections so you don't have to pay.

Severus-kun: (blinks) Free coffee you say? (wanders off)

Haarii-chan: (shakes head) Caffeine addict. . . Anyway people, my boys aside, enjoy the next chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES


They continued these exercises until well after noon before the witch proclaimed him healthy, returned his robes, magically tailor to fit his longer arms and legs, and sent him to Dumbledore's office with the password, 'Licorice Wands,' and a warning not to divulge his heritage to the man if he was in any way uncomfortable with the idea; to let the Headmaster believe what he wanted to about Sev's appearance. Severus rolled his eyes at the candy password and nodded at the instructions to keep his mouth shut, knowing he would not tell anything to the grandfatherly Headmaster who had never taken an interest in Severus before today. However, he did thank the Med-witch again for taking such good care of him, shocking both himself and the matron when he hugged her tightly, and hurried out of the Infirmary with not only a deep blush, but also a small, content smile on his face.


Severus dutifully ignored the stares he was receiving as he made his way to the Headmaster's office. Like the old wizard he was going to visit, none of these students or teachers had paid him any attention besides scorn and disgust before today, so why should he not give them the same treatment? Once he make his way to the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, his whispered the password and rode up the revolving stairs in silence, suddenly wishing he were back in the Hospital Wing with the Matron, the (now) one person who cared about him in this hell hole of a school. His heart ached again when he thought of his Lily— no wait; she wasn't his anymore, not after what he had done— of Lily Evans, one of the most wonderful girls in the world, she who was more his family than his own parents, and how her compassion no longer extended to him. He longed to cry again, but, realizing that tears got him nowhere, he squared his shoulders and pushed his emotions down, deeper and deeper into the pool of icy black waters that swirled darkly in his core, just as he had done since he was a young child and his father— no, Tobias, would beat him for breathing too loud or doing something freakish, or just being in the way. It struck Severus then, as he was about to knock on the old Headmaster's door, that he didn't have to be ashamed or afraid of Tobias anymore because the man wasn't his father! The realization that he had no ties to the bastard warmed Severus better than a warming charm and put a genuine smile on his face. He didn't have to answer to Tobias anymore; the blasted man had no more authority over him that Potter's or Black's parents.

However, his joyous thoughts were put aside as he heard Albus beckon him inside his office, a grand place, if a little cluttered. Over in the corner, beside a grand bookcase stuffed to the gills with magical tomes, a phoenix warbled a bit, drawing Severus' attention like a fly to honey. Not knowing what possessed him, he walked, as if in a trance, to the bird's perch and held out a hand. The phoenix looked at him, liquid black eyes meeting mismatched black, gold, and silver, before the bird gave a beautiful cry and jumped onto the teen's shoulder and nuzzled the startled Fae-to-be on the cheek with his beak.

Severus had never been so shocked in his life. Then, the bird met his eyes again and he heard a voice in his ears, musical and soft, yet powerful and old.

'Young Hatchling, welcome. What brings you to Albus' office on so beautiful a day, where the sun shines and does not hide his face? A Fae like you should be in the forest with the others, dancing along the faerie rings and giving blessing to the land.'

All Severus could do was blink a bit at first, before his eyes widened and he choked out

"I must have hit my head harder than I thought because there is NO WAY a phoenix is talking to me."

He turned sharply at the sound of an indulgent chuckle, facing Albus Dumbledore in purple robes with flying silvers stars and a matching hat, blue eyes twinkling in merriment.

"I see you've met Fawkes, young Mr. Snape, though I will say it is a bit disconcerting when he talks to you for the first time."

"I see," was all the Severus could say. Fawkes, having now lost interest in what the wizards were saying, pulled the cord tying Severus' curls back and started grooming the teen. Severus flinched a bit as the phoenix pulled a knot loose, but was too caught up in the strangeness of the situation to do anything other than let the bird have his way. Albus laughed again, before motioning to the boy to take a seat, offering tea and a Sherbet Lemon, as was his custom.

"No, thank you sir," Severus politely declined, having no interest in what was sure to be sugary tea and sticky candy. Fawkes continued to run his beak through the raven curls as the Headmaster and teen talked.

"So, my dear boy, might I ask how you came to be in the Hospital Wing under the care of our good Matron the other day?" Albus asked gently, not really knowing how to deal with the teen in front of him who had changed even more since Albus saw him last. His twinkling blue eyes did not miss the change to Severus' ears, hair, or teeth, nor did his miss the golden swirls about the lad's neck. And it was impossible to miss those mismatched eyes and the magic that would wisp out from Severus' body in fine strands, even though the boy showed no indication of noticing it. Albus, however, chose not to say anything, somehow knowing that it was not something young Mr. Snape wanted to talk about.

Severus' eyes dulled and the room grew colder as he spoke, telling his story; leaving nothing out, and placing the majority of the blame at his door. He spoke of how he raged at the Marauders, how they hexed him for his filthy mouth, how he hexed and injured at least one of them, how Lily came to his defense, and how he called her that despicable name. Then he looked at Dumbledore, and the old man felt his heart ache at the pain in those eyes as Severus whispered that he didn't mean it, that he had never called anyone a Mudblood before and he didn't believe in that Pureblood rubbish, that he deserved any punishment the Headmaster would give, and that he was sorry. Merlin, how Albus' heart hurt when he heard Severus say he was sorry, how he begged for forgiveness even though he said he didn't deserve it.

Albus slowly got up and walked over to the teen that now had Fawkes in his lap, trilling softly, with his curls around his face and his shoulders shaking. Very gently, Albus took the boy's chin in his hand and lifted so that they were eye to eye and then hugged the boy to his chest, rubbing his back as the boy continued to shake.

"It's alright child, you were angry. You didn't mean it. It's alright." Over and over did Albus whisper these words before he felt the boy pull away and he chuckled a bit when Severus hugged Fawkes to his chest. The phoenix sang softly, and the lad calmed quickly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Thank you, Headmaster. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have cried like that—" Severus started, but was silenced with a wrinkled finger on his lips.

"It's alright, my dear boy. Tears are no weakness; in fact, they show great strength and love," Albus whispered before patting the teen on the head and returning to his chair. Severus released Fawkes and the phoenix returned to his shoulder and continued to groom his hair.

"Now," Albus stated, gaining Severus' attention again, "the good Matron found several unsettling past injuries when she was healing you—" Severus interrupted him.

"No offense sir, but why do you care? I mean, ever since my first year when I ask Professor Slughorn if I could stay at Hogwarts over the summer holidays, and every year afterwards, he said that nothing could warrant my staying here, so obviously it doesn't matter what the Matron found, does it? I'll just be sent back," Severus bit out angrily, the temperature in the room rising quickly and the air beginning to smell of ozone. Albus was shocked; especially since Horace never mentioned anything about Mr. Snape not wanting to return over summer holidays. He was relieved when Fawkes trilled again and Severus' anger dissipated, returning the atmosphere of his office to normal.

"Severus, my boy, I promise, I had no idea that you had told Horace anything, much less that you did not wish to return to your home. However, I know now, and I can arrange for you to perhaps stay with a housemate," Albus offered lightly, trying not to upset the young man. Severus only shook his head angrily.

"I have no friends in Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Gryffindor sir. The ravens and badgers find my company less than stellar and are naturally wary of someone who is constantly pranked by the Golden Boys of Gryffindor. The rest of the lions decided that I am a Death Eater in training the moment I was sorted and the Slytherins believe that I am less than worthy due to the fact that I am a half-blood from a disgraced Pureblood line. I just insulted the only friend I had, so you will forgive me if I cannot find anywhere else to go," the teen snarled out.

"Alright, my boy, alright. Perhaps you could stay with a professor if they agree?" Albus asked, shocked at the venom with which the lad spoke with, especially when he spoke about himself. His normally twinkling blue eyes were dull and overflowing with sympathy. Severus saw this and sneered out,

"Don't give me any of your pity or bloody sympathy, Headmaster. I know where I'd find sympathy; it's in the dictionary between shit and syphilis." (Props to Danny Bhoy for the last quote.)

"Please don't mistake me, my boy. I offer no pity, but I cannot retract my sympathy. If I had paid more attention, this might not have ever happened. For that, I am very sorry," Albus soothed, his eyes sad. "Now, if you could choose a professor to stay with, who would you pick?"

Severus sat, weighing his options, the pros and cons of each professor. Slughorn and Sprout were automatically out, having never professed any concern of him before. Flitwick was also out, as Severus knew that although the elder wizard like Severus well enough, it was from a purely academic interest. Severus knew he was excellent at charms and dueling, not to be arrogant or anything, it's just the way things were. The DADA teacher was also out, being that he was a creepy bugger that seemed to enjoy having the students hex the snot out of each other and then assign a detention to the winner and take house points from the loser. Needless to say, Severus earned himself many a detention.

McGonagall was a thought, but then again, the strict Scottish witch never expressed her like or dislike for him. He was just another Slytherin in her class that was fairly good at her subject. But the bloody Golden Boys were her favorite . . . never mind McGonagall.

Maybe the Matron if she would, but then again, he didn't want to be a burden. Hagrid though, he could live with Hagrid. He could cook for the man and be at the school without being IN the school. He was out of the way and Hagrid knew he could and would work. Several of those DADA detentions were spent with the half giant, weeding, hauling lumber, going into the Forbidden Forest for Slughorn's potion ingredients, and a whole list of other things. Yes, Hagrid would be the best option.

"Could I perhaps stay with Hagrid? I'll cook and do chores and anything else he might need. We get along well and he doesn't have to look after me all the time. I am old enough to take care of myself," Severus presented, hoping that the Headmaster and the Game Keeper would agree. Albus looked as if he were weighing the options of letting the teen stay with Hagrid, but the Slytherin did present several valuable points.

"I have no problems with your idea. Let me ask our dear Hagrid and if he agrees, then that is that we shall do."

"Thank you Headmaster. If that is all, perhaps I could hear my punishment?" Severus asked coolly. Albus was shocked at the request for punishment, but then the look disappeared behind an uncharacteristically stern mask.

"Of course Mr. Snape. For your punishment, you will apologize to Miss Evans at the earliest possible moment. You will also return to our Matron to see if she requires any other checkup. Afterwards, you are to get a good night's rest and be ready for classes in the morning. Is that understood, Mr. Snape?" Dumbledore asked, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the stunned face of his student. Honestly, did the boy really believe that he received further punishment after he lost his dearest friend and spent the last night in the Infirmary for being injured? Sadly, Albus realized that with the youngster's track record so far, of course the boy was expecting some retribution. "Now, off you go, my boy," he said with a shooing motion.

Severus stood and thanked the Headmaster one more time before turning to the door, expecting the phoenix to return to his perch near the bookcase. However, Fawkes trilled softly and remained on his shoulder.

"Headmaster, would you?" he asked, gesturing to the bird on his shoulder that had tightened its' grip from the possibility of having to move. The older man just laughed and motioned to Severus to continue on his way.

"Fawkes obviously wants to stay with you for a bit, so why not take him with you? He comes and goes as he pleases anyway."

Severus just blinked at the phoenix at first, but then nodded in understanding and appreciation. Perhaps he wouldn't have to face Lily along after all. With that thought in mind, he left the Headmaster's office and set out to the Gryffindor dorms to wait for Lily to return from dinner.


As he waited, he pulled Fawkes into his lap and caressed the bird, ruffling his feathers lightly and marveling at the warmth of the creature. He dreamed of finding his own phoenix one day; a constant companion that would choose him because it found something worthwhile in him, Severus, not just in what he could do for it. That would be bliss.

Almost an hour later, as he was starting to stiffen on the stone floor, did he hear the sounds of footsteps and voices coming up the stairway. Severus quickly got to his feet and Fawkes jumped from his perch on Sev's forearm to his shoulder as they waited for the Gryffindor troop to appear.

Some nameless first years clambered up in front of the rest, racing to the portrait of the Fat Lady, only to stop short upon seeing the strange young man in Slytherin robes with a phoenix upon his shoulder. Most could not meet his mismatched gaze for various reasons, chiefly being that it was simply alarming and unsettling, and shuffled past, whispering to each other about this Slytherin which none had seen before today. Likewise, the rest of the second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh years entered the common area of their house, pondering and sneering at the snake so close to their home, but not moving to attack for some unknown reason.

However, the fifth years were at the end of the precession, Alice and Mary comforting a distraught Lily Evans between them, and unusually grim Marauders following, pale and silent for once.

Severus froze for a moment as Remus sudden shifted his eyes from the floor to Sev's, his nostrils flaring slightly. But then Remus only cocked his head and grabbed Sirius and James to pull them in past the portrait, forcing Peter to scamper in behind.

Mary and Alice had stopped as Lily finally broke into tears when the portrait shut behind Pettigrew. Apparently none of the girls had seen Severus yet, or were simply ignoring him in favor of hugging Lily. Severus' heart broke again and he couldn't stop himself from moving forward, lightly pushing a stunned Mary and Alice out of the way and enveloping his favorite redhead in his arms.

"Shh, shh, calm down," he whispered in her ear, knowing that when Lily was upset, it took several minutes of soothing words, hugs, and rubbed circles on her back before she would stop crying and sniffle into the nearest chest, relaxing to a steady heartbeat. "I've got you, Little Flame, I've got you," he murmured, rocking slightly on his heels.

Mary and Alice watched in awe as the unknown Slytherin boy managed to calm their friend who had come to them sobbing the day before about Severus Snape dying and hadn't stopped since. Neither heard what the boy was saying, but figured that he had a magic touch (no pun intended . . . actually, yes it was) when it came to soothing particularly weepy redheads. The two looked at each other and moved back, making sure to keep the two in sight least Lily actually be in trouble and need their help.

Lily, however, began to relax, slowly but surely, in Severus' arms, feeling as if her old friend were comforting her rather than lying in the Infirmary fighting for his life like she knew he was. She had not managed to get up the muster to go and visit yet, knowing that she couldn't handle seeing him so broken, so still. Even though he had called her that awful name, she decided that nearly dying was a terrible price to pay and if he asked her for forgiveness and swore to never utter the word again, she would forgive him.

"Little Flame, come on now. That's enough of those tears," Severus whispered and hugging her tightly. He felt Lily suddenly stiffen in his arms and push away.

"Se-Sev?"


Haarii-chan: Aaaaaannnnnndddddd CUT! Okay, that's enough for now. Tune in next time for another exciting episode of My Dear Puck! Read and Review if that is what you wish. I'm going to bed.