Finally the next chapter is here! It's taken nearly a year but I did it!

The first week at school went fast for Casey, so fast in fact it thought it was all one big dream. On his third day an owl had delivered a letter from his mother. He didn't read it until that night, as part of him felt resentful towards her, that she didn't come to see him get on the train.

He had sat on his bed and opened the letter when everyone was still in the common room, so he could have some privacy.

Dear Casey,

Your father told me that you got onto the train safely and that he had never seen you look so nervous! I hope you are settling in well and we are both proud of you for getting into Gryffindor! I know you were worried about getting put into Slytherin, you didn't say it, but I knew. Also, Casey, I wish to apologise to you, my darling boy. I behaved in a way no mother should, and I know you would have liked me to have seen you off to school. I put my own pride before you which I will never do again. I love you Casey, never forget that. Even if you scream or shout at me, I'll always love you. Have a great term and we'll see you at Christmas

Mum

Casey had folded the letter up and placed it under his pillow, his eyes a little bit wetter than they had been when he had first started reading. He had to quickly rub his eyes and pretended to be asleep as the other boys came up, the last thing he wanted them to see was him crying over a letter from his mother.

It had now been two days and Casey now found himself in the dungeon with his fellow Gryffindor's and Slytherin's for their very first potions lesson. He had been told things about Professor Severus Snape, by Dora.

Casey sat between Ron and Harry, who had Hermione sitting on his other side. He noticed Draco sending looks their way and then laughing to his friends. "What I wouldn't give to punch that git in the face" he muttered to Harry and Ron laughed quietly

Hermione made a noise of disapproval before hissing, "You'll get in so much trouble and get points taken from Gryffindor!"

"I wasn't actually talking to you, but thanks for the warning!"

Any retort Hermione had was stopped by the classroom door banging open. Casey thought it was a giant bat billowing into the room. It wasn't until it turned around that he realised it was a man, with a hooked nose and greasy black hair. Severus Snape.

"There will be no silly wand waving or incantations in this class" his voice was cool.

Casey listened to Snape go on about what he would teach them through the art of making potions, he wasn't paying attention to Harry next to him so it surprised him when Snape suddenly called him out.

"Mr Potter, our new celebrity"

Casey turned his face to Harry and saw the boy had been making notes, which he made a note to copy later, if he let him. Snape began firing questions at Harry, asking where he would find certain ingredients. Casey knew Harry wouldn't know, nor would any first year, except Hermione who was raising her hand higher and higher.

"Clearly fame isn't everything is it, Mr Potter?" Snape sneered

"Clearly Hermione knows the answer, seems a shame not to ask her" Harry snapped, and Casey had to quickly hide his smirk

Snape was suddenly at the desk, face to face with Harry, and spat the answers to his previous questions at him, and Casey could see his friend was slightly intimidated by them man.

"Well," Snape said loudly "Why aren't you all writing this down?"

Before he could help himself Casey spoke "Harry was writing things down, but you just shouted at him, so how do we know to write?"

The room went silent and Snape turned his gaze to Casey "Detention Mr. Black and five points from Gryffindor" he said coolly

Casey glared at him before beginning to write and couldn't help the small smile when Harry said "Nice one" and Ron nudging him appreciatively.

Casey's good mood soon evaporated as he went back to the dungeons that night to serve his detention. He knocked on the door and waited for Snape to answer.

"Enter"

The boy entered and saw the man sitting at his desk marking work. He motion for Casey to sit at the table in front of him. There was parchment and a quill with ink. Once Casey had sat down and picked up his quill, Snape spoke again.

"You will take this time to complete the homework I set for you today. If i deem it unsatisfactory, you will come back every night until I am satisfied. Is that understood?"

"Yes"

Casey didn't dare look up as he began writing, he could sense Snape's eyes burning into him. After what seemed hours, he handed the work over to the man. He watched as the man began writing over his work.

"This is without doubt one of the worst pieces of work I've been given" he said at last looking at Casey who looked at him in disbelief.

"You will come back again tomorrow night and rewrite it and if no improvement is shown, then you will come back the night after. You may leave"

Casey stood up and walked quickly to the door but was stopped by the voice he now hated with a passion. "This is where insolence gets you, Mr Black. Do well and remember that"

Casey had left without a word, when he entered Gryffindor tower that night, he found Harry and Ron were still up. "How did it go?" Harry asked

Casey glared into the fire as he sat on the chair next to Ron "I have to go back tomorrow" he said

"What?!"

Casey told them what Snape had said and Ron said something that Casey knew he wouldn't say if front of Snape himself. "Well it's done now. After tomorrow night he won't find a reason to make me go back"

"Hang on," Ron said suddenly with a significant look at Harry "What time does your detention finish?"

"About eleven, why?"

Ron grinned at him "Excellent," he said "You'll be able to come with us"

"Where to exactly?"

"Harry has been challenged to a midnight duel by Malfoy"

Casey looked at the other boy and found himself grinning "Oh this is going to be so much fun"