Chapter 58: The Difficult Spring

It was, as ever, a pleasant day in Heaven. Everybody was happy in their own Paradise, though of course, some were not as happy in others' homes. One such example was Petunia Dursley in Lily Potter's home and Lily's in hers at the heavenly version of Privet Drive, if that's what they really were.

Dumbledore was still endeavouring to bring some peace to the rift he had played a part in creating. He and his family were peaceful enough though, and he was currently visiting Sirius and Marlene.

"I don't know why you want to patch things between Lily and that sodding cow she calls a sister, Albus," said Sirius bluntly.

"Call it an old man's weakness," said Dumbledore pleasantly, "but I prefer for only happiness and peace to exist in this domain."

"As opposed to any form of disdain and dispute that could result in bigger issues," said Marlene reflectively.

"But it's not like Petunia Dursley is gonna be Heaven's Dark Lady!"

"Perhaps not, Sirius," said Dumbledore, "but that still means one of your friends has to spend an eternity with a broken family, unless we can do something about it."

"Like what?"

"Ah, there's the rub, but I think I have a little idea that could work."

"I do wonder," murmured Sirius and Marlene in humorous unison.

As this conversation was going on, James and Lily Potter were entertaining Remus and Tonks Lupin in their home.

"So how is everything?" asked Remus before helping himself to a cream cake.

"Don't ask," said James hastily.

"No, it's fine," said Lily, covering his hand with her own.

"Something's wrong then?" asked Tonks.

"Sev won't talk to me now and Tuney hates my guts," said Lily plainly.

She then went on to explain the recent events; her argument with Petunia upon her arrival in Heaven and the following argument between her and Severus that resulted in her making the same mistake her friend did.

"He'll come round," said Remus quietly.

"He's loved you all his life," said Tonks kindly, "he's not going to eliminate you forever. How can he after everything he lived and died for in your memory and name?"

"He deserved better than me from the beginning," said Lily.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" said James in exasperation.

"Yeah, yeah, if not for me, he'd have been completely lost to the Dark side," said Lily, "but it was me who ultimately pushed him there in the first place."

"And us, and himself!" fumed James.

"He was already leaning that way before you ended your friendship, Lily," said Remus.

"If I had only…"

"Your heart belonged to James," said Tonks, "he would have lost you one way or another."

"Not in friendship," said Lily.

"But he would have lost you to James whilst expecting him to remain your friend. He may have never forgiven you as well as the rest of us," said Tonks.

Lily gave up. She couldn't explain to those who adored her why she felt so wretched in terms of Severus Prince.

"As for Petunia, if she hasn't gotten over the fact that you have magic and she doesn't in an entire lifetime, I doubt you'll manage that now. I would have thought you'd made your peace with it by now," said James.

"She's my sister," said Lily broodingly, "she and I were once…"

"Once upon a time, we thought Severus would be a Death Eater to the end and Peter would be a loyal friend to the end and we were all gonna live happily ever after once we kicked Voldemort's arse," continued James, "but that's not how life works, Lily."

"But this is death," grumbled Lily, "why can't she get over it after all these years?"

"Because she is bitter and not worthy of your attention," said James snidely.

"Oh, be quiet, forget it!"

Lily stormed off, quickly followed by Tonks.

"I shouldn't have to be distant with my sister in death," she sobbed to her friend, "it's been so long. I always dreamed of us being sisters, real, loving sisters again when her time came. Yes, I'd need some time to forgive her for what she did to Harry…but she is still denying that she was ever anything but a woman scorned. She was the one who scorned and hurt Harry countless times. She was vile!"

"Then why exactly do you want her back in your existence?" asked Tonks.

"Because I love her. I can't lose Sev and Tuney!"

Tonks, unlike the tactless James, stayed silent, nodding in understanding that she did not fully possess.

Eileen Kennedy was resting in her bed, listening intently for any sign of disturbance coming from the room opposite. She was always fearful that the occupant of the room would break out and harm herself in some way.

Robin had constantly told her to keep up faith, hope and optimism within the household or only negative things would happen: no doubt a Muggle custom or superstition, she thought.

But no matter how much she tried to brighten her mother's spirits in the absence of her deceased husband, Desdemona Prince remained as despondent and lifeless as she had been since she first faced the horrible truth.

Robin came in through the Floo before classes started that day. He came up to see his wife, whom had been awaiting the sound of the whooshing flames announcing his arrival.

"You alright, my love?" asked Robin in a weary voice.

"As well as can be expected," replied Eileen with an equally tired tone, "for someone who's watching their mother and their business fade into the Veil."

"You're doing fine, and we are both doing our best for Severus, your mother and your restaurant."

"I'm feeling ready to give up."

"Please don't, darling. Severus would hate it if he lost his grandmother too…or his mother too."

Eileen exhaled deeply.

"Nobody's going to lose me, Robin Kennedy! I've told you that quite frequently this month!"

"I'm sorry, darling…but I can't stand how thin and pale you look lately."

"I could say the same about you, Rob! You're overtiring yourself! How on earth are you going to be able to train Severus and his friends to defend themselves from the Dark Lord if you're hardly able to keep your eyes open and your legs straight! You need to rest more! Stop nagging me and seeing if I'm alright! I just need some space to sort myself and Mother out!"

"You don't need to do it alone," said Robin softly.

"YES, I DO!"

"…Eileen?" came a feeble voice from outside.

"Great, now I need to tend to her. Happy?"

Eileen stomped out of the bedroom and into the room opposite to see her mother.

Robin stood solitary and quiet, a little hurt at his wife's words. He knew she had some good points: he did need to sleep more and could afford to visit her and Desdemona less often. But on the other hand, he was afraid of losing her if something were to happen to Desdemona in his absence. He saw how devastated she had been when Septimus died valiantly in battle at Hogsmeade and had to stop her from taking drastic actions in the first forty-eight hours since.

"Damnit, she's my wife and I will not back off when it's for her own benefit to have some help!"

Robin was many things, kind and friendly and whole-hearted being among the top of the categories, but if there was one thing he wasn't, it was a pushover under pressure.

He was going to stick to Eileen and Severus like glue and was not at all inclined to give up while he still feared for his wife's mental health.

Severus was not feeling any brighter in spirits than the rest of his family.

He and Robin were on positive terms again, but he was still deeply concerned about Robin's weariness and on top of that, he wasn't showing any sign of cheerfulness to indicate that things at home were getting any better. Severus wanted desperately to find out more of his mother and grandmother, but any letter he sent was replied to with very brief and undetailed words.

"I'm sure they're okay, Sev," said Lily.

"I just wish Mum would talk to me more," said Severus grimly.

"She just may not have the energy," said Quincey from across the table where he was munching some ham, "I mean, on top of your nanny being in grief and keeping up the Gobstones Inn, your mum can't exactly be on top of her game."

"Perhaps not, but I can't help but worry for her," said Severus, "she's not exactly the most headstrong witch in living memory."

"But she is still your mother and very devoted to her family, including her dad's memory," insisted Lily, "she knows he'd never want her to abandon you and his wife because he died in battle."

Severus sighed and nodded.

"Shall we revise for that exam then?" he asked, redirecting the subject.

"Yeah," said Lily optimistically, "I really need to brush up for History of Magic or I'll be lucky to pass everything like I targeted."

"As if you won't," said Severus in a more playful tone.

Lily giggled and they walked arm in arm to the library, but Pringle appeared and forced them to separate.

"It's not even a school day! What's his problem?" fumed Mary.

She and Quincey had also been reprimanded by the caretaker.

"He is clearly not fond of young love," said Lily.

"So basically, he hates us cos he can't get any," smirked Mary.

"Thanks for that image," sneered Quincey.

Severus made a gagging expression, but also maintained his stoic concentration on his readings of Goblin Contract Methods in the 1200s.

Spring was well and truly in the air at this point, and the sun was shining brightly through the library windows, but the mood of the weather was not entirely affecting Severus'. He was still depressed at how Lily Potter had hurt him yet again, and he felt more and more like a man who had wasted an entire life. He had indeed gained a new life, but he still felt the pain of squandered opportunities and this time, he had no hope of showing his future achievements to his grandfather in person and in life. He was certain that Dumbledore would not allow him to keep the Resurrection Stone beyond his school years, and he no longer was able to know how Lily was reacting to his second chance.

Severus' strongest ambition to numb his pains at this moment was to achieve the very best in his life. He would not go to the Death Eaters, he would not waste away in a castle dungeon and he was certainly not going to be a servant to anyone beyond Lily. He still loved her deeply and was only willing to do anything for her only, not Dumbledore and certainly not Voldemort.

The days and weeks passed and not a lot had changed. Severus brightened up no end in the presence of Lily, even though the sight of her also made him remember his former best friend.

Quincey and Mary were still as solid an item as before Christmas and as a result, were spending less time with their best friends.

"What you think they get up to most days without us?" asked Lily.

"I certainly hope they're not defiling the school," remarked Severus.

"Ew, Sev!" giggled Lily with a heavy blush.

Severus smirked cheekily. Little did he know that in another hour, an owl would fly in to the library, much to the disdain and outrage of Madam Pince, and drop a letter by his notebook.

"Who's that from, Sev?" asked Lily.

Severus recognised the writing as Dumbledore's and quickly read the letter.

Dear Severus,

Please come in haste.

A.P.W.B.D

Severus quickly packed up his notes and dashed off after saying that Robin wanted to see him in his office.

His girlfriend and friends looked puzzled but didn't delay him from his hasty departure.

Severus practically flew down the corridors to reach Dumbledore's office, all the while panicking about what could merit such an urgent summons. Thoughts of his mother or his grandmother were zooming around in his head and he daren't believe that anything was wrong, or he would be overwhelmed with emotions that he could not yet control or discipline into hiding.

So impatient was he was to get inside the office and learn what had happened, Severus barged into the room without a knock.

What he saw before him was a perfectly calm looking Dumbledore entertaining Professor Slughorn with tea and buns.

"Hello, Severus," said Slughorn, "you seem in a rush."

"I thought something had…"

"My apologies, Severus, I should have expressed caution with how I worded my letter to you," said Dumbledore, "nothing is amiss with your family."

"Then what is it?" panted Severus with a hint of annoyance.

"I have discussed with Professor Slughorn about your unique and highly advanced skills in Potioneering," said Dumbledore, his smile never leaving his face.

"And?"

"We would like you, once your fifth year begins, to assist Professor Slughorn in brewing the complex Wolfsbane Potion."

Severus was surprised. He was expecting Dumbledore to consider his brewing of the new potion only, but not to actually make the request for him, and so soon.

"But…what about my OWLs, Headmaster?"

"I am sure, as is Professor Slughorn, that you have what it takes to keep up with your heavy revision as well as a weekly study session, Mr Prince."

Severus was not quite as sure. True, he had done all of his studies before in a different life, but he had somehow forgotten a great deal, including his Occlumency and Legilimens skills. He was hoping for an easier go-round, especially as he was still top of his year, alongside Lily. But the extra stress of being able to brew a highly complex potion throughout his new studies seemed overbearing.

"I will consider it, if that's alright with you, Professor," he said after a pause.

"I'm sure you'll decide what's best, Mr Prince."

"Jolly good, but I'd like an answer by the end of term," said Slughorn jovially, before helping himself to another bun.

Severus was looking hard at Dumbledore as he spoke back to him and could help but notice that very distinctive twinkle in his blue eyes. It was a twinkle he knew well; the twinkle of an old man with a bigger objective which he was going to keep close to his chest for the time being.

Severus resented this but couldn't speak up about his disgust in front of Slughorn, so he nodded and gave them his word that an answer would be provided before or after his exams were finished.

He left the office less than 30 seconds later, muttering to himself about manipulators always being manipulators.

The exams were dubious and boring to most, but to Severus and Lily, it was either easy or exciting.

As worried as Severus was about not remembering his exam answers from the past, he was still knowledgeable, skilled and studious enough to pass them all again with next to no mistakes.

Lily was still panicking about the answers being wrong and constantly reading on her notes after examination, which reminded Severus strongly of her predecessor and a certain bushy-haired friend of her son's.

He often would soothe his girlfriend down with reminders of why she was the top of the year.

"Honestly, Lils," he said in the library less than ten minutes after the last exam, "you know almost as much about Transfiguration as P- James does."

"But I'm sure I got 8b wrong, Sev!" moaned Lily.

"Even if you did, you'd still get the highest mark and it won't affect your grade."

Lily pouted and Severus took his opportunity and kissed her lip.

Lily smiled mischievously and kissed him back.

"None of that shenanigan in this library!" roared Madam Pince.

"Sorry," said the two teenagers in unison, neither of them sincere.

Not long after that, they left the library to have some private time by the lake and the stress of the exams were forgotten.

"We won! We won! We won!"

James, Sirius and Remus were celebrating Gryffindor's victory in both the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup. James and Sirius' almost flawless performances on the pitch earned them a substantial lead, but they only narrowly won against Ravenclaw, much to Severus and Quincey's chagrin.

Severus was leaving them to their hollering while he and Lily looked at the view from the cool air from a door window on the Hogwarts Express.

"It was eight points' difference, Sev," said Lily consolingly, "don't take it so harshly."

"I'm not, Lils," said Severus nonchalantly, "I just can't stand the noise."

"Are you doing that extra credit work for Slughorn this coming year?"

"Yes, I am."

Severus ultimately decided that in order to understand Dumbledore's motives in his brewing the Wolfbane Potion with Slughorn, and to help Remus in the long run, he should let the plan unfold.

"Are you sure you can handle OWLs and that?"

"I've endured worse."

"Oh yeah…I'm sorry, Sev, I wasn't trying to say you were-"

"I know, Lils."

Severus hugged her knowing full well that she was referring to his father's abuse and his grandfather's death. He was referring to that as well as his past life's torments of watching over Harry whilst spying for both Dumbledore and Voldemort.

Severus hoped that whatever Dumbledore was up to, it had something to do with the remaining Horcruxes. He couldn't wait to be rid of Voldemort once and for all.

Eventually, he and Lily departed from the train at King's Cross.

Robin had Flooed ahead to meet with Eileen so that they could pick him up together. But Severus could only see Robin on the platform, next to Trevor who bore a grim expression.

"Hi, Robin," said Severus, "where's Mum?"

Trevor was urgently guiding Lily away and she looked back to Severus, worry flooding her beautiful eyes.

"What…? What's going on?"

"It's your nanny, Severus," said Robin gravely, "she's dying."

A/N: I am so sorry for the heavy delay in updating. I had gone through an unexpected move. I have now settled and am itching to get behind the keyboard again. My updates will be less of a priority now, but I will update monthly at the least if I can. Please continue to read and review! Thank you! And a Happy Birthday to Harry Potter!