As Seph reflected upon the summer spent in the company of Lucius Malfoy, she could not help but acknowledge the profound impact he has had on her. His refined mannerisms and worldly knowledge had elevated her beyond the realm of just simple magic. She had learned to conduct herself with the poise and elegance befitting of a refined lady, thanks to his tutelage.
Despite the ease with which she slipped into the guise of Persephone, Seph found that her identity as Severus was where she feel most comfortable. Her androgynous attire and cropped hair offered her a sense of comfort and solace that she could not find elsewhere.
Lucius had also helped her tap into her innermost nature, bringing out her aggressive and astute qualities. He had indulged her mischievous tendencies, stimulating her mind and encouraging her to explore the depths of her capabilities.
As the summer drew to a close and Seph prepared to resume her duties at Hogwarts, she was filled with a newfound sense of confidence and purpose. Lucius had given her the tools to navigate the world with grace and finesse, and she was eager to put them to use.
After enduring Potter's incessant pranks, she decided that it was time to turn the tables on the Gryffindor troublemaker. It was a challenge to come up with a suitable revenge, but her expertise in transfiguration proved to be a valuable asset. With a flick of her wand, Potter's Quidditch uniform was transformed into a ridiculous muggle cheer uniform.
The sight of Potter strutting around in that outfit was priceless. Even Regulus, who seldom showed any emotion, was doubled over with laughter at the sight. Seph couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having successfully executed her revenge, despite the risk of getting caught.
The best part of it all was the appreciation she received from her fellow Slytherins. It wasn't often that she received such admiration from her housemates, but her prank on Potter had earned her immense popularity. It was a welcome change from the usual disdain and mistrust that she was accustomed to.
As she watched Potter struggle to get out of the cheer uniform, Seph couldn't help but smile to herself. It was a small victory, but it was hers nonetheless. Potter had been put in his place, and her reputation as a someone not to be trifled with had been solidified.
Over the summer, Seph had the pleasure of creating a new elixir, Potion 13. It was a concoction of hers that she had worked tirelessly on, a potion that ignites a blazing inferno of passion, intensifying one's deepest desires. It was not of the love variety, but its effects were nonetheless powerful.
One day, as she watched Potter cruelly levitate Lily into the lake, she knew that her friend would be the perfect candidate to assist her in testing her newest creation. Seph couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as she handed Lily the bottle, a wry smile on her face. "Just slip this into Potter's drink," she said, "he fancies you, so sitting next to him shouldn't raise any suspicions. There's no taste or smell to it, so he won't be able to detect anything out of the ordinary."
Lily eyed Seph suspiciously, as she should have. "What will happen to him if we go through with this?" she asked.
Seph shrugged, knowing full well the potential consequences of her potion. "I can't be certain of the precise outcomes yet, as I haven't had the chance to try it out. But if my theory is correct, he should act absolutely smitten with you."
As Lily left to carry out Seph's plan, she couldn't help but feel a small twinge of guilt. But it was quickly replaced by excitement at the prospect of finally seeing her potion in action. It was a risk, but Seph was willing to take it. The potential rewards were too great to ignore.
Although Potter's behavior towards Lily was utterly detestable, it was evident from the way his eyes lingered on her that he coveted her. Seph despised him for it, but she could not deny the truth of it.
She had omitted a crucial detail about the elixir. She knew that Lily would not have assented to its usage had she been cognizant of its effects on Potter. With any luck, this would serve as a deterrent, and he would never again cast his gaze in her direction after the humiliation that awaited him.
Seph watched with bated breath as Lily sat beside Potter and deftly imbued his drink with the potent elixir. Her heart raced as she observed him drink it down, and she had imparted to her fellow Slytherins what to be vigilant for, and they too were poised in anticipation.
As Lily artfully engaged Potter in conversation, Seph saw his face flush a deep crimson hue, and she knew that in that very instant, her concoction had worked.
The Great Hall was vacating, and Seph watched as Potter appeared apprehensive about rising from his seat. Alas, his decision to eschew his robe on this occasion proved to be most unfortunate. As he begrudgingly stood, a prodigious bulge was conspicuously displayed in his trousers, much to Seph's amusement.
He attempted to get out of the public space as quickly as possible, trying to ignore the snickers and chuckles which, ironically, were largely coming from his own house. But her roommates managed to box him in the hallway before he could reach a secluded spot to compose himself.
Seph couldn't resist laughing mockingly at him, relishing in his embarrassment. "Well, well Potter, I didn't realize a mere conversation with Evans had such an effect on you," she said.
Potter blushed as he looked around and saw the majority of students still had eyes on him. Seph knew how this potion worked, so she knew getting any coherent thoughts out at this moment would be incredibly difficult for him due to the heavy levels of arousal he must be feeling.
She reveled in his discomfort, knowing that he deserved every bit of it for the way he treated Lily. It brought her great satisfaction to see him humiliated in public. Perhaps now he would think twice before crossing Seph or anyone else again.
She gave Potter a mocking pout, relishing in the power she had over him. She knew he had always been infatuated with Lily, and it gave her a sick pleasure to use that against him.
"Too bad Lily would never allow you to indulge," Seph taunted, enjoying the way his face contorted in anger and hurt. "After all, you're a pathetic virgin who has nothing better to do than pine after her. As a matter of fact, I would bet my entire life's savings that she would rather let the giant squid fuck her in the arse than go on a date with you."
Seph could see the tears welling in his eyes, and it only fueled her cruel streak. She glanced over to her left and saw Black struggling to contain his amusement as he prepared to deliver a biting retort.
"Oh come on, Snivellus," Black said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I doubt your entire life's savings would even equal half of his monthly allowance."
She scoffed at Black's comment, her eyes still fixed on Potter. "What are you finding so amusing, Black?" Seph spat. "You have such a massive ego for someone with such a puny little prick."
Seph knew her words were harsh, but it was worth it to see Potter's defeated expression. Lily had always been out of his league, and he needed to be reminded of that fact. As for Black, he was nothing more than a shallow, arrogant fool who had no real substance or intelligence.
She watched as any former traces of laughter left Black's face. It was satisfying to see him finally getting a taste of his own medicine. He was always so quick to mock and ridicule others, but now he was the one on the receiving end.
But she couldn't stop there. She had to keep going, to keep driving her point home. Her eyes shifted to the small one, Pettigrew, who was cowering in fear. Seph felt a perverse pleasure in taunting him.
"Awww, are you c-c-c-cowarding?" Seph sneered. "You're just a s-s-stuttering Gryffindor poof, who, by the way he looks at those fuckers, wants nothing more than to be split roasted by these idiots."
Seph could see the discomfort and disgust on their faces, and it only fueled her desire to humiliate them further. Her gaze then landed on Lupin, who was bracing himself for what was to come. She decided to direct her attention to him next.
"As for you," Seph said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're simply insignificant. A weak-willed coward who hides behind his friends. You're no better than these fools."
She could see the hurt and anger in Lupin's eyes, but she didn't care. They all deserved to be put in their place, to be reminded of their inferiority.
It was a rare moment of satisfaction for Seph, to be situated on the opposite end of the spectrum, to not be the hapless target of derision for once. For too long, she had endured the taunts and jeers of these foolish boys, always feeling like an outsider, always feeling like she didn't belong.
But now, for the very first time amongst this group, Seph was imbued with a sense of dominance. She reveled in the power that came with it, savoring the feeling of being in control.
With that realization, Seph leisurely retrieved a cigarette from her pocket and nonchalantly commenced her exit. But as she turned to leave, a notion suddenly occurred to her. She sauntered toward James, who was still reeling from her earlier insults, and took a deep drag from her cigarette.
Without hesitation, Seph expeditiously exhaled a cloud of smoke directly into his face, relishing in the sight of him coughing and sputtering. It was a small act, but it felt like a triumph, a way to assert her dominance and remind them all that she was not to be trifled with.
With a smirk on her face, Seph turned and strode away, feeling more confident and powerful than she had in a long time. They may have thought they had the upper hand, but she knew better. She was always one step ahead, always in control. And she would make sure they never forgot it.
As 1974 drew to a close, a letter arrived that would change the course of her life forever. It was news of her father's passing, a man who had caused her much pain and disappointment throughout her life. Despite this, she found herself feeling a mix of emotions at the news, from a sense of detachment to a slight twinge of sadness.
It was then that Headmaster Dumbledore approached her with news of her new guardianship under Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Seph would be spending Christmas break at their home, a prospect that filled her with both anticipation and uncertainty.
As Seph arrived at their doorstep, she was met with a warm reception from Lily, but her sister Petunia seemed less than thrilled about her presence. Nonetheless, Seph settled in and enjoyed the holiday festivities, grateful for the brief respite from the rigors of Hogwarts.
As she sat alone in her room at the Evans' house, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It was a difficult transition, but she was glad to be spending Christmas with her best friend, Lily.
Seph couldn't help but feel envious of her best friend sometimes. She seemed to have everything figured out, while she was constantly struggling to keep up.
"So, I received a gift from Lucius Malfoy today," Seph said, gesturing towards the expensive watch on her wrist.
Lily's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why would Lucius be sending you gifts?"
Seph hesitated for a moment before answering, "I spent the summer with him, and we became friends."
Lily's expression turned skeptical. "Friends with Lucius Malfoy? I don't know about that, Sev. He's not exactly the nicest person around."
Seph shrugged, "He's not as bad as people make him out to be. And besides, he's been a good friend to me."
Lily looked at her with concern, "Sev, are you sure you're making the right choices here? You know what kind of people he associates with."
Seph nodded, "I know, but he's been there for me when no one else was. He understands me in a way that no one else does."
Lily sighed, "I just worry about you sometimes, Sev. You deserve better than hanging out with the likes of Malfoy."
Seph appreciated her concern, but she couldn't help feeling defensive. "What do you know about it, Lily? You've always had it easy. You've never had to struggle like I have."
Lily's eyes flashed with anger, "Don't you dare talk to me like that. Just because I come from a different background doesn't mean I haven't had my own struggles."
Seph immediately regretted her words, "I'm sorry, Lily. I didn't mean it like that. I just feel like I'm always on the outside looking in."
Lily softened, "I know. And I'm sorry too. I just want what's best for you."
They sat in silence for a few moments before Lily spoke up again, "Sev, what's it like in Slytherin?" Lily asked as they sat on her bed, sipping tea that her mother brought up for them.
Seph sighed, "It's not easy, Lily. It's a constant battle to prove yourself and maintain your status. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming."
Lily nodded, "Yeah, I can see that. Gryffindor has its own set of challenges too. We're expected to be brave and bold all the time, which can be exhausting."
Seph took a sip of her tea and pondered her words. "I suppose every house has its own expectations and pressures. But Slytherin is often misunderstood. People assume we're all evil or have some kind of dark agenda. But the truth is, we're just ambitious. We have a drive to succeed and will do what it takes to achieve our goals."
Lily nodded slowly, "I understand that. But sometimes that ambition can lead to dangerous choices."
Seph frowned slightly, "Yes, there are always those who take it too far. But that's not the majority. And besides, being in Slytherin doesn't mean we're automatically predisposed to making bad decisions. We have the same capacity for good as anyone else."
Lily smiled at Seph's defense of her house. "I know, Sev. I didn't mean it like that. I just worry about you sometimes."
Seph felt a pang of guilt at that. She knew she had made some questionable decisions in her past, and Lily had always been there to try and steer her in the right direction. "I appreciate your concern, Lily. But I'm doing what I need to do to achieve my goals."
"But at what cost?" Lily asked softly. "Is it worth sacrificing your morals and values for success?"
Seph shook her head, "I'm not sacrificing anything. I know what I want, and I'm willing to work hard to get it. That doesn't mean I'm willing to compromise my principles."
Lily gave her a skeptical look, "I'm not so sure about that, Sev. You know what they say about the company you keep."
Seph bristled at that. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying that maybe you need to take a good hard look at your friends and the choices you're making," Lily said firmly. "You can't just blindly follow someone because they promise you power and success. You need to think for yourself."
Seph felt defensive and hurt. Lily was her closest friend, and she didn't want to lose her support. "I am thinking for myself, Lily. I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" she challenged. "Because sometimes it seems like you're just following in someone else's footsteps. Someone who doesn't have your best interests at heart."
Seph sighed heavily. She was talking about her association with Lucius Malfoy, and she wasn't entirely wrong. But Seph couldn't just abandon her dreams and ambitions because of her disapproval. "I know what I'm doing, Lily. And I have to do it my way."
"But what about the consequences?" she asked quietly. "What happens if things go wrong?"
Seph shook her head, "I can't think about that. I have to focus on my goals. Besides, I have protection."
Lily looked at her sharply, "Protection? What kind of protection?"
Seph hesitated for a moment before admitting, "Lucius has promised to protect me."
Lily's eyes widened in alarm, "Sev, that's not protection. That's manipulation. He's using you."
Seph felt a surge of anger at her words. "You don't understand, Lily. Lucius Malfoy has power and influence, and he can help me achieve my goals. I'm not being manipulated."
"You're being brainwashed," Lily retorted. "You're letting him control you, Sev. And it's not just your future at stake. It's your soul."
Seph rolled her eyes, "Don't be ridiculous, Lily. I'm not selling my soul to the devil."
"But you're compromising your ethics and morals," Lily countered. "You're associating with a group of people who are known for their dark deeds and cruelty. How can you justify that?"
Seph clenched her jaw, feeling defensive and frustrated. "I'm not justifying anything. I'm doing what I need to do to achieve my goals. And if that means associating with those like Lucius Malfoy, then so be it."
Lily sighed heavily, "Sev, I just don't want to see you get hurt. Or worse, become someone you're not."
"I won't become someone I'm not," Seph said firmly. "I know who I am and what I stand for. And I won't let anyone else define that for me."
"But what about the people you'll inevitability hurt in the process?" Lily asked. "What about the innocent lives that are being destroyed because of this war?"
"I know it's not easy, Lily. But sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good."
"But at what cost?" Lily asked softly. "Is it worth sacrificing your soul for power and success?"
Seph shook her head, feeling conflicted. She didn't want to sacrifice her soul, but she also didn't want to give up her dreams. "I don't know, Lily. All I know is that I have to keep moving forward. I don't have a choice."
"You always have a choice, Sev," Lily said firmly. "And I hope you choose wisely."
Seph looked at her, feeling a mix of emotions. Lily was her closest friend, and she didn't want to disappoint her. But at the same time, she couldn't just abandon her goals and ambitions. "I'll do what I can, Lily. But I can't make any promises."
Lily nodded slowly, "I understand, Sev. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?" Seph asked.
"That you'll always remember who you are and what you stand for," Lily said firmly. "Don't let anyone else define that for you."
Seph nodded slowly, feeling a sense of resolve. "I won't, Lily. I promise."
On Christmas Day, as they gathered around the tree to exchange gifts, Seph couldn't help but feel nervous. She wanted to show her appreciation, but she knew that the gifts she had bought were far more expensive than what anyone else could afford. She could only afford it because of Lucius, but Lucius was always happy to indulge her.
As Lily and her parents opened their presents, their faces lit up in surprise and delight. They couldn't believe the generosity of their young guest.
But Petunia, Lily's older sister, had a different reaction. "What's this?" she sneered, holding up a small, cheap trinket. "Aren't I worth a more expensive gift, Snape?"
Seph gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the snide comment. But Petunia wasn't finished.
"And where did you get all this money, anyway?" she continued. "Are you some sort of prostitute? If that's the case, I doubt they use you as Severus, since that's not even your real name…"
Seph's heart sank. She knew Petunia didn't like her, but she never expected her to be so brazen. She looked to Lily, hoping for some sort of support, but she seemed just as shocked as she was.
"Petunia, that's enough," Mr. Evans said sternly.
"No!" Petunia yelled. "Lily is so bloody ignorant to what's right in front of her eyes! You know what it is! Mum and Dad would never let me be alone with a boy in my room, but for some reason it's okay when it's Lily and Severus? It's because Severus is lying to you! She's a fucking tranny, Lily! Her real name isn't even Severus, the girls at school told me that her name is actually Persephone! She's just a freak who pretends to be a boy!"
Seph felt a sharp pain in her chest as she heard Petunia's words. How could she be so cruel? She had never done anything to her, yet she seemed to take pleasure in tormenting her. Lily's face was pale, and she looked like she was about to cry.
"Petunia, that's enough," Mr. Evans said sternly, standing up from his seat. "I won't tolerate that kind of behavior in this house. You need to apologize to Severus right now."
Petunia scowled, but Seph could tell that she was intimidated by Mr. Evans' stern tone. She muttered a half-hearted apology before storming out of the room.
Seph let out a deep breath, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. She had never been so humiliated in her life. She didn't know how she was going to face Lily's parents after this.
But to her surprise, Mr. and Mrs. Evans didn't seem angry or upset with her. In fact, they seemed to be more concerned about her well-being than anything else.
"Severus, are you okay?" Mrs. Evans asked, putting a hand on her arm. "I can't believe Petunia would say something like that."
Seph nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I'm fine, thank you. It's not the first time I've been called names like that. None of what she said was true, but I've heard all of these vicious rumors before."
Mr. Evans sighed, shaking his head. "I don't understand why she feels the need to be so nasty. You're always welcome in our home, Severus, no matter what anyone else says."
Seph felt a surge of gratitude towards Lily's parents. They had always been kind to her, even when she didn't deserve it. She knew that she could never repay them for all that they had done for her.
As they finished opening their presents, Seph couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. She had never had a real family before, and she knew that she would soon have to leave the Evans' home and return to her life at Hogwarts.
But for now, she was grateful for the warmth and love that she had found in this small corner of the world. And she knew that she would never forget the kindness of the Evans family.
Seph sat nervously on the edge of Lily's bed, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. She knew that something was bothering Lily, but she didn't want to pry. They had been friends for years, and Seph valued her trust more than anything.
But eventually, Lily spoke up. "Sev, can I ask you something?"
Seph looked up at her, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Of course, Lily. What's on your mind?"
She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip nervously. "Well, it's just...what Petunia said earlier. About you being born a girl. Is it true?"
Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. Seph had been hoping that Lily wouldn't bring up Petunia's cruel words, but she should have known better. Lily was never one to shy away from the truth.
Seph took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "No, Lily, it's not true. I have no idea who Persephone is."
Lily looked at her skeptically, and Seph could tell that she wasn't entirely convinced. "Are you sure, Sev? You seem...nervous."
Seph shook her head, trying to keep her voice firm. "I'm sure, Lily."
Lily's expression softened, and she reached out to take her hand. "Sev, you know that I would never judge you based on something like that. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what."
Seph felt a lump form in her throat, and she had to fight back tears. She had never talked to Lily about this, and the thought of opening up to her was both terrifying and liberating.
But at the same time, Seph couldn't shake the feeling of shame and embarrassment. She had always felt like an outsider, and the thought of revealing her deepest secrets to Lily was almost too much to bear.
"I appreciate that, Lily," Seph said softly.
Just as the school year was coming to a close, another letter arrived, this one from Lucius.
He had always been a useful ally, and it seemed his connections had once again come through for her. In his latest letter, he informed Seph that he had managed to establish communication with her mother. Her heart raced as she read the news that she would be spending the summer under their care. It was an opportunity she had longed for, but also one that filled her with a mix of conflicting emotions.
As Seph entered the library, she saw Lily sitting alone by the fireplace. Lily looked up as she saw her, but the smile on her face quickly faded as she noticed the letter in her hand.
"What's that?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.
"It's a letter from Lucius," Seph replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
Lily's expression darkened as she crossed her arms over her chest. "And what does he want?"
"He's offering to let me stay with him over the summer," Seph explained, hoping she would understand the opportunity this presented.
"Stay with him? Are you kidding me, Sev? You're seriously considering spending the summer with that creep?" Lily's voice rose with each word.
"He's not a creep, Lily," Seph protested. "And it's not like that between us. We're just friends."
Lily snorted. "Friends? You can't seriously expect me to believe that."
"This is an opportunity for me. I'll be able to learn from him and his connections."
Lily shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger. "I can't believe you would even consider leaving me for the summer. You promised we would spend it together."
"I know, and I'm sorry," Seph said, feeling guilty. "But this is something I need to do for myself."
"And what about me? What about our friendship?" Lily demanded.
"I'll write to you every day," Seph promised. "We'll still be in touch."
Lily snorted. "That's not the same, and you know it. I can't believe you would choose Malfoy over me."
"It's not about choosing, Lily," Seph said, feeling frustrated. "I just need to do what's best for me."
Lily stood up, her eyes blazing. "You know what? I can't even look at you right now. I can't believe you would be so selfish."
"I'm not being selfish," Seph protested. "I'm just trying to make the most of this opportunity."
Lily shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "You know what? I don't even want to hear it. And I don't want to hear anything else about Malfoy either. He's a creep, and I don't want anything to do with him."
"He's not a creep, Lily," Seph said, feeling angry now. "And I wish you would stop saying that."
"He is a creep," Lily insisted. "And I don't want you anywhere near him."
"I can't believe you're being so unreasonable," Seph said, feeling her own anger rising. "You're not even willing to listen to me."
"Why should I listen to you?" Lily spat. "You're obviously not listening to me. You're just doing whatever you want, without even considering how it affects other people."
"That's not true," Seph protested. "I care about you. I just need to do what's best for me."
"But what about what's best for us?" Lily demanded. "What about our friendship?"
"I don't know," Seph said, feeling defeated. "I just don't know."
Lily shook her head, her eyes still filled with tears. "You know what? I don't even want to talk about it."
"You don't even want to talk about it? That's your solution?" Seph asked, feeling frustrated.
"What else is there to say?" Lily replied, her voice shaking. "You're leaving me for the summer. You're choosing Malfoy over me. What more do you want me to say?"
"I want you to understand that this is important to me," Seph said, feeling desperate. "I want you to understand that I need to do this for myself."
"I understand that," Lily said, her voice softening slightly. "But I still don't agree with it. And I can't just sit by and watch you make a mistake."
"It's not a mistake," Seph protested. "And you can't make decisions for me."
"I know I can't make decisions for you," Lily said, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. "But I can tell my parents. I can make sure they know what you're doing."
"Why would you do that?" Seph asked, feeling hurt.
"Because I care about you," Lily said. "And I don't want you to make a mistake you'll regret."
"I won't regret it," Seph said, feeling her desperation growing. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" Lily asked, her eyes searching mine. "Do you really?"
"Yes," Seph said, feeling more convinced than ever. "I do."
Lily shook her head, her eyes filling with tears once again. "I don't know what to do, Sev. I don't know how to make you understand."
"I understand," Seph said, her own voice shaking now. "I just wish you would support me."
"I do support you," Lily insisted. "I just don't support this decision. And I can't pretend that I do."
"I know," Seph said, feeling defeated. "I know."
There was a long moment of silence between them, as they both tried to process their emotions. In the end, it was Lily who broke the silence.
"I'm going to go talk to my parents," she said, her voice firm. "I'm going to tell them what you're doing. And then you can forgive me while you're with me over the summer."
"You don't have to do that," Seph said, feeling a sense of panic rising in her chest.
"Yes, I do," Lily said. "I have to do what I think is right. And I think this is the right thing to do."
"I don't want to lose you as a friend," Seph said, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes.
"I don't want to lose you either," Lily said, her own voice shaking. "But I can't just sit by and watch you make a mistake."
"It's not a mistake."
"I hope you're right," Lily said, before turning and walking out of the library.
As she left, Seph felt a sense of sadness wash over her. She knew that their friendship would never be the same again. But she also knew that she had to do what was best for her. And if that meant spending the summer with Lucius, then so be it.
Seph knew that this news would not be received well by Lily's parents. Lily had always been wary of her association with Lucius and his family. And now, with the added complication of her leaving their custody, Seph feared their reaction would be explosive.
Sure enough, a few days later, Seph found herself sitting in Dumbledore's office, joined by Lucius. Across from them sat Mr. and Mrs. Evans, their faces etched with concern and anger.
"Severus, we need to talk about this arrangement," Mrs. Evans began, her voice sharp. "We are not comfortable with you leaving our care and going with this boy. He's just a boy, not much older than you. How can he possibly take care of you? And we have reason to believe his intentions with you are less than pure."
Seph bristled at her words, but before she could say anything, Dumbledore interjected. "Please, let's try to keep this conversation civil. I understand your concerns, Mrs. Evans, but I assure you that Lucius is more than capable of looking after Severus."
"Forgive me, Headmaster, but I don't see how that can be true," Mr. Evans chimed in. "We do not know this boy. How can we trust him to look after Severus?"
Lucius stiffened, but remained silent. Seph could feel the tension in the room building, and she knew it was up to her to diffuse the situation.
"Mr. and Mrs. Evans, please," Seph said, her voice steady. "I appreciate your concern, but you have to understand that this is an opportunity for me to spend time with my mother. I haven't seen her in years, and I want this chance to reconnect with her."
"But what about your safety, Severus?" Mrs. Evans asked, her voice softening. "We care about you, and we want to make sure you're okay."
"I understand that, but I trust Lucius," Seph replied. "He's been a good friend to me, and he's promised to look after me."
"Severus, I understand your desire to spend time with your mother," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "But we also have to take into account your safety. Perhaps there is a compromise we can reach."
"What kind of compromise?" Seph asked, her heart sinking. She knew that the only compromise would be for her to stay with the Evans', and that was not an option she was willing to accept.
"Perhaps you can send letters daily, to ensure that everything goes smoothly," Dumbledore suggested.
Before Seph could protest, Lucius spoke up. "He would be happy to do that, Headmaster. I understand the Evans' concerns, and I want Severus do everything he can to put their minds at ease."
Mrs. Evans looked at Lucius, her expression softening. "That might work," she said, turning to her husband. "What do you think?"
Mr. Evans hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "I suppose that could be a compromise we could live with."
Relief flooded through Seph as she realized that she would be able to spend the summer with her mother.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Evans," Seph said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I promise that I will be safe, and that Lucius will look after me."
Mrs. Evans smiled at her, her eyes softening. "We know you'll be safe, Severus. Just be careful, okay?"
"I will," Seph replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thank you."
There was a moment of silence as they all sat there, processing what had just happened. Then, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Well, that seems to be settled then," he said, his gaze moving from person to person. "Severus, Lucius, please make sure that you keep in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Evans throughout the summer. And if there are any problems, don't hesitate to contact me."
"We will, Headmaster," Lucius replied, his voice steady.
As they left Dumbledore's office and made their way down the stairs, Seph felt a sense of relief wash over her. The meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Evans had gone better than she had expected.
As she made her way to the train station to meet with Lucius, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. What would her reunion with her mother be like? Would she finally show her the affection and love she had always craved, or would she be distant and cold?
As Seph arrived at the station, she spotted Lucius waiting for her. He greeted her cordially and they made their way to his home to discuss the finer details of her summer plans. It was there that he revealed the reason behind her mother's sudden interest in her - she needed her help with a delicate matter, an alliance, and Seph would be a rather valuable pawn.
Despite the fear and anger that still lingered within her, a small glimmer of hope sparked in her heart. Perhaps this summer would finally bring the answers she had been seeking for so long, and she would discover the reason why she had been deemed unworthy of her mother's affection.