Lily's Defender, Part 2
Alethea27 and TheOneandOnlyEnigma
Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply
Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.
A/N: If your reading this just so you can criticize our take on James Potter, either stick to reading canon fiction or go express your views in a James/Severus forum.
Always Expect the Unexpected
Dumbledore was having lunch in the Great Hall when his watch. with the planets all around the dial and was connected to his floo, informed him that he had a visitor. Minerva, Filius, and Horace had been talking about their worry of the possibility of not having a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor for the next year. As Dumbledore glanced at his watch, he smiled as he saw whom his visitor was. "I believe I may have just gotten the solution to our problem," he said enigmatically, rising from his chair.
"What?" Minerva asked. She glanced at Filius and Horace, but they both looked as confused as she was.
"I will let you know," Dumbledore said with a nod at them. "But I must not keep my guest waiting as I recall he does not have much patience." He made his way down the the center aisle and out of the Great Hall.
"That man!" Minerva exclaimed. "Why can't he just say what he means?"
Filius chuckled. "He does like being mysterious, you know, Minerva."
Horace chuckled and nodded, too. "Yes, and he loves keeping everybody in suspence."
Dumbledore opened his office to find Gabriel pacing around. He looked up at Dumbledore. "I was just about ready to leave again."
"I am glad I did not miss you then," Dumbledore replied calmly. He motioned at one of the squashy red chairs in front of his desk. "Please, Gabriel, have a seat."
Gabriel trudged over and reluctantly sat down. He was determined that Dumbledore was not going to con him into taking this teaching job no matter what. "Look Dumbledore, Marius told me about your thinking I can save the day by being the DADA Professor this year, but I've got no interest in being a professor of any kind."
Dumbledore merely nodded then asked calmly, "Not even if it means you can see Sam and Severus every day and keep an eye on them?" He took a lemon drop out of the dish on his desk and popped it into his mouth. "Delicious! Mr. Flume creates these especially for me." He regarded Gabriel shrewdly, "It would also mean you could get to know Wallburga's two sons, Sirius and Regulus."
Gabriel's curiosity got the better of him. "What are they like?"
"Sirius is headstrong like Walburga was and has a short temper. He was sorted into Gryffindor."
Gabriel's eyes widened at that because the Black's had been almost exclusively sorted into Slytherin for generations.
"He is very loyal, but it has gotten him into a lot of trouble his first two years when he decided his loyalty lay with James Potter."
Gabriel made a face. The Potter's had always been trouble of some sort.
"He and James got into some very bad trouble their second year and I was forced to suspend them both for the rest of the school year. James tried to blame the whole incident off on Sirius, proving to him that he felt no loyalty whatsover towards Sirius. Sirius learned from that and became a better person."
"What about the other son ...Regulus, is it?"
"Regulus is quieter and more studious than his older brother, but he does have that unmistakable Black sense of humour though."
Gabriel grinned as he recalled some of the pranks Walburga had come up with for him, Silas and Eileen to try out.
"What about that Potter kid?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "James was expelled last spring after he was caught trying to break into the previous defense professor's office to find something his father could use to smear him."
Gabriel squinted his eyes. "Yeah, think I remember Sam saying something about it. Bobby Gold, wasn't it?" Gabriel asked, using his nickname, then shook his head. "I can't imagine anybody thinking he is anything but what he is – a thoroughly honest and honerable person."
Dumbledore nodded. "Charles and Mavis took a dislike to him and Charles looked for a reason to get him fired the entire year he was here."
"I'm sorry Bobby had to deal with such dishonerable people as the Potter's." Gabriel replied then chuckled, "I heard about you and Professor McGonagall having to call the Knight's Bus to take him back home after you found him wandering around either drunk or from a misfired spell." He changed the subject suddenly. "I heard you're allowing Dante to come back."
"I had a chat with Madam Maxime and she allowed me to see Dante's records from his years at Beauxbatons and it has proven to me that he has learned from the incident that happened here his fourth year."
Gabriel was quiet for a moment as he realized apparently Dumbledore was being buffaloed again as well as Marcus and Sherwood. Dante may had changed himself temporarily enough to fool Madam Maxime, his father, and grandfather, and now Dumbledore, but that didn't mean he had changed where it counted most – inside and that also meant that somebody would need to protect Sam and Severus from Dante. He looked up at Dumbledore. "Alright, Dumbledore, I accept your offer."
"Wonderful!" Dumbledore exclaimed. He was surprised at Gabriel's sudden change of heart, but pleased none the less. They got down to business and Gabriel managed to extract a generous salary out of him which Dumbledore was more than willing to pay.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Severus and Lily were in the living room with Vesper. Marius had to return to work for a short while longer. Severus and Lily were working on some of their summer homework when the fires of the floo erupted and Gabriel stepped out of the fireplace.
Severus shot up to greet him as did Lily and Vesper. "My grandfather told Lily and I that Dumbledore wanted you to be the new Defense Professor. Is that true Gabriel?"
Gabriel nodded his head, "Yeah, that's right Severus."
Vesper leaned forward to hear the results in anticipation. "And?"
"I start tomorrow. I have to meet with McGonagall and come up with an appropriate lesson plan."
Vesper was elated, now she felt completely at ease knowing that Gabriel would be here to keep an eye of Severus.
Severus was feeling more relaxed as well. With Gabriel there as the Defense Professor, there was less of a chance that Dante would try anything.
"That's marvelous!;' Vesper smiled. "I'm very happy for you Gabriel!"
"Well thanks," Gabriel rubbed the back of his head. "I almost didn't take the position."
"Why not?" Lily asked. "From what Vesper told Severus and me, you were an Auror a long time ago. Surely, you'd be qualified to teach us Defense?"
"Well, I don't have much patience for that I'm afraid. I barely have any patience teaching Sami anything. That's mostly because he is insatiable, and is always wanting to learn more!"
Severus chuckled, "From what I know Sam is very talented in DADA. He tested out of normal DADA into Year Three DADA his first year at Hogwarts."
Gabriel nodded at what Severus had stated. "You two don't know each other that good, do you?"
Severus frowned and shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. We've just been in different social circles." Severus had decided to not mention how Sam knocked Severus over last year when they were all returning home.
"Well I am going to introduce you, and I want you two to get to know each other. Your parents were all good friends."
Severus' eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Indeed, Leena and Silas were the best of friends with me and Walburga Black a long time ago. Back when we were just kids, in fact."
Severus smiled, "I'd like to hear more about those times if you don't mind?"
"Of course not Severus. Anything you want to know, I will do my best to tell you what I know." Gabriel grinned. "Now, if you don't mind I'm afraid I have to part ways for now."
Vesper frowned. "Are you sure Gabriel?"
"Yes, Vesper I'm sure…" Gabriel gave her a sly smile. "I have to go and visit an old friend."
It took but a second for Vesper to understand what he meant.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Sirius and Regulus were coming back from the park after spending the afternoon playing together. Regulus had pestered his brother for days to spend some quality time together. Sirius begrudgingly, playfully mind you, agreed, and they went to The Q. Upton Waverly Memorial Park.
It was a special wizarding park created in the late 1700s that was hidden away from muggle eyes. The Brothers Black flew on their brooms and played 'catch the snitch' for a few hours until it was time to return home. They had shrunk their broomsticks and placed them into their pockets.
Sirius complimented his younger brother, "I've got to say Reg, you've really improved your flying."
"You think so?" Regulus brightened up.
"Oh, absolutely! You should consider trying out for the Slytherin Quidditch team."
"Really Siri? Well, I don't think I'm that good," Regulus rubbed the back of his head.
"Don't sell yourself short Reg, you'd be a good fit."
"How about you Siri? You should try out for the Gryffindor team!"
Sirius stopped to think about it. "I'll tell you what Reg, I'll make a deal with you. I'll try out for the Gryffindor team if you try out for the Slytherin team."
Regulus grinned like a Cheshire kneazle, "Deal!" He shook his brother's hand.
"Just don't complain when my team beats yours!" Sirius smirked.
"Fat chance, Siri!" Regulus stuck his tongue out at his brother.
They laughed as they turned the corner onto Grimmauld Place.
It was then that something caught Regulus' eye. Sirius picked up on that quickly. "Something up Reg?"
"There's someone standing across from the house."
Sirius looked forward and saw a man smoking a cigarette. "It's just a muggle smoking Reg. Nothing to worry about."
"But Siri, he's looking right at the house. Like he can see it!" Regulus voiced his concern.
Sirius took another look, and it looked like the man was looking right at 12 Grimmauld Place.
Sirius drew his wand slowly and placed it in his pocket for quick access. "Reg stay back for a second."
"Siri, what are you thinking?!" Regulus panicked. "He could be dangerous, or one of those Death Eaters!"
"I know just...stay back for a second. Let me see what's going on. If anything happens, go get Dad." Sirius sauntered over close to the man. Doing his best to just blend in and not look out of place.
The man had dirty blond hair and an unkempt beard. He looked like he was homeless. His clothes were a bit worn, fueling Sirius' theory about the man.
The man was smoking a pack of Red Apple Cigarettes. He finished his cigarette when he noticed Sirius out of the corner of his eye. "May I help you?"
"I think that's the question I should be asking you Mister." Sirius put on a bravado. "Are you lost or something?"
"Why do you ask that?" The man raised an eyebrow.
"You're staring off into space. Looking at those row of houses."
"Do you live there?" He pointed at 12 Grimmauld Place.
Sirius shook his head, "No sir, I live there." He lies as he pointed to the one right next door.
The man nodded, "Apologies. I'll be on my way. I'm just... reminiscing."
That piqued Sirius' intrigue. "About what?"
"Better times. Happier even."
"Oh...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you," Sirius apologized.
"You're all right." The man sighed as he scratched his beard. His eyes never leaving 12 Grimmauld Place.
Sirius looked at the man, "What are you reminiscing about?"
"My best friend. The times we spent together…" His eyes left the building. "The future that never was."
Sirius felt sorry for the man for some reason. Like he felt that the man had gone through some sort of trauma.
He looked back at Sirius before leaving. "Do yourself a favor kid, never fall in love with your best friend, it'll hurt that much worse when they choose familial duty over you." He walked away lighting another cigarette, choosing to wallow in dreams and moments that could have been.
Sirius watched the man walk off, sensing no danger he put his wand back in his back pocket, and went back to Reg.
"Well? Was he a Death Eater, Siri?"
"No...at least not that I could tell." He rubbed the back of his head.
Regulus felt that something was off, "Is something the matter?"
"No, well. I got the feeling he knows Dad for some reason."
"Why?"
"Something he said, but enough about that, let's get home." And Sirius looked at Regulus closer. " And let's keep this a secret from mum and dad just until I can figure something out, all right Reg?"
Regulus wanted to say that perhaps they should tell their parents, but Sirius used his serious face. "Oh fine, but this won't end well. I can feel it in my bones."
The two brothers returned home and washed up for supper.
At the dinner table Orion was finishing setting up the table while Walburga brought in the last of the silverware. "Walburga, have you noticed something odd about the boys?"
"Is that a loaded question, my dear?" Walburga quipped in a rare smirk.
Orion chuckled, "No. They've been rather quiet since they've returned home."
"Do you think something is wrong?"
"Well, no." Orion shrugged, "But I feel like something isn't right either."
"Let's see if they want to talk about it, but let's not force anything out of them if they aren't willing to share."
"Right," Orion agreed.
Dinner consisted of a Roasted Venison with chunks of carrot and celery, baked potatoes, garlic roasted asparagus, freshly baked yeast rolls, and for dessert, a French Chocolate Pie.
The family thanked Kreacher for the food and dug in.
Orion and Walburga saw that Regulus was eating normally, but was acting a bit dodgy. Stealing glances over to his big brother.
Sirius was more apparently bothered by something. He pushed around a carrot chunk on his plate deep in thought. Like something was concerning him.
"Sirius?" Walburga addressed her eldest son.
Sirius snapped out of his stupor, "What? Oh sorry, Mum."
"Is everything alright? You've been acting... reserved since you've returned from the park."
Sirius uncharacteristically shrunk in his seat and looked at his silverware. "Well, I…"
Orion looked at his eldest son, "What is it son?"
"Dad...who was your best friend when you were at Hogwarts?"
Orion chortled, "Merlin, son, is this what has been bothering you?"
Sirius slightly shook his head a bit.
"What's the matter? Do you think your father was such an unpopular fellow he didn't have one single friend? I had plenty of friends, I was quite popular back in my day, but a best friend? Well, I had three."
"Do you have any pictures of them?" Sirius asked.
"Tell you what, if you finish your dinner and your dessert. I'll take you into the study to look at my yearbooks.
Sirius shook his head and continued to eat his dinner.
Afterward, Orion led his son into his study. He scanned the bookshelf for the yearbook he had attended his last year of Hogwarts.
Regulus and Walburga had joined them shortly after Orion found the yearbook. "Here we are." Orion put on his pair of reading glasses and skimmed through the pages until he found a picture with him and his best friends.
"Ah, yes. Look here, Sirius." Orion pointed the picture out.
Sirius looked at the picture attentively. The man he saw earlier wasn't among the young men surrounding his father in the picture. He recognized his father, a handsome young man, his hair flowed past his neck, and a goatee starting to form.
He also recognized his uncle Alphard as well. The recognizable beauty mark under the left side of his lip. He was dressed in the latest fashionable jacket of the time in that picture. "Uncle Alphard was like that even back in the day, huh Dad?"
Orion chuckled as he looked over the photo. "Yes, Alphard was, and still is a very fashionable individual."
"He still lives at Villa Zorambra?" Regulus asked his father.
"Yes, all the way in Spain, and far away from here!" Walburga interjected. She was not as fond of her brother as Orion was.
"Oh my dear don't be like that, he's family!"
"And a bad influence! He still acts as though he is in his prime. When the truth is that he's far past those years."
"There is nothing wrong with retaining some of your youth...I should owl him."
Walburga's eyes nearly popped out of her head, "You most certainly will not!"
Orion shrugged his shoulders, "It's been ages since I've last spoken to him! What's the harm of one letter?"
"The last time you wrote to him, he came by unannounced and spent a few months here before Sirius' first year at Hogwarts!"
Sirius smiled, that was a fun Summer. Uncle Alphard had gotten him a Junior Cloudrunner, a broom for youths. It was Regulus' current broom after Sirius outgrew it.
Sirius looked back at the photo and studied it. He noticed the other two, and he didn't recognize them, "Who are those two? I don't think I know them."
Orion looked at the photograph fondly. He pointed at the young man with the slicked-back hair and the wire-rimmed glasses. "That is Ethan Braider, he was in Ravenclaw, and one of the smartest people I know."
"Braider? Is he related to the Braiders that currently go to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, those are his younger siblings. To my knowledge, he is unwed, and has no children."
Sirius pointed at the other student. This one was a Slytherin like his father and uncle. "Who is that?"
"That is Marcus Yalarad. He was the quiet sort back in those days. A regular wallflower."
"Slytherin Yalarads are few and far between. I mean, didn't most of the Yalarads end up in Gryffindor? I know of a few in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. I know Desdemona Yalarad is in my year, but no others," Regulus pondered.
Walburga looked at the photo, "Well Marcus didn't fit the mold, so to speak. He is an opportunist and now works in his father's company striking deals with other wizarding companies to import their goods here. It is no wonder that his daughter joins him in Slytherin."
Sirius looked at the picture closer. They didn't look anything like that man he saw earlier.
Orion studied his eldest son's face, "Does this satisfy your curiosity?"
"Yes Dad," Sirius answered his father, a bit downtrodden.
Before Orion could ask his son what the matter was, Regulus turned to Walburga. "Mum, what about you? Did you have any best friends in school?"
Walburga smiled, "Of course I did. Like your father, I had plenty of friends, but only a few close friends."
She took hold of the yearbook and flipped to another page. There was another photo with a youthful-looking Walburga. She was sitting behind a table in the library with three other people. Two young men, and another young woman.
Regulus this time studied the photo. He pointed at the young woman, "She looks a lot like Severus."
Sirius took a look at the photo, "Yeah you're right Reggie. She does look an awful lot like Sev."
Walburga looked at the picture of Eileen fondly. "You both are right. This is Eileen Prince, she is Severus' mother."
Sirius looked at his mother. "Wasn't...wasn't she killed by some Death Eaters...like years ago?"
Walburga's demeanor changed as she sighed. "Yes." She remembered the day of her funeral. Walburga had hardly ever cried, but that day she wept openly. "She was like a sister to me in many ways. She was my oldest and closest friend."
Sirius felt bad for bringing up those kinds of memories for his mother to go through. Orion put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Regulus looked back at the photo. He recognized the visage of Silas Yalarad. He was Orion's old partner and a legendary Auror with his own collectible Chocolate Frog Card. It was the other young man in the photo who really piqued Regulus' intrigue.
Regulus' eyes widened, "Siri! It's him!"
Sirius shot out of his chair and looked at the photo. There he was. He was obviously a lot more groomed, and more handsome. There was no mistaking anything. It was him. Sirius was kicking himself in the rear end mentally. He wasn't talking about his father, he was talking about his mother!
Orion was confused, he got up and stood behind his two sons. "Boys what are you talking about?"
Sirius and Regulus looked at each other, and back to their father. "Ummm," Sirius tried to come up with something quick.
"Boys, answer your father," Walburga told her children.
Sirius sighed, as he pointed to the mystery man he talked to. "This guy was outside of the house."
Orion and Walburga looked at the photo of Gabriel Schell. Orion's blood ran cold, and Walburga fell dead silent.
"Sirius," Orion addressed his eldest son. "I want you to tell me exactly what happened."
"Me and Reg came from the park after flying. Reg pointed out the guy standing across the house, and I went over to see what he wanted."
"Sirius!" Orion leaned down to address him. "I told you to never speak to strangers! What if he was a Death Eater?!" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Did he say anything?"
Sirius looked at his mother, and it looked like she was deep in thought. She was uncharacteristically quiet.
"Sirius Orion Black," Orion softly bellowed.
"He said he was remembering the better days, and the future that should have been."
Sirius and Regulus saw that their father's face was quickly being consumed by anger.
"Anything else?" He asked, his teeth gritting.
"He said...never fall in love with your best friend, or else it'll hurt more when they choose family over you."
Walburga's head shot up in quick realization. The past had shown up at her front door.
Regulus looked at his father. "Who is he, Dad?"
Orion calmed down before addressing his sons. "It doesn't matter." He stood up to his full height, "What is important is that if you see him again. You contact me immediately. I don't care when or where it might be!"
Sirius looked at his father, "Is he dangerous?"
"He's extremely dangerous, Sirius. And I'm very disappointed that you didn't come to me sooner about this!"
Sirius looked down at the floor, "I'm sorry Dad."
Orion took a deep breath, "You couldn't have known. Just please don't do it again, son."
Sirius looked at him and nodded, "I won't."
"Okay, now I want you two to leave your mother and me alone for a bit. We need to have a talk."
Sirius and Regulus understood. They walked out of their father's study.
Orion sighed, and looked back at Walburga. "Walla…"
"I'm going to lie down for a bit," Walburga softly spoke.
"Walburga!" Orion exclaimed quietly.
"Orion!" She turned back to her husband. "Please."
Orion got quiet, and then nodded. Walburga quietly walked out of his study and ascended the staircase to their room.
Orion watched her leave, and got to thinking. He looked back at the yearbook and got an idea. In times of crisis, you look to your own.
He went to his desk, and started to write a letter.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Severus, Lily, Severus' grandparents, Lily's parents and Petunia, all of their friends and their parents met in Diagon Alley to do their school shopping as soon as they received their letters. Unfortunately, every wizarding family had apparently the same idea as the it was packed.
"I don't think I've ever seen Diagon Alley this busy not even the first time when Professor McGonagall took us here," Cinthy remarked to Vesper as they came out of Gringotts after exchanging their money.
"There have not been any attacks from dark forces for quite awhile so perhaps people are feeling more secure coming here," Vesper replied. "Minister Bagnold did as she promised she would and dedicated a special branch of the Aurors to specifically fight the dark forces."
"She did indeed!" Augusta declared, as she heard Vesper's comment. "It has some of the best and brightest Aurors on it that have come out of the Auror Academy in recent years!"
"It is still a wise idea to keep one's eyes and ears open," Wallburga replied. She had brought Sirius and Regulus to get their school supplies as she normally did every year.
Petunia excused herself to go to Ollivander's to see Salem and his dad although she knew they'd both be busy with the first years getting their wands.
Severus and Lily met up with their friends. "Why don't we go to Florish & Blotts first?" Irene suggested.
"Yeah, that's not a place we'd likely run into Potter if he's here today," Frank said.
"Or Dante," Severus muttered under his breath.
"Potter might be here," Sirius said. "Overheard dad telling mum that Potter has a new despositer that's really rich though mum did say she'd never heard his family name before."
Reg put his hands on his hips in imitation of his mother and said, "Siri, have you been listening at keyholes again?"
Sirius shrugged. "How am I supposed to learn anything important if I don't, Reg? Anyway, Potter will be here because his old man will want to parade his new found wealth around. They're worse than the Malfoys that way."
"You know what mum always says, Siri, if you are rich, it's in really bad taste to flaunt it."
"Whoever said the Potter's have good taste?" Dorian asked, chuckling.
"Potter's has a private tutor so he'll need to buy the same books as us," Alice pointed out.
"Flourish and Blott's can ship them their order by Owl Mail, too," Caddaric said.
"Siri's right though," Tav said. "Old man Potter won't miss a chance to flaunt it especially after everybody said his bank would be a bust."
"I'm going to be on my guard no matter what," Peter said.
Remus nodded at Peter and said, "Forewarned is forearmed."
They let their parents know they were going and when they got to Florish & Blotts, they all went to different sections of it. Remus, Sirius, and Frank went to the Defense section, Irene and Lily went the Charms section, Alice, Reg, and Peter to where the Herbology books were located, Dorian and Caddaric went to the Transfiguation section, Tav went to have a look to see if they had any books on Pegasus in the Magical Creatures section and Severus went to have a look at the Potions section to see if they had gotten any new books in.
At the other end of Diagon Alley near The Daily Prophet's Office. Sam, Dante, and all of their cousins, and friends were all gathered to do their yearly shopping as soon as their letters came in.
"Man it's packed!" Agamemnon stated, He looked around and saw the bustling foot traffic coming and going in Diagon Alley.
"Indeed it is Augie." Sam patted his brother on the shoulder. "You excited to be getting your wand today?"
"I sure am!"
"Indeed, for this is a red-letter day for you!" Lyta said. "Now don't get too worried if it takes you a while to find your wand. It took me an hour before I was able to find mine!"
"Ah I wouldn't worry about it," Dante came up behind Sam, Lyta, and Augie. "Augie's cut from the same cloth as you two. He'll be fine." Dante was flanked by two kids his age. On his left side was Athena Braider, his betrothed. On the other side of him, there was Cassidy Doherty. A gruff looking rogue who looked like he had gotten in more fights than had a warm cup of tea.
"He'll be getting into duels in no time, eh Dante?" Cassidy chuckled. His hair was a light brown, and he stood a few inches over his best friend.
"I should certainly think not," Sam interjected.
"I wasn't talking to you squirt." Cassidy looked at Sam.
Sam looked miffed and was about to say something when Dante interrupted him.
"Apologize."
"What for?"
"That's his brother not mine. Apologize."
Cassidy rolled his eyes and gave a half-hearted attempt of an apology. "Sorry."
Sam frowned, but that was as good as he was going to get. "It's fine, but I made my mother a promise that I wasn't going to let Augie get into any trouble at Hogwarts. I intend to make certain of that!"
"No doubt." Dante turned to the rest of The United. There was Athena's younger brothers, Tom, a Ravenclaw like her; and Bartholomew, a Slytherin. There were his other cousins, Renner, and Vienna Dain. Renner cast an intimidating figure above Dante, and he was only starting Fourth yar. Vienna, just like Augie, was starting Hogwarts along with her cousin.
Dee-Dee and Jed were there with him. Desdemona, or Dee-Dee as she preferred, was in Slytherin like their father. Jed was surprisingly in Hufflepuff, but he was loyal to a fault, so it fits.
Then there were Sam's friends. Ever the popular one he was he had made friends from all the other houses and had invited them into the United. Which he had only gotten away with because Dante wasn't there to block it. There was John Slink, Jessica Langley, and Nathaniel Clearwater from Hufflepuff. The first two were Muggleborns, and Clearwater was a Pureblood, and one of Sam's closest friends.
There was that little prick, Michael Ashdown, from Gryffindor. Sam and him became good friends after Dante left Hogwarts. If he hadn't fallen down the Grand Staircase, to begin with, he wouldn't have had to leave in the first place.
Then there was Sam's sole Slytherin friend, Sebastian Holmes. Dante had never liked him, but he couldn't do much as both Sam and Bartholomew looked out for him.
"All right, my Aunt Alexandria has graciously volunteered to cover your expenses for this year, so I expect you all to thank her the next time you see her."
The United all were grateful for Alexandria's generosity.
"And you all had better not deviate from your list, or else I will knock you on your arses!"
Sam shook his head, he wished Dante wouldn't talk like that, but at least his heart was in the right place. "Let's go guys, we're burning daylight!"
The United had all separated to get what they needed for their year at Hogwarts. Bartholomew had led a good portion of the group to Slug and Jiggers. Athena went over to Quality Quidditch Supplies to check if her new broomstick was in, she was the Captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team. Michael and Nathan meandered over to Gambol and Japes Joke shop.
Sam noticed that Dante had given his list over to Cassidy, and whispered in his ear. Cassidy nodded, and Dante began to walk off.
"Wait, Dante where are you going?" Sam asked his cousin.
Dante turned around, "Just gotta see someone, and deliver a quick message. Then I'll be back." He promised before he went off towards Flourish and Blott's. A minute or so he was at the entrance and looked inside. If he wasn't here he'd try Slug and Jigger's, but sure enough there he was at the Potions Section. With his target locked on, Dante went inside.
Sirius was looking through various defense books when suddenly he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and looked to see Dante striding past their aisle. He nudged Frank and Remus and when they looked up, he whispered, "I just saw Dante going past."
"We'd better see where he's going," Frank replied.
"Yes, he's probably looking for trouble," Remus added, concerned about Peter.
Severus was browsing the books and wasn't paying attention to things around him when somebody suddenly grabbed him and he found himself pinned against the bookshelf and with Dante Yalarad towering over him, the front of his shirt bunched up in Dante's hand. "I've got my eye on you, Snivellus, and you aren't getting away with the shit you got away with last year because there's no Professor Gold this year. I'm going to be on your arse everytime you turn around and if it's not me, it'll be somebody loyal to me. You won't be able to take a piss without me knowing about it!" He leaned in further. "You can say yes, Mr. Yalarad, thank you, at anytime."
Severus angrily shoved Dante away from him, tearing his shirt in the process. "I see you've been talking to Pothead. He's the only one that calls me that."
"He's been very useful," Dante sneered. "Idiots usually are."
Just then Sirius, Frank, and Remus arrived. "What's going on, Sev?" Sirius asked, glaring angrily at Dante.
"Get lost, Black, or I'll have you resorted where you really belong!" Dante's eyes slid over to Frank. "If you want to get anywhere in Gryffindor, Longbottom, you'll dump that Slytherin and the should-have-been Slytherin."
"You…" Sirius yelled, leaping at Dante, but Frank and Remus grabbed him and held him back before he could make any physical contact. "Calm down, Sirius," Remus said.
"You'd better stay clear of me," Sirius growled.
Dante smirked. "I go where I want to go and I do what I want to do, Black." He turned to go, but stopped and pointed at Severus. "Remember what I said, Snivellus." He left with the smirk on his face firmly in place.
"Dohrety must have been keeping him informed," Remus said, looking at Severus sympathetically.
"Yeah, and he threw in a lot of lies, too!" Frank snapped.
"Great!" Severus groaned, sinking back against the shelf. "Potter can get his revenge on us through Dante and Dohrety and their gang." He straightened up again. "We'd better let everybody else know it's going to be another fun year at Hogwarts."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
A week later, Severus and Lily sat under a tree in the small park across from Lily's house. The Evans had invited him for dinner so they could see him as Hogwarts would be starting in another week. Severus had his hands clasped behind his head, leaning back against the tree. He glanced over at Lily. "Did Petunia get off okay?"
Petunia had left to return to Paris that morning. Lily nodded. "I'm sure going to miss her."
Severus smiled. "Well, you know how fast the year goes at Hogwarts. It'll be Christmas time and Petunia will be home again before you know it."
"I know, Sev," Lily answered. She looked at Severus. "Are you worried about going back to Hogwarts, now that Dante has shown his true colors?"
Severus sighed. "He'll probably be worse than Potter was because it won't just be Dante and his gang of berks; it'll probably be Sam and his friends as well."
"Sebastian seemed pretty friendly," Lily pointed out.
"Yes, but from what he told us, it sounded as if everyone's backbones turn to jello when Dante's around."
"Did you tell your grandfather that Dante threatened you in Flourish & Blott's?"
Severus shook his head. "No, he's been so busy with Mr. Ollivander's case, I decided to wait."
Suddenly Lily sat up straight as she spotted something flying, coming closer, and pointed. "Isn't that Callista, Sev?"
Severus squinted and replied, "Yes." He stood up, waiting for Callista to land. Instead, she swooped in and dropped a note at Severus' feet and then quickly flew back into the sky again.
Severus picked up the note, opened it, read it, and then gasped.
"Sev, what's wrong?" Lily asked alarmed.
"Somebody vandalized my grandfather's office in Diagon Alley."
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