Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.
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: This story is A/U (Alternative Universe) and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.
A Hogsmeade Blow Out
Severus was walking down the Dungeons with Black Donal keeping pace with him. Professor Slughorn asked Severus to come in that evening before Dinner to get introduced to Agamemnon Yalarad and to start his tutoring.
Severus and Black Donal both arrived at the potions classroom. Professor Slughor was there grading assignments. He looked up and smiled when he saw his prized pupil, "Ah Severus, you're early."
"It's better to be early than late," Severus said as he placed his satchel down on a stool, and prepared some materials needed for his first tutoring session with Agamemnon Yalarad. "Professor, what does Agamemnon need help with?"
Slughorn pushed his fingers together, "Well, it isn't so much his skills at Potions, for he is quite adept for his age. It's really his confidence, he hesitates and second guesses himself."
Severus nodded, "During the brewing of potions you really can't hesitate, or else you could ruin the potion and perhaps get hurt in the process."
"I need you to instill some potioneer's confidence in him, so to speak."
"I understand, Professor." Severus went to prepare his station for the tutoring session. A couple of minutes later, Agamemnon Yalarad arrived at the Potion's Lab with his older brother, Samuel.
Severus was a bit taken aback, as he hadn't expected that.
Professor Slughorn noticed this as well. "Samuel, this is a surprise."
"Well I just decided to escort Augie down here. I had some time before dinner so I kept him company on the way down."
"That is very kind of you to do." Horace looked at Agamemnon and addressed him. "Severus is waiting for you Mr. Yalarad, best not to keep him waiting."
Sam patted his young brother on the shoulder, "Okay I'll be back after your tutoring session ends."
"Okay Sam." Agamemnon smiled before he walked over to Professor Slughorn. Samuel made his exit but not before looking over at Severus' direction.
Severus and Agamemnon got down to business as he helped him gain his self-confidence on brewing potions.
They were in the midst of brewing a simple potion, when Agamemnon looked at Severus and then looked back at his studies.
Severus noticed that, "Is something the matter, Agamemnon?"
The first year shot up, "Um no, everything is good!" He went back to his cauldron. Severus looked a bit confused, but continued to help Agamemnon where he needed help.
After an hour had passed Severus saw a remarkable improvement in Augie's confidence.
"You're doing much better than when you first started Agamemnon. I would guess after a few more sessions you should be good to go." Severus gave Agamemnon a smile, he liked him. He was very polite, and not at all like Dante.
"Do you really think I'm doing much better?" Augie asked Severus, as he looked up at his tutor.
"Yes of course. All you need is more practice in doing the basics, and I think you're all set.
Agamemnon smiled back at Severus and quickly gathered his things as they were finished for the day. Agamemnon stole another glance at Severus, and once again Severus noticed.
"Is everything alright Agamemnon? Did I not explain something enough?"
Agamemnon shook his head, "Oh no you did a perfect job explaining everything. It's just…," The Young Gryffindor frowned softly, "Why does my cousin hate you?"
Severus was taken aback at what Agamemnon had asked him. He chuckled, as he ran a hand through his hair and scratched the back of his head, "I wish I knew."
"You aren't anything what Dante told me, at least not what I've seen for myself." Agamemnon thought aloud, "He told me that you were incorrigible, and ill-tempered. That you knew a hundred different curses and dabbled in the blackest of magics."
Severus shook his head, "Of course he would."
"But, from what I've seen, and from what Lyta and Bart tell me you aren't bad at all."
Severus' eyebrow furrowed, he wasn't surprised that Bartholomew supported him, but was rather surprised that Agamemnon's sister gave him her vocal support. "Your sister speaks highly of me?"
Agamemnon nodded, "From what she told me, you tutored her in her first year, and she never thought that anything Dante said about you didn't hold any merit."
Severus remembered giving Hippolyta a few tutoring sessions on potion-making a year or so ago.
"She isn't a real big fan of the way Dante treats my brother, and I'm not a fan either." Augie frowned, "I want to tell him and Doherty off but Sam won't let me."
Severus raised an eyebrow, "Why is that?"
"Sam won't admit it but he's worried Dante will do the same thing to us as Dante does to him"
It all made sense. It clicked in Severus' mind. This was the reason Sam was so apprehensive to speak or act against Dante, he was trying to keep Agamemnon and Hippolyta from being victimized by Dante.
"Would he?" Severus asked Agamemnon.
Agamemnon shook his head, "...I don't know."
Severus put his hand on Agamemnon's shoulder, "Agamemnon if he starts messing with you tell a professor, or Gabriel. I'm sure they will not let Dante get away with it."
Agamemnon smiled, "Thanks Severus, but Dante won't. He's unable to lay a finger on any of us."
Severus looked puzzled, "Why won't he?"
Agamemnon leaned in and whispered something into Severus' ear.
Severus' eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as he learned this new information. "Where did you hear that Agamemnon?"
"I overheard that when my grandfather spoke to my brother. He said that if Dante tried anything against Sam to let him know."
Severus shook his head as he listened. It was imperative to get Sam on his side, or at the very least away from Dante's influence.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Mary McDonald was walking back to the Gryffindor dorms. She was coming back from the library after doing some more studying for her Defence Against the Dark Arts class. She talked to Gabriel and he allowed her to join the intensive studies class.
Mary remembered how she gave her apologies to all of her new friends. Apart from Jane, who was a bit hesitant to give Mary a chance, everyone was receptive to her. Sirius and her were kindred spirits in a way, as Severus and the other found it in themselves to give them a chance.
MacTavish and Lisa were not happy to see Mary join up with them. In fact they have been treating Mary quite rudely when she last tried talking to them. She sighed, they weren't her problem anymore.
As she walked up the last row of stairs she saw Delsin Myers and Ramsey Clarke talking about something. Myers glanced at Mary and then nudged at Clarke, who looked at Mary. "McDonald, hold up a second. We want a word."
Mary could feel her heart leap into her throat as she quickens her pace.
"Hey, McDonald?"
"Oi, are ye deaf?!"
Mary turned the corner to get to the Gryffindor common room, but wound up bumping right into Cassidy Doherty, as of he were lying in wait for her.
He grabbed Mary by her arm as she struggled against his grasp, "Let go of me!"
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" Cassidy tossed her towards Ramsey and Delsin who held her arms at her side so she couldn't reach for her wand. "With silver bells, and the cockel shells. All lined up in a row."
Cassidy looked at her dead in her eyes, "When someone asks you for a word, the right thing to do is to stop and listen, McDonald."
Mary tried to wrench herself away from their grasp, "Well I don't want to hear what any of you have to say, now let me go!"
"Not until you hear what I want to say, and then we will let you go."
Mary couldn't fight back at the moment, so for the time being she eased up.
"Thank you, now word on the street is that you've been hanging around the Half-Blood Prince, Snivellus Snape and his band of Marauders."
"What of it? Who I spend my time with is none of your business," Mary pointed out.
"That's where you are wrong. I'm making it my personal business to find out what that little snake is getting up to."
"He isn't getting up to anything, actually he's trying to avoid you all. For that matter we all would just like to go on our merry way, but you won't let us."
Cassidy growled, "That's what he wants you to think. He's a schemer, his whole family are schemers like him." He waved his finger at Mary. "He's up to something, and I'm going to find out what!"
"He's not up to anything!" Mary struggled to get free again, but to no avail.
Cassidy frowned, "Take her to the railing."
"What?! What are you, NO!" She struggled against Clarke and Myer's grasp as they brought her to the staircase railing.
"Reports tell that Snivellus Snape was seem in the company of a few of Sami's friends, what do you know about that?" Cassidy interrogated Mary as she was trying to fight Clarke and Myers from possibly pushing her over the edge.
Mary shouted, "Somebody help me!"
Cassidy ignored her pleas, but luckily for Mary, and unfortunately for Doherty and his droogs, someone heard Mary's call for help.
That someone was a six foot tall, hulking specimen of a young man called Renner Dain.
Immediately, Renner grabbed Cassidy by the back of his shirt, and with one hand, he hurled him back fifteen feet away from them.
"What the?" Ramsey Clarke looked back and saw the stoic face of Renner Dain. "Oh my God!" Renner backhanded Clarke and he went down.
Delsin Myers tried to reach for his wand, but Renner slugged him in the face. Mary heard an audible crack indicating that his nose was broken.
Delsin dropped like a sack of potatoes, clutching his broken nose. Blood poured out like a running faucet.
Mary was surprised to see Renner come to her aid, but before she could speak she saw Cassidy get up with his wand drawn. "Look out behind you!"
In a split second Renner grabbed Mary and held her against him, effectively shielding her from Cassidy's onslaught.
Mary blushed as she was held against Renner. She was essentially dwarfed in size compared to him.
"Bastard," Cassidy swore as he shot off some spells at Renner. However it appeared that he was not taking any damage as charged towards Cassidy with his back to him, to safeguard Mary.
"Renner, wait a minute!" Mary panicked, she was concerned about the amount of damage that Renner could have taken from Doherty.
Cassidy backed up, but found himself against the wall, and Renner was moving incredibly fast, even while going backwards. "Wait, you stupid…"
Renner did not wait, he slammed his back right into Cassidy as they collided against each other. The wind from Cassidy's lungs was forced out as Renner checked him.
Cassidy crumpled onto the floor in a heap. Renner looked around, and found that none of Mary's tormentors were getting up. So, he let her down.
Mary cleared her throat and fixed her wrinkled clothes. She looked at Renner, "Thank you Renner!" Mary gave him a brief hug, and glanced at Renner's back. From what Mary saw his cloak was a bit singed from the spells cast at him by Doherty. "Are you okay? Do you need to go to Madam Pomfrey?"
Renner shook his head no, "I'm okay." He fidgeted in place, and twiddled his fingers.
Mary looked at him, "Are you sure?"
"Erm…I'm okay." Renner got flustered. He was more nervous in this moment, then in the fight he just won. "Do….do you…"
Mary looked up at the hulking frame of Renner Dain who was now looking incredibly shy. "Are you hurt?"
"No, no I'm…okay. I, uh. Umm. I was just wondering if you…" Beads of sweat fell from his brow. "Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?"
Mary was surprised to hear that coming from Renner.
"I-I know it's last minute…but I would be…happy if I could accompany you there…" Renner recited what Sam and Vienna had told him to say.
"Renner, I'd be delighted to go with you. I'll be spending some time with my friends picking out a dress for the Yule Ball, but afterwards I'll be free to spend time with you then."
Renner gave a very faint smile, but you could tell he was happy. "Great! Um, I'll guess I'll meet with you then!"
Mary smiled, "I certainly will." She looked at Doherty, he was struggling to get back up. "Renner, could you escort me to the common room?"
Renner looked at Cassidy, strode over, put his foot down on Cassidy's back, and forced him down on the ground. He looked over at Mary, "I can do that."
She smiled, and collected her things that she dropped. The two made their way back to Gryffindor House past the trail of beaten up thugs Renner Dain left lying.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Gabriel walked out of the floo inside the entrance halls of Gringotts.
He had reopened his account with them a month or so ago, but was called here to speak about a matter that had just arose.
Gabriel was worried that Potter had pawned off fake gold to him. It better not have, he made a few purchases already.
He walked over to the receptionist's desk. "Hello."
The goblin looked at him, and gave him a curt nod, "Good afternoon, do you have business to conduct with us today?"
"Yes sir, I do." Gabriel fished the letter out of his coat pocket, and gave it to the goblin. "I am here due to a summons made by the bank manager, one Magnus Ironhand."
The goblin received the letter and read it over. "I shall retrieve him for you." He stood up and went to retrieve the manager
A short while passed before Magnus Ironhand walked around the desk to meet Gabriel. "Mr. Schell?"
"Yes, Mr. Ironhand?" Gabriel rose from one of the benches to properly introduce himself. "I'm Gabriel Schell, you wished to speak with me?"
"I did. May we please talk in my office?"
"Yes, of course. Is everything alright with my account here?"
"Yes, the matter is nothing pertaining to your account, or your…substantial deposit you made your previous visit."
Gabriel grinned, he made quite the show bringing in all those gold bars into Gringotts. The goblins themselves were more pleased when they found out the gold was from Charles Potter, and Gabriel best him in a duel to win it.
The two of them walked to Magnus Ironhand's office where they could speak in private.
They both entered Magnus's office and sat down. Gabriel looked around his office. It was austere and befitting of a goblin in Magnus's position. The paint was shades of grey, black, and gold. His desk was that of an ancient oaken wood. The chairs were teak, and carved immaculately.
"Before we begin, would you care for any refreshments? Water, or tea? Perhaps something a bit stronger?"
Gabriel raised his hands, "Oh nothing of that sort. I'll take a lemon tea, if that is all right?"
Magnus Ironhand shook his head, and summoned Gabriel his lemon tea, and for himself, a water.
Gabriel thanked his host and partook in his beverage. He had never known Magnus Ironhand to be this hospitable. "So what did you wish to talk about?"
"I had wanted to speak to you on the matter of your inheritance."
Gabriel's eyes cocked, "I don't know if you can call my deposit an inheritance, Mr. Ironhand."
"Please call me Magnus, and I am not speaking about the gold." Magnus took a letter from his drawer, and gave it to Gabriel.
He put his tea aside and looked at the letter, there was a wax seal on the back, which showed his family's sigil, an anvil being struck with a hammer.
Gabriel broke the seal of the letter, and read it's contents. He read the letter three times over to make sure what he was reading was actually true.
"When did my parents die?"
"After your disappearing act, your mother passed away a year afterwards."
Wilhelmina Schell was Gabriel's mother, and he loved her immensely.
"Your father…."
"I don't give a shite about my father."
The same couldn't be said for his father, Udo Schell.
Gabriel crossed his legs as he reread the letter. "I don't understand, I was disinherited. Why am I getting everything?"
"Well, you were your parent's only child. Your father wanted to leave his estate to his next male relative, but he was turned down." Magnus rubbed his chin, "Everyone that your father approached declined him."
Gabriel could only chuckle, he wished he would have been a fly on the wall to see the look on his face after seeing so many people tell his father 'no.' "So what did they leave me?"
Magnus Ironhand looked over the documents pertaining to Gabriel's newly found wealth. "Your family estate in The Black Forest, known as 'Schwarz Wold.'"
Gabriel let out a sigh of disgust, that manor was filled with plenty of bad memories, and he was not eager to return there.
"There is also another property in Bavaria, that used to belong to your grandparents, on your mother's side."
Gabriel smiled, he wouldn't mind going to visit that place.
"Apart from that, your father had a portfolio that was diversified in many different items. Precious metals, stocks, and real estate." Magnus adjusted his glasses. "In total, your worth has skyrocketed to the tens of millions of Galleons."
Gabriel's eyes widened. "High end or low end, tens of millions of Galleons?"
"Mid to high end, it depends on whether or not you hold onto everything or sell everything, and this is before your newly acquired gold." Magnus cleared his throat, "I advise you keep your gold, as it is Dwarvish Gold, it's value is worth more than regular gold."
Gabriel nodded his head, "Cash out five of those bars, and I'll take that with me. Also there are a few people that I want to give gold to."
"Who are these people?"
"The children of my friends, so that way they can save them for the future."
Magnus took his glasses off and cleaned them, "If I were you I would speak to their parents, or guardians, so that way everything is above board."
Gabriel shook his head, "Thank you, I know you aren't my financial advisor, but I appreciate your advice."
"I can put you in touch with a few financial advisors that I trust."
"I would like that, thank you." Gabriel looked to be miles away sitting in Magnus' office. He had received that which he hadn't really wanted in the first place. With everything he received, he never had to work again, but that wasn't what he wanted.
He wanted to stay at Hogwarts to help Severus, Sam, Walla's two boys Sirius and Regulus, and all their friends. However now he could now help prepare for the futures of all his friend's kids.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Lily woke up on the morning of the year's first Hogsmeade visit, excited. She was going to be seeing Tuney and Salem and buy her dress for the Yule Ball, besides visiting all the neat places in Hogsmeade. She threw back the covers and jumped out of her bed. She hurried to take a shower and then got dressed in jeans, a jumper, warm socks and her trainers. She glanced out the window and could see a light sheen of frost on the trees outside of the window. Brenda and Nancy apparently were already up as their beds were empty. Lily knew they were both going to Hogsmeade with fifth-year boys.
"Hey, you guys, up and at 'em!" It's the Hogsmeade weekend!" She called to Alice and Mary.
Alice sat up, her short brown hair, messy and sticking up. She yawned then asked Lily, "What time is Petunia meeting us?"
"She'll be waiting with Salem by Gladrags when we get there," Lily replied. "I'm going down to breakfast. Sev's probably already up."
"Okay, I'll see if I can get Mary awake and up," Alice answered.
Lily went downstairs to the Entrance Hall and went down the hallway to the great hall. She spotted Sev sitting at the Ravenclaw table. They rarely sat at the Gryffindor table anymore because nobody wanted to be harassed by Dante or his cohorts.
"Good morning, Sev," Lily said as she sat down beside him.
Good morning, Lily," he greeted her. He cleared his throat, looking very nervous all of a sudden. "Uhmm...would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me?"
Lily smiled and threw her arms around his neck. "Sev, I would love to go with you! In fact, Tuney and Salem are going to be in Hogsmeade today and Tuney's going to help me buy my dress."
Severus smiled, too. He'd been so nervous, he hadn't slept well at all, annoying Greymalkin who'd jumped over and slept at the bottom of Bart's bed.
"I hope Dante and his clods leave us alone so Hogsmeade doesn't turn into a disaster," Lily said.
"Maybe Tuney can break his conk again," Severus laughed then added, "Some of the professors will be there so I don't think he'll try anything. He's too much of a coward to do anything out in the open."
All the rest of the friends came down to breakfast and before the food appeared on the tables, Dumbledore stood up. "Today is the first Hogsmeade visit. I want you to be on your best behavior and only go where your supposed to go and not anywhere forbidden. I'm charging the head boy and girl with making sure the rules are obeyed." He sat down again and the food appeared on the tables.
Sirius grinned. "We should run all over Hogsmeade and drive Dante and his girlfriend nuts! We should saunter down towards the Hog's Head and make them have to run down there every five minutes and chase us away."
"Except the rats would report us to Dumbledore, lie about it, and say we went into the Hog's Head," Remus pointed out.
"And we'd all end up in detention," Dorian added.
Mary spoke up at that moment, "Speaking about those rats, Doherty, Myers, and Clarke accosted me last night."
That got everyone's attention. Severus asked, "Are you okay? What did they do?"
"They pinned me against the top of the staircase railing and asked me why some of Sam's friends were meeting up with you, Severus."
Severus groaned in frustration, he thought he was being careful, meeting Sam's friends in secret. Apparently not, if Doherty found out about it.
Lily put her hand on Mary's shoulder. "Did you tell McGonagall about this?"
"I didn't have to, seconds later Renner Dain found me after I screamed for help. He beat the ever-living tar out of the three of them before he left them laying on the floor!"
Everyone was shocked to hear that, it was the first time that they heard of dissention among The United's ranks.
"Renner asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him. He apologized for asking me on short notice," Mary said. "I said yes, he's so much nicer than Potter ever was."
"That's great, Mary," Alice said. "He's always seemed really nice."
"Yes," Lily agreed. "He always been nice and really considerate."
"Do you think he'll ask you to the Yule Ball?" Alice asked
Mary shrugged. "I haven't thought that far ahead, but Mum did tell me I should buy my dress today."
Emily looked sad. Peter had asked her to the Yule Ball, but with her mum's illness and her being unable to work, they had very little money leftover for a dress.
Once breakfast was over, the teens scattered to get their coats, meeting again in the Entrance Hall in 15 minutes, and walking to Hogsmeade together.
Lily and Severus held hands as they walked along. She couldn't wait to see Tuney again.
As promised, Tuney and Salem were waiting in front of Gladrags. Petunia who carried two garment bags over her arm, looked radiant.
Lily ran over to her and gave her a hug and then gave Salem a hug. Severus smiled and nodded at Petunia and shook hands with Salem.
"This is my sister, Petunia and her boyfriend, Salem Ollivander." Lily said, introducing them to the other girls.
"I'm glad to meet you all. Lily's written to me so much about all of you, I feel like I know you already," Petunia said.
Salem smiled and nodded at all of them.
"Well, I think I'll go with the other guys and see what they want to do," Severus said. "Since it's Reg's first Hogsmeade weekend, he'll probably want to go everywhere."
"Okay, why don't we meet at the Three Broomsticks for lunch at 12:30?" Lily replied.
"Sounds good," Severus said. He joined Remus, Frank, Peter, Sirius, Dorian, Tav, Caddaric and Reg and they went off towards Zonko's since Reg really wanted to go there and Walburga never allowed him inside whenever they were in Hogsmeade.
Petunia took one of the garment bags off her arm and gave it to Lily. "I saw this and I knew it would be perfect for you."
Lily gasped in surprise and took the dress from her. She unzipped the bag about halfway. "Oh Tuney, it's beautiful and it's my favorite color, too! Thank you so much!"
Petunia took the other garment bag and handed it to Emily. "This is for you. Lily wrote me about your mum being so sick and I thought this might make you feel a bit better. You don't have to worry about it fitting you. Salem put a sizing charm on both dresses for me."
Emily opened the garment bag and saw an emerald green dress with silver threaded inlays down the sleeves. She began tearing up, she wiped her tears away and gave Petunia a quick hug, "Thank you!"
They shared a quick hug before Alice stepped forward. "Come on let's go inside and you can help Mary, Jane, Irene, and me pick out our dresses,"
Salem shrunk the garment bags so Lily and Emily could put them inside their purses.
"Lead the way," Petunia said.
Salem sat down in a chair in the dress department and for an hour watched in silent amusement as Petunia offered the girls her opinion on their dress choices. "No, Alice. While I like the style of that dress on you, the color is all wrong. You need a brighter color so let's see if we can find that same dress in a different color." To Irene, she said, "Yes, that dress looks perfect on you and the color flatters your complexion and hair color."
Shortly before 12:30, they were all done and all the girls had dresses that would definitely change the way the boys would regard them from then on.
Lily, Petunia and Salem walked together to the Three Broomsticks and Lily was telling her about the subjects she was taking this year. "Arithmacy is really hard. Thank goodness for Sev and Remus because they can always explain things in a way I can understand."
Salem nodded in agreement. "It is tough because you not only have to solve the problem, you have to show the method you used to solve it."
"Hey you!" Somebody yelled behind them.
Lily turned and saw Dante and Cassidy approaching them. Salem stepped in front of Petunia and Lily and growled, "What's your problem, Yalarad?" He completely ignored Cassidy who sported a few bruises on his face.
Dante appeared to be in a poor mood. "I want to know what she's doing here?" He demanded, pointing at Petunia.
"Petunia has every right to be here since she already knows about the Wizarding World and her parents signed the papers, saying they would keep it a secret." Dante opened his mouth to say something else, but Salem, anticipating what he was going to say, spoke up loudly. "And Petunia recently went to the Ministry with me and signed the papers, as an adult, promising to keep her knowledge of our world a secret." Salem glared at Dante. "Now get out of here, Yalarad, before I give you something to complain about and take your little gremlin with you."
Cassidy bristled at being referred to in such a derogatory manner, but Dante took his shoulder. His fiancé Athena Braider walked over. "Beloved."
Dante gave his full attention to Athena, "Yes, Athena?"
"Will you do me a kindness?"
"I-I'm kind of in the middle of something here." Dante looked deep into her eyes, he was entranced. "But I can never say no to you."
Lily and company were baffled, this was a new side to Dante. He was absolutely smitten with
Athena. Lily forgot herself for a moment, it tugged at her heartstrings.
Athena spoke, "Walk away."
That broke Dante's haze, "Athena. I can't…"
"For me, please? Just this once?"
Dante looked to be in conflict with himself, but he relented. "Alright fine, just this once."
Athena smiled and gave him a quick kiss, "Thank you Dante."
Dante smiled softly as he backpedaled, "Anything for you." He nodded at Cassidy, "Come on Cass, let's go bother someone else."
They walked off as Athena smiled as she watched her fiancé walk away, her smile disappeared in an instant as she looked back over towards Petunia.
Salem approached Athena, "Thank you for de-escalating that situation."
"I'm not in the business of escalation, Salem." Athena's eyes never left Petunia's, not even for a split second, "Only retaliation."
"What does that…" Salem couldn't finish that question, as Athena landed a powerful, calculated jab right at his nose.
Salem was knocked back into the ground as curled up in pain as he held his now broken nose.
"Salem!" Petunia went over to her fiance and consoled him, as she tended to his nose.
"What the hell was that for?" Lily wanted to take her wand out, but was beaten to the draw by Athena. She dared not try to draw her wand.
"That's for breaking the nose of my beloved, Evans." She was addressing not Lily, but Petunia.
"We're even now. Any further escalation will be met with severe consequences from my house!"
Petunia rose up to confront Athena, "And what makes you think I'll let you get away with this?" She asked in a furious tone.
Athena looked at her, "I can give you one good reason."
"And what's that?!"
With her free hand, Athena pulled her arm back as she appeared she would land a haymaker into Petunia's stomach, but pulled her punch so she wouldn't connect.
Petunia immediately recoiled and covered her stomach with both of her hands as she turned away to shield her body.
Athena relaxed her stance, "That, I'm not going to hit a pregnant woman. Have your bastard, and then come find me if you feel so inclined for a fight." Without another word, Athena put her wand away as she left the group to reconnect with her beloved.
Lily walked up to Petunia as she was helping Salem up from the ground. He had done the Episky spell and healed his nose. "Petunia, are you actually…"
"It's complicated," Petunia sighed as she ran her hand through her hand. "I think I am, but I haven't taken a test yet."
"How do you know then," Mary asked her.
"Petunia told me she was late this month, and we haven't really….been as safe as we would have liked the last time we were…intimate," Salem blushed as he was trying to explain in kid friendly terms.
Petunia was not so eloquent in her choice of words, "It had been a month since we last saw each other the last time, and we forgot to use protection."
"Petunia!"
"What? Lily and her friends aren't stupid."
Alice piped up, "What are you going to do?"
"Well I have to see whether or not I am actually pregnant. From there…" She held Salem's hand, as his fingers intertwined with hers. "We will decide on what comes next."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Gabriel waited outside of the little alleyway next to The Three Broomsticks. He found an empty the house where he organized the meeting that he and Sam would finally have a proper word with each other. The house was a property that Gabriel checked out to see if he wanted to move into, and he was given the key to tour the house. He looked at the time with his new pocket watch that Charles Potter paid for when he cashed in the first of his many acquired gold bars.
Severus walked quickly into Hogsmeade, looking around for the alleyway by the Three Broomsticks where he was supposed to meet Gabriel. It was so tiny, he almost missed it, but turned and walked into it.
Gabriel spotted him, "Severus, I am glad you could make it."
"Thanks for putting this together, Gabriel. It's almost impossible to do anything at Hogwarts with Dante and his goons lurking about. We know who most of them are, but I'm sure he has others we don't know."
"Not at all, I am glad you came along." He looked around and was surprised to see that Black Donal wasn't here. "Where's Black Donal?"
"I convinced him to stay behind. He wasn't too happy, but he finally agreed."
"Well if this were any other time I would have lectured you for doing that, but what we are doing requires less people to be aware of what we're doing."
"I asked him to stay behind and keep an eye on Lily and my other friends and also to keep Dante distracted so he doesn't realize I'm not around."
"Good, that's clever. Dare, I say that's something Eileen would have thought of doing."
Severus smiled broadly. "Actually, Mum would have scolded me roundly for doing it, but would have been proud that I thought of it."
Gabriel smiled in return, "Come on, let's go inside." They both went into the empty house, where they waited for Sam to come.
"Whose house is this?"
"Hmm? Oh, the house. Yeah, I asked to view it to see if it was a place I would be interested in moving into." Gabriel looked at the living room, which was bare bones as it did not come with any furniture. "It's just too…."
Severus looked at Gabriel who had trailed off into a world of his own. He asked Gabriel "Too, what?"
Gabriel snapped out of it as he looked at Severus, "Too domestic. Apologies, for trailing off like that Severus." He took his new pocket watch out to look at the time, "Where is Sami?"
Severus noticed the pocket watch. "Is that new?"
"Oh this old thing? I cashed in five of Potter's gold bars the morning after and came away with a tidy sum of galleons, sickles, and knuts." Gabriel smiled as he showed the pocket watch to Severus. "So I decided to treat myself."
The pocket watch was made with stainless sterling silver with a matching silver chain. The face of the watch was made with a pearl inlay and the hands of the watch were made of 23k gold.
"That's really gorgeous."
"Thank you, I asked your grandmother for suggestions and she told me about this pocket watch she saw while she was at 'Sawyer's Suits and Dress Robes for Men's at Thesaurum Row.
"Why was my grandmother there? My grandparents hardly ever shop in Thesaurum Row."
Gabriel smiled, and took a box out from underneath his cloak and resized it. It was the size of a garment box you got from a department store. Gabriel gave it to Severus, "Vesper wanted me to give this to you. After all, a young man going to his first ball should look dashing."
Severus opened the box and it contains an expensive dress robe inside. He notices inside the box that the robe is described to grow and adjust to the wearer's body. So that it's not just used once, and tossed aside. He marveled at the dress robe. It is black and made from the finest Belgium linen and has silver decorations on each side of the high collar and silver decorations around the cuffs. The box also contained expensive black trousers, an expensive white linen shirt and a white bow tie. "Wow! This is amazing! I'm glad she chose black because I don't know what color Lily's gown will be."
Gabriel nodded, "Your grandmother, bless her, thought it was a bit too showy. But I said, 'Vesper, Severus is probably going to wear that for important events, so who cares if it's a bit showy? I think Severus is entitled to one fancy dress robe.'"
"Thank you for bringing this to me. I'll write grandma as soon as I get back and tell her she made an excellent choice," Severus promised
"You do that, I'm sure she will appreciate it."
Just then the doorknob rattled. Gabriel motioned for Severus to back away from the door, and Severus complied with his Professor. Gabriel walked to the door and looked through the looking glass to see Sam on the doorstep.
"It's Sami, a bit tardy, but nobody's perfect." Gabriel opened the door to let Sam in.
Severus nods nervously at Sam and smiles tentatively. "Hi Sam, I'm glad you decided to come."
Sam nodded towards Severus, "Thank you Severus." His mannerisms were subdued, it was clear that he was unsure of this entire thing.
Gabriel smiled softly as he watched the sons of two of his best friends stand before each other. "I'm glad that you both are here. Now, hopefully we can all put our heads together to get you both out of this mutual predicament that you both are in. Firstly, why don't you two talk about yourself so that the other can get to know you better." He looked at Sam, "Sam why don't you go first?"
Sam looked at Gabriel, "I don't know what to talk about." Sam twiddled his fingers.
Gabriel turned his head, and then came up with an idea, "Talk about your father. I bet Severus doesn't know much about him yet."
Sam's demeanor brightened, he loved to talk about his father. He cleared his throat, "Okay well, as you know my father is, erm, was Silas Yalarad. He was a highly decorated Auror who was even better than Uncle Moody and even Scrimgeour!"
Severus noticed the change in Sam's mood when he was talking about his father. He felt like Sam could talk about his father for hours.
"He took down several dark wizards like Jaxson Love, Albert Miller, Ursus Lancaster, and a whole bunch of other dark wizards…" Sam's demeanor took a nosedive, "He died…years ago in Horzant Alley…" He trailed off, Severus realized that this wound was still open for him.
"I'm sorry about your dad. My dad was a Muggle and he was killed in an accident at the mill where he worked, when I was five. My grandparents wanted mum and me to come and live with them after my dad died, but mum thought she could make it on her own. She was killed shortly afterwards in Diagon Alley when she tried to save a Muggle family who were being attacked by the Knights of Walpurgis and that's when I went to live with my grandparents. I also have mum's familiar, a cat named Greymalkin."
Sam expressed his sympathy for the loss of both Severus' parents. "I am sorry Severus. I only know of half your pain, you must have felt. At least I still had my mother, and the rest of my family. I don't even know what you must have went through."
Gabriel saw the two of them were slowly connecting with each other. He would rather have them connect on topics other than their own losses. "This is a good start. How about you share your interests and what you both like to do when you aren't busy with schoolwork." Gabriel shrugged, "Maybe share what careers you are looking to get into."
Severus grins and says, "Well you probably already know I enjoy potions. When I'm at home, Gran lets me brew with her and she's a really good teacher. I also love to read and have my friends over. I go on vacation with Lily and her parents for two weeks. They rent a cottage on Brighton Beach every summer. Mr. Evans was my dad's foremen at the mill and ever since my dad died, he and Mrs. Evans have treated me like their own son. Lily's older sister, Petunia, is studying fashion design in Paris and also dating Mr. Ollivander's son, Salem."
"Dante was mighty pissed when Petunia broke his nose in front of the entire school body. My friends found themselves laughing hysterically seeing that," Sam admitted.
Severus nods and laughs. "Petunia is Lily's biggest defender, after me of course. As to what I want to do after graduation is be a potion master. I've never really thought about any other career."
"You two have a lot in common. Seeing as you both will be the heads of your respective families when Marius and Sherwood pass through the veil."
Sam looked away towards the ground as Severus shook his head. "I hadn't thought about that," Severus said. "What about you Sam? What are your interests and what do you want to do after graduation?"
Sam twiddled his thumbs, "I do enjoy reading and studying about new topics and subjects." Sam enjoy spending time with Augie and Lyta, my cousins, and all my friends." His eyes grew wide, "What I want to do is to be a healer, like my Aunt Rebecca." He looked off in the distance, like he was in his own world for a second. "However I'm feeling a lot of pressure to be an Auror like my dad."
Gabriel looked surprised. "Where are you feeling this from?"
Sam sighed, "Moody, Scrimgeour, Uncle Ozzy, and a few of Dad's old colleagues."
"That's tough," Severus said. He hesitated a moment and then asked, "Why do you let Dante push you around?"
Sam seems surprised by Severus' question and Severus realizes something and without thinking, blurts it out. "You're afraid of Dante, aren't you?"
Sam scoffed and nearly tripped over his words, "W-what?! No! Sh-shut up Snape, you don't know what you're saying!" He went on to defend his older cousin, "I have no reason to fear my cousin, we share the same blood. He would never even think to lay a hand on me or anyone else in our family. Dante is only interested in safeguarding the student populace. I will admit that his methods might seem harsh to people outside his inner circle, but he means well."
"What about what happened to Silas Attenborough? Somebody messed with his cigarettes and I'm certain it was Dante because he approached Silas about spying on us and he refused." Severus omitted mention that Silas was spying on Dante of his own volition.
"He had nothing to do with that!" Sam was getting a bit hot under the collar, "You just have it out for him. Blame Dante for every little injustice that befalls you! It's raining, blame Dante. I got an 'A' on my Arithmancy test, blame Dante. You just want to blame Dante for everything bad."
Gabriel interrupted them before it turned into a full-fledged argument. "Okay let's circle back to this topic. We should talk about possibly meshing both of your friend groups. They all have a lot in common, for instance, both groups have members from all the Houses. All of them have some similar interests, and they look like they could get along, for the most part." He looked at Severus, "Severus, tell Sam why you want your group to ally with the United, with Sam's part of the United."
"Well...I'm sorry to say that the main reason is because of Dante. He's tried to make all our lives miserable and I know he's purposely injured Michael Ashdown in his first year, so you're not completely free of his malice either. I think we're stronger together than apart when it comes to Dante."
Gabriel rubbed his chin and looked back at Sam, "Sam I'd like to hear what you think about what Severus had just said. As well as your thoughts about allying with him and his friends."
Sam sighed, "Dante isn't targeting you, or your friends. You're just being paranoid." He waved off Severus' concerns.
Severus crossed his arms, and Gabriel held his shoulder. "Sami," Gabriel warned him.
Sam rubbed his left arm, "There has been some discussion on the matter. We haven't been able to discuss it that much. A few of my friends, and some family have admitted that they're leery about joining a group containing Sirius Black."
"Yeah, I'll be the first to admit that Sirius flies off the handle easily and most of his problems are caused by the fact that he doesn't think before he acts. On the other hand, constantly calling his dad a coward isn't going to make him or Reg anymore amendable towards the United," Severus pointed out.
Sam crossed his arms, "Until Orion Black either admits why he was absent, leaving my dad to be killed, or admits he was gone because he was a coward, I'm not going to let it slide."
Gabriel sighed. "Sami, no one is telling you to let it slide, but you have to separate your feelings on Orion from Sirius and Regulus."
"I'm trying." Sam frowned, "I'd do better knowing Orion Black would face some sort of repercussions."
"For what? He is innocent until proven guilty, and I'd like to know what kind of evidence you have against him," Severus wanted to know what sort of evidence he had.
Sam uncrossed his arms and approached Severus, "That's private."
"Sam, I want to hear this evidence as well."
Sam looked at his Godfather. "Gabriel, I…"
"Sami, out with it."
Sam looked hurt, but told them, "There was a commission report."
"What report is this?" Severus asked Sam.
Gabriel explained, "After a significant event, such as Silas' death, an investigation is undertaken in the matter. At the end of it, a report is made on the findings."
"Have you read it?"
"No," Gabriel admitted. "I never got the chance to. I…" He was at a loss for words. Gabriel never explained to Severus where he went off after Silas and Eileen's deaths, and why. "I had to leave the country for many years, so I wasn't able to read it." He looked at Sam, "Where did you find it?"
"In my grandfather's study. He was given a copy by Uncle Ozzy. I asked if I could read it, and he made me a copy to have."
"Sami, where is it now?"
"It's in my chest in my dorm, but it's under lock and key."
"Sami, what if someone got to it? You should never have brought it with you!"
"Nobody…hardly anyone knows I have it," Sam corrected himself.
Severus asked Sam, "Dante knows, doesn't he?"
Sam's eyes darted around. His hand was playing with something underneath his shirt, a necklace of some kind.
"Samuel, answer the question," Gabriel demanded.
"Him, and Nate know, but nobody else. I made them swear to keep it secret!"
"Dante isn't the right people to bring into your confidence," Severus said.
"What do you know Snape?"
"Plenty," Severus crossed his arms again.
"Then you'll know that this conversation is over." Sam went for the door, but Gabriel rushed over to the door and blocked him in by wedging his foot against the door.
"We aren't done here, Sam."
"Well I am, now please move out of my way, Gabriel!"
"Not until we've reached an understanding Sami," Gabriel kept his foot on the door.
Sam was nearly out of patience, his Dain blood ran hot as he pulled out his wand, and pointed it against the door. "You want this to be the second door I've blown apart this year?"
"Let him go."
Gabriel looked at Severus.
"If he wants to leave, then let him."
Gabriel relented as he took his foot out from the door's path. "We're only trying to help Sami."
"I don't need help Gabriel, not from you," Sam then pointed at Severus. "Or your new favorite." Sam swung open the door and marched out.
"Sami, I'm trying to…" Gabriel wasn't given much chance to speak as Sam ignored him as he went back out onto the main strip of Hogsmeade.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
The girls, Petunia and Salem met up with Dorian, Tav, Frank, Remus, Pete, Caddaric, Sirius, and Reg outside the Three Broomsticks. Lily noticed right away that both Sirius and Reg carried big shopping bags with Zonko's logo on them.
"Where's Sev?" Lily asked looking worried. After their most recent encounter with Dante and Athena, she didn't want Sev wandering around by himself.
Dorian shrugged. "He said he had an appointment and he'd be back in a half-hour."
They went inside, moved two tables together and sat down. Rosmerta came over and everybody ordered grilled cheese sandwiches and Butter beers.
"I hope Dante doesn't cause any problems for your store," Lily said to Salem.
"He won't. He may think he has a lot of power as head boy, but outside of Hogwarts, his grandfather, Sherwood, holds the power," Salem replied.
Sam walked into the Three Broomsticks just a few minutes shy of half past twelve.
He saw his friends sitting over by a table near the back of the restaurant. He noticed that Mary was sitting next to Renner at a booth just adjacent to a table where Snape's friends were.
He sat down in-between Nate and Michael. Sam was a bit razzled, and just wanted to be left alone.
Nate placed a frosted mug of Butter beer in front of his friend. "Peace talks went sour I suppose?"
Sam took a long sip of his butter beer without saying a word. His eyes didn't shine much.
"Very sour, depending on your mood."
The door opened, and Severus Snape walked through. He walked over towards the tables where his friends, Salem and Petunia were. Though Severus hesitated a bit when he passed by Sam. He knew better, and continued walking past to meet his friends.
"We don't need them anyhow," Jonathan Slink piped up. "I wouldn't be able to trust Sirius Black as far as I can throw him, he's a wild dog. Besides we'd be all that is necessary to take on Dante and his goon squad."
"Slink. Please shut up," Sam snapped at his friend. "I am in no mood."
Slink raised his hands in compliance, "All right. All right. I'll be quiet."
Sam sighed as he held his head in his hands. He just wanted some peace and quiet.
"You're a dead man walking!"
No peace and quiet would be found at this moment.
Cassidy Doherty, trailed by Clarke and Myers, made a beeline towards Renner and Mary.
Renner had already sprung up and put himself between them and Mary, and readed himself for a fight.
Sirius, and the others sprung up ready to come to Mary's aid if need be.
Sam reluctantly got up with all of his friends in tow as well.
The Three Broomsticks grew dead quiet. Nobody dared move. A miniature Cold War had erupted.
"What's all this then," Dante came waltzing into the restaurant.
"This giant fuck, was just about to get a receipt coming straight for his ugly mug."
"I'm right here waiting," Renner challenged him.
The tension was broken by three loud cracks from Rosmerta's wand. She came out from behind the bar, her wand at ready. "Alright all of you, sit your bums back down or get out! This is a family restaurant and I'll have no fighting in here!"
"You and who else?" Cassidy sneered at her.
"We aren't doing this now." Dante out a hand on Cassidy's shoulder. "Wait."
Cassidy brushed Dante's hand off his shoulder. "I'm not waiting for nothing! This prick roughshod me, and thinks he can get away with it? And he's fraternizing with a harlot from those Marauders, led by the Half-Blood Prince?!"
Renner got closer to Doherty. "Say that again. I dare you!"
"Leave it Ren, he's not worth it," Mary tried to dissuade Renner.
Sam was watching this all unfold, and had enough. He walked over to Dante, took a deep breath, and pulled on his sleeve.
Dante glanced at him, "Sami, this ain't the time."
"Get him out of here, Dante. This is bringing the wrong attention. He's making a scene, people are trying to relax."
"And you!" Doherty pointed at Sam, "You need to get better control over your friends, or else I might need to start making examples out of them!" He growled, "Maybe I should start closer to home!"
Sam pulled out his wand and placed right at Doherty's throat. He grabbed Doherty by the scruff of his neck and shoved him into the closest wall.
"Sam wait! Sami!" Dante was shocked that this was unfolding. Everyone was shocked that this was unfolding.
Sam threatened Cassidy, "You say another word, and I'll blow your head clean off!"
Cassidy Doherty was caught off guard. Clarke and Myers tried to intervene, but a quick look from Dante stopped their attempt.
Sam felt a large hand on his shoulder, it was Renner. "It's over Sam. He's not going to do anything. Breathe. Remember what Grandpa said."
Sam started taking a few breaths and checked his temper. He had nearly blown a gasket there.
Sam let Cassidy go, and looked at Dante. "Get him out of here."
Dante wordlessly nodded as he got Cassidy and the others and hightailed it out of The Three Broomsticks.
Renner sat back down with Mary as they continued their little date.
Sam walked back to his seat and plopped back down. Fortunately, most of the patrons went back to their food and drinks. His friends, and Severus' band of Marauders, as was called, watched him as well. They were left wondering, just what was going on in Sam's head.