Chapter 23

After class, Scorpius ran out the door first. He'd been quiet but had done the project with his usual excellence. Albus, however, remained behind.

Severus smiled at the boy and beckoned him to the front of the room. Hermione sat at her desk, and Severus was half sitting on the edge of the desk with his legs crossed.

"Albus, I see you have questions?"

Albus came closer. "I was wondering if you were going to make Scorpius my permanent partner?"

Hermione got up and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Professor Snape and I have decided that we need to try to help Scorpius, yet keep a close eye on him. I hoped you would be willing to help. He needs friends. If he had friends, he might grow to see that other people have value and that his grandfather's teachings were wrong. His father wants for us to help him."

Severus asked, "Are you willing to help us, Albus?"

Albus nodded. "Of course I will help. He's brilliant with Potions. I could learn a thing or two from him."

Severus stood and gave the boy a squeeze on the shoulder. "Thank you, Albus. Just keep your guard up."

"Thank you, Professor and Madam Snape, for asking me to help." He turned and left.

Severus said, "Maybe we should inform Harry about what we are asking of Albus."

Hermione said, "Yes, I guess it would be best that he and Ginny know. We probably should have done that before asking. I really don't know why I didn't think about that earlier."

"Do you want me to write to Harry?" Severus asked, pulling a chair up close to her desk.

"Why don't we both write and then sign the letter," she said.

"We can do it after the last class. I'd better get going; you'll have students filtering in any time. He bent and gave her a gentle kiss, and she ran her fingers down his cheek as he stood and smiled down at her. Then he headed out of the room as the next group of children entered.

Hermione watched him go. She often felt guilty teaching Potions alone when Severus, a Master of Potions, was out doing hall and security duty. He didn't complain...being back to life and free was something to be thankful for...but how long would it be before his duties started to make him unhappy? Maybe she would ask Minerva if Severus could set up a private lab of his own for experimentation and to sell potions to St. Mungo's and other organizations to help raise funds for the school. It would make him feel more useful. She hoped that perhaps the DADA job would open up. No one seemed to stay in it long, and the current teacher had been there for five years. Then again, if Filius really didn't want to be Headmaster after Minerva's retirement, Severus might be offered the position.

Severus left the classroom, glancing back as the sixth-years entered the classroom. He wistfully wished that he had his classroom back. He needed more of an anchor than some made-up duties. But Hermione deserved the position. She had worked hard for it.

He headed down a long corridor and then out a side door to check the wards on all the outer gates and walls. It was sunny, and the air was still. An owl came and lit on a tree close to him, and he saw that it carried a message. He went to retrieve it. It was from Draco, as he had suspected. He gave the owl a treat, and it took off as he unrolled the sheet of parchment.

It was the legal document giving him permission to work with Scorpius, using his memories and a Pensieve. Severus read over the letter and was pleased that Draco seemed to have remembered every detail and a few more. The man surely knew his job. He was surprised to even find a clause, signed separately by Pansy and Draco, which gave him permission to alter Scorpius's memories should he attempt or succeed in endangering the lives of anyone else.

Severus found a personal note from Draco underneath the document. It read:

Uncle,

Draco and Pansy Malfoy

It was dated, signed, and magically notarized.

Severus slipped the parchments into an inner pocket on his robe. He was pleased to still be regarded by Draco in such high standing, given their past. The "boy" had always had people telling him what to do. Lucius had never really allowed him to think on his own. He marveled that Draco was such a success. Yet, now that Severus was there, Draco seemed content to have someone else make his decisions regarding his difficult son.

Severus resolved to do the best he could for Scorpius. He also hoped one day to visit Lucius and try to explain. He knew Lucius might have already gone over the wall, so to speak. But he would have to try. They had been good friends for many years.

He walked back through the halls, listening to some of the children who were free from classes now. Some students were heading for the library and some to the Quidditch field for practice. He found the familiar banter comforting, and he realized he did enjoy working here. He just hoped he would find more to do than security. For now that would fulfill his purpose of needing to keep an eye on Scorpius until he could discover if it was possible to help turn the boy to a better future. He found he might actually enjoy the project more than he'd thought. The idea of saving the child from a fate like his would be reward enough.

He suddenly caught sight of Scorpius, who had turned into the corridor ahead of him. The boy saw him and did an about face.

"Mr. Malfoy," he called rather loudly, "may I have a word."

Scorpius froze and turned to find that half of the students in the corridor had frozen with him and were looking to see what would happen.

Severus came up touched him on the shoulder. "Mr. Malfoy, you have a gift for Potions. I was wondering if you would like to have some special tutoring. I would like to speak with you about special lessons in the Potions classroom, if you would be so inclined." His hand tightened on Scorpius's shoulder, letting him know that he dare not refuse.

"Of course, sir," Scorpious said.

Severus felt the boy's muscles harden like rocks under his hand. They went down the hall to the dungeon stairs and into the classroom. Hermione stood up warily when Severus came into the room with Scorpius.

Severus took the parchment out of his robes and waved it at her. "I have received the papers from Draco."

"Oh," she mouthed, trying to prepare herself for the boy's outburst.

"Scorpius, please have a seat. I know you are concerned and curious about why I have asked you to come here. You are aware that I might have made a formal request that charges be brought against you for nearly killing me and trying to kill Madam Granger."

The boy gulped and nodded; his eyes were as big as saucers. He knew he was alone with two people who might want revenge. Severus Snape was well known for detentions that rivaled prison sentences.

"Madam Granger and I have decided to take a different approach. We do not want you punished. You have an excellent mind and can be the ruler of your own future. Your grandfather was once my friend. There were many possible outcomes that could have occurred from the choices we made as young men. You can go down a road of hate and destruction, or you can make a pleasant, prosperous life for yourself.

Scorpius glared at him. "Are you going to use mind control? I have heard of your ability to change people's thoughts."

"Only as a last resort," Severus said dryly.

"What are you playing at? My father would never stand for this." He started to get up, and Severus pushed him firmly back down in his chair. He pulled the parchment out of his pocket and handed it to the boy.

Scorpius grabbed the parchment and ripped it to pieces. Then he laughed as he threw it on the floor. The pieces started to glow, and then they moved back together, and the tears sealed themselves. He stared in horror at the repaired document.

Severus grabbed him by the collar. "Pick it up and read it," he demanded, shaking the boy.

Scorpius stared at it, and Severus took his wand out and forced the boy to pick it up.

"You can't do this," he screamed. "My dad will kill you!"

"You're wrong, Scorpius. If you will look at this contract, you'll see that it gives me the right to do what I see fit with you, except kill you."

"You lie," he screamed. "My mom will come for me."

"She signed it as well." He glanced at Hermione and saw her staring at him with wide eyes.

He sighed. She was still skittish, and his loudness was making her nervous. He calmed himself, then pulled his chair up near Scorpius, and faced the boy.

"Scorpius, your parents love you. They are scared for you. They do not want to see you living in a cell next to your grandfather for the rest of your life or his. Just because you're younger won't guarantee you'd live longer. People die there every day from diseases and brutality. Your parents asked me to show you what it was like for your grandfather and I when Voldemort was alive and terrorizing good people. There is no romance to the dark powers of wizardry. There is no peace or beauty; it's ugly, horrific, and brutal."

"I won't do this," Scorpius said stubbornly, tears shinning in his eyes.

"Scorpius, you will do this. You have two, well maybe four, choices. You can just chose to turn 360 degrees and start a new life; you can learn what I have to teach you and change; you can find yourself living a life totally removed from this one...new life, new history, and no connections to your past; or I can simply Obliviate your entire mind, and you can share a room with the famous Gilderoy Lockhart.

Scorpius looked terrified. "You wouldn't do that."

Severus raised himself to his full height and then bent down and got into Scorpius's face. He gave him the best imitation Hermione had seen of the old Severus. "I can and I will. I will not allow you to hurt my wife or me again. You not only endangered us, you endangered your fellow students."

"They hate me. Why should I care about them," he hissed.

"I know some of those boys; they would embrace you, if you allowed it. They admire your gift in Potions. You could help them; those who struggle in that class would benefit from your knowledge."

"They are Mudbloods and half-breeds; they are on their own," he spat at Severus.

Severus put him in a body bind.

Scorpius eyes got even bigger.

Hermione came closer. "Please Scorpius. I was kidnapped and nearly raped by your grandfather. Is this the man you defend and admire? Do you truly enjoy what it is you do, or do you wish you had other choices? You're so gifted. You can use your gifts for good...maybe be a healer or the maker of miracle potions for our people. You can restore honor and glory to your family name and be proud again. You can help your mother and father financially, so they don't have to work so hard. I have never seen a student more gifted and one who has more possibilities."

"Why would you even care? I tried to kill you; I nearly killed your ghost-man. You must want something from me," he accused her.

"I want to see you happy. I want to see you have friends. I want you to use your gifts to benefit people and not tear them down. Azkaban would be a real waste of talent for you. You ask why I care. You're a young man. It's my business to help steer children into careers that will carry them through their lives with pride and honor. Yes, you tried to kill me, and you nearly killed Professor Snape, but we can rise above that if you will try."

Scorpius just stared at her.

Severus took a deep breath. His inclination was to strangle the child and Obliviate him at the same time, but he held himself in check and said, "Your grandfather was my friend...a friend I desperately needed as a child. We went down a path that cost a dear friend of mine's life. I saw the error of my ways, but your grandfather was a bit older and already on a path that he would not stray from. I did use his friendship and my position as a Death Eater to spy, but it was for the good of our people. Let me show you what it was really like back then. I do not want you to despise your grandfather. I really loved him; I only want you to see that choices have terrible consequences. Will you try the Pensieve and the memories? Your father's a good man; I want to do this for him, as well. It's this or a memory wipe. You have very few choices. I suggest you let us try. You can be a fine young man and a credit to your name and yourself, Scorpius."

Scorpius stared at them for a few minutes. The silence stretched as he weighed his options. He was very curious to see the memories. What would it hurt? He could do whatever he wanted afterwards. The chance to live in the glory days of his grandfather out weighed his thoughts of escape. "I will try the Pensieve."

Severus smiled at him and reached out to squeeze the boy's shoulders, not with real affection, but relief. No matter what Hermione had agreed on, when it came down to it she would not support him changing the boy, not in her heart. She always tried to find the good in people, and defense of herself and friends always came as a last resort for her.

Hermione came and touched Scorpius's shoulder. "I'm proud of you for making this choice. Now run along and go have dinner."

The boy shot them a confused look and ran from the room.

Severus reached out to take Hermione in his arms, and she sagged against him.

"Thank God, Severus. I thought he would not even consider cooperation for a while there."

"Neither did I."

He held her as much to comfort himself as her. They were embarking on a dangerous path. He owed his long-ago friend the salvation of his grandson. It didn't matter whether the Lucius of today would support that or not. Severus knew it would make him feel better about his betrayal.

Severus kissed Hermione and then just stood, holding her close.

"You are my brave, little warrior. You have every right to want to see that boy Obliviated, yet you chose to try to save him. This is one of the reasons I love you so much. You see past the horrors of a person's past and accept them as they change and go forward. Where would I be without you?"

"Still in your bubble, I suppose. Severus, let's write that letter to Harry." She took paper from her desk, and they sat side by side and composed a letter to Harry and Ginny. Severus summoned an owl, and they sent the message off.

She slipped her arms around his neck and urged him lower so she could kiss him. "I'm glad that's done." She sighed. I suppose we need to go to dinner tonight in the Great Hall. I think Minerva will want to announce our marriage for the benefit of the students. We have been living in sin." She laughed.

Severus grinned down at her. "I suppose she will. Come on then, we'd better get moving. We don't want them all to think we are still fighting."

"It wasn't a fight more than a misunderstanding," she said as they left the classroom.

Severus locked and warded the door.

"Whatever it was, I do not want to repeat it anytime soon. My heart grieves when we are apart in our harmony."

Hermione laced her fingers with his. "I feel the same way, Severus. I will try to be more worthy of your love," she promised.

He said, softy for only her ears to hear, "You are always worthy of my love. I am the one who is rather rough around the edges."

"Well, we will just have to smooth those edges off each night, won't we?" she said in a seductive whisper, for they were coming to the hall and children were moving around them to go in the huge door.

"Tonight? I can get behind that." He smiled. They went to the staff table, and Severus pulled out Hermione's chair and sat next to her. They put their heads together to talk.

Minerva and Poppy exchanged sighs of relief. Things were okay again. Minerva stood and went to the podium, and the students saw her and became quiet.

"Good evening. I trust you have all had a good day back from your holiday. I would like to make an announcement. You are all aware that Professor Snape, now free of his spell, has come to live here. This weekend Madam Granger and he were married."

Albus gave a yell, as did Hagrid, and the rest of the students followed. There was a huge uproar, and then Minerva held up her hands, and they calmed down. "I would ask you to congratulate them, should the moment arise, and welcome Professor Snape as a permanent member of the staff at Hogwarts. He will be helping Mr. Filch for now and will be working with Madam Snape fifth hour. There will be other duties as they arise. Now enjoy your meal and then get to your common rooms and do your homework. We all want to be rested and ready for tomorrow's Quidditch Game, Slytherin vs. Gryffindor."

Hermione and Severus looked at each other and laughed. Finally, the rival game had arrived.

Lisa, thank you for your excellent beta work.

Becky and Angela, thank you for pre-reading and comments.