#theacerbicprince

[varyingstorms]

@theacerbicprince​​ liked for a starter

     &&&.”the land was godless and free.”

foreigners god || hozier

[shadowsxregrets]

@theacerbicprince sent a thing: ❝ self-hatred is all i’ve known. it’s all i’ll ever know. ❞ (to Minerva)

Even after everything that had happened, part of Minerva had been hoping that there still had been something good inside Severus Snape. Now that the truth had come out and Snape's real intentions were revealed, she couldn't help but feel incredibly relieved. Her gut instinct about him had been right after all. "It's not your fault. You just took a wrong turn in life for a while," A very small, barely noticeable smile crossed her face. "But nothing is ever what it seems with you, isn't it, Severus?"

[corda-comminuta]

The Unloved

@theacerbicprince, continued from here: X

(From corda-comminuta:) “Lay me down and kiss me deeply, show me everything I missed.”

theacerbicprince answered:

The situation was bizarre beyond belief and was never something that Severus had ever anticipated. The discovery of Nagini’s true nature was shocking but what was all the more shocking was how easily they fit together. An enemy had become a friend but no, it was more than just that, because she understood him in a way that few others ever could have. For every wound on his heart, she had the reflection, the corresponding scar. She knew what it was like to be unwanted, unloved, to be used for other’s ends and purposes and then to be liberated in blood. The difference was that she had found satisfaction in what her life had become whereas Severus had been denied that peace.

“Would that I could.” He told her, his words soft, all traces of the acerbic man he was known as being having already shattered on the floor at her feet. He reached out, caressing her cheek, his gaze holding her own. “However, both our heart’s belong, ultimately, elsewhere. Would you forsake Him for me? No, no I think not.”

Nagini leaned into his caress and sighed softly, though she did not avert her gaze from his beautiful dark eyes.

“It was them who have forsaken us, was it not?” she pondered aloud, her tone wistful and melancholic. “Lily Potter may have thanked you for the many sacrifices you have made for her sake, and yet, she has chosen James Potter’s side as her soul’s final resting place. And although my Master did indeed teach me to no longer regard myself as inferior and lesser in value, he refused to listen to any of my pleas to leave his path of guaranteed self-destruction, to restore his mind to its former beauty and clarity instead of reducing it to a mere shell of what it used to be.”

It was in that moment that the first cracks appeared in Nagini’s mask of indifference and a single tear trickled down her cheek, causing her to brace herself for Severus’s ridicule and rejection.

She had been foolish to delude herself into thinking she would ever find solace in another person, who regarded her with the same loyalty and affection, that she would ever be more than a tool to them –  one they could use and discard without a second thought.

[antonindoloxv]

( @theacerbicprince continued from here )

“Could it not just be that I enjoy watching the fireworks?” they were like spells. In a way. Explosive colorful spells that just constantly missed a target and could be dangerous if handled without caution. Of course that wasn’t the case, he cared very little about fireworks but since he’d been allowed back into the world from his house arrest he had a new sort of appreciation for things.

“Or could it be that I enjoy what little freedom I have left in this time and age?” he hummed as he came up to stand next to him, his hands behind his back and his head tilted to look up at the sky.

[madammcgonagall]

@theacerbicprince

The night Albus Dumbledore told Minerva that Severus Snape would be joining Hogwarts as a Professor. Of course Minerva voiced her concerns, doubts, even but Dumbledore reassured her things would be fine.

Minerva had gone over all of the rumours, the stories and the facts surrounding Severus and the dark arts, she knew as a student he was gifted with many magical talents but was often overlooked, shamefully this was including herself. As the years passed she had heard of his activities with the Dark Arts and his involvement with Voldemort. she was saddened but not entirely shocked by the revelations.

Now she stood waiting to welcome him as part of the position of Potions professor. She would be courteous of course but cautious. Her fingers drummed against her leg as she watched the man approach.

"Welcome Professor Snape." She offered him a slight nod of the head. "I trust the journey wasn't too unpleasant.". She stepped aside and led him in. "I assume you don't need the grand tour?" It was only then did she give a faint smile.

[thebloodychampion]

My URLs for the meme (cause you know I have loads of blogs)

Do I Follow Them?: Yes

Why Did I Follow Them?: Oh because I need more Snape in my life and I also followed their Sirius blog since not many play adult Sirius

Do We Role Play?: Yes, it is slow but we do and I appreciate every reply.

Do I Want To Role Play With Them: Of course!

An AU Idea For Our Muses: Not really sure at the moment.

A Song For Our Muses: for Snape? Hmm let me see: "What About Us" by Enigma

Do I Ship Our Muses?: Not really since we only play Snape and Pamina and she is his student xD. With Sirius also not sure. So for the moment no ship.

What I Think About The Mun: Oh the mun is nice

Overall Opinion: I love how Snape is just accepting the fact that Pamina's dad is Fenrir Greyback.

Blog Rate: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

[vainlgacy]

//I don't know you and haven't spoken to you but you seem keen, sharp and intelligent with well thought out ideas.

             oh ? this is so sweet ! thank you for going out of your way and sending this to me !! and tbh , lets fix the whole haven't spoken part of this , then you can see how keen , sharp & intelligent I am not ; )  @theacerbicprince 

[progenyofprongs]

@theacerbicprince​ asked :     My URL? Any of them really seeing as I have a thousand 😂

DO I FOLLOW THEM? That I do! I follow their Snape, Sirius and multimuse hp female blog :P WHY DID I FOLLOW THEM? I was looking for more hp people to write with and came across their blog and thought they were a brilliant writer so why not hahaha. They do such a good take on all the characters they write. DO WE ROLE PLAY? Not yet but we have exchanged memes <3 DO I WANT TO ROLE PLAY WITH THEM: Hell to the yes! AN AU IDEA FOR OUR MUSES: Maybe Snape having to keep Amelia out of danger during the seventh year since he’s headmaster and she’s pretty much a target at Hogwarts being Harry’s sister while he’s off on his “secret dumbledore misson” XD But of course that’s just a top of my head idea. I’m very open to others. A SONG FOR OUR MUSES: No idea haha. DO I SHIP OUR MUSES? Not Snape and Amelia but Sirius and Amelia easy in a family/platonic way. And of course I’m open to platonic stuff with some of the female muses on your multimuse :) WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE MUN: Very friendly. I gotta reply to their IM but they’ve been such a kind person to chat to. I hope to chat/plot more with them! OVERALL OPINION:

BLOG RATE: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

[mesmusae]

@theacerbicprince​ asked: 

“Severus had woken early that morning as always and before he had gone down to his brewing lab, he had left a book and a single red rose in a glass on the bedside table on her side of the bed. On top of the book, there was a handwritten note; Hermione, As well you know, I do not particularly believe in grand, thoughtless gestures. As such, I selected this particular edition with you in mind. Happy birthday. Ever yours, Severus“

Hermione woke and smiled as she saw the rose on the table beside the bed, and sat up. She read the note and grabbed the book, briefly skimming the back and some of the opening acknowledgements. It felt perfectly Severus, and she knew she’d enjoy reading it. Still she made her way down to his brewing lab and walked up behind him to wrap her arms around him and kiss his cheek. “Thank you,” she murmured softly as she leaned into him.

[varyingstorms]

@theacerbicprince​ from here

     &&&. elegant fingers tremble slightly as the witch smooths first her hair, then fixes her earrings, the collar of her coat, an imaginary wrinkle, and finally her wedding ring. completes the ritual one more time before she finds her nerves sufficiently composed to speak, of course none of this reads on her face. severus was a friend, but with the recent fall of the dark lord, trusting anyone in their circles or out was unwise.

     &&&. and yet he was the first one she had thought of in her near-panicked state.

     &&&. “i warned her...i warned her to leave well-enough alone, to not go after those aurors. we’ve been fortunate enough as it is that you and lucius escaped punishment...you have escaped haven’t you?”

[clevvered-a]

🤍 - Your headcanons give me life!

positivity meme // always accepting. // @theacerbicprince

🤍 - Your headcanons give me life!

asdfgh thank you !!! i just love one (1) nerd very much bc i am a nerd.

[tainted-prodigy]

The Measure of a Man

@theacerbicprince

Death had come as a relief for Albus Dumbledore, who had spent decades fighting for what he believed to be right and just at the cost of his happiness and dreams, and dutifully played the part of a coldhearted puppeteer whenever his cause demanded it. Indeed, having denied and gutted himself for the majority of his long life, he had grown weary of everything, and it was for that reason that his spirit moved on the very moment he had fulfilled his final duty by advising Harry for a single last time.

Almost immediately, the wrinkles of his skin began to smooth out, his long beard vanished, and had his hair become silver with age, it had now assumed its former auburn color, and just a moment later, he was once again the handsome young man who had barely reached adulthood, and suddenly, he was no longer alone.

After many decades of being riddles with guilt, Albus could finally apologize to Ariana, to the little sister he had not loved enough when it had truly mattered, and to his parents for having failed to protect her.

When he gazed at the world of the living, he didn’t do so out of a desire to keep a watch on those he had left behind nor out of a desire to determine whether his calculations had been correct. Instead, his heart ached at the sight of his first and only lover wasting away in the prison Albus had locked him in, at the realization that for Gellert, too, having his life taken from him may have been an act of mercy.

He did not dare to hope that Gellert was no longer burning with hatred for him. And yet, he did not hesitate to seek him out and embrace him. His tears fell freely when Gellert did not push him away.

---

The winter in Albus’ heart had made way for an eternal summer, and his surroundings, too, reflected the happiness and warmth he felt. Sitting on a lush meadow and carding his fingers through the blond locks of his lover, who was resting his head on top of Albus’ lap, Albus was in a state of utter bliss; his sadness and pain had faded into a distant memory.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Albus only lifted his gaze when Gellert opened his eyes and looked at its source.

“Severus,” Albus calmly greeted the man who had been a centerpiece of his plans. “It’s been a while, has it not?”

[heartscfvalor]

@theacerbicprince // cont.

(*)

Well. This was certainly a surprise. Professor Snape looked almost startled to see her opening the door, as if he had been looking for someone else, and had gotten the wrong house. But when he spoke, it was with a mix of awkwardness and familiarity, as he told her she could call him by his first name since school was not in session. 

And then he continued, mentioning their blood connection, and it just confirmed a lot of things for her; the fact that she was in Slytherin, that he seemed pleased with her potion work, above almost everyone else save for Draco’s, their uncanny resemblance to one another... It had been something Harriet had wondered for the entire school year, so hearing the confirmation from the man’s own lips had her smiling, and she stepped aside to dutifully allow him within the house. “Yes sir.”

So. Not only was Professor Snape -- Severus -- her true father, but he was coming to take her away huh? This was going to be an interesting summer.

At his loud call, there was a small crashing sound from the kitchen, a squeal, a few moments of furious hissing, and then Petunia stuck her head out from the kitchen doorway. Apparently she and Severus had a history that Harriet hadn’t known about, because the woman’s eyes were wide as saucers, and so Harriet quietly slipped upstairs to pack her things, leaving the adults to their...conversation.

It did not take Harriet very long to have her trunk packed away. She had so little clothing, mostly hand-me-downs from Dudley, who was, at least, a little nicer to her than Vernon and Petunia were, and a few old dresses from a thrift shop that never fit properly. But she left those in her drawers, packing her more comfortable outfits and all her her school supplies, including the homework she had worked on in the dead of night when the Dursleys were asleep, before releasing Hedwig from her cage.

“You’ll find me,” she assured the snowy owl. “You always will.”

As soon as Hedwig had disappeared into the distance, and the raised voices below had quieted down, Harriet grabbed her trunk and began her descent back down the stairs. “I have my things,” she announced quietly.

[corda-comminuta]

Sparks

@theacerbicprince, continued from here: X

Severus realised his mistake almost instantly, having taken the seat with little thought for Lily and the politeness and manners that had been drilled into him. A quick glance around the room indicated that there were no more chairs left. It was at this moment that Severus had been about to rise and surrender the chair to Lily and she had obviously decided she had other ideas, sliding onto his lap.

Severus’ entire body stiffened at the contact and it took a few breaths before he somewhat relaxed again. Others were looking at them and Severus returned every stare with a full force glare that immediately forced the person to look away.

“You could have allowed me to give you this chair if you had waited a minute.” Severus told Lily somewhat grumpily even as his hand rested innocently on her thigh.

“Don’t be such a grump about it,” Lily quipped, failing to resist the urge to kiss Severus’s cheek.

Once again, she was acutely aware of how badly she was truly struggling to keep thinking of Severus in a purely platonic sense at this point, of how it was only seldom that she was able to resist taking any opportunity to touch and be close to him as soon as it was being presented to her.

Enveloped by his fragrant scent, it was difficult for Lily to focus on what the other attendees of the room were whispering about them, and she was oblivious to the stares they were drawing upon them until Severus forced the ones in question to look away, and she admired Severus for his impressive level of composure.

And yet, she needed a confirmation that he felt the same about her, for it was exactly his composure she so admired that had also given birth to doubts that were no longer possible for Lily to ignore.

“Can we talk after this?” she therefore asked, glad that she was somehow managing to conceal her nervousness.

[antonindoloxv]

( @theacerbicprince​ continued. )

He still had no clue how he had been the one to be cornered into this and the one Severus had decided to seek out for some kind of comfort, but there he was in his usual silent manner while he tried to grasp why the other boy was so desperate for a girl that had rejected him already. He did understand, however. Probably more than the other could understand about having feelings for someone who didn’t respond in kind. But at least *he* hadn’t been rejected. Yet.

His eyebrow quirked a little at him. “The first one, yes.” But he knew Severus had been provoked at the time and spoken before he’d had time to think out of anger and embarrassment, the second part, however, he wasn’t sure about what had happened there but he didn’t think he would be responsible unless he’d held the wand himself. “But it is done and it is time to let go. Waste no more time on her. She does not want you and she is not worth it.” maybe it wasn’t what the broken-hearted teen wanted to hear but it was the advice he could give. Evans had decided where her loyalty lie and it was not with her former friend. (a friendship few had understood). 

“You’re better off without the Gryffindor -” he stopped himself before he said mudblood. “girl. It’s her loss.” he shrugged and looked over at Severus. He may have chosen the one friend that wouldn’t make fun of him, but he’d also chosen one of the few who did not know how to comfort someone. “It will be fine.” he repeated with a small sigh and clenched and unclenched his hand in his discomfort while also giving a small nudge of his elbow against Severus’.

[unabletoforget]

An Unexpected Reunion

@theacerbicprince

     Jillian stood with her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if doing her best to protect herself from the memories the castle in front of her brought, her fingers curling into her sleeves. She swallowed thickly as she looked up at Hogwarts, terrified of the memories that lay inside. She had been spending the last year of her life perfectly content to stay in her house in London where she and Sirius had been living before he was arrested, moping over the loved ones that had been lost to her. She was perfectly content with the idea of never leaving, with the idea of never truly rejoining society. How was she supposed to walk back into a world like that? A world where Lily didn’t exist anymore? A world where James and Peter didn’t exist anymore? The same world where Marlene and Dorcas and all of her other friends had vanished from, even Remus, didn’t seem like a very welcoming place. 

     Jillian closed her eyes tightly as she took a deep breath, her mind falling to her fallen friends and what they would tell her in a moment like this. ‘You just have to do the scary thing, even if it’s terrible, because it won’t seem so terrible when it’s over,’ James would say. And Peter would hold her hand and tell her ‘I’ve seen you take on Death Eaters, this is nothing. This is just a building, you’re Jillian, no building is a match for you.’ Peter always knew how to make her feel brave. ‘You can do this…’ Jillian’s eyes snapped open, watery and filled with sorrow. ‘You’re my best friend, I know you better than anyone. You can do this.’ Lily. She swallowed thickly as she looked over her shoulder as if to make sure no one was following her, PTSD some had said, paranoia others had thought. But in truth, it was hope. Hope that Lily and James would just appear behind her one day. 

     She sniffled softly and wiped her eyes, another deep breath filling her lungs. Remus would tell her bravery wasn’t about not being afraid, it was about battling your fears in the absence of another choice. Marlene would tell her to kick ass, Alice would tell her to take a deep breath, and Sirius...he would hold her hand and know that the action alone spoke volumes. But what he would say or do didn’t matter anymore, not after what he had done to her and to everyone they cared about. Harry’s little face flashed behind her eyes, her heart jumping. He would be two now, and she wasn’t even allowed to send him anything for his birthday, Albus had made her swear. But that didn’t mean she didn’t want to. If there was ever a chance of her seeing her godson again, of ever explaining anything to him, of ever protecting him and getting what little bit of family she had back, this place and a place on Albus’s good side was the only way.

     With one last moment to contemplate the tempting idea of turning back, she walked towards the front entrance of the castle, pulling her wand from her sleeve and waving it when she got close enough, watching the large doors open themselves. She put her wand back in her sleeve and stepped inside, a sick feeling churning in her stomach. She still knew this place like the back of her hand, each hall and each painting, where each door led and found that every inch of the castle was littered with memories. She crossed her arms tighter as she made her way towards Albus’s office, the password he had written in his letter to her so she might be let in to see him still rattling around in her brain. Sugar Quills. That man always did have a thing for sweets. 

     Jillian felt haunted as she walked through the halls of Hogwarts, quieter than she had ever heard them since there were no students inside. She heard the far off conversations of teachers in other halls as voices echoed around her, the murmurs of paintings and the far off flaps of wings but it was still so quiet. She looked out at the courtyard with an ache in her chest, swearing she saw a flash of bright red hair run past her. She turned around quickly to look for it but was met only with emptiness, swallowing thickly. James and Sirius used to chase herself and Lily all through these halls as if it were their jobs. 

     She wondered how long it would take to be here before she would stop seeing things, stop hearing things. Maybe they were right, maybe she did have PTSD, not only from all the loss she had gone through but from the war. She couldn’t tell you how many times she checked the locks at night or how many times she reached for her wand at the sound of the roof settling. War did that to you. She took a deep breath as she shook herself from it all, reminding herself there was no one there but her. She looked back at the courtyard, half expecting to see Peter and Remus studying but was met only with air. This was going to be a very long day.

     On the way to her destination, her mind swam with memories, hearing and seeing memories before her eyes as if they were playing out in real time. Marlene’s laughter echoing throughout the halls, her fingers running over the walls as she remembered leaning against them while talking to Dorcas. She closed her eyes as she forced herself to keep walking, thoughts of Severus entering her mind but she forced them out. She couldn’t do this now. She kept going, only stopping again when she got to a long hallway just past the moving staircases where she had once had a fight with Sirius. They had been broken up for months but when Lily had spilled the beans to him that Jillian was still in love with him they had gotten into a huge fight in this hall.

     Jillian pressed her palm flat against the warm stone, her finger tips buzzing. He had sworn to love her forever that day, promised that if she trusted him that they could be together always and that neither her mother nor his own could stop them. She had believed him, had taken him back and given him her heart that day. She scrunched up her face as she dropped her hand from the wall and shook her head. Once a liar, always a liar. She shook her head and shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and made her way down a few more hallways before she came to the large statue she knew she was looking for, sighing heavily. This was going to be an exhausting conversation. 

     “Sugar quills,” she said clearly, holding her hands up as she spoke. She watched a staircase begin to form, making her way over and taking her place on one of the steps as they rose, saving her the trouble of walking all the way up. When the stairs finally stopped moving she was met with a closed door, a flame on the wall on either side. She took a deep breath as she walked up to it, knocking three times before the door opened on it’s own. On the other side of the door she was met with a familiar office, Albus sitting behind his desk looking up at her.

     “I was beginning to wonder if you would come at all, Ms Graham,” he drawled.

     “We fought a war together Albus, you might as well start using my first name,” she pointed out, walking into the room properly, her hands shoving deeper into her small pockets, cursing women’s clothing for having such pitiful pockets in comparison to men’s. 

     “I suppose you’re right,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Perhaps it’s hard for me not to see you as a student when inside these walls.”

     Jillian half smiled at him, though it was forced. She saw no professor in front of her, she saw a general who had once given orders. “On the plus side, you can’t give me detention anymore,” she said.

     Albus laughed softly and nodded his head in agreement “Minerva did that more often than I did. But among you all, you were best at not being caught,” he said. She knew he was talking about the Marauders, the words making her chest hurt. She knew he could see it, because the look in his eyes slightly changed. He was giving her that look that everyone gave her when Severus had called Lily a mudblood, the one that she and Lily had received from damn near everyone in school when word got around. It was also the same look everyone had been giving her for the last year, since all her friends died and her boyfriend was arrested for their murders. Pity.

     “Stop it,” she said finally, feeling like she was an ant squirming under a magnifying glass. “Stop looking at me like an orphan kid. I can barely take it from the world, I don’t need it from you too,” she said firmly. She was tired. Tired of the pity, tired of the condolences, tired of the whispers. She was tired of people talking about how she was the poor little girl who was left all by herself. She was tired of the rumors that she was just as corrupt as Sirius and probably was in on the death of the Potters but had somehow escaped trial. It all reminded her far too much of the whispers that circulated when her father died and her mother went mad. She had been living with people whispering about her all her life, and she couldn’t take it anymore.

     Albus nodded silently in understanding, just watching her as she stood stiffly a few feet away from his desk. “Have you thought more about my offer?” he asked finally.

     Jillian sighed softly, he didn’t waste time did he? She looked at the ground as she rolled one of her ankles as if waiting for it to crack, her mind feeling muddy. “I don’t know if I can do this, Albus,” she admitted. “This place…”

     “Full of memories?” he asked, noticing she seemed to be lost for words. 

     Jillian nodded, swallowing thickly and noticing the tightness in her throat. “Everywhere I look...I’m just reminded of everyone I lost. I...It's like my past lives in these walls. It’s haunting. Even just on the way up here, I thought I might lose my mind. Peter, James, Lily...even Sirius...they live in these halls for me. How am I supposed to live with that every day?”

     He studied her while he leaned back in his chair a bit, though she wondered if it was for comfort or to get a better look at her. “Wouldn’t that be true everywhere else?” he asked. Jillian just stood there, her mouth seemed to be clamped shut. Was he right? “Would you not recall them in the walls of your house? I know you still live in the house you lived in with Sirius, are those walls not filled with memories too? Of the Potters?” he asked, taking advantage of the silence. 

     “Would you not see their image in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley? Would you not see Lily in every red haired girl or James in every man with glasses? Would you not see Remus in any man with a scar on his face or Peter in every shy little boy? Would you not expect to see Sirius every time you hear a motorcycle drive by or vaguely smell his cologne in the air?” he asked, sitting up once more. “Would you not turn to look for Harry every time a baby cries?”

     “Don’t talk about Harry,” Jillian snapped quickly, somehow finding the words to defend her godson. But all the while, she knew he was right. 

     “Jillian…” he started.

     “You took him from me,” she said, clearly having not forgiven him for the act. She doubted she ever would.

     “I had to, you know that. I told you that last year,” Albus said, his voice calm as ever. 

     “He was the only family I had left,” she reminded.

     “I know. And if there was any other way I would have left him in your care, like your friends wanted. But this was the best way to keep him safe. In a few years he will be right back here, where he belongs. And if you take me up on my offer and you find a home here, you will be here when he comes,” he pointed out. It was manipulation, she could taste it in the air. After growing up around her mother, she knew control anywhere.

     “You’re not gonna let this go, are you?” Jillian asked after a moment or two of dead silence.

     “No,” he said, his mouth tilting up in a small smile. “I would never forgive myself if I let you die of a broken heart in that house. Not when you are of more use here. You have a good heart and a passionate nature Jillian. You can help mold the next generation into a better one than the one that came before it. A more tolerant and open minded generation. With the experience you have and the loyalty I know that resides in you, I know you can help make a better life for these children,” he said. “Harry may not be here, and neither is Lily, but there are people here who need you. And I think you need them too.”

     A tear rolled down Jillian’s cheek, one that she quickly wiped away before clearing her throat and running her fingers through her hair to get it out of her face. She watched him as she thought over his offer, knowing that as much as she hated it, he was right. If she didn’t find some sort of purpose, some sort of home, she would die in that house. The grief was too much. “History of Magic?” she asked hesitantly.

     “History of Magic,” he said with a nod.

     “Why that class?” she asked, curiously. “Why not Potions or Charms?”

     “Only position available,” he said honestly. “But also because I recall you rather enjoyed the class, you had your highest marks in it. So if there was ever a class you could teach, I would think it would be that one.”

     She sighed heavily before her shoulders relaxed “Fine, you’ve got yourself a deal,” she said, watching the amusement in his eyes behind his half moon spectacles. “When do you want me back here to start setting up for the school year?”

     “As soon as possible would be wonderful. Teachers always come back a bit early to start setting up their lesson plans but you also have to get settled in properly,” He informed her. 

     Jillian nodded “I’m gonna need a few days. Pack up my things, find a way to get the house off my hands, get some financial stuff squared away. Does next Monday work for you?”

     “Excellent,” he said, nodding as he smiled up at her. “Now, if you don’t mind, Jillian, I have to go over some paperwork concerning remodeling of the Quidditch field,” he said, picking his quill back up.

     “No problem. I have to head out anyway, stop by the bank,” she said, nodding and turning towards the door. 

     “Jillian,” Albus said as she reached the door.

     Jillian turned, her hand on the doorknob so she could close it on her way out “Yes?”

     Albus looked over his glasses at her “Welcome home.”

     Jillian smiled slowly, a ghost of a smile, a sad one. “It’s good to be home,” she lied, closing the door behind her as she made her way back down the stairs. She was doing it for Harry, she told herself. Because she had made a promise to James and Lily that she would protect their son if anything ever happened to them and in nine years time, she would be able to make good on that promise. If she wasted away in that god forsaken house, she would never be able to do that. If being here in this place, trapped in her own memories, could bring her closer to Harry one day, it was worth the trouble.

     Jillian made her way down the hall and had just turned the corner when she collided with someone taller than her, gasping as she reached out and grabbed onto their arm to steady herself so she wouldn’t fall over. “Woah!” she gasped, her legs wobbling a bit as she tried to catch herself, finding her footing again quite quickly. “Forgive me, I didn’t hear anyone…” but her words were lost when she looked up to see who she had bumped into, the sentence turning to ash in her mouth. This had to be one of her moments of insanity, there was absolutely no way this was real. But as she felt his arm under her grip and saw his near black eyes before her, she knew it was real. A little older but it was him. She would know that face anywhere.

     “Severus.”