Remus had somehow acquired a muggle car drove us home from the train station. I tried several times to begin a conversation with him, but I didn't quite know what to say, or rather how to say it. I wanted to tell him how sorry I was that Harry and the rest of us had rushed off after Sirius, and that for once it had been an accident and not a half thought out scheme. I wanted to tell him how sorry I was that we'd let Pettigrew escape, but mostly I wanted to tell him how sorry I was that he had been alone the last month. But every time I tried to put any of it into words, I just couldn't, so I resolved to starring at my shoes in regret.

"How's Severus?" He asked me off-handedly as the car drove down a twisting road.

"Fine I expect. Didn't get to see him much during the closing weeks." I answered not sure how he could be so calm. Remus drove up the road to Severus' house helping me unload my trunk.

"I assume he's already flooed home." Remus said nodding in the direction of the front door. "Remember my door is always open should you need anything."

"You two still not talking then?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time in the last few months. He just smiled and handed me my owl cadge with click of the car's trunk.

"See you soon Alice!" He called backing out of the driveway, roaming off, presumably to return the car to wherever it came from.

"I'm home!" I called as I stepped through the doorway. Severus came striding into the kitchen from his bedroom. He promptly levitated my trunk and Apollo's cadge up to my room.

"How was the train?" He asked moving to sit at the kitchen table.

"Exhausting." I huffed throwing myself into the chair across from him. "Met my Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon though. They seem…unpleasant. " Severus allowed a thin grin to slip through his lips.

"That's one way of putting it." He said.

"They wouldn't…they're won't hurt Harry will they?" I asked feeling stupid for only thinking of it then. Severus glared down at me from his eyebrows.

"They wouldn't dare." It wasn't exactly reassuring but I was sure nothing would happen to Harry. I got up from the table and stretched my arms high above my head.

"Well I could really use a nap. I think I'm going to head upstairs, I'll unpack after that ok?" I said walking towards the stairs.

"Not so fast young lady." Severus said pointing to the table. "Have a seat." I returned to my seat at the table propping my head up on my hands. "We need to discuss your punishment."

"Punishment? The summer's only just started what could I possibly be getting punished for?" I whined.

"Let's see, aiding another student to leave Hogwarts and visiting Hogsmeade village all year without permission, staying out past curfew, sneaking into the Shrieking Shack, knocking out a professor, breaking the laws of time by going back in time enabling a convicted felon to escape, and dragging other students around while doing it."

"Well when you put it that way…" I answered not really able to defend myself. "But we had the best of intensions!" I tried.

"Would you expect us to forgive Voldemort if that was his response to killing muggleborns everywhere? He also claimed to have the best of intensions." I understood what he was trying to say, but I didn't want to chance an argument by pointing out I hadn't killed anyone. I'm not getting out of this am I? I thought to myself sighing internally.

"So what did you and Remus decide is going to be my punishment?" I asked knowing that it wouldn't be too bad because Remus was usually able to tame Severus rage.

"Are you forgetting that Remus and I came to an agreement last term, an agreement in which he no longer has anything to do with your discipline?"

"Yes." I admitted reluctantly. I frowned. Well here's to the most miserable summer of my life.

"Well now that you're aware, shall I continue?" I nodded. "I've decided that this summer you will work closely with me to complete every potion in the fourth year potions book." Well that doesn't seem too bad. I love potions and it would be a good way to spend some time with Severus.

"And?" I asked.

"And what Alice?" Severus asked.

"What's the rest of my punishment?"

"I had thought that would be sufficient. Though if you wish I can always add to it…"

"No no, that's alright!" I said stopping him before he could actually add anything else.

"Very well then Alice. You're free to do as you please. Dinner will be in two hour, and we will begin our potions after that."

"Ok see you later Sev." I said giving him a hug on my way upstairs. He reluctantly braced himself against the chair and wrapped an arm around me in a half hug.