Thank you to the 9 people who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are the greatest. Also, Molly's brothers are younger than they are in canon. (For the sake of this story, they're in their sixth year right now.)

Update: March 11, 2014: Fixed a mistake that I didn't notice until I reread this chapter. Whoops.

9

A Date Interrupted

A week went by since Severus was cursed and it was the time for the first flying lesson of the year. Severus was looking forward to it and he knew that James was as well; Sirius also looked excited while Remus looked worried. Severus glanced at Remus as the four of them walked toward the Quidditch pitch where their class was taking place.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Just a little nervous," Remus admitted.

"Ah, you'll do fine," James said clasping his hand on Remus's shoulder.

"I wish they didn't decide that groups from all four houses would learn together. I hear the Carrows are gonna be there," Sirius said with a grimace.

"So long as we stir clear of them, I'm sure we'll be fine," Severus said. He paused before adding, "Though they always seem to blame us whenever someone pranks them."

"Yeah, I remember how they glared at us when it was Fabian and Gideon's fault," James complained. "The gits better not try anything 'cause I'm still upset about what they did to Sev."

"You don't know that it was them, Jamie," Severus reminded the hazel-eyed boy.

"Who else could it have been?"

"I agree with James," Sirius said. "Their father was the one that created that curse after all."

Severus sighed. "My grandfather is already investigating this, Jamie, Sirius, so why don't we just drop it and let him find the answer?"

"Do you think he'll tell you if he does find out?" Sirius asked.

Severus shrugged. "I really don't know," he said.

The four of them entered the pitch still talking though now they were talking about Defense and the new spell that they were working on. All around them were clusters of students from all four houses; it was the second lesson of the day with the second half of the first years. The first half had their lesson an hour earlier.

Madame Hooch was a tall woman with gray hair and yellow eyes. She stood at the head of the group before gesturing to the brooms lying on the ground. "Well, don't just stand there. Everyone pick a broom, come on now," she said.

Severus, James, Sirius and Remus walked over to the brooms before standing to the left of them just as Hooch instructed them too. Severus found himself standing next to Lily who was gazing at the broom and the sky warily.

"All right, place your right hand over the broom and say 'up'," Hooch instructed.

A chorus of "up" sounded and Severus was glad that the broom had jumped into his hand the first time he said that; the same was said for Sirius and James while Remus's rolled the first time before jumping into his hand. Lily's rolled the first three times she did it before finally coming into her hand. Her friends were having a bit of trouble.

At the other end of the pitch, the Carrows looked frustrated as they called out "up!" a few more times. One of the brooms smacked Alecto in the face while the other rolled away from Amycus; Sirius snickered when he saw this, which prompted the Carrows to glare at him.

Once everyone had their hands on their brooms, Hooch instructed them on what to do before telling them to climb onto their brooms. Severus, climbing onto his broom with the ease of someone who's done it before, glanced toward Lily who looked worried and was holding on to the broom as if for dear life though she was only a few feet off the ground.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"Y…Yeah, just nervous," Lily said.

Severus frowned as he observed Lily before he calmly gave her some advice on how to hold the broom properly so she didn't fall off. She blinked at gratefully at him before adjusting her grip and slowly relaxing.

A yelp sounded and Lisa shot several feet into the air before she fell off landing with a thud on the ground between Remus and Aubrianna. Remus landed his broom before leaping off to kneel beside the girl.

"Are you okay?" the quiet Ravenclaw asked.

"Yeah, I guess I should've held on," Lisa said with a sheepish smile.

"Typical worthless muggleborn, can't even ride a broom properly," Dorcas sneered.

"Yeah, she's just a worthless mudblood," Alecto sneered.

Severus, Sirius and James glared furiously at the Carrow while Lily looked confused. "What's a mudblood?" she asked.

"That's what you are, mudblood," Alecto spat.

"Ten points from Slytherin for insulting two of your classmates, Ms. Carrow," Hooch said sternly.

"It's an insult for anyone who doesn't have magical parents," Severus explained to Lily. "It means dirty blood."

"Oh but that's just mean," Lily said.

"Yeah it is but pureblood hags like Alecto don't care," Sirius sneered.

"Mr. Black…" Hooch began.

"You did not just call my sister a hag!" Amycus shouted angrily interrupting the flying instructor.

"I thought I did," Sirius shouted back.

Amycus snarled in fury. "You mudblood-loving blood traitor, I'll get you and your little friends for that," he spat angrily.

"Mr. Carrow…" Hooch tried again to interrupt and diffuse the argument but was again interrupted.

"Try it," Sirius retorted.

Severus sighed. "Siri, antagonizing them is not helping matters," he said.

"Who asked your opinion, half-blood spawn?" Alecto snapped.

"Don't you call Sev that, you arrogant hag!" James shouted.

"Letting that Gryffindor talk for you again, ain't ya, spawn?" Rodolphus sneered.

"Once again, I would rather not get into an argument with someone with air between their ears," Severus said dryly. He had climbed off his broom at some point as had everyone who was listening to the argument.

"We are not dumb!" Rodolphus shouted.

"You could've fooled me," James retorted.

"You know who's dumb? Prince's mudblood loving whore of a mother," Alecto snarled.

Severus's eyes flashed and it took all of his self-control to stop himself from launching himself at Alecto and punching her or cursing her. He had to keep reminding himself that he wouldn't hit girls not matter how badly they insulted him and his family. He was raised better than that.

"Ms. Carrow! That was uncalled for," Hooch shouted finally reminding everyone that she was there. "Twenty points from Slytherin and detention with Filch."

"They insulted me too!" Alecto shouted.

"And they will get ten points deducted from Gryffindor but I was there when Professor Flitwick warning you about using that kind of language," Hooch said flatly.

Alecto snarled in fury.

"This lesson is over," Hooch added before anyone could respond. "Return to your common rooms."

Severus put his broom down still upset by the insult but trying not to show it. He, James, Sirius and Remus along with Lily, Lisa and Aubrianna made their way back into the castle. Aubrianna looked just as angry as Severus felt and was muttering under her breath while Lisa shook her head.

"What did I ever do to them?" she said.

"You didn't do anything," Sirius said flatly. "They're gits.'

"Yeah and they're just asking for a pranking," James added. "I know Sev wants to get them back for that insult to his mum. Why don't we go over some ideas in the library before dinner?"

"I can't," Severus said remembering that he had a meeting with Professor Slughorn. "I have to meet with Professor Slughorn."

"Oh yeah. You're testing out of first year Potions. Let me know how it goes, Sev," James said.

Severus nodded. "If I get outta there before dinner, I'll meet you in the library," he said.

"Okay. Come on Siri, Remus, let's start plotting…I mean researching," James said before he and Sirius, with Remus who was shaking his head with a faint smile on his face just behind them, made their way toward the library.

"Um, Severus?" Lily said and Severus glanced toward the red-haired girl.

"Yeah?" he said.

"Well, I was wondering. Can you help me with that essay Professor Slughorn assigned?" Lily asked shyly.

Severus blinked but nodded. "Sure," he said. "How about we meet in the library after dinner?"

"Okay," Lily said with a small grateful smile before she walked off with Lisa and Aubrianna, who were talking to each other, just behind her.

Severus watched her go before making his way toward the dungeons.

\/\/\/\/\/

"Congratulations, Mr. Prince," Slughorn said a few hours later when Severus finished taking the test. "You've tested out of first and second year Potions. It seems you can brew third year potions so that's what we'll give you for this year and then next year, we'll go on to fourth year and so on."

"Thanks Professor Slughorn," Severus said taking the results of the test that Slughorn handed him.

"I haven't had someone as adept at potion making as you in my class since…well, actually I can't remember. I only started a few years ago. Anyway, are you planning on going home during the holidays?"

"I am."

"Oh, well still, I'd like you invite you to join the Slug Club. I only invite those who are exceptionally gifted and you have clearly proven that you are," Slughorn said.

"Oh, uh, thanks Professor," Severus said uncertainly.

"You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Prince," Slughorn said by way of dismissal and Severus nodded before leaving the classroom.

He made his way to the library thinking about Slughorn's offer but deciding not to worry about it at the moment. He made his way into the library before over to where Sirius, James and Remus were looking through books with several more scattered around them.

"Hey Sev, how'd you do?' James asked lifting his head from his book as Severus sat down beside him.

"Tested out of both first and second year Potions," Severus admitted.

"Awesome, mate, but then I'm not surprised. You are a whiz when it comes to Potions," James said.

Severus blushed to which James snickered. "So what're you doing?" he asked.

"Just looking over potential pranks and doing some homework. I swear you and Remus are rubbing off on us," Sirius said.

Severus smirked. "Better that than you failing your classes," he said.

"True, I guess."

"It's almost time for dinner," Remus said softly about half an hour later while the four of them were working together to find another suitable prank for the Carrows or working on homework. "We should probably head to the Great Hall now."

"I am getting hungry," James said.

"I'm surprised your stomach didn't tell you it was almost dinnertime before Remus did," Severus said.

James rolled his eyes. "Prat," he said.

Dinner was as quiet as it usually was with students chatting with their friends about classes and other things. Severus didn't pay much attention to what they were saying as he was busy reading through the next chapter in his History of Magic book—which wasn't much more interesting than Binns—and eating.

He paused when a piece of parchment flew over his shoulder to land on his book and he put the book down before opening the note.

Got a perfect prank. Keep an eye on Slytherin table.

Severus glanced at James with a raised eyebrow but he simply smirked and nodded toward the Slytherin table. Severus turned his gaze to the Slytherin table and Remus, noticing where his gaze went, followed it frowning.

A moment later, the Carrows were eating when, suddenly, Alecto's plate floated into the air and sailed across the table before the food slid off the plate on Lucius's head followed by Amycus's plate. Lucius yelped in surprise before glaring at the Carrows.

"That'll be five points each from Slytherin for that," McGonagall said firmly.

"But that wasn't us," Alecto shouted.

"Yeah they were hexed," Amycus exclaimed.

"There's no proof that they were," McGonagall said.

The Carrows scowled before turning, as one, to glare at the Gryffindor table. James ignored their glares as he ate nonchalantly with Sirius who looked like he was trying hard to not grin.

Remus smiled a little shaking his head while Severus returned his attention to his book hiding his amused smile.

After dinner, he made his way into the library before choosing a table between two of the bookshelves to wait for Lily. A few minutes later, Lily walked into the library before making her way over to the table and sitting down putting her Potions book on the table. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," Severus said. "So what do you need help with?"

"I got the properties of the ingredients for this potion but I'm stuck on why they're used," Lily admitted opening up to the chapter they were on.

Severus peered at the potion before nodding. "This one's an easy one," he said and began discussing the potion with Lily who, occasionally, interrupted to ask a question.

\/\/\/\/\/

The first Hogsmeade weekend was scheduled for the last weekend of October. Alex was looking forward to it; more or less, he was looking forward to his date—if it could be called that—with Eileen. They had decided to meet at The Three Broomsticks at five, which gave Alex enough time to finish grading the majority of his students' assignment and get ready.

He joined Minerva, May and Pomona who were going to keep an eye on the students in the courtyard. Minerva smiled at him. "So you're joining us?" she asked.

"I'm actually meeting Eileen at The Three Broomsticks," Alex admitted.

May chuckled. "You're blushing," she said with a smirk and Alex's blush deepened, which only caused the younger professor to laugh harder.

"Stop teasing him, May," Pomona said smiling gently at Alex. "He's nervous enough as it is."

"Shouldn't we get going?" Alex asked gesturing to the students who were already making their way down the path toward Hogsmeade.

"Of course. Good luck on your date, Alex," May said.

"It's not a date," Alex said.

"Sure it isn't."

Alex shook his head but didn't respond to that as he made his way down the path.

By the time he reached Hogsmeade, it was a good fifteen minutes before he was to meet with Eileen. As he walked toward The Three Broomsticks, Alex felt nervous again but, this time, he managed to control it so that it didn't show.

Entering The Three Broomsticks, Alex called out a greeting to Madame Rosmerta before making his way to one of the empty tables.

"What can I get for you?" Rosmerta asked as he sat down.

"A butterbeer for now. I'm waiting for someone," Alex said.

Rosmerta nodded before disappearing behind the bar. She returned a moment later before handing Alex a butterbeer. He took it before sipping at it.

About fifteen minutes later, the door opened and Alex looked up as Eileen made her way into the pub. She was dressed casually in a white shirt and black pants with her black hair falling in waves down her back and over her shoulder. She smiled at Alex who stood up before she walked over to join him.

"Hello Alex, nice to see you again," she said.

"You too, Eileen," Alex said with a small smile before politely pulling out the chair for Eileen. She sat down before chuckling as Alex sat down across from her.

"You haven't changed much since we were at Hogwarts," she commented as Rosmerta walked over to join them.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

"Just a butterbeer is fine," Eileen said and Rosmerta nodded before she walked away returning a moment later with a butterbeer before handing it to Eileen.

"So how's Vladimir?" Alex asked.

"He's fine," Eileen said. "He's spending quite a bit of time trying to find anyone else out there who might know the curse that was cast on Sev."

"Any leads?"

"Other than the Carrows, no. Sev's doing all right though, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's doing fine. From what the other teachers have said, he's excelling in many of his classes. I hear he tested out of both first and second year Potions," Alex said.

Eileen chuckled. "He told me about that but I'm not surprised," she said.

"Considering you tested out of first year Potions too," Alex said.

Eileen nodded smiling. "So do you really like your job, Alex?" she asked. "Honestly, I never saw you as a teacher before."

"There are times when I get irritated with the students, especially those who like to pick on the students and especially those who think using dark curses is all right," Alex admitted; he hated bullying and he was still upset about how one of his students had been cursed.

"You've never liked bullying," Eileen said softly. "I remember when you broke a fifth year Ravenclaw's nose when he was bullying a first year Hufflepuff when we were in second year."

"I got two weeks of detention because of that," Alex grumbled to which Eileen chuckled.

"But, other than that, I really do like teaching," he added. "It's rewarding in a way I don't know how to explain. I never saw myself as a teacher either but Albus came to me and offered me the position. I was hesitant but eventually I accepted."

Eileen smiled and the two of them fell into silence. They ordered a light dinner and ate; Alex couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what to talk about. He knew quite a bit about Eileen as it was due to the years they spent at Hogwarts; it would be rather counterproductive if he asked her about something he already knew. That made trying to find a topic of conversation hard.

Eileen gave him a small smile. "I can't think of anything to talk about either," she said. "I mean, we practically know everything about each other."

Alex chuckled. "Not everything," he said.

"Good point."

Alex hesitated; he was still curious about Eileen's relationship with her husband and why she left him—he was positive there was more to the story than just her parents were right—but he didn't want Eileen to deal with the memories as they were obviously bad. Besides, it wasn't his business and he really shouldn't probe into something that wasn't his concern.

"You look like you have a question, Alex?" Eileen commented.

"Are my emotions really that easy to read?" Alex asked.

"Yes."

"Bloody hell," Alex muttered. That was one of his failings that got him into trouble more often than not during his years training under Vladimir Prince. While he was on the field, he was good at hiding his emotions—meditation the Occlumency lessons Vladimir gave him helped—but not when in more personal settings.

Eileen chuckled again. "What were you going to ask?" she asked.

"It's nothing, never mind," Alex said.

"Are you sure?"

"It's your business, Eileen, so never mind."

Eileen opened her mouth to respond only to break off when a smooth cultured voice sounded. "Eileen, what a surprise to find you here," the voice said as Abraxas Malfoy walked into the open.

A stormy look crossed Eileen's face and her voice was tightly with barely restrained contempt. "And what brings the Lord of Malfoy Manor to Hogsmeade?" she said with a sneer.

"Is it a crime to visit my son?" Abraxas asked smoothly.

"I suppose not," Eileen said through gritted teeth.

Alex gazed coolly at the Lord of Malfoy Manor; he disliked Abraxas intensely and had to focus on his Occlumency shields to mask his dislike.

"It is a pleasant surprise to find you here," Abraxas said.

"Yes, it is very pleasant," Eileen said with a sardonic twist of the lips before she looked at Alex and smiled apologetically. "I suppose we'll have to call this short. I had a good time though."

Alex smiled as well conscious of the glare Abraxas was giving him. "As did I, Eileen. Are you doing anything over the holidays?"

"Other than the annual Christmas Party at Potter Manor no." Eileen paused before she smiled and added, "would you like to go with me?'

Alex was stunned not so much by the invitation—he knew that the Potters cared little for pureblood supremacy and wouldn't mind if a half-blood came to their annual Christmas Party—but more because Eileen had asked him.

"Why is it that I'm the only one who can make you speechless, Alex?" Eileen asked.

Alex blushed, which only caused Eileen to laugh.

Abraxas, all but forgotten by the two friends, was glaring furiously at Alex.

"So, what's your answer?" Eileen asked obsidian eyes sparkling with amusement.

Alex gave Eileen a smile. "I'd like to go," he said before he stood up. "I should probably be getting back to Hogwarts. I will see you later, Eileen."

"Goodbye Alex," Eileen said.

Alex walked past Abraxas and left The Three Broomsticks.

Eileen watched him go with a small smile on her face. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed spending time with Alex.

"Why do you insist on associating yourself with those lower than yourself?" Abraxas sneered.

Eileen gazed coolly at Abraxas. "I would rather spend time with half-bloods, muggleborns and muggles than I would with pompous pureblood dunderheads," she said stiffly. "If you will excuse me…" She left The Three Broomsticks fuming at her interrupted date—was it a date? She wondered—with Alex.

\/\/\/\/\/

A/n what do you think?

Blaze: okay, so I didn't go over everything I said I was going to go over but I decided to end this chapter with the date

Eileen and Alex: it wasn't a date!

Severus: sure it wasn't

Blaze: so I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next chapter will cover Vlad and Alex getting clues as to who cursed Severus, Halloween, the first Quidditch match of the year and some Sev/Lily and Remus/Lisa

Darth: cool

Blaze: I might not get to all of those but I'll try. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.