Chapter 2 - Severus

The moonlight, that shone in through the clean window, reflected off the cold and wet stone tiles, shining its light on the rest of the room. Corners of wooden square tables could be made out in the darkness - all lined up behind each other - with chairs next to each one. Outlines of a bigger desk could be seen at one side of the room; on the other side a huge door stood closed.

The door is swung open with force, and the handle connected with the brick wall, bouncing back at the sudden solid apparition. But he was no intruder. He reached out in the dark, finding the light switch without having to search for it. It was his room; he knew where everything was.

The bulb flickered on, the man blinked at the brightness then his eyes adjusted and he marched towards his desk; but not before slamming the door harshly behind him… His body limply slumped, exhaustion radiating from him.

The man wore black, formal attire. A black robe, black button-down top - black dress pants underneath - and black shiny shoes. It was his usual look; colour left his life a while back. His hair was also black, hanging like a silk curtain around his pale complexion. His skin tone was the only contrasting colour: white. Oh and his eyes! They were black too, but beautiful black. Black like activated charcoal powder. It was strange to everyone that such a dark man had such handsome eyes. It's what wooed the girls back in his day… Although, girls ran after him no more. Not after his reputation. But, that's a story for another day.

A weak knock sounded on the door.

"Enter." the man simply replied with his velvety voice and straightened in his seat.

The door silently opened, just wide enough for two small boys to squeeze in and shut it behind themselves.

Both boys looked around the age of twelve and wore a robes with their house badges. That was their uniform. A Gryffindor and a Hufflepuff. The man scoffed in his head at the sight.

He emotionlessly motioned them to make their way forward. The boys, side by side, carefully took some steps, then stopped before the desk.

"Mr Durn and Lynx," the man stood and addressed the boys, "You have made it to detention. What is it you did to make the Headmaster suggest that my care is suitable for your suffering?"

Adam Durn shifted his weight from one leg to the other to try and contain his nervousness. The other boy, Richie Lynx, only nodded and hid his shaking hands behind his back.

"We turned Professor Sprout's plants into plushies." one said.

"Plushies?" the man repeated incredulously.

The boys nodded, and Richie was sure the other two could hear his heart beating loudly.

"Plushies." the man stated and sat back down, trying to process the word then contain his amusement.

"Professor Snape.. If I may.." Adam started, although stopped immediately at the teacher's gaze cutting through him.

"You're dismissed."

Both boys froze, unsure if he meant it seriously. Of course he means it seriously. It's Professor Snape; why would he joke? He never jokes.

"I am serious. You two are dismissed. Your detention is over. Out you go."

The boys looked at each other for a brief moment, then hurriedly turned and left. As the door closed, Severus Snape immediately burst out into a laughter he had not had experienced in many, many years.

Minutes later, a knock on the door interrupted his happiness. Snape quickly coughed to hide his amusement over the 'plushie plants'. However, the tears in his eyes could hardly be mistaked for struggle for air.

The entrance opened without permission and revealed an elder, well-known wizard: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His white beard flew like a light cloud next to his ivory robes. The wizards gold, half-moon glasses slid to the tip of his nose, as he raised an eyebrow at the chuckling Potions Master.

"Are you OK, Severus?" Albus moved in further, waving his wand for the door to close behind him.

The dark man tried to keep a straight face, but the image of plant plushies and Pomona Sprouts reaction could not be wiped from his mind. He covered his mouth, not wanting to show his smile. Dumbledore stood anxiously waiting for an answer, but due to their eye contact and the use of legilimency, he too soon cracked up.

"What is the meaning of this visit, Albus?" Snape asked, with his once again indifferent tone, after they both calmed.

"Oh right. I came here to inform you Severus of something of great importance."

The sobriety of his tone lead the Potions Master believe that he must pay great attention. He leaned forward, gesturing the old man to continue his speech.

"I have an announcement of sorts." Albus took a deep breath, "A Black descendant is joining us in the upcoming academic year."

Only the slight twitch in his right cheek showed that Severus Snape was still amongst the living. His face blanched and his already black orbs darkened further. He didn't want to believe what his mentor was saying was the truth. Memories came back to him of his own school years, and the four individuals that made his life hell.

The Marauders, they called themselves. Peter Pettigrew. Remus Lupin. James Potter. And Sirius Black. After surviving two wars, and all of the Marauders passing, Snape had thought he was done with them.

"How?" he breathed.

He had dealt with the son of the Potter. He had heard of the son of the Lupin, and he even became friends with the father, before Remus passed. Pettigrew had no children, and if he would have had, they'd have been hunted down already. But a Black?

"Sirius Black is alive, son."

The Potion Master gritted his teeth at the statement. Alive. That... That... He tried to think of a fitting insult, but nothing seemed harsh enough. His fist slammed against the desk, making the whole frame rattle.

"Another Black." he paused then a sly smile grew on his face, "Bring it on."