Chapter 4: Two Shining Stars

Professor Slughorn's Potions Room, Hogwarts...

Sebastian Prince had been brewing the rather complex Wolfsbane potion for days now. He had no idea why the professor asked a wizard as inexperienced as him to brew such a complex potion but he excelled at it. He had designated him: Wolfsbane Potion Brewer ever since he assigned the potion for him and Hermione to do as a challenge between the two. It seemed a rare treat to be able to brew with such freedom and complexity. Slughorn had even encouraged him to use the classroom lab for experimental potions as well as ingredients from the store room. Needless to say, Sebastian was quite intrigued by Professor Slughorn's obvious favoritism.

As an added bonus, Hermione Granger had been positively green with envy pointing out that Professor Snape would never teach the way Slughorn does nor would he show blatant favoritism in class, or let a student such as Sebastian meddle in his store room or potions lab unattended. Professor Slughorn ignored the girl believing she had no concept of "stored" favors. Sebastian had been curious about this Professor Snape that everyone seemed to have known except him.

Granger seemed to speak of him as highly as Draco and she was a Gryffindor.

The Raven-haired Slytherin made his way to the library to see if he could find anything that kept a record of Professor Severus Snape's many accomplishments. He had been treated to a few articles about a young Slytherin witch named Eileen Prince and how she had been the former Gobbstones Team captain for the Slytherin squad in the 40's and there was mention of her being a champion of the sport. She had been a relatively plain looking young woman. Lacking in both appeal and ambition outside of her selected sport.

He continued to read and found Professor Snape had been the youngest Potions Master ever to receive his title and the youngest teacher in Hogwarts history. He had been well accomplished academically as well with top scores on all his exams with the exception of Divination class. He had been been well adept in charms as well which had been something quite surprising considering all Sebastian had heard about his opinion on "silly wand waving."

It had been a strange concept that they both could agree upon.

Sebastian had more interest in brewing potions than he had using a wand. After looking over more of the few records of Professor Severus Snape's accomplishments. After reading all that had been listed about Snape, Sebastian left the library with a lot to think about. It seemed that both Draco and Hermione's praise of the absent Professor had not been attributed to blind hero-worship.

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Charms Class, Hogwarts...

Hermione had been as smug as ever when Professor Flitwick went over the newest water charm for them to study that would no doubt be on their N.E.W.T.S. this coming year. She had gotten it on the first try with seamless effort. Harry watched her trying in vain to mimic her precise movements. When it came to charms Harry had about as much skill as a drunk man fumbling around in the dark. His emerald eyes lit up as he watched his friend bask in the glory of her efforts while the other students struggled.

"You're really good at this Mione." he said conceding defeat.

"It's not that hard Harry." said Hermione effortlessly.

"For those of us that are not born for charms it is." replied Harry.

He had been rather lucky to have partnered with Hermione in this class since Draco had been more rubbish at charms than he had been. Ron had been paired with Neville Longbottom and seemed to be having just as much trouble as anyone. Even Sebastian had been having trouble exhibiting the proper technique. Although it can be assumed it was more from feeling foolish about having to swish his wrist like a girl and flick his wand in a dainty display.

"It seems that you are having some trouble with the proper wand movements Mr. Prince." said Professor Flitwick observing him.

"Obviously." replied Sebastian sitting with his arms across his chest.

Draco laughed at the remark his friend made.

"Mr. Prince is it safe to assume that you do not want to participate in today's activities?" asked Professor Flitwick.

"I don't see the point of all this silly wand waving." said Sebastian. "It's not even practical for casting a spell in the heat of battle."

Professor Flitwick shook his head.

"Silly wand waving is it?" he said puffing out his small chest appearing to size up the young raven haired wizard. "Young man I'll have you know that many of these charms were used to the benefit of Hogwarts when You-Know-Who tried to take the school during the war."

"I doubt he was impressed." replied Sebastian snidely.

Flitwick turned his attention to his prized pupil.

"Miss Granger I believe Mr. Prince could use some tutoring in the art of charms." he said. "You'll be working with him from now until the exams at the end of the year...let's see if we can make a decent charms worthy student out of him shall we."

Hermione smiled.

"Yes sir." she said looking at Sebastian who had been scowling.

She packed up her things and switched seats with Draco who rolled his eyes at her and gave Sebastian friendly slap on the shoulder.

"If you two go back to hexing each other I want a front row seat." he said quickly with a smirk.

"Sod off Malfoy." replied Sebastian still with the scowl.

Hermione took the seat Draco vacated and he in turn made his way to the empty seat next to Harry Potter. He sighed looking about as annoyed as his friend had when he sat his books down.

"Malfoy." said Harry in greeting.

"Potter." replied Draco.

That was about as civil as they had been before they started going to work trying to figure out the charms spell on their own. Hermione looked over at Sebastian who tried his best to avoid eye contact with her.

"I do not need your assistance Granger." he said when Flitwick turned his back.

"Well, Professor Flitwick instructed me to teach you so that's what I'm going to do." replied Hermione.

Sebastian rolled his eyes.

"I am not some work horse awaiting your instruction in the hopes of achieving good grades Granger." he replied bitterly. "I am perfectly capable of casting the silly charm on my own."

"If you were capable of doing it on your own you would not have needed me to come to tutor you." replied Hermione ignoring the glare he had given her.

Determined to show her and the small charms Professor that he had indeed been capable of casting the water charm Sebastian grabbed his wand and flicked it rather violently.

"Aqua sphaera." he said bitterly.

Water shot out of the tip of his wand and swirled around until it condensed and folded into a sphere. Hermione watched him knowing exactly what would happen since he had not used the proper technique before he cast it. It appeared that Professor Flitwick had known as well and he cast a water resistant charm over his personal desk. He sat patiently at his desk of the inevitable to happen.

Sebastian had a smug expression on his face due to his success at casting the spell without the wand waving Flitwick and Hermione tried to force him to do. A small grin broke out across Hermione's face and she shook her head woefully. The raven haired Slytherin noticed that she had taken a step back and looked at her with puzzled interest.

In a matter of seconds Sebastian had been in on the not so private joke as the sphere grew in size and became difficult to control. He tried to contain it but only made it increase in size.

"Bloody hell, Prince is going to flood the classroom!" shouted Ron.

The other students started scrambling to get out of the path of the water. Draco growled at the red-head and lept over his desk. He pulled his wand and attempted to aid Sebastian in controlling the sphere. Harry followed taking out his wand and aiding the two struggling Slytherins. Neville Longbottom took a breath and made his way over to the fray. He pulled his wand adding assistance to the other struggling students. Pansy Parkinson got up from her chair drawing her wand and joined in the struggle against the rouge sphere.

Hermione shook her head and drew her wand. If everyone else was going to assist Sebastian she didn't see why she couldn't. The six of them managed to condense the sphere and put up a good fight until the ball exploded splashing all of them and leaving them soaked to the bone. Sebastian suddenly flushed and looked down at the floor. He had not liked failure no matter how much assistance he received in the process. Draco looked at the mess all six of them had appeared to be and started laughing. Pansy joined him. Then Harry followed noting that they had been quite a sight.

Neville had begun to laugh as well albeit rather nervously. Hermione laughed getting a look at her hair though Harry's glasses. Sebastian had looked like a soaked puppy and didn't know what to do with himself before Draco put his hand on his shoulder.

"This is the most fun I've had in this class since I came to Hogwarts." he said proudly. "Who knew charms could be interesting without all the silly and waving."

Sebastian started laughing at this.

Hermione had been quiet impressed. She had not known that he had such a rich and deep laugh. It had been quite the sight when he really got going. All six of the soaked students had a full on laugh comfortable in their association. Professor Flitwick shook his head. He had not expected anything like that to happen. A smile broke across his small face. Draco had been right. This was the most fun anyone has had in his class in all the years of him teaching at Hogwarts.

Professor Flitwick turned his attention back to Sebastian. He had been quite the head strong young man. It had been clear that his association with Draco Malfoy had a wondrous affect on the boy. He had not seen the young Malfoy take enough of an interest of anyone but himself or his family and yet he seemed so undoubtedly loyal to this new student.

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The Slug Club...

Professor Slughorn had been quite happy to have his token pupil attend his lavish party. He had invited a great deal of people to witness the young man's great works and engage him in intellectual conversation. It wasn't every day that one could meet The Wizarding World's Greatest Hero's secret son. It had been one of the many reasons so many influential people showed up. A great many of them had been dying to know as much about the dour Potions Master as they could. The mystery surrounding his life had been one for the record books. The elder wizard smiled brightly as he shook the hands of his guests.

"Welcome." he said pleasantly. "Welcome all."

People filed into the large gold tent by the dozens. All rich and successful movers and shakers as they say. One particular guest had not been impressed. She had a bored expression on her face which had been sallow and pale as she made her way into the tent. She wore moderate formal attire, On her feet had been long black boots bound in leather. On her legs had been a lengthy black skirt. Her elegant slender frame had been wrapped in an equally elegant green sleeveless top draped over a long sleeve white shirt with lace around her sleeves, and ruffles at the collar. Her raven hair had been down to her back and her dark eyes gleamed despite the impassive demeanor.

"Lady Hamershal." said Slughorn with a hint of forced admiration. "I am delighted that you could attend my humble get together."

The woman known as lady Hamershal glared at him.

"Save the pleasantries Horace." she replied with an icy tone. "I've only agreed to attend this pool party you call a soiree, because you promised to reveal the son of Severus Snape."

Slughorn smiled rather candidly.

"Indeed." he said with a sense of superiority. "I have found the long lost son of a high acclaimed hero."

"And is his mind as brilliant as you say that it is or am I getting my hopes up?" asked Lady Hamershal still unimpressed.

"He will not disappoint you." said Slughorn triumphantly.

"We shall see." replied Lady Hamershal not at all delighted to be his acquaintance.

She ventured into the tent with everyone else with an air of superiority following close behind her.

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Inside...

Sebastian had been uncomfortable dressed in a firmly pressed black suit that Slughorn deemed mandatory for the party (and at Draco's assistance). His feet were in highly polished black dress shoes (another aspect of Draco's insistence). His naturally unkempt raven locks had been pulled neatly into a ponytail and tied elegantly with a black ribbon. For those that did not know him, they would conclude that the young wizard had looked rather charming. He had not even wanted to attend but Draco had been all up in arms about how this was the defining moment of his young social life and that he should use the opportunity as a true Slytherin to make his future more secure. He had grumbled the entire time they got ready and Draco had to shove him into the tent. The junior Malfoy had been born and bred for this kind of solicitous nonsense.

He took to working the room like a fish did breathing in water. The raven-haired young wizard shook his head as his friend got lost in the sea of handshakes and bows that came with chatting endlessly about one's net-worth and various accomplishments. Sebastian made his way over toward the punch bowl having nothing better to do and no interest in actively socializing.

He had just taken a drink when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He sighed and turned around fully intent on letting whom ever it was that saw fit to invade his personal space have it. Then his obsidian eyes fell on the sight of none other than Hermione Granger. She had been wearing a black dress of all things with her hair pulled back neatly into a ponytail and red lipstick on her lips. Black boots had been on her feet and she carried what looked to him like a black carrying purse.

"G-Granger?" he said flabbergasted.

"Hi Sebastian." she said cheerfully. "I figured I'd see you here."

"S-Slughorn cornered you as well?" he asked.

"What's a slug club party without his two brightest students?" said Hermione in a mocking version of Slughorn's voice.

Sebastian laughed.

"You know that's actually a very good impression of him." he said giving her the first compliment of the night.

"Thank you." said Hermione.

Her cheeks turned red when she realized that it had been the first time he had ever said something nice about her.

"That's a nice suit." she said trying to return the favor.

"Of course." he said without enthusiasm. "Draco's doing."

Hermione smiled.

"The dress is Ginny's doing." said she supplied.

"Well, I can say she had your best interest at heart." said Sebastian smoothly.

Hermione blushed again.

"I can concur that Draco had done the same for you." she said.

This time it was Sebastian's turn to blush.

Harry Potter arrived with Ron Weasley in tow. They spotted Hermione talking with Sebastian and Ron wanted to immediately charge over to them and pull her away.

"She's really over there talking to that Slytherin Git." said the red-haired young wizard.

"Ron calm down." said Harry. "This is a party after all everything doesn't always have to be about house rivalry."

"How can you say that Harry?" asked Ron stunned. "You of all people know what they're like."

Harry rolled his eyes and walked away from Ron. If he was going to go off and do something stupid than that was on him. The dark haired young wizard had not come to the party to babysit. He just had to be sure to stay a safe distance away so that Hermione couldn't hex him as well.

Slughorn had entered the tent after the last of the guests had arrived. He had been awful chipper since the event began.

Hermione had found that she liked having something in the way of a casual conversation with Sebastian. He had been like a breath of fresh air in a room full of drab stuffed shirts. In turn Sebastian had noted that the formidable Miss Granger had not been as insufferable as he perceived her to have been upon their first meeting.

"Thank you for the book by the way." she said looking at him intently.

Sebastian looked at her with an impassive expression.

"I have no idea what your talking about." he said.

"I know you brought me the book Slytherin." she said. "You are too noisy for your own good Granger."

Sebastian chuckled some at that.

"I might have known that you'd read through the entire thing in one night." he said casually. "Insufferable-know-it-all."

Hermione took it as a compliment.

"I might have known that you weren't a complete git." she countered in a seemingly smug tone.

Sebastian scoffed dismissing her intended admiration.

"Shows what you know." he said coldly.

Hermione shook her head. She could tell her forwardness had made him quite uncomfortable.

"Well, I guess I'll go find Harry or Ron." she said. "I'm sure they could use a lesson in proper educate."

"I wouldn't doubt it." replied Sebastian.

"See you in class Sebastian." said Hermione as she took her leave of him.

"See you in class Granger." he replied as she walked to the other side of the tent.

Alone once more Sebastian turned his attention back to the punch bowl. He had been content in his solitude until a strange woman with extravagant raven hair and wearing an elegant green blouse and a lengthy black skirt approached the punch bowl. Her sallow cheek seemed to intensify the pale of her pallor. Her dark eyes swept over the young wizard and there had been an unmistakable air of superiority behind them.

"Pardon me young man." she said in a voice laced with ice. "Would you be so kind as to pour a lady a drink?"

Sebastian had been stunned when he took in the sight of her.

"Y-yes ma'am." he replied and poured her a glass of punch.

She took the glass without hesitation and drank some down.

"Why thank you young man." she said.

Sebastian had watched her curious for a moment or two. He had known that she had wanted something. That much was obvious with her attending this party show-casing intelligent students. She seemed to be actively studying him as well.

"Hmmm." he heard her say. "Interesting likeness."

"I beg your pardon." said Sebastian feeling instantly more uncomfortable.

"Severus Snape." said the woman getting to the point. "What do you know of him?"

"Just the same hero stories as everyone else." replied Sebastian. "And a little of his academic record her at the school."

The woman continued to look him over.

"How much do you know of his personal life?" she asked watching him intently.

"Nothing I'm afraid." replied Sebastian. "E-Everyone I meet seems to believe that he may be my father."

"And what do you believe?" asked the woman.

"I-I'm not sure what to believe." replied Sebastian. "I don't remember much other than that I was formerly a student of Drumstrag institute."

"So you have no recollection of life outside of school?" asked the woman intrigued.

"N-no." he replied. "I haven't really given any of it much thought...The headmaster said that I was declared a ward of Hogwarts."

The woman seemed satisfied with his answer.

"What a tragic way to live." she said painstakingly mustering an ounce of pity. "Well young man, I am Lady Theodora Hamershal."

Sebastian looked at her for a moment. She had extended her hand. He thought it best to keep his manners and kissed it as Draco instructed him to do when in the presence of a lady of note.

"Sebastian S. Prince." he said.

Lady Hamershal seemed a bit taken aback by the mention of his name.

"Prince?" she said looking him over.

"Yes." replied Sebastian.

"Are you aware that you wear the name of a very prestigious wizarding family?" she asked.

"Not particularly." replied Sebastian in a nonchalant manner.

Lady Hamershal smiled at him. He had been by far the most interesting aspect of this so-called party.

"Tell me Mr. Prince." she said amused. "What do you think of this party?"

Sebastian looked around for a moment then considered his answer.

"I think this being labeled a party is the biggest load of horse vomit I've ever had to stomach." he replied honestly.

Lady Hamershal laughed out loud. She seemed to be quite amused by this.

"I believe we both can agree on that." she replied.

Sebastian flashed a smile.

"I like you Mr. Prince." said Lady Hamershal. "There's not too many people who are brave enough to be honest with a complete stranger."

"I'm always honest." replied Sebastian.

"I should hope so." replied Lady Hamershal. "I would expect nothing less from the son of Severus Snape."

The two of them had spent most of the night talking. He spoke about one or two possible potions experiments, but remained careful enough to entice her interest but keep all his cards close to his chest, he had been a Slytherin after all, and she gave him an ear full of stories pertaining to the absent Potions Master whom she had seemed to know quiet intimately. When the party came to a close they had hardly noticed. Sebastian walked away with a well deserved sponsorship and someone outside of the Malfoy family with genuine interest in him. They worked out the terms of his arrangement with Lady Hamershal at the party and it seemed that Draco had been right about making preparations for his future.

Lady Hamershal exited the tent followed by Slughorn.

"So." he said. "What do you think?"

"For once I was not disappointed by my less than reputable association with you." she replied.

That was as close to a complement as Slughorn was going to get and he took it gladly. He had stumbled upon a gold mine. People would line up to hear him regal tells of teaching both the infamous Potions Master and his long lost son. He could sit back and live off the residuals for the rest of his life and never have to teach again. He rubbed his hands together in a greedy fashion.

This was all so splendid.