𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ nine

(okay... so i know i never wrote snape's worst memory, BUT it does happen!!! I just don't have the energy to write it.)

THE SCHOOL YEAR WAS over, everyone saying their tearful goodbyes to each other on the platform, long after the scarlet train had left the station. 

Sirius Black had one last glance of Maddilyn Snape's onyx hair, before he Side-Apparated back to the Potter household. 

"Mate, you've been so... depressed lately," James said as the two entered James' room. James was occupying himself with throwing up and down a snitch.

"What?" Sirius asked, his mind lost in thought. 

"You've been depressed lately," James said slightly louder, knowing Sirius had heard nothing of his spiel about Lily Evans.

"W-why do you say t-that?" Sirius stuttered, looking up. 

"Something happened at Hogwarts," James said. "And now it's made you all mopey. Mopey Sirius is no fun."

"Maddie Snape happened," Sirius said bitterly, her name a sour taste on his tongue. 

"What?" James asked in disbelief. 

"W-what?" Sirius said, just realizing he said that out loud. 

"Let me get this straight, you like Maddie Snape?" James said. Out of all Slytherins, Maddie was not the worse Sirius could try to pursue.

"Yeah?" Sirius said uncertainly, waiting for James' outcry of protest. 

"Damn, I owe Remus five galleons," James muttered. 

"Wait? You bet on my relationship with Maddie?" Sirius said. "I'm not even dating her!" 

"I didn't think you liked her," James said, raising his hands in surrender. "But never bet against Remus." 

"And you're not mad?" Sirius asked. 

"I mean, I was furious when Remus first told me his suspicions," James admitted. "And then when I saw you depressed like you are now, I figured you can't stop love." 

"I don't love her," Sirius protested. 

"Not yet," James said, laughing. "But even a blind man could see the chemistry between you. 

Sirius felt relieved, he had his best friends' blessing. And Sirius was determined to admit his feelings to Maddie soon.

THE SNAPE SIBLINGS WERE dreading their return to Spinner's End. Absolutely dreading it. 

"Maddilyn and Severus Snape?" a woman asked, walking up to them. 

"Who are you?" Severus said, his hand getting ready to draw out his wand. 

"I'm Jazz Parker, from the police department. Your father was found dead, the cause was drunk driving," Jazz said, looking sympathetically at the two Snapes. "You two will have to be put in the Foster Care System until you turn eighteen." 

Maddie looked at Severus in horror. 

Severus seemed to be at a loss for words. He couldn't say he would miss his father, he wouldn't, but where would they stay? 

"Can you give us three days to pack up?" Maddie asked, as sweetly as she could manage. "We do need to give Daddy a proper farewell." 

Jazz looked conflicted between taking them to Foster Care, and letting them mourn for a while. In the end, she nodded. "Three days." Jazz consented, getting in her car and driving away.