Can't Catch Me Now / Severus Snape

78. Permission

"Remember, these visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege." Minerva remarked. "Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school... ...that privilege shall not be extended again. No permission form signed, no visiting the village. That's the rule, Those with permission, follow me. Those without, stay put. Aria..."

"What? I dont need permission." Aria corrected. "I dont go to school here."

"You need a grown up." Minerva countered

"You are a grown up. Supervise me."
Aria countered marching off.

"Professor, can l ask you something?"

" You want to know why l stopped you facing that boggart, yes?" Remus answered.  "I thought it'd be obvious. I assumed it would take the shape of Lord Voldemort."

"I did think of Voldemort at first. But then l remembered that night on the train... .and the dementor." Harry answered.

"l'm very impressed. That suggests what you fear the most is fear itself. This is very wise." Remus assured.

"Before I fainted..." harry whispered. "...l heard something. A woman... screaming."

"Dementors force us to relive our very worst memories. Our pain becomes their power."

"I think it was my aunt lily... the night she was murdered. I was there. They were watching me when it happened." Harry recalled.

"Your mother and aunt were there for me at a time when no one else was. Not only are they singularly gifted witches... .lily and Lilith for that matter were also uncommonly kind women. Lily had a way of seeing the beauty in others... even, and most especially, when that person could not see it in themselves. And your uncle, James, on the other hand... he.... He had a certain, shall we say, talent for trouble. Like lilith."

"Severus," lilith swatted a hand at him as her book progress. "Severus!"

"What? Ow," severus murmured.

"Oh my- they just- heaven..." lilith grumbled turning the page severus chuckled turning back to the assignments that needed grading before him. Lilith turned then page again and settled content into severus before getting up again and sitting cross legged on the couch

"What on earth..." she murmured. "What do you mean that's the end?" Lilith shouted at the book now that she was left with blank pages. "That cant be the end what kind of a rubbish ending is that?"

"Good book?" Severus questioned as lilith tossed the finished book aside it landed with a thud.

"Great book. Rude ending and now i have to wait a year for the next book? Honestly."

"You got that today." Severus recalled

"And i should already have the next book in my hand." Lilith agreed.

"Mr. Filch? Round up the ghosts." Albus requested. "Tell them to search every painting in the castle to find the Fat Lady."

"There's no need for ghosts, professor." Harry corrected. "The Fat Lady's there." there was a collective gasp from the students.

"Dear lady, who did this to you?" Albus questioned.

Hootie came flying in at full speed chirping up a storm. Lilith extended an arm and she landed on lilith.

"I think something is wrong." Lilith remarked.

"You sure shes not just bitching about something?" Severus half teased.

"Eyes like the devil, he's got, and a soul as dark as his name." She whimpered from another portrait. "It's him, headmaster. The one they all talk about. He's here, somewhere in the castle! Sirius Black!"

"Secure the castle, Mr. Filch. The rest of you, to the Great Hall." Albus demanded. "An professors Snapes. Thank you for coming so quickly." Lilith moved to harry hugging him tight.

"What happened?" Lilith questioned. "Are you hurt?"

"Im fine but mum-"

"To the great hall. Please gather your students." Albus cut in.

Harry walked back with lilith to get aria in silence until they got to the dungeons.

"Sirius black. They said hes here..." harry whispered.

"He wasnt a bad man." Lilith informed harry as she gently woke aria. "He was filled with so much love but he didnt have the resources lucius did to get him out. I havent seen him in years but i write to him sometimes... that place Azkaban it changes people. So while the sirius i knew wouldnt hurt us i dont know what azkaban has done to him. Just keep your gaurd up. I doubt he is still here."

"l searched the Astronomy Tower and the Owlery. There's nothing there." Filch remarked.

"Thank you." Albus agreed, the floor was also deemed clear.

" I've done the dungeons." Severus added. "No sign of Black, nor anywhere else in the castle."

"I didn't really expect him to linger." Albus assured.

"Remarkable feat, don't you think? To enter Hogwarts Castle on one's own... -...completely undetected?" Severus questioned in disbelief. Lilith swatted a hand at him.

"Stop insinuating things." Lilith begged.

" Quite remarkable." Albus agreed.

"Any theories on how he managed it?"

"Many. Each as unlikely as the next." Albus countered.

"You may recall ...prior to the start of term I expressed concerns..." Severus remarked. "...about your appointment of Professor--"

"Severus. Mooney wouldnt do this. I know him." Lilith corrected

"Like you once knew black." Severus countered.

"Not a single professor inside this castle would help Sirius Black enter it." Albus cut in. "I'm quite convinced the castle is safe... and l'm more than willing to send the students to their houses."

"Everyone is saying he is after our son." Severus murmured. "Minerva as well the loud mouth."

"Sirius cant be working for him." Lilith commanded her words to be true.

"We can not be certain." Albus admitted. "But for now, let him sleep. For in dreams, we enter a world that's entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud."