Diagon Alley was a bustling hive of life. Severus had to admit that, while he wasn't a people person, Diagon Alley was one place where he truly felt alive. It had been the first place he'd experienced magic in abundance and the first time he'd felt truly grateful towards his mother for giving birth to him. They'd been here once together and he would cherish that day forever.

"Severus," Eileen smiled, a rare sight. "Where would you like to go? We could have an ice cream."

Severus knew that Fortescue was a very old friend of his mother's, someone she hadn't seen since her Hogwarts days. Severus also knew that his mother knew he wasn't a fan of ice cream, so she must have an ulterior motive in going for ice cream. That motive being to renew her acquaintance with the man.

"Only if we have enough money," Severus replied, ever the pragmatist, peering up at his mother with his big onyx eyes through the black silk curtains that were his hair.

She laughed.

"I'm the parent here, Sev. This is your day. We'll eat ice cream and buy a wand and forget about boring old Cokeworth."

Severus liked when his mother pretended everything was okay and that there wasn't a horrible Muggle at home who would get back home long after they returned expecting a nice hot meal ready and waiting on the dusty kitchen table. Truth be told, this was one of her lucid days. Tomorrow, she'd be a changed woman wearing a frown and a vacant expression. But sometimes he hated understanding so much of what was going on; he despised the knowledge he was burdened with. Yes, he would smile and go along with his mother's plans. This was her day and he wouldn't let anyone take it from her.

Severus smiled a sad smile at the thriving street. That had been thirty years ago. Thirty years in mind, two in body and his mother was now dead.

"Sev?" 

It was Lily who spoke now. He had to shake off the past.

"We're going to the apothecary now - you may need some stuff for your famous potion," she laughed, tapping the side of her nose.

Severus rolled his eyes and followed his friends and Petunia to Slugs and Jiggers. Both Lily and Remus' parents had come since the Ministry of Magic had finally wired the Evans' house up to the Floo network and the four parents now sat in the Leaky Cauldron getting to know each other. Severus wondered if Regulus knew how he felt, with parents sat at home ignoring his existence. He knew that Sirius had visited Diagon Alley with Potter and his parents and felt only sadness.

"Mr Snape?"

It was the proprietor of the shop who addressed him. Severus had known him very well in his previous life, right until his wife and children were murdered by Death Eaters early on in his teaching career. Severus had been part of the Order clean-up crew to see if anything remained. With those images seared into his mind, he had returned to Hogwarts unseeing and tormented. For once, Dumbledore had not said anything. Someone had given him a hug. Poppy had given him Dreamless Sleep and the addiction had started. He became a soldier, a soldier in a bloody war, fighting on both sides and hoping for an outcome which didn't involve his death. He'd been selfish, right until the day of his death, and then he'd done all he could to save the lives of people he cared about. He'd saved Remus' life. He'd lied to Voldemort. Harry had defeated the Dark Lord once and for all.

"Mr Selwyn," he responded amicably, trying to dislodge the memories.

"I saw in the Daily Prophet that you made great strides in potioneering history," he said with some curiosity. "I would enjoy knowing how you managed to create a potion to strengthen magical cores and indeed how you managed to research magical cores themselves."

Selwyn was one Severus had never managed to fathom. Selwyn had fought on Voldemort's side in the second wizarding war after his family were killed during the first one and Severus had never understood it. Rumour had it that he fought on that side to avoid being killed himself. However Severus believed that Selwyn's illegitimate son was a better reason. Selwyn had had an affair with the beautiful Rebecca Fawley while his wife was still alive and had had a son - Sullivan. Rebecca was a Hufflepuff and so was her son but Selwyn had never been embarrassed by that, not when he was talking to Severus at least. He'd spoken of her with tenderness and love, and seemed content enough to work on Voldemort's side if she stayed out of harm's way. And it was understandable after what had happened to his wife. He and Severus had worked in the Potions department of Voldemort's headquarters, doing what seemed to be the only non-harmful work available.

"I would be happy to discuss it with you," Severus answered politely, aware of his friends waiting, "Only I'm in a rush today. Perhaps another time."

"Not to worry, Mr Snape," Selwyn stated cheerfully. "We potioneers have all the time in the world."

Severus smiled bitterly and made his exit.

"Let's go to Fortescue's!" Cried Remus.

Severus' mind ground to a halt even as his feet kept walking. In previous years he'd found an excuse. He'd always had one more thing to buy than everybody else and Lily knew he hated ice cream. But today... maybe it was time to be big and brave and face something he feared. Not something - someone.

They walked through the door and Fortescue stalled as he looked up at them. Severus knew what was coming but Fortescue was a decent man and served them without another word.

"So, what options is everyone doing this year?" Questioned Lily excitedly.

"Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies," answered Remus.

"Ancient Runes and... Arithmancy," Petunia said slowly, remembering.

"Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures," Severus stated.

It didn't particularly matter what Severus took as he was hoping to take some exams this year and hopefully study all five optional subjects in his free time.

"I wanted to take them all," Lily said sadly. "I was going to pick Divination but Severus called it 'woolly'."

"It is!" Severus protested.

"Mum's only OWL was in Divination," Regulus stated matter-of-factly. 

"Does she have the Second Sight?" Remus asked seriously.

"Nah," Regulus grinned. "She passed on 'pure, dumb luck' as Professor McGonagall said later."

Remus laughed.

"So what are you doing Lily?"

Lily thought seriously.

"Sev persuaded me not to take Muggle Studies."

"It would've been pointless," Regulus pointed out.

Lily glared at him.

"It would've been interesting to see how wizards view Muggles. Anyway, I'm doing the same as Severus. I think there are a few of us doing three electives this year. I know Jane is, and Selena."

Severus thought for a moment.

"Edgar Boot and Nicholas Goldstein are taking three, along with Natalie, Pictor Greengrass, Francesca Rowle and Madeleine Selwyn."

"Wow, that's more than I thought," Remus said, astonished. "I could've taken three."

"I'd like to have seen you try, Remus," Severus said slyly.

Remus hit his arm.

"Hey, I could've done it! I'm not stupid you know, Severus."

"I'm not saying you are," Severus surrendered, raising his arms. "But with Quidditch and all, you'll have too much on your plate."

"Lily does Quidditch!"

"And Sev!"

Lily and Remus glared at Severus and he just laughed.

*****

A.N. Severus isn't going full-out with all five new subjects but this will be discussed at some point. He is still the genius we all know and love, he's just got to be slightly more relatable.

This chapter is dedicated to Emilia for being a wonderful friend and Wattpadder! Go check out her amazing Severus fic! :)

Anyway, thank you for reading as usual and comment all you like!