Harry was cleared to have breakfast in the Great Hall the next morning. Lily as well. They walked there together along with Hermione, Snape said he would see them there.
And sure enough, by the time the three got there, he was already there.
The other two schools were there along with the parents of the contestants. Rita Skeeter was being rather civil for once but then again, she was being blackmailed by Hermione to behave, or she'd expose her as an unregistered Animagus.
Harry still found it amazing that it wasn't just mammals that a witch or wizard could turn into, they could turn into insects too. He still hadn't told Hermione or Ron that Snape is also an unregistered Animagus, for him it was necessary because he could use it to an advantage in a fight or for an escape.
Lily walked the two to their table before making her way to the adults, but not before giving Harry a hug and a kiss to the head, but no one, save for the Slytherins, teased him about it.
The Slytherins settled down with a single look from their Head of House, Malfoy kept smirking, probably going to say something about it later.
All the students were talking amongst themselves but it slowly died down when they noticed Lily make her way to Snape, he stood and pulled her chair out for her, she smiled to him and thanked him, he nodded and sat back down once she was seated.
" What's up with that?" Fred asked as he watched the two adults converse.
" Who is she? "
" She's my mum Seamus.
" She went right up to Snape. "
" Is Snape actually talking to her? "
" Snape doesn't talk to anyone at the table. "
" Do they know each other? "
" Got to, why else would Snape talk to her? "
---
" Looks like we're making quiet the uproar. " Lily whispered to Snape.
" Not usually one for conversation. So it's shocking to them. Or it could just be the fact that I'm talking to a beautiful woman. "
" Beautiful? "
" Uh, oh look here comes Flitwick again. " Severus took a drink of his coffee.
" Lily, my dear it is so good to see you again! Sorry about yesterday... "
" You misunderstood, I was merely helping Sev. He was attacked by a dog yesterday while we were out for a walk and I wanted to make sure he was alright. "
" A dog? My goodness are you alright Severus? "
" I am, thanks to Lily. The beast came out of nowhere. "
" Must be someone's pet that gotten loose, did it have a collar? "
" No, it was a stray. It took off into the direction of the Forbidden Forest after we managed to get it off me. "
" Ah then a terrible fate awaits it then if it hasn't already happened. "
" Indeed. "
Severus went back to his breakfast and coffee, Flitwick used to this kind of behavior from his former student went back to talking to Lily when McGonagall came over to greet her, they hugged and chatted as well.
---
" Did you hear that? Harry's mum called Snape a nickname! They must know each other well for him to allow her call him that! " The voices started up again.
" I heard she was in Gryffindor too, but was Snape in Slytherin? "
" I think so. That would mean that Slytherin and a Gryffindor got along! "
" Not just any Slytherin or Gryffindor either! Harry's mum and the head of Slytherin house! "
Harry tried to block out all the voices, he looked up at the head table and saw Mr. Diggory up there, he was the only one not conversing with anyone, the man lost his only son.
Harry got up and went to him.
---
Lily saw Harry get up and she watched him go to a man that she had noticed looked sad and wasn't speaking to anyone, she bumped Severus' side and asked him who the man was,
" That's Cedric Diggory's father. His son was the one that was killed the other night when, the Dark Lord returned. " He answered as they and the other teachers watched the two for a moment, Mr. Diggory weeped again as he hugged Harry.
" He certainly does have your kindness and compassion. Lily? " Severus looked back and saw that she wasn't there, he looked back and saw that she had made her way to Harry and Diggory, they talked for a bit as well and the man hugged Lily as well.
They had told Mr. Diggory that they were sorry for his loss. Harry said something else and Diggory shook his head, patting him on the shoulder.
Severus was curious as to what was said and as to what Diggory said to Lily before he took his leave.
She returned to her seat and wiped at her eyes, he placed his hand to hers, " What's the matter? "
" That man lost his son. And he told me that I had a good son and to cherish him. His son died and I came back..."
" Lily, you coming back had nothing to do with Diggory dying. Pettigrew killed that boy. The ritual was for when the person reviving had killed not his servants. "
" It still doesn't change the fact that a child is dead Sev. "
" No, no it doesn't. "
" There was, uh betting going on before all this happened, Harry and Cedric won quiet a bit and was trying to give it to Mr. Diggory to help pay for his son's funeral, but he declined it and told Harry that he should keep it, he did so reluctantly. Instead he's going to give it to Fred and George, both of their winnings, startup money for their shop their planning on opening once they graduate tomorrow. I know why he doesn't want the money and its not because of he has his own and feels like he doesn't need it. "
" I know also. I wouldn't want it either after what happened. "
" Neither would I. But betting? Really? "
" It's not about the betting is it? "
" No. This whole thing is awful and terrible and now a monster is free to roam the land again. "
Severus didn't know what to say to her, so he held her hand more.
---
The day before the students were to leave for the summer, Albus called Harry, Lily, Minerva, and Severus to his office.
" What's this about Albus? " Lily asked once they were there.
" It's about where you and Harry will go for the summer. "
" You mean where me and my son will go for protection until it's time to come back here for school. "
" Yes. "
" Well we certainly be staying at my sister's house. " Lily replied sarcastically, " And we will not be staying at Grimmauld Place either. Sirius is to not have any contact with my son until further notice. "
" Understandable. "
" Can't we stay with Professor Snape? "
" I'm afraid that Professor's Snape's home is also out of the question Harry. Given that Voldemort is back Death Eaters know where Severus lives, and it would put you two in danger by being there despite the powerful wards and protection spells placed there. "
" What of the Potter Mansion? Couldn't they go there? It's well protected and concealed. " Minerva suggested.
" No thank you. That man lied and tricked me into marrying him I sure as hell am not staying in his family home. " Lily disagreed, " We could stay at my old family home? "
" I'm afraid that is also out of the question, it's too close to Severus' home and is unprotected. "
" Then I will place the wards and spells needed and add more to ensure that it will be protected. "
" I have another suggestion, there's a mansion she and Harry can stay in for the summer that is not known to Death Eaters or to V-Voldemort. My mother's home. That is, if it's alright for you. "
" Sev. "
" They won't make the connection and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to get through, the wards there are old and more powerful, it'd be like being here at the school. Only with a little extra security. "
" Not even Voldemort? "
" Not even he can get through. Not without my permission only with my permission can one enter the grounds and the mansion itself. "
" Your certain Severus? "
" Headmaster, I am the last in that Bloodline, Half-blood I may be, but the Prince Blood still runs through my veins. "
---
The Prince mansion was in the middle of nowhere. concealed by forest with very little yard, it was an old stone and mortar home that was three stories tall with a simple rectangular frame there9 windows were in the front with a wooden door with lantern lights on either side of the door, a dark roof, two chimneys on either end of the roof, that were brick.
There was a stone wall surrounding the mansion and separated the yards from the forest that was up against the stone wall that came to a spiked iron gate with the letter P in the arch above the gate, there was a foot path leading to the gate out through the forest, and continued on through to the front door.
There was a barn that doubled as stables several yards away from the main house, there was also a guest house on the other side of the main house, back behind the barn there was a river with fresh water flowing.
It was both beautiful and a bit gothic.
" Professor? Who are the Prince's? " Harry asked after he took everything in.
" They were a pure-blooded family, my mother's family. Her name was Eileen Prince before she married my muggle father. " Severus answered him as he opened the gate and spoke an incantation to allow Lily and Harry access to the grounds, mansion, barn, and guest house.
" Welcome to Prince Manor. " He continued, stepping aside to allow them to enter the grounds.