1991 Spinner's End
August 16th, 1991
Narcissa returned to the same dilapidated street she came to every year, Spinner's End, to have tea with her old friend. They didn't see each other as often as she would like, but she was thankful for their annual meetings nonetheless.
When she found his door, she only had to knock once before he opened it.
"Impeccable timing, as usual, Cissy." Severus Snape noted when he answered the door. "I see Draco didn't accompany you this time."
"He is looking forward to seeing you at school," She explained, entering his humble abode and giving him a brief but meaningful hug. "How are you, my old friend?"
"I am well considering; preparing for another year at Hogwarts."
"Am I correct in assuming that Dumbledore denied your application for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position once more?"
"For what seems like the hundredth time, yes, I will try again next year." He divulged reluctantly as they sat; he poured their tea. "How are you fairing as the school year approaches?"
"I am so worried about Draco. It's his first year, and if he doesn't make it into Slytherin…I can't imagine what Lucius will do!"
"Well, you were sorted into Slytherin, as was Lucius; I'd say his chances are fair."
"If I hadn't begged the hat to put me into Slytherin, I probably would have ended up in Ravenclaw..." Narcissa gasped before taking a sip of her tea. "Mother, Merlin bless her soul, would have had a hippogriff!"
Severus flickered a smile at that before Narcissa continued to speak.
"You will watch over my boy, won't you, Severus?" She lightly pleaded.
"Like he is my own." He responded stoically, as was his way.
They spoke of trivial things for a few moments before Narcissa dared to ask the question that was dancing on her tongue.
"Are the rumors true? Is her child coming to Hogwarts this year?"
"Yes," was all Severus replied.
"And? Do you have nothing to say about that?"
"Not…currently." He mused, distracting himself with his tea.
"Alright, fine, Severus. If you refuse to talk about the only child of the one woman you ever loved, that is your business. I, however, will keep my eyes and ears open. If he is anything like his parents, I am interested in seeing what becomes of him."
"Indeed," Severus responded, folding his hands together, obviously in deep thought.
The rest of their tea time went as it usually did, and they parted as friends, promising to write and meet the following year again.