The next morning, Snape hurried across the damp grass with his friends, heading to the Herbology Third Greenhouse.
They rounded the castle corner, walked over a small grassy slope, and the greenhouse emerged as a blurry silhouette in the morning mist.
Snape squinted. Besides Professor Sprout's distinctive patched hat, there was another familiar figure at the greenhouse door. It was a witch in dark green robes, her back to them, conversing with the professor.
"What in the—" he mumbled to himself.
"What?" Abbott followed his gaze. "Oh, who's that beside Professor Sprout? Did she get an assistant?"
Snape didn't answer, quickening his pace.
As they drew closer, the figure turned sideways—Eileen—chatting idly with Professor Sprout.
"Your son is excellent in Herbology," Professor Sprout said, a kindly smile on her round face. "Aside from an occasional burst of over-excitement that leads to minor accidents, his grades are practically perfect."
"Thank you, Pomona," Eileen said softly. "You know him, it's a miracle if he doesn't cause trouble."
"It's been years since I've seen this place; it brings back memories." She looked around the greenhouse, a flicker of nostalgia in her eyes. "I remember Professor Herbert Beery was teaching back then, he—"
Just then, Eileen heard Snape and his friends' footsteps and turned around. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw Snape.
"Severus!" she greeted cheerfully. "Come here."
"Good morning, Professor Sprout," Snape walked forward, then turned to Eileen. "Mum, why are you here early? Wasn't it next week?"
"What do you mean 'Mum'?" Eileen reached out to straighten Snape's wizarding robes. "After I agreed to come to Hogwarts, I told you several times to address me by my title at school."
"Alright, esteemed Assistant Professor," Snape retorted dryly. "May I ask why your esteemed self has arrived early for duty?"
"Just sitting idle at home, dear," Eileen said, nodding with satisfaction. Her gaze shifted to Snape's two friends, Abbott and Pandora, who had caught up, breathless. "These two must be your friends?"
"Oh, yes," Snape looked back, winking at Abbott and Pandora. "This is Eileen Snape. Her title is Assistant Professor of Herbology, and she also holds the position of my biological mother."
Eileen promptly gave Snape a light tap on the head. "No respect for your elders."
"Good morning, Professor Snape," Abbott bowed politely. "Patrick Abbott. Severus and I are roommates."
"Good morning, Madam Snape," Pandora walked forward with a smile, performing an elegant curtsy, her silver-blue earrings swaying gently with her movement. "I'm Severus's good friend, Pandora Vlahos. Has he mentioned me to you?"
"Ah, of course," Eileen paused for only a second before stepping forward and warmly taking Pandora's hand. "He's told me quite a bit about you. For instance—Severus and you have taken many classes together, and you often spend time together. He also said you're a very talented witch."
Snape couldn't help but roll his eyes. He'd had no chance to introduce Pandora to Eileen over the summer. Eileen was clearly just making things up because she found Pandora charming.
While Eileen was chatting with Pandora, leaving Snape and Abbott ignored, other students began to arrive.
Lily and her roommate Mary also strolled towards the greenhouse door. Lily's red hair stood out in the crowd.
Her eyes lit up when she saw Snape, and she quickly walked over.
"Good morning, Severus!" Lily said, then immediately noticed Eileen. She approached her and whispered, "Oh, Mrs. Snape, you're here so early!"
A complex expression, mixed with surprise, crossed Eileen's face. She released Pandora and said to Lily, "Lily, it's been several—it's been a long time!"
But Eileen clearly didn't know what to say next; she just stood there with her mouth agape, giving Lily a strange smile. Snape gasped. Eileen had nearly said "it's been a few days." He had only convinced Eileen to teach at Hogwarts for safety, but he hadn't anticipated the new risks this would bring.
Fortunately, Professor Sprout's booming voice interrupted the awkward conversation.
"Everyone gather! Class is starting!" She clapped her hands, unlocked the door with a large key, and pushed open the wooden door of the Third Greenhouse. "Come on in now."
She and Eileen walked behind a wooden table in the middle of the greenhouse.
"Good morning, everyone," Professor Sprout said. "I'm sure you've all noticed the lady beside me."
All the students' gazes fell on Eileen.
"Good morning, everyone," Eileen took over. "My name is Eileen—Prince, and I will be your Assistant Professor of Herbology from now on. I hope to help you all with your studies." Out of consideration for Snape, Eileen didn't want everyone to know she was his mother.
Pandora and Abbott heard Eileen's introduced surname and looked curiously at Snape. Snape made a "shush" gesture at them.
"She's too modest," Professor Sprout added, patting Eileen's shoulder. "Eileen, well, she achieved outstanding results in Herbology for both her O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. I believe you'll learn a great deal from her."
The students politely applauded. Eileen smiled and nodded at everyone, but Snape noticed her gaze lingered on Pandora and Lily for a few extra seconds.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Professor Sprout continued, waving her wand. A dozen flowerpots floated out from the depths of the greenhouse, settling onto the workbenches in front of each group. "Today we'll be learning to handle Venomous Tentacula. This is one of the mandatory topics for the N.E.W.T. exam and a dangerous plant only encountered in seventh year."
"The Venomous Tentacula resembles a common geranium, but it hides highly poisonous fangs within its blossoms. When it senses a threat, it sprays hallucinogenic spores and attempts to bite anyone who comes near. Your task today is to safely collect three leaves to use in making an antidote."
After Eileen explained the precautions and distributed protective gloves and masks, the student groups began their work.
Snape, Pandora, and Abbott gathered around a particularly lush Venomous Tentacula. The plant's stem was unusually thick, and its flower buds were noticeably larger than the others.
"Eileen probably doesn't want anyone to know about her relationship with me," Snape whispered to them. "It's always a bit awkward when a professor's child is studying at the school, even if there's no special treatment, isn't it?"
Pandora and Abbott nodded.
At that moment, the Venomous Tentacula seemed to have sensed their presence, its petals trembling slightly, emitting a faint rustling sound.
"I'll go first," Pandora said excitedly, putting on her dragon-hide gloves and mask. "I want to test its reaction speed."
"Be careful," Snape warned, watching her movements. "Its spores can give you hallucinations for a whole hour."
Pandora nodded and cautiously reached out. Just as her fingers were about to touch the stem, the plant suddenly trembled violently. Several purple spores shot from its stamen, and at the same time, its fanged blossom snapped open, aiming for her wrist. A silver light flashed, and Pandora's opal bracelet instantly expanded a transparent shield, blocking the spores and fangs. Pandora gasped and staggered back two steps, bumping right into Eileen, who was passing by.
"Careful!" Eileen grabbed Pandora's shoulders, steadying her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Pandora shook her head, still a bit shaken. "Thanks to Severus's bracelet."
Eileen's gaze shifted from the bracelet on Pandora's wrist to Snape's face, a mixed expression of pride and concern in her eyes.
"Severus gave it to you?" she asked softly.
"Last Christmas," Pandora said with a smile, showing the bracelet to Eileen. "He said I was always doing dangerous experiments and needed protection."
Eileen nodded thoughtfully, then turned to the plant, skillfully casting a few spells with her wand to calm it.
"It seems this one is particularly sensitive; every plant has its own personality," she told Pandora. "When handling Venomous Tentacula, always keep your wand at hand, just in case, like this—"
Snape noticed that throughout the rest of the lesson, Eileen paid extra attention to Pandora, almost hand-holding her on how to safely collect the leaves.
At the same time, whenever Lily encountered difficulties, Eileen would immediately appear, patiently explaining the key operational points. This obvious favoritism left him unsure what to say.
After class, the students gradually left the greenhouse. Snape gathered his belongings, ready to follow his friends, but Eileen called him back.
"Severus, could you stay for a bit? I need help organizing some materials."
Snape motioned for Abbott and Pandora to go ahead, then turned to his mother. "What's wrong?"
Only after the last student left did Eileen put down the flowerpot she was holding and ask in a low voice, "What's going on with Lily and Pandora?"
"What do you mean, 'what's going on'?" Snape feigned ignorance.
"You know what I'm asking," Eileen narrowed her eyes, an air of danger about her. "You gave Pandora a bracelet, and you were particularly close with Lily over the summer. Of course, I think they're both lovely."
"I think they're both lovely too," Snape said innocently. "They're both my friends. As long as everyone's happy together, why overthink it? It's too much effort."
Eileen seemed poised to press further but eventually just shook her head. "Alright, let's not talk about that. You make your own decisions. Oh, by the way, I haven't brewed a potion in years. Could you help me make some Calming Draught?"
"Calming Draught?" Snape asked. "It calms and soothes agitated and anxious emotions—but it's quite difficult to make. Why do you suddenly need it?"
"It's for Molly," Eileen explained. "She's pregnant again. I reckon it happened when we were on holiday together in Albania."
"She and Arthur had a row about it—they already have three boys—but they eventually decided to keep this baby because they desperately want a daughter."
"'This time, surely not a boy!'" Eileen mimicked Mr. Weasley's voice. "Arthur convinced Molly with that line. But she's still a bit anxious about it."
Snape quickly calculated the time in his head: conceived in July, ten months of pregnancy would mean a birth around April or May next year... Hmm. Aren't those Fred and George in Mrs. Weasley's belly? It seems the Weasleys' wish for a girl will be dashed again.
"No problem, I'm willing to make the Calming Draught," he said, stifling a smile and maintaining a straight face. "Just let me know when you need it, and prepare the ingredients, or I can buy some myself."
"However—" Snape paused meaningfully, "I promise you, this time Mrs. Weasley will absolutely not be having 'a' boy." He emphasized the "a."
Eileen looked at him confusedly. "How can you be so sure?"
"A hunch. I suspect there might be Seer blood in our family," Snape said mysteriously, turning to walk towards the door. "I need to get to Transfiguration; I'll be late for the next class. See you later, Professor Prince."
Stepping out of the greenhouse, his friends were still waiting for him nearby.
"Come on," Snape said with a smile. "We need to hurry. Professor McGonagall despises late students."
The day's classes quickly concluded. After finishing his Potions essay in the common room, Snape stuffed his things into his bag, left the castle, and headed towards the Forbidden Forest.
It was completely dark now, with only dim moonlight illuminating the path.
The treetops of the Forbidden Forest looked particularly sinister under the moonlight, twisted branches swaying in the night wind, casting dappled shadows.
Looking ahead, two figures were already standing beneath the trees—one as tall as a small tree, the other only reaching the giant's knees—Hagrid and Dobby were waiting for Snape at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Hagrid carried his crossbow, a full quiver slung over his shoulder, and a pink umbrella tucked into his belt. Dobby was still wearing his old pillowcase.
"Mr. Snape! Dobby is so happy to see you again!" Before Hagrid could speak, Dobby was already jumping excitedly, his large ears flapping against his head. "Dobby awaits your work instructions!"
"Good evening, Dobby," Snape said with a smile, pulling two Galleons from his pocket. "Here's your week's pay."
"Dobby—" Dobby trembled as he took the Galleons. "Dobby hasn't even started working yet—"
"Take it," Snape pressed the Galleons into the house-elf's hand. "Go buy some new clothes."
Dobby nodded, choking back a sob.
Hagrid looked at Dobby curiously. "Oh, you're actually willing to take wages. I thought that would be an insult to you."
"Dobby is different," Snape explained. "You should treat him as an equal."
"Oh, right," Hagrid said, a little awkwardly, rubbing his enormous hands uneasily. "Dumbledore said you were to have detention in the Forbidden Forest—oh, no, that's not right," he quickly corrected himself. "He said you were to help me look into the werewolves in there."
"Even though you're a student," his bushy eyebrows furrowed with worry, "Dumbledore said you're very powerful, and I trust Dumbledore."