"Well I can't comment on the Gryffindor common room, having only seen it after I became Head of House, but you are correct about the dungeons," Severus replies in confirmation. He met Lily's gaze as she looked up at him, remembering a time when they were back in school together.

ooc: ok

The twins finally came bustling through the portrait hole after their mother. " 'Night mum, 'night dad." They said together.

"See you in the morning Professor Lily." Fred said with a small salute, before running up the stairs with George.

Lily smiled, "Yeah I bet its the same as before though," Lily didn't look away from Severus's gaze until the twins came by then she looked over to them and sighed. "Hello Fred, George. Maybe its a good time to think of a new name something people won't relate to Lily Potter--I could pull off being a distant relative to the Weasley family even if I kept my appearance. Red hair and freckles, its a known Weasley trait!" Lily looked up at Molly and smiled, "Hey Molly, what do you think if I pretended to be a Weasley family member."

Merlin, help us all! Severus thinks back, Another Weasley! he adds half-sarcastically He then shook his head discretely and replies aloud, "Speaking of dungeons, I best be going there to settle things before we switch everything over."

"Goodnight Lily!, Molly....and Arthur." He hesitates outside the portrait hole with Lily before quickly and briefly kissing her on the forehead as they are out of sight before turning and disappearing down the halls to his old chambers.

He wandered down to the kitchen, hoping to slip in unnoticed. It didn't work and he was met with disapproving and apprehensive stares.

The next morning, Neville woke up with a start and blinked at the group joining him in the common room. Was that Ron's parents? And Harry's mum?

The twins finally woke up the next morning after a pretty good nigt's sleep. Well... morning's sleep. Almost everyone was already out of the dorms and probably off to breakfast. "Hurry up, George. We could be late." Fred said sarcastically with a grin as if they actually cared.

The two ran down the stairs and jumped onto the couch and the chair. "Hey Neville!" George said as if they had been there the whole time.

"Oh, sorry mum." Fred said with a grin scooting over a little more.

"And that would be a no, mum. That's Percy's job!" George added sarcastically.

Fred and George looked at eachother, grins appearing on both of their faces. "Oh, we'll wake everyone up mum." George said mischieveously (sp), but hiding it the best he could.

"Yeah, mum. We'll just meet you for breakfast in the great hall." Fred added.

"Oh so your Neville Longbottom?" Lily asked and gave him a welcoming smile, "Its a long story but in short, yes I am Lily Potter. I am sorry for what happened to your parents, they were great people." Lily spoke truthfully and consolingly.

It was a very exhausted, very battered potions master that managed to sneak down to his chambers unseen. Once inside and door warded, Severus wearily turned in feeling worse then he had every after returning from a call and as he examined the past days, he fell into a deep yet fitful sleep.

"Oh, come on mum! We would be doing everyone a favor. That way, they won't be late. That's the worst on your first day back... They'll thank us for our kindness." George pressed on.

"And yes mum. 'This morning' would be correct." Fred said, sucking up just a little. "Very smart of you to notice that." He grinned and gave a quick glance to George who returned his grin.

"Sure thing, Ms. Potter." Neville called over his shoulder, smiling shyly.

A few minutes later, Dobby apparated into the common room and clung against Lily. There was a long bleeding cut across his face and his left eye was blacked. "They tried to attack me because of some rumors. They're afraid that--they'd get killed..." he wheezed. "I doesn't want to go back down there..."