Furious was an understatement as Eileen threw down the letter from the ministry. Of course they wouldnt hold those scumbags for longer than twelve hours, not as long as their parents had money, and it was no secret that the Potters and Blacks had loads of gold. A part of her wanted to tell Severus, but the moment she spotted the boy in the doorway of the kitchen, she knew she couldn't. He wasn't the same lively boy he had been, instead there was something just behind his eyes: guilt, fear, and something else she couldn't place a finger on. He was barely holding it together and this news, well this news would most likely just shatter what was left.

"Avielle said you wanted my help making potions." Severus stated after a moment.

"I do." She smiled as she shoved the letter into the pocket of her robe. "Why don't you help me set up a few cauldrons?" She waved he hand at the stack she had in the corner and he nodded.

It was something Severus was familiar with, the set up of the cauldrons, the sound of the flame under the pewter heating up the water as his mother pulled out the recipes while he gathered the crate of ingredients. It was enough to keep his mind preoccupied for the moment. It was enough to keep the intruding thoughts at bay long enough for him to feel some of the tension leave his body.

Avielle fingered through the box of letters that Severys kept on the desk near the window. There where a few people from Hogwarts that Severus kept in contact with. She had an idea after her mother had asked her that morning if anyone could help. There had been a boy in his 6th or 7th year when she had begun at Hogwarts that had taken a liking to Severus and had watched over him while he had been there. They had exchanged letters on and off over the last few years, and he was the only one that came to mind that could help. Not only was the name Malfoy one that could open doors because they were a very prominent and rich wizarding family, but she was certain that either Lucius himself or his father, Abraxas, was on the board of governors for the school.

If the ministry wouldn't help and if Albus was on the side of Potter and Black, then maybe, just maybe Lucuis could do something about it.

A faint smile broke out over her lips as she pulled out a letter with Lucius Address. Avielle pulled it out and set it on the desk long enough to write the address down before slipping it back into the box. Perhaps if the headmaster didn't do anything about it, the board would.

Brewing potions had been a nice escape but it couldn't last forever, he realized as Eileen finished packaging the last of their work. Severhs watched as his mother labeled each of the vials before placing them in wooden crates for her to send off later.

"Thank you for your help, Severus. You're a very talented potions master." Eileen commented as she placed the last crate in the corner.

"They're not going to get into trouble are they?" Severus finally asked, the question catching Eileen off guard as she waved her wand to clean up the mess.

"What makes you say that?"

Severus shrugs and he pulls at the long sleeve of his shirt. "They never get in trouble for anything. The headmaster makes excuses for them, they're his favorite students. Not to mention their families are rich. They can do whatever they want and it could be swept under the rug, why would this be any different?"

Eileen was at a of words for a moment.

"Severus, I will do whatever I can to make sure they get what they deserve for this. If the Ministry wont do anything about it. Then we will find a way around them. Something I'm sure your sister is already in the process of figuring out."