Following his London lecture, Severus meets with Dumbledore to be given information on his apprentice for the coming school year. Though he goes into the meeting with feelings of annoyance and resentment over having to supervise a bothersome graduate student, Dumbledore reveals some highly confidential information about the apprentice that piques Severus's professional interest in her.

Severus has just been "introduced" to his new apprentice, Avrille, and is rather uncomfortable with the fact that she is the same intriguing witch who bowled him over before his lecture. To make matters worse, Lucius Malfoy approaches Severus with an offer that is nearly irresistible, even though he is loath to accept any help from the former Death Eater.

Severus goes to the Slytherin common room to speak with Marcus Flint about Quidditch tryouts. Though he wants those new broomsticks for his team, Severus makes it plain to Flint that Draco Malfoy is in no way guaranteed the Seeker position.

As if having to finally supervise Avrille in a Potions observation was not stressful enough for him, Severus starts to suspect some members of the student body are growing as interested in his apprentice as he is.

Though he has been doing his best to distance himself from Avrille, Severus finds that his attraction to her is growing stronger each day. When he comes upon her unawares one day, Severus finds that, though she herself might not realise it, Avrille's magic is still flowing strongly within her.

Now that he has been working with her for two months, Severus finds himself more comfortable around Avrille, though still frustrated with the seeming futileness of his feelings for her. November brings the first Quidditch match of the season, as well as another meeting between Avrille and Lucius Malfoy, who Severus believes is taking a more than professional interest in his apprentice.

Being so distracted with Avrille and what he guesses happened between her and Lucius the previous night, Severus nearly ruins the Wolfsbane Potion. However, some quick thinking of Avrille's prevents him from losing face.

It's the night of the annual Solstice Ball, and though Severus has faced numerous dangerous and harrowing things during his time as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix, the thought of simply asking Avrille to dance petrifies him. Unfortunately, Lockhart doesn't seem to have any problems asking her ...

Though Severus is furious with himself for completely losing his head around Avrille, personal thoughts are soon pushed aside as a new attack occurs in the school. After an emergency staff meeting, Avrille confides in Severus in his office, telling him a secret she has never told another living soul.

Though still worried about Avrille, Severus feels that there is nothing he can do for the moment to make her feel better. Therefore he takes a day to return to his childhood home to honor the anniversary of his mother's death. Being there brings back a memory that Severus would rather forget: the night of his father's death. What is it that happened that night which makes Severus so afraid of his love for Avrille?

Now that he knows Avrille loves him as well, Severus debates with himself what the best course of action for the two of them would now be. Forcing all thoughts of the Death Wish aside, Severus decides to keep the affair private and to simply enjoy himself for a change.

Though Severus is the happiest he has ever been in his life, now that he knows Avrille loves him, he fears it might be over far too soon once he speaks to Avrille after Christmas dinner.

The holiday is over, and it's back to work for Severus and Avrille, who both have to try even harder now to remain undetected by students and staff. An attack-free January brings a sense of normalcy back to Hogwarts, but that is soon thrown to the wind once Lockhart gets his hands on Valentines Day. Meanwhile, Severus and Avrille are still working hard on the Legilimency but cannot seem to find any new clues for Avrille. Severus makes the difficult decision to attempt Passive Legilimency on her, where he will delve deep into her unconscious and most strongly guarded thoughts.

It's now the Easter holiday, and though Severus is glad to have extra free time to spend with Avrille, he's not quite sure how to fill that time, given his "situation." Avrille, of course, has no knowledge of Severus's hesitations and takes it upon herself to bring their relationship to the next level. Not at all prepared to handle her sudden advances, Severus panics and deeply hurts Avrille with his rejection.

Expecting to wake up in Avrille's arms, Severus is quite surprised when he finds himself in total darkness and surrounded by cold stone.

Still trapped and completely helpless without his wand, Severus waits for rescue. As if his situation wasn't dire enough, Severus soon realises he is not alone in his father's tomb.

Utterly mentally and physically exhausted, Severus eventually succumbs to the Revenant's relentless assaults. However, throughout the painful memories he is forced to relive, he swears that he can hear his mother's voice telling him not to give up.

Trapped inside his own mind, Severus struggles to remain sane as the Revenant uses its most cruel tool against him: Severus's love for Avrille.

Now that they are both safely back at Hogwarts, Severus knows he now has to tell Professor Dumbledore about his relationship with Avrille.