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Chapter Text

Severus Snape died among frenemies on the filthy floor of the depressing Shrieking Shack in 1998. Except, he, in fact, did not.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting on the Hogwarts Express. He was not alone; someone was sitting right next to him, too close for his liking. Alarmed, he realized this felt a bit shady—people did not wake up in the afterlife sitting on Hogwarts's train, you see. There were only two possible ways that the afterlife experience was supposed to go, and none involved this. Something was definitely wrong.

He squinted at the other person in the car. His breath caught. This was Lily, in flesh and blood. Lily freaking Ann Evans was next to him, laughing at something he might have said at some point. She was wearing that bracelet he made for her when he was about ten, meant to bring her good luck at Hogwarts or some utter nonsense like that. He looked at his hands; they were small—too small to belong to a thirty-eight-year-old. They were the size of his eleven-year-old hands. He hastily looked at the back of his hand; there was no sign of the ugly burn left by his bastard of a father's cigarette when he returned home after his first year.

Was this a cruel joke? One last nasty trick the universe had sent his way? Had he been sent back in time?

When Lily tried to touch his shoulder, he flinched back hard, hitting his back against the seat and hurting the newly healed belt mark courtesy of his father.

Lily's eyes widened in horror. "Sev, are you okay? Did I scare you?"

But Severus couldn't, wouldn't take it again. He had fought in not one, but two freaking wars that left him with nothing—nothing but ashes and tears. Even his tear ducts had dried up last year. So he shot up from his seat and ran. Ran away from Lily, from this train, from the reality he seemed to be trapped in. He tumbled and fell to the floor two or more times. How in hell was he supposed to live it all again? Lose his mother again, lose Lily again, lose Regulus again, lose Charity, kill Albus, and lose his sanity and humanity bit by bit. He did not have the energy to go through all that. Severus did not even understand that he was crying his eyes out, sobbing painfully until he collided with some unfortunate person's stomach.

"Oof!"

Because the voice was girlish, the person he had hit was a girl, not a boy.

He looked up, and upon seeing her, burst into tears again. Who could blame him? With the kind of year he had, now finding out he had to experience it anew.

The girl was, in fact, a seventeen-year-old Amelia Bones, the dead head of the Auror office, who had been mangled beyond recognition by that sodding brute, Greyback. When he was tasked with getting rid of the body, he had cried then too.

Amelia, alarmed by Severus's sudden tears, tried to calm him by hugging the scrawny boy with large obsidian eyes. She shushed him softly, but he was either hurt or scared. From what or to whom, she was not sure. She hoped she wasn't being too head-girly. Then she looked closer.

The boy's nose was broken. No wonder the poor dear was wailing like that. As the train was somewhat dark, she had not noticed that or the blood all over his front. She cautiously held the boy in her arms and lifted him up. He was in so much pain that he did not stop sobbing. And Morgana's curly hair! Was the boy light? Were they this thin and small, or were the first-years getting smaller each year?

First, she yelled out her counterpart Malfoy's name to help her deal with the situation. But the arrogant Lord-to-be was nowhere to be seen. He was probably having oh-so-important speeches about politics with pure-blood sods or snogging his lady friend. No use whatsoever that guy had. One would assume he was a delicate flower with the way he manicured his nails or carefully styled his blond mane. Merlin even knew his girlfriend-to-be, Narcissa Black, the Ice Queen herself, was not this vain.

So she went into the sixth-year compartment, praying to every deity not to be ambushed by a prank or two, and called the two troublemakers, a.k.a. Fabian and Gideon Prewett.

They were there, thankfully. "Ooh, how is bossy Bonsy doing here, Fab?"

But then they saw the boy, clutching her robes and quietly weeping.

One went to find a calming draught while the other put the boy to sleep. His broken nose did not look good, and it certainly needed Madam Pomfrey. They spent the rest of the ride together in silence, careful not to wake the pale-looking raven-haired boy in their care.

When Severus woke up, it was nearly the end of the ride. He felt calm and collected, but his nose felt funny.

He sat upright and saw a pair of warm brown eyes. The Prewett twins...

His mind drifted into the past (or future) where he had cut George's ear. He felt like crying but realized he was on a calming draught. He scratched the back of his head. "Umm, hello?"

"Hey! Kiddo! How are you, sleeping beauty?"

"I'm not pretty!"

"Right, don't get your knickers in a twist, handsome fellow. Care to share your name? My name's Gideon, and that's my dumb and far less pretty twin, Fabian."

Fabian protested while batting his eyelashes rapidly. "Ooh, you wound me, bro! Hey darling, am I not the better-looking one?"

Severus wanted to laugh (he horrifically found out that his body had the functions and feel of an eleven-year-old, which meant he had to go through freaking PUBERTY too!) but realized his nose hurt a lot. "Ouch!"

"Young sir, I dunno, but is your name Ouch?"

"No, my name's Severus."

"Ooh, hear hear! This young mister is a wannabe emperor, brother! Can he, Fabian?"

"Ickle firsty is a sharp one, going right to head girl's arms and gaining the feisty and mighty Bones' support. And his name's Severus. Like Septimus Severus, the Roman king. Why can't he?"

When he wanted to say he was going to leave their car, thank you very much, he realized they had transfigured his shirt into robes, put a disguise on his face, and cleaned the blood from his clothes—all while distracting him with their chatter.

He smiled softly. "Thanks. For the calming draught, the robes, and the disguise."

That took them by surprise, as first-years were not accustomed to magic yet, except purebloods (they being pureblood themselves probably knew all this year's bunch from when they were in nappies, so they knew he was either a muggle-born or a half-blood). Fabian whistled. "Ooh! Aren't you a genius!"

Severus felt his ears redden. "Thanks. I'm gonna get out of your way..."

"Nope!"

"Not gonna happen! Bones will have our hides!"

"First, we're gonna have a chat with dear old Tabby to get you sorted first... then..."

Severus refused. "No."

They looked at each other, confused. "What? Why?"

Severus calmly said, "That will just put a target on my back. If you two, light pureblood heirs, have my back. And Miss Bones too, as she is a powerful light witch. And as a lowly half-blood..." He tried to show fear on his face. "They would hunt me down. The political climate is against..." He paused for emphasis, trembling lips, loath as he was to do so. "...my kind. And..."

Fabian looked worriedly at Gideon, thinking that maybe the kid's broken nose was not a total accident. A sharp half-blood with potential and wits about him—Merlin, the boy had that! Recognizing disguise charms and calming draught, as well as their subtle aversion, they nodded to him. "Alright, Severus. After the feast, we or the big bad girl herself are gonna come and get you to Pomfrey, alright buddy?" He tried so hard not to ruffle the boy's somewhat oily hair, which was totally due to being poor and washed with soap instead of shampoo because he smelled like peppermint and baby soap.

Severus nodded and left the compartment.

Some minutes later, he went to his first car, but hearing Potter, Black, and Lupin laughing (he would never forget their sound, as they had laughed at his expense too many times), he decided against it. So Lily had again chosen Potter over him. She had seen the way he left the car, and she still remained in her seat, chatting up the sodding Marauders. Not that he had been her friend, had her back, and defended her against her sister. Not that he had put his life on the line for her bastard son. She didn't even respect him or like him enough at this point to come and get him or be a little worried. He knew if the roles were reversed, he would not sit like a hen and do nothing. Was he this delusional about her friendship? Clinging to the scraps of kindness she showed him out of pity and saying, "Ooh, look at me! I AM SO GENEROUS! I AM SHOWING THIS LOSER KINDNESS! How great I am!"

He made a decision then and there: fuck her and Potter. He would be the hero this time.

So he needed allies.

Which house? He needed to remain unnoticed, under the radar... maybe all the houses' hands on?

He smirked. Wasn't he lucky? He had already met Bones and the Prewetts.

He first wanted to make sure his robes remained like robes and not muggle things he wore, but he need not worry. The twins were good, and it would last until the end of the night.

Arriving at the gate, he took a glance and went into the boat occupied by Frank Longbottom, Benjamin Fenwick, and Charity Burbage. (He had been good friends with Charity in that life; why not now?) He did not spare a moment for that chit named Lily or her future husband (nor for the stupid meddling headmaster or his biased deputy). When he was called, he went forward with great trepidation.

As Severus sat on the stool, the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. The world around him faded, and he found himself in a dark void, the hat's voice echoing in his mind.

"Ah, a curious mind, indeed. So much potential, so much fear. You wish to hide, to remain unnoticed. But why? What drives you, young Severus?"

Severus clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the hat's scrutiny. "I don't want to be here. I don't want to go through this again."

"Ah, but you are here, and you cannot escape your past. You must confront it. You have the heart of a lion, but the cunning of a serpent. You could thrive in Slytherin, but you seek something different, something safer."

"Please, not Slytherin. Anywhere but there."

"Very well. But know this: your choices will shape your future. You have the power to change your fate. Hufflepuff values loyalty and hard work. Are you prepared to embrace that?"

Severus hesitated, memories of betrayal and loss flooding his mind. "I just want to belong."

"I am afraid that is not quite possible. the best house to place you is still Slytherin. if I send you to Hufflepuff young Severus, the path  will not be easy. You must be brave enough to face your demons. and you will face harder obstacles. I have to put you there , in Slytherin, even if you are reluctant "

Severus felt angry, so no reasoning with the hat? it only listened if you were the boy-who-lived?

"Shut your gob, you worthless hat. I dare you to put me there! With sodding Mulcibor of all people!"

"So Gryffindor?"

"No, not a chance in hell. Put me in Hufflepuff."

"But..."

"Hufflepuff, or I swear I will find the basilisk and soak your old threads with its venom and destroy you, even if it's the last thing I do in my life."

The hat almost shrieked. "Hufflepuff!"

Chapter Text

When he sat behind his table, he saw that he could not resist checking other people's houses—who went where and what house gained whom. The results blew his mind:

Hufflepuff

Himself, Longbottom, Benjamin Fenwick

Charity Burbage, Dorcas Meadow

Slytherin

Mulcibor, Avery, Rosier, Pettigrew, Wilkes

The girls: Parkinson, Goyle, Crabble

Gryffindor

Potter, Black, Lupin

Lily, Alice Fortescue, Mary something?

Ravenclaw

Hypocrate Smytwhic, Barty Crouch Jr.

Marlene McKinnon

The hell? Were pigs flying outside? Pettigrew in Slytherin? Longbottom in Hufflepuff?

He made a mental list of the changes then and there:

Pettigrew, from Gryff to Sly

Longbottom, from Gryff to Huff.

Meadow, from Raven to Huff.

Wilkes, from Raven to Sly.

How in the seven skies above did a single act of him not being sorted into Snake's house result in this mess? How were the Longbottoms going to meet now that they were not in the same house? What the fuck would happen to the timeline? He did not want to be surprised in this life, thank you very much. And…his rotten luck! Last time they had a large bulk of Slytherins. The lowest number of Hufflepuffs in Hogwarts's history, and a fair share of Ravens and Gryffs. So snakes had classes with lions and Ravens with Hufflepuffs. But now? Now that the Ravens were reduced to only three? Also, Slytherin grew in number; there would be Hufflepuff plus Gryffindor.

Ravenclaw plus Slytherin mixture.

He would have to endure the fucking Marauders (minus one) again in every class!!!!

He stared at his plate, having missed the usual nonsense speech by the Headmaster. His stomach was empty like the Sahara, but he knew better than to indulge himself. As he had not eaten much (if any at some point) this summer, his stomach would not tolerate such greasy food. He was allergic to sodding peanuts and hated pumpkin and citrus with a passion. Water was it. But he found out his nose was starting to get worse (not that it had been better before). So he stood up to go to the infirmary and get himself fixed. Madam Pomfrey or not, he had a mastery of potions, and he knew what to drink. His head swayed, and he was about to crack his head on a chair or two. Just then, strong arms came out of nowhere and saved him from making a fool of himself. He knew he was pitifully tiny; among all first-years, he looked even more fragile than the girls in their year. Maybe that was one reason why he started to curse people—so they could take him seriously.

Frank Longbottom was looking at him with concern. "You okay there?"

He wanted to say fine, get off, but he found he couldn't. There was a reason the blasted Marauders called him Snivelous, as he often cried in the boys' bathroom. As a result of his mental shields and magic being weak, he could only use Occlumency so much. He had only found out about the mind art by chance and from a book he stole from his mother's trunk when he was six. Not having access to a tutor, he did not know how to deal with suppressed memories as an Occlumens would know. His memories were always shifting between bad and worse: the Marauders bullying him and his house looking down on him because he was a poor, ugly half-blood with a blood traitor for a mom. That did not make it easy for him to deal with those too. Was it his curse that he had an almost eidetic memory? Probably. When he was fond of some subject or book, he could memorize it by reading it only once. So he got nasty flashbacks when his Occlumency shields could not support him.

And he was getting one NOW!

He looked at Longbottom's face and saw Neville. After he had threatened to use his obnoxious, useless brew on his toad. And then his mind went back to when his father broke the neck of a kitten he found on the streets.

He was struggling to keep calm when the twins came out of nowhere.

"Hey Sevvy dear, alright there? We had a date, didn't we?"

One of them had said. His mind was not focused enough to tell them apart.

Longbottom protectively shoved him behind him, putting himself between the two and the twins. "What's it with you Prewett?"

"Ooh, our darling has already found a knight! Do we take offense?"

"Don't think so, Fab. He is too cute to take offense."

Severus wanted to say, "No, not by any chance was he cute," but Longbottom spoke before him. "He is my housemate and my friend. I will not allow harm to come to him, and stop mocking him. He is a person and a guy, not a damsel wanting a knight," and looked at him with a gentle smile.

See! See, Severus hated Neville just because of this. His father was like this, in front of two fellow pure-blood heirs, and six years or less. Defending his new housemate and calling him a friend while the boy just shook, cringed, and stuttered. God knew he tried his best last year by giving him detention along with girl Weasley so that he could finally start behaving like the man he was and not a five-year-old!

Severus finally came out of his stupor. "Thank you, Longbottom. I was just on a calming draught, and its effect has ended. I know these guys from the train; we are heading to... somewhere together. I appreciate your... kind gesture."

Longbottom nodded at him. "Call me Frank, and that was no problem. As a house, we are all friends, remember?"

Severus shook his offered hand in friendship. "Then call me Severus, Frank."

Severus was ecstatic. Not a day in, and he had made not one but three friends. And not backstabbing ones like Lily. Like Frank, the epitome of manners, bravado, and loyalty. The Prewetts—creative, funny, supportive do-gooders. And who knew? Maybe he would do more!

When they finally arrived at the hospital wing (because they would not leave him on his own, as they thought he might be lost in the castle on his first day), Madam Pomfrey was already there. He suspected that they had alerted her somehow.

She gently took a look at his nose. "I set this for now, but it seems it had broken before, Mister Snape. Come over the weekend, and I will set it straight. I am afraid you will have to stay here for a night then."

Did she really say his nose would turn alright just by a nightstand? Then he remembered his nose had been broken twice now, not five times. So, he could do something about having an abnormal nose in the future.

He thanked her and went to his new friends, who waited patiently for him.

"You did not have to wait for me."

"Nope, ickle Sevvy kins. Because the big, bad, bossy Bonsy would have our hides!”

Severus chuckled at their antics and also felt grateful for their efforts.

Gideon threw a sandwich at him. "Saw you ate nothing; here's for you. Next time, we're gonna show you the kitchens!"

Then they were at the Hufflepuff dormitory door. Frank was standing there, waiting for him. As they saw he would be in good hands, they saluted Frank and left him with Longbottom.

He was astounded into silence.

Frank took his hand. "Come on, mate! I was not sure if these two knew the password, so I waited for you. Oh, and I saved us some cake too!"

When he had spent his first year last time, he had only one friend. He was alone and scared. This time he would make more friends. Houses be damned. Why should a stupid hat be able to decide for him?

Chapter Text

When woke up the next morning, it was to the birds singing and not some water sound which in his first ear, scared him half to death. Because he sometimes dreamed about being drowned. The sun was shining on his eyelids and his bare fit, warming him. It was nice here, warm, Safe.

And he noticed that Frank had already showered.

FRANK HAD ALREADY SHOWERED!

so after nearly 40 years, he found someone who woke up earlier than him. He grinned at his new friend: hi there, frank!

Frank was startled: whoa! I did not know you were such an early riser! We can go shower together. Then he turned red as a tomato: no, not together, not. I don't mean showering...not that I don't like you...no that came out wrong. I like you, but I don't like you...Gee, I am such a duffer!

Severus chuckled: easy Frank. I knew alright, no need to choke on your words.

Frank had breathed in calm. Then he went and offered his shampoo: Severus, I know it, I mean I like to .. it would be ... helping is... Then he facepalmed.

"You get what I mean?"

Severus nodded.

" please don't take offense but, appearance, first ones are really important and...umm, youcanborrowone ofmyrobestoo, becausemymomisaseam‧stressandivegotlots?"

Severus considered his offer. Frank had said his mother was a sewer, he had a lot of robes and he did not mind lending one to him, as his robes were, sufficiently put, not adequate for use. Frank was suggesting to help him, asking him for his permission to help, and he did not mean humiliating him. And as he was painfully aware, appearance certainly talked first in their society.

Severus smiled and thanked him, accepting the help of his friend. The help that was offered without anything in return (like many things he had done for Lucius's friendship or Lily's). Frank beamed at him so brightly that he thought his face would split in two.

Sometime later, when Severus had a shower and dressed in one of Frank's spare robes, on the way to their breakfast, they saw Charity arguing with some Ravenclaw girl.

They could not guess who was who, so they went and found a seat, and Frank handed him his timetable then.

"You were at the hospital wing, so I got yours"

Charity finally came and sat with them. She hugged Frank and waved her hand at his face" Hi! I am Charity! And I love your hair!"

Severus blushed. It seemed his hair, when washed with a pure blood grade A plus Shampoo, would take on a natural soft curl( wave?) And making him look actually like a boy his age, and not some depressed vampire who was too malnourished and was about to attack his first victim. Also, he had a friend in Frank, in his own house and he did not have to watch his back when he slept in fear of what his roommates might do like when he was in Slytherin. And he did not suppose Hufflepuff would give two cents for blood status, well most of them at this point anyway. He smiled sometimes too because he had two Prewatts and a head girl behind him too, he did not consider them friends yet, but they were his allies. It was not that he did not like his house, Slytherin. His mother said that the house valued brotherhood, wits, and ambition which was very good. Most of their politicians were from that house. But damn Grindelwald had stirred a pot of problems, and Voldemort did not help that matter. Both knew recruiting ambitious people was much easier, and they could get rid of them when they did not need them. They ruined their reputation and no one patched it from there. But now Severus had a new look, and he knew the things money and looks (in his case normal looks) would do...

He murmured his name and shook her hand when she hugged him too, briefly.

In this life, he had been hugged as much as he had hugged his entire lifetime, in just a day or so. His life was weird like that.

Their first class, was the history of magic, with Ravenclaws, as the class was not being taken seriously, they put Gryffs and Slytherins together, in an attempt to encourage house unity.

In his mind, houses were shit. They should have gotten rid of the chatty hat, installed a good history teacher, and made purebloods study muggle customs from start and not in a stupid course called muggle studies, as if they were creatures or something. Like Goul and Siren studies. They forgot easily that all of them were humans. Maybe making muggle-born ones study magical folks' customs could help too, so there would not be annoying ones like Granger, who thought everything could be learned from a book and did not pay attention to the experience people had. And muggle-borns should become aware of their magical abilities much earlier. But the fucking board of governors did not allow removing that stupid hat( what about our traditions! They said). Also, they did not give a budget to the school one way or another, demanding everything and not spending a sickle. Instead, they gave budget to that ridiculous Triwizard shit that resulted in the dark lord's resurrection. In a ministry that was the story too, they sucked money from Hogwarts and said the board should give them money. Instead, they invested in that horrible cat lover, Umbridge, in dementors and fucking blood quills.

They went to the class, and everybody sat somewhere, as there was too much room for them. It seemed all were aware the class is a shamble. He started on his plan for surviving ( and not fucking the timelines) and some artimancy predictions for his plans:

Get Frank and Alice to meet

Get Lily and Potter to date

Get allies, Bones, Prewatts, Longbottom

Get regulus Black friendship

Can I avert Pettigrew not to become a death-eater? Or make him a Spy?

Protect Amelia, twins, Charity 

When he felt another body sit himself or herself next to him.

: ooh, mister matchmaker knows Artimancy too!

He snatched the paper in front of him, good thing he had not written it in plain text and wrote it in code (except artimancy things and lily×potter alice+frank)

It was Marlene Mckkinon.

She had straight dirty blond hair with blue-grey eyes and a medium height. Played as a chaser. She had dated Black for all he knew.

He frowned at her: I did not allow you to sit here, nor to take a pic at what I write or not.

Marlene simply smirked( what, popular girls like her smirked too?): don't you have a temper cuty!

He frowned harder: not a cutie! Go away( he knew he was behaving childishly, but his body and magic were child's ones so...)

She offered her hand: Marlene Mckkinon, I love artimancy too. I can tell it is much more complex than the things I know, and I have read the books up to the fourth year. So it must be newt work.

Severus contemplated, her hand in friendship, it would make his same age friends to ..three?

Frank, Charity, Marlene and him.

A quartet.

Perfect.

They talked all that class about artimancy, its role in potions, and how accurate its predictions were and set a time to work on some artimancy text together.

Severus could not wait for the next history of magic class, which was a first.

After the class Frank and Charity walked with him to the next one, which was herbology with Gryffindors.

As he knew, they would be paired with the other houses, for that stupid unity thingy.

He saw Lily.

Lily saw him too.

He wanted to run, but she gave him no chance.

: oh sev! How much do I have to tell you!

Lily was as beautiful as ever, her red curls perfect, green eyes shining.

: where have you gone by train? You said that you wanted to go to find one of your mother's friend's kids. Someone named Will?Wilk?

So that was one they were talking about when he woke up in this world.

: and I hit you! Sorry, sorry, I didn't know I'd hurt you! And then you were gone and I was about to come and get you but there was this boy, and there was Potter and Black and Remus...oooh Remus is a nerd like you! and I told them you were my besti and they laughed at me and I was soooo angry ..

(She needed to breathe)

: and my magic acted up and turned potter and black hair to red..

( how he wanted to see that ..their faces! It would be so funny)

: And then they made me find a reverse curse because they looked horrifying and I sent Remus to you but you were nowhere to be found and Remus said he heard from the head girl you broke your nose and were with Prewatts and to not disturb you cause you were sleep...God, I am a stupid girl and a bad friend and I should leave those two.

She was going to cry.

Severus sighed. Maybe she was his friend. But she was a girl, 11 years old in a different world. With all the stress and fear of being rejected. Maybe at this point, she was not totally a ...someone who saw themselves as right and others wrong. So he stopped her crying: I am alright, I went to madam Pomfrey with Prewatts.

Lily sighed and took his hand: 'm sorry sev.

Prewatts told us last night.

Severus was confused: what?

Lily continued: yep. I was telling my new roommates about you as we were sitting in the common room. I said how you taught me everything and you are soooo smart and how I know you and that you are my bestie...

Potter laughed and said someone sorted in Hufflepuff can not be smart, loyal, working their ass out but not smart. I wanted to say something to that prick but...

Then they came and were like: sevvy dear was this and that.

Potter and black huffed, but Prewatts told them you knew about calming draughts and disguise charms that are auror-level things. So you were not smart, you were a genius...

( so they told everybody about him, there was his remaining under the radar)

Then Lily hugged him too: Severus, I love you, please, believe me, I sometimes don't act like it, and I am a git. But you are my friend. Always.

Severus believed her, at least until she did not have a crush on Potter, maybe he had to...

: listen, Lils, I love you too, as a..( he paused, there was his moment, but he had to take the hard route, as Lily never saw him as more than a friend, it cut him deep and hurt him, but after this long time..) as a brother. And friend, always.

He changed everything like that.

Chapter Text

When Lily hugged him in front of the whole bunch of Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Severus really should have braced himself for the storm that was about to come.
Potter, as arrogant as ever, did not listen to Sprout telling them to form a group with another House. And as a result of them being an odd number, Pomona's hands were tied.
So Severus grouped with Lily, made sure Frank was in a group with Alice and because Charity was his friend and he had an obligation to her, so she would be safe from idiot marauders to be, she advised her to make a group with Mary McDonald.
After calling their names and grouping was done, Sprout told them to huddle closer.
" Hello first years, welcome to your first herbology lesson, I am professor Sprout, your herbology teacher and also Head of Hufflepuffs, I hope we have a wonderful experience together"
Now I assume some of you dears may have to take a look at your books, shall we test it?
Let's see, who can tell me what they know about devil's snare?"
Lily raised her hand and when Pomona smiled at her she said" it is a plant endemic to Scotland, likes damp and dark environments and it has tentacles"
Pomona beamed at her, correct miss Evans! Take ten points for your house! Who can tell me more about it?
Severus was bored and when he saw no one was raising their hands, he rolled his eyes, so he raised his.
Pomona nodded at him to speak.
"It is a plant most likely related to Flitterbloom, and it is semi sentiment, it can suffocate whoever touches it and therefore is used in guarding valuable objects, as a weapon, or for, assassination. Its weakness is light and fire"
Pomona was possibly shocked, how the hell did this first year know all about the plant? It was somehow rare and not all he said was in the book, like its usages.
"correct Mr. Snape, take ( she thought about awarding more points but dismissed it, it would put pressure on dear boy) ten points too!"
The rest went without a hitch. He and Lily worked efficiently on devil snares with gloves until two troubles appeared.
Potter had eyed him suspiciously" so this is the so-called genius? I don't see him recognizing disguise charms, he is a pitiful tiny firsty, nothing else"
As much as Severus wanted to remain silent, his child's mind did not comply" some of us have more brain power than you can ever hope to achieve, Potter, you see, it is true Hypogryffs are much bigger, but that does not make them smarter or more respected than a unicorn which has half its weight"
Potter became purple with rage" what does that even mean? Smart pants?"
Black, glared at them" He just said we are a bunch of rowdy Hypogryffs while he is a special unicorn"
Lily protested: "He did not say that! You are making it up! You are just jealous he is popular and six years praised him!"
Black snorted "oh? How jealous I am! Of him? A ... half-blooded nobody with a big nose and a bigger mouth? He can be the smartest but with his dirty blood he will go no more up than a secretary in ministry!"
Potter did not like that." Hey! Dirty blood? What the shit?"
Lily shot back, "Do not swear at your pompous prat! You say he has a big mouth, but you are cursing like...like sailors!"
Severus put his hand on Lily's shoulder " it's alright Lil's. Let them swear and scream like baby's they are"
Potter saw red.
He went and pushed him back, right on devil snares bushes. The bushes hugged his tiny body and tightened around him, he screamed in pain.
Lily shouted for the professor while crying and cursing stupid stupid potter and bigoted Black-hearted Black.
When Pomona came, she used her wand and released him from their trap, but his shoulder and back were hurting and he was crying in pain, less than 24 hours, again.
Frank came with Alice and Charity, they all seemed they were going to do serious harm to Potter and Black if Pomona was not present.
Pomona sighed in tiredness( Severus gave him that, who thought a Huff, gryff bunch first years first class would cause this much disturbance, an argument, cursing, blood purity stuff thrown in, and an injured student with several horrified badgers who were in tears and needed calming)
" Mister Potter, 20 points for arguing and cursing, and for doing serious harm to a fellow student, a week's detention with Mr filch"
Potter's eyes widened, but he was smarter than protesting and making it worse.
"Mister Black, for suggesting blood purity nonsense and humiliating a fellow student by 20 points, and a foot length essay on why you were in the wrong, due this weekend"
Black seemed like he wanted to protest, but Potter pinched his back and he fell silent too.
Pomona dispatched the groups to do their work and sent a Patronus to her perfect, the head girl as she knew she was nearby at this time and had a free period.
Within minutes she came. when Amelia arrived, her eyes went to him, sitting in a corner, crying.
" you again cute firsty? Why is it always you?"
Pomona sent him a curious glance " oh?"
"Yes professor, yesterday I found him on the train with a broken nose, some people are really out to get him"
Pomona thought about the boy, and the blood purity stuff came out of the mouth of that Black kid. Could it be that they were going to hurt her tiniest young badger? And because he was half-blooded? And supposedly smart? Because of what she saw today in class and what she had heard from the twins that he knew about potions and charms no way a first-year would know.
Then Severus was in the way of the hospital wing, this time with head girl.
Said the headgirl thinking maybe she should watch this boy - now as she knew Severus Snape- with a closer eye. If these incidents recurred, it meant the boy was significant somehow, or a threat somehow, she did not know. First was her duty to him, and the protections she promised herself to provide for Severus.
At the infirmary, upon seeing Severus, and his face in tears, Poppy sighed: " you Mister? What now?"
While Amelia was explaining the incident, Madam Pomfrey examined his back and shoulders.
"I am afraid, Mr. Snape, you will lose this evening's class. Flying will aggravate your shoulders. "
Severus wanted to go, as he did not like to have his class with Slytherins like Mulcibor and Avery. The first one liked playing with fire and the other preferred the same old imperio thrown on the weakest family member and make them torture other ones, which resulted in all of the unfortunate imperiod killing themselves after the session.
But Pomfrey would have none of that.
While Severus slept, she shared a look with the head girl" if it goes like this, he will be a regular here"
When Severus was dismissed that evening he went straight to dinner, where Frank, Charity, and Surprisingly Lily were waiting for him.
After making sure he was alright, Lily went and told them all why she was sitting with them" I told Prewatt twins that Potter and Black hurt you and that I turned their hair suddenly read on the train, and how ridiculous they looked. They said well we three are Gryffs and redheads, why not all Gryffs should be redheads?"
When food appeared, at the count of three all Gryffs hair turned red.
Potter and Black looked so horrible!
Dumbledore looked amused, while McGonagall was angry, glaring daggers at anyone near her.
Severus smirked. Serves her right after the year she gave him.
While the students were all busy themselves, there was a conversation going on between the teachers at the head table.
Pomona was talking about this bunch of Hufflepuffs.
"Oh, and there is a boy, such a dear, acute little thing he is with his soft curls and large eyes! And he knew everything about the devil snares!"
Then she went on about Potter and Black and what happened today.
Horace said " well I have heard from my six-year potions, that this boy knows what calming draught is and what is the effect! Merlin knows my owls this year have problems with it!"
Filius nodded" miss Bones told me, Snape knows what disguised charms are and how they feel. They are auror-level charms. So the boy must be a really smart guy at least."
Minerva huffed. The boy caused his lions to get detention and a point loss. And the first Black in her house too! Also a Potter heir! Their single boy would inherit everything.
"I think they may have exaggerated, the twins are always bluffing and your said head girl is partial to badgers too. And about herbology, he must have asked from upper years"
Filius hummed" it is possible, seeing as the twins and Miss Bones are protective of him. And today's prank too. I think it was in retaliation for him being injured"
Minerva took a sip of her wine: "Maybe it was him?"
Pomona reclined on her seat" now you are just being biased. He was at the hospital wing till now!"
Minerva just shrugged. The next evening she had her first class. Maybe she could test him too and see if he knew about animagi. She smiled at herself. There were not many who knew her form.

The night went by without a hitch.
Today Severus had charms, flying( with Slytherins cause he had lost the last session yesterday thanks to Potter, Black) and transfiguration.
Wonderful.
When they all huddled in class, he sensed Filius' eyes on him, why would he find him interesting?
He fidgeted something awful. Did not listen at all. What was there for him to know when he had passed the test some 20-something years ago first time with flying colors?
When he came to himself when he heard Filius almost shouting at him:
Mister Snape!
He was confused" hummed?"
Filius got angrier" tell me right now what I told you last 10 minutes about Lumos and then cast it!"
Potter was snickering, Black was beaming and Remus...whatever he did.
The class was silent like a graveyard.
He thought, what would Filius say? He was a Ravenclaw and liked knowledge, it was first class, so Lumos or wingardium, but because they had devil snares yesterday...
He would bombard the class with knowledge about the speel so they become terrified. As Minerva was strict, he gave too much knowledge, Pomona showed kindness, and Slughorn..
He was a Snail.
So he started:
Lumos is a charm that creates a narrow beam of light that shines from the wand's tip, like a torch.
There are other forms like
Lumos Duo is a variation of the Wand-Lighting Charm, Lumos. It creates a focused beam of light from the end of the wand. it is taught by the third year .
Lumos Orbis is a charm that, if cast with skill, can be directed to hang at a designated location or be set in motion. The size and brightness of the light varies between casters, and the light fades over time. It takes energy to sustain
Lumos Maxima was the incantation of a charm that could be used to produce a blinding flash of bright white light from the tip of the wand, a modified version of the Wand-Lighting Charm. It is Taught in fifth-year charms.
Finally, The Lumos Solem Spell is a defensive charm used to produce a blinding flash of sunlight. As Devil's Snare hates sunlight and heat, this particular light-creation spell was quite effective in subduing it.
And the opposite of it is Nox.
Then he cast it too
Lumos!
Filius was watching him as if he was Merlin incarnated. The class was hooked on him.
Finally, Filius choked" 5...50 points to Hufflepuff, n.n..now work on your charms"
Frank pats him on the back, congratulating him on earning points" no one gets this many points from him, and Merlin! You have some brains!"
Lily smiled and Charity hugged him, life was good.

Chapter Text

He was getting some curious glances. It seemed no one expected a Hufflepuff of all people to be so knowledgeable about anything, Merlin, what they thought about poor badgers? Crybabies? mama boys/girls?Stupid ass kisses?

When he wanted to gather his things and go to his next class, Flitwick had called him " Mr. Snape, a moment if you please"

He cursed under his breath, it was too soon, he was not ready to see eye to eye with his former colleague! He and Pomona were the least obnoxious of the bunch, but still, their last duel when suddenly everyone had turned on him was fresh in his mind. Harry sodding Potter shouting at him " how dare you to stand where he stood" was fresh in his mind. And by Merlin was the boy dumb, Albus goddamn Dumbledore had been a headmaster for a long time, and stood on every fucking stone on that castle, where he was supposed to stand? On top of Peeves' head? (He wasn't sure, but he guessed that maybe Dumbledore had stood there too)

As he had no option but to follow his now superior professor, he motioned Frank and Charity to leave.

Filius seemed somehow ashamed and apologetic, so he wondered why. He was silent for a long moment but finally coughed" mister Snape, I may owe you an apology..

(Ha? A what? They were not in an alternative reality?the dueling champion and a master of charms professor and head of Ravens, saying that To a firsty???)

" I have lost my temper and shouted at you and it was uncalled for. and I have heard that you...have a great mind, and knowing that, I may have thought you considered my course beneath your notice and acted childish. I was curious to know and I might have gone.. a little further. But in my opinion, honestly, you will do good and go far, you are certainly the brightest Wizard of this age!"

Severus's heart was warmed by this, an apology along with praise...from the least biased teacher... and he wanted to tell himself it was because he had passed this year before, but the fact was he was like this in the first round too. He could already use most, if not all first years at this point in the last round. He could have crafted spells from the third year for Morgana's sack. But because he was lonely and without a friend because he was unkempt and unfriendly and shy and with greasy hair and stained second-hand robes no one noticed him, his too much Lily worship all around him sounded like he used Lily for studying and his innovations in their teamwork mostly were credited to Lily.

Not this time

He would keep his distance, and try and save her maybe, but not worship her and give her ideas. Let others do that. God knew there were Mary and Potter and half the boys and girls in their year and above. She had a certain charm about her, being Muggleborn but not dim-witted about magic and showing great potential along with her friendly nature and her humor and looks(although knowing about widened culture came from him also her most of the pre-knowledge)

Filius was still going on" I heard that you could tell disguise charms and I wonder... May I ask, 

Severus understood. He was asked to test him, and he was a bit angry, why no one trusted him?

But again he was a first year, what the first year could tell them except him?

So he nodded. He was curious about how he could do this too, and if Filius was aware of what it was, since he did not know it himself.

Filius murmured the charm and he felt it washing his features.

Filius asked," Can you tell me what I have changed?"

Severus focused, his eyes had a tingle, a wrong tingle, and his hair was funny, not his.

He answered" my eyes and my hair"

Filius's eyes widened instantly" h..how?"

Severus who still was not sure how he had this ability and wanted to know, explained" there is a funny feeling and a tingle, you know a wrong tingle. My magic is like a...like air, it is shapeless and tasteless but ... feels like...smells like the earth, I mean the way the ground smells good after rain maybe?

Filius's eyes were so big he was now about to burst his eyes.

" oh, oh my...you...you have an intuition...there are so few people with this ability in this Era. They can feel magic, taste it and say if it is someone's or another, they call it perception. my world, would you..could you tell mine too?

" hmmm, I am not sure, I have not ever tried it on other people, I did not know it was possible professor.....(he focused on Filius's magic, hard, as it was foreign to him, after a minute or so he said, unsure:)I think it is like frisky and kittenish? Curious and smells like iron?

Filius's eyes were brimming with tears, he was mostly talking to himself now " oh my oy...It must be..it must be...as it is said about those with goblin blood has...the iron smell... so the tome was right, it was not a sham ....a fraud...... then he said too softly for his ears,( but he heard anyway): Minerva was so wrong, so so wrong about you...

He left him there going to his Flying session which was a short one, about a 45 first session about summoning brooms and cleaning them. As most were purebloods and knew these by heart, it would mostly take 30 minutes at most.

He wanted to think about what Filius had said about Minerva, but he shoved it at the back of his mind. Now was not the time.

When he arrived at the pitch, the Gryffindor Quidditch team was having tryouts at one half and Ravens and Snakes were already having a heated discussion, with no sign of Hootch ( who was in her first year teaching here)in sight.

Mulcibor was laughing at someone: you mud bloods are all clumsy and useless! Oh, your face!

Michael Mulcibor was a pure-blood heir, with too big of a figure, who resembled 3rd years or up. He was also the oldest in the whole first year, being born on September 7th, it meant his magical core and his control over it was more developed than others too. As Slytherin purebloods themselves, (rosier, Wilkes, and the girls Parkinson, Goyle, crabble) knew about this also Ravens( Hypocrite smythic, Barty jr, and Marlen Mackinnon ) were either aware of the fact (he was sure Barty knew) or smart enough not to aggravate the ghoulish big teen.

So Everyone else was silent, maybe out of fear of that nasty boy coming after them too, maybe they were with him on this.

There was a voice he hated as much as Potter's, The voice of that Cowerd named Pettigrew. He was sniffing as he was sitting on the ground, mud all over his robes.

Severus assessed the situation, mostly because he was the victim of a tripping jinx. And He wanted to go and kick his arse and make him suffer for all the sufferings he caused.

But here, now, he was not a man.

He was a boy and a first year too, and Severus had vowed last year that he would protect the innocent children. 

Here and now, he was an innocent child. Plus, he was the head of Slytherin for so long and Slughorn was shit, so he had to do something.

damn him, he had to intervene. 

When he wanted to go forward, someone grasped his hand, surprised he turned around to see who was it.

It was Marlene, shaking her head and mouthing: no.

But Severus was a man and not a chicken fearing and clucking before a giant. He had fought in two wars thank you very much.

 So He coughed " Mister, Mulcibor, is it? I may be wrong but first, what you so eloquently said.... mud bloods is a forbidden word and also is referred to people with both muggle parents, so by definition, it does not involve Mr. Pettigrew here. Second, one who has been rumored to ...have ...a grandparent with a, how can I put it, half banshee, can not judge others by their heritage "

What a scene. The tiniest firsty and the biggest one almost face facing having a row.

Mulcibor was a hot head, easy to anger and Severus had counted on it. He did not disappoint. Mulcibor was so angry he was almost black, he raised his hands and came near threateningly" and "Who the hell are you...

When he stood on a broom.

As he was heavy, the broom snapped in half and both parts hit his face.

What a laugh...He really was a firsty wasn't he?

He started wailing, loud and that was when Hootch arrived.

The damn irresponsible chit she was, she was frightened. More! She was panicking, in her class with the most pureblood kids, and now this...

She ran from them, with the boy toward the hospital wing, with no thought ever for the rest.

Pettigrew was still at a corner, but he did not cry.

That was when Avery chuckled: "Well, you fooled him by making him angry. but you will not fool me, boy. You are a mud blood yourself. I am sure of it. 

He was trying to bait him, the stupid cow.

Snape arched a brow " you are welcome to think whatever you want, I won't care one bit"

Avery, sensing his trick does not work on his turns to Pettigrew " what about your fat arse? I bet no mud blood could race me to the end of the pitch and back and win. You win or draw and I will be convinced you are worthy of the house of Salazar"

Before Severus Could do a thing he was agreeing on that.

Severus tried anyway: "Pettigrew, isn't it? He is baiting you, I am sure there is a catch and...

Pettigrew the arse snapped at him" shut it, shut it you Hufflepuff. I don't want help from mudbloods!

He felt humiliated and hurt. Karma was a bitch. He was feeling so horrible and Pettigrew was not even his friend...

"On your head be it"

And he went to sit near Marlene.

" you have some serious problems up here, going against that big bad giant"

He shrugged, maybe he had.

When they each got a broom, mounted on it, and when Avery made sure Pettigrew went ahead, then returned to the bunch Severus knew something smelly was afoot.

When Pettigrew got stuck on his broom and the broom started shaking in the middle of the air he cursed.

The same curse was on that broom that was on Potter's. Weaker yes, but that was the same curse.

The same curse he couldn't now perform the counter, due to his small and inexperienced core.

The Gryffindor team has now stopped their training and are watching their bunch.

Pettigrew started wailing pitifully.

Was no one human here? Why did someone not go and get the poor sod? A group of sadists, and all of them!

Pettigrew's grasp on the broom was weakening.

He was about to fall, but he would not die as the pitch had cushioning charms and all, hurt maybe.

And fuck Severus, he couldn't stand it. A firsty, on the first day Flying, a snake ...

He grabbed a broom, and went at top speed.

Pettigrew was about to fall, on 1,2,3

He fell.

Severus did a very dangerous turn, at more than the top speed of Quidich professionals. Then I got the stupid arse in the air.

But they were heavy and Pettigrew's weight hurt his shoulder.

They were going to fall together.

A twin shout of ARRESTO MOMENTUM!

And they were coming to earth, gently.

When on earth, Fabian and Gideon were hugging him, fiercely.

" Severus, please, please do not give us a heart attack like that. It was the most stupid, brash, Gryffindorish act of heroism we have ever seen. "

Fabian had tears in his eye.

Gideon patted his head:

" if you don't get on the team now, if Sprout does not harass you with it tomorrow or so, I will eat my hat"

Fabian hit his neck "oy, Gideon brother, I am sure you ate it when Percy learned to read when he was 3 and a half"

"Git!"

"Arse!"

" Carrot head!"

Severus who was laughing now said" you're both carrot heads. You dimwitted arses!"

They feined heart attack" oooh, our boy knows curses too"

"Not so innocent?"

Severus nodded, " nope! And I know shit and fuck too"

They rolled their eyes at him at the same time.

Marlene came and stood in an inch of his face and assessed him from head to toe " you really got some heavy balls"

Then left.

Severus choked on his saliva, and the twins laughed madly.

****************

When Severus and the rest were doing what they did, the four heads were in a meeting, they always held it to share stories about their bunch this year, bet who will date who and who would get the highest marks, and who makes the quidditch team.

Slughorn has gone on and on praising a green-eyed beauty muggle-born who dazzled him by brewing her first potion " I am telling you, she will be the brightest in the group!"

Filius rolled his eyes and began telling his tale, animatedly informing them about his encounter with Snape boy.

" and he said my magic smelled like iron! Just like the tome had said!"

Minerva was huffing, again" he must have heard it somehow, a prodigy? With perception, you say? He is a half-blood, maybe he heard it from his mother, and the boy is Hufflepuff for Morgana's!"

Pomona went all angry" oh? What are you fucking saying, Minerva? Can one of my badgers not be as smart?"

"I did not say that Pomona! get a hold of yourself! You are just exaggerating...

Filius stood up" exaggerating! Exaggerating!!!

Pomona held a hand " you are unfair and you damn know it, Minerva, just because you got that Black heir does not mean other first years are not worth your time. And that Lily Evans of yours Slughorn praised so much? She is a muggle-born living across from a street from the boy. I checked. And as a half, he would have taught the girl. As you know he is a puff, so he is generous and kind unlike yours, stingy and grasping what they have too tight to hold them close even against their will. You are just jealous Minny, admit it.

Minerva was having none of it "jealous! Me? Of a badger of all things! Maybe a Raven like Smythwhic or a Slytherin like Rosier but a... Puff?"

Pomona lashed out" what? Gryff can be smart like a raven, as you killed yourself over that chit Prewatt, Molly something? Who was ohh so promising, just for her to get pregnant after her last year and leave school and get married to a Weasley of all dumb creatures on earth? And we all know Dumbledore is more a Snake than a lion. So a gryff can be loyal, kind, smart, and conning but a puff can't? Go to hell Minne!

She left and 

******************

When Severus and unexpectedly Marlene joined Frank and Charity at the Hufflepuff table, Marlene took no time telling them about the flying lesson they, in fact, did not get to have, and the fool-hardy stupidity of Severus.

" you think he and that Slytherin guy are just headless Gryffs, knowing no better to anger a giant, bet with a snake pureblood, and go to rescue a half-witted guy from falling to his demise"

Severus totted" not demise, the pitch has cushioning and stuff"

Frank scuffed " a word from the Ravenclawish Gryff, one wonders why the hat ever chooses Hufflepuff at all"

Seveus pouted " am I not loyal enough?"

Charity smiled at him" Frank, Lene got off him, he is actually too cute to say no, probably said please with those big big gorgeous eyes and hat agreed with tears "

Severus just coughed, hard, and was about to be strangled, when two strong hands hit him on his back.

The Prewatts were grinning as a man possessed. They knelt on the floor near him, holding their wands like swords they were going to gift him:

" Sir mister do-gooder, the king of rescues and master of knowledge, the possessor of perception, and the most accomplished flyer this castle has seen, we, thy humble knights, await thy command"

Severus kicked one of their shins " get up, you are making a scene!"

They did not.

" oh wisest and most knowledgeable, oh bravest and noblest of all, do claim our trifle lives as yours, we offer thee our services ...

Severus, fed up with them shouted" GET UP!"

Now most eyes were on them, Severus sat and hid behind Frank, who was bigger than him.

Fab and Gad (as they called themselves) just said" we made sure that Mulcibor guy had a most pleasant evening in the wing, Avery is for tomorrow "

Then they left, winking at him.

Severus just wanted to scream some curses, really, a couple fucks and shit, please?

Chapter Text

While Severus was distracted by Prewt's antics, a corner of his mind was on Filius's earlier comment. What had Minerva said about him that was wrong? Filius had praised him, and...

Oh.

She must have degraded him, then. He knew the Prewatts had spread about his potion detection and disguise, she must have thought they had lied or exaggerated or he was a fraud. Telling the other heads he is not worth their time.

He fisted his robe. This was not the first time she did so. When he was added to the staff, she took no time in informing them how she believed he would fail and not long for even a year. Said even Pettigrew was a better choice and he just had an A in his potion's OWL. The jealous bint!

Severus tried not to show his anger. He distracted himself with other things such as lunch(yes, food!)He also wondered how the twins were aware of that perception thing, but as their nephews in the future, they must have their ways.

The food, was always great and he thought that maybe it was time He took a bigger portion, he was awfully tiny and he needed it. His stomach now would not protest so much, he assumed.

The great hall was like always, abuzz with action and at the same time, silent. He figured it must be a word or something because it was very very crowded and if not some charms or runes or what other spell was in work, people would be overwhelmed with the sound of so many in one hall. And most of them were children, shouting, laughing, making every kind of noise you imagined.

So when a big teen dressed in Hufflepuff colors came and put his hand on his shoulder, he was startled, he drew his wand instantly and pressed it to where he knew it was the other's heart.

The guy whistled" easy there kiddo, so the Gryff team were not bluffing about your speed, you are like a hawk!

He stood،the guy looked somewhat familiar but he could not pinpoint how so slowly he removed his wand, Frank and Charity stood behind him, with Marlene nearby, just in case.

" I would like to be informed about your...intention for this surprise..meeting"

He laughed " Gee! They said you spoke like a Lord or a professor, I..."

They all glared at him, which sobered him up.

"Name's Ted, Edward to be exact, but yeah, Ted Tonks at your service "

Severus found out he could not take his eyes off him, the boy was big but kind-looking. He must be a 7 year and would marry Andromeda by 72. Like the middle Black sister was to marry a Sylwan? Now out of school, she was probably being tutored in all pureblood customs of weddings and such.

Severus nodded at him (can he do something that they marry, but not in Andromeda being dis inherited؟ which resulted in her daughter, funny, kind Nymphadora falling in love with a sodding werewolf of all men).

" I am all ears, Mr. Tonks"

He seemed he wanted to laugh, but refrained.

" Your awesome maneuvering Quidich pitch has spread like wildfire, so I wanted to talk to you about becoming a seeker?"

Severus considered the offer, He did not do such a thing in his last life, and his method in this one was the exact opposite of that one, so far he had better results.

First, no Slytherin, second, make friends, third, stay away from Lily, and maybe Quidich?

He calmly said" I am a first year, so I need to ...

Ted interrupted " nooo, as Hufflepuff has no seeker now, we spoke with Sprout and she said whoever we chose, that will do, because if puffs don't have a team, there will be no match whatsoever "

Severus was in two minds about it, He turned to his friends, unsure" Frank, Charity, what do you think"

Frank looked at Charity, then smiled." I will shout out loud for you, and Charity will hug you when you catch the snitch thingy" and Charity nodded.

Severus beamed at Ted" I'll do it"

********************

When they arrived at the transfiguration class, his mind was again on what Minerva had done, how she always, always took sides with Albus, if there was a debate. All those times she took Potter and Black, and even Lupin and Pettigrew sided over him. And last year..

Last year took the cherry.

When he became headmaster, she did not respect him, not even a bit. And there was this time, on his blasted birthday, that he was so tired as he recently went and delivered the sword to that Potter boy. Then she smiled at him. it made him falter, did she know? Was she going to be at least a colleague and not a bitch? And he was exhausted so he took the bait. And then after the day was over, he was puking his guts in a bucket, he found out that she was just making a diversion, taking him by surprise, so Slughorn could add poison to his coffee.

As he took his antidote like a routine, like a sacred thing, that sluggy incompetent brew, just made him vomit. And then he broke down and cried. 

Not to say about the time Potter had told her about the stone and she did not see fit to share, just dismissing the boy to go and get himself mauled by a possessed professor. And the time Potter told her about Umbridge, she did not take the time to investigate it, resulting in disaster after disaster.

And now, time traveled here three days ago, and he had already been hurt by her darlings, Potter-Black the hell duo. And she knew and again, degraded him, made him look bad against heads, God's, that gigantic cow!

Upon arrival, he noticed that she was in her tabby form. So she wanted to test him? Not trusting what her colleagues were telling her? He knew this had not happened the last time, so it was for him.

Unfortunately Charity went to the cat to pet it.

"Ooh, hello kitty! Aren't you a pretty thing"

Horrors upon Horrors! She picked her up and hugged her( why in hell she had to hug every damn thing she saw and thought was cute?)

So normally, Severus had to intervene:

" Charity! Leave it, it might be somebody familiar!"

"No, Severus! Look! She does not have a collar on"

Right. " you don't pick up stray cats, Charity! It might have a disease!"

"Nope, you just wanna pet it too, admit it!"

Severus saw red" not a chance! It is a mangy ugly cat with parasites like toxoplasma that infects you and it is feral"

"Is not!"

"It is"

Is not! And then Severus( again in his child mood) got cats tail, haul it from Charity, and dropped it on the floor.

Severus then wanted to turn to Frank and go sit next to him, but was affronted with a pair of angry angry eyes behind a pair of glasses staring at him.

The same pair he saw when all heads went and expelled him from the castle. Dimwhits who did not understand his actions all year, basterds.

They had tried killing him, throwing knives and armor and curses while he just protected himself. He was able to take them, but again, he did not want to. Maybe wanted to tell them all that he was hiding all these months.

They did not spare him a glance, and Minerva, the bitch, was the worst.

He felt he was panicking, his ears rang, and his breath caught. 

The world went all Grey. He wanted the pain in his chest to stop. But it didn't. 

He stepped back from the monster in front of him, and he fell backward, hitting hard against something.

***********************

Minerva McGonagall knew she could be petty, but not cruel. She was mulishly stubborn, yes, but she thought she was not unreasonable.

Until now, anyway. 

When she was considering this particular class, she decided she will take her cat form for the first time in front of students. Animagus transformations were not supposedly hard, but they were quite dangerous. And many went first stages but did not proceed further, because who would want to become a worm? A vulture? An ant? Most forms were useless, or an embarrassment. Some were too hard to shift between human and animal(elephant for example), so it fell out of favor. Its method was considered somehow forbidden too, so mostly purebloods had access to that info, purebloods who did not want to tarnish their reputation by transforming to a frog or fish or something. More so, now that the ministry was making people register, to what avail, she did not know.

And when she did the instructions, she felt she would be a lion, so she proceeded...only for her to find out she was a cat.

A stupid cat.

A regular, no special animal who was selfish, possessive, and stubborn.

She did not like what the animal revealed about her, so she did not take it in public.

It would be the second time she took it in class, and she was curious as to what may happen. The first was many years ago when Filch's newly acquired kitten went missing, and he was so distraught she just had to go and get her from some unreachable chimney. It was 6 years ago, and the story spread like shit. More to her embarrassment. Will the Snape boy recognize this too? If he did, it meant he knew someone from that year or up (as she assumed previously) and they were feeding him information. Proving the boy was an attention-seeking liar brat. Purebloods may also have access to that tome Filius had said too. It proved he was not smart, just a conning little shit.

She did not know why she felt this strongly about him. Maybe she was stung that Molly Prewatt went and shackled herself to that Weasley. Weasleys were just, strange and they were fascinated with muggles for whatever reason. She was desperate for a genius in her house to show that her Gryffs were more than brawny brutish guys and jealous girls who fought over a boy. (or a stupid wife-to-be). When Horace said those things about miss Evans, her heart soared. Maybe she had found her! and a muggle-born at that! Imagine her, with her bright eyes and her fire-like curls, beauty with wits combined! And a Gryff no less! Oh, how it would prove those blood purists false. But if the boy, a half-blood with a pure-blood mother proved to be the best, none of those statements would hold. So she had to, really had to go along with her plan and prove that Evans was better.

At first, none of the kids did anything but watch carefully. Not one of her Gryffs showed interest. But then the damn girl hugged her and everything went to shit.

The boy was a good actor, she gave him that.

But that boy dared to touch her tail! Her tail!

So you understand that Minerva McGonagall was angry.

So so angry.

She turned back as soon as her feet touched the ground. The boy's eyes went comically big.

(Suit you damn well, stupid brat, acting like that and touching...)

But the Gryffs were horrified and Puffs were horrified( it is not every day you see a cat turn into a person FOR FIRST TIME, a cat one of your classmates was hugging a second ago)

The boy was beyond terrified, he was having a panic attack. A very real panic attack at her expanse.

(OH Merlin, oh Morgana what the shit I did??)

She tried calling him." Mr. Snape, Mr. Snape!

No help.

"Severus!"

The boy if possible, was more afraid, she could see clearly that he had trouble breathing. He stepped back.

1,2,3

And when she saw what was going to happen and lept forward to catch him, but was late.

Severus's head hit the desk behind him, hard enough to break his head, and blood was everywhere.

Now the kids were screaming.

She cursed herself and her stupidity. Just what was wrong with her? She summoned an elf and told it to go get a teacher. 

Then she went and picked the unconscious boy( why the boy was this small and weighed this low and why did he look so so innocent and bloodied and ..), went to her office and flooed infirmary.

******************

Her plan was shit.

The result was if possible more shit.

Poppy took one look at her tiny charge in her arms, sighed" again?"

Minerva just said, "what?" In complete bewilderment.

"What is it this time? It is only what? On his third day in the castle and he had his nose broken, thrown to a devil snare, a half hour ago got in a bloody near fight with a ghoulish teen, then rescued a halfwit who thought betting with a pureblood Slytherin is OK, and now? Panic attack and concussion as I see"

Minerva just stood there. Was everybody right and she acted as a jealous bint who did not get what she wanted? So Potter and Black really threw the boy to that plant? While she clearly heard multiple times the boy even stated that one of its uses is to assassinate. 

"But, ..I...it's.. "

Poppy looked at her, and the boy" He seems to be a regular, no matter what, I hope at least he has the sense not to join Quidich's fucking team"

Minerva only nodded. She would not let another harm come to this boy. Even if it was her lions. It was the least she could do after hurting the small boy so badly.

Guilt was a bitch.

And so was she.

(Pomona, when became aware slapped her hard across the face, Filius frowned, and Horace, he was too busy with his wife being unwell, Albus, God damned him, when heard, laughed, and laughed, and laughed...bastard)

Chapter Text

When Severus awoke in the hospital wing (again) he was in a foul mood. What difference did it make coming back here, suffering marauders and stupid Gryffs and still being a regular in Poppy's care? He hated its smell, ammonia, and cleaning potions that bothered his sensitive nose, the wards which bothered what he now knew as perception, and its food.

His mood got worse when he saw the fat arse of Pettigrew in a bed near himself. It seemed he had his first delightful taste of Slytherin brotherhood, named itching powder.

Then he turned to the other side and saw Frank and Charity, nearly half asleep.

Charity, sensing him moving, shook Frank.

" hello, sleeping beauty! You missed dinner and the head girl. visit and twins visit and Marlene visit and Lily's visit and Madam Pomfrey saying she might as well set your nose and everybody saying our Head had slapped McGonagall!"

Frank put a hand on Charity's back "Breath you hugger girl."

Charity, reminded that she actually hugged a cat-like professor, blushed.

Frank beamed at him" congrats on your new nose! It's awesome! Better than the Potter piggy one anyway!"

Then handed him a mirror.

Severus saw his reflection, he had a perfect Roman nose, a bit on the big side, but not crooked, and two sizes too big for his face.

He actually seemed cute now( much as he loathed) with large eyes, curly wurly hair, and his nose. He looked like an anime character.

His eyes teared up.

Charity scolded Frank" you should have waited! Looks like he is upset!"

Then hugged him. Frank hesitated at first, but he joined him on the bed, hugging both of them.

"Shush...cuti boy. None of that! You look like a regal Italian girl killer now! "

They remained for some minutes like that, then Frank handed him a chocolate frog. 

" saved it for you! Dinner here sucks, but I hope you like this"

Then kissed his forehead and ran along Charity, because it was almost curfew.

Severus smiled, maybe this new chance was worth it.

He was smiling when his good mood was interrupted by a sniff.

He rolled his eyes, Pettigrew again.

(He felt sorry for the sod, he was now in a position he had at last time he lived, bullied by both marauders and snakes, and him being a snake...and Severus had been headmaster and head of Slytherin for so long, old habits die hard, eh?)

He got up and slowly went to his bed.

He sensed him, and maybe was terrified.

" whatu doin' here Snape?"

(Eyes red, nose puffed, crying?)

"To see if you are Ok"

Pettigrew seemed angry" don Wan yes pitty, you half-blood twat. Bragged about saving a snake much and got punched in the face?"

(So He did not know about Minerva. )

" not pitty, and no, I got here because a teacher saw fit to scare a Hufflepuff to death, maybe she saw it funny or sth"

Pettigrew's eyes widened "wha..?

So he told him the whole thing.

Pettigrew looked sad" it is not OK to scare kids, and a deputy too, sorry I lashed out"

( maybe this child was not beyond saving yet. He still had sympathy. And he was a kid. In a new world with no backup and no friend...)

He offered the chocolate frog.

"We can be...( he could not say friend, snakes did not have friends these days) Allies, I don't let others bully you, you don't let snakes get my friends? we can study too"

Pettigrew pondered but hesitated" if others know...I have a grandma who is a muggle-born and they don't accept me, but you have a muggle father...but if ..."

Severus sighed" we can talk in private?"

Pettigrew got the frog and smiled at him.

(Severus's old heart warmed a bit, fuck his sensitive heart and his head duties!)

Tomorrow came with bright colors.

Severus with his new nose, walked into the hall for breakfast, when he noticed the head table.

It was covered in cat hair, with cat paws all over it, and the teacher's affords to scorgify or banish that, was in vain.

It was truly a piece of wand work.

Marlene stepped behind him (which scared him shitless) putting her hands on his waist.( what the damn girl means!?)

Whispered in his ear " my idea, and twins work. hope you liked it"

Then squeezed his waist a bit and went to her own table.

Ravens were weird.

Severus smiled, the Prewatts were really a pair of good friends.

Minerva was not having a good day.

The incident has spread, and now other heads were giving her a cold shoulder. And perfects looked at her like she was a kind of monster waiting to attack.

Now this shit is called the head table! 

The headmaster arrived and started to pop lemon drops and chat with Pomona as if he had the gall to scold her( he was more biased against other houses, anything not collared in red and gold).

" Pomona dear, do you really want the boy on the team?"

Pomona scoffed" him or no one, and it means 

no PRECIOUS QUIDICH MATCH.."

(Who was the boy? And the way she said precious Quidich was as if to taunt her...)

"Well if you are sure, he is a first-year after all"

(No nonnnonoo there was only one firsty who was qualified to be on the team and Merlin's hairless ass! How was Minerva supposed to assure the boy's, Snape boy safety!)

She wanted to protest but it was late. Albus gleefully put his absurd signature on Pomona's request.

Minerva was doomed.

Albus then had the gall to wink at her, wave a hand and the table was paw and fur-free.

Minerva swore one day, she would poison his lemon drops to make him suffer.

It was Severus's first potions class. He was so reluctant to go. What was there for him? Sluggy had already found his pet in Lily, and Horace did not pay an eye on him and he was a Slytherin then.

Now as a Hufflepuff?

No way!

So he did not pay attention to his speech. Just got what he wanted and got to his station (they had to work alone at first, to be evaluated and grouped better)

He did as he wanted, the potion normally needed about an hour but he could do it in 30 minutes. It was one he changed after the purple pimple accident 6 years ago so it was more potent and quicker to brew. Also, no one but him knew the recipe.(using chamomile and rose water was not in the recipe) and I did not look at the useless book.

When he was finished, he bottled it and put it aside, then got his notebook.

Help Andromeda 

Find something to do about squibs 

Do something about fertility 

When he was interrupted by Slughorn .

" Mister Snape is it? I am aware of your spectacular performance in charms and flying, but that does not give you permission to ignore a class you dont not feel as important. I have you know potions is a subtle art that is often neglected, but it is potions which heal you...

(God! Morgana and Merlin elbows! WAS HE BEING LECTURED ABOUT POTIONS IMPORTANCE BY SLUGHORN!!!!!!!)

" professor, if I may, I have finished "

Slughorn astounded into silence for a second

" what? It is just half passed..

And hurried to his station. Picking a spatula to test his potion. 

" My! The consistency! The technique! The time! You are a genius, my boy! Is it rose water? I've never seen it used as a basis for this! have you used some other book?"

" I tweaked it myself professor "

" how....how...Merlin's beard!son!

Then he hugged him.

Actually hugged him.

( fuck this timeline making him a cute huggable teddy bear)

Minerva was more annoyed, if possible, at lunch that day. It was not enough, the boy had perception, was awesome in charms, great flyer turned to fucking youngest seeker in a century, he had to be exceptionally gifted in the sodding art of potions!

Sluggy was still raving mad" Ooh, putting rose water and chamomile! I will register it in his name when I have time! He is a precious gem! I bet every potions and charms master would beg at his feet to take them as a master!"

(Yeah yeah, fuck me again and again...)

Pomona added," He can be a Quidditch player too, Horace, don't limit his options just now!"

(LA LA Lal LA lllaal I don't hear I don't hear )

Albus pats her on the back

" dear Minerva it seems you've lost to Hufflepuff prodigy, and the years to come sound exciting, does it not?"

(When later that day, Albus was sitting in a hospital wing bed, puking his guts in the bucket while Poppy lectured him about "the dangers of pocking an angry wild Cat" he genuinely thought that maybe the pat was a tad too much for Minerva to take"

Chapter Text

Weekend finally came!
As Severus had held his first meeting with Pettigrew yesterday, he was satisfied. They worked on the first potion, and Severus told him what he told Lily, making the brew a quarter an hour early. Knowing marauders, he would need it, and soon.
He was no Lily by any means, but not a total disaster. (he was qualified enough that he brewed the base for that despicable potion that resurrected the dark lord). They talked about many things, among them, Severus's allergy to peanuts, and his fear of ducks, of all things.
Now Severus was standing by himself, quite nervous to join Prewatts and his trio of friends, to explore the castle.
Frank and Marlene, born to magical families, had an idea of what and where. But Charity did not.
They started from the bottom, the Slytherin territory, it was quite early, so as not to gain unwanted attention themselves. And not the dorms of course!
Walking in those dim narrow hallways, and dark corners was like a trip down memory for Severus. How many nights he cried in that abandoned classroom by the left, how many secret meetings with Lily they had at that unused potion ingredients store brewing difficult things?
Then they visited the kitchens, they had so much fun playing hide and seek in the elf's territory, which annoyed them to hell but was definitely worth it.
Then they showed the twins how things were in Hufflepuff. (with head girl perfect and professor Sprout's permission) All homey, with creamy walls and pale yellowish furniture adorned with black linings.
Then Marlene showed them the door to their dorm which needed answering to riddles to open and talked animatedly about their library of previous students' notes.
Since all of this was not new for Severus, he busied himself with his own thoughts, making him fall behind.
They were about to go to Gryffindor tower when they encountered Mulcibor and Flint, a seventh-year Slytherin.
Mulcibor, who had not forgotten his embarrassment in flying, snickered at him and in passing, shouldered Severus who was at the back of the group. It made Severus stagger for a second. When the rag-tag group of his friends all glared at the boy, he hurried down to reach his older companion. But shot a hateful glance at his side first. Severus doubted it was their last clash with each other.
At lunch, which was breakfast for many, Lily carefully approached him. It meant two things. First, she wanted to talk alone, and second, she had news to share.
Frank looked at him questioning him. He shook his head and went to greet Lily.
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Congrats on becoming the youngest seeker, Sev!"
(So no prodigy? Oh Lily, how you were predictable! Jealousy does not become her)
" Thanks, I heard Slughorn sang your praise too"
"Yeah, but with you...and your new friends.."
(What about them? they were good loyal kids!)
"I thought you don't need me anymore"
"Oh, Lils you'll always be my first friend! You know you have other friends too. That does not mean we are not friends. We can all be friends! "
Lily seemed relieved and then, shyly smiled.
"I've got a letter for you, from your mom. I ..mighthavetoldheryougotinhufflepuff?
What?
Lily explained that in her letter, she had sent home via a school owl, she told her own mom about the sorting, and her mom told his mom.
" I can get it if you don't wanna read it now, or with me, or..."
He knows it can be bad for the worst. Not wanting to be alone reading it, Severus gives her the letter, "you read it loud, we always do it together, remember?"

And she reads it.
She wants to stop on several occasions, as his mom gets quite nasty, but Severus tells her not to stop.
When it is finished, Severus feels like he is finished too.
She basically told him he is a disappointment, a shame, and not a true prince.
How do some words hurt more than a cruciatus...
It's all just because of his house.
Lily takes his hand " sev, 'm sorry"
"It's not your fault Lils, not yours...
Lily awkwardly half hugs him" I swear Sev if I had a son, a son like you, clever and brave and cute, don't look at me like that young mister, you are cute! If I had a son, I swear in my life that I would have died before anyone could touch one of his hair"
Severus knows she keeps this promise.
After Lily leaves him to his own devices because she knows she needs his privacy, Severus takes time to think about the woman who gave birth to him, Eileen, not quite mom material, eh?
He could remember times when she loved him and kissed him but that changed. when? He is not sure.
So maybe not mom.
Eileen was-is a different kind of story. He can not hate her, no, pity yes, dislike yes, but not hate.
When people face these kinds of situations, domestic abuse, they are always quick to judge, quick to put the blame on someone.
In some cases, like his, the blame goes to the victims too.
There is no question that Eileen was a victim, but she was also a neglectful parent.
Some people say she is guilty because she did not protect her child because she had magic and did not use it because she did not run away and save her child.
They do not know what happens when you are told, every fucking day of every fucking week, that you are a freak, abnormal, that you are weak, that you are less than other people and less capable and ugly and worthless.
First, you refuse, resist even, but again rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat...it works well for the washing machine, does it not? Why do people think that this cycle won't brainwash a person?
She was not blameless, no, but she was somewhat, at times his mother.
It has been a long time ago.
Since when she had not patted his hair ?
Perhaps from when he showed off his first bout of accidental magic. He thought she was jealous of how powerful his magic was. Maybe it was then that she finally succumbed to her post-Partum depression, which had evolved into existential depression at some point (as Severus guessed from his research on the matter)
Eileen was a strange woman. Ran from the purebloods but not from herself. Her pride was the same, and her stubbornness not to get help from people whom she saw as her lesser, was the same.
She fell in love with the wrong guy, and stayed in love with him, even with herself and the child being abused. She had lots of opportunities to ask for help, run, or make a better life for herself, but she did not attempt it. Maybe she had Stockholm syndrome, to be in love with her abuser and kidnapper of her happiness.
Eileen did not learn to live the muggle way, she did not learn to live at all.
Severus could remember every time she failed him, even making him feel guilty about himself for not being good enough, and making his father punish him. He grew up afraid and not believing in himself and his abilities. Needy and thirsty for praise. Which finally resulted in him taking the mark.
He remembered that Tobias had broken her wand in a fit of rage when Severus's letter had arrived on January 9th.
He remembered when her both parents died from the last dragon pox, she fell deeper into the hole she made for herself.
There was a time that at least she used to teach him bits of magic, potions that kinds of things, but not after those two incidents.
She lost the last beam of light in her eyes with her parents gone. Not caring about her son, her appearance, her house...
Maybe it was a curse on the Prince family. Not everyone could be a master of mind arts, legilimens, and occlumece, yes, masters no.
Well, the Princes could.
So her mom was good at that, so good she buried most of herself in her shields, leaving none to spare for her kid.
Just like himself. (He still did not hate her, dislike
(Maybe, he saw so much of himself in his mother to hate her, it meant hating himself too, as his actions were just like her, like his inactivity, his acceptance of Dumbledore's manipulations, his abuse of his power to bully kids)
From the start of the second war, he had buried his thoughts, hopes, memories...
When he died, he was just a shell.
Now the Prince family...
The Prince's family was a strange one. They claimed they had relations to Merlin, and they prided themselves on being the last Peverell line, whatever that was.
Yet, they called themselves the Prince's of Persia too. Morgana's tits! were they arrogant!
They sometimes spoke in Persian too, when they did not want others to understand what they said to each other.
The Prince family had no problem marrying into half-bloods, just muggle-born were the exception. They cared about magical power and having at least an average or above heir, not crabble or Goyle-level ones, thank you very much. Alas, they were strict on honoring traditions and arranged marriages.
(That last thing made his mother turn on her family, which doomed them all.)
Once, the hopeful idiot he still was, He checked the condition of becoming their heir, Since they had disowned his mom, and technically not himself. But that needed something called the (convention) in which a head of a respected light family, a neutral and a dark one would gather along with whoever gave the last opinion. (too big of a thing for him to manage, even with the help of Malfoy)
Another head would have to present the case, whether it be gaining the title of the lord or being denied of one, sometimes it happened with wizengamot seats too( it happened for Potter seats about the time his grandfather did some silly silly thing which couldn't be excused at all, While potters liked to say it was because of their not accepting blood purity shit, it was not, as Longbottom, Boneses, and Prewatts did not agree with that and were still a part of Wizengamot, the pure liar arrogant gits Potters were!) So all 5 should agree on a decision. It had not happened for about 50 years, the last instance being installing a half-blood such as Dumbledore as the head.
He was no Dumbledore. So the point was moot.
Also, the Princes had the silly notion of (no disfigurement to their body), which meant his dark mark tattoo.
Double moot.
Ooh, don't forget that Prince's motto
(non-serviamus)
We do not serve
به خدمت کسی در نمی آییم
Triple moot.
He inhaled, exhaled, and repeated it.
It did not make him feel better.
He felt his eyes dampening. Damn his child-like range of emotions!
He found himself going blindly, this way, that way, up, down, left, left, right.
He did not know what he was doing in front of the door, this particular door.
But he knocked anyway.

Pomona Sprout was taking a nap when her door, her office door was knocked on.
It was a Saturday. So most of the students and staff were lazing around.
Pomona, with her habit of rising early and saying hello to her flowers and plants darlings, did never laze around.
(Also the best time for watering plants was mornings so, yeah)
Who was it? Probably the head girl? Maybe Minerva finally came to her senses and wanted to apologize?
She went there and found..
A firsty.
But no regular one.
A firsty, who was the tiniest, the brightest, and cute too, to boost.
A one Severus Snape.
Again, with red eyes.
She paid no mind that her robe was crinkled and she did not look too head-like or ladylike.
She opened the door and kneeled at his sight (merlin her poor knees!) And while wiping the kid's face with her napkin asked him his problem.
He looked at her with those mesmerizing obsidian marbles, which told nothing and everything, so much emotion, hurt, and an urge to be loved, and cared for.
He handed her a crumpled piece of brown paper.
(A letter?)
She took it wordlessly and made the mistake of reading it.
She now understood, if a tiny bit, Minerva's behavior of being all protective over Sirius Black. That letter, howler she corrected herself, the kid got...it was only topped by this horrible letter.
She ordered tea and ginger biscuits (no one dislikes them!) And hugged the kid, then lifted him easily, and then walked them to her tiny kitchenette to have breakfast.
(She secretly burned the letter)
She was going to urge the kid to say whatever he wanted, yes even curse words! to that vile creature and send it via owl, or she would gleefully spell it to be a howler.

Severus was much lighter when he left Pomona.
Was a mother's embrace this calming?
He slowly went to owlery, to give a letter full of his thoughts on her mom, he corrected Eileen, stupid letter to one of the owls. Yes, his father hated owls, but if he had to suffer Eileen's acerbic tongue, so would she. but instead caught Amelia and Ted, whispering. (Quidditch? A plan to win the cup?)
He hid behind a statue, eavesdropping.
"No, Meli, no...she's gonna go marry that oaf, Selwan and I can't do shit, it's March Meli, March!"
Amelia tried consoling him" maybe she prefers you, Ted, maybe.."
" maybe what Meli? She's a pureblood witch of a dark family, a Slytherin with good looks and a good head above her shoulder, and who am I? I am a puff no one takes seriously "
His own sorrows were forgotten, and he was scheduled to go solve the Tonks' problem first.
Severus made a plan, he had to help Ted first, but his future quests could wait.
On the way down, he saw Pettigrew and Mulcibor talking in a corner, but he paid no mind to that.
He needed info on pureblood customs of marriage because he had to know what to do to get Ted and Andromeda married.
So he went to Marlene. (Just told her the basics of course, and also frank was too pure of a heart to be involved in these things)
Marlene looked at him hard and without blinking, and he was starting to worry, she had said:
" get dirt on the one you don't want the supposed girl to marry, make the one you want to seem the better option"
"Thank you, bravo genius!, oh, wise Ravenclaw, I know that!"
" you know that each pureblood family values different things? Have a different motto and pride itself on various kinds of magic that only exists in that family? Potters are known to have two animal forms, in animagus, one is a big animal, and another a small one. Rowles has a great ability to connect to animals, Longbottom's herbology, and..."
(God! How stupid he has been! Of course, he has to prove they will have a metamorph magus! The only thing Bellatrix hated was that the only one they had was tonks! If Severus could make Ted take Black as Sir's name... and Nymphadora became a Metamorph again, and a Black...a symbol of their house, also Selwan becomes a notorious sod...will they take it? Maybe if he could offer them the fertility potion he brewed for Malfoys...)
Severus smiled and then hugged Marlene.
She stood baffled long after he had gone to his own devices.

Chapter Text

After meeting with Marlene and that exciting day he had, opening his heart to Pomona of all people, an event which in his previous life probably would have given him a heart attack, he felt like he had at least one adult in his life to whom he could trust. As Pomona was a protective mother hen and would viciously and gladly take down anyone who dared to harm one of her chicks.

He also saw the head of Hufflepuff was not so dall of a blade in battle, as she had dueled him quite skillfully.

So he tried avoiding troubles, holding his head down, and did not make himself a prodigy in every fucking subject. He continued chatting with Marlene about history, getting chummy with Frank over herbology, and tolerating Charity's hugs( morning hug, Hello hug, goodbye hug, surprise hug, you look sodding cute hug, I feel lonely hug...every stupid thing, really name it and the girl would name a hug after it, one time he had said in jest, he swore, that it is a day which Chinese folks go and hug a panda, she made a hug named panda hug day hug, and hugged him immediately because" he was pale like pandas had white fur and had jet black hair like pandas too". Frank had said that Persian people, he knew he was a prince and a bit of their history too, had a habit of hugging each other, if they are friends, in greetings. She named that a "Persian greeting hug for friends" In, in fact, the amount of insanity which happened in this school in a day was just enough that insured you get a bed in Janus thicky fucking ward for life in st Mungos)

It was his first Quidditch match tomorrow as a seeker, the first of many to come. It is not certain what lunacy came over him that accepted the offer, or over Pomona to sign him. He was no Potter, bloody boy who lived.

Maybe the Minerva incident?

He looked at the table, the dishes were full to brim with various food, kebabs, stew, soup, and whatever. He did not feel a tiny bit of hunger, was he nervous?

Minerva was going to be the referee, would she be fair? Or go for Snakes just to spite him? Can he get the sodding glowing ball of excitement called snitch? Merlin left foot! He really was being nervous!

He did not even notice the food had disappeared and desserts had arrived. He found out when Charity nudged him.

"Severus, can I have your cake? It looks delicious, and it is different from any other cake. Smells good and...

He motioned her to take the stupid cake before she made a hug named " Give me your desserts please" hug.

A second had passed when he heard Charity was coughing and clawing her throat.

She had difficulty breathing.

(Was she poisoned? Was she allergic? Was it something she took? What went wrong!)

The last thing she had...He got the cake and smelled it, walnut?

He panicked and started shouting:

HELP!HELP! PLEASE! ANYONE! SHE IS ALLERGIC AND SHE IS CHOKING, AND FUCK ALL THE STUPID WALNUT CAKES!

he shouted and cried and held her, and repeated those words like a mantra.

Minerva was on her last nerve. Tomorrow was the first game, with Hufflepuff and Slytherin, it was not important if not for the youngest seeker named one and only Severus Snape, the First Prodigy of Hufflepuff Since Helga herself and some poor healer sod she did not feel the need to remember. 

And she took an oath so that child never comes to harm, not in her watch.

And she had to referee tomorrow. She hated that with a passion.

Albus, after recovering from his bout of stomach problems, which Minerva had no idea at all about, had changed his lemon drops to orange pastels, which were more tolerable, and sometimes she nicked one or two herself.

Pomona was telling them again about her favorite first year:

" Severus is excellent at charms and flying, also potions, and has a dab hand at creating spells, did I say he had created a silly spell, Facio Farina? It is a variation of the Facio spell created by the great Merlin himself, but it was something I am not sure about. Amazingly, he knows so much about artimancy, but he told me he used the expertise of his friend, Miss McKinnon. You believe she knows artimancy like some fourth years! Unbelievable what we got this year! Ohh and the spell is useful when you want to mark an invisible enemy, so a defective prodigy too...

Slughorn was the next one: boy is as good as my top third years, and I often do not teach him a thing, just make him petrol in class while I am correcting papers, when he sees a mistake, he calls me and I deal with it. He is quite a teacher, with a bit of a no-nonsense attitude, but with his brain.....

She was thankful the boy went to sit at the back in her class and mostly got EE, she did not want to be one of his fan clubs at all.

( telling the truth would be that she was angry the boy did not do shit in her class, Horace and Filius got him(also somewhat miss Evans), Pomona got Longbottom for a favorite, and what she had? Potter and Black, who were in detention 8 days out of 7 days a week for pranks, or messing with Slytherins like Pettigrew and Mulcibor)

Filius sighed: it is not fair now that we can get rid of trouble twins (Prewatts) we get these three Marauders Griffs, the Slytherin group of troublemakers, and the quartet of catastrophe. 

(The quartet of catastrophe was a name they had for Snape, Longbottom, Burbage, and Ravenclaw girl McKinnon, who pranked anyone who bullied another, if they were aware of the act and the perpetrators, their work was a work of art, as Marlene was artimancy genius, Frank a herbologist in the making and Charity too good at gathering info on anyone she wanted, add Snape and mix, the result was endless hours they had to work to undo their prank or just wait a day for it to go because it only lasted a day)

All of a sudden, there was a commotion at Hufflepuff. 

" help, help, fucking walnut cake!

So no rest for the wicked, eh?

Severus ran after them, the teachers as they got Charity to the wing, when he was sure she was out of danger and just had to stay a day in the infirmary, the weight of guilt nearly crushed him.

He was not dimwitted, he knew what that meant for him, maybe because of tomorrow's match and that he stupidly passed that to Charity, how he was to know she had an allergy to walnuts? 

Madam Pomfrey was still scolding both of them (mostly him, as Charity was half asleep):

"Why there is no mention of this kind of allergy in your form? You have been here for more occasions and spent more time than you were in history class, and don't you glare at me like that! I know you use that time to sneak in and go plan your pranks, but why did you see no fit to inform me? Your parents... or even your mother should have told...

When Pomona Whispered something in her ear (might be about the letter? If so, can he use it on other occasions to get out of trouble? Pitty was something he disliked, but when one gets stuck in a hard situation...) And she calmed then.

Okay, she added, is it walnut for you too?

"No, mine's peanut" 

After other questions about how severe his reactions were and what medications usually worked for him, he went out of the wing, right into the minefield.

It was a quarrel between Minerva and Albus, over marauders and the Snake duo.

"It is those snakes I am telling you, Albus. Mr Mulcibor was humiliated by Snape, also Pettigrew. And tomorrow is the match in which they would have no chance with puff seeker. Put two and two together for Morgana's tits! They must somehow know he was allergic. 

"Alas, Minerva, the boy is allergic to peanuts, and the attempt was on miss Burbage as she lies in the bed, so maybe was a payback for the prank she made last week, daring Black to hug Rosier and while before that she secretly soaked his robes in an invisible sticky potion in an attempt to, I quote" alleviate the problem between the two opposing houses and encourage unity" as mister Snape put it...

By the way, Mr. Snape, which argument do you agree upon?

(Fuck Dumbles, did he have eyes in his arse too? Because Sev was so tiny he was just about his waist, not eye level with any firsty even, let alone the tall eccentric lunatic of headmaster)

He cleared his voice

(Should he tell the truth? Or protect Peter? Because he was certain he saw him with Mulcibor, and he knew about peanuts, but also he had attempted to save him, by giving him walnuts and not peanuts, so he lied for him and risked his neck, because of him, even if a bit, but in not telling the truth to Albus, Mulcibor would run free)

" what I believe, sir, is that what was in that cake was walnut. And I and Peter are study partners, he is more...good at the transfiguration, and I tell him about potions, he also told me his granny is muggle-born, so he thinks of me as somewhat of a friend, so no, I don't think it was him. And Gryffs mostly put coloring charms on my head, making me blond. Or give me rabbit ears and call me smart pants, not them too, maybe a bad accident? Because no one knew I have a such thing...

Minerva narrowed her eyes, she did not believe him at all.

Albus cleared his glasses and said" well in that case, I suppose we can make a list of student's allergies and give them to the kitchen, and Madam Pomfrey, is it not better dear Minerva?

Minerva sighed and caught her face in one of the mirrors around, she had now another Grey hair, a new one, just because of Mr. Snape.

She hoped he was satisfied with this and did not plan to make her bald until graduation. 

She decided Albus's robes tomorrow can get a change of color, what about a whole black outfit?

Chapter Text

Severus had a very bad night, full of nightmares one time, the damned snitch turned out to be a giant walnut and attacked Charity. 

He woke up early, and upon that he thought he would better go get some flowers for his friend who was currently laying on the hospital bed due to him. 

When he left the dorm, not many were awake, the chilly air made him shudder, he would have to ask his head(as he still did not have enough stamina to maintain a spell) to spell his robes to be warm and waterproof. 

He did not understand when he was being pushed back to the wall. 

: why the hell do you back up and protect that slimy snake, smart pants? 

Severus mentally sighed, the start of a wonderful day... With Black holding his wand to his throat. 

"first thing Black, get off me, you smell of unwashed dog and you are making me suffocate. 

(he did not smell like that, but in Severus's book, he was always an unwashed dog) 

Black huffed and backed away.

"you should go get yourself looked at by Pomfrey, I smell perfect. 

Severus did not mind him at all. 

" and about my actions, it is not up to you, but my head, and if you are telling that I put a hoodwink on Great Dumbledore's eyes and made him protect Slytherin against his will, I might be Merlin himself to be this almighty at 11."

When he saw he was still standing and thinking about how stupid that idea was, he put a sticking charm on his boots, so the asshole had to go back to his dorm barefoot and he went on his way, leaving him to rot for all he cared. 

(Severus in fact, had really misled Albus, but after 20 years of dealing with the lord of lemons and lord of crucio it was no problem) 

Like a demeanor that came out of the blue, Pettigrew appeared before him. 

(what is wrong with this shitty day? Was everybody going to go and sneak on him? Was he going to end up senile?) 

Without a word, his eyes were wet, and Pettigrew burst into crying. 

"Snape please, you have to believe, I never wanted to, but Michael is too big, and when he punches it hurts, please! I just wanted to be safe in my own dorm, and I... 

(as much as Severus was tempted to punch him for his stupidity and not coming to him with his matter, he knew that his, and his friends hands were tight with Slytherin, most were powerful pure blood, and harassing any of them would be to call a family feud, and yes, Charity was hurt, but it was his fault mostly, passing the stupid cake like that, and being unaware of her allergy) 

: relax Pettigrew, I understand. Our deal stands. 

Pettigrew who was expecting more groveling at Severus's feet, or some begging and flattery, was dumbfounded. 

Severus patted his shoulder and went (finally!) to the edge of the forest to find the flowers he needed to make Charity happy. 

The forest was silent, calm, a little too much for his liking, and made the hair on his neck spike. He felt he was not alone. He inhaled, there was some squeaking noise, too low for normal ears, but he was always cursed, or blessed with sharp hearing. 

He drew his wand and went toward the sound, his heart pounding, blood pumping. 

(what if it was a creature of blood? God, was he that sense to go about at the crack of dawn to the edge of the forest for some bloody flowers, to have his arse handed to him by a bloodthirsty vampire or something?) 

There was nothing. 

He looked again

There, at the bottom of a puddle full of the swamp, was the ugliest chick he had ever had the misfortune to meet. 

It was bald, with a hairless body, and had an awful peeping sound, high pitch fuck like sound. If it was possible by any means, Severus would have said it is the result of an affair between a bald vulture and a naked blind mouse. 

He went to pick it anyway, ugly as sin or not, it did not deserve to be left on the cold ground, shrieking like a harpy. 

he looked at the creature again. It had the greenest eyes he had ever seen, and his stomach churned painfully, it was like Harry bloody Potter eyes. 

The creature glared at him and bit his thumb. 

"ouch!" 

He would have dropped it if he was not holding onto it with both hands. 

(fuck its eyes and that defying glare, was he cursed to be chased by some sodding Harry Potter-like creature all his life? The brainless thing even behaved like that brat! Biting him when all he wanted to do was help the ungrateful ugly duckling) 

Severus knew it was the dumbest idea for him to adopt the ugly duckling as his familiar, but it was too much like Potter brat for him to leave it, old habits(saving Potter's ass for seven years) died hard, and he was a creature of habit. 

"I am gonna call you Emerald, you nasty little bugger" 

Suffice to say, when he went to the hospital wing, hands-free of flowers and instead cradling the ugliest birdy in his soft Hufflepuff scarf, Charity had embraced it, and named it "ugly duckling hug day," 

(because Severus was considered cute, she made up a hug, named ugly duckling shepherd hug day, and hugged him too) 

Minerva was cold, and angry and wanted to go into a warm bear hole and die. 

She perhaps had a cold and had to observe the match with that boy wonder, making sure he did not strangle himself with his scarf. 

The puffs were all coming to see this, excited and smiling like simpletons. For whatever reason, Longbottom and Bones were all chummy, situated in the front rows to shout for their mutual friend, maybe because their other member was at hospital

(she was really upset, the girl was a hugger softie and did not deserve that walnut accident. She was itching yesterday to take points from Snape for swearing, shouting obscenities at the top of his lungs in the middle of the great hall, but with his friend choking like that... But did the boy know his curse words? Fuck, screw, bugger, shit, arse, dimwit... she was seriously tempted to wash his mouth with soap) 

The game started. 

Slytherins were fighting dirty, dirtier she meant, shoving and pushing and all, somewhat rough. Snape was circling the ground, looking for the snitch. 

The game was on, and it was played with more eagerness than she had seen from any first match. 

The stands were a ball of energy, shouting and clapping and constantly on the edge of their seat. 

Suddenly the Carrow twins, beaters, and the Flint boy, beater of snakes, got to the blodger at the same time and hit it. 

It was no problem if one was not aiming for Snape and another to make the offending ball go away from him

The result was a disaster. 

Minerva thought she would only need to watch for one, but how wrong she was. 

She stood, and watched helplessly, as the rouge blodger went for the stands. 

She panicked and wanted to run, but was too old for it. 

She was worried and wanted to apparat to shout a protecting spell, but apparating was only for damn headmasters. And she needed to be near them for spell range the cover them. 

So she watched, as the ball went, with surprising speed, right where Bones and Long bottom were sitting. 

(why the fuck were they sitting there in the first place! Puffs were always cautious and went and sat far from the range of fire) 

She prayed that the seventh year would be able to activate a shield in time, but she was like a deer caught, surprised and too shocked to react. 

It was the long bottom, or the girl, that would have lost their lives, another may have had serious damage. 

(as horrible as it was, she prayed for long bottom, the boy was like sunshine, too innocent, too young

The girl was not? 

If Minerva could, she would die twice instead of them) 

Then she heard it. 

"protego Maxima!" 

There was an instant blue shield, a powerful one she could say, as the blodger shattered upon hitting it. 

She looked up, who in hell had done it? No one was close enough for the spell to cover those two. Except... 

No... 

Fuck no

Snape? 

He was a sodding firsty, a tiny cute button you wanted to hold and keep safe and warm and fed and ruffle his hairs... 

He did not have enough magic in his core, the strain would at best drain his core and give him a shock and send him into a coma and at worst kill him

The shield was so powerful... 

She was not ready to let him go. 

She was not ready for him to not be there at the back of her class, doodling things and not giving a shit about her lesson. 

She was not ready for their group, the quartet of catastrophe, the chaotic quartet, to reduce to a trio, to not have stupid pranks pulled out of the blue and prank the bullies. 

She was afraid. 

(she did not mind her hair going all Grey, or white for that matter, if the boy was still alive to see tomorrow's light) 

And the boy, feinted from the exhaustion(she hoped he had fringed, she hoped upon hope) was falling to the ground with the speed of a dying star. 

Minerva was so afraid. 

Chapter Text

[The Hufflepuff Hero
A lot of our readers and my colleagues, at daily prophet were shocked by the news last week, this reporter felt the need to satisfy the urge to know more about a new hero, who has appeared in this year's first years.
The student in question is not one but one Severus Taddeus Prince - Snape. An assumed half-blood until now, but my vigorous research has given me a theory that our young hero, might have a squib father and therefore not half-blood at all.
The tall, charming, and extremely good-looking young man is sorted into Hufflepuff, no doubt by force of some authority figures, since why a handsome, well-bred, intelligent man be sorted into that house?
Now dear reader, I have no prejudice against those who are in Badger's house, but this particular young man has shown an amazing talent in all his courses, proved to be extraordinary in charms and potions, and also was selected as the youngest seeker of the century. Clearly a genius.
Also, the young dear has connected with powerful pure blood such as Bones, Prewatt, and Long bottoms upon arrival. Which sounds so conning and speaks of his resourcefulness.
So we must question, why not the House of Ravens, or the noble house of Slytherin?
Also Mister Snape, in his first game, has managed to both catch the snitch and cast a powerful protgo over his allies, a seventh-year Miss Bones and a First year Mr. Longbottom, which is certainly heroic enough to give him a seat at Gryff's table.
Has the steamed headmaster felt threatened by him, who has earned the title of Merlin incarnated at his first lesson, so he made him a puff so he remains unimportant?
These are serious questions, dear readers, are they not? ]

Albus put the article away. And sipped his tea.
Minerva was pacing like mad, and Pomona was about to go and strangle the woman, one Rita Skeeter, who was a Raven many years ago.
: tall! Fucking tall! He is a tiny button! If he was not sorted, I would have mistaken him for a sibling for one of my puffs, and how dare she question his place? That bitch spread rumors like whores of knock turn spread their....
Minerva coughed, hard, face like a tomato.
: Pomona, dear, that language... Is...
"fuck my language from behind!
Albus sighed again. Why she made the boy a puff, he wondered. And it was laughable, his father was no squib by the name of Taddeus. The letters came and came, asking for a resorting of the boy who was still unconscious.
6 days ago, when he cast that spell, he went into shock, Albus had apparated instantly, catching the boy in midair and apparating, while also avoiding using the boy's depleted magic source, to Saint Mangos.
The whole castle was in shambles.
Gryffindors, mainly Prewatt twins, were pranking Slytherin left, right, and center. Because they clearly believed it was their fault.
Hufflepuff acted like it had lost a son, in mourning mood. Raven laws were debating, and sometimes fighting over Snape, whether he was a more Raven or a Gryff.
And his teachers were cursing worse than sailors. Some of the things that came out of Pomona's mouth were so vile that they made Albus blush like a teen.
He had attempted to send owls to the boys' parents, but both owls he sent did not come back. He was too busy to go there by himself and Pomona was so distraught she had splinched herself, twice.
If he was not awake by another two days, he would have to go himself....

Charity and Frank were like headless chickens. It has been about a week, and still no sound of Severus.
Charity had fed and cared for the ugly duck of Sev, but did not attempt to hug it, as the bird was quite vicious in her biting.
Frank always kept to himself, and neither the twins nor the head girl could coax him to share more than a smile or so. Prewatts were quiet too, serious and seemed more dangerous and unhinged. Bones kept trying to stay in the role, and be the perfect role model, but she often wondered what would have happened if...
Lily sometimes came too, she shared some stories about Severus and herself, funny ones mostly. About when Severus had put a frog on the head of some man who had kicked an earless crippled dog, for no reason. Or when he had taught her about the joys of origami, and his magic made one of the paper-made birds fly.
It was the morning of the seventh day when Charity had an idea.
"Let's go to the professor of creatures!"
Frank, while lazily playing with his breakfast, said, "And to do what exactly?"
"To know about the ugly duckling of Sev! Maybe he knows what exactly it is, or how we can care for it better, make it healthier, or even if it is he or she!"
Frank just shrugged.
"When Sev comes, he would like his ugly duck to be at his...er..her? Best biting and glaring!Sev...
Frank stood up, and the chair he was sitting on fell backward.
"Are you that simple or do you really lack the power to think? We are wixen, a cold takes half a day for us to get OK, a broken leg, a night in school and with a mediwitch. it is not considered big enough to call for parents! He has been there for what, almost a week! And in Saint fucking mungos, and with sodding best healers that Bones and Longbottom's could get. Do you think he will get back in one piece, just because you care for a naked ugly abnormality? At best he has maybe gone senile as his core might have snapped due to the pressure of the spell. The spell was meant for 15 and 16 years old. Not a first year!
Then he added softly, the tiniest firsty...all because I fucking had to sit in the front row, like a damn spoiled brat...
Then he ran out of the hall, in tears.
Charity sat there and hid behind her bowl of porridge. Silently weeping herself too.

When Charity left the dining table, she passed the crowds of people, who were chatting, most likely about Severus and what the prophet had printed. She was simple, yes, a simpleton she was not. What that stupid thing implied, was that no half-blood could manage such feats and that he did not belong with Hufflepuffs. She thought he would take the chance and leave her and Frank because the head girl would be gone next year. And he could go be there with Marlene, the silent, not hugger who was a genius in artimancy, or Lily, who was a funny witty beauty and her laugh did not sound like a banshee, and he had Prewatts there too, excellent pranksters who would be there next year.
She thought that maybe she was a jealous harpy who was thinking about these things while Sev...
She was thinking about this when she stepped on someone's hand.
"OUCH! WHAT THE HELL!"
she bites her lips and shoved the chic into her pocket, the chic protested a bit but was wise enough not to haggle with a panicky badger.
The boy was a handsome blond, if a bit haggard, and looked familiar.
Charity remembered him. The third sodding marauder!
"You bully sod! Get outta m'way!"
The boy was shy, he hung his head low, said a low sorry, and was about to go.
(Charity felt bad, he was like Sev when Lily was hurting him with his words, he hid it well, but not too much, not from Charity. So Charity came up with a hugging thingy, cause he looked so sad and lonely and lost. At first, he seemed to be shocked, not used to hugs, and it made Charity sadder. She made up hug days and occasions and hugged him as much as she could.)
"Wait!"
The boy stopped.
"Why do you hang out with those two? you don't seem like a bad guy"
"They are my friends, and they are not that bad. Once you know them, they are just a bit eccentric."
"They hurt Sev! With that plant thingy!"
" They are kids! They did not want to..."
"He is a kid too! And he said it was dangerous!"
"Let's agree to disagree and ... look, I will just go ."
Charity sighed, he was like a lost Poppy who needed a protector. maybe she could help him leave those thugs?
"You know where we can find a teacher for creatures and stuff?"
"Yeah, what for?"
Charity smirked "See this little duckling....
Remus and Charity went to Professor Kettleborn, a middle age wizard with a false leg, who had a short beard.
His office was warm and inviting, and he served them Erl Grey and biscuits. Then smiled and asked them about their goal to visit him, as first-years usually did not go and see him.
"You see sir, we...er..sev...I mean Snape found this chic thingy and...I dunno, I maybe wanted to care for it for him and I ...wanted to be sure to take good care of it?"
Then removed the ugly duckling and put it in front of him, at the desk.
Kettleborn eyes widened like two saucers. And stood up and his hands went to his mouth.
"Merlin and Morgana..is the boy really Merlin's..
And started weeping.
Remus and Charity were confused and felt awkward. Why was the guy acting like this?
Then, at the drop of a hat, the guy ran away.

(How the shit that happened? He had not apparated, as he could not in Hogwarts' ground, how could a guy with a wooden leg go that fucking fast?)
Then he appeared again, with a giant book, and started saying nonsense, mostly to himself.
" my...my...the boy is a prince! Really Persian! Of course, he would find such a thing!"
"Please professor, can you...
He turned the book to them:
Phoenix
Phoenix is a powerful, giant, supernatural, bird that has been a lasting mythological icon for millennia and has existed in many cultures. It is a bird with brightly colored plumage and the size of an eagle or an ostrich. After a long life, dies in a fire of its own making only to rise again from its own ashes. It also represents death and rebirth .
This mythical, sacred firebird symbolizes rebirth, immortality, and renewal in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persian, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Chinese, Turkish, Indian, and Phoenician people.
The Phoenix is described as a bird with colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet, yet according to some legends, other colors decorate this beautiful bird. They have a 500-1,461-year life-cycle. Near the end of its life, a Phoenix will build itself a nest of twigs, herbs, and/or whole trees that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn until merely ashes are left, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn to live again.
Abilities
Phoenixes are amongst the strongest and most durable of supernatural creatures. They are quite powerful and almost impossible to kill.
a Phoenix can incinerate anyone/anything with a single touch. Their ability is so strong, they can reduce a whole man to ashes in seconds. This ability is similar to an angel's smiting.
Superhuman Speed - Phoenix is the fastest creature to exist. A Phoenix can move way above the speed of light.
Pyrokinesis - Has control over all fire.
Hell-Fire/Holy-Fire - Can summon and use hellfire/holy-fire as a weapon and a defense
Immortality - Phoenixes are immortal, they will not permanently die from aging or natural causes.
Invulnerability - Phoenixes are nigh-invulnerable. They can take repeated shots in the chest and not even react, and can even be reborn after absorbing a killing curse. However, significant force, such as being hanged, can knock them out for a while.
Superhuman Strength - Phoenixes are incredibly strong; capable of effortlessly lifting a great weight with their tails, such as being able to fly up a long distance with a handful of people holding on to their tails. They have also said to have a human form.
Healing Factor - The most startling of Phoenix's abilities is its ability to regenerate itself. They can heal/regenerate from any and all non-fatal injuries.
Proportion - Phoenixes can disappear and reappear at will in bursts of flames and take whoever is holding them along.
Chronokinesis - Phoenixes can control time.
Shapeshifting - Phoenixes can take a human form to conceal their true form, which is that of a giant bird.

Types of Phoenix
Bennu
Fenghuang
Firebird
Huma

"Look at Huma!"The professor said.
So They looked.
Simurgh (/sɪˈmɜːrɡ/; Persian: سیمرغ, also spelled Simurgh, is a benevolent, mythical bird in Persian mythology and literature. It is sometimes equated with other mythological birds such as the phoenix (Persian: ققنوس quqnūs) and the humā (Persian: هما)
Its Sanskrit śyenaḥ (श्येनः) is "raptor, eagle, bird of prey", which also appears as a divine figure. On the other hand, the phrase sī murğ (سی مرغ) means "thirty birds" in Persian; this has been used by Attar of Nishapur in his symbolic story of The Conference of the Birds, the frame story of which employs a play on the name. The story talks about when all birds gathered to find a savior, as they were in real danger from birds of prey.
A group was formed to search for a savior, the one bird called Simurgh. But one by one, the group lessened. Finally, there were only 30 who remained.
Those 30, United, and become one, a Simurgh. Unity in the community and community in unity.
(30 in Persian is called Si, and murgh is bids)

Remus scratched his head" so this is not an ugly duck?"
Kettleborn chuckled" it most certainly is not, it is the kind of Phoenix found in Persia, and extremely rare and expensive. Called Huma, and a female. It is the most powerful of the Phoenixes and it never ever chooses a master, only a companion. And that companion she chooses, she is extremely loyal to and protects him at all costs. It can also talk, with that chosen one, and only her chosen one"
Charity wondered if Severus was really a chosen one, as if Merlin was back in flesh, too.

Chapter Text

Severus was not feeling alright. He felt like he had died and revived and died and revived again, by some bloody higher-up who was still holding some of the shit he had done last time, life? whatever over his head.

And fuck! Now and then, some sodding dunderhead would come and talk and talk and talk.... he did not understand what they said or were trying to say, he would feel quite happy if they would just shut the hell up.

He was confused, and still did not know how he died this time.

So when he finally felt strong enough to open his eyes, he was overwhelmed by the reaction he received. 

He felt a handful of hair in his mouth. And a strong wave of lemons hit him.

There was no way the hair was from someone's head, as the guy was hugging him. He knew no one with a long beard and a strong urge to suck lemons...

How the fuck? Was he dead again? His companion was Albus Sodding Dumbledore? Was God so cruel? He was a death eater, yes, but he had DEFLECTED!

Minerva was present too, it seemed. Was the afterlife a Shitty Hogwarts model too?

: Albus bloody Dumbledore you are suffocating the kid, get your arse over here and let the boy breathe...

: but Minerva, He has a Phoenix Chic! I want to know how he bonded with it (Minerva glared, hard, Albus gulped and continued)....eh...And he has been unconscious for so long and without his parents...he must feel lonely!

:Albus, right now!

Albus removed himself, and Severus closed his eyes again. If it was his personal hell, there would be a Potter brat nearby, and he did not feel the need to encounter that meeting. Thank you very much.

He was so glad when he fell to sleep.

*********

Next time He awakened, he met a nice healer, who explained he had spent the last week unconscious. And there was a gaggle of people wanting to meet him.

He asked why?

And was handed down the Prophet, while reading the section telling about his accident and other shit, he wondered if he could transfigure that Skeeter to a toilet brush, and leave her in a muggle hospital to be used for washing too shitty toilet seats.

At last, he decided against it, it would violate the right of noble toilet brushes somehow, he was sure.

*******

When he opened his eyes on the 8th day, there were three people present.

They did not notice him being awake.

A woman and two men, one of them standing near the woman. One man is young, another too old.

So the pair were mostly related, he assumed. Also, they were too close to each other, and not alike at all, so possibly a man and wife.

Another was too alike Amelia(as he started to call her because he thought of her as quite a friend) and was older than her, by a few years.

As her parents were both long gone, it was her brother.

So lord Bones, a neutral family of Wizengamot. 

As he had saved both Frank and Amelia, the other pair was Frank's parents, lord and Lady Longbottom, a powerful light family.

They were here for him.

He sat upright, as hard as it was for him, he needed a good first impression.

: m'Lords, m'Lady. Do please forgive my tardiness. Prince Snape, I shall greet thee with open arms. May your life be as pleasant as you desire it to be.

And he bowed his head, as much as he was able to.

:I shall greet thee in return, Young Mister Prince Snape with open arms, May your knowledge grow with time, and your friend as loyal as you are to them.

Lord Bones nodded his head too: I greet thee, young Mister Prince Snape, May your life be as joyful as you desire it.

Lady Longbottom rolled her eyes: enough with my lord and my lady's, this young boy is as intelligent, courageous, and noble as we were made to believe, without all the useless things we do. As much as I like our old customs, you men should know better than to bore him and make him tired with your speeches, he has been in bed for a week for Morgana's sack!

She then come closer and hugged him.

(How the fuck in less than 24 hours he was hugged by two old guys he never thought himself could be hugged, fucking sodding Albus Dumbledore, the last Mugwump, and Lady Longbottom, the mugwump after him? Did he do something to offend some sodding deity?)

"I am so so happy that you made friends with my Frank, you are the best thing that has happened on earth since sliced bread and I will never want to see you in pain"

Then she summoned a bowl of soup "I know they feed you that awful draught and useless vegi soups this is ginseng with meat, and I cooked it myself"

Severus was so shocked that he was being fed, HE WAS BEING FED, like a bloody child that he swallowed the first spoon.

He wanted to take it and shove it...eh ..no Maybe..not shove anything...just eat it himself, but his hands shook and he was as weak as a newborn foal. So he petulantly accepted it.

(He heard that his scowl was so cute and his petulant behavior made those two clowns who called themselves male tell the most embarrassing story's about their kids and their petulant scowls, he was sure he was red up to his ears, but there was no way he could reject Lady Longbottom, he had never been treated like this, fed like this when he was sick, and if it was happening just this time for once in his miserable life, as much as it made him blush in shame, he would treasure this small act of kindness)

He was quite sleepy after the wonderful soup.

When lord Longbottom and Lord Bones suddenly kneeled beside his bed.

He was alarmed. What the heck?

Then they both took one of his hands:

Lord Longbottom went first:

Severus Tobias Prince Snape, from this day, till the end of our line, my family will be your ally, your hand, your wand, and your refuge, we will be eternal friends, and we shall help you and yours by magic, by life, and by blood, so moot it be.

Then Lord Bones:

Severus Tobias Prince Snape, from this day, till the end of our line, my family will be your ally, your hand, your wand, and your refuge, we will be eternal friends, and we shall help you and yours by magic, by life, and by blood, so moot it be.

He was stunned and speechless, he had two sodding eternal friends, which even he did not fully know what was that, but he was sure it was something. Because even Black had not sworn anything like that to Potter. If he had, he would have been obligated to go and save Harry instead of going for Pettigrew, and he could not endanger him in the third year.

So when lord Longbottom patted his head, and lord Bones kissed his forehead, he made no sound.

He went to sleep, wondering why there were not any pigs flying or the sky did not fall apart.

Chapter Text

Fabian and Gideon were alike in everything, hair, height, even in subjects they liked.
They were not alike in one thing, love.
, apparently, Gideon, when saw Amelia was in danger, was having a kind of not at all mild heart attack, while Fabian was more worried for Severus, not that Gideon Was not, but he was kind of glued to Amelia these past days.
Fabian just tried to lessen the blow for Frank and Charity and occasionally Marlene, it was not every day you saw your best friend fall from a broom after he had drained his core to save his friends' hides, and then apparated by the headmaster, from Hogwarts ground to hospital. He tried distracting them, mostly by talking to them. Or telling the most useless jokes( they were firsties, most hilarious jokes included things that firsties were far too young to know about) or even offering help with homework (that made it worse because Severus did that almost every day). Suffice it to say, he was not helpful at all.
Lily was always crying, and nothing helped at all. He tried making her laugh, but whatever story he told, she would be reminded of Sev one way or another. It was like everything reminded of him.
Gargoyles?
They were tough like Sev.
Hypogryffs?
They were proud like Sev.
Sodding flabberworms?
They were white, like Sev's skin tone.
(In the last comment, and Lily bursting into tears, Fabian seriously wanted to clock the girl. Really, what the fuck?)
Others were not crying, at least. But it was not better, not at all, Charity, most of the time was absent, with merlin knew whom and Merlin knew where. Frank was silent, sparingly. Morgana's blessing, at least Marlene, was her usual weird self, commenting on headmaster robes and trying to get the phoenix chic to eat weird things. (like pumpkin juice, or frog, or red velvet cake, or bertybot candy) which the smart chic refused, and bit everyone around in whatever capacity she felt like that day( one time she bit him in the nose, Merlin was that hurtful!)
Sometimes Fabian was baffled how in seven levels of hell the boy got such a vicious nasty phonix, weren't they supposed to be kind-spirited ducklings? Like Fawks was? All kind and tame and melting when someone petted them?
When he was not checking on kids, or his twin who was making Amelia seriously want to harm him physically (he really did not leave the witch alone, okay, maybe Wc and classes, but that was that), he wrote Severus.
When they were informed that the kid had woken up, Fabian sighed in relief, when he came back, he could hand over the caring for his awkward group of friends to him and be done with it.
(How in hell he got a Gryffindor, a Ravenclaw, and two puffs to be friends, was above him? Sometimes he saw a certain Slytherin sniffing in a corner too, the one Severus saved at the flying session. How did that happen? Mix these together and add a Phoenix Chic, it was just mind-blowing)

Severus was bored.
If not for Fabian's letters, he would have Avada himself and be done with it.
And the Phoenix chic was that interesting!
As he was told by Charity, it was an Huma, a Simurgh, a female Persian Phonix.
He needed to research that. His relationship with his Prince side was not great, so he did not know about these things, and most of the things about them were in code, and in Farsi, so he did bother with it last time he lived. (to-do list, what the hell is a phoenix, is it useful besides its tears or its ash that could be used in potions? )
He was not Lord Prince, was he?
Now it was true that he mostly thought about Ted and Andromeda, but a part of his mind was on Gideon and Amelia.
Even before the match, he was sure it may be a dream or a sham. How many people had a chance to go back and change their mistakes? And him of all people! The unfortunate buggering idiot who had served two masters!
Not now.
He was not sure what happened in his first year at Hogwarts, but he was not a puff, and he had not saved heir Longbottom or head girl Bones or become an eternal friend of their families.
Mine was his constant presence in the hospital and infirmary this was all new. (some times he felt pity for Potter brat, hospitals, and their food was just nasty, not that he was foody or anything, but what they called soup, made the stomach of a troll Clenge and twist, and they ate molds and stuff, really)
Gideon and Amelia. He had no clue anything was going on between them!
He kind of felt for them. Was it the reason she never married? Because Gideon Prewatts died in 1980?
He sighed. Now besides Andy, Ted he had to do something about Gideon, Amelia.
Was he really being turned into a sodding matchmaker? (He really was, was he not?)
He was not sure. he was bored enough to count every crack and spot on the walls and its bricks, now he was sitting on his bed, making a list anyway:
Andromeda +Ted Tonks(they were lovely together, he saw them once and it made him almost vomit because of how sweet they were together)
Gedion+Amelia(if Fabian was right, they were made for each other, and if Amelia loved him enough not to marry...well)
Frank+Alice ( Frank had a good head on his shoulders, and in his last life, was it his last life? Or past life?...fuck it, he chose her, so she was clearly suitable, and if he would be in their life, he would make Neville the greatest potion maker of the time, just wait Frank would be a kid!)
Marlene-(no way he would let her date that buggering idiot Sirius Black, even if she came out gay and kissed McGonagall in the great hall in the mouth, he would feel better than her dating that murderer-to-be)
Remus-(not in hell he would allow him to touch a single hair of Nymphadora, clumsy puff she was, or even if the girl wolf impregnated was umbridge, even she did not deserve to be left out while pregnant, that coward half-bred ass)
Keeping Pettigrew from danger(because he had fucking duties to his snakes, and he was not so bad after all)
Keeping Regulus(he knew the kid, he was shy and a victim of Sirius's tyranny, because he was the one who paid for the pranks he pulled on other kids, once they had no hope of retaliation, they bothered his baby brother in the hope Sirius being bothered, which the git did not) being an idiot( preferable, no joining. If not, no turning on the dark lord and become a martyr)
What now? about Potter and Lily?
At first, he thought he had to maintain the line somehow, but now he wanted to improve it. Lily had hurt him, left him, and gone with his abuser Potter, but she was not that cruel at first.
Maybe that was the reason he tried not thinking about her, or diverting it to her son. Because it hurt him to know she would leave him at the drop of a hat.
A word said in anger mostly, he reminded himself.
Lil was bright, too bright sometimes that it could burn you, like fire, she was also quick to anger and hard to forgive, but she was also generous, she would laugh at his jokes and encourage his experiences in potion. She could have used those to make money, in the potter industry, but she had not. Lily kept his secrets and never told anyone about his poverty, or his problem at home. As he requested it from her. And as he remembered she had not even told her husband, because in that way he would have been humiliated in order meetings by that damn unwashed dog that Black was.
Any attempt to see this Lily and not think about the Lil he knew, and the way she died (the guilt, oh it was suffocating, unbearable even) was futile. He sometimes felt trapped between this world and his last. What was real? Which was a dream?
His child's mind didn't help at all.
He always was an hair apart from crying or panicking. He did things his adult self would belt him for that, and he was emotional as hell.
The others didn't help at all.
In his last life, he was not seen as anything like cute, but in his first encounter with Amelia and Gideon and Fabian, how he was scared and bloodied and pitiful, (crying too, which made his eyes seem bigger and more innocent), and then calling him cute, had remedied that.
Not that being hugged every day by Charity, helped.
Or him changing his shampoo.
Or him being hugged by fierce McGonagall, (in front of a whole bunch), his head of the house, Albus Dumbledore (when he fucking drained his core), the tallest and scariest nurse at saint mungos whose arms were the size of Hugrid's legs(when he was sniffing while reading Fabian's letter, completed by ruffling his hair and a kiss on the forehead) Agusta sodding Longbottom and....
Seriously, he had made history! Just add Filch and the dark lord, and he could easily change his name to the kid who was hugged!
He shuddered, not a dark lord, thank you very much. He rather has sex with a hippogriff,
Maybe not, he rather be hugged by Umbridge...
No not that, so much pink and stupid Ahem Ahems...absolutely a no-no, hugged by Slughorn?
The man was messy and chubby and his stomach entered a room first, always bragging about something that was not at all braggable(was that even a word?) Ok! That would be more acceptable.
Anyway, he could leave this room, this afternoon, he wondered how everybody faired without him. You could get so much info from letters, you know?
He knew he was avoiding the elephant in the room, thinking about everything but his mo...Eileen's letter. As much as it hurt him, he needed her. He had to get out of the house, he could not risk it this time. There were two scenarios, first when Tobias wanted to hurt him, he would go back to his death eater days and slaughter him in cold blood, which made him go to Azkaban, or somewhere else.
Or he would freeze and have a panic attack. Which made Tobias angrier and it could possibly get him killed, or maimed, or ...
He never even had the right to whimper when he belted him, or it got worse...
There was no way he could stay at Hogwarts, Albus did not allow that to Harry Bloody Potter for what reason, he did not know. And as he was a minor, he needed a permit from one parent to stay at another house. He could possibly get one from Eileen, and as Longbottoms and Bones now were his friends...He could even go stay at Prewatts too, or charity's or Marlene's, everywhere was better than his childhood house.
He thought about trying to prove the abuse, but first, it was that it would prove both his parents unfit, (a drunk and a depressed half-mad witch) and he would either go to a foster house or an orphanage (they were not so promising at all, he was so tiny and bully-able). Or the ministry would shackle him with his mother(magical parent, whether suitable or not) or his other relatives who did not disown his mother ( Rosier's were also bad news).
Plus he could stay away from Lily, she knew him better than anyone else, and he was afraid to slip sth(one of the reasons he somehow avoided her).
The plan was set, he was nothing if not a Slytherin to the bone (even in badger clothing)
He picked the quill to write a reply, trying to placate his...Eileen and get her approval, letter by letter.
:Dearest Mother....

Chapter Text

When Albus came for Mr. Snape, he assumed he would be asleep, or wanted to delay(who wants to go back to school, really?) He was ready.
It astounded him. He was curious as to what the boy had done that he claimed a phonix for himself. He did not know why Fawks had chosen him when he was retreating from one of his duels with Gillert Gang, which he had almost lost. Bloodied and battered as he was, he had drowned himself in wine and was about to go and off himself of some cliff or another, he thought no sane animal would approach him.
Yet Fawks approached him.
As he was about to hurl himself, for all his sins, Ariana, his mother's death because of Ariana's magic lashing which could have been prevented if he, as the off-age wizard was home, Aberforth's lover death because of Gillert Group, Gillert and his nasty Gang and all the mayhem and murder he did....
But the bird, insufferable thing, would not have that.
He bit him, hit him, and clawed him and when it did not work, He flamed him along himself to somewhere else, then knocked him out with a careful hit of a stone he had in his talon.
Amazing stupid thing Fawks was...
Anyway, He could always ask him some other time.
First things first:
:Mr. Snape, would you please hand me your wand? And do not hide it behind your second robe, all I need is an Accio, a charm you will learn in the fourth year.
The boy seemed reluctant, he must have been given the wand back just minutes ago, departure would be just torture.
:Mr. Snape, as I am standing as your magical guardian through the year, by a letter I received from your mother when I told her of your predicament, (the boy narrowed his eyes, suspecting him) she requested that I, instead of your head act as your guardian. You can write her yourself if you do not believe me(that seemed to calm, and sadden the boy, why. he was not sure) in case of severe magical damage, the patient, after recovering and recharging his core to its natural state, should wait a whole week before starting to use their wand. It has been 4 days since you awakened. So 3 more days...
The boy contemplated, sighed, and gave him his wand.
:now if you please, stand near me.
Albus frowned. The boy was so tiny. He was like a 9-year old. And with his core depleted just days ago...he should carry him to dampen the effect of apparating. It was the first time he would apparte, consciously.
He was not trusting him, for whatever reason. So He had to explain.
: I may need to carry you, in order to apparat.
He contemplated for a second, then nodded.
Albus was curios, why he agreed so easy, while he was not this much tame when handing his wand?
So he asked.
Severus rightened himself, chin up, chest high, he started calm and calculating, just like a little professor(he chuckled at that, the tiniest cutest professor indeed!): as I have experienced a rather vigorous shock to my magical core, fully draining it and rendering myself nearly a squib, it is expected that the effect of apparating, side along as I am incapacitated and incapable of doing so, would be severe, so the maximum contact with the person who apparats are necessary.
Albus was shocked. Not only the boy had perception, and a phoenix, and was powerful enough to cast a protego at 11, (he did not assume knowing about different lumus variations or making potions which was a product of training that his mother, capable of brewing as she was, could do that, made someone a genius. But knowing about magical theory? Reasoning about a simple act of carrying him, which could have been explained by many things, affection, protection, anything, what with his grandfatherly expression and so, clearly showed his mind) was a genius too. With promising muggle-born Evans was, Potter, Black, Longbottom, and many black families heirs in the same year, and a genius like him...
He shuddered at the thought. It would be a hard seven years ahead of them all.
He carried the boy, and apparated him, he was polite enough or had restrained himself enough not to puke. That showed his durability too.
Hard hard years indeed.

When Severus finally felt recovered from his trip and was allowed to go to the great hall for dinner, he went hurriedly after Dumbledore.
At first, no one noticed him, but then the whole hall went silent. He could swear that he could hear Dumbledore's heartbeat, as he was standing near him, looking too much amused by his bafflement.
Then the hall exploded.
It was clapping and screaming and shouting and he did not know how to react.
They were chanting:
Hufflepuff Hero!
Hufflepuff Hero!
The grand was shaking because of how rigorous they were.
(It was mostly huffs, and Gryffs cause it sounded heroic, and Slytherin cause whatever they were Amelia and Frank were pureblood heirs and they were somehow related, with Ravenclaw politely clapping)
Honestly, he was a little panicking?
Then Amelia came, more like ran with Gideon in her tail, and crushed him in her embrace:
You wonderful stupid lettuce head...what were you thinking?
Severus was not sure if he could tell this reaction, his past self, not the past, just the one who saved their life, would try and quit the game altogether for the benefit of being left alone or not.
(Because he knew at that moment that none of his friends were about to do that anytime soon)

Ad day had passed, and while Severus was hopeful that all this sham would die down.
Of course, it wouldn't.
And with the policy of no wand for three days for him, everyone made a nausinece of themselves .
Amelia would never leave his side at the table. With her, now Gideon came too.
If it was not enough, Lily adhered to him while they had classes, Fabian would accompany him during halls and Frank and Charity were glued to his side.
Bless Marlene, who had kissed his cheek(which made him blush like a beetroot) and slap his back(so hard it made him double):
Never fuck with yourself like that !
And left.
Plus there was his ugly duckling turned phonix, Huma whatever, named Emerald, and he knew nothing about her. She bit anything that came an inch near him.
(One time it pooped on Barty's crouch head who sneered at him in class)
He was by no means ready to go and ask Dumbledore about phoenixes, he was the only one who had a familiar like him.
He was not sure how he bonded with it.
She liked his soup, his pie, his sodding pumpkin juice,...
He had to sometimes leave her at his dorm, but she would tear his sheets and poop on the floor.
Severus was convinced she was doing that on purpose.
So when he had potions on the second day, he deliberately stalled. Talking about knife techniques of all things with Slughorn.
Frank was about to stump his foot, and Charity was awfully chummy at the corner, whispering things in Lupin's ear.
(Both Black and Potter left to watch quidditch trials for a new keeper, as the last one they had, had dragon pox and went into quarantine. Charity said she only paired up with him because he was less likely to cause explosions, but Severus was sure it had other layers)
Severus then carefully, nonchalantly, asked about professor Kettleborn, knowing full well he was not in school.
:my dear boy, he is out of town even, gone to fix his prosthetic left fingers. But why would you...
Severus tried seeming shy and looking innocent, it always worked like a charm on adults(now he was an adult technically, but somehow a child too? Too confusing!)
: I had questions about my familiar, Emerald. You see, besides the headmaster, professor Kettleborn might be the only one who knows about phoenixes...
(No shit he knew anything, he only liked the most dangerous ones, but not this rare one, maybe he knew about Fawkes, but a Persian legendary Huma? No way he knew anything but a myth)
: maybe you could go to Hagrid, our ground keeper...
And ta-da! He had hit the target.
(He wanted to distance himself from his well-wishers, for a bit at least, and as Hagrid lived near the forest... charity hated that forest with a passion. And Frank was afraid, Marlene, Amelia, and the twins had classes, and Lils was busy chatting Mary)
His friends accompanied him to the dorm, while he retrieved Emerald, but then he was alone.
He sighed in relief.
Finally! Alone!
While he was going leisurely down the way to the yard, he was stopped by a not familiar voice.
:اوووف!
داشتم دیوانه می شدم، تو هم با این دوست های خل و چلت.انگار میخواستند تا ابد به تو بچسبند!
(I was going crazy, you with your cracked friends, they were never going to leave you alone!)
What the shitting fuck?
خیر سرت وارث میراث شاهزاده ها هستی، ابله احمق مغز گردویی!
(It is not as if you are the only heir of Princes you stupid dumb nutter!)
He checked for anyone nearby. No one was there. He was scared shitless, there was no mistake the voice spoke Farsi, but...
منم ابله! ققنوس! هما!
(It is me you nutter, phonix, the Huma!)
Severus's eyes widened, Huma?
When he was interrupted by Pettigrew.
: I was waiting for a chance to speak with you, honestly, you are harder to find than ...
Then his eyes teared up.
(Sev was horrified, no no no no! He was not about to be hugged by ...)
He threw himself at his chest anyway, which nearly knocked him down.
: Please, Severus do not do that to me, I was about to die myself, when...you are my ...I was ...my ally..you...
And here went his decision to just be alone for a moment...
(Severus knew peter was not ready to use the word friend, hell he was not ready to say it about him himself!)
Then out of thin air Potter Black due happened.
(How they fucking knew he was going to go to the yard and not be in his dorm?)
:well well well, what I just told you, James?
James smirking: that the block is an attention-seeking git?
:not that one, buddy!
: that all of that was a show to just make himself seen as ohhh heroic and he was an evil bat?
:yep!
:seeing as he is going out of his way to ...he shot a nasty glance at Peter, meet with a slimy snake... he is that and more, Say Jimmy we teach him a thing or two?
: why ever not? Little bird told me he is not powerful enough to use a wand yet...poor baby Snape..
: I heard the most exciting news too, he had a phonix chic stolen from someone, do we take the poor chic to its rightful owner Siri?
(Severus was reeling, not only his whereabouts but his chic and wand too. The fuck? They did not have expandable ears, did they? The Weasley twins were not here? Right?)
They have their wands were drawn at them.
His hand was empty.
Shakingly Peter draws his wand.
Wasn't he allowed to have a peaceful day at once?
He knew a bit of wandless magic, nox ...it was risky, what with his core but did he have a choice?
It was going to be oh so nasty, was it not?

Chapter Text

Severus felt his core trembling, a wandless spell? It would put him back to mungos, which he hated with a passion. So instead, he had to do something and do it quickly. Those idiots were not famous for their patience.
Severus focused on his magic, on the sense they called perception, it was hard, but he was able to tell Potter and Black magic apart. He did not linger on the taste or feel of their magic, he just needed a quick check to know when exactly they were to strike.
1
2
3...
:run!
Peter, who had enough brains left for him to know there must be a reason why Severus, the genius he was, was telling him to run.
So they both ran.
It would be a walk in the park if those two, did not shoot hexes and curses here and there.
:flipendo!
Severus was able to dodge, but Peter fell victim to it.
Fear gripped his throat, what the hell he was supposed to do?
: well well, isn't it the stimmed hero shaking in his boots? And a traitor to Hogwarts too! Associating with an evil Slytherin, hugging(he feigned vomiting) a snake...
Severus knew he had just one chance, he had to do his thing, his most unappreciated talent which saved him time and time again.
(Not potions, not dark arts, not dueling or healing or even logic...)
His tongue.
: gentlemen, let us talk about this first, you see. As I am indeed an eternal friend of Longbottom's and Bones, yes I quite see it in your face you had not believed it to be true, but let us presume it is, even if it is a low chance, by attacking me you attacked them, and I know for a fact that prewatts do not enjoy me being at hospitals and such so...
He saw their wands lowered a bit, faltering for a moment, and it was enough.
:now Emerald!
The bird emerged from his pocket like a demon, a possessed crazy murderer, and went for Black's ear right away.
:ouch, ouch you bloody vampire!
Severus went and kneed Potter in the groin, serves him right the git.
:Merlin, my future kids!
(The drama queen! He did not hit that hard!)
Emerald was now done with Black ear and nose and was taking her time pooping on his head and biting him.
:what in Morgana's name is going on in here?

Minerva was just going to the kitchens to grab something to eat, she was famished and in a very low sugar state due to skipping breakfast and dinner the night before, she was strolling slowly, when she heard two voices arguing.
:you had no rights! Those were not your secrets to tell! What if your awful friends turn on him?
:relax Charity, it's not like they hurt him, and they said they will ask nicely to meet the phonix, and he is powerful even without a wand...
The sound of a sharp slap shook the walls.
:how dare you, you pathetic shit! He is just out of the hospital, and those evil gits trapped him in a devil snares after he told them, the class it is used for assassination!
She had no use for childish quarrels, so she ignored them. But then, when she had a sandwich and a warm tea in her stomach, her mind went wild, devil snares? No wand?
Severus!
She Whispered a location spell hurriedly and ran in that direction. When she arrived, hair disheveled and out of breath, she saw a picture that did not match the one she had in her mind at all.
Pettigrew was on the ground, clutching his foot, Potter was doubled and shouted about his future kids, and Black had small wounds on his ear and nose, his hair full of poop? An ugly duckling was biting potter's hand, while Snape was standing aside, unharmed.
She sent a pain-relieving charm to Pettigrew and Potter, laminated the chic to somewhere in a transfigured cage, and scorgified and tergo ed Black.
:care to explain gentlemen?
Pettigrew stuttered: PPP..professor... I.. we..
Black put a charming smile on: you see professor, we were just returning from watching quidditch trials because James was feeling thirsty, we found Pettigrew here clutching Snape and about to hurt him, so..
Minerva was skeptical, was it ?
Pettigrew shouted: no you lying..
: enough Mister! No shouting or swearing or accusing!
Children these days!
Potter continued: so we just wanted to help, professor, but the chic was distressed and picked the wrong guy to harass.
Minerva saw no reason not to believe: Mister Pettigrew, 10 points for...
Snape scuffed and muttered: old fool.
: excuse me, care to say it aloud?
" of course, I care, you see, you are one of the dumbest persons I have ever met, and I met a girl who wanted to eat flabberworms so her face become whiter, you did not deem it valuable to even ask the other's ideas of the story did you?
:Mister Snape!
" you wouldn't, why would you when your precious gryffs are lying through their teeth!
:Mister Snape, I overlooked your transgressions because I felt you are agitated still, but..
"But what professor? You believed them, your house affiliation over truth! and why? Just because I am a stupid puff and he is an evil Slytherin?
:Mister Snape, lower your voice now!
" I will not, mam. Do whatever you want! You know I have a phonix, and you again believe the one she attacked as right guys? If you do not believe me, believe a phonix!
Minerva faltered a bit, yes, a phonix, but it was a little thing still...
Snape laughed bitterly: so you believe a chicken over me, a puff. And no comment about Slytherin! I tell you what. Those attacked us unprovoked. And we dodged their spells. Peter was hit, and as I had no wand, my familier defended me. Take it or not, I do not care one bit.
Minerva closed her eyes and counted backward to ten. they were all warned not to agitate the boy because even accidental magic was forbidden for him and children when agitated do that a lot. He still was forbidden to have a wand too. Slowly She then summoned all wands and checked them.
It was as he said.
She felt ashamed, and chastised, but did not show it in her features.
: Potter, Black detention with filch for a week, twenty points..
:it is not fair!
: twenty points each, and you can not watch the first match of the year.
:I..
: a word, and it becomes two matches.
: 50 points to Slytherin for supporting a friend. and 50 to Hufflepuff for telling the truth and standing up for a friend.
She then walked all of them to the infirmary, it was going to be a tough 7 years, she just knew.

Chapter Text

Peter was trembling still, it seemed like the whole ordeal was a tad difficult for him, not that Severus's own heart was not doing crazy things, about to leap out of his rib cage, nope, not at all.
When Madam Pomfrey went to get another one of her potions from a locked closet, Severus took the chance, he petted Peter's shoulder briefly, knowing it was still not the time to step further, like taking his hand or calling him by his name or so, it was too much for a Slytherin to handle.
"You were great Pettigrew, I am proud of you! And I bet your house will like that 50 points you got really much"
Pettigrew blushed and smiled shyly, but his eyes had a kind of glowing thing that made Severus's heart hurt, did nobody tell him that? For children who were used to this, praise, they would thank him and sit straight like they were ministers for magic or sth. Not blush!
(He thought if Petter had a crush on him, but as he knew he did not swing that way, the point was moot)
Severus was leaving the wing when out of thin air, Charity came to hug him.
"I am so sorry! I had no idea he had a big mouth on him! I would never ever ever want you to be in harm's way! Remus is just a bad memory, I promise! You are my best best friend!"
As Severus, forcibly made her loose her hands a bit, because seriously she was suffocating him, he put two and two together.
Seemingly Charity, as charitable and soft-hearted as she was, had found a charity case for herself when he was not around. The case being Lupin, he had made her trust him, only to betray her later.
Severus could bitterly remember that before the werewolf happened in sixth year, he and Lupin were paired up during Runes. They mostly got along together and as much as it shamed Severus to admit, he had been warming up to him.
Severus knew at times, Lupin was a coward and opinionated bastard, but he also had some brains on him. And in Lily's absence, he needed some friendly scientific banter, which was not possible what with those roommates of his.
Lupin had used his vulnerability.
Now he had done it again.
Severus wanted to go and strangle the guy, but he needed Charity safe, and he knew well enough that at this age, most teens when being told not to do, rebelled against it.
So this time, he hugged Charity, he was loath to admit that he was getting accustomed to hugs, and let her cry her heart out.
Subtlety would do.
Lupin would not even know what hit him.
*********
Finally, Severus found himself alone. He had to go all the way to the seventh floor to the room of requirements, but it was worth it.
He really had to know if he had gone bonkers for a moment, hearing strange voices.
He put Emerald on the nearby pillow, sat cross-legged, and waited.
And waited.
When five minutes passed, he thought that maybe the bludger had hit him harder than he thought.
He was about to turn away to leave the room when suddenly
"Boo!
Severus had a near heart attack, but apparently Emerald was having a good time mocking him
" Ooh, your face! Maha mahhhaaa
Her laugh was a tad crazy, like that movie witch of the west or...
Ow!
She bit him!
Emerald now was not laughing, but glaring daggers(as much as an ugly duckling turned baby phonix was able to)
"I did not nearly unmade myself, almost turning back time and some serious time pardon making for you to say such bullshit about me!
Severus could only stare with his mouth open.
" and shut that guy, there is no fly for you to catch here you silly child"
Severus shut his mouth.
"Good, now listen because I wanted it to be nearly two weeks earlier than now, but you had to go and make yourself unavailable did you not?
And no Mister do not protest!
Then she muttered under her breath, the brat even doesn't know Persian!
"So where was I? Okay, I brought you kinda back so..
Severus's eyes widened "so I was not ...
"I said silently! Zal was loads better than this brat! at least he waited for my wisdom!
Severus was confused, zol?
"No, Zal you stupid kid, and no I am not gonna tell you about him.
Things you need to know is that you are not back in time at all, it is only some parts of his, your older self memory, that I could bring back and get away with it. And as you sat like chicken on that filthy floor, bleeding to death while holding a bottle of ant venin, I found you.
Severus was, if possible, more confused. He kinda wanted to die?
"Yes and no, so I had to find you sooner, you had so much ahead of you, so many potions you had to invent, so many good changes you, and only you, were to bring, but no!
You had to die on that filthy floor, drowning in your blood and self-Pity
Severus scratched his head.
"Let me get it straight, I am me? But just with Memories of my older me? And I guess you, phoenixes find people who want to suicide and give them another chance? So you took whatever memories you could and ...
Emerald rolled her beautiful eyes.
"We don't find everyone who commits suicide, only those who are too important to die, and not all your memos, many of them were either too damaged, or too deep as you were a master occlumece. Yes, you are you, and the things you have done in this time are you too. Time is not linear you know?
Severus overwhelmed, feeling it was too much for him, took a pillow from somewhere
"I am gonna pretend this conversation did not happen. I am gonna sleep and when I ganna wake up it will all go away. Fucking talking phoenixes are way above my threshold "
Suffice it to say, it did not go away when he woke up.
*******
An hour later, Severus was sitting on a leather armchair, munching on a ginger biscuit the room offered him.
"So basically, the future I have in my mind, is not set in stone? No happened at all?"
Emerald inclined her head, then snatched a biscuit from his plate.
"Yep, and that is not the future at all, since you so kindly got it in your hand and went to Hufflepuff. But...
Severus muttered, course there is ALWAYS a but
"There are set points, in time, like you and Lily's friendship, or you and Potter Riverland. You can not change it, and before you ask, no, I will not put myself in danger of poking the wrong dragon in the eye to tell you of these points. Higher-ups are always dandy and in a foul mood."
Severus sighed. How he was to change anything not knowing what was what!
Emerald, hearing his thoughts answered
" you won't know, and that s the beauty of it! Some facts you know from memories are real, some not. But it is always your choices that make the future. You know, even stones shatter if you hammer them enough."
So basically, Severus was fucked up. Memories could be right, wrong, or both. And he had no one but himself and a crazy not yet bird to guide him fan-fucking-tastic!
Emerald nudged his hand.
"Not alone, bach-Cheh"
Ummm, what?
بچه!
Ehhh?
Kid, youngster, brat, child, ...
Alright Em, don't brag about your knowledge of other languages! You had a million years...
Emerald dutifully nibbled his thumb.
Ouch!
"You attacked know better than to refer to a lady's age bach-Cheh!"
*******
Severus had chosen an empty classroom on the third floor. There were enough tables to sit on, with no one to interrupt.
Gideon and Fabian thought it was about a big prank on Holloween ( it was too, Severus was going to make all his friends dress as werewolves if he was asked he could always say that werewolves lived in groups of 7 to 10, Merlin, Lupin's face would be precious!)
Charity thought she was about to be reprimanded in front of everyone, as she was responsible for putting both Severus and Emerald in harm's way.
Frank and Amelia thought it was about eternal friendship and what they could do for each other.
And Marlene, frankly Severus had no idea at all, it could vary from the next history class they wanted to discuss artimancy and potions, to whether Severus would allow Emerald to befriend Fawkes...
(Even awkward questions on whether he thought that Dumbledore could, or could not date anyone still)
It was nothing of sorts.
Severus was about to do something about the Tonks's problem.
No.
All of them, All Seven of them were to do something to solve the matter.
He smiled. Not alone indeed.

Chapter Text

Severus needed to wrap Ted and Andromeda's problem as soon as possible, he had a lot on his plate right now.
Did he really need to go and become the youngest seeker? And alleged genius?
Of course not.
Now add a deranged phonix and the whole memories moving in his head, knowing he could do anything, that future was not set in stone, it gave him a new perspective. He did not have to become a potion master, he did not have to become a death eater again so that the whole timeline doesn't explode, Potter and Lily were not supposed to be a couple!
Actually, now that he had a taste of loyalty, friendship and comfort, now that he had a support system, a head of house who gave a dam ((more than a damn really), And a professor Flitwick(( he always admired him, a great duelist, a great teacher, and a great mind) who had eyes for him and was not blind to his endeavors due to a shining Muggle-born, he had more to gain from this life.
Also more to lose.
He would rather die himself than allow Marlene to be murdered, Twins to be assassinated and Frank to be tortured into insanity.
Merlin, Charity! She was a tag herself!
And how he could forget about Lily? Potter, would go and hang himself in one stupid adventure or other, but Lily ...
She was his responsibility.
Severus still had some notion of love towards her, he perfectly knew that it would never be reciprocated, unless he became as rich and social and popular as Potter, which was not the case.
So the point was moot.
He was not so delusional (not now with his future? Memories) to think he was considered beyond what would cute mean (he did not even believe that it was flawed somehow), he was dirt poor and his only gathering of friends was more due to luck and pitty they felt about him. He did not refuse pity now, he bore it and it slowly shaped like a friendship.
If he had the eternal friendship of two purebloods, Potter was a Supreme pureblood himself, with more money to support a gaggle of bratty brash children. Potter, even when he was wrong, had a sort of charm, and knew what exactly to say or how to smile to twist some poor person's heart. Severus now, mainly cried, or froze. In one of his best manifestations, he rudely defended Peter, in front of Minerva. He had no doubt if she did not feel a bit shamed due to their first encounter, or worried for his health because of his long stay at the hospital, she would have twisted his ear and given him detention till the next term. If he was a normal eleven-year-old, he would have not accepted it, but new Severus knows not to look at the gifted horse in the mouth.
The Tonks problem is his first agenda. And using his other memories, he mostly knows how things are handled and have a general idea of pureblood ideals, but his plan can not be conducted alone.
So the presence of other people in the room.
Amelia clears her throat, Gideon is mostly staring at her from his seat, in awe. He is too lovestruck to care about anything but her.
Severus curses the war again, no wonder Amelia never even dated again, trying to find someone who looked at you as if you are the embodiment of Morgana and was in awe of your throat clearing...
This universe needed some serious kicks to its butt.
Amelia coughed again.
Severus gathers himself.
" Emm... I .. it is...OK, that's not good. Let me talk about all I want, and then tell me what you think of my plan.
First I think all of you are aware that in near future Andromeda Black is to marry some guy named Sylwan?
Everyone nodded positively.
He continues
" so Ted and Andromeda love each other. and I thought that I would help them. But when I planned my strategy I understood that me alone ...
Amelia smiles at him, encouraging him further. Fabian puts his hand on his shoulder supportively, as if telling him not to worry.
" so basically we need something on Sylwan and something to prove that joining Black and Tonks in marriage is worth it. Also, it had to be enough firm to make them go for it, despite Ted being not so rich and a ... half-blood, I think?"
(Severus had to hold himself from revealing too much info, so he said half)
Fabian corrected him, just as he thought he would.
"A muggle-born actually, but do continue "
Severus had to look like he was a kid, not completely a know it all in all fields to not raise suspicion, but he was itching to tell them the whole plan and watch as they looked at him with widened eyes. If he just could do that!
"It is a two-part thingy, so in order to do that, we need a diversion to gather info on sylvan, like Halloween night. So we can go to the archives and find his file, the old files are not guarded too much, so it is possible. Then maybe we can find some dirt on him, but to prove Ted to be illegible...
Fabian nodded" you need a solid case"
Frank, who was silent till now huffed" all you ganna do is find someone who can restore their family magic, I swear they would marry a daughter or a son to a Centaur if you told them they would have something like a parselmouth born as a result"
Gideon scratched his head" from what aunty Muriel drilled into our head as part of our glorious knowledge of an heir, Blacks were Metamorphmagus, and that is so hard to find. There are still a few legilimens and occlumece and empath, I heard there was even a male bearer born in France last year. But Metamorphs? It is like perception thing that Severus has. Not seen in a century. It is no way..."
Marlene cut him" in fact there is."
Charity whispered" Marlene dear, you do understand what you say? Don't you? How do you know?
Then gasped.
"My God Marlene! You should have told someone!
Marlene tilted her head.
" told what to whom?"
Charity said," that you're a seer!"
Typical optimistic Charity. But a seer?
The voices were going up again. A bunch of rudy brats he had as a team!
Marlene screamed" silence!"
Severus thanked her. " I think Marlene did some quick artimancy?"
He did not know why his heart did funny things when Marlene smiled at him, and him alone.
Anyway, He succeeded in making them believe they had formulated a plan. So the party could start!
***********
First Stage was simply a deterrent, also a kind of revenge on Marauders for causing too much trouble.
Emerald was to walk all the cats down the kitchen and make them eat all of the meat allocated to the Gryffindor table at the feast.
(Just because Severus knew Black hated vegetables, it was a small act of pettiness, but Em had offended, who was Severus to stand between a phonix and her revenge?)
Severus had to look like an adorable doll for the next part. He hated it so much!
He combed back his hair so his eyes looked larger. Amelia enchanted his curls to bounce and make him look like a completely innocent boy. He dressed in a size-too-big robe and folded his arms( he was told it made him look tinier, cuter, and fucking more adorable in the eyes of a woman) . Then put Emerald in his front pocket and went to Heads office.
He knocked like he was anxious.
A second later he was face to face with the four heads.
He shuffled his feet for more dramatic effect, tossed one of his curls back with a hand, and said in his most sweet voice.
"Ummm. Professor?"
********
Minerva knew something was going on, the moment The boy started to talk.
He looked the picture of youth and innocence, while not a day ago he looked like a grumpy dragon about to bite her head off.
But Morgana's mercy! Those curls and adorable eyes and that duckling Phonix head that was out of his pocket and that folded robe.
He looked so vulnerable and tiny and made Minerva want to kidnap the boy and hide him in a safe safe place and give him all the sweets in the world so he would smile his shy smile...
"Ummm... professor?
"Yes Mister Snape? What is it? Has anyone bothered you again? "
He paused.
Damn it! Minerva knew he had to slap some sense into those boys! she would send a letter tonight! What were they doing harassing a boy who had not even his wand on him!
"Nothing professor. I just wondered if....
Now Pomona stood up and went to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. The little guy relaxed at once. Minerva wished to know what was Pomona's superpower that made everyone calm with a touch, she could certainly use it in the case of the prewatts twins!
" I thought if we could have a costume party at Holloween, like muggles? It is like that people dress like magical creatures and witches and wizards and play games and...Because ... half-bloods and muggleborns students, first years might get homesick and it would be good for purebloods to get to know other cultures too?
Minerva knows the brat was kind of manipulating them, but his kid's voice and phrase... and manipulate them to what end exactly? The guy was a Puff, not a sneaky Slytherin for Morgana's sack! And with the eventful term he had, he was probably homesick. Also, he made good points. There were escalating concerns and a drift between Purebloods and none pure that was getting bigger and bigger....
Filius asked him" Mister Snape, suppose if we do this, you realize it is a huge change? Who would be in charge? Because frankly none of us are accustomed to muggle culture very much."
He answered swiftly "well Lily is a perfect muggle-born example for sure, and Charity too! I mean they are both well-liked kind girls who know more than me about these things...
Minerva noticed his voice dying down, why was that? Did he not participate in parties in the muggle world? Was he unhappy at home?
No, he could not be an abused kid. Those cowered before danger, were not outspoken, and did not lead, but followed orders.
Snape was a leader and defended others as much as his friends defended him, and he was not a very poor guy also. She could smell the distinctive smell of a pricy shampoo that only was manufactured by order.
Horace's eyes brightened at the mention of Evan's name.
"Yes! Of course! And we can add another member to my Slug club! Those half and muggle-borns would love to...
Minerva did not listen to him at all. The braggart!
**********
Part one complete, Severus sighed in relief. Others were mostly easier than deceiving people with his innocence of all things!
1-get the twins to get polyjuice
2- get Amelia to charm Gryff and Snakes table green and the other half purple, as it was the distinct color that wizards wore in the muggle world, if it made Potter and Black fume at sitting at a table which was Slytherin green, the better
3- Get Emerald to get the cat familiers to eat Gryffindor part of the meat for the party( he had to save some at his table to offer twins and Lily, they were not to suffer thank you very much)
4- make werewolf costume, and charm some pins so when one wore them, their costume changes to a werewolf. Play a game of chase so when one was captured they turned into wolflings.
(Eat that Lupin!)
5-take one of charity's hair and go bother Lupin
(He was sure Lupin would act severely, When they were all busy with that, Charity who was seen talking to Remus and was not suspected at all, could go to achieve. Then Frank, Marlene, and she was to find Sylwan's file)
With it, the first part would end.
Severus smirked, if only he had a camera, or Colin could come and take picture of those bullies sitting on a green table eating Vegetables like sheep....
********
Remus was not sure why his gut was turning. True, he had told what Charity, his first friend, had told him, to his dorm mates, but how he was supposed to know they would go and bother a wandless kid who left the hospital not a week ago?
James and Sirius were his dorm mates and were a bit eccentric, but good guys. They were not like those stupid pureblood snakes who mocked him for his poor robes, it was not like he was dirty or wore shredded ones, they were just a bit old. And his scars were not funny at all.
They were quite painful.
It pained him to know he could not tell his almost friends what he was.
But Charity..
She was so kind it was unbelievable. She was funny and hugged him at right time, right place, it made him blush but also calmed him.
He even had a more peaceful turning too.
But he was nervous, what was this muggle costume party Lily talked about nonstop ?
"Oooh! And Professor Slughorn said My charms were too good for a first year! And I brewed this color correction potion all by myself! It is taught in the second year! Hear me?"
Who didn't hear her?
Remus rolled his eyes. She was a tad full of herself, wasn't she? He meant , wasn't Snape the genius? He had changed the first potion they brewed and made it take half the time to brew, without ever going to a potion class. Self-taught.
Lily admitted herself that Severus told her things, Remus could tell he had taught her most of the things she knew and bragged about. Yes Lily was amazing at charms and yes she had great potential, but with Snape's inner talent for potions, and spell-making and that perception, Lily had no chance there.
Of course, Lily's beauty made every eye turn, boys or girls. And she, the butterfly of the party, was so sweet and friendly and funny, it was not possible at all to ignore her. Unlike Snape, an introverted Wonderboy who made anyone jealous.
It was about ten minutes before the party started. Music was loud and everyone was dressed up as something.
Vampires.
Centaurs.
Unicorns.
Fairy
Giants
And...
His heart skipped a beat, a gaggle of werewolves were centered at the right corner of the hall.
What the hell?
Then Charity approached him.
"Lo Remus! How are you?"
Charity did not smell right but, she was Charity, right? Dressed as a wolf, but Charity?
She laughed and throw her head back. Was she mocking him?
No no no, Charity was not like that!
"Oh, Remus! Being a werewolf is so exciting! You know, your sense of smell is sharp, you are more powerful than most of your age and you can always count on scaring your enemies or even eating them or biting them if they are too annoying!
Remus paled like a sheet.
Charity pets his shoulder.
" oh no Remus dear friend! No worries! I joked! Surely you know of the registry? The ministry won't let those savage animals roam freely biting good guys! And Headmaster would not allow one to come here. It is too dangerous what with all the defenseless kids here. You know there is no way to defend against a changed werewolf? Even silver needs empowering the wolf, and it is not easy at all"
Remus was getting light-headed. Did she know? Why was she taunting him with it?
No it was not possible she was aware already!
But what if...
His schooling, his future...
Merlin was he doomed!
Charity hugged him, but it gave him goosebumps. Why her hug gave him that? What was wrong with him? Was he seeing things? He was not delusional was he?
"Oh Remus, there is this game of catch. Whoever a werewolf catches, is given a pin, and their costume is changed to a wolf too! It makes kids like us learn that the best way to face a wolf is to avoid them!
Remus saw a dozen werewolves.
A dozen..
He thought he could see Charity smirk.
He was going to...
He passed out.
Charity, now with the potion wearing off, was Severus again.
"Now that is how real Mischief is managed wolfling"
Then he pretended to panic, and started shouting.
" help! Help! Please help! Lupin passed out!"
Now there was the distraction for his friends to go borrow those files and make a copy.
Mischief managed indeed.

Chapter Text

Severus was in a mood. Christmas always brought back many of his bad memories. Although he was perfectly aware he was not the professor Snape in his memories, but he could not prevent himself pondering the question of what would have been if he had just went into Slytherin like he was supposed to.
He really would be lonely and miserable?
Of course he had no doubt that he would not have found a friend in Frank, Charity and Marlene. Lily would have abondened him to wolves as soon as she found out all the wonders of having magical girls around her.
Was it like this for Petunia?
Her sister, one day was what every big sis would dream of. And then, Severus happened and magic happened and lily was not paying her attention at all, instead she opted to hang on the words of dirty poor boy.
Now, as much as Severus’s heart clenched to go and let out all his misery in front of lily, he knew he couldn’t .
He was 11 and 38, in love with her and horrified to know his older self ,did things like sex… plus, he had chosen to say he liked her like a sister, and he was not one to back down from his word, even if it killed him.( which had, in fact, when he was 38)
Now everyone was going to go their merry way for Christmas, Lily had left him first year that other time too. Charity had her bags packed a month ago. Marlene… he had no idea of what was in her head. She had gone and hit him in the shoulder, hard enough to bruise, right after the werewolf plan of his had worked like a charm.
: you are worth all Frank’s nagging .
Severus , both his11 year old and 38 were baffled. Was there any possible way for Marlene to be connected to Dumbledore? Nothing but that could explain that girl.
Any way, their plan worked, but the rest?
They were not so lucky after all.
That selwan, or sylwan, or silwan guy had no tracks. He was a respected wealthy pureblood whose only dark stain was that he was not married and he was like 30.
He never paid attention to how the names were spelled. Dombledore or Dumbledore, Minerva or Mynerva were all the same to him. It was not anyone beside Lily and Lucius he had written to, hence the name thingy problem of his.
Charity had gathered as much rumer as she could about all Sylwans and that proved to be a wrong idea. Fabian and Gideon asked their aunt, to put it politely, because they had all but bombarded her with questions about Sylwan to the point she outright asked them if they wanted to marry one. No success there too.
Marlene was struggling with those artimancy predictions of her, an although Severus helped as much as he could, they were in dire need of Sylwan and Andromeda blood for the predictions to be correct.
(they had pricked ted finger with no further need to explain but a simple for Andromeda, but as a baby needed two to be made, the prediction of Ted and Andy
Having a metamorph baby needed both their blood. Ted was still unable to get a hold of her)
So Frank, yes surprisingly Frank the sweet sweet guy, came up with a plan.
: you know, if we can get a hold of Andromeda blood half of our problems are solved?
Gideon, who was doodling on his notebook, just stared at him, like he was really really on his nerves. Fabian only tutted.
: yep.
Frank continued: is there any potion thingy that makes others say their secrets?
Severus was going to pull his hair. Was frank serious? Is he dense? How he does not know..
: for merlin frank! What the hell are you trying to imply?
Frank only repeated.
: is there or not?
Amelia whi sensed Severus was going to either explode one of his blood vessels or give up resisting the urge to throttle frank answered.
: yes Frank. Veritaserum. In fact, we brewed it last week as a review for our newts.
Frank only hummed.
Then he turned to Gideon.
: when are you going to propose? Because I saw Lucius talking about his cousin who wanted to come to England. He said he is cracked if he thinks a light family will give him any time of the day.
Gideon narrowed his eyes: what do you mean?
Frank shook his head,
: and they say I am simple! Look at this simoltons!There is no other light family girl available for marriage but Amelia.
Then it was chaos.
Gideon wanted to go and cut Lucius’s cousin dick, or head whatever more painful.
Fabian held his brother, barely.
Amelia watched with amusement as Severus went and tackled Frank.
After a minute or so, she rolled her eyes.
: boys!
No one listened.
She waved her wand, all of them were neatly roped to their former seats. Some times Amelia just liked her position of superiority too much.
: so, care to tell us what did you wanted to achieve dear frank? Because Severus is all but eager to …force it out of you.
Then finally, finally frank shared it.
It was simply briliant.
Gideon and Amelia would express to their respective familes their intent , ( there was no doubt there in the intent part, they were all but waiting for the opportunity to appear to tie the knot)to court each other. It was a stupid custom of them, but every witch and wizard obeyed it.
Because it was to be formal, at least all other purebloods who were noteworthy, would attend the ceremony. Bones was not a name that had not carried for centuries for nothing.
And there would be others.
Blacks
Potters
Longbottoms
And of course Sylwans too.
Add some veritaserum, and bingo. You had it.
: but Severus needs to be there too.
: excuse me(of course it had catch, everything has a catch!)
Apparently, as their eternal friend, he could not skip any social event such as birth, death or wedding for either Bones or Longbottoms.
Fan-bloody-tastic! Just what he needed: I suppose I’ll need some bloody special robes too?
Amelia was smiling like a Cheshire cat, from ear to ear like some mad woman possessed. Honestly, it was kind of scaring the shit out of him. Severus vaguely remembered Charity mentioning that all older girls had this weird thing, they liked to dress and dress up others…
Oh no!
He was certainly doomed now! ( maybe he could go and take another hit to the head? Drink a deadly drought?)
That was how, Severus found himself in a lilac dress robe, handed down from one generation to another by Bones family to be worn on happy occasions.( he thought it should be considered a crime worth Azkaban, making his poor self wearing that ugly sinister monsterosity which had fucking laces, and drapes for morgana’s PJS! He looked like a miserable duckling fell out of his nest and into a bucket of lilac color. So so lost and out of place! He could almost see himself as a child Lockhart, which made him shudder. For crying out loud, He had stupid golden cuffs and a purple collar to boast. Where was his lovely grey and black? His eyes must be bleeding from all those stupidly light colors in just a ball room!)
The sodding thing was just so much , not adding him being needed at the reception to receive all those pure-fucking gits, as the eternal damnation he had as their FRIEND.( just why he had accepted that offer? Why no one had said he was to do this ridiculous jobs?)
To make the matters worse, The room was also decorated in extravagant colors of primrose and scarlet to honor their union. How in hell one had the stunning idea of mixing those colors? Who had done that poor planning, Severus wondered.
With every new guest, the Longbottoms paraded him in front of the so called guests. Yes, he is indeed a genius! No he is not a muggleborn, he is a half and since mothers are more important in nurturing… yes, he is also brave and an atypical child, saw his manouvre with the broom? Calling them vultures in search of chewing meat (any fault , or tiny mistake to mock the unlucky host) was much more correct.
Gideon and Amelia, the newly formed couple, had all but forgotten him, (and the plan!) they were blushing and smiling and looking disgustingly in love, cozzing up on the love-sit at the backyard. Severus doubted with Fabian present ( he was frightening when he wanted to) as chaperon, they would go any further than holding hands, but even that display was upsetting.
His only ray of sunshine among this ocean of darkness was that frank glued to his side, (imagine that!) effectively preventing Black or Potter to step a toe out of line. Seemingly they were not that stupid to go for a swing at him when he was accompanied by a respective heir, also the presence of lord and lady Longbottom hovering nearby had quite an effect.
Plus he had met Lady Prewatt too.
Muirel Prewat, was a sight to sore eyes. (If you considered a woman in her 80s (to be generous of course, Severus considered her old enough to have diapered Dumbledore) wrinkled like a potion homework written by Frank, (with blutches of inks to add to the picture , translating to brown patches on her neck) with sharp eyes and a permanent crease running deep between her eyes, one might suggest she might have invented the concept of scowling). Robes pressed like whoa, All prime and proper, he had gone and greeted her.
Thank to his his memories of future past and a certain Narcissa Malfoy who had all but drilled in his brain all those tedious customs and hierarchy of pure families, there was no problem in there, he even thought he might have impressed her by kissing her knuckles. She had looked at him with something less than children-are-bothersome-bugs-to-be-squashed and more of a i-think-about-not-squashing-you-today look.
And Frank was nagging, again.( if he wanted to measure his velocity of nagging per min, it would be 2.5)
:but Severus! They were to add that potion to his wine! Now I don’t know where is he! Let alone find Andromeda and ask for her…
Severus clasped his hand around his mouth, just he this kid grow up to become a fearsome auror? He could not stop himself from saying silly things(and spilling secrets) for one damned minute!
: Frank! Listen to me. You are going to find Andromeda, I am going to go after Sylwan.
:but, you don’t know him! Heck even I don’t know him! He is only here because he is to be wedded to one of Blacks! And his school file was for a long time ago!
Severus just shoved him hard, in the direction of the ball room.
There was a reason he avoided Andromeda like plaug, he still remembered her face, which was too much like Bellatrix for his liking. Thank god Bella went somewhere merlin knew before this farce of a plan. One did not work with Bella and not frighten to have nightmares. He suspected even his counterpart was not stupid enough to anger that particular dragon.
He was not in a mood to go and find the blocke, he only said so to make Frank leave him for a minute! Having Frank around was good for an hour, or so, not for an ungodly three! He had this habit of running his mouth , sharing gossips which Severus did not need or enjoy and laughed far too much for his likings. Severus while being in Hufflepuff and his awful show in front of Mckgonagal, had a certain standard to follow (like not smiling from ear to ear, not eating like weasley grizzly, not disrespecting older adults unless they were worthless gits like Lockhart).
He was enjoying his mohito, munching on a ginger biscuit and screening crowd for any sign of a tall dark haired guy resmbelling Silas Sylwan, he was only distracted for a moment when he saw he was in for a treat. Black and Potter, along with another older guy named Kings something ( his memories sometimes blurred abit) were heading right in his direction. He was about to simeltanously chok on his drink and release the plate of biscuits, when his eyes found the rest rooms.
He almost ran to them and locked the door, found some stick and jammed it in the lock so it could not be opened with a simple alohomora, when he found out he was in the wrong bath room.
The girls one.
And if that was not alarming enough, he heard a sniffing sound from one of the stands. ( good grief! A girl? His sodding reputation would be gone with wind).
Whattodo,whattodo,whattodo!!!!
The door opened.
He screamed.
The guy screamed.
Wait the guy? The who, the how, the what?
They both stopped their shrieking. The other fella was a black haired, grey eyed youngish version of Sirius, meaning he was face to face with one Regulus .A. Black.
His face was wet with tears, and his nose red. His eyes had a reddish hue too.
What was he to do? In his last life, regulus had not paid him attention at all. They had gone to some missions sure, but that was it.
The only thing he was certain about, was that Regulus was dead by the time of Sirius arrival to Grimmauld place, or the damned elf would not have obeyed that waste of space.
Could he…
Regulus stepped first.
: what youre doing here?
Severus wanted to roll his eyes, Sirius or Regulus, both were pampered pricks who wanted to have the first go, ask the first question, all the time.
Attention seeking brats!
: two can play that game, actually. I can ask the same.
: how dare you ask me! I am RE…
So their ego was in fact hereditary, in that regard both brothers were alike.
: listen kid, I am invited here, in fact my presence here was mandatory, not like you who were plus of a plus or something. I know who you are, I know about your prick of a brother too much for my liking. Now ..
He interrupted him.
: youre that Snape kid everyone talked about?
:hh..how?
: two can play the game.
The cheek! Severus was tempted to go and kick him in the shin, but he was impressed, it seemed someone in the black family had functioning brain cells! He was now interested in him .
: okay, lets start again, I say my name and why I am here, you say yours, deal?
He nodded.
:Severus Snape, I ran away from your brother and Potter.
:Regulus Black, I ran from my future cousin in law.
(cousin in law? He had hit the jackpot! )
: Sylwan?
Regulus stuttered, : hhh.. how?
Severus smirked
.
.
. : you know I don’t wanna be rude, but is your robe abit? I .. but lilac?
:I know, trust me, it is a Bones thing apparently.
.
.
.
: how did you used that spell? Protego? Isn it a forth year or sth?
,,,
After talking about half an hour, he found out the second black, was a nerdish book lover, who would not harm a fly and was interested in becoming a magizologist.
: I mean Scamender is the best! I am going to earn an internship with him, and then I can make the world better for magical cretures like …
He then seemed to come to himself.
: ummm.. youre not one of those who want them only for their usage are you?
( Severus was, but he could not deny himself, and the soft hearted kid in front of him, the benefit of an.. alliance)
: of course not, I am a half, as you know, some may argue that me….
Regulus went and hugged him.
( again? he had not been hugged by no black in that Memories, he might be doing things the wrong way to be hugged this much)
: no, you are as worthy of magic as my family, and more than some like that creepy Sylwan.
Then he hung his head, and said something too low for his hearing.
: I did not get it, will you?
: I said wouldyoupossiblyliketobemykindoffriend?
Sev’s brain short circuited, Friend? With soon to be Black heir? Why the hell not?
He nodded firmly and hold his hand for the boy to shake on it.
The boy eyes widened, brightened and he throw himself to his side, hugging him like there was no tomorrow.
:thankyou,thankyou,thankyou!youaremyfirstfrinedandsiriuswouldbesojealousthatimademineayearbeforehimeand…
Severus sighed. He found himself another Charity. He wondered if there was a match in hugging, who would beat the other, squeeze harder, hug faster, that kind of thing.
(hugger boy vs hugger girl, the match will be held in great hall, professor Dubmbledore will be the judage and the winner gets to hug Severus Snape for 10 min straight per day)
How Severus hated holidays.

Chapter Text

Sev could not believe his luck. Finding the second black brother , ready to tell on Selwan? Whoever was up there, was on a good mood today. Now Regulus was eying him with a curious look, as much as Severus did not like that particular look on his face, because it made him too much like a mini Sirius, he knew he had to warm his way into his heart. Without his help he had no idea how to find Andromeda to get her blood. He knew he had to stand his ground upon facing a Black, or he would be out of their favour soon. He locked his eyes with the younger boy, and maintained eye contact, daring him to go first.
As he suspected, Regulus spoke first.
“ are you really as smart as they say?”
And here went his chance. Were these guys trained to be a pain in the ass from crib?What was the kid thinking? Didn’t small talk contain weather and clothes and mundane things? Asking about his intelligence, a simple and innocent looking question with no suitable response. He was damned if he said yes, because no one liked a braggart ( cough- lockhart- cough)whatsoever. Also damned if he said no, because it made him look like an idiot who lacked self confidence. Fucking Blacks and their ability to slytherining something as stupid as small talk. He was not the master spy, professor snape was. He still froze when he saw blood. So his only option was…
“ what do you think? Do I seem like one?”
Regulus chuckled, “you’ve got brains, or you would’ve doomed the answer and I would never give you anytime of my day, but it was a good move, answering with a question again. and I am not sure, papers do love exaggeration, and I personally do not consider marveling in school subjects as a sign of one’s intelligence. You can ace defence, but go numb at the face of danger, like a real demeantor, I’ve had heard lots of silly kids going to auror academy and leaving there with tears in their eyes. Or healing halls of saint mungo’s. Plus you could be just a nerd who has a really good memory. Also Quiddich , and becoming the youngest seeker does not automatically make you the perfect seeker. But there is usually some ration of truth in what people say, so I give you the benefit of a doubt.
Severus was tempted to say he was as smartas fucking Dumbledore thank you very much, also who are yoy to say acing school subjects means shit? He admitted Regulus did have a point there but he had became the youngest seeker for a reason! Severus also know he needed his support, if only for Andromeda’s sack. He also was whole heartedly saddened to be saddled with the wrong Black brother, this one was much more promising. ( and seemed less likely to be in the habbit of offering people to his mangy wolf pet as dinner). He restrained his anger, plastered a polite smile on his face;
“ I do not consider myself a resurrected Merlin too, but I do have my moments too. I agree that school subjects are not a good evaluation of one’s strength, one could look no further than professor binns, or dare I say alfard black, also Molly prewatt. All promising as youngesters, but dim in their adult years. But forget about me, do you mind telling me why you were crying because of your cousin in law to be? He is rumored to be a …decent wizard”
Regulus paused , he had some nerve comparing his uncle to binns or that failure prewatt girl was. But it was the truth, he could admit as such. He then deliberated the question, to tell or not to tell? He was a half blood, so if something went wrong or he tattled, it was his word , the second Black heir, against him. He was smart, and cunning, it was obvious from the way he answered his simple question with another question, so may be he could offer a solution. He had saved Bones and Longbottom kids at the expanse of his health, perhaps noble too. he was a puff, and he did not seem the blackmail type. Samuel is a creepy kind of guy. He could help, couldn’t he?
“ he … Sylwan is a weird guy, and don’t get me wrong, not weird in a good way like eating ice cream in November, or wearing jeans type of guy. He is polite and proper, never misses an appointment. Never laughs out loudly, never speaks out of turn or interups people. He is modest and always has a smile plastered on his face even if you kick him in his shin and curse him. But…there is a … I .. you must understand that I only know this because kree.. can you promise not to divulge this to anyone? Not even my delinquent of a brother?”
Severus regarded the kid in front of him, the kid who saw wearing jeans a freakish thing. what was it that made this ultimate snake shake? He was just dying to know
“I know this must come as surprising for you, the prince to be of slytherin, since I know your..unique method of conducting relationships, regarding this special matter I can assure you that I am trustworthy”
Regulus was deep in thought, maybe trusting, and gaining an ally out of slytherin would turn out to be useful in his future, Merlin knew with his joker of a brother, how many upset heirs and heiresses he had to console upon entering Hogwarts, not to metion how many would love to get a piece of his younger brother, probably to retalieate.
“ alright, kree is my, our house elf, but he is particularly fond of me.( severus read between the lines, and I am fond of him) He heard gossips, elves gossips , that once, about ten years or more ago, Selwans were in too much trouble. Their financial matters were quite hush hush- but for elves. Their matriah- Absolom- was a gambling baboon, and his sons had to pay for it. The younger- Salvatrix- died shortly around that time, with no word as an explanation. The older was promised to … how would I put it, a widow- Adriana- who had lots of money, with a son – Adolphus-to boost. The 18 year old Samuel Selwan was engaged while in Hogwarts. It took people by surprise when 6 monthes later, her son died and she followed his suit. Absolom Selwan , died of pox a month before, so Samuel Selwan became the sole heir of Adriana. Samuel went abroad to avoid the gossips around him, when he returned he was changed. He had lost that scared look; and manner, and turned out to be a charming guy with money bags so deep you wont belive. “
“ Regulus, may I call you Regulus? I don’t get what you are trying to comply, the deathes are , to be blunt shady. But why are you so afraid of him?”
“ he… he looks … his gaze.. he always wants to be alone with kids, young kids. Maybe 10 and 9 years old. My parents don’t take me serious. I mean he has not even touched me, but there is this hunger in his stare, like… like.. and I don’t want to have to endure him all the time. If he marries Andy.. I love andy but I can not… I will not…”
Oh, Severus was saying the wrong spell all the time. He was running himself ragged with searching for a clue about Selwan being dirty, but all he had to do was reach out to his old? New? Future? Slytherin Black ally/ somewhat friend.

A few days later, while he was enjoying himself , what with reading a book on pure blood families and relationships ( given to him by Regulus Black of all people) he had not seen even in his memories of future , in Bones family manor, while drinking his chocolate milk spiced with cinnamon, he retelled all his conversations to twins and Amelia. Although Andromeda was not in that damned party for them to extract her blood ( for the artimancy equasions), he had somewhat bonded with Regulus.
( he had also recived a copy of old rituals from lady Prewatt , given to him by Fabian, he had no idea why the grim lady would send such things to him, maybe it was a good thing? He must have impressed her?)
After mentioning his interest in getting Andromeda help ( not that he wanted to help ted, nope, not at all), to break the engagement, Regulus became much more helpful. Surprisingly enough, Regulus had sent him letters everyday after that, not by owl, but with said Kree.( also Regulus said he would pass Andy his letter, if he ever wanted to write to her)
“master dirty half breed must answer the noble and most gracious heir Black, at once.”
Apparently, Regulus told his elf to call him master, but the sodding elf nonetheless found ways to insult Severus anyway. Severus knew that Blacks would not tolerate another of their sons go down ( meaning a possibility of their second son not going to Slytherin too), what with talking to someone as lesser as Severus with a disgraced mother and a muggle father to boost. They barely permitted half bloods- with a pure father and a mudblood mother- to even touch their robes, let alone talking to one. So Severus tolerated the elf and his scatching remarks. As soon as Severus wrote back to him, the boy opened up like a chatter box. He wrote to him everyday, once twice a day even, plotting strange bordering on crazy plans to get Andy out of that marriage conteract. Severus did not reveal he intended Andy to marry a muggleborn, he was not a lunatic to throw away Regulus somewhat friendly help- regardless of his annoying chatter- and possibly a chance to turn him away from joining the ranks.
Amelia said he was playing a dangerous game, and suggested he stop it.
“ from what I understand, Samuel Selwan is a hazard. You will find yourself in a lot od trouble if you try persing him. I don’t think there is any hope for Blacks to turn him down and accept Ted. Selwan has lots of people in his pockets. So far we have what? Word of a 10 years old and an elf? I gather there is something not right, his brother, father, finace and her son? All dead? But with no proof, this is all speculation.”
Fabian and Gideon were in league with her this time.
“ we all wanted to help Severus. But we have to admit we failed. Even if we present Blacks with the result of Ted and Andy marriage, that a metamorph will be born ”
Severus was not going to do such a thing. He was fuming at mouth, the whole party was to help Ted, but of course the stupid gits would fall in love further and want to stay out of trouble. How could he explain to them that no matter how they act, there will be a war raging in less than a decade. A war Severus had no clue how to change, so he did not become a spy and die at 38. He only wanted to save himself and lily. Now with all these people he cared about? It was neigh impossible to avoid. He had thrown himself into Hufflepuff for preventing that. Severus could not allow that marriage, Andy would not marry that guy and would rather run and become a nobody like his own mother, disowned even. The problem was that he could not say that he was aware of what to come. He did not fancy being chained to a chair and having to deal with unspeakables, aurors and Albus Fucking dombledore trying to discover how he ended up like this. A half kid ,half adult with memories of future to come.
He would rather eat one of hugrid’s rock cakes than to admit defeat, and leave Nympahadora to marry a werewold. So he would plan himself, let this lovesick couple stay out all they wanted.

Chapter Text

It was days past christmas, and Severus was scheduled to have his meeting with Pomona the next day. A meeting that was probably about nonsence shit of adapting to Hogwarts, finding a solution for homesickness bulshit and blah blah blah. Severus truly had no idea of that certain meeting ,even in his future self memories there was no mention of that particular thing. It was refreshing to know that there were things to learn, even for a boy with the next 20 years memories of his future-past.
There was still part of those memories he had no access to , large memory gaps, maybe those he had occluded the most his last year. Maybe his 11 year old brain filtered them for him automaticaly. Human brain had this cool inbuilt feature to censure things that were too hurtful. He could only wonder what was more hurtful than what he had seen in those memories and shuddered.
Emerald had finally decided to come back from whatever journey she had gone with Fawkes, she was slightly larger, and definitly heavier. She barely could size in his pocket, and when Severus mistakingly metioned this to her, she bit his nose hard enough to leave a bruise.
Point to myself, never ever say that a lady is fat to her face, the results are painful.
Currently, Em was reclining on his bed, picking her feathers, rearranging them to puff or whatever. It seemed no matter the shape, every damn girl on this planet had to look beautiful and fret over non-existing problems in their appearance.
“ my tail feathers are not as fluffy as I recall, I’m telling you lad when I was this small last time my my feathers were as white as snow and as soft as silk. Oh those accursed days… things I gave up for saving your useless ass….”
And again, right back on picking on him again, now she was going to go on and on about how he should better be grateful, how it was tough on her to come back here, how he has to stop being stupid and do some meaningful thing in this life… damn girl! Didn’t she understand he was only an 11 year old nobody? What was he supposed to do? Go chalenge dumbles for the most horrible attire of the year or who could name more muggle candy?
“ you ungrateful brat! I’m trying to get your attention for exactly a minute! Oh this new generation has no respect at all! Where are those kings who bowed before my wisdom? And those gentelmen knights who slaughtered dragons with a single beckon of my talon? How I have dropped from grace! I am stuck with a pitiful kid who can’t even kill a manticure let alone a dragon!”
Before severus could answer that silly bird, he was distracted with an owl flying straight to him, not with one, but two letters.
Severus ignored emerald shenanigans and focused on those pieces of paper that were currently flying towards him.
Who they were from?
His list of contacts he wrote to, was pitifully short.
Regulus, lady Prewatt, and occasionaly, like when he needed permission to go to Bones manner, his mother.
He was pretty sure it was not from Regulus, as he sent those maddening letters with his awful awful elf, and when he was alone, always at the end of the day. He must be too desperate for attention, what with his dimwitted brother who landed himself in trouble every other day ( and Gryffindore to boost) and his mother who probably fumed in rage in sync with that time phrase. Regulus was feeling lonely, and Severus doubted that Black , with his newly found mischief maker group, had the time of the day to spare a second to think about his lil brother. Now that Regulus had found a reason to talk to another kid , even a half such as himself, a kid who he shared a delightful habbit of reading books with, would he, leave the opportunity?
Nope. Not until he was in his first year and found some friends of his own, respecfully pure blood shits.
It was also not from lady Prewatt. She did not send letters with Hogwarts owls. She sent it with her personal owl, a very formal looking expensive bred that was special to sacred 28, with the crest of Prewatts.
He knew as he had recived two of them, in fact. One for letting him know that he was on the list of a party held in their manner , honoring Bones and Prewatt union, and one to thank him for his attendance at said party. Suffice to say, the party was more boring than the one Bones held. At least Boneses were a neutral family, whereas the Prewatts were a light one strictly. Meaning there was no opportunity to run into Sylwan, Regulus or Andromeda. There was also the presence of Molly now weasley , with a 2 year old Bill and a heavily pregnant stomach.
Oh How he loathed that irritating ginger howling banshee! Really, what was wrong with being the heiress of a good family? Was her fucking love and oh so glorius passionate life enough? If it was , why Bill and charly left that hole they called home right after graduation? Those craving of her, a selfish hag who sacrificed her childern’s future for a love life that could not even pay the bills and hold a solid roof on their heads? The life of her kids? Ginny being posseced and her youngest son hunted, Fred to die and Bill to be maimed?
And to think she was one of the brightest witches of her generation.
Fuck her and her swiss cheese brain.
These past days, everything was quite except for Regulus whining. The boy had some points on magical theory, but whining about his oaf of a brother to him of all people?
Abnoxious.
Marlene was busy analysing Andy’s blood sample via artimency, thanks to Regulus ( what did you expect? That Severus took the time of the day for nothing? He was not a consumate Slytherin for 27 years for nothing!). She was her usual weird self, giving mysterious, calculating looks to the new couple as if measuring their chance at survival against something. (she winked at him once or twice, strange but that was Marlene for you). She was not alone in that, Hogwarts as a whole was buzzing with the news. The neutral-light pure blood couple was all you could hear about at every corner. Prewatt number two and Amelia were busy kissing, and Prewatt number one was busy trying to chaperone the idiot fools they were , saving their respectable arses from going over the border of the courtship they had and turning their families into blood enemies.
Seriously, if Severus did not kind of force them to join their hands, would those two get all kissy kissy with one another or it would take a litteral war to make them see that apparent affection?
Charity, was in comunicado. For whatever reason, she was still pissed at the wolf and therefore wasn’t up for hugs at all. Severus missed charity’s hugs now and that werewold was to blame.he totally agreed with being irritated at that hypocrite, but did not understand Charity’s obsession with him, he was a lost cause, end of story.
He feared if Charity take pity on that scumbag and forgave his sorry arse.
Frank was frank, meaning he was fretting over the meeting with their head of house. Walking on circles to no end,” what if she decides I am not good enough for being a badger? I mean I kinda ruined our first match and got our best seeker ever nearly killed! Ooh and my grades! What if she says my grades are not as good as you and Marlene and Merlin! What if she got me re sorted? I will hang myself if I am in a room with those nasty lions! Morgana what if I get suspended or…”
Yep, typical drama queen Frank. And to think that was yesterday before the meeting, today he was a bundle of nerves, an insufferable twat.
“ im ganna fail, im ganna go and land my arse in gryffindore and potter and black are going to have a field day, shit! My mom kills me! My dad will spank me!”
Severus was fed up enough to kick his backside out. He could go nag at other people.( he hoped he would go bother Alice, he kinda mentioned it to him) Sev had other problems.
He was no closer to solving the Sylwan problem, so Andromeda could marry Ted without being dis inherited.
Also he had not come into terms with different memories in his head, sometimes he knew things no one knew, sometimes he felt lonely and betrayed and cold and distant. He also had some night terrors, not much, but a couple of times they were intense. And to think they would get worse with his mind and magic growing and him being able to process a whole lot of data without turning into a permanent patient at st mungo, it was plain scary.
Emerald was no help at all, teasing him about the future, bothering him with explaining her own plans to change things for the better and nagging at him constantly about the life she had lost for him.
Was Fawkes this annoying? Why the hell Albus hasn’t turned bald or deaf? Was it different with a male phonix instead of a Huma?
Plus, he had not talked to Lily , like really talked for weeks now. There was ocasional hellos and polite greetings but that was it. Every time he wanted to brace himself and go have a chat like a goddamned adult, he was reminded of lily’s death. Of his future rule in it, of her betreyal and mocking him with that awful name. taunting him for his poverty. Even now that they were supposedly best friends, she hang out with her girlfriends and members of her house, more like joined at the hip. Was it like this for the other Severus? How he could manage if he was a loner in Slytherin?
Add Peter and his problems with those noble lords and Ladies to be and that Severus was determined to save him from becoming a rat , his mother cold attitude and this stupid meeting he had with Pomona, seriously why she had to have this thing arranged for all firsties? What was the worst thing that could happen to a kid this young? Falling off his broom and bruise their bum?
He had a bad feeling that if Pomona pressured him , with that motherly attitude of her, and her magic that smelled like homemade cookies, and extra ordinary quality hugs she gave, especially since bloody Charity had somehow made him addicted to daily hugs and now she wasn’t at all hugging him and had left him high and dry, he would spill the beans, meaning he already knew what was to happen in future, and then brought to Dumblefuck and boom.
It would be a one way ticket to hell for him.
Ok, lets put that whole can of flobberworms aside, the letters… no Regulus, no lady Prewatt…
So, the problem persists, what were those letters?
His mother would not go to trouble of sending two, so not mommy dearest .
And most importantly, where from?
He shrugged, maybe another request for interview? He still received one every week, why? He hadn’t the faintest clue.
He inhaled deeply and reached for the first one, and raised an eyebrew at that.
Rita Skeeter?
From what he remembered, She was a nobody at this time. In fact, the interview that made her famous was with some death eaters after trial, the most significant being the crouch jr case. She was a normal low level column writer on Informer, at her 20s something.
She was12 years, maybe 13 his senior?
Severus skimmed over the thing, basically she had told him that she had dirt on Sylwan, and if he was interested, she would be near the lake tommorow night.
Alone.
How she had found this owl and attatched that letter to his was beyond him. He had some vague idea of her being an animagus , some fly? Maggot? Who was able to enter Hogwarts easily, But for the life of him, he couldn’t guess why she decided to contact him now of all the times.
How on earth she even found out about him investigating Sylwan? Of course Charity had askedanyone who listened for info, but that was monthes ago, and only in school.
He was in two minds about it, to go or not to go? He could not go, but then, his mind would kill him bomabarding him with bizzar reasons. He could inform Emerald.. she was at least a whole century older and maybe had some idea of..
And she was not here, again.
For goodness sack! What use was this snobish chicken if she was absent every single time he needed her?
How on earth a little birdy like her, who had neither re-gained her flying abilities nor flashing could move so fast alluded him. She mostly was in the kitchens, scheming with elves, or backbiting their poor companions over tea with Fawkes. Severus shuddered vilently at the thought of having anything on common with Dumbles, but as his older counterpart used to say, life was not fucking fair,
So maybe he would go, worse case scenario? She would print some bullshit about him on that second rated magazine she worked for. Then there would be the announce of Andromeda’s upcomming wedding and that piece of gossip about him, no matter how horrible, would faint next to the wedding of the century.
He mentally trembled, Andromeda would not marry that murderor, not under his watch.
And he made the mistake of looking at the second, and his main letter.
His mothe…
Eileen.

Severus
We have some news to share, I expect you at home this easter.
No excuses , they wont be tolerated.
How motherly of her.
No happy your past birthday which I have not accnowldeged, no love mom, no nothing.
Eileen wants him to come home, and he is afraid to say the least.
Who is we? There is no we in Snape household. There is Tobias and Eileen and their nerve recking fights and shameful insults.
What is we?
What will be the news?
It must be grave, to say the least.
Was Tobias dead?
No, then he would have gotten some owl from ministry too.
Was she ill? Was it serious?
Had she found some boyfriend and that was what (we) meant?
Knowing his parents, who did not tolerated him at their good days , this ( not tolerated ) was big.
Big enough to let his mouth dry and his stomach rolling painfully.
He is rocking himself back and force, shaking like a leaf in the hands of wind. He feels that his cheecks are wet and his nose needs a thorough blowing, but he can not be arsed to do it. He is trying and failing to calm himself. Severus can just remember those harsh words she had for him when he was sorted into Hufflepuff, how Eileen had said he was a failure and a disgrace, although she had not send a howler like Black’s mother, she did not need to. Eileen was always skilled with words, she could cut to the bone with just a snicker or a single syllable if she wanted to.
Severus knew that her opinion, the mindset of a woman who was even more bitter than his past future older self, and more depressed than he ever was , should not bother him so much, but the truth was that it did. It broke him into pieces to know that the one person ( Tobias was not a person, he was a venomous viper ) in the world that almost everyone had no doubt about their love, saw him like that. Other kids, or adults talked like their mothers were the end and the beginning of the world. Narcissa, cold ice queen Narcissa, dared to defy the dark lord by begging him to do draco s task so that her boy could live, and here he was, stuck with Eileen bloody snape.
He shut his eyes, tried to inhale although no air enterd his lungs, his eyes were burning, his lungs were burning and he was not sure how much he could stand it anymore.
The door was opened and Frank cames inside, chatting about his meeting and not quite aware of the circumstances “ why the hell I was dreding it! Our Head is the best! I am telling you Sev! She even offered me chocolate and told me she is proud of me! That she admired my loyalty to my friends and our Holloween plan wss awsome, wait Severus do you mind that I told her I was involved with the planning? Sev! Are you even listeni..”
And he draw the curtains and saw him in his all glory.
Puffy eyes, wet face designed with snots, his difficulty to breath.
“ hold on! Please Seveus! I cant.. I don’t.. please tell me what is wrong!”
Severus could tell frank was panicking, he himself was panicking but he couldn’t even move to give him a swat on the head and tell him to stop dwadling like a mindless buffon and go get an adult, preferably Pomona. Not for the life of him.
No, Severus even more panicked when he thougt about that maybe Frank went and got Minerva because she was deputy and closer to their dormetory, and minerva went to Albus because of fucking course she would go to Albus and Albus finds his secrets…
Merlin!
Then pomona comes to their room too. Severus lost it then and there.
Pomona had a very busy day ahead. Conducting a meeting with her perfects, aranging an appointment with the quidich team ( as they surprisingly managed to get ahead of ravenclaws and tied with Slytherins) plus the date with 5th years for their career choosing, then there was the customery meeting with first years to see how they fared.
Of course something would go wrong in a busy day like that. Pomona knew her other collegues did not bother with the meetings with first years and left the Quidich to the Captain, she was tempted to leave that to the captain too. And the perfects? They had this year headgirl, so it shouldn’t be a problem, she would keep them in line.Except she couldn’t.
As Ted Tonks was more and more stressed with the upcoming wedding of his beloved, the whole team was in shambles. Bones was acting like a simplton in love and was found more on the Gryffindore tower than on her dorm. Pomona was not averse to a bit of romance , but this much love problems in her house?
Absolutly despicable.
She had divided first years between her sparce free time, skipped breakfast to talk to the team so they would behave a little, and ate a meager lunch to speak with her perfects and that lover girl. Now she had only fifth years and longbottom and Snape to talk to. She had told her fifth years to not bother her until weekend and that was it. She was exhausted to the bone.
Frank longbottom came as planned, right on time with an excited/ stressed smile on his face. After she offered him some chocolate to relieve his nerves and he accepted with an eager face, Pomona suddenly was reminded of that doomed first Quidich , how this small boy was to die if not for…. And her body gave an involuntry shudder. They talked abit about Frank time in school, how he liked here, how much he missed home and if he had any problems with other houses. He hesitated there.
Was he bothered? Did sombody hurt him?
She was concerned and said as much.
“ I mean professor, I don’t. but you know? Severus is a really good boy, and I love him like my brother, but those Gryffs always find some way to bother him. It is not that their head….
And the boy, suddenly reminded of his place, ate his words.
Pomona knew Minerva was more than a bit biased towards her charges, but by Merlin if she had pulled another stunt….
Frank seem to understand that” no proffessor, professor Mcgonagal is alright somehow, but…there was this time that Charity told lupin that Severus has this cute little phonix and Potter and Black went and ambushed him and Pettigrew… and went on and told the tale.
Pomona had to smack Minerva once or twice, what was she thinking making a boy barely out of hospital mad, if Snape had less control on his magic and had an acccidental magic episode… was she not aware he had not his wand on him for a reason? Bless Pettigrew for being with him. She made a mental note to award the chubby boy some points during herbology.
Her heaart did a flip. His soft boy was a kind one. First with helping out Bones and Longbottom, then defending Pettigrew to a proffessor who wanted to unjustly punish him, and his friendship with the twins and miss Mckkinnon, wasn’t he a model of Hogwarts unity? Brave , loyal and smart with a cunning mind on him. She was filled with pride for her badgers. She did not care about his Phonix like others did, she knew Albus ( who had a phonix also) for years and he was a manipulating chill hearted bastard. But his actions, Severus actions spoke loads about his character.
“ umm, and he writes to Regulus lots. He thinks I don’t know, but his elf is a nutter…
Pomona first reprimanded him for his word ( nutter? Mr Longbottom?) and his spying ( you should not listen to other people mister! That’s unbecoming of a gentleman!) but praised him for bringing the matter to her.
“ I am proud of you and your loyalty to your friends and sticking for what is right. Bullying is a monsterous act and we, badgers do not allow it, whether it be towards us, or a fellow Slytherin. I think your family is proud of you too mr Longbottom. “
Then dismissed the now too happy boy who had a sprint in his steps and was left with her thoughts. Dealing with a Black, even a spare was dangerous, as his older brother would not react kindly to this. He would say his brother was stolen from him, or that Snape had replaced him on purpose. How much of genius Snape was, as half blood first year he could not help but be unaware of the whole political situation of the wizarding world.It would not help that the older Black was out for Severus at every corner. Also Snape was a half, so if Sirius , heir to a pure blood family, was to say some words to some people, his life would be ruined completely.
Then she saw that talkative boy had left his scarf on her office table. She sighed. The weather was still cold and those tiny first years were always in danger of getting a cold even fully clothed, let alone if one forgot to put on their scarf. Poppy hands were full with stressed fifth and seventh years who found out they were to take owls/ newts in a couple of monthes and were freaking out. Horace was grumbling obsenities every time he was to brew another batch of potions too. Also with upcoming valentines, there was the problem of healing those stupid kids who brewed love potions incorrectly and correctly.
She used her wand to point her the kid location, as it was expected he was in his room.
“ hold on! Please Seveus! I cant.. I don’t.. please tell me what is wrong!”
Pomona pushed the door and was shocked to see her young charges. Frank was kneeling near Severus’s bed, shaking him to snap out of whatever phase he was in. poor lamb was not aware that people could not simply snap out of an episode of panic. Severus himself was rocking himself back and forth, mumbling that he did not want to go. She took a closer look and found his hand around a crumbling piece of paper, and cursed. Was it his headcase of a dam? She could clearly remember those foul words she had sent his young son. And if those words bothered her, imagine what it could do to a kid? She stepped in, carefully removed Longbottom from the boy and assured him that she will see to the situation, then handed him a calming draught and told him to rest a bit.” Severus dear, try to breath with me, out, and in” but the boy was past that clearly. Pomona sighed, hugged the boy and stood up. His weight had not changed much. She slowly went to the common room to floo to the hospital. At this record Severus would have a whole case built till he graduated.
When they landed in infirmary, Poppy was dealing with a crying Ravenclaw who was raving about binns.
“ how am I going to pass history? Madam Pomphery please tell me! Why we are saddled with that useless ghost of a teacher! Even peeves has its uses but binns.. please! Can you talk to the headmaster? Can you…”
Pomona sighed, there were two- or three students per year who complained about him. But with the budget they had.. a ghost had no expenses and the boared had no intention of changing that.
“ excuse me, Poppy…”
“ again?” if she sounded irritated, Pomona gave it to her. This was only the second term and Severus was spending more time in the hospital wing than in his dorm.
And she unburdened her from her charge. Pomona sighed in relief, he was in good hands now.

When Severus came to himself again, it was dark outside. He remembered Pomona coming to the rescue when he lost it, again. he was angry at himself for letting a letter get the better of him. Seriously was he not a master occlumense for heavens sack?
“ awake at last Mr Snape?”
And here it was again, Poppy bloody pomphery would not let it go easily, and that bloody woman knew exactly when he told lies. Whether he was a poor lier or she was a good detective , he had no idea.
“ let it be known for once young man, pretending to be asleep never works with me”
Severus sighed, time to face the music.
“ hello ma’m. I was just…”
“ looking for ways to make me let it go?”
Damn it, was he that obvious?
Poppy chuckled “ to be young and naïve again… now tell me what was wrong? If I have something to say about it, I prefer not to deal with you having a panic attack ever..”
This made severus to hang his head in shame, was he a bother for her too? Of course it is shameful to be this weak ..
“ none of it young mister. May be the fault lies with me. When I said I do not like to deal with that situation, I did not mean it like that you are to blame. I meant that it pains me to see you, or any child or adult for that matter like that. I assure you , you are the most passiante brave kid I have seen, and weaknesses are not something to be ashamed of. Did you know the first time I had to draw blood from a patient I fainted?”
Severus did not know, and picturing that, a young pomphery fainting in the middle of a session with a patient. He giggled.
Poppy smiled too.
“ now, would you like to talk about it with me, or your head? If you are uncomfortable, we can have it in a week, but you can not escape it lad. Understood?”
Severus nodedd.” Umm it was nothing, honest! “
Poppy rolled her eyes. “ whatever keeps you satisfied. But we will have that one way or another” and left.
Severus sighed in relief, at least he did not have to endure Poppy hounding him for information on his pitiful life and his shamful episodes. He was pretty much sure that Rita’s letter was either not found or it had some concealment charm on it. He timidly searched his pants pockets which was neatly folded near his bed and found that. Apparently Rita had enough of a mind not to send that letter without precautions.
To mr snape
If you are interested in hearing about mr Sylwan, meet me at the lake tommorow night
Ps write your answer behind this letter
Ok, another thing Severus had not noticed. He did not need to send an owl, but what if Rita had some secret agenda of her own?
Knowing the bottersome insect animagus ,he was sure she was not to be taken at face value. And he was not certain if after today , he could hide from the careful watch of either Madam Pomphery or Pomona. If anything, they would go all the way to make Flitwick concerned, Slughorn worried and Minerva guilt tripped to watch him. So it was now or never.
So he wrote back.
: tonight, half an hour
And that was it. He knew madam Pomphery would not bother checking on him for an hour or so, at this time, she was probably busy gossiping with Minerva and poking fun at the latest lovesick couple caught by professors in the act. He hoped it was not the Bones- Prewatt whole-heartedly.
He changed into his uniform quickly and practically ran all the way. When he arrived there, no one was present.
How disappointing would it be for him to have to put up with Poppy’s ire for nothing?
Then out of no-where Rita Skeeter appered before him, Startled he let out a yelp.
“ easy there mister, don’t you look even cuter in person?”
Damn bug, of fucking course she would pull this up, the hag!
Rita was not much of a hag, to be honest. She was tall, blond and in the prime of her youth. She had long eyelashes and full lips. Her attire was abit revealing, but for a gossip writer of a trashy magazine, it was normal.
Severus was annoyed, cuter his hairless ass!
“ is it considered rude to say you are more charming from a far?”
Rita laughed, a muffled one albeit.
“my my, arent you the picture of a british gentelman!”
Then changed her demenure to a bussiness one.
“as I am sure you must be aware , there is no private…place in Hogwarts”
Severus thought about all those devices in headmaters office, as they were enchanted by Albus they were pretty useless to Severus of the future past. But to think Dumbledore kept them for their beauty, was laughable.
He noded in confirmation.
“ what would be your suggestion, asssuming we are to talk about…some… confidential notes? You can not come here completely unprepared”
Rita stared at him for a moment, then carefully chose her words.
“ you took me by surprise Mr Snape, I was told you are merly a bookish nerd with a good memory, clearly I was mis-informed. If I told you I know of some way to go to hogsmeed, and of course returning you here… we only need half an hour or so, what would be your response?”
Seveus was desperatly in need of his stupid familier, but like always, that useless creture was out doing merlin know what. What was the purpose of his rescue if she did not lift a finger to help him?did emerald even do anything but nagging at him for one thing or another?
But it was neither here nor the time, it was now or never.
He noded.
Rita was surprised the boy said yes, she means no harm, but the boy is still innocent isnt he? Not aware of the dark dark things waiting to invade your inner light, rub you of your innocence. No this kid, brilliant as he was, was still a kid.
Rita did not have a bright future ahead,with the resume she had, no good marks, no recommendation, no admirer… she was a column eriter in a shitty magazine, and if some miracle did not happen, she was lost. Now Samuel Sylwan true, he was the son of the notorist Sylwanus Sylwan but that was not the reason she detested him at all… she had hated him with all that was left of her after he broke up with her for that damn widow. May be Rita was kind of cracked for still … as much as she hated him, she would never , could never wish him death or harm. She was only a teen and the taste of that messy break-up was still on her toungue. Samuel had always backed up her dream to become a journalist, and to go dig up what ever those nasty posh people were up to when everybody back was turned. She even found out about Orion Black’s past broken engagement with Eileen Prince . well that gave her a serious talking to from Slughorn, a near Sapina from both Black and Prince families. Well serves the Princes right if they gone ectinct what with both Lord and lady dead due to dragon pox. Rita was certain her situation ( not being accepted by any decent magazine )was due to them and Blacks. Even now, she was sure, that Arcturus Fucking Black had a hand in her job at informer. Of course the old sod was laughing his mind off. She could even hear his deep sound “ ms Skeeter, such a shame to see a.. promising young lady wasting at .. what was that name again? informer? You were such a bright star …. Really it saddens me to see our young generation like this.”
Samuel was kind and caring at first, he constantly chatted about his young brother. Rita knew by heart that he hated his useless father. They both wanted to go into journalism and discover all those secrets about rich pure families. But then, he broke up with her, his brother died when he was still studying for newts and he was engaged to that pretty widow with a son to boost.
There was some talk of that widow ( she was not sure of her name) being a bastard Black. Rita could certainly relate to that. She hated her with a passion riveling only Arcturus…
But then the widow basterd and her son died, Sam Father died and he left the country for years.
No word.
Not even a goodbye.
And now? Hearing of his upcomming wedding to that chit, Andromeda something Black? For crying out loud the girl was years his junior! And Cygnas must be out of his mind to do that, he always was out of his mind, come to think of it.
The only one in that family who resembled Cygnas was Bellatrix, as mad as a cat. There was even talk of Andromeda and Narcissa being from.. another father, but it was probably bullshit. Orion came out right, well as right as you could hope for a black. Maybe it was a sibling curse?
Arcturus, in right mind.
Arasmus his twin, a complete man whore.
Orion , in his sound mind.
Cygnas? The little said the better.
Also Bella and Sirius were nutters while their siblings behaved almost like a human being.
And this little fella, Severus…
A half blood Prince…
She had no idea of him, beyond his maturness for his age and his recklessness. But the chief of daily prophit wanted a one on one interview with juicy bits of her to accept her among his recruits and to turn a blind eye on her unfortunate curriculum vitae, so the chief would get it.

If this boy was as briliiant as they said, he would find another way to shine and bury anything rita wrote about him in a couple of years or so. He was young and had powerful allies like Bones and Longbottoms, maybe now Prewatts were in his favour too.
What did Rita have?
A broken promise of a miserable boy. A broken heart and a grey future ahead.
She needed this for her, for her damn cv so that Barnabas would accept her.
Really, it was the only option for her to pay the bills and have a roof over her head. The other one was go to knockturn and do you-know-what.
Of course She had no intention of giving the boy the slightest clue about Samuel, those rumors were dangerous to spread and she had no death wish.
So maybe Sam killed that widow. Serves her right, that lustful wrinkled ass.
Maybe he killed his father. No less than he deserved.
But Rita could swear he was not a child murderor, not his brother…
So the rumer must be a rumer right? If he did not kill his brother, he had not done all that nasty things.
Right.
Back to mister Snape…
And her interview.
Personaly she didn’t have anything on the boy, but the public were still hounding papers for more info on him, and even with the introduction of the new famous light couple, Prewatt-Bones, which was surprisingly a first since 1700s, there were people who swore on their wands that the boy was the brain of the union.
What a hassle. The boy before her, was trusting enough to open and respond to a stranger’s letter, go out of Hogwarts with said stranger and sit to talk with a known gossip writer all because of a false promise to find out about Sylwan.
Did he know a thing about this world?
He was short, short enough to be mistaken for 8-9 years old. He had jet black hair with obsidin eyes and marble like skin, a very huggable cute mixture indeed. He had a good head on his shoulder, she gave him that. But he lacked much needed experince.
Experince to tell him not to go to Hogsmeed with a stranger.
She took his hand and from not so much of a secret passage down the woods, near the forest they went to Hogsmeed. When they sat behind the table she had reserved at three broomsticks, she heard his stomach rumbling.
“ seems you are hungry young mister Snape?”
His face had reddend a nice pink color from ear to ear, Rita definitly wanted to at least ruffle his hair, but refrained from doing so because she waas damn sure the kid would not like that one bit.
While his head hang low, he remained silent.
Rita pushed the menu in his hands and watched him hesitating to order.
“ as I have troubled you enough , is it not only fair you can at least gain something from me? I know the…conversation we are about to have is more to my benefit as.. I will be taking… my revenge against him… so it is only acceptable that I offer you something?”
Then he had ordered one from the least expensive thing on the menu, some bread (pita)with broth.
Wasn’t he cunning? Ordering a cheap thing for the sack of both ordring and being polite, but cheap so he could pay for it himself. Also taking into account his hunger and that his food be something hard to tamper with, for example adding potions.
Adding anything to the laready baked bread was hard, and adding a thing to a broth only flavored by salt?
Quite impossible.
She ordered a glass of water.
“Ms skeeter, now we are here, maybe it is better if we started? The sooner we start, the sooner we finish, am I right?”
“right, Mister Snape, to tell you the truth I am a bit lost , about how you would use this info, and if Sylwan would be able to track this to me..”
“ Ms skeeter, let us avoid baeting around the bush, I know you and your game, you want me to say something so you can twist to your heart desire and write a scandelous story, but I did not buy myself a hard time in school and a detention just so you can amuse yorself. You possibly forget that I can tell auras, and I can understand that you are being untruthful. And why it would be? “
Damn it, so it was true? The boy had perception? Fuck her chance! How in morgana’s pants she could do a thing now?
Keep cool
Keep cool!
“ you know Mister, us reporters always have another agenda of our own, and if indeed you have what we call perception, it is a bigger mistake to reveal it to a reporter such as me, isnt it? I am aware you are a… Hufflepuff, but you came from a line of Slytherins and you should know better to say anything of your weaknesses or strengthes, am I mistaken?”
The boy lost all the color on his face, so it was a good save.
“water?”
The boy noded, how green of him.
It was now or never.
Rita adedd the potion to her own water and quickly switched the glasses, one of the perks of being a friend of Sylwan. He often had to switch his fathers drink to something milder so he could at least appaarate without splinching.
She plastered a fake smile and offered the drink to the nervous boy and gleefully watched as he poured it down his throat.
Rita waited for a few seconds until the potion took effect.

Chapter Text

Arcturus Black prided himself on being always up to date.
He held tabs on almost all the players on the field. Grindlwald? Roped tight at nurmengard. Dumbledore? Playing with his chess pieces of people high up in his office in Hogwarts. Minister? Somewhere with Malfoy senior being bribed about one thing or another.
Now
This new dark lord, He was not sure. Yes, Walburga went on excrusiatiting long lectures about his greatness and whatnot, but Arcturus wasn’t someone to be fooled by appearances.most poisonous flowers held the utmost beauty.
When Regulus first called up kreacher to go to Hogwarts to send a letter, the elf dutifuly informed him and asked for his permission. Yes, orion was handling the misinstry side of things now, but the true lord was Arcturus, up untill the day he died.
Curious to what mischiefthis grandson was upto, he gave the permission ( and the order to inform him of other occurances) and thought nothing of it. It was not that long ago Orion sent letters to his older brother Cygnas via Kreacher. Mayhap this Black was worrying over his stupid older brother? It seemed such a tradition now, with himself and Arasmus, Orion and Cygnas and now Regulus and Sirius.
How wrong he was!
When the elf came back to tell him of the newest development and the boy’s foolery, his heart costricted with grief.
This was what happened to Evelyn line?
The boy, Severus, had her exact obsidin eyes. But he screamed of poverty and suffering. He recalled the grace which Evelyn held, her unparalled beauty which made so many duel to death over her attention…
Oh Eve.
His long lost love.
How he wished he had ran with her, and let all this empire be ruined by his idiot of a brother…
But no. he let her go, he let her down and that emotionless basterd Prince wed her. He chose to save the Black name by becoming the heir and dethroning Arasmus via a lade plan. He sometimes thought if the girl she gave birth was in fact, his and not Agustus daughter. Not that he cared about that weakling stupid thing, no. because she went and ran away with a muggle of all things. A clear sign of the madness curse of Blacks. She held no sign of her mothers natural grace and calm, she was an unhappy erattic little banshee, Eileen.
He never thought about that wertched thing who ran from home and broke Evelyn’s heart.
Yes, he had pushed orion to a courtship with her, so that he himself could have a chance at a relationship, even friendship, with Evelyn. But of course orion would break her heart by cheating on her. Because Arcturus damn well knew Eileen liked him, and Orion liked her back.
Fuck that bitch Walburga and her whorish tendencies. If Arcturus disliked Eileen, he truly abhored Walburga. A beauty face with nothing of virtue to back it up. At least Eileen was damn stubborn and once she made her mind, never turned from it, come heaven or hell.
Was it a trait of Blacks to love Princes and betray them anyway? If it was, and he was considering it by the revelation of Regulus and Severus, it only solidifieded more.
Was the brat already in love with him? Arcturus suspected yes. Oh indeed he was too young to know it, but by 15 or so, he would become perfectly aware. He wondered if this Black could turn his love to a more platonic one, because he couldn’t see a Black marrying a half and mostly a boy. He had a duty to the family, second son or not.
Love, what a shitty concept it was!
Eve, Evelyn, his Evelyn!
A heart he had shattered by leaving her all those years ago. A heart which had no strength left in it to deal with her only child wedding to a muggle and her subsequent disowning.
A heart which gave in completely after those two betrayals.
When Eve died, Arcturus knew for sure he would never give a damn if world tore itself apart. His sons had no love lost for him and he for them. He had washed his hands of Arasmus, and the whole family bussiness after that. Let this vampiric succesors of his kill each other for all he cared. Then Regulus came.
The boy was soft and kind, even in his infancy, if sirius shouted and cryed for a toy of his, he would let him. He liked reading books and was a shy quite child. Arcturus often found himself babysitting him while orion and walburga dealt with their eldest newest stupidity and cleaned his messes for him.
It wasn’t that Arcturus hated his grandson, it was that he reminded him too much of Arasmus, and the was he was trapped in becoming lord Black instead of his older brother which cost him Evelyn .
So he and Reg, had a kind of connection, you could say. He watched him constantly, and gave him lessons in heirship that his parents didn’t . Arcturus just knew Regulus had to become the future lord, whatever his parents thought of siruis, he was no lordship material.
He had better hold over his magic, more powerful and talented, yes. But he lacked finness, and patience. He lost his head over the smallest things and was rushed, decided on the fall of a hat, without thinking about consequences.
His Regulus, was weaker, eager to please his elders. But he had a good head on his shoulders and thought about his movements. He learned from his failures and never made a mistake twice, even if correcting himself and admitting to it ruined him.
So now.
What was he doing talking with a halfblood who happened to be Evelyn grandson?
And now, what was this wrtched elf spewing about he, Severus leaving Hogwarts to meet with Rita bloody Skitter? Had he possesed so little functioning brain cells?
He heard he had perception, owned a phonix and managed to get two pure families to back him up, all in one term. Yes he was said to be a genius, and played Quidich this young. But playing Quidich was only that, playing. It would bring fame and fortune, for a short while anyway. There would be new generation for people to gush over in 20 years or less. Then those retired players would doom themselves by alchohol and gambling, seeking to bury their desire for glory which was denied by their retirement.
And he had seen to many a genius curse themselves by thinking their brain meant they were superior to mere mortals.
They were wrong. There was always another one smarter present.
But those other traits of his…. And now he, leaving the school and meeting with the one reporter who had single handedly made his grandmother die of grief by spreading the news of that accursed engagement?
Prepostrous!
Oh, how Arcturus wanted to give him a piece of his mind!
Wait a min, why the hell not! So that was what he exactly did.
Minerva was thorughly pissed at the Hufflepuff boy, he was becoming the bane of her existance and bothering her constantly. There was not a week passed without him pulling one stunt or another. He had one job and that was being a student and study his damned lessons!
And what did he do?
Getting into fights with Potter and Black.
Becoming the youngest bloody seeker.
Saving the lives of two fellow students at his expanse.
Getting a pet phonix.
Not to metion how many times he had visited the hospital wing already and it was only the second term, of first year.
She remerberd many first years, none was this much of a trouble! And to think he was a little puff…Minerva shuddered to think what would have happened , what mischief he would get into if he was, say Gryffindore or Slytherin!
And now… boy had a death wish didn’t he?
It was half an hour ago the news hit them. While she, poppy and Filius were having a nice chat.
She had a glass of wine in one hand, while Poppy told them of the last foolish act of students.
“ this one slytherin today, had splashed himself with coloring potion. You wont belive me! He had pink hair with forest green skin and orange eyes, while his body hair had turned blue! “
Filius snickered.
“ this isnt anything! This Gryffindore yesterday, oh I can not even tell. We had a class about bubble head charm, and the poor thing casted it on his oh I can not say that… on his manhood instead of head…I can not fatom what in the world he was thinking! It took me a good 15 minutes to dissovle it and the boys face was as red as his uniform!”
They were all laughing their heads off.
Well except poppy.
Poppy was still bothered by onething or another and it showed. She was about to ask her when Longbottom ran towards them, along Pomona.
It worried her, and how right she was!
“ please please pleas! You gatta help him, you see , he was sleepin at our dorm and I went to see our head of house cause we had a kinda meeting and then I came back and he was upset and Professor brought him to infirmary and now he isnt there!”
The what, the who, the how?
“ Severus Snape is not in the hospital, nor his dorm. I am afraid I have no idea of his whereabout”
Said Pomona in a grave voice.
There went their good time.
Now after searching the grounds, asking miss Evans, and his yearmates, checking everywhere of this stupid castle and too many point me spells, Minerva was afraid.
Where the hell was the boy?
Sod Albus for not being in the castle when you needed him!
Severus as feeling lightheaded and nauses. What was in that thing he ate? He tried to stand and he was not able to.
“no no no, mister. We don’t want anyone to find you , do we? After all you are drugged with a version of truth serum mixed with sleeping drought. Don’t worry good boy! You wont even remember what happened when I am done with you!”
Severus was cursing his arrogance and foolishness. What the hell he was thinking taking on a fully grown witch like Rita? He had memories, he was not an actual grown up for merlins sack! And he was panicking.
What good will panicking do in this mess?
“now tell me, what is your relationship with Blacks? How did you get in not one, but two pureblood family good graces and is Orion having an affair with your mother, Eileen?”
What the fuck? Affair? His what with Blacks? He was resisting answering the questions, but he couldn’t for much longer.
“ silencio.I suggest that you consider yourself lucky young man, where I not wary of my granson shenanigans, tommorow daily prophit wouldn’t be to your liking much boy.”
Who the hell was this guy? What the fuck he was doing? How he was here? He knew why he had silenciod him but..
Oh.
Grandson.
He take a closer look at him. Tall, grey hair and eyes, smug and arrogant and too full of himself, walking like he owned the place.
A sodding Black.
Arcto something?
“ I see you recognised me already boy. So the rumors may have some base at least. Although it took you quite a time”
He stared at him. The nerve of the man!Quite atime? Was this guy for real? Severus had not the misfortune of meeting the guy even in his memories. That son of…
“ oh no boy. What would your mother say if she knew you had such a dirty mouth?”
He quickly averted his eyes.Was this shit of a guy a legilemens too? Why the hell everybody he encountered was one? The dark lord, dumbledore, that bloody Huma…
The man chuckled.
“ so she had not neglected your education that much if you know about the mind arts. No boy. I am not a mind arts practioner. You are as easy to read as a book”
Severus glared at him again.
Rita was slowly moving away while they chatted.
“ no missy. You made a mess , you face the consequences.”
“please my Lord! I had no idea..”
“ you had no idea of what? That the boy is Eileens? That he has been seen with my youngest grandson leaving a lavatory at Bones-Prewat ball? That you were stupid enough to think you could have one on me, on Arcturus Black after all you had to endure because of your stupidity? Do you learn from your lessons at all?”
“ please I am begging you, I am…”
“ get out of my sight. You owe me and the child one. I will get barnabas to hire you. But remember this, from now on you work for me, and me alone”
Rita said nothing when apparted out.
“ now, what do we have here? A noughty child of the highest level?”
Severus wanted to say sod off.
Which he did, as Arcturus had canceled the spell. He smirked at him.
“ is that all you have to offer to your saviour? You do understand you are in much trouble when you go back? Becauce trust me, I will not hold back on your sheer stupidity. If you are in detension only until you graduate, you will be lucky”
Severus worried. He had escaped hospital, hogwarts, and went to interview without permission from either his parents or head or deputy. He had been drugged and was in more trouble had Arcturus not intervined.
“why were you here in the first place, I wonder?”
Severus felt the potion weakening, but it was enough for him to answer his question, to his horror.
“ I was here since I wanted to get dirt on Sylwan, He is a pathetic murderor who even does not take responsibilty for his deeds.”
Arcturus raised an eyebrow.
“ do go on, inform me of all those gossip nonsence for all the good it will do.”
Which Severus did, unwillingly.
At the end, Severus had left nothing. Sylwan murdering his fiancee and his brother and father. His meeting with Regulus and even his brilliant plan to marry Andromeda to Ted.
“ do you belive me a fool boy? Why in Morganas grace I will do that? A half blood was something but a mud.. muggleborn?”
Interesting. Either he refrained the term since he was in public ( bella used it all the time, so no), he was a minor ( narcissa used it in front of draco) or he did not believe in it much.
“ for one, even if he is not a murderor which he is,his father was gambler and all children follow their forefathers oneway or another. I do not believe one such as yourself would like a part of family fortune to go to waste like that. For another you know how she is, she will runaway with Ted, and trust me she finds a way. My mother did and she was much less of headstrong witch than her. Last but not the least what if I told you I have evidence their union will provide your family a metamorphmagus? Your family…”
Arcturus eyes widened and he sat at the eadge of his seat.
“ this a bold claim boy, watch it or..”
Severus interupted him.
“yes I have. We checked with artimancy, with a blood sample too. And what is the ration of pureblood marriage pregancies? If there is one at all and the result is not a squib or half wit ? I am certain Ted can be convinced to take Black name too. You know having a metamorph , carrying black family magic , will do to the reputation of Blacks?”
Arcturus eyed him suspiciosly. He had to reveal more, didn’t he?
“ if you still doubt it, I can tell you that I myself carry the upttude of Prince family. Mind arts. And before you ask, no. I have not tried it as I have a unsteady core still. But I can talk with my phonix and she confirmed it.”
“ what there is for you? Even as a phonix owner, I doubt you are as sincere. You are something…else. Not a fluffy puff at all.what is your ambition ?”
Severus had to say something, true enough for Arcturus to believe him, and far enough from his goal of defeting the dark lord and saving people .
“isnt the Black allignance to me enough? “
“you tread dangerous waters boy. What will be next? Minister for magic?”
“ why not? “
Then Arcturus laughed a good minute or so. The heavy air between them cleaned.
“ if you manage to get actual proof of Sylwan wrongdoing, I am all ears. Mayhap I consider having you around more. You are fun to watch.”
Then he took his hand an apparated them to the gates, where an angry committee were waiting for him.
Poppy?
Check.
Minerva?
Check.
Pomona?
Check.
Filius, Horace and filch and about half the staff?
Check.
Boy was he in trouble!
Arcturus smirked.
“ I warned them of our arrivel, good luck lad”
Good fucking luck his bum!

Chapter Text

Severus had screwd up badly before, but this new one got the cake.
As he was shuffling on his feet, hanging his head as low as possible to show remorse, he listened to all the grown-ups arguing animatedly.
Pomona was about to go and kick Rita in the you-know-where but was restrained by both Minerva and Filius and offered a calming draught by Poppy.
When Poppy checked him thrice over and made sure there was no ill effect left of that potion he ingested stupidly, Horace and Filius left to check on their respectful detentions.of course that was not before Arcturus delightfully informed them of what exactly Rita was doing and that he wanted to get information out of her.
Surprisingly he lied to them.
: both this boy and my grandson, Regulus, were in contact with each other since Yule. And Snape was curious to know whether he and Regulus were related.
This got curious looks from all who remained, was there a secret reason he was not aware? A scandle? Love children?
He soon was distracted from that file in his mind as he got detention from nearly all heads of houses for whole term. A fit even James and Harry bloody potter had not succeded in.
Of course the bastard he was, arcturus left him in tender care of three mad witches who were in infirmary now, calling for his blood.
Pomona was now tapping her fingers on the desk and lost in thoughts, Minerva was pinching hes nose as if she was sporting a headache and Poppy was throwing spell after spell to know if he really was ok.
When out of the blue, Pomona punched the desk in front of her, hard.
“Damn it child! What am I to do with you?what the hell is wrong with you? Not a week passes that you do not shake my whole body in fear! I have half a mind to make that thrice damned hat put you in Gryffindore! What foly is this? Going after a sodding Black? Are you completely nuts?”
Minerva, surprised by her outburst had a hand on her shoulder which she shrugged. Poppy wanted to say something too, but the badger was far too gone to care about either decoroom or cursing.
“ a fucking Black? Is having the future black heir at your back is not exciting enough for you? You had to go entangle yourself with his younger brother too, scheming about Merlin knows what! You learned nothing of that triad of long stay at saint mungos? To think I thought… what the hell I even thought? You understand Blacks are fucking powerful, spitful or that wretched mother of yours told you none? Now.. now you go after Rita skeeter and Arcturus bloody Black? You have a death wish?”
Severus had a mind to tell her to stuff it in her..eh.. and that Regulus and Arcturus and Rita practicaly threw themselves at him, not the other way, good for him to know not to interupt a violent adult when being told off. In the back of his mind, he feared that this was it. This was when Pomona get him resorted to another house and he would be alone again, or she would tell him to stand against a wall so she could belt him.
Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.
He knew not of a single situation any of the staff raised their hands and yet..
He sniffed again, tried to make himself smaller, and be as quiet as possible.
“ from now on, you are removed, oh no banned from quidich and…”
Poppy silenced her with a flick of her wand.
“ get yorself together you overgrowned centiped. You have no right to distress one of my patients. Get the hell out of here or so help me I will make you”
Minerva sighed in relief and wasted no time in taking her away immediately.
That was 15 minutes ago. Poppy had not moved a muscle from where she was sitting, a bed across from him. He could practically feel her eyes on himself, as if she was afraid of blinking, that he might flee.
He had to take the first step, show her it was a momentary lapse of judgment and never to happen again, that he is a cute little button, a sensetive kid with trauma , like that.
He hated it, but there was no sweet talking her, and by proxy sweet talking other teachers to soften the heavy blow of detensions. There was only one way- the truth. Or as much as truth a Slytherinish Hufflpuff with the memory of the next 20 something years was capable of sharing.
“um.. madam?”
“yes mister Snape? Would you like me to read from the school’s policy to know how manyof the rules remains?”
“what?”
“ for you to break? You seem to like to be the first in everything, the first firstyear who got on the team, the first player who nearly got himself killed at first match, the first one to got their hands on a phoneix as a pet, the first firstyear who left the school compeletly unsupervised and got himself drugged?”
Ok, the sarcasm was not needed nor wanted, but he could admit to himself that he had a heavy record as of even now, and it was only the second term. So he had to improvise, take advantage of her passion, her taking pity of him. Hated it, yes, but needs must.
“ it was the letter, my mom’s letter. I didn’t want to think about it, and she kind of ordered me to come back home for easter. And I don’t wanna go, and… and Im scared”
“ ‘m sorry”
He said it in his best I-am-an-inocent voice, with his lip trembling slightly and eyes welling up a bit, and if he sniffed too, that was totally part of the act.
Poppy sighed and shook her head, closed her eyes for a moment and then asked him in a calm voice if he wanted to go back to his dorm or not.
Severus grinned in his mind, the danger was gone, at least for now.
Then he remembered what he had done, was practically a masterplan for a Gryffindore. He still shuddered when he thought about being ‘ the Hufflpuff hero’, now with this shit? No way all Gryffs, trouble maker rule breakers they were, looked at him like their personal idol.

He closed his eyes, maybe this was all nightmares his dying mind produced and he was still at that bloody shack.
He could only hope, couldn’t he?

Arcturus went through the records he found on Sylwan. They all told the same story, that he was inocent and everything else was hogwash. He had arranged a visit to Rita, and he was prepared to lift the ban on her if she proved to be useful. Having a reporter in his pocket never hurt, it was defintly useful for turning a story however one liked.
From the girl, he got the name of two reporters who were on Sylwan case at that time.
Both dead.
The paper which published the news?
Bankrupt.Its main corresponder went missing around the time Sylwan returned from his expeditions.
There were two mediwiches and one mediwizard who were reported to have formed a triad, and since it was illigal in britain, they were rumered to have left for france.
Except, there was no reported portkey made at the misinstry.
This particular mystery was only becoming more confusing with time, so many clues, and not one acceible for investigation. It was reeking of corruption and now that he had opened the Pandora box, there was no way to back down now. And personally, Arcturus would be damned if he let a twisted guy like Sylwan into his family. If all those reports said were true, it took only a year for him to erase all those people from existence, and as loath as he was to confess, he did like his family , as deranged as they were, to thrive for the next century or so. He had no plan to leave them at tender mercy of a psycho like Sylwan. He had nothing agaist a healthy dose of murder and mayhem, but wiping out nearly ten people in less than a year was a tad too much, and for merlin, none were mudbloods!
He had work to do, damn these new generation and their fragile hearts. If you wanted something done, you had to do it yourself.
What a busy schedule, people to crucio, questions to be answered..
Right, they better sit tight, because Arcturus bloody Black was going to be back at bussiness.

Chapter Text

As much as Severus feared the easter holiday, it approached.

Surprisingly, after that whole debucle with Skeeter and Senior Lord Black, nothing worthy of note happened, not that he had any opportunity to do . what with those awful awful time consuming detentions, dodging Black and Potter, and regaling Regulus with so many tales about Hogwarts and its teachers.

Against his better judgment, Junior Black proved to be a good ear, eager to learn and slowly warming up to him. Emerald was of opinion that he was substituing him as the big brother Sirius was not. Not to forget about helping Pettigrew to help his pears so they left him mostly alone in his dorms, or making sure the wolf didn’t make another move on sweet Charity or stopping Frank from freaking out at the mere mention of end of the term exams.

“ I know Im ganna fail, no doubt. And I already upset ma and pa cause I ended up near the last in our year! And Alice smacked me yesterday cause I forget about her birthday and Charity told me how I am dumb to forget about her birthday and that she maybe consider befriending Lupin and Marlene glares scare me ( her glares riveled his future past proffessor self, who wouldn’t fear?)….”

Yep, story of his life. Also he had to prepare several potions for Emerald. He had no idea a bird could be this bothersome! Lucky him, Slughorn had no idea he was kind of a potion master in his own right, and had supplied the potion for an exchange of one or two feather. 

So it was no wonder he was nervous to go back. He had to take the train, then his mother was going to pick him up. Emerald had offered several times to come with him, although she was little more than a birdling ( was it even a word?) and could perhaps fly 10 meters uninterupted max.

“ I can not put you in danger too. You already gave up your everything trying to bring back my memories to past, and what if Tobias was home? I can deal with him but..”

He couldn’t not remember the way he had gotten rid of his pet dog, which was really a stray he found. Some days he thought if the poor thing was better left alone starving than face whatever Tobias did to it. He even tried to be brave and tell his head of house or Madam Pomphery, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Just imagining the pitty looks he was to receive from his proffessors, ones he had worked with them as a colleage made his stomach hurt. One could argue that he could inform the Bonses, or Longbottoms, or even Prewatts, but he couldn’t do that too. They would see him as a leech, a parasite who only saved their children to gain something from it later. He had endoured it once and lived to tell the tale, why would a second time matter? 

He had mixed memories of the future that wouldn’t come, and this time, it was hell lot of confusing sometimes. He was about to call Minerva, Minerva six times, sit beside Albus four times and go to Slughorn office to prepare ingredients seven times. Emerald said with his mind attempts to hold back the worst of memories, the magic that She had used to bring them and Emerald herself protecting his mind from dissolving into its self, there would be more accidents bound to happen.

“ you had many many memories unsutable for a young child, some so grusome that Tobias abuse was just a walk in the park compared to that. To suppress them, the worst of them until a time your occlumeny is up to previous standard, it is only normal that some would escape.”

Now he was tapping his leg impatiently, waiting for his mother to pick him up from the Londen station. As much as he wanted to think it was all like what Eileen told in his letters, he couldn’t be certain. She wrote that Tobias had found a job, that she had GOOD news to share and Tobias was not as unhappy as he was last summer.

Last summer.

When he was younger, a little lad of 7 , he could remember a number of happy things. His mother teaching him latin, his father buying him a new uniform for his first year of schooling. Maybe on those days Tobias thought-or fooled himself- he could prevent him from going to ‘freak school’. Severus had a finer control of his magic then, and no accidents happened in that year or the year before. He could recall his mother smiling, occasionally wearing a lip stick. things were smooth enough Severus considered returning to muggle world and continue his studies in chemistry or biology. 

When he had gone to second grade, the bulling –he was really a know it all then- started, and so, his accidental bouts of magic.

After that?

Yes, he could remember Tobias having a handful of good days, days he limited his drinking. Days he had a steady income and there was actual food in the fridge.

But those days always followed by a more violent turn, usually with him sporting a handful of bruises and Eileen wearing long sleeved shirts. While most days were not ideal, and were filled with terrible words and things a kid should never hear, they were verbal or emotional.

“ what good you freaks are if you can’t magic money?”

“ I work damn hard to feed your bottomless stomaches and you spent my money on hucus pocus shit”

“ you will never go anywhere you worthless shit, you be lucky to get a job as a hooker, oh wait, sodding shit you are, don’t have the looks”

 He conviently forgot that his skinny looks, the hooked nose and the haunted look in his eyes were due to his upbringing, the things done to him as a child by Tobias himself.

And there she was, the bane of his existance, the negligent mother who should not be called one if Severus had a say in it.

Eileen was tall for a woman, with bottomless dark eyes and dark long black hair pulled into a loose bun. For once in her life, She was dressed correctly for a muggle. And did wonders never cease? The dress was not either green or purple, but a soft rose color and had no holes or stitches. Looked to be new too. Eileen herself had gained a pound or two, because her high cheekbones did not look like she had been starved and instead made her look regal, poised. She was assessing him critically too, as if questioning his new shirt or his not hooked nose.

“ come”

Yes, it seemed she hadn’t changed much in that regard, still hard as a stone. No “hello son” or “ welcome back” or “ missed you”. Yay for him. Just order your kid- who you have not met since SEPTEMBER and had a close call with death- like a dog around. Come, go, sit, now chase your tale. Story of his life really.

Severus sighed and followed her, what choice did he have but that?

She would not attempt an apparition, not side along at least. She was so rusty it might splinch Severus or herself quite badly, and saint mungo wasn’t cheep.

It was free for muggle-borns, one of the reasons Severus hated them so much. There were lots of purebloods and half bloods and even squibs who couldn’t afford, and the rate of exchange between muggle money and galleons were in favor of muggles, but of course “THE POOR MUGGLE SHITS” needed that more.

Some times he really wanted the dark lord’s promises to be true. But years under his tyranny taught him that everyone was just lusting after money or power for themselves, not to share with others or to benefit the poor.

Just when they settled in their seats in the ancient bus, she spoke again:

“ Severus we have to talk, before we go home.”

Oh, yes, how much Severus loved their chats. How he liked being told that her misery was because of him, that before Severus was born everything was rainbow and sun shine and how sun came out of her husband’s arse.

How Severus accidental magic turned their life upside down, how he should behave and obey his so called father and all those stupid things.

So what would she berate him this time? Being sorted in Hufflepuff? Not asking for money from Bonses and Longbottoms for his good deeds?

She had such a bizzar notion of what was right or wrong. Setting magic aside for an addict like Tobias was fine, never talking about it ever was fine, but him not landing in Slytherin?

Absolutly not fine.

Him wearing second hand robes and using her outdated books was OK, yet Severus not sending money was not. Severus was told to go into slytherin, find some powerfull allies and get money. Beg for it, work for it, write other people essays or help in infirmary, she did not mind.

Accordinf to her, all kids in cokeworth worked when they reached 10, and Severus was long overdue. Nevermind those kids SAVED what they earned for themselves, or they mostly delivered newspaper or washed cars and jobs like that. Not like brewing potions for others, or writing their homework. Not like that earned money being spent on more booze for his bastard of a father.

Severus wondered if she was jealous of him, because she was not this unpleasant when he was younger. As the years passed and he reached the age of 11, her resentment grew. She turned bitter, twisted. She forgot she had a son and saw him a rivel.

Was she talking?

She continued “ now”

Severus turned his head at her voice, now? As much as he knew, Eileen rarly used magic these days and a privacy spell was not in her list of capabilities. And talking about any of her preferd topics was out of questions.

“ what about?” he asked.

Eileen said as emotionlessly as possible: “ I am with child, it’s a girl. I have gone to …hosptial and there is a high chance she is normal”

Severus world turned on its self. Pregnat? How?

This never had happened!

Or ….

Did it happen and he was not aware? He had not been invited home for easter then. He had not wrote Eileen letters then to soften her and ask to go to a party in new year. He had stayed in his dorm, catching up with his studies.

Eileen did not even talk with him those days, just a nod or shake of head. Now she had talked more than she was used to.

And normal. As in squib. Did she change that much to consider magic, herself and Severus abnormal? She had distanced herself that much? 

 Severus was aware that neither Eileen nor Tobias wanted a boy. That he had a twin sister who was born dead. He even suspected much of Eileen resentment towards him was because she saw him as the culprit. Tobias had named her Tara, but not him.

He had been named by his mother, Tobias did not come to see him until he was 10 days old. Eileen had thought both her children were magicless, that happened in twin cases with a witch and a muggle in 6 out of 10 pregnancies. So she kept mum about all magic things, until he was 2 and moving his toys with magic.

And that opened the pandora box that was ‘the talk’ about Magic, witchcraft and wizardry.

Tobias drinking which had started when they had lost his twin sister, esclated then and continued to do so in the years that followed. The coke factory going bank-rupt and shortening the list of its staff to avoid a bigger debt did not improve their life situation. 

“ Tobias found a job in a store, he has been clean since he found out about her, so don’t ruin it”

Her voice rang in his head, echoed .

Don’t ruin it.

Don’t ruin it.

Severus was numb with grief when they arrived to Spinner’s end.

Don’t ruin it…

Chapter Text

Eileen Snape nee Prince.

A name she was reduced to, because of the brat who was eying her with disgust now. She had told him of the pregnancy, relishing in the faces he made, sad lost puppy face he made.

Severus was trying hard to hide, but he was still a child, an open book to her if not others.

The truth was that Eileen was not a sadist, or a child abuser, but the boy initiated such intense feeling and memories, it took all her reserves to quench the need to hurt him. Every time she looked at the boy, she was reminded of her father. Severus face structure was so like him that made Eileen flinch every time when he was smaller. Maybe it was because of that, when his nose broke, Eileen sighed in relief and made no attempt to fix it correctly.

Her father, whome Eileen feared after years had passed from his passing. She still wondered how he managed to capture her mother and break the bond between the Black Lord and her. Her father, who missed no opportunity to remind her that she was unwanted and they wanted a “boy”.

Eileen desperatly yearned for a girl who would inherit her mothers looks. Something precious and kind to love and cherish, not the helish boy fate saw fit to leave instead. Why Tara hadn’t managed to come to this world?

Eileen was not a halfwit, she knew damn well why. The little girl had no chance if Severus had his blood in his vains.

She could remember his voice, his soft murmers promising power and independence from her father. Back then,She never believed in the tales telling he was responsible for that mudblood disappearance. She was three or four years his junior, she would know if such a thing occured.

The fact was that Eileen was a coward still. Even now that her father was a decaying mess in soil, she dared going back to the wizarding world and their views of women. Oh, how liberating it was for a freshly out of Hogwarts student to be introduced to Muggle world! She often sneaked into their world, participting in their opera, concerts and theater. Things she couldn’t dream to do so in Wixen world. She danced with whom she pleased, befriended whom she pleased and laughed without the burden of “shaming her family name”.

And when her father deemed it the time to wed her off with a strict contract to “bear at least one male heir” for the Prince line, like she was cattle and sheep and not a human, she thought she knew enough to make do in muggle world.

She didn’t last that much.

Without money, there was no theater and chic restaurants for her, only daily labour and filth and doing every stupid task without her wand because of stupid “ policy”.

And one day, she met Tobias. The stoic war veteran who told the most fascinating tales about anything and everything.

It was just her luck to see him again around that time, too.

To this day, she knew not what happened at that day on 1959, she knew it was sexual in nature, invoking sex magic and all that rot. She did not feel like being exclusive, or monogamous. Tobias was just a muggle she dallied with in her free time. She was trying to make enough money to start a bussiness, a potion one.

There was drinks, some runes drawn with blood and dancing and having fun.

Fun as in sex.

But sex magic was not all that happened that night, the night she had with him. There were two muggles brought for entertainment. They usually imperiod them, made them dance and do stupid thing to have a laugh and that was that. It was done in every pureblood family once a year before the stupid laws of muggles safty were passed. 

She wished it was that.

When she woke up, it was well past noon, and she was naked and covered in blood. In fact all of the five people present were.

She could only see the two muggles mutilated forms, their dead eyes and mouthes hung open in a silent scream.

She never had apparated so fast in her life!

She had been invited to join the knights, which she had rejected several times. She was busy making ends meet and juggling Tobias.

After that night, came the threats to join the cause, or “else”. She was scared out of her wits.She checked and re-checked her wand, but she could not be certain until she could show it to its maker, a deed she was unable to. What if it showed she had cast the unforgivables? There were always ways to erase the spells cast from one’s wand. What if the threats were real and there was indeed a memory of her killing those poor sods?

The rest of the story went badly. 

How unlucky one could be, to find out you were pregnant with twins when you were about to leave the country? How unlucky she was to find out if she did abort, there was a good chance she died too?( fuck the purebloods and their idea of pure! Why they couldn’t at least marry a half-blood once in 2 generations?)

So, she chose the coward way again, disapearing into muggle world, cutting all contact with wizards of any kind until further notice. She was not ready to join a bloody political movement, neither was to be sent in Azkaban because of murder. And raising children single-handedly? It was when Tobias came in handy too, because in those days, a women could not have a child out of wedlock, be it muggle or witch.

There was a good chance her children were magicless, so she could resume her life- which was surprisingly good- with Tobias. Beside the rate of magical babies born of a union between a witch and a muggle, the ritual they did that night was dark. And dark magic did not benefited anyone but the initiate castor, who was not her. If anything , it would rub the child born out of it (weakened it to the point they could not manage a wand), or if she was with child at the time made sure they were magicless.She removed the thought of magic and locked it the furtest south in her mind.

Her carful plan was ruined when she lost her doughter, then obliterated when she saw her “son”.

Tobias wanted a doughter like her, he had seen too many soldiers tearing each other apart and kill another at the drop of a hat. A girl was a safe option for them both.

But it was a boy.

A boy,The ever perfect replica of his high-cheeck bones and soft hair with her father’s face structure. Everything she ran from, everything she loathed.

She feared for her life, for her freedom from Azkaban, oddly enough for the boy.

She became numb, fell into the deepest despair. Muggles called it post partum syndrom, but what did they know? She could swear she exhausted every possible way to know if the boy was his or Tobias, it always showed Tobias but…

She knew of dark dark rituals done in order to hide the parentage of the child until tested with blood of the sire. The blood she did not have access to.

The boy was calm, nerdish like he was. so She desperatly hoped he was just magicless, that would confirm he was Tobias’s.

Then came the spiral into worst. The boy was magic.

The years after that, were not ones she was willing to recall on her own volition. She mostly fought with him, decided to leave, was reminded of why whe was here in the first place and then took refuge in her mind, the only thing that was hers.

She almost hated magic now. Magic that enabled his father become rich selling potions(and his head and ego to inflate, to want an heir to safegaurd his empire). Magic that made her a possible murderor without her knowing . Magic that ruined the life she built with Tobias and turned the man she came to almost love to a raging lunatic.

Wasn’t it funny that the boy’s parentage hang between worse and the worst? One was a drunk violent muggle, another a charming dark soulless bastard.

She knew she disliked the boy for more than him being magic. His possible parentage, the fact he could train and enjoy its wonders while Eileen had to hide. Eileen had been disinherited upon marrying Tobias, but she knew her father would not close his eyes on a precious “boy”. A male heir, halfblood if he was.

Everything was ready for the boy, everything Eileen wanted. Becoming her father’s- The Prince- heir and then Lord. Using every kind of magic he pleased. Was she petty?

She knew she was. 

But for one thing.

The boy could say all he wanted, but she had done what she could. He must be thankful she didn’t turn baby-him to … if Dumbledore even suspected his parentage.. if he knew he could be his…

Eileen was aware he had gone further in dark magic than even Blacks dimmed proper. Would he used the boy for sacrificial rituals to gain more power?

Tobias could only hit and starve him. So what? It was not like he was being cruciod or burned with incendio. Severus could get past it if he was not such a ninny. She had been placed under crucio a couple times herself. They said it built resistance.

Speaking of him…

Severus had gone into Hufflepuff, gained the trust of powerful light families , spread the rumour that he had”perception” ( as if he had, she was his mother, she would know). Just look at his new clothes and new clean chubby face of his!

He was the epitome of slytherin. Going into Puffs made everyone close their eyes at his ambitions and power hungriness. Gaining allies from first year? not even he was that power hungry! And light ones too! Mayhap to avert the watchful eyes of headmaster? To say ( hey look at me! I am an adorable little bunny! Look at my cute face and light magical friends!). sometimes she wondered if he knew, if he suspected and in contact with him…

And Resistance…

Now, after years of being away from magic, the simplest spells made her head hurt. She thought about the things Tobias would do if this child was magical too and she shuddered.

This girl was inocent. Not a blood from that monster was in her vains.

So she started playing with simple spells again. just in case.

She was loath to admit that the idea of another child, another go at this sham of a life came from Severus, when he started writing her. It somehow warmed her heart. Maybe there was a chance for them to be a family again. maybe even if the boy was his, he had some straight bones in his body. Whatever he had done, he had certainly rescued those two kids at his own expense, even Rita bloody Skeeter said so. 

There must be kindness in him.

And if he had it in him, why not Tobias?

When she told Tobias she was with child, a doughter this time, at first he had done nothing. But then he slowly came around. He even came to an appointment to hear baby’s heart.

She had done the decent thing and gone to Saint Mungo. They said she was 95% squib.

Fuck that 5% uncertainty!

So she decided to go and meet other expectant mothers for stress relief and ranting, the thing she had not done the other time around. If Severus could find friends, why couldn’t she?

It was at this meetings, talking, ranting about why their husbands feet stink and how eating pickles and choclate together made perfect sense that she found out.

Margaret west, a beautiful kind soul, in her first month of second trimaster, with a smile that riveled aphrodite. Husband dead, dating a guy who was stoic, but funny. Met her at odd times, worked in an office nearby hers. A tall,smirky snarky much older man who had dark eyes and hair. 

Named Tobias.

As much as she wanted to begrudge him his happiness, she couldn’t. she had saddled him with the brat, and magic had wrecked his life time and time again. he was not an alcoholic when she met her, so maybe it was her fault too.

She also couldn’t shake the feelings that he would leave for Margaret, an ordinary life. And with her baby doughter who was not magical.

Leaving her with Severus.

Or he would just leave her, taking both of the kids.

Tobias thought he could beat the magic out of Severus, and he would go an get an honest job someday. He certainly loved him to some degree.

And maybe it was all her mind, playing tricks on her. Not every Tobias could be her husband, cheating on her with a young widow.

Her heart did a flip she was not sure it was because of the baby, or the betrayed feeling she had. Eileen had remained loyal against her nature, she had not left him in his darkest moments of rage, tolerated the verbal lashings and beatings, his bad temper, and now this?

It was the last straw.

One thing she could not tolerate, was cheating. And when she was giving them another chance, the threat of being find by the knights was low and Severus was growing up finally.( he was such a volatile mess the last two years she was bewildered how this new development happened).

So she had to make a choice, either investigate and confront Tobias, or the cowards way.

She chose the second, like always.

Thus came the invitation. She needed to know if Severus was going to be a good helping hand in raising his sister or not. The rest she would think as the plan proceeds.

After all, they had a full week test her theories.

{ The Sylwan Scandle

By meredith willcokson

It was not a week ago when the shocking news of the Break wracked the foundation of the society. The Black-Sylwan wedding that was to be held this spring, was called off at the latest moment possible. We, Journalists of the good old daily prophit were as baffled by the news as you dear readers.

Many rumours told of the bride, or the grooms infertility, or infidality. Both were firmly rejected not by Lord Orion Black- the current seat holder- but the Supreme Patriah of the house, Lord Arcturus, the only one with the Veto right in the whole family, and still a powerful vote among the dark families of wizengamot.

When yesterday the news of PREVIOUS Lord Sylwan being stripped of his tiltles and losing his seats hit the papers, We finally found out the reason behind the canceling of the ROYAL wedding of the century.

……} 

Regulus was just getting into juicy bits when Orion saw fit to step inside and with a deep frown, acciod the paper to himself.

“Father still has more than a foot in the game, I see”

Regulus did not understand fully what was said and done, but from snippets kreacher told him, it was actually Severus who convinced grandfather to cancel the wedding. Of course he wasn’t dumb enough to point it out, unlike Sirius he knew when to keep silent.

It warmed him that his friend- now he thought of him as the closest confidant and dare say brother- jumped head first into the fire pit of Sylwans, because Regulus told him things. He had trusted Regulus on a level no-one even his grandfather –who was sweet on him, well as sweet as a Black could get- had ever.

He had written him so many things, asked him all types of silly, and serious questions and found him to be an intelligent- if not humble or patient- pen pal. He knew more of Hogwarts than his own brother had bothered telling him.

Severus had carefully told him the enviroment of Hogwarts, the houses and each teacher’s favourites. Who was best if you wanted to get marks, or who was a landing hand. That Puffs were not simpltons, Ravenclaws did not have every answer and Gryffs were not that brave. They were mostly physically brave but emotionally? They had a long way to go.

He had told the stigma of being in Slytherin, that the House was harsh, but you could find life long allies there. That just relying on Blood was stupid, He was a halfblood and was both the youngest seeker and had the gift of perception.

Regulus agreed on the matters of halfbloods, and that intermarring was dumb, when you could find a match easily from another magical community, say Italy, or germany. Severus did not behave like he was special because of his status, nor wore kid gloves dealing with him. They argued and debated rationally, and Reg thought his Gran would approve (if he didn’t he would have done something by now).

His parents… Orion was angry, more than he was most days and mother was furious. He had stuck to his room and krecher delivered his meals.

He was happy for Andy, the man was a creep. Now he even didn’t see a problem if Andy married a halfblood or mudblood for that. She could marry a kelpie and reg would congratulate her on her choice as long as it wasn’t Sylwan.

Now the problem with the M word…

He had forbade Kreacher to address Severus as Mudblood. He could only go so far before his parents found out. He still planned to go to Slytherin, but he would fight tooth and nail to keep Severus. Even find a blood binding ritual if he must.

 Severus was not a lazy one, but his schedule was far too busy for a first year. Quidich, remaining top of his year, investigating Sylwan, taking care of his pet Phonix ( he was NOT jealous!). his friends.

Yet he had time dedicated to him. He would curse and nag and drag his feet, but he never left a letter un answered. Unlike Sirius, who had found a replacment as soon as he left for Hogwarts. Was he lying when he told Reg that he would never leave him behind? That he would never let harm come to his lil brother?

At least Severus did not lie. He didn’t say he could protect him against bullies, or always be there for him or wipe his tears, but he promised he would listen.

Regulus could respect that, work with that.

He shuffled the wrinkled letter between his fingers. He had a mystery letter delievered to him by an anonymous owl. He had searched it, had Kreacher search it and it only had one sentence.

There’s a secret about your friend, that will mean his life will end

 For better or worse It will be your choice.

Regulus wished that Severus would have told him where he lived, or like most students, stood at castle during easter. His parents were useless and Grandfather was out of the coutry doing merlin knew what! He was a nervous mess. He had no doubt it would be either about Sirius or Severus. But which one?

As much as he resented his brother, he was his first friend. 

Severus on the other hand, was his closest- who he was kidding with?- his best friend.

What was this secret? Who was the person behind the threat?

Was it all a prank? Was it real?

And if it was, why HE was being threatened? What he had to offer?

What would be the price?

Chapter Text

Phonixes were quirky creatures. Had a temper, never did things by half. They were in essence free souls who bended knee to no-one, never chose masters, or become attached. They could act in mentor-like capacity if they pleased. They never become familiars, or went after people for revenge. They were not petty creatures after all.
They were also supposed to be trustworthy, honest and reliable.
Emerald was not all of that.
She was lying through her teeth all these monthes, and dear sweet Severus didn’t know. Oh,It was true that Phonixes went to people in need, people who wanted to end things, but the world still needed them.
And yet
It was not totally the case for her.it was not only for that reason she had came to Severus in that may-never-occur- again future. She had not risked her life and reversing back to her fledgling form for nothing.Many people would consider her a paragon of virtue, a sign of light, only if they knew…
Fawkes knew it, all about her and her past and never said a word to his master. Phonix matters stayed between them, whether dark or light. Emerald was not the latter, she was a dark phonix, albeit not by choice. When she had burned prematurly that one time,She had been caught by a presumed light wizard, nursed back to health, and then..
Fallen head first into the arms of a dark ritual.
A dark dark one, which promised two things, an heir, 100% magical, and a wish, any wish they wanted granted. The french called it the Noir, and even saying the name itself would get you a through investigation. The full effects of the Noir were never confirmed, people who had undergone it were not stupid enough to come force and spill the beans, and many of them couldn’t compelete it, either because of fear, or because they lacked the skill or magical powers.
Another known fact which could be true or an utter bullshit was the place it took place in, would be cursed forever.anyone other than the participants would die a horrible death.
Fuck the ritual.
Thrice damn that night in 1959. Emeral never found out whether they had participated by their own free will, or were either tricked or coerced and damned to undergo that monsterosity just like her.
Originally it needed 5, two men, two women and a mediator. And the sacrifice plus the blood of a light magical being.
The sacrifice needed to be a human being.
One of those idiots had changed it to make it stronger, made it two sacrifices, added her blood, a phonix, even when a niffler or an owl would have been sufficient. Her blood that was forcibly taken.
The original plan only needed their own blood, but they had gone and damned her in the process. So two human victims to be tortured, maimed and killed, a phonix to draw blood within an inch of its life and a back up, in case the mediator chickend out.
The mediator was the one who signalled each part of chanting, with a sign to the group leader.because the people in the circle were far too gone by that time to know when to change from the ancient angelo-saxon to greek and then to aramic and other long lost languages.
( there were records of mediator backing out, and not one of the results were less than ugly and horrifying. It included blood, explosions and the land dying for ever. Not one plant or creature, magical or non magical could live there. )
the victims were chosen out of muggles, and because one of them, the one who captured her , the fucking back up, was a little bit of a goody two shoes, they(muggles) were murderors themselves, stolen from prison.
Emerald counted her lucky stars, at least they were not innocent. But no one deserved that kind of thing they endured…
So this was those Things they knew:
Requirements:They needed human sacrifice, a magical being blood, and 5 – 6 people. They would offer their sanity, part of their remaining years of life or memories. Good memories because who needed bad memories in a dark ritual? But they could choose which one to lose. How much of it to lose.
The blood of victims, and the magical being (she shuddered, her precious blood) was used to draw the runes. And then the inchanting would begin.
They would wear masks, with only the mediator (maybe the leader too?) aware of their identities. The ritual was said to need utmost secrecy, so the participants needed to be obliviated after the completion or suffer the consequences. No-one knew it was the ritual or aperson in the circle who was in charge of obliviation. As the ritual-thank who ever’s up there- was to be performed only once in one’s life, it was arguable that some part of the incantation took care of that.
It would grant each one a wish. Whatever that might be.
And Things they didn’t know, things Emerald and Fawkes gone to hell and back to get their beaks on them. Unknown to the idiots who took part in the Noir.
Any child born from any participant would suffer the result. Children could be born then, or upto 5 years later . It makes those children bound by blood. So tight it could make them as good as siblings. Of course not all of them would be bound, that would make so many problems for the heir. Line theft being one of them.The other child could hypothetically claim all the other lines and their claim would be as sound as the actual one. So the bounded would be in pair. only mediator and the back up could choose to have a child or not.The children would be drawn to darkness, as thirsty for darkness as a dying fish for water. Their fates forever interwined with each other.
The signs? Being exceptionaly powerful, as much as their heritage allowed it.( So if they were a goyle, they would have show normal magical powers instead of barely above squib levels.) Another one being they would be always at odds with each other, never able to leave each other alone, either it resulted in an epic friendship, or a an epic animosity.and last but not the least: they would all be boys with black hairs.
Emerald at that time, only knew the mediator. Her memories were so much muddled she could not certainlt identify the back up who had captured her. The mediator who had chickend out. Because the magic that ritual neede was out of his reach, and he was panting and sweating madly. He had only participated because he wanted to get rich, and that did not bod well with being dead because of total magical exhastion.
He had ripped the mask when he was out of reach of the circle of inchantors, and a new mediator filled his place.probably because He had thought he could get his money another way. Merely by blackmail.
Oh, didn’t she say? The mediator, Sylwan, had taken a photo of all of them. A photo, taken from his memories of that night, a memory he had saved from obliviation by him removing the memory physically to a jar just after he had left the ritual. How he had done it was irrelevent but the fact that he had…
Clever thing he was, he had ripped the photo in half. Emerald only found half of it in the then empty house, torn in half and burnt. So she could only spot Eileen.
Another funny fact they did not know.
The participants would live to the end of their lives, apart from what they had donated. Unless another participant, or a child born out of it ended them.
And it was the original Noir, who knew what it would induce in its changed form? Would it change their mind? Would it make them forget?
Emerald had lost consciousness, and part of her memory was foggy due to bloodloss. She had searched for years on end to find the participants, or the children. Among those who were born between 1959 and 1964, she had opted male black haired ones, and started from there.
It was not only participating in THE NOIR that made her dark, it was the fact that she wanted revenge, at least against the leader, who later she found out renamed himself to Voldemort.
Unfortunatly , she had managed to find only one of those kids, Severus. Born from Eileen Snape, 1960. And it was just her luck to find him when he was dying( or letting himself to wither away). By the hand of Voldemort’s familiar.
She had to decide then, revenge against Voldemort, or saving the life of this poor soul.
She chose both. And she was happy to have done that, because by coming back, she finally confirmed that Regulus Black, was another one, the one bound to Severus. And the stupid thing was in danger.
Regulus had ignored the first three letters. The forth one he kept in order to show his grandfather, or Severus.
But this? This was outrages!
It was not a letter at all, but a photo showing his Mother and an unkown woman vaguely familiar. And a single word written in capital letters, red ink.
NOIR.
Ok, his french was not that bad to not understand the word. What did it mean by sending Black? Did it mean the woman had an affair with his father? His mother? Were they best friends with his mother? Regulus was old enough to know their marriage was not out of love, he was not that green. Was the woman french? How it was related to Severus?
He searched the library, the books he could read and there was nothing. He searched the archieve of daily prophet they kept, no mention of NOIR or his father and the mysterious woman. He made the mistake of asking Kreacher , and the poor thing had been distraught, banging his head against the wall and hitting himself until Reg orderd him to stop. Then he begged Reg to not ever ask about it, or go searching it, or mention it.
Regulus was worried sick now. Did the woman name was noir and she had such a reputation that his elf was scared? Was she a relative of Blacks? Did she found out about Regulus thinking of a halfblood as a brother and wanted revenge?
Was she writing the letters threatening him?
So he had replied: what do you want?
The answer came in a quil. And Regulus touched it before Kreacher could prevent him. Reg felt a powerful apparition-but not quite apparition- sensation, and he was gone.
Severus was surprisingly spending a trouble free holiday. Tobias would go to work at the crack of dawn, and he would be back for supper. He would spend an hour watching the news, God knew what he was searching in that damned box, and then he would talk with his wife. About what he wanted for tommorow lunch, or if the baby was okay and such things. He had even said good night to Severus and asked him if he needed anything. Severus, as shocked as he was, managed to politely refuse anything and thank him.
This was the most words spoken between him and Tobias. He wondered what was his agenda?
The most notable thing was Eileen. She was subtle in her glances, but not that much. Severus noticed her calculating looks, as if she wanted to measure him against some unseen standard of her to see if he was worth it or not.
Severus did not mind, as long as he was unharmed, his stomach full and no-one touched his note book he was writing about his future past in, he was ok.
The baby, did that happen last time and he was as ignorant as the little kid he was? Was it new? He could not bring himself to care about her, another person- the most vulnerable as an infant- to protect. How to protect an unborn from both his mother and father? If she was magical shit would hit the fan, and if not…
He could remember many times he had healed himself with his magic. A squib had pitiful amount of it, he couldn’t think about a kid being hurt and yet.. should he go to Longbottoms or Bones? He knew he would be a burden, but maybe he could earn his- and his future sister keep? He could play the rule of an elf if needed, but leaving an innocent infant in care of a depressed and a drunk? Could he call on muggle authorities? Magical authorities? Would it tip the war against voldy’s side if he did?
He already had his hands full with safegaurding Regulus and Peter. There was Andromeda and Ted, Gideon and Amelia and Fabian. Also Charity to protect from the wold, then there was Alice and Frank and Marlene.
And Lily.
He never gave a shit about Potter, but Lily was his first friend. Not his best now. There was a competition between Frank and Regulus in his mind. Could one have two best friends?how he had come to love the younger Black as a brother?
At first he was shocked. Then appalled. Then just surprised how it did not happen the last time. It felt too natural, like it meant to be.
And the restlessness…
There was an uneasiness in his stomach, as if something unsavory was about to happen which severus could not fatom why. Was Emerald gone on another advanture with Fawkes?
It was a fine evening. Severus had written until his third year when the ugly face of one Kreacher, the half mad elf of Blacks.
“master friend! Master Regulus is in danger! Master gone like puff with the magic quil. Magic quil take master regulus! Master arcturus not be home! Master arcturus be angry and iron kreacher ear! Master said to get master friend!”
Yep. Not half, he had gone compelety. He even didn’t say master “mudblood” or “half boold filth” . though he still had the style as he spat the “friend” word like it was fuck or shit or damn.
Puff? Magic quil?
He was about to say to stuff it somewhere when the unwashed thing grabbed his hand and transferred him via apparition .
When he appeared in Regulus bed room, he was beyond angry.
(he knew Reg’s bedroom, he had stayed here several days when he recupperated from the hospaitality of Dark lord, er.. his future self had)
“what..the ..hell..are you doing!”
He rasped. He was still not so much in tune with his magic, elf apparition was better than side along, but it was still apparition and he hated it.
Then came the second shock of that day.
The house magic smelled of blood. He could see it splashed everywhere. There were bits of dark things lurking around to catch a gallible victim. The smell of blood was so much strong he felt like vommitting.
Guess black was not wrong about the house being EVIL. All those protective spells had paid their cost somehow, eh?
Severus cursed his “perception”. He inhaled deeply. Ok severus, deal with it. Your future you dealt with the aftermatch of bellatrix “fun”, this just inconvienice. It is magic, not actual blood.
It took him more than a minute to take control of his mind. A minute the rock-brain elf took clawing on his skin.
“bad elf, kreacher is bad. Master Regulus must torture kreacher with breaking his fingers”
Severus was quite fed up with that nonsense” stop it now you mangled misfortunate ugly thing and tell me what HAPPENED!”
Then the elf, told him. Apparently, this Black brother was mad too. He had gone and become pen pal with an unknown third person, out of his misplaced loyalty to “him”. Sev was not flattered one bit. He rather wanted to get Regulus alive, chuck him in the dungons with filch and beat him bloody to make it known how much he was displeased with his stunt, then hug him tight enough to suffocate the brat.
He asked the elf for letters, and as soon as inspecting them, he wanted to face palm. The elf had told him his plans came into fruitation at last. Andromeda was free of Sylwan, and better. Sylwan had been chucked out of wizingamot, the git. Of course it was up to Ted now, to prove his worth.
It was clear as a day, Sylwan was behind the mess, even if he had not recognized the signature handwriting of Sylwans. Writing any bloody S, like it was a capital letter. He would want revenge, and who better than the beloved – as much as one could put love and Arcturus in one sentence- not mad grandsonand heir. And all Regulus aquintances were well protected, all but one, himself. He wondered what ridiculous thing had sent Regulus ire levels up the roof.
Sylwan had most probably ported Reg to his house, behind many many wards no one could reach in time, good for severus, this time in life, he had perception, which meant he could see the wards and avoid them. He doubted Sylwans could afford more than a standard one.
“do you know where is Sylwans house?”
The hysteric elf nodded in affirmative.
“then why in Merlin’s pants you are waiting for! Get me there!”
And another crack later, he was before the medium sized house. He gathered himself for a minute and the ordered “ if we are not out of the house in 15 minutes go get Lord Arcturus.”
“but he be out of country!”
Shit. Severus had one of the worst lucks among all his pears. Ok, so no Minerva, or Pomona, or Albus. It would take so many explaining and they had no jurisdiction here, as they were no blood relatives of him or Regulus. Lord Orion? Lord Longbottom?
Oh how stupid of him! LORD BONES! He was his eternal friend and ally, and he was an auror.
“get Lord Bones, tell him I am there and held against my will”
Then, like a real life time idiot, he marched to the house which was 100% a trap.

Chapter Text

Samuel Sylwan was once an aspiring journalist to be, with a steady relationship with a beautiful girl like Rita. All he ever wanted, was to marry her, get his brother from under his father’s nose and have an ordinary life. He did not care about wizingamot sits, or the messes his father got into, all he wanted was for Hogwarts to end, and for his new life to start.

No such luck.

Like every good thing in life, this came to end when his father got himself into a new trouble.Absolom gambling problem which was controlled, had suddenly sky rocketed. Like every thime, the sick bastard got himself out of it by throwing him to the wolves. A betrothal, more like selling his older son to a woman interested in him,and not just anyone but a widow with a son. A widow who was sickeninngly rich.

He should have known better to ignore his instinct. He had to get his innocent brother out of those mad people reach. Salvatrix was only a child when he died , monthes after his engagemnt to Adriana.

But seriously? What did he expect from a Black?

After his brother died, he had to go after her. The wild cat was who had seduced his father with her money to sell both his sons .was becoming a lady that important?. He went after her, after his brother’s murderor. The sodding woman that he did not care to remember her name, the supposed bastard of Arasmus Black.

He searched and researched, but there was no evidence that showed the Black did it, killed his brother so her brat would inherit the lordship. His sweet baby brother who knew nothing of the world .So he had to do the justice his way, the hard way.

First his father, then her son in return for Salvatrix and then herself. He wanted her to know what it felt like when you lost someone as inocent as a child.

And after that? He was rich, he could buy his way around any accusation. He had not learnt the ways of blackmail on his father’s knee for nothing. Gossipers could say all they wanted, it would go away in time.

In the time being,He relished in the feeling of relief when he was done with her brat. Then after he got rid of his useless father and the bitch, he wanted to go after his life, go after Rita and live again.

But he couldn’t. unfortunatly when he wanted to discard all that was left of his father in his valut, he came a cross a worn looking notebook with so many wards set on it that got his attention. Inside, there were a couple of photos, and a vial filled with something hazy.

Watching the memories was his most stupid mistake, and in a way liberating. He had heard of the NOIR, but never thought that was that much disgusting, and all for what? An heir and a wish? It was forbidden for good reasons! At least now he knew why his father suddenly became the useless gambler he was. He was feeling guilty or the darkness was consumming him. Really he had done him a favour by ending him the way he did. He had backed away from the ritual, it was bound to be more unpleasant than dying from brain damage.

His father was clever, but not by much. Samuel knew the man they now called the dark lord, voldemort, was in fact a man his father knew and was sensible enough not to go after him for money. He was good looking and had an air about him, a sinister darkness daring you to delve into it further.

His blood boiled to know it had started with fucking Blacks. Orion and Walburga, who had failed to deliver a magical male heir and had several abortions. Charlus sodding Potter and Eileen Prince. Well who knew Potters, who held themselves above such things keeping their hands clean, dabbled in dark magic like all other pureblood folks? The nerve of them! ‘oh we are light families! We support muggleshits!we never kill people!’ yeah right. Unless you went and DID THE NOIR! Even Burks and Lestranges were not that deprived to dive that deep. Of coarse it was shady, Potters had their ‘male magical heir’ nearly a year after that. And them too old, to have an heir. There was still talks among people that they ad adopted the child, if only they knew…the bloody hypocrites!

The Blacks? Sodding Blacks had ruined their life for their gain! For their precious line to live! All their misery was because of them tainting his gutless father with darkness! How he hated them.. the ritual, his brother, his life was ruined by their greedy hands.

Eileen prince? He had no idea who she was. He had searched and searched, but it was like the woman had disappeared, maybe she had died?

His father had tried thratening her , but maybe she was dead by then?

Now he wanted revenge, on those Blacks , at first, then he will go up and include Potters or the possible Eileen brat. And if he lived, he would have a go at this stupid dark lord.

So he did what he did best, gathering information.

He traveled for years, gathering info on NOIR, and this dark lord.

He finally figuered the latter in Albania, this fake lord was at best a half blood, and in reality? No better than a mudblood, with a squib mother and a muggle filth for a father…he could let it slip after he was done with Blacks and Potters.

About the Noir: he found all about it in France.

The ritual was originally designed to give those unable to concieve an heir. Magical, male, no fuss. It needed 5 to undergo that, and the murder of a human.

Again he came across the damned BLACKS!

Until 18 century, a Black changed the ritual, and it ended being called the noir, more so because of the blacks, not the ritual being dark. Of coarse he knew the ritual was dark, but so was creating inferies and no one called that NOIR. So the greedy Blacks, not only wanted an heir, but also money. They had lazied around and squandered money too much, and were in a bad place money wise. Their fortune was about to end, and they had no way to make do.

The nameless Black might have been a genius of runes and rituals. He had successfully changed the complex thing THE NOIR was, adding the blood of a magical creature to add a wish. Instead of himself, the bastard gold digger he was had offered half of each Black’s generation offspring to insanity.

The ritual was only meant to be done once, so they were obliviated during the actual ritual. The main reason as he gathered, was avoiding future conflict between the heirs. If they were two, they would battle over lordship, and it often got nasty and bloody and killed both sides.

The fake Lord obviously changed it too. He had seen the memories his father left behind.for what reason he wondered? As much as he was loath to admit, the fake was strong and skillful in magic. So to what avenue he had changed such a volatile ritual? He was not that old to despair for an heir, nor he was so inbred to fail to do so, or bring a shameful squib. He did not need money thanks to his stupid followers, so what? Did he wanted to become on pair with the likes of Grindlewald or Dumbleduck?( yep, Samuel was not stupid, he knew Dumbledore to be powerful)

It must be something of importance.

Then he found it in an ancient textbook from 16s. the babies born of it would be powerful. They would have be exceptional in magic. If one of the participant killed them? The ritual would allow them to absorb their magical powers, and if…

(Was it the rumer the participants could not be killed by anyone, unless it was one of the group of participants or their lines?)

He gasped. If he killed all of them, all that power, he would become Merlin resurrected, he could gain power not only on britain, but also whole magical world.

So a particiapnt?

Sylwan smiled. The original one might only allow that, but the twice mangeld thing? No one could guess what would it be, what the result be. He wondered if he could kill them himself, if he could become –not merlin he was not delusional nor greedy- but dumbledore of the age? He was not averse to a bit of glory after all.

So he planned carefully. He would destroy the Blacks from within. He would marry one of their chits, kill the others in short years and then go after the kids before they were old enough to kill. Taking a mature one should be hard, the text told him they would be magically powerful. He did not wanted to court danger.

So he watched them. First the Blacks, then Potters child.

Some would say he was one of a shameful nature, a pedophile. A creep. But he never was one. He only saw his brother’s face everywhere. Thinking about if he was alive instead of these worthless children and his blood boiled.

He had it under control most of the times.

The black heir, Sirius was struck with madness, as his records in Hogwarts showed. And Potter was a kid no-one really liked. Who would call a murder attempt by devil snare a PRANK? James Potter was obviously a leader, so he had to go after him too. He was reported to be a good flyer and had the highest Transfiguration marks among his pairs. Sirius might not be the HEIR, theone he looked for ,But when he encountered the second son?

Regulus Arcturus Black was calm, and collected. He carried himself with an air of superiority and intelligence that made him itch to break him out of it. He was the apple of old Arcturus to be given his name as middle, also his wrinkled elf ran after the child like a dog. Would the tradition apply to this pair too? Dumping the first born- like Arasmus- for the better suited second child? And beside that, Sirius Black was impulsive, he had not observed anything out of ordinary, anything to show he was capable of great magical feats. Above that, his birth date was in late 1959 not in accord with the ritual at all, one like him mad and not notworthy of even Arcturus time, so why his?

It maybe possible Regulus was the child. At least he was not stupid and brash. The encounter with him on that party confirmed he could fell his magic threatening him somwhow. He had not given the child anything to fear him.

Then he observed the Snape boy. He had read about him of coarse, but Rita always made things bigger than they were. The child he observed did not even resembled a first year. he was tiny, and cute. He was sorted in Hufflepuff for Morgana and Merlin! A heroic Hufflepuff? Dumbledore must be desperate to get one on Fake lord to invent such story!

But nevertheless it picked his interest. So he observed Snape. He was smart, he gave him that. Wrapping two Lords around his fingers? He heard he was good with Prewatts too. And then he found out he had a relationship with a slytherin, and a ravenclaw also.

What was he after? A hufflepuff never gathered people like a slytherin would. Or was as intelligent as he was rumoured to be. A genius in potions and charms? Youngest flyer? Curios and curioser.

Then he found out about his meddling in his plans. His spoiled marriage, and then Lordship.

At first he was burning with fury, but then thought why? If he gathered and killed the heirs, who would need things like that?

Snape boy was a mystery.

Unless he was one of the heirs. He doubted a fake lord would be able to sire a child like him, at most his would be like Sirius.

So he searched for his parents. And bingo.

Eileen was found too. And if he was who he was..

Both Black brothers would die at once, making him powerful, two steps closer. Then there would be only potter boy and finding fake lord son.

He smiled.

Severus was cursing himself something awful. He must have hit his head more hard that time he fell from his broom. This house did not smelled of blood like Black’s, but of bitterness and creepiness. Like stale bread and charred wood.

He knew he had been led into it, the wards were old and good. He couldn’t reach reg even with perception.

All was silent, for one minute, he thought he was lucky, until he was hurled into a wall, his hands and legs bound by magic. His wand flyed to some unvisible hand he had not noticed dealing with the house magic smell.

Regulus was there . seemed unharmed.

“sev, you shouldn’t have come! It’s a..”

Then he was backhanded by Sylwan.

“silly boy. He must know this already. Not all people are like your supposed brother, stupid”

Regulus the ever idiot , glared” watch what you say about my family! Sirius is my..”

Then he was silenced.

“don’t you Blacks ever tire of your voice? And no. I think your brother, the true one is here wit us today.”

Severus eyes widened. What?

“ oh, dear genious. Must have hit a nerve, did I?” then he faced Severus.

“ did you you know there is a ritual called Noir? Even the name can get you in trouble in france. It was changed by yout ancestor, so it was called Noir. It involves too many horrifying things your young ears can not hear”

Severus lost his calm” what are you going on about you mad fucker?”

He was trying to stall for the help. He was certain Sylwan was arrogant enough not to expect a 12 year old to be smart an call for backup. He also was confused. Black? Noir?

His thought was interupted with a stinging curse. He hissed in pain.

“ what I was telling you? Oh! Yes! The picture! Your parents, Regulus, Orion and walburga concieved you then. Of coarse , the greedy orion would not take only one heir, but he impregnanted his old sweetheart, Eileen too. You know, the whole thing revolves around male magical heirs. And don’t start with your pathetic excuse of a brother, Sirius. He does not have two brain cells to use. Fun fact, your grandfather wanted Eileen mother, Evelyn something? It was one good old big scandel. And then the marrige contract between orion and Eileen came up. So now, arent you grateful for this joyful reunion?”

Then when not one of them answered, probably in shock, he shook his head.

“your welcome, where is my manners? Here is your gift”

Then he moved his wand” scorgify!”

“did you know supposed like magics could harm one too? Like lumus solem, like protego.”

When he ended the spell Regulus was almost crying, gasping for breath.

“tarantallegara!”

Severus was dancing, regulus was drowning and all was not well. Severus was desperatly trying to invoke one of the wards, a ward that forbade killing a magical child in the manner, with his magic. Using the perception,and doing wandless magic while dancing was madness.

What choice did he have?

He did not think about why the sodds included killing, and magical child, did not think about Regulus being his brother or his father being someone else, he just pushed.

And then, crack.

A large tentacle like thing came out of floor, cought Sylwan’s waist down and squeezed. His focus on the tentacle, Severus and Regulus went free.

“run!”

They ran like it was their last day-it possibly was- the halls, the rooms, where was the fucking door?

Then Regulus , still out of breath and weak, legs collapsed. He fell to the ground and his head hit the marble, with a sickening crash. Blood covered severus and the floor, and sylwan emerged.

“good work there, but you think you can beat someone in their own house? Oh little thing, I hate it to break it to you… I hoped you would be a good kid ..but”

And then he unleased a cruciatus on the prone form of Regulus. Severus placed himself in the harms way, protecting his newly found possible younger brother and screamed.

Emerald had to hurry or both of her newly found charges were going to die. After all those monthes and all those potions, she was ready for flashing between short distances and flying a bit. But memories of her last burning that resulted in her captured and used in THE NOIR, and that last flash to bring back Severus was still fresh in her mind. He flied to kitchens to ask for help from one of the elves. They did not help her much.

“headmaster dumbledore must know!”

“headmaster not like it”

“headmaster tell tranny to help in kitchens just!”

Well, fuck headmaster and his orders! Were those elves stupid?

ابله های میمون نمای نفهم! لعنت به ذات کاسه لیس مزخرفتان!

( idiot illiterate primats all of them! Damn you , you fucking ass kissers!)

Who would blame her to revert to her native language when things were this dire? If she only knew an elf…an elf who was open to help either of those silly prats and was slytherin enough to leave some leeway for itself.

خاک بر سر من بکنند با عقل نداشته ام!

(bloody fuck me and my non-existant brain!)

“kreacher!”

And the unholy thing appeared before her. She didn’t let him say a word.

“quickly, take me to them. They are in danger!”

The thing inclined his head.” Helping master Regulus?”

Emerald was going to hit her beak on some hard thing, why these elves were this slow? Why would she call on the mad thing if not for help? To chat about their food habbits?

“yes you thrice damned thing! Now take me!”

And kreacher did. There weretwo men, one orion Black, and one Edgar Bones. Severus must have called for the Bones guy and the elf for the Black.The way emerald saw it, there was no hope of either of the two man present going into the house. It had layers upon layers of protection, Sylwan must have lowered the wards deliberatly to allow Severus and Regulus passage.

Lord Bones was cursing, Lord Black-orion- was fumming in rage.

She flinched when the memory of the night hit her. Orion was one of them too.

“ why you wont explain to me, how your supposed eternal friend kidnapped my son?”

“now, stop it! You arrogant prick! Severus came here, according to your mad elf to save your brat’s ungrateful neck! It is your fault he is there!”

“you have some nerve LORD BONES!”

“ no, you have . if not for you, and that damn bride to be and your son, he was not in there! He is too loyal for his good! Why he feels he has to save your hides all the time I have no idea! Sylwan was your mess you fucking ass!”

The way Emerald saw it, those idiots would let the kids to be murdered, having their verbal sparring. No wonder the desperate elf came and got her.

It was now or never.

With a shreik worthy of Fawkes, she sank her talons in each of their shoulders, flashing them directly into the wards. It seemed they were nearly late as Severus was protecting the younger boy, twicthing and screaming.

“crucio!”

Lord Bones, ever the proffesional auror, disarmed the lunatic with a flick of his wand, bound him and gagged him for good measure. All the while Black senior checked on his kid, and then reluctantly Severus.

“alive, but a bit unwell”

A bit unwell her tail feathers. If they were a bit later ….emerald gulped. For now, a tear would heal sev.

Together the two men, dismantled the wards, finding the hidden door and then apparated the kids into saint mungo. Emerald followed them to be on the safe side.

“and that was all I know”

Lord Bones was giving Severus the eye thing grown ups thought would work on kids, well not on him.

“ so you saying that he did all of that because you – a bunch of kids- had successfully twarted his plans to marry Andromeda?”

Regulus, per their previous agreement , nodded. They could not let anyone know about the NOIR, or they were born out of it, or that Severus might be a Black after all. They also had no idea what the ritual did, or what consequence it had, or even all the participants (orion, walburga, and Eileen plus sylwan? If not how did he know about it?). They also needed his father’s blood, freely given to test Severus, which was not possible at all. Getting blood from a purblood dark lord was like asking for trouble. They were counting on Sylwan staying silent. If the ritual was that DARK, he wouldn’t open his mouth . was it possible he was for the kiss if he talked? They wouldn’t be a memory reading, as both Lords saw him crucio Severus. And if there was, Sylwan might have been trained in legilimency to hide the murder of his family members somehw all those years ago. 

“yes, Lord Bones”

The man sighed. These kids will be the death of him. At least they were in saint mungo. If they wanted to lie, let it be. Sylwan would be in Azkaban for life. And if not, Edgar would see to it that he never saw the sky one way or another. If not him, orion would see to that. No worries there.

Then he left them to it.

When the kids were sure there was no one left, Regulus called kreacher.” Ward the room so no one comes here, and hears us.”

“yes master Regulus”

Then regulus paused, could the elf tell if Severus was his brother? The noir?

“krea, can you tell if Severus here is..of Black blood or not? “

The elf pressed his this lips.” It be complicated master. Master Regulus and Master friend have bonds, but kreacher can not tell what are those. Kreacher is a bad elf..””

“no, I order you not to hurt yourself!”

Then regulus decided that he liked severus, the friend who stood between him and a crucio , enough to be his brother. Sod the bonds. Of coarse he could not share it with his family, but it was nice to know he had a sibling who came for him when he needed him. He had been throughly reprimanded for touching the stupid quil and not sending for an adult, but it was nice too. His brother, he was certain he would call him that from now on, cared for him.

They had all the time in the world to search about the noir, or not. It made them brothers, what of it?

“so, this means what?”

Severus rolled his eyes.

“nothing.”

“why?”

“because I said so”

“but why”

“because I might be your big brother and you are too stupid to take care of yourself?”

“severus!”

Severus sighed. The boy was pouting now. How unlucky one could be, to find out he had not only one, but two possible siblings to protect? He was so cross with emerald before she said she was not sure, and only found out about the bond when Regulus was in danger. Some hucus pocus shit about persian magic and family bonds which did not fool sev. But he let it rest for now.

“we don’t know for sure. He might have lied and we are not connected. He held his hand. Yes your elf said bonds, but what? He did not say. And the ritual had other people, what if…”

What if there were consequences? What if it was the reason he and regulus died early and miserable? Was there a way to reverse it?

Regulus shuffled the sheets.

“can you come here?”

Severus looked at him. The whole ordeal must be terrifying for him, as it was for severus himself. And the room felt cold, and the beds were too big.

He thought about Emerald, how she knew about them? He was in his house, the Sylwan’s. was she lying? Did she know sev and reg were possibly related?

He paded the room and layed beside Reg. having a brother was nice, if for this once he would indulge in the feeling of not being alone. He covered them both and closed his eyes. Regulus hands came and hugged him.

All would be well.

Abraxus kneeled “my Lord”

“rise, my friend. You have the information on the Hufflepuff?”

“I do my lord.”

“and?”

Abraxus paused for the effect. The dark lord rolled his eyes, the dramatic ass.

“ my resources confirmed the boy has ‘perception’. He had also used ‘protego’ to full effect.”

Lord voldemort closed his eyes, thinking. He had gathered purebloods around himself, he had managed to get all the heads of houses to like him, dumbledore must have plans for him to personally get him from hospital. The phonix was interesting too. He was not stupid to think getting a phonix meant being light. Dumbledore could cast one of the dark hexes, a powerful one at that, the fiend fire. A powerful, exceptional child.. he had to know him better. Something of his face felt familiar.

“Keep tabs on him”

“I will my Lord”

Chapter Text

Frank was sitting on the floor , munching on Biscuits Amelia ha sent Sev.
Marlene was deeply in thought, and charity was busy squeezing the life out of Severus.
Fabian and Gideon had left them to catch an hour of sleep.( or not in case of Gideon, he had lots of unfinished bussiness with his fiance, Amelia, none of them suitable for kids)
“so you really poked at the ward and the ward activated?”
Severus noded”aha, then this octupus like thing came out of no-where and got the fu…man..the man”
Marlene tilted her head ”still, how did Emerald knew where the house was? All pureblood residence have a ward so people who are not invited, or have not been there can not get there easily.”
Did severus wanted to know that. But Emerald was no-where to be seen. She barely spoke to him these days, said ‘ the house was too dark for her sensetive phonixy senses or some other rot’. Severus bet his left show she knew more than she let on. And the NOIR? He did not mention that, if it was that dangerous, and dark? Probably she would abondon him and run to amazon. After all she was a phonix, as light as it got.
Charity hugged him tighter, this was nice.
“I don’t wanna hear about it. It gives me creeps. And every time I think about it I want to cry”
Her eyes were welling up again.
“let’s change the subject huh?” all noded in agreement eagerly, except…
“but I wanted to tell you that my dad told me that Sylwan was shipped to Nurmangaurd and..”
Severus glared at frank. He immediately gulped. Satisfied , he opened a new topic.
“so, we didn’t win the cup”
“or the Quidich, thanks to you being absent for the finale” murmuerd charity.
“it was not a wonder that Ravens got it both, with Hufflpuff seeker being in med bay again, and its captain working himself over his upcomming engagement…of course all year long, potter and black lost Griffs points, if not them the twins. Gideon himself has lost a generous amount of them being caught daydreamin in his classes. Also the slytherins returned the favor throughly. Not that Severus here done puff’s a favor, what with his escape form school to go and take a stroll with Rita skeeter.”
Then Marlene winked at him” wasn’t sure you were into older girls. I was born on september you know?”
Severus blushed for whatever reason, Marlene and her teasing… he had to find her a match so she would be happy (preferably not his not Black brother, err..Sirius he meant)
“right, how about Alice?”
Frank tossed the last finished box of biscuits somewhere on the matress. “dunno, shes happy she passed herbology. I helpedher and all. “
Charity loosened her arms a bit, patted Frank’s shoulder. “ kidding me ? you got the highest Mark ever! No one had managed to get a devil snare to florish like that! Their flowers are so rare that even our head havent had the chance to even see them!”
Frank mumbled something resembling thanks and not that big of a deal. It frustrated Severus that he was this modest, while Potter’s head was bursting with ego.
“and Sev here made the top. With Evans in his toe. If someone is a genius , he is!” Frank smiled warmly, which in turn warmed Sev’s heart.
He had not told anyone but Lily, that his mother was pregnant. Lily said that if things got too hard, he could count on her, and even Petunia.
“she is taking these classes in red cross, there are for first aid. She can check blood pressure and check arythmia in heart pulses, knows how to bandage too” it left unsaid, that this was the best they could get if the child somehow turned magical, or Tobias fell on drinks again.
Lily then informed him that he was to take a short vacation some times in the summer, her mom would accompany her too.
“I wish we could go together, like last year. this year has been full of ups and downs, hectic to say the least. With that much time you spent breaking school rules, I thought you would’ve made a great Griffindore!” she giggled.
Severus smiled too. His plans were more than hairbrained and stupid. He cant gather why he had thought chatting with Rita was a good idea. He had served too many detentions and had much time on his hands to come to an agreement,and yet he hadn’t a clue.
He really would have made a griffindore, if not for Potter, Black and Lupin’s sack.
Regulus still wrote him loads, sent the elf every night, he had taken to call Sev ‘mon Frere’. Severus always shaked his head, or rolled his eyes at being called that, yet he was secretly pleased. At the end of his first year, he had made many friends, found a brother and prevented Andromeda from being disowned.
His choice of seeing lily as a sister, allowed him to see her as the young girl she was and not a heroine on a pedstall. In this life, he saw her generosity and clever brain, but also her temper and excusing her house antics.
Her need to belong and prove herself, like a child she was, and not the savior goddess he had made her in his mind.
And Peter was holding himself in slytherin. He had taken to being less chaotic and obvious. Learned to operate in secret and be discrete. Observe from a far and bind his time for the best time to strike. He had taken refuge in Mulcibor, but Severus taught him to learn the ways of the more prominent purebloods, their customs and ways, their secrets and beliefs, but never fully trust them, or turn into them.
This peter was innocent, just wanted a simple job in ministry, a low danger life and some friends.
Severus was getting there, to be his friend. Unfortunatly he hadnt persuaded him to find other friends. The brat was simply rockheaded.
All in all, much a better year than the last time.

Wind was blowing them all away, if Azkaban was said to be harsh, it was ten times harsher here.
The nurmangaurd tower was built on a hill, and it held people who were uncontainable even in Azkaban, Samuel was abit proud to be considered as such.
He had bribed the gaurds enough to let him stay where he wanted, and he would stay where he intended to, indeed.
He also had his elf deliver a secret letter to the so called Dark lord just a simple letter.
: Who is Severus Snape?
He was certain it was enough to send the lunatic after the boy. Orion had seen the Snape brat, so he would for sure go and run an investigation of his own.
Samuel would be delighted to watch those two tear each other apart over who owned the boy, or even to kill the boy. He cared not which one happened, just having those two at each other’s throat was amusement enough.
Now for the final show.
“Hello Mr Grindelwald, I am a great fan! I am sure we can have so much fun together!”
The old man didn’t even looked at him, just sent him flying across the wall with a simple gesture of his fingers. Sylwan was sure he had cracked a rib or two.
Well, that was one hell of greetings. He had so much to learn…

Chapter Text

 It was the last day of May. All warm and sunny and perfect for a graduation ceremony. Technically neither Severus nor Frank should have been present, but a little puppy eyes here, abit of throwing (I am her eternal friend) there and they pushed their way to the all grown up event. 

For Amelia.

And Amelia had not bothered to show up at all. she just cried on Gideon shoulder, saying she would miss him, and how she was supposed to bear this seperation , as if they were going to go to distant parts of earth ,while he comforted her saying nonsence.

And these pair were called grown-up.

Grown-ups Emerald’s beak.

The celebratory event was not strictly grown-up, as the families of now Hogwarts newesr bunch of graduates were present.

Thankfully, Severus was not dressed in that stupid color of Bones house, Lilac. He was dressed in presentable robes, black , thank you very much.

Frank on the other hand…

Has worn a golden robe with black stripes, that could have made Dumbledore’s eyes tearful with pride. Really that color was their house’s? and they were surprised he was sorted in Hufflepuff?

How weird it was that Severus was happy-really happy- that he was dressed in BONES house for the courting ceremony? He dreaded the day he had to wear those abnoxuois GOLDEN robes for Frank and Alice inevitable courting ceremony.

Maybe he could pretend he has dragon pox or something?

“SEV!SEV! I am talking to you!”

Oh yes. Dear Frank saw fit to glue himself to his side, less he misses exciting things. Because apparently ‘ he is always getting himself in trouble’ and ‘ his life is always full of excitement’. And ‘how Frank could live if he didn’t know the first hand gossip of the day about the Hufflepuff hero’.

What was it that he had planned at the beginning of this farce?

Remain un-noticed? Under the radar? Getting himself into the least eventful hogwarts house and leave peacfully?

What clear nonsence!

He had not breathed a couple of monthes since the whole ‘Hufflepuff Hero’ when papers started picking on ‘his role in Black-Tonks upcomming wedding’ and the ‘kidnapping of him and second Black heir’ . seriously SYLWAN was the one who was kicked out of sacred 28, the Wizingamot and accused of murdering his Finace and his son, his Father and his brother.

And yet it was him the press chose to pick on.

His perception.

His Phonix.

His seeker Status.

His height, his weight, his AGE-honestly, he was a first year! did they not own a single brain cell?

“SEV!”

He flinched and squacked, most indignified sound. Sod Frank and his incessent babbling. How much gossip he could find in just a couple of hours?

He snarled”what Frank? It better be good or so help me I swear..”

Frank raised his hand “ Merlin’s socks buddy! Please please pleaaase do not let Emerald to poop on my things! The smell does not get off at all!”

Severus smirked, reminded of that time Frank asked him again and again if he was Regulus boyfriend. In return, he had let Emerald do what she pleased with Frank’s wardrobe for an hour.

He shuddered in disgust. There was a good chance Regulus was his brother. Him and His brother? Appaling.

That was the last time he saw Emerald, as she went and started another trip with Fawkes to who knew where.

“you can not keep me with you when you go home. The whole flashing bussiness was too early and it will take me monthes to recover.”

Severus was not sure, but as the books said, a phonix was not a familier or a pet. They were strictly friends, or more of a mentor or companion. He had no control over her, and frankly he would not want that.

Another voice cut his line of thought “ well, if it isnt the match maker of the year!”

There stood Ted, a silly cheshire green on his face, holding hands with a look-alike of a much younger Bellatrix that could not be anyone but Andromeda.

“Greetings, Lady Black” he said, repectfully bowing to kiss her hand.

And he was confused as there was not a hand extended to him for him to kiss the knuckles.

“oh I see dear Edward. He is indeed a charmer.”and then the dark haired girl chuckled.

“Relax Severus. You are a friend of ours.”

Severus pretended to be afraid ” friend?do please tell me if I have to wear an ungodly color in an event of yours or not before marking me as your friend. I swaer if I knew I had to wear Lilac and Gold for being Longbottom’s and Bones’s friend I would have made a clause.”

Ted’s laughter was not at all like his soon to be fiance, it was loud and free and boyish.

“Told ya Meda! He is your brand of funny!”

And then , before he knew what hit him, Andromeda was hugging him, tight.

“thank you Severus. I can not express my gratitude in any way. Saving me from that creep or running away and being disowned”

How friendly and unofficial.not at all what he expected of a Black daughter. And Hug? Seriously? Severus could really make a list of his huggers now. Dumbledore? Lady Lonfbottom? Minerva? Who was next?

Andromeda released him, winking at him.

“may be I make you the godfather of my firstborn”

At this, Severus felt his heart stop beating for a beat. BEING NYMPHADORA’S godfather?

Then his future memories of her flashed before his eyes: all the cauldron’s she singlehandedly exploded, the uncountable number of times she stumbled into a bubling cauldron, the time when she had problem with her metamorphmagus abilities and was stuck in a horrible face that was a mix of him and Minerva…

And that was only on his class, and he was not in charge of her like her head of house, let alone being her godfather…

His breath caught. His face frozen in horror.

The bastards he called friends, meaning Ted and Frank gawfed, loud. Rolling on the floor clutching their stomach.

“oh your face”

Eternal friends his arse.

==

Regulus only came here because of his cousin, Narcissa.

Only Narcissa, and not that NARCISSISTIC cousin-in law, Lucius. Honestly, how she could tolerate him talking about his mane of hair, his precious peacocks and manner for more than an hour was a miracle. Narcissa should have been given the order of merlin for her patience.

For Cissa.

That was what he told his father. But the truth was that he wanted to see Sev. He was sad that Sirius had not bothered to come , if not for Cissa ,for seeing him. His younger brother who was kidnapped, tortured and nearly died recently.

But Siri forgot him.

It hurt, that he had given Reg up that easily for an arrogant spoilt arse like Potter, but that was the undeniable truth. At least he has Severus to rely on now.

“ being a member of The house of Ravenclaw is not only about intelligence…”

Regulus listened a bit of this year speaker, who was a raven. It seemed that a graduation ceremony was nothing but a long tedious affair in which they sit and listened to various people talking .

the headmaster, the representative of the school board, the representative of heads of houses, the representative of graduates…

and not only that, but listening a long list of names being called forth to get their diploma.

“Crowley Alister”

And they were only on the letter C from Ravenclaw!

There was Gryffindore and then would be Slytherin. Thank the ancestors Hufflepuff was already done with this farce.

Soon, he got bored of the ceremony and the long list of graduates who came forward and got their Apparition license and NEWTs result.

Lucius and Narcissa were one of the last names. So he asked his father to go look around Hogwarts.

“You are permitted, act like a son of Black,I might distance myself from the crowd as well” said Orion, eyeing a couple of indenbly Muggles with a thing called ‘camera’.

Act like a son of Black, Reg said in a mocking voice under his breath.

He would have rolled his eyes if Orion did not spank him for it. Seriously, how he could behave? He was a damn son from the house of Black’s ,so technically whatever he did, it was acting like a son of Black. And second, there was not ANYTHING embarassing he could do that would top what Sirius has done already.

Although he got up as fast as he could and practically ran away, before Orion could change his mind and force him to sit again.

In his haste distancing himself from the hoard of Graduates, He stepped on someone’s toe.

Ouch. That must have hurt. Severus stepped on his toe a couple of times delibaratly, to show just ‘how much he was dissapointer in him’ and ‘ how stupid of him it was to touch that fucking quil’. Also he said he would break both his legs if he dared to pull a stunt like that ever again. surprisingly, he never mentioned the bit he got hit by CRUCIO instead of him. When Reg has asked him, he just shrugged and said that ‘shielding allegedly younger siblings is an obligation of an older one’.

Seriously, that boy gave him headaches talking like that. It was like he had been a stuck up professor or something…

“would you like to step out of my toe for a bit? I promise I will move the other toe for you to step on. This one is sufficiently bruised, I guess’

Oops! The poor toe!

He reddened and mumbled a good for nothing sorry. So much for acting like a Black.

“stop it Kid, we share a grandmother, no hard feelings and all”

That got Regulus attention. Just who was this guy? He was suspiciosly familiar, a tall, red haired guy…who he was?

As if he read his mind “Prewatt, Fabian”

Oh right. A member of The so called light families he never got to hang out with.

“Black’s second heir, Regulus”

And then the guy smirked” you are much more like Severus than that drama queen Sirius is”

Regulus wanted to protest or be offended but damn! Did it had warmed his heart to be compared with his other sibling and not the trouble maker for once.

Oh, where was his manners?

“thank you heir Prewatt”

He had laughed this time while shaking his head. “you Blacks and the need for the prime and proper nouns…do drop the heir. You are one of Sev’s. you’re practically family”

Were all those light families this..care free and accepting? A bit gullible to call someone like him FAMILY? Malfoy or Rosiers would never ,and Reg himself was reluctant to even call someone a friend at first site, or an ally unless he had proved to be a usefull tool. It shamed him that it took Severus being Cruciod to instill in his mind that he was a friend, no more than that, family. Even if they found out they did not actually share blood at some point, Sev was family.

 Fabian patted his shoulder.”looking for him too, huh?”

Regulus was too shocked to say anything.He nodded. Let us look together then, Fabian said.

They were about to go and check on Severus when another person joined them.

“Fabian”

Fabian seemed to be frozen in place” Cissa” he said in hushed tone.

Narcissa chuckled, in that perfect voice that made one’s heart to squeeze and fell in love “Still stuck on that silly nickname you made for me?”

Regulus jaw would have dropped if he had not been raised to be a rigid proper heir. THE HELL what it meant? The nickname Fabian gave her? It was the name all the cousins called her by!

“force of habit Narcissa. Searching for dear Regulus here?”

Narcissa smiled “ of course not.I wanted to find this, eccentric fellow FRIEND of his, Snape? Andromeda does not stop talking about him, and according to uncle Orion, Blacks would have been in his debt if he had not rejected the claim of a life debt”

Wait, Sev rejected what? He could have gained a fuckton of Galleons and… WAS HE NUTS?

“Cissa dear, are you..”

That was Lucius voice, the last person on earth Reg wanted to see now. THIS WAS JUST GETTING EXCITING!

Lucius was dressed in an elaborate robe in dark forest green that screamed costly. His hair tied in the back of his head with a silk green band with his left side in an elaborate braid. He also had his traditional heavy golden necklace of Malfoy’s around his neck. All in all not unlike his beloved peacoks, all showy and flashy. Did he get the meaning of modesty? Or self restraint? Or NOT showing off like an item that was on display in a shop? The perfect blond heir’s left eye twitched. it was his tell for being thorougly pissed.

Pissed at what , exactly?

He snaked an arm around his fiancee” darling,I could not find you nor Lord Orion. should we not return? The Slytherin’s speech is to begin in minutes”

Regulus was now confused, never in this relationship he had witnessed Malfoy to act so possesively and out of character, in front of an audience at that!

Also, was the blond an idiot? His father was just sitting on the front row!

Narcissa forced a smile, said in an emotionless tone” of course dear.”

“Regulus, Heir Prewatt”

And she was gone before Regulus could say huh?

He looked at Fabian to see if he had a clue, but he was gone too.

==

 Severus had just released himself from Ted who had messed with his hair and made it look like a bird nest, and Andromeda who wanted to make him the bloody godfather of her not concieved future child who was non other than NYMPHADORA.

It was him and Frank alone, again.Severus was slowly coming to regret to stay with him. Were all those only child people like this? A chatterbox without a turn off button or was it just his luck to find one? Frank was pratteling on about the quality of drinks, sitting behind a tree, hidden by branches. 

“oh and the punch had Alcohol! It should not! It is just for school and school drinks should not contain it!”

Never mind they themselves took a sip of a spiked punch in their Halloween celebration and THEY WERE FIRST YEARS. Were was Frank voice of reason then?

He lost count of his nagging, after the first sentence about Lucius robes. EVERY SINGLE person on the graduation ceremony was talking about that damned show-off.

He was longing nearby, wondering again, if he had made a mistake by sticking to Frank and not going with Ted to fly abit.

“mon frere! You wont belie..”

What? Where had REGULUS came from? Regulus was stupid or what?

“Mon what?”

Enter Frank the blabber mouth.

Regulus who noticed Frank only now, tried to correct it “ nothing!”

Frank was in deep thought. And it was bad when he started to use the brain he was given.like that time before Severus Seven .( Amelia laughed at him so hard at the name, they considered never using it again) that Frank dwadled so much sharing his plan that Severus was going to punch him.

“Frere means brother, and you are a Black. I don’t suppose you can blood bound another person to you before you get your head of family’s permission and Arcturus would never ever allow that…”

Severus was getting anxious “Frank stop it”

“If Severus was born of your parents, there was no way he was a Halfblood named Snape. And the article said his Mother’s name is Eileen. There was a contract years ago, before Sirius was born..oh!”

And there. Disaster.

“we are not cer..”

“shut up regulus!”

Severus inhaled “Frank, I want you, as your eternal friend, to never mention it”

“but..”

“FRANK!”

Frank noded.

Then there was silence.

“eh, even With you two?”

“I mean, you know that I know and I know that you know and we can all talk about we know what…”

Yes, he should have gone with Andromeda, to give his opinon on bloody BABY names.

He needed that spiked punch now.

Chapter Text

Lord Orion Black, was not a man you would take less than seriously. Despite being the Lord Black in the name only, because his father was still alive and the heirarchy in place, he was one of the most powerful patron of a dark family. 

And he was standing here, in this back alley of a mugglish origin, for A QUARTER OF AN HOUR.

Orion was tapping his foot on the ground, wondering why in Morgana’s name he was in this situation in the first place.

He had more reason to be there in that blasphemy of a celebration than Cygnas third daughter. He needed an excuse to be out of the watch of his volture of a wife, Walburga, also to see the half-blood who was Eileen’s and regretably Regulus FRIEND.

It was true that Sirius being in the house of burtish baboons made him angry, but at least he was making an attempt to join with Potters, who were respectful Pure blooded potionists, and Lupin had a hand in magical creatures department.

Regulus?

Where to begin with? Ally himself with a half Hufflepuff, getting in trouble because he had tried to interfere with a pre-arranged marrige with a PUREBLOOD and for what?

A mudblood.

The boy, snape , was smart and respectful. He secretly thought he would have made a consumate slytherin, his head was full of plans to get what he wanted.he secretly doubted he was Eileen’s lover, she probably attached him to Teddy, or Tobby, whatever. Of course he sometimes thought about those better forgotton memories, but he and Burga had those miscreants, one for each, point was moot. Half, or not, The question was what the boy wanted.

The troble was exactly that.

His life got more interesting when he got a letter.

The most pressing matter at hand now, was meeting the sender of the letter, namely Eileen.

“should I thank you for gracing us with your presence, oh- Lord of the lords?”

That was the same sarcastic tone he had not heard for a decade.

“Eileen”

When he turned back, he met her, crossed her arms in front of her chest, shaking her head at him.

“don’t dwadle, we have a lot to talk about.

DWADLE? Him? What…!

His eyes analyzed her, what was that ..a bump? SHE was expecting… a second time?

“you are standing on the wrong square, this is were hookers gain attention of their customers during hollidays”

Merlin! Had she needed to make this harder! Now everyone would think that he had been the one to impregnate her! Hookers?

His face was redder than a tomato now, not at all a good look for a man of his calliber. Eileen had the audacity to chuckle.

“come, my room is just over there”

==

Eileen had imagined about this meeting for years.

It was not what she imagined at all.

Orion was not the same. He cared about his picture more than ever. She remebered a time he was going to leave that hag for her, throwing the lordship to the dogs for all he cared.

Not anymore, it seemed.

It was taking a risk, to show him her humble abode, but she had lied abouth the hookers so he aligned this memory and her place together, and forget about it. If not, Eileen’s main room was not this, but somewhere much cheeper. She would be safe.

Watching him looking at the place like he could get dragonpox from sitting there on the floor, she did not offer him the sofa she was longing on. It was funny to watch him.

“I guess he is yours”

He seemed to forget to breathe for a moment “pardon?”

“Severus is not Tobias’es, as you certainly guessed.”

He tilts his head, as if to asking why should he care?

Eileen lowers her voice, staring at his eyes directly to get the point across” and you probably remember that night on 1959”

Mission completed, she watches with delight as he chokes on his saliva.

“that can not be” still in denial, he sits defeated on the ground.

“we have two sons. Born in the 5 years period time”

So he did started to remember. Eileen wondered why she had, and thought it was due to her being a prince, mental arts and that shit. She had only remeberd him, but from this september, she started to remember Orion too.It was a gamble to see if he could remember or not, because she just saw Riddle and Orion. Riddle , because he was an enigma. Claimed he was a pureblood, could talk to snakes, but with a muggle family name. raised by squibs in an orphange, yet understanding the pureblood heirarchy and ritual magic better than them. Now going by the name of Lord Voldemort. Ridiculous as it was, fly of death, Eileen could not stop the shivers when she thought about how inhuman Riddle was on that night. She feared of what he had requested of the ritual…

“what if I told you that your beloved heir was..Alphards?”

Orion breath hitches, good.

“and dear ol’Arcturus does not gives a damn because Alphard is his bastard, not his brother’s as he told you.”

“it can not be.your boy…Alphard…”

“listen Orion, I am just giving you a heads up as a favor for those years we were.. less than strangers. I have confirmed it from the woman he slept with , a muggle if you believe, and before you go balsitic, she is dead. So yes, not only Alphard is a half-blood who your father has not an issue with, but also your heir, Sirius is Alphards. We both know your father did not have problems sleeping with muggles, and as Alphard is a half, he wont inherit Lordship. Sirius on the other hand, is a black, and having a non-magical grandmother is not a matter for him to be the heir.since you are not the patriah of the family, you did not get a warning, and you, me and Arcturus all know you to be too lazy to go and check the family tree for confirmation. The blood test still needs Arcturus prmission and he did not inform you, he saw no need of it”

Oroin is standing up, taking conttrol of his shaking limbs with difficulty “ Suppose if it is true, unbelivable as your tale is. Where does your son comes into the equasion”

“I know who I slept with, and it was you and him. There is not a chance he wished for an heir. He loathed children, and saw no need for an heir.I doubt he could have one even if he wanted”

Riddle was power personified and yet he was as power hungry as always, unstable didn’t even begin to describe him and sometime his eyes flashed red. She couldn’t confirm if he had turned to a vampire or not. She was not a lunatic wishing death. His magic was so powerful he never used a wand during the ritual, and his spells were undescribable. His magic lured you in, and he seduced you to stay. Eileen thought he could have taken Dumbledore if he put his mind into it.

“what do you want from me?” said a much calmer Orion.

“You need an heir, but your spare is too soft and not powerful enough. Severus is 90 percent yours. He has proved himself to be a prodigy, and he can restore your falling house. Isnt a powerful, intelligent son better than a rash one and a coward one?isn’t a son you wont ever know if he is yours better than one you know he isnt yours at all?”

Really, from what she gathered form Severus letters, Sirius Black was a bully, touched by Black madness and did not care about his reputation. He thoughtlessly throw his lot into mischief, getting detentions and scolding. While Severus gained allies, planed for his future and thrived. Eileen was tired of protecting him, and feared for him, surprisingly.She was certain that Riddle would be aware of him by now, and if she and Orion remembered, he would too. It was better for Severus to be related to Orion, than him.The boy did not deserve that kind of THING for a father.Blacks could protect him, and he would become the next Lord. And if Eileen got afew galleons for herself in this deal? Who cares? She had indeed raised the brat. Of course Eileen was in two minds if Severus was really his, or Orion’s, or the blasted 5th person she couldn’t remember. To get one’s blood, in case of Blacks underage or not, they needed the family’s head permission, correct. But the ritual messed it so the children born of it couldn’t be traced back. They would show a positive for each person, because they were created by their magical signature combined. That was what she gathered from her old tomes on the NOIR, hidden in her Gringots vault.

Orion would come around, he was the kind of man who needed the first push. Orion and Arcturus fight would amusing to watch.

“you know where to find me now.If you accept this deal, there would be some extra conditions we need to talk about”

The crack of Orion’s apparition was loud in the silence of the small room

==

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. Having Reg and Frank together in the same space , talking about Molly weasley and its connection to Fabian and Narcissa was blowing his mind.

Apprently, Molly was not that much a dumb person he considered her. As an heiress, or heir for example, were not able to marry another heir, unless they could give each of their family an heir an a spare. With the rate of the birth among wixen these days, it seemed impossible. Those days, Cygnas had not a chance to be the Lord, even if he could find himself a son or two. With that, and his wife dead, he was free to take another bride.

Molly’s options for a suitable husband, who was not an heir, a pureblood and be able to hold a conversation for more than a minute were low. She was born in a time, where the birth rate was low, and mostly females. She could have married a foreign wizard, but had fell for Arthur Weasley. Due to Black’s rate of breaking marriage contracts, she was partly right to do so.

Well, to Severus it was still a dumb thing.

 “So you say if Fabian does not marry and get an heir for himself, he could not be Lord Prewatt?”

Regulus rolls his eyes.” Yes Frank. Because Gideon married Amelia, and Edgar has no son or daughter still, Amelia is the heir still. And Gideon will not be able to take heirship permanently or transiently untill Bones have an heir”

Severus was getting a headache, sick of their talks of heirship and breding like rabbits.

“Will you please stop this nonsense and get to the point when you wanted to tell me something Reg?”

Regulus catches Frank’s eye and they both shake their heads, as if to say they tried to educate him and it did not work, not their problem.

As if. Severus memories would get more coverage in a year or two, and then he would show them up. He was not educated by both Lucius and Narcissa in that aspect for nothings.

“Fabian called Narcissa Cissa, and I found out the nickname we all call her is a name Fabian gave her”

Frank has found a chocklate frog from somewhere hmms.

“what does hmmm supposed to mean?”says an annoyed Reg.

“They..ere..laymat…date…ile”

Severus smacks his less than polite housemate” you better finish it and talk like a human being”

Frank gulps.

“they were playmates, they dated for a while and it was going to get serious when Malfoy happened.”

Oh. Talk about awkward.Regulus is going to say something when a tall man with dark hair, who is just an adult version of Reg approaches “Regulus”

He says forcfully.

And before he can recall that the man is Lord Orion, or Frank can resume eating his frog, he is gone.

“Those weird weird Blacks.”

Severus totally agrees.

Chapter Text

Orion didn’t know how he did not flinch wither himmself or his boy, his only boy if what Eileen said was true.

But could he accept a MUGGLE raised boy as his heir? Was it even worth it to confront Arcturus about it? The man could bloody change his mind and make that bastard Alphard his heir.

Ok, not that half-breed. Arcturus was not mental and know that Blacks would fall with that idiot in charge. A stupid man who believed the best of any person. He would be eaten alive by those snobish gaggle of wolves .

Could he plan for the child of Andromeda and that Mudblood? Arcturus had only but accepted him into the family, going as far as letting him shedding his name and take the Blacks. The child of that union was 90 percent a metamorph, and in that case the grandson/daughter of Cygnas would be 100 percent a metamorph.

No, he was too sweet on Regulus, as much as a man like him could be Sweet on anyone.

“Father?”

Oh, he was here? Where he had even apparated them?

He looked at the dark green theme of the room, the old money style of 30s and all those portraits surrounding the area.

It was the old Manner, in which Arcturus lived. It seemed it lacked its owner now.

So it meant he was definitly here. Arcturus was a weird man, when he was home, he made it look like it was empty, and when he leaved he made sure it looked as if he was inside.

Prickly suspicious ass.

So he was in.

Good.

“Floo back to the house”

“but…”

“no but, no nothing. I am tired of your constant whining and nagging. You saw your mudblood Friend, isnt that enough for you”

His only son was watching him, wide eyed, and afraid. He had not understood that he was standing above him , making the boy shrink on himself.

It disgusted him.

When Arcturus wanted to drive a point, he was much more creative and heavy handed with spells and punishing than Walburga ever hoped to be. Cygnas, the older brother, cowered every time, just like Regulus now. The sniveling Fucker made Arcturus more angry, and he took it on him.

By merlin was he not angry all the times!

And he never cried.

Nor backed away.

That defiance, that he never cried or begged, made him like Sirius more. He thought he was like himself.

Now, wtchinng this..this shameful display of his own son… his blood…

“Leave the boy be, Orion. You have done enough for a day”

So Arcturus hated that he made the little bugger afraid? 

Where was this side when he beat him like a.. like a muggle when he found out He was about to break the deal with Burga?

“you heard him, get lost now”

Regulus did not need to be told twice.

“what has gotten you in such a mood? You usually save it for Burga” Arcturus said, sitting himself in the sofa, taking a sip of wine.

“at least in your younger days, it was followed by make-up rough sex with potential for breeding. Now you lack the sac, so you take it on a boy?”

Orion was a hair away from losing it compeletly. The gall, the bloody gall of this viper.

“ he is even older than me when you started the tretment, didn’t you say it builds character?”

Arcturus mainly changed the angle he was sitting, not even offering him a seat” he is a calm and collected boy with a good head.you were another story. You needed it to get it into your skull that not everything is to be how you want.”

And he exploded then” shut up!”

“shut the hell up you shameless wanker! You always hit me when you could not bloody keep it in your pants when you saw your whore, when you saw Prince fumbl..”

He never saw when Arcturus apparted in front of him, disarmed him and nor the punch directly to his face.

“talk ill of her again, and that would be your death warent” said Arcturus, a murderous look in his eyes hand on his wand.

Orion even did not know how to feel ashamed. He was at his mercy , again. even after all these years he could not stand up to this creature. But what he could not compensate in duelling or strength, he could with words.

He spit the blood on the carpet, not minding of the bloody price,

“ you are all bark Arcturus. When you kind of cheated on your Beloved EVELYN with the likes of my mother. And you’re one to talk. If it was even marriage contracts, but no. you did it to fucking preserve the family, the Blacks.

Or did you?

Because if you did it just becaause of that, and never slept with my mother unless it was for the required heir and spare, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ALPHARD BEING YOUR BASTARD?”

Arcturus staggered.

Good.

“so it is true then? He is yours? Yours and…”

Arcturus sighed” you wont understand boy”

Orion stood up, pressing his teeth so he would not scream bloody murder.

“oh? Do tell FATHER”

“the woman .. she did it out of a favor, never told me of the child until it was late. And at first, we thought it was Arasmus. And then, he would never inherit, so why bother?”

Interesting, if he wanted to hear his lies. He could not pitty him, not now, not ever. If the man was on fire, he wouldn’t spit on him to lessen it.

And now…

“suppose you are telling the truth, and that’s a big if, what about concealing the fact that Sirius is his, that my fucking heir is your bastard’s son?”

Arcturus was speechless. Orion desperatly searched his face for a sign to tell him it was one great lie.

But there wasn’t any.

A minute passed without any of them moving, in silence.

“tell me oldman, what is your end game? You would know I never make Regulus the heir, that I would go as far as marrying a second time to ensure another son. You know that the family mgic only accepts a head if the person is strong enough, both in magic and mind. and if not, it would kill them by siphoning their magic out of them”

Arcturus said nothing.

Orion’s mind was racing.

What would be the end game? It seemed that Arcturus did not plan for Sirius to inheirt, if he never planned for his father Alphard, what would be the point for offering another one with Mud blood in his vains? He knew as long as there was another one, old enough, wise enough and strong enough, the family magic would not accept that boy. Something Orion still hoped for before knowing of his true parentage.

But Arcturus did not plan on that, did he?

Further thinking on his behaviour towards Regulus, one could think he had selected him for the lordship from the start. Even now, he had not mentioned the possiblity of the future metamorph to inherit…

So what?

Arcturus was like devil incarnate, he had plans within plans and backups for backups. There must be another option, or he would have been more tough with Regulus.

If he felt guilty for losing Evelyn that mush he left his marriage bed after gainig two sons, and never stepped out of but once…denying himself the pleasure of sex as a punishment…he was old fashioned like that, or maybe hated to be compared to his casanova of a brother, so he did what he did not and didnt do what he did. Either way,there would be a good explanation.

If only Eileen was here, she would know what his schedule was.

The penny dropped.

Eileen,clever Eileen who was his future bride for a time.

Eileen, who his father arranged the contract with, so he could be remotly connected to the love of his life.

Eileen who was Evelyn’s daughter, only thing left of her and and Severus, her son.

His son too if she was right. A perfect pure blood, from HER line, carrying HER blood.

No that could not be!

His breath hitched.

“you knew. You about Severus” he murmured softly.

Arcturus only turned his face, staring at the portrait of their family, that showed nothing but an imaginary fake picture of a happy family.the portrait of him, his parents and his brother, when they were too young to know anything of real life.

Those forced smiles on his parents face. That happy free laughter both brothers lacked sorely in their adult life.

Orion’s whole world crumbled. He could clearly understand Arcturus unexplainable behaviour this past year. why he allowed Regulus to write to a half-blood.Now he could see why he had gone and saved a lowly supposedly half-blood from Rita Skeeter, or why he had indulged his whim of allowing Andromeda to marry a muggleborn.

He was training him too, in a way.

“I saw his name in the family tapestry, the true one at the head of the house disposal, not that sham in Grimmauld, the day he was born.it was late as it was, him being born out of wedlock. So I left him there, thinking him as a far fetched plan,Sirius was there already, and you were still young. Black’s always had a set of sons, or a trio of daughters. I gathered if all failed, I could rely on him. I was surprised he was who he was, the way he was. I only meant for him to be a back-up. It was only from the start of this year, seeing him gaining allies and being worthy that I considered him”

A back-up? He had been deprived of his true heir and son, forced to raise a bastard, son of a bastard thinking he was training his heir. All the while his son was being brought up with muggles? His son, born out of wedlock And worse, he had compeletly neglected his true born education, Regulus was a damn coward.

Sirius was not even his.

And in his heart, Orion knew he had done this, at least for this year, so Evelyn’s bloodline could finally inherit Black fortune.

Out of spite.

In that moment , many things in his mind righted itself.

A paradigm shift.

He was finally broken out of his childish need for his approval. His kid dreams of one day, being someone he would be proud of. That he became a father to him for real.

He knew he was nothing to him but a means to an end. A tool so that this merlin forsaken family continued. If this stone-hearted fucker left his so-called love in the hands of that psycho, Prince guy,

If he had only gotten children to fullfill his duty, not caring one bit for his wife or sons..

Why it took him by surprise when he had brought up Alphard as his brother’s bastard? Why it hurt to know he had known about his wife stepping out of marriage and never told a soul? Why he knew of Sirius never going to inherit, unless the whole family gone extinct, and kept mum?

It hurt.

It burned his heart,dried his tears, and killed his feelings towards the man for ever.

The funny thing is, if he showed even an once of remorse, his stupid heart would forgive him.

And yet

He did not.

Oh,He could even thank the man for breaking that bad habbit! That sliver of childish hope…

For making him to grow up for the last time, leaving those useless feelings.

Arcturus wanted to shame him one last time, when he wanted to declare his heir, Sirius, knowing fully he was both unsuitable as a character and as a Black born of the Lord of the house, making it possible that he lost his sanity over time.

With Regulus being the way he was, Severus could inherit.

A son he would not know about if Eileen had not told him.

“even if I forgave you for everything, for every tiny thing that ruined my life, I wouldn’t forgive you for this”

“and remember, Arcturus, that boy will never be a Lord so far I have a say in it.” He said it, looking Arcturus in the eyes directly.

Voice like ice.

He would cut the tumor that was his bastard brother’s bastard, and take Eileen’s deal, only for him to select Regulus at the end. He would burn Arcturus dream of letting Evelyn’s line inherit.

He was a heartless monster, but he would not let his trueborn son live in filth, born out of wedlock or not, he did not deserve to be left there, in that neighborhood. Near hookers and thieves and criminals,also honoring his vow to Eileen was a must. He would not become a lier and a deal breaker like Arcturus.

He had to train Regulus.

He had to make way for casting Burga out without sharing a knot with her.

He had to keep Sirius on a leash, it would not do for everyone to mock him for his unfaithful wife and raising a bastard.

Severus would never be the Lord of any house on his watch. He would play the arasmus to Regulus Arcturus, the Cygnas to Orion.

Running after money and prestige like a dog, but never get it.

He had to make adjustments to his will.

He left the man on his own, apparating to Gringotts.

************    

 Life in spinner end moved on.

Seriously, if Severus heard his parents saying ‘darling ‘ to him, or calling eachother sweet-heart one more time, he would go and get himself thrown in Azkaban for the summer.

“babe would you pass the salt?”

“of course princess”

Bullex! His father was never a ‘babe’ in his life and his mother was never princess material !

That fake sweetness made his stomch turn.

And his mother’s stomach grow and grow.

Add it to his constant fear for when , and how it would end. And estimating the backlash and when to avoid getting hit by shattered pieces of this pretend peace.

He also was busy fretting over his mind.

He didn’t know if he was the severus of future, the severus of now, or a bloody mix of the two.

Although he knew things of the future, about his mother’s death, Lily abondoning him and joining death eaters, large parts of it was empty. Emerald said it was that he had depended on occlumency so much in his last year that the memories needed time to unfold,some were too harsh for a child his age and would drive him mad, and that they would re-surface with time and his occlumency and core growing in strength.

He had some double memories, of his first year.

His year in slytherin, in bits and his year as a hufflepuff. He counted his lucky stars that at least he had not any flashback, or nightmares so far this summer.

Wasn’t that confusing? Like hell it was!

He still didn’t understand why he was getting a sister now, and feared that it had happened last time and he was not aware because the baby was lost.

He feared if he could be a bad brother or a good one, and beside his short time with Reg, he had no idea.

Did babies fart? Do they burped themselves or they needed to be made to do it? How would one change a diaper? If the baby was sick, should they get it to a muggle doctor or not?

Why older him didn’t get a crash course in baby care?

Stupid, stupid adult!

If it was only this…

Oh no. all his friends sent letters, of course not to his house! God knew what Tobias would do and what would happen to this fragile peacefull they ha.

It went all straight To Evanses.

Well, all besides Reg’s, until a week ago.

You see, he kept sending letters by that grotchy elf that called him master’s bastard brother or mudblood, and no amount of persuading made him listen to sense.

Then Reg didn’t stop whining.

How sirius was nagging at him and teasing him.

How his father- their father should he say?- had acted weirdly towards him and sirius after the party. That he had apparated them into arcturus living room and he had floo back to house, alone.

How he was livid , and acted as if he was disgusted with him and his brother these days, that he was cold and distant.

That he had made him learn family names from 1500. That he forced him to read books and get his wand earlier so he could practice.

And he went on and on.

Severus just wished for him to stop nagging, whinning , crying like a baby because his DAD acted cold. If tobias acted cold and distant, it was chritmass for severus.

Apparently, he mustn’t have told him that.

So now he was sulking. And not writing him at all.

Maybe severus felt a little jealous. There was a good chance that Orion was his father.

And yet

And yet he had left him to suffer.

He never wanted to be a Lord or such shit, but could you blame him for wanting acceptance?

Respect of his peers? Friends? A real family?

It just burned him from inside that orion had not even bothered with him in his future-past.

It made his insides twist and ache that his own supposed brother, Sirius was his biggest tormentor.

All for his mother sleeping with the wrong man, a married man.

And him born out of marriage.

How much miseary could have been avoided if Orion manned up and claimed him?

And again, he doubted.

There was another chance he was really tobias son, and Sylwan had only taunted them, or had them on. The only evidence was a piece of a photo, and the name of a ritual.

There was a chance he was Sylwan’s. that he wanted to kill him because he was his rivel and made that whole story up.

There was a chance he was another one’s son, other people who had taken part in that ritual.

Who knew?

And Severus was not keen on getting inside Nurmengaurd and face a retired dark lord and an aspriring dark lord to be.

Thank you very much.

On his other Friend’s side, Gideon was too busy snogging Amelia, and Fabian too busy supervising, or so he said in his letter.

Frank had gone to Italy, and now write him in his horrible italian. He thought it was so funny he knew italian and severus didn’t.

In fact sev knew abit. But frank was only writing him gossips of italian magical royalty. He never asked for a reply. Just severus sending him hello from time to time was enough.

Boring.

Charity had sent him choclate , and that she was visiting Remus. No amount of begging made her back away, because she thought they had been harsh with their prank on holloween, and the boy needed a second chance.

One would say she was a naïve child. A 12 yers old petulant child.

Oh wait, she was.

Nearly all his friends were. Barring Amelia, twins and Tonks.

He was fed up.

Severus told her to not write him until she wanted to talk about anything that was not fucking remus Lupin related.

 And Marlene…

He thought at least she had sense. She had sent him a fascinating book on the role of artimancy in defence, and Severus had sent a rather lengthy letter thanking her.

Then he reached a certain page, and a note slipped out, with Marlene handwriting.

He was more than horrified.

“dear friend

I would like to know if you want to use this particular page for any reason, on any girl in the future”

The info on that page being calculations on making a love potion strong enough to make one fall for someone for a total year.

Horrified.

And when he told her in a rather rude manner that he would NEVER EVER NEVER use that, and no there was NO girl in his life.

She just sent a note.

“It rather not be, I like you single”

Weird.

Weird weird girl. One would never know what was on her mind!

That left Peter.

It took him by surprise that the boy was the most sensible of his gaggle of friends. That he could actually hold a conversation and be a pleasant penpal.

Thus the problem, today.

You see, Lily in this time, had gone to saty with Marryand Dorcas, again for a month. Usually, he got the letters from either Mrs Evans, or Mr Evans.

Today, it would be only Petunia in the house.

Imagine his dread.

Peter had to WAIT.

Yes he was plenty brave, but not SUICIDAL. Petunia had recently entered puberty, she was between 13 and 14, her moods not improved one bit.

Also she had aquired a boyfriend, her first one, who had dumped her only a month ago.

There was a limit of teenage angst he could tolerate. Regulus childish tantrums, charity’s stupid behaviour towards Lupin, Lily leaving him AGAIN even when he was not an evil slytherin to go hang out with those bitches…

Oh don’t forget Fabian nagging , Frank being too much pleased with himself to know SOMETHING his genious friend did not know, his Mom, His unborn sibling, Marlene thinking him capable of Drugging someone with love potion…

Petunia was not on his list.

He left the house early in the mornings, but he could not find a job due to his size. They never believed him to be 12, thought it hilarius that he, barely 9 or 10, wanted to work. In their eyes, he had not even finished primary, working was ridiculous.

Still, he left the house, even with no hope of finding a job.

It was a terrific weather for a summer. He had for once, some clothes of his own , not just hand me down rags. Courtesy of Longbottoms of course.

He sat near the river and watched the city.

The river, was the unspoken boundery line between poverty and middle class. the side they were on, consisted of old same colored houses, built alike. The abondened factory was a place for addicts, hookers, all sort of criminals. It was dark, dingy and about past its prime.

The other side on the other hand, had houses with bright colors, with gardens and parks and shops that sold more than second hand rags and used items. They belonged to happy families with happy, clean children.

The park he and Lily met, was a kind of shared space, both poor and rich came and had fun.

At this time at least. In grown severus memories, this park was abondoned too.

Strolling down the familiar way, he reached the park, only for him to find it not empty.

The red faced angry girl didn’t lose the chance to throw the first punch” what are YOU doing here SNAPE? Spying on me yet again?”

He had jinxed himself, didn’t he? That shouting, Snape..Spy.. just made him half thrown into a memory of his older self, not self.

He pushed it back with all his might.

He was severus the hufflepuff.

He had real friends.

He gave up persuing Lily.

When his heartrate came down, Petunia was just a shoulder length away from him, watching him with suspicion.

“hey what’s up with you?”

He tried not to snap” Petunia, do you like being called Tuney?”

The girl scowled “ forget I asked. What a stupid question is that?”

“well, humour me anyway”

She just shrugged” you do damn well know I hate it”

“so, would you mind not calling me Snape, or a spy? I am not calling you Tuney, am i?”

That got her attention” isnt it your name? why would you..”

In the past, he would have snapped at her. He had tried being patient and she was pressuring him for info.

“just…”

“Oi Snape! What you doing with a defenceless girl?”

Oh bloody fabulous! This day was getting better and better!

And there he was, in the flesh. The bane of his existance, James ARROGANT Potter.

“that’s none of your bussiness at first, and second what the hell are you doing here?”

Potter got closer “ two can play at the same game, that’s none of your bussiness.” Then he looked calculativly at Petunia.

“ oh this your sister, isnt it? Ugly like you”

Petunia balled her fists and throw a look of disgust, getting the look of I-am-older-than-you-brat and shot back “ watch your mouth you uncoth child. I am not his anything and ..”

Potter only laughed “ oh look! Snapy! Even your sister does not want to be associated with the likes of you, an ugly good for nothing puff!”

Severus had to deal with it, it was going to be messy otherwise. Potter itched for a fight, never left him alone until he had throw a punch or two.

“Potter, I do beilieve that you bloody well know I am an allies of both Longbottoms and Boneses. I just recently saved Regulus Black, and all these families OWE me. Do you know what happens if, if only I happened to mention your unwanted presence and harassing to either of them?”

He was not laughing anymore.

“so you are going to do somethings for me. I will even explain it so it be easier for your brain to follow. First you tell me how you are here, then you will appologize to her for calling her ugly”

Potter only squared his shoulders, getting a defiant look:

“I will never…”

This was getting out of hand. He had to deal with it swiftly.

Severus had to.”Kreacher!”

The elf popped and Petunia shrieked in surprise.

“master mudblood friend asked??”

Severus tuened to Potter : well?”

“ fuck it Snape. Well missy over hear, sorry for calling you ugly. And snape, I asked Remus to ask Burbage where Lily lived.”

Severus blood was boiling, but what was he to do? That spineless fucker had again ruined something for him. If only Charity did not excuse him all the time!

Focus! Potter first!

“and pray tell, how you got here?”

“nightbus, what else?”

He then turned to kreacher “ will you get Heir Potter to your residence? I know your other master , Sirius would be happy to see him”

“but I was there yesterday!”

“quite Potter. Just be happy I am not telling this to anyone I mentioned. Leave and do not come back without being invited, or next time, I will call on my debts”

When potter reluctantly left, Petunia asked calmly “ what was,, what was that”

“a house elf. And that was Potter, a Griffindore in our year who just hates my guts for whatever reason”

“oh.”

A few seconds of silence, and she cleared her throat.

She then shyly looked at him “I was not so nice to you, but.. thanks for making him appologize. And.. even threatening him to leave me,Snape”

Severus winced. he did not know what to do with a shy, not hostile Petunia.

“call me Severus”

She looked at him questioning him

“ok Severus, but why not Snape? Its your name. also who are Burbage and Remus who know where we live? Are they dangerous? What is.. what is mudblood?”

He just shake his head “maybe another day. Can we get to your house so I can get my letter, please? “

She shrugged. Then walked towards her house, motioning him to follow.

When the pair left the park, there was definitly less hostilty between them, maybe the begining of a friend ship.

*********

One long chapter done, many left to finish.

I want to ask you, if you have an idea how this ric is going to end. Any predictions?

I think I have left enough clues to guess.

Kudos makes me happy, comments makes me super happy. Don't forget to comment and tell me what you think!

Chapter Text

Remus was angry, so angry he could snap James’s neck if he ever saw him. What was he thinking? He told him Lily was not there! How he got it into his head that he should marry Lily Evans? Just for the silly thing his da siad?

“the first witch you, the first day, the first compartment, that will be your future love and joy”

Just because his da had, didn’t mean he could too! And he told him that when he was what, 7? They were now 12 for Godsack!

And he had lost Charity’s trust, again. he had not even told his room mates he was … he was a wolf, but charity had figured it out, then reached out to appologize for the Holloween prank. Was Charity bright, or his two rommmates dumb? He bet on the latter. He also could guess that maybe Snape know and told her to mke her avoide him. It was possible he knew, with perception thing and all. the guy was a genious, was not that hard if he only had a moon mapping.

And Charity, the kind nice perfect girl she was, had come and made friend with him. Him with his shabby clothes and all those aweful criss cross scars on his face, and even when he bet his Gryffindore tie Snape was so against it.

Snape.. now the guy was an enigma. He told anyone he loved Lily like a brother, they were friends since they were 7?8? a genious Hufflepuff who collected allies and even was friends with a Slytherin.. he was friends with everyone, come to think of it. Sirius never shut up about Reg going on and on about him in his letters, he even asked his brother if he had a crush on him..

Resulting on their house elf pouring a bucket of cold water some Sunday morning per his master request.

If the guy was so much pro muggleborn-pureblood marraiges, like with Tonks Black , why was he friends with Pettigrew who was in favor of against notion? 

Pettigrew… he winced. What they pulled on Snape was nothing compared to him. Sure they had shoved him off a step or two, stolen his books but that was it. They never followed him with invisibilty clock and made him afraid of his shadow, or throw his notes in the lake, or hexed his showlaces.

James claimed it was Pettigrew inflence on Snape and Evans, and that Snape wanted to marry evans someday and the best friend act was a decoy. That he thought pettigrew was working on them to get them to the knights of walburgis and voldemort opposition, and they would kill Evans cause she was a muggleborn and courupt Snape. And they couldn’t allow him to courupt Snape, first because as loath as James was to confess, the guy was powerful, and knowledgable, not to say likable. He had a group of followers now, and he had immortal friendship of two good families who had to support him come heaven or hell fire.

Sometimes remus thought it was a exageration, sometimes he thought maybe..

Sod it. Charity said it was not and Snape was not snobbish with his friends and he taught Pettigrew and their teasing would make it hard for him to stay friends with peter.

Who knew?

And that Sev did not have a SISTER, that was Lily’s sister…he should tell James to appologise when he was not grounded by his dad. One could not date a witch and anger their siblings.

*****   

Petunia at first, was skeptical of Sna..Severus. not that long ago, he was rude, hostile and didn’t shut up about her being muggle, and called her tuny.

She hated it, luny tuny.

It didn’t just add up.

Maybe he grew up? Found out the dress code and you have to wash your hair from time to time?

Maybe he found better friends than her sister who only wanted attention and as long as she got it, didn’t care if her companion got negetives ones?

Who knew?

She was shocked when he asked her to call him Severus, and made that Jerk, Potter appologize. She later got a letter from him too, appologizing for calling her Snape sister.

She tore that up.

Liked it or not, it didn’t seem he was going anywhere, Lily liked him enough, and her parents too. So she thought why the hell not? She could try being civil, and go from there. If she hated it, they couldn’t be more hostil towards each other than they were now.

So she started talking, more questioning, or interogating in his words. Magic was so not the way she had imagined and Lily wrote in her several pages length letters.

It had an ugly, dangerous side too, and he would later explain .

He also reminded her that magical community was small, and that she knew about it made it special, made her special. She could enjoy flying on a broom, putting on magical make up that wouldn’t come off with rain or crying, and wear enchnted dresses that made her look like a princess. 

“you can also own an elf, the one you saw that day. They are like magical helpers. Their magic is dependent on the humans somehow. You can also install a floo in your home and go to diagon that way, or hogsmeed, or whereever you like”

He said that she could consider the possiblity of later having a magical son or daughter, and what would she do then? Call them a freak? Say she didn’t love them anymore?

That made her pause. Maybe she was being a bit of bitch?

She was also shocked more, to hear his father didn’t like magic.

What was there not to like? It was wonderful! All unicorns and long gowns and big castles! Or she thought it was.

He corrected that view for her. She never knew people like him and her sister faced predejuis like Black people, called the M word like their N. she never knew, Lils never said anything of Crucio and that they made people marry , no mate like cattle. That he had worked all year so two people who liked eachother marry, and that other fiance was a murderor and torturer.

She never knew that they had a house, Slytherin, their underdog and said anything evil came out of it. That they said hufflepuffs like him were stupid.

Anyone who met Severus for a few seeconds knew he was brilliant.

Stupid racist predejuists arses. He had nearly dies once in that qiddich thing! Were they nuts?

And he laughed. The sound surprised her, she never heard him laugh, was that not a pitty? He had a great one.

She wondered if he was simply replacing her with Lily, but the amounts of letters he got, Frank and Charity and Fabian and Andromeda and Regulus and Marlene and…the list was tall. Plus he never mentioned, or pressured her to talk about Lily. She talked about her jerk of a boyfriend, and he even hugged her!

Sloppily, shyly but he hugged her and told her she was an intelligent young Woman and she didn’t need silly boys like Potter and the jerk telling her she was not beautiful or smart.

Such sweet words. It made her feel better about herself, and stop wearing that itchy tight bra that made her breath caught so her boobs look bigger, just because her ex mocked her and told her she was flat.

She kept meeting him at the park.

Her parents went on a trip and she was to stay with a friend, said friend was also friends with her ex, so that was it. Plus summer days were long and boring and there was a maximum of watching Tv.

Talking with severus was fun, when he bothered to be.they had lots of fun talking about silly things like if wizards went to the moon, or how a Tv with wizrds programs would be. They had giggled like a pair of stupid 10 years old.

Not that their exchange was not mutual.

He later asked her all about babies. She of course didn’t know much, excuse her, she was only 2 when Lils were born, but got him a book from library and asked him the reason

“I think its safe to say I m gonna be a big brother in monthes”

Before she could congradulate him,he went and then confessed to her, that he was afraid, to leave his parents with a new baby. He went far and said he would even drop out of Hogwarts and enroll in a non-magical school. That his Mom could probably yeach him till OWLs and that was it. Because OWLs were compulsory,not NEWTs.

When she told him why he was not reporting it to athorities he scoffed.

“muggle ones wont care, Tobias has many drink police buddies, and magic one only cares about those who have money and power, my complain only makes it harder if I want to get a job in ministry, or an internship. Magical community is small, everyone knows each other and word travels fast”

He then changed the subject compeletly and quite obviously,showing his reluctance in saying another word on the matter.

He said he had something called perception, could see people aura, and that she had one! Maybe she could do magic after all!in exchange she could teach him some math and biology and chemistry, and he would try and teach her magic.

It was in the middle of the week, 5 days past their first visit.

“where are you Severus damn it” she said impatiently, hardly tried not to stump his foot.

“Now Petunia, that’s not a good look on a young maiden’s face m’lady”

She laughed. For a 12 years old, his behavior was plenty old. Like those characters out of a 15 century romance novels, shakespear?

“come on severus, what you have for me?”

He scratched the back of his head, his head low” an elementary Runes book. I figured we can figure it out if you can use it, that you have enough magic for it”

“and then?”

“we can start on herbology, some basic potions and magic history. Basic artimancy is ok too. “

And when after two hours of hard work,failing so many times she could care to count, using mud and soil and some kind of potion lab grade water ( what the hell?) she created her first runic symbol that made a withered daisy come to life again, she kissed him.

Err, not his mouth! Obviously, she wasn’t a pedophile and he was just a kid. His forehead. She kissed his forhead.

He blushed, then stated chewing his lips and shifted on his feet.

“come on Severus! Wont you congrat me on my good work! I am magical after all!”

He smiled again.

“we have work to do, maybe potions next?”

That week was the best week she had.

**** *****

Chapter Text

Paitience was a virtue, but like everything else it had its limits too.

Eileen had found out about the possiblity that this baby, her precious girl had a 50 percent chance of being magical.

 There was no doubt now.she was far enough in the pregnancy to know that this meant that this result was final, no hope remained.

Nothing she could hang on. There was nothing for her to rely on, or to stand on. She kept telling herself that her girl would be a squib, that Tobias would snap out of his madness and come back to their life.

Not anymore.

The girl, her unborn angel had a chance of being magical, and Tobias would try and beat the magic out of her like he did with Severus. At least Severus had a respite, his first two years had passed before Tobias found out about him being magical.

This baby had no chance.

And to top it all, That widow chit was pregnant with his spawn.

She had made the calculations herself, thrice. And then for the forth time.

Nothing to hold on to.

So she kept busy these past days. Severus was always out, doing merlin know what. She had gone to the extreme, getting ready to run.

To escape.

All that was left. That remained was for Orion's letter informing her of him accepting Severus.

Not that orion himself would take him in, he had said he would, but Eileen doubted if he did. He would possibly turn the boy to another one, because he cared so damn much about what would people say. What would they say if they knew Walburga had cheated on him, and had him on by making him raise a bastard as his heir.

A bastard who didn’t even deserve being an heir, not at all competent.

Really, she still could remember the damned talk, the whole business of first, second and third class purebloods.

Ridiculous. How many people were magical? A milion in the whole world? And then they just devided it more. By adding clauses like haldblood, muggleborn and pureblood. To think this division was not enough, that the discrimination went further, to classisize purebloods too.

First? That was the easiest, they would be people with 4 magical grandparents, of course there was the sacred 28 in britian, and native witches in america and so on. Of course familes older than 500 hundered went and called themselves ancient, and families with a history of wizingamot added Noble to their sir name.

Second? Was harder. Some said if they had halfblood, or squib grandparents. Some said if they had one muggleborn grandparent.

Third? Absoultly mind blowing. Some said if they had more than one squib/halfblood grandparent. Some said having a muggle ancester, others went and said if they had creture blood.

Stupid. What being from and ancient,noble first class pureblood family done for her?

And for Severus?

Eileen didn’t care. If Severus would not become an heir, so be it. At least he would be safe.Maybe he could be persuaded to send her money, by Morgana she would need it when her baby would be born.

She had all she needed, filed the divorce papers, gathered all she had.

Just waited for the damned letter which didn’t come. She needed the bloody money!Orion's excuse was that it needed Arcturus signature, and they both knew it to be a lame excuse. Orion would not delay signing a contract that made one of his beloved line inherit.

Was that his fear?

Of course that wasn’t it. He would never do that.

So it must be negotiations for where to send him.

Rosiers?Rockwoods?

Why he didn’t fucking tell Bones or Longbottoms and be done with it? 

If he didn’t…

If he didn’t do what he fucking owed her, she would take Severus and go. Then she would make sure to somehow find Arcturus and make him see reason.

Arcturus deal with Orion would be far less pleasant than the one she offered her, no doubt.

That was the plan.

**** **** *** ***

the wind was blowing, and the pegusi in the field enjoyed the touch of air on their manes. Abraxus on the other hand, was not so much in a joyful mood, nor was he thrilled to meet Orion here, in his sanctuary, but his Lord ordered.

And he obeyed.

There were times when he dared to doubt him, Lord Voldemort, but there were few and far between. After all, he was so powerful he could fly without a broom! When most of the wizarding populance struggled with casting single spells wandless.

Soe people in their circle, thought they could use voldemort and then dispose of him. Abraxus knew better. Sure, there were rumors that he was a half blood, one they were classmates, some nobody named riddle..

Ridiculous. That boy was good, but this..this was a master of magical arts. And he was a parsel mouth.

The boy was not. He had an ugly heir ring from Gaunts, but no-one believed him. He must have bought that thing in knockturn, a fake cheap copy, no less. If he was related to Salazar, the bragart would have gone on and on about it, yet he had not.

Now this meeting with orion..

He still was not certain why Lord Voldemort had taken an interest in this particular boy, Snape. He was told that Snape was gifted with Perception, seeing magic aura. While useful,it was just a useless ability, like seeing testrals. It couldn’t be used in duel, that needed fast thinking and faster acting, not to linger on the color of one's aura. The most useful thing would be for him to work in divination, or maybe in ministry, to tell them what kinds of blood one owned. After all, creture blood was something one would hid, if one could afford the money.

No-one needed some decendant of a banshee, or a werewolf to be in their family tree.

He was clever, yes. Finding allies, making himself known.

Finding the right people, like second Black heir. The stupid wench who could be swayed by a smile, or a warm gesture.

And magical power…was useless if not combined with skill. Something a bloody hufflepuff would never achieve.

Orion wanted him to raise the child, and as his Lord's command, he would do so.

If only the lazy man hurried and came, this whole debacle would be over , and he would leave to inform Lucius of their future Guest.

A crack broke the silent of the day.

"Orion"

He had finally arrived.

Chapter Text

Runes were a bitch.
No, listen guys! they totally are! Severus had a basic knowledge of them, true, but trying to teach Petunia was taking a toll on his psych. Yes he had gotten an O on his OWLs and NEWTs, but damn it, the girl wanted to learn to use runes for casting all possible first year spells! And thank you, he bloody well knows that all spells they use with wand, were originally a rune, or a ritual. But he couldn’t fucking make those work with runes and he had memories of being a powerful adult wizard! This girl was barely more than a squib, and just 14 or something. He couldn’t find the energy to do so and yet, the idiot girl kept nagging at him that she could do it!
In these 3 weeks, they had gone over things Severus thought she could try her hands at, like Astronomy ( she hated it, said she would get a weird neck shape if looked up to sky all night).
Artimancy (bored her to death, numbers were not her fort)
Herbology ( somewhat tolerated it, just because it was bloody Womanly enough)
History of magic ( fucking loved it, the stupid chit)
Potions (a no-no. messed with her hair, smelled bad)
So he joggled between Herbology, Runes and History lessons. She had already finished first year history, don’t ask how. And got a good grip on basic herbology.
But runes.
Bloody runes.
So far, she could work herself, and him! To exhaustion by learning how to make a flower florish, how to make heat with runes and how to freeze something. And now this cooling runes was making both of them acting like neanthertals.
It just didn’t work!no matter what time they chose, or the place, or the position of the sun and moon.
It was impossible.
Lily would be back this weekend, and PETUNIA needed to show her – more like rub it in her face- that she could do it better, cause she could do with runes what she still hadnt learned to cast with that silly stick of her. And she was dead set on that cooling rune, because it was supposedly cooler than the other two.'I mean we have stove, and fridge, not living in a jungle are we? and flowers are just pretty. But cooling…you know how cool it is? You can avoid this humid stupid air altogether!'
Aha. 
Yesterday he nearly went mad with fury, and Petunia was about to get a good burn because his magic was about to do what he couldn’t do and get rid of her.
Err, not that he was a murderer, he meant that scare her off? Severus had other friends to worry about, like Charity and her obsession with the wolf, or frank, or Remus or the trouble twins and  Amelia and Ted and Andromeda and Reg and Marlene… a whole fucking long list to care about.
To think that he thought he would just hold his head down, be a harmless hufflpuff bunny and leave in peace. What nonsence.
He worried constantly for Nymphadora , if she would fall in love with Lupin again. he thought about Peter, and how to get him to stand up and not take whatever was thrown at him.
And Lily…
Oh Lily.
He had forced himself to be less involved in her life, to accept her as a sister, and he worked hard for it. He had busied himself with Black family problems, Quiddich and not dying. She had distanced herself too, he could tell. He sometimes wondered if he had been like a bug, a familiar background noise or a token of good days for her.
He wasn’t her best friend, hasn’t been since the day she went to Gryffindore and met other magical kids, witches.
Good looking – not half famished wizards.
What he couldn’t understand with his 11 years old mind, he could see clearly now. Lily cared about him, yes. Cared about him enough to send letters, or engage him in her activities. 
But it was more of pity than genuine friendship. It needed trust, it needed believing in the other person at least half the time.
Which she didn’t.
He had told her about bulying, she retorted with Slytherin bullying other people. He had lent her his notes, and she had given them to fucking Marauders for whatever reason, probably Lupin being sick.
Just why Lupin deserved kindness, for being a werewolf, and he didn’t because he was …he was bullied and abused? It ate him, made him want to go to umbridge and convince her to get those laws against those beasts earlier… but of course his sodding conscious had a problem and didn’t let him do it. Because this Lupin hadnt let his friends get away from bulling, or almost killing him, or convinetnly forgot to drank his potion.
This Lupin was a annoying bonless kid, another coward. But just a kid. An innocent kid.
And to top it all, Eileen was getting bigger, and acted wierder. It could be pregnancy hormones mind you. She disappeared from time to time, and stared at Tobias- when he wasn’t looking- with hatred. 
He was worried, his future baby sister was in danger. Tobias was more distant, subdued. He had not argued with Eileen much, and he had not come home drunk at all. he even had given him some pocket money for once.
Those two were made for each other. Both were wrong in the head , just look at their offspring to make sure. Severus had become the fucking – the only fucking Spy in two magical wars.
His future baby sister. That made him feel protective in a good way. He was in two minds to drop out of school and protect his sis, or go to school and get help from his allys and remove himself and her from tender mercies of those two lunatics.
He could think about it, he had to come to an answer, and soon. But first, he had to work on Petunia, who he ha not decided if she was a friend or accuintance.
"well? You have been looking at nothing for a minute, what was it you wanted to say?"
Oh joy. He had forgotten. He was supposed to talk her to get her parents approval for a floo network installation. Tobias would never hear of it, and besides they lacked the money. He also needed to be able to connect to his friends by a more suitable way than bloody mile long letters. And yes, getting Petunia to like magic was a bonus. After all, if worst came, he didn’t want to leave Harry in a magic hating house. He was a Potter through and thourogh, but he too was a kid in need of guidance and kindness.
So He would  do his best, but he had to consider the fact that in his memories, he hadnt seen any of his friends adulthood. Just some chats with Charity, and Lupin and the less sane Black brother. He thought that maybe his memories were incomplete like Emerald told him, but he had to accept it. 
He knew Frank went insane, and Sirius and  Lupin survived, Pettigrew – he had to separate his shy friend Peter from the death eater- was alive too. about others… not so much certain anymore. These past days he had dreams, pieces of future, mostly his teaching days and some harmless memories of himself. They were normal, not at all tramautizing.
But it could change .
So he had to get Petunia to see the good in magic, and have a floo installed in their home.
Just in case.
"do you want to know how to travel to magical world without having to go all the way to Londen?" 
"suppose I want, then what?"
Didn’t he tell you Petunia was a bit of a snobbish, impertinent brat? If one mixed Potter arrogance, Malfoy's air of 'so better than you' and the bossiness of Molly Weasley alltogether, you would have Petunia Evans. She could  be kind, considerate and rational, only when she wanted. 
"You see Petunia, Floo is a network, it connects magical places together and you can talk with other people with it. It just needs a permit from ministry. And you can travel to diagon in less than seconds"
Now he had her hooked. 
** *** **** 
After telling Evans parents and getting their approval- which was not as easy as he though, took two whole minute looks of what he pulled on Halloween on the teachers, the look of ' Im a little cute bean, hug me please!'  he hated so much, and calling on the special number they gave muggleborns, the Evanses were proud owners of a floo.
Henry scratche his head.
"all that hussle and we now have a fire place that is working in summer?"
Oh right, he had to show them how! 
An evil grin appeared on his face, he could totally freak them out! They didn’t know about stepping into the fire and floo powder, the clerks were in a hurry and seeing a half blood present, they assumed he knew.
"let me show you" he said with an innocent smile on his face, he used the powder, shouted diagon alley and stepped into the fire, ignoring three loud cries of "NO!!!!"
This could turn out to be so fun!

Chapter Text

Petunia was freaked out at first, just what that half-brain did think jumping in a lit fire place? Had a death wish?

Then she saw his smirk and knew he probably was messing with them.

“Henry! Go call that number fast! Tell’em an idiot child had jumped in fire!”

Her mom- Rose- mumbled in a hurry.

“I’ll go fetch Eileen. Pray to God he is not bloody harmed! Or I will KILL that boy!”

Yep, like most moms, her pattern of speech didn’t make sense when she was worried. And yes, it was a tradition to name baby girls after flowers, and boys after kings in their family. As much as she wanted to warn them that the sneeky boy probably had planned something, she couldn’t bring herself to. 

It would be so hilarious when he faced the unfamous Evans temper first hand, oh Mom would tan his hide!

“what? Aren’t you coming?” said a half formed head- Severus’es to be exact- out of fire.

The shriek they all shared was neither manly, nor ladylike.

“YOUNG MAN! You are so in trouble!”

And he totally was!

He was lectured for nearly an hour, while dad went and sent Lily a letter to let her know they had a floo.

And Petunia saw it as her duty to spy on Severus and her mom. You know, just because she wanted to make sure he would remain in one piece, not one bit of snooping.

“and you will never EVER do that! Do you hear me Severus?”

The boy, now humbled thoroughly and blushing like a maiden, nodded. Then her mom did something she had not done.

She crushed the boy against her chest, hugging him tight.

“you know I love you like a son, don’t you? “

If it was possible, he blushed further.

“and I know how you worked hard to gift Petunia a little piece of your world, and this floo thing… we couldn’t get it if it wasn’t for you . the ministry officer told us it is because of you being a half blood. And a famous one! That he was related to Bones family you saved their daughter..That you convinced them and they usully don’t allow muggles to have one”

Oh. Petunia didn’t know THAT.

“thank you my cute baby!”

And when he protested that he was not a baby, her mom laughed. ”sure thing darling”

Then Rose shouted as he retreated back “come back again tomorrow morning dear boy. We do need a GUIDE to navigate diagon!”

Her mom could really mess with people sometimes. Oh his face was priceless!

Wait until she told Lils that mom called him BABY. Oh, the possibilities!

One would think that she would get jealous, which she did at first. But she had time to think about the things he said, and things he didn’t .

Like the fact that Hogwarts wasn’t all sunshine, and there were bullies after him. Like the fact that he never said outright, that his home-life wasn’t so good. In fact it was kinda scary to know he was afraid to leave his future sister in their care.

That neither normal police, nor their magical ones didn’t care if he was abused. Yes, the word was a hush-hush, but she was big enough to know he was being abused.

And she was old enough to know a bit about real life problems, and he wasn’t . he was a 12 years old, his biggest problems should be finishing summer assignments, or what pet to get and how to get away with stupid mischiefs.

Not to waste his hair from thinking about adult stuff.

So what if her mom hugged him, or showed him the love he desperately needed, or her dad gave him support and guidance?

He had gone out of his way to include her in magic, to teach her and give them that floo thing you could travel and talk to other magical people easily.

He didn’t need her jealousy to add to his problems.

And she could taunt Lily enough to make up for not picking on Severus.

*** **

That night , they had floo called Lily, and she almost choked on her saliva to hear about her magical powers.

Also got really happy to know she could skip the night bus, or apparition to go to places. She said she would come back tomorrow night, and to keep it a surprise for her Sev.

Her Sev? She really thought she owned him, huh?

As if it was not Petunia he was tutoring, and that he had a bunch of really important cool friends.

-of course she didn’t tell her that Potter had written her again, asking stupid things about Lily. It was an advantage she could use in getting first hand magical knowledge. Severus said purebloods knew so much more than him about ancient magic, like Runes and Historical events. She could use the arrogant brat to get info, and would tell him useless things, like Lily brand of shampoo or she liked to take her fish and chips floating in oil, as unhealthy as possible.

Just wait and see. Lils. Just wait. She would get so good in history to be able to replace Binns, the stupid ghost who taught history and slaughtered that subject. Being a teacher was both respectful, and lady-like. And she would be able to find a magical boyfriend! Who knew?

** ** ** **

 The next morning, Severus was waiting at their door, 8 am sharp. Did that boy sleep at all? He should be struggling to be awake at 11 or so, not be ready before they had breakfast! For God sack it was summer!

After Henry and Rose made him have a second, and then third helping, stuffing him with susages , toast and tea and so many other things he swear he would explode, they gathered around for him to start his lecture.

How he looked like a mini-professor!

And when Henry told him exactly that, he first turned paler, then blushed madly.

He even started stuttering!

“err..its..you know.. I got used to teaching..emm…p..pe.. Petunia?”

Simply priceless!

So her name was p..pe..petunia?

“right. Floo is a network you can talk, and travel with. You need a special floo powder, you can get at Diagon. When it is lit, you throw the powder, say the one place you wanna go, or the person you wanna talk. I suggest calling halfbloods and muggleborns friends over floo. But if one has a pureblood friend, there is really no other way”

Good thing she had explained what she had learned from him , a bit filtered to not be unpleasant to put them off, to her parents. Else they would ask a million and one questions about half and pure bloods.

He was going on” and kids under 2 shouldn’t use floo, and only apparate in case of emergencies. Now who likes to go first!”

Her dad went first, none of them really saw how he snatched the floo powder, throw it and went inside.

Her mom and Severus went side by side, and then Severus, the ever gentleman came back for her.

“ready?”

“as ever I could be, let’s go”

And she stepped inside the flames.

To step out in magical world, a real magical world.

“oh”

She couldn’t breath, or think, or speak. Everything was just..magical.

There were shops everywhere, one selling brooms, one advertising about potions that could let you see through walls.

There were different types of people, all in colored long robes, walking, talking, hanging around.

“I really love this place!”

And severus laughed.

“I do too Pet. Wait till you see florish and blots, and the joke shop.. and don’t you ever forget about the chocklates, or ..”

She silenced him by kissing his forehead.

“thank you baby brother!” she had no idea where she came up with, but if her mom said he was a kind of son, and Lily told them he sees himself as a sort of brother..

Why not.

She watched him opening his mouth, then closing it, and watching her with confusion.

She smiled and ran after her parents.

**** ****

“so what should I get?” she asked Severus .

They had just bought half of the books on Runes on the bookshop. Unfortunately there was nothing promising on history.

She had to get a copy from Potter somehow.

They had gone to Gringots at first, changing money to Galleons. Then they had the most pleasing chocolate they tasted in their life.

“God Rosy dear! What we were doing eating those junks from our neighborhood market? This tastes like heaven!”

She swatted her husband’s hand lingering on her backside hissing at him “ there are kids Henry!”

“you should watch how much you eat”

While she fretted with her shopping bags.

The next, and last step was the pet shop.

“so?”

“ I think you should get an owl. They are helpful creatures, can hunt for their food and you can always shop things with them too, as well as sending letters”

Then he went on about how shop via owl worked. He really was such a know-it-all professor-kid. 

“and you could get an elf, but you have to have about 100 Galleons and an adult witch or wizard to bind with it”

Wait what? Elf?

Elves were real?

Unfortunately this lead to another long speech. 

“elves are two kinds, high elves and low elves. No-one really has seen high elves in like a 100 years. Low elves are free ones that are classified by where they live, like jungle elves and mountain elves and such, and ones who have to bind themselves to their masters.”

Said their young guide while shifting his single bag of writings stuff, quills and papirous and such.

After that, she was so tired, she chose the first owl she saw, a brown owl kind looking medium sized one.

“I name him Hermes”

He really looked like a Hermes. She couldn’t let him be named something silly and childish like feather-head or fluffy or such.

“now lets go home!”

And marched towards the exit, her new owl perched on her arm.

Chapter Text

Lily stayed in bed, trying to wrap her mind around things that happened too fat for her to analyze them. She had been having fun these past weeks despite everything on her mind.

Mary's family were nice, and her older cousin May knew quite a lot about anything boy-related. They somwhow snatched a witch weekly magazine from a third year girl, and read it together, giggling over stupid things. Did professor McGonagal ever eat something in her cat form? Like raw fish?

Could professor Dumbledroe general barminess be due to execessive sugar rush from eating all those candies? Could wizards get diabetes?

Who could beat the other faster, an angry professor Fitwich, or an angry professor Sprout?

-her money was on professor Sprout. She had heard Sev go on and on about hearing how she had gone all hercules on McGonagal and defended her charges. She had a mother hen persona, and Moms were totally scary when their kids were threatened. Her Mom one time was about to slap Sev's father, and the man actually looked frightened.

Talking about Sev and her first year…

Her first year at Hogwarts was both terrific and terrifying.terrific because she felt she belonged somewhere at last, and had girls as friends for the first time in her life!terrible because she had to be seperated from Sev, she knew it would happen, but she didn’t need to like it. She was worried that he would be sorted in Slytherin abit, what with all those nasty things Potter-Black duo said. Not that she thought Sev would become a blood purist like silly Black said. She worried if they hurt him, he was a half blood after all. So imagine her surprise when Sev was sorted into the least expected house, Hufflepuff. He was an ambicious, clever, gallent boy and If anything, he would fit so much better in Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor wasn’t so bad if you ignored those two imbecils.

She at first wanted to go and ask for a re-sort. No way he would fit with those cuddly sweet things, he would hate being there, with those half-brains as he called them often.

-trully, somme of them left a very bad expression. Like a second year one who had stubbornly stayed in infirmary when he had been touched by those wearing werewolf costumes. He-what his name- had driven Pomfery mad. 

Alright.Even if he landed on the snake house, it would be better.Slytherin was weird, and all upper years went out of their ways bitching about them, but surely it was exaggerating, house rivalry shit and all. besides Sev's Mom was a Slytherin, and while not the best of Moms, she wasn’t the baby eating monster those Gryffs made the Slytherins to be.

But Sev thrived there. Made a gaggle of friends.

An enexpected turn of heart, mind, mindset…everything about him changed.

-sometimes she thought she didn’t know him. That he was like years older than them, acted older like them. When he had reacted the way he had when Charity was poisoned? A kid would not do that. 

Would?

Friends…

What a word.

What was even more surprising than his sorting, was him making friends.

A lot of friends.

Charity she could get. The girl could be friendly with anyone and anything under the sun. Lily wouldn’t be surprised if she befriended Filch or the Squid oneday.she made it hard not to like her.

Frank was explainable too. she knew he had been the one lending him his robes, and Sev wouldn’t ever let a favour unreturned. also he shared a room with Longbottom.

But Bones? Prewetts? Tonks?

Regulus Black?

The Severus she knew, went out of his way to avoid people. He was plenty smart, and dealing with stupid, well people who knew less than him, made his head hurt. He kept to the shadows, hardly smiled and was taciturn.

This Severus tolerated Frank babblings, laughed openly and used his charm, unbelivable but yes. He used his newfound charm and cuteness to his advantage. Sometimes using the sympathy card.

He used to hate sympathy, pity, whatever.

Sometimes she thought he was not her Sev at all. he was too differnet from the boy from Spinner end at home.

And his gazes..

 He always looked funny at her. She was old enough to know something was not normal, but not understand the cause.

And then he came out and said he liked her as a sister, and when that didn’t make her happy, she went looking for answers.

She had not digested his sudden change of heart, getting low-bent on having as many friends as he could, when he was made the Quidditch team. Now He was wearing semi-decent clothes, washed his hair and smiled more, he was…he was different. So much different and somehow the same. He was changing into the best version of himself.

Then came the first blow, and he had been hospitalized.

Those awful endless days made her think more about him, and their relationship. Made her hate herself for the jealousy she felt, for abandoning him those first days to hang out with her new pals from her own house. She knew things could be rough for him, God knew he was awkward.

Maybe she thought it would make him thirsty for her friendship? To take back that 'sister' comment that bothered her a lot?

Why did this bother her at all?

And that burning feeling when charity hugged him, and when McKinnon made a pass at him and he didn’t get it, or when he was happy at his table, with Tonks and Bones and Twins and Frank and Charity.

Without her. Without a Lily by his side.

Was she an awful person for wanting to keep him for herself? was she a bint for wanting his smiles to be for her, and her only? That she was afraid of him forgetting all about her, and prefer them over her?

That feeling that clawed her heart when he easily replaced the center of attention she held for a long time.

Oh, she was plenty worried for him too. when he was hurt by that devil plant, or when he was hurt by professor McGonagall underhanded technique.

Not that his 'perception' or acquiring a 'phoenix' for a pet helped her feel better. She felt resentful, because he had somehow snatched her place as being the brightest student without a hitch.

A place she held for too short a time to be of notice.

That he was so much better than her.

So, when he was between life and death, it made her think deeper.

Made her find out about wanting him in her life, no matter how, or why.

And the second blow.

He didn’t need her like the way she needed him anymore. He was still her best friend, the one who knew most about her, but she wasn’t that for him.

She was a best friend in name only.

-she couldn’t help but think it was her place.. she was her first friend. The only one in their school who talked to him and didn’t treat him like a cast out. She never looked at him like he was lacking, while he certainly lacked many things. His greasy hair, his wrinkled patched uniform. His alltogether hostile attitude… she was there for him, shielding him, caring for him, wiping his tears…

And his new friends only saw a clean, curly haired cute boy. A soft spoken, polite boy with a not broken nose. They saw his appearance, did they ever saw beyond that? Would they give him the time of the day if they knew him as the boy from spinner end?-

And he was rising above her so quickly, while she had been his superior in looks, money, popularity for so many years. Now he sat with Lords and Ladies, was friends with a Black heir, and was a celebrity.

The prophet wrote about his every move. Called him the hufflepuff hero, the successor of Merlin.

Not to mention a proclaimed genious.

Her place in his life wasn’t a guaranteed thing anymore. 

So she tried distancing herself like her friends, Mary and Dorcas, said it would help.

It didn’t .

He got himself tangled with Blacks more, got hurt by a lunatic murderer, and again further from her ever.

Now he was deemed a hero. A force to be recknoed with, because he, a first year , had singlehandedly saved not one, but two Blacks, the Royalties of the wizarding Britain.

Regulus was in his debt, and Andromeda Black offered the 'godfather' position to him.

She was a muggle-born, but she had done her researches. Blacks were monarchs of the wixen community.The godfather to the firstborn heir of one of two main branches of the Blacks, a firstborn said to be a metamorph. The rare talent of Blacks no-one had seen for a long time.

She had to just think.

Think more.

Why she was feeling this wretched while she should be happy for him?

And the last one.

The third blow.

The hit that undid her.

The news that he had befriended Petunia, was teaching her magic, and helped install a floo in their home.

That her being away, only enabled Petunia to snatch him for herself. Petunia being her abonoxous little self, had probably turned him against her already.

She was lost.

Lonely.

Now Petunia has magic, so she isnt her parents special girl anymore.

Now Sev has friends, so she isnt his best friend anymore.

What is she?

And the hardest fact that she finally understood.

She liked Severus.

She liked him to be more than her friend.

She had stayed up late last night. After her talk with Petunia over floo, she needed to clear her head.

And what better than a talk with someone not included in the current affairs like Mary was?

May happily accepted.

"you see Lils, most girls want someone loyal, and funny. Having good looks or being rich is not that important. In the end, you want someone you can share your sadness, and your happiness. Someone to have your back."

And she, the stupid little girl she was, had only found out now.

" those people are hard to find, and harder to keep. And if they are smart or supposed to have a bright future ahead? You can not leave them alone for a second. Other girls will snatch them away. They try with hugs, and shared space. And then…" May's voice echoed in her head.

Was Petunia after Sev? Was Charity?

Did she really have a crush on her best friend?

Was it a crush? Was she supposed to have a crush on her best friend? 

Was it love?

No, they were too bloody young, and Petunia had not had her first kiss yet, and she was a lot older.

Right?

She was so confused. 

Why did she leave him alone, again?

She had sensed he was distancing himself from her. She sensed he was sharing less and less things with her, and spending more time with his new friends.

-sometimes she thought about his new friends finding the truth about him. See if they stayed with him after that like she had.

She wasn’t sure it would make her happy if it happened, or sad because Sev would turn to the somber boy he was. That sev would become sad.-

Time.

So why she had lost this precious time, the only time she could have him all for herself?the time she could have used to find out if she really liked him or not?

And now she had Petunia to compete with. Neat, clean Petunia who could bake cakes to die for and sew like a pro.

And Lily, who was the second on their year, her hair always in disarray and her clothes always wrinkled.

A very bright idea.

She squered her shoulders. She would go back home, and try to figure out a way to find out if she liked Sev, had a crush or whatever. She couldn’t lose more time and she had to be home to worm her way into severus life again.

If severus wanted her anymore.

If he needed her at all.

Right.

"do you really want to go?" asked Mary.

"I have things to do" she said as she hugged her friend .

Then inhaled. Time to man up.

Face her fears, hopes.

Face Sev.

"Evans residence!" she shouted while throwing the powder into flames.

Chapter Text

     Having been woken up by a nightmare twice in one night, Severus saw no reason to go back to sleep again. This was getting worse far too quickly for his likings and honestly, he was fed up.

He swatted another bloody mosquito and groaned. Eileen didn’t bother to brew an insecticide, and Severus was rather busy…with everything. Thus, the invasion of the bothersome bugs.

And he had forgotten to get the ingredients from the apothecary in Diagon the other day.

What a laughable spy he made. A forgetful spy was a dead one.

-it wasn’t like he hadn’t died in a painful manner in his not future memories.

So forgetting was a thing now. Him coming back- or his memories transferred like Em said- had fucked up his ordered, neat mind and his sort of eidetic memory.

Unlike his first days back in this time, he tended to forget things. He could remember vividly how confused he was, how he was caught between this time and the time he had come from. How he had decided to have a normal, no dark lord future second time around. Going to Hufflepuff, keeping his head down…  

Or not.

What a spectacle he had made of himself.

Instead, his inner savior jumped to save Pettigrew of all people, and then Amelia and Frank happened, and oh, don’t forget the mess he made trying to save Andromeda and Ted and then Regulus… at least after finding Emerald- or Emerald finding HIM as she believed- he was not that disoriented. He was a normal boy, but with memories of a future yet to happen.

A future he had already changed parts of it.

He had tried hard to forget the way his future self was heartbroken his last year. He tried to forget the way Minerva- no Professor McGonagall- had stared at his back with pure hatred and colleagues easily forgetting all he was but Dumbledore murderer.

Now he couldn’t even remember why he had killed the old Cogger clearly. Something about an unbreakable vow?

He throws his lot into other people’s problems.

And for a time, it seemed it worked. He was so busy dealing with other people problems he couldn’t remember a thing about Tobias and Eileen and that bloody NOIR …

A ritual he never knew about, a possibility of him being Sirius fucking Black brother.

Right.

Emerald said the more he changed, the more he would forget.  

Ironically, the more he grew up, the more he would remember. As his occlumency powers strengthened, his psych would get more fucked up with the horrors of his maybe past future.

As if he had not enough on his plate as of now. Dealing with the possibility of a new infant in their messed-up home, figuring how to keep Regulus-his other younger sibling- from trouble, Lily being her usual sunny self and Petunia hounding him for more lessons…

And his duty as eternal friend of Longbottom’s and Bones that he knew nothing about.

Not to mention his night terrors that had ceased bothering him for a time.

and now, at these warm nights of summer when his shirt stuck his sweaty back and stupid bed bugs made his skin itch, all by himself in his childhood home, at the worst possible time.

The nightmares were back.

He could recall things that happened first time around. Sometimes meaningless things, like strolling for a change of scenery, sometimes confusing things, like how Lily had not gone to a lengthy trip first time around.

And some nights, he remembered torture. 

Good nights, it was Tobias.

Bad nights, it was Voldemort.  

And to think Emerald said it would get worse than this… and soon the baby would come.

What was he to do with a baby sister? Leave her at their mercy? They had supposedly changed, but.

Not that much. They seemed eager enough to welcome a baby girl. Not to think it wouldn’t change at the drop of a hat.

Not to think HIS home situation changed that much.

The whole atmosphere of their house was like cold war. Hostilities were so high you could practically smell it in the air like a sour odor. Tobias would glare daggers at Eileen’s back when she was waddling around the house and Eileen would return the favor by giving him her coldest shoulder.

Fortunately, both of them forgot about the son named Severus.

His emotions aside, his mental problems aside, he had homework too, given to him by Emerald.

Homework he hadn’t worked on all that much.

At least Eileen and Tobias being at cold war made him invisible. He could come and go as he pleased.so you couldn’t say that he was complaining. If anything, he was a bit grateful as He even had the opportunity to have Emerald in his room for a whole day when neither of the so-called adults were around.

And guess what, it was a disaster. As soon as she arrived, she tested him for his language skills he was supposed to practice.

-news flash he hadn’t 

“خوب بچه، فارسیت چطور پیش میره؟”

-ok kid, how your Farsi learning is going on?

And he groaned. Learning the damn language was harder than bloody Latin and he was simply stuck. How he was to learn that thing called language from a book? With his parents acting like Russia and America, his recurring nightmares and Petunia training, and now Emerald behaving like an annoying adult, who would blame him to have such a short fuse?

“Now translate this:

“اومدم ببینمت، نبودی، برگشتم منتظر موندم تا برگردی”

Sod it all!

The bloody sentence was made of verbs only! No fucking thing like pronouns or nouns or adverbs or nothing.

Just verbs!

“Go, see, not there? return, back?”

Emerald smacks him. How she does it while being a feathered animal is beyond his comprehension.

“I came to see you, you weren’t there, I returned and waited for you to come back”

“Where in hell is ‘I came to see you’. There were 7, at most 8 words at the sentence. How in merlin’s pants you turned it into a 17 words long sentence with proper nouns and everything?”

He really is stamped. Full stop.

Emerald cleans her beak on his pillow, not caring one bit for him glaring at her cheap move.

“You can’t learn like this, and you have to learn your history”

For what? He is sane enough to withhold and avoid being hit or smacked. Em does not care, again.

“Time is not on our side. It never was. It does its best to return to the way things were”

And neither the bird nor the boy can allow that. Many innocents will die, so many children orphaned.

He has a will to protect his new friends. He has to do his best, or Reg would die. Fabian and Gideon will be slaughtered, Amelia would be hunted down and.

Charity, Frank, Marlene, Lily…

All of them would die.

“You cannot back down, or we will drown”

He nods at this, he won’t.

And yet.

The nightmares are horrifying. He wakes up not knowing what is real and what is fake. He cannot distinguish between his adult self in future and his scrawny child figure. He sometimes can feel the Crucitas casted on him, while there is nothing wrong with him when he wakes up.

Sometimes he cries at the injustice of this whole thing. Why he has to be the martyr, the savior again? Why he has to be the protector again? Why not that stuck up arse Dumbledore? Why not any of the adults or other kids? Why this has to be his burden?

Sometimes he thinks about telling someone about his memories and be done with it. He can extract them, send them to Flamel or Bones or even Dumbledore and just breathe.

And he knows it won’t work. Whoever gets it, will abuse him and use him. He won’t have this mediocre peace he has now. He would either turn into more of celebrity than he is now, turned into an icon, or has to locked under seven different locks so no-one can get to him.

Because obliviation won’t be enough to erase 30 years of memories. No-one had extracted more than 1 year worth of them and even if it worked, what can be done about the next batch of memories he will get as getting older?

He could see ministry trying to get their sticky hands on him. He could see Albus trying to maneuver him, shape him into perfect Harry Potter of this time, willing to die.

He wants to live.

And even if he could obliviate himself, extract them all, be free from ministry lackies and Albus, what would happen to him?

Would he choose to ally himself with nose less menace again? Would he lust after Lily for another decade?

Would Lily and others die the way they did? Peter would turn a traitor; Frank’s offspring live as a spineless orphan?

Not under his watch.

Not if he could help.

Even now, with his tiny manipulations, befriending Peter helped him to smile more. He was such an innocent boy now. He loved his mom and dad and just wanted to become a clerk and have a simple life with 2 or 3 kids one day.

Frank – kind and gentle Frank who had offered to help him in his first day without him asking, never reminding him that the clothes he had was his- didn’t deserve to rot in saint mungo.

Charity who hugged like there was no tomorrow, who could befriend someone like Lupin and love someone like Severus deserved better.

And so did Tonks, and Amelia, and the twins and Marlene.

And Lily.

And Petunia.

He had to endure. He had to.

Even with sleepless nights and stressful days and a dark ritual hovering over his head.

So

His bad luck.

He wonders if this his is just his bad luck that Lily comes back right after he had a sleepless night filled with fresh slice of night terrors.

The day was normal. Tobias went to work; Eileen went somewhere merlin knew.

Severus left for Evanses, getting a hold of a very ancient looking book he has stolen from his mother’s room that is one application of runes in protection, also to maybe try and sneak peek some of the more interesting books Petunia bought. 

The grass really is greener on their side of street. There is no stray dog barking, no foul smell bothering his nose, and no would be rubbers and hookers hanging around.

It’s just normal. Like those tv shows. 

A small house with a white chimney, with freshly trimmed grass and a lovely family inside, filled with laughter and hope.

So, unlike his neighborhood. A wooden cabin on the verge of collapse, with all sorts of junks around. The polluted river giving the most nauseating smell and kids having a vacant look in their eyes, like they know there is nothing bright in their future.

He shakes his head. He has other things to do.

He knocks three times and Rose lets him in automatically. She always knows when he is at the door, somehow.

As soon as he enters the house, Rose hugs him as hello.

“And how is my boy today?”

It makes something break in him. He swallows this with a little difficulty.

How a sort of stranger- someone only knowing him secondhand, from his daughters, for a couple of years- showers him with love and attention.

It’s hard.

He has been called ‘boy’, ‘the freak’, ‘waste of space’, ‘waste of breath’, ‘failure’ and many things else he doesn’t want to remember, but ‘my boy’ was always served for Albus. Albus who was not his friend at last, and used him like the dark lord did.

Never been ‘my boy’ for his parents, for his tutors and the potion master he served his mastery under.

And it only has taken Rose Evans a trip to Diagon and a simple Floo network to call him that. Call him that and mean it, and not want anything in return but his general well-being and happiness.

Why it had taken him dying and coming back to life to hear ‘my boy’ like this? Like she is happy to see him?

Like she considers him her son?

Like she worries over him, a lost cause from the other side of the river?

She conceals her worry in her soft smiles. He clearly can see the motherly look in her eyes. Those he used to get from Minerva when he wasn’t eating well, or at Halloween’s. the look he never had gotten from Eileen. he wonders if Rose had this look in his future past and he never noticed. Or was it pity? She must see the shadows around his eyes, the tiredness that is weird for a kid this age to display.

Does she fake it? Is it all for a ruse? Something she can gain from him? 

He cant help but be suspicious. its his bloody second nature.

And she hugs him tighter, as if hears his unsavory thoughts. Her hand caresses his cheek.

No. her touch tells another tale. It’s so gentle and kind it cannot be its just Rose being mother henley, her kind self.

The whirlwind of emotions he feels almost chokes him. Envy, for the Evans girls, jealousy, because why he has what he has as parents, and all of his other classmates have theirs? Shame, because of feeling those emotions and a whole mix of other confusing things.

Gratitude, sadness, tiredness, a whole lot of existential crises. Just another weird aspect of his life.

“Just perfect Rose” Sev says as he hugs her back less awkwardly than he used to do. Charity trained him well.

Rosaline Evans smells of fresh jasmines and home. His heart trumpets in his chest because why?

Why in hell he has to deal with Eileen when…

Petunia’s huff breaks the moment.

“Honestly mom, as if he wasn’t here the other day. How about we give him a room in here, I won’t object to have him as a sibling rather than Lily, as she has not been in her room for about forever? Hum? I won’t be surprised a bit, what with You hugging him like there is no tomorrow.”

Severus detaches himself from Rose hurriedly, as if he is on fire. Really was Petunia a spy or something in her past life? He didn’t hear a thing and was taken by surprise!

“Petunia!” as soon as Rose begins berating her daughter, the floo comes to life.

“Hi everyone! Good …”

The rest of Lily’s sentence is forgotten when she sees Severus.

“morning”

Petunia did jinx it after all.

What a good morning indeed. It’s just not his day, it seems.

--- -- -- 

 The breakfast is an awkward affair, with Henry hugging his daughter welcome, at the same time stuffing his mouth with a made-up sandwich and hurrying to work, leaving the rest to deal with. Everything.

Starting with Petunia and Lily’s rivalry/jealousy siblings-ship.

“So, Lily flower how was your stay with your friend, Mary was it?”

Bless Rose’s brave soul.

“I Dunno mom, seems like you had more adventure than me” and motions to the newly installed floo while stabbing a poor bacon like it offended her personally somehow.

“Oh Lils, yes! We also went to the Diagon and had just every flavor of ice cream and then some. Wait until you see my runes books”

Says Petunia gleefully, completely disregarding her mother’s glares.

Adding fuel to the fire.

“Runes?” Lils asks with a bland tone as if she was not taken by surprise by the Diagon trip at all.

How Petunia found enough time to inform her, Severus would never know. She truly is a gossip girl.

“Yep. Turns out your headmaster is less of a genius than you made him to be. Severus here saw my aura with his magical sight he calls perception. Then we tried just everything abit. I liked runes and history better. He said I can even sit my OWLs in some of them. Like runes, arithmancy, herbology and history. No transfiguring or potions or charms, but I didn’t like those much”

Now he feels Lily’s eyes shifting to him. He can feel her blaming him.

For what? his mind is reeling to find out.

Oh.

Oh. Is that it? 

Parts of him wants to recoil in shame. Wants to ask for her forgiveness and beg her to tell him what he did wrong.

Just a small part, remnant of those good days when the Truely was her best friend, not an afterthought. Not the one she went to when there was no one interesting around.

He still remembers the future past’s first Christmas he had in Hogwarts. Lily had gone home, forgetting about the promise she made a month before to remain. The future past when she had all but left him in favor of her shiny new house mates. He even caught her laughing with Potter gang over some inside joke, sharing cookies.

Those same people who had embarrassed him in front of the whole class, jinxing his broom and calling him that awful name, Snivelus for the first time just a week before.

He can get it why, really. She was certain of him, of his loyalty but not her new ones. She was a stranger, afraid of being rejected. Afraid of being a Mugglebron not knowing about the magical folk’s customs. She would have thought Severus was safe because he was a half blood. She would have thought he would stick with her no matter what.

He was so transparent in his affections even then. A gullible fool of the first degree. Worse than a Hufflepuff in being loyal, and more goat headed than a Gryffindor when it came to her.

It takes him 20 years of living in a self-made hell to grasp it.

Making his mind “Petunia is rather a good student” he blurts out.

He would play the part for her to live on. He would distance himself willingly to protect her.

He will be Petunia’s teacher, and pretend he is Lily’s brother- merlin knows she even does not see him like a companion, a distant cousin or a long forgotten relative even. 

“Most of it comes from my mother’s books and her meticulous notes” he adds hastily to not make the rivalry between sisters more grave. 

Or maybe more than that.

He knows he has to distance himself. He knows Lily would be more of a target if he was beside her, now more than ever. He has ruined his chances of anonymity with turning into the Hufflepuff Hero and Merlin’s second. Last time, he was only a potions genius and look where it got him. This time him not joining the band would be more dangerous.

He thinks he can figure it out how to help others, but Lily?

It’s impossible to remove her from their sight. She is just the sort of person everyone wants on their side.

Fierce, powerful, brave, charismatic, good looking.

She really was something in charms.

He is so immersed in his thoughts he doesn’t see the way her face twists into something ugly. Her eyes shining with fury and longing and want.

Wanting what, exactly?

“Excuse me, I think I don’t have that much of an appetite today” and pushes the chair and storms to her room.

Rose shakes her head” must you Petunia? “

Petunia shrugs” its Lily who thinks she owns Sev. Her being this stubborn jealous bint is not my fault”

“PETUNIA!”

Severus has ruined things again, without much of an effort. What an accomplishment.

When mother and daughter are lost in their discussion, he debates going up there or not.

At the end, he relents.

Because its Lily.

And he always was there for her. Maybe he tells himself that it will be just this once. Just for one more time I forgive her childish behavior, just once more.

And again.

At least this time, he knows it won’t continue like this. He has to cut Lily off his life, if he wants to keep her safe.

Being with him means danger. His other friends will listen if he tells them to run.

Lily wont.

Besides, she is still a child. While Severus was never one- even when he was younger, or in his future past- dealing with adults’ shitty problems since he can’t remember, Lily is not.

She is a protected child, a cared for child whom knows not of the life cruelty yet. She has no grasp of the real drama going on in the wizarding world. How her beloved headmaster and ministry are at each other’s throat, while Voldy’s getting the lost causes they deemed unworthy of their attention.

Dumbledore is a defender of all red and gold. His heart has an enormous space reserved for any muggle-born, talented half blood, or light family heirs.

It leaves a large part of wizarding world out. The dirt-poor purebloods, or ones with weak magical abilities, and those second and third-rate purebloods. Anyone wearing green and silver, and any non-talented wixen.

The ministry is even dumber- if that’s possible. They just want rich people to support their lavish life, stupid useless arses unable to think for themselves to utilize in meaningless jobs and old coggers who refuse to change their ways.

At some parts of his mind, he knows he is not doing this just for her, but for his own. He cannot be responsible for her death again. He has to think about his vulnerable siblings-yes even that bastard Sirius- and how to survive the war. 

His reasons are shitty at best, but his mind is a bit addled. Tired of thinking, worrying, planning and dreading altogether.

He inhales deeply, and knocks on her door.

“get away!”

He shifts on his legs uneasily.

“its me Lils” says softly.

“oh its lils now,hm?”

He is rather confused.

“Lily be reasonable. Did you wanted me to not teach Petunia? It was not fair, and could have been dangerous. Even squibs got magical education of some levels because they do get magical disease and all. Petunia is above one, but not good enough for wandwork. It is ..”

And he fells scilent as the door is yanked open violently.

“are ya stupid?”

He really doesn’t understand the fury in her eyes.

“I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!”

He shakes his head, still not getting it.

“why do you, the bloody genius of the generation not get it? Petunia called me last night and told me all of it last night. I knew it and didn’t care! It was just her pettiness to repeat it all a second time, wanted a rise outta me. “

He hangs his head. Despite all of his air of bravado, he is still a child. A child who fears loud voices. A child who can remember a future he has not lived yet, in which his only friend leaves him for good after a row.

But she doesn’t know, and she goes on, rising her voice higher and higher.

“I don’t give a flying shit about petunia or that you wanted to teach her! I give a shit when you don’t talk to me all year! I give a fuck when I hear about you nearly dying again because of bloody Blacks secondhand”

She is an inch away from his face now.

“I give a damn when my best friend, first friend abondones me and forgets he ever had a friend because he found new friends. I give a damn when this friend who always stiffened if I put an arm around his hsoulders and now it doesn’t bother him hugging virtually anyone, even Petter Pettigrew who almost poisoned him, anyone but me!”

And she is throwing herself at him, kissing him out of the blue.

The book he had under his arm, his mother’s book falls to the floor.

Why?

He is frozen.

Why now?

He never saw this coming. He had been slapped, hugged and shoved, but kissed?

His first kiss.

Or is it? His first in this life maybe?

He is more confused.

He had wanted it just forever and more, and now that he has finally decided against it, fate sees fit to give it to him.

Does he love her still?

Can he love her at all?

She is a 12 years old, while he has a full set of memories of a 38 years old man killed horribly. A man who said he loved her and didn’t gave a damn about her child.

There is a small part of him which says always.

Always Lily.

And yet he can not. He choose to go another way. He changed things so much he is not that boy he would have been in his first try.

She detaches herself. Eyes full of tears.

Face wet.

And he gathers now that he had not reciprocated at all. 

Like nothing.

And the look, the hurt look in her eyes hit him full force.

He runs.

Leaving Lily and the forgotten book on the floor .

Chapter Text

Severus ran out, didn’t even stand to inform Mrs Evans of his departure.

Why Lily had done that? Was that a prank? A dare from her idiot girlfriends?

Wanted to have her first kiss with a safe person?

Was it Severus first kiss too? He had memory of kisses shared between his maybe not future and many people. Narcissa, Bellatrix, Lucius, Charity.

Lily.

And the dark lord when he had still a sliver of his humanity.

Lily had her own brand of cruelty, did she not?

And he couldn’t stop himself from thinking what would have been, if he ended up with Lily. Would they be dead at their early 20s too?

"finally!"

He heard his m..- Eileen say.

She was standing in front of the house, a hand on her back." Hurry up and go get your things"

Get his things? What for?

"Now" she screams at the top of her voice.

And he does that. Half dazed from his encounter with Lily, half confused from Eileen's strange behavior. He can see some orange lines in her aura, meaning she is anxious.

Anxious of what?

She and Tobias are at a truce now, there is no reason to worry.

Or is there?

And where the hell they are going? They have no money, no other place to go, or they had, he corrects. She had . she would have done it , escaped as soon as she knew about her precious baby girl.

Was she going into labor?

As he hurridly throw his things- books and clothes, what else he had?- and got his wand secured in his front pocket , he asked. " are we goin to 'ospital?"

She screamed back " jus get yer arse here now!"

Well, it could mean yes, it could mean no.

When he climbed down , she didn’t waste any time and got his arm. They were going out? She stood in front of the house for a minute or so, waiting.

Waiting for what?

Then she cursed.

"Merlins balls! Fuck ya Orion!" and went into the house.

Orion?

Why she went into the house again?

Severus went after her, he had heard that pregnant woman will go barmy , what with all those hormons and drama inside of their body. Of course he was smart enough to not say that.

"where da hell I've put that pieceo'shit?"

She was in the master bedroom upstairs, messing things up, searching for something.

"Wonder what it would be?"

Enter Tobias.

He dangled a roll of parchment, similar to what they wrote on in magical world.

What he was doing with that?

"goin for yer boyfriend, are ya?"

Boyfriend? Eileen? She had barely secured herself one years ago, when she was less ugly, and that was by the help of getting knocked up!

"always knew he wasn’t mine"

What was this about? He wasn’t whose? Tobias had drunk again and hit his head?

"yer getti nowhere till the baby's born. Get the hell outta my 'ouse after"

Eileen was desperate. Severus could see it in her eyes.

"I'll not let ya touch my baby"

Touch what? What is happening? His mind was foggy. He couldn’t understand what was going on. He was busy handling his own shit, and now they were having- now of all the time?- to have a marital spat? His child mind was freaking out, told him to find a hole and slip inside. His memories kept him in place, with a calm exterior. 

He had no memory to back up any decision.

Should he go and hide? Should he stand between? Why there was nothing in his memories telling him about Orion? Or a escape attempt?

The Eileen raised her wand.

"get out of the way Tobias."

And Tobias only smirked.

"why don’t ya make me?

# # # 

 As soon as Severus ran out, Petunia knew something must have happened, something wrong. So she climbed the stairs. 

Having every intention to confront Lily on her idiotic behavior. 

"What have you done to him? Now?" a hand on her hip.

Lily's eyes were suspiciously red, and her lip wobbled.

"Me? What have I done?"

Petunia sighed. She loved her sister, but the little devil had always an agenda of her own. Severus was much a simpler child compared to her, with simple needs and an even simpler mind. He only wanted friendship, safety and to be recognized for his talents. Lily on the other hand was more complicated than Petunia ever cared to go to the trouble of finding out . Some days she wanted to be adored, some days she wanted to be alone, she wanted to be recognized as the best in her year, and when she was, everything was cool and dandy. The moment it changed, someone else- Severus- was ,then she would come and say they were biased. The same people who said she was the brightest in her year, when they declared she was second best, were all biased and racist.can you believe her? Some of it she could blame on her still being a child, sheltered. After all elementary school was not known for judgmental teachers who judged you based on ridiculous things like your fathers job and his income. Secondary school, well… it was a heaven for people who were beautiful and rich, but others had to pick up for themselves.

Petunia herself had to tag along with a group of stupid things, just to be protected and not laughed at because of her rather flat chest every other day.

Until Severus came.

She would forever be in his debt. He had uncovered her magical talents, taught her all he could, and somewhere along the way, she found herself again.

God knew she was jealous and petty and held a grudge like no one could, but she was also protective of those she loved, didn’t change her mind at the drop of a hat, and would go to hell and back for her family. She was clinging to being normal, not being shoved out of that blasted group that she was not herself anymore. She was scared of being tagged as abnormal, freak, so she started calling anyone not like that group a freak.

Including her sister, and Severus.

She wasn’t like that- like herself- for a long time. Her jealousy towards Lily, and their parents not bloody seeing her, always lily this or lily that, tagging along with those posh kids had ruined her.

Then Severus went and reset her. Told her about the dark side of magical folks, that not all was sunshine. Then she could see what Lily had seen in him, loyalty like nothing she had ever seen. You could count on him to be with you until death. 

He made you feel you were safe.

For once she could be herself and he wouldn't mind her dirty mouth or that she was wrinkling her clothes. She could gaffe at something and laugh out loud and all he would do was rolling his eyes.

So bit by bit, she grew up out of her fears.

These days, she didn’t even care if she was not fully magical. She was thinking about going and becoming a nurse, or a pianist, or an artist. She could be anyone she wanted. She didn’t have to follow her mom's footsteps, to marry and settle down. She could explore, learn herbology, runes, history. She could be a history teacher at Hogwarts or whatever she wanted.

So now she wasn’t afraid to tell Lily- or her friends or family- exactly what was on her mind. 

Severus was a fresh air. To think she had thought him crual was laughable. Him? A boy who was banging his head against any door, who was doing his best to be there for a sibling not even born yet? Who loved magic like no one else and still wanted to drop out for the sack of protecting his soon to be kid sister?

And now Lily had upset him. 

Petunia didn’t even knew how he turned into her teacher, then her friend, then something like a sibling. It could be anywhere between him lending her his mother's precious books, or listen to her raging like a mad woman at her parents, or when they sat next to each other on that day in Diagon alley.

She had told Lily all of that, bragging a bit. But she really wanted to make her see what she saw, Severus the sibling.

And like always, she had messed it up. Made the mean streak in her sister awaken.

Had she slapped him? Told him they were not besties?

"I am waiting Lily"

And she had looked at her with such hate it made her take back a step.

"I did not do a thing. It was you. It was you and those other sodding friends of him at school. They have changed him. You have changed him. He is not like my sev anymore. You have stolen him from me."

What utter nonsense?

" you do know he is a person? Like not an object, not a thing you can own? And he should have changed! He is going to be a teen soon. Why are you unhappy that he had shed the shy persona, that hurt people first so they wont come close to hurt you attitude. If he changed, he has for the better."

"in fact you should be happy for him to find others and is not alone"

Lily's eyes only hardened.

" happy? Happy that he is hell bent on replacing me? Happy you lot have filled his mind with what-shit about me? And those useless things he calls friends, only used him. He went to near death because of that bitch Bones and that other gullible sod Longbottom. He nearly died again, an unforgivable cast on him because of Black's younger brother, Regulus the stupid. The same Black - Sirius – who thought it was cool to throw someone to a murdering plant! And don’t start me on that pussy cat Burbage who cannot keep her paws to herself him for one damn minute! 

They are bloody brainwashing him!"

To say she was astounded was not false. Had Lily been like this, or did they feed them something special at Gryffindor to make them forget using their brains?

"I don’t care Lily Ann. You will cease whining like a child and apologize. Your behavior was bloody awful at breakfast, and you said those things just to hurt Severus, because I had told you all of it so you didn’t act like the way you did, like a harpy."

"do not use those words in my house young woman! And who acted like what?"

Asked their father, who was supposed to be outside.

"why are you here now daddy?" asked Lily, as if she was not walking on Petunia, Severus and Mom all morning, like a sweet little girl she was NOT.

"oh yeah, turns out I didn’t need to go to work today, there was a sort of meeting and I ditched it. Now where is Severus?"

Lily wrinkled her nose.

But Petunia beat her to it " Lily upset him" and then suddenly saw his book on the ground. " see! He even left his book on the ground! He never treats books like this!"

"I Did NOT" all Lily needed was stumping her foot.

Father sighed.

"well come along then. We will take a trip to his home and give him the book. I also have some questions on the feloo thing"

"its floo dad!" they both said.

"whatever say you two" and went down stairs.

First, they went to that so called park, Lily and Severus place.

He was not there.

"I think we should go to their house" Lily said. She was shuffling her foot. 

Father looked at her, hummed." What for? Is there anything you need to tell me Lily flower?" in his special tone saved for when either of his daughters were hiding something.

Lily played with the end of her auburn hair, a nasty habit she picked up from Petunia. 

Nervous?

"his da is not a very nice man?" her voice smaller.

"and?"

" he would have called our house if all was ok. He would be here and if not, he said, hm, promised? He would call and tell me if he was alright"

"and?" dad asked patiently, knowing his girl better than she herself. Knowing she was hiding something.

"Imighthavekissedhim?"

What?

Had Petunia heard right? Lily Kissed the poor boy? 

Oh wonderful.

Fan-bloody-tastic.

He was lost in his world, dealing with a family situation, considering dropping out of Hogwarts and she did THAT? Oh, Petunia was not blind. She knew Lily was into him as much as Severus was into her, that they were too young to know what, didn’t change the fact.

Was. Severus was. Meaning he was not now. For whatever reason, he had changed, he was not all over Lily like that. He had behaved like he saw her as a sister.

Yes, there was still attraction, hints of it. But most of it was gone. If he was forcing himself to act like that, Petunia couldn’t tell.

Dad just inhaled deeply, and released his breath slowly.

Calming himself.

"right. We will talk later. I think it is time we talk more like adults"

"you know the way?"

Lily noded.

In silence they walked.

A few minutes in, they all headed to Spinner end, with Lily leading the way.

It was Petunia's first trip to Spinner's end.

She wished it would be her last.

The place, it was not fit for a dog!

Oh severus…

"I think its here"

Father watched the half opened door carefuly.

"I think you should stand back"

Lily didn’t argue. Neither did Petunia.

Dad knocked.

Nothing.

Her heart was beating faster. Something was not right. It was too quite, and Severus – if he was inside- was not a quite boy when he was angry.

Was he not angry? Was he confused?

"Mr Snape?"

Nothing.

Dad cursed.

"Im coming in!"

And then, he opened the door , and closed it very quick.

"Lily go get an ambulance, Petunia go with her, call those Aurors with Feloo" his voice sharp, commanding.

And Petunia clasped her sister's hand and ran.

Because while Lily was standing back, she was not.

She had seen blood.

# # # 

 Epilogue:

The man opened his eyes.

"its time"

The younger man – who was laying on his back on the ground, sat straight.

"now? Seriously Granpa? It has been months!"

The older man- Grindelwald – ignored the Sylwan brat.

"it has happened, the chain of events that I feared. soon there will be no wizarding world if we don’t hurry up"

Samuel huffed.

"aha, and you are just the most altruistic fella on earth? Sorry but.."

Gellert moved his hand, and shut him up with a bout of wandless magic.

"we move on the night of the full moon. It means tomorrow." And closed his eyes again, going into whatever zen mode he went.

24 hours later, Nurmangard lost two prisoners.

In another part of the world, Abraxas Malfoy was being tortured within an inch of his life.

Begging.

"My lord, please forgive me! Orion missed the date! Not me! "

Voldemort looked ready to murder him. He closed the distance between the fallen man and his throne, took his head by his long mane and whispered in his ear.

"Orion Black is not one of mine, You on the other hand, are !"

If he hit Abraxas with even an stronger Crucio, no one could tell as the man passed out.

Chapter Text

" People of magical Britain were shocked to find out that none other than our wonder boy of Hogwarts, the Hufflepuff hero, and the next Merlin- by many experts account- have been the victim of violence by none other than his father – if one could name him as such- Tobias Snape.

A muggle.

He was found in his home, frozen to the spot where his mother's blood and her unborn baby was spilled by the brute. Eileen Prince was a pure-blooded woman who was expecting for the second time, no doubt with joy…"

Albus threw the paper in the fire, and sighed.

This was not supposed to happen.

The situations with muggles, and muggleborns he had worked years to improve a little bit, had turned into a war zone over the night. There were uproars, street fights and duels going on and on every where on the country. Voldemort supporters and non-conformists all had found the best alibi to push for the complete eradication of all muggle things, some went further and suggested they don’t allow any muggle-born to attend Hogwarts, or refuse them jobs. At least it stayed in suggestions only, mostly because Arcturus Black had saw fit to allow marriage between Blacks and a muggleborn.

Some suggested they were only good for breeding, or to be used as slaves like what they had done in America- Albus knew it was their SKIN color that made them slaves not being muggle-borns- but no-noe listened to him. He tried telling them that while rituals and customs and holding onto their great grand fathers wants were cool and dandy, they could never achieve progress in this manner. Britian needed a renewal and it needed it fast. For merlin sack, they still didn’t use phones! And how hypocritical of them to get the idea of newspaper and trains from them and reject phones, because it made it hard for ministry to eavesdrop on floo conversations, or made those who invested in it – cough Malfoys cough- lose a substantial amount of money.

There were others – who in their minds were softer -suggesting they kidnap muggleborns when they first showed magical uptitude , or if their names showed in Hogwarts registry, and get them adopted by purebloods, or to use muggles for breeding, but then if the child was magical , obliviate those used up things and live happily ever after.

It was like everyone left their brains somewhere. Kidnapping babies? Going on obliviating spree? Children needed their own parents, to grew up in loving warm families, not to grew up in foster homes neglected and unhappy.

Why none of them suggested they invest in magical children welfare, like building a school so they could learn things ealier? Of course those snobbish pure-bloods didn’t like it, because it made things equal in Hogwarts. Muggleborns , and some of those poor half bloods could use it and learn things, not to act like stupid tactless things in their older years.

Not a day went on that he didn’t get a howler, or a very colorful letter telling him how they felt about his muggle infested school, or how they would how sorted that dear boy better and "if he was in wither slytherin or ravenclaw he wouldn’t have come to be an orphan". As if. The only place that helped him and made him feel comfortable was Hufflepuff. As a small child with an attitude (Minerva told him in details how he had used some very interesting remarks in his defend of Pettigrew) If he was in slytherin, he would have been bullied relentlessly outside of his house and inside, and in ravenclaw they would only turn their back to him out of jealousy.

Severus situation had turned into a political matter over night, and following the attacks on muggles, and muggleborns, even the non-magical government had a say in it.

Muggles wanted a piece of him, like they had with Edison and Einstein. Purebloods wanted a piece of him, and many half blooded and muggleborns families lined up for him. Given he had no other relatives it was a tough decision. 

So came the wizingamot full session over two days to deal with Severus situation. Nobody knew what to do to placate outraged citizens , and Albus didn’t know how to do something that kept both muggleborns and purebloods alike happy.

Albus was ashamed to admit he had fucked up, fucked up big.

He wanted to use Severus as an icon, a half-blood who was raised completely muggle, to promote his campaign. By being a half-blood, and behaving like he did – gaining allies, respecting the old costumes like Eternal friendship and having friends in all places – dark, light and neutral- it was going to be a full success. Not to mention how his subtle act of innocence in getting the permission for Halloween had not gone unnoticed by Albus. Boy was good, but still had a lot to learn.

-he even suspected he was the one who had planned the whole werewolf prank to warn mister Lupin of any harm that might come to their mutual friend, miss Burbage. No doubt he had figured it out, seeing Lupins aura as clear as a day. All he needed was a trip to werewolf section. He even suspected it all was a ruse to go search for Sylwan in school records, and later Albus had it confirmed when Arcturus got Sylwan removed from the wizingamot, right after mister snape befriended his younger grandson.

Albus preferred him in Gryffindor, but as much as he had talked with the hat, it didn’t consent to a resorting. He liked his friends, Bones, Prewatts, Longbottoms. Muggleborns like miss Evans and miss Burbage and a Ravenclaw like miss McKinnon. Mayhap he could influence the younger Black heir and get Gryffindor a second Black!

The Slytherin though could make a problem. He wanted to distance mister Pettigrew, seeing as he would be trouble in later years, he wasn’t particularly special in anything, the definition of average. It was good to allow it for a couple of years for the sack of unity, but ultimately, he was the one person who could hold Severus back, or merlin forbid lead him to Tom.

Thus, he allowed it, and see the harassment of him by other students no issue. He had to learn to stand for himself and soon, maybe being bullied taught him it was bad form and saved him from going dark.

The abuse part though…he had suspected, but had to be cautious. If either Bones or Longbottom got a whiff of it, they would remove the boy and get him under their wings, it would decrease his level of influence on the boy, so he had asked Minerva to see to it.

And he had bloody asked, no tasked Minerva to find out if he was abused or neglected, and the woman told him it was not possible.

Why he had not listened to Poppy telling him of Mister Snape broken nose and light weight? Why he assumed that Pomona was just being a mother hen about those letters he got? Exaggerating somehow?

When his gut told him something wasn’t quite right.

Now the boy was an orphan, the Evans family had petitioned for him in muggle world, Malfoy in this world, with Longbottom and Bones not far behind.

He suspected that Malfoy would win, and he couldn’t let that happen. It was like gifting the boy to Tom and that would mean no chance for the lighter side to win.

-oh, he knew it was the lighter side and the grey side, but now it was shifting to fully Black side. Tom was gathering werewolves and vampires, creating a backup army from inferies.

Malfoy had already semi removed the Bones family and the Longbottom claiming as eternal friends, they would not- could not punish the boy if he ever done anything wrong or against the law.

"Imagine if mister Snape becomes an Animagus, and does not want to reveal his form to the ministry, would the clause of (by wand, had and blood) mean you have to assist him in any law breaking too?

And his theory was sound, because there was a case of triple unforgivable cast by a wizard, who his eternal friend helped him conceal. The eternal friend only escaped Azkaban by revealing that he was unable to do anything against his wishes.

Malfoy had money to bribe, charming others and using logic on the last part of people who disagreed with them. Threatening or killing them was on the table too. 

Malfoy was also the closest relative he had.

Albus feared the boy, and for the boy. It was only one option that Malfoy recruited him for the dark side – and surprisingly the best of them. The two other options were far worse. As young and inexperienced as he was, Severus was powerful and if he was pushed, he would make a far better obscurus than Credence, and if Malfoy – mainly his master- waited until the boy reached the adulthood and then sacrificed him in a ritual to gain more power…

Not to tell what they could do with a phoenix, the blood or tears mainly would be used in many dark potions and if Tom managed to enslave her, he could pass any wards save Fidelus.

In some distant parts of his heart, Albus found out he genuinely cared for the boy. In this situation, he preferred he was in either Bones or Longbottom care, the Evans family, or any other family beside Malfoys. He feared for his life, that they would kill him as soon as they got him, because Tom would never allow one with potential to be more powerful than him to survive.

The worst part was that Severus couldn’t, or wouldn’t talk at all and it had been three days. He had shut himself and did not show any reaction to any stimulant, and he was staying in the hospital again. Albus had gone to see him, and the boy's eyes were vacant, hollow. He was surrounded by his friends, Frank Longbottom, Marlene McKinnon and Evans girls, but still remained in this catatonic state. He couldn’t confirm anything, he could talk in his own behalf or reject anybody who wanted to claim him. 

On would think, wonder why wizingamot bothered to 

The boy had the gift of perception, and Albus guessed an affinity for the mind arts, from his mother's side. This would explain why he had a panic attack in his dorms, or reacted like that to Minerva's first class. Occluments, in their younger years, only suppressed memories, unable to sort them or layer them because their mind and body had not developed. If he was naturally, either an occlument, or a legiliment, or both, Tom would kill him for sure.

Occlumency. the Princes.. Dumbledore 1, Tom in Malfoy's clothing 0

And he smiled. He had found his loophole.

Chapter Text

Abraxas Malfoy was a proud man. He was the supreme example of everything a pureblood should be, posed, calm, powerful, rich.

If he had bended the knee for the likes of Voldemort, it was to use him as a decoy. To use him to reach his own goal of getting rid of the mudbloods and make Britain a safe heaven for the decent magical folk. Destroy those half breeds who carried loathsome creatures blood, and make the society great again. They could dispose of the arrogant nobody then.

Arrogant he was. Grindelwald was a hundred times better than him and he failed at last, discarding such a vermin – with that stupid name, flight of death- wouldn’t be much problem.

But the boy, this particular boy everyone wanted a piece of..

Those muggles he removed easily from getting any chance , Longbottoms and Bones were harder, but not impossible.

But he doubted he would gift him to Voldemort.

Lucius was his blood, but the spoiled child-man didn’t know anything beyond how to bribe and how to look good. These past couple of years He considered – a bunch of times actually- getting rid of him and try for another one- even if it was late for him, later than Potters even- but the contract with the Blacks made it impossible. After what happened to Sylwan, he thanked Merlin and Morgana he had not broken it like that.

-even the possibility that the Blacks could see the broken contract as a declaration of war..

The Black agreements were often airtight these days. After the scandal of Arasmus, following Arcturus-Evelyn break up – or was it vice versa?- and subsequently Orion and Eileen they were more cautious. Then Molly Prewatt outwitted the last one – merlin knew how- and ran from marrying that troll Cygnus. The contract was written in such a way that made removing Sylwan from Wizingamot like a piece of cake. Personally, Abraxas saw no problem with omitting a hindrance between himself and an object, but Samuel was young and went a little bit far. If he had not been thrown out of the Wizingamot, he could have bribed his way out in a decade or so, but Arcturus went after him like a hound. Malfoy thought it was going after the apple of his eye – Regulus- was what made him insist on throwing Samuel in Nurmangard and removing him altogether.

(Good for her, but still settling for a Weasley was unbecoming of an heiress like her. If she had came to him, he could have disposed his useless spineless braggart of an heir and tried for another bunch with her.

Her loss.)

Severus , the boy.

At first, the boy was just another half breed. Another mudblood.

But then he revealed having the perception, showed his flying moves and gathered allies. Powerful allies. The last stop was him getting rid of Sylwan – he knew better than thinking Arcturus did it without a hunch- and then getting rid of his blood traitor mother.

He was the most Slytherin person he ever knew of, and he had met Gellert Grindelwald – yes the guy wasn’t a Slytherin but he was a slytherin in heart, where it mattered.

Even before that, when Orion came to him to take the boy, he knew something was up.

Severus Snape was NOT a Snape at all, he was Severus Black, a perfect pureblood heir. And Orion the idiot was throwing this gem away because of the likes of Sirius – the mad half of the siblings as it was now the tradition with Blacks- and Regulus – a soft hearted simpleton who would be eaten alive in the real world. If Abraxas was in his shoes, he would have killed both, taken the boy and that was it. 

But Orion, the idiot , wanted to anger his father. He didn’t want anyone from Evelyn's line inherit the Black fortune, had sweared a magical vow even.

Maybe in anger? He knew Arcturs held a heavy hand, and had some said he didn’t plan to transfer the lordship to Orion at all. Maybe he was not Orion's, but his father's? Arcturus tried hard to remove the stigma his brother left on the Black's name – man-whores and womanizers- but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, meaning Arcturus couldn’t be as virtues as he showed. No-one wants a very younger sibling- no matter how bright- to inherit.

Between a choice between Sirius and a troll, the troll had more merit.Regulus was a lost cause who wouldn’t see 20 with his attitude – friendship, befriending a half-blood, kind on elves- and …merlin Orion!

The brainless vegetable simple mind. Abraxas would happily let Severus inherit Malfoy's and he didn’t have a single blood drop of his!

If the boy was Merlin incarnate, with occlumency- how else he had withstode cruciatus without it?-, perception and magical power to cast a full protego maxima at eleven, if the boy was clever enough to establish himself as the icon of house unity, and gain allies and respect in such a young age…

Abraxas would adopt him by blood, and then raise him to be the perfect pureblood ever. He would become the next mugwump, the next minister and he could save Britain from the infestation of mudbloods and creatures.

He had to take custody of him first, then get rid of whatever blasphemy this Voldemort was. He could sense his power, yes, but if this child grew up…

"Mister Malfoy"

Right. The wizingamot first.

"yes the supreme Mugwump, what would be the verdict?"

He wanted to look Dumbledore in the eyes as he had to surrender the boy to him. He had discredited both Longbottoms and Bones, so there was no-one left.

"I can not be certain Lord Malfoy, alas there are questions needed to be asked, would you like to explain why you are attempting line theft?"

Line theft?

Line theft? Orion didn’t screw up did he? While he didn’t come out and told Severus was his, Malfoy read it in his eyes.

He wanted to look at the crowd gathering in the large room, look for Orion. Had he manned up and told Dumbledore at last? At the worst possible moment when he was a step away from gaining full custody?

He looked from the corner of his eye, Orion was a man of habit. He always sat at the highest stand, on the left side.

He wasn’t there.

Then what?

And the penny dropped.

 then he did the most undignifying thing, he opened his mouth, but couldn’t make a sound.

"i.. your honor?" and turned to the wizingamot chairman.

" he is a half-blood, so .." he tried to come up with words and his tongue failed him. He didn’t want to drag Orion- could not drag orion into this mess. The other option was just preposterous. It couldn’t happen again, could it? 

"I am aware Abraxas" said Albus Dumbledore, calmly.

Why this little shit … calling him with his name that bloody..

His eyes twinkled. Right, legilemense.

" is he not the last of the Prince line?" 

Damn.

"but he is a halfblood"

And he smiled, as if to tell him to watch carefully..

Dumbledroe, the way he had wormed his way into Wizingamot and then the highest place… if the man used his power to push for Severus to be installed as the heir, the Prince lord to be, he could have even talk Goblins into do his bidding, he knew their awful language for a reason..

Back to square one then.

Chapter Text

Confused.

He was confused.

Had he survived the war somehow? What happened with Hogwarts and the war? Who won? Why his neck didn’t feel funny?

It couldn’t be the light side, because they would have torn him limb from limb. No-body knew he was still working for them and they wanted him dead even before he killed Albus.

Had he killed Albus? Why he killed Albus?

It was the dark side? Was it Bellatrix?

Albus? Albus is alive? Did he learn how to fly too?

Severus knew how to fly?

Albus was both older and younger.

Why he had two Albus in his mind, and one of them hugged him as a child? He hadn’t been hugged by Albus as a child, he was certain.

Or was he? 

He could remember being in Slytherin, and he could remember being in Hufflepuff. He could remember having friends, being Regulus brother, but he could remember only having Lily for a friend.

How it was possible? Was he a seer? Had the war, the pressure and the constant danger blown his mind? Could he be more pathetic?

How he could recall Lily kissing him when he was 12? Time travel?

Was it his dying mind playing tricks? Had he been transferred to hell, and he was condemned to living that awful life again and again?

He could see it clearly, his mother yelling at his father, accusing him of cheating, and then a fight.

"you have balls Eileen, when all this time you were seeing that Lord Black lover of yours"

Lord Black? Why mother saw Arcturus?

Fight?

There wasn’t a fight. There never was a fight, only Tobias talking with his fists and Eileen cowering.

Then Eileen had brandished her wand, but being pregnant, not using magic for a long time made her spells weak. The incarcerus didn’t last.

Wasn’t her wand broken when he was in second year?

Why mother was pregnant? Severus didn’t have a sibling.

Did he have a sibling he didn’t know of? 

By merlin did they gotten a hold of his unknown sibling? Were they torturing him for information?

Why was he in a hospital then?

Or was he in a hospital? Was he in Azkaban for all the crimes he had committed? Had he been scheduled for the kiss?

Kiss. Lily kissed him? 

He could hear Frank and Fabian.

Were they not dead?

"He is in shock"

Shock of what?

Blood? There was blood?

" His father killed his mother and then himself right in front of him, he lost his sister he was so much excited to meet" Petunia? What was she doing here!

Was Harry Potter thick?

Wait sister?

Bull shit. He did not have a sister, Tobias died of liver cancer and his mother hanged herself.

Sister?

There was blood everywhere.

 He could hear himself shouting.

Stop!

There was a vague notion of a phoenix in his head, a phoenix who had saved Zaal and Rostam.

Green eyes. 

He was screaming in Sylwan's house, and there was a flash.

Emerald. He had a phoenix? Since when? 

Why didn’t she come?

Em?

There was no sound.

--

"Let me go!"

"Let me go you bastard!"

And again, she knew it to be futile. He wouldn’t let him go.

"Please, he is calling, he needs me"

Silence.

"You are out, isn’t this enough?"

The man with mismatched eye colors only stared.

"Please I'm begging you. He has lost enough"

"No, he hasn’t "

The man, Gellert answered.

" He has more to lose"

The bird, phoenix tensed. After all this man was the most powerful wizard alive, and he had all the reasons not to hold his end of bargain.

She remembered a time, she was so angry, angry of trusting another wizard and being burnt, turned to an object for a ritual that didn’t even need her blood. He wanted all of them burn.

And yet she didn’t know the ritual's name for the first thing.

She had traveled around the world, and gained little. much much little info. When she had returned to England for one last time, she had met Fawkes.

Fawkes who was angry too. His master had only made one friend, and that one friend killed him. It got more interesting when emerald, then carried some other name, met Severus Snape.

The Severus Snape who was the child of the man who had disfigured her.

They both didn’t know what to do, both wanted him dead, and they couldn’t. Fawkes reluctantly admitted maybe he wasn’t that much at fault, because Albus was dying of a curse and he was a spy. They both feared that without him, the light side would fail and Voldemort win.

"There is only one man we can turn into"

And that had been the way it all started. With her and Fawkes and Gellert.

" You remember those days, do you? Those dark days when air smelt of blood and earth felt heavy from dark spells. You wanted time, you wanted time to prevent it, and I gave it to you"

He had. Clocked her in a spell so complicated that left the man drained. She had to find Severus Snape, and they could – three of them, Fawkes was a bit of a two goody shoes to join- embark a journey through time to rescue the wizarding world.

The wizarding world, because Voldemort had at that point, killed off many of the magical species, people who would be parents of a brilliant magical child somehow, and polluted the earth with inferis and dementors.

Irreversible. Even if the light side won, magic would die out eventually. Earth's magic wasn’t separate like its continents, you couldn’t impact on China's magic without it having an effect on Europe. 

Earth's magic was infected, and it would die in time. Give or take a century.

Three people for redemption, Gellert had joked. The three of them had done their share of stupidity and had blood on their hands.

Unfortunately, Gellert died before Emerald could reach Severus, and Severus died – murdered- before she could explain anything. The spell activated and they were both thrown back in time.

Severus was not supposed to turn to a child, or Emerald to a baby bird. Their memories was not supposed to return half and half.

"I trusted Albus to be wiser, and the world to stop acting mad and what happened? I could not imagine a more horrible fate. I don’t even have half my memories!"

Their memories had scattered. Gellert said he was the only thing standing between Severus and madness.

"who do you think is guarding his mind against his memories when he is but a child? I am throwing all my power, and using the connection we have so he could last a while. His mind is essentially a child's yet"

The Severus of the future had been so damaged nothing of him survived, the memories transferred, maybe more like latched themselves on this version of him.

"but the infant.."

"she had to die"

Gellert said that there wasn’t a sister in the other timeline, and they had fucked up things enough that they had made a space-time anomaly. This anomaly , along with the botched ritual of Noir didn’t mean anything good.

"they will start remembering"

And Emerald thought it was true.

Maybe she shouldn’t have come to Nurmangaurd to check on him again. Maybe she shouldn’t have trusted the man, this younger version of Grindlwald and helped him – flashed him- and his companion out of the cell.

"it would be a month, or two when the guards come to check on us"

And she had been weakened by the flash, and then easily trapped. She begged him to let her go and save Severus, if not all of his family just the baby.

" we have mocked up time so much, regardless of the problems it makes in our way, the boy would never leave her. I saw him dropping out of Hogwarts, even leaving the country to take care of his sister. He would claim the Prince fortune and leave Britain. If he had a young child in his care, he would never put himself in danger"

But it was not fair.

"he is suffering!"

He didn’t care. Sylwan and Gellert were searching for a horcrux, or a way to destroy them in a castle in Germany. Emerald had not option but to wait.

"Em?"

She cried for the first time since she came back in time.

Chapter Text

Being here, watching the back and forth , tit for tat kind of negotiation slash power play between Albus Dumbledore and Abraxas Malfoy sickened him.

Like all the time in the manor, with Arcturus neglecting him and lusting after a married woman, neglected and forgotten, stood Orion Black, watching from the audience stance how they made his son, Severus , a bargaining tool, a thing to be owned.

"Headmaster, you must have conveniently forgotton that neither Longbottoms or Bones have an off-age heir?"

Malfoy careless use of headmaster showed he had wrong footing. Dumbledore was neither senile nor powerless , and it would cost him.

Watching as Dumbledore failed to ascertain dominance over Malfoy was disturbing while it was also refreshing . was the man taken by surprise that his once student became semi- competent as him in manipulation? he couldn’t be certain if it was a feigned weakness to draw Malfoy out so he would put all his cards on the table. 

True, He had made a deal with Malfoy to get the brat out of his hands, but now he didn’t like the odds. Malofy cared too much about this , he was getting on dumbledore's bad side for a boy that wasn’t even his and smelt like dragon dung.

Orion wasn’t brought up at Arcturus knee for nothing, and he could sense there was something not right with Abraxas desperately trying to become Severus's guardian. The man didn’t get much in the deal he had made with him , only trouble looking after another child.

Was having the future most powerful pureblood Patria of magical Britain enough?

There was something, and his gut told him it could not be any thing good. Dumbledore while pretending to be as barmy as a bat , was certainly not gullible. If he wasn’t the way he was, and really cared about this newly orphaned student of his, Orion might have given the boy to him, but he wasn’t . Orion feared he wanted the boy to make him a sign, a paragon and a tool and whatever bone he had to pick with Arcturus and his betrayal, he didn’t want the boy to die over Albus stupid power plays. 

His mind still reeled over the fact that Arcturus let him raise his half brother's bastard as heir, and what an heir Sirius was. 

He shuddered as the memory of the prank he pulled over Andromeda's wedding. How childish he could be to free more than a hundred frogs near the lake it was going to take place just the night before?

He was 12! Orion and Cygnus would have been flogged if they had done such a thing, or tasted how it felt to be on the other side of Arcturus wand.

At least Regulus had enough tact to warn them, and then he had to go and stun them one by one and clear the lake. Because of course Berga couldn’t be bothered during the night she was supervising on Andromeda's hen night, and Cygnus was the bride father and couldn’t look battered tomorrow and it was way beneath Arcturus. The first marriage between a muggleborn and a Black in history, – even justified by getting a metamorph in the end-and all were nervous. Including him. The dark side were reluctant, but who could they complain to when Arcturus himself allowed it, and the light side were on edge , because it was very un-Black like.

He was nervous both for the wedding, and the completion of the plan he made, the plan to thwart his father's plan to make Evelyn's grandson the future Black heir. He had made a deal with Abraxas, and another with Eileen to make it happen.

He didn’t have anything on the boy, but he didn’t want Arcturus to smirk at him like the day in the manor when he revealed his treachery. He would try his best to make his son- the one he had raised and was his- the heir. Regulus was soft, but one could do a lot in the next 7 years to harden a child.

Regulus begged to invite his friend – maybe he unconsciously felt the sibling bond- but he didn’t allow. Andromeda was more cautious in her suggestions but that was met with disapproval. He was tempted to do so, when he was asked why he looked ragged and Arcturus answered instead of him " cleaning the mess his son made" with Alphard the bastard sitting right next to him.

So, he didn’t, and then completely forgot about Eileen – all she had to do was to call on Kreacher and show the deal they made on paper with his magical signature- until two days later when the three day wedding was done.

Well, the four day to be exact, because Edward Tonks had to shed his name and Take Blacks, and Arcturus had to adopt him with a ritual and add him to the wards lest they burned him alive if he stepped one foot inside Black residence.

And he was informed via the evening paper special edition.

Eileen was dead, alongside her daughter, the muggle filth killed them and then himself.

He zoned out for a minute, then half an hour. He couldn’t believe they were dead. He had spoken to the woman right before the damned wedding planning started and yet..

 The first thought he had was to apparat and get Severus. The guilt he felt was making him break apart.

Why he had not invited him when he had been the one to save Regulus? He could pretend he was another eternal friend and be done with it. The bride and the groom had also requested it and he declined out of spite.

If he found out, if Severus ever found out about him and Eileen and his part in the disaster that became his life, because these things always found their way to light Orion knew better to expect his relationship to the boy never be revealed, would he ever forgive him?

Could he?

He didn’t think so. Arcturus had not done such a vile act , abandoning a child just because of his pride and Orion couldn’t forgive him because of Sirius, this was way above forgiveness.

Damn Arcturus. Thrice damn the bastard who was now resting because of the toil the magical adoption took of him. The useless sack of bones who hadn’t at least informed him of having a son with Eileen . married or not severus was his.

And look what came of it.

A muggle raised half-blood orphan who had enough of a hard time already, thrust into the rule of a grown-up, because there would be no cuddling involved in where-ever he went if he wanted to survive.

Then the next blow.

The papers wrote everything. Everything but him being the father. He wanted to find Eileen and strangle her with his hands.

He was abused. Beaten repeatedly by the filth named Tobias Snape. Why Eileen never came out with this? Why she didn’t say a word about him being in danger?

The mad bitch.

Had she really thought that being with a muggle was better than be his second wife? Had she really thought that he would be no better than Arcturus or her own father? How in merlin's name she thought the muggle who raised his hand to a child was better than dealing with him?

Pride for sure. In his case it was also the contract with Walberga that didn’t allow him to marry if she was with child.

And for his pride and hers, the boy, his boy had suffered. Grew up in the muggle world, was abused and then saw his mother murdered.

Could he ever make it up to him?

 Was being the second wife that hard? He remembered his decision to separate from Berga – she had not given him an heir for many years- and the arrangement with Eileen. It all fell apart when Berga said she was pregnant.

Why Eileen didn’t say anything? Why Arcturus had not?

He listened as Malfoy go on and tell the council about how Bones or Longbottoms couldn’t take on Severus now that he was a Prince. They did not have an heir – Amelia didn’t count in the old ways as she was female- and it was the definition of line-theft. Malfoy then mentioned him having Lucius and him being off-age.

"you can not deny that a parent who had already raised a respectful young man, one who has more to offer in comfort and guidance and has a blood tie is far better than those. I can also offer tutelage in lordship as young mister prince would be needing it in later years"

Malfoy was winning.

Maybe he could get the boy himself? 

Or no. Blacks faced an scandal in Sylwan, and then the muggle-born Tonks now Black, the family couldn’t handle another this soon. Maybe all his worries was for not, and Malfoy didn’t have a malicious ulterior motive in mind. 

Albus stood up " then what about me? I have his guardianship over the 9 monthes of the year as it is the case with all half-bloods, another 3 wouldn’t hurt"

Then he added " seeing as I myself am a half-blood, and have a brother to inherit , not that I am a Lord but anyway. I have served as the Mugwump many years so I can offer a guiding hand to his, also not in danger of any heir or line-theft"

"headmaster" Malfoy stuttered.

And he upped the game.

"and just remembering the day I was made Mugwump, being a half-blood and all that, I yet have another idea. As the motion suggesting Severus becoming lord Prince passed with all members approval, I find myself eager to suggest yet another one"

Oh merlin and morgana it better not be what he thought .

"I present you another solution, as of last month the wizingamot had been short of a member, with once Lord Sylwan losing all his titles and his seat, just yesterday we have installed young mister Prince as to be lord of the house…"

Oh clever clever man. You devious demon. Letting him say all he wanted, then use his words against him. It was as if he was anticipating his words, the lordship tutelage. Who would be better in those than a half-blood , the Mugwump himself who unlike Abraxas, was not in danger of using his charge seat to his gain at all.

Adding him to the wizingamot seats was just the salt on the open wound..

Malfoy lost the round.

Chapter Text

Even after days past the blasted ritual, his body refused to listen to reason and move. He seriously miscalculated and if merlin forbid there was another such ritual, he would drop dead or end up magically exhausted.

He was not so young now, had little time to instill his plans.

As soon as he could hold himself up in his bed, he had ordered Kreacher to spill the beans, and got Rita to send him a report ASAP.

He was unpleasantly surprised when Kreacher apparated with Regulus attached to his leg.

The little blighter didn’t lose anytime in running to his side and throwing himself over his body " grandfather please do something! I told father but he doesn’t care and he cannot even speak. Longbottom and bones and prewatts and even those muggles have gone and visited him and I am stuck at home with mother"

Arcturus was confused in some places. The getting stuck with Walberga after the wedding he understood. Berga was a handful on good days, she must be fuming in rage over the new blood – one Edward Black – in the family.

"Calm yourself and act like a Black heir instead of running your mouth like a one on babbling potion"

That got to him.

"it's Severus grandfather. I know he is a half-blood and he let go of the life debt, but I cannot let him be treated like a possession"

Arcturus was still dazed, and only got half of what Regulus said. He sent the boy to the kitchen- because morgana's shoes these kids were always hungry- and tried making sense of what he babbled, with MS skeeter and Kreacher's report. 

Ten minutes later and he was tempted to go back to sleep again.

The poor child, Severus Prince had become a political tool and a chess piece in the game of war between muggle-born supporters and pureblood supporters.

Dumbledore would not step back, and Malfoy would be a force to be reckoned with. The innocent child would have no say in his fate even if he was coherent.

Contrary to what he said to Orion, he was not certain of the boy parentage. The bond shown between father and son would be a straight Black line, and in case born out of wedlock a dotted line. If the person was adopted by blood, the line would be a red colored one.

The line that connected Severus Prince and Orion was a dotted red, with a line connecting him to both Sirius and Regulus and marking them as siblings.

He had not even realized it was there until he went and actually looked at the family tree in Gringotts. He knew Sirius was not Orion's, and knew Regulus to be his. A little blood he took from the baby and doing the blood map did it. His plan to substitute Sirius with Regulus only started when he was sorted in Gryffindor and made friends with Potter boy, making his rash destructive behavior even worse. He told Orion so he would take a firmer stand with Regulus and train him for the Lordship- it was apparent Sirius would be unfit by the New Year's Eve and him having more detentions than anyone on the school.

At least Regulus now was a little less emotional and had not found another friend for himself. he understood that friendship was a very serious matter and didn’t hand out his hand in that like he did with Prince.

But the connection, what to make of it? There was not any record of a dotted red line, and even if one forgot that, how it would be possible for Severus to be connected to both of them? Sirius was not Orion's son for merlin's sack and Brega couldn’t have carried Severus if he was now the prince heir.

Knowing his son, Orion, to chicken out of taking the boy, he had to enter the field instead of him. Rita said that Malfoy claimed blood and that he could teach the boy to become a Lord, Dumbledore said he knew little of the circumstances the boy was brought up, and he nominated the boy for the empty seat in wizingamot, making it hard for Abraxas to win. He semi- accused Abraxas of wanting the boy to further his influence, because sooner or later that seat had to be filled and there was no-one better than this particular boy who was magically powerful and had connections to two other members. By stating the obvious, he told the wizingamot that Malfoy had planned to get guardianship and then apply for the seat on his behalf so he could have more votes.

Albus in this instance had nothing to gain a Mugwump. He had to judge over inner conflicts of the members and had no influence on the votes, also as the supreme judge, he was a better option for training the young heir Prince. He could relate to him better, as he himself once had been a half-blood orphan in similar circumstances.

The fight over who gets "the next Merlin" became fight over " wizingamot seats" and escalated to Albus the muggle-born supporter versus Abraxas the Pure-blood supporter.

Arcturus knew it would turn ugly and soon. It would escalate further and there would be divisions. Those tactless idiots were bringing the invisible war – the cold war- up to surface and when no-one of the dark side or light was ready.

How many magical folk were left anyway? They were less than a million, and over the world there were not more than a 25. Another war, this close to the last one would annihilate them for sure. Others would abandon Britain – as they had in Grindlewald case- and these foolish children would tear themselves apart even before the real thing started. After the big depression over their lost numbers- becaue believe it or not all magical folks were related if not close then somewhere along the great great grandfather or mother- they just started to build. The children number that dwindled to a sad 5 or 4 each year increased to 20 or more. Losing this generation would mean death for magical britian and Albus was too stubborn, and Abraxas too stupid to see reason.

Orion would choose whatever side opposing Arcturus out of spite and get himself killed. Regulus was too young to take up the mantle and Arcturus too old to hold onto it. With the most ancient and noble house of Black fall, there would be chaos and bloodshed and a scene worse than anything Grindelwald done.

He had to step in, whether he wanted or not.

But first he had to know the exact level of emotional attachment between Regulus- the heir to be- and the prince lad. He had to watch their interactions together, to see if Regulus needed Prince or not. 

He wanted to try Regulus first, and if nothing worked, he would try Severus. It would be hell to try and make him Lord Prince and Lord Black at the same time, but what choice did he have? He had not forgotten his debt to Evelyn nor the way he had once again failed her line, resulting in Eileen's unnecessary death. Severus might have forgiven the life debt, but Regulus had not and it could make problems along the way in near future.

Rita skeeter could exaggerate more than he cared for, and Kreacher was a stupid elf whose half the words was "kill me my lord". He had to assess the situation, and plan.

Maybe backup plans too. 

"We are leaving for saint Mungo" and saw the way Regulus eye's lightened up immediately.

There would be troube. There would be fights and he would make Orion hate him more- if that was possible- but he had to do so if he wanted to have a son left. Merlin knew Cygnas was more his mother than him, and Alphard had fallen for Albus agenda pretty hard. Orion was all he had, and somewhere in his dead heart, he still loved him enough to prevent his death.

Chapter Text

Father had become a morose , ill-tempered person who would snap at the smallest thing. While he didn’t even see Regulus, didn’t care if he saw him all day long or not, now he was hell bent on knowing Everything about him.

Regulus could have stayed in grandfather's manor for ages, and father wouldn’t blink. After the graduation ceremony when he last met Sev, father just turned a new leaf. He became firm and started working on his Latin and decorum, the family history and dueling stances personally. He was stuck in a room with him most of this summer, with him not giving up on parting all his wisdom in such a short time.

Seriously, what was up with him? Orion was so soft on Sirius, and so hard on him all of a sudden.

"he doesn’t want you to embarrass him" Sirius said.

As if. There was not a mess Sirius had not made. Anything he got up to would be tame compared to him.

" Maybe its because of your friendship with that half-blood, he wants to watch you so you don’t get any other stupid idea into your head " he threw half-blood as if it was a curse. The nutter.

"at least he is a genius and he saved my life, I didn’t see james potter jumping to save you from mother after the prank" the coward. Regulus knew he had a hand in providing the frogs Sirius had released in the lake. Mother had thoroughly hexed him, and then cast a glamour on him so nobody would know. At least being busy with the ceremony she didn’t use too much force behind her curses. Reg should have let him be toast, the ungrateful sod.

"besides, I would be careful in showing my true colors around, you know the new blood, Andy's husband is a muggle-born?" and watched as Sirius turned a lovely shade of purple. The hypocrite told everyone he was not the least bit racist, or blood-purist , just because he was sorted in the blasted house of Gryffindor.

And after the wedding, he went to uncle Alphard's. surprisingly father didn’t even lift a finger to prevent him – he usually had a lot to say if Severus wanted to stay there- and mother only glared at him. Reg was getting suspicious if father- and mother- really feared the fate of Sirius would befall him too.

That day, he got enough of a respite. Mother was busy staring at father and father pretending not to notice. He went to the library, maybe to summon Kreacher and see if he could send a letter to severus, where he saw the paper.

It was through sheer luck he heard what happened to Severus. He begged mother to let him see him, even was back-handed and slapped. He went all the way and asked his father formally with a letter, had mentioned the life debt and nothing.

When Kreacher said he wanted to pop into manor because Arcturus was calling, he didn’t let go of him.

"master be calling. Kreacher bad elf"

He didn’t relent. If anyone listened to him, it was grandfather.

 " please take me to him"

And Kreacher, the best elf ever did it, if reluctantly. Apparently, grandfather didn’t know until he came and told him.

Then he further surprised him by telling him to get ready to go to the hospital.

Wasn’t he the best best grandfather ever? 

After they apparated, and entered the hospital, he didn’t lose any time and asked the nearest nurse to show him Severus room. He didn’t listen to her yelling after him not to run. He didn’t stop until he was in front of his door.

"sev?" he asked as he opened the door. And felt bewilderment since he got no answer.

Was it the wrong room? He looked behind, his grandfather was heading here slowly. It couldn’t be the wrong room.

He took a quick look at the room, and saw Severus sitting on the hospital bed.

The room was filled to the brim with flowers and get better cards. There were boxes of chocolates and condolences cards too.

He had the yellowish hospital garb on which was so much big on him. Had no-one spelled these things to fit the person putting them on?

He was pale, and looked paler in the moon light which lightened the room. He had hugged himself and looked lost in his thoughts.

He tried calling him again " Sev?" but got no reaction.

"Severus?" and again he didn’t even turn his head .

Panicking he called for one last time.

"brother?"

Severus felt cold.

So cold.

And alone. Without a family, even a broken one. 

And with a dead unborn sister he could never see again. Never play with her or teach her things. Never hug her or kiss her hair.

He could feel other people's auras. Some were blue, representing sadness. Some were lime green of the nurses and medical staff.

There were people with goblin blood, with banshee and werewolf and vampire blood. Some even had fae.

Nearly everyone had muggle blood. Surprisingly it was a mud like brown color.

He wondered if it was the reason they called muggle-borns mud-blood.

He had not wrapped his mind around not being dead, and gotten stuck in the past. All of it felt like a bad dream.

If he didn’t have a bad dream, if all was real it meant that he had fucked things up and royally. He had single-handedly managed to kill both his parents, and drive the wedge between Lily and Petunia further. He had ruined any chance Lily could have with Potter, meaning Harry potter would not be , and the prophecy would be null. It would mean disaster.

Had the good things he had done justified the bad things? He had helped release Andromeda from being tied to the likes of Sylwan, and probably helped her future child to not fall for a werewolf. On the other hand his actions made it so his father killed his pregnant mother.

Would it have been better if Tobias killed him instead? 

"brother!"

He felt a light green aura smelling of freshly cut grass and spring flowers.

Another good thing that came out of it was Regulus. His half sibling he now loved as much as one would a full blood brother whom they grew up with.

He had lost one chance to be a proper big brother, and that would chase him till the end of his days.

Regulus was alive.

Regulus was here.

It meant he still had a chance to save his remaining sibling. he shifted in his bed, making room for him to climb up.

Fortunately regulus was a clever kid. He climbed up the bed and didn’t lose any moment in wrapping his hands around his shoulders.

"oh Severus. Brother" 

It made him feel warm and cared for. Regulus whispered sweet nonsense into his ears. Telling him all would be better, that things would change. Suddenly he could breath easier, a heavy weight was lifted up his chest.

He was not alone. He still had one family member left.

They fell sleep like that.

"Lord Black"

" heir Prewatt"

"Fabian if you please"

He heard voices talking outside. 

He didn’t care. He had all he wanted in the world and that was Regulus, his younger brother, safe and sleep .

It was ok.

Chapter Text

He climbed the stairs while his knees protested. Out of breath, he reached Prince's room, only to watch as Regulus hugged Severus and he hugged him back. Regulus was whispering thing in his ear and called him brother.

It was more serious than he was lead to believe. How and when Regulus found out?

Having a bright lad is as much as a curse as it’s a blessing. There was no doubt he had to step in and soon. If Severus died or was harmed in this civil war, Regulus would be devastated. The sibling bond between them was even stronger than what it was between Sirius and Regulus.

"where is the nearest appartaing site?" he asked from the nervous night nurse who was standing awkwardly , not used to deal with Lords like him.

"down the right corridor, sir. Your lordness? I mean my Lord?" seriously, what they taught to these generation these days?

He barked at Kreacher, and then he was half way across London, in front of a muggle restaurant.

He transfigured his robes to a dove grey suit with a flick of his wand and stepped inside.

"my lord" said Ms Skeeter.

He nodded in approval. She looked better than a hooker for hire in her silk blouse and presentable skirt. Working in Daily prophet as his spy was good on her.

"why have you not published the NEWS about Gellert and Sylwan escape?" that took her by surprise.

"I , Arcturus.."

" did you think you are my only spy?"

She only lowered her head. " no my lord. I am here to tell you that Dumbledore knows and wants to publish it later, after the Prince hearing, how much time it takes."

It was Arcturus turn to be surprised. So the shrewd man had another agenda? Surprises never cease.

Change of plans.

As of minutes ago, he wanted to force Orion to take the boy in, and if not he would do that herself. He could claim that Eileen was his goddaughter. There were always good forgers there in knockturn to make it look genuine.

But not now.

He didn’t doubt that it was Gellert who managed to escape. Why he had taken Sylwan along was a mystery.

 And a trouble.

He imagined if Grindelwald needed assistance, after all it was a long time he had served in prison. May be he wanted the younger man to be his helper.

How he convinced Samuel was the problem.

Arcturus only imagined it could be bad. He had a grudge against Blacks, and now Severus too. Having both Regulus and Severus in the same household meant danger for both of them. The Black manor wards were strong, but he didn’t doubt anyone of Grindelwald – or Dumbledore for that- magical power could pass them with ease.

If Sylwan wanted those boys, he had the perfect opportunity now.

And Dumbledore must know this.

If Severus remained in Malfoy's care, his master Voldemort would see fit to exchange the lad with the support of Grindelwald.

Grindelwald who needed Samuel for a time, and would try to keep him happy for as long as he needed him as a minion. Sylwan who held a grudge against Severus specially, and Arcturus himself . he knew Arcturus found out about his misdeeds from Prince heir, and he knew Regulus was his favorite.

Dumbledore must have calculated it. He wasn’t suggesting himself for the guardianship just for the fun of it, or even to have the next Merlin in his pocket. There was every possibility that Grindelwald wanted to use Voldemort to build his army again. Now that Voldemort had enough supporters to make the stupid ministry notice, it was his time. Not many pure-bloods supported Voldemort, but Gellert? They would all line behind him. Even half-bloods would.

Arcturus knew them better. These man never wanted the best for the wizarding world, they only wanted the best for themselves. Maybe Gellert was the better choice, but now they could never compete with airplanes and bombs and nuclear energy. Their number was low. A hundred muggles to one wizard was a very bad ratio. With the ministry not sanctioning rituals, blood magic and such which was the only strength they had, magical folk would lose.

Those fools thoughts was too old and dusty. Alphard was a muggle-loving sod, but speaking with him made Arcturus eyes open. He could consider things those two guys would never consider.

If they united, there would be blood. Their only hope remained in Severus and his powers to grow. If they had both Dumbledore and this young lad, they would have a chance.

He had to protect Severus, and make him strong enough to build his own empire. Regulus and Severus could do much, could go further than any of those ancient sods who only wanted to conquer, even if what remained was only ashes.

He was again putting more pressure on those young children shoulders, but at least he could keep them safe. When they were ready, they could even move their empire to another country. Let Gellert and Voldemort and Albus kill each other. They could then return and build Britain free from those assholes. After all, wasn’t it built the first time with 4 families that extended to 28? Add Bones and Longbottoms and they could have the four stater families. There would always be muggle-borns to recruit. As long as Blacks survived, and he could protect Evelyn's line, all was well in his books. 

If Britain only produced Dumbledores and Voldemorts and Sylwans, maybe its magic deserved to die.

Dumbledore no doubt wouldn’t see that like him. He would go on about muggle lives and saving the world.

The world didn’t consisted of Britain. Magic would find a way.

After his meeting, he side alonged with Kreacher, to see Fabian Prewatt watching Heir Prince's room.

"Lord Black"

"heir Prewatt"

"Fabian if you please."

"I might want to talk to you and Lady Prewatt"

--

Chapter Text

Fleamont was not the best name to give to a baby, he used to joke whenever anyone asked why he didn’t have an heir still.

“imagine a child being saddled with the middle name Fleamont, the nicknames, oh the nick names!”

What could he say? There was nothing wrong with him, or his wife, but the problem was the combination? That if any of them got together with another partner they could have a dozen babies easily?

So he stayed, and year by year their hope dwindled.

When Sylwan came up to their door and told him it could be possible but at a price, what was he to do?

Euphemia wasn’t at home, went to help with another birth at saint Mungo. Fleamont just knew how much it pained her to see those babies, and know she would never hold one of hers.

“how do you even know I found a phoenix?”

How indeed. Even his beloved wasn’t aware.

“ I have my ways”

He should have known it wouldn’t turn to anything but a disaster.

He thought he had forgotten, that the ritual would have taken care of it.

It had not, or why else he had vivid images of his foul deeds in his head?

Yes, watching Euphemia with James was worth it, and he would never regret it, regret him.

But the fact remained that James was not a normal boy.

Neither him or his beloved had dark cores, or were magically powerful. James was both. His core was as dark as a stormy night, and powerful like a tornado. 

He had so many dark tendencies it took him by surprise when he got himself sorted into Gryffindor. He was a bit of a bully, he had gotten a taste of it when he got the first letters of his detention for throwing a half-blood boy to devil snare.

The same boy he now remembered as being Eileen’s son.

The fucked up ritual. With him, Orion, Walburga, Eileen and him.

The same boy who was the topic of debate today, again.

“I want you to apply for the seat”

Orion’s calm and collected front didn’t fool him for one second. He had came late at night, describing what he had in mind.

“ he can not be given a seat”

Fleamont was confused at first.

“you know that I know. We seem to all have remembered. Him too”

His blood boiled, cold sweat on his forehead. “no”

“yes. I have, and from your response you have too. Eileen….”

Eileen had remembered too.

“Burga..”

Orion shook his head. “ not yet. But Sylwan knew before any of us started to remember. Who knows what Voldemort knows?”

They both trembled in fear.

“you boy resembles you too much to be his, and Sirius has been struck with Black’s curse of lunancy. Don’t protest, I know all the whispers behind my back. With both of us, me and Burga’s involvement, it is not possible that Regulus maybe …. We both gotten a son out of it.”

But Eileen had one too. James, while being abnormally powerful and inclined to hexing people first and ask the questions maybe never, was totally his and Euphemia’s. Orion was right neither Regulus or Sirius could be his son, because each person in the ritual had to have a magical heir out of it.

It left Sylwan and Eileen.

Well, the older Sylwan’s son couldn’t be that, and the younger son was long dead.

It only left one Severus Snape, now Prince.

“can you imagine what will happen if his son is placed on the wizingamot?”

And fleamont shuddered. 

He knew he had already cast a full protego with the core of an 11 years old. He knew it was rumored he had perception, an art, as rare as an ability as it could get.

“what do you think getting eternal friends was for? He is a hufflpuff, but is he really?”

What was he getting to?

“ did you know he has not survived from magical depletion, but also from a full cruciatus cast by a fully grown dark wizard ?”

He didn’t know. It couldn’t be possible. A child couldn’t survive that and then crucio in such a short time.

“ he was also the one who convinced my father, yes the bloody patriah of the house of Black to adopt a mud…muggleborn into the family and made it so that …he laid the foundation that enabled the wizingamot to remove him”

It couldn’t be what he thought.

“he is a child”

“and Voldemort was one when he started gathering the Knights.”

Potter was distressed.

Did this mean the boy was going the way he went? Gathering sycophants, minions and becoming a little dark lord, or strengthening the already powerful dark lord?

“what can I do?”

“apply for the seat. The rest is on me”

Potter senior didn’t think for a moment that orion was telling the whole truth. Few people were aware of the tension between him and Arcturus, but Fleamont was. It could be to get back at his father.

Who didn’t know of the tale of the hottest flame, of that love story between Evelyn Prince and Arcturus Black? Potter suspected he had tried to rescue the boy for her memory, and Orion just had to act like a jealous lad, a stupid lil shit and get in his way.

Alas what Orion brought up couldn’t be ignored.

If Voldemort could worm his way into wizingamot… he didn’t have anything against him. But Prince was young, and now an orphan. He must feel lonely, the need of an adult.

He could be manipulated easily.

“ do you really want Malfoy to win? If you get the seat, you can back up Dumbledore’s claim. Wouldn’t it be better for the boy?”

Yes. Malfoy was bad news. If the boy wasn’t dark, he would turn him into a dark wizard soon. Severus Getting the seat couldnt help with Dumbledore cause, because then there would be a long list to go through to instill a representation for the prince seat. He was a minor, and Dumbledore as Mugwump couldn’t vote for him, so there was need for a third person.

Until then, Malfoy had bribed half, and threatened the other half. He could get the boy.

But if potter get the seat, he could vote for Dumbledore, and get the light side to stand behind the man. The problem with light families was that they were afraid, and they acted nice.

Winning was better than being nice.

“you have my word.”

Chapter Text

Fabian was taken by surprise when Lord Black demanded to meet his aunt Muriel.

And about Severus.

Everything was strange on that night.

From Arcturus and Regulus visiting a half-blood at the dead of the night, to him watching Regulus Black hugging Severus like his life depended on it.

He knew only a little about the situation with Severus, the ministry and the guardianship, but even that was mind-blowing.

Why these knuckleheads had to turn the guardianship into a political battle? First it was about who was richer, then about blood relation and now a full custody battle with Dumbledore and Abraxas making it more ridiculous.

The fact that neither of them thought about Severus himself was the most problematic in his opinion. Why this young traumatized orphan had to go through this…why neither Bones or Longbottoms were approved for the task.

And now, throwing a Black in the mix?

He was deep in thought when he accompanied Lord Arcturus to meet with Lady Muriel, just when the first rays of sun were showing themselves. They had left Regulus and Severus hugging on the bed, with strict instructions for the Black elf and a nurse who knew the family well.

The Prewatt Manor was one of the oldest pureblood residences in the UK. It was well kept, but wasn’t as ground and magnificent as other such manors, like Black’s or Malfoys. They were not as rich as those two houses, but they were somewhere in the middle ground. Certainly not like Weasley’s or Sylwans. 

With only him as the heir, Muriel and Fabian didn’t have to worry about funds for a long time, and anyway, Fabian wanted to join Aurors.

Gideon too, but he couldn’t now, could he? he had to find a low level one for now. He couldn’t go galivanting with giants and run after criminals when he was recently married. It would be frowned upon to not try for an heir at first and leave his young bride to join Aurors. Edgar himself didn’t become an auror right after Hogwarts, he worked in his father’s shop in Diagon until he died and he had to rake up the mantle and raise his sister himself.

That aside, He didn’t even know what they were going to discuss! And the pleasantries and false niceness was buggering his mind.

“May I be excused?”

Muriel didn’t even raise her head from her cup “no. you will go to Weasley residence at once, and inform both your sister and her husband they are needed here. Young William needs to be here too”

Arcturus only stared “you knew even before I started?” he seemed to be taken by surprise, as if he didn’t know his aunt that much.

Muriel knew what Fabian and Gideon wanted even before them themselves. She was as cunning as a Slytherin, as intelligent as a Ravenclaw, and as blunt as a Gryffindor, while she had never gone to Hogwarts and was homeschooled as it was the custom in those days.

She once said she was old enough to be Dumbledore’s mother and Fabian never dared to ask her age. She could be as scary as McGonagall in a mood if she wanted, and Fabian liked his life.

Muriel huffed “I knew even before those two lads started playing with a child’s life and Grindelwald”

Wait what? Lads? She was calling Abraxas and Albus- so many names – Dumbledore lads? 

“Then go and get your brother and his intended along with Lord Bones”

Was there a family reunion he wasn’t aware of? What did it have to do with Severus!

“Now boy!”

It was half an hour later when they were all sitting in the main dining room when Muriel started. Her voice firm and strong, like she was born to be a Lady.

“Edgar, Gideon and Amelia need to be bonded today. The celebrations can take place later. Gideon has to abdicate his rights to Prewatt seats and heirship”

Then she turned to Molly, and her husband “William has to take Prewatt name and placed in care of Fabian as his heir, of course you can both relocate here, or another residence near here instead of that rabbit hole you live.”

“Fabian?”

He realized she was saying his name “yes my lady?”

“you will be Lord Prewatt from this day.”

There was nothing he understood about the situation.

“huh?”

Arctrurs Snorted.

“pardon, I think all of you know what is going on?”

Apparently he wasn’t the only one confused. Only Edgar had a vague idea.

“its because of heir prince”

Oh. Severus?

“correct. With you and Longbottoms out of the picture, it has turned into a powerplay between Dumbledore and this so called Dark lord who is represented by Malfoy. Now with Gridlwald Escape, neither of them will back down and it could well form a division…”

“and a civil war” Muriel completed.

“the only one who can apply and shut both of their mouthes is me. I have raised my brother, and then his children, the problem is that I am still the Lady of the house and neither you or Gideon have an heir”

He could understand a little bit, certainly not how a custody battle could start a civil war.

“Gideon has to abdicate, he can not be your heir if married to Amelia, and Edgar has still no heir – not any child even-but her. If we want you to become Lord Prewatt, you need an heir, but the only one available is your sister’s son”

Well, Fabian was in deep shit now, but for Severus? The young child who was not important for anyone?

Not his parents for certain if what the papers said was true. Not for his headmaster or his blood family – Malfoy was the nearest thing he had. Even Lord Arcturus whose grandson he had saved. They were all talking about him, never considering his wishes.

They were all afraid of the civil war, the Gridllwald escape and Dumbldore’s and Malfoy’s fight. No one seemed to be interested in Severus welfare and happiness, they had even started talking about him as heir Prince, and debated if it was better he was a part of dark, light or neutral side of the wizingamot.

No one but him.

Amelia and Gideon were giddy with the news of their bonding. Edgar was deep in thought about what Lord Black and Aunt Muriel were talking about. Molly and Arthur were happy to be moving into a bigger house, debating which of the properties could be better for them.

He told himself wasn’t disgusted with them and their selfishness, but he was in fact.

He sighed. The grown up world was a fucked up one, and Fabian had years to prepare for it.

What could Severus do? A 12 years old left on his own…

An owl flied toward lord Bones and held his leg for him. Who could it be from, he wondered.

Edgar read the note and paled. “Fleamont Potter applied for the seats now”

Chapter Text

At the crack of dawn! 

Ridiculous!

Albus swore madly as he grabbed his clothes. What those idiots at ministry thinking? Yes, Grindelwald had escaped and they were shaking in their boots – not that Albus himself wasn’t anxious- but they didn’t need this mess!

Suddenly the custody session was moved to 6 am, Potter senior applied for the empty seat without even telling him first, and Albus wasn’t certain that Malfoy wouldn’t get the custody after all.

There was a reason Fleamont’s father – or grandfather, he could be sure- was removed. Albus was a child then, but he vaguely remembered something big happened.

Oh merlin, if potter didn’t get the seat…

And if he did get the seat…

Both of them were disastrous. If he did get the seats, he didn’t have the mind for it, and he didn’t even raised James like a politician to fall back on it. The light side of wizingamot was already full, and he doubted the neutral side wanted Potter, let alone the dark side. Albus suspected Orion Black had suggested it to Fleamont, in the hopes he would lose and it would guarantee Heir Prince to fall into Malfoy’s clutches.

Why all his supporters shared one brain cell?

How he could prevent the boy from allying himself with either Gellert or Tom?

“where are these blasted socks!”

Why Minerva saw fit to do away with his beloved colorful socks whenever she was angry with him? She changed them all to black, or got rid of them or whatever else. Yes he was handling the Prince situation badly, but couldn’t she see it was not only the child, but also the threat of a civil war or this era defining child prodigy become a follower of the last, or the new dark lord?

 He had forgone the socks.

And now sitting in his uncomfortable seat on the head, listening to Fleamont prattle on and on, his feet cold and freezing, he thought about those sad looking black socks and if they were preferable to this sorry state.

“and I believe I can be a better choice in serving the wizingamot..”

 “oh shut it Monty” a firm feminine voice said.

Walking into the circular room, Muriel Prewatt rolled her eyes.

Albus was amused in spite of himself. He really wanted to say that to fleamont like half an hour ago.

“lady Prewatt” he inclined his head.

“don’t you botter with pleasnatries Albus. You know I am here for business and not the sucking up job Monty here is busy with”

Fleamont stuttered.

 Albus eye’s twinkled. Could it be what he hoped for? A solution for the matter at hand?

Could she be here to support his cause?

“stop twinkiling Al, I am old enough to have changed your nappies and it is not polite”

Had Albus been a lesser man he would have been red in the face.

“why I can almost remember that one time you were running stark naked around godric hollow because you didn’t wanted to wear black pants”

Now he was indeed red in the face. 

Fortunately she was satisfied with what she had done to his ego and had her way with Fleamont.

“Abry dear”

Abry? Abraxas?

“ do you really think you are suitable at all for raising a child? Lucius was a sweet spoilt little bean when he was a kid, and now you have tunred him into a spoilt little shit, I wonder how you managed to rid him of his sweetness?”

Albus shuddered. Abraxas was not famous for his kindness or gentle ways. He could guess it involved a fair bit of toughening him.

Meaning beating it out of the boy.

“Lady Prewatt if you please” he tried getting it back under control.

“oh get off your high horse. You lot should be ashamed of yourself. You have turned a simple custody matter into a full on battle while you should have ended it in the first session. You could have simply asked the boy you know? Or you could have trusted his care to his allies, both of them have raised kids and are good people. For crying out loud you are sitting here listening to Fleamont going on about him being suitable for one of the seats!”

Yes he could agree on that. All of them – or those who were blessed with a working brain- know of the scandle it would create. Fleamont didn’t know the first thing about politics, his son was not better, and he would actually weaken the light side if he would have been accepted.

“Lady Prewatt, as you had not been included in these hearings from the first you wouldn’t know..”

Someone started.

“ for once I was busy and for the second it does not matter if I have been included or not for me to see you are playing with a child’d life in order to get favors from the light side” 

And she pointed her accusing finger to him.

“or the dark side” and she pointed it to Abraxas.

“a bunch of kids you are, quacking into your boots because Grindlwald had escaped.”

Silence fell on the chamber.

“yes I know you know and all that. You do realize I have lost all my family in the war with him? That I was the last of the Prewatts , the last of 14 people , the last of my 5 siblings? You do realize I raised my 10 years old brother and then when he passed away his children? 

And you are the ones frightened from that old rusty dark lord?”

“besides what have I ever done to show you I am a lady? Cease with this lady this lady that.”

Feisty she was. His lips twitched, indeed she was not a lady. He had the delight of watching Muriel cursing Nott senior bollocks – along with his family jewels- and onto his forhead. He had put that memory into his pensive to watch it on his bad days, it never ceased to bring a smile on his face.

“Muriel, I know that, but even with all you said, even if we come to agreement to install Severus Prince in the seats, it doesn’t solve the dispute. The matter of his gurdainship still stands”

She puffed her chest.

“and what am I Al? chopped liver?”

A muggle pun?

“dear Muriel, you know better than me that is not possible..”

She waved her hand. Then she changed her stance, somehow standing taller.

“may I present you and the Wizingamot Lord Fabian Prewatt and his heir William weasly-Prewatt?”

And Fabian entered as she motioned for him.

Things were getting interesting.

“and may I present you my claim for getting the guardianship of Severus Prince?”

Oh anytime now. Anytime now.

Severus had the backing of the neutral families, because they were the lesser part of wizingamot. The light side he had fully on his side.

But the dark side?

“Lord Arcturus Black, backing up one Muriel Prewatt claim to Severus Prince and for a seat in the neutral side of the wizingamot?”

Albus watched as the ripple started with Muriel hurried enterance into the chamber, then declaring her relincishment of the seat only for Fabian to take up mantle reach to a peak.

The bit about getting the young mister Weasley to play the heir was a clever move.

Orion tunred so sharply he feared for his neck.

“father”

Arcturus stared right back at him.

“son”

It was a battle between Blacks. 

There was a conversation going on that no-one was pivy to it.

The air was thick with silence and anticipation. Orion squered his jaw, Arcturus raised a brew.

Albus knew for certain that Muriel had won it even before the session came to a decision.

Chapter Text

Samuel’s days didn’t get more interesting since he escaped Nurman-gaurd. He was supposed to be Grindelwald’s apprentice, but he soon found out he was in name only. They had done nothing but staying low and undetected. His master had not done anything note worthy but ordering him around to brew potions and get supplies.

Somehow he had thought it would go much more smooth, and it had not. He still had not gotten revenge for his sweet baby brother, both Black brothers were thriving and Andromeda and Edward Black- how the brat convinced Arcturus to accept a mudblood and let him take the name of Black was beyond him- lived happily ever after.

Furthermore, he had been thrown out of Wizingamot, with strong suggestions for the now orphaned boy to take up mantle instead.

Overnight, Severus nobody Snape became heir Severus Prince, with a seat on the neutral side of Wizingamot. Half of the families – purebloods- were on his side. 

He had seen the morning paper in Gellert’s hands. The only thing he understood was a brief note on the brat.

How he hated German.

How he hated that he had to rely on his master to get any news at all.

Where had he gone wrong? Should he tried being the brat’s friend?

What was the point now?

And less said about his nutcase of a master the better. He sent him in search of a bloody bird for a whole day!

And now he was arguing with said bird.

-sometimes he thought anyone with powerful magic will lose half their marbles. Really, Dumbledore and his awful choice of wardrobe, Voldemort and changing an already changed and unbalanced Blood ritual, and the great Grindelwald spending a week alone with a bird. Yes it was a phoenix, but the stupid thing was STILL A BIRD!

Oh here it comes.

“he needed it”

Then silence.

Grindelwald could still use wandless magic far beyond anything Smauel had seen Voldemort or Dumbledore were able to, but he spent hours talking to himself, or the bird.

And there was nothing in this merlin forsaken hole to keep him entertained. 

So he eavesdropped. Shamelessly.

“ let me enlighten you, what do you think would happen if he had gone to Malfoys? Yes , it is possible that young Lucius would see him as a younger brother, and he would have escaped with him and his fiancé because he wouldn’t have wanted him to die at the hands of Voldemort or Abraxas, but to what end?”

Then something breaks.

“of course my sight is not infallible! But it would have happened. How about another one? If he had gone to Dumbledore? He would have spilled the beans about his memories, and he would have been turned into a new boy-who-lived.”

And shouts.

“I bloody well know he would have been happier in those situations! I know how he would struggle with the death of his sister, and loneliness. Yes he has allies, but they all have their problems. You could have saved his sister but to what point? The squib would have been nothing but a burden and he would have dropped out of school, hell the wizarding world!”

Then a whisper.

“we need him. It was always a three people plan. Doesn’t matter if he is now a child”

Samuel only understood half of what was said. What child? What child could it be that had a squib sister, was wanted by both light side and dark side?

And he shuddered. His master too seemed interested in the boy.

His master who had not told him he was a seer, nor that there was a plan, a three people plan he doubted he was a part of it.

Why it was always him?

He sighed.

Then looked at the unopened letter addressed to him.

By Ritta.

His Ritta who had not forgotten him.

Or had she? it came up with an unknown owl from the general owlery of Britain, and it was only the handwriting that told him it was from her.

Why now?

She had not contacted him after the break up. She had not contacted him when he got engaged to the rich spoilt daughter of Blacks.

Why now?

Should he tell his master he got a letter?

He caressed the letter lovingly, thinking of all his lost dreams. Of Blacks and rituals and killers on the loose. Of Snape and Regulus Black.

Of the strange ALLIES he made.

Who would have thought?

Blacks and Prewatts and weasleys and Bones and Longbottems. And he was only 12!

Somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered if it was better if he had extended a hand to the rising star of magical Britian.

He heard the door opening, and saw the bird flying away.

So his master wasn’t even going to inform him of what or how the bird was important? 

“Sylwan!” Gellert shouted.

“Coming master!” he said as he hid the letter inside the hem of his robe.

Gellert didn’t deserve to know. If he wanted to keep his secrets, why Samuel doesn’t ?

Ritta’s letter was his secret. And he would keep it as such.

“SOMETIMES THIS YEAR!”

He rolled his eyes.

Chapter Text

This is not an update.

Trigger warning. It may make you sad.

This is me just being sad. And echausted. And tired. And burn out.

Please dont hate me for using my more popular stories for this rant/confession/mental breakdown.

If you do hate me, rest assured there are

Enough people whoalready hate me. 

I usually write when I am not feeling good. Words have been a way for me to let go.

Recently, it doesnt work.

I have not been good for so long I forgot how it feels.

I have been trying and failing to change my situation for a long time,done everything, begged who had a remote tiny chance of it and nobody gives a damn. This fan fic writting doesnt work at all. So what if I get comments? Kudos? I still fell pathetic because my best efforts isnt even on par with some of the worst romance trash full of tropes and stupid shit. 

I dont know what to do anymore.

I have no way to change, to run, to do anything but endure.

And its getting worse.

So its me, just asking real people to say somwthing, anything that makes me feel better.

Selfish, yes. But I couldnt think of anything else but talking to chatbot AI s that gave me stupid answers.

I wish things were better. That anyone Iwent to gave a damn, but I am just like Severus at the night of the werewolf attack in Dumbledore office, knowing nothing will change. Just like Mycroft when Sherlock pointed the gun at him, or Loki when He let go.

Maybe that is why I write about these hopless cases, trying to give them a life they could live happier. Have friends, supporters. 

Dont worry, its not a suicide letter , I wont do that. I know better, just had to look at what happened to Loki when he let go...

-thanos, torture, mind rape, worse and worse...-

I just wanted to say I am herr, I exist even if I dont know why, and dont know why my life is so shitty, and bad things happen to me.

A tired messed up nobody.