Prolog
The wizarding world had always considered the 'muggle way' the harder way. Severus Snape had been more than willing to accept that when he left the wizarding world after the war. He hadn't been required to or banished. No, it had been his choice. After his name had been cleared, the ministry of magic thought they had been doing him a favor by suggesting he return to his position as the Headmaster of Hogwarts. What Severus saw was the opportunity to return to a school where his colleagues hated him in a world that would never forgive him. Needless to say, he didn't want it. However, in an attempt to keep the last promise he had made to Dumbledore, he had taken up the position just long enough to make sure Hogwarts and its inhabitants were safe. Not that the ministry knew his reign at Hogwarts was temporary. How long he stayed was none of their business.
It had taken him only a year to make the reparations Hogwarts required. During that year he had kept as far out of everyone's way as he possibly could. This included ignoring Minerva's several attempts to beg for his forgiveness for treating him the way she had. And trying to kill him. And leading students to rebel against him. And bad mouthing him behind his back. She had been his friend before the Dark Lord had returned. After the fourth time she tried to kill him…Severus was disinclined to accept such an apology.
At the end of the year, Severus made Minerva Headmistress and took his leave. He wasn't about to leave magic behind altogether, of course. His magical abilities had saved his life far too many times for him to be able to take them for granted…but he could leave the wizarding world. He rented a flat in London and, after a few alterations on his resume, had been offered a job teaching at a muggle university. Some of his robes he left as they were, but others he altered to make them more…unmagical. When he was finished he had a new wardrobe filled with black pants, long sleeved button up black shirts, black shoes, and a long black trench coat. Thus, he became a new man (outwardly at least) and the muggle world became his escape. He kept in touch only with the Malfoys'. He still carried his wand with him, but he never used it unless it was an emergency…or if he felt like it.
He could be anyone he wanted here. No one looked at him in sympathy or in fury because of his past. He could be hated for what he was doing in the present, and that was just the way he liked it. What he hadn't yet realized was that someone, not to far from him, preferred the nonmagical way as well.