My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark.
by TimeAndLife21
Hey young blood
Doesn't it feel
Like our time is running out
I'm gonna change you, like a remix
And I'll raise you, like a Phoenix
Wearing our vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you, like a remix
then I'll raise you like the Phoenix.
-Fall Out Boy 'The Pheonix'
It was painful. Losing the long friendship that he had with Lily after the incident at the lake. He was painfully aware of the fact that she was hurt at the fact that she was called that nasty word. It was sudden that some of his Slytherin Housemates (mostly Avery and Mulciber) praised him for finally getting rid of the 'trash' that he hung out with.
Yet…he knew that this was something that would haunt him forever. The humiliation. The indignity, the pain, the injustice…the list goes on.
He gave up on Lily two weeks later as it was clear that she wanted no part of friendship ever again. He was on his bed alone, with legs crossed, in an intense thinking position. What had caused him to become so…bitter towards Lily? Was it the fact that he wanted to study with the dark arts and use it's power to protect himself? Of the fact that he noticed that Lily was with James Potter's crew most of the time? He couldn't help but agree to both.
His mother taught him better than that. Even though poor as his family was, his mother would've been ashamed at the fact that he called a girl, no matter her status, a 'mudblood'.
He would be in this state for every night since the 'incident.'. He wouldn't be with the rest of the Slytherins, but he would be studying and avoiding the Marauders as much as he could. He got the results back from his Owls. All O's as expected. High marks in Potions and Defense against the Dark Arts.
Of course…Lucius Malfoy had heard of this and sent Severus a card of congratulations. Severus wasn't interested. Ever since the 'Incident', he had noticed things. Things that when he is calm and rational and observing, he could see it in the Slytherin comment room. And it opened his eyes up for a clearer view.
Slytherin was always known for cunning and ambition. But Slytherin was also known for it's powerhouses of Hierarchies. This with the more well-known names have to quite literally duel for supremacy. The first years don't have to do it, due to their 'freshie' status. But Second years and upward is a battle.
Malfoy before he graduated was 'King' of Slytherin. While another well known name, Narcissa Black, was 'Queen'. Both were in their seventh years. The word of King and Queen were law in the Slytherin house. Only the best and brightest of the Seventh Years would hold the positions until they graduate. This year was Chloe Wiess and Richard Flint.
They ruled over Slytherin this year and also made sure the years below them were not as rowdy as they were last year. This included Mulciber and Avery. When they heard about the fact that Mulciber and Avery using the Imperio curse on Mary McKinnon, away from the watchful eyes of the other houses, they came down hard on them.
Severus was spared such a fate. Avery and Mucliber may have political back up in their families, but even they knew that if they were found out by the Headmaster they would be expelled. Their parents would be furious.
Those with power in the Slytherin house could use it for better…or for worse.
Manipulations were also common. Each Slytherin would have dirt on the other and backstab the other if they were given a chance. But keeping the information on one another over their heads gives them a clear shot of what to do and what not to do.
It was the second to the last day of Hogwarts when Severus realized what exactly was going on in Slytherin. The rumors of a Dark Lord who promised to be the Salvation of Purebloods. At first, Severus was enamored with the idea of power and wanting to be part of the attention that the Dark Lord has. The Dark Lord Voldemort. But he realized that something was off.
Voldemort had only appeared a few years back. Maybe a before he even came to Hogwarts. What struck Severus the most…was that he didn't really have a background on him. Everyone has backgrounds. Even Grindelwald has a background. But Voldemort…where did he come from?
The rumors in Slytherin was that Voldemort was Salazar Slytherin's descendent. If that was true, why would his name be 'Voldemort'? The manipulations were clear…and Severus could feel that a storm is brewing.
He would have to ask his mother when he got home. He finished packing most of his things away. Hopefully she would have some answers.
At King's Cross station, Severus would have to congratulate himself for avoiding the Marauders. Hell, he was glad to be away from them at all. He did send a late owl to his mother that he wouldn't be coming home with Lily. He hoped that Tobias wasn't home when she got the owl.
From the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of red go by and running up to a group of people. The Evens family. He saw Lily smiling at her parents and sister. He wanted to go over there and say hello…but he stopped himself. Lily broke off her ties to him. And Lord knows he deserves it.
He sighed as he leaned on the wall and close this eyes. He was too tired to deal with everything now. The rumors of Voldemort, the Ministries dirty politics and propaganda, some deaths of muggle families…it was getting too much.
"Severus?" He heard a quiet voice.
He opened his eyes and saw his mother. He sat up and gave her a small smile. If there was one thing that he would always look forward to, was coming home to his mother. It made him feel that no matter what happened at school, his mother would be there for him.
"Hello, mother." He said softly as he looked her over.
She was wearing a dark purple sundress. It was one of the few nice things that she would wear outside of the house. She had on a light grey jacket over the dress. Her thick black hair was pulled back into a bun, but it was limply falling over. He thought his mother was pretty. Her face was sallow, but he could remember from very early days before Tobias went into drinking that she lost quite a bit of weight, and she looked almost skeletal in appearance. He then noticed that she had a split lip and a bruise on the side of her face. It was covered with foundation and make-up be nothing got past him.
He could feel something. Not pity… but anger…rising up in him.
"He did it again…didn't he?" He gritted his teeth.
"Severus…please not here…" She said sternly as her black eyes looked back and forth.
"Come along. We must return home. Your…father will be home soon." She said as she hurried him along.
He followed her loyally before looking back at the Evens family. He wished he had a family like Lily's. But no. But at least he has his mother. He turned back and quickly caught up with her. As they walked out of King's Cross Station, Eileen hurriedly ushered him to the dark blue truck that she drove. It was a gift from Tobias when he won the lotto a few years back. Saying that since his wife needed a vehicle to do shopping and the like, he gave her that truck. It was the last nice thing he ever did for Eileen before he gambled the money away.
He noticed his mother placing a wandless feather-light charm on his trunk so that he could hoist it up into the back of the truck. He knew his mother's wand was tucked away in the attic. If she could get away with it, she would use wandless magic. She made sure to never use it in Tobias' presence. Ever.
He went to the passenger side of the truck and got inside, he buckled himself in before his mother came in and closed the driver's side door as well. She started the car and backed out of the parking space. They were on their way back to Cokeworth. Back…to Spinner's End.
The ride back was silent. Nothing but the sounds of passing cars and the tires running over the road. Severus stared out of the window to the passing background. He was thinking about telling his mother about what happened this year, yet, he didn't want to. He didn't want to burden his mother with his problems. She already had enough problems trying to keep out of trouble with Tobias. But he really needed her help. If Tobias wasn't home tonight, he would ask her.
Luck was very much on Severus' side tonight. Turned out that Tobias left a note on the table saying that he would be gone for a week, being with a few mates to go to a few games in Oxford. He would practically see the relief on Eileen's face that Tobias wasn't coming home that week. He waited until dinner when Eileen made the both of them a sparse meal of a few slices of beef and a bit of apple salad.
This was one of those times when he could see the stress lift off of his mother's shoulders. She would relax and smiled when she thought Severus wasn't looking and she would use bits of wandless magic to make clean up easier. Severus didn't want to ruin the peace that befell his mother's mind. He bit his bottom lip and pushed back his hair behind his ear. Pushing his food around on his plate he was debating about what to talk to his mother about. The 'Incident' that led up to him ruining the Friendship with Lily? Or the fact that Slytherin had become a house of backstabbers and 'Death-Eaters in Training?' Both subjects were bad. But he had to bring them up. He wanted his mothers help. He hoped he would get it.
"Severus? What is wrong? Is something wrong with the food?" Eileen asked softly.
Eileen was always worried about him. She would always try to make sure he ate well enough to put a bit more weight on him. When Tobias wasn't looking she would give Severus some of her food to give him a fuller stomach. She would do anything for her son. Even starve for him. He needed information. And he hope that Eileen would have it.
"No…the food is fine. I just…have a problem." He said awkwardly. "Well a couple of problems…I was hoping you can help me figure them out."
Eileen was chewing thoughtfully on her piece of apple and looked at Severus with a stare.
"It's rather personal…and I don't know how to deal with it." He said as his face turned a blotchy red in embarrassment.
Gods, why was this embarrassing for him? He wanted to talk about his relationship with Lily breaking and he was afraid that his mother would dismiss him. He decided to take a quick drink of his water to clear his throat.
"Severus…are you having problems sexually?" His mother asked point blank.
Water got caught in his throat and he spat out the water; coughing in surprise.
"What?!" He shouted in absolute astonishment.
The only one time that his mother brought up the subject of sex, was a couple of years back. Yeah, she brought up the subject about being sexually active and using protection as well as information about the actual ACT OF SEX itself, she pretty much described it in detail so that he would understand what consequences would happen if he managed to get a girl pregnant. Not that anyone would sleep with him anyways, unless they were piss-drunk and desperate, in his mind. Otherwise, His mother would avoid that subject. Apparently that is not the case here.
"Mother — that is not — I never — why —" It was then that he was interrupted by a small series of chuckles.
He looked up rather and saw a rather small smile on her face and her eyes twinkled mischievously. He wasn't going to get mad at her when she was in a good mood. Very rarely was she ever in a good mood.
"Very funny, mother." He pouted playfully.
He liked seeing this side of his mother in the privacy of their home. Without Tobias here it was like a different presence took hold of the house. A lighter presence.
"I don't think I'm having problems in that department, mother. Not that I did anything, what's the point? But…I'm afraid it's no laughing matter." Severus wished that he could carry on this light mood.
Eileen then put on a worried look, before she opened her mouth a couple of times before speaking.
"What is it, son?" She asked.
He decided to bring up the fact that he broke his friendship with Lily. Maybe a perspective from him mother might help.
"I've done something wrong…" He looked down at his food and pushed it around.
He looked up and saw that his mother was very much paying attention to him.
"I called…You remember Lily Evens?" He asked.
"The girl a few streets away from here? The muggleborn witch?" Eileen asked curiously.
"Yes." He wiggled in his seat.
"What about her?" She asked.
"You know that she was my best friend?" He worked the words out of his mouth.
"You've told me this before." She said narrowing her eyes.
Just like him, she was impatient if he didn't get to the point.
"She didn't want to be friends anymore. Although the blame is on me. I've been…not myself." He said guiltily.
"What happened Severus? I'm listening." She said as she straightened up in her chair.
Severus couldn't stop the words tumbling out of his mouth. He told his mother everything there was to know what has been happening to him since he has been going to Hogwarts. Supposedly since he has been going to school, he didn't have to deal with Tobias' abuse. But the abuse continued in the form of James Potter and his gang. Then came along Avery and Mulciber. The propaganda that's been going on in Slytherin. The whispers and rumors of power, wealth, and fame. He was falling into a darker and frightening road until Potter and his gang pushed him too far. (He never did bring up the fact that Lupin was a werewolf, he didn't want his mother to have a cow about that) And when Lily stepped in to help him, his pride was bruised and he lashed out at her. Calling her a 'Mudblood' was his new low.
Through all the explanations, he noticed that his mother never spoke once. When he finally finished. he felt like something was lifted off of him. Some of the weight was still there, but he felt better. He looked up and he saw that his mother's face was stoney, but her eyes were holding many emotions. He couldn't describe them. She stood up and walked over to where he sat and she leaned over to hug him tightly. Something in him broke and all the emotions and security of his walls that he tried so hard to keep up fell. He hugged her back just as tightly and silently cried.
"My sweet boy, why haven't you told me about this?" Eileen said as she rubbed his back soothingly.
"I…I didn't want to burden you more…between Father's…habits, and you trying to keep the house…I couldn't bother you…" He said brokenly.
As Severus heaved a sigh, something in Eileen Artemis Prince Snape emerged. She thought that her son would be more safe in the Wizarding world from where she had come from. She remembered when Severus was much younger, he came home and told her that he had a friend. A little muggleborn witch who lived a few streets over away from Spinner's end. She was happy that he had a friend. But she made sure to hide this fact from her husband. He hated the very mention of the word, 'Magic'. She would always protect him when Tobias would come home, piss drunk, and fists swinging. She would do anything to protect her small child. Even brave the fists of rage that would rather be aimed at her, rather than her son.
But it seemed that Severus had an even harder time at Hogwarts. She could see the resignation on his face when he would come home for the summer hols. As if he was being transferred from one hell to another. She never really questioned it at first. She just thought that he was dreading coming home. Now she knew a bit better.
She has heard of the Potters when she was in Hogwarts. Charlus Potter was a decent man. A bit of an egoist, but decent. She was just 6 years below him in Hogwarts when she went there. To hear that it was his son who was bullying hers, was something that bothered her. She has also heard of the Black family. Very prestigious and just as powerful as her own family, The Princes. She did hear a rumor in Diagon Alley some years ago that a son of Orion Black (She and him were in the same year together, and they were close acquaintances.) was placed in Gryffindor.
She didn't understand why it was such a big deal. In the Prince family, her elder brother, Icarus Constantine Prince was in Ravenclaw as was her younger brother, Grigori Caius Prince. Generally The Princes have always been in Slytherin with an odd Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff here and there. Houses was never that big a deal as her Father had taught her that names are only names in the Wizarding world. It's what you do in life with those names attached to you.
The fact of the matter had come to a head when her son told her about who Severus has been hanging out with and the rumors that had circulated in the Slytherin house. She knew that her son had the ambition and drive to become a great man. But she could also see that he could have went down a very dark road and he would have to claw his way out of the darkness that dragged him in. She never heard of a man or lord called 'Voldemort.' What sort of person calls themselves that? She pulled away and looked down at her son.
His nose was crooked from too many hits to the nose, from times when she would black out from Tobias' hits and she couldn't get up to stop him, his teeth were crooked and a bit yellowed, and he looked just as depressing as she does. But she does notice the handsomeness that broke through to her. He would be a handsome boy when he grew up. But for now, she has a son to take care of and she was damn willing to make sure he doesn't fall.
"I'm proud of you…that you haven't fallen into the propaganda that surrounds this, Voldemort, character. He seems to be bad news. I hope that you will cut of any and all associations with them, no matter how good those connections are." She explained to him.
He could only nod and Eileen had decided to send him up to bed.
"We'll talk more about this later. You have a lot to explain, Severus." She said as she pushed the hair away from his face and tucked it behind his ear.
Severus left, without a word, leaving Eileen in the kitchen. She was reeling back from what Severus has told her. And It bothered her that her son never really told her these things. Destructive Bullying, dabbling in the wrong crowds, friendships being broken, etc.
Was she really that bad of a mother?
She went into the living room, where she went over to the fireplace and took an urn off of it and opened up the top. She always had floor powder in stock for emergencies. She convinced Tobias' that it was the ashes of her great Aunt Philomena. At least her Slytherin cunning never left her when she married him. She took a very small handful of the powder in her right hand and was about to throw it into the fireplace when a thought went through her head.
"They wouldn't want to see you."
She paused as she felt tears sting her eyes.
"You left the family. They must've disowned you the moment you married that filthy muggle."
"You can do this on your own. You don't need their help."
"They probably have better things to do than help you and your half-blood son."
She shook her head fiercely. The despairing thoughts banished from her mind. There were possibilities… but only one of them could change her and her son's life forever. She wanted to make this count. What was the worse that can happen?
"Prince Manor!" She spoke clearly.
The flames turned green before it connected to another fireplace. She knelt down and waited patiently. Then she saw a young girl's face pop into the fire place. She had long wavy hair pinned back from her youthful face and dark eyes peered through. With floo calling, you couldn't see the other features as clearly through the fire.
"Hello? Who's calling?" The young girl asked politely.
Eileen felt her breath hitch for a moment before her mind caught up to her and spoke.
"Ah, this is…Eileen. Is Icarus or Grigori there?" She asked albeit quietly.
The young girl furrowed her brow for a moment before her face lit up.
"Oh! I'll get them. Eileen right?" she asked.
"Yes." Eileen said shortly.
"Okay. I'll be right back." the face left the fire as quickly as she came.
Eileen thanked the Mother of Magic that Tobias wasn't here. She didn't think she would ever be alone.
After a few minutes, two voices were coming into the floo. She felt her heart beat fast and she felt flushed. She hadn't talked with her two brothers in years. What if they resent her? What if they were to turn her away? She gathered up her courage and patiently waited.
Two faces then showed up in the flame. They were a bit muddled as the fire flickered dangerously, but she hoped that they would be able to come through.
"Eileen?" she heard the voice of her older brother.
"Hello, Icarus. Hello, Grigori." She said shakily.
Before they were able to get a word in, she continued.
"Would you please come through the floo, I hope to speak with you…in person." she said as she fiddled with her hands.
"How do we know you are really her?" She recognized the voice of her younger brother.
Eileen went into thought for a moment or two when she remembered something.
"My favorite game has always been gobstones. Every time you two would try to beat me, you would curse yourselves for not thinking even two steps ahead of me. Mother and Father would smack you if you even dared to curse in their presence. You would always get covered in the smelly goo that was sprayed on you." She smiled sadly at the memory.
"Icarus, you prefer going by your middle name, Constantine, rather than your given name, as you believed Icarus is a name of bad luck. Grigori, you fell out of the oak tree in the back yard when you were 7 because you believed that you were a transfigured bird and wanted to change back." Eileen said smiling brokenly.
"Well, I'll be damned." Icarus spoke through the fire.
"Move back a ways, sister. We'll come through." Grigori spoke.
Eileen nodded before getting up and backing away from the fireplace. As she did so, The flames grew bigger as two men came through and covered in ashes. Well, she doesn't use the floo often…and it's not easy to clean the fireplace the muggle way.
The first man, Icarus, or Constantine as he would most likely tell her to call him by, was tall and lean. His dirty blond hair was short, coifed, and messy. He was wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks with a tan trench coat. His face was handsome. He took after their mothers side of the family, as he has Grandfather David's rather square chin and a bit of stubble around his face. He had the Prince family eyes, black as obsidian.
The next man that came through wasn't wearing clothes similar to Constantine's, but was wearing wizarding robes trimmed with red and grey. He was a few inches shorter than Constantine but had more sharper features, and just as lean. His dark blond hair was longer than Constantine's and was pulled back in a ponytail. It was a fashion amongst men if they were to carry on a tradition of a nobel. His eyes were also black as obsidian, hiding behind rectangular glasses.
Eileen was surprised to even see her two brothers standing before her. She didn't even notice that few tears escaped her eyes as she looked at them.
"Well…it's been a while." Constantine smiled down at her.
"Very much so, Sister. Good god, where are we?" Grigori asked as he brushed the ashes off of himself, before looking around at the sparse but dirty living room.
"You are…in Spinner's End. A small muggle town." She said as she tentatively took a step forward.
"I…I could make you some tea if you want." She said softly.
"Eileen…" Constantine spoke making her look up.
Her eldest brother went up to her and hugged her tightly. The younger brother then moved and pushed his eldest out of the way to hug Eileen as well.
"We honestly thought you wanted nothing to do with us anymore." Grigori said as he hugged his sister.
Eileen gave a broken chuckle.
"I thought the same." She said as tears fell down her face.
"What matters is that you wanted us to come here. What say we catch up shall we?" Constantine asked smiling down at her.
Eileen was all too happy to comply. Maybe…maybe she could reconnect with her family sooner than expected.
Before she left her brothers to talk amongst themselves, she quietly walked upstairs to make sure she placed a soundless charm over her son's room. She wanted him to have a good night's rest. Then she moved on to go up to the attic and search for a very special box. As she did so, she did come across it. It was a thin wooden box with flip locks on it. She opened it up and she smiled down at the wand that she has had since she was a child.
Willow tree with Peruvian viper tooth dragon heartstring. 10 and one-third inches. Slightly bendy but very loyal. She took hold of it and sighed with relief as she felt the warmth of her wand course through her. She nodded sharply to herself and grabbed the wand holster and attached it to her left arm, placing her wand into it. She would have it on for this week.
After she went back downstairs, she could her her brother's conversing about her.
"I feel my ears burning." She said as she walked into the living room.
"Ah, forgive us, sister…" Grigori smiled awkwardly.
"We were just wondering…how you have been since well, 16 years ago. You did cut off ties with us." Constantine said leaning back into the worn couch.
That was Constantine, blunt to a point.
"I guess I thought that you never really approved about my marriage to…Tobias." She said haltingly.
Did she really want them to know about her situation? Did she want them to know that…she hadn't used magic for a long time after she married Tobias? Did she want them to know that he was an abusive drunk and would constantly belittle her and her son? Or the fact that she just not an hour ago that her son told her that he has been bullied and pushed to the brink of self destruction? She thought about it for a moment and decided then and there yes. She would have to tell them. They were family. It had been her pride that she had pushed them away for so long.
"Well, if you want to get technical, Eileen, we really didn't approve of him to begin with. You know…Father did say that if you wanted to come back…he'd welcome you with open arms. We're still waiting." Grigori said as he pushed his glasses up on his nose.
"Really?" She said as she took out her wand and non-verbally commanded the teapot and cups to make a very weak tea. But it was only proper of her to do so.
"Of course! Why should we turn away of our family members?" Constantine said as he rubbed his chin.
Eileen felt elated. She could return to her family? After all this time? Then she thought of her son.
"Would my…son come with me as well? Even if he's…a half-blood?" She asked.
Both men looked surprised and they even looked slightly insulted.
"He's a half blood? So's my children." Constantine smiled at her.
Eileen did a double take at her eldest brother. Constantine had children? When did that happen?
It turned out that Constantine and Grigori were both married.
Not long after Eileen left the Prince family, Constantine met a rather pretty Italian muggleborn woman, who is a curse-breaker and an artifact researcher. He met her at an Italian Wizarding club, and bought her a drink to chat her up. Turned out Diane, Constantine's now wife, was looking for a job as a curse-breaker after her education was finished at a wizarding college. Constantine offered her a job at Prince Inc. to work for them. A little while later and they hit it off quite nicely and she married him.
He has quite the lot of children. The first born son, Ulysses was the eldest at 19, and he had graduated from Beaubaxtons, and was now currently going to Halestrom's University to continue his magical education. The next child was Grace, who just turned 16 years old, and then three sets of twins after Grace. The first set was Perseus and Barnabas, ages 14. The second set was Sophia and Helen, ages 12. The third set was Zita and Titus, age 10.
Eileen was surprised that her eldest brother managed to have that many children. But Grigori brought up the fact that Constantine accidentally took an expired fertility potion that they ended up having the three sets of twins after Grace. At this, Eileen smacked her eldest brother in the arm… multiple times. Even she knew the repercussions of expired fertility potions. Multiple children were a result of that. Constantine claimed that he made it himself…five years before he even had the first set of twins.
Grigori married rather highly, as it was more of an arranged marriage. He married a middle class noble pure-blood from Germany. Elise was her name, and from what Constantine told Eileen, Elise was a spitfire and was rather outgoing despite her noble heritage, and practically Grigori's opposite to his calm and stoic demeanor. She could dish it out as fast as you can throw at her. Grigori mentioned that it took a few months to get used to her, but Eileen could tell from the fond look in his eyes that he loved his wife.
Grigori had only three children. The eldest is Kale, the same age as Ulysses, also graduated from Beaubaxtons and going to Halestrom's university with his cousin, the middle child is Hestia, who is 13, and the youngest is Jason who is 11. Luckily Grigori didn't take any expired fertility potions like his brother. He doubted that he could have handled twins.
Eileen felt happy for her brothers for having families, but she couldn't help but have a slight tinge of envy. If Tobias wouldn't have this…addiction, she would have had more children herself. But she was thankful to have Severus instead.
And as she thought of Severus, she had to interrupt her brother's small argument of whose wife was better (boys.) and they listened to what she had to say.
She was shaking quite a bit as she retold the tale of her son's woes and she also brought up, albeit hesitantly, about her years of marriage. How in the beginning it was just as any other marriage. She was happy with Tobias and him working in the industry and she who made potions on the side and selling them as a private business. It had been only 4 years into their marriage before she had become pregnant. It was all fine in the beginning. Tobias was excited about having a son to teach rugby to, or even a daughter to call his little princess. But not long after Severus was born, Tobias was laid off from his job. The company he had worked for had an accident in which he was involved in. He suffered an injury to his leg and lower back. He healed up in a muggle hospital, but was subjected to having to shell out a lot of money that they have saved up to buy a new house for their growing family. The company didn't even give him any re-embursment for his injuries so they let him go.
She could feel the tears come down her face as she told the tale of Tobais forbidding her of using magic not long after that. Especially when his drinking habits started up. They had to move here to Spinner's end because the house was cheap to pay for. Tobais managed to get a job at the mill, but spent most of the money that he earns to go to the bar and drink. She had to make sure she took out a few pounds out of the checks that he received and put it away for savings for just in case. Severus was only three years old when he performed accidental magic when Tobias flew into a drunken rage.
It would have been the first of many times that she had to throw herself in front of her child to protect him from Tobias' fists. There would be times when he would be sober and would be tolerable to be around, but she had to make sure that the beer would be hidden away so that Tobias' wouldn't drink into a stupor. She then brought up yet again that just recently he hit her because she couldn't get the house clean enough. All because she missed a few spots in the kitchen. It all tied together when her son told her of his bullies, the Slytherin House's blatant propaganda, the so called Lord Voldemort who seemed to be creeping his agenda into the school of Hogwarts, and her son's recent breaking of a friendship of the muggleborn witch a few streets over.
She looked down at the floor with tears running down her face, not wanting to see the pity in her brother's eyes. In essence, she didn't want them to see the failure that she was to her son and her name. She felt two pairs of strong arms hugging her tightly.
"Aw, Sis, why couldn't you tell us sooner?" Constantine said as he rubbed his cheek against the top of her head.
"Because…because I didn't think you'd care." She said as she finally broke down and sobbed.
"That's an asinine excuse, Eileen." Grigori stated. "You don't have to go through this anymore."
Eileen pulled away from her brothers and looked up at them with disbelief and a small light of hope.
"I don't?" She asked softly.
"Never again. We want you to do something." Constantine said as he and Grigori looked at each other and nodded simultaneously.
"We'll give your…husband…one more chance to stop his drinking. But if he lays his hands on you or your son in any way shape or form…" Constantine took on a more menacing look as he spoke.
"You have to divorce him and come back to the family." Grigori spoke finally as he pushed up his glasses.
Eileen was shocked. In all honestly, she was expecting her brother's to belittle her for not even using magic to fight back against her husband. But instead, they gave her a chance…no…it was not chance. It was more of a welcome that she and her son was more than welcome to come back to the Prince family. She was reminded of the story of the Prodigal Son.
"Would…Mother and Father mind if I came back?" She asked shyly.
"Are you kidding!?" Constantine smiled at her. "They would be glad to have you come home. And to see one of their grandchildren coming with you would be a great addition to the family."
"You have to realize Eileen, we've been waiting for you to come home all these years. We just didn't know where to find you or if you even cared to come home at all." Grigori said as he crossed his arms.
"But, there is another catch." Constantine said waving a finger at her.
"What catch?" She said suspiciously.
She was a Slytherin to the core. Generally catches are either blackmail, extortions, or favors. She wasn't sure what her brothers want, but it probably won't be anything too drastic.
"We want to come and visit you whenever we can." Constantine grinned.
Eileen's eyes went wide and as she looked down at the floor. They wanted to come here? In this miserable place? What if Tobias were here? He would thrash her if he found out that her side of the family was visiting…
"Eileen…" She heard Grigori speak up.
She looked up at the faces of her brothers and she felt like they were back in their younger years. Sure, they fought like siblings always do, but they were there for each other…she realized that she needed them again.
"I…I agree." She smiled slightly.
"But…" She spoke out loud before her brothers gave a shout of happiness.
"Don't do magic while my…husband is here. He won't the back until next week… so if you want to be able to do magic…" Eileen could see the grins on their faces.
"We have to catch up with each other. Unfortunately, It is late." Grigori said as he check his pocket watch.
"Yeah. I better get back before my children ruin the house. At least the smaller ones. Percy and Barney are hell raisers, Sophia and Helen are the sneakiest girls I've had, and Titus and Zita are trouble makers. At least Grace and Ulysses can reign them in to a point." Constantine sighed.
Grigori chuckled at his older brothers woes.
"At least I didn't take an expired fertility potion. I actually have normal children…" Grigori heckled.
"I should meet them. Your children, I mean." She smiled at her brothers jabs at each other.
They looked to her with smiles.
"They are your nieces and nephews, Eileen. We can bring them over if you want. A little at a time of course, for you to get used to a bit of chaos." Grigori placed a hand on Eileen's shoulder.
Eileen couldn't help but feel the tears go down her face. Her family is welcoming her back. And from what Constantine and Grigori had said, her parents were also waiting for her to go back to them. She would have to let Severus know of this. Hopefully he would understand why she is doing this. Now…if only she can convince Tobias to quit his drinking…
TAL21: Ah...another HP promt that I'm working on. *Bawls and cries that promts are the bane of my existance* KGE and BATBION is currently still under construction. Sorry. XD This story will basically be completely different from the books. In this story, Severus will be swallowing his pride to tell his mother of what has been happening to him since he has been going to Hogwarts. And Eileen will be getting her backbone back after all this time. I would liken Eileen to not be a broken down catatonic witch that only moves when she has to clean or fix something to eat. I hated seeing her broken down. So I decided that she would have a bit of defiance in her when It comes to Tobias. It's only a matter of time before she really fights back and leaves Spinner's End with her son. :D Yes she still loves him, but he is currently a shell of his old self and is too far into his drinking and gambling habits that it's impossible to get him back on track. We all know that for people to break a habit is to want to break it and recognize the habit. Tobias didn't want that. Eileen recognizes the problem, but when she tries to bring it up, she was either silenced verbally or physically.
This story focuses more on the Family aspect for Severus. He lost his friend due to a moment of pride being broken, and in this instance, his friendship with Lilly meant more to him than some offer of power and greatness that one wizard can give him. With that friendship gone, instead of getting angry and getting even, he let this incident hit him to his core and it brought him to a breaking point.
He can't turn to Dumbledore. Who at this time favors more his Gryffindors than the rest of the houses. Slytherin was deemed a lost cause. He believed that there was no redemption for the house itself, because in his mind, those who choose Slytherin, chooses the dark path. And Yes there will be a bit of Dumbledore Bashing. So Severus will be turning to his mother.
The Gryffs will also get their fair share of bashing. Lily and James most of all. As Much as I enjoy Lily in other SS/LE fan fictions, she will stick with James in this one. There's something about her actions that just rub me the wrong way. She's still a good person, but had really bad reasons to break a friendship over actions and pressure that Severus is under. Add in the fact that he was bullied by the Marauders, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Now, Sirius in this story will actually be a bit more spread out so to speak. He still hates Severus, but trust me when I say that this fic will be a bit of a family fic. The main point surrounds Severus, his mother, and his family, but also his actions affecting other characters. My OCs will also play a part in this as well. Sirius will be noticing something different with his Brother Regulus in the New term. And Trust me when I say that drama will ensue. But for now, that's not happening.
This is a new twist for Severus. I don't see very many fics that deal with his Mother's side of the family. Either they were killed in the books, or they died out as Blood hating purists. We don't know. I like my version. :) Severus will be meeting his cousins and uncles, and later on his grandparents. He will not be hunky-dory with this new semblance of family, but he will get used to it. And before you ask, yes, Severus will also be paired with an OC. Just not anytime soon. XD
I will also be addressing Lily's behavior and how she acts since she broke off the friendship with Severus. In the Deathly Hallows, there was no letter or even any diary entries of wondering if Severus was okay or not. To me, that is just wretched. A once best friend you decided to let go because he was in a different house? Geez talk about friendship. She will behaving a bit less tolerance for the Slytherins in the future. But something will be hitting her in the face soon enough.
This is my idea of a better life for Severus. He'll have a family, he'll have friends, and his life will not be surrounded by the darkness that has been tainting the Slytherin house. And in turn, some of the Slytherins will be able to see that the path that was laid out for them, so to speak, is not the only path. Choice…is everything.
Also, The reason why I'm using Fall Out Boy songs? The more I listen to them, the more I can pick out what works with this story and how it affects the characters. The Pheonix was for Severus' change in mind and heart. Instead of sticking to the dark path, he changes it. So he'll rise from the ashes a new person. :D I will be using other songs as well, just not too much Fall Out Boy. :)
Remember to leave awesome detailed reviews and opinions please and thank you! I love hearing from you guys! :D
Question Time!: What do you expect out of this fic? What are you looking forward to?
PS: Story recommendations: A Prince Rising by Syl, The Subtleties that make Mass Murderers out of Otherwise Decent Beings by hell0lust, Cast the Little Prince by Tsume Yuki, Tempus Vita by Lancun, Unexpected by Emara88, and Presque Toujours Pur by ShayaLonnie. I highly recommend these stories if you are looking for intricate plotlines and character developments. Trust me, you will not regret them. :)
KEEP ON READING AND WRITING! :D