AN: There were a lot of mistakes in the first few chapters so I've fixed them. I hope I got them all, but if I haven't please tell. Thank you guest reviewer for pointing out my story needed a bit of editing. Enjoy the story.
Warning : slight child abuse.
The wizarding world was very strange when one looked through the eyes of someone who had no idea it existed. If an eleven year old boy set foot into diagon alley no one would give him a second glance. But this boy could not keep his gaze still. He looked left and right and then up, everywhere he looked something new was to be found. Everything and everyone was in motion. Owls were flying in the air. Big metal pots and trunks floated behind children and their parents. The queerest of things could be seen in the shop windows. The boy and a tall man walked past one of these shops and when the boy peered inside he saw, and was slightly freaked out, weird eyeballs in a jar.
This little boy's name was Zephyr Snape and the tall man was his father, Severus Snape. Zephyr had received his invitation to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To Zephyr it felt as if that happened just yesterday when in fact it had happened almost two months ago.
Before that he had lived with his mother— no, Caroline, ignorant of the fact that he was a wizard. His father had asked him once if he ever made something happen, he had, multiple times. He'd asked Caroline about it, the first time it had happened, but she'd slapped him and told him to be silent.
The letter arrived on his eleventh birthday. Delivered by an long-eared owl. Caroline had yelled at him, when she saw his father, blaming him for inviting dad and had slapped him so hard his cheek had been red for days, right in front of his father! Dad intervened and apparently he didn't know that Zephyr was his son because he looked pretty shocked when Caroline told him. Caroline basically told him that since he was his child he could take care of him and after that they left, but not before Zephyr had packed a few belongings.
His dad took Zephyr to his own house where he spent almost two months learning all he could about magic and the wizarding world. He'd also been told about his father's job at hogwarts, how he was a professor in potions there, the headmaster sounded like a nice man so Zephyr asked lots about him. At first he was afraid to ask much, thinking he'd be struck if he did, but dad told him he would never do that and Zephyr decided to trust him.
Zephyr had gotten his his own room and promptly checked if a lock was on his door. When asked why he did that he said that his old room had one and that he'd be locked in if he was bad. A shocked expression had crossed his face and after that he'd crouched down to Zephyr's eye-level and told him point blank that nothing like that would ever happen in this house.
Over the two months they had gotten to know each other. His dad had also officially adopted him so from then on he was Zephyr Snape. On August the 19th he got his first experience of the wizarding world.
They walked further and then stopped in front of a tall, white, beautiful building. Dad informed him that this was Gringotts bank. Dad walked inside and Zephyr followed him. Inside were creatures with long crooked noses and pointed ears.
"What are those, dad?" He whispered as silently as he could, he didn't want to offend anyone.
"They are the goblins of Gringotts. Goblins have been in charge of galleons, knuts and sickles since this bank was first build," Father answered. "When you want to withdraw money you have to prove you are who you say you are. Usually this is done by presenting your wand, children are not allowed to withdraw money are be here alone, understood?" Zephyr nodded. "Sometimes a wand isn't enough," he continued explaining as they walked, Zephyr could easily see why his father was a teacher. "In those cases you either have to show your vault key or part with few drops of blood."
"Blood? Really?" He asked.
"Yes, but that seldom happens and no one will ever ask you give blood, if they do you run away or yell for help."
"Alright." Zephyr looked around, the building looked way bigger on the inside than on the outside and it was so white. They stopped in front of a goblin and waited.
"I would like see my vault." He drawled.
"Key?" Dad gave the key and the goblin gestured for them to follow. When Zephyr saw the carts he involuntarily let out an awed 'wow' and flinched back right after he did so. His first response after loud exclamations was to make himself smaller. His mom always threatened to hit him if he made unnecessary sounds. Usually she went through with the threat. The goblin stepped into one of the carts and he and his dad did as well. Zephyr held his breath when the cart moved and when it stopped again Zephyr gasped for air.
The trio stepped out of the cart and the goblin used the key to open the vault.
Dad walked into the vault and looked back to him. Zephyr stood outside the vault looking unsure but, after a look from his dad, stepped inside as well. He gazed around him. There was so much gold, or as they called it, galleons piled up but that wasn't the only thing present, there were lots of jewellery and old paintings and other shiny stuff.
"My mother left me this and when you're of age this will be yours," He explained "I wanted to bring you here so I could give you this." He held something up. When Zephyr looked closer he saw that that something was actually a black strip of fabric with fastenings at each end, in the middle sat a blue stone.
"This is an accessory that will protect in times of need. The opal strengthens the protective magic placed on it. Put it on and always keep it on." Dad stepped closer and fastened the fabric on him. It sat snug around his neck, leaving no space between fabric and skin. Zephyr touched the opal and felt the wave of magic coming from it.
"Why are you giving this to me?" He asked with a frown on his face.
"I do not think anything dangerous is going to happen, but one can't be certain, just think of it as an precaution." He responded. "Come, I've got our money so let's buy your supplies for school. "And with that they got out of the vault, into the cart and then back on diagon alley.
"Where do you first want to go? I suggest we get you books last."
"Wands. Uhm… where can you get a wand?" Zephyr asked.
"You'll have to go to Ollivander's. let's go."
They walked a bit back towards the leaky cauldron until Zephyr could see the sign that said 'Ollivander's, makers of fine wands'
Once inside he didn't see anyone, only loads and loads of small rectangular boxes. His dad called out 'hello!' And then heard ruckus from behind the store.
"Yes, hello, hello. I'm Ollivander, owner of Ollivander's wands. And you are?"
"My name is Zephyr Snape, sir."
"Here for you're first wand aren't you? Hogwarts?" He asked.
"Yes, sir." He nodded.
"Good, and professor Snape, how are you?" Mr. Ollivander was already picking out wands to try.
"I am well, Mr. Ollivander."
Mr. Ollivander placed two boxes of him and opened the first one, holding it out to him.
"Here. Try this one, ash wood with unicorn hair, seven inches, springy."
Zephyr reached out and took it in his hand. He looked up uncertain to Mr. Ollivander. "Give it a wave!" He said.
He did so and the chair behind the counter burst into flames.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen." He cried while Mr. Ollivander pulled out his own wand to put out the fire.
"No harm done, my boy. I remember when your father first came for his wand. The first wand he touched let loose a whirlwind of epic proportions."
His father chuckled, "I was so distraught, I cried like a baby." he grinned.
"Let's try the next one, english oak with phoenix feather, ten inches and stiff."
Before he could pick it up Mr. Ollivander snatched it away and put it in its box. He walked back to the back of the store while muttering "no, no, no. Not right at all."
He came back with three more boxes. He opened the first one and said, "Rowan wood with dragon heartstring, nine inches." He made a 'go on' gesture so Zephyr grabbed the wand and gave it a small flick, not wanting a repeat incident. Nothing happened.
"Hmm, maybe this one." With each wand Mr. Ollivander got more excited. He was practically bouncing on the spot. "This one is cedar wood with dragon heartstring, eleven inches and pliable."
Zephyr took it and and a wave of energy could be felt. He closed his eyes and it felt as if he would be burned from the inside out. When it was over he opened his eyes and looked at the happy face of Mr. Ollivander. "Did that mean that this is the wand?"
"Indeed it is, the wand chooses the wizard, young mister Snape and this wand has chosen you as its master. Treat it well and it will be as loyal as you are." With that parting word they paid and left.
As they stepped out on the street dad saw an old friend and called out.
"Lucius, I didn't know you would be here today." He greeted.
"Alas here I am," Lucius grinned, "Who's that?"
"My son." Dad answered.
"Your son, I didn't know you had a son." He stated, slightly shocked and confused.
"Yes, well, I didn't as well until a few months ago."
The man named Lucius was about to ask something else when a child's voice came from behind him "father!"
"Ah, Draco. Come say hello to uncle Severus and his son." He said instead.
A small, blond boy, Draco stood beside Lucius and looked at Zephyr.
"My name is Draco Malfoy, what's your name?"
"I'm Zephyr, Zephyr Snape." Zephyr responded.
Draco looked a lot like his father, just like Zephyr resembled his father. It was kind of funny. While the two children were chatting, the two fathers stepped away a bit and started conversing in low tones.
"Draco means dragon, right? I love dragons!" Zephyr said with a small smile.
"Yeah, it does. I really like dragons as well. Do you play quidditch?" He asked
"I don't, but I've heard of it," He answered. "What's it like, growing up with magic?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I didn't know I was a wizard until two months ago, so I'm curious."
"Well, it was normal, I suppose. I was, still am, surrounded by magic everyday so I'm used to it," Zephyr nodded. "But, how can you not know you're a wizard?"
"I just didn't, no one told me." He shrugged
"That's weird. Anyway, what kind of animal are you bringing to hogwarts? I'm bringing an owl. The fastest one we have."
"Well, we could choose between cats, toads and owls. Toads are useless and icky, cats are cute but they don't do anything as well, so that leaves owls."
"You really thought about it, huh? What House do you think you're going to be in? I'll be in Slytherin, every Malfoy in the family has been in Slytherin."
"Slytherin, I suppose. That or Ravenclaw."
"I hope you'll be in Slytherin, although Ravenclaw's not so bad, better than Hufflepuff or Merlin forbid! Gryffindor." Draco said with a shudder. " but I hope Slytherin 'cause then we can stay friends."
"Friends? You want to be friends? With me?" Zephyr asked, perplexed.
"Yeah, why not? Why? Do you not want to be?"
"Of course I do, I'm just shocked that you'd want to be friends with me." Zephyr said.
"Why?" He asked
"Well, it's just, you look like someone who's popular and could easily have millions of friends. Someone like you usually wouldn't want to be friends with me and I don't easily make friends."
"Then I'll be your first and best friend!" He stated with a big grin.
"Alright, then I'll be your best friend." Zephyr said with a small smile.
"Boys," Lucius interrupted, "shall we shop for the rest of the supplies together?"
The two new best friends answered at the same time "yeah!" "Alright."
"Zephyr, you still need an owl. Why don't you and Draco go to the Emporium and pick one. Here's enough galleons to buy one. I'll be getting your potions supplies. Stay at the emporium. We'll come find you."
Draco took Zephyr's hand and steered him towards the emporium. Zephyr heard his dad say "Be careful!" Before they were out of earshot.
please review and tell me if you liked it or not. Also posted on AO3 under the same name.