Never Good Enough
Written by Keline Jacquegai Chisp
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: Please read and review.
"Mother?" asked a sleek, greasy teenage boy.
"Yes, Severus?" replied a bruised, worn looking woman, whose eyes seemed devoid to any joy ever.
"I need to go and g-"
"Eileen." Came a drunk, slurred voice.
"Severus leave you father is h-" she seemed scared beyond measure as the drunken voice called " Where are you? I want supper, you l- l-lousy n-no god wench."
"But mother, I can…" he let his voice descend to nothing at his mother's pained eyes. They were screaming 'please go' in an eerie silence. He left through the back door but heard the yelling.
"Why must you come home like this when Se-" "That no lode of shit! He should be workin' at my shop, not studyin' for some, worthless school. He he co could make a life just fine like…" he seemed to have lost his train of thought, but Severus knew better he was taking another swig of whiskey.
"I don't want him to be like you! A nasty drunk that doesn't care about-""You watch your mouth women!" A hard slap was heard followed by a woman's cries of pain.
"Uh Professor Slughorn?" asked the black-haired student as he knocked on his Head of House's office door.
"Come in." called a rich voice whose speaker was obviously eating food, while speaking. "Aaah Severus what are you doing here at this late hour? You only have me Wednesday afternoon m'boy. And thanks for the apples with pine crystallized in them, it uh was an interesting addition to my potions specimens. I have never seen a potion that crystallized fruit." The potions master was eating chunks of crystallized pineapple.
"Professor, I couldn't, err… didn't have time to get to Diagon Alley. I have money with me and was wondering if you have an extra copy Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, I could purchase?" said the somewhat jittery Severus.
"Aaah m'boy I do but no need to purchase one just borrow one of the school's. Let me find a suitable copy." The large man of an ample waist crouched down and balanced himself before rummaging through a cupboard. "Here." He thrust a book towards the teenager. Severus snatched the offered book said a quick thank you and goodnight, before moving quickly through the door.
He went into a nearby empty classroom where a miniature cauldron sat boiling next to a supply of potions ingredients, the deep purple potion was releasing a blue steam and Severus immediately found the page containing instructions to brew the Draught of Living Death. He then started editing the instructions to his own ingredients and directions as he added sopophorous bean and the potion turned a very light lilac.