A/N: This is a collection of events from Snape's fifth year at Hogwarts through when he and Brianna go their separate ways after he takes the mark. It is intended as background on the relationship between him and Brianna in A Family of his Own. Spike pops in here and there, mostly over holidays, as Brianna's adoptive father and occasionally brings Drusilla along with him.
My head snapped to the side as my father gave me a final reminder to do well this year. "Be sure your grades are the highest in your house or don't come back. If I have to pay for you to learn useless wand waving, you had better be the best or you won't be returning next year."
"Yes, Father." I murmured, hesitating only a moment before hurrying to the fireplace. Hell in front of me and purgatory behind. Three more years and I would be free. Three more years of this misery. I kept my head down as I hurried out of the fireplace and into the restroom at the Leaky Cauldron. Seconds later I reemerged, all signs of injury gone. An instant later, I was battling the sea of Muggles as I walked to King's Cross. I hated being pushed around by the crowds. They were blind and stupid. Unwilling to see what was right in front of them.
A man trod on my foot and I tried to shoulder him aside only to get shoved into the side of the building. My head rapped against the brick hard enough to make my head swim. I glared at him, feeling magic gather around me, ready to make him pay. I stopped short. What was I doing, preparing to hurt someone that couldn't possibly defend themselves from me? What kind of monster was I becoming? The same kind I was leaving behind? I shoved the darkness away and hurried into the train station. I kept my eyes down as I rushed through the clatter to the semi-safety of platform nine and three quarters. It was early and the platform was deserted save for me.
I chose a compartment three quarters of the way to the back and away from the platform. My view consisted of a block wall and that suited me fine. My thoughts drifted to the new classes for this year. The books were not promising. I had already memorized the potions text, woefully below the standard I had hoped for, and Defense Against the Dark Arts was no better. I was in the middle of mentally reviewing the table of contents on Transfiguration when it hit me.
It sizzled like lightning along my skin. Hot and cold and dizzying. Agitated, I glanced around. People milled all along the platform, hugging, talking, laughing. No one else appeared affected. Shaking it off, I returned to my review only to be interrupted moments later when the door to my compartment slid open. A girl, obviously new, was looking at me with eyes the color of twilight. What a waste of magic to make her eyes that color. Dark hair tumbled wildly over her shoulders as she leaned into the compartment.
Her eyes narrowed and I watched her as intently as she watched me. Finally finding whatever it was she was searching for, she spoke in a pleasant voice with an American accent, "May I please join you?"
Obviously, she had not yet been schooled in the ways of avoiding Slytherins. "If you like."
She stowed her trunk and tried to pace the small area. Realizing what she was doing, she reined herself in. When she looked at me, her expression was desperate. "I know you don't know me, and I know I'm not your problem, but I really need your help. Please?"
Puzzled, but curious, I was willing to entertain her, "With what do you require assistance?"
"There were four boys hassling me on the platform. I can beat the hell out of them, but my dad and I just moved here from America and he'll be right pissed if I get expelled from school before the train even leaves. I know it's not your problem, but could you find it in your heart to pose as my boyfriend for just a little while? Please? It would only be for a few weeks until I can establish myself as a good student and not a troublemaker." Her eyes pleaded with me. "I can make it worth your while."
I took my time studying her from head to foot. She was lovely, no question, and she seemed sincere. I had not had any female company outside Lily, and our free time together had decreased in proportion with the increase of our class load. Perhaps spending time with a pretty girl would make her see me in a different light? Perhaps this girl would prove to be a friend. Or at least an interesting experiment. However, I required her motives before I could agree or disagree. "Why me?"
The girl did some studying of her own, "How much truth do you want?" She must have picked up on my confusion because she elaborated, "Most people are uncomfortable with too much honesty."
I was not one of them. "The entire truth, if you please."
"I felt something in you calling to me from the platform and I get the feeling we could both use a friend."
"That was you?"
"Yes. I was looking for you when those boys tried to stop me."
Those were acceptable reasons. Slowly, I nodded. Her smile took my breath away and for just an instant, I forgot I was intending to use her to make Lily jealous.
She sat down between me and the window and held out her hand, "My name is Brianna Berkley, and I'm very pleased to meet you."
I accepted her hand and shook it, "Severus Snape, and that remains to be seen." I did not release her hand, as was polite, but instead brought it to my lips and brushed them across the back of her fingers. What on earth am I doing? She will surely leave now, and probably with a slap across my face for good measure. To my absolute shock she giggled and blushed, but took hold of my hand when I released hers.
"So, Severus, I moved to London in mid-June. Did we meet there or do we need to think of something else?"
I looked into her eyes, probing, and got a sense of where her house was, "We met in the park near Spinner's End. During one of your late afternoon strolls."
"You're very good at that, but please don't make a habit of looking without permission until we get to know each other better."
I had nearly perfected Legilimency and only the most experienced Occlumens ever felt my looking. "You've studied Occlumency and Legilimency? And you would allow someone to look without express permission each time?"
"My friends and I learned it in an off hours study group. As for allowing someone in without permission, if I can trust you, why would it be a problem?" She smiled before continuing, "So, we met in the park and started talking. You swept me off my feet with your romantic ways and we've spent every free moment since then together, yeah?"
She was one of a kind. Unique in her ability to look at me and make me feel as if I was at the center of her universe. It was exhilarating and unnerving and more than a little strange. I hesitantly turned over my hand and laced my fingers through hers before speaking, "That is correct. What is your favorite subject in school?"
She firmly entwined our fingers and smiled. Her hand was rough, calloused, stronger than I expected. What must she do to have such strong hands? "Potions, but I have a lot of trouble with the more advanced recipes. I'm missing something, and I haven't quite been able to figure out what it is."
I allowed a small smile, "I can help you, if you like. I am going to be the greatest Potions Master in England."
A smile flashed across her face, "Perfect. So, since we are both skilled in Legilimency, may I suggest we use that to share some memories to make our cover story more believable?"
I had no wish to share any of my memories with anyone. It was bad enough they were in my own head. She spoke gently, "How about if I give you some of mine and you can tell me some of yours? Would that be easier for you?"
I was again surprised at this girl's kindness, understanding, and trust. "Do you often let strangers poke about in your mind?" I sneered, unwilling to let my guard completely down.
"No, I've actually never done something like this with anyone before, but I know I can trust you." she replied.
I had no answer that would not infuriate her. If she wanted to be a trusting fool, it was on her head. I focused on her eyes and cast the spell. A very young Brianna was sitting on the lap of a man with frightfully blond hair whilst he read to her. His finger followed the words as he said them aloud and she followed along carefully. Next, she was dragging the same man towards a playground late at night and begging him to push her on the swings. Obviously, this was her father. A series of images of her and the man pouring over textbooks on various subjects. Home schooling. Interesting. Then her father was teaching her how to fight – it was a mixture of styles and it looked more like street brawling than anything else. Next came fighting with weapons – swords, axes, crossbows, anything that was handy and could be used in a pinch. There was a glimpse of a woman in white but it was gone before I could focus properly. There was a flash of her chopping the head off of . . . something while her father stood by and watched that was quickly pushed away.
I filed that away for later questioning. A kindly looking witch explaining to her about magic and inviting her to go to a school that would teach her how to use it. She wasn't as surprised as one would think and seemed to have a bit of knowledge about it. Flashes of time spent at the school studying and practicing. Quite a few of them appeared to involve rule breaking if the skulking about was any indication. Then, she was in another dimly lit living room with her father talking animatedly. They were packing up the living room late into the night while listening to some screaming band in the background. A boat trip across the ocean and arriving in England late at night. Unpacking at her new home. Her father showing her around London, again at night.
Did they ever do anything during the day? A visit from Professor Slughorn explaining how to get to Diagon Alley and giving her the annual letter and train ticket. Waving good-bye to her father, who was standing in the shadows. Walking onto the platform then stumbling as she sensed me. The way she interpreted it was amazing. This girl thought of me as the shadow to her sunshine. She was everything warm and bright while I was everything cold and dark, her perfect balance. Interesting.
Those idiot Gryffindors seeing her distraction and immediately walking up to her. Potter cast a tripping curse so she would fall into Black, who caught her. Her irritation with such a stupid pick up. Them surrounding her, talking to her, and trying to keep her with them. Their hands on her arms as she tried to walk away. Her anger at being detained and the slip that knocked them all back a step before she stomped onto the train. Her delight with finding me, the one who had called out to her.
Brianna gently broke the link between us. I blinked to clear my vision and her face was only inches away from mine. She gave me another smile. "So what do you think, Severus? Would you ever date a girl like me?"
"Well, that part with you slicing something's head off is a bit alarming, but otherwise you seem an acceptable choice."
She shrugged, "Do you mind if I don't tell you about that until we know each other better?"
Burning with curiosity, I debated demanding answers now. However, I knew I would get more if she gave it willingly. I nodded my agreement. We settled back against the seat as I considered what to tell her, what to withhold until later, should it be necessary, and what would never be spoken.
Before I could begin, the compartment door banged open. Black and Potter stepped in, oozing arrogance and stupidity as usual. The three of us drew wands and regarded each other warily. Brianna shifted subtly in response to the newcomers, but held her peace.
"What's this? Little Snivelly all alone?" sneered Black. The idiots did not notice her sitting on the far side of me. The compartment was not so large that they could not see her from where they were standing. Blind and stupid.
"Why don't you go find another compartment, Snivelly?" Potter growled, trying to look intimidating. As usual, he succeeded only in looking like a spoiled brat.
"We should help him out into the hall, shouldn't we? It's only polite." their pet Pettigrew whined.
I debated my options, preferring to avoid a fight in front of Brianna, especially in a small compartment against all four of them. She shifted forward so she could see them. The look in her eyes said she found no issue with getting into a fight at all. She banked it before speaking. It was obvious she was trying to sound bored and indifferent as she asked, "Friends of yours?"
It was also obvious that was not how she really felt. Black spoke first, "I'm Sirius Black, this is James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and that is Remus Lupin."
Her eyes narrowed, "Lovely." Her voice said it was anything but. Her hand tensed and relaxed in mine.
"Are you new here? You shouldn't be hanging out with Snivelly, he's not a nice guy." Potter tried.
Black finally noticed her arm wrapped around mine. "Why are you touching him?"
Blind and stupid. She sneered, and the expression looked quite at home on her face. "I'm his girlfriend, you dolt." She then turned to me and demanded, "Are they truly as stupid as they appear at first glance?" Was she trying to start a fight? If this was her plan to stay out of trouble, nothing I could do was going to help her.
All four of them tried to splutter something but Brianna spoke over them, "Shouldn't you go find a compartment? The train should be leaving soon." As the Fates would have it, the moment she said something, the train lurched into motion.
Finally, Potter found his voice, "We like this compartment just fine. You two should get moving."
I glared at them, "We were here first. Go away."
"I think we'll stay with your girlfriend, and you'll find another place to sit." he replied cockily, moving to bodily remove me from the compartment. He dragged me from the bench, fingers digging into my arms. Before I could react, Brianna was up off her seat and had punched him solidly in the kidney. He stumbled back into his friends and Sirius, probably thinking it was I that hurt his precious friend, dove for me. I ducked and leveled my wand at him, silently incanting a full body bind. Someone in the hall yelped as Black fell back and hit the hall wall. She turned to Pettigrew and Lupin, "You too?"
Pettigrew cowered and Lupin raised his hands in surrender, "I'm not looking for a fight. I just want a place to sit for the trip."
Incensed and mortified, I hissed at her, "I don't need your help! I can take care of myself."
Brianna turned wounded eyes on me before returning to the idiot Gryffindors. She studied them intently then waved at the scenery passing by the window, "I suppose this means all of the compartments are now full?"
Potter replied sullenly, "Undoubtedly."
She sighed deeply. "You may sit here, unmolested, only if you behave yourselves. I know plenty of ways to hurt you that won't leave any evidence. Don't try my patience. One uncivil word and you will spend the rest of the trip thinking you're six year old girls." Sirius looked ready to argue, Brianna continued in an airy voice, "And I'll let anyone that wishes braid your hair while I do your make up." Her voice dropped again, "There will be pictures. Lots of pictures in lots of places."
The four boys returned her intent look before gingerly taking seats in the compartment. After all, they respected nothing as much as creativity in retribution. Brianna returned to her seat next to me with a searching look. I glared and she understood she was in trouble for not allowing me to defend myself properly. She sighed and leaned her head against the glass. Perhaps this was not such a good idea after all. I did not need more trouble than I already had and I was not convinced whatever she had meant when she said she could make it worthwhile would be payment enough.
After nearly an hour of silence between us broken only by her occasional soft, but heartfelt sigh, I relented enough to wrap her arm around mine. I knew I was being manipulated, but the sound was more irritating that what had happened earlier. She did not gloat in the victory, she just ceased sighing. It was enough. I glared at the others but they were talking softly among themselves and did not notice. They appeared to be having some kind of whispered argument before Lupin sighed and looked nervously at Brianna from his seat on my other side.
"Excuse me?" he inquired softly.
After a moment of silence, Brianna looked around the compartment and found everyone's eyes on her. "Yes?"
"We never did get introduced properly, what's your name?"
"Brianna." Her expression made it clear she was answering only because politeness dictated she do so.
"Brianna, we were wondering if you could tell us where you learned to hit like that?"
Not enjoying this particular line of conversation, I remained still and listened as she lifted a brow at them, "Why would you want to know that?"
"We've never seen a girl that can fight."
She bristled. "My dad taught me." All four wore idiotic expressions of curiosity. "My birth parents were murdered by a gang when I was five and the man that saved me adopted me. He taught me how to fight so that I would not have to rely on accidental magic to protect myself if it ever happened again."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize . . ." whispered Lupin, while the other three stayed quiet.
"Of course you didn't. It happened a long time ago and I don't really remember them. I have a father that loves me and has taught me to look out for myself. Don't worry about it."
She looked at me, contrition clear in her expression. I hardened my heart to whatever she was about to say. Her hair tickled my cheek as she leaned close and whispered so no one else could hear, "I'm sorry, Severus. I saw him go for you and reacted on instinct. I did not mean to embarrass you."
I relented enough to reply, "I understand, Brianna, but have faith that I can give as good as I get."
She leaned her head on my shoulder, "Just as long as you know why I did it and that I only wanted to keep you safe." I sighed and gave into the ridiculous urge to press my cheek against her hair. It was like warm silk and smelled faintly of rosemary and lemon. We continued to whisper for the rest of the trip.
When the train finally came to a stop, I was disappointed the Gryffindors did not provide me the opportunity to hex the daylights out of them. Hagrid walked over almost as soon as we touched the platform. "You must be Brianna. I'm Hagrid, keeper of keys and grounds. Headmaster Dumbledore said you can choose between riding in the boats with me and the first years, or in the carriages with the rest."
Brianna studied him, "I heard the view of the castle from the lake is beautiful. If I go in the boats, can I ride with you?"
Hagrid laughed and led her toward with the first years. She glanced back at me and mouthed, "I'll see you soon."
A tiny twitch of the corners of my mouth were the only response she needed. I headed for the carriages as Mulciber appeared at my side, "Who is your new friend?"
Deciding to begin as I intended to go on, I spoke, "Brianna. We began seeing each other over the summer."
"My, my, Severus. You certainly found a pretty one. A bit generous for my tastes, but pretty. Where did you meet?"
We climbed into a carriage, "She lives in my neighborhood."
"And you managed to stay away from your potions kit long enough to woo her? I'm impressed."
"You are easily impressed." I boarded the carriage and allowed him, Avery, and Regulus to talk about their summer holidays as we made our way to the castle.