A/N I love Harry Potter, and I have had this idea floating around my head for a while, ever since I read the 7th book. So please enjoy, and no flames please!
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything you recognise.
Warning: Slash relationship mainly SB/RL
"I'm very sorry, Mister Snape, for what has happened."
The aged Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, looked over the top of his spectacles at the sallow faced, black-haired boy sitting in the chair in front of him, wrapped in a large green blanket. The boys onyx eyes were fixed on the gold paperweight on his desk, and he was barely breathing.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked quietly. The boy jerked and came out of his daze. He was still pale, but his face was no longer blank, and his eyes held a fire.
"What will happen to Black?" asked Severus, leaning forward and looking intently at the Headmaster. Dumbledore shifted uncomfortably under the gaze, then he looked at the boy.
"Nothing."
"What?!" Severus surged forward out of the chair, dropping the blanket. "He…he…he nearly killed me! And he is allowed to go without punishment! How…how can you just-"
"Sit down, Mr. Snape!" called Dumbledore sharply. Severus stopped and sank back into the chair, white faced and shaking with suppressed anger.
"As I have said, Mr. Black will not be punished, because we do not want to alert the rest of the school of Mr. Lupin's condition. Any word of this gets out, and I will have letters on my desk within an hour. And this includes you, Mr. Snape. You cannot tell anyone about Remus. Do I have your word?"
Severus was slowly getting paler as the speech went on. His hands were shaking and he was breathing spasmodically. But he slowly got up and walked to the door. Just as he reached the handle, he turned to Dumbledore and nodded sharply, once. Then he opened the door and let himself out.
"Oh, Fawkes," Dumbledore sighed and put his head in his hands, "what have I done?" The phoenix trilled and looked sadly at the door.
………………………………………………
Severus Snape wandered slowly down the corridor to the dungeons, his mind in total shock.
He had nearly been killed.
By a werewolf!
All because he had listened to the idiot Black and followed him to the Whomping Willow.
Severus shook his head and rounded a corner, where he was promptly pounced upon and dragged into an alcove. A wand was shoved in his face and a cloak was draped across the entrance.
"What did you tell him?" hissed Sirius Black, his wand jabbing Severus in the cheek. The boy groaned and tried to move, but the wand jabbed itself into his cheek, hard enough to cause a bruise.
"Listen, Snivellus, we know you have been to see Dumbledore. We know it was about the other night. What did you tell him?!" James growled. Peter was on lookout, but he would occasionally look behind and snicker.
"No…nothing. I didn't tell them anything." Severus whispered, pleading with them. He wasn't in the mood to fight tonight.
"I think he's lying." sneered Sirius. He jabbed the wand further into Severus' cheek, causing the smaller boy to gasp in pain.
"You know, Snivellus," said James conversationally, leaning against the opposite wall, " we found your Potions book. And in it we found a spell entitled 'For Enemies.' So I think that we are going to use it on you."
Severus went white. He knew what kind of spell they were going to use. It was one his uncle used on him many a time.
"Sectu-"
"No!"
"What?!"
"No!" Severus whispered again. "Please." The two black-haired Gryffindors looked at the pale Slytherin, who was shaking.
"Do it, Sirius!" whispered Peter, turning around. Sirius raised the wand again and prepared to utter the curse, but then, as Severus closed his eyes, they saw something that stopped them all in their tracks.
Two fat tears leaked their way out of Severus' eyes.
Peter gaped openly at the spectacle, whilst James and Sirius exchanged meaningful looks. Slowly, Sirius released Severus collar and the boy slid down the wall to land in a heap at their feet. Severus curled up in a ball and hid his face in his hands, letting his long suppressed tears flow.
"Let's get out of here." James suggested, looking in horror at the broken boy on the floor. The others nodded and slipped under the cloak. Just as they walked away from the corridor, Sirius turned and stared sadly at the alcove where they had left Severus, listening to the young boys sobs.
"Do you think he's okay?" asked James quietly as they got back into bed. Sirius stared up into the blackness of the bed and looked sad.
"I don't know. He seemed-I don't know-so broken. No like Snape at all."
There was silence until James whispered again "He said please. He begged us to stop."
Sirius didn't say anything. He just turned over and closed his eyes, trying to block out the haunted black eyes that he had stared into as he held a wand to a pale boys face.
HARRY POTTER
Two months later. Summer holidays. End of 6th year.
"We're all going on a summer holiday! No more worries for a week or two! We're all-"
"SHUT UP!"
Sirius, James and Remus looked at each other and laughed as they heard Lily shout from downstairs. It was their summer holidays, and they were spending three weeks at Lily's house, courtesy of her parents. Petunia was staying with friends, and her parents had gone on holiday to Spain, so they had the house to themselves.
Peter looked up from the magazine he was reading and laughed along with them, not wanting to be left out. All four were still roaring with laughter as Lily came up with a plate full of sandwiches and dumped them on the bed.
"I hope you like them." she said, sitting down and allowing James to place on hand on her head. It was such a sign of ownership that the others looked away. Instinct allowed them to respect the pack leader's property, and so they all looked away and helped themselves to sandwiches.
There was silence for a while, as they all ate their bread, then the peace was broken by a high whistle coming from Lily's bedside table. Lily stood up and withdrew a small role of parchment. As she read the writing, she looked worriedly out of the window.
"Lily?" asked James, getting off the bed and coming over to her. Lily waved him away with a fake smile and dropped the paper in the bin.
"It's nothing. Really. Just a message from an old friend."
James seemed content, but Remus noticed his eyes stray to the basket, and then to Remus. The boy nodded and swiftly bent down and retrieved the bit of paper.
Later, when Lily had left the house saying she was going shopping, they gathered around the paper. It read:
'Uncle arriving Spinners End 5:00pm.
Please, I need to see you.'
"Who lives at Spinners End?" wondered Sirius out loud. James shrugged and then looked at the clock. It read 4:49.
"I bet you," said Remus slowly, "that Lily has gone to see whoever lives at Spinners End." The four boys looked at each other and then raced downstairs, grabbing their coats and flinging them over their t-shirts.
"Which way did Lily go?" asked James as they stood on the curb, looking both ways up the street.
"This way!" cried Peter, dashing through the thicket into the woods. The others followed him. They dodged trees and leapt over bushes, following a dirt-track.
"There she is!" hissed James. Lily was kneeling down, looking through a bush. Her coat covered her body and they could all she that she was very tense.
"Lily."
Lily jumped and whirled around, her face white. "What are you doing here?" she hissed as she made room for all of them.
"Who lives at Spinners End?" Remus asked as he peered through the thicket. Lily didn't answer but gazed at the door of the run-down house.
They waited for about two minutes when the door opened and three people left the house to stand by the front gate. The tallest was a brown-haired man with a hooked nose and a small goatee. He had piercing black eyes. The woman was black-haired and slim, with a thin mouth and long-fingered hands. And the last was a thin boy with long black hair, a hooked nose and pale features.
"Snape?!" hissed the Marauders as they looked at the small family.
"That's how you know him!" exclaimed James. "You live near him." Lily nodded, her eyes still fixed on the small family at the gate.
"Oh!" Lily said and pointed to a very smart limousine that was making it's way up the drive. Sirius noticed that the small family had straitened up and were watching the car approach. The car stopped and the driver got out of the car and opened the door.
A tall, black-haired man stepped out. He was very pale, with dark blue eyes and long black hair. He was dressed in expensive black furs, with a long black coat and a long ebony cane.
Eileen Snape stepped forward and bowed to her brother. "Artemus, we are honoured by your presence. Please," she gestured to the house, "come in and refresh yourself."
Artemus Prince made his way to the gate, followed by his rather mousy wife. He reached the gate and then stopped and scrutinised his nephew.
"Uncle." Severus bowed and kept his neck down. The Marauders and Lily could see that he was shivering slightly.
"Boy." Without warning, the cane came down on the back of Severus' neck. As Severus cried out, the cane came down again on his back and he fell to his knees in the dust. His face was pressed into the ground and his arms were around his neck.
"Know your place, half-blood, and lick the ground." His uncles words drifted on the wind. Now they knew where Severus got his silky voice from.
"Yes sir." Severus' voice trembled and he inched even closer to the ground. Artemus Prince snorted with contempt and swept into the house, completely ignoring Tobias Snape. Eileen followed, carrying bags along with the driver. Soon, all there was left in the yard was the kneeling boy and his father.
"C'mon, son, get up." Tobias Snape's voice was roughened from years of living in rural areas, but it was soft as he helped him injured son to his feet. Severus' face was pressed into his shoulder, and they could all see his shoulders shaking at he tried to suppress sobs of pain.
"Don't let him see you in pain. Be strong, Severus, be strong." Tobias rubbed the head of his son, talking soothingly as he helped the injured boy into the house. The front door slammed and the Marauders and Lily sat back, each of them stunned.
"Oh God, I feared that something like this would happen." whispered Lily. Her hands were cold.
"He comes every year?" asked Remus quietly. His golden eyes glinted eerily in the dark. Lily nodded and then all looked back at the small house.
"I might be able to see him in a few days. He usually goes to the niche to swim." Lily said to herself.
"Lily, this is Snape! Remember what he called you in 5th year. You aren't friends with him anymore!" exclaimed James, throwing out his hands. Lily rounded on his fiercely.
"So what? He was once my best friend, and he still wants to be. He has suffered enough. He was absolutely miserable this year, and it broke my heart to see him like that. No matter what, I want to resolve things between us. I miss him. I'm going out with you, but he was still my friend, and he loves me."
There was a profound silence at these words, and then Sirius turned to Lily and asked "Niche?"
Lily laughed. "It's a little lake in a copse that Severus and me found when we were 8. He charmed the lake to stay permanently clean and fresh, and it has been our little place since then."
"And you said he would appear in a couple of days?"
"Yeah. He likes to go and swim. It calms him down. His Uncle scares him."
They all made their way back to Lily's house. James and Lily were holding hands, Remus and Sirius trailed behind, occasionally glancing behind at the broken house that housed their enemy, and Peter kept shooting resentful glances at the people.
………………………………………………
Lily was right.
Three days later Lily, James, Remus, Sirius and Peter were talking in a huge oak tree overlooking a small deep pool when Lily frowned and pulled out a small glowing paperclip.
"What is that?" asked James, squinting to look closer.
"Severus is coming."
The others looked aghast, and then started to get higher in the tree. Peter needed help heaving himself up. The leant out of the branches and watched Severus enter the clearing. He was wearing an odd shirt, dirty white with puffy sleeves and a pair of brown trousers which were cut off at the knee. He was barefoot, and his hair was shining with grease. He carried a small backpack.
"What is he doing?" hissed Sirius. Lily shushed him and they leaned closer to watch Severus. He was squatting by the water, testing the temperature. The then stood back up and started to strip.
The boys in the crowd in the tree turned red and turned away, but when Lily scoffed at them they all watched him again. He had taken off his trousers and was stripping off his shirt. The others gasped.
His back was covered in scars, old and new. Red welts were running parallel across the pale skin, and they could see the pale silver of old scars. They could see the scars running down into his greying underpants. These too were stripped off, and they could see that Severus Snape had the skinniest backside in the world. He folded his clothes and put them under the tree that the others were sitting.
He turned around and the others winced as they saw his chest. It too was scarred. Thin, linear lines that looked as if they were made by a knife covered his chest. A large red line covered his nipple, and he winced occasionally as the skin pulled taunt. He was completely hairless.
He turned and stared at the lake, and then the others saw him do something that would start the ball rolling for the future.
They saw Severus Snape smile hugely. He ran and cannonballed into the lake. The Marauders and Lily watched as he surfaced and laughed at the coldness of the water. He swam to the other side of the lake and back again, and then he reached over and unpacked the bag. He pulled out a loofa, a sponge, a cake of soap, a bottle of shampoo and a large threadbare towel. Grabbing the sponge and soap, he lathered it up and then started to wash himself.
He was careful when he washed his back with the loofa, and then he reached for the shampoo.
"So he does was his hair!" Sirius whispered. Lily elbowed him in the ribs. They watched the boy massage the shampoo into his hair then dive under water, rinsing the shampoo out with his fingers. He appeared to be much calmer, and he leaned back against the bank, closing his eyes against the glare of the sun and letting his features relax gracefully.
"AAAHHHH!"
Peter fell out of the tree with a loud thump, and at the same moment, Snape dived under the water. He appeared in the middle of the lake, glaring at them. Lily, James, Sirius and Remus decided that game was up, and they too climbed down. Severus' eyes widened at the sight of Lily, and for a brief moment, his face crumpled.
"Lily, why?" he whispered. Then he hardened his face and glared at the figures standing on the bank. "What are you doing here?" he snarled.
"Come out, Severus. We want to talk." called James. Severus' eyes narrowed and he shook his head firmly.
"Come out, or we will get you out." James called again, and he and Sirius started to roll up their sleeves. Severus paled and slowly started to swim back to the bank.
"Turn around will you?" he snapped at them. They all turned and heard the sound of splashing as Severus heaved himself onto the bank. They heard the sound of the towel being unwrapped and then they heard Severus's resigned voice say "You can turn around now." They all turned. Severus had wrapped the towel around his waist. The scratches were showing clearly in his pale skin, and his hair was slowly starting to dry.
"What do you want?" he asked warily. His wand was in his hand, but it was a useless threat. He would get hauled up to Azkaban faster than he could blink if he did magic.
"Did he do that?" asked Sirius, gesturing to his chest. Severus tensed and backed into a tree. He was breathing erratically and his thin chest was heaving.
"How do you know?" rasped Severus. The others glanced at each other and seemed to come to a decision.
"I let them follow me when you sent me the note." Lily said, gently breaking the news to him. If possible, Severus looked even more fragile and he slid down the tree, cradling his head in his hands.
"Why Lily?" he moaned. "Why did you have to bring them?" He pointed to the Marauders.
"I was worried, Severus." said Lily in exasperation. James, Sirius and Remus look offended by the accusation, but they looked again at their hated enemy, and they saw a broken boy.
"I dealt with it on my own last summer, I can do it again." Severus snapped, glaring at Lily harshly. Lily shuffled her feet but met Severus eyes steadily.
"I accept your apology." she said quietly.
There was silence in the small glade, as Severus slowly lifted his head and started at Lily, abandoning his mask of indifference and gazing at Lily, spellbound.
"You…you forgive me?"
"Yes." With that, Lily knelt down and pulled the thin, pale boy into her arms. Severus stiffened, and then let his body relax as he accepted Lily's embrace. The red hair mixed with the black, and they looked at peace with each other.
Sirius, James, Remus and Peter left the clearing quietly, deciding that the old friends needed a bit of time together. When they came back, Severus had his clothes on and was leaning against the oak tree, gazing into the branches where Lily was sitting. He tensed when they came and sat near him, but he didn't say a word, only watched them warily.
James climbed up into the tree and Lily leaned against him. Sirius, Remus and Peter all sat in a circle around Severus, showing the boy that they were not about to attack him for whatever reason until they had got their issues out of the way.
"So," Sirius started conversationally, "got any homework Snape?" Severus' head jerked down and he fixed Sirius with a blank expression.
"If we are going to behave like adults, then his name is Severus." Lily called sharply from the tree. Sirius jerked and then looked at Severus.
"A bit. I managed to complete a lot of it before my uncle came." Severus' voice was low and cautious. He was not used to making small talk.
"Cut to the chase." said Remus. He knew how awkward it was, being made to use small talk in a situation that he felt difficult in. He felt for Severus.
A silence fell on the clearing again, until Sirius look at Severus seriously and said "How long has this been going on for?"
"How about we start from the beginning?" suggested James from the tree.
"From where?" asked Severus, his voice quiet.
"Where did your parents meet?"
Severus took a deep breath and began the tale.
"They met in a café. Mother was working behind the bar and Father was, and still is, working in the cotton industry. Mother had already broken away from the Princes, and she was living as a Muggle. One late night stand, and Mother had Father wrapped around her little finger.
"They married and within the year, I was born. We lived happily, well," he shrugged, "ok until me uncle decided to make contact with my Mother when I was three. The first meeting did not go well." Severus shuddered.
"He blames my father for seducing my mother, when it was the other way around. He calls me a half-blood, even though he knows my real name. I am just an inhuman disgrace to the family. He-" Severus was shaking harder now, his black eyes wide and fixed on a point in the grass "he beats me, for being a disgrace. I am lower than a dog. I am just something to be stepped on. Discarded. Worthless."
Silence reigned in the clearing when Severus had finished. The Marauders looked aghast at Severus. They had teased and bullied him for 6 years, without knowing what it was doing to the small boy. It was slowly destroying what little self assurance that he had. They felt so awful.
"You know," said Remus quietly, staring at Severus, "you really are not worthless." Severus snorted bitterly.
"All my life, I have been lead to believe that whatever I did, it was all for nothing. You enforced that rule at Hogwarts. My only friend was Lily, and last year I didn't even have that much. You think that some measly words are going to reverse 13 years of hatred?!" By the end of this, Severus was on his feet and shouting. Tears were blurring his eyes, but he refused to cry in front of them.
"Severus, despite what you may think, we all feel differently for you." James gestured down to the rest of them. Only Peter's nod was slow. Severus' eyes were still narrow, and his breathing was still harsh, but his eyes had cleared, and Sirius fancied that he saw a bit of hope in them.
"I do not need your pity." he said coldly.
"We do not offer it to you. If you will let us, we will offer you a chance for something you have never had." Sirius said, standing up and putting a large hand on the thin shoulder. Severus flinched but held the blue eyes steadily.
"And what is that?" he whispered.
"To be part of a proper group of friends, and to not wander alone." Remus stood up as well. He stood on Severus's other side.
"You had Lily, but we can offer you our friendship as well, as well as our protection." James jumped down with Lily following him.
"Be a Marauder?" asked Severus. Sirius was positive now, the black eyes were shining with hope. The Marauders nodded.
Severus broke away, picked up his bag and made his way to the edge of the clearing. Just as he was about to leave, he turned and favoured them all with a small smile. Then he turned and ran back to the house.
"Did you see that?" said James excitedly, "he smiled at us!"
"Yes." Lily said softly, sitting down in the grass. "He does that occasionally."
There was silence in the clearing as they all savoured their victory. Then Sirius stated to laugh. James, Lily, Remus and Peter all fixed him with a quizzical look until Sirius calmed down and said "Severus' hair is curly!"
…………………………………………
From that time on, they met in the clearing every day. It took a long time to get Severus accustomed to having friends, let alone friends that had tormented him for 6 years. But like a flower, he slowly opened up to them. Sirius was right about Severus' hair. It was curly, well wavy. The only reason it was so strait and greasy, as Severus explained to Sirius when he was questioned about it was "You try standing in front of a cauldron for 5 hours a day and tell me if your hair in not perfect by the end of it."
It was so obvious that although he did not completely trust them, Severus was so relieved to be able to laugh along with them as they teased each other. He sat slightly away from the others, with his wand at the ready, but he seemed to relax.
One day, they all stripped off, with the exception of Lily who wore her bra and knickers, and they all swam in the little lake. Severus, as they had seen before, was a very good swimmer. He took them to the deepest parts of the lake, and they all splashed each other and chased each other around the lake.
However, the crunch came when there was only two days left of the Marauders stay at Lily's house. It was a very stormy night, and Lily and the Marauders were sitting in the living room, watching the television and sipping hot chocolate.
Three huge bangs echoed through the house, and suddenly the power was cut off. Peter let out a shrill scream and spilt his hot chocolate everywhere.
"Shut up!" hissed James as he and Lily drew their wands and made their way to the front door. Sirius, Remus and Peter also drew theirs and crouched down behind the sofa, waiting for the intruder.
"Padfoot, get blankets and pillows NOW!" yelled James as he came hurtling into the room a few minutes later. Sirius jumped up and ran out, whilst Remus helped James pull the sofa out and Peter ran to get another cup of hot chocolate.
"Oh my God." whispered Sirius softly when he came slowly into the room. Staring at what was in the hallway. He backed into the living room, and Lily holding Severus followed him. When Remus saw the state of Severus, he crossed himself.
Severus was just wearing his white shirt, which was split down the middle exposing his slim chest. Blood dripped from his chest and back, and between his legs a red line was snaking its way down his thigh. Lily was grasping his shoulders and letting him rest his head on her shoulder, where he was crying in great heaving sobs. Lily led him to sofa and laid him down gently, tucking him into the blankets and laying his head onto the pillow. James grabbed the cup of hot chocolate from Peter and he pushed it into Severus' hands.
"Severus, what happened?" asked Lily softly as she stroked his rain-soaked hair. Severus didn't answer but only curled up upon himself, putting the hot chocolate onto the floor and crying harder in the pillow.
"Severus," tried Remus, sitting down and taking the thin hand in his, "we want to help you." The werewolf looked sadly at the thin boy. "Please, tell us what happened." Severus tried to wrench his hand out of Remus's, but the werewolf wouldn't let it go.
Eventually, Severus calmed down enough to turn over and look at the crowd of people. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he sniffled occasionally.
"He killed them." he said softly, staring into the empty grate, "he killed my parents, and he tried to kill me."
Lily gasped, as did James and Remus. Sirius looked furious, and Peter looked nauseated.
"He just," Severus gasped, "he just took a butchers knife and killed them. I only just got away."
"No you didn't. He still got you." Sirius said, his blue eyes tracing the red lines on Severus chest. Severus nodded and sighed, his eyes drooping in exhaustion. Lily reached over and tucked the blanket in over his shoulders, and they all watched him slip slowly into sleep.
"That bastard!" hissed Sirius as they all retreated into the kitchen. Lily was sobbing softly onto James's shoulder, and Remus was pale and shaking.
"I agree." James said softly, rubbing Lily's back.
"I'm gonna kill him!" Sirius said viciously, striding to the door. But Remus grabbed the back of his shirt and shook his head.
"No Padfoot, you can't! We need to get him somewhere safe." He jerked his head to the living room, where they could just see the edge of Severus' head peak over the armrest. The others nodded and frowned, trying to find a place where Severus could be safe from his uncle.
"I suppose," said Remus slowly, "we could Floo him to Hogwarts." Sirius and James looked thoughtfully at him.
"It could work, but we have no house where the Floo network is."
"Actually," Lily chimed in, "my house is connected."
"How is that?" Sirius asked as they made their way to the living room and to the empty grate.
"Dumbledore asked me if I wanted one, and I said yes." Lily struck a match and touched a newspaper. A flame sprouted up, and Lily leaned towards it, blowing softly.
"James," she asked over her shoulder, "do you think that you could go to Severus's house and get his things. He needs them."
James nodded and stood up. He grabbed a coat and he, Sirius and Remus trudged the path that led to Severus's house. They battled the storm, allowing it to whip over their heads. They ran to the house, and Remus, thanks to his enhanced senses, could smell the cloying scent of blood even through the wind. He gagged slightly and covered his nose with his sleeve. They ran one and when they reached the house, they wrenched open the door.
"Good God!" Remus exclaimed and retched in the bushes, unable to stand the smell of the blood. James and Sirius stepped gingerly into the house, walking down the hallway that was plastered in blood. A gentle drip! drip! betrayed the fact that they was blood on the ceiling. As they entered the living room, they saw the body of the small mousey haired wife dangling from the fan. Her neck was snapped and her eyes were focused on a point near the painting on the wall. This is when James lost his composure, and he threw up behind the sofa.
"Find Severus's stuff." he gasped, massaging his throat. Sirius and Remus nodded, looking green. They bounded to the stairs and rushed upwards, not bothering to hide their footsteps. Remus had assured them that he smelt alcohol, and he was sure that the uncle was passed out.
They ran to his room, and that was when Sirius lost his supper on the floor. Both of the Snape parents were lying on the floor, their bellies slit open and their entrails lying on the floor around them. Their faces were grotesque, twisted as if they were in pain. Remus breathed deeply out of his mouth, and gathered all of the things that were in Severus room. His robes, books and wand were lying in his trunk, whilst the rest of the stuff was strewn around the room.
"Lets get out of here." Remus said. Sirius nodded in agreement and they ran downstairs. They found James outside, breathing in the air, and together they all ran back to Lily's house.
When they entered the living room, they saw Lily speaking to Professor Dumbledore, whilst Madame Pomfrey was gently picking up Severus. The boy had fallen asleep, but his face twitched occasionally.
"We've got his stuff." panted James as they ran into the room. Dumbledore nodded and took the floating trunk from the boys.
"Severus will be staying at Hogwarts for the rest of the summer." He turned back to the fire and stepped towards it, but just before he entered, he said over his shoulder "You are all welcome to visit him if you want."
"What will happen to his Uncle?" asked Sirius as they watched Madame Pomfrey cradle toe dark-headed boy.
"Oh rest assured," said Dumbledore, his blue eyes cold as ice, "he will be punished." And with that, he stepped into the Floo, quickly followed by Madame Pomfrey and Severus. The Marauders watched the green flames die away with lingering expressions of sadness. They all felt so terrible for Severus.
"Well, at least we can still see him." said Lily, looking glum. The others nodded and headed up to bed.
HARRY POTTER
When the Marauders next saw Severus, they were surprised by the change in him. It was at the Start of Term Feast, and he was sitting at the table with the other Slytherins. Sirius caught his eye and the Slytherin sneered, but as Sirius turned away, he was positive he caught a small wink.
"Check out Severus." he whispered to James. James and the rest of the Marauders turned and looked at the boy. His hair was longer, reaching down to his shoulder blades, and it was shining. He had a long scar running down the side of his face that betrayed where his uncle had slashed him, but his eyes seemed less haunted.
The next day, they were all sitting down to breakfast when a black barn owl flew in and dropped a note onto Sirius's plate. He tore it open and the others leaned in over his shoulder to read it.
Room of Requirement
9.30 All of you plus Lily
Bring Cloak
S.S
"I told you he wouldn't give up on us that easily!" hissed Remus. He looked delighted. James and Sirius grinned at each other and Lily beamed.
They made it through the day and then it was 9.30. Very slowly, they all made their way to the Room of Requirement. They found the door and pushed it open.
"I'm glad you all came." said a quiet voice. The room was decorated in comfortable sofa's and armchairs, and Severus was in one of these. A small smile was on his face, and he seemed to be relaxing.
"Yeah well, it's not like we're going to abandon you after what happened." Lily strode over and pulled her best friend into a hug, which he gladly returned. James, Sirius and Remus all took sofa's next to the fire, and Peter sat on the floor.
"I asked you all here to talk to you." Severus said. His eyes were on his hands, and he was twiddling his thumbs. Then, taking a deep breath, he looked up at them.
"I want to know if you still want to remain friends."
There was silence as they all contemplated what he had said. But before they could say anything Severus continued. "I also want to say thank you, for what you did for me during the summer."
"No problem, but we honestly don't want to stop being friends without you. Despite what you may think," Sirius grinned at the others, "you really do have a fantastic sense of humour."
Severus grinned shyly before his face fell into its normal rather blank expression.
"I was wondering if you wanted to meet here, on Thursdays. That is the only way I can think of that we will be able to meet up together without having to show our usual mask of contempt."
The others nodded, and after a few more minutes of idle chat, they dispersed. Sirius and Remus were the last to leave the room, and as they left, they both looked at each other and grinned.
"Welcome to the Marauders, Severus Snape." whispered Sirius as he slipped from the room.
………………………………………..
Every Thursday, the Marauders and Lily would meet up in the Room of Requirement and do their homework together. They all found that it was a perfect mix, as their marks over the course of the terms shot up, although none of the teachers knew why. Even Peter, not the cleverest person in the world, showed a significant increase in his own marks.
Before they knew it, it was Christmas and they were sitting in the RoR, sipping hot chocolate and debating who was going home in the holidays.
"You going home Lily?" asked Remus as he gulped down his hot chocolate and the cup automatically refilled. Lily shook her head and snuggled up to James.
"No, staying here. I want to get as far away from Petunia as possible this year. She has a new boyfriend." Lily made a face. "Vernon Dursely. He's like a whale." The other laughed and Severus went to grab a biscuit.
"Who else is staying here?" he asked, crumbs spilling from his mouth as he talked. James, Sirius and Remus raised their hands.
"Good. Why not Peter?" Sirius asked.
"Mum's ill. She wants me to come home." In the years later, Severus would kick himself when he did not notice how Peter would not meet any of their eyes, how he kept staring off into the distance.
"Rotten luck Peter. We could have gone exploring." James ran his hands through Lily's hair, massaging her scalp.
Severus finished his biscuit and drew out a piece of parchment. He pulled out an Ever-Inking quill and started to write down a list.
"Hhmmm?" Sirius asked, leaning over his shoulder and looking. He snorted with laughter. "Nice."
"What is it?" James was curious.
"A list of who we need to prank these holidays. I want to make sure that no one forgets us when we go." Severus, Sirius and Remus snickered with glee.
"Oh children." Lily muttered but she too was smiling.
………………………………………
The run up to Christmas was full of work, but when Severus woke one morning, he was surprised to find the dorm was empty. He knew that he was the only one in his house to be staying, so he dressed in a threadbare jumper and jeans with rips at the knees. His shoes were the only things about his clothes that were not old or used.
He went to the Great Hall to find that there was one single table, and that most of the students staying were already there. Sirius and James were there. Remus was in the Hospital Wing following the full moon the night before, and Lily obviously hadn't gotten up yet.
"Hey." Severus sat down and grabbed a piece of toast, buttering it. Sirius grunted and James looked up from his arms blearily.
"Rough night?" Severus asked. Sirius had a scratch down his cheek and James had luggage under his eyes.
"No. We just look this way for the hell of it." Sirius growled. Severus wisely kept his mouth shut and continued to eat. The doors opened and Lily came through, her red hair like a birds nest on her head.
"Morning." she said chirpily and pulled the plate of eggs towards her. The others shot her filthy looks and James groaned into his arms.
"You guys are pathetic." Severus commentated as he sipped juice.
"Shut it, Snape. I just about did my back in last night." James commentated from the pillow of his arms. Severus snickered and finished his juice.
"Well, I'm off to the library. See you guys." He sauntered out of the Great Hall. Lily watched him go, her brow furrowed.
"You know, since you have an extra bed in the dorm, now Peter is gone, you could invite Severus to stay with you during the holidays."
Sirius and James looked at each other and then at Lily. James leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "You are a genius ma belle fleur."
Within the day, they had moved Severus' things to the dorm, and he was lounging on the bed, reading a book and listening to James and Sirius play a game of Exploding Snap. He was just about to turn a page when the door opened and Remus slowly entered the room.
"Remus!" "How y'a doing mate?" James and Siruis usurered him to bed and helped him slide under the covers.
"Lousy."
"That is to be expected." Severus commentated from the bed.
"Severus!" Remus exclaimed, sitting up again. Big mistake. His head throbbed and he lay back down again with a groan.
"Yes, I'm here." Severus put down his book and walked over to the bed, allowing Remus to see him without moving his head.
"The others were chivalrous and invited you into our humble abode?" he asked, the corners of his mouth quirking.
"Yes. I was rather surprised, especially when they helped me carry it all up the stairs." Severus sat on the bed and opened his book again. He heard Remus sigh and settle back into the covers.
"Lily asked them, I'm betting." Remus said quietly. Severus nodded and gave Remus a tiny smile. "Anyway, I'm glad to have you here. With Peter gone, it can be a full house again." Severus nodded and looked at the other two. They had abandoned the Exploding Snap and they were wrestling on the floor.
"How old are they again?" Severus asked, amused.
"Sometimes 30, sometimes 5." Remus replied softly. Severus turned to him. "We all are, now."
Severus nodded, then put down his book and ran into the dog pile. For an afternoon, he forgot about Voldemort. He forgot that he was in the wrong dorm, and that he was a Slytherin. He was just a boy, playing with his friends.
……………………………………
Christmas Day dawned with a flurry of snow, and Severus spent the first few minutes after he woke up staring out of the window, looking at the blanket that had covered the grounds. He glanced back at the sleeping boys and smiled, before he pulled out a foghorn and made his way to the door. Standing at the door, he pressed the button and allowed the blast to echo through the dorm. Sirius, James and Remus all jerked awake. Siruis was yelling.
"GET UP, GET UP! IT'S CHRIIIIIISSSSSTTTTTMAAAAASSSSS!" Severus yelled from the door, before he ran.
"Remind me to kill him later." Sirius growled from his bed. He rubbed his head and made his way to the end of the bed, where a pile was sitting there.
Severus made his way back into the room, carrying cups of hot chocolate and wearing a smirk on his pale face.
"You are so dead when we get outside." James said. Sirius and Remus laughed.
"Your bloody foghorn woke me up." said a voice from the door and Lily glided into the room, her own pile of presents in a sack on her back. She sat on James bed and pulled him in for a good morning kiss before setting about attacking her own pile.
"Do NOT get her frustrated when she is in present opening mode." Snape advised them as he opened his own, much smaller pile. He got a book of Potions from Lily, a stuffed black dog from Sirius (he snorted), a pair of premier dragon hide gloves from Remus and a small working snitch from James ( he raised his eyebrows at James, who whistled innocently and went back to his own pile).
"Ah cheers Severus!" cried James as he unwrapped Severus' present of quality Quidditch gloves. Severus smiled and cracked open the book of potions. The smell of new parchment and leather filled his nose and he breathed in the smells that came with a new book. He had given Sirius a bag of Zonko's products, knowing that they were all going to be gone by the end of the holidays. Lily he had given a glass lily, carefully wrapped in cotton and velvet.
"What's Severus given you Remus?" asked Sirius. Remus looked up, his face blank as he brought up two gold dog tags on a chain. There was a hushed silence as the others turned to look at Severus, aghast.
"Tell them what they say, Remus." Severus said softly. Remus read the inscriptions.
"The moon is full, and the wolf is free. Roam and be happy.
Moony, the wolf Marauder."
"You all have them." Severus pointed out. James upended his gloves and his own dog tags fell out. Sirius looked into the bag and drew out his. James read:
"The stag, the mighty, the leader
Prongs, the stag Marauder"
Sirius read:
"The dog, loyal and brave. Stick to the group and guard.
Padfoot, the dog Marauder."
"These are…wow." Sirius breathed.
"Thanks Severus." Remus said softly. He and the others slipped their over their head, where they rested on their pyjamas. The rest of the morning was spent in the common room. They had the run of the place, as the threat of Voldemort had driven all the others home to their families.
When lunch cam around, they all went down to the Hall. Severus was dressed in a fleece borrowed from James, who was about his height, and the red drew out the colour in his cheeks. His hair was clean and he looked very happy, something that surprised Dumbledore when he saw them come in together.
They sat at the table and were serving themselves when an owl flew from the window and landed in front of Severus. He took it, puzzled, and broke the seal. Opening it, he read the letter and went white.
"Severus, what's wrong?" Lily whispered. Severus shook his head and got up from the table. He looked slightly sick. He walked to the door. Lily looked at the others and jerked her head. They all got up to follow him.
"Can't they leave him alone, even on Christmas?" McGonagall asked. Dumbledore mumbled something intelligible and went back to his turkey.
"Severus! Severus, wait up!" Sirius called as they hurried after the boy. He was running to the oak doors, and they could hear him sniffling as he went. He flung open the doors and raced out side. But he was hampered by boots that were too large. James and Sirius did not have that problem. They grabbed the boy and dragged him to the shadow of a tree.
"Severus, what is wrong?" Remus asked, clutching the stitch in his side. Lily was clutching onto his arm, panting. Severus let his curtain of hair cover his face, but he thrust his letter out to face them. Remus took the letter and smoothed it out. Sirius, James and Lily leaned over his shoulder and read.
To Mr Severus Snape
We regret to inform you that your accounts in Gringotts Bank have been dissolved, in accordance of the will of your uncle, Artemus Prince. As of this moment, a separate vault will need to be registered in your name.
Also according to the last will of Mr Price (p1), any money that you deposit under the name Price and/or Snape will be immediately seized by the Ministry of Magic.
Merry Christmas!
Griphook
Gringotts Diagon Alley.
"I've got nothing left. Nothing." Severus said faintly. His shoulders shook with tears of shock.
"We'll go to Dumbledore after lunch. He might be able to sort out an account for you." Sirius said. He said it with so much confidence that for a moment, Severus felt hope stirring in his chest. He nodded, wiped his face and went back into the hall. It was mainly empty now, but for a few teachers, Dumbledore and McGonagall among them. James and the others filled their plates with food and started to eat, but there was none of the Christmas cheer that would have accompanied them previously.
When they had finished, James went up the table and spoke quietly to Dumbledore. They moved to the Outer Hall, where the others were waiting on the steps. Lily had a hand on Severus' shoulder.
"What is the matter Severus?" asked Dumbledore as he walked towards the small group. Severus didn't look up but handed him the letter. Dumbledore read it and his face darkened.
"What will you be able to do?" asked Lily from her position on the stair.
Dumbledore thought for a minute and them answered. "I think that I can get another account signed in his name. But I am not sure that I can get any of the money back. I am so sorry Severus." He said to the distraught boy. Severus nodded but did not look at the Headmaster, instead choosing to study his knees.
"I will just have to start again." he said dismally. Lily tightened her grip on his shoulder and he leaned subtly into the embrace, needing support.
"I will start this afternoon, if you wish. You need to be prepared for almighty hell to be raised on behalf of the Ministry." Dumbledore spoke as if to himself. Severus nodded and wiped his eyes clear of tears.
"Since you missed lunch, go back to your common room and lunch will be sent to you." Dumbledore waved them off and went to his office to write a letter to the Minister. The others traipsed off back to the common room, their eyes tired as they looked at their friend. His face was blank, and he seemed to be sinking into a depression. However, as Sirius glanced at his watch, hopefully that would change.
A loud BOOM! echoed from the Hall, filling the air with a disgusting smelling smoke. The others turned to Sirius who started to whistle innocently. Severus broke out into a small grin.
"There goes your supply of Dungbombs then." he said. They heard the voices of the teachers left in the Hall, looked at each other and decided to bolt back to the common room.
HARRY POTTER
One night late in the Spring Term, when they were all revising for tests, Severus turned to the others.
"Guys, how long have you all been friends?"
Remus chewed the end of his quill, realized what he was doing and then spat out all of the feathers before answering. "Since first year."
"Do you consider your friendship pretty solid?"
"Oh yeah." James answered.
"Because," Severus put down his book, "I have an idea…."
HARRY POTTER
December 1980
"And make sure that the potatoes don't burn!" Lily yelled from the room where she was changing their 5 month old son, Harry. The baby was kicking his legs furiously, refusing to cooperate with his mother, and was trying to make things as difficult as possible. Her husband James was in the kitchen, awaiting the arrival of their guests.
In the years since they had left Hogwarts, Sirius and Remus had declared themselves a couple and Sirius had taken Remus under his patronage to protect him from the Wolf House. This institution took in all werewolves that did not have a home or money and housed them in tiny, cramped rooms. It was the werewolf version of Azkaban, without the Dementors. Sirius now worked as an Auror, along with James, and Remus tried to make his own money as a private teacher, with little success.
Severus Snape had been drugged one night when he was 18, taken to Voldemort and forcibly branded with the Dark Mark. He now worked as a spy for the Order and was well on his way to gaining the Potions Mastery that he always dreamed of. However, in the last few months he had been illusive, always going to Knockturn Alley to 'check up on something.'
Peter Pettigrew had gained a job at the Ministry in Wizarding relations, but, being timid to the last degree, he was not very good at.
Suddenly a loud knock at the door betrayed the fact that there were guests, and James left the kitchen to open the door. Sirius and Remus were standing on the step, kissing like there was no tomorrow. James cleared his throat and they jumped apart, Sirius grinning, Remus blushing.
"Come in. Be sure to let Lily and Harry know that you are here." James grinned and stepped back. Sirius thanked him and led his lover in, hanging up their cloaks onto the coat rack. Sirius immediately charged upstairs to see his godson, whilst James led Remus into the living room and poured him Firewhiskey. James took a moment to analysis his friend. He was thin, with great bags under his eyes and his hair was greying fast.
"What's happened Moony?" he asked quietly. Remus shrugged.
"The Wolf House has been putting more pressure on me to try and give myself up." He sighed. James put a hand on his shoulder and watched as Sirius came downstairs with Harry in his arms. The baby was babbling happily, and Sirius looked as happy as he could. He held the baby out to Remus, who took him and held him, his face a picture of bliss. He loved children.
A knock at the door announced the arrival of Peter and before long, all of the friends were standing in the living room, talking and laughing while Lily cooked. Harry thrived in the attention, and he was very happy in the arms of his other parents as he babbled at their talk. James was very proud of his little boy, who was growing up fast.
"Where is Severus?" asked Sirius at one point, bouncing Harry on his knee. James shrugged and stared uneasily out of the window. There had not been a Death Eater meeting tonight as far as he was aware, and he was slightly worried for his friend.
"I'm sure he is fine." Remus put a hand on James' shoulder. James nodded and wet to get Harry as Lily called from the kitchen that dinner was ready.
"I'll go put the little man upstairs." Lily said, taking the boy from Remus and making her way to the bedroom. The others moved to the kitchen and started to help themselves.
They were just settling down when the door flew open and Lily charged down the stairs, wand aloft. James too had drawn his wand, but he put it away when he hear Lily gasp "Severus! What…Oh My God…"
"What is it Lily" Sirius asked when Lily stormed into the kitchen and started to heat up a bottle of formula. Lily ignored James, and instead called out to the corridor.
"Come in Severus."
Severus Snape entered, his robed bunched up in his arms, and his face grey with fatigue. Sirius and James immediately pulled up a chair and made him sit down. They both gaped at the baby that was lying in Severus' arms. Remus had smelt the scent of a newborn as he came in.
"What is that?" Peter whispered, awestruck at the tiny bundle in Severus arms. Severus shifted the bundle and answered tersely "A nine-month long problem with a Knockturn Alley prostitute."
"That is where you have been disappearing off too." Sirius exclaimed, leaning back. Severus nodded and accepted the bottle of warm milk from Lily. He placed the nipple in the baby's mouth and sighed gently when she started to suck.
"You keeping her?" asked Remus. Severus nodded again and arranged the robes to cover more of the child.
"Exactly how old is she?" asked James. Severus pulled out his watch and consulted it.
"2 hours old."
" I'll put her in the cot with Harry, Severus. She'll be warm there." Lily said, gently extracting the baby from Severus' arms and taking her upstairs. Severus slumped into the table and put his head in his arms.
"What is her name?" asked Remus, keeping to a safe topic. There came a muffled sound from the arms and Remus asked again. Severus put his head and said, quite clearly, "Salazara Eileen Snape."
"You're condemning her to a house already!" exclaimed Sirius. "For all we know, she might end up in Hufflepuff."
"Dear God no. I couldn't deal with it then." Severus once again muttered into his arms.
"Okay boys, move over. Harry and the baby are now asleep." James, Sirius, Remus and Severus smiled softly at the mention of the two children. Severus was second godparent to Harry, whom he loved as much as he loved James and Lily. Remus, by law, couldn't act as a godparent, but he was as much of one as he could be.
"Anyway," Lily said, plonking a plate of food in front of Severus and raising her glass, "a toast to the defeat of Voldemort and the future." They toasted and drank.
"Actually, there are one or two anouncements to make." James said, laying doe his glass and looking at the others. Sirius cleared his throat.
"In the summer, Remus and I are going to get married." He clutched Remus hand. The others exclaimed with joy, although Peter was a little lacklustre. Remus looked very happy, and he turned to Sirius with an expression of joy on his face..
"And I," Severus added, "have gained my Mastery and am going to become Potions professor at Hogwarts." The others toasted him as well.
The evening was filled with joy, and as the two children slept upstairs, the adults ate, drank and were merry for the times that they had.
HARRY POTTER
October 31st 1991 Godrics Hollow
"NO!" gasped Severus as he Apperated to the house. He was clutching his 10 month old daughter to his chest, not hearing her cries. He searched the rubble, trying to find any sign that anyone had lived. He found James' body in the hallway, and he chocked on his tears. Sprinting upstairs, he looked into the bedroom that housed Harry, and he couldn't hold back his tears as he saw Lily's body on the floor. He gently put his daughter down and held Lily's body to his chest. He sobbed into her hair until he saw Salazara crawling to a pile of rubble where faint cries where heard.
"Harry!" he cried and he wrenched apart the rubble to find the small boy. He picked up the crying child and hugged him, feeling the small hands fist themselves in his robes. He also picked up his daughter and the three of them sat in the room, crying into the dust.
The pop of Apparition made Severus look up, into the blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.
"Albus! They're gone! They're both gone!" Severus exclaimed. He stood up, clutching the two children to his chest.
"I know, child." Dumbledore looked tired and sad.
"It's the damned prophecy. It's all my fault." Severus wept. Dumbledore gently extracted Harry from Severus.
"Where is Sirius?" asked Severus as he calmed down. Salazara had fallen asleep.
"Azkaban. He betrayed them." Severus's black eyes widened and he gaped at Dumbledore.
"And…Remus?" he asked quietly.
"Taken to the Wolf House. I can't get him out. I am so sorry Severus." Severus resumed crying into Salazara's hair. Dumbledore turned with Harry and walked out of the house.
"Where…where are you taking him?" Severus hurried down, his face shining with tears.
"To his aunts. He will be safest there."
Severus blanched. "They hate wizards. Please, let me take care of him."
"No, Severus. You must take care of your daughter. I will give Harry to Hagrid and then go to his aunts. You must go back to Hogwarts." Dumbledore's voice was firm.
"Can I please say goodbye?" Severus asked quietly. Dumbledore didn't say anything but extended his arms. Severus switched children and held the small child to his face. The green eyes opened and Severus swallowed tears.
"Sev'wus." Harry said quietly and touched his face. Severus placed a small kiss on his black curls and whispered in his ear. "I love you Harry, never forget that. Please take care." He kissed the child again and handed the child back to Dumbledore, taking his daughter who had started to cry.
Severus didn't stay to watch his godson being taken away. He Apparated back to Hogwarts and walked to his rooms. Laying Salazara in her cot, he picked up the blanket and tucked it around her, singing softly. When she was asleep, he went to his living room and lay on the sofa, watching the fire in the grate.
"I will never forget you guys, and what you meant to me." he whispered and a lone tear trickled down his face. He thought of Lily's eyes and the way that she had insisted that they be friends. He remembered James and his laugh, Remus's kind smile and Sirius's blue eyes that glowed with mischief.
Severus Snape cried his last tears and fell asleep, with their names branded on his arm, and their memories in his heart.