I'm back and ready to write! I've been refreshed from my hiatus, and now, after several weeks without writing, I am pleased to say my muse is healthy and anxious to inspire. So, without further ado, I give you The Prologue.
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October 31st, 1982 – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"Albus! Albus must see you at once!" A 23-year-old Severus Snape pounded on his ex-Headmaster's door. When the old wizard finally opened the door, Severus realized the man now looked every year of his age. Severus strode through the door and stopped at the sight of the two men sitting on the couch, holding an infant. Immediately, Severus whirled.
"What's happened, Headmaster?" he asked, his voice considerably softer than it had been moments ago. The venerable man sighed and reclaimed his seat behind the desk.
"Godric's Hollow was attacked Severus. Sirius betrayed them; James and Lily are dead." Severus merely stared, unblinking, unwilling to believe.
"No, that's not true. Albus, tell me it's not true!"
"I'm afraid it is, Severus."
"And the boy, Harry?" Albus nodded at the sleeping infant between the strange men.
"Severus, this is Mundungus Fletcher and Alabastor Moody, Aurors. They are new members of the Order, and were first on the scene. They said that little Harry here was unharmed, wailing for his mother." Severus wordlessly walked over to the men and lifted the child out of their hands.
"What happens to him now?" he looked back up at the Headmaster, dreading the answer.
"My first thought was Lily's sister, but Minerva quickly refused that. We brought him here until a decision is made." Severus nodded.
"What of their wills? Surely guardians were named?" This from Fletcher, who seemed almost hesitant to speak with Severus in the room.
"What were you so anxious to tell me Severus? Why were you in such a hurry?" Albus ignored the pending question for now, hoping a solution would present itself in time.
"Headmaster, I don't believe it is discussable in present company," he shot a sidelong glance at the two men, who huffed.
"Listen sonny, I've been fighting the likes of you for years now, don't tell me what—"
"Enough! I will not have you insulting a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Severus has been serving the Order as a spy in Voldemort's circle for years now." That seemed to silence them, though they were now staring incredulously at Severus.
"That was probably not the wisest way to introduce me, Headmaster," Severus chided lightly. "But I came to tell you that the mark has faded. It's almost gone completely! And I don't understand. If Voldemort was planning an attack, why wouldn't he tell me, or all of us for that matter?"
"Perhaps he was testing the loyalty of his followers," the wizard answered gravely. "Or perhaps he was just testing yours."
"Not a comforting thought, Headmaster." He was about to continue when a knock startled them.
"Come in," Albus called. Minerva McGonagall entered, escorting a young Ministry man. "Yes, Minerva, what is it?"
"This man," she said gravely, "Is here with the Potters' wills." Albus smiled at Fletcher and gestured for the man to take a seat. He did so and took out his wand, flicking it so that papers streamed around him, organizing themselves and landing neatly in his lap.
"For James Potter, I request the presence of Harry Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, and Albus Dumbledore. For Lily Potter, maiden name Evans, I request the presence of Harry Potter, Remus Lupin and Severus Snape." At his name, Severus' eyes snapped up. Surely he'd heard that wrong; not in a million years would Lily ever think enough of him to include him in her will. Albus stood before he could continue his train of thought.
"I'm afraid that I am going to have to request that Sirius Black be removed from the will. I'm sure you will find a betrayal clause in there, near the end." The Ministry man flipped through his pages magically, before nodding and grunting.
"Well, well, there is. I suspect you were a witness to this clause?"
"The whole will, my dear man. Now, I will go fetch Remus." Albus walked to the fireplace as Fletcher and Moody left, summoning his ex-pupil through Floo. The man answered, though he looked as if…
"His best friend just died," Severus finished his thought quietly, though Minerva heard him and shot him an odd look.
"Yes, Headmaster?"
"Remus, dear boy, would you mind stepping through. There are matters that must be dealt with." The man nodded wearily and stumbled through the fireplace as Albus stepped back. His gaunt face brightened a little as they landed on the infant still in Severus' arms, but dimmed again as the man from the Ministry cleared his throat.
"What of Pettigrew, Headmaster?" Remus broke into sobs at this.
"Didn't you hear?" he managed through his sobs. "Wo–Peter went after Sirius, but he wasn't strong enough. Sirius killed him, along with 13 Muggles. They're sentencing him to Azkaban as we speak." When he finally finished, the sobs erupted, and Minerva moved to comfort her former student. Though saddened by the tragic loss, Severus couldn't help but smirk inwardly. The Marauders weren't so high above everyone after all. They were taken down from within.
"May I begin the reading?" The Headmaster nodded at the young man, who shuffled through some papers before beginning the read.
"I, James Artemis Potter, being of sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath all my belongings, estates, and monies to my son, Harry Potter, with the exception of the following. To Albus Dumbledore, I leave my invisibility cloak, and an apology. We used this numerous times to break a lot of rules, and I hope you can forgive us. Please take care, as it is a Potter family heirloom. To Remus Lupin, I leave my animagus study notes and my mahogany wand. Remember me, always Moony, Marauders forever." As he finished talking, he reached into his bag and handed the grieving man two books an old journal. "His wand will be given to you upon release." Remus nodded numbly, accepting the items. "The estates of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew will be defaulted to Mr. Harry Potter, when he is of age."
Severus shifted the child, but made no indication he was intending on setting the child down. Remus watched him, not really seeing, as Severus held onto the child, almost as some sort of lifeline as the man shifted papers and began reading again.
"I, Lily Margaret Potter, being of sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath all my belongings, estates, and monies to my son, Harry Potter, with the exception of the following. To Remus Lupin, I leave my old bathrobe. You know why, Moony." No one made any attempt at a joke or jibe, not even Severus. Remus silently accepted the proffered item and sat back, nearly wrapping himself in the garment.
"To Severus Snape," Severus stood straighter and patted the infant on the back, listening to the last words of his secret friend. "Severus, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, nor have we agreed on a lot of things. I know now why you've made the decisions you have, and though I don't condone them, I do admire your strength. I have charmed this will to be incidental, and as you read this part, it means Sirius is unable to fulfill his duties, as appointed by James. So I ask you now, Severus, brother, please look after my son." Complete silence blanketed the room as the man handed Severus a ratty-looking journal and papers. He continued reading, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "Please read the journal before deciding anything. I leave the choice in your hands, but I can think of no one better. Please do not let him fall to my sister. Dear Remus, you know why you cannot, and it bereaves me to think of the hurt you are feeling now." He ended and stood, dismissing himself silently. Severus stared at the journal in his free hand, the child notably heavier than he had been seconds before. Remus stood, laying a trembling hand on the sleeping child. He left hastily, promising to return the next day.
Severus handed the child over to Minerva rather awkwardly, and nearly ran out of the room. Albus watched him go with worrying eyes, silently pleading for the man to make the right choice.
Severus tore through the castle, ignoring the present students, and went straight to the lake. He collapsed down by the water, keeping his tears hidden from prying eyes. He clutched the journal in his hand so tightly that his knuckles were white. He choked back a sob as he sat back, propping himself against a small bush.
He carefully opened the journal, noting the familiar tingle of a pass spell; Lily had charmed it to open for him alone. The journal began flipping of its own accord, until it stopped on the next to last page, a page addressed to him. He lit his wand and read by spell-light, not caring who saw him now.
Severus,
If you are reading this, then James and I have passed, and I was never able to tell you in person what I am about to in script. You and I, Severus Snape, are siblings. Half-siblings, yes, but siblings nonetheless. I'm not a Muggleborn, not totally, but I was forced to keep up the façade under Albus' orders. What you are about to hear might not be pleasant, but it is the truth. I have never lied to you in life, and I will not do so in death. Your father raped my mother, probably under the orders of the Dark Lord, to produce an heir for Voldemort.
My mother was a Squib, not a Muggle, and he knew that she would produce a wizarding child if fathered by a wizard. I was to be taken away from my family, kidnapped and made heir to Voldemort, had I been a boy. Fortunately, I was a girl, and as normal as a Muggle. My mother believed me to be a Squib, and said nothing to her husband about the incident.
Before her death in my seventh year, my mother confessed all. She performed the Parentas charm on me, confirming my sire, Augustus Snape.
I was planning on telling you, and snuck into the Slytherin common rooms. That very night, Malfoy was bragging about the Mark, and how many of his housemates had received it as well. He began naming them, and I felt horrified upon hearing yours. So I backed out, vowing never to tell you.
Albus, in his infinite wisdom, lassoed me after graduation and sat me down in his office. He discussed you, mostly, as if he already knew my secret. He told me of your trials, your pressures, and your ultimate decision to join the Dark Lord. He also told me that he had faith in you; faith that you would come back to us. I didn't know to what he was referring, until I joined the Order some years later. James and I were so young, but so eager to fight. Not a few months later, you staggered into an old man's office, begging for release, begging to be freed from the burden you chose to accept. That night, at the Order meeting, you entered, and I could not look into your eyes. As you pledged yourself loyal to the Order, and loyal to the Light, my heart jumped. I thought that perhaps there was hope.
James proposed to me that night, and we were enthralled in wedded bliss. I'm sorry to say I nearly forgot about you, until I had a child. The child has Mum's green eyes, and James' coloring, but if you look closely, you can see our father in him. Please look after him, Severus. He is your nephew, and it is your duty to do so. But if you will not do it for duty, do it for me, your baby sister.
Love,
Lily
Severus shut the journal loudly, listening as the sound echoed off of the grounds. He stood purposefully, clutching the journal, and walked up to the gargoyle. Albus and Minerva were standing outside, as if waiting for him. As he approached, Severus' full attention was on the child. Lily had been right; there was some of their father in him. Tentatively he reached out, after pocketing the journal, and took the boy from Minerva's arms.
"Harry Potter," he whispered, "You're going to be famous, little one. But I promise you now, that I won't be an easy guardian. We're both going to have to do some adjusting." Albus smiled while Minerva gawked, not actually believing that her former student was taking on this responsibility.
"Shall I put him in your quarters, Severus?" Albus asked with a twinkle in his eye. Severus' head snapped up.
"My quarters, Headmaster?"
"Yes, dear boy. Professor Dillard has agreed to take you on as his journeyman, as you've already completed your schooling and apprenticeship. When he retires in four years, you will become the youngest Potions Master Hogwarts has ever seen, possibly the Ministry as well." Albus was beaming, but Severus was staring at him as if he were mad.
"Albus, the Ministry couldn't possibly have agreed to this. I'm an ex-Death Eater!" He nearly screamed the last, but caught himself in time. No need to frighten the students.
"Of course they agreed to it dear boy, I vouched for you. Do not worry yourself. I will show you to your quarters soon, please excuse me. Minerva, thank you for being here these last few days. You've been a blessing as always." A slight tinge painted the witch's cheeks as she bid goodnight and walked away. Albus clapped his hands together and smiled, the twinkle back in his eye.
"Now, if you'll follow me?"
"Albus, while I appreciate all of this, I believe raising the boy in the manor, away from Hogwarts, would be best. The boy is already famous, no need to add to it. If he grows up in this school, he will not be able to abide by its rules when he attends. He needs to know his teachers as teachers, not friends he can manipulate to his will." The Headmaster smiled.
"See, you're a natural, Severus. I'll send a house-elf to help you with things. Think of it as an early Christmas present."
"Headmaster, you were never one to see the elves as property," Severus sounded almost appalled.
"Yes, of course. Now, I'm sure you must be getting to the manor." Albus clapped his hands jovially. "Garon!" A small pop was heard and a young-looking house elf appeared.
"Yes sir, Headmaster?"
"Garon, I have appreciated your service for the loyal years you've spent here. But it is time for you to move on to a real manor, with a real master. I give you to Severus Snape, and his nephew, to serve and keep for as long as they want you." Garon smiled through his tears and clung to the Headmaster.
"Garon is sad for leaving you, sir, but Garon will serve his new masters proudly!" He bowed his head for Severus, who nodded rather uncomfortably in return. Severus gave the Headmaster a little smile and walked out of the castle, Garon trailing respectfully behind. Once they reached the barriers, Severus winked out, but not before seeing a single star illuminate brightly, then fade.
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This was just a thought that's been rattling in my brain for several months. Now, I have several questions for the readers, as I could go either way on this and would like to know what you want.
1) Which house shall I put Harry in and why. That last part is important. It'll be a majority kind of thing, but more in depth answers will count more than a simple "Gryffindor" or "Slytherin." (note: That was just an example. I'll consider Hufflepuff if you give me a good enough reason!)
2) I have two ideas for the next chapter. Either a) I go straight to 11-year-old Harry on the train to Hogwarts with flashbacks to his life growing up, or b) I make the next chapter sectioned, year by year, one event a year in the boy's life as he grows. If "b" is the choice, then it will be quite a long chapter, however, if you choose "a," then I will include his sorting (of course) as well as his first day of classes.