Title – First Signs

Rating – PG

Disclaimer – I own none of this, it all belongs to Rowling. I just have the honor of using her creations in my story. No slash, sex or profanity.

Summary – A series of vignettes detailing a major event in the lives of all wizards and witches – the first sign of magic.

Author's Note – Hey all, this is a new series I'm starting and hopefully you will find this event as interesting as I do. I'm planning on covering a variety of characters, starting with Severus Snape because he's my favorite and it's my prerogative as author. :) All reviews, corrections, suggestions and questions are welcome! Read and enjoy!

First Signs

Severus Snape

They were fighting again. His parents were always fighting about something. Usually it was about him, but sometimes it was about money or his father's love for something called firewhiskey. Tonight the lucky topic of dissention was him. Again. He did not understand why his parents would argue over him. He tried his best to please them and stay out of his father's way. He tried his hardest to do what was expected of him. Sometimes his father yelled at him because he was apparently something called a Squib and an embarrassment to the Snape name. He sighed, too tired to try and figure it all out.

Severus clutched his blankets tighter around his thin frame and debated whether or not it would be worth it to fall back asleep or wait for his father's impending visit. The elder Snape usually had a few words or curses for his son before he went to bed or continued his drinking binge. Making up his mind Severus quietly slipped out of bed, shivering in the cool air, despite the protection of his sleepclothes, and crept to his bedroom door. He sat down and put his ear to the crack, listening apprehensively to the escalating argument.

The four-year-old boy flinched as his father's voice rose suddenly in anger and he curled a bit into a defensive ball, closing his eyes tightly. Soon he would hear the heavy footsteps of his father coming up the stairs and then his bedroom door would swing open and then the tears would fall.

He was caught off guard however, when his mother sharply retorted something back and he heard a hand crack loudly against flesh. Silence reigned for a moment before the sound of someone crying reached even Severus's ears. It took him a minute to realize that it was his Mum who was softly sobbing.

Severus stared dumbfounded at the floor, still trying to process what had happened. His father had hit her. He had struck his mother. It was a tough concept for his young mind to grasp. His father had never resorted to physical violence before, always preferring magic to intimidate and control his wife and son.

Anger, worry and fear warred within him as he wondered what he should so. He chewed nervously at the end of his hair and pressed his ear to the crack again. His father was speaking again, but too quietly for Severus to hear. Overwhelming concern for his mother made his decision easier and he took a deep breath before climbing to his feet. He slowly opened the door and headed down the stairs.

Making sure to avoid the stair that creaked, Severus soon reached the bottom and padded toward the living room, his father's voice and mother's sobs becoming louder as he got closer. Severus swallowed then peeked inside, eyes automatically searching for his mother.

They found her cowering against the sofa, staring up at his father in terror and surprise while tears leaked from her wide blue eyes. One hand was held out in front of her protectively and the other was rubbing her face. Severus could tell there was a blossoming bruise marring her left cheek. Neither of his parents noticed him until Severus stepped fully into the room, unable to tear his eyes away from that bruised cheek.

"Severus!" His mother exclaimed, forgetting her terror and pain as she caught sight of her son, "What are you doing out of bed?"

"Yes boy, what are you doing out of bed?" His father echoed and slowly turned to stare at him, face still clouded in anger.

Suddenly frozen under that dark glare, Severus did not dare move any closer to his mother and replied softly,

"I was worried about Mum."

"Well here she is boy. Perfectly fine. Now get back up to bed and stay there. I'll punish you tomorrow!" His father spat and pointed upstairs.

"Don't talk to him like that Tiberius! He's scared and confused!" His mother answered defiantly. She ducked past him and knelt in front of Severus, who was gazing at them with wide eyes. He smiled shakily and raised a small hand to touch her cheek. When she shrank back from his touch, Severus frowned and looked up murderously at his father.

"Why did you hit her Father? Why?"

"Severus, now is not the time -" His mother said quietly and tried to usher him out of the room. Tiberius Snape stepped forward and cut her off,

"I disagree Livia, this is a perfect time to teach our son a lesson in obedience. Come here Severus."

Severus looked fearfully between his parents, just coming to the realization that perhaps he should have stayed in bed after all. He took a small step backward.

"Come here boy!" Tiberius growled. When Severus did not move his father reached over and grabbed him by the hair, jerking him sharply. Severus shrieked; too focused on the pain in his scalp to hear his mother's pleas and protests. His father dropped him at his feet and said coldly,

"Good little boys would have stayed in their rooms and minded their own business. But since you are so concerned about your mother, you can share her fate."

His father delivered one painful blow to his stomach before his mother managed to position her body between them and pleaded,

"Please Tiberius, not Severus. I'm sorry! Please don't hurt him!"

"Move aside Livia! I will not have insolent children living in my house! Severus must learn the consequences of his actions!"

Severus had managed to slide back into a corner of the room and was watching them with tearful eyes. His abdomen and head hurt and he was trembling in fear and shock. He did not mean for things to get out of hand. He just wanted to see if his Mum was all right. What did he do wrong now?

His mother had successfully turned his father's attention away from Severus and back to herself. Tiberius was again shouting at her and she cringed under his angry glare, trying to placate him any way she knew how. He raised his fist again, intending to deal his wife a solid blow for interfering, but never completed the motion.

Severus felt all his anger and frustration burn within him as he watched his father prepare to strike again. His black eyes narrowed and without really knowing what he was doing he released all that anger in a powerful burst of something. His body felt all tingly and warm and the sudden power made him feel alive. His father was flung violently backwards back an invisible force, away from his mother, and hit the far wall with a sickening crack. Tiberius slumped to the floor, unconscious and bleeding from a gash on his brow.

For a long minute neither Severus and his mother neither moved nor spoke. Then Severus leapt to his feet and buried his face in his mother's robes, holding on to her with all his strength.

"I didn't mean to do it Mummy! I swear I didn't!" He said between sobs.

"Shhh, it's all right sweetheart, your father is just stunned. He'll be fine in a few hours." She replied and stroked his hair soothingly as he cried. When Severus had calmed down she continued softly, "Do you know what just happened here my Severus?" He sniffled and shook his head. "Why you just had your first sign of magic! Real magic! I am so proud of you!" His mother told him with a gentle smile. He looked up at her in amazement.

"Magic? Really? It made me do did that to Father?" asked Severus as he glanced warily over at his unconscious father. His mother nodded and lifted him up into her arms.

"Yes it did. You're a brave little wizard."

"Will Father be mad when he wakes up?"

"I don't believe so Severus. I think your he will understand."

Severus smiled sleepily, secretly relieved. He trusted his mother's judgment; she would protect him and he would protect her. He rested his head against her shoulder as she carried him out of the living room and back up to bed. His mother made his head and stomach feel better with her wand, then tucked him back under the covers and kissed him lightly on the nose.

"Good night Severus."

"'Nite Mummy."

And the brand new wizard slept without fear for the first time ever.

TBC

Next Up – Hermione Granger

Like I said, it's just a simple vignette, nothing fancy. I have a short list of characters and plot ideas but I would love to hear any suggestions you readers have! Be sure to drop me a review with your comments and ideas!