Chapter 2: Snape's Accomplishment
Severus Snape wasn't sure what, if anything, he should expect when he suggested Crouch gave Sirius Black a trial to prevent the use of technicalities but it certainly wasn't the letter he received.
Severus,
We appreciate your concern over Sirius Black but I assure you we've checked all laws and regulations regarding the case and there's no way his relatives can use the lack of a trial to get him out of his richly deserved punishment.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
After thinking things over, Severus decided that keeping Sirius Black behind bars was worth not getting to see the bully at the Wizengamot. Willing to put his former tormentor behind, the potioneer decided to focus on his new ward. He knew that, as guardian to the last Potter, he could command the Potter elves. "Elves of House Potter, I command you as Harry Potter's guardian to reveal yourselves to me."
Only one elf showed up and it seemed so out of shape Severus Snape would be surprised if it lived long enough to see Harry receiving a Hogwarts letter. "Yes!" The elf exclaimed. "Tommy knew it was a matter of time until a master summoned Tommy!"
Severus was mildly surprised. Not that one could tell by merely looking at him. "Are you the only Potter elf left?"
"Tommy is the only Potter elf to survive the destruction of Master Fleamont and Mistress Euphemia's home by Dark One." Tommy sadly answered.
"Tommy, are you bound to obey my orders for as long as I am Harry James Potter's guardian?" Severus asked.
"Yes, Master Snivy." Tommy eagerly answered.
"What did you call me?" Severus asked with a hint of annoyance.
"Tommy called you 'Master Snivy'." Tommy explained. "Master James used to refer to you as 'Snivellus' or 'Snivy' so Tommy calls you 'Master Snivy'."
"Not wanting to waste time arguing with an elf, Severus Snape begrudgingly decided to let the elf keep calling him that. "Tommy, my status as Harry Potter's guardian is to be known by as few wizards and witches as necessary until it's time for him to attend a magical school or becomes an adult." Severus instructed. "Whatever happens first. Is that clear to you?"
"Yes, Master Snivy!" Tommy exclaimed. "Tommy understands!"
"My fellow wizards and witches will suspect something is amiss if I'm absent from work for long so you'll get to watch over him and won't interrupt me unless it's an emergency."
"Yes, Master Snivy."
As the months passed, the new routine involving Severus, Harry and Tommy was altered by a new development: the Lestranges and Bartemius Crouch Junior subjected Frank and Alice Longbottom to such a long exposition to the Cruciatus Curse that both victims were admitted at St. Mungo's mental ward with no hope for a recovery. Still being the creative potioneer who thought outside the box known as Advanced Potion Making during his days as a sixth-year student, Severus Snape decided to research a cure. 'If that arrogant Belby thinks he can make a potion that'll enable werewolves to remain in control of their actions while in wolf form, I can make a potion that'll relieve people from the effects of a long Cruciatus Curse.' Snape thought.
Six months of tests later, Severus Snape was certain his new potion was ready for human consumption and it was time for the hardest challenge for any potioneer who invented a new potion: obtaining permission to use a human test subject. The healers at St. Mungo's were impressed enough but, since no person who needed the help offered by the potion could express their intentions, it was up to whoever had the power-of-attorney to speak on their behalf to decide. "Are you certain the potion will work?" Frank Longbottom's mother Augusta Longbottom sternly asked.
"Y-yes, Madam Longbottom." The healer in charge of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries fearfully said.
"You'd better be because I'll make sure you'll lose your healing license for this if this potion harms my Frank." Augusta threatened and the healer was sure she meant it and could make it happen.
Fortunately for everyone, the potion worked and Frank was once again able to recognize those he knew and loved. "Mother?" He asked in confusion. "Where am I?"
"Oh, Frank!" She exclaimed. "I'm glad to have you back!"
Looking around, Frank Longbottom realized he was in a hospital room and figured out it was St. Mungo's. "What am I doing here?" He then noticed his wife. "What happened to Alice?"
"Don't you remember the Lestranges and Barty Junior breaking into your home and subjecting you and Alice to the Cruciatus Curse, Frank?" Augusta asked.
Frank searched his memory for what his mother had just described and suddenly remembered. "Neville!" He exclaimed in horror. "Where's Neville? Is he…" He was visibly worried.
"Neville is fine, son." Augusta explained. "I've taken him in."
"Phew." Frank was glad for it. "What happened to the Death Eaters who attacked us?"
"They were given life sentences for what they did to you and Alice, Frank." Augusta explained.
"Good." Frank sternly replied. "For a while, I thought Barty Senior would help his son."
Severus Snape snorted at the idea. "Like he knows what compassion means. He used their trial to publicly disown Junior for whatever good it did since he not only lost his chances of becoming Minister Bagnold's successor but also his position as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Then again, one could argue that Junior's role and his father's desire to publicly disown him were the reason the Lestranges got a trial. I don't think they deserved it more than Sirius Black did and Black didn't get a trial."
"Snape?" Frank asked in surprise at noticing the presence of one of his darkest yearmates from their time as Hogwarts students. "What're you doing here?"
"I am just checking the results of my potion." Snape answered, making Frank confused.
"Potioneer Snape here invented the potion that helped you recover from the Cruciatus, son." Augusta explained with a newfound respect and gratitude towards the Slytherin.
"Thank you, Snape." Frank said as he stood up and walked towards the potioneer for a handshake.
"Please don't move too much, Auror Longbottom." A healer asked. "You're still recovering and it's been six months you've been bedridden."
"OK." Frank replied. "So, when will Alice be administered the potion as well, Potioneer Snape?"
"After your mother authorizes it or a mind healer vouches for your mental competency and you authorize it, Longbottom." Snape explained. "Whatever happens first."
"Well, given what it did to Frank, I think it's safe to authorize it." Augusta declared.
"There's still enough from my first batch to cure her." Snape told everyone. "Just don't hope for a new batch yet. That potion takes time to brew."
Two days later, Severus Snape was working on a new batch ordered by St. Mungo's when a Ministry owl showed up. After placing a stasis charm on his yet to be finished batch, he read the letter brought by the owl and learned he's been offered an Order of Merlin Third Class for his accomplishment. While Tommy watched over Harry and the potion, Snape went to the Ministry.
As the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was at the Ministry for the ceremony. "Severus, my boy, I'm so glad you overcame your Slytherin darkness." The Headmaster declared. "Horace must be proud of you."
"I haven't heard from him lately but I'm certain Professor Slughorn feels as you said, Chief Warlock." Snape politely replied. "You're certainly happy for the Longbottoms as well."
"Yes, I am glad Frank and Alice can finally recover from their ordeal."
"Potioneer Snape?" A woman called for him. "Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet. How do you feel now that you received this award?"
"I feel like I'm receiving respect for my abilities, Ms. Skeeter." Severus answered. "When I read the news on what happened to the Longbottoms, I felt like I could use my skills as a potioneer to help them."
"How long will it take until Frank and Alice Longbottom will finally be able to resume their lives?" Rita asked.
"Since they're the first people to receive help from this potion, it has yet to be seen." Snape explained.
After the ceremony, Severus Snape went back to his shop to resume working on his potion. "Anything wrong with my potion or Harry Potter?" Snape asked Tommy.
"No, Master Snivy." Tommy eagerly answered.
After Snape finished working on his potion's new batch, another owl showed up. This time, it came from the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers and brought him an invitation to join.
End chapter. At first, it'd be about Harry growing up as a Snape but the Longbottom plot distracted me.
