Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of J.K. Rowling's wonderful characters.
Here and NowChapter Two: Meeting Alex
Snape rolled his eyes as his alarm clock went off for the fourth time that morning. He fumbled for either the snooze or the off button but couldn't seem to find either one. Patience wearing thin he flung the thing from the bedside table to the floor. He shot the broken clock his best snarky Potions Master, ex-Death Eater glare.
Pity I don't have my wand handy, I'd hex you into oblivion.
Now fully awake the wizard padded over to the bathroom and got in the shower. As he began to massage the shampoo into his hair a rare but beautiful smile graced his face.
"Greasy git" indeed. I doubt many of my students would believe that I actually wash my hair. I hear the things they say, especially the Gryffindors, and in particular, Harry Potter and his friends.
Once again Snape cursed himself for remembering the past. He looked down at his left arm. Even after all these years it was difficult for him realize the Dark Mark was no longer tattooed upon his porcelain skin. He finished his shower quickly and spelled himself dry. Returning to the bedroom he threw on a pair of muggle blue jeans and a tight-fitting black knit sweater. He sat down and began to lace up his black muggle boots with a little more force than required.
Bloody hell! What is wrong with me? This is the second time in two days that I've thought about Potter! Why? Why now? Maybe it's just these circumstances, looking for this boy.
Severus had decided to spend a week in the boy's hometown as a short vacation for himself and also to give him extra time to convince the child's family magic was real. He knew from previous experience that the children were always excited and thrilled to find out about Hogwarts, but the parents- well, they could be a very different matter.
As he left the small hotel room Snape grabbed his coat, wand, and the manila folder. Once outside he hailed a taxi and glanced though the file's contents as he got closer to his destination.
Hm, his name is Alex Pennington. Fourteen years old, only child to perfectly non-magic parents. No history of any magical beings in the family line. Great. I doubt this confrontation will go well at all.
"We're here sir."
Severus looked up from the paperwork at the small but well-kept house.
1512 Stringer Road, this is the place. Time to make my appearance…
He paid the cabbie and began a slow trek up the sidewalk to the front door. The wizard stood there for a moment to collect his thoughts. For some reason he was nervous about meeting this kid. It was a feeling different to any other he had ever felt.
I really need this vacation. My duties as Headmaster must really be wearing me down. Thinking about Potter, the Dark Mark, my trial, and now this- this, feeling.
Refusing to think on the matter any further Severus jabbed the doorbell and waited.
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The sound of running could be heard from within the house and before he knew it the door had opened to reveal the redhead freckle faced child from his folder.
"Hi! Who are you?"
Snape's eyebrow twitched as he looked down on the boy. He still wasn't great with first impressions.
"Are your parents home, boy?"
Alex stared at the Potions Master for what seemed to Severus like an eternity before turning back into the house. "Mom! There's a really weird guy at the front door asking for you!"
Whatever made me believe I enjoyed these little outings? And why exactly do I want this rug rat in my school?
Alex's presence at the door was quickly replaced by that of a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked at Severus only a moment before inviting him into the house.
"Shall I get you some tea, sir? We can chat afterwards if you like."
"That would be greatly appreciated ma'am. Thank you."
"Have a seat. I'll be back in just a moment. I'll send Alex to his room as well. I think it is best that we talk in private."
The lady walked away into what Snape presumed was the kitchen while he took a seat on a flower patterned wing backed chair. Moments later the woman returned carrying two cups of tea.
"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself to you. My name is Libby Pennington and I am Alex's mother. His father isn't home at the moment but I'm sure he will be sorry to have missed your visit."
Severus was a little confused. Did these people think he was someone else? Someone they knew? If so, it was time to set the record straight.
"Ms. Pennington- "
"You may call me Libby." Er, okay, then…
"Libby, I believe you must be mistaken. We have never met and I don't know why your husband would feel one way or the other about missing my visit. I'm not sure why you seem so at ease around me either, few people do." Severus took a sip of his tea.
"Sir, am I correct in assuming that you are a wizard?"
Snape fought hard to keep himself from spitting tea all over the ghastly flower print chair. "Excuse me?"
Libby set down her teacup. "Many squibs live in this neighborhood, many of whom keep in close contact with their magical relatives. The Daily Prophet is even delivered to some households." She looked at the Headmaster with sad eyes. "I have long known that Alex was a wizard. I'm not sure how these things work, with both Glenn and I being completely unmagical, or muggle, as I think you call it. Anyway, I always knew that eventually other wizards would come looking for him."
Snape took this as his cue. "I am the current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I came here to talk to you about the possibility of Alex attending my school to learn to control and polish his magical abilities. I'm quite frankly shocked that you even know of the existence of magic. Makes my job easier I suppose."
Libby shook her head. "I realize that your school would probably be the best place for Alex but I have heard many things about the dangers of the Wizarding World. Was there not a man named Voldemort, bent on the destruction of muggles, who killed adults and children alike? I think his henchmen were called Death Eaters…"
Severus flinched at the mention of his former master and former title.
"Ma'am, I understand your concern but let me assure you these are dangers of the past. Vol- Voldemort is no more and his Death Eaters have been killed or imprisoned. I am in charge of the school now and I have and will continue to do everything in my power to protect my students and the magical community at large."
"Of course I will have to consider your proposition Headmaster. I will discuss it with my husband tonight once he's home from work. Are you staying in town for a while?"
"Yes, I've taken a hotel room not far from here. I plan to be here for a week. Hopefully you'll give me the opportunity to talk with you and your son again before you make a decision. I'd be more than happy to answer any of your questions."
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His mom had told him to give her and the company some privacy, but Alex had no such intentions. This new guy was fascinating. His shoulder length hair as dark as night and eyes like bottomless pits reminded him of someone his teacher talked about often. Alex could feel the magic rolling off the man in waves and had known immediately he was a fellow wizard. He had listened to the entire conversation and seen the man's flinch at the mention of Lord Voldemort. Suddenly Alex had to know if his assumption was right. He watched as his mother escorted the wizard back towards the front door and then ran right up to the pair.
Snape was ready to call it a day. The entire morning had been entirely too strange and Ms. Pennington knowing about magic had really shocked him.
"Thank you for the tea again Ms. Pennington, and also for having an open mind to my proposal."
"It was my pleasure, Headmaster."
Snape saw Alex run towards them. What now? The boy once again looked straight at him much like he had at the front door.
"Yes?" the Potions Master heard himself drawl out.
"You're Severus Snape, aren't you?"
TBC…
