Being True

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not!

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Chapter 2: Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny Is Dead!

In the next days Severus found himself involved in the daily routine that made up pre-summer stock preparations. It was very different, and yet very similar, to getting ready for the beginning of a school year. So many details had to be taken care of.

The preparations for the season were a mixture of elbow grease and magic.

The Theatre was inspected from top to bottom by maintenance as well as the stage manager. What needed fixing – was fixed, what needed paint – was painted, what needed to be rewired –was cursed most heartily, especially by the electricians who didn't like crawling over the dusty, cobwebbed rafters.

The seats in the auditorium were checked for wear and tear. Everyone living and working at the theatre had to pitch in. No one was spared.

The electrical department drafted Garion and his brothers to get to several problem-wires in the rafters. Garion didn't mind the narrow, suspended catwalk and calmly did as he was ordered.

Severus found himself mostly doing small jobs around the grounds. During his tasks he discovered several potions ingredients growing wild that were hard to find back home. He enjoyed short walks in the woods behind the manor when he could get away.

There were a myriad of things to do to get ready for the late spring opening. Severus watched in amusement as the Hooligans flitted around getting into everything. The dour man knew that didn't mean they were causing more work, no, they were simply adding their brand of mayhem interspersed with actual work.

It never ceased to amaze him. . . three royal princes working like day laborers, with no complaint! The purebloods back home would never lower themselves to dirty their hands in such a manner!

He mentally compared them to the Weasley menace, and realized that the trio had the terrible twins eclipsed. In helping as needed, the Hooligans made sure their work was fun as well as efficient. Their antics took the stress out of an otherwise tedious job. The Weasleys, on the other hand, tended to make more work, not less.

Sarah worked in the front office, taking bookings, selling tickets, making reservations. She also did the necessary paperwork required to run a thriving business. She accomplished all of this between working on her current book.

Through it all, Sarah remained calm, despite the chaos. However, everyone knew, cross her and suffer the painful consequences. Her anger made even the goblins scatter in its wake. If the Lady wasn't happy, run! The Bog was more enjoyable than the sharp edge of her tongue!

The only person who didn't involve himself in the Spring Clean up was the Goblin King himself. He remained missing in action. Severus found that he was glad for that fact, as the Goblin King reminded him too much of Lucius Malfoy for his liking. . .blonde, arrogant and dangerous.

Garion snickered when asked about it. "Father hates cleaning. He usually hides in his castle along with his goblins."

Sets needed to be organized for the different plays that were in the line-up for that season. Garion's brothers were a big help, as they liked creating and moving sets around. It curtailed some of their excess energy.

The magical wards around the theatre had to be renewed each year. For the theatre Spring was a time of ritual cleansing and rebirth.

There were more monsters, dark creatures and things that went bump in the night, than Severus was used to dealing with. With so many creatures calling the area around the theatre home, it was like a beacon that shouted to any dark ones: 'Free Buffet, come and get it!' So, because the building was only used part of the year, all the magical wards around the theatre had to be carefully checked and renewed.

They also had to make sure that the wand users didn't interfere with any of the magic around the theatre as they were known to do so. Garion could usually spot them as they entered the auditorium and tried to head off any interference.

Several times during past summers, the young bard was called upon to clear out the many spells that those idiots cast on the walls. What the arrogant wand wavers failed to understand was their pitiful powers weren't the be all or end all of magic.

Magic was very diversified, and not limited to just those that used a wand. Their laws were too restrictive and demeaning for those that practiced true magik.

Of course, the Underground goblins didn't help. They were everywhere and into everything. Those that could see the mischievous little creatures, tried to ignore them. Those that couldn't see them just chalked it up to the ghosts and gremlins living in the theatre. As everyone knew, there were always ghosts and gremlins haunting theatres. The trick was to not let them bother you.

As a Bard, it was one of Severus' tasks to help shore up the magic. He had been doing it for some time, since his own bardic magic had awakened. During his community service at the Wizarding hospital, he had cleansed and channeled the magic at St. Mungos and Diagon Alley.

The theatre was a new world for Severus. He wasn't sure how he fit into this free, bohemian life-style; it was very daunting to him. As the weeks went by Severus became extremely glad he'd decided on the student room at the B & B. It became his haven when the noise and bedlam became too much.

Thankfully, he was very used to dealing with his former headmaster in his more eccentric moods, and hormonal teenagers as well. Dealing with those small pests hiding in the shadows was child's play.

Speaking of the small goblins, the few that had followed him from St. Mungos adored him. Severus, with his dark pride and snarky mannerisms reminded them of their precious 'Kinggie.'

He did, however, have a favorite little goblin that had attached himself to Severus. The little goblin had gotten caught in one of the sabotage incidents aimed at discrediting him during his community service. The little guy had warned Severus of the plot and then activated the trap to protect him. But even though the little pests were hardy creatures, it was touch and go for a time.

Little 'Pugsy' eventually pulled through. Even His Majesty had gotten involved at one point and added his magic to heal the small one. Of course, Severus would never admit to it, but the little goblin had grown on him.

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The summer season was well under way and Severus Snape became more comfortable in his new role as 'Seth Prince.' Gone were the black teaching robes and greasy hair. Taking his cues from Cory McBane, High Elf and owner of the theatre, Severus took to wearing black poet shirts and dark denim jeans. He did enjoy talking to him - this cousin to the Goblin King, Cory, had a wicked sense of humor.

Seth Prince had begun to tie his long, fine hair back into a small ponytail creating quite the stir among the ladies of the theatre with his dark, mysterious looks. . .which promptly freaked out Uncle Snuffles!

Severus was welcomed into the close family circle of adults in the evenings. Garion and his brothers were not allowed, as they were still considered quite juvenile in their rowdiness. So it was no surprised that the trio usually had their own way to wind

down – or up, as the case may be, in the evening. It usually involved loud music, much to the dismay of the adults.

The one fly in Severus' ointment was the fact that this was where Black and his pet wolf ended up. He wasn't too sure if some vengeful deity had placed a curse on his life for him to be constantly plagued by the two mutts.

"Snape, these people are really into second chances. Not like Dumbledore who put conditions on those supposed chances," Samuel Black, formerly Sirius Black said over a cup of coffee. "Sirius Black is gone. He no longer exists; he died in that oubliette. Call me either Snuffles like the brats do, or Sam. "

"As long as you remember, mutt, that my name is now Seth Prince," was his snarky reply. "Do try to keep up."

Severus still couldn't get over the fact that Black was even there and had a very mature outlook on life! Although they didn't have open hostilities between them anymore, they still sniped at each other to let off a bit of stress from time to time. Some old habits were hard to get rid of.

Black sputtered and shook his head. The old Black would've risen to the bait, but this new one was still delightfully entertaining.

Of course, Sarah was watching everyone and no one wanted to get on that lady's bad side. Her one rule was 'everyone has to play nice, or else . . . ' and no one wanted the 'or else', not even Jareth. She had a vicious temper and a Goblin King to back her up when she laid down the law.

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The opening play for this season was an oldie, but a goodie: "South Pacific."

Garion opted out of the musical, because the young bard wanted to spend time with his apprentice – to finish honing his skills. Severus opted out because he was still very uncomfortable before an audience.

"The next play will be Hamlet, Sev, and I want you to try for the role of either Claudius or Polonius. Both are mature roles and you'll do well in either. Although, Claudius has more lines and presence on stage," Garion informed him, one day.

"And your reasoning?" Severus asked. There was nothing he could do to get the brat to stop bastardizing his name. At least Sev is close to Seth, so no one should notice.

"To help you project your voice and give you a feel for being on display, to give you a stage presence. No. Really, Sev," Garion said, holding up a hand to stop his protests. "You need this, my padawan. You're so used to hiding that glorious voice of yours in back rooms, bending over your beloved pots. For your final step to mastery, you need to learn how to perform and perfect your magic in front of the non-believers."

Severus scowled, before saying. "My CAULDRONS are NOT pots!" Garion remained silent. Severus muttered after a few moments. "I'll think about it."

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It was closing night of 'Hamlet'. Seth Prince was standing in the receiving line as the patrons of the play filed out. He had gotten the part of Claudius, the king. It had been hard work overcoming his inherent shyness on stage, but as he became more comfortable with the role, he fell right into it. Garion had been right. He needed to be completely comfortable before an audience and to move away from his 'Greasy Git of the Dungeon' persona.

The ladies that came to watch the play seemed to enjoy the tall, dark and brooding actor that played such a morose role. He really was at a loss as to why they would want his autograph.

Black seemed to find it very amusing. He had the role of Horaito but according to him, he'd rather perform in the comedies.

Severus would never enjoy being on stage but the experience had been good for him. For one, anyone looking for 'Potions Master Severus Snape, bat of the dungeon,' would never think to look for him in Summer Stock and performing on stage. They would never believe he would wear anything besides wizarding robes.

A hand clasped his shoulder and a voice close to his ear, whispered. "I'm very proud of you, my padawan. Your training is now complete. There is nothing more I can teach you, Journeyman Bard Prince." Then the hand was gone.

Severus didn't know how he got through the rest of that night.

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The next day and casting for the next play were well into production. Severus was in a breakfast meeting with Garion in the kitchen area of the manor house. Most everyone had slept in after the night before, so they were the only two awake. The goblins, usually ever present, were conspicuously missing. Severus found that strange, they rarely turned down free food!

"Explain," Severus snapped at the teenager as he sipped at his first cup of coffee of the morning.

Garion smiled, as he fixed breakfast for the two of them. "Sev, you're now a journeyman of your craft. You need to obtain your bardic mastery and that only comes with experience. There's two ways to get that. You can do it here, theatre is a good foil for your voice, but I think you need more. This weekend, you and I are going on a little road trip to explore the second option." He set down a plate of eggs and pancakes in front of the grumbling man.

"And just where do you think we should be going, brat?" he asked as he looked with disgust at the food in front of him.

Garion smiled as he dug into his meal. "You'll see. Don't worry about packing. Wear your normal attire but make sure you wear comfortable boots. You will be doing a lot of walking."

Now Seth Prince, formerly Severus Snape, was worried. He hated when the brat got mysterious. It usually meant trouble.

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Honestly people! We did say may or may not and the rating is T as there won't be any romance in the story.

Until next time. -GF and The Frau