Summary: Severus experiences a sudden change of fortune.

Reminder: This story is AU and does not follow HP canon! (See below for Acknowledgements and Disclaimer.)

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A Prince Rising

By Syl Francis

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Chapter Three

Severus had never looked forward quite as much to arriving at the train depot at King's Cross. The Marauders were being their usually obnoxious, pratty selves. 'Pratty—is that even a word?' He wondered. 'No matter, it's how the toerags have been behaving since we pulled out of Hogsmeade.' And, of course, the prefects just looked the other way when it was Severus who was being targeted.

'Okay, I get it already! He fumed. It's because I exist that I deserve to be stunned, humiliated, and otherwise degraded. You made yourselves perfectly clear on that point last year.'

For just a moment, he thought that either Remus or Lily would say something to stop their fellow Gryffindors, but at the last minute they both turned away. That was all the encouragement Sirius needed. With a wicked grin he quickly shot off a leg-lock followed by a stunner.

Severus easily blocked both spells with a silent Protego—a spell he'd learned to cast back in his first year out of sheer necessity. With age and experience, he had advanced to the point that he could cast it both nonverbally and at Maxima strength. The end result was that the two spells bounced back on the caster at almost three times their original power.

To Severus' satisfaction, Sirius was blown back several feet by his own reflected spells, and some of the spillover even affected Potter and Pettigrew who were standing next to him. Severus smirked at the gasps of astonishment spilling forth from some of the other compartments and grinned at the looks of approval from his fellow Slytherins. Shrugging, he silently cast three Stupefies in quick succession and returned to his compartment. Someone would come along to cast the counter-spell releasing them soon enough.

'Probably Lily.' He sighed, and then added in self-disgust, 'You are so pathetic, Snape.'

Severus quickly warded the door to the compartment; anyone not specifically keyed to his wards would not be able to enter. Feeling safe at last, he took out one of his mother's old texts that he'd found stored away in the attic at Spinner's End. The days following his parents' funeral, he'd gone through the house and managed to dispose of many old and neglected items.

To his delight, Severus had discovered a relative treasure trove of spell books, all stamped with the Prince family crest. He figured that his mum must have left her home with them when she'd first gotten married. This text was filled with many helpful household spells to repel dust, grime, and vermin—just about anything to help keep a home looking new and fresh. In fact, most of the spells in the book were geared toward the discerning house witch, who was looking to create a loving household for her wizard and children.

'Which makes sense,' he admitted, 'since this is a book that Mum specifically chose to take with her when she herself was little more than a girl about to elope with Da. She must have been excited about creating a home with him and was looking forward to being a wife and mother.'

Pensive over the unhappiness that ultimately troubled his parents' marriage, Severus was about to close the book, when a new section of household spells caught his eye: space expansion and reduction spells. These were spells for the discerning house witch with limited storage space. The spells could be used to magically expand a small closet, pantry, or even kitchen cabinets. Recalling the small, practically claustrophobic Snape home at Spinners End, Severus knew that his mother could have made effective use of these spells.

Excited over the possibilities, Severus had immediately learned the proper incantation and wand movements, and had magically added different storage compartments with unlimited space to his school trunk.

Better yet, because of the reduction spells he found in the book, he could actually shrink and un-shrink his trunk without resorting to the use of underage magic outside of school. Because the charm was placed on the trunk itself all Severus need do was tap the trunk with his wand, and it would be reverted to its original size. Another tap would automatically re-shrink it.

The spell was touted in the book as helpful for mothers of young children who had to carry a large array of babies' needs wherever they went. 'Well, I don't need to carry any nappies or baby bottles, but as pathetic as it sounds, I'm basically carrying the entirety of my worldly goods in my school trunk.'

Severus also found some helpful Potions recipes for personal grooming, such as special shampoos for specific scalp and hair problems, and a few other potions that were mostly geared toward girls. 'Hmmm...Maybe I can brew some of these for a little side income,' he contemplated. He was always looking for new ideas to expand on his small, but lucrative Potions brewing business.

Flipping through the pages, he hoped to find something that could help him with his own greasy-looking hair. ('Damn potions fumes!' He groused to himself.)

Severus had never seen most of the spell books he found tucked away in the attic, so he didn't know whether his mother had ever actually used them while living at Spinner's End. A new idea suddenly struck him. Where his mother had procured a few books, it stood to reason there might be more—possibly a full library's worth, in fact. Did his mother's family have a whole library of magical texts, hidden away somewhere?

Abruptly, he felt much more intrigued over the idea of the so-called Prince "landholdings," the term Nagrock had used in his letter.

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The Hogwarts Express pulled into Platform 9¾ at exactly 1:00 p.m. Severus waited in his compartment until he was sure everyone had disembarked from the train. Then, he waited a few minutes more until the train platform began to clear. He had changed from his school uniform to jeans and a black t-shirt while waiting for the rest of the train to empty.

Before leaving his compartment, he whispered a command, which activated the listening spell he had cast when he first boarded. The only sounds that came back were those of the train engine releasing steam and other noises associated with the train station. Satisfied that the Marauders weren't hanging around just to ambush him, he finally exited his compartment and shortly afterward the train.

'At this rate, I'll be recruited by MI-6 for her Majesty's Secret Service.' Constantly dodging and outwitting the Marauders required James Bond/secret agent-worthy stealth. 'Speaking of which-!' Severus stopped suddenly and wandlessly cast a Notice-Me-Not charm on himself. Peter Pettigrew was standing alone on the platform and pacing nervously by the exit portal. 'He looks like he's waiting for someone, probably his parents,' thought Severus.

Instead of heading toward the exit, Severus decided to duck behind a convenient pillar to wait and see who would show up for the little rat. Not sure why he cared to know for whom Pettigrew was waiting, and not taking any chances on being spotted, Severus ensured that the Notice-Me-Not charm was still in place as well. After five minutes, he started growing impatient and had just about decided to leave, when much to his surprise, none other than Lucius Malfoy made a sudden and unexpected appearance.

Lucius looked at Pettigrew as if he were something disgusting that he might scrape off the bottom of his very expensive designer shoes. He glared disdainfully at the boy cowering before him. "I don't know what your game is, Pettigrew, but He has agreed to give you an audience." He sneered. "I do hope you know what you're doing...for your sake."

Then, without any kind of warning, he took the younger boy by the arm and Disapparated them both from the platform. Mouth agape, Severus stared at the spot on which they'd been standing before they disappeared. He didn't need two guesses to figure out to whom Malfoy was taking the cowardly Marauder.

Closing his mouth with a snap, the young Slytherin got back to the immediate problem at hand. He had an important appointment to get to, and if he didn't hurry he would be late. Severus didn't have many dealings with goblins, but he was well enough versed in wizard-goblin relations to know that being late to or missing an appointment at Gringotts usually proved to be quite costly...for the wizard.

Therefore, the next few minutes found Severus practically running madly down the busy London streets during the afternoon rush hour. As he hurriedly made his way to the Leaky Cauldron, Severus couldn't help wondering how he could turn what he'd seen to his advantage...

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Nagrock looked up as a slender, dark-haired teen dressed in Muggle clothing approached him. He raised a single eyebrow in enquiry. Was this pale, dark-eyed man-child his two o'clock appointment? On closer inspection, Nagrock noted the familial similarities to the Prince scions with whom he had worked in the past. He would have to run an inheritance test, of course, but he thought he already detected some of the Prince pride in how the boy held up his head.

"Excuse me, sir," the young man said with a small bow. "I have a two o'clock appointment with Nagrock. Do I have the honor of addressing him?"

Nagrock stood to his full height, which barely reached Severus' chest, and formally returned the bow. "I am Nagrock. To whom do I have the honor of addressing?"

"I am Severus Tobias Snape. I received a letter from you yesterday regarding an inheritance from my mother's side—the family name of Prince."

"If you would please accompany me, Mr. Snape. We have several matters to discuss." With that, Nagrock led Severus down a long corridor and into an impressive office. "Please take a seat, Mr. Snape," he said indicating a comfortable looking chair in front of a massive desk. As Severus did so, Nagrock made his way to the other side of the desk.

Severus watched as the goblin opened the top desk drawer and pulled out a blank parchment. With measured motions, Nagrock placed the empty parchment on the center of the desk. Next, he pulled out a goblin-made dagger, its handle gleaming with several precious and semi-precious stones. Severus' eyebrows shot up as he noted the dangerous razor edge on the blade made of pure silver. He knew what Nagrock was going to say before he said it.

"Mr. Snape, you must know that before we go a single step forward, I must ensure that you are indeed a descendant of the Prince line." He pinned Severus with a piercing gaze as he spoke.

Severus could refuse the test, but he would forfeit any right to the Prince inheritance should he do so. Therefore, it was in his best interests to submit to the test. A bit reluctantly, Severus nodded in acquiescence and took out his wand. "I understand the need, and I agree to the inheritance test." A bright light from his wand flashed at his words.

Nagrock nodded and picked up the dagger. Severus, in turn, held his hand out palm up over the blank parchment on the desk. Nagrock took hold of Severus by the wrist, and with a quick downward slash, made a superficial cut across his open palm. Severus flinched slightly, but stood still for the most part. He watched as his blood began to seep out from the shallow cut.

After a few moments, Nagrock turned Severus' palm over to allow his blood to drip down onto the parchment. The blood drops disappeared into the parchment as soon as they touched it. After ten drops had fallen, Nagrock laid the dagger down and waved his free hand over the fresh wound. To Severus surprise the cut closed neatly, leaving only a faint pink line that was even then beginning to fade. A second wave Scourgified the congealed blood.

Severus knew that goblins and house elves had their own mysterious brand of magic, and that just because they were forbidden by law to use wands, it did not mean that their magic wasn't powerful. Only a fool would underestimate them, and Severus Snape was no fool. He nodded his thanks to the goblin for the healing spell, and Nagrock returned the nod.

They then turned to the still blank parchment. With a wave, Nagrock lit a magical candle, sitting on one of the corners of his desk. Severus surmised it was sitting on the northern corner, which was the strongest magical location for Everlasting candles used in spells. Sure enough, almost as soon as it was lit, the candle began to let off a strong scent of incense—lavender, Severus identified silently. It was an ingredient used in several potions, mostly for healing and, therefore, quite benign.

As the relaxing scent wafted slowly throughout the room, Nagrock began chanting something in Gobbledygook, his native goblin language. Unable to help himself, Severus felt his eyes growing heavy, and try as he might, he couldn't keep them open...

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He woke suddenly not knowing where he was.

Gone was Nagrock's office in Gringotts; instead, Severus was standing on a long, winding gravel driveway. It was midmorning on a bright, clear day. He could hear birdsong coming from the surrounding trees, their full-leafed canopies providing a nice cool shade. Severus started following the road, and as he did, he took in the grounds. He admired the neatly landscaped flowerbeds, well-trimmed hedges, and rolling green parklands. At the end of the driveway, stood a grand manor.

It was built on a scale that rivaled that of a castle or even a palace. It was constructed of a gray stone native to where Severus had grown up. He knew this because his father had worked part time at the local stone quarry to make ends meet. The woolen mill that had provided the residents of Cokeworth with steady employment since the mid-nineteenth century had begun to slow its production in the mid-sixties. By the time Severus started Hogwarts, the mill had closed down production entirely.

Therefore, he recognized the Yorkstone that was used in the building construction of the house. He stood, admiring the faux battlements that seemed to stand at ready to defend against the Lancaster king. A guard tower stood watch on the roof from each of the four compass points, ready to sound a warning should any foe dare approach. A round tower located on the north corner of the house completed the picture of a fortress built for the defense of those who dwelled within the manor's four walls.

The gravel walkway guided Severus up to two, curved stairways made of the same local stone. The stairs led up to an impressive entrance portico, and as Severus approached the massive front doors at the top, they opened for him in an enticing manner. He knew that he should take precautions; after all he was a Slytherin, not a thickheaded Gryffindor who walked headlong into danger without forethought. But, strangely enough he did just that, headed in without first stopping to think. Somehow he knew that he was expected, and what's more that he belonged here.

Stepping over the threshold, Severus was suddenly engulfed by blinding, incandescent flames. He gasped in shock, berating himself for being a fool; however, to his greater astonishment, the flames that should have been scorching him, gave off no heat and he felt no pain. The next moment, the flames parted like a stage curtain, allowing him free passage.

Before him was a wide, well-appointed vestibule that opened up to a marble staircase with highly glossed brass banisters, which continued on to who knew where. He didn't have time to explore further because immediately to his left stood a set of double doors, made of dark wood—mahogany, he thought—and just as before, the doors opened to admit him.

Knowing what to expect this time, Severus took a hesitant step through the doorway. This time there were no flames or any other nasty surprises for that matter. Instead, he found himself in what could only be a study or a library. The mahogany paneled room was lined with matching bookshelves that held shelf upon shelf, filled with books. Next to a north-facing wall, lined with floor to ceiling Georgian windows, stood a large desk made of the same mahogany wood. As he gazed around the room, Severus caught a glimmer of something bright with his peripheral vision. Turning in that direction, he saw that one of the books on the second bookshelf to his left was glowing in a soft, pulsating golden light.

He remembered his mother reading Alice in Wonderland to him when he was a child. The little girl had come across a glass labeled, "drink me." He wondered if this was the wizarding version and that the book would be labeled, "read me." He had always believed Alice to be a bit of a Gryffindor for being so trusting that she had taken a drink of the unknown liquid, which as far as she knew could have been poisonous.

Now, he was about to do something similar—not taking a sip of an unknown substance, thankfully; however, taking in hand a charmed magical book of unknown contents was probably just as Gryffindor-ish an action as anything Alice ever did.

'Well, I'm here to get answers, and it seems that book may have them.' He shrugged fatalistically. 'Guess it's time to call on my inner Gryffindor.'

Taking a calming breath, Severus reached for the glowing book and pulled it off the shelf. When he opened it, the pages began flipping furiously of their own accord. Soon, they stopped turning and simply lay quiescently, as if waiting for him to read them. Stepping behind the desk, he placed the book on it and studied the pages before him.

He saw right away that it was a genealogy chart, much like the one he had found his first year at Hogwarts while researching his family tree. Tracing the lines from Merlin, he found the branch that founded the Prince line. The previous time he had followed these lines, he had traced them to Augustus Prince, his grandfather; however, instead of Augustus being followed by Eileen Prince-Snape, the chart had completely bypassed her and gone directly to his nephew, Cornelius Prince.

Apparently, by making Cornelius his heir, Augustus had magically "adopted" his nephew, making him his son—and thus Severus' uncle by adoption. His mother had never mentioned a brother because she hadn't known she had one, adopted or otherwise.

Severus saw that while this had not changed in the genealogy chart, there were two major differences from the chart he had studied at Hogwarts and this one. The lineage from Cornelius Prince had now returned to Eileen Prince-Snape, and from her the line continued onto Severus Tobias Prince-Snape. His mother's name had been changed, from Snape to Prince-Snape. As for Severus...he had been added to the Prince lineage. His name had not even appeared on the chart he'd seen before.

As he stared at his name on the Prince family tree, the letters began to glow in a bright, golden pulsating light...

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Severus was forced to close his eyes against the sudden brightness. When he opened them, blinking against the after images still floating before him, he found himself back in Nagrock's office.

"What—?" Severus looked around in confusion. "Was it all some kind of hallucination?

"Oh, no, Mr. Prince-Snape," Nagrock said meaningfully. "It was all quite real. The inheritance spell revealed that you are a true Prince and a worthy scion of the name."

"You mean, you saw it too—?"

"No, Mr. Prince-Snape, only you were privy to whatever the inheritance vision showed you, for you are the last of the Prince line. However, I know enough of the inheritance spell to know that the heir is usually subjected to a vision that verifies or denies his or her right to inherit." Nagrock pointed at the parchment still lying on the center of the desk. Severus recalled that although it had been blank before, it had writing on it now. "Look for yourself."

Severus looked down at the no longer blank parchment and saw that it was filled-in with the same family tree he had seen earlier in his vision. He again traced his family line from Merlin all the way down to himself—and once again felt an electric thrill shoot through his veins when he read his full name, knowing that it re-established his birthright: Severus Tobias Prince-Snape.

"So, Mr. Prince-Snape, would you care to tour your vaults? Go over your finances? Make a withdrawal or any other type of transaction?"

Severus slowly looked up from the chart until he met Nagrock's dark eyes. He could swear that the goblin was smirking at what Severus knew must be his own gobsmacked expression.

"Um...Yes? All of the above? How much time do we have?"

"I took the liberty of clearing my afternoon schedule before you arrived. I am at your disposal, Mr. Prince-Snape."

"Thank you, Nagrock," Severus said sincerely. "I appreciate everything you've done for me already. If you don't mind...where do you recommend we start?"

"I believe an overview of your finances—liquid assets, business capital, and landholdings—are a good place to start. From there, we can proceed to a tour of the Prince vaults."

"Sounds like a plan."

oOo

His eyes aching from the small print in some of the magical business contracts he had perused for the past few hours, Severus tossed down the papers he was holding in his hand. He rubbed his eyes wearily. This was going to take more time than a single afternoon, he realized. He'd always known that his mother came from a wealthy family; he'd just never known how wealthy until this moment.

The Prince fortune rivaled, if not surpassed, that of the Malfoys, the Blacks, and the Potters. How could his mother have walked away from all this to marry his father, a lowborn, boorish drunkard?

Severus sighed feeling suddenly guilty. In all fairness to his parents, he knew that when they first married, Tobias was not the angry, brutal man that he became in his later years. In fact, Severus could even recall happier days when his father had actually been his "Da," a man who loved and was loved by his mother and him. His father and mother were both gone now. Perhaps it was time to recall those few, contented memories and put aside the painful ones for good.

Severus still had 48 hours left on his international portkey starting tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., and he could use the extra time going over his finances with Nagrock, and hopefully getting a good handle on his assets before he left for America. Then, if he qualified for the fall term secondary/college credit program in Salem, Severus could make a quick return trip to Great Britain to further consult over his finances with Nagrock.

At this point, Severus wasn't sure if he would stay in Salem even if he qualified for the fall term. Not returning to Hogwarts was a huge decision, but just what did he have there anyway?

Before his first year, he had dreamed of Hogwarts and all the friends he would make while there. He'd fantasized about learning all he could about magic and impressing everyone with his abilities and intelligence. More importantly, after he met Lily in the neighborhood park, he had even dreamed about their being at Hogwarts together and remaining friends until graduation. Then, whatever fate had in store for him after Hogwarts, he'd always imagined that it would include Lily by his side.

Unfortunately, that imagined outcome was appearing to be just that—only in his imagination. With his best friend having turned her back on him, all he had to look forward to was another lonely, painful year, filled with the Marauders' constant bullying and several more trips to the infirmary—not to mention even more pressure to join the Dark Lord.

No, Mr. Wiggenweld was right. This was an opportunity that shouldn't be dismissed quite so readily. Therefore, if he were offered the chance to finish his secondary schooling at the Salem College of Potions while simultaneously earning college credit, Severus would be a fool to turn it down.

Also, with his newfound inheritance, he could actually afford to study abroad and not live hand-to-mouth as a penniless scholarship student. His mind made up, Severus looked up at Nagrock.

"How about that promised tour of the Prince vaults?"

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Author Note: a special thanks goes to Alethea27, one of my very favorite HP fanfic writers (because she just gets Severus Snape) for taking the time out of her own busy writing schedule to help Beta-read this. If you haven't read one of her stories, go there now! You'll be glad you did.

The next story update will be next week-and sorry, only one chapter per week from here on. Thank you everyone who has reviewed; your kind words are very encouraging.

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter and the characters inhabiting it belong to J.K. Rowling. This story does not intend any copyright infringement. I confess to creating a few OC's as Severus will go the US.

Copyright: 2015