Disclaimer. Harry Potter is the property of JKR and Warner Brother's. I don't own the song "You can't always get what you want." or have any relation to the Rolling Stones. I own this plot.

A/N: I would like to thank my mom for being so patient with my writing moods. My son for hugging me when the Muse is on strike and my laptop computer was missing a charger.

A great big thanks to my wonderful beta team. Noppoh and Trickster32. Girls thank you so much for questioning every single line that I share with you.

Warning: Rated M and 18+ Mature language and themes plus a lot of swearing, if not your thing? don't read.

Also, Anonymous Malicious Reviews will be deleted with joy.

To the rest, please read and review. Thanks.

Chapter 4. You can't always get what you want.

For most of his life, Severus Snape felt as though the Hogwarts castle was a prison. No, it was not Azkaban, but he felt trapped within the walls of the Scottish magical building.

War changed everything, and now that his status as part of foreign Royalty was exposed, the castle proved to be not a prison, but a Sanctuary.

Thank Merlin for Hogwarts and the house elves who provided a filter for the hordes of letters and gifts from admirers all over the globe. After, when he had a mountain of safe mail to reply to, the prince came to a realization: he hated popularity more than anonymity.

In his moment of clarity, he smiled. The irony of it all! Young Severus would have given his right arm to get a look of acceptance from his childhood friend Lily, and now he had the undivided attention of witches all over the world. Like the Rolling Stones said: "You can't always get what you want."

It was a good thing that he had other, more pressing affairs to tend to. Currently, he encountered a new mystery. A mystery that required him to speak to a dead man.

He took some Floo powder and threw it into the flames. As the color of the fire changed to green, he adjusted his dragon hide gloves and reached for one of the books on his desk. He then added:

"Malfoy Manor."

Narcissa Malfoy and Draco Malfoy were surprised, however, they greeted him with respect.

"Your Highness, welcome," said Narcissa.

"Hell, I guess it's pointless to wear this glamour."

Narcissa blushed while Draco arched an eyebrow.

"What brings you to our home, Professor?" said Draco.

"A mystery actually. Narcissa, Draco, do either of you recognize this book?" On the cover of the book, the title: 'Tales of Mother Goose' by Charles Perrault was written in gold lettering.

Severus did wandless magic and the cover of the modern, English book changed to the original edition: 'Les Contes de ma Mère l'Oye'.

Narcissa replied: "No, I have never seen that book."

Draco, instead, tried picking up the book with his bare hands, but Severus stopped him.

Draco replied: "Yes, yes, I've seen this book before, it was at my father's desk before the Aurors took him away… To be honest, I didn't pay that much attention to it that day. Only after, when he was gone, did I realize the book was missing. Why?"

"I'll answer that in a bit, however, I need to speak to Lucius' portrait, may I?" Severus inquired.

"Yes, it's in his study," replied Narcissa.

"Good."

-oo0oo-

Sydney, Australia. 12th of May 1999.

Wilkins Dental.

Wendell and Monica Wilkins were about to close the practice for the day when a knock on the door alerted them of one more patient.

Monica watched a young man with a raven mop of hair, green jade eyes, dressed in denim and wearing a slogan on a black shirt. "The Hungarian Horntail Dragon Rocks! and Harry Potter still Sucks!" The man greeted her.

"Sorry to bother you, ma'am, I just couldn't wait another day."

"Come on in."

"Thanks."

"What's this about?" Wendell asked, as he too read the slogan.

"I need to talk to you both."

"Is this about England and the wizarding world? We already told Hermione that we needed time to heal, she was cruel..."

The young man sighed and interrupted her speech: "This is not about you, this is about Hermione, and before you say another thing, I think you need to know that she was cursed… I have with me a Pensieve and you should take a closer look at what she did in order to save my life and Wizarding England. You need to understand the high, personal price she paid. By the way, sorry for the delayed introduction, hi, I'm Harry Potter."

He brought up his wand, locked the door, summoned his Pensieve, and tapped one of the runes. Harry's memories of the wizarding war, his persecution, and the outcome projected like a film against the wall for the next two hours.

By the end, Wendell had to run to the loo to throw up. Monica was silently shedding tears. Harry brought forth a flask of fire whiskey and three glasses. He poured and handed a glass to his hostess. Monica drank and gained some color to her complexion.

A bit later, Monica asked:

"What happened to her?"

"She was cursed… According to Severus Snape, she received a book as a birthday present. The item was mailed to her at the beginning of October of 1998. She kept the book close to her because she thought you had sent it Mrs. Granger. The fairy tale's book had a small dedication to Helen Jean Puckle. 'From Luc.' I remember Hermione mentioned your maiden name, that it was Helen Puckle before becoming Helen Granger."

"What book?"

'Les Contes de ma Mère l'Oye' Harry answered in fluent French.

Helen raised an eyebrow, becoming apprehensive, and asked: "What did Hermione do in order to save you from a hexed broom, in her first year in Hogwarts?"

Harry smiled and answered: "She actually told you? Okay, she set the robes of Professor Severus Snape on fire."

"You truly are who you claim to be? According to Hermione you hated studying, how then? How can you speak French?"

"Well, I was adopted by the Royal Family in Bulgaria… and uh, I kind of fell for the heir to the throne, Princess Mina Krum. Since I was to be her Prince, I was abducted by a bunch of Goblins. Those bastards threw me into a Time Chamber and I was put through Bulgarian boot camp, I mean their School... I was tutored in eight different languages, etiquette, and then weapons, military strategy, political and human rights, and finally I was certified by Durmstrang and the International Warlock Association to be a security Specialist… When I came out of the chamber, only a month had passed… but inside it felt like eight years… Plus, I gained experience and I could get rid of the glasses… For that period of time, I wasn't being chased, almost killed, hated or loved by hordes of fans. I wasn't underfed or distracted by hormones. As it turns, I love books. So yeah, that's what happened to me… but you just confirmed your claim as the mother to Hermione… Now, Mrs. Granger, let me ask you, how do you know Lucius Malfoy?"

"My family had a cottage in Wiltshire, and in the summer of 1963, I met him in the local Library in Trowbridge… He was a brat, but we made each other laugh. My favorite book was Grimm's' Fairy Tales, in particular, 'the Briar Rose'. He argued that there was an older book that told the same tale, Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty… His father found him talking with a non-magical girl and I did not see him again until the month of August of 1992 in the Flourish and Blotts bookstore. Mr. Weasley was arguing with him… I thought he didn't recognize me, and I granted him the same courtesy."

"As it turns, Mrs. Granger, you were not so forgettable, and that albino Snake made one last move before being arrested for his role in the wizarding war. Mr. Malfoy had this book delivered to your daughter, and like a slow magical narcotic, it enchanted her. Just like Sleeping beauty, your favorite fairy tale, she is now in a magical coma."

"I will kill him-" said Monica Wilkins.

Harry nodded and said in a defeated tone of voice:

"That's going to be difficult as the man is already dead."

Monica lost her strong façade and wept as she was embraced by Wendell and whispered in between sobs: "My baby, my beautiful baby."

Harry quietly sighed as he prayed in silence for strength, while two parents cried at the reality of an ill child.