Chapter 4

A Real Wizard

Salric awoke very early the next morning; he could hardly contain his excitement. He had been to Diagon Alley plenty of times before, but always as the son of a Hogwarts Professor, he had never yet been as a Hogwarts student. Finally he would be able to purchase his required school supplies; finally he would be able to hold his very own wand within his hands.

After a very thorough shower (he wanted to look his best after all) he got dressed in his finest wizard robes that his father had purchased for him and started to search frantically for his Hogwarts letter. He knew the list off by heart, and his father certainly knew the items that his son needed, but he wanted this day to be perfect, and for that he needed his Hogwarts letter.

He could still remember the day he had received the letter he had been awaiting all his life. It had been on his last birthday, the second of January. He had been seated in the Great Hall at the High Table with the Hogwarts Professors at the head of the Hall, munching happily on his breakfast when an impressive flock of owls fluttered in to deliver the daily post.

Salric had of course been expecting his Hogwarts letter; he knew he was a magical child. Sometimes he envied Muggleborn children; they got to experience the shock of a lifetime. Nevertheless he was still nervous that perhaps he wasn't magical after all, perhaps he was actually a Squib. The back of his mind kept telling him that that was ridiculous, he had already performed plenty of accidental magic, and since Squibs were basically Muggles in magical families, accidental magic was impossible for them.

He watched as the owls flew around the Great Hall, delivering the latest edition of the Daily Prophet and messages from home to students and staff alike. Salric laughed out loud as he watched a Barn Owl land on his father's head and begin pecking at his long strands of black hair until his father took the Prophet tied to his foot. His father did not look impressed.

Salric continued watching the owls flutter in from the opening in the ceiling, getting more and more anxious. Where was his letter? He knew the Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall wasn't going to hand deliver it to him personally, she had insisted that it was tradition for all students to receive their Hogwarts letters by mail, whether they happened to currently reside in the castle or not.

Salric's doubts washed away instantly as he saw a tiny Scops-owl flying towards him. The tiny owl landed on the table in front of him and held out his leg, awaiting Salric to take the parchment attached to it. Salric was so excited he could hardly move. He was shaking with so much excitement that when he reached over to take the letter he spilled pumpkin juice all over the poor animal. With an annoyed flap of its wings, the owl moved off to the side and started to preen its feathers.

Salric stared at the letter, too relieved and in shock to open it. It wasn't until his father said "well are you going to gawk at it or open it?" that he finally came out of his apparent stupor.

Salric held up the yellow envelope that indicated in emerald green writing that it was addressed to Mr S. Snape, the Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He carefully opened the neatly sealed envelope and read aloud to his father:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr Snape,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress

He smiled excitedly at his father who gave him a slight wink before taking the letter from him. His father conjured up a blank sheet of paper and a quill and told his son to write a quick reply so the Deputy Headmistress would know he would be attending next year. Salric gave a hearty laugh because the Deputy Headmistress was seated right next to his father, and was in fact listening as Salric read the letter aloud. She gave Salric a pleasant smile and informed him that this "Minerva McGonagall" sounded like a lovely woman and that Salric shouldn't keep her waiting for a reply.

Salric took the quill and parchment from his father and wrote:

Dear Deputy Headmistress

I would be honoured to attend your fine institution in September. Thank you for the acceptance letter and I look forward to meeting you along with all the other professors.

Kindly,

Mr S. Snape

Salric attached the reply to the owl and gave him a small piece of bacon. He watched in delight as the owl hopped along the table and stuck out his leg in front of Professor McGonagall. She took the attached letter from the owl and nodded politely, indicating to the owl that no reply was necessary and he could return to the Owlery.

"Severus!" said McGonagall with a wry smile on her face. "I didn't know you had a son."

Severus rolled his eyes in mocked annoyance, but his lips betrayed a small smirk.

Coming out of the daze of remembrance, Salric realized his father was standing in the doorway of his bedroom and was apparently talking to him.

"Er, pardon?" Salric knew his father wouldn't be impressed that he just wasted air talking to Salric as he hadn't heard a word he had said.

"I said," sneered his father narrowing his eyes. "Are you ready to go? I would like to get there fairly early so we can avoid the herds of bumbling students."

"I'm just about ready to go!" replied Salric, a gigantic smile forming on his face. "I just need to find my list of school supplies."

Salric was about to recheck the stack of papers lying on his desk when he noticed his father had put up a hand to stop him. His father reached into the pocked of his robes and took out a piece of parchment.

"I don't even know why you need this list," stated his father. "It's not as if you don't have the list memorized already, and I assure you that I, as a Professor at this institution, am required to know all the supplies students need for their school term at Hogwarts."

"I just want everything to be perfect."

"Yes, I'm sure you do. Now follow me to the Headmaster's office. Professor Dumbledore has kindly offered to let us use his floo for this excursion."

Children. Everywhere. Severus ran his hand through his hair and gave a sigh. He was not looking forward to spending the rest of the morning and afternoon being surrounded by a sea of overly happy children and their frolicking parents.

Severus grabbed hold of his son's cloak and gave him a sharp glare that indicated if-you-so-much-as-leave-my-sight-you-will-scrubbing-cauldrons-for-the-rest-of-summer. His son gave a sharp nod in reply, understanding completely that his father was wishing he were back in the dungeons quietly brewing a potion.

Severus took a deep breath, formed an expressionless mask but made sure to fill his eyes with contempt so that anyone who dared get in his way would know to back off immediately, and entered the crowd of exasperated children and their equally annoying families; a brave feat worthy of any Gryffindor.

He watched as his son looked around in awe at all the shops and people. His head seemed to turn in every direction as he took in the scenes around him as they walked. Severus rolled his eyes; it was as if the foolish child had never been there before.

They continued on down the crowded alleyway, only to stop abruptly as his son noticed the Quidditch shop. Severus let out a sigh and followed his son to the window of the crowded shop, seemingly overflowing with excited boys. The excitement in the boys' faces seemed to die when they noticed Professor Snape approaching the window. Severus smirked and enhanced his facial features to show displeasure in hopes of striking more fear into the boys.

"Look!" he heard his son cry. "It's the new Nimbus Two Thousand – fastest ever –"

"We're not here to look at broomsticks," replied his father, dragging his disappointed son away from the store. Where the boy got his love of Quidditch he would never know, neither he – Severus, nor his mother had any love for the sport. He supposed his brief time with James Potter must have had some influence on the boy, not that his son could possibly remember anything from that period in time.

They continued on down the boisterous avenue, passing the Apothecary, and pet shop until finally the reached their first destination. Gringotts Bank. Severus pushed open the bronze and silver doors and entered the marble hall with his son in tow.

Severus scowled as he led his son over to a Goblin. He hated dealing with Goblins almost as much as he hated dealing with incompetent children.

"Good morning," said Severus, as pleasantly as possible. "We've come to withdraw some money out of the Snape account."

"Key please, sir."

Severus, already prepared, handed the tiny creature his shiny key. He noticed the counter had recently been used, it had mouldy crumbs scattered all over it. Severus wrinkled his nose at the disgusting sight that reminded him too much of Rubeus Hagrid, the school's Gamekeeper. Suddenly he remembered Hagrid was supposed to be in Diagon Alley today, picking up a dangerous artefact that Severus did not approve of, as well as another task Dumbledore wouldn't even tell him about.

"Everything seems to be in order," stated the Goblin after a moment's silence. "Someone will be a long shortly to take you down to the vaults." The tiny creature scurried away, leaving an impatient Severus with his son.

"Did you see the state of that counter?" asked his son with a strange look on his face. "I thought Goblins were supposed to be clean and orderly. That mess reminded me of Hagrid."

"Indeed," drawled Severus. He was happy at his son's observational skills. He would make a fine Slytherin.

"I can assure you," said a Goblin off to the side. "We are indeed a clean and orderly race. In fact it was a wizard who made that unfortunate mess on that nice counter. Now then, my name is Bogdek, are you ready to proceed to your vault?"

"Yes," replied Severus curtly, following the Goblin named Bogdek to the narrow stone passageway that would lead them to Severus' small vault. They approached the railway tracks and he watched as his son practically jumped into the small cart. Severus hated the ridiculousness of needing to travel on a railway cart to get to his vault. Banks were one feature where he favoured the Muggle counterpart over the Wizarding one. His son laughed with joy as they sped through the passageway.

After what felt like an exceedingly long time, they finally reached their destination. Severus and Bogdek exited the small cart and entered the vault. Severus knew its contents were nothing compared to that of the Malfoy's or the Black's, but his teacher's salary was quite good and the very small fortune was more than enough for him and his son to live comfortably. He gathered up a collection of Sickles, Galleons and Knuts and went back to the cart where his son sat patiently, gazing around the cavern.

Once again outside in the overbearing sunshine within the rustle and bustle of the busy alley, Severus informed his son they would purchase his son's school uniform before they did anything else. Salric's head dropped a little, Severus knew he badly wanted his wand, but he would have to wait. His son needed to learn patience.

They approached Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and Salric instantly perked up when he saw Draco was being attended to inside.

"Hogwarts?" asked the smiling Madam Malkin when they entered the shop.

"Yes ma'am," replied Salric politely.

Salric and his father followed the woman to the back of the shop and Severus stepped back to let the woman do her work.

"Hey Draco," greeted Salric, a wide grinned appearing on his face.

"Hello Salric. I just met the most interesting boy."

"Really, who?" asked Salric.

"I didn't get his name. His parents were our kind, yet he knew nothing of our world." The blond boy answered scornfully.

"That's awful, why?" Salric said shocked, why would parents keep the magical Wizarding world away from their own children?

"He said they were dead," drawled Draco.

"Oh, poor kid," Salric replied looking sad. He knew his own mother had died not long after he was born, he couldn't even remember her. He couldn't imagine losing his father as well.

"Yes it's terrible," said Draco, looking like he didn't care one way or the other. "The strangest thing though, was that he was brought here by that servant Hagrid."

"Hagrid is not a servant!" shouted Salric. Salric considered Hagrid to be a friend, and he hated it when Draco talked town to him.

Draco let out a pompous chuckle. "Yes, you would like him wouldn't you? Well I best be off. Mother and father will be looking for me. I'll see you at school I guess." And with that, the pure-blooded, blond haired boy left the shop.

"He's gotten worse dad," said Salric after they too had departed from the robe shop.

"He certainly seems to be picking up a few unfortunate habits from his father," replied Severus. Now that he knew the Malfoys were here he wanted to get this shopping trip over with as fast as possible; he really didn't feel like playing pretend friend today. "I think we'll visit the Apothecary next, there are a few things I need to pick up as well."

They entered Slugs & Jiggers Apothecary and Severus watched contentedly as Salric explored the shop. He knew his son possessed a love and extraordinary talent for potions. He knew his son was going to do exceedingly well during his first year of Potions classes, after all he could already brew most of the required curriculum. One of the benefits of having the school's Potions Master as a father.

"Good morning, Severus," squeaked a plump voice from over the counter.

"Good Morning, Mr Jiggers," nodded Severus politely.

"What can I do for you today?"

Severus ordered a few last minute ingredients that he needed for the new school term as well as an advanced starter's kit for Salric. He added a few more ingredients to the kit that he knew Salric would need once term commenced. Severus smiled politely to the man as he offered Severus his usual 20 per cent off discount for being such a loyal customer over the years.

Next they went to Potage's Cauldron Shop and Flourish and Blotts where they purchased a pewter cauldron as well as the required textbooks and reading materials for first year students. Severus couldn't help but smirk as he watched paths open up throughout the crowd wherever they were walking; people were certainly afraid of the dreaded Potions Master.

After they had finished buying all the items on the list, with only the much anticipated wand left to be purchased, Severus, much to his son's disappointed, informed Salric that they would be stopping for a quick lunch at the Leaky Cauldron before they ventured over to Ollivanders Wand Shop.

Severus and Salric sat down at an empty corner in the Leaky Cauldron. The pub was almost completely empty which was quite uncharacteristic for this time of day. Some new bit of gossip must have gone around leaving the pub so void of its usual afternoon drunks. Salric had ordered a plate of fish and chips with a mug of pumpkin juice but he could only pick at it. Why did his father have to torment him so much? His father knew how badly he wanted his wand!

"You do know food is supposed to be digested, not played with?" drawled his father, one eyebrow raised in its distinctive fashion.

"Yes, I am aware," huffed Salric, he didn't have time for his father's sarcastic remarks.

"I hope your realise that we won't be leaving this pub until you have finished your meal." Severus smirked as Salric began eating his food as fast as possible. "Slow down idiot boy or you'll choke."

"P-P-P-Professor S-S-S-S-Snape," said a stuttering voice, somewhere to the left of the table. Salric didn't even bother to look up to see who it was; he was too busy trying to finish his food so he could finally hold his wand in his hand.

"Quirrell," replied Severus curtly.

Now Salric did look up. He was surprised to see the former Muggle Studies Professor in the Leaky Cauldron. The last he had heard, the Professor was taking some time off to travel all around the world. He wasn't sure why the Professor was having problems speaking, but he was quite intrigued to hear about his adventures.

"Hello Professor Quirrell," greeted Salric happily. "How was your time abroad?"

"H-H-Hello to you t-too Mr S-S-Snape," muttered the pale professor. It was only now that Salric noticed that the pale man had a purple turban on your head. "I-I'm coming back to H-H-Hogwarts to teach D-Defence Against the D-D-Dark Arts this y-year."

Salric's eyes quickly turned to his dad's, he knew his father was always asking Professor Dumbledore to let him teach that particular subject, but Professor Dumbledore always turned him down. Salric watched as his father grumbled in disappointment and gave his colleague a scathing look.

"I bet you learned loads on your travels," said Salric, trying his best to ease the stuttering Professor. His already pale face went even paler when Severus had glared at him.

"Y-Y-You'll never guess who was h-here e-earlier S-Severus," stammered Professor Quirrell nervously, choosing to change the subject.

"Surprise me," said Severus coldly, clearly he wanted nothing more than to get away from the stuttering man.

"H-H-Harry P-P-Potter."

"Potter?!" exclaimed Severus suddenly. Salric watched has the features on Severus' face turned darker than usual; hatred and loathing could be seen behind his father's obsidian eyes. Salric at once became very frightened; he had seen his father angry many times before, but never like this.

"D-D-Dad?" stuttered Salric, sounding quite a bit like Professor Quirrell. Quirrell had seen the look that befell Severus' face and quite wisely backed away to the other side of the now empty pub.

"We're leaving now!" snarled Severus, getting up suddenly and dragging his son towards the floo.

"But my wand!" cried Salric trying to pry himself from his father's strong grip. There was no way he was going to leave Diagon Alley without his wand; it was the entire reason he wanted to come here!

Severus halted and turned towards his son, giving him a deadly glare. Salric squirmed under his father's tall stature wondering just what had happened to make his father look so angry. He knew his father didn't like to talk about Harry Potter, and Salric had learned long ago not to mention the Boy-Who-Lived or his father would break out into a sarcastic tirade about what a spoiled, arrogant brat the boy must be, but never before had a discussion about the young wizard made his father so angry.

Severus took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his long fingers and seemed to be mustering up all of his strength in order to calm down. When he finally opened his eyes again they were no longer filled with the malice they had been a moment before, but were back to the long dark tunnels they normally were.

"Yes son," said Severus in as calm a voice as he could. "Let's go get your wand."

They walked through the busy alleyway towards Ollivanders Wand Shop. Salric could tell his father was still in a foul mood, but was trying his best to curtail it for his son's sake. Salric could see the narrow and shabby shop ahead of them, and he quickened his pace. Finally, after years of waiting, he was going get his wand; he was going to be a real wizard.

With the sound of a quiet bell, Salric and Severus entered the small shop. Salric saw that the store was packed with shelves upon shelves of narrow boxes that he supposed held wands, and somewhere within that jungle, was his wand. Today his very own unique wand would choose him.

"Good afternoon," said a quiet voice from among the collection of narrow boxes and shelves. An elderly man was standing not far from them.

"Hello Mr Ollivander!" exclaimed Salric enthusiastically. He could barely keep himself from shouting at the old man, he was too excited. He sensed his father's eyes boring into the back of his head, and he knew he had to calm down.

"Mr Snape," said the man. "I'm happy to see you here with your father. Getting your first want is quite an exciting time. I remember when your mother was in here buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow; nice wand for charms if I do say so myself."

"You knew my mother?" gasped Salric; no one ever spoke to him about his mother. All he knew about her was that she was killed during the War, and that she had been very beautiful and smart and that his father had loved her very much. He knew the topic was a sore one for his father, so he rarely brought her up.

"Yes, every Hogwarts student buys their wands from me," replied Ollivander.

"Oh," said Salric somewhat disappointed; he wanted to hear more about his mum.

"In fact," said Mr Ollivander, his face brightening up. "Your Bro-"

"That enough!" said Severus, rising from the chair at the front of the store. His temper from earlier had apparently returned in full force. "We are in a bit of a hurry Mr Ollivander, if we could please just get this over with?"

"Of course," said Mr Ollivander giving Severus a piercing look, his smile from earlier had faded. "Well Mr Snape, which is your wand arm?"

"Left," replied Salric already holding his arm out. Mr Ollivander measured his arm and then scurried off to the back of the store only to return a few moments later with a wand in his hand.

Salric took the wand in his hand feeling very nervous. "Maple and unicorn hair. Twelve inches," informed Mr Ollivander. Salric swished the wand but nothing happened. Feeling disappointed he handed the wand back to Mr Ollivander.

"Okay, let's try this one," said Mr Ollivander picking a wand from one of the shelves. "Holly and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Nice and flexible."

Salric took the wand in his hand and swished it around, but once again, nothing happened. Salric was starting to think that perhaps he wasn't magical at all.

"Ah!" exclaimed the Wand-Maker. "I think I know the perfect wand!" And he disappeared somewhere amongst shelves. He came out a few minutes later holding a beautiful wand. It didn't look any different from the other wands, but Salric knew there was something different about this wand, it looked right somehow.

Mr Ollivander handed him the wand and as soon as Salric held it in his hand he felt a warm glow radiate inside his body. He swished the wand around in front of him and a stream of silver and green sparks sprang from the tip. His father gave a nod of approval and Salric could even see the faint markings of a smile somewhere hidden amongst his father's expressionless mask.

"Oh well done!" said Mr Ollivander. "Birch, Dragon heartstring, twelve and a half inches. Quite whippy. That's quite a resilient wand Mr Snape."

A huge smile grew across Salric's face as his father paid for his wand. He knew he wouldn't ever let the want out of his sight. He wanted to immediately start trying out the spells he had read about, but he knew his father would make him wait until the start of term like all the other students. Salric thought that was a bit unfair, what's the point of living in a magical school and having a Professor for a father if you couldn't use that to your every advantage? But Salric supposed he could wait. He clutched his wand tightly against his chest and let out a small cry of delight; finally he was a real wizard.