Orla Prince, Chapter 4

Hogsmeade was unbelievable. We went into all sorts of cool shops. Draco insisted that I try butterbeer, it was delicious. He showed me inside the Quittich store and explained the whole concept to me. He also tried to convince me to buy my own wand.

"I don't even know how to use one." I rolled my eyes.
"I'll teach you the basics." He smirked.
"I don't know, it could be really dangerous." I was almost convinced.
"Come on! I want to see what you'll get. Ollivander is simply amazing, he knew which wand would choose me before I even held it." Draco bragged.
"What wand do you have?" I was curious.
"10 inches, Hawthorn with Unicorn hair core." Draco walked in the direction of the wand store.
"Oh Alright. I'll buy a wand." I surrendered to the spoiled man and walked inside the wand shop. There were boxes piled to the ceiling filled with wands. Nobody seemed to be in sight.
"Hello?" Draco called in a rough tone.
"Well, if it's not Mr. Malfoy. Oh and who might you be? I never sold you a wand." The greying man looked me over.
"Hello sir. My name is Cliodhna..I uhm, I didn't know I was a witch until today." I blushed.
"You look very familiar." The man tilted his nose at me.
"I'm looking for more information about my mother, maybe you'd know something." I asked.
"What's her name lovely?" The old man narrowed his eyes.
"Orla Prince." My voice shook as I said my beloved mothers name.
"Oh my! A Prince! Yes I remember her, 12 and a half inches, Maple with Dragon heartstring core."
"What do you remember of her?" I almost begged.
"She was lovely. She was such a sweet girl, very spirited thing she was. Her and her brother were like night and day. As I recall, I had a good laugh the day he brought her in here to buy her wand. He was in his 3rd year and so embarrassed dragging around his little sister. She couldn't stop bragging about how good her brother was at potions. You do look very similar to your mother, her hair was dark but you have the same energy. I'm interested to see who chooses you today." Ollivander gave me a gentle smile.
"Thank-you sir." I smiled sadly.
"I have got to ask." Ollivander paused. "With a mother as magical as yours and an uncle as famous, why on earth are you just discovering your magic?" "My mother passed when I was 10 years old. I have been living on a farm in Canada, I never knew of my mothers past. That's why I came." I felt bitter.
"Sorry to hear." Ollivander picked a box off a shelt and handed it to me.
"What is this?" I asked.
"I have a feeling about this wand. Something tells me you're a lot like your uncle. It's a shame you never got to meet him." Ollivander handed me a box with a long red wand in it.
"What can you tell me about my uncle?" I picked up the wand.
"13 inches, Cherry wood also with dragon heartstrings. He was an incredibly loyal man, he was a spy and best friend of Dumbledore, old headmaster of hogwarts. Severus was a famous potions master and wonderful teacher. He passed away during the wizarding war." Ollivander spoke. "Now give that wand a wave!"
I picked up the wand and gave it a wave, beautiful gold sparks errupted out the ends and I just felt totally energized. It was a beautiful feeling, unlike any I have ever felt before.

"I knew it! This wand has been waiting for you! The daughter of a beautiful witch and niece of a hero. It was destiny." Ollivander smiled.
"What is it?" Draco looked interested.
"This wand is 10 inches, Cherry wood with Unicorn tail core. Easily bonds to its owner, Loyal as your uncle once was."
"Thank-you sir!" I smiled and paid him for the wand.
"Please Cliodhna, call me Garrick. I hope I was helpful." He waved.
"You were plenty helpful, Garrick." I waved and left with Draco.

We walked in silence through the town. I couldn't believe what my mother once was. I felt that at any moment I would wake up from my dream and be in my bed at home on the farm. I entered Gringotts bank with Draco and walked down the long isle. Goblins filled the bank, they looked like the most evil of creatures. Their teeth were sharp and their eyes were devious. I felt nervous as they stared down at me as I walked next to Draco. At first i thought they were scowling at me but they were in fact looking at Draco next to me.
"Draco. Why are they looking at you like that?" I asked.
"My past...I wasn't there favourite." He said sheepishly.
"What are you doing with the herbs?" I suddenly felt nervous I was trusting a criminal.
"Don't worry. I'm taking them to Hogwarts. I need them for healing potions." He groaned.
"Healing what?" I raised my eyebrow.
"Here is the rundown. I was a bad person, I did bad things. I'm no longer bad, I trained as a healer to try and clear my concience. The headmistress Professor McGonagall hired me because she believed I had changed when nobody elce did." Draco looked bored.
"What on earth did you do?" I raised my eyebrows.
"It doesn't matter. The past is the past, a lesson you should really look into." He snarled.
We walked up to the front desk where a small devilish looking Goblin was staring down at me. He didn't very happy with my company.
"Uhh..Hello Sir." I spoke. My voice echo'ed through the bank.
"May I help you miss?" The Goblin hissed.
"Yes. I uhh. My mother had a vault here." I felt awkward and glanced around.
"You can not access a vault unless it is your own, or if you are registered under a family name." The Goblin spoke dangerously.
"Can I try Prince?" There must be a reason my dad gave me this address.
"First name and wand." He growled.
"Uh. I just bought it. My name is Cliodhna." I held my wand tight to my chest.
"Clio, give him the wand." Draco insisted.
"Bu..But I haven't even used it yet." I loved my new wand.
"I'll give it right back miss. No wand. No vault." The Goblin smirked. I handed it over.
"Oh. Okay, yes. You are in fact registered with the Prince Vault." The Goblin looked flustered.
"Great." I said looking at Draco, he nodded.
"Right this way Ms. Prince...and Malfoy." The Goblin glared at Draco. I nudged him in the side while smirking.
We followed the Goblin into a cart and went down deep underground. The ride was bumpy and the vault was deep into the ground. The Goblin stopped the cart and unlocked a massive door and let me inside. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Jewels and gold filled the vault and ancient jewlery and trinkets. None of that mattered to me, what did was a small velvet photobook jammed under a bunch of trophies. I pulled out the photobook and sat down on the floor. Draco was walking around my vault looking at all the old heirlooms.
"Draco, don't you dare steal anything." I warned.
"As if, My family has all this times 3." Draco stuck his nose up.
"Then why did I pay for lunch?" I wrinkled my nose at him.
"I'm helping you. It's the least I could do." He smirked.
"Come over here! Look at all these photos. They move!" I gasped. Draco sat next to me on the cool floor.

I flipped through the many pages of photos. There were pictures of my mom as a child with her brother. They looked similar with the black hair and dark eyes. I had my mother's eyes and everything else was my fathers. My mom had super pale skin and was very petite, I was not. Her hair was thick and straight, mine was wavy and blonde. I felt sad looking at the photos of her and her brother playing, they looked poor and wore tattered clothing. Grandma Eileen looked misserable and my grandpa, who I had never heard of looked scary. Tucked next to the picture was a note.

Sev,
I hope you're enjoying Hogwarts, I can't wait until I get to go too. How's it like being a Slytherin? I hope I get to be in that house too, it sounds nice. I heard Lily got sorted into Gryffindor, will you still get to be her friend if she's in a different house? Mrs. Evan's came by the other day and dropped off some cookies for me. She told mommy that if she ever needs a break, she'll take me to her house. I don't understand Sev, why would mommy need a break from me? I have been on my best behavior. Father doesn't think so, he hit me last night. I was hungry and asked him if he could make me dinner. I didn't mean to act bad Sev, I promise. Mommy knew this, she yelled at daddy but he just hit her too. She cried Severus, her bruise was really big and she had to use magic to hide it, muggle makeup wasn't even good enough for this one. Please respond, I really miss you.
Your sister, Orla

"Oh my god!" I gasped. Draco placed his hand on my shoulder. I think that was his way of trying to comfort me.
"That's rough. I didn't knew of Snape dealt with so much abuse." Draco leaned closer, "Look another one."

I lifted the page and turned it over. Another note fell out, this page had a photo of Severus at Hogwarts with Lily on their first day. Lily wore red and gold, Severus wore green and silver. Lily was a pretty redhead girl, her smile was bright and her eyes were a beautiful hue of green, Severus looked emotionless and cold. I read the letter out loud so Dranko could also hear.

Orla,
Hang in there kid. I have a secret for you but you mustn't tell anyone. Promise? Great. Mum has a vault here in the wizarding world, its full to the top with all the gold anyone will ever need. She must have not told dad because he would just use it to buy booze. I hate when he drinks, he gets scary. I took a bit out when I was buying my school things, I bought you a magical riddle book from diagon alley and some chocolate wands. I sent it over, don't tell anyone though. These treats are for you only to enjoy. Yes, Lily and I are still friends. Stay out of trouble and do your best to stay away from dad. I love you -Sev

A smiled down at the album as I flipped through the pages and read the notes. My mom was just as Ollivander said, a bright, spirited girl. She was so scared of her dad and had so much love for her mother. I looked through the album and got to see her first day of Hogwarts, being sorted into Ravenclaw and a note from Severus congradulating her. She sent Severus notes about crushes and transfigurations class and how it was her favourite. She made fun of Dumbledore and complained that she didn't make it into the Slugclub. Severus confessed that he loved Lily but that she ditched him for a Griffindor, James. Severus sent my mother treats from Hogsmeade and bragged about being the best at potions. He even shared a new spell called SectumSempra. My mother tried to get him to talk about James Bullying him but he refused to comment.
I read another note that stuck out.

Severus,
I'm sorry about Lily choosing James, I think you're twice the man he is. Things have been getting scary with you lately. You have been awfully distant and avoidant. I know I can't be there for you much being in Ravenclaw and preparing for my O.W.L's but Sev, you got to snap out of it. I have seen you hanging around with that Malfoy boy, he's no good. You are in your final year Severus, don't do anything rash. A war is forming and I want you to stay safe. I have been trying to find you at school..You know the ball is coming up and this year I get to attend. Well..Patrick Looseleaf asked me and I said YES! I'm so excited Sev, mum sent me a beautiful blue gown. It's so sparkly and looks really expensive, she must have bought it in Diagon Alley without dad knowing. I was hoping you'd send me off to the dance, it would mean a lot to me. I want you to be happy for me. I love you.
-Orla

"Malfoy?" I turned to Draco.
"Uh. Yeah, Lucious Malfoy was my father." Draco blushed.
"Oh..Okay. What do you think went wrong with my uncle? I'm scared to read on." I said.
"I think I know." Draco whispered. "Look Clio, I didn't want to tell you because it will just freak you out."
"Tell me what?" I sat up a little straighter.
"My father was a deatheater..and so was I." Draco looked sad.
"A what?" I asked. "What does that have to do with my uncle?"
"It was a servent of Voldemort, Your uncle was also a deatheater at one point." Draco explained all about the deatheaters and Voldemort, he told me about the first and second wizard war and how it panned out and how my uncle died being a hero saving Lily's son. I couldn't help but cry. I was amazed when Draco dropped his bad boy act and wrapped his arms around me. I didn't think this would effect me like it did but knowing my uncles history melted my heart. What hurt the most was knowing that my mother cared so much about him and it still didn't make him change. He was in love and it made him do some really stupid things. I read a letter about how Lily died and her son survived. I read a few more exchanges between the siblings. With every letter things became more and more tragic. Severus broke the news to his sister that their father became ill and how Eileen took her own life. Eventually Tobias Snape died. I read letters where my mother refused to go to her fathers funeral. The photos became more and more depressing. I read more letters. Draco wrapped his strong arm around my shoulders as I began to read, as though he thought he could protect me from what's to come.

Dear Severus,
I know that I left and haven't contacted you in years and for that, I'm sorry. I'm building a new life far away from the wizarding world, things have become too dangerous and I want no part of it anymore. Sev, what you're doing is stupid, do you really think you can toy with the dark lord and get away with it? I know I may not be around but I have been watching you and I care. I'm married now. I met a wonderful muggle man, his name is Kieth. He is the complete opposite of what dad once was and I'm going to make sure he never finds out about magic. Severus, come to me, be protected. It's easier then it seems to leave our world, the muggles have it good. I own a horse and my husband is teaching me how to ride. One last thing...I'm pregnant. I'd really like you to meet your neice.
Love, Orla

Dear Severus,
My heart broke when I got the news that you passed. I'm dissapointed you never had the pleasure of meeting Cliodhna, she's the sweetest 9 year old I've ever met. I cry every day knowing I lost you and I couldn't be there. I know you'll never actually see this letter but I feel the need to write the truth. I told Kieth about magic and he was fine with it. He said he wouldn't tell anyone, he loves me so much. I'm scared Severus, now that you're gone and so is Voldemort the deatheaters want what's left of the 'blood traitors.' They are after me. I saw one around the farm the other day and Mary our awful neighbour almost witnessed me using my wand. Severus we have a lot of valuable things in our Gringotts vault and if I die Cliodhna will be the last heir of the Prince's. It will all belong to her. I left everything she will ever need in the vault. I hope she doesn't have to witness my death and I hope her daddy takes great care of her when I'm gone. I was hoping that Clio would be a Ravenclaw like me but I made Kieth promise that he'd keep Clio from discovering magic as long as we can. It's no longer safe, my days are numbered and as long as Clio doesn't exist to the wizarding world, she wont get hurt. It really is a shame you never got to meet her, I have never seen such a beautiful little girl. She reminds me so much of you when she's grumpy, its hard not to spoil her rotten. Anyways Severus, i want you to know that I love you. You have been an amazing brother to me and I will see you very soon. You're brave Severus, I'm glad you saved Harry. Lily would have been just as proud as I. Here is a family picture. Look how precious Clio is.
I am eternally gratful to call you my brother, Orla

I was shaking reading the last letter. Tears stained my cheeks and Draco even looked like he might cry.

"Draco, my mother never died of natural causes." I sniffled.
"Shhh." Draco rubbed my back soothingly.
"My dad. I was so mad at him for keeping her from me, he just wanted to keep me safe. Draco they loved me so much." I cried harder.
"They still do." Draco's expression was stone cold. I didn't understand it.
"Draco?" I wiped my eyes.
"Maybe we should come back tomorrow." Draco held out his hand and lifted me off the ground. I left the album behind and walked with Draco out of the vault. We took the cart through the caves and back up to the bank. Today has been an unbelivably long day.