I do want to note that I did a bit of digging, and found out that it was never stated that Severus mother died. There is apparently a rumor that Irma Pince is an anagram for I am Prince, and the surly librarian is in actuality Severus mother. She is also rumored to have relations with Filch. Interesting! Not sure how accurate this all is, but it snagged my attention!

I claim no content belonging to Rowling.

-Greay

Galen apparated from just outside the gates of the castle, snarling his nose at the smell of the polluted river nearby. He studied the house from afar for a few moments, noticing movement heading out of the house. He edged closer, casting a disillusionment charm on himself as Mrs. Snape exited the house, shaking. He watched as she leaned against the side of the house, weeping. He heard her next statement, and it made his blood run cold.

"Thank everything that my boy isn't here. He'd be dead by now. I just want this all to stop." She sobbed quietly.

He took notice of all the bruises up and down her arms, neck and face. He heard a drunken yell from inside the house, and saw the woman stiffen. She wiped her face, barely wincing as a cut on her lip opened. The man stumbled out and yelled at his wife to get inside and cook. Eileen scurried past him, not bothering to help the man as he stumbled against his truck. Galen took his chance, casting a muffling charm so the woman inside would not hear anything going on outside. He stepped out of the shadow, and caught the man's attention. The drunk growled, and swung a fist at Galen, who side stepped him easily. Galen hauled him off the ground, slamming him against his truck. Had he not been so angry he would have gagged at the smell emanating from the man's mouth. It smelled like rotten beer, and his teeth were crusted with dark orange plaque, the ones at least that were not turning black from neglect.

"You will listen, and listen carefully Tobias. I have with me a substantial amount of money. You will take this money, and flee this country. I don't care where you go, but it will not be here, do you understand?"

Tobias barely registered that Galen had spoken, the alcohol working its way through his body, making him sag against Galen.

"Very well, the illegal way then." Galen muttered more to himself than anyone else. "Imperio."

Tobias stood up straight, barely swaying and made his way into the house with Galen a step behind him. Eileen was standing at the stove, her whole body tense as she heard him enter.

"I'm leaving."

"For how long?"

"Forever. This man has told me he will give me money to leave this country, and never return. I'm taking him up on his offer. You won't see me again."

At this declaration, Eileen turned around. She narrowed her eyes at Galen, unsure at what to do.

"What do you expect me to do for rent Tobias? I have no money. You drank it all away."

"That's not my problem. You and your spawn are on your own. I have what I need, and I'm leaving."

Tobias then walked upstairs, laid down in bed, and passed out.

"What have you done to him?"

"Mrs. Prince, you will find that I have given you a safe way out. For you, and for your son. You will find papers here, soon to be signed by Mr. Snape giving up any parental rights to Severus, and divorce papers, should you decide you want to sign them."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I owe your son much. He has been a faithful companion and friend to my daughter. He's protected her several times, let her cry on his shoulder, and been an all-around amazing boy. This is what he wants. I always repay my debts Mrs. Prince."

Eileen surveyed the man before her, hardly believing her ears.

"How do I know you speak the truth?"

"If you would gather anything you wish to take with you forever, I will apparate us to my home, where your son is staying for the holidays."

"And if he wakes up, no longer under that rather impressive imperious curse you put on him?" she asked, her brows raised.

"I should have known any mother of Severus would be just as bright. He had to have gotten it somewhere. I will be modifying your ex-husbands memory. He will have no memory of me, and he will have willingly wanted to sign these papers. He will forget you, and what you and your son look like. You. Will. Be. Free. And so will Severus."

"I have no money. No job. What am I to do? I refuse to live off of you and your family."

"While that is an admirable statement, you won't have to. I have the means to employ you at Hogwarts as a counselor of sorts. You will be there for any students that wish to speak to you, who are having a rough time. This is to help our current problem with bullying. I am positive if you let me employ my lawyer for you, we can get you and Severus set up to where you will never have to worry about money or a safe home again."

"What's in this for you?"

"Mrs. Prince, there is a war coming. We need our students united so we are not fighting a war within our school. You are going to be one of our first lines of defense. We need you as much as you need us."

Eileen thought this over for a moment, but Galen could see the decision in her eye.

"I wish to see my son. But first, I will need those papers. I also want you to wake Tobias up, sober. There are some things I need to say to him."

"No wand?"

"I gave it to Severus." she stated quietly.

"Well, let's hop to it then. I am sure your son will be excited to see you."

Galen removed the papers from his pocket, laying them out on the table and watching as Eileen signed them. They both headed upstairs, and Galen waved his wand. Tobias awoke with a start, growling.

"Who the bloody hell are you? Eileen, you better start explaining before I make you." he snarled, his face a picture of fury.

"Now Mister Snape. Your soon to be ex-wife has a few words for you, and you will sit there silently and listen. If you refuse to do so, I will be forced to make you, and it will not be pleasant. Are we at an understanding?"

Tobias gulped as he stared at the wand pointed at his face. At his silence, Eileen opened her mouth, and years' worth of pain and anger came out.

"Tobias, I married who I thought was a good man, soon to find out that the man I married only married me for money, which I had none of. I got pregnant, and you almost killed our child by beating me. Every day, I have sat back and not lifted a finger to stop you from hitting me, our son, and the cruel words you curse. No more. I am leaving you. You will sign your parental rights away, and these divorce papers, and will never see Severus or myself again. I want you to know one thing. I never loved you. I've had so many chances to end your life, but I have not. I could have left, but I never did. This was to keep a father in Severus' life. He doesn't need you Tobias. I know that now. He needed you long enough to see what kind of man he will never be. Know that as your son grows up, he will hate you, every single day. I hope after a while, he never thinks of you again. Good bye." Eileen grabbed a lone picture book from her closet, set way in the back, and left the room, not looking back.

"Well then, down to business." Galen swiped his wand, placing and removing memories as he saw fit. As the muggle signed the papers and passed out, Galen grimaced. The things he saw in this muggles mind…He needed to be home with his family, immediately.

Walking downstairs he found Mrs. Prince outside, crying silently.

"This isn't real." she muttered.

"Oh my dear, this is very much real. Let's go to your son, shall we?"

Eileen looked at him, and burst into tears, falling into Galen's waiting arms. He held the woman close as she sobbed, quickly apparating them to his home, and finally, away from the home that caused so much pain.