Chapter Seven
Severus and Draco had remained in their seats, staring around the room or at their hands. Neither were going to even attempt to peer at each other, hoping to stay on their Professor's good side. Their silence had been broken by the animalistic sounds and low murmurs seeping from Professor Potter's office. Curious, they locked their gazes upon the door, waiting patiently. Almost fifteen minutes later the door open with another set of soft, undecipherable voices. Their mouths dropped open with twin gasps as a tall, regal form swept into view. Lucius Malfoy had come to Hogwarts. Draco had been stunned at the sight of his father, wondering how the elder Malfoy slipped past the beady eyes of the Headmaster. Severus was fearful, wondering what protection he had with suspected Death Eaters entering Hogwarts without the Headmaster knowing.
"Father!" Draco stood quickly, forgetting his Professor's rule to stay seated.
Icy blue eyes peered down at a stunned Heir. Lucius smirked at his only son, eyeing the small scratches to the pale skin and tears within the impeccably clean robes. "Draco." He held out a small jar, "Come, Draco. We have much to discuss. Then I must see to your Mother." He cast a questioning gaze towards the Gryffindor Golden Boy. He catalogued the slight shivers and fearful gaze of the world's savior.
"Ah, Mr. Snape, I see you have remained behind despite the appearance of our esteemed guest." Lucius glared at the arriving Potions Master. Harry tossed a smirk his way, emerald eyes hooded with amusement and daring. Lucius knew the other man was daring him to say or do something towards young Mr. Snape. The aristocrat knew better; there was no way he was going to try, especially knowing he was illegally residing within the walls of Hogwarts without the Headmaster's consent, even though Lucius Malfoy was seated on the School Board with the Ministry.
"Yes, Sir." Severus kept his tone respectful. He feared the repercussions of remaining behind without the comforting presence of his friends.
"Try to stay out of an enraged wife's cursing distance, Lucius. Be sure to stop by Dumbledore's office, unless I'm mistaking his presence entering the dungeons." The sneering, elder white-blonde wizard tossed his head in a snobbish wave, sweeping out the classroom with his son at his heels. His sudden appearance startled the waiting class outside the door. "Ah, yes, class. I shall be finished with Mr. Snape shortly. I do hope you will be prepared within the next ten minutes."
Severus watched the door close behind the disappearance of the Malfoys, "Sir?"
Harry slipped behind his desk, not looking in the boy's direction. He flipped through his schedules and paperwork as he carelessly spoke, "I've heard of your prowess in Potions. Even the rumors of your introduction in the Dark Arts, Mr. Snape."
Severus wondered what it was his Professor was trying to accomplish, "Uh, Sir?" How did he know about the Dark Arts? I never told anyone!
"Dark Arts, Severus? When have you had the time to see to them?" Albus Dumbledore slipped into the classroom. Hermione and Ron had rushed to his office, telling him that Professor Potter kept Severus behind with Malfoy and that Severus seemed fearful to remain. Then his wards alerted him to the unknown presence of Lucius Malfoy in the dungeons. He had sent the two Gryffindors to the Great Hall, promising to approach the Professor and to aide Severus. He entered the dungeons to see several students sprawled about with open books, waiting to be let into the classroom. Lucius and Draco had swept from inside, coolly greeting him before turning away. Now he heard some disturbing news about his young ward.
Harry turned a blank expression towards the interfering Headmaster, "Did you know, Mr. Snape, that you had other family? Family that would have taken you in the moment they learned of your demise? Did you know your Headmaster knew this family as well?"
Family? But I thought I had no one. "I don't understand."
Blue eyes drilled into emerald, hitting nothing but a black void. Harry gave him a knowing smirk, "Yes. I'm sure you heard of Lily Potter or possibly her Muggle family, the Evans."
Severus was stunned. Now the harsh words of his Aunt made sense, "She was related to Aunt Petunia!"
"Lillian Potter was hated by her family for what she had become. The Evans Family would have disowned her but it was Lily that kept them financially secure. She cared for her family despite their misgivings of her. But she didn't like how they treated others for being different. That was why she turned away, that was why she wouldn't let even her worst enemy fall into their hands. She promised her family that no one of the magical line would remain in their grasp in return for her financial help. But surprise, surprise, Lily died never knowing her cousin Petunia was granted custody of a magical child. And if memory serves me right, your father made sure you had a Godfather or an alternative Care-giver. It was Lily's attitude of her family's hatred that made him see the light, as Muggles are fond of saying. Before your father was murdered, he created his will with your health in mind."
"Why don't I know this? Why haven't I gone there?" Did they not want me? Was Uncle Vernon right, I'm a freak that no one wanted around?
Harry settled comfortably in his high-back chair, one leg crossed over the other. Emerald eyes locked upon desperate blue, knowing the Headmaster was fidgeting inside, trying to figure out how to keep Severus from quenching his curiosity. "Because someone made sure it never came to light. Someone pulled strings to keep such a Light family from ever losing a precious bundle into the hands of the enemy." Onyx eyes bounced between the two adults, trying to figure out the unsolved puzzle. "Lucius Malfoy never knew he was given a Godson. But he knew your Grandfather, went to school with your father. He had grown close to the Snape family. I also knew your father intimately. He had family learning the Arts at Durmstrang. Sopherius Snape cared nothing for reputations, even though his loyalties lay with his wife, Lady Evelyn Snape and her family, the Bones. After all, Evelyn's cousin, Amelia Bones, became the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and presided over the Wizengamot as well as an instrument for the side of Light since her brother, Edgar, had joined with a faction called the Order of the Phoenix."
Severus was stunned; I'm related to Susan Bones! "Why?"
Albus bowed his head, unsure how to continue, how to answer his student. Harry took charge with ease. "Before you say anything to him, Headmaster, I call for the rights of one Severus Snape. I, Harold James Potter, accept one Severus Snape as my future protégé. Under my will he shall thrive as the next Potions Master, apprentice to Britain's Potions Master, Harold James Potter."
Speechless, blue eyes watched as a blinding white rope appeared, wrapping itself around the two males in question of the Magical binding contract. He wouldn't be able to do much with Severus as all apprentices were required to live with their Masters. He could possibly trick Lucius Malfoy into signing a contract allowing Albus full custody of the Snape Heir, which would give him full parental rights on how Severus was raised. He needed to figure out how to trick a Slytherin with subtle manipulations without alerting anyone of his desire. "Very well, Mr. Potter."
"I need to allow my class entrance. Severus, I shall see you tonight if you would like to began your apprenticeship. Good day, gentlemen." He herded the speechless student and grudgingly accepting Headmaster to the door. He knew Sirius overheard their entire conversation, probably already alerting Narcissa of Albus' possible manipulations and Lucius' gain of a Godson he never knew. "Class, I will require you to be seated quickly and quietly. We will begin shortly. Then I will give out the needed assignments for you to review further."
-----------------------------Near the Great Hall------------------------------------
"Sev!" A quiet Severus glanced up to see his friends rushing his way. "Are you all right, Severus?"
He smiled softly, gently touching a worried Hermione's shoulder, "I'm fine, Hermione. I was learning new things. I got an Apprenticeship. And learned of a Godfather my Father chose before his death."
Hermione squealed, gaining the curious attention of the wandering students as she wrapped the solemn boy in a breathless hug. "Oh! This is wonderful! Do you know how rare they are? Can you believe the respect you'll gain? Or the status you will achieve?" She knew how Severus hated being with his Uncle during the summers. Ron had been the first to learn of their hatred towards their quiet friend; he and his siblings rescuing him during their Second Year. Since then, all the Gryffindors slowly learned the truth, finding ways to make sure the Dursleys kept their punishments to a minimal, especially as the Muggleborns within living distance were constantly dropping by just to hang around.
Ron smiled, grateful to know his friend was safe this year. "Hermione, he needs to breathe." He carefully extracted a gasping Severus from their over-excited bookworm friend. "And I know we'll learn all about what you know about Apprenticeships but I'd like to learn about this Godfather Severus was granted that no one has ever heard about."
"Professor Potter is my Master, Ron." Severus winced at the red flush growing on his friend's face, "He called for the contract right in front of Dumbledore. Not only that, Lucius Malfoy is my Godfather. It seemed Malfoy's dad was my dad's best friend or at least his closest friend in school. Dumbledore agreed to it all, he never told me different as Professor Potter told me this."
"What!"
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione glared at their hot-tempered, red-headed friend, hands resting upon her hips, "We are very proud of what Severus has gained, aren't we, Ronald?" Ron squeaked as he nodded beneath the cold tone, "We are very proud. And I'm sure your father knew what he was doing, Severus. After all, we've already learned that you are distantly related to the infamous Professor Potter through your Aunt. Now come on, I want to learn more about this apprenticeship you accepted. The others will want to know as well." She dragged her two friends through the halls towards the Gryffindor Tower to share the good or bad news, depending on the views at the time.
