-1Disclaimer: Thanks are to Rowling for the use of her amazing characters. I am only borrowing them from the wonderful author.

………………………….

"Lily, I want to show you something." They were in Severus's room, since it was too early for sleeping. Severus led Lily up to the picture of the huge country estate; "You know how I told ya about the country house."

"In the mail letters and you might have mentioned it here a few hundred times." For every day, Lily and Severus had owled each other at the least twice.

"I didn't tell ya about it that much." Severus scowled and crossed his arms.

Lily grinned, "Fifty times then."

"Well, anyway, this is it!" Severus pulled Lily over to the painting. He hoped that she would be impressed with it as much as he happened to be.

Lily was amazed at the picture. "That is a house? It looks more like a mansion to me."

"Wait till ya see it in person."

Looking closer Lily almost jumped back, "Sev, the picture is moving!"

"Cool, huh. They do that, cause it is a wizarding painting!"

"I'd say it's cool. Is the house just like it in the picture?"

"Even better."

"Great, think I could see it sometime, if your grandfather doesn't mind."

"Grandfather told me that after the ceremony tomorrow, we're going there."

"Wow!!" Lily smiled at the picture, "How many rooms does it have in it?"

"Dozens." Severus looked at it with obvious pride on his face.

"What is it like?"

Severus's eyes had a glint in them, "Wait and see."

Lily crossed her arms and pouted, "No fair."

"Come on Lily, don't be such a Gryfyndor."

"Gryfyndor?"

"Yeah, impatient and unsteady." Severus sat on the bed and Lily followed suit.

"What?"

"Gryfyndor is one of the four houses of Hogwarts and are represented by a lion. They are known for their recklessness and impatience."

"Really, what are the others?" Severus pulled the pillow down on the bed and lay his chin on it; Lily soon did the same thing. Lily crossed her ankles and hit her legs back and forth on the bed.

"Huffelpuff which is loyal and hard working has a badger for a mascot, Ravenclaw which is incredibly smart and always looking to learn has an eagle and finally Slytherin which is clever, cunning and cautious and they have a snake on their coat of arms."

"Where did ya find out so much about em?"

"Grandfather told me about em and reading."

"Figures."

Severus narrowed his eyes, "What's that suppose to mean?"

"If ya don't know an answer, you'll find out somehow." Lily smiled matter of fact. Severus would never change.

"Guess so." Severus then pushed his pillow out of his way and rolled on his back with his arms behind his head.

"Which one do you think I'll be in?"

"The way you are, either Ravenclaw or Gryfyndor. Hopefully Ravenclaw."

"Hope I am in Ravenclaw, too. What about you?"

"Probably Slytherin but I could also probably be Ravenclaw. Grandfather told me as much."

"You are smart enough for the both of them. I say Ravenclaw."

"If you go into Gryfyndor, I would hope Ravenclaw."

"Why not Slytherin?"

"They're house rivals. I mean there's a lot of hatred between the two."

"Why?"

"Well, from what I was told, Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryfyndor had a falling out and that went to the houses they founded." Severus frowned and continued, "Grandfather told me that they are always in competitio0n with each other; academically, sporting games or whatever they do."

"How long ago was that?"

"Dunno. Probably a thousand years ago. Maybe more." There was silence for a while. Each considering house politics and what they mean at this early of an age.

"Sev, promise me that if we are divided, we will never stop being friends."

"Ok." Severus shrugged, that was easy enough. What could drive them apart?

"Sev, a REAL promise not just ok." Lily sat up and crossed her arms.

"I give you my word as a Prince." Severus and Lily shook hands.

Lily smiled and lied back down beside her friend, "Much better."

"Lily, you will always be my best friend."

"Now tell me a bit more about the founding fathers and Hogwarts. Everything you learned, heard and read."

Severus was about to respond but was cut off. "Lily, Severus, bed." Lawrence stood at the door.

Lily climbed off the bed and went toward her bedroom. But before she did, "Night Sev."

"Night Lily."

Later on that night, a huge storm whipped outside. The wind was blowing so hard that small trees were uprooted and the summer cottage magically closed its shutters to ensure that the people and the building inside were safe. The rain was not falling down in a straight pattern; because of the rain, it was hitting the side of the building at a horizontal angle.

Lily hated storms and she couldn't sleep. And this one seemed worse since it was a storm that was coming off the northern ocean. She made a decision and got out of bed and put on her robe and slippers.

She picked up the candle scone after lighting the candle and walked over to Severus's bedroom and opened the door. As soon as the door opened Severus, who also had a bit of trouble sleeping as well, sat up in bed.

"Lily, whatta doing here?"

"Couldn't sleep."

"Don't blame ya."

"Can I sleep here?"

Severus shrugged his shoulders, "Sure."

Lily walked over to the bed, put the candle down after blowing it out, took her robe and slippers off and got under the covers and curled up beside her friend. "Sev."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Anytime, Lil." Nothing more was said and the two kids fell asleep holding on to each other.

Twenty minutes later, Augustus opened the door of the room checking on his grandson and smiled at the sight that the light from his candle hit. Both were asleep with their young arms wrapped around each other.

"Mr. Prince, I can't find Lily." Catherine had approached Augustus quietly. It appeared that Catherine was concerned about her daughter's well being.

"Look no further." Augustus stepped aside for Catherine to see, "And call me Augustus."

"They look so happy and content." Catherine smiled.

"At least someone can sleep in this storm." Lawrence stood behind his wife.

"Have they done this before?"

"Once." Lawrence answered.

"Ha. Whenever he comes over and when he wanted to get away from his father."

"How many times?" Augustus asked.

"More than one hand that I know of." Catherine answered.

"We will have to put a stop to this when they get older." Lawrence stated.

He did not mind as of now when they were young and their bodies were not blooming, but when they reached a certain age and were not innocent anymore in their thoughts then it would have to stop. He gave an involuntary shiver.

He knew as a father what would be going through Severus's mind when it would come in regards to Lily. When he reached a certain age and hormones took over. He also knew that Severus would start to have these thoughts, feelings and urges when he became older.

The reason, he had the same thoughts and uncontrollable urges that went with them when he was that age, around his girlfriend of course. They did become easier to control when she became his wife. Catherine did not know just how many times his thoughts would be entertained by a certain subject.

Augustus looked one last time at the two young voyagers into dreamland, if he was going to talk to the Evans's about his plans, he might as well do it now. It would be a good idea to try and get them betrothed to one another before tomorrow and before his son finds out his plan. Triton would try and stop it, for some crazy reason.

"Let's leave them alone." Augustus then shut the door. Once it shut Severus opened his eyes and smiled, yawned and fell back asleep.

"Mr Evans, Mrs Evans…" Augustus began.

"You might as well call us by Catherine and Lawrence." Lawrence decided.

"Catherine, Lawrence will you adjourn to the study with me? There is something I wish to talk about that concerns my grandson and your daughter."

Once arriving n the study, Augustus pointed his wand at the fireplace and through magic started the fire. Everyone sat down and made themselves comfortable in their seats.

Augustus started to think a bit, how was he going to approach this. He wanted his grandson happy and Miss Evans to be apart of the family, for not only Severus's sake but also the power the young girl had. His mind then clicked, he knew how to do it.

"Catherine, Lawrence, in wizarding families even in today's environment there are times when the head of the family makes a commitment for the younger members of the family. Since they are below the age of being an adult, it is up for the family to make some decisions for their life and safety. The commitments can range from taking over the family business, apprenticing them out and a combination of sorts."

"Hold on, let me understand you called us in here at this late hour to talk to us about what type of jobs you want them to do?"

"Not exactly. Although while Severus is not my heir, I will make sure that he is well taken care of. When his mother ran off with that sod, she would not take her inheritance with her as well as the money I would have spent on her engagement parties, her trouser, the wedding, the honeymoon and so forth. So all that money goes to Severus, so in all tense and purposes he is well off. I also put it in the bank and it has drawn interest. He will inherit it when he turns seventeen, that is when he comes of age in the wizarding world."

"Exactly how much is he worth?" Lawrence asked.

"Wizarding money is different than muggle money. But even with the exchange rate right now, the best I can guess is about 768,000 pounds. But, it will probably be a bit more when he comes of age."

"That is a lot for a boy who was used to having almost nothing." Catherine replied.

"He will be well provided for as you can see. If he does not waste it or spend frivolously."

"I don't think he will do that." Catherine shook her head.

"You said something about a contract of sorts. I don't think you mean that you are offering Lily a job."

"No, I am not."

"Well, then out with it."

"I was thinking of having both my grandson and your daughter betrothed to one another."

"What? This is not the nineteenth century where people were promised to one another without each other's consent!" Catherine was livid, how dare this man try and do this to the kids.

"Yes, you are right. But if I may explain why I think it is a good idea, would you both listen? It concerns both of their futures and your daughter's safety." That seemed to clinch it.

"Their future we can understand but Lily's safety? What is so important that we do this for her safety?"

"I was hoping to avoid this, but in this world there are two factions of people. One that does not care about birth, the other that is so preoccupied with it, that they are willing to cause harm to anyone that does not meet their expectations." Augustus held his hand up, "Let me get through this then you may ask as many questions as you want. Agreed?" Catherine and Lawrence both shook their heads.

"In the wizarding world are people who come from families that have had nothing but magic in them, they are known as pure-blood. All of the pure blooded families are related to one another. My son, Triton, his wife, Julia and my grandson, Nero as well as myself are purebloods. Another type of witch or wizard is the muggle born, like your daughter. They did not come from a wizarding family and had no previous knowledge of magic. The next one is a half blood. Severus falls into that category. The person is a mixture of a pure-blood and a muggle."

"What exactly is a muggle?"

"Non magic folk. Anyway, there are some families that hate anything that happens to do with muggle born wizards and witches. And they wish them harm. While there are not many of them, it is getting to the point where they eventually will end up hurting people. Both muggle born and muggle alike. Not to mention the ones that will stand up to them."

"If we made sure Lily would not be a part of this world…"

"I am sorry, Lawrence, it is already too late for that. She is who she is. You can stop her from going to Hogwarts, the Wizarding School. But there is no way she will be able to stop being that she is. She will always have those powers and the best way for her to learn how to control them is to go to Hogwarts to learn to use them properly."

"I see. And that is why you want her and Severus to marry. For her safety's sake. It is very obvious that you do not care about blood status."

"No I do not. And to answer another question, Severus and Lily both are good friends and care for one another. So there will be no resentment there. It will be as a matter of fact and they will see it, as it should be. And there is something nice about having a marriage agreement. You will already know whom your daughter is marrying and the family as well. Lily will be not only protected but looked after as well. She will be well respected in the wizarding world under this name and house."

"My daughter is going to pick who she wants to marry and that is that. And I will make sure that she is well protected without help from your family. Do you think that I can not protect my own family?" Lawrence was getting angry. How dare this man even think about doing this.

Augustus shook his head, "Against other muggles, no. But…"

"When it comes to other wizards, that is a whole other story. Lawrence, I think that we ought to consider what he said. And also ask both of the children what they think about marrying each other. Then I think we ought to let them decide."

"Fair enough. They can take a vow a year before they go to Hogwarts if everyone agrees to it. If they don't, it is very likely, that they would end up with someone unscrupulous. If Lily married someone else, there is a chance that she would not be allowed to see you as much. With this family, she would see you a lot even every day." Augustus was a Slytherin and he was going to make sure that those kids would marry each other, one way or another. And if that meant manipulating or applying friendly persuasion to get it done, then so be it.

"So we might not see her if she marries someone else, or if we agree to this marriage then we could see her. Lily would never agree to that. She has her own voice and would use it."

"I do not mean to tell them they have no choice, I want them to willingly marry each other. But, since they are friends, then they would already know each other. So the marriage would not be one of lust or something flighty."

"It is true a lot of marriages are made that way. But an arranged marriage? Our marriage was not an arranged marriage and it turned out very well."

"It would be an arrange marriage, yes. But, those marriages can be very good. My marriage was very good and it was arranged. Why not theirs?"

"Well, let us think about it." Catherine evenly said.

Everything that Augustus said made sense. And they already knew Severus and his grandfather happened to be a very good man, it appeared so anyway. Severus it also seemed was going to be having enough money to start his life out. So much to think about, at least they could make a decision that didn't have to be made at once.

Once inside their bedroom, Lawrence and Catherine both huddled in their bed. Both quiet and with the discussion on their minds.

"Lawrence finally broke the silence, "I know that Severus is a good kid and will be well off, not to mention that the Prince family is a very good family, but…"

"You don't agree."

"No, I do not. This is NOT a time when families sold off their daughters to better themselves. This is not some Jane Austin novel. I will not allow my daughter to be offered up at auction to the highest bidder."

"I don't know, Lawrence, a lot what he said was very convincing."

"Catherine, I thought that among all people you would never agree to that archaic practice. Where is your sense of feminism that you go on about? What would your friends and colleagues say at those feminist meetings that you go to?"

"Lawrence I go to those to ensure that my daughters have the right to be whatever they want to be." Catherine defended herself, "I was thinking of asking the kids what they think to being married to one another. IF they like it, fine. Something that can be broken sounds good to me. That is to protect both of the kids so that no hurt feelings could result from this."

"Catherine, I am a loan officer at a bank and can judge a person's personality, that is my job after all. I don't believe that Augustus Prince will let go of this idea or the idea of the marriage."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Let's put him off for a couple of years. Once those years have passed, maybe he would have forgotten it and by that time, Lily and Severus both can make up their own minds."

"Isn't that being a little dishonest?"

"No more than what he is going to be to us, by the time this is through."

"Lawrence, there are sometimes that you amaze me and not in a good way."

"Catherine, my dear, you are always being too stubborn looking on what is good about people."

"Lawrence, You see intiringly things as too much as black and white. Severus is a bit of both."

"Yes he is. And if I am any judge, his grandfather has more shades of grey than any other colour."

" Unfortunately, both of our daughters take after both of us, good and bad." That being said, the Evans's rolled over and eventually fell asleep.

………………

An ancient ceremony involving only family and close friends was taking place in the great hall. The entire Prince family was there, Augustus, Triton, Severus, Julia and Nero. The friends were the Evans's. Besides the invited guests and family, were the officials to conduct the ceremony.

The officials were as follows; the lady, or Madam Talbert, from the wizarding council of child welfare, the lady, Mrs Ralston, that was handling the adoption of Severus to his new home and the ministry official, Hubert Lee. They each had their own respective robes on. Madam Talbert wore a light coloured violet robe, Hubert Lee wore a scarlet robe and Ralston had a faded yellow robe on. The family solicitor, Hercules Walters, which did not represent him very well at all considering how puny he really was, wore the black and brown robes depicting his office.

Everyone else wore his or her best robes or dresses. The Evans family wore their best muggle clothes while the others wore the best that wizarding society had to offer.

Julia even went shopping for this special event; the robe that she chose was dark velvet pink with white ruffles on it, and plenty of jewellery. Nero had on a gold coloured robe that which had ruffles on the collar and the sleeves. Triton wore a sea green robe with blue stitches on it; Augustus wore his black silk robes with the family crest on a very impressive pin that held his robe together. Severus wore his newly acquired robe.

The room was divided into two sections, muggle and wizarding. Julia and Nero stood as far from the muggles as they could.

The ministry official turned toward Severus and started his questions, "Severus Tobias Snape, you are aware that you will be gaining anew guardian and in doing so, you will live under his roof and be subject to his rules and punishments that he deals out as he sees best?"

"Yes, yes. Get on with it." Severus could not wait to get it over with and get rid of that last name.

"Severus, please act like you are to use your manners that I have taught you."

"Yes grandfather." Severus muttered.

"Grandfather has no manners." Nero whispered to his mother.

"I know and I weep for this boy's future, even though he is a half-blood. He will turn out just like his grandfather." Julia responded back with a whisper. It was very clear that both father-in-law and daughter-in-law had no feelings for each other but those of dislike and hate.

"Master Augustus Radcliff Prince as head of the Prince family, you acknowledge that you are going to accept this boy as your responsibility to raise and to guide him through his formative years. Do you promise to protect him and raise him to the best of your ability as his guardian."

"I welcome him with open arms."

"Before we continue, would the parties be interested in changing his last name to match his new guardian and to the blood bonding ceremony?"

"Even though we are already related by blood, we agree that the blood bonding ceremony would still be a good idea. And Severus, my grandson, can answer for himself about his own name."

"Very well, young sir. What would you like to be called?"

"Severus Tobias Augustus Prince."

"A very dignified name." The lady who was with the wizarding child welfare system wrote down the new name on one of many parchments that she brought with her.

After the lady that was ahead of the Wizarding welfare department came forward with a small silver knife. "Silver is the colour of this knife and is pure, let this be an example of how this family will be united and pure with one another."

Once intoning that, she slit both Severus's and Augustus's right hands and then she held both hands together, she then took her wand and uttered a spell for unification, 'Unum.' The wand touched the tip of their hands and warmth spread throughout their bodies.

A white light surrounded both hands and the blood began to flow to both after a few minutes, the cuts repaired themselves. Once the light had diserpated, they withdrew their hands and Severus was welcomed into the family.

Even though he was already a Prince, this made him more of one, through the adoption and the blood rights. Now no one could say that he wasn't with the ceremony, which took care of everything from being only a half-blood but also the name change.

That would stop anyone from arguing about his place in the family and in society, since Augustus promised that he would watch over his grandson but also adopt him, raise him and ensure his safety. He was not only under a powerful name but the name was a part of him.

The next part of the ceremony was signing parchment, which took a while considering how many sheets had to be gone through the adoption, blood ritual, name change and place of residence. Triton looked carefully over the documents to make sure that they all in order, it wasn't that he didn't trust their solicitor; he just wanted to check everything over himself, which took it twice as long.

Everything had to be copied not in triplicate but in tenths. Three for the family, two for the ministry, one for the lawyer, three for the child welfare and one for Severus himself.

And in the morning, after the morning paper would be read, there should be some incoming mail for the new young Prince of congratulations and welcoming him into the wizarding world. By law, the ministry and the child welfare would have to print it in the newspapers. Augustus already inserted a part in the paper of his grandson coming to live with them. He would not say anything about blood status, just that he was living with him.

No one in his or her right minds would say anything about him being a half blood. Even though a few families would think it, they would want to stay in the good graces of the family, some would really want to honestly, some to better themselves and some just for show.

After the signings were complete and the last ink was dry, the officials left to file the important paper work. That left the family and their guests.

Severus turned to his grandfather, "Uh, grandfather."

"Out with it Severus."

"Could I change? It's way too hot." Severus was pulling at his collar.

"That is a good idea, my boy. Why don't we all change and meet back in this room to see about a feast of sorts."

Augustus walked into the great hall ten minutes later, there he found that the children and Lawrence Evans and his son were all changed into some nice yet informal clothes. Lawrence and Triton were talking about wizarding society, Severus and Lily were both talking in hushed yet excited tones while Nero stood over in one corner.

Nero was the first to notice his grandfather and went to ask him a question, "Grandfather, could I invite a friend to dinner?

Augustus looked shrewdly down at his grandson, "I would rather not invite anyone to dinner outside of this family."

"But the muggles are here."

"The reason why they are here is that Severus knows them all too well and I have promised them that they could come. You do want your cousin to be happy, don't you?"

"Fine, but can I invite Lucious Malfoy to the country house when we go there?"

"I see no reason why not. I may not like the Malfoy family but they will not embarrass themselves no matter what." Augustus took a deep breath, "He is welcomed to come."

Without a word of thanks, Nero ran over to the fireplace and flooed to Malfoy Manor. Soon after he and his friend both arrived at the cottage. Nero quickly explained who was waiting for them in another room. They quickly entered the great hall.

By that time, Julia who was the last person to arrive in the great hall just entered. She held up her nose at Catherine and smiled when she saw Lucious Malfoy.

"Lucious, darling. It is so good to see you. How is your dear mother doing?"

"Mother is doing quite well, Mrs. Prince."

"That is good. And you?"

"I am very good and pleased that you thought of inviting me to dinner."

"Yes, well let us hope those muggles have some table manners at least."

While they were busy talking, Augustus was talking with Catherine about a party that he wanted to hold for Severus and for Lily as well.

"Catherine, I hope that you will agree with me in this. I was hoping to throw a garden party for Severus and Lily. Why think of how many wizarding children they will meet and be exposed to? They will need some friends in the wizarding world before they go to Hogwarts."

"A party? I don't know."

"It would be a good time to introduce some of the world that they both will be living in. Lawrence and yourself will even be there as well to see how it is and everyone there."

"Well…that seems like a good idea."

Excellent, and I want your opinion on what we should do for the party."

As Catherine and Augustus talked about the party, Lawrence and Triton were talking about what had happened last night.

"You mean to tell me that my father tried to arrange a marriage between my nephew and your daughter?"

"Yes, but being head of the Evans family I have decided there is to be no such thing. Uh, you agree with me?"

"Yes I do, but knowing my father, he will not stop." Triton's mind was working overtime again. He would have to look out for what his father had in mind.

Lily and Severus were talking about some new games. "Lily, wait till ya see it! There is this one game, exploding snap. You are goi9ng to love it."

"Really? When could you show me?"

"It will have to wait till after dinner." Augustus walked over to the two youngsters and smiled at the both of them.

Triton shook his head; his father really had his eyes on Severus and this young girl marrying. She happened to be very pretty, apparently smart and was kind. That was impression that he got from her when he first introduced. He hoped that he could prevent what his father was planning, an arranged marriage, and let the children decide for themselves.

Ten minutes later, everybody was seated at the table in the great hall and was enjoying their supper. The fare was served upon silver trenchers and they ate on bone china and drank from goblets made of silver.

Severus was happy; as the house elves had made his favourite dishes, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, baked potatoes, green beans and fried squash. Then for desert was an impressive milk chocolate walnut cake with French vanilla pudding inside of it that had two figurings of duelling wizards on top.

During the meal, Catherine and Lawrence were amazed at how the boy's manners had improved. It wasn't that he was ready to sit down with the queen, but he did better than he used to. He no longer would quickly eat his food like there was no tomorrow and he would even use his napkin when he remembered. Being with his grandfather was going to be an improvement for him.

Those were not the only lessons that he learned; Catherine noticed that when she entered into a room, he would stand on her account. Augustus was teaching him manners that he was taught at the same age. She decided that Augustus was actually a good role model.

If he kept up with treating women like that, then he would be a heartbreaker when he got older. Not for his looks, but for how he treated women, if he started to treat them like his grandfather treated women, which was an improvement over how his father treated women.

While they were eating the cake, Severus and Nero got into an argument. Lucious tried to stop Nero saying that it was unworthy of him to be arguing on this auspicious day and they could continue it later. But Nero would not relent until Severus socked him.

"Don't you ever call Lily or her family that you spoiled rotten blighter!" Severus stood over him where he had punched him out of his chair.

Nero narrowed his eyes and smirked toward Severus, "Mommy! Help me!!"

"Oh my baby. Even though he is family, we are going to the London house and you will not have to see this little half breed for a while until much later when he learns to have better manners, but what do you expect of that street urchin?"

Lucious helped his friend up mumbling under his breath, "Half blood and his little mud blood friend."

"Triton, are you coming?" Julia was put off and wanted to get home as fast as she could.

"You go ahead and I will be home later on tonight." After they left, Severus was dragged to the study by his uncle and grandfather.

"Severus, what happened?"

"They called Lily a mud blood."

"I see. Well, Nero will be punished for this. You will as well for fighting." Augustus pulled down a book from the bookcase, "This book is an account, a true account of the different Greek wars. During that time, wizards and witches lived and worked side by side and knew about the other. Some wizards were even referred to as the Gods, heroes and seers of Greek mythology." Augustus handed the book to his grandson, "I want a three foot essay on the conflicts that could have been prevented if diplomacy could have been used instead of fists and words. Wasted violence is just that, a waste."

"I will make sure that Nero gets punished for what he has done to you." Triton concluded with. Soon after, they went back to their guests.

…………….

A few more chapters to go before the end of this fic and then I will begin their time at Hogwarts. Severus will still have a pretty tough go at it. There will be a death in his family that will hurt him. He will meet some new friends and will end up being a different person and yet the same. How will Lily react to him having new wizarding friends? What will he belike when he gets friends and acceptance? Now here is a question for everyone, should I put him in Slytherin or Ravenclaw?

Please review, I need those words whether it is I like it or I hate it. Please tell me what I am doing…and thanks.