Morning Vale,
March 28, 1980
Severus Snape sighed as he set aside the latest edition of Potion's Weekly. His image graced the cover of the edition. The camera crew had caught him off guard and instead of a customary glare or a stoic expression they had caught him during a moment of shared comradery with the interviewer. He had been smiling, a soft upturn of the lips, due to what Braxton Endevston had said to him.
He examined his image for a moment and sighed. He would never be considered a truly handsome man, but now he was a striking one. He had the efforts of Master Dimitri Talietzin to thank for it. His Master had insisted that there was no reason for Severus to not look his best. Master Talietzin was appalled that Mediwitch Pomfrey had not tended to these things when he was a student at Hogwarts. He had used spells and potions to straighten up his teeth and whiten them. Then one evening when both he and a visiting Lucius had imbibed too much liquor and he was dozing on the lounge sofa, Dimitri had used a terribly painful spell to fix his nose. Now his nose was the way it should have been, would have been, if it had never been broken several times by his violent father and the equally violent Marauders.
He had been terribly angry at first. It was difficult trying to accept his newly altered appearance because he had always valued his mind over looks or material possessions. He did have to admit now that he was grateful for Dimitri's meddling. He was like an overprotective uncle, sweeping in to meddle in his life when he felt like it.
Narcissa had loved it. She got along well with Master Talietzin when she and Lucius visited him. She cared for Severus. So too did Lucius. It was an alien feeling for Severus but it spread warmth through him when he thought of Narcissa bossing him about and Lucius giving him a commiserating look but not daring to interfere. Lucius was clever enough to know that he would suffer Narcissa's wrath if he did. No one had cared for him like this since Lily.
When he was truly honest with himself he knew that Lily had never cared so much about him as did the Malfoy couple. Lily had been his first friend, his best friend, and he had loved her deeply. It had devastated him when she had refused to accept his apology. After all, he had suffered the brunt of her red-headed temper countless times over the years of their friendship. He had always forgiven her, often without her even apologizing. Yet she had refused to accept his apology. She had cited her Gryffindor friends saying that they had been on Lily's back for years wanting her to end the friendship and Lily was choosing to do it. Lily had told him he was going down a dark path that she could not follow. That he was becoming evil. It was just all too much for her and so they were not friends anymore.
Severus shivered as he remembered those dark days. The loss of Lily's friendship was one of the worst moments of his life. It seemed the catalyst for so many wrong things. He had returned home just a week later to find his mother's dead body in his childhood home. He had been wise enough to get into contact with Lucius Malfoy and it was Lucius who came with the Auror's to take him away. The Wizarding Child Services were appalled to realize that a Witch had been killed by a Muggle and that a Wizarding Child had been abused, unable to defend himself with magic due to the laws against magical use by minors. They took Severus' own wishes into account as to where he wished to live and he chose to live with the Malfoy's. Thus he became the ward of the powerful Abraxas Malfoy.
He had returned to school with next to no one knowing of his change in circumstances. His only contact with Lily had been when she approached him to ask why she had not seen him in the neighborhood during the summer. Lily must have been feeling guilty because she knew that his father was abusive. She probably wondered if he had stayed the summer trapped in his own home with the monster. Severus had politely yet coolly informed her that he had come home to find his mother's dead body and that the Auror's took him away. He no longer lived in Spinner's End. Lily had called him a liar, refusing for the whole year to believe that he had spoken the truth. Severus had unleashed some of his own hurt on her when she called him a liar. He had told her that she had promised to be his friend for forever and then the last school year she had chosen to end their friendship. Lily had opened and closed her mouth several times then and Severus had chosen to make his exit then. He did not need to speak to Lily any longer. He had finally said his piece.
The Marauders were crueler toward him after that, but never where Lily would see it. Severus decided that he didn't care. Lily was an absolute fool if she believed that those boys had ceased their bullying ways.
Severus still hated that he let himself fall into Black's plan. He had nearly been torn to shreds by a Werewolf. He had been saved by James Potter, one of his greatest tormentors. Dumbledore had threatened him and forced his silence and then he had given Black a smack on the wrist for his actions. Severus had known that the Marauders hated him, but he had not realized that they wanted him dead. The knowledge had hurt him far deeper than he cared to admit. Dumbledore's attitude had hurt him as well. Dumbledore had always taken the side of the Marauders so he really should not have been surprised that he had done so again.
It was only after his graduation and he had put distance between himself and his tormentors that he realized that Dumbledore was more or less saving himself. He had illegally allowed a Werewolf to study at Hogwarts. The knowledge, if it got out, would ruin him. Severus was sure that Dumbledore had never knowingly let another Werewolf study at the school. Lupin's illness helped Severus understand his actions. He must have been terribly afraid that Potter and Black would abandon him if he did not play along with their schemes. Potter had shown great loyalty to Lupin by rescuing Severus from him. He had no delusions that James Potter had saved his life because he suddenly thought Severus Snape worth saving. No. He had done it for his friend who would have been put to death should he attack a Wizard. Black was a monster as far as Snape was concerned. He had utilized his friend as a weapon to take out an opponent. How much more monstrous could one get? That Lupin had forgiven Black just showed how truly pathetic the Werewolf was.
His final year at Hogwarts had been full of aggravation. He had to keep Lupin's secret and the Headmaster was watching him closely. The Marauder's had wisely decided that it would be best if they did not attempt to harm him physically any longer, but that did not stop them from spreading horrible rumors about him. Several of his roommates had decided that they would join the rising Dark Lord who called himself Voldemort and they were urging him to join. Their entreaties grew increasingly more desperate and Severus felt more and more pressured. He actually began to fear being near his roommates.
On Severus' birthday he received the greatest news of his life. He had been accepted as the Apprentice of the esteemed and renowned Potion's Master Dimitri Talietzin. He had begun a happy correspondence with his new Master learning all that was expected of him. He also received a few brief words of praise from his Guardian, Abraxas Malfoy. Though the words were brief they made him smile for days.
Severus had been appalled when during his second to last week of school at Hogwarts, he had been called to the office of Professor Dumbledore. There he met with Professor Dumbledore and Professor Slughorn. He was then given the most insulting of offers by Slughorn. The man had presented the idea for Severus to become his Apprentice. The offer had been presented in a condescending way, as though Slughorn felt he was bestowing a great favor and honor upon Severus. As though Severus could not have possibly gained any other prospects, despite his genius and position as being one of the top five brightest students in Hogwarts graduating class. Professor Dumbledore of course encouraged Severus to say yes to Slughorn's offer. Severus did not know why Dumbledore wanted him to do so, but it was reason enough in Severus' mind for him to say no. Besides, he already had plans for his future. He had politely and respectfully declined and had fled the office.
Graduation had been a great relief. Lucius and Narcissa had attended along with Abraxas and then they had retreated to Malfoy Manor where Severus spent a pleasant week before he left for Switzerland where he would meet with his Master. He loved working for and learning from Master Talietzin. He had learned more than potions from the master. He had also learned wandless and wordless magic. He had learned to become a fierce and capable duelist. He had also learned more about how to be a gentleman. He had begun such training as a ward of the Malfoy's and he had asked Master Talietzin to continue his training so that he would do the Malfoy's proud. He never wanted them to be ashamed of having become his Guardian's.
It was only after he had returned to Britain and had settled in as the Head of House Prince that he had learned that rumors had still been spread about him while he was abroad. It seemed that Albus Dumbledore and those closest to him were convinced that he was a sworn follower of Voldemort. The reason was that he had refused Slughorn's offer. They did not know that he had already been granted an Apprenticeship from another Master. Severus had been astounded to realize that anyone had thought of him aside from the Malfoy's.
"Master Sev'rus!" Called the voice of Asphodel, one of the Prince House-Elves that he had inherited. Each of the elves was named after a potions ingredient. He needed no greater proof that the Prince family had long enjoyed the fine art of potions brewing than that.
"What is it Asphodel?" He asked of the House-elf.
"Auror's." Asphodel said as she wrung her hands. "Auror's be here. Aconite is speaking with them in the foyer."
"Thank you Asphodel." He said as he arose from his seat. "I will see to them. Go back to your duties and do not fear." He then squared his shoulders as he headed out of his study. He silently thanked Narcissa for the letter she had sent him in early February warning him that Sirius Black suspected him of being a Death Eater and that he should expect an eventual raid upon Morning Vale. He had been dressed for a casual day of correspondence and potions brewing. As such his shoulder-length black hair was tied back at the nape of his neck by a thin silken ribbon. He wore sturdy black breeches and a simple white cotton button up shirt. The arms of his shirt had been rolled up to his elbows. Normally when informed of company he would have straightened his sleeves but now he left them. Let them see his unmarked arms. Let them swiftly see that they were wrong about him.
Lily was wrong about him. She had insisted that he was going to a dark place that she could not follow. He had not traveled down a dark path. He had suffered dark and terrible things and he had come through them the stronger and better man. He would be owned by no one.
"Welcome to Morning Vale." Severus' deep voice reverberated through the front foyer and he stared at the four Auror's whom had come to visit him. Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody seemed to be the leader of the charge. Sirius Black stared at him with hard cold eyes. James Potter stood beside Black and had been inspecting the foyer before turning his attention to Snape. The last of the Auror's was Frank Longbottom. Snape had never had problems with Longbottom. He was a clever and astute young man from what little Snape had been able to learn of him. "How may I help you?" Severus asked pleasantly and he had to control himself in order not to smirk when he watched Black studying his arms.
"We have a warrant to search your person and your premises on suspicions of being in collusion with the villain calling himself Lord Voldemort." Moody declared as she shoved a parchment into Severus chest. His hands arose in order to catch it. Moody strode past him and began to look around his home.
Severus frowned as he broke the seal on the scroll and then unrolled it. He slowly read through the wording of the document and allowed his mind to absorb and understand just what he was being accused of. Treason against the Wizarding Peoples of Great Britain. He wanted to rail at them for their stupidity but he held himself back and he exuded and outward sense of calm. He needed to keep calm. Moody was looking for an excuse to arrest him and he would take any that Severus gave him.
Severus was forced to watch as the men went through his home, room by room moving his things about. Longbottom and Potter were careful of his possessions while Moody and Black threw things about without a care in the world. They were searching for Dark Artifacts of course. Then Moody and Black began going through his papers in the study.
"Who is Talietzin, Dimitri Talietzin?" Moody demanded to know while waving a stack of correspondences from Master Talietzin in his grubby paw.
"Master Dimitri Talietzin is a Potion's Master who resides in Switzerland. He was my Potion's Master. I apprenticed under him to gain my Potion's Mastery." Severus explained.
"Can you prove that?" Black asked in a cold voice.
"Yes. I have copies of my contract with Master Talietzin." Severus said to them. "Also you could always contact Master Talietzin and ask him."
"I've never heard of this Master Talietzin." Moody grumbled as he slammed the envelopes on the desk. "How do I know that he is real?"
"That's because you know nothing about Potions, Moody." Frank Longbottom spoke up. "I have met Master Talietzin before. He is a renowned Potion's Master."
"Lily swears by his works." James Potter added with a thoughtful frown as he studied Severus. "So when you graduated from Hogwart's you departed immediately for Switzerland?" He asked.
"No." Severus responded. "I left the graduation with my Guardian, Lord Malfoy. I spent a week at his home, Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire arranging my affairs before traveling to Switzerland where I was picked up at the transport destination by Master Talietzin."
Potter nodded his head in understanding. "I see. Tell me, were you ever recruited by the man styling himself as Lord Voldemort?"
"No." Severus said easily. It was true. He had been recruited on behalf of Voldemort but he had never been in the man's presence and had never spoken with him.
"Have you ever met the man calling himself Voldemort?" Frank Longbottom asked him.
"No." Severus said with great ease.
Sirius scowled at him. "Come off it, you knew people in school that became Death Eaters!" He said through gritted teeth.
Severus nodded his head. "Yes. I had heard that several of my old dorm-mates had chosen to side with that man." He said evenly. "However, that does not make me one of them."
Sirius glared at him. "I do not believe you."
Severus nodded his head in understanding. 'Of course you don't.' Severus thought as he stared at Sirius Black. When Black was still a boy of eleven he had made up his mind that Severus was the evil villain and that Sirius was the great knight who must protect everyone from the dastardly villainous Snivellus. How he had hated that nickname. He had become that person against his will. The sniveling villain, the opponent to the Marauders. He had not realized how well and how easily he had fallen into the role that Sirius Black had cast for him until he had felt safe and happy in Switzerland. He refused to allow Sirius Black to put him back into that role.
"You don't have to." Severus said evenly as he met the blue eyed gaze of Sirius Black. "Your belief or disbelief, as this situation stands, does not make my words any less truth."
"Did your dorm-mates while you were a student at Hogwart's attempt to recruit you to join Lord Voldemort's cause?" Frank Longbottom asked of him then.
Severus turned his gaze away from Black and looked at Longbottom. Clever. Yes. Longbottom was clever. "Yes, they did. They spoke at length about how Voldemort would make the world better."
"Yet you want us to believe that you did not join them?" Moody scoffed.
Severus spread his arms wide, purposefully showing off the lack of the Dark Mark upon his arms. "I am speaking the truth. I have not joined the man who calls himself Voldemort." He stated firmly.
"Why?" Sirius asked of him then. "Surely when you were recruited they offered you power, fame?"
Severus scoffed. "Of course they did." He said in a lazy tone of voice.
"Then why didn't you accept?" James Potter asked and it was clear by his tone of voice that he actually believed that Severus had not accepted the offers. That surprised Severus for a moment.
Only a moment.
He stared into James Potter's hazel eyes for several moments sizing up the man that Lily had chosen, the one she had married. The one that she had, whether she had realized it or not, forsaken him for. "I do not believe in promises made by others." He said softly as he looked at James. "My childhood best friend, she taught me that the promises that others made me could not be trusted. My school years taught me that powerful men will only make promises to those they intend to use for their own benefit. If they cannot win one with promises then they shall cow them with threats." It seemed in those moments as though he and James Potter were the only two in the room. "I am not a people person, what do I care about fame? And power? That is not something that any fool can grant."
James swallowed hard as he continued to stare at Snape. The look in his eyes, it was as though he had never truly seen Severus Snape until that very moment.
'He hasn't.' Severus realized. 'He always thought of me as his competition for Lily's favors.'
"Will you submit to testing?" Frank Longbottom asked of him politely.
Severus looked at him in confusion. "Your arms, Lord Prince." He said choosing to be respectful by using his title. "There could be a glamour."
Severus understood then and he nodded his head in acquiescence. "Of course." He said and he stepped toward Auror Longbottom. He presented his arms to the Auror and awaited the moment where he would feel the spells wash over him. He felt the intrusive spells a moment later. They felt warm, searching, but not painful. His arms remained as they were, a few old burn scars from where he had scalded himself during making potions, but no Dark Mark.
"He's clean." Longbottom announced with a nod of respect toward Severus.
"Let me check." Sirius Black snarled. "You only cast two spells on him. Snape came into Hogwart's knowing more Dark Arts spells than the seventh year Slytherins. He could have used some dark spell to hide the evidence."
Longbottom narrowed his eyes at his fellow Auror. "I do not believe this is necessary." He stated firmly.
"Your thoughts are noted." Moody growled. "Check him over Black." He snapped out.
"With pleasure." Sirius stated as he moved to stand before Severus.
Severus raised his arms once more and awaited the testing. Unlike Longbottom's magic, Black's felt slightly painful. It searched far deeper than Longbottom's. Black was angry and his magic felt just as fierce. He wanted rather desperately to find something wrong with Severus. 'He wants to feel vindicated that he was right about me.' He realized and he felt the urge to smile though he suppressed it. Black would have to learn how to live with disappointments.
Finally he felt Black's magic retreat and he met the blue eyes of the man who was frowning in confusion and anger. He stared at Sirius Black refusing to back down. His own Occlumency shields were up and he knew that Black would be unable to read his mind. He was tempted to look into Black's mind but he didn't dare. It was the sort of thing that if caught, Moody would take him away and lock him up for.
"Well?" Barked Moody.
"He's really clean." Sirius Black had to admit and it sounded as though the admission was painful for Sirius.
"In that case we should be going." Frank Longbottom proclaimed. "Lord Prince, we are sorry to have wasted your time."
Severus shook his head in the negative. He was willing to be gracious in his victory. "There is no need to apologize." He said as he shook Auror Longbottom's hand. "You were given a lead and you needed to follow it up. I quite understand. You are just trying to protect the citizens."
"Thank you for your understanding Snape." James Potter said from beside Frank Longbottom. "And thank you for your cooperation."
Severus nodded his head graciously. He watched as Moody led the way stomping to the Foyer with Sirius fast beside him. Frank and James followed slower behind them. Severus watched as Aconite opened the door for his unwanted guests and Moody growled at the little Elf as he stomped out the door. Black was again fast behind him. Having been proven wrong, Black clearly did not want to stay longer. Longbottom followed them out the door and down the path. James stopped on the doorstep and he turned back to look at Severus.
"Is there any word that you would like for me to pass on to Lily?" James asked of him. His hazel eyes were full of such sincerity that it made Severus wonder why James was being so kind.
It did not matter, he decided.
"No." He said simply. "She cut the tie between us long ago Potter. There is nothing that I would want to say to Mrs. Potter now."
James looked like he wanted to argue but then he closed his mouth and he nodded his head sadly. "Thank you for your time." He said in farewell and then he trotted down the steps and down the lane to the apparition point.
Severus watched as James Potter, Sirius Black, Alastor Moody, and Frank Longbottom apparated away from his home. He smiled softly as he turned his back on the open door and walked deeper into his house. He heard the door click shut behind him and he allowed himself to relax. "Thank you Aconite. You did very well."
"Thank you Master Sev'rus." Aconite said, his voice a happy sound. Aconite was a middle-aged House-Elf and it was for that reason that Severus had chosen to put him in charge of greeting guests to Morning Vale.
Severus returned to his study and with a wave of his hand his things were put back into place. "Asphodel." He called and was gratified when the female House-Elf, the younger sister of Aconite, appeared.
"Master Sev'rus, Sir?" Asphodel asked.
"Please clean up the mess left behind by the Auror's visit." Severus ordered her.
"Of course Master." Asphodel bowed and then hurried out of the study to do as he had bid her.
Severus smiled as he seated himself at his desk. After a few moments of thought he pulled a piece of parchment toward himself and took out his favorite green-black ink. He dipped his favorite writing quill into the ink and began a letter full of gratitude toward Narcissa Malfoy for her kindly warning that Auror's would search him and his home for evidence of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He owed Narcissa a favor and he was very aware that the woman was quite cunning beneath that demure veneer. He wondered, idly, what she would demand of him for recompense.