Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply.
Chapter 11
Two months later:
Weasley's Warriors, as they privately referred to themselves, were doing rotating watches on the old Riddle Manor in Little Hangleton. There had been a report in the paper of the elderly caretaker, Frank Bryce, being found dead with his eyes open, exactly the same as Mr. and Mrs. Riddle and their son 34 years before. The villagers were convinced that he had died of the same strange disease as had killed the Riddles' and shunned the derelict manor. Moody reckoned it was a good thing they believed that or else there might be a lot more dead Muggles because it was obvious to any witch or wizard that the Riddles and their caretaker had been killed by the Avada Kedavra curse.
They kept a close watch on the manor, the grounds and people were even assigned to watch the graveyard. If for no other reason then that's where the Death Eaters would most likely apparate when Voldemort called them.
Moody also advised his watchers to be on the lookout for the clown patrol. Dawlish had been snooping around, trying to find out where he and Kingsley, Crockford and Longbottom were assigned to. With all the noise the Order made, they'd alert everybody for miles around. Everyone had read the article in the Prophet Dumbledore had written earlier in the week condemning them as unlawful vigilantes.
The young girl they had saved from the Bellatrix, her husband, and his brother had been returned safely to her family after having her memories of the incident and what followed obliviated.
There appeared to be nothing stirring this night at Riddle Manor so Arthur ordered everybody back to the Burrow.
"Maybe, we've put a spoke in You-Know-Who's wheel with the Death Eaters we've captured over the last months," Benjy Fenwick offered.
"Possibly," Mad-Eye said. "But I've never known him to give up this easily. Even though we've caught some of his inner circle, he still has many of his most loyal followers left."
"He's might be pulling back to consider new strategies," Severus said. "For the first time he's being faced with something making a dent in his rise to power and he knows nothing about it. It must be a real kick in the arse for him."
"I don't doubt that a bit, Severus," Arthur replied.
Severus flooed home and checked over his assignments that were due tomorrow. He studied for a bit before going to bed. He had his Warding class tomorrow evening and he would need to remember to ask Arthur if he would take notes for him during the next week. College would be out for a week for spring break after Friday and he was planning to visit Witches Moon, the manor house he'd inherited in the Northern York Moors. He also wanted to visit Alltyr Eryr, his house in Wales that meant 'wood of the eagle,' and his home in Scotland, that was called 'Rough Stones.' He was happy it wasn't anywhere near Hogwarts. He truly never wanted to see that place again.
On Friday, he received a note from Dean Stanwood asking him to stop by his office after class. Severus frowned and tucked the note into the pocket of his robe. He couldn't think of any reason the Dean would want to see him as his class work and test scores were usually E's or O's. He sat in the library, frowning up at the ceiling.
"Something bothering you, Sev?" Lily asked sitting down across from him.
"I got a note to see Dean Stanwood after class and I'm trying to figure out why he wants to see me. My grades are good and so is my attendance so …" He shrugged.
Lily reached across the table and playfully socked him in the arm. "Don't be such a pessimist, Sev. Honestly! It might be for something good."
"Ouch!" Severus complained rubbing his arm. "That hurt!" He smiled. "Okay, it might be for something good." He got up. "I guess I'd better go and see Dean Stanwood and find out what it actually is."
"Are you going to be home on Easter, Sev?" Lily called.
"I should be. Why?"
"Mum wants you to come over for dinner."
He nodded. "Tell her I'll be there."
He left the library and walked down the hall to Dean Stanwood's office. There was another older man sitting chatting with the dean. He looked to be in his late 50's or possibly early 60's and had white hair and a white beard, but neither were a long as Dumbledore's. Severus knocked on the door. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"
"Yes, Severus, please come in and shut the door," Dean Stanwood requested.
Severus came in shutting the door behind him as requested. He looked rather uncertain what he should do next. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I hope I'm not in trouble, Sir."
"By all means no, Severus," Roger said cheerfully. "Please take a seat." He turned to the other man. "Nicolas, this is the young man I was telling you about, Severus Snape. Severus, I'd like you to meet Master Nicolas Flamel."
Severus shook his hand. "It's a great honor to meet you, Sir."
"The honor is mine, Mr. Snape." Flamel had brown eyes that appeared lively and inquisitive. "Rogers tells me you are one of the most brilliant potion students he's seen in many years at this college. He says you are dedicated to your craft and a hard worker."
"It's been my passion as far back as I can remember," Severus said. "My mum taught me a lot of it. She was very talented in potions also."
"I knew your grandfather, Tiberius, quite well. I also recall your mother. She won quite a few awards for her ability in potions. I did not agree with your grandfather actions regarding your mother's marriage. Perenelle and I tried to talk him out of it, but he was very stubborn and would not listen to our advice. I was saddened to hear of her passing."
"Thank you," Severus said bowing his head slightly.
"Why is it that Albus never mentioned you when we spoken? He spoke of a Miss Evans frequently."
"I was in Slytherin and he disliked our entire house; he believes all of us to be budding dark wizards. Miss Evans was a Gryffindor and he would have spoken highly of her intelligence."
Flamel shook his head. "As I suspected. It is true that Mr. Riddle and his closest associates came out of Slytherin, but Slytherin also has a long history of producing some of the most brilliant healers, herbologist, and potion masters also. It saddens me that he allows his prejudices to blind him to the facts."
Severus shrugged. "The headmaster's always favored his house. None of them could do any wrong as far as he was concerned."
Again Flamel shook his head and said, "Not surprising at all."
"Master Flamel, I assume you didn't come here to discuss the eccentricities of Albus Dumbledore."
"You are quite correct, Mr. Snape, but first may I ask what your plans are after you graduate from this fine establishment?"
"I hope to attain a good apprenticeship and once I gain my mastery I want to work at the Potions Research Department at St. Mungo's. I want to help find antidotes for these terrible potions You-Know-Who has created."
"An admirable decision, Mr. Snape," Nicolas said. "Roger tells me that you patented two potions before you eighteenth birthday."
"Yes, I invented a potion for the Cruciatus Curse. St. Mungo's is testing it right now and the reports have been encouraging about it healing nerve damage. I also improved the Blood Replenishing Potion so that it lasts longer and there's no need to have to take it every hour."
"Quite brilliant, young man." Flamel nodded obviously pleased.
"Right now I'm working on the Wolfsbane Potion. I have a friend who suffers from Lycanthropy and I would really like to try and make his transformations easier."
"And you are exactly what I'm looking for in an apprentice, Mr. Snape. Someone who is dedicated to his craft, passionate about it, innovative and not afraid to experiment, and a hard worker. It is seldom I take apprentices; the last one was more than fifty years ago. I seldom find the characteristics and qualities I look for in one. I am a demanding taskmaster so many of them do not last either," he said with a chuckle.
"I accept," Severus replied. "A demanding taskmaster doesn't bother me as I'm one myself."
"If you will come over to my house this time next week I will have the papers ready for you to sign. Our Floo address is Flamel Manor, Kent." He got up. "I must be getting back to my Perenelle or she will start worrying." He shook hands with Severus. "I look forward to seeing you next week, Mr. Snape."
Lily was waiting by the floo when Severus came out of Dean Stanwood's office to floo home. She smiled when she saw him. "Okay, I confess. I couldn't leave without finding out why Dean Stanwood wanted to see you. Was it good new?"
Severus smiled in return. "Very. I'm going to be Nicolas Flamel's apprentice once I finish college."
"Sev, that's fantastic!" Lily exclaimed throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. She turned bright red and let go of him. "Sorry! I got a bit carried away there."
Severus grinned. "It's okay. I was pretty carried away when Master Flamel told me he wanted me as his apprentice …umm, but I didn't kiss him."
"Very funny, Sev," Lily replied pretending to pout for a moment and then grabbed his hand pulling him into the floo. "Come on with me, Sev. You have to tell mum and dad your news. They'll be so thrilled for you!"
When they stepped out of the fireplace into the living room of Lily's home they found Iris was home, but Richard wouldn't be off work for another hour yet. "Sev, it's good to see you. You'll stay for dinner, of course."
"Yes," Severus nodded.
Richard came home about a half-hour later and found Severus and Lily quietly studying together. He smiled and cleared his throat. "Hello, you two."
"Hi, Dad!" Lily gave him a kiss. "How was your day?"
"Very nice actually," Richard said. "How was yours, Lily?"
"I think I did really well on my test today so it was a really good day."
"Good job!" Richard said complimenting her. "How are you, Sev?"
"Very well, Sir. Thank you for asking."
Iris came into the living room and gave her husband a kiss. "Petunia's going to be a bit late tonight so I'm holding dinner until she gets home."
"That's fine. I wanted to shower anyway," Richard replied heading upstairs.
Petunia arrived home just as they were sitting down to dinner. "I'm starving!" She said as Severus pulled out her chair for her. She served herself some of the meal. "Busy day, Tuney," Lily asked.
"Yes! It was packed today. Everyone was in buying their Easter dresses, shoes, purses, and hats. I don't think there was much left in the store by the time I left," Petunia replied. "Why some women leave this until practically the last minute I'll never understand."
"Some people don't enjoy shopping and so they do put it off until they no longer can," Iris remarked.
"Sev had some news today," Lily said mischievously.
"Good news, I hope," Richard said.
Severus nodded. "Very good. I got an offer of an apprenticeship with Nicolas Flamel whose one of the most brilliant wizards ever! He's an Alchemist mainly, but alchemy has a lot to do with potions so I'll be studying a lot of new information. I'm really glad now that I studied Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."
Lily was glad Severus left out the part about Flamel being 652 years-old. "It's really a great honor that he picked Sev. I remember Professor Slughorn saying Flamel hadn't had an apprentice for many years because he has such high expectations."
"Congratulations, Severus," Petunia said. "It sounds like a great honor."
"Thanks, Tuney," Severus replied.
Both Richard and Iris offered Severus their congratulations. "When will you start your apprenticeship, Sev?" Richard asked. "You're already doing so much now."
"It won't start until after I graduate. I'll be finished with my Wardsmith training this summer and I'll be a certified Wardsmith. I'm also planning to take classes during the summer. I want to finish college early so I can start my apprenticeship."
Lily was very proud of Severus and she wished now she had forgiven him that night when he came to Gryffindor to ask for her forgiveness. How stupid she'd been to fall for an insincere, shallow arse like Potter!
Page ~*~*~*~*~*~* Break
Severus flooed to an inn called the Dragon's Tail the next morning and took out the medallion that was inside the letter Zort had given him. According to the instructions in the letter he was supposed to apparate the rest of the way to Witches Moon and as long as he had the medallion with him, it would take him right to the gates of the manor. "Okay then," Severus muttered going outside and turning on his heel. He landed in front of an ornate iron gate with a large P intertwined with two serpents at the top of it. He looked around for some way to open the gate and finally spotted an oval shaped indentation. He fitted the medallion into it, heard a click, and then the gates soundlessly swept open. His first view of the manor house was quite a shock. It was made of what looked like grey, quarried stone. It had two wings that had been built in the same style as the main house and with the same material. It meshed nicely architecturally and aesthetically without being ostentatious like the Malfoy and Potters mansions. It had many windows and he didn't even want to take a guess at how many rooms it must have. He walked across the courtyard to the double doors and immediately saw there was another indentation like on the front gate. He followed the same procedure and the door swung opened silently. He stepped through the door and it shut behind him and he heard a soft click as it relocked itself. He was standing in an immense foyer with an Italian marble floor. The oak staircase in front of him had a large landing that was outfitted with comfortable window set below the long glass windows. From there the staircases diverged; one going off to the right and the other to the left. Severus assumed they led to each of the wings.
A sudden pop behind him startled him and he turned to find an two elves; one dressed in a long emerald, green dress with the Prince crest on the left breast and brown leather slippers on her feet. The other, a male Severus assumed, wore pants of the same emerald green. His shirt was of a lighter green with the Prince crest on the pocket. Like his female counterpart he also wore brown leather slippers on his feet.
"I is Tita, head elf of Witches Moon and this is my mate, Matius."
"I'm Severus Snape and I'm pleased to meet you," Severus said softly.
"You is our new master, Miss Eileen's son," Matius said. "We is given the news by Zort."
"Does Master Severus wish to be taken to his suite?" Tita asked.
"Yes, please. I'd like to freshen up and then take a look around."
Tita and Matius took him upstairs to the master suite. The suite was done in a light blue with honey oak woodwork and cornices. The large sitting room contained a fireplace with a mantle that was also of elaborately carved honey oak. The end tables and coffee table were of the same carved wood. The couch, a recliner and an arm chair upholstered in dark blue and each looked very comfortable. A balcony overlooked the grounds in the rear of the manor. The bedroom had a big Elizabethan style bed with an elaborately carved canopy above it. The bed curtain were a pale green silk with interwoven silver threads. The in-suite bathroom was almost as big as the prefect's bathroom at Hogwarts.
"Is there anything else Master Severus requires?" Matius asked formally.
"I have a few questions," Severus replied. "How many elves are there here?"
"We is thirty altogether," Tita answered.
"And do you have everything you need as far as food, clothing, and living quarters?"
"Yes, Master Tiberius and Mistress Audra be taking very good care of us. We not be lacking for anything, Master Severus," Matius said.
"Good. If you need anything at all; you will let me know?"
"Yes, Master Severus," They both said bowing slightly.
"One last thing and you can tell everybody else this. Please just call me Mr. Severus. I really don't go in for the Master title even though I know that's what you called my grandfather."
"We will do as you request, Mr. Severus." They popped out again, leaving Severus alone. He went into the bedroom intending to unpack, but decided to leave it as he knew the elves would probably be upset if they found he unpacked himself. What he really wanted to do was check out the library. He could remember his mum once talking about it and saying it was almost as big as the Hogwarts library. He found his way back down to the foyer, turned left, figuring the library was in that direction. He found it behind the first closed door off the foyer. He could see the conservatory at the very end of the hallway. He opened the door and went inside, failing to notice the two sleeping portraits over the fireplace mantle. He started to peruse the potion books; there were many he'd never seen before when suddenly a stern sounding voice demanded, "Who's in here?"
Severus peeked out and saw the two portraits he assumed were of his grandparents. They were peering around the room anxiously. He stepped out and walked up to the portraits. "I'm Severus Snape, your grandson."
"Yes, Tita did inform us Zort had decided that you should be the inheritor," Tiberius said peering down at him.
"If you didn't want me to have it you should have so informed Zort," Severus replied calmly.
"Now I never intended that, young man!" His grandfather snapped.
"Tiberius," his grandmother interrupted. "He has the look of the Prince's. He looks just like our darling Eileen."
Although he kept his face impassive Severus thought cynically. 'Darling Eileen? Where were you two when Tobias was beating the hell out of both of us?'
Severus' chin went up proudly as Tiberius studied him. "I believe you're right, Audra." He looked down at Severus again. "Now don't get your back up, young man. We made a ghastly mistake with Eileen and we've paid for it and still are."
"We never saw her again when she walked out the door after breaking her betrothal to Alasdair Malfoy," Audra said sadly.
"You betrothed her to a Malfoy; the same Malfoy's that are loyal followers of You-Know-Who?"
"Yes. We betrothed them at birth," Tiberius answered.
"Are you betrothed, Severus?" Audra asked.
"No, nor do I intend to be until I receive my mastery in potions and when I do decide to marry it will be my decision alone who I marry." He might as well lay it on the line so they didn't get any ideas.
"Tell us about yourself, Severus," Tiberius asked.
Severus told them about being Head Boy, some of the potions he had invented or redid while he was at Hogwarts, about his early admittance to the College of Potions and his latest news about his apprenticeship with Nicolas Flamel. "But it isn't because I'm your grandson either," Severus pointed out.
"Of course not," Tiberius agreed. "Nicolas wouldn't even consider you unless you are totally dedicated to your craft."
Severus nodded slightly to acknowledge his grandfather's compliment.
"I believe our grandson is worthy of the Prince heritage, Tiberius," Audra declared.
"I quite agree with you, my dear," Tiberius replied beaming proudly.
Severus excused himself, borrowed a couple of potion books from the library and went back upstairs to read. He settled himself on the couch and began to read, but couldn't concentrate on what he was reading and laid the book aside. He thought about what his grandparents had said about his mum; they obvious regretted what they had done and were remorseful they had never had a chance to right things. He thought about his and Lily's relationship; they'd both said awful things and hurt one another, but how much of it was them and how much was the pressures to conform to their house expectations? He had made the mistake of hanging around with the wanabee Voldemort followers while Lily had made the mistake of becoming friends with the phony, bullying Marauders. Was one mistake worse than the other? The whole point of life was to make mistakes and learn from them, wasn't it?
He knew he had been in love with Lily since their fourth year, but lacking confidence he'd never told her and then things had spun completely out of control their fifth year. Although he had severed his association with the Voldemort sympathizers right after the incident fifth year, Lily had never known of it because she chose to surround herself with her fellow housemates and so only heard their views. He knew Alice had tried to tell Lily the things she was hearing from their housemates about him were false, but she thought Alice was naïve and easily deceived. Wasn't dating Potter and eventually getting engaged to him a normal outcome of constantly hearing dirt about him from her housemates just as his slipping and calling her a Mudblood was a normal outcome of hanging around with people who believed such crap? Was keeping Lily at arm's length because he was afraid of having his heart ripped in two again reason enough to condemn himself a life of isolation? He trusted her to watch his back when they were on patrol so why couldn't he trust her with his heart also?
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Mr. Severus? Tita has lunch in the dining room or she can bring it up to you if you wishes."
"Thank you, Tita, but I'll come down," he called. He got up from the couch and went downstairs into the dining room. It seemed weird to be having lunch at a formal table meant to sit at least fourteen people, but the food was excellent. His grandparents had moved from their picture frames in the library to their empty picture frames in the dining room and chatted amicably with him and each other.
He stayed two days at Witches Moon and after bidding his grandparents' goodbye moved on to Alltyr Eryr that was located at the base of the Cambrian Mountains in Wales. The nearest city was Welshpool with a population of a little over 6200, but that was still quite a distance if you couldn't apparate. Fortunately, there was no need to go there unless you were looking for a spot of fun. Alltyr Eryr was self-sufficient. The house was smaller than Witches Moon having only ten rooms, but was built of sturdy rock and the living room contained a large fireplace with an ornate mantle. His room here was smaller, but was warm and comfortable. The house contained five house elves; the head elf's name was Arian. After two days there he visited his final house in Scotland. It was located between Loch Ness and Inverness, but close enough to Loch Ness that he could do a bit of Nessie watching from the third floor of his home if he wanted. He suspected Nessie might be a relative of the Giant Squid that inhabited the Black Lake at Hogwarts. 'Rough Stones' like his other homes, was built of stones native to the area. Also like his other homes it was self-sufficient so there was no need to go into Inverness unless he wanted to shop for personal things. There were twelve house elves and the head elf was a female named Jinty. They were diligent in their duties and in taking care of him. The house was warm and comfortable and more than adequately protected against the harsh Scottish winters. He left on the Saturday before Easter and apparated back to Spinner's end.
Page ~*~*~*~*~*~* Break
Lily and Alice were having lunch at the tea shop in the Ministry. "Boy this is nice and just what I needed," Alice exclaimed. "It seems like all I do anymore is sleep, eat and study."
"I know what you mean," Lily sympathized.
"I don't even get to see much of Frank anymore," Alice complained. "So, have you seen Sev? Potter was complaining after the Ministry Ball about you being there with Severus."
"Sev's been away most of the week, but I don't know where and I don't care what that git thinks!" Lily snapped. "I'm a free woman and I can go out with anybody I want to!"
"That's what I told the moron when he was complaining in class. Is Sev still resistant to any romantic involvement?"
"I don't think he is as much as he was since we've been on patrol together a lot. After all, he trusts me to watch his back and I trust him to watch mine, but I think both of us are still too nervous about taking our relationship a step up," Lily sighed. "I wish I'd accepted his apology that night and then went back to the common room and kicked moron Potter's stupid arse right into the Black Lake!"
"Wouldn't have worked," Alice said. "The Giant Squid would have just spit him back out!"
"Did I hear somebody mention my name?" James inquired plunking down in the chair closest to Lily's. Sirius pulled a chair up that another wizard was just going to sit down on and sat down on it backwards.
"Only if you answer to hey moron," Lily replied sarcastically. "Damn! We should have gone to the Leaky Cauldron and then we wouldn't have been bothered by them. Tom banned them indefinitely.
"So I heard. I also heard somebody cast a hilarious hex on the morons and they ended up with a boot kicking each of their arses."
You should have seen it!" Lily laughed. "Potter must have thought it was a Bludger and was dodging all over the place trying to avoid it, but he couldn't!"
"Ah …ladies, we're right here," James said in a hurt tone.
"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you the best news," Lily said pretending Potter and Black weren't even there. "Sev's going to apprentice with Nicolas Flamel once he finishes college."
"That fantastic!" Alice exclaimed. "I remember Slughorn saying he hadn't taken an apprentice in like fifty years."
"Flamel won't take Snivellus once he finds out how dark he is," James stated.
"For your information, Potter; it's already a done deal!" Lily snapped.
"Flamel must have been a Slytherin then. Snakes love snakes," He sneered.
"Flamel never went to Hogwarts, idiot! He was born in France!" Alice said rolling her eyes.
"A greasy frog and a greasy snake - the perfect combination, Prongs!" Sirius hooted.
James and Sirius were so busy laughing that they didn't see Lily pull out her wand and do a non-verbal, 'Decresco!'
James' and Sirius' chairs suddenly shrank and they found themselves laying sprawled on the floor. "Come on, Alice. I've pretty much lost my appetite," Lily said stepping around James
"Me, too," Alice said stepping over Sirius and deliberately stepping on his hand. "Ouch! Watch where you're putting your big feet, Warwick!" Sirius snarled.
"Watch where you're laying about, Black!" Alice snapped back.
They left and apparated to Diagon Alley where both of them planned to do some shopping.
Page ~*~*~*~*~*~* Break
Severus came over for Easter dinner on Sunday, bringing with him an unusual non-magical plant for Iris that he'd discovered in the conservatory at Witches Moon.
"Thank you, Sev," Iris said giving him a kiss. "I've never seen this particular plant before."
"Well, it only grows up north on the moors so it's mostly inaccessible," Severus replied as he sat down at the table next to Vernon.
Severus described his trip and Vernon talked about Grunnings expanding so they'd be able to hire 100 more people. Lily told everybody about hers and Alice's run-in with Potter and Black at the Ministry tea shop and how she had shrank their chairs causing them to fall flat on their backs.
"I hope they were mightily embarrassed!" Petunia said laughing. "But I suppose that's too much to hope for with them."
Petunia and Vernon left after dinner to go to his parents' home and Richard was helping Iris clear up. Severus got up to leave and then stopped suddenly. "Lily, I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner with me next Saturday …umm …as my date?"
"I'd love to, Sev," Lily replied. "Where and what time?" At his confused expression she explained, "So I know what to wear."
"Oh, of course!" Severus said. "I thought that new restaurant in Diagon Alley, The Golden Unicorn. One of my professors was talking about it and said the food's really good. Will 6:30 be all right?"
"Perfect!" Lily assured him. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "I'm really looking forward to next Saturday.
In the kitchen Richard was washing dishes while Iris was drying and putting them away. "I'm worried about this obsession Potter has with Lily. He won't take no for an answer and leave her alone."
"You don't think he might do something desperate, do you?" Iris asked worriedly.
"He's a bloody stalker and who knows what he might do!" Richard growled. "I know Lily can take care of herself, but I'm going to have a talk with Sev, Kingsley, and her other friend, Remus about keeping an eye on her."
A/N: I borrowed the idea of Severus apprenticing with Nicolas Flamel from the fiction 'Second Start' by the 8thweasleykid. If you aren't already reading it, you should.