There was a war going on downstairs, Severus was certain. Tom Riddle must have broken in and cast a spell, therefore breaking Tobias' number one rule, and now he was murdering the Dark Lord with every moveable object in the house.
If only…
He sighed heavily into his pillow.
The clock sitting next to his bedside revealed that it was just before eleven.
So he had managed to get a few hours of sleep…
Flipping over, he saw Amun had returned and there were two letters sitting next to his perch on the bookshelf.
Severus blinked. He had not anticipated a response.
Then again, it was Lupin.
The other was probably from Avery, though his owl, Tenebra, did not stay this time. Perhaps she deemed her lingering unnecessary with Amun present...and forgone the customary treat for a better one at home. That, or Amun was a bully, he had not seen him interact with another owl yet.
Something crashed exceptionally loud on the floor below.
"You weren't supposed to wait for a reply." He scolded.
Amun chittered at him in argument.
"I suppose I did not specify, so the fault is mine." Severus sat up and opened the first letter.
S. T. Snape,
My father was difficult, but I have convinced him our arrangement is educational in nature and he has agreed to allow my stay for a few days. Mulciber has yet to respond to my letters, leaving me to assume he is not interested. I look forward to our visit, I shall plan to arrive in Cokeworth at noon on the 25th.
L. B. Avery
As he suspected, Mulciber was still cross with them and holding onto a grudge as if it were his only true friend. It would cost him his real one and Severus would be there to lure the boy down another path. Baby steps…
He proceeded to the second letter.
My Friend,
You have my deepest thanks. There is little I can do in return, but know I will do anything in my power to repay your kindness.
Graciously,
Remus
He scoffed and tossed it onto the nearest surface. "You will be my lab rat, Lupin, that is your payment."
He removed his shoes followed by his clothes from the day before (and that morning) for they reeked of campfire, potions and BO. He paused on his way to the bathroom and flicked a freshening charm at his bed contaminated with the aforementioned scent.
After a quick shower and re-dressing, he crept downstairs to see what damage had occurred in Tobias' rampage.
The smell of alcohol was overwhelming before he reached the bottom of the stairs.
His father's retching could be heard from within the kitchen.
All of the furniture had been moved, overturned, or in one case (the coffee table) broken. Glass from no less than four whiskey bottles and the remainder of their contents covered most of the floor along with other debris that were once things around the house. Even Tobias' precious telly did not escape the assault unscathed.
Severus banished the treacherous mess and returned the living room to some semblance of order. Once it was safe to walk through, he did most of the work by hand, making sure to clunk a few things back to where they belonged, lest his parents suspect the use of magic.
Once finished, silent as a wraith, he entered the kitchen.
It was in a state of disarray as well, but much less hazardous to one's feet. His father was bent over the sink, pale and trembling and holding onto the counter for dear life. His mother had her back pressed against the far wall, a far off look and a red handprint forming on her cheek.
Instantly furious, he leered at the man who dared to strike his mother.
He had done it before, Severus knew, for he had heard them fight on more than one occasion. Although, he had never seen the evidence on her face...her suffering would be avenged.
He had not feared the man, nor his belt, in a very long time.
"Severus, not now." Eileen whispered.
He returned his attention to her, standing his ground.
Tobias groaned something unintelligible at the mention of him.
She must have seen the hatred burning in Severus' eyes for she gently escorted her irate son back into the living room.
"I will only be returning the favor," He spoke quietly to her, "perhaps he likes the belt, he certainly likes to use it."
"Severus, dont," her look was pleading, "it's working."
"Yes, I can see that, but he has no right to take it out on you." He brushed his fingers over the mark on her cheek. "I'm not afraid of him like I was as a boy. I can protect you now, keep both of us safe...from him, or anyone and anything else."
She gently removed his hand. "He's not a villain, he needs our help."
"He didn't need help beating me, or you for that matter. I remember quite clearly."
"You will let this pass." She said firmly. "And then we will talk with him, or I will at least. That's the whole point of doing this."
He had nothing to add, nothing that would get her to agree with him anyway...so he scoffed and stormed out of the house. Redirecting his anger would hopefully dilute it.
It was too late now to antagonize church goers, so he plotted other ways to terrorize the citizens of Cokeworth.
Severus found himself at the playground. The youngest of the Cambry collective were screeching and running about with a few strays. He hadn't decided if it was worth staying and waiting for Lily to happen by or if he should just wander off somewhere else.
A mother belonging to one of the pint sized brats glared at him and he made up his mind: he would stay out of spite. He climbed to the top of the bar structure, silently declaring to the children that he was now king of the small (and very hollow) metal castle.
The little cretins could join him at their own peril.
He hung himself off the bars in a lounging position and returned the woman's glare.
Was he sulking like a child who didn't get his way?
Absolutely.
