Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Please read and review love Hermione xxx
Severus took a huge deep breath and opened the letter with still shaking hands. Once the letter was out of it's charmed envelope however it became many different files and packages which made him shriek a bit as he hadn't expected it. He was eternally grateful that no one had been there in that moment to see him shriek. It would have been mortifying after all. He decided to tackle the first letter on top of the stack of letters, parcels and files on his desk before him.
Dear Mr Severus Tobias Snape,
It is with great pleasure that the bank here in Diagon Alley London makes the following announcement. You are hereby declared as the new Lord Prince. The following letter from your recent and late Ancestor Lord Septimus Severus Prince will explain everything else. Included in this letter are your new Lord Prince Rings. One of which is to go to your new soul bound wife. He did not know about the soul bond as we only figured it out yesterday at which point he had been dead for a week already. She will be now Professor Prince, Snape or Evans depending on which she prefers however you can also choose to remain Professor Snape if you wish. If you need anything else please let me know.
Signed,
Kartoff Prince Family Account Manager, Gringotts.
He read that letter and about just managed not to faint. He moved it to one side and picked up the letter from his ancestor to read next.
Dear Severus Tobias Snape,
You have no idea how much it pains me to call you that. When you were younger we wrote to that disgrace known as your mother and told her she could come back with you and all would be forgiven. We even offered to lie and say her husband had died and that's how you had the name of Snape. It didn't need to be a disgrace but she made it disgrace and told us she couldn't leave because this drunken lout layabout called Tobias Snape had a shotgun and would have killed you all had she retaliated against him. I don't know what a shotgun is but I do know after some examinations I have done that he was not a muggle.
He was a squib who had taken on the adoptive name of his parents. Your surname should have been Burke if he was sticking to his real surname but I would guess he didn't know about it. I also know of nothing that could be more affective then a spell. I don't know what a shotgun is just that Eileen was terrified of it. She was so scared stiff we even thought of using dark magic to force her to return to us but she unfortunately died before we could. We cursed her to hell for not listening to us and dying. We did disown her for being such a disgrace and we cursed Caractacus Burke for breeding such an imbecile. He truly deserved death after what his own shameful offspring did to our Eileen.
Purebloods have often cast out their squibs foolishly with no thought whatsoever as to what happens to them. They then have the audacity to ask where all the muggleborn students come from as though it truly should be some kind of genuine shock to everyone else. They need to wake the fuck up and before it's too late. If they realised they were prejudiced against a lot of their cousins, nieces, nephews or grandchildren they would stop all this unnecessary hatred for these people. There are some people which are born from magic itself and there are roughly ten of these people born a year in the muggle world. If we don't start utilising these new bloods and help them to form great houses of their own we will all be doomed. You only have to look at most families out there to understand the dangers of interbreeding. That Eileen even had another child is a miracle as most do not.
In my investigations into this phenomenon I discovered you were the greatest potions master of our time an achievement for which I am so extremely proud. That I get to say to everyone this is my own grandson is wonderful. It does make me feel very smug too. I had not known about it because to be frank I was never good at potions in school and much preferred to keep tabs on charms something I excel excellently in by the way. I have discovered from a muggleborn witch I was conducting studies with that she could not have children of her own and chose to use a muggle as a surrogate. I was shocked that not only did it work but that she and her pureblood husband had a magical child at the end of it. The muggle who was the sister of this woman was tested and found to have absolutely no magic in her. She wasn't a squib though and a true muggle. The fact that a muggle was able to carry a magical child is indeed a breakthrough. I think we all know when a squib has a child without magic that child is obviously muggle.
Understand this Severus we hated your mother for her foolish choices. We asked her to free herself and she steadfast refused which ultimately ended in her untimely death. We in no way hated you ever. We regretted that she refused to let us even see you on the many times we did ask her that. We were horrified we couldn't even speak to our grandson of whom we loved dearly and were so proud of. The inventions and additions you have made to the potions world are second to none old boy. When it came time to leave my Lordship to anyone I knew I could choose only you.
The bank informed me that Eileen had sired another child a huge shock to me. I was incensed to hear she gave that girl away for safety but thought nothing of your safety. There is something to be said for the madness in all this. In this packet we have instructed the goblins you and Maxine or Hannah whichever she prefers will receive various bequests in our joint will.
I beg you Severus please have many children with whomever you end up with. I truly hope it is that girl I often saw you pining over from afar considering I could not get close to you over my idiot daughter. I have learned recently of James Potter's disgusting ways and it does amuse me to see a foolish pureblood man sweat for nothing. You see he also assumed that one of his children was a squib and that boy is now the honourable Lord Black so I hear. This is indeed amusing and I can say if you are reading this I will be dead and I will be laughing or cackling at that mans foolish actions even from the grave. It is people like him and fucking Caractacus Burke who do not deserve to sire children much less live. Always make us proud Severus we love you dearly and we always will. Health, wealth and happiness to you always my darling grandson.
Signed,
Lord Septimus Severus Prince.
Severus read the letter in awe. It was the last thing he'd expected to read about. It had contained even some of the things Jim and Harry had spoken about the other day according to the headmaster anyway when he had last spoken to him. He quickly read the will and discovered he had received Princes Palace their family mansion and Hannah had received Princes Hall their holiday mansion. Most of the family fortune and supplies were going to him and a quarter of it was to go to Hannah. He was delighted about this as he slipped his new head of house ring out of its box and placed it on his hand as Lily was walking in. She regarded him seriously for a moment shocked as he placed a ring on her finger too. When she learned of its significance she cried hard for him. His mother had done much damage to that relationship it was hard not to hate her for it, it truly was. Them not knowing what a shotgun was either was simply no excuse. They should have known better but didn't.
Up in his dorms Ron sat at the desk beside his bed and started to write a letter home to his parents. He had promised he would do so more often and had decided to bite the bullet and tell them about his sexuality.
Dear mum and dad,
I am loving school so far. I can safely say that in Hufflepuff away from my brothers I have become a much better student then I think I would have in Gryffindor. I don't mean that to insult them I just mean it as a fact. Please don't be offended by that. Hufflepuff has taught me all about hard work and loyalty. I either do my work myself whilst asking for help when I need it or no one helps me. I was without friends the first few days here but I soon learned my lessons. I now eat with much more manners too. I have learned because I am not home with my brothers that I don't need to fight for food which has honestly been a relief for me. I hated always having to fight to get any food at home before. Now that I don't I can see what a relief it is.
I have been discovering all kinds of things I am good at and I am excellent at chess and charms class. So far I've gotten a total of ninety house points for my house which I am so proud of. My head of house Professor Sprout says it's an amazing effort and if I keep it up we may even win the house cup. Wouldn't that be exciting? I am looking forward to Christmas in a few weeks and I do miss you both a lot. Now on this path to self discovery I guess I realised I could not truly discover anything else about myself if I did not accept myself as I am first. I have done this and have come to realisation that I am gay. I have no interest in girls and I now realise I never will. I was gay even before school started I mean have you seen some of those Chudley Cannons players? They are pretty gorgeous if I do say so myself. My best friend for life Jim Potter has even told me just the other day when I told him about it that he himself was gay. I would prefer if you could keep that a secret though as I am not sure if he wanted me to tell you that.
I must ask you if your opinion of me has changed now that you know this. I want you to understand my house has not made me this way. Hufflepuff is very cool and so am I by association. Please know that I'd rather not be kicked out of the family for my sexual orientation but that if you must do that then please spare me the future pain and do it now. I cannot waste many years lying to you and to myself about who I am. It's not fair to me as an individual and I think you know that. The sorting hat knew I wanted to make something more of myself then being merely another Weasley and I intend to do so. I love my brothers dearly but there is nothing wrong with wanting to be my own person too and anyone who says otherwise is stupid. It took me a long time to see that there was nothing wrong with wanting to be myself too. I guess sometimes Percy gives the impression that it's not cool to be different. I don't know if that's actually what he thinks but I do know it's the impression he gives. I met up with Hagrid yesterday for tea and he told me you were some of the best pupils our school has ever had which was lovely. He was really happy to know you both and I felt proud to be related to you when he said such nice things about you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Love always, Ron x
Molly was in the kitchen making dinner when Ron's new owl he'd bought himself appeared there with a letter in her beak for her. She looked at Molly in a serious way before finally handing over the letter, a clear sign of her being his familiar. She handed Athena as he had named her some owl treats and took the letter warily. No owl ever looked serious unless the content of the letter they had delivered was serous. Athena was Ron's familiar and Molly knew that. She had hoped he wasn't ill and read his letter just as Arthur arrived home via floo for the day and joined her in reading the letter which was making her cry. He initially thought something was wrong when she was crying but upon reading the letter with her could see nothing was wrong.
"Arthur honey did we do something wrong along the line? Why would he think we would disown him for this? He even implies here we might blame his new house for it. I will respond at once!" she said getting out her writing supplies.
"Darling I think he was just nervous and not sure what to say. Respond to that letter now and I'll get the rest of dinner ready, Love you" he said kissing her lips tenderly as she agreed she loved him too and began writing her reply at once.
Dear Ronald,
Ron we know you were sorted in another house and we are very proud of you for that reason. The fact that you had the gumption to even ask for something different proves you want a better life for yourself and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. Despite what Percy might say ambition is not the devil. I know he thinks this but it is foolish because without it you cannot truly get anywhere in life.
I am amazed at you scoring ninety points for your house so far. Professor Sprout is right to be proud of you. Congratulations sweetie for doing so well. I am so proud of you right now I am practically beaming from ear to ear as is your father too. He is here with me now and we both read your letter together.
After what you have said even we can agree that there is too much aggression here at mealtimes and it will be stopping from now on when you boys return home. There is always plenty for everyone and no need to fight over it or try and grab it all before anyone else can. That type of savagery scares other people around you which you no doubt noticed in your house. I am happy you have refined yourself. Daddy and I have been to look over your new home as you asked us to in your other letter and we are so proud of you for investing in your future wisely using Uncle Mikes money he gifted you and so on. We know of course Jim Potter gifted you some money and we also know what he did gift you will not even dent his vast fortunes.
The fact that he respects money so much is an honour to see. He trusts you with it and can see how much it is changing your life for the better. He is not greedy like his father and we are honoured by his kindness towards you for this reason. He is a wonderful friend. We did have a suggestion about the home but we feel you should talk to Jim about it first and see what he tells you. We think while you are not there you could rent it out to select clients who would have to sign a contract to keep it clean and so on for the duration of their stay. This way it could be an investment and make money for you while you are still attending school and living under our roof. We are most impressed with it because it is not a manor and it is just like a step up literally from where we live now. It has beautiful and tasteful furnishings and decorations inside it which are wonderful as you can no doubt imagine. To be honest you have already surpassed your brothers in many things and we are not ashamed to tell you this.
Bill and Charlie are amazing and have amazing careers since leaving school. We are so proud of them and we can see whatever you do will be just as great as them. You are well on the way to carving your own path and we love it. As for you making assumptions about how others might feel about things it is not a wise course of action for you. Your father and I do not care about your sexuality we care only that you choose the right person to spend your life with. Please note that lots of people look handsome but not every handsome person has a beautiful personality to match. If you can find someone who does then you will have met the perfect man. We love you so much son never doubt it. We would prefer you to live in your new home with whomever you choose after school as that way we would be nearby should you need us.
Oh Ronnie I really couldn't be prouder of you. Who knows you may even beat Percy's grades. I am only joking of course you know mums can joke too from time to time. Percy was so obsessive I doubt even I could have beaten his first year grades. He always was a swot. Don't tell the twins this but I think they get their sense of mischief from me. Yes it's a pain in the arse from time to time but I love them none the less. I intend to write to them about your sexual orientation telling them that we fully support you and they too must do so. I don't think anyone should have a problem. They might find it strange initially but that's ok and to be expected. I know myself from having a best friend who was gay that they make a great judge of female characters and indeed male characters.
You will learn Ron that some of them are out, loud and proud. They wear crazy colours, sing and dance and everything dramatic like that. Some of them however are gay without all the dramatics. They wear riskier things but mainly keep to themselves unless they don't feel like it or something. There is no set way to be gay. We don't care what you choose to be. Wear whatever you like although I may have to adjust to anything pink on you and just be you. All we have ever expected of any of our children is for them to be themselves. We have even informed Ginny she may go to any house Slytherin included. Jim is a Slytherin and he is one of the greatest boys we've ever met. He's so good for you. Have you ever considered dating him maybe? I know he's your friend through the best friend soul bond which is rare. I know his brother also has one with Neville Longbottom as he told me that once before. I think they are lovely and so rare too. He is very cute by the way. You date anyone from whichever house you like sweetheart.
We love you and we always will. We have fed Athena and she will return to you soon after she has a rest for a while. Did you know she is your familiar? I could tell when she dropped off your letter and looked at me in grave concern before handing it over to me. She is a gem and she really does love you Ron. It's beautiful to see. We will see you at Christmas sweetheart.
Love,
Mum and Dad xoxo.
The letter was sent off a few hours later and would reach Ron in the morning.