Snape had a bolt-hole he'd never told anyone about. He bought it after Lily died, when he realized he was caught between so many vows fulfilling one might mean his death by another.
It seems that while he was a genius at potions, and in general an excellent academic, he was an idiot in life and relationships. He believed in fairy tales. The Dark Lord would save him, make him a prince among men… Then, the Leader of the Light would save him.
Neither saved him. He was a weapon in their arsenal.
He'd saved three years of Hogwarts salary and sold quite a few rare potion ingredients he'd secretly harvested in the Forbidden Forest. He bought something completely foreign to the wizarding world, a caravan. It was in a leased lot in South London, with about a thousand other caravans waiting for their owners to take them on holiday.
He had all the muggle identity papers and a muggle bankcard.
The caravan had a nice gas stove, and an over-cab bed and a back bedroom. He had changed the bedroom into a study, and a real potion's lab. The decor was a quiet cream, gold, tans and browns. His overcab bed had a cream, tan and navy plaid pattern with navy blue sheets and pillowcases. Nothing to remind him — or anyone— of Slytheran, or Hogwarts. Or his childhood hovel.
He needed an owl, for the potions and ingredients he planned to sell. If Lord Black allowed him to live. All this planing might be waste of time and money Diagon Alley was too public though. There was a farm not far from the Weasley's place. He apparated there.
The man that came out of the small cottage wore work muggle coveralls with a wand sticking out of his breast pocket. "Sam Swillingwick at your service. How may I help you?"
"Indeed an owl who is good for long flights."
"I have several larger owls for parcels. They have good endurance."
Snape followed the farmer into a barn full of golden hay. "If you really need strength and endurance, I have something a little different. Rare." He waved a hand toward a large bird wandering the barnyard. In the sunshine its markings were deep blue-green. "I'm the only one in Britain with a breeding pair of enchanteal terns. A magical bird. Particularly good for over water flights."
"Interesting," Snape said. Over water would be a plus. He planned to be in Europe by tomorrow. If Black didn't kill him.
"Another interesting fact about these birds, they take cosmetic spells very well. Beauty, come here." A tern flew to Swillingwick. The man waved his wand and suddenly the tern was a common barn owl. He waved again and it became canary. "They will hold these forms for up to a month." He waved the bird back to normal.
"Popular for those who live close to muggles. They can have it looking like parakeet or canary but still have all the performance of a large, intelligent delivery bird."
"I'd like to see the one you are selling."
Swillingwick showed him a large enchanteal. "She was hatched at Christmas and may yet grow a bit. Magnificent, isn't she?" The bird was on a fence, imposing and almost regal.
An orange striped kitten jumped up near her. "Ah, yes. Females often take an odd liking to another animal. Almost as if they have a familiar. So if you want the female you have to take the kitten, too. Free of charge, it just showed up here one day. Some kneasle blood, by the look of that tail. She'd just come back for him. No charge."
Snape walked up close, and she looked him in the eye and gave a little caw. "I'll take her." She was a shocking two hundred galleons, but Snape knew she might be the key to his successful future.
"If you ever run into any old books about enchanteals, I'd be happy to purchase them from you, or a copy. Price is no object."
Snape also purchased a decorative wire cage.
"They'll eat anything. Particularly fond of muggle cat food." The farmer grinned. "And if you have bad habits? Or are doing something risky? She'll work that right out of ya."
"Too bad I didn't have her when I was younger," Snape muttered before he apparated away.
While Petunia and Arcturus were relaxing with a cup of tea in her private lounge after a quiet dinner, Wispi popped in with a letter for Arcturus.
"Yet another Hogwarts Professor," Arcturus said.
"Oh? I thought they all were in the infirmary with Andi."
"Flitwick, being a part goblin, went to Gringotts for treatment. I received a letter from Flitwick right before dinner and oddly enough it concerned Mr. Severus Snape, who sent this letter.
"Severus Snape! Did I ever tell you I knew him as a child? He was Lily's best friend until the summer she dragged James Potter home with her to meet my father and mother. I thought she would end up marrying Snape. They were nearly inseparable for years.
"I didn't know that. I knew of his rivalry with James Potter."
"I was shocked when she told me that Severus had joined the dark lord. But in a way it made sense. He came from a horrible family situation. His father was a drunk who beat Severus and his mother. I guess his mother was magical, but she certainly never used her magic to help her son."
"He's an intelligent man. Flitwick seems to think there's a possibility that Dumbledore had a way to control him. He mentioned to Flitwick sometime ago that he made three very bad decisions in his life. One was the way he lashed out at Lily in anger and ruined their friendship. The second was following the dark lord, and the third was the one he did when he foolishly tried to make things right. But he didn't make them right. Flitwick seems to think that Snape might not have been completely willing. He's just such an unpleasant person one can't help but think the worst of him."
"As child he was sullen and angry and could be cruel. Nowadays, at least in the Muggle world, people like him get counseling to overcome their bad childhoods. He should have had that." Petunia looked down at her feet. "Frankly, I think that Dudley, Harry and I should see a counselor. Do you have those in the Wizarding World?"
"I'm not sure if we have what you are referring to. We have Mind Healers but usually they work with an injury or the remnants of a curse."
"I was hoping we could find a mental health counselor that knows something The Wizarding World. I know, especially if the boys are seeing him or her, that secrets could be broken. But I think it would do them both good. I don't think living like we did for all those years can just be erased in a short time."
"You seem to be doing so well."
"I have regrets, and sometimes I wake up in the night from a nightmare. Other times I wake up in the night worrying about the future. If Harry or Dudley will have problems as adults. Oh I don't know, heavy drinking or something like that. Because neither of them had a very happy and stable childhood so far."
"I see." Arcturus pulled her close for a hug. "I will make some inquiries. The goblins are likely to know if there are muggle Mental Healers with connections to our world."
"I didn't know you had nightmares," he said
"They're not that frequent, and I haven't had one since Cami came into my life. But that could be because I'm far more exhausted running around after her." She laughed and Arcturus joined her.
"She is an excitable little thing isn't she?"
"Yes! I've decided that she needs more outdoor time so every morning we're going to go out to that playground and play on the swings and in the sandbox. Oh, that reminds me I want to get her a big wheel trike."
"What's that?"
"It's a muggle riding toy. Very noisy. Children love them."
They visited for a while longer and kissed her hand and took his leave. He had Wispi bring him Snape's letter, and then he went to talk to Andi.
Andi and Narcissa looked a little frazzled. It seemed two of the women didn't handle the purging potion well, and we're having a very miserable time with vomiting. They were kept busy cleaning them up and giving them stomachs soothers.
"I wanted to talk to you two. If you can get away."
"We should be fine for a quarter-hour or so," Andi said. She led them to her office. Once inside the office Arcturus did a check on the security and found it was adequate.
"Narcissa what can you tell me about Severus Snape? I believe he lived at Malfoy Manor with you for a summer and visits frequently."
"He did live with us. It was the summer of his proving, as the dark lord called it. We have an extensive potions lab. To be honest I rarely saw him. Occasionally he would have to come to one of the nicer functions the dark lord insisted we hold. My husband made sure he had appropriate clothing so he looked like he fit in, but for the most part he did not mingle or visit with the guests. Why do you ask?"
"He is aware that I know the staff was potioned. Some of those potions, the ones for Flitwick and Hagrid, had to be his own invention.
"He wrote me a letter. He's willing to give me any information about Dumbledore he can. He does not wish to participate in a Blood Feud for Dumbledore. He would also like to be assured that Lily's son is safe. Petunia informed me that Lily and Severus were childhood friends.
"I can get an auror-level purging potion for those who have a tolerance to Veritaserum."
"I've made that before," Narcissa said. "I can get a house elf to bring my personal files from Malfoy Manner."
"Oh," Narcissa said as he was leaving. "Selene Lovegood. She and Snape carried on a constant correspondence. I thought it so odd, but there was a rumor he saved her from an attack her seventh year. I teased him once. He said she was an absolute genius at herbology and plants in potions. He would be a fool not to learn from her."
It wasn't late. Arcturus headed to the Lovegood suite Xeno let him in to chaos. Luna and Mimosa's children were wearing animal pajamas. All three were running wildly about yelling and jumping on couches and beds.
Mimosa raised an eyebrow at him. "I know it is crazy. It's a Lovegood practice."
"The Bedtime Romp," Xeno said. "Guaranteed to put them to sleep immediately and for the entire night."
Mimosa shrugged. "It does seem to work."
"How can I help you, Arcturus?"
Mimosa growled and chased the children down the hall to the bedrooms. The screeches were deafening.
"This will seem odd. But I am trying to get a better picture of the man Severus Snape. I learned he and Selene kept up a correspondence for years."
Xeno nodded. He walked to a blank section of wall and opened an invisible cabinet. Returning to Xeno he handed him a box and a bound book. "Severus returned all her letters, for Luna to have when she is older. He also used her information and his potions work is detailed in this book. He thought someday Luna might want to publish it. "
Xeno sighed. "The thing is, Selene owed him Life Debt. When she was a seventh year she was caught by a group of seventh year boys. They hit her in the head with a rock and stunned her. Severus was only a second year, but he was looking for gillyweed near the lake. He heard their plan to rape and drown her. No magic involved, so they wouldn't be caught.
"Severus carried a magical slingshot when he was near the woods. Acromantula live in the forest, you know. He knocked the boys out. Selene used his wand— who would check a second year's wand? — and obliviated the three boys back to their fifth year of life. They couldn't even read. Flunked their Newts.
"She took him to a stand of hazelnut trees, and they spent a couple happy hours cracking hazelnuts open with a simple spell. Severus took his back to the dorm and sold them to his roommates. Selene sent hers home for Christmas cakes. No one ever suspected a thing."
"I've been afraid to give these items to Luna. The life debt fell to her. I'm afraid these items will strengthen it, and I do not want my nine-year-old bound to a grown man. Hopefully he will have a son…"
An idea began to form. "Thank you, Xeno. I may have away out for Luna."
Severus had his paperwork stored in the caravan. He was ready to flee, if he lived, anyway. All his belongings were packed and shrunk in his pocket.
He ate breakfast in his room. After eating, he called for a house elf.
"How can Jippy serve Master Potions?"
"Jippy, if I have not returned by ten tonight, please take my bird and kitten down to Hagrid. The bird is Boadicca, the cat is Harvest."
"Yes, sir!"
With a deep breath he walked to the floo in Hogsmeade and arrived in Lord Black's Foyer. A house elf met him. "Follow me Mr. Snappey Snape."
This must be the famous Black Towers. It was as large or larger than Hogwarts, and richly decorated with carpets and tapestries.
A group of small boys with brooms and two rowdy puppies ran by, shouting and laughing. The small black-haired boy. That was Lily's son. Snape watched as he ran down a hall to a door, leaped on his broom and shot away with a laugh. James' son, too.
Hours later he woke. Lord Black was with him in a small hospital room.
"You intend to leave Britain and not take part in a Blood Feud for Dumbledore. You vowed to Lily to protect her and her child. You realize Dumbledore could use your vow to kill you for running?"
"I'm gambling that he won't want to kill me because I could still be useful."
"Do you believe the dark lord will return, like Dumbledore does?"
Snape smirked. "Horcruxes are notorious for breaking down before they can be used. How many evil wizards of old wander the earth today?"
"Indeed. My ritual likely destroyed them because of Riddle's danger to my heir."
Snape nodded. "I am prepared to leave tomorrow."
"Good. Now follow me. We must end the Life Debt between you and Selene's daughter Luna. It will most likely end the vows Severus Snape took, also. We are using the Black adoption ritual."
Snapes eyes got huge.
"Oh, not me. Selene's daughter will blood adopt you, It will fulfill the debt."
"So, my blood drops into this cup. Then Uncle Arcturus makes it not hurt. Then he drinks it and becomes my brother."
"Or Uncle, or cousin?" Arcturus said. "He's not going to turn into a little boy."
"Oh, poo," Luna frowned. "But I get to name him, right?"
"A nice name Luna. A real name. Not Babbity Rabbity or anything that rhymes."
Luna growled. Severus Snape began to sweat.
"Since she is a child, and this is a life debt payment, you may find your appearance quite changed by morning," Lord Black said.
Snape nodded.
The little girl poked her finger and dropped blood into a crystal cup. Lord Black did a chant.
Severus drank the contents. He felt a cool rush through his body and shivered.
Luna was staring at him. She was silent for a long time. Severus wondered what strange, embarrassing name he would have for the rest of his life.
"I name you Argent Moonglade Rice Lovegood." A flash of silvery light filled the ritual chamber.
"My Uncle Argent. Can we have pudding now? I named you after my favorite pudding, did you know? Moonglade for my mother since I couldn't name a boy Selene."
Snape decided to spend the night in his caravan. It seemed so mundane to shop for muggle groceries after being adopted by a nine-year-old. He bought cat food and a cat box. On impulse he bought several muggle rock and roll tapes and a few interesting books, along with muggle clothes.
He had left a note of thanks for Flitwick and one for Minerva in his rooms at Hogwarts,
He woke before dawn and looked in his bathroom mirror. His hair was silver blonde, ten inches longer, and in no way greasy. Eyes were grey, nose and mouth resembled Selene Lovegood.
Dumbfounded he sat down at his little table and ate a bowl of muggle cereal. He made tea. Boudicca sat on his shoulder and nipped at his hair.
He checked his ID. Lord Black assured him the photos would match his new appearance. There he was, blond haired Argent. Handsome in a muggle rock star kind of way.
The life debt had certainly been paid.
