Chapter 2

The wind cracks across the microphone as the camera focuses on the reporter outside of the Snape family home. Several police cars are parked outside and an ambulance.

"We are here at Spinner's End, a small suburb in Cokeworth where authorities have responded to a domestic dispute turned bloody. Our sources say that Mrs. Eileen Snape was murdered in cold blood while she slept. Her husband, Mr. Tobias Snape has been taken in as a suspect in the case, but the details are still developing. Neighbors report that the Snape family had a history of domestic disturbances. Our thoughts go out to the couple's eleven year old son, who is reportedly away at boarding school. Authorities have reached out to the school in question but have received no comment. The investigation is still underway as authorities question what possible motives there could be, and how such a horrific event could occur in this small suburb. Richard, back to you."

Severus stared at Professor Edgecomb, silent. Did he hear correctly? "S...sorry?" He asks, his stomach seemingly filled with ice water.

She squeezed her hand on his shoulder, in comfort. "Severus, I am sorry. I do not have much details... but you are being summoned to Cokeworth, we do not know how long you will be speaking with the muggle authorities. That being said, Professor Dumbledore will be going with you to ensure that you are not alone. It is imperative that you maintain the Statute of Secrecy. I know that this is a lot to handle right now, but we are here for you, and if you need assistance, myself and Professor Dumbledore are in your corner." She was a severe woman, but there was warmth in her eyes, and certainly pity. "Now please return to Ravenclaw Tower and dress in muggle clothing, and Professor Dumbledore will meet you outside to bring you to Hogsmeade."

Severus nodded and began to walk. His legs and hands shook, so he squeezed his hands together, trying to steady himself. His mother was dead. Would he see her? Would he have to see his father? What did he do? Or see?

Severus shook his head and ran up to his room, trying to block everything from his mind. Block. Build walls. Avoid the feelings, because they are too confusing. If I can't feel anything, then I won't break. He took a deep breath and pulled on a pair of jeans that were far too short for him. His shirt was ragged and covered in holes, but it was the best he had. He tried to stuff his wand into his back pocket, but at 13 1/2 inches, it was far too long. He took it out and stared at it for a few spare moments, the key to his freedom... Exactly what he had always wanted. The ebony wood shimmered in the dark of the room, and he took a deep breath. He placed it carefully in his drawer. He probably was not going to need it.

He walked out of the common room and Dumbledore was there waiting. He peered at him with a warm smile. "Severus, have you ever heard the story of the boggart and the werewolf cub?"

He shook his head.

Dumbledore nods and begins to tell him the story as they have their journey.

A boy was born to a pack of werewolves,

and so they called him the cub.

He wasn't sure that he liked that word,

as he didn't like that his future path had been decided;

that he would grow to be a wolf himself.

When he went to Ollivanders,

His young face covered in fur.

The cub wanted to find the pathway

That no one would ever suspect.

He felt the pull of a wand of Holly

Known to soothe the deepest angers

So he touched it and the sphinx whiskers perked

Choosing the cub as her own.

The cub then went to school, maybe Hogwarts, maybe not

And when he encountered the boggart

All he could see was himself.

So mirrors began to frighten him.

He would hide within the dark.

But his holly sphinx would light up to remind him

That he could choose his own way.

So he spent many moons

facing himself in the boggart chest

And every time he would succeed

The beast would turn into a cat.

He learned then what he could do

to choose the path least expected.

And so he became an expert in transfiguring himself

into a quick and regal cat.

The pack did not understand what the purpose was

Aside from teenaged rebellion.

What purpose would a wolf have

To lower himself to be a cat?

But he didn't care, he simply moved forward tail held high

And the wolves could not catch him, even when they tried.

Dumbledore chuckled softly as the reciting ended, and he took Severus' hand to apparate from Hogsmeade. Severus enjoyed the story, but he wasn't sure if there was a reason he was told it. Maybe to fill the silence. As they made it to the police station in Cokeworth, Dumbledore changed his appearance to blend in better. He helped Severus come in, and spoke to the authorities to guide him inside, and Severus was sat in a small room with a warm cup of hot cocoa while he waited.

Dumbledore took a wrapped hard candy from the basket and popped it in his mouth. "Lemon drops. My favorite." He smiled and sat down beside him.

A few moments later, a detective walked into the room, closing the door behind him. He smiled awkwardly at Severus and the Headmaster. "Afternoon... is there anything I can get you?"

Severus shook his head. Dumbledore replied, "No, thank you, you are very gracious. Though I may take more of your lemon drops before leaving." Attempts to be disarming was marginally successful, and the Detective sat down across from them.

"I am Detective Doyle." He looked at Severus with pity in his eyes. "I assume that you understand why you are here?" He asked gently. When Sev nods, he continues. "Your mother passed away last night or this morning, in her bed. The department is treating this as a homicide." He says quietly. "We suspect that your father and her had had an argument and he took the issue into his own hands. He is currently in custody." He frowned a little. "Do you remember any times when your father may have hurt her? Or you?"

Severus closed his eyes and placed his head in his arms, covering his face, not answering. Dumbledore looked at the child and then back to the detective. "The young man has obviously had a hard day, sir." He says calmly. "Though from my review of the family, I believe they did have struggles of that nature. Both financial, marital, etc. He is on scholarship at our school."

"I see." The detective took a small box out of his bag. "We found this on Mr. Snape as he attempted to flee." He opened it to show 50 galleons, 10 sickles, and a handful of knuts. "These coins are foreign to us, but none of us are able to recognize which country he may have intended on escaping to."

Dumbledore nodded, "Oh, those are coins associated with our school, they are medals of achievement. Perhaps once you are finished with them, they may be returned to the young Severus here, as they would be rather sentimental..."

He nodded. "Of course Headmaster." He looked at the child who was sobbing softly into his arms. He spoke softly. "It is somewhat of a formality, sir, but we will need him to identify his mother." He shifted uncomfortably.

Dumbledore spoke somewhat forcefully, though, and said, "That will not be necessary."

The detective nodded. "That won't be necessary." He repeats.

Dumbledore stood and placed a hand on Severus' shoulder. "Is there anything else you need from him, detective?"

The detective shook his head. "We may reach out at a later date, the investigation is still early so things will move forward at a typical pace..."

"Of course. Thank you." He helped Severus stand, and the boy kept his eyes firmly on the floor, his red eyes barely able to stay open. Dumbledore led him out of the station and down the street. "Severus, we need to stop at your home and ensure that nothing there will be an issue of secrecy. You may stay outside while I go in, or come in."

Severus nodded and stayed silent, walking with the Headmaster. As they entered the house, the run down, shabby home was silent. Inside, the floors look like they had rarely been swept, the dishes in the sink seemed to have been there for several days. The couch was torn by a cat's claws, and Severus could smell the faint metallic scent of stale blood. He walked to the door of his parent's room and peeked inside, seeing the blood cover the bed and marked as evidence to be collected. He averted his eyes and went into his room, picking up some books that were magical related, throwing them into a bag with several holes. He threw it over his shoulder. He was numb. He couldn't feel anything, really. He didn't know whether he'd ever return to this place... and that suddenly made him sad. Summers with Lily are out... What an odd thought, an odd pain to feel, considering everything else.

"Whatever you feel is understandable and valid." Dumbledore's voice could be heard breaking through his thoughts.

Severus looked at Dumbledore and nodded silently. He peered at his hands, holding a snapped wand; the unicorn hair sparking slightly and the cherry wood burnt. His mother's wand was snapped. "Did you...?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "I believe the person who harmed your mother broke this before harming her."

"My father." Severus hissed out.

Dumbledore nodded once. "He is not your only family, Severus. You will always be welcome at Hogwarts."

Severus peered at him and then looked around his room. "Will I ever return here?"

Dumbledore shrugged. "That is entirely up to you, dear boy. But now, I believe it is time for you to return to Hogsmeade, and get something to eat. My treat." He offered his hand to him, and once Severus took it, they disapparated.

Severus returned to Ravenclaw Tower an hour before dinner. He sat down on his bed and pulled out the pieces of his mother's wand. He ran his finger over the frayed unicorn hair, it had stopped sparking. The magic had dissipated by then, and it was simply a piece of useless wood and a strand of hair. He placed it into the drawer with his wand, closing it gently.

"I heard what happened..." A small voice piped up from the doorway to Severus' room.

He looked up to see Mary waiting to be invited in. He nodded at her and she moved to sit beside him. Severus did not respond, but gave her a small reassuring smile. "How was History of Magic?" He asked after a few moments of silence.

"Um... well the boy Gareth? He called me something that earned him a detention." She said quietly. "A mudblood?"

Severus looked quickly at her and frowned. "What a jerk. I'm sorry that happened."

She shrugged. "I barely know what it means, so it doesn't hurt me any." She paused and reached into her bag, handing him some parchment. "I copied notes for you, for History of Magic, and Lily copied her Transfiguration notes for you."

Touched, Severus takes the parchment. "Thank you."

"I'm going to get dinner in a few, Sev, I will sneak some out and maybe the three of us, or five, if Pan and Xeno want to join, can eat somewhere quiet?" Mary offered.

Severus hesitated. He honestly was not sure he even wanted to eat. But Mary was being so kind. "Uh... sure... I just might not talk a whole lot."

Mary nodded with a smile. "You talk as much or as little as you want. We are here to support you, yeah?"

"Thanks, Mary." He smiled weakly. "I'll be down in a bit, okay?"

She nodded and pats his shoulder. "See you soon." She stood up and left, glancing back only once to check on him, sorrow creeping into her eyes as she thought about being in his shoes.

Severus opened his drawer and took out his wand. He thought about his pathway and what could be in store now that his life was surely changed. What he would now do. Was he an orphan now? Or was that only reserved for children with no father and mother? He had a father. Unfortunately. Why did his father do this?

But more importantly, the haunting thought crept into his mind, why was he relieved?