All polls are closed as this editing date. Appreciate all you who voted on all polls. :D. IFY, Petunia and Severus aren't going to be together they are friends.

Last time: Petunia sent her letter off, Severus arrived at the Uchiha residence/district, but met Itachi family not the clan yet.. We learn a little bit of Itachi and Severus encounters.

Chapter 5: Talk of Potions and letters

Severus woke, sitting up. "It was a dream, right?"

"You're awake, Severus."

Severus relaxed a bit. It was Itachi. So,Severus glance around. Sasuke the little ball that was Itachi's little brother was nowhere in sight, meeting his parents, leaving the wizarding world..

It wasn't a dream! Of course it isn't a dream, silly! Severus shook his head. "Um, err, yeah I'm awake…"

"Good," Itachi said slightly amused; "Come, I need you to follow me. My parents and a much awake little baby brother are downstairs."

Itachi turn slid open the door. Severus blink curiously; quickly got out of bed and followed Itachi. What was so important that he needed to be present with Itachi's family? Where they going to send him back even though Itachi said he could stay? Did they disapprove of him? Merlin! He hoped that wasn't the case.

I can't go back not there yet. I refuse! I won't go back to that hell!

The bullying, the beatings, the insincere worry of his ex-best friend…

"Severus, right?"

Severus blink; shoulders tensed up as he glance up facing Itachi's father, Fugaku. He gulped down a lump, "yes, yes. That's me, sir..." Crap, he sounded as if he was fidgeting like a nervous first year.

Mikoto smiled easing the tension that Severus felt. "Listen, Severus, my husband and I-we would like to adopt you into the family."

Wait, wait, wait, what?! Adopt him? But, he was a nobody; a burden wasn't he? Wasn't he going to cause problems by just being there? Just look at Hogwarts he was accepted there briefly before everything happened because as Potter put it –he just existed. Even home-he was a freak of nature; hated by his father. Neglected-he was going to bring misfortune to Itachi's family. What - Severus clenched his fist, bit the inside of his cheek. How could he do that? How could he ask to live with such a great guardian that was Itachi and his family when he was the outcast? No one wanted him around even Lily got tired of him.

It didn't matter how academic he was in his favorite subjects: potions and DADA, but he was – A flick to his forehead jolted him out of his dark musings.

"Severus, mom ask if you accept?" Itachi flicked Severus on forehead again; dropping his hand afterwards.

Severus blink, hand over the flicked spot. "Err, what?"

"You said in your letter.. "Can I live with you?" My parents want to adopt you into the clan, Severus."

Fugaku remain quiet watching all this taking place not yet commenting on any of it.

Severus blink for umpteeth time. Itachi never replied to his letters, but he was brought here. He ran away to come live a new life – more of start a new life.

Severus blinked rubbed his eyes. What? Was he crying? "I ..err, I have something in my eyes.."

Mikoto quietly handed Itachi little Sasuke and gently hugged Severus close; a hand soothing his oily hair. "Silly, child, we welcome you as our own, otherwise we wouldn't have asked your permission."

A sigh came from Fugaku. "The adoption will take place within a few months. You want a new leaf, advice: be an Uchiha with pride." Stood up from the kitchen chair and walked away.

Severus sniffles stopped as he slowly unravel from Mikoto soothing hands and blinked owlishly taking in Fugaku's words. Be an Uchiha with pride. Does that mean Fugaku accepted him? If so, that meant...he shyly with one eye glance at Itachi and a sleeping Sasuke within his arms- that meant he be a brother, he'll have siblings, he have expectations-a reason to make someone other than Itachi proud. A reason to have a new beginning.

Hogwarts was quiet. Too quiet for one Azreal Carrow liking. No, there was noisy students, gossping ghost and talking paintings, but to him it was quiet. His friend left. Without a word.

He left without even saying goodbye.

Weren't they friends? Sure he came into the picture late, but wasn't he there to listen?

"You don't know what it like, Az. Potter and his merry gang are always on my back, always behind me. Waiting; waiting till I move even a muscle or breathe a breath." Severus sat hutched in a corner of the boys old bathroom as he was covered by his school robes.

Azreal didn't know. Didn't know why Potter and his friends sought out Severus the most, but when he saw- "And Lily, she, she complicates things." Saw Lily Evans for the first time. Sticking up for Severus maybe, but Azreal he didn't see that. He saw a girl who was naïve to believe bullies would stop just because a girl said "stop". It wasn't helping only making it worst. Bullying with guys was easy , but girls-girls never showed their faces to anyone. And, what he also saw was a boy bullying for impresions sake-to make himself look more cool in others eyes, but to Azreal who found this out over time from seeing a few learnt that Potter was doing just that and decided the best option to help Severus was to listen.

Not, only listen though.. "I may not understand, but you, Sev," paused.." You're cooler than Potter. You don't need a girls help for me to see that."

"Me? Me cool.." Severus tilt his head looking sideways at Azreal as if he was seeing an alien rather than a fellow Slytherin.

Azreal embarrassed looked away. "Don't make me repeat myself. Of course you are. You're brilliant in potions, Dada and exceptional at dueling and plus you're you. You don't try to be something you're not."

He tried to boost Severus confidence.

Severus emabarrassed duck his head back into his robes. "You sure you're a Carrow? You're nothing like the other purebloods.."

Azreal didn't comment; shocked slightly by that. He found something new, well new as in information about Severus. However, he felt as if he shouldn't have heard that, so, stayed quiet.

"We should get back to the halls, classes will start soon,"Azreal muttered quietly as he stood away from the stall.

Severus stood up as well from the cold bathroom ground, not looking at Azreal. "thanks, Az."

Blinking away his reverie, Azreal stretched, leaving the halls and heading to his dorm room- ignoring the loud chatter of students. He would have to contact Severus through owl it seemed, but hopefully it succeeded. After all, this was his last option since he was no longer at Hogwarts. Witth that in mind he entered the dorm and fished out his trunk.

Lily wasn't thrilled in the slightest. How was she to get an A+ in potions now? James was a decent partner, but Sev-he was a remarkable potion partner. He did all the work and she just had to copy-tweak her answers. Easter was around the corner –this weekend! There was no way she could coax Slughorn into picking up her grade. Well, she could always hide her grades until she improved. With that in mind she dozed off in Binn's class just a bit. Wait, a minute! She almost giggled in her slight doze state. Why was she making a big deal out if it? So, what if she not doing too hot in a few classes right now? So, what if that ex-friend, now Slytherin death eater follower wasn't around at present? Her parents adored her! They be fine if her report card wasn't on par with her last one.

"Lily, wake up, class over."

"Oh, Mary I just dozed off a bit. I'm up now," she grinned at her friend and got up from her seat.

"Whatever, girl. Let's get out of here."

Lily laughed following her best friend Mary McDonald.

XX..

Severus grinned broadly as he open up the potion book. He was looking for the potion that dealt with familial ties: parentage potion, ancestry potion, blood potion... all these potions were deemed banned by the ministry as they were no longer in practice anymore. Uh, huh! Found it! Adoption potion.

Blood adoption read as the following:

On the fourth night of Mercury when the moon is a snow moon; with the brightest star out one must take the potion.

Severus paused before continuing to read. The night of Mercury in magical world of potion language meant Wednesday and snow moon was a moon name associated with his birthday month- January so, he had to take the potion then. So, best he start preparing this potion now.

In order to make this potion successfully one must gather the following ingredients:

one teaspoon of dragon blood

boiled Irish moss

onyx stone, garnet

one yerba mate holly leaf

mint

rose

Severus reread the ingredients needed again to make sure he had everything prepared. Once he looked through his truck and found he had a few stash of the ingredients needed he closed trunk and began to read again to not miss a single detail in creating this very important potion. Having read the instructions to making the potion he read the final ingredient needed for him to take the potion. The final ingredient was the adopted parents blood. With that he bit his lip. He didn't want to complicate matters not if they had their own way of adopting him, but he wanted them to know. Know that he was a wizard. Wanted them- Standing abruptly on his two feet, Severus with book in his hands exit room and took in a deep breath before heading to Mikoto and Fugaku.

He didn't have to go far- hearing Mikoto coo over the little boy Sasuke. Which he inwardly blushed embarrassed if the potion and adoption went successful that little boy be his little brother(He couldn't get over the idea). Shaking his head Severus gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," Fugaku's gruff voice reached his ears. Severus gulp and slid open the door; shyly peeking in.

"Err," crap he was not about to get nervous again, now was he?

Sasuke gurgled and pulled on his mother's hair, but stopped owlishly like a baby would looked at Severus. Fugaku didn't comment, but watched Severus. It was Mikoto who broke the silence, "Severus, don't be shy. Come on in. Is there something you want to tell us?"

It was now or never. No, he shouldn't hesitate. They were going to be his parents-parents he could go to, parents that won't be him black and blue, that won't neglect him. He was sure of it and with that resolved forming in his gut he took a deep breath once again. Opened his eyes and nodded, "Yes, I do. I have something to tell all you."

Itachi stood by the door. "Even me, Severus?"

Severus didn't glance his way, but gave a nod. With silent footsteps, Itachi waltz into his parents room.

"What is it?"

Severus hesitated before taking seat on the floor; fidgeting a bit, but began to talk. "I'm not normal. I'm a wizard-can do magic with a thing-instrument called a wand, and do potions with a book." He held up the potion book, "like this one. I cant tell you much, but it the truth."

A moment of silence reigned in the room.

It was surprisingly Fugaku who spoke first. "That Hog-wart it an academy to hone this chakra-magic you call it- skills?"

Severus mutely nodded. So, earlier Itachi must have told them a little bit. Then telling make it a little bit easier.

"Potions could be used for an array of things. Like healing, stopping death.. and magic has its categories, but there are tree that are considered unforgiveable:Killing, torturing and mind control."

Hum. This magic was somewhat like chakra, with his knowledge he could help the clan further, not just be strong as any Uchiha. No, as Fugaku felt earlier that afternoon adopting the boy into the clan and his family was a good sign.

"I see. "

Severus blink before he started speaking. "I wanted to tell you because there a potion that allows you to adopt me. It like magically sealing the deal.." he quickly closed his mouth as swiftly as he began talking.

The two parents looked at each other. It was Itachi who broke the quietness. "And, what does that entail, soon-to-be little brother?" A hint of amusement was in the elder young adult's tone.

Severus duck his head downward, muttering. "It's like I said seals the deal. It keeps me as your son even if I'm not by blood. My magic, my appearance anything that magic reads-pick up within the wizarding world; no one would be able to undo adoption. not the ministry of magic-

"what of your real parents? What would happen to them?" Mikoto asked gently, afraid that even if no one else could break this potion sealing the biological parents could.

Severus slowly glance up. "Nothing, mother isn't of this world anymore and that man," hissed like it was a curse. "Wouldn't give a two cents about me. He no longer in my life." It was the truth the less Severus thought of Tobias Snape the better.

Mikoto slightly relax. She shouldn't have felt so petty, but this boy needed someone from what they found out in his letters*.

"I can prepare the potion, the final ingredient needed would be your blood. I would also need to take it in January. It would take a few months to finish by then."

Itachi hummed. "That's fine, you can get settled into our home and lifestyle better before the actual adoption takes place."

Fugaku nodded silently agreeing.

Mikoto beamed. "Splendid idea, Itachi!" She hummed a tune as she cooed to Sasuke; singing new big brother to their youngest.

Severus hid his face again though a smile grace his features.

It wasn't till few minutes later that Severus got up from the floor and stated a goodnight to Itachi and his-soon to be parents and little Sasuke that he headed back to the room he was given. Severus heart was beating fast he could hear it within his ears. That was so thrilling, so exciting. It almost felt as if he was about to leap right into another world. A world he didn't know anything about, but was going to learn as soon as he was adopted- and, and, and he didn't care! He didn't care that it felt as exciting as if he just stumbled upon his mother's precious potions books, or found more information about the wizarding world. He didn't care he was going to be free. Free to be himself now that-

Whoosh!

Two owls zoomed in his room, hooting. Both held a letter at the end of their talons. One he recognized he sent to Petunia Evans. The other he assume must either be ministry owl-probably noticing he gone, or a Hogwarts owl same, but it could also be from Samuel Woods the apothecary owner. But, back to Petunia. Did she like the gift of apology? Did she accept? well, running a hand through his hair he took that one first and open it then the other one; handing the owls a treat- piece of bread crumb.

The owls nibbled on the bread pieces in the background while he smoothed it out opening the first letter.

It read:

Dear Severus Snape,

Reading your letter I was surprised-floored. I never expected you to apologize for what you almost did. Neither did I expect the friendship with her to be over. I won't say anything farther on that subject. Though I received your gifts; quite lovely by the way. Thank you for them, I want to keep this letter short. Can we meet?

Petunia Evans.

Severus blinked, smiled. They could be friends. He hoped she was going to take his advice. He took out a parchment and quill ready for when he was going to reply, but first the second letter.

He smoothed it out and open it.

It read:

You selfish prat. I'm worried about you and you up an left! You left without saying a word to me, I thought we were friends! sigh, look you had your reasons. Just reply back or let me see you in person. Let a friend know if your alive, moron.

Signed,

Azreal Carrow

Well, Severus knew he left without saying a word. Shaking his head there was no point in dwelling on what ifs. So, with that he pick up his quill and began his replies. Once finished writing them he tied both the letters to the respective owl and had them sent off.

grinning to himself, Severus plop into his new bed. He couldn't wait to begin on that potion. Because that potion was just the beginning.

And, cut! Pardon the errors, but critique is welcome lol. Ok sorry if there a lot of repeats in certain monologues. It'll change in future chapters. Until next time! Hope you all enjoyed :D

(*=Previous chapter)

I wrote this chapter originally last year around Halloween. Happy Halloween 2020.

Edit: 10/1/20