A/N: This story is about Severus Snape, as we'd never known him before. Eventually this will lead to Harry's fourth year, and then I will make a companion that has Harry in fifth year. This is part one, Read and of course review!!!
THE STORY OF SEVERUS SNAPE
"Time keeps passing by, but it doesn't count!" -Josie Berg'e, Locked in Time by Lois Duncan.
(Prelude)
Severus Snape, by whom we all know and hate our Potions professor amazingly, believe it or not, didn't start the way we know him. He was born in a small town in Wales in the month of November. His parent's names were Cecilius and Mercia Snape and were very proud of their baby boy. They were Slytherins themselves but would never in their lives practice dark magic.
Their lives were perfectly happy for two years, when suddenly it was turned to horror; they were doing their normal activity when soon poor Severus disappeared with a pop in their living room. He was only playing with his toys. His parents wondered: what could possibly cause him to vanish? Cecilius had found out the case a few minutes later. The toy Severus had played with was a portkey. " Who could have possibly done this?'' asked Cecilius. His question was not answered directly, however. Soon he and his wife were surrounded by a group of hooded figures. One of them walked forward and revealed his face.
" Who are you?" Cecilius said with horror.
" I am merely a speck of thousands of supporters whom you and everyone you will know by the name of Voldemort! "
"Where's my Severus!?" Mercia screamed at the man.
"Do not fret my Lady-he is in safe hands soon." The man replied with such harshness that it was possible to doubt any good thing he said.
Mercia's blood turned to ice. T hat was not the reply she hoped for. She could not imagine what would happen if she lost her son, Her only son whom she loved more than life and everything in it.
"The strongest shall go first." The man said. And with that, he raised his wand. Green issued from it. And Cecilius and Mercia Snape were never seen alive again.
A thousand miles away, a boy no older than two sat in the mud crying for his parents. It was raining hard were he was, and Severus' knees sank deeper with every jerking sob. In his soaked and wrinkled hands clutched a teddy bear.
"Where's my Mummy and Daddy?" he said tears mixing with the rain.
A figure came from the shadows, as if he had expected Severus the entire time, and he had.
"Your Mummy and Daddy are gone!"
"W-why " asked the frightened child.
"Don't ask why!' He replied with bitterness."They're never coming back!"
"NO! MUMMY DADDY WHERE ARE YOU? I'M SO SCARED!!!!."
"I'll rid that rubbish from you once and for all!!" With that, the man took Severus' memory. Hugs, kisses, all slipping away…Forever.
From the loss of memory and thoughts for a boy so young, Severus fell into a dreamless sleep. The figure picked him up, and apparated from the site, the teddy bear was the only thing left, in the wet mud and rain.
The man entered a circle of hooded figures. Severus still in his hands, the man spoke to the largest of the horrible lot. "I have him here sir"
"Ah Somnus Necator." The man replied in a devilish voice. "No problems were there?"
"Only the boy was a little dramatic over his parents." Necator sneered.
"Well we don't need that do we? No, no, Somnus I want you to raise him to be ruthless. The son of Mercia and Cecilius Snape is going to be powerful, yes, his parents were very strong wizards… Make sure he gets to that blasted school. Teach him everything you know. Then bring him to me. He's powerful ah, yes, very powerful, he'll be very useful. Then he will take my place when I "retire". He'll be known as the most powerful wizard of all time, The Heir of Lord Voldemort!"
~ Nine Years Later*~
SEVERUS SNAPE'S POINT OF VEIW OF HOGWARTS
It was a clear sunny sky. NOT what I had in mind. I prefer rain thank you very much. But like many things it's not my choice. I'm only eleven, but I am a very precocious child. Many people say I'm shy, but I usually have half a mind to say my what I think most of the time. I just keep it bottled up inside, sometimes like a rocket it takes only a spark to set me off. Somnus Necator is taking me. He's my cruel adoptive father My parents died when I was young, and I assume Somnus was a friend but he allowed me to keep my name, and that's the only thing he ever gave me.
Enough about my tangled life. My mind is now on how in the world I'm going to lift my trunk, cauldron and owl on to train. Heaving my trunk on the train all by myself was not a good idea. My it slipped from my grip, fell and landed on my foot. "YEOUCH!"I screamed. Hopping on one foot I managed to seat myself on a bench. After some wincing and excruciating pain I heard some one speak: "That one'll leave a mark alright." Said a boy. He sat himself next to me and started to talk again." Sorry that had to happen to ya, those kind of trunks are really heavy."
"There's nothing wrong with my trunk!" I said on behalf of pain and embarrassment.
"Hey, I only meant those models every one here has shesh." He said this all very fast, obviously afraid of what I was going to say next. " The name's James Potter. Yours?"
I looked up and replied, "Severus Snape." I replied. The boy had the messiest hair I have ever seen. I couldn't talk however. My hair was greasier than an oil pump plus two, No matter how hard I scrubbed it; it was always the shiniest black in all the land.
James had small gold oval glasses that fell to the bridge of his nose. Every now and then he'd poke them back up with and index finger, and continuing on with whatever he was doing.
I had perfect eyesight however. Somnus has square glasses that remind me of windows. When he takes them off, he looks less sinister than when he had them on. And then they wonder if my parents had glasses. I do not know any more than they do however. I don't even know my parent's names anyway.
"Here Severus, I'll help."
James had now gotten up, and started heaving my trunk on the train.
I got up, and helped too. In no time we had the blasted thing on the open door and together we slid it in to place.
The train's whistle sounded, and James and I got on the train.
A boy ran to us through the crowd and shouted, "James!" he was tall and had black hair.
"Hey, Sirius!" I heard James call back.
The boy and James greeted each other like brothers. Both looked back at me, grinning.
"Severus, this is Sirius Black. Sirius, Severus Snape."
"Uh, hi" I said, not knowing what else to say. Sirius Black was not a boy I would want for an enemy, as I would soon find out. He had the power to make his rivals squeal, and he could come up with the most humiliating gimmicks of the age, I know this for a fact.
Sirius responded as I had. But he had the look of judgement in his eyes that made me uneasy.
"Severus," I heard James say. "Sirius and I are going to compartment No. 17 before the train starts. Meet us there? "
"Sure" I replied. And I started my way opposite they were going. I climbed the small and short steps to an opening where hundreds of other students were already going into. I found myself No. 17 compartment in no time, and after I seated myself on the cushioned benches, and realized I was alone. A note was pinned to the bench. It said:
Got Ya, We wanted to try that to the first person was met who looked dumb enough. Sincerely Padfoot and Prongs
They had tricked me. "Why the little" The train gave a horrible jolt as it started to run and I felt myself being thrown in to the other bench opposite the on I had sat on.
"Yeeeeaaahhhh!" Cried an object that was flying for me at full speed. Then I noticed it was a rather small and skinny girl already in her black robes. She still continued to fall, and I caught her in time before she landed on the floor.
The girl stood up, rather shaken, and said, "Phew! Thanks." she started to brush herself off. I released my firm grasp from her arms.
She was a short and skinny girl with beautiful golden hair and auburn streaks that cascaded down her back past her waist in waves. But the most enchanting about her I noticed was her sapphire blue eyes.
"Your welcome" I said hesitantly. I started for the door. "Where are you going?" she asked. She maybe beautiful but she was horribly nosy.
" To find James Potter." I replied angrily. " I've got a score to settle with him." The blonde girl looked disappointed, but finally spoke.
"James and his friends are always playing jokes. I was almost late because they put glue on the bottom of my trunk and set it on the platform. It took me thirty minutes to get the gunk off. Don't worry they mean well, but love satisfaction. Go to them, and they'll feel their plan was a success in making you mad."
"Okay" I said. "Fine" I really wasn't in a mood to confront them any way. I sat down next to the girl and spoke. "Do you know James?" It was my turn to be nosy.
" We've. Met" She said. "Uh'well, we both took a room in the Leaky Cauldron before school started anyway." The girl took my hand, shook it and introduced herself. "My name is Luna Purbach." (Authors Note: Pronounced Purrback) "What is yours?"
"Severus Snape" I said. I was proud of my name, as it's the only thing that I can call my own.
"Severus Snape huh? I like it."
From there we started to talk about many things. Quidditch teams, Hogwarts, what houses we think we'll be in.
" I'm sure I'll be in Gryffindor." She stated. "My whole family was in Gryffindor. What about you?"
" I don't know."
"Well the houses fit your personality, whatever ones your in. Slytherin is the house where people are ambitious and powerful. Hufflepuff are the most loyal and trustworthy, I admire them. Ravenclaw, for the wisest, they're pretty cool. And there is Gryffindor, for the-"
" Let me guess the bravest" I said. The process of elimination helps a lot.
"Yeah, you catch on."
"How do you know all that anyway?" I asked. She sure did know a lot for her age. Maybe she would be better in Ravenclaw.
"My family goes along way back, and they teach me everything they know."
"What about yours?"
" I don't know, I mean mine died, I think."
" Then who's they guy who dropped you off?"
" You saw?" I said with a little astonishment. "He's my adoptive father."
"Well that's interesting. My Parents died too, and my uncle raised me. So were kind of like kindred spirits huh?
I leaned back against the seat and replied. "Yeah I guess we are."
~*End of Part One*
PART TWO
Time is my past, present, and future, and it is all I'll ever know- not Telling
Luna and I arrived at the castle at dusk. Hogwarts so far was much bigger and grander than I imagined it. Luna, however, was exited, but it seemed as if she expected this to happen. And speaking of Luna, I began to like her more and more every second. We had similarities as well as differences, which was a major part of Friendship that I soon discovered. And speaking of which she was my first and only friend.
A rather stiff and tall woman was waiting for us after we sailed across the lake. Her black and shiny hair was drawn in to a bun, but a few strands escaped. She was young but was not someone to cross. She gestured us to follow, and were she led us was an old chamber. After a few minutes, the professor led us into a wonderful hall filled with other students who were looking in our direction.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted" she said. "Albert, Judd!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Black, Sirius!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Brooks, Troy"
"HUFFLEPUFF"
"Cancer, Serena"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Soon Davis, Cullen was a Slytherin, and more names were shouted.
"Evans, Lily"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Remus Lupin was a Gryffindor, as well as Peter Pettigrew, and James Potter, More names were shouted, and then Luna was called to the front.
She nervously put on the hat, and in a few minutes she too was announced a Gryffindor. She gave a sigh of relief, and waved to me as she made her way to her houses' table.
Then a horrible thought struck me. What if I wasn't in the same house as Luna? I panicked at the idea. I don't know any one else except her.
The same idea also reached Luna, and her face was clouded with worry. I hated for her to look like that, but in a way I was happy someone actually worried about me, even if it was only about a house.
"Quincy, Alan","Rad, Theodore","Radcliff, Anne", "Sherwin, Denby" and then, ---
"Snape, Severus!" I stepped forward, sweat forming on my forehead. I sat on the stool, as many others had done and the hat fell over my eyes.
"Hmmm, tough my yes. Very difficult. Ah, very powerful, you are. Now where should you be?" said a small faint voice in my ear.
"Just anywhere where Luna is." I thought.
"You know I can't do that Mr. Severus. Your thoughts and actions choose where you ought to go not Luna's."
" Okay, I thought again. I want to go where I will be noticed. I want to be strong." My nervousness was getting the best of me as well as my ambitions.
" Now there's a thought. Well better be "SLYTHIERIN!"
The table to the far right gave out strong cheers. I steadily took my seat next to a white-blonde haired boy I would soon know as Lucius. I felt numb, and looked over two tables to where Luna sat. Her eyes didn't exactly meet mine at first, but when it did, she gave a weak smile. I did so to her and began slowly on the delicious food that had appeared on the golden plates. I didn't eat much. I couldn't. I felt mad, disappointed and helpless. I guess my "thoughts and actions" needed helping. This table looked the malicious lot.
The headmaster Dumbledore gave his speech and I soon took an admiration for his methods of talking to the student body.
Soon the golden plates were shining again, and the students at the Gryffindor table, Luna included, got up and started their way towards the marble staircase. She was the last to walk out of the big wooden doors but as she did, she mouthed the word 'bye' in my direction. I repeated back, but she walked out the door before I finished.
When it was time for the Slytherins to leave, the prefect led us to a dungeon. That same prefect walked toward a spot on a part of the wall and muttered "aperio." The stone where he muttered to instantly disappeared, and stairs led up were instantly visible.
I reached my dormitory, and soon found my things on a green curtained, four-poster bed, which was underneath a window, the bright moonlight shining trough. I unpacked, put robes in my wardrobe, and settled in to bed. I never knew how tiring first days of school was, and I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.
The morning turned out to be hectic. I had not packed an alarm clock (These were wizard versions. No machine in them. They were muggle type, but were hollow.) And the other boy who did, well he accidentally broke it with his wand in the middle of the night during a sleepwalking session. (Don't ask!) I quickly stepped over the shattered remains of the clock that failed to wake us up fifty minutes before, and hurriedly fled for the wardrobe, that was across the room. Throwing my clothes on as fast as I could, I put on my shoes and ran down the hall for breakfast.
Luna beat me to the hall and was chatting with the girl named Lily Evans with James Potter, who was on her right, joining in on the conversation. His three other friends were accompanying him. Luna, noticing my existence, politely excused her self, and met me in front of the large wooden doors where I saw her last.
"Good night last night?" She said happily, giving me an amused look.
I noticed why for I forgot to brush my hair and I looked still asleep. I suddenly blushed, the reddish-pink making a strong contrast to my pale skin.
"Not really."
"Oh, too bad. So is Slytherin a nice house?" said Luna in curiosity.
"Well if you count the fact that the founder of it was evil, snakes are the mascot and everyone in there is ether anti social or downright cruel, It's pretty fun." I said all this with sarcasm, and I was delighted that I made Luna laugh, even though it was easy any way.
We both went to our tables and started breakfast. Delicious eggs, sausage, beacon, and many other things filled the table.
Professor McGonagall handed out schedules, and I found I had Charms first. Okay- nothing I can't handle.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was easily my best subject. The only thing Somnus ever gave me was the knowledge and fascination for the dark arts and I soon acquired more knowledge about it than any seventh year. I found out I became particularly famous through out the school for it, and now I was the prime target for many of James and his friends' jokes.
Easily History of Magic was very boring. The ghost kept getting people mixed up, which made me feel that maybe being a ghost meant that you left your brain and body behind.
Transfiguration was extremely interesting. Turing matches into pins was more difficult than is seemed.
Astronomy was probably the most fascinating of all. (Or maybe because Luna happened to have the same hour as I) Moons, stars, comets, and asteroids could be seen ten times as farther than any high-powered muggle telescope.
Double Potions with the Gryffindors was a different matter however. Professor Comernius Clant was the Potions expert. He was mean and cruel to EVERYONE. Slytherin or Gryffindor, he was always set in a bad mood.
I took a seat next to Luna, and began to take my things from my book bag. After saying a 'beginning of term speech', Clant wrote what ingredients we'd need on the blackboard.
"Porcupine quills. Bull horn Dragon snout, Ambush tree shavings." "Severus, what do Pine Coils look like?" said Luna.
" The cylinder-shaped prickly cones." I replied. Potions were my specialty, something I was very proud of.
Everything was going well when suddenly Luna's cauldron began to boil violently. Then the caldron started to melt it's self. And in no time it was mixed with her concoction in a dangerous hot liquid. Luna gave a frightened yell, and stood on to her chair. I waved my wand, and everything, the liquid, the half way melted cauldron all disappeared. That was a simple trick I used when I was learning for my first time to concoct a simple potion. Quite handy it was too.
Clant swooped in to the scene, obviously not amused.
"I demand an explanation, now Miss Purbach."
" I-I accidentally added the dragon slivers before I put in the bull horn powder I think."
"What kind of student would do a thing like that?" he demanded back.
"Honestly, you would think a adding ingredients would be easy." A rage went in to me. I felt heat coursing through my body like a furnace.
"It's not her fault. You didn't put that in on the instructions." I said as I pointed to the blackboard, where he had written them on.
"Anyone could have made that mistake!"
" Mr. Snape, I suggest you sit down and let me handle this. Purbach, 10 points from Gryffindor," Clant strode away from the scene and sat in his chair next to his desk. I frowned and started again adding the Ambush tree shavings. The class, who watched the incident, went back to their routine. The bell soon rang, and I still in a bad mood, threw my things in my bag and walked out the door with Luna.
"I'm sorry." She said her eyes not reaching mine.
" It's not you, really. Anyone would have missed it." I said, the anger forming in my body again. "It's Clant's fault."
"I think I can understand. It's his personality; we'll just have to respect him for it. Well, I going to be late for Herbology. See you Severus, and thanks."
Luna walked away into the crowd. How could she forgive someone that easily? Someone who took points from her house, Yelled at her, and make her feel guilty? Why doesn't she hate him? But I must say I've hated things my entire life. I hate the fact I could never see my parents. The fact that Somnus Necator is always cruel to me. But, Luna has lost her parents as well. There are a lot of things that has happened to her and yet she has no room in her heart to hate. I envy her.
That night after supper, I took a shower and got dressed into my bedclothes. Brushing through my thin, black hair, I wondered why Luna seemed to like me so much. My Pale skin seemed to glow in the dark. My hair, straight and shoulder length was always greasy. My nose, large and hooked, was enough to scare anyone at times. My eyes were so black the pupils could not be seen. They glittered brightly, and perfectly matched my hair and robes.
And yet Luna had seen through my appearance on that day on the train. Anyone would not have dared to approach me, but she did. She is surely a Gryffindor.
The days got colder, and winter came. I particularly enjoy snow. Soon our Christmas break started and Luna and I were always seen walking in the snow talking about things we never thought we'd talk about. Or we'd be in the warm library, looking up dates (for History of Magic) and studying together.
Every Wednesday the astronomy tower was open for use and we had good time looking at stars, distant planets and Luna's favorite, the moon.
"See that really big crater? That's Mare Serenitatis- Sea of Serenity!"
"Sea of what?"
"Serenity. Pretty isn't it?"
"Well- now that you mention it- yeah."
Soon December 24th came, Christmas Eve. So many people had gone home to their parents that there were only ten other people- including Luna and I- left. As a result, we got to eat with the Professors. Wonderful food was served. Turkey, filling, cranberry sauce, and pudding filled our plates.
When we had finished, The headmaster began to talk to everyone, and they answered back with smiles on their faces. Headmaster Dumbledore never neglected anyone. Soon he and Luna began to talk and I sitting by her, listened in, not intentionally.
"So, Miss Purbach, how is your stay? Are you finding Hogwarts interesting?"
"Yes, Professor! I've met many interesting friends. (She glanced at me joyfully)
"And Mr. Snape, is Hogwarts what you expected?" Dumbledore now fixed a patient and friendly look towards me.
"No, I never expected it to be this big."
" Yes that's what everyone's thoughts are once they see Hogwarts. You, of course, are no exception." He gave me another friendly smile, and soon said, "Now that we have had dinner, shall we open presents?"
There was an encouraging "Yes!" from the ten people at the table. Then the thought struck me. I had no present for Luna! The very person I was thinking about, Luna herself interrupted my thought. She handed me a very lumpy and poorly wrapped present. I paid no mind to the appearance, however.
"I wrapped the present myself, you can tell," she said with a smile. I, with slowly trembling fingers, took the present from Luna's long hands. I began to cautiously unwrap the present. ("Hurry up, Severus! It's not gonna bite!") What was underneath was a brand new, chubby but adorable teddy bear. And that's when a very, vague, foreign thought stuck me. Somehow, the teddy reminded me of confusion, sorrow, and rain. But what was it? "Severus, hey, Seve, hello?" I snapped back to the world I was currently in.
"Cute, isn't it?" Luna was worriedly looking at me.
"What? Oh yeah. It's neat and really fluffy."
Luna smiled and looked excited. "Err, I don't have a present for you…."
" It's alright Severus." And with that, she gave me a snug and friendly hug, and when she let go, she and I were blushing.
" You just gave me a present, Severus." And soon she started up for the marble staircase.
Questioning myself just WHAT happened, I started for my own common room. I walked slowly, questioning the strange evening.
As I walked to my common room, I heard a sound.
"Good evening, Severus." I turned in the direction of the statement, which interrupted my thoughts. And, in a corner, sitting on the base of a huge statue was none other than Albus Dumbledore.
"You to too headmaster." He smiled and started walking near me.
"Severus, have you ever thought about your parents?" My stomach tightened. I don't even know their names, what they looked like or even if they went to Hogwarts or not.
"No sir. I don't know anything about them." I kept completely honest. Even though I felt embarrassed.
"Then it's about time I show you." Questioning myself what he meant, I didn't notice any thing until I was led in to a large trophy room. Dumbledore led me to the very back of the room, and I noticed there was another door. He unlocked it, and stepped inside. I cautiously followed, and found it was a small chamber filled with photographs. He motioned me to a rather large one, which was hung on one side of the wall.
"These are your parents." Stated Dumbledore. The black and white picture was just hung at just my height, and I easily saw a young couple. The man was tall and thin, his black eyes had a sense of warmth in it. His face had an impressive goatee, which surrounded his smiling mouth. His firm and strong hand clutched a smaller and more delicate one, and its owner was a beautiful young woman. Her straight, black hair came as far as her waist and her pale skin contrasted with it. She reminded me of Snow White, the girl who escaped the evil villain and lived happily ever after. But, a horrible thought struck me. This one didn't. They seemed like a happy and kind couple, and I was astonished that they were my own kin.
Looking up at Dumbledore, I gave a weak smile. "Mercia and Cecilius were very good parents, Severus. They took care of you well. They never thought of themselves. And very proud they were of you."
"But why? Are they still proud of me? I'm sure I'm not what they wanted me to be."
"Wrong, Severus. I'm sure they're proud of you whatever you become."
"Even if I went to the dark side?"
"Well Severus, You got me there. They would be proud If you went to the dark side and found your senses before it was too late I'm sure, but don't ever try that. They'd be even more proud if you never went to the dark side in the first place." He chuckled at my curiosity, and then began to tell me more. "They were head boy and girl in there day and were very clever. Helped me with many problems they did. -"
"How did they die?" My curiosity was getting the best of me again.
I soon felt I asked the wrong question. Dumbledore heaved a big sigh, "I rather not tell you, as young as you are, but you do have the right to know, as your their son .They were murdered by a group we do not know of, at least right now." Dumbledore then took my hand and put an envelope. "If, if you want to-to see them, you can contact me any time. Now, Why don't you go to bed?"
In my dormitory, I cautiously opened the envelope. A note slipped silently in to my lap. Picking it up, I opened it and read :
Cherry Blossom Cemetery
1104 Libitina Drive
Hogsmeade
I dropped the letter. " If you want to see them…" I knew now. I sadly and slowly put the letter on my bedside table, and went to bed, sadness taking over me.
Well, what did you think? Please R/R, Flames are welcome with open arms! I own only Luna, Somnus Necator, And Mercia and Cecilius Snape. Pretty much every one else is Joanne's. The next part is tucked in my computer, ready to post after this, so come back soon!