Disclaimer - I own nothing apart from the plot lines etc... everything else belongs to JK Rowling who is God! Wished she'd hurry up with book five but till then - read this!
Author's Note: Skipped a bit of time, and very quick thank you to all my reviewers! THANK YOU! Please keep reviewing! Enjoy!
The Tenth Summer
It was a warm evening for once in a while. It was - however - a tedious time of year - forcefully taken to dinner parties and dances to play the perfect gentleman to please his Mother, the ten year old Severus Snape, pulled on his black dress robes scruffily for the third time that week before throwing himself out of his room in bad temper and running into his father whom was looking equally disgruntled.
"Straighten yourself out Severus," the older man snapped before walking round his son and continuing to thunder down the passage way grumbling about his tie which he detested wearing and wouldn't were it not for the nature of the function. Severus however just straightened his robes out plonked his tie round his neck without tightening it and went to put his shoes on. He nearly got away with the way he looked had his mother not caught him and did his tie up so tightly he thought he'd never breathe again.
"If I've told you once Severus, I've told you a thousand times... this is a dinner dance and you have to look smart so that all the other ladies and gentlemen see that I have the sweetest most charming boy in the world." Rycrypt who had just walked to the door fastening his cloak pulled a face behind Imacia which made Severus laugh. "Now brush your hair Severus, then we can go."
"But I already did!" The boy insisted... Imacia on the other hand being his mother and already having one son knew perfectly well he hadn't bothered, and proceeded to groom him. "Mum!"
"Hush your noise!" She snapped until she had brushed all his sleek looking black hair into submission. His hair was always quite scruffy looking unless he brushed it... which wasn't very often and was quite long but never much longer than his ears and even then it looked quite spiky.
"Can we leave now dear?" Rycrypt asked helping his wife with her cloak. "Only I have a theory the sooner we get there - the sooner we can leave."
"Very well..." Imacia hummed grabbing Severus by the arm and throwing floo powder into the fire and sending him first to where he would be stuck for the evening lying his arse off just to keep his mother happy.
All around him distinguished looking wizards and witches stood conversing politely and he was able to witness this before someone recognised the small boy waiting just to the side of the fireplace for his parents.
"If it isn't the young Master Snape," a man with bright white hair called happily.
"Professor Wise..." Severus said gingerly, this man was a close colleague of his fathers and he would do well to impress this man.
"And how are you Severus?" The man asked his sapphire eyes glittering behind his glasses. "Studying hard I hope... it won't be long before you start Hogwarts now will it?"
"Next year Sir," Severus said politely hoping his parents wouldn't take much longer.
"Anyway be sure to have a nice evening - I'm sure you'll meet a few nice children your age that will also be bored of talking to old bores like myself."
"I... you're not boring Professor!" Severus twittered quickly being sure to offer his whole attention to Astix.
"Nothing to worry about Severus... I saw you watching that young girl over there..." Astix said pointing to a small girl standing next to a boy about his age and their parents. She had long black hair and a horty expression like she'd been standing with her nose in there air too long and eyes that were burning silver but offered about as much warmth as cold steel and oozed distain. Severus blushed, he'd not done anything of the sort - but now the Professor had drawn his attention to her he couldn't help but look. It was as if she had enchanted him. "Only pulling your leg," before Astix could get another word in Rycrypt stepped out of the fire, he and Astix shook hands.
"In for another boring evening Wise?"
"Looks like it," Astix laughed before Imacia stepped gracefully out of the fire and hugged her husbands closest friend.
"It's been a while Astix... why have you not come to see me?"
"The ministry has a lot of problems with Dark wizards that cannot wait - even for you my Lady," Astix said kissing her hand.
"My husband might become jealous to how close we have become," Imacia smiled, Rycrypt laughed and took her hand before guiding her over to some more people he wished to introduce her to.
Severus was still stood staring at the girl... she seemed to have a strange air about her, he knew the boy with silver blonde hair that she was stood next to, it was Lucius Malfoy - Severus had often heard his father complain about Demitrius Malfoy and Aljenta his wife because they were so stuck up. It was apparent that their daughter was no different.
"Come along Severus - don't stare," said Imacia who returned and took his hand dragging him along to meet the other wizards whom chose to introduce themselves to his father.
"Good evening Mr. Crouch," Imacia said politely - Mr. Crouch however wasn't really interested, he was watching Rycrypt pretty sharply though. Rycrypt merely nodded and then continued to hold his head high. "Rycrypt I do feel we shall be forced to talk to the Malfoys tonight should you wish to or not - you know what Aljenta is like. Do try to be civil to Demitrius."
"Trying to be civil to that man is like trying to stab myself in the eye with a lemon soaked pin - painful to say the least."
"All I'm suggesting is that you don't both get drunk and duel on the dance floor while they play eerie music on the violins just for pure entertainment, you won't believe how embarrassing that was for myself and Severus."
"I thought it was kinda funny," Severus smiled, Imacia cuffed him round the ear and Rycrypt reluctantly agreed to be civil. Severus found himself wondering away from his parents because his mothers inseccent nagging was becoming tiresome.
He managed to find his way over to the table with the food and drinks and before his hands could find their way to the adults drinks a stuffed up voice came out of nowhere.
"You shouldn't have that - that's for the grown-ups," it was the girl who had been standing with Lucius, she sounded like she'd spent too much time with the horsy set.
"I don't care, I want to know what it tastes like," Severus said, his eyes narrowing at her with dislike.
"I'll tell," she sneered. "You're too pint sized to drink that stuff, it tastes like poison and a swear I saw someone spit in it."
"Why don't you just buzz off and mind your own business?"
"I can't, my Mummy and Daddy told me to come over here and get some food while they talk to important wizards with my brother," the girl said looking daggers at Lucius.
"And your name is?" Severus asked stuffing a cream cake in his mouth.
"Remalla Malfoy," she said smartly, she still sounded like a complete snob. "I don't like it though, I think my Mummy was just being cruel cause she and father wanted a second boy."
"Yeah, well I don't blame them... look at you. You're short and snobby and you have a funny looking nose, its like it's too small or something."
"Well at least mine doesn't look as if you could use it as a tea cosey," she snapped before turning round and walking off, leaving Severus rubbing his nose. What did she know about the nose? It was a family nose, he was proud of his nose... or was.
"Severus..." was the familiar call of his mother. He turned to face the sound and looked at the people she was standing next to... the Malfoys, oh no. It was too late though, his mother was beckoning to him and he had go to them. Severus bimbled over however he was still rubbing his nose as if she'd really injured his pride.
"And this is your son I see," a tall woman with sapphire eyes and a distainful expression surveyed.
"Yes, Severus," Imacia addressed him directly, "this is Mrs. Malfoy, and her son, I believe you've met before," Imacia the showed a hand to Lucius who looked at Severus with disgust.
"Hello," he said politely. Aljenta smiled and then looked about the hall.
"Remalla!" She called sharply, shortly after the annoying little girl had returned and looked at Snape as if she'd never seen him before in her life, yet with the same air of disgust as her brother. "This is Lady Imacia Snape, and her son Severus."
"How do you do," Remalla said gently to Severus and then threw a very sweet deceiving smile to throw Imacia from what she was really like.
"Severus is the same age as your brother Remalla, and a very smart young man," Aljenta said giving her daughter a look which was intended to drop a hint she wanted them to be friends, this girl must have been no more than eight years old, Severus couldn't understand why he had to befriend this girl. "I believe from what Lady Snape has been telling me, he shares a hobby with you."
"Really," said Remalla, faking interest Severus noticed.
"He too studies anything he can get his hands on," Aljenta said placing a hand on her daughters shoulder.
"Then we must be friends," Remalla said holding a very dainty hand out for Severus to shake with he did, but felt as if he was betraying his father at the same time.
"You must have your children come visit us some time Aljenta. Rycrypt, Severus and myself would like that very much. Wouldn't we dear?" She twittered to Severus.
"Indeed," he said rather flatly, Imacia placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I shall have to find my husband now, if you'll excuse me Aljenta. Come along Severus," Imacia then guided her son away and Severus couldn't wait to leave. Friends with an eight year old? And a girl at that... his mother didn't understand certain aspects of life did she. That would just be asking for trouble.
It wasn't before long that he discovered himself being carried home, the boredom was just too much until he had fallen asleep sitting in a chair next to his mother. He didn't know what time it was, he didn't really care, he just wanted out.
When he woke up the next morning he couldn't help thinking that perhaps his mother forgot that he was a boy. Why would a boy befriend a girl... and a snooty little cow like Remalla Malfoy at that. All he wanted to do was read and learn so that he could prove to his father that he wasn't as stupid as he felt his father saw him.
His mother however wanted to see him turn into an accomplished young man well versed and a gentleman. The fact that he desired a career in Dark Arts and the life style of a spy meant nothing to her... she believed he read far too many fictional stories about espionage. Ambition, ambition, ambition... you sound just like your father. Well it as better than having the drive of a goat if you asked him... he felt he was a natural Slytherin, and when he got to school he would rule the roost with his superior knowledge.
Author's Note: So that was a little odd - needed to move the time on a bit...ooooo! Anyway better go - am off school so better make good use of my time!
I.C. Fire
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