A/N: Chapter Two – Germanus Snape comes home to find his parents dead, and to meet his new baby brother for the first time.   Thanks for the reviews, hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter Two: Flashback – Death Knocks

October 28th, 1959:

            Germanus Snape had Apparated into Hell.

            Aurors and Unspeakables surrounded the tall, proud mansion he had once called home.   It was the dead of night, and the beacons from the wands of the investigators were offensive to the manor's staunch darkness.   There were too many lights inside the mansion as well, for such an hour; it spoke of disorder and madness, and surely his parents wouldn't stand for it.

            Had they still been alive, that is.

            Then there was the noise.   The shouting and questions that grew more insistent as he walked toward the manor.   Someone was pulling on his cloak; one look and the reporter hanging on him let go, and one less voice breached the silent night air.   He crossed the ward the Aurors had set up to keep the media back, and more voices were calling to him about bodies and neighbors and light – green light.   It couldn't be a dream, because dreams always felt so real.

            He went up to the door and rang the doorbell.   Someone stepped in front of him and opened the door.   He walked in, up the stairs and through the halls, until another someone came in front of him and put a baby, wrapped in a fleecy shirt, in his arms.   The one who had handed him the baby was talking, but he ignored him and went through the door that led to his old bedroom.   It was as he remembered it, except it was too bright outside his window.   He lay down on the bed and was out like a light.

            Why wouldn't the lights go out?

*************************

October 29th, 1959:

            He woke up with a baby crying in his ear.   His eyes opened wide with surprise, and he sat up on the bed, still holding the baby.   He looked around the room; it was his old bedroom at Snape manor, and he remembered why he was there.

            A house elf shuffled through the door, it's eyes watching its feet, and its hands twittering about as if it didn't know what use to make of them.   "Mister Snape, sir, you want Waggy to change the baby's diaper?   Feed the baby, maybe?"   He nodded slowly, handing the baby off to it.   It looked up into Germanus' eyes.   "Waggy is very sorry, Mister Snape," it said, its ears drooping.  

            The house elf left, but before the door had the chance to close behind it a man walked in and grabbed his hand.   "Inspector Wigglebum at your service, Mister Snape," he said.   Germanus, still at a loss for words, nodded.   The inspector grabbed the chair from Germanus' desk, pulling it out and sitting in front of him.   "Sir, as you know, Mister and Missus Snape were murdered last night.   The baby…your brother, I believe…?"

            Germanus cleared his throat.   "Yes, yes my brother…my parents, they wanted another baby, you see, though why they decided to have one thirty years after me I don't know," he explained.

            "Yes, well-"

            "I hadn't even seen it before, didn't even know it was born yet, I was off on business, is it a girl?   Mother thought it was going to be a girl, but she was wrong about me, I hope it is a girl because she-"

            "Mr. Snape," he interrupted.

            "Yes?"

            "I see that you're quite shaken up, but you're going to have to listen to me.   The baby was hidden in a laundry basket by one of the house elves to keep it safe.   As of yet we have no idea who murdered your parents, but whoever he is I am sure you would like to see him brought to justice as much as we would.   We will need your full cooperation-"

            "Where is the baby?" he asked.

            The inspector frowned at him.   "One of your house elves left the room with it just as I came in.   Now, sir-"

            Germanus leapt up from his chair and walked through the door, followed by the confused inspector.   "No, no I need to see the baby now.   Waggy!" he called down the hall.   Just as the inspector grabbed him by the shoulder Waggy raced down the hall with the baby, looking up at Germanus respectfully.   He took the baby from the house elf and held it gently in his arms.

            "Sir-"

            "We'll speak later; you'll have my full cooperation with your investigation.   Waggy?"

            "Yes, sir?" the house elf squeaked.

            "Get the baby's things together and have them sent to Castle Solium.   You can contact me there with any questions, inspector," he stated.

            "Mr. Snape, I'm afraid you cannot be allowed to leave the country until-"

            "I can leave the country whenever I damn well please.   My father passed down his position as Seneschal of Europe to me a few months ago, and as a Seneschal I am immune to your rules and regulations.   If you have any questions for me they can be directed to the castle," he said firmly.   "Don't forget the baby's birth certificate, Waggy.   I'll need it if I'm ever to find out the child's name."

            "It's Severus, sir," the elf spoke timidly.

            Germanus looked down at the baby in his arms.   It had ceased making noise and was looking up at him while its hands clutched at his robes.   "Ah, so you're a boy, then.   Don't know how I could have missed it."   Germanus walked past the indignant inspector and traced the steps he had taken the previous night as he headed out the door and away from the manor forever.