DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything. The plot is mine, hopefully. Most of the characters in this story will belong to me, though those that are recognisable belong to JK Rowling. The goddess. I only own the minority that aren't published. Damn. I guess that falling stars don't work. Sigh…
AUTHOR: Calex a.k.a. Master Aida
RATING: PG-13
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is an accompanying piece to Past, Present & Future. This gives the history to Roman and Snape, although you'll find out about them in P, P&H. this is more of a what's up with Roman's life before Hogwarts. But still, read P, P & H. You'll get more of an inside into how Roman interacts with everyone.
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He was finally going to graduate from Salem. As the realisation hit him, a slow smile spread across his face, and unbeknownst to him, set the hearts of many of the watching females' hearts aflutter with his dark good looks and his easy, devastating smile. Roman Snape had been the object of every girl's fantasy since he hit puberty. He had been a beautiful boy and he grew up to be beautiful young man with his blue black hair that was sexily tousled and gave the impression of a just-out-of-bed kind of guy, darkly tanned skin, and gleaming dark eyes flashing hotly with either temper or passion. He had the dangerously rugged features of a man who knew about what life was going to throw to him and would handle it with incredible aplomb. He had never struggled in any of his classes and had always came top with apparently no hardship. He was liked by all the students in Salem Academy and was considered a major heart throb, plus was the captain of the quidditch team, playing as chaser. Was it any wonder that he was nominated Head Boy?
So Roman Ares Snape was to graduate from Salem Academy at the ripe age of 18 where he would go to one of the most prestigious Wizarding Universities in the world, where he would study Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was an irony that he couldn't help enjoying, for he had already been asked to join the staff in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the new DADA teacher as soon as he graduated from the University. It was an irony because it was the very post that his father had been after for years on end. Severus Snape would indeed shit himself if he found out and that thought made him smirk.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the woman approaching him until he felt a hand on his shoulder, making him jump and eliciting a yelp from him. The person's body shook with silent laughter as she took the seat next to him and he mock glared at her.
"You surprised me."
"Honey, if you were more surprised, the house elves would have a huge mess to clean up," she grinned, eyes twinkling. Roman scowled at her.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked, eyes narrowed.
"Nothing…merely that you were pissing yourself with fright."
"Mom!" Roman's face was horror filled and she couldn't help the burst of laughter that escaped. She shook her head and ruffled his hair. He swatted her hand away and smoothed the silky dark strands back.
"Nobody touches the hair," he scowled as the beautiful older woman threw back her head and laughed. But the ire on his face faded until it was nothing more than affection.
"What brings you over to my neck of the woods?"
"I wanted to say goodbye. Before the feast starts. It'll be the only time I'll be able to in some privacy," the woman shook her head and cupped her son's face in her hands. She stared into his eyes for a long time and he forced himself to keep still. She used to do this to him when he was younger and he respected her need to do so. Finally, she sighed. "So much like your father. Out of the three of you, I would have thought that it was Lucian. But it was always you, wasn't it? You were the one who
always was like him."
"God forbid," Roman muttered and glared as his head was swatted. "Hey!"
"Show your father the proper respect he deserves," Venetia snapped at her son.
"I will when he earns my respect!" Roman retorted. It was one of the things which the two could never agree on. No matter what, Venetia loved Severus Snape and that love left Roman quite bewildered. The man who called himself Father was a strange creature. Oft times dry and dispassionate. Cold and biting. Haughty. He was utterly formal and stiff, dressed always in thick, high necked black robes and had greasy black hair and a prominent hooked nose. Roman thanked Merlin that he inherited his mother's striking good looks, instead. But he had the man's colouring, if not his pallor. There was no mistake where he inherited his dark colouring. His mother was a red head with light blue eyes. Craven was the spitting image of Venetia, if not for his sex. Lucian was a mix of Severus' dark hair and pale skin, and Venetia's sharp blue eyes and wide, sensual mouth.
The three brothers preferred the less formal muggle wear and could often be seen in jeans or shorts and t-shirts. The three played soccer and baseball, could be seen throwing a football and enjoyed going to the movies for their weekends off. They listened to muggle music, all loving rock music. It would probably give his father a heart attack, Roman thought with a snigger. His mother frowned at him.
"Roman."
"I didn't say anything!" he protested.
"You were thinking about something that I'm sure wasn't very nice. And I'm pretty sure it concerned your father."
"Why'd you marry him?" Roman burst out. Venetia looked taken aback at the question and Roman had the grace to flush. "I…I mean, the two of you are so unlike each other. Why'd and How'd you hook up with him?"
Venetia sighed, furrows creasing a smooth brow as her expression turned pensive. She turned to her son, looked at the young man that had been borne of her and the one she loved. She tucked an errant strand back.
"I guess I never told you or your brothers how we met, did I? The whole stories. I wanted to bring you up normally, yet your father is away, a man you don't even like. You don't know the story of the happiest day of my life. Well, what turned out to be the happiest day of my life, in any case."
Venetia looked so sad and guilty that Roman overlooked the fact that he was 18, head boy, in a public space and hugged his mother. When he pulled back, Venetia looked stunned.
"Never think yourself a bad mother, mom. You single handedly raised 3 teenaged boys, a feat in itself. The fact that the 3 teenagers are myself, Craven and Lucian make it even more unbelievable," he joked. Venetia smiled weakly.
"Thank you. But it does not diminish the fact that I didn't do my duties as a mother."
"There's nothing wrong with your parenting skills! If we have to point a finger, point it at Father!"
The sound of flesh meeting flesh rang in the hall. 50 pairs of shocked eyes were staring in horrible fascination. Venetia's hand had flown to her mouth and her face was a picture of horror. A red hand print bloomed on Roman's cheek and he was sitting down, completely still. His very features seemed frozen. Time seemed to stand still as it painted a horrible tableau. Finally, Venetia snapped out of it.
"Oh God, Roe. I'm so sorry. I… I didn't mean to. I just, I just. Oh God."
"I believe your feelings are obvious in this matter," Roman said curtly, stiffly getting to his feet. "Enjoy the feast, Mother. I have packing to attend to."
His jaw was tight and he deliberately turned his back on her and walked out of the hall, the footfalls thunderous in the silent hall. Venetia stood still, then she shook her head. Saw that all faces were on her.
"What are you all looking at? Get back to work!" she barked. The students visibly jumped and immediately turned away. But Venetia was aware of every eye on her as she walked out, back ramrod straight, head held high.
"Roe, you can't be mad at Mom, still," Craven said. Roman ignored his brother, walking to his cupboards, immaculately folding his clothes, then placing them in his trunk. He did it the muggle way to calm him down. Work always helped. Quidditch would have been better, but he thought that he might as well do something useful.
"I'm not mad at her. I just think it best if we didn't have too much contact with each other."
"He's mad," Lucian confided to his brother. "He's always mad when he goes all British stiff upper lip-y." Craven nodded. Roman ignored them and carried on packing. It wasn't anger that made him slam things into his trunk, or to slam open and close his cupboard and drawers.
"I am not mad!" he roared, finally, slamming the door of his cupboard close. The door splintered and he swore savagely. Craven raised an eyebrow and Lucian crossed his arms. Both stayed a pointed 5 feet away from their angry sibling. Roman took out his wand and muttered a charm to fix the cupboard. With a sigh, he sat down on his bed, then flopped down on it.
"Fine. You win. I'm mad."
"Fly. Take your mind off things. Work your anger out the proper way," Craven advised.
"Proper way?" Lucian raised his eyebrow. "Brother dear, you're going soft." Craven looked horror stricken and Roman had to snicker.
"Manda Hartnam's always been willing. Or Chelle," Lucian pointed out. Roman shrugged.
"I don't feel like fucking around on my last night."
"Roe, now YOU'RE turning soft."
"Never that, brothers dearest."
"Hunter's always around if you want to beat someone up," Craven offered.
"If I wasn't the Head Boy, I'd seriously think about it."
"What happened to that when you beat him up last week?" Lucian raised his eyebrows.
"It was a…lapse in judgement."
Lucian snorted. "Please. Don't think it's criticism, brother dearest. I applaud you and will forever come to your aid if you need it. Especially if it includes Hunter, my fist and his nose."
The three brothers cracked up. Brock Hunter was the "arch enemy". The three of them disliked him with a passion. Brock was the average American jock with his spiky blond hair, blue eyes, stocky and muscular build and tanned skin. He played beater in Thurden house.
There were five houses in Salem: Thurden, Kialen, Sayven, Locke and Roeld. Thurden, Kialen and Sayven were named after brothers that had founded the school: Thurden, Kialen and Sayven Rockhart. Locke was named after the woman Kialen was prophesised to marry: Rachel Locke. Roeld was the name of the seer who always accompanied the Rockhart brothers: Morgana Roeld. Roman, Lucian and Craven were in Kialen, and Thurden and Kialen were rival houses. They could be described as the Slytherin and Gryffindor of Salem, although the basis and principle of the sorting was different from Hogwarts'.
Roman smiled at his brothers. They helped him. No matter how much they bitched and fought, the three were close. He grinned.
"Lets fly. And see if we can find that git, Hunter."
Lucian and Craven grinned.
"Way ahead of you, brother," Craven said and Lucian waved his wand. Three brooms appeared leaning against the wall. Roman cheered, taking off his robes and slipping on a Football jersey. Turning to his brothers, he grinned.
"Let's go hunt us a Brock."
"Hear hear!"
The three grabbed their brooms and followed Roman to the windowsill. The took off from the window, then took a smooth nosedive down the building. Roman leaned down over his broom, plummeting straight for the ground. Several people on the ground looked up and started screaming. Roman's usually immaculate dark hair was flapping in the air and his shirt was billowing out. A look of complete relaxation on his face. At the very last moment, his face changed to that of complete concentration and he pulled hard at his handle. More screams erupted as he just managed to pull himself out of the dive.
When he was sure that the manoeuvre had gone without hitch, he whooped. Threw up his arms and yelled.
"Nice Wronski Feint!" Craven yelled at him. Roman grinned at him.
"I know!"
Roman landed smoothly and ran his hand through windswept hair. Most of the tension had left his body. Nearly dying does that to you. He felt someone approach him and turned around.
"Nice flying, stranger."
"Thanks." He grinned at the curvy blonde that now stood next to him. "Always good to know that you're watching."
The blonde's lips curved. "You know I always watch you fly. You're poetry in the air, Roe."
"You're poetry anywhere."
She laughed, a husky laugh. "That was just corny. But thanks. You want to celebrate your last day in Salem?"
"With you, Chelle?" he grinned teasingly. She smiled back at him.
"Of course with me."
"I might consider it."
"Consider it quick. The offer's not forever."
"I'll think about it."
Chelle smiled and started to walk away. Roman touched his hand on her shoulder. She turned around, smiling seductively at him. Raised an eyebrow in question.
"I've made my decision," he said and pulled her to him. His mouth descended on hers.
"Oh, yes," she murmured just before his mouth closed over hers. When they pulled away, she smiled. "Thank Merlin the rumours were true."
He raised an eyebrow. "There were rumours?"
"Everything to do with you has a rumour."
"I don't know whether I should be flattered or worried."
"Be flattered," she breathed before she pulled him down for another kiss.
Above them, the two other Snape brothers were watching the activities on their brooms.
"Well, looks like brother found the proper way to get rid of tension," Craven commented.
"We already knew that it was going to happen. I bet it was Chelle. Pay up, brother."
"Dammit."
"Language, brother. One would think you were a common cretin," Lucian said, a tad smugly as he counted the bills his brother had handed over.
"You're insufferable."
"We are insufferable," Lucian corrected with a smirk. Craven smirked right back.
"That we are."
The two watched as their brother and Chelle walked away towards the mansion that they all called home.
"Quidditch pitch?" Craven suggested innocently.
"Why brother, isn't Thurden practicing today?" Lucian asked, equally innocent.
"Why, I do believe you're right!"
"What shall we do, brother?"
"Shall we…gate crash?"
The two smirked wickedly before nodding. They simultaneously began flying towards the quidditch pitch, robes billowing behind them.
"Roman."
He didn't turn around. He recognised the voice only too well. He had been trying to avoid her.
"Roman."
He kept on walking, increasing his pace a little. He knew it was rude and childish, but he couldn't help himself. He felt the need to lash out, no matter how small a way.
"Roman Raquel Snape!"
Roman flinched. She'd pulled the full name on him. She knew that he hated it and only used it in dire circumstances. So he sighed, stopped. But he refused to turn or acknowledge her in any other way.
"Don't be like this."
More silence.
"Roman. I'm your mother. I brought you up better than this."
Ouch. Another low shot. And one that he couldn't do anything about. So he turned around and looked at her for the first time in 3 days. He'd ignore her, pretend she wasn't there. He'd looked over her, around her. sometimes his eyes flicked to her, but he never properly looked at her in days. He was shocked to see how tired she looked.
"You look exhausted, ma. You know you should sleep more."
"Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?"
"Maybe."
"Do you hate me that much?"
"I don't hate you, Mom."
"Could've fooled me."
"Mom," Roman shook his head. "Don't. Not today. I don't hate you. I might be angry or confused. My pride might be hurting. But I don't hate you. Never have and never will."
"Never say never," she said lightly.
"Mom."
"Right, right. Sorry. I am, though. Sorry, I mean. I didn't mean to slap you."
"You were entitled to. I know I would've slapped me had I been in your place."
"I…I just hate it when you demean your father. He's a great man. He deserves your respect if not your love. And I love him. I don't like him being disrespected and made fun of. I hate him being put down. He had enough of that in his childhood and from other people. He doesn't need it from his family."
"I know. I just…I don't know him very well. And I don't know your story. I just…I just can't understand it, from what I do know." He sighed. "I'm really sorry. I wish that I had a better opinion of him. But what I do know of him really doesn't give me a choice."
"I know, Roe. I do know that. I just…I want so much for all of us to be a family."
"Bit hard when we're in America and he's in England."
"Not so hard. We've got floo. But all of us are busy and…and times are hard, there. What with Voldemort's uprising."
"I know."
A bell rang throughout the building. Roman looked up. "Graduation ceremony. Look, Mom, I gotta go. I love you, you know."
"I love you, too."
"I know." He hugged his mother, hard. "I'm gonna miss you when I'm gone."
"You're going to visit, right? You're not just going to forget all about us." Venetia sniffed. Roman snorted.
"Fat chance. What between you and Craven and Lucian, I'll never be rid of this place!"
Venetia laughed. Kissed his cheek. "Go. On with you. You're going to be late. I'll see you after you get back from your travels."
"This GAP year should be good," he grinned. "I'll tell you all the gory details."
Venetia snorted. "I'll pass. I'd probably prematurely age. Your brothers would love it, though."
"I'm sure they would."
"Do you really have to go sky diving or bungee jumping?"
"Mom."
"I know, I know. You told me this already. But it just seems so needlessly…dangerous."
"If something happens, I'll cast a lighting charm on myself. I'll be fine."
"You better. I don't want to lose you, Roe."
"You won't. Seriously, Mom. I'm not leaving you guys any time soon." He looked slightly uncomfortable. Venetia laughed.
"Go on. I can tell this is getting too touchy feel-y for you. Go to the ceremony. Have fun. Get drunk. Sleep with a girl. Disappear on us tomorrow. I'll see you in a few months."
"You might see me before then," he said, mysteriously. When Venetia raised a questioning eyebrow, Roman laughed. "Hell if I'll tell you what's the what. And I intend on having fun…and all the things mentioned."
Roman managed to dodge Venetia's swatting arm and danced out of the way. He laughed and ran off in his tux. Venetia smiled softly. Her baby boy all grown up. It was hard, letting them go. She was doing a pretty good job of it, she guessed.
With a sigh and a last look, she went on her way back to her quarters. She snorted. All of the above indeed. That boy really was too open with her. She grinned. She wondered if she would win the bet with Craven and Lucian tonight. Let the girl be Lucille Cummins.
Roman carefully got out of bed the next morning. His head was killing him and he had to be extra careful not to wake his bed partner. He turned around to make sure that she was still asleep to see her looking at him.
"Going already?"
"The earlier I'm there, the better."
"We'll be seeing you around?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. Roman shrugged.
"You never know. You might be lucky." He grinned. Leaned down and kissed her softly.
"Have fun."
"Funny, that's what my Mom said to me about last night."
"Did you?"
"I'm with you, aren't I?" He leaned down and kissed her again. And again. She put her hand on his shoulder, slid it up to the nape of his neck. Tangled her fingers in his hair.
"Stay," she murmured. "Just for five minutes."
"Five minutes?" Roman raised an eyebrow.
"Well, maybe more." She grinned. "Consider the offer?"
"Consider it considered," he said and she tugged him back on the bed.
"Pay up."
"How'd you know it'd be Lucy?" Craven complained. "I would've thought it would be Chelle."
"Never underestimate the appeal of a girl like Lucille Cummins on your last day. Plus I over heard that Brock Hunter wanted to score on Lucille last night." Venetia grinned wickedly. Craven and Lucian groaned.
"That is so not fair!"
"Mother."
"Hey, we made a bet fair and square."
"Withheld information!" Lucian protested.
Venetia snorted. "Like you wouldn't use that trick on me."
Both boys opened their mouths. Then stopped. Turned to each other.
"Craven?"
"Yes, Lucian?"
"Me thinks that the woman has caught us out."
"Me thinks so as well."
"What are we going to do?"
"Well, I guess we have to torture her."
"Yes," Lucian sighed. "I'm afraid we must."
"Don't you dare come near me."
Both boys had identical looks of mischievous wickedness on their faces.
Roman looked around him. That was his room. So bare and empty, now. All signs of him removed. He sighed. He'd called this place home for so many years. Now he was going. He sighed again. He walked around his room one last time, then walked to the door. He shrunk his trunk and placed it in his backpack. Picked up his broom and shrunk it as well. Placed that in his backpack. Took one last look around the room that he'd stayed in since…ever. He had been a young boy when his mother had gotten the position in Salem and they had been given rooms. Roman had stayed in his rooms, while his brothers had opted to stay with their house. So he had been there for years and years and it really was his room. And he was going to leave it. Forever.
"Guess this is goodbye." He sighed. Then he went to the fireplace. Took out some floo powder on the mantelpiece. Threw a handful in and shouted, Hogwarts!. That was one of the changes he'd made to his plans. He was going to Hogwarts. His mother didn't know, his brothers didn't know. Best of all, his father didn't know. Well, he'd be getting to know the man better, now. A second later, he felt the sickly spinning sensation of the floo. He landed unsteadily, and when he righted himself, he saw the astonished face of a dark haired man. He smiled weakly.
"Hello, father."
End of the first chapter. I know this one has been promised for ages, but I haven't had a lot of time. Although I have to admit that I'd actually done most of this today. The date is 10th December 2003, by the way. End of term is in 2 days!!! It's 11 pm and I'm supposed to be sleeping. The rest of my dorm mates are. So I really do have to go. Hope this is well liked. I'm not quite sure where this came from, but I've been writing for 4 solid hours. Straight. So I'm a bit knackered.
Review…You know you want to…