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Chapter six: Happy Holidays
Severus climbed the stairs to his room, trying hard to ignore the pain in his right leg and arm. Mordred had been "teaching" him how to fly but to Severus it seemed like he was trying to kill him and make it look like an accident. And if he did fall of the broom or did something wrong, Mordred would beat him up. Not enough to disable him or stop him from taking a class, but hard enough for Severus to feel the sting some time afterward. Today he had lost his grip, his hand going numb from the chill winter air and had fallen on his arm and leg. If that wasn't enough his brother almost dislocated his shoulder when he pulled him up saying the lessons were over. At least this had been his last flying lesson until after Christmas. Soon his brother would be leaving for his house and Severus would be staying in Hogwarts, or so everyone thought. His mother had already arranged everything and would pick him up in Hogsmeade. The only thing he needed was someone to take him there. Severus was half way up the stairs when he heard someone come in the door into the common room. Checking back to see he recognized Milady in the dim light of the fireplace. She looked nervous, scared that someone might see her come in. then an idea came to the boy. She could be the one to take him to Hogsmead! Severus began to run down but slowed when the pain in his leg got worse. He reached the end and waked to the young woman who was standing in front of the fire reading something.
"Lady?" he said using the name by which he had heard her friends call her. She jumped when she heard the voice but clamed down when she saw it was him.
"Hello Sev," She said crumbling up the paper she had been reading and turning to the boy. "Why are you up so late?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"More nightmares?" she sat down and signaled for him to do the same.
"Not really. I wanted to ask you a favor..."
The next day was his last day before the break. Severus had made an effort to stay away from his brother, but that night, as always, Mordred found him. He was in the Great hall and was finishing a Potions essay he had to hand in that day. M had just gotten up and had gone to her room to sleep since it was well into the night. Mordred came up to him and took the parchment away from him. Lucius was nowhere to be seen.
"What does this mean?" he said shoving a piece of parchment in his face. Severus recognized his father's handwriting in the paper
"It's a letter from father. "
"Don't get smart with me!" He answered grabbing the boy and bringing him nearer and his hand passed over the table. Severus watched with horror as the ink smeared over his essay.
"You ruined-"
"That essay is the least of your worries. What are you planning this Christmas?"
"I'm just staying here." Severus could feel tears filling his eyes. His essay was ruined and Mordred had discovered his mum, or so it seemed.
"What did you do? What teacher wants you to stay?"
Severus calmed a bit. At least he hadn't discovered anything after all.
"No one, I just want to st-"
"You've been failing the name of the family ever since you were even created! You've failed in everything! I can't believe father gave you, the bastard son, his name! He should have never taken your half-blood bitch of a mother in!"
"Don't talk about mother that way! She's your mother to!"
"My mother? Honestly Severus I thought you were smarter than that. My mother was a pure blooded witch, worthy of using the Snape name; your mother was nothing, you're just a one night stand gone wrong."
Severus eyes went wide. He couldn't believe what his brother was saying. He wanted it all to be one of his cruel jokes. But his dark eyes were colder than usual. Mordred smiled slowly. It was time Severus knew a few things...
The morning of December 14th was exceptionally cold. The November rains had turned to December snows. Severus walked toward the town of Hogsmead escorted by Lady and her friends. They were a nice lot, and spent the whole walk to the town discussing their plans for the holidays. Severus kept quiet most of the way, not because he was shy with this group but because he didn't get half of what they were talking. Also because he didn't want to talk to anyone.
"Hey Snape-"
"Severus"
"Sorry Lady, Severus, what do you think?"
"Uh..." Severus hadn't paid that much attention, they had been trying to convince the girl named Molly to go with them somewhere.
"If you were invited to the show of a lifetime, would you pass up the opportunity?"
"I don't think so..."
"See Molly! You have to come!"
After this nothing else was said. He didn't felt like talking, the conversation with his brother was still fresh in his mind. It had to be a joke; his brother was cruel enough to think of that. Memories filled his head. He remembered people coming to visit, paying attention only to Mordred. He used to think that it was because his brother was such a good student and such, but it was because they were his family, form his mother's side. He remembered the pile of present for Mordred every Christmas. He could have sworn that every witch and wizard in England had sent him a present. But it was because he had a family. Severus didn't. He knew his mother was alone; her father had died when she was little and her mother had mysteriously disappeared a bit before Severus was born. This was what bothered him. The fact that he and Mordred were only half related was a dream come true; the fact that he didn't have a family was a nightmare. But he wouldn't believe it, not until the person that mattered the most told him if it was true.
Lady and Severus entered walked near a small pub called Three broomsticks, they both stayed outside as her friends went in. After a few minutes his mothered appeared. She was rather young with long wavy black hair and a face full of kindness ad love. She was the complete opposite of his father and brother. Severus ran to her and hugged her hard. For a moment all that was bothering him was forgotten.
"Did you miss me?" she said kneeling, with a small smile on her face.
"More than you think." He said and hugged her once more.
"I guess I'll leave you two alone," said Lady smiling"Happy Christmas, Severus, Mrs...."
"Pendragon, Ms. Pendragon"
"Ok, Ms. Pendragon, happy Christmas"
She watched as the young woman went inside the pub. After a minute Severus let go of his mother.
"Want to go home or want to stay here for a while." She asked him. The word home suddenly reminded him of the conversation between him and Mordred. He forced a small smile and told her he wanted to go home.
Her house was small, just big enough for both of them. The one floor cottage was made o bricks and had a bit of a Victoria touch to the structure. As he came in, Severus felt a sudden warmness fall over him. Back home in the Snape Mansion the atmosphere was always cold and full of fear. Having the look of a medieval castle, Severus had never felt calm or safe in his father's house. Now this place made him feel right at home instantly. There was a small fire roared in the living room already when he came in. The house was clean and had a faint smell of something coming from the kitchen. Like his mother, this house was the complete contrary of his life up to the moment. His mother guided him through the small hall to the second room to the right. Opening the door Severus saw a room just like the one he had in his house, but a lot more homey. Instead of the dark, bleak colors he was used to, the room was decorated by warm and inviting. Severus looked at her and smiled.
"It's great."
His mother smile with relived, having been al the time worried that he wouldn't like it.
"Well, you settle down and I'll make you some lunch." With this she left the boy in the room. Severus put his bags own and laid down in the bed and closed his eyes. He opened them a bit latter to find his mother sitting beside him stroking his hair.
"How long have you been there?" he said rubbing his tired eyes.
"About a few minutes, are you feeling ok? You look like you didn't sleep at all last night."
"I'm ok, a bit hungry."
She smiled and kissed the top of his head, then got up and went to get dinner ready. From the aroma Severus felt it was definitely something good. A few minutes latter he found himself in the small kitchen table eating the roasted chicken his mother had prepared. If any one had try to read his mind at that moment they would have a headache just trying. He had to ask her now, or he never would. He lifted his eyes from his food to see his mother eating, and then she smiled when she saw him looking at her. This was going to be hard. Severus didn't want to ruin the first night he spent in his mother's house; he didn't want to make her sad. Severus went back to his food, which he hadn't eaten at all. Calm down Severus, he told himself, just look for an opening line to begin the conversation. This was easier thought than done. But what kind of line could he use for what he wanted to ask. 'Hey mum, am I a bastard?' was way to direct. 'Mum, did you and Dad love each other?' would not be clear enough and his mother would probably think he meant the separation that had come soon after she had left the house. That he understood perfectly. How would he ask her? And not only that, how would she react? Would she be angry? Would she be sad? Maybe it was all a lie and she would be mad, how could he think that of her? Or memories would begin to fill her head and what seemed like a happy holiday would be ruined before it started. Severus kept playing around with his food; the several scenarios in his head were taking away his appetite. What if she sent him back to school? Then there was the fear of all being true. He was indeed alone with his mother; they were the only people each other had. He looked up, ready to ask her, but she didn't let him.
"Are you alright Severus? You haven't eaten at all."
"I'm fine," he said turning back to his food. Come one Severus just ask! He said to himself.
"Severus doesn't try to hide, something is wrong. You can tell me anything you know that."
"I know," Yeah, everything except this. He took a bite from the chicken. He had to ask her or he would go mad.
"Severus, look at me." Her voice was calm, somber; not wanting to obligate him to talk but encouraging him to do it. Severus looked up." What is going on?"
Come on Severus, just say it! Just ask her!
"Mum...." Just be normal, calm, ask her in way shell understand but you won't seem direct. This plan was easier thought than done. A knot was forming in Severus's throat. She kept her eyes on him. Her deep black eyes, like a black hole that takes in all light he felt like she was taking in all his thoughts. Sound had suddenly left his mouth and he couldn't talk. His mother just sighted and kept on eating. He mentally kicked himself. The perfect opportunity to ask and he let it slip. Come on stupid just ask! 'Mum, how did you meet Dad?', 'Mum, am I adopted?', 'Mum, was I a mistake?' it's not that hard! Just ask her in a nice subtle way and she will answer with out a problem. He took a deep breath. If he didn't do it now he would never know it.
"Mum...was I...was I a one night stand?" he said staring at his food. He looked up when he heard his mother suddenly choke on the juice she was drinking. She put the glass down, took a few breaths and wiped her mouth, and then she turned to Severus.
"What?" Her voice had disbelief, surprise, and to Severus bad luck, sadness.
"Was I a one night stand?"
"How...what...were did you get this idea?"
"Mordred..." Great, now she would be mad at him. How could he think that of her, specially coming from Mordred? Severus lowered his gaze, waiting in the uncomfortable silence for his mother to begin scolding him. But after a few minutes nothing came. He looked up to se his mother's black eyes shining with tears. Great move Severus.
"What else did he tell you?" she said as she wiped her eyes.
Severus took a deep breath and recounted the story his brother had told him. How after Mordred's mother had died their father had meet her in Diagon alley. How their father had fallen under his mothers spell and she had gotten him to sleep with her. How all she had wanted was the money, knowing that Snape was a pureblood name and that meant money. How the reason he, Severus, had been born was to tie his father down. Severus looked up to his mother. It was all true; he could see it in her expression. Then she looked up at him and gave him a faint smile.
"I think you should hear what really happened. Yes, your father had been previously married, he told me soon after we met. He told me about Mordred, he was seven at the time. He never liked me much, can't say I blamed him, I would have too if I was in his place. I would have never wanted anyone to replace my parent's, so I didn't try to replace his mother. He did his best to push me away. He was happy when he found out I was half-blood."
"Why?" he moved to his mother and sat on her lap. She once again began to stroke his hair.
"When you father knew we had been together for some time, a few months really. We had even begun to think of making a permanent commitment. You father was a great man during that time and I loved him very much."
"Why did he hit you so much then?"
"Your fathers was great, and we loved each other, but as now, he came form a family with ideals of purity in blood. When he learned I was half- blood...he changed completely. That's when he began to get abusive, and I was ready to leave him, even if it mean I had to raise you alone. But he found out, not wanting to soil his reputation he took me in, we got married and I stayed for the next eleven years. Until I knew you would be in Hogwarts, away, that's when I decided to leave for good."
"Why are you hiding?" the questions were invading his mind and he needed answers. They spent the rest of the night talking, Severus asking and his mother answering what she could. She told him she would try to find a way to have him stay in the summer too. After a while they were both tired and decided to retire for the night. As he laid in his bed, Severus smiled to himself. It wasn't true, at least not all of it. He still wanted to have a big family that loved him like Mordred, but he was happy that his mother was with him, better a small family that none at all.
Christmas went by rather fast. Whenever his father sent a letter he received it and made sure to answer like if he was still at Hogwarts, which shouldn't spark any suspicions from his father. Christmas was full of happy days, almost as if they had never been apart, as if during all his life it had only been him and his mother. Severus didn't want the holidays to end, but January came soon, to soon for him, and it was time to go back to Hogwarts. And he had to get there before his brother appeared. He was their early in the morning and was sure to mess up his stuff a bit just in case Mordred checked his bedroom. Fortunately nothing happened and Mordred believed Severus had been there all holiday season. At night he went down to dinner with a smile on his face and saw that everyone was back. He walked to the Slytherin table and sat next to Milady. Immediately he noticed her face. She looked down, depressed, as if she had received extremely bad news.
"Lady, Are you ok?" he asked as he sat next to her. Suddenly Dumbledore stood up. The whole Hall went silent. No one spoke waiting to see what had happened.
"A quick announcement before we continue into dinner. I am sorry to announce that Mr. Arthur Weasley will not be able to continue his duties as Headboy during the rest of the year." Several groans followed, Arthur had been a rather liberal head boy. Dumbledore soon got control of the crowd. "I know you will all miss his reluctance to call anybodies attention. How ever, I am pleased to announce that his replacement is no other than Lucius Malfoy."
Emprezz Andromeda: As always my faithful reviewer! I must say that I felt so great when I read your review! I can't believe that someone besides my friends likes this so much! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.