A/N: As usual (well, not really because I've only done it once before), I'll reply to my reviewers on my Yahoo! Group: DRFicsyahoogroups.com

Godric's Hollow, Wales, the next day.

Severus Snape pulled the blankets of his bed up tighter around him as he heard footsteps on the stairs. 'Please don't let them come up here, please no.'

"Happy Birthday!"

Severus inwardly groaned. 'So much for birthday wishes coming true.' He opened his eyes and half-heartedly glared at his wife, Trishia.

"Sorry, I couldn't make them wait," she apologized, but it was clear she didn't mean it.

"Make a wish, Daddy!" Carrie, his seven-year old daughter screeched.

Behind her, his oldest daughter (17), Brianna, had the same look in her eyes. "Go for it, dad."

And behind her, his only son, Carl, age 13, watched his father get tortured by his siblings with the trademark Snape smirk on his face.

"Go for it, huh?" Severus smiled. "Okay, I'll go for it." He blew out the candles and his family cheered. His gaze lingered on the message sprawled across the top of the cake as they thrust presents at him.

WELCOME TO THE BIG 50!

Le Mort, France

An old run-down appartment building sat in the middle of town, surronded by other run-down appartment buildings, in a town of all run-down appartment buildings, in a world of ........ You get the point.

But this one was different. It was the home of our hero.

At least, for today.

And he was laying on a dingy bed in the corner of the room.

Beside the bed, the alarm clock suddenly blared to life. The sound of 'Silver Bells' filled the room and he snapped awake, instantly alert.

He sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes, and glanced over at the doorway where his new collie (he quaintly dubbed Sam) sat waiting.

"Sam, today is the first day of the rest of my life," Raven said, before grabbing his cigarette pack and lighting one up.

Back to Godric's Hollow

It was a typical morning for the Snapes. Carl sat, staring at the TV, and totally ignoring Carrie's incessant wailing. Trishia was burning eggs in the kitchen, while Severus scurried around everywhere getting ready for work.

"Honey, what's this on my tie?" he asked.

She looked carefully before declaring, "An ugly spot."

"Thanks," he said sarcastically. "Sharp as a pin you are."

"I love you, too."

"Hey, kid, turn off the waterworks, okay?" Severus said, peering into the living room as the phone rang.

Carrie pointed angrily at Carl. "Daddy, he changed the channel!"

"She's a crybaby, Dad," Nick argued back.

"How about I give you something to cry about." Severus picked up a copy of the Daily Prophet and handed it to Carrie. "See? Starving children. They haven't eaten. It's very sad. Cry."

He headed back to the kitchen, Carrie calling out, "Daddy, you're weird."

"Thank you, Carrie. Hear that, honey, the children think I'm weird."

"They're bright children," Trishia retorted as she hung up the phone. "Honey, you know a woman named Amelia Bones? I know the name's familiar ....... "

"Amelia Bones ...... ?" Severus pondered, before his eyes widened. "Merlin, Amelia Bones! What's she want?"

"The office called. She's been trying to reach you for three days now."

"I haven't talked to her in ..... ten years? No, wait a minute, that would make me fifty years old. That can't be right."

"You're not getting older, you're getting better."

"Inform the children of this," Severus replied as he kissed her on top of the head. "Forget the eggs, I'll eat later."

"Whatever." There was a small silence then, "Honey, where have I heard the name Amelia Bones before?"

"She was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcment at the Ministry. Before it collapsed."

Trishia's eyes widened. "Oh, that Amelia Bones."

Back to Le Mort

Raven entered his living room in only a pair of pants. His muscled back was covered in scars. He flipped on the TV and sat on the couch. After opening and throwing a bag of peanuts to Sam, he grabbed a bottle of asprin from his coffe table, downed three without water, and finished a half-eaten sandwich that was lying next to it. Yum.

He went over to his kitchen counter, picked up a gun, and put it in his belt. He strapped three knives on next and fastened a wand into a holster on his forearm. He pulled on a faded crimson jacket and poured himself a shot of wiskey. He downed it, staring at the wall. A picture more precisley. Of Raven, only much younger, and pretty woman in a wedding gown.

He spun around and threw the shot glass at the TV, shattering the screen.