Severus' letter had arrived shortly the next day. The ministry had set it up so that ministry workers would be sent out among the different shelters, and soon-to-be parents would be referred to the closest establishment to "choose" their new children. Of coarse, Hogwarts itself was housing children, so no trip had to be made.
At three o'clock Madam Pomphrey came to take over Severus' class of fourth year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. He had been dreading it all day, and it was time. Time to start the worst thing in his life, except maybe becoming a Death Eater.
Children; crying, laughing, running children. He despised them with a passion he had not felt sense the Dark Lord's last breath. Not that he hated the actual children themselves, but they represented the power that the ministry had over him. He was tired of people lording over him, as if he needed help living.
He gritted his teeth and strode over to a thin woman with tacky turquoise robes and a clipboard.
"Ah! You must be Mr. Snape, how nice to meet you," she replied cheerfully. We've drawn up a list of likely..."
"That's Professor Snape, and if you don't mind, I would very much like to just browse before I make a commitment," he bit out and brushed passed the woman.
"Well... that should... just be sure to... oh forget it," she stuttered, as Snape wasn't even listening to her.
There were close to seventy children, all looking rather dazed and frightened. He couldn't blame them; he had always evoked that sort of reaction. He could imagine the silent prayers going up that he would not pick them.
He definitely didn't want an infant, and he could see several bassinets and play pins set up in a corner. No doubt there were a lot of women who would be thrilled to take home a new baby. He didn't have to feel guilty about that.
He couldn't even begin to know how to care for a toddler. They wet the bed, and draw on the walls with crayons, and they're always growing out of their clothes.
He looked around for older children. He spotted some girls that looked about ten putting make up on each other and giggling. He mentally scratched out girls on his list. He didn't even want to imagine what that would be like.
He finally spotted a potential specimen. A boy who looked as if he might be about sixteen, sitting alone in a corner on top of a rather large looking trunk. He walked over to the kid, and on closer inspection was a little bit frightened of him, which was saying something. It was obvious why he had caught his eye.
He had on baggy black pants with chains, zippers, safety pins, and other non-functional accessories. A black t-shirt with "311" printed on the front, and more chains around his neck, along with something that looked suspiciously like bicycle chain and military dog tags. His ear was pierced with what, at a second glance, Severus realized was a nail bent into a hoop.
His hair was shaggy, jet-black, and looked as if it hadn't been brushed in several months, which reminded Severus of Potter, except that this boy had red streaks here and there. His eyes were the most unsettling things about him, because they were a stark contrast to his all black attire; pale blue, like ice.
His arms were also decked out, with a wide black leather band on the right with a watch face snapped onto it. Severus mentally noted that he must be left-handed. His right arm had a smaller black band with silver spikes. Two rings, one of a nautical star, and the other looked out of place. It was small, only big enough for his pinky, and was gold, unlike all the silver. Two tiny leaves on a plain band. Severus wondered about it. And horror of all horrors, all far as Severus was concerned, his fingernails were painted black.
Even though Severus stood directly in front of him, the boy did not actually acknowledge him until he spoke.
"What is your name?" Severus asked.
The boy just stared at him hard, as if evaluating the situation, whether or not he should answer. "Damian."
How fitting, Severus thought. Damian, a name of Greek origin, means to tame.
"You are from the Americas?"
"Yeah. Is there a point to all this questioning? Could you just hurry up and move on?" he answered.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was under the impression that you needed a home. I'm sure it's awfully hard being picked through like cattle, but I assure you it's just as degrading to be forced into adopting a kid you don't want," Severus bit out.
"Way to make me feel comfortable, comparing me with a cow you don't want," Damian said back.
"I will not take such disrespect." Severus barked.
"I suppose you never heard that little saying, the one that says you should treat others the way you want to be treated. I thought I was doing pretty good."
Severus was fuming.
"Uh, sir?" a voice from beside him said.
"WHAT?" he snarled. The lady in the turquoise robes jumped, and looked as if she wished to be anywhere else on the planet.
"Well, there are many others that are scheduled to come in today, and your session is almost up. I was wondering if you had made your selection..."
"I'll take this one," Severus snapped. "Does he come with a leash?" he hissed.
She tittered at his joke, and wrote something on her clipboard. "Sign here please," and handed him a quill.
He scribbled out his signature, and she left.
"I suppose those are you school things?" Severus asked, pointing to his trunk.
"No, I don't have any school stuff yet. That's just my guitars, amp, clothes, that sort of thing."
"Why arent you in school yet anyway, this is a School after all?" Severus asked tersely.
"I didn't have any money to pay tuition," he said, sounding a little embarrassed, but proud as all get out.
"Well that will change. You'll start tomorrow. We'll go get your school things in town today. And I never want to see fingernail polish on your nails again, or an earring. Is that understood?"
"The earring stays," Damian said defiantly.
"I don't think so," Severus said.
"I do. Compromise is better than nothing. Take it or leave it."
"Understand this," Severus barked. "You will respect me, and if you embarrass me I will punish you."
"That's fine, as long as you don't try to control me. I won't wear the polish if I can wear the earring. I want respect too, and you can handle that, I think this might work out. Oh, and I hope you don't expect me to call you father, because you'll be holding your breath for a LONG time."
"I shudder at the thought," Severus answered, "You may refer to me an Professor Snape or Sir. Now follow me. We'll have a house elf bring your trunk down."
Severus noticed that Damian looked around curiously as they walked through the corridors. The clink of the chains on his pants reverberated on the stone walls. "So you're a teacher here? What do you teach?"
"I am the Potions Master of the school," Severus answered.
"That's cool I guess. Potions is a pretty good subject for me, but I'm better in transfiguration."
"They reached Severus' quarters. "The password is sol lucet. Do not bring anyone in here without asking me first."
They entered into a den with a fireplace, leather sofa, two armchairs, and a coffee table. Damian could see into a room full of bookshelves on the right and an open kitchen to the left. There were two more closed doors.
"That's my room over there, do not go in there at any time unless under my specific order. The other door is the guestroom and bathroom, which will be yours. You can do whatever you want to it. You're free to use the kitchen as you please, but you'll be taking your meals in the great hall, so I doubt you'll need it. I would prefer that you use the school library, mine wouldn't be of much use to you anyway."
It had occurred to Severus that if his charge was old enough to attend school, that he could live in the dormitory of whatever house he was, but of coarse Dumbledore had other plans. He thought that it would be better if he stayed in his quarters, for "bonding" purposes.
Severus finished his spiel by saying, "I have a class to get back to, so make yourself at home. Ah, you also might want to see Headmaster Dumbledore about going into town, and getting yourself enrolled. I'll be very busy today, and I'm sure he could arrange something for you."
Damian found himself alone in a new place, but he didn't feel as depressed he thought he would be. He would definitely have to work on this Snape guy, but things could be worse.
He opened the guestroom door. The walls were white. That would have to change. On further inspection, he realized there was nothing to inspect. The room was absolutely empty, excepting his trunk that the elves had already brought down.
"Thank the Gods for transfiguration" he said aloud. But what would he transfigure? He found some towels in a closet and proceeded to make his room suitable.
When he was done he had a bed with black hangings, black silk sheets and a blood red comforter. His trunk was at the end of his bed. The walls were also black, with black lights lining the ceiling, making the neon on his posters glow when the lights were off. Red shag carpet, a plain dark wood dresser, desk, and a bookshelf running the length of one wall finished it off nicely. His electric guitar stood in one corner next to the amplifier, and the aucoustic was in its case under the bed.
It was only four o'clock, so he decided to find the Headmaster. Thankfully, he found him in a corridor, which tuned out to be right in front of his office.
"Hello sir, my name is Damian Martini. I guess I'm Snape's kid now."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"Anyway, I need to be enrolled, and then somehow I need to go to town and buy some school things."
"That can be arranged. You'll be sorted tomorrow at breakfast, and Hagrid has a free period now, so I'm sure he can take you down to the village," Dumbledore answered. "And it's nice to meet you Damian."
Damian found himself walking around with Hagrid the half giant buying school supplies in Hogsmead. Snape had a had an account with all the stores, even the quidditch shop, so he didn't have to worry about money.
They passed a pet shop, and Hagrid stopped. "We got ter git yer animal."
"I don't know if Professor Snape would like that..." Damian started.
"Nonsense. Anyone who's anyone has got an animal."
They entered the shop, and Damian looked around at all the animals. He saw owls, but he didn't expect he'd be sending or receiving much mail, now that he had no family. That thought sent a twinge of sadness and emptiness through him, but he moved on.
By the way he dressed and acted, you wouldn't think that Damian would like kittens. But he had a soft spot for them. One small grey one caught his attention; a wild hellion of the first order. He picked it up and it bit him. He decided he wanted it. It bit him again, and kicked at his hand with his hind legs, trying to get away.
"What yer goin' ter name im'?" Hagrid asked as they walked back towards the school.
"Demon, because he sure as hell acts like one," Damian replied.
Wow! I realize it's been FOREVER sinse I posted the first chapter, but here it is, chapter number 2! Look for more chapters soon.
