A/N: Thanks to my reviewers! I really appreciate it. Thanks for pointing out the spelling mistakes, I tried to proofread more carefully this time. By the way, the reasons why Severus' mother left will be explained in the future.
For Severus, the summer days passed more slowly than he ever could have imagined. It was an unseasonably warm summer, and each long hot day dragged on in a haze of boredom and discontent. Worst still, he could always summon a cooling charm to escape from the heat but had no escape from his father's unpredictable and often cruel temper.
It was only under the cover of darkness that Severus was able to feel at ease. As the unforgiving sun sunk into the horizon his father would also disappear to where ever it was he went, and Severus was able to freely roam the house and grounds beyond without fear of crossing the ill-natured man. Instead of fearing the darkness Severus embraced it, taking long walks in the lingering dusk and relishing the cool night air. Often he took Tiffy the house elf with him, walking the edge of the near-by wood in the comfortable silence of two creatures completely at peace.
In the shadow of the sliver moon Severus was able to forget nearly all his troubles, and concentrate only on the sounds of the dry grass crunching under his feet, or the soft breeze whispering through the trees. There was one dreadful thought however, that he somehow never managed to purge from his mind. The Malfoy wedding was quickly approaching, and Severus was overcome with a feeling of agonizing dread at the thought. At best it would be awkward and boring, but at worst it would provide yet another opportunity for Severus to painfully prove yet again how he truly didn't belong.
No matter how desperately Severus wished the day would not come, it approached like a predator in the distance. Finally one night Severus found himself stuck indoors, in the disgustingly hot sticky air, trying to force sleep to come. The next morning he would leave for the Malfoy Mansion, for three days of what was sure to be purgatory. Apparently it wasn't enough just to come the wedding, Malfoy had invited his guests for the entire weekend. Severus had learned from the owls he had received from Regulus (which he never answered of course), that Lucius had invited all of the Slytherins in his year and the next. This was hardly surprising, those who considered themselves true purebloods always stuck together in some sort of dysfunctional clan. What was surprising was that Severus was still considered part of this coveted group. His father apparently, was not. He had too many debts and had made too many enemies to be welcome in "good" society, but through some miracle that stain had not yet bleed onto Severus.
As he lay awake, casting one cooling charm after another, Severus wished for once that he had been left out. It would be easier to sink back into the rest of the wizarding world, however mundane he thought it was, than to force himself to be something he clearly was not. In his last waking thoughts, he listed for what felt like the millionth time, all the disadvantages that separated him from the rest. He had been isolated, he had no wealth, his family name was in near disgrace, and he had never been liked by anyone. With these unhappy thoughts plaguing his mind, he forced his eyes shut and slipped into a restless sleep.
0000
"You must never looked impressed." Severus' father lectured late the next morning. "Do you want them to think less of you?"
Severus listened silently, solemnly picking at the breakfast that Tiffy had prepared for him. He was too nervous to be hungry, but forced himself to eat. He was desperate to avoid any action that might invoke his father's anger.
"Lucius Malfoy would be a very valuable friend, Severus." His father continued. "If there is any opportunity to win his favor, you must take it."
Severus nodded, but inwardly scoffed at the thought. He doubted that Malfoy would clearly remember who he was, the invitation was a courtesy from one pureblood to another, just as his attendance was the duty of one pureblood to another. If his father believed this would be the key to all of the unlocked doors that kept the Snape family on the bottom steps of society's ladder, he must have been more delusional that Severus had ever believed.
"Should I go now?" Severus said at last, pushing his empty plate aside.
His father nodded, looking suddenly grim. Severus reached for his traveling bag, and allowed Tiffy to fuss and smooth out his robes. He reach for his wand, and fumbled when he felt the heaviness of his father's gaze upon him. He glanced up like frightened prey, sensing the older man's quickly darkening mood.
"I'll be back on Sunday morning, not too late." Severus said in a near whisper, his eyes purposely downcast.
He gasped when his father grabbed his wrist, and sunk his fingernails into the pale tender flesh of his forearm.
"This is your chance to make up for your pitiful existence." His father whispered in a low dangerous tone. "Prove to me that you're not completely worthless."
Severus sunk his teeth into his bottom lip, and shut his eyes tightly. He waited until his father had removed his hand and taken a step back, before waving his wand and disappearing with thunderous crack of air.
000
Severus found himself standing at the end of a long white-stone drive, staring up at a mansion so large it was breath-taking. Feeling foolish and unbelievably inferior in his second hand dress robes, he slowly made his way up to the house, his anxiety growing with each dreaded step. By the time he reached the towering front doors his knees were shaking, and his throat had gone dry.
With a thin shaking hand he reached for the dark silver knocker, then changed his mind and let his hand fall limply at his side.
"Stop!" He ordered himself in a frantic whisper. "Just get it over with."
No matter what his mind declared, he could not will his hand to move. He felt much like he had on his first day of Hogwarts, painfully shy, afraid, and sick with the knowledge that everyone already knew everyone else and would most likely team up against him.
"Do it!" He whispered again, this time a little louder.
"Do what sir?" A small voice inquired from behind him.
Severus drew in a horrified gasp, and spun around so quickly he lost his balance and had to steady himself. His heart began beating again when he realized it had been a house elf that had walked in upon his private moment of uncertainty, and thankfully not anyone that would give him grief over it.
"Henny thinks you must be here for master Lucius." The house declared, opening the doors with a wave of her tiny wrinkled hand. "Henny will bring you to him."
Severus nodded, and gratefully followed the small elf into a large marble foyer. Forgetting his father's orders not to seem impressed, Severus' eyes drank in the room with a barely restrained awe. Two large staircases framed the room, leading up to a large second floor balcony. Two hallways led from either side of the room, and with a glance Severus could tell each were lined with any number of expensive paintings and priceless sculptures.
"Master Malfoy is receiving his guests on the veranda, follow Henny." The house elf proclaimed, gesturing for Severus to come along.
He followed her down the long wide hallway, lagging behind as he stared at the beautiful works of art he passed. Some were enchanted, moving about in their own painted worlds or even shouting out to greet him, while others were obviously muggle made. The subjects trapped forever in the golden frames were still, but somehow seemed more alive than any Severus had ever seen.
"Just in here sir." Henny said, leading him down another hall and then out of two large glass doors.
Severus nodded his thanks, before hesitantly stepping outside. The veranda was large, with a broad ceiling protecting it from the sun. Tall columns lined the edges of the stone floor, lengths of white silk draped in between which drifted gently in the summer's breeze. Beyond lay a sprawling colorful garden, with bubbling fountains, fragrant flowers, and tall green hedges.
The sound of musical laughter drew Severus hesitantly towards the other end of the veranda, which otherwise appeared to be completely deserted. A soft breeze caught a length of silk and drew it up dancing into the air. Through the thin fabric Severus could see two obscured figures in white sitting on a bench, their heads bowed together like were sharing a secret. Pushing the silk aside, Severus took a trembling step forward. It was the dark haired girl that caught his eye first. She was sitting on her knees, a long white skirt tucked under her legs. A cascade of long black hair was draped over her shoulder, and she glanced toward him with a excited glimmer in her eye. He felt himself going pale, but only lost his breath when he looked at her companion.
She had been laughing, her fair cheeks turned pink and her red lips drawn up into a smile. Her golden blond hair was pulled back in an intricate style, with curls twisting down to rest on her nape of her neck. Her dress was nearly identical to her companion's, white, demure, and perhaps a bit old fashioned, but she had tied a thick green ribbon around her waist, framing her slight figure. Her laughter died when her bright green eyes flickered in his direction, and she tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear as if she was embarrassed to be caught in a moment of unrestrained mirth.
Suddenly feeling extremely awkward and embarrassed, Severus quickly looked down at his shoes, his breath catching in his throat. The girls feel silent as well, and he had the awful feeling that they were quietly assessing him with their bright eager eyes.
"Severus!" A smooth drawling voice echoed from behind. "Good of you to come."
Lucius Malfoy was walking across the veranda, wearing a broad smile. Severus immediately turned, wearing a startled expression. After a moment of indecision he extended his hand, but was caught off guard when Lucius chose to embrace him instead, as if they were old friends.
"So sorry I wasn't here to met you, I have some pressing business to take care of." Lucius explained. "I see you've met my sister Livia."
He gestured towards the blond girl, who nodded her head.
"That's Esra Lufkin, a friend of the family."
The dark haired girl smiled, and then leaned over to whisper something in her friend's ear. Livia nodded at what was said, and then both girls rose, smoothing out their long white skirts.
"Everyone is in the garden." Lucius explained, taking Severus by the elbow. "I'll introduce you."
Severus silently began to follow, feeling a slight unease at Malfoy's overly warm reception. Perhaps the young man wasn't as cold as Severus had remembered him? After all, Severus had only been a little first year, constantly underfoot and causing trouble. It could be understandable why Lucius hadn't given him the time of day then...
"Wait!" Esra implored, hurrying to reach them. "Can't we come as well?"
A dramatic smile graced Lucius' face, one that struck Severus immediately as being fake.
"Ladies, it will just be us gentlemen. I promise you would be very bored. Stay here, out of the sun. Call Henny and have her bring you something to drink."
"But Bellatrix is..." Esra protested, her voice falling away when Livia reached over and clamped her hand down on her forearm.
Without another word Lucius turned again, and quickly walked off of the veranda and into the bright sunshine. Severus followed, struggling to match his rapid pace. He turned only once, catching a glimpse of the two girls huddled together, whispering intensely.
"Are you coming?" Lucius asked, slightly annoyed to find the younger boy lagging behind.
Severus said nothing, but quickly closed the gap between them. They walked the garden path in silence, until Lucius stopped sharply beside a wall of hedges that grew tall overhead. It reminded Severus of the hedge mazes he had seen in pictures, only there was no way inside that he could see.
"I very much enjoy this part of the garden." Lucius explained, pausing to pull his wand from his robes "It's very private, some of the house elves don't even know this is here. There is no danger of our little party being interrupted by...outsiders."
With a whispered incantation an opening in the shape of archway appeared in the brush, and Lucius gestured for Severus to step through. He had the odd feeling of being in a dream as Lucius followed, sealing the entrance shut behind them. Cloistered hidden between the walls of greenery was a large stone mosaic complete with a bubbling fountain, with many boys that Severus recognized from Hogwarts standing scattered around it.
"Quite nice, isn't it?" Lucius said, tucking his wand back in his robes. "My father had it built in the image of the square beside our mansion in Venice, it was very costly of course."
Severus nodded dumbly, unsure of what to say. He followed Lucius into the gathering of young men, averting his eyes whenever they passed someone he recognized.
"Regulus Black has been waiting for you to arrive." Lucius said over his shoulder. "The young man seems to have an overwhelming amount of confidence in you."
"I've taught him some simple hexes." Severus spoke for the first time, his voice so low Lucius had to strain to hear him. "But that was really all."
"Yes, I imagine you must have felt sorry him. One can never be held responsible for one's family, can they Severus?"
Feeling this was a direct reference to his father, Severus nodded enthusiastically. Malfoy smiled smugly, and then led them towards Regulus. He was standing beside a very pretty woman who Severus didn't recognize, wearing a troubled expression.
"You already know Regulus of course." Lucius drawled, turning on his charms again. "This is my very beautiful future sister-in-law, Bellatrix Lestrange."
Regulus smiled, looking relieved. Bellatrix stared at Severus for a moment, sucking in her cheeks.
"Bellatrix, this is Severus Snape." Lucius continued. "He's something of a mentor to Regulus here. I'm sure he knows more dark magic than even you."
Lucius followed this with an amused laugh, while Bellatrix raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow.
"I doubt that." Bellatrix sneered, and with a rustle of silk turned and sauntered away slowly in the other direction.
Evidently in a matter of seconds Severus had been weighed, measured, and found wanting. Not sure whether to feel embarrassed or angry Severus chose instead to turn to Regulus, who looked much more at ease now that Bellatrix had gone.
"I have some business to see to." Lucius said, suddenly agitated. "Regulus, see to our friend please."
Lucius quickly followed Bellatrix, his shoes tapping on the colorful stone bricks underfoot.
"Don't worry about Bellatrix." Regulus said, once Lucius was out of earshot. "She doesn't care for me either."
Severus offered a grim smile, feeling vulnerable without Lucius to guide him. He didn't know half the people here, and the ones he did know disliked him.
"You see that man looking at us? That's Rodolphus Lestrange." Regulus gestured towards an imposing man standing beside the fountain. "He's married to Bellatrix, and that man next to him is his brother, Rabastan."
Rabastan caught them staring back, and tipped his hat in their direction. Regulus looked pleased with himself, and wasted no time in grabbing Snape's arm and tugging him in their direction.
"Lucius said I should introduce you around, come on."
Severus paled a little, but followed none the less. What was he do? If only he was on his own he could stand safely in the corner, and avoid these painfully embarrassing meetings. But that would seem rude, and at the moment he much more to lose by angering everyone than by making a fool of himself.
He might as well follow Regulus around and shake some hands, anyway he was sure he would soon be forgotten. To these people, he must seem as insignificant as a house elf. Anyway, what was the worst that could happen?