A/N: Chapter two complete! Thanks to Roxy Black for being my first reviewer. And to Roxy Black and Junsui about their reviews: you are correct my friends!

Please read and review.

He was turned out of his home when he was only fifteen years old, by his parents. His father (a muggle), and his mother (a witch), both agreed he was good for nothing. It was too difficult to feed and clothe him, especially since he couldn't pay for anything. Severus knew the Snape family were poor, but he didn't think his parents could be so heartless, as to throw him out on the streets with such frostiness. He had tried begging to them, pleading for their love, but once glance at their scrawny child made up their mind for them. Without a choice, Severus packed all his possessions in a single suitcase (with the aid of a magical reduction charm of course). With a heavy heart he set off, gaining independence much too soon.

It wasn't advisable for under aged wizards to roam the streets unattended. The current headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, agreed he could stay in a small flat near the school, with regular visits from him, until he was old enough to take care of himself. Although it meant a life of solitude (save for the unwanted visits from Dumbledore), it was far better than the life with his parents. For the next two years Severus struggled through school socially, but passing all his exams with flying colours was a cinch. Defence Against the Dark Arts was his forte, followed by Potions. In fact he had the brains to be an Auror. However, Slytherin was a house known for the evil, highly popularised by the founder: Salazar Slytherin.

After Severus had passed his NEWTs, he tried to pursue a low-key career. Dumbledore had stopped visiting but gently reminded him there were those who care for him. To Snape the words seemed hollow. He moved to another flat, to be as far away from Hogwarts as possible. He worked at several places in Knockturn Ally, including Borgin and Burkes and a certain shop that sold flesh-eating slug repellents. Due to his lack of social skills, he was soon transferred to work in the back room of shops. Working in a shop didn't suit him. He preferred to use his intellect to do something profound. But what? Since he had little money, he could only carry on working. Luckily Mr. Borgin let him borrow books from the shop for him to take notes. At night in his little apartment he made thousands of notes, studying and allowing the knowledge to sink in. He mainly taught himself curses, potions and defending spells. At thirteen, he started Occlumency and carried on mastering the art in the shop.

Two years later, at nineteen years old he received a visit from his mother. The shock of seeing the woman, who disowned him after four years, was almost too much to bear. She came to Borgin and Burkes and asked to visit his son. Mr. Borgin was naturally perplexed; he didn't feel the need to pry when employing anyone. Once they had the markings of a dark wizard then they were suitable.

"Are you talking about Severus?" he asked, hesitantly.

Eileen Prince straightened up and sniffed. She wasn't an attractive woman: her brows were heavy, and she had a long pale face. "Yes, is he here?" she asked roughly. Borgin didn't fail to notice the outline of a twelve-inch wand she had concealed under her robes. She seemed unusually composed for someone who had not seen her son for four years and was about to.

Borgin seemed unsure of what to do. The fact that Severus hadn't mentioned his parents since they first met (at the age of fifteen) was more than enough evidence to assume he had a dire relationship with them. Borgin didn't want to betray Snape's trust. On the other hand, that wand looked pretty big. He cleared his throat. "Yes he's in the back. I'll go get him for you." He warily stepped into the back room. Snape was, as usual practising magic.

"Severus, there's someone here to see you."

Snape's reaction was immediate. His head snapped upwards and looked at Borgin suspiciously. His first thought was Dumbledore.

"Who?"

Cautiously Borgin replied, "I think it's your mother."

Snape's pallid face grew paler. He gripped the side of a cupboard, knocking down a potion. It burned a small hole in the floor as well as releasing a thick green cloud. When it had cleared, Snape pointed a trembling hand at the ground and repaired the hole with his wand. "W-why is she here?"

"I don't know," Borgin replied apologetically. When Snape had finally left the room, Borgin cursed. 'I only had one of that potion left!'

Snape made his way to the counter, where Eileen stood. He didn't know what to say. She too looked slightly apprehensive. Severus was wondering whether she was here to apologise and make amends. He pushed the thought away, though little part of him wanted to hope.

"Hello mother," he said stiffly.

"Severus…you look just like you did…when I last saw you."

"You mean when you and father kicked me out of the house."

Eileen didn't look sorry. "I hope you're not going to continue using that ungrateful tone with me!" Snape's eyes blazed, and he took out his wand. She withdrew hers.

"I see you've acquired a decent wand now."

"Mr. Borgin helped me pay for it."

"I see Borgin is helping you out in more ways than one."

Severus put his wand away. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play stupid. Look around you. This shop is full of dark magical artefacts. Surely you haven't been learning about the dark arts?" She asked the question as if she already knew the answer.

Severus paused. "Yes…I've…I've been teaching myself things."

"Yes?" she pressed. "Like what?" There was no mistaking the eagerness in her voice.

He frowned and turned away. "Why do you care? You've pretended I didn't exist for fifteen years…"

She grabbed his shoulder. "For the first fifteen years of your life you were no use to us. But now you've gained knowledge of darker magic – something that wasn't taught in Hogwarts!"

Snape smiled bitterly. "So the only reason you care about me now, is because I'm of use to you?"

"Not of use to me boy, but to use of-"

Borgin chose that moment to come out the back room. Eileen's hand dropped. He detected a conspicuous change in the atmosphere. His eyes shifted to Eileen and then to Severus. "Severus, are you okay?"

"Yes." Borgin detected some hurt in his voice. He hoped Snape wouldn't choose to leave. Good workers were hard to find… "Mr. Borgin, do you think we could have a little privacy?"

"Yes, yes of course." Eileen and Severus walked into the back room. He sighed.

Eileen took a glance at Severus' worktable. Her eyes fell on some carefully produced notes. She glanced at them in interest. "Is this what you've been learning?" she asked, impressed.

"Yes. Occlumency at its highest level."

Eileen laughed harshly. "I'm guessing you can resist Legilimency now."

"Of course."

"Even those at a high level?"

"Yes."

Eileen had a strange expression on her face. There was clear nervousness, with subtle hints at excitement. "What about that old fool, Dumbledore? Can you resist him?"

Snape wrinkled up his brow, pausing to think. "He's never performed Legilimency on me before. I don't know why. I think he trusts me."

Eileen half giggled. "At least we have one less person knowing you practise the dark arts!"

"I guess," he replied, fidgeting slightly. "Where's father?" he asked suddenly.

Eileen cleared her throat. "Your father…died not too long ago."

Severus' expected a cold wave to crash through him, but he felt nothing but numbness. "How did he die?" he managed to ask.

"He had a weak heart…"

"And you couldn't help him?" shouted Snape angrily.

"Well…your father was a muggle. And in our times, wizardry is more important."

"You let him die because he was a muggle!" Severus wasn't angry his father had died and Eileen had failed to help. He was angry because of the reason she failed to help. Clear prejudice. "I'm a half-blood if you didn't realise!"

"Yes I know. The most important part is that half of you is magic!" The words slightly stung him. She rifled through his papers. Half of him wanted to stop her: these notes were private. But the other half wanted her respect. She paused on one piece of parchment.

"The Imperius Curse?" she half whispered, new found respect creeping into her voice.

"Yes," he whispered back.

"Does…does that man you work for know about this?"

"He may have suspected, but he hasn't said anything. Anyway…why are you here?"

Eileen cleared her throat. "Have you heard of Tom Riddle?" Severus stopped short. Of course he had heard about the rising wizard. There had been many incidents in the Daily Prophet about the Death Eaters, Unforgivable Curses and frequent signs of the Dark Mark. The Ministry of Magic was currently in shambles due to the spies used: either Death Eaters or people under the effect of the Imperius Curse, to infiltrate places of significance. Many Aurors were being murdered daily, while trying to organise resistance to Him.

"You mean…Voldemort?"

Eileen looked surpised Snape had said his name out loud. She was beginning to form a new found respect for her son, something Snape didn't think could be possible.

"Yes…The Dark Lord."

Snape looked sharply at his mother. "Y-you're a Death Eater?" She nodded.

"The whole purpose of me coming, is to ask if…if you're interested in becoming a Death Eater."

Snape frowned. "Does Voldemort recruit half-bloods?"

"He takes on those who pledge loyalty to him. Those who are strong wizards. Those like you." Although her words displayed flattery, Severus could see right through them. His mother didn't care for him; she only cared for power. And seeing as Voldemort was rapidly gaining power, it seemed like a wise choice. He considered. He had always wanted to show off his intelligence. He too had wanting power, to destroy the 'good' side.

"Does he really need more Death Eaters?" he asked.

His mother nodded seriously. "Please contemplate this, Severus." Snape winced at the artificial tenderness in her voice. She started to turn away. Severus found himself renewed with sadness.

"Wait!" he called. She turned back. Snape took several deep breaths. He wanted to ask her something for a very long time. "Have you ever loved me?"

She looked at her son, almost with genuine affection. "Son, if I didn't love you I wouldn't have asked you to stand side by side with me, and join me in power."

Three days after the encounter with Eileen, Severus received yet another visitor. Borgin found Snape in the back room, levitating a shrunken head. He cleared his throat. Snape looked up. "There's someone else to see you. Obviously you're quite popular this week," he said sarcastically. Snape was rather bewildered. He went out of the back room and saw a man in the shop. He appeared to be older than Snape, with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He was looking around, picking up random items. He paused when he saw Snape.

"Ah, Severus Snape," he said coolly.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Touché, touché," the man spoke. He faced Snape at the counter. "I'm Lucius Malfoy." Severus could vaguely remember him. He went to Hogwarts and was in Slytherin, but was a few years older than Snape.

"What do you want?" Severus demanded, hostile.

"Relax," Lucius drawled. "I'm here on friendly business. Consider me an acquaintance."

Severus shifted slightly.

"Eileen sent me."

"What for?" he replied sharply.

"To convince you to join us."

"Us? Are you a Death Eater too?" Snape scratched his head. Lucius sneered and pulled back the robes of his left arm. Branded into his arm was a skull, with a serpent coming out of its mouth in the place of a tongue. Snape was strangely drawn to it, and stared at it, memorised. Lucius noticed this and smiled, pushing back his sleeve.

"So…?"

Snape was brought back to earth.

"Do you consider accepting?"

"Will Voldemort actually consider me?"

Lucius smiled smugly for two reasons. Firstly Snape was actually considering. Secondly, he was one of the few that said His name without cringing. "His followers refer to him as the Dark Lord."

Severus kept quiet. Possibly a new chance for himself? He shook his head. "I don't think I'm ready yet."

"You're nineteen now aren't you?" Snape nodded. "The Dark Lord will want young followers." Lucius mused to himself and stroked his chin.

"And how old are you?" insisted Snape. A muscle in Lucius' mouth twitched before he replied "twenty-five."

"How long have you been a Death Eater?"

"Three years."

"And does He treat you well?"

Lucius looked at him, though not unkindly. "He uses brutal punishments to ensure we stay loyal to him," he replied simply. He examined a dried pickled hand distractedly, waiting for Severus to speak.

"I still don't think…I'm ready."

Lucius looked him in the eyes. "I'm sure you'll change your mind." The force in his voice gave Snape the impression he would change his mind, to be with them, to serve the Dark Lord –

He shook his head. "Sorry."

Snape expected Lucius to become angry at his refusal. Instead he smirked and said, "I'll be back."