Growing Up Snape
By Teacherbev
Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, I am not a multinational bookselling company, nor am I a multi-million dollar movie company, so I don't own anything that you recognize. I am a retired former teacher with a bizarre sense of humor, who likes to twist plots and play with characters' minds, so enjoy.
AN: I am excited, my very first story, Harry Potter and the Guardians of Power, has been nominated for a Quills Harry Potter Fan Fiction contest under the action/adventure heading at http/ www. geocities. com /dragonhidequills/main.html (Just remove the spaces, for some reason ff will not download a link here). Please read it and vote for it. And thanks for all of those who have added my stories and my author name to their favorites and their c2 groups! Makes writing much more meaningful and fun when I know people like it.
'Italics' is mental speech.
Chapter 8: Diagon Alley
Shaun was so excited, Daddy and Grandpa were taking him someplace called Diagon Alley this morning and he was going to get a wand and even an ice cream if he was good. He had never been allowed to have ice cream at his relatives, but Dudley's had always looked like it was very good and he had sure acted like it was wonderful.
Severus had made sure his son was dressed in nice robes and had his little wizard hat pushed down on his forehead, Albus had applied a sticking charm to it so it couldn't be blown off, knocked off or let his forehead show. The newer puckered scar had faded over the last year but, if you knew where to look and looked very hard, his famous lightening bolt was just visible. Poppy said that when the time came, she would be able to remove his other scars, that they were not actually real but had been applied through some strange magic that she didn't recognize; perhaps Shaun himself didn't want the lightening bolt scar seen so he had managed to once again disguise himself in a unique manner, but no one knew for sure.
The three were waiting in Albus' office for Remus to join them before they would be leaving by floo to the Leaky Cauldron and then into Diagon Alley for the morning. Remus walked in, buttoning up his faded and patched robes as he entered the office.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to get Paddy settled in for the day. He wanted to come and get a new wand too, the ministry still says they don't know what happened to his old one, but Poppy refused to let him even attempt magic yet, so he finally agreed that I would take him later." Remus had finished and stood beside the other three, finally ready to go.
Severus scooped Shaun up and held him tightly to his chest, "Remember, close your eyes and mouth tight so you don't get any ash in them, and keep your elbows tucked in so you don't get bumped out unexpectedly in another fireplace; or scrapped up as we go past them." Severus bent down and stole a kiss while his son was busy looking at his Grandpa disappear in a flash of brilliant green flame. The plan was for Albus to go first and make sure the 'clientele' at the popular wizarding pub wouldn't contain anyone too interested in Severus and Shaun. He would cast a discrete notice me not charm that would allow the rest of the party to arrive without anyone paying too much attention to them. The plan was to sneak into and out of Diagon Alley with as little fuss and notice as possible. At least, that was the plan!
Shaun squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath as they spun and spun until he couldn't resist and peeked through his eyelashes. The twirling colors and flashes of other rooms visible through the rapidly appearing and disappearing fireplaces was enough for him to heed his father's advice and shut his eyes tightly once more. Severus stepped gracefully out of the oversized public fireplace in the pub, accepting Albus' arm under his elbow only because of the small boy sitting on his bent arm. The three moved rapidly through the darkened, smoky room and out the back into a small cramped alleyway. The tiny clear space between the dustbins and the crates of supplies for the bar was barely big enough for them as Remus joined them, his wand out and ready to touch the brick wall in front of them in a deliberate pattern.
Shaun reached a hand out to the wall, feeling the intense and powerful magic in the wall in front of him. Before Remus' wand made contact, the wall began to move, the bricks turning and shrinking to form the familiar archway to the wizarding world with just the barest touch from a tiny little hand. Severus looked startled, Remus just stood there; his wand still out and ready, and Albus twinkled even more merrily than normal. Shaun had his mouth open and his head was almost spinning like an owl's as he tried to look at everything and everyone simultaneously before the press of people and their overwhelming emotions overpowered his newly built shields.
Shaun's body started to tremble and the shudders became deeper and stronger as they moved into the alley, heading for Gringotts, the wizarding bank that was run by the goblin nation. Severus motioned to the other two as he stepped to the side and stooped down, placing Shaun's feet onto the ground as he held the boy tightly to his chest with one hand placing the other slim hand under his son's chin, forcing the boy's face up so that he could look deeply into the panicking and fear filled eyes. Severus forced his own emotions deep as he whispered "Legilimens" and insinuated his own mind gently into his son's mind. Albus and Remus understood what was happening and each placed a hand in support on both of the wizards now in front of them. Severus accepted the support offered on behalf of his son with gratitude, as he delved deeper into the boy's rapidly escaping consciousness. 'Shaun, come child, let Daddy help you build up your shields once more. They will not hurt you; you just aren't used to so many people around you again. Come child, take Daddy's 'hand' and I will help you." The panicking thread of the boy's mind halted its escape, and then grew stronger as he accepted the help of his Daddy and the two who held onto his shoulders.
'I forgot to shield, Daddy, I'm sorry! Are you mad at me?' Shaun's mental voice quavered with emotion.
'No, Shaun, Daddy isn't mad at you, I just want to help you shield once more so we can go find the perfect wand for you. Remember what you learned, build up your walls a layer at a time and build them strong. Come on, you can do it, that's right.' Severus could feel the shields beginning to rebuild, even stronger than they had been at Hogwarts. 'That's right, son, Daddy is so proud of you. You did it!' The last was said just as Shaun's mental barricade managed to force his Daddy's presence up and out of his mind.
Severus reached up and grabbed the back of Shaun's neck and pulled his head forward to kiss him on the forehead, just under the wizard's hat still tightly perched on the boy's head. He repeated aloud, "Daddy's very proud of you Shaun, you did a very good job!" His voice was soft and gentle, his words only for the small group standing to the side of the busy thoroughfare. He stood up, settling Shaun on his hip, his left arm encircling the small waist as the others removed their hands and the group once more set off for the imposing white marble edifice that overshadowed and dwarfed the rest of the shops on the Alley.
Albus and Remus stood back and then wandered over to sit on a intricately wrought iron bench at the side of the massive lobby as Severus and Shaun approached a tall desk with a single ferocious looking goblin perched upon a high backless stool. The goblin looked up at their approach and blinked several times very rapidly, his expression unreadable, before scratching hurriedly on a piece of parchment and then sending one of the junior goblins that were standing in a bunch behind him; waiting to escort customers on the mining carts to the individual vaults. The younger goblin almost ran, his odd pointed shoes clattering loudly on the marble floor as he traversed the maze of desks and busy goblins to disappear behind an ornately carved, but very short door into the bowels of the great bank.
Severus looked back at Albus, one eyebrow raised in confusion; Albus just looked puzzled and shrugged his own shoulders back. Shaun was looking around once again, now that his emotional barricade was sturdy again, he was more curious than anything else. There were only a few more wizards standing in line if front of the Snapes when the small door opened and a shocked silence filled the entire lobby, spreading from the goblins working at their books on their high stools behind the counter, through the goblins helping various wizards and witches, finally spreading to the wizards and witches being helped; as all eyes were drawn inexorably and seemingly without conscious thought to the entourage regally appearing through the ornate door. Four goblins, dressed in formal battle robes, pikes held aloft, swords and axes strapped to their torsos, obviously an honor guard for the ancient goblin they surrounded, were first to enter the lobby; surrounding a single majestic figure.
The small goblin in the center was stooped with age and yet exuded a presence, a bearing that made all those within the walls of the magnificent edifice immediately aware that they were in the presence of royalty. This feeling was reinforced as each goblin, as if rehearsed, slid from their stool, deserted their customers and hastily formed a double line, each individual bowing down so low that their foreheads almost touched the polished marble of the floor. The honored goblin was dressed all in red and gold, his robes so embroidered and embellished that the material underneath was barely visible. Upon his stately head, a metal hat, not quite a crown, but not a battle helm either was clearly visible, his bald pate reflecting the flickering lights of the torches lining the walls. He was followed at a respectful distance by an entourage of equally elderly and wise goblins, his court of advisors perhaps. The procession covered the open ground of the lobby in a stately, measured fashion, until it came to a stop directly in front of Severus where he was standing open mouthed and shocked, still holding Shaun to his chest in an unconscious stance of protection. The two forward guards moved away and strode purposefully toward the bench where they bowed before Albus and Remus, directing them with gestures to join the group. They remaining two guards stood to either side of Severus, the two guards fell in behind the four wizards and the majestic goblin; Albus and Remus now encircled by the honor guard as well as Severus, Shaun and the personage. The ancient goblin turned, his entourage split respectfully to each side to allow the group of goblins and wizards to pass before falling in behind them to proceed to the now magically taller carved door, which opened soundlessly as they approached it.
Shaun was reaching over to touch the ancient goblin's ornate headpiece in delight and curiosity; Severus trying to pull his son's arm back surreptitiously as they followed the ancient personage. The goblin turned toward Shaun with a grotesque caricature of a smile, his sharp, yellowed fangs gleaming wetly. He reached out a gnarled and weathered hand, and urged Shaun to walk beside him. Severus reluctantly placed his son on the floor, where the boy promptly accepted the hand offered to him, and began chattering innocently to the goblin about how excited he was, and how wonderful the bank and the goblins were. Severus just hoped the boy didn't say anything utterly embarrassing or insulting enough to start the next goblin rebellion in his enthusiastic chattering. He felt Albus' hand briefly brush across his shoulder and visibly relaxed, letting out a deep breath in an inaudible sigh.
The inhabitants of Diagon Alley were in a panic. Gringotts was CLOSED; an occurrence never before happening in the history of the magical street, and that was a very long history, indeed! All of the customers had been politely but firmly escorted out of the bank, the doors had sealed, and, in fact, disappeared from view while a battalion of goblins, each dressed in full battle gear, helmets festooned with multicolored exotic feathers, axes and swords barely concealed by their short capes stood ready, almost shoulder to shoulder guarding the entrance.
In less than five minutes time, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, surrounded by a phalanx of red robed Aurors appeared in front of Gringotts, followed almost simultaneously by a horde of reporters and other gaping sightseers, shoppers, and befuddled shopkeepers. Fudge marched up to the oldest looking and ornately medaled goblin that was standing directly in front of the sealed entrance to the bank, surrounded by an army of Aurors, and stopped, directly in front of the goblin, who just reached to the Minister's chest. But the ferocious visage of a fully trained battle goblin in complete formal battle regalia instantly commanded more respect that the slightly pudgy and dissipated face of the huffing wizard in his overpriced gaudy yellow robes, and his formed felt lime green bowler hat that was squashed down upon his head in self importance. Fudge's voice involuntarily cracked and squeaked as he tried to sound intimidating. "I demand that you open the doors, at once! What is the meaning of this?"
The goblin managed to look down his misshapen and pointed nose, even though he was a good foot shorter than the bombastic insect in front of him, and said a single sentence, his voice deep and commanding; sending an involuntary shiver through all those who heard it. "Gringotts' is closed until further notice for High Holy Day; it will reopen when the ceremonies are completed." He looked through the wizard who remained spluttering and spouting demands in front of him as if he no longer existed.
After several minutes of obviously unsuccessful demands and blustering; the Minister and his entire entourage disappeared with a series of pops; that sounded like popcorn in a hot fire, leaving the onlookers and shopkeepers to wonder just what a Goblin High Holy day was and exactly what kind of ceremonies were involved.
Shaun had stopped babbling and was once again looking around in silent amazement as the entire group came to a pair of massive doors, gilded and embossed in gold that gleamed in the light of hundreds of flickering torches. The armed guards fell back to each side and the doors opened without a single word or touch, revealing a large open chamber; several stories high with ornate, carved white marble pillars flanking each side that reached up overhead, curving at the top to make an archway that met just below the ornately painted ceiling. A short red velvet throne, flanked by smaller intricately carved and luxuriously upholstered chairs, was just visible at the far end, but more prominent in the foreground was a small circle of eight chairs, each ornately carved into a fantastic magical animal shape, surrounded by a larger circle of decorative red velvet upholstered chairs, and then a third circle of wooden chairs, still elegant, but much less ornate than the inner rings.
The regal personage led Shaun by the hand and sat him next to himself in the innermost circle, motioning for Severus, Albus and Remus to also take seats, leaving only three more seats which were claimed by equally old and stooped goblins. In a hierarchy known only to the goblins, the rest of the chairs were quickly and reverently filled and all waited expectantly for the oldest goblin to begin. He raised his hands above his head, his robes falling down and exposing massive scars and ridges of flesh down both arms; before he clapped his hands twice together, imperiously.
A younger, more subservient goblin rushed forward and placed a very low carved round table in front of the chief goblin and Shaun. A second servant covered the table with a golden cloth and a third one produced an embossed golden chest, inlaid with jewels and the intricately fashioned form of a golden phoenix upon the table. The three bowed in respect and backed out of the concentric circles, only standing upright and turning after they passed out of the third circle.
The ancient goblin reached for Shaun's left hand and raised it with his right, chanting in gobbledygook, sounding a lot like stones grinding together in agony. He finished a long ritualistic phrase and the two were surrounded by a golden glow, so bright the others looked away to protect their eyes from the brightness. As the glow faded, the goblin spoke for the first time in barely accented English, "I, Ragnok, Head of the Goblin Nation, Chief Goblin of Gringotts, present to you, the child of prophecy, the child who will save us all, the Golden Child of the Light, the Phoenix Child of Legend!" He moved the child's hand, still clasped firmly in his own and brought both of their palms down onto the top of the inlaid chest. The chest shook and emitted the sound of phoenix song for a moment, before opening slowly. Ragnok removed his hand and whispered for Shaun to reach in and take out the cracked and yellowing parchment that was inside the casket, revealing several items still cloaked within the shadow left by the sides of the large box.
Ragnok took the parchment from the child and reverently unrolled it, careful not to damage the most holy of holies of the Goblin peoples. He took several deep breaths before beginning to read, his voice reverent and awestruck.
Child of Light, Never Dark
Born of Woe, Raised in Pain,
Scarred Forever by Evil's Mark
Will Lead Us All, the Light will Reign!
Child of Fire, Creature of Night
Will gather the forces and lead the fight.
Goblin, wizard, giant and more
Surround the child to help the right
Evil is doomed in its battle with light.
Bow to the Child, that evil has touched
Scarred and marked; his soul still pure.
Forces of light behold the one,
Born to lead and banish the dark, foretold; take heed
Or darkness will win.
Train the infant, encourage the child
From unloved infant to cherished child to mighty youth
Join him; follow him, your souls to unite
He'll banish the darkness and bring forth the light.
Ragnok finished reading and looked around at the odd group, everyone looking at him in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, except for Shaun who was busy looking in the box, having climbed down when the old goblin was reading the parchment.
Shaun pulled out a jewel encrusted dagger with an ornate, embossed leather scabbard, a staff that was taller than he was with a huge red ruby embedded in the carved phoenix on the top of the pure white wood, an intricate and yet delicate gold chain with a phoenix in flight grasping an oval shaped emerald in it's talons, and a thick leather bound, hand written journal of some kind.
Severus came back to reality and tried to tell Shaun to return the items to the chest, but Ragnok waved a hand, telling the boy, "Shaun, those things will one day belong to you, but the time is not yet and you need to put them away for later. Grandwhip, would you take the Phoenix Child to my office and give him some tea and cakes. His guardians and I will be there shortly." Grandwhip the goblin, took Shaun by the hand after the child had reluctantly returned the pretty things back into the metal box, and with just a short look at his father and his grandfather to make sure it was all right to go with the funny creature, Shaun let himself be led out of another door that was almost hidden between two of the large pillars by the flickering shadows of the torchlight.
All of the goblins in the second and third circle of chairs stood up and bowing to both the elderly goblins and the wizards that remained in the innermost circle, without saying a word or making a sound other than the clicking tap-tap of their odd pointed shoes; they all exited out of the huge gilded doors, leaving three goblins and three very stunned and bewildered wizards behind in the huge, echoing chamber.
Ragnok looked at each wizard, deciding who he would speak to, he of course had recognized Albus Dumbledore, but the younger, black haired wizard seemed to be most connected with the Phoenix child, so he turned to him and spoke. "That scroll has been handed down, generation to generation, since Gringotts was founded during the time of Merlin. In fact, the scroll is reportedly a prophecy given to the King of the Goblins by Merlin himself in gratitude for their help in banishing the invading hordes that threatened King Arthur. No one has been able to open the casket until today, and no one has known what the scroll said, until today."
"We recognized the Phoenix Child and knew the scroll was written about him and thus we will ally ourselves and our nation with your son, the Phoenix Child. It is not time yet for him to know about himself, but there is a vault, the first vault of Gringotts, fabled to have been enchanted by Merlin himself, that we need to have him visit today to begin his journey. So Gentlemen, if you would accompany me to my office, we will escort him to his vault." He reached in and with a touch so gentle it was reverent, he removed the chain and the phoenix before sealing the casket again and leading the way to the doors through which Shaun had disappeared just fifteen minutes before.
Severus would have enjoyed the gobsmacked appearance of Albus Dumbledore more if he didn't suspect that he had the exact same expression upon his face as well; he knew that Remus had passed the point of rational thought more than half an hour ago and he knew that he was fast approaching that point himself. He suspected he would have to view the events of this day several times in his pensieve to be able to understand anything of what had occurred on what was supposed to be a simple shopping expedition.
They had joined Shaun in Ragnok's office where he was enjoying a mug of hot chocolate and politely nibbling on ginger biscuits. Ragnok placed the gold chain around the boy's neck before he led them personally down a very short corridor and then through some kind of mystical portal, to wind up instantaneously, deep beneath the street, in the bowels of Gringotts. They had witnessed the truth of the rumors of dragons guarding the depths of the oldest vaults themselves, which had Shaun squealing in excitement as he wanted to go play with them. Ignoring the child, Ragnok had stopped in front of the largest, most ornate vault door that any of them had ever seen, and with a single swipe of his ridiculously long nail, the door had morphed into an archway, still guarded by a small plain wooden door. Ragnok asked Shaun to place his hand on the door where the knob would be, and then he had Severus, Remus and Albus do the same, while stating their full names out loud.
The door had opened to reveal a small chamber, filled with books and odd sparkling ornaments and twirling, clanging and whirling instruments that none of them had any idea of their purpose. Ragnok had directed Shaun to take one small long and thin box, and two books. Then the elderly goblin had firmly shut the door behind them and led them back to his office. Unknown to the four wizards, as they passed through the portal to return to the lobby a burst of white light had painlessly removed their memories of the historical events and replaced it with one of Severus and Shaun finding several items of interest in the Potter vault. They were handed several bags full of galleons, and told to request Griphook personally whenever they returned to the bank. As the entrance doors opened and their eyes adjusted to the bright afternoon sun, a brigade of armed goblins marched back into the bank and business on the Alley began to return to normal.
After spending an hour in Madame Malkins selecting new clothing for Shaun, Sirius, and Remus, the three wizards and one small boy spent another enjoyable hour browsing the shelves of the bookstore before going to Ollivander's for a wand for Shaun.
Shaun could apparently sense where the old man was and was looking directly at him when Mr. Ollivander appeared suddenly, something that had never occurred before in the long, long history of the shop. Albus just chuckled at the surprise on the old man's face as he said, "Ah, Berke, he spotted you, your disillusionment charm has finally met its match!"
"Mr. Potter? No…it cannot be… he has changed, he is no longer Potter, but…Snape…? His aura is most powerful, Albus, and yet he is so young, too young…but…perhaps…?" the normally unflappable Mr. Ollivander was talking to himself as he ran his hand up and down the myriad of boxes that were crammed into every spare inch of space on the shelves that lined every surface of the walls around him. Shaun was looking around, his eyes even wider than they had been watching the goblins. Shaun closed his eyes, stretched out his hands and glowing briefly; two separate boxes came speeding from the back of the shop, wobbling crazily as if they couldn't wait to reach him. Severus grabbed one box while Remus grabbed the other, preventing them both from hitting the child in the chest. Berke Ollivander just looked on in amazement before returning to his counter, "Ah…yes…well the wand does chose the wizard…but…two? Unusual, most unusual…!"
Severus turned to Albus, "Two wands, Albus; is that even allowed by the Ministry? We had enough difficulty obtaining permission for a single wand at his age, but two?"
Albus and Mr. Ollivander both chuckled, then Berke answered, "The wand chooses the wizard, it is most unusual that two wands would ever chose the same witch or wizard, therefore, there is no law against such an occurrence. And it is fortuitous, is it not, that there is only one space on the form to register his wand signature, the ministry does not recognize the possibility of a second and as such does not make any provision to register it. Now, young man, let's see how these wands suit you, shall we?"
Shaun was encouraged to let go of his Daddy's leg that he was tightly attached to; and reached his right hand out in curiosity for the first wand. As soon as his hand touched the polished end a myriad of gold and red sparks flared out spectacularly. Mr. Ollivander then explained that the phoenix cored, holly wand was a brother to the wand that had given him the scar on his forehead and that it was 'Curious, most curious' that that particular wand had chosen his right hand.
Shaun reached for the other wand with his left hand and a steady stream of multicolored sparks flowed for several minutes, lighting up the small shop like a gigantic Christmas tree with fairy lights. A golden nimbus of light surrounded Shaun's delighted head like a halo as his entire being was flooded with warmth of pure joy and ecstasy. Mr. Ollivander actually stumbled backwards and would have fallen had he not sat heavily on a convenient stool as he remarked, "I have never seen such a positive and powerful response to any wand I have ever sold, and I remember every wand I have ever sold."
Albus' eyes were twinkling at a murderous rate as he asked, "What is the core of that magnificent masterpiece of craftsmanship, Berke?"
Berke took out his own wand and locked the door, drew down the window shades and cast a complicated silencing spell before answering. "That is a wand made by my Great, Great Grandfather, his masterwork; he always claimed that one day a child would be born that could channel the power in that wand. It is the only multiple core wand any Ollivander has ever successfully crafted. It is a nine and a half inch, Rowan wood wand with a core of a phoenix feather, a unicorn hair and a griffin claw, all powerful creatures of the light and incapable of corruption!"
Severus picked up Shaun and sat him on the counter, replacing the two wands back into their boxes, careful to never have them come into contact with each other. "Shaun, would you show Mr. Ollivander how you can make balls?"
Shaun giggled happily as he conjured his normal five balls, then concentrating so hard his forehead was furrowed and he was biting his lower lip, he managed to make a very tiny sixth ball before squealing in excitement and loosing his concentration as all six balls popped like balloons. He scared himself and shimmering softly, he disappeared.
"Shaun, its okay, we aren't mad at you. Please show yourself at once, child." Severus' voice held a mild rebuke in it, but he was obviously not mad, and both Remus and Albus were smiling broadly at his accomplishment, so he shimmered back into view, looking shyly up at Mr. Ollivander through the veil of his long hair. Seeing only excitement and astonishment on the odd face, Shaun lifted his chin and smiled at his Daddy as he threw his arms around the man's neck. "I did six, Daddy; did you see!"
If Mr. Ollivander had been concerned about the power of the second wand overpowering the child, all his doubts were dispelled by the demonstration he had just witnessed. "How old are you, child?" His voice quavered with excitement and astonishment.
"My birthday is in three weeks and I will be five and Daddy and Grandpa say Uncle Moony and the other Professors are going to teach me to do magic when I turn five so I need a wand!" Shaun was still excited and giddy with his new wand and all the unusual excitement of his first ever Diagon Alley trip.
"When? How? Is it possible…" Mr. Ollivander was gobsmacked and incoherent with amazement.
Albus reached over the counter and patted his old friend on the shoulder, "Don't feel bad, he had been surprising and rendering us speechless for the last year. He tells us he first cast lumos and conjured the balls at the age of three. He spent the first few months at Hogwarts invisible and completely soundless to everyone except Severus. We still don't know how he does it; but he can apperate and disapperate within Hogwarts, something that is reputed to be impossible, and still is impossible for everyone else; myself included. We have evidence that he cast silencing and notice me not charms as well before coming to Hogwarts, just a month shy of his fourth birthday."
They had registered only Shaun's normal wand with the Ministry and talked with the old wand maker until he had other customers knock for admittance before finally heading off to buy Shaun his first hot fudge sundae with nuts, whipped cream and a cherry on top. It was definitely the high point of his whole day.
AN: Sorry, I didn't make it to the Trials; they should make it in the next chapter. I should have it up by the weekend sometime. Thanks for reading and reviewing.