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: To download any of my stories, click on my author name at the top of this page and then click on homepage. You may read messages, leave messages, and take the poll without signing in, but you must sign into Yahoo to download the stories. In the sidebar that says members only, just click on files and it will lead you to all three stories, each is available in PDF, e-book and mobipocket formats. Enjoy and please review!

'Italics' is mental speech.

Chapter 15: SS versus SS

With a simultaneous flash of light, three wizards and one witch appeared in the chamber, four large portraits eagerly watching with anticipation as each looked around in varying degrees of wonder and astonishment.

Godric spoke first, "Welcome to the Chamber of the Founders. I assume you are young Shaun's Father, Grandfather and Grandmother? I am Godric Gryffindor, or at least I once was, on my left is my lovely wife Rowena, next to her is my cousin Helga Hufflepuff and the last portrait belongs to Salazar Slytherin."

Albus had recovered first and with a sweeping formal bow, he intoned, "Lord and Lady Gryffindor, Lord Salazar, Lady Hufflepuff, I am honored and awed to make your acquaintance." Minerva had made a remarkably graceful curtsey as Severus had bowed equally well at the four noble founders.

The two Lords had returned the formal bows with small bows of their own to acknowledge the honor and respect granted to them by the two adult wizards and one witch while the two ladies had merely glanced downwards as was appropriate to their stations, being unsure exactly what noble titles were represented by the three now showing such respect to them.

Gryffindor looked at his fellow Founders, noting their nods of agreement, "Please, we are all working for the same goals in this room so let us all go by first names. However since we only know you by Daddy, Grandpa and Grandma, I will admit that we are at somewhat of a disadvantage. I know that Grandpa is the Headmaster, Grandma is the Deputy Headmistress, and Daddy is the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House but that is about the extent of our knowledge. Also our young one was adopted and now has the name of Shaun Severus Snape; but we are unaware of his birth name or magical heritage, though we have strong suspicions about that."

Rowena softly chided her husband, "Please by seated, no need to remain standing so formally. We are all family here, with the name of Hogwarts binding us all together."

Severus was watching the emotions flicker across the painted face of Salazar as Godric and Albus were talking. He was surprised to find doubt and even a flash of hurt and longing to belong, something he was well acquainted with from his own childhood and school days. Something he was happy to see less and less of on his son's own face and he hoped his own face.

Severus stepped up to the portrait of the founder of his own house and bowed once again, "Lord Slytherin, Salazar, I bring the greetings and well wishes of your house to you. I am pleased and immensely honored to greet the man I consider to be a personal inspiration and a major reason I studied potions so diligently. Thank you for your contributions and your inspiration." He bowed once more, even deeper and allowed his eyes to drop to the floor, signifying deep trust and respect; after all, bowing to an opponent did not mean one would ever take your eyes off of them.

Salazar looked astonished, pleased and subtly honored at the respect and acceptance being granted him by the younger wizard. He bowed in return, dropping his own eyes and wished he could shake hands with the mortal man. He did grant him a very rare, but nonetheless real smile that actually reached his startlingly dark brown eyes, something his usually sardonic or even malicious smiles rarely did.

Severus turned and took a seat beside Albus on one of the couches that faced the four portraits. Minerva had sat on the other side of the Headmaster and as soon as Severus sat down, Shaun left Albus' lap and climbed onto his Daddy, giving the man a hug around the neck and a slightly wet slobbery kiss on the cheek before turning around, kneeling on Severus' lap so he could continue to hug his Daddy's neck in security.

The seven adults laughed at the boy's antics, and then Albus started the conversation, "This lovely witch to my left is Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and our Transfiguration Professor. Shaun's Daddy is Professor Severus Sebastian Snape, Potion's Master, First Grade and Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts. His son Shaun was born Harry James Potter, son of James Potter and Lily Evans Potter, who were murdered by a very dark wizard when Shaun was just fifteen months old. Shaun was hit by an Avada Kedavra curse, which he somehow miraculously survived." The four paintings looked startled and then each grew angry at the idea of trying to kill such an innocent baby.

Helga spoke for the first time, "How is that possible? That curse separates the soul from the mortal body in an instant and there is no way to hold the soul long enough for any healing to occur!"

Salazar added, "We know of no shield, no spell, and no potion to block that spell. Has one been found since our time?"

Albus just shook his head, "No, and that's why his survival is so miraculous. No one alive knows exactly what happened that Halloween night. We can only speculate as to how and why Shaun survived."

Rowena questioned, "If no one alive witnessed, perhaps the spell missed the baby?"

Severus reached up to his son's head and gently brushed his hair off of his small forehead, exposing the famous lightening bolt shaped scar. The newer scars that normally hid it from any but the closest inspection were absent within this chamber. He added, "And the spell rebounded upon the dark lord, separating him from his mortal body and sending his soul into bodiless exile. Unfortunately he had performed a number of very dark spells and rituals, including blood potions to make his soul survive. We know he exists today, but none know exactly were or even how he does."

Godric looked thoughtful as he mused, "That is perhaps a subject best put aside for the nonce. We have several other subjects that are much more pressing for the limited time that we have this evening. Perhaps, my lovely wife will begin?"

Rowena slipped from her own frame and entered her husbands, sitting comfortably on the wide arm of his heavy chair, his arm comfortably supporting her around the waist as she leaned her head over to gently lay it upon the top of his head momentarily before sitting up and smiling delicately at their first visitors in centuries. She repeated the story of the old wizard saving and raising the two orphans and how he had adopted them as his own children and trained them lovingly and wisely.

Salazar bent his head in shame and sorrow of his past mistakes as he told them the story of the death of his wife and two daughters, of how he and his son, also named Salazar, had left the school, vowing revenge against all muggle born and the destruction of the school that he had helped found. "But after several years had passed, my old friend Godric searched me out and ambushed me. He kept me bound long enough to finally talk some sense into my head before leaving me to sort things out in solitude. It took some time, but eventually, I returned to Hogwarts, begging my former colleagues and friends to forgive me, which much to my surprise, they did. I returned to teach here and made Hogwarts my home until my death many long years later."

"But I was never able to convince my son. I had poisoned his mind and the loss and grief at the death of his mother and sisters, warped him so much that he became evil. I have had centuries to come to realize that I am not completely at fault for his choices, but I still feel deep shame at being the instrument that began the split between muggle born, half-bloods and pure bloods, if there actually is such a person, since we all come from non-magical ancestors at some point."

"I was so deep in shock and grief that I needed someone to blame. I really blamed myself for not being able to brew a cure in time for my own family when I had managed to cure most of the others, that I blamed the child. And the guiltier I felt, the more I grew angry at the child who unknowingly and innocently brought such devastation to my family. My son was just thirteen when his mother and sisters died, I was too deep in my own bitter rage to help him deal with the loss and then I took him and isolated us from the only family and home that he had ever known. I failed him and in failing him, let loose a twisted and embittered spirit whose vitriol still splits our world to this day."

All three of the other founders had moved into Salazar's frame and were standing behind him, each touching him in support and love as his voice cracked with emotions still strong a thousand years later. Helga leaned down and kissed his cheek, "Salazar, it was Sal's choices that have made him who he became. You are not at blame, lord knows how many times over the years you tried to reach that boy. Let it go, we need you and your help to heal the rift before the wizarding world tears itself apart and ceases to exist."

Salazar nodded at his three friends before the four turned their attention back to their visitors. The four Founders moved into Lady Rowena's frame to take seats in the chairs that were painted around her. Salazar's eyes seemed to glisten in the painted firelight but no other emotion was now visible.

Godric continued the tale, repeating the prophecy to the three adults as Shaun lay down; Niveus nestled over him, covering him in a bizarre feather blanket with her wings spread protectively over him. Fawkes perched on the back of the couch, reaching his long crimson neck down to nuzzle his love as she protected and warmed their 'hatchling'.

Godric explained, "We believe that Shaun is the child of prophecy, and since the torque, the phoenix box and Niveus have accepted him as such, there is little doubt that he is the 'Child of Light'. The torque has allowed Merlin to appear in his sleep to teach him and guide him, he is also, somehow, present in Shaun's mind at all times, I believe as a second conscience, providing comfort and guidance at all times. I'm not completely sure how that works, but Merlin has assured us it works and it will continue to work whenever Shaun needs him there."

Severus had been growing increasingly pale as the Founders continued their tale, "NO! He is my child; he cannot be destined to fight that monster. I will not allow him, it's too dangerous!" His voice was almost shrill in his hot denial of more danger to the child; he had suffered enough in his short lifetime for anyone. "He's just five years old, he's been orphaned, his parents murdered as he watched, and hit with a killing curse, left with abusive relatives who emotionally and physically abused him. This past year he was so scarred and scared that he was invisible, he's had several near death injuries, been poisoned and had his power of empathy explode, now you want him to be the blasted savior of wizardry? NO, I WON'T ALLOW IT!" He had leaped to his feet, pacing in agitation in front of the portraits, his voice raising as he became increasingly volatile. He ended his pacing in front of the couch with the two phoenixes and his son. He roughly pushed Niveus off and snatched up the sleeping boy, clutching him to his heaving chest in fear and protection.

Albus and Minerva had joined the agitated wizard and enveloped him in their arms in support and encouragement. It had been overwhelming to them to find out poor little Shaun's destiny but they both recognized that they needed to be strong to support both Severus and Shaun. His father's tight grasp woke the boy and he struggled to make his father release him. "Daddy, what's wrong. You're hurting me." Shaun wriggled as best he could in the iron grip his father had around him. He looked up, surprised to find his father's face streaked with tears as his daddy sobbed heartbroken into his hair. "Daddy? Daddy?" He looked over his shoulder at his Grandpa and asked, "Grandpa? What's wrong with Daddy?"

Albus stoked the small back being clutched so tightly as he rubbed Severus' back in the same motion. "Your Daddy is upset about the prophecy that Godric just told him. And he is worried about keeping you safe from the evil wizard that killed your Mum and Daddy James when you were a baby."

Shaun just nodded his head in understanding as he kissed his daddy's cheek and reached up a small hand to wipe away the beloved man's tears in sympathy and love. "It's okay Daddy, I understand and Merlin says I will be well trained and much older before that man comes back. It's okay Daddy, I love you and I would never leave you." Shaun reached his arms up and hugged Severus back, finally getting through enough to the distraught man to get him to release his too tight arms a bit. Albus and Minerva steered the two over to sit them down again, squeezing in on either side so the four were now on one couch. The Founder's had been talking softly amongst themselves to allow the mortals some privacy.

Minerva stood and walked over to the two Snapes, reaching a weathered but still graceful hand out to gently stroke up and down on Shaun's back. She ruffled his long, disheveled hair in affection while addressing the younger man. "Why don't you let me take young Shaun back to your rooms so that you can discuss what needs to be discussed without him here. I am sure that Albus can fill me in on everything relevant later, and he doesn't need to be here."

Severus looked up at the older witch gratefully, hugging Shaun and kissing the baby soft cheek once before reluctantly handing the child over to her. Minerva expertly sat him on one hip, reaching for Fawkes who had flown up to hover beside her, flashing his tail feathers invitingly at her. Minerva bounced Shaun once, settling him safely within her firm grasp before clutching a magnificent crimson feather. The small group disappeared in a flash of bright red and gold flames, leaving the two wizards to finish their discussion with the four portraits.

The meeting had not gone well. Albus and three of the Founder's had tried to reason with both Salazar and Severus but it had rapidly disintegrated into a shouting match between the two hard headed and stubborn men. Severus was currently pacing in agitation back and forth in front of the life size painting of the Founder of Slytherin House, his voice beginning to show signs of strain as he shouted at the equally agitated painting.

"He will not be the 'Savior of the whole bloody wizarding world'! He is my son, and if I have to take him and disappear off of the face of the bleeding planet to protect him, than that's what I will do!"

"It's his destiny! There's no one else you prick!"

"Find yourself some one else's son! You can't have mine! He's too little!"

"Well, it's not like he's going to have to duel the bastard next week, is it?" Salazar screamed sarcastically, his face snarling in emotion.

"It's your freaking descendant that's the problem! You take care of him! Not my son!" Severus' voice had lost some of its volume but none of it's menace.

Salazar was even more sarcastic, "Well if I could I would you dolt! Now shut up and listen to your betters, boy!"

Albus had grabbed Severus by the shoulders and forced him backwards to sit down on the couch again, refusing to let the man up to begin pacing and screaming again.

"Severus, you need to calm down, son. We need to plan. No one wants Shaun hurt and I would kill Voldemort myself before I let him hurt one hair on that precious head! You know that, now calm down and listen." Not only was there no twinkle in the old man's eyes, he was letting his exasperation and frustration at the situation show clearly upon his wizened face. He released one shoulder and used his now free hand to wipe his eyes tiredly, pushing his half moon spectacle up on his forehead before sitting down beside the man he considered a son.

Severus was still glaring at the Founder, wishing deeply that he could pull a wand and incinerate the oil painting. Godric had forced Salazar into a chair in Rowena's painting and was trying to calm down his fuming contemporary. "Salazar, this isn't helping. Let the poor man have some time to assimilate all the information we've been telling him. Think how you would have felt if someone told you that your five year old son had to kill an evil wizard. You would have killed the messenger, and we both know it!"

Salazar's face lost some of its red fury and he blinked, managing to reduce the hostility in his expression slightly. He allowed Rowena and Helga to calm him down, still unwilling to admit he might have been in the wrong. Helga pulled a vial out of her voluminous yellow robe and forced it into Salazar's mouth. He glared at the witch, "I don't need a calming potion, you idiot! I'm a painted portrait, I don't breathe, I don't have a heart, I am NOT alive, you meddlesome biddy! And I heard that, you old goat!" The last was said to Godric's almost inaudible, "You never did have a heart, even when you were alive, you barmy old coot!"

Severus was still steaming with agitation, but he had managed to calm down enough to listen to the words that Albus had continued to tell him, scarcely paying any attention to the interplay amongst the paintings. "Now, can we continue this discussion, or do we need to leave and return another day?" Albus gently prodded the distraught man sitting beside him on the ancient sofa.

Severus took several deep shuddering breaths before raising his head and looking his mentor and friend in the eyes. "No, I think I can continue without blowing up again. I am truly sorry Albus, but it is overwhelming and frightening to imagine my son going up against that bastard. I chose my role to actively work against him, but, blast it all, I wasn't just five years old!" His face fell in despondency and grief at the hardships that life seemed to heap upon the poor boys fragile shoulders.

The two mortals turned to face the legendary Founders once again. Godric exchanged a meaningful glance at Albus before he began the discussion again, hoping they could make it through the basic information without either of the two potion's masters exploding once again.

Albus was sipping a bracing Irish tea with Minerva after they had settled the two Snapes into bed, having forced both of them to drink a vial of Dreamless Sleep. Severus had only agreed to the edict after being promised that he would be fed the antidote by Nippy who was watching over the two sleepers if Shaun needed him for any reason. Both Severus and Shaun had insisted in sleeping in Severus' oversized four poster bed, clutching tight to each other for comfort and solace in their agitation.

Albus put down his now empty tea cup on the small table in front of the couch on which he sat beside Minerva. He stared into the flames of the smoldering embers in the fireplace in front of them, gathering his thoughts to organize them before beginning the tale. He sighed at the unfairness of life and turned to look at his old friend and began.

"As it was explained to me, the things that Tom Riddle did to preserve his soul and allow him to be reborn at some time have created a great imbalance in the forces of fate, destiny and nature. Everything must be in balance, to have life, one must have death. When Tom cheated destiny and broke the chain he created a chasm that must be repaired or chaos will prevail. It was his destiny to be destroyed when he cast the Killing Curse on Harry Potter. When he did not die, he tore a hole in the fabric of nature and that hole must be repaired as it grows larger every day. It will eventually destroy our world if it is allowed to continue."

"It was foretold over a century ago by Rowena, who was a True Seer, that one day, far in the future, the Heir of Gryffindor and the Heir of Slytherin would meet once again in a great battle and the fate of the wizarding world would rest upon their shoulders. That battle took place upon October 31, 1981 and if fate and death had not been thwarted, the natural order of life would not now be threatened. The death of Tom Riddle was to usher in a century of peace and prosperity to all wizards, but by cheating death, he has threatened the very existence of our entire planet, magical and non-magical both."

"So in order to restore balance, an equally powerful and opposite force was created to maintain balance within nature. And Shaun, Harry Potter if you will, is that force. He has been born the Child of Light, loved and nurtured by the Creature of Night, whom the Founders believe to be Severus, since his life experiences and the dark mark both have touched and stained his soul. But the child's magic was forced to become active much too early for him to handle and control it. The backlash of the killing curse forced his magic outward to catch his soul and rebind it to his body before he could be killed. His mother's sacrifice allowed a split second of protection to his soul, and then his own magical powers flared and reattached his soul to his body. But there was no way for his magic to return to being dormant as every other magical child's is until they are old enough and mature enough to handle that much power."

"Merlin worked for decades to build and spell the Torque that Shaun now wears. It allowed the 'spirit' of Merlin to both bind and help guide Shaun in controlling his powers as well as providing him a safe way to deal with his empathic and powerful magics. Merlin is also helping Shaun deal with his past experiences in a way that no one else could. He can 'stand' beside Shaun in each memory and explain and confront Shaun's feelings in his own mind in a way that no outsider every could. Godric explained that as Shaun gets older and more experienced, Merlin's presence will become less and less; until eventually the Torque will be only a sign of Shaun's heritage and no more than a necklace."

Minerva clasped Albus' hands in hers; she reached forward and gave the old man a chaste kiss on his weathered cheek, her nose tickled by the old man's whiskers. "Oh, Albus, what can we do to help those two poor boys?"

Albus gave a rueful chuckle, "You would have been proud to see Severus stand up to Salazar, but it did get mighty loud at times. If Salazar was alive I do believe it would have been a duel at sunrise between the two. I can't blame Severus though, Salazar was being rather blasé about how difficult Shaun's life has been and will be into the foreseeable future. And Severus was being as protective as an enraged mother bear!"

Minerva leaned forward and refilled their cups with more tea, splashing a touch of whiskey into each before handing one to Albus and leaning back comfortably with her own. "I never would have thought we would ever see the day that Severus Snape would be so protective and full of love for anyone. I shudder when I remember the mask that young man had built around himself. I didn't think anyone would ever break through it, but Shaun certainly has."

Albus smiled, "Yes, and each day Severus becomes easier to live with and more comfortable with showing his own emotions to everyone, not just the boy."

The two talked well into the night, sometimes touching upon the difficulties that lay ahead, sometimes talking about school matters, but most of the time, just watching the dying embers in companionable and comfortable silence.

AN: I hope to post one more chapter before I leave for ten days, but I am not sure about my time next week. Thank you for reading and reviewing, it keeps my fingers typing!