Thanks to all of you who took the time to favourite and review my story !
Chapter betaed by Miette :)
AN: I did not manage to keep crossed out words with the site formatting, so please considered that in a letter, when you have this, it means the word was crossed out (if you know how to do a real cross out, please let me know!)
AN-2021/02/18: Many thanks to dstone12 for correcting the mistakes left by Miette and I.
It felt good to be home. Despite Severus' anxiousness about his wizard family and friends whereabouts, he spent the first two days back enjoying the warm feeling of being home–any letter he wrote would not be sent before the end of the week anyway.
Kiveä and Soraa welcome had been cold at first, wavering between their happiness at having him back and their resentment for his one-year-long absence. Felsen's welcome was innocent and joyous–the little boy was going to be a great magic-user, he had recognized Severus through Sensing. That, as well as Soraa and Dhaal's close partners-in-crime relationship helped smooth Severus' path back into the family fold. His awesome–Kiveä´s words–demonstration of the Chen form as well as his promise to spend some of the holidays teaching the moves to Kiveä had sealed the kid's forgiveness.
Severus enjoyed finally being able to relax after one tense year. If he was honest with himself, he dreaded what his friends' letters might tell him. His year in China had totally cut him off from any wizard politics and he hoped there had not been too many changes during his year away.
On his third morning back, Severus finally settled on his bed with an imposing box full of letters. Unsure where to begin, he picked one at random and began reading. He frowned, feeling dread settle into his stomach as he kept on reading the letter contents. What was Regulus...?
Abruptly, Severus checked the date of the letter. January. It had been written six months ago. He needed to read these in order, in hope it would make more sense.
Severus quickly arranged his letters in two stacks. The first ones contained Lucius', Jonathan's, Evan's, Regulus' and his Grandfather's letters, in chronological order. The second, smaller, contained the ones written by women–he already felt a headache coming.
Severus began scanning the first stack of letters avidly. As foretold, Evan was Apprenticed to Master Raleigh, a British Defence Master, while Jonathan had finally decided to go to the US and study at Horeword. Severus was glad his friend had chosen the best university for him. He did not linger on all the details his friends gave on their studies, he would go back to it with keen interest later. Right now, he wanted to understand how the Defenders' reputation had evolved so fast in one year.
Dear Grandson,
I know you will not read this letter before your return from China, but I think you will find it useful to have records of this year from the wizarding side.
First, in the event your Apprenticeship ends with this year in China, do not be disappointed. This was the hardest year in my own Apprenticeship–and one of the reasons I insisted through Abraxas that you have a Master from day one amongst the Goblins. I nearly gave up while in Bǎo. The fact I began my Apprenticeship only days after accepting that my daughter would remain in the muggle world with my grandson might not have helped. As Slytherins we know the importance of not letting feelings cloud our judgement and actions. As Princes we have trouble controlling ourselves when heartbroken.
Now, this year will be quite eventful I am sure, for you as well as us. We must begin to prepare for the minister of Magic election in two years. Now more than ever, we are on the brink of convincing a majority of our fellow citizens of the current Ministry's incompetence as well as the need to change our way of managing Muggles and Muggleborns. They are finally seeing the imbalance and stupidity of the Minister's actions, agreeing on everything presented as pro-Muggleborns and rejecting everything seen as pro-Purebloods without analysing how it will impact our world and who would really benefit from these measures...
Severus skipped the next paragraphs as his Grandfather droned on the various points the Defenders were trying to make and the communication strategy they were setting up.
We welcomed several Hogwarts graduates into our ranks, including Mr Wilkes and Mr Rosier. I am glad to say some were not Slytherins. Our ideas are spreading. All of them took Lord Voldemort's Mark. I must say it is rather ugly now and I am glad my head of House Oath prevents me from bearing it. I do not think Abraxas would appreciate this memoriam.
Thinking back to the beautiful snake the Mark had been, Severus did not understand how it could become ugly. He would ask for a sketch later.
He skimmed through the end of the letter then switched to another, scanning its contents to find the relevant parts.
Dear Severus,
I am proud to write you my first letter from Horeword...
Evan and I became Defenders two days ago. The welcome party was really fun...
Lord Voldemort broke the wall of his house today. He was experimenting with an old ritual to increase his magic power. He is worried about the next months and fears that with the elections coming, there will be more fights against both Aurors and Dumbledore followers.
Severus frowned pensively. You had to be very careful with Rituals, as he knew first-hand. He hoped Lord Voldemort was careful. It would not do to lose their leader before the election.
Birkins and Dumbledore seem chummier than ever. The Headmaster has managed to put behind him the shadow cast by the inquiry. I must ask Lord Prince if he has some more dirt we could use on him. It still rankles that you did not get justice.
Yes it did. But Severus was so busy with his Apprenticeship this concern was far down his to-do list.
The rest of the letter was mostly about Horeword so he put it down.
Dear Brother,
I am quite angry today. I just learnt you will not be able to write or receive letters for an entire year. What is this Apprenticeship where they try to brainwash you by withholding contact from your family?
The only reason I am not storming in to bring you back with me is Augustus assurance you are in good hands. He seems to have close connections with your mysterious Master and promised me he would be alerted if something went wrong with you.
Lucius' protectiveness made Severus smile. His brother was the best. He was glad for his Grandfather help and would need to thank him later. For all his faults, the old man seemed to be trying to mend his nonexistent relationship with Severus.
Looking back to the letter, Severus jumped over paragraphs of Narcissa adoration.
Lord Voldemort is enraged about the Daily prophet accusations. He is going to sue them and win. It will be great publicity for our campaign. More importantly, the Muggle torture is not as unpopular as the Prophet made it sound. We are gaining attentive ears and supporters.
Severus grimaced. Muggle torture? He thought nothing of hurting abusers while retrieving kids from their home, but inflicting pain on purpose when the kids were safe, not even to extract information from them? Was it really necessary?
He did not understand how it could gain them more approval. Lord Voldemort had punished Bellatrix for torturing Muggles a few years ago. What had changed?
More worrisome, Lucius seemed to find the act… common.
Putting his brother's letter aside, Severus took the newspaper clip he had joined with it.
Another Muggle tortured: Defenders are upping the stakes!
Another kid disappears while one more Muggle is tortured. Sadly, those are now recurring events. In this case, it seemed the Defenders first tried to intimidate the Muggle during several months before finally taking his child away and torturing the man.
Whatever this Muggle's faults, we can not condone the Defenders' lawless actions. For several years, this group has tried to implement Lord Voldemort's ideals, with growing violence against Muggles. The Lord we all thought well-meaning towards our children is now taking great delight in pushing others to commit crimes in his name. Draped in alleged Slytherin legacy, he is manipulating the Defenders to bring our world to civil war. Soon, Muggles will not be enough to satiate his thirst of power.
Severus stared at the article with disbelief. The Daily Prophet was known for Ministry propaganda and outlandish gossip but really, this one was completely idiotic. As dumb as Dumbledore speech during his fourth year.
Shaking his head, Severus picked up the next letter. It was from Evan. Its content was close to the one from Lucius, apart from the Narcissa part. He took the next letter. Evan again.
It really is a shame you are not here with us Severus. Hurry up with your Apprenticeship, you are the Genius! Since I have been marked, I really feel I am part of the group. Lucius was right, bearing the Mark gives you something more. Sometimes, it feels like all of us are the same. I cannot wait for you to be included.
Well. It feels like all of us are the same. That was not tempting at all. To be the same as Bellatrix or Mulciber. Severus read Evan's words once more, feeling uneasy. If he had not heard Abraxas confirm to Lucius he had examined the Mark and not found anything untoward with it, Severus would have thought it was doing more than just allowing communication between bearers.
The Ministry is really afraid we will win the election this time. Already, they are watching with attention those who speak publicly in favour of our ideas. What a coincidence several of Lord Voldemort's most vocal supporters suddenly underwent a tax audit. There was nothing to find despite the auditors' fervent search and the Aurors' rough handling. Our Lord thinks the next step will be home searches for Dark Artefacts. I wonder how they will legally justify this one. Let's wait and see!
On the bright side, the ministry harassment is gaining us sympathy.
Severus nodded to himself. The Ministry was dumber than ever.
We decided to play the same game. Defenders now drop unsuspected on Ministry employees and Dumbledore supporters to deliver a few pieces of blackmail information. It is really funny to do.
Severus rolled his eyes at his friend's words. He had no doubt this was fun, but was it really productive? This was not going to win them points.
He ruffled through a few more letters, sighing as he came across the letter from Regulus which had made so little sense in the beginning.
I heard one of the Hufflepuffs complain that the Defenders had broken into her house. Her parents are Mudbloods politically engaged and among those pushing for more changes in their favour like magic school for Muggleborns or dissolution of the Wizengamot.
As the Ministry is becoming more insistent with their harassment of those supporting our ideas, the Defenders do the same with those who oppose their ideas. It is feeling more and more like civil war.
I fear it will get worse now that Lord Voldemort won his libel suit against the Daily Prophet. The lineage spell proved he is Slytherin's descendant. Cherry on top of the cake, he showed all he was a Parseltongue. Hufflepuffs are quaking in their shoes at the idea of the big bad Slytherin.
Civil war. Such a strong word. Yet, reading all those letters, feeling the pressure build up, Severus had to agree. What a mess. But History showed great changes seldom happened during peaceful times. As long as it did not persist after the elections.
The next letters were more of the same. Violence and threats were common from both sides. His friends all included several newspaper articles to illustrate their letters.
Looking at the headlines of the newspaper clips, Severus wanted to hit dunderhead journalists on the head. They were not helping.
Defenders torture muggleborn ministry employee: where will they stop?
Are the Defenders Pureblood supremacists in disguise?
Another skirmish between Aurors and Defenders: Defenders 3-Aurors 5
Is Lord Voldemort the new Grindelwald?
Defenders chose their own name and it scares us: Beware the Death Eaters!
The last headline had been joined to one of Jonathan's letters. Death Eaters? Who had chosen this stupid name? Why had the others agreed with the change? It sounded barbaric, more like a group prone to frenzy violence and destruction than one defending the wizarding world and its children. It was hard enough already, they were not helping themselves. Was Lord Voldemort losing control of the group? Was the Black folly contagious?
Scowling, Severus looked back to the letter.
So. We celebrated Lord Voldemort's success against the Daily prophet. There was alcohol involved. I think it is the only reason why we agreed on this new name.
Mulciber's entourage was particularly enthused about it–I sadly include Evan–while some of our elder members were much less convinced. I must confess I kind of liked the new name too at the time. It felt right. We voted and the new name won.
Today, I am wondering about the message it will convey. It felt like a good joke yesterday evening. This morning, not so much. I am afraid Dumbledore lovers and Birkins supporters will take it as another proof we want to conquer the world. Just look at the new Daily prophet headline...
Drunk fools. Severus wanted to shake all of them. This new name could change the public opinion of their group. Shaking his head, he reached for the next letter. His Grandfather this time. Severus could only stare, unbelieving.
Mister Wilkes' father was killed today. The circumstances are nebulous for now, and I doubt the coming inquiry will shed much light on what happened. With the election approaching, the Minister of Magic put finding the Muggleborns children taken away by the Defenders on top priority. He wants to prove to his Muggleborns electors he is acting in their interests.
I do not know how but Aurors found one of them. The foster family immediately called on the Defenders. It was decided that Mark would go because of his previous ties with the Ministry, accompanied by two others. From what I gathered, the Aurors tried to take the child away by force. It degenerated into a fight, and just like that, Mark was dead. We are waiting on the cause of death as Aurors are not supposed to use lethal force.
Jonathan. Severus felt tears coming to his eyes. Sadness and anger rushed over him. Muggles and the Ministry supporting them. How much more would they lose to them?
Skipping to Jonathan next letter, Severus felt his heart tighten.
Hey Severus,
Well, no easy way to say this. My father is dead.
You are one of the few who can understand. Merlin. We really need to win this time. He cannot be dead for nothing. They cannot be dead for nothing.
I am leaving Horeword for Oxfarer today. I am the Head of the family now. Mother and Tiff need me close.
Please take care of yourself. I know you will not be able to answer for several months, but please. I cannot lose someone else.
Jonathan.
Suddenly, Dhaal was there, and Severus was burying his head into his Familiar's shoulder, arms tight around his neck and never letting go again. He only wanted muggleborn children to be safe and to protect the wizarding world from Muggles and to peacefully learn about Magic secrets. How did it equal to violence and death?
Severus felt wings envelop him, cradling him gently. Dhaal was whickering softly, Sensing soothing nonsense through their bond. An eternity passed before Severus felt he could face the remaining letters. Willing his hands not to shake, he took the next one. Evan mostly ranting about idiot Aurors and Minister. The next one. Evan again, lauding Mulciber's funny ideas to scare Death Eaters opponents. The next one. Jonathan.
I am getting used to studying at Oxfarer in the morning and taking care of Head of House business the afternoon. Mother is worried I am shouldering too much but I need this to occupy my brain.
We had a group meeting this evening. We voted that Purebloods who support the Mudbloods' projects and the current Minister are to be considered traitors. They will be treated with the same courtesy as Muggles and Mudbloods. Too many Ministry mudblood employees think themselves above us because they are currently in favour with the Minister.
The inquiry did not find the Aurors guilty of my father's death.
Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, Dhaal warm and reassuring behind him, Severus took another letter. Regulus.
Only one year left at Hogwarts. I do not know whether to be relieved or sad. Despite the tensions, we are sheltered at school. The few meetings I attended since coming back this summer were harsh and made me uncomfortable.
Or scared, supplied Severus' mind.
Lord Voldemort keeps on impressing me. He always had presence and charisma, but nowadays, you can almost feel Magic coming out of him. He reminds me of Dumbledore when the old coot lets go of his grandfatherly mask. Mother is definitely smitten–not in the Bellatrix sense, thank Merlin. The fact he can talk to snakes is a nice bonus.
He also demonstrated a few awesome spells and transfigurations I did not find in any of the Black's library books. I think he invented them. He taught us one called "Mortmordre". He described it as the Death Eaters calling card. To be used after a Death Eaters intervention, to signal the Ministry they ought to come clean up after us. A way to taunt them. To scare them.
It is an interesting strategy, also not one I would have chosen at the time. I think our Lord is counting on the fact some will vote for him in hope the Defenders interventions will stop. I would rather they vote for us because they believe in us but…
Better win cheating than lose with honour. All is fair in love and war.
I am looking forward to meeting with you again and having your input on our world's politics in person.
There are things I will not write on paper, translated Severus. He wished he could see his friends right now.
Grabbing the last letter of the stack, he smiled. Lucius.
Brother,
According to Augustus, you will be back from wherever you were soon. You better write to me immediately. I am giving you two weeks before storming down on your Master.
You had better write Narcissa too, she is actively hiding how anxious she is for your answer.
Looking at the second stack of letters, Severus decided he was not up to dealing with women. These could wait for tomorrow. Or later. Skimming through the end of the letter but finding no additional reason to worry–Thank Merlin–Severus got up to sit at his desk. He needed to write to his brother and friends. And to his Grandfather. He needed to write to Jonathan.
The day after, Severus waited until after lunch to tackle his remaining letters.
Dear Severus,
I write after a long silence. Considering our last encounter, I felt we both needed time to come to terms with what was said and seriously consider the possible truths honestly given in some accusations and advice.
You repeated, in more cruel words, the worry you had already shared with me. Your words, as necessary as they were during my wedding, hurt me deeply. They hurt even more the day of Abraxas funeral, even though I understand fully you were grieving his loss deeply and did not care who you hurt.
The only words that hurt are those said by people we love deeply and which we know to hold a grain of truth. You made me wonder about myself. You made me face this difficult question. I was very angry with you for a time, and yet I knew you were right to ask. Events are happening fast and the time of choice may come sooner than I thought.
Today, I can tell you I will always stand by Lucius. It warms my heart to write these words so thank you, Severus.
Severus felt his heart flutter. He believed her. Thank Merlin. His brother needed to have a wife by his side he could trust. He needed his wife and Severus to get along.
I must add that though you were right to wonder, I truly was thinking of Abraxas' desire and your future when I advised you not to end your Apprenticeship. I am glad you changed your mind. I understand Lord Prince convinced you, I trust he knew Abraxas the best.
As I said, you made me reflect on my place in this changing world, what it meant to now be Lucius' wife, and one day the mother of his child and heir while unknown changes are coming. I decided to begin a healer internship. My potion and charms grade III masteries allowed me to skip to third year. I have the feeling it will be more useful than dabbling into my interests hidden in the manor or organising parties. A few are grumbling about the rich woman taking the place of one who really needs to work. I am determined to volunteer at least two days a week when I know enough.
She was clever. Being a healer would be an asset for Lucius and the group, both because she could be useful to them after Defenders interventions, and because it would gain her a favourable public image.
Dear Severus, I will await your answer with great trepidation. I admit when Lucius first told me you would be out of communication for a year, I was relieved because it gave me time to sort out myself without alienating you with my silence. Now that I am sure of myself, I wish you were back tomorrow. Please, do not wait long to answer me when you are back. I hope we can establish the relationship Lucius wishes for us.
So did he.
With all my love,
Narcissa.
She had written only once, in March. He wanted to answer her quickly yet he needed time to digest her words and confirm his gut feeling that she could become part of his family.
Severus repressed a sigh when he saw the next two letters in the stack. Lily. Chances of her letters being as calloused as usual were high. There were two other letters, one from Petunia and one from Professor McGonagall. Nodding to himself, Severus pushed Lily's letters to the side and took up the one from his old transfiguration Professor. It was only two weeks old.
Dear Mister Snape,
I hope you are enjoying your Apprenticeship and wisely using this time to stretch your talents and discover your limits under proper supervision.
I heard from Professor Flitwick your time with your current Master will come to an end in one year. I would like to offer you the possibility to study more advanced transfiguration with me. I will be honest with you, I do not think you will be able to reach grade I mastery. However, I believe grade III, and potentially grade II, would be well within your capacity.
Severus blinked. An Apprenticeship offer. From Professor McGonagall. It confirmed what Drunek had told him in Bǎo but... Had she asked him at Dumbledore request? The offer was too good to be true. And yet... He did not see the Professor suffering an unwanted Apprentice, even to please Dumbledore. She had a solid reputation and seldom took on Apprentices, even though she was a regular lecturer for several of the greatest universities. She also was on the experts list of the Ministry, to be called upon at need–it had never interfered with her class but Severus suspected it was because of Dumbledore meddling.
I have no doubts I am–or will be–only one proposition among others. Please take your time to choose. While I would be disappointed, I will not hold a refusal against you.
I offer you all my encouragement for your last year.
Best Regards,
Minerva McGonagall.
Severus slowly put the letter aside, knowing he would need to consider his after-Goblins options carefully. For now, he had time.
Curious, Severus reached for Petunia's letter.
Dear Severus,
I hope my letter finds you well and that time has helped you pull through your grief.
I write you today because Lily is disappointed and furious with you, I thought I should both warn you and assure you I bear you no such ill will.
Lily angry at him. Colour Severus surprised.
It was nice of Petunia to warn him, even if her sister did not hold as much sway over him as she once did.
Lily had been pestering me for several days to try and brew a potion with her. I was reluctant to do so, now that I made my peace with being a Muggle, I do not intend to play at being a witch. But she was persistent and yesterday, I agreed to brew a potion with her. As I had foretold, the potion was useless.
It was a shame, but not unexpected. However, Severus wondered if a regular practice of Taichichuan would change the outcome.
Lily was really upset, as if she expected it to work. I do not think she believed me when I explained your protection stone was specially made for a Muggle. Apparently, James Potter told her it was not possible because Muggles do not possess Magic.
And Potter was supposed to be the Muggles lover.
I am not fond of him nor his adopted brother, they have no subtlety.
A snicker escaped Severus. Indeed.
He put into Lily's head that your stone would kill me if a spell too strong was cast at my parents or Lily. Of course, she demanded I stopped using it at once. She does not understand that I would use the stone even if it were the case.
She was...
However, I trust you would have warned me of such unpleasantness. I suppose this is why you specified it would protect from most but not all harmful spells.
Petunia was surprisingly insightful. Severus resolved once more to work on a new and more efficient stone. Goblin runes opened possibilities for huge improvement, like protection from some potions. It would be even better if he was able to Sense Petunia and attune the stone to her precisely.
I really want to thank you for not turning me away when I first came to ask for your help. You showed me we could grow up. Your accomplishments made me think I could do better.
Oh.
I had chosen accounting because I thought it the best I could hope for, and that my parents expected me to find a good husband and settle down to create my own family. The truth is, Mother only supported me because she thought it was my dream. My parents were overjoyed when I decided to try to become a doctor. I have discovered treasures of patience and motivation. I was almost surprised when I passed my first year, but Dad said there was no reason for Lily to have taken all the brains in the family.
Severus could feel the awe and bitterness mixed in her words. How many times had she dreamed of hearing these compliments only to be disappointed when they were addressed to Lily?
It was another argument in favour of taking Muggleborns from their home. How would they turn out if their parents were so awed by their Magic they gave in their every whim? Even worse, one overlooked sibling could become dangerous to them. Slytherin really knew best.
I am now in my third year. It's hard work, especially among so many men. But I am thriving. Best of all, Lily is supportive and our relationship is almost as if Hogwarts had not happened. I convinced her lawyer studies were better suited to her than an Auror career. I know she will be wonderful once she understands the world is not as black and white as she thinks.
Time would tell.
I keep reading Lily's newspapers, and the situation seems to worsen every day. Lily told me you supported Lord Voldemort and his group. I cannot believe you would condone torture so I suppose those who make the headlines are the extremes of his supporters. You should be careful because more often than not, extremists win over the moderates.
Severus could only agree. He appreciated the fact she had not just told him off for his opinion.
Be careful, I thank you once more for helping me so,
Best regards,
Petunia.
Severus was touched by the attention. He should have opened Lily's letters before. Sighing, he opened her first letter.
Severus,
I am so angry right now I wish I knew where you are hiding so I could come and shake you until your brain gets right again! How could you?!
James told me the reason the protective Ritual you gave Petunia was forbidden is because it is the kind of Ritual which takes a life for a life! Did you even warn Petunia she was risking her life to protect us?
Speaking of Petunia, I had her brew a potion and IT DID NOT WORK. How could I ever have believed… Did you enjoy giving me false hope? Is it your revenge on me?
If you have any decency, you will write to Petunia to tell her to stop using her stone.
Lily
He stared at the letter. Even without Petunia warning, he would not have been surprised. Only disappointed. She really thought so lowly of him. She did not trust him to… Severus huffed to himself. She did not trust him and that was it. Of course, Potter only knew the life for life version. The spell had often been cast by Heads of House before they realised it made it too easy to kill a Head of House while never confronting them.
Sighing, Severus eyed Lily's second letter. He really did not want to read another sermon. This letter was only a month old. Weird. She had written it almost a year after the previous one. Curiosity piqued, berating himself for giving in so easily, Severus opened it.
To his surprise, the parchment looked wrinkled and stained, as if Lily had struggled with her letter and… cried over it. He even spotted several crossing-out.
Dear Severus,
I wish to apologise for my letters my behaviour
Please read this letter before deciding once and for all to definitely ignore me.
This was new.
As you may not know, I decided to go into law-school at Oxfarer. Aafter being away ten months of every year at Hogwarts, I felt like remaining close to home. Law school is the best choice if I want to understand the wizarding world and help reform it. To my surprise, we do not only study wizarding law. We also have history courses, how laws came to be and how they evolved. Two afternoons a week, I also follow a lawyer, a judge or a ministry employee as an observer. It has been enlightening. Made me take off my rose-colored glasses.
Better late than never.
I talked a lot with Professor McGonagall this year, she is really supportive. For the first time, I thought to ask her dared talk to her about you and our friendship. How difficult it was for a Gryffindor and a Slytherin to be friends. She gave me another point of view and cursed Headmaster Dumbledore lots of food for thought. She set me straight explained the life for a life protective Ritual only was the ultimate version of it (I kept my questions on the hypothetical side, do not worry) even if she was intrigued at how it could work for a Muggle. I am sorry for accusing doubting you. Sometimes, it feels like I spend so much time with Gryffindors people who all believe the same thing my brain cannot help but absorb their opinions.
She certainly was on to something. It did not absolve her though. But...
Being home, I also talk a lot with my parents and Petunia. It is so nice to finally be able to have a conversation with my sister without it dissolving into a shouting match within five seconds. She sees a lot of different people for her doctor studies and even if they are Muggles, well, they are as human as Wizards. My parents also stopped treating us like children. They insisted I tell them the truth about the tensions in our world. They were so disappointed to discover I had lied omitted to give them all the facts. It is hard because as supportive as they are, they do not hesitate to tell me when they think my beliefs are wrong.
Severus bet the loss of Hogwarts freedom had to be disconcerting for her.
All this to say I thought a lot about our friendship, the reasons I ended it. You were right, I was not entirely honest with you. I was also lying to myself. I did not want to be the bad girl who gives up on her friend because it's easier. You know what they say, how you only know you owned something of value when it's gone. Well, I miss you Sev. You were not without faults, but neither was I.
Could we try to be friends again? Get to know each other, after all these years?
To be completely honest with you, I am still wary of Lord Voldemort, and I totally disapprove of those Death Eaters who are dangerous bigots and racists. I agree Headmaster Dumbledore is not the perfect man I once thought him to be, but I still believe he is the best we have. I prefer to say it again right now so there is no misunderstanding between us if you decide you want to give us a shot. And yes, I am still with James and happy with him, even if I barely see him because he is busy with Auror prep school.
Go figure. Severus wanted to roll his eyes at the Gryffindor cliché. No doubt Potter-Black was along for the ride.
So, you know everything. I sincerely hope you will give me a chance. I will not write you again unless you wish me to (Petunia says I must learn to take a hint, but you know me…).
With all my love,
Lily
Severus stared at the letter unseeing. It was too much at once. Too many changes.
At least, James B… Potter had not written him an apology. He would have had a stroke. Shaking his head, Severus put the letter on his to-think-about stack. He should ask Frekka for advice. Maybe.
Resolutely pushing all thoughts of the wizarding world aside, Severus went downstairs to join Dhaal and the children, happy to lose himself in their simple game of hide and seek.