Chapter 8
Prince Manor, November 20
Augustus Prince was stunned after hearing from his friends. Henry and Euphemia Potter, about certain boy. They didn't know that the boy, who they were talking about, was in fact his grandson. Every word of what Severus Snape had experienced in recent years at the hands of the Potter's only grandson, became a dagger. A dagger that penetrated deeper and deeper into his chest.
- How was this case resolved? - he asked in a trembling voice. He didn't know if he wanted to know the answer to this question. His hand tightened nervously on the ornate handle of his cane. He rubbed his thumb over the dragon's head that was engraved there.
- My daughter-in-law ... Dorothea made sure James was punished. I really don't understand her. The boy was just having fun. These were harmless jokes between the students.
Augustus knew she was hiding something. He wanted to know everything. He suspected what had happened. He had to help Severus if he awoke to what had once nearly destroyed his own marriage.
- Honey, you know very well that this time it's not just about those childish jokes. Dorothea was upset that James had swept his prejudice against Slytherin. He didn't know Mr. Snape was HIS veela. - Henry turned to him, silencing his wife with a simple gesture - Augustus. It turned out that my grandson had abused the boy for five years, even though he was his partner.
- Was? - The wizard was unable to say anything. - This boy is dead?
Lord Prince felt his heart begin to break. Years ago, he rose with pride, and after his daughter refused to marry a wizard of his choice, he cut himself off from Eillen. He had underestimated her power to make decisions on her own. It took him many years to understand his mistake. He wanted to find her, but when he saw that Severus' name began to glow on his eleventh birthday, he knew what had happened. This boy has inherited a family curse.
- He is alive, but we know from the information that has reached us that the boy decided to perform the Swap Ritual. - Euphemia huffed with disgust on her face. - I cannot imagine that someone like this could be in my family. Such someone without any social support. James's friends are also questionable, but at least they come from good families.
Augustus was relieved and terrified at the same time. He knew that breaking away from the person who abused the veela was the best this boy could do. Many people have gone through this ritual, but not many of them were aware of some small detail. Usually, an inaccurate power match was enough. The constant struggle increased the potential of both sides. But sometimes the fit was so perfect that both sides became too strong in a short time for their magic core to withstand it. Severus and his new partner needed some decent training. Otherwise, they will burn from the inside.
- I didn't think I was the wrong company for you. - He looked with satisfaction at the woman who was his friend at the beginning of this conversation.
Henry Potter looked at him confusedly. Holding on to the armrests, he tried to get up.
- Severus Snape...The boy that your wife spoke about so unflatteringly is my grandson. I hope he's still alive. If it turns out that my grandson was killed by your grandson, you will find out what Augustus Prince can do to you. For example ... Do you remember that I licensed you to sell your hair elixir? It can always mysteriously expire. - He smiled seeing the confused expression on the faces of both his guests. - As far as I know, this elixir is your main source of income.
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Malfoy Manor, November 20
Abraxas sometimes wondered if Tom Riddle was really an adult wizard. At first he understood his prejudices. He knew Tom was a half-blood wizard, and he could tell a little first-hand about the behavior and views of Muggles. Recently, he had felt that this wizard's aggression was mainly due to the fact that another half-blood had refused him a job at Hogwarts. He wasn't the only one who thought that if Albus Dumbledore had even given him a chance to teach, Riddle probably wouldn't have had time to conspire.
Lord Malfoy felt like he was dealing with a bunch of preschoolers right now. Less than a month has passed and there was another celebration in the Manor gardens in which he decided to stay sober this time. After the Samhain celebration, Dilly, his main elf, was so upset by the damage that he was given black bread and black coffee to eat. For almost three weeks. This strange creature took this menu from a Polish song about life in a political prison.
- Black, black bread and black coffee, obsessed with loneliness, seek the happiness that is called freedom with their thoughts! Black, black bread and black coffee, obsessed with loneliness, seek the happiness that is called freedom with their thoughts! Then a jailer falls into the cell and starts beating a prisoner, the young prisoner falls on his face, his heart stops beating.
Abraxas heard the lyrics to that damn song again. He definitely needs to start controlling who his house elveses meet in their free time.
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Hogwarts, November 20
Minerva McGonagall easily noticed how much the grades of both Lily Evans and the Marauders had deteriorated. She had always known that the young Gryffindor had higher grades thanks to Mr. Snape's help, but she didn't think that her four friends also benefited from this help.
- I think you are distracted today, Miss Evans. Something happened? - She was her caretaker. She felt that she should help her.
The red-haired witch put down the wand and looked in the Minerva's eye. - I'm worried about Severus. I didn't have the opportunity to apologizes. I'm worried that when he comes back, there won't be anything to fix between us.
She hadn't expected such an answer. - Why do you think Mr. Snape will come back?
The young Gryffindor looked at her as if she didn't know what she meant. She tilted her head and replied - There's a Triwizard Tournament next year. I hope that Severus is now at the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic or the Durmstrang Institute. If I am right, there is no way that he could NOT be selected for representation. He's too talented to ANOTHER school would miss it.
She felt a resentful gaze on her. She knew Severus Snape was talented from the moment she had her first class with him. At the time, she thought that in Slytherin he would be just another wasted talent. Lily Evans was right. The school that took him over from them obtained a diamond that they didn't want to cut.
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Sirius Black watched his friend. James Potter had been very subdued lately and he didn't understand why. His eyes were empty even as he looked at the girl he had been in love with for so long.
- James, what's the matter with you?
- I am just trying to find myself. It's hard when I keep wondering what I would do if I had a straight idea of what I had in common with Snape. I like Lily, I really do. However, at this point I don't know if I like her for herself or just because I told myself that I should like her. I thought she was my veela.
- I think you had it on your heart for a while, man. - Sirius felt more and more guilty for not supporting his friend. - You can't keep thinking about that Slytherin. Now, he definitely has someone. Someone that isn't you.
Syrius shuddered as he saw tears in James' eyes. It was this moment when he realized that he had to find that goddamn Severus Snape. Just for James to end this situation. That he would come to terms with the fact that it was over, or to check if it might not be too late. He can handle it somehow. James was like a brother to him.
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Durmstrang, November 20
Severus was more and more enthralled with his studies in Durmstrang from day to day. There were no classes at Hogwarts where they talked about other wizarding communities. To tell you the truth, on History of Magic, they haven't worked on anything other than the Goblin Wars so far. Here he had the opportunity to learn a lot more. About the world where, next to the Muggles, Whispers lived peacefully.
Perhaps next year he would go to Hogwarts, but he knew one thing. There isn't the slightest chance that he will want to return to Great Britain permanently. Not when his father was slowly regaining his balance. Not when he was safe here. Not when he finally spread his wings here. He will sooner completely burn Hogwart than he will finish his magical education there.
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Well, the next chapter is behind us. What do you think? Did you get any answers to any questions that were bothering you? What would you change? This is the first chapter that I wrote completely without the help of dictionary;). Regards, katie-krum
