Hello, everyone!

Welcome back to:

The Last Heir

Wow! Holy Review central Batman!

From the very beginning of this story the feedback I received was very heart warming, I'm thrilled that my readers, both old and new, are interested enough to see where I take this story.

Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to review, favorite, and/or alert this story.

This should be the last big exposition chapter before we get to Severus's days at Hogwarts so hang in there just a little longer dear readers.

I own nothing you might recognize thanks to my then Beta Myracle-wryter for slayng my typo dragons

A special thanks to The Lady of the Land and KyloRen'sgirl213 who granted this story its 5th, 10th review.

Now, with the formalities concluded, I bring you:

Chapter 2: Preparing for Hogwarts

Skydancinghobbit


Once again, you've put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and, as usual, come to the wrong conclusion.


"I am the last scion of this ancient and noble house of Prince. My duty is to continue the line once I have discovered my bespoke. To her alone shall I be true. To this faith, and the hope of her love, do I vow my troth, my honor, and my being."

The vow had been the most serious matter that a young Severus had ever faced. His mother had taken him to the Hall of Memories where a massive pensive had waited for him, there the daily lessons had begun. Simple at first, as befitted his tender years, as grandfather Claudius had said. As the years passed, the lessons from the great members of the house had been shown to him. Mistakes in battle, horrible decisions in leadership, and acts of great virtue had been placed before him. After each lesson, mother and son would find comfortable chairs and query the portraits of those concerned about the details of their lives.

Severus discovered it wasn't often what great people did that made them great, but rather the why. Through the voices of history, he learned what had caused the rise of the noble house and what had nearly brought it to its knees:

Choices.

Not that there weren't other things to keep the young wizard occupied. There were etiquette lessons, dueling classes with his mother, and…. dance lessons.

Oh, how he despised dance lessons.

Yet, the young man proved to be exceedingly graceful in his movements and so was spared a good deal of the dance masters wrath in the matter. Some of the old man's wisdom did seem to settle between his ears as time went on. Often it would play through his mind as he built pillow walls in his favorite corner of the library, challenging himself to build them higher and higher. He called it his personal castle of knowledge. His mother, and the exasperated Meme, called it an excuse to become a hermit.

"Dance, young Severus, is like a form of combat. In a social situation it has structure, form, and the outcome of a set could very well determine the outcome of an event for good or evil. Remember to pick your partners carefully."

On the eve of his eleventh birthday, Severus received three presents of great importance to him: his walking stick, his wand, and his familiars.

Two beautiful ravens. He firmly named them Cloak and Dagger. His mother had wisely given no comment, only rolled her eyes heavenward at the dramatics of her son. Eileen was convinced these dramatics were a result of far too much time spent in the library reading. The household had taken to chasing the boy outside every afternoon to get some fresh air, else he prove allergic to it.

The ravens proved to be good company for the young boy. Cloak was content to sit and listen to Severus read aloud and bring him the occasional present from the forest. These gifts normally proved to be a shiny rock or a bit or brightly colored thread, but each offering was accepted with good grace and tucked into a drawer with the rest of his treasures. Dagger was as curious as one would expect, getting into everything not nailed down. The Raven had even gone so far as to peck at the frame of Great Aunt Guinevere in the library; causing a ruckus that hadn't been equaled in almost a century. That was the day Severus added a new word to his ever-growing list of vocabulary.

Desecration

Severus was convinced that Aunt Guinevere was being overly dramatic; Dagger hadn't actually harmed her. He stoutly pointed this out, glaring at the portrait as it bewailed the attack to his mother. Aunt Guinevere claimed the damage and chaos had been the result of him allowing the birds into the library. Clearly, the library was no place for troublesome ravens.

"Severus, it's not kind to allow them to harass your relatives" Eileen said calmly.

"He was only attracted to the shiny thread in her picture. It's not right to blame him for acting like himself mother and..."

"Keep that meddling ball of feathers out of my space, young man! In my day-" the portrait spoke sharply, glaring down her Prince nose at the boy.

"Severus, you should apologize..." Eileen tried.

Stormy dark eyes fixed the picture with a cold stare as he shook his head firmly.

"No, mum. I will not apologize. Dagger did no harm beyond frightening her. I am sorry for the result, but I will not apologize for his actions. I care more for the reason behind the actions, as you have taught me. His intent was not to frighten, but to follow his nature. He was just being a bird!"

Eileen realized with a sinking heart that this had been the first time Severus had ever disobeyed her. She watched him stomp away, the indignant huffs of Guinevere behind her. Severus ran his fingers over the bird's feathers soothingly as Dagger balanced very carefully on the head of his walking stick.

His Hogwarts letter arrived shortly afterwards and did a great deal of good in restoring the boy's spirits. A trip to Diagon Alley meant only one thing to the young man: new books. Although eager to spend all his time in Flourish & Blott's, Severus was made to collect the rest of his supplies. Pewter Cauldron, dragon hide gloves, several sets of school robes, and other such necessities were soon collected and deposited in his rooms. Shortly after returning, Meme came to aid him in packing his school trunk. Thankfully, the headmaster had made allowances and both his companions would be coming with him!

He wasn't sure who in his life had shed more tears over his departure: his mother or devoted elf. It was all very awkward.

Then, one floo trip later, Severus stood on the platform before a great scarlet steam engine. Little did young Severus know that train ride would change his life.


So ends Chapter 2 -hands out chocolate frogs-

What think you noble readers? Any questions, comments, or suggestions?

Whoever grants this story its 20th review shall earn Chapter 3's dedication.

Stat tuned for Chapter 3. New Beginnings and Old Rivals.

Skydancinghobbit

P.S. Please take a moment to check out my other stories they need love too you know