AN: this is the longest chapter I've EVER written (it took long enough too), but I'm quite pleased with its progress. Please do R&R.
The Pureblood Prince
By AuroraSinistra87
Disclaimer: All characters you recognise belong to J.K. Rowling.
CHAPTER VI: Mondayitis
The house was small; there was no doubt about that.
A tiny hallway that led into a tiny sitting room; ahead, a tiny area where they ate. A tiny kitchen barely fit to contain two people at once, upstairs two tiny bedrooms, one barely larger than the other.
But it was hers. It was theirs.
Tobias was a hard worker. It may not have been glamorous, but it was noble and decent work. It put a roof over their heads and food in their belly… she loved him for that. She loved him for everything he was. He was nothing like… them.
He never questioned her decision to renounce her ties with the Princes; this was a quite convenient stance on Tobias's part, as she never cared to explain. What good would it do? That part of her life was over and he husband was the replacement. A very fitting placement if she did say so herself!
She had, by now, almost completely immersed herself in the Muggle world – though, still remaining weary of it, managed to maintain a distance. Enough to get by, but nowhere near enough to thrive. She would feel lonely sometimes, especially those long hours spent by herself in the crammed little home, while her husband worked to keep them. She was not adept enough to sustain a Muggle job and she was certainly too proud to return to a wizarding one.
She had no Muggle friends, and all her old school colleagues were all but forgotten. She resided, in many ways, in her own world – caught in a diving line.
Sometimes she would cry. Then the door would creak open and he would be there… and it was forgotten.
"Hello, love." She called from the kitchen on such a night. She heard Tobias's harsh footsteps coming through the hallway door.
"Bloody bus was quarter of an hour late," Tobias started, "hope you didn't start dinner too soon eh?"
"No, I-" she stopped momentarily to learn forward towards him, encouraging him to face her and kiss her lightly on her cold lips (she closed her eyes for just a split second and savoured the feeling). "-waited to see what you wanted. I have some left over pasta from last night, or I think we have some fish fingers somewhere…?"
"Well I can' have fish fingers by themselves, Ei."
"I'll cook them both then."
After dinner was finished and Tobias had had his bath, they would settle down for bed. It was her favourite time of day. They would usually make love and she would settle in his arms, just like the first time they ever did. It was simple and it was good and it was all she needed.
Until Eileen Snape wanted more.
Over the coming weeks, Regulus had become more and more adamant that he perfect his new curse before his seventh year colleague left school for good. Amongst the final rush towards the NEWT's, Severus realised that trading one of his beloved inventions for one measly day at the Black family home may not have been the most ideal of plans - especially as Regulus failed to comprehend that he would not be at his beck and call every day to assist him in learning the curse.
It was no skin of off his nose that Regulus Black continuously stuck to his belief that Severus could never have invented the spell himself – for he would eventually know the truth when he joined ranks with him in just a few years time. However, the various excuses he was coming up with in order to explain such a phenomenon were getting slightly irksome.
"If I looked hard enough in the restricted section, I'm sure I could find the exact same curse you're teaching me, you know."
Severus glared at him from across the table during breakfast in the Great Hall that drizzling Monday morning. "By all means, Regulus, search away." He said, casually flipping through a rather ancient copy of Advanced Arithmancy for the Advanced Witch of Wizard.
"You know you're graduating in a few weeks."
"An astute observation."
"Yeah, well if I don't get this spell thing right by then the deal's off!" Regulus snapped, violently shoving a piece of bacon into his mouth.
Severus momentarily broke his concentration from the NEWT Arithmancy book. "I gave you the incantation, I gave you all the tools you need to perfect it, therefore I think it only fair that I still be allowed a few measly titbits of information from you."
"Well ungh, it betterb berk." Regulus replied through a mouthful of bread. Severus curled his lip in disgust. He had had enough of brutish, uncivilised men to last him a lifetime. When Regulus had returned to his usual gang of Slytherins, he took one last bite of his now cold piece of toast, slung his dilapidated bag over his shoulder and headed toward the library.
When, WHEN, can I go to the library in peace without being hit in the face with such a depressing sight? Severus mentally sighed to himself after witnessing a depressing amount of seventh year Gryffindors crowding around in the usual spot just outside the library. As usual Severus made his way into the shadows as to avoid any unnecessary attention. Though, again, as usual, he stopped behind his customary stone pillar to take a glance at them… he waited for anything… anything… he could use against them.
And he was about to have it.
There was a larger crowd than usual here. Not just Gryffindors (as was so regrettably time-honoured amoungst these parts of Hogwarts) but Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, even some Slytherins… Regulus was there. Regulus was-
SNAP!
A green flash of light erupted over the courtyard. The surrounding students mostly fled to the adjacent trees, out of sight. Regulus was standing, breathless, before Sirius Black – who was clutching a bloodied arm and shouting incomprehensible things at his furious looking brother.
Oh, cursing out in the open now, Regulus? How very wise. Severus thought with great disdain. He clicked his tongue irritably and stalked into the library; he had had enough family disputes to last him a lifetime… he certainly wasn't about to subject himself to another's. Severus sat down, pulled out his NEWT's Astronomy book and a long piece of parchment, already scribbled with black, cramped characters, and continued writing his notes.
… For a Keplerian disk, the orbital angular velocity is proportional to R-3/2, where R is the distance from Saturn's centre. Individual particles within –
"Levicorpus!"
Severus's brain abruptly snapped. No matter how illegible the faint arguing and cursing may have been from within the walls of the library, he could hear that which belonged to him anywhere…
Without a second thought to his belongings, he leapt from the table, toppling the chair over as he did so, and rushed to the entrance.
"FIVE POINTS FROM SLYTHERIN, MISTER!" Madam Pince shrieked as he sped past her - as if he had a care for the House cup! He pushed his way through the nattering crowd to see not Sirius, but Regulus suspended in the air. Potter's wand pointed toward him.
"NO!"
Potter twisted around to see the direction from which the sudden objection came, but it was too late. Severus had already drawn out his own wand and stabbed it hatefully in the air. All rational thought had disappeared. Severus felt every artery in body pounding with rage… James Potter! His own spell! Well, he would have to use another of his own spells to teach him, wouldn't he?!
"Langlock!"
Potter began to splutter, mumbling inaudible things at Severus – which gave him time to deal with Sirius Black, who had by now pushed his friend aside and had his own wand risen at Severus. Regulus still hung, struggling, up above the scene.
"STUPEFY!"
"MORDAX!"
The two curses from both boys' wands rebounded, mid-air. Sirius' stupefy curse bounced back and hit him square in the face where he toppled onto the ground, cataleptic. Severus' finely attuned reflexes enabled him to leap off his feet and hit the ground before his own invented curse – one which would sting the target uncontrollably until the counter curse was muttered - had hit him. However, he was not prepared for the one that hit him directly in the back as he rose once more to finish off Potter, still gargling on his words.
"Stupefy!" came the voice of Remus Lupin.
The world around him began to tune in and out of colour… consciousness left before he hit the grass.
Slowly, ever so gently, voices began to creep into Severus's head. The world was still black, but he could hear conversation behind his eyes. He dared not open them for the time being… his head was pounding so excruciatingly that he feared the barest glimpse of light would finish him off completely. Was he in his bed? But why were there female voices here? Surely they'd all be leaving soon for class… or was it the holidays?
Suddenly, an icy cold spray of liquid scattered all over his face. He jumped up in pure shock and confusion, before realising that this possibly wasn't the best action he could have taken. His brain was obviously trying to detach itself from his spine. He slowly opened his eyes (out of necessity more than anything) to find himself in an empty classroom, Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, sitting over him and holding what looked to be like a revive potion in a spray can.
"Well, that took less time than I expected." She said briskly.
Spluttering and shaking, Severus sat himself up and blinked furiously, vigorously trying to regain his short-term memory. "What happened?" he demanded, his head pounding against his retinas.
"A stunning spell was cast on you and, unfortunately, you decided that a rock would be the best place to rest your head on. That is all I will say on the matter," Pomfrey replied in a very condescending tone, as if he should have known better. Severus knew he was not going to get anything out of her; the woman was notoriously unrelenting. "Let's see how you do on your legs shall we? Take it slowly…"
"I don't need your help!" Severus shot, clutching at the wall to steady himself. Pomfrey sat back, looking at him with a bemused expression.
"Is that so, young lad?" she said with a dramatic nod. "I suggest you tell me that after you've avoided hurtling yourself into that table right in front of you, not before."
Severus omitted a heavy sigh. Damned woman, she was probably right.
Taking that as her cue, Madam Pomfrey supported his weight as rose to his feet. Severus did indeed take a few stumbles, much thanks to what felt like panes of glass being smashed around in his skull, but was able to steady himself after a few seconds. He could now feel an unusual warm spot on the side of his head – after bringing his fingers up to it, he realised it was a deeper cut than anticipated.
"Now, hospital wing." Pomfrey demanded.
"No, I'm-"
"That's not a request."
As soon as the pair had entered the ward, Severus realised just how much trouble he was in. Professor Slughorn was already there, and spent most of his time avoiding Madam Pomfrey's cries of objections that he had to wait until she had finished patching her patient up. After the gash was healed and a counter concussion potion was administered, she finally discharged him from her care.
"He's all yours, Professor. But I'd thank you not to make a scene here if you please, I have other patients to care for." Pomfrey mumbled over her shoulder. The Head of Slytherin nodded briskly and motioned for Severus to follow him. After murmuring a quick work of thanks to the nurse, Severus was escorted, not the dungeons as he had anticipated, but to Professor McGonagall, the Head of Gryffindors, office.
"Come in, lad." Slughorn ordered, holding open the large oak door for him. As Severus entered and the saw the faces of the other four boys already there, all memory of the attack suddenly came back to him… including the merciless rage.
"You!"
"Now, now, Severus," warned Slughorn. "You've pushed my tolerance levels quite enough for the year."
"And it goes far beyond mine!" Professor McGonagall barked from behind her desk. She pulled out her wand and summoned another chair right in front of her desk. "Sit."
With great effort, Severus managed to clear his mind enough to take a seat next to Sirius Black without giving into the temptation of introducing his aching hands to Black's neck.
"Well, now that I've heard Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin and the two Mr. Black's stories I would like you to explain to me, Mr. Snape, just exactly what you think you were doing in that courtyard?!" McGonagall said, her voice shaking with condemnation. Severus raised his eyebrow coolly.
"Potter was cursing Regulus in broad daylight. I merely came to his aid."
"Regulus provoked him!" shot back Sirius. "If you had heard, Profess-"
"I've already heard your side of it, Mr. Black, thank you! Anything else you'd like to add, Mr. Snape, before your Head of House and I deliberate on your punishments?"
"Nothing in particular, Professor. But I personally feel that Potter, Black and Lupin should be expelled for their actions…"
"That will do, Severus." Slughorn interrupted.
"… I was, after all, cursed from behind by one of them!" Severus continued, spitting fury at the three Gryffindors next to him.
"HE was the one who used Dark magic on me, Professors!" Potter suddenly yelled in competition. "My tongue glued itself to the roof of my mouth!" it took all of Severus's strength to suppress a small smirk.
"Yes, I've heard your side, Potter!"
"Then what did you use on me before Severus arrived?"
It was the first time Regulus had spoken, and his words had succeeded in stumping Potter completely. Severus could not help but clutch his hand tightly over his wand however; he wanted to curse Regulus into oblivion for exposing his spell to his worst enemy. How else could Potter have possibly learnt it?
"Oh… come on… that never hurt anyone," Potter attempt to sound casual failed him spectacularly. Severus rolled his eyes; Gryffindors and subtlety, chalk and cheese.
"Yeah! What Snivell- Severus did was a hundred times worse! The nurse had quite a time unstacking his tongue!" Sirius objected loudly.
"She had a hard time figuring out how to get me down too!" bellowed his brother. "There was no counter curse!"
"SHUT YOUR SLIMEY FACE, REGULUS! JAMES' SPELL WAS HARMLESS!"
"CURSE!"
"SPELL!"
"Bastard!"
Fools. Severus thought, leaning back in his chair.
"Quiet! QUIET!" McGonagall shrieked over the noise. The wrangling boys suddenly fell quiet. "As a start, and I don't care WHO started it at this stage, I am taking twenty points from Regulus Black and fifty each from the rest of you! You four-" she jabbed a long, thin finger at Severus, Potter, Black and Lupin (who had not uttered one word since Severus arrived) "- are seventh years. You should know better than to conduct such childish behaviours at your age! I'm very disappointed in you all! You have your NEWT's coming up in a few days and this is how you spend your time? Fighting?! Every year it is the same scenario, but I would have thought that this year, at least, you all would have finally grown up!"
She took a deep exhalation; comparable to a person suffering a bitter disappointment.
"And you, Mr. Potter, as Head Boy this is especially outrageous!" she continued. "And Mr. Lupin, I expected better from a Gryffindor prefect, I expect better from any Gryffindor. I'm sure Professor Slughorn, you feel the same way about these two Slytherin boys?"
"But of course, Minerva."
"You are all lucky I don't expel you on the spot. But considering how much that would tarnish your professional records…"
"I'm sorry, Professor…" came Remus Lupin's remorseful voice.
"… well, you can all prove it by serving detentions, I think." McGonagall answered, slowly standing and moving to a rather large and decrepit book. She took out a quill and began to search through it. "The headmaster shall be informed, and I will be sending out owl's to all your parents tonight - to keep them up to date with their juvenile's misdemeanours…"
Severus closed his eyelids slowly in trepidation. Sirius Black was equally displeased at this last statement, but not for the same reasons.
"I don't have any parents."
Regulus shifted in his chair, as if weighing up the consequences of cursing his estranged brother in a room shared between the Slytherin and Gryffindor Heads of Houses.
"Yes, Mr. Black, we are well aware of your… situation. In your case your owl shall be sent to the Potters. That is, I believe, your place of residence?"
"Yes, it is." Both Potter and the older Black said simultaneously. Both with the same obnoxious grin on their faces as they glanced at each other. Severus had such an urge to vomit over the lot of them.
"Right, well!" Slughorn suddenly exclaimed. "If that's all Minerva, I might take these two boys down to my office and sort out their punishments?"
"Very well, Horace. Potter, Black, Lupin – I shall see you after my class tomorrow. You may leave also. And if you even think-" she pointed at them threateningly, " – of doing anything like this again, you will very much regret it!"
With the usual chorus of apologies and thank you's, the Gryffindors emptied themselves out of McGonagall's office. Not before James Potter and Severus Snape had exchanged the customary death stare, however.
"Come along, Severus!" Slughorn called from the door, Regulus at his side. Severus waited until they all were sure to be out of earshot before he spoke again.
"Professor McGonagall?"
"What is it, Mr. Snape?"
"I'd…" he took a deep breath. This was not an easy request. "I was wondering if it were possible for you not to send an owl to my parents."
McGonagall looked up for the first time, her sharp eyes boring into his cavernous ones.
"I'm sorry, Snape, but I cannot go back on my word."
"I realise that, Ma'am, but you don't understand – could you not post the letter?"
"Post?"
"You know, the Muggle way…through the letterbox."
McGonagall frowned. He got the distinct impression that she was analysing him, studying his slightest change in facial expression – this made him even more uncomfortable than he already was, if it were possible.
"Well, I… I suppose it could be…" she appeared genuinely stumped at his odd request. "But you are Eileen's son, are you not? I taught Miss Prince, Mrs. Snape should I say, many years ago. Gifted Ravenclaw girl she was. Surely a witch of her stature…"
It appeared to suddenly dawn on her. He had expected as much.
"Ah, your father? Muggle is he?"
"Yes, ma'am…" muttered Severus.
"Not too fond of the owls?"
"No, ma'am." He started to feel extremely warm around the collar.
"Not to worry, it is common of many Muggles… although not many children request this of the school…"
"Could you please just make sure it arrives in a Muggle fashion? Preferably with only my mothers name attached." Severus realised he had probably sounded just a tad too despairing in his plea there… she would be onto him like a hawk now. The concerned way in which she gazed at him proved him one hundred percent correct. He avoided her eyes.
"I shall try my best, Mr. Snape. But may I just ask… perhaps you'd like to consider talking to your Head of House about anything that may be… bothering you at home? My door is always open, by all means, but I am sure you'd prefer someone who knows you from a mentors point of view… that's why your Head of House is there."
Severus almost snorted, trying to imagine himself unloading all of his domestic troubles onto Slughorn. If he didn't begrudgingly respect Professor McGonagall to a certain degree he would have slandered her for ever assuming he would do such a thing.
"Well then," McGonagall said, obviously accepting that she would get nowhere with the boy, "if that is all Mr. Snape, I think you should be heading along to Professor Slughorn's office for information on your detention."
"Yes, Professor." Severus nodded curtly and made his way out of the office.
As Severus descended downward to the dungeons, he barely caught a glimpse of Potter and climbing from the very same place. He was confidant in the fact that they would not start anything, at least today, but his hand still instinctively clasped his wand.
"- back where it belongs-" Potter was muttering to his bully-in-crime before they passed.
Potter did not even acknowledge him, while Black shot a furious glare before violently bumping into shoulder. Severus did not even look back this time; he had had enough of the sight of their faces to last time ten lifetimes.
He could not help but wildly wonder, however, just why they had felt the urge to venture into the dungeons when all their classes were over for the year.
At the moment, however, this thought was overshadowed by the pure abhorrence he was feeling towards Regulus Black, and how he was sure to make Regulus regret ever spilling his inventions, his most prized possessions, to the two people he hated most in this world bar his father.
Put shortly, Severus Snape's morning had certainly not been one of his best…
~*~