The Prince's Tale

"Sometimes I think we are Sorted too early…" That is what he said to me. This is the story of I, Severus Snape, and all that I have kept secret, yet wish others to know. [DH SPOILERS RUN RAMPANT THROUGHOUT

WARNING: The first part deals with domestic abuse, but that should be expected throughout the story tear for Snape

Chapter Two: Friends

I could have skipped all the way home if I did not look so ridiculous. The overcoat, smock, undersized jeans, and long stringy hair did nothing to complement my appearance. Besides that, I cared not about what others thought of me. I finally had a friend, and that was all that matters.

My whole life I had remained in the shadows, no one caring at all what happened to me or frankly, if I even existed. On those rare occasions that I journeyed out of the house to the wizarding world with my mother, she ordered me to remain close to her side and not to speak with anyone. I would see other boys and girls my age talking and laughing merrily with each other. Sometimes I had the opportunity to go and speak with them, but I was too shy to actually confront them. It didn't help that they often laughed at me.

But that was all behind me now. Lily Evans actually considered me a friend. I sounded obsessed about the fact, but it was okay. I now had something to look forward to every day other than hiding in the bushes and spying on people. A wry smile came to my face. Yes, I'll admit that I was spying, as the Muggle girl had said. When I passed the river, my small lonely house came into view. There was a solitary lamp lit—mother tolerated some Muggle habits from my father.

So as not to disturb them, I went to the side door that entered into the laundry room. If I came in here and sneaked behind the couch and sprinted up the stairs, they probably would have thought that I had been here the whole time.

I was just about to sprint to the sofa when I felt a presence behind me and smelled the horrible stench of alcohol. My father stood over me, a flask clutched in his hand and a belt in the other.

" 's after dark Severus," he said in a slurred, quiet way, "Where were you?"

I backed away, dread and regret repeatedly hitting me in waves. "I—I didn't—"

"You know house rules…" He belched and swayed slightly.

"I wanted a walk. I was just out and thought I could play on the playground—"

"The playground?" asked Mother sharply, coming around the corner. I looked up and was startled by the black eye she had, but said nothing nor gave any sign that I had noticed. "What were you doing there?"

"Playing."

"Don' you ge' smart with us, boy!" yelled Father, raising the belt. I cringed for the blow, but it never came. Eyes closed, I felt something rather soft touch me on the back—in fact, I hardly felt it at all.

I looked up and saw father holding a long yellow string, which on closer inspection turned out to be a spaghetti noodle. If the situation was not so serious I could have almost laughed at the fact that I had gotten struck with a wet noodle. A bit of pride also crept up within me at the sight of the magic I had just performed. But all of that was extinguished with the look of pure anger on my father's face.

"THIS DAMN MAGIC!" he roared, coming towards me with his hands outstretched. I had no time to think, no fear had entered me, nor shock, nor sadness. I felt nothing and thus I could do nothing. All I felt right now were the hands closing around my throat.

Then they suddenly withdrew, as if burned. I turned and look and saw my mother standing there, wand held up. Father yelled something incoherent and leaped at the both of us. I suddenly found myself swept off my feet and thrown against the wall, in a corner, out of the way. Mother had put me there.

And it was in that corner I stayed for a long time, watching as their yelling and fighting resumed, father throwing both objects and punches while mother in turn sent hexes and curses at him. They continued like this for an hour and I could take it no more.

Screaming and sobbing, I ran past them and into the laundry room, picking up my mother's Cleansweep Four. I had always had trouble mounting a broom and flying, and others made fun of me for it, but at the moment I acted on pure instinct and clambered on. It immediately took off, as if sensing my desperation to get out of the house. I burst out of the window and soared into the night.

I tried my best to remain close to the ground and away from lights. No one was outside and no Muggles could see me, but I did not care at the moment. All I cared about was getting away from Spinner's End. I soared on, the wind stinging my face as tears were swept from my eyes.

Eventually I slipped off the broom, and it clanked on to the ground about twenty yards away. I did not move, but curled up in a ball and began to cry. I cried out of confusion, fright, sadness, and relief. I was confused at my parents' actions. When father wasn't drinking he was rather friendly and understanding. Mother was a bit more difficult to get in a good mood, but overall I did not mind her. I cried in sadness over the fact that I could probably never have what others had. I cried in fright over what had just occurred.

And I cried in relief. Relief that I had gotten away, that I would be welcomed back with open arms in the morning, and that I had finally found a friend.

Gathering myself, I looked around to see just where I had crash-landed. I was not really surprised when I found that I had stopped on the street where the Evans sisters lived. And there was the house across the street and down the road. Getting up and brushing off his now ripped pants, he limped over towards the house where a solitary light gleamed in an upstairs window.

Not really knowing what I was doing, I moved to the front yard, where a swinging bench was beneath a tree in the front yard. I sat down on the bench slowly, every bone in me aching. Obeying my body's needs, I lay down in preparation to go to sleep.

Just as I was about to succumb to my dreams, I heard the ever so soft noise of a window opening slowly. I sat up quickly, ready to sprint away even if my knees were scraped up. However, all I saw was a small figure climbing out of the window and on to the roof. Curious. Who would do that? Was it Lily? If so why was she leaving her house in the dead of night?

But she just sat there on the roof, cross-legged and staring up at the heavens. A very strange habit. I watched her for a moment, then turned to see what she was looking at. This movement caused me to lose my balance and I grabbed at the pole the swinging bench was attached to, it was an instant reflex. Gravity took over and the contraption followed me in my fall, making a loud crash against the tree. I remained absolutely still, trapped beneath the tangle of swing chains and metal poles. Even though my view was obstructed, I knew that Lily had heard the commotion, as had her family. But to my surprise, nothing happened. I was about to get up when light flooded the yard from the front door. I froze again, my hand clamping down on the arm of the chair. Footsteps were coming ever so closer to me. I closed my eyes, prepared for the scream and the yells of "Get out of here filth!"

Instead, I heard something much different.

"Severus?" questioned Lily quietly, gently.

I did not reply, but rolled over and tried to come out from beneath the tangle of metal above me. She grabbed my arm and pulled me out, helping me stand up. I smiled at her appreciatively, but then looked back down in shame. I most likely got her in trouble.

"I woke your parents up didn't I?"

"No," she assured me, "They're still asleep. Their room is in the back of the house."

I relaxed. At least I had gotten off the hook so far. No sooner had I thought that than a loud –pop­- came to my ears. I knew that sound. Mother did it from time to time whenever we had to go to Diagon or Knockturn Alley. Apparation. I looked around, dreading that I might see my mother, but fortunately—or unfortunately—I did not. There was a rather portly man with a small top hat on. He seemed to be confused, looking around all over the place. But then his eyes rested on me. He walked over to me with a purpose, wand held high and lit. In his other hand I saw a broom, the broom I had crashed off of.

He looked around for a little bit longer, and then his eyes rested on the both of us. He had a grim look on his features.

"You two," he called out, pointing his wand at the both of us. "Which of you—"

"Shh!" said Lily, putting a finger to her lips. I turned to her and saw her standing there with her hands on her hips, an indignant and cross expression coming on her features. The man in turn looked startled at being interrupted by a young girl like this. I smothered a chuckle.

"You'll wake someone up speaking that loud, Sir," she whispered, explaining.

"Well—er—alright. Sorry Miss," he stuttered, still startled at her boldness. "Anyway, which of you was riding this broom? I am Hamilton Sutherland of the Ministry. It seems that two Muggles spotted someone about your size speeding by on a broomstick. This is a serious break of the Statute of Secrecy and I have been sent to apprehend the perpetrator—"

"I am sorry sir," I said, stepping forward. "I didn't mean to, I wanted to…get..um…"

The man came closer, bending over to where his face was barely ten centimeters away from mine. "You're Eileen Prince's boy, aren't you?"

"Yes sir."

He nodded. "I'll send her an owl to remind her about certain policies that need to be kept as long as she's in Spinner's End…well, I will confiscate this broom for a while at least. Good night. And remember that a Trace will be put on you as soon as you turn eleven, Severus Snape." And with that he was gone, Disapparated.

I stood there, quite shocked at the quick events that had just happened. When I finally moved, I realized that the whole time I had been shaking. A Ministry Official! I was going to get in so much trouble over this. I glanced at Lily and saw that she had been rooted to the spot, staring where Mr. Sutherland had just disappeared.

"It's all real…" she whispered. She then turned and looked at me. "You weren't making it up."

I shook my head, feeling a certain glee enter me at her acceptance. And with that she fell to the ground in a swoon.

Feeling my stomach plummet, I tried shaking her awake, but only got a few groans. Panicking, I did the only thing that came to my mind and rang the front doorbell. I ran back and supported Lily, who was finally mostly conscious and muttering "I'm a witch.."

The front door was answered by a dark-haired man. There was a small look of disgust on his face as he looked me over, but then it immediately changed to worry at the sight of his daughter leaning on me.

"Lilleth!" exclaimed another voice, her mother's. She came downstairs and whisked her away to the couch, placing a wet washcloth on her forehead. Lily's father then looked at me again.

"Thank you son." He held out a hand and I shook it, looking at those kind eyes that were the same as hers. "Where are you from?"

"His name is Severus," said Lily from the couch, sitting up. "He's my friend."

"Well, you've made a good friend Lily, he brought you in to us, though I have no idea what you were doing outside young lady. But we will deal with that later. Why don't you get on home, Severus, wouldn't your parents worry?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but said nothing. I looked at Lily in an almost pleading way, and she took over the conversation.

"Daddy, Mum, can he stay in the spare bedroom tonight? There's something going on at his house and I don't think he should go there tonight." She looked at me with complete understanding.

"No dear," interjected her mother, "Why would you say--?"

Mr. Evans held up his hand. "I don't think we should pry. The boy looks a little worse for wear, he's all scraped up. I don't think it could hurt, but we should contact his parents in the morning."

"Thank you," I murmured, overwhelmed by their hospitality. Mrs. Evans immediately mothered on me, cleaning my scrapes. The Muggle way was much less efficient, but overall I felt much better. She gave me a large shirt to sleep in, while with my other clothes she picked up, looking at them with a scrunched nose.

"I'll—I will just wash these for you dear."

I was put in the guest bedroom up the stairs and down the hall from Lily. I was just about to fall asleep when again I was interrupted by the sound of something opening. Turning over, I saw Lily standing at the side of the bed in the low light.

"You okay, Sev?"

"I'll be fine. I'm just scared of what my parents will do in the morning…"

I felt the bed move as she climbed in it, laying beside me. "I'll make sure that they will understand. I promise."

And with that she drifted to sleep. I smiled as she slept, comforted that no matter where I went and what happened tomorrow, there was at least one person who cared about me. I slept soundly that night, for the first time in a while.