Finally Happy: Snapshots of the Summer Post Hogwarts
Summary: Severus has graduated from Hogwarts and sets his adult life in motion.
A/N: There's some abuse in the part with Severus' mum and dad when he goes home to move out. It's mostly verbal, but there is a punch from Tobias to Severus. If that squicks you, skip that section.
Severus threw open the door and entered his home in Cokeworth.
"I'm home, Mum!" he called.
Eileen Snape came out from the kitchen and gave her son a tight smile. Before he knew it, her arms were around him.
"I'm glad you're back. And for good this time."
"Mum… I told you at graduation that I wasn't going to stay here. As soon as I can find a flat, I'm moving out."
Eileen pulled back and gave him a sour look. She eyed her son up and down.
"You're an adult now. I know that. I had just hoped…"
"Mum…"
"Severus, please? Just for a little bit."
"I can't live here with Dad. You shouldn't live here with him either. Maybe the two of us can find a flat together."
"Severus Snape, you watch your mouth! That's your father you're speaking about!"
Severus gave the proper sorrow-filled look to his mother.
"I apologize, Mum. It's just that… well, you of all people know how he is. And he hates me."
"Nonsense! Your father loves you."
"He's got an odd way of showing it," Severus muttered under his breath so his mum wouldn't hear.
oooOOOooo
Severus set out from his home and Apparated away. He appeared in Diagon Alley and looked around. Heading toward the Leaky Cauldron, he entered the building and saw his friends at a table in the corner. He headed over to them.
"Oy, Snape, you're late."
"Hello to you too, Mulciber."
Looking at the other man, he nodded. "Avery."
He sat down in the empty seat.
"Sorry, my dad was screaming at me again," he explained.
"Man, you need to get away from that. He's a dick."
"Well, aside from having lunch with you lunkheads, that's why I'm here today. I'm going to see if I can rent a room upstairs."
Avery leaned in. "You wanna live here?"
Severus shrugged. "Why not?"
"Well, I've heard there are some unsavory characters who live here."
"Well, with the gang we're choosing to join, I think that I'll fit right in."
The three laughed.
"What are you two doing with the summer?" Severus asked.
"Just spending time at home and working. Getting ready to take the Mark, of course."
"Yeah, a month from now and we'll all be in with the group," Mulciber added.
"It can't come soon enough," Severus mused.
"Definitely," Avery agreed.
They continued chatting as they ate their lunches as if they hadn't seen food in years.
oooOOOooo
Severus meandered up to the bar and nodded at Tom.
"Excuse me, sir. I am looking to rent one of your rooms on a long-term basis. Do you have any availability, and how much is your monthly rate?"
Tom eyed Severus, looking him up and down.
"For a month? … I can give you a discounted rate of six Galleons, due on the first of each month. Take it or leave it."
Severus smirked. "I'll take it."
Tom gave him a quick nod.
"Let me show you the place," he said.
Turning, he leaned down and rustled around in a box. Picking out an old skeleton key, he stood up and moved from around the bar. He moved quickly to the stairs and headed up with Severus closely following.
Moving to the door farthest down the hall on the right, he used the key to gain entry. As he opened the door, he gave instructions to Severus.
"You can set magical wards so you can open this magically when you want. Or you can use the key."
Severus looked around. The room was small, but just what Severus needed. The bed took up a great deal of the room, stuck in the corner next to the window. There was a table and two chairs in the other corner, a dresser, and a doorway that led to the loo. The walls were off-white, and the blue flowered curtains that were on the wall were old but clean. It would do.
He walked in and quickly circled the room, noticing a small refrigerator next to the dresser. That was good. He could have some meals in his room and not have to rely on eating downstairs or somewhere else. That would save him some money. He turned back to Tom.
"Thank you, this will do fine."
Reaching into his pocket, he removed six Galleons and handed them to Tom.
Tom held out the key to Severus. "As it's almost the end of the month, I'll give you the rest of the week free. This will cover August, so your next rent will be due on the first of September."
"Thank you, sir!" Severus replied gratefully despite there only being one day left in the month.
"Call me Tom."
"Tom, then."
They shook hands, and Tom turned to leave.
"Let me know if you need anything," he called behind his back as he left, closing the door behind him.
Severus sighed as he looked around once again. Suddenly a broad grin filled his face. This place was his! It signified that he was now an adult wizard. He didn't have to live with his parents, and he now had the freedom to do what he wanted whenever he wanted.
Well, within reason, of course.
He would obviously need to work to pay for his flat, and there was the upcoming joining with the Dark Lord in a month, but his life was finally his.
He threw himself on the bed. It was surprisingly comfortable. Putting his hand behind his head, he lay there for a few minutes staring at the ceiling and thinking about his job.
He'd formed a friendship with the owner of the Hogsmeade Apothecary during Hogsmeade weekends. He'd even been allowed to brew quick potions on those Saturdays when he went to town. He remembered his last trip there.
"So, what are your plans for after graduation?" Mr. Harris asked.
"Well… I'm going to get a flat and find a job, I guess."
"Perhaps I can help out with the job. You know I own the Apothecary in Diagon Alley as well as this location. I split my time between shops. I've just lost one of my brewers at that location and could use a talented potioneer like yourself."
Severus tried to keep his eyes from bugging out of his head, but he knew he'd failed when the older man smirked at him.
"That would be… I hadn't hoped to be able to start a job as a potioneer so soon after graduating."
"Well, you deserve it. Your potions are exquisite."
Severus reached out and shook the man's hand vigorously. "Thank you, Mr. Harris!"
"You can start on the first of August. Will that work for you?"
"Absolutely."
Severus smirked. He was happy to have found a job in a field that interested him.
He lay there for a few more minutes before getting up. He'd need to head to his parent's home and tell them he was moving out. Words couldn't express how relieved and excited he was about that.
oooOOOooo
Severus walked into Spinner's End.
"Mum? Dad?"
His father came out of the back room, and Severus immediately felt a bolt of fear race through him.
"Thought you were looking for a job," Tobias sneered, his long black hair swinging in his face.
"I already have a job. I was looking for a place to live," Severus replied snarkily.
"What do you need a place to live for? What does this look like?"
His father waved his hand around at the front room as he spoke.
"Father, I'm 18 now and have graduated school."
He dared not mention Hogwarts' name or he'd have a right row on his hands.
"So?" his father said.
"It's time I got out on my own."
"Now wait just one minute. What gives you the right to up and leave right when you can actually help provide for this family instead of always taking from it? You need to stay here and help your mother and me make ends meet."
At that point, Eileen came into the room. "Now, Tobias, Severus is an adult. He wants his own life."
"Shut up, Eileen. No one asked your opinion."
His mum snapped her mouth shut immediately, but didn't leave the room.
"Father," Severus said again. "I want to be on my own. I found a room to rent, and with my job, I will be able to live there comfortably."
"Well, aren't you just high and mighty?" Tobias moved closer to Severus. "You think just because you are 18 you can do whatever you want, is that it? Well, let me tell you something. You have no idea what life is really like."
"I know that, but how can I learn if I don't go out and figure things out for myself?"
"Don't give me your sass. You've always thought you were smarter than me. Better than me. Well, Severus, you're nothing." He moved even closer, almost touching noses with him. "Do you understand me? Nothing!"
Severus had been trying to keep his cool, but his father's caustic words caused a dam to break within him.
"You are nothing but a bastard, you know that?" he burst out. "You care not one whit about me. All you care about is yourself. Do you know why I want to move out? Because I can't stand the sight of you! I don't care what you say, I am moving out, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
The punch came out of nowhere and caused Severus to fall to the floor. He gave his father an incredulous look as Eileen went ballistic.
"Tobias, stop it right now!" she cried.
"Get away from me woman. I'm going to teach our son a lesson!"
In an instant, Severus had drawn his wand.
"Stupefy!" he cast from where he lay.
His father fell back, unconscious, onto the floor.
"Oh, Severus, why did you have to do that?" Eileen wailed.
Severus got up and moved over to his mother giving her an incredulous look. His eyebrows knit together.
"He was going to beat me! What did you expect me to do? I'm not going to sit by and let him attack me like you do."
Eileen took a step back. "Severus, you don't know what…"
"I know he is an abuser, Mum. I am a wizard, and will not let him attack me anymore."
"Son…"
Severus turned away from her. "You should leave him."
"Sorry, Severus, I can't."
He turned back to her. "Don't you mean won't? Mum, he treats you like shite. Why do you even stay here? He isn't worth all the time you've spent with him. How many times has he left you black and blue or broken?"
"Severus, I made a commitment to him. You're right about me meaning that I won't leave. I won't go against that."
"So, you'll stay here with him until he up and kills you one day?"
"He wouldn't…"
"How many close calls have there been, yet you still stay? Mum… please… come with me. If you want we can find a place you can live in on your own, or we can share the flat I'm renting."
Eileen looked down at the floor in misery. "I can't, son. I just can't."
"Then we have no more to discuss."
He glared at her before moving around her and heading up the stairs. Rushing to his room, he closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Putting his head back against the door, he breathed heavily.
He hated his father. Hated him. He would never forgive him… for anything!
Reaching up, he felt his cheek where his father's punch had landed. Damn him. He'd beaten him for the last time.
He furiously stormed over to his dresser, pulling things out that he wanted and throwing them on the bed. It only took a few minutes for him to gather his things, he was in such a fury. Taking his wand, he flicked it at his trunk that was at the end of his bed. Everything quickly filled it. With another wave of his wand, the trunk was shrunken, and in a second was placed in his pocket.
Severus looked at his door and heaved a sigh. All he had to do was go downstairs and walk out the door. He'd never have to see his father again once he'd done that. That was a good thing, so why did he feel so frightened?
He took some deep breaths before grasping his wand in his hand. Opening the door, he rushed down the stairs. The stunner had worn off his father, and he was barricading the door looking mad as a hornet.
Severus raised his wand.
"Get out of my way, Father."
"You're not stepping foot out of this house, so turn around and march up to your room."
"It is no longer my room."
Severus approached his father, his wand extended. He got close enough that his wand poked into his father's chest.
"If you ever touch me again, I will kill you where you stand, is that clear?"
For the first time ever, Severus saw fear in his father's eyes. The man seemed to shrink before Severus. Looking down, he stepped aside so Severus could pass. Severus took two steps and then turned back to the man, pointing his wand at his neck and digging it in slightly.
"If I hear you are treating mum badly, I will return, and you will be sorry."
His father pulled away from the wand and sneered at Severus.
"Get lost, boy. And don't come back."
"Gladly," Severus sneered back.
He raced out the door and Apparated away as quickly as possible, appearing in his new flat. Collapsing on the bed, he put his head in his hands. That had been difficult. He hadn't anticipated it being so hard. Despite his father being horrible, somewhere deep down, Severus realized that he somewhat cared for him and wanted his approval. Fat chance he'd ever get that, and now, he'd severed all ties with him.
Why did that hurt so much?
Especially when his father had been so ugly to him.
He was disgusted with himself for even caring. The man didn't deserve it. He'd been horrid his entire life. All Severus had dreamed of for the last year was moving away from him. He couldn't understand why he was feeling so let down and miserable.
Gathering his emotions, he took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. It didn't work, and a tear fell down his cheek.
He tried to think of the good things to come. He was free of his father and his evil ways. He was an adult wizard who could do what he wanted to do. He could live his life as he wished, and he never ever had to see his father again.
There was peace in all that.
He moved his hand to his chest and grasped his shirt furiously. His heart still hurt, but it had lessened some with his musings. His choice to leave was truly a good thing. Separation from his father was a great thing, and the ability to live on his own was an even better thing.
He quickly wiped the tears from his face and lay down on his bed. Curling into a ball, he let himself calm. This was a good move. He was absolutely sure of it.
oooOOOooo
Severus rose the next day, putting the disappointment from his leaving home behind him. He headed off to the Apothecary.
"Hello, Mr. Harris," he said as he came through the door.
"Ah, Severus, right on time," Mr. Harris said. "Let me show you around. This shop is similar to the one in Hogsmeade except for where everything is housed in the back."
He led the way into the brewing area and showed Severus where the cauldrons and ingredients were kept.
"When you're done with a potion and have it bottled up, set your cauldron in this large sink. Murray will clean it out for you."
"Thank you."
"Why don't you get going on some burn paste? We are getting low."
"Yes, sir!" Severus said and went to get a cauldron to prepare it.
The day went by quickly. Severus had brewed several potions for Mr. Harris and left the shop with a wave to his boss. His step was light. He'd had a good day. He stopped at the corner market and got some items he could put in the small refrigerator that was in his room. Bread, peanut butter, jelly, sliced ham, some veg and frozens, and of course, tea… and a mug to prepare it in.
Soon he was on his way back to his flat. He stopped at the bar and ordered some fish and chips to celebrate his new position. Bringing that up to his room with his groceries, he eyed everything as he placed them on the table. He was set for a little bit, at least. He quickly packed the perishables into the fridge and placed the bread, tea, and peanut butter on top of it. Finally, he sat down to enjoy his fish and chips. The Leaky really did a good job with their food. He figured he would get a meal there at least once a week… once he got paid.
Finishing up his meal, he unpacked the rest of his things. He pulled out a stick he'd picked up in Cokeworth and transfigured it into a small bookcase. He spent a few minutes placing his books upon it. Leaning back, he smiled. The place looked better already.
Choosing a journal from the shelf–Potions Weekly–He propped himself up in bed and buried himself in the periodical until it was time to go to sleep.
oooOOOooo
Severus Apparated to the beach adorned in swimwear and plastered with suntan lotion and his own personal brew to keep his pale complexion from burning to a crisp. He looked around for his friends. He saw them a ways off by the water and hurried to meet up with them. They were at the water's edge watching the surf come in.
"Hey," he said as he came up to them.
"'Bout time you got here," Mulciber said.
"I'm ten minutes late, tops! I had to make a delivery for work before I could come here."
"Always excuses," Avery quipped, flashing a grin as he turned to look at him. "We waited for you, although we were tempted to head in without you."
"Thanks for that," Severus said drolly.
On that note, the three of them sprinted into the water, yelping as the cold water hit their bodies. They stopped when they were chest-deep and body-surfed for a while. Severus got knocked on his arse several times, but he wasn't the only one.
They finally emerged from the sea laughing. They headed toward a couple of towels that the other men had laid down before Severus arrived. Plopping down on the towels, they laid out in the sun.
"Oh, damn," Severus muttered.
"What?" Avery asked.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a miniaturized soggy paper bag. He enlarged it covertly and emptied the contents out onto the sand. Three soggy sandwiches fell out.
"Forgot to take those out before we swam," he offered. "Now we have no lunch."
Mulciber threw his head back and guffawed. Avery chuckled a bit too.
"No matter," Mulciber said as he reached into the knapsack that was on the edge of the towel. "I packed some too, and they're not sopping wet."
"Mercy, thank heavens," Severus said as he grabbed one and took a bite. Avery did the same, and all three were quiet as they ate.
"So," Avery said in between bites. "Are you ready, Severus?"
Severus looked over at him and swallowed. "Yeah, can't come soon enough."
"Definitely. I wish we could have done it as soon as we graduated," Mulciber agreed.
"The Dark Lord wanted us to adjust to real life before he took us into the fold," Avery said solemnly.
The other two nodded as they stared out at the waves.
"But, it's finally here," Mulciber said. "Just a couple more days."
"This weekend," Severus agreed.
"We'll meet at your flat, Severus, and Apparate to the meeting place."
"At seven," Severus said.
"Yes. You won't need to work then, will you?" Mulciber chided.
Severus rolled his eyes. "I don't work on Saturdays," he offered.
"How is that job anyway?" Mulciber asked.
Severus smirked. "It's good. I like it. Mr. Harris gives me a lot of leeway to brew how I want. I actually have time to try and develop new brews."
"Oy, that's great. My job is horrid," Mulciber said.
"You don't like working at Borgin and Burkes?"
"Oy no. The place is creepy, and so are the owners. But it's good money, so I'm sticking with it."
"What about you, Avery? How's your job?" Severus asked.
"Working with my dad is good. He's super smart."
"Well, at least you two like what you do," Mulciber sulked.
"You could always get another position, you know," Severus said.
Mulciber shrugged. "Maybe. I just need to hang on until I get some status."
"That'll take you a million years," Avery joked.
Mulciber punched him in the arm, and the three laughed and laughed. Finally sobering, Avery lowered his voice and got close to his friends.
"Are either of you worried?"
"About what?" Mulciber asked.
"You know…"
He pointed to his pale arm where the Mark would be emblazoned.
Severus' eyebrows knit together as Mulciber scoffed.
"Why would I be worried?" Mulciber asked. "I've been preparing for this with my father for years."
"Me too," agreed Avery. "I guess I just don't know what to expect. Will it hurt a lot? What will we have to do once we're inducted? You know, stuff like that."
"I have no doubt it will hurt some," Severus offered, "however, it will be worth it to be part of the group. Lucius always talks about having a cause and being a part of something bigger than us all. It's so enticing."
Both Mulciber and Avery nodded.
Severus looked out at the sea, thinking to himself the thing he had never admitted to his two buddies.
I've always wanted to be a part of something… feel accepted. This is my chance.
He looked at his friends and repeated his last thought. "This is our chance to make something out of ourselves. To be the adults that we are and fight for something we believe in. It will all be worth it in the end."
"Yeah, that's for sure," Mulciber muttered as they all looked out to sea, deep in their own musings.
oooOOOooo
Friday had come, and Severus' work day was now ended.
"Have a good weekend, Mr. Harris," Severus said as he waved and walked out of the shop.
He walked along the street away from the Apothecary. Raising his head, he felt the sun beating down on his face as he walked back to his flat. A spark of joy filled him. He was truly happy for the first time in his life. He had a job he enjoyed, he lived on his own and could do what he wanted to, and tomorrow, he would join an organization that would be an asset for him, and which would think him an asset as well. How much he looked forward to that.
With my talents, the Dark Lord will surely see my worth quickly, and I will become someone of importance. he thought.
He would have friends who all believed in the same thing. He would be a part of something important. He couldn't wait for that.
Things were looking up, and he looked forward to what the future would bring. Stopping at the bar, he ordered a shepherd's pie and butterbeer to celebrate his upcoming induction into the Death Eaters organization.
Sitting down at one of the tables to await his meal, he thought about his current circumstances and how happy he was. He hoped he could find the continued happiness he always had craved ever since he was a young lad. It had eluded him up until this point, but he was hopeful that he was on the right path to attain it.
The End