AU- The One Time Severus Snape Changed His Mind, And Where it Led Him.
NOTES: This is an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE fanfiction, which means that what follows IS NOT CANON and therefore you should not COUNT it as canon. If you do not like it, there is a back button just at the top of the page, you can avoid having to read it altogether. I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of it's characters, they belong to J.K. Rowling, my Queen and Goddess of literature, and to Warner Bros. Studios.
The idea behind this is- What if Snape had not pursued the Dark Arts? What if he had chosen to avoid infamy and glory?
On the Subject of Sev and Lily's daughter's name-
It is my personal head-canon that Lily quite enjoys Muggle literature, particularly older works. Beatrice Marie Snape is named after the Beatrice in Dante's 'The Inferno'. The name means 'bringer of happiness', and I found it fitting.
December 19th
1979
The wedding had been a subdued, quiet affair. Immediate family and a few carefully chosen friends gathered at the Evans' home to watch the short ceremony, exchange of vows, and then retreat inside to avoid the cold and celebrate. Perhaps at a different time it would have been larger, perhaps at a broader location, but owing to the air of nervousness and war in the air, it was what it was.
Pretty gold and white decorations, a simple wicker archway and a bouquet tossed and caught by Albus Dumbledore himself, who amused himself by attempting to locate his future spouse, much to the amusement of the mostly married couples in the company. He did seem to blush rather spectaculary when Mrs. Evans gave him a short peck on his whiskery cheek.
But it was a jovial occasion, despite the chill in the air and the darkness that currently hung over the Wizarding World.
Inside was a warm fire and good company in the form of the majority of the Order; Black, James and Mary Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Moody, the Longbottoms, the Bones', Emmaline Vance, the McKinnons, Dorcas Meadowes and Dedalus Diggle were eyeing each other across the punch bowl- all seemed to be quietly celebrating a joyful occasion amidst uncertainty and fear. The only dismal spot in the house was Petunia and Vernon Dursley, lips pursed and mustache quivering, respectively. They were hovering in the corner, looking as if they wanted nothing more than to not be there.
Severus, while a member of the Order and required to work with James Potter, had thus far done his best to not speak with the man unless it was absolutely called for. The same seemed to go for James, which was why it was such a surprise to Severus when James took him aside to confer with him by the staircase.
"-I'm disappointed that we have to keep this so hidden but it is for the best, I know... What do you want, Potter?"
"S'cuse me, Dorcas, just need a moment with ol' Sn-Sev here." James tugged Severus away, looking sheepish. "Before you say anything, I want to apologise."
Snape's lips curled. "For?"
"You know exactly what. I... treated you like filth, in school. It's time I.. I took responsibility. I was wrong."
On the other side of the room, though neither man knew it, Lily Snape and Mary Potter stood side by side, watching their respective husbands and smirking.
"You told James to apologize?"
"Honestly, Lily, meetings are awkward as taste-testing Hagrid's rock-cakes; it's high time they learned civility."
"Our men are idiots."
"Aren't they, though?"
"Oh, Mary look. I think they might have reached a middle ground."
James had offered Severus his hand.
Mary and Lily held their breaths.
With a jerky motion, Severus reached out and clasped James' hand.
Their wives grasped each others shoulders, hugging each other and laughing.
"It's a damn good thing we know better than they do!"
June 1983
"I think we should go someplace."
"Oh?"
It was Severus' turn to make lunch, and he was carefully laying out a platter of sandwiches on the kitchen table. He sat across from Beatrice's high chair and began cutting one into tiny little bites for her to eat. Chubby litle hands grasped for the cheese sandwich, and Severus couldn't help but smirk at the girl. He put a slice of ham onto the desk of her high chair and she immediately began to tear it apart and shove it into her mouth, getting more on the bib than anywhere else.
"Yeah, somewhere... I mean it's summer, you're on holiday, lord knows my parents want to see Bee more than they do. They could babysit her for a few weeks... We haven't gone on holiday... ever, actually." she sat on the opposite side, dropping some small hunks of melon in front of the dark-eyed little girl, and pulling a sandwich towards herself.
"Well we didn't exactly have time to have a holiday, if you'll recall."
Snape's eyes went, if possible, darker, and he subconciously tugged one of his long sleeves down. Lily reached out and grasped his hand. "Dumbledore asked you because he knew you were strong enough. He knew you could do it." she lifted one hand and cupped his face in hers. "And it's over now."
"Dumbledore said-"
"I know what he said. But for now, that's not what we need to worry about, is it? Come on, Sev. You've been cooped up in this house since term ended, you need a holiday."
He smiled, face clearing of dark thoughts. "Where did you have in mind?"
"Well... I did hear about a rather magnificent plant that only grows up in the mountains of Albania."
"Albania?"
"I know, it's not exactly the usual place for a vacation, but I was thinking we could go on a little... adventure. Something not dangerous. I mean... Remember when we first met, and you used to show me all those little plants in the pond? We had such fun, and I couldn't help but think that it would be fun to take a relaxing hike into the mountains... sweet little Inn, just the two of us, climb to search for the plant, maybe camp out a night or two..."
He placed the bits of sandwich on Bee's plate and the little girl went after them, oblivious to the conversation. "Camping?"
"Think of it! In the mountains, nothing but starry sky above, you and I, curled up outside the tent, fire going. When the sun rises we hike into the woods, searching for rare ingredients- Come on, Sev, you'd love it, I know you would!"
Severus wiped Beatrice's mouth with a napkin and mulled it over. "It's a terribly long way to go for a holiday..."
"That's the point, Sev! Why stay close to home? Come on, don't you want to see the world?"
"I never really thought about it..." he muttered.
Lily turned to the red-headed baby, who had made quite the mess. "What do you think, Little Bee? Should mumma and dada go on holiday?"
The baby slapped her hands on the tray in front of her. "Olday!"
Lily blinked. "What's that, sweetheart?"
"Hol-day!" she repeated, smacking her hands together.
Lily laughed, and looked expectantly at her husband. "Well then?"
Severus dropped the napkin. "Well, it appears as if I am... outnumbered." he smiled at Lily.
"I never want to take the Knight Bus again, at least not this high up in the mountains..." Severus ran a hand over his mouth, desperately willing his stomach to settle.
Lily agreed, one hand around her stomach. "Ernie's a brilliant driver, but those turns..."
They'd taken the Floo network into Podgorica, and then hitched the Knight Bus to a seemingly empty, abandoned building just outside of Theth. The last twenty minutes had been nothing but sharp zig-zags along tiny roads with cliff-face on one side, and a sheer drop on the other. The bus was now hurtling back down the mountain, and while neither person knew it, one of the Witches on the third deck of the bus was vomiting quite spectacularly.
"Well, at least we're here." he tucked his hands into the pockets of his robe, glancing at Lily, who was moving some things around in her bag. She'd put an extension charm on the little brown handbag, and it was proving invaluably useful.
"Yeah. I'm glad... You're certain this is the place?"
Severus smiled at her. "After all these years, Lily, and you're doubting the Wizarding world?"
She smirked. "Very well."
He produced his wand and tapped four times in a circle on the dilapidated-looking door, which swung inwards to reveal a warmly lit passageway leading down beneath the building. He swung an arm out before him. "After you."
"Such a gentleman!" she stepped through the doorway and began the descent down the passageway. Severus following briskly after her, closing the door behind them.
It was a gradual decline, and after several minutes there was a sharp turn and a second door, this one far better taken care of, with a shiny brass knob. The room beyond was well-lit, wide and cozy. There were couches and chairs around a blazing magenta fire, where several teenagers sat speaking in a language neither Severus nor Lily understood. A door at the back of the room led into what sounded like a pub, as jovial music oozed from the doorway and voices could be heard along with the chink of glasses. At a desk sat a sleepy-looking Witch wearing an apron, and she perked up a bit at the sight of them.
"Mirë se vini!" she called, adjusting a wide pair of spectacles.
"Er... D'you speak English?" Lily asked.
"Ah, my apologies. We do not often get visitors here. At least not native speakers. Welcome, my name is Fatime, I am the proprietor of this place." she smiled, standing to greet them.
"Thank you, my name is Lily, and this is my husband, Severus. We were hoping to spend the night, if it was possible."
"It is more than possible, it is most welcomed! Come come, I will show you to your room."
Fatime led them away from the desk and to what looked like nothing more than a blank stone wall, but the woman removed her wand and drew the number '22' on it. After a moment, a section of the wall shifted and opened up into a short hallway with several doors. "This way, friends. Might I ask what brings you all the way out here?"
"We're actually on a little expedition, as well as vacation." Severus explained.
"Yep. I've always wanted to travel, and Severus learned of the- what did you call it, Sev?"
"The Noctis Florere. I believe it's also referred to as the Demersa Flower. It's an incredibly rare flower, used in a powerful restorative draught. I'd love to find some to put in my stores."
"I can not say I have heard of it. I wish you luck. If you are going in to the mountains, I pray you be careful. While we're far off the beaten path, it does not mean that things do not exist out there. Here is your room, here is your key. That will be twenty sickles a night."
As Severus counted out the price, Lily walked into their room, looking it over. Even though they appeared to be several yards below the surface, they had a beautiful view of the mountain range out their window. She heard the door close and Sev appeared behind her to peer out the window. "Nice little place, isn't it?" she asked.
"Mmhm." he wrapped her arms around her shoulders and she held onto the tops of his hands.
"Pity more people don't come out this way."
"I can understand why they don't, given the means of transportation available."
Lily laughed. "Fair, fair. Come on, get into your night clothes and let's plot our course for tomorrow..."
They struck out at dawn, saying goodbye to the bleary-eyed Fatime, who waved and wished them well.
While Severus had been increasingly hesitant about travelling on-foot through mountainous terrain they were not familiar with, he found walking through the woods and mountains with Lily remarkably relaxing. Though it was chilly up in the mountains, mid-summer meant the sun beat down on them with reckless abandon, and by afternoon when they stopped at a frigid little stream to make camp, Severus had stripped down to his white button-down shirt and left his black cloak and overshirt tucked into Lily's charmed bag.
"It's not often I see you without everything buttoned to perfection, Sev."
"Well I do have an appearance to keep up," he muttered, pieces of tent floating through the air and assembling themselves before his wandwork.
"Ah yes, the intimidating teacher who spares no child..."
He smirked, turning to watch her, swirling her wand in curly-cues around an unlit campfire. Flames trailed from the tip of her wand, swirling and catching on the wood before popping into life a warm, crackling fire.
They spent the evening roasting sausages and marshmallows, Lily pointing out constellations and specific stars, explaining their meanings as they curled up together around the fire.
Maybe a week in the middle of nowhere wasn't so bad.
The following morning they searched the perimeter of their camp, then trudged out towards one of the mountains to climb and scour for the flower that Severus searched for. They stopped for lunch at the peak of one of the small mountains, lying on a mossy boulder and watching the clouds. The day was bright and warm, but when they finally returned to camp, they were empty-handed.
The two of them retreated into the tent for tonight, ready for a good night's rest before a fresh start in the morning. Their sleepiness was put aside for a few hours, when Lily decided it time to break in their sleeping bags properly.
Severus did not complain.
That night, however, lying close and warm beneath blankets and sleeping bags, Severus opened his eyes.
Something was moving outside the tent.
He fumbled in the night, reaching for his wand. Lily stirred beside him and mumbled something.
She was such a heavy sleeper...
"There's something outside."
That woke her, she sat up straight and suddenly her own wand was clutched in her hand.
Whatever it was was right outside the tent, scratching at the outer fabric of their shelter. Lily clutched Severus' free hand, and the two of them waited. The moon must have been obscured, for it was too dark to see a shadow beyond the fabric of the tent.
It stopped for a moment, and neither heard breathing or anything else. Swiftly, Lily raised her wand.
"Lumos Maxima," she whispered, and blinding white light flooded the confines of the tent. With agility neither of them had ever seen before, a shadow leaped away from the tent flap and away. A distinctly human shaped shadow.
Severus burst from the tent, straining his eyes in the blinding light from Lily's wand.
The shadow had leaped past the tree line, disappearing from sight.
"Did you see it, what was it?" Lily had followed him out of the tent.
Severus lowered his wand. "I've no idea..."
Lily glanced around, then went several steps towards the treeline.
"Where are you going?"
"Well I certainly don't feel safe sleeping without some protection, do you?" her wand, still glowing with her previous incantation, began to glitter silver and gold as she muttered beneath her breath. "Protego Totalum... Repellum Inimigotum... Repellum Muggletum... There. That should cover our bases. I can't imagine what would be out here that wished us harm."
"Your guess is as good as mine. Magical Creatures was never my strong suit in school, you know that... Maybe we should take watch turns the rest of the night?"
She frowned. "It's supposed to be a vacation."
"And it's been a wonderful one, but we should be cautious. We are a bit out of our element here. I'll take first watch, how about it?"
She nodded, still hesitant, then followed him back into the tent. He wrapped her in his arms, creating a cocoon of warmth and more protection than any spell could give.
The second morning found them in cautious spirits, but finding that their campsite had been left unharmed and seemingly forgotten about put them in slightly better spirits than they had been in the night before. They spent the day searching the opposite side of the mountain they'd searched the day before, and, finding nothing, dilly-dallied around following the stream to where it widened considerably into something more of a river.
They spent the afternoon abandoning their search for the illusive flower, instead catching fish in the river until Lily snuck up behind Severus and shoved him into the water. Roaring with laughter, she was swiftly dragged into the river in revenge. When they emerged sometime later, Severus looked very much like a wet puppy, all sopping hair and squishing robes. He pulled the long strands of hair from his eyes long enough to shoot a good-natured glare her way, when suddenly she slapped both hands on top of his head and mussed his hair so much that he looked very much like he'd gone mad. But then, Lily had that effect on him.
Their scare the night before forgotten, they retreated to their camp for the night.
Another fire found them telling ghost stories, bellies full of fresh fish and looking up at the half-moon above them.
There was rustling beyond the tree-line, but freshly put enchantments seemed to do the trick, and they were left alone. The next day was spent much the same, though they spent more time following the steady little stream as it widened and thinned, on the pretense that flowers generally gravitate towards water.
In the end, they came across what appeared to be a freshwater pond. The 'stream' turned out to be run off from the snowcapped mountains behind them, and they were sure that if they searched long enough, they'd find more ponds like this spread out across the valleys and hills.
It was Lily's idea to move the campsite to the pond, as it might throw off their nightly visitor along with give them a fresh area to work with. It took them the rest of the afternoon to trudge back to camp, pack up, and trudge back, all the while talking and laughing.
In the confines of their tent last night, they did not keep watch, there was no strange noises around the perimeter of their protection spells, no scratching at their tent door. The only sound came from crickets and a few fish leaping in the trickling stream.
They celebrated accordingly.
"I have an idea," announced Severus.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense, dear."
"I think we should look at night."
Lily looked up from where she was lacing her boots. "What makes you say that?"
"Well I was thinking about the name of the flower. Noctis Florere, Demersa... It means 'night bloom', but I imagined that we could recognize it during the day. There were sketchings in the book of what it looked like when it wasn't blooming, but I've seen nothing like it. Searching at night might give us a better idea, you know?"
"Night Bloom. What's the other word mean? Demersa?"
"It means 'depressed', or something along the lines of feeling negative. It's a bizarre name for a flower."
She sat there for a few minutes, thinking. "Hmph. Well, it's worth a shot. We haven't seen nor heard our little night visitor, so as long as we keep our wands ready..."
And so it was decided.
As the sun set they made their way out into the treeline to look, wands lit and held in front of them. The woods were quiet as they watched the ground and kept their ears open for unpleasant sounds, just in case.
"You know," Severus broke the silence. "I really am quite glad you talked me into this."
"Someday you'll realize that I always know best, Sev."
"Ha-ha. I'm being honest, though. I've had a lot more fun than I thought I would, sleeping in the mountains. I've never done something like this before."
He didn't see it in the darkness, but Lily smiled. "Sometimes, the things that don't come from a wand are the most magical."
"You're not going to turn into Sybill on me, are you?"
Lily laughed. "Not likely. I just meant that some things-"
"I know what you meant. You know I'm just teasing."
There was a rustling in the darkness, and any witty response that Lily was about to say died in her throat. Something had come bounding through the thicket and slammed into Severus, dragging him several feet into the woods. Her wand was already swirling around her head, letting loose a blast of vivid purple light at the thing before dashing after them.
"SEVERUS!"
They were struggling on the ground, and Lily flipped her wand before her like a baton. "Ventus!"
A blast of air blew the struggling combatants apart, sending Severus rolling several feet, and his attacker landing perfectly on all fours like some sort of distorted animal. She vaguely heard Severus shout Baubilliousbefore a ball of light burst from his wand and hovered above them, lighting up the area.
The contorted form in front of them hissed violently at the light, long, lethal-looking fangs glinting with crimson. The eyes were bloodshot, pupils dialated and mad-looking, the skin pale green and waxy, and it was wearing... an apron.
It's skin was wrinkly and speckled with age, it's eyes wild and crazed, but it was impossible to say otherwise that the thing scrabbling across the ground towards her husband was anyone other than the woman from the Inn.
It was Fatime.