Disclaimer: I own nothing.
To Die for Rebirth
Chapter 1
Unexpected Discovery
Severus Snape was definitely not a happy man. His summer, which should have been paradise away from the little rascals in school, would be over in a month give or take a few days. Worse, instead of having his time-off alone he was roped back into his espionage role because of the Dark Lord's return two summers ago. The potions master did not enjoy being a Death Eater. Sighing, he collapsed into his comfortable armchair across the fireplace and reflected upon his decision to be a Death Eater.
It was an honest mistake that had led him to take the Dark Mark. Being a Slytherin, Severus was very well connected to the madman's followers, especially Lucius Malfoy. Severus used to idolize the Malfoy for being able to carry himself well but he was never close to the platinum-haired wizard who was two years his senior. However starting from his sixth year after the darned Marauders humiliated him post-OWLs and his estrangement from his best friend Lily Evans, he grew closer to his acquaintances in Slytherin. Soon he fell into the lure of darkness and without proper consideration Severus took the dark mark out of loyalty and awe to Lucius Malfoy upon graduation.
The reality of being a Death Eater only dawned on him when he was forced to engage on unmentionable activities that he would never had done before. Severus was commanded to go on raids – destroying random muggle villages while torturing and raping the inhabitants before murdering them. He remembered the night of his first raid. It was a horrible night. It was the night when he had to make his first kill under the surveillance of the Dark Lord as a test of loyalty of the new recruits. His sense of self-survival betrayed his conscience as he murdered the 5-year-old blonde muggle girl savagely. Severus Snape never did things in halves. He could still recall Voldemort cackling in delight and the Death Eaters cheering rowdily.
Severus poured himself a glass of fire-whiskey and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had thrown up once he got home after the raid. It was then he realized how serious a mistake being a Death Eater had been. It was on the same night he made up his mind in resolve to redeem himself. Severus Snape had been a spy for the light ever since.
Because Severus wanted to reduce his participation in raids to a minimum, he started pursuing his Potions mastery. Fortunately he had always been gifted in the subject although his love had always been the Defense of the Dark Arts and the Dark Arts itself because he was a man of action. Granted, the Dark Lord was happy that he then had the youngest Potions Master in the Great Britain to cater to his Potions needs and allowed Severus to pursue his brewing instead of actively participating in raids. His special position in the Death Eaters ranks gave him the autonomy to sit in for meetings without suspicions. The dark side was rather trusting back then because Severus had shown great potential and loyalty.
The cause of his frustration at that moment was not his past though. Joining the rank back after the Dark Lord resurrection had been extremely different. Gone was the trust that he had earned. He was always under surveillance. The Dark Lord did not trust him as much because the story went that he crawled to Dumbledore for protection. Little did he know that Severus had been Dumbledore's man long before that. His current status in the Death Eaters rank was insignificant. He did not get to sit in for the Inner Circle meeting, hence the lack of knowledge for the Department of Mysteries incident. Severus really needed to figure out how to gain back his previous advantage.
The Potions Master made a tch sound at the back of his mouth as his musing was disturbed by his personal alarm. It was a soft ding indicating that it was time for the Order of the Phoenix meeting. Although he did not connect well with the members of the order, he did enjoy making them frustrated with his smirk and sardonic comments. But the best thing of being in the order is that he knew he would be appreciated and trusted by its leader: Albus Dumbledore. Although Dumbledore could be manipulative and slightly annoying at times, Severus loved the man as a father he never had. Severus got up from his armchair with little effort and headed to the fireplace to floo over to 12 Grimmauld Place.
Albus Dumbledore did not have a good week. All his plans to thwart the Dark Lord's recruiting force had come to dead ends. Werewolves were not showing much cooperation even with Remus Lupin swaying them away from the Dark. Fenrir Greyback's dominance had proven very hard to overcome. Other werewolves cowered in fear when they heard of his name. The ministry had been a mess as well with Fudge out of the picture with a vote of no confidence when Tom Riddle decided that it was a good idea to show up in the Ministry Atrium attacking the savior of Wizarding World, Harry Potter. The political vacuum left the ministry in disarray. It also gave chance to Voldemort's sympathizer to rise up through the ranks, racing towards the post of Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore was tired of all this, but he had to be strong for any hope to destroy the dark side. The Light side did not currently have a leader and figurehead. He had thought countless of times to draw Harry into the picture but he was reluctant to destroy the boy's youth. But with the prophecy out in the open, Harry would still be pulled into the war. Shaking his head softly he sat on the head of the table and began the meeting.
"Greetings my dear friends! It is good to see you again today. I don't want to keep everyone here for too long so let us just go into business. As many of you had noticed, things have not been going to our way lately. Let's update each other with your current projects and discussed some matters of importance!" Albus addressed his most trusted people, the main committee of the Order of the Phoenix. Over the last two months, the Order had been actively recruiting for members. The casualties caused by the debacle at the Department of Mysteries had been quite the eye opener that they were really underprepared. Although they managed to capture several renowned Death Eaters, casualties from their side were too valuable. It was also quite certain that Voldemort would be able to free the captured Death Eaters with the current ministry in chaos.
From his right, Remus began, "There are still no progress with the werewolves. Most civilized pack in Scotland agreed not to assist the Dark Lord but they are too wary of the current regulation for werewolves to side with us. On the other hand the more aggressive packs willingly went with Fenrir Greyback to support the dark. Although they are much smaller in number, the aggressive packs are threefold more dangerous because they would kill and infect people without a care." Remus took a deep breath, "Our problem right now is that we don't have enough incentives to get the werewolves' alliance."
The order members then took turn to update each other with their progress. Arthur Weasley was able to round up several ministry workers to their round. Amelia Bones, the director of Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had willingly joined the Order. Director Bones was directly initiated to be in the Order's main committee. She also brought over a group of trustworthy aurors, including Rufus Scrimgeour. Mad-Eye Moody had managed to attract several powerful Hit-Wizards to join their rank except for some dark arts users who were unwilling to give their assistance. He was then working on to get the Hit-Wizard association to but a ban for its members from assisting Voldemort's operation.
Despite the good progress they had made with the ministry and hit-wizards, the following updates were not as cheerful. The vampires were completely against them, pledging allegiance to Voldemort should they try to approach the clan again. Most dark creatures also shunned the idea of assisting the Light side. Mundungus Fletcher, who had a lot of contacts in the underground Wizarding World, had been ostracized for trying to recruit people to the order. They had now lost their source of information from the seedier part of the world. Severus' progress as Death Eater spy was not visible as well. Voldemort had yet to trust him in any of the crucial operations. Overall it was not a pretty picture.
Dumbledore ended the discussion, "From the updates you can see how far we are from our targets. Please follow up with your current project and we shall meet again soon. Let's always have the optimism in mind because I believe if we put a lot of efforts into this, the situation will get better. That should be all for today, except anyone has something else to say?"
Because Mundungus 'Dung' Fletcher was ostracized, he did not have many activities going on. For the time being, he had been tasked with keeping track of Harry Potter's correspondence. "I have something that may be of importance," Dung said. "I have yet to receive a letter from Harry, which is due today. Normally the letter would come during afternoon time but I did not receive anything today."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful and said, "Let's wait until tomorrow. The day after tomorrow is his birthday and he was probably out with his relatives. Keep me updated if you still do not receive anything by then. We are stretched thin as it is and I believe the war preparation has the utmost priority right now. Mundungus, please also try to re-establish your reputation with your acquaintances." With that, he wrapped up the meeting.
30 July 1996. 4 Private Drive was unusually quiet that night. Petunia Dursley and Dudley Dursley were out vacationing to France with delight after Vernon gifted them with the vacation package. For all the neighbors knew, the Dursley family was not going through anything abnormal. They did not know that Vernon had lost his job two days ago. They also did not know that the delinquent nephew, Harry Potter, who went to St. Brutus, was lying naked on his bed. Harry's eyes were open but there were no life in them anymore. They had been that way since two days ago after his uncle's sexual abuse.
The only light in that small room was a halogen bulb near the entrance. Suddenly the entrance was thrown open and Vernon Dursley waltzed in with a maniacal grin. The little light from the halogen light bulb was temporarily blocked out because of the magnitude of Vernon's body. Harry could only see his uncle's silhouette. He made no response as he had resigned from any struggle since two days ago. He did not care anymore and he was just waiting for his life force to leave his body. Vernon seemed to sense this and he was going to try and bring his nephew back because it was more exhilarating for him to be able to hear Harry's scream and to see his terrorized face. Vernon kept his left hand behind his back and bent beside the bed so that he was on the same eye level with Harry.
"Hello, Harry dear. You look terrific tonight," he said and planted a forceful kiss to Harry's chapped lips. Harry just lied there unresponsively.
"Do you know what date it is today, Harry? Today is July 30th, and in a few minutes, dear boy, it will be your sixteenth birthday."
Vernon got up to the bed and sat on top of Harry. He began fondling him for a few minutes. "Ah. It's your birthday, Harry. Happy birthday! I have a really special gift for you…" Vernon whispered and planted feather light kisses on the boy.
He brought his left hand forward and showed what was on his hand to Harry. Hedwig was struggling hard against Vernon's beefy hands but no voice came out. It seemed that Vernon had stuffed her beak with some sort of cloth while still allowing her to breathe. A flicker of recognition and panic found its way to Harry's emerald orbs and Vernon cackled in pleasure. "Happy birthday, Harry!" with that Vernon brought his right hand to join his left and broke the white owl's neck in one snap. Hedwig was no more.
At the same time, Harry felt a torrent of rage making its way towards his core. He could feel a spurt of magic trying to reach out and blast his uncle out of the way but something went totally wrong. Something that he could best describe as short circuit happened when his magic was trying to reach out and instead he felt his body burning and rising in temperature. The magic kept accumulating in his weakened physique, putting painful pressures on his organs and after a minute or so Harry lost his consciousness. Magic flooded Harry's whole system and exploded in a blast of rainbow colors to all direction.
Vernon was looking at Harry both in satisfaction for being able to bring life back to his eyes and in confusion for what was happening before him. After his nephew fell unconscious, Vernon had no time to react when lights of multicolor started emitting out of his nephew's naked body and blasted him full force. Vernon Dursley flew to the direction of the door and hit his head on the halogen light bulb. For some freak accident his hand touched the electric socket and Vernon Dursley was electrocuted to death.
30 July 1996, Hogwarts. Severus Snape had been brewing potions for the infirmary needs since yesterday and had yet to come back to his study desk. When he was finished with his brewing, Severus went to his desk to scribble labels for the phials of potions. Sometimes doing such mindless things helped him clear his mind. He was about to start on the last set of labels when he noticed a brown parcel on his desk. He vividly remembered receiving it a few days back but he completely forgot about it because he had to leave for some important meeting. Putting down his quill, Severus took the parcel and opened it.
Inside was a roll of parchments and a phial containing silvery substance he identified as memory strains. He wondered silently who might have sent the parcel and started opening the letter. He was stunned to see the handwriting he had missed so much, the handwriting of one Lily Potter nee Evans.
Dear Sev,
If you receive this parcel, it means that I am no longer in this world. The information carried by this letter and several memories inside the phial is one that I would have told you in person if I could. During your time as a spy for the Order, there was a time where our paths crossed when we were at opposing sides. You would not remember it since I myself obliviated the memory from your mind.
I just got married to James then. We had a big quarrel and I ended up staying with my parents for a while. We stayed in a quiet suburb not far from London. I was quite unfortunate that Voldemort attacked the suburb when I was there. It was terrible. Anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards were up and our fireplace was not connected to the Floo network. The three of us were surrounded by a group of Death Eaters. Thankfully you recognized me right away. They wanted to rape me but you stepped in and insisted that you got your way first. I don't think I can replay the details for you but I extracted the memory for you because I think it is your right to decide. Believe me, I don't blame you for any of it. You had no choice not to do it because your companions insisted that you did me there and then, in front of them. However, I was eternally grateful that you stepped in to prevent the other jerks from soiling me.
Help finally came from the ministry and the Order and the Death Eaters flew from the scene, leaving you and me. You were on the verge of breaking down and in one split second I obliviated you of all the memories. I noticed how you were very broken at the time you just joined the order. I braced myself to ask Headmaster Dumbledore and I learned the truth about your dislike of inflicting pains in others. I did not want you to be that vulnerable again. Despite our falling out in the last 2 years of school, I still treasured you as my best friend.
No one else knew about this incident. James and I made up and I soon found out I was pregnant. You would know what I am implying here, right? Yes, Severus. Harry Potter is your biological son. I never told James, nor anyone else. I put a strong glamor charm and an adoption ritual using James' blood on him when he was born to mask his appearance as well as his magical signature and core. However because James never participated knowingly, the charm and ritual would end after sixteen years. In fact Harry would start changing back to his natural form one month before his sixteenth birthday.
I scheduled this parcel to be sent three days before his sixteenth birthday because I need to warn you of one thing. At the stroke of midnight on his birthday when the glamour charm dropped, Harry would need to be in his best condition, both physically and magically. Depleted magical core and weak physique may cause unwanted circumstances and might be fatal. I did not want this to happen to my Harry. So please help me ensure that the completion of the change went on well.
I love you, Sev, as my best friend since before Hogwarts. I know you have always been a good man deep down inside and I am truly sorry to have dumped everything to you like this. I would love to be there for our soon during this time of change as well but it apparently won't happen. Please take care of him for me, for us.
Love,
Lily Potter
Severus could not believe his eyes. Harry Potter, the arrogant little prick, was his biological son. He jumped at the sound of his Grandfather Clock, signaling midnight. "Damn. It's already 31st July!" he exclaimed on panic. He gathered everything back into the box and rushed to the floo to find the headmaster. Yes, it was best to let the senile headmaster know about this and he would be on his way to check on Potter.
To be continued…
A/N: over 3,000 words! It took me around five hours to come up with this chapter (and also some story plots). I did not only stick to the plot though. When I was writing, things just came up and it seems to me that several things discussed in the Order's meeting would be great plot material. I hope you like this first chapter! Please review to inform me how I can improve on the story! Any suggestions (or even flames) are welcome.
Thank you for the story alerts and favs. Also for those reading the story anonymously. I hope this story can give something new to the Severitus fiction pool although I won't follow Severitus challenge to the dot. Another thing, I am going to keep my chapters relatively short so that updates can be faster. Currently studying for my undergraduate degree, I will be overwhelmed with project works during certain period. Keep the alerts coming though! :)
Review. Review. Review! ~Jollybird