Disclaimer: I own nothing.
To Die for Rebirth
Chapter 5
Settling Down
The recently found son of Severus Snape, Hogwarts Potions Master extraordinaire, Sebastian had been recovering well over the past few days - physically. Mentally, one could not say the same. His uncle's sexual assault had left him damaged. He often found himself silently thinking about his life and how it had turned out. His thoughts often floated around the decision he had made to kill his Harry Potter persona. A little introspection led him to believe that his decision had been right but he could not help but to think about his old self.
As Harry Potter, Sebastian had grown up to be a withdrawn boy with no friends because of Dudley Dursley. Hogwarts had helped him in opening up because of his two friends who had been as socially awkward as he was. Ron Weasley had been overlooked all his life despite his boisterous façade. Sebastian had always suspected that Hermione Granger did not live a lively childhood as well, most probably being ostracized by her schoolmates because of her Know-It-All attitude. The three friends had progressed socially throughout Hogwarts, albeit in different pace and directions.
Sebastian, as Harry Potter, had improved much in his social skills. He grew some self confidence and was quite proud of himself for being able to lead Dumbledore's Army in his fifth year. He had learned a lot from the said experience and had gotten to know fellow students from different houses better. He had been rather restrained from reaching his full capacity though. This is partly due to his underachieving habits that had been put in place since the Dursleys and because of the numerous Dark-Lord related, trauma causing incidents that he was forced to face. The recent event with his uncle just undid most of his progress. One could say that he had become rather jaded.
Ron Weasley had grown to be even bolder and more boisterous, a Gryffindor icon. Unfortunately the bravery was not accompanied by maturity. He was lazy and judgmental. Sebastian had to always watch what he said to his 5 year best friend, wary of getting into further rows with the redhead like what happened in third and fourth year. Being the best friend of The-Boy-Who-Lived had brought some fame into Ron's head. He often lost himself to his fame and had abandoned his best friends in fury or jealousy. Sebastian would miss Ron for his idiocy and happy-go-lucky attitude but a part of him was glad not to have to deal with the prat and his family any longer. It was not that the Weasleys were bad, but Sebastian never felt really belong. Having grown up alone, the noise of the Weasleys household and extreme display of affection had always driven him crazy at times.
His other best friend, Hermione had come along nicely. She had matured thoroughly and had found her individuality. She had always been confident of her abilities, hence labeled as Know-It-All but a part of the trio had toned that down by much. Hermione carried herself well and with Ron and him supporting her she paid no attention to other students' mocking. Sebastian realized after viewing his Dad's memory of the funeral that he would miss her very much. He felt guilty for leaving his dear friend in the dark. He wished that one day they would be friends again and he could tell her the truth.
His musings were cut short by the arrival of the only three people who knew of his existence.
"Sebastian! How are you feeling this morning?" came the cheerful and charismatic voice of Headmaster Dumbledore.
Sebastian's relationship with the headmaster had recovered ever so slightly after he abided to his wish to let go of Harry Potter but the strain could still be felt by the two parties. He appreciated the elder wizard's wisdom not to use his favorite pet name 'dear boy'.
"I think I have recovered well, Headmaster. Thank you for asking. All thanks to Madam Pomfrey's good hands," he shot the matron a small smile and turned to his… father. "Thanks to you, too, Sir." The word father still sounded foreign in his mind although he had been thinking about him most of the time.
"What brought all of you here together?" he finally asked. Normally the Headmaster would come and visit by himself but this time all three adults came together.
"You are officially discharged today, Mr. Snape. I'm sure you have been waiting for this to happen. You never liked the hospital wing anyway," Poppy Pomfrey said jokingly.
Sebastian looked ready to jump off the bed and go but Dumbledore cut in, "But before you go, we need to discuss several issues."
He scowled lightly at his headmaster but remained quiet.
"First and foremost, following your decision to leave Harry Potter behind, the three of us are currently the only ones who know your true identity. I have no doubt that in the future there may be situations where we have to reveal your true identity to some people but to keep the secret secure for now, I have proposed a magical oath. We have agreed that we will never say a word about your true identity to any other individuals except when you give your expressed permission," Dumbledore said and started the rites for his magical oath.
"I, Albus Dumbledore, swear upon my magic that without the expressed permission of Sebastian Severus Snape, I will never reveal that Sebastian Severus Snape used to be Harry James Potter to any individual. So mote it be."
The rites were repeated by Madam Pomfrey and his father. At the end of each oath, warm golden glow surrounded the witch/wizard who made the oath. Sebastian stared in wonder since it was his first time seeing the ritual done.
"Sebastian, I also want you to promise not to reveal your secret without informing me or the headmaster. The final decision is yours to make but we'd like to monitor who is in-the-know," Severus said his first sentence to him during that visit.
Nodding, Sebastian began his oath, "I, Sebastian Severus Snape, swear that I will inform either Albus Dumbledore or Severus Snape before I reveal that I used to be Harry Potter to any individual. So mote it be."
"As we have discussed previously, to solidify your alibi, you will take this academic year off from Hogwarts and come back next year for your sixth year. Severus told me that he doesn't mind taking the year off as well but currently he is in a very delicate situation. He is currently our only spy in the Dark Lord's circle and it will be suspicious if he takes a leave of absence from the school. It will equally be suspicious to have you stay in Hogwarts either so you will have to stay at Severus' place, Spinner's End. I have arranged for Severus to be able to floo back to his residence during the school year."
"What will I be doing during my one year off, Professor?" Sebastian asked quietly. They had discussed it briefly before that he would take the year off but they never came around to the details.
"That is up to you to decide, Sebastian. But I'd suggest that you study magic and train well. I'm sure we can arrange some tutors coming from our own Order of the Phoenix. You can discuss what you want to do with your father and I'll try my best to help," Dumbledore said carefully.
Sebastian could see that the Headmaster had some ideas running in his head and the tentativeness of communicating his ideas to Sebastian. The young man let it slip for that moment and just nodded.
At that moment, the air next to the headmaster burst out in flame and Fawkes appeared, carrying a letter. Dumbledore took and skimmed his letter. Before he disappeared together with Fawkes, he said, "My apologies, everyone. I have Wizengamot affairs that I need to tend to right away. Sebastian, I've handed your OWL results to your father earlier. I'll drop by Spinner's End sometime tomorrow or the day after."
Severus took control of the conversation, "Get ready to go, Sebastian. I'll go to my living quarter to pack a few things. Meet me there in twenty minutes. Will you assist him, Poppy?"
"Of course, Severus. Come Sebastian, let's get you changed out of the hospital wing garment."
At the matrons' reply he left the hospital wing with his signature billowing robes.
"I wonder how he does that billowing robes thing," he mused.
Poppy rolled his eyes and said, "You'll observe and learn soon enough, young man. Now quick, get changed while I prepare your potions stock for the week."
The trip to Spinner's End was rather uneventful. Madam Pomfrey accompanied Sebastian to Severus' quarter and they flooed to Spinner's End. The house itself, though, was a different matter. One phrase that best described it would be a comfortable looking bachelor's pad. Sebastian had a look of disbelief etched on his face and turned to face his father. Severus Snape was still holding his expressionless face. He raised an eyebrow.
"What? Is it really that unexpected? I spent a lot of time in Hogwarts and soon it became pointless to go back here. I believe it has been eight years."
The living room seemed habitable. Contrary to his expectations, the potions master's home seemed unbelievably normal. It was about the same size as Privet Drive. It had wooden flooring and off-white painted walls lined up with shelves of books and tomes. A glance down the corridor confirmed that the rest of the house was done in a similar fashion. The living room had a comfortable and warm feeling. Directly facing the fireplace was a dark brown leather comfortably looking couch with glass coffee table. Parchments and papers were stacked neatly in one side of the coffee table. By the side of the couch was a matching armchair. At one of the far corners sat a writing table with papers and parchment strewn across rather messily. At another corner sat a worn upright piano.
"Follow me."
Sebastian followed Severus around the house. "This is the kitchen," he gestured to a medium-sized room with kitchen appliances and a square dining table able to fit four people. "Meals will be served at eight, one, and seven. I prepare the food myself. I expect you be here before meals are served and prepare the table. We can take turns doing the dishes."
Without waiting for Sebastian he continued down the hallway. "This is the Potions lab. I will most probably spend most of my time here or in the living room at my desk. When I'm inside, knock before coming in. I may be working on volatile potions."
Severus pointed on the small bathroom on the passing before heading up the stairs. "The second floor is warded against visitors. They could only access the ground floor. When they emerged upstairs, Sebastian was welcomed by a small common area with a low-height table and cushions in the center. "The common area. I rarely made use of this place but it had a good deal of natural lighting."
He pointed to a pair of big French doors where the sunrays came through. "The balcony. I set up a juice bar there. It's overlooking the neighborhood but charmed with a notice-me-not so that the muggles won't notice."
That left two doors on the right wall and left wall of the common area. "The room on your right is my bedroom, and on your left is your bedroom. Both rooms are equipped with en-suite bathroom."
The potions master walked to the right and opened the door to his bedroom. He stood by the frame and gestured, "My room. You may knock if you need me at night. This tag will let you know if I'm inside. You can find identical tag next to you room's door and the potions lab. Let's go to your room then,"
Severus turned the doorknob and let Sebastian in before following from behind. "Your room. I left it undecorated but you can choose to decorate it as you wish. You will find some of my old clothes, resized to your measurement, in the wardrobe. I left a book of house interior spells and charms on your end table. Similar books can be found in the shelf next to the piano downstairs if you wish to look for more advanced text. We shall go shopping sometime this week for your wand and clothes."
Sebastian's room was around the size of the living room. Not unlike the other rooms, it also had wooden flooring and off-white walls. A four-poster king-size bed sat in the middle of the room, covered with off-white bed sheets and navy bedcover. There was a glass window that allowed morning sun to go in. A study desk made from dark wood was next to the window, while a matching wardrobe was placed on the other side of the bed. Next to the wardrobe was a full body length mirror and a doorway leading to the bathroom.
Sebastian felt his knees gone weak and sat down on the bed. It was by far the most amazing room he had seen. His room at 12 Grimmauld Place couldn't be compared because of the dark and dingy feel. This room, on the other hand, was bright and lively. He looked at his still expressionless father and said, "Thanks. It's a really nice room."
Severus nodded and said, "It's almost time for lunch. You can go freshen up while I prepare our lunch. A few house rules before I go: One, be punctual during meal time. Two, keep your room clean. Three, keep the noise down; as you can tell I revel quietness. Four, never lie to me. Five, get me if you find yourself in bad situations; no keeping things on your own. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
Mentally exhausted, would be an apt phrase to describe what Severus Snape was feeling as he prepared lunch rather mechanically. It was not even the middle of the day yet and what he wanted most right now was to collapse on his bed and had a short nap. He was still having mixed feeling regarding Sebastian. His son had been nothing but polite. However, for a man who had been alone most of his life, Severus found the change in his situation to be quite disconcerting. It was only thanks to his Occlumency that he managed to control himself and not yap and snap at the fragile boy. Instead, he had talked to his son very curtly with none of his usual drawling and sarcasm.
Severus swept away all thoughts from his head and focused on his cooking. He had always enjoyed cooking, which was similar to Potions. For that day, he had decided to serve some garlic bread and garden salad for starters, and a huge pot of chicken and vegetable soup for the main dish. He had added different ingredients into the soup to make it as nutritious as possible, including some pasta as carbohydrates. He was stirring the soup when Sebastian appeared in the kitchen.
He gestured to one of the cabinets holding utensils, plates, and place mats. From the corner of his eyes Severus observed his son diligently setting the table with ease. He had not been a spoiled child after all, nothing like his unjustified presumptions before. He turned back to his cooking at added some spices to the soup before letting it shimmer for a while.
"Your O.W.L.s results is on the table. You can go ahead and read it while I serve lunch," Severus said in his monotonous voice, took a big casserole and pour the soup in. He then spelled the soup to stay warm at comfortable eating temperature before serving lunch to the table. "Salad, garlic bread, and chicken soup for lunch."
His son just started reading his results and only gave him a nod of acknowledgement. He proceeded to sit across the boy, served himself some salad, and started eating slowly.
Sebastian moved to put down his O.W.L.s results but Severus extended his arm to him, "May I?"
The boy nodded and handed the parchment to him. He folded open the letter and started reading, skimming the opening paragraph and went directly to the scores.
Astronomy - A
Care of Magical Creatures - E
Charms - E
D.A.D.A - O
Divination - P (failed)
Herbology - E
History of Magic - D (failed)
Potions - E
Transfiguration - E
Severus frowned. Seven O.W.L.s was not bad but the grades were not quite exemplary. Exceeds Expectations for most of his subjects and one Outstanding on Defence Against the Dark Arts. "Seven O.W.L.s, not too bad. But you can do better than that, I'm sure. And Divination, really? What drives you to take that fraudulent subject anyway?"
His son shrugged, "I just followed Ron. I assumed he knew best since he is raised as a wizard. And yes, I hope I could have done better for my O.W.L.s. I have to admit that I did not put my best in school and I was distracted by visions during the O.W.L.s testing." He took the parchment back, refolded it and put it back inside the envelope next to him.
Severus' frown deepened. "It's important to have good foundation of magic. Magic O.W.L.s level and below are the basic for further studies. I have a proposition. Why don't you retake the O.W.L.s next year under your current identity? During your one-year off you can prepare and review the materials. I'd suggest you take either Ancient Runes or Arithmancy, too. Or both, should you decide to like it. Those two electives may not be as practical as the rest but they give good understanding on magic and how it works."
Sebastian was contemplating the idea. At first he was against retaking his O.W.L.s but his father's explanation regarding the importance of basic made him to rethink. Sooner or later, the Wizarding World would be at war. He was still unsure about his position in the world, whether he would be taking part in the war or not. However, with the looming prophecy he would somehow be involved one way or another. Although he just recently found out about his father, he had grown attached to the concept of having a parent. Severus Snape being a spy among the Dark Lord ranks did not give him the peace of mind. He would not have his parent taken away from him for the second time. Resolute, Sebastian nodded and said, "I would like that, please. Can I request for further study in Defence Against the Dark Arts and dueling, too?"
The potions master had to mask his surprised face and responded with a slight smirk, "Of course. Dumbledore actually had a lesson plan in mind for that one. We can discuss with him when he visit. He also requested me to train you in Occlumency to protect your identity and negate some of your… connection to the Dark Lord. That is, if you are agreeable?"
His son cringed at the mention of Occlumency and Dark Lord. He was sure that it brought back bad memories from the year before but he conceded.
"We'll work on your schedule later. Now, eat your lunch."
A comfortable silence stretched as the two Snapes devoured their lunch. There was still some leftover soup and Severus got up to keep it in the cabinet after putting a stasis charm.
"Thank you for lunch. It was delicious. May I… cook dinner tonight?"
"You cook?" His son nodded. "Fine, you can prepare dinner. Fresh ingredients are in the cooler. I have arranged it to be restocking so you should be able to find anything there. Same goes with the spices cabinet there."
To be continued…
A/N: Fifth chapter is up! Sorry for the longer update period; I'm a bit tied up with school work and accompanying my visiting parents. On to the story line, I hope you like where I am taking it to. Currently I have no ship for the story although Sebastian may go out for a date or two – nothing serious yet. Girls I have in mind: Hermione (look at the potential of Sebastian's inner conflict!), Daphne/Astoria, Luna, another Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw fifth year (most likely going to be OC) who is going to be Sebastian's friend when he goes back to Hogwarts.
Thank you for the reviews, alerts & favs. Also, Happy Valentine's Day!
~ Jollybird (13 Feb 2012)