Snape Revealed Shorts, Story ONE:
Lost and Found
Part 4: The Hat Never Lies.
AN: JK Rowling created most of these characters and the universe from which they hail…
Okay, we all knew this was coming. Even before I got pregnant I thought about writing a Snape and baby story. This takes place about 2 yrs after Severus arrives at Hogwarts to teach. He's had roughly 22 months to mourn for Lily and his involvement in her demise and has been having a very rough go of it. Some other tragic things have occurred as well since Lily's death that he's also trying to cope with.
(I'll be perfectly honest with you; I've forgotten a lot of what I wrote in part II and what I did write in part III of Severus Snape Revealed. I'm confused if I wrote things, or meant to, and don't have the time to go back to research. If I make a blatant mistake that goes against canon or against my own canon and someone calls me out on it, I'd really appreciate it, and I'll go back and correct it.)
This is not beta'd…
Severus had another sleepless night. There was only so much Scotch he could put on Rhys's gums and it was getting to the point he wanted to partake of some, but he didn't. At dawn, the pesky molar finally cut through and Rhys fell asleep in Severus's arms. Severus relished the silence and closed his eyes for what only seemed like a minute, just to find it was two hours.
Severus placed Rhys carefully into the cradle and was amazed he remained sleeping. He needed to talk to Dumbledore and he needed to do it after a shower and without a baby with him.
The first few minutes of his shower were relaxing and well deserved. It was the first time he had time to himself, time to think. He thought about Polonius and how he was going to have to deal with him for the next year. Then he thought about Ophelia for a moment before shifting to Lily. Whenever he thought about Lily, as much as he tried to remember the good times, all he ever saw was a vision that never actually happened. When he closed his eyes, he saw Lily's face, filled with terror, with a burning house behind her. Always her deep green eyes pierced into Severus's soul and made him shiver with terror. Always he was screaming, screaming to Severus.
"Why did you do this to me Severus? Help me Severus! Help me please!" she'd holler. It was about that time his stomach would begin to turn. Severus opened his eyes and looked down at the scar on his left forearm. Even through the layers of scar tissues he could still see a faint outline of the Dark Mark. Logically he knew it had vanished, but each time he glanced at it, he would see it, as if it was reappear at full force at any minute.
Severus took the razor he always had in the shower and began to slowly slice into the scar, where the skull began. He didn't feel any pain in the beginning; instead he felt instant relief as the blood began to flow. He let out a deep sigh and moved the razor deeper, trying to cut off the top two layers of flesh, so the tattoo would never reappear.
When the steaming water hit the raw flesh, the pain set in. Severus winced and squinted his eyes as the blood filled the floor of the shower stall. He turned the water off and wrapped a black towel around his arm and exited the shower. He cast a very quick healing charm that would just stop the bleeding. He wanted the pain to continue. He wrapped his forearm in gauze and then dried off.
Having left the sleeping baby in the care of Mini, Severus approached Dumbledore's office. He was about to knock when he heard voices coming from the office. His hearing was good he could make out Poppi's voice speaking to Dumbledore, about Severus.
"This is very unfair Albus. You can't do this to him!"
"He's fine. He's a Pediatric Healer after all."
"After what he did? Need I remind you what he did just two years ago to himself?"
"I seem to recall Poppi."
"And what he continues to do?"
"He no longer does that, and he's in therapy…"
"What proof do you have?"
"I have his word and that's all I need," Dumbledore replied.
"You trust him?"
"With my life, yes."
"He'll never get over what happened to her, he can't be capable of caring for that child Albus!" Poppi snapped as Severus felt offended, but knew she was right at the same time. "He needs help!"
"I have help, Mini and Eugina do wonderful jobs," Severus said entering the room. Poppi glared at him and then back to Dumbledore, who did and said nothing.
"How's Rhys, Severus?" Dumbledore asked after a few moments of silence.
"Sleeping like a baby. Do we know about his identity yet?" Severus asked as Poppi shuffled past him.
"Not yet. You look tired," Dumbledore noticed as Severus subconsciously began to rub his stinging and throbbing forearm. "What happened?"
"N-nothing. Just an itch."
"Your Mark, is it burning?"
"No."
"It's not reappearing? I'd not expect Tom's return this suddenly. Let me see."
"There's nothing to see, the itch is gone," Severus defended as Dumbledore reached for Severus's arm. "I said it's nothing!" Severus snapped and whirled his arm out of Dumbledore's reach.
"I see. Good."
"What is wrong with Madam Pomfrey? She thinks I'm insane or something?"
"Yes, and severely depressed."
"Why then am I caring for this child if I'm so off my rocker?" Severus asked sarcastically.
"Because you are neither, though sometimes I'm not all too certain about the latter. Am I to assume this child is keeping you busy?"
"Yes, too busy," Severus replied, taking a seat near the window. "I need to discipline some students who are still bullying Mr. Haventree…"
"Severus, I've told you time and time again, it's best to let the children work this out for themselves. We can't always defend them; they need to learn that not everyone in this world gets along and…"
"You were never bullied, only someone who bullied would say such things," Severus interrupted. Dumbledore said nothing. He took a deep breath and sat back in his seat.
"Do as you wish, it's your House after all."
"Yes. It is my House."
"How's Mr. Ohlms?"
"He's….Mr. Ohlms."
"I see. Still blaming you I assume."
"He's fine. He's angry and he has every right to be."
"But not with you, Severus. He's treating you with respect in front of other students, is he not?"
"Yes," Severus fibbed so well Dumbledore didn't seem to not believe him for one second. "I can handle Mr. Ohlms."
"Hear from Avon at all?"
"No, not really, I mean, she's fine, she's not as angry…can we talk about Rhys now? He can't stay with me indefinitely."
"Of course not. I'm certain we'll find his parents this week. Has he displayed any magical abilities yet?"
"He has a very unique ability to not sleep and scream for hours on end without getting tired or hoarse."
"I think that's a Muggle trait as well."
"I think you are correct Dumbledore, as always."
"Well, go discipline your students, and kiss up to Mr. Ohlms, and torture the Potion's students. Don't let me keep you."
"As you wish," Severus replied as he rose from his seat and bowed ever so slightly to the Headmaster before turning to leave the office.
"Put some salve on that wound of yours Severus," Dumbledore stated to Severus's back. Severus stopped but did not turn to acknowledge. After a few seconds, Severus left the office.
Monday dredged on, and Severus found himself thinking more and more of Rhys, who was in the care of Mini and Eugina all day. Just before lunch he was teaching the third years and he decided it was time to confront Mr. Haventree. When he told Soren to stay behind after class, Soren looked to be filled with fear; naturally he assumed he was in trouble.
"Step into my office Mr. Haventree," Severus said in a softer tone, trying to indicate that the boy was not in any trouble. He heard a gulp and then the shuffling of the boy's feet as he followed him into the office. Severus sat behind his desk and crossed his hands, as Soren just sat across from him, tapping his feet on the stone floor.
"Mr. Haventree…"
"My potion turned out alright, didn't it?"
"Yes it was satisfactory; I need to talk to about the other members of our esteemed House."
"Our House? Your House you mean. I'm not a part of Slytherin."
"You were sorted into Slytherin; you are a part of Slytherin."
"My family has been in Gryffindor for over eight-hundred years! I'm the only non-Gryffindor, ever!"
"So?"
"So? So? So I'm not a Slytherin!"
"The Hat sorted you thusly. Slytherin is a fine House. The most successful witches and wizards in history came out of our House. Now I know some of our more…colorful…members can be a bit…selective, but that does not mean you do not belong here."
"I'm brave. I'm as brave as my brothers! Braver! I want to be an Auror and take down dark wizards, most of who come from this very House!"
"That's not entirely accurate. I know for a fact members of Gryffindor followed He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, and I can assure you, they were not brave. I know many fine Slytherins who are exceedingly brave."
"Not you," Soren whispered to himself, not thinking Severus could hear him.
"What did you say?"
"What? Nothing...I said…not true."
"No, you said not you. What makes you think me un-brave? Just because I don't sport red and gold does not mean I'm not brave."
"I didn't say not you..."
"Do not lie to me!" Severus snapped in a raised voice. He was beginning to understand why the other Slytherins couldn't stand and picked on Soren Haventree.
"It's not me! It's Polonius! He's always talking about what a coward you are, okay? It's not me! Can't I just be re-sorted?"
"Mr. Ohlms said what?"
"He says you're a coward…because of what happened last year to his sister."
"And what happened exactly?"
"You mean you don't know?"
"I know, but I also know that you don't have a clue what happened to Miss Ohlms. Please, enlighten me as to what you think happened that proves me to be un-brave."
"She…she…you know…she…"
"You don't even know."
"I'm sure Polonius knows what happened to his own sister!"
"He does, but he's having a difficult time with it, so he's blaming me. I'm not to blame. What happened was tragic and she…"
"He said you and she were, well…he tells people that you two were…dating."
"I don't date students. Mr. Ohlms is very upset, understandably, and looking at someone to lash out at. My friendship with their family gives him license to take his anger out on me. If that helps him, fine. He is very upset and is not thinking clearly. Don't listen to him. What happened to Miss Ohlms is tragic but it's in the past and nothing like that will ever happen again."
"Why then is her old room sealed off then from the rest of the castle?"
"That's none of your business. Miss Nott is very happy in the new Head Girl's quarters down the corridor. We're done discussing the past and other people. When the others in our House pick on you for not being Slytherin enough, either ignore them, or stand up to them, or come to me. Don't let them just bully you. From what I can tell you are a competent enough wizard to handle the likes of Mr. Belby, Mr. O'Malley and Mr. Smisthers."
"I can't stand Draidan Belby! He's always talking about you too, about how you were his father's assistant."
"So? I was his assistant, I helped him create potions," Severus confessed.
"He said you cleaned their house."
"He lies. The Belby's are a very old, very proud family, and prone to…exaggeration."
"Can I please see about being resorted?"
"No, Mr. Haventree. There simply is no resorting. That would insult the hat. He's never been wrong," Severus spoke with conviction, wondering the truth of his words. "Perhaps if you stopped insulting your House and being so ashamed, the others would accept you more."
"I don't need their acceptance, but the Gryffindors won't speak to me since I'm in this House!"
"Nonsense. I had a Gryffindor friend. If they don't speak to you it's their loss. Most members of that House are very arrogant and stuck up. I'm not sure why you'd want to be associated with them honestly. Besides, Miss Mellen and Miss Honeycamp are very nice people and in your House."
"But…they're girls!"
"So! You don't like girls?"
"Not to be mates with, that's so…wimpy!"
"Those witches are exceptional at everything I've ever see them do. They are far from…wimpy, and you'd be far from it for befriending them."
"I guess. My family would murder me if I married a Slytherin."
"You're not going to marry them! And you are a Slytherin so they need to get over it. Now, this is digging into your lunch hour. If you have any more problems with them or anyone else, come to me."
"Yes, sir," Soren said with a lowered head, not sounding very convinced. Between Draidan and Polonius Severus had a lot of disciplining to do. He decided to start however, with the bullies. After lunch he summoned them to his office and gave all three of them two weeks detention to be served with Madam Pomfrey.
When the classes were done for the day, Severus returned to his quarters to find Rhys on the floor, naked, kicking and screaming while Mini was crying hysterically near her cubby.
"What's going on? Where's Eugina? Why's he naked? Why's he so upset?"
"Too many questions Master!" Mini replied still covering her ears.
"Where's Eugina?"
"She had to go to her Mistress's quarters to care for the young ones, and she left Mini here with that loud baby!"
"Why's he nude?"
"Baby won't let Mini nappy him!"
"Fuck!" Severus nearly shouted. He turned to approach the red faced baby who was almost horse from screaming. "Shh, there-there, let's get you nappied shall we?" Severus asked, scooping the child up into his arms. The baby rubbed his tear filled eyes, but stopped his sobs once he was in Severus's arms. Severus carried him into his bedroom and put a clean Malfoy nappy on him and then dressed him in an absurd gown that he didn't blame Narcissa for never dressing Draco in. "Now you look utterly absurd, now you really have something to cry about!" Severus joked to the boy in the silken, yellow gown, something a baby Dumbledore might have enjoyed.
Severus fed Rhys and thought about what he was going to say to Polonius. He couldn't have students going around bath mouthing him to other students. Draidan Belby he could handle, Polonius Ohlms on the other hand, was a far more delicate matter. Rhys decided to fall asleep in Severus's arms again, giving him more time to ponder.