Disclaimer: If I was JKR, my profile would be different. So yeah, sorry to disappoint ;) LOL

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has put this story on alert or favorite lists. Sorry I don't have a complete list of names. My internet hasn't been working because of a power outage. Thankfully, I am in walking distance of places that do have power. However, I have limited time online and I have no idea how long this will last for. Updates will be slower until my home power returns. I apologize for any inconvenience to all you readers.

Thanks to Future Starkid Member and SpencerReid for your reviews. xD

SpencerReid - Thank you for your ideas/theories about Severus. I know my ideas here are totally AU, (in fact, the majority of this chapter is AU!) Thank you for talking with me about Severus. :D I owe this chapter to you! ^^

In other words, this chapter is dedicated to SpencerReid. :) Yeah, a bit early. But after all those theories, I just had to include you here. ^^ *heart*

If anyone disagrees about Eileen and Tobias's background, or on how Severus and Lily met, comment, PM, or write your own story! :P

Future Starkid Member - You are the awesomest of the awesomest betas ever! :D Thank you so much! ^^ *heart*

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Chapter Three: Trouble Always Comes

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The problem with being Severus Snape had seemed obvious enough.

His parents had never wanted him. They hadn't cared about him for a long time - if ever. At least, not in the way normal parents should. He growled at the thought of the Blacks and the Potters. Well, even if the sons didn't turn out right, their parents had loved them. It showed clearly in their attitude.

Eileen Prince was a pureblood witch from a very wealthy, respectable family. Once she had graduated from Hogwarts, it was expected that she would marry a pureblood wizard from an equally wealthy or well-connected family. Eileen was expected to settle down and have several children, at least one of whom would be male. She would have a happy life and marry off her children to other pureblood families.

Severus snorted at that fairytale story. Yeah, right. That didn't happen.

Eileen was a stubborn woman who would fight for what she thought right. Young and beautiful, with blond hair and striking blue eyes, Eileen knew what she wanted. And what she wanted when she was eighteen was a young Muggle named Tobias Snape.

Tobias Snape was the typical tall, dark and handsome young man. He had dark eyes and a strong, muscular body. He was poor and worked several labor-intensive jobs to make ends meet. He met Eileen by chance one day when she was walking through the streets of London. Struck by her beauty, he asked her if she needed directions and walked her to the house she had rented for the summer.

When Eileen's family found out Tobias was a Muggle and that they were planning to get married, the Prince family was furious. Disowning their daughter, Eileen's parents refused to see her.

Eileen and Tobias married each other for different reasons. Eileen for love, or so it seemed at first. Tobias for money and beauty. Tobias thought Eileen was rich, from all she had said and from the house she had rented.

Tobias found out soon after they were married that Eileen was as poor as himself. Furious, knowing beauty could only last so long, he also found out she had no job. Tobias could not divorce Eileen for several reasons. They had not been married long and it would look strange if they did divorce. Also, Eileen was pregnant and a child would mean more financial troubles for Tobias if divorced than if married.

Eileen was miserable. She realized Tobias had never loved her - well, he had. Just not for the right reasons.

Soon, Tobias turned to alcohol and would often come home drunk and belligerent. Tobias never beat Eileen. But the stress of maintaining a household, finding a job and raising a child was too much for Eileen.

Slowly, over the years, Eileen's beauty faded and she became a hardened, cruel woman. She had always had a cruel streak in her, but it had been softened by Tobias and thoughts of a family.

At twenty-one years old, Eileen gave birth to Severus Snape. At first, Tobias was happy his son was born. He would raise his son to be a hard-working, strong man. But as his son grew up, Tobias changed his attitude.

Tobias and Eileen blamed their ill-fortune on their son. Unfair, true. But all the same, they blamed Severus.

As Severus grew up, Eileen was able to return to work and Tobias turned his anger towards the growing boy. Severus was tall and thin, but he was neither wiry nor broad-shouldered. He had delicate hands and a pale complexion. He was so unlike his father in every way.

Tobias sometimes wondered if Severus was even his child. They seemed as though they had nothing in common except for their hair, eyes and nose. In Severus's body and skin, he looked like Eileen when she was a child. He had her slight frame and build and the same pale skin that seemed as delicate as paper. Where Tobias was imposing, Severus was shadowy. While Tobias was physical, Severus was intellectual. Severus had the same stubborn jaw as Eileen, though his lanky form was less mulish, adding to his more gullible personality.

Severus was occasionally physically abused by a drunk Tobias, but Eileen told him it was his fault for being in the way. The only thing Eileen can be accused of is neglect. Otherwise, Eileen and Tobias treated their unloved son as humanely as possible for two such people.

Severus never called his parents "Mum" or "Da". Never. They were always "Eileen" and "Tobias". That's what they told him and that's how he was raised. Severus hated his father and hated himself for thinking that way. He knew that his father loved his mother, no matter what else happened in the family. Why else had they stayed together for so long? Underneath all the troubles, Eileen and Tobias could be quite caring towards each other.

But Severus never saw any of it. It was always, "Get out of the way, Severus!" Or, "What are you doing now, Severus?" It was never, "Good job, Severus." Or, "Thank you, Severus."

Not that Severus looked for their approval. But it would have been nice to be noticed for once, instead of always being lost underfoot.

It was a miracle that Severus made a friend at all. He would often be confined at home. Tobias and Eileen could not afford to send Severus to a good school, so Eileen kept the boy at home, awaiting his letter to Hogwarts. Tobias never knew that Severus never went to school. Although Tobias was too drunk too often to even think about it, Eileen hid her real intentions well. When he was older, Severus would often wonder how Eileen hid her magic from Tobias so well.

At home, Severus read books from Eileen's school days. He found out he could do tricks like making objects move without touching them. Later, he would know that he was a wizard. But when he was younger, he worked his way through Eileen's books and, on occasion, he'd be able to glimpse more advanced spells, both of the regular kind and some of the Dark Arts. Severus hid his knowledge from his parents. Tobias was unable to see the books, but Severus was not allowed to touch some of them. His occasional glimpses came when Eileen was careless or distraught. Then she would take out the books and feel calmer with their presence. If Tobias was gone on a long business trip, she'd leave the books out, not thinking that Severus might find them.

Severus delighted in the books. They spoke of power and control - things he greatly desired. He wanted power, not for himself, but to help his mother, who he often saw as a sad, depressed figure. He wished for control of his own life and, to some extent, over others. He wanted control over his father, who he blamed for his mother's distress. When he was older, before he attended Hogwarts, Severus would often think that Eileen, a witch, should not be afraid of a Muggle. At Hogwarts, he would find out about the laws of the wizarding world. They explained why Eileen could not tell Tobias. It would puzzle him for a long time.

The day Severus met Lily was a lucky day.

It was rare for Severus to be outdoors. But one day, his mother no longer wished for him to be at home.

He was about six and it was during the summer. Eileen told Severus to go out and play, as she was going to work. Tobias had been gone for several days, supposedly working on a project far outside London.

Severus obliged his mother and left the house. The Snapes lived on Spinner's End, a particularly dreary street. It was full of dilapidated houses and ramshackle homes that were standing by a nail. A good wind would blow them down, no doubt. It was clear that the boy belonged in this poorest of the poor areas - everything from his hand-me-down clothes to his unkempt hair spoke of poverty. However, the Snapes were lucky to be off the streets. Severus had met several street rats and knew he was lucky enough. But the sting was still there. He knew it was one of the reasons why he was rarely let out of the house.

It was on this particularly mild summer day that he wandered the streets, aimlessly walking along. Lost in thought, he came upon a better street and saw a girl sitting across the way. She had long red hair and brilliant green eyes. She was crying and for some reason, he was drawn to her.

He stayed on the other side of the street across from her and called out, "What's wrong?"

Startled, Lily looked up. "Who are you? What do you want?" She looked at him, looked at his clothes, but didn't look up at his face.

"Is it that bad?" he asked, commenting on his clothes.

She smiled and looked up at his face.

"If you don't think I'm a freak, it's not that bad," she tried to laugh, but failed and choked instead. Blushing, she looked down at the street.

Severus frowned.

"Who called you a freak?" He was puzzled. She looked completely normal, unlike himself. She was even dressed pretty well.

"My sister. Her name's Petunia. I'm Lily. Lily Evans," the girl said, struggling to stand up.

"I'm Severus. Severus Snape," the boy replied awkwardly. He had never been used to introductions, nor to speaking to children his age.

"Severus? That's a funny name," the girl said. "Where do you live?"

"I don't know about my name, but I live on Spinner's End. It's not far from here, but it's not a place you'd want to go," he took in her dress and his heart sank. She was so much better off than him. He should walk away soon.

"Why?" Lily asked automatically, before shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I live here." She pointed two doors down to a comfortable-looking house in good repair.

Severus nodded silently. He had guessed as much from her clothes and the street they were on.

Somehow, he and Lily became friends. Lily, miraculously, saw something in him that she liked and they cemented their friendship over several years' time. Like Tobias, Lily was a Muggle. But this never bothered Severus. Not having known many people, and having grown up with Muggles, not to mention his own half-blood status, made him not care about blood purity at all.

Severus found out Lily could do tricks - that was the reason why Petunia had called her a freak.

Lily found out Severus and many others could do the same tricks, called magic. Their shared ability made their friendship easier, although Severus was often mean to Petunia, causing Lily to defend her sister. Severus never understood Lily completely, but he never wanted to lose his only friend in the world.

Petunia could never figure out Severus, and often called Lily a freak because she was afraid of Severus. The boy had power, more power than Lily, and he knew darker spells. He was afraid to show Lily, afraid of what she would say. But he would always look down on Petunia and sneer at her.

Lily defended Petunia from Severus, causing Petunia to hate Lily more. Why would Lily try to make herself seem so great? Petunia's jealousy blinded her from the real cause - that Lily cared for her - rather than the idea that Lily was trying to impress Severus. Petunia often saw Lily and Severus together, mostly during the summers, and she was jealous. Why should Lily spend all her time with Severus? He was a poor boy. Why would he have anything to offer to Lily?

The Evanses liked Lily's friendship with Severus. Petunia and Lily's parents invited Severus over to stay for dinner. Despite Petunia's protests, they also asked Severus to go out on picnics or outings with their family many times. Often, Severus wanted to accept. But his mother forbid him. So, occasionally, he would have dinner with the Evanses or sometimes he'd meet them by the lake a few miles away. But never as often as he wished to. His mother feared the Muggles would do something to him - Eileen was very paranoid of Muggles after having lived with Tobias.

When Severus turned ten, he received his Hogwarts acceptance letter. Excited, Severus wanted to tell Lily as soon as possible.

It wasn't until a few weeks later that he could tell her. For one, she hadn't received her letter until the end of January, whereas he had received his towards the beginning of the month. Also, she attended Muggle school with her sister.

When they had finally met, they were both happy beyond words. They would be attending the same school in the fall.

Lily was glad because she would no longer have to put up with Petunia calling her a freak. She would be going to a school where others were like her.

Severus was glad because he would be with Lily. Although he was on scholarship and she was not, he was also happy to escape Tobias. Though he was loathe to leave his mother, she, too, had been most insistent that he go and not worry about her. Tobias didn't care where he went to school. In fact, Severus had the niggling sensation that Tobias was happy he was going away.

And now, standing in the near-empty Headmaster's office, it all seemed like a bad dream.

He relived the scene from the train, wondering again and again what he had done to cause James Potter and Sirius Black to raise their wands. He puzzled over why Lily Evans, Lily his friend, had not done something to stop them. She had brought a Prefect and Head Boy, but she had left him to fend for himself. He was used to being left on his own. But it still hurt.

He recalled that his own Head of House had abandoned him. The Headmaster had wanted to punish him. Not the Gryffindor duo, but him, the Slytherin. And it was all that woman's fault he was here now.

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The Headmaster's office had been a great surprise after the Great Hall. Professors McGonagall and Slughorn had brought the three boys to the third floor. At the twin gargoyle statues, the professors stopped.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and said, "Lemon Drop!"

The gargoyles gave her an icy stare. The one on the left even looked as though it had raised an eyebrow in disdain.

"Oh, not again! Professor Slughorn, remind me to tell Albus that he was not to change the password until tomorrow without telling us!" Professor McGonagall huffed.

Before Horace Slughorn, Head of Slytherin, could reply, another voice sounded across the hall.

"Honeyduke's Chocolate!"

A beaming figure came into view. The man dazzled the eye with horribly old-fashioned heeled boots, long, swishy, "I am clearly gay, so get off my case" robes of a violent lavender hue, and a sparkle on his deep electric blue eyes.

"Ah, Professor Dumbledore," Professor McGonagall coldly acknowledged.

"Headmaster," Professor Slughorn finally said. "Now that I have this opportunity, I must request to be excused. Urgent matter at hand. Must be off."

Turning on is heel, Horace stalked off to the dungeons.

"You!" Professor McGongall shouted. "You get back here, Horace! Horace Slughorn! Ooh, you better hope the house elves don't hate you for the rest of term!"

Professor McGonagall was furious, face red with anger. She raised her fist at Horace's fastly retreating figure.

Horace seemed not to hear.

Albus Dumbledore looked on, amused.

"Now that we are ready, shall we?" Dumbledore indicated the stairs. Albus went up first, then the two Gryffindors. Finally, Severus and Professor McGonagall ascended. It was a few moments before Severus and Professor McGonagall were permitted entry.

Professor McGonagall tapped her foot impatiently.

"Albus, will you kindly allow Mr. Snape inside?" she asked in the nicest, iciest voice she could manage.

Not getting a response, Professor McGonagall shot Severus a small smile.

"Just his type of joke," she started, as if making small talk. Seeing the Slytherin wasn't responding, she said, "How do you like Hogwarts so far?"

Severus wasn't sure what he was supposed to say, but she clearly demanded an answer. He liked her, but he couldn't place why. She was clear and precise. She seemed to have a temper, so he mentally noted to keep on her good side. She didn't seem to be uncaring, so he ventured to talk. Anyway, her brilliant emerald eyes stared down at him - a sight hard to resist.

"I love it here. I hope not to leave so soon," he admitted, not knowing why he seemed to open up to her.

Her piercing stare wad unnerving - that must be the reason. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

"I see. You are on scholarship. I doubt you will go home tonight."

She may have said more, but just then, the great wooden doors opened.

The two Gryffindors were sitting in front of the Headmaster, heads down, eyes looking at the floor.

The Headmaster stood behind his desk, beaming.

"Ah, Mr. Snape," he said, eying Severus coolly. "Minerva! So glad you made it," he said, voice warmer, a smile touching his mouth.

"Professor McGonagall, Headmaster," Professor McGonagall glared. "There are students present. And you knew I was here - your games are over. I am not like Horace. I do not shirk duty."

Professor Dumbledore nodded his head.

"Er, yes. Well, to business. It seems as though these two here understand the whole business. Mr. Snape, we do not use magic on fellow students except when instructed in classes. Dark magic of any kind is forbidden. Do you understand?"

Those blue eyes stared into Severus's soul. Gulping, Severus nodded.

"Yes, I understand," he said softly.

"Good, then it's all settled. I think fifty points each and detention for a week should do it," Albus beamed.

"So a hundred points from Gryffindor?" Professor McGonagall inquired.

"My dear, oh no. Fifty from each House should be sufficient."

"That's unfair. There are two Gryffindors and one Slytherin. Really, Albus, do be reasonable!" Minerva was fairly sensible of Albus's prejudice, but really! Just because Gellert had been a Slytherin, there was no reason to hold a grudge against them all.

"Then what do you suggest, Minerva?"

"I think ten points each and three days' detention - separately - should do it. No one was harmed." She glared at James Potter and Sirius Black. "You two are lucky to be here. Your spells were incorrectly cast. Mr. Snape's spells, on the other hand, were perfect." Turning her glare to Albus, she continued, "Unlike his peers, Mr. Snape's spells were not designed to injure."

Albus sighed, "Very well, Minerva. I have to go to a meeting. I'll leave you to sort this out."

With a flash of green light, Albus vanished.

Minerva sighed and looked at her three charges.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Black. Please return to your dormitory as quickly as possible. It is on the seventh floor - you can't miss it. A Head Boy should be waiting outside to escort you. I will know if you are not in your beds tonight. You are not expelled - yet." The warning was clear in her face and voice.

The two Gryffindors nodded jerkily before leaving swiftly.

"Mr. Snape. Please sit," Professor McGonagall indicated the chairs and sofa available.

Severus sat on a particularly cozy armchair.

"Now, I think we have several points to discuss."

Severus was nervous. The woman reminded him of his mother, although Professor McGonagall must be younger than Eileen. Eileen was about thirty-one; to Severus, Professor McGonagall could not be more than twenty-five, at most.

"First of all, where did you learn those spells from? They were highly advanced magic."

Minerva looked at the boy in a friendly, inquisitive manner. She hoped the boy wouldn't think he was in trouble.

At first, Severus did not answer, not sure what to say. Finally, as her steady gaze never faltered, he haltingly replied, "From a book. My mum had several books. I don't know how, but I could read them. I learned. I've never used them on humans before."

He immediately froze, eyes wide. There - he had confessed again! What was this woman doing to him?

"Oh. I see."

Minerva thought for a bit.

"Why were you fighting?"

"I didn't want to. But they - they insulted my mum!"

The words burst forth as though she had dosed him with Veritaserum.

"Did you give me Truth Potion or something to make me talk?" he accused, glaring defiantly at her.

Professor McGonagall was taken aback, and then she laughed. She was laughing at him! He blushed and hid his face, looking at the ground.

"No, lad. I did not give you Veritaserum or anything else. I'm only asking so I can try to help you. I'm sure your home life isn't pleasant. I was at school with your mother - with Eileen."

The last words came out in a whisper. She had wanted to say, "Ms. Prince", but Severus seemed to flinch at the words, "your mother".

Severus's head shot up as he flinched a little at her words.

"You did?"

He was over-eager, but tried his best not to sound too happy.

"Yes, boy. And I'm sorry to say that Professor Dumbledore does not share my opinion. But I think you don't have many friends here. Why is that? Surely - Eileen told you of Hogwarts?"

She was again hesitant to speak Ms. Prince's name, but Severus had made no comment at the use of his mother's first name.

"I'm a half-blood. My dad's a Muggle. She never said anything until the letter came. And then only that it was a school."

Severus was aware of his ignorance. He had felt completely in the dark. Hogwarts was a secret to be kept from Tobias as much as possible.

"Is Miss Evans your friend?"

She used that same soft voice as though she were talking to a hurt animal.

"No! Yes? I don't know anymore," he admitted.

"Well, I hope you do well in your classes here. Your spells and wandwork see, excellent. I'd suggest working on Defense a bit. From what the Head Boy said, you got some nasty hexes."

Severus grimaced, scowling at the reminder.

"Easy, lad," Minerva laid a hand on his arm.

Severus was surprised to find her touch cool. It was ethereal, almost - a ghostly cool touch that didn't seem real. But it must have been real, right?

She removed her hand almost reluctantly. As she did so, he hesitantly reached out for her hand again. She let him grasp her hand, as though she really wanted to touch him, but wasn't sure if it was proper.

She didn't know how, but Minerva could tell the boy was affection-starved. That was the only logical explanation for why he grasped her hand so tightly. She tried to pull her hand back, but that made him hold on tighter.

Suddenly, with a spurt of strength, he pulled her to him.

Minerva would never again underestimate his strength. She found herself basically in the boy's lap as he hugged her. His arms encircled her body completely.

A bit breathless, she was unsure what to do. At last, she recollected herself.

"Lad, let me go. I'll walk with you to the dungeons since Professor Slughorn isn't here."

She tried to keep her voice steady, but she knew her heart was fluttering. Trying to suppress a roll of her eyes, fearful it would startle the boy, she did her best to keep her voice calm and soothing.

Severus released his hold, but would not let go of her hand. He remained silent, but his touch told her everything.

Sighing, Minerva led Severus to the Slytherin Common Room.

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And now, here he was. Outside her door demanding answers.

Except, he had fallen asleep because she hadn't returned straightaway. He had come around eleven, he was sure. It hadn't been hard to slip out of the dungeons unnoticed, especially with Professor Slughorn away.

Suddenly, something bumped into him, startling him into wakefulness.

"Oh my! Mr. Snape! What are you doing?"

It was her.

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A/N: All errors are mine. Please comment about anything. Again, this chapter is completely AU. If you believe anything is OOC, then go write your own story about it, review, PM, whatever makes you feel better. :)