Severus wasn't sure if he would rather open the letter or burn it. He stared at the handwriting of the man he'd grown to hate over the eleven and a half years of his life. Tobias Snape was finally gone...and now, here he was again.
"Did he write to you as well?" he asked, willing his voice not to shake.
But she just shook her head, placing an arm around his shoulders. "Only you, sweetheart."
Well, that was a relief. Better not to hear from the brute at all, but at least he had only contacted Severus. He stared at the envelope again.
"It's a letter, Sevvie. It won't hurt you," Eileen reminded him.
Severus had to chuckle at that. Muggles couldn't send a Howler without the aid of a witch or wizard, and besides, the envelope wasn't red.
He was glad she hadn't suggested burning it. Whatever the letter contained, it would be better to read it and know, than not.
Perhaps, Severus wouldn't have done poorly in Ravenclaw...
"Would you...stay with me?" Severus asked her.
Eileen smiled gently. "Of course. I'll look away while you read it. If you wish to show it to me afterwards, you may do so."
"Thank you."
Severus rather tore open the envelope, feeling it didn't deserve the care of a letter from his mum or friends. As though reading his mind, or just sensing his emotions, Eileen chuckled slightly. Leaning again her, Severus began to read.
Dear Severus,
I'm writing this letter to you in the fall, but I won't send it until the summer. I expect your mother will insist upon your staying at school for your Christmas and Easter holidays to give her time to tell you, and if I send it before your summer holidays, she'll likely throw it out.
Your mother said you were sorted into the house known for bravery. That's a surprise, I admit. Never saw you as very brave. Her house, as you well know, was renowned for loyalty and cunning. Well, she has the second in spades. We told you that I found out your mum was a witch after I agreed to marry her. It might well have been--I don't quite recall--but it was after she got pregnant with you, forcing me to make an honest woman of her. I expected I loved her, and I still do.
Severus, you know by now that she forced a divorce. I may not have appreciated her lies over the years, but I would have stood by her. You know I always provided for the both of you, so I was shocked. But in your world, muggles like me are less than dirt. So there was no point in fighting it.
I still love you, son. You're probably very angry at your mother for taking apart the family. I don't blame you one bit. I've started seeing another woman, a real fine lady, and I expect I will propose before the year is out. But if you ever wish to live with us, instead of in that run down inn your mother is working at, just send word. You're my flesh and blood, and I will always care and provide for you.
With love,
Father
P.S. It's the end of June, so I reckon it's safe to send this. I don't know how you'll get it--I just hope one of your kind works at the post office. At any rate, Olivia Marcroft gave me her hand, and we married last month. She's a real lady, and would make a fine stepmother if you fancied living with us. She knows about what you are, and promises she won't hold it against you.
Severus read it twice, then a third time. He was crying by the time he was half finished, but they were tears of relief. Perhaps even amusement. The idea of him leaving his mum to live with someone who had brutally beat him simply for being born with magic! Or that he would live under the rule of a woman who would graciously accept his magic. Probably would have made Severus quit school and go to work in a mill or something in a few years. What an egotistical sod!
"Sevvie?"
"It's all right." He smiled, then wiped his face. "Read it if you like."
His mum took the letter, and began to read it. Soft peels of laughter came out of her after a moment, and soon, she was shaking with giggles. Eileen needed to take a moment to get her breath back.
"Oh, mercy!" she murmured. Then, she poked him. "Fancy living with your father and his new wife, eh?"
Severus made a disgusted face which only sent her into another laughing fit. He straightened, realizing he'd been slumped over in a bending position, and stretched. A moment later, he felt his mum's hands on his shoulders, carefully kneading away the tension.
"Ohh, that feels nice," Severus murmured.
"I'm glad. Stay still, now," she instructed, gently, as she continued to knead.
Severus obeyed with ease, feeling his breaths coming more easily, the tension fading until he felt nearly boneless.
"How do you think he sent it, anyway?" he murmured.
"Oh, our kind works in all lines of work. No doubt, they recognized your name and slipped it to an owl. Or the address, as it was our old home. And the Ministry does keep records," Eileen murmured.
"He doesn't know where we live now?" Severus clarified, turning slightly.
"No." She placed her hands on his shoulders. "I promise. He won't as long as you don't write back, and even then, he can't visit. Hogsmeade won't ever allow muggles, you know."
"I don't plan to write back. I want to forget he ever existed," Severus admitted.
"I can't say I blame you. Shall I burn the letter?" Eileen asked.
"Yes. Please," Severus added, now closing his eyes, suddenly exhausted.
He was aware of a blanket being tucked around him, his body being laid dry on the couch.
"Get some rest, honey," she said, softly. "Lunch will be waiting when you're up."
Lily was scheduled to arrive by the Floo network on August 5th. She wouldn't be staying in Severus's room, of course, but in an equally large one next door. Eileen and Pinky spent a great deal of time redecorating the room so that she would feel comfortable. This turned out to be rather difficult, as none of the three knew her tastes very well. Severus had been in her room a few times, and knew that she had a pink bedspread and rather frilly pillows that she didn't seem to dislike. But, as his mum pointed out, her parents could have picked those out.
It was a good thing that witches and wizards could change colors and textures numerous times, instead of having to buy new ones. The two changed everything over several times, but Severus rather thought they enjoyed it. In the end, the bedspread was purple with matching pillows. The curtains were a floral pattern with lighter colored flowers. The furniture remained the same, only Eileen enhanced the softness of the armchairs and couch. She also added cushions to the window seats, making them rich blue velvet. The room would have been far too girly for Severus's personal taste, but he didn't have to sleep there.
"It looks really nice, Mum," he told her, as she gave the room a once over.
Eileen laughed and hugged him tightly. "Perhaps it's silly, but I do want Lily to feel comfortable. And as I never met her properly...not that this is your fault, dear," she added, quickly.
"She's great. Very lively," Severus said. "And talented, too. She had a bit of control over her magic when she was nine, and her marks were among the best of our year."
"Muggle Borns often excel in that way. Not coming from magic, they work the hardest," she mused.
"Lily definitely works hard," Severus agreed. "Although she wasn't happy about the amount of work we had for the Easter holidays."
"I agree entirely." Eileen made a sympathetic face. "A few times, students tried a strike. Simply didn't hand it in. They received zeros and detention. I expect that the same thing would happen even if everyone rebelled."
Severus wasn't surprised. He'd read about previous headmasters of Hogwarts. Dumbledore had officially removed corporal punishment for offenses, much to Filch's chagrin, but even he wouldn't abolish holiday homework. A pity, really.
Lily arrived promptly at ten on August 5th. Considering it was her first ever trip by Floo, Severus thought she'd managed reasonably well. She arrived at the correct address, for one thing, and with only some soot on her clothes. She stumbled slightly upon emerging from the fireplace, holding her trunk with one arm.
"Hello, dear," Eileen said, gently taking Lily's free arm in hers to steady her. Lily smiled in relief, but before she could speak, Severus's mother went on. "Are you feeling all right? Oh, your robes...do allow me..."
She Vanished the soot from the Muggle Born's robes, then took her trunk.
Or tried to. The Feather Light Charm one of the older students had applied at the end of term had faded off, and Lily could hardly reapply it.
"Oof! Wait just a minute..." Eileen laughed, then pointed her wand at it, and then smiled. "That's better! How are you, Lily, dear? Feeling all right? Floo can be rather dizzying."
Lily took a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes, ma'am, I'm all right now. It was rather a strange way to travel!"
Eileen, still smiling, set the trunk down, then hugged her. Lily looked a bit surprised, at first, but immediately smiled and returned it.
"It's lovely to meet you," she answered, once Lily had let go. "Properly, that is. Severus has told me a great deal about you, but until recently...well, I am glad you were able to finally visit."
"Likewise," Lily smiled.
"I expect you'll want to get settled in properly, so Severus can show you to your room. I wasn't entirely sure what you liked, but if there are any changes you would prefer, please let me know," Eileen went on, rather nervously. "I was thinking that, afterwards, we could have lunch or tea?"
"That sounds lovely. Thank you, Mrs..." Lily trailed off.
"Prince, dear," Eileen said, gently. "I've resumed my maiden name."
"Oh, that's good." Lily blushed.
But her awkwardness seemed to reassure Severus's mother. She gave her another gentle smile. "It is. Very." Then, she glanced at Severus. "Well, you know the way, Sev!" she laughed.
"Yes, Mum," Severus answered, chuckling a bit. Turning to Lily, he added, "It's this way. Shall I take your trunk?"
"It's not heavy, now...well, all right," she amended.
Probably wonders if it's a pure blood custom, Severus thought, a bit amused.
He took hold of the trunk, and led the way.
Author's note:
Tobias strikes me as a character with zero self awareness or empathy, you know? A man who beats his son to the point of scarring (although I don't believe in any kind of physical punishment on children) is going to be a total jerk. To use G rated language. So, I wanted to wrap up THAT storyline, although I might have Sev mention it to Lily.
Whether Lily ever met Eileen remains unclear in canon. Personally, I think there's more room to believe they haven't, so I am going with that angle. I also want to show that Eileen isn't someone who thinks of Muggle Borns as inferior.
I figure the next chapter will focus on their time together and exploring Hogsmeade.
In other fanfic news, I completed "The Guardian" and am working on the first sequel. It's my first Severitis fic, so if that's something you're interested in, please check it out!