Cokeworth, Snape's House

"Cissa, please, I can do this on my own," Severus insisted, attempting to roll his wheelchair away from Narcissa. She swiftly gripped the handles, refusing to let go, and continued pushing him herself.

Almost a year had passed since Severus lost the use of his legs, and now he was finally returning to his own home after having been compelled to stay with the Malfoys. While living with them hadn't been terrible—he had the chance to be there for baby Draco whenever needed—it had begun to feel like he was a burden to everyone.

The first thing he noticed was that half of the stairs leading up to his house had been transformed into a ramp. He paused at the base of it, a mixture of gratitude and frustration bubbling up inside him. Narcissa must have arranged this, he thought, always one step ahead, always anticipating his needs.

Navigating the ramp, he reached the front door and unlocked it, rolling himself inside. The familiar scent of old books and potions ingredients greeted him, a comforting reminder of the life he once led. He took in the sight of his living room: the worn leather armchair by the fireplace, the shelves lined with countless tomes, and the small table cluttered with potion vials.

As he moved further into the house, he noticed more changes. The kitchen counters had been lowered, and the cabinets were now easily accessible from his wheelchair. A sturdy handle had been installed next to the fireplace, making it easier for him to transfer himself into his favorite chair. It was clear that Narcissa had put considerable thought into ensuring his comfort and independence.

Severus wheeled himself into the study, where his desk had been adjusted to accommodate his new height. He ran his fingers over the smooth wood, a frown playing on his lips. He hated this so much; he felt useless to the point that he needed others to modify his own house just so he could live.

Frustration churned within him. He had always been fiercely independent, priding himself on his self-sufficiency. Now, he was reliant on others for even the simplest tasks. His hands tightened into fists, a bitter taste in his mouth as he remembered the countless times he'd maneuvered through these rooms with ease, and now every movement was a reminder of his limitations.

"Severus! Lucius and Draco are here!" Narcissa's voice rang through the house.

Severus took a deep breath, attempting to calm the storm of emotions before wheeling himself out of the study and into the living room. As he entered, he was met with the sight of a little blonde baby crawling towards him, giggling.

Draco's bright eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy as he made his way across the floor. Severus couldn't help but smile; just looking at Draco always reminded him why he lost his legs—to save this little life. And he would do it again in a down, he gently scooped Draco into his arms, eliciting a delighted squeal from the baby.

"Hello, Draco," Severus said softly, his earlier frustration momentarily forgotten. "Have you been a good boy for your father?"

Lucius stepped forward, a rare, genuine smile on his face. "He's been quite the handful, but he's a joy. How are you settling in, Severus?"

Severus glanced around the room, then back at Lucius. "I'm managing," he replied, echoing his earlier words to Narcissa. "It's a lot to get used to, but I'm grateful for all the modifications. They make things...easier."

Lucius nodded, his expression serious. "If there's anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help."

"Thank you, Lucius," Severus said, his voice sincere. "I appreciate it."

Narcissa joined them, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "Why don't we sit and talk?" she suggested, setting the tray down on the coffee table. Just as they settled in the living room, a ringing sounded through the room.

"What in Merlin's name is that?" Lucius exclaimed, looking around in confusion.

Severus smirked softly, glancing at Lucius as he wheeled himself toward the kitchen. "A Muggle house phone," he explained.

Narcissa raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A phone? What in the bloody hell is that?"

Severus waved a hand. "I'll explain later." He picked up the receiver. "Severus Snape speaking."

The voice on the other end held a sense of sadness. "Mr. Snape, your brother is dead."

Severus froze, a mix of confusion and alarm washing over him. Brother? He didn't have a brother, so what was this person on about?

"Um, I have no brother. You've got the wrong person," he replied, pulling the phone away from his ear and preparing to hang up.

But then he heard a faint voice through the receiver. "Eileen Snape is your mother, right?"

Severus hesitated, the name striking a deep, personal chord. "Yes," he said cautiously, bringing the phone back to his ear. "Eileen Snape was my mother. What is this about?"

The voice on the other end sighed with relief. "I apologize for the confusion. My name is Robert Clark. I'm calling from Detroit, Michigan. It says here your mother had you two at the same time, meaning you're twins. His name was Tom Sully."

Severus's mind reeled. A twin brother? His mother had never mentioned another child. The thought of having a brother, someone connected to him by blood, was overwhelming. "Why are you telling me this now?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Robert continued, "Tom was killed by a thief who attempted to steal his wallet. It happened a few days ago. The police identified him and contacted me because I was listed as his emergency contact. In his personal effects, we found some photos of you and your information."

Grief and shock collided within Severus, leaving him momentarily speechless. A brother he never knew existed, taken away before they could ever meet. "I... I don't know what to say," he finally managed, his voice thick with emotion. "What do you need from me?"

Robert's voice softened, sensing Severus's turmoil. "We need you to come down to Detroit and send him off. If you could come in the next week, that would be perfect."

Severus took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I'll be there. Please email me the details, and I'll make the necessary arrangements."

After ending the call, Severus sat in silence, the weight of the revelation pressing down on him. A twin brother, someone who shared his blood, his history, his very existence, gone before they could ever meet. The emotions swirled within him—grief, anger, confusion—all too much.

Narcissa's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Severus? What happened?"

He looked up to see her and Lucius watching him with concern. "Nothing, just some kids playing a prank." They both let out a sigh of relief as Lucius began a rant about unruly children, his voice rising with indignation. Severus nodded along, his mind elsewhere, feeling the strain of maintaining his composure.

After a few moments, Severus feigned a yawn. "I'm feeling quite tired," he said, his voice lacking its usual sharpness. "I think I need to rest."

Narcissa immediately responded with understanding. "Of course, Severus. You need your rest. Come, Lucius, let's give him some peace. We'll take Draco with us."

Lucius nodded, lifting the giggling child into his arms. "Rest well, Severus. We'll check on you later."

As the door closed behind them, Severus let out a long, shaky breath. Alone again, the reality of the situation washed over him. He allowed himself a moment to break down, feeling the weight of the loss of a brother he never knew he had.

The next morning, Severus found himself at Gringotts, transferring the wizarding money he had into Muggle currency. The goblin behind the counter eyed him curiously but remained professional.

"Good morning, Mr. Snape. How can we assist you today?"

"I need to exchange a substantial amount of Galleons for Muggle money," Severus replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him.

The goblin nodded, motioning for him to follow. "Of course. Please come this way."

They made their way to a private room where the transaction could be conducted discreetly. Severus handed over a bag of Galleons, watching as the goblin weighed and counted the coins with meticulous precision.

"Your funds will be transferred into the equivalent amount in Muggle currency," the goblin explained, scribbling notes and calculating the exchange rate. "Do you have a Muggle bank account where we can deposit the money?"

Severus provided the necessary details, feeling a strange sense of detachment as the process unfolded. It was as if he were watching himself from a distance, going through the motions without fully being present.

"Thank you," he said once the transaction was complete. "I appreciate your assistance."

"You're welcome, Mr. Snape. Is there anything else we can do for you today?"

"No, that will be all." Severus turned to leave, the weight of his purpose pressing heavily upon him. He had a brother to honor and a journey to undertake.

Back at his home, Severus wheeled himself to his bed, not even bothering to change. He lay back, staring at the ceiling, the day's events replaying in his mind. The emotions he had suppressed during the day surged to the surface, overwhelming him.

Next Morning

The next morning, Severus awoke feeling numb. He tried to go through his morning routine, but with his wheelchair and the news of his brother, it was harder than he thought. The weight of the previous days pressed down on him, making every movement feel laborious.

He wheeled himself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face in an attempt to shake off the lingering fog of grief and exhaustion. The reflection in the mirror showed a man burdened by sorrow, yet there was a flicker of determination in his eyes. He couldn't allow himself to be consumed by despair.

As he made his way to the kitchen, the familiar surroundings offered a small measure of comfort. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, reminding him of the simple routines that anchored his life.

He booked a flight for 6:00 PM, which was in just four hours. After a difficult struggle with the shower, he finally called the house elf for assistance. Once he was clean, he packed his bag with care and left a note for anyone who might come by looking for him while he was away.

The note read:

To whoever finds this,
I've had to leave unexpectedly. I will be back in a few days. Please do not worry.
—Severus

With his bag packed and the note in place, Severus wheeled himself to the front door, taking a deep breath as he prepared to face the journey ahead. Having a house elf take him to the airport was a much better idea after trying his hand with his wand.

When he finally arrived at the airport, Severus felt a knot of tension loosen in his chest. He was one step closer to his destination, one step closer to seeing his brother.

As he approached the check-in counter, he felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through him. He handed over his ticket and ID, trying to appear calm despite the turmoil within.

As the minutes ticked by, Severus found himself boarding the plane, his heart pounding with anticipation. The journey ahead was filled with uncertainty, but he knew he had to see it through. For Tom, for himself, and for the answers he sought.

As the plane taxied down the runway, Severus closed his eyes, steeling himself for the journey ahead. Whatever lay in store for him, he was determined to face it with courage and resolve.