Mo Chridhe

Chapter 6

Severus Snape was vibrating with energy, as he stalked swiftly towards Gringotts. There was nothing more that could be done for the boy at the moment. He was also the reason that Severus felt like vibrating out of his own skin. He wanted to do something but felt entirely helpless to be able to. He had sworn a Vow on his very life to protect the child. He was seething, so much so that even the merchants in Diagon Alley moved hastily out of his way. He exuded such menace that it would only help his terrifying reputation.

With swift steps, he made his way into Gringotts, straight up to a teller, "I want taken to my vault 424." Severus commanded, unbeknown everyone, he had full access to the Prince estate. Technically he was actually Lord Prince well, Prince-Snape. He didn't have any special attachment to the Snape name, except for the part where he was the youngest Potions Master in the world. One day he would have his name officially changed to Prince-Snape not just on his financial information.

It was a good thing he was so guarded, so suspicious of everyone. He couldn't even begin to imagine what Dumbledore would have done. He felt sickened to the core, he'd expected Dumbledore to ensure Harry was well looked after, tutored with the best of the best, to come to Hogwarts with demands and expectations that were worse than his own godson's. To be worse than his father before him, and an intolerable bully. Which was an acceptable way to see the boy, it would be easier to distance him from his mother. Help him not dwell on her too much, her death, his regrets, the fact he didn't get a chance to say he was sorry…it got to him every single day without seeing the child as well.

To look at him had been the most difficult thing he'd done this past decade. The bitter guilt that he'd taken Lily – who would have been the most beautiful and patient mother – from him. The urge to lash out, say all the nasty things in the world was strong. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it, not now…but he would need to remain neutral where Harry was concerned with the public.

Try explaining that to a child with trust issues. He had to deal with this delicately, and with far more care than he'd ever expected to need.

Dumbledore was up to something. Something dangerous, something concerning Harry, now he'd always known the old fool would take a special interest in Harry. He had never thought for a second it would be detrimental to his health…to his wellbeing. Gritting his teeth, another child abused, was he trying to create another Dark Lord? Another follower ripe for the picking for the Dark Lord?

Severus followed the goblin that told him to 'follow me' making his way to the cart. He didn't know what to do, Harry was going to be in danger on all sides, with everyone wanting to use him for their own gain. He was vulnerable in a way that Severus couldn't protect him from. Not even under the Prince name could protect Harry.

The Potter name would hold the most weight, but technically Harry could do nothing with that power for years yet.

He'd figure it out, he had to, his life depended on it.

He couldn't believe Dumbledore, no, that's not quite right. He could believe it, he just couldn't or rather didn't want to believe he'd do it to Harry.

Lily's son.

"Vault 424," the goblin grumbled, causing Severus to be wrenched from his thoughts and worries.

Severus stood, entering his vault, to his immediate right, there were a dozen drawer cabinets. Fixed by year, date and name, very neatly fixed together fastidiously. He had always been rather meticulous; it came from managing potion ingredients and being Head of House.

From the top of the drawer cabinets, he pulled down a metal document storage box, opening it up, he put the medical documents inside, along with his untampered memories. Then he put it back on top, where it would remain until the case was closed (and it joined the others) if it was still on top when he died, he left instructions, detailed instructions for them to take over from him.

Moving over to the desk he'd moved to this spot, he wrote another amendment to his will, which he knew the goblins would oversee immediately. Rubbing his forehead, his stomach churning, he was supposed to be bemoaning that Potters' offspring was at Hogwarts.

Not this. Never this.

"Forgive me, Lily," Severus murmured, suppressing the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He should have checked on the boy himself, not believed the articles. Clenching his right hand into a fist after signing the document officiating it. His dark eyes blazing, "I swear I'll make this right." Opening a drawer, he removed a fourth wand he kept secret. His first had been his mothers, second one he bought when he could, he got a third and fourth over the years, and not from Ollivander.

Ollivander's wands were 'registered' immediately at the Ministry. Which technically wasn't illegal, but more of a grey area. Unbeknown to most people, each wand you had, left a different distinctive magical signature. With the wands unregistered, the Aurors wouldn't be able to 'find' the owner of the magical signature they find registered at any crime scenes. Yes, he'd gotten the last one after his Death Eater days, it was clean.

Severus shook his head he couldn't believe he had such a bond of understanding where it came to Harry. Lily didn't want this for her son, not at all. Even as Potters son he didn't deserve this, karma was a deadly, deadly thing. Given how he planned on treating Harry…even if only for one brief moment…he feared how his

"Even if it kills me, I'll make it right." He murmured, emerging from the vault, he handed the piece of paper to the goblin. "I want this addendum to my will, with immediate effect."

"Consider it done," the goblin declared immediately, his claw like fingers clutching the piece of parchment close. He didn't question it, none of them did, it wasn't their place. Although, there was not a will in Gringotts that was changed as often as Severus Prince-Snape changed his. At least once or twice a year, and he had a feeling it would be even Moreso this year, they could feel it in their bones.

Before long they were back in the main bank, Severus gave a curt nod before exiting the bank.

He knew exactly where he was going, he worried though. About being seen, about the Dursley's being in contact with wizardkind. Dumbledore in particular, he knew he was going to have to be extremely careful. He entered the potions Apothecary, put down enough to cover the ingredients Marcus had purchased for him and a small tip. He then went to the corner, shifting the shelve of ingredients to get to the one blind spot in the area.

Amy wordlessly put it back in place, then went back to her job, counting down the days until she could brew potions again.

One tap of the wand to Severus' head, he disappeared with a shimmer.

After that it was simple and easy to Apparate from Diagon Alley to number 4 Privet Drive. Which he had shamefully gleaned from Harry's memories.

He stared at the property, his anger gaining momentum, there were wards on the property. Nothing remotely protective, he'd even lied about the blood wards? Breathing furiously through his nose, he couldn't believe it. Magical dampening wards? Magical draining wards? Those will have severely damaged Harry's magical core. It explains why the boys' core was distressed, it would take many months for it to recover, then Dumbledore's intention was likely to return to the boy here. Well, that would not happen.

Dumbledore had left no stone unturned in keeping everyone oblivious to where he stayed. Now he knew the important pieces of information, including those who had attempted to help.

The teachers, the social workers, tonight he'd retrieve their removed memories which meant another trip to the bank. This would be after dealing with the Dursley's of course. It was night, and there wasn't a single light on in the Dursley's residence.

This was the beginning of Severus' journey in righting a horrendous wrong done to Harry.

Dumbledore's machinations had to be put to a stop.

Once and for all.

Dumbledore had picked the wrong person to watch over Harry and expect them to do nothing.

For there was nothing Severus Snape wouldn't do in Lily's memory.

The entire same cookie cutter properties were all steeped in darkness. Severus' lip curled in disgust; he'd grown up in the Muggle world but hadn't stepped foot for more than a month at a time there. Even then, he never really interacted with Muggles more than he had to. The need to blend in had always been disgusting. They had no personality, no sense of magic, of flare. Why did Muggles feel the need to be as 'normal' as humanly possible?

Stalking forward, he rung the doorbell, and stepped back. A savage grin appearing on his face just imagining Tunia's reaction to him at her door after all these years.

It took longer than Severus desired until a light went on inside the Dursley's home. He had to savagely bite his tongue and remove the charm keeping him hidden Wandlessly. It looked like Petunia had done well with herself, came along way from living in one of the bad areas of Manchester to a promising lovely place (if you liked matching everything the normalcy was disgusting) that definitely was a step up in the world.

He could too, but he was quite content to keep his home at Spinners End. He had properties from his Prince inheritance (estate) but he kept that on the downlow. He wouldn't risk Dumbledore figuring it out. He knew his usefulness was on a deadline, the second the Dark Lord was dead…he'd be hung out to dry. It's just how Dumbledore was with Slytherin's. His prejudice knew no bounds.

He'd foolishly thought it would be different with Harry, he was a Potter, from a light family, from his precious Order members, who he'd cultivated a special relationship with in order to entice to join said order.

He couldn't help but think to himself 'you foolish idiot' of course the 'greater good' would come first to the old fool. Well, Harry was one thing the old man wouldn't get.

"Yes?" a sour faced pale women demanded, poking her head through the small gap she made in the door. Sounding extremely vexed, but who wouldn't be after being interrupted in the early hours.

Severus didn't reply right away, instead he used his foot to kick the door inward. Petunia's nose just happened to be in the way, and the shrill shriek she let out as blood poured out her nose, was only heard by those in the house. Thanks to Severus' swift use of a silencing spell, as he all but shoved the woman into the banister as he entered four Privet Drive.

From above they heard "WHAT THE BLAZES IS GOING ON!?" then what could only be liked to the sound of an elephant running across the floor.

"Vernon! Vernon!" Petunia shrieked, backing away from the still unknown assailant.

"He won't be able to save you, Petunia," Severus stated coldly. "Nothing will."

Petunia froze in horror having recognized the voice, even after all these years. Light flooded the landing, as a shadow cast over the top of the stairs.

Vernon had made an appearance, and he cocked his gun, aiming it at the man who had dare hurt his wife. "I've telephoned the police! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE AT ONCE! OR ILL SHOOT YOU!"

Severus didn't roll his eyes like most wizards would have. He knew it would only take a single second for an accident to occur. And being hit with a shotgun? Well, all it took was hitting a good target and its goodnight. Using his unregistered wand, he "Accio!" summoned the Muggle gun to himself, before shrinking it and pocketing it. He wasn't going to leave it large just in case, in the event of him being surprised, as unlikely as it was.

"You," the woman had such loathing, that it surprised Severus, was that how he sounded? He thought? Wincing as he swallowed the bile, was he that vindictive and hateful? It didn't matter, he had a job to do, he'd continue his watching of anyone that needed it from the background.

"You know him pet?" Vernon stuttered, outraged that his wife knew this wizard. His face going red in rage, his chins wobbling as he tried to hard to stop himself screaming.

"He's that awful boy that told my sister she was a freak too!" Petunia spat out, but luckily Severus wasn't too close and wasn't spattered with blood and spit. "I was promised when we took the freak in that I wouldn't have to endure the likes of you."

Severus watched her wretched features, she was drowning in fury, sour, bitter and disgusted. It made Severus' stomach twist, the knowledge that he was becoming like Petunia…bitter, furious, sour and disgusting hit home in a way nothing, nothing else ever could have. And Harry had grown up with this toxicity for an entire decade.

Which was nothing on the abuse he suffered, admittedly, and he was going to make them pay for what they did.

It made Severus realize that he was drowning in his own bitterness as well. If he wasn't careful, if it wasn't for his tasks…his promises he could have ended up like her. Probably had been heading that way, and it made revulsion crawl up his spine and acid crawl up his throat. Self-realization had never been pretty, but this was brutal.

"What the blazes do you want with us normal folk! Can't you freaks leave us in peace!" Vernon sputtered indignantly as he rattled the entire house as he moved down the stairs. Shuddering as he ceased all movement when Severus' gaze latched onto him.

It was a look that promised death.

"If I had the ability to perform necromancy, I would have taken great delight in resurrecting Lily and unleashing her upon you." Severus' tone was low, when he got angry, he didn't shout, he got quiet, very, very quiet.

Petunia blanched and Vernon's beady eyes narrowed even further, to the point he looked like a squinty eyed bull ready to pounce. A leery bull knowing he was outgunned, that little stick was more powerful than any gun in the world. He was terrified of magic, of their capabilities, and he didn't even know exactly what they were fully capable only what Petunia had said regarding her freakish sister.

"What do you want?" Petunia asked, hating the freakish boy being in her perfectly normal home with her perfect family. "What will it take to get you to go away?" thinking she was safe and no wizard would truly hurt her despite her fear of magic. That crackpot old fool said she was safe from any magical attack.

"If you value your life, you'll sign these," Severus pulled out paperwork, ones that were normal paper and the other magical parchment with glowing runes. Then he removed a very familiar quill, a Blood Quill.

"What is it?" Vernon demanded to know, blustering, trying to make himself appear a bigger threat.

Severus couldn't help but think he was pathetic, but to a child? A defenceless orphaned child, he was a monster. Just like Tobias Snape had been to him when he was a child, Severus barely stopped himself from flinching at the remembrance.

"Paperwork, sign them." Severus demanded, stalking forward, and the two terrified Dursley's couldn't help but step back, again, and again, and again until the squealed as they backed into their own dining room table.

"Give it here then and leave us alone!" snapped Petunia, reaching out to snatch the paperwork which Severus let go off.

"Sign it with this." He demanded, "Both of you." Idly showing his wand, causing both of them to whimper in fear. Unlike Harry, they knew he could use magic as he pleased.

"Adoption paperwork?" Petunia said, looking a little dazed, before glancing up at her husband.

"What about the stipend?" Vernon asked greedily.

"You won't be alive to enjoy it." Severus snarled, taking great delight in the way Vernon flinched away terrified of him. it was so good to put the fear of Merlin in someone that deserved it. "Now sign them." He didn't want to stay in this cesspit for a moment longer. The outside might look beautiful but inside? Inside it was a cacophony of fear and pain.

He could feel Harry's pain as if it were his own. The worst of it was coming from behind him, the cupboard. His pain and anguish were soaked in the walls of this prison he'd been sentenced to by Dumbledore. A man who championed everyone, offered 'second chances' and left a child to be abused while lying barefaced to everyone about it.

The loneliness was crippling, it almost drove Severus to his knees. Tears prickled at his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He would think about this further when he was alone. With great difficulty, he strengthened his mind defences, dulling all emotions. "SIGN THEM!" Severus snapped, his voice raised higher than normal, as he fought against all the feelings Harry's magic was basically dive bombing at him. Even his mind defences weren't helping, he needed to get out of here fast.

Petunia set them out first, crying out in the middle of signing her last name, "What on earth?" grimacing in pain.

"Finish it." Severus warned her, raising his wand in threat.

Petunia whined but did so.

"What are you doing to us?" Vernon blustered once more, as his wife passed over the adoption papers, which were as of now only signed by the Dursley's. "Are you bleeding pet?!" aghast puffing out some more.

"Sign it before I have you joining Lily much sooner than expected." Severus threatened them.

Behind all the bluster, Vernon wasn't the strongest of men, his constitution only allowed him to bully and beat those smaller and far weaker than them. He hastily signed all the paperwork that this freak wanted him to sign.

"Take it, take it and get out of my house and never come back!" she shoved the paperwork at him, almost punching him in the chest.

"One year Petunia, just one year then I will terrorise you so much you'll be begging me to kill you by the time I'm through with you." Severus reminded her darkly, eyes darker than black boring into Petunia's suddenly pale features. "Even Dementors would be preferable to you." Growling causing Petunia to shriek, shoving herself backwards.

"Y-y-you leave…you leave my family alone!" Petunia's reply was weak and pathetic, barely worth mentioning.

Severus didn't give the pathetic retort a second of his time. Instead, he turned and walked away, away from the stifling pain, loneliness and hurt. Severus rubbed his sternum the entire time, as if he could sooth away those feelings.

The feeling only faded when he returned to his quarters, and found Marcus slumped on the couch, book abandoned on his leg.

His other hand was held tightly in Harry's, desperately seeking contact, any contact.

Severus blinked away the tears, as he approached the child, kneeling before him, brushing away the hair in his face. "Know that I care, that you were deeply, deeply loved by your mother. I am only sorrier than you know that you didn't get to know her." He would do his best to tell Harry all he could about his mother. Perhaps then that prevalent loneliness might fade a little.

He glanced at the table to find more of the potions were gone, good Marcus had done as he asked. Not that he'd doubted him, no, Marcus was as dedicated as him about it.

He pattered around for a few moments, cleaning up before heading to bed. He was beyond exhausted, and he was still rubbing at his sternum. Severus was solitary through his own enjoyment of it. He felt no need for friends, he had people to talk to when he wanted to. The loneliness that Harry felt…it hurt so much.

A/N –

I read a meme online about Severus. I feel the need to share it, for it was quite poignant. The one who acted like he didn't care at all, was the one who cared the most.

I'll add to it, the one who acted like they cared the most, cared the least, in his grand design.

It feels so good to be writing Severus as one of the main characters again, I feel like it's such a long time since I've done it...maybe I should focus on the writing the third of the FPM and GL series...hmm :)

I don't normally give Severus a partner when he's raising Harry (not sure if this will be the case here but he will be close to Harry) Hmm Tom/Severus? Or will Severus work to eradicate both light and dark sides to keep Harry safe? Becoming neutral? I don't want too many neutral stories since I've already got one planned at least 😊 and just because there's a suggestion written here for it doesn't mean it will happen alright? Hmm wondering if Harry's magic had taken on an empathetic tone so he always knows how people feel…R&R please