Hello everyone! Since I'm on vacation now more chapters are to come :D I will like to thank all those who reviewed the past chapters, added this story to their favorites/follows... You are all awesome!

As usual I don't own the Harry Potter world by J.K Rowling, but I do own the OCs I have made up, and the story line for this fiction.

19. Meet the family.

Eva and Severus walked hand in hand in Salem. They entered a small alley that seemed to be a dead-end. The alley in question was hidden from Muggles, and any activity going on there would be unseen.

"What? Same process as Diagon Alley, Sev." said Eva as she touched certain parts of the brick wall.

The wall started to move on the far right, opening up into a passage. Eva, still holding Severus's hand, dragged him into the opening, they were now in Iron Black Avenue.

"Wow." Was all Severus could say as he looked at the street. It was similar to Diagon Alley, but it had an American touch.

Eva kept a hold of him so he wouldn't get lost the crowd. Severus knew at that moment a few boys would have avada kedavraded him already. She led him further in the Avenue, passing multiple shops.

"That's The Candy Hat, they sell great candy canes. Oh, and over there is Orealla's Owls and Pets, and there the Quiddicht&Quodpot Shop. You may want your hand back I think, sorry."

Eva let go of Severus's hand and directed him to even more stores around the Avenue. They went to Iron Library so Severus could get his book on Salem. Eva felt as if they were back at Hogsmead, and began to wonder if he was wondering in the Dark Magic section again. She went to the section but ran into Severus who was holding a book about Salem, and another called 'History of the Salem's Institute of Magic'.

"Oh sorry, didn't see you there."

Severus couldn't help but blush harder than when she was holding his hand for almost thirty minutes. It took all the Occlumency abilities he had to avoid turning into a tomato.

"It's no problem, I found what I need, but I…"

"No big deal, here take these Golden Eagles, and we will stop at Gringotts so you can exchange some money okay? And don't you DARE tell me not to give this to you, because I will anyway."

Severus nodded and took the money to go pay for them. Eva followed him, but looked down at a book that fell when they ran into each other. The title read 'History of Dark Wizards in America, part I', a title which made Eva shake as she put it back where it belonged.

Once the books were paid for, and their visit to the American Wizard Bank was done, they continued to walk around the Avenue. Severus was curious about the different shops.

"Where is Ollivanders?"

"No Ollivanders here , Sev. Over there is the wand shop, the main one is in D.C. Here it's Morainer. Their wands aren't that bad. The entire family consists of wand makers. It's a tradition for them. There is an Ollivanders on Merlin Avenue in DC, but it's the only one here in the States."

Severus nodded and they continued their walk down the street. Eva showed him more stores. He saw the Scream & Travel traveling agency; Wilford fine quality robes where Eva's mother got him robes last Christmas; Fabian Marker's Wizarding joke shop and many other stores. He found many equivalents to Diagon Alley, but enjoyed the time he spent in the wizard part of Salem.

They then went to Lafuio's Ice treats to get some ice cream.

"Sev, is there a flavor you would like besides vanilla? They've got every flavor."

"No Eva, vanilla is fine for me."

Eva chuckled a bit and placed her order. "Hello, we would like one vanilla, and one…bubblegum flavor please."

"No problem sweetie." Said the woman. "Here ya go, that will be three silver Eagles please."

The woman gave Eva the ice cream in exchange for the money, then she and Severus went to sit down on one on the benches on Iron Black Avenue.

"Sev, enjoying your ice cream?"

"Very much. How much was it anyway in British money?"

"About, seven Sickles." She answered

After spending over three hours in Iron Black Avenue, Severus and Eva left and went back to Wickford Mansion. Upon arriving, they met up with the family and talked with them. August gave them a potion to help with the time zone differences, so they could be over it in less than two days.

They were told the meeting at the Salem Institute would be in two days, and the family reunion in four. Severus was excited about visiting the school and started to read about its history.

The next few days went by quickly, as Severus spent most of his time taking the time zone potion and sleeping. Eva got him up around eight one morning since it was the day they would go to the Institute for the reunion.

Severus got ready, ate and followed them out of the house. They walked across the town, until they reached the Salem Woods. After a few minutes, Alexandrina raised her wand and muttered a spell that made white gates appear. The gates opened and in front of them a few miles away stood the Salem's Institute of Magic.

Eva leaned in towards Severus "Salem, like any other school, is unplottable. You need to know where it is to find it."

Severus nodded and advanced with the others to the school. It was an imposing building, looking like an old castle, different from Hogwarts. There was no moat around it; instead it was surrounded trees. There was an alley made of small pebbles leading towards the main door. The school was smaller than Hogwarts but still a decent size. While walking, Eva showed him the Quidditch/Quodpot pitch and a small lake where the students ice-skated in the winter.

When they got to the main doors, they opened themselves showing many people inside the building. They went passed the main entrance and into the dining hall or the Hogwarts equivalent of the Great Hall.

"So Sev, what do you think?" asked Eva as they entered the room.

"It's…not too bad, nice actually. It is smaller than Hogwarts though."

"Yeah it is smaller, I will give you that, but it's nice. Ah there's the Headmaster! Come on Sev."

Eva and Severus excused themselves from the rest of the family, and went to see the headmaster. The man was a bit old, but seemed happy to see all of his former students again.

"Hello, Mister Serin."

Mr. Serin turned to see Eva and gave her a warm smile. "Ah, yes…Evangeline Easgriff, pleasure to see you again."

"Likewise sir. This is my friend, Severus Snape. He goes to Hogwarts as well."

Severus shook hands with Serin, before being asked questions about Hogwarts.

"So, Severus, what house are you in?"

"Slytherin, sir."

Serin raised a brow at his response. Even in the United States, Slytherin was known for being the house of the Dark Lord.

"Slytherin... interesting. Have you done the tour of the school? I'm sure you will find it just as welcoming and comforting as Hogwarts."

They then left the Main Hall, and started to tour the school. Severus was impressed by the multiple rooms, but also saw them all having a piece of parchment of the doors saying the room's number and function.

Eva told him they also have an open house for new students sixth grade and up, and those parchments would help them locate the multiple classrooms for their year to come. They were also there for the parents and ex-students in case they would forget where everything was.

The pair walked in the hallway looking at the different classrooms. Severus liked to compare the two schools when it came to the defense room, or potion lab. They went by the houses or divisions in this case, to see where the students stayed. Everything was open except the dorms and personal storages.

Severus saw a few other classrooms he didn't know of. "Eva, what is this?"

Eva came up to him to read the parchment. "Alchemy Lab. One subject here is alchemy; it is proposed to all students in the US from eighth grade and up. That would be third year and up for us, since here in the US they have the same education years as the Muggle schools. There is also a wandless class if there is sufficient demand from sixth year and up. They don't teach you detail, like my family does, but the real basics of it. That way you can fight off your opponent if you're disarmed."

"That seems like a good idea." he added

"It is, it has been proven useful many times. All members of the Wickford family have walked either the halls of Salem, Hawkthorn, or Silverwood and learned these classes, except me since I go to Hogwarts. So I can't tell you exactly how things are, only if you want to know the junior program or primary education then, yeah, I can answer you that."

"I see, it's no problem really."

They continued their visit to the classrooms, hallways, and outdoors at the Quidditch & Quodpot pitch. After almost an hour of touring, the pair went back to the dining/ Main Hall. There, they met the several of the Salem professors.

"Hello there, are you two new?" asked one of them.

"No, we go to Hogwarts, we are just visiting." said Severus.

"Hogwarts? Really that is very interesting. I'm Mrs. Van Darnel. I teach Potions, and am the head of the Hawthorn division named after Thomas Hawthorn brilliant English-American potioneer and wizard. Not to be confused with Isaac Hawkthorn founder of the Hawkthorn Academy." she said as she started to recite the history of the school and her division's name.

Eva politely excused herself and Severus but the Transfiguration's professor caught up to them. "Hello, Hogwarts students? I'm sorry I couldn't help but overhear. I'm Mr. Parish, Transfiguration's teacher head of the Korale division. I'm curious on how you learn the subject over there, any differences?"

Severus spoke up before Eva had the chance to. " I think, sir, that there are no real differences. Perhaps in the methods, since our professor is rather strict."

"Yes that is true, Mister…"

"Snape, sir."

"Snape, well I do hope you enjoy your time here at Salem, maybe there are a few things you could subject to your headmaster. Is professor Dumbledore still in that position by the way?"

Another professor came up and cut off Mr. Parish in his sentence. "Well of course he is William, honestly. Sorry about that, I'm Mrs. Cedar I teach Herbology, also head of the Blackwood division. What luck you have! Dumbledore is one great wizard. "

Eva and Severus nodded and tried to get out of the two professors' way before any other ones could come along. Eva told him they liked to compare their teaching methods to those of other schools. She also added that Salem is a very competitive school and that most students here are expected to have no more than one A on their OWLs and NEWTs since they pass them there as well. Same thing when it came to Quidditch since they had a few matches against Durmstrang and Beauxbatons during the school year.

Before they could escape, they ran into the Defense and Charms professors.

"Why hello, I'm Mrs. Lionel, Charms professor and this is…"

The Defense teacher stepped forward and Eva's eyes went wide, as did Severus's.

"You! Miss Easgriff what are you doing here?"

"Hello professor Olympus, we're just visiting sir. No worries I will not come and study here next year."

"That's…good for you. Keep up the good work at Hogwarts alright."

"Of course sir, I intend to excel in my NEWTs this year."

They left the two professors and went to her parents. Eva could hear Olympus sighing in relief and telling his new colleague about Eva's pranks she pulled on him the past year. She guessed correctly when Mrs. Lionel started to look shocked and laughed uncontrollably.

"I didn't think Olympus would be here today. I think I should have said I was coming here next year just to see his reaction." Started Eva.

"I'm sure he would have been in for a big surprise." replied Severus.

"Yeah for sure! He probably would have had a heart attack."

Alexandrina spotted the two and went to get them. They had been at the reunion for the past four hours. She knew they were off touring the school and the grounds since she saw them near the pitch. They said their goodbyes to the multiple professors and left the building.

The family and Severus apparated to Wickford Manor to prepare for the next day. Severus noticed the multiple house-elves going around and making dinner for the entire family. They were told a few pureblooded families were to come along with two respected half-blooded families.

Once dinner was served, Eva immediately raised her wand to summon a plate, silverware and food for her and Severus. The pair decided to eat outside since it was warm out and away from the crowd.

"So Severus what did you think of the Institute?"

"Its not too bad. They offer many courses, and the professors seem…passionate about their subject."

"They are, also if they think you are new, they want to be sure you will go there so they play the friendly teacher card."

Severus nodded and ate his dinner. When they were finished, Eva took his plate and brought it back in, then returned shortly after.

"Come on Sev!" she said as she grabbed his hand and took him down a small hill on the estate. There was a small swing set. Severus started to have flashbacks about his time with Lily on these when they were younger and still friends. He snapped out of his memories when Eva put her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, Sev, you've done this before yes?"

"Of course, but aren't we a little old for it?"

Eva laughed. "Sev, they are some things you are never too old for. Like chocolate eggs on Easter, or water balloons in the summer. Don't worry it won't break because of our weight, there is a charm on it that makes it steady."

Severus followed her to the swings; Eva made him go first, and pushed him.

"Eva, this is ridiculous."

"Now, now Sev, I am not a boggart. Just shut up and have fun."

Eva pushed Severus on the swing, he felt that it was a bit childish from his friend's part, but it made her happy. Deep down Eva was still a child when it came to certain activities. Severus admired that she knew when to act mature, and when to have fun.

They both laughed and Eva joined in on the swing next to him. Severus never thought he could smile like this before he couldn't stop doing it. He looked at Eva whose emerald eyes were tinkling with the site of the setting sun. Now he didn't see Lily's eyes, only Eva's. At that moment, Lisbeth apparated in front of them to take their picture.

"Grandma, again really?"

"Yes, one day you will be thanking me for all these photos." She replied before going back to the house.

The swings started to slow down; Eva jumped off hers and urged Severus to do the same, which he did. They walked back to the house since it was getting late. There was a small breeze that made Eva shiver. Instinctively she held on to Severus, who began to blush madly. He held on to her and they walked together to the mansion. When they got to the door, Eva let go of him, and they went upstairs to their respective rooms, which were next to each other.

"Night, Severus."

"Goodnight, Eva."

She opened the door to her room and closed it behind her, leaving Severus alone in the hallway for a moment before he went into his room.

They next few days went by and Severus took a liking to Eva's family. They accepted him, completely ignoring the fact he wasn't a pure-blood. He spent more time with Eva than before, they went swimming in the small lake in front of the Mansion with her cousins where they played the Muggle game Marco Polo, a game of which Eva grew fond of when David taught her how to play.

They went into the Muggle part of Salem where Eva was admiring the Muggle way of life. Severus liked seeing her in a naïve sort of way when she was introduced to Muggle objects. The pair went to the Mall, Severus didn't want to go but Eva made him. They passed electronic stores, which made her very curious.

"Oh look Sev a telilision!"

"Television, Eva." he said ignoring the looks of passing Muggles.

"Sorry, it's great this contraption. How come Muggles can't use this to make their photos move? It runs on elasticity right?"

Severus sighted "It's electricity Eva, and yes, it runs on it. I don't know why Muggles don't use this to make photos move."

Eva nodded and they continued their walk around the mall. They didn't buy anything, but Severus enjoyed the time he spent that morning with Eva.

When they arrived back at the Mansion, after having eaten at the mall, the house was ready for the rest of the family members and guest who were attending.

By three in the afternoon, most of the guests had arrived. Eva introduced them all to Severus. Multiple times they thought he was her boyfriend, a comment that made the two blush a red similar to tomatoes.

"Hello William! Severus this is my great-uncle William, Will this is my friend Severus."

"Pleasure to meet you Severus."

"Same sir, I mean William."

William raised his glass at them, and then returned to his conversation with Elena, Lisbeth's younger sister.

There was a knock on the door and another house-elf went to get it. He greeted two women, took their robes, and directed them to the sitting room where everyone was. Alexandrina turned to greet them, but her smile was whipped off her face.

"Why, Drina you have a very odd way of greeting me and your niece. Say hello, Lucinda." said the woman.

Lucinda made a small pure-blood nod, Isabella passed Alexandrina and said hello to the rest of the family who didn't think of her as a potential Death Eater. She then went up to Eva and Severus.

"Why hello Evangeline, don't you have a cold way to greet your family. Who is this? A friend of yours I believe?"

Severus stepped in. "Yes her friend, I'm Severus Snape."

Isabella raised a brow; she had heard that name before. Alexandrina called Eva over for a moment, but she didn't want to leave Severus since most of the family went outside to enjoy the warm sun. Alexandrina insisted for her to come, Severus told her it would be fine.

"I'll be right back." She said glaring her aunt. Luckily Lucinda was outside talking to August and wouldn't be there to back Isabelle up.

Isabella took this at her advantage. "So Severus, Slytherin house am I correct?"

He looked at her with shook inside him, how did she know his house?

"Yes."

She approached him slowly, slow enough to make chills go up his back.

"Let's see. I have heard from a very reliable source that there's a certain Severus Snape from Slytherin house who has been getting interested in joining the Dark Lord. It's you isn't it?"

Severus froze and couldn't respond to her question.

"It is. Nice to see some people here make the right decision."

Severus finally found the courage to speak up. "Do I even know you?" it was all he could say.

"Oh I guess Isabella Scarlet is more appropriate since we might be colleagues soon."

His eyes went wide; this was the woman Lucius talked about. The one who with her daughter are very trusted servants to the Dark Lord, and are in charge of recruiting in America.

"Ah, see you do know me and my daughter. Enjoying yourself here Severus? I sure hope for you there are not second thoughts about it. If so, I'm sure it would be very…inconvenient to find out you can no longer find the people you care for."

Severus thoughts went directly to Eva, the person he probably cared for the most since Lily left him.

"My niece, you care for my niece don't you?" causing Severus to blush and her to smirk "You do. Remember Severus; the Dark Lord can protect her if you come. Your abilities are unique; we need people like you with potential. I sense you are powerful too and very gifted with spell casting." said Isabella.

Before he could reply, Eva rushed to him and told him to come outside since they were going to have a water balloon fight. Severus nodded and followed Eva out. She held him back for a while asking him if he was ok, if Isabella had hurt him in any possible way. He told he was fine Isabella did nothing to him, but Eva had her doubts she decided to stay behind for a moment to overhear the new conversation.

Inside the room, Alexandrina approached her sister.

"What did you say, Isabella?"

"Nothing that regards you…Drina. If I were you I would prepare for the Dark Lord's arrival."

Alexandrina was ready to draw her wand at her older sister. "Why did you join Isa? Power over the inferior blood? Or is it that you are still jealous because I went to Hogwarts and not you."

Isabella made a smirk. "You were always the favorite... Drina, I should have gone to Hogwarts, you know that. I should have been in the same year as the Dark Lord. If I were, I would have a higher rank than now."

Eva ran out of the house and towards Severus, she used the excuse of being to the bathroom not to raise suspicion. She then saw Isabella walk out of the house and into the yard followed by her glaring mother.

Eva left Severus for a moment to get some lemonade for the both of them. She feared for him, she cared for him, enough to want to protect him from her aunt and the Death Eaters. She kept an eye on him when she went for drinks. Her cousin Lucinda was also keeping an eye on Severus as well. Lucinda went up to her mother, Eva passed by them to overhear their conversation, the second one she would overhear that day.

"Mother, should I tell Bella about this?"

"No Luce, you can tell your friend that when we get back." replied her mother.

They both turned their attention to Eva who made like she was just passing by.

"Why Evangeline, care to share those drinks?"

"No, sorry it's for Severus and I." she said then went to Severus and gave him his lemonade. They talked about the events from earlier that day, such as that one Muggle man who was shocked when Eva said she didn't know how airplanes flew.

Severus kept thinking about what Eva's aunt told him. True he desired power over his enemies, and also wanted to be respected. Maybe if he joined the Dark Lord's rank he could have that and protect Eva from the Death Eaters since her own cousin and aunt considered her a blood traitor and would torture her or worse if they could. There was though a small voice inside him that said no, if he joined he would lose Eva.

On the other side of the yard Isabella observed his interaction with Eva, she knew Severus was close to joining them. Her ties with Voldemort and the other Death Eaters were important, her daughter was to marry Paul Garlin pure blooded Death Eater, her closest friend and maid of honor was Bellatrix Lestrange née Black.

Isabella on the other hand was only closely acquainted with some of them. She used the art of persuasion on most of the recruits, and was sure to join Severus had to fell needed and part of the group. She knew his history at Hogwarts with the Marauders, and his housemates. Using her so-called niece would be the perfect bait, since she could tell he obviously cared more for her then he thought.

~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~

I hoped you liked this chapter. Please tell me if Severus is OOC or if the time line is odd. Thank you for reading this and following it as well. PM me if there are some things that aren't clear, or weird.

If you have a request tell me and I will find room for it in later chapters :)

Ok now I'm putting up a poll, should Severus join the Death Eaters willingly for power...(the usual deal), join as a spy because Dumbles saw it could be useful.., not join at all (but remember the prophecy too)... or any other ideas are welcome.

Don't forget to leave a review :) Now who wants some cake?

Until next time *Prepares to duel* "I'm going to kick Lockhart's ass, I'm going to kick Lockhart's ass..."