May 2, 1998
Nagini heard something after she had sunk her fangs into Snape's neck. She felt uneasy doing so. It was strange. She had killed people on her master's orders many times before. Why did she feel guilty this time, as if she had hurt her own fellow?
"Come to me, my dear Nagini," a voice said in her mind. "Don't follow him."
Nagini felt hypnotised. She slithered down from her master's shoulder and followed the call.
"Nagini," Voldemort shouted. "Come back, you stupid snake."
But Nagini didn't listen. She kept slithering until she reached the source of the voice.
"Chon," Nagini said. It was her beloved. She hadn't seen him for almost two years, and she missed him very much.
"I will release you from this terrible curse," he said. He stared at her with his red eyes, and something came out of her body. It was a disgusting black lump. Chon stared at it until it crumbled into ash.
Nagini had never felt so free before. As if a heavy burden had been lifted, free from the bonds that bound her, Chon transformed into a human. Nagini backed away in fear. Chon picked up a vial of potion. It was a potion that he had obtained from the vidyadhara race. It was a potion that could remove almost all kinds of curses. Chon spent a long time learning and researching Nagini. He felt that this snake was no ordinary snake. As he searched for more information, he found out that she had been a human before but had been cursed and had to transform into a snake and could not control herself in that form. Chon had to spend a lot of money to buy this vial of potion. It would free her from the curse. From now on, she would be able to control the snake form and return to being a human. He slowly put it into her throat.
Nagini slowly transformed back into a human. She slowly stroked her arms and legs. Many memories flooded into her mind. She remembered that she had been a human and had been compassionate and kind to others. But because of that terrible curse, she had turned into a snake. In addition, she had to become a pet for the cruel dark lord and had killed many people according to his orders. Her tears slowly flowed out of guilt. Chon pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay, Nagini," the green naga comforted her. "It's not your fault."
"I don't want to go back to him," Nagini sobbed. "I don't want to commit any more sins."
"It's okay," Chon consoled. "I'll make a replacement for you. You don't have to go back to him." He picked up a piece of sand, chanted a spell, and it turned into a giant snake, exactly like Nagini.
"This is…" Nagini exclaimed.
"A puppet," he said proudly. "It will do everything you tell it, but if it dies, it will turn back into sand." He turned to order the snake. "Go find Voldemort and do everything he tells you."
The snake nodded and slithered away. Chon turned to Nagini. "Let's get out of here, my love." He held her hand tightly, and the two disappeared.
Severus opened his eyes. Sevilin held his hand.
"It's okay, Dad," his son consoled. "You are safe now."
"The war," Severus said hoarsely. "How was it?"
"It's over," Sevilin smiled at him. "The Dark Lord is dead. Some of the good side died, Colin. And the underage kids who wanted to join the war." He shook his head. "That's not right."
"I couldn't protect them," Severus said. Even with Dumbledore's last request, he couldn't do it. He was useless.
"It's not your fault," Sevilin consoled. "You did your best."
Severus shook his head. "No, it wasn't. I abandoned my duties as headmaster. I ran away like a coward, as McGonagall said."
"No," Sevilin said angrily. "You are not a coward. You are the bravest. That woman…"
But Severus stopped his son from talking. "Someone's coming."
"I can't believe it, Remus," Sirius said. "I can't believe I'm being fooled so easily." And he shouted at the top of his lungs. "Trust Snape. What idiot blinded me to think he was a good person?"
"Me too," Remus said, sounding sad. "I thought I andgecould be friends."
"He fooled all of us," McGonagall said. "I will pay him dearly."
The three of them walked into the Shrieking Shack where Snape and his son were.
"Hello, Headmaster," Professor McGonagall greeted with full sarcasm. "It's a strange place to relax."
"It's better than Azkaban," Sirius said maliciously. "And it's where you have to be."
Severus did not reply. He was still lost in his own thoughts. If he had been more capable, he could have helped lift Dumbledore's curse or protected his students more. He was a terrible, useless person who never succeeded in anything, just like his father said.
"You killed Dumbledore," Minerva screamed, pointing at him. "He was so good to you. He even told me that he saw you as his son. You murderer, you traitor."
Severus began to explain. "I killed him because I had no choice. Dumbledore asked me. He didn't want to…"
"You liar," Remus interrupted. "Even a five-year-old would not believe you. The only person who can confirm this is Dumbledore. And he's dead."
"I'm telling the truth," Severus said hoarsely. "I didn't lie."
"Go and defend yourself to the court," McGonagall said cruelly. She waved her wand, and the rope wrapped around Severus.
"Let go of my dad," Sevilin screamed. He headed for the three adults, but Sirius waved his wand lazily, and Sevilin was flung away.
"Don't hurt him, Black," Snape shouted. "He had nothing to do with it."
"We will not hurt children, Sirius," the Transfiguration teacher said resolutely. "We will not stoop to such a..." She gave Severus a look of contempt. "A piece of trash like him," she turned to Sirius and Remus. "Take him into the castle."
"What are we going to do with the Snape boy?" Remus asked. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Sevilin. The kid had no mother, and he considered his father his everything. It must have been like the world had turned upside down for him when the father he thought was a good man was a traitorous murderer.
"We'll sort this out," Minerva said. "We'll find a good family, a family that's kind enough to let go of their hatred, not to think that the son should carry the sin of his father."
"That won't be me," Sirius said. "I'll never take care of Snape's son."
Remus hesitated. "I have to take care of Teddy, and Dora wouldn't let me..."
"I don't mean to bother you," the old woman said. "Sevilin is very close to Mr. Ackerley. Mr. Ackerley Sr. was a famous Auror, and he was a good man, respectable enough to help with this. I'll try asking him."
"I won't leave my dad," Sevilin said through tears. "Wherever my dad is, I'll be there."
Severus tried to wipe away his son's tears with his hair. "You can't go with me. Prison is no place for children. Stay with the Ackerleys. Behave yourself. Don't think of yourself as their other son. Think of yourself as their servant, do what they tell you to do, be a good boy, and always be mindful. This is the most important thing," Severus instructed his son. Sevilin must have understood his hidden meaning. Nagas, if they lost their mindfulness, will return to their original form. Who knew if the Ackerleys would want a giant snake in their house? Severus thought no. "If you love me, you must do as I tell you. Try to live a good life in my place."
"Yes, Dad," Sevilin said with tears in her eyes. "I will do as you tell me."
"It's time to say goodbye," Sirius said. He strode towards Snape Sr. "Go, Snape. Go and receive your punishment." He grabbed Severus and stood him up, then turned to Remus. "Help me." And the two of them dragged Severus out. Sevilin watched them disappear from sight.
The Courtroom
Severus sat in the prisoner's chair, his chains tightly around him. He had been tried like this before, but then Dumbledore was by his side. Unlike now, he had no one, no witnesses, no evidence to help him get out of the charges. And the witness who confirmed his guilt was Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the hero who defeated the dark lord. His chances of survival are even slimmer.
"You are Severus Snape, aren't you?" the judge asked.
"Yes, your honour. Severus replied.
"You killed Albus Dumbledore, didn't you?" the judge continued.
"Yes, your honour, but..." Before Severus could say anything, the judge interrupted.
"Even though he was nice to you, I remember when I was just a small jury. He defends you to get you out of Azkaban."
"I did it out of necessity," Severus said. "He asked me."
The jury laughed without humour. "Out of necessity," one of the young women said contemptuously. "He asked you. Do you think we are asses? You have neither witnesses nor evidence."
"Perform legilimency on me," Severus shouted. "You can even use veritaserum."
"What's the use?" the judge said calmly. "A wizard with such power as you can deceive a great wizard like Albus Dumbledore while he was excellent at legilimency. You are very good at Occlumency, Snape. Legilimency means nothing to you. As for the veritaserum, if you are skilled enough in Occlumency, you can counteract its effects, so it is of no use either."
"Don't waste your time," another juror said impatiently. "Let's vote."
"I want this scum to be kissed by the Dementors," a female juror said angrily.
"We can't do that," the judge interrupted. "The new minister doesn't agree with the use of Dementors. We will use Aurors to detain prisoners. We must give them human rights."
"But for a scumbag like this?"
"Do we have to feed and water him?"
"What a waste of the ministry's money."
Several jurors raised their voices in displeasure.
"Calm down," the judge quickly interrupted. "We don't have to give Snape food and water. I think Snape's crimes deserve the death penalty. Does anyone have any objections?"
"But we've never had the death penalty," one juror said uncertainly.
"We are going to have one," the judge confirmed. "And we will try it on Snape first. It will be an open-air execution, with people watching."
"I agree," one of the jurors raised his hand, followed by several others.
"So everyone agrees?" the judge asked again before banging the gavel. "Then we will execute him tomorrow at noon in Hogsmeade Square. For now, we will lock him up."
Severus was speechless. He was going to die, and die like a death row inmate, a cursed death. Even if he died, his soul would not rest in peace. He was dragged away by two Aurors and thrown into Azkaban.
"Sleep well," one of the Aurors sneered. "Prepare your last words."
Severus shrank back. Was he really going to die tomorrow? Could anyone save him? This was the reward for his life-or-death work for the Order, for the wizarding world? Not the Order of Merlin, not the Galleons, not the interviews about his life, but an open-air execution. He wasn't afraid of death, but he didn't want to die under the curse. He tried to force himself to sleep. This would be his last night of sleep, and he heard something.
"Your highness," the voice said. "Prince Komes has asked me to help you."
Severus turned to the source of the voice. He saw Chon standing smiling in front of the prison door. The Aurors guarding the door were all unconscious.
"What? How did you get here?" Severus asked quickly.
"It doesn't matter, your highness," Chon said. "Stand back. I'll break the door down."
The explosion was deafening. It could wake up the entire city. But the Aurors guarding the door were sound asleep, showing no signs of waking up at all.
"Let's go, your highness," Chon urged.
Severus stood outside, feeling refreshed. "Thank you very much."
"You can dive down, your highness," Chon said. "Just think of your city; you'll definitely get there."
"Then won't you come with me?" Severus asked.
Chon smiled meaningfully. "I'll stay here in your place and teach the humans a lesson."
"It's dangerous," Severus said. "Come with me."
"The nagas are many times stronger than humans. I'm Prince Komes's bodyguard, not a low-class naga. Don't worry, your highness. I'll have fun tomorrow."
Severus hesitated for a moment before deciding to dive down. He had to trust Chon.
Chon put the door back in place before transforming into Severus. Thinking of executing the prince? You would see what happens.
May 3, 1998
A large number of wizards and witches had gathered in Hogsmeade Square. Everyone wanted to see the execution. It wasn't even noon, but it was already packed with people. The Ackerleys and Sevilin were among them.
"Myfad did nothing wrong," Sevilin cried while rubbing his back and shoulders in consolation. He didn't know what to say. It would be very bad for Sevilin. At first, he didn't want Sevilin to watch the execution, but the boy insisted on coming, so he had to give in.
Severus was taken into custody. He was chained up, but his face showed no fear. And if Stewart wasn't hallucinating, he looked a little proud.
"Do you have anything to say?" A man dressed in fine robes, he asked. "Before you die?"
Severus laughed. "Butcher the donkey after it finished its job on the mill. When he becomes useless, execute him."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" The man in the robes shouted.
"Don't let him talk anymore," the people watching said. "Kill him."
The executioner swung his sharp sword, but before the sword could cut the prisoner's neck, the unexpected happened. The prisoner they thought was Severus, who was tied up tightly, The chains were loose as if they were just small ropes, and the person standing there was definitely not Snape.
Only Sevilin knew who he was. "Chon," the boy said softly.
The stranger grabbed a bow and arrow from nowhere. He drew his bow and shot an arrow into the sky, and it started raining. It wasn't just rain; it was a storm so violent that you couldn't see ahead. Chon took this opportunity to grab Sevilin.
"Let's go, your highness. Let's go find your father." "The rain will probably flood the village. They will have to live as islanders for a while," Chon thought with satisfaction. "This is considered mercy, that I don't kill them all. Who taught them to poke nagas?" Before he left, he had one last word for the humans. "This is just a lesson. If you dare to mess with us again, be careful to die and don't have bodies to bury." His voice was louder than the storm. Children started crying, women screamed, and men shouted, but Chon didn't care. He quickly took Sevilin and disappeared immediately.
May 2, 1998, Nilanakorn
As soon as Severus entered the city, he found Komes standing with his arms crossed, frowning.
"Where have you been for so long?" Komes asked. "Don't you think about the feelings of the person waiting for you? How worried is he?"
Severus hesitated. "Haven't you returned to your city yet?" He pretended to change the subject. "Your parents will be worried."
"Don't change the subject," Komes scolded. "2 years, almost 2 years that you've been gone. You haven't contacted me at all, even though we promised to learn how to be a prince together. Then I found out that you were attacked by Garuda. My heart almost stopped. Have you thought about it?"
"I have a job to do," Severus said softly, half afraid, half satisfied that someone was worried about him so much.
"What job?" Komes said. "I don't understand why you have to risk your life for humans. And look at what they gave you in return. The death penalty. If I hadn't ordered Chon to help you, you would have been reborn."
"But how do you know I'm going to be sentenced to death?" Severus asked.
"I have my own line," Komes said, self-importantly. "When you were sneaking off to the human world, I got along with Sevilin, asking him to cheer me up."
"How cunning," Severus criticised, not too seriously. "You remind me of someone."
"Who?" Komes asked curiously.
"Regulus Black," Severus replied. "You don't look like him. He had black hair and grey eyes, but your personality and the way you talk are exactly like his."
"What's your relationship with him?" Komes asked. "You named Sevilin after him."
"We're friends. I treat him like a little brother." That wasn't true. No one would blush when kissing their own little brother. Just thinking about the past made a pink tinge appear on his cheeks.
"You're lying," Komes said. "You don't just think of him as a friend or a brother. I want to meet him. The one who makes your cheeks turn pink just by talking about him." He was sure that he wouldn't like Regulus if he dared to get involved with his Severus. You're a dog in the manger, Komes. He doesn't have anything to do with you, and he probably never will.
"He's been dead," Severus said. "It's been years, and even his body has not been found."
"I'm sorry," Komes said. Jealousy disappeared immediately, replaced by pity. It must have been terrible to die without a body being found. "But when he was alive, he was a good man, wasn't he?"
Severus nodded. He thought Regulus was a good man, not a perfect one, but he couldn't be called evil either. The worst thing the boy had done was join the Death Eaters, just like Severus himself.
"Then you don't have to worry about him," Komes reassured. "If he was a good man, he'll go to a good place when he dies. Karma is always fair."
"Let's go," Severus said, and he started walking ahead, towards his palace. Komes took long strides, trying to keep up.
"
"You are back, grandson." Apsara greeted them as soon as they reached the throne room. "Prince Komes is very worried about you. He refuses to return to the Morakotnakorn. I'm afraid that King Wichidej will lead his army to destroy our city." The queen said with a chuckle at the end. Let them know that she was not serious.
"My father would not do that, Your Majesty," said Komes. "In fact, he agreed that I should be here to strengthen the relationship between the Erapatha and Kanhakotama families. My elder brother Kaiwan has already married the princess of the Chappaya Putta family. They are a perfect match. My father already has a close relationship with the rainbow naga family, so he would like to have some relationship with your family. I hope you will not object, Your Majesty."
Apsara crooked smiled. She understood the hidden meaning of this Naga prince well. There are only a few ways to strengthen the relationship between the two families, and the most popular way is marriage. She had lived in this world for a long time. How could she not understand such a shallow trick? Same-sex marriage in the human world could be considered a disaster for them because humans could not reproduce with the same gender. But for nagas like them, they could have children. The children could be born from heat and moisture or spontaneous or miraculous birth. Most of the Erapatha family members were born from heat and moisture, while the Virupak family was born from. miraculous birth
"I have no objection," she said with a smile. "But it is your business, your own." Then she turned to her grandson. "What do you think? Are you willing to make friendly relations with Komes?"
Severus did not quite understand the meaning of friendly relations. He thought it meant just being friends, so he agreed. "I am glad to do it, Grandmother."
"Very well," the queen clapped her hands. "Then Prince Komes, send a message to your father to have him handle this matter."
Komes bowed before walking away, grinning to himself. The plan had worked.
"Why do you have to tell the King of House Erapath that I and his son are friends, Grandmother?" Severus asked curiously. Was this one of the Naga traditions?
"Who said you will be friends with him?" his grandmother said. "To make a friendly relationship, you must get married, and King Wichidej must come and ask for your hand in marriage."
Severus turned pale, his mouth wide open. When he came to his senses, he asked, "Why do I have to be the one to be proposed to, Grandmother?"
"Or do you want me to propose to him for you? I can do it too, the queen replied casually. As her grandson opened his mouth like a goldfish on land,
"I didn't mean I wanted to be the one who proposed to him. I don't like him in that way," he said, his face flushed red. Whether it was embarrassment or anger, he was not sure.
"Oh really?" Apsara said with a laugh. "I have lived a long time and seen a lot of things. Komes will take good care of you. But if you really don't like him, you have the right to refuse."
Severus did not say a word. He did not accept, but he did not refuse either. He did not despise Komes. Deep down, he felt that the young naga was the one he had dreamed of, but he was too shy to say it.
"I will give you time to think," Apsara said. "We Naga do not despise same-sex marriage. You have been in human society for a long time. You may see that this is unnatural, but follow your heart. If you want to marry, nothing can stop you. But if you do not want to, no one can force you."
"I will go and think about it," Severus finally spoke. The fact that he did not refuse immediately made him know that he also felt something for Komes. But will this feeling be strong enough to make him want to marry the young naga? It was something that needed to be thought through carefully. He bowed before entering his bedroom. Sigh, there is another headache.
The next day, Chon brought Sevilin to see him off before asking to return to the Morakotnakorn. Komes was really close to Sevilin. The three of them always went everywhere together. Severus could not help but think that they were like a pair of parents. Sevilin often begged Severus to go out with him, and he had to take Komes with them. The Black Naga Prince really started to think that it must be Komes's plan. Even though Sevilin was the one who begged him to go out, at one point he always disappeared, leaving him alone with Komes.
"Where did he go again?" Severus complained, trying to look for his mischievous son.
They were now at a very beautiful lotus pond. It was the same lotus pond where he first met Komes. But when he accidentally admired the beauty of the lotus, Sevilin disappeared. Maybe he transformed into something else. Sevilin was born in water. Maybe he was in a lotus pond.
"Don't worry about him," Komes grinned. Of course, he wasn't worried; he was the one who planned it. He didn't know how much he had bribed Sevilin to agree to help him put his own dad into this situation.
The two of them were sitting by the lotus pond, admiring the lotus flowers that were blooming and closing. At least Severus was admiring the lotus flowers while Komes stared at him.
"What are you staring at?" Severus said. "Look at the lotuses. They are so beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you," Komes flirted. This naga was really sweet-talking. He didn't know where he found these words.
"Silly," Severus scolded, not seriously. Ever since Komes had begged his father to send a letter to ask for his hand in marriage and his grandmother didn't refuse, she only said that if he could make Severus fall in love with him, she would arrange the wedding. Komes had been trying like crazy to make it come true, and he dared to bet his life that this guy must have secretly bribed his grandmother. How could he sleep in the same room as him if he didn't do it?
"There aren't enough rooms in the palace. Sharing a bed with Prince Komes isn't a problem. We'll be a family anyway." This was the reason why the grandmother gave it to him. Oh, no one would believe her even if she tricked a 5-year-old child. The palace was so big; how could there not be a room?
"Can you call me another word besides silly?" Komes's voice woke him up from his reverie.
"What should I call you?" Severus asked, knowing deep down that there must be another cheesy joke.
"You can call me love," Komes said. He knew it. If he had bet, he would have won a lot of money.
"You wish," Severus replied. A Naga like him wouldn't call anyone love easily. He needed to wait.
"Please, Severus." He didn't just say it; he also grabbed his thigh. Severus was okay if he just grabbed his thigh, but if he moved his hand higher than it, it would certainly be a problem. "I have been courting you for weeks."
"You can court me for a year, and I will think about it," Severus said. "If you're in a hurry, go find another Naga. There are so many handsome guys and beautiful girls. Don't waste your time."
"Oh, Severus. If I was going to find another Naga, I would have found one a long time ago. But I don't want to find him or her. I'll wait for you. I'll wait for a year." Komes continued to flirt. Oh, if Severus were a woman, he would fall for it.
"Then wait another hundred years," Severus said. "And stop touching me.Are you a naga or an octopus? "
Komes groaned. Oh, he could wait, but he didn't want to wait that long. He wasn't full of himself. Everyone also said that Severus had feelings for him as well.
"If the prince didn't have feelings for you, he would have refused more firmly. I've been taking care of the prince since he was young. The prince has never let anyone flirt with him like this, Your Highness." This was Nathee's opinion.
"Srivares has been in the human world for a long time. He must see same-sex relationships as shameful. I've lived for hundreds of years. I can tell what it's like when young nagas are in love." This was the thought of the Apsara queen.
"When Komes isn't here, Dad is always looking for you. Even though he says he's not looking, I know it well. Trust me, Komes. I want you to be my other dad as well. I'll cheer you on. He is tight-mouthed." This was Sevilin's opinion.
See, everyone could tell that Severus has feelings for him, but he was tigh-mouthed and wouldn't admit it. Eh, could he try to open his mouth? He was starting to want to try it. As fast as his thoughts, he grabbed Severus' face and turned it to face him and used his mouth to touch his. Oh, he really cold-opened it with his own mouth. He licked all over his mouth, intending to taste it all. It was so sweet, so sweet, incomparable. Severus pushed him lightly once, and he pulled his lips away regretfully.
"What the hell are you doing?" Severus said, blushing. "Who allowed you to kiss me?"
"Not allowed, but didn't refuse, right?" Komes teased. "Kiss me back; you must be infatuated, won't you?"
"I'm not with you anymore." Severus stood up before walking away.
Komes shouted after him. "If you're embarrassed, don't run away."
Severus arrived at the palace. Then he found Chon with a young woman he had never seen before.
"Long live the prince!" They both spoke at the same time.
"Your highness," Chon said, "My beloved has something to tell you."
Severus turned to look at the young woman. She was very beautiful, but her eyes looked sad.
"I would like to ask for your forgiveness, Your Highness." She said.
Severus was confused. He was sure that he had never known her before. What was she asking him to forgive?
"I have hurt you, Your Highness," the young woman explained. "I am that snake, the snake that stood by Voldemort."
Severus gasped. He had never thought that Nagini would be a naga. Chon seemed to know what he was thinking.
"Nagini is not a naga, Your Highness. She is a human who has been cursed by her bloodline to become a snake. At first, she could control her snake body and transform back into a human. But as time passed, she could no longer control herself. Until that disgusting human took her as a pet and put a piece of his disgusting soul in her body. She did many things, as in the snake form; if she still had her sense, she would not have done it. I went to find a potion and help her escape. I tried to tell her that what she did while in the snake form was not her fault, but she still felt guilty, so she came to ask for forgiveness from you, your highness."
Severus was speechless. That snake, that big, ugly snake, was a young woman with a very unfortunate fate.
"It's okay," he choked out. "I don't hold a grudge. And may you and Chon love each other for a long time."
"Thank you," Nagini said gratefully. "You too, Your Highness. Love Prince Komes for a long time."
Severus gasped. Did Komes bribe the entire underworld?