Zigzag

Zigzag

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Chapter 8

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The door was opened, and two people stepped into the room. The arrivers -- two Severus -- glanced around hesitantly. They both were teenagers, and a group of adult themselves probably wasn't the most usual sight to them. Well, a group of themselves of any age, really. They were now just as bewildered as the others had been in the beginning.

"Just sit down," Severus sighed. "I'm Severus, the original version, as you probably know already. The point of this convention is to find out the similarities and differences between our worlds. And the Luciuses are here because, well, because there would be no point with the five of them making notes alone, and nobody else would stand them around."

"Luciuses?" One of the new Severuses shot his head up, the slightly paler one, though not enough to make a real difference. "So where's the Lucius of my universe? He's no danger to anybody -- well, not much, at least."

"I'd figure that Albus will be bringing him along soon enough," said Severus dryly. "Now, just get seated, so we will get started." As they did, he glanced around once again. "So, for the last time: I have here a slip of parchment with certain questions. When your turn comes, you will answer these questions. Is that clear?" As everybody nodded, he nodded as well. "Excellent. So, I am Severus Philip Snape, thirty-six years old. I have no living family, no special conditions, I'm not involved with anybody, and I live at Hogwarts, where I work as a Potions Master."

Everybody nodded at this brief introduction. Then the nearest Severus -- Spy Severus -- reached out his hand to take the parchment. Glancing down at it, he then spoke in turn. "Severus Philip Snape, thirty-five years old," he started. "I have no living relatives, at least not anybody I'd willingly call family. I've no special conditions, and as for being involved, well, I'm not --" Just then, he blinked, and then sighed. "Correction: I seemingly am indeed involved, with one Remus Lupin. I live with him in my quarters at Hogwarts, and I work as a Potions Master there. Oh, and Lupin's pregnant with my child, so I guess that child might count as family, by the loose definition of the word."

"Indeed," muttered Severus Shacklebolt. Then he took the parchment and shook his head in annoyance. "Severus Philip Snape, twenty-one. I have no living family that deserves to be mentioned. I'm involved with Kingsley Shacklebolt, living more or less permanently in a flat with him, and at the moment, I'm finishing my studies to become a Potions Master."

"Big surprise there," said Father Severus dryly. "I'm Severus Philip Snape, twenty-four. My family consists of me, my husband Remus Snape, and our son Jeremy Snape -- previously known as Harry Potter, as the Potters adopted him. Quite obviously, I'm involved with my husband, and at the moment, we're living at the Snape Manor, and I'm the Potions Master of Hogwarts. Both of the latter will change, however, as I'm going to resign, and we'll move to Canada, where I hope to get a job as the Potions Master of Maltedaux." There was a glint in his eyes that told them not to ask further.

"Splendid thinking," sighed Blind Severus as the parchment was handed to him at next. "Well, although I'm clearly unable to read them, I think I can figure out the questions even otherwise. I am seventeen years old, and my full name is Severus Salazar Snape. My only special condition is the fact that I am blind, and I'm involved with my fiancé, James Potter. Do not look at me the way I know you do," he then said annoyedly. "We had no say in it, it was all our parents' doing, and we just had to come to live with it. It's a lot easier to be engaged to somebody when you allow yourself to like them. And, when I'm not in Hogwarts, I'm living with the Potters, as the last part of my family, my father, Philip Snape, blinded me permanently last Christmas. Before that, I'd been almost blind ever since I was nine, that being his doing, too -- as well as the death of my mother, when I was five." His voice was almost frighteningly calm as he told them all this. "I quite certainly don't have a job. I'm studying at Hogwarts at the moment, and plan to become a Potions Master as well, like Lucius here, or like seemingly all of you other me's."

"A very good goal in life, the one you have," said Wheelchair Lucius calmly, taking the parchment slip the blind teenager was sticking out to him. "Very well. I am Lucius Philippe Malfoy, twenty-four. For family I have my mother, Junila, and my husband, Sirius. And yes, it was also an arranged marriage we came to live with," he said calmly. "As for conditions, my both legs are, quite obviously, paralysed." He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. "During school years, I live in Hogwarts, where I teach Potions, but at the moment, I'm living in the Malfoy Manor." Then, he flinched a bit as an update hit him, as did Blind Severus on his side. Then, he continued calmly, "Oh, and to add to Severus's previous information... It seems like he is getting along with his fiancé rather well, seeing that he's pregnant now."

"Oh, no, not another one," muttered Severus Snape. Then, as many annoyed glances were shot to his direction, he added defensively, "Hey, don't look at me that way. I have nothing against pregnant men; without Remus Black, his husband would have never even considered the possibility that his godson might actually marry me some day. However, the thought of me pregnant just strikes to me as... horrifying, to be honest." He shuddered.

"Keep that up, and you'll make the Author decide that they want you pregnant as well," warned Severus Potter seriously. "The Author has this universe in their consciousness as well, remember? Anything you say will come to their knowledge, so be wary of what you speak." Seeing Wheelchair Lucius reaching the parchment out to him with a bit of smirk, he sighed annoyedly. "What? Oh, well. I am Severus Salazar Snape -- at least that's what I am now. I was adopted when I was eight. I'm twenty-five years old now, and for family, I have my parents -- the adoptive ones, whom I consider my only parents ever -- my husband Sirius Snape, and our son, Remus Altair Marcus Snape, also known as Remy." With a brief smirk, he added, "Oh, and let's not forget my biological nephew, Harry Potter, the son of Remus Lupin and the late James Potter. You see, before I was adopted, I was Julian Mathias, the eldest one of Alanna and Mathias Potter's identical twins." Everybody stared at him in shock, and his smirk got even broader. "Yes, I was originally a Potter, and even though I did hate my biological parents for giving me up to adoption, I kept in touch with my twin -- in secret, of course. In public, we put up a rather good act, even though I'm saying it myself. And as for the rest of the questions, I've no special conditions, and I live in my quarters in Hogwarts with Sirius -- he teaches Charms."

"The wonders never cease, I see," said Severus Junior dryly. "The Sirius Black I know would never be able to teach anything." Of course, for speaking up, he found the parchment being handed to himself. Raising an eyebrow, he glanced down at it. "Very well. I am Severus Philip Snape Junior, sixteen. For family, I have my father, Severus Philip Snape Senior, who just happens to be my DADA Professor as well." Ignoring the shocked expressions and gagging sounds he got for this, he continued, "I have no special conditions, though the person I'm involved with -- my boyfriend, Peter Pettigrew, is pregnant at the moment. And I live in Hogwarts, where I am currently a student." After this, he looked at Severus Snape. "You spoke up earlier," he said, sticking out the parchment. "Now, speak up again."

The man gave him an annoyed glare, then sighed. "Very well," he said. "I'm Severus Salazar Snape, thirty-eight. I have no family to speak of, nor do I have any special conditions, thankfully. I'm a Potions Master at Hogwarts, and I'm engaged to Harry Potter, with whom I'm currently living in the Snape Manor."

Rather many Severuses all around the room gasped -- well, almost all of them, to be exact. The ones who were fathers to the very same Harry Potter looked absolutely disgusted. One, though, did not seem to find the thought unsettling.

"Really, it can't be that shocking," sighed Severus Lionsnake -- the only one who hadn't gasped or adopted a disgusted look. "True, he can be annoying at times, but as a husband, he's not that bad." And then, he found the parchment given to him. "Oh, for the love of Salazar," he said, rolling his eyes towards the ceiling. "I am Severus Salazar Lupin-Potter-Snape-Malfoy-Black, and no, I did not decide the name. I am forty-two years old, and for family, I have my mother, as well as my five husbands. We're living at the Lionsnake Manor -- formerly known as the Malfoy Manor -- and for a job, I'm doing research for a Potions company. Oh, and three of my husbands are pregnant."

"Which only has the consequence of three of my husbands being pregnant as well," continued Lucius Lionsnake, smirking a bit as his husband gave him the parchment. "My name is Lucius Philippe Lupin-Potter- you heard him, and I am forty-eight years old. For family, I only have my husbands, and our unborn children. I'm also living at the Lionsnake Manor, and at the moment, I'm working for the Ministry."

"As am I," said Cane Lucius, sighing a bit, "as a member of the Potions Master's Council as well as the Ministry Council. And, as it seems that by speaking up I've volunteered to talk next, I am Lucius Philippe Alasthor Malfoy, fifty years old by now. My immediate family -- my father Lucipher, mother Melinda, and sister Luciane -- is dead in its entirety now, although the only one whose death I'm really sad about is my mother. Well, and my nephew Philip and niece Joyce, although, considering that I and Remus adopted them, I'm quite partial at that. Other than that, I have husband Remus, my son Draco, my soon-to-be son-in-law Harry Potter, ex-wife Narcissa Malfoy, and adopted daughter Olivia. Although if Weasley gets what he wants, I won't have Olivia anymore by the time the next update comes," he added dryly. "She's a Ciddle -- meaning that she's a child of a Squib and a Pureblood. Her mother, who is a Squib, was raped by a Death Eater, and got pregnant with her." Ignoring the shocked sounds, he continued, "I have no special conditions, except for the fact that my legs refuse to function properly if I don't have any support while I'm walking. I live in the Malfoy Manor with Remus, and, at better times, Olivia, and about my job you heard already."

"And, as it also seems to be a tradition by now, I will be the next one to speak," Severus Black said dryly. "I am Severus Miracol Snape Black, forty-three years old. For family, I have my husband Sirius, my sisters Narcissa and Lilian, my brother-in-law Thomas, my nephews Draco, Daniel, and Malcolm, and my niece Maria. I have no special conditions to speak of. I'm currently living in the Black Manor, and for a job, I'm the Lead Potions master, a member of the Potions Master's Council, as well as the superior of the Male Pregnancy Section in the Ministry."

By now, it seemed to be a rule that the updates came just after the people they concerned had spoken up. Maybe this was because they thus attracted the Author's attention, maybe it was just a coincidence, nobody could tell for sure. However, just after Severus Black had finished, both he and Cane Lucius swayed slightly as they were updated.

Cane Lucius turned to look at Severus Black, his eyes wide. Before either of them could say a word, however, the door was banged open, and Remus Malfoy hurried inside. He looked bewildered, and beyond delighted.

"Severus!" he exclaimed, immediately finding the one Potions Master from his universe. "Is it true? Is it really true?"

Although none of the other people knew what they were talking about, to Severus Black it seemed very clear. "It is indeed true," he replied. "After some dreams, I became suspicious. And when Sirius woke up, the nightmares left me, but the true visions still remained. I couldn't tell you earlier, as I didn't want to get your hopes up for nothing."

"But it wasn't for nothing," Cane Lucius said quietly. "It was for everything." Walking slowly to his friend, he placed a hand on each of the other Slytherin's shoulders. "Thank you, my friend," he said quietly. "We can never repay you."

"Then it's a good thing that you don't have to," the Potions Master replied, smirking a bit. "Just let it be, Lucius. You have certainly done enough for me through all these years to repay anything I could do."

"No, I haven't," the blond said seriously. "Nothing could be ever enough."

"Now, don't get too depressing. I'm on a good mood at the moment, so don't spoil that." At this, Severus Black turned towards the original version of himself. "May I be excused?" he asked smoothly. "My husband has finally decided to wake up, and, well, I really would like to make sure that everything is all right with him at the moment."

"Very well," Severus said, shaking his head. "Go away and stay away. You're all giving me a headache." Then he turned to look at Cane Lucius and Remus Malfoy, who were currently embracing warmly, obviously very much at peace with themselves and the world in whole. "Just what is this about?" he asked. "Just moments before, you were in agony."

"Well, you can cross over that thing about an adopted daughter," said Cane Lucius, glancing up at him. "Severus has just proved that Olivia is biologically mine." At seeing the many shocked expressions, he sighed. "Yes, that does mean that I raped her mother. I haven't done anything of the kind ever since I turned to the Light, though."

"I truly do hope not," muttered Spy Severus. "Even now, it's hard to me to trust any of you bastards."

"Now, now," Cane Lucius replied, raising an eyebrow. "My parent's marriage well before my birth is a matter of public record." Then he leant down to peck his husband on the cheek. "You'd better leave," he said gently. "You see, I don't think all of these Severuses and me's would be happy to reveal their private information to you."

"I understand." And, with a final hug, Remus Malfoy was away, looking happier than any of the people from the other universes had ever seen them. They'd come to think that he was always depressed, but now it certainly didn't seem so.

"Very well," said Werewolf Severus then dryly. "Just to prevent this from becoming too cheery and overly emotional, I think I will be the next one." He took the parchment as it was offered to him. "Severus Salazar Snape, thirty-six," he said. "I have no living family. However, as for special conditions, I am a werewolf. And, as a werewolf, I have a pack -- a pack that consists of me, Remus Lupin, and a first-year Hufflepuff, Alan Mortimer. I'm not involved with anybody, and I live in Hogwarts, as I am the Potions Master there."

"Indeed, cheeriness aside," muttered Severus Snape-Black. "I am Severus Philip Snape-Black, twenty years old. I have no living family -- in my universe, my husband, Sirius, was killed just a few hours ago," he added bitterly. "I am just finishing my Potions Master studies, and I'm hoping to get the Potions position in Hogwarts. I have no special conditions, and I'm living in the house Sirius and I bought for ourselves."

"All happy and well, then," Sev muttered. As he then found the parchment being given to him, he sighed. "Very well. I am Severus Snape, twelve years old. I have no special conditions or family. I'm a student in Hogwarts, and at the moment, I live in the St. Helen's Semi-Magical Orphanage," he finished the brief introduction.

"And the cheeriness will go on," said dryly Dark Severus, who was the nearest to Sev who hadn't said anything yet, and who thus was the next one who found the parchment being given to him. "I am Severus Salazar Snape, thirty-six, a Potions Master in Hogwarts. As for conditions, I'm a half-vampire, which has the Ministry out for my blood -- quite literally." At this, he pointed at the white-and-black cloth around his left arm. "As for involvements, well, I guess I am involved with Lucius, who is giving me blood." Now, he nodded towards Dark Lucius, who was sitting by his side. "And at least this far, I have managed to avoid -- " And now, in an all too familiar manner, he blinked, looking a bit disoriented. The blond man by his side did the same. "Forget that," muttered Dark Severus. "The Ministry just pulled through several more regulations, which means that I do have a registration mark now." He pulled back his sleeve, revealing something that at first glance looked like a jagged scar but was in fact a group of numbers. "Scarring. How elegant."

"Indeed," muttered Dark Lucius. "As for me, I am Lucius Philippe Malfoy, forty-two, and I am starting as the Charms Professor in Hogwarts this year. I am indeed involved with Severus here -- my divorce from Narcissa only happened a couple of days ago -- and for family I have my son Draco, my ex-wife, and my mother, aunts and numerous cousins in a Veela community in France. You see, I am a half-Veela, which has the Ministry out for me, too."

Just then, the door was again opened. This time, one of the arrivers was a teenager Lucius, the other an adult Severus. Both looked slightly annoyed, though as soon as Lucius's eyes met the one of the new Severuses who had complained about not having Lucius as his company, his expression turned milder.

"I'm now informing you immediately that I have no intentions to introduce myself," the adult Severus snapped. "The history of our universe is exactly the same as the history of this one, so I will be returned soon. And that's a final."

"Well, then we will have to introduce ourselves," said dryly one of the new teenager Severuses -- the one whom they hadn't seen ever before, who was also the paler one, and the one who seemingly had also a decent Lucius in his world. "Just to get it out of the way before these old ones get to it. It would figure that we do it now, as even Lucius here has arrived." He nodded at the teenager Lucius, who nodded back. Then, as the parchment was obediently given to him, he glanced at it and said, "I am Severus Philip Snape, sixteen years old. For family, I have my parents. I have no special conditions, I am not involved with anybody, and I live in the Snape Manor when I'm not in Hogwarts, as I am a student there. Oh, and I am going to be a Potions Master once I grow up -- like seemingly about everybody else."

The Lucius of his world raised an eyebrow when he got the parchment. "Well, I am Lucius Philippe Malfoy, seventeen years old," he said quite calmly. "For family, I have my parents, and I live with them in the Malfoy Manor, when I'm not in Hogwarts, as I, too, am a student there. I'm involved with Remus Lupin, who is my blood servant. That means that as I am a vampire -- a full one -- he gives me the blood I require to survive. Before I bonded with him, Severus here brewed a special potion for me, one that my father developed to allow me to live rather normally without the need to drink blood. And as for a job, well, I'm going to be a Potions Master as well. I'll start as the Potions Assistant next year."

"Well, I think nobody will protest if we call you Vampire Lucius," the original Severus said dryly. "As for you," he then said, glancing at the Severus of that universe, "what about Brewer Severus? Since that seems to be a rather important characteristic in you, if you indeed have provided the potion to Lucius for a long time."

Brewer Severus nodded. Then, however, he swayed a bit as an update came to him. Vampire Lucius, however, took it a bit harder -- he collapsed to the floor, half-sealed wounds all around his body.

"Enervate!" original Severus cried over the sudden sounds. Then, as Vampire Lucius slowly came to, he asked dryly, "Now, what is the matter? Why do you look as if you've been in a battle?"

"Because I was in a battle," the blond vampire replied rather calmly. "I lost a lot of blood, that's what I fainted." He blinked a couple of times -- obviously, he was still feeling a bit faint. Then, he said quietly, "I fought to save Sirius Black from a wild vampire -- he's Remus's pack member, I couldn't let him be killed. But... I had to Turn him."

"Black is a vampire, too?" asked Brewer Severus, looking startled. "Honestly... Can this get any worse anymore?"

"I doubt that," Batty muttered. "Very well. I am Severus Philip Snape, twenty-two years old. I have no living family, no involvements, and no special conditions. I live in Hogwarts, and I'm a Potions Master there."

"And that was, I do think, the shortest of all introductions we've heard or will hear," sighed Severus Baby-Black, who was sitting near him. "Very well. I am Severus Philip Snape Black, or just Severus Black, whatever you prefer. I am thirty-eight years old, and I have no family, aside from my husband Sirius. We both live in Hogwarts, where I am a Potions Master, although I'm not currently working." At the questioning glances, he continued, "As for special conditions, I have two of those... At first, I am pregnant -- and at second, I have anorexia. I hope you know what that means, as I certainly don't feel like explaining." He lowered his eyes to the floor, looking slightly ashamed.

"Indeed," sighed Severus Baby-Shacklebolt, who was sitting next to the other pregnant adult. "I'm not anorexic, thankfully, but I am also pregnant. My name is Severus Philip Snape, and I am thirty-six years old. I have no living family, aside from my babies -- I know already that I'm carrying multiples. I'm involved with Kingsley Shacklebolt, who is also the father of my babies, although he's disappeared at the moment. Nobody knows about my condition, though. Actually," he then said, blinking a couple of times, "stuff that, Remus Potter indeed knows about it. And as for the babies, it seems that there are four of them. Quadruplets, that is."

Just then, they heard a faint *pop*, and the uncooperative new Severus vanished. The one of the teenager Severuses they'd seen before looked rather happy. "Well, now that he's gone, I suppose it's my turn," he said. "As you probably have noticed, I was here before. And as for what drew me back, well, I guess that's the fact that I turned against my own House and got most of the most popular Slytherins -- all Death Eaters in the making -- arrested and put into Azkaban. Narcissa Black, for one, got a lifetime sentence." He ignored the shocked glances from most people, and continued, "Other than that, well, I am Severus Philip Snape, sixteen years old. I live in Hogwarts most of the time, as I am studying there. For family I have my parents, and I have no special conditions, involvements, or anything else to add."

"You turned against the most popular ones of your housemates?" Severus raised his eyebrow. "You are Brave Severus, then. Honestly, it's not like I couldn't do that, but I do know that it might mean a lot of trouble to you."

"Doesn't matter," Brave Severus replied, shrugging. "I did what I had to."

"My turn, then," said a quiet voice. Turning to look, they saw Slave Severus in the corner of the room, looking a bit nervous, and even fearful. "I am Severus Snape. No, I do not have a middle name -- my Master never thought I'd need one. I am forty-one years old -- at least I believe so, although I couldn't know for sure. Nobody's ever bothered to care about my birthdays. I have no family I'd know of -- my father was most probably my first Master, Stephen Malfoy, who has thankfully been dead for ages, and my mother, a slave Sarina Snape, was sold to another family when I was just a little child. Most of the slaves of the Malfoy family had died in the war against Grindewald -- I think you can guess which side they were forced to be on -- so I was the only slave Lucius inherited from his father." Although all Luciuses were now looking sharply at him, he made sure not to meet anybody's gaze. "Nowadays, I live in Hogwarts, in quarters that are next to the ones where my current Master, Sirius Black, is residing. Courtesy of my Master, I'm continuing as the Potions Professor there." None of them failed to notice how he made sure not to talk of himself as a Potions Master, although it was clear that he, too, was indeed one, he had to be to be in that position. "For a condition, well, I'd guess my slavery counts as one," he continued bitterly. "And as of whether I'm involved... Well, I used to be involved with Remus Lupin, until he died. At the moment, my relationship with my current Master is quite unclear. He's told me to make the decision, but I have no idea what will come of that." Then, he sighed. "There. Now you know it all and can freely taunt me about it." Now, he retreated even deeper to the shadows in the corner, avoiding everyone's eyes.

Everybody was quiet for some time, as they were all fairly shocked. Then Lucius Lionsnake said with considerable calmness, "I will deal personally with anybody who says a bad word about that man."

"No, you won't," Cane Lucius said just as calmly. "You won't, since I will kill them first."

And after that, nobody else said a word.

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