1981

1981

by Iva1201

Chapter 4: Eileen Prince's Son

A/N: Betaed by cardigrl; thanks for helpful comments to Esmestrella.

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Voldemort's Lair
1978, Snape's NEWT year

"My Lord, if I may...," the young, blond man said as he knelt in front of the throne like chair.

"Proceed, Lucius. Whom else do you wish to recommend?" the pale figure on the chair asked quietly.

"Snape; Severus Snape, my Lord."

"Yes? ... Who is he? And why do you recommend him?" the Dark Lord inquired impassively.

"He is a Potions genius, my Lord; Slughorn praises him above all. He would be a gain for us because of that alone - but there is more. He is very proficient in the Defence," young Malfoy smirked, "well, in the Dark Arts, too. And while he has recently become Dumbledore's favourite, he despises the old fool more than many."

Voldemort became interested hearing this. "Really?" he whispered, red eyes fixed on the kneeling Malfoy. "And why is that?"

"I suspect the old fool sees Snape's potential as well, my Lord. Regulus Black was present when Dumbledore approached Snape with an offer of apprenticeship a couple of weeks ago. I think you would have enjoyed how the boy answered him. He didn't care at all that it was in public..." Malfoy chuckled.

"And you are sure, Malfoy, that he is still Dumbledore's favourite?" Voldermort demanded, eyes never leaving the face of the kneeling man.

"My Lord, you know the old fool. He still hopes the boy is redeemable. Even after the incident with Bertha Jorkins..."

"Jorkins?" the Dark Lord said pensively. "The name doesn't mean anything to me. What happened?"

"Something bad enough to leave Jorkins confined in the hospital wing for a week and Snape to be ordered to work as a nurse's assistant until the end of the school year. Nobody can get details from either of them. Snape was probably sworn to secrecy and she was in all likelihood Oblivated by the esteemed Headmaster himself." Malfoy smirked once again.

"Oblivated? By Dumbledore? Are you sure about this, Malfoy?" Voldemort asked, sounding very interested.

"It's a rumor, my Lord, but she has no recollection of the event. If she was indeed Oblivated, it was either by Dumbledore or by Snape; if by Snape, then Dumbledore looked the other way."

"The boy must be very important to him then. Bring him in!" The Dark Lord ordered.

Malfoy nodded and stood. He bowed and turned to leave. Before he left the room, however, he turned to the sitting man once again with a very hesitant, "My Lord..."

"What are you not telling me, Malfoy?" the pale man sounded dangerous now.

"Snape... He is a half-blood, my Lord," Malfoy said quietly.

Voldemort stood and, walking in the young man's direction, cruelly laughed. Stopping in front of the Malfoy heir, he said, a twisted smile on his lips: "Really, Malfoy? Even better. Let us show the old man he is wrong placing his hopes in the Mudbloods and Muggle-loving fools like himself..." After a pause, the Dark Lord added, pure interest evident in his voice, "I don't know any Snape. Which family is he related to?"

"His mother is Eileen Prince, my Lord," Malfoy answered immediately this time.

"Princes? Good... But the mother had always been like the old fool; approach him carefully. I want him... Potions genius, did you say? Offer him a position in your father's laboratory... and promise him we will finance his studies; if I am not mistaken, Eileen married quite badly." The Dark Lord dismissed his companion, laughing madly.

"This will hurt you, Dumbledore! You will surely do anything to get the boy back. And I will even let you; but he will be MINE!" he shouted, and the throne chamber shook with his immense magical power.

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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
September, 1971

"Welcome, welcome, you all! How is Abraxas, Lucius? And your brother, Belby?" A rather fat man was shaking hands with his much younger companions. "I am so very happy to see you all here for another meeting! You wouldn't believe how lonely a brewer can get when left to his cauldron and ladle the whole summer!" The man laughed, apparently very cheerful. "We have new additions I have to introduce first, I am afraid, but then the real entertainment can start. The Hog's Head has donated Butterbeer for our little festive gathering. Don't forget to mention it to your friends!" Wagging his finger at them, he reprimanded, sounding slightly disappointed, "I was sorry to hear you never visit the place!"

Grinning, the man approached four small children standing closest to the entrance; the tiniest boy hiding in a shadow a bit off to the side. "Do not fear; we are going to celebrate here, not eat you..." The man smiled widely.

"Everybody, let me introduce young Mr. James Potter. He belongs to one of the oldest pureblood families in Britain. I remember your grandfather, such a talented businessman! We should hope you have inherited at least a bit of his talents! Not lost in Potions brewing either, if I can tell after just these two weeks..."

The man turned to the only girl in the group then: "Miss Florence Borage. Your great uncle Libatius is one of the finest brewers living. You all will learn about him. Well, let's see if I manage to persuade him to join our little Christmas party, but I most definitely don't plan to use any textbook other than his Advanced Potion-Making for the NEWT-levels now or in the future. Marvelous book! Pity you weren't sorted in my House, Miss Borage!"

The next one to introduce was obviously a friend of Potter's. While the host stepped to him, he exchanged an amused gaze with James, both observing the tiny, cowering boy. The man exclaimed: "And here we have one of a traditionally Slytherin family. Narcissa, Bellatrix, you already know our guest here, I am sure. Sirius Black, a cousin of our esteemed Black sisters! Well, well, well - should I say how disappointed I am that the Sorting Hat decided you would better suit Gryffindor, my boy? Deeply indeed. But no matter what the Hat says, not only Slytherin may help one to future greatness... And who I am to complain when I was greatly honoured to be Sorted allyour cousins?" Slughorn turned to the two girls in question and gave them a satisfied smile. "I was equally privileged to have the oldest of the trefoil, Andromeda, in my House a couple of years ago. Very promising girl, indeed. Even if it pains me that she hasn't joined any of our little meetings recently..."

"She doesn't knowwhat she's missing, Professor," the raven-haired Black sister noted.

The Professor beamed in delight. "Thank you, Bellatrix. One likes to hear one's little efforts are important to you." He turned back to the spot by the door.

The last boy left there was the only one wearing Slytherin colours. If invited in here, the boy should have influential parents or other successful relatives. He didn't look like it, though, having rather pale skin, greasy hair and apparently second-hand robes. The Professor nodded to himself, frowning a bit. "Come here, my boy!" sounding slightly unfriendly this time. "And here we have a very promising Potions student, Severus Snape. Your mother, Eileen Prince, was one of the best students I ever had. I trust she is well?" When the boy silently nodded his affirmation, the Professor dismissed him. He smiled all around.

"And now, let us start for real!" A glass appeared in his hand: "To the next successful year!"

"To the next successful year, Professor Slughorn!" the assembled students exclaimed in answer.

Holding his still full glass, the tiny boy found himself a silent corner by the window. He was clearly not at ease in the group. Observing the school grounds, the boy missed the newest arrival. A tall, thin man with a wrinkled face and a long white beard and hair entered the room. Slughorn greeting him with pleased surprise. "Albus! I hadn't expected you here today! Thank you for coming! Will you have a glass of the best mead sold in the Hog's Head with us?" Not really waiting for the answer, the Professor handed his companion a full goblet.

Albus Dumbledore thanked him and looked around. The handsome Slytherin prefect spoke to Bellatrix Black, while her sister's gaze remained fixed on his face as she waited impatiently for every new word. Suddenly, the young man's eyes met Narcissa's and a smile lit his face. Dumbledore had to suppress a smile. So here we are:the long awaited union between the two most influential Slytherin families is forming. And not really the one you envisioned, Abraxas, I am afraid. Hopefully even you would be able to see that your son has received the greatest gift here and wouldn't stubbornly - as only you can - insist on his marriage with Bellatrix...

The Headmaster's gaze wandered about the room further, stopping at the sight of James Potter and Sirius Black. Gryffindor, Mr. Black? The Hat shared thatyou had been very stubborn during the Sorting. No, no, I can't blame you for not wanting to be sorted to Slytherin. Even I tend to forget that plenty of fine people come from that House. Especially with recent developments. I suppose my coming here won't make it right for you, Horace, but I am not able to do more for your House at present. And you, my dear old friend... The Headmaster's eyes searched for Slughorn. You aren't really helpful in this, either.

Being more observant than many, Dumbledore caught a glimpse of the tiny boy hidden behind the heavy curtain. Who are you?he wondered, not recalling the boy from the Sorting (that he had partly missed, thanks to an urgent Firecall from the Ministry). Slytherin colours... and yet no interest in being seen and acknowledged? What had the Hat said about the first year Slytherins? "Pure-bloods mostly, the majority sharing the world view of the traditional families... Nobody really vile - yet! But be careful with them, Headmaster, or you may very well lose them to You-Know-Who." It was amusing to hear the Sorting Hat call Voldemort the term adopted lately by wizarding society, after the cruel raids in the North the Ministry hadn't been able to stop, especially when the Hat meant it as a joke of sorts. But there was a boy the Sorting Hat spent a long tirade on. Severus Prince, no, Snape. Eileen Prince's son. The Headmaster knew that was the boy hiding in the corner.

"And then there is this one, Headmaster. Snape, Severus Snape," the Hat said. "He is extraordinarily clever and very, very brave. And there is a strong loyalty deep within him - you had better pray you are the one he offers it to one day. For trust me: you don't want him on Riddle's side, if he really starts the war we think he intends. I have seldom encountered a fine mind like the boy's. Why, actually only three times during the past century. You, Riddle, and the boy. And the boy wants to prove himself above all. But that wasn't the only reason I sorted him into Slytherin. There is much anger in him; you had better have a look into it."

With recent developments, Dumbledore hadn't managed to meet the boy before. Maybe it was better this way, he mused, walking to the window the boy was hiding by. He stepped to the window, pretending not to spot the boy who curiously regarded him from behind the curtain. "A very pleasant sight, isn't it? ... Mr Snape, am I right?" He turned to the boy with his kind smile. "Your mother liked Hogwarts very much, if I am not gravely mistaken. I hope you will as well."

The boy looked up at his wrinkled face, and the Headmaster could see hesitant liking and respect forming in those dark eyes observing him. "I already do, Headmaster," the boy whispered in astonishment that he had been addressed by the old wizard. Dumbledore quietly laughed seeing his expression.

"My boy, there is nothing I would like to hear from you more!" he said, and the boy rewarded him with a shy smile.

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The Headmaster left soon afterward, and Severus was debating with himself if he was allowed to disappear as well. For some reason, the very moment he decided to make his leave was the same one his Gryffindor classmates chose to approach him, following him to the corridor while taunting him about his falling off his broom in Flying class.

"Quite amusing, wasn't it, James?" Black grinned.

"Very amusing, Sirius, indeed. Frankly, I was rather surprised Severus here knew how to hold the broom. But then again - he probably has to use it at home daily. Judging by the way he looks, his parents couldn't even afford to pay for a laundry. Poor dear, the robes belonged to your father, didn't they?" Severus scowled in his direction, hand on his wand.

"Let him be, James!" Sirius Black said, smirking. "Don't you see we are not good enough for his standards?"

"You are right, Sirius. If my parents earned as much money as Severus's do, I would never have come to Hogwarts with my father's robes and my mother's textbooks. Anyway, what happened to your father's books, Snape? Burnt them when you didn't have enough coal?" Both the Gryffindors laughed.

The smaller boy's eyes glittered in anger. He pointed his wand in James's direction and shouted, "Impedimenta!" James fell to the ground, more taken by surprise than harmed by the hex itself.

"The whelp is biting, isn't he?" Sirius smirked helping James up. "We should teach him a lesson, what do you say, James?"

"I completely agree with you - as always."

Both the boys reached for their wands. The Slytherin was faster, however, and didn't hesitate to fire a really powerful curse this time. It was a rather dark one... The Gryffindors frowned from the ground.

"That was a Dark spell, Snape!" Potter shouted. "My father tells me that nobody casts them if they are not dark wizards themselves or don't turn one later. Snape, you are not only a pitiful excuse for a wizard, you are Dark on top of it! No wonder nobody likes you!" Tears had appeared in the eyes of the boy during this accusation.

Black added with disgust: "Snivellus!" as he did when the other boy had fallen off his broom earlier that day. He motioned for James to leave.

Severus followed them with hatred in his eyes; the only thing keeping him from firing another spell in their direction was the fact they were now turned away from him. He might know Dark curses - but he would never descend to attacking anybody from behind, he swore to himself.

As soon as the boys disappeared behind the corner, the blond Slytherin Prefect stood next to him, accompanied by his girlfriend. Both the older students were regarding him with curiosity.

"That was rather impressive, Mister ...?" said the older wizard searching for his name.

"Snape, Severus Snape, Mr. Malfoy," the boy answered.

"Lucius, to you... Very advanced magic, Severus. And excellently performed, as well. Snape, did you say? I don't recall ever hearing about your family. Will you remind me?"

The boy looked away. Would he still be invited to call the Prefect by his given name, if he revealed his origins?His mother had warned him about Slytherin's pureblood policy, but he had wished so much not to be sorted into Gryffindor that he had forgotten about it. Hesitantly, he responded, "There are no Snapes in the wizarding world... I am a half-blood."

To his surprise the tall girl was grinning at him, while the Prefect openly laughed. "Believing the rubbish people say about Slytherin?" he asked. "We don't like Mudbloods, I will admit, but there are reasons for it. The kids don't know how to behave - you will see that for yourself. Unfortunately, they almost never lose this tendency even in their adult years. The way some Muggleborn grown-ups act is really disgusting. But Half-bloods, especially as talented as you are, are more than welcome. Even in Slytherin. After all, who could blame you for your mother's choices?" He smiled at Severus. Then his face darkened. "But those like Black, who don't value their origins - those are to be damned!"

The girl caught Malfoy's hand and squeezed it. "Don't listen to him, Severus," she smiled at the boy; to her boyfriend, she added, "My cousin will surely see he was wrong, if you leave him time, Lucius."

"I sincerely hope you are right, Cissa," Malfoy said in a threatening tone. In a much friendlier manner, he looked back at Severus. "I meant it. You will be a great addition to our House." He offered the younger boy his hand. "Welcome to Slytherin, Mr. Snape!"

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Later that night, Dumbledore said to the Sorting Hat: "I have seen Eileen Prince's boy today. He is a bit lost now, but I think he will be all right. Maybe it is not a bad thing you sorted him into Slytherin after all..." Horace takes good care of his protégés, he thought.

In the dungeons, a tiny, dark-haired boy was able to fall asleep almost immediately, feeling accepted for the first time in the past two weeks. I really like it here, Headmaster, he repeated silently. His fingers running over a signature in a letter lying on his bedside table, the boy added then, Don't worry about me, mum. Slytherin is not bad...

Indeed a talented boy. And a powerful one. A blond teenager mused in the Slytherin common room downstairs, thoughtlessly playing with the long fair hair of the girl resting on his lap, his eyes dreaming about the great future awaiting him, no, them both. He kissed Narcissa softly on the top of her head and then his thoughts returned to Severus. If the things go the way my father expects, I will recommend him to His attention one day. The boy will be a worthy ally...

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