Chapter Text
September, 1977
Severus Snape
Tobias never came to see him off.
His father didn't despise magic; he simply despised him.
Eileen gave her son a hug. "NEWT level potions are much harder," she teased. "Think you can handle it?"
Severus frowned. "Of course, Mum."
"Such a shame," she shakes her head, a smile playing on her lips, "Had you chosen an interest in Gobstones, my legacy could've been well continued."
"I am sure Mcgonagall would welcome you back with open arms to your alma mater."
Eileen laughs gently. "I do miss Minerva. She was a refreshingly level-headed Gryffindor," she winked, "better than Lyall Lupin's lot, anyway."
Severus makes a face. "Judging by his son," he gestures behind them, to the approaching Remus, (who, Severus exhales privately, had not yet located Potter and Black), "I'd have to agree."
Wrapping her arms around him again, Eileen sighs. "Have a wonderful year, my darling. Sixth year was so much fun-"
"Even more so than fifth?" Severus smirks.
Eileen pretends to ponder. "Not more fun than the first year as Gobstones president, but nonetheless." She wrapped her arms tighter, and Severus pats her on the back lightly. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
He knew arguing did nothing, so Severus could only resort to murmuring, "Stay safe, Mum."
"Funny, isn't it?" Eileen sounded sad. "With everything, and the biggest threat to our family is your father."
"Mum," Severus said firmly, "When I graduate, and get a job, please leave him. Please live with me."
Eileen pulls back, and takes Severus' face with both hands, her gaze flitting to each of his features, before lingering on his eyes. "You've grown so much, Sev. I'm sorry for..."
"No. That you left him today to bring me here is enough." Severus clasps her hands, and Eileen sighs again.
"Perhaps... but I have missed it almost every year before. Does it really make up for anything?"
"Of course, Mum..."
A beat. The shared silence is broken by a shout.
"Oi, Snivellus!"
Severus stopped Eileen from swiveling around. "They're my friends," he said quickly. "Go on, Mum, I'll go join them."
Suspicion and hesitance flashed in her eyes, but she hung her head and nodded. "Have a good year, Sev. I'll be okay."
Severus doesn't hug her when she leaves.
"Oi, Snivellus!" It's the barking laugh of Sirius Black that makes him grind his teeth in annoyance.
"Black, heard your mum's been real pleased with you. Surely you won't deny the lovely Alice Bulstrode your wonderful engagement? Oh, right, it's not really as though you have a choice."
Sirius looked angry. Potter put a hand on his shoulder. "You would think Snivellus here would've at least learned about hair potions. Touched a shower at all this summer, Snivellus?"
"Have you touched a comb?" Severus remarked wryly, not wanting to start the year poorly; though the appearance of the others had already soured his mood considerably.
Bruce Mulciber sneered. "So these blood traitors held you up, eh, Snape? Get your trunk; we don't want to be tainted with dirty blood like yours."
"Dirty is right," Severus snarked, "All that inbreeding your family does shows, Black."
Sirius turned red in the face. "Yeah, Snivellus? You think you're-"
"Lily!" James said suddenly, and jerked Sirius' arm as he ran to greet her. "Had a good summer, Evans?"
Severus clearly saw Lily sniff distastefully at him, and his heart pricked.
"Wonderful and beautiful. You, Potter?"
Pettigrew had found them in the meantime. "Horrible," he muttered, "With our OWL results looming over..."
Lily smiled sympathetically at Peter. "You did well, though. James told me..."
Sirius yelped indignantly. "Keeping in contact with your secret girlfriend, Potter? How dare you! We're your best mates..."
Severus turned away, the tugging at his heart persistent.
Mulciber's puggy face didn't waver. "We were all waiting for you, Snape. C'mon."
Severus followed Mulciber to their compartment, sitting down next to Evan Rosier, and across Aries Avery.
Rosier looked around conspiratorily, shutting the compartment door after ensuring no one was dawdling outside. "The Dark Lord's orders are clear," he said quietly. "Recruit and influence. The coming generation of Slytherins are in our care, now."
"Dolohov has a son," Avery added. "Coming this year. We'll get him and the other Black later."
"The Dark Lord," Mulciber grits his teeth, "seems to think he has potential. Heard from my father he wants to make him a Death Eater soon."
Avery's fists clench. "He's spineless, if you ask me. Looks weak."
"He looks as though he'll crack from pressure any second," Severus said smoothly, "Probably is; Walpurga is a nightmare, if you ask me."
"Right she is," Mulciber turned purple, recalling Walpurga's insults about him needing to lose a few pounds, but thank Merlin for his blood, or else no girl would have him, "Right old hag, where's she got the right to judge me from? Tried any youth potions lately? I suspect Cygnus may take a lover before taking her to bed."
Rosier paled. "Let's not... She raised me; that's not an image I'd like to imagine."
"Creative, are you, Rosier?" Mulciber shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Regardless, the Dark Lord still wants us to keep a close eye on him. Can't trust the Blacks fully anymore; not after their Muggle-loving firstborn; clearly something went wrong up the line if Walpurga and Cygnus produced such filth. Snape," he addressed Severus directly, and Severus turned to face him. "The Dark Lord wants you to do it. He.. The Dark Lord trusts you. Wants you to keep an eye on Regulus."
It was the first time Severus had heard of this; he hadn't received any new orders while at Spinner's End. He'd rather thought Voldemort disliked him for being halfblood, and for his shitty residence in a Muggle town.
"Alright," he said, and the others engaged in other talk.
"Black was going to leave to live with Potter," Mulciber sniggered. "But Walpurga warded the house and he couldn't go anywhere. Cursed Potter when he came looking. Fidelius charmed their place after that."
"Surprised she let him back, but I suppose Alice is hard to shake, and the Bulstrodes don't want him at Durmstrang. Want Alice to get her claws all over him," Rosier said.
Avery chuckled. "Alice is the worse of the worse, but after Black's reputation, she's the only one who'll have him. And suppose it's a good match, too."
Severus nodded, and looked out the window as the train sped up, turning a curb, and watched as London disappeared, his mind clouded with thoughts of the coming year.