Chapter Text
Hello everyone, this is the first fanfiction I post on Ao3: Maybe after this dream, everything would change...
The characters aren’t mine, but Jk’s (sadly)... I’m completely against her allegations on trans people! Their lives matter!!!
About the characters, they might be different from what you imagine. I have to say: the cannon almost doesn’t exist. Our opinion can differ. I don’t want you to absolutely have the same headcannons as me, but to respect my vision, please.
I'm sorry if there are errors, English isn’t my first language... But I hope you will like it or at least have a good time.
I'm finished now <3
Clar-artist
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Eileen Snape wasn’t exactly a perfect housewife. First of all, she wasn’t beautiful, or grateful for her life in her industrial neighbourhood. Second, she was Arabic, in a mostly white area. And lastly, she was different: the young woman was a witch. Of course, nobody, except her son and husband, knew about it. But in a poor working-class neighbourhood, everyone knows when you’re different. And, most of the time, they don’t like it.
Eileen tried to be like the others. But she couldn’t. Once, in a previous lifetime, she was rich, wanted, intelligent. Now, she was the dirty wife of Tobias Snape, the Russian alcoholic. She hated that. But if the brunette was in this situation right now, that was only her fault, her fate. She deserved it. So, she stayed.
She still hoped that one day, everything would change. In this rainy day of 1967, Eileen couldn’t imagine it would come so fast.
Today was a Tuesday, so she woke up like always at 6 am to cook the breakfast. Tobias was already gone, probably at work or in the bar. She didn’t really care. The day looked like all the others before it. However, Eileen could feel change in the air. The young woman couldn’t understand why yet.
As always, she had to take Severus to his school, go to the grocery store and clean the house. Then her baby would come home and do his homeworks while she cooked dinner. Always the same planning, except for the Sundays, where Tobias would be at home. Severus and she would go next to the dirty river where they would talk, read and play, everything to escape their home.
She went to the store: they needed food and clothes. Severus’s shoes were too small. Sadly, after two hours in the store researching the lowest prices, she had enough. She lacked money thanks to her alcoholic husband and now she couldn’t even afford basic necessities for her and her son.
Angry and desperate, Eileen ran to her house. She needed money. Tobias wouldn’t receive his salary before the end of the month, and they already lacked money. She had to find some, it was urgent. After crying because of her uselessness, she had an idea.
The young woman decided to go to the only bus stop in the neighbourhood.
She had exactly 6 hours to find a solution before going back to her house to finish the cleaning. After this limit, Tobias would probably lash out on Severus. She wouldn’t let that happen.
Eileen’s crazy idea was to go to Gringotts and try to collect as much money as she could. Maybe her parents wouldn’t have blocked her from the family vaults. There was little chance of success, but she had to try. If her parents blocked her from their vaults, she could find a job, that was a good idea.
She took the bus towards the London trains station. There, the young lady ran in the Leaky Cauldron without being noticed. Then she simply walked to the bank. God, she missed Diagon Alley. The noises, the magic, everything.
Her long hood hid her face and her body. Thankfully, the numerous persons she once knew didn’t recognised her.
Once in the Bank, Eileen realised how much she missed magic. The place was splendid, she missed pretty places like Gringotts. Soon, a goblin called her. She reassured herself, she had to do everything on her power to save her son.
“Hello miss, what can I do for you?
-Hello, I need to collect some... informations about my account, however, I would like to talk about the details somewhere more private...
-Of course. Follow me miss.
The goblin led the brunette in a full golden corridor with large chandeliers and mouldings. He stopped in front of a glowing black door. The room was protected by a secret keeping charm.
-The room is secured. You can enter without worrying about your... reasons for hiding.
-Thank you. Eileen sat on the red sofa in front of the desk and removed her coat. Now I need to know if I still have an account in my name.
-I will tell you in an instant the amount you have left Miss Prince. He answered her after a short break, the Missing Prince was back! The goblin took a scale, climbed and opened a little cupboard 3 meters up in the air. He took a green file and went back to his seat. When he opened it, the old papers cracked.
Mmmmh, I see...
-There is no money left for me, right? Eileen declared sadly. I’m not really surprised you know.
All her hopes shattered as the goblin looked at the file, reading the words that would soon break all her hopes for a better life.
-No, no miss Prince. You inherited from your grandfather Samah Prince four years ago. A considerable amount of money, 8000 galleons and a house in the countryside.
-Where? I never heard of this house... And why?!
-In the north-west countryside next to the beach. May I give you the key and the exact address? And about why, Mister Prince didn’t tell us, we are deeply sorry about that.
After some minutes, Eileen realised her grandfather gave her this money and this house. Even if she betrayed her family. The brunette had to accept this gift; it was for her.
-Yes please. I want the key with the address and muggle money. I need 100 pounds sterling, she finally decided.
-Here is your money miss Prince. Your return will be secret, you don’t have to worry about it. Gringotts is always professional.
-Thank-you. I will go back soon to discuss the interest of the accounts and to open some more.
On the way home, the young woman thought about the opportunities her dead grandfather gave her. She could change her life and her baby’s.
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When Eileen arrived at Spinner’s end, her son had just finished school. He was standing in front of the door.
“Where were you mama? I waited for you.
He looked at her with his big black eyes, probably wondering why she wasn’t home like every other day.
Let me help you with the groceries please, he added. Maybe he realised staring wasn’t very polite.
-Don’t worry about that Habibi, I'm sorry I made you wait. You must work, let’s enter.
-I already did my homeworks when I was waiting for you. Mama, you didn’t answer my question.
-I will. Let’s go home first. I need to tidy up the house rapidly.
As soon as she seated, after unpacking the groceries and tidying the house, her Babyboy jumped on the sofa by her side.
-Where were you? You can answer now!
-I was at the bank Severus. I tried to retrieve money because we need it. I couldn’t afford anything in the store. She explained calmy. The owner is a robber, she sighed.
-And you did, I saw the food. How did you persuade the Bank? People who work there know we can’t repay what they give us.
Eileen was really tired, and the constant questioning annoyed her. However, the young woman knew she had to told him the truth. Her son was waiting patiently for an answer. She decided to tell him what happened: he already knew they were wizards.
-Severus, you’re an intelligent boy. What I will tell you, you will keep it to yourself, alright?
-I will mama. I promise!
-I went in the Magical world. In the Magical Bank, Gringotts, to be exact. We desperately needed money and I thought that maybe, my parents wouldn’t have blocked me from my family’s vaults. They did.
-How, then? Did you steal it?
-What!? No! My grandfather left me some money and a house in the countryside. I took some for us.
He waited, patiently, for something she couldn’t give him. He wanted to flee. Far away from this city.
-Mom... He looked at her with hope in his eyes. You know, we could go there.
-I don’t think so. Your father, Severus, what about him? He wouldn’t leave his friends, his work or his home. And the bar...
-I don’t care about him. I don’t like here mama. People are mean. They treat us badly! And the countryside is nice, it would be better for your health, you can’t stand smoke!
-Stop that Severus. We are lucky to have a house to sleep under. Be grateful young boy. Now I will cook our meal, go change yourself.”
The naughty boy went upstairs. Eileen sighed: of course, her son had to complain. They had money now, to eat. That was enough. They didn’t need anything else. She started to cook Severus’s favourite food; he still had the right to be disappointed. After all, the neighbourhood was destroyed and dirty, people were mean and impolite. Severus had no friend. Life wasn’t easy.
At dinner time, Eileen called her son and set the table. They both sat and waited for Tobias to come home after work. After 1 hour, Severus started to look at the tart with envy. He brutally looked at her, deep in her eyes, like he wanted to read her thoughts.
“I don’t understand why you are waiting for him. He's already at the bar.
-I know.
-It will be cold when he will arrive, if he comes back. And if he comes back, he won’t eat.
-Severus, stop. If we start and he returns, he will be angry. You know how your father is when he is angry.
-He’s always angry. No matter what I do or what you do. He's mean to you. And to me too.
-That’s your father Severus. If one day he disappeared, you would be really sad. She added, even if she didn’t believe what she just said.
-You’re lying. And you know it, he finished determined. After a while he added:
-I’m hungry mama. I couldn’t eat at school.
-Why? Was it the same meal you couldn’t eat because of the texture? Like last week. Severus, the canteen is expensive. You have to eat what they give you. You know we don't have enough money to feed you. The canteen is a way for you to eat more. I know it’s difficult because you’re alone, but think about the advantages. Please.
-He deleted my subscription last week. The teacher told me he couldn’t pay for it anymore. Tonight, he will use the money to celebrate his friend’s birthday. I know because his son told me to make fun of me in front of everyone. Can I eat now? It will be my only meal today.
-He what?... I can’t believe it... Eileen took her head into her hands. If her son wasn’t here right now, she would have cried. How could Tobias do that to her? After all she did for him, for their love!? To Severus?!
-You should believe it, because I never lie.”
She breathed calmy, trying to calm down. Eileen had to be strong for him. 2 minutes later, she smiled kindly at him. Severus was still waiting for her to adjust to the news.
“You’re right. Here Habibi, take a big plate. There is enough for both of us alright?
-Thanks mama. I was really hungry you know?
Severus ate like he never ate before, with pure happiness. As soon as he finished his plate, he was already half asleep on his chair. He still got up to help her tidy up the tiny kitchen.
-Don’t worry my dear, go wash your teeth and go to bed. You're sleepy.”
Her son kissed her cheek and went upstairs like she told him. Soon, all the light were off, but Eileen still waited. Tobias would hear about this. She promised herself her son would always have the basic necessities, even if she was poor. Her stupid husband was ruining all her plans.
When he came back, at 3 am, Eileen was still waiting. He was drunk, holding vodka bottles in his arms.
“What are you doing here, woman? Waiting for me uh?
He asked, pointing her with one of his hands. His unbalanced position and his sudden movement caused a bottle to crash on the floor.
This is your fault, Eileen. You always ruin everything.
-No, you always ruin everything Tobias. We had a deal: you don’t touch Severus’s money. And the money you took today was for Severus, for him to eat! How will we eat now? We don’t have enough to live! She told him, seated on the old sofa.
-You annoy me woman. I'm not here to get scolded like a child. That's MY money, not his. I do what I want. If he’s hungry, he can eat his left hand. It's not like he need it. I don’t care.
-That’s our money Tobias. You're not alone in this house, we need to eat too! We can’t even pay taxes. And now, you had rather drink than feed your wife and son. You're just selfish...she cried.
- I had a good evening until you came to annoy the shit out of me. Tobias screamed. Shut up now. You magical whore. I work, I decide. You don’t, you shut up!
-Like you would let me work! Don't be stupid. You're destroying everything around you! You don’t deserve a family, you can’t take care of us!
His paw slapped her so hard she fell. Eileen didn’t saw it coming. Before she could start yelling, his fist landed on her face. Everything went black.
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Eileen wasn’t happy in her life. To be honest, her husband was a useless piece of shit, so it was logical. Always drunk... God, she was so tired. But she had to stay.
It was her fault if she was in this situation: she had left her family who wanted to marry her to an old pervert. Eileen hated this man, she couldn’t accept. His ideas were awful, he was manipulative and ugly. Nothing worth going honestly.
She fled, but went to another jail... Sometimes, she regretted her choice. Maybe her parents would have accepted to promise her to another pure blood. Or maybe she would have become a widow after one or two years... But it was too late now. She was married to Tobias and had her son Severus. She would never leave him.
Until this dream. Two weeks ago, Tobias knocked her out and she dreamed. It’s been so long since she dreamed. She never thought about leaving her husband. It was simply impossible. He was everything for her. But now, everything seemed changed. Eileen knew that there would be an opportunity to leave, and she would take it. And would be happy to flee. Even more than the last time.
Surprise, that what Eileen felt. She realised she wanted to. To leave. She wanted it so badly now that she realised it. Because of her bad choices, she became a trapped slave. And Eileen hated this fact. All her life she thought she was happy with Tobias and Severus in this shitty household... The young woman lied to herself and was disgusted by it. Tobias was an asshole and didn’t deserve a family life.
The brunette didn’t know what to do... Tobias had parental rights over their young son. Even if he hated him, and honestly the feeling was mutual, she wasn’t sure if the man would accept to lose his privileges for her sanity and his son’s happiness. He didn’t care at all...
Sometimes ago, she would have imagined a plan to escape. She couldn’t bear his violence anymore. His fists on her body, his insults, his hate for the woman who once loved him. Even worse, Severus started to be violented too. That was the last straw. Eileen could accept a lot of things, but not that... Her Babyboy was everything for her.
She had to leave. For Severus. Eileen fled to be free.
She wouldn’t let her son suffers like she did. That’s what she told herself before she fell asleep.
End of chapter 1