Nara

Before Beyond the Veil, after the timeless classic Nineheva, came Nara, a tale of Severus Snape and Lily Evans. A tale that none had ever seen before.

Prologue

‘I’ve traveled the world and have seen it through weary eyes.’ – Sakura Saisaka

“You will not take that child out of this household woman, not when I’m alive!”

“But you promised him! You promised Xavier!”

“I did no such thing Alexia!”

A large pale hand shot out and hit the woman’s face mercilessly. She stumbled, hitting the wall.

“Mum?” a small boy asked as he ran over to his mother.

“Stand aside boy.”

Young Severus Snape looked up at the looming figure that was his father. The darkness of the room surrounded and clung to the man like a veil. He had long ago learned to cover all signs of fear from this man whom he called father.

He clung to his mother who was silently lifting herself up with chin in the air, full of calm defiance. Severus felt a squeeze as his mother took his hand.

“You made a promise to your own son Xavier, God be damned, I will not allow you to forget about your heir’s birthday. You may not like me, but he is my son as much as he is yours. He is going to carry the Snape name.”

(next scene)

The memory was over two months ago and yet he remembered it like it was two minutes ago. It had been the best and the worst day of his life. A small shiver ran up his spine and he suppressed it. He bit his lip as a large, cold hand place itself on his back. Severus stiffened as he did his best not to look at his father. Today he would be starting a new life, a life away from home, his father and sadly, his mother.

If there was something that Severus hated more than anything else in the world it was his father. A monster and a brute who didn’t care about anybody else by himself. He was also a heavy drinker and abusive. Severus had learned early on as a child to not bring too much attention to himself. When he was younger, it had been difficult but at the age of eight he had finally learned to curb his cries and stop the flow of his tears. In the depths of deep night sometimes he would silently cry over his mother’s broken body while healing her to the best of his ability.

Severus had learned in the darkness that he had to do everything in his power to rid himself of the shame and to find a place somewhere far away from his father as possible and to protect his mother from him at all costs. God be damned, Satan be damned, the world be damned.

He gritted his teeth.

“Show those idiots what you’re made of.”

He ignored the man as he strode onto the train. Severus found an empty compartment and sat down glaring out the window. It was too bloody sunny and too bloody cheerful. There were snippets of conversations from the other students from outside permeating his compartment. He pulled out his book that he kept in his robe pocket and read. It wasn’t long when he was rudely interrupted from his reading.

“Now look what we have here?”

His heart plummeted to the ground. Dear Lord please let it not be James Potter.

“Ah Snivellus where’s your mommy?”

Severus calmly put down his book and glared at his cousin and found that three other boys surrounded his famous cousin.

Ever since he had been a child, Severus had to deal with his ‘light’ cousin James Potter. Meaning that he was brutally picked on mercilessly. As a small child he had cried up until eight when he had gotten a firm grip on his emotions. Now having to go to the same school as James would be seven more years of proverbial hell on earth.

He had sincerely hoped that his cousin would have gone to that prestigious private school, but as fate would have it, he was stuck with the damned brat.

“For your information, my mum is at home and do leave before I hex you so hard you’d be wishing that you were dead.” He deadpanned.

James smirked. “So you finally got a backbone eh?” His wand rose. “I really do want to try out my new wand on you...”

“EXPELLIARMUS!”

James Potter and his three goonies were sent flying as a small girl with dark red hair stood at the compartment door looking as if she were going to kill somebody. Severus regarded her warily.

“You were just going to let them walk all over you?”

Severus blinked.

“No. See those hex marks?”

The girl looked down. “Oh.”

“As you can see I can handle myself.”

“Didn’t look like it to me.” She retorted.

Severus glared at the girl. “If I would have known any better I would say that you’re a mudblood.” He sneered.

“Don’t you dare say that Snivellus!”

Joy. The spells had worn off. He should have used a more permanent one...Then again it was his COUSIN he was talking about.

“What? Mudblood?”

“You! Stay out this!” The red haired girl snapped, emerald green eyes flashing dangerously. She whipped towards Severus.

“Is this the thanks I get after saving your sorry behind? I expected people with your lineage to have better manners! And you!” She said, pointing an accusatory finger at James. “You’re no better than him, picking on him when he was minding his own business! I should hex you to kingdom come!”

A slow smirk made its way to Severus’s mouth. The girl was just like his mother...Fiery, compassionate and stubborn as a mule.

“Hey you can smile.”

Severus startled. “What?”

The red haired girl smiled at him. “I was wondering if you capable of smiling.” Severus scowled and she laughed.

“Hey what’s your name?”

Apparently James had said the wrong thing since the red haired girl whirled around and shouted a curse that flung him and his friends out of the compartment. Severus felt for once guilt at what he said about the girl.

“Thanks for helping me.”

Emerald eyes gazed at him for a moment longer. “Well I suppose that you don’t know any better given that you were being harassed by those mindless idiots. Do you go around looking for trouble?” She asked with a sigh.

He shook his head. “No. Trouble finds me whether I like it or not.”

“Huh your one of those types. My name’s Lily by the way. Lily Evans.”

The name was nice and Severus liked its quiet tones. It wasn’t as flamboyant as the wizarding names but still nice the same. Well, the girl wasn’t that bad and she did manage to kick his cousin’s pompous behind.

“Severus Snape.”

“Really!” Lily exclaimed, her green eyes lighting up in enthusiasm. “You mean from the famous Potions brewers Snapes?”

“Yeah.” Severus said trying not to blush.

“That’s so neat! I’m betting that you’re really good at brewing potions! Must be fun.”

He nodded. “It’s quite easy and fun. It reminds me of cooking.”

“You cook?” Lily asked skeptically.

Severus rolled his eyes. This was going to be one long trip.

(next scene)

Once the Hogwarts Express was five minutes away from the Hogsmeade station, Severus and Lily pulled on their robes over their clothing. The whole trip, they had been talking none stop about certain ingredients and spells. Severus was quite surprised at the amount that she knew for a first year muggle born. It would seem that not all muggles were stupid, as not all wizards were smart either.

The train came to a slow stop. Both Lily and Severus could hear the brakes screeching. Compartment doors flew open. Together Lily and Severus exited the train to the crowed station. At first they were lost until they caught sight of a gigantic man. Severus had an idea that the man was half giant.

“Fir’s years! Firs’ years follow me!”

Swiftly and gracefully, Severus wove through the crowds with Lily hot on his heels.

“Wow.”

Severus had to agree with Lily on that. The castle looked so magnificent high up with its turrets and warmly lit windows that looked like shimmering gold. The heavens above never looked any clearer than it did now. Stars were winking with jewel colored light. High above, reigning silently was the moon who showered the world with soft silver light.

He turned to gaze at the nearly empty station, glowing silver and turned back to the lake where he would start his life in Hogwarts.

Chapter One:

Scowling, Severus stepped into a boat. It rocked gently as he sat down. Lily smiled at him.

“Um, can I sit here with you?” A soft voice asked.

Lily turned to the speaker who was a brown haired boy with slight shadows under his eyes.

“You! You’re one of the boys who was picking on Severus!” She exclaimed pointing her wand at the boy.

He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry that James, Sirius and Peter were picking on Severus, but I had no choice but to tag along since they were very adamant about it.” He said apologetically.

Severus glared at the boy, reading body language. He sighed in frustration. “Fine. But by Merlin’s beard if you do anything that constitutes with messing with me I swear that I will throw you over the boat and into the lake.”

“Thanks.”

He ignored the boy’s thanks and focused his attention to the castle that stood above them, regal and proud. If it could have been a person, Severus would have imagined the castle to be a woman, a queen in all her finery, maternal, proud and welcoming.

As the boat glided over the water it only left the smallest of traces that the boat had disturbed the lake from its slumber.

“Duck!”

Severus immediately did so and felt a whisper of something brush by him. No doubt vines he mused as he heard a few mild shrieks of surprise and fear. Moments later, the boat gently bumped to the side of a pier. Severus scrambled out and extended a hand to Lily, helping her out of the boat. The giant up ahead of them knocked on a door. It creaked open to reveal a severe woman with her hair tied up in a bun and wearing strict glasses. Her age could have been in mid fifties for all he knew.

“Come along children.”

In droves, children followed her orders, rising up, a mass of black. Only three hung back and away from the main crowd, taking their time.

They were led to the Great Hall where they could see the Head Table and the House Tables. Above, the ceiling revealed the night sky in all of its glory. Hushed whispers ran amongst the students seated at their House Tables like fire being put out by water. The strict witch who had led them to the Great Hall had disappeared.

“The ceiling is enchanted.” Lily whispered.

“Obviously.” Severus said as he eyed the ceiling for a moment and settled on glaring at fellow classmates who were gawking at the ceiling like idiots.

“Oy Snape!”

Severus groaned as he saw from a ways away his cousin moving through the crowd towards him.

‘What have I done in my previous life to have asked for this?’

Thankfully before James could reach Severus, the strict professor returned. This time carrying a patched and fraying hat. Severus eyed it with interest as it was placed on a stool. Silence filled the hall as all heads turned toward the hat on top of the stool.

Slowly it moved and the brim split revealing a crudely made mouth.

Another year of Hogwarts has yet come,

And I must yet again sing another song,

Which I have no idea where they’re from

Though I think that they’re part of the throng.

Giggle at my state,

Laugh at my chatter,

But let me tell you mate,

Your silliness will not make me anymore fatter.

To Gryfindor I hail

Brave at heart and courageous

Never fail

With lightness of heart that’s contagious

Fair Ravenclaw I praise

Intelligent and wise

A nice one I say

Always looking at books as their prize.

Gentle Hufflepuff I cherish

Hard working and loyal

Their deeds will never perish

For their works are that of a royal.

Sly Slytherin I keep

Cunning and quick

Never sleep

Until they slice the wick.

So thus we must begin,

The sorting of houses

To much of my chagrin

For I’d rather play with grouses.

The hall erupted into applause. Severus quietly clapped but his mind was on the words sung by the hat. It almost seemed as if the hat was giving a warning. He pondered on the question almost ignoring the sorting when he heard, “Evans, Lily!”

He snapped out of his thoughts to watch the red head be sorted into Gryffindor, which didn’t really surprise him since she had already shown him that she had Gryffindor brashness and cheerfulness. Though he had hoped that she would be in Ravenclaw. But atlas there was no use in wishing for something that could never happen.

Severus scanned the Gryffindor table and found Black was sitting there looking quite chipper. Since when did a Black ever become a Gryffindor? He turned his attention away when he heard the name of Lupin, Remus being called out by the strict professor.

It was the brown haired boy with the circles under his eyes. How unusual, to have both names having to associate with wolves... The boy was placed in Gryffindor. A soft snort escaped Severus, it was so obvious.

“Pettigrew, Peter!”

“Gryffindor!”

“Potter, James!”

Whispers broke out once more as students pointed at the messy haired boy.

“Gryffindor!”

Severus could see that the hat had barely touched James’s Potter’s head before screaming out the name of the house.

More students were sorted into their respective houses.

“Snape, Severus!”

Severus pushed himself away from the shadows that he had been standing in and strode out into the light. Eyes fell onto him. Some indifferent, others cold, and yet some others full of curiosity. He swallowed his nervousness and approached the stool with the hat. He sat down, making himself comfortable and put the hat on his head.

It fell past his eyes. He adjusted it and felt it constrict as if tightening itself onto his head.

‘Hmm. Ah yes I see. Your blood does you justice hehe.’

His heart plummeted. ‘Get on with it hat. I’m in no mood for petty games.’

‘An adult in the guise of a child. The scars run deep.’

Severus stilled. It couldn’t be could it? Was the hat really that intelligent to actually...

‘Oh yes. I see everything in your head little Snape. Now where to put you...You would do so very well in Ravenclaw. Oh yes there is a spark of Gryffindor in you...’

‘Gryffindor? Me? Never. That would be blasphemy, the Snapes have always been...’

‘In Slytherin. Oh yes. Mainly because of your bloodline...Then so mote it be.’

“SLYTHERIN!” The hat screamed.

Slowly, Severus slid out of the stool, replaced the hat and joined his housemates who were giving him looks of curiosity and disdain. He knew what they thought of him and his father.

Well before his father’s time, when his grandfather was alive the Snape name held honor, the highest of all honor even surpassing that of the Malfoy name. Rumors had it that the Snape name was actually only an alias to cover up the real last name of the family. Some speculated that it was the bloodline of one of the founders of Hogwarts since it was clear that the Dumbledore name was passed from Hufflepuff, though not straight from Helga, it still was Hufflepuff.

There was no doubt in anybody’s mind that the Potters were direct descents of Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff, rumored that the line was actually from the founder’s son. However, Godric Gryffindor and Helga had an older daughter whose line shortly disappeared shortly afterwards.

As for Slytherin and Ravenclaw, all traces of them had disappeared except for Slytherin’s bastard son’s line which, lived to this very day in one man whom Severus didn’t wish to name.

After the founders’ families, then according to the books came Snape and then Malfoy, that was until Severus’s father decided to waste the family fortune on drinks and on drugs. His mother had frozen all bank accounts signing that when Xavier Snape died then the accounts would be unfrozen. Such news of course didn’t ride well with Xavier.

Xavier’s infamy with drink and poverty were well known among the higher circle and Severus was ashamed of his position. He vowed that he would show them that he wasn’t his father’s son, that he was Severus Snape and worthy of the name and title.

His brooding was disturbed by the Headmaster who stood up to give a speech about the Forbidden Forest, the list of forbidden items and of Quidditch. The announcements washed over Severus as he once again immersed himself in his thoughts.

To the higher circle he would always be a stranger because of his position and because of his father. Severus silently gritted his teeth and dug into his food when food suddenly appeared on his plate. As he finished his meal, he noticed that everybody else was acquainted with each other but for him.

‘Let it stay that way.’ Severus thought silently.

As one, the Slytherins rose. Severus rose with them and followed them out of the Great Hall. He could see that the prefect who was leading them was a blond haired boy. Lucius Malfoy, the star of the Pureblood families. Intelligent and beautiful, the epitome of aristocracy.

They stopped in front of a wall.

“This is the Slytherin dorms. We are close to the dungeons just in case any of you wish to talk to Professor Vespa. The password is serpens. The password changes every two weeks so keep in mind to not forget it or else you won’t be admitted to the dorm.”

The wall melted away to reveal a narrow passageway. Lucius Malfoy disappeared and soon the whole crowd of Slytherin students. Once Severus reached the Common Room his eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch. From floor to ceiling were decorations done in silver, emerald green and black. Above the large fireplace was an ancient frame with a missing portrait.

“First years you will get a card with your room number on it.”

One by one the new Slytherins were given a white card. Finally Severus was handed one with the number twelve scrawled on it.

“Boy’s dorms to the right and girls to the left. Whisper your name to the door to open it. But before you go, I have to tell you all something.”

All eyes turned to the blond. “This is Slytherin and we are not the most favored of houses in Hogwarts. Don’t forget that Slytherins stick together for survival. That will be all.”

Severus followed the boys to the boy’s side of the dormitories. He found instead seven branching halls. On a bronze plaque in front of a hall was ‘First year.’ Without further ado, he went down the hall until he reached door number twelve. Severus leaned towards the door and softly whispered his name. The door opened after a click from the locks.

He stepped into the room to find it quite large and ever so slightly musty as if nobody had been in the room for a long time. Severus decided to check out the bedroom. He made his way to a door and opened it. Instead of candles flickering on, there were mage lights in the niches that filled the room with rich light. Whoever stayed in this dorm last must have been intelligent to have created mage lights and left them in the niches for the next user.

A magnificent mahogany four poster bed stood on one side of the room with silver and green curtains drawn. Severus noticed that the four poster was carved with serpents. Turning away from the large bed, he spotted a desk made of stained walnut wood. Gliding on over he opened a few drawers, satisfied that they were in working order and not jammed.

Finishing with his inspection, he moved to the dresser that already held his clothing. When he opened the last drawer, he found a small black journal in it. Curious he picked it up and inspected it.

On the title page was one name. Tom Riddle.

Whoever this Tom Riddle was, it would seem that he was the last one to use the room. Severus took the journal with him to the bed. Sitting down, he opened the journal to the first page.

Dear student,

If you’re reading this letter then I would have already graduated from this school. Also this room has been charmed by yours truly only to admit those who are worthy to this room.

Unlike the other dorm rooms your has been specially custom designed. Oh and you have your own personal kitchen for your own needs. As you’ve noticed the ‘room’ you’re residing is quite large. The kitchen, study and practice are hidden behind the tapestry of the hunters.

As you noticed, your rooms don’t have torches for lighting, another feature that I thought might come in handy. Well, welcome to Hogwarts and enjoy your stay, I really didn’t but at least these rooms will give you comfort and peace of mind.

From,

Thomas Riddle

Severus smiled at the small journal entry that he had just read. The note had touched him with its friendliness and welcoming tone. Maybe Hogwarts wouldn’t be as unbearable as he thought.

He changed into pajamas and climbed into bed, ready to take on the world and its challenges.

(end of chapter and prologue)

Author’s Note: Yes! Finished with the prologue and chapter one! I’ve already established faintly that Severus Snape grew up in a harsh home environment, and don’t gripe to me about OOC since he’s a KID! For heaven’s sake. However you will see the effects that his childhood had on him. If anybody was wondering, this is a Severus/Lily fic. Don’t worry he’ll slowly grow into the bitter, dark, brooding Potions Master that we all know and love. Tell me if you like the fic or not. E.S Posthumus to the max!