Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.
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wo days passed since that night.
Even if the question about Snape's family nagged him, he didn't press the matter, trying to figure out the best approach to ask Severus about them.
Snape was in the class and he was just reading a book waiting to continue the game of chess from last night. Trying not to think about the argument, they had about Sirius. With Snape some topics were like stepping on a minefield, his explosive temper did aid to it. Sirius was still at large and he hoped that Snape would not manage to find him first. However, in all honesty, life did back to what it was before.
We argued, and I did not attack him, that is a progress.
He almost congratulates himself. Not wanting to think about the moment when Snape had to use the link for the first time, an unpleasant feeling of instantly freezing in motion. Remus still had a hard time understanding why Severus could not forgive Sirius if he could overcome his hostility towards him.
Snape turned out late, grumbly and moody.
"We can finish our game tonight" he offered
"Later, I have to look at the potions." snapped Snape at him
"May I ask you something?"
"What? If it is..."
"No." He cut Snape's sentence."Why are you making so much Wolfsbane?"
"I make as much as I need to..."
"You are making a batch for me, and at least three more batches of plain one. Why?"
"Mind your own business Lupin." Snarled Severus at him.
"Do you sell it?"
"That is not of your concern."
"Maybe I want to know if you are available if I need it later in life." He replied quickly.
"You could not afford my rates." Hissed Snape.
"Most of us can't." He replied, listening to fastening heartbeats. "Liar. I live here long enough to know, no money ever changed hands."
"And..." Snape finally turned to him and raised one brow.
"I'm just wondering, are you that rich, to give away Wolfsbane? Ingredients alone cost a fortune, not to mention the work."
"Why are you so convinced that I am the one who pays for ingredients, or that I am not compensated for my time and skill?"
"I am sure that you are not. So, are you that rich?"
"I am better off than you are." Taunted Snape.
"Albus told me not to cross your family." He decided to take a new approach.
"Albus talks too much." Growled Snape.
"I want to know about your family."
"That is a private matter. Stop prowling, Lupin." Hissed Snape
"That is something a friend would know."
"And when did we became friends, Lupin? When you hit me, or when you broke my ribs?"
"I...I..." He stuttered, Snape was right, even Dobby was angry at him "I am truly sorry, Severus."
"As you should be. At least you learned how to apologize for the right things. In half an hour I will be here, try not to move my figures again Lupin, I placed a hex on a chessboard." Coldly answered Snape leaving the room.
Severus stopped at the door for a second and then disappeared into a hallway. On the bookshelf one of few rare drawers clicked open, slightly popping out. He was looking at it for some time trying to decide if this was an accident or not.
Curiosity killed the cat, it may as well kill the wolf.
He decided and hastily approached the drawer. It was full of papers and documents. He Touched it carefully, as if it might snap at him and bit him, but nothing happened. With a curiosity, he opened it completely and plunged in its content.
On the top of the pile were documents from the trials after the war, he discarded them, most of it was public anyway.
Few children drawings and in one transparent plastic case few dried leaves and flowers, preserved with a strong spell, along with Hogwarts invitation letter. He carefully placed them aside, they looked important to his host.
The next documents were a bunch of Muggle police and medical reports, dating from before they even started school and going almost all through their school days. The majority of them was proof of domestic violence. Eileen's and Snape's names repeatedly mentioned in them.
Few Muggle photos of a woman with jet-black hair, her features reminded Lupin at Snape.
His mother.
One ripped photo, Snape was on it, no more than five years old, and the woman was standing next to him, holding his shoulder. More than few bruises in different stages of healing visible even on black and white photo. Someone was removed, ripped from the photo.
His father, he realized.
Next were the documents dated nearly to the end of their time at Hogwarts, 6th year, Muggle mortuary report on deaths of Eileen and Tobias Snape. Remus put off those documents as well.
On the bottom was a letter from a solicitor, informing Snape that he could take his place and name with his mother's family if he accepts conditions. Frantically he read the document.
Merlin! Prince! Snape's mother was a Prince!
Attached to it was polite but cold refusal letter from young Severus. He could use all the benefits of the old and respected pureblood family name. He had no love for his father that is obvious.
Why would he deny himself of protection from his mother's family as well?
In addition, one short note that both of his last names were written into family books in the secrecy even against his wishes, dated years later, near the end of the First War.
After he became a Death Eater, beneficial yet undetectable connection.
This was never mentioned in trials. He detached himself completely from his Muggle and wizarding heritage.
Remus returned all the papers in the order he found them. Closed the drawer, walked to the armchair and sat looking into the fire. He remembered wanting to ask Snape about the scars, now he was not so sure he wanted to know. Even if his childhood was far from perfect, bits and pieces he just saw...
And we made a living hell out of school for him too!
Lupin closed his eyes, reflecting on his actions from the moment he meets Snape, until now.
"Are you going to sleep or we are playing chess?" Remus nearly jumped at the sound of Snape's' voice. Once again, he felt like screaming looking at bruises on Snape's face. "Well? Look, Remus, I do not have all night. Some of us still teach."
"Yes, we are playing." Mumbled Remus, ignoring the insult, Snape sat in his armchair and looked at the chessboard, making his move. Remus cleared his throat "I figured out who did this to my hair"
"Which house deserves points from me?" Asked Snape sounding almost amused.
"Dobby." He grinned, Snape looked at him then started to laugh but suddenly laugh turned into a cough as he grimaced.
"I have to buy him a set of tea cosies. Since you are still with the same problem, I take it that he refused to remove the spell."
"That he did."
"Dobby is the kindest natured elf I ever met, what did you do to cross him?" Snape was amused.
"Apparently, I hit you." Smiled Lupin sheepishly, and Snape looked as he was fighting to suppress laughter.
"I have to make up to Dobby. I am guessing now Remus, you want me to talk to him and ask him to turn your hair back to normal?"
"If it's not too much trouble for you."
"I will think about it. Your move." Grinned Snape.
Lupin looked at him, Snape seemed to be in a good mood, as much as Snape could be in a good mood.
At least he is laughing again. He wondered if Snape ever figured out that, he is doing that? And if he does, what does that mean?
They played a nice game of chess in silence.