FIC: Desperate Revision (PG)
Title: Desperate Revision
Type: Fic
Age-Range Category: Two
Characters: Severus Snape, Lily Evans, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin
Author: goddess47
Rating: PG
Click to View [Warning(s)]Non-violent death of Eileen Snape.
Summary: Severus' future hinged on the upcoming N.E.W.T.s. He has to prepare and prepare well.
It was the Easter holiday and Severus was staying at Hogwarts this year, his Seventh year. His excuse was that he was preparing for N.E.W.T.s and needed to revise.
The truth was that while he technically had somewhere to go, there was no one waiting for him.
His Mam had died the previous summer, not long after Severus had returned from Hogwarts for the summer holiday. Severus was frustrated that she had died of a disease that could have been cured if she had gone to a Healer or St. Mungos. She had put off seeing a Healer and, by the time Severus came back to Spinners End, there was little that could be done.
He sometimes wondered if his Mam held on to life long enough to see Severus one last time. Also, he assumed that she lived so that Severus would take care of her burial, since neither Eileen nor Severus had heard from Tobias in over two years. He could be dead for all Severus knew.
Severus was abstractly glad that she had not died before he returned to Spinners End. He appreciated not having to find her cold body waiting for him.
Severus took his mother to St. Mungos, where the Healers shook their heads and offered pithy platitudes. She passed away four days later, in the middle of the night, as quietly has she had lived for the past few years.
Fortunately, St. Mungos had a well-oiled process to deal with deaths and a matronly woman had taken charge of everything for Severus. She had Eileen prepared for burial, and found a graveyard that would take an indigent case. Severus took the information given to him, appeared at the small ritual that was quickly performed, and said his sincere thanks to the three people involved.
There was a fraught moment when the woman asked about other family and where Severus, who was barely of age, would be living but he assured her that he had a place to live and that he was going to return to Hogwarts at the end of the summer. She seemed to accept that as adequate and let him go so she could go on to her other cases.
The next morning, Severus found himself alone in Spinners End. He had no information on either Eileen's or Tobias' families, so there was no one to notify.
Knowing there was no money, nor any valuables to sell, in the house, Severus rolled up his sleeves and started brewing. He initially bartered potions for ingredients, then was able to earn enough to keep himself going for the summer and to buy the books he would need for his Seventh year. It was tedious, exacting work but it left him little time to think about anything else.
By the end of the summer he had a small stash of potions for his own use, a few precious Galleons, and a sketchy promise of employment if he wanted.
Back at Hogwarts, Severus was finally able to breathe. Passing his N.E.W.T.s was his only goal. That and being accepted as an apprentice with a Potion Master, to be able to earn his own Mastery and side-step the sketchy employment offer. He kept his head down and worked hard.
Footsteps approached his table in the back of the Library where he worked alone.
Lily!
Severus held his breath. He did not realize Lily had stayed over the break, since she either went back to her parents or was invited to visit the Potters.
"Professor Slughorn has told me that you have the Library's only copy of Linfred of Stinchcombe's potions journal," Lily said briskly. "There is a portion of the journal that I would like to read, since it may assist the Charms project I am doing for Professor Flitwick. I only need it for a few hours and I will return it to you."
She stopped and stood there. She did not look at him, simply waited.
"The book is in my room right now," Severus said softly. "Do you need it immediately or may I give it to you at dinner tonight?"
"Dinner is fine," she nodded. She turned and walked away.
There was a smattering of students who stayed at Hogwarts for the Easter break. A good number of Seventh year students had stayed, most were also revising for the upcoming N.E.W.T.s. There were enough students that the regular House tables were used for meals in the Great Hall.
Severus retrieved the book and took it to dinner. Lily was already there, accompanied by Black and Lupin. Severus assumed Potter had gone home.
"The book you requested," Severus said, holding out the book.
As Black was about to swipe at the book, he winced. Someone, likely Lupin, had kicked him under the table.
Lily turned and took the book. She did open the cover to assure it was what she was looking for.
"Thank you," she said formally. "May I return it at dinner tomorrow evening?"
"That will be fine," Severus replied. He nodded at her and made his way to the Slytherin table.
The other Slytherin students largely ignored him. He ate his dinner in silence and went back to the Library to continue revising.
At dinner the next night, Severus saw Black whispering with Lily who fiercely whispered back to him. Black tried to take the book in her hands away from Lily but she hit Black with a sharp Stunning spell and walked away.
She set the book on the table. "The book was helpful," she said. "My thanks to you for sharing it."
"Lily…" Severus started. He moved to stand up.
"No. I… I cannot talk to you," Lily said without turning around.
"I am sorry," Severus said to her back.
Lily nodded and walked away. Wanting to follow but knowing better, Severus sat back down at the table. Black and Lupin stayed at the Gryffindor table as Lily left the Great Hall. Severus felt Black's eyes on him as he ate, but he ignored the Gryffindor.
On the last day of the Easter break, an unfamiliar owl approached Severus at breakfast. The owl held a small roll of parchment out to Severus. In exchange, Severus offered a rasher of bacon, which the owl took before flying off.
No response required, I assume, Severus thought to himself. Curious, Severus opened the missive.
Severus. A friend of mine has an opportunity that you may be interested in. If you are interested in more information, send a message after your exams and I will arrange introductions. -Lucius
What kind of opportunity might Lucius Malfoy be able to offer to him? Severus frowned. He knew Malfoy was a follower of Voldemort and that a number of former Slytherins were also followers. Some of whom were influential in the Ministry and the Wizengamot.
Knowing he could not allow himself to be distracted, Severus took the note to his room and placed it where he would find it later.
He still had revising to do.