Engulfed in a bright white light that blinding him of his surroundings, Severus prepared himself for what he was able to witness. Once the light receded, he found himself on a stone pathway of a large garden, with flowers and tall trees around him. The sun was high in the sky, with no clouds in sight.
From his right, he heard laughing and turned around to find three children, two girls and one boy, running right towards him.
"Hey, wait up guys!" the boy cried out, desperately trying to catch them. "You're way too fast for me."
One of the little girls looked back at him, smiling, "It's called 'catch me if you can' for a reason."
"Oh, I'm going to make you eat those words!" the boy's eyes had a look of determination.
Fearing the girls would run into him, he was met with surprise as they passed right through him like he was invisible air, with the boy doing the same thing a second later. It quickly dawned on him that no one could see or touch him in these memories. They were nothing more than mere recordings of his mother's life. Wanting to stick with them, he ran after them and soon found the boy complaining as the two girls climbed a tree to escape him.
"No fair, guys!" the boy sighed in frustration. "I thought I was supposed to outrun you, not climb trees to get you."
"But where's the fun in that?" one of the girls teased. "I love climbing trees."
"Not everyone is the same as you, Eileen."
Severus's eyes widened as he looked at the little girl. Compared to how he knew her in his time, she was very different. This Eileen was more adventurous and expressive.
'Already I'm learning something new about her', he thought to himself.
"I love climbing trees, too," said the other girl, who hanged from the edge of the long branch by her hands.
The boy looked at her and rolled his eyes, "Don't encourage her, Helena!"
"Oh, stop acting like a whiney cat, Maximillian!" the girl known as Helena shot back.
Now Severus's eyes widened even bigger as he remembered Clawlock telling him about Eileen's siblings, Helena and Maximillian. If he remembered correctly, Helena was the oldest and Maximillian was the middle born, which in turn made Eileen the youngest of them. He was curious about his aunt and uncle, wondering what happened to them after they left the Prince family.
"Alright, fine," Eileen dropped down from the tree and onto the grass, making her way over to the pavement, dusting the dirt from her skirt. "We'll play a new game. How about, hide and seek?"
"No, we've already played that yesterday," Helena let go of the branch and landed on her feet. "How about we go for a swim at the lake? It's within the perimeter of the wards."
"But what about father?" Eileen's eyes of excitement were replaced with worry, a look that Severus was all too familiar with. "He doesn't like us to leave the Manor."
"Don't worry, he won't find out," Maximillian reassured, putting his hand on her shoulder. "If he does, we'll protect you."
"And mum will too," Helena winked. "Come on, let's go change into our swimming suits and chill for a bit. I can use a break from the Manor."
As the three ran off, Severus stood where he was, completely left in awe that what he had just witnessed was actually his mother. It was so new for him to see 'the' Eileen Snape look so happy and beautiful, even at that age. She very rarely talked about her past life before marrying Tobias. In fact, before Clawlock told him, he never knew he had an aunt and uncle for that matter.
Just as he was about to follow the children, the whole sequence changed, and a new memory began.
/
"You can't do this to our children, Cornelius!" a woman exclaimed. "I won't allow it!"
Severus was now standing a very large office, with the ceiling a story high in the air. There were tons of books and furniture all around. In front of the large widows was a giant desk, with a man, hidden by his own shadow, sitting in his chair, hands crossed. A woman stood before him, her face as red as blood.
"I can, and I will!" the man spoke back, keeping his voice low and calm, but also keeping a firm authority behind it. "And you will know your place! Don't think I won't harm you in the presence of our children."
"No, Cornelius!" the woman stood her ground. "I've sat back and watched you poison our children's' minds with these ridiculous beliefs of pureblood for too long!"
The man known as Cornelius snorted and replied, "Don't act like a bystander! I know you've been working to undo all that I've taught our children about our society."
Pretending she didn't hear him, she continued, "I won't sit back and let you marry them off to strangers they barely even know. You have no right to decide who Eileen, Helena and Maximillian get to spend the rest of their lives with. I know about the arrangement you've made for Eileen to marry Abraxas Malfoy, despite the fact that the young man was already arranged to marry someone else."
"Abraxas Malfoy is the only heir to the Malfoy Dynasty, and his father is the only other person who can rival me. I need for this union to happen, so that the bloodline is kept pure and my legacy continues on. And most importantly, to put an end to our feud, once and for all."
"And what does Lord Septimus Malfoy II get from this marriage arrangement, exactly?" Rebekka demanded. "He wouldn't agree to something like this, not without reason. I know how much he sees your family name as a threat to his. There must be something else he's after that only you have. What is it, Cornelius? What is it that's more important than our own daughter?!"
"That... is none of your concern!" Cornelius hissed.
"None the less, I still won't stand for it."
"You married me by an arranged marriage. How is that any different?"
"I married you out of obedience to my family... and that's a decision I have always regretted. No child should be forced to do something so cruel."
"Stupid woman!" Cornelius rose from his seat, but his face exposed to the light of the sun from outside, moving towards the woman that Severus deduced was Rebekka Prince, his grandmother. "I've given everything to you. Wealth, power, a beautiful home, servants, children! Do you have any respect for the things that I've done?"
"No," Rebekka's expression remained firm and hard. "You don't deserve respect, Cornelius. Not from me! Not from your children! Not even from your own name!"
Cornelius brought his hand forward and struck Rebekka, nearly making her fall. Catching the side of the desk to stable herself, she made no noise or whimper in pain. When she turned to look back at her husband, her entire face was red from the strike. Severus knew from experience that it would be swollen soon.
"I'll wear this as a representation of your 'love' to everyone in this household."
"Silence!" Cornelius spat, pointing towards the large doors. "Get out of my sight! Or else I'll give you another 'representation' to show off!"
Rebekka turned to leave, walking towards the doors as Severus followed, glaring back at the man who was his grandfather. If he was alive during this time period, he would have hexed the man into oblivion for what he did. The moment Rebekka exited the door and closed it, she began to cry and fell against the wood of the door, sliding to the ground.
Suddenly, two figures in darkness of the large hallway moved towards Rebekka and a pair of arms wrapped around her.
Letting the tears run free, she pulled her daughters into an embrace, allowing themselves to unleash their emotions in each other's presence.
/
The sequence changed and Severus was in a bedroom, watching as a teenage boy, from the looks of eighteen years old, packed a trunk full of clothes and galleons. His face was red with anger, completely oblivious to everything around him. He didn't even notice as the door was pushed open and bounced off the wall, making a loud 'thud'.
"Max, please don't leave us!" pleaded a teenage Eileen, taking ahold of his arm.
Helena came through the opened doorway and put a hand on Eileen's shoulder, "Eileen, leave it! He's made up his mind. Father had no right to call her by that... disgusting word."
"I should have beaten him to a bloody-pulp!" Maximillian spat with venom, shoving more clothes into the trunk. "If that's what he thinks of Jessica, then I'm done trying to win his approval. I'm sorry, but I need to leave. I can't take this anymore."
"At least stay until mother gets home," Eileen continued to try and persuade her brother to change his mind. "You know she'll be heartbroken if you leave without saying goodbye."
Maximillian raised an eyebrow at her, "Did you seriously think I was leaving without seeing mother one last time? Of course I was going to wait to say goodbye, Eileen! I'm making my escape tonight and then pick up Jessica from her father's place. Once we're out of the country, me and Jessica are going to travel the world and live life on the road."
"Spoken like a true romantic," Helena teased.
"Please don't go, Max!" Eileen pleaded again, her eyes filled with tears. "You're my b- Our brother! I know father is hard to deal with-"
"'Hard' to deal with?!"
"-but there must be another way. Maybe you and Jessica can... marry in secret... wait for father to die and-"
"That won't work, Eileen," Max interrupted. "Say that I do marry Jessica in secret, then what? We'll only be able to see each other in private, be looking over our shoulders to make sure father never finds out. And what if he does find out? It wouldn't surprise me if father went to extraordinary lengths to make sure I wed the girl he wants for me. Did you did know that Abraxas was already proposed to another highborn girl before you?"
Eileen shook her head.
"Well, I'm not one for coincidences. Not after what happened. One way or another, father will see to it that he gets what he wants. The only way to win is to leave."
"Then what do you suppose we do?" Helena spoke. "Say that you run away with Jessica, get married, have a couple of children and live happily-ever-after. Great for you! But what about Eileen and me?"
Her words sank in as he looked away, only to look back up at her with an idea.
"Come with me!"
"What?" both Eileen and Helena exclaimed simultaneously.
"Come with me," he repeated. "Me and Jessica are planning to travel the world together, and I know she'll want some company. It can be just like we used to talk about. We can escape our father and live our lives the way we want to."
"But... but..." Eileen was at a loss of words, struggling to think up coherent thoughts. "...what about mum?"
"We'll come back and visit her. Or at least outside of this damn Manor."
"Father will keep her under lock and key," Helena countered. "You know he will."
"Doesn't matter. We'll find a way to see mother and live our lives the way we want to. But I can't stay here anymore and take this shit. I'm making a change and leaving all of this behind."
Severus could tell that Eileen and Helena were conflicted, really taking to heart what Maximilian was offering them. There was a part of him that wanted to shout at them to go and just leave.
After a few moments of silence, Eileen spoke, trembling, "I'm... I'm sorry... but I can't. I must perform my duty and marry Abraxas Malfoy as father has requested-"
"Oh, screw duty! Screw Abraxas! And screw father!" Max took both of Eileen's hands. "Eileen, you can't marry Abraxas just because father says so. I may not know him, or even if he'll make a good husband to you, but I do know that you can't marry someone you barely know. You'll end up like mother if you choose to marry him. You need to take control of your life and live the way that you want to. If you don't, you're only allowing others to tell you how to live, what to believe, and who gets to influence your life."
He turned towards Helena and looked her in the eyes, "Same goes for you too. Father will want to see you married by the time Eileen graduates from Hogwarts. He's been planning for these arranged marriages for a long time. And I'm not waiting around to be married off to someone I barely know, and forced to live a miserable life."
"But what about my education?" Eileen took the matter into consideration.
"There are tons of wizard schools overseas," Max reassured her. "Heck, I've been hearing some buzz about those Salem and Ilvermorny schools in America. They may not be Hogwarts, but they seem to be doing well."
"But what about money?" Helena countered. "How do you expect to travel around the world if you don't have the expenses to cover it? In fact, how do you expect to get that money in a short amount of time?"
Max smiled and went to the bed, moving the clothes to the side of the trunk to reveal tons of gold and galleons.
Eileen, Helena and Severus stared in awe.
"How did you manage to get all of that?" Helena asked, her tone becoming serious again.
"Oh, um, I... 'barrowed' it from the vaults, from the times I've visited the bank with father."
"You've been planning this the whole time?!" the two girls yelled at the same time.
Max laughed, "Uh, yeah! I knew there would come a time when I would leave, but I wanted to be prepared when the time came. I have enough to last me a lifetime, as long as I limit myself."
"Yeah, because you're so good at that," Helena teased, smirking.
Max stunk his tongue out at her, while Eileen laughed.
"Look guys," Max's expression turned serious as he closed the trunk, satisfied he had everything ready to go. "I really want you both to come with me and Jessica. I don't like the idea of leaving either of you here with father. I bet that if all three of us agreed to do this we could convince mother to leave as well. We can do the things we've always wanted to do since we were children. We can finally be free of this life. But one way or another, I'm leaving. Whether or not you want to come is up to you."
Both Eileen and Helena looked at each other, as they debated within their minds of the decision before them.
Finally, Eileen spoke first, "Max, I really want to go. But I also want to finish school first and... I can't leave mother. I just can't. You know she'll never leave Britain behind, it's all she's ever known."
While disappointed, Max nodded and then turned his attention to his older sister.
Helena sighed, "I can't leave if Eileen doesn't. Someone has to stay and keep her out of trouble."
"Hey!" Eileen sent her sister a death glare, making everyone laugh.
Once they calmed down, silence was all that was left as they allowed the moment to sink in.
"Look, I'll stay just long enough to say goodbye to mother. She deserves to know, but I'm not turning back on my decision, no matter how much she'll beg me to stay. Once I know for certain that father is asleep, I'm gone."
Both girls sadly nodded.
"Promise you'll try to find us when everything has calmed down?" Eileen embraced him, tears threatening to break from her eyes. "Oh, and please take pictures of the wedding. You know, whenever Jessica and you decide to 'tie-the-knot'. I'm sure mother would love to see them too."
Max chuckled as he breathed into her hair, "I promise."
Helena sniffled as she too came forward and embrace them both.
"You be careful, hear?"
"Whatever you say, Helena."
After preparing his trunk, Max left the room with his sisters and waited for their mother in one of the living rooms of the Prince Manor.
The moment Rebekka Prince entered, they all stood up at the same time.
Lady Rebekka raised an eyebrow at her children, "You know, after all of these years, one would think that the three of you would have gotten better at hiding your guilt around me. So, tell me, what have you done now to act so 'nervous' to my approach?"
Max closed his eyes and took a quick breath, "It isn't what I've done, mother. It's what I'm going to do."
Rebekka's expression lowered, worry and fear clear in her voice as she replied, "What on Earth do you mean, Maximillian?"
He took a moment, "I'm leaving."
Silence filled the room as the words sunk in.
"Don't be ridiculous, Max," Rebekka approached him, cupping his cheek with her hand. "You can't up and leave everything you've ever known."
"Mum... I can't stay here anymore. I... I told father about me and Jessica, and I asked for his blessing. But he refused, saying if I continued to see her, he..." He paused, struggling to hold in his anger. "... He threatened her, mum. He didn't even try to be subtle about it."
Rebekka gasped, covering her mouth.
"I'll speak to him at once about this!"
He shook his head, "It won't matter. Not to him."
"I'll get him to call off whatever marriage arrangement he's made and make him give you his blessing."
"But you can't 'make' him, mother. No one can. You know it wasn't by some miracle that he got Eileen engaged to Abraxas. He never leaves anything to chance. Even if you convince him to give his blessing, what makes you think he won't 'arrange' for something to happen to her?" He sighed. "Please let me go, mother. Please let me leave with Jessica. It's the only way for me to be with her."
Rebekka sighed as she struggled with the dilemma, tears forming in her eyes as she stared into her son's own.
Nodding, she replied, "You... have my blessing... to leave. And to marry this young woman you've fallen in love with. Go, and live your life, my son. But please promise me that you'll be better than your father. The world is already filled with too many like him."
Maximillian began to laugh with joy and relief as tears began to form in his eyes. He embraced his mother and whispered into her ear, "I promise, mother."
"I love you, Max. Always remember that."
"I will. And I love you too, mother."
Without warning, both Eileen and Helena joined in as well, enjoying the comfort of one another in a single family embrace.
/
"WHERE IS HE?!" Cornelius's voice echoed around his giant office as he grabbed Rebekka by the shoulders and shoved her against the bookshelf. "Tell me, dear wife, did you have to send my son away to make my life even more miserable?!"
"I don't know where he is!" Rebekka cried, tears running down her cheeks. "And even if I did, I would never tell you where he went!"
Fury was in Cornelius's eyes as he struck Rebekka. Her body to fall to the floor, breathing heavily.
"MOTHER!" came a girl's voice, as Eileen appeared from the doorway and rushed to her mother's side. However, before she could touch her, a hand came from behind and grabbed her hair, forcing her up. She whimpered in pain and met the eyes of her father, sending chills down her spine.
Anger rushed through Severus, wishing he could do anything to make it stop.
As Rebekka regained consciousness, her eyes widened with worry, forcing herself to get up off the floor.
"So, here's what's going to happen!" Cornelius yanked on Eileen's hair, making her cry out in pain. "If you don't tell me where Maximillian is, I'm going to find a suitable punishment for her!"
"FATHER, DON'T!" came another voice.
Turning back towards the doorway, Helena rushed towards her family.
"Stop right there!" her father ordered, pointing directly at her.
Despite how much she didn't want to, she obeyed, only out of worry for her sister.
Turning back to his wife, Cornelius dragged Eileen closer to her, wanting her to see the pain her daughter was in.
The sight itself sent shivers down Severus's spine. Throughout his entire life, he had admired the Prince Dynasty and the pureblood belief that they, and so many other families, believed in. But now, he was horrified by what he was seeing. It was nothing like he imagined. There was no sense of happiness, honor, or respect in any of it. It all was completely against everything he believed was supposed to be right.
"I'm going to count to three, and I better have an answer to my son's whereabouts before I'm done. ONE!"
"Cornelius, please!" Rebekka pleaded, tears flowing like a river from her eyes.
Eileen cried out as her father slightly tighten his grip on her hair. Sounds of lightning echoed through the house, warning of a coming storm from outside.
"TWO!"
Severus's face was red with anger as he stared at his grandfather with disgust.
Rebekka stepped forward, fear deep within her eyes, "Cornelius... please... not my baby girl..."
"Then tell me where Maximilian went!" Cornelius shouted, tightening his grip on Eileen's hair again, which caused her to scream in agony.
"I don't know where he is!"
"I DO!" Helena declared, covering her face as she sobbed.
Turning towards her, he released his hold on Eileen, who immediately ran to her mother and embraced her.
Cornelius walked up to Helena, "Go on."
Looking her father straight in the eye, she replied, "He ran away. Said something about Russia, possibly Moscow."
Nodding, Cornelius walked past her, missing the glare she sent behind his back.
"Dory! Tibby!" he called out.
A second later, two small figures simultaneously appeared out of nowhere, bowing to him.
"Yes, Master Prince, sir?" the two house-elves asked at the same time.
"Dory, I need you to go to Clawlock and announce to him that my son, Maximilian Constantine Prince, is hereby disowned, until I lift it!"
"Yes, Master Prince, sir!" Dora Apparated away.
"And as for you, Tibby!"
"Yes, Master?"
"I need you to go to the Auror Department in the Ministry of Magic and report to them I want my son found and brought to me. If the Aurors refuse to put out a search warrant, spread word to the bounty hunters that I am offering one million galleons for anyone to find him. Tell them to start searching Russia."
"Yes, Master, sir! Tibby will do what Master has requested, at once," Tibby stumbled a little before Apparating away to fulfil his duty.
Turning back to his wife and children, he marched forward and pointed towards his two daughters, "I don't know what made any of you think you could get away with helping Maximilian escape from me, but I promise you that you will receive punishment for it! As of now, I am officially moving up the scheduling of your arranged marriages to take place the day after Eileen graduates from Hogwarts this year! Also, you are hereby forbidden to leave the Manor, unless if I say so! It's time that you all learned your place in this family! Now, if you'll excuse me!"
Once Cornelius left the room, Eileen broke down, falling to her knees as she began to sob uncontrollably.
The arms of her mother and sister embraced her.
"I... I can't..." she could barely speak from the crying, feeling her chest rising and falling with anxiety. "I can't... do this any longer... I'm sorry... but I... can't..."
"Shh," her mother whispered, kissing the top of her head. "It'll be okay, sweetheart. It'll be okay."
Helena looked at her mother in shock, "Are you serious, right now? There is no way you can stop father from making us go through with these marriages. He's more determined than ever."
"Then I won't try to stop him!" Rebekka exclaimed, her eyes going from sadness to determination within a split of a second.
Helena frowned.
"Max was right. As long as you two are here, your father will always control you. I can't stop him, but I can help you both do the one thing that I should have done long ago."
"And that is?" Helena raised her eyebrows.
"Run away!" she declared. "Like I just allowed Max to do."
Both Helena and Eileen looked at her with big eyes, surprised.
"Really? You would actually have us do that?"
"It's the only way. When I was still a Travers, I learned about my father's 'side-dealings' into the smuggling business. He once worked with a smuggler by the name of Hank Shaw. He recently passed away, but his son, Ian Shaw, continues the business now. I don't know him very well, but he will provide any service for the right price. If I can reach out to him, I can surely grant you passage to anywhere in Europe. I'm sure he could set it all up in time for your graduation. And if I could get money from the vaults, I can ensure that you won't have to worry about staying on the run."
"Wait, mum!" Helena shock her head in disbelief. "This is insane! Smugglers?! You do realize that even if you can accomplish all of these things, we will be on the run from our father forever. And besides, what about you? Father will know that it was you who helped us."
"It'll be a small price to pay," Rebekka started to brush Eileen's hair with her fingers, smiling at her children. "I won't let you make the same mistakes as I did. Just promise me that when things cool down that you will 'live'. Explore the world, fall in love, have children of your own, watch them grow. Just promise me, my children. Promise me that you will live life to the fullest."
Helena and Eileen looked at each other, and nodded, earning a smile from their mother.
Rebekka and Helena helped Eileen back to her feet and out the door of the office, heading to her bed chambers.
"From here on out, act natural and let me handle everything. I'll set up a meeting with Shaw and gather money from the vaults over the course of the next few months. If we plan this carefully, we can outsmart your father and have you smuggled out of Britain in no time. But we will need to use the graduation as cover. Cornelius will be watching you and we need the next ten months to make him let his guard down."
Once they reached Eileen's room, both Rebekka and Helena helped her into bed and covered her with blankets, watching as she drifted off to sleep.
/
"Are you all set?" Rebekka asked her daughters, moving down the hallways of Hogwarts.
Severus followed them from behind, very interested in what was happening now.
Helena nodded, carrying a small bag with her, while her arm was intertwined with Eileen's, who was shaking from fear.
"Good," Rebekka nodded back. "Shaw will be waiting at the port in London. He has arranged for you both to be smuggled to Paris. Once you dock, don't stop or even rest. Get out of Paris as fast as you can and find an inn at a local village. The small bag in your hands, Helena, has a spell that allows for limitless amount of items to be put in it. I've already taken the liberty of getting galleons from the vaults and converting it all into muggle money. You will be financially secured and allowed to travel with ease. However, you must stick to muggle related things, not wizard.
"I also added a few family artifacts that I took from the vault as well. Only sell them if you run out of money, and make sure not to get ripped-off. Also, Shaw wants me to tell you to never stay in one spot for more than two days. Always remember to stay traveling." She paused, drawing deep breathes. "The ship leaves at three in the afternoon, so make sure you remember the address of which port and dock to go to."
"Yes, mother," Helena had a look of determination on her face.
"Oh, and Shaw had these forged for you," stopping, Rebekka handed them two passports and a series of paperwork. "I've check them myself to make sure that even the professionals can be fooled."
Both sisters read what their new names on their passports.
"Michelle Rose? Really?" Helena raised an eyebrow at her mother. "Sounds a little too Mugglish. Hell, it's not even original."
"Watch your language, young lady! And second, that's the whole idea."
"I like my name," Eileen smiled. "Karen Rose does have a nice ring to it."
Rebekka smiled back. "This is so much harder than I imagined it would be. I don't want to let you both go..." She closed her eyes for a second, feeling the sting of her tears. "If you happen to run into your brother, tell him that I love him and miss him. Maybe one day... we will all see each other again."
The sound of the bell being rung broke the moment, startling Rebekka as she blinked.
"Okay, everything's been set into motion. I trust that you've been practicing your Apparation, Helena?"
"Yes, mother," without warning, she rushed forward and embraced her, followed by Eileen a second later. "Why can't you come with us? This is the best opportunity for you to escape father."
Rebekka shook her head, "No, I can't go with you. If I don't go back to Cornelius, he'll immediately know something is wrong and all this planning would have been for nothing. Me being with him will buy you enough time to escape and gain a head-start. He'll most likely have me confined to the Manor after this. Even have my movements watched every second of the day and night from here on out."
"Then come find us afterwards," Eileen's eyes grew with a hint of hope.
"No, he'll be able to track me back to you. If am to leave him, I will need to plan for an opportunity in the future. But it will be one that will take years to achieve. For right now, the best course of action is for me to remain with Cornelius, to try and keep him off your trail."
Reluctantly, both of her daughters nodded.
"We'll miss you, mother," Eileen had tears falling down her cheeks.
"I'm going to miss you too. Oh Merlin, I love you two so much," Rebekka wiped the tears from her daughter's face, touching each side of their cheeks, smiling sadly. "Now get going! We may have caught Cornelius off guard for right now, but he'll be suspicious when Helena isn't with me when I return to him. I will make an excuse that you had to the use the lady's room. But the moment when the Headmaster calls for Eileen and she doesn't show, he'll definitely know something is wrong. So please be off the school grounds and on that ship before then. He will have everyone out looking for you both."
Both sisters nodded and said their goodbyes.
"Goodbye, my children. Please be safe."
She watched as her two daughters walked down the hallway and disappeared outside, heading towards the Forbidden Forest.
Severus followed right behind them.
Even though he wanted to see how things would turn out for his grandmother, he knew that the memories only extended to his mother's surroundings. So he followed both Eileen and Helena to the forest, right before they reached the end of the security wards guarding Hogwarts and watched as the two sisters Apparated away.
/
Severus was on a beach, recognizing the location as the coast of Spain.
There were people in bathing suits all around, laying on the sand, playing volleyball, swimming out on the ocean, sitting in chairs while enjoying their drinks and snacks.
"Hey, Michelle, can you pass me the sunblock, please?" came a voice from behind him.
Turning around, he found both Eileen and Helena laying on towels, getting their skin tanned from the sun above. He looked away once he realized that they were both in very exposing bathing suits.
'Come on, mum,' he sighed. 'Out of all the memories you had to show me, this one doesn't feel like a 'must-show-to-my-son' one. What next, my birth?'
He wondered why his mother added this one, especially when it seemed pointless. In the end, he decided to go along with it and see where it all was leading.
He listened as the two talked and looked at men who passed their way, giving each one a number of who ranked in terms of being 'hot', which he rolled his eyes at and mumbled 'idiots' under his breathe.
"Michelle, can we talk about something?" Eileen sat up, her eyes becoming serious.
"Yeah, sure," Helena rolled to her side.
"Do you think we're making a big mistake in living here?"
"No, why?"
"Well, I just get the feeling that someone might find us and expose our location to father. Mum did tell us to never spend more than two days in the same location. We've been here for an entire month now. I don't know, I just feel like we're getting sloppy. What if the reason we've stayed out of dad's reach was because we always kept the trail going?"
"Karen," Helena sat up, taking her hand. "We've been on the run for years now. I highly doubt that anyone with that much dedication would search for us for that long, and I bet that the marriage arrangements father made have been ruined. I read somewhere in the Wizard paper that Abraxas married another highborn girl a few months after we went missing. Not to mention he also has a son now. Lucius, I think is his name. I also found out that the man I was betrothed to has married as well. And I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted from all this running. I think we're safe now."
"But he can still make us marry others, if he finds us," Eileen pressed on.
"Keyword there, little sister... 'if' he finds us. Which, in case if you've forgotten, he's been unable to do. So, stop worrying and have some fun," Helena grinned and laid back down on her stomach. "Besides, I've gotten used to guys checking me out."
Severus rolled his eyes.
Suddenly, a volleyball fell on Helena's back, who immediately was on her feet and on alert. Eileen, startled, stood up as well, searching for where the ball came from. Both of them moved towards their bags, where their wands were hidden.
A second later, a man came running over.
"Hey, sorry about that," he apologized, picking up the ball. "Lost control of where I wanted it to go. You two okay?"
Helena's eyes were glued to his firm, muscular chest, which was covered with sweat. She raised an eyebrow and silently sent a 'meow' towards Eileen, who rolled her eyes, despite that she herself couldn't help but enjoy the view as well.
"Um, yeah, we're okay, no harm done," Helena walked over to him and extended her hand. "Michelle, Michelle Rose. Pleasure to make your... 'acquaintance'."
"Psss," Eileen whispered with worry in her voice. "What are you doing?"
The man smiled and shook her hand, "William, William Connor."
Like a lightning bolt, Severus felt like time itself stopped once he heard the name. His eyes widened at the realization. How couldn't he have seen it before? The entire time he had certain puzzle pieces all along and never tried to piece them together. He couldn't help but hit himself on the forehead for not figuring it out earlier.
"Why don't you two come join us," the man known as William offered. "Me and the guys were going to grab some drinks at the bar."
Helena raised an eyebrow at Eileen and replied, "We'd love to."
Leaving her no choice, Eileen followed from behind as the two began to talk.
As Severus watched them, he noticed William's friends, including one who resembled him.
The next few hours were spent at the bar, where Helena and William hit it off at the counter, sipping their drinks while telling stories and jokes.
Meanwhile, Eileen felt all alone as she sat right next to her sister. When she realized she was just a third wheel, she got up to leave and head back to their apartment. However, while on her way out, she accidently ran into a man, almost falling down, only to be caught by him before she could hit the ground.
"Whoa! Watch it!" the man teased, setting her back on her feet.
Blushing, she backed away from him, "So sorry, I didn't mean to... I'll just go now..."
"Wait, how about I buy you a drink first?" the man offered, smiling. "I should have been watching where I was going. It's the least I can do."
Severus's eyes widened as he recognized the man's voice.
"Um, sure," Eileen blushed again. "I'm..." she paused before answering. "... Eileen, Eileen Rose."
"Well, Eileen," the man winked. "I'm Tobias, Tobias Snape."
Severus growled in anger, his hands forming fists as he stared at the younger version of his father. He understood why his mother wished for him to see this, but he couldn't find it within him to watch this sequence, knowing how it would all end. He waited the memory out, before it finally came to an end.
As the sun was going down, both Eileen and Helena made their way home, smiling as they talked about the men they had just met and the plans that they had made to see them again.
/
Much to his dismay, he witnessed the dates that Eileen and Tobias, which thankfully were limited, as it turned out that Tobias was only there for a short vacation, since his home was back in Chokeworth, Britain. Before departing, they gave each other their mailing addresses and corresponded through letters over the months.
As for Helena, or Michelle as she called herself, her relationship with William grew to the point of becoming very serious within the following months since the day they had met.
Eileen spoke her concerns about getting attached, fearing what would happen if their father found them. But Helena countered that maybe it was time that they started getting attached and start living, like they promised their mother.
As for her and Tobias, their relationship grew stronger with each letter that they sent each other, beginning to fall in love. Something that Severus couldn't help but shake his head at.
When a full year passed, William proposed to Helena and the two married within the following week, a small ceremony made up of Eileen and a few of William's friends, including the guy who strangely resembled him.
Unfortunately, that meant the end of the two sisters being together. Helena moved into a beach house on the coast with William, enjoying her new life as a married woman.
This left Eileen alone in their old apartment in the small city. It quickly became too much and she made a decision that even Severus called her stupid for...
She decided to return to Britain and live with Tobias.
/
He witnessed everything.
From the dates to the conversations, to the happiness. He saw it all, and it was annoying for him. There was a part of him that was happy that his mother was living the life that she should have been living. He was even surprised by how nice and gentleman-like Tobias was. He was respectful and a little charming at times. He even gave her the guest room to sleep in, never forcing anything on her. A while later, the two started to share the same bed when their relationship became more serious.
When the time came, Severus witnessed Tobias ask for his mother's hand in marriage, which made him wish he could somehow warn her to say no. But much to his disappointment, Eileen accepted, finding a reason to secure herself from her father, if the day ever came when he found out she was back in Britain.
He saw the small ceremony of their wedding, which was only attended by Helena and William. In order to keep their secret, she was forced to lie and say that they were old friends.
/
In the living room of the beach house in Spain, Severus watched as Eileen and Helena sat on the couch, deep in a conversation.
"We need to be smarter about your visits here," Helena said. "From now on, we need to start using untraceable portkeys to travel. I'm sure William will agree."
"Right, sounds like a plan."
Sitting down, Helena took her sister's hand into hers.
"I think it's long past time we tried searching for our brother again"
Eileen was surprised by this, "But we've already tried. He's made it impossible to track down his location."
"But we didn't have William last time," she countered. "Last time we were on the run, with no real connections for this sort of thing. I'll talk to Will and see what he can find. With his help, he can find our brother and reunite the trio once more."
"How can he help us track down Max? You never really explained to me what exactly it is that he does. In fact, I don't know much about him."
Helena's face went pale, "It's... complicated. Something you and I are more than accustomed to."
"But why all the secrecy?"
"Because..." Helena sighed. "... Look, it's best this way. It's not even my secret to tell. I promise you that when William is ready, we will tell you everything."
Though wanting to protest, Eileen lowered her head and nodded, "Alright."
/
As the memories progressed, Severus found himself still in the living room, this time with both William and Eileen, including the mysterious man who looked similar to William. Severus studied him over, trying to understand who he was and how he was involved in any of this.
A series of screams could be heard from upstairs, echoing off the walls.
Seeing a newspaper on the table, he read the date as January 9th of 1960. At reading the date, he frowned and turned towards his mother, trying to understand what was happening. He studied ever inch of her, including her stomach, as he tried to find any hint of a past pregnancy.
William was sitting at the edge of the couch, tapping his foot as he struggled to control himself. The sight made Eileen, the mysterious man and Severus amused at how nervous he was.
The female screams continued until they suddenly stopped, being replaced with a different sound... the cries of a newborn baby.
William jumped to his feet and began pacing around, making Eileen smile at him, while the man began to howl with laughter.
"Congratulations," she said.
"Oh god! Oh god! Oh god! What the hell am I going to do?! How the hell am I going to get through this?!" he was on the verge of completely panicking.
"Whoa, whoa! Slow down, William," Eileen laughed. "Everything's going to be fine. You will make a great father, even Helena knows it."
"But I do not have the slightest clue as to how to be a father," William sat back down, his hands covering both sides of his head. "I don't want to fail my child, especially her."
"And you won't," Eileen reassured him by putting her hand on his shoulder, squeezing a little bit. "You've been the best thing to happen to my sister in such a long time. Even to this day she won't shut up about how great of a boyfriend and husband you are. You'll be great."
The main next to them grabbed the bottle of liquor from the table, "And I'll be there to kick your ass if you don't."
Eileen shot him a glare, "Do you have to drink during this special moment?"
The man smiled, "I can handle it."
Eileen opened her mouth to argue but paused upon hearing footsteps from the stairs. They all turned to see a midwife, dressed in a white uniform, descending down the stairs, smiling.
"You can come up now," she announced. "They're ready."
Hesitant at first, William, Eileen and the man made their way up the stairs and into one of the guest rooms. As Severus followed, he immediately began to remember the house from his dreams. The thought made his stomach drop with dread.
Once entering the bedroom, they saw Helena in a bed, holding a bundle in her arms, smiling and whispering at the small baby. When she saw William, she gave him a teary but beautiful smile, and motioned for him to come over.
"William, come meet our son. He's so beautiful."
Tears started to run down William's face as he approached the bed and got a glimpse of the baby in his wife's arms, meeting the eyes of his son for the first time. Getting closer, he gently touched the side of his cheek, making him stir.
"Hey, little guy," he silently sobbed, wiping away the tears.
The couple continued to look at their newborn, crying tears of joy at the creation that they both made together.
He then turned to his wife, "I don't suppose you'll name him Michael."
Helena raised an eyebrow and grinned, "Not a chance. Maybe the second child we have can be named Michael. But for now, it's my choice."
"Oh, man!" the man moaned next to Eileen moaned, earning a smile from William and Helena, who stuck her tongue out at him. Eileen elbowed him in the ribs, making making him drop the bottle of liquor.
"So, what is your choice?" William asked.
Helena's smile grew as she looked at her newborn son, "Eric. Eric Connor."
William nodded in agreement, "Then Eric it is."
Eileen and the man smiled, tearfully, at the scene before them, watching as the couple kissed and continued to look at their newborn child.
Soon enough, both Eileen and the man got their chance to hold the newborn.
Suddenly, Helena began to whimper and moan, making the midwife rush forward and analyze her stomach.
"What's wrong?" William demanded.
The midwife's eyes widened, "Oh dear! This was unexpected! Mister Connor, I may need your help in supporting your wife for this." Turning to Eileen and the man, she pointed towards the door, "Would both of you be so kind to take the child to the next room, please? I'll be along very shortly."
Nodding, Eileen quickly exited the room, followed by the man as they heard Helena cry out in agonizing pain.
Severus tried to get a closer look, but was forced to leave as the memory drew to a close.
/
Severus was now in the dining room of the house, left completely shocked at what he had witnessed before. As the next memory played out, a revelation dawned on him and began to sink in, making him become more shocked than before. He began to question everything about his dreams, but had little time to dwell on it.
"So, did you find him?"
Eileen, Helena and William sat at the dinner table of the dining room, deep in conversation. It became clear that years had passed due to their physical appearance. Unknown to them, except for Severus, two small figures lingered in the darkness of the living room, watching from afar.
William nodded, "It took a hell of a long time, but I believe that I did. Your brother appears to have done very well in keeping his whereabouts unknown. But I was able to track his journeys through Europe, Northern Africa, parts of Asia, and Australia."
"But where is he now?" Helena pressed, hating the anticapation.
"He's currently in America right now. More specifically, Salem. He's also apparently settled down with a wife and a little girl, teaching as a Potions Master at Salem Academy. And he's done well in the financial world too."
Helena and Eileen's face lit up, smiling with delight.
"He's married Jessica!" they both squealed at the same time.
"Oh, I hope he took pictures," said Eileen, making Helena and Severus smile.
William shifted in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee, "I can arrange to contact him through my source. With your father out looking for you, we don't want to attract unwanted att-"
A noise interrupted him, making the three grown-ups turn towards its source as the memory came to an end.
/
William came busting through the door of the house, panting as he fell to his knees. Blood fell from his side, making a small puddle to the side of him. In his arms he held a box.
"Will, what's wrong?" both Helena and Eileen rushed to his side, worried.
Looking into his wife's eyes, William shook his head in shame.
"I'm so sorry, Helena. I didn't mean for this to happen."
The two sisters looked at each other with worry in their eyes before turning their attention back to William.
Getting onto her knees, Helena took her husband by both sides of his face and leveled him up to her eyes, "What happened, Will?"
"We've been betrayed. Derek and I were separated... cut off..."
"Wait, was it our father?" asked Eileen.
William shook his head, "No."
"Wait... you mean... 'they' are after you?" Helena asked, her eyes widening with shock. "But I thought-"
"I'll tell you everything, I promise. But for right now, we need to get you all to America-"
Although wanting to press the issue, Helena nodded and helped him up from the floor.
/
"Why can't you tell me what is going on?!" Eileen demanded from her sister. "I'm in this too, in case you've forgotten!"
"It's better if you don't know. Half of it you wouldn't even believe," Helena tried reasoning with her as she packed her clothes into a suitcase. "I don't even know the full details myself, and I'm sorry that we're forcing this on you, but you need to come with us for your own protection."
Eileen sighed, "Tobias won't listen to me. I may have to tell him about us, but I fear how he'll react if I do."
Helena rolled her eyes, "If Tobias can't handle that you're a witch, then he can find himself a new wife. And if it comes to that, you can find a proper man who can accept you for who you are."
Eileen sighed, "I'll try to convince him tonight, but I don't like the idea of leaving him. He's been so good to me-"
"Back then, yes. But I've been noticing his addiction towards alcohol getting worse. At least Derek has managed to stop before it got worse. The way how he talks to you is nothing like the man you once knew."
"But... he was my first love-"
"And he doesn't have to be the last." Helena stopped at the edge of the bed and sighed. "Eileen, I need you promise me something."
"Anything."
Turning to her sister, Helena walked forward and took her hands, looking deep into her eyes.
"I need you to promise me that you'll protect them. Whatever happens to us, I need to hear you promise that you'll keep them save."
"Nothing bad is going to happen-"
"You don't know that!"
"Calm down, Michelle! We're going to be fine."
"No, you don't understand! I need to hear you say the words! I need you to promise me!"
"Okay, yes, I promise!"
As the scene played out, he looked towards the door, knowing exactly who was listening on the other side now.
/
Eileen and Tobias were arguing in the kitchen of their house, something he was accustomed to seeing.
"Eileen, I'm not just giving up my life because your sister is in trouble. Let them go into hiding on their own. In fact, why aren't they going to the authorities?"
"Because the authorities can't help. Not for... people like 'us'."
Tobias's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean... 'people like us'? Are you and your sister in some kind of trouble?"
Eileen shook her head as she fought with herself, "Tobias... do you know about those... fairy tales? Witches? Wizards? Goblins? Dragons?"
"Yeah... back when I was a child with stupid dreams. But what do they have to do with you and your sister?"
"Because they're real! Me and my sister are witches, and I have a brother who is a wizard. There is a secret world within yours. We call your kind muggles, non-magical folk. The reason we can't go to the authorities, especially to ours, is because there are these... 'people' who are coming for us. And there's a possibility we can be in danger too."
"Eileen, just... just stop... you're delusional. Witches? Wizards? None of that is real-"
Eileen reached into her pocket and pulled out her wand, whispering a Levitating spell towards the plate on the table and began to move it into the air.
Tobias's eyes widened as he watched her, his face turning pale.
Moving the plate towards the sink, she carefully sent it into the water and allowed for it to sink to the bottom.
Turning her attention back to her husband, she waited for a reaction. Each second feeling like an eternity.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It was for the protection of not just you or me, but for my sister as well."
Tobias began to back away, hitting the refrigerator.
"I... need to leave... Wherever you plan to go..." He grabbed a beer from the frig and drank the whole thing within seconds. "... Just go without me..."
He quickly walked right passed Eileen, heading out the door as it slammed shut behind him.
Tears fell from Eileen's eyes as she backed up against the wall and slid to the floor.
/
Later that night, Eileen made her way to a secret hideout of wizard criminals in London, paying them for an order of untraceable Portkeys.
Unknown to her, a cloaked man watched her from afar.
Using one of the Portkeys, she traveled to her sister's home in Spain.
"Eileen, thank goodness you're here," Helena embraced her as she entered the front door. "I just talked with William. He's already gotten everything ready for us. By tomorrow night, we'll be long gone. Did you convince Tobias to come?"
Eileen shook her head as she teared up.
Helena nodded, sadly, "His loss. How about you sleep here tonight."
Eileen smiled as she stared at the floor, "I think that's a good idea. Let me get my things and meet you back here."
"Hey," Helena lifted her chin up. "It's going to be alright. New place to live, new husband to look for, new life. We'll get to see our brother again. The trio reunites once more!"
Taking a breath, Eileen nodded, "And as I bonus, I get a brand-new sister and niece. All that would be missing is our mother."
"We'll find a way to include her too. But for now, let's just take what we can gain for right now."
Eileen nodded as exited the house and used another Portkey to travel back to her home. Once there she got everything prepared and was about to leave until she met her husband at the door. The two shared a silent look before going their separate ways.
/
Severus was then outside, in the darkness of the grassy fields, the only light being the burning house on the hillside in the distance. He heard a popping sound and turned to find Eileen, who dropped her suitcase at the sight before her.
Putting on her cloak, she ran for the house, her eyes full of worry and terror.
Severus had to run in order to keep up with her, admiring her bravery as she made her way into the burning house and into the living room. She stopped at the sight of the dead bodies, anxiety taking over.
Hearing the sound of children crying, she managed to regain herself and ran towards the source.
"WHERE IS IT?!" a deep voice cried out.
Upon arriving around the corner, she saw a group of dark hooded figures and watched as the form of her sister disappeared into a cloud of dust, with her killer remaining where she once was. In front of them all, William's eyes widened with rage and lounged himself towards them, slicing through each of them at a time.
Tears threatened to break through her eyes as she grabbed the two small figures below her, rushing to get out of the house as the flaming building came crashing down.
/
Severus watched as Eileen used her wand to erase Eric's memory, tears flowing down her cheeks as she did.
/
In another sequence, he saw Eileen deep in conversation with a man in the hallway of her house on Spinner's End, whose face was hidden in the shadows of the night. Upon seeing the man's face, Severus recognized him as Maxamillian.
This revelation shocked him, now knowing that Eileen had been in contact with her brother not long after the death of Helena, which possibly included William as well.
But this memory was incomplete as it didn't show much of their conversation, which made Severus wonder if Eileen accidentally included small parts of it.
/
He was in the kitchen, watching as Eileen led a young version of him from the living room to one of the chairs of the kitchen table.
"Severus," Eileen looked him in the eye, tightening her grip on her wand. "Do you remember these names? Michelle? William? Derek? Michael?" She paused before asking the last. "Eric?"
Little Severus shook his head and replied, "No. Should I?"
Eileen sighed and put her wand in one of her pockets, "No, sweetheart, I was just wondering. How about some pancakes for dinner?"
"Yes, please," little Severus smiled, excited.
/
The two of them were then walking down the side-walk together, getting weird looks from neighbors as they carried groceries.
"Hello, Eileen," an elderly woman greeted her from her porch. Looking towards the little boy, she frowned. "Who is this?"
Eileen's face went pale as she looked at Severus, holding back the tears as she forced the words out of her mouth, "This... is my son... Severus Snape."
The elderly woman narrowed her eyes as she studied the boy over, "I didn't know you and her husband had a child."
"Oh, well... he's been in a... special hospital... for treatment. The doctors recently released him."
"Funny how you and your husband never mentioned him before."
Eileen hesitated, her heart racing as she tried to think up a reply, "We never talked about him because of how hard it's been." Turning to Severus, she smiled and took his hand. "Well, we better get going. See you later, Mrs. Doris."
/
Eileen waited at the desk of the St. Mungo's Hospital building, tapping her fingernails as she waited.
A woman appeared, handing over a series of papers.
"Thank you so much for this, Cora."
The woman nodded and smiled, "Anything for old friends. But I must ask, why so secretive about this? You could have registered him just as easily through the Ministry."
Eileen sighed, "I'm sorry, Cora. I won't lie when I say that this is highly illegal, but I can't explain the purpose. Just know that it's just to protect him."
Cora's expression became serious, "Then it's good enough for me. Take care, Eileen. And please come back to visit."
"I'll be around. Thank you once again."
She turned to leave, reading the certificate of one, Severus Tobias Snape, before putting it inside her small bag.
/
"Everything is in order, Mrs. Snape. Your son has been registered and his family connection to the Prince Dynasty have been noted. But I must remind you that your disowning also affects him too."
Eileen nodded towards goblin behind the desk, "I understand the rules of one's disowning, but I would like for... my son to at least have a chance to be instated as a member of the Prince line, if it were to become possible."
"There's a possibility for him to become an official Prince, but only if the Lord of the Prince Dynasty allows for it. Unless if something were to happen that would make it possible and fall under the rules, he is only a Snape for now."
"Have you tried contacting my f-" she paused. "-the Lord Prince's financial goblin? To see if I can meet with him?"
The goblin shook his head, "I tried, but he only replied that the Lord Prince had forbidden him from talking to you or any of your siblings."
"I understand," she stood up and bowed. "Thank you for your time."
"My pleasure, Mrs. Snape."
/
"I will not have that child living here in this household, Eileen! He isn't even ours!"
"He's my nephew, and I will keep my promise to my sister! I won't send him away!"
Tobias took a drink from his beer and replied, "Then I will! I won't have some... freak of nature eating the food I bring to the table and live under this roof. One of you is more than enough. I'm taking him to an orphanage in the morning. With or without you."
Grabbing another beer, he returned to the couch in the living room, turning on the tv.
Sighing, Eileen reached into her pocket and pulled out her wand, moving silently behind her husband as he watched a basketball game on the television.
/
As everything played out before him, he began to regain his state of mind and immediately started to process everything once again, reconnecting all the dots. The dreams, William, Michelle, Eileen, William, Michael, Eric, the Prince family, the burning house, him... They all came together, with every piece of the puzzle fitting together to create a picture.
But there was still two final pieces of the puzzle that remained a mystery... 'What was it that Michelle and William had that got them killed?' 'And who were the dark hooded figures who murdered them?'
Just when Severus thought it was all over, he found himself witnessing one last memory.
He was standing in Eileen's former bathroom of the cursed house he hated so much, watching Eileen as she stood before the mirror. Confused as to why this memory was added in, his question was answered the moment Eileen started talking.
"Severus," she choked, tears building behind her eyes.
His heart stopped the moment he heard his name, caught off guard.
"If you're witnessing this, then that means you've seen everything that I've needed to show you." The tears were in freefall now. "I'm so sorry, Severus. For everything. I should have told you the truth. I should have put a stop to Tobias's abusiveness towards you and me... but I was weak. I realize now that I've allowed my emotions to blind me from seeing the truth, that Tobias doesn't love me anymore. I've become what my brother warned me about so long ago..."
Severus held firm, not wanting to let his emotions loose at the moment, especially after everything he had just saw.
"You are everything I've always wanted to be, Severus. Strong, brave, intelligent - the main qualities of the Prince family gift. But as you saw from the memories, our family has abused those gifts in attempts to seek power and wealth. I didn't show you the memories of my father for sympathy, but to show you the flaws of the pureblood society and the so-called Death Eaters who wish to bring it all to life. I've known about your admiration of the Dark Arts for some time now."
Severus felt regret in his heart, wishing he could show the woman who raised him that he had renounced from it, including the pureblood society.
Eileen smiled, almost as if she knew he was there, and the sight nearly broke him, having never seen her smile in so many years.
"But I know you will make the right decision now. Please be better than we were, Severus. Break the chain that has restrained my family and I for so many years. The same restraints that kept us from ever finding happiness. If anyone can do it, it's you. I know it! I have faith in you!"
Eileen stopped, taking a moment before she continued.
"And I think it's time I found happiness as well. When you get back, we'll talk about Tobias and what should be done with him. I'll follow your lead and be there to support you, as I should have since the day you came into my life. I understand if you're mad at me for erasing your memories of... who you once were. Who you are supposed to be. I know it was wrong of me. Just please understand that I did it for your own protection.
"My sister and William discovered something that endangered their own lives, and now they're dead because of it. I may not know what it was or who wanted it so badly, but I knew that I had to ensure that you were protected from it and to keep the promise I made to my sister. I never left Chokeworth because of that exact reason. I know betrayed you by doing that, and I... I hope that you can forgive me one day."
She paused, closing her eyes as the tears made her face wet. "Just know that I love you, Severus. Even though you are not my son, I consider you so. Please know that."
A few seconds of silence passed as Severus finally let loose and allowed the tears to fall, knowing that this was his mother's final message to him. After this, there would be nothing more of her, except for these memories of her life. There was a part of him that was angry at her for keeping such a secret from him, but another part of him couldn't remain angry at her for long. He understood and accepted her reasons, knowing that everything she did was to protect him. How much he wanted to thank her and hug her, only to come to the realization that he would never get that chance again.
Walking in front of Eileen, he tried to touch her cheek, only for his fingers to go through her face like smoke. Tears continued to rain from his eyes as he closed them and tried to kiss the top of Eileen's head, not caring if it wasn't real. When he opened his eyes again, he tried to smile at her, despite how much it hurt to do so.
"I love you too... 'mum'... and..." He was barely managing to remain in control of himself. "... I forgive you."
Everything started to disappear in a cloud of smoke and the same bright light from before came forward and engulfed him, catching one final glimpse of Eileen before he was released from the Pensieve.
/
Raising his head from the Pensieve, Severus felt his legs give and fell back against the floor, breathing heavily from everything that he had just witnessed from Eileen's memories. For a couple of hours, he cried and wrapped himself into a ball, not caring how childish it was. He allowed for the darkness to overtake him, welcoming the cold and loneliness that he had come to see as old friends.
As he laid there, letting his mind process everything. He began to think about the terrible life that Eileen, the woman who raised him, was forced to live. The terrible father she was forced to acknowledge as family and run away from. He saw so many similarities between him and her, realizing that they were two sides of the same coin. Within seconds, his sadness and heartbreak changed to anger and determination. All the pain that he, Eileen, Helena, Maximillian and even William endured was because of the very same thing that he spent half of his life admiring and studying about.
The pureblood society!
All of it traced back to it. The Death Eaters, Voldemort, the royal families. He saw nothing but flaws in what some believed to be perfect. It was all a lie, and he fell for it. But even worse, it ruined the lives of those in his family.
Getting back up from the ground, he looked at the Pensieve and made a vow to himself that he would find the truth to what led to that night of the fire. That he would discover the secret to what Helena and William discovered, including who killed them to get it. But most importantly, he vowed to avenge them. Including Eileen. He was no longer the poor, sad Severus Snape anymore.
He was now Severus Alexander Prince, Lord of the Prince Dynasty.