In the aftermath of the fall of Voldemort, the wizarding world slowly began to rebuild. The scars of war were still fresh, but the promise of a future free from the Dark Lord's tyranny gave hope to those who survived. Among them was Severus Snape, a man whose name had been tarnished by association and his past sins, but who now stood on the cusp of something far greater than he had ever imagined.
Severus had always been a man of mystery, complexity, and untold potential. When Voldemort had died, so too had the man who had once been known as Severus Snape. In his place was something new, something stronger. He had shed the skin of the man who had sacrificed his soul for love and loyalty. And now, Severus was rebuilding—not just his reputation, but his life.
After the war, Severus made a choice that few had expected: he changed his name. Severus Prince—his true surname, the one that connected him to the esteemed family that had long been entrenched in the old ways of the wizarding world. It was a symbolic act of both personal and professional rebirth. The name 'Prince' was recognized and respected in magical circles, and Severus intended to use that legacy to carve out a future beyond the confines of Hogwarts and the Ministry.
His transformation was not just about a name; it was about a life, a family, and a vision. He met Lorelei Prince at an international wizarding conference in Paris. She was a stunning woman, tall and poised, with long black hair that shimmered under the ballroom lights. Her beauty was matched by her intelligence—she was an expert in magical innovations and had been instrumental in creating cutting-edge magical devices that bridged the gap between the wizarding world and the Muggle world. Lorelei's expertise and Severus's ambition made them an unstoppable pair.
Over time, they fell in love. And soon, Severus and Lorelei were married in a quiet ceremony in a hidden garden, surrounded by close family and friends. Their marriage, though private, was a statement—Severus was no longer the tortured professor of Hogwarts. He was a Prince by name and in spirit, and Lorelei was his equal, not just in beauty, but in every sense of the word.
Together, they founded Prince Enterprises, a company that straddled both the wizarding and Muggle worlds. The company's focus was on magical technology, with an emphasis on creating devices that could ease the lives of both wizards and Muggles. From enchanted gadgets that improved Muggle healthcare to magical transportation systems that reduced congestion in major cities, Severus and Lorelei quickly became innovators. Under their leadership, Prince Enterprises grew into a multibillion-dollar conglomerate, with offices in major cities around the globe.
Damian Prince, their son, was a prodigy from an early age. He inherited his father's sharp intellect and his mother's fierce drive. Damian was the kind of child who could solve complex magical equations before he was old enough to attend Hogwarts, and by the time he was 11, he had already designed a small but functional prototype of a spell-powered flying car. His brilliance was unmatched, and Severus couldn't have been prouder.
The Prince family's success, however, did not go unnoticed. News of Severus's rise to prominence spread quickly, and it eventually reached the ears of those who had once considered him a mere shadow of the past. Among them was the Potter family, who had survived the attack on Godric's Hollow and the death of Voldemort. James and Lily Potter, along with their son Harry, had been living in relative peace since the war's end. But when they received an invitation to a gala hosted by Prince Enterprises to mark its latest technological breakthrough, they were taken aback.
Lily was particularly shocked. She had always seen Severus as a man who was consumed by bitterness, his love for her a tragic, unrequited thing. She had never expected him to rise to such heights, and seeing him as a successful businessman, a husband, and a father was more than she could handle. But what struck her the most was the way Severus was with Lorelei. The warmth between them was undeniable, a stark contrast to the cold and distant Severus she had once known.
The night of the gala, the Potters arrived with Harry in tow. As they entered the grand ballroom, they were immediately greeted by the sight of Severus and Lorelei standing near the stage, talking to a group of investors. Severus had changed in ways that Lily could hardly believe. His dark, brooding nature had softened, but his sharp intellect remained. And beside him was Lorelei, standing proudly by his side. She was every bit his equal, and there was no denying the bond they shared.
James was impressed, though a part of him still struggled to reconcile the man he had known in school with the towering figure before him. "I never imagined Severus would be someone who could build an empire," James said quietly to Lily.
Lily, however, couldn't tear her gaze away from Severus and Lorelei. There was something about the way Lorelei looked at him, the way she supported him without hesitation, that unsettled Lily. It wasn't just envy—it was jealousy, a feeling she had long buried when she had married James.
"I never thought he would be happy," Lily said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "But he is. And she's...she's perfect for him."
James, sensing the shift in Lily's mood, placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lily, he's changed. You can see it in the way he holds himself. He's not the same Severus we knew."
Lily nodded, but the bitterness that had once been in Severus's eyes when he looked at her was replaced by something else—something warmer. It was as if, by marrying Lorelei, Severus had found the peace and fulfillment he had never found with her. It was hard to accept, but Lily knew she had to.
As the evening wore on, the Potters found themselves face-to-face with the Princes. Severus greeted them with the same cold politeness he had always shown, but there was no malice in his gaze. Instead, he was composed, confident, and entirely at ease with who he had become.
"Lily, James," Severus said smoothly, offering them a small, but genuine smile. "It's good to see you both."
Lily offered a tight smile in return. "Severus...Lorelei," she greeted, trying to keep the edge of jealousy from creeping into her voice.
Lorelei, ever gracious, extended her hand to Lily. "It's wonderful to finally meet you. Severus has spoken so highly of you."
Lily felt a pang of discomfort at the mention of Severus's praise. How could he speak highly of her after everything? But Lorelei's calm, serene demeanor put her at ease, and she shook Lorelei's hand with a forced smile.
The night was a surreal experience for the Potters. They watched as Severus and Lorelei interacted with colleagues, investors, and friends. They were a team—united, powerful, and successful. And as Lily looked on, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss. Not for Severus—he had moved on, and perhaps that was for the best—but for the version of herself that had once been able to see the good in him, the version of her that had hoped things might have turned out differently.
Later that night, as the Potters departed, Lily turned to James, her eyes distant. "I never thought I'd feel this way, but I'm glad Severus found happiness. He deserves it."
James squeezed her hand. "We all deserve happiness, Lily. Even Severus."
And with that, the Potters left the gala, knowing that the world had changed—severing the old ties and forging new ones. Severus Prince had become a name not just feared or respected, but revered. And for the first time in years, he was truly content.