Chapter One Hundred-Fifteen: Dead … or Alive?

Chapter One Hundred-Fifteen: Dead ... or Alive?

Wednesday, 7 April 1999

"What do I know about Severus's father?" Minerva asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

Gareth nodded. "I found some stuff at the house...at Spinner's End...while I was cleaning up. It raised a lot of questions in my mind."

"What questions?"

Gareth hesitated. "I can't really say, not specifically. I haven't talked to Snape about it yet...he's going off on that holiday of his and I wouldn't want to have him obsessing about it or upset just before that. It's waited all these years; I reckon that it will wait a few more days."

"All right, well ..." Minerva gestured toward the chairs near the fireplace and took a seat in one of them. "I don't know very much, really. I never met him. He met Eileen just after she left Hogwarts, though I don't know where or how."

"I know that...he met her in a park. He would photograph her, then he finally talked to her and asked her out."

"You may know as much or more than I do, then," Minerva said. "But I'll tell you what I know. He worked at one of the local mills, a supervisor of some sort. I think he had a technical education for it. When he and Eileen first married, they lived in a small flat, but then they came into a little money...I am fairly sure it was from his side of the family...and they moved into the house at Spinner's End. I think they bought it outright, but I'm not sure. I do know that Severus owns it now, so they did purchase it at some point."

"Anything else?" Gareth asked, disappointed by how little his aunt was telling him, and how irrelevant it seemed. "What about ... when he left the family?"

"It was before Severus came to school, so I don't know very much about that. I think it would have been in about ..." Minerva calculated in her head. "In about nineteen sixty-nine, maybe sixty-eight. I don't know anything about what happened to him after that, except that he died in the autumn of Severus's second year."

"Hmm, did he ..." Gareth said, rubbing his beard as he thought about that. "Did Severus leave for the funeral?"

Minerva shook her head. "No. Eileen wrote us a letter after the fact, asked us to break it to Severus. It was a highly unpleasant task, as you may imagine. Horace and I broke it to him together. Horace hated doing that sort of thing, so I agreed to be there, too. Severus was quite stoic about it, but ... he skived off classes for a couple of weeks. Not all of them, obviously. We could turn a blind eye to his missing some classes, but not all of them. I discovered that he spent most of his time down with Hagrid, working with him in his gardens or going into the Forbidden Forest with him. Dumbledore and I weren't entirely happy about that...going into the Forest...but I thought, on balance, that it was good for him, and he wouldn't come into any trouble with Hagrid. But we never had to speak with Severus about his classes. He eventually began going to them all again on his own."

"D'you think Hagrid would know something about Snape's dad, then?"

Minerva shrugged. "He might. But what is it you want to know?"

"I'm just curious about it, especially his death. Do you know if Snape ever visited the grave?"

"I have absolutely no idea. Eileen may not have even done so. After all, it had been a few years since he'd left the family. I understand that they had a strained relationship before that."

"It wasn't always that way," Gareth said softly. "There are a lot of photos of Eileen early in their marriage, and then of Eileen and little Severus. You can tell he loved her, and that he doted on his son, at least in the early years. I think things were a lot more complicated than just a strained relationship, and a whole lot more complicated than Snape knows."

"How so?"

"You're certain that it was in Snape's second year that his father died?" Gareth asked.

"Positive. It wasn't his first year, and it couldn't have been his third year because he wasn't taking any of the elective classes yet."

Gareth shook his head. "That would have made it ... nineteen seventy-two?"

Minerva nodded. "Aye, that sounds right."

Gareth was quiet, distracted.

"You know who might know more: Grandmother Siofre," Minerva said. "She had some dealings with Drusus Prince at about the time of Eileen's marriage. I don't believe she ever met Tobias Snape, but she knew of him. It's a pity that Aunt Lydia isn't still alive. I think she actually visited Eileen and Tobias shortly after they were married. Or maybe it was after Severus was born. I don't remember. It wasn't anything that I had any interest in at the time. But if you want to know more and you don't want to ask Severus, you might ask Grandmother Siofre."

"All right, thanks. I may do that, or I may just wait. Asking Severus himself would be pretty pointless, since ... well, I think there is a lot he didn't know."

"What did you find?" Minerva asked curiously. "I understand wanting to wait and show Severus whatever it is, but if I knew what it was, I might be more help. What is it that you really want to know?"

"Aunt Minerva ... can a dead man write letters?"

"What?"

"I found a lot of correspondence, most of it Eileen's, but one letter addressed to Snape..."

"From his father after he died?"

"No, no." Gareth shook his head. "It was a letter that he had apparently written to him just before he left home. I shouldn't have read it, but I did. And then I had to look through the rest of the letters. Almost all of them were from Snape's dad, and some of them were written after he was supposed to be dead. The last ones were dated nineteen seventy-five. That's three years after you say he died. Something is wrong. And I think ... I think that it's possible that the man might even still be alive now."

Minerva looked at him in astonishment. "I'm certain as I can be of the facts. I can double-check, but I can't believe that I would remember the man dying during Severus's second year when it was actually during his fourth or fifth."

"I didn't read all of the letters. Just bits of some of them. But I think that Snape's dad was staying away from the family because Eileen had him convinced that, as a Muggle, he would be a danger to Severus from extremist purebloods. She thought Severus might have a better chance, I suppose, if he didn't bear the stigma of having a Muggle father, but I also think that she was under pressure from her father..."

"Her father was dead before Tobias died...or before she reported his death to us."

"I know that, but he was still alive when Tobias left the family," Gareth replied, "and there were other pressures on Eileen. That cousin Giles, for one. There were a few letters from him. I only glanced at them, but I didn't like him at all from the little I saw."

"I can't believe that a mother would tell her child that his father was dead when he wasn't, even Eileen."

"Maybe she thought it would be easier for Severus if he never expected his father to come back, and that he would be more likely to identify solely with his pureblood mother and her family."

"And then she killed herself...you knew that, I hope...without leaving Severus any indication that his father was still alive." Minerva shook her head. "It's hard to fathom."

"And Eileen, she's definitely dead?" Gareth asked.

"Most certainly," Minerva replied. "Why? Do you have any evidence to the contrary?"

Gareth shook his head. "None. I just wondered whether she might've left Snape and gone off with Tobias."

"No. I suppose it all could have been faked, of course...we have plenty of personal experience with that, don't we?" Minerva asked with a slight smile. "But I don't think so. Severus went to her funeral, had to take care of various items of business after her death...the property and so on...and there was an inquest by the local gamot because of the circumstances. Severus was of age, but Slughorn helped him with some of it, I believe. He attended the funeral with him...Eileen had been a Slytherin, too, but I think he went with Severus for his sake, so he wouldn't be on his own there."

"How would I get a look at the inquest records?" Gareth asked.

"The regional gamot would keep them...I think it was the Manchester gamot...but they are also always filed with the Ministry. If you visited the Wizengamot's offices, they could give them to you unless they've been sealed for some reason. That's unlikely, though."

Gareth nodded. "I doubt her death has any bearing on the other matter, but ..." He shook his head. "No, even if there were some useful clue in those records, it's not for me to go hunting around unless Severus wants me to. I've already poked in where I've no business."

"I know that Severus resented his father leaving, and now, if after all these years, he learns that he might be alive ... I don't know what he will think."

"Or he might be dead. He might not have died when Eileen claimed he did, but the last indication that he was alive was almost twenty-five years ago. I could be opening a tin of Glumbumbles for nothing. Maybe I should just give him the letter from his father to him and then burn the others."

"No, don't do that. He has a right to know at least that there were some peculiar circumstances surrounding his father's reported death. And if he is alive, Severus deserves to have the chance to try to find him. If he isn't ..." Minerva shrugged. "It will be sad, but not as though he could have known, could have sought him out sooner, before he died. Not the way it was for Albus. I am sure that Albus would advise you to tell Severus and to encourage him to find out what really happened to him."

"Yeah, that's right, Albus's father went missing, didn't he?"

"Aye, and it was only years later that he learned what had happened to him, and that he'd been alive for decades after he'd gone missing. Albus never quite forgave himself for not searching for him."

Gareth nodded. "All right, I'll show Severus everything I found. And if he asks my advice, or even if he doesn't, I'll suggest that he should try to find out what happened to his dad." Gareth stood, and Minerva followed suit. "You know, I think he was pretty close to his father when he was little, at least up until the last year or so before he left the family. I don't know how he'll react to this, but he should know at least that his father thought he was doing what was best for him."

~*~*~*~

Severus lay on his back, his eyes closed, one arm behind his head, the other around Poppy. Her head was resting on his bare chest, and she had one arm around him. He was sleepy after their lovemaking, and when she spoke, he didn't catch what she said at first.

"What was that, Poppy? What about St. Mungo's?"

"I was wondering about your appointment with Melina. I didn't know you had one. Are you feeling well? You haven't had any peculiar symptoms returning that you haven't told me about, have you? Because I'll check you out, if you want. I know what I said about getting another Healer, but that doesn't mean that I..."

"Sh, sh, it's all right, Poppy. It's not that kind of appointment. I feel fine. No, it's about something else entirely."

"May I ask what?"

"A wealthy Slytherin is making funds available for Millicent Bulstrode to go to America with her mother so that she can receive that specialised treatment, hopefully repair her tissue and nerve damage, if it's not too late. I need to make arrangements with O'Donald to see that that happens, and as soon as possible, since apparently the closer to the time of the injury the patient receives the treatment, the greater the chance of complete success, although I understand that even old injuries can be helped by it. If she wants to play Quidditch again, though, time is of the essence."

"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Poppy said. "I was worried about the poor girl. She's not very bright, not particularly attractive, and more than half her family is in prison, so the only thing she really had going for her was her Quidditch. I thought it was terribly sad that that should be taken away from her."

"Well, with some luck, she'll play again."

"Let me guess: the wealthy Slytherin is Gertrude."

Severus gave her a sharp look. "And why would you guess that?"

"She said at the party that she thought that Millicent would find a way to be treated, and then the two of you had that secret meeting a few days ago." Poppy shrugged the shoulder that Severus was caressing. "Seems logical. Tell me I'm wrong."

"No. I do not wish to lie to you," Severus said. "But Professor Gamp wants it to remain anonymous. You can't tell anyone else...or even hint that you know."

"Of course," Poppy said. "I am relieved you're all right." She gave him a squeeze. "I would hate anything to happen to you."

Severus kissed the top of her head. "I am quite well. I don't think I've felt better in years. Or maybe ever."

Poppy raised up on one elbow and looked down into his face, smiling. "I'm glad, Sev. Very glad." She kissed him.

"It is your presence in my life, Poppy," Severus said softly. "I was drifting along before. I was ... lost. But now I've found a safe harbour, and happiness. A reason to approach every morning with hope, and to find meaning and happiness in what I do. Everything seems different now. And I love you, just ... love you," he said, kissing her.

Poppy returned his kisses, then finally, with a sigh, she rested on top of him again. "I hope you feel that way for a long time, Severus."

"Forever, Poppy. I know it."

She turned her head and kissed his chest. "That may change..."

"If you are going to start going on about the things you were saying before, being a Hufflepuff, being older, whatever, please don't."

"No, I was going to say that may change when you learn my middle name!" She laughed as Severus gave a groan.

"Well, it's not 'Pustule,' so how bad could it be? What about ... Panacea? That's not a bad one. I promise I'll still love you if your name is Panacea!"

Poppy shook her head, smiling. "No, although I do like that guess. I wouldn't want to be named Panacea, but it's an interesting one."

"Your turn now."

"Can I ask whether I've ever guessed a name close to it? A version of your name?"

"Hmph. Well, you did tell me...though the response was negative, and so not very helpful. Yes. One time. One somewhat close."

"I should have kept better track of my guesses! I'll have to look at my list," Poppy said. "I may guess that it's not Sharky, then."

Severus choked with laughter. "Where did you get that?"

"It was the name of a character in one of the plays we saw." She sighed. "I will figure it out. But not just now. I think we need to get dressed and get up to the Great Hall for dinner."

"Must we?"

Poppy sat up and swung her legs off the bed. "Gareth is expecting you. And if you don't want people to notice our frequent combined absences, it probably would be best."

"What are you going to tell Dumbledore about why you're back?" Severus asked.

"Nothing. Hopefully, he won't ask." Poppy began to sort through her clothes and get dressed.

"If he does?"

"I'll lower my voice and tell him it's a female thing." She grinned. "That will make him blush, and he won't ask again."

Severus snorted. "Do you wish you were still on holiday with your friends?"

"No. I do regret missing two days, and I was enjoying their company...especially Gertrude and Rolanda, whom I don't see often enough...but I don't wish I were back there and not here."

Severus sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.

"I really mean it, Sev. I am glad I'm here with you."

"I know. I'm just wishing we could eat here and not go upstairs."

"We'll start our holiday tomorrow...and we're spending the night together tonight...so try to bear it till then," Poppy said, a slight teasing note in her voice.

He nodded, distracted.

"Do you want to cancel your practice and drinks with Gareth?" she asked more seriously.

Severus shook his head and stood. "As you say, we have our holiday ahead of us."

"You know, I don't think I thanked you properly for the Floo Powder and having your Floo open to me. I really appreciate it, you know. It feels special, more than just a convenience."

Severus quirked a brief smile. "I'm glad. It was meant to be special. I hoped you would understand that."

He dressed quickly and was ready before Poppy, who had disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up before putting on her robes. He waited for her in the sitting room. He hoped that Poppy was really looking forward to their holiday as much as he was. It was heartening that she had dashed back to Hogwarts as she had, but he felt that "Operation Woo and Win Poppy Pomfrey" was going to be in the "wooing" stage for longer than he had hoped.

On the other hand, perhaps he should never stop wooing her, even once he won her. He would never truly deserve her, but he could try to make sure she was never sorry she was with him. He hadn't done well with relationships in the past, but he had learned from them, he hoped. He had managed to push away or alienate everyone from his father to Lily to Dumbledore. He didn't want to do that with Poppy. He loved Poppy too much to let her go. He wondered why she hadn't said that she loved him...she had said encouraging things, of course, and she seemed to welcome his feelings for her, but she hadn't said anything of her own feelings.

Severus decided not to brood about it. It was enough that she had come home early to him, that she wanted his love to last, that she wanted to be with him then, at that moment. Perhaps that demonstrated her love for him. He would be patient. But perhaps the red roses to greet her at the cottage weren't a good idea, perhaps they would be too much ... No, he had already determined that he would ask Birnbaum to have a large bunch of red roses waiting for them in the cottage...he'd been going to have them in her rooms for her on her return from her witches' holiday, but with her early return, that plan had to be changed. And it had been changed as much as it would be. He couldn't allow her to think that his ardour for her was cooling. Operation Woo and Win Poppy Pomfrey would march on, complete with roses.

On arriving in the Great Hall, they learned that Albus could not wonder about Poppy's unexpectedly early return, nor notice that the two of them arrived together. His chair at the staff table was empty.

"He's visiting Potter again," Minerva said. "He's worried about the boy, and I suggested that rather than worry about him, he should drop by and see him."

"He said something to me about that on Saturday. Suggested I might come with him on Sunday." Severus snorted. "That would be more likely to disturb Potter, and it certainly wouldn't have made my day brighter."

"Why is he worried?" Poppy asked.

"Potter's still working at that Muggle job, lifting boxes and whatnot. And that would be fine if he seemed well and happy, but Albus said that he is dishevelled and he seems to have lost interest in everything. Miss Weasley broke up with him recently, and I don't think that helped matters."

Severus wanted to make a snide retort, but with Poppy sitting next to him, he restrained himself. He should just be glad that Dumbledore was gone for the evening. With any luck, they wouldn't run into him before they left in the morning, either, avoiding awkward questions.

"I hope that Albus can help," Poppy said.

"He's asked Moody to approach him about helping him with his investigations. Potter would make a fine Auror. Working with Moody for a while might be what Potter needs to awaken his interest in it...or at least, awaken his interest in being engaged in life again."

Working with Moody would put Severus off any career with the Aurors, Severus thought. But Potter was his father's son. He'd probably enjoy the feeling of being a hero...that was likely what was missing from his life. Or, Severus thought, looking over at Poppy and remembering his resolution to try not to be bitter, it could be that Potter just missed having a purpose in life. If he himself had not come back to Hogwarts, he likely would have done less than Potter. He would have just sat at Spinner's End and rotted. At least Potter was working, even if it was in a Muggle shop.

"He needs a purpose," Severus said, adding grudgingly, "If working with Moody helps him to feel he has one, then he should be fine."

"I just hope that Alastor sets him a good example," Poppy said, glancing at Severus, clearly remembering the incident in which Moody had hexed Severus in the back the previous year. "He has not always engaged in exemplary behaviour in the past."

"I think having Potter around would give Moody something to live up to," Minerva said. "And Moody never used Unforgiveables, even when Crouch had sanctioned their use against Death Eaters back during the first Riddle war."

Gareth and Helena came in together, both apologising for being late. Gareth sat in Dumbledore's usual place next to his aunt and Helena sat beside him.

"We got to talking and lost track of time," Gareth said as his aunt handed him the bowl of asparagus.

"Easy to do," Poppy said. "Are we still on for that drink?"

"Yeah, if Snape doesn't land me in the infirmary!" Gareth said with a grin. "But then you could all just congregate around my bed and drink to my health."

Severus scowled. "I will not injure you, McGonagall."

"I know that," Gareth said. He looked around. "Where's Filius? I thought he might like to join us."

"He's having dinner with his niece and her family," Minerva said. "In fact, this gives me a good opportunity to ask Ms Benetti a favour."

"Of course, Professor," Helena said, looking over at her curiously.

"I was wondering if you'd like to help out with Ravenclaw whilst Filius is on holiday. Laura and David Manning have said they'd look in on the House and be available, but I'm sure they'd appreciate some help, particularly if they'd both like to go out for the day, and I thought it might be ... perhaps not fun, but something new and different for you."

"Oh, I would like that, actually," Helena said. "I'd like to feel useful, and it would be nice to get to know some of the students better."

Minerva smiled. "Very well! You can speak with them about scheduling, then," she said, gesturing toward the couple where they sat at the other end of the staff table.

"Would you like to join us, then, Aunt Minerva?"

"Drinks, you said?"

"In my rooms," Poppy chimed in. "They're coming up after they practise."

Minerva nodded. "For a little while, that would be nice."

"Why don't you and Helena drop by at around eight, then," Poppy said, "and then Severus and Gareth can join us when they're ready."

"And if I'm not incapacitated," Gareth said.

Severus restrained himself from rolling his eyes. "If you are that concerned, McGonagall, we do not have to practise. Or duel at all, for that matter."

"No, no! I'm looking forward to it. Just don't overestimate my ability. You've been working with Filius, and he's got decades of duelling experience and I have none at all. I'm no pushover in a rammie, but this isn't a pub brawl...not that I've been in many of those, either!" he added when his aunt gave him a strange and disapproving look.

"Do not be concerned," Severus said dismissively. He hoped that Gareth was better than he was making himself out to be, or he'd have words with Flitwick for involving him in the duels at all. On the other hand, he'd seen Minerva's Pensieve memory of Gareth casting an earthquake spell before the Hogwarts battle, and that had been no mean feat. The other wizard had also apparently killed a number of Death Eaters during the battle itself. No, Severus would not worry too much about McGonagall. He could take care of himself.

Author's Note: There are several references in this chapter to events that occurred in other stories. Siofre's "dealings with Drusus" take place in Charming the Scottish Garden (in a number of chapters). Dumbledore discusses his father's mysterious disappearance in Chapter 101 of Resolving a Misunderstanding, though the circumstances under which he learned of his father's fate were to be in the RaM sequel, which I never wrote. The incident in which Moody hexed Severus took place in Death's Dominion, chapters sixteen and seventeen, "Twisting on Racks" and "When Sinews Give Way."