Chapter Two
The Secret Life of Severus Snape
Chapter 3 of 8
OzRatbag2When Eileen Snape listened to the hushed warnings of her sister, Kathleen, little did she realise that her decisions regarding her son's education would affect not only him but also her only grandchild. Written for Sunnythirty3
ReviewedChapter Two
David didn't have to act when he and his mum found themselves on platform nine and three quarters early on the morning of the first of September. He was in a foul mood, surly and uncommunicative because he'd been forced to change his appearance, not only lengthening his hair, but making his much hated large hooked nose appear even more prominent on his small face. He was small for his age, thin and with very pale porcelain coloured skin tones. The only thing David could count as a positive was that his perpetually reddened cheeks had been smoothed away with the foul brew his mother had made him drink. Not even the memory of going into Diagon Alley for the first time last week could erase the dark mood swirling around him. Everything was second hand, except his new wand, procured from Ollivander's. It just looked like a crooked dark twig to David, though he did get the most wonderful warm sensation from holding it the first time, so he supposed that once he learnt the right spells he'd feel less like a twat waving it around. It was safely packed away in his school trunk, along with the hated robes and old tatty books his mum had altered and magically manipulated. The best one of the robes had been packed into his bag and taken onto the train with him, so he could change just before arrived at Hogsmeade station.
They'd all travelled together as a family from Harrogate, as Peter used the occasion for a last fancy meal in a hotel close to The Leaky Cauldron and to shore up some new contacts in London, as well as catching up with old friends. It had been an uncomfortable journey, no one speaking to each other more than necessary, and David was content to stare vacantly out the window of the train as it sped through the countryside. Peter couldn't even come to the station with Eileen and David, mainly because Eileen had told him that he couldn't get onto the magical station to wave David off, but also because Eileen had felt it best not to draw too much attention from their farewells. Her suspicion and paranoia was becoming very irritating, and Peter felt they'd be in for a good long chat once they returned home to Harrogate. Peter was still annoyed with Eileen for managing to cajole David into assuming an odious role in a play Peter felt was beyond their son's comprehension to understand fully.
But, Eileen, of course, had made a powerful case that David would find the best protection at Hogwarts and that a full bursary meant they'd not have to worry about trying to find school fees for the next seven years. So, Peter and Eileen had come to an impasse, one that they were steadily trying to work around in order to keep their previously strong marriage together.
Peter just hoped that Eileen's faith in Albus Dumbledore was well considered and justified.
~*~
David couldn't stop gawking and turning his head as though on a swivel when he and Eileen made their way onto Platform nine and three quarters. The steam billowing from under the scarlet steam engine, along the sounds of countless familiars all hooting, purring and hissing added to all the sounds of children and parents saying their goodbyes. Eileen spared a wry smile for David's reaction, as it was remarkably similar to her own reaction when she'd first taken the train to school all those years ago. The Hogwarts house-elves were busy loading the trunks onto the train, and it amused her to know that David had never seen any creatures like them before. She wished in that moment she could afford to freeze this point in time so that David could remember his first real taste of understanding that he wasn't so different from all the other children milling around the platform. After all, next year, this would all be very familiar to him, and the awe and excitement she saw as he looked all around him would never really be repeated.
But the whistle on the large engine effectively ended Eileen's thoughts as she put her arm around David's shoulder and guided him towards his carriage along with a large number of other excited eleven year olds off on their first great adventure. Stopping while just out of earshot, Eileen nervously brushed over David's shirt and hugged him tightly. Smoothing her hands over his upper arms, Eileen pulled away all the while hurriedly reminding her son to only answer to Severus, not David, and to remember that he would be safe at Hogwarts. These reminders effectively ended David's excitement at seeing all the new things in front of him, and though he hugged his mum goodbye, he climbed onto the train in the full awareness that his dual roles had already begun and it wasn't nearly as much fun as he'd thought it might be. Not even the hope that he might come across the girl he'd met in the rundown park in Spinner's End improved his mood appreciably. He thought he'd caught a glimpse of Lily Evans amongst the other children lining up to board the train, but maybe not. If it had been her, she was surrounded by a whole group of other boys and girls, and he didn't feel like trying to seek her out in such a large group.
~*~
The journey was uneventful other than the sounds of over-excited children running up and down the aisle outside his partitioned rows of compartments in the carriage. Several times the door had opened noisily, but on seeing his scowling face, no one had ever stayed long, other than one boy who asked if he'd been born with such a nasty look on his mug. Using one of his mum's patented looks, David merely stared at the intruder until he shrugged his shoulders and went off to torment someone else. The only really interesting point in the whole journey, other than arriving tired and hungry at Hogsmeade station, was the sound of the squeaky wheel on the food trolley as it came along the aisle, its owner calling out the names of foods he'd never heard of before. He'd got up and had a look when she stopped as did a large number of other children, but as he couldn't afford to try any of the treats, it soon lost its appeal.
Sitting back down, David opened the large paper bag containing the sandwiches and flask of cordial his mum had packed for him and discovered that his dad had added a pound note, a large slab of Dundee cake, and a packet of sweets. Forgetting all about the sandwiches, David fished out the cordial and cake, and demolished both of them in short order. Feeling full and with the steady rocking motion of the train, it wasn't long before all the anxiety and excitement of the day saw David fall asleep, only waking when the engine whistle blew, announcing the train's arrival at Hogsmeade station.
~*~
The smug prat he'd come across on the train pushed David out of the way to get into the same boat as Lily Evans and two other boys. All of them laughed at him as the boy waved and blew a kiss as the little boat headed out across the lake towards the castle on the other side. David spent the entire ride across the lake thinking of how he would enjoy learning all the new spells if it meant he could hex off the smirk on the face of the boy who dared to tease him so. That or David felt he might just resort to punching him instead sooner rather than later.
Once his own little boat had made it to the far side of the shore under the darkened turrets of Hogwarts castle, a tall, thin witch came out and directed all of the children into two rows in alphabetical order. David nearly gave himself away in that instant as he tried to initially line up with the 'G's' before he remembered that here his surname was Snape, not Granger. Moving down the rows to find his place, David didn't speak but was too busy watching where Professor McGonagall was leading them and gasping in awe along with everyone else as they first spied the ceiling in the large hall they were admitted to.
David remembered very little of the sorting other than someone prodding him in the back when it was his turn to move forward and place the Sorting Hat on his head. It was all a jumble of half remembered phrases, but what he did remember clearly was the hat telling him he could see ambition, secrecy and cunning very clearly, placing David in Slytherin at that moment. He wasn't sure it had been meant as a compliment either. Not feeling particularly cunning or ambitious, yet knowing he was holding in a very large secret, David made his way to the Slytherin table passing close to the Gryffindor table where he gave Lily a shy smile, which she returned.
~*~
Once the feast was over and the Slytherin prefect, Lucius Malfoy, had gathered David and five other first years, he lead them down the winding paths of the lower levels of the castle to the large dour looking tapestry guarding the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Once inside, all of them were lined up so that the upper years could be introduced to the newest serpents individually. David's isolation and fear of discovery increased as each of his house mates all echoed that they were Purebloods and from long illustrious families, some of them taking a long time to list their 'connections'. Polite clapping and knowing looks from some of the older students welcomed each of them into the Slytherin fold, but when Lucius looked at David, he stumbled over his name, and once he mentioned that his father had been a Muggle, no one seemed interested in hearing anything else. His second hand robes, stuttered words and obvious inability to name an illustrious family to back up his claim to membership of Slytherin made him feel even more isolated, and he wondered just what the stupid mouldy old hat had been thinking when it put him in a house where he obviously wasn't welcome. Wiping his eyes lest anyone see how upset he was, David made his way to the dormitory area of the common room and changed for bed. Feigning sleep, David waited for the other boys to extinguish the lamps, growing more unsettled at their scathing and not quietly voiced ire and threats that a loser like Severus Snape had ended up in their house.
~*~
Author's Note: This was written for Sunnythirty3 for the recent 2013 SSHG Exchange, but could not be completed in time to post. The first part is complete and the second in the process of being written. This is GENFIC, so if you're looking for hawt sexxors, then this isn't the story for you. There is some swearing, along with the judicious use and misuse of canon.
Many thanks to the fabulous team of Scattered Logic and Magically25 who have helped me get the story to the stage it is at currently. Without their input, I doubt this would be half as good. I am truly very, very lucky to have had their continuing help. Any remaining mistakes (yes, my comma fetish) are mine alone.
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Secret Life of Severus Snape
28 Reviews | 5.0/10 Average
omg. i could kill dumbledore. What a twat!
Interesting idea. Looking forward to reading more :)
It is going to be a very long seven years, for Severus/David.
My heart is breaking, for both Severus and Hermione.
How very kind of Dumbeldor to teach David how to split his personality, so he can be a useful tool for him.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Yes, he's the consumate manipulator. After all, who would willingly send a child to a home to grow up knowing he was regarded as something akin to excrement, and thereby forge a tool he can use...later.JKR may have wanted the last laugh against a teacher she hated, but her treatment of Harry is remarkably similar to David/Severus' - eerily so.
It's really interesting to see how he's managing his personas and it's equally disturbing as well. This dichotomy is going to be important in the course of things, yes? I love the meta of this whole concept.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you so much! :)It will be important and it's been one of the hardest things to do - separate the personas and then deliberately weave them together. How I've actually tried to do it will be more clear once the first few chapters of the second part post. This could have been a prompt that sponsored a one-shot, but why do anything easily? 
That putrid sack of crud, what "thugs" Potter and Black are the thugs, and they get off scott free .
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
~dances with joy~ I do like it when readers get a strong emotional response from my chapters, because it's exactly what I was after! :)I've always hated Sirius with a passion because he is the typical bully, self assured and able to pick the outsider quickly and efficiently. That JKR used him as a window for Harry as a close friend of his parents leaves a particularly sour taste.Dumbledore turns a blind eye to the bullying because it suits his purposes to do so. After all, who better to spy than the youth who is completely ostracised and almost invisible? Mind you, David will have the last laugh. ;)
Love the twist. I don't think I've ever hated Dumbledore more and that's saying something. You should be so very, very proud.
In my heart, I wish David had told him to go stuff it and left him to create a new pawn, but then we wouldn't have this wonderful setup for whatever else you have in store, so I will persevere.
I've always felt that Lily could and should have done much more in that scene, if she was any type of real friend. I certainly would have.
Response from arynwy (Reviewer)
I've always felt that Harry was much better friend material than his mother and I totally agree with you as to why she made the choice she did. It was a frightening time and she wasn't a social outcast like Sev, Hermione and to a lesser degree, Harry himself.
I also understand that Harry was in a position to take the risks because he had nothing to lose except his own life, which he didn't put a high value on due to his upbringing. Lily did what was easiest and most logical - what all of her peers were doing.
This is why I've always felt that Harry's group was stronger than that of the Marauders and that his generation could be the one to break the cycle of war and prejudice. Lily never would have reached out to Draco. Harry could and did.
The parallels between Harry and Sev's lives always manages to fascinate me. I tend to imagine James and Lily sitting there, forced to watch Harry live a version of Severus's and her childhood combined, seeing how he makes the difficult, but correct choices over and over again as a form of penance.
I've written a book here... going away now and looking forward to your next update. I wish you happy writing as always!
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you so much! :DIt took ages to write this chapter, just as one of the chapters in the second part is still giving me grief, but I'm so pleased it works. It really sets up the second part and gives the window to what Harry saw in the pensieve during his Occlumency lessons with Snape.Yep, I really wish he had too, but then I wouldn't have a story. ;)She could have and should have, but I tend to think Lily understood the dynamics of the world she'd been thrust into as an 11 year old. Realistically, would she have risked losing her status in Gryffindor for someone she knew had earned the ire of Sirius, James, and to a lesser extent, Remus and Pettigrew?Honestly, I don't think so, as wrong as that is. It's only when Lily snares James that her place is secure in the magical world, though for only a brief moment.She's painted as a heroine, when in reality she seems (to me from my judicious misuse of canon) far more fickle with her friendships.
My heart is just breaking for David.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you, and things will get better for him. :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you, and things will get better for him. :)
Loving the contrast from his school days to his holiday times. Talk about messing with his brain! :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Always! :) I'm a cruel author the way I torture the characters, no matte their guise. :p
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Always! :) I'm a cruel author the way I torture the characters, no matte their guise. :p
Peter is right, of course. Eileen is a fool to trust that devious old tyrant Albus Dumbledore. Safest place in Britain my eye!
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you, and you're right, Eileen has placed her trust in someone with an agenda. :)I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you, and you're right, Eileen has placed her trust in someone with an agenda. :)I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Very interesting. And I love that his dad is a Granger, of I'm sure those Grangers. Poor Severus having to deal with all this at the age of eleven. I'm inclined to agree with Peter.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! I was looking for a different slant to Severus' backstory, and the bunnies deliveredd. To deal with this at such a young age, when he's too young to understand just what his mother is asking, is pretty dark and dastedly, but I really do love the character of Peter Granger. he appeared almost fully formed. :)I think it Peter had a smidgeon of magical blood, David would have had a far more different childhood, but then I wouldn't have had a story. ;p
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! I was looking for a different slant to Severus' backstory, and the bunnies delivered. To deal with this at such a young age, when he's too young to understand just what his mother is asking, is pretty dark and dastardly, but I really do love the character of Peter Granger. he appeared almost fully formed. :)I think it Peter had a smidgeon of magical blood, David would have had a far more different childhood, but then I wouldn't have had a story. ;p
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! I was looking for a different slant to Severus' backstory, and the bunnies deliveredd. To deal with this at such a young age, when he's too young to understand just what his mother is asking, is pretty dark and dastedly, but I really do love the character of Peter Granger. he appeared almost fully formed. :)I think it Peter had a smidgeon of magical blood, David would have had a far more different childhood, but then I wouldn't have had a story. ;p
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! I was looking for a different slant to Severus' backstory, and the bunnies delivered. To deal with this at such a young age, when he's too young to understand just what his mother is asking, is pretty dark and dastardly, but I really do love the character of Peter Granger. he appeared almost fully formed. :)I think it Peter had a smidgeon of magical blood, David would have had a far more different childhood, but then I wouldn't have had a story. ;p
This is a very interesting and intruguing start. Can't wait to see where it goes from here.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you, and I hope the story continues to intrigue you! :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you, and I hope the story continues to intrigue you! :)
You can't just throw a Granger in there with no explanation!!! Something tells me David doesn't have such a nice time of it at Hogwarts...
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
I know, cruel of me isn't it? ;)I think your hunch may be quite accurate, but there is a silver lining in all of this. It just won't be apparent for a while. :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
I know, cruel of me isn't it? ;)I think your hunch may be quite accurate, but there is a silver lining in all of this. It just won't be apparent for a while. :)
Okay, you've got me hooked. Now what is going on?
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! :) Music to my ears to hear I've hooked you from the prologue. May you continue to stay hooked.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! :) Music to my ears to hear I've hooked you from the prologue. May you continue to stay hooked.
This story get more and more interesting. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the plot.And the writing is superb too!And the people! I like how Eileen is pictured as more complex and with no possibility of leaving her bad husband because she has shamed her family. It makes good sense.Looking very much forward to the next chapter.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! :) I wanted to show Eileen as more complex than a battered wife. She's an individual who has her own journey, even though what she has done to D/S is questionable. No one, not even Severus is black and white.The next chapters are in the queue.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! :) I wanted to show Eileen as more complex than a battered wife. She's an individual who has her own journey, even though what she has done to D/S is questionable. No one, not even Severus is black and white.The next chapters are in the queue.
Ohhh, Dumbledore promised, that's alright then what could possibly go wrong.
Granger! any relation to a future know it all, there must be, this is getting interesting.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
I know, a kindly old man with not a manipulative bone in his body. :pMaybe... :D
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
I know, a kindly old man with not a manipulative bone in his body. :pMaybe... :D
Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that Jane Jones becomes Hermione's mum?
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
I think your sneaking suspicion might be right on the money. :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
I think your sneaking suspicion might be right on the money. :)
mmmm 
Interesting premise, never seen this one before should be quite a ride.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! :) I believe I can safely guarantee that this going to be something very different and I owe it all to Sunnythirty3's prompt. Without it, I would never have had the bunnies doing somersaults. ;)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! :) I believe I can safely guarantee that this going to be something very different and I owe it all to Sunnythirty3's prompt. Without it, I would never have had the bunnies doing somersaults. ;)
Interesting beginning, looking forward to more.May I assume since it is posted in Potions Under Duress that Sev and Hermione will be an 'item', so to speak?
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Hmm, yes, they'll be an 'item' but not quite in the way I think you're suspecting. The clues are all in the summary, and though it may not be regarded as SSHG in a romantic sense, it's location in Potions Under Duress is for a very good reason. :)/cryptic clues
Response from snapes_witch (Reviewer)
Oh dear, I hope my suspicions are wrong . . .
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Hmm, yes, they'll be an 'item' but not quite in the way I think you're suspecting. The clues are all in the summary, and though it may not be regarded as SSHG in a romantic sense, it's location in Potions Under Duress is for a very good reason. :)/cryptic clues
Response from snapes_witch (Reviewer)
Oh dear, I hope my suspicions are wrong . . .
Yay! *more happy dances* So pleased to see this posted here. :D
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
~hugs~I will never be able to thank you enough for the absolute gift of a prompt that fostered this story. I just hope that when I write 'The End,' you'll end up with a gift that no one in their right mind ~twitch~ would ever think of doing. :D
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
~hugs~I will never be able to thank you enough for the absolute gift of a prompt that fostered this story. I just hope that when I write 'The End,' you'll end up with a gift that no one in their right mind ~twitch~ would ever think of doing. :D
So, Severus, selectively Obliviated, renamed and relocated away from the Evanses. Hmm. I'll bite.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Umm, no, not really (sort of) but it's a good guess. :) The story is long, involved and should be clearer when the first chapter posts. I hope it entertains as I unravel canon bit by bit.
Response from arynwy (Reviewer)
Now, you've really got me sitting here wanting more.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you for such a fabulous compliment! :) Once the story is fully finished, I believe I can safely say that I think it will be the best thing I've ever written.The whole story is plotted out, the first part and part of the second part complete...and now I just need to nail the bunnies to the desk and finish it off. :p
Response from arynwy (Reviewer)
::pushes box of #3 nails along with my most comfortable hammer through the screen::
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
LOL - Hold that thought and I'm sure you'll enjoy the chapter in the second part which is making me laugh even louder. :D As for the bunnies, they appear to be co-operating currently.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Umm, no, not really (sort of) but it's a good guess. :) The story is long, involved and should be clearer when the first chapter posts. I hope it entertains as I unravel canon bit by bit.
Response from arynwy (Reviewer)
Now, you've really got me sitting here wanting more.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you for such a fabulous compliment! :) Once the story is fully finished, I believe I can safely say that I think it will be the best thing I've ever written.The whole story is plotted out, the first part and part of the second part complete...and now I just need to nail the bunnies to the desk and finish it off. :p
Response from arynwy (Reviewer)
::pushes box of #3 nails along with my most comfortable hammer through the screen::
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
LOL - Hold that thought and I'm sure you'll enjoy the chapter in the second part which is making me laugh even louder. :D As for the bunnies, they appear to be co-operating currently.
Interesting start. I'm looking forward to see where this is heading.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you and though it will be slightly different to my usual stories, I hope people enjoy what the bunnies dropped off thanks to Sunnythirty3's delicious prompt. :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you and though it will be slightly different to my usual stories, I hope people enjoy what the bunnies dropped off thanks to Sunnythirty3's delicious prompt. :)
About time you joined the land of the living again! *grin* Good start. Let's see some more. SOON!
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! :)Another chapter is in the queue and I'll add a further chapter to the queue this afternoon after I've had some sleep. I do nights, so it's off to the cot for me.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
Thank you! :)Another chapter is in the queue and I'll add a further chapter to the queue this afternoon after I've had some sleep. I do nights, so it's off to the cot for me.
Poor David, he is a round peg in square hole. I get the horrible feeling that manipulating old twit,{ AKA Dumbledor } has had a hand in this.
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
He is, and I wanted to show that no matter who he has to be a Hogwarts, his future is determined by that fiction. As for Dumbledore, I don't think he had a prior thought that he could 'use and abuse' David, but when the opportunity was presented to him, he grabbed it with both hands. I trust Dumbledore about as much as I trust Sirius - not that much. :)
Response from OzRatbag2 (Author of The Secret Life of Severus Snape)
He is, and I wanted to show that no matter who he has to be a Hogwarts, his future is determined by that fiction. As for Dumbledore, I don't think he had a prior thought that he could 'use and abuse' David, but when the opportunity was presented to him, he grabbed it with both hands. I trust Dumbledore about as much as I trust Sirius - not that much. :)