The Thorne/Snape Saga

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"What are your next steps?" Franz asked them as they gathered around their kitchen table several weeks after their news brief

"I've been offered a job at as a Potions analyst at the ministry. But I turned them down. I prefer to work for myself. An old friend is closing up his potion shop in London and I'm taking over for him. I believe my colleague is more than capable of running the shop here" Severus explained the whirlwind of their last month calmly and easily as if it hadn't been a weight on their shoulders

"I'm truly sorry that you can't stay here. But once you've broken your cover, it's time to move on. And no one can stay hidden forever; I do remember saying that to you when you first showed up. We've greatly appreciated your family's contributions and presence. You will do well in whatever you do" Franz smiled, offering them each a warm embrace

Eleven years. Their home that they had built wouldn't be theirs any longer. They spent nights scheming up their next steps. Her parents offering their home as a refuge again while they figured out what to do. But they couldn't spend the rest of their lives hiding. To shrink back from life now would be admitting shame and that their appearance into public life was a mistake.

Leticia gripped his hand as they walked into their home, both collapsing onto the couch. The silence pressed strangely on her ears; three of the children at school and Orla happily at a friends house for the day as they made plans.

She let herself relax against Severus, all the uncertain emotions she hid from the children flooding up to the surface.

"I'm scared" she whispered as the tears began to fall

"I'll keep us safe" he pulled her close, just as he had every time they had fallen on hard times

"I'm not worried about that. We can get through anything. I'm scared for the kids. They're so sheltered. They don't understand that there are bad people. Mean people. People who will hate them just because of us. Maybe that's our fault? We didn't prepare them. Because we were taking for granted our life. Everything they've ever known is going to be gone..." she buried her face in his shoulder, the magnitude of their decisions crashing down upon her head like an unwelcome ice bath

"We raised them without fear. In a place where everyone could be trusted. It's both a blessing and a curse. We can't change our choices now. I'm scared too..." he muttered, stroking her back in his familiar pattern: up her spine, then down with his fingertips, circles done with his flattened palm.

"Maybe we should stay at my parents for a while..." she wondered aloud, the energy of her home disrupted by trunks full of their possessions

"No more hiding" he kissed her forehead, words sounding more assured than his eyes conveyed

"I don't know if we can do this..." she whispered, every bone in her body shaken

"We've been through worse. We have to do this Lettie" he pulled her close again, her body shaking

"Are you upset because of me?" came a worried voice from the doorway

She quickly wiped away her tears at the sight of Sev standing awkwardly, hands in his pockets.

"No. I'm not upset at you. Why are you home so early? Do you feel sick?" she walked over to him, feeling his forehead

"My stomach hurt and everyone was trying to talk to me about dad and stuff. Did I do this to us?" he shuffled his feet, allowing himself to be pulled into a hug

She didn't have the words. Because in a way he had. They could have remained hidden for years if he would have gone to a lesser known school. But he also deserved to live his own life apart from their desires. He was feeling the pressure for the first time.

"You made a choice. A choice for you. Which is good and what you're supposed to do. I'm just afraid because...I know how life can be. And I'm sad. I love it here...but I know it will be fine in the end" she tried to explain her feelings, never one to spare her thought process to her children

"I can go to Beauxbatons...Maybe I should have just done that" he lamented, regret straining his voice

"We can't turn back now. You made a choice and all choices have consequences. We supported your choice and now you see how one person affects so many others" Severus spoke up, perfectly walking the balance between hard truth and love.

"I'm the reason we have to move. If I hadn't gone to Hogwarts, we could have stayed and you wouldn't be scared" he muttered, digging his toe into the carpet

"Let's talk about this later, okay?" she gave him a quick hug, fighting the rising surge of fear and sadness in her throat

"It will still be the same later..." Sev muttered, biting his lip as he sulked his way into his room

"He is not wrong" Severus shrugged his shoulders, resigned and stricken

"I know. But this is nothing that can't wait. He will soon find a new world to explore and will need us" she chose to deny the depth of the situation and focus on what she could do

—————

"This is your new shop?" Sev asked in awe as they walked amongst the many rows of supplies

"Yes. It's very well stocked, what do you think?" he asked his son, proud at his knowledge

"I think it's brilliant. Can I still help when I'm home?"

"Of course. You are always welcome. Are you nervous about school?" Severus asked the young boy who focused his energy on wiping down the old vials

"I just don't want anyone to hate me" he whispered, almost ashamed

"You can't change what people think of you. You can only live your life how you want. People will think what they want. Do not strive for their respect. It will only lead you down a terrible road" Severus looked him in the eye, willing to do anything to keep his son from his path

"Did you do that?" came the quiet question

"Yes. And I paid for it. And you're paying for it on my behalf. If I can give you any advice and beg you to take it, it would be that. Do not listen to others. Only yourself. You are a smart and amiable boy, and others will be jealous and try to take that from you. Don't let them. Do you understand?" he made certain that Sev looked into his eyes to understand the depth

"Okay. I'll try" he answered softly, then asking if they could get a treat down the street

As they explored the new row of businesses, Severus pulled his son close as two men approached them with smirks on their faces

Death eaters. Jennings and Holden. Hidden back into fabric of everyday life with no repercussions. Not worthy of a place in the inner circle. Scrambling for the attention at any cost.

"Ah so it is true. The renowned Severus Snape back to life. Funny. Coward or hero?" Jennings sneered

Severus steeled himself, hand on his wand in his pocket. Sev stiffened beside him, face blank.

"That seems to be a question for the ages. I don't believe you're privy to the answer. Step aside now, that time has passed" his words instantly heavy on his chest

"Or else what?" Holden stepped up to them, brazen and dumb

Instantly, the two men were shot backward and Sev stood with his wand out and determined look on his face. They jumped up indignantly but at seeing Severus towering over them, they turned and ran.

"They're the cowards" Sev declared, putting his wand back in his pocket.

Severus smiled, knowing a letter of discipline would be headed their way for underage magic but at that time he didn't care. He knew that Sev would stand up for himself and for others in a way that he never could.

An extra large treat for certain.