Severus Snape is tired of the lies. (fortiscadere) wrote in blurred_lines, @ 2008-02-22 18:44:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! [1979-02] february, ! npc, severus snape |
Ficlet: Severus Snape & Eileen Snape
Who: Severus Snape & Eileen Prince Snape.
When: Friday afternoon, 22 February 1979.
Where: Snape residence, near Great Ayton.
Summary: Severus returns from Diagon Alley to bring chocolate for his mother.
Rating: G.
Severus had spent the morning in Diagon Alley. After his success of the following weekend, he had made certain to visit each of the establishments that had agreed to the demands of the Dark Lord. Particularly he had picked up supplies for potions as well as picking up some chocolate for his mother. She had not asked for it, and Severus was certain she would think it an unnecessary expenditure of Galleons, but he was hoping that perhaps it might cheer her some. Eileen Snape had been quiet of recent, and her dreams, although she would not share them with Severus, had been troubled. Severus Apparated from the Apparation point outside the Leaky Cauldron to a point just outside of Great Ayton, and made his way towards the house he and his Mother were currently sharing. The path up to Spinner's End twisted through several dead trees. Severus wrapped his robe around him, throwing a grey scarf around his neck, he held his wrapped package up to his chest and moved towards the small, run down looking house. He had moved his Mother from their small flat near the industrial edge of town into the house near the edge. It had seemed more fitting for members of the Wizarding community to live separated from the Muggles Severus had grown up despising. From the outside the house looked run down, and indeed, it was a bit run down even on the inside. Severus had hoped that moving into it would give his Mother something to put her mind to. She had always been able to perform charms easily, while Severus had struggled with them. While he didn't mind the outside looking run down, he would have preferred to improve the living quarters. Severus stepped up to the door and undid the wards and entered the house. Eileen Snape sat in a small wooden chair in the living room, staring out of the window at the slate grey sky. She was a tired looking woman with dark hair now turning grey, a large nose, and deep wrinkles along her face. She had been sitting in the chair for nearly an hour without movement. She had found it difficult to engage her mind in any project of recent. Having married a Muggle, she had been unwilling to use magic for everyday activities and although her husband was no longer around to make commentary when she pulled out her wand, she had grown so used to doing things by hand, that it was difficult to consider changing those habits now. As her son entered, Eileen inclined her head towards him. "Mum? I'm back," Severus said, setting his package down on the table and removing his scarf and robe. He looked over at his mother who seemed not to have moved since he entered. Severus stood awkwardly, and then walked over to her. "I was thinking we could try to do some repairing charms in the toilets," he said nodding towards them. "You could show me how," he gave her a tight smile. "I haven't done some of the charms since NEWTs." Eileen didn't move. So little seemed worth the effort. It wasn't so much that she missed her husband. Tobias had often been cruel and had been mocking and hateful towards her use of magic. It was more that she missed the hope of what she had hoped life with Tobias would be. And then there was what she had read recently in the Prophet, and heard on the WWN. In the end, she was uncertain that the shopkeepers of Diagon Alley who were saying Muggleborns couldn't shop their wares were not correct after all. In her younger days she had felt that marrying Pureblood or Fullblood wizards was an unnecessary snobbery and she had spent most of her life with the fall out from that decision. And then there was Severus. Her son had been different since his father's death. More confident, perhaps and more concerned as well. "I don't think I can today, Severus," she said, turning her attention back to the outside. Severus took a deep breath, but tried to suppress his frustration from his mother. He walked back towards the table, pulled out the chocolate and brought it over to her. Perhaps he would try the charms himself. He had passed his NEWT level, however much he had been required to practise to do so. "I picked this up for you when I was out." She looked surprised, took the chocolate and reached up and patted Severus' arm gently. "Thank you, son," she said, turning once more to stare outside of the window. Severus watched her for a moment, and then turned away, accepting defeat once more. He took the ingredients from the table and moved to the back room he had set up as a potions room. He wanted to begin a dreamless sleep draught immediately so that she would have it for that evening. He would start the potion brewing and then he would tackle his Mother's bedroom first. He would do what he could, and try not to think about what Lily could have done with the room had they still been on speaking terms. As he entered his potions workroom, he decided if he was careful with this month's pay, he'd have enough to give her draperies as well. Maybe if she were surrounded by better circumstances, she'd be less depressed and happier. And if his Mother would be happier, maybe he'd finally start feeling like what he had done in freeing her from his Father's hateful attitude and behaviour had been a good thing rather than feeling guilty about it. |