Letters From America

Thanks for your patience with my sporadic updates. RL has been interfering with my muses. Damned fickle muses!

Thanks as always to Jilliane, who fixes my commas and makes my words read more clearly. Any remaining mistakes are my own.

Chapter 5

Dear Father,

I was surprised to hear that you had gone to Delos. I don't remember that being a favourite spot of yours. Perhaps things have changed.

I am writing to tell you that we have found Severus. We have located him in a small town in the wilds of Oklahoma, called Newalla. We shall be heading there tomorrow to see him.

I spoke with him briefly over the telephone yesterday. He sounds well and much less Snape-ish, if you know what I mean. He actually laughed when I told him of our misadventures in finding him in such a large land.

American wizards are much more relaxed about certain attitudes that we hold sacrosanct. They drive rather than Apparate, they have creatures called Brownies that are like free house-elves with a certain amount of Yank attitude. Their views on blood are generally rather amorphous. Race seems to be a larger issue in this nation.

Potter has been a godsend in this situation. His Muggle background has allowed us to explore more of American culture than just the wizarding portion. I have become a fan of professional wrestling, even though Potter informs me it is all a show.

I shall inform you of Severus' condition after we meet tomorrow.

On a different note, Ian tells me he has joined you. Thank you for giving Ian a break from his duties. The man could give Snape a lesson on self-sacrifice. Perhaps he did, though. You did know that they are first cousins on his father's side, didn't you?

Take care of yourself, Father. I should like to have a long discussion with you when I return to England. I suppose you will be at the Manor?

Your son,

Draco

PS: Liz, Scorpius, and Toby send their love. Why did you leave London so quickly?

Draco

PPS: I now own an authenticCowboy Hat from an authentic Cowboy Shop called Teners. This part of America is certainly interesting. Would you care for one?*




Harry smoothed back his water-slicked hair, wondering if it made him look as much a poncy git as Draco had when he was younger and obsessed with seal sleek hair. He shook the wet hanks back into his eyes, the fringe immediately standing up as he did. He had always known his hair was a hopeless cause, but thought if he could make it behave, just this one time, that Snape might see past his likeness to James Potter. He wished Snape could see Harry as himself.

"Potter! Are you finished?"

Draco's voice through the closed door had taken on the whinging tone that Harry had become accustomed to in their travels. It was the one Malfoy employed to get his way, or when he really needed to use the loo. Harry hurriedly pulled on his shirt, the nice blue one that Ginny had packed for him along with his best robes. He wouldn't don the robes until they were out of the Muggle portion of the Skirvin Hotel, and in the car park next to the building. He put his tie around his neck and said the charm to fix it in the right place. He was hopeless with knots, especially those of the tie variety.

He exited the room and Draco ran in, nearly hurtling into Harry in his haste to gain access. Harry shuffled through the postcards he had bought, wondering if he should send one to Ginny, even though it would most likely reach her after he returned home. He decided on the one with the jackalope, remembering something from Care of Magical Creatures about a similar German or Austrian animal, a rabbit with horns and wings. It had a funny name that he could never remember. He thought it might be Wolpertingle or something like that.

He scrawled something on the back of the card and was just securing it in his jacket pocket when Draco came out. Harry was always surprised by how little time Draco actually spent on grooming himself. It just wasn't fair that Malfoy had wand straight hair and perfect skin. Harry still got spots when he shaved too closely. At least Malfoy had finally let Harry heal the black eye. It would not do for Snape to see that remnant of their idiocy.

Malfoy's gaze took in the postcard and Harry's unkempt appearance. He asked, "Are you ready to go?"

Harry's stomach lurched, and he felt as if a tremor ran through his heart at Draco's words. He mumbled, "Yeah," .

"Don't look so glum, Harry. I'm sure Severus doesn't have a hand gun. He can't be that American, after all." Draco clapped Harry on the back, and Harry shook with the prospect of meeting an armed Severus Snape. He was lethal enough with just his barbed comments.


email from Wizardspace dot net:

Subject: Nuttin' much, Daddy

from: stellaloca to PotionsMastery

Daddy

Thanks for sending me the money. I was a little miffed that you put a charm on it so I couldn't spend any of it on the animal shelter, but I know why you did. You just know me too well. LOL! (and don't roll your eyes at my netspeak, I know how much you hate it, and that's exactly why I use it. Don't be such a stick in the mud.)

I'll be coming home tomorrow (this?? It's already 1am) morning. I haven't got any classes, and have taken off from my job at the barns. Who would have thought I would be shovelling cow crap as a college student? Anyway. I'll be there before your guests get there. And Daddy, remember to be nice. They are fragile, not like JP and I were when you first met us.

Love you lots,

Stella-bird


Severus had come to the realisation early on in his marriage that being a part of a family was a messy business. His two latest messiest problems were absolutely covered in pixie dust and glue. The sparkled prettily in the early morning light, his children, even as they howled out their rage at each other. They had only been in his presence for a quarter hour, and the little hellions were already testing his patience. He shook the paper he was reading and grumbled, mostly to himself, about the mess and the noise. He would not intervene unless and until there was actual pain and/or blood.

Antonia entered the kitchen. "Really, Sev, can't you..." Her jaws clicked shut as she watched the children further besparkle themselves as they continued to squabble over the pad of construction paper before them.

"I am watching them," he answered tightly. At the sound of his voice the two escalated into full out blows with Valecia doling out a great deal more damage to her brother. She was the elder of the two by a year and a some weeks.

Before he could intervene, he felt the hot rush of a spell flit by him as his lovely wife set both the children in separate corners of the room. Their clamour increased to a rather high-pitched annoying howl that set Severus' nerves to jangling. He flipped his paper shut and scowled pointedly at both Valecia and Constantine, who each wisely cut off their industrious yowling as they registered the look on their father's face.

Valecia hiccoughed once before settling back against the wall. "Sorry."

"M'sorry too," Constantine chimed in after his sister, "m'really sorry." Constantine poked his tongue out at Valecia, garnering a similar reaction from her. Severus clicked his tongue in response to this display, causing both children to retreat in haste.

His son popped his two middle fingers in his mouth and began suckling. Severus scowled further. No amount of bitter potions or positive reinforcement could break Constantine Snape of that disgusting habit. He also carried around the small felted remnants of his tattered baby blanket on which he had bestowed the name Bay-bay. It was currently poking out of his trouser pocket, its colour an indescribable blue-grey shot through with grey-green. Severus remembered that the object had once been plaid.

Antonia retreated to the stove as she said, "You deal with them I'll get breakfast started"

Severus sighed. "Come here, both of you."

Both children toddled to him as he fixed a stern expression on his face. Valecia was the first to reach him and he bade her to sit whilst her brother inched forward, his black hair and pale skin a contrast to Valecia's ruddy complexion and bronze hair. When they were situated he began instructing them on the proper way for little wizards and witches to behave. As he was speaking, he felt a sense of unreality wash over him.

Could this be his life? Who were these little beings in front of him? Where was the Severus of old with his billowing robes and icy demeanour? He paused, so lost in thought that he did not even know he had done so, until a sticky, sparkling hand touched his trousers. Valecia whispered solemnly, "Daddy, are you a'right?"

Severus fought his way through his whirling thoughts until he saw his daughter's dark eyes and perfect skin. He sat back in his chair, gruffly covering his lapse of attention with a barked command, "It's time for you two to right this mess and wash up. Your mother won't wait breakfast on you, and neither will I."

Blaise,

Potter told me what he knew of your involvement with Severus these past few years. I don't know whether to hex you for your deceit, or applaud you for your loyalty. We're to see him this morning. I hope Potter doesn't do or say anything to cock this up. I miss the old bastard.

DEM

Newalla was a small town, much smaller than Ottery St. Catchpole. At least that village sported its own primary school. Newalla proper was comprised of two churches, a feed store, a post office, a now defunct cabinet shop, a small burger stand, and a petrol station. Houses were scattered loosely around the main street and the population of the town could not be more than a few hundred souls. Draco watched the quaint scenery through the window of the car as they made their way through the town on the main street. Potter remained silent, as he had throughout the trip, his normally mobile features held stiff, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel.

"You need to turn left on fifty-ninth and then go four miles from that." Draco said, as he read the herbologist Brick McGowan's directions. "It will be a two story white house with a large clearing around it, he says."

It wasn't long before they wheeled into the drive of a house fitting that description. Draco exited the vehicle to open the gate instead of using his wand to complete the task, preserving the illusion of Muggleness if this weren't Snape's house. A small black and tan dog darted from the shadowed veranda, barking noisily, as Potter pulled into the yard. A child played in the shadow of the house, and a dark figure dressed in black was in a rocking chair.

Potter parked the car in an area that had worn patches on it, and exited. "This is it, I guess," he said as he absently rubbed his hands on his robes before straightening his tie one more time. "I wonder whose kids those are?"

They picked their way along the gravelled path leading to the house. The child gave up his play and rose to watch the two men as they approached. A slender teenaged girl with long black hair and creamy dark skin came around the house and called to the dog. The animal trotted to the girl and sat at her feet, keeping a wary eye on Draco and Harry.

Draco was aware of Potter's nervousness but was surprised when he heard him mutter, "This is a bad idea."

Potter had stopped in the middle of the lane and Draco turned back to him, taking the dark-haired man by the sleeve and pulling him forward. "Where's all that vaunted Boy-Who-Lived-To-Seriously-Fuck-With-A-Slytherin's-Mind's courage? Move it Potter. We're not leaving here until you get this arsed up quest out of your system."

As they drew closer, Draco could make out Severus' distinctive features. Draco felt his own pulse speed as he noticed the man looking back at them. Snape held a girl of about six in one arm and a book was splayed across his lap, open and presumably being read. Snape turned his attention to the girl in his lap, and after a small consultation she called the other small child to her. They both ran into the house with the noisy clatter of hard-soled shoes on wooden planks. Draco noted that the black-haired teenager had moved forward, the dog heeled beside her. She had stopped beside the veranda steps, her sculpted, Asiatic features held blank. Potter made a short bow to her after Draco preformed the act.

She shot them a nervous smile and said, "Daddy's been waiting for you two all morning. I'm glad you made it."

Potter's head jerked at her words. He asked, in a strangled tone, "Daddy?"

"Yeah, he adopted me and my brother a few years back." She stuck out her hand and said, "I'm Stella."

She opened her mouth to say more as Draco's attention drifted back to Severus. The older man was struggling to stand, using two crutches to pull his weight from the rocker. Potter's choked words were nearly drowned out by the rushing blood in Draco's ears. "When... How did he... Why...?"

"There's no need to interrogate my daughter, Potter." Severus' cutting tone silenced Harry as effectively as any Silencio. "Any questions you have will be directed to me alone, or you will leave my property this instant."

Potter's mouth clicked shut as Snape addressed the young woman, "My dear, please go help Antonia with the preparation of our lunch." The older man turned back to his seat, saying, "Well, are you two dunderheads going to stand there in the sun all day?"

Potter gave a nervous snort of laughter and then followed Snape onto the deck of the veranda. "It's good to see that not all things have changed about you, Sir. I never thought I'd be happy to hear you call me a dunderhead."

In that strange alchemy between one time sworn enemies, Snape joined Potter in laughter. It seemed to clear the air in some strange way between them.

Potter shook his head and repeated, "Dunderheads."


Minerva,

I received your letter. Suffice it to say, that there are no apologies necessary for your actions during my tenure as Headmaster. You were not to know what I was; Albus and I planned it that way. If you had known of my true allegiance, and the facts surrounding Albus' death, it would have endangered us both.

I am sorry to hear that you have retired from teaching. You were always an exemplary instructor. I am sure you are missed by one and all. As for me, you always knew my feelings on teaching. I was never gifted with the amount of caring it takes to mould young minds into proper witches and wizards. I lack the patience and the social skills it takes to put up with the average student.

I am doing well. I have married and have four children, with another on the way. I suppose you win the bet you made with Hooch. I believe she thought I would remain a bachelor due to either my unfortunate looks or my sexual orientation.

I have enclosed a photograph of my family so that you may collect your monies from her. It was ten Galleons, wasn't it? I am glad that I can finally profit you in some way.

I will be returning to England shortly. My wife has accepted a job at St. Mungo's, in their research division, and I have acquired a small potions manufacturing company.

There is one thing that I do wish to convey to you, Minerva. No matter what I was forced to do during my tenure as Headmaster, you always had my utmost respect and regard. Please forgive me for acting contrary to those sentiments. I was forced to do so to retain control of the school.

Thank you, Minerva, for your friendship throughout the years.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

*From Miss Patil Takes a Holiday, Chapter 13.

Wolpertinger: a creature from the Black Forest that is closely related to the jackalope, for the purposes of this story. More can be read about this amazing creature on Wikipedia. No, really, it is there!


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