Loving You Through Time

Title: Loving You Through Time.
Author: Sylvanus
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: extremely OOC and may be HBP spoiler
Pairing: HPSS
Summary: Post-war, a classical potion accident with unlikely result...
Disclaimer: Anything you recognise belongs to J.K. Rowling, etc… I own nothing, make no money from anything, and am writing this purely for personal enjoyment…


After lunch, Siofra convinced Severus to rest near the lake.

The one with the Apprentice and the ‘cat’


While our lost hero was exploring his new life, things were moving in the future. Albus Dumbledore has been trying to keep the ministry out of his ‘business’ as usual. Minister Scrimgeour will be retiring soon, but not before locking up more ‘dark supporters’. He needed to retire with the people believing he did well in the end. And making sure that Dumbledore wasn’t hiding anything was also in his agenda. The mysterious disappearance of the boy-who-defeated was quite troublesome.


The legendary headmaster was now walking on a narrowed footpath that crossed a gloomy forest. He was followed closely by a hooded figure.


“Sir? Are you sure this is really the right path? It seemed as if we are lost, I have a feeling that we are walking in circle…”


“My dear boy, you’ll know that this family had many enemies in the past and they learn to keep to themselves. Do not worry! Ah! There it is! We just found the end of this labyrinth…”
“Labyrinth?”


“Yes only those that are known by the master of the domain can ever find it, lucky for you that I came with you!”


This caused the hooded figure to shiver. Trust Albus Dumbledore to find a positive side to the situation! Once they reached the exit, a carriage appeared. It was driven by a small old elf dressed in a red coat.


“Master Dumbley! Master asked Weelly to escort you to Brina.” The small creature said with a bow.


The two visitors rode in the carriage through another forest. Soon they saw a black building which seemed to be shining by the light coming from different windows. Entering the impressive edifice, they were finally met with their host. A tall dark clothed man stood in the hall.


“Albus what is it and who is that? And I hope it’s important!”


“Evening to you too Severus. I thought it best if Neville continued helping you here.”


Albus said while presenting the mysterious figure. Neville Longbottom revealed himself, taller, nervous and sleepy.


“I suppose he has his luggage with him so I can’t send him back now?”
The old man chuckled.


“Fine it’s too late to talk anyway! Darwin?”


A strange looking goblin appeared. He bowed deeply.


“You called Master?”


“Darwin, will you show Mr Longbottom to one of the guest room. And also get one room ready for baronet Dumbledore.”


The goblin bowed then he and Neville went up the great staircase. Once the two figures were out of earshot, Count Snape turned to the old baronet.


“You manipulative old coot!”


“Well Severus you know like me that it’s important that we keep working on this potion. And I know you noticed young Neville’s gift in potion. The boy seems to have a good instinct for your art, if only you could just give him a chance to discover it…”


“Fine! I’ll try, but if Mr Longbottom step one toe out of line, I’ll owed you responsible old man!”


“I wouldn’t expect any less, dear boy.”


The day after, Neville woke up in an unfamiliar room. Too luxurious and grand to be Bottom’s Cottage. He stared around. The walls were red with some kind of yellowish orange. From his bed, he could see four windows from which he saw a large forest. He was deep in reflection, remembering Professor Dumbledore’s visit. He had convinced his Grandma to let him take an Apprenticeship during the rest of the year. An Apprenticeship in potions! Who will believe that? He barely made it in advanced potion! He closed his eyes and breathe. He opened them and came face to face with big yellowish eyes. Then he noticed the big jaw and gigantic teeth…


Count Snape was drinking his coffee –dark and one spoon of sugar- while reading the Daily Prophet. From time to time he found himself looking suspiciously at his guest. Albus Dumbledore was spreading happily some homemade strawberry jam on his toast and those unnerving twinkling eyes staring at him as usual. Severus rolled his eyes. ‘Annoying old coot’.


“AAARRRGGGG…”


Was heard in the manor then they heard running footsteps. The dinning room’s doors were opened violently, they saw a horrified looking Neville still running and screaming. Neville ran around the table followed by a gigantic black panther who was groaning after him.


“ENOUGH!” Roared the master of Brina.


Both human and creature stopped. Severus rose and called the feline.


“Liam! Come here!”


The panther seemed to be pouting while approaching his master.


“What did I told you last night? Not to go into the East wing! We will have long talk about that later.”


The panther stretched himself at Severus feet under the table while his master sat down.


“Longbottom! I would have expected from someone who faced deatheaters for the last two years to act as appropriate in such situation. And here breakfasts aren’t taken in pyjamas!”


The poor boy was staring at his host with abnormally large eyes, still under shock.


“But I’ll make an exception today.” Severus pursued.


First a chuckled was heard then Albus roared in laughter. That brought Neville out his stupor, he was bright red. Later Neville will describe that moment as the strangest and most awkward of all his life. Professor Dumbledore got ready to leave after breakfast. The three men were at the front door waiting for the carriage.


“Well, Severus I’m leaving you with young master Longbottom. Do be nice!”


“You wouldn’t have to worry if you just took him with you…” critiqued Severus.


“Now, now, my boy… Mr Longbottom do try your best. And I’m not worried.”


“Where will you be, if ever you are needed?” asked the potions master.


“Well, I’ll be going to my dear Irish cousin. You do remember Lady Catrin, Severus?”


Severus stood there like in a trance, while his mentor got into the carriage. Albus smiled while weaving at the both young men. ‘Soon the time will come.’


Dumbledore gone, Severus turned to his young guest. It seemed that the Gryffindor just realized that his ‘protector’ just left. Severus smiled, ‘I could have just a little fun with all this’. Neville only knew one thing when he noticed this smile, that life at Brina won’t be that easy.


“Well, Longbottom, it’s just you and me now! Follow me.” Said Count Snape.


They entered a room that looked like a large study. The walls were blood-red with golden and silver gilding which shined with the light coming from the wide window facing a large garden. In the middle of the room there was a large ebony desk on which were craft different animals, Neville only could distinguish the two dark horses with silver hooves used as the desk’s legs, at each extremity of the desk two birds of prey were, strangely, glaring at him. There were only four chairs: two in front of the desk, one large dark and imposing behind and a strange white one in the corner near the window. On walls at the left and right of the desk were enthroned by two large portraits. It seemed very bare and plain but the luxury of the furniture made it seemed grand. You simply knew by all that this that you were in front of an important person.


“Sit down Longbottom. And close your mouth!”


Immediately Neville sat in the nearest chair.


“Since Professor Dumbledore is convinced that you’re needed for this research, I have no choice than to accept. So as of today you are my apprentice. Have you heard about the Apprentice laws?”


“Hum… Yes, sir.”


“I’m surprise, have you thought about it?”


“Yes, I mean… I was hoping to study under one of the Guild Masters of Stonehenge in herbiology…”
“Professor Kendrick? Alana Kendrick?”


“You know her, Sir? I’ve read a lot about her research on non-magical and magical tropical plants. My grand-uncle knows her and I was hoping to get an interview …”


“Well, when we finish our work on the ‘Potter potion’, I can give you references. Professor Kendrick has high regards for potion brewers. See this as a chance to broaden your knowledge. Now to the Apprentice laws.”


Severus looked at his student, he seemed more confident now. There may be hope for him.


“Well, as you may know, I will need to declare you so it can be taken in your diploma. I will write it and my solicitor will be the witness. As I am a master and an honouree member of the Guild Masters, we won’t need four signatures. As you also know you’ll have duties towards me as I do towards you. I will accommodate you and pay for most of your study expenses. You will of course have chores in the manor; I think Darwin will be more than happy to appoint you with most of his.”


Neville’s face was now a mix of determination, apprehension, horror, a dash of fear and nervousness. Snape waited before pursuing.


“Then starting of tomorrow you will meet my tailor for you apprentice wardrobe, and we will go to Cornish Sionnach for new ingredients and any other purchases. Today I will work on our contract with my solicitor. Darwin will give you a tour of the manor. Tonight you will officially be my Apprentice.”


Lord Snape snapped his fingers and the doors of the study were opened by the strange looking goblin.


“Darwin, I’ll leave Mr Longbottom to you. Move him to the Gale room. Mr Longbottom will be staying with us.”
Darwin bowed to his master and beckoned to the young guest. Once that the doors were closed, a voice came from Severus’ right.


“This could be interesting. I think that the manor will finally be animated.”


Severus turned to face the portrait of a middle-aged dark haired man seated on a rock near a river. He was dress in 12th century clothes. The man was smirking at his heir. Under the portrait was written: “Lord Blyth Brian Snap II”.


Darwin had taken Neville to a blue room larger than Neville’s first room. There were more shelves, a desk, and a big bed. At each side of the bed was a window. At the left of the entrance door was a small living room. At the left side of the bed was a wardrobe and at the right another door leading to the bathroom.


“Welcome to the Gale room. Here numerous of Apprentice have reside since Lord Blyth the first. He was the family’s first Potion master, after him more Snape specialize in different fields such as Defence, Dark Arts, Herbiology, Muggle and Magical law, study of Magical creatures and other valuable researches.”


The younger man didn’t have time to admire the place, as a dark figure jump on him and he fall on his stomach. The heavy weight fell on him as if it was seated on him.


“Liam! Please get up!!” said the Goblin in a low voice.


The large feline glared at the smaller creature and got up to rest on the navy blue bed. Terrified Neville stepped back.


“Do not be impressed by this cat. Yes Liam that’s what you are you are acting like a spoilt cat! And anyway if you meant harm to Lord Snape, you wouldn’t be alive today. He only acts as a real panther on such moments. Do you have any question before we start our tour?”


“Hum… Why a goblin such as you works for a wizard? My grand-uncle Algie told me that goblins will rather die than bow to a human.”


“That is true! But my family has worked for the Snapes since Lord Balthus Snape saved my ancestor Cornhook III during one of the many Goblins’ War. He found him while walking on the battlefield -after battle of course- and in rather bad condition. After the war, he returned to Brina and proposed his services to build a safe safer than Gringotts. My clan since then have been the bankers, solicitors, personal advisors and head butlers of the manor. I think we should get started on the tour even if as an Apprentice some doors are to remain close to you, there still a lot to see. Let’s get started!”


The day went smoothly, the young man found history even more interesting. ‘Why does Mr Binns keeps us bored with the Goblins’ Wars’. He now knew that the dungeons, the West wing, the private study and anything related to the private life of the Master were off limit and the history of each room opened to him. Darwin had appointed an elf to him and even an owl. He even propose to make an aquarium for Trevor II, which Neville accepted after noticing Liam’s yellow eyes on his pet.


“Master Neville, I shall leave you here, I trust you can find your way back to your apartment. If not call Cathy. Dinner is at 8, don’t be late and I suggest to wear something appropriate. Good day!”


Neville spent the rest of the afternoon in his room. He started to write to his grandma as promise and read the new book he had thought of bringing in his haste. Looking around him he thought: ‘this won’t be that bad’. At 7.30 pm, Cathy appeared to help him get ready: ‘You is needed to make good impression and Cathy will help’. Those words said, the Longbottom heir couldn’t stop the overly joyous elf. Then Cathy guided him to the hall, he was about to reach the double doors of the dinning room, he felt the yellow eyes again. That damn cat followed him all day! Panicking, Neville opened the doors and closed them quickly. He stay there as if try to hinder the entry of some kind of danger.


“What pray tell is going on Longbottom?”


Neville jumped and turn to see his host at the dinning table with two other figures.


“Never mind! Do join us, boy!”


He sat at the left side of the head of the table, and now could see that the guest were a goblin and an old man. Both solemnly staring at him.


“Gentlemen this is my Apprentice. Mr Longbottom these are my solicitor and counsellor Grapcrank and Mr Henrik Cardif my lawyer and secretary and also my liaison between the Ministry and me.”


Both persons nodded. Dinner was uneventful, or for better word boring until a groan and moan almost as purr. Severus Snape raised his hand to the doors and they opened. Liam trotted to his master accepting the caress. No one seemed to notice the glare he send Neville all dinner.


“Well gentlemen, let’s go to my study and get everything settled.”


They read the contract, Grapcrank did. Neville was surprised he still was attentive after 30 minutes of reading, they turned to him.


“Well young man, are you agreeing to all clauses?” Asked Mr Cardif.


“Y-yes, sir.” Answered the Gryffindor.


A quill was presented to him and he signed, then the goblin, Cardif and Snape did the same, although Professor Snape added his seal on the paper before handing it back to Cardif.


“I trust you to hand it to the Department of Magical Education. Make sure to keep me inform on any trouble they may make, after all Scrimgeour is still suspicious and I don’t trust him!”


“What a fool! In my time, the family Council was law before them! Tradition are disappearing, my Lord.” Said old Cardif.


“We goblins at least respect our leaders!”


“Do not worry about me, gentlemen! I think we should call it a night. Thank you for you aid!”


Once they left, Neville was back in room. Yes nothing was easy and that ‘cat’ didn’t seem to like him. ‘I’ll have to keep away from him and keep Trevor safe’.

Severus Snape’s journal entry of the 2nd of September

First day went smoothly after a rocky start. I think I… find that girl more interesting each minute. She managed to gain the interest of Professor. God knows that apart from his duties as our Head of House and his runes nothing else is worthy of his attention worth his attention for him.


She took me to the lake for lunch; don’t know how she convinced me. We talked about our classes and fellow students. Everything was fine, until Black and Potter appeared. One minute they were was insulting then trying to hex me. But by a strange phenomenon they were thrown in to the lake with his companion. Lupin and Pettigrew were trying to extract them from silt. I know she did it without a wand! That’s really advance magic!
I think that this is the first time in years that I’ll be having… fun.

Severus Snape stopped reading. And rise from his armchair, looking at the half moon. ‘I wish you were here… Siofra’.