Rip Van Snape

CONTAINS SPOILERS! DO NOT READ FURTHER THAN THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE BOOK!




Rip Van Snape

“He was the bravest man I ever knew!”

The words rang around a certain gravestone. The ground ruptured and shook and an arm poked out of the ground; it was covered in black cloth and mud. The arm was followed by another arm and soon a head emerged and eventually everything else followed. He blinked; it was a sunny day. He turned around and his neck felt frail and stiff.

“What in the name of Merlin is going on?” he muttered as he levered himself out of the ground. He sat down looking around. He was at Hogwarts. “R I P Severus Snape – The Bravest Man I Have Ever Known Lies Here! This tombstone was erected by Harry James Potter, who deeply regrets his actions to this courageous of all men!” Severus rolled his eyes. “Bloody Gryffindor sentimentality,” he growled. “I bet that wool headed Granger girl was behind the wording to. Sounds like something she’d do.”

He was confused. One minute ago he wasn’t conscious of anything at all. Now, it seemed, he had life come back to him. He remembered everything that had ever happened to him. The strange thing was; he didn’t feel in any pain and he wasn’t – well – miserable. In fact he felt like he’d woken up after a nice, refreshing sleep. That was rather unusual in itself. He could never remember having a proper nights sleep.

He was just about to get up and see exactly where he was in Hogwarts when he heard a big booming voice yell out: “Bloody hell!” He turned around. Hagrid had come running out of his hut.

“What is going on, Rubeus?” he asked. “Forgive me if I’m wrong but that thing there suggests I’m supposed to be dead!”

“You are – were – I only came out ter see if the pumpkins were well.”

“What day is this?”

“September First,” Hagrid said. “Really should go to the boats. I ‘appen ter know that ‘Arry’s kid’ll be startin’ this year. I like ‘is son James, bit like ‘is namesake. Course, ‘is second son is named Albus; Albus Severus as matter of fact!”

Hagrid looked at the recently resurrected man. It seemed he wasn’t listening – it was only when his name was mentioned as one of Potter’s kids that he did listen.

“Well,” he finally said. “At least the boy had some sense. Unless you tell me that his other name happens to be Sirius.”

“No,” Hagrid said, “it’s Albus Severus Potter.”

Severus ran this over his head. “A S P, ASP, Snake – he’ll be a Slytherin, won’t he?”

Hagrid shrugged. “’Arry seems ter think so; as does ‘Ermione. Ron doesn’t like the idea of havin’ a nephew in Slytherin.”

Severus rolled his eyes. “Okay,” he said. “I have to get something to drink and some food. I’ve never been hungrier or thirstier.”

“Oh, well, come to the Kitchens then,” he said. “Actually …” Hagrid was about to suggest that Severus come to his hut.

But when he turned around McGonnagall came running out of the grounds closely followed by Flitwick, Slughorn, and a young man that looked vaguely familiar. He heaved himself on his legs and ended up staggering; this movement caused him to be seen by everyone. The familiar young man paled. Flitwick tripped on McGonnagall’s robes and McGonnagall’s eyes widened.

“Severus,” she sighed. “Oh, Severus, you’re -!”

“I swear if one of you say’s ‘Severus, we thought you were dead!’ or its close cousin; ‘You’re alive!’ I will cut your voice box!” he growled.

“Harry will be so pleased,” the young man said. “He was so cut up at the funeral. It was like he lost a father.”

“Who are you?” Severus asked.

“Professor Longbottom, sir,” Neville said.

Severus rolled his eyes. Gods, it was a good thing he had come back. He looked around and was about to walk but he went extremely dizzy.

“Poor man,” Flitwick said. “Nineteen years without food.”

Hagrid scooped him up. “Don’t protest, Professor, I will take you. You’re clearly unsteady.”

Severus didn’t like the idea of being carried by the giant but he had no choice. He was obviously brought back for a reason; life was given to him for a reason.

McGonnagall went up to her office and looked at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. “Severus, it seems, is still alive. What do I do?”

“Get the Potter’s and the Weasley’s,” the Portrait replied.

^^^^^

Harry Potter was just about to go to work but was stopped by the gold coin in his pouch. Something had happened. He looked at his wife. She felt it too, his brother and sister in law exchanged expressions. They shrugged their shoulders and thought nothing of it until Harry saw Draco sprint forward – he was panting.

“Got called to Hogwarts,” he said.

“So have we,” Hermione said.

She must admit that sometimes she wished she had accepted his hand when he asked her to dance with him at the ball – she said no, as she didn’t want another reason for Ron to be angry with her.

“Something could have happened to our children,” Draco said. “So stop grinning Weasley.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “The train only pulled off about three minutes ago, Draco, so I doubt it’s anything about the children.”

“It’s all very well for you to say, Hermione, but I -!”

“I think we should all just go and see what they want,” Hermione said. Ginny squeezed Harry’s hand.

They took hold of their coins and found themselves spinning in the air and they ended up at Hogwarts.

“Place hasn’t changed much,” Ron said.

Draco slipped his hand through his hair and silently agreed. “Is it my imagination or does the place seem – smaller?”

They were about to walk on the steps when Neville ran up to them panting.

“Good, you all came!”

“What is the matter, Nev?” Ron asked.

“Er – something totally unexpected and completely unforeseen.”

“Even by Trelawney?” Hermione asked.

The others sniggered slightly. Neville paled and shook his head. “Seriously. This is no laughing matter. We need Hermione to solve this one; in fact he’s been calling for you and Harry.”

“Who has?” Draco asked.

Neville gulped. “Er, follow me,” he said. “There’s no other way of saying it. It’s best if you just see for yourselves.”

He beckoned them over the threshold and they all followed. Draco stood behind Hermione and tilted his head to one side and chewed his lip; “Don’t even think about it!” a voice snarled from his side. He turned around.

“Sorry, Weasley,” Draco drawled. “How could I have ignored you with that hair!”

“Coming back to the place doesn’t agree with you, Malfoy,” Ginny said, “you’ve reverted.”

“When you lot quite finished!” Neville exclaimed shortly.

Hermione laughed behind her hand. “Could’ve done with you as a teacher ourselves,” Harry said jovially smacking him on the back.

Neville shrugged his shoulders. “I do what I can,” he grinned back.

He led them up the spiral staircase to the headmistress’s office. Harry felt like he was in the wrong clothes. He looked at Hermione who seemed to be extremely thoughtful. Neville had mentioned: ‘He has been asking for you two!’ He wouldn’t say who he was. Neville opened the door and they all soon found out why!

“What the?” Harry asked.

“I am asking myself the same question. Any thoughts, Miss Granger?”

“She’s Mrs Weasley, now!” Ron said.

“I’ll call her what I want to, Mr Weasley. She will always be Miss Granger to me.”

Hermione’s mouth was wide open. “What happened?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I was dead five minutes ago.”

She looked around and was about to say something when he turned to Harry. “What was that sentimental rubbish you had on my tombstone?”

Harry shrugged. “Well, whether you like it or not, it’s true!” he said. “I thought of you when I killed Voldemort.”

“So, he is actually dead!”

“Would I be here if he wasn’t?” Hermione said in a small voice.

Severus turned to her. “I guess none of you would be,” he said. “Anyway, after I’ve eaten and cleaned up I want to start researching.”

“Don’t you think you need a rest, Severus?” McGonnagall asked.

“Forgive me, madam. I have been resting for nineteen years. Who knows what magic this is but it may have a time limit; let me do what I must to see if this is true. I require your help, Miss Granger.”

“Mrs Weasley!” Ron muttered under his breath.

“As for you naming your child after me, Potter, what the hell possessed you to do that?”

“I wanted to make sure you lived on, somehow. I like you now, Severus,” he answered. “I am truly sorry about the way I suspected you and all the time you did everything you could to help me. I wanted to make sure that you would never – NEVER be forgotten.”

Severus blinked. He looked into those earnest, green eyes, and succumbed finally and said grudgingly. “Thank you.”
Harry shrugged his shoulders. “Do you think we can stay and watch the sorting, Minerva.”

“Where do you think he’s going to go?” Severus asked.

“Slytherin,” Harry said. “And I would be proud of him! He’s a great kid; quiet, but clever. He was a bit uncertain about going into Slytherin because James was teasing him. I’ll clout James if he makes any remarks about Albus going into Slytherin.”

Severus let a small smile creep along his face, that seemed worthwhile to hear that. “Miss Granger,” Severus said turning to the woman. “I will see you in the library in about an hours time.”

“Can yeh walk alrigh’ now?” Hagrid asked.

“I think so,” Severus said. He got up and began walking towards the door but almost collapsed. Hermione ran to him and helped him up. She straightened him up and brushed him down. “Thank you.”

“Come on, Severus, I’ll take yer to the bathrooms.”

“I’d rather go with Mr Malfoy,” Severus said.

Draco took that as his cue to lead his former friend and mentor down the staircase. Everyone turned to Hermione. “What do you make of it?” Neville asked her.

“How the hell am I supposed to know?” she snapped.

“Hey, calm down!” Harry said.

“Calm down! Did you see his eyes?” she asked. “REALLY look at them? They were hollow, zombie like.”

“Hollow?” Ron asked.

“He’s sort of come back to life; but there was no life in his eyes.”

“What is missing, Hermione?” Harry asked.

She tilted her head to one side. “I don’t know but I may as well begin researching; make sure you get me out of the library to see the kids being sorted, won’t you?”

“We will,” Ginny said. “Harry, why don’t we take a little walk around?”

Ron and Neville looked at each other. “Let’s catch up on old times.”

“Why don’t we annoy Hermione?”

“Professor Longbottom!” Ron exclaimed shocked. “I don’t think that you, as Hogwarts Professor, should think like that at all!”

“Aw, come on. I have three hours of irresponsibility left.”

McGonnagall shook her head and sighed. She looked at the two young men before her and smiled. They trooped out of their office.

“It doesn’t seem right, does it, Hagrid?”

“Nope.”

^^^^^

Albus Severus Potter walked into a carriage and looked at a slight built blond haired boy.

“Can I sit here?” he asked him.

“Sure,” he said. “I saw you standing next to Harry Potter!”

“He’s my dad.”

“My dad said your dad saved my dad’s life.”

“What’s your name?”

“Scorpius Malfoy.”

“Albus Severus,” he said. “I am scared of going to school.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. What house are you going to be in?”

“I don’t know,” Albus sighed, “but I think Slytherin is going to be it. I just want to be left alone and study.”

“I’m going to be a Slytherin to,” Scorpius said. “All my family have been Slytherin,” he boasted.

“Cool,” Albus replied.

“Ah, there you are, Albus. I’ve been looking ALL over for you!”

“This is my brother, James.”

“Albus, come and sit with me and Rosie.”

“It’s all right,” Albus said. “I’m talking to Scorpius Malfoy.”

“A Malfoy, eh? A word, Albus.”

Albus smiled at his new friend. “Won’t be long.”

James looked around. “You are joking, right? Scorpius Malfoy? You do know what -!”

“Our dad saved his dad’s life. The least we can do is try to get along, besides he sounds interesting.”

“He looks like an arrogant prat!”

“What do you know, Jim? He seems like my sort of friend.”

“If you end up …”

“So what if I do, Jim? I like Snakes, always have done.”

“Fine, it’s up to you. But I can’t keep an eye on you if you end up in Slytherin, you do know that don’t you?”

“I can look out for myself,” Albus said. Albus shook his head and walked back into the carriage. “Do you have a brother, Scorpius?”

“Only child!”

“Lucky devil!”

Scorpius laughed. “My dad calls me a devil. I never have been called Lucky before.”

They were about to carry on talking when an auburn haired girl walked into the room. She had brown eyes and pale skin. Scorpius looked her up and down.

“Hello, Al,” she said. “How are you?”

“Fine, Rosie.”

She turned around. “I am Rosie Weasley,” she said. “Who are you?”

“Scorpius Malfoy,” he said. “Which one is your father?”

“Ronald,” she said. “Al, come on, don’t leave me alone with Jim!”

“Sit here then!” Albus said. “Please.”

She looked at the other boy. “May I?”

Scorpius blinked. He didn’t care what she did. But was pleased that she asked his permission first.

“Yes,” he said. She sat next to Albus.

“Are you Draco Malfoy’s son?” she asked.

“I am,” Scorpius said.

“My mum and dad were in the same year as your dad, and as Al’s dad. I take it you’re going to be a Slytherin then?” she asked.

“Yes, all my family have been,” Scorpius said.

Rosie shrugged her shoulders. “I would like to be a Ravenclaw. Although, Slytherin sounds like the sort of place you want to be in if you want to be solitary,” she said.

“Well, I think I want to be in Slytherin. Scorpius looks cool,” he said.

Rosie looked at him and shrugged her shoulders. “If you say so.”

Scorpius scowled. Albus tried not to laugh. “So, Albus,” Scorpius said, drawing himself up haughtily. “What would be your favourite lesson?”

“Potions, I think,” he said, “Aunty Hermione has been giving me a lot of tips.”

“That’s my mum,” Rosie replied.

“Is it true your grandparents are muggles?”

“Your point being?”

“No point,” Scorpius said withering under the glare of the girl.

He must admit that he loved the way the sun was shining on her hair. His father had taught him how to appreciate beauty. This was a beautiful girl. He had only a few hours to charm her enough to end up in Slytherin.

“I think that it’s about time you two were in your uniforms,” she said. “I will wait outside. Call me in when you’re ready.”

“Bossy isn’t she?” Scorpius grinned.

“Yeah, but out of all my cousins she’s my favourite. We get on really well,” he sighed. He got up and started to get dressed. Scorpius followed suit.

“READY!” Albus shouted. Rosie walked in and looked them both up and down.

“Straighten your tie, Al,” she said. Albus did so. She looked at Scorpius. “You’re fine.”

He grinned. He decided to ignore the fact that she said in a rather sniffy voice.

“Well,” Albus sighed. “What shall we talk about now?”

They looked at each other and all thought one thing: Potions. Rosie got her book out and the others did to. They wanted to know as much as possible before they reached school. After the sweet trolley past by they began to test each other.

“Looks like we’re all set,” Scorpius said.

“We’re almost there,” Rosie said. She got up but the train lurched to a sudden stop and she was flung into Scorpius arms.

“Allow me,” he said steadying her.

“I can walk out myself,” she said stiffly. “Coming Al.”

“Fiery isn’t she?”

“You have no idea.”

They soon found themselves being ferried along in the boats, and Al and Rosie looked at Hogwarts astounded. Scorpius had seen it a few times before.

^^^^

“They’re here!” Ron said to Hermione. She was looking at one book straining her eyes to do so, they could be thirteen all over again.

“Alright,” she yawned. He hadn’t showed up, perhaps he was more tired than he thought. She gathered up her books and followed her husband out of the library, and to the Great Hall. Draco was already there, as were Harry and Ginny.

“Where’s -?”

“He’s asleep,” Draco said. “At first I thought he was dead again but I saw him breathing. Found anything yet, Hermione?”

“No,” Hermione said. “It’s not going to be found over night, you know.”

“I thought you could coax the books into giving you the answers,” Draco drawled. Hermione looked up at him sharply. “Kidding,” he said.

The doors to the room opened wide and the children trooped in. Albus spotted his parents and sighed with relief, he was pleased they were here; and so were his aunt and uncle. Rosie smiled at her mother, and followed her cousin. Scorpius briefly nodded to Draco, and they made their way to be sorted.

Draco, Harry and Ron all shut down until their kids names were mentioned.

“Scorpius Malfoy!” Flitwick’s voice rang out.

The blond boy bounced past Albus and winked at him. This didn’t go unnoticed by the fathers.

“Hmm,” the hat said. “Slytherin!” he yelled.

Draco smiled smugly and Harry shook his head. A few more names were reeled off the list until: “Albus Potter!”

The black haired, green eyed boy stepped forward and sat on the stool. The hat stayed there for a few minutes. Harry and Ginny held hands.

“Hmm, I think I’ve come across a mind like this before. Want to prove yourself, and want to study. Also, have slight cunning tendencies, yet brave. Tricky, extremely tricky but I would have to say …” Albus heard himself whisper: not Gryffindor! The last thing he wanted was to be bossed about by his older brother. The hat heard and said: “It was not going to be Gryffindor, SLYTHERIN!”

Slytherins couldn’t believe it! Was the son of Harry Potter really going to be in their house? Albus hopped down from the stall and made his way to the table and sat next to Scorpius. James scowled over his way. Harry would have to have a word with the tyke.

“Well done!” Scorpius said.

Harry smiled reassuringly at his son. A few more names rolled by; and then: “Rosemary Weasley!”

“That’s her real name?” Scorpius whispered.

“Yep,” Albus said.

“It’s beautiful,” Scorpius breathed.

Hermione watched her daughter walk up to the stool and the hat was placed on her head.

“No doubt,” the hat said. “SLYTHERIN!”

Hermione’s eyes widened. “Weren’t expecting that one, were you?” Draco smiled at her.

“I guess she wanted to stay close to Albus,” Hermione said.

Scorpius pushed Albus along and patted the seat beside him. Rosie shook her head and smiled. She slid in between them and Scorpius draped an arm around her shoulders. Hermione surreptitiously glanced at Draco.

He looked thoughtful. It seemed his son had already chosen his bride.

“I swear!” Ron began, but Hermione hit him in the ribs with her elbow.

“At least Albus is there,” she said.

They ate their dinners and were going to be shown the Common rooms. Scorpius hung back as did his two new friends. They walked up to their parents.

“Are you mad, father?” Albus asked in a small voice.

“No, I’m proud. You go to the Common Room now, and get some nice decent sleep. Tomorrow is going to be the start of the rest of your life.”

“He is so fun,” Scorpius said to his father. “We’ve already got ideas about how to destabilise the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Only Rosie won’t let us!”

“Mum, dad, I’m sorry, but on the train I got talking to Scorpius and he doesn’t seem that bad. Besides, someone’s got to keep an eye on those two.”

“We understand,” Hermione said. “Don’t we Ron?”

Ron muttered about traitor’s in the family and then he nodded. “I just wished he didn’t drape his arm on my shoulders. It was like he was telling everyone else to back off.”

Hermione was about to tell her that was the point but Scorpius came up to them. “Now I know where Rosie gets her good looks from! I’m Scorpius Malfoy.”

Rosie sighed, she gave her mother a ‘see what I mean,’ look. “Come on, you two, or we’ll never find the Common Room.”

“Bye mum.”

The trio walked away. “Seems like only yesterday that was us,” Harry said.

“Yeah,” they all sighed.

A.N - I am just a little bit peeved off at the casual way that Severus was treated at the end of Deathly Hallows. This is my payback; and my way of showing that my love for this ship will continue! No matter what!