AN: Hello there! This is basically an AU Severus story. Although not that AU. I want to show how little changes to the story might have led to quite a different path for Severus. For the most part, I'm going to stick to the book's details as close as possible other than these small changes. This is my first story though, so things might change as we go on! Hope you enjoy. This first chapter is essentially a preface to the main story.

"...and Gryffindors are known for their bravery and boldness. Though they, above all other houses, have an affinity for Muggles."

"Were you a Gryffindor, Mummy?"

Eileen Snape laughed at the prospect. "Why would you say that, my sweetness?"

"Because you love Daddy, and Daddy's a Muggle."

Her smile disappears, though only for a second. "I'm afraid not, my dear." She strokes her son's long black hair and kisses him on the forehead. "I wouldn't be brave enough."

A door slammed downstairs.

Eileen closed her eyes. "That'll be your father. I'm sure he's tired after a long day. Why don't you stay up here and do some more drawing?"

Sev shrugged.

She hugged him, gave him another kiss, and then left the room.

"Muffliato."

Eileen had tried. Truly, by Merlin's beard, she had. For seven years she had taken everything Tobias had thrown at her. He'd hurt her in more ways than one, but she was a strong woman, a Prince. She had stood for it all. For her son. For Severus. She'd so badly wanted him to have a father. To have a home. So she protected him from his father's worst side. Cast silencing charms round his door and taking Tobias' rage upon herself. Of course, it didn't always work. Sometimes he caught her off guard. More than once Severus had wandered into the middle of one of his father's alcohol-fueled rages and crumpled in the corner, crying. But Eileen had kept him away from the most of it.

She'd even fought. She'd tried to make Tobias care for his son, though she'd long ago given up any hope of him loving her. Sometimes she thought it worked. When he wasn't drunk or angry, occasionally he seemed to show genuine affection for Severus. The moments were rare, but sometimes he really could be a good father. Every so often, he'd scoop Sev up on his shoulders, who'd squeal with glee, then swirl him round and the two would laugh and it was one of the rare occasions that made Eileen smile. Most of the time, of course, Tobias had little more time for his son than her, often dismissing him out of hand, but he never raised his voice to Severus. He'd never deliberately taken his rage out on his son.

She'd never, ever thought he'd raise a hand to the child.

It was shortly after Severus' sixth birthday that it happened.

The three of them sat around the breakfast table in silence. There wasn't much of a spread. A single box of cornflakes and a carton of milk sat in the middle beside an old, cracked teapot. There was little more the Snape family could afford.

It was rare for Tobias to join them this early. He usually slept in till midday. But this day he had been in unusually good cheer. He had an interview for a new job. From the sounds of things, he really thought this was going to turn their life around. Secretly, Eileen was skeptical, her husband had never held a job more than a couple of months in his life, but she knew better than to say so.

"I'm telling you. This'll be the way up for us. Old Al works down there and put a word in for me, he says I already got a shoe in the door."

Eileen knew Old Al, and highly doubted anyone would take his word for anything.

"That's great, Dad." Severus grinned, munching loudly.

"Thanks son," said Tobias, smugly. He looked over at Eileen. "See, he believes in me."

"I believe in you, dear."

Tobias snorted. "Like hell you do. At least I'm tried to hold this family together. Make a living. Haven't seen you cast a spell and get us out of here you bloody wi – "

"Severus, could you get some more tea from the cupboard, darling?" Eileen cut him off. Long ago, the hypocrisy of such a statement would have left her fuming. He was the one who'd demanded she never use magic in the first place. Nowadays she was accustomed to such remarks. The most important thing was keeping her son safe from Tobias' poison.

"Sure, mum."

Tobias shot her a dirty look. She'd pay for interrupting him later. No matter.

Fortunately some of his good mood remained, and he dropped it for now. "Yep, this is gonna change the future for us. Gonna be living the good life from now on! Oh, son, are you struggling?" Eileen looked over. Tobias had left the tea on a high shelf again and Severus' tiny form couldn't reach it.

"No Dad, I'm fine." He started jumping up and down.

Astonishingly, Tobias laughed. A rare sound indeed. Merlin, he really was in a good mood today. For a moment, Eileen smiled.

He stood up. "Don't worry son. I'll get it for you. There's no way you can reach it from th –" He froze.

Eileen's blood ran cold.

They had both seen the same thing. The box of teabags, previously three feet above young Severus' head, had slid of its own accord from the shelf, and fallen down into the boy's hands.

Beaming, Severus turned round. "See dad, told you I could - "

He screamed as Tobias' hand slapped him across the face.

Eileen bolted up, her chair flying out behind her. She ran to her husband, who was raising his hand to smack the child again. She was too late, the second smack! echoed in her ears. "NO. STOP IT!" She grabbed his arm. This time Tobias directed his anger at her, throwing her across the room as he turned back to his son. Severus stood, clutching his face, tears running down his reddened face and still too stunned to react.

"I should have known you were just like that bitch!"

Tears were now in Eileen's face, as she struggled to her feet. She knew she couldn't overpower Tobias physically. But maybe...

She turned and ran up the stairs.

"Mummy!"

It pained her to run away from her child's screaming voice. I'll be back soon darling. Bursting into her room – she and Tobias hadn't slept in the same bed for years – she ran to the corner and pulled back the loose floorboard. Dirt covered the top, but she didn't care. Looking underneath, she found what she was looking for. Her wand. She promised Tobias she threw it out years ago. Fat chance. Grabbing it, she ran back downstairs to the horrifying scene.

She'd seen Tobias angry before, countless times. But never like this. There was a blind fury in his eyes that would have turned her around on the spot, were it not for the curled up, sobbing shape of her child on the floor. Tobias was still hitting him.

"Stop it you monster!"

He turned round. She brandished her wand, tears still falling freely from her eyes. He was visibly shocked at the sight of the stick in her hands. She saw him hesitate.

"Don't lay another hand on him!" she growled.

Giving a scream of fury, he turned and ran for her. Terrified, she felt her resolve falter. She hadn't expected that. She'd thought the sight of the wand would be enough. Backing away, her brain scrambled desperately. Think of a spell! Something! Anything! But she hadn't worked magic in years. Nothing except the silencing charms, and they'd hardly be of use here. Something jumped into her mind, "Expelliarmus!" she cried. Oh...shit, he doesn't have a wand. Idiot.

It was too late. He was already upon her. Hitting her to the floor, he wrestled the want from her hands.

"How...dare...you!"

Eileen knew her strength was gone. He had the only form of defense she had. "No...please..." she begged, weakly.

Snap!

Her wand...gone...the pieces fell to the ground. She felt herself mourn for the loss. Though in truth, she'd lost it long ago. How had it got to this? Everything...She'd lost it all. Her dreams, her love, her magic, and now she was losing her son. All to him. She'd thought she'd been strong. She'd thought she was saving their family, staying with Tobias. She thought... hell. What does it matter? She'd been a fool. Only now could she see how weak she'd been. She hadn't stayed with him for Severus's sake. She loved Severus, oh God, yes she did. But none of this had been for him. If it had, she'd have left years ago. If only she could have had that strength. She'd stayed with Tobias for no reason other than her own fear. Because she couldn't leave. And she knew now, as he stood bearing down upon her, she never would. He'd bested her. He owned her. And Severus was nothing more than the reason she hadn't killed herself yet. The realization brought fresh tears to her eyes, and she cried for her own weakness.

I'm so sorry, son.

The next time Tobias came for her son, she locked herself in her room and cried.

Eventually she wouldn't do even that.