Chapter Text
“Hey, do you know who that is? I don’t think I saw this person at the welcoming feast.”
“Hm. Don’t know. I don’t think they’re one of the staff. My brothers would have told me when one of the professors had a child. Shall we follow them? They look suspicious.”
“You cannot just follow people. And our class starts in fifteen minutes. We have no time.”
“Girl, nobody asked you. They could be a spy sent by the Death Eaters.”
“Ron, Hermione is right. We already came too late at our first class. I don’t need a repeat. It’s just our third day in school and we already lost house points.”
“Fine. What was our next class?”
“Flying.”
“Oh good. Definitely a class I like, although we have it together with Slytherin.”
The three kids run into the opposite direction of where the adult and child had disappeared.
----
“Whoa, mama, you really went here for school?”
“Yes. If I remember correctly, the hospital wing should be in this direction. Be careful with the stairs, Juna, and stay close.”
“Yes, mama.” The little five-year-old reached for her mother's black robe and held on to it. Since they arrived two weeks ago in the little town near the castle, she was excited to see it from the inside. Her mother had opened a small shop, where her older brother was currently taking care about the customers, when not even a day after they settled in, they got an owl with an ordering for several potions.
Her mother didn’t seem very happy, but accepted the order nonetheless. They wanted to make a fresh start, but hadn’t many options. Her other parent died not long ago and his parents, who never accepted her mother or his two children, even if she was their biological grandchild, used their power to force them out of their home. So, they were forced to leave the country they had lived in as long as she could remember and returned to the country where her mother and her older half-brother were born.
Both children knew her mother disliked being back in the country, but somehow every time they tried to travel into another country they landed again in London, much to her mother’s frustration. In the end, they had no other choice as to stay and find a place for their restart. And just as they decided it, mother get a letter from an old man, offering his drugstore in Hogsmeade, explaining it had a separated potions lab below the shop and also an apartment with several rooms above. And the best, it even had a garden, where they could grow plants.
Of course, Juna’s mother was skeptical and very suspicious about the whole thing. They just had arrived and he had been away for fifteen years, not to say that he didn’t want to live at this place if he could help it. But again it seemed luck wasn’t on their side, at least not from her mother’s point of view, because everywhere they looked nothing seemed to fit. Either something was missing, there wasn’t enough place or it was just too expensive. Juna had watched her mother cursing quite a lot in this time and had to hold back her laughing.
Her older brother, well half-brother, Sephiroth, on the other hand was calm and collected, often soothing their mother and reassuring that they will find a place.
“There we are. I forgot how big the castle is.” Juna watched her mother knocking on the big door before entering.
“Who’s there? Oh. Did we have an appointment?” An older woman came out from a small room, probably serving as an office. Juna hid half behind her mother. She was shy and due to some unpleasant encounters wary of new people, she didn’t know. The woman looked confused and Juna wondered if she hadn’t sent them the order.
“Greetings, Madame Pomfrey. We’re just here to deliver the potions you ordered.”
“Excuse me? I think there must be a mistake. I didn’t order anything.”
“Maybe it was someone else from the staff and they didn’t inform you. I got this letter not long ago with an order for several different healing potions for the hospital wing in Hogwarts. Juna, angel, would you please give Madame Pomfrey the order.”
“Sure, mama.”
“Oh my, look at the little cutie. Juna is your name?”
“Yes, Juna Serafina Snape. Nice to meet you.”, greeted Juna shyly, while stretching out her hand to hand over the letter, pressing herself back against her mother as soon as the mediwitch took it from her.
“Snape?”, startled the mediwitch looking back at the other adult, taking a closer look at him.
“Severus? Are you Severus Snape?” Juna looked up and saw her mother frowning.
“Yes. Long time not seen Madame Pomfrey, but may I ask why you look as if you’d seeing a ghost?” And truth to be told, Juna could only agree. The woman looked shocked, hand over her mouth and eyes wide open and there were even tears in them.
“B-but, I…we thought…we were told you died. By Merlin.”
“I don’t understand. Who told you I died? I left Hogwarts after this particular nasty incident, which involved Lupin as you surely were aware about, or maybe not.”, muttered Severus the last three words, because Poppy seemed even more shocked. “Well I think it doesn’t matter anymore anyway. As you can see, I’m still alive and even managed to become a respectable potioneer.”
“But.”
“Madame Pomfrey. If you just would be so nice to accept the potions, please. I don’t want to leave my son alone for too long and there are a lot more potions to brew.”
“You also have a son? How old is he?”
“Fourteen”
“Fourteen?” That shocked the mediwitch even more, which Juna couldn’t blame her for. Her mother just turned thirty-one in January, while her brother would turn fifteen on November 5th.
“Soon be fifteen, just two more month.”, added Juna. She watched the woman trying to get back her composure, but failed miserable.
“Madame Pomfrey, I’m not here to discuss my children or what happened. I’m just here to deliver the potions you ordered, so if you wouldn’t mind to sign here, please, so we can turn to our own business again.”
“But, I didn’t order any potions. Every potion we’re using is brewed by our own potions master, Professor Greenwater.”
“Greenwater? Never heard the name. I assume Professor Slughorn left Hogwarts then?”
“Yes. He retired two years later after you disappeared. I think he was shocked how bad most of the students were actually. And I don’t mean only their grades. Actually, it had been an eye opener for most.”
“Madame Pomfrey. I’m not here to listen of the aftermath of my disappearance. Therefore, I’d much appreciate if we come back to the matter. If it wasn’t you, who did the order, then maybe there was a misunderstanding or someone played a prank. Wouldn’t be the first time in this school. At least, I can sell the potions to someone else. Therefore, my apology for the disturbance. We’ll take our leave. Have a nice day.” Severus turned, but stopped halfway due to Poppy’s calling.
“Wait. Actually, I’m out of some of these potions. Reginald, I mean Professor Greenwater, wasn’t able to brew them over the summer, though I had told him, several times, that I need them. Maybe Minerva, Professor McGonagall, made the order and just forgot to inform me. I mean the order doesn’t look compromised and I complained quite often that Professor Greenwater wouldn’t brew any potions in time and I often enough had to ask St. Mungo if they could send me a few.”
“Honestly, I don’t care, who did the order as long as I am paid. Just let me know, if you need some more. Should we come to an agreement, maybe one of the professors could pick them up, if they are visiting Hogsmeade during the weekends.”
“Sure, thank you, Mr. Snape. And…it’s truly good to see you’re fine. Your daughter seems very well behaved, even if a little shy, but it was my pleasure to meet you Ms. Snape.” The mediwitch gave the little girl a smile, which Juna returned with her own shy smile and a little nod.
“Likewise, Madame. My parents taught me well, even if it’s just Mama, brother and I now.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear this. My condolence for the loss. Please, let me know, if you need help, though I hope you won’t need a help of a healer…well…you know what I mean.”, rumbled the mediwitch embarrassed. This wasn’t usually the case and surprised even her a little.
“Thank you, but we’ll be fine. If you might put your signature here, please.”
“Of course. I’ll inform Minerva that you delivered the order. Therefore my thanks.” Severus nodded, handing her over the potions and prepared himself to leave, as suddenly the door was swung open and Madame Hooch entered with a sobbing student, cradling his hand.
“Madame Pomfrey, I’m sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Longbottom fell from his broom during his first flying lesson and broke his wrist. If you might take care of him.”
“Of course, please sit him down in the bed over there. Mr. Snape, my thanks again. And…if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me. Until next time.” Severus had stepped aside to let the two newcomers pass him, Juna following his movements. He didn’t comment her obviously offer for help, just giving another nod to the mediwitch, before taking the hand of his daughter and leading them outside.
Meanwhile, Madame Hooch had lifted her head of hearing the name ‘Snape’. She watched the man and child go, before turning to her colleague.
“Snape? As in Severus Snape?”
“Yes, seems he didn’t die as someone had told us. I’m really glad. I will never forget the commotion when it came out he vanished or when we got news of his death.”
“Indeed. I hadn’t thought his disappearance or death would cause so much distress and uproar among the students. After all, he hadn’t a lot of friends, except this red-headed girl, well at least until even she quit their friendship. And the whole debacle with this so-called Marauders. Well it’s good to see he’s fine. I assume the little girl is his daughter?”
“Yes. And would you believe it? He also has a fourteen-year-old son, well fifteen soon. And if my guess is correct, he gave birth to both of them or at least to her.”
“Are you saying, what I’m think you’re saying? That would mean…”
“Mr. Snape is a male bearer and he might have been pregnant the time he left Hogwarts or shortly after. Depending on when his son was born.” Madame Hooch gaped at Poppy.
“Truly? Well, if I remember correctly, he always looked more feminine than the other males and didn’t change much as it seems.”
“Not unusual for male bearers. However, I can’t remember when the last time was I saw one. I think I heard about a few outside of Britain, but they have become very rare. At one point, I thought Lucius Malfoy could be one, but he isn’t.”
“And who do you think might be the father, if he fell pregnant before leaving? I can’t remember someone showing any interest in him. Oh my.” Hooch stared at Poppy, hoping she was wrong in her assumption, but she could see that the mediwitch thought the same.
“Exactly. I fear we missed a lot.”, whispered Poppy.
The two witches talked a little more, while Poppy healed Neville’s injury, not caring that the boy heard everything they said.
----
Just as they stepped outside the castle, another professor came into view, followed by a small boy. Severus only bowed slightly not stopping in his traces. McGonagall returned it, but also not stopping her fast paces and didn’t seem to recognize him of which Severus was grateful. He had no desire to stay any longer and maybe risking running into the headmaster.
He had no desire to tell anyone where he had been or why he left without saying a word. Hearing that everyone thought he was dead, explained at least why he had so much trouble to register his new business and why everyone wanted to see his birth certificate and a copy with a current inheritance test from Gringotts.
Why no one said anything about him being dead, he had no clue. Maybe they just forget he ever existed, it wouldn’t surprise him.
“Mama? If I’m old enough, will I go to Hogwarts? It’s seems a very nice place.”
“We will see, angel. There are other schools you might want to consider else way. You could go to Beauxbatons in France, for example.”
“But Hogwarts is much closer and you went also there. Was it so bad? Is that the reason why you didn’t let Sephiroth go?”
“Let us say. There was a reason why I didn’t finish, no it wasn’t because of your brother, I hadn’t known that I was pregnant at this point, but there was too much happening for me to stay. Hogwarts wasn’t what I hoped it’d become and I don’t regret my decision to leave it behind me. Maybe I’ll tell you more if you’re older, but if I hadn’t left, I might hadn’t met your father and you wouldn’t be here.”
“Oh. I see.” Juna looked down, and then up. “Then I’m happy you left, even if Lady Magic wasn’t very happy.”
Juna had once a dream, where a beautiful figure visited her, showing Juna different kinds of images, from the past, present and future. She had seen Hogwarts, a figure standing at the edge of a huge forest, watching in sadness a bloody child turning their back on the castle and leaving. Juna was sure it had been her teenage mother. She was also sure the figure was Lady Magic.
“Lady Magic? I don’t think she much cared about an unimportant student. There were other much more significant students than me.”
“That’s not true.” Juna looked down again, tears forming in her eyes. She had once heard her father talking with Sephiroth after a very nasty fight he had with mother. She didn’t understood much, only that father told Sephiroth how much their mother loved him despite the fact how he came to be. That it wasn’t his fault what his biological father had done. She guessed that whatever happened, was much to her mother’s dislike, and what reminds her now, that this something Sephiroth’s biological father had done, happened here in this school.
“Ah, don’t be sad, my sweet angel.” Severus picked his daughter up and nudged her nose. “Maybe I wasn’t important, but I’ll never see your brother as anything else as a blessing followed by meeting your father and then getting you. I love your brother as much as I love you and we’ll manage. I did it before I met your father, and I’ll do it again. You don’t have to worry, even if we don’t have a lot of money, yet.”
“I don’t care about money. I just need you and Sephiroth.” Juna gave him a kiss on the cheek, wrapped her arms around his neck and then put her head on his shoulder looking at the big castle.
They both didn’t know it yet, but someday Hogwarts will be their home.
----
“You won’t believe what I heard when I was in the infirmary.”
“What did you hear?”
“Madame Pomfrey and Madame Hooch talked about a visitor. I saw him just leaving the hospital and he had a child with him.” Ron and Harry exchanged a look, wondering if that’s were the same people they saw before going to the flying lesson.
“A man? Are you sure? We saw a person with shoulder long black hair. There was also a child, therefore I assumed it was a woman and the mother of the child.”, said Ron.
“Yes, that’s them.”
“I saw them again as they left the castle, while I was following McGonagall. I had also thought it’s a woman at first, but I wasn’t sure.”, added Harry.
“What about them?”, asked Ron.
“Well, it’s definitely a man and Madam Pomfrey was saying he is a male bearer and that they thought he died after an incident in Hogwarts, but as it seems he just left. It also caused a lot of ruckus, especially under the Slytherins, but also among the Gryffindors.”
“Why those two houses?”
“He was a Slytherin.”
“I knew it. The man looks like a snake. Wearing all black and so on. Did he join the death eaters and attacked Gryffindors?”
“No, as much I understood he vanished end of the fifth year and was presumed dead.”
“But why it’d cause a ruckus, especially among the Gryffindors?”
“Because there was a group, called the Marauders, all Gryffindors. They liked to prank students, especially Slytherins, but how it sounded, it weren’t harmless pranks. Madame Pomfrey remembered how she often had to treat nasty wounds, because someone found it funny to throw things in someone else’s cauldron, which caused many explosions, or using nasty spells. Their favorite victim was this man as it seems, Severus Snape.”
“Hm. Can’t say I pity him. Slytherins are evil and belong in prison. Just remember what Malfoy had done today, though it ended with Harry joining the Quidditch team.” Ron laughed, but Harry hadn’t found it very funny. And it wasn’t even Draco who started the mess, but Ron.
He himself knew how it felt to be bullied and he didn’t wish it on anyone. That’s why he tried to stay out of any fights, but swore he’d defend himself and others, should it be necessary. Today, he intervened only, because Draco and Ron, where fighting over Neville’s Remembrall, which he lost during his unwilling flight. Draco had found it, but immediately Ron accused him of stealing it. Of course, Draco didn’t react well to it and it ended up with all three of them in the air, with Draco throwing it away, instead of giving it to the two Gryffindors.
Harry had managed to catch it before it hit one of the windows and was very proud, even if he was horrified as McGonagall suddenly appeared and told him to follow her. But instead of expelling him, she escorted him to one of the third year classes and introduced him to Oliver Wood, the Quidditch team captain of Gryffindor, as their new seeker.
“I heard about it, congratulation Harry. You hereby the youngest seeker since…don’t know, ever.”, smiled Neville.
“Thanks Neville, but it didn’t stop McGonagall to take ten points and give me a week detention with Filch.”, muttered the smaller boy. “However, I have a question. What is a male bearer? You mentioned the man, Snape, is one?”
“Uh, yes. At least, it was what Madame Pomfrey said, because the little girl called him mama.”
Again Ron laughed, this time even louder.
“What’s so funny?”, asked Harry bewildered.
“Come on. A man, who can bear children and is called mama, how silly is this?”
“Actually, it’s quite normal. Children always call their bearers mother, mom, mama or whatever you call a mother.”, stated Neville.
“I still don’t understand. Are you saying men are able to carry a child?”, frowned Harry.
“Well, not everyone. I’m not even sure when it was the last time a wizard carried a child. I only know about it because my grandma told me about it and took me to a healer to check if I might be one, which I’m not. She wanted to be sure, because one of my ancestors had been a male bearer, but it was a long time ago.”
“Uhm, how can someone tell if he might be a male bearer or not or can only a healer figure it out?”
“Uh. I don’t know. My grandma didn’t tell me much about it and I was still very young when we visited a healer.”
“Huh. I’m sure Madame Pomfrey would be able to tell if anyone of us is a male bearer. I’m just wondering why even my brothers didn’t ever mention it.”
“I think not many are aware that male bearers were a thing at some point. Even my grandmother never met one and she is old.”
“I think it’s better this way. Men shouldn’t bear children, it’s the job of the women.”, shrugged Ron. Harry didn’t know what he should think about it, but disagreed with how Ron seemed to see women. Maybe it’s how he grew up. From what he knows, Molly Weasley isn’t working and only caring for the children and the household. At least it’d explain why Ron behaved often as spoiled brat, even if his family wasn’t as rich as Draco Malfoy’s. Maybe it was a thing among purebloods. Men would work, while women stayed home and cared for the children, not much different as it had been, or in some places still is, in the muggle-world. Just look at the Dursleys, although his aunt was much doing as to spoil Dudley while Harry did all the chores, well until now.
“I don’t see an issue with male bearers. As I said, it was quite normal and it caused less problems when two men loved each other, at least as long as one was a male bearer.”, said Neville and this Harry couldn’t disagree with.
He had once met a couple of the same gender and asked if they didn’t fear god’s punishment. They had looked at him weirdly and asked why god would punish them, whereupon Harry told them what his aunt and uncle said about people loving the same gender and that it was wrong. They had a long talk with him and Harry understood at the end, that nothing was wrong with people with the same gender being in love.
He saw Ron already opening his mouth to say something stupid, so Harry quickly said. “Let us stop talking about this stuff. It’s not our business.”
“Yeah, you’re right. He isn’t even a professor and we probably won’t see him again.”
Somehow, Harry doubted it, but refrained from saying anything. He was just glad finally to get to sleep.
----
“Severus Snape? Are you sure, Minerva?”, asked Dumbledore, sitting in his office with Professor McGonagall across from him.
“Yes. Poppy told me he brought some potions today, showing her a letter with an order. However, neither she nor I ordered anything and I was wondering if it was you.”
“No. I wasn’t even aware that he’s alive, less that he opened a shop in Hogsmeade.”
“Well, we all thought he died, but I thought you might have been informed about him being alive. After all, it was you announcing his death, Albus, even if there wasn’t a body.”
“Well, there was indeed no body, but we found evidence what let us think he died.”
“Yeah. A bloody robe and a snapped wand. I can’t still believe what happened or why he’d have gone into the forest at a full moon.”
“Maybe he hadn’t thought about the risk, because he was still mourning the loss of his friendship with Lily.”
“The boy had been brilliant, surely still is, he wouldn’t have been so stupid to leave the castle on a full moon without a good reason. I think you know very well why he did it and I’m sure it had something to do with your precious marauders.”
“Now, now, Minerva. Remus would have never agreed. You know him.”
“Do I? I thought Sirius was James’ best friend, but look how it turned out. He betrayed James and killed Peter. What might have stopped him to send Mr. Snape into a trap, a boy he loathed since their first year? And I won’t forget how the Slytherin students reacted to his disappearance.”
“Hm. They were quite outraged, especially Mr. Malfoy, even if he wasn’t a student at this time anymore. Do you think Mr. Snape might have returned to join the death eaters?”
Minerva rose an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. Would he have been interested then he would have done it after he left.”
“Maybe he did and we just don’t know about it. The war made us blind to the things happening right in front of us.”
“Really Albus? I think someone would have mentioned him. Furthermore, it wasn’t only the war, which made us blind Albus. Stop accusing every Slytherin, former or not, to be a death eater. There were plenty members of the houses who joined the Dark Lord. And it’s particular our own fault, especially how we treated them. Our prejudices made us blind especially our thinking of Gryffindors cannot do any wrong. How often had students told us what James and Sirius had done, but we dismissed it or accused them of lying. I’m still ashamed of myself that I hadn’t seen it sooner.”, muttered Minerva.
”And we didn’t see how Mr. Snape’s own housemates treated him. And you know that Horace didn’t care much about what was happening in his house. He was too much busy with making good friends with the future heirs as to care about those who hadn’t the same power in name or the talent in his subject.”
“Hm, wasn’t Severus a prodigy in potions?”
“Tsk. I’d say he still is. Horace thought it was only because of Lily. She was his favorite student, at least until her grades begun to drop. It seems it wasn’t her with the talent, but her constant partner in class, namely Severus Snape, until the moment he wasn’t. You know, I actually looked into the grades of all the students of Severus’ year. Did you know that almost all Slytherins lost a few grades after he was gone? Even some of the younger had more difficulties to keep their grades. Madame Pomfrey told me, that she had even heard some of them mutter why their pet could be so stupid to get himself killed.”
Albus looked down into his hands. “I hadn’t known. But it’d explain why the Slytherins were so upset at the time. I can’t just understand why the Marauders behaved so weirdly. They were almost panicked after I announced Severus’ death.”
“It’s just one more reason to what I said. Be honest, didn’t you ever wonder if they could have anything to do with it? Can we even be sure it wasn’t Remus who attacked him? You say he wouldn’t have agreed to trap Mr. Snape, but can we sure he wasn’t involved, wanted or not? Maybe he got out of the Shrieking Shack somehow.”
“I don’t know, Minerva. He told me, he couldn’t remember to be out. And when he woke up, he was still in the shack. And there was no blood either, at least not that of another wixen. I checked it for myself. I’m very sure, it wasn’t Remus.”
Both were silent for several minutes, each of them lost in their own thoughts until Minerva broke the silence.
“I’m truly relieved, even if I wonder where he had been all the time or why he’s back. I met him briefly, but had no idea who he was when I passed him as he left the castle. There was also a little girl with him. Poppy told me it’s his daughter, Juna Silvana Snape. A cute little thing.”
“A daughter? How old is she?
“Hm. She looked like four or five.” Minerva glanced over at Dumbledore. “Do you know what else Poppy mentioned?”
“No, what?”
“Mr. Snape has a fourteen, almost fifteen-year-old boy as well. Do you know what it means? He most likely was pregnant when he was attacked and vanished. And so far from what I remember he wasn’t involved with anyone.”
“Minerva, are you accusing him of rape or stealing a child?”
“What? Of course not. He having a daughter could mean that he had someone outside of Hogwarts, who took him in when he left. I refuse to believe there was any rape involved, because this would mean, we failed miserable to protect our students worse as we already did. No, it’s just that Mr. Snape seems to be the one giving birth. The little girl called him mother.” Dumbledore inhaled sharply, eyes almost popping out of his head.
“Are you telling me Mr. Snape is a male bearer?”
“Well, it’s not that he mentioned it of some kind, but Poppy is quite sure. At least, he matches some of the description of male bearers. Lean in structure, not as tall as a usually male wizard, I think he wasn’t much taller than I was.”
“Well it’s a description others would also fit in. Lucius Malfoy for example, though he’s quite tall as expected of a pure blood wizard.”
“In which world you think he’d fit such a description? He isn’t very lean either. The only think on him out of the ordinary may be is his long hair, but only if he wouldn’t be a Malfoy. He looks exactly like his father. No, I can’t say to have ever seen someone who would fit the criteria to be a male bearer, at least not after turning fourteen or fifteen. Almost every of the boys are quite tall at this age and get more muscular.”
“Hm, you’re right. And if Lucius would have been a male bearer, Abraxas Malfoy would have considered someone else as his son’s wife or husband, maybe given him even to the Dark lord.”
“That’s awful. Do you think they might have been suspicious about Severus being a male bearer? It’d be another reason why they were so upset about his supposed death.“
“Possible. In this case, we could consider what ever happened a blessing in disguise. However, with the possible return of Voldemort, it puts a target at Mr. Snape and his family. Maybe we should ask him to join our course?”
“This would only put a bigger target on his back, Albus. Furthermore, I don’t think he’ll be interested to join any side.”
“Hm. Maybe you’re right. Let us see what the future will bring us. Our highest priority is to protect Harry anyway. As long as Mr. Snape shows no sign of being a threat to Harry, especially considering his past with the Marauders, there should be no problem.”, smiled Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Very well then, Albus. Do you mind if we make a deal with Mr. Snape supplying us with potions? Poppy often runs out of it and has to call St. Mungo, because Mr. Greenwater fails to brew enough over the holidays, saying it wasn’t in his work package to do so. And I must say I’m not very impressed of his brewing talent anyway.”
“I see. However, we have to verify it with our budget and…”
“Believe me. I looked already into it. Mr. Snape has a reasonable price and it won’t be more expensive as if we ask St. Mungo. And Poppy already said how excellent his potions are working. Mr. Longbottom came up with a broken wrist due to an accident in his flying lesson and it’s already healed.”
“Very well then. If that’s all Minerva then we’ll see us at dinner.”
“Until then Albus.”
The headmaster watched the woman go and when his office doors closed behind her, Albus whispered. “Well, well. Mr. Snape truly has returned. I’m wondering who the father of his oldest son might be. I doubt it was an outsider, who managed to knock him up. And I heard Sirius and James muttering how much fun they had to give the boy a lesson. What do you think, Fawkes?”
The bird didn’t show any reaction, while the hat suppressed a frown, wondering what the old coot was planning. The phoenix and him had felt the excitement of Hogwarts a couple of hours ago, which meant her favorite child was back. The castle hadn’t felt so light since the day of Snape’s disappearance.
----
Unbeknownst to them all, the castle had waited for the right opportunity to get her child back and stretched her magic out so far as she could with help of Lady Magic, so she would be able to feel his return on British soil. It was also she, who send one of her house elves after him when she felt him after eight years for the first time again.
Since then the elf reported everything they learned. The castle was happy to hear it all, but sad that he didn’t plan to ever return. But then his husband died and he was forced to leave the country he lived in and so, Hogwarts decided it was time to bring Severus back. And it couldn’t be to a better time, because Harry Potter and any of the other students would need someone’s protection, no matter if it was from the Dark Lord or the Headmaster, who had no obligation to use a child as a pawn to defeat the dark.