Chapter Text
Much like the muggle society, there too are myths within the magical world. Yet, these myths have a higher likelihood of truth and have had a greater impact in the wizarding community. Most myths revolve around esteemed magical bloodlines, such as the Malfoys, who claim a history of dragon-slaying, the influential Blacks, responsible for many dark magic legends, and the Prince family known for their reflective magic. One of the most powerful magics of all.
Eileen knew to keep her heritage a secret from her son as soon as she received a letter to reaffirm that her child would be unclaimed by the Princes. The use of their ‘reflective’ magic would pose a risk to anyone who didn’t have the protection of the elders and so she, with all the regret in the world, refused to let her son find out her maiden name.
However, Hogwarts kept a very good record. In his first year, after scouring for documents of his mother, a young Severus Snape found a picture of her in an old club she used to run. There, in plain sight, his finger smoothed over the name ‘Prince’.
Pureblood.
Old.
Well-Connected.
Everything he had ever wanted and his mother had just tossed it away. So, like any other prepubescent child, he rebelled in the only way he knew would exact pain upon his mother; by telling Lucius Malfoy his newly discovered surname. Unlike any other piece of information he offered, Lucius gleamed with this discovery and placed a delicate hand to pat on his head.
At the time, Severus was pleased with such praise without knowing what had caused such a reaction.
A few years later, when he was introduced to the Dark Lord, Lucius used his mother’s maiden name and not his preferred surname. Everyone in the room twisted their heads, looking over at him and the Dark Lord edged closer on his seat.
“Is it true?” One of the Blacks muttered, “a half-blood Prince? There hasn’t been one for-” The Dark Lord’s hand beckoned Severus closer and, like he had been trained, he moved towards it.
“Severus Prince?” Severus bit his tongue. Of course they were pure-blood fanatics but he’d always stuck by his father’s name, despite it being muggle. It was the traditionalist in him.
However, he was much smarter than he was proud and so he just bowed as he was taught, offering his hand when it was asked so that the Dark Lord could press a kiss to its knuckles. His hand was then turned so the man could mouth at his outstretched palm and then his wrist, sniffing at the skin as if he could smell the blood that ran through his veins.
“You will serve me how I see fit?” Severus nodded, giddy from all the attention he was getting. All the pure-blooded Slytherin students were behind him and he, a half-blood with no money or status, was in front of the Dark Lord getting his hand kissed.
“Yes, my Lord.”
The older man smiled, sitting back and dragging Severus towards him as he did. “I’m in need of an army, Severus. I have plans to change the world and not enough supporters to stand with me. Can you help me with that?”
“Y-Yes, my Lord.” Snape lowered his head, clutching his empty mid-section. A crooked finger came to grab at his chin, forcing it up to look at him.
“Good.”