*Discontinued* No Longer

The Terrarium Trouve

Severus Snape**

It had only been half an hour after Harry left his room that he couldn't bear it any longer. His face was so much like his mother's now, her stubborn chin, aristocratic nose, high cheekbones, smooth skin, and the same eye shape. It hurt him to see it in the mirror, knowing she wasn't ever going to be with him again. Teaching him about potions, telling stories, or just giving him a warm embrace.

To him, his mother had been everything that family should be. Caring, supportive, and always there when he needed her. They'd been perfect. If only it weren't for his father. His father, who never wanted a child, especially not one with magic.

His father was an alcoholic, and it grew worse during the course of Severus's childhood. When he was very small, his mother had been able to shield him, but as his father's disease grew worse, she couldn't protect him from seeing the beatings she protected him from. 

Over time, she turned into a shadow of her former self. It hurt him more than the beatings his father gave him when his mother wasn't around, and the ones he got protecting her as she grew more ill. It was a form of wasting disease, that's what the doctor told him, and she didn't last a year after her diagnosis.

More than ever, his father turned to drink and beat his 'demon' son. He grew more and more introverted, having no friends his own age, though he spent time with a muggle born girl he developed a crush on, Lily Potter. She had everything he wanted. Two loving parents, and she was nice to him on the occasions they spoke, though her sister was a piece of work.

When his father had discovered his son wasn't only a wizard, but bisexual, the abuse became harsher, verbally and physically. His father instilled so deeply the belief that no one could ever like a 'demon' like him, that he grew to despise the idea of mates, they were someone you were forced to be with. 

He loathed the idea of being with someone, like his mother had been. He never wanted to love someone and be punished for it, and swore that he never would. It hurt him having to see his mother's face every time he glimpsed his own, and did something he'd not done since he was a teenager.

Severus decided to go out for a drink.

His werewolf acquaintance had told him about a club, one where identities were secret and everything from being gay to being a vampire was openly accepted. More importantly, he'd told Severus how to get there.

Flooing to Diagon Alley, he had a cloak on to shield his face completely. He didn't want to be recognized, even though the likelihood of it happening with his new face was extremely slim. Prince's Woodworks was a small, neat store that was relatively unassuming. The wand holsters in the display window were very nice, and he admired them a moment before entering.

"Hello sir," said an older woman at the desk, "Are you interested in a wand holster? We do custom as well, flowers have been pretty popular recently, people've been getting their favorite carved onto them."

"How interesting," Severus said, ridgedly polite, "I'd have to say my favorite flower is Lady of the Night, or brassalova nodosa."

The woman smiled devilishly, and said, "Well then, I think I know exactly what you're looking for. Right through this door, sir."

Severus stepped through the doorway into a hall. At the end, he signed his name and took a mask, which turned from white to black in seconds. He'd read the confidentiality agreement of the club and was very satisfied with its saying that only the owner would know his name if they met, and that only people you wanted to recognize you or know your name would.

He entered the club, noticing the citrusy scent of brassalova nodosa in bloom, he noticed the muted light and removed his hood, allowing the mask and now satiny sheet of black hair to conceal his identity. It was a very nice place, upscale and beautiful.