Knowledge is Power

Chapter 40

"How is it that you are going on vacation with Mag," Raislen asked Severus.
The graduation party was over. It had ended far too soon for Severus's liking. Not because he particularly enjoyed parties, because of course he did not, but because the party put this particular moment off for a bit. Everyone had eaten, had drinks, chatted, then meandered home leaving Severus here with this moment.

"She invited me, Raislen. I tried to tell her know. I don't want her in danger, and I tried to..."

"You didn't try hard enough, because you're here now," Raislen shouted, slamming Severus in the nose.
Severus staggered backward, blinking in surprise. He'd expected this, but it was still somehow a shock. Perhaps because Raislen and Heather had protected him from such in school and now Raislen was actually hitting him!

"I tried but...I can't force her to be safe by hurting her, Raislen," Severus found himself shouting back.
Striding angrily forward he threw his own punch, slamming the far larger man in the jaw hard with his left fist.
"I did take precautions. I was going to share those with everyone if you would shut the hell up and listen!"

"What the hell! Mum and I leave for three seconds to walk the final guests out and you're fighting," Mag practically shouted as she angrily swept back into the room.
"He started it," Severus defended peevishly, a hand coming up to his throbbing nose.
"It isn't broken," Raislen snapped.
"And we didn't use wands," he added to his daughter.
"I did start it, but he knows better than to pull this shit!"

"I wasn't talking to you," Mag told Severus gently.
Her expression softened as she approached, moving to stand at Severus's side.
"And he didn't pull anything, Daddy. I made him come with me. I love him and I have the right to have what I want. I love you and Mum too, you know that, but no matter your good intentions, turning your backs on him wasn't right," Mag said as politely and lovingly as she could.

"Is that what he told you," Raislen demanded, voice rising again as he glared at Severus.
"That we turned our backs on him?"
Mag shook her head.
"He didn't say much to me about you at all, actually."
"Well he's the one who turned his backs on us when he chose the life threatening role of double agent over any sort of productive adult life he could've had for himself," Raislen ranted.

"The man is a genius! He could've invented potions, crafted spells, become as famous as Dumbledore, but no he had to choose vengeance! He didn't care that serving Voldemort would potentially bring any of his close friends under the monster's speculative eye. Hell he didn't even care about the fact he was risking himself! And I'm sorry but vengeance won't bring Tobias Snape back!"

"Sure you can judge him, but you can't really understand his choices until you have lived his experiences, which you have not," Mag said quietly.
Severus was once more reminded of her love for Muggle psychology and found himself impressed at the smooth way she applied it in general conversation. So well was it done that he almost didn't mind being talked around.

"I'm sorry, Raislen. I suppose I wasn't able to think it out back then, but I never planned to endanger you or Heather. I don't plan to endanger Mag now. If you had only worked with me on ensuring that didn't happen rather than turning your backs on me, perhaps...things could've been different."
He'd honestly intended a sincere apology, but the embittered words just insisted on coming out there on the end of it.

"I'm sorry we weren't enough for you, Severus. I'm sorry we didn't make you happy enough as friends to let go of the hurt and hate, but we had to protect ourselves and though we didn't want to cut ties with you, we saw no choice," Raislen said, expression suddenly tired and resigned.
"It's ironic, Mag falling in love with you after we cut ties to keep her safe, but I suppose were Voldemort out of the picture, I would not object to her choice. You were always part of the family and the two of you do seem to suit one another well."