"Here."
Severus looked up from where he sat, surprised to see his own father offering him a bottle of beer.
Severus sneered. He thought his father was done with that.
"Don't look at me like that, Severus," the older Snape said, eyes glimmering with iridescence against the porch's lightbulb. Severus' sneer disappeared upon hearing his name spoken so slowly-- lovingly, almost-- for once it was spoken only in bitterness and anger. Tobias continued, much more softly this time, "You remind me of your mother."
Again, Severus was taken by surprise at the mention of his mother. Once, he knew, if this happened when he was younger, he would've felt fury for the mention of her by the man beside him. He would've thought, 'You don't deserve her!'. But at thirty-five, fighting in a war that was building up towards rupture... Severus knew he couldn't afford a war against his father again. It was not as if he was done with his issue with his past. It was far too much, far too painful, far too heavy to bear. It shattered him. But he was tired. Oh, so tired.
But, of course, would it hurt to question why? If Tobias Snape was capable of such gentleness towards a broken boy like Harry Potter, why had he spared his own son the privilege to have a father? Why must he spare his own wife the goodness that reside within him?
Severus felt his temples pound. Again, he was getting a migraine. He found himself taking the beer, the coldness making his hand rest upon the crystal with apprehension, then to form a tighter grip so as not a shatter it. The beer was ice cold. He took a swallow, closing his eyes as the coldness hit his throat. He casted his eyes upon the bottle, releasing a sigh. The last time he had a Muggle beer was when he was a youth, finding his father's stash beneath their sink, having a rebellious streak, and drinking it all down as an experiment and to gain the courage to confess to Lily Evans. Suffice to say, it didn't go as planned. He blacked out, went home drunk, and wasn't even beat for doing it. His father only dismissed him saying he was punished enough. Tobias didn't lash out; he bought a new pack and hid them in a much better location.
Again, Severus took a swig. He allowed himself to drown in the beer taste, only to see beside him that his father was drinking a cup of tea. Severus found it absurd. How easy did the leaves turn! Now, it was him drinking beer and his father drinking tea.
"Your mother," Tobias began again, voice turning hoarse and thick, "she makes the best tea in the world. She adds milk, too. She says it is an Indian thing. She is well-travelled, your mother is. We used to exchange letters. She was about to train as a Healer, too."
Severus didn't answer. What was an estranged son supposed to say about that anyway? His heart hurt. He downed it with a gulp of the beer.
"She was intelligent," Tobias continued, eyes towards the darkness of the night beyond the house, "and I envied that trait of hers." He laughed, a baritone chuckle that Severus remembered. When was the last time Severus heard his father laugh? When he was growing up, it was always anger. Always screams and spats. Sometimes, even spits and spanks. But how come Severus remembered that from long ago?
"Severus," Tobias called to him again, again with the same tone of longing and... Dare he recognise it? Maybe even love. Severus took three gulps of the beer. He crushed the feeling, but Tobias wasn't finished yet, "she loves you. So much. She loves you more than she loves me. And it is only fitting that you are as intelligent as she is."
Severus blinked. His cheeks felt warm. Tears. Without knowing it, Severus cried. The way he spoke about her as if she was still there, as if she never left, as if she never died...
"You love her, don't you?"
Tobias smiled wryly, pained but sure, "I do, son, I really do."
------
Dearest Hermione,
How is Hogwarts? I haven't been able to check on you guys for a while now.
Harry.
----
Harry,
DA has been progressing splendidly. I am so happy to hear from you, Harry! Where are you anyway? Where is Hedwig? She was not the one to drop this letter to me. Oh, Harry, we miss you.
Mione.
----
Mione,
She is too much of a suspicious creature. I cannot afford to risk you all, after that fiasco with Umbridge. I will be back before you know it. For now, please settle things in my stead. I will try to keep in touch as much as I can.
Harry.
----
Harry,
Times have proven to be quite difficult. Was the abuse from Umbridge true? Oh Harry, I wish you and i could meet, even if only for a while.
But James would laugh at the way she went away with her tail between her legs. You are so like your dad, harry.
Padfoot.
---
Sirius,
Good to know you seem to be fine. I hope you amenable with a Muggle location for a while.
And it wasn't me. It was Snape.
Harry.
(The letter wasn't answered for two weeks.)
----
Mate,
Fudge has sent a manhunt for you. Keep safe, Harry.
Ron.
----
Uncle Tobias,
How are you? Can you call me on the telliphone soon? Turn the page, you'll find a number.
Harry.
---
Harry,
My son left twp nights after you ran off to God knows where. Must you do that?
Harry, I hope you get to patch things out with Severus. Before it is too late. I'll call you when I can. Before then, I hope you can think things over.
Love,
Uncle Toby.
