Finding Severus (A Severus Snape Story)

Chapter 5

  Severus set off to walk the perimeter of the Great Lodge, strolling through several of the gardens. He noticed elves popping in and out tending to the maintenance and care of the property. He resolved to walk twice daily to build his strength. He laid out a route from the Lodge up the great lawn to the hills beyond. On his way past the manicured hedges, to the right were white-fenced green pastures with strong, fit horses grazing leisurely. Grand stables were sat in the distance. To his left he saw fields of yellow and blue wild flowers bordering a wide path that meandered into a dappled woodland. 

If he were a religious man 'Heaven would be here', he thought.

After a substantial lunch he sat in the main library immersing himself in books. He had found several leather-bound volumes on the Prince family, their standing in both British and Wizarding worlds as well as their vast holdings and responsibilities throughout the ages. Neder popped in to ignite a fire in the mountainous stone fireplace,

"Does Sir wish dinner?"

Severus hadn't noticed the time or the elf's presence, "What? Oh, sorry. No, tea will do."

A question weighed on his mind, "Neder, is there a family vault at Gringotts? I have one but it isn't nearly enough to sustain all the properties."

Neder lit a lamp next to Severus and with a slightly amused grin said,

"Lord Prince has an entire floor of vaults at Gringotts."

Severus' mouth fell open and he turned his ear toward the elf as if he had misheard Neder,

"Wh-what did you say?"

Neder reiterated with an even wider grin, "Sir is very wealthy. Along with the Gringotts vaults, each property has its own vault, usually down in the cellars next to the kitchens and servants' quarters. These vaults allow each House's elf manager to distribute funds as needed for the upkeep of the property and the stocking of supplies."

Severus' eyes were closed as he kneaded his forehead with his fingertips. Neder worried,

"Does Sir have a headache?"

Severus snorted, "No, Neder. Sir is overwhelmed."

---

"Neder has prepared Sir a hot bath," the elf said as Severus entered his chambers. The bed covers were turned down exposing clean white sheets. A fresh cotton nightshirt lay across the foot of the bed and a pair of suede slippers were sat on the floor. The room was comfortably warm from the fire in the fireplace. Candles flickering in the bathroom gave off a soft glow as Severus undressed and got into the waiting bath. Soothing herbals of featherfew, lavender and chamomile flowers floated in the water. 

'What an extraordinary day,' Severus thought as his body relaxed in response to the healing bath.

He spoke softly, "Neder, I guess we will have to speak tomorrow about the implications of all my newfound responsibilities."

Neder handed him a warmed towel, "Yes Sir, but tonight Sir must sleep peacefully."

As Severus climbed into bed Neder handed him a brandy hot toddy, "This was Sir's grandfather's favorite."

Severus accepted the drink, tasting it, "Mmm, I see why." Severus was curious,

"What was my grandfather's name, Neder?"

"Louis, Sir," replied the elf.

Neder hesitated for a moment before adding, "Sir's grandfather searched for Mistress Eileen when Master heard of a baby. But all efforts were met with more rebellion. Poor Mistress Eileen refused all contact with Master. It broke Master's heart that he did not know his grandchild."

Severus wondered, "Why did my mother leave?"

Neder spoke softly with a noticeable sadness, "Young Mistress never got along with her mother. Mistress Nora was, if Sir will excuse Neder, a self-absorbed woman who seemed jealous of the attention Master gave to the baby Eileen. The mother-daughter relationship was never a loving one. Mistress wasn't cruel, just cold and distant."

Severus could relate. "Thank you, Neder."

The elf bowed and with a gentle 'pop' vanished. Severus sat quietly thinking about the different life he could have had. A tear rolled down his cheek. Finishing the toddy, Severus settled beneath the covers just as sleep overtook him.