Always

Chapter 1

Severus Snape (age 8) opens his eyes. He is greeted with sunlight and birdsong while he climbs out of bed. A day like today would normally be happy, including pancakes for breakfast and loving parents hugging you.

He happily opens the door of his bedroom and walks down the hallway to the kitchen, expecting the smell of food to meet him. Instead, Severus smells the unmistakable stench of smoke and beer. His father was awake.

Tobias Snape was a horrible man. He was 37 and abusive. He married the kind and brilliant Eileen Prince. Every day since Severus was born he beat them both. His parents were always fighting.

"BOY. Where is she?"
Severus looks down. "I don't know, sir."
Eileen had gone missing three days earlier. And Tobias was missing her. He had been forbidden from hitting his son so his uncontrollable anger was used on his poor wife.
"Don't lie to me, filth! I know you have seen the witch!"
I wonder why father calls mom a witch...
Severus looks at his father and says "I haven't seen her for days. Like you..." After that, Sev grabs a banana and runs outside, looking for his solace. A girl named Helena Bartow.
"Sevvy!"
Severus turns around and sees a young girl running towards him, arms open for a hug. "Hi," he says, shyly. Helena had long blonde hair and pale green eyes. And Severus had a HUGE crush on her. "Any news on...?" Helena asks quietly. "Not yet!" Sev says bravely hugging her. "What do you ya wanna do?"
Helena looks around. "Oooo! Let's go to the lake! The one with the willow tree!" They walk down a path looking for the lake, not noticing another girl with long red hair and bright green eyes....