4. Self-Defense.

I apparated to my house from the cemetery.

I started to occlumend as soon as I entered the house as I didn't want to go through the same emotions again as the house still reeked of the crimes that were committed here.

The house was full of bloodstains, from the front door to the kitchen, from the floor to wall were covered in blood.

I need the house to be the same way it was like this morning if some neighbors decide to be nosey once I vanish.

I used a cleaning charm to remove all the bloodstains from the floor and walls.

I cast a "reparo" on all the objects that were broken objects.

After looking at the repaired house, I made my way towards my room.

I entered my room, it was just bigger than some attic, I had a torn bed and a single cupboard.

Inside the cupboard, I had a few pairs of clothes and Hogwarts-related things, most of which were my school material and two pairs of second-hand robes.

I burnt all of my clothes, including my Hogwarts robes.

I took out my school material, most of which were given to me by my mother.

I gave a last look at my room and closed the door behind me forever.

I found my mother's wand on the floor, when picked it up, I felt a sense of familiarity with the wand, it was like my mother's warmth.

I went to my mother's room.

I burnt all of my parent's clothes as well.

I found my mother's Hogwarts trunk, the only thing she brought from the wizarding world after she ran away from her family.

Inside the trunk, I found many photos of her and me when I was younger.

I vaguely remember her telling me about Hogwarts and magic when I was just 4 years old.

Back then, she used to smile more, but as I grew older, I understood she only smiled for me.

After searching through the trunk for a while I found what I was looking for, the magical pouch.

The pouch was empty just as I had guessed.

The only things she brought along with her were the Hogwarts textbook, which she had already given to me, and this pouch.

I dropped all my books into the pouch, these books were too important to lose.

Each book had many iterations of spells in different books.

I picked up all those pictures of my mother & me and dropped them in the pouch.

The sun has risen for a while since I completed my work.

After looking around the house for the last time, I made my way out of the house.

I stood in front of the house that didn't look any different from yesterday.

I had a destination in my mind that would provide me with everything I need in a short amount of time.

I apparated to Malfoy's manor.

I disappeared in a swirling motion and appeared in front of a magnificent manor.

#Malfoy Manor #

I knew I won't be able to apparate directly into the manor as Lucius brought me here before and explained about wards placed around the manor.

It was also Lucius who paid for my apparition lessons this year.

I choose to come here as I was sure he would help, not due to any feeling of friendship that he held for me but to increase the debt I would owe him.

He didn't help or take me under him due to any form of kindness, he was creating a list of things that would help him in persuading me into joining the ranks of Death Eaters.

He started doing this when he saw my interest in dark arts.

Though with time, he genuinely saw me as a friend, but it didn't stop him from scheming to make me dependent on him.

Lucius was a Slytherin through and through, he is ambitious and willing to do anything to see his ambitions come true and cunning enough to not let his emotions cloud his decisions.

I walked to the large gates that guarded the manor, as soon as I tried to touch the door.

An elf appeared on the other side of the gate.

"What business do you have with the Malfoy family, sir?"

The house-elf asked in a frightened voice.

I recognized the elf, it was Dooby, one of two elves that served the Malfoy family.

I don't understand why he was frightened by me.

Due to the confusion, I looked at myself, then it clicked on me, I still had blood on me.

"Don't be frightened Dobby. It's me, Severus"

I tried to calm the frightened elf down.

"Master Severus, is it really you sir?! Are you injured, sir?!"

Dobby asked in worry.

He appeared in front of me and started to check my hands that were covered in blood.

I remembered how the Malfoy treat their elves.

On one of my visits to Malfoy manor, I saw Lucius's father punishing Dobby, it made me recall my father punishing me.

After Malfoy senior left the room, I helped the elf to stand up and straighten him since then Dobby always welcomed me with genuine happiness and care.

"Dobby, rest assured. I'm not injured, it is someone else's blood. Has Lucius woken up yet?" I questioned.

Dobby's mood changed, his expressions change from genuine worry to sour.

"Master Lucius has woken up, he is entertaining some guest," said Dobby.

"Dobby, Inform Lucius of my arrival and get permission from him to let me inside"

I knew if Dobby let me inside without permission, he would be punished.

I used 'tergeo' to get rid myself of the blood.

Dobby reappeared and informed, "Master Lucius has given Dobby the permission to allow master Severus into the manor."

Dobby took my hand and apparate us directly to the place where Lucius was hosting his guests.

We disappeared and reappeared on the balcony of the manor.

I saw that Lucius was having tea along with the other two wizards.

On carefully looking, I found out who these wizards were.

They were the Lestrange brothers, a nasty bunch.

"Hello, Severus." Lucius greeted me with a smile.

He got up from his chair and made his way towards me but on seeing my clothes he stopped a few inches away from me and extended his arm for a handshake instead of a hug.

"Hello, Lucius. I hope you are having a pleasant morning."

I took his extended hand and shook it.

"Why have you arrived this early in the morning, Severus?" Lucius went straight to the point.

"I have a few things I need to sort out, so I came to you" I looked towards the incoming brothers.

"Who do we have here, Lucius?" Rodolphus Lestrange asked, raising from the chair and starting to walk towards us.

"Meet my friend, Severus Snape. I am sure you would remember the star pupil of Slughorn." Lucius introduced me

"I don't remember a pureblood family by that name," Rabastan Lestrange said.

"He is a half-blood," Lucius said.

I saw their expressions change and a look of disgust dawning on them.

"I didn't know you called these filthy half-bloods as friends, Lucius. which witch did mingle with a mud-blood? She should be punished for her treachery, filthy blood traitor." Rodolphus sneered.

"Yes, the filthy blood traitor should be killed. Tell us what is he doing here, Lucius? It is an insult to be in this filth's presence." Rabastan shouts at Lucius.

These bastards dared to speak about my mother that way, I will show the consequences of disrespecting my mother.

"I heard Mr. Robert visits your mother while your father is away on Ministry visit, Lestrange. I feel pity for you since you don't even know if you are your father so---" '

"How dare you speak of our mother like she is some common whore?!!!" Rodolphus yelled as he pulled out his wand.

"I didn't call her a whore, you did." I shrugged.

Rabastan too pointed his wand and shouts "I will show you why you should have kept your shut, you filthy bastard. Incendi--"

Before he could complete the spell, I took out my mother's wand and cast 'bombarda 'on the brothers, which threw away in the air.

I knew this could have consequences but the path I am going to lead would have far more difficulties.

If I choose to ignore this, it would let them believe that I am someone who could be messed with and talked down.

They fell on the tea table, I slowly walked towards them, they tried to take their wands out, I didn't give them time for that.

"Sectumsempra"

I cast my spell on the Lestrange brothers simultaneously.

"AHHHHH!!!!"

"AHH!!!!"

I let them feel the pain caused by the wounds for some more time.

I stepped on Rodolphus Lestrange's hand and pointed my wand under his chin

"Listen here, filth. You aren't even worthy enough to speak about my mother. If you ever speak ill of my mother, I will make sure to disfigure so much so no one would recognize you anymore. Am I understood?"

"Yes," They whispered through their cries.

"I can't hear you!!!"

"Yes!!! I'm sorry. Please... please end this!!!!" Both brothers pleaded.

Lucius, who was too shocked by what happened, finally came to his sense and raised his wand at me.

"What are you doing, Severus? Remove your foot from his hand. They are my guests. I won't have you attacking my guest at my manor." Lucius shouts pointing his wand at me, but I ignored him.

"Lucius, my dear friend, please stand where you are and enjoy the show or You will soon be on the other end of my wand. I promise I won't hesitate to use some of my new curses on you"

I knew he won't back down.

"You think I would feel threatened by your words, Severus? Remove your foot or I will not hesitate to curse you." Lucius shouts as he points his wand in my direction, ready to cast a spell.

I turned my wand towards his direction and cast a nonverbal 'expelliarmus'.

His wands flew out of his hand and landed near me,

"I won't remind you again, Lucius. Take this as your final warning, it won't be a disarming charm next time. I assure you, you don't want to be on the other end of my wand. I will forget that you are my friend, so heed my advice this time."

when our eyes met, I saw what I need, I saw fear in his eyes.

That fear would keep him from acting against me.

I looked down at Lestrange brothers, who too were looking at me in fear, Yes, this is what I needed to see.

Fear is an effective tool.

"So, listen carefully. From now, whenever you are in my presence, mind your tongue or so won't be able to speak again. Am I understood? "

I said with a smile, which seems to have frightened them more.

They nodded, with tears forming in their eyes.

"Yes, sir." Both of them shout.

"Vulnera Sanentur" I chanted the spell over their wounds.

I removed my foot from Rodolphus's hand.

"Now behave like good gentlemen and do not talk about my mother again or I will have to teach you both some lessons on manners. The next lesson would be more informative and detailed than this one."

I smiled at the fear that was evident in their eyes.

"We won't cuss about your mother. No, we will never talk bad about anyone's mother. We learned our lesson." Rabastan spoke in a hurry.

"I hope you don't come at me with some stupid revenge plan, will you?"

"NO!!! we never will think about it. We were in wrong here. Please forgive us" Rodolphus pleads.

"All is forgiven. Now, if you excuse me, I have something to discuss with Lucius. Why don't you both go play tea party over there."

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

In flash, Rodolphus and Rabastan disappeared from my sight.

I turned and looked at Lucius, who was still stunned at what was happening.

Placing his wand in his hand and inching closer to him, I whispered in his ear

"You might be my friend, Lucius but I don't like being interrupted. I hope you don't try that again. I won't hesitate the next time."

I took a step back and spoke normally, "Sorry for that little outburst, Lucius. I came here looking for my inheritance. I'm sure, you have already investigated my mother's family. So please prepare the documents I am looking for."

Lucius nods awkwardly.

I can see some fear in his eyes but he was not as frightened as the brothers.

"I will freshen up and join you later. I am sure you can arrange a few clothes for me, can't you, Lucius?"

He nods and summons Dobby.

"Dobby, show Severus a guest room and arrange clothes for him to wear"

I look at their faces once more, the Lestrange brothers were still frightened from the whole ordeal.

Lucius was handling himself a lot better than them.

I am sure he was probably thinking about my odd behavior.

There was no change in my behavior, it was just that I stopped caring what he thought or what he will do.

Ever since I saw the frightened face of my father, I came to realize just how powerful fear is as a weapon.

It is the reason why I choose to torment Lestrange Brothers.

They would fear the consequences of acting against me again.

Lucius would think of more ways to make me join death eaters now since he saw that I was more capable than he initially thought I would be.

They were the ones to raise their wand, I just acted in self-defense.