Chapter 5

I woke up suddenly to the sound of a chime from the system. A notification flashed before my eyes: "Congratulations! You have been awarded a photographic memory for completing a hidden mission." Confused, I frowned and muttered, "What mission did I accomplish?" The system's voice replied smoothly, "You successfully helped Severus and his mother secure the Prince heirship."

My jaw dropped in shock. "What? How?" I asked aloud, but the system provided no further clarification. A wave of worry washed over me as I realized I hadn't seen Severus in days. Our usual meeting spot by the tree had been empty. My chest tightened. Where could he be? I didn't even know where his house was.

As I made my way downstairs, I overheard my parents talking in hushed tones.

"Did you hear about Tobias Snape?" my mother asked. "He drowned."

My heart stopped. I rushed into the room, my voice trembling. "Who drowned?"

My father looked up. "Tobias Snape. The man from Spinner's End. They say he was drunk when it happened."

My eyes widened, and without another word, I bolted out the door. My legs carried me to our meeting spot as fast as they could. There, under the shade of the old tree, was Severus. He looked peaceful, a small smile gracing his lips, but his usual guarded demeanor seemed distant.

I ran to him and enveloped him in a tight hug. He hesitated for a moment before hugging me back.

"Severus," I said, my voice shaking, "what happened? How did your father die?"

Severus pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and clouded with emotion. For a moment, he said nothing, as if gathering his thoughts. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and tremulous.

"He came home drunk, as usual," Severus began. "He started beating me. My mother... she snapped. For the first time, she fought back."

My breath hitched. "What do you mean?" I whispered, fearing the answer.

"She used magic," he said quietly, his hands trembling slightly. "I don't remember much. I blacked out from the beating. When I woke up, she was by my side, crying. She kept saying she was sorry—sorry for letting it go on for so long, for not protecting me sooner."

My throat tightened. "What happened to your father?" I asked gently.

Severus shook his head. "She wouldn't tell me at first. But I figured it out. He... he won't hurt us anymore." His voice broke slightly, and he looked away. "I think she loved him, in some twisted way. But when he tried to kill me, something in her just... snapped."

I reached for his hand, holding it tightly. "Severus, I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve any of that. Neither did your mother."

He gave me a sad smile. "It's over now," he said softly. "But there's more." His expression brightened slightly. "We received a response from my grandparents. They want to meet us. My mother cried when she read the letter. She thought she'd never see them again."

I smiled, my chest swelling with relief. "Severus, that's wonderful! Maybe this is a new beginning for both of you."

He nodded, his dark eyes glimmering with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "I don't know them. I don't know if I even want to know them," he admitted. "But... it's something."

I hugged him tightly again. "You're not alone anymore," I said firmly. "You have your mother, your grandparents, and... you have me. "

Severus froze for a moment before wrapping his arms around me. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "For everything."

We stood there for a while, holding onto each other as the weight of the past began to lift, replaced by the faint glimmer of hope for a brighter future.