Chapter Five - The Return of the Prince

Severus woke up early. As was his custom, he spent the morning exercising.

After getting ready a letter caught his attention, it was on his desk and he assumed that one of the house elves had left him that correspondence. After all, he was in the dungeons and the owls usually left the mail in the Great Hall at breakfast time.

He was amazed to see the return address: Department of Property - Ministry of Magic.

After tearing open the envelope, he avidly read the message.

"I have finally reclaimed the home that once saw my mother grow up."

Indeed, the ministry was informing him that the paperwork had been completed. He could now dispose of Prince Manor. He put the letter in his robes and made a mental note to go and examine his new home.

He arrived at his common room thinking about the possible arrangements he would have to make, but considering his funds it would not be a problem. His mother's family could match the Malfoy's in their better days and although they had passed they still had a large fortune in the deeps of Gringotts.

Many of his classmates were already up and heading for the Great Dining Hall.

He decided to act as prefect, making sure that there were no inconveniences. Just during that tour, something caught his attention. A group of three girls from his house were looking at him and whispering, it seemed that two of them were trying to convince the third one of something. However, that was none of his business and if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that he should not ask unnecessary questions.

- "Severus."

- "Good morning, Malfoy, enjoying your last period within these walls?"

- "Ah, my friend, you can't imagine how eager I am to graduate" - Said the blond with some enthusiasm. - "I have great challenges to face in a short time."

- "And I bet one of them includes Cissy."

- "Marriage is a challenge" - Agreed Malfoy.

- "A condemnation in my opinion" - Emphasized Severus.

- "Maybe you should be condemned with Jones? What? She's a very beautiful girl."

- "I have no interest in a formal relationship" - Said the black-haired man firmly. - "I appreciate the good company, but it's just... momentary."

- "Keep indulging in those 'nocturnal pleasures' casually and you'll end up being tied down by some random interested party" - Malfoy snorted, - "Do you know how many times they've wanted to seduce me and take me to bed? Even though everyone knows about my engagement with Narcissa."

- "I understand your situation, but it's not the same, because to be honest, I couldn't fall into a game like that."

- "Why not?" - Questioned Malfoy with a frown.

- "Because unlike you, Malfoy, I am quite capable of brewing highly effective contraceptive potions."

Lucius' mouth remained half open and his eyes fixed on the expression of the black-haired man who smiled slightly before speaking again.

- "The answer is NO Malfoy" - Said Snape. - "We are in school and I am a prefect."

- "Oh, come on Severus" - Asked Lucius. - "It's my last year, and I want to do something worth remembering."

- "I understand you're going to marry Cissy as soon as you graduate. Why do you want the AC potion, even if you get her pregnant, you'll be a wizard and witch before you know it."

Lucius pursed his lips. Making Severus stop in his tracks at his expression. The black-haired man narrowed his eyes and Lucius cleared his throat uncomfortably a few steps ahead, stirring slightly before turning his gaze back to Snape.

- "Really, Malfoy" - Snape was all judgey. - "Infidelity."

Lucius quickly approached him, making a gesture that clearly said 'KEEP SILENCE.' He put a hand on the shoulder of the black-haired man who was amused by the outburst of the distinguished blond.

- "Understand, Severus" - Lucius looked around to make sure no other students were paying attention to their conversation. - "Soon I will have to devote myself to only one woman. I wanted to, I don't know. Maybe have a couple of..." - He hesitated when he sees a raised eyebrow from Snape. - "A fling before I give my vows."

- "I wonder if Narcissa has a similar idea to yours."

- "Don't worry about that" - Lucius smiled with great confidence. - "She can't do it, even if she wanted to, unlike us Severus, a woman can't hide an affair, especially if she's a virgin."

Severus looked astonished. - "Wait a minute, you guys didn't..."

Lucius shook his head. - "She has to arrive pure at the altar, remember? It's a Black tradition, besides, as her fiancé, I can't bring the honeymoon forward, no matter how much I want to."

- "You have given me a great surprise, my friend" - Severus put a hand on his shoulder and said in a tone of admiration. - "I did not think you were of such conviction as to remain chaste until your wedding day."

- "Who said I was chaste?"

- "Fuck you, Lucius."

Without another word, he resumed his walk to the great dining room. Christmas vacations were just around the corner. Severus was thinking of spending those days at Prince Manor, more than anything else to see what arrangements to make for him.

At that moment he was in the library reviewing material for transformations when he heard a mutter. He turned his head to see the same trio of Slytherin girls whispering to each other a few meters away from him.

He missed two of them pushing a redhead towards him, beckoning him over.

"Who were they, I'm sure I know them but since I'm from the future I can't remember who....?"

The redhead seemed to make up her mind and advanced to him. Severus gave her a look and the girl tensed, turning on her heels she tried to undo her way, but as soon as she took two steps her friends made a gesture and the red-haired girl turned on her heels to approach him again.

- "Can I help you?" - Severus asked as he saw the girl standing at the side of his table without saying anything. She looked nervous. - "I don't sell love potions if that's what you wish to purchase."

- "No!" - The girl blushed. - "Why would I want that?"

- "I don't sell poisons at school either" - Severus reported. - "If you want to get rid of someone, do it with your wand."

A faint smile came to the red-haired girl's lips. From her expression, Severus knew that she did have someone on her blacklist.

- "Can I sit with you?" - Asked the girl rather shyly. Severus scooted a little closer on the long stool and with a wave of his hand invited her to sit down - "Wow, you have the manners of a refined old man."

- "Is that an insult?"

- "I'd say it's a compliment."

- "You must improve your way of giving them." - The girl smiled again. - "Excuse me, I know we're from the same house but, uh, will you tell me your name?"

- "Jade Benneth and you are Severus Snape."

- "I already know that."

Jade blushed and self-censored herself for saying something so stupid.

Severus took that moment to remember... "Benneth? not that last name... just a moment Jade... Alexander Greengrass' wife? Of course! She's Jade Greengrass, only she's still single. How could I not have noticed?"

He analyzed the situation: she was nervous and tense. She must want something from him, but he didn't know what. To find out he would have to play along, an idea that didn't appeal to him much.

- "What are your plans for the Christmas vacation?" - He asked suddenly.

- "Nothing special" - She replied.

- "Really? like you, I will have quiet days."

She sighed. - "My family takes advantage of the Christmas holidays to hold social parties attended by important members of the magical community. Do you know what it's like to wear high heels for an entire evening where you have to smile from beginning to end at people you don't know?"

- "Ah."

- "It's torture! Imagine that last year?"

Severus stared as the girl's lips moved endlessly while he heard nothing, Jade's nervousness seemed to have vanished. At what point did she give him cause to recite an endless monologue of her torturous family life? Even thinking about it all, he found himself looking at her and nodding every time the girl seemed to ask him something. However, there was a moment when the girl stopped her chatter and looked at him expectantly. Waiting for something.

- "Snape?" - The young woman gave him a nervous look.

- "Ah, yes, yes... whatever you say."

- "Great" - The girl smiled, standing up happily. - "I'll send you an owl. I'll see you."

Severus didn't say anything, he just watched her arrive with her friends and disappear at the library door.

.

- "So you have no idea what she told you" - Lily who was lying on the grass by the black lake next to Severus. - "You're careless, Sev."

- "It can't be that serious" - He downplayed it. - "In my defense, she talked too much. She was lucky I didn't take a nap right there."

Lily told him everything that had happened. She also explained that James had the idea that she was cheating on him. At that, the black-haired man smiled amused.

- "You can read voluminous books without falling asleep, but you can't pay attention to a girl who comes up to you with who knows what intentions," - Replied Lily.

- "It's not the same thing, books are interesting, girls on the other hand... Ouch..." - Lily punched him on the shoulder. - "Alright, I'm not saying anything."

- "Don't forget I'm a girl."

- "I never do."

- "Really?"

Severus gave a faint smile as he stared up at the blue sky speckled with white clouds. Until his vision was blocked by the face of Lily Evans who had risen slightly and now stood slightly above the black-haired man. Snape knew that such closeness was dangerous... the redhead was very close, looking at him with those emerald eyes he loved so much. "Control yourself, you've already decided not to try anything with..." He felt the brush of red hair against his left cheek. It felt like a crimson waterfall down the side of Evans' head.

- "Severus... I... ended my relationship with James," - She said sorrowfully, looking up at him.

"Shit." For a moment he imagined the Harry Potter of his time disappearing out of nowhere.

- "Don't go crying or your tears will fall directly on my face," - He said mockingly.

- "I'm serious."

Severus sighed in defeat. - "Well, what happened?"

- "He offended me," - Evans confessed and stared at him, waiting for a reaction from the black-haired man that never came. - "You're not going to say that he's a jerk, that he doesn't deserve me, and that you'd like to hex him," - Severus frowned and Lily rolled her eyes. - "Forget it, I was just surprised I didn't see your impulsive side."

- "When have I ever had an impulsive side?"

- "You did, whenever I mentioned James or his friends you would explode in anger and become verbally violent."

- "You take me for an immature man," - Severus snorted, - "How did he offend you?"

Lily told him everything that had happened. Also, she explained that James had the idea that she was giving him the heebie-jeebies. At that, the black-haired man grinned in amusement.

- "Potter is very jealous" - Said the black-haired boy.

- "He tends to be a jerk in situations like that."

- "I'd say it's his natural state. What did you see in him, anyway?" - He grimaced in disgust.

Lily smiled in amusement.

- "At first, he was hopelessly arrogant, but as I got to know him I realized he had his good points. He's very attentive to me, he has his share of Gryffindor bravery." - Snape felt like he might vomit. - "He's very loyal to those he loves and has a good sense of humor."

- "I understand" - Severus analyzed all the information. Suddenly he realized something he had overlooked. - "Lily... When did you become a girlfriend of that oaf?"

- "The day that overrated reporter came to interview you" - She said. - "James had asked me to meet him at the astronomy tower, and that's where he asked me to be his girlfriend."

- "And you accepted."

- "If I didn't, he'd throw himself off the tower" - She said amused.

- "I don't see the problem."

- "Hey!"

Lily began to slap his chest with her free hand while Severus laughed.

At a certain moment, the black-haired man stopped his friend by catching her hand, and then... they had a moment: their eyes met and their hands burned to the touch. They both felt it, they had always been close friends, but it was the first time they had that strange feeling, that sexual tension that prevented them from ignoring each other as people of the opposite gender.

At that precise moment, Lily saw Severus for what he was: a very attractive man in her eyes, intelligent and shrewd, with a renewed vitality in his dark orbs.

Meanwhile, Severus felt that something wanted to pull him closer to her. He kept mentally repeating to himself that nothing should happen. This was his second chance to live a life! He didn't want to make the same mistake of suffering because of his feelings for her!

Thinking at full speed Severus let go of the redhead's hand as if it burned. But what he didn't expect was that her hand would end up on his chest. Lily leaned back slightly on him without taking her eyes off him.

Something was happening, Severus knew it. "It's the hormones, she's annoyed with James and now she's looking for refuge in me... she wants affection... momentary." He breathed a sigh of relief.

He had to avoid falling into that, otherwise, they would do something inappropriate; the days would pass, and she would go back to James but not before telling him that what happened between them should never have happened, that she was confused, and all the excuses there were.

"I won't give you the pleasure of telling me that you only want me as a friend, I've already decided that I wouldn't make the same mistakes."

By the time he came out of his thoughts Lily was already very close, so close that he could feel her breathing and sweet breath.

- "You're very close" - He said dryly.

The redhead looked at him strangely and pulled away blushing.

- "I'm sorry, I'm sorry....."

- "You don't need to apologize. Are you hungry?"

- "Yes, very, in fact, I could eat beef," - She said blushing and nervous. -

"Shall we go to the dining room?"

.

Prince Manor looked immaculately white.

Severus had visited the place on a previous occasion with the Ministry agents, but only to demonstrate that the barriers of the property yielded to him. Now that he saw the grounds unhurriedly he realized that it was enormous.

He dropped his bags in the lobby amazed that the furniture was in good condition and clean as was the rest of the place.

"If no one has been living here... there's only one explanation."

Poof!

And there was the solution to the mystery. Many more Poofs were heard and Severus found himself in front of a group of house elves, ten to be exact. The elf who looked the oldest approached and bowed. When he spoke his thick, raspy voice welcomed him.

- "Master" - At that word the other nine elves bowed - "Men of the law warned us of your claim. We are yours now, we have served the Prince for generations, and we hope to be able to please you in whatever you need."

- "You have kept this place impeccable, I congratulate you."

At those words, the elves looked up and their eyes shone, they felt so flattered that at that moment they swore internally that they would comply with any order their young master gave them.

- "We thank you for your compliment" - Said the eldest elf. - "As you say, we have kept the whole place as it was when your relatives lived here. Now you are the lord of the manor. Please give us your orders."

- "One of you could take my belongings to the main room, please."

The nine elves took a step or two forward anxiously but Severus stopped them with a wave of his hand.

- "I think it best to divide the chores" - He looked at the whole group, stopping at the eldest. - "What is your name?"

- "Lune, master, I am here to serve you" - He answered.

- "Well Lune, you will be my personal elf and head of the servants of the mansion, when I am not here, you will give the orders as you have been doing these years."

Lune guessed that his master had deduced his leadership over the others. His new master was smart and he liked that. He thanked him for his new position and Severus asked for those with the best and most experienced in the kitchen to come forward. Two did.

- "Names?"

- "Pyk, master."

- "Truky, sir."

- "Lune, my lord."

- "Lune?"

- "When I entered the service of the Prince family, Miss Eileen gave me that name."

Severus was surprised to hear that. - "So Mother named one of the elves, would you be her personal elf?" - He asked Moon, getting a positive answer.

Severus made a mental note to talk to her another time, maybe he could find out how his mother grew up in that place.

- "You will be in charge of the kitchens. I'm counting on your sassoon, especially if at some point I fall prey to madness and decide to bring visitors."

- "Don't worry, young master" - Said Pyk, puffing out his chest. - "I am a specialist in various dishes that are a must at gala events."

- "I believe you have appointed yourself head chef" - The female elf was embarrassed in a good way.

- "Names?"

- "Braz, master" - Answered a squeaky-voiced elf. - "These are Berta and Sofyl, if you find our names curious I must inform you that we were appointed by the former Lord Prince."

- "I understand, you will be in charge of the cleaning" - He turned to the last three elves, - "Your names?"

- "Puky, young master."

- "Been, sir."

- "Reny, master."

- "Well, you'll be in charge of the gardens, shopping, and outside errands."

- "As ordered" - Said the three elves at the same time.

Severus smiled in pleasure. He knew that the elves went out of their way to please their master, it was their purpose and joy to see their master happy.

- "Is the pantry full?" - Severus asked.

- "Yes, Master" - Answered Lune.

- "Perfect, I'll go take a shower while you leave my belongings" - He looked them all in the eye one by one before smiling. - "I wonder what the welcome dinner will be like for your new master" - The elves smiled and opened their eyes wide. - "Ah, I guess I'll find out when I get out of the shower, I'm starving."

He spun on his heels in the direction of the stairs as he heard several "Poofs" behind him.

Two days passed, and Severus had already memorized all the nooks and crannies of the mansion.

He was especially pleased with the Prince's library, which thanks to the elves had been kept clean, although some books needed to be renewed, he would already stock up on good literature.

It felt good to have the company of the elves, they kept him from feeling lonely in such a big place. Besides, those little creatures attended him with great willingness.

Severus ordered the elves to abandon their old attire and wear decent clothes, he gave them several outfits insisting that they could wear the ones they preferred. To tell the truth, he found it difficult as they kept telling him that whatever he gave them would be fine.

That morning he enjoyed a good cup of strong coffee and muffins while reading the prophet in the garden of the mansion. Lune had told him that his mother Eileen Prince was fond of plants and liked to play in that place since she was a little girl.

An owl flew down and landed on the table. It was carrying a letter tied to its leg.

That was strange. He didn't remember anyone writing to him. But thanks to his "going back" in time (or so he supposed) he had changed the facts, maybe now someone would write to him. It could even be Lily, in his real past they saw each other during the Christmas vacations as they lived very close, but now... he decided not to jump to conclusions and set out to read the missive.

Dear Severus Snape:

Hello! I hope you are enjoying these days away from school - seriously make the most of them! As for me, I've been at home updating my parents on how I did in the first semester. They want to know everything! Anyway, I'll come to the reason for my letter.

As I told you, I would like to invite you to the party that my family organizes every year at this time, I remind you that you gave me your word to save me from the martyrdom of the evening! So I will expect you tomorrow night.

There is a button inside the envelope. It's a shuttle, it will be activated tomorrow night at nine o'clock, touch it and you'll be at my house in an instant.

Remember I'll be waiting for you!

Yours faithfully. Jade Benneth

At what point did I say I would accompany her to her family party? He recollected. No, he had never said such a thing. Should he ignore the invitation? He watched the unmoving owl. "Wait for an answer." A throat clearing made him turn his gaze to Lune who remained at his side.

- "My master wishes paper and ink?"

- "I think so, but... I don't know whether to give a positive answer."

- "Is it an invitation?"

- "To a Christmas party at the Benneth family mansion."

- "Young master, if I may" - Severus gave a small nod. - "You are the last of the Princes, you should attend, this kind of event to mark your influence in magical society. Your grandfather said it was a way to make yourself known."

- "You are right" - Severus pondered for a few moments. - "It's time for the Princes to get back on the map."

- "Wise choice, my master."

- "I'll just... I'll need a custom suit of clothes."

- "If you wish, master, I can kidnap a dressmaker."

- "I'd rather bring her in and pay her for the service. Any suggestions?"

- "Madam Fine has the experience and good material."

- "Bring her in."

- "As you command master, but first, I'll bring you quill and ink."

.

Jade took Severus's answer to her mother. She smiled with pleasure.

- "You have done very well, daughter."

- "Mother... really, do you think it's all right that...?"

- "What?" - Her mother stiffened her expression. - "You have to understand, Jade, he's a great catch, he's the only Prince heir, the only one, and he's not engaged. Well, not yet, I bet many of the invited families would be more than happy to be related to him. When he marries the lost family will resurface, it's in our best interest to be related, don't you think? Besides, from what I read in the prophet he's a great boy, intelligent, a prodigy."

- "I don't know him, mother."

- "What difference does it make?" - Said the eldest. - "You're both Slytherin, what else do you want you to have in common? The important thing now is to convince him to establish an engagement, so you can marry him when you finish school."

- "Because I must..."

- "Girl! Girl! GIRL! When are you going to understand?" - Her mother exclaimed. - "You must look after the prestige of the family, and if possible increase it. Your brother will be in charge of carrying on the Benneth lineage and you will be the one who will bring the Prince family back to life. With these marriage arrangements, we maintain our status. So please forget about absurd things like marrying for love. Your mission is simple, dazzle him tomorrow night. Don't let any of the other families get close to him, charm him, and then let your father and I talk. If all goes well, you will be engaged the next day. Is that clear?"

- "Yes, Mother" - Said Jade with a crestfallen face.

Her mother had insisted that she try to seduce Snape at school. But given her shyness she couldn't approach him more than once and only to invite him into her mother's "trap," though he seemed to have responded automatically.

"I'm sorry, Severus, I got you into trouble."