Noctem

Chapter One (1)

Note: Severus Snape is a different person. He is not that bitter, hatful person anymore. (Well in most circumstances.) He finally grew up.

Dad was right. Going into the forest at night was not very intelligent. He had gone out to pick Pomona flowers at midnight, even though father said they worked just as well if you picked them at high noon. Mycroft Snape was waiting at the top of a tree for those damn werewolves to leave. Sure, he could use magic on them but further transformations would most likely kill them. Magic was never kind to werewolves. It was never kind to anyone. Morning would be soon, and he could not miss breakfast. It was the only time father made it and his pancakes were divine.

It was times like this that Mycroft liked to mull over his choices. Bad choices, good ones, ones of no consequence. Mycroft mentally chastised himself. 'Every choice is important,' he thought, 'Every choice has a consequence that will lead to increasingly important effects.' His father was very adamant on that fact. Mycroft could understand why.

The sun was rising, but the werewolves would stay until the sun had fully breached the horizon. Mycroft decided to use his last highly shameful choice. He changed in to his animagus form, a panther. It was always incredibly embarrassing to do so in the forest because the centaurs had a habit of tracking down his scent to see if he was still alive. They started it when they noticed a panther kitten wandering around the forest during day light hours. They felt pity, strangely enough, and though they knew Mycroft was an animagus, they also knew it was very annoying to him when they captured him, pretending to not know it was him every time. His bag was always awkward to carry around in animagus form, but a sticking charm secured it to his side.

He bounded out of the forest and into the castle. Hogwarts was at its best in the summer, no people to hide from. Though it was common knowledge among the teachers that he lived here year round, but the students knew nothing. They could have, but it was easier to not have to talk to anyone.

"Dad, you were right." Mycroft unstuck his bag and dropped on the ground. "It was stupid to go out into the forest during full moon." Mycroft and his father were in one of Hogwarts kitchens designed for the teachers. They had a spare one, so it was mostly where Mycroft and Headmaster Snape lived.

Severus Snape had been appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after proving that Albus Dumbledore was unfit to do so. Some of the main evidence had come from the fact that he approved Peter Pettigrew,  a dark wizard to protect Mycroft and the fact that Mycroft, now a Horcrux was to be immediately killed in case of Voldemort's revival. Some of it was disputed, but he did win the case. It only helped that in Lily's will it was found that Severus was the father of Mycroft. Upon further examination this did fit, James and Lily had been dating for only three months before getting married, and had a child with in 5 more. At the time this did take Severus by surprise, but it was eventually settled. The infant went to him along with the role as Headmaster.

"Chocolate chip or not?" Severus held two plates of steaming pancakes in his hands.

"Not." Mycroft said taking one them out of his hands. He knew that Dad was only offering him the chocolate chip ones out of kindness, even though he liked those best.

"No more stray magic for you Sherlock." Severus was the only one that called Mycroft Sherlock, his first name. Mycroft's full name was Sherlock Mycroft Moriaty Snape. His mother had chosen them from the book "The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade." They were part of a subplot in the book, which mother loved, and James thought it was funny to make one of Mycroft's names a villains.

"I know the Ministry only tracks the wand magic, Dad." Mycroft shoved another fork full of pancakes into his mouth.

"I was hoping you wouldn't find out." Mycroft operated exclusively on wandless magic. Severus's theory was that because he had started to teach Mycroft magic so young, at just 14 months, it was as ingrained into him as language or walking was. Mycroft could do an incredible amount of magic, some most adult wizards couldn't do with their wands.

"Do I still have to get a wand?" Mycroft asked.

"Yes, the teachers will expect it of you, no matter what spells you do." Severus told him.

"Right, right, gotta conform." Mycroft muttered under his breath.

"What did you say?" Severus's eyebrow arched.

"Nothing." Mycroft said brightly, and took his plate to the sink. "Nothing at all."

Severus took his plate up to the sink and placed it next to Mycroft's. "We better get going then. Diagon alley is best in the early morning." It was only 5 am at the time, though most shops would be open.

"Right." Mycroft said. And they were off.

Thanks goes to my cover maker! socialbeech She's great!