Severus
Meanwhile, a thin man with sallow skin, a big, hooked nose, and yellow uneven teeth sat in a bar, mostly by himself. He brushed his shoulder-length, greasy black hair from his face as he downed the rest of the drink in front of him, when the door burst open. This wasn’t how the man planned to spend his first Boxing Day after losing his best friend forever, though he wasn’t even sure if he could call her that anymore, especially after everything he had done.
“Severus,” the bartender called out, and the man, Severus, looked up and froze as he stared into a set of piercing green eyes identical to his, now dead, best friend. “Would you mind helping the lady to Gringotts for her nephew?” the bartender finished, and Severus turned towards him before following his gesture back towards the woman holding the green-eyed baby.
“Petunia?” Severus muttered in confusion.
“Snape.” The woman muttered in return, before her eyes lit up in understanding. “This is perfect. Take him. I can’t be gone for much longer. See who else Lily would have left him with. I can’t keep him. Vernon isn’t safe for your kind.” Petunia quickly stated as she thrust the small bundle into Severus’ arms and dropped the small bag she had. “Make sure he is cared for. Everything of importance is in the bag. He is not safe with me despite what that old man thinks. Couldn’t even tell me in person that my sister was dead, and my nephew was now in my care. A blasted letter, Snape. Just dropped him off like the morning milk, in November, with a blasted letter. That senile, old man is off his rocker. Your lot should really reconsider who should be in charge of your children’s educations.” Petunia ranted quickly before turning to leave, and she pulled something out of her pocket, after she put her hands in them while walking away. She turned back to Severus and gave it to him before disappearing out the door as quickly as she came in.
Severus just stood there for a little while dumbstruck, by the short series of events that just transpired, before he was startled from his stupor by someone calling his name. “What?” Severus asked as he turned towards the voice, the bartender. “Sorry. What?”
“Are you going to take the lad to Gringotts to see where he will go?” he asked, and Severus nodded.
“Yes, sorry. Just wasn’t expecting this today.” Severus slipped the envelope into the bag at his feet before picking it up. “If you could not tell anyone about this, I would appreciate it, Tom.” Severus asked, and the bartender, Tom, nodded.
“Course, though I’m not entirely sure what happened myself.” Tom responded, and Severus nodded at that.
“I’m not entirely sure either, Tom. Have a good rest of your day.” Severus stated and walked over to the other door to exit into the alley, making his way over to the bank. Severus walked up to the only open teller station this early in the morning. “May your gold be ever flowing.” Severus greeted.
“May your blows strike true.” The goblin replied. “What can Goblin Nation do for you, Potion’s Master Prince?”
“Petunia Evans wishes to look into alternative care for her nephew, Harry Potter.” Severus stated, while bouncing Harry on his hip once to draw attention to him, which made Harry giggle.
“We don’t have a Petunia Evans down as any potential care giver for Mr. Potter. Follow me.” The goblin stated as he walked away from the counter, and Severus followed, slightly confused. If Petunia wasn’t supposed to have Harry, then why did she? “The Potter’s Account Manager Ragnar, will be with you shortly.” The goblin stated as he stopped and opened a door, and Severus walked into an office and sat in one of the chairs. The door behind the desk opened and in walked a very well-dressed goblin.