Prologue - A Father's Wish
28th of August 1980
Dear Severus Snape
Snape, I wish to apologise for my actions throughout our time at Hogwarts. I treated you unfairly and tormented you relentlessly without cause. I know an apology will never be enough for you to forgive me. However, I do hope you can look past this to adequately care for your godson, my son, Corvus Regulus Black, born yesterday on the 27th of August 1980 to myself and Ophelia Travers.
If you have received this letter, it means that both Ophelia and I, have found ourselves unable to care for our son. I do hope this never happens, but I fear that from what I am seeing around me that day will come too soon. I fear either Remus Lupin or Peter Pettigrew is working for the Dark Lord and as such have kept all word of my son from everyone. I respectfully ask for you to do the same.
I no longer trust Dumbledore, as since word of the prophecy he believes Harry is the only one who can destroy Voldemort. No good will come from waiting until Harry is strong enough to destroy the Dark Lord. It must be done now. Before his death, my brother left word in my diary, on how this is to be done. I have hidden it in plain sight and will not leave word on how to find it in case this letter falls into the wrong hands.
I entrust you will take excellent care of Corvus for us and raise him as you see fit. Please give my son the life I hope for him to have, even if I am unable to care for him myself. I leave with you the decision on where and how to raise him, and what last name he is to hold whilst under your guardianship. You are welcome to the entirety of the Black vault for your troubles and all I request for you to do in return is to love Corvus like he is your own.
Thank you, Severus. I will forever be indebted to you.
Kind Regards,
Sirius Orion Black