The Prince's Tale

[10] Past Enmity - Erin Snape

【"If you really love someone, you will know that no matter how short the happiness with him is, you will never regret your original decision."】

Edward never showed any knowledge of my quarrel with Moody.I didn't bother to think about what he was thinking, so I took it for granted that he didn't know about it.

As the bell rings, the new year is here again.In [-], a new beginning finally free from war - what a cause for celebration.It's just that those who lost their lives in the war never saw this brave new world again.

I inherited everything from William Prince, including those two pharmacies in Diagon Alley.When I first stepped into the pharmacy as an heir, it was a subtle feeling.For the employees in the pharmacy, I was just a small pharmacist who was bullied in a small pharmacy; for me, this made me have to face the cruel reality that William Prince has passed away.

The old Mr. Brown, who had been imprisoned by Tiffany for several years, was rescued, but he left in a hurry before the next year's flowers bloomed.He had no children, so he left that small pharmacy to me, hoping that I could run it as diligently as before.But that didn't cheer me up.Once again, a deep sense of shame slipped through my heart, as if a voice was telling me that I didn't deserve it.

After much negotiation and negotiation, I sold one of the great pharmacies, and added a considerable amount of gold to my account at Gringotts.

All things have endings one after another, and some of them have new beginnings because of this.My love affair with Edward is finally over.In [-], we had our wedding.Before that, he took me to meet his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones must be the most enthusiastic Muggles I've ever met, but not quite what I imagined.They are said to be Muggle doctors.When I heard Mr. Jones talk about surgery for the first time, I was so frightened, but within a few minutes, I enthusiastically participated in the discussion of the Joneses, leaving Edward alone. side.

And I have no relatives in this world.My mother died early, and my father died shortly after I left home.I am the only one left of the once glorious Prince family.I wander alone in the world like a lonely gravekeeper.

Edward and I agreed not to invite too many people to the wedding.I really don't have anyone to invite, but Edward obviously isn't.He's always been very popular, has friends everywhere - Gryffindor, the Order of the Phoenix, Diagon Alley, the Aurors.I really don't understand why he sent out only a few invitations.

When the wedding was held, I finally understood some of the mysteries.Ten years ago, before I left Hogwarts, several girls in the dormitory got together eagerly to discuss what kind of wedding they would hold in the future.I have forgotten what I said at the time, but I know that my self ten years ago would never have dreamed that my wedding would be a real Muggle wedding-it was all thanks to Edward's Muggle background.

I think I can fully understand Edward's painstaking efforts.You can't imagine what a shocking scene it will be when those wizards in weird clothes appear in front of Muggles.When one of Edward's cousins ​​saw the goblin tiara on my head, she raised her eyebrows suspiciously, so scared that I almost pulled out my wand and cast an Oblivion Charm on her.Edward laughed afterward.

For the first time in my life, I mixed with so many Muggles and felt their excitement and laughter.It didn't seem so bad, and it didn't have the dreaded symptoms that one of my classmates had whispered to me.

Edward always blamed himself for not giving me a wizard wedding, but I didn't care as much as he did.In fact, I know that if this is a wizarding wedding, the situation will only be more awkward at the scene - just think about my blood and surname and you can tell a thing or two.

Edward did a great job, really good.He almost wants me to believe that this is what love is like.

My life gradually changed from monotonous to fulfilling, and then returned to plainness again.I enjoy this peace.But we should believe that such peace is always temporary.Even if it will not be completely broken, there will be slight waves due to some accidents.

That was the case with the letter I received on July [-], [-].

It was a rare, sunny Friday morning.Edward and I are sitting at the oak table having breakfast.We all had fried eggs and buttered bread in front of us.Except that the teal cup in front of me was steaming Herbal Tea Recipe 33 (I couldn't think of a better name), and Edward insisted on pumpkin juice with ice cubes.

Edward was quickly browsing the "Daily Prophet", while devouring fried eggs; I slowly read the monthly magazine of the Society of Extraordinary Apothecaries, and occasionally took a sip of herbal tea from a green teacup.This is probably because Edward has to go to work in the ministry early in the morning, and since I took over the pharmacy, my working hours have been automatically adjusted to ten in the morning.

Just then, a taupe owl flapped its wings and flew in, bumping headlong into the glass vase with lilies in the middle of the dining table.Edward deftly caught the knocked-off vase.I picked up the old mortal owl and untied the letter from its claw.

"Mrs. Jones." I read the name on the envelope and made a triumphant gesture to Edward who put down the vase. "It seems that it was sent to me."

"Oh, come on, I don't want to get a letter from anyone—it's sure to be troublesome!" He joked, glanced at the wall clock, and sat down hastily to continue his breakfast.

"They won't be so kind to write to you if there's trouble," I replied habitually, while cutting open the envelope with a paper knife. "You don't usually use—" I suddenly fell silent, Edward looked up at me strangely.

"Is there something wrong?" There was worry and concern in his tone.

"No," I flatly denied, and stuffed the letter into my clothes pocket, "Nothing happened, my dear." I forced a smile.

Edward didn't have time to pursue more details.At this moment, the fireplace suddenly burst into flames, revealing the head of a wizard who had almost lost all his hair.

Like I wanted to say before.If there was any trouble with Auror Command, it would definitely find Edward directly through the Floo Network.This happens once a month on average.They could just barge into my fireplace at any time - faux pas, but effective.

"Edward, the Elephant Castle is on fire again! It's very likely that we discussed it before—" The bald wizard immediately fell silent when he saw me behind the dining table.

I think he knows who I am.Although Edward never mentioned to me what colleagues in the Ministry thought of his bride, I was no fool.I felt tired again, but Edward's attention seemed to be completely attracted by the sudden fire in the elephant castle, and he didn't notice my strangeness at all.He put down the knife and fork, grabbed his coat in a hurry, and said loudly, "I'll be there in a minute!".

The flame in the fireplace went out just as suddenly as it came, along with Edward Jones who had just rushed out of the house.After a loud slam of the door, the house returned to normal silence.

"Be careful." I whispered, as if talking to myself in the air.After realizing this, I slumped back to my chair.

I guard the empty house—it was laughing and dancing just a few minutes ago.I tried my best to suppress the thought of closing the fireplace that I had had countless times, and drank the herbal tea in the teacup in one gulp.

After thinking about it, I took out the crumpled letter from my pocket and read it again:

dear jane,

I think I'm going to die soon.I want to see you one last time before I leave.

Erin Prince Snape

There was also a note in the envelope. "Spider End Lane NO.19..." I read.

I think I'm going to correct a sentence I said earlier.I am not the last of the Prince family.My aunt, the mother of someone whose name I won't name, is still alive, though not for long, I suppose.

I hadn't seen my aunt for a long time, and she didn't leave much of a mark on my life.I can only vaguely recall a few fragments——

William and I were chasing and fighting in the summer garden, and a quiet young woman was sitting on a bench beside me reading... My father was furious when he read an insignificant notice in the "Daily Prophet"... On a stormy night, The sallow-faced woman stood at the gate of the imposing manor, with the things she had just thrown out piled up at her feet, and an unremarkable little boy was hiding behind her...

This is all my impression of Erin Prince.To be honest, I don't really want to go through this.First, I really have no relationship with her; second, I don't want to see Severus Snape.

I know Dumbledore vouched for him.If there is anyone in this world who can be convincing just by name, it is Albus Dumbledore.But I actually hesitated when choosing to believe Tiffany Hale or Albus Dumbledore.

As Moody said, Tiffany is a cunning witch... It is entirely possible that she wanted to use my hand to bring Snape into the water, although I do not have this ability... But there was something in her tone Something that I can almost conclude is the truth.

I have always been indecisive.I would have liked to discuss this with Edward - although you can see that I was almost subconsciously trying to conceal the contents of the letter, but that was only because I hadn't thought about where to start.Fortunately, Edward rushed out of the house without looking back, and ran towards the Auror career that he valued more.I have a strange feeling, as if the Ministry of Magic took my husband...

I sat on the cushion with anger, like a sullen frog, but I didn't know where the anger came from.Maybe I should go, said a voice in my heart, after all she was the only survivor of the Prince family besides me.Think of the Jones family's plethora of Muggle relatives and Edward's friends all over the world...

Just like that, for a reason that I can't even explain myself, I threw down my breakfast and the association's monthly magazine, picked out a dark-colored robe, and stepped out of the house as if I were running away.

I apparated next to a meandering, dirty, trash-smelling river.I quickly covered my mouth and nose with my sleeve, trying my best to hold back the unceasing discomfort in my stomach.In the past 28 years, I have never been in such a dirty place.I dare say Erin Prince had never been in such a filthy place before she married that Muggle.

I had a little bit of sympathy for her, followed by a touch of admiration and puzzlement.I looked down at where I was, feeling like I had nowhere to go.A few seconds later, I stepped over the wrapping paper in the grass and a pile of rotting things surrounded by flies, stepped on a faded leaflet, and crawled to the river bank, trying not to think about the hem of my clothes dragging on the ground. What has become of it.

Standing on the cobbled path, looking at the rows of dilapidated brick houses beyond the alley, I couldn't help but wonder if I was in the wrong place.I thought all Muggles were like the Joneses... Is Erin Prince living here?

I suppressed the disappointment, discomfort and disdain in my heart, and walked into the maze-like abandoned brick house.A quarter of an hour later, I came to the address on the note - "Spider's End Lane NO.19".I took a deep breath and knocked on the wooden door, which looked as if it had collected dust for centuries.

The door opened a crack, revealing dark eyes that I loathed so much.He saw me and opened the door.

"Mrs. Jones," said Severus Snape evenly, his unfathomable black eyes fixed on me, "what a surprise," he said slowly.

"I'm here to see Irene," I said curtly, not wanting to talk to him further.He obviously didn't want to say anything to me, and he closed the door with a click after I walked in, and led me through a small living room to the stairwell.

I couldn't help but look at this small living room curiously - several walls are covered with books, most of which are old black or brown leather covers.I moved closer and read the title on the spine in the light from the window.

"'The History of Potions in the Nineteenth Century'," I read, with sudden interest, "you have this book—" I turned to Snape.There was a mixture of pride and irritation on his face.

"—I mean, it's the first time I've seen this book outside of Hogwarts." I explained in an unexpectedly calm tone.

After a while, Snape spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. "She's waiting for you upstairs." He said, and turned to the dark basement.

I breathed a sigh of relief, left the bookshelf, and climbed the stairs.There are only two bedrooms on the second floor of the brick house, and weak coughing sounds can be heard from one of them.It is not difficult to guess that the small bedroom was the last shelter of Irene Prince.

I knocked on the door, pushed it open and walked in after a faint acknowledgment.It was a small bedroom, so small that I didn't know where else to look but Irene lying on the bed.She didn't look very well, her face was pale and her sunken cheeks made her light brown eyes stand out quite distinctly.

"Jane." She lay on the bed, calling my name feebly.

"Aunt Irene." It was the first time I said this title, acquiescing to her identity.

"I'm glad you can come." She struggled to sit up, I hesitated, and conjured up a cushion to stuff it behind her, "I think we haven't seen each other for more than twenty years."

I nodded, and conjured up another comfortable chair with soft cushions, and sat in front of Irene's bed.

"When I left, you were so young that you could already run around the garden with William," she took my hand and babbled, and when I heard her mention William's name, my body trembled. She froze, her heart sank uncontrollably, "...it was such a good time." She said nostalgicly.

I was clumsily at a loss for words, and Eileen didn't seem to mind.In other words, all she needs is an audience, and she doesn't want me to speak.

"I still remember that around this time of year, the lavender in the garden would be in bloom, and it was so beautiful from a distance... and the fruit pies and wine made by the elves..."

Her eyes were half-closed, and she was caught in the memory, as if she had really returned to the past.

"You can go back and have a look if you want," I said dryly. "Although I don't live there anymore, the elves clean it every day. It's still the same as before."

Erin suddenly opened her half-closed eyes.

"Same?" She repeated my words with a slight sarcasm, showing a look somewhat similar to Snape's. "How can it be the same, my child?" She said softly.

I was a little unconvinced. "What's the difference? The lavender you mentioned is still there, and the house elves are happy to make fruit pies anytime—" I saw her shake her head slightly, and she was even more unconvinced, as if her disappointed tone was questioning my management Ability, "—Even your bedroom is no different from before!"

Her eyes widened suddenly, with a moving light jumping inside, and the loss just now was astonishingly swept away. "You mean—" she hesitated, seeing me nodding stiffly, "well, you won. I admit, it really doesn't make a difference." She wasn't annoyed at all, and she even seemed oddly happy .

What a strange man, I thought.Irene coughed a few times, and I gave her a considerate relief.

"I think you must be curious about what happened to me all these years, right?" Her voice was softer than before. "Even if you don't tell me, I can guess. As you can see, all these years I wasn't doing well. I had a few years that weren't normal - the ones Tobias had just left. It was Severus who took care of me. He was a good boy..." Irene let out a sigh .

I didn't dare to agree with what Erin said, so I had to seriously play the role of a listener.I noticed that she didn't use a complaining tone when she said something bad.Instead, she is peaceful, serene, and seems to be telling another person's story.

"...Tobia was very kind to me at the beginning. He was a very successful businessman. But later, he failed to invest, and it happened to know that I was a witch at that time...I don't blame him, really It's not his fault..."

"...Severus is a very gifted child, and I've discovered it since he was very young. I began to consciously raise him behind Tobias' back, telling him stories about our world..."

"...Of course, I know the Evans girl. Is her name Lily? Of course I know. Nothing escapes a mother. I heard she died a few years ago, Severus was depressed for a long time. He never said it to me, but still, nothing can escape a mother's eyes, even if I am an incompetent mother..."

"...you don't know how excited Severus was when he got my old textbooks, and even though he was terrified that night, I never told him the truth. I kept telling him, My family didn't hate him. But really? I don't think your father even knew Severus existed..."

It was hard to imagine that Eileen Snape actually had so much strength to tell all these things.When I saw her for the first time, I thought she was too weak to be vulnerable.But when the sun turned from east to south and then to west, through her intermittent narration, Irene in front of me gradually showed me her tenacity and persistence.

"I think I'm leaving." I glanced at my watch and found that it was already five o'clock. "If there is a chance, I will visit you again. You are welcome to go back and have a look." I said politely.

"Jane!" Irene suddenly reached out and grabbed my skirt, and I looked back at her in surprise, "I'm sorry about William—but you must know, Severus has his reasons!" She suddenly shouted.

I looked at the agitated Irene, and had a strange thought. It seemed that this was the real purpose of Irene Snape calling me here today.

"—forgive him, please?" She opened her hazel eyes and shook the hem of my dress vigorously. "This is my—last wish—last request as a mother," she begged.

I can't say no, and I can't respond.I stretched out my hand and slowly opened her fingers, lowered my eyes, and asked the question that I have always wanted to know the answer to.

"Have you ever regretted it," I asked, "for your choice back then?"

Erin looked at me, slowly calming down.At this time, she is more like an elder than ever before.

"Never," she showed a relaxed smile, her sweet eyes seem to be in the long past, "If you really love someone, you will know that no matter how happy you are with him For a short time, you won't regret your original decision." Her eyes were so peaceful that it almost gave me the illusion that she has been as peaceful and beautiful as she is now in the past few decades.

"After all of this?" I asked in a low voice.

Erin turned to me, and I could see every wrinkle on her face from the hardships of life.

Seeing the shock and doubt on my face, she shook her head slightly.

"It's always been like this." She said firmly as a rock, looking at me with even a hint of pride in her eyes.For some reason, that trace of pride is enviable.

This scene has been engraved in my heart for many years. Even after many years, I can't fully understand the meaning of her words.

"I will never forgive anyone who hurt my brother," I said equally firmly, seeing Irene's face turn as pale as paper, "but I have no grudges." I finished with great difficulty. This sentence is not so much a statement as it is forcing myself to make an unbreakable promise.

I left this sentence to Irene who was lying on the bed, and left in a hurry.I didn't run into Severus Snape on the way out, as I'd hoped.I didn't go straight home - at this time of day I was busy in the kitchen with my apron on - a steaming pot of stew simmering, old fashioned songs on the radio, bright orange lights in the kitchen And warm.

Maybe it’s because I heard so many things about the past at once today, my heart has been filled with the past, and there is no room left for Edward Jones who left in a hurry this morning.I'm tired of sulking on my own every time he leaves in such a hurry, I'm not his house elf, I need my own space...

I apparated onto a river beach.The golden-like sunset is scattered on the calm river, and the sound of running water is as lingering as a lover's love song.I sat on the ground, staring blankly at the river, trying to clear my mind, but the past was like a thick book stirred by the breeze, automatically presented in front of me, and played back continuously.

I think of the last sentence William said to me, "it can't be better", I think of Tiffany's amazing secret at the end, I think of Erin saying that she never regrets... I conjured a goblet containing Edward The long-preserved gin is drunk in one gulp.

I thought again of Irene's ridiculous request, and my saying that I had no more grudges... I drank cup after cup, feeling vaguely that the setting sun was fading away, and the river's silvery light gradually appeared.

"Gone, all gone!" I yelled, standing up crookedly, with sad eyes, "I'm the only one left, right?" I fell backward under the influence of alcohol, but felt no pain.It took me a while before I realized that I had fallen into someone's arms.And the aura of that person is familiar to me.

By moonlight, I saw Edward's face that I didn't want to see at the moment.Actually, I don't want to see anyone right now.But after seeing Edward, I was more than half sober.Long-acquired habit urged me to maintain absolute sobriety and sanity in his presence--which seemed difficult to achieve under the circumstances. "How did you find this place?" I asked suspiciously.

"When I got home, I saw no one at home. I went to the pharmacy, went back to the ministry, and went to all the places you might go—Jane, come back with me, you don't know how dangerous it is!" He Anxiety and exhaustion intertwined on his face.

"How did you find this place?" I clung to the question.Edward looked at me helplessly.

"I found traces of magic in the house, and ended up locating it on the bottle of gin. It kept disappearing - no one but the two of us knew it was there, so you must have used the diversion spell. I cast a tracking Curse, just follow-"

"Tracking spell!" I laughed hysterically. "What's your usual way of dealing with fugitives?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about," said Edward stiffly. "You're drunk, just drunk. That's why you're talking nonsense—"

"No, I'm not drunk! Even if I'm drunk, I'm going to have to be sane every second I spend with you! I'm going to keep telling myself you're not like them, that you and William are dead It doesn't matter! Every time I appear in front of people with you, I have to endure their strange eyes and whispers - just because I am a Slytherin, because I am pure-blood, because my brother was once a Death Eater! Edward Jones, I've really, really had enough—"

I tried my best to break free from him, but he quickly grabbed my arm.

"Then why did you promise me in the first place?" He growled, the hand holding my arm was trembling uncontrollably, real anger flashed in his brown eyes.

"I don't know, I don't know," I shook my head and couldn't stop saying, tears rolled down my cheeks, turning into cold liquid and flowing into my neck under the moonlight, "I don't know why I promised you in the first place..." I was sad Smiling, looking at him with unconcealable helplessness and despair.

He stared at me for a long time, and finally let go of my arm.I took this as a signal that he was leaving.Is another person leaving my life?Is he even going to leave... I feel like I'm finally going to be thrown into the deep water of loneliness and despair.I staggered back a few steps, avoiding his eyes, trying not to look pitiful and abandoned, but at the same time knowing that it was futile in Edward's eyes...

Just when I thought Edward was about to leave, he suddenly stepped forward, and under the witness of the bright moonlight and the sky full of stars, he gave me a firm and warm embrace.