Chapter 460 - Reprimand (2/2)

Severus gestures that he understands and rises to feet. About to turn away, he pauses and says, ”Grandfather, Rowan and I are the descendants of three of the founders. Is it possible to inherit some of their characteristics?”

Reginald almost visibly stiffens, but he manages to hide his reaction just in time as Severus turns to study his grandfather. Studying his grandson's pokerfaced expression, Reginald slowly replies, ”Of course, but those gifts are rare and far in between. In the past, there have only been four parselmouth's like our forefather Salazar Slytherin, and two farseer's like our forefather Merlin Ambrosius. Why the sudden question?”

Severus shakes his head and says, ”Well, I was wondering if it might be possible to inherit something from Helga Hufflepuff and Godric Gryffindor?”

Reginald nods his head in understanding and does not show his sudden relief. ”It certainly is possible, Godric Gryffindor was certainly a powerful wizard, if not rash.”

Reginald paused mid-statement to eye Severus, who flushed and glanced away guiltily in embarrassment. ”Godric Gryffindor was a most certainly a powerful wizard dueler and a brilliant wizard in his own right. I am certain that at least in part, your talent in spell crafting, Severus is due to Godric Gryffindor,” Reginald explained.

”And as for Helga Hufflepuff, well, she was a brilliant witch in her own right, and was even able to magically forge items much like the goblins,” Reginald murmured.

”It is even speculated by some magical historians that Helga Hufflepuff perhaps did indeed possess some goblin blood in her as she was able to magically forge the enchanted Hufflepuff cup. Most do not believe such a theory, but I do believe that there may even be some grain of truth as the goblins have never in their recorded history ever taught a wizard or witch the art of magical forging. And sometimes the most unfathomable of truth's simply are true.”

Severus slowly nods his head at his grandfathers before a trace of doubt can be seen across his face. ”But what of my transfiguration abilities?” Severus asked. ”After my folly, I researched further into the ability, and I discovered that in fact that it is not a common ability at all. It should be almost impossible to turn into another via magic when one is not a metamorphmagus or using the polyjuice potion! And yet, I possess the ability, where Rowan does not!”

Reginald makes certain to keep his face carefully blank lest he give anything away. ”True, but sometimes a gift simply just appears in a family, Severus. And ignoring that detail, before we were ever Prince's, we were the clan known as Hassan's. Perhaps, it is simply a gift that has reappeared with time,” Reginald somewhat truthfully answered. ”And do not forget that the Snape's bloodline itself married with various muggle lines, who knows, if there are not other squib lines belonging to other pureblood families.”

And he was certain that said gift did not belong to the Prince family and that any of the other founder's bloodline, but rather said gift belonged to Gellert Grindelwald. And though he strongly suspected that was indeed the truth, Reginald was not about to open Pandora's box. It was better that the secret died with those that knew it and it would never be passed down to the next generation. Because ignorance is at times bliss, and the truth is not always a shining beacon of light and hope, but rather the gaping maws of the deepest pits of hell.

Severus relaxes a bit at his grandfather's response believing it to be the full truth. Turning away, he says, ”I'll be going now, grandfather.” And departs through the door shutting the door quietly behind him.

Reginald's gaze remains steadily fixed at the closed door of his study for the longest of time. His grandson's question had not stunned him but rather filled him such a feeling of unease, and dread. If his grandson could put such a vague truth together than who else could? The information was out there and though hidden and difficult to piece together, it was not impossible to do so. And that was what worried him the most, but there were always ways to silence the truth. And if that meant that he had to stain his hands with innocent blood again, so be it. He was already a monster.