I came across a parchment the other day that contained a list of my lessons for my OWLs. At the time I was so busy that I don’t remember this parchment making it anywhere near my desk but it got me thinking about how different families educate their children in the magical arts or muggle ways and I wanted to explore this for just a moment. The Headmaster at Hogwarts throughout my whole time was Professor Albus Dumbledore, with Professor McGonagall taking on a more senior role at one point when he was asked to step down. I lived in various places before arriving at Hogwarts and went through many different things.

AGE 0-3: During this time, I was hidden away in Cokeworth. It is a small muggle area that, had I stayed I no doubt would have learnt more about the muggle ways however my mother Severina Snape was killed. Whilst I had been there, I had, what I thought of as a normal upbringing. I was taught in the ways of the Elvish people. I was taught the Elvish language and learnt the stories told by my mother. My father Tom Riddle died shortly after my mother but whilst he was alive, he taught me about magic. Nagini, his snake, was more like a someone to me. I learned through play as so many children do.

AGE 3-5: I was so young when they died. They must have had many ideas about the things I could do and would one day be able to do but without them, never learnt. At this age I was taken in by my uncle, my mother’s brother. I imagine he wanted to do what he could but was young and had no idea about how to raise a child. Most of my education was basic. I either continued with what I already was learning or learned by doing. As I got older this got much better, and our house-elf Gert made sure I was ok. He had a better way of dealing with a small child. I had a difficult time dealing with the death of my mother and father. I’m not sure what damage it had but I always found that music helped heal.