The Choices and Desires of Severus Snape

Their potions class was a cinch; at least to Severus. Basically, all he had to do was follow the directions.

Potions was taught by Professor Jones in the dungeons. He was a nice, cheerful older man with iron gray hair, and warm brown eyes. He was like a lovable grandfather. He often gave them candy, and went around telling everyone what a good job they were doing. If a student needed help, he kindly helped them out; no complaints.

The Gryffindors were in Potions with them. Lily and her friends, Charlotte and Arabella, sat together near James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter.

One day, Severus and Shawn were working together on a sleeping potion when they heard some laughter coming from Sirius. They both looked over to where Sirius was sitting and saw the group all huddled together around their cauldron.

“Wonder what they’re planning?” said Shawn with a scowl on his face.

His question was soon answered as Sirius threw something across the room, when Professor Jones had his back turned, and it landed in Lucius’s and Evan’s cauldron. The potion started to hiss and boil over the cauldron.

“What the…!” yelled Lucius as he and Evan backed away from their cauldron.

“Oh my,” said Professor Jones as he stepped over to the potion, which was now eating through the table and made it disappear with a wave of his wand.

“How in the world did this happen!” exclaimed Professor Jones. “Somehow you boys’ potion became a very powerful acidic potion made to disintegrate anything it comes into contact with. This is very dangerous, it could have seriously hurt anyone of you. How did this happen?” he asked Lucius and Evan.

“We…we don’t know,” stammered Evan.

“Professor Jones, Shawn and I both saw Sirius throw something that landed in their cauldron,” Severus said.

Professor Jones turned to Sirius, looking a little grimmer than usual, and asked, “Is this true Sirius?”

Sirius put on his most innocent expression and said, “No, sir, I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

Severus felt his temper rising.

“Well, the lava rock must have been added somehow since it’s not in today’s potion,” said Professor Jones. “Since no one seems to know what happened, there will be no punishment, but if this happens again, I’m afraid I’ll have to give detentions out.”

The rest of the class period went relatively smooth, but with a few death glares coming from the Slytherin side towards Sirius and the rest.

When the bell rang, Lucius marched up to Sirius in the hallway with a look of pure hatred.

“What the hell was that all about!” Lucius yelled.

James, Remus, and Peter gathered around Sirius looking ready for a fight. Sirius just grinned at Lucius and said, “The Marauders strike again!”

“The Marauders! What kind of stupid ass name is that,” Lucius said and him, Severus, Shawn, and Evan all starting to laugh hysterically.

“The Marauders were famous explorers, but maybe you guys are too stupid to realize that!” retorted James with a scowl on his face.

The four stopped laughing and Evan stepped up very closely to the Marauders with his hands clenched and said, “I’ll beat you all up to a bloody pulp, you bloody Marauders!”

The four Marauders took up the challenge and gathered together with their hands out, ready to punch.

Severus also got out his wand and ready to fight, even though he had never really fought with anyone, but he was infuriated, and wanted to put a few nasty curses on those Marauders.

The fight almost broke out, but Professor McGonagall came storming down the hallway, looking very stern.

“What is this! There will be no fighting at Hogwarts or you shall all receive detention. Go to your classes now!” she ordered.

When McGonagall’s back was turned, Lucius and Sirius gave each other a not so very nice hand signal, and the groups walked away in opposite directions.

“God, they’re so annoying!” Lucius complained.

“Someday, I’ll beat those chumps up to where they can’t see!” said Evan, punching one hand into the other, barring his teeth.

The rest of their classes were thankfully Marauder free. They had Herbology with the Ravenclaws, taught by the dumpy little witch Professor Sprout.

Severus also found this class to be relatively simple, but he didn’t really like the smelly plants, or getting his hands dirty.

They also had Astronomy on Tuesday nights at the Astronomy tower. Charms was taught by tiny Professor Flitwick, who had to stand on a pile of books. Professor Binns, a ghost, taught History of Magic with absolutely no enthusiasm. Severus found himself falling asleep in there. He hated History anyway, and Professor Binns just made Severus hate it that much more. Severus figured as long as he studied, he could easily pass all of his classes.

* * * * *

On Saturday, when Severus was eating breakfast, Pirate dropped two letters on his lap.

“Hello, Pirate,” said Severus, feeding his owl some toast.

The letters were from his mother and Uncle Tom. He opened his mum’s letter first.

Dear Severus,

You’re in Slytherin! I was sure you would be sorted into Ravenclaw because you’re so clever.
Just be careful, dear who your friends are. Hope school is going fine. Have you had Professor
Sprout yet? She was my favorite teacher. Say hello to her from me, will you? Nothing much
new here. Just working hard at the grocery store, and missing you very much. Take care, and
write me back often!

Love

Your Mother

Severus felt a twang of guilt at his mother’s words, but there was nothing he could do about being in Slytherin. In fact, he rather liked his house. ‘Oh well’, he thought as he ripped opened his Uncle Tom’s letter.

Dear Severus,

Your Mother told me you were sorted into Slytherin. You had better watch your back in there. Don’t do anything to disgrace the family name! I don’t think you should hang around Evan Rosier. His family was a big supporter of Grindelwald when he was in power. Just study hard, and keep you nose out of trouble.

Love

Uncle Tom

Severus was both surprised and angry at his Uncle’s letter. Just because Severus was in Slytherin, Uncle Tom seemed to think he would become the next Grindelwald!

He shoved both letters into his pocket, and ate the rest of his breakfast quicker than usual in anger.

Today was flying lessons with Madame Hooch, and Severus wasn’t really looking forward to them, and the letters didn’t help on improving his mood any. He had never been good at any kind of sports, especially flying. He just felt so clumsy, and the broomstick never seemed to go where he wanted it to. ‘No Quidditch team for me,’ he thought disappointingly.

It wasn’t like he didn’t like Quidditch; he loved it, and in his room back home, there hung several posters of his favorite team, The Black Adders, on his wall. Severus just hoped he wouldn’t make a total fool of himself in front of everybody.

“I’m actually excited about the flying lesson,” said Shawn as the four of them walked through the double doors, to the Quidditch field.

“Whatever,” drawled Lucius.

As they got closer to the Quidditch field they saw…

“Oh great, we’re with the mighty Gryffindors,” Evan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

They all groaned together. Severus now felt even more nervous. He definitely didn’t want to make a fool of himself in front of Lily, or those two arrogant Marauders.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the ever so mighty Marauders,” taunted Lucius. “I do hope none of you fall off your broomstick.

“Shut up, Malfoy!” shouted Sirius with a mean glint in his eyes.

The teacher, Madam Hooch, came walking into the Quidditch field, and that stopped Lucius from saying anything back to Sirius.

“Okay, boys and girls, go stand next to a broomstick,” she said.

There was a mad dash of students as they all wanted to get next to a Cleansweep five; the fastest, smoothest broomstick ever!

Severus, unfortunately, had to contend with a Shooting Star 1951. He looked over at Lily who also had a Shooting Star, but she didn’t seem the least bit disappointed. In fact, she looked like she was going to burst from excitement, as she watched Madam Hooch with rapt attention.

“Now, put your right hand over the broomstick and say, ‘up.’

There was a chorus of many ‘up’s’, and Severus meekly said up to his broomstick, but nothing happened.

“Up” he said again, a little louder. Still nothing happened.

Severus looked around and saw that all the rest of them already had their broomsticks in their hands.

“Up!” Severus said again, in a loud frustrated voice suddenly getting sweaty from embarrassment. Still nothing happened.

“Here, let me take a look at that broomstick,” said Madam Hooch, “it may have a glitch in it somewhere.”

She held the broomstick up to her eyes, then pulled out her wand and muttered some words to fix it.

“There, good as new,” she said. “Now try it.”

“Up,” Severus said loud and clear, and finally the broomstick came up to his hand.

“Good, alright,…Shawn Avery, you will fly first around the goal posts three times when I blow my whistle.

Shawn got ready, and he looked slightly paler than usual but determined. She blew her whistle, and Shawn went up and flew around the goal posts, a little shakily, like he was supposed to.

“Good,” said Madam Hooch as she wrote something down on her tablet. “Sirius Black.”

Sirius Black got ready, grinning for everyone in the crowd, especially the girls, Severus noticed. Severus rolled his eyes, and saw Charlotte go extremely red and giggly.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle, and Sirius flew around the goal post, and did a little flip in the air before he came down that got him applause from the Gryffindors, and dirty looks from the Slytherins.

“Thank you, thank you,” he said taking a few bows.

“Alright, good, Sirius,” said Madam Hooch grinning slightly as she wrote down again on her tablet.

Some students were really good flyers; others were not. Lily Evans was flying good until the last turn she misaimed and flew smack into one of the goalposts with her face. Many people gasped, including Severus.

“Are you okay, honey?” yelled Madam Hooch with concern! “Just fly back down.”

She flew back down, blood flowing from her nose, and her face all red from embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, Lily, Madam Pomfrey can fix nosebleeds in a jiffy. Charlotte, will you take her to the hospital wing, and just come back here when she’s done.”

The two girls walked off, and Charlotte put her arm around Lily’s shoulders sympathetically.

The rest of the flying went pretty smoothly. Remus Lupin flew a little too fast, and fell face forward when he landed, but he was okay. Lucius Malfoy flew fairly good with no mistakes. Peter Pettigrew seemed to think the broom was a raging bull as he held on extremely tight and only flew around the goal post once, but Madam Hooch didn’t say anything. Lily and Charlotte came walking out to the field just as Peter came down.

“There you girls are,” Madam Hooch said. “Madam Pomfrey is a miracle worker when it comes to nose bleeds. She probably has had a lot of practice. Anyway, James Potter.”

James got ready looking determined and the whistle blew. He flew into the air as smooth as a bird; indeed he looked like a bird as he glided around the goal posts three times. Then he did several flips, sharp turns, and one very steep dive (amidst some screams from the Gryffindors, and Madam Hooch’s whistle) that he pulled out of just before he hit the ground.

The Gryffindors burst into cheers, even a few of the Slytherins clapped some. Sirius slapped James on the back and held his arm up yelling, “Here is the best flyer Hogwarts has ever seen, JAMES POTTER!”

Severus was even impressed by James flying; he knew good flying when he saw it. Severus turned to look at Lily and saw that she was cheering the loudest, and immediately changed his mind about James flying skills. ‘Arrogant bastard,’ he thought.

Madam Hooch had to blow her whistle several times to get them all quiet.

“Alright, alright, very good, James. I would like to talk to you afterwards,” she said. “Evan Rosier.”

Evan flew around the goal posts perfectly and he was by far the best flyer from the Slytherin’s so far. He also did a couple of flips before landing, and the Slytherins cheered.

“Go, Evan!,” cheered Lucius. “You show those Marauders how to really fly!”

“Severus Snape,” she called after the cheering died down once more.

Severus was nervous, and his palms so sweaty, he was afraid they would make him slip off the broom handle. But he was determined to fly around the goal posts three times like he was supposed too, and he wasn’t going to show off like some people.

Her whistle blew and he pushed himself off the ground. The broomstick was extremely slow. He hit it a couple of times to make it go faster, but it didn’t seem to work. He got around the goal posts fine two times, and he was on his third when his broom suddenly flipped him over. He wasn’t expecting that and his slippery hands slipped, and he fell, 8 feet, on his back.

There was more gasping, and Madam Hooch ran over.

“My goodness, Severus, are you all right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied, but he lied. His back really hurt, and wasn’t sure he could get up.

“This day certainly has had a lot of accidents. Severus, can you stand up?” she asked.

He tried, but when he leaned forward a sharp pain lurched from his lower back throughout his entire body, and he couldn’t move.

“Oh dear, looks like a sprained back. I’ll take you to the hospital wing.” Madam Hooch said. “Class dismissed, James Potter and Evan Rosier stay here, I’ll be back to talk to you in a minute.”

She lifted Severus up onto a stretcher she conjured up and floated him to the castle. It was all very embarrassing for him laying there in pain, watching people looking concerned for him.

“Take care, Severus,” Lily said looking worried.

“Hey, Severus, we’ll be in the hospital wing in little while,” said Shawn, walking beside the stretcher.

“Okay,” Severus replied. Just talking made his back hurt even more.

Shawn turned and left and Severus saw James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter sniggering at him. James waved his wand at him with a laugh. Severus suddenly understood and anger boiled up inside of him towards them, and he would have yelled something not very nice, if his back wasn’t in so much pain.

“I don’t know what caused the broom to go upside down like that,” said Madam Hooch as she climbed the stairs up to the castle, with Severus levitating beside her. “I thought I had it fixed, and I know you didn’t maneuver the broom to do that. I’m sorry, Severus, I must have overlooked something.”

Severus was sure it was James who bewitched the broom to go upside down, but he didn’t have any proof. So he just mumbled, “That’s okay.”

Madam Pomfrey rubbed some sort of lotion on his back, and made him take some disgusting tasting potion, but it took the pain away immediately. Lucius, Evan, and Shawn came by. Evan told Severus he had a shot at being on the Quidditch team next year for his good flying skills. Severus told them all how he thought James bewitched the broom, and they agreed with him and commenced to call the Marauders bad names. They would have talked longer, but Madam Pomfrey shooed them away saying Severus needed rest.

“Here, put these on,” she said handing him a pair of pajamas. “You’ll be staying here overnight, and possibly all day tomorrow.”

Severus got into his pajamas, and lay down. He was thinking about some nasty things he could do to James especially. The next time he was on a broom, Severus was going to get him back!

* * * * * *

It was another normal night in the Slytherin common room. It had been three months since James threw Severus from his broomstick.

Severus was now helping Lucius finish his Defense Against the Dark Arts essay on, ‘Five ways to kill a werewolf.’ Evan and Shawn were sitting by the fire playing a game of war. No, not the cards, but a game similar to chess and capture the flag. It was played on a board, just like a chess board with pieces, and you won by strategically trying to capture the castle at the end of the board. It was also more real looking in that when the pieces cut other pieces body parts off, it looked like real blood.

Other people were sitting around in the plush green chairs doing whatever. Severus saw the Nazi women (or the Nazi winches as the Slytherin boys so nicely and secretly called them) Narcissa, Nina, and Nancy keep on lifting their right arms and saying some weird German word.

They were considered strange, even by Slytherin standards. They were basically shunned by all the rest of the Slytherin girls, but the boys accepted them mostly because they didn’t resemble trolls or hags like most of the other Slytherin girls. Unfortunately, though, they wouldn’t date any of them because they weren’t Aryan enough, whatever that means.

Bartholomew Thompson sat at the same table next to the wall reading the same book he did every night, “How to Kill Muggles with Everyday Objects.” He sat there totally absorbed in it, and never seemed to do any actual homework. All of the Slytherins wondered how he actually passed his classes, and really just wondered about him in general. He didn’t have any friends, he didn’t talk except to himself, and since he came to Hogwarts, according to the 6^th and 7^th years, all he would do every night is read that book at that table. If anyone sat at his table, he would literally pick them up and throw him or her across the room, as one first year Slytherin girl found out one night. Everyone said that the Thompson family had always been extremely loony, as was obvious by Bartholomew and Nina.

The cool Prefect Levi Blane stood in the corner joking around with his, ‘buds’ as he called them. He was half Hispanic with shoulder-length wavy black hair and black eyes. All the girls loved him (with the exception of the Nazi winches; they didn’t seem to like him at all) and he threw the best parties, alcohol included. Whenever there was a need for a celebration, or things were just getting dull, he announced there would be a party in two hours. Then he would disappear approximately two hours and come back levitating bags of food, party supplies, and the alcohol (butterbeer for those under 15). Everyone wondered how he did it. Some figured the house elves, but how would he get the professors’ stash of alcohol without them noticing? He never told anyone his secret except his closest buds. However he did it, though, the parties were cool.

The first one Severus attended was the second night after school started to, of course, celebrate the start of school. At first, Severus didn’t really think he would like to party, but after some persuasion from Lucius, he got up and danced (not really very good) to the tunes of the coolest wizard bands of their age; The What and The Bugs. Severus loosened up more and more with each party, and finally had the nerve to go ask Levi (whom he greatly respected) why he couldn’t have any alcohol.

“Because, dude (he referred to everyone as ‘dude’) you’re only 11, and when you’re 15, you’ll have an initiation party, and then you can drink as much as you like. Dare to be different. Just say no to drugs, they’re bad, dude.”

Severus walked away filling awed and inspired by such wise words from the wisest of dudes.

Tonight Lucifer Lestrange was hanging around Levi (Levi thought Lucifer was ‘cool’ but not really one of his buds, probably because Lucifer was only 12) talking and joking.

Severus was trying to explain one of the spells on how to kill a werewolf to Lucius when he realized he didn’t have his wand.

“Damn, I left my wand somewhere,” Severus said.

“That’s not good,” said Lucius. “Where do you think it is?”

“I’m not sure…” Severus said and then lapsed into thought about where it was. He went step through step in his mind’s eye through the day, and he remembered he left it in Transfigurations after McGonagall held them back to remind them of an essay that was due next week. He left in a hurry afterwards so he wouldn’t be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

“It’s in the Transfiguration classroom,” Severus told Lucius. “I can’t lose it, I’m going to go get it, even though it’s after hours.”

“Okay, be careful, though, you might get expelled if you’re caught,” Lucius said sounding somewhat concerned.

“I’ll be fine,” Severus replied, and said goodbye to Shawn and Evan over their war game. Evan appeared to be winning as one of his trolls smashed Shawn’s manticore over the head with its club.

Severus slipped out the hole and up the stairs to the main part of Hogwarts. Everything seemed so different at night. It was so silent and dark, frankly spooky, but Severus, being a Slytherin, didn’t really notice this. He walked past portraits that were snoring, but some were awake and staring at Severus as he passed.

He was in a hallway close to the entrance hall when he heard silent footsteps. He quickly hid behind a knight stand, and waited till the footsteps passed. Severus heard whispering and snickering, and figured some other students were out wandering around, and he peeked around the knight’s head but didn’t see anyone. He was confused because he was sure he heard people walking in the entrance hall.

‘Can ghosts disappear?’ Severus wondered, and then shuddered at the thought of the Bloody Baron becoming invisible and sneaking up on him, but he punished himself when he remembered ghosts didn’t make noise when they moved.

He decided to follow the noise to see whom or what they were. He crept silently to the entrance hall and heard the whispering once more. He peeked around the wall and saw the huge main door open and close by itself! This was getting weirder and weirder, and Severus was now very curious, so, wand forgotten, he crept silently out the door onto the grounds.

He still didn’t see anything, but it was so dark outside, that wasn’t surprising. He heard voices again to the left and followed them blindly.

“…Ouch!…give me your wand…I’m hot…how can you be hot, it’s freezing!” Severus heard the strangely familiar voices saying.

They were getting closer to the Forbidden Forest, and Severus was a bit wary to go in there because of all the things he heard about it.

“…Alright, let’s take the cloak off, now!”

Something weird happened, Severus now saw four figures suddenly appear out of nowhere and run towards the forest, wands alight. Severus suddenly realized they were the Marauders, and ran silently after them, hoping to get them into trouble. He tripped over a few tree roots and got scratches on his face still running after them in the Forbidden Forest. Then James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter stopped in a clearing. Severus hid behind a bush, listening.

“Okay, here we are, the legendary Forbidden Forest,” James said to the rest of them.

“Wow,” Sirius said sounding unimpressed. “Where’s the dangerous creatures?”

“I don’t really want to see any creatures,” said Peter, sounding scared.

“Aww, come on, Peter, live a little!” Sirius said.

Severus realized they must have all hidden under an invisibility cloak as he saw one lying next to James. Severus figured it was James’, but Severus wondered how James got one since he read only Aurors and other secret-service persons had one. He wished he could get some sort of proof that they were out in the Forbidden Forest.

“Well, nothing is going on here. Let’s go deeper in the forest,” James said to the rest.

“What if we see a werewolf,” Peter said in a shaky voice.

“I’d rather see a werewolf than a centaur,” said Remus. “They creep me out with all of the star predictions and such. Besides, it’s not a full moon tonight.”

“Yeah, whatever, let’s just go,” said Sirius standing up.

“Here, all of us get under here again,” said James holding up the invisibility cloak.

They all got under the cloak, and Severus was wishing he had his wand so he could somehow hex them and grab the cloak for evidence. He decided there was nothing else he could do and it would be best to turn around and go back as he heard them walk away. He shivered in the cold night air and crept silently back through the forest to the Hogwarts grounds.

One thing he was very good at was watching people without them knowing it. He used to watch the bullies at his old school, often getting them into trouble, and they didn’t know it was him who told. When he was younger, he would hide and listen to his Mother and Uncle Tom talking about what they got him for Christmas. Sometimes he sat in the dark corner of the Slytherin common room watching people. Once he actually saw Bartholomew write something down; it was Jack the Ripper, whoever that was. Another time he saw the Nazi winches actually have a fight with one another, calling each other, Severus assumed, bad names in German. They got over it and made up, and started talking about evil Jews. He rather enjoyed spying on people, and so far was never caught at it. Severus decided to tell Professor Blackbeard what he saw, and make it sound like Severus wasn’t really spying. Professor Blackbeard would probably believe him.

When Severus got back to the common room, wand in hand, he told Lucius, Shawn, and Evan what happened. They agreed he should tell Professor Blackbeard what happened.

The next morning they ate a quick breakfast, and there was news in the Daily Prophet about a possible dark wizard who was responsible for three murders so far. No one was really worried, though, because the press was always seeing more possible Grindelwalds when ministry murders were afoot. More often than not, it was just some angry ex-ministry member who was getting revenge for being fired.

In Transfiguration they all worked on transfiguring a fork into a sword, and Professor McGonagall alluded to the possibility that this would be on the final exam. So Severus listened carefully, and took notes, pushing aside his thoughts of talking to Professor Blackbeard until after class was over.

After the bell rang, they all headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Severus went back to sit with Lily. Unlike Professor Blackbeard’s first opinion of her, she was actually very smart, and knew quite a lot about the Dark Arts. She and Severus talked about whatever and were always partners when they needed to pair up.

“Hello, Lily,” Severus greeted as he sat down.

“Hello, Severus,” she replied. “Did you finish the essay?”

“Yes, and I helped Lucius with his.”

“It took me forever to finish mine, although I got rather wordy,” she said, showing Severus her three rolls of parchment when the required amount was two rolls. “I just feel like I have to prove myself to Professor Blackbeard,” she continued. “I still feel like he doesn’t like me.”

“I think he believes you’re smart now,” said Severus untruthfully because Blackbeard still seemed to be much shorter with her than anyone else.

“I don’t know…” she replied.

The Marauders walked in cackling, as usual, at something, and Sirius walked over and whispered something in Lily’s ear. Lily blushed and pushed him on the shoulder in reply. Sirius grinned and walked back to his seat.

“What did he say?” Severus asked eagerly.

“Oh, he said my hair looked exactly like the Gryffindor colors when it gleams in the sunshine,” she replied her face turning into the Gryffindor color. “Oh, but we’re not going out!” she said very quickly, sounding anxious.

‘Flirt,’ Severus thought about Sirius. Severus was thinking about telling her about how he saw them all in the Forbidden Forest last night, but he thought she might defend them, her being a Gryffindor, unfortunately.

“I didn’t think you were going out with him,” Severus said instead. ‘Thank God,’ he thought to himself.

Professor Blackbeard marched in and asked them for their essays. Then he told them to turn to page 120 in their books and work in pairs doing the Sonorus curse, which would make every sound much louder than usual making the victim’s ears hurt.

“This should be fun,” Lily said sarcastically to Severus, looking in the book.

“I guess I just say ‘sonoro amplio,’ and point my wand at your right ear,” she said. “You go first.”

“Okay, ‘sonoro amplio,’” he said, pointing his wand at her right ear.

It obviously worked because she instantly put her hands over her ears, “It worked, now unhex me,” she said sounding anxious.

Severus already knew the counter curse, and pointed his wand at her left ear and said, “sonoro quieto.”

“Okay, now it’s your turn,” Severus said.

“Be prepared,” Lily said, “this curse makes every sound very high pitched.”

“Sonoro amplio”

Lily was right. Severus couldn’t stand the high-pitched screaming voices and scraping of feet, which sounded like fingernails scratching across the blackboard. He instantly put his hands over his ears, but could still hear absolutely everything. Shawn was telling Charlotte off for leaving him on the curse for so long, and he heard James and Sirius whispering (that now sounded like a normal tone of voice) about looking for where the kitchens are. Lily screamed the counter curse, and Severus’s hearing went back to normal. He was a bit disappointed; he wanted to hear more of what James and Sirius were planning. ‘Probably will have something to do with James’ invisibility cloak,’ Severus thought.

“Shew, that was awful, wasn’t it?” Lily said.

“Yeah, it was like going to a really bad opera concert,” replied Severus and they both laughed.

The rest of the period was spent taking notes and such. When the bell rang, Severus stayed behind and told Professor Blackbeard what happened. Severus made it sound like he was doing some late night studying in the library, and he just happened to see the four of them go into the Forbidden Forest through a window.

“Hmm…this sounds serious. The Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits and for good reasons too,” Professor Blackbeard said, stroking his beard. “Are you sure it was them?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Severus replied.

“Well, I would tell you to go speak to Professor McGonagall, but she just had to leave for a family emergency. We’ll go talk to the Headmaster then,” he said beckoning Severus to follow him.

They went up two flights of stairs and stopped in front of a statue, and Blackbeard said, “Chocolate Frog.” Severus assumed this was the password. The statue moved aside to reveal a spiral staircase. They went up them to Dumbledore’s office door, and Blackbeard knocked.

Severus was feeling rather nervous about going to see the headmaster about this. He figured he could tell McGonagall and, of course, Blackbeard about the Marauders without any trouble, but Dumbledore had that certain aura of power about him that made Severus feel powerless.

Professor Dumbledore said come in, and they both entered; Severus a bit more reluctantly.

“Ahh, Grant, Severus, please have a seat,” Dumbledore said from behind his desk, gesturing to the two plush chairs.

Severus wondered how Dumbledore knew his name as he looked around the office and saw a beautiful bird in a cage in the corner. ‘Why that’s a Phoenix!’ he thought, amazed.

“Mr. Snape, here, has a story about Sirius Black and his gang that, I believe, deserves some punishment. If you will remember, headmaster, they have given me some trouble in class,” said Blackbeard to Dumbledore.

Severus thought back to a time when Professor Blackbeard asked Sirius a question that Sirius didn’t know. Blackbeard got angry and told Sirius that maybe if he would do his homework, he would know, and Sirius called Blackbeard a hairy drill sergeant that got snickers from James, Peter, and Remus. Needless to say, Sirius and the rest got into trouble, much to Severus’s delight. The rest of the year, Professor Blackbeard had been coming down on them a lot more.

“Yes, I remember, Grant,” Dumbledore said, looking at Blackbeard over his spectacles.

“Good, sir. I must be going, I need to find a boggart for my next class,” Blackbeard said. “Could you please report to me later what you two discussed?”

“Of course I will, good day,” Dumbledore replied.

Blackbeard marched out the door and shut it, leaving Severus alone with Dumbledore.

“Hello, Severus,” Dumbledore greeted with a smile and twinkle in his eye. “Please tell me the dastardly deeds performed by these students.”

Severus squirmed in his plush chair and thought quickly of the story he told Blackbeard before telling Dumbledore what they did. Then he retold the story to Dumbledore.

“…and that’s what happened,” Severus finished.

“Hmm…so you just happened to see James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter run into the woods all the way from a window? Is that right, Mr. Snape?” Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling.

“Y-yes, headmaster,” Severus replied with a stammer, trying to look Dumbledore straight into his eyes, but Severus couldn’t. He was usually fairly good at lying, but, for some reason, he felt much more guilty lying to Dumbledore.

“Well, thank you for telling me, Severus. Just let me write down what they did, and I shall report this to Professor McGonagall. She’ll decide the appropriate punishment,” Dumbledore said, getting out a piece of parchment and his quill.

As Dumbledore was writing, Severus looked towards the bright red Phoenix who almost appeared to be smiling at him. Severus smiled back, and the Phoenix let a soft note that sounded like beautiful music, and filled Severus’s body with warmth and light.

“I see you’ve met Fawkes,” Dumbledore said. “He’s a very good pet and quite useful at times. Do you like him?”

“Yes, sir,” Severus replied, still looking towards Fawkes.

Severus had always wanted to see a real Phoenix since he became quite intrigued with them after reading about their healing powers. But since Phoenix’s were so rare, he figured he would never get a chance to see one. Severus was quite surprised and thrilled at seeing Fawkes, whom he instantly liked.

“Good, maybe you’ll get a chance to see him again,” Dumbledore said, folding his hands on top of his desk. “I understand that you are quite good at Defense Against the Dark Arts. Is that correct, Severus?”

Severus was taken aback at this question, and wasn’t really sure how to respond.

“Yes, sir, sort of,” he replied quietly.

“Hmm…,” Dumbledore gave Severus a piercing stare as if he could see right to Severus’s soul. Severus squirmed in his chair, again, feeling uncomfortable.

“You seem like a good person at heart, Severus. Just remember to only defend yourself against the dark arts, alright?” Dumbledore said, looking at him hard.

Severus was a bit confused at Dumbledore’s words, but just replied, “Yes, sir, I will.”

Dumbledore then stood up and said, “I’m quite hungry, and I’m sure you are as well. Let’s go to lunch. I’m hoping they’ll have some custard tart for desert. I just love that dish.”

Severus stood up as well, taking one last glance at Fawkes, and Dumbledore let him go out the door first and they both walked to the Great Hall together.

* * * * * * * * *

That Saturday, Severus slept until 10:00 because of the party the Slytherins had, commemorating someone’s 15^th birthday party. He woke up and saw that Lucius, Shawn, and Evan were still sleeping, so he got up and took a shower. When he was done, everyone else was awake and hungry so they went to lunch.

At the table, they were discussing what they could do for fun. They could’ve done homework, but who does homework on a Saturday!

“I say we play a game of war,” Evan suggested.

The rest of them groaned.

“We play that game all the time,” said Shawn, “and besides you always win.”

“Yes, let’s do something we can all do,” Lucius said.

“I’ve got it!” said Evan excitedly. “How about a snowball fight.”

They all agreed to this, and the Nazi winches overhead them.

“Can we join too?” asked Narcissa. “We’re rather bored, and we would like to practice our fighting techniques.”

“No, you girls can’t join us,” said Lucius in an annoyed voice. “That would make the teams uneven!”

“So what!” retorted Nancy. “The three of us can easily make up for the four of you!”

Lucius shot her a look of malice. “Didn’t you hear us, we said no!”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind if they joined us,” Shawn said with a cheesy grin, but Lucius gave him the death glare that shut him up.

“Hey, guys,” said Lucifer to all of them. “I’m bored. What are you guys doing today anyway?”

“Well, they were going to have a snowball fight, but obviously they’re afraid of having us Nazi women on their teams because we might make them look bad,” Nancy taunted with a glint in her eye.

“That’s not why we don’t want you on the team,” huffed Lucius.

“Yeah right, we might burst that big ego of yours if we throw a snowball better,” Narcissa taunted back.

“Look, let’s just have the Nazi win…er women and Lucifer join that way we’ll have even teams,” said Severus, tired of all the bickering.

“Fine,” sighed Lucius, “but only to prove that I can throw a better snowball.”

Outside the snow went up to their knees, and there was more arguing about the team splits. Finally, it was agreed that Lucius, Narcissa, Evan, and Nancy be one team, and Lucifer, Nina, Severus, and Shawn be on the other.

They had a snowball fight all afternoon, and it was quite fun. They built up forts, and darted the snowballs back and forth in the war zone. Towards the end, there was some more arguing at who threw the better snowballs; the boys or the girls. Who knew as they threw snowballs at one another rather violently, guys against girls.

They were finally exhausted and extremely hungry as they marched up the steps into the entrance hall. But as they entered the Great Hall, they knew instantly that something was wrong. People were screaming, and some were crying about how they wanted to go home to see if their parents were okay.

“What the hell is going on,” said Lucius.

He stopped a young scared looking Hufflepuff, and asked him what was going on.

“Haven’t you heard!” he replied. “There is a new risen dark wizard and he just murdered 20 ministry officials!” The boy then ran off into the chaos.

“Do what?” Evan asked, confused.

“Here’s the Daily Prophet,” Lucius said picking up a copy from the floor. “Whoa, get a look at this guy!” he said pointing to the picture of a creepy looking man, if he was a man, with a snake like face and red glowing eyes. The picture showed him killing someone with a green streak coming from his wand.

“Yikes,” said Shawn, “he looks creepy. Read the article,” he said to Lucius.

Lucius had to read the article loudly over all the screaming.

ANOTHER GRINDELWALD HAS RISEN!

At 7:00 this morning, just as the ministry officials started work, this man (or creature) in the above photo killed 13 ministry members in their offices. This man, who reportedly calls himself ‘Voldemort,’ killed them with the ancient ‘Avada Kedavra’ curse that hasn’t been used in centuries. Unfortunately, there is no counter curse. Seven Magical Law Enforcers showed up to try and put him in Azkaban, but Voldemort killed them all too. He is very dangerous, and necessary precautions are being taken to protect the rest of the ministry officials. Hopefully, he will be caught soon before another powerful dark wizard will rise. The 20 ministry officials have not yet been identified.

“I can’t figure out why everyone is freaking out,” said Lucius calmly when he finished reading. “He probably won’t last that long.”

Severus inwardly agreed with Lucius. Even though the man did look creepy, Severus didn’t want to believe that a dark wizard, like Grindelwald, had risen.

Dumbledore came running into the Great Hall and blasted his wand off like a gun.

“Everyone, sit down at your tables and remain calm!” he shouted powerfully.

Everyone started and looked up at him, now silent. They all went to sit at their tables. Severus shuffled towards the Slytherin table, a dread creeping towards his heart.

“So we all know the news about this,…Voldemort creature,” Dumbledore spat out the word as if it were poison. “All we can do is remain calm, and go about our normal lives. All of you who have parents working in the ministry can send them owls tonight, and hopefully they’re okay,” he continued looking sober. “Now, I want us to eat dinner, and let the ministry officials catch this man as you all keep your brains busy with your lessons. No more panicking!” and with that he sat down and the dinner appeared.

Everyone else sat down too with an anxious air about them. Severus wasn’t nearly as hungry now as he was a few minutes ago, as he thought about his Mother and Uncle Tom. Neither of them worked for the ministry, but still he felt concerned and decided to send an owl to the both of them before he went to bed tonight.

He looked at the rest of the Slytherins’ faces. Most of them looked normal, as if nothing had happened, and others looked nervous. Bartholomew was actually grinning as he ate his chicken and potatoes! ‘Never seen him do that before,’ thought Severus. He then looked over at the Gryffindor table. Lily looked confused and worried as she chatted with Arabella and Charlotte, both of whom looked panicky. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were just jostling around as usual, throwing food pieces at each other. Severus wondered if they got punished yet. ‘Probably won’t now after this,’ he thought disappointed.

That night he sent Pirate off with the letters. Lucius thought Severus was just being paranoid since neither of them worked in the ministry, but Severus didn’t care. Evan also sent an owl out since his parents did.

On Monday, the classes resumed to normal like nothing had happened. The Professors even made them do homework! The next few weeks were quiet, and Severus started to wonder if anything did happen. His Mother and Uncle Tom wrote him back saying that they were okay, and to just not worry. Hogwarts was probably the safest place with Dumbledore as headmaster.

The homework load got even more heavy around the Easter holidays when they finally heard more news. Voldemort and two mysterious looking assistants with white face masks killed some Muggles, apparently just for fun. It was also suspected that Voldemort might be a former Slytherin.

The panicking started again, especially among the Muggle borns, and the Slytherins were treated with even more contempt or fear than usual.

Professor Blackbeard really loaded up their lessons. He seemed to think they needed to be prepared for this guy.

Lily still treated Severus like normal, unlike the rest of the Gryffindors who called the Slytherins bad names that started many fights in the hallways. ‘Like we can help it if Voldemort was maybe a Slytherin,’ Severus thought.

He asked Lily what she thought about all this one day in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

“I don’t know,” she replied, looking up the page of the curse they were working on. “I think I just don’t really believe it’s all happening. People tell me I should be since I’m Muggle born, but I’m not,” she shrugged her shoulders.

“Yeah, I’m having a hard time believing all of this too,” Severus said, “but still I’ve been getting a lot of rude comments because I’m a Slytherin,” he added with some bitterness in his voice.

“I know, and I’m sorry,” Lily replied looking sympathetic. “If it helps, I haven’t made comments to anyone. I think they just make this whole situation worse.”

“Hey, Severus,” Sirius yelled, “are you telling Lily how you are going to kill her next? If you are, you’re going to have to come through me first,” he continued looking angry.

Severus felt anger boiling through his veins, and his upper lip curled into a snarl as he yelled back, “I wouldn’t do that to anybody, you pompous jackass! Especially Lily!”

Lily looked angry too, and yelled back, “No he wasn’t!”

Professor Blackbeard marched back and gave Sirius detention for his unprovoked attack, and also took twenty points from Gryffindor, which made Severus feel somewhat better, but anger still hissed through him. The rest of class all of the Marauders glared at him, and Severus returned their glares with a snarl. James and Sirius were looking particularly murderous.

When class was over, Lucius, Shawn, Evan, and Severus gathered together like a band of angry hornets to curse the Marauders.

They were still cursing them as they sat down to eat lunch. As dinner appeared on their tables, Dumbledore again asked for their attention. He looked grave as he addressed them all.

“I’m very sorry to notice that most of the school has been picking, undeservedly, on the Slytherins. So what if Voldemort might have been a Slytherin. This doesn’t give you all a reason to pick on them.” Every eye turned to the Slytherin table, and back to Dumbledore as he continued. “We all need to stand together because we don’t know how long this will go on. I don’t want to hear any other comments said about them ever again, at Hogwarts, or punishments will be given out. Also, the results may be even more disastrous in the long run.” Dumbledore paused and scanned the whole Great Hall. “That is all I have to say, continue eating your lunch.”

Severus felt somewhat relieved by Dumbledore’s speech, but wondered what he meant by, ‘the results may be disastrous in the long run.’

“Well, the old man actually said something that made sense for once,” drawled Lucius as he scooped up some kidney pie. “Probably won’t happen again, though.”

And so continued school with less comments being made towards the Slytherins, at least in class anyway. Out in the hallway, there were still a few insults hurled towards them.

Severus passed all of his classes with flying colors. Lucius did well too, and Shawn and Evan did about average. Lily also passed her classes with high grades, she told Severus. James did too, Severus found out from Lucius, much to his disappointment.

Finally the last day was here, and the Great Hall was decorated with yellow banners because the Hufflepuffs won the house cup. It was a good meal, but Severus was eager to get home. That night the Slytherins went out with a bang having a huge party provided, of course, by Levi Blane. The excuse for the party was to commemorate the 7^th years who were moving on to bigger and better things, whatever they happened to be.

Severus packed up his trunk, and got ready early in the morning, still tired from not getting enough sleep. He dragged his trunk and Pirate with him to the Hogsmeade train station, where Hogwarts Express would pick them up.

When he was standing there waiting, talking to Shawn and the rest, Lily came over.

“Hi, Severus,” she said. “I just wanted to say goodbye, and say that you can owl me over the summer if you want.”

“ER…okay,” Severus stammered as he felt he palms get sweaty.

“Bye,” she waved and walked away.

“Bye,” Severus waved back.

“You’re not really going to owl her are you?” Lucius asked. “She’s Muggle-born you know.”

“No, of course not,” Severus quickly lied.

Shawn just grinned at Severus and winked.

They got a compartment together and played war on the way back home.

“Hey, how about you guys come over to my house in Godric’s Hollow this summer.” Lucius said.

They all agreed that would be fun since Lucius was always talking about how big his house was, and how much stuff he had that they could have fun with.

The train stopped, and Severus dragged his trunk and Pirate through the barrier where his Mother was waiting for him.

“Severus,” she called out and grabbed him up in a hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much. Let’s go home and celebrate, I’m off work tonight.”

“Alright,” Severus replied. He waved goodbye to Shawn, Evan, and Lucius, and saw the Marauders looking at him. He gave them a dirty look, which they returned. Severus then turned around and followed his Mother to their London flat. One hundred miles away, Voldemort was busy gathering up more supporters to help him destroy many people’s lives and futures.