Snakebite and Cola

Chapter 1

"They're all full up!" Ron shouted back to his friends as the three of them squeezed past the congested corridors of the Hogwarts Express.

"Hang on, this one is empty," Harry said. Ron nodded and pulled back the slide door. To their horror there sat Snape, staring out the window. He looked up and frowned at them.

"Um...sorry Professor," Hermione stammered, blushing. Before he could retort back with some witty comment, the three of them slammed the door shut. Luckily they found an empty cabin next door.

"I wonder why he's on the train," Harry inquired. He gave Ron and Hermione a quizzical look.

Ron shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe he finally got fired."

Hermione looked from one hopeful face to the next one and back again.

"Honestly Ron, don't be so silly! Teachers do have lives," she snapped.

"Yeah, but it's Snape," Ron replied. Harry nodded along in agreement.

"I overheard Lupin saying that Snape was catching the train because he needed to go buy something or other in Diagon Alley," Hermione said, with her know-it-all expression on her face.

"Why not go by Floo... or apparate," Harry said and this time Ron nodded along in agreement.

"The Floo network is absolutely packed on the last day of school, with family getting together to see their child returning. Often mistakes are made when it's so packed, central has too much to keep under surveillance and such," Hermione pointed out.

"And the apparating?" Ron pressed on.

"Oh, I don't know! Maybe he's on the train for another reason," Hermione said with an annoyed edge to her voice.

The rest of their journey was rather uneventful with minimal talking due to the fact that Hermione was annoyed, Ron was so curious that he was thinking up odd possibilities as to why Snape was on the train and Harry was fast asleep.

Harry groaned aloud as he felt the train slowing down. Ron looked confused at the expression on his friend's face. Hermione nudged Ron sharply in his ribs.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"2 bloody months with the Dursley's," Harry muttered in disgust. The train grounded to a halt. Harry refused to move.

"Maybe I can stay here till we go back again," Harry said. Hermione gave him a sympathetic look.

"Hey! What do they use the Hogwarts Express for over summer?" Ron shouted over to Hermione who was gathering her stuff together. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Would you like to keep your voice down, Weasley? A lot of people cringe at that idiotic whine of yours. The Hogwarts Express goes to the garage where it is upgraded. The men will be most disagreeable if they were to find Mr Potter aboard. Now, please leave the train, you're holding up the other students," Snape said silky as he leaned against the cabin door. Harry narrowed his eyes and bit his lip from saying anything. It was quite clearly Snape that was congesting the corridor.

The three of them dragged their luggage out of the train. As soon as they stepped on the platform, Molly Weasley pounced on them.

"Oh children, it's so good to see you! Oh this is my favourite part of the year," Molly squealed. Arthur dithered back and forth in the background. Hermione followed his gaze over to the far corner where Lucius and Snape were talking with their heads bent.

Molly looked at Harry sympathetically who still hadn't smiled since earlier on.

"Sorry, dear. That was inconsiderate of me. The time will fly by, and you know you're always welcome at The Burrow. You just need to go home first for at least a week," Molly said with a smile. Harry looked unconvinced.

Hermione elbowed Ron in the ribs for the second time that day. Ron refrained from saying anything.

"I saw your aunt waiting on the muggle platform," Arthur said.

Harry looked a bit confused; if he was lucky enough to get a lift home it would be by Vernon who would be waiting for him in the furthest away parking spot in the car park.

"My aunt?" stammered Harry, a little frightened.

"Come on, mum and dad will be out there waiting for me too," Hermione said, linking arms with Harry, "Bye Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley. See you soon Ron."

Ron smiled and waved at them both. Harry forced a smile in return.

*****

Petunia waited anxiously at gate 10. She remembered the days where she would stand there waiting with mum and dad for Lily to come. Her parents would be so happy that it still made Petunia sick to remember it. How she had wished that she wouldn't see anyone that she knew. She looked around suspiciously wondering if there were any of those magic-folk around right this minute. She looked up and saw a boy with blond, slick-back hair walk out of a wall. Disgusting she thought.

Soon she spotted her nephew. He looked up at her, slightly shocked.

"Well come on then, hurry up," Petunia said anxiously, "I want to get away from here." Harry gazed at her, his eyes full of anger and wonder.

"Nice to see you've done something about that hair," she added, sarcastically, "Let me warn you in advance, that will not be staying like that over the next two months."

*****

He looked around on the platform. There weren't many people left, just a few ditherers. He could easily just go now, Dumbledore would never know. But he had promised and he had never let him down before.

A tall, lanky and moustached man came out of the train.

"Move along now, please. We'll see you all after summer. Enjoy your holidays," he shouted. Snape sighed, he couldn't stay were he wasn't wanted. He headed for the barrier; it had been a long time since he had walked through it.

With a swift march, he walked towards the wall. He was quite shocked when he came out the other end; the muggle station he once knew had changed considerably. Many people stopped to stare at him. He looked down at his own appearance; he did look rather out of place. He patted down his robes and scanned the hall.

He spotted Harry talking to someone, although the person had her back to him. She turned around and looked in his direction. He held his breath.

"Petunia," he gasped.

*****

Harry followed his aunt's gaze. She was staring at Snape, which was fair enough; he was dressed like a complete weirdo. The strange thing was, though, that he was staring right back.

"Severus," he heard Petunia whisper.