Severus Snape thought that he would vomit if he was too see yet another advertisement for Wonka bars. He had been on vacation for several weeks now and the Muggles had no interest in anything but that silly little contest.
Five tickets were being released. If you were received a ticket, you would be allowed to see that silly little factory. Severus doubted that the factory was really that interesting at all. Still, the rumors of Wonka's supposed genius intrigued Severus slightly. Not even magic could create the products that Wonka was rumored to have created. Though it could be pure myth also.
As he took a lonely stroll down the filthy streets, a large newspaper headline caught Severus eye.
Fifth Golden Ticket Found!
About time that hype is over, Severus thought. He had learned of the winners of the four tickets: an overweight German boy with savage gluttony, a athletics fanatic girl who was subservient to her mother's will, the bratty girl who made Severus ashamed to be British, and that boy with mental problems who obsessed over Muggle technology. Curious, Severus picked up article to see what the latest abomination would be. Apparently, this man was merely a respectable businessman from South America. Good, Severus thought, at least one respectable person would be on the tour.
Severus eyed a small candy shop he vaguely remembered, Wonka bars in the display window. Severus had not actually eaten a Wonka bar in a decade, but he recalled enjoying them. Severus impulsively walked into the shop.
Most stared at him in unease, like always, yet the man at the front counter seemed happy to see him.
"Hello, sir, welcome to Cheery Street Candy Store," the man's eyes rose in realization,"Little Severus Snape? Is that you?"
"You remember me?" Severus asked in shock.
"Why, yes, I recall you coming here when you were a young child," The man recalled in nostalgia, "you and Lily Evans were always one of my favorite costumers. She's married now."
Severus did not wish to inform the man Lily was dead.
"I hear you teach at a boarding school in Scotland now?"
Severus nodded. "It's called Hogwarts."
"Never heard of it. Is it a restrictive school?"
Oh, you have no idea how restrictive. "Yes, it's an élite school. I'm afraid most of the students are rather unpleasant, but I teach for the sake of the minority who are actually decent and intellectual."
The man nodded in understanding. "What brings you here on this fine day?"
Severus disagreed with his assessment that it was a fine day. "The nonsense of this finished contest has left me craving for a Wonka bar."
"Why certainly," The man gave Snape a Wonka bar, "here you are then, Severus. I hope you'll come back again."
"When I have the time I shall," Severus promised. He had always liked the old man, he was one of the few business owners who had treated him with respect during his childhood. "You certainly have the best candy store in thirty miles."
That certainly made the man happy to hear. He gave Severus a warm handshake and wished him well. Severus exited the shop and saw Dumbledore.
"Hello, Severus. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Likewise. May I ask what you are doing?"
"Obviously you have done so, to an extent," Dumbledore noted, "I came for you. I see you have bought a Wonka bar."
"That infernal contest piqued my curiosity," Severus explained, "but it's over now."
Dumbledore frowned. "Didn't you hear? The man in Paraguay made up the last ticket. It was a fake."
"Indeed?" Severus asked in surprise, "well, it's of no real importance."
"Aren't you going to open it?" Dumbledore asked eagerly, "you might find a ticket."
Severus shook his head and put the candy in his pocket, casting a spell to prevent the chocolate from melting. "You obviously have something important to tell me. What is it?"
"The Order is having a meeting right now. I thought I would come and get you."
Severus eyes raised in suspicion. Dumbledore had never personally escorted him to an Order meeting before.
They reached Grimmuald Place and walked into the meeting. Nobody seemed happy that Severus was there.
"Severus, before you share your report, I have a question to ask you," Dumbledore said, "do you believe that Harry Potter should be initiation as a member of the Order of the Phoniex?"
All eyes were now on Severus, who was in deep thought. "I believe that eventually, it will be a necessity that Potter join the Order. He might as well be inducted now, so he may be prepared."
"See?" Sirius said to Molly Weasley, motioning towards Severus, "even he thinks it's a good idea."
"But he's only a boy!" Molly Weasley said.
"As he was when the Dark Lord attacked him and killed his parents all those years ago," Severus countered, "you do not seem to realize that Potter is, whether we like it or not, irreversibly in danger. Refusing to allow him in the Order could potentially decrease his chance of survival."
Molly's face was full of rage, and she still adamantly opposed this, but she knew Severus had intellectually beaten her, so remained quiet.
"Very well, we shall take your view into account," Dumbledore said, "what does the Dark Lord plan, Severus?"
"He has become aware of the connection with Potter's mind," Severus reported grimly, "and is planning on using Potter to get the prophecy?"
"Why do you mean?" Tonks asked.
"The Department of Mysteries has a collection of crystal orbs that foretell the future, but can only be accessed by those who the prophecy is made about. I do not believe Voldemort currently has the power to totally take over his mind, but he will eventually. Potentially, he could merely force Potter to kill himself."
"We will have to teach the child Occulmency." Dumbledore said.
"That is all I have to report." Severus said, quickly exiting the room and apparating back to his house.
Severus hated going to Order meetings. Everybody there except Dumbledore hated him, and made no secret of it. They were totally ungrateful for his efforts to bring down Voldemort, Black in particular.
Severus was astonished to hear a knock on his door. Nonetheless, he answered it.
"Dumbledore?" Severus asked in shock, "was my report inadequate?"
"No. I was just reading and I recalled the Wonka bar."
"Is that why your here?" Snape asked in shock, "the whole contest is trivial nonsense, Dumbledore. Besides, I probably don't have a ticket."
"You haven't opened it?" Dumbledore said, "why not just open it now?"
"Very well." Severus muttered in irritation, ripping open the wrapper. Dumbledore gasped in glee while Severus looked in astonishment.
He was the finder of the fifth golden ticket.