Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Harry Potter or Transformers.
Chapter 1 – Under the Weather
It was exactly one week before the last day of classes at Hogwarts. Much to the disappointment of the students, it was a gloomy, rainy day. The worst part of the rainstorm was during the final exams when thunder and rain pounded the school the entire afternoon, making the exam even more miserable than it already was. Potions Master Severus Snape was also feeling a bit under the weather that day. He stood at the head of the classroom, staring blankly out the window. He didn't even notice Ron and Harry whispering to each other about his odd behavior.
"He's usually smacking us over the head for even looking in the wrong direction," Ron whispered, glancing warily over Harry's head at the glum Potions Master. "What's up with him today?"
"It's the rain. He's always rather off on rainy days," Harry whispered back as he wrote in his notebook. "I prefer the rainy days, actually. He leaves us alone."
"Really? I haven't noticed until now," Ron answered, rolling his eyes.
"Would you two please be quiet before he catches you?" Hermione hissed angrily, glaring at Ron and Harry. "I'm concerned about him too, but we must talk about it later – not now!"
Unfortunately, Hermione hissed a little too loudly, and it brought Snape back to earth. He broke his gaze from the window and glared at the three students. It seemed as if they could feel his eyes on them, because they stopped talking and started writing.
Obnoxious Gryffendors! I turn my attention in another direction, and they immediately take advantage of it! Grimacing at those three, Snape slowly made his way towards them. Ron didn't look up at him, but he listened carefully as Snape slowed his pace as he passed by. At least they shut right up when I notice their ridiculous behavior...
Gritting his teeth, he made another round in the classroom until he was back at his window, staring out into the gray, depressing weather. His mind began to wander...
I am going to be here for the rest of my life; deducting points from the Gryffendors, grading essays and potions, giving detentions, being harassed by Moaning Myrtle with every trip to the bathrooms, laying awake at night, being haunted by my past, and looking at the ugly faces of my fellow teachers and my own reflection. Judging from the state of things, I see no way out of this wretched life of mine.
With those absurd thoughts worming into his mind, Snape realized just how lonely he was...how far he had isolated himself and his soul. He felt secure being alone, because he always was alone. Since his beloved friendship with Lily ended those many years ago, Snape had shut himself away from anyone who would attempt to form a friendship with him in any way. He did not want to hurt anyone or be hurt by anyone ever again. The Headmaster and the other professors would converse with him at a businesslike level, but any knowledge and feelings were unspoken and unpracticed. Snape was just too cold and unfriendly in both appearance and personality to cuddle with in any fashion.
I need to free myself from this depressing solitude – even if for just a moment. To have nothing to do with Hogwarts or Death Eaters for only a moment would be quite fantastic! Could it be done? Do I have the power to leave Hogwarts...and perhaps the Wizarding World as well? Snape deeply inhaled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione on her feet with her notebook, approaching him at a rapid pace. What am I thinking? Only muggles exist outside the Wizarding World! Hermione handed him her notebook, which he quickly snatched away from her. Behind her was Ron and Harry – And I'm getting sick and tired of his four-eyed mug!
'T' for Troll! Stupid, bloody idiot! Why did he even attend this school in the first place?
Snape tossed down the last notebook in which contained the worst essay he had ever read in his entire career of teaching. Crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, Snape scowled across the dark room. It wasn't entirely dark, a few candles were lit here and there to give him just enough light to read and grade, but it was rather dark to someone who preferred abundant light. Snape was used to this darkness, but even that was beginning to wear on him, too. He had grown tired of this office just shortly after he started thinking about 'running away'. He thought of how the students would react if Dumbledore announced his impending departure...Hooray! Let's have a party! Snape's scowl deepened as he rose to his feet with a grunt. Hah! I will never give those students the satisfaction! Never! I'll just...leave.
Then another even more daunting thought occurred to him: forever? No - I could just leave until my life turns itself around for the better so that I can return and rub it into everyone's faces. Sounds disgraceful, but I would not mind in the least. If I do finalize this decision, I must notify the Headmaster...
He sat back down, and took up his quill and started to write on a blank sheet of paper, but the quill was dry! He was out of ink – again! Throwing the quill back into the empty inkwell, Snape yanked out his top drawer and rummaged around for his ink bottle. His hand grasped something unfamiliar: a long, narrow leather pouch. Furrowing his brow, he slowly took the pouch of the drawer. When he saw it, he remembered. He pulled out of the pouch a pair of antique glasses that were small and round like Harry's, but with one cracked lens. My great-grandfather's glasses. I can't believe I still have these things! He was a muggle...being my father's grandfather...a world-renowned explorer who lost his sight and mind... Snape's mind wandered again. He let the glasses rest in his hands as he leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling. The adventurous spirit was in his blood – from the Snape side of his family, that is. Captain Archibald Snape... His great-grandfather's name made his chest fill with pride for some reason. What if I venture beyond the borders of the Wizarding World? What would it be like?
As those questions danced about in his mind, Snape leaned up and took a closer look at the glasses. If he did leave the Wizarding World, he would need money to get anywhere in the muggle world. I'm certain the old Captain would forgive me if I thought his glasses would fetch a decent price in muggle money, being a piece of antiquity and all. With that, he slid the glasses back into the leather pouch, and shoved the whole thing into his pocket as he rose to his feet and put out the candles with a flick of his wand on his way out.
The little leather pouch felt like a brick in his pocket as he picked at his dinner. Dumbledore smiled and chuckled at a joke from one of the professors. McGonagall, so prim and proper, sipped from her glass, her eyes trained on the Gryffendors. Snape scanned the mess of students before him. He wouldn't even miss the Slytherins. Not even a bit. He would miss Dumbledore and some of the professors if anyone at all. His stomach flipped with nervousness. There was no reason for him to leave, and he always did things for a reason. He never did anything just to do it. Such behavior was unacceptable to him. Now here he was, contemplating about being a hypocrite!
The students will be leaving for the summer within a week, so he would be ready to 'fly the coop' by then...hopefully. Perhaps I'll attempt to sell that wretched shack of a house of mine. It shouldn't be that difficult to turn Galleons into muggle money, should it? Snape continued to pick at his food. His stomach was too knotted to digest anything at the moment.
"Headmaster, do you have a moment?" Snape could barely get the words out of his mouth. He knees were beginning to wobble with the nervousness he was experiencing. Here he was, stepping into Dumbledore's office, ready to face his decision head-on.
"Of course, Severus, I always do!" Dumbledore cheerfully replied. "Is something the matter?"
"Yes...and no," Snape hesitantly answered, unable to look the old wizard in the eye. Dumbledore just furrowed his brow, slightly confused. This just agitated Snape even more. With a quick intake of breath, he started talking:
"I've been thinking, after teaching here for so many years, that I need a...a break – even if for a short time...that is...until I'm certain that my life has turned for the better. In fact, I've decided to leave the Wizarding World for the summer."
"How long have you been thinking about this, Severus?" Dumbledore calmly inquired after a very tense three seconds of silence. Guilt invaded Snape's senses for a moment. Was he really needed here? Would it cause Hogwarts harm if he left?
"Since this morning, during the essay exam," he quickly answered. He wanted to say more, but he felt his lips press firmly together.
"Since this morning..." the old wizard stroked his beard, deep in thought. "Did someone suggest this to you?"
"No, sir," Snape replied, feeling a bit like a schoolboy being questioned by his teacher than a fully-grown employee asking his boss for a vacation. "I thought of this myself when...when I found these." Snape pulled the glasses out of his pocket and handed them to Dumbledore. "They belonged to my father's grandfather, who was a well-known explorer during his time."
"Have you been to Madame Pomfrey's yet?" Dumbledore asked after turning the glasses over and over in his hand, examining every inch of it – particularly the cracked lens. Snape blinked with disbelief. The Headmaster thinks I'm ill?!
"Why no! I'm feeling quite well, actually," he hastily replied, his frustration level rising. "Why?"
"This is not like you, Severus," Dumbledore stated, looking up at Snape with worry in his eyes. "You have never shown interest in muggles before. I can't see how you've suddenly become so interested in your father's grandfather other than perhaps his adventures as an explorer. Tell me, where do you plan to go once leaving the Wizarding World?"
That question hit him like a ton of bricks. Oh, bloody hell! Another problem to add to my great list! "I...I have no idea..." he hesitantly answered before gulping.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Perhaps you could follow your great-grandfather's footsteps, and make your destination a part of your little adventure," Dumbledore kept his face straight as he handed the glasses back to Snape, who quickly pocketed them. "In the meantime, I suggest you do some research about muggles before you attempt to mingle with them. Confiding with someone who is well-researched about muggles would be a better idea."
"Who might you suggest, sir?" Snape asked, feeling his heart pound in his chest.
"You should contact someone outside of Hogwarts," said Dumbledore. "My best suggestion would be Mr. Weasley. He's quite the muggle expert, you know."
"Mr. Weasley?" Snape asked, dumbfounded. "But...he and I are not even on speaking terms, no less me asking him for advice!"
"This must be kept outside Hogwarts," Dumbledore insisted. "Although he is in the Ministry, he will keep your plans a secret – mark my words."
For once, Snape was unable to reply. His mind was racing with fear and excitement. Is this really happening? Dumbledore glanced at his clock, and let out a sigh. "Alas," he said, rising to his feet with a grunt. "I have a meeting to attend, Severus. You're dismissed."
Without a word, Snape turned on his heel and headed for the door, but Dumbledore's voice stopped him. "Severus!"
Snape turned. "Yes, Headmaster?"
"Be careful. Muggles are very...complicated creatures."