Chapter One: A Surprising Request
It was the last week of the summer term at Hogwarts, and Severus Snape was exhausted. His OWL results were to be revealed in mid-August, and though he couldn't wait to find out what they were, wanted to rest for a while and not think about them. He was sitting in the library, and was in the process of writing an essay for his Defence Against the Dark Arts class that he hoped he would be taking next year. An Outstanding was needed to be able to take Defence Against the Dark Arts at NEWT level, and Severus was fairly confident he would be able to attend the class as he had spent hours laboriously revising the minute details of spells of dark magic, and the exam had gone pretty well. And so Severus had already begun studying the NEWT syllabus for the subject, which happened to be his favourite subject, hence why he was writing essays for the class even though it was the final week of the summer term.
Severus had taken The Study of Ancient Runes and Arithmancy as his extra subjects for his OWLs, as well as the seven other core subjects: Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts. He had decided to drop Herbology, Astronomy and Transfiguration so that he would only be taking six subjects at NEWT level: Potions, Charms, History of Magic, Arithmancy, The Study of Ancient Runes and of course, Defence Against the Dark Arts. Even though in Severus' eyes he was only taking six subjects during his last two years at Hogwarts, this was actually the maximum number of subjects one could take at NEWT level. Generally, it was recommended that students who wish to continue their studies take five subjects, as this was the necessary qualifications to be able to work at the Ministry of Magic. Although three NEWTs would certainly enable you to get a job, if you wanted to have a salary greater than 10,000 Galleons a year, five NEWTs were needed. Severus took six, however, as he found all his chosen subjects very interesting, particularly Defence Against the Dark Arts. During his talk with Professor Slughorn, the Slytherin Head of House, Severus had pleaded Slughorn to allow him to take six subjects, despite not actually knowing what he wanted to do once he left school. Slughorn had happily acquiesced, perhaps only due to the fact that Severus had once been part of the Slug Club along with Lily Evans and a few others due to his brilliance in Potions. He hadn't been invited back, however, and he suspected it was due to his lack of conversation-making with the Slytherin Head of House, or any of the other members, rather.
The conversation about Severus' career choice had been rather thought-provoking, and Slughorn had suggested that Severus might become an alchemist, as he was particularly talented in Potion-making. Severus hadn't completely opposed the idea but he wasn't entirely sure if that was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Slughorn had also suggested to him to take a job at the Ministry as Severus would have an incredibly high chance if he succeeded in all six of his NEWTs.
"You could work in the Department of Magical Transportation, ooh better yet-the Committee of Experimental Charms, yes you'd have a lot of fun there!" Slughorn had told him excitedly. The suggestions had been very interesting, but still, he could not decide if that was the job he was meant to have. Somehow he felt that…they didn't fit him. Which was absurd, because everyone knew that Severus always had his head crammed down a cauldron as he spent a lot of his free time making Potions.
Severus continued writing the essay when all of a sudden he drew his elbow back which caused the inkpot to topple over and spread ink all over his parchment.
"Not again!" He moaned, as he had an unusually bad habit of being careless around inkpots. It didn't matter where he was or who he was with but somehow he always managed to spill the ink all over his parchment that he was in the middle of writing on. He blamed his left-handedness, and consequently, on his father as he too, wrote with his left hand.
Severus sighed and whispered 'Tergeo' so that the ink would wring itself out of the parchment and go back into the inkpot. He was too tired, that was it. The OWL examinations had worn him out. Thankfully, he had finished the essay and so he began to gather up his things. It was nearing five o'clock and so that meant he had an hour and a half before he had to go down to the Great Hall and eat dinner. Now that all fifth-year students had completed their OWLs in mid-June, they had spent the last month relaxing as they didn't have to go any lessons. Some NEWT introduction classes had been held for students to experience what the next year would be like, but aside from that the fifth-years could just enjoy their summer early. Some of the students had decided to go home already, but most of them had decided to stay at Hogwarts and be with their friends. There were also all the normal clubs being held and so the fifth-years didn't want to miss that! Severus hadn't left early as he hadn't particularly wanted to go and see his parents and also Lily had stayed, and she was his closest friend. It was always fun to have her around.
Severus got up and slung his bag over his shoulder as he exited the library. He felt a bit sleepy and wondered if he might be able to sneak in a nap before he went to go and eat dinner. He continued walking up the moving stairs up to the Slytherin common room when all of sudden he heard James Potter's loud and obnoxious voice.
"Snivellus! I'm about to go and crush your team out there, wish me luck!" James laughed, and only then did Severus notice he was wearing his Quidditch uniform.
Severus glared at James, he didn't care about the Slytherin Quidditch team! He wondered why everyone else was so obsessed about the sport. He quickly drew out his wand and raised it in the air, but James had already realised that Severus was going to hex him, and had his wand out at the ready also. They looked at each other for a moment before James yelled 'Redactum Skullus!'. Severus responded immediately with 'Protego!'
"Will you two bloody stop?!" A voice cried, and Severus turned around to see Mitchell Clearwater, the Slytherin Quidditch captain.
"You tried to shrink my head!" Severus screeched at James, who laughed in response.
"It's too large." James replied. "I was trying to do you a favour!"
"Get out of here, Potter!" Mitchell shouted at him. "You don't want to be too distracted, in case you lose to us? Goodness knows what the school will think if the 'Quidditch Hero' loses a match against his worst opponent!"
James scowled at Mitchell and walked away, with his broom in his hand. Severus was still shook from the event. Potter had tried to shrink his head!
Mitchell then turned to Severus and sighed as he scanned Severus' lanky frame from head to toe.
"You're playing today." He said.
Severus looked at Mitchell questioningly. What on earth was this seventh-year going on about?
"Playing what?" Severus asked, slowly.
Mitchell stared at Severus in disbelief.
"You're supposed to be smart, for Merlin's sake. Don't tell me you're actually thick now? Playing Quidditch, obviously!"
Severus couldn't respond. This has to be a joke; there was no way he was actually being asked by the Slytherin Quidditch captain to play for their team in the match against Gryffindor. Did they want to lose?
"Do you think you're being funny?" Severus said angrily. "Do you think this is a good laugh?"
"Oh, come off it, Snape. Why would I be joking? Gabriella Stone is injured, and we need someone to play for her."
"And you couldn't find anyone else?" Severus said sarcastically. "No avid first-years who would be desperate to play instead?"
"First-years aren't good enough! We all agreed that we needed someone who is at least in fifth-year, and you're the first person I happen to find. We're running out of time. The game is going to start in five minutes! And trust me, you're not my first pick by any means."
Severus was slightly offended by the comment, but figured it didn't mean much. He was terrible at sports, that everyone knew.
"I'm not going to do it." Severus said stubbornly. He was not about to be put in perhaps the most embarrassing situation of his life. "I haven't picked up a broom since first-year, when Flying was compulsory!"
"You think I'm giving you a choice? If you don't do this, you'll think James Potter is an angel by the time I'm done with you." Clearwater said venomously.
"But I'm in Slytherin! You can't hurt me when I'm in your own house!" Severus protested.
"You're wrong." Clearwater said, in a tone so calm it frightened the life out of Severus. "And the fact I'm in Slytherin means you'll know how far I'll go to get what I want. We aren't afraid of anything."
Severus gulped, and tried to think of any excuse to get him out of playing in the match.
"I don't have a broom!" He exclaimed suddenly, and Mitchell shook his head.
"We'll get you one. It'll be rubbish for sure, but you'll have to deal with it."
"I don't have Quidditch robes!" Severus tried, but Mitchell had already begun dragging Severus down the stairs by the collar.
Two minutes later Severus was angrily being frogmarched to the Quidditch pitch, with his dirty and stained Slytherin Quidditch robes that were two sizes too big for him. He was given a battered old broom, which even he could tell was rubbish. He could hear James Potter hysterically laughing in the background at the sight of Severus.
"Is this a joke? Padfoot, did you do this?" James yelled at his friend, Sirius Black, who was stood in the Gryffindor stand. Severus saw Sirius grin and yell back, "Unfortunately not!"
Severus was shaken up with fear. He couldn't do this! He barely even knew how Quidditch worked! The loud chants of the Gryffindor supporters made his stomach squirm. He turned to look at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw stand which was surprisingly full. However, it was known that the Slytherin vs Gryffindor match was a much awaited one, and students from every house loved to come and watch. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws also cheered for the Gryffindor team, and so the cheers of the Slytherin house were mostly drowned out.
"Mitchell!" Severus whispered at the Slytherin Quidditch captain who was stood next to him. "What position does Gabriella Stone play?"
"Oh, she's a Seeker." Mitchel said nonchalantly. "So you're going to have to catch the snitch."
Severus eyes widened so much he feared they would fall off.
"I can't do that!" He protested. "Can't you switch the positions in the team?"
"We don't have time!" Mitchell groaned at him. "If you hadn't spent so much time trying to get out of it…"
To this Severus didn't know what to say, so he gulped and tried to face what was going to happen. He only hoped that the Slytherin Quidditch team had three very good Chasers, or else they weren't going to win.
All of a sudden, the voice of Albus Dumbledore filled the Quidditch grounds. He had his wand held to his throat so that his voice would be resonated to allow everyone to hear him.
"Students!" He began. "Today, you join us for the final Quidditch match of this school year, between Slytherin and Gryffindor!"
The crowd cheered in response, and Dumbledore waited for silence to continue.
"I wish the very best of luck to both teams, and I also wish that Gabriella Stone has a speedy recovery, as I have been recently told that she has suffered a broom accident during the practise session for Slytherin this morning. Lastly, let the match begin!"
The referee, Rolanda Hooch, signalled the start of the match by releasing all four balls, the two Bludgers, the Snitch and the Quaffle. Rolanda Hooch through the Quaffle into the air which caused the two Bludgers and Snitch to fly off to their own accord. And so it began.
Severus barely even had time to process what was happening before he saw Mitchell swoop down on his broom to catch the Quaffle, and zoom upwards towards the Slytherin hoops. The atmosphere was ecstatic; he could hear the loud chants saying, 'Gryffindor! Gryffindor!'
Mitchell continued flying towards the hoops and passed the Quaffle to another Slytherin player, although Severus did not their name. Severus began to feel a bit more confident, they weren't playing too bad! He carefully watched the Slytherin with the Quaffle aim to the hoops, and she raised her arm back to throw as hard as she could. The Quaffle flew towards the hoops, but the Gryffidor Keeper was too quick, and easily caught the Quaffle in their hands. Severus sighed, and barely noticed the voice who was yelling at him.
"Snape, watch out!" A blonde-haired girl with Slytherin Quidditch robes yelled at him.
Severus looked up to see who had yelled at him when suddenly he felt something hard crash into him, which completely knocked him off-balance. He felt himself cascading downwards at an incredibly fast speed, and tried to reach for his broom that was inches away from him, also falling down. He looked down and saw that he was going to hit the ground at any second. He could faintly hear screams in the background and prepared himself for the pain when he felt the tips of his fingers touch the broom. Somehow, he managed to grasp the broom in time and lift it up, causing him to blast upwards into the air.
"How on Earth did he manage that?" Severus heard a voice say, and he looked into the crowd to see Lily Evans cheering.
"That was amazing!" He heard her yell.
Severus looked around and saw many people congratulating him, but he had no idea how he'd managed it.
"Snape, again!" He heard the blonde-haired girl yell and this time he saw the Bludger hurtling towards him.
Severus flew upwards and thankfully saw the Bludger fly past, beneath him. Quidditch is difficult, you have to pay attention all the time! Severus remarked. He then looked up to see James Potter whizzing towards the Gryffindor hoops, with the Quaffle securely held between his arms. Severus realised that the blond-haired girl was Slytherin's Keeper, and he shouted at Mitchel to ask for her name.
"Is this really the time?" Mitchell yelled at Severus, whilst he flew sideways to avoid the incoming Bludger. "Her name is Sophie Evergreen!"
Severus nodded at started yelling, 'Come on Sophie, you can save it!'
He saw her look of determination as James Potter rapidly advanced towards her. James then lifted the Quaffle and flung it towards the centre hoop, and it gracefully went in. Severus heard Sophie groan in frustration, just before the Gryffindor crowd erupted in celebration.
"And that's ten points to Gryffindor!" The commentator, Melanie Phillips, cried.
"C'mon guys!" Mitchell Clearwater encouraged the Slytherin team, and as the match progressed the team started playing better.
Within ten minutes, Mitchell has scored twice, earning a total of twenty points. But Gryffindor had scored three more times, making a total of forty points. I have to get that damn Snitch, Severus thought in exasperation. But how on Earth was he going to do it? Severus looked across to see one of the Gryffindor players looking around in concentration. Severus heaved a sigh of relief; they hadn't found the Snitch yet. Severus began to look around as well, wondering how he was going to be able to see the miniscule flying ball. It was impossible.
For the next five minutes Severus looked around, trying to find it whilst simultaneously avoiding the Bludgers that the Gryffindors' were aiming. Severus almost felt as if they were directing both the Bludgers at him only, and he felt it was unfair. So rude, he said to himself. There were other Slytherin players too for Merlin's sake!
Severus was in the middle of dodging a Bludger when he caught the sight of something moving in his peripheral vision. The Snitch! Severus was surprised at the speed the golden ball was flying at; it went immensely fast! He began chasing it which he found to be a very difficult task. The ball flew in all sorts of directions! Severus found himself swooping upwards and downwards, left and right just to follow the stupid thing! He reached his hand forward to try and get closer when unexpectedly he was shoved to the left. Severus looked sideways to see the Gryffindor Seeker. She was a girl with jet-black hair and a face that almost said out loud, 'You better not mess with me.' Why were all Quidditch players scary?
He continued flying parallel to her, and she tried on numerous occasions to bash him out of the way. Severus found that it wasn't too difficult to keep up with her, but actually moving ahead of her was the hard part. Why couldn't the darn Snitch just slow down? Severus was persuaded that they had been chasing the golden ball for at least ten minutes and he started to tire. He had already been tired before the match had even begun, and now he was expected to chase this tiny ball?
He started to slow down a little, hoping he would still be able to keep up with her, but he couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as she noticed his slowing down in pace, she smirked at him and said, 'Can't handle the speed? Don't worry, I'll catch the Snitch and you'll be able to rest soon!'
Severus glowered at her and started picking up the pace, but it was too late. She was already well ahead. Severus watched in frustration as she extended her fingers and finally managed to capture the Snitch in her palm.
"And Gryffindor has caught the Snitch! Gryffindor win!"
The sound of cheering and screams filled the pitch, and all Severus wanted to do was go back to his dormitory and forget it had ever happened. He flew down onto the ground and started making his way out of the Quidditch pitch.
"Severus! Severus, wait!" Severus turned to see Sophie flying down on her broom. She quickly dismounted it and ran towards him.
"You did really well for someone who hasn't ridden a broom in years." She complimented him
Severus shook his head. "I'm the reason we lost."
"You're not the entire reason. If only I'd saved Potter's throw…" She said, looking at the ground.
"Potter's really good." Severus said, surprising himself. Why was he complimenting his most hated enemy?
Sophie nodded, unconvinced. The pair began walking down to the changing rooms, and Severus realised that they only had a few minutes until dinner was served. He groaned in exasperation, much to Sophie's amusement.
"We always finish minutes before dinner. You'll have to get it used to it!" She laughed.
Severus looked at her with a frown.
"What do you mean?" He asked her.
"Well…aren't you going to try-out for the team next year?" Sophie inquired.
"Merlin, no!" Severus exclaimed in response. "I know you must be in sixth or seventh year, but surely you can tell that I'm not made for sports? Look at me!" Severus said, pointing to his lanky figure.
"Well your broom skills beg to differ. I've never seen someone execute a fall so well, apart from the people who've been playing on the team since first-year. You have a gift." She smiled at him warmly.
Severus tried hard not to guffaw. Surely, she was joking?
"So will you? Try out?" She asked, with a hopeful look on her face. "You could help us actually beat Gryffindor for once!"
"Maybe." Severus replied eventually, although he was certain he wouldn't. He had suffered enough embarrassment on that pitch to last a lifetime. But he had to acknowledge that it had been fun. It had given him a sort of rush, being on the pitch whilst the crowd was going crazy. Maybe he would try out. Maybe.