This fic is my own take on what would happen if Snape had a second chance; inspired by JK saying that if Snape had a second chance, he would not become Death Eater. Also inspired by "The Moment it Began" by Sindie, I just thought it'd pan out differently if he was allowed to go right back to the very beginning and change things.
I own nothing but my own creativity. Just wait till Snape hits the auction houses though…
Some time after Harry, Ron and Hermione had left, Snape sat up, puzzling as to his renewed vitality.
"Odd." He said simply. Trying to stand up, he found that something was holding him back. Looking down, a haze of blue light seemed to extrude from his back and head down to – his body?
Beneath him on the floor was himself, and sitting up was – also himself? Immensely puzzled at this turn of events he stayed sitting for a few moments, not trying to get up until a chill sensation on the back of his neck made him turn round. A dark figure in a black cloak had appeared in the room behind him; it bore a scythe.
"Oh." Snape said, realisation dawning. "I'm dead." Not answering, the figure swung its scythe down and severed the link between Snape's "self" and his body, jerking him forwards as the previous tension disappeared suddenly.
"What happens now?" He asked the figure once he had stood up, but it merely pointed past Snape as a clapping noise started. Looking round, he saw the person of Albus Dumbledore clothed all in white, he was applauding. Snape looked back to the dark figure, but it was gone. Looking back to Dumbledore he simply said, "Well?"
"Well Severus, you have succeeded." Dumbledore replied; a slight golden glow was surrounding him.
"Succeeded?" Snape asked. "I just died!" He pointed out.
"Ah but Severus, these conditions need not be mutually exclusive." Said Dumbledore. "Because of your efforts, this war is finally at an end. Thanks to the memories you just supplied Harry with, he may find it in himself to do what must be done."
"And die?" Snape asked pointedly.
"And die as he must. Though there too, things need not be exclusive." Dumbledore said, his usual merry twinkle in his eye.
"I see." Snape replied, though truthfully he wasn't quite following Dumbledore's explanation.
"My dear chap, I suppose I must show you." Dumbledore sighed. "Follow me." And walked through the wall of the shrieking shack. Following, Snape found himself in the grounds of Hogwarts, Harry Potter just coming out of the school's main doors. Although he wore his invisibility cloak, he was still visible to the watchful eyes of Snape and Dumbledore and they followed him into the forest in silence. They watched impassively as he confronted Voldemort, and as he was killed and Voldemort collapsed.
They continued watching the scene as the Death Eaters clustered around their master with only a slight, unexplained chuckle from Dumbledore. They made no noise and no words passed between them, up until Neville burst from the crowd and cut off Nagini's head, earning an impressed intake of breath from Snape. When the fight had finished, and Voldemort had fallen in the dust, Dumbledore turned to Snape;
"Now you see why I told you that you had succeeded?" He asked.
"I begin to." Replied Snape doubtfully.
"Well Severus, the powers that be in this world have decided to give you what you have most wanted for a long time." Snape remained silent. "You are to have the chance, to go back and make changes."
"I am?" Snape asked incredulously. "People are allowed to do that?"
"Not often." Dumbledore admitted. "Only when they have made great personal sacrifice to the cause of good." Silence again, from Snape. "You will retain all the memories of your past life, though dimmed slightly. You won't remember exactly what you will have for breakfast the next day, but you will remember important things."
"And shall I be starting right over?" Snape asked, sneering. "I don't think I could handle nappies again."
"You will be starting on a spring afternoon in your tenth year, I believe you were hiding behind a bush." Dumbledore said, beaming. Snape instantly tensed.
"You mean -" He started.
"Yes; I mean the first day you talked to Lily Evans as she was then called." Dumbledore replied.
"And I have free reign to make changes as I see fit?" Snape asked, trying to find the flaw in this proposal.
"As you see fit, knowing major future events; although there are a few rules. You may not share knowledge of your previous life with others, not even me." He said sternly, knowing it had crossed Snape's mind.
"I understand, please continue." Snape said, meekly.
"Your skills will be that of an underage wizard, you may be able to remember many spells and much of your acquired knowledge, but you are in your pre-pubescent body of nine years so don't expect miracles." A chuckle. "Also your previous life's memories will not enter a Pensieve nor leave your head." Stern again. "Just a precaution, you will be tempted more than once to share your experiences and They'd rather avoid that."
"I understand clearly. My thanks Headmaster for this – unique – experience please pass them on to "Them". Hopefully I shall not require it a second time." He raised his wand in salute, and fair well.