It was simply an ordinary day when extraordinary things happened to one of the teachers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Students and teachers alike were heading home for the summer holidays, unless they were going to stay with a friend, or, in Professor Snape's case, going to be in a different country.
Yes, that summer, Professor Snape, the Potions Master, was going to go to a different country, America, to be exact. You may not find that surprising, but you might be surprised to hear that he was going to be spending a whole week in Disneyland.
When, at long last, the last students had left, Severus grinned to himself, feeling for the first time happy that it was the summer holidays.
"Well, I might as well have a pleasant holiday, because when the students return, it will be anything but pleasant. Especially when I know for a fact that the Boy-Who-Lived is coming here, and is the spitting image of his father, James Potter." He said to himself, sneering the name of his school day tormentor.
But he wasn't going to let the memory of James Potter dishearten him, after all, he had many weeks of the holidays to enjoy, and he might even like Disneyland so much that he wanted to work there.
"I'd make a pretty good Captain Hook ," he said to himself, whistling "What Makes the Red Man Red?" and with that, he dissaparated, once he was out of the school grounds.
Seconds later, Severus Snape found himself standing just outside the gates of Disneyland, several people coming in and out of them. Smiling to himself, he casually strolled through them, some people saying things like "That shirt looks great on you," and "You look good in three-quarter pants," to him.
In order to blend in, Severus had taken off his cloak and had decided to wear an emerald green shirt and black three-quarter pants. He thanked them, and walked towards the hotel he was staying in, only to get the biggest and nastiest shock of his life.
As he stood in line for checking in, Severus' obsidian eyes looked towards the front desk, and he gasped in surprise and horror. For there, with his hair as messy as ever, and his glasses perched on his nose, was James Potter.
Scowling, he sang quietly, "Why can't the dead stay dead?" in the same tune of "What Makes the Red Man Red?"
Rather impatiently, he waited for the other seven groups to check in, before striding up to James. James, not seeming to notice him at first, said politely "Name?"
"Severus Snape," Severus said coldly, watching James' reaction out of the corner of his eye.
James' eyes widened, then narrowed, as he said icily, "Reservation for five nights, Mr. Snape?"
"Yes, and," here, Severus dropped his voice to a whisper, "what are you doing here?"
"We came here after You-Know-Who got us, and some long-time curse keeps us from leaving. We'd leave if we could, but we can't."
James then handed Severus a room key, and said, "If you like, I can tell you more later on."
Severus shrugged, took the key, thanked James with heavy sarcasm, and headed off to find his room.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
After a days rest, Severus was ready to do something he hadn't done in quite a while: He was ready to have some fun. The magic in the air must have been working, because Severus felt happy.
After a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and a large Mocachino with a large dollop of cream, he was outside, consulting the map to see which ride he wanted to do first. He saw one which looked fun and spooky: The Haunted Mansion. When he came off the ride, he felt reasonably happy.
He was just considering which ride to do next as he looked around, when his obsidian eyes spotted a building on a high hill. A group of teenagers were sitting on a park bench nearby, and the sign on the building read Hollywood Tower Hotel. He shrugged, and looked down at the map.
According to the map, the hotel was a ride called The Tower of Terror. But when he glanced up at the building, he didn't see anybody there, apart from those teenagers.
Perhaps it has been closed off for a while, he thought, vaguely disappointed, and turned around when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Severus turned to see James standing behind him, and he frowned.
"Potter, you tormented me in life, why must you do so in death, and why is the Tower of Terror ride closed down?" Severus asked, and Potter replied, "Because it's fun, and the ride isn't closed down, the building over there can only be seen by Magical People and Ghosts."
"Talking of ghosts," said a sweet voice from behind them, "I'm a ghost that really missed you, Sev."
Severus turned, and gasped when he saw the recognisable face of his best school friend, Lily Potter.
"Lily, I've missed you as well, am I able to hug you?" He asked, and Lily, with a gentle smile, said "Yes."
HPHPHPHPHPHPHP
The next four days at Disneyland were the best Severus had had in a long time. Potter, he was astonished but happy to learn, had learned to grow up and behave like a responsible adult.
Well, I think I shall give Harry Potter a chance when he comes to Hogwarts. Severus thought, and found himself whistling a song, whilst in the company of seven ghosts. Aside from James and Lily, there was also an actor, an actress, a nanny, a singer, and a bellhop.
"What song are you humming, Professor?" Lily asked him, and he blushed a little.
"It's called Sunset Boulevard, and I have no idea why it's in my head." He said, and Lily chuckled.
"Remember when we went to London to see that? Sunset Boulevard was your favorite song. Please sing it, you're so good at it."
Severus sighed, but after a while, he considered that it was a good idea.
"Sure I came out here to make my name
Wanted my pool, my dose of fame
Wanted my parking space at Warner's
But after a year, a one room hell
A murphy bed, a rancid smell
Wallpaper peeling at the corners
Sunset Boulevard, twisting boulevard
Secretive and rich, a little scary
Sunset Boulevard, tempting boulevard
Waiting there to swallow the unwary
Dreams are not enough to win a war
Out here they're always keeping score
Beneath the tan the battle rages
Smile a rented smile, fill someone's glass
Kiss someone's wife, kiss someone's ass
We do whatever pays the wages
Sunset Boulevard, headline boulevard
Getting here is only the beginning
Sunset Boulevard, jackpot boulevard
Once you've won you have to go on winning
You think I've sold out?
Dead right I've sold out!
I just keep waiting for the right offer
Comfortable quarters, regular rations
24-hour Five Star room service
And if I'm honest, I like the lady
I can't help being touched by her folly
I'm treading water, taking the money
Watching her sun set... Well, I'm a writer!
L. A. 's changed a lot over the years
Since those brave gold rush pioneers
Came in their creaky covered wagons
Far as they could go end of the line
Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine
But in those dreams were hidden dragons
Sunset Boulevard, frenzied boulevard
Swamped with every kind of false emotion
Sunset Boulevard, brutal boulevard
Just like you, we'll wind up in the ocean
She was sinking fast, I threw a rope
Now I have suits and she has hope
It seemed an elegant solution
One day this must end, it isn't real
Still I'll enjoy a hearty meal
Before tomorrow's execution
Sunset Boulevard, ruthless boulevard
Destination for the stony-hearted
Sunset Boulevard, lethal boulevard
Everyone's forgotten how they started
Here on Sunset Boulevard.!"
After singing the song, the ghosts applauded, and Lily said, "You have the most amazing voice, Sev."
He smiled at her, before saying, "Well, thank you, but, what with all the fun we've been having, today is the day I leave."
Lily sighed sadly, she didn't want him to leave, but somehow she knew in her heart, that one day, he'd be back.
Her guess was right, for in 1997, after being murdered by Lord Voldermort, Severus did join them again. Two years after that, on Halloween, the 60 year-old curse on the hotel was broken, and everyone was free.
AN: The reason why Severus is singing "Sunset Boulevard" is because at Disney's MGM Studio's, the area where the Tower of Terror ride is, is called Sunset Boulevard.