Title: Buried Sorrows, 1/????
Author: Jessica C. Malfoy
Genre: General, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Main Character: Severus Snape
A/N: Everything in Italics is part of a memory. Oh yes, thank you for reading this, for I am enjoying writing this one. ^_^ And yes, I am writing 'Nothing is Ever as it Seems', but some of the characters and I are having a bit of a go at each other, and these characters are easy enough to get along with. So, kick back, relax, and enjoy the fic.
Disclaimer: Do I own the rights to HP? Do you want to buy them an give them to me? I don't own them, I only own Harry Potter merchandise which I'm almost going broke on buying them..Whoops.
Buried Sorrows
Severus Snape looked at his reflection. He was defiantly not a morning person, for his eyes were out of focus, and add the fact that most of his harder and more dangerous ones were in the morning, did not aid the situation.
"This year, then only 2 more years."
"You're over the hump then, old boy," his reflection responded.
"I am not that old, I'm still in my 30's."
"You are defiantly not a person that enjoys the mornings. What I meant to say is that---"
"I don't care what you meant to say, it's what you said!"
"You're almost done with that lot. You've already handled them for 4 years, surely you can handle them for 3 more."
"You're bloody annoying, do you know that?"
"Really? I thought I was bloody handsome. I don't see why a chap like you is still single and living in this.pig sty."
"Oh, you're one to talk." Snape muttered under his breath as he left the room, slamming the door behind him, and went to enter the Potions lab.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The lab was similar to his classrooms, without desks, and more poisonous and deadly potions bubbling in cauldrons, that even Longbottom would have a time of trying to get it to melt.
He invented that type of cauldron over the summer. Frustrated with having to clean up the poor remains of what used to be fine cauldrons, he had made it. It was quite similar to that stuff the muggles used to create the rails for the track, in fact; it had the same elements, just that it had a bit more magical fixing on it.
It was quite simple really, and he was astonished that nobody had thought of it earlier, for it would have saved him many hours of cleaning up potions that Filch just refused to touch, even with, his 5 foot long magical broom and mop.
Oh, how he hated these mornings. As if having them every day wasn't bad enough, but in the mornings, the 1st class of every single day, for a bloody hour, or sometimes more. It could drive you mad, easily.
It wasn't the Slytherins that caused the trouble, oh no. They're angels compared to the bloody Gryffindors. Gryffindors, the brave ones, the ones that always cause up the trouble that draws everybody else into and thus getting everybody else in trouble.
Snape sighed to himself, and looked at his watch. It looked like a simple enough watch on the outside, but inside, it was similar to a locket, only, not heart shaped, that is. It held a photo of what looked to be something that was old and faded. It didn't have creases, like, it was a precious jewel that had laid on velvet pillows in a glass display case at a palace, in its days of glory. But, the watch itself, the outside was plain silver, nothing special about it. Other then it had his name, Severus Snape engraved into it. The face of the watch was white, and had 2 crests of Hogwarts on it. Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's. He briefly smiled at the thought of all of the good memories that this watch represented, then, it faded as soon as it appeared.
Footsteps. Footsteps that were approaching. Hurriedly, he put it back into his pocket and stared at the door. The door slowly turned only to reveal, Albus Dumbledore standing there, carrying a tray that contained a goblet and a plate that contained food.
"Severus, you do need to remember to eat. The soul may be full but the body still requires some food."
"I wasn't hungry this morning, Headmaster. Besides, I was preparing for another potion that I've created, and hope that it will work as it should."
Dumbledore looked at Professor Snape, well, more like looked up, since Snape was a bit over 6'. He weakly smiled at the memory of a young Severus Snape, excelling at Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Professor Dumbledore! Professor Dumbledore!" A voice yelled down a corridor. A teenage boy was running down it, shouting, "Professor Dumbledore!", over and over again. He was a good size, around 6', shoulder length black hair, with books and papers sticking out of his over-sized book bag.
An elderly wizard stopped and let the boy catch up, only for the boy to run into a pile of water and soak his robes.
"Mr. Snape, you know better then to run down corridors, chasing after Professors. I wouldn't expect this out of you."
"No, I mean, yes. I mean.I'm sorry, Professor it won't happen again, but I do need help."
"You need help? Get some of your friends to help you, Mr. Snape."
"Well, even they're struggling, sir."
"Oh dear. What subject?"
"Transfiguration."
"That was my old subject. Is McGongall not doing a good job?"
"She's doing fine, sir. But, I'm getting confused by the textbook that she suggested that I read, so that it'll become one of my best subjects."
"Dear boy, you already have 2 of the hardest subjects as your best subject, why do you want another?"
"I want to become an Animagus day, sir."
"Well, I don't know what to say then. I've never had a student that wanted to do that and go to me for help. Quite a shock there, Snape. Well, what's throwing you off?"
"It's the potion that is the start up one, that prepares your body for the 1st change. I can't understand it."
"Is that all?"
"Professor, even the Potions master won't help me brew it up. I reckon that she doesn't even know how to brew it. I mean, I'm the one that usually teaches the lesson, while she does something to her nails in her room."
"Well, then you'll just have to be the Potions Master when she retires in the next couple of years then, won't you?"
"Teacher? Me? Oh no, Professor. I'm not cut out for the teaching bit."
"Well, if you don't think so, though, I'd say that you'd make an excellent Potions Master or a Defense Against the Dark Arts Specialist. Either one would suit you quite fine. What I don't understand is, why are you wanting to become one?"
"Professor, you know about these times. They're dark and hardly anybody trusts everybody. Did you notice that the gossip about all the relationships have almost disappeared now?"
"Well, I did notice it, and it was quite nice to be able to eat in almost silence."
"Professor."
"Well, yes, Severus, I do. Now, what's the real reason that you want to be able to change?"
"Incase I get myself into a fix, I don't want to die, knowing that there is something out there that could help me."
"That sounds like a good enough answer, but I'm afraid that I can't help you with this. Now, though they don't think I know about this, I do know some students that are that, and from what I hear, they're genuine."
"Oh really? Who are they? Are they in my house?"
"Well, close to your house. It's Mr. Potter and his gang."
What little cheeriness that the younger Snape held for all that time, disappeared. "Potter? You know that they wouldn't help me, Professor."
"Well, I'll have a chat with them, won't I now?"
"Thank you, Professor."
"Goodnight, Mr. Snape."
Dumbledore looked at Severus, who was waving his big and scared hand in front of his face.
"Headmaster, are you okay?"
"Oh, yes, Severus. I sometimes just do that."
"Yes, you do tend to go off like that, headmaster, at times."
"Well, sometimes, memories can mirror the present and the future."
"Headmaster, do you want to sit down or something?"
"Oh no, Severus, I just came by to drop this off. I believe you have a class to deal with, soon. The 5th year Gryffindors and Slytherins, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I'll leave you to that," Dumbledore said as he set down the tray on an empty table and left the Potions Lab.
Severus shook his head, as if trying to shake this chat out of his head and memory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Some of the Gryffindor and Slytherin, well, almost all of the Slytherins, 5th years were sitting down in their seats, reviewing over their notes, perhaps, studying for one of Snape's pop quizzes that could happen today. (It was common knowledge that if Snape was in a foul mood, he would give the hardest quizzes, and then, not a single student was, well, safe)
He walked in and sat at his desk, debating on when he should give the next quiz, for he already had it prepared. He always pre-pared quizzes after each lesson, in case of a foul mood that was around, he wouldn't have to waste any time in giving out the quiz.
He glanced up, only 1 Gryffindor today, usually there was zero, but no, not today. Hermione Granger. Go figure. The bookworm, reviewing over her notes that she took from the book and from Snape's instructions and discussions.
The usual Slytherins were in there. At the front, closest to his desk was Draco Malfoy, with Crabbe and Goyle to his right. Quite foolish, if you asked him. For one side is protected and the other one is out in the open, that is, if you didn't count Snape constantly walking by, no protection.
As well as Draco, Blaise Zabini was also in there, a desk behind him, finishing up homework, as was Millicent. A couple other silent Slytherins were also scattered around the room, some were looking at the preserved parts, discussing what it belonged to originally, and the like.
He chuckled to himself. It seemed like it was only yesterday that he was doing that, being a know-it-all and earning those A's. Then that bloody Potter came along and ruined everything.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He had received an owl this morning, requesting that he go to Headmaster Dumbledore's office after lunch. He was excited; maybe he had finally beaten the facts through Potter and his gang's heads. A fear that he would love to try to accomplish.
He went to the office, to see the distant look on the Headmaster's face.
"Headmaster, are you alright?"
"Mr. Snape, do take a seat. I imagine that you will need to be sitting down when I inform you on the latest news."
"Does that mean it's really bad or excellent, sir?"
"I can pretty much guarantee that it's not the most joyful news that I've been assigned to deliver to such a bright, hopeful and.powerful student of mine."
Severus slowly took a seat and looked at Dumbledore, who was holding a letter, which looked like it had been opened. "I can take it, Headmaster."
"Severus, you do know about the times, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"About Voldermort," Severus shuddered, but Dumbledore went on without noticing nor hesitating, "and his followers, the Death Eaters?"
"Yes, sir. I don't think that there is a wizard or witch that hasn't heard of that lot."
"Well, they've.they've attacked your town. Snape, England. There isn't a witch or wizard that was found in the rubble, or alive that is. But, I've received this letter."
Severus paled at the mention of that last statement. "..Letter?"
"Yes, Severus, a letter. A letter which contains such information that nobody should ever be forced to maintain it or create it."
"Sir, if it's about my parents, I need to know."
"Severus, do you know what side your parents were on?"
"Yes, they were on our side, your side."
"Yes, they appeared to be that, didn't they?"
"Excuse me?"
"They are Death Eaters, Severus."
"No, sir, that's impossible. I've watched them. I've watched them ask Aurors on how to protect themselves from that evil lot."
"Yes, I've been asked too, it was all a face. A face that fooled everybody."
Severus bit his bottom lip, waiting what Dumbledore had to say.
"Aurors rushed to the scene, of course, and cursed the Death Eaters that were there. They cursed your parents, with the freezing hex. Of course, another one of them fired the anti one and they escaped. Severus, then, the Aurors again froze them."
"I don't understand this, headmaster, sir."
"Let me finish. They were taken to trial, a quick one, for they were found helping their cause. The Demeters came, and sucked them out, before the wizards could stop them. I'm terribly sorry."
Severus looked down, tears filling up his usual black, yet cheerful, and full of life, eyes; now they looked like cold, dead, dark tunnels.
"Do not be afraid to show your feelings and emotions, Severus, we all are human and humans have emotions. You're not the only one who has lost their family because of this war that is going on, nor will you be the last."
"Professor, who else lost their parents?"
"Severus, I believe for their sakes that it is best that you not know, unless they tell you that, themselves, for I know that I won't tell you who's parents or close family members, and even friends have been lost."
"Well, have you talked to Potter?"
"No, not yet, but I will, soon. I will soon."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Now, who can tell me what you get when you mix 1 ounce of Dragon Blood and 10 strands of Unicorn hair?"
Hermione Granger's head instantly went up, and Draco casually raised his.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy."
"You get a potion that causes memory loss and the one who brewed it can create a false memory to replace it."
"Correct as usual, take 10 points for Slytherin."
Draco turned around and looked at Hermione, who was studying her book and notes for the next possible question.
"Let's try, Mr. Potter. What do you get when you mix a talon of a dragon, the scale of a snake, and 10 crushed mandrakes?"
Harry looked at Hermione, who was writing down a name of a potion.
"Without, the help of Miss Granger, or should I say, Mrs. Potter?"
Both Hermione and Harry turned red, causing the Slytherins to laugh at them, not only for the usual accident, but the thought of those two married.
"Does anybody know what it is? Mr. Malfoy?"
"It's the ancient Mind-Exchanger potion, or as known as the 'Bewitchment Brew' in the past couple of years."
"Excellent, Mr. Malfoy, 10 more points for Slytherin. Now, everybody read Chapter 12 and I mean read it, not just skim through it, you are dismissed."
In seconds, the Gryffindor side was empty and the Slytherins were casually leaving, all except for one, who was approaching his desk.
"Professor, any more books for me to take out of the restricted section for more background reading?"
"No, not today, Mr. Malfoy, though, I do say next week, you will have quite an interesting amount of books from there."
"Deadly ones?"
"Not all of them, but most of them are time-worthy."
"Did that Advance-Potions book come in yet?"
"No, it'll probably come in tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"I can't make it come today. I don't feel like spending time in Akabazan."
"I was just really looking forward to actually having a challenge to work with."
Severus looked at Draco, one who you would think who would be brain dead, but no. Not this one. He faintly smiled to himself. He taught Draco before he came to Hogwarts. Potions. Potions that even he, himself, couldn't do till he was a 1st year, but he was only 10 years old at the time.
"You think you can handle a challenge?"
"Can you?"
"Well, come down to my lab after dinner and then, you'll see what Advance Potions is all about."
"Right," Draco said and left the classroom, to go to his next class, leaving Severus there shaking his head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus looked at the cauldron, bubbling with poisonous liquid and smirked. Soon, young Draco would be coming down.
What talent he possessed, put Severus in awe. He had taught Draco Potions for the 1st year, to make sure that he would have a hard subject as one of his top ones, but he quickly showed that he didn't need the extra help. He did most of it on his own, which startled Severus to no end. Ever since 4th year, he had been taking Advance Potions, as well as the regular class. Needless to say, that he enjoyed the harder one.
Severus took out his watch again and gazed at it. "Some things just weren't meant to be, love. Just weren't meant to be." The snake on the Slytherin crest hissed as him, as if scolding for his remark.
"Well, it's true. You knew it just as much as I did, but we just didn't listen, and look how we ended up. Why even----" Severus froze as a finger tapped his shoulder.
"Professor, who are you talking to?"
"Eh.I was talking to the potions, they do listen quite well."
"Well, so does a brick wall, but I don't see you talking to them."
"The portraits on the walls would listen in and gossip with each other."
"And the potions won't?"
"Why do you always do this, Mr. Malfoy?"
"It's fun to see you backed into a corner, that's all. You're one of the meanest, hardest, and cruelest professor out there, but I can still back you into a corner."
"Well, I believe that's enough of that now. Did you bring your books?"
"Do I look stupid? Of course I did, a bit hard to read a potion off of it if you don't have the damn things. But the bloody things weigh a bloody ton."
"You think those are heavy? You haven't even seen the ones that I worked out of when I was in 7th year, and then add both Advance Potions and Advance Defense Against the Dark Arts books as well; and then all of the other courses that I was taking. I had the biggest book bag that you've ever seen, one even bigger then that Granger's."
"Now, that's saying something. As long as we're talking about your past.There has been a couple of rumors flying around that I want to know if they're true or not."
"Oh boy, rumors, rumors, and more rumors. What are they this time?"
"Oh, just that you were a Gryffindor, then you have to be re-sorted and then you were put into Slytherin. Then, there was another one, quite a visual tale, about you with McGongall and Sinistra." Snape looked disgusted at the mention of that last remark.
"Then, there was another one that involved you and that bad that lives up in the North Tower, always misty eyed and such."
"What else is there? You're saving the worst for last, aren't you?"
"Now, I'm hurt. Do you think that I take joy in seeing people that I know take injury?"
"You're the one that usually causes the injury."
"Well.Rumor has it that.You have a thing with Dumbledore going on as well as all of those mentioned beforehand."
Severus looked absolutely disgusted at that. "Dumbledore? God, what's next? Me and the Dark Lord?"
"Actually, that was last week's gossip."
"Why me?"
"You take more points off of Gryffindor when you're pissed off."
"True. Who told you all of this? Who knows that?"
"Oh, just the entire castle."
Severus sighed and looked at Draco, only at 5th year, but he looked too much like Lucius, already, and Lucius always looked older then he was in reality, but then, Draco, he looked younger then he was in reality.
He smiled in the memory of his 1st potions lesson with him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Severus, meet young Draco." Lucius gestured from Severus, who was dressed in very expensive robes, that he bought for this occasion, to a 5 year old Draco, wearing green robes.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, young Mr. Malfoy," Severus replied, knowing that Lucius wouldn't think too kindly of him using his son's 1st name in his presence, and especially in the introduction.
"Draco, this is Severus Snape. He is the Potions Master at Hogwarts, and a long time friend of mine. He's an excellent potions professor, he taught most of his potions classes when he and I were still in school."
Draco looked up at him he was a bit under 5', with the same pale hair, the nose, and the gray eyes, but he had a certain vibe of innocence surrounding him, which Severus was shocked to see. Considering that he knew the family quite well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Snape, I do hope that I become a useful tool for the Dark Lord in the Potions section, like you have been doing."
Snape, who was shocked, looked at Lucius, who was beaming. 'He's only what? 5? Maybe 6? And he already wants to join the Dark Lord?', he thought to himself, in utter confusion.
"Young Mr. Malfoy, may I ask, when will you be starting Hogwarts?"
"The next year, sir, I just turned 10."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Am I the only Professor that is victim of these rumors?"
Draco looked up from his book, which he had been looking at a picture that showed how to take blood from a Unicorn, but without killing it. "Oh no, McGongall looked rather flushed when she heard about them, after your class."
"I hope that you know that she was my professor."
"Whoa, I knew that she was old, but I didn't think that she was that old."
"I'm only 36, which is quite young for a wizard. And to top that, I'm only a child compared to most of the wizarding world."
"And what are they? 1000?"
"Nah, probably in the 150's.."
"I wonder if I'll live that long."
"Who knows with you, but with your history, I dare say, I doubt it."
"Well, my Father is alive."
"That's only because there isn't some strange war going on, and he isn't battling dragons still. And mind you, he's the longest living one so far, that is, if you don't count all of the wives your ancestors had, and the sacrifices they made to keep from dying."
"Ah, the good old days."
"Well, think about those all you want, but you're not going to learn anything reading about the past, other then useless information."
"Can you tell Binns that?"
"Unless you're in Binns class, and that's when it actually is somewhat interesting."
Draco sighed and looked at his professor. "You were in my Father's class, weren't you?"
"His year? Yes, I was; though, we didn't have much of the same classes after 3rd year, when I chose the challenging ones and he chose the pass-or-fail ones."
"Well, it is nice to have some classes where you can sleep through and still pull a nice A."
"But, you don't learn or grow any either."
"Well."
"That's why I signed you up for your classes, instead of letting you. Your Father asked me to do it, so I did. Though, I do say it's was a bit.strange him asking me on which courses for you to take, when they shape you for your future career. But, look at you now. You might as well pre- order your Head-Boy badge already, for you're already a Prefect."
"Well, so is Granger and Potter."
"Oh yes, Potter."
"I will get my badge, right?"
"If I have any say in it, which I do, you will."
"Do I sense a plan in the background?
"To be Head-Boy you have to be able to pull a high A out of all of your classes. The harder the class is, the more points you receive. Potter is in those pass-or-fail classes, and you're in the harder ones. You'll get to be Head-Boy. You will. We haven't had a Slytherin Head-Boy in years now, always those Ravenclaws that get it, and the occasional Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."
"They're wusses.."
"Draco.This is not the time to be discussing house politics. You need to get to work on actually being able to read those texts."
"Yeah, yeah." Draco muttered as he set his book-bag down and pulled out 2 ancient looking books. One was a faded red, with gold, delicate writing on it, which you could just barely make out the title, 'Potions for the Advanced Wizard', of the wear and the age of the old leather cover. The thicker one, which was green, had writing that even a person with better- then-average eyesight would have to squint to be able to read correctly, to see, 'So, you want to be a master of Potions now, do you?' labeled across the green leather cover as well.
"Oh, before I forget.Professor, can I have another pass for the Restricted Section?"
Severus looked up from his cauldron that he was watching, stirring. "What for?"
"I want to read up on some of those.you know.what we talked about.."
"The Amangi?"
"Yeah, that."
"You have to be terribly advanced at Transfiguration for that. Take it one subject at a time."
"McGongall said that it took years to become one. I need to start working on it now."
Severus looked back down at his potion, which had turned from a black to an acid green and was bubbling. 'No, I can not let him do that. I almost died from that experience. Plus, Lucius would have my head if I let him become one, without consulting him about it', he thought to himself.
"I'm sorry, Draco, but no. I can not let you take out that book. Plus, it also has Potions so advanced that would even cause me serious trouble in brewing it correctly."
"You mean.I thought it was just spells, not potions involved."
"Well, sometimes, but the most effective ones are the ones that are made with the potions. The spells sometimes don't work at first, while the potions usually last till you die."
"Well, that's a cheery thought."
"Well, it's true, now get back to your reading."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus woke up the next morning, with a splitting headache. Maybe it was from the somebody, most likely a lost or a new house-elf, had opened up one of the few windows and was letting in the bright morning sunlight.
He slowly made his way out of bed and look at the mirror. Something, no, wait.Somebody was behind him.
"Who's there?"
"Really, I just popped in to see how you were doing," an unknown voice replied.
"Who are you? I demand that you show yourself!"
"Don't you recognize me?"
"It's a bit hard to recognize somebody that won't even show themselves."
"Well, what Mum said as true. We do share the same tongue."
"What? What in the bloody hell are you talking about? Is this some sort of sick joke?"
"You don't even remember? I'm you son!"
"I have no son!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus woke up, in his dark chamber. Sweat covered his brow. Nervously, his dark eyes darted around the room, searching for anything out of place. The window was down. Darkness was all around.
"It was just a dream.Just a dream.Don't let yourself get shook up about it.It was just a dream." He muttered to himself as he laid back down, and fell asleep. Come morning, though, he did not remember it at all.
Author: Jessica C. Malfoy
Genre: General, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Main Character: Severus Snape
A/N: Everything in Italics is part of a memory. Oh yes, thank you for reading this, for I am enjoying writing this one. ^_^ And yes, I am writing 'Nothing is Ever as it Seems', but some of the characters and I are having a bit of a go at each other, and these characters are easy enough to get along with. So, kick back, relax, and enjoy the fic.
Disclaimer: Do I own the rights to HP? Do you want to buy them an give them to me? I don't own them, I only own Harry Potter merchandise which I'm almost going broke on buying them..Whoops.
Buried Sorrows
Severus Snape looked at his reflection. He was defiantly not a morning person, for his eyes were out of focus, and add the fact that most of his harder and more dangerous ones were in the morning, did not aid the situation.
"This year, then only 2 more years."
"You're over the hump then, old boy," his reflection responded.
"I am not that old, I'm still in my 30's."
"You are defiantly not a person that enjoys the mornings. What I meant to say is that---"
"I don't care what you meant to say, it's what you said!"
"You're almost done with that lot. You've already handled them for 4 years, surely you can handle them for 3 more."
"You're bloody annoying, do you know that?"
"Really? I thought I was bloody handsome. I don't see why a chap like you is still single and living in this.pig sty."
"Oh, you're one to talk." Snape muttered under his breath as he left the room, slamming the door behind him, and went to enter the Potions lab.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The lab was similar to his classrooms, without desks, and more poisonous and deadly potions bubbling in cauldrons, that even Longbottom would have a time of trying to get it to melt.
He invented that type of cauldron over the summer. Frustrated with having to clean up the poor remains of what used to be fine cauldrons, he had made it. It was quite similar to that stuff the muggles used to create the rails for the track, in fact; it had the same elements, just that it had a bit more magical fixing on it.
It was quite simple really, and he was astonished that nobody had thought of it earlier, for it would have saved him many hours of cleaning up potions that Filch just refused to touch, even with, his 5 foot long magical broom and mop.
Oh, how he hated these mornings. As if having them every day wasn't bad enough, but in the mornings, the 1st class of every single day, for a bloody hour, or sometimes more. It could drive you mad, easily.
It wasn't the Slytherins that caused the trouble, oh no. They're angels compared to the bloody Gryffindors. Gryffindors, the brave ones, the ones that always cause up the trouble that draws everybody else into and thus getting everybody else in trouble.
Snape sighed to himself, and looked at his watch. It looked like a simple enough watch on the outside, but inside, it was similar to a locket, only, not heart shaped, that is. It held a photo of what looked to be something that was old and faded. It didn't have creases, like, it was a precious jewel that had laid on velvet pillows in a glass display case at a palace, in its days of glory. But, the watch itself, the outside was plain silver, nothing special about it. Other then it had his name, Severus Snape engraved into it. The face of the watch was white, and had 2 crests of Hogwarts on it. Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's. He briefly smiled at the thought of all of the good memories that this watch represented, then, it faded as soon as it appeared.
Footsteps. Footsteps that were approaching. Hurriedly, he put it back into his pocket and stared at the door. The door slowly turned only to reveal, Albus Dumbledore standing there, carrying a tray that contained a goblet and a plate that contained food.
"Severus, you do need to remember to eat. The soul may be full but the body still requires some food."
"I wasn't hungry this morning, Headmaster. Besides, I was preparing for another potion that I've created, and hope that it will work as it should."
Dumbledore looked at Professor Snape, well, more like looked up, since Snape was a bit over 6'. He weakly smiled at the memory of a young Severus Snape, excelling at Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Professor Dumbledore! Professor Dumbledore!" A voice yelled down a corridor. A teenage boy was running down it, shouting, "Professor Dumbledore!", over and over again. He was a good size, around 6', shoulder length black hair, with books and papers sticking out of his over-sized book bag.
An elderly wizard stopped and let the boy catch up, only for the boy to run into a pile of water and soak his robes.
"Mr. Snape, you know better then to run down corridors, chasing after Professors. I wouldn't expect this out of you."
"No, I mean, yes. I mean.I'm sorry, Professor it won't happen again, but I do need help."
"You need help? Get some of your friends to help you, Mr. Snape."
"Well, even they're struggling, sir."
"Oh dear. What subject?"
"Transfiguration."
"That was my old subject. Is McGongall not doing a good job?"
"She's doing fine, sir. But, I'm getting confused by the textbook that she suggested that I read, so that it'll become one of my best subjects."
"Dear boy, you already have 2 of the hardest subjects as your best subject, why do you want another?"
"I want to become an Animagus day, sir."
"Well, I don't know what to say then. I've never had a student that wanted to do that and go to me for help. Quite a shock there, Snape. Well, what's throwing you off?"
"It's the potion that is the start up one, that prepares your body for the 1st change. I can't understand it."
"Is that all?"
"Professor, even the Potions master won't help me brew it up. I reckon that she doesn't even know how to brew it. I mean, I'm the one that usually teaches the lesson, while she does something to her nails in her room."
"Well, then you'll just have to be the Potions Master when she retires in the next couple of years then, won't you?"
"Teacher? Me? Oh no, Professor. I'm not cut out for the teaching bit."
"Well, if you don't think so, though, I'd say that you'd make an excellent Potions Master or a Defense Against the Dark Arts Specialist. Either one would suit you quite fine. What I don't understand is, why are you wanting to become one?"
"Professor, you know about these times. They're dark and hardly anybody trusts everybody. Did you notice that the gossip about all the relationships have almost disappeared now?"
"Well, I did notice it, and it was quite nice to be able to eat in almost silence."
"Professor."
"Well, yes, Severus, I do. Now, what's the real reason that you want to be able to change?"
"Incase I get myself into a fix, I don't want to die, knowing that there is something out there that could help me."
"That sounds like a good enough answer, but I'm afraid that I can't help you with this. Now, though they don't think I know about this, I do know some students that are that, and from what I hear, they're genuine."
"Oh really? Who are they? Are they in my house?"
"Well, close to your house. It's Mr. Potter and his gang."
What little cheeriness that the younger Snape held for all that time, disappeared. "Potter? You know that they wouldn't help me, Professor."
"Well, I'll have a chat with them, won't I now?"
"Thank you, Professor."
"Goodnight, Mr. Snape."
Dumbledore looked at Severus, who was waving his big and scared hand in front of his face.
"Headmaster, are you okay?"
"Oh, yes, Severus. I sometimes just do that."
"Yes, you do tend to go off like that, headmaster, at times."
"Well, sometimes, memories can mirror the present and the future."
"Headmaster, do you want to sit down or something?"
"Oh no, Severus, I just came by to drop this off. I believe you have a class to deal with, soon. The 5th year Gryffindors and Slytherins, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I'll leave you to that," Dumbledore said as he set down the tray on an empty table and left the Potions Lab.
Severus shook his head, as if trying to shake this chat out of his head and memory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Some of the Gryffindor and Slytherin, well, almost all of the Slytherins, 5th years were sitting down in their seats, reviewing over their notes, perhaps, studying for one of Snape's pop quizzes that could happen today. (It was common knowledge that if Snape was in a foul mood, he would give the hardest quizzes, and then, not a single student was, well, safe)
He walked in and sat at his desk, debating on when he should give the next quiz, for he already had it prepared. He always pre-pared quizzes after each lesson, in case of a foul mood that was around, he wouldn't have to waste any time in giving out the quiz.
He glanced up, only 1 Gryffindor today, usually there was zero, but no, not today. Hermione Granger. Go figure. The bookworm, reviewing over her notes that she took from the book and from Snape's instructions and discussions.
The usual Slytherins were in there. At the front, closest to his desk was Draco Malfoy, with Crabbe and Goyle to his right. Quite foolish, if you asked him. For one side is protected and the other one is out in the open, that is, if you didn't count Snape constantly walking by, no protection.
As well as Draco, Blaise Zabini was also in there, a desk behind him, finishing up homework, as was Millicent. A couple other silent Slytherins were also scattered around the room, some were looking at the preserved parts, discussing what it belonged to originally, and the like.
He chuckled to himself. It seemed like it was only yesterday that he was doing that, being a know-it-all and earning those A's. Then that bloody Potter came along and ruined everything.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He had received an owl this morning, requesting that he go to Headmaster Dumbledore's office after lunch. He was excited; maybe he had finally beaten the facts through Potter and his gang's heads. A fear that he would love to try to accomplish.
He went to the office, to see the distant look on the Headmaster's face.
"Headmaster, are you alright?"
"Mr. Snape, do take a seat. I imagine that you will need to be sitting down when I inform you on the latest news."
"Does that mean it's really bad or excellent, sir?"
"I can pretty much guarantee that it's not the most joyful news that I've been assigned to deliver to such a bright, hopeful and.powerful student of mine."
Severus slowly took a seat and looked at Dumbledore, who was holding a letter, which looked like it had been opened. "I can take it, Headmaster."
"Severus, you do know about the times, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"About Voldermort," Severus shuddered, but Dumbledore went on without noticing nor hesitating, "and his followers, the Death Eaters?"
"Yes, sir. I don't think that there is a wizard or witch that hasn't heard of that lot."
"Well, they've.they've attacked your town. Snape, England. There isn't a witch or wizard that was found in the rubble, or alive that is. But, I've received this letter."
Severus paled at the mention of that last statement. "..Letter?"
"Yes, Severus, a letter. A letter which contains such information that nobody should ever be forced to maintain it or create it."
"Sir, if it's about my parents, I need to know."
"Severus, do you know what side your parents were on?"
"Yes, they were on our side, your side."
"Yes, they appeared to be that, didn't they?"
"Excuse me?"
"They are Death Eaters, Severus."
"No, sir, that's impossible. I've watched them. I've watched them ask Aurors on how to protect themselves from that evil lot."
"Yes, I've been asked too, it was all a face. A face that fooled everybody."
Severus bit his bottom lip, waiting what Dumbledore had to say.
"Aurors rushed to the scene, of course, and cursed the Death Eaters that were there. They cursed your parents, with the freezing hex. Of course, another one of them fired the anti one and they escaped. Severus, then, the Aurors again froze them."
"I don't understand this, headmaster, sir."
"Let me finish. They were taken to trial, a quick one, for they were found helping their cause. The Demeters came, and sucked them out, before the wizards could stop them. I'm terribly sorry."
Severus looked down, tears filling up his usual black, yet cheerful, and full of life, eyes; now they looked like cold, dead, dark tunnels.
"Do not be afraid to show your feelings and emotions, Severus, we all are human and humans have emotions. You're not the only one who has lost their family because of this war that is going on, nor will you be the last."
"Professor, who else lost their parents?"
"Severus, I believe for their sakes that it is best that you not know, unless they tell you that, themselves, for I know that I won't tell you who's parents or close family members, and even friends have been lost."
"Well, have you talked to Potter?"
"No, not yet, but I will, soon. I will soon."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Now, who can tell me what you get when you mix 1 ounce of Dragon Blood and 10 strands of Unicorn hair?"
Hermione Granger's head instantly went up, and Draco casually raised his.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy."
"You get a potion that causes memory loss and the one who brewed it can create a false memory to replace it."
"Correct as usual, take 10 points for Slytherin."
Draco turned around and looked at Hermione, who was studying her book and notes for the next possible question.
"Let's try, Mr. Potter. What do you get when you mix a talon of a dragon, the scale of a snake, and 10 crushed mandrakes?"
Harry looked at Hermione, who was writing down a name of a potion.
"Without, the help of Miss Granger, or should I say, Mrs. Potter?"
Both Hermione and Harry turned red, causing the Slytherins to laugh at them, not only for the usual accident, but the thought of those two married.
"Does anybody know what it is? Mr. Malfoy?"
"It's the ancient Mind-Exchanger potion, or as known as the 'Bewitchment Brew' in the past couple of years."
"Excellent, Mr. Malfoy, 10 more points for Slytherin. Now, everybody read Chapter 12 and I mean read it, not just skim through it, you are dismissed."
In seconds, the Gryffindor side was empty and the Slytherins were casually leaving, all except for one, who was approaching his desk.
"Professor, any more books for me to take out of the restricted section for more background reading?"
"No, not today, Mr. Malfoy, though, I do say next week, you will have quite an interesting amount of books from there."
"Deadly ones?"
"Not all of them, but most of them are time-worthy."
"Did that Advance-Potions book come in yet?"
"No, it'll probably come in tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"I can't make it come today. I don't feel like spending time in Akabazan."
"I was just really looking forward to actually having a challenge to work with."
Severus looked at Draco, one who you would think who would be brain dead, but no. Not this one. He faintly smiled to himself. He taught Draco before he came to Hogwarts. Potions. Potions that even he, himself, couldn't do till he was a 1st year, but he was only 10 years old at the time.
"You think you can handle a challenge?"
"Can you?"
"Well, come down to my lab after dinner and then, you'll see what Advance Potions is all about."
"Right," Draco said and left the classroom, to go to his next class, leaving Severus there shaking his head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus looked at the cauldron, bubbling with poisonous liquid and smirked. Soon, young Draco would be coming down.
What talent he possessed, put Severus in awe. He had taught Draco Potions for the 1st year, to make sure that he would have a hard subject as one of his top ones, but he quickly showed that he didn't need the extra help. He did most of it on his own, which startled Severus to no end. Ever since 4th year, he had been taking Advance Potions, as well as the regular class. Needless to say, that he enjoyed the harder one.
Severus took out his watch again and gazed at it. "Some things just weren't meant to be, love. Just weren't meant to be." The snake on the Slytherin crest hissed as him, as if scolding for his remark.
"Well, it's true. You knew it just as much as I did, but we just didn't listen, and look how we ended up. Why even----" Severus froze as a finger tapped his shoulder.
"Professor, who are you talking to?"
"Eh.I was talking to the potions, they do listen quite well."
"Well, so does a brick wall, but I don't see you talking to them."
"The portraits on the walls would listen in and gossip with each other."
"And the potions won't?"
"Why do you always do this, Mr. Malfoy?"
"It's fun to see you backed into a corner, that's all. You're one of the meanest, hardest, and cruelest professor out there, but I can still back you into a corner."
"Well, I believe that's enough of that now. Did you bring your books?"
"Do I look stupid? Of course I did, a bit hard to read a potion off of it if you don't have the damn things. But the bloody things weigh a bloody ton."
"You think those are heavy? You haven't even seen the ones that I worked out of when I was in 7th year, and then add both Advance Potions and Advance Defense Against the Dark Arts books as well; and then all of the other courses that I was taking. I had the biggest book bag that you've ever seen, one even bigger then that Granger's."
"Now, that's saying something. As long as we're talking about your past.There has been a couple of rumors flying around that I want to know if they're true or not."
"Oh boy, rumors, rumors, and more rumors. What are they this time?"
"Oh, just that you were a Gryffindor, then you have to be re-sorted and then you were put into Slytherin. Then, there was another one, quite a visual tale, about you with McGongall and Sinistra." Snape looked disgusted at the mention of that last remark.
"Then, there was another one that involved you and that bad that lives up in the North Tower, always misty eyed and such."
"What else is there? You're saving the worst for last, aren't you?"
"Now, I'm hurt. Do you think that I take joy in seeing people that I know take injury?"
"You're the one that usually causes the injury."
"Well.Rumor has it that.You have a thing with Dumbledore going on as well as all of those mentioned beforehand."
Severus looked absolutely disgusted at that. "Dumbledore? God, what's next? Me and the Dark Lord?"
"Actually, that was last week's gossip."
"Why me?"
"You take more points off of Gryffindor when you're pissed off."
"True. Who told you all of this? Who knows that?"
"Oh, just the entire castle."
Severus sighed and looked at Draco, only at 5th year, but he looked too much like Lucius, already, and Lucius always looked older then he was in reality, but then, Draco, he looked younger then he was in reality.
He smiled in the memory of his 1st potions lesson with him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Severus, meet young Draco." Lucius gestured from Severus, who was dressed in very expensive robes, that he bought for this occasion, to a 5 year old Draco, wearing green robes.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, young Mr. Malfoy," Severus replied, knowing that Lucius wouldn't think too kindly of him using his son's 1st name in his presence, and especially in the introduction.
"Draco, this is Severus Snape. He is the Potions Master at Hogwarts, and a long time friend of mine. He's an excellent potions professor, he taught most of his potions classes when he and I were still in school."
Draco looked up at him he was a bit under 5', with the same pale hair, the nose, and the gray eyes, but he had a certain vibe of innocence surrounding him, which Severus was shocked to see. Considering that he knew the family quite well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Snape, I do hope that I become a useful tool for the Dark Lord in the Potions section, like you have been doing."
Snape, who was shocked, looked at Lucius, who was beaming. 'He's only what? 5? Maybe 6? And he already wants to join the Dark Lord?', he thought to himself, in utter confusion.
"Young Mr. Malfoy, may I ask, when will you be starting Hogwarts?"
"The next year, sir, I just turned 10."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Am I the only Professor that is victim of these rumors?"
Draco looked up from his book, which he had been looking at a picture that showed how to take blood from a Unicorn, but without killing it. "Oh no, McGongall looked rather flushed when she heard about them, after your class."
"I hope that you know that she was my professor."
"Whoa, I knew that she was old, but I didn't think that she was that old."
"I'm only 36, which is quite young for a wizard. And to top that, I'm only a child compared to most of the wizarding world."
"And what are they? 1000?"
"Nah, probably in the 150's.."
"I wonder if I'll live that long."
"Who knows with you, but with your history, I dare say, I doubt it."
"Well, my Father is alive."
"That's only because there isn't some strange war going on, and he isn't battling dragons still. And mind you, he's the longest living one so far, that is, if you don't count all of the wives your ancestors had, and the sacrifices they made to keep from dying."
"Ah, the good old days."
"Well, think about those all you want, but you're not going to learn anything reading about the past, other then useless information."
"Can you tell Binns that?"
"Unless you're in Binns class, and that's when it actually is somewhat interesting."
Draco sighed and looked at his professor. "You were in my Father's class, weren't you?"
"His year? Yes, I was; though, we didn't have much of the same classes after 3rd year, when I chose the challenging ones and he chose the pass-or-fail ones."
"Well, it is nice to have some classes where you can sleep through and still pull a nice A."
"But, you don't learn or grow any either."
"Well."
"That's why I signed you up for your classes, instead of letting you. Your Father asked me to do it, so I did. Though, I do say it's was a bit.strange him asking me on which courses for you to take, when they shape you for your future career. But, look at you now. You might as well pre- order your Head-Boy badge already, for you're already a Prefect."
"Well, so is Granger and Potter."
"Oh yes, Potter."
"I will get my badge, right?"
"If I have any say in it, which I do, you will."
"Do I sense a plan in the background?
"To be Head-Boy you have to be able to pull a high A out of all of your classes. The harder the class is, the more points you receive. Potter is in those pass-or-fail classes, and you're in the harder ones. You'll get to be Head-Boy. You will. We haven't had a Slytherin Head-Boy in years now, always those Ravenclaws that get it, and the occasional Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."
"They're wusses.."
"Draco.This is not the time to be discussing house politics. You need to get to work on actually being able to read those texts."
"Yeah, yeah." Draco muttered as he set his book-bag down and pulled out 2 ancient looking books. One was a faded red, with gold, delicate writing on it, which you could just barely make out the title, 'Potions for the Advanced Wizard', of the wear and the age of the old leather cover. The thicker one, which was green, had writing that even a person with better- then-average eyesight would have to squint to be able to read correctly, to see, 'So, you want to be a master of Potions now, do you?' labeled across the green leather cover as well.
"Oh, before I forget.Professor, can I have another pass for the Restricted Section?"
Severus looked up from his cauldron that he was watching, stirring. "What for?"
"I want to read up on some of those.you know.what we talked about.."
"The Amangi?"
"Yeah, that."
"You have to be terribly advanced at Transfiguration for that. Take it one subject at a time."
"McGongall said that it took years to become one. I need to start working on it now."
Severus looked back down at his potion, which had turned from a black to an acid green and was bubbling. 'No, I can not let him do that. I almost died from that experience. Plus, Lucius would have my head if I let him become one, without consulting him about it', he thought to himself.
"I'm sorry, Draco, but no. I can not let you take out that book. Plus, it also has Potions so advanced that would even cause me serious trouble in brewing it correctly."
"You mean.I thought it was just spells, not potions involved."
"Well, sometimes, but the most effective ones are the ones that are made with the potions. The spells sometimes don't work at first, while the potions usually last till you die."
"Well, that's a cheery thought."
"Well, it's true, now get back to your reading."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus woke up the next morning, with a splitting headache. Maybe it was from the somebody, most likely a lost or a new house-elf, had opened up one of the few windows and was letting in the bright morning sunlight.
He slowly made his way out of bed and look at the mirror. Something, no, wait.Somebody was behind him.
"Who's there?"
"Really, I just popped in to see how you were doing," an unknown voice replied.
"Who are you? I demand that you show yourself!"
"Don't you recognize me?"
"It's a bit hard to recognize somebody that won't even show themselves."
"Well, what Mum said as true. We do share the same tongue."
"What? What in the bloody hell are you talking about? Is this some sort of sick joke?"
"You don't even remember? I'm you son!"
"I have no son!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Severus woke up, in his dark chamber. Sweat covered his brow. Nervously, his dark eyes darted around the room, searching for anything out of place. The window was down. Darkness was all around.
"It was just a dream.Just a dream.Don't let yourself get shook up about it.It was just a dream." He muttered to himself as he laid back down, and fell asleep. Come morning, though, he did not remember it at all.
