This is an aged-up femHarry adaptation set in OotP (HP/SS) where students graduate from Hogwarts at 20. I aspire to be as in character as possible throughout this literary adventure: Severus Snape is not a wizard to woo in a single chapter (slow-burn alert).
Please follow along if you enjoy reading; I intend to finish this story!
Professor Severus Snape was sitting in the dingy kitchen of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. Breathing across the table from him was one of his absolute least favourite people on the Isles: Sirius Black.
They were glaring in opposite directions, Severus entertaining himself by mentally reviewing his vast library of dark hexes and curses, trying to choose one just for Black. The silence between them was heavy with mutual dislike. Upon arrival, Severus had grudgingly handed him the letter from Dumbledore and was still waiting for Holly Potter to 'grant him an audience.' It has already been five minutes since Mrs Weasley left to call her down.
The Potions Master was a thin man, broad but round-shouldered with pale skin, shoulder-length black hair framing his face and a prominent nose. He wore voluminous teaching robes over a frock coat with tight sleeves and a neat row of buttons, neatly pressed trousers and a pair of hard black oxfords. Severus considered himself so far out of fashion that he was in fact in fashion – a classic, fixed wardrobe that has proven practical and powerful on many occasions (and able to survive Scottish weather year-round). He stuck two fingers in his cravat and tugged it looser, ignoring Black's glance and deciding to focus instead on distracting himself with more pleasant musings.
Muffled voices sounded somewhere above the kitchen and drew him from the derailed train of his thoughts.
What in the seven hells is taking her this long?
The girl would have been a perfect replica of Lily had it not been for her knack for making trouble (and the messy black hair) she shares with her dear deceased father. And of course the curious characteristics she shares with the Dark Lord himself…
He was fairly certain that there was no animosity between the girl and him. Outside of the classroom and off the pitch, he either kept his distance or conducted himself with utmost care around her.
They had only ever shared a single 'personal' moment years ago: in the winter of her first year, after careful consideration, he had gifted her Lily's fifth-year Charms handbook; Charms of Defence and Deterrence by Professor Catullus Spangle. He remembered her hesitance when he first told her of his friendship with her mother and the unexpected grin she gave him before leaving the dungeons with the book clutched to her chest.
Severus was self-aware enough to know himself to be possessive and slightly obsessive whenever it came to Lily - and by extension her daughter, yet he could not kill the foolish notion of a second chance at saving Lily. This only hinted at the depth of his depravity and a wretched childlike naivety on his part.
But Severus Snape has never thought to consider himself a noble man. He has always been sincerely drawn to the Dark Arts, spending most of his waking hours in the company of often disreputable books and people. He joined the Death Eaters soon after graduation and was responsible for passing an incomplete version of Trelawney's prophecy to the Dark Lord, resulting in the death of Lily and the orphaning of Holly Potter.
No, Severus Snape has never imagined himself as any sort of protagonist, because he was not a good man. He has always had a limited quota for priorities and there wasn't enough honour to go around after Gryffindor was founded. He settled for helping the Order of the Phoenix simply out of regret and revenge.
He saved her from Quirrell jinxing her broom in her first year and has since been refereeing every Hogwarts match he could, attempting to prevent her premature death. He even had to sit examinations for three respective courses for refereeing as required by the Department of Magical Games and Sports.
Then there was the Philosopher's Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, damned Sirius Black and the blasted Shrieking Shack, the Triwizard Tournament, the return of the Dark Lord . . . his stomach twisted uncomfortably and he reached a long finger to his inner left forearm, touching his Mark. Severus had to return to His side because of Holly . . . for Holly . . . but He would have somehow returned to power regardless of her actions, he was convinced.
She was eighteen and a fifth year now and had faced (and survived) the Dark Lord on three separate occasions already, more than most could say.
Holly pushed the kitchen door open without warning, breaking through his thoughts and interrupting his intense eye contact with the filthy scullery window.
Severus allowed his eyes to drop to the girl, keeping his face blank. She was wearing a surprised expression and . . . a fluffy white one-piece unicorn suit paired with striped red and yellow Quidditch socks, her hair twisted into an unruly nest of curls and her wand used as a hairpin. Her sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, ink stains crisscrossing her forearms. The result was immature and frivolous mixed with a dash of frowzy forest-hag. She closed the door carefully behind her, resting her back against it momentarily and gazing at the two seated men.
She really is a perfect replica of Lily. Although Lily never looked this chaotic.
I always forget until I see her again . . . She has the same big, bright green, almond-shaped eyes… her lips, her nose, her skin –
He shifted slightly in his seat, the sudden onslaught of unsolicited emotional responses making him uneasy.
But his quick eye could do nought but take note of the outline of cold-hardened nipples straining against the overlarge, pink belly of the unicorn. He had no doubt that Black noticed it too because he now wore a pained expression, hands twitching and looking like he wanted very much to run over and wrap her in a cloak.
Want to hide her from me, eh Black?
He enjoyed Black's reaction almost as much as he was offended by him daring to sexualize both him and the girl in one go. He wouldn't have paid her breasts any real mind if it weren't for Black's juvenile and possessive response to his godchild.
"Er," Holly said to officially announce her presence. Clearly dumbfounded as to why her professor would call on her.
"Sit down, Potter."
"You know," said Black loudly, now leaning back on his rear chair legs and speaking to the ceiling, "I think I'd prefer it if you didn't give orders here, Snape. It's my house, you see."
He could feel an ugly flush suffusing his face and was almost touched when the girl sat down in a chair midway between him and Black instead of picking a side.
How diplomatic.
Severus was finding it very difficult to resist the urge to roll his eyes.
"I was supposed to see you alone, Miss Potter," said Severus, the familiar sneer curling his mouth, "but Black —"
"I'm her godfather," said Black, louder than ever.
"I am here on Dumbledore's orders," said Severus, whose voice, by contrast, was becoming more and more waspish, "but by all means stay, Black, I know you like to feel . . . involved."
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Black, letting his chair fall back onto all four legs with a loud bang.
"Merely that I am sure you must feel — ah — frustrated by the fact that you can do nothing useful," Severus laid a delicate stress on the word, "for the Order."
It was Black's turn to flush. Severus's lip curled in triumph as he turned to Holly.
"The headmaster has sent me to tell you, Potter, that it is his wish for you to study Occlumency this term."
"Study what?" said Holly blankly.
"Occlumency, Potter. The magical defence of the mind against external penetration. An obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one."
Holly sat up straighter, sweeping stray hairs out of her eyes.
"Why do I have to study Occlumency?" she blurted out, looking wary.
"Because the headmaster thinks it a good idea," said Severus smoothly. "You will receive private lessons once a week, but you will not tell anybody what you are doing, least of all Dolores Umbridge. You understand?"
"Yes," said Holly. "Who's going to be teaching me?"
Severus raised an eyebrow.
"I am," he said.
Holly gave a small nod and opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by Black.
"Why can't Dumbledore teach Holly?" Black said aggressively. "Why you?"
"I suppose because it is a headmaster's privilege to delegate less enjoyable tasks," Severus said silkily. "I assure you I did not beg for the job." He got to his feet. "I will expect you at six o'clock on Monday evening, Potter. My office. If anybody asks, you are taking Remedial Potions."
He turned to leave, his black travelling cloak billowing behind him.
"Wait a moment," said Black, sitting up straighter in his chair.
Severus turned back to face him, sneering.
"I am in rather a hurry, Black . . . unlike you, I do not have unlimited leisure time. . . ."
"I'll get to the point, then," said Black, standing up.
He was taller than Severus who had instinctively balled his fist over the handle of his wand in the pocket of his cloak.
"If I hear you're using these Occlumency lessons to give Holly a hard time, you'll have me to answer to."
"How touching," Severus sneered. "But surely you have noticed that Potter is very much like her mother?"
"Yes, I have," said Black proudly.
"Well then, you'll know she will be better off without your protection." Severus said sleekly. He could see Holly standing a bit straighter after his statement, her dark brows drawn together.
Black pushed his chair aside roughly and strode around the table toward Severus, pulling out his wand as he went.
Severus whipped out his own.
Black looking livid, Severus calculating, his eyes darting from Black's wand tip to his face.
"Sirius!" said Holly loudly, but Black appeared not to hear her.
"I've warned you, Snivellus," said Black, his face barely a foot from Severus, "I don't care if Dumbledore thinks you've reformed, I know better —"
"Oh, but why don't you tell him so?" Severus whispered. "Or are you afraid he might not take the advice of a man who has been hiding inside his mother's house for six months very seriously?"
"Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he's delighted his lapdog's working at Hogwarts, isn't he?"
"Speaking of dogs," said Severus softly, "did you know that Lucius Malfoy recognized you last time you risked a little jaunt outside? Clever idea, Black, getting yourself seen on a safe station platform . . . gave you a cast-iron excuse not to leave your hidey-hole in future, didn't it?"
Black raised his wand higher, now pointing it straight at his face . . .
"NO!" Holly yelled, vaulting over the table and trying to get in between them, "Don't, please!"
"Are you calling me a coward?" roared Black, trying to push Holly out of the way, but Holly would not budge.
"Why, yes, I suppose I am," said Severus, keeping his cool.
"Holly — get — out — of — it!" snarled Black, pushing her out of the way with his free hand.
As Black's hand made contact with Holly's furry shoulder, Severus found his wand tip glowing with the first horrific hex he could think of.
The kitchen door opened and the entire Weasley family, plus Granger, came inside, all looking very happy, with Arthur Weasley walking proudly in their midst dressed in a pair of striped pyjamas.
"Cured!" he announced brightly to the kitchen at large. "Completely cured!"
He and all the other Weasleys froze on the threshold, gazing at the scene in front of them, which was also suspended in mid-action, both Black and Severus looking toward the door with their wands pointing into each other's faces and Holly immobile between them, a small hand stretched out to each of them, trying to force them apart.
"Merlin's beard," said Arthur, the smile sliding off his face, "what's going on here?"
Severus lowered his wand at the same time as Black, the entrance of so many witnesses bringing him to his senses. Holly looked between him to Black with an anxious expression.
Severus dared a glance at the girl.
A few strands of her hair now hung over her face. Her cheeks were red. Eyes pleading.
A slow second passed.
Then he pocketed his wand and swept back across the kitchen, passing the Weasleys without comment.
At the door, he turned to look back at Holly one last time.
"Six o'clock Monday evening, Potter."
He was gone, feeling Black's glare following him.
Thanks for reading and please consider leaving a review of my labour-of-love, it's like a coin in my proverbial hat - except that I don't get paid... See you in the next chapter!