It waited patiently for the master's arrival.
Oh, it knew it could just travel to where the master was currently at, but right now it was in quite a disadvantage when it came to being discreet.
Currently hiding in one of the castle's unused classrooms, it blended right in with the darkness, closing its bright orange eyes and stood still to camouflage itself better. The master had thought of everything possible when he conducted his experiment, and it was very thankful for his foresight.
As it quietly preened its feathers, a deep soft rumble escaped from its mouth. It never thought it would be reunited again with the master soon, but that was exactly why it wouldn't want any other man to be the master. The master was so kind and had been so hopeful despite being caught in so many dire situations. It didn't like the man who had hurt the master for rescuing it, but at least his dislike was honest.
The four horrible boys however… those brats had left a lot to be desired.
It had listened patiently to the master's rants about how they just wouldn't leave him alone and told of a redheaded girl (he had showed it the color and despite his recent hatred of the fiery shade, it certainly liked how the master described it) had hurt him for spilling his secrets to his enemies and rejected his apology.
It was determined to be the master's next best friend and wouldn't ever betray him.
When the master told it to leave on that fateful night, it had intended to find the master's other friends; Al, Eve, Reg, Mike and Will. But they both could foresee just so far and the rest was history. It wished the master didn't have to know the truth in such a terrible way.
The master had made a very elaborate potion to tether it back to the living world, and it was grateful to his wonderful wand for guiding him through every step. Thanks to the master's efforts, both he and it were now invincible, ethereal and eternal. They were connected with a mysterious link, and it was willing to give the master some of its features in exchange for part of his intellect and emotions.
It was happy too, that the master was just as immortal as it was. The yew wand and thestral hair had certainly helped with that since they were items that symbolized life and death, and it could not think of any other man to manage mastering and come at peace to those elements.
After finishing cleaning itself, it inwardly sighed. It missed the master and only he could reverse the transformation, but knowing well he would return; he was just busy in making sure he was not susceptible by other people. It had done what the master wanted; to seek justice for all the crimes the four boys had caused, and to protect others.
And it would not fail the master ever again.
15 January came by, and Severus' voice was no longer croaky. Instead, it turned into a smooth, soft baritone and the boy didn't know what to think of the bizarre change. His mother had commented on it, but he simply brushed away the implied compliment. When he greeted his friends in a compartment on their journey back to Hogwarts, he wished he hadn't spoken at all.
"Won't be surprised if girls coming by simply to hear you," Rosier said and the other four boys chortled. Severus was not amused with his words; he would rather be alone, thank you very much. He certainly didn't want to imagine what would happen on St. Valentine's Day, shuddering upon having that exact thought.
And so, he had shut himself inside his usual coach with the 'Don't Disturb' sign plastered on the doors and ignored the supposed patrols he had to do. Surely the other Prefects would do well without him for a few hours. Besides, his position was not an official one.
After reading about some Dark plants he had to study for Herbology, he sighed and put his notes aside. How he wished he had someone to talk to and wouldn't judge him over his tumultuous past. Oh, he didn't hate his group of friends but he surely missed the lonesome time he spent with Rogue.
Severus then remembered Lucius Malfoy's gift and dug inside his satchel before pulling the black book out. Running his fingers over its spine, he wondered just who T. M. Riddle was supposed to be. Being one of Lucius' acquaintances simply didn't cut it out for him. Should he investigate first whoever this person was?
…Or, he could just ask it directly.
Taking out his pen, he bit his lower lip as he flipped open the book. He took a deep breath; sincerely hoping it wouldn't be a practical joke (not that he thought Lucius would dare to pull such thing on him) and wrote:
Hello, Mr. Riddle. My name is Severus Snape, and I want to thank you for this book.
Much to his amazement, his writing disappeared and another one quickly appeared in a very different penmanship:
Hello, Severus. Please, just call me Marvolo. And the gift is no bother, I hope you like it well.
Severus lightly tapped his pen against his chin. So, the previous owner's, or rather, the one who told Lucius to give him the book was Marvolo Riddle. Alright then, it was a decent start. Severus could search more about the man later. But why would he use his middle name instead of his first one?
For the rest of the trip to Hogwarts, Severus asked Marvolo about many mundane things, though they were mostly connected to Lucius, being the one man they both had a relationship with. He barely realized the Hogwarts Express had stopped until a constant knocking on the door alerted him and he smiled sheepishly at Dirk Cresswell before walking out of the red train.
Upon seeing the thestrals that were pulling the carriages to the castle, he sighed. How he wished he hadn't witnessed his pet raven's death, and he lightly patted one of the skeletal horses' head before entering the carriage. His Slytherin friends joined him with solemn looks.
Severus barely listened to whatever discussion they talked about, though he had an inkling it was about the ghostly bird's attack on Christmas Eve.
He rather didn't want to think of it just yet.
So imagine his surprise upon seeing Albus Dumbledore was at the teachers' table, deeply conversing with Professor McGonagall.
"'Thought he's supposed to come back on May?" he turned to his friends in bewilderment.
Avery only shrugged as he explained, "Those Ministry guys thought only he could handle that bird if it ever comes back. That Muggle-loving fool was a great wizard, after all."
Severus only sniffed. He couldn't care less what Dumbledore was babbling about as soon as all the students had entered the Great Hall, and warned them about the ever-rising Dark Lord. The old coot insisted that there would be a war in the nearest future, but of course, Severus and most of the Slytherins didn't buy it.
After all, what was wrong with restoring the wizarding world to its glory? Where the old traditions continued to live on, and not being tainted by Muggle influence? Even he had known most of the ancient wizarding culture thanks to Lucius Malfoy and Regulus Black. Wouldn't it be a shame to lose such precious practices forever?
Severus wondered if Prince Manor had some books regarding that particular topic.
The announcement of the Apparating test for both sixth and seventh-years that were of age had caught his interest however, and he couldn't wait for early February to get his license.
Dinner went by without any problems and after finishing his portion, Severus checked his patrol schedule to see if he ever had to replace someone. He smiled upon seeing he had to.
He was ready to get up from his seat when Regulus suddenly grabbed his hand.
"…Yes?" he asked the younger boy with a curious frown.
The Black heir blinked his grey eyes. "Oh, sorry," he started and slowly let go of his grip, "'thought you're still cold or something. I've got some Pepper-Ups if you want."
Severus only raised his eyebrows. "You're a strange kid, Regulus."
With an amused shake of his head, he then left.
His patrol rounds were uneventful as always, and he was glad of it. But he had a particular destination he wanted to go, and used his magical sense to focus on the directions he had to take.
A wry grin appeared in Severus' face as he stood in front of an abandoned classroom. A faded nameplate was displayed on the door, in which he could only make out the word 'Merrythought'.
He then entered the room and quickly locked the door with some spells. The moment he was done, he turned around and saw two bright orange orbs were staring at him.
Severus only smiled wistfully. His onyx eyes too, had turned into a similar shade of the creature's own eyes.
"Hello, Rogue."
The King of Snakes was hungry.
Oh, it had had plenty of rats over the past… how long was it again? About quarter of a century, or so? No matter, the master would tell it if he ever returned. It was loyal, yes, and it would wait even if it took centuries to be reunited with him.
But the serpent had woken up due to a strange yet faint vibration, and as it tried to focus on what had caused the sensation, it realized the aura was a different one from the master's.
There was a familiar darkness to it, yet a tiny flicker of light also was carefully hidden underneath the gloom. A slightest smell of the great master's blood was also present in the air, much lesser than the master's whose had half of it. The serpent decided it would certainly worth investigating the source.
Aside from the possible new master's scent, it sniffed the air in disgust. How it wished the wretched, unworthy lot were gone from the great master's castle. The great master had voiced his concern about how his other comrades should open their eyes upon seeing the non-magical folks and their descendants. He was especially suspicious to those who suddenly got the blessing of Magic instead of being passed down from generations to another.
When the master came, it was happy to make the great master's wish came true. And it did. Except, it also had gone wrong, and was unexpected. The girl's body was found and the master had bid it goodbye tearfully, sincerely hoping to continue what the great master had wanted.
Perhaps this new master would be the other one to do it? It certainly couldn't wait for the new master to introduce himself, or herself. It didn't matter; it was now ready to help the new master achieving the great master's goals and whatever else they had in mind. To make sure only the worthy would live within the castle.
With that, the King of Snakes slithered out of its resting place and ventured to the humongous pipes, sighing at the thought of having to feast upon rats yet again.