It was early June, and students tried their best not to panic since the Apparation test for the sixth-years and examinations for the rest of the students were held within the same time.
Francesca's N.E.W.T papers went quite well, and she was especially happy upon demonstrating her Patronus to the examiners. In fact, most if not all of her Slytherin peers had managed to cast the Charm thanks to Severus Snape, and she was about to thank the boy when she saw him and his friends entering the Great Hall for lunch.
"How's the Apparation test?" she began after dragging him away to a nearby corridor, giving a quick peck on the temple of his head.
Severus rolled his eyes with a feigned sigh, "It went well." He then showed her his license.
"Nice."
"What of your D.A.D.A practical exam?" he asked as they walked back to the Great Hall.
Francesca only gave the boy a wide grateful grin.
"Mind telling me what parts was tested about?"
"You already knew one," she smirked and his eyebrows rose.
They then went to eat their meals, ignoring the knowing looks on practically everyone's faces.
Later that day, Francesca and Severus went to the lone beech tree nearby the Black Lake and basked themselves in the sun. "…A shame that we hadn't met much sooner," she smiled weakly while subconsciously caressing his hand with her thumb. His skin felt both gnarly and soft; probably due to him making healing potions and salves for Madam Pomfrey on a regular basis.
Severus only quirked his eyebrow and mused sardonically, "All the reason to know more of you in the future," to which she laughed in pure delight. How lucky of her to have met him! She mentally smirked to herself for managing to catch his beautiful heart. Lily Evans didn't know what she had missed for all those years she befriended him.
"What will you do after this?" he asked.
"Potions Mastery does sound good at the moment."
The boy hummed, "Care sharing some recommendations later?"
Francesca rolled her eyes; such a Slytherin move from him.
And she liked him for that.
The King of Snakes was… confused, to say the least.
The new master had brought along a strange companion; the phantom bird which was currently perching on one of the pillars stood tall in the Chamber. It was both jealous and intrigued of the spectral beast that wasn't affected by its gaze, though that's probably due to it being a regular black feather in its original form. Only the new master's wisp of breath had brought the bird to life, and the great serpent admired just how he had went to great lengths to keep the bird by his side.
Yes, the great master's sense of loyalty was very strong in him.
It only watched as the new master – Severus Prince – was collecting its old horns that had fell off over the years and its shed skin, putting them into a magically expandable satchel.
"What are you planning with those?" it couldn't help asking.
"Oh, just something I had thought of," he answered cheerily, "I hope Marvolo would be happy of this."
It nodded, knowing who he had referred to.
When the new master beckoned it over, it closed its eyes and went to rest its head gently on his lap. He seemed to like stroking its body, so it let him be and almost purred contently upon feeling his soft caresses. How it wished he could stay down in the Chamber without drawing any attention to other people.
And thus, it almost missed his concerned whisper, "You need some protection."
"I am invincible," it hissed in slight annoyance.
"To most magic, yes," the new master hummed, "But what of other weapons?"
The great serpent blinked.
"Even wizards will resort to Muggle means to destroy something dangerous if they can help it, Salazar," he explained, "What's not to say there won't be someone who will enter this place, and hurt you badly? You're the only remaining link to the great master, who actually knew and remember of him; just imagine how much we, the younger Slytherins, may lose of his knowledge?"
It couldn't stop the terrified shudder running along its body. No, the new master was right. How wrong had it been, to think that Severus Prince was weak, much weaker than Lord Voldemort! Despite having the slightest link to the great master's blood, Severus had been so considerate, thoughtful and caring.
Perhaps the tiny flicker of light in his cloud of darkness had had its use after all.
"What do you have in mind, Master?" it asked.
Severus hummed in deep thoughtfulness. "I was thinking of putting on some goblin-made armor for you, but that wouldn't work well especially if those wizards were to use weapons with the same material," he said, "It also needs to be malleable and able to change according to your size."
"I hope you won't mind if I were to research on Muggle metals for your armor, Salazar."
The great snake only bowed its head in understanding; the prospect of death was utterly terrifying, just like how it had plagued Lord Voldemort's mind. And it knew it will be safe in Severus Prince's hands, it still couldn't believe what he had done for his pet raven!
When the new master softly kissed the crown of its head before sending it to sleep for about two months, the King of Serpents thought to itself that it would want to serve this new master until the end, regardless of his blood status.
After all, both Lord Voldemort and Severus Prince were powerful wizards despite the taint in their veins. Perhaps the different bloods had made important for possessing stronger magic? It certainly was a thought to ponder of in its sleep.
Inside Malfoy Manor's grandiose library, Lord Voldemort was frowning as he pondered over something important in his mind.
He was absent-mindedly rolling the obsidian and gold ring he took from Morfin Gaunt about three decades ago in his hand before finally glancing down at the item, lightly tracing the strange carvings on the stone. He knew the golden ring was part of his family's heirloom, but what power could it have?
This, much to his frustration, was something he didn't know of. And yet, his instincts told him the ring was more than it looked, that he just knew Albus Dumbledore would try looking for it in the future. No, Lord Voldemort couldn't let it happen. He needed to entrust his family ring to someone worthy. But who would it be?
The Dark Lord thought back of whom he had given some of his precious relics. There was only Bellatrix Lestrange, since he had ordered Lucius Malfoy to send the black notebook; his first Horcrux that held the most portion of his soul, to Severus Snape.
A satisfied smile broke into his pale face. Yes, the boy would do just fine. He knew he should not put all his trust to a mere teenager, yet he knew this wasn't the case. Deep down, Lord Voldemort could sense Severus Snape's high sense of duty and loyalty and he was proud of it.
The boy was, after all, to be made as his heir, especially with his recent abilities.
Unbeknownst to the Dark Lord, the Grim Reaper was watching all his moves from the shroud of the shadows.
It was a week before school term ended, and Severus was at the Owlery, stopping in his tracks upon entering the room. He gulped and closed his eyes, trying hard to forget flashes of Rogue's death appearing in his mind. He quickly chose a brown owl to send a letter to his mother, saying that he would stay in Prince Manor for the summer.
Severus sighed as he watched the bird flew away with the letter, wondering just how his mother would perceive it. Oh, how much he wanted Eileen to leave Tobias and return to her ancestral home, but he knew it would take a lot of effort to persuade her. Perhaps the Princes' loyalty bond was now so deeply ingrained in her that she didn't dare to take a risk?
…He supposed he could see the reasoning there. But he still needed to go back to Spinner's End to haul more of his possessions to the Prince family manor and for a brief moment, he thought of Tobias Snape's possible reaction upon receiving the news, though he quickly dismissed it. The gruff man might be the one who sired him, but he was no father to Severus.
He was curious about how Marvolo had dealt with his father's family.
He also needed to contact Mrs. Davis to tell her he would begin working around August instead; sincerely hoping his memory-storybook project wouldn't take more time than that. A quick visit to the British Library would do the job.
Severus returned to his room, only to use the Prince Manor's pendant to teleport to the family mansion to keep some items he took from the great basilisk for his own safekeeping. Some of the horns were to be used for his possible potion experiments, while the snakeskin could be made as the inner linings of his school robes and boots. He certainly could use having some extra protections during his possible skirmishes with the Marauders.
He smiled as he inspected one of the basilisk horns, the beautiful thin black spine would make a perfect base of a wand core. He pondered just how much Marvolo would like the present. Just imagine of the amazing possibility to be able to recreate the great Salazar Slytherin's wand to some extend! And being a gift to his true heir, nonetheless!
Severus wondered on how powerful Lord Voldemort could be upon wielding such wand.
When the summer holidays finally approached and the Hogwarts Express arrived at the Hogsmeade station, Severus decided to be alone, smiling apologetically to his friends and Francesca Zabini who all nodded in understanding. He entered his usual compartment and quickly put up the 'Don't Disturb' notice sign on the doors before lowering down the curtains.
He sighed as he changed his black robes into Muggle clothes and lay down on the velvet seats, staring at the roof of the train before taking out a black feather from inside his white school uniform. He twirled it for a while and blew out a breath onto the feather.
Severus watched when the feather trembled and some changes happened; it lengthened and the quill turned into a bird's head while the vane took shape of a black-plumaged body. He weakly smiled as he stared into its bright orange eyes, lightly brushing his fingers against the stitched wound on its chest.
"Hello, Rogue," he whispered, "It's been quite a year, eh?"
By the time the Hogwarts Express began its journey back to London; Severus had already fallen asleep with his spectral pet in his embrace.