Albus Dumbledore was in his office, his brows furrowed in utmost concern at the parchments strewn on his desk. The ancient scrolls he read had mentioned the legends of Salazar Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets, but no one really knew what could be in there, and where the room was. The only clue he had was from Tom Riddle twenty-five years ago, and it was merely about the creature.
A shudder ran along his spine as he learnt it was a basilisk; because how else he could explain the petrification that could not be cured by spells? Horace Slughorn, as unreliable as that man was, still able to create the restoration potions for the affected students. His pet phoenix, Fawkes had to be by his side in cases of emergency. Its tears were very valuable and Albus wasn't sure it could produce so many at a time.
And now there was another student that had opened the Chamber, due to the roosters being silenced. Not once, but twice already. But who could it be?
…Was a Slytherin student involved? And what would their agenda be? Albus knew he shouldn't lean toward being stereotypical, but even the most terrible rumors had an inkling of truth in them. So, Tom seemingly had sired a child though he had no idea to find out who the child was.
It was at this time he was glad of having his godson, James Potter.
Lily Evans' training on becoming an Animagus was going well.
Being a prodigy of Potions among the Gryffindors, the potion was easily made. Having a mandrake leaf under her tongue was a bit uncomfortable but that's what the Sticking Charm was useful for.
She was still in the process of picturing her animal form when James Potter came into the Room of Requirement with startling news, "Imagine, us being the catcher of the legendary basilisk! What fame we would get!"
Sirius raised his mug full of Butterbeer with a lopsided grin, "I, for one, agree with James. It sure sucks to be the leftover; bound to get my family's respect back too." The four shuddered upon remembering his unfortunate condition.
"Well, where's the Map?"
Lily could only watch as the three boys began scolding each other for misplacing their other important item after James' Invisibility Cloak was taken by Severus Snape. In her mind, she wondered how Petunia would perceive the news that she too had gotten a boyfriend.
She could only hope the upcoming dinner wouldn't be a disaster.
The King of Snakes could sense the new master was agitated as he stroked its green body. Even his phantom bird had its head bowed down as if to apologize, making the serpent wondered what had happened.
"I'm afraid we have to lie low for a while, Salazar," he said and it flicked its tongue out in form of a silent question. "Dumbledore seemed to try finding this place; should've known that spell won't work well."
"It's not like we've done anything!" the great serpent flicked the tip of its tail in anguish. "No students were harmed, as much as I'd like to! That meddling old fool… I should've devoured him! Please, Master!"
Though, it knew he wouldn't allow it. Lord Voldemort might be the one to seek attention like a pretentious peacock, but Severus Prince was as silent as a shadow, much like any other snakes.
"…Is this the last time we meet?" it asked.
The new master went quiet for a long while. Blinking its tears away, it then bowed its head in acceptance.
"No, I don't think so," Severus finally said, still caressing its body, "Your armor is nearly done. I will fit it onto you after Christmas break and only then that perhaps, we will bid farewell."
"Be careful," it hissed softly when he was about to leave with the spectral raven.
Severus kissed the crown of its head, "You too."
Christmas Eve in Malfoy Manor was as hectic as it was in the past few years.
Lucius Malfoy silently sipped his glass of red wine while watching his peers - the many Death Eaters - enjoyed themselves with the exquisite buffets and wines. His family only deserved the best of them all. He glanced at the great Dark Lord, who was feeding his pet snake some rodents.
Through the hubbub of noises, he knew they all waited for someone. A guest, the Dark Lord had told them; someone he invited over to talk more about the efforts to restore the wizarding world to its glory. And as the night ticked by, many had sat on their seats, pleasantly mingling with others.
It was nearly 10 p.m. when the sound of knocking entered their ears, and Lucius drawled, "Come in."
He almost spat out his drink in surprise upon seeing Severus Snape gave the crowd a short bow before entering the room. How could the boy look so confident right now? And his strides were wide and fastidious, unlike the shy boy he remembered in his school years that skittered out of sight as much as he could.
The Dark Lord clapped once and everyone fell silent immediately; they all frowned at Snape, who the Dark Lord had gestured to sit next to him. Lucius could already tell Bellatrix was throwing a fit in her seat.
"For those who didn't know, this is Severus Snape," the powerful man spoke, his voice rang across the room, "He had graciously accepted my invitation to discuss about our causes, and have a few ideas of his own."
As disinterested as the Death Eaters were to listen to a puny unremarkable boy's ramblings, Lucius noticed that Lord Voldemort was giving his full attention to what the boy said and tried his best to show his enthusiasm as well. It didn't hurt to be in the Dark Lord's good graces, after all.
It was only when Snape talked about the Squibs and Muggleborns did everyone begin to shout in retaliation, causing the Dark Lord to set out his pet snake to anyone who made the tiniest noise of disagreement. Its fangs certainly were dripping with dangerous venom, and no one dared to challenge the powerful man's patience.
"No offense to all of you, some of us here had families who had been here since the earliest emergence of Magic," Snape explained, "but I do find it funny that you claimed to hate Muggleborns when their powers were actually bestowed by those you lot had casted away."
At that, everyone glanced at each other.
"…You're saying, that Squibs do have magic?" someone asked and when Snape nodded, he went on, "Nonsense! Our families knew what they're doing; what does a filthy half-blood know? Bet your mother was a blood traitor!"
Lucius watched as Snape pursed his lips in suppressed anger, "My mother's family have been neutral; it's just her being the idiotic one. But as sullied as my blood is to you, I too want the best for this world, for our community; for the greater good."
"And then what? You got any proof that those Squibs have magic at all?"
"Yes. I can show it, though I guarantee you will hate me for this."
The Death Eaters laughed. "Unless you're a Metamorphmagus or something, go ahead."
Their chortles died down as soon as they heard Snape hiss. From afar, Lucius could see Lord Voldemort's snake had turned its head toward the boy. The Dark Lord had a wide smile on his pale face and he knew immediately that whatever Snape had hissed was the real deal.
Severus Snape, as absurd as the idea was, was a Parselmouth. And though in utter disbelief, they continued to watch as Snape coaxed the brown serpent to come to him, its tongue flicked out in mild annoyance when it slithered around his arm before they were caught into their own conversation.
For a brief moment, no one dared to say anything.
"You see, I've been acquainted with young Severus for quite some time now," Lord Voldemort regained control over the room, "Imagine my surprise to find out that one of his grandmothers many generations ago was a Squib, but she still could speak Parseltongue. That alone should be enough evidence that Squibs do have magic in their blood; they just have to find worthy people to couple with so the power could be harnessed again."
Lucius saw Thorfinn Rowle raised his hand, "Even if we were to accept them back into our family, they would bring in their Mudblood children!"
"There's no such thing as Mudbloods," the Dark Lord snarled, "Your mistakes of casting the Squibs away was the reason for the so-called Muggleborns to appear in the first place! I don't expect you to bring them into your family right away, but the very least you can do was to respect them as the magic they had were from yours as well. Lowly wizards they are, but it was due to your own errors."
Lord Voldemort then rose from his seat and beckoned Snape over before going into another room, leaving the Death Eaters to discuss among themselves.
"That boy was poisoning our Lord!" someone said in utmost dismay. Lucius merely listened to them debating with each other while he sipped his wine, wondering if he should trust Snape's words or not.
But they all knew the consequences of not heeding the Dark Lord's orders, so reluctantly they agreed and the older families began to summon out old magic to locate the descendants of their Squib relatives and took the magical ones into their own families.
Besides, Lord Voldemort never said they had to marry those Muggleborns.
"Not bad," Marvolo said after him and Severus Apparated to the cottage behind the British Library after the Christmas Eve dinner. Nagini had startled awake at the strange sensation but fell asleep again as soon as they arrived.
Severus lightly scoffed as he took out the key, "I tried, but really it's up to them to acknowledge their errors or not." Unlocking the door, the two men then made themselves comfortable while waiting for Petunia Evans and Vernon Dursley to return from their engagement dinner. The snake was resting in one of the rooms and Severus really hoped the new couple wouldn't spend the night there.
As soon as Severus put the note telling the Princes' house-elves to prepare some desserts and drinks into the lunch box, he saw the telltale of Vernon's car headlights were outside the cottage, "Oh, they're back already."
He only had the time to take a teapot from the box before the door was slammed open by Petunia, whose face was flushed red in wrath as she yelled, "THAT GODDAMN POTTER BRAT!"
Severus rolled his eyes in annoyance upon hearing Potter's name and began taking out some sandwiches from the lunch box, "Oh, do tell."
And they all listened to Petunia ranting about the arrogant boy's manners with Vernon added a few more details. Even Severus winced when he listened how Potter had bragged about the amount of Galleons in his family vault. Did he really have no shame?
"But… do you guys actually have gold as currency?" Vernon frowned at Severus, who quickly noticed that he was being slightly insecure.
"That is more or less on the goblins' side, not us. Greedy, they are but they also make the best armor and weapons. Until ours, that is." At that, the four of them grinned. "And besides, I do think a car is much better than a flying broom. You lot care about safety during travelling while those brooms are hazards; what happens when one falls from such height? They only cared to make a cushioning spell but it may have been too late."
The hour went by with the newly engaged couple left the cottage with a smile, reassured by Severus' words. "Should've known we can trust you," Petunia said gratefully before entering the car. Severus only nodded and was about to return to the shack when he saw Vernon still stood by the door.
"Um, Snape," Vernon started, fiddling his fingers nervously. "Our wedding's on Easter, so if you can come over, it'll be great. I… I wonder, if you… well, if you want to be my best man," he went on and Severus nearly had his jaw dropped in utter surprise.
Blinking, Severus then chuckled and scratched the back of his head, "I'm honored that you seem to trust me, but surely there are better men you've known. Marvolo can be that too, you know." He winced upon seeing the pale man's grimace.
Vernon only laughed, "Why so modest, Russ? I choose you because if something were to happen, at least I know I can count on you. Petunia… she told me how she'd seen you making her sister happy for like seven years, and for me… that was enough to know a good man from others."
Severus was stunned to hear his words. He merely spoke the truth, because he knew lies were nothing; why would someone be comforted by deceit? He always hated how his mother seemed to cling on the hopes that their lives would return to the time before Tobias knew of their heritage. Didn't she know what a betrayal was?
Such illusions were so fragile as if built upon a spider's web, and he might have been a bitter man but at least he had learnt the lessons of the world early on, unlike Potter. Oh, Severus couldn't wait to see how the Marauders would fare after graduation.
Nodding to Vernon and bidding farewell to the Dursleys, Severus then walked into the cottage to know more about the progress of Salazar's armor.