"Well then, what's next?"
Severus quirked his eyebrow at Marvolo's question, "I thought it was so obvious."
"What?"
"Getting that prophecy, of course," he almost rolled his eyes. "Or have you forgotten what Francesca told us was actually incomplete?" He then calibrated the crystal ball that was connected to James Potter's wedding ring so that they still could see what he was up to, but already removing the subtle Imperius Curse on the young man to not cause any suspicions. Besides, it was not as if he could not apply it again through the wedding ring's diamond gemstone.
Severus curled his lips in disgust upon seeing Potter was cooing at the child in his arms.
Harry Sirius Potter.
What a pretentious name. Oh, how he couldn't wait to wipe out that light of hope Albus Dumbledore was waiting for.
"Hmm, you're right," Marvolo said. Then he smiled, "Are you going to kill that boy soon?"
Severus paused and turned to the older man. His red eyes were glinting in utter delight upon knowing the two children that would bring his downfall, and who won't be eager to get rid such harmful people to his dark reign?
"Why don't we wait until we are absolutely sure there was no one else born on that day," he reasoned. "And get that damned prophecy so we know what we actually will deal with." He supposed the Longbottom boy, Neville wasn't much of a concern but he didn't want to have any loose ends that might cause them trouble in the future.
"Ever the perfectionist," Marvolo purred, "But that makes me much fonder of you. You will let me see you do the deed?"
"…Of course."
After Marvolo left, Severus went to his room and drank his medication potions although not as much he used to. His new body might not have any injuries, but the ones etched on his soul still flared every now and then, with the Fiendfyre's aftereffects would paralyze him rather unexpectedly. And he knew he was just biding his time with his Horcruxes but what else could he do to live?
After all, Fiendfyre only followed the caster's orders even long after their death and Severus couldn't help but musing that in the end, Sirius Black would get the last laugh.
Sighing, he went to the bookshelves to read something before sleeping and pulled out a rather tattered book about Charms. The one next to it fell onto the floor and as he went to pick it up, he froze.
It was his old copy of Advanced Potion Making. Or rather, his mother's that he had inherited.
Blinking, he took it and flipped toward the book's back cover as he climbed into his bed, slowly falling asleep while lightly tracing the spidery words written there:
This book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince.
"Hmm, yes, a very curious mind and a great sense of loyalty," the Sorting Hat mused, "Where would you like to go, child?"
"Slytherin."
There was a beat of silence.
"…You can do well in there. But it will be a long, arduous journey to get what you want."
"I don't care."
"You may not recognize yourself again in the future."
"People change," the young child said.
The Hat laughed rather somberly, "Indeed they do. And I can tell that despite everything, you are both selfish and selfless, and with a high sense of self-preservation I can only hope you can endure the challenges ahead."
"Better be… Slytherin!"
And with that, Severus Snape walked into the dark embrace of Slytherin House.
"Do you understand why I do this, Mr. Snape?"
He looked down at the oath written on the parchment; fists clenching in attempt to subdue his own wrath. That he was supposed to keep quiet about the incident that almost claimed his life.
"You are a bright young man, and I don't think Hogwarts would be happy to see you die or expelled."
If he had known, he would rather die and haunt them till the end of their lives. He could be vengeful, oh yes he could. He would make it until he no longer would have to bow down to those damned Lions, no matter what.
And yet… he was only Severus Snape; one without an influence in the wizarding world, be it small or big. He didn't want to be a charity case to anyone and he could leave after taking his O.W.Ls.
And so he signed the oath.
When he returned to his dormitory room, he wrote down his ideas of revenge and protection within the old copy of Advanced Potion Making, heart swelling at the pompous title he created for himself.
The Half-Blood Prince, who would seek justice and protect the weak Severus Snape. As time passed, the Prince grew stronger with the cold, piercing wrath bubbling underneath Severus Snape's rage and cries of help, and the spell crafted in the aftermath of the Shrieking Shack incident was the product of said wrath.
The Prince had failed.
Severus Snape was crying his heart out, in total disbelief that his supposed friend left him to fend for himself after uttering the degrading word. Severus Snape was scratching his pale skin until they were red, mortified of being stripped in front of everyone and felt sullied by their laughter that still echoed in his ears.
Severus Snape was screaming until his throat was sore, that he meant nothing to them all. Just an anomaly to everyone with his dark looks and pale complexion.
The Prince saw Severus Snape reaching out for the hazel wand, Sectumsempra was at the tip of his tongue but the Prince stopped him, convincing Severus Snape that he would do anything to avenge him.
After all, the Half-Blood Prince couldn't exist without Severus Snape.
Severus woke up with a groan, wincing before slowly massaging his head. Had he forgone taking the Dreamless Sleep potions? But those dreams- no, those memories were not as unpleasant as his nightmares; merely a summary of his life. Of what he had done up till the present day.
"You may not recognize yourself again in the future," the Sorting Hat's words rang in his ears, to which he only softly snorted before getting ready for the day.
Perhaps it was right all along, that Severus Snape had gone right after getting into Slytherin House in Hogwarts.
Lord Voldemort raised his glass full of red wine and spoke with a wide grin, "A toast, to our future victory!"
It was 9th August 1980, and Lucius Malfoy was curious on why the Dark Lord was in an exceptionally good mood. The rest of the Death Eaters were also present but even when there was a successful winning against and getting rid a few more members of Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix; the newest being Fabian and Gideon Prewett, he still thought it only warranted a simple celebration.
No, there was something huge going on and Lucius needed to be part of it. Or at least, knew a bit of what had happened.
The Dark Lord briefly exchanged glances with one of the oldest Death Eaters, Antonin Dolohov who simply smirked. After all, Dolohov was quite famous among his peers for his cruelty and had initiated the attack.
"I also would like to thank Francesca Zabini and Severus Snape for helping us from behind the scenes," Lord Voldemort continued and smiled as he turned to the aforementioned people. The two only nodded in acknowledgement and Lucius could hear whispers of others wondering what exactly they did.
However, their musings stopped when food and drinks magically appeared on the long table and they then enjoyed the meals prepared by the Malfoys' house-elves.
"Are you jealous of them, Bellatrix?" Lucius asked quietly, to which the woman snorted.
"I knew you are too."
Lucius only sighed. After all, both Snape and Zabini were exempted from taking the Dark Mark and while he understood the reasoning for Zabini, Snape was rather suspicious. For all he knew, the dour young man might still have feelings for his Mudblood friend, Lily Evans. Could it be Snape mooching off the Dark Lord so that he could have Evans for himself?
"I'm sure the Dark Lord held all the answers and if we asked him right enough, he would indulge in our questions," was all he could say and again, Bellatrix Lestrange huffed before continuing eating her meal.
After the dinner, Lord Voldemort announced the Death Eaters would have new members and Lucius looked forward to see if Snape would join the event too. Sure enough, the young man lingered nearby the Dark Lord and after everyone donned the white masks, they left to the ballroom where the new recruits were.
For this, Lucius was still glad that he had among the closest place within the Circle to the Dark Lord's throne and could hear those who asked for Lord Voldemort's protection hissed and screamed in pain as the Dark Mark burrowed deep into their flesh and skin. Next to the powerful man, Snape was ready with a few painkiller potions and salves, to which most of the recruits rushed to after getting their Mark.
If he heard well, Lucius swore the Dark Lord chuckled at the pathetic sight beside him and that was enough to convince him that their great leader was still ambitious, evil and basked in that fear but much to his dismay, Snape was still left un-Marked.
When everything was done, most Death Eaters left immediately until the remaining ones were the Lestranges, Francesca Zabini, Severus Snape and the Dark Lord.
Zabini was talking with his wife, Narcissa who both then cooed over the sleeping baby boy in his crib while Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange stood nearby, watching them in disinterest. The Dark Lord was still in his seat, discussing something with Snape.
Half an hour later, Zabini left and Snape was about to follow her when Lucius decided this was his chance to know what had happened.
"Lucius," Snape said after noticing him, his disguised black eyes twinkled slightly before bidding Zabini goodbye.
The blond hummed. Despite everything, his heart still went soft for the young man who had worked hard to gain the Dark Lord's blessings and perhaps, Snape really had deserved such privilege.
"I was wondering… was it possible to get a job within the Department of Mysteries?"
Lucius blinked, his curiosity was piqued. "…And may I know what it is for?"
"The Dark Lord wanted me to work there."
Lucius considered his choice of answers. On one hand, the Dark Lord's orders were absolute and he didn't tolerate any failure. On the other hand, perhaps Snape was bluffing but why would he be so specific about that?
"Well, I suppose you should ask Augustus Rookwood for that," Lucius supplied, "he is one of the Unspeakables." And suppressing his sigh that he wouldn't get his answer anytime soon, he went on, "Just be careful in there; heard the Ministry was going to issue something important and I doubt they would be pleased to know so many Death Eaters were in there now."
With that, he left to be with Narcissa and Draco.
Petunia Evans-Dursley glared at the opened letter on the dining table with suppressed anger.
How dare that pretentious witch managed to locate her new home and send such invitation to reconcile?! What nonsense! The fact that her beautiful son would have a cousin the same age as him was foreboding too, and she didn't think it would end well.
The damned snowy owl Lily had sent blinked its eyes in waiting for a reply and no matter what Petunia did to shoo it out of her house in Privet Drive, it still perched innocently on the cabinets. Frustrated with its antics, she had called Severus Snape to come over and was waiting for his arrival.
About ten minutes later, she could hear a honk from outside and quickly rushed to the door to greet him. Much to her surprise, Snape was conversing with the pale man known as Marvolo Riddle while they approached her house.
"Bloody wanker, charging us with that lot of money for like what? Twenty minutes of ride?" Petunia heard Snape grumble and she almost snorted in laughter before schooling her features; it wouldn't do to greet her guests improperly.
"Sn-" she started but quickly shook her head in remembrance that the young man disliked that name anymore, "Severus, Mr. Riddle. Uh; sorry for that blunder. Come in."
"No harm done," Severus said with a wave of his hand, though Petunia noted he looked rather uncomfortable with the 'Snape' name and she still wondered of his reaction. Riddle only hummed as they entered the house, looking around the modest place in slight curiosity. "What's the matter?"
At that, Petunia loudly sighed. "It's her," she stressed, "Dudley got a cousin and that girl wanted us to meet at Spinner's End for a meet-and-greet! And with that damned ponce of a man coming along? Argh!"
"Her?"
She raised her eyebrow but gave the letter to Snape anyway; what she wondered was Riddle was reading what Lily wrote too.
"And that bloody owl just won't leave but I don't want to reply to her!" she pointed at the bird who was preening its white feathers.
Severus exchanged glances with Riddle before the two smiled. "Just write to her that you will come over. But you don't actually have to go."
Petunia frowned, "…What do you mean?"
"Well, there is this concoction called the Polyjuice Potion…"