DISCLAIMER: Obliviate.

Note: Thanks to all wonderful reviewers. I'm not completely content with this chapter, but ah well. Expect something a bit more interesting in the next. Cramming in as much angst as possible of course. Enjoy your reading!

Severus sat at the Slytherin table, the golden plates and goblets bathed in light rays of early sunshine. Gulping, the boy hesitantly reached for a loaf of bread to smear butter on. A hand descended on his shoulder suddenly. He jumped badly and in a panicked movement scrambled from his seat, stumbling backwards he fell on the floor. He struggled to his feet, eyes wide with fear and confusion amidst the general laughter.

Dumbledore's breath came out in a hiss of pain as guilt began nibbling his insides, embedding it's sharp, poisonous fangs in his flesh. He could see it so clearly now: the fear, reflected in the child's eyes as though they were black mirrors. Yet he had seen nothing, for he had not looked. How could he have been so blind?

'Oh. I'm sorry did I startle you?'

The hazel-eyed Gryffindor asked, surveying him with a satisfied grin. Snape's usual glower closed over his face, his eyes narrowing.

'What do you want Potter?'

'Simple greeting.' James excused himself in his most innocent tones, raising up his hands. His smile returned, widening if it was possible, as Sirius Black approached.

'Seems like sleeping at night doesn't suit bats very well.'

Most, including a small part of himself, had found it funny then. Two animated Gryffindors forming their first bonds of friendship- as they tore a Slytherin to pieces, Albus realised now.

He commented, gaining snickers from everyone who was watching. The Slytherins were watching silently, though their full attention was devoted to the encounter- they seemed to be deciding whether Snape was worthy of being in their House.

'As I suppose the reason you're late to breakfast Potter is your battle with your hair took longer than usual? Send my condolences to your comb.'

James turned a slight shade of pink as the Slytherins nodded and smirked in approval.

'May be. It seems you had the same problem with shampoo.' He responded with a haughty air.

'It's obvious who lost.' Sirius added with a bark-like laughter.

The dark eyed child's lips were twitching in disgust and anger when Dumbledore's calm, soothing voice rang through the hall. The old man stood up and smiled benignantly on the threesome.

'Come on now boys. Return to your respective tables and let us eat in peace, shall we?'

He longed to cover his face with his hands, as though that would drive away the ceaseless torrent of painful memories the boy had suffered. He felt, however, a strange sense of pride and awe. That this man, Severus Snape, had come to him. To him who had unwittingly payed no heed to his silent pleads for help; to him, who had been deaf by the lion's roaring; his eyes covered by a Gryffindor banner. And now that it had been removed he saw the truth about him: the snakes hissing pitifully as they burned to gray ashes; the badgers twitching as they suffocated beneath the dirt; the ravens crying out as their claws became entangled in vines. Blinded by his Gryffindor favoritism and lack of attention. Albus sighed softly.

Potter and Black gave each other high fives before striding off to their cheering housemates, immensely smug grins on their faces. Severus sat down again, though his appetite was gone, his eyes staring blankly at the plate before him, struggling to contain the tears as the first flickers of hate burned his coal-like eyes.

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It was quite a subdued Severus Snape who followed his Slytherin classmates along the Hogwart's corridors, still torn between anger and embarrassment by the morning's incident. The walls acquiring a certain dampness and chilliness as they descended down to the school's lower levels. Upon reaching the dungeons were Potions classes were held the first years filed in, Snape choosing a discreet seat near the back of the class. A few moments later the Gryffindors arrived, laughing noisily. Black eyes narrowed in anger as he saw James and Sirius enter, taking a seat near two other Gryffindor boy's whose names he recalled were Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.

A woman stepped in silently, the door closing behind her with a snap, the class immediately fell silent. Her eyes were a pleasant shade of light brown, surveyed the room without a word.

'I am Professor Mortnoir, I will be teaching you Potions the next years. Potions require a lot of attention, therefore I will tolerate no foolishness in my class; few will gain the knowledge I truly wish to impart you. Force of will, time and dedication are need for this branch of magic and everyone's complete attention. Today we shall begin with a simple potion to test your skills...'

The old man felt another small pang as he saw the woman who had, until late, been Hogwart's Potions Mistress. Her corpse had been found some time after her disappearance- it had not been a pleasant sight. He shook his head slowly, they had lost so many in this war, they were losing so many... and so many would be lost. He wondered if he would be able to bear this agony he was suffering upon witnessing these frightful memories. It was as if a dementor had swooped into his office. The thought that a young man of only twenty years of age should be full of such grief only brought another slash to his heart, pity writhing unrestrained in his chest. He could not, of course, give up. He had a war to fight- even if his soul broke in the way, and the shards were lost forever.

She waved her wand and a series of neat notes appeared in the blackboard in glowing blue chalk. The memory rushed by as the class worked, Snape bending over his cauldron. His face transformed with utter concentration, his hair falling all over his face as he poured the ingredients carefully over the bubbling purple liquid.

'Ewe, Professor. Snape's going to ruin the potion with all that grease dripping into it.'

Sirius Black's mocking voice broke through the room, gaining quite a few laughs, mostly from the Gryffindors although a few of the Slytherins joined in too. Severus straightened up, and looked resolutely at his potion, stirring it clockwise for a few seconds, watching as the potion grew clearer with every stir until it was a pleasant shade of turquoise.

Professor Mortnoir walked over to him and inspected the potion closely.

'Five points from Gryffindor Mr. Black, for interrupting my class with such immature stupidities. Mr. Snape's potion is in perfect condition- ' she paused and stride over to the other boy's cauldron. The potion was a bright acid green, distracted he had forgotten to add the daisy roots.' -Unlike yours.'

Yes, she had certainly known had to treat everyone equally. She had, as all, felt a glowing pride and special love for her own house, Ravenclaw, but she had always offered all students the same opportunities and shown them the same kindness.

Snape smiled unpleasantly as Black's potion was cleared, the boy shooting him a look of loathing as the pale child ladled a flask of the potion he had been brewing.

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Eleven-year old Snape stared open mouthed at the decorations, black eyes wide with surprise as he entered the Great Hall. Enormous, vivid green pine trees ran through the room, bathed in crystal frost while glowing fairies twirled around and slid down sparkling icicles. Few students had remained for the holidays, although sufficient for each to sit at their own tables.

'Merry Christmas.'

William Veleno, a Slytherin second year to whom he had spoken a few times greeted him with a smile as he sat down beside him.

'To you too.'

Snape answered awkwardly, and piled a few pancakes onto his plate before pouring liberal amounts of maple syrup on them.

'What'd you get?'

The other boy asked eagerly, his cheeks flushed with excitement. Severus stared at him with a slight frown.

'In what?'

'For Christmas! Presents, you know?'

William responded, staring at him as though he were mad. Snape frowned slightly, he'd never really gotten any presents. They hardly celebrated Christmas at home at all, at least- not with him.

'N-nothing...'

The other boy laughed incredulously, gaping at him.

He felt sick, tired and old. His heart throbbing painfully as Pity stared at him with blank eyes, drenched in blood from the open wound in his chest as sorrow stabbed him again.

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Snape was knocked to the floor as he bumped into another student upon leaving the Great Hall. He raised his eyes to a kind smile and bright green eyes crowned by lustrous red hair.

'Sorry Severus.'

Lily Evans excused herself, extending a hand to help him up from the floor. Shaking greasy strands from his face he scrambled backwards trying to avoid her and finally struggled to his feet on his own, the process was witnessed silently by the girl, who watched him with a small frown of concern.

Dumbledore's face mirrored Lily's as he witnessed the scene. Though he was somewhat surprised to find such a memory in Snape's mind; he would not have thought he would remember such a petty encounter with a Gryffindor.

The Slytherin did not respond but skirted her and continued striding down the corridor. Lily followed him.

'Merry Christmas.'

She said pointedly, finally grabbing his arm to stop him as he did not cease walking. He pulled away from her grasp with a hiss and frowned at her, eyes narrowed.

'What do you want Evans?'

'There's not need to be so unpleasant all the time you know?'

'Fine. Merry Christmas. Are you happy now?'

'No! Really. Can't you be still for a moment so we can talk?'

He shook his head in bewilderment.

'You. Me. Talk? Have you had too many Butterbeers Evans?'

She frowned at him, upset.

'We're the only first years left here over the holidays, apart from that Hufflepuff bloke. I thought we could spend some time together.'.

'Whatever for?'

'To get to know each other a bit more!' She answered incredulously, her determination to getting to know the mysterious Severus Snape reinforcing.

'If you cannot bear to be alone for two weeks then buy yourself a pet.'

Snape answered rudely before turning off and leaving quickly.

The boy was exceedingly rude; yet it was not surprising- he was only used to harsh treatment at home and many of students had not treated him very kindly either.

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A pleasant sun was making the snow sparkle brightly, as if it were a mantle of stars.

'Severus!'

Snape rolled his eyes as Lily Evans came bounding after him in the corridor, her hair tied in a tight ponytail.

'Hi.How's everything?'

'Evans, do you remember what I told you yesterday, or is your memory as limited as a fish'?'

'I remember, but I've forgiven you for your rudeness. Now, how about a walk around the lake, it's a nice day.'

The dark-eyed child seemed on the verge of sputtering in surprise at her bold attitude. He shook his head in denial.

Dumbledore was torn between amusement at the child's incredolous surprise and grief upon seeing the present Snape- it was clear he had lost all inocence long ago.

'I'm not giving up so easily Severus.'

His eyes narrowed.

'Will you stop pestering me if I go on your bloody walk around the lake?'

'Might...' she responded, grinning.

Was he seeing the first buds of friendship? Albus wondered thoughtfully... But then why had he never seen the two together? Alas, this forboded a tragic ending. How much agony could a soul endure? He asked himself morosely.How many broken dreams did it take before the sharp pieces ripped a soul apart?

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'I want to see you smile Severus.'

Lily told him seriously as they stood outside, the Hogwart's grounds a pearly white mantel of soft snow.

'There is nothing to smile about Evans.'

'There's always something to smile at, dear boy.' Dumbledore longed to tell the boy, tickling him until a real grin illuminated his face and real, mirthful laughter burst from him. But he knew it was useless, as he watched the thin lines that should not have been there, tighten around the present Snape's mouth, lips pulling downwards. There was nothing he could do, was there? For it was too late... His eyes fiilled with tears, like liquid saphires.

Her green eyes narrowed mischievously and she bent down swiftly, scooping up a handful of snow and threw it in Snape's face. The Slytherin stood stock still for a full moment before wiping the white substance from his face with an impatient hand, though a smile was indeed tugging at his lips.

'How would you like for me to throw you into the frozen lake?'

'You wouldn't!'

She laughed and threw another snowball at the boy, which exploded against his chest. Severus narrowed his eyes and then smiled serenely aiming a white projectile at the bobbing red hair of the Gryffindor girl. Lily grinned and laughed happily as her hair became covered with snow.

It was difficult to believe that boy smiling so contentedly was the same man seated before him. Things had gone so bad for so many... His eyes had held sadness then, but still a flicker of hope had shone like a bright star in the midnight sky. But now, the stars had died and nothing but hatred, anger and heart-wrenching grief filled the blackness.

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A soft ambient music played around the Slytherin common room, dark green cushions and armchairs occupied by chattering seventh-years, celebrating their final graduation from Hogwarts. Snape was walking around somewhat bored when someone grabbed his arm. The touch was gentle and yet, startled, he immediately stiffened. Lucius, to whom the fair hand belonged seemed to have noticed. He licked his thin lips, as though savoring the caramel liquid that was being passed amongst the students, but it made the first-year uneasy.

'Well, well Severus. How are you?'

Malfoy asked amicably, smiling warmly, although his eyes remained cold. Severus looked up at the seventh-year, his face full of painful hope.

Dumbledore gave his head a quick shake. The man truly was a snake who could find his fangs effectively. Avid for power he wore a mask of beauty, kindness and money- only those whom did not serve his purposes beheld his true face of arrogance, cruelty and disdain. Another failure on his part.

'Fine, thanks. How're you Lucius?'

White blond hair rippled as Malfoy shook back his head and laughed pleasantly.

'Oh, very good. I have already received some enticing offers from the Ministry of Magic.'

Snape nodded with interest.

'Do you know Severus, Professor Mortnoir, Head of Ravenclaw though she is, mentioned some wonderful things about your potions to Professor Giftiger.'

Black eyes lit up at the unusual praise and roved around the room towards the Slytherin Head of House, who was seated conversing with a group of graduating students.

'Thanks.'

Lucius inspected him closely for a moment, as though he were trying to decide whether to confide in him or not, though cold humor played behind his mask of friendliness.

'Severus I want you to know something.'

'Yes?'

'That you can always trust me. Believe in me as I believe in you and your abilities.'

'Of course.'

'I have a feeling we can expect great things from you Severus. Be a proud Slytherin and don't bow down to those idiotic Gryffindors. Remember I believe in you.'

'Thank you Lucius.'

Dumbledore was frankly flabbergasted, as he saw the hope and longing for trust shining in the boy's eyes. Lucius Malfoy had not taken long to begin weaving his web of lies- catching unwary students with threads of sweet words, praises and kind smiled. Of course, he had made himself a pillar of gold to turn to when everything else failed. He could offer them everything they desired- riches, power, knowledge, revenge- for seemingly no price at all. Bringing them straight to Voldemort. Quite the genius. Naturally the blame was not to fall on him alone, he was but the gardener who implanted the seed of evil before it was even recognizable as one, then simply let life coax it into blossoming.