"This cannot be." Severus said. Yet, there was no question that this was a golden ticket as he read it.

"Congraulations, Severus," Dumbledore cheered, "you found a golden ticket!"

"This is dreadful," Severus cried, "I'll never be left alone in the muggle world again!"

Dumbledore shook his head. "You exaggerate, Severus."

"Dumbledore, this contest is going to be infamous!" Severus argued, "it has already made the man billions. He has not appeared in public in over a decade. Do you honestly believe the rodents called reporters will leave me in peace?"

Severus turned at the living room window. "I must get rid of this ticket."

"Severus, if you had found the ticket back when you were ten years old, would you have taken it?"

Severus paused a moment. "Yes," he reluctantly admitted, "but that is not the point."

"No, that is exactly the point," Dumbledore argued, "you lifestyle is not healthy, Severus."

"I'm trying to defeat a Dark Lord, Dumbledore!" Severus barked, "forgive me if that does not leave me time for tea."

"Severus, your drowning yourself in misery," Dumbledore said, "you need to at least do one enjoyable thing."

"Even if I did agree with that assessment, have you heard the rumors about the man?" Severus asked, "some say he passes insanity!"

"There is only one way to find out." Dumbledore observed.

Severus gave a sigh. "Have you considered how this will affect my ability to spy on Voldemort? Severus Snape, a supposed advocate of blood purity, attending a muggle ceremony?"

"Wizarding knowledge of the muggle world is negligible," Dumbledore responded, "you almost certainly won't be known to be attending except outside a few muggle-born students. Even if you are, you can merely insight me as the reason for your actions."

"And then there is the biggest issue," Severus continued, "It says I am to take a relative, and I have absolutely no relatives left on this world."

"The pure-blood families are all interrelated, Severus," Dumbledore said, "I myself am your eight cousin thrice removed, whereas Minerva is much closer as a third cousin."

"You want to go to the factory, don't you?" Severus asked.

"Yes, Severus, I will not lie. I very much would like to see the factory. But you may choose whoever you like."

"We haven't established I'm going to that silly factory!"

"Indeed, we haven't. That is up to you," Dumbledore answered gently, "If you do not wish to go, then give the ticket to another."

Dumbledore left. Severus looked around his dreary home. He hated living at Spinner's End, and hated teaching at Hogwarts. If it weren't for the Order, he would have moved out years before. Prehaps he should go to the factory, if only to get out of his irate life for a day.

Let's hope that rumors about Wonka's sanity are grossly exaggerated.

Severus Snape refused to allow the reporters see his house, instead meeting them outside a nearby library. He would take a few question then leave quickly.

"I am Severus Snape. I am the finder of the last golden ticket, and thus I shall be attending the tour. There is nothing else of importance to say, though I will humor you by taking a few questions."

"How did it taste?" A gentlemen who Severus recognized as the local weatherman asked.

"Why, like a Wonka bar, of course," Severus said dryly, "surely you know how they taste?"

The man blushed intensely at his answer. "Yes, I have eaten a Wonka bar."

"Well, then, you know the answer to your question. Is their anything else you wish to ask?"

"What were you like as a child?" a woman asked.

Severus froze and grimaced at the question. He never liked to think about his childhood. "I had a rather uneventful childhood." Ridiculous interfering reporters.

"Will you win the special prize?" another reporter asked.

Severus took a great deal of energy not to scoff. "Ah, yes, the so-called 'special prize' that is promised. A most ingenious marketing technique."

"You don't believe there is one?" somebody said in outrage.

"I'm merely suggesting thinks aren't always as they appear. Prehaps there is an additional prize at the end, but it's of no relevance. I am already one of only five that will attend this event. One more question and I must leave."

"Who will be taking to the factory?"

Severus was in deep thought for a moment. "Albus Dumbledore, a distant cousin of mine. That is all, thank you."

Severus ignored the other reporters as he calmly exited the building, apparating once he was far enough so that they couldn't see him, causing the press mob to wonder how he could disappear so quickly.

"I will be gone for a few days," Severus told the classroom, "while I am gone, you are assigned to do a ten page essay on the danger of Pollyjuice Potion."

"But Professor Snape," Hermione Granger said, "that's really advanced learning."

The girl must not have realized Severus knew about her usage of the potion in second year. "I never would have expected you of all people, Miss Granger, to suggest I dumb down my class content."

"I'm not," Hermione said, "I was just noting many in the class might not be able to complete such work."

"Your implied disrespect for your classmates intellect aside, it is not as advanced as you claim. Be grateful I have decided not to take points for your interruption's. Class dismissed."

Severus heard some students whispering complaints about their homework assignment. Imagine having to actually do work in school, Severus snarled to himself. He would be glad to spend a day away from these Hogwarts brats, but he was still uneasy about the factory. All the other contestants appeared to be disgraces so far. But Wonka was what really made Severus uneasy.

"Severus?" Dumbledore asked, an excited look on his face, "I have arranged a taxi to take us to the factory, so that we look like muggles."

"I suppose that is a reasonable action. Well, good night, Dumbledore."

"Good night, Severus." The Headmaster exited the classroom.

Severus took a sleep potion and napped on his desk until it was time to go. Upon being awoken, Severus ate breakfast then showered, and got dresssed quickly into muggle clothing.

"Ready to go, Severus?"

Severus looked at Dumbledore. The man not only hadn't even bothered to try and dress like a muggle, he was wearing a green wizarding robe. The muggles would think he was insane.

"Dumbledore, you can't look like that! It threatens the Statue of Secrecy!"

Dumbledore frowned. "But this is the most inconspicuous robe I have."

Severus shook his head. The muggles would be shocked by Dumbledore. Then again, Wonka would probably be more shocking. They apparated to a taxi.

"Are you Severus Snape, the ticket finder?" the man asked.

"Yes, I am Severus Snape," Severus answered. Why was the man gawking at him? "As you may have guessed, we need to be at Wonka's."

"Of course." The man said excitedly, hoping that he might wind up in the media for driving a Wonka contestant. The cab started up and after a few minutes parked outside a huge crowd. Severus considered ordering the man to drive away from the factory, but Dumbledore had opened the door to get out.

The man wished Severus good luck and Severus paid for the service, then he reluctantly walked past the crowd to the gate. Severus despised the way everybody was staring at him on his way to the gate. Upon finally reaching the gate, their lives to change forever.