The Untold Story

Chapter 13: The Antidote

September 8, 1971

As soon as Narcissa had left, Severus picked up his Potions textbook; he had been reading it before Narcissa surprised him. Of course, before Andy's advice, he had only planned on finishing the assigned reading that was due for tomorrow's Potions class. Instead, he quickly started skimming each potion described in the book. After having made a pass through the entire textbook, Severus decided the the potion that had been used on the Slytherins was "Capillum laxmentum" or a Hair Growing potion. It was used by people in the Middle Ages (the days when the Statue of Secrecy did not exist and muggles were aware of the existence of magic) to cosmetically enhance their hair. However, the potion it seemed had fallen into obscurity with the onset of simple grooming spells. Also, it was not one of the potions Professor Slughorn had first year students brew. Severus assumed that was the reason Lucius had assumed it was a spell, because wizards and witches, these days, only used spells for grooming needs.

"You should be in bed." a cold voice stated.

Severus raised his head to see a tall, lanky man with dark unyielding eyes. He seemed to be a seventh or sixth year student. "Sorry. I was caught up in reading my potions textbook." Severus replied as he closed his books shut.

"What is your name?" the man stated

"Severus Snape."

"Ahh...you are the boy Lucius has taken a liking to. He has a soft spot for mudbloods."

"I am not a muggle-born." Severus stated tersely.

"Halfblood, mudbloods, blood-traitors are all the same." the man recited as if it was fact.

Severus squashed his desire to confront the man and recited to himself "Don't be reckless, don't be reckless..." as he went into the tunnel that led to the boy dormitories.

September 9, 1971

Severus quickly headed into the Great Hall hoping to catch Lucius before classes started.

"Malfoy. I have news." Severus stated as he slipped into an empty seat next to Lucius.

Malfoy turned to him expectantly. "Yes.."

"I want to talk privately." Severus said hoping it sounded firm and not desperate.

"Give me a few minutes. I will meet you in the common room."

Severus nodded as he grabbed a piece of toast and headed back to the Slytherin common room. A few minutes later, Malofy joined Severus in the common room.

"Tell me." Malfoy commanded.

"Yesterday, I met a dark eyebrowed man with cold eyes. He was an older student, a fifth year perhaps. He didn't seem particularly fond of… people like me."

"Ah, Lestrange."

"Who?"

"Rabastan Lestrange, sixth year. He seemed rather curious a few days ago about why I was offering advice to a first year. Did he say anything?" Lucius asked curiously.

"No, nothing beyond his hate for the less fortunate." Severus decided not to mention the disgust in Rabastan voice when he said Malfoy's name.

"Don't pay him any mind. His opinions are very extreme." Lucius said as he observed the first year in front of him. He would never admit it, but Severus Snape was extremely intelligent, even for a Slytherin. His ability to find the truth from a seemingly random array of facts amazed and horrified the seventh year. As he pondered Severus's abilities, Lucius almost missed Snape's next comment.

"I also found the antidote."

"So soon?" Lucius arched an eyebrow. "How difficult is the potion?"

"Not too difficult." Severus decided not to mention that the potion was in the first year Potions textbook.

"Okay, show me the instructions and I can brew it during my free period today."

"Actually, I was hoping that you would allow me to brew the antidote." Severus looked up at the seventh year calmly.

"You want to brew it? Can you even brew the potion?" Lucius asked with surprised curiosity.

"I can brew it. I believe it would help my status within the Slytherin house. It will also be more beneficial to your standing within the upper class students. You once asked me what talents I possess...so provide me with an opportunity. Let me prove that I have talents worthy of Slytherin house."

Lucius stared at the first year for a few seconds. "Alright." He finally acquiesced. Severus nodded his thanks and left the room.

Severus had told Lily that he was tired to get out of their daily study period in the library. He felt a little guilty, but Severus had promised Lucius he would have the potion ready by this weekend. He ducked in various empty classrooms hoping to find somewhere he could work in seclusion. He finally slipped into an empty Charms classroom. Deciding that this was his best option, he set up his cauldron on the floor in a corner of the classroom. With his back facing the closed door, he opened his textbook to the right page and stared at the ingredients he'd smuggled out of the storeroom during lunch. He started brewing immediately and was so absorbed in his work that he didn't hear the door open, nor did he sense the presence behind him until a few moments later. Spinning around, he spotted the bane of his existence.

"Black." he more or less growled as he turned back to his potion. "What do you want?"

"Well, well...Slytherin Sevy seems to be breaking some rules." Sirius smirked as he stared down at the smaller first year. "You look like your doing something illegal."

"And do my eyes deceive me but Sirius Black actually has his books with him?!" Sirius glanced down at his textbook laden bag and grinned.

"Well, I've to study sometime don't I?"

"Is the great Sirius Black admitting defeat?!" Sirius snorted.

"And what about you? Sneaking around with stolen goods?" He pointed at the ingredients on the floor. Severus looked at Sirius warily. "If you won't tell, I won't." Sirius finally said, holding his hand out. Severus looked at the hand and back at it's owner.

"Deal, but what's to keep you from breaking that promise?" Severus asked. Sirius gasped and put his hand on his heart.

"You doubt me?" He cried dramatically. "You wound me Snape, truly."

"Clearly." Severus said dryly as he observed the Black heir's antics.

"I am not exactly looking forward to my reputation being tarnished either, if you know what I mean."

Severus considered Sirius for a few moments and then decided that he was right: they both had dirt on each other that the other didn't want revealed.

"Sure." Severus replied.

They worked silently on their individual tasks until Severus finished brewing the antidote. As the potion cooled, Severus asked, "So where is Potter? Is he too intelligent to study?"

"At the Quidditch pitch with Remus and Peter…" Sirius replied distractedly ignoring the barb at his best friend.

For some reason, a lonely Sirius Black bothered Severus. "Do you need a study partner?"

"No, I usually study with my mates but they are trying to teach Peter how to fly on a broom." Sirius replied casually. "I am hopeless at teaching...Remus says I lack patience and Peter is a slow learner."

"Oh." Of course Sirius Black didn't need company. He had friends, two awesome cousins...Severus's thought halted suddenly as he unconsciously connected the dots. "YOU! BLACK, you changed the Slytherins hair colours to reflect the colours of your house." he said marching over to the desk Sirius was sitting at.

"Um...what?!" Black asked but his expression of a deer-in-headlights easily gave him away.

"Don't deny it! I know you did it. The potion was in a first year book and you were at the Slytherin table that day talking to your cousins. That's also how Andromeda knew the antidote because she knew you did it."

Sirius tried his best to put on his blank Black heir mask, "You have no proof." he said in a cold detached voice.

Severus was momentarily surprised to see Malfoy's mannerisms reflected in Black. "I don't need it. I know you did it and Lucius will believe me."

"Malfoy is an idiot." Sirius dismissed, his mask still on. "Look, it was just a prank and it was harmless."

"That's no excuse."

Sirius just shrugged in response. "You have the antidote."

"I am still going to tell the other Slytherins."

"They won't believe you. You will need Andy and Cissa's testimony and they won't give away I was involved. They already gave me an earful for the prank anyways."

Narcissa and Andromeda weren't people Severus wanted to be on the bad side of. He had few allies in Slytherin: Lucius and maybe Narcissa and Andromeda. He couldn't risk his position in Slytherin again. "Fine. I won't tell." Severus relented as Sirius smirked. "But if you do it again then I won't be so forgiving. I have a better Expelliarmus anyways."

Sirius smiled, "That was yesterday. We'll see who wins in class tomorrow."

Severus turned to walk back to the potion when Sirus grabbed Severus's shoulder and took hold of his right hand, before giving it a shake saying "Thanks, Snape."

Severus walked to the Great Hall for dinner as he fingered a small phial in the pocket of his robes. He ignored the double looks the Slytherins were giving him as he ate his steak and waited for Lucius to join him. Narcissa gave a small smile as she passed him and Andromeda had patted his, now back to normal, black hair and muttered "smart boy."

"I believe you have a working antidote." Lucius said in his smooth haughty tone.

Severus took the phial out of his pocket robes and handed it to Malfoy. "Three drops. They can be taken alone or mixed into a drink, but I must warn you it tastes disgusting by itself."

Lucius took the phial and put three drops into his pumpkin juice before downing the entire cup. Five minutes later, Lucius hair had gradually turned from scarlet to its original blonde.

"It's back to normal." Severus stated as a matter of fact.

The other Slytherins were watching the entire exchange between Lucius and Severus from the corner of their eyes. However, nobody made any move to ask Lucius for the antidote, although they all wanted it. Lucius took a stand and grandly announced as he poured three drops into the main pumpkin juice pitcher, "As you have all undoubtedly noticed, the antidote to the ridiculous prank has been found. Drink some pumpkin juice and we need not adron the colours of the brawny Gryffindors in shame anymore."

As the Slytherins scrambled to get some pumpkin juice, a strong feminine voice questioned with faux-innocence, "Lucius, I believe that you didn't brew the antidote. May I ask who brewed it?"

Lucius looked at Narcissa and then pulled Severus up, "We have a little potions genius amongst us. Snape here, found and brewed the antidote. I know there has been disagreement about whether he belongs in Slytherin. As far as I am concerned, his past does not matter. He is one of us, he is talented and therefore he is a true Slytherin. Anyone who doubts otherwise can duel me."

Andromeda who had been ignoring the whole affair also stood up and said, "I hate to agree with Malfoy, but the House of Black stands with Snape." She then gave a curt nod to Severus and walked back towards the Slytherin dorms.

From that moment onwards, nobody publicly questioned whether Severus Snape belonged in Slytherin. His blood status was still mentioned but nobody questioned his talent.

AN: Thanks to geekymom for being our most steadfast supporter! We enjoy your reviews and would love reading any critiques you have about our writing style too. Thanks to vani12 for following our story! We would love to hear from you. Also we are new to fanfic writing and were wondering how to get more readers or be part of a community of fanfic writers?