Sev huddled over his pilfered cauldron. He had studied every flower that grew on the estate; but he wondered whether nuts had potion-making properties…

Dropping almonds in the cauldron, wincing as they sizzle loudly in the cold night.

Fascinated, he grabbed his notebook, recording scent, flame, texture.

So engrossed that he jumped when his mother's stern voice echoed off the barn walls: "Severus Snape! Why are you sneaking around at 2 in the bloody morning burning hazelnuts?? You'll never get into Hogwarts like this!"

Sev hung his head, muttering softly that they were almonds, and turned to clean up his experiments.