Encounters of the Future Sort
The Bat
Timeline:
1976 BCE (before cauldron explosion): takes place before the willow prank and Snape's worst memory, both of which happened in the early spring.
1996 ACE (after cauldron explosion): takes place around chapter 29 of OotP, right after Dumbledore gets sacked and Umbridge becomes Headmistress. Also, Harry has seen Snape's worst memory during their occlumency lessons.
Severus Snape
(Potions Professor, 36 years old)
Hogwarts, Library
April 1st, 1996
It was a Saturday afternoon and the dismal sky outside was raging wind and torrential rains. The library was dark today; lit only by scattered gas lamps here and there along long wooden tables, reminding Snape of his comfort zone in the dungeons.
"Yes, just these three will do," Snape murmured, inspecting three thickly bound books he had withdrawn from the restricted section. His fingers traced over the leather engraved title of one that read Moste Potente Potions.
Madam Pince flicked her wand to mark a very long log of parchment with the date and titles. She peered at him over her square spectacles, reminiscent of a reluctant vulture relinquishing an egg from it's nest. "I trust these tomes will receive impeccable treatment, Severus?"
The corners of Snape's mouth curled in an attempt to muster a cordial smile. "Indeed."
Madam Pince had been the Hogwarts librarian since before he could remember. As a student, he had spent many hours tucked away in the darkest, dustiest nook, relishing the strictly enforced peace and quiet. And now as a Professor, he was incessantly reminded of his youthful past transgressions that she had deemed abhorrently unacceptable. Notable times, such as the several occasions she had caught him scrawling notes in the margins of his potions book and had consequently chased him down with a long, fluffy feather duster.
"As I've reassured you on countless occasion, Madam Pince, those particular books were my personal property." Snape's attempt at a polite smile became increasingly twisted. "I will return these in no less infallible condition than they would otherwise receive under your…surveillant care."
Madam Pince, however, did not appear as though ownership was an acceptable reason for the defacement of literature. He felt like he was fifteen again as he was forced to submit to her authority, her unyielding eyes looming over at him from behind her librarian's desk. It was best to leave quickly.
"Thank you, Madam Pince." Snape nodded in departure, gathering the books in one arm. They were rather heavy, but he knew she would certainly not tolerate levitating them—she herself dusted all of the thousands of bookshelves shelves by hand, not even trusting her own magic to get the job done properly.
"Severus," Madam Pince nodded in return. An obligatory gesture given his social status as Professor, but he knew she still saw him as the awkward, lanky boy in a dark corner, scrawling notes in his books.
Snape began towards the door, grateful to be rid of this place so riddled with memories. As he walked, he spotted two students sitting in a corner, their faces dim by the light of a flickering gas lamp. One with dark red hair and the other—
The top tome In his arms fell to the floor with a great *crash*. A strange feeling overcame him and his mind was flooded with childhood memories. This was not a particularly normal sensation for a practiced occlumence—hardly anything could penetrate his well-practiced mind. Anything but an unwelcome view into his private office pensieve...
Potter.
The unfortunate event seeped unwillingly into his mind. Ever since that horrible evening Potter had seen his worst memory, Snape was having trouble regulating his thoughts. It was a growing darkness no matter of training could keep at bay. He felt invaded. He had never intended to reveal that part of himself to anyone, or admit how much the memory still plagued him twenty years later.
Feeling all of a sudden quite vulnerable, Snape quickly snatched the fallen book from the stone floor and hurried out of the library before Madam Pince could chase after him once again with the feather duster, dark robes billowing behind him.