Hello, remember i own nothing but my OCs plot

And thank you to all that have reviewed the last chapters, started to follow the story...

9- Beyond the Green and Silver

Severus woke to light filtering through the heavy curtains of the Slytherin dormitory. The quiet sounds of his housemates stirring barely registered in his mind. His thoughts were elsewhere, lingering on the events of the previous day, the hours spent with Evangeline Easgriff, her laughter that always seemed to fill the spaces between his carefully constructed silences. He had spent most of his day with her, from Quidditch practice, always dying on her broom to discussion in the Potions's lab and grabbing the remnants of dinner from the Great Hall.

He dressed quickly, with a determined attempt to shake off the memories. There was no room for distraction. Yet, as he entered the common room, he couldn't quite rid himself from the pull of Evangeline's carefree demeanor.

"Well, well, look who it is," Mulciber drawled, rising from his chair with a smirk. "Good morning, Snape. We were beginning to think you were avoiding us, Snape."

Severus shot him a glare. "Why would I avoid you? Your company is always… enlightening."

Avery snorted. "We just thought you might be a little… preoccupied. You've been a bit different lately."

Severus arched an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I wasn't aware my daily routine held such fascination for you all."

Mulciber leaned in. "It's not about that, Snape. Slughorn was asking after you yesterday, something about an essay or a project. Merlin knows what bloody topic. He caught us at dinner and then sent us to track you down. But—" Mulciber gave a lazy shrug—"we had no idea where you'd disappeared to."

Severus's brow furrowed. "I had other engagements."

Avery grinned. "Oh, I'm sure. Easgriff, I imagine? You've been spending a lot of time with her."

Severus's jaw tightened. "Where I was doesn't concern you," he muttered.

Avery took a step closer, his tone shifting. "Just be careful, Snape. Easgriff's not like us. She's bound to get you into trouble. And we can't have that."

Without another word, Severus pushed past them, making his way to breakfast. His friends trailed behind him, with Rosier Wilkes and Black joining in. Their conversation shifted to the usual blend of Quidditch strategies and dark magic as they all sat for breakfast. Severus, however, found himself only half-engaged.

His gaze moved over to the Ravenclaw table, where Evangeline sat, surrounded by her friends. She was in the middle of an animated impression of Filch, complete with exaggerated scowls and David playing the role of Mrs. Norris, much to the amusement of everyone around them. For once, Severus didn't bother glancing over at the Gryffindor table, where the Marauders and Lily usually sat. Instead, his attention remained fixed on Evangeline, her carefree energy pulling him in.

Avery nudged him, pulling Severus from his thoughts. "Careful there, Snape. People will think you care."

Severus shot him a look of disdain, but before he could reply, a booming voice interrupted them.

"Ah, Severus!" Slughorn said, walking up to the Slytherin table with a smile. "There you are, my boy. I was wondering where you'd gotten off to yesterday. I wanted to discuss that advanced potion I mentioned last week, something I think you'd find quite fascinating."

"Of course, Professor," he said smoothly, rising from his seat and following the professor out of the Great Hall and down the corridor.

After lunch, Severus and his friends wandered the castle grounds, their robes billowing slightly in the cool autumn breeze. The conversation drifted as it usually did—debates about the merits of certain dark magic spells, whispered speculations about who would next be marked by the Dark Lord.

Rosier and Mulciber were locked in an animated discussion about the superiority of certain hexes and curses, referencing something Olympus, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, had mentioned briefly in class. Avery chimed in occasionally, offering sharp remarks where he could.

"I'm telling you," Rosier insisted, "a well-cast Bat-Bogey Hex can incapacitate anyone in seconds. It's all about the timing and the strength behind it."

Mulciber snorted dismissively. "Bat-Bogey? That's a schoolyard curse. If you want to incapacitate someone, there are far more... effective means."

Avery smirked, leaning in slightly. "It's not just about brute force. It's the spells that catch you off guard, the ones that leave no trace that matter."

"Like the Imperius Curse," Rosier added with a glance at Severus. "Olympus is holding back, we all know it." He smirked as he lowered his voice. "There's more to it than what he's teaching in class. Not that he'd share the real secrets with us, especially with the mudbloods around."

Severus, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Control is what matters. Without control, even the most powerful spell is useless." His tone was calm but carried, a thirst for knowledge and mastery of magic. "It's not just about casting the spell, it's about intent. The magic responds to your will."

The others nodded, impressed by Severus's insight. Their conversation continued in this vein, discussing the intricacies of dark spells and the power behind their creation. There was a certain admiration in their voices as they spoke of the witches and wizards responsible for such magic. Severus, though fully engaged in the intellectual side of the conversation, felt an ever-present distance creeping in. But their discussions came to an abrupt halt when a commotion ahead drew their attention.

Severus noticed Evangeline and her friend David running as if being chased by an army of Acromantulas. Severus couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight.

"Keep running, David!" Eva's voice rang out, laced with both urgency and amusement.

"What does it look like I'm doing!?" David called back, his face red from exertion.

"Not fast enough!" she shot back.

Severus's gaze followed them then turned to the caretaker. Filch was hot on their heels, red-faced and breathless, clutching a bright orange Mrs. Norris in one hand while an absurdly pink wig sat askew on his head. He looked madder than Severus had ever seen him.

"Merlin's beard," Rosier muttered, watching the chaos unfold. "Who knew the Ravenclaws could be so immature."

"My thoughts exactly," Avery agreed with a smirk. "Must be their competitive streak getting to them."

"They're not immature, Avery," Severus said, his voice unusually sharp. "You wouldn't know maturity if it hit you with a hex."

Avery raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Touchy, Snape. You've been spending a lot of time with her, haven't you? You might even start to care."

Severus shot him a dark look but said nothing. His silence was all the response Avery needed, but Severus couldn't care less about his insinuations. Without another word, he excused himself and walked away. He found Evangeline and David crouched behind a stone statue, their faces flushed and breathing hard as they tried, and failed to suppress their laughter.

"Hey, Sev," She greeted.

Severus folded his arms "Why were you both running?"

Evangeline stifled a laugh. "Oh, Filch thinks we turned Mrs. Norris orange."

David, standing beside her, nodded frantically, his face still flushed. "But we didn't," he added quickly, though his tone lacked conviction.

Severus smirked, though he tried to hide it. "And you thought running made you look innocent?"

Evangeline shrugged, unbothered. "We were in the forest. Bad idea, I know. But honestly, you see Filch coming towards you, and running feels like the only logical thing to do."

Severus shook his head slightly, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "You're lucky he didn't catch you."

The three of them walked the castle corridors together, Severus listening quietly as Evangeline and David recounted their latest escapade in vivid detail. He found himself enjoying their carefree energy. It was a stark contrast to the atmosphere of the Slytherin common room and the darker conversations that seemed to dominate his life these days. But their carefree stroll was abruptly cut short when Professor Flitwick, the head of Ravenclaw house, appeared at the end of the hall, his usually cheerful expression replaced with a stern frown.

"Miss Easgriff, Mr. Frezidoft," Flitwick said, his voice firm but not unkind. "A word, if you please."

Evangeline and David exchanged guilty glances, though neither of them tried to argue. They knew better than to challenge Flitwick's authority. She turned back to Severus with a quick, apologetic smile before following the Head of Ravenclaw down the corridor. Severus stood for a moment, watching them go, a strange feeling tugging at the edge of his mind.

Roughly thirty minutes later, the pair emerged from Flitwick's office, looking slightly subdued but not defeated. David mumbled something about heading back to the common room, and Evangeline watched him go before turning her attention to Severus, who had lingered in the shadows of the corridor, waiting, likely intrigued at their punishment.

"Well?" Severus asked.

Evangeline leaned against the wall, a mixture of exasperation and amusement playing across her face. "Well, Flitwick didn't buy the whole 'we didn't touch Mrs. Norris' story, unfortunately. He knows me too well." A grin flickered across her face. "He said it had my signature all over it, especially after that time I turned Lockhart's hair green last year."

Severus raised an eyebrow, waiting for the rest of it.

"We lost twenty points, got detention for the next week, and he's still debating whether I'll be benched for a match. Depends on how 'well-behaved' I am in the meantime," she added, rolling her eyes. "David got the same, though Flitwick wasn't as harsh on him."

Severus nodded slightly. "Probably because you are the brains behind it."

Eva shot him a mock glare. "Wow, thank you Severus for that."

Severus shrugged, his gaze slipping to the floor. "I'm just being realistic."

Evangeline approached him intrigued "Why didn't you go back to your friends? Ravenclaw drama more fun?"

"I wasn't interested in what they had to say," he said flatly, not meeting her eyes at first. "Their topics have... grown tiresome."

There was a silence stretched between them before Eva's face brightened again. "Hey, I'm heading to Hogsmeade later. Want to come? We can grab something to eat after."

Severus hesitated, the idea of spending more time away from his friends both a relief and a risk. He knew what they'd think, but he brushed it aside.

"Alright," he agreed quietly.

Eva smiled, something genuine in her expression. "Great. Let's get going."

The two of them set off toward Hogsmeade, the crisp autumn air swirling around them, leaves crunching beneath their feet. As they wandered through the village, Evangeline's voice filled the spaces between them, making light comments on everything from shop displays to the occasional passerby. Severus found himself listening quietly, his usual tension fading into the background. When they reached the bookstore, Evangeline practically dashed inside, her energy shifting as she darted from shelf to shelf, browsing books on charms, potions, and magical theory with an enthusiasm that surprised Severus.

Eva found him a few moments later, her arms full of books, a grin spreading across her face as she caught sight of Severus hunched over the Dark Arts text. "I see that's caught your interest. A rather interesting choice I'd say."

Severus looked up, his expression carefully neutral. "There's value in understanding them," he said simply, but his tone held a defensive edge. "One can't effectively defend against what one doesn't know."

Eva nodded, her gaze shifting to the shelves around them. "You're not wrong. My family on both sides dabbled in all kinds of magic over the generations… not always the good kind. I think it's important to understand the dark stuff, but it's a slippery slope. You have to know where to draw the line."

Severus raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected her to share such information, or hint to it. "You speak from experience?"

She shrugged. "Sort of. It's not something I'm proud of, but knowing what's dangerous helps me keep control."

She shifted the stack of books in her arms and handed one over to him. "Look at this. It's about Legilimency and Occlumency. You can protect your mind, block people from seeing your thoughts… or enter theirs without them even knowing. I've heard of it before, but reading about it like this—it's incredible. Especially these days, with everything going on. Learning how to keep your mind safe is more important than ever."

Severus took the book, thumbing through the pages. He knew about Legilimency and Occlumency, the powerful and elusive arts of mind magic. He absorbed the possibilities within its pages. "Useful skills," he murmured. "Especially if you don't want someone like the Dark Lord prying into your thoughts."

Eva's face darkened at the mention of the Dark Lord, but she didn't flinch. "Exactly. I'm not afraid to call him Voldemort, either. I refuse to let his name have power over me."

Severus studied her, briefly caught off guard by her defiance. "Most people avoid using it," he said, watching for her reaction.

"That's the point," she replied, her tone firm. "Fear gives him strength. I won't play into that."

Severus studied her for a moment longer before nodding. He took the book, and they both headed to pay for their purchases. Afterward, Evangeline insisted on taking him to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer, which Severus reluctantly agreed to.

They found a quieter corner, and Evangeline slid a mug toward him. "Here," she said with a smirk. "No Veritaserum, I promise."

Severus eyed her skeptically as he took the mug. "Your brewing skills don't extend that far."

Evangeline raised an eyebrow, amused. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Severus took a sip, letting the warmth of the butterbeer spread, though he kept his expression neutral. Eva's gaze lingered on him, a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"So, Severus," she began, trying to sound casual. "When's your birthday? We've talked about a lot, but somehow that's never come up."

Severus stiffened "What does it matter?"

She chuckled, shaking her head. "It matters if I want to get you something, and you know slightly celebrate. Come on, Severus, when is it?"

"It's irrelevant," he replied coldly.

"Not to me, it isn't. You don't exactly give much away about yourself, you know."

Severus narrowed his eyes. He didn't like sharing personal details, especially something as trivial as a birthday. "Birthdays are insignificant," he said curtly.

"You're dodging the question," Evangeline pressed, her tone light but insistent. "Come on, Sev, I'm not asking for state secrets."

Severus hesitated, meeting her gaze. There was no mocking in her eyes, only sincerity. "January ninth," he finally said.

Her eyes brightened. "Seriously? Mine's January twenty-fifth! Small world, huh?" She raised her hand in a mock cheer. "January babies!"

She raised her hand in a mock cheer, expecting a response. Severus stared at her outstretched hand, clearly out of his depth with the sudden display of camaraderie.

"Severus," Evangeline teased when he didn't immediately respond, "a little cheer won't kill you."

He rolled his eyes, hesitating for a moment before reluctantly raising his hand to meet hers in a brief, awkward high five. It was a gesture he was unaccustomed to, but Evangeline's enthusiasm made it feel slightly less absurd.

Their turned to the upcoming Slytherin-Gryffindor match, Severus's demeanor shifted slightly, taking on a sharper, more familiar edge. "Slytherin will win," he said with quiet confidence. "It's not even a question."

Evangeline raised an eyebrow, her expression challenging. "We'll see. Severus Snape."

As they made their way back to the castle, Severus found himself appreciating the easy camaraderie between them. It was a rare feeling, one he hadn't experienced in a long time. For once, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment, even if he knew it couldn't last.

Severus knew what day it was as soon as he woke up that early November morning. Today was the Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff Quidditch match, and Evangeline would be playing. He hoped the excitement of the game might temper her for a while. Normally, Severus wouldn't bother much with Quidditch; it was loud, chaotic, and he often saw it as a waste of time. But this time, the match had caught his attention for reasons that had little to do with the sport itself.

His thoughts drifted back to the Slytherin-Gryffindor match a week and a half ago, a match that, against his better judgment, he'd watched from the Ravenclaw stands.

He'd gone there under the pretense of seeing the game from a different angle, but the truth was that Eva had insisted, claiming he'd enjoy the match more without his housemates' constant grumbling about Gryffindor.

The game had been anything but dull, with roars and jeers from both sides, the stands vibrating with excitement. He could still hear Eva's voice ringing in his ears, louder than all the others.

"Hey, Sev!" Evangeline yelled, her voice nearly deafening him. "Can you believe Gryffindor is barely winning!?"

Severus, arms crossed and trying to maintain an air of indifference, smirked. "The word 'barely' has never been more appropriate."

"I know! Honestly, I'd love to see Potter lose his first game of the season!" she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "If Gryffindor loses here, we'll be in a much better position for the Cup!"

"For what?" Severus asked, feigning disinterest despite the energy of the match swirling around him.

"To win!" she said with fierce determination. "I told my Grandma I'd win the Cup before I leave. As captain, I'm not letting her down."

As he glanced past Evangeline, he noticed Gilderoy Lockhart glaring at them from a few seats away, his expression sour and his usually immaculate hair dyed a deep, embarrassing shade of black.

"Don't mind him, Sev," she said, catching Severus's glance. "I hexed his hair midnight bat black yesterday, he's stuck like that for at least another week. Let him stew."

Severus allowed himself a rare smile at the memory. In the end, Slytherin had won the match, though it was a narrow victory. Regulus Black had snatched the Snitch just seconds before the Gryffindor Seeker could reach it. Now, it was Evangeline's turn to take the field and Severus was curious to see her in action.

Severus met up with his usual group of Slytherins, their robes billowing as they moved through the grounds toward the Quidditch pitch. Ever since the start of term, they hadn't missed an opportunity to taunt him about Evangeline. Severus had done his best to brush off their comments, but it was clear they'd noticed his growing (reluctant) attachment. It was uncomfortable for him to even admit that he, who usually kept everyone at arm's length, had found a friend in Evangeline.

"So, Snape," Rosier drawled as they walked together, "off to see your favorite Ravenclaw today?"

Severus shot him a cold look. "She's not my favorite anything."

Mulciber smirked. "Right. You're just here for the brilliant display of Hufflepuff tactics. Real edge-of-your-seat stuff."

They found seats in the stands, blending into the crowd. Slytherin's interest in today's match had little to do with supporting either team, they were here to scout the competition, evaluate weaknesses, and size up potential threats for their games. There was always strategy to consider, even if it meant enduring the spectacle of other houses' games.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the players took their positions, and Severus could see Evangeline hovering near her teammates, her eyes already sharp with focus.

She and the Hufflepuff captain flew down to the ground to shake hands, then both soared back into the air, taking their places. Madam Hooch, standing at the center of the pitch, had the Quaffle tucked under her arm, and the Bludgers floated ominously in their case, waiting to be released.

"Now, I want a nice, clean game… from all of you," Madam Hooch called, her sharp gaze sweeping over the players.

With a loud whistle, she tossed the Quaffle into the air, and the game began. Eva shot forward, her broom slicing through the air as she snatched the Quaffle first, quickly passing it off to Rethold. Janine Rethold dodged a well-aimed Bludger from Richard McLaggen, the Hufflepuff Beater, who was already proving to be a nuisance.

"Rethold of Ravenclaw dodges that Bludger, looks like McLaggen's not going to make it easy today!" the commentator's voice boomed, rising over the cheers.

Severus watched intently as Evangeline flew in a sharp curve, signaling to Rethold. With a well-timed pass, Rethold threw the Quaffle to Nicolas Vofiry, another Ravenclaw Chaser, who swiftly cut through the Hufflepuff defense. Evangeline was already in position, her eyes locked on the goalposts as Vofiry sent the Quaffle soaring through the air toward her.

"Easgriff has got the Quaffle and is flying dangerously toward the hoops!" the announcer's voice rose in anticipation. "She's going left... and throws the Quaffle into the right hoop! Ten points to Ravenclaw!"

Severus found himself timidly clapping for Evangeline. Beside him, Mulciber grunted. "Well, at least Ravenclaw's not completely hopeless."

The Hufflepuffs were quick to respond, scoring twice in rapid succession, their Chasers cutting through Ravenclaw's defense with surprising speed. But Ravenclaw wasn't about to let the game slip away. Severus watched as the Ravenclaw Chasers regrouped. Within the next ten minutes, they had regained the lead, scoring thirty points, one from each Chaser.

"And now Valerin, the new Ravenclaw Seeker, has spotted the Snitch!" the commentator's voice rose with excitement. "He's going after it, but Hufflepuff's Katy Higgens isn't far behind!"

High above the pitch, the two Seekers darted after the glint of gold, weaving through the players below as the rest of the match raged on. Ravenclaw was holding a narrow lead, but the tension in the air was palpable as everyone's eyes flickered between the Seekers and the Chasers.

"And Easgriff scores again!" the commentator's voice rang out. "Another ten points to Ravenclaw, bringing the score to seventy to fifty!"

Severus leaned forward slightly, his attention split between the game and the Seekers. The match was more exciting than he had anticipated. Hufflepuff was proving to be a determined opponent, with their Chasers fighting tooth and nail to close the gap. Moments later, they succeeded, scoring twenty points in quick succession, tying the game. The tension in the stands was electric.

"Katy Higgens is in reach of the Snitch! But it looks like Roger Valerin won't let that happen!" the commentator cried, his voice nearly drowned out by the shouts from the crowd.

Severus's eyes followed the Seekers as they raced through the air, neck and neck. The Snitch darted unpredictably, zigzagging through the sky as both players reached out, fingertips brushing the elusive golden ball.

"He's going for it—Valerin is—"

But just as his fingers brushed the Snitch, his broom wobbled and, with a gasp from the crowd, he tumbled to the ground.

"Oh no! The Ravenclaw Seeker has fallen off his broom!" the commentator cried, the crowd falling into a stunned silence.

Madam Hooch was the first to reach him, landing swiftly beside Valerin, who lay winded on the grass. In his hand, though, was the unmistakable glint of gold.

"The Snitch has been caught!" the referee declared, Hooch holding up Valerin's hand triumphantly.

Evangeline swooped down to where Valerin was standing, throwing her arms around him in celebration, and the rest of the Ravenclaw team quickly followed, forming a circle in the middle of the pitch. They all placed their hands together in the center, their victory palpable.

After a brief celebration, Evangeline turned to shake hands with the Hufflepuff players, offering them a respectful smile. "You put up a good fight," she said sincerely, knowing full well how close the game had been. Afterward, her eyes flicked to the stands, scanning the crowd. When she finally spotted Severus, a grin spread across her face, and she waved excitedly, her arms making large, exaggerated motions of triumph. Severus allowed himself a small smirk, knowing her excitement was contagious.

"Well, well," Rosier drawled, his smirk growing wider as he elbowed Mulciber. "Looks like Snape's got himself an admirer. Thought Ravenclaws were supposed to be the brains, not the heart."

Mulciber grinned. "Maybe we should start taking bets on when Snape's going to start wearing Ravenclaw colors."

Severus glared at them both, his patience wearing thin. "She's not my concern," he muttered, his voice cold. "And if either of you had half a brain, you'd find something better to do with your time than concoct these idiotic fantasies."

Rosier raised his hands. "Alright, Snape, no need to get your robes in a twist. We're just having a laugh."

"Let's go," he said, brushing past his friends as he headed down the stands toward the castle. The others followed, still murmuring among themselves, though they kept their jibes quieter now.

"Hey, Sev!"

Severus turned, his expression carefully guarded, his friends walked past, but remained within earshot. Evangeline and David were approaching, both still wearing their Quidditch robes, their hair tousled and windswept from the game. Eva's face was bright, still flushed with the excitement of the win.

"I'm glad you made it!" she said, smiling widely.

David grinned. "Yeah, Severus, Eva was practically bouncing off her broom when she saw you up in the stands."

Eva shot him a look. "David."

"What?" he replied, feigning innocence. "I'm just saying!"

"Please, shut up."

Evangeline's expression softened when she looked back to Severus. "Seriously, Sev, thanks for coming."

Severus shifted, glancing briefly over her shoulder at his friends, who were still watching closely. "I wasn't doing anything else."

Her smile broadened, undeterred by his response. She stepped a little closer, her hand brushing lightly against his arm. "Still. It means more than you think. Thanks again, Severus," she said softly.

There was a moment of hesitation between them, and then, in one quick motion, Evangeline pulled him into a brief hug, the action left him stiff and uncertain. But before he could react, she pulled back and leaned in, placing a quick, light kiss on his cheek before stepping away, her smile lingering.

"See you later, Sev," she said lightly, before turning to join David, leaving Severus standing there, frozen in place.

Severus still felt the warmth where her lips had touched his skin. He could feel his face flush ever so slightly but quickly willed it away, forcing his features into their usual stony neutrality. It wasn't lost on him that his friends were still watching closely.

"Well, would you look at that," Avery began, barely containing his laughter. "Looks like Snape's a man of influence in Ravenclaw now."

Rosier, with a smirk let out a low whistle. "Never thought I'd see the day. Snape, the heartthrob."

Avery's smirk only grew. "We're not saying anything. It's just… well… interesting, is all. You know, seeing how you've got friends in all the houses now. Quite the social butterfly, aren't we?"

Mulciber smirked. "Must be that brooding charm of yours, Snape. Ravenclaws and their sophisticated tastes. I hear Ravenclaw girls like their wizards... clever. Or is she just hoping for some free lessons?"

Severus turned to glare at him. "Say another word and I'll hex your tongue to the roof of your mouth," he said coldly.

The group exchanged amused glances but kept their silence as Severus walked ahead, ensuring there were no further remarks. When they reached the common room, he had barely settled into a chair before Slughorn found him, the professor's face breaking into his usual genial smile.

"Severus, my boy!" Slughorn greeted, his voice warm as ever, though his eyes held that familiar glint of expectation. "Been meaning to catch you, wanted to hear how you and Miss Easgriff are finding the little setup I arranged for you two. Those alchemy books, are they meeting your standards?"

"They are most excellent." Severus replied "We greatly appreciate the documentation professor."

"Ah, wonderful! Miss Easgriff's father is in the alchemy business, as you know. Some of those books come directly recommended by him." Slughorn gave a satisfied nod, clearly pleased with the response. "And, I must say, your work together has been nothing short of impressive. A true display of talent."

Severus nodded, masking his mild irritation with polite detachment. Since he and Evangeline had gained access to the lab, Slughorn had taken it upon himself to inquire about their satisfaction almost weekly. Severus suspected that Slughorn's interest wasn't solely about talent. Maintaining favor with the Easgriff family, and their connections to the alchemy business, seemed just as compelling to the professor as nurturing his students' skills. While Severus could do without the attention, he couldn't deny that being in Slughorn's favor had its uses.

"Oi!" shouted Avery, signaling Severus to join the group by the fireplace. "Get over here Snape, I have some information you might enjoy."

Severus joined them, his expression cautious as he settled in. Avery glanced around the room, ensuring they wouldn't be overheard, before leaning in. "So, Mulciber and I have been in touch with our old prefect. You remember Lucius, don't you?"

Severus nodded. Lucius Malfoy was impossible to forget. With his charisma, connections, and the undeniable aura of the Dark Arts around him, he had left quite the mark on the younger Slytherins. Since graduating, Lucius had reportedly taken the Dark Mark and climbed quickly within Voldemort's ranks.

Avery leaned in, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Mulciber and I have been talking to Malfoy. There are ways to meet with him, discreetly, either here at Hogwarts or elsewhere." He exchanged a knowing glance with Rosier. "Lucius has already taken the Mark, and he's passing along... guidance."

Severus listened in silence, his face betraying none of the turmoil that simmered beneath the surface. The idea of meeting Lucius again, of being offered that direct connection to the Dark Lord, still held a strange appeal. But there was a growing hesitancy in him now that hadn't existed before. A few months ago, the thought of following in Malfoy's footsteps had seemed inevitable, a direct route to power, recognition, and mastery of the Dark Arts. But now, with every step closer to that world, he found himself pausing.

"This would give us the respect we deserve, mates," Rosier declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Imagine, an endorsement from Lucius Malfoy himself. It'd put us right in line to serve the Dark Lord. Of course, we'd need to prove our commitment. Show him how much we value the cause. No place for... faint hearts."

Avery nodded, his voice filled with confidence. "Once we're in, there's no limit. Power, prestige—everything we've worked toward. Lucius himself as our sponsor? That puts us right at the top."

Severus kept his expression neutral, masking his doubts. His friends were all in, ready to leap into Voldemort's circle without hesitation. But for him, it wasn't as simple as they made it out to be. He was more calculating.

"There's more to it than enthusiasm," he said finally, his tone measured. "Power without restraint is reckless, and recklessness won't earn the Dark Lord's favor."

Mulciber raised an eyebrow, half-impressed. "Always the strategist, aren't you, Snape? No wonder Slughorn likes you so much."

Severus's expression remained unreadable. "Power requires precision, not impatience."

Without waiting for their responses, he stood and excused himself, unwilling to linger. Back in the dormitory, Severus sat on his bed, their words echoing in his mind. For months—years, power had been his ambition. He had longed to rise above his humble origins, to prove to the world that Severus Snape was no longer the half-blood boy from Spinner's End but a great wizard, capable of mastering the strongest magic, Dark and otherwise.

He opened his drawer, letting out a small breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His book on Occlumency and Legilimency lay inside, reminding him of the choice that loomed before him. Evangeline's words from their trip to Hogsmeade echoed in his mind:" Especially these days, with everything going on. Learning how to keep your mind safe is more important than ever."

Severus opened the book, skimming over the initial pages. Before he even considered joining the Dark Lord's ranks, he needed to be sure he could protect his thoughts. Occlumency and Legilimency could give him that power—a way to hide his feelings, especially those that might be turned against him.

The Christmas holidays were approaching fast, and Severus knew he'd be one of the few left behind. In past years, he had returned to Spinner's End, to whatever fragile peace awaited him there, and to Lily, who had been his escape, his ally. But that was gone now, the friendship splintered beyond repair.

He shook his head. There was no use in revisiting what could never be repaired. But despite himself, he felt another thought slip in, unbidden and quiet, yet persistent:

Would Evangeline be staying, too?

The idea was unexpectedly comforting, and he couldn't shake it. With her, he could perhaps work on the Patronus Charm, something she'd been eager to attempt. He'd have someone there—someone who looked past his ties to Slytherin and the Dark Arts and saw him as…a friend.

The thought was unspoken, but it was there, lingering quietly as he turned the pages.

As he glanced through the pages, Severus wondered if she might even be open to practicing Occlumency and Legilimency with him. It would be an ideal opportunity, a chance to hone his skills in a safe, controlled way before he'd need to use them in earnest. And perhaps, if she were there, the holidays might not seem as empty.

~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~

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Until next time *Brews potion* "Mandrake root please."