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Chapter Text

The atmosphere is thick with tension. The final battle between good and evil is underway. The Battle of Hogwarts rages in the distance-screams, spells, and explosions shake the ground and echo through the night. But here, within the rotting, shadowed walls of the Shrieking Shack, the chaos is eerily muffled. Replaced with deafening silence that stretched on. The room is dim, cobwebbed, and filled with a pungent mixture of mold, dust, and death. The eerie silence of the night was broken by the floorboards that creaked under Voldemort's weighed steps.

Lord Voldemort stands tall and pale, a creature of serpentine coldness. He is not alone. Slithering eerily beside him is Nagini, his enormous snake, coiled in a an offensive manner. Ready to obey her master at any time.

In the shack, there, Severus Snape stood. His black robes sweep the floor behind him like ink spilling across paper. His expression is blank, cold. But beneath the surface, Snape is not at ease. His dark eyes, highlighted with the deep, dark bags under his eyes, flicker toward Voldemort, then the snake, sensing danger coiled in silence.

Voldemort turns to him with deceptive calm, "You're a clever man, Severus. Surely you must know."

Snape did not dare to move and inch, though his jaw is tight as Voldemort continues to speak.

"Where does it's true loyalty lies?"

"With you," A pause "Of course."

In an unexpected softer tone, The Lord spoke. "The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly because I am not its true master. The elder wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner."

Slowly, with calculated steps, Voldemort eerily come closer to him. "You killed dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the elder wand cannot truly be mine."

Snape freezes. The realization begins to dawn.

"You have been a faithful servant, Severus. But only I can live. Forver."

Snape opens his mouth to protest-to explain that Dumbledore's death was arranged, that he did it on Dumbledore's orders-but Voldemort has no patience for explanations. For once, his eyes finally expressed an emotion. Fear.

"My lord-"

Without hesitation, Voldemort whipped his arm. Ordering to his loyal subject beside him.

"Nagini, Kill."

There is a rush of air-a blur of movement. For the whole moment, Severus' memories came crushing back to him. All of the things he remembered, the things he cherished, replayed in front of his very eyes. His whole life. Since the beginning.

》♡《

Sunlight barely pierces the thick canopy, stands a forgotten manor. Its once-grand stone façade is now cracked and crumbling, swallowed by creeping ivy and moss that clutch its walls like nature reclaiming its due. Towering trees encircle it like silent sentinels, their gnarled branches tangled overhead, casting long, skeletal shadows across the forest floor.

The windows are shattered, gaping like hollow eyes, and the roof sags with rot, sections having caved in entirely to expose the dark, splintered bones of the upper floors. The great front door hangs ajar, creaking softly in the breeze, as though it still mourns the passage of time. Vines snake through the broken threshold, winding into the gloom beyond.

Around the manor, the forest is unnaturally still. A dense fog clings low to the ground, muffling sound and distorting distance. The air smells of damp earth, decaying wood, and the faint trace of something older-something long buried in silence. This is a place untouched by time and abandoned by memory, where only the trees bear witness to what once was.

A man, standing alone within the premises of the manor. Wearing dark, flowing black robes. Black hair swaying from the cold breeze of the night. A light emitted from the tip of his wand as he wandered through the wrecked corridors. Searching for something of value, perhaps. Or perhaps, a specific object was at target.

Intruding in one of the rooms, filled with nothing but thrashed objects, shattered glass and books. Paintings fell on the ground. Moonlight illuminating itself into the room, imitating the bright sky as glass reflected. Clearly it seemed the house had rough history. He saw no object of importance in the room. Turning to leave, he heard a crash come from behind. It was faint yet he could tell it was near.

He turned to the nearest window with a view. The backyard had a vast plain of grass and flowers. His sight, to some extent, was able to see that something had indeed crashed into one of the pillars of the backyard. He made his way out, wand in hand as he approached with caution. Nothing good came out whenever ssomething had appeared in the middle of the night. In addition, in an abandoned manor in the forest.

Smoke and fog combined with dirt particles and dust, a deepened trail of dirt led in between of bushes-thorns and flowers in bloom. Light blue sneakers came in sight. Preparing himself, he swiftly pointed his wand in front of the figure just in case the person who fell was an enemy. As the smoke ceased, a mask was the first thing that came into sight.

A white mask-with deep, dark holes indicating where the eyes of a human should be-stained with blood and cracks. It complete covered the person's face. And it made him all the more suspicious. The stench of metallic blood made him grimace, faltering for a moment as he saw red seep into the grass below.

It's not his concern. He shouldn't meddle. Turning back is his best option, despite not finding what he came here for. With a twitch, he lifted the damaged mask. His eyebrows rose in shock. Underneath the mask was a girl. One much younger than his own age. Bruised and beaten with streaks of red down the sides of her face. Injures he expected would be severe. Slowly he returned the mask.

He wanted to leave the girl, not wanted to get dirt on his hands. Soft, faint murmurs came from behind-from the manor. There were people in the premises. But before he could turn and flee, she stirred. Her head raised slightly as though looking for someone. She mumbled something else inaudible beneath the mask before slipping back into unconsciousness.

A sigh left his slightly chapped lips. Knowing he no longer has a choice. Even if he were to leave the girl, the following people will suspect someone was there before they had arrived. Less attention and suspicion would be desirable.

Kneeling down, he placed his hand underneath the girl's neck and the other lifted both her knees. Holding the legs up against his chest, he pulled the girl onto his shoulders. As he did so, he tried to make out the voices in the distance before he'd apparate but to no avail.

》♡《

"Ah, little lady is awake." A gentle voice echoed in her ears and she stirred slightly. The voice was soft, presumably from someone of way beyond of age. Opening her eyes to see there had been people surrounding her space. Her once hazy eyes snapped back to attention and alarm.

"Where am I?" In need of an answer, she made an attempt to sit up from her laying position. Wincing at the pain that shot throughout her body told her the move wasn't going to work, so she let her head drop back down with a grumble. "Who are you people?"

"You're in good hands, miss." The man who looked like would have qualified to be her great-grandfather said to her, tone still gentle and soft. Instead of calming down to his satisfactory, she scowled at him even more.

"Who are you? Where am I?" She sprouted demanding questions which gained her a wince as she held her forehead. Upon feeling the touch of her fingertips collide with her skin, her face twisted into panic.

"Where's the mask?" She narrowed her eyes at them before contorting into fear. With a high-pitched shriek, she pulled the white covers over her head. In a feeble attempt to shield herself from danger. A stupid idea she clearly had. Clearly she was assuming things.

"Please don't hurt me!" She pleaded in an exaggerated whisper. "Pleaseeee! I'm innocent!" Her whisper turned into an exaggerated cries.

"Oh, do use your brain. If we wanted you dead, you'd be far too corpse-like to ask such a foolish question." This time, the voice that spoke up wasn't the soft gentle tone of the old man. It was cold, sarcastic and a baritone. She felt the weight of their gazes on her. Lowering the blanket just enough for her eyes to peek through, she met the dark eyes of one man. Her gaze was unwavering and so were his as she moved her attention to the old lady with a large hat.

"If you expect to know our names, it would be only courteous to offer yours first." She spoke with a smile.

"My name is (Name)." The girl gave in. Wanting to know the names of the people surround her. As a first step to know where they were friends or foes. The last thing she wanted was a problem.

"(Name)," The same woman repeated with a small nod of approval. "I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Head of Gryffindor House, and Transfiguration Professor."

"Hogwarts School of...Witchcraft and Wizardry?" (Name) mimicked the words laced with confusion and a tiny bit of shock. She wasn't familiar with such an establishment as this. Perhaps it was another school, or simply some kind of private school, or-the worst possibility. She couldn't help but hope it was just a coincidence, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was fishy. "Is Hogwarts a school for witches and wizards?"

"It is." A nod of confirmation was given.

In that moment, (Name)'s eyes had seemed to lit up with literal stars. It was almost impossible to contain a broad grin stretching across her features. A laugh of joy burst from her lips, causing the people around her to look at her strangely, as she continued. "That sounds wonderful! I want to go! Can I attend? Do I qualify?"

As each word slipped past her lips, she had gotten closer to the edge of the mattress. She paused. Looking around at the strange expressions of those around her, she realized that she had gotten carried away by her enthusiasm.

"Sorry..." She squeaked going back to rest her head on the pillows. Staring at the ceiling in thought, she took a second to catch her breath. Her cheeks reddened slightly under everyone's stares. She coughed quietly and cleared her throat. Feeling slightly embarrassed due to their lack of response to her enthusiasm, she let her eyes wander around the room. Quickly realising, she was the only patient.

"Sooooo...Who are you?" (Name) looked back. "I mean...You just introduced yourself, Ma'am McGonagall-"

"I'd prefer Professor McGonagall." The professor corrected.

"Okay-Professor McGonagall. Who are they? You look like a wizard!" (Name) pointed at the tall, thin, elderly wizard with long silver hair and a matching beard. She also realized he also has a long, crooked nose, long fingers, bright blue eyes, and wore half-moon spectacles.

"That's because I am a wizard, (Name)." The elderly wizard laughed heartily. "Ah, yes - I'm Albus Dumbledore. A pleasure."

A nod was given by (Name) as he continued.

"And here beside me is Professor Snape, the one who saved your life." Pointing to the stoic man who stood near the door and stared at her intensely. He didn't smile nor say anything either. His facial expression never changed. He was just...there.

"Saved...me?" Her tone trailed off, unsure whether she understood the statement right.

"Yes," Dumbledore smiled again as he sat down on the chair on the opposite side of the bed, eyes following his move as she processed the information.

"huh...Is that why I'm here?" She tilted her head curiously, trying to find an explanation that made sense.

"Indeed it is."

"Soooo...You're not here to kill and stir me into a big, tasty stew??"

"Stop being ridiculous." Snape snapped at her with narrowed eyes.

"Phew!" A wide grin stretched over her face as she watched Dumbledore chuckle lightly at her reply. Her smile dropped as she glanced back down at the ground, her eyes flickering down at the bandages wrapped around her waist, wrist and hands. The silence hung heavy between the adults as their glances remained glued to the strange girl.

"I don't mean to be...ungrateful." (Name) began, "But what's my purpose? Why am I here?"

"By whatever do you mean?"

"Well...You're all here." She pointed to all of them. "And I'm the only one here in this...infirmary. A lil' suspicious don't you think?" The last part was only spoken for herself to hear.

"You're alone because the school year has yet to begin." Albus replied, voice calm and collected as ever despite her questioning tone.

"Really?" (Name) was surprised when Dumbledore nodded in agreement with her inquiry. As if it wasn't all the more obvious. "When does it start? OHHH!! CAN I ENROLL?!"

(Name) was practically showering the headmaster with question that was delivered with such enthusiasm and energy that it even made him positive whilst he talked.

"The school year starts in a week. As for you inquiry about enrolling here..." He paused. "There are questions I'd like to ask."

"Oh?" A curious tilt of her head was sent towards the old man. Dumbledore seemed to take note of how she kept looking back and forth between the two adults, her eyes occasionally flicking over to Snape. There was a hint of nervousness in her eyes, as well as uncertainty. And though she couldn't tell for sure why. "Okay...Easy enough. Ask away!"

"Where are you from exactly?" Snape spoke up instead of Dumbledore. His piercing stare was making her uncomfortable. She shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet his eye for any longer than a few moments. He noticed this and allowed himself to smirk at the reaction.

"Why...I don't remember...that much..." (Name) mumbled, trailing off as if she was deep in thought. Her energy suddenly deflating. "What I do know is..."

A pause.

Then a shrug.

"I don't know. I forgot."

A short sigh followed as she ran her hand through her messy hair and looked around the room before locking her gaze back on Dumbledore. "So, can I have my memories back now? Maybe one of you stole it or something."

"You don't remember where you're from?" It was Professor McGonagall who asked her. This time, her expression held a small frown.

"Not really." Her shoulders drooped. "I know I came from somewhere, but, I can't recall. All I could remember was this place." Her hands tugged on the hem of the blanket that covered her lower body. "I remember a forest? And a house? But I don't know where exactly."

"How about your parents?" Professor McGonagall questioned.

"Parents? I don't have parents." The words escaped without control. (Name) quickly realized her mistake as soon as she said them. She lowered her eyes in shame.

"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said that...I shouldn't have." She mumbled to herself repeatedly. After a moment, she had the courage to look up. "What's the next question?"

"What's your knowledge about witchcraft and Wizardry?"

"Huh?" Her eyebrows rose in confusion. "Knowledge?" A frown appeared on her lips as she tried to figure out the words. It wasn't like she knew a lot. "I guess...I understand what a wand is? but other than that, I don't know too much else. I don't have much...experience."

"Are you familiar with potions, charms and transfiguration?" Professor McGonagall inquired.

"Uhm...No. I mean I've heard of magic, so I'm somewhat familiar with some things. But I don't know much about it beyond that. But I do know potions. I bet it's the easiest one." (Name) admitted. In the corner of your eye, it seems a particular part of your sentence caught the attention of someone.

"It seems you are not quite familiar in the arts of witches and wizardry."

The words caused a shiver run through (Name) and goosebumps form on her exposed arms. They had come from Snape. His glare hadn't lessened since she started speaking. Snape's sudden voice brought her thoughts to a standstill, making her blink rapidly in surprise.

"No! I can do magic! I know magic! Maybe just not the things you mentioned!" The words sounded more confident this time, as did her attitude. Her shoulders relaxed slightly. Though the smile on her face faltered somewhat at the slight sneer on Snape's face when he said it. His eyes were dark, almost dangerous, as he squared his shoulders. He was still glaring. Yet she still kept talking.

"I can show you." (Name) grinned. She looked at each person there before turning her head to Severus. "Would you like that?"

Snape raised his eyebrow silently. He turned his head towards the elderly professor. Dumbledore shook his head.

"As much as I enjoy watching our new student prove herself," Dumbledore's twinkling eyes focused on (Name). The small smile she received in return told him everything he needed to know. "She should rest. We don't want her to overexert herself."

"Aw...but I insist!" (Name) pestered on. "Besides, I dont need rest. I'm already healed!" She reached her arm over the her bandaged limbs. The shock on the professors faces was to die for.

'Idiotic girl.'

"See? Come on! Let me show you! Don't worry; I won't fall down and die! Nor will I break anything! Okay maybe that was a lie but you get what I mean right?!" Once again her enthusiasm was over the top. The more she spoke, the more she got closer to their faces.

"If you insist, then please go ahead and demonstrate." Albus chuckled, amused by her display. On his behalf, he was quite curious per say.

"Sure thing!" Smiling once again, (Name) jumped off the mattress and got to the open space of the infirmary. Looking for an object to use her 'magic' on. "Everyone watch carefully!"

(Name) exclaimed while grinning.
With that, a bright flash of light engulfed their entire vision, leaving everyone stunned and confused as to what happened. When the light faded, they saw that (Name) was no long in the position they last saw her.

The 3 Professors looked around the room, trying to spot her but to no avail. It wasn't until Professor McGonagall looked up on the ceiling and:

"SURPRISE!" Confetti dropped off from above. Everyone jumped to their feet, staring up in surprise. Only to find a her standing above them all.

"AMAZING AM I RIGHT?!" (Name) shouted as her voice echoed in the large space. She was grinning brightly at every single person that stood there. Her smile slowly slid off her face however as she spotted Snape glaring harshly at her.

"What?? Not amazing enough for ya'?" (Name) rolled her eyes. In that moment, stairs that were upside down led her back to the floor. Clearly not minding the stares of the people present.

"Where did you learn that?" Dumbledore asked her curiously. Or at least, that what he sounded like when he asked. He can't be that alarmed.

"Uh..." (Name) scrambled for an answer. "I...read books...on it...?" It came out rather unconvincingly after hearing those words leave her mouth. "I'm not too good at it though."

"I see..." Dumbledore responded with a nod, looking down briefly, seemingly contemplating on whether or not he wanted to pry further into her strange...magic and with her newfound knowledge.

"So, do I pass?" (Name) went closer to Dumbledore and shot him a toothy grin, so wide her gums where showing.

"Perhaps you did." Dumbledore replied. He then moved his gaze towards Snape. Who was still glaring at her with suspicion. "But you have yet to provide me with proof for my suspicions."

"Proof? Suspicions? That I can do magic?" She shrugged slightly, looking to him for answers. "Well..I can do spells..? Just not spells like the ones you mean. I'm sorry."

"Well, that little stunt you pulled there was rather impressive enough." McGonagall snickered for a bit. "Perhaps putting you in your 4th year would be perfect for a young girl like you."

"I'm..." She paused. "16?"

"Perhaps in 5th year would be more suitable for you." Dumbledore mused. "But then! It all depends. I will anounce my decision later. For now, rest should be your priority."

"But..." (Name) began. "I don't need rest! I-I'm healed! I've recovered already!"

"Indeed, my dear." Dumbledore nodded his head. "But you must rest nevertheless." He turned his gaze to Snape. "We'll leave you for now. I'll see you, perhaps this evening."

He shot (Name) a smile before leaving though the wooden doors. McGonagall and Snape follow behind him. (Name) stayed in her place for a few moments before sighing and rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Aw come on..." She jumped on top of the mattress as it made her bounce a little.

"How are you feeling dearie?" A new voice popped up. (Name) lifted her head to find the source, only to notice a woman coming towards her. There was something in her eyes that gave (Name) the impression she's the nurse.

"Oh, I'm feeling alright." (Name) answered. The woman didn't seem convinced by (Name)'s answer and examined the wound again. (Name) winced under the intense scrutiny.

"You have quite a scar..." Her eyes traveled over the white line on (Name)'s forehead.

"Huh? I do?" (Name) repeated and touched the spot herself. She couldn't feel any difference than usual. It really looked like just another scar to her. Her brows furrowed in confusion at the sight. It'd blend in her skin and disappear in a few days, no biggie.

"It doesn't hurt." She stated matter of factly with a shrug. Then again...she could easily heal it if she wanted to. She closed her eyes momentarily.

"Good to hear." She smiled reassuringly. "It's time for your meal!"

As she announced and with a flick of her finger, a bed table along with a tray that had all of (Name)'s food appeared in front of her. Her stomach growled loudly at the sight of all the food that was on the tray. These people really knew a lot about perfect timing, huh? It can't be helped, and she certainly wouldn't mind chowing down on the delicious meal presented in front of her.

The meal was a perfectly cooked roast chicken with mashed potatoes and some other vegetables. With the addition of some gravy and mashed potatoes. The smell and taste of the food were absolutely heavenly to her taste buds. Her hungry nature soon overpowered any remaining doubts and questions she had regarding the whole magical situation she's found herself in. All these thoughts left her mind in an instant as soon as her teeth sank into her juicy juicy dinner. Her eyes widened with happiness as she devoured every morsel.

At this sight, The nurse decided to turn her back. "I'll leave you be to eat your dinner. It seems you'll take a bit."

"Huh??? what do you mean? I'm finished!"

The moment she took a step to leave quickly came to a halt. Turning her head back around, she gave (Name) a look full of doubt. It quickly came to a shock (Name) merely blinked back, unsure why the woman was giving her that look, still chewing but most of the food on her tray was gone. All of her food vanished without a trace. It's like it had never been there in the first place. (Name) didn't think she'd ever had a meal that tasted this delicious and tasty. It may very well be the best meal she had ever eaten in a long time that someone had given to her.

"This is AMAZING!" Her words came out a tad bit muffled as her mouth was too stuffed to speak properly. After a loud gulp, she shot the old lady a grin.

"I'm (Name)! What's your name, huh huh huh? Can I guess? Is it Nursey McHealerface? No? Okay, okay-what is your name?" She continued talking, making random sentences. She didn't even realize she wasn't breathing properly.

"Quit your rambling." The old lady snapped not in a manner that showed she was angry but in an attempt to prevent her from choking. "You might choke."

"Sorry. It's just...this is so good!" She exclaimed as she took a sip of water. Good thing the lady already took the empty plates and utensils away from her. The older lady seemed satisfied by that. But that didn't stop the smirk that spread across her face. It was evident the elderly witch enjoyed (Name)'s reaction.

"Hey‐! What's this meal called? I wanna know! Did you see that roast chicken?! It was golden and crispy and smelled like a cozy Sunday afternoon wrapped in a hug! And the mashed potatoes-oh the mashed potatoes-so fluffy and buttery and smooth like little clouds of potato-y perfection! I even put a tiny mountain of them on my plate and then poured gravy all over like it was a chocolate fountain-"

As (Name) blabbered on, the elder one came near. Having spotted bits of food stuck on her chin and cheek. Taking one wipe off and wiping the mess off, she wiped (Name)'s face clean and then proceeded to pat (Name)'s hair down. Once finished and satisfied that the young girl was all cleaned, she spoke again. This time a tone much softer than before:

"Now, now. Don't get too excited, dearie. I appreciate you loved the food, but I'm afraid rest is on our next to do list."

(Name) nodded at her, her mouth hanging slightly open as she stared at the nurse. She gave off...a completely different aura from the one she had earlier when she entered the room. Something about her just radiated peace and tranquility. A warm, motherly vibe. Almost the same way that her mum would. She was definitely a keeper and would probably go far in life.

"Yes ma'am!" She quickly said with a small salute. Grabbing the blanket as she made herself comfortable in a sleeping postion. A smile still wretched on her face. Which the elderly lady returned with a smile and a laugh.

"Very good." She nodded her head once again before turning and heading back towards the door. As she left, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. "I'll leave you be for now. Rest well, dear."

Chapter Text

"This place is HUGEEE!!"

With every word you said, a jump was made.

"HUGEEEE~!"

And another.

"HUGEEE~!"

And another.

The screams echoed throughout the corridors. They were filled with wonder, joy and happiness. It was almost contagious as those who heard it were happy to experience it too. You skipped through the corridors,  a grin on your face, as you shouted happily.

"I suspected this place was enormous," You comment as you turned to look at Madam Pomfrey—you learned her name just earlier. "But I never knew it was THISSS BIGGG!!!"

A pause was made as you listened to your voice echoing within the super-high ceilings and corridors that seemed to stretch on forever.

"I can't believe I'm studying here. This is unbelievable!" You giggled.

Madam Pomfrey let out a hearty laugh as she observed you skip towards her, a cheerful gleam shining in your eyes. "Yes, well, I thought it would be better than explaining to you what 'big' meant when you could see it for yourself." Madam Pomfrey explained with a small chuckle.

That only managed to make you even more ecstatic. In a flash, you ran towards her and hugged her tightly.

"This is amazing!!! I haven't been able to visit a school for years!" You squealed as you pulled away from her slightly.

Madam Pomfrey chuckled softly as she patted you on the head. "I'm glad you're happy."

It felt like the longest walk of your life—but in the best possible way. Every corridor of Hogwarts was brimming with wonder: shifting staircases creaked beneath your feet, portraits whispered and chuckled as you passed, and suits of armour clanked to attention as if acknowledging your arrival. Your eyes couldn’t stop darting around, trying to soak in every moving shadow and flickering torch. The castle was alive—enchanted—and you could hardly believe a place like this existed.

"As much as I love exploring this place, when will we get there?" You asked after a while. You weren’t exactly sure where exactly your destination was or how far from you were.

"Not to worry, dearie. We're already here."  Madam Pomfrey said, pointing in front of her. Your eyebrows raised as you followed her gesture. You stopped in front of what looked like an ordinary stone statue of a fierce-looking gargoyle.

"This is the place?" You asked once more. It was a rhetorical question before an idea popped into your head. "Ohhh! I know!"

"This is one of those secret passageway thingies!" You beamed. "And I know, you need a password."

"Sherbet Lemon." Madam Pomfrey spoke without hesitation. Suddenly, the gargoyle moved. It slid aside like it was alive, revealing a hidden spiral staircase that began to rotate upward all by itself.

"Ha! I knew it!" You beamed, jumping up and down in excitement. Bright like a little kid. It felt like stepping into a secret part of the castle, somewhere only a few people ever got to see. The air was warmer there, lit with a soft golden glow, and the stairs carried you up. Halfway up the spiralling staircase, you paused and glanced over your shoulder. The golden light from above cast long shadows down the steps. For a second you just stood, watching the empty space where Madam Pomfrey should have been. Turning on your heel, you quickly went back down.

"Hey!" You called out. "Aren't you going with me—"

Your sentence was interrupted when an empty hallway met you with silence. You blinked a couple of times, looking around with confusion before returning your gaze to the gargoyle statue that blocked the way. Your heart gave a small, uncertain flutter. You'd thought you were going together. You waited—just a moment longer—before the silence answered for you.

"Guess I have to go alone."

With a sigh, you trudged forward slowly. It didn't take you long to reach the top. It was like taking the stairs to heaven. The stairway stopped, and a polished oak door appeared before you, etched with swirling patterns and a glinting brass griffin-shaped handle. You reached out, knocking a few times before pushing gently, and the door swung open with a quiet creak.

The room beyond was unlike anything you’d ever seen. Tall, arched windows spilt golden sunlight onto the polished floors. Shelves lined with ancient, leather-bound books curved along the walls, and strange silver instruments clicked and whirred softly on delicate tables. The air smelled faintly of parchment, woodsmoke, and something sweet—scented of lemon.

As you took your time admiring the room. You noticed you weren't alone. Instead of Dumbledore alone, as you had expected, there were 4 people in addition. And two of them you've already met. Technically there were three of them in front but you counted Snape who made himself comfortable in the shadows.

"Hello, sir!" You greeted happily with a bright smile on your face. "How've you been doing?"

"Wonderful for you to be here, (Name)."  Dumbledore greeted with a polite nod of his head, a gentle smile plastered on his face.

"You asked to see me, right?" You ask exaggeratedly, dragging the last syllable a bit too long. "Sooo what's this about?"

You turned to the other people in the room, grinning at them as you unknowingly raised your enthusiastic voice. "And—HELLO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE ROOM I DON'T KNOW—!"

"Why here's a rather enthusiastic one." A woman: Short and stout, with flyaway grey hair tucked beneath a patched and earthy-looking hat gave her comment.

"I do agree myself."

Your gaze went down at the sound. And it made you wonder, was he really that small? Or is it a disguise of these people?

"(Name)," Dumbledore's voice caught your attention, forcing a stop on your train of thought. "These are the heads of houses. We have four houses for you to be sorted into; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Once your sorting happens, your house becomes your home while at Hogwarts." He explained. With each word, you felt your enthusiasm rising higher.

"That's AMAZING!" You exclaimed excitedly but your excitement was cut off short when Dumbledore raised his hand. Guessing he wasn't finished and wanted to continue, so, you shut your mouth.

"This Professor Pomona Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff," He pointed to the woman: Short and stout, with flyaway grey hair tucked beneath a patched and earthy-looking hat.

"You smell...earthy." You murmured to yourself, then flushed after she laughed at your comment.

"Because my time is usually spent in the greenhouse, darling."

"Oh..." You dragged on. "Make sense." You didn’t mean to insult her; she did smell pretty nice—in a weird way.

"And this," He gestured towards the man beside her. "Is Filius Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw."

A very small human was your first thought. Maybe he isn't human, perhaps, a dwarf? His height alone spoke out loud for it.  The poor guy was tiny. If you wanted to eat him, he'd be less than an appetizer. 
You shook your head, trying to get rid of the intrusive thoughts which plagued your mind.

"Now," Dumbledore continued as the two headmasters stepped forward. "Professor McGonagall and Snape, you've already met with Miss (Name). Yet, I will still introduce you. Professor McGonagall is head of Gryffindor, and Professor Snape is head of Slytherin house."

You nodded politely at both professors. Professor McGonagall returned but the only response you got from Snape is...a glare. It made you stare at him in exchange.

"Since you're a bit older and transferring in, I thought we’d skip the usual ceremony and do your Sorting here—in private—much simpler, don’t you think?"

"Sorting Ceremony?" You blurted out loud. What were these wizards referring to? Hm. Perhaps sorting you into which faction you're in? Like back home?

"The Sorting Ceremony is a time-honoured tradition at Hogwarts. Each new student is placed into one of four Houses—Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin—based on the qualities they hold most dear. The Sorting Hat, quite an old and opinionated artefact, does the deciding."

"So I get sorted in different houses based on my qualities?" You asked, not entirely comprehending what Dumbledore was saying. Humans. Completely confusing.
"I thought I was going to prove myself."

"What a hilarious thought you had there, (Name)." Dumbledore chuckled. "Now, if you won't mind, kindly come up and sit here."

You looked in the direction she was gesturing at. There seemed to be no point in arguing, so, you reluctantly walked toward the middle of the room, to the stool. As you sat down, the stool creaked for a moment making you sigh. Not a moment later, you felt something on your head.

In an instant, you tensed. You felt something prodding inside your mind.  A foreign sensation that made your eyes pop wide open and a gasp leave your lips. It started as a ripple.

A strange, invisible touch brushing the edge of your mind—too delicate to be physical, but far too deliberate to be imagined. Your breath caught. Someone was there. Not beside you, but inside.

Without thinking, you folded inward, as if your very mind recoiled. The world around you—the hum of voices, the faint chill in the air—faded, muted by the rush of retreat. You felt yourself slipping deeper, drawn not by choice but by instinct, like a bird diving into dense woods to escape the shadow of a hawk. Memories stirred behind shut doors. Thoughts you hadn’t summoned flickered in your periphery.

You weren't in your human form, but your original form. Squared, ready to attack. Prepared to find out who it was that wished to intrude.

"Cowards are those who lurk in the shadows." You began, "Show yourself."

"Do not worry," A voice deep, dusty and old echoed within her mind. "I'm not attacking. I am simply checking to see if you fit the house that I will decide."

Your brow furrowed with worry, unsure what was being checked. Growl bubbling up in your throat.

"Leave at once."  You demanded, feeling the power behind your words, and the urge to tear into whoever dared to invade your sanctuary. "Or you'll regret it."

"It's not my intention to harm you. Calm yourself." The hat mentioned. After those words, you felt yourself. Leaving your piece of mind. Returning back to the real world just in time to hear the hat's declaring words.

"Slytherin!"

The sound of applause quickly filled the space. It sounded strange to be clapped for.  Strange because you couldn’t remember the last time you’d heard such praise or approval.

Dumbledore stood near you, smiling gently. His hands clasped tightly together as he stared down at you.

"It seems you have a new student, Severus." He said, a kind, grandfatherly tone to his voice. Choosing to ignore the glare of disapproval Snape sent his way. Severus glared at you, cold eyes burning with barely contained rage. As Dumbledore took the hat off your head, you stood up.

"As a transferee, I doubt you have your essentials for this school year, yes?"  He asked. Without waiting for an answer he continued. "Your head of house will take you shopping. Immediately. "

"But..." You began to protest. "I don't have money with me." You reminded. Dumbledore smiled gently at you before waving your complaint away. He didn’t say anything and instead went back to sit on his chair.

"You worry too much," He began. "Your head of house will take care of all of it."

By that statement, your ears perked up. Eyes filled up with curiosity as you looked up to the man beside you. "You will?"

A grumble was all you heard and yet it made your eyes sparkle as you looked back to Dumbledore. Even he was taken aback by how happy you looked.

"Perhaps it would be wise for you to leave early—"

"Let's go, now." A sharp tone cut through the air as if cutting glass. Snape's voice. "Time's wasting away."

"Huh?" Your eyes snapped over to him as he turned and stormed away, shoulders straight back and chin lifted high and firm.

"Bye bye Dumbledore!" You shouted to the elder man, and with a last wave, you followed after Snape, a smile plastered across your face. You couldn't wait to finally know where you were going. Wherever it was, you would be happy there. Whatever it was...you could get used to it.

( O • O )

Just his luck. How could a girl be ever so obnoxious and annoying to the point wanted to send her off to a different continent? If that isn't enough, you were also put under the same house as he is. As much as he never doubted the sorting hat's ability, he couldn't help but have a feeling that you belonged in a different house other than Slytherin. The House of Hufflepuff would have suited you better.

Snape sighed as he stared down at you, who seemed quite pleased as you walked alongside him in the halls of Hogwarts.
With your head held high, you marched along like an obedient pet. Your eyes darted around as you inspected every inch of the walls and floors, and everything in between.

"So...Professor," You began to speak and Snape already felt his face harden. "Where are we going?"

"To purchase your essential things for your term, isn't that obvious?" A snarky reply already made its way out automatically. He really did not want to deal with this girl today. And he certainly didn't want her tagging along wherever he went. He stopped suddenly as he realised that he hadn't told you where you were going or what you were doing. But then again, he decided against it. Choosing to tell you when you chose to.

"Yeah, I know that." You answered, sounding slightly disappointed. "I just want to know where specifically."

He took a glance at you from the corner of his eye, not expecting the sight of your eyes gazing up at him expectantly.  Those eyes. They were like a clear sky with a flicker of chaos in it. And that's probably how he ended up saying, "Diagon Alley."

A bright grin appeared on your face. It was quick, so quick that he wouldn't have noticed except for how wide and annoying it was. 

He frowned. "Why are you smiling?" He questioned.

"I CAN'T WAIT to get there!" The tone is full of childish excitement. You almost looked like a five-year-old child.  Snape had to admit that he was beginning to get annoyed. You were still grinning at him even though he wasn't trying to be pleasant about the fact.

"It sounds like—like a place where elves shop for groceries or wizards buy their exploding socks or something!" A giggle left your throat. "I don’t even know what’s in Diagon Alley, it could be one crooked street with a single tiny shop that only sells magical shoelaces. But I bet it’s huge. I bet it’s got floating candles and shops that look like they’re going to fall over but somehow don’t because of magic. Oh, what if there are books that fly off the shelves? Or—oooh—what if the money is all weird and shiny and has like, wizards’ faces on it? And moving faces! And we’re going to get my wand there, right? That’s where the wand shop is? Imagine a wand just—choosing me! I don’t even know how that works! Is a duel needed—?"

“Miss (Name), I am not a tour guide. I am not your personal encyclopedia. And I most certainly am not pleased by your enthusiasm.”

He finally turns his head just slightly, his voice low and cold. “Contain yourself. Or I shall be forced to demonstrate the silencing charm outside educational purposes.”

"Silencing Charm?" You blinked, three times specifically. For a second, you finally shut that mouth of yours as it gave you time to ponder. The first word, 'silencing charm,' clearly confused you. And for a moment Snape thought he had intimated you into silence...only for the slightest moment.

"Is that a torture spell?" You asked curiously. Snape narrowed his eyes at your question and pursed his lips.

Dumb girl.

"No." He replied curtly. "Please refrain from making such conclusions. I'd very much appreciate it if our walk was quiet." He adds.

"Ah." Was your silent response? But it didn't matter. What matters is that you finally shut your damn trap. After a thundering beat passed, you turned your head towards him—eyes drowned in absolute stupidity and innocence.

"I understood about...half of it, Male Homo Sapiens." You gave him a grin.

He merely scoffed, head faced in a single direction. Determined to make this whole trip over for Merlin's sake. "How unfortunate, that your vocabulary lacks understanding of your own species."

"That's a lie!"

If only he could make it perfectly clear that he’d rather travel with a Dementor than a talkative teenager. Then again, even your pea-sized brain probably still wouldn't be able to comprehend such information.

(˶◜ᵕ◝˶)

"WOAH!!"  With a gasp that came from your chest, you stumbled forward. "What is THAT??"

You couldn't believe your eyes when you saw it. It was the most amazing creature your eyes had ever seen in centuries. It grew you curious and it made him suspicious.

"It's a train."  He responded with a deadpan. He watched how you squeal and immediately ran toward it. Moving around, side to side—hopping like a bunny whilst you're at it—as you gawked at it. He sighed, deciding it best to get this whole over as fast as possible.

"Quit acting like a fool." He growled and stalked forward, arms crossed over his chest.

"Is that his name?" You turned to him and squealed.

"No."

You could've sworn a dark shadow etched across his face.

"Now get on," He closed the distance, grabbing your wrist. You stopped hopping around, glancing at him with wide eyes and confusion etched all over your face. You tilted your head to the side in confusion while he dragged you inside.

"But why?"

"Do you perhaps live under a rock?"

"I did live on a rock—Hey!" You stumbled forward as Snape suddenly stopped in the middle of the train. He slid a door open, revealing a space that could fit four people inside along with a window for them to see the beauty of the ride. He let go of your wrist and placed them on your shoulders, gently pushing you inside.

"Stay. Here."

Those were the last words you heard before a slam of the door rang in your ears. Effectively leaving you alone in the compartment.

"Humans." You muttered under a sigh. You sat down, crossing your legs in front of you and leaning your head on the palm of your hands while you gazed out the window. They were always so interesting.  So complex.  So...stupid in your term. And yet, they never fail to surprise you. Despite them being an inferior species, you decided their position ranks up a bit due to the fact they're a wizard and witches. Even though you've known each other for a few hours and you already felt like you wanted to stay where he was, there were still so many things you weren't aware of about Snape. The thought made you smile. You'd get to know him, surely. They always do.

As an instinct, sat legs stood up, heading to the door.  You opened the door and peeked outside to see if Snape was there. The first side you looked at was empty but as soon as you looked at the other...

"Clearly listening to instructions is not in your vocabulary."

It was him.

"Hi! I thought you were dead so...I came to look for you." You gave him a wide smile.

"Get back in there." He grumbled, his brows furrowed as he glared back at you. Gesturing for you to go in, which, you gladly did.

"I will keep you company this time." He added, closing the door behind himself. For some reason you found your lips stretching into a wide smile. Your eyebrows shot upwards in amusement as you took a seat opposite him. Your lips curled upwards, a giddy feeling bubbling up in you once again as you went back to your seat. It felt good. It felt great. Being around him was just too nice.  You couldn't help but feel grateful towards him. Grateful towards the fact he allowed you to accompany him, grateful towards the fact that he allowed you to come along in the first place.

After getting comfortable again, you glanced at the compartment's wall in curiosity.  There were no pictures. No posters, no anything that was displayed on the wall. Nothing. There wasn't anything interesting to look at except for the window that showed the beautiful world passing by as the train moved him.

You stared longingly, your eyes glued onto him as if looking away he would leave you. You tried your best not to stare too obviously because you knew if you did he'd be irritated by it and possibly stop speaking to you, but you can't help it. He was simply too interesting.

Snape seemed to sense that since he was giving you a side glance after a moment of silence passed. You looked up from him as soon as he did. Your eyes locked for another second as you tried to hold his gaze. You grinned cheekily when he averted his eyes away from yours and instead focused on the scenery passing by.

"Can I ask you a question?" You asked. He grunted in response, keeping his eyes on the view.

"Are you...a vampire?"  You asked cautiously. You didn't want to sound rude. He turned to you slowly. His expression didn't change and he remained quiet for quite a couple of seconds before he answered.

"Do you honestly believe the school would employ a vampire to teach children how to handle dangerous potions, (Name)?" He raised an eyebrow, tone cold as stone.

"Is that a yes or no?"  You questioned innocently. He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Such idiocy." He snarled. "No, obviously."

You smiled sheepishly, rubbing your nape shyly. "You do look kinda pale."

"And I am tired of answering questions that are completely illogical." Snape huffed, staring straight ahead. The way his body responded told you he wasn't interested. Well, okay then.

You glanced around, trying to think of something more important to say to keep him talking. Anything you'd say to avoid awkward silences.  Anything. Just anything to make sure he stayed.

"Do you...believe in dragons?"  You blurted out without much thought.  You were surprised at yourself because really, there was no reason to mention them now. You were a dragon, for crying out loud. For a moment, Snape didn't respond. And then you realized he wasn't expecting you to bring up dragons.

"Dragons exist." He stated, "They are one of the most intelligent and dangerous creatures. Territorial, I might say."

Then again, he's not wrong—you thought to yourself—heartbeat in your ears.

"Well, you're not wrong."  You nodded vigorously as you gazed at him. He rolled his eyes again and shook his head, as though he finds your childish behaviour hilarious.

"So what's your favourite colour? Mine's red." You continued the conversation, ignoring his reaction. A small frown tugged at the corner of his mouth but you ignored it. After a few moments, you waited for his response it never came. Perhaps he didn't want to talk and wanted to listen. You didn't mind.

"I like red because it reminds me of something that made me proud of myself!" You giggled, clasping your hands together.

"Do you want to know why else it's my favourite colour?" You asked once more, this time leaning forward to him. He glanced at you with narrowed eyes, an indication he was still listening despite the lack of response from him.

"It's because it's—"

A knock came from the compartment door, making both of your heads turn in its direction. Shortly after, the door slid open.

"Anything off the trolley dears?"   The lady in charge asked sweetly, peering inside through the space. Both of you were silent until you took a look at what the human was referring to. The moment you saw sweets, your eyes lit up. It alarmed the man opposite of you.

"I want it all–!"

"We're good." He cut you off, glaring at you as you sat back and pouted. You stuck your tongue out playfully, earning a soft chuckle coming from beside you.

"Are you sure?" The lady asked once.

"I WANT ALL OF IT—"

"Ignore her. Yes, we're sure." Snape cut you off once more.

"HEY!"

The glare you sent at him directly went ignored by him. And it ticked you off a bit.
Not only was he ignoring you, but now he was being rude as well. As the lady nodded and closed the door, his eyes made contact with your seemingly furious ones.

"What was that for?" You huffed. "I wanted to see what the female human was offering to me."

A raised brow accompanied Snape's questioning gaze. Or should you say, suspicious?

"Your choice of words is concerning." He stated.

"Why?" You asked back. His face twitched slightly as if trying hard not to let the emotions slip through. But eventually, he sighed, turning his attention back towards the window in a show of reluctance.

"I am not wasting good money  on sweets when I could have had dinner and tea."

"But it's food..."

His gaze shot to you. He looked almost amused, as if he expected you to say those exact words. And, you supposed, you shouldn't blame him, given how often you use the phrase.

"There are better things in life than candy."
He said nothing further, leaving you confused.

"So...the female human was offering me candy?"  You asked, your interest peaked by the idea of getting food. The idea of eating was something that excited you. A smirk spreads across your features. A small growl left him, a small frown forming on his face as he stared you down. You blinked and leaned forward, placing your chin on your hand as you stared back at him. You wanted him to understand, and he was not happy about it.

"Why didn't you want me to get candy?"

He remained silent for a while, watching you with a neutral expression plastered on his face before his jaw clenched as if he was holding back his retort. You took it as a sign to continue.

"I love it when humans offer me—"

"It's not an offer,"  He stated, interrupting you. He frowned deeply. Why was he always cutting you off, and why was this such a big deal for you? "It's a sale."

"Huh..."  You hummed in acknowledgement, nodding your head as you watched him. His fingers were curling into fists. You couldn't tell whether it was due to annoyance or rage. You weren't sure which of these two emotions you could identify with, but you figured it didn't matter.

"Alright." Although you wondered what was troubling him so badly that he was acting this way. Did you do something wrong? His expression was tight with annoyance. You could tell he wasn't used to having someone bother him like this.  Deciding not to pester him for a moment, you wanted to take comfort in the soft seats of the train.

Snuggling into the seat and closing your eyes, you let out a content sigh.

"Just kidding...I don't understand." You whispered.

He didn't reply, you did however feel a huff of annoyance.

Chapter Text

The rest of the ride, Snape barely paid any attention to you. In fact, he was too busy looking outside, observing the landscape pass by as it flew by in front of him, as he occasionally looked to check the time on his wrist watch, waiting impatiently for the train to arrive. However, he'd occasionally take a glance at you with suspicious thoughts on top.

He didn't know why it felt so strange when you were sitting so close beside him, and that irritated him immensely, but he couldn't seem to shake it. You were strange. That's for sure.  The way you constantly asked random questions, the way you seemed unbothered by everything, the way you acted like you had complete control over whatever decisions you made; everything about you just seemed unnatural to him.

For someone who was at death's door, you were certainly alive for some reason. He found himself unable to dismiss the suspicion and uncertainty bubbling inside of him. If it weren't because of you being annoying enough to make him irritable, he wouldn't care. He probably wouldn't even mind if you were annoying or not. He was used to annoying people. So it was pretty normal for him to be annoyed with someone whenever they bothered him in a negative sense.

In addition, you seemed to have a tendency to ask stupid, idiotic things. It's not like you needed to question every single thing. There are thousands of things you can ask, something of importance. Yet you still needed to ask him stupid and idiotic questions. But then again, he doesn't like the way you question him, as annoying as the questions may be. And yet, earlier, there you were, asking silly questions.

He's at ease for now. You aren't irritating or annoying him anymore. At least not at the moment, since you've lulled yourself into a quick nap.

Aside from you asking him stupid questions, he had a lot of questions in return.  Important questions. Who are you exactly? What are you exactly?  Where are you from? Were you from a different world? Where did you come from? He was able to answer most of them, though his answers were vague or incomplete at least. However, he needed to hear it from you directly.

Watching you sleep, your chest rising and falling rapidly. You appeared peaceful, but he knew you were not. Though he would rather be doing anything else at that very second. Anything but sitting here and having to look out for a stupid, annoying girl—anything but having conversations with the likes of you. However, you being in the same house as him made it difficult for him to refuse talking to you. Especially considering that he already has to suffer from your annoyances.

"Your staring had become quite excessive, Mr. Snape."

Great, the biggest nuisance in the world woke up from her nap, He thought. Turning toward the side, he spotted your eyes flutter open and a smile spread across your lips. When he gave you no reaction, you decided to start using your mouth again.

"Is something wrong?" You asked with a tilt of your head. He glared at you harshly before turning back to face the window.

"Just go back to sleep." That was all he replied with.

You stared at him innocently, although there was a glint of mischief shining in your eyes. The male didn't respond, remaining quiet.

"Oh, please! I was wondering who was bothering you this much."  You poked him playfully in the arm. His eye twitched with annoyance.

"Oh right, IT'S ME!!" You exclaimed, causing his eyes to snap at you instantly.

"I'm sorry! I forgot you don't like it when I'm loud."

This time, he didn't give a response, nor did he turn his head toward you. Your eyes wandered around his body as a small smile spread across your lips.

"Can I—"

"No." Came his automatic response, causing you to let out a mild expression of disappointment.

"Huh?? But I didn't even—WOAH!"

Before either of you could say another word, the train finally screeched to a halt, causing you to roll and fall to the wooden floor of the train.

"And you were saying?" Snape raised an eyebrow in mockery, a slight tug on his lips as he stared down above you.  He could easily pick you up, but he wasn't sure what he'd gain from it. After all, if he picked you up, you might just annoy him more, and it wouldn't help him in anything.

He expected you to be somewhat annoyed, perhaps back-talk him a bit like what typical teenagers do. However, instead, you smiled widely, your lips forming into a bright grin as you remained on the ground, pushing yourself up in a more comfortable position.

"Look!" You let out a gasp. "You're smiling!"

Snape's lip twitched as he stared at you incredulously, his eyes narrowing slightly. Your sentence caught him completely off guard. Especially noting the excitement in your voice. Your smile grew bigger as you spoke.

"That means you're happy, right?"  You asked. When he continued to stare down at you, your smile faltered slightly, and your eyebrows furrowed slightly. He didn't respond, and for the first time that day, you saw him hesitate. His gaze softened, but only for the slightest. And it was evident how unwary he seemed, as if he were conflicted. His face looked like he wanted to kill you, though.

"Heyyyy! Are you gonna ignore me or am I just going to have to keep talking to someone who won't speak back?!"  You crossed your arms, leaning onto your hands, your brows furrowing as he remained stoic and impassive. "You know, I'm starting to think that maybe you're actually a vampire."

"Stop talking,"  He muttered in irritation. "And do pick yourself up, we've arrived."

"Ah, that's why we stopped." You mumbled, dusting your bottom as you stood up. You stood awkwardly as you stared at him, not knowing what to do next. It wasn't until he gestured for you to open the door and head out that you scratched your cheek in embarrassment.

Walking down the narrow corridor, you couldn't help but feel awkward; you had no idea why. The fact that Snape is behind, trailing you and eyeing you was not helping.

As you stepped out of the locomotive, you took note of where you were, the train station. It is nearly empty. It was only late afternoon. A faint, light breeze blew against your face gently as you gazed up at the sky—partially covered with windows—with wonder. It was still sunny, but a few clouds drifted by, giving a dull blue colour to the otherwise white backdrop of the skies.

"(Name)."

Upon realising you had been standing still, staring at nothing for quite a while, you turned to glance up at him once more, only to catch him observing you quietly. You blinked twice before returning your gaze up at the sky once more.

"The sky is nice."  You commented casually. He glanced at you briefly.

"Do hurry, we don't have all day."

"Okay..." You trailed off as you began walking to him. After walking in silence together, you walked up loads and loads of stairs until you reached the exit of the station. After seeing the view of the open city, you suddenly halted, stopping abruptly in your tracks to look at him.

Snape realised after a few steps that you were following beside him. Without uttering a word, he noticed the sudden change in demeanour and raised a brow at you in question. You didn't respond yet, instead, staring at the bustling city in front of you. With your eyes filled with so much awe, the sight of the tall buildings and lights was something that was new to you. As if the world were just waiting for you to experience it. The world was new. It was evolving.

"Humans...are fascinating." You mumbled before snapping your head to him and giving him a grin.

It's a bit strange how you're acting. You didn't seem affected by your current situation. Perhaps your brain was simply telling you to keep calm and stay collected. He's unsure of how to respond to that statement, however. The feeling of discomfort from watching you stand next to him, however, was hard to get rid of. There is something different about you, and he's sure of it.

"Perhaps you can ogle at the city some other time."  He replied coldly, averting his eyes away from your grinning figure, his hands shoved inside the pockets of his robe.

"We've got places to go." At his words, your grin faded. He could tell, just by looking at you, that you weren't pleased with how cold he was being.

"Aw...alright." You slumped down. Then, without another word, you followed close beside him. The two of you walked in silent agreement along the streets, your eyes darting about curiously as you took it in. Every little thing caught your attention: the shops and restaurants, the people, everything. Everything except for him. Since, well, you already stared at him for a while.

"This place is..." You trailed off.  "Vibrant." You finished, taking a glance at the sign of a shop. A bakery...it's called the Bakery. Oh! You sure wanted some tasty pastries.

"Mmm, A BAKERY!"  You exclaimed, pointing at the shop. "I WANNA GO THERE-"

Snapes' eyes narrowed upon hearing your words, and you could practically see the vein popping out on his forehead as he gritted his teeth.

So, you quickly shut your mouth. You want him to be mad. You giggled, "I just love bakeries." You added with a bright smile, which widened when you noticed how his frown deepened.

His gaze flickered between you and the bakery. Finally, he shook his head in disapproval. Which made you frown.

"Let's keep walking." He commanded. You pouted, crossing your arms over your chest petulantly as he started walking again.

"Why? Why are you being so mean?"  You frowned.

"Because," He paused, "We are not supposed to stop anywhere, especially on our way to Diagon Alley. We cannot afford to waste any time."

"But I'm hungry."  You whined.

"Keep saying that to yourself. That doesn't matter."   

"Well, it does to me."

There was a long pause after that, which you took this opportunity to study him closely. You didn't really know what his deal with you was exactly, since he had always been grumpy when he spoke to you.  Maybe it was because he thought you were stupid or annoying, and that he couldn't stand you. You assumed it was something like those. But you weren't quite sure as to why he kept ignoring you and kept glaring at you whenever he tried speaking to you. Oh well, it left more room for you to explore who he really is.

You let out a thoughtful hum as you gazed up at him, still continuing to walk through the streets of London. He looked back down at you briefly, his gaze seeming to linger. You returned the gaze with a small grin plastered on your face.

Then he looked forward again, his expression blank. When both of you neared a certain point on the street, your stomachs rumbling lightly. Noticing how you were looking at him and how close you got, Snape's gaze hardened slightly.

"What is it now?" He snapped harshly, his tone harsh.

"I'm thirsty." You replied innocently, shrugging slightly.

"I know where to go." He replied. And for once, he did not turn you down. You could sense how aggravated he felt, despite his face remaining blank and emotionless.

"Really?" You gasped.

"Really."  He muttered as you followed him down the street. After a while, you and Snape finally found a quiet place on the corner. It looked shady, yet you came in anyway. He led you in. The moment you walked inside, an old woman was immediately in your face.

"GAHH!" You screamed out of instinct, shutting up when you hid behind Snape, who glared at you in the same way. Her hair and eyes were grey, and she held her wand tightly. She looked annoyed, but there was a hint of concern in her expression as she studied you from top to bottom.

"Ignore them," Snape told you, shifting his position so he shielded you from the people's stares. Sending glares their way, too.

"Go on." He looked back at you after realising you hadn’t moved an inch. "Don't stand there like a statue."

His eyes met yours again, a glare forming. You gave in instantly and nodded, walking past him and towards the counter.

"Not there."

"I thought you were going to buy me a beverage?" You looked back at him, confused.

He ignored your inquiry and instead guided you to a different direction. One that led to the back door of the place. One that led to nowhere but a wall of bricks. This one was. You stood there, gazing up at it. Looking back at Snape, who stood behind you, he saw that you seemed perplexed.

"Huh?" Your eyes darted to the brick walls around you and then back to him. "What are we doing here?"

No response was given to you. Instead, he breezed past you, wand in hand. Raising his fist, he consecutively tapped specific wall bricks. Soon enough, there were small holes and openings showing themselves on the wall. The same small holes in front of you grew wider and wider until a doorway formed in the wall. An awestruck process that made you stare at it with stars in your eyes.

Your reaction made him a bit sceptical. Severus strode forward, motioning you to follow behind him.  "Let's go."

It was enough to snap you back to your senses.

"This place...is AMAZING!" You squealed excitedly, hurrying towards him. You peered into the long streets, shops on either side of the place. The place was overflowing with humans—oops, you meant wizards—from the shops to the streets, all with their bought items in hand.

They appeared happy and cheerful, chatting among themselves happily as they entered and exited the stores, holding their things against their chests.  In the end, you turned back to face him, who had a blank expression on his features.  His eyebrows were knitted together, and his lips pursed. You gave him a smile.

"Stay by my side throughout the whole trip or..." Snape leaned down at your height "Punishment will be your fate."

You blinked, tilting your head sideways, and gave him a curious look.

"Huh?" That was all you said in return. 

"And don't try anything funny either." He replied before turning on his heel and proceeding to enter a building. That's when you realised that, even though he looked a bit funny right now, he was serious.

"Wait!" You yelled, ignoring the looks of the people as they turned to the sound. You had to catch up to him or you might lose him. This was a BIG place after all. So you pushed past them and headed straight after him. You opened the door where he went in. A shop named Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

As you entered the shop, you saw the back view of Snape's bat-like black robes flowing in the distance. He was most likely speaking with someone. You smiled widely, feeling relieved that he wasn't leaving you alone just yet. You hurried over to the register where he stood, a lady eyeing both of you.

"Perhaps for the young lady over here?" The lady said to Snape, to which he replied with a nod and an affirmation.

"Who?" You asked.

"Follow me, dear," The lady says, moving to a section of her shop that had tons of materials. Your eyes followed her, seemingly confused, before you looked up at Snape with the same expression.

He sighed.

"Go on." He said.

"If you say so." You replied with a growing smile.

Without wasting any time, you skipped away happily. You glanced over your shoulder only for Snape's sharp gaze to make you turn back. The lady gestured for you to come closer.

"If you'd kindly step up here,"  She instructed. You complied as instructed and stepped up. You watched with curiosity as she carefully lifted a tape measure out of its resting spot to begin measuring you. She stopped, staring at her work with a satisfied smile. Then she started to count the sizes on your clothes, taking great care with each size.

You waited patiently, enjoying the nice breeze coming in through the open window that was on the right side of the store. You glanced outside for a minute and smiled, despite the awkward position you had your body in, the breeze was nice. Your eyes slid to him, his eyes were already onto yours after a few moments of held contact, he shifted his gaze onto the uniforms and clothes the shop had to offer.

He seemed a bit tense as he stared at everything and everyone inside. You wondered if something would go wrong because he was starting to act weird. You looked back at the lady who was currently at your waist.

"What is this for?" You asked.

"Hm?" The lady hummed, still focusing on taking your measurements. "Ah, it's for your uniform, dear."

"For me? Really?! Oh wow! What colour do I get?"

She paused and glanced up at you. You could tell there was a strange look in her eyes. You knew she was judging you, probably due to the fact that she hadn't seen you around before. Or your weird behaviour, maybe.

"Well…" Her voice trailed off, a hint of hesitation evident within it. "Don't you know what house you're in?"

"I know what house I'm in," You answered. "Why?"

"Well, your robes will change colours when you're sorted at Hogwarts." She moved away, a cue that means she was done taking your measurements. "Although you're a little bit too old to get new robes. Usually it's for the first years."

You nodded accordingly. Stepping down from the platform as you approached Snape. You noticed he was no longer looking at the uniforms. Instead, he was looking out of a window and watching as people passed by on the street below. It seemed he was deep in thought. His expression looked troubled, which worried you. Worried about what? You weren't entirely sure.

"Finished?" He glanced down at you briefly.

"Yes," You replied, a bright grin appearing on your face. "You looked agitated. Is something wrong?" You asked eagerly, eagerness obvious in your tone.

"No." He stated plainly, not without sending a glare in your direction. He looked back at the lady when she was back at the counter. "We'll come back for it later, Madam Malkin."

"Of course, Severus." The lady gave him a polite smile. "Thank you for your purchase."

Snape only nodded, and with that, you two left the store. The door opens itself for you to leave.  You gave the shop owner a wave as you left, doors shutting in front of you. Leaving you back outside, the cold wind brushed against your face, blowing your hair in the direction of the motion.

"So…?" You said, turning to look at him.

He looked away from the entrance of the building. His expression was unreadable. As though he wanted nothing more than for you to walk away from him completely. "I like her, she's nice."

No response was given to you. You felt like something was weighing heavily on his heart. And you didn't know what exactly.

"Textbooks." He merely gave you a glance before he began walking. "Come along."

You smiled brightly and did as told, following after him. The sky was clear above you, and dark clouds loomed above as though threatening to rain down on them any second. The trees were swaying wildly in the wind, leaves rustling every once in a while, making it easier for you to track where the wind brought them. It was cosy and calming, if you don't count the rivers of other humans walking down the cobblestone streets with you.

The walk wasn't far, considering each shop in the place was nearly next to each other.  There were also quite a lot of them. Seldom ending if you looked into the distance.

"There's..." You began, "Quite a lot of people here."

"Is there?" He responded monotonously. You frowned, wanting to spark a conversation with him. You opened your mouth but quickly shut it when he paused in his tracks, in front of a shop.

Flourish & Blotts

"This is a shop?" You asked.

"Yes."

"Oh. Okay." You replied. You tilted your head and gave him a quizzical look. "It's a bit...tiny."

He gave you an odd look before sighing out of his nose and entering the shop. You followed closely behind. The place was very crowded and loud, as though there was a crowd of people waiting to buy stuff, just sitting there. You walked around, observing different sections of the store that caught your eye. Some were filled with books, others filled with books and more books.

You were curious enough to approach one of those shelves, only for Severus to pull you back harshly. You stumbled back a bit in surprise.

"HEY!" You exclaimed at him.

He glared at you when he saw how much you struggled to resist.

"Focus." He said before he let you be and continued to look for the textbooks you needed, more specifically, he went to the counter. Leaving you alone. In a place full of other humans. Noisy and bustling.
You sighed and leaned against the shelf, closing your eyes momentarily to calm yourself.

After a few moments, you reopened them. Turning your focus to the bookshelves. You began scanning every one of them, trying to figure out what kind of books they should be. Curses? Torture? Training methods? Spells? Mostly, it was all for students. Only for the learning and studying stage, and not for the fighting stage.

Somewhere in your search, a book caught your attention. It looked very different to some you've seen. With the title written elegantly in gold lettering, you picked it up. You skimmed through the pages, reading random bits and pieces of the content. It was about food and how to cook it.

You skimmed through some more pages. And you wondered if this was a ritual or an offering to someone. Oh, wait, in human terms...there shouldn't be any of that. Silly you. However, you couldn't decide for sure. You put down the book, a frown still lingering on your features.

It was certainly interesting, alright. You didn't know if you'd been in the wizarding world long enough to recognise spells, potions, and more, but you could tell that this book had caught your attention, something you'd wanted to learn... on a human scale.

With a soft groan, you shook your head and stood straight. You looked around the bookstore, trying to find a familiar face to ask a question. But none of the adults looked like him. They were all rather old and wrinkly, wearing robes that covered most of their bodies. If they weren't old, they were teenagers or kids.

Looking around, you noticed the bookstore had a flight of stairs to it. You decided not to go up and look for Snape instead. The shop was fairly small (at least, in your terms), so it would have been easy to spot him anyway.

Instead of going up the stairs, you headed towards another section of the store. Books lined the floor, some stacked together haphazardly while others rested on the ground. Most of them had titles such as: Magical Creatures, Herbology, Defensive Magic, a book called 'How to Use Magical Theory' and some other things similar to the ones you just mentioned above.

In the midst of all of the books and the people around, you spotted Snape.  He wasn't standing among the many; he was standing near the end of the aisle closest to the staircase leading upstairs. He seemed to have found what he was looking for, as he was now staring down at a bag, talking to someone.

Taking advantage of the fact that you're close to him, you decided to give him a bit of a surprise. On your tip toes, you walked to him in a manner that ensured he wouldn't see you. Once you got closer to him, you stopped just short of him. Standing behind him.

"RAAAAUUGGGHHH!" You roared jokingly—loudly. You didn't think others would be affected by it. Oh, were you wrong? A few—no, a lot—of heads shot up and stared at you in shock. One person even made a loud 'shh' sound as the people stared at you. You winced a bit from embarrassment. Your throat suddenly felt tight. Snape whipped around and narrowed his eyes at you. Giving you a warning look as his eye twitched.

“How charming, A lion’s roar from a mindless cub. Next time, try using your indoor voice — if you’re capable of thought at all.” He spat, turning around fully as he grabbed a bag of books in his hands. "If your goal was to demonstrate your utter lack of self-preservation, congratulations — you've succeeded."

"Huh?" You blinked in confusion at him. What did he mean by that? Did he really think you were so careless and stupid? Well, yes, that sounded like something that you'd do. Of course, that was probably why he was calling you that. But his words are a bit confusing. "What do you mean I've succeeded? Do you want me to do it again?"

“We’re leaving. Now. Try not to attract any more attention — you’ve done quite enough damage for one afternoon.” He said bluntly, heading towards the exit. He ignored the looks people were giving him. He simply ignored everything around him, as though you didn't exist.

“Wait!” You shouted and grabbed his sleeve as he went out the door, barely stopping him in his tracks. “I found a book that I want."

He turned to glare at you, a deep crease forming between his brows as he sarcastically replied: “Marvellous. You've embarrassed yourself, startled half the customers, and now you’ve decided to shop like a toddler with a chaperone.”

He gently but firmly pries your hand off, turning his torso towards you. “Show me this life-altering piece of literature before you took an interest in it."

His tone left no room for argument as he gestured to your hands hidden behind your back. You grinned at him, slowly lifting the book you picked out.  He gazed down at the black cover, his lips pressed into a thin line as he examined it curiously.

"I want this one." You announced confidently, holding the book in both of your hands.

"Is that so?" He raised an eyebrow.

You nodded eagerly.

“Ah, I see. While others arm themselves with spellbooks and defensive theory, you’ll be perfecting your treacle tart.” He says, dry as the Sahara desert. He eyes you, unimpressed.

"So?" You asked. "Can I get it?"

"No." He stated, bluntly as ever. You scrunched your face up. He wasn't making sense. Why wouldn't you be able to get a book that had information on treacle tarts? You don't even know what treacle tarts are. You don't understand. This isn't fair.

"Return the book as swiftly as you can."  He added. His gaze flicked to something past you. You frown at him, muttering something under your breath in annoyance. Emotion was evident on your face. You turn around, stomping your feet with a little bit too much pressure, which makes the cobblestone beneath you crack.

You went back into the store and neared the closest bookshelf there was. You went to put the book back, as you were about to— you hesitated.  Looking at its front cover. Memorised the details. If you wanted to, you could simply put it in your inventory of a portal. However, you didn't want to make him mad. You forced down the feeling and successfully returned it. Going out the front door immediately as you neared Snape once more.

"Done." You say.

"An inquiry for you," he says, side-eying you as you come closer to him. Your frown deepens at the strange wording that he used. Tilting your head in confusion.

"Do you already own a wand?" He asks after a moment. Your expression falls instantly. Of course, that's when he brought it up. You look away from him, fiddling with your thumbs.

"Nope." You smile sheepishly. "I never used one."

He raises his eyebrows in disbelief. That wasn't exactly something a witch or wizard should say, was it? Odd.

"Never used one..." he repeats. "Why?"

"Well...uhm..." You hesitate. You look down as a lump forms in your throat, refusing to answer his question right away. "It broke! When I was...flying."

You say with a small cough. As soon as the sentence slipped out of your mouth, you regretted it. You knew you shouldn't lie to him. You were doing something you weren't supposed to do. But...he wasn't exactly asking for your reasons...right?
You could feel your heartbeat speeding up in anticipation, hoping he wouldn't notice it and let it slide.

"Flying?" He raised a brow.

"Yes...!"  You squeak, nodding rapidly. It sounds better than saying the truth, right? Or is he suspicious? It doesn't matter. If he asks...you'll simply come up with an excuse you think will work. And then leave it at that. His face was emotionless and empty as a void. Nothing. Just looking at you. Before he slowly, agonizingly turned his attention away from you.

"Next—Ollivanders." He spoke in a flat voice. His expression remained the same, as if he hadn't heard anything. As he began walking, so did you.

As you followed him through the busy streets of Diagon Alley, you wondered why Snape had looked like you had said something else. You couldn't think of anything he might've known. Or maybe...he's just like that.

"Wait—" You caught up, "Who is Ollivanders?"

"It's a place where wands are made." He answered.

"Oh." You replied simply. "What sort of wand am I gonna get?"

"The wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around. I suspect, in your case… something with a flair for chaos. Perhaps rubbery enough to survive your inevitable accidents."  His dark grey eyes glinted as he looked over at you. They were cold. Calculating.

"That's…" you trailed off. How could he possibly know something like that about you?

"But I don't like rubber."You retorted. He glanced over at you again, and the corner of his lip curled slightly. You frowned. That didn't seem right. What was that supposed to mean?

In just a few moments of walking and bumping into other people, you arrived at Ollivanders. Severus stepped forward and pushed open the door for you to follow. As you stepped through, you took note of the interior.

The air inside is thick with dust and the scent of old wood, parchment, and something faintly magical—perhaps incense or the lingering aura of spells. Wand boxes are stacked in towering, haphazard piles that stretch from the wooden floor to the high, shadowy ceiling, creating a sense of organised chaos. A single, worn wooden counter stands near the front, scratched and polished by years of use, and behind it, the walls are lined with shelves bursting with wands, each in a narrow box labelled in fading ink. The lighting is dim, with flickering candlelight casting long shadows, and the occasional beam of sunlight filtering through grimy windows. Scattered about are curious magical tools—measuring tapes that move on their own, enchanted instruments for testing wand properties, and other devices whose purpose is known only to Ollivander himself.

The shop is eerily silent, save for the creak of a floorboard or the faint stir of magic in the air, and it carries the unshakable feeling that something is always watching. You got that feeling, however—it was just from a woman staring at you from the outside. Silly.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to Ollivanders—Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Now… let’s see.” A man behind a counter spoke.

"A wand, please, Mr. Ollivander," Snape ordered without preamble. The man, whom you assume is Ollivander, moved towards you, attention fully focused.

"For whom, may I ask?"

Severus didn't reply immediately, instead looking at you as though he were debating whether to continue. Eventually, he decided against it; instead, he chose to nod his head over in your direction, gesturing a hint to you.

"Me!" You say with a smile, thrusting out your arms as you walk towards Ollivander, your arms swinging with such intensity that you almost hit the table next to you. Ollivander blinked twice before shaking his head.

"Ah, well, a little bit too old for a new wand, aren't ya?" He chuckled, motioning towards you with his finger. "You're an odd one, but there's no doubt you're very bright—quite young, actually. No reason not to give you your first try at a wand."

You gave him a grateful grin, "Okay!"

Severus eyed the two of you curiously. You watched in amazement as the man proceeded to pick up three boxes from the top shelf and place them carefully onto the flat surface. He opened the first wooden box, and it was a wand. It seemed simple: a long black stick with a sharp tip, wood was its base at the bottom. A weird combination of colours, but it strangely did well.

"Go ahead, try your luck here," he suggested kindly. He seemed to have a soft spot for kids who were eager to get their first wand. Or maybe he did like his job. You looked at the hand that was urging you to take the wand from his hands, and slowly you did.

It felt light in your hands,  almost weightless as the tips of your fingers brushed the smooth material lightly. You held the wand up slightly, moving it slightly with your wrist as you tried to find the right position.

"Now," Ollivander says, "Give it a swish." You swing your wand, and it makes a slight twirl, the tip pointing straight upward. Suddenly, light came out of the tip, making an explosion towards the direction you pointed at.

"Oops." You say, staring at the hole in the ceiling. Debris falling out. "I didn't mean to do that. Woah—!"

As you said that, the wand took itself out of your hand and went back to its open box. The weird occurrence made you blink. Well, you've certainly never seen sticks move on their own will before, that's a new one.

"I guess the wand doesn't like me?" You ask.

Ollivander laughed softly at that.

"Not at all. Not everyone can handle or get their wand on their first try." He responds.  "I would expect nothing less coming from you—after all, you just found out you are a witch. You'll be tested on this very day."

He opened another box, "Try this one."

The wand is a pale, silvery-tan hawthorn wood, with a slightly mottled, bark-like texture left partially intact near the handle. Thin, natural cracks run along its surface, like veins of age-old magic sealed just beneath the wood. The handle is slightly thicker and carved in a twisted, spiral grip, resembling the curling horns of a serpent or thorns on a vine. Embedded just below the grip is a small, glossy shard of basilisk fang, visible like a sharp tooth caught mid-swallow by the wand itself—its sheen faintly iridescent green when held to the light. Faint runic markings wrap around the handle in a circular pattern—burned into the grain rather than carved—giving off a sense of age and quiet menace. The tip of the wand tapers to a sharp point, elegant and deadly, evoking the precise strike of a serpent.

"WOAH!" You exclaim. "I like that one!"

You hold it up and admire how pretty it looks. You gave it a swish, and sparks and light came out of the tip, but no explosion this time. Just some sparkles of magic, floating in the air for a moment before settling. It lit up in your hand as if it felt like it was in the perfect place at once.

"I want this one." You turned to Snape and said, "This is my wand."

His lips formed a tight line, which quickly changed into a look of indifference. He simply nodded curtly, and took out a qallet and gave some golden coins to the man.

"Purchase is finished," Snape says, "We're leaving."

Ollivander bid you farewell, and you followed Severus out into the late afternoon sun. As the shop's door closed, you secretly lifted your finger and used your restoration ability to restore the man's ceiling.  You smiled happily as the dust disappeared.

"Come." You jumped when Snape appeared next to you.  He was still giving you that odd look from earlier, so you decided to ignore it.

"Where are we going next?"  You asked cheerfully. The sound of the wind rushing past you and blowing around his hair seemed to make Severus' expression soften somewhat.

"Back to Hogwarts."

Your face fell.

"Oh."

Chapter Text

The Slytherin common room. The atmosphere is cool, shadowy, and elegant, with an aura of ancient prestige and quiet power. The room is lit with greenish, silvery light that filters in through the lake's waters, giving everything a mysterious, otherworldly glow.

The walls are made of dark stone, adorned with green and silver tapestries bearing serpentine motifs and famous Slytherin figures. Rich, dark leather armchairs and carved wooden tables are scattered around the room, creating a space that feels both comfortable and exclusive. The ceilings are high, and the room stretches wide, giving it an almost cathedral-like hush, as though secrets have been whispered there for centuries.

Serpent carvings slither along the fireplaces and columns, and the Slytherin emblem—a silver serpent on a green background—is proudly displayed above the mantel. It's a place that feels secretive yet grand, cold yet refined—perfectly suited to ambition, cunning, and pride.

"Woah!" You gaped, looking around the room. Snape merely rolled his eyes as though annoyed. You sat down on the plush couch, running your fingers along the armrests and gazing idly around at the decor as you waited impatiently for him to start speaking. His expression, however, was anything but encouraging. He looked like he wasn't paid enough to do this.

Eventually, Severus cleared his throat and went near you, not beside you, though, just right in front of you. "You are now in the Slytherin common room. Try to remember it. Come—I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping, provided you don’t lose your way."

"I didn't expect it to be underwater!" You say in fascination, a large smile on your face. Snape did not need to see it to confirm it himself; he could practically feel it coming from behind him.

"Fascination is natural—for the uninitiated. But try not to gape like a trout. Now... your dormitory."

You stared at him, completely lost. Severus started walking away, heading towards what you assumed was the entrance.

"What's a dormitory?"  You ask quietly, feeling a wave of confusion wash over you. Severus stopped in his tracks and shot you a look filled with exasperation before returning to walk further. You sighed softly, following along obediently.

"A dormitory, Miss (Name), is a shared sleeping quarters. Each student is assigned a bed, a trunk space, and a bedside table. In your case, one room, one bed, stone walls, and ideally, silence after curfew. It is not a playground, nor a place to exchange gossip, host tea parties, or practice wandwork. It is for rest." Severus says sternly. You nod in response, taking in all this information. You didn't mind being alone; you enjoyed your own presence.

"So, I'm supposed to have someone in the room with me?" You asked. As you leave the main area of the Slytherin common room, the light from the green-tinted lanterns fades slightly.

"Correct, however, there is an odd number of students in your batch, hence why you'll be alone in your dormitory," Snape explains as he leads the way down a sloping stone passage to the left of the large, ornate fireplace. The air is cooler here, touched with the damp scent of the Black Lake seeping through the ancient stone. The floor beneath your feet is smooth and slightly cold, echoing your footsteps as you walk. The walls are decorated with lanterns, illuminating a soft glow as you venture deeper into the dungeons.

"What about you?" You ask, "Where do you sleep?"

He stops in his tracks to turn to you, one brow arching high, the dark atmosphere complementing his features. "How... charmingly invasive." He sneers.

Your eyes widen at his response; you weren't really expecting that. "Sorry." You mutter, suddenly feeling guilty.

There’s a long pause. His eyes narrow just slightly, though there's a flicker of dry amusement hidden deep in his voice.

"No, I do not share my chambers." He continues, "An answer to your question, I live in a dungeon of my own, and am rarely ever there. This, however, is hardly appropriate conversation for children." He adds.

I'm not a child, I'm older than that.

You nod solemnly, agreeing to his words without needing to hear any more. As Severus led you on, he continued. "And before your curiosity festers into further questions: my quarters are not in the student wing, nor are they your concern. Your time will be better spent finding your bed, not pondering where your teachers sleep."

You frowned at the statement. It sounded like Snape didn't want to talk anymore because you were asking too many questions, and it bothered him. You didn't know whether it was because it was rude or because he wanted to protect his privacy.  Maybe it was because he felt you were prying, or perhaps because he didn't want you to intrude even more.

"Alright then." You say as you shrug, pretending you don't care much either way. Narrow archways carved with snakes and old Latin runes appear along the sides of the corridor, though Snape passes them without pause. There are no portraits on the walls here—only stone, scale-like tiles and the occasional glimmer of magically glowing moss clinging to the corners.

A faint gurgling sound of water trickling through pipes above your head follows you as you descend deeper underground. The torches flicker with a faint green flame, casting long shadows against the wall.

"Are the rooms warded here?" You ask out of nowhere, passing some rooms.

Snape glances at you momentarily, before turning his gaze back on the path ahead of him. "Of course," he answers shortly ", It is for the safety of students in general."

Makes sense.

"Why the sudden question?"  He says after a while.

"Nothing." You dismissed him immediately. You knew it was warded from the beginning, you could see remains of magic, giving it away. It wasn't strong enough to ward off someone as strong as you, so it wasn't a big deal. You just wanted to see if he would tell you the truth.

After a few short turns, Snape stops at a pair of tall, dark wooden doors with silver serpent handles—the entrance to the fourth-year girls’ dormitories.

"This is your dormitory."

The doors are thick, warded with subtle magic that recognises your presence and opens only for Slytherins assigned to the room. Inside, the dormitory is circular and stone-walled, with four-poster beds draped in emerald-green velvet curtains. Brass lamps float above each bed, glowing softly. There's a faint, comfortable hum of magic in the air. The lake can be faintly heard pressing gently against the outer wall, and if you listen closely, you might even hear the distant groan of the giant squid turning in the deep.

Everything is neat, cool, and quiet—quite nice if you say so yourself. Excitedly, you go in immediately and inspect every single little thing. A small fireplace sits to your left, the flames dancing merrily in the night wind. Two bookshelves are arranged neatly next to one another across the room. There's a desk near the fireplace with a chair pulled up to it—a desk where you're sure to find homework assignments—along the left wall is a set of drawers filled with school supplies.

"Your things have already been sent here," Snape informs you when you turn around, watching you curiously from the doorway.

You grin widely—this is great! You run towards your bed and climb aboard eagerly. It looks incredibly inviting. You sit down on the soft mattress with a sigh of contentment, staring fondly at your new, unfamiliar surroundings. This is perfect!

"Thank you!" You cry happily, sitting up, and you run to him before he manages to leave. In a burst of excitement, you suddenly reach out, grabbing his wrist, and tug him inside the room.

At that moment, the atmosphere suddenly dropped. Snape froze in his place.

"Miss (Name)." His voice is dangerously low, silken, and stone-cold.

Snape pulls his wrist back with sharp precision "Let go. Now."

And you did. There’s no shouting, but the air around him practically freezes. His expression is unreadable, but his dark eyes flash with unmistakable warning. He dusts his sleeve once, unnecessarily.

"You will not grab me again. Ever. I do not follow students into their dormitories, and I most certainly am not led."

You stared at him with your eyebrow beginning to furrow, the tips of your lips beginning to frown. He leans forward just slightly, his voice now soft but edged like a blade.

"Be mindful of your boundaries. Gratitude does not excuse behaviour that would get you expelled in another context."  He says, his face inches away from yours, and there's something unsettling about the fact that he's so close to you, his breath ghosting across your skin. You swallow hard, looking up at him warily.

Before he can say another word, you suddenly throw your arms around him in a spontaneous hug. You can feel him stiffen slightly underneath you. For one sharp second, it’s as if time itself halts. His arms remain at his sides. His eyes widen just slightly—not in warmth, but in pure, stunned disbelief.

Snape says in a low, tight voice. "What... are you doing?"

He does not return the gesture. In fact, he remains stiff as marble, and after a beat, he very carefully places one hand on your shoulder—not affectionately, but firmly—to push you back to a proper distance.  His hands stay at his side, clenched into fists, and for a brief instant, he exhales.

You smile awkwardly, stepping back. "Thanks for walking me to my dorm room," you say quickly, "and letting me explore. And for buying the stuff I need." You trail off as you add sheepishly, unable to think of anything else to say, and you take a step away from him again. You stare at him expectantly, hoping he doesn't think this was weird.

"This is... highly inappropriate. I am your professor. Not your friend. And certainly not someone to be embraced in a corridor, much less in a dormitory." He says icily.

His gaze is sharp, but not cruel. There is deep, dangerous stillness. He straightens his collar, smoothing his robes with a crisp motion.

"Were...not friends?" You inquire uncertainly.

He pauses, as if surprised by the inquiry, perhaps by how honest you seemed to be.

"No. Definitely not." He answers shortly.

You blink slowly, looking down at your feet. You were not exactly sure what happened earlier, or what you said wrong. But somehow you felt disappointed and sad about it, as if the happiness you just felt vanished.

"I suggest you keep your emotions—and your arms—to yourself from now on."

He turns on his heel with a final swish of his robes.

"Sleep well, Miss (Name). Let us never repeat this moment."

The words echo hollowly throughout the empty corridors. The sound of footsteps fading, echoing right after. The door in front of you falls shut with a bang, followed by silence. You look down at the floor, feeling a bit lost and confused. The room feels colder than before. Slowly, you walk to your bed, lying down. You pull back the covers and sink under the sheets.

Right, you forgot. Certain humans do not prefer physical touch. He is human after all, humans tend to get angry at the silliest things. It didn't matter.

...

...

...

But if it didn't, why was it bothering you? It made no sense. Why did he look so hurt? So disgusted? As if you did something wrong? You only hugged him. What did you do? You roll over in your bed, trying to stop thinking too much about it. Humans are always emotional like that; it doesn't make a difference, you convince yourself. Beings such as yourself do not sleep; however, in times like this, you do.

(｡•́︿•̀｡)

Shocked was an understatement to describe what he was currently feeling. Not only had you attempted to cling onto him, even in the face of his obvious disapproval, but also after having seen his reaction to your unexpected display of affection, you had actually sought to seek further contact. That alone should have been enough to dissuade you from any attempts to 'get along' with Severus—and yet you'd done exactly that. It was utterly baffling and disturbing to say the least—and now he felt himself begin to shiver involuntarily.

His blood ran cold, his chest tightening painfully. No matter how many times he tries to reason with himself that you were only being kind (though the way you looked at him earlier, so warm, so hopeful, so innocent), it's difficult to believe in himself. A strange mixture of emotions churned in his stomach. Anger, annoyance, hope, fear, regret—everything.

He's never been good with feelings, especially not these. Even less with these sorts of... attachments... which is quite frankly, beyond ridiculous. He has never had any reason nor desire to ever get attached to anyone. If he wanted to keep his pride, or maybe his heart intact, he shouldn't allow those feelings. That's a lot easier said than done, though. His mind races, processing what you did in the dormitory. His heart is beating erratically against his ribs. Was this some kind of prank on him? He was lucky there were no students around, or else there would have been a bigger issue.

Did you really mean it, though?

Severus runs a weary hand over his face, breathing deeply in through his nose. It was pointless to try to calm down. All you wanted was a bit of attention from him. Just a little friendly banter, that was it. And you were more than happy to give it. He shook his head lightly. He knew you didn't mean any harm, but... he had to maintain some dignity, after all.

Severus Snape was not known for showing his vulnerabilities. Never in his life. Yet, for the first time in years, he felt completely out of control. He couldn't deny it anymore: despite being able to hold his emotions together as well as he possibly could, you were getting to him.

More than he liked to admit. No, it was simply your personality. That's all.

As soon as he reached his quarters, Severus threw his cloak off and threw himself down on his couch in frustration. He leaned backwards on the leather, closing his eyes momentarily, inhaling the familiar scent of leather. He opened his eyes, glancing at his fireplace.

He had left everything in the office untouched. He sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. His fingers dug into the skin gently. He took a deep breath, relaxing his shoulders. His gaze wandered lazily across the room. Sitting on top of his desk was a small letter. No, not a letter. A howler.

Snape pulled himself upright and walked towards the fireplace with swift strides. The moment Snape touched the envelope, it burst open in a puff of smoke, and a booming, unmistakable voice rang through the room:

“SEVERUS."

Snape’s expression twisted as Albus Dumbledore’s calm but firm voice filled the space, magnified tenfold.

“I do hope you're enjoying your afternoon or night. Kindly make your way to my office immediately after making sure the new student is settled in. I have something… important to say.”

There was a brief pause, then the voice added more lightly:

“Lemon drop?”

With a final crackle of magic, the Howler dissolved into floating ash.

A long silence followed.

Snape stood slowly, his face blank but jaw clenched. He brushed a bit of red ash from his sleeve. He stared at the fireplace for a long moment before sighing. And with a dramatic swish of his cloak, Snape turned and stalked out of his personal quarters, muttering under his breath:

“Old fool better not be wasting my time with sherbet lemon trivia again.”

(*¬､¬)

Waking up to the sight of the dark oak that made up your bed frame was an unusual experience for you. It almost felt like déjà vu, and you blinked blearily. Your vision blurred, and you rubbed your face, yawning loudly. You turned and stretched your arms. Your back and somewhere on your head felt a bit stiff. Somewhere on the crown of your head. Perhaps because you hadn't let out your original form in so long.

You winced, clutching the covers, your breathing shallow. Then, something else stirred — a stiffness at the crown of her head, like bone heating and hardening beneath the skin. Your back arched sharply as a sudden jolt of sensation shot down your spine. With a low gasp, two jagged shapes burst forth from your back — leathery, scaled wings, powerful and dark, unfurling slowly like they'd always been part of you.

At the same moment, small curved horns emerged from your scalp, curling ever so slightly as they pushed through your hair. The horns curved back smoothly at first, then spiralled slightly as they extended. They were sleek and polished, not rough like a beast’s, but with a subtle texture like ancient stone or hardened obsidian. Some had faint ridges along the edges, like natural armour grown from bone and magic.

"That's better." You exhaled. A strange calm came over your body, the wings gently folded behind you, the horns warm and natural on your head. It's been a while since you let out a part of yourself. You knew you couldn't stay too long in this form, though. Besides, it wouldn't take very long to revert to a human and hide parts of yourself.

However, since you felt like going out, you decided you should use perception blocking. It's an ability you have that you can use to hide yourself from other people; it can also be shared if you choose to. In this context, you'll only be using perception blocking to hide your dragon attributes. No one can see it unless you turn it off.

You go out the door and find yourself in a really long corridor that seems to stretch forever. You were in the dungeons, but it felt like you were in a cave deep in the mountains. That reminds you of something.

Your current problem now is, how do you get out of here? More specifically, where's the exit to this place?  The question is: Where do you begin looking for the exit? The Hogwarts dungeons are massive. Quite surprising for human-made castles, you would say.

For someone as new and young as you were when you just got here, it's quite difficult to search for an exit. You could use Clairvoyance to find the way out, but you were a little bit lazy to do so. So you'd do it, the human way.

You didn't even know where to start looking. This whole situation is boring you. But it could be a good opportunity to find and explore the dungeons while you're at it. After finally deciding what to do, you marched on. Either that way or that way, it didn't matter. As long as you found someone or something, it's a win.

It's also easy to get lost if you aren't careful. That you could tell. The castle was eerily quiet. There wasn't another soul anywhere to be seen, apart from yourself. The corridors were empty and still. It's clear that no one is living in this section of the castle yet. There's no noise, no movement. The corridors don't seem to branch much, either, although you did come across several doors with runes engraved above them. You suppose the doors could lead anywhere, but they all feel the same.

And it wasn't just doors that could lead anywhere; there were also secret passages. You couldn't see them, but you knew, you could feel that there were, and you know that you just passed by a few. You've had this kind of experience with castles and dungeons.

After a few minutes of wandering around and talking to yourself in your mind, you heard footsteps. It surely wasn't yours. It sounded distant and muffled, but you recognised it instantly. You quickened your pace, following the noise.

You ran up in a circular motion, until you were running up the ceiling, upside-down. If someone saw you, they would probably throw a spell at you. But who cares?  You weren't afraid of spells. As you went closer to the footsteps, you slowed down and rested in a spot for a bit. You had an idea who it was walking down the corridors. You were certain about that.

And after a few thundering heartbeats, there he was in all his glory, Snape. Walking down the corridor. You had hidden yourself well enough so he wouldn't see you, only if he didn't look up, of course. You smiled.

Oh, this is so exciting. You waited patiently until the perfect moment, when he'd perfectly pass by your spot. The moment he did, you let gravity do its thing.

"HI!" As fast as lightning, you were suddenly dangling from the ceiling, hair falling upside-down as you exclaimed in front of the man.

Snape was startled, took a quick step back, eyes narrowing as he said rather in a gaspy voice: "Merlin's beard—" He then transitions to a sharper tone: "What in Salazar’s name do you think you’re doing?"

"HAHAHAHA!" You laughed obnoxiously, "You should have seen your face!"

After a moment, you tilt your head, still dangling from above. "Who is Salazar?"

Snape stares blankly at you, before his mouth twitches and his cheeks colour slightly.

"Laughing? You think startling a professor like some dangling... pixie is amusing?" He snarls in a cold, furious, but controlled tone. He raises his wand with a flick—you gently float down and land upright on the floor.

"Aw..." You frown. "Don't be mad, I'm sorry. Please forgive me." You add innocently. You never meant to frighten him, and definitely not this much. Wait, was he really frightened, or was he just shocked and surprised? Who knows, maybe all of the above.

Snape exhales through his nose, calming the brief flash of adrenaline. "You very nearly became a stain on the stone. Do not test how fast I can cast a hex under pressure."

You stared at him, stifling your laugh—trying to force it down—somehow.

"You are alone in an ancient castle, unsupervised, with me as the only staff present. Tell me: do you think dangling from ceilings and startling people is a wise use of your… freedom?"

The last word is said with disgust, like he can hardly believe what the word 'freedom' means. He continues: "... I am responsible for your safety."

"I appreciate your concern, professor, truly," you respond, trying hard to keep from laughing. "But trust me, there's nothing dangerous or evil in these halls. Even you would agree with me on that. Besides, I thought it was fun." You say, flashing him a playful smile.

This was met with silence as Snape gave you an intense glare. His hand clenched into a fist, the veins in his neck popping out.

"Your definition of fun concerns me deeply." He says, his voice sounding strangled. "Don't ever pull such stunts again."

He steps past, robes whispering around his legs.

"Come along. Before you manage to fall, break something, or worse — amuse yourself again."

He mutters almost too quietly to hear: "Upside down. Smiling. Ridiculous."

With a huff of annoyance, he turns, leaving you stunned behind. He thinks you're... funny? Oh. Well, he might find that amusing. It's not as if you were planning anything malicious; it was just a game after all. And it was pretty entertaining.

You watched his retreating back for a moment before turning and following him. Just a little bit more.

"Hey, Professor, where exactly are we going anyway?" You ask curiously, "Is there something important you need my help with? Oh! Are we going to eat?" You say hopefully.

He stops dead in his tracks and glares at you over his shoulder.  It doesn't really look threatening, but the intensity of his expression makes you uneasy.

"No need to worry. Nothing important requires your aid. We'll simply take a stroll around the castle." He tells you.

Huh. Alright then...

You walk side by side in companionable silence, with a heavy silence between you two. You don't dare look at him. You just want to pretend that everything's okay; you want to ignore the awkwardness between you two. After all this time, everything has gotten better, right?  Right? You hope that's the case.

Oh, wait, it's only been one night.

Stupid.

Chapter Text

You tried to make the atmosphere a little bit more lovely. Really. You did. It just...wasn't working.  It seemed that it was taking forever to reach wherever it was you were headed. It made you wonder if you were, in fact, moving slowly or if it was just your imagination.

Maybe if you could act normally. Pretend like everything was fine? Yeah. That should work. But it doesn't. Everything feels tense, uncomfortable and weird.

"Sir?"

He turns sharply to you and gives you a cold stare.

"Yes?"

"Uh.." you trail off awkwardly, "Can you please tell me where we are going?"

He stays silent for a moment, seemingly processing your question.

"As I said, a stroll around the castle. Nothing more, nothing less."

"...Okay." You nod once to him before continuing in silence. It was really quite boring. Neither of you dared to make eye contact, and you couldn't even look at the other without feeling like an idiot. Why is it so hard for you to talk normally with each other? How long has it been since you've been able to feel like this? It was...amazing.

"Um..."  you start softly, "Do you think we could take a stroll in the lake? The water looked so cool..."

"Are you asking me to drown you?" A harsh and menacing tone escapes him.

"Wha—" you start, taken aback. What kind of response was that? Was it rude? Did he hate your guts? Did you even deserve that answer? Was that why he always seems so angry around you? Was that supposed to sound like a threat? Did you actually offend him somehow?

"It is rather cold. I would advise against it." Snape replied after sensing you pause. That came as a surprise to you, and you stopped thinking altogether. Cold? What? How is it colder than outside? And why would he care about the weather if he hates you that much anyway? Maybe he likes the cold. 

"It's okay!" You chirped. Your lips pulled upward slightly. You hoped it would lighten the mood a bit, and hopefully, he wouldn't be so rude or a mood-killer anymore. The silence started getting suffocating after all.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked, finally looking at you with a slight frown adorning his face.

Your smile fades into a neutral smile as his dark eyebrows furrow.  "Nothing." You answer vaguely. Then you add, "No reason at all." It's true. Absolutely no reason whatsoever.

After you said that, you finally saw the light coming from the common room.

"Ahh," You sigh in relief, feeling a sudden warmth envelop your entire body. "We're here, Professor!"

He looks at you for a second, probably contemplating whether he wants to smack you or not, but eventually shakes his head and walks on.

"Common room."  He muttered. He instructs, opening the entrance of the common room and taking an exit. You follow closely behind, trying not to trip.

"Yeah!" You beamed. "I know!"

"Faster." He grumbled as he watched you jump out. As he did, his eyes trailed from your torso down to your feet. A single question popped into his head.

Why the hell weren't you wearing any footwear ?

"This place is like—a dungeon for slaves!" You exclaimed, grinning widely, running forward to follow him through the narrow passage leading out of the place. You felt something akin to nostalgia wash over you, a faint echo of happy memories of childhood spent playing games in partially abandoned castles and dungeons, exploring old ruins and wreaking havoc in human villages and towns. Ah, back to when ymeverything was better off as it were.

His movements came to a halt, eyes snapped to you, dark and unreadable. “Watch your tongue. These halls have stood for centuries and have housed some of the greatest witches and wizards in history. They are not some… barbaric prison.”

He sweeps his gaze across the corridor. “Slytherins value strength, ambition, and resilience. If a few stone walls unsettle you, then perhaps you are not suited for this House.”

His voice softens slightly, though it is still icy. “You are new, so I will assume ignorance rather than insolence. But let me make this clear… You will show respect for this House and its traditions.”

"What do you mean?" You blink at him in confusion. Where does he get off saying things like that? Perhaps a little elaboration might clear his mind a bit.

"What I said is respectful, and it's also a compliment!" You crossed your arms. "Best thing somebody could've said to these dungeons, to be honest!"

At this moment, Snape knew you were definitely a weird one. Snape simply stared at you as you kept talking.

"It means the place feels strong, unyielding, and intimidating—perfect for keeping others under control. It shows power, much like a dragon’s hoard inside a dangerous lair. It's cold, strong, and perfect for keeping others in line.
Being cold, strong, and perfect for keeping others in line."

He regards you for a long, silent moment, then exhales sharply through his nose. “…How… charming. Your way of flattery is...peculiar."

He sweeps his robes around dramatically. “For the record, these dungeons are not prisons, nor do they house… slaves. They are the seat of Slytherin House, and they will serve as your home. Do try to express it in a less barbaric way next time.”

"Okay!" You exclaim happily as you bounce up and down in excitement, "Can we eat? I'm hungry."

You continue as you glance up at him expectantly. If you had been in front of him, you would've seen his eye twitch. Or maybe he had twitched. Who knows. It appeared to be his way of showing that yes, he's annoyed, but that isn't going to deter you.

“Very well. It will seem our first stop will be the great hall."

"The great hall?"

(っ˘ڡ˘ς)

"WOAH!" You exclaimed with delight as you entered the massive room with all of the food available to you.

"This place is amazing!!" You turned around with a bright grin plastered on your face before turning back towards him with a giddy look on your face. You clasped your hands together with enthusiasm.

“THIS PLACE SMELLS AMAZING!" You screamed. The Great Hall is empty, sunlight spilling through the enchanted ceiling. Long tables stretch out, completely covered with plates of steaming food. You venture deep inside with Snape following behind, his robes billowing softly. Laughs of delight were heard as it echoed through.

“Must you be so loud? Is that truly necessary? Must you announce your thoughts to the entire castle?” He spoke slowly. Glaring holes behind your back as he watched you near one of the long tables that had food.

“But—look at all this! There’s so much food—this is incredible!” You grinned, staring at the food, already beginning to reach out. As you barely had a hold of one of the porkchops, he swatted your hand away. Forcing you to retrieve your hand as you gave him an interjection.

"HEY!"

“Yes. Quite the spectacle. Do try not to faint from delight.” After that, he sweeps past as if he did nothing. “Compose yourself. The Great Hall is for dining, not for… theatrical displays.”

"Theatrical...displays?" You repeat with a confused look, grabbing handfuls of the deliciously looking meat on the table. As you stared at him, he stopped at a reasonable distance before turning to look at you.

"Do make use of the dishware and cutlery." His words seemed a little harsher now, his tone almost demanding as he glared at you once again.

You didn't know what the hell that was, so you just took a bite of the meat and came closer to him. When you noticed him staring at you strangely, you swallowed quickly and said sheepishly, "Um...sorry. What's a dishware?"

"Plates."

"Ahh!" You nodded. "Okay!"

You grabbed a pair of silver cutlery on one of the tables nearby, along with a large plate and placed all the meat you had just taken, a handful of it on it and proceeded to pick out an additional two slices of beef tenderloin with some brown sauce on the side.

You placed them both on the plate before offering one piece of beef to Snape.

"Please take it, sir!" You smiled cheerfully at him.

"I've eaten." Was his response.

You blinked, confused and curious.

"Have you?" You ask. Your fork stops midway towards the meat you just picked out. "Then why do you look like you haven't?"

He remained silent for a while, seemingly unresponsive as he stared at you. You watch him, waiting for his reply for a moment before you shrugged.

"Well, more for me then." You say, immediately disregarding the fork as you used your fingers to eat the meat. You grabbed it to your mouth, in one whole bite, and it vanished.

Even he was impressed by your appetite. When you were done, you cleaned your plate neatly as you continued watching him. "Hey, sir?"

"Do not 'hey' me."  He scowled as his brow furrowed. "Manners were clearly not taught to you."

You looked at him quizzically.

"Hey...That's not true." You tilted your head, pondering over your words before replying, "I'm well-mannered!"

He had to restrain a scoff as soon as you said that. Ignoring your recent sentences, he walked past you. Cloak billowing behind him.

"Where're we goin'?" You asked as he strode towards another set of doors.

"To resume, obviously."

"But I'm not done yet!"

"Yes, you are," he replied curtly.

Turning on your heels, you caught up with him before the door. He stood idly and faced you, crossing his arms.

"No, I'm not! I'm finished eating, and there are lots more dishes here!" You argue before shoving another piece of steak in your mouth, chewing loudly as you speak once more.

"ò plś t'me ẁer-ẁer goin—"

He glowered at you, eyes boring into yours in annoyance. "Do not speak with your mouth full."

Your eyes widened a fraction before you shut your jaw and swallowed. Taking a step back.

"I said—Now please tell me where we're going, I still haven't eaten all the food there is! It's not fair!"

He simply began walking.

"Oh come on, don't ignore me, we're supposed to be friends—" You groaned.

"Friends? I think you are gravely mistaken if you believe I have any desire to befriend my students. I am your professor, and my task is to teach you—nothing more. I expect respect and discipline, not... frivolous notions of friendship."

He said stiffly, finally stopping and facing you. His face was devoid of emotion despite his harsh tone. You only stared with a deep frown on your face, and negative energy was practically oozing out of your body. Even he could feel it.

Finally giving up after seeing that stubborn look on your face, he sighed, pinching his nose before opening the door. "If you wish to do well here, focus on your studies. Sentimentality will not serve you in my classroom."

"Gauh...." You exhaled, following him. "Okay."

Once Snape and you step out of the Great Hall, the scenery immediately shifts from the long tables and enchanted ceiling to the vast corridors of Hogwarts.

The corridor outside the Great Hall is grand and echoing, with tall stone walls lit by floating torches casting a golden glow. The floor is polished stone, slightly cold underfoot. As you followed through, the sound of your footsteps would bounce softly off the walls.

You took your time sightseeing inside. To the side, huge arched windows let in pale daylight, giving a view of the rolling green lawns, the distant Black Lake shimmering, and the looming outline of the Forbidden Forest in the distance.

"Hey!" You ran towards the glass. "That's the lake, right?"

Snape paused to see.

"Can we go there?" You pouted, looking up at him as innocently as you could.

"...No." He deadpanned, before continuing to walk. "We cannot. It's dangerous. Now come along."

You frown, crossing your arms as you turn around and begin to walk ahead, "I thought you said it was dangerous?"

"Yes." He responds as calmly as possible, as he waits until you walk beside him.

"So...why is it there then? How come it isn’t restricted?" You continue, curiosity getting the best of you.

"The Black Lake has been here for centuries and will remain for centuries more. It is not some puddle that can simply be... removed." Snape gave a sharp, factual answer.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and continued in his usual clipped tone: "As for being ‘restricted,’ it is not. Students are permitted to approach the shore—but if you have any sense of self-preservation, you will not venture into its depths. There are creatures in that water that would be more than happy to make a meal out of the careless."

"Ah! So I can go there?" You ask a little bit too excitedly.

"Consider that your only caution. I will not be rescuing you should you decide to test the lake’s hospitality."

You grin widely and nod eagerly, "Alright!"

The hallway was lined with portraits in gilded frames, many of which whispered or glanced curiously as both of you passed.

"THE PAINTING IS MOVING!" You shrieked, launching yourself and grabbing onto Snape—or more specifically, his robes. You felt him freeze, his face expressing that he was clearly displeased with the action you had taken.

"Unhand me." He spoke.

"Huh?" You looked at him curiously.

"Immediately."

And you let go. He straightened his robes and added sharply: "Hogwarts is not an ordinary school. The portraits move. They speak. They gossip. They are as much a part of this castle as its stone walls. You will learn this soon enough, provided you refrain from clinging to your professors like a frightened child. Control yourself. There is nothing here that will harm you... unless you give it reason to."

"No, I'm not frightened!" You grinned. "It's just fun acting like I am."

Another sigh came from him. "Move along."

And you did. You noticed the majority of the paintings you passed were gossiping. You would've thought that live painting would make small talk with Snape or even greet him, but there was none. Scared perhaps? No, cannot be. Occasionally, one of the suits of armour might creak faintly as if watching you two.

The air outside the Great Hall feels cooler and quieter, especially since classes haven’t started yet. Eventually, after the extremely and seemingly never-ending corridors came to an end, there were staircases. A lot of it.

"Main staircase," Snape says. You paused, taking all of it in.

The main staircase is a massive, open shaft, with dozens of wide stone staircases crisscrossing at different levels. The air is full of echoing footsteps, creaking stone, and the occasional laughter or chatter of portraits.

As you approach, one of the staircases shudders and slowly shifts position, swinging sideways to connect to a different landing.

"WOAH!" You exclaimed. "IT MOVES?"

"Indeed." He replies, taking a step on one of the stairs. Waiting for you. While you stared at him. In awe.

"Well? The stairs will not wait for you forever. They move as they please—step on before it changes its mind."

"Ah, so it's alive?" You say, stepping on with a grin. "THIS IS AMAZING!"

"Refrain from screaming," He hushes you. The railings are ornate iron, cold to the touch, and the entire place feels slightly dizzying because of how high up some of the staircases reach. From here, you could see hundreds of portraits lining the walls, some talking amongst themselves, others following Snape and you with curious eyes. Far below, the stone floor looks small, and far above, the ceiling arches high like a cathedral.

"Unfortunately, some of the paintings do not like being disturbed."

"Shouldn't they rest in peace?" You ask. "Like what you humans say?"

Snape paused for a second, giving you a withering stare, and responded in his usual cold, sarcastic tone: "Rest in peace? These are not ghosts, nor are they the souls of the dead lingering in torment. They are enchanted portraits—magical imprints of those they depict. They have memories, personalities, and... rather inconveniently, opinions."

He added sharply, with a faint sneer: "If you intend to stay at Hogwarts, I suggest you cease speaking as though you are philosophising about the afterlife. It will only make you look foolish."

"?" You let out a noise of confusion, along with a tilt of your head.

"The original person is long gone. The portrait is but a shadow—a memory preserved in paint and magic. Nothing more."

"Oh!" You finally got the idea. "Okay. Forget I asked."

Forget I asked.

Your voice sounded empty. Silence lingered over the pair as you walked down the spiral staircase without another word. After descending the staircase, another terrifyingly long corridor was to be met. After the main staircase, Snape led you through a long, high-ceilinged corridor.

The corridor is lined with tall windows, sunlight spilling in across the stone floor. You might catch glimpses of the Black Lake glimmering outside or the Forest’s edge in the distance. As they walk, the portraits here are quieter, some reading or pretending to sleep, though a few glance curiously at the pair.

"Are there animals in the forest?" You wonder aloud, turning your attention back to Snape, who nods his head curtly.

"Animals is far too mild a word for the creatures that dwell there. The Forbidden Forest is home to centaurs, acromantulas, werewolves, and other beasts that would gladly tear apart an unwary student. It is not a place for foolish exploration."

"Forbidden...forest?" You tilted your head.

"Yes, there are ordinary creatures as well—deer, wolves, unicorns—but the forest does not care whether you seek wonder or danger. Both will find you if you stray too far." He added in a colder tone.

And finally, with a sharp look:

"The Headmaster calls it the Forbidden Forest for a reason. I trust I will not have to remind you of that twice."

You eventually arrive at a large set of double doors, dark wood with intricate carvings. When Snape pushes them open, the smell of old parchment and ink fills the air.

"Library." He says.

Inside, the Hogwarts Library is vast and cathedral-like—towering shelves stretch up toward the arched ceiling, crammed with thousands of books. Narrow aisles twist between the shelves, and enchanted lamps float overhead, casting a soft golden glow.

"A lot of books." You show a speck of awe.

"Yes. It is large. Contain your amazement. This is a library, not a tourist attraction." He said curtly.

There seemed to be no one in the room.

"No librarian?" You wondered, looking around.

"Not at present." He replied with a curt shake of his head.

You nod, taking a deep breath and walking farther into the large room. The shelves seem endless, stretching high up and far away. You let yourself wander around through the sections (with your supervisor following and watching your every move). Until you eventually met the farther side.

"Oh!" You point at it. "Let's go there!"

"Certain books here are not to be touched without permission." He adds in a lower, warning tone as his eyes shift briefly toward the Restricted Section, "Unless, of course, you are particularly fond of being hexed by your reading material."

"What does that mean?" You grunt. "Can't you be a simple human? Is that a yes or a no?"

Snape gave you a glare. "No. The Restricted Section is not some playground for your curiosity. Its books contain magic far beyond your comprehension—and far beyond your control."

He narrowed his eyes and added sharply: "If you value what little remains of your eyebrows, fingers, and sanity, you will stay well away from it unless you are explicitly given permission by a professor. Which, I assure you, you will not receive from me."

"Pfftt..."  You snorted, rolling your eyes and crossing your arms with a slight pout. "The only thing I don't understand is why we have a section that is restricted. If it's there, I can go in. RIGHT?"

Unfortunately, your desire to persuade him to let you in backfired. Snape leaned in slightly, voice lower and more dangerous: "Attempt to sneak in, and you will find that the consequences of my detention are far worse than anything you might read in those books."

"...Yeah, okay." You relented, backing away. "But what's the difference between these books and regular ones then?"

"The difference, as you so innocently put it, is that the Restricted Section contains knowledge far too dangerous for the average student. Dark curses, advanced hexes, potions capable of great harm, and spells that can twist magic beyond recognition." Snape answered with a mix of cold explanation and condescension.

With a slight sneer, he adds: "The normal section holds knowledge meant for study and practice within the bounds of reason. The Restricted Section holds power that, in the wrong hands—such as yours—would lead to disaster. Be grateful that access is denied to you. You would not last five minutes with the magic in those books before you managed to harm yourself—or someone else."

You would not last five minutes with the magic in those books.

The words echoed in your mind. You could've felt a twinge of fear from his words or even the context itself. If you were like them. Which you clearly weren't,  obviously. You doubt the power he was talking about would be dangerous to someone such as yourself.

"So...what kind of books are they?"

He pauses for a moment, lips pursed ever so slightly. Snape became visibly more irritated, his voice dropping lower and sharper.

"Did you not hear me the first time? They are books containing magic far too dangerous for you to comprehend—dark curses, spells of mind control, potions that kill silently, enchantments that corrupt the caster as much as the victim."

He narrows his eyes and adds icily: "And no, I will not list them for your entertainment. This is not story time. If you value your continued enrollment at this school, you will drop this tiresome line of questioning immediately."

You grumbled under your breath. You know full well he didn't want to tell you anything. And yet, he did anyway. Though not specific things, but the info was info, right? Even so, it doesn't stop you from feeling curious about what else lies beyond that door.

As if sensing your curiosity, Snape began once again, and this time, he didn't bother keeping himself cool: "If you are wise, you will let that curiosity remain unsatisfied. Some doors are locked for a reason."

With that, he turned on his heel. His
robes swished behind him as he began walking in the opposite direction. "We are finished, come along."

While the man was moving along, his feet were ready to leave you alone if you hadn't followed. You were still glued to the exact same spot. You were still pondering whether or not you should go in and prove him wrong or follow him.

This was a hard choice to make.

"(Name)."

A voice called. Startled, you nearly jumped out of your skin. Realising he was suddenly right in front of you.

"Come along. Don't dillydally here; we do not have all day."

You blink owlishly, trying to keep a steady hand on your racing heart. As he strutted. With a slow exhale, you slowly begin to make your way towards him. You feel his gaze follow you closely. You stepped out of the library, hearing the large click of the wooden doors as they closed.

You were the first to step forward, expecting him to be the first to walk because he was the one to lead. For a few moments, he was eyeing something. You wondered what it was.

"What is it—"

He suddenly grabbed onto the space on your back. More specifically, near your Wings. He shouldn't be able to see it. You were using perception blocking.

...

...

"Nothing." He replied after a short while. "Let us continue."

If it weren't for your quick reaction time and reflexes, he could've touched it. You were almost certain about that fact.

Snape began walking as if nothing odd had just happened.  However, he couldn't help himself and glanced back at you curiously. But when he saw that you weren't paying any attention to him, he shrugged off the matter and looked away once more. Perhaps it was just instinctual.