Snape to the rescue
After the horrible potion's effects wore off, Snape took Pomfreys advice and rested at home. Unlike the other professors, who required a minimum of 2 weeks to recover, Snape was fortunate enough to witness the fading of his symptoms at an expedited pace.
The mediwitch had remarked that a student who had successfully pulled off such a prank must have held a significant amount of admiration for Snape. In his opinion, no student harbored any favor or affection towards him. Or, at least, that was the belief that Snape held firmly in his mind.
Initially, Snape had suspected that the act of humiliating him and the other teachers could only be the handiwork of the Gryffindor twins, who constantly get themselves into trouble –Fred and George Weasleys. However, he knew all too well that the twins disliked him immensely, which made their involvement in the prank simply illogical. Therefore, Snape was still pondering upon who could have brewed those potions.
If it was someone who didn't harbor any dislike towards Snape, then it could only mean that they were from Slytherin. However, the notion of Slytherins pulling pranks on teachers seemed utterly absurd. Despite this, it was the only possibility Snape could consider at that moment.
After enjoying a well-deserved two days of rest, Snape made his way back to Hogwarts to discuss something with Dumbledore.
When he walked through the normally bustling hallways, he couldn't help but notice the unusual silence. The absence of the usual chatter and laughter of the students struck him immediately. It was as if the school had been deserted.
Determined to find answers, Snape headed straight to the headmaster's office, hoping to find Dumbledore still there.
As Snape stormed into Dumbledore's office, his impatience was palpable. Without any pleasantries, Snape got straight to the point and demanded answers from the white-bearded headmaster. "Albus, where are the students?" he asked, eyeing the old man who was currently petting Fawkes, his phoenix.
The aged headmaster didn't immediately acknowledge Snape's presence but eventually turned his attention towards him. "All the professors are gone, Severus," Dumbledore replied, his voice carrying a hint of concern. His wrinkled face showed the weight of the situation. "I have deemed it necessary to send the students back home. It wouldn't be right to keep them here without proper supervision, especially considering it is not yet the winter break. Keeping them in the school against the rules would be unwise."
In the depths of Snape's mind, the image of a pair of pleading emerald eyes flashed before him, reminding him of the Slytherin student who has been through enough. Where could he have gone? Was he on the streets right now?
Trying to conceal his growing worry, Snape pressed Dumbledore further, his voice masking his underlying concern. "What do you mean, Albus? Are you telling me that you didn't permit the orphaned students to stay?"
Finally, Dumbledore turned his gaze towards Snape, meeting his eyes with a solemn expression. "It was the only way," he replied, as if hoping his words would offer some reassurance. However, Snape couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that crept through him, his concern for the students still lingering in his thoughts.
"What do you mean by 'the only way'? There's always an alternative solution. Where exactly did you arrange for those specific children to stay?"
Dumbledore informed Snape that the children who had no remaining relatives to live with were sent to orphanages.
Right when Dumbledore shared the information, Snape felt an immense sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
So Harry is safe... thank merlin.
Harry was in an orphanage, but still safe. It put Snape at ease.
"Severus, was that the only reason you came to see me?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Not entirely. I've come because of this." He rolled up his sleeve, revealing the diminishing death eaters mark on his arm. "Lately, it's been behaving strangely... at times, it begins to fade, only to abruptly return to normal."
Dumbledore's brows furrowed, "This is troublesome indeed. You must remain vigilant, Severus. The Dark Lord is regaining strength, and your mark is the proof of that, it only points towards his inevitable return. We must take all necessary measures to guard the philosopher's stone."
Now it is Snapes time to knit his brows, "What about the boy, Albus?"
"What about him?" Dumbledore responded with a question of his own.
"Won't he be targeted by the dark lord if he makes his return?" Snape asked with a serious tone.
"We can't be sure about that. Only time will tell, Severus."
As soon as he stepped into the comforting embrace of his home, Snape released a deep sigh of exhaustion, realizing only then how tense he had been. Although Snape was well aware that trying to make Dumbledore see reason was a futile endeavor, each time the old man reiterated his clichéd explanation about the greater good, it ignited a simmering anger within him.
Within the walls of Hogwarts, as Dumbledore continued to offer empty words of reassurance and remain confined to his office, Snape couldn't help but feel the weight of the students' suffering. The thought of how many of them might be mistreated by their families weighed heavily on his heart. Snape could only do something about it if he was the head of that mistreated students house. That's why, he was happy when Harry got sorted into Slytherin. It meant that Snape could always protect him from harms way.
Snape didn't want a student to end up like him.
Taking a seat, Snape reached for the note he had received from Pomfrey, which contained a detailed list of ingredients used in the blabbering potion created by the pranksters. Snape had rested enough, now it was time for him to make a potion that neutralized or shorten the affects of this particularly troublesome potion.
He didn't know who brewed it, but that student was impressive, considering that the duration of the potion was a couple of weeks. If Snape figured out who the culprit was, then he'd gladly interrogate that student and offer a chance to showcase their exceptional potion brewing abilities, potentially redeeming themselves in his eyes.
On this particular day, the sun radiated an extraordinary brilliance. Snape's disdain for sunlight was evident as it relentlessly glared into his eyes, forcing him to avert his gaze. Its beauty, though unattainable, evoked conflicting emotions within him. At the same time, he found comfort in the warmth sun provided. Most of all, he hated the fact this warmth, his inability to look its way, the sun's beauty served as a bittersweet reminder of Lily.
Snape was lost deep in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by a hooting noise outside his window. A frown replaced his relaxed face.
His gaze shifted towards the window, but it quickly softened as he caught sight of the familiar white owl perched outside. With a determined stride, he approached the window and swiftly opened it, granting passage to the white owl into his abode.
The owl, Hedwig, if he remembered correctly wasted no time in giving him the latter the student of his house sent. Snape knew this was a serious matter if the boy sent him a letter directly.
Opening the letter, he took in the content of the words written within. As he finished reading, his surroundings seemed to freeze, although the gentle rays of sunlight attempted to breach the icy atmosphere that settled in his heart. Snape crumbled the letter.
Harry was in danger.
Taking a deep breath, Snape got his healing potions ready and took hold of his wand, swishing it to use a spell he had once already utilized to track Harry down. Although Snape had heard of the words: "history repeats itself." But he didn't think it would repeat so fast. He prayed that this time, Harry would not be harmed as he had been in the past.
Apparation was very useful at a time like this. Snape ventured into the muggle world. Unlike the previous summer, when he was compelled to do so, this time Snape made the choice to step in and help Harry any way he could.
Following the trail, Snape found himself in a dreary neighborhood, reminiscent of little whinging's privet drive. Amongst the seemingly insignificant houses, one particular dwelling caught his attention. The magic trail led the wizard exactly to this location.
Snape made no attempt to knock or announce his presence, acutely aware of solitude surrounding him. Knowing that no one was around, he unlocked the door and quietly and stepped inside.
Upon crossing the threshold, Snape was immediately struck by the room's oppressive atmosphere, the kind that would weigh heavily on a child's spirits if endured for weeks on end. It was nothing short of a slow torment, and it made his resolve to remove Harry from such a dreary confinement stronger.
The space was entirely unsuitable for a young person to live in. The air was thick with the smell of dogs and decay, a testament to the neglect that no child should ever have to endure.
Proceeding to examine the rooms on the first floor, Snape didn't bother to knock in case Harry's aunt happened to be present.
Having completed his inspection of the first floor, Snape ascended the stairs in search of the young boy. Surprisingly, it didn't take him as long as he had anticipated to locate Harry. Snape had expected an angry confrontation with Harry's aunt, who would resist allowing him to stay. However, to his delight, it appeared that she was not present. Well, things worked out even better than Snape had hoped.
As Snape entered the room, he noticed that Harry was sitting on a couch, with his snake feeding on raw meat right on his lap. "I hope I didn't make you wait for long, Harry." Snape said in his unusually gentle tone, a tone that Harry hadn't heard since the beginning of September.
Harry's gaze shifted from the serpent to Snape, and a smile instantly adorned his face. "Professor Snape, I was beginning to think you wouldn't come," Harry said, although Snape could tell, the young Slytherin had been anticipating his arrival.
"Does your aunt know your current location?" Snape couldn't help but notice the way Harry's grinning face turned to a grimace, "She knows I'm staying here. Aunt Marge warned me against bringing any uninvited guests to her residence, or else I would face dire consequences." Tears welled up in Harry's eyes.
Snape's heart ached witnessing the boy's reaction, prompting a deep desire to provide reassurance. How could a child live in fear of their own aunt? What could his relatives possibly justify when mistreating their own kin?
The awkward professor gently placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry. Your aunt won't do anything to you, I will make sure of that."
As Snape was preparing to offer words of comfort, the young actor's tear-streaked face suddenly broke into a mischievous smile. "You're absolutely correct, professor. She wouldn't dare lay a finger on me, for how could she possibly harm a helpless, weeping child like me?"
The professor was momentarily rendered speechless, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. However, Snape's expression swiftly transformed from shock to a cool resolve as he calmly asked, "Were you lying to me this entire time?"
Two pair of innocent eyes blinked back at Snape, and the young boy replied, "I wouldn't necessarily call it lying, professor." He told the man with a smile.
However, the professor's patience had worn thin, and he was no longer interested in playing games. Sternly, he asked, "Potter, why did you deceive me?"
Snape's curiosity was piqued, as he wondered how a mere child had successfully maneuvered past his defenses, convincingly deceiving him with fake tears. In all his years as a Hogwarts teacher, he had never encountered such a remarkable act of cunning from a young student. How?
To Snape's surprise, the response he received was not what he had anticipated. Harry, full of cheerfulness, explained, "I didn't lie to you, professor. I was simply practicing my acting skills."
Right as Snape was about to inform the boy about his upcoming detention, they both heard the front door unlocking. Reacting almost instinctively, the experienced wizard swiftly apparated them away from that location, ensuring their immediate escape.
Appearing in a familiar location, the duo of wizards found themselves back in a setting they both recognized, the Prince manor. Snape turned his attention to the younger wizard beside him and sternly informed him that he had a detention with him.
Harry, unfazed by the situation, confidently questioned, "So, when exactly will this detention be happening? I mean, seriously, Professor? You might feel humiliated by the fact that an eleven year old tricked you, but come on. Are you really resorting to a detention as a way to punish me?"
Now that Snape had his vulnerabilities disclosed by a child, he would resort to other methods, such as putting on his mastered sneer, "If that's what you want, Potter. No detention for you, this is not Hogwarts. But you're grounded," he declared with an unwavering gaze fixed upon Harry.
Harry didn't appear troubled in the slightest; in fact, he seemed pleased with Snape's announcement. "Nevertheless, you have to admit, I'm quite the talented actor," he exclaimed.
Not giving Harry the chance to witness him falling into one of his traps, Snape ushered the kid inside the manor and instructed him to freshen up while he prepared a meal of fish and would buy sweets. Harry perked up at the mention of sweets, and he swiftly scurried off to the bathroom, having stashed his trunk in his bedroom.
This setting was far too familiar to Harry: Snape coming to Harry's rescue, inviting him into the mansion, telling him to shower while he made food – just like the first time they met.
Harry felt no regrets for sending the letter, seeking Snape's help. And just like Harry had written to Snape, he brought him back home.
Now the two Slytherins sat across from each other, savoring the delicious fish laid out before them.
After enjoying the meal, Snape clears his throat, "You are a good actor." He told Harry.
Harry pondered silently, imagining Snape's reaction if he could see the expression on his face, which resembled that of someone confessing to being a murderer. The thought was amusing to him and he suppressed a chuckle at the mental image.
"Finally agreeing with me, aren't you professor? You've gotten soft on me. Is the potion still in your system?" He asked the man while fully aware that those affects have worn off.
"No Potter, as a matter of fact, I have been completely discharged from the hospital."
"That's some great news, professor."
After the sweets got devoured by Snape and mostly Harry, the younger of two wizards god sent to his room to sleep.
Before going to sleep, Harry fed Beauty her night treat and snuck a book out of the library he had missed for so long.
That night was long, but that day had been longer, so Harry was glad it had come to an end.
It was good to be back home.