"Expulso!" Severus cast a spell coldly, blasting two Gryffindors into the air who had been lying in ambush, then pulled Lily toward the library.
Before he left, that fool Potter glared at him with eyes like those of a sworn enemy. Severus knew then that it was about to happen.
"My Lord, those annoying Gryffindors..."
Severus bowed his head. Lord Voldemort understood immediately, and as it happened, he had been free lately.
...
The next day, when Severus saw a silent Slytherin senior, he knew it had been done. Although he didn't see him during class, Severus felt an inexplicable sense of peace, as if...
Severus shook his head. How could that be? The Dark Lord giving him a sense of security? Not to mention whether the Dark Lord, busy with a thousand tasks, would bother with a spy's request, the very idea of the Dark Lord coming to school was absurd.
"Achoo..."
A tiny sneeze came from nearby. Severus's pupils constricted, his whole body tensing. He gripped his quill, ready to use it as a makeshift wand to cast the Killing Curse at a moment's notice.
He was sitting in the back row of the classroom!
He hadn't heard a word of the lecture; as soon as class ended, he bolted toward the Whomping Willow. He could feel that person still behind him.
Away from the Hogwarts castle, Severus felt a gust of wind drift behind him. But then, seven or eight familiar, foolish faces appeared before him. Severus frowned sharply—trapped between them. If it were any other time, he would fear no one, but at this time, at this grade...
His hand, hidden under his sleeve and gripping his wand, trembled slightly. If he cast the Killing Curse, there would be no returning to Hogwarts for him.
"Hey, Snivellus!"
The familiar, nauseating voice reached him, followed immediately by a well-known spell.
"Levicorpus!"
When had they learned his spell? In this life, he had clearly made sure his textbook wasn't stolen by these dunderheads whose brains were stuffed with knapweed!
Severus was caught off guard and hit squarely. He was hoisted into the air, hanging upside down. Thankfully, he had made a habit of wearing underwear since his previous life, but given the nature of these wretched Gryffindors...
"Ah—"
Severus squeezed his eyes shut. The tip of his wand flickered with green light as he intended to frighten them...
"Expelliarmus!"
"Damn you, Potter!" Severus cursed aloud. Fortunately... fortunately, he could still cast wandless magic!
But Severus's heart sank. Seven or eight Gryffindors were one thing, but Lily would be here soon, and that unknown figure was still behind him! He trusted his instincts as a double agent!
"Avada Kedavra—"
The light, drifting Killing Curse felt like a heavy hammer striking everyone's heart. James Potter panicked, and Severus immediately dropped.
Severus braced himself to protect his head, but he felt a tug at his robes and was swiftly pulled in one direction—
A large, familiar hand brushed against the back of his neck. Severus shivered violently; a sense of security rose inexplicably in his heart.
Absurd.
Severus turned in disbelief to see a tall man emerging as the Disillusionment Charm slowly faded. He was still wearing Slytherin school robes, but his stature was no longer that of a student. In his right hand was a pale Yew wand, though it was not the one unique to Voldemort.
As the left hand, which had been pressing against the back of Severus's neck, lifted, the sleeve slid down, revealing the Dark Mark clearly enough for those Gryffindors to see. It was the Dark Mark exclusive to the Death Eaters, and his mask was one worn only by pure-blood aristocrats—
The little lions gasped. They saw clearly that the left hand he raised... was performing silent, wandless magic! His right hand had been holding a wand the whole time, proving he was not left-handed.
The flash of green light from moments ago, which had struck in front of all of them, had been deliberately aimed off-target; otherwise, they likely would have lost one of their own. Fortunately... few Death Eaters used the Killing Curse as an opening move these days. While they were all powerful wizards, most wouldn't bother with students, or someone would have already gone to meet Death.
He glanced coldly at the little lions. Simultaneously, as a phoenix's long cry rang out, a Stupefy charm from his Yew wand struck every Gryffindor.
Fire bloomed, and an old man appeared on the grass, his phoenix flapping its wings as it landed on his shoulder.
"Long time no see, Voldemort."
Dumbledore spoke, looking at Lord Voldemort and the "limited edition childhood version" of the Potions Master floating beside him, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Thank the great Dark Lord. He stopped an accident, or perhaps... should I say, a bullying incident?"
Lord Voldemort set Severus down, lifted his wand to sweep over the Gryffindors, and turned an icy gaze toward Dumbledore.
"The Head of Slytherin House, still unable to protect his own, Dumbledore? Gryffindor remains the same—how many years have passed?"
Lord Voldemort sneered. "Back when you weren't Headmaster, Slytherin was already like this. Now that you are, Slytherin really is being suppressed quite severely."
"Voldemort," Dumbledore said, his expression grave. "So, have you chosen to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts?"
Lord Voldemort chuckled. "I have not. Though perhaps I will be interested in a few years, once I have taken down the French Ministry of Magic as well."
Dumbledore's face was grim, but the Dark Lord ignored him. He released Severus and scoffed, "I never expected that a trip back to school to visit Professor Slughorn would lead to such a show."
Severus knew he was saying this to cover his tracks, but he still felt a sense of trance. Voldemort—the Dark Lord, the mage who ruled over Europe—had actually stayed by his side all day... and witnessed his most humiliating moment!
However... if it weren't for him... perhaps he would have ended up repeating his past mistakes...?
Severus's mind was a mess. Suddenly, he met Dumbledore’s clear, cerulean eyes, and his gaze went blank. Dumbledore remained unfazed; Severus didn't know if the memories he had fabricated with Occlumency could deceive him.
Lord Voldemort flicked his robes. "Your lecturing remains as consistent as ever."
Voldemort swept away. Severus picked up his wand and rubbed it.
"My boy, I am very sorry. Would you like me to take you to the Hospital Wing?" Dumbledore asked. Severus shook his head in silence, refusing.
Dumbledore then used a Levitation Charm to take the Gryffindors away. Severus did not know if they would be docked points or if the incident would be made public.