Shadow and Light {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter 6

Summary:

My name is Alice and we talked for the first time since... a long time.

Chapter 6

Several days had passed since that nocturnal encounter, and Severus Snape had not seen a trace of Alice since. He concluded, not without some doubt, that she had finally taken the time to rest. Yet, a strange apprehension lingered in the back of his mind. While it had been comforting to see his old friend wake up after so many years, he was now haunted by the fear that she would discover his dark dealings. Though his actions were justified by his mission and necessary for the cause, she would surely resent him for diving back into that world with no way out.

Sitting at his desk, the Potions Master reviewed a series of vials filled with mixtures, most of which seemed like ordinary potions. But this lazy afternoon allowed his mind to wander, and old memories resurfaced. No doubt inspired by his recent worries, one particular memory came to the forefront.

As a teenager, Severus had been a troubled youth, not plagued by the usual adolescent concerns like love, appearance, or studies, but by two very real names: James Potter and Sirius Black. On that day, they had decided to try out a new spell they had found in a joke magazine. The two young wizards, accompanied by Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, found Severus in one of the courtyards of the castle.

"Snivellus... or was it Servilius?" Sirius began with a mocking smile.

"Do you hear, Servilus? It's been so long since we last saw you, we almost forgot your name!" James added with a smirk.

Severus, seated on a bench, kept his eyes fixed on his book, refusing to acknowledge their presence.

"You thought we were going to leave you alone after what you said to Evans?" Sirius continued.

James, in his usual arrogant tone, chimed in: "Lily was very disappointed, you know? But I think she finally understood what a piece of garbage you are. Better late than never, right?"

The cruel remarks bounced off Severus, who remained still, his gaze unwavering.

"Lily wasn't too happy about us bothering you, so we gave you a bit of a break... But word has it you're still hanging around those... Death Eaters," James said, his voice taking on a more serious edge.

"Not very nice of you," James continued. "We gave you a chance to become a better person... And what do you do? You dive headfirst into the dark side."

"We need to remind you who they work for, these Death Eaters?" Sirius chimed in, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "Maybe Snivellus needs a little justice..."

Without hesitation, Sirius drew his wand and pointed it at Severus.

"You can still apologize, Se-ve-rus..." James said in a mockingly solemn voice. "Justice always gives criminals a chance to plead guilty."

Severus, until now silent, spoke at last in a cold, measured tone.

"I have no need to explain myself to you, Potter."

James burst out laughing.

"What do you mean, no need? When I leave Hogwarts, I'm going to be an Auror. Might as well practice on scum like you. Murderers, racists, and disgusting people like you end up in prison..."

Severus stood up, intending to head back into the castle, but Sirius cast a spell that tied his shoelaces together, causing him to trip and fall.

"Don't run away, Severus... You wouldn't want us to add evading justice to your crimes, would you?"

James now pointed his wand at Severus, who lay on the ground, but before he could cast his spell, a beam of light shot across the courtyard, knocking both James and Sirius to their knees. Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin looked on in shock. From the shadows of an alcove, Alice McGarden appeared, stepping forward with fierce determination.