The next morning, as the air around him shimmered faintly, Severus Snape flicked his wand, dispelling the Protego Totalum and Salvatio Pax charms that had shielded his four-poster bed.
It was another gloriously sunny day. The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall sparkled with a clear, pristine blue, the color of cornflower petals.
Snape decided to savor the first carefree Sunday after the O.W.L. exams.
Naturally, a perfect day ought to begin with a feast.
As Snape piled his plate high with smoked bacon, ham, and sausages, ready to dig in, Patrick Abbott slid into the seat across from him.
"You should eat some vegetables. It's better for your health."
Abbott helped himself to some cauliflower and cabbage as he spoke.
"That's what Mary told me. She said Muggles have a whole science about healthy eating—too much meat can make you sick."
Snape blinked in surprise. In their entire fifth year, Abbott hadn't spoken to him this much combined.
"I—er—thanks."
He'd completely overlooked balanced nutrition, so focused on eating more meat to grow stronger.
"You—"
"—Mary told me about that too," Abbott cut in, holding his fork. Noticing Snape's puzzled expression, he added, "What happened yesterday was really surprising."
Snape's heart sank with a silent curse. Why did everyone care about the details? Couldn't there be just one oblivious fool?
Setting down his knife, he said, "You must know about what happened by the lake the day before yesterday."
Abbott nodded, and Snape continued, his face impassive. "It wasn't a pleasant experience.
"I thought about it for a long time afterward. I can't tolerate even worse things happening—not to me, nor to anyone else.
"I've made mistakes before, but I want to change, not keep going down that path."
Snape turned his palm upward, gesturing toward Abbott.
"Surely you wouldn't object to someone trying to become better?"
"Er…" Abbott said, a touch awkwardly. "Severus, I suppose not. It's good. I was just… a bit shocked, that's all."
"By the way, Abbott," Snape said, adding some vegetables to his plate, "are you and Mary close? Why do you care about this?"
At that, Abbott's cheeks seemed to flush slightly. "Oh… we're friends…"
"Of course," Snape said, taking a large gulp of pumpkin juice, a faint smile playing on his lips. "She's a very kind girl."
After eating his fill, Snape decided to take a walk around the grounds. Considering his other two "friends" were unlikely to join him, he turned to Abbott.
"Care to stroll the grounds with me? On a sunny day like this, we should get some fresh air."
The warm sun bathed the grounds in a soft glow, and students lounged contentedly around them. Some sprawled on the grass, soaking up the rays; others gathered in small groups, chatting merrily. A few sat under the shade of trees, reading books or newspapers.
Wisps of smoke curled from the chimney of a distant wooden cabin, drifting into the sky above the dark green Forbidden Forest.
The two ambled down the slope, the grass rippling like waves beneath their feet.
"Severus…"
Noticing Snape deliberately avoiding the lake's edge, Abbott hesitated before speaking.
"I mean… since you've changed so much… maybe… maybe you could try making peace with Potter and—"
"No," Snape said sharply, stopping in his tracks and turning to face Abbott, his voice cold. "No, Abbott.
"I can choose to change myself, but that doesn't mean I have to bend for other people's mistakes."
His gaze didn't waver.
"No one—neither me nor anyone else—should be treated that way.
"In this, Potter is no different from Avery or Mulciber. Would you tell Mary to reconcile with them?"
Flustered, Abbott stammered, "S-Sorry, Severus."
"That's not what I meant—I just…" His voice trailed off, growing quieter.
Snape abruptly turned and strode toward the lake.
Abbott hurried to keep up.
The lake and sky seemed to blend into one, both shimmering with a pale, violet-tinged blue.
A giant squid lounged lazily in the warm shallows, basking in the sun, while a few students swam nearby, accompanied by the creature.
Snape maintained his steady pace, his voice drifting back.
"Let's sit by the lake for a bit."
He crouched down, gently teasing the giant squid's tentacles with his fingers, then glanced at his companion.
"Why are you in Slytherin, Abbott? I don't see a single Slytherin trait in you."
"Oh," Abbott said, crouching beside him. "I'm pure-blood. My whole family is pure-blood."
Gazing at the pearlescent lake, Abbott continued, almost to himself. "My grandfather and father both told me I was destined for Slytherin.
"The Sorting Hat suggested other houses, but I told it I wanted Slytherin, and it respected my choice."
"Was it your choice?" Snape asked.
Abbott sighed. "I know what you mean. Maybe not…
"But the Sorting Hat didn't suggest Gryffindor, and I didn't have enough courage to choose anything but Slytherin…"
They sat in silence, gazing at the clear, azure lake.
An image flashed through Snape's mind:
Professor McGonagall, stern-faced, holding a parchment scroll, calling out the first name—
"Hannah Abbott!"
A girl with two golden braids stumbled forward from the line, climbing onto the tall stool.
A patched, tattered wizard's hat was placed on her head. After a brief pause, it bellowed—
"Hufflepuff!"
For the first time in ages, Snape felt genuine joy. He chuckled.
"If you ever have a child, make sure you let her choose her own path."
"I think I will," Abbott replied, then asked, puzzled, "But why 'her'?"
"Who knows!" Snape laughed heartily, standing up. "Abbott, I think Hufflepuff would suit you better.
"By the way, the spell that hangs someone upside down is Levicorpus. The counter-spell is Liberacorpus. It's a nonverbal spell."
Abbott struggled to his feet, his legs numb from crouching.
"Ouch… Why are you telling me this?"
"Just in case."
Another cryptic remark.
"Come on, let's head back. It's almost time for dinner."