A mischievous jinx covered in The Standard Book of Spells, it caused the victim’s bogies to transform into large black bats that came flying out of their nose.
It was almost harmless.
But humiliating.
Especially in front of an audience.
The instant Severus’s spell struck its target, James Potter’s nostrils twitched violently.
His expression immediately changed.
Something inside his nose seemed to swell and wriggle, and before he could react, several palm-sized black bats burst from his nostrils, flapping wildly around the compartment.
Shrill squeaks echoed through the carriage.
James shouted in alarm while desperately trying to swat the bats away.
Beside him, Sirius instinctively ducked, waving his arms as the creatures flew past his face.
By then, however…
The culprit had already left.
Severus calmly slid the compartment door shut behind him as though nothing had happened.
Seeing Lily staring at him with an odd expression, he raised an eyebrow.
“What?” “Do you want to experience it yourself?” “You wouldn’t dare.” Lily immediately narrowed her eyes at him.
She tried to maintain a serious expression.
Unfortunately…
The image of James frantically chasing bats around the compartment resurfaced in her mind.
She burst into laughter.
“That was hilarious.” She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
“When you taught me that jinx before, why didn’t you tell me it was this funny?” “Don’t worry.” Severus replied calmly.
“Once we’re at Hogwarts, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to cast it yourself.” “Just find an idiot who’s asking for it.” Lily looked at him helplessly.
“I thought you’d protect me.” Severus’s answer came without the slightest hesitation.
“Depending on someone else to protect you is foolish.” “The person you can rely on most is yourself.” It was an answer that perfectly reflected a Slytherin’s way of thinking.
However…
Seeing Lily lower her head with a disappointed expression, he paused before adding, “That said…” “If someone really bullies you…” “I’ll help you get even.” Lily looked up again.
A smile slowly spread across her face.
“I’d rather you swoop in like a hero and save me.” She laughed teasingly.
Severus merely shrugged without commenting.
For the time being, they couldn’t find another empty compartment.
Rather than searching any further, they simply leaned against a window in the corridor.
Outside, the English countryside rolled peacefully past beneath the afternoon sun.
The cool breeze drifting in through the open windows carried away the lingering tension from earlier.
Standing side by side, they chatted just as they had beneath the willow tree over the past two years.
After a while, Lily asked the question that had been bothering her.
“Are the Hogwarts houses really that different?” “I always thought they were just different dormitories.” “Not exactly.” Severus shook his head.
“To a certain extent, James wasn’t entirely wrong.” “Most prejudice against Muggle-born witches and wizards does come from Slytherin.” Lily frowned.
“Why?” “There are two main reasons.” “First, many children from old pure-blood families are Sorted into Slytherin.” “And second…” “The Death Eaters.” At Lily’s questioning look, Severus calmly explained the situation in the Wizarding World.
He spoke about Lord Voldemort’s growing influence.
He explained how the Death Eaters had begun attacking those who opposed them.
He described how fear was gradually spreading throughout magical Britain.
By the time he finished, Lily’s expression had become one of indignation.
“That’s horrible!” “How can anyone do something like that?” “The Wizarding World isn’t paradise.” Severus looked out the window at the passing landscape.
“Wherever people exist…” “There will always be conflict.” It was the same answer he had given Lily two years earlier.
After a brief silence, he continued.
“But remember one thing.” He turned to meet her eyes.
“It is our choices that show who we truly are.” “Not our abilities.” “And not the family we were born into.” “A Slytherin can be an honorable person.” “And a Gryffindor can be a coward.” Lily fell silent.
She could sense that Severus’s words carried a deeper meaning.
The sentence lingered in her mind long after he finished speaking.
When she finally looked back at him, her eyes were filled with admiration.
For the first time in quite a while…
Severus felt a faint twinge of guilt.
After all…
Those weren’t originally his words.
…Sorry, Professor Dumbledore.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
Actually…
no.
I don’t think I feel guilty at all.
The feeling disappeared as quickly as it had come.
The rest of the journey passed peacefully.
Not long afterward, they found Remus Lupin and invited him to share their compartment.
The three of them spent the remainder of the trip talking about Hogwarts, their classes, and everything they hoped to experience once they arrived.
During the conversation, Severus gave each of them a bottle of his newly improved Focus Potion.
After trying it, Remus was astonished.
He had never experienced a potion that could sharpen his concentration so noticeably, and he immediately recognized how valuable it would be for studying.
What Severus didn’t mention was that, if Remus eventually became one of the Marauders as he had in the original timeline, he probably wouldn’t dare use the potion openly.
Not if he wanted to keep his friendship with Severus a secret from James and Sirius.
With a long whistle, the Hogwarts Express gradually slowed.
Moments later, the train came to a gentle stop at Hogsmeade Station.
A towering figure stood on the platform at Hogsmeade Station, calling out in a booming voice for the first-years to disembark in an orderly fashion.
His enormous frame and unmistakable appearance made him instantly recognizable.
Rubeus Hagrid.
The Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
As Severus stepped off the Hogwarts Express, he wasn’t surprised to spot James Potter and Sirius Black again.
The two boys clearly hadn’t forgotten what had happened on the train.
The moment they saw him, they shot him venomous glares.
Before either of them could do anything, however, Hagrid gave each of them a hearty pat on the back.
The casual gesture nearly sent both boys stumbling several steps forward, earning a few suppressed laughs from the nearby students.
By now, night had completely fallen.
Following Hagrid’s instructions, the first-years climbed into small wooden boats lit by old kerosene lanterns.
Severus and Lily ended up sharing a boat as it drifted quietly across the still waters of the Black Lake.
Far ahead, warm lights shone through the windows of Hogwarts Castle.
Most of the ancient fortress, however, remained hidden in darkness, its silhouette looming majestically against the night sky.
For every young witch and wizard aboard the boats, the sight was breathtaking.
An ancient, mysterious atmosphere surrounded the castle, leaving everyone unconsciously holding their breath.
As the boats reached the shore, the great oak doors opened before them.
The students climbed the stone steps, all dressed in freshly purchased black robes and pointed hats.
Excited whispers filled the air.
Everyone was talking about the Sorting, the professors, and the castle itself.
No matter how quietly they spoke, the anticipation in their voices was impossible to hide.
That chatter continued…
Until they rounded a corner.
Standing outside the entrance to the Great Hall was a stern-looking witch dressed in emerald-green robes.
Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Although she appeared noticeably younger than the professor Severus remembered, the natural authority she carried was already unmistakable.
She silently surveyed the assembled first-years.
Satisfied that everyone had quieted down, the corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly before she addressed them in a clear, commanding voice.
“I am Professor McGonagall.” “In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join the rest of the school.” “But before you take your seats, you will be Sorted into your Houses.” She briefly explained the four Houses of Hogwarts and the importance of the Sorting.
Then her expression became serious once more.
“While you are at Hogwarts, your House will be like your family.” “Your triumphs will earn House points.” “Your rule-breaking will lose them.” “At the end of the school year, the House with the most points will be awarded the House Cup.” Lily listened with complete attention.
She hardly dared blink as Professor McGonagall spoke.
Even so, she subtly leaned a little closer to Severus and whispered, “Thanks again…” “For taking me to Diagon Alley.” “It made today so much less frightening.” “You’re welcome.” Severus replied just as quietly.
“I’m glad I could help.” The exchange lasted only a moment.
Even so, Professor McGonagall’s sharp hearing caught the faint whispering.
Her stern gaze immediately swept toward them.
Both Severus and Lily straightened instinctively, adopting perfectly innocent expressions.
Only after several more minutes of waiting did the massive doors of the Great Hall slowly swing open.
The conversations inside instantly ceased.
Hundreds of eyes turned toward the line of first-year students.
The sudden attention made many of them visibly nervous.
Severus, however, remained perfectly composed.
He walked through the Great Hall at an unhurried pace, passing the four long House tables filled with students.
Above them, thousands of floating candles illuminated the enchanted ceiling, where the night sky glittered with countless stars.
Without pausing, Severus quietly observed the High Table.
His gaze moved from one professor to another, matching each familiar face with the memories from his previous life.
Albus Dumbledore.
Professor Flitwick.
Professor Sprout.
Professor Slughorn.
One by one, they took their places in his memory.
At the front of the hall, Professor McGonagall unrolled a long parchment.
Her clear voice echoed throughout the Great Hall.
“The Sorting Ceremony will now begin.” She glanced at the first name before calling it aloud.
“Melvin Avery!”