“You’re up to something.” Lily’s jade-like emerald green eyes stared at Snape for a long moment before she spoke with sudden certainty.
Sitting beside her and quietly waiting for Potions class to begin, Snape rolled his eyes, too lazy to let even the slightest change show on his face.
After two years of being inseparable, not only had he come to understand Lily’s personality thoroughly, but Lily had also come to understand this dark-natured best friend beside her in a way that no one else could imagine.
Even though Snape hid it well in daily life, glimpses of his terrifying true nature would occasionally surface during their interactions, leaving Lily frightened enough to toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep.
Ever since she had noticed the faint, almost imperceptible coldness Snape had shown toward her roommate, Lily couldn’t help recalling scenes from murder and body-disposal movies.
But this wasn’t the baseless imagination of a naive little girl.
It was a perfectly reasonable conclusion drawn after gradually catching glimpses of the terrifying monster hidden behind those indifferent eyes.
Unfortunately, Snape had realized long ago what Lily had discovered.
After ruling out the option of completely eliminating this threat at close range, he chose instead to resort to long-term observation and ideological correction, intending to one day turn Lily completely into one of his own, making her a bona fide accomplice.
Thus, before she could even begin her crusade against the Demon King, the hero had already begun to unconsciously drift under his subtle influence.
The current Lily was still a genuinely good person.
She was kind, brave, and always willing to help others, possessing an outstanding beauty despite her young age.
More importantly, she always saw the good in other people.
However, within Lily’s saint-like character, there had long since appeared a permanent exception, like a single drop of ink staining pure white paper.
If she encountered injustice on the road, Lily would step forward without hesitation, even if it meant risking her own life.
But if that person was Snape, she would be saddened and conflicted.
Even so, she would ultimately choose to stand by his side.
To her, Snape was as indispensable as the sun or the air itself.
The world could not exist without him, just as she and Severus could never be separated.
Lily Evans firmly believed this.
Why would she ever need Amortentia?
Could this deep-rooted attachment, forged in childhood and nurtured little by little over the years, really be inferior to a Love Potion that merely drove people mad?
The greatest Potions Master often needed only the simplest brewing method.
That was also why Snape wasn’t worried in the slightest that Lily would once again end up with James, just as she had in the original story.
James had already lost.
He had lost the moment Juliet’s amused laugh led Eric Horn to meet Lily for the first time two years ago.
Kindness toward an enemy was cruelty toward oneself.
Since he had chosen to interfere with Lily’s fate, Snape naturally intended to maximize the benefits.
Whether he would truly fall in love with her one day or willingly give her his heart, who could refuse a childhood sweetheart who would never betray him?
Within the body of Severus Snape lived another person named Eric Horn, who had inherited everything.
His life.
His name.
His fate.
And, most importantly, his future.
He possessed a soul mature enough to remain cold and rational.
He would never forget what he truly desired because of the temptation of power, nor would he willingly allow his life to become a complete tragedy for the sake of so-called love.
It might be beautiful.
It might be tragic.
It might even become a story people loved to talk about.
But if someone truly had to become that greasy-haired professor from the original story, who would willingly endure that pain?
“Hey, hey, just tell me quietly.
I definitely won’t tell anyone else!” Lily was still trying to pry the truth out of him, determined to learn what her good partner had been hiding.
“How about we exchange secrets?
Yesterday during Flying class, someone performed so well that Madam Hooch awarded Gryffindor House points.
You tell me what you’ve been up to, and I’ll tell you who it was.” “You tell me what you’ve been up to, and I’ll tell you who that person is.” “It’s Potter, right?” “How did you know?!” Lily widened her eyes in shock, her emerald-green pupils appearing even more brilliant beneath the sunlight.
“Because he’s already bragging about it.” He gestured with his chin toward James, who was loudly recounting his glorious exploits, making sure everyone nearby could hear him.
The moment James noticed the gaze of the rival he most wanted to show off to, he immediately lifted his chin proudly, making Lily cover her face in embarrassment, unable to bear watching.
“Don’t think about it so much.
You’ll find out eventually.” Taking advantage of the professor’s absence, Snape casually took out two pear-flavored hard candies, handed one to Lily, and unwrapped his own.
Even the candy wrapper wasn’t wasted.
With a light tap of his wand, the wrapper transformed into a fully armored knight standing proudly atop the desk.
The shield in its right hand even carried a faint, sweet scent of pears.
Not to be outdone, Lily popped the candy into her mouth and impatiently waved her wand.
After two years of intensive tutoring, this little trick was naturally effortless for her.
She wore a relaxed smile as she completed the spell with practiced ease.
Soon, a mounted knight appeared, urging his warhorse forward with a medieval lance in hand as he continuously circled the armored warrior, searching for an opening.
The miniature duel immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding students.
There was no need to advertise it.
One student after another gathered around the desk, drawn in by the exciting battle unfolding before them, until the aisle became completely blocked.
Even the once-lively crowd around James quickly dispersed, leaving the Marauders staring in confusion.
Meanwhile, after circling for a while, Lily’s mounted knight failed to find a single weakness.
No matter how she maneuvered him, the armored warrior’s shield remained firmly facing its opponent.
It stood like an impregnable fortress, keeping its sturdy body safely hidden behind the shield.
With no other choice, Lily ordered the mounted knight to launch a frontal charge.
“Cavalry charge!” The warhorse’s neigh and the rider’s determined shout made the tiny battle feel astonishingly real, causing the surrounding young wizards to tense up unconsciously.
Bang!
A dull thud rang out.
Forced back several steps, the armored knight nevertheless withstood the frontal charge.
Then, after its shield was sliced apart by Diffindo, it immediately discarded the ruined shield, drew its longsword, closed the distance in one swift movement, and beheaded the horse with a single clean strike.
Under Snape’s effortless control, the surrounding young wizards let out cries of amazement and regret.
After several more exchanges, the armored warrior pinned the mounted knight to the ground and ruthlessly beheaded him.
It then raised the severed head high, displaying it in every direction as though proclaiming its unrivaled martial prowess.
“Excellent Transfiguration.
“If Professor McGonagall were here, she’d certainly award each of you another two House points.” A warm, gentle voice suddenly sounded behind them.
Realizing a professor had appeared without anyone noticing, the surrounding young wizards immediately scattered in all directions.
Professor Slughorn, however, remained where he stood, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Snape.
His eyes sparkled as though he had just discovered an exceptionally precious treasure.
“If I’m not mistaken…
you’re Severus Snape, aren’t you?”