Harry Potter: I became Snape

"Where's mine?" Pandora's bright blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. She tilted her head, her hair swaying with the motion.

"I-I've got it," Severus Snape stammered, his throat bobbing as he spoke.

He reached into his small satchel, rummaging for a moment before carefully pulling out a translucent jade bracelet. Its craftsmanship was somewhat rough, with uneven little notches along the edges. "This… this is for you… though I haven't finished carving it yet…"

"Hand it over." Pandora held out her hand with a carefree grin. Severus placed the bracelet gently in her palm. "Come on, let's head back."

The door of The Three Broomsticks swung shut behind them, sealing out the cold. Outside, the wind howled, carrying flecks of snow that pattered against the wooden door. Severus instinctively pulled his robes tighter, shivering despite himself.

The group trudged along the slightly muddy path, their boots sinking unevenly into the ground as they made their way toward Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Patrick Abbott had already dragged Barty Crouch Jr. ahead, their quick steps fading into the distance.

Passing a small puddle, Severus caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water. His face looked haggard and anxious, and he couldn't help but sigh to himself—drinking always led to trouble.

In that moment, he made a silent vow: starting today, no more alcohol!

Along the way, Pandora seemed utterly absorbed by the jade bracelet.

She held it up to the sunlight, squinting to inspect it closely, then tapped it lightly with her fingers, coaxing out a soft, warm hum from the stone.

By the time the grand wrought-iron gates of Hogwarts came into view, the bracelet was already adorning Pandora's slender wrist.

"Is there something special about this thing?" she asked, sidling closer to Severus. The wind whipped her hair, sending strands fluttering across his shoulder, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.

"I carved it with some of the ancient Runes we saw in that secret passage near the library—the ones symbolizing protection," Severus said, his face flushing as he spoke softly. "I tried combining them with the Shield Charm, but for the longest time, I couldn't get it to work."

They walked up the long, sloping path to the castle, their footsteps echoing in the empty entrance hall as they climbed the stone steps.

As they settled in the Great Hall, Severus reached into his satchel again, pulling out a few cracked, crescent-shaped pieces of opal. Their edges were jagged, their luster faded.

"This one on your wrist—it's the only one that worked," he said quietly.

"How come I never saw you working on it?" Pandora leaned closer, her blue eyes brimming with curiosity.

"I made it in secret," Severus said, tugging at his collar uncomfortably, a sheepish smile creeping onto his face. "Wanted it to be a surprise, you know."

He paused, then continued, "If it's hit by a spell or a physical attack, it can instantly create a protective barrier around the wearer.

"You know I can't always be there watching over you during your experiments. Sometimes I have to step out—like next week, I've got some business that'll take me away from Hogwarts."

"Cast a spell on me, then. Let's test it," Pandora said abruptly, standing up with an eager glint in her eye.

"No way, I haven't tested it on a person yet," Severus said, waving his hands and shaking his head. "No one's worn it for a real test."

"What's there to worry about? Come on!" Pandora drew her wand. "Just try a Disarming Charm on me."

Severus glanced around nervously, catching sight of Mrs. Norris darting into the Great Hall, chasing a small, fuzzy ball.

Filch trailed behind her, hands behind his back, a rare smile on his face as he watched her fondly. Mrs. Norris crouched low, her paws silent on the stone floor, her hips swaying and tail raised high. In a flash, she pounced, springing like an arrow from a bow, tackling the ball and rolling across the floor with a triumphant yowl, batting it playfully.

"Alright… fine, but we need to go somewhere else," Severus relented with a sigh.

They wove through the crowd and headed upstairs, slipping into the Room of Requirement with Moaning Myrtle's help.

Myrtle had grown fond of the place. Besides Severus and Pandora, Patrick Abbott and Barty Crouch Jr. occasionally stopped by as well.

She loved flitting about among them, delighted to be around people who didn't mock her. Despite Severus's protests, Myrtle insisted on calling their little group the "Losers' League."

"I'm ready," Pandora said, standing in an open space by a long table, facing Severus.

"Okay—on the count of three," Severus said, taking a deep breath and raising his wand. "One, two, three—Expelliarmus!"

A silver jet of light shot toward Pandora, but the moment it reached her, it struck a transparent magical shield, bursting into a shower of brilliant sparks. Her wand remained firmly in her grip.

"Brilliant!" Pandora exclaimed, bouncing with excitement. "Let's try a Stunning Spell next!"

After some persistent coaxing, Severus reluctantly cast a Stunning Spell.

The shield flared again, deflecting the spell's red glow, which faded harmlessly outside the barrier.

"Keep going," Pandora said, grinning with satisfaction. "Try a Blasting Curse."

"This is the last one," Severus said, frowning. "Don't push it."

"Fine, last one," Pandora agreed airily.

"Confringo!" Severus cast the spell, carefully controlling its force.

The curse hit the shield like an egg smashing against a rock, its energy spreading outward in a wave. The heat from the spell even made Severus's skin prickle.

"You alright?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"Perfectly fine," Pandora said, her eyes glinting with a dangerous thrill. "How about we try a Sectumsempra next?"

"Stop it," Severus said, lowering his wand with a stern look. "I didn't make that bracelet so you could use it for reckless experiments. Keep this up, and I'll take it back."

"Alright, alright, no more tests," Pandora said with a mischievous smile. "I won't let myself get hurt."

"Really?" Severus asked skeptically. "You sure about that?"

"Of course," Pandora said, her smile softening as she stepped closer. "I promise."

With that, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.

Severus froze, his mind going blank.

"Mistletoe," Pandora said, pointing to the ceiling above him.

He touched his cheek absently. He hadn't noticed before, but there, hanging above the lab, was a large sprig of mistletoe adorned with white berries.

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