7 Bared Fangs
"Double, double toil and trouble: Fire burn and cauldron bubble." I mummer into the cauldron as I stir the potion. Not that the chant actually held any meaning. It just fits the mood and I am one for theatrics.
There are a couple of phrases and chants that do affect a brew but that one does not. You had to do the chants on certain days with specific objects. So random chanting into a potion rarely changed anything. Although I probably should not have taken the risk all things considered. I'm already walking an unknown path so uncontrollable variables should probably not be included.
As the potion bubbles the sickly black sludge starts to lighten. I have to be rather careful here as any contact with the potion would be rather dire. Well, at least I think it would. I'm kind of winging it at the moment. Although the ominous cackle I hear from the brew's aura does reinforce that. If I was not so desperate for what this could provide I would have spent more time researching it.
There are only a couple of things that would help me in my quest to slay The Dark Lord. Magical prowess is obvious and while I whipped Potter and dumb, dumber, and dumbest I am in no way in league with Riddle. Even with all my new found talent it's just not happening. While potions are useful they can't exactly boost my magical skills. No, that is the field of rituals and I have very little knowledge on that. So I can scratch off magical prowess on the list.
Which leads to time. If I had time to plan and improve myself well then I would have the world. I have already taken steps to increase the time I have left but it's still not enough. Barring stealing a time turner I can't really think of a way to gain more time. While I do believe that given enough time I can bottle anything time is something out of my reach. My experiments with The Room Of Requirments did not turn into a hyperbolic time chamber. So again I can only scratch time off the list.
Allies is a tricky subject. Anyone of real importance is already tied to certain factions. The magical world has always been segregated. The dark factions and the light ones are rather obvious. The grey factions would not come under my banner as I am. The dark ones are already under the thrall of Voldemort and they would spit upon my half blood status. That leaves the light faction which is impossible to wrestle away from Dumbledore. Granted I could just join it and become a pawn but that rubs me the wrong way. So any of my options look poor so another one off of the list.
As I stir the frankly disturbing ooze I think about my final bullet point. Luck, if I had Luck on my side well everything and anything would go my way. Deadpool may not believe Luck is a superpower but it absolutely is. So how can I get Luck on my side? Well, this one I already knew how.
Felix Felics is a frankly underused marvel of the magical world. Sure it's toxic when consumed in regular doses but when you desperately need luck on your side it's a god sent. So why don't people have a vial for their darkest or most desperate moments?
Well, it's because a marvel can only be made by a genius. To brew Felics takes immense skill with a single mistake often proving fatal. There are only three individuals on the planet who can brew it. One is Flamel and good luck trying to get in contact with him. The second is Ivan Rasmin and he is on record saying he will never brew it again. Finally Rosa Delmerta and if you asked her to brew for you well you would end up with a slit throat. Slughorn has been researching this potion for the last twenty years and he is not confident enough to try.
The thing is it takes six months to brew the thing and I don't have the time. I have a month left at Hogwarts meaning I would have to leave. I certainly can't start at home as then I would have to stop to return to Hogwarts. So the very earliest I could start was when I arrived back here. I was not willing to do so. So the question is what was I doing then?
Well, I had a theory about Felics. You see one of the major reasons it takes six months to make this particular potion is safety. During those long months the potion saps ambient luck near the brewing site. Not a lot but it meant your skills had to be impeccable or you would make an unlucky mistake. Which would most likely end in your death. The other option is being drained of your luck for the rest of your miserable life. There is a reason Ivan is adamant about not making it again. So for safety reason you had a long brew time.
My question is what happens if I don't give a shit about the luck being saped. Well, normally it would end up with a massive accident happening around the cauldron. No amount of skills would save you then. So what happens if instead of stealing the surrounding luck it was targeted? For example what if I stole the luck of four individuals that I did not care for?
Well, it depends on exactly how quickly I expedite the process. If I did it in a day all four of them are likely to be hit by a falling meteor. Four separate meteors mind you. Give it a week and they are likely to have their bones broken several times before drowning because they slipped on a banana peel. Again four separate banana peels. In a month they would end up hospitalized all the time but if they are careful they would live. Guess how much time I have left here. Shame if only I had the blood of four chuckelfucks. Oh, wait I do.
I am severely underplaying how much I have altered the potion. In theory, it should work out but I have to stay on my toes. If I fuck up in this experimental potion the rebound would be insane. If I did fuck up well at least I would take out the goon squad with me. Ironically by snatching their luck it became far easier to brew it. As I did not have to deal with small random accidents happening around me.
I'm sure if I were to publish my research on this it would be immediately banned. I would also find myself shipped off to Azkaban. Of course, the dark faction would quietly use my new found method. Which would lead them to take over the whole magical world. Luck is a scary thing.
Now that I am thinking about it I could have taken blood from a large amount of people and produced massive amounts of it. In theory it would not even have to be magical blood as I am harvesting luck. So one robbery of a blood bank and boom risk free Felics. God the dark faction could do so much damage if they thought about it. This is not just any old regular blood this is willing given blood. Maybe Voldermort stood a very real chance at taking over the world. Not that anyone in their faction would think about it.
I guess if I ever want to destroy the mundane world I know how to go about it. Not that I want to do that. They have anime and god on their side. So they get to live 'cause I'm a fucking weeb. God damn it I'm going to have to wait several decades before I can watch new anime. Maybe I do live a cursed existence.
As I stare at my creation I ponder if I should go rob that blood bank. Technically anyone touching this will have their luck stolen. So I could add more and more blood to increase the speed of the potion. It would only end up with thousands of people experiencing one unlucky thing. On the other hand Potter in the hospital for a month.
I know it's already effective as Peter has fallen off the stairs seven times so far. Granted he was the least careful of all of them. Lupin was the most careful but he still got a concussion from a window plane falling on him. Potter got sidelined from playing quidditch when he got hit by no less than 6 Bludgers. Which freaked the team out as there were only supposed to be 2 of them in play. Apparently, the Bludgers in storage were not put away properly so they ended up bursting out.
Him and his crew are having an awful day after awful day. They of course blame me. They would truly have to be morons if they could not see that their bad times started after I ambushed them. The thing is Pomfrey could not find anything wrong with them. So they don't have any proof just yet.
So do I give up that pleasure so I can get my Luck faster? As much as I enjoy their suffering. A steady supply of Felix Felics would massively expedite my plans on utterly destroying Voldermort. So I'll go figure out a a way to rob a blood bank.
As the ooze bubbles ominously I swear I can hear Potter screaming in pain. Maybe just one more day. Surly one day won't hurt my plans that much, right? With that decision, the potion's aura cackles once more. I have really made something rather disturbing and I love it.
As the cackle fades the potion finally stabilizes. Another positive on robbing the blood bank is that I will have to not worry about this. Sure, it's not as difficult now that luck is out of play but it's still tiring. So having the process done faster would be good for my mental health. My mental stability is certainly something that needs improvement.
I'm done with this room for now. So I settled all my tools in their place and left the room. The room itself is in a rather well hidden corridor. Not the most secure place in Hogwarts as I have no access to the chamber of secrets. Still, I was going to have to settle for what I found for myself.
I did set up a ward that would effectively blow up this room if anyone entered. I was not kidding when I said I would be shipped off to Azkaban If someone found this. I am effectively casting a blood ritual on 2 purebloods, one being an heir. So Potter was right, I am doing dark experiments. He was just the target in them. I'm sure he would be enthusiastic about that discovery.
That thought brings a rather cheery smile to my face. Revenge may be best served cold, but sometimes impatience is the best spice. Not that anyone could see my smile as I'm currently disillusioned. I don't want to lead anyone to my little project. That again would be of the bad.
I did not reappear as myself until I was several floors away from my hideout. It might be a little paranoid, but security is my top priority. As it should be for anyone who lives in warring times.
I see a gaggle of students marching towards the great hall. I must have lost track of time as it's already lunch. I'm usually not one for eating in the great hall with everyone else. 8 out of 10 times my food was tampered with by Potter. So I often had to find other ways of obtaining sustenance for myself. Which honestly explains how thin I am.
Not that Magical's really had a problem with obesity. We had to consume a rather vast amount of calories to sustain the production of mana. So to reach that level of fat, one needs to eat a vast amount of food. Which was possible but not likely. So my rail thin disposition is actually rather concerning. Not that anyone can actually see that as we all wear robes. I was also not one to bear my skin for obvious reasons.
Still, I found myself eating in the great hall lately. Potter and his gang have other concerns on their mind. Not to mention the sheer entertainment that I experience eating there. So I followed the rather large crowd of students marching towards food.
When we reached the great hall. I walked towards my table. Not that I could sit anywhere else. Hogwarts was rather strict with eating with your housemates. It is a rather strange rule to adhere to. Still, I'm not going to rock the boat when I spend so very little time in this place anyways. I used to bemoan the fact that I could never spend my time eating with Lily. Now I just find the blatant segregation amusing.
" Well, look who decided to grace us with his presence." Avery's voice rang out In a sickening sweet tone that was clearly mocking me. Not that that would be a rare occurrence with him. He liked to the toe line between mockery and neutrality. He had no reason to be friendly towards me as I was already in the palm of their hands.
" Now is not the time for this Avery." Lucius' voice rang out clearly reprimanding Avery. I wonder if this was a game between the two of them to yank me back and forth. One to knock me down while the other offers shelter. If it was, it certainly worked on me before. Not that those simple mind games would work on me now.
"Tch, fine." Avery clearly knew his place. Not that that was surprising. Voldermort favored the Malfoy's if only because of their money. So the pecking order has been well established by this point.
I was in a strange position being at the bottom but favored by the top. So I was both an acceptable target and one to curry favor with.
" As nice as it is to see you, Severus, it is rather odd." Lucius spoke out with curiosity.
I took a seat next to Goyle before answering.
" The usual obstacles I have to avoid are currently busy." I chuckled darkly as I looked over at the Gryffindor table.
Lupin was looking around wearily. He was the one with the best senses, so he was often on high alert. Potter was laying his head on the table clearly done with the world. Sirius was flinching as he ate started by nearly everything. I couldn't spot Peter But I knew he was hiding underneath the table.
Which turned out to be the best decision as a chandelier above Lupin fell down. The loud crack of the chain snapping lasted only for a moment. Lupin was already leaping out of his position as soon as he heard the crack. He had no idea what was happening but he knew he had to leave his position asap. So he managed to avoid being hit by it. The crashing chandelier hit a rather large bowl of pudding absolutely covering Potter and Black. Sirus flinched away before patting himself down for injuries. Finding none he started to laugh hysterically. Potter only looked up for a second before laying back down.
As I looked over the entertainment of the day I once more warred with myself. I was having the time of my life and Potter was not. So I can delay some more right? That thought died a rather swift death as I reminded myself Lily would be safer if I had Luck on my side.
"Ah yes that, I must say you have truly outdone yourself this time. You must tell me how you pulled that one off." Lucius chuckled as he too watched the chaos.
"Finally started to bare your fangs Snape." Even Avery found himself appreciating my method of revenge.
"A magician never reveals his tricks. At least not here." I shot a quick look at the staff table. Hopefully with the implication being set no one would pry further.
If I did say how I did it Dumbeldore would crack down on me like a vengeful god. Even now I can see him shooting Potter a concerned look. Which is another point for expediting the potion. If Dumbledore decides to investigate himself he might end up discovering what I have done.
"You are of course right Severus. This is not the best place to discuss such things. Perhaps you can tell me the tale this summer." Lucius clearly understood the implication.
This was another problem. I have previously spent a large amount of time at the Malfoy estate during Summer. I did not want to stay at my own home and Lucius was offering me shelter so of course I accepted. Now I would rather have to deal with a drunk abusive muggle than set foot in that den of vipers.
"I can't make it this year Lucius." My tone was dead as my eyes darkened. I look over at Lily to both sell the act and because I want to.
She was looking at Potter torn between amusement and concern. She may be furious with them but my act of vengeance is rather shocking. It is rather close to murder attempts and Lily would not want her fellow classmates to die. Any thought of prolonging this was killed brutally at that. If this lasts any longer she will end up caring for Potter's well being and that thought disgusts me.
"Still pinning after that Mudblood whore Snape. I thought you finally came to your senses." Avery's voice tore me away from looking at Lily. I threw him a glare as he should know better than to insult her like that.
"Oh, you're glaring at me now. I'm so scared Snape." Avery sneered before a dark glint arose in his eyes.
"Now that you are out of the picture I bet Potter will have that two-bit whore bouncing on his cock in a week." Avery laughed at that a clear provocation.
How dare he? How dare he?! This dumb bastard! I felt my usually calm magic boil. The relative peace I have gained shattered. My wrath and despair boil in my gut. I can feel my face contouring in a snarl.
I know he is wrong. Lily hates Potter. Maybe not as much as me but she knows exactly how much I hate him. Sure in another time and place, she would love him but that was when she completely cut ties with me. Right!? That is not this world! I have already changed that ending! Sure she might be concerned about him right now but if I stop that will too! She won't love him again! It's not possible.
As I lost myself in my own thoughts my magic coiled around me like a hissing snake. The air around the Great Hall started to shake and quiver with my rage. Avery's sneer faded as he felt the depth of my rage as my magic bore down on him. He was suffocating under the pressure. Lucius was trying to calm me down but I was hearing none of it. He tried to reach out to me but flinched away as if burned. My magic just poured out of me more and more. I wanted to rip this idiot into a million pieces. I should do exactly that. It would be so easy.
With those thoughts, my magic started to coil around Avery slowly closing in on him. Just a little more and he will no longer be my problem. No longer would I have to put up with the blatant disrespect. No longer would I have to bite my tongue as he spews his vile thoughts about Lily. All it would take is for me to use my fangs on him. Just like he wanted.
As I stare at his paling visage I can see the fear I have inflicted on him. Maybe he can see the very real signs of death. Still, the sight snaps me out of my rage. I can feel my magic already going to strike but I quickly calm it down.
It would be foolish to kill another student right in the center of the fucking Great Hall. As my magic fades I can once again hear around me. It only took a second to discover I have truly and utterly fucked up.
Dumbledore has risen from his seat wand poised to strike. His usual calm disposition was shaken as he was startled by this turn of events. As I gain control he lowers his wand slightly and continues to monitor me. His gaze was no longer startled but filled with curiosity and calculations. I have just revealed I was a lot more magically powerful than anyone thought.
What I did was clearly accidental magic but the sheer magnitude of it spoke poorly. The only one who I thought came close was Harry Potter and he was as powerful as Voldemort. I blew both of them out of the water as my rage shook the Great Hall. I wasn't even sure I had that much in me but clearly, I was wrong.
Dumbledore isn't even my only problem the pale and shaking Avery can attest to that. I revealed this fact in front of the whole school Dark, Light, Grey, and who ever fell between. Meaning I was no longer just a juicy morsel I became a full course meal. What ever time I thought I could claim has flushed down the toilet. I needed to act and I needed to do it yesterday.
"That..was certainly something." Lucius's voice broke the silence. For once he seemed at a loss for words. He too was looking at me like he was seeing me for the first time. The same calculative glint shone in his eyes as he reevaluated everything he knew about me.
I wanted to groan and wipe everyone's memories. Sadly I was not fast enough to pull said manuver off. Nor did I think I was capable of beating Dumbledore in a fight. The moment it looked like I would start oblivating everyone I would be struck down. If only to force me into a position where I had to go to Dumbledore for help.
"I think I need some air." I rose from my seat shakily. Apparently throwing around that much Mana was not good for my health. Then I did something I have become rather familiar with. I fled.
I really hope that running is not going to be the answer to all my problems. I mean even now fleeing can solve most of them. That does not mean I want to run for the rest of my life.
As I left the now loud chatterings of the Great Hall I knew I had to act now. I can't wait around torturing Potter for shits and giggles. I have bared my fangs at the world and I'm going to have to make sure they are sharp enough.
