i am snape

"Welcome, our new students!" Dumbledore rose, his arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture, a radiant smile gracing his face. "And welcome back, old friends! Now, let the feast begin!"

Just like magic, delicious food appeared on the long tables, filling the empty golden platters to the brim. Everyone indulged in the delectable dishes. Soon enough, the remnants of the first course vanished, replaced instantly by an array of desserts: treacle tart, chocolate cake, orange pudding, and more.

"Severus, I don't see Avery," Abott mumbled, his mouth full. "Why isn't he at the Welcoming Feast?"

Across the long table, Mulciber, Regulus, and young Crouch were huddled together, whispering. Snape could likely guess the reason for Avery's absence – a reason he himself had caused. He merely offered a vague reply to Abott, "I'm not sure, but it is rather odd, isn't it?"

Finally, even the sweets were cleared away, leaving the platters and goblets sparkling clean. It was then that Dumbledore rose once more. The boisterous chatter in the Great Hall gradually subsided.

"A moment of your quiet attention, please," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling as he surveyed the students. "I must trouble you with the ramblings of an old man. I must remind you all that the Forbidden Forest, on the edge of the grounds, is strictly off-limits to students. Furthermore, only students in their third year and above are permitted to visit Hogsmeade on weekends. More importantly, I am delighted to welcome Professor Wilhemina Grubbly-Plank to our ranks this term. She will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year."

Professor Grubbly-Plank?

Snape couldn't help but look up at the staff table. An elderly witch with a prominent jaw and immaculately coiffed grey hair stood up beside Dumbledore. Snape recalled that in the original stories, Professor Grubbly-Plank had taken over Care of Magical Creatures when Hagrid was away. He hadn't expected her to be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year. Could she be Dumbledore's ever-ready substitute?

"Additionally, I imagine most in this hall are aware that a war is raging outside the walls of Hogwarts. Voldemort and his followers are still wreaking havoc and harming the innocent."

A ripple of fearful gasps swept through the Great Hall. Dumbledore waited a few seconds, then continued, "The current situation is perilous. I urge all of you to be extra vigilant and prioritize your safety. Should you notice anything unusual or suspicious, please report it to a member of the school staff immediately. Now, it's getting late. Off to your dormitories, everyone. Get some rest and prepare for classes tomorrow."

A chorus of scraping chairs and shuffling feet filled the hall. Everyone rose and began to leave the Great Hall, heading towards their dorms.

In the familiar dungeons of the Slytherin dormitory, Snape still didn't see Avery. His bed was the only one without a trunk beside it, and his open wardrobe held nothing but a few old textbooks from the end of the last term. Before drifting off to sleep, Snape wondered if Avery had dropped out of school. Would he join the Death Eaters early? What sort of ripple effect might that have on the future?

---

The next morning, at breakfast, the Great Hall's enchanted ceiling was a brilliant, clear blue, with wisps of white clouds drifting lazily across it. Today was the day for choosing classes. After finishing breakfast, the students remained seated, waiting.

"Let me see your class choices," Abott said, taking Snape's application form. "I need to make sure our choices are roughly the same. It wouldn't be a pleasant experience to be the only Slytherin oddity in a class." He made a few adjustments to his own form, a smile spreading across his face. "Good thing I have you this year."

"Pah!" Snape couldn't help but scoff at him.

Confirming the sixth-year timetables was more complicated than usual. Each Head of House had to ensure that every student's O.W.L. results met the requirements before they could continue with the corresponding N.E.W.T. advanced classes.

Before long, Professor Horace Slughorn, with his substantial belly, waddled over to them from the staff table. "Hmm, 'Outstanding' in Potions O.W.L.," Slughorn murmured, looking down at Snape's application and results. "You may certainly continue with my advanced class. As for the others, let's see... Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts are all 'Outstanding,' and Care of Magical Creatures is 'Exceeds Expectations.' Very good, Snape, perhaps you intend to become an Auror or a Healer?"

"I haven't decided yet, sir. But I believe these subjects, particularly Potions, are precise sciences and beautiful arts, worth our fascination and continued study."

Slughorn looked at Snape with a hint of surprise, stroking his walrus-like silver mustache as if deep in thought. "Alright, next!" He handed the timetable back to Snape.

A few minutes later, Abott's timetable was also sorted. Besides the six subjects Snape was taking, he had also opted for Muggle Studies.

"We don't have a class right now," Abott told Snape, looking at his timetable. "Our first class isn't until ten. I'm going back to the common room for a bit, what about you?"

"You go ahead. I fancy a wander by myself for a bit. I'll see you in class."

During the summer holidays, Snape had been thinking about something very important, and he was eager to see it. He climbed the stairs to the eighth floor of the castle, walked down the corridor, and arrived in front of a colossal tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy attempting to teach trolls to ballet. Noticing Snape's arrival, the troll stopped its brutal assault on the ballet teacher and turned to watch him.

Snape quickly darted to both ends of the corridor, ensuring no one else was about. Once satisfied that he wouldn't be seen, he walked from the window at one end of the plain wall opposite the tapestry towards a human-sized vase at the other end.

"I need a place to hide things... I need a place to hide things..."

He repeated the phrase three times, and a smooth door appeared on the plain wall. Snape glanced around, making a final check, then carefully grasped the brass handle and pulled the door open. He swiftly slipped inside the Room of Requirement and closed the door. The castle's birdsong instantly faded, replaced by an eerie silence.

The place resembled a vast, deep cathedral, its walls towering with generations of Hogwarts students' hidden items. Besides broken furniture piled to the ceiling and magical objects that had nearly lost their power, there were also dusty, filthy bottles containing solidified potions. Worn-out hats, cloaks, thousands of books, and rusty swords were all strewn about haphazardly.