Harry Potter: I became Snape

The term ended swiftly, and students boarded the Hogwarts Express for the journey home under splendid weather.

Before leaving, Dumbledore specifically told Severus Snape that he would visit the Snape household during the summer, with the exact time to be confirmed later via owl post.

The train began to move, its wheels clattering against the tracks, the sound quickening.

Time on the train seemed to pass in a flash. Severus sat in a compartment with Pandora and Patrick Abbott, chatting about school and savoring every treat from the trolley except for Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

Outside the window, the scenery rushed by like a painted scroll. As their excitement peaked, the train's whistle sounded, and the carriage began to slow with a rhythmic clunk.

When the scarlet steam engine came to a stop, Severus dragged his trunk, following the bustling crowd off the train. After bidding farewell to his friends, he headed once more toward the brick wall at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Sunlight bathed the platform. On one side of the wall, Eileen stood waiting, smiling at him.

"Let's go," she said, extending her arm to Severus. "Home awaits."

Severus didn't mention that he had passed his Apparition test. Instead, he bent slightly and took her arm.

This year, he had shot up in height, now towering over her.

After a dizzying spin, they stood on a hillside in Ottery St. Catchpole.

Before them lay a village shimmering in the sunlight, with a winding stream; behind, their familiar wooden cottage stood quietly, waiting for its owners to return.

Severus settled comfortably into his summer at home, occasionally visiting the Burrow with Eileen to help Mrs. Weasley look after her three sons.

Percy could already toddle a few steps and say simple words. The little boy disliked crawling about and getting dirty, preferring to sit quietly, watching the adults talk with wide eyes.

Purely out of mischief, Severus kept trying to teach Percy words like "prefect" and "Head Boy."

One day, they were gathered in the Burrow's kitchen, chatting idly. Suddenly, the peculiar wall clock chimed twice, its hand for Mr. Weasley snapping to "Home."

The front door burst open with a bang, and Mr. Weasley's hearty voice echoed from the yard. "Molly! I'm back!"

"Oh, Eileen, Severus, you're here too," Mr. Weasley said wearily as he entered, greeting them before collapsing into a kitchen chair. He removed his glasses, rubbing his brow.

Mrs. Weasley stood behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.

"What a hectic, exhausting day," Mr. Weasley sighed. "Some old witch enchanted a Muggle thing called a 'plug,' and it went berserk, whipping lightning around and sending several Muggles to the hospital."

"How odd…" he muttered, puzzled. "Why would a plug shoot lightning?"

"A plug?" Severus asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Mr. Weasley said, pulling a blackened plug with a short wire from his pocket. "This thing."

"What are you doing bringing that home?" Mrs. Weasley said, frowning at the smudges on his hands and robes.

"It's fascinating, Molly," Mr. Weasley said, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "This 'plug' was like a monster, snapping blue whips everywhere. Perkins and I had a devil of a time subduing it…"

Seeing Mrs. Weasley's frown deepen, he quickly stuffed the plug back into his pocket.

"It's an electrical plug," Severus explained with a smile, realizing this was the origin of Mr. Weasley's plug obsession. "Muggles use it to power their devices."

Mr. Weasley sat up straight, eagerly questioning Severus about Muggle life.

Severus tried explaining, from televisions to washing machines, but soon realized Mr. Weasley lacked the basic concepts to follow. Defeated, Severus claimed he only knew bits and pieces from Muggle-born classmates, dodging further questions.

At dinner, Mr. Weasley warmly invited Severus to sit beside him.

When Mrs. Weasley wasn't looking, he stealthily showed Severus a few batteries, asking about their purpose.

"Ahem," Mrs. Weasley coughed lightly.

"Oh, Molly," Mr. Weasley quickly changed the subject. "This summer, the Ministry's offering a staff benefit—a subsidy for employees and their families to travel."

"Bertha Jorkins, who just transferred from the Daily Prophet to the Ministry, says she's planning a holiday in Albania and asked if we'd like to join. Are you interested?"

"How many Galleons will it cost, Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley asked, intrigued but hesitant. "How much is the Ministry covering?"

"But Percy's still so young…" she added.

"No need to worry," Mr. Weasley said eagerly. "We can use Muggle transport. Jorkins says Albania's affordable. If all five of us go, the Ministry will cover up to two hundred Galleons."

"And, Molly," he continued, his tone softening with guilt, "we've never traveled since we married. You're always so busy at home, and I feel I've let you down…"

"Arthur," Mrs. Weasley said, embarrassed, whispering, "Eileen and Severus are right here."

"Oh," Mr. Weasley said, rubbing his hands. "Sorry, the subsidy's only for employees and their families."

Listening to the Weasleys' conversation, Severus recalled Bertha Jorkins—the witch killed by Lord Voldemort, whose death was used to turn Nagini into a Horcrux.

Snapping back to the moment, he said, "That's fine, we understand. But if you don't mind, we could pay our own way and join you on holiday."

Severus looked at Eileen. "Mum, fancy a summer trip to Albania?"

"If you'd like to go, let's do it," Eileen replied with a smile.

"Brilliant!" Mr. Weasley said cheerfully. "Molly, don't say no—think how lively it'll be with everyone together!"

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