☞ 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 2𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 1996

Dawn broke over the chilly horizon. Today marks the first weekend of the Hogwarts school year and the first official day here at Hogwarts. Astoria had long left, and I took advantage of the weekend to get a few more hours of rest. Luckily, breakfast lasts longer on the weekends, seeing as it's typical for students to sleep in. So with a rumbling stomach, I dressed myself in my favourite pair of jeans and a Slytherin jumper and headed to the great hall.

Once there, I noticed that Astoria wasn't sitting at our usual spot on the Slytherin table. However, my Gryffindor wife was eating away, book in hand, while her best friends sat opposite her. "Morning." I smiled as I approached them.

"Y/n!" Mione smiled and pulled me into a tight hug. "It's been so long! Everyone has been talking about your supposed transformation, and I thought they were exaggerating, but evidently not!" She grinned. I took a seat beside her and placed some food on my plate.

"Bloody hell." Ron muttered, causing Hermione to whack him with her book and Harry to spit out his drink. "Sorry, sorry!" Ron held his arm up in protection. "But you do look great, Y/n. I don't mean that in a creepy way!" Ron stressed, causing me to laugh.

"Don't worry, Ron. I know you're not that kind of guy because if your mother caught wind of you being a creep, she'd kill you faster than a Basilisk." I laugh as Harry joins in. "What are your plans for today?" I questioned the group once I realised I had no plans of my own.

"We were just going to spend a few hours in Hogsmade, making sure we have everything for Monday, and to drink some butterbeer." Harry spoke with a smile.

"You are welcome to join us, Y/n." Ron gleamed, his cheeks and ears dusting pink. With a smile, I happily accepted their offer. And so we went off on an adventure, walking through the chilly air of autumn towards Hogsmade.

We finally arrived at the joyful town and made our way to the heart of the village, where the three broomsticks stood proud. The trio and I enter the rustic pub, and a waft of warm air rushes over us, making me smile. The Gryffindors head to find a booth for us to sit in while I head to the bar to order some butterbeers. I took a seat on the bar stool and waited for Madam Rosmerta to serve me.

"Looks like Weasley has a crush on you." Someone fumed from beside me. Confused, I look to my right and see the infamous blond Slytherin prince wearing a scowl on his face. My face falls in regret, as I failed to notice and avoid him before. I adorned a scowl as I stood to take a seat further down the bar. Malfoy then grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back down onto the seat. "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you, Snape." He spat in a hushed voice.

"I don't want to talk to you, Malfoy. And no, Ron doesn't have a crush on me. Even if he did, you have no room to talk. You couldn't take your eyes off me in the carriage." I spat back at the entitled boy. His grip on my shoulder tightened, causing me to flinch. Lightly, I hit his hand to signal him to let go, which he did immediately. Carefully, I soothe my sore shoulder just as Madam Rosmerta makes her way over to us.

"Hello, Y/n, dear! The usual?" The woman greeted me with a smile. I nod and ask for four lots. "Which group are you with today, then?" She asked with curiosity as she glanced around the room.

"I'm with some of my Gryffindor friends today." And I pointed towards the back, where the group was immersed in deep conversation. Madam Rosmerta nodded and scurried off to prepare the drinks.

"Do you have to be a suck-up to every adult in your life?" Malfoy scoffs, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I do not 'suck up to them' as you say." I protested, making him scoff again. "All the professors, some former students, and Madam Rosmerta helped raise me in the castle. They are my family." I smile, remembering my younger years. When the students would carry me on their shoulders into Hogsmade, we would spend the afternoon in the Three Broomsticks.

"You grew up in the castle?" Malfoy spoke with shock. And I nodded my head. "And they aren't your family. Professor Snape is your only family." He added with both confusion and malice behind his words.

"Family is more than who you are related to. You know that... right?" Evidently, he didn't know that, as his face was plastered with shock as though I had said something outrageous to him. "You chose your family. Family is about love and trust. Not about blood." I finished as Madam Rosmerta came back with my drinks. I quickly take the drinks and pay her.

I made my way back to the group with a smile. "Here you go." I smiled, causing the trio to gleam. Hermione, Ron, and Harry thanked me profusely and began to drink up. We spent the remainder of the evening talking about our summers and catching up. We avoided any talk of Voldemort, as the thought of him alone makes us dread what's to come. Not out of fear, but out of concern that whatever we face, we won't succeed in the end...

Hermione and the boys had long gone once I started to make my way back towards the castle. I needed to purchase some more quills before the start of term for myself and Astoria. The silent whispers of the wind swayed my hair as the sun began to set over the forest. The peace and quiet were greatly appreciated after the crazy years I've had thus far in Hogwarts. Suddenly, a squeal that could rival the sound of nails on a chalkboard rang through the valley. "Y/n!!" I turn around and glare at the group of snakes that have slithered their way towards me.

I don't hesitate to pick up the pace continue walking and ignore the lot of them. However, no amount of speed walking could've saved me from Parkinson as she wrapped her arm around me, causing me to halt. "Yes, Parkinson?" I huff as I manage to wiggle my way out of the girl's firm grasp. I turned to face the group. Nott looked bored while Zabini stared at me. Malfoy, too, was clearly annoyed by either me or Parkinson, or maybe both. While Riddle was looking at me, once again an amused expression plastered on his face.

"Oh, c'mon, Y/n! Can't I have a chat with you?" Parkinson smiled, making me sigh. I roll my eyes, then give her a pointed look, telling her that she's not the best at lying. "Ugh. Fine! I want to know how you did it!" Confused, I raised a brow.

"Did what?" I asked the girl. She huffed and waved her arms around, gesturing towards me. My hair, my face, my body, and my clothes.

"That! How did you do from a complete loser with no personality, no sense of fashion, super ugly, to well... this?!" She paces as she talks and stresses. I glared at the girl while the boys stood there with smirks.

"She's got a point. Not to be crude, but you look good." Nott smirked as Zabini nudged him rather harshly. Zabini was quick to apologise for his friend's comment, making me chuckle.

"Don't worry, Zabini. It's not the first time I've heard that since being back." I laugh at my own joke. My eyes flickered over to Riddle, who seemed to tense at my comment; however strange that was, I chose to ignore it. "And Parkinson. You really want to know how I've somehow managed to look so good over the course of a few weeks?" I smile at the girl, who eagerly bobs her head. "I did nothing." I smirk as her face falls. "If I'm being honest, Parkinson." I added when I saw she was about to open her trap again. "I've always been a firm believer that if you treat those with kindness, you'll be rewarded. So my kindness is being re-paid. Meanwhile, you, Parkinson, do not have a single pleasant word available in your vocabulary." I laugh as her face falls into hatred and pure shock.

I turn to the group with a warm smile. "Good day, gentlemen." And I merrily walked away, back to Hogwarts. Back to my home.