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March 6th, 1967

You couldn't believe your luck. Good or bad, who's to say?

After asking Rosamund for time to think about it, you finally agreed after telling yourself it might not be so bad to have another playdate. While probably small, there was a likelihood they'd be a minor character who survived the first war, and if not, nobody was telling you to befriend them. You could only meet them, whoever they were, pretend to play for a little while, and then tell your parents it wasn't a good match.

That was your plan.

You'll attend this playdate with steady shoulders and a barrier around your heart, no matter who they are. But then Rosamund takes you to a small park somewhere in Cokeworth.

Something about the name sounds so familiar. You swear the answer is on the tip of your tongue, but still, you can't place it. Unsure if that's a good or a bad sign, you're aware that it was mentioned somewhere in the books if you feel a vague familiarity with the place. How and when are the only questions.

"This must be Arden!"

You almost jump out of your boots when a shrill voice exclaims upon your and Rosamund's arrival, and when you look up, you see why it sets you on edge. She was faking it well, but her cheery voice and that plastered, Cheshire smile were fake—and sickeningly so. It almost felt like it was stapled in place, to keep up whatever pretenses she had, as was the loving way she held her son close.

They were both so pale-skinned they looked sick, with matching black hair and eyes, although the boy's hair looked unwashed, shiny with oil and grease. It was clear neither truly wanted to be here, but at least the child standing there had the gall to show it. You didn't know what his mother's problem was, especially considering she used to be a close friend of Rosamund's.

Even though you already feel strongly about this woman and her ill intentions, you have the know-how to hide it. Dare you say it?—You're better at acting than she is. Your mouth grows into an (equally fake) infectious smile, you're practically glowing with childish warmth and innocence when looking up at the woman and introducing yourself.

"Hello, miss! My name is Arden. Arden Ramsay. You went to school with my mother, didn't you?"

Got 'em.

She's positively giddy with herself, nodding and gushing over your maturity and well-spoken tongue. When Rosamund smiles at you with pride, you feel unbridled envy and jealousy ooze out of the other woman...but what could she possibly be jealous about? Is it your relationship with your mother, or perhaps that Rosamund's daughter is so—oh.

Her poor son. This woman must wish she had a smart, well-behaved child. Even if you wanted to tell her your genius was false merely for the boy's sake, you couldn't. It's not like it'd go over very well, would it?

"Arden, this is my old friend, Eileen, and her son—"

For a moment, Eileen's entire facade drops, and you catch the most sour expression you'd ever come across, and pitied the boy even more when her harsh gaze aimed straight at him. Rosamund didn't notice, probably too excited to catch up with her and send you off with another friend, but you didn't miss it when Eileen shoved her son forward.

"Say hello, Severus," Eileen says. Not even a millisecond passes before your heart stops for the umpteenth time upon reincarnating.

"Hello." He says, staring at you warily. It's as if he expects you to behave just as his mother.

You can't say you blame him—from what you recall, Severus Snape had a harsh home life. He was most definitely neglected, and possibly even abused, which led to his wandering of the nearby area, and eventually, Lily. You knew he'd been spying on her for a while before eventually introducing himself to her, but as usual—and it was really starting to piss you off—you couldn't remember when.

A part of you couldn't help wondering if he'd already discovered Lily, and as much as you might have denied it, you were excited to meet her one day. Especially now, as you're staring at Severus Snape, finally realizing you're the same age as Lily.

Which only meant you were the same age as the marauders, too. Sudden thoughts and images of the future began running through your mind, seeing those troublemakers wreak havoc and chaos galore with your very own eyes.

"Do you want to play on the swings?" You ask, gesturing to the old and rusty set a few feet away, trying not to visibly freak out for—again, the umpteenth time since reincarnating—at this new revelation.

You're eager to put some distance between you and Eileen, and Severus' quick nod shows he shares that notion, walking away without another word. After sending your mother a smile, you trail after Severus, remaining quiet even after the two of you sit down. You'd have been content like this, pretending to play and saying goodbyes afterward...but, as per usual, your brain is going into hyperdrive.

Although you're still unaware of how you'll do it, you will change Fabian and Gideon's futures. You'll prevent their deaths if your very existence hasn't already. You've never been much of a timeline nerd, but surely, your presence had to change several things already, right? It's no secret you loathed how the author set things up, and now that these focal characters have come across you...

Maybe...just maybe...you can change much more than the deaths of two characters barely in the stories.

Lazily swinging your legs, you allow your gaze to drift toward Severus. As a child, he's pitiable, between his sorry state of clothes and—well—everything else. It's depressing thinking how he goes from a horrid home life to a school life filled with bully-filled misery. Sure, it's no excuse for his future actions, fueled by hatred and obsession, but you feel bad for him.

His unhealthy obsession with Lily Evans...that's where it all began. While she wasn't behind his hatred of muggles or his love for the dark arts, Lily triggered a lot. An intense hatred of James Potter and Sirius Black and joining the Death Eaters...although you still don't know how on Earth he believed that'd win Lily back.

If you were to help fix his unhealthy habit, then maybe...

Shit.

You were about to befriend Severus fucking Snape, weren't you?

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March 11th, 1967

Befriending Severus was not an easy task—or possible in the thirty minutes you were together—and you had a feeling it'd take several more makeshift playdates before you made any headway with him. Each time you tried speaking with him, he'd ignore you, shuffling his feet against the playground floor and pretending you didn't exist. The few times he looked your way—pretending to get along, you supposed—was only when Eileen checked if he was doing his part.

However, as you grinned at Rosamund and Eileen, telling them how much you looked forward to the next playdate, Severus was understandably...surprised. It was only for a split second before Eileen looked at him, but for that moment, his dead eyes were brought to life, widening amidst his astonishment, along with his gaping jaw. It took a lot out of you not to laugh at his expression, but you knew he'd take it as mockery, so you kept it to yourself.

You just had to find a way to get him talking.

"What're you thinking about?" Gideon whispers in your ear after sneaking up on you.

You jump in response, internally cursing yourself—you were never this skittish in your past life.

Once you're brought back to Earth, you realize how obvious it was that you had been spacing out. Despite sitting inside a cool shop, your ice cream cone had long melted, lines of chocolate streaming down your hand and cascading to the table, forming a puddle against the white marble. When you finally glance up at the twins, you even realize Gideon's ice cream cup and Fabian's Neapolitan sandwich are long gone.

You murmur a half-apology and clean your mess with a dozen napkins.

Charles and Thomas took the three of you to Diagon Alley today—they wanted to pick up some things nearby and thought they'd make a fun day of it. It held no surprise when Gideon and Fabian found Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and dragged you inside.

"What would you do if you wanted to..." You internally hurl when you say the next words, "...befriend someone?" You don't know the exact reason behind your dismay. It could be that you're expanding your friend group despite your introverted nature, or if it's because the person in question is Severus Snape, but nonetheless, it's a hassle.

Gideon snorts in response.

"What kind of question is that?" Fabian is the one to respond, his face spelling out his puzzlement and exasperation clear as day. "You just befriend them. Obviously."

The groan escaping your lips is helpless. You visibly slump in near defeat, letting your head fall to the table.

"Of course, it'd be that easy for you two." You laugh dryly, enjoying the cold feel of the surface. When your head whips up as fast as a millisecond it makes the twins panic, but you don't notice. Instead, you ask, "And if the other party doesn't want to be your friend? What do you do then, oh wise one?"

"Why would you want to be friends with someone like that?" Gideon asks in turn, wearing an expression as equally as puzzled as his brother. Meanwhile, Fabian barely waits for Gideon to finish his sentence when he asks, "Wait, what's this about?"

"My mum set me up on another playdate. Thought she was done—"

You don't know why you're surprised when both Fabian and Gideon interrupt you, although you can't make out the exact emotions behind the expressions they wear.

"She what?" Fabian raises his voice, earning the stares of Fortescue's other customers. At the same time, Gideon speaks, not as loudly as Fabian, but with the same negativity lingering in his tone, "Who the bloody hell—sorry—who'd she set you up with? When was this? Why haven't we heard about it?"

You blink slowly at the twins, not for one instance expecting such a reaction. You pictured them teasing you for wanting to befriend someone who didn't like you or to give you sarcastic tips until they gave in, but this? What is this? And since when did Gideon speak like he was already a teenager—one that curses?

You stare them down, a growing suspicion in your gaze, but you still answer them. They're your best friends after all, and maybe, once they hear about Severus, they'll have something helpful in mind.

"He's the son of one of Mum's school friends." You shrug in an attempt of nonchalance. "We met up at this little park over in Cokeworth, and this is the first time I've seen you since then. Thought I'd get your advice on it today."

"...Wasn't your mum in Slytherin?" Fabian asks.

The distasteful way Fabian says the word 'Slytherin' doesn't sit well with you, even though his disdain is mildly innocent. You're sure that'll change once he and Gideon start school. It makes you recall the various scenes in which the author pitted Gryffindor and Slytherin against each other. Most of those situations showcased the latter as the aggressor, but that was JKR's fault—her need to exhibit a mean and evil house stood firm. You knew not all Slytherin's were coldhearted bullies. Your mother was a prime example of that.

"What's wrong with Slytherin?" You cooly reply, your harsh gaze practically daring him to speak further.

"No offense to your mum, but it's—you know!" Gideon answers for Fabian, who widens his eyes and subtly shakes his head as if to say, 'You shouldn't have said that.'

"And what's that supposed to mean?" You tilt your head and stare at Gideon with wide eyes, feigning innocence. Fabian naturally sees through your bit, but Gideon, sweet, gullible, not observant in the slightest Gideon...he doesn't know any better. At least, not at this exact moment.

"They're snakes, Ardie! If the mum's a snake, her kid is gonna be just as much! Need I say anymore?"

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just insult both my mother and me, Gideon Prewett." You say, immediately dropping your innocent stance and replacing it with your blunt demeanor. "Do you mean to say, if I get sorted like my mother, you'd consider me just the same?"

"What? I—no—I didn't mean—" Gideon stammers, only to be interrupted by Fabian, who mocks him and says, "Walked right into that one, brother."

You sigh in response, brushing your fingers through your hair, which falls past your shoulders these days. "I'm not actually mad, Gid. But surely, you have to realize, that not every Slytherin is bad, right?"

His eyes narrow in suspicion and challenge. "Name three that you can think of, then."

'How did we go from me seeking advice to this?' You think, barely holding back the exhausted sigh wanting to make itself known.

Holding up a finger for every person you name, you know there'd be a lot more if they knew everything you did, but you persist. "Rosamund Ramsay, first and foremost. Merlin. The potions professor Molly told us about, Horace Slughorn... I'll be added to that list one day, too." 'Andromeda Tonks, Narcissa and Scorpius Malfoy, Albus Potter, Regulus Black... And although they did very questionable things and acted like complete arses, there's also Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy.'

Petty that he lost, or irritated at the very thought of it happening, Gideon ignores your answer, electing to focus on the last thing you said. "You don't know that. You could go to Hufflepuff, like your dad."

Both you and Fabian snort at Gideon's delusions. It hasn't been much of a secret, at least, not to you, how many Slytherin traits you have. Everyone assumes you're just like your mother, of course, but you were like this in your past life too. Your mission to alter the timeline alone shows your determination, goal orientation, and ambition. You'll have no choice but to use your resourcefulness, cunning, and cleverness if you plan on succeeding.

And besides, you think you'll look rather good in green and silver.

"Can we go back to the topic at hand, please?" You ask. "How do I get him to like me?"

Fabian stares into space, deep in thought, while Gideon sighs in... Frustration, perhaps? He asks, "Why do you want to be his friend so badly?"

You can't very well tell him the truth. That you plan on molding Severus Snape into someone who isn't a bully who'll use his authority and power to bully and belittle anyone that reminds him of James or Lily; someone who doesn't develop a toxic and unhealthy fixation that he glues to years after his object of obsession is murdered.

Instead, you say, "I know it's not the most...genuine reasoning, but I found myself feeling bad for him. You should have seen him with his mother—God, his mother—I don't know how Mum didn't notice. I don't think he has a good home life and...and I think he could use a friend."

"And you need to be that friend?" Gideon frowns. He doesn't like it, and if he were being truthful, he'd have said he was more jealous than prejudiced of the boy's eventual Hogwarts house, but he knows you to be a good person with a kind soul and a big heart.

"...I do."

"Then don't give up, Ardie." He smiles at you with that same toothy, warm, and infectious smile he donned the day you met. His adorable dimples poking out show how sincere his answer is, but you wish he had something more helpful to say.

"That's all you've got? Really?" Fabian shakes his head, crossing his arms as he stares his brother down. Turning back to you, he supplies you with something more practical. Always the angel, Fabian. "It might not be any more useful, but try to find out what he likes. Show an interest. And, I guess, as Gid said, don't give up on him. He might try to push you away if he's got it as rough as you think. But when he sees how stubborn and persistent you are, I'm sure he'll give in eventually."

"Thanks, guys." You say, a slow smile growing on your face.

When your fathers finally find the three of you and drag you out of Fortescue's, you immediately begin to scheme. You don't know why you didn't think of what Fabian said first, but if you thought hard enough about it, you realized that even in your past life, you always had a hard time making friends. Even as a young child. But even if you're awkward and it takes years, you're going to make Severus Snape your friend, whether he likes it or not, his future toxic behavior be damned.

He's not going to know what hit him.

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A/N!

As per the line, "They're snakes, Ardie! If the mum's a snake, her kid is gonna be just as much! Need I say anymore?" I couldn't help but think of Prisoner of Azkaban (POA Supremacy), "If there's something wrong with the bitch, then there's something wrong with the pup." It didn't go over my head that the people being spoken about were Lily and Severus. We love some good symbolism (and by we I mean me) ٩(^ᗜ^ )و '-

Also wishing a happy birthday to the homies, Fred and George Weasley ✧˖° It is forever iconic that they're April Fools babies! 

As always, I'm thankful for every loyal (and amazingly patient) reader I have. I know it's been quite a while since I've updated, and it'll probably be another minute before I get a chance to get the next chapter out. Tysm for reading Altering Time ♡