Chapter One - Initiating the Change.

He woke up. He blinked several times until he was aware that he no longer felt pain where Nagini had dealt him lethal bites.

He jumped up and put a hand to where there were supposed to be bloody marks. No markings.

He took in his surroundings and a flash of his memories told him that it was his prefect's room in the Hogwarts dungeons.

He was processing the information when he saw his hands, pale and... Is it possible?

He jumped out of bed where he had woken up and going into the bathroom he saw himself in the mirror. A fifteen-year-old black-haired boy was looking back at him.

His rational mind tried to find an explanation.

A dream? It's not possible

Did he go back in time? Maybe

Is he dead and is this possibly hell? It didn't seem like much of a revelation of life after a violent death.

Knock Knock - The sound of the door startled him.

He looked around finding his wand at the side of the bed on a nightstand. He took it, he didn't know what he was going through so he had to be careful.

He opened the door with a wand in hand.

He was surprised to see Lucius Malfoy young, the angular face and platinum hair were unmistakable, back then he didn't have it so long, so his image reminded him of Draco Malfoy in his later years.

- "Lucius."

- "What is wrong?" - Asked the blond, frowning. - "Are you still in your pajamas?... Severus, you're going to be forced too fast if you don't hurry up."

- "I'll be there in a moment, let me get ready."

- "Do not delay, I'll go ahead with Cissy."

Had he really come back?

By the time he decided to change, he was curious, his mind remembered where his things were.

He changed quickly, he would take a bath at the end of the day.

He checked himself in the mirror, it was his typical youthful appearance... ummm...

What if he made a change? Well, not a big one, but at least it would make his hair less greasy, and maybe with a few more details.

He would think about it later, in his past he was secretive and he didn't care what they thought of him. Why not change a little this time?

Potions class was about to start.

During breakfast he had recognized several of his companions, some had greeted him.

Thanks to a small exchange with Lucius Malfoy, who was in his seventh year, he knew that he was almost halfway through his fifth year. The year that Lily Evans began to get along with James Potter and the marauders who were his declared enemies.

But this was a new opportunity and he would not waste his youth with bitterness, he had a whole life experience and knowledge to take advantage of, perhaps in the past (which curiously now was his future) he never got over Lily because he blamed himself for her death and supported Dumbledore just to redeem himself. At this moment Lily was alive, nothing bound him, and he was completely free.

Professor Slughorn opened the door to what would be his future laboratory. Or maybe not since he had other plans.

He smiled at the teacher who frowned at the gesture and congratulated him for being the first. (He had managed to get there first after breaking the record for food taste).

The Slytherin and Gryffindor students entered en masse a minute later. Lily sat down next to him like she used to. Severus greeted her with a beaming smile. In truth, those emerald eyes still put him in a good mood.

- "Something happened?" - Evans asked smiling. - "I see you, I don't know, something different."

- "Today we will learn something new" - He answered -. "Reason enough to be happy."

- "Sevie." - She narrowed her eyes. - "Are you? You always complain in this class."

- "The methods are not adequate, when something is not adequate, it is necessary to change."

- "In the elaboration of potions, only the instructions should be followed" - Evans limited -. I'm good in the course not because I have talent, but because I do what many don't: read the instructions, understand them, and follow them properly" - Severus widened his smile. - "Are you...?"

- "I see you happy Snivellus" - James released from the next table with a mocking smile, Sirius Black at his side shared his humor. - "What happened? Did you manage..."

- "I see you in good shape, Potter" - Severus interrupted with a wide smile, it was a second chance and he wasn't going to suffer bitterness, he was already too mentally mature for it. - "I hope you put on a good show at the Quidditch tournament."

The room was completely silent, already used to discussions between James and Severus, they didn't know what to think of what they had just witnessed. Severus, a Slytherin, supporting James, a Gryffindor?

- "I think you should check your broom, maybe he put a spell on it" - Sirius whispered to his friend.

- "Good morning, students" - The teacher's voice, now in his white coat, made him look at the blackboard. - "On the table, you will find all the ingredients to use, today we will make an advanced potion, very complicated for those who do not master the basics. In your book of advanced potions, page 86, you will find the ingredients, as for the preparation" - He waved his wand and the method of preparation appeared on the board-. "You must follow the steps to the letter, otherwise..." - Severus held up his hand. - "Yes, Mr. Snape."

- "Sir, the book has errors, and the preparation method is not effective"

The silence deepened. The students from both houses were looking at him expectantly and wide-eyed at what he had just said, even Evans was looking at him in disbelief.

- "Mr. Snape." - The professor seemed upset. - "This book contains the best methods of the most renowned potionists. You are practically questioning them! I don't know what it's based on..."

- "If you allow me, professor" - He interrupted with a voice full of confidence-. "I can show that there is a method that makes the preparation easier and improves the effect of the potion."

- "I think, Mr. Snape, that as a teacher I should give you a lesson in humility." - Slughorn looked disgusted at the interruption in his class. - "If you can stand up and prove what you say to all of us, I'll take you at your word."

Severus smirked and left his place with the advanced potions book in his hand. As he walked a few steps from his teacher, he threw the potion book into the trash can in the corner of the classroom. That act surprised both the teacher and the students of both houses.

- "Pay attention" - Oddly enough, Severus' voice sounded slightly different, not self-conscious or low like he used to speak, but in a modulated tone. He took out his wand and with a movement changed the instructions from 12 to 7. - "First, let's leave the cauldron heating with the water of the Nile River, meanwhile, let's crush Grindilows fingers..."

- "The fingers are cut off, Mr. Snape!" - The professor intervened. - "It's obvious that as good as you are at your stuff, this potion belongs to a level that you haven't reached yet!"

- "You are judging without seeing the outcome" - Severus replied calmly. - "Besides, it is difficult to cut said fingers, it is better to crush them" - Slughorn opened his mouth to say something-. "Let's move on now..."

Severus' class continued, some students followed his instructions just out of curiosity but the vast majority just listened to the lecture without knowing what to do.

Slughorn just waited for the Slytherin to finish so he could give his sermon on humility and show him that a young man, however impetuous he may be, cannot act great without having the necessary knowledge and preparation.

Although the professor had to admit that the lecture given by young Snape was not bad at all, he explained each process in great detail and yes, why deny it, his "method" greatly facilitated the elaboration process. Although it was obvious that it would not work, the potion had to be blue in its entirety and that of his impromptu replacement as teacher was orange. Although the smell was similar to what the result should be.

Lily Evans had followed Severus' instructions step by step, the truth was that the new method presented to her had some logic and she wanted to check it out. However, reaching step 6, she was disappointed to see that the color of his potion was different from the one indicated in the book. Resigned, she followed her best friend's last indication and added the final ingredient. Her surprise was great when the orange turned into blue.

The teacher had also been shocked to see the change in the last step, even the smell had changed to what it should be.

- "And so, we have the sleep potion ready, very useful when one cannot sleep of their own volition, but, this version is more powerful, a drop would have the same effect as drinking a full bottle of the same potion made with the method what they have in their book" - Severus informed.

- "That's... not possible," - Said Slughorn, taking the small vial from Severus and raising it to his face to examine it.

- "To be exact, Professor, one drop provides six hours of uninterrupted sleep."

- "My grandmother has trouble sleeping," - Said Sirius mockingly. - "At least your potion will save her a couple of galleons. If it works, that is. Thanks for nothing, Snivellus."

The group of marauders laughed, followed by a few who found it amusing. Lily realized that Sirius hadn't even checked his book. Otherwise, he would have known the potion was well done. But had it really been boosted?

- "Try a drop," - Severus told him without losing his calm, this astonished more than a few, for when he was being teased he tended to keep quiet with his head down or answer by trying to win a verbal debate in which he was not good at witty repartee. - "Maybe you could win a six-hour break."

- "Do you think I'm afraid?" - Black replied defiantly.

- "Mr. Black," - Said Slughorn, who seemed calmer. - "Come closer, please."

- "I'll be the guinea pig," - Said Black as he strode forward smiling rapturously at the pretty girls he made eye contact with. - "Here I am, ready to risk my desirable hide." - Giggles from the girls were heard.

- "A drop" - The professor began while loading a dropper -. "It shouldn't have any effect, none of the ingredients are toxic, so it's safe for some, Mr. Black. Open your mouth."

- "It takes away the emotion at the moment, sir" - He said obeying.

Slughorn pressed down on the dropper, a droplet emerging from the tip and landing on Black's tongue. - "How do you feel?" - Asked the teacher.

- "Better than..."

Severus enjoyed watching Sirius Black fall like a plank backward, causing a gasp of astonishment and shock in equal parts.

- "Is he dead?" - James jumped to try to lift his friend.

- "Much to my dismay, no" - Severus answered, smiling.

Albus Dumbledore was reviewing some papers when Minerva Mc. Gonagall entered along with the potions teacher.

- "My friend" - Greeting Dumbledore-. "Have you come for tea?"

- "Albus" - Slughorn handed him a small vial containing a blue liquid.

- "I have no trouble sleeping, but I accept your offer" - He checked the content -. "Yeah, it's a sleep potion."

- "It's not a normal one" - Said the professor. - "That one was made by a Slytherin student using his own 'method' of preparation."

- "Interesting. Who?"

Slughorn showed him the advanced potions book used by fifth graders and placed it on the desk. Curiously, the director opened it, finding parts crossed out and handwritten on the sides, eighty percent of the book had been scribbled.

- "Have you been improving methods or something?"

- "The book belongs to the student I want to talk to you."

Albus drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled gesture.

Two days later Severus was walking the halls with his books under his arm.

Some girls turned to see him with some curiosity, as he had decided he had taken measures to change the appearance of his hair, previously greasy and now straight and fine, even a little better-accommodated thanks to a practical spell. Without that thick bush on his face, his fine features inherited from the Princes were more noticeable, although he couldn't do anything with his hooked nose.

He decided to dress neatly as well and, perhaps without realizing it, he moved in the elegant and refined way he was used to as an adult, and in his young self, it made him look like a young prince dressed in black with his robes billowing elegantly behind him.

To make matters worse, what happened in class had been the cause of rumors and some distortions. It had spread throughout Hogwarts which increased the curiosity about him.

- "Severus!" - Lily caught up to him. - "Are you going to the library?"

- "Your prediction is correct" - He answered, slowing down and smiling slightly.

Lily had noticed drastic changes in her best friend. From the fact that he took care of his appearance when only a few days ago he didn't seem to care about the opinion of others, to the fact that Slytherin's points skyrocketed thanks to his incessant participation in classes. However, what had caused her the most curiosity were those black eyes full of life. Severus wasn't like that, he was more taciturn and reserved but now she saw him... More normal? He even stopped accompanying her everywhere, because he went from one place to another involved in his affairs.

- "Have you done the transformation work?" - The redhead consulted.

- "The same afternoon they ordered it from us" - He answered calmly.

- "Do you have other assignments?"

- "No."

- "Then why go to the library?" - Questioned strangely.

- "My dear Lily, some wizards, and witches love reading."

- "But you only read academic books" - She replied.

- "Just as some like rough sports, I like heavy reading, books so thick that they could break a human skull if used as a weapon."

- "You could at least help me with my work, Sevie" - Lily made charming eyes worthy of a stray cat.

- "No problem" - He said as they sat down.- "But..." - He took the book his companion was carrying and put it aside. - "The author of this book is lousy" - He wrote an order form.- "Give this to the librarian, it's the book that will end all your problems."

Lily assumed it was the book he had used so she shrugged and went to ask for it. After a few minutes, the librarian handed her the book... it was just the way Severus liked it.

The redhead let out a sigh, took it, and turned to go back to her seat when she froze at the sight of a young blonde Ravenclaw in an animated conversation with her best friend.

The fact that seems strange to her is that Severus didn't interact with girls, except her and a few other Slytherins, this last case was because of his prefect duties.

When she took her seat the blonde smiled at her.

- "So I'll see you tomorrow at five, Sevy" - The blonde said charmingly. - "Don't keep a lady waiting."

- "You have my word, my lady" - He said with a very strange modulated voice in him.

The Ravenclaw left the room.

- "My lady?" - Lily was curious.

- "An elegant way to speak, do you have the book?"

- "Do you know her?" - Lily questioned ignoring the question.

- "Since five minutes ago."

- "What did she want?"

- "Will the answer help you start your homework?"

- "Maybe... I'm your friend, you can trust me."

- "I have exchanged words with the girl for a few minutes and I am supposed to hide something?" - He smiled mockingly.

- "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"

- "Your best friend is better than ever." - Again that spark of vitality in his deep black eyes. - "Shall we start with your torment?"

- "Sure, ready for the torture."

As they were leaving the library the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore intercepted them, analyzing Severus.

- "Mr. Snape" - He said after both young men greeted him. - "Would you be so kind as to come to my office tomorrow?"

- "Of course, Headmaster" - Severus answered. - "Reason?"

- "Some highly trained potionists want to 'dialogue' with you, including the author of the advanced potions book."

- "I'll be at the time you tell me."

.

.

.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

This story doesn't belong to me. It's a translation.

Credits to the respective author. Author: FrankMongeS