Snape's expression turned increasingly complicated.
His thoughts wandered back to the ingredients Charlie had purchased from him. Now, with hindsight and a clearer answer in front of him, it all clicked into place.
Many of those ingredients were ones he had been using for his own experimental potion.
But in the process of his research, he had been completely stuck, unable to figure out the correct formulation.
And what did that mean?
It meant that Charlie's understanding of the soul had already surpassed that of a seasoned Potions Master like himself.
The realization hit Snape hard.
In all his years, no one, not even among his peers, had ever outshone him in potion-making.
But now, a mere first-year had done just that.
Even if the soul wasn't his specialty, the implications still rattled him.
"I'd like to purchase a vial of the Soul-Healing Elixir," Snape said coolly, suppressing the turbulence in his heart.
"You may name your price."
He had to procure the potion for the Dark Lord. If he didn't, even knowing such a potion existed, the Dark Lord would certainly grow suspicious.
As much as he loathed the idea, he still made the request.
Charlie blinked, then gave an innocent smile.
You said it. Don't blame me for taking advantage.
"Oh, Professor, you flatter me."
"As your student, it's my honor to be of service."
"You're our Potions professor, of course I'll give you a discount."
"Just 300 Galleons will do."
[His Majesty raises the price at will, extorting his teacher. Tyrant Points +5]
Snape said nothing. He pulled a pouch from his robe and tossed it to Charlie.
Charlie caught it and sighed inwardly, what a waste. Should've asked for 500.
"Wait here, Professor. I'll fetch the potion from my dorm."
With the money secured, he dropped the honorifics altogether and turned away.
Back in his dorm, Charlie retrieved a vial of the Soul-Healing Elixir from his trunk.
When he returned to the Potions classroom, Snape was still waiting in the same spot.
Charlie handed the potion over.
Snape took it.
"I owe you a favor," he said coldly.
To him, Galleons were just currency. No matter the amount, they were nothing compared to the value of the potion.
And Snape didn't like owing people. So that meant one day, he would pay it back.
Without another word, Snape stored the potion away and walked out of the classroom.
Charlie blinked.
Was he doing me a favor, or did I just get mugged?
Back in his private quarters, Snape bolted the doors and windows, cast a Silencing Charm, and double-checked the wards.
Only then did he carefully retrieve a snake from a locked chest under his bed.
Within the serpent's body resided Voldemort's fragmented soul.
Snape pried open the snake's jaws and slowly poured the Soul-Healing Elixir into its mouth.
Minutes later, the serpent's eyes opened, those chilling vertical pupils glinting with malice.
Voldemort scanned his surroundings. He could feel it clearly, his soul had been soothed. He understood immediately what had happened.
A snake-like hiss escaped his mouth.
"Well done, Severus."
"I feel much better."
"Without your help, I would've needed far longer to awaken."
Snape bowed his head respectfully.
"It was my duty, my Lord."
Voldemort slithered across the room, savoring the sensation.
As a master of Horcruxes, he had an unparalleled understanding of the soul.
From the moment he first split his soul, he had long searched for a way to mend the damage.
But all his methods had only ever dulled the pain, they couldn't restore what had been lost.
This elixir was no exception.
It brought comfort, yes, but it could not make him whole again.
Still, it was enough.
He could now remain lucid for longer periods.
"Severus."
"I need you to do something for me."
"Your will, my Lord," Snape replied.
"Keep a close watch on Dumbledore."
"Especially when he leaves Hogwarts."
Snape's heart clenched.
So, it had come to this. Voldemort was eyeing the Philosopher's Stone.
The moment Dumbledore left the castle, Voldemort would act.
"I understand, my Lord."
"Good," Voldemort said, sounding pleased.
"Please, rest well, my Lord."
Snape bowed and backed out of the room, returning to his office.
Only after closing the door behind him did he finally exhale.
That conversation had him on edge the entire time. Only now could he breathe.
He approached his desk and noticed that a house-elf had brought in today's copy of the Daily Prophet.
He usually skimmed it first thing each morning, but his recent efforts to revive Voldemort had left no time for the outside world.
Snape opened the paper lazily, only for his eyes to land on the front page:
SHOCKING REVELATION: A Love-Hate Triangle Between the Chosen One and a Rising Potion Star!
His brow furrowed instantly.
What kind of trash headline was that?
He kept reading. His expression darkened by the second.
"Charlie White and Hermione Granger's ambiguous relationship..."
"Harry Potter driven to rage by jealousy..."
"Two brilliant young wizards locked in a bitter rivalry over a girl..."
Snape's fingers clenched the paper so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Though the article was about Charlie, it struck an uncomfortably familiar chord.
Two boys. One girl.
One of them being a Potter.
The resemblance was too cruel.
This might as well have been his own youth all over again.
A fire of fury lit in Snape's eyes.
He'd observed Charlie and Harry closely, he knew this drama was completely fabricated.
Yet somehow, that made him even angrier.
Wasn't he the only one meant to suffer such heartbreak?
This wasn't a slap at Charlie's reputation, it was a slap across Snape's own face!
Snape pulled out a sheet of parchment.
As a renowned Potions Master, he didn't need more than a letter to utterly ruin a nosy reporter.
It was time to return the favor Charlie had earned.
…
At the Daily Prophet editorial office, Rita Skeeter lounged in her chair, one leg crossed leisurely over the other, flipping through her article from the day before.
She hummed to herself and counted the incoming reader letters with smug delight.
"Love triangles really do sell better than those boring genius bios," she said with a smirk.
Rita had long seen through the wizarding world's true nature, no one cared about achievements or morals. The common folk craved gossip.
And what was Charlie White anyway? Some orphan from nowhere, a newbie at Hogwarts.
A nobody.
She had once dared write dirt on Dumbledore himself, granted, it was "creatively enhanced", but still, one of the most powerful men in the wizarding world.
Sure, the article had been pulled quickly, but she remained untouched.
Point a wand at the good guys and nothing happens. Dumbledore wouldn't retaliate outside the law.
That much, Rita understood perfectly.
She was basking in her self-satisfaction when the office door was suddenly slammed open.
The door banged into the wall with a loud crack, making her jump.
Editor-in-Chief Albert Ross stormed in, face flushed with fury, eyes burning.
"Damn it, Rita, who the hell did you piss off?!"
<><>---------------------------------------
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Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Bleach: Sephiroth Template
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
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