Work Text:
Severus Snape doesn’t mind Halloween. Out of all the holidays, it’s the one he hates the least. On the 30th of October, Severus went to bed to the smell of cinnamon and charcoal, almost excited for the next day. Not actually excited, but almost excited.
Upon waking up on the 31st, Severus noticed that the smell had entirely disappeared. He frowned, disappointed to not wake up to a festive smell. No matter, he would re-light his magic-powered candle so it would be ready when he came back throughout the day, or at least at night.
He went to his desk, but didn’t find his candle on it. He frowned, he knew he put it out last night. Had Peeves gotten into his room to move things? But if he had, he wouldn’t have been capable of being silent enough for Severus to sleep through it. Severus searched and searched, until he found his candle in the drawer he normally held candles in when they weren’t in use. A normal place for it to be, were it not October. What a specific prank, Severus thought.
Unhappy that his morning was not off to a smooth start, he left his quarters to get breakfast before class. But as he trudged through the dungeon hallways, it didn’t feel like Halloween. While Severus would never put up festive decor himself, the odd tasteful pumpkin or smattering of well-charmed autumn leaves were the only ones he didn’t take down. Their absence was unnerving.
Not to mention the scent. Lavender was not a Halloween scent. In fact, it was distinctly a… no. He wouldn’t finish that thought. It wasn’t a Halloween scent, and he would leave that thought there.
Severus spotted two students whispering lovingly into each other’s ears and giggling by the broom closet, neither of which were very Halloween-y activities. He spotted another student carrying a bouquet of spring flowers behind their back.
Everything was starting to remind Severus of… that holiday. He shuddered even thinking about considering the name of the holiday.
Severus was on high alert. This scent, the lack of decor, the energy of the students, all felt wrong. He braced himself as he exited the dungeon…
And if it weren't for that internal brace, Severus may have fainted. Not only were there no Halloween decorations, there were a much worse kind of decoration. The kind of decoration that could only go with one particular terrible holiday - Valentine's decorations. Severus gagged thinking the full name. And not just any Valentine's decorations, this was the decor of Valentine's Day 3 years ago. How could he possibly forget?
But furthermore, how could this possibly be? The golden-haired buffoon was solidly in Saint Mungo's, and Severus was sure he'd know if he'd gotten out.
This must be a terrible prank, Severus reasoned. Leave it to those forsaken Weasley twins to create the most haunted Halloween of all. Oh he would make sure they get enough detentions to have no more time with which to plan pranks until they graduate. They were always up to mischief, so he wouldn't even need to invent a charge for them.
And there one of them was, a red-head of the right size, but without a second red-head by his side. This could only mean they were both up to no good.
“Weasely!” Severus barked. The boy turned around, but he didn’t look quite like one of the nasty mischievous twins.
“Y-yes professor?” the nasally voice stammered, surprised to have been spoken to.
“Where is your double”? Severus sneered. The Weasely looked even more surprised.
“My double? Sir, I’m Percy, it’s my younger brothers who are twins…”
“I won’t-”
“Percy!” Severus was cut off by Professor Sprout waving down the Weasel. “Your Sopophorous Beans are coming along splendidly, in fact you’ll need to come by today.”
Severus curled his lip at the boy. There was definitely something afoot, but Pomona was acting normally enough that he would not let his confusion show. If this was an elaborate prank just for him, then he would not give anyone the satisfaction of knowing it got to him.
Or at least, that was his resolve for all of 5 seconds, because as soon as he turned away from Weasel and Pomona, he saw Him.
No, no, not the Dark Lord.
No, the only man who could enjoy such gaudy decorations. The only man Severus knew to have set up decor exactly like this.
A man with gorgeous hair, a dreadful ego, a frustratingly alluring manner, and a complete lack of memory.
A man Severus refused to think about. A man Severus never thought about. He never fantasised about this man, nor lurked in his hospital ward, never checked newspapers and gossip magazines for any sign of his health or lack thereof.
Gilderoy Lockhart.
And that Gilderoy Lockhart looked right at Severus and flashed his stupid, charming, award-winning smile right at him.
Severus immediately turned around and left.
What a terrible and awfully specific prank.
No, he wouldn’t think about Lockhart and his stupid perfect hair and his stupid perfect smile and his stupid perfect laugh. He would prepare for the day, and perhaps read up on where he would be in his syllabi in February, just in case it was necessary.
Throughout his morning classes, Severus confiscated any Valentine’s materials any student had. He gave the gnomes such a stare they didn’t begin their messages, simply promised to find the student later. Unfortunately, he did a pop quiz at the beginning of his first class and discovered that he did need to use the February part of the syllabus.
After dismissing his class before lunch, Severus sat motionless. If he remembered correctly, he would receive one of those gnomes in 10 minutes. A gnome with a terrible poem to recite to him, in the great hall. Well not this time!
Perhaps if he just went to sleep, then he wouldn’t be hungry, and he’d miss the gnome.
But before he could even close his eyes, a bright light seared before him. Similar to a patronus light, but larger. Then, black. A black cloud, not quite as bad as a dementor but getting close.
And what should emerge from that black but a face Severus kept trying to forget. The face of Sirius Black. Soon emerged the body, that attractive body Severus was much too familiar with.
“Look at Snivellus, cowering away” Black sneered, “can’t even deal with a little unexpected change in schedule. So weak-”
“I am not cowering,” Severus interrupted, “I am preparing. Because I always come prepared. I do things with intention.”
“You weren’t prepared when you came to me,” Black taunted, “no, you were sad and very, very tight. Was that intentional , Snivellus? You intentionally give in to me every week?”
“I hate you.”
“Then-” but before Black could continue, a gnome burst through the room.
“Severus Snape!” it announced, “I have a very special message for you.” It gave Severus a box of chocolates and a rose, then began to sing.
Well, was about to begin to sing. Instead, Severus stunned it, and kicked both it and Black out of the room.
Right up until his next class, he sat at his desk. He would grade papers before his next class. That would remind him of what he needed to know for the rest of the day's classes.
Severus’ fifth year class filed in. Unfortunately there were no Weasleys here to take his wrath out on. He turned and wrote up instructions for a Deflating Draught on the board.
And who should be there but Sirius Black.
“Ooooo Snivellus staying in his basement allllll dayyyy loooooong.”
Severus ignored Black’s childish comment, and for some reason, the students did too.
All class long, the students ignored Black’s taunts and childish behaviour. Honestly, where did a middle-aged man get the idea that loud farts were funny.
And all class long, Severus pointedly ignored him too. And for the next class, and the next, until the end of the day. Dinner time.
Fuck it, Severus thought. If it was suddenly three years in the past, and the wretched Sirius Black could appear from nowhere, then surely Severus could do whatever he liked, damn the consequences. Maybe there wouldn’t even be any.
He strode through the corridors to the DADA room, which Gilderoy was emerging from.
“Gilderoy,” Severus started.
“Oh Sevvy!” Gilderoy exclaimed, “I’m so glad you got my gnome. Not that you had any choice, they’re very good at their jobs. I’ve been worried about you all day, but I’m so glad you could make it this evening!” He grabbed Severus’ hand, “I’ll take you to my quarters, and let’s just say the gnome would never lie.”
The next morning, Serverus woke up in a cold, damp room. No lavender scent, no garish colours, no warm body beside him.
All that was left was a lock of luscious hair and the half-eaten box of chocolates.