Chapter Text
James grinned as he roamed the Hogsmeade with Sirius, his best friend. There were floating lanterns at every corner, and the small stalls and shops that filled the bustling streets were filled with laughter from wizards and witches alike. The aroma of Butterbeer and food wafted though the air as children ran around giggling, hands filled with candy from Honeydukes.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement and happiness, and James smiled at the sight. Life was good.
Just then, Sirius pointed at a poster on one of the brick walls.
“Prongs! Look, there’s an open concert starting soon! It’s in Hog’s Head Inn, let’s go!”
James allowed himself to be dragged by Sirius as they both ambled towards Hog’s Head Inn, joking and sharing stories on the way.
Soon, the two men both reached the destination.
Hog’s Head Inn was packed with people today, unlike its usual setting, and it also seemed less gloomier. There was a stage at the centre, and there were people waiting already at the seats, whispering excitedly.
James and Sirius both managed to get themselves a good seat at the front.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed and a collective hush fell over the pub.
James and Sirius waited eagerly for the performer to come up the stage.
The performer’s mask was a void of pure black, broken by the breathtakingly detailed white lace patterns, and it was paired with a metallic corset that seemed to reflect the light on it. He extended his bare arms towards the crowd as if to pull them into a song as he bowed gracefully, making several witches squeal in delight. The overhead beams strike the performer’s exposed shoulders with a dramatic glow as he gripped the microphone. He was also wearing a flower necklace.
James saw Sirius whistle at the corner of his eye.
After pausing for a few seconds, the figure opened his mouth and started singing.
The singer’s voice seemed to command everyone’s attention instantly, it was smooth and rich, and the audience watched entranced at the performance.
Soon, some people even started humming alone with the tune.
James stared at the singer with widened eyes.
Who was this man?
“And have to pretend it’s your-”
“He’s good-” Sirius whispered.
“I don’t want the children of anot-”
“Agreed-”
“man to have the eyes of the girl I won’t forget~”
As the man continued singing, he slowly removed his mask and faced the growing crowd with a small smile.
James dropped the Butterbeer in his hand as he stared at the man in shock. The other noises in the pub were all drowned out by the gushing of blood in his ears.
It couldn’t be.
It couldn’t be.
It couldn’t be.
It was Snape
Unlike the greasy-hair loner git in Hogwarts, this Snape seemed to come from a different world.
Snape’s long black hair was a curtain of midnight, catching the light like obsidian. His black eyes were like a bottomless void, hypnotising the crowd. He wore metallic-silver earrings and had a lip piercing.
Snape looked so much more handsome as he flashed a charming smile at everyone.
Beside him, Sirius was also dumbstruck. “What the fuck.”
Snape’s eyes swept through the crowd easily as he waved. For a moment, his black hollow eyes locked with James’s ones.
There was evident shock in Snape’s face as he gaped at James. But he quickly soothed his expression into a neutral one and continued singing.
Cheers and applause broke out instantly when the song ended, and Snape bowed to everyone once more before disappearing.
When James exited the pub with Sirius, both men were still in shock, mind drifting as they stared into nothingness.
“That was Snape right?” James finally broke the silence quietly.
Sirius seemed to snap out of whatever thoughts he was having and nodded. “He c-changed a lot.”
James’s mind continued to drift towards the earlier performance.
Snape sang good.
James hurriedly shook his head. What was he thinking? It was just a good performance, that’s all.
Snape was nothing special.
Thats all….
Right?