Late at night, Hogwarts lay silent.
Every sound—no matter how small—echoed sharply along the empty stone corridors.
The sweeping hem of Professor Snape's robes whispered behind him as he walked, boots striking the floor in a cold, rhythmic beat. His sallow face, dark gaze, and hooked nose carved a figure so forbidding that any student caught wandering after hours would have burst into tears on sight.
But tonight, he wasn't patrolling.
Straight-backed and severe as ever, Snape climbed the spiralling staircases, passed along a corridor lined with portraits and suits of armour, and finally reached the eighth-floor tower.
An absurdly ugly stone gargoyle blocked his way.
Beyond it sat the enchanted staircase leading to the Headmaster's office.
Snape stared at the gargoyle as if it had personally offended him.
"Password: Cockroach Cluster."
The gargoyle leapt aside. The spiral staircase began to turn.
Snape ascended.
He pushed open the office door.
The round, lofty room was filled with portraits of past headmasters, many of whom were sound asleep at this late hour. A few were jolted awake by Snape's arrival and muttered irritably at the disturbance.
"Ah, Severus," said Dumbledore, looking up from his desk with warm cheer. "Good evening. Fancy a Cockroach Cluster? Or perhaps a Fizzing Whizzbee?"
A tray of sweets floated invitingly toward Snape.
He swatted it aside with open disdain.
"Get to the point," he said, voice tight and clipped. "I don't wish to waste time."
Completely unbothered, Dumbledore summoned the sweets back and popped a cockroach-shaped sweet into his mouth with a loud crunch. Then he gestured to the desk.
"Come and have a look."
Snape stepped closer.
A letter lay open on the polished wood, the sender's name unmistakable:
Garrick Ollivander.
"After the feast, I wrote to Mr. Ollivander," Dumbledore explained. "Just a few minor questions. I hadn't expected him to answer so quickly—his sleeping habits must be dreadful…"
Snape ignored the rambling. His eyes skimmed the parchment swiftly:
"…It is a wand of extraordinary power—one only the most formidable wizards can truly win the loyalty of.
I never imagined it would choose a child.
Vaughn Weasley. Far beyond anything I expected.
As for your concerns, Albus, I must insist: neither wizard nor wand is fixed at birth. They grow together. Influence one another. I can offer no reassurance—only caution.
—Your faithful friend,
Garrick Ollivander."
Snape's lip curled faintly.
"Ah. So you suspect another little Dark Wizard in the making? One more name to add to your blacklist?"
Dumbledore's smile dimmed. He grew quiet.
"I trust Arthur and Molly," he said softly.
Which, to Snape, meant something else entirely:
He trusted Arthur and Molly.
Not necessarily their son.
Snape let out a dry, humourless chuckle.
"So what then, Headmaster?" he said with mocking laziness. "Another assignment? Must I keep watch over the Chosen Oneand his wicked classmate?"
"I didn't say he was wicked, Severus."
"Hmph."
Dumbledore sighed.
"The timing is delicate. Harry's growth must remain our priority. Destiny is not something we can tamper with lightly. Interference may help… or harm. We simply don't know."
He met Snape's eyes—no Legilimency, no force—only quiet sincerity.
"Help me. You saw his eyes, didn't you? Harry's eyes… Lily's eyes…"
"Enough!"
The word cracked out of Snape like a whip.
His control faltered. For a heartbeat, the agony he'd held buried for a decade surged up violently—too raw to hide.
That name—Lily—was poison.
The room fell utterly silent.
Snape's breath slowly steadied. The iron walls of his Occlumency snapped back into place.
"If you have nothing else," he said icily, "I will return to prepare my lesson plans. I do hope your Chosen One isn't outshined by his evil classmate."
He swept out, black robes billowing like smoke.
"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore murmured to the empty doorway. "Sleep well."
Silence returned.
The Headmaster lowered his eyes to Ollivander's letter once more and traced the inked words with a thin, thoughtful finger.
After a long while, he whispered:
"Armando… have you ever wondered what might have happened if we'd paid a little more attention to Tom Riddle when he first arrived?"
A portrait grumbled awake.
"Who can say?"
"Yes…" Dumbledore sighed. "Who can say."
The Next Morning
Vaughn stretched luxuriously as he woke.
After a hearty feast and a quiet night's sleep, he'd risen naturally—his internal clock as precise as ever.
As for his two assigned Slytherin roommates?
Far more perceptive than expected.
They had returned around midnight, gathered their belongings at top speed, and immediately petitioned for transfers.
The entire dorm was now his.
Excellent.
Vaughn dressed, washed up, and stepped out at 5 a.m., with Guoguo Tea trotting proudly at his heels.
Passing through the common room, he noticed the unfortunate prefect from the night before was gone—likely dragged home by his own roommate.
The green-lit fireplace still burned warmly.
House-elves, no doubt.
Vaughn pushed open the stone door and began wandering through the castle's empty corridors.
Most Hogwarts students lacked discipline. At this hour, the school was silent.
He walked leisurely through courtyards and archways until he found a path leading to the Black Lake.
He stroked Guoguo Tea's head.
"Off you go. Enjoy yourself."
"Mrrrow!"
The massive cat bounded happily across the dewy grass.
Vaughn settled by the lakeside, inhaling the crisp morning air as gentle ripples stirred the still water. Peaceful. Atmospheric. Maybe he'd make this a habit.
Eventually, distant voices drifted from the castle as early risers awoke.
By the time Vaughn returned to the Great Hall, students had begun gathering for breakfast.
The moment he entered, something small and orange darted ahead of him.
Guoguo Tea spotted a familiar "two-legged creature" from the train—Hermione Granger—and waddled toward her with determined affection.
Hermione turned in surprise.
Recognition sparked.
And when she spotted Vaughn walking toward her—
Her entire face lit up.
(End of Chapter 17)
PS :
Fizzing Whizzbee – Magical sweet that makes one float.
Garrick Ollivander – Legendary wandmaker.