Desmond entered the Great Hall, which was not yet bustling with students chatting and laughing over their breakfast like it was every day for it was still too early. But the long tables were filled with an assortment of food, from scrambled eggs to pancakes dripping in syrup. The sight of it all made his stomach rumble , making him feel like he hadn't eaten anything in what felt like ages.
As he sat down, he noticed a few curious glances coming his way. Maybe it was his slight transformation, or maybe it was just because he was Severus Snape, the kid everyone knew but no one really talked to. He ignored the stares and focused on filling his plate.
Once done he opened a book that talked about the way the wizarding political system worked.While he ate and read, he kept his ears open. He had been thrust into this world without any warning, and information was his best weapon right now hence the reading.
Snatches of conversation floated by him even with such less students being there, gossip about classes, Quidditch, and the latest trouble James Potter and his gang had stirred up ,again a few glanced at him. Desmond knew he'd have to deal with them eventually, but for now, the memories of yesterday's so called prank of theirs that humiliated the old Severus stung he promised himself that hed have his revenge no matter the cost.
As he continued on with his breakfast the great hall began to fill and the chatter began to get louder, he received a few curious glances from his house mates but , thank the gods Slytherin still had it's poise not to ask questions in front of everyone.
A few minutes later, the chatter around the hall began to quiet down as the morning mail arrived. Owls swooped in, dropping letters and packages at each table. Desmond found himself staring at the flurry of wings, a sense of nostalgia washing over him. He remembered reading about this as a kid, imagining what it would be like to be a student at Hogwarts, and now here he was—living it.
Desmond finished his meal and pushed his plate aside, lost in thought. Being in Severus's body gave him a unique perspective. He had all the memories and feelings of this young version of Snape, but also the clarity of an outsider who knew how everything would play out. He felt a strange mix of empathy and frustration. Severus's future was so tragic, so needlessly painful, and yet, he had never been able to escape it because he couldn't see the bigger picture. Desmond could. And that was his greatest advantage.
After all this was fucking magic it could do anything, be anything, it was reality warping used for shit as simple as doing the dishes, limitless potential just waiting to to be unearthed and he would do it or by Merlin he would die trying.
He had to be smart about this. Any drastic change could alter the timeline in unpredictable ways, but at the same time, he couldn't just sit back and let things unfold as they had before.
He thought about Lily, about the friendship that had been lost and the downward spiral that would have followed if not for me being here. That connection had been the brightest part of Severus's life, and losing it had set the stage for everything that came afterward.
Desmond decided he wouldn't chase after her like Severus had. He would be different. If she wanted to be friends, that was fine, but he wouldn't pine for her or let her abandonement define his actions. He had his own life to fix, and he wasn't going to waste it trying to win over someone who had chosen to walk away knowing what he as going through if one word in the heat of the moment had changed everything, then maybe they were never friends.
Still, he had to be careful. James Potter and his gang were bullies, but they weren't stupid. They'd notice any change in Severus's behavior, and that could make things worse. Desmond made a mental note to stay under the radar for now. Blend in, keep quiet, and focus on learning and when the time was right get the payback he deserves.
Desmond rose from his seat, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He had a plan, and for the first time since waking up in this strange, twisted version of Hogwarts, he felt like he could actually make it work. Sure, it was going to be tough, but that had never stopped him before.