A glowing interface hovered before his eyes.
George—or rather, Severus—blinked. The words shimmered in the dim candlelight, their letters shifting and reforming as if alive.
[System activated. Welcome, Host.]
[Initializing connection to Host's consciousness...]
[Integration complete.]
He rubbed his temples. The lingering ache in his head felt like the worst gaming marathon-induced migraine he'd ever had.
A soft, mechanical voice spoke directly into his mind, crisp and devoid of emotion.
[Hello, Host. My name is Eva, your system assistant. I am here to facilitate your adaptation to this world. My functions will provide guidance, missions, and resources to assist in your survival and growth.]
His survival? That sent a fresh wave of unease through him.
Severus—no, George—had consumed enough fantasy stories and played enough transmigration RPGs to recognize what this was. He had a system, and systems always came with strings attached.
He exhaled slowly. "Alright, Eva. Give me a full breakdown of your functions."
The interface adjusted, expanding into several categories.
[System Functions]
[Mission Allocation] – Missions will be generated based on Host's decisions, interactions, and significant events. Major story-altering actions will directly influence mission difficulty and rewards.
Main Mission (Non-Negotiable): Rewrite the Fate of Severus Snape.Side Missions: Dynamic, evolving based on choices.Bonus Missions: Time-limited opportunities for additional rewards.
[Skill Enhancement] – Host can accumulate Skill Points (SP) through mission completion or personal growth. SP can be used to enhance magic-related abilities.
[Memory Integration] – Access to original Severus Snape's memories. Can be revisited or suppressed at will.
[Reputation System] – Tracks standing with individuals and factions. Actions will influence social dynamics and opportunities.
Severus scrolled through the details, his mind racing.
The first function was the most crucial.
His main mission was non-negotiable—meaning, no matter what, he had to change Severus Snape's fate. But how far could he push that? Did he have full autonomy, or were there constraints?
And what if he failed?
He didn't want to find out.
His eyes moved to the Memory Integration function. His stomach tightened.
He had already felt the memories lurking in the back of his mind, raw and unfiltered. It was like holding someone else's diary—except this diary was a lifetime of emotions, mistakes, and regrets.
"Eva, open my memories of Lily Evans."
The interface pulsed, and then—
A park.
Lily's laughter rang through the air, bright and carefree. A younger Severus sat beside her under a large tree, his dark eyes watching her in quiet fascination.
"You have to admit, Sev," she teased, grinning as she levitated a small flower in the air, "I'm way better at this than you."
Severus rolled his eyes but smiled. "You just got lucky."
She tossed her red hair dramatically. "Please, I know I'm talented."
A familiar warmth settled in Severus' chest. These were the good moments—when Lily was just a girl with a dazzling smile and endless enthusiasm. She made him believe, for a while, that magic could be his too, despite his filthy Muggle surroundings.
But then—
A different memory.
Hogwarts, Fifth Year.
"Lily, please."
His voice cracked with desperation. He reached out for her, but she recoiled as if his touch would burn her.
"You called me a Mudblood, Severus," she said, her green eyes blazing. "That's what you really think of me, isn't it?"
"I didn't mean it!" he said hurriedly, panic creeping in. "You know I didn't."
She laughed bitterly. "Funny how it always slips out when you're around your real friends."
Severus felt his throat tighten. "I don't belong with them."
She hesitated—just for a second—but the anger in her gaze hardened.
"Then prove it."
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Lily sighed, the fire in her eyes dimming into disappointment.
"That's what I thought," she said softly, before turning and walking away.
The memories stopped.
Severus inhaled sharply, gripping the sheets beneath him.
Lily Evans wasn't perfect.
She had always had a slight superiority complex, a habit of assuming she was right. She cared for him, but she had never fully understood him—not the way he had understood her.
She had given him an impossible test. One where he had to choose between his only source of acceptance—the Slytherins—and her moral standards.
It had never been a fair choice.
And now, as Severus, George had a second chance.
The dormitory door creaked open.
Severus looked up as a tall, pale-haired figure stepped inside, his movements smooth and deliberate. Lucius Malfoy.
The older boy's gray eyes landed on him immediately, assessing.
"Severus," Lucius said, closing the door behind him. "I heard about your... incident with Lily Evans."
Severus stiffened.
Lucius smirked slightly, crossing his arms. "I'm disappointed in you. Letting a Mudblood wound your pride like that?"
The old Severus would have nodded meekly, eager for Lucius' approval.
But George knew better.
He met Lucius' gaze without hesitation. "I wasn't weak," he said evenly. "I made a mistake. That's all."
Lucius arched an eyebrow. "A mistake?"
Severus exhaled, carefully choosing his words. "I let my emotions cloud my judgment. I reacted in anger. That was a weakness, and I won't let it happen again."
Lucius studied him for a long moment, then smiled—a slow, approving expression.
"Good," he said. "You're learning."
Severus kept his face neutral. He needed Lucius—for now. His influence in Slytherin mattered. But unlike before, he wouldn't be a blind follower.
A new notification flashed before his eyes.
[Mission Update][Main Mission: Rewrite the Fate of Severus Snape – Progress: 3%][Side Mission: Secure an Influential Ally] – Progress: 20%[New Mission: Manipulate Lucius Malfoy's Trust Without Becoming His Puppet]
Severus smirked.
This time, he wouldn't be the pawn.
This time, he would play the game.