𝔸𝕝𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖

To Scheme and Plot

Hi friends!

I know it's been a while since my notice, it was even longer than I planned to be gone for. Before you start the chapter, I just wanted to thank those who commented well wishes and, of course, to all of you for being so incredibly patient. I can't promise that I'll be back to updating frequently, but here's a morsel for everyone!

— Fairy

───────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ─────────

March 27th, 1967

"You seem like a nice girl," Severus says after another long period of silence. The two of you and your mothers were at that same park in Cokeworth again, but this time, you'd abandoned the swings and sat inside the highest point of the jungle gym.

You're taken off guard for a moment, shocked into wide eyes and a silence that could have rivaled his. Much like the first time the two of you met, he ignored you as much as possible, only pretending to play or like you when his mother glared his way. That being said, you would have been ecstatic upon hearing those six words if not for the way Severus sounded when he said it. His voice was small, and now that you heard it again, it was lighter than you thought and expected. However, his tone showed that your kindness wasn't a good thing. If anything, you'd have sworn there was pity in Severus' voice.

"You seem like a nice girl," he repeats, his black eyes staring into your blues. "So I'm going to tell you the truth." His gaze flies to where Eileen and Rosamund sit, refusing to continue until he's certain Eileen can't see or hear him.

"Mother isn't bringing me here so I can have a friend. She'd never do anything if it were solely for me," He supplies, muttering the last sentence more to himself than to you, but still, you hear him clear as day. "She's using you and your mother."

You nod. Wasn't that obvious?

"I thought as much," you reply, shocking Severus into realizing you were aware of it the whole time.

Eileen Snape was an expert manipulator, and Severus had seen her at work countless times during his short life. He was of the mind that everyone fell for her trap (your mother certainly did). Especially young girls like you—gullible, naive, and ignorant.

Well...that's what he thought you were. Yet, after he revealed the ugly truth, you didn't do what he expected. You didn't say what he thought you would. Instead, your unwavering gaze met his, your eyes speaking of complete knowledge and a maturity Severus had never seen in other kids his age.

"I—you knew?" Severus gaped.

"Mm," you nod once more. "I don't know how my mum didn't notice, but I could have spotted it a kilometer away. The way she smiled at me...how she spoke. It was crystal clear—the artificiality of it all. I don't know why your mum is doing it or what she wants, but I knew how she felt all along."

"I don't know if she ever liked Mrs. Ramsay. But when she contacted my mother...she was over the moon. Kept going on and on how this would be the perfect chance." Severus admits, bringing his legs to his chest and wrapping his twig-like arms around them.

"...The perfect chance for what?"

"She thinks that—" Severus starts to say, but then the pair of you feel Eileen's harsh gaze.

When you glance her way, issuing a fake smile, you spot the split-second glare she sends Severus, filled with pressure and a form of animosity—but like always, once Eileen is aware you're looking, she's all kindness and rainbows.