Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
July 4, 1976 / Serena PoV
With a moan of pleasure, I returned to the waking world. After waking up, I was full of energy for the first time I could remember; I checked my phone and realized I had about 10 hours of sleep. I couldn't remember the last time the 'old Serena' had slept this long straight without being woken up for some random reason, though it was mainly the nightmares. The 'old me' had peculiar sleeping hours, though I wasn't one to sleep for long hours at a time either.
Now I was at my peak of efficiency and began to tackle my most immediate problem, money. There was a little less than two months until Hogwarts started. I desperately needed money; I still needed food and supplies for the new school year, so with a huff, I dressed in my coat and boots and left the room with the key in my hand.
"Well, hello again, good night's sleep? Should I make you breakfast?" Tom asked with a smile as I approached the bar.
"Spectacular, I needed that nap," I sighed as I threw him the key and dropped into the seat while looking at the menu and made a face. "Anything for 3 Sickles" goodbye to my savings, but I needed sustenance.
"Coming right up!" He said.
I hummed lightly as I waited. The breakfast was placed in front of me quickly. I frowned at the full-sized breakfast that undoubtedly looked more expensive than 3 sickles. I narrowed my eyes at Tom, who masterfully ignored me while he cleaned the bar, I huffed in annoyance, and without wasting time, I started eating while thinking about how to get money.
I had my credentials with my OWL grades; I had 9 subjects in which I took exams, the 7 basic subjects plus Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. They were a collection of extraordinary and exceeded expectations. My best grades were obviously in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. In both, I had an O+, and I was sure I could find some job in the Alley, maybe something related to Potions, I hoped. With a sigh, I finished my breakfast.
"How much?" I growled at Tom, and he smiled widely at me.
"3 Sickles!" I growled, annoyed at him, but then I huffed. Not wanting his charity, I left my remaining 3 sickles on the bar and stood up.
"Thanks," I muttered embarrassedly as I left without hearing any response. It was still early; the day had just begun, so I had good hopes of finding some work.
---
"What?! What do you mean?! I have more than enough qualifications!!" I exclaimed angrily as I looked at the owner of the apothecary, who only snorted with a frown.
"You're still a student, girl. Be careful how you talk to adults." This time, it was my turn to snort.
"Yes, I see, old and senile," I growled in annoyance. The man turned red with anger.
"Get out! Get out of my apothecary! You're not welcome!" the old man exclaimed, and I glared at him.
"I don't want to be in this disgusting pit of mediocrity. Just by entering, I could see how poor your skills as a potion maker are, I feel sorry for all your clients!"
"How dare you?! Get out before I call the Aurors!!"
"Fine! Shove your cheap potions up your wrinkled old ass!" I exclaimed angrily before storming out of the shop and slamming the door loudly while ignoring the scream from inside. I was upset, too upset. I was more than qualified to work at that stupid apothecary, but the owner seemingly found reason after reason to reject me, one more ridiculous than the other. You were still too young, and there was no way you could make the delicate potions the customers asked for. O.W.L.s are no reflection of your skills as a potioneer.
These ridiculous excuses that could simply be countered if he had just let me brew any potion, even if he wouldn't let me brew the more "complicated" ones. I was more than capable of agreeing to brew the easier potions. But no! It turns out that the quality of a potions master when brewing even the simplest of potions was on another level of quality from that of a student.
I called bullshit; I had seen and smelled his potions, and 'old Serena' shuddered in anger. They were completely disgusting, passable at best by her standards, but the old man wouldn't let me prove my worth even after half an hour of pleading and screaming.
Unfortunately, I now had to look for another option. The main apothecary, and apparently the only one in Diagon Alley, was obviously no longer available. At least not until the current owner dies. There was another option if I really wanted to work making potions. I was sure I could get a job in another field if I kept looking around the shops, but potions were old Serena's love.
Although my feelings were dissociated for now, I still wanted to respect her ambition, even if just a little. Not to mention that I really liked the idea of making potions. It was magic in and of itself, and I wanted to delve into its depths. I may not have Snape's talent, but with his memories and knowledge, the talents in the catalog would help me cover the rest. I had complete faith in making better-than-average potions, hopefully becoming on par with the future Severus.
So it was decided. With a grimace, I followed Severus' memories and headed to Knockturn Alley. Before entering, I swallowed pewter and tin and began burning them immediately; the sudden increase in senses was disconcerting for a few seconds. I grimaced, although thanks to my talents, I adapted with ease. I still kept my right hand, my dominant hand close to my wand to unsheathe it as quickly as possible, and my left hand itched over the glove.
I had put on Roy Mustang's glove in case of emergency, I still had to practice and train using flame alchemy, but in desperate cases, it was a method of defense that I could use. The alley was a place where I couldn't let my guard down, much less being as young as I was. I seemed like easy prey to everyone who hung around the place. With wary eyes, I continued walking through some shady alleys.
I arrived at the place I was looking for, an apothecary, specifically one that specializes in poisons. Before entering, I could feel the burning in my nostrils from the deadly poisons. Even so, I entered without hesitation.
"Aren't you young to be here, girl?" an old voice growled as soon as I entered. I blinked a couple of times to get used to the interior and saw her. She was an old woman, a Hag, short and slightly hunched over, her height just reaching my chest, with white hair tied in an uneven braid. She was leaning on a small cane that she held in her hands.
"I want a job," I said simply.
"HA! And I want to be able to stand up straight again, but you don't see me getting any younger! Try again, girl!"
"I really want a job; [ need money," I said with a frown. I quickly held out my O.W.L. results. The Hag looked curious and snatched them from my hand. She looked at them quickly and let out a whistle.
"Awesome girl, but you still didn't tell me why you're here. With these grades, you could find a job at that cute apothecary of old Balvin's." The sarcasm could be heard from miles away. I snorted and crossed my arms.
"I already tried. The old man didn't want to hire me, and I doubt it will be an option now or in the future."
"HA! It sounds like a story, but still, this-" the Hag held up my grades "-are of no use here child. In case it wasn't obvious, I work with poisons, nothing that is taught at Hogwarts, and certainly nothing at the O.W.L. level. So tell me child, why should I hire you." The Hag's gaze seemed to search the depths of my being; I frowned and raised my poor occlumency shields. One could never be too careful, much less when dealing with another wizard or witch, especially an elderly one who thrived in Knockturn Alley. After all, the devil knows more because he is old rather than because he is the devil.
"Test me, Hag. After all, there is still no potion invented that I cannot prepare." My arrogant statement made the Hag laugh with joy.
"Arrogant girl, I like you. Come on, let's see if you can back that up." I hoped I could too, and with that, the witch turned around and walked into a back room. I followed her while inspecting the entire place. It was a large laboratory with about a dozen cauldrons.
More than half of them seemed to be in use as they were either stirring on their own or sitting over the fire boiling. On the walls were rows of shelves with ingredients both common and rare, I could identify most of them, just as I could recognize many of the poisons being brewed by smell and color.
"Here, prepare this," the Hag waved her cane and a recipe came out from somewhere in the room and straight into my face at high speed, I could barely react, thanks to my newfound talents "Good reflexes, you have one hour."
With that, the old woman turned around and left to check on the potions that were being prepared while leaving me at an empty work table. I snorted, looking at the paper in my hands, and frowned, I recognized it easily, and it was certainly something beyond NEWT level. She was testing me, and I grimaced before smiling. I would show her what I could do. While neither old Serena nor I may have ever prepared such a poison, but Severus sure had.
I put the paper aside and moved quickly around the laboratory, bringing to the front of my mind everything related to the potion in question, the ingredients, the steps to prepare, the necessary movements, everything and I began to compare it with what I had in front of me.
Again, it was a potion above NEWTs, but that doesn't mean it's "difficult," not for me or Severus. Yes, I had to calculate the temperature just right and precisely, along with the movements when stirring exactly for the indicated amount of time, but nothing exotic. There was no need to curse or enchant any ingredient or the potion, so I simply crushed, chopped, juiced, and ground all the ingredients with extreme efficiency, just as I remembered Severus doing so as not to waste resources.
The Hag had come over after 15 minutes and was watching from the side with hawk eyes but hadn't said anything. She still didn't say anything when I changed the recipe slightly, adding or removing ingredients here and there, extending the time on the heat, stirring more or less times in opposite directions to the recipe.
I barely flinched throughout the entire process. Old Serena and Severus had stood before a cauldron countless times, but this was my first time working on a potion. As adult Severus said, potions are an art; they were artists, and at the 53-minute mark, I finished my work. I hadn't been able to replicate the delicate and precise movements that Severus used.
The way he moved when he brewed potions was not something I could hope to replicate, at least not any time soon. Even old Serena would have handled herself better in front of a cauldron, but still, for a first attempt, I did an acceptable job, barely meeting Severus' unreasonable standard.
I had barely turned off the fire under the cauldron when the Hag roughly pushed me aside with her cane, but I couldn't care less. I had an arrogant smile on my face while the Hag examined the potion. After several minutes, the Hag glared at me.
"Who the hell are you?" She said coldly. "This poison has almost more than half the normal potency. It shouldn't be possible." I snorted.
"I'm Serena Snape, and it's clearly possible," I said as I pointed to the cauldron and shrugged, "There's the proof, if others can't do it, it sounds like it's their problem," I put aside that I was aiming for it to have at least double the power, my mistakes had lowered the quality.
"HA! You're right, girl, you're right," said the Hag jovially, leaving her suspicion behind. "Now, on to business. When can you start? And what do you want for the new recipes? I hope that poison isn't the only thing you can make, girl."
"Of course not. I've been tampering with potions since my first year, I cringe every time I see the potions books," I said with my face scrunched up, and the Hag let out another laugh.
"I imagine, with a gift like yours, we mortals are not up to your standards."
"Obviously not. If I have to rewrite all the potions books, I will," I said arrogantly before turning serious. "That said, the recipes are not for sale," the Hag slapped her cane on my calf. "Hey!" I growled at her.
"First, listen to my offer, girl!" the Hag growled back. "I don't want the rights or patents to your potions, girl. Just permission to use them in this lab and sell the 'improved' versions. I can sell the potions for more money. The more they pay me, the more I'll pay you." I considered this lightly.
"I want a contract. You can't tell anyone about my improvements," the Hag snorted but nodded. "I'll only be available to work until I have to return to Hogwarts. And I need an advance on my pay until then."
"And why would I do that, girl?" I huffed, crossing my arms.
"I need the money. I'm broke. I don't even have enough for the next meal; I need the money to eat and buy supplies for the new school year," the Hag wrinkled her face while grimacing.
"Fine," She spat out half-heartedly as she extended her arm, I quickly grabbed it. "You start tomorrow at 8. I'll have your contract ready; don't be late; now, get out of my lab. "With that, she released her grip and began to push me with her cane. I huffed but walked out of the shop with a smile.
I was deeply satisfied once outside with a bag of galleons in my hand. The Hag had been generous with the pay, so now I had more than enough to make all the purchases I needed. As money was not a problem anymore, I needed to find a place where- wait-
I stopped stiffly in the middle of Diagon Alley. I couldn't be that stupid. I suppressed the urge to groan at my sheer stupidity. I pulled out my phone and quickly pressed the screen.
[Salary: $10,000 USD]
I closed my eyes and suppressed the urge to scream. I had forgotten that the company paid 10,000 dollars a month, I hadn't been bankrupt, and I hadn't needed a job now or in the near future. Now, I had one and wanted to curse myself for forgetting something so basic. Wait- my eyes opened widely, and I moaned again.
I could transmute material into gold; it was easy to do, and I could get all the money I wanted. I wouldn't do it to the point of unbalancing the economy, but I could have gotten enough to get everything I needed. I let out a sigh at my stupidity, I couldn't do anything now. I had already gotten the job, and there was nothing I could change right now. Although it considerably alleviated my money worries, I now had a job to fulfill, which felt like a waste of time.
...mmm... although considering it might do me some good, I would have to familiarize myself with potions once again if I wanted to be on par with old Serena or even Severus. There was no better place to do it than an apothecary.
Yes, it specialized in poisons, but I identified a few potions that weren't, so the opportunities to brew potions and get paid for them while I practiced was something worth holding on to. I quickly manipulated the phone in my hands and tapped the convert money option.
[Salary: 1531 Galleons, 5 Sickles, 9 Knuts]
I whistled in amazement. I certainly wasn't poor anymore. I had things to do, and with a smile I continued walking.