Severus and Lily are next door neighbors and meet at a much earlier age than canon. "Sev, what's your dad like. Does he like magic?" "He doesn't like anything much."

Through the years they got to know each other through playful house rivalry, betting pools about the latest DADA professor, and late night tea in the Headmaster's office. But then Voldemort returned and any illusion of playing house is ruined."Albus surely there is another way." Minerva argued, but much as Albus wanted to relent- "There is none Minerva."

The House of Slytherin is a house of secrets. How he punishes his students is between him and them. On the wake of losing their best Head of House, the Slytherins revolt by trying to unhinge everyone at Hogwarts. Enemies of the snakes beware for they are not above pettiness and drama. A snake could be courageous as a lion, clever as a raven and loyal as a badger given enough motive

Albus Dumbledore has ordered the Slytherins to give some form of token for all Gryffindors before the leaving feast in exchange for not deducting house points. Snape and his snakes find a way to comply and still be cunning enough to send a message that will correct a common misconception circulating in the school. Cross-posted in AO3