Hello everyone, and welcome to my story - Our Numbers That Define Us.

I promise romance and drama, with hopefully a bit of humor involved.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter!

"My lord?"

"Severus, please sit."

Severus Snape pulled a chair from under the table and sat facing his master.

"You are probably wondering why I have summoned you here."

"Yes, my lord," Severus murmured, trying to hide his nervousness behind his grim face.

"I have a request for you, Severus," Voldemort said, his voice icy. "I wish to return to my younger, fitter body, as I am finding this one unsuitable for my future intentions. For months I have been searching for a way to make this possible, but I was left with nothing, until I discovered this."

Voldemort reached into his cloak and drew a flask, filled to the stopper with a green, fizzing substance.

"I have been using the knowledge you have given me to create a unique potion, one that may allow me to become my younger self once more."

"That is great news, my lord," Severus said, bowing his head in acknowledgement.

"Not quite, Severus. You see, because this potion is unique, I am not yet certain that this potion is safe and effective to use. I am in need of somebody loyal to their lord to consume it first, that way I can be sure that this is the answer to my problem."

Severus remained silent. He knew what the dark lord wanted, and when the dark lord wanted something, he was given it.

"So, naturally, I thought of you, Severus."

"But my lord, if the potion is dangerous then you may lose my service. Would it not be more prudent to make someone of a lesser rank to test the potion?" Severus asked, silently praying his lord changed his mind.

"I have been thinking, Severus. While you tell me you are mine, it seems your loyalties lie elsewhere..."

"My lord, you know I serve only for you-"

"Then drink the potion, Severus," Voldemort pushed the potion further forward, so it was directly within Severus' grasp.

"My lord, please-"

"Unless you wish to answer to Nagini, drink the potion, Severus."

Severus nodded to his lord and slowly reached out for the glass bottle. Grasping it, he pulled the stopper from the neck of the flask and sniffed the substance. It smelt burnt, over boiled, under stirred... While Severus would never say it to his face, he did question his master's brewing skills.

Slowly, Severus raised the flask to his lips and let the green liquid flow into his mouth. Each swallow made him feel like his throat was on fire, but he kept going. After all, his chances of survival would be greater if he just took the potion. Once the last drop was consumed; Severus set the flask back on the table and sighed.

"Very good, Severus." Voldemort nodded, taking the flask and returning it to his robe pocket. "If you happen to still be alive after this, I may raise your status."

What Voldemort didn't realise was that Severus wasn't paying attention. Voldemort's voice rang in Severus' head, getting quieter and quieter, slower and slower... The world began to spin around him, blurring his vision. Then suddenly, it felt like everything had stopped. Darkness consumed him.

"My lord, he is alive."

Severus opened his eyes, his vision slowly adjusting. Sitting up, he surveyed the room. He was still sitting in the same chair he passed out on, but Voldemort was standing next to him, with Bellatrix on his other side.

"It seems as if it has worked. Bella, you may go." Voldemort waved his hands in dismissal.

"Yes, my lord. Thank you, my lord," Bellatrix said, bowing as she left the room.

"Severus, it seems that my potion has succeeded." Voldemort said.

"What does that mean, my lord?" Severus asked, his heart pumping harder as he waited for his master's reply.

"It means that you are a teenage boy. Sixteen years of age, to be precise."

Severus abruptly stood up. "Sixteen! My lord-"

"Sit, Severus." Voldemort glared at him, motioning for him to sit. Severus promptly did so.

"I do not know how long the effects will last for. It may be a week, a month, even eternity unless a cure is found. But no matter, I shall be taking this potion if all goes well. You are to return to Hogwarts, Severus, and attend as a student. While you are alive I may as well preserve you. After all, you have proven yourself to be loyal."

"Thank you, my lord."

"Now, if you are questioned, you must tell the truth. We cannot compromise the trust Dumbledore has in you."

"Of course, my lord."

"You may leave now."

"Thank you, my lord," Severus muttered, standing up and walking to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of floo powder, he murmured, "Hogwarts School." And with that, he was gone.

Upon his arrival, Severus immediately flew out of his chambers and up to Dumbledore's office. As expected, Dumbledore was sitting in his office. After thoroughly explaining his experience to the headmaster, he waited for his response. Dumbledore said nothing, simple absorbing the information he had been given.

"Very well," Dumbledore began. "You will begin classes on Monday. The Hogwarts express arrives tomorrow, so I expect you will be at the entrance of the great hall for the sorting ceremony."

"Of course sir..." Severus' voice trailed off as he looked into a mirrored wall by Dumbledore's pensive. "Oh Godric!" He exclaimed, rushing over to the mirrors. Dumbledore chuckled, but followed shortly after.

"Yes, it must come as a shock to most to be staring at your former teenage self in the mirror." Dumbledore said. "I, on the other hand, would be rather pleased to once again have nice, smooth skin."

Severus looked at the headmaster oddly, who seemed to be staring off into space. But he quickly returned to his panic.

"What will they think of me, Albus?" Severus sighed.

"I'm sure Slytherin will respect you, Severus," Dumbledore smiled. "But that is not to say you will not be sorted into a different house."

"You think I am no longer a Slytherin?"

"I think that under the current circumstances..." Dumbledore trailed off, contemplating his next sentence. "You have done many brave and noble things, Severus."

"Are you suggesting that I will be sorted into Gryffindor, sir? Because I think that is highly unlikely-"

"Not at all, I am merely saying that you, along with many others, have changed since your childhood. Putting aside your dislike of Mr Potter, I think you would fit into Gryffindor, or any other house for that matter, just fine."

There was silence as Severus thought about this. He began to wonder what his life would be like if he was sorted differently. Would he be less sour? Would he have been happier? Bullied less? Could he have married Lily Evans?

"Well," Dumbledore said, breaking the silence. "You best get going, Severus. Tomorrow we will discuss cures. You may sleep in your chambers tonight, but when you are sorted tomorrow, you will be staying in the respective dorms."

"But sir, would I not be able to stay in my chambers for as long as I am a student?"

"I am sorry Severus. While your office will technically remain yours, you are no longer a teacher at Hogwarts. Besides, you don't want to isolate yourself from the other students, do you?"

Severus looked down. Albus knew him so well. Too well. Sometimes he wished he would have kept his horrible school life to himself.

"I know your past experiences with your school mates have been less than happy, but it doesn't have to be that way again."

Severus nodded and turned to leave.

"Severus. I trust you will make an effort this year to blend in, won't you? After all, we do not know for sure how temporary this is."

"Yes, Albus. I will try." And with that, a sixteen year old Severus Snape tore away from the headmaster's office and into his chambers.

He walked into his bedroom, kicked off his shoes, and threw them at the wall. The frustration of his current situation was getting to him. It was just too much. It was ten o'clock at night, and all Severus wanted to do was sleep. He summoned his pajamas with a simple 'accio', and stripped down. He was about to put his pyjamas on when he realised that they were far too big for his skinny, sixteen year old body. While the clothes he was wearing at the time of consuming the potion shrunk with him, the rest of his clothes did not.

Sighing, he recited a quick charm several times until his pajamas were much smaller. They were still baggy, but they were better than nothing. Severus was about to head to his bathroom when he decided to quickly rest his head on his pillow. He began reflecting on his day, memories flooding back to him. His last thought before he drifted off into an unexpected slumber was, 'why me?'

So that's the first chapter! Please let me know what you think :)

Note: At the moment, I plan to have a chapter delay of three days at the maximum. But this may change due to my busy schedule.