What if Snape got bit by Remus?
Severus Snape was nearly killed because of Sirius Black. He is basically alienated by Dumbledore, this pushes him further down the path of becoming a Death Eater.
The Shrieking Shack was the precursor to SWM, what if Severus was bitten by Remus Lupin in the Shack? Lily would figure out what happened, Sirius would not escape blame. This would change the entire dynamic of Lily, Snape, the Marauders and the Death Eater wannabes.
This is an alternate universe Shrieking Shack Incident in which Remus Lupin accidentally bites Snape as Lupin cannot control his curse without the Wolfsbane Potion in existence.
Assuming that he survives the incident (i.e. James gets to him, but is a bit too late), I like to imagine that he might, paradoxically, be better off longterm. He would no longer be welcome amongst the Death Eaters which means he is physically unable to do one of the most stupid decisions he did in his life, and moreover, he now has incontrovertible proof to his current best friend Lily that the Marauders are just as bad as he always claimed they were.
The keyword here however is "might". He would probably have a better school life (I imagine that he'd be left alone by whatever remains of the Marauders -- I imagine Sirius might actually be expelled for the incident), and indirectly a better home life (I can't imagine Tobias willing to house a werewolf and thus force him elsewhere where he is probably better off). However, he still has to deal with the werewolf prejudice once he graduates, which means he'd likely have a very hard time finding work. Possibly through self-employment as a potioneer given his sheer skill in it, but his future is going to be uncertain.
I think this is how chain of events would go off:
- Dumbledore would still silence Snape and Lupin, to protect both Lupin and Snape but it means also protecting Sirius, thus Snape has far increased hatred of Marauders, thinking they were all onto getting his life further ruined. And increased hatred towards Dumbledore for not punishing marauders particularly Sirius for ruining his life.
- Now Snape not only want revenge but Lily's misunderstanding would disillusion him to further into Death Eater arms.
- Lake incident would still happen.
- Snape might face werewolf persecution after graduation, from general public, employment and death eaters. He'd also increased develop hatred of werewolves and even himself.
- He'd join Voldemort who was enticing dark creatures into his service. Voldemort might try to mould him as a new leader of werewolves, to win werewolf loyalty as well as cut loose Fenrir Greyback.
- This Snape won't hear prophecy, not considered eligible for employment.
- No prophecy heard, no risk to Lily's life, no defection.
- Death Eaters might end up winning the war.
I have a light-hearted headcanon about this.
Severus's lycanthropy isolates him from the other Slytherin students, so he never becomes a Death Eater. But he is still a prodigy potioneer, now with an amplified sense of smell, so when he finishes Hogwarts, he opens his own little shop somewhere in the Knockturn Alley, most likely with some secret financial help from Lucius. He can brew any potion, but he specialises in perfumes, as he can perfectly match the aroma of various flowers, herbs and spices to a person's own scent.
When asked, no one would ever openly admit to visiting his store, but anyone who's anyone has a flacon or three of custom-made perfume to seduce and entice.
Quote from Dust Collector on January 19, 2025, 1:43 amI have a light-hearted headcanon about this.
Severus's lycanthropy isolates him from the other Slytherin students, so he never becomes a Death Eater. But he is still a prodigy potioneer, now with an amplified sense of smell, so when he finishes Hogwarts, he opens his own little shop somewhere in the Knockturn Alley, most likely with some secret financial help from Lucius. He can brew any potion, but he specialises in perfumes, as he can perfectly match the aroma of various flowers, herbs and spices to a person's own scent.
When asked, no one would ever openly admit to visiting his store, but anyone who's anyone has a flacon or three of custom-made perfume to seduce and entice.
Yes!!!
