High Above Me
Author's note: This story contains mature and/or sensitive subject matter throughout its entirety. Including coarse language, sexual content, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, emotional abuse, self injury, bullying, domestic abuse, child abuse/neglect, and teen pregnancy. Trigger warnings! Adult content warnings! Reader discretion advised.
This particular story takes place in an alternate universe, and I have changed the ages of some characters so that they could all attend school together.
At the start of the story, here are their ages:
Snape-15
Bellatrix-16
Lily-15
James-15
Sirius-15
Narcissa-12
Lucius-15
Andromeda-14
Remus-15
Regulus-14
Wormtail-15
I do not own the following song, Harry Potter, or any of the characters.
Tal Bachman- She's So High
She's blood, flesh and bone
No tucks or silicone
She's touch, smell, sight, taste and sound
But somehow I can't believe
That anything should happen
I know where I belong
And nothing's gonna happen
Yeah, yeah
( chorus )
'Cause she's so high
High above me, she's so lovely
She's so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
She's so high...
High above me
First class and fancy free
She's high society
She's got the best of everything
What could a guy like me
Ever really offer?
She's perfect as she can be
Why should I even bother?
( repeat chorus )
She comes to speak to me
I freeze immediately
'Cause what she says sounds so unreal
But somehow I can't believe
That anything should happen
I know where I belong
And nothing's gonna happen
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
( repeat chorus )
Severus Snape carefully surveyed the Hogwarts Express for a place to sit, preferably an empty compartment. He had few friends, and didn't wish to be bothered anyways. Severus was a skinny, pale, and rather awkward boy starting his fifth year at Hogwarts. His black hair was shoulder length and greasy, his nose large and hooked. Given his physical appearance and oversized, worn clothes, he was a frequent target for ridicule by his peers, despite being gifted in performing hexes. More than often, he was ganged up on by other students. The Marauders were especially cruel; nothing more than a group of arrogant Gryffindor bullies led by James Potter, whom Severus naturally despised. The feeling was quite mutual.
His usually solemn face perked up a bit once he caught sight of his best friend, Lily Evans, whom he secretly had a crush on. The radiant, red-haired beauty offered a friendly wave, before excitedly rushing over to him.
"Hi, Sev." Lily said with beaming smile, as was characteristic of her.
"Hey, Lil. How are you?" Severus asked.
"I'm great! I had a wonderful summer. How about you? Come and sit with me so we can catch up!" she replied eagerly, her emerald green eyes sparkling brilliantly.
Severus of course wanted to sit with Lily, but most of her friends did not think too highly of him. They often teased him, though he decided he would attempt to endure them for the remainder of the trip. It was worth it to sit with Lily. She lead him to a compartment where two of her friends were already sitting. Severus couldn't remember their names at the moment, but one was a blonde slut in Ravenclaw and the other was a pudgy brunette in Gryffindor. He and Lily sat across from them, and of course they wrinkled their noses as if they had smelt dragon dung.
Two more people suddenly invited themselves in. One was James Potter, the smooth talking, self proclaimed ladies' man, quidditch seeker, and most popular boy in Gryffindor. He was accompanied by his closest friend, Sirius Black; a wealthy and handsome boy from a prominent family. The pair strolled as if they owned the place.
"Hi, Lily. How was your summer?" James asked with a stupid grin.
Lily didn't even bother to look up at them, much to Severus's amusement.
"It was fine, James." she replied, hastily.
"Wanna come sit with us? Bet old Snivelley here is buggin' you." James suggested.
"No thank you. My best friend Severus is not bothering me." Lily answered, curtly.
"Get lost." Severus scoffed.
"Shut up, Sniv. Shouldn't you be blowing up a doll or something? Cause that's the only action a tool like you is ever gonna get." James snarled vehemently.
"Or perhaps you could bathe properly." added Sirius.
James gave Sirius a rather obnoxious high five of approval as they erupted into a fit of immature laughter. Lily's friends didn't care to suppress their amusement at the boy's expense, happily giggling.
"Sod off, Potter." Severus spat, dryly.
"What did you say, you greasy git?" he fired back.
Suddenly, there was a scream a few compartments down.
"Sounds like Peter. He's probably stuck under the seat again. I'll take care of it." offered Sirius, rushing to the aid of his not-so-bright friend.
"Snivelley?" James asked.
"What do you want with me?" he demanded.
"Leave him alone, James! You've had your fun." ordered Lily.
"Calm down, Evans. I was only going to ask him where Bellatrix Black is." James explained.
"Well, how would I know? Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. I'm sure she doesn't want you bothering her." Severus answered.
"Well, I guess that settles it. Goodbye, James Potter." said Lily, curtly.
"Scabior can probably tell me. He should know, considering he shagged her in the prefects' bathroom last year. True story. Malfoy says he caught them." James felt the need to inform the group.
With that, he was off.
"Is that true!?" exclaimed Lily's rather large friend.
"More than likely. That tramp has fucked half the school. Probably the giant squid too. If I had a galleon for every boy that got up her skirt, I'd be richer than Lucius Malfoy." the blonde one replied.
"So the pot calls the kettle black? You have some nerve, slag." Severus spat.
Lily's friends looked dumbfounded, as if they didn't know what to say in response. Severus felt that he should defend Bellatrix, as she'd always been nice to him. Along with the fact that the list of fellow students who treated him with some semblance dignity was devastatingly short.
"You nasty little grease ball! How dare you talk to Heidi like that!" yelled the other girl.
"Bellatrix Black is a nice girl." Snape argued.
"She is not a nice girl! She's a dirty slut! During my third year, she fucked my boyfriend and then convinced him to break up with me." Heidi fired back, with tears welling up in her eyes.
"I bet it's your own damn fault. I sure wouldn't have needed any convincing. I'd pick her over you any day. Hell, I wouldn't even go out with you if it were a choice between you and whatever is in the Chamber of Secrets!" Severus shouted, angrily.
"Snape, you don't even count. You're nothing. Ugly and pathetic. No one wants to be your friend. No girl would ever have you. Go die in a ditch somewhere because nobody wants you here at Hogwarts!" bellowed the bigger girl in defense of her friend.
"Good one, Star!" encouraged Heidi.
"Star! That's an awful thing to say! Apologize to him!" demanded Lily, her temper flared.
"I don't need to sit here and listen to this." Severus mumbled.
He quickly exited the compartment to distance himself in the shortest amount of time possible, heading off towards the other end of the train.
"Sev! Sev, wait!" Lily called after him.
Severus wasn't coming back. Not even for Lily. He'd had enough of those snobby bitches, Star and Heidi. He couldn't even understand why a girl like Lily would associate herself with such disgusting people. He felt himself near tears, but he managed to blink them back. Two stupid girls would not make him cry.
"Fuck off, Potter!" snapped a sharp, female voice.
This was surely the sound of James Potter bothering Bellatrix. Though uncharacteristic of him, Severus decided he would go over and offer some assistance. He didn't have to look long before stumbling across the right compartment.
Bellatrix Black was like something out of a fairy tale; A drop-dead gorgeous sixth year, eloquently dubbed the Slytherin sex goddess. Her curly, black hair was half pinned up, and her luscious lips were tinted red. Both were in great contrast to porcelain, pale skin. Despite being in hopelessly in love with Lily, Severus was admittedly quite smitten with Bellatrix. One could hardly blame him, as there were so few boys at Hogwarts that could resist her charm. He happened across Bella sitting down, with James standing over her in a most unnerving way.
"Come on, you know you want to." he urged.
"In your dreams, Potter. I don't screw blood traitor Gryffindors." she corrected.
"Come on, I bet I can show you a good time. The things I'd do to you..." James insisted, before licking his lips in a perverse manner.
"Why don't you go get one of your little butt buddies to suck your cock? Whatever you do, leave me the hell out of it." Bellatrix suggested.
"I'd much rather bend you over than have a sausage-fest with my friends." James stated, seemingly proud of his choice of words.
"Get lost before I hex the fuck out of you, Potter." the unamused girl warned.
"Do whatever you want with me." he declared.
James moved in closer to rest a hand on her thigh. Just as she drew out her wand, Severus waltzed in and punched James square in the jaw, surprising himself with the force of it. He crashed to the floor with a loud thud, then stumbled to his feet. Bellatrix laughed loudly, and Severus just stood there silently, unsure of what would happen next. The Gryffindor bully wiped blood from his mouth. His pride was wounded more than anything.
"You'll pay for that one, Snivellus!" James exclaimed, before storming out of the compartment.
Bellatrix stood up and made her way over to Severus, high heels clicking. She stopped rather close to be face to face with the younger boy, surveying him as though he were something to eat.
"How sweet of you to come to my rescue." she purred, eyes aglow like those of a lioness stalking her prey.
"It was nothing, really. I hate Potter as much as you." Severus responded, attempting to appear aloof.
Bella leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek, obviously catching him completely off guard. The shy boy turned away to hide the goofy smile marring his usually stony features, and his face had flushed red. It was only natural, considering that had been the first time a girl had ever kissed him. The older girl returned to her seat and motioned for Severus to to join her. He did so as if he were in a trance.
"Still, it was cool of you to help me out. Potter's a prick." Bellatrix added.
"Yeah, you don't have to tell me." Severus agreed.
"Why don't you lie down, sweetie. You look tense." she suggested.
Severus took a deep calming breath and stretched his legs out. He didn't put his head down because Bella hadn't moved over enough. Should he put his head down, it would be right in her lap. As appealing as the thought was, he decided not to overstep his boundaries.
"Put your head down. I don't bite." Bella coaxed.
Gingerly, he lowered the back of his head onto her warm, inviting lap. He was able to get comfortable rather quickly and relaxed. Bellatrix produced a pack of cigarettes from her purse, and lit one up with a non-verbal spell. She took an impressively long drag, then exhaled the smoke from her nose.
"Smoke?" she offered, politely.
"Yeah, thanks." he replied, reluctantly taking one.
Smoking was cool..right? He had to be cool. Surely Bellatrix Black liked boys that smoked. So he would have a cigarette, even though he didn't smoke. In fact, he never had and did not know what to expect. Severus lit his with a non-verbal spell as well, and held back a cough after taking just a small drag. He was very relived that he hadn't actually coughed, as that would have proven to be embarrassing. He took one more drag, and found that he did not particularly care for the taste. They were menthol though, which produced a pleasant cooling effect. It was all right he supposed, but failed to see what all the fuss was about. He could get used to it if that was what Bella liked.
"Hey, Bellatrix?" he asked.
"Call me Bella." she replied.
"Bella, do you w-want to...uh...g-go to um...Hogsmede with...me? Some time?" Severus stammered.
"Sure." she answered. with a smile.
Though she couldn't quite explain why, she thought Severus was kind of cute. She secretly appreciated being asked to go on an actual date. Most boys skipped the formalities and got right to trying to sleep with her. It was not as though she thought Severus wouldn't attempt to sleep with her. Given the chance, she knew he would. Perhaps she would even let him. Nonetheless, it was still a nice gesture.
"I'll buy you some flowers too, the really nice kind. And candy from Honeydukes. All the candy you could eat! And, uh...whatever else you want. Anything. Just ask for it." Severus insisted.
She couldn't suppress the giggles in response. His eagerness to please her was amusing at the least, flattering at the most.
"You're too cute. Are you this nice to every girl?" Bellatrix replied.
"No way. I'm only nice to pretty Slytherin girls named Bellatrix." he declared, unable to stop a stupid grin from creeping across his face.
She offered a smug smile then began to stroke his dark hair, as she smoked her cigarette.
"You are off the charts adorable." she told him.
Meanwhile, Lily was wandering around the train in search of Severus. She had to apologize for the atrocious behavior of her friends, and assure him that she did not agree with all of those nasty things they had said. Suprisingly, she caught sight of him in a compartment with Bellatrix Black. They were smoking cigarettes. Since when did Severus smoke? She had never seen him do that before. Her friend had his head the older girl's lap, and they were laughing about something.
The red head turned away, sick with jealousy and other unusual feelings. She had always been the one to comfort Severus...Always the one he could talk to. She was his best friend! It stung like betrayal that he looked so happy being with this other girl. The school slut at that! Lily couldn't understand why he'd chosen to run to Bellatrix of all people. Was she being replaced because of her stupid friends? A single tear rolled down her cheek, only to be brushed away by someone else's hand. She gasped, and turned to find herself looking into James Potter's eyes.
"Lily, don't cry. It's a lost cause. If that's the kind of girl he likes, he's not even worth your time anyways." James stated.
"What? The kind of girl he...what?" Lily replied, shocked.
"They're a real pair of lovebirds, those two. I've seen them. They were snogging on the platform before the train left. I'm tellin' ya, they're crazy for each other." he explained.
"Lovebirds.." Lily muttered.
James put his hand on the girl's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, but she backed away immediately, much to his dismay.
"I just need to be alone right now, James." she blurted out, before quickly running off.
These emotions...these thoughts...They were so strange to Lily. She'd certainly never felt jealous of another girl receiving Severus's attention before. Could she have feelings for him that extended beyond friendship? Could she even be in love with her best friend, and now Bellatrix was trying to steal him away? The thought of having any romantic feelings for Severus had never crossed her mind until now, but she was starting to think it was a definite possibility. This couldn't be happening...