Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Thank J.K. for these amazing characters. Unless I decide to ass one of my own later in the story… I mean… shhh!

Severus held his breath as he silently descended the stairs into the grounds, setting a straight path towards the quidditch pitch for his weekly flying lesson. He lifted his eyes from the stone path for a brief moment to scan the wide expanse of grass for any potential dangers. His pace quickened as he spotted them. The four boys, or marauders as they liked to be called, were enjoying the afternoon in the shade of a tall elm tree. Severus resumed his walk, lowering his head once more and shaking a sheet of black hair over his face. He hoped inwardly that if he didn't see the boys, perhaps they wouldn't notice him.

"Oi! Prongs!" shouted the tallest of the four boys, a bit too loudly to be speaking only to his friend, who was sitting right next to him. Severus felt a nervous churning in his stomach.

"What do you want Sirius?" James Potter lifted his head in annoyance, his unruly black hair pointing in every direction.

"What's ugly, greasy, and walking just over there by that rock? Do you give up? It's our friend S-"

"Snivellus!" The previously reclining boy leapt up to his feet, eager to start an argument. "What brings you outside on a sunny day like this one? Aren't you afraid your perfect complexion will be ruined with some awful colouring?" It was a horrible joke, but the little round boy sitting opposite potter clutched his abdomen and rolled backward in outrageous laughter. At this obnoxious display, Sirius Black scoffed and kicked his mate, muttering for him to quiet down.

Severus continued ahead, not looking up. To his dismay, Sirius and James had plans other than letting him get to class. The boys shouted after him, in a fruitless attempt to make him turn around. When the shouting died down, he smirked to himself, thinking that he'd gotten out of a fight. Not more than a second later, he felt a curse hit him square in the back and his legs locked beneath him.

"Severus, how many times do I have to remind you to look at me when I'm speaking to you?" The voice was closer now and Severus rolled onto his side to see the two boys standing but a few meters away from him. Their fat, tow-headed friend lingered behind them, looking as if he were about to wet himself in excitement. Severus felt all colour leave his cheeks and his eyes hardened, flaming with anger.

"Potter, if you want a proper fight, take this curse off me. Or are you too frightened to duel face-to-face?" His expression shifted quickly, displaying one emotion then the next. His face was now void of all feeling, save for a small sneer and narrowed eyes.

"He's not afraid! Even if he was, you're outnumbered Sniv. There are two of us and one of you. What's the probability of you winning?" Sirius' question was not meant to be rhetorical, but a lack of basic skills left his mouth hanging open, unable to figure out the simple proportion. "Now, we'd love to stay and chat, but it just so happens that out friend Remus is late for an examination, so we must be going. I guess it's your lucky day Snape."

"Before we go Sirius, I'd like to do this." James stepped over to Severus' side and stared him directly in the eyes. He gritted his teeth and stood for a moment, building anticipation in his imagined onlookers. Sirius and Peter watched intently, waiting to see what James would do next. He got down on his hands, moving his face so close to Severus' that their noses almost touched. He looked as if he was about to initiate a passionate kiss. Far from passionately, he turned his head and whispered into Severus' ear. "This is for getting between me and Evans." He pulled back his arm and thrust his fist into the skinny boy's gut and up into his ribs. Snape let out an inhuman squeal and spat into James' slowly retreating face. Before the boys turned to leave, James rolled the injured boy onto his back, keeping him from letting the blood and spit out of his mouth. Severus closed his eyes and heard the boys' conversation as they walked away.

"Nice one Prongs!"

"That was the coolest thing ever! It was even better than last time! Did you see that Remus? Remus? Where did Remus go?"

"Would you shut up Peter? Forget about Remus! He probably just got sick of waiting. Let's go get some food from the…" The voices got farther and farther away and eventually faded. Suddenly, Severus felt a soft touch on his arm. He made to speak, but a mouthful of blood emptied into his windpipe. He broke into a coughing fit, thinking he was going to pass out. He was rolled onto his stomach, but the choking continued.

"Anapneo." It felt as though an invisible tube was reached down into his throat, clearing his airway. He heard soft crying as he lost feeling and consciousness.