James turned the corner and stopped; just ahead of him there were Slytherins ganged up around someone. His first thought went to Sirius, but almost as soon as the thought entered his head Sirius slammed into his back.
"Sorry mate, I didn't realized you'd stopped." Sirius apologized and almost jumped out of his skin when James turned and pulled him beside him pointing a finger to his lips. Sirius looked where James was looking and his blood froze.
He'd heard stories his whole life about how Slytherin House treated those who didn't fit in. As part of his training to take the position of Head of House for the House of Black, he'd been conditioned on how to make alliances and survive in Slytherin. The only thing was he hadn't wanted to go to Slytherin and now he was a Gryffindor. He had no doubt in his mind that his parents would hear about it, if they hadn't already, from Bellatrix's parents. Luckily, thanks to some tricky maneuvering of Charlus and Dorea Potter, Sirius had been able to have one friend as a child that wasn't a Slytherin...James. He and James were cousins, second cousins, because of James's mother Dorea Potter nee Black. Dorea's mother had been sisters with his Dad's mother and even though Dorea had been a Slytherin she wasn't dark like most of the family. In fact his great-grandparents weren't dark either, they were neutral, but his grandmother had married a dark wizard and it had gone downhill. Dorea and his Dad though had been close, even though their parents no longer got along, and so Dorea had begged for Sirius to get to spend time with James. His Dad had finally caved in and Sirius spent weeks at a time with the Potters. It had caused a rift between his younger brother Regulus and him, but his Mum had refused to allow both of her sons to be around such a light family.
Suddenly James squeezed his wrist causing Sirius to break out of it. The Slytherins had parted only slightly, but it was enough to see who was on the floor. It was the boy they'd met on the train...Severus.
"What do we do?" James whispered urgently looking at Sirius anxiously.
"Follow me and keep your wand out." Sirius hissed back and James nodded letting his wrist go. Sirius took a deep breath and headed out into the light.
"What are you doing?" Sirius demanded wand already pointed at the group.
"Well, well, hello, Sirius." Bellatrix sneered causing the group to part.
"Bellatrix. Leave him alone; what would your mother think? Picking on a first year the first night and getting suspended. Not to mention her reaction if you attacked me before you could convince me to be resorted into Slytherin?" Sirius taunted and knew he'd struck a nerve when Bellatrix froze.
"Come on Bella...just stun him and let's get out of here." Lucius Malfoy insisted and Bellatrix nodded throwing out a spell that caused Sirius to turn and shove James down. As soon as the spell shot over their heads Sirius stood again, but everyone besides Severus was gone.
Sirius hurried to Severus's side with James on his heels, "Severus, can you hear me?" Sirius questioned noticing the many wounds that littered his body.
"Please...help me..." Severus begged and Sirius felt a protectiveness wash over him. He was usually only protective of James, he considered James his brother after all, but Severus reminded him of Regulus when Reggie was younger.
"Don't worry they're gone; we're going to get you help." James assured and Severus's eyes flicked to James.
"They didn't get Lily did they?" Severus moaned and James shook his head quickly.
"No, Lily was in the common room when we left. Easy just stay still and I'll get the headmaster." James soothed. As soon as he heard James's words Severus relaxed immediately.
"Tweak." James called and a young house elf popped into the hallway.
"Young master called?" Tweak squeaked.
"You can just call me James, but yes I called, could you get the Headmaster and tell him it's urgent?" James requested and Tweak nodded before popping away.
"How did you know that was one of the Headmaster's elves?" Severus murmured.
"At the beginning of the feast he said, "Tweak, Oddment, Clover, and Hodgepodge; when my Dad was here Clover and Hodgepodge were young house elves like Tweak, and there were two older ones...they were in charge of the House tables and the food." James explained kneeling down by Severus again.
"Very good my b...Severus? What happened?" Albus inquired bending down by the young Slytherin.
"Bellatrix, Malfoy, and some of their cronies did this, Headmaster." Sirius offered when it was obvious Severus was timid of the older man.
"Severus, can you tell me why?" Albus murmured gently carding his hand through the little boy's hair in hopes of comforting him.
"They...didn't like that I was friends with Lily..." Severus admitted and Albus grimaced understanding all too well.
"You took up for her didn't you?" Albus probed and Severus immediately got defensive.
"I had to, she's the closest thing to a sister that I have." Severus protested and Albus felt his heart twinge.
"I know my boy...I didn't mean anything by it; I'm glad you took up for your friend." Albus soothed and Severus relaxed against his knee.
"Severus, I'm going to very gently levitate you onto a stretcher and take you to the hospital wing; Sirius, James, would you boys please get Professor McGonagall and Lily Evans for me?" Albus questioned and both boys nodded taking off.