Chapter 1- The End of 4th Year
Severus Snape ran through the halls, books pouring from his arms. Frantically, he looked for a staircase that wasn't currently moving- he needed to get to the library as quickly as possible to return the books he had borrowed. Professor McGonagall had been nice enough to write him a note for books from the Restricted Section, but they were only on a 1-week loan that would expire in 5 minutes! And one didn't want to turn the books in late. Rumor was, they became vicious if kept past their allotted time. He started up the stairs when he saw a familiar sight- the four people he hated most in the world- standing before him.
"Oh, not today, please! I need to return these books and-" he begged, hoping they could at least leave him alone until he got to the library.
"No such luck, Snivellus. This looks like the perfect time to try out Sirius's new invention" replied James, a sadistic smirk on his face.
"Please, I need to get to the library now! I only have 4 minutes until-"
But before he could finish his sentence, Sirius blew a white powder into Severus's pale face. A loud "Pop!" resounded through the stairwell and his face became a bright pink color. He stared cross-eyed as a pink horn spiraled from his forehead.
"It worked!" shouted Peter. "I knew it would work! Let's try another one!"
"The library…" whispered Severus, trying to fight back tears. He decided that it would be better to face the wrath of the books than another one of Black's inventions, so he ran in the opposite direction. He chose to go to the infirmary. By now, the books were snapping at his arms and chest, making small cuts all over him and drawing blood. The way he figured it, there were two ways he could get this practical joke cured- he could grovel to Black for an antidote, or he could get a nurse to fix it. The decision came easily to Severus- he tried to avoid Black and Potter as much as possible. When he finally arrived at the infirmary, he collapsed from the blood loss and the exhaustion of running. When he awoke, he was healed, but the emotional scars from the harassment couldn't be healed by a simple potion or spell.
xXxXxXxXx
"I'm glad you're awake, Severus." Said the nurse, in a soft, comforting voice.
"Did someone return my books?" murmured Severus, only half-conscious.
"I'd think you would be a little more worried about that horn that was on your face. How do you keep getting yourself into these predicaments?" She asked.
"People aren't very nice sometimes." He said, turning onto his side, hoping to be able to go back to sleep for a while.
"I should say not, if they're doing this to you. Oh, what interesting books these are- Moste Potente Potions, Advanced Hexes for the Busy and Vexed, Volume 6… Magick Most Evile. What's a fourth-year doing reading these books?" She inquired, a shocked look on her face.
"I love reading, learning, escaping from the world… Do you think I could please sleep a bit more? And could someone please return those books?" he said groggily.
"Absolutely. I'll let you be, and I'll take these to the library right away. Take care of yourself."
"Thanks" He whispered, and within minutes he was back asleep. He found great solace in sleep as well as the hospital wing- both meant not having to worry about Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew. He felt lucky that he wouldn't have to deal with them much longer this year- it was the second to last day of school. Unfortunately, the summer coming meant that he would have to go home to his family, but he was sure that anything that could happen at home would be better than the torture he endured here. He was sure that they had changed since they hadn't seen him in a year. Maybe they would even be so happy to see him that they would love him. He dreamed of nothingness, and it was the happiest he had been all week.
xXxXxXxXx
Severus woke up, and noticed a small wrapped box at the foot of his bed. Attached was a small card, reading "We hope you feel better soon! Your friend, James".
"It's a trick. I'm sure it's a trick." He mumbled to himself.
He ducked behind the bed and drew his wand. With one hand protecting his face, he waved his wand at the box, whispering "Evanesco!". The box erupted in a geyser of dark blue ink, and then disappeared- leaving the ink everywhere. Severus turned his eyes to the floor and silently left the hospital wing.
As he walked to his dormitory, he made a mental checklist of all of the things that he would need to do before boarding the Hogwarts Express. His possessions had been packed for weeks in anticipation of this wonderful day. Only his everyday items were out, and he quickly stuffed them into his trunk. He didn't have anyone to say goodbye to, so he made his way to the platform and boarded the train. Locked in his small compartment, he smiled in isolation all the way to Platform 9¾.
