Severus sat down in the front of the class, his colleagues snickering and some openly laughing at him as he entered. He was used to this, just another empty day. Ignore them, he thought, they aren't worth the wasted energy.

The teacher wasn't yet present, but Severus expected as much from ol' Professor Slughorn. He was always late, out sneaking leftovers from the kitchens, he suspected. "If he ever made it on time, I wouldn't have to deal with this," Severus muttered to himself.

"Hey Snivellus!" piped an all too familiar voice. Severus sighed to himself and turned around.

"What?" he snarled unaware that the class had gone silent.

"Nice robe, is it new?" James chided, knowing full well that it wasn't. Potter knew Severus couldn't afford new anything, much less the frivolity of robes. He never failed to remind Severus of that fact any time he could; he called it reminding him of his station. Severus just turned around. I'm better than him. Just let it go.

"Hey," Potter called, "look at me when I talk to you." Severus faced forward, unflinching. "Hey," James called again, "I told you to look at me!"

"No," Severus stated quite firmly.

"What did you say?"

"I said no-" the words stopped short in Severus' mouth. There was blunt force that collided with the back of his head, blinding white lights shot in front of his eyes, the pain exploded on his skull as he toppled over his desk. He laid on his back, his belongings strewn about; he fought back tears and he gingerly touched the back of his head at the lump forming under the tangles of his greasy hair. For a long while he just lay there.

"Truly, a beautiful shot, James. Smack!"

"Nice blow, James!"

"I've seen my brother do something like that while riding a horse."

"Oi, Snivellus, get up!" James barked triumphantly. Slowly he did, and as he looked around, the tears fell freely. His eyes gazed from face to face, all of whom were laughing. Except Lily. Lily was tearing up too.

Lily? Crying? For me?

Something broke.

"Hey Snivellus-"

"EXPELIARMUS!" Severus screamed, the loathing in his heart tainting his voice. Everyone looked aghast. Everyone except Potter.

"Growing a back bone, are we? Go on…hex me." Severus did not move. He did not lower his wand, nor lesson his gaze. "Hex me!" James screamed. Nothing happened.

"You are weak."

"Shut up."

"You'll never amount to anything." "I said shut up!" Severus could feel the rage building inside him.

"You really are pathetic."

"Shut up!"

"You are better off-"

"I'm warning you!" Potter just smiled.

"You are better off dead, Snivellus."

Severus couldn't hold it in any more. "I dare you to say that again," he murmured under his breath. It sounded cold even to him. Still, he didn't care.

"I said you're better off-"

"Avada Kadavra," came the cool intonation.

The jet of green light shot forth, striking the wall behind James, narrowly missing his face. Tears streamed from Severus' eyes, yet his face was of utter calm. When he spoke, his voice was as dead as fallen leaves.

"One day you will pay, Potter. One day I will make you pay, if not through you, then through your children. One day this will be my dungeon, and you will feel my hatred even through your precious children. Mark that, Potter."

Severus turned then, heading for the door, leaving all his belongings behind. It did not matter. He had to get away.

Before he left he stopped in the doorway; he did not turn, he merely spoke. "Next time, I will not miss on purpose, Potter." With that he left.