Broken Hearts
Chapter 2: To Turn the Other Cheek
It had been three weeks, three long weeks of classes and taking hits from the marauders. The first time wasn't so bad… just an inconvenience. His skin, which was supposed to be a mocha color normally, was a deep purple. It was easy enough to get the color off, but he was annoyed. He'd done nothing to provoke them. That, however, didn't have any effect on the marauders. They had since done several more pranks, always on Severus or himself. He had taken to helping the other boy undue the pranks, and a friendship had formed. He was grateful to the boy, who tutored him in Potions and healing, as he wasn't very good at making friends. Still, it was a Sunday afternoon and Vitalis and Severus were out on the grounds, studying Potions.
"Severus… what else is needed in the Draught of Living Death, other than powdered root of asphodel and wormwood?"
"It depends on how strong you want to make it. Adding bicorn horn will make it weaker, whereas adding spleen of a griffin makes it the most potent."
"It says medium strength."
"Then there are three. You need the bicorn horn, spleen of a tree frog, and ground hooves from a willing unicorn on its deathbed."
"Oh. What do they do?"
"The hooves enhance the spleen, making it more potent, and the bicorn horn dulls it a bit to make it medium."
"Oh. Okay. That makes sense." He wrote the answer, in his own words, and finished with his name and the date. It had only taken them a few hours. Next they set out to do charms, finishing the essay in under an hour because Vitalis knew the charms they were covering. When finished, they packed up and went to head inside, but were blocked by the marauders.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Two defenseless Slytherins out for a stroll. How quaint." Severus had backed up, almost hiding behind Vitalis. The other boy was visibly scared of the marauders and that irritated Vitalis. Not that Severus was afraid, but that the others were such bullies.
"Leave us alone, Potter." Vitalis said, blocking the other boy from view.
"Aww, a hero in Slytherin… well, maybe we should teach this hero a lesson, ay boys?" Before anyone could respond, Vitalis had his wand out and pointed at Potter's chest.
"Try me, Potter, and you will lose." Vitalis said quietly. Potter backed up a few steps, not wanting to test the man. They retreated for the time being, leaving Severus and Vitalis alone. Vitalis turned to Severus. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly.
"Fine, but I am worried about what they will do to you."
Vitalis sighed. "They can't do anything to me besides what I've let them get away with. Nothing was painful or harmful, so I let it slide. I am a highly trained wizard, Severus. Better than all students graduating from Hogwarts and most Aurors. I am not okay with bullying in any form and that is what the do. I will not stand for it." Vitalis finished. He saw the other boy didn't look entirely convinced, but let it go. As they walked into the castle, Vitalis felt a spell coming towards them. He blocked it with a thought and turned around, shooting a spell wandlessly and wordlessly back at the caster, Sirius Black.
"I told you to leave us alone." Vitalis said as Black was hit with a stunner and toppled to the ground. Potter looked pissed, knowing the other boy shouldn't have known there was a spell coming at him. He cast enervate on his fallen comrade and they slowly turned back to Vitalis.
"This isn't over Markross. Mark my words, you will pay for this." Vitalis just laughed and led Severus away. When they were in the dorms, Vitalis turned to Severus.
"You are to go no where by yourself. If they hurt you, then I might just kill them."
"Vitalis, I don't think that it is really necessary for me to have an escort. I mean-"
"Please don't fight me on this Severus. It is important to me that I know you're safe." Severus just nodded slightly, not used to people being concerned about his welfare. Both boys went to bed that night feeling restless.
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Severus and Vitalis were walking to third period the next day when Severus realized something. "Damn, I forgot my book. I'll be right back." Severus said.
"I'll go with you."
"There's no reason for both of us to be late and you know the marauders are in class."
"Okay… I guess I'll see you in a minute, then."
"Of course. I'll be there soon." Severus smiled and turned around to jog back to the dorms. Vitalis turned around and immediately turned back around, having heard a scream from around the corner. Vitalis sprinted down the hall, rounding the corner to see Potter and Black physically beating Severus. Vitalis saw red. He lunged at Black, using his magic as he punched the boy in the gut. Potter whipped his wand out as Black crumpled, but Vitalis was faster as he didn't need his wand. He shot pure energy from his hands and Potter slammed into the opposing wall. He then walked to Severus, checking the boy over. He whimpered when Vitalis touched him.
"Shhh… it's ok, Severus. It's just me." Vitalis said as he turned the boy over. He knew Severus was in no fit state to walk, so he cast locomotor on him and took him to the hospital wing. When the nurse asked what happened, Vitalis explained what he had seen ending with Potter and Black unconscious in the hall somewhere. He also mentioned that he wanted both heads of house and the headmaster down here to deal with this. When all parties, including the Gryffindors, were present, Vitalis demanded that memories be removed from Potter, Black, and himself and Severus and shown to all those present.
"How can we do that? The pensive cannot show so many people at once." Snape asked.
"It can if you project it." Dumbledore said, though he didn't actually know how to do so.
"I'll do it, just get the memories." Vitalis said. With that, a pensive was brought and the four parties placed their memory inside. Vitalis said a few words in Latin and the memories played. When finished, Dumbledore didn't quite know what to do. His reality had been shattered about these two Gryffindors and he now had to discipline them.
"I am very disappointed in the way three of you handled this situation. First, Vitalis, you should not have attacked them physically or magically. 10 points will be taken from Slytherin and you shall receive detention from Professor Slughorn for two days." Vitalis nodded. "Now, as for you two." He said, turning to Black and Potter. "I am very sorry, but I must take 20 points from Gryffindor and you both will be receiving in school suspension for one week. Separately." The Gryffindors looked mutinous but nodded in agreement. With that, the Gryffindors left with the heads of house. Poppy went to her office, leaving Severus and Vitalis alone.
"Vitalis… thank you." Severus said.
"Not a problem, Severus, but I am not done with those two. When I am done, they won't even think about harming you again." Vitalis declared. They then went on to discuss other things until Severus was released at lunch.