CAUGHT UP IN ALL THERE WAS
There were times when he felt he should quit. Quitting meant he could focus on going off somewhere, living a quiet life where he would be free to research and study the things he wanted to master. There would be no one to impress, no one to obey, no one to control him. But quitting wasn't an option that he could commit to. If he quit now people would say he was weak. His father said that those who quit were fickle people who didn't have any understanding of real work and would never become successful. Essentially they were people who paved the road of downtrodden freeloaders who amounted to nothing more than black holes. Severus knew he couldn't quit.
He was in an empty classroom when he successfully pulled off levicorpus on the toad he'd found in the dormitory of a fifth year. Finally, he had come up with a curse that would be perfect for Potter, for the next time he decided to play one of his dimwitted pranks on Severus. The thin line of his lips stretched upwards at the thought of that imbecile hanging there, pleading with him to see reason. How he would love to see Potter beg, or better yet Black. His stomach suddenly tingled at the thought of Sirius whimpering at his feet for mercy. Severus vowed if such a scenario were to conspire he would give Black nothing but smugness. And that would be if he were feeling generous. He giggled to himself.
--Is that you Sev?
The toad fell to the desk and his face fell into its normal stony expression. His eyes shot to the door. Lily Evans' face poked out from behind.
--What are you doing in here?
--Um…you know…
If Lily found out he'd be practicing dark magic on what she would consider a innocent and defenseless toad he would be ignored for a week and she would not walk around Hogsmeade with him that weekend. The toad let out a loud croak.
--Practicing. Transfiguration.
Severus picked up his wand and with a gentle flick, in place of the toad was a kitten. It opened its mouth wide and mewed. Lily laughed, walking over to cradle the fuzzy animal in her arms. Severus knew he was safe.
--You can do that without speaking? Looks like you don't need much practice. I can barely turn a cup into a saucer.
--No. You can do it. You're really good.
--Not as good as you.
He held his head down so his hair might hide the blush blooming on his face.
--Here, if you really want to do it you have to concentrate.
Severus stood up and faced Lily. Get your wand out.
--What? Now?
--Yes. You want to learn don't you?
--Yes.
--Okay wand out. Put the cat on the table.
Lily did this with slight hesitation.
--It doesn't even know what's going on.
--I don't like doing magic on animals.
Severus rolled his eyes.
--You can either be a saint or a good witch.
--I though you said I was good.
--Well you're not good enough. Now-
--Hey!
--What I mean is you have potential to be good. Better than most of the idiots here. Now look at the cat. You are going to turn it into a hat-
--What kind?
--I don't know…
--I need to know.
--Okay a top hat. Now you must concentrate on the spell. Hear it in your mind. See the letters spell the words. Feel it echo in the back of your throat.
He paused a few moments for emphasis.
--Mentally point your 'want' towards the subject. Lock your eyes on it. See it as the hat, hear the words, say them in your mind, and-
Lily's wand cut through the air and with a soft pop the kitten evaporated and a top hat covered in gray fur appeared. Her eyes lit up and she smiled at Severus.
--I did it! That's the first time I've ever done a spell silently! I can't believe it!
--You did all right Evans. For a beginner.
--I did great!
--Your hat is covered in fur and I think I see a tip of an ear.
She smirked at him.
--Did you call me 'Evans'? Since when am I 'Evans'?
--Well I am your teacher, aren't I?
She laughed and playfully pushed his arm.
--So Professor Snape, do you think I've got what it takes?
--Don't ask stupid questions Evans.
Lily howled with laughter, her eyes squinted shut. Severus carefully considers before he joined along.
Between bites of his ham and pretending to listen to Macnair go on about something that happened to him at Honeydukes he looks at the dark haired boy hunched over his plate at the end of the table. He has heard things about this boy, things he had not greatly considered before. There were new curses floating around the school and rumors about where they came from. Upon first seeing the boy, (his name was Snape or was it Snap?), he had thought him nothing more then a bookworm. A slightly scruffy one at that. Where did he get his clothes? His neighbor's laundry hamper? Well Lucius was beginning to believe that perhaps this boy was actually a diamond in the rough, or at least a very promising pebble. Worth recruiting? He had to wait and see. The Dark Lord would not have any use for a penniless librarian. There was a chance though. Perhaps it was time to initiate a friendship of sorts.
--Then that mudblood filth prefect came over and-
--Who's that again?
--Hugh Denton, looks like a pixie-
--No him sitting over there.
Lucius points in Severus' direction.
--Him? Just some third year. Severus something or other. Why? He do something?
--No, I'm not positive he can, yet.
Heat funnels into the large room through vents of which no one is sure of the location. Even with this added warmth the room retains a slight chill that all of its inhabitants have developed a tolerance to. Only one person is still up right now, and he is at a table scribbling with complete concentration into a heavy book, which although he is alone he nonetheless shields from view. He holds his body rigid, his arm the only part of him moving, filling page after page. It is obvious he is immersed in his work. It is not surprising he takes no notice when company arrives.
--Hello, Snape. Or would you rather me call you Severus?
The boy slams the book shut and turns around all at once. He is a deer in the headlights.
--Do you have a preference?
Severus' eyes widen to giant brown circles. He holds himself straight, quickly shaking his head side to side.
--Very well.
The two stare at each other. Severus cannot believe this seventh year is speaking to him. And Malfoy of all of them. Malfoy hadn't really associated with him much after the first week of Severus' first year. Severus knew about Malfoy, his purity, his wealth, his power. He hoped nothing bad was about to happen to him.
--Why are you talking to me?
The tall blond boy chuckles, but it is not quite friendly.
--I am just seeing how my fellow Slytherin is doing. Do you think we will win the Quidditch Cup this year?
Severus just stares at him, waiting for the first of many blows.
--Dumb question I know, who else would win it?
Another chuckle.
--So what is that book you have there?
Severus glances back, covering it with his hand.
--A diary? Lucius smirks.
--No!
Malfoy's eyebrows rise. He holds out his hand.
--Give it to me.
This is not good. Severus would rather be cursed then for anything to happen to his book. He has poured so much into it. He almost starts to object but the cold eyes on Malfoy's face scare him. He slowly picks up the book. Malfoy snatches it. Opens it.
--'The Half Blood Prince' eh? You half blood?
He nods violently.
--Good. Good. I always hate it when mudblood sewage oozes its way into this House. It happens more then you think. A few years ago a chaser on our quidditch team admitted to being the child of two lawyers. Two muggle lawyers. Needless to say he was soon replaced.
He lingers on Severus for a moment after he says this. Then he turns back to the book. Severus watches in agony as Lucius flips through the pages, unsure of what he will do. After what seems like half and hour Lucius shuts the book and hands it back. Severus wastes no time in taking it.
--Very impressive Snape. Very impressive indeed. And only a third year?
Another vigorous nod.
--I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of each other. Perhaps we could get together next weekend. At the Hogs Head. Two o'clock. Don't be a minute late. And don't forget your book. I would be very interested in seeing some demonstrations half-blood.
Then he turned and left. Severus sits in shock for a little over fifteen minuets.
