It was a day after when another delivery made to his house. The packet consisted of various potions along with a note saying 'Sorry for the inconvenience at the party, hope you would accept my apology.'

Of course, they were from Rosier.

Severus sighed, pressing his temple where vein throbbed. He, too, concurred James Potter's words.

That sentence is something he'd never thought he would utter in his life but it was true.

Rosier never did anything to help him before, so why now?

There might be some hidden motives Severus couldn't see through. There might be something he hadn't notice but the other Slytherin have percieved as a leverage to use. But that doesn't make any sense. Severus knew himself quite well. There was nothing, especially now that he quit making himself valuable to prove that he's worthier than Potter to Lily.

All he has was his ability to make a decent potion in class, which might serve as a way of making a living in the future.

Was that it?

His ability to make potions?

Is that what drew Rosier closer?

The confused boy surveyed the gifts, trying to make out a message hidden in them. After a while, he had to admit there was nothing he could deduce.


Potter was feeling shitty. He never feels shitty, except when something really, really bad happened. The last time he was this shitty, he snuck a few items from his father's safe in which loads of confisticated magical items were laid. They were honestly the worst things mankind ever invented, not entertainment-wise, he admits, but safety-wise. The Marauders could've burned down the entire vilage with them.

So why was he feeling worst?

It has something to do with memories of a party held in few weeks ago. It was a gathering among old and historical magical families, also known as pure-royal pains, where he encountered an unlikely person to meet there.

Severus Snape.

What was it with the boy and him? They always end up crossing each other's path, albeit unintentionally. Well, scratch that. More often than not, the intentional part was there when they encounter. …. in school, that is. Obviously. Because why would he stalk that scrawny, dirty-haired Snvielly to a bloody party?

They chase each other because they want to get back at each other and nothing more.

But that had changed as well, when the thing happened and he learned his lesson. All of them, even Sirius, sort of felt impressed and, and, …. thankful when the Slytherin never spoke of the incident to anyone. Of course, the unknown reason behind the silence was unnerving at first. Though, they have came to conclusion that Severus Snape won't spill the beans to expose their secret.

That was the reason why he wanted to talk to Snape. To express his bewilderment as well as gratitude. Also to make sure Snape won't speak about the matter in the future.

The dicovery he uncovered was excruciatingly shocking.

All the purple and red marks adorning the pale flesh were terrifying. The skinny arms which one hand could envelop very easily were no improvement in the situation either. The boy was wrecked. Damaged. Hurt beyond he could imagine. James was a Chaser, he knew what physical blows could do, how much pain they could cause. And he knew, for sure, that those marks were made by blows, multiple blows.

Someone was beating him up, in muggle method, not in wizard duel.

The image of black and blues haunted him.

And perhaps not so surprising, it made him want to help the poor boy.

Working on an impulse, Potter stood up and went his way to get to the Snape's.


He got the address from his father, a load of ass kissing involved in the process. When he got there, Potter was rather stunned by the eerie look of it. All worn down and shabby, the house looked as if it might fallen apart at any moment.

James walked up near it, attempting to go and knock the door, notifying the Snape family his arrival. He was going to say he was his friend, but than again, sudden fear arised. What if Snape's parents wouldn't want him in their place for bullying his son? Well, not bullying, per se… because it was mutual aggression, he could swear. But no, somehow he doubted Severus Snape told his parents about the entirety of their relation.

And what happens when no one was there? Or better yet, what if Snape's not there?

Why had he came here anyway?

Just as when the impulse deflated as well as his resolution to help the boy, a sharp noise came from the house.


This year was starting to get worse and worse by every minute. Not only did Severus experience near death by werewolf, but his father's behaviour was getting extreme. The beating continued, incessantly, his mother's sanity was at stake. Severus lost count of how many times he witness his father hurting his mother, and his mother sinking into a lower state of mind. He feared for her and for himself. He feared that his father would finally cross the line one day and his dysfunctional bond between family shattered.

And as if people were right when they say be careful what you think.

The worst fear manifested in the form of accident. Drunk accident.

Tobias was wrecked and he was even more vicious than ever.

Time after time when Tobias learned about magic, he was amazed by the fact that a witch couldn't better her life through magic. It was strange, because every fucking fairytale instructed that a witch could produce mountains of golds and treasures with a flick of her wand.

His wife had a wand. She showed it to him. But she refused to make golds for the family.

That wretched bitch would rather have her husband die out of starvation than use a very simple trick of her wand and make everything better.

It amazed how witches could be a selfish, psychotic and cold bitches.

Bitches need to be punished, need to be instructed who is the master and who is the inferior.

And so the blow after blows, he heat his wife with his fists, palms, his belts and crow bar. Everything and anything he could hold his hand on, spewing out his anger and frustration. Every dirty emotion rotting inside, every ounce of darkness fostered in his mind was poured out.

Nothing could stop him, nothing ever should.

Tobias was blind and deaf and dumb. Every sound came out of his mouth was hoarse bellowing and no sound penetrated his anger-filled brain.

When he finally could see pass the fog of rage, all he could see was red.

His hands were covered in red, the floors and the furniture were also red and… Oh god, is that his wife? The pulp of flesh, convulsing futily, vein-bursted eyes void of life. Some horrible sound caught his attention, keening noise with a shaky tone.

It was coming from him, Tobias realised.

He backed off, staggering.

And the pair of black orbs took a proper look at the body below. It wasn't just his wife, there was his son on top of her.

His son…! Lying half dead.

And that was when the offender heard the hard knock on the door, which blew off the shabby door.

"What…!"

"Snape!"

A tall young man burst into the living room, pointing a stick at him. Tobias could see the horror and worry plastered on the young man's face. A hand reached out to check on his son, hazel eyes scanning for signs of life. When the boy was sure Severus didn't die, he shot up those glaring hazels at the culprit of the mess.

"Wh-who are you?" Tobias stuttered.

A frown crumpled the handsome face, "What the fuck are you doing?! You could've killed him!"

An anger bubbled up again at the accusation, riling him up. "I asked who you are little rat, barging in my house, yelling at me!"

"I'm his friend," the boy spat, "you nearly killed him and that's all you have to say? That's honestly- Oh never mind, get out of the way!"

The bespectacled boy put his arms under his son's body and lifted it. Holding the unconscious boy close, he rose and started to walk pass the wild man and out of the door. Tobias could do nothing but gawking. His lips quivered, eyes stung with tears. He cannot believe what just happened. The shock paralysed him. Only the sound of some sparks crackling in the air woke him from it to stare down at his immobilized wife.

There was no sound of breathing, no sign of moving, just… nothing.

She was dead.

The murderer collapsed to his knees.

Soon later, his bloodied living room was swarming with people with funny clothes and wooden sticks.


Severus woke up in a room where he did not recognize. It was dark outside the framed windows. Inside the spacious room, there was expensive furniture decorating. He have been in other Slytherin's room before; rich Slytherins. But he couldn't recognize any of it. Nor does he remember ever entering this room. All that he can recall was… his father hurting mother, him trying to get between them, harsh blows on his face, his body…. And…

Where is this place?

Just when he was about to panic, a familiar figure entered.

"Potter?" Severus whispered in disbelief.

James Potter acknowledged him with a rueful smile.

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Why are you here?" He eyed the taller boy suspiciously.

Sheepishly, the boy sat besides the bed, "uh, you are at my house, Godric's Hollows. They didn't know where to take you, so my dad invited you in."

"They?" Severus questioned.

Potter nodded, "the aurors."

"The aurors?" Severus now felt like a retard for repeating the Gryffindor's words like a parrot. But he cannot help himself with the overwhelming knowledge beyond his capability to understand. Why was there aurors involved in this conversation? Why his father would decide to invite him in? And why in the Merlin's name would he require to find a place for Severus when he had a perfectly sound place of his own…

Wait.

"What happened to my parents?"

"... your father's in custody, waiting for a trial. In a muggle's facility. And your mother… well, she is…" The bespectacled boy trailed off, his face filled with sadness and worries.

The image of beating crossed Severus mind again. It was bad. Really bad. Tobias was worse than usual, and his mother was too fragile.

A fat tear rolled down on his cheek. James Potter squirmed in uneasiness. "Hey- I-uh, I'm really,"

"She's dead?" It came out more of a statement than a question.

James could do nothing but nod, confirming it.

"Um, I-" He tried to say something but nothing came up in his mind. What could one say to a former, wait, no, it might be current- archenemy who just lost his family?

He shut himself up and waited, pondering whether to leave the guy alone or not.

It wasn't really that long when the silently crying boy opened his mouth.

"How did I come by here?" he asked.

And here it goes, James muttered to himself.

"I was on my way to your place when that happened."

"Why?"

"I- um, I just wanted to tell you something and… just happened to be there when it was all over. I called the aurors as soon as I realised what happened." He explained.

"Tell me what?" Severus interjected.

Potter clamped his mouth. He didn't want to talk about it, not when this boy was this distressed with all the…

"Tell me about what?" He prompted.

The Gryffindor boy swallowed thickly.

"About the incident with Moo-, I mean, Remus, and how I feel about you not telling it to the headmaster." He added, "I just wanted to say thank you for not telling anybody."

Severus scoffed.

He felt like laughing out loud at that.

Thank him? Seriously?

He didn't do it for the wretched monster, he certainly didn't do it for James fucking Potter either. He only kept his silence because he saw no need to. Not anymore.

But what does that matter anyway? His life has just shattered once more. The small fragment of whatever peace or normality in his life broke completely. He now has nothing. Nothing at all. And his ambition to get James Potter expelled is so insignificant in comparison. What does it do to make things better for him, anyway? What sort of pleasure he would get in throwing the golden boy out of the school? He'll still be rich and he will still be able to get whatever he wants. Nothing will dampen the boy's fortune.

All the while his own life will shatter on its own just fine without anyone's help.

"Hey, hey, Snape, you alright?" Potter shook his shoulders, worries etched on that perfect face.

Severus wanted nothing more than to strike it.

"Get out," he spat.

Looking dejected as well as angry, Potter stood up without a word and got out.

Severus curled up in the bed and wept silently for the losses torturing him.


A/N

Hey I'm back

Sorry for making Severus to suffer but I had to make him stay with James.