Chapter Seven
The screams of the Gryffindors roared as James Potter snatched the snitch. The stadium began to shake violently with excitement. Severus cursed as the Slytherins booed and hissed.
"And the game is over! 290 to 110: Gryffindor wins!" Lysander yelled. Severus could see Lily jumping up and down. Her hair sparkled gold.
"Stinking Gryffindors!" Avery growled with a venomous glare.
"Mudblood lovers," Bellatrix Black hissed. Rodolphus cursed and spat. No one could hear them, though. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had joined in on the cries of jubilation against the loss of Slytherin. Severus slipped away silently to meet Lily.
"Severus, wait up," Regulus came rushing up to him. Striding along side him now he said, "Sirius isn't going to shut up about this!"
Severus thought of the red leather bound book on Animagi that lay under his bed. He had checked it out of the library and was studying it hard. He had a theory about those four Gryffindor boys, which might just be a little insane. "How good is your bother at transfiguration?"
Regulus gave Severus a strange look, but said, "He is rather good at it; both he and Potter. I caught them turning that nasty Pettigrew boy into a rat this summer."
"Really," Severus felt eager, but did not show it. "That is impressive for sixth years."
"Yes, I guess, but their just stupid prats," Regulus said dismissively. "They will never survive what is to come. They love mudbloods to much." Severus felt a twinge of guilt at this statement.
"The Dark Lord is the greatest answer to ever happen to those who cherish the pure of blood," Regulus smiled proudly. "He will honor the Pureblood lines and give power to those who help him."
"Yes," Severus said. He knew all the beliefs of the Dark Lord. The prospect of power was luring to Severus. He yearned to posses control and inflect pain on others so they in turn would know what he had suffered through. Revenge was a constant idea that lingered in Severus' mind.
"It won't be much longer, I predict," Regulus said, a malicious glint in his eyes.
"Until what?"
"Until he strikes," Regulus lowered his voice. "Bigger than just a disappearance here and there, or a few deaths of mudbloods."
"What is he planning," Severus asked.
"I don't entirely know," Regulus shrugged, unworried. "I am joining, you know."
"So I have heard," Severus said coolly.
"And what about you?"
"I think I could be a great asset to a cause such as this," Severus slowly worded his thoughts aloud.
"You won't regret your choice," He said, patting Severus on the back.
"Goodnight, Lily," Severus kissed her on the forehead tenderly.
"Sleep tight, Severus," Lily reached up and kissed his lips softly.
He smiled as he walked away. He had no intention in going to bed. Instead he was going to find that black dog. The air outside was chilly, especially as he drew nearer to the Forbidden forest with its tall ominous trees. There was not much sound other than Severus own foot steps and the occasionally hoot of a far off owl.
He clutched his wand, ready to strike. Bravely, he took a step into the forest. It was dark and colder. A thin mist clung to the air. The soil was littered with leaves that crunched under Severus' large scuff marked shoes. Venturing further into the forest, the noises of the nocturnal became more apparent. It was enough to send chills down anyone spines, but Severus, hit with an spark of unknown bravery, trudged onward.
Suddenly the bushes to his left began to tremble and he stepped back. So far he had not used his wand for light, for fear it would attract what lurked in the forest. He lit his wand and peered at the bush. It trembled again and than a tall boy emerged from the shadows.
"Well look who I have here," A deep voice growled. "You shouldn't have come into the forest, Snape."
"Who are you?" Severus felt scared. The light of his wand was dim. Without warning, he was thrust against the trunk of an old tree. His head collided violently with bark. Severus wand fell to the ground. The tip of another wand was placed roughly to his throat.
"Stay away from Lily Evans," The voice said clearly, but dangerously. It was to dark to see the face of the speaker. There was no moon tonight and even if there was the canopy of dying leaves would have hidden it from view.
"And what if I don't?" Severus snarled back. A fist collided hard with his side. He yelped and tried to crumple from the pain, but the captor held him in place.
"There is no 'what if', Snape," The cruel voice was calm and confident. The figure's fist, for the second time that night, collided into Severus. He could feel warm blood trickling from his overlarge nose. This time the captor let him collapse to the ground in a heap.
"Let that be a warning to you." The figure strode off into the misty darkness. Severus lay there, clutching his side, for several minutes.
"Lumos," He whispered, concentrating hard. His wand lit up faintly near his feet. Severus snatched it and carefully got to his feet. He brighten the light, not caring if he attracted anything. Every few seconds he wiped the trickling blood away from his face. Anger boiled inside of him. He would not surrender and give up the only thing he had ever wanted, Lily Evans. Several minutes pasted by and Severus began to get the feeling that he was going in circles.
"Why do all trees have to look the same," He cursed aloud.
"Who's there?" A loud, gruff voice called out near to him. Severus paused and stood quietly. The light of a lantern came into view, casting shadows over the gigantic form of the Gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid.
"What're yer doin' out here, boy?" Hagrid gave Severus a funny look as he lifted the lantern higher he noticed the blood as gasped. "Wha happened to yer?"
"Nothing," Severus said coldly.
"Well, fine if that's how yer want to be," Hagrid scowled. "But yer better follow me back, you 'ear?"
Severus slowly trudged a few steps behind Hagrid until they reached the edge of the forest. Hagrid's hut stood tall and smoke billowed out of the chimney. Severus was about to walk away when Hagrid grabbed his shoulder with his large, heavy hand.
"Now, I won't tell Dumbledore about this, if yer promise to not go back into tha forest. It's very dangerous," Hagrid said sternly.
"I promise," Severus said.
"Good, now you best clean yerself up and go to bed," Hagrid let go of Severus shoulder and nudged him towards the castle. Severus could feel Hagrids beetle black eyes watching him cross the grassy grounds.
A/N: Another short one, but I feel it went well. Please review.
Jumana: Yes, I too dislike how James' treats Severus. It was really uncalled for.
Kitty-hiime: Yes, I know it isn't exactly like the book, but I do have a plan for it. :)
Music: Thank you! I have posted more.
