A/N: There will be no scenes of physical punishment in this fic from the time Severus is at Hogwarts and onwards, but it's canon that his father beat him in the past. With that in mind, this chapter will delve into that, although without any flashbacks to Severus being beaten. I wouldn't suggest skipping the entire chapter if this bothers you, because there's some serious character development present, but you might want to skim over parts, especially the beginning.

The following Friday evening, Severus emerged from one of the showers, a towel wrapped around the bottom half of his body, and his night shirt clutched in his right hand. Taking a deep breath, Severus turned sideways to get a better look at himself in the mirror.

Or, to be more precise, his backside.

Severus' father had subjected him to painful beatings since he'd been old enough to get in his way. Perhaps, around the age of four? Severus vaguely recalled that his mother had objected, at first, and faced his wrath in addition to him. Why, Severus had wondered on numerous occasions, hadn't his mum just taken out her wand and hexed him? Or, at the very least, defended herself and her son? He'd never found the courage to ask her, and he later supposed that she'd made some modified version of the Unbreakable Vow never to use magic against him.

Perhaps, Tobias Snape had seemed like a kinder person when they were courting. He must have been, or why would Eileen Prince have left her pure-blooded family for an abusive muggle like him? Sure, she hadn't exactly been attractive, but to witches and wizards who only wanted to marry their own kind, that was secondary to preserving the bloodline.

Severus would defend his mother, and himself, when he returned in the summer. He smiled a little at what sort of hexes he could use against the man who had sired him. His mother wouldn't approve, at first, but she'd be grateful when her husband finally left him alone.

With that in mind, Severus now examined his back. As far as he could remember, his father had belted him hard enough to release blood, and he'd been in agony for the remainder of the day. Or so it felt, to a small child. His mother, an expert in healing charms and potions, had been able to fix most of the damage. But still, there was scarring. Numerous small lines and circles filled most of Severus' back, a tribute to his father's anger at the world. Perhaps, a professional Healer could have removed the scarring, except that would likely cost money, and it would draw attention to their circumstances. So, Severus learned to accept these scars on his back, and was glad that they were not in a more visible area.

The latest beating had come the night before he would leave for school. By his own standards, it had not been particularly painful, and Severus hadn't bothered his mother. Not when there was still the lack of the packing to do, and she was worried enough for his sake.

Severus hadn't looked to see what the results of the final beating-and it would be the final beating-since he'd started school. Partly, he was afraid-mostly, he didn't want any of his roommates to come inside the bathroom and see his back. He was on decent enough terms with Sirius and James, but they were pure-bloods and Sirius might have been subjected to similar treatment by his family. His mother had sent another Howler, this time to Dumbledore, demanding that her son be moved to the Slytherin House. Such a move had not occurred. Remus would likely feel sorry for Severus, and he wanted his peer's friendship, not his pity. As for Peter? Well, to be honest, Severus often forgot the last boy was even there. He followed the rest of them wherever they went, yet he was fairly forgettable unless you were seeing him or talking to him.

With this in mind, Severus knew that the chances of someone rushing in were low. It was a Friday evening, and most of the Gryffindor House was gathered in the Common Room, or perhaps getting a few more hours in at the library before curfew. Perhaps, exploring the castle. Not taking a shower a few hours before bed.

Almost two weeks later, the area was still healing. He saw a mix of scabbing and dark purple bruising, but when Severus gently prodded at it, there was minimal pain. His mother would have still wanted to use a healing potion on it, and he would have allowed it without complaint, but he certainly wouldn't seek out aid for something so minor from the matron at Hogwarts.

Feeling relieved, he was about to don his night shirt when he heard the door swing open and the familiar voice of Sirius Black. Frozen, Sirius couldn't force his fingers to move, although the chances of preventing Sirius from seeing him would have been small.

The words of his not friend, but not truly enemy, echoed in the year.

"Hey, Severus, James is finally going to test out his Invisibility Cloak! We reckon the two of us can fit under it, and we're going to the kitchens for a snack. You want us to snag you anything?"

Severus should have answered, should have pulled the night shirt over his head. Had Sirius noticed his back-and he was standing at an angle that he might not have seen much-Severus could have accused him of being nearsighted.

Instead, his reaction time was too slow, and before he knew it, Sirius was at his side, his hand on his mouth, even though Severus knew he didn't smell.

"Merlin! Severus, what happened to you?"

Sirius was staring at him, and Severus still couldn't find the words, only the vague thought that if Sirius Black now wanted to rescind whatever friendship they had, go back to calling him "Snivellus" even, he'd have all the ammunition right here.

Severus forced himself to straighten, to pull his night shirt over his head before Sirius Black could spend even more time staring at him. He removed the towel and walked over to the towel rack, hanging it under his name.

"Severus?" Sirius repeated, still standing there, still staring at him. "What happened to your back?"

Severus turned to face Sirius. "Why?"

"Because no one should do that to another person, that's why!" Sirius shot back, crossing his arms. Then, realization seemed to hit. "It wasn't one of your parents, was it?"

"Yes. My father, who hates magic," Severus explained, stiffly.

He felt that he could speak, now, especially since his back and his scars weren't exposed. He occupied himself in straightening the front of his night shirt. Any excuse to look down, and not at Sirius Black.

"And he uses you to express his anger at it?" Sirius asked, his voice now soft.

Gentle, even.

Face flushed, Severus nodded. "He won't be able to, anymore. The night before I left was the last time. And if he tries to hurt my mum..."

He left the sentence unanswered, mostly because he still didn't want to give anyone (well, Lily and Remus might be exceptions) that information.

Sirius surprised Severus by putting a hand on his shoulder. No, he actually put it around his shoulder.

"Yeah. You'll hex the living daylights out of him," Sirius agreed, and while there was a darkness in his tone, Severus could tell it wasn't directed at him.

Severus forced out a laugh. "Can you tell I've played it all out in my head?"

Sirius gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "I reckon we all have. Who doesn't have an enemy that they wouldn't like to throw a good magical equivalent of a punch at? And, besides, after we've been here for a year, and will have learned some good ones. Anyway," he added, "Andy already promised to defend me if my parents tried to hurt me."

So that had been what the conversation between them had been about. Sirius certainly looked happier after speaking to his cousin, although no one had thought it prudent to ask about it.

"I already know some. Well, the incantations, anyway," Severus admitted. "Will be some time before I can make them work."

Sirius gave him a light punch. "Give him hell, all right?" At Severus' nod, he added, softly, "D'you know if he, er, does the same to your mum?"

"Probably, but I reckon I take the brunt of it." Severus shrugged, and Sirius' arm fell off his shoulder. He was a little disappointed, even though he didn't think he would be. "Mind you, things will change this summer."

Sirius stood in front of Severus, now, looking him in the eye. "Look, I know I already apologized for what I called you, and for being a prat on the train...but I really am sorry, all right?"

Severus nodded. "To be fair, Sirius, I wasn't exactly polite to you or James," he pointed out.

Even if they had been the ones to intrude on their conversation. But that was history, now.

"Well, no," Sirius allowed, with a grin. "But we probably shouldn't have gone off on you like that." At Severus' silence, minus a slight nod, he added, "I'm glad we're in the same house, you know? I reckon we could have been real enemies had you and Lily been sorted into Slytherin. Good thing, eh?"

"Well," Severus said, slowly, not sure he wanted to say this, but figuring that Sirius had already seen what his father had done to him, and that was a lot worse. "I actually asked the hat to put me in Gryffindor. After we left...Lily and I joined Remus' compartment after we left the one we shared with you, and he seemed decent enough. We were even calling each other by our first names before the end of the trip," Severus recalled. "When he and Lily ended up in Gryffindor, I figured I'd take my chances...even if you and James ended up being prats."

Sirius looked rather impressed. "All right, now I really am sorry for what I said before. That took nerve. More nerve than I had. I just wanted to go into the same house as James, and maybe there was a bit of sticking it to my family. You were going in thinking we were going to make your life miserable."

Severus looked down at the floor, briefly, before meeting Sirius' eyes. "I'd rather hoped that there would be others who weren't prats, and you might give me a second chance, once I was in your house."

Sirius, to Severus' surprise, reached out and hugged him. Severus took a moment to hug him back, but he did. His friend's arms felt strong around him, protective, even. Severus thought that if he sent Sirius an owl that summer to come over and help him hex his father, he'd show up in a heartbeat.

Severus let go first. They smiled at each other, a little awkwardly.

"I thought only girls did that," Sirius quipped, with a grin. "Ah, well. Can't take it back, I suppose."

Severus huffed a laugh. "It's rather better than punching each other."

Sirius, grinning, elbowed him, but it was a gentle. "Oh, Merlin, I forgot that James is waiting for me. So, er, do you want us to get you anything from the kitchens?"

Severus considered. He'd enjoyed the chocolate éclairs from the Feast, but hadn't seen any since. Anyway, he wondered how Sirius and James would manage this. How, exactly, were they planning to sneak into the kitchens?

"Oh, that's easy," Sirius answered, breezily, as they walked out of the bathroom and into the dormitory. "James' dad gave him all sorts of information about the passwords to the rooms we're not technically supposed to get into. As for getting the food, the kitchen is run by house elves-you know what those are?-and they just love visitors and handing out snacks to students. Ask them for anything, and they'll get it like that." He snapped his fingers. "So, chocolate eclairs for you?"

Severus nodded. "Say, er, is this going to be a one time trip or...?"

James answered for Sirius. "Dad wants me to be in possession of the cloak at all times, but we can take turns. Really, I reckon that three of us can fit under it, so is there anyone else who wants to go?"

"Severus does," Sirius answered, with a brief glance towards him.

Remus looked relieved, as did Peter.

"All right, so long as you don't get us caught and expelled," Severus agreed, raising an eyebrow. "How does this cloak work, anyway?"

James grinned. "Well, you become totally invisible, but you still make sounds, so we have to go quietly..."

"And with three sets of feet, that will be ten times more difficult than getting the food," Sirius observed, grinning.

James tousled his near perfect hair. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Come on, then! To the kitchens!"

The next morning, Severus found a note on his bed. Specifically, on the top of his head.

Severus,

I wasn't sure if I should ask, but do you want me to say anything to the others about the-you know? So that you don't have to?

Last night was fun, eh?

Sirius

Severus read the note a few times, trying to decide whether to reply, or what he wanted to say. Really, he'd hoped to be able to go as long as possible without his roommates knowing his father had used him as a punching bag, but based on the fact that he hadn't made it a full two weeks before Sirius had found out, this was unlikely.

If it weren't for the last line, Severus might have been annoyed. Who was Sirius, to think he had the authority to tell the group? But no, he was just another kid, and wanted to do the right thing.

As luck would have it, Sirius was up before the others. Severus trailed him to the bathroom.

Sirius grinned at him. "Early riser this morning, too, eh?"

"Think I woke up to your note," Severus remarked, with what he hoped was a sardonic smile.

Sirius looked a tad embarrassed. "Oh, right. That."

"Listen, you and James are a lot better friends than he and I." Granted, James had included him last night, and hadn't insulted him or anything. He also hadn't excluded him. All the same, it was obvious that he and Sirius were practically brothers. Did being pure-blood do that? "You can tell him, and Peter, I suppose. But I'd rather be the one to tell Remus."

"I sort of thought that would be the case," Sirius answered, with a nod. "But I wanted to check with you."

"I appreciate it," Severus said, and he meant it.

Sirius put a hand on his shoulder. "Look, er, my parents have used that kind of stuff on me. Of the magical sort. Like stinging hexes and the like. But nothing that stayed on me for more than a day."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to retaliate when you return home?"

Sirius shook his head. "Better to stay out of their way. Especially my mum's. Mind you, her bark is worse than her bite, but I'm a blood traitor now, so I really better stay out of her sight."

It sounded like it, based on the two Howlers. Severus felt a momentary spark of gratitude that, as much as his father hated magic, he had to resort to his fists. A few good hexes, and he might back off entirely.

"James says I can probably spend a few weeks at his house," Sirius continued. "I reckon I'll spend Christmas and Easter here."

"I was planning to do that. Mum says that Christmas is really enjoyable, and the Easter holidays are just filled with homework, so there's no sense in returning home," Severus offered. "But you don't need to decide until December."

They returned to their dormitory, where the curtains on the beds were still drawn.

"Want to grab an early breakfast? Those lazies will be sleeping for another couple of hours, I expect," Sirius offered.

Severus nodded, warmth filling him. "Sure."

Author's note:

I realized in the last chapter that I didn't clarify what Andromeda wanted to talk to Sirius about. Hope this chapter clears it up. As it's Severus' point of view, and his friendship with the others is rather new, he's not going to out and ask Sirius-who might have told James privately. But basically, Andromeda gave him moral support after his mother's FIFTEEN MINUTE LONG Howler. Because she is his favorite cousin.

Checking online, the time she was born ranges by a few years, so I put her as a sixth year. I realize that this means Bellatrix would have graduated from Hogwarts by then...oh well. I guess this will be her seventh year. JKR has said that she's not good with math, which means that fans can fudge the numbers a bit. Side note: I'm doing the same, at least in this fic, with full moon dates. As long as Remus is gone once a month and roughly a month apart, I'm not going to bother about whether it was a full moon.

Up next: Remus' needing to leave for a few days causes Severus to wonder if his friendship with James and Sirius is entirely sincere on their end.