Author's Note:

Here is the, surprisingly anticipated second chapter. I hope you all enjoy.

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Severus,

After much consideration, the Dark Lord has agreed to your request to meet with him in the weeks before your induction. It is due to the great promise he sees in you that he has given you this chance.

It would do you well to continue to prove your worth to him in these initial stages. This meeting is a honor that only three inductees will be a part of. It will be your only chance to make a strong first impression. This is something the Dark Lord takes very seriously.

In Regards,

Lucius Malfoy

P.S Do tell when your next Hogsmeade trip is. I must get out of the manor, Narcissa has been particularly vexed with me lately. She has taken to redecorating the rooms of the manor. You may find yours very different this summer.

Severus blanched for a moment before he folded the letter, placing it back on to his nightstand with a small smile. He had his suspicions that Narcissa was pregnant. Lucius had been complaining of her mood swings and sudden particular taste in food for three letters now. He would keep his suspicions to himself though. Lucius was the one who had chosen to get married immediately out of Hogwarts. And he was now allowing her to rework Severus' room. That room had not been touched since Severus had begun spending his summer's in the manor his third year.

He pulled a stack of parchment from his trunk and made quick work of writing out the date of the next Hogsmeade trip in two weeks. Knowing that dinner would not be starting for another hour, he placed his return letter in his pocket and picked up the book he had been reading on famous potions master for the past few days.

It would be an excellent time to return the book to the library on the way to the owlery. It was a Sunday evening. Meaning a majority of the students were out on the grounds, leaving the library empty or so he hoped. He hated when groups of loud students would interrupt his quiet time did not seem to understand the library was a place of knowledge not tomfoolery.

As he headed down the stairs to the common room from the Seventh year boy dormitories he came across a rather disgusting sight. The younger Black, Regulus, had Winona up against the wall, at the staircase between the seventh and sixth year floors. Severus sneered at the sight. He was always caught between envying his aristocratic pureblood housemates and being grateful he wasn't one of them. Both Black and Winona were betrothed. Yet here they were nearly shagging each other in public.

"It would do you good to be more discreet Winona, unless you would want your dear fiance to find out about your discretions," Severus drawled, heading the rest of the way down.

"Oh just mind your own business! You arse!" Winona called after him. He chose to ignore how unladylike her curse was for a pureblood woman.

"I must warn you that Winona and Regulus are once again up to their antics on the stairs," he mumbled to his fellow seventh year, Anthony Zabini, once he stepped into the Common Room.

"Someone needs to tell the little wanker to get a broom closet like everyone else," Zabini muttered, not looking up from the latest letter from his italian girlfriend Severus suspected.

Zabini had spent their entire first week back from Winter Break raving about the beauty he had somehow charmed into dating him. If it hadn't been for the heavily scented and curly scripted letters Zabini got weekly, Severus would have been inclined not to believe him.

Severus found himself rereading Lucius' letter as he walked. The words filling him with pride and excitement. He was to meet the rumored most powerful wizard in Britain, other than the old kook, Dumbledore. This would rile the other inductees in his house up once they heard. They would be shown what promise he held in comparison to them. That despite how much they looked down at him, he was being proven to be better than them.

His life would soon be changing.

Seeing a group of Hufflepuff's rush by him in the direction of the courtyard, Severus put the letter away.

Tension had been high in the castle for a while since the disappearance of Rachel Abott. Any sign of his plans to join the supposed "bad" side, would have him be sent straight to Dumbledore. He doubted he would be given the same let off that Black and Potter were constantly given.

His thoughts were still darkened by the idea of being sent to Dumbledore when he entered the library. As he had hoped, it was empty from his view. The tables were clear of any gossiping groups of students, and the shelves were open for idle browsing if he wanted.

Madame Pince was ecstatic at the return of one of her precious books though she muttered at him with distaste over the fact her had the gall to check it out. Only 73 more days he reminded himself. Then he wouldn't have to deal with the childish librarian.

"Ow!"

Severus ignored the loud shush that Madame Pince spat, walking towards where the sound had come from. He stopped on one side of the Magical Creatures shelf, seeing through the empty spaces a wild mass of chestnut curls near the floor. It was Hermione Granger.

He had no classes with Ravenclaws on Fridays, so he had only seen the new girl at meal times briefly since her arrival Thursday evening. He had of course heard the whispered gossip about her from her peers. Looking more closely he saw a light haired boy bend down beside her.

"I am sorry! I didn't expect anyone else when I turned the corner," the quiet voice of Remus Lupin echoed in the silent library.

Instinctively he moved further from the shelf. Memories of his night near the Whomping Willow were brought fresh to his mind. He had avoided Remus Lupin at all times during school hours since then. The thought of his near death experience every time he saw him sparked the remnants of fear and anger in him that he had never managed to rid himself of. No matter what Dumbledore had told him, he knew the truth, Lupin could and be and was a danger.

How stupid was the new girl to get herself acquainted with the most dangerous animal in Hogwarts in her first week at the school.

The thought stopped him from returning to the front desk and taking his leave to the owlery. What would happen if this ignorant girl got herself caught up in what he had? Would she end up as lucky as he had with only a few scratches and the threat of expulsion over her head if she ever spoke about the incident or would she end up dead? Or worse, would Lupin turn her?

He brushed his fingers against the line of books on the shelves. The two teenagers continued to speak, the corner of Remus Lupin's mouth turning up. The movement reminded Severus of a fang filled snarl that appeared in his nightmares along with a pair of amber eyes locked on him. He shivered. Severus shook his head. The girl was no charge of his nor was she a member of his house. He could only assume she could handle herself.

Besides, he thought, there was no assurance she would even heed his warning if he were to give one. Potter, Black, Lupin, and even the cowardly Pettigrew held the school in their hands. There would be no reason for Granger to listen to him. His peers opinion of him was always obvious. Why listen to Snivellus when you can be a part of golden Potter's group?

"Where from America are you from?" He heard Lupin ask, as he walked back towards the front desk.

"Oh! I'm from the South," Granger answered.

He raised his eyebrows at the vague answer. How peculiar indeed the Granger girl was. Seeing the Madame Pince had finished checking his book back in, Severus left the library. The sound of Lupin and Granger echoing behind him.

His walk to the owlery was less eventful. The younger students avoided him like the plague, rushing to the opposite side of the stone hall when they saw him coming. The older students would merely call out his unappreciated nickname before going about their business. It was no different than any other day at blasted Hogwarts. This had become his routine, his normal.

Hogwarts was not the home away from home he had been promised as an incoming student. Lily hated him, her constant disdain for him obvious whenever they shared classes. She avoided his every look with a turned head and would rush out of the room before he could ever speak to her.

With her was went the last pretense of happiness. His classmates had never liked him or even understood him, not that he wanted to be understood by the most unambitious lot of wizards and witches he had ever seen. They saw nothing grander then what they currently had. He saw nothing but the grandest of potentials ahead of him. The letter in his hand proved that he embodied the ambitious and cunning values of his house.

The memory of his letter, brought him a smirk. Potter and those like him may have had the glory now, but it was Severus himself who would come out on top when the war was over. He would stand on the winning side, with the approval of Voldemort himself. Power and money would be showered upon him. Wizards all over London and maybe even the world would know his name and his skills. Maybe then Lily would be able to look him in the eye.

"Why look James, if it isn't our favorite Snivellus," the arrogant tone caught the attention of Severus.

Looking to the side, he saw Potter, Black, and Pettigrew leaning against the walls of the corridor. Potter and Black shared playful nudges while Pettigrew only snickered.

Pathetic, Severus thought. Pettigrew didn't have a brain cell to himself, only following in the lead of his Gryffindor friends. He and Severus may have shared the same unattractive appearance and lack of connections, but while Severus used his talents in potions and charms to foster connections, Pettigrew was happy to accept whatever mediocre scraps that Potter and Black bestowed on him.

"Black, I must have known you were around. I could have sworn I smelt wet dog," Severus emphasized the last two words, drawing the syllables out.

His drawl was one that had been perfected over the years. It was an easy defense against the boisterous loud talking voices of those that bullied him the most often. He didn't need to yell or hurry through his words. He could deliver well enough blows at his own pace.

With his insult handing in the air, he tried to leave then, to not get caught up in another scuffle that would only end in him facing detention. As fun as it was to rile up the angry temperament of the former Black heir, it rarely left the scoundrel punished. Severus usually carried the worst of the blame. If he left now, he could relish in his snarky comment and avoid any punishment.

Of course, they wouldn't let him.

He had started walking away again, to head towards the owlery like he had originally planned. If he could turn the corner at the end of the corridor then it would be over and the day could continue on as usual.

"Brave today, Snivellus? Did Lucius finally return your love letters. You must be so lonely, now that you can't have your nose stuck up his arse," Potter called after him.

Severus froze. In his imagination Potter's words flew around him like birds, swooping in to peck him with something that felt like too close to the truth. Hogwarts had become even more lonely since Lucius had finished his schooling and gone on to begin his adult life with a wife and possible child on the way. The fact that he was going to return one of Lucius' letters did not help him.

He turned around, the laughs of other students in the hall meeting his ears. The rest of the student population had no doubt thought the same thoughts about him, had made the same harsh comments in private to giggle about in their dormitories.

But they were all wrong. He was not Lucius' lapdog.

"How very clever of you Potter, using your personal experience. Tell me, does it hurt having Pettigrew so far up yours that he can't even speak without your permission?" His articulation was severe, drawing out each syllable. He wanted every word to pierce Potter's nobility and Pettigrew's little self confidence as their words had done to him so often over their years at school.

With those words the chaos began.

It didn't matter how prepared he was, the two spells sent his way would have hit him anyway. They were already throwing them out before Severus had fully finished speaking. The snarling imbeciles that sent them his way threw all their intent into them. He felt the small jolt of the magic hitting him and almost smirked. His words had obviously hit close to home.

The stinging hex did little, he was far too used to them by now. At least once a week now he would feel the small pinch of pain, as he walked to and from his classes. The rate that he got hit with them and lowered over the years, most of the assailants growing bored at his lack of reaction.

The slicing one however did a number on him. The cut tore through his shirt and the skin of his right shoulder. He would have winced if he hadn't been so caught up in the fight.

He wasted no time sending a Toe Biter jinx back at Black, waving a weak protego to stop the dancing feet spell Pettigrew had attempted to send his way. It was a pathetic attempt at a jinx. Pettigrew hadn't learned to harness the resentment he no doubt felt yet.

"Watch your mouth, Snivellus. That's our friend you're talking about," Potter spat at him.

"Friend? And here I thought he was just a pet rat," Severus sneered in return.

"What is this nonsense? Fighting in the corridors!" the stern voice of McGonagall echoed through the corridor.

Severus lowered his wand, as the tall woman hurried her way over the small crowd of student's watching to stand between him and the group of Gryffindors.

"Whatever were you four thinking? Surely you have better things to be doing with your time," her cutting glare left Severus lowering his head. He didn't want to meet her gaze.

McGonagall, unlike their infamous headmaster, was usually fair with him. While she no doubt held favoritism for those in her house, she never fully looked the other way at the faults of even her most popular students. She even awarded Severus the amount of points he had actually deserved during classes. One of the few things that could make him squirm was the look of disappointment in her eyes when she caught him once again fighting with Potter and his merry band of fools.

"He started it Professor, he said-" Potter began. Severus felt some consolation when McGonagall held up her hand to stop him from continuing. Her harsh look swerved away from him and to the Golden Boy of Gryffindor himself.

"But since you seem not to, detention tomorrow evening. Report to my office immediately after dinner," she continued her early scolding, giving pointed looks to each of them.

Pettigrew opened his mouth to protest, but McGonagall merely turned to leave. Severus watched the billowing of her robes with some respect. Had it been Dumbledore that had come across their small fight, Potter would have managed to talk his way out of the detention. He could only hope that one day when Dumbledore finally croaked that it would be McGonagall that took up the position of Headmistress. As much as he hated his classmates, he hoped that the future children that attended Hogwarts would find a much more fair leader than the one they all currently bowed down before.

Taking advantage of McGonagall's presence in the corridor still, he started his trek to the owlery again. He did not need to be caught up in another scuffle. One where his punishment wouldn't be as fair. It was best to leave now before Potter and Black tried to get their revenge for the detention they had just been served.

For the second time his attempt to leave was foiled.

"Mister Snape, I advise you have Pomfrey check that cut on your shoulder. It would be best if it was healed professionally," McGonagall turned back to tell him.

Severus looked at his shoulder barely remembering the gash. The edges of the torn shirt were stained red, but he didn't see too much damage done. He could very well heal the wound himself, but seeing that McGonagall hadn't moved from her spot at the end of the corridor, he ended up ending in the direction of the infirmary as well.

His quick steps gave him little time to pay much attention to the newest additions to the corridor, Lupin and Granger. Lupin winced as he walked by. Severus noticed that Granger had her eyes wide and her hand over her mouth. The pity in her eyes was enough to send his blood boiling.

Severus sent his harshest glare her way, the glare that usually sent his housemates rushing to their respective dorms. Granger didn't cower at his glare. The smallest of smiles tugged at the corner of her lips instead.

It was as if she was amused by him. Severus turned away from her, holding his shoulder. She only gets more and more strange, he thought.

Author's Note:

Heavily Edited and Republished: August 13, 2019

So let me just start with saying that the way that cannon and fandom handle the situation with Snape and Lupin can be frustrating at time. While Remus Lupin is not to blame for what happened, how can we expect Snape to be mentally and emotionally sound around someone that he was nearly turned or killed by? I think there would definitely be psychological issues that would linger from him.

I also think that there is a rose-tinted glass effect to the Marauders and it's hard to find the balance between seeing their flaws fully and not being too harsh on them. I hope I'm finding the balance in this chapter.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this chapter. Do you all enjoy reading from Snape's POV? How do you feel about the characterization?

Who is your favorite Marauder era character?

A little fun fact about me is that mine is…...Remus Lupin. I hope to hear yours!