Disclaimer: This is all Rowlings'. Wilkes is hers too, though I thought
Will would be an appropriate first name.
Thank you for you kind reviews.
CRUMBLING MYTHS
Will Wilkes
He WAS behind his classmates in school subjects. Two and a half months of skipping school had taken its toll.
Of course, he wouldn't be in trouble at potions, at all. DADA was also his favourite subject. It wouldn't be hard to balance the score. The other subjects could turn problematic though. He'd have to make of the library some sort of permanent residence.
It used to be easier, studying. Laying between stacks of books used to bring him peace. Now he was desperately trying to stack information in one evening that should have been learned in two months. He was condemn to fail from start and knew it.
Worse was to think every five minutes he wanted to be out there. Not in the courtyard or near the lake but near the muggles he had left behind.
That was one more reason to put his face on the books. He had to leave the past in the past.
Muggles. He was a wizard from a pure blooded family. This should had never happened. He should study and forget. THIS was his life, had always been and always should be.
Thankfully his return to school had not caused much of a stir. He was not popular. He was a library rat. What did Hogwarts care about his whereabouts? Either than his room mates; Evan Rosier, Louis Lestrange and Andrew Avery, no one had asked where had he been in the last few months. The others in his year were also not fortunate to receive an answer. Severus had risen mute in the morning to eat his breakfast and kept quiet since then.
What would he tell them anyway? There was not one Slytherin that would be understanding about his recent actions. He'd be bullied about mingling with muggles to the rest of his life. Hell, he wouldn't have much of a life if they so much as suspected he'd been stealing all over London with a group of muggle children. A group he had named 'Marauders' at that.
That memory was enough to completely shatter his concentration. Groaning he lowered his forehead to the table.
"What's the matter?"
Severus raised his head unnaturally quickly. "What?" Who had talked? One of the ghosts? Then he located the other boy. A Slytherin he didn't know and by his looks a freshman.
"What do you want?" He put on a cold voice, narrowing his eyes and pulling out his intimidation skills.
It worked. The boy put his face on his book and stopped moving. He didn't even seem to be breathing.
It served Severus just fine but as soon as he returned to his reading the boy spoke again;
"My name is William Wilkes. Who are you?"
The nerve.
"What do you care?" Severus snarled.
"I don't."
"Shut up then. I'm studying."
"Sure."
Okay. Studying now. History of magic would be left for the night. He'd request the book to study in bed. Herbology now. Probably there was going to be nothing new. Herbs were a constant component in potions. Potions were part of him. There should be no problem. All he had to do was check on what the others were studying now.
"Is just, I have never seen you before." Said William Wilkes, some fifteen minutes later as if he had never interrupted the conversation.
"I wish you never did." Muttered Severus under his breath.
"You see. I'm not very talkative."
"Really?"
".But I'm very observant. I know all students in Hogwarts."
"Really?" This time Severus was slightly more interested.
".And most teachers. I hear all the gossip about everybody and I never heard about you."
"Really?" He asked louder. "Nothing at all?" He had to lower his voice as madam Pince, the librarian gave him 'The look'.
This was so unfair! He was not in any popularity contest, of course. But not a word? Nobody in the whole school had noticed his absence? No one cared at all?
".Before today." The boy finished.
"So. Today you heard about me? What did you hear?" This might not be good. Severus had mixed feelings about this whole situation. What had people talked about him? Did they know anything about his wanderings in London? Did they condemn him? Did they care that he was back? Was that possible? Was it better that someone had talked about him or would it be preferable to be ignored?
"The Marauders." Explained the freshman. "They were saying; 'the grease ball is back. Maybe he got tired of living in a dumpster'."
This was as far as the boy could go. On the next second he was on the floor. Severus pushed him from his chair and started to punch him.
"Don't you ever say that again!"
"What is the meaning of this?" Cried a teacher, working to separate them. Only after she did succeed (and it took the help of madam Pince), did the boys see she was none other than the head of Gryffindor house.
"I'll take ten points from Slytherin house for each of you for fighting in the library precinct." She told them in a stern tone. "And if I ever see such a rude display again, you'll get detention!"
"Joder." Muttered Severus.
"What did you say?" She looked shocked.
"Nothing."
"I happen to know Spanish and if you think you can hide behind another language to be rude and not face the consequences you are very well mistaken. Ten points more taken from Slytherin AND a detention tonight with Mr. Filch." McGonagall turned her back on them and returned to her table.
"What's that, 'Joder'?" Asked Wilkes Curious.
"Shut up! We're still in the library."
"I'm talking in low tones. If you hadn't started a caveman attitude, we'd be okay."
"We've already lost thirty points."
"Twenty of those you lost them. This is the first time I lose points to Slytherin since I got here."
"You've been here since September. Just give it time. You'll lose more."
"Nice vote of confidence. May I state I had no fault in the little scuffle a few moments ago?"
"Well done! Spoken like a true Slytherin; 'just put all blame in anyone else'."
"I try my best. I'm a Slytherin after all." Will said in a smug posture. "Still, you asked me what they said and I told you. Beat them if you want to exercise."
"I though you said you were not talkative."
"What's Joder?"
"Buy a dictionary."
"I will." The boy looked around them. "There's probably one around here."
"Good luck."
After some time, the boy returned with a huge heavy leather bound book and started researching next to Severus, who was, once more trying to focus on Herbology.
"There's no 'joder' in the Spanish dictionary. This edition is from 1802. Maybe in a more recent edition."
"You won't find it. Can I study?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm late."
"Why won't I find 'Joder' in here?"
"Because it is a dirty word."
"Say it in English please."
"No."
"That's not a dirty word."
"You're weird!" Severus declared turning to his book.
"What's your name?" Asked the boy.
"Why did you came to library? To chat?"
"No. But I'm always open to suggestions."
Severus ignored him.
"Your name can't possibly be 'Grease Ball'?"
"You're asking to be hexed."
"I'm Will Wilkes." The boy raised his hand.
"You told me that already." Severus decided to ignore the hand, just for the pleasure of seeing the boy taking it down.
"But you didn't told me yours."
"Leave me alone."
"Is your name an Estate Secret?"
"Severus Snape. There. Let me study in peace."
"Severus Snape. I heard that name before."
"You did?"
"Sure!" He snapped his fingers. "Your parents offered a reward to the one who'd find you. There was some sort of game of 'finding Snapey' all over Britain. Can I collect?"
"Too late."
"I figured that" He sighed.
"Go and read your book."
Surprisingly the boy did just that, his curiosity appeased.
Severus couldn't resume his studies for how much he tried. Things were bound to get difficult with all he had to learn and the time he'd spend at the evening while in detention. He had to concentrate. Unfortunately, there was this nagging thought that was drilling through his mind and wouldn't let him.
"You said 'all over Britain'?" He asked.
"I'm studying." Will mimicked Severus.
Severus poked him with his elbow getting a warning look from madam Pince.
"Weren't you exaggerating?" He pressed.
"No."
"All over Britain?"
"Yes. What's the problem?"
"Why didn't they check the Floo Network?" He asked himself wondering. Sure, he had runaway and had not wanted to be found. That's why he had gone to Knockturn Alley and then to muggle London. Still they should have thought he should be somewhere around there. They'd just have to check the Floo records.
Why would they look for him in the whole country?
Thank you for you kind reviews.
CRUMBLING MYTHS
Will Wilkes
He WAS behind his classmates in school subjects. Two and a half months of skipping school had taken its toll.
Of course, he wouldn't be in trouble at potions, at all. DADA was also his favourite subject. It wouldn't be hard to balance the score. The other subjects could turn problematic though. He'd have to make of the library some sort of permanent residence.
It used to be easier, studying. Laying between stacks of books used to bring him peace. Now he was desperately trying to stack information in one evening that should have been learned in two months. He was condemn to fail from start and knew it.
Worse was to think every five minutes he wanted to be out there. Not in the courtyard or near the lake but near the muggles he had left behind.
That was one more reason to put his face on the books. He had to leave the past in the past.
Muggles. He was a wizard from a pure blooded family. This should had never happened. He should study and forget. THIS was his life, had always been and always should be.
Thankfully his return to school had not caused much of a stir. He was not popular. He was a library rat. What did Hogwarts care about his whereabouts? Either than his room mates; Evan Rosier, Louis Lestrange and Andrew Avery, no one had asked where had he been in the last few months. The others in his year were also not fortunate to receive an answer. Severus had risen mute in the morning to eat his breakfast and kept quiet since then.
What would he tell them anyway? There was not one Slytherin that would be understanding about his recent actions. He'd be bullied about mingling with muggles to the rest of his life. Hell, he wouldn't have much of a life if they so much as suspected he'd been stealing all over London with a group of muggle children. A group he had named 'Marauders' at that.
That memory was enough to completely shatter his concentration. Groaning he lowered his forehead to the table.
"What's the matter?"
Severus raised his head unnaturally quickly. "What?" Who had talked? One of the ghosts? Then he located the other boy. A Slytherin he didn't know and by his looks a freshman.
"What do you want?" He put on a cold voice, narrowing his eyes and pulling out his intimidation skills.
It worked. The boy put his face on his book and stopped moving. He didn't even seem to be breathing.
It served Severus just fine but as soon as he returned to his reading the boy spoke again;
"My name is William Wilkes. Who are you?"
The nerve.
"What do you care?" Severus snarled.
"I don't."
"Shut up then. I'm studying."
"Sure."
Okay. Studying now. History of magic would be left for the night. He'd request the book to study in bed. Herbology now. Probably there was going to be nothing new. Herbs were a constant component in potions. Potions were part of him. There should be no problem. All he had to do was check on what the others were studying now.
"Is just, I have never seen you before." Said William Wilkes, some fifteen minutes later as if he had never interrupted the conversation.
"I wish you never did." Muttered Severus under his breath.
"You see. I'm not very talkative."
"Really?"
".But I'm very observant. I know all students in Hogwarts."
"Really?" This time Severus was slightly more interested.
".And most teachers. I hear all the gossip about everybody and I never heard about you."
"Really?" He asked louder. "Nothing at all?" He had to lower his voice as madam Pince, the librarian gave him 'The look'.
This was so unfair! He was not in any popularity contest, of course. But not a word? Nobody in the whole school had noticed his absence? No one cared at all?
".Before today." The boy finished.
"So. Today you heard about me? What did you hear?" This might not be good. Severus had mixed feelings about this whole situation. What had people talked about him? Did they know anything about his wanderings in London? Did they condemn him? Did they care that he was back? Was that possible? Was it better that someone had talked about him or would it be preferable to be ignored?
"The Marauders." Explained the freshman. "They were saying; 'the grease ball is back. Maybe he got tired of living in a dumpster'."
This was as far as the boy could go. On the next second he was on the floor. Severus pushed him from his chair and started to punch him.
"Don't you ever say that again!"
"What is the meaning of this?" Cried a teacher, working to separate them. Only after she did succeed (and it took the help of madam Pince), did the boys see she was none other than the head of Gryffindor house.
"I'll take ten points from Slytherin house for each of you for fighting in the library precinct." She told them in a stern tone. "And if I ever see such a rude display again, you'll get detention!"
"Joder." Muttered Severus.
"What did you say?" She looked shocked.
"Nothing."
"I happen to know Spanish and if you think you can hide behind another language to be rude and not face the consequences you are very well mistaken. Ten points more taken from Slytherin AND a detention tonight with Mr. Filch." McGonagall turned her back on them and returned to her table.
"What's that, 'Joder'?" Asked Wilkes Curious.
"Shut up! We're still in the library."
"I'm talking in low tones. If you hadn't started a caveman attitude, we'd be okay."
"We've already lost thirty points."
"Twenty of those you lost them. This is the first time I lose points to Slytherin since I got here."
"You've been here since September. Just give it time. You'll lose more."
"Nice vote of confidence. May I state I had no fault in the little scuffle a few moments ago?"
"Well done! Spoken like a true Slytherin; 'just put all blame in anyone else'."
"I try my best. I'm a Slytherin after all." Will said in a smug posture. "Still, you asked me what they said and I told you. Beat them if you want to exercise."
"I though you said you were not talkative."
"What's Joder?"
"Buy a dictionary."
"I will." The boy looked around them. "There's probably one around here."
"Good luck."
After some time, the boy returned with a huge heavy leather bound book and started researching next to Severus, who was, once more trying to focus on Herbology.
"There's no 'joder' in the Spanish dictionary. This edition is from 1802. Maybe in a more recent edition."
"You won't find it. Can I study?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm late."
"Why won't I find 'Joder' in here?"
"Because it is a dirty word."
"Say it in English please."
"No."
"That's not a dirty word."
"You're weird!" Severus declared turning to his book.
"What's your name?" Asked the boy.
"Why did you came to library? To chat?"
"No. But I'm always open to suggestions."
Severus ignored him.
"Your name can't possibly be 'Grease Ball'?"
"You're asking to be hexed."
"I'm Will Wilkes." The boy raised his hand.
"You told me that already." Severus decided to ignore the hand, just for the pleasure of seeing the boy taking it down.
"But you didn't told me yours."
"Leave me alone."
"Is your name an Estate Secret?"
"Severus Snape. There. Let me study in peace."
"Severus Snape. I heard that name before."
"You did?"
"Sure!" He snapped his fingers. "Your parents offered a reward to the one who'd find you. There was some sort of game of 'finding Snapey' all over Britain. Can I collect?"
"Too late."
"I figured that" He sighed.
"Go and read your book."
Surprisingly the boy did just that, his curiosity appeased.
Severus couldn't resume his studies for how much he tried. Things were bound to get difficult with all he had to learn and the time he'd spend at the evening while in detention. He had to concentrate. Unfortunately, there was this nagging thought that was drilling through his mind and wouldn't let him.
"You said 'all over Britain'?" He asked.
"I'm studying." Will mimicked Severus.
Severus poked him with his elbow getting a warning look from madam Pince.
"Weren't you exaggerating?" He pressed.
"No."
"All over Britain?"
"Yes. What's the problem?"
"Why didn't they check the Floo Network?" He asked himself wondering. Sure, he had runaway and had not wanted to be found. That's why he had gone to Knockturn Alley and then to muggle London. Still they should have thought he should be somewhere around there. They'd just have to check the Floo records.
Why would they look for him in the whole country?