Chapter 2 – Dies Irae

The next day proved worse than Lupin thought. Of course, he wasn't an athlete or popular, so it stung him less than it had Potter and Black.

Forty House points deducted from the Gryffindor total.

For each Marauder.

Detention with Professor Sartoris every single day for six consecutive weeks.

For each Marauder. No excuses accepted, which meant that both Potter and Black would be cut from the Quidditch team for the remainder of the season.

Professor McGonagall sympathized, but did not relent. Putting another student's life in danger mandated such a harsh punishment. She had also asked them whether they would have enjoyed the emotional torture they had inflicted upon young Severus. The boys only could blush and avoid her steely gaze. One did not discuss topics such as debagging classmates with a teacher, and a woman teacher at that.

The lunchtime discussion at the Gryffindor tables allowed a full venting of alternative points of view. Sirius felt that since Snivelly got in their way, he deserved what he got. James was of the opinion that the amusement value of the upending was well worth Snape's embarrassment. Most of the other Gryffs, however, felt that their two Housemates were full-blown idiots who would never make up for the sudden and drastic shortfall in points.

What really stuck in everybody's craw was that Slytherin House was now in first place for the House Cup.

-----------------

Sirius Black was absolutely furious. He swore under his breath the entire length of the long hallway as he strode. It was good that nobody was there to overhear him.

It was more likely than not that McGonagall and the Headmaster had themselves a little meeting before her calling the four boys to her classroom. Nice, gentle, kindly Uncle Dumbledore, who had gone out galloping around the Forbidden Forest looking for that nasty Slytherin brat while risking his own life and limb!

That nasty prat had been brought back to the Castle like a royal prince. Sirius had heard that the house elves had knocked themselves out stuffing the little jerk with food. And then came an overnight at the Infirmary, for Heaven's sweet sake, all for an injured ankle and a bit of a chill! Dumbledore probably tucked him into bed with a lollipop!

Still swearing, Black rounded the corner and collided with Severus Snape.

Both boys went down with a crash.

"Clumsy fool!" spat Severus.

"Clumsy? Wasn't me who failed to make the Quidditch team for five consecutive years!"

"It's bad enough you idiots broke my ankle. Are you going for a new record?"

"We didn't break your ankle, snake-boy! You broke it yourself running around the woods like the big sniveling baby you are."

"Best watch where you're going," Snape said in his quietest and deadliest voice. "You're in enough trouble as it is."

Black gasped. Imagine, that greasy-headed slimeball talking to him like that! Who did he think he was? "You haven't exactly been given the Gold Key to the Crapper, Snivellus. You're still the biggest loser in school and everybody knows it!"

"Get bent, Black," the Slytherin growled, picking up his books and dusting off his robes. "And thanks for the House points!"

*Oh no, Snivelly me bucko, ohhhhhhh no indeed. Time to twist the proverbial knife! *

"I hear Daddy Dearest was here this morning," Black said with a beatific smile. "I hear he wasn't too pleased that his own brave lad first gave the entire school a free peek at his skinny ass and then ran away bawling like a little girl." Of course, Sirius knew nothing of the kind, but long experience had given him more than enough ammunition of that sort in the Snivelly Department.

"Shut your mouth," Snape hissed.

Black grinned. "He's proud as punch of you, I'll bet!"

Severus' father had found out about the incident through his brother-in- law. Two of young Snape's cousins, Rastaban and Rodolphus Lestrange, were in Slytherin House and had naturally informed the family about what had happened. The Elder Snape had made it from Nottingham to Hogwarts in record time, making a beeline for the Headmaster's Office and demanding to be seen. Surely his own flesh and blood hadn't allowed such a prank to be played on him! Surely his own flesh and blood didn't run away and require rescue!

The meeting between Dumbledore and Snape Senior hadn't gone well. Severus knew this because his father had told him so. He had also told him that he continued to be a disappointment, a disgrace, and a black mark against the House of Snape, and that unless he wanted a couple of rounds of the ol' Cruciatus as well as the horsewhip next time he came home for a little visit, he had better not say or do anything that might further anger his father.

The Elder Snape hadn't been gauche enough to punch out his son in front of the Headmaster, but he had picked him up by the throat and tossed him across his bedroom in Slytherin Tower a couple of times. He left rather prominent marks on the boy's neck. Severus had covered them up immediately with a glamourie charm, but the deep bruises they had inflicted thudded painfully with every beat of the boy's frightened heart.

Sirius Black grinned into Snape's suddenly solemn face. "Let's count your teeth, Snivelly, to see how many Dads knocked out this morning!"

Quelling his panic, Snape did his best to change the subject. "You and your lionhearted friends are lucky not to have gotten expelled, Black."

"Oh, please," Sirius shouted. "As if we'd be expelled for the likes of you! You're a joke, Snivellus. You fail at everything you try, you're about as charming as a thestral, and your face could stop a Muggle clock. Remember, boy, that both our Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster are Gryffindor. Slytherin gits like you tend to forget that."

"Just stay out of my way," Severus retorted, fingering his wand. "unless you'd like your ass where your head should be. As if anyone could tell the difference."

Time to end it. Sirius stepped closer to Snape.

"Listen to me, you sneaky little dark-arts creep! You are a hair's breadth away from becoming a grease spot on the floor. Because that is what will be left of you if our dear Headmaster or our dear Head-of-House comes out with one -- more -- edict -- " Black's handsome face was contorted in a snarl " -- one -- more -- way for us to suffer because you plague our school -- and that's OUR school, you worthless little turd -- with your presence -- " Snape shrieked in pain as Black's fingers shot out and twisted, then tightened around the hair in front of his temple --"If I hear that you've gone to Dumbledore or McGonagall with anything even resembling a complaint about me and my friends -- then I will rip your heart right out of your chest. Do you understand, you slimy little freak?"

"Let -- go -- of -- me," Snape growled in a whisper that was somehow more chilling than a shout.

Sirius' face blossomed into a terrible mockery of a smile. "Why, of course!" Black pointed Severus toward the gray schist wall, then rammed his face against it so hard that he heard the pop as the cartilage in the boy's nose gave way. Snape gave a horrified howl and doubled over, trying to staunch the stream of blood that poured over his hands.

"I want you to remember something, Snivelly," Black hissed. "And mind you, put it somewhere in that cesspit that passes for a brain so that it stays safe. Every beating – every awful, nightmarish atrocity you ever suffered at the hands of your old man -- " Severus' eyes widened in shock -- "every single one -- was deserved. I'm just sorry that the old bastard didn't finish you off a long time ago. It would have spared everyone so much trouble!"

Severus used every bit of his self-control to hide the panic that now trip hammered his heart.

Sirius' fist tightened in Snape's hair. "Stop bothering Dumbledore and McGonagall. They don't give a damn about you! Everyone here hates you. EVERYONE. WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Do us all a favor and just die, won't you?"

Untangling his fingers from the boy's black hair, Sirius took the heels of both hands and shoved Snape away from him. The Slytherin fell to the cold flagstones, then curled into a ball and protected his head, leaving a nasty arc of blood across the floor.

Fighting the urge to kick in his ribs, Black snarled, turned, and strode down the hall, making his way to the Gryffindor common room.