Disclaimer: All characters within belong to Ms. Rowling.
A/N: I'm fiddling with this being slash, of the Remus/Snape variety. But then again, looking back at the story, it's kind of obvious, hmm? Let me know if anyone's interested in yet another slashy Snape story.
Oh, and I'm really not trying to be a jerk when it comes to Sirius's attitude. After reading the new book, it just seems to fit in my head. I'm not vilifying him for my own amusement. People grow with time, and that's simply how I see Sirius. Besides, he's one of my favorite characters.
Chapter 3: Confrontations and Name Calling
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Severus sat staring deep into the deep crimson hued potion, stirring it every few moments, a blank look on his face. He glanced at his potion's partner, another sixth year, whose name Severus couldn't remember if he tried. He turned away from the girl, his eyes scanning the rest of the classroom.
The Potion's master sat at her desk, her eyes roaming. Severus looked away before she could catch his eye, standing up. He turned to the girl at his table. "Watch this, will you? I've done all the blasted work on it, you can at least pitch in by stirring it…"
Not waiting for a response, Severus quickly walked up to the teacher's desk. "Professor Watson, may I be excused for a moment, to use the facilities?"
"Of course, Severus." Watson nodded, smiling at the young man. "Just don't be too long… You don't to ruin your potion."
"Yes, thank you, ma'am." Severus nodded curtly before walking out of the room, glaring at his partner. He spoke quietly to himself as he entered the lavatory. "If she screws up that potion, I swear to Merlin that I'll…"
"You'll what, Snivelus?" Snape sighed loudly, his hand darting into the pocket of his robes as he turned around. Before he could mutter a single hex, his wand went flying out of his hand as the voice called the Accio charm. James Potter stood opposite him, twirling the wand between his fingers. "Not quite quick enough, Snape." Severus glared at him, swears streaming from his mouth.
"Oh, such a mouth on you…" Sirius Black stepped into the room, glaring at Severus, his eyes full of malice.
"Sod off, Black." Snape hissed, unconsciously backing towards the door. He felt slight panic rise in his chest as the realization that he was trapped struck him. "Give me back my bloody wand so I can get back to class. I'm not going to get detention because you and your little flunky decided that you wanted to play games in the toilet."
"Yeah, give you your wand so you can curse us?" James asked, throwing the wand into the air, catching it as he would a golden Snitch. "Don't think so."
Both Gryffindors closed in on Severus, backing him into the corner. Sirius turned to James, his eyes glittering. James just nodded, stepping back slightly as he gestured the animagus forward. "He's all yours."
James laughed loudly as Sirius's fists rained down on Severus midsection, sending him into the fetal position. He pulled back after a quarter of an hour, leaving Severus broken and bloody.
"Heh." Sirius huffed, attempting to wipe sweat from his brow, but simply succeeding in smearing Snape's blood onto his face. He muttered a quick cleaning spell on himself, shedding the blood from his skin.
James chuckled as they walked out of the room, tossing Snape's wand to the floor. "See you at supper, Snivelus."
-
"Severus? I know you're in there." I say loudly, rapping on the door leading to Snape's inner sanctuary. I step back as the door swings open angrily.
"What do you want, Lupin?" He asks, his voice holding none of it's usual malice, none of it's usual chill. He just seems, I don't know… Tired.
"I was wondering if you could tell me what just happened… I've seen you explode more times than I could every hope to count, but never directed towards Dumbledore." I say, keeping my voice calm, attempting to keep any actual signs of worry from showing through.
"Were you not even listening in there?" Severus asks, running a hand through his hair.
I shrug sheepishly. "Uh… Not really, sorry. I guess I zoned out about halfway through Albus' speech."
Severus rolls his eyes slightly. "Of course…"
"Now, you don't have to get like that. I was…distracted."
"Oh, and may I ask what is more important than Dumbledore's 'plan to save the world'? Or did you simply see something shiny?" Severus sneers at me, and I can feel a blush spread over my cheeks. Snape sighs deeply. "…I'm sorry, Lupin. I shouldn't snap, not over something as stupid as this."
I nod, not really caring as much that he snapped at me as not wanting to admit exactly what I was distracted over. Or rather who. "No worries, Severus…
"Would you mind filling me in on what I 'missed'?"
"Alright." Snape steps backwards into his chambers, ushering me inside. He walks over to a large, dark, wooden cabinet, pulling out a bottle of vodka. He asks me if I'd like a drink. I nod, asking for a bit of the vodka. He pours a bit into two small glasses, handing me one.
"Thanks, Severus."
"Lupin, why do you keep saying my name?" He asks me suddenly, and I find myself choking on the liquid, feeling the burning sensation in my throat rise up into my sinuses.
"What do you mean?"
"Normally you simply refer to me as 'Snape.' But in the five minutes or so you've been in or around my chambers, you've referred to me as Severus three times…" Snape takes a large gulp of his drink. "Why?"
I think for a moment. "I don't know. Do you mind it?"
"No, actually." He finishes the last bit of his vodka, refilling the glass quickly. "I was just…curious."