A/N: Thanks to risi for the ideas for this chapter! :-) Thanks!!! Your
review really made me think of where I want to take Severus in this story.
Severus was sitting at the Slytherin table at breakfast early on Monday morning, after his night with Remus on Friday. Where was he anyways? "Probably up in the dorms trying to get more sleep. Slacker..." But just as Severus thought that, he saw a familiar face striding into the great hall, surrounded by his 'friends'. James was looking extremely cocky this morning, which worried Severus somewhat. It couldn't be good.
But he did not acknowledge Severus at all, and went and sat with Sirius, Peter, and Remus at they're regular seat at the Gryfindor table. All four of them seemed to be indulged into a conversation that had obviously been started before even reaching the great all. "Good. As long as they're busy talking, they won't have to come over here and say or do anything to me," thought Severus. After a few more minutes, and finishing his breakfast, Severus pushed his plate away from him, grabbed his bag, and made a move to get to Herbology. But as he turned the corner at the entrance hall, he was stopped.
There stood Albus Dumbledore. "Severus. Dear boy, I was wondering if there was any chance of getting you into my office for a word or two this morning?" Severus looked up at him, unable to talk, and nodded his head. He knew what this was about. And he really didn't want to have to talk with the headmaster.
In the headmaster's office, pictures lined the walls of previous headmasters and mistresses. "Please, Severus, take a seat," said Dumbledore indicating a seat that was in front of his desk. The older man took his time to get behind his desk and took a seat. He leaned his elbows on the desk, and peering over his folded hands at the boy. "How are you, Severus?"
"Fine." It was a blunt, and truthful question in Severus' view.
"Just... fine?" Severus stopped and thought a bit. Of course he wasn't fine, but he wasn't about to let him know this. "Severus, after what happened the other night, I just want to make sure that you won't be trying anything like that again. Will you?"
He wanted a truthful answer? Fine, then he'd get it. "Possibly"
"Possibly? So is that a good possibility?"
"Yes."
The old man sighed, and brought his eyes down to his desk, and then up into Severus' eyes. "Do you want to tell me what is causing you to be so upset, what is making you want to take your own life? Because, there's nothing that's worth that."
"Yes there is."
"Tell me about it then, Severus. I want to know. I want to help."
The boy shook his head. "Headmaster, if you don't mind, I'm going to be late for Herbology. And if I'm not mistaken, we have a test today."
"Yes. You're right. Go on then. But listen, if you ever need anything, you can come to me, alright?" Severus nodded, and then took his leave quickly.
The day's classes went on uneventfully. The mauraders stayed to themselves, not messing with Severus at all, whether it be in the classroom or in the corridors. Perhaps Remus had had a talk with them? Or maybe they were just afraid that the teachers were keeping a closer eye on him, and picking on him would be too risky because they could catch them. Whatever the reason, Severus didn't care. As long as they stayed away. He wasn't in the mood for putting up with them. He was stressed. Between school and everything with the Marauders to worry about, he was becoming stressed. Homework kept him busy- very busy. It seemed like all the teachers were amusing themselves trying to see how busy they could keep their students. Defense Against The Dark Arts was extremely troublesome. The professor was setting an assignment almost every class. But Severus had to admit, he couldn't help but enjoy the one on vampires. That happened to be quite interesting.
Walking back to the Slytherin common room after dinner, Severus was locked inside his head in deep thought. He was trying to remember what his book had said about vampires and the many ways they could be killed. "Stakes, crosses, gralic... um..."
"Hey Snivelous! Reminding yourself what to stay away from?" Severus turned to find Sirius Black rounding the corner.
"What do you want Sirius? I'm tired, I've had a long day, and I just want to go to the dorm, do my homework and go to bed. So make this quick."
"Aw... Severus. I'm sorry." He walked up to him, making the smile stay on his face. "I want to only ask a little favor of you..."
"What?"
Sirius was close enough that he suddenly grabbed the front of Severus' robes in a bunch, and brought him up to his face. "Don't ever, ever, touch Remus again. Do you hear me? He's mine. And you are mine. Do you understand me?"
"I am not yours. And I never will be."
"You are mine if I say you are. For the past year, you have given me what I've needed whether you gave it to me or not. And you just have to deal with that. Your "lover" on the other hand, he gave it to me because he wanted to. I know about your little moonlit stroll the other night. Make sure it never happens again, do you hear me?" He pulled him even closer, and Severus could feel him breathing on his face.
"I will not listen to you, Sirius Black." It was then that James then came from around the corner and into view.
"Severus, Severus, Severus. I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into, if you don't cooperate."
"I am not scared of either of you."
"You oughta be," spoke up Sirius once more. "Stay away from Remus, or you'll really get it."
"No." Sirius hit him. Simple as that. A punch came flying and hit him square in the face. Sirius went down with him, on top of him, continuing to punch him. James stood by and watched, laughing. There was nothing Severus could do. He tried to get him to stop, but it would be hard. He tried to hi him, but found it hard, seeing how much smaller he was than the other boy.
Finally James spoke up again. "Sirius leave him. Come on, quit it before someone comes along and sees. He's not worth the energy anyways." Sirius listened to his friend, got off top of Severus, and began to walk away after spitting on the small beaten boy which lay on the ground.
"Severus! Oh my God! What happened?" It was another fourth year Slytherin named Sheyliegh.
"Nothing," he grunted as he walked out of the great hall. It was now Tuesday morning, and Severus' face had swollen up, and a black eye was left from the beating the night before. He felt sore all over. He would have gone to the hospital wing, but he knew that if he did, he would have to explain. And he didn't want to do that out of fear that it would piss off James and Sirius and they would try it again, or something else even. So he tried to ignore the stares he was getting, and he continued to Transfiguration.
Sitting in his desk, half way though the lesson, Mcgonagal walked up and down the aisles collecting homework. She stopped when she got to Severus, but after looking at him, continued to walk. When she got back to the front of the room, she gave instructions to the class. "Please open your books and read from page 389 through 412." She would have sat back down at her desk to peer at the students over her spectacles like usual, but she looked back to Severus. "Mr. Snape, will you please follow me?" Severus stood and followed her out of the room. "Severus, I must ask, what happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why is your face all swollen, and your eye bruised?" The boy shrugged. "Come with me." She walked through the corridors at a brisk pace, but Severus was able to keep up because of his long stride. He knew where she was taking him. She was taking him to see the headmaster. Now he was going to get it from the Marauders. If he snitched, he would really get it.
"Come in," said Dumbledore from within his office. Mcgonagal entered with Severus right behind her.
"Headmaster, I think that you need to speak with young Mr. Snape here." She moved out of the way, so that he would be able to see his face. There was no sign of surprise on his face, but an expression of pity lingered there.
"Thank you Minerva." And with that she left and went back to her classroom.
"Please, Severus, have a seat." He did as he was told, and sat in the seat he had only been in the previous day. "Son, who did this to you?" The boys small figure merely shrugged, indicating that he either didn't know, or didn't want to say. His eyes stayed fixed on the carpet. He didn't want to meet the head master's eyes. "Was it other students?" Slowly, Severus nodded. Dumbledore sighed.
"Remus Lupin came to me in great concern yesterday morning right before breakfast. He is rather concerned about you. He said there were some things going on because of some students that was bothering and maybe hurting you. He wouldn't say who though." The old man once again peered over his glasses. "What do they do to you Severus? Just beat you up like this?" He wasn't going to say. He didn't want to say. "Severus, please. If you tell me what is going on, I can stop it." He shook his head. He didn't want to speak. "Whatever it is, Remus is worried about you. I think you have a real friend there. Don't let him go. I wish that you would tell me what it is." He stopped and thought a minute. "Are they the reason that you..."
Severus nodded. "I could use a truth potion on you to get it out of you, but I won't do such a thing. It would be too cruel. However, if and when you wish to speak about it and get something done about it, come to me. Okay?" The boy nodded again. "I'm here if you need me to be." He nodded again, and left his office to find that the classes had been dismissed. He had study hall next. He could blow it off and walk the grounds. It would do him some good to walk around and get some fresh air.
Severus was sitting at the Slytherin table at breakfast early on Monday morning, after his night with Remus on Friday. Where was he anyways? "Probably up in the dorms trying to get more sleep. Slacker..." But just as Severus thought that, he saw a familiar face striding into the great hall, surrounded by his 'friends'. James was looking extremely cocky this morning, which worried Severus somewhat. It couldn't be good.
But he did not acknowledge Severus at all, and went and sat with Sirius, Peter, and Remus at they're regular seat at the Gryfindor table. All four of them seemed to be indulged into a conversation that had obviously been started before even reaching the great all. "Good. As long as they're busy talking, they won't have to come over here and say or do anything to me," thought Severus. After a few more minutes, and finishing his breakfast, Severus pushed his plate away from him, grabbed his bag, and made a move to get to Herbology. But as he turned the corner at the entrance hall, he was stopped.
There stood Albus Dumbledore. "Severus. Dear boy, I was wondering if there was any chance of getting you into my office for a word or two this morning?" Severus looked up at him, unable to talk, and nodded his head. He knew what this was about. And he really didn't want to have to talk with the headmaster.
In the headmaster's office, pictures lined the walls of previous headmasters and mistresses. "Please, Severus, take a seat," said Dumbledore indicating a seat that was in front of his desk. The older man took his time to get behind his desk and took a seat. He leaned his elbows on the desk, and peering over his folded hands at the boy. "How are you, Severus?"
"Fine." It was a blunt, and truthful question in Severus' view.
"Just... fine?" Severus stopped and thought a bit. Of course he wasn't fine, but he wasn't about to let him know this. "Severus, after what happened the other night, I just want to make sure that you won't be trying anything like that again. Will you?"
He wanted a truthful answer? Fine, then he'd get it. "Possibly"
"Possibly? So is that a good possibility?"
"Yes."
The old man sighed, and brought his eyes down to his desk, and then up into Severus' eyes. "Do you want to tell me what is causing you to be so upset, what is making you want to take your own life? Because, there's nothing that's worth that."
"Yes there is."
"Tell me about it then, Severus. I want to know. I want to help."
The boy shook his head. "Headmaster, if you don't mind, I'm going to be late for Herbology. And if I'm not mistaken, we have a test today."
"Yes. You're right. Go on then. But listen, if you ever need anything, you can come to me, alright?" Severus nodded, and then took his leave quickly.
The day's classes went on uneventfully. The mauraders stayed to themselves, not messing with Severus at all, whether it be in the classroom or in the corridors. Perhaps Remus had had a talk with them? Or maybe they were just afraid that the teachers were keeping a closer eye on him, and picking on him would be too risky because they could catch them. Whatever the reason, Severus didn't care. As long as they stayed away. He wasn't in the mood for putting up with them. He was stressed. Between school and everything with the Marauders to worry about, he was becoming stressed. Homework kept him busy- very busy. It seemed like all the teachers were amusing themselves trying to see how busy they could keep their students. Defense Against The Dark Arts was extremely troublesome. The professor was setting an assignment almost every class. But Severus had to admit, he couldn't help but enjoy the one on vampires. That happened to be quite interesting.
Walking back to the Slytherin common room after dinner, Severus was locked inside his head in deep thought. He was trying to remember what his book had said about vampires and the many ways they could be killed. "Stakes, crosses, gralic... um..."
"Hey Snivelous! Reminding yourself what to stay away from?" Severus turned to find Sirius Black rounding the corner.
"What do you want Sirius? I'm tired, I've had a long day, and I just want to go to the dorm, do my homework and go to bed. So make this quick."
"Aw... Severus. I'm sorry." He walked up to him, making the smile stay on his face. "I want to only ask a little favor of you..."
"What?"
Sirius was close enough that he suddenly grabbed the front of Severus' robes in a bunch, and brought him up to his face. "Don't ever, ever, touch Remus again. Do you hear me? He's mine. And you are mine. Do you understand me?"
"I am not yours. And I never will be."
"You are mine if I say you are. For the past year, you have given me what I've needed whether you gave it to me or not. And you just have to deal with that. Your "lover" on the other hand, he gave it to me because he wanted to. I know about your little moonlit stroll the other night. Make sure it never happens again, do you hear me?" He pulled him even closer, and Severus could feel him breathing on his face.
"I will not listen to you, Sirius Black." It was then that James then came from around the corner and into view.
"Severus, Severus, Severus. I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into, if you don't cooperate."
"I am not scared of either of you."
"You oughta be," spoke up Sirius once more. "Stay away from Remus, or you'll really get it."
"No." Sirius hit him. Simple as that. A punch came flying and hit him square in the face. Sirius went down with him, on top of him, continuing to punch him. James stood by and watched, laughing. There was nothing Severus could do. He tried to get him to stop, but it would be hard. He tried to hi him, but found it hard, seeing how much smaller he was than the other boy.
Finally James spoke up again. "Sirius leave him. Come on, quit it before someone comes along and sees. He's not worth the energy anyways." Sirius listened to his friend, got off top of Severus, and began to walk away after spitting on the small beaten boy which lay on the ground.
"Severus! Oh my God! What happened?" It was another fourth year Slytherin named Sheyliegh.
"Nothing," he grunted as he walked out of the great hall. It was now Tuesday morning, and Severus' face had swollen up, and a black eye was left from the beating the night before. He felt sore all over. He would have gone to the hospital wing, but he knew that if he did, he would have to explain. And he didn't want to do that out of fear that it would piss off James and Sirius and they would try it again, or something else even. So he tried to ignore the stares he was getting, and he continued to Transfiguration.
Sitting in his desk, half way though the lesson, Mcgonagal walked up and down the aisles collecting homework. She stopped when she got to Severus, but after looking at him, continued to walk. When she got back to the front of the room, she gave instructions to the class. "Please open your books and read from page 389 through 412." She would have sat back down at her desk to peer at the students over her spectacles like usual, but she looked back to Severus. "Mr. Snape, will you please follow me?" Severus stood and followed her out of the room. "Severus, I must ask, what happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why is your face all swollen, and your eye bruised?" The boy shrugged. "Come with me." She walked through the corridors at a brisk pace, but Severus was able to keep up because of his long stride. He knew where she was taking him. She was taking him to see the headmaster. Now he was going to get it from the Marauders. If he snitched, he would really get it.
"Come in," said Dumbledore from within his office. Mcgonagal entered with Severus right behind her.
"Headmaster, I think that you need to speak with young Mr. Snape here." She moved out of the way, so that he would be able to see his face. There was no sign of surprise on his face, but an expression of pity lingered there.
"Thank you Minerva." And with that she left and went back to her classroom.
"Please, Severus, have a seat." He did as he was told, and sat in the seat he had only been in the previous day. "Son, who did this to you?" The boys small figure merely shrugged, indicating that he either didn't know, or didn't want to say. His eyes stayed fixed on the carpet. He didn't want to meet the head master's eyes. "Was it other students?" Slowly, Severus nodded. Dumbledore sighed.
"Remus Lupin came to me in great concern yesterday morning right before breakfast. He is rather concerned about you. He said there were some things going on because of some students that was bothering and maybe hurting you. He wouldn't say who though." The old man once again peered over his glasses. "What do they do to you Severus? Just beat you up like this?" He wasn't going to say. He didn't want to say. "Severus, please. If you tell me what is going on, I can stop it." He shook his head. He didn't want to speak. "Whatever it is, Remus is worried about you. I think you have a real friend there. Don't let him go. I wish that you would tell me what it is." He stopped and thought a minute. "Are they the reason that you..."
Severus nodded. "I could use a truth potion on you to get it out of you, but I won't do such a thing. It would be too cruel. However, if and when you wish to speak about it and get something done about it, come to me. Okay?" The boy nodded again. "I'm here if you need me to be." He nodded again, and left his office to find that the classes had been dismissed. He had study hall next. He could blow it off and walk the grounds. It would do him some good to walk around and get some fresh air.