School Time
Disclaimer: Characters and setting are the property of J.K. Rowling, I'm just borrowing them for a little non-profit fun.
Responses:
duj: You're right about Snape's father. I'm trying to stay away from flat out child abuse, Artalocus justifies his behavior by claiming that it has a greater purpose. But cannonically, Sirius' parents favored Voldemort but they were never joined him, Sirius isn't in a position to learn anything truly damaging to Voldy's plans. Severus on the other hand... His father would approve of him keeping quiet and not drawing any attention to himself while Harold was questioning Sirius.
Goldenlioness4: Thanks. OotP was what started my plot bunnies. I like the Marauders, but I've always been appaulled by bullies. Snape's memories in OotP bother me, Snape is out numbered, lacks the Marauders'general popularity with the student body, etc. He should have been beneath their notice. I wanted there to be some reason why the Marauders started target him, I doubt they could have a good reason given Sirius' response when Harry asks about it but somethingmore than Snape being an easy target would be nice.
z'yiandria and Virage: Thanks for reviewing.I'm trying towrite this story in sections soI'll be able tokeep to a fast update scheduleduring each individual part. This update will be my last for a time (computer problems - sigh, computers and glasses of water are not compatible), I've got access to the net but Ican't useit for something astime consuming as sitting down and typing out the next section. At least I'll be able to leave off at a preplanned stopping point.
Sirius lay in front of the parlor fireplace idly flipping through the Quidditch book Remus had given him for Christmas. His seven-year-old brother gently teased a sparkling pick-up stick out of the tangle of its mates. The toys gasped and offered both advice and criticism. Regulus bit his lip and tried to concentrate. The selected stick came free and burst into a chorus of hallelujahs and a triumphant light show.
Sirius glared at the noise.
"You could play with me." Regulus suggested. "You liked me until you went to that stupid school."
Sirius pursed his lips. He knew, very well in fact, that simply being part of a dark family didn't guarantee Regulus would end up a slimy Slytherin like their parents. On the other hand Reg was such a little suck up, always doing whatever he was told. Still Snape was halfway tolerable; even if he was a Slytherin and a git he did help Sirius get out from under his mother's disapproving gaze for a whole day.
"Come on Siri." Regulus whined. He rattled the pickup sticks enticingly.
"He's just scared. Ch-ch-chicken." The sticks clucked insultingly.
"Alright already, I'm in." Sirius exclaimed as he slammed his book shut. "Prepare to be defeated."
"I've been practicing; you're the one whose gonna be in trouble." Regulus shot back eagerly.
Orion passed by the doorway several minutes later. He paused at the sight of two dark heads bent over the coffee table. For a moment he leaned against the doorframe and smiled at his sons as they played together. "You boys mind if your old dad plays?"
Regulus jumped and sent the sticks flying across the table to a chorus of accompanying jeers.
"Good timing, it looks like this game's done." Sirius said with a superior smile at his little brother. "I need some real competition."
"Show-off." Regulus complained.
"Now, now boys." Orion said. "Sirius' grades in charms show he has excellent manual dexterity."
"So you won't feel bad when I beat you?" Sirius asked as he made his eyes wide and innocent.
"Ahh but I have experience on my side." Orion replied. "I'll have you know I was quite renown for my pick-up sticks skills once upon a time."
The boys laughed and scooted apart to make room for their father.
Sirius leaned back against the couch and smiled. For the moment it almost felt like he could have both his house and his family.
An hour later Esterhazy walked in scowling. "Sirius, you were seen with that riff-raff again yesterday." She said.
Regulus made himself scarce. Orion's mouth tightened as he looked from his wife to his son but he didn't say anything. Sirius scowled, he grabbed his book and stomped back up to his room then slammed the door behind him.
Severus sat at the breakfast table; a book lay open in front of him. He took notes with one hand while eating with the other.
"Sev…" A hand dropped onto the boy's shoulder. He fell halfway out of his chair while scrabbling for his wand.
His mother stepped back and waited for him to collect his wits.
"Good morning Severus, you're up early." Desmona said with a fragile cheerfulness. "I'll join you for breakfast."
"Good morning Mother." Severus replied. His pale skin took on a bright hue as he tucked his wand away and straightened his books. He scowled at the dark smear of ink across his notes. After a moment Severus went back to picking at his food while he studied.
Desmona claimed the seat beside her son and arranged her bowl and glass. After several minutes Severus pushed his plate away and focused on his studies.
"Severus, you should eat more." Desmona said gently.
"Not hungry." The boy replied distractedly.
Desmona wrapped her arm around her son's shoulders and pulled him to her side. "You're getting gaunt." She said quietly. "Healing potions accelerate your metabolism. You really need to eat more."
"Mom!"
"Severus, I'm serious. You'll get sick."
With a long-suffering sigh the boy pulled his plate back to him. After a few bites he asked. "Will I ever be good enough for Father?"
Desmona glanced away. "No, you won't." She admitted after a long silence. "I don't like the spells you're learning. I watch the two of you, you're years above your age level but it won't ever be enough for him. You make yourself into something you shouldn't be, you get hurt all the time and you're becoming so nervous, all for him but he will never be satisfied. Please Severus, just tell him no more."
"But I'm getting better."
Desmona bit her lip. "Better at what? Stirring up emotions you should never have to feel so that you can force your magic to develop too quickly? This isn't good for you."
Severus' express remained stubborn and set.
Desmona stood and slowly walked away. "School will start in another three days." She said. "Then you'll be away from here, thank Merlin."
The Hogwarts' Express had already started rolling when a panting Peter Pettigrew pushed through the door. He glanced around the car and sighed with exaggerated relief. "Great! I was worried that creepy Slytherin would still be hanging around."
"Oh forget about him." James said dismissively.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "It's not like we're friends or anything. Our parents were making us."
"He's not going to be around at school?" Peter checked. "You know the upper years would frown on us spending time with someone from that House."
"He's not gonna." Sirius repeated.
"Good." Peter stowed his bags and sat down. "Still, what if he does try to hang around with us at school. We won't let him will we?"
"Geeze Pete, let it drop already!" Sirius exclaimed. "I don't want to spend the whole trip listening to you obsess about Snape."
"Well, I just think he's evil or something. What does he want with you anyway?"
"I told you: It was our parents' idea." Sirius glanced nervously at James. "It wasn't like I wanted to have him around."
"His dad's a dark wizard." Peter stated. "That's what my parents said. You can't trust Slytherins."
Sirius winced.
James made a face. "His dad used to work with my dad. The Aurors don't hire dark wizards."
"But he quit the ministry, didn't he?" Peter argued.
The arrival of the snack cart changed the subject for the time.
Several days after classes resumed Severus grabbed a couch in the corner of the Slytherin common room. He entertained the vague hope that Narcissa Black would return from classes before her boyfriend would so that they could talk.
Lucius Malfoy walked in and noticed the first year studying quietly in the corner. The blonde's face twisted with an ugly scowl. "Snape, did you think I wouldn't notice the way you hang around my girlfriend."
"She's allowed to have friends Malfoy." Severus snapped. His hand closed around his wand but he kept himself from drawing it.
Lucius smirked at the younger boy and attacked. "Petrificus Totalus!"
Severus screamed "SEAR!" in response.
Neither boy bothered with attempting to block the other's spell. Lucius Malfoy couldn't imagine a first year capable of hurting him. Severus was convinced his defensive spells weren't strong enough to make a difference.
The smell of burnt flesh filled the common room. Severus' muscles locked and he crashed to the floor. For a moment shock held Lucius silent then the pale fourth year screamed and started swearing fluently as he grabbed his burnt shoulder.
"You bloody little bastard! You hurt me!" Lucius shrieked. He kicked the petrified boy then picked Severus up and hauled him to the top of the stairs where he dropped him. Lucius watched the younger boy tumble haphazardly back to the floor of the common room then strolled down the stairs and knelt beside Severus. "Good, you're still conscious. Stay away from my girlfriend and if you dispute my account of this little incident… well, next time you won't be able to say anything against me, understand?"
With that Lucius stood up and ran out into the hall. "PROFESSOR! Snape just went crazy! I didn't realize how close he was to the stairs. I didn't mean to hurt him, I was just trying to get him under control…"
A week later Severus left the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey had taken one look at him and decreed that he needed to heal the old fashion way. Severus thought she just wanted an excuse to detain him longer so that she could interrogate him at her leisure; both about how his system had come to be saturated with healing potions and where he'd learned a spell like Sear.
Severus glanced around the grounds. He didn't really want to go back to the Slytherin dorms until he had some idea as to how his House felt about him after Lucius Malfoy's version of their dispute had been circulating, and being elaborated on, for a week.
Of course being considered psychotic and capable of committing homicide wasn't necessarily a bad thing in Slytherin. Still Lucius would make sure to let everyone know that he hadn't been able to defend himself from a basic spell every competent first year could cast. Someone might take it into their head to send him back to the Infirmary as a pre-emptive measure.
An alarmed shout drew Severus' attention to the skies. He recognized Pettigrew as the screamer. The rotund boy listed precariously to one side as he clung desperately to one of the school brooms. A Bludger careened away from the little Gryffindor. Pettigrew slipped even further off balance and his broom wobbled unsteadily under its uneven burden.
A moment before gravity would have claimed its victim Potter swooped up beside his friend and gave Pettigrew a shove that helped the boy right himself. Black knocked away the returning Bludger before it could disrupt the rescue effort.
Pettigrew waved thankfully once his balance was secure again. Potter and Black went back to their potions and resumed practice; hitting Bludgers at one another.
Severus scanned the area and spotted Lupin reading beneath a nearby tree. For several minutes the Slytherin boy just stood there thinking about the idea that had popped into his head.
They were Gryffindors; they bought into all that honor and bravery garbage; that should keep them from attacking first shouldn't it? If he just went over there and sat near Lupin the rest of the student body would probably leave him alone. He'd been on somewhat neutral terms with the group during the holidays…
But it wasn't done. Well that mudblood girl, Evans, was always ignoring House lines. Still Purebloods knew to stick to their own houses. But it wasn't like he had friends or even allies in Slytherin, except for Narcissa and Severus didn't doubt Malfoy really would kill him if he kept trying to talk to her.
He wouldn't actually socialize with the Gryffindors, just study near Lupin while the other three idiots obsessed over Quidditch.
Severus checked that he had a book then walked across the grass and picked a comfortable tree stump to lean against.
Remus' eyes widened in surprise then he nodded to the other boy. "Hello. Out of the hospital finally?"
"Obviously. You look like hell Lupin; you relapse again?"
Remus grimaced
Severus found he couldn't stop himself from indulging his curiosity about the rumors. "Are you dying or something?"
"Or something." Remus said. Then he returned the favor. "Everyone says you killed someone, I think it's stupid. Professor Dumbledor would have expelled you."
"I just singed Malfoy." Severus admitted.
"Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person." Remus remarked then turned his attention back to his text. Severus thumbed through his book, looking for where he'd left off. They studied in companionable silence for a time until a Bludger slammed into the ground between them.
The two boys rolled apart. Remus prepared a tirade for his friends about watching where they were hitting those things as he scrambled away from the impact point. Severus leapt to his feet. His lips were drawn back in a snarl and his wand was in his hand. A flash of red light leapt at the three boys on broomsticks above them.
Sirius and James juked out of the line of fire. James pulled Peter to safety along with them as he yelled. "Bloody hell, Snape!"
Remus grabbed Severus' arm and forced his wand toward the ground. The studious Gryffindor frowned in confusion as he realized that the skinny Slytherin was shivering violently. Remus' wolf-instincts screamed that he was dealing with a cornered, injured animal, not a particularly violent and antisocial classmate.
Sirius leapt off his broom and grabbed the shoulder of Severus' robe. He dragged the other boy away from his friends. "You don't go around shooting black magic at my friends!" He hissed.
James and Peter landed by Remus. They watched the other two boys walk off.
"See, I told you he was evil." Peter exclaimed. "I told you, but did you listen? You heard the rumors!"
Remus considered relaying Severus' version of those stories or mentioning how badly the Bludger had apparently shaken the Slytherin but decided against arguing with his friends.
"What was he doing over here anyway?" James wondered.
"Probably avoiding Malfoy." Remus remarked but was drowned out by Peter.
"You guys know what Sirius' family is like, Snape's probably supposed to be getting him back in the fold."
James' eyes hardened as he glanced back toward Sirius and Severus. "Well they can't have him back, he's our friend!"
Harry's Sixth Year, Summer break
Harry stared at the old photograph in disbelief. Even when the fifth boy turned to give the trio roughhousing on the ground a familiar look of disdain Harry still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that the boy was a young Professor Snape.
"How the heck did you guys go from sort of hanging out together to hating each other so much that he'd push Sirius into… That he'd act like he did this year?" Harry demanded angrily.
Remus shook his head tiredly "We were all so insecure back then. I was keeping my werewolfism a secret from everyone. Sirius felt like he needed to prove he wasn't like his family. Peter was just trying to prove himself period… James was the Quidditch star, I was the best at academics in general, Sirius came up with the best pranks and then there was Peter."
"And my dad? What was he insecure about?" Harry asked.
"Us." Remus said. "We worried about Sirius' family pulling him out of school. I didn't realize it at the time, but for the first two years at Hogwarts everyone, including my friends, believed I had some sort of fatal illness. Peter was always so hopelessly inept…"
"What does that have to do with Snape?" Harry broke in.
"It wasn't just one thing you understand. Severus always had a very short fuse and he did know a lot of dark spells even as a first year. Honestly he scared us. We were kids ourselves; we had our own problems to cope with. To tell you the truth, Severus is great deal less likely to overreact now then he was then. Ever since he was a child his first instinct has been to go for the jugular; we thought he'd hurt Peter."
"And even though it seems foolish now, we worried that he'd take Sirius away from us. That was what Sirius' parents were hoping would happen. It was an irrational fear, there were four us and Severus was an outcast even in his own House, if we'd decided as a group to let him in we'd have changed him more than he could have changed any of us." Remus shrugged. "Despite that he was almost a friend for half a year, but even when we were on good terms Severus was never easy to get along with. There were any number of falling-outs but he and Sirius had a common enemy in Lucius Malfoy. They could always put aside their differences to get him. Afterwards Severus would hang around us to avoid retaliation. But eventually something would happen that would remind the four of us that Severus was Slytherin then he'd get in a fight with James or Sirius. Which would end with Severus avoiding us until the next time. The following year Malfoy was a prefect and he had his OWLS to worry about. The first time Severus and Sirius set up a prank Malfoy reported them; said he didn't have the time to put a couple of twelve-year-olds in their place, everyone at Hogwarts knew he'd put up the white flag."
"With Lucius in retreat there was no more reason for Sirius and Severus to team up. And I think finding out I was a werewolf drove a wedge between the four of us and the rest of the school. They were very protective of my secret, especially James. Because of your grandfather's work he knew how the Ministry dealt with rogue werewolves, it made us more than a little exclusive."
Remus picked up the picture again. "I wonder how things might be different if the four of us had decided to make Severus a friend back then rather than an enemy."
Harry stood up abruptly. "Don't." He cried. "Not you too. Don't say that! Don't think that! It wasn't Sirius' fault. I don't care what happened with Snape! I don't care how Sirius treated Kreacher! I just… I don't… It wasn't Sirius' fault! He shouldn't have died! It wasn't fair!"
"Harry, I'm not…"
"Everyone keeps excusing Snape and Kreacher, fine! Blame me, I shouldn't have gone; I should have learned Occlumency; I should have know it was a trap…"
"Harry!"
The door slammed behind the angry, upset teenager.
"Harry, listen to me." Remus pled. The only answer was the sound of the door being locked from the outside. "Harry, don't do this to yourself."
"Alohomora." Remus stepped into a deserted hallway. "Harry…" He signed.
Notes: I"m not sure about how the present dayframing is going to work out.At the moment it's primarily a plot devise to separateevents in the past and an opportunity for characters to put their slant on things in the HP-verse's present day.
I should probably make the next part a sequal, but there are so many HP stories added every day I'm going to keep this series all under one heading. Yeah, yeah, I'm just trying to avoid putting off people who automatically skip any story that says 'sequal' in the summary and hopefully get more reviews. :blushes: I like reviews, who doesn't? )