Zoomi, once again, is the best beta ever!
"Look at him, he thinks he's so much better then us." James growled into his porridge as he sat within the Great Hall, attempting to eat breakfast.
His gaze was locked on a mused head of dark hair; the boy continued talking adamantly with the students sitting around him – obviously about Quidditch – unaware that he was being watched.
A heavy sigh at James' right had him turning toward Remus. "Really James, your little brother isn't secretly taunting you." He nodded. "True, he is the spawn of Salazar, but most of the time he's acting up just to get your attention."
There was an incredulous snort. "Attention my arse." Sirius waved a piece of toast at the amber eyed boy. "He's one you have to watch out for; we wouldn't want Potter Jr. over there to turn dark on us."
"Dark?" Peter mumbled through a mouthful of cereal, bits of milk dribbling down his chin.
James gave a disgusted look. "As in future Death Eater." He replied, glancing away.
The chubby boy started choking at those words, eyes comically wide in fear. Laughter erupted from the Slytherins at his misfortune and Remus tried to pat him on the back soothingly; Sirius gave them the finger with a scowl.
"Bloody Slytherins." He shook his head. "And Evans wonders why we hate 'em."
Across the hall a similar conversation was taking place.
"Bloody Gryffindors." Lucius spat. "They're nothing but a waste of perfectly good space."
Dark laughter erupted around him in agreement, but of course everyone would agree with the smooth talking Seventh Year, they didn't want to be on the wrong end of the blonde's wand.
"You're so right Lucius darling." Narcissa cooed, her heavily made up face scrunched into a pout. "They're nothing but dirty little half-bloods."
There was a snort a little ways down the table and the group of Purebloods turned in the direction of their interruption.
"Have something to say Potter?" Lucius sneered. "I'm surprised you aren't defending them."
Harry smiled coolly. "And why would I do something like that Lucius, when I am clearly a Slytherin?" He drawled, shifting his robes so the Slytherin crest was visible to further his point. "You could ask Regulus the same question and I am sure he would give you the same reply."
The younger Black scowled from his own breakfast. "Of course I would. Gryffindors are a disgusting bunch of do-gooders."
Many heads nodded in agreement.
Harry smirked. "I deserve the same respect Regulus receives; we both have brothers in Gryffindor." He pointed out with a shrug. "It's not our fault that they turned out bad, so it shouldn't reflect on our reputation."
There was a sniff from Narcissa. "The Black family is a well-known supporter of the Dark Arts." She sneered. "The Potters on the other hand, are Gryffindors."
Emerald eyes narrowed with a scowl. "Well not this one." He growled lowly.
"Now, now children." Lucius smiled in that arrogant way of his. "Let's play nice."
"I will if she does." Harry sneered.
The blonde witch turned away, nose to the air. Harry was about to open his mouth again when someone interrupted his insult.
"I highly doubt that Potter." A new voice said huffily as the boy sat beside Lucius. "Your family is known for their thickheaded sons."
"Severus." Lucius smiled in greeting. "We were just having a conversation on the finer aspects of Slytherin."
There was a rude scoff. "You were accusing me of having Gryffindor ideals." Harry interrupted.
A dark brow was arched. "Well who can blame him Potter, your background speaks clearly enough."
"Sod off Snape, no one was asking you." Harry growled.
A few whistles and catcalls from the Gryffindor table broke through their spat and Harry sighed heavily, bowing his head. Here we go again.
"Good morning Snivellus!" Sirius called from his seat. "Why so late this morning, took extra time in the shower?"
Ah, the daily ritual of insults, it seemed the Marauders couldn't truly start their day without offending Snape in some way. Harry hated the way his brother and friends behaved sometimes. Not only did it prove that the Slytherins were right in thinking the Potters were brainless twits, it also made the Gryffindor boys look very bad in the eyes of the staff.
James laughed at Sirius' words, bringing Harry back to the present taunting. "I don't think so Padfoot, his hair is a greasy as ever."
"Maybe he was wanking, we all know no one would willing touch him." Sirius piped up again.
Laughter bubbled across the Hall as the other tables watched the normal routine of cruelty without saying anything to stop it.
"Perhaps he was taking time to shag." Remus commented, eyes flashing as he gazed at Snape.
"With who Moony?" James gasped dramatically.
"Professor Flitwick maybe?" He grinned. "We all know how much he loves his Potions, Charms is a different matter, wouldn't want to be caught failing."
There was a soft growling at Harry's own table and he turned toward Snape who was looking livid. His face was red, lips tight as he glared at his tormentors.
Not good. Harry slid over discretely, not wanting to suffer Snape's wrath.
"If I was, you would be the first person I told Potter." He snapped. "Merlin knows you probably aren't satisfied with the sex you're getting."
"What's that supposed to mean Snivelly?" James retorted.
There was a taunting sneer. "I'm sure your brother isn't enough to satisfy your needs." He elaborated.
What! Harry stiffened.
"What!" James hollered, eyes flaming.
He lunged from his seat, sending goblets and plates scattering across the table in his haste to reach Snape. Sirius and Remus jumped up and struggled to pull him back down though the glares they were shooting were enough to say how much they would rather let him go.
Harry was surprised the professors did nothing to stop them. He turned toward the laughing Slytherins and scowled lightly at Snape, he didn't appreciate being at the brunt of his joke.
"Isn't that going a little too far Severus?" Harry glowered at the older wizard.
"If you can't take a simple joke Potter leave." Snape snapped.
"Yes, why not leave?" Narcissa sneered over Lucius' shoulder, the latter remaining silent as he stared toward the Gryffindors with a smirk.
Stupid Slytherins. Harry finally looked away, eyes catching James' furious ones.
His brother was still being restrained by the two Marauders, eyes darkened with rage as he glared at the oily haired wizard. Peter as usual was useless, still stuffing his face as everything happened around him, why James allowed the small boy to follow him around Harry would never know.
Personally, he would have hexed the useless slob a long time ago.
But that was beside the point. Harry smiled halfheartedly at his brother as he rose from the bench; breakfast was definitely over for him.
"Look at little Potty running away." Narcissa giggled.
"Shut it Black." Harry growled, sending a deadly glare in the girl's direction before walking away. "I don't have time for fools like you."
He sighed quietly to himself as he left the Hall behind and headed toward the stairs; he could tell that this wasn't going to be the best of days.
"Hey Potter!" A voice called after his retreating form.
Harry tiredly turned and spied Sirius. He smiled immediately. "Yeah Black?" He cocked his head in question.
"You alright?" The older teen questioned, his blue eyes suddenly serious.
Harry laughed him off. "Why wouldn't I be?" He grinned cheekily.
The elder shrugged and nodded over his shoulder and back toward the Great Hall. "Well we weren't too sure how you would react to that." He replied.
Harry waved a dismissing hand. "I'm fine. It was nothing really, I mean it's not as though I was hexed or anything." He said honestly. "Snape was trying to get under James' skin; I didn't take his insults to heart."
Sirius clapped him on the shoulder. "Good." He smiled down at the shorter boy.
"So is that it?" Harry asked.
His hair was ruffled affectionately and he cried out in protest as his gelled locks were disrupted.
"For now." Sirius replied laughingly.
"Dammit Padfoot! Do you know how long it takes to style it just right?"
An incredulous brow was raised. "You actually try to tame that thing?" He nodded toward the dark locks.
Harry shook his head with a grin and attempted to fix his hair into some type of order. "I'm going for the 'just been shagged' look." He smirked.
"You're fighting a losing battle Potter." Padfoot teased. "You're obviously an innocent virgin."
"Shove off Pads." Harry scoffed and turned back toward the stairs where he had originally been headed before he was distracted.
"Love you too Potter." Sirius called as Harry stepped onto the revolving staircase.
Harry waved at the annoying Marauder as he was pulled away.
"And don't think I've forgotten what you did this morning!" Sirius warned. "I'll get you back for hexing me Potter!"
Harry smiled secretly as he shook his head. Maybe today wouldn't be too bad after all.
jbcna: Glad u like it so far, I'll try updating regularly.
wwwendy::grins: Hehe, thanks. Here're all the details for the challenge. Harry is James' brother. He is a year or two behind James. He falls in love with Severus or Remus. James isn't too happy about it. No non-con. Harry can be in any house. Bonus if it is Slytherin. Bonus if Harry loses his virginity to Remus or Severus. It's on the silver snitch if u want to see more challenges.
twisteddagger::laughs: I think there's only one other person who took this challenge. Here's the site, the silver snitch, I take it you'll know how to search for it :winks: Good luck.