I'm not own Harry Potter.

Summary:

Severus has a Slytherin spirit. That means, in every situation, look for how to earn as much as possible.

Slytherin Spirit

Slytherin spirit, what is it? Oh, well, just cunning, beautiful in its simplicity.

Like a siren singing, seems so innocent... and you get caught out without paying attention.

The ability to turn what was a disadvantage into an advantage. The ability to turn from being threatened, to being a threatening. The ability to make the verdict against you work for you.

Or in short, just a Slytherin spirit.

True, it didn't work so smoothly always. Often, he failed to achieve the result. To some extent, here too.

But here he wasn't ready to shut up.

It was better to show some strength, get something from it, as long as it could. There is a limit to this terrible injustice.

It's time to put someone else in the grave that he'd dug for you.

The werewolf event was just exaggerated. It took bullying and defamation to a mere murder attempt. And it was more than enough for the monster of rage that he held inside to break out.

Black tried to murder him. Not another quick and clean way. He tried to get him to feed on life, or alternatively, mortally wound and bleed to death.

Black's degree of cruelty and blood lust was greater than could be believed, especially in light of the fact that he tried so hard to distance himself from his family... Well, anyone like Severus knows that common blood can't disappear.

Gryffindor had to get a different definition, just like every house had already.

Slytherin is evil, Ravenclaw are outcasts, Hufflepuff all kind of garbage and Gryffindor is hypocrite.

The school speaks volumes for itself.

But Severus wouldn't accept it in silence. Not only Black, Potter had the audacity to declare he saved him. Then came the headmaster, like the icing on the whipped cream, dismissed everything with a disappointed look and a penalty of standing in the corner.

That was just before he turned to Severus and wanted to keep it confidential. Keep the killer secret.

"Mr. Lupin had nothing to do with it." The headmaster promised, "It would be unfair to punish him for something out of his control and that he himself is suffering of."

Severus couldn't believe the pile of crap he heard. "Wouldn't that be fair?" He snapped, "That was fair enough for Potter and Black. Humiliate me and attract cruel pranks just because I look like I am and am in this place."

"Oh, my boy, now, I'm sure I'd know about that."

"You knew about that." Severus hissed. "And Lupin is far from innocent, he and his dreadful friends have done far more than one trick. And he is a danger to everyone around him."

Dumbledore obviously ignored what was being said. "I assure you that we are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of the students, there is no danger to anyone. Madam Pomfrey accompanies Mr. Lupin to the Whomping Willow and back and confesses that he is right there. Per month."

Severus was furious. "Your safety is not enough. Just see what happened today! What guarantees that such a case will not happen again?"

"It will not happen. Trust the staff. We are experienced in dealing with such problems. Mr. Black has learned his lesson and served a detention for the next two months."

The Slytherin's nostrils widened furiously, there was nothing to say or whom to talk to. He was standing in front of a thick, old, opaque tree stump.

"He is a werewolf," Severus narrowed his eyes, "not just the ministry cares about catching people like him, they are a danger to everyone. People need to know what kind of animal is hiding in the school walls."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry you don't trust us in that." Severus snorted. "Still, I ask for your silence."

Severus folded his hands and stared defiantly at the hheadmaster.

The old man sighed, "It's unfortunate that we come to this, I was hoping you would do it voluntarily, but if you will tell that, I'm afraid the school won't be a place for you anymore."

Severus blinked as his understanding of the headmaster's words settled into his consciousness. If he'll tell, he would be deported.

Blackmail then. Bad news, headmaster, two can play this game.

It was a situation he couldn't win. He would not accept what he wanted. His Slytherinian mind made a quick calculation. Well, maybe not, but he would make sure he got something out of it.

He raised his head and stared at the blue eyes. "Well," he said in a moderate voice, "unfortunately, I won't be able to continue studying here either."

The old man raised an eyebrow, "And why is it, Mr. Snape?"

"You see, I don't have the means to do that. My family has no money and my reputation is so ruined at this school that I almost can't make money. I just can't afford to buy everything I need to study."

"It is indeed a very unpleasant situation, I'm sorry to hear. Are you sure about that?"

"Pretty."

"Then I wish you the best of luck in the success of what you choose to do instead of Hogwarts." Dumbledore stood and pulled out his wand, "But, I'm afraid, before that, I have to do something. Obliviate."

Severus expected it. Though he still was amaze at how far-reaching the headmaster would go. And how much he doesn't care that a student cannot continue to learn. Obviously, the headmaster clearly would not have let go anything of his control.

Well, he'll cope.

Dumbledore lowered his wand and Severus raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "You don't really think it would work, do you? Lupin, wolf."

A glimmer of uncertainty seems for a moment in the old man's eyes, before he raised his wand again and repeated the spell.

Severus sat comfortably in his seat, a feeling of satisfaction filling his body. He answered the old man his memories of the night. Unbelievable how effective the ability to close his brain can be.

The blue eyes studied him curiously and perhaps a hint of awe? The headmaster put his wand and examined it over the half-moon glasses, "I see, Mr. Snape. I'm sure we can arrange it. Hogwarts has plenty of textbooks you'll need next year, from students who graduated in previous years."

"Oh, no." Severus interrupted, his voice challenging, "I find it unbearably difficult to learn in old books. The edition changes every year and I will only need the latest version."

The manager nodded graciously, "I'm sure Mr. Potter will finance this for you, as compensation for the unfortunate accident."

"Without a doubt." Severus agreed smoothly. "And not to forget, some ordinary everyday robes, and two more festive events." Dumbledore's gaze now issued a warning, but Severus skillfully ignored it, "as well as spending money on all the potion components I would like to brew and try."

The headmaster's lips stretched to the tight line, "Don't you think you're stretching the strap a little bit, Mr. Snape?"

Severus shrugged indifferently, examining his fingernails, "Not really. I am learning for advance the professions I am interested in." He stopped and met the blue eyes. "Though it mostly depends. So my life is worth two months in detention. How much do you value the wolf's life?"

In fact, he did not like to beg for money and could curtail himself, of course. But there was this power he wanted to demonstrate. He is tired of being the victim of anyone who wants. Once he managed to overcome the old man, it was a feat. An unfamiliar, but very pleasant, feeling of victory came to his chest.

Plus, the money was a nice bonus.

A/N: Hope you like. I'll glad to hear your mind!