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A/N: Warning: This chapter contains some Severus hurts. And a very unpleasant student.

Deepest Bonds

Malevolence

As was to be expected, Sirius' first public appearance caused quite a stir. It seemed that the Wizarding public bought their explanation of magical balance, though, so it was not any cause of worry to them. Sirius and Severus avoided each other as much as they could, keeping up the hateful act in front of students and teachers alike, and every night they shared a bed. They'd scheduled their meals so that Sirius ate in the Great Hall first, then, right after he had left, Severus entered. Everybody thought they were just trying to avoid each other even on meal times, and although some of the other teachers called this childish, none thought anything more of it. They simply hated each other, like they had always done.

At nights, however, as Sirius often lay awake, deep in thought, there was no sign of an animosity between them. He held the Slytherin tightly, petting gently the now silky black hair, amazed that he had managed to win the man's trust. Severus was completely dependant on him on almost every aspect on his life, and he was going to do his best never to abuse that power.

Of course, everything could not go on like this forever.

Sirius, it turned out, was fairly popular among the students. Although he had calmed down considerably from the rebel he had been as a teenager, there was still enough of a Marauder in him to draw the students to him like moths to light. While teaching, he was serious enough, never letting his students slip from any of the exercises or homework, but he soon became known as a prankster. After a loud fight in a corridor after Sirius had turned Severus' robes a bright pink nobody doubted that they hated each other.

Slytherins were more wary of him, though -- not only because their Head of House was so obviously set against him. They still accepted him to a degree, especially after they noticed that his pranks were not reserved solely for Professor Snape but that he got on the other teachers' nerves just as badly.

There were still those even he couldn't win to his side. One of them was Monique Lohawk, a Slytherin and a Pureblood fanatic of the worst kind. Sirius had been told that in the Sorting she hadn't at first even wanted to wear the Sorting Hat because Muggleborns and Halfbloods were Sorted with it as well. Only Dumbledore's threat of immediate expulsion had made her finally wear it. Miss Lohawk loathed Sirius, and Sirius returned the feelings full-heartedly. He had thought his family's habit of beheading house-elves when they got too old was horrid, but then he had discovered that the Lohawk family had traditionally given the same treatment to their aging slaves. After this nothing could have made him like the girl, no matter what she was like.

Thus, he was already prepared for something bad when he one day was summoned to the Headmaster's office, the message only mentioning the girl and Severus.

Much as he loathed doing so, Severus had to deal with Monique Lohawk on an almost daily basis. The girl hated him, having labelled him as a traitor, and he shared Sirius' dislike for her. Unfortunately she was one of his most attentive students, making up in her hard work what she lacked in talent. She had been ill for some time, though -- rumours among the teachers, as well as the students, told that she had fallen ill simply out of spite -- and now had to make up for her missed classes. This was the reason he was currently tutoring her in the otherwise empty classroom.

It may be just for the best that there were no other students about, Severus decided. Other students kept their distance from her, and even other Slytherins avoided her, feeling that her fanaticism went too far even for them. The war against Voldemort had uprooted the most avid Muggleborn haters, and if any of those remaining shared any of her views, they knew better than to make it known. Miss Lohawk, however, was both fanatic and obvious about it, and never missed a chance to make her opinion known, regardless of the subsequent loss of House points -- another reason for other Slytherins to hate her.

The problem may have been avoided had he not been in his thoughts at the exact moment. As it was, however, he realized the mistake she had made a second too late. Unable to stop the already dropped ingredient from reacting with the rest of the potion, he pushed the girl away from the cauldron. Even if he hated her, it was not an excuse to let her be killed in his class.

The explosion was not as bad as he'd feared, but bad enough to tear his robes and cause small wounds to the arm he raised to shield himself. As the smoke cleared, he turned to look at his student to make sure nothing was wrong with her. She appeared to be unharmed, yet she stood absolutely still. After a moment of confusion he realized to his great horror that she was staring at his wrist.

His wrist, usually concealed, which had been revealed due to the damage of his explosion.

His wrist, which was decorated by an elaborate strand of tattooed symbols.

Before he could do anything, she started to scream.

"Ah, Sirius," Dumbledore said gravely as the Transfigurations teacher hurried into his office. "I fear we have a bit of a situation in our hands."

"When don't we?" asked Sirius, then continued, "What is it? You mentioned Severus in your message. Is he all right?"

"Aside from a few wounds -- no more than scratches, I assure you -- he is fine," Dumbledore reassured him. "However, due to the destructive tendencies of potions accidents such as the one that caused this harm, something was revealed that should never have been." The blue eyes were sad as he continued, "Miss Lohawk saw his slave's tattoos."

Sirius cursed under his breath. "And has spread the word to the whole school, no doubt," he said darkly.

"Oh, no," the Headmaster said, much to his relief. "It seems she was in a great hurry to reach me -- to demand me to fire him immediately, I fear. Of course I have no intention of doing that, but we have to somehow stop her from causing a further scene."

The usual warm look in Sirius' eyes was replaced with a steely glint. "Where is she?" he simply asked.

Dumbledore showed him into a room hid behind his office. As soon as the door was opened Sirius was treated to the sight -- and sound -- of the quite enraged Monique Lohawk. Kingsley Shacklebolt stood in the corner, keeping an eye on her, and looked up in obvious relief as Dumbledore and Sirius entered. Sirius wasn't too surprised to find Minerva in the room as well. Apparently only those already aware of Severus' status were going to be involved.

"I refuse to be taught by something lower than a human!" screeched the girl. "He is a slave. What right does he have to go walking around like he does? Even animals have to be kept at a leash!"

Sirius seethed. Earlier he had doubted anybody could be as horrible as the rumours claimed her to be, but now they were all too easy to believe. He could absolutely see this little bitch standing in front of the whole school and announcing that she would not touch the Sorting Hat after so many Muggleborns. In fact, he was surprised she had finally worn it.

"I'm sorry, Miss Lohawk," he said, "but a slave's humanity or the lack thereof depends solely on their master. Therefore, I am informing you that Professor Snape has every right to teach you. If you ever show any disrespect to him, I will make sure that you are expelled immediately."

The girl looked quite baffled, while all the teachers mentally cheered Sirius on. The Grim Animagus was not finished yet, though. "In fact, in my opinion, he is more a human than you are. Therefore, if you insist that he should not be allowed among other humans, I can claim that you should be locked up. What exactly do you think makes you any better than him? His blood? Get real, girl. His blood is probably purer than yours, considering how most Pureblood wizards treat their slaves -- especially the female ones."

However, a true Slytherin would not be beat so easily. "Not my blood, no," she said. "What puts me above him is that I have not been bound to another's will. And you're the one keeping him in slavery. If thinking that slaves are not humans puts me below them, just what does that make you?"

Sirius flinched a bit at that, but did not give in. "I was given no choice in the matter," he told her coolly. "However, I am using my position and power to ensure a human life for Professor Snape. You, however, are judging him and his worth based solely on the fact that he is a slave. That makes you, Miss Lohawk, not a human but a prejudiced little bitch." Drawing a deep breath, he continued just as the girl was about to speak up, "You said that the slave's bond is what makes him less than a human, not his blood. Then he was a free human being when he was born, correct? So what gave his first master the right to place a binding spell on him, a free human being with full human rights? Let's assume that I know the enslaving spell not based on blood. If I cast it on you, would that make you less than a human? I'd do it, you know."

Now, the girl was even more enraged. Just as she started to snap back, however, they were interrupted.

"I think this is quite enough," Dumbledore told them. "Mister Black has made his views quite clear, and I agree with him. Miss Lohawk, any disrespect towards Professor Snape due to his status will result with your immediate expulsion. Also, if I hear of any rumours concerning this, I will know who to turn to," he then added, the usual twinkle in his eyes replaced with a threatening glow.

Miss Lohawk glared at him for a moment, then nodded stiffly. Then, radiating frustration and helpless rage, she left the room, not giving them another glance.

Dumbledore sighed as he watched her go. "Such a pity," he muttered. "She would be a brilliant girl if she wasn't spoiled with her prejudices."

"Do you think she will cause trouble?" asked Shacklebolt warily. He knew all too well what it was like to be ostracized due to circumstances out of his control. And, while looked down on, he was still in a better situation than Severus. At least he could mostly control his own life.

"Not directly, no," the Headmaster said. "However, I have no doubt she will find some way to make the truth known. We should now do everything in our might to prevent such a thing -- and prepare for the worst."

It didn't take much, it turned out. Only a botched -- or sabotaged, like was suspected, although never proved -- potion in the middle of a Potions class. It just happened so that this was Miss Lohawk's first attendance of a regular class after her illness. And, although even the other students blamed her, nothing could be proved.

This time the explosion was more powerful, enough so to send a few of the students to the hospital wing. The worst damage was received by Severus, who had done his best to shield the students. Not even his wounds as he lay unconscious on the classroom floor, however, could distract the students from what one of the Purebloods discovered while inspecting his wounds.

The following day found Severus still in the hospital wing, Sirius torn between worried and enraged, and the school buzzing with rumours about the marks of slavery on the Potions Professor. And, quite unsurprisingly, Miss Lohawk very satisfied.

Next chapter:

Everybody knows.