PRIDE
Title: Joining the circle.
Rating: G
Warnings:
Word Count: 375
"Welcome to Slytherin, Mr Snape! Lucius Malfoy, Prefect." The lanky blond shifted up to make space, and turned to shake hands with the young lad who was seating himself gingerly on the benches. "Narcissa, Avery, make our new member welcome. Crabbe, pass those pumpkin scones before I make you."
Although this last command was delivered in a smooth, elegant tone, Severus Snape felt the cold behind it, and surmised that here was a wizard who expected obedience. He was therefore quite surprised when the prefect patted him on the back and looked over him in a very approving manner.
"I am glad you're with us. After all, Slytherin has always been the house for leadership and resourcefulness, and from the look of you, you've been resourceful." At this, Malfoy lifted Snape's wrist, and the edge of the new robe fell back to give a glimpse of the darned and patched shirt beneath. Snape felt a burn of shame and made to cover it, but Malfoy stopped him with an elegant wave of his other hand, and a toss of his collar-length hair. "This thrift does you no dishonour. Some of the best wizarding families are having a hard time of it these days."
Suddenly a pumpkin scone hit the back of Snape's head, propelled with some force from the red-and-gold decorated benches in the middle of the room. Laughter rose from one patch, and he just made out a cry of "Snivellus!" before the Headmaster's voice rode over the background din with "Ten points from Gryffindor for picking on another student, and another ten points for wasting food."
"Gits". Lucius mumbled something further below his breath, and then looked approvingly as Narcissa brushed the remaining crumbs from the back of Severus's collar. A totally unfamiliar feeling filled the young lad, rising through his body like the glow from a hot butterbeer. He looked up at Lucius Malfoy and around at the others at his table, all of them united in supporting him against those who would pick on him. Unconsciously, he straightened up and squared his shoulders, almost smiling back at Lucius, who regarded him with approval.
"That's right, young Snape. You should be proud to be in Slytherin. After all, it's where you belong."