Losing It
A/N: Not technically a songfic, but makes lyrical references, so... List of songs at the end if you don't know them already when you see them. Decided to merge two tropes: the 4&1 and "Severus is a music fan". Please, enjoy. I had a good laugh writing it. Do NOT take this seriously. It isn't crack, but it is definitely a little silly.
The first time:
Severus scowled as he moved swiftly through the second-floor corridor. He had just finished scouring the library a third time, looking for some way to counter Albus' insistence on Potter's participation in the Tournament, but he had yet to find anything. It was maddening, but the change in rules for the Tournament this year had muddied the magical binding of the Goblet. Since in previous tournaments a 14-year-old could have submitted their name, the Goblet still considered the boy a viable candidate. And Moody's theory about someone confounding the Goblet to accept a fourth school as a competitor was sound but made matters so much worse. A fourth school meant only the imaginary Headmaster of that school could veto Potter's involvement. Yet another dead end.
At this rate, keeping the boy alive was going to be nearly impossible, and he could only hope that Albus' insistence that Potter was capable would prove true. The number of scrapes Potter narrowly escaped the past three years was already wearing at his nerves. At this point, he was fairly certain he'd go mad. And it was doing nothing for his reputation. Foul-tempered didn't begin to describe the broiling rage he'd been struggling to control since the Goblet's announcement a week ago.
The sound of voices shouting around the corner of the next corridor drew Severus from his thoughts. They were distinct, familiar, and exactly what he needed as an outlet for his stewing anger. He slowed his steps until he was completely silent as he approached the corner, where Potter and Weasley seemed close to coming to blows, if their spitting screaming match was anything to go by.
"I can't believe you did this!"
"I didn't do anything, Ron! Get over yourself!"
Severus fought not to roll his eyes. He had heard about the Weasley moron's insistence that his own friend had 'betrayed him' by volunteering alone for a deadly set of trials that Potter fought vehemently against participating in. It never ceased to amaze him the stupidity the youngest Weasley male was capable of, nor how much dumber he could be in his ridiculous bid for the limelight. Still, with both Potter and Weasley in the midst of such high emotion, it was almost too easy an opportunity for taking points and assigning detentions. It would sour their moods, but it would improve his own. Besides, what better way to mend a rift than through a common enemy? Potter couldn't afford to lose friends right now.
"You're being stupid, Ron! Why would I put my name in? Why would you want to?! People have died competing in this tournament, and I'm getting really sick of throwing myself at death's door, so why would I volunteer to do it again?" Potter demanded as Severus drew within feet of the corner.
"Gee, maybe because you're a selfish git who only thinks of himself and how to improve his image? Maybe you did it so you wouldn't have such a bad reputation about getting around by the skin of your teeth!"
Severus was in the midst of mentally tallying how many points he could reasonably take, despite the lack of real infraction, when Potter's response stopped him.
"I don't give a damn about my bad reputation!"
Severus' breath hitched as his footsteps halted a mere foot from the corner and he swallowed an unseemly snort of humor. Potter and Weasley were still going at each other, but he no longer heard it as he struggled to tamp down the sudden urge to chortle like a complete buffoon. Turning sharply on his heel, he retreated back down the corridor, not entirely sure he was breathing as he struggled to maintain his composure. It hadn't been intentional, he was sure of that, but that actually made it worse.
What I wouldn't give to see the look on the boy's face if he knew that was Lily's favorite song, Severus mused.
This thought sent him back into the maelstrom of trying to control his features as he beat a hasty retreat to his dungeons. He was suddenly grateful for his recently devolving mood, since it would prevent even his Slytherins stopping him before he could get his thoughts, and bubbling laughter, under control… and perhaps get the music to stop playing in his head. He had a bad reputation of his own to maintain, after all.