Chapter 67, The terrible, horrible Very Humiliating Day
Severus's spirits were far lighter after completing his Transfiguration O.W.L! The next few days of exams after the harrowing experience with cheating felt like a breeze in comparison. Though he was a bit anxious waiting for the exam results for Transfiguration, he knew that the hardest part was over. No one had caught him cheating, and Raislen was the best person in the world! He knew he would never forget what Raislen had done for him, including the calculated risk he'd taken to do so. If the older boy ever needed anything, Severus planned to be there. Of course he always would've done even without Raislen putting himself a bit on the line to help him pass Transfiguration, but this had meant more to him than he could properly put into words. During the next two weeks, the O.W.L.S continued. Though many of his classmates moaned and groaned about how grueling they were, Severus found them nearly a piece of cake because they weren't Transfiguration. He had studied hard and his studies paid off. During the evenings, he, Raislen and Heather would recover in the common room from their long day of exams while studying a bit for which ever one they would be taking the next day. Regulus frequently complained of being bored,as their usual activities had basically stopped.
"Enjoy the luxury," Heather told him. "In fact, relish it while you can."
Regulus sighed. "I just want to be done," he grumbled.
Heather's expression was fleetingly sad as she studied him, before her lips turned upward in a slight amused smile. "In such a hurry to grow up, aren't you?"
"I am,"Regulus agreed, entirely missing her point.
"Can everyone shut up so I can study," Severus snapped, for some reason annoyed with the entire conversation. It was pointless from either direction, after all. He knew that it was because while he agreed with Heather, he had to basically walk Regulus's path for reasons that needed resolving so that he would not choke on his own rage and resentment. He could not make grandfather Prince pay, and though he could now fend the Gryffindor Gits off with Sectumsempra, he could not ever make them pay properly for all the years of completely unjustified torment which they'd happily heaped on his head because it was not legal and no one was worth Azkaban. So it left him piling all that onto Voldemort, where it had to find a release.
"I've decided to have an all the hellish exams are over party at mine this summer a few days after school lets out," Raislen suddenly announced. "I think everyone could use a good party. I'm inviting all my friends who are graduating, and of course you, Kid." He grinned at Severus. "You deserve a celebration if anyone does for passing Transfiguration without having a heart attack in class."
Severus grinned. He knew that what Raislen really meant was for not having a heart attack in class due to the fact that cheating was so risky and thus justifiably terrifying. A party sounded great for its own sake, but of course basking in the presence of his precious library would never go a miss either. "That does sound wonderful," he told Raislen.
"And of course you and Kreacher are welcome to come along and party in advance for when you take your exams, Regulus," Raislen added with a good-natured chuckle.
Regulus grinned. "That's a party a few years in advance, but I'll take it."
"That's the spirit!" Raislen clapped him on the shoulder. "I really am going to miss it here, though I am looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life," he added, expression going a little sad.
"Don't start," Severus warned. "I can't afford to be depressed while studying for exams. If you make me fail something as a result of sudden depression over my two best friends abandoning me, I shall hex you into next year," he warned.
"Hey!" Regulus exclaimed. "I shall still be here. Am I chopped liver or something?"
"Of course not, but you aren't Heather and Raislen any more than I am Kreacher," Severus shot back.
Regulus nodded. "Fair enough.""
The two weeks of exams became rather a routine of testing during the day and studying at night. Either Severus had basically grown accustom to the Wizarding Examinations Authority or those giving the tests after Charms and Transfiguration weren't nearly as freakishly terrifying. Either way, his anxiety when staring into their faces was nearly nonexistent, and he was glad of that. Eventually the exams were over and it was the final full day of school as they would be leaving on the train tomorrow. Final in so many ways that it felt unreal. No more Heather and Raislen on the train with him after tomorrow. Never ever again. That final left a growing hole in his heart at the very thought.
The final Transfiguration class, though, that was a final he could get behind even if he was terrified to see his exam score. When they were at last given their papers, though, he could not look for some time. It was stupid, and he knew it as stupid, but his heart was racing and his mind felt nearly frozen with terror. Though it was quite unlike him, it was still very much the case. What if he'd somehow failed Transfiguration? What if any chance at a decent career was ruined over that damned class? He was entirely unable to pay attention as McGonagall painstakingly went over all the correct answers for the class. When class was over, he was the first to rush from the room. His chest was tight and his eyes unfocused as he numbly hurried down the hall toward the lake where he was to meet the others to go over scores. Classes on this last day of term were always at least half an hour shorter than usual, leaving students with plenty of free time until the next class began. Perhaps he would just let Raislen look at the score for him, Severus decided. He couldn't stand to actually see it if he'd failed. Hearing it from Raislen would perhaps be better. He paced anxiously for several minutes while he waited. When no one showed up, his anxiousness only grew. It was odd that none of his friends were here. yet.
One of the three being slightly delayed for some issue or other was not strange, but all three was perplexing. Tired of the anxiety to the point that he was becoming angry, Severus finally snatched the stupid Transfiguration test paper from where he'd shoved it up the sleeve of his school robe in order to avoid looking at it without emotional support. With a resigned sigh, he flopped onto the grass to read the verdict of his fate. Forcing his eyes downward, he attempted to make sense of the jumble of letters on the page on which his anxiety would not allow him to focus. There were a few red marks on the paper, a result of errors being crossed out. That was from his practical. He knew he hadn't gotten it even close to perfect, so had counted on the written part on the exam to get him through. There weren't as many errors as he'd expected, but he had no idea how many points the Wizarding Examinations Authority removed for each error.
Likely it depended on the severity of said error, or perhaps just the mood of the individual giving the bloody practical! Severus knew that his mind was racing, and that he needed to snap out of it and just read the damned paper from start to finish to have bloody done with it. Taking a deep breath, he forced his gaze to the top of the page. When the all too familiar and very much hated voice of James Potter shouted out the word, Snivellus," Severus actually started. So focused had he been on his own personal hell that he'd actually forgotten to look out for those bloody gits! Stupid. Anxiety redirecting into fury, he leapt to his feet, exam paper still in hand. His other hand reached for his wand. He was in a rubbish mood and was so ready to take it out on these bloody Gits in the form of a good sweeping group Sectumsempra for all four of them! Yes, that would feel amazing and go a long way toward improving his mood!
Before he could do more than grip his wand in preparation, though, James's voice rang out again. "Expelliarmus!" Severus's wand went flying. This was not happening! Could this day get any worse? He was going to make them pay so much that." Before he had time to summon his wand back to himself, or even complete his thought, Potter used an Impediment Jinx, causing Severus to fall down. He felt his face flaming with fury, hatred and yes,humiliation. Humiliation that all of them would bloody pay for, even and especially Remus Lupin for just sitting there and reading his stupid book as if nothing was happening. How had that cowardly git even gotten into Gryffindor, Severus wondered darkly, practically choking on his rage as he focused on breathing through it. Struggling to release himself, Severus gave way to his fury, shouting the foulest curses and hexes that he knew at James Potter. This time if his rage caused him to do more damage, that would be perfectly fine! For the moment, Azkaban was the furthest thing from his thoughts. Instead of the curses being extra strong, though, Severus's jumbled feelings of upset and anxiety only made the magic unfocused and ineffective. Nothing hit James Potter. No curse, and no hex. Nothing at all. James made a snarky idiotically childish comment about Severus's nasty mouth and his need to wash it out. Before Severus could realize the git's intention, he was choking on pink soap bubbles from a Scourgify that Potter had no trouble casting. Unlike Severus's own, his focus was not off in the least.
This only served to enrage Severus even more. They would all pay for this if it was the last thing he did! Distantly Severus heard a voice telling James to leave him alone. It was not the welcome voice of Heather, Raislen or Regulus, though. Where in the hell were they anyway? He thought furiously. Instead the voice belonged to that Gryffindor girl Evans, who pretended not to like James Potter, but never missed an opportunity to talk to him about it even though that required being near him to do so. Severus used their banter, for James always relished her attention and played up to it, to at last summon his bloody wand back. Finally he was able to hit James in his obnoxious face with the Sectumsempra curse that he so deserved.
Just like the wild beast he was, Rather than screaming in pain and backing off as he had last time, James went on the attack harder, casting Levicorpus, so that Severus turned upside down! This time, rather than being rattled, James appeared maddened by his own blood being shed. As it turned out, the day could indeed get worse, Severus realized. To his horror, his robe fell upward, as robes did when one was flipped upside down. This exposed Severus's legs and underpants to everyone who had gathered round! Everyone was most of the fifth year class, he noted with a sinking stomach and rage filled heart. Then James's little would be girlfriend spoke up again, supposedly in Severus's defense, but he was no fool.
She only defended him to vex James who still had not given up on the hope of dating her. This was likely because the idea of slumming with girls of lesser birth of whom his parents were unlikely to approve was appealing to bored rich prats like him. Severus had actually witnessed this game between them escalating over the past few years, but it had never involved him before, so he'd tuned it out as annoying and not useful. Solemnly, James promised never to bother Severus again if only Lily would go out with him which she coyly declined in that mock angry tone she cultivated just for Potter. So stupid and childish, they all were.
While Severus could've wished that the girl truly wanted to help him enough to go on one stupid date with Potter, he knew that she did not because clearly withholding from Potter was the best way for her to continue to gain his attention. If she dated him, surely he would quickly grow tired of her, having at last gotten what he wanted. Not only that, he had clearly said that *he* would leave Severus alone, not that his three git friends would, but the girl wasn't smart enough to notice that clear and not so tricky omission. Severus wanted his friends to arrive and hex the gits into next week. He did not want some girl he hardly knew and did not like, and who did not like him to defend him just to annoy her boy toy. She even smiled slightly in amusement that she was unable or uninterested in hiding at what she surely considered to be James's cute antics. Oh hell no.
Throat constricted with impotent rage, he viciously announced to James Potter and everyone else watching. "I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!" Quite as if she'd expected him to be grateful, Lily Evans looked hurt at the insult. What had she expected, though? Him to stupidly believe she suddenly truly wished to help someone who she ignored or looked down on from her esteemed Gryffindor position of deluded grandeur simply because James Potter was obsessed with her as the one girl who consistently turned him down? Seriously? She may be stupid, but Severus certainly was not.
"I won't bother in the future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus." Lily Evans turned away in a huff after making the statement that proved what a grand match she was for James Potter. Severus simply glared daggers at her back, for she wasn't worth the petty bother of another insult. He suddenly hated her about as much as he hated James and the other gits. Thanks to her all the students surrounding their little group were laughing, surely focused on the fact that his underpants were old because he and his mum were kept poor. How he hated them all! Every single one of them! James then actually demanded he apologize, which was not going to happen. When Severus insulted James instead, Potter threatened to remove Severus's underpants, the sick evil git. He really and truly did deserve to die, Severus thought wrathfully, through gritted teeth.
"You have no business being a Prefect, Remus Lupin, and I am telling the Headmaster as much in the next five minutes!" Severus felt relief flooding over him as the indignant angry voice of Heather Knight rang out. "You are as pathetic and mean as your little bullying friends, and don't think that everyone doesn't know it! They're all so frightened of the Dark, and of Severus that this is how they have to make their pathetic selves feel better. It's so ridiculous and you all make me sick!" As Heather ranted, James allowed Severus to fall to the ground. Hands shaking with rage, Severus hastily smoothed down his robes as he scrambled to his feet. His gaze caught the corner of his Transfiguration exam paper fluttering in the wind, and he hastily snatched it up. He allowed himself to relish the sight of Lupin being humiliated by another Prefect. Even though it wasn't a third of what he'd just experienced, it was still satisfying. The git's face was flushed in embarrassment, and he steadily eyed the ground rather than Heather's angry glare.
"Let him alone, Creeper," James told Heather.
"Oh I shall, because I am on my way to Dumbledore on the instant," Heather vowed. "I have plenty of witnesses, after all, so you can't lie or make excuses for yourselves this time. Perhaps some of them will lie for you, but not all of them. Severus isn't the only person you've been a git to, after all."
"Go ahead and tell," Sirius taunted. "You're all just a bunch of babies, always running to tell."" Sirius had tiny blood spatters across his cheeks, and Regulus stood nearby with wand in hand and a smugly satisfied expression on his face. He must have hit Sirius with Sectumsempra as a distraction. Severus felt his heart warming as much as it could through the humiliation and rage at the sight of his friends. Where was Raislen, though?
"Telling beats killing you," Heather ground out to Sirius through gritted teeth. "Be grateful, you rancid pile of harpy excrement!" She grasped Severus's wrist and began dragging him away as Regulus tittered.
"I like that one," he told Heather as the three of them hurried toward the castle. "I bet Mother would even be impressed, and Mother has some creative swears." Because his shame was too much to ponder or talk about at present, Severus focused once more on his exam paper. Somehow reading the results was no longer quite the most terrifying thing in the world. Though he'd made three noted mistakes on his practical, his over all score was an A. Acceptable was the best he'd truly been expecting, and it made his heart sing even through his foul mood. It was finally over! Had he scored any higher, it would have been suspicious, as he'd always gotten by at best in that dreadful class. A quick scan of the written portion of the exam, showed that Raislen had wisely gotten a few of those questions wrong as well. "I passed," he told Heather and Regulus, forcing a smile as he waved the paper. "I got an A on my Transfiguration O.W.L! Where is Raislen, though?" He'd hoped to share the good news with him first, after all, but like everything else that day, nothing had worked as planned.
"About that," Heather said carefully. "We were all late because Flitwick wanted to speak to us." She glanced around the empty corridor, then leaned close to whisper into Severus's ear. "He Knows!"
Severus felt his knees go weak. He was not going to need James Bloody Potter to knock him down this time. "He what?"He whispered back stupidly, while his mind struggled to comprehend the full implications of the words he'd just heard. Indeed this day could get even worse. James and his little evil git friends were so going to have a party when Severus and Raislen were expelled for cheating. He'd passed just to lose everything anyway. Life. was. not. fair! Ever!
"He isn't going to tell, though," Heather whispered, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "He waited to make sure the Wizarding Examinations Authority hadn't caught you out before saying anything. He just wanted to know who was all in it and whatever were we thinking to risk such madness and all that. Of course he was angry with you and Raislen, but he isn't telling. Raislen isn't even getting detention, because Flitwick could not explain why if anyone should ask. He is surely giving Raislen some sort of punishment, though, because after he realized that we weren't involved, he allowed me and Regulus to leave, but told Raislen to wait. If he thinks to punish you, we shall tell him that you already got yours from those awful prats!"
"For sure," Regulus said."I can't believe they had you turned upside down like that, Severus! I am so sorry that happened to you. Everyone was watching! You shall never live it down!" Though Regulus's face was awash with honest horror and sympathy, Severus shot him a glare nonetheless. To know that, in essence, the Gryffindor Gang of Gits had gotten to punish him for cheating in Transfiguration made it even more infuriating.
"Shut up, Regulus," he snapped angrily.
"I don't think he wishes to talk about it, which is understandable," Heather said gently and Regulus nodded, flushing in clear embarrassment as he realized that he'd just inadvertently made things worse.
"Sorry, Mate. Really sorry." Severus just shrugged and wisely, Regulus let it drop. Heather did most of the talking in Dumbledore's office, ranting furiously about how underhanded Lupin was as a Prefect and that he had been for years. Though Severus got the sneaking suspicion that Dumbledore was holding something back, he did agree with Heather and even apologized.
"I cannot do much to them today, due to everyone going home tomorrow, but all four of them shall have a month of detention when term begins next year. To be honest, I have reasons for making Remus a Prefect, some of which involve him keeping his friends on a tighter leash than he has been, and he and I shall be speaking of that today. Heather, as a Prefect yourself, please go and find them all and bring them to my office. Severus, you and Regulus are free to go. I am sorry that this happened."
Again it seemed that there was something spoken in Albus Dumbledore's eyes that he did not say aloud, and Severus found it quite the puzzle that he would think of frequently over the summer.