Wiltshire, England. Malfoy Manor

"My love? A letter arrived for you!"

Abraxas looked up from the papers spread across his desk to see his wife, Viola, standing in the doorway, a letter in her hand. Her delicate fingers held the parchment with a certain care, as if she knew it contained something important.

"From whom?" Abraxas asked, his tone curious yet cautious. He leaned back in his chair, taking a brief moment to stretch his stiff muscles after hours of work.

Viola walked over to him, her heels softly clicking against the marble floor. "It's from Mary-Anne Creed," she said, handing him the letter. "The seal is Muggle."

A slight frown creased Abraxas's forehead as he took the letter from her. "Creed?" he repeated, clearly surprised. The name was not one he expected to hear, much less receive a letter from.

Viola nodded, watching his reaction closely. "Yes. I thought it was unusual as well. What could she possibly want?"

Abraxas slowly opened the envelope, his mind already working to piece together the reasons behind such an unexpected correspondence. Mary-Anne Creed was not someone he had much interaction with, though he was aware of her through the letter she sent barely a week ago.

As he unfolded the letter and began to read, his frown deepened. The words on the page were urgent, almost desperate.

"She's asking for help," Abraxas said quietly, his eyes scanning the letter again. "It seems her son, Severus, is in more trouble than we realized."

Viola's eyes widened slightly. "Severus Snape? What sort of trouble?"

Abraxas shook his head, his gaze fixed on the letter. "She doesn't go into much detail, but it's clear that Dumbledore is involved. She's worried that he's trying to take Severus away from her, and she's asking us to intervene."

Viola's expression softened with concern. "That poor woman. She's been raising Severus alone for so long. But why would Dumbledore want to take him away? It doesn't make sense."

"Power," Abraxas muttered, more to himself than to Viola. "Dumbledore's always had a keen interest in manipulating those who show potential. Severus must have caught his eye, and now he's trying to control him."

Viola placed a hand on his arm, her voice gentle but firm. "We can't ignore this, Abraxas. If Dumbledore is involved, it could have far-reaching consequences."

He nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "I agree. We'll have to tread carefully, though. Helping Creed could put us at odds with Dumbledore, and that's not something to be taken lightly."

"But we can't let him destroy that boy's life," Viola said, her voice filled with quiet resolve. "If we don't help, who will?"

Abraxas looked at her, appreciating her compassion and understanding the weight of the decision they were about to make. "You're right. I'll write back to Mary-Anne, and let her know we're on her side. But this will require more than just words. We'll need to plan our next steps carefully."

Viola nodded, relief washing over her. "Whatever it takes, Abraxas. We'll protect that boy and his mother."

Abraxas stood up, the letter still in his hand. "I'll reach out to some people. If Dumbledore wants a fight, he'll get one, but we won't be unprepared."

As he began to draft his response to Mary-Anne, Abraxas knew they were entering dangerous territory. But the stakes were too high to back down.

The Malfoy name was synonymous with power and influence, and they would use every resource at their disposal to ensure that no one, not even Albus Dumbledore, could undermine their plans.

Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office

When Dumbledore woke up that morning, he was expecting a calm and uneventful day. Certainly, he wasn't expecting to walk into his office and find some of the wizarding world's most powerful families waiting for him, their presence filling the room with an unmistakable tension.

Abraxas Malfoy was seated in one of the plush chairs opposite Dumbledore's desk, his demeanor cold and calculating. Next to him was Orion Black, his face set in a stern expression, clearly displeased with the situation. Beside Orion, Cygnus Black sat with a calm but intense look, his hands folded neatly in his lap.

To Dumbledore's left, Euphemia Potter stood next to her husband, her posture rigid, as if she had been ready to spring into action at any moment. A woman of strong principles, she rarely found herself in such company, but the circumstances clearly demanded it.

And there, almost unnoticed until now, sat Viola Malfoynext to the other black wives, her eyes sharp and observant, taking in every detail of the room and its occupants. She caught Dumbledore's gaze and offered a polite, almost serene smile, but the tension beneath it was palpable.

"Good morning, Albus," Abraxas greeted him smoothly, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. His tone was polite, but there was an underlying edge that suggested this was far from a friendly visit.

"Good morning," Dumbledore replied, regaining his composure as he closed the door behind him. He moved toward his desk with measured steps, glancing at each of his unexpected visitors. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Pleasure is hardly the word we'd use," Orion Black said, his voice cool and even. "We have a matter of grave concern to discuss with you."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, settling into his chair. "And what might that be?"

"Before we start," Abraxas began, his voice steady but firm. "It seems we are missing a few people. So would you be a dear a summon the Lupins, The Pettigrews, the Evans...and Miss Mary-Anne Creed? "

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, though he maintained his composure. "It seems you've prepared thoroughly for this meeting," he replied, his voice even. "Very well. I will summon them at once."

With a wave of his hand, Dumbledore conjured a silver phoenix Patronus. It soared out of the room, its silvery glow fading as it carried the message to the intended recipients. The room remained silent, the tension palpable as they awaited the arrival of the others.

After a few minutes, the floo came to life, and the first to enter was Lyall and Hope Lupin. They exchanged wary glances with the gathered wizards before taking their seats. Next came Peter Pettigrew's mother, a nervous-looking woman who fidgeted with her hands as she sat down.

The door opened and Henry and Rose Evans walked in, their expressions one of concern and confusion as they looked around the room, clearly unaccustomed to such company.

Finally, Mary-Anne Creed entered, her posture stiff but resolute as a man came in behind her. She didn't meet Dumbledore's eyes as her and the man took a seat, instead focusing on the floor in front of her.

The atmosphere in Dumbledore's office was thick with tension as the various figures settled into their seats. Dumbledore, though maintaining a calm exterior, could sense the undercurrent of dissatisfaction radiating from the room. His eyes lingered on Abraxas Malfoy, who had been silent until now, clearly gathering his thoughts.

Abraxas finally broke the silence, his voice smooth but carrying a weight that made everyone else in the room take notice. "Before we delve into specifics, Dumbledore," Abraxas began, "it's important to address a broader concern that has been circulating amongst us—the way you have been running this school."

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though his expression remained otherwise placid. "I assure you, Mr. Malfoy, my approach has always been to prioritize the safety and well-being of all my students."

"Prioritize?" Abraxas repeated, a hint of incredulity in his voice. "That's a rather generous word considering the circumstances. It seems that certain students—those who do not fall under your favored Gryffindor banner—are being overlooked, or worse, subjected to undue hardship."

Dumbledore's calm demeanor faltered for a brief moment as he carefully chose his response. "I can assure you that I hold no biases. Each student is treated with equal care and consideration. Any suggestion otherwise is a grave misunderstanding."

Abraxas's lips curled into a thin smile. "A misunderstanding, you say? Interesting choice of words, considering the evidence to the contrary. We've all heard about Severus Snape's recent troubles. And yet, despite these incidents, the culprits appear to remain unpunished, if not protected."

The headmaster's knuckles tightened on the arms of his chair, but his voice remained steady. "Every action taken has been with the intention of maintaining peace and ensuring that justice is served in the best way possible."

Before Dumbledore could continue, Walburga Black interjected, her voice sharp and demanding. "Peace and justice? That's all well and good, but I'm more interested in getting to the bottom of what really happened. I want to speak with the students involved in these...incidents."

Dumbledore turned his gaze toward Walburga, his frustration barely masked. "Mrs. Black, I must remind you that it is not customary for parents to interrogate students directly. That responsibility lies with the school administration."

Walburga raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by his attempt at control. "I'm not asking for permission, Dumbledore. This concerns my son, and my family. I have every right to hear from those responsible, directly."

Dumbledore took a measured breath, trying to maintain his composure. "If you insist, Mrs. Black, I will arrange for you to speak with the students in question. However, I must ask that you do so with the utmost discretion."

Walburga's smile was thin and cold. "Oh, don't worry, Headmaster. I have no intention of causing a scene—at least, not unless I'm given reason to."

Abraxas, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smirk, leaned back in his chair, clearly satisfied with how things were progressing. "Good. Then it seems we're all in agreement. We'll ensure that justice is served, and that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable."

Dumbledore's jaw tightened as he nodded curtly. Anticipation was in the air as Dumbledore reluctantly summoned the students involved. The tension from the adults had now seeped into the very walls of the office.

One by one, the Marauders, Lily, and Severus were brought in, each casting nervous glances at the assembly of parents and the headmaster.

James Potter and Sirius Black were the first to speak up, their expressions a mixture of defiance and false innocence. James took a step forward, addressing the room with a nonchalant shrug. "Look, we didn't start anything. Snape's the one who's always looking for trouble. We were just defending ourselves."

Sirius, standing beside him, nodded in agreement, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, that's right. He hexed James first. What were we supposed to do? Just let him attack us?"

Remus Lupin, usually the quiet one, chimed in, trying to sound reasonable. "It's true. Severus was the one who escalated things. We were just trying to keep things from getting out of hand."

Peter Pettigrew, standing a bit behind the others, nodded vigorously, though he didn't add anything of his own. He seemed content to let the others do the talking, occasionally glancing at the adults with a look of nervousness.

Lily Evans, standing to the side, looked torn but ultimately sided with the Marauders. "It's not entirely their fault, really. Severus was being mean, and they were just reacting to that. I don't think they meant any real harm."

Severus stood silently at the end of the line, his face a mask of impassivity. He kept his eyes down, avoiding meeting anyone's gaze. He could feel the weight of the room's scrutiny on him, but he refused to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing him break.

Walburga Black's eyes narrowed as she observed the scene unfolding before her. "So, it's Severus's fault, is it?" Her tone was laced with skepticism and barely concealed disdain. "How convenient."

James shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, but his bravado didn't falter. "It's the truth, Mrs. Black. We wouldn't lie about something like this."

Lily looked over at Severus, a flicker of regret crossing her face, but she didn't say anything more. Her loyalty to her friends overrode whatever concern she might have had for him.

Abraxas Malfoy, who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Headmaster, it seems that the testimonies here are somewhat biased. Perhaps it would be more prudent to hear directly from Severus himself, without the interference of others."

All eyes turned to Severus, who remained silent, his jaw clenched tightly. He knew what they wanted him to say, but he wasn't about to give them the satisfaction. The truth wouldn't matter here, not with the deck so clearly stacked against him.

Dumbledore, sensing the growing unease in the room, attempted to take control of the situation. "I believe it would be best to resolve this matter without further escalation. I will personally ensure that all parties are dealt with appropriately."

But Walburga wasn't satisfied. "No, Dumbledore. I want to hear what Severus has to say for himself. Let him speak, if he chooses."

Severus finally lifted his head, his dark eyes meeting Walburga's gaze with a steely resolve. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, knowing that whatever he said would likely fall on deaf ears. But before he could utter a word, Abraxas interjected again.

"Severus," Abraxas said, his tone almost gentle, "take your time. We are all here to hear your side, without interruption."

Severus glanced around the room, noting the mixture of expressions—anticipation, skepticism, anger, and indifference. He knew better than to trust any of them. So instead, he simply shook his head slightly and remained silent, his refusal to play into their hands more powerful than any words he could have spoken.

The silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable, as the adults exchanged uneasy glances. Severus's silence spoke volumes, a defiance that none of them could easily dismiss.

Dumbledore smirked, knowing Severus would speak up, not when he knew the power over his head. "It seems Mister Snape isn't willing to lie when he knows the truth."

Severus's jaw tightened at Dumbledore's words, the blatant manipulation in the headmaster's tone-setting his nerves on edge. The smirk on Dumbledore's face was the final straw, a silent taunt that Severus couldn't ignore.

"Headmaster," Abraxas began, his voice measured but laced with warning, "I suggest you choose your words carefully. This isn't a matter to be taken lightly."

Dumbledore didn't even glance at Abraxas, his eyes remaining fixed on Severus, the smirk never leaving his face. "It's unfortunate, really," he continued, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Severus has always been a troubled boy, prone to... certain tendencies. But to stand here in silence, unwilling to defend himself—it only confirms what I've long suspected."

Severus's fists clenched at his sides, the anger bubbling up inside him like a cauldron about to boil over. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the blood rushing to his ears. He wanted to scream, to lash out, to wipe that smug look off Dumbledore's face. But more than anything, he wanted to be anywhere but here, away from the scrutiny, the judgment, the pitying looks.

"You've always been a coward, Severus," Dumbledore said softly, his voice a mere whisper that somehow cut through the room like a blade. "Hiding behind your silence, your anger, your resentment. It's a shame, really. You could have been so much more."

That did it.

Without thinking, Severus lunged forward, his vision going red as pure rage consumed him. He didn't care about the consequences, didn't care that he was wandless, didn't care that he was outnumbered. All he wanted was to make Dumbledore pay for every slight, every injustice, every ounce of pain he'd caused.

But before he could reach him, strong arms wrapped around his torso, pulling him back. Rocky's grip was firm, unyielding, as he held Severus back, his voice a low growl in his ear. "No, Severus! Calm down, He ain't worth it."

Severus struggled, trying to break free, but Rocky's hold was ironclad. He could hear the gasps and murmurs from the others in the room, but he didn't care. All he could focus on was Dumbledore, who was now standing with that infuriatingly calm expression, as if he'd expected this all along.

Dumbledore's smirk widened as he straightened his robes, clearly pleased with himself. "Such a pity," he said, shaking his head. "I had hoped you'd learned some self-control, Severus. But it seems I was mistaken."

Severus glared at him, his chest heaving with exertion and rage. He wanted to scream, to shout, to make Dumbledore hurt the way he'd hurt him. But all he could do was stand there, trapped in Rocky's grip, seething with anger.

"I'm afraid I have no choice," Dumbledore continued, his voice now filled with mock regret. "Severus Snape, you are hereby suspended from Hogwarts for the remainder of the term. You may return when you've learned to control yourself—or perhaps not at all. We'll see."

A hush fell over the room, the weight of Dumbledore's words sinking in. Severus felt like the floor had dropped out from under him, the shock of what had just happened hit him like a tidal wave. Suspended? For defending himself against lies and insults?

Abraxas's eyes narrowed, his anger barely contained. "Headmaster, this is—"

"This is final," Dumbledore interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Severus's actions today have left me no choice."

Rocky tightened his grip on Severus, who was still trembling with fury. "C'mon, Kid. Let's get outta here," he muttered, his voice filled with concern.

But Severus couldn't move. He couldn't believe what had just happened, the unfairness of it all choking him. Dumbledore had won. Again. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Rocky gently but firmly guided Severus toward the door, and as they left, Severus cast one last look over his shoulder at Dumbledore. The headmaster's eyes met his, the smirk still firmly in place.

He could hear raised voices and yelling, but he didn't care. Shoving Rocky off, Severus made his way to the dugongs, ignoring Rocky yelling after him.

Slytherin Common Room

As he approached the entrance to the Slytherin common room, he could feel the weight of everything pressing down on him. His chest ached with a mix of betrayal and helplessness. He'd been suspended—cast out like he was nothing, dismissed as if he didn't matter. And worst of all, Dumbledore had done it with that smug expression, as if Severus's suffering was just another game to him.

The door to the common room opened with a creak, and Severus stepped inside, his heart still pounding with residual anger. The room was dimly lit, the greenish glow from the lake casting eerie shadows on the walls. It was quiet, the usual chatter of the Slytherins absent, as if the entire house was holding its breath.

He didn't acknowledge the few students who were lounging around, didn't even look at them as he made his way to his dormitory. He just needed to be alone, to clear his mind, to figure out what he was going to do next.

But as soon as he entered the dorm, he froze. Bellatrix was sitting on his bed, her eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and concern. She looked up at him, her expression shifting as she took in his disheveled appearance and the raw emotion still etched on his face.

"Sev," she said softly, standing up and walking over to him. "What happened?"

Severus didn't answer. He couldn't. The words were caught in his throat, choked by the overwhelming surge of emotions that threatened to consume him. All he could do was stand there, his fists clenched at his sides, his breathing ragged.

Bellatrix reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch surprisingly gentle. "Talk to me," she urged, her voice uncharacteristically tender. "Tell me what's going on."

Severus shook his head, still unable to speak. The anger, the pain, the humiliation—it was all too much. He didn't know how to put it into words, didn't know how to explain what he was feeling. All he knew was that he couldn't stay here, couldn't stay in this place where everything was falling apart.

Without thinking, he pushed past her and went to his truck, tossing it on his bed. Yanking clothes out of the wardrobe and throwing them in his trunk without care. He didn't know what to do or feel, it was as if his body was on autopilot.

Suddenly, the shirt in his hand was yanked out and thrown in his face. Glancing up, He saw Lucius staring at him, anger and concern written all over his face. Behind him, he saw half of the people he knew standing there, concern and shock all over their faces.

"What the hell happened?!" You could hear the rage in his voice as he yelled. "Why are you packing? Why were you called to Dumbledore's office? Why is Bellatrix saying you went crazy? Tell me what the hell is going on!"

Severus glared at Lucius, the fire in his chest threatening to consume him. He didn't want to explain, didn't want to relive what had just happened, but Lucius's persistence wasn't something he could easily shake off.

"Dumbledore suspended me," Severus spat out, shoving the shirt back into his trunk. "The bastard had the nerve to smirk while he did it too."

Lucius's eyes widened, the shock momentarily replacing his anger. "Suspended? For what?"

"For nothing," Severus hissed, his voice laced with venom. "For standing up to those arrogant Marauders and their-...their bitch lapdog, that's what. They're the ones who should be punished, not me! But no, Dumbledore has to play his little games, has to keep his golden boys safe."

Lucius's expression darkened, the anger returning in full force. "He can't do that. You've done nothing wrong. This isn't right, Sev. We need to fight this."

Severus let out a bitter laugh. "Fight it? With what, Lucius? He's the headmaster, he has all the power. What am I supposed to do? Go back in there and beg for his mercy? No. I won't give him the satisfaction."

Lucius ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to think of a solution. "There has to be something we can do. We can't just let him get away with this."

"Let him get away with it?" Severus repeated, his voice rising. "I don't have a choice, Lucius. This is how it's always been. They get away with everything, and I'm the one who suffers for it."

Lucius took a step closer, his eyes locking onto Severus's. "No, Sev. Not this time. We're not going to let him win. You're not leaving. We'll figure this out, but running away isn't the answer."

Severus's shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him. He didn't know what to do anymore. Every option seemed like a dead end, every path blocked by the insurmountable power of Dumbledore and his Marauders.

"Then what do you suggest, Lucius?" Severus asked, his voice weary. "What do you want me to do?"

Lucius's expression softened slightly, the anger giving way to determination. "Stay. We'll talk to my father, to the others. We'll find a way to overturn this. But you can't just leave. You have people here who care about you, who will fight for you."

Severus stared at him, His eyes slowly filling with tears. "Your father was there, Lu. He tried to fight...they all did." Lucius's eyes widened as Severus's words sank in. "Wait—my father was there?" His voice trembled, barely audible. He stumbled back a step, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts.

He started pacing frantically, running his hands through his hair, disheveling it further. "O-Ok... O-Okay," he muttered, his voice breaking. "We can get through this! W-We just need—"

He stopped abruptly, his hands clutching at his hair as if it were the only thing anchoring him to reality. His gaze darted around the room, unable to settle on anything. "We need a plan," he said, the desperation clear in his tone. "I-I need to think. We have to—"

His panic was palpable, every word punctuated by his frantic pacing and the nervous tugging at his hair. Narcissa came up behind him, her hands gently resting on his shoulders as she spoke in soothing tones. "Lucius, calm down. It's going to be alright."

But Lucius's eyes remained wild, his mind racing through a maze of possibilities. "Narcissa, you don't understand—my father, he was here, and he—he did everything he could!"

As Narcissa tried to steady him, Severus continued packing, his movements methodical but visibly tense. His own eyes were glassy, tears threatening to spill over as he struggled to keep his composure. The sight of Lucius's distress and the weight of the situation were clearly taking their toll.

Narcissa's attempts to calm Lucius were met with little success as he muttered to himself, his thoughts jumbled and frantic. "We have to fix this. We have to—"

Severus closed his trunk with a definitive click, the sound slicing through the tension in the room. Bellatrix, her face a mask of desperation and anger, grabbed Severus's hand with a tight grip. Her eyes were wide, pleading and defiant. "You're not leaving...I-..I forbid it."

Severus looked at her, his own eyes reflecting his turmoil. "Bellatrix, this isn't the time for—"

"No!" Bellatrix cut him off, her voice rising with a mix of frustration and fear. "You can't just walk away now. Not after everything—after your coma—" Her voice trailed off, and her grip tightened painfully around Severus's hand.

"If you go, I—" She was cut off abruptly as Slughorn stepped into the room, his expression stern and unyielding.

"You're no longer allowed on school grounds, Mister Snape." Slughorn's voice was firm, carrying the weight of authority that left no room for argument.

The room's atmosphere shifted immediately, the urgency of Lucius's panic now competing with the gravity of Slughorn's announcement. Severus's face tightened, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and resignation.

Bellatrix's face flushed with anger and desperation. "You can't do this! Not now, not when—"

Slughorn's gaze remained steady. "The decision has been made, Miss Black. Severus Snape is suspended. I am merely here to ensure the order is enforced."

Lucius, now caught between his panic and the grim reality of Slughorn's decree, looked to Severus with a pleading expression. "You can't just leave like this. Not with everything that's—"

Severus cut him off, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his eyes. "It's too late, Lucius. If you'll excuse me, I need to go."

As Severus turned to leave, Regulus and Bruce stepped forward, blocking his path. Regulus's face was a mask of determined resolve, while Bruce's expression was one of unwavering support.

"You're not going anywhere," Regulus said firmly, his voice steady despite the tension. "Not like this. I'm-..We're not letting you leave until this is resolved."

Bruce nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on Severus with a mix of concern and resolve. "Regulus is right. We're not letting you walk out the door without a fight."

Severus paused, his frustration evident, but he stopped in his tracks. The sense of being cornered only heightened the tension in the room.

Slughorn, who had been observing the escalating situation with a growing sense of unease, took a deep breath. His eyes moved from Severus to Regulus and Bruce, and then back to Severus. "One," he said, his voice firm. "…Two…"

The room held its breath, the seconds stretching into what felt like an eternity. Slughorn's gaze hardened, and with a final authoritative tone, he concluded, "Three. Mister Snape, you are no longer suspended. However, since you stayed on school grounds after being told to leave...You are Expelled."

Severus felt a cold fear as he walked. He moved slowly through his dorm, down the dungeons, and out of Hogwarts. Each step felt heavier, as if he were leaving behind everything he knew.

Expelled..

He was Expelled.