Chapter Text
In the hollow halls of Hogwarts walked a lonely boy with greasy matted hair and a stiff slouch that seemed due to the heavy worn book bag the young boy was carrying. His beady black eyes scanned the room as he continued his way down to the Slytherin common room however, his pace quickened when a heavy set of foot steps became more apparent behind him. The chill got to his skin as the sky grew darker and the steps behind him hastened to match his new speed.
Snape skidded down the hall and jumped four stairs at a time, his wand was tucked in his sleeve ready for a fight. He didn't dare turn to see who ran behind him, too focused in finding safety.
"Don't be a coward Snivellus and fight like a man!" a voice, very distinctively Sirius Black's voice boomed of the walls making Snape push himself to longer sprints. God he just wanted to go to sleep.
"That would just give you a steep disadvantage!" Snape called back with a cocky smirk as he turned another swift corner and new set of stairs.
"You cunt!" Sirius shouted down to him from the top of the stairs. A sharp stupefy was casted at Snape's direction, a quick flick of his wrist and Snape retaliated and thankfully his spell hit Sirius, causing him to stumble and lose his fast pace, not wanting to fall down the stairs. Severus cackled at the panting Gryffindor who slumped forward on a step half way down and slipped through one of the many secret passages, never losing his fast pace incase Sirius ever catched up.
The Slytherin common room was near empty when he finally arrived, Regulus Black and his cousin Narcissa sat by the fire exchanging theories over a book-most likely a romance novel-which had held their interest since the beginning of the year. Neither Black noticed his hurried entrance however, Macnair and Avery certainly noticed. They strode towards him and Macnair placed a meaty hand on his slim shoulder and smiled, "How was the Defence homework then?" he questioned casually. Severus glared at the two and riffled through his bag, he pulled out two plastic wallet (two different shades of green) and handed them to his classmates. Avery grinned and accepted the wallet with a 'thank you' removing the parchment with little difficulty, he skimmed across the words and his face relaxed, obviously pleased with the essay. Macnair too looked satisfied with his work and patted his back harshly making Severus stumble. Snape scowled at Macnair and Avery and tapped his foot impatiently.
"Chill Snapey-Poo, we'll give you your money" Macnair brought out a satisfying amount of money and shoved it into his open hand, "that is for the two of us" and he walked away.
Dragging himself to his dorm Severus counted the galleons Macnair had given him, a frown etched deeper into his face 'Macnair's such a cheapskate' he thought angrily, shoving the money deep in his bag. Throwing his bag and dirty clothes on his suitcase at the end of the bed he tucked into himself in the mountains of blankets, thankful that the next day was Friday.
Friday for Severus was not as good as he had hoped it would be. His day had started of fine, he had gotten up and was able to eat breakfast without any bother and his first two periods had gone rather smoothly however, it seemed at lunch everything went down hill. Severus' stomach gurgled in a demand to be fed so he sped to the great hall and stuffed a tuna sandwich down and made an attempt to leave, sadly he only made it out the doors before the Marauders caught up with him, "How's Snivellus doing this fine afternoon" James Potter toyed as he swaggered over to the small yet gangly boy.
The closer James got to Snape the shallower his breathing became, "God" James said with dismay "Fish breath today then? No wonder no one wants to kiss you" he said with a grin. Severus glared and stayed silent, his wand at the ready. Sirius spotted the wand pocking out his Snape's sleeve and shouted "expelliarmus!", disarming Snape, making his wand fly 12 feet into the air and land with a clatter behind him. Snape looked in panicked as Potter and Black aimed their wands at him. A flash hit him, impairing his vision making him stumble blindly until he was pushed to the ground. Time passed in flashes as he lay on the concrete floor outside the great hall, back aching and head pounding, James Potter towered above him sniggering with his friends as he lay helpless and in pain. A mass amount of students gathered around the scene, laughing and pointing at his distain. How dare they! Severus had had enough of the 'Marauders' pranks, this time he was going to get back at them. Staggering to his feet he fumbled for his wand and grasped at walls to follow until he was away from the Marauder's who laughed as he stumbled his way from them. Lily Evans stared at the scene, a sad expression wilting her beautiful features. Nothing had been the same after 5th Year yet the Marauders and Severus still acted the same. They were sixteen and nothing to show of it. She only hoped Severus would choose the right path.
It took Severus an hour to reach his secret haven and only at the end of that hour did his sight slowly come back to him. He stumbled into the hidden room and let out a set of short screeches as he shoved a mountain of books onto the floor from their place on the old school desk. The room was echoey and darkly lit, dust seemed to lay upon every surface thick and heavy even when cleaning charms were cast only days ago. Throwing himself at a desk Severus grabbed a book from the fallen mountain and began reading through the dark arts book of mischief. Time was irrelevant in his classroom nook and Severus didn't realise until late that he had missed his afternoon classes, not that he minded after he found the perfect spell to use and curse the Marauders.
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