Chapter Text
Nobody knew what happened. It was like something in the black-haired, oily-haired boy’s mind snapped. Potter said something. A moment passed. It was like Severus was lost in the moment and the courtyard was silent.
“Leave him alone!” Lily shouted, almost ambushing out of nowhere. Severus snapped out of his stupor and he caught her gaze. Potter grinned.
“She can’t save you now!” He shouted, and waved his wand, hexing the boy to the ground. His gaze was still tracked on Lily.
She stepped closer.
“I said stop, Potter! I hate your shenaniga—“ She was interrupted by a laugh.
At first, it was a small laugh. Hardly a giggle. But it came from Severus, and immediately after a series of louder laughs followed. He went from grim and silent to loud with glee and his eyes sparkled with something unfamiliar. His laughs grew even louder and more manic until he sounded like a serial killer after a spree.
Tears ran down Severus’ face. Snot poured down from his nostrils as he laughed, and he fell, facefirst, into the ground. His laughs transformed into loud sobs and it looked as if he was trying to stifle them, but they only grew until more tears streamed down his face. His sobs transformed into loud wails and he flipped over, incapable of controlling himself. Potter flinched, and Lily rushed over to the boy.
“Sev. Shite, Sev, what’s wrong? What’d he do to you?” She fell to her knees and picked him up, putting his head on her shoulder. She cradled his body and her face tightened with shock, bewilderment, and concern. She had never seen Severus cry, let alone break down.
“Li,” He tried to say. His voice was scratchy and he hiccupped.
“Yes, Sev?” Lily mumured in his ear, rubbing circles around his back. She hoped to make him feel better, but he only began to wail louder. Her heart shattered into a million pieces inside of her and she could feel tears welling up in her own eyes.
What did they do to him? She thought.
“I can’t.” He paused, trying to take a breath.
“I can’t breathe,” He whispered. His arms clutched around her tight, as if he were clinging onto her for life. She sucked in a breath, continuing to run circles on his back.
Against her, she could feel his heartbeat quicken. He began to gasp for breaths through the tears.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” His voice was so, so soft. She could barely hear what he was saying. The words took a minute to register, but with a snap, she acted. Turning her head around, she asked slightly panicked.
“Hey? Remus! Remus!” She shouted, only to find that he wasn’t there. Instead, the rest of the Marauders and the courtyard stood there in silent shock, looks of pity reverberating throughout the crowd. All were too afraid to break the silence except for Severus’ loud cries.
Someone spoke up.
“We, er, we sent for Madam Pomphrey when he started crying. Remus thought something was wrong. We’re really sorry.” Pettigrew responded to her though he was unable to keep her gaze. He twiddled with his thumbs while Black cleared his throat.
In the distance, they all saw Madam Pomphrey, Professor Slughorn, and Professor McGonagall approach. They walked rapidly and a magical stretcher was floating behind them.
When they arrived on the scene, Lily trying to guide Severus through breaths, Professor McGonagall interrogated the first person she saw and Professor Slughorn cleared the courtyard while Madam Pomphrey rushed over to the boy and his best friend. She kneeled down a bit.
“Severus, can you hear my voice?” She asked.
He paused. She hoped for a positive reaction, but it prompted the boy to gag. Recognizing the signs, she immediately pulled him off of Lily and turned him enough so that he was facing the grass. Lily pulled his hair back while he vomited harshly, once, twice. He groaned afterwards and she held him again—tears were truly streaming down her face now.
“Severus, I’m going to give you a Calming Draught now. It’s going to make you feel much better.” She murmured in a gentle and steady voice. He didn’t seem entirely present, but he vaguely nodded. Lily sighed, hugging him from behind.
Madam Pomphrey pulled a small vial out of her pocket and guided it to his lips.
He gulped it down slowly. A couple of times, he gagged, and Lily positioned him again. Fortunately, the endeavor ended with all of the potion in his stomach and they all waited a couple of moments for it to start setting in.
His breaths came back, unsteady, but present. His cries quieted down a little bit. A light flickered in his eyes, and he seemed a little bit more present. Lily let out a sigh of relief, looking to Madam Pomphrey.
“Okay, Severus. You’re okay. We’re going to lift you up and place you on this stretcher, alright? Then we’re going to take you to the Hospital Wing and have some tea, if you’d like.”
He nodded his head, more strongly this time, and Madam Pomphrey and Lily slowly picked him up and placed him on the stretcher. He was concerningly light. Lily made to let go, but Severus whimpered, so she kept ahold of his hand.
“You’re gonna be okay, Sev. I’m here.” She murmured in a low, sweet voice. A chorus of thoughts echoed in her head as her heart ached.
I believe in you. You’re strong. You have to be.