Chapter Text
It was quite a spectacle unlike any other day. Everyone was used to the pranks of the Marauders and their favorite target, Slytherin’s own Severus Snape.
What made today so different?
For one, hanging the boy upside down and trying to pants him.
“James!” Severus said frantic. He’d never used his schoolmate’s first name before. “James stop!” He cried desperate.
“Say please” he teased.
“Please” he obliged.
“Huh” Sirius said to himself. Though used to this, he found it very odd. The Snape he knew wasn’t easy. Much less with them. He wouldn’t go down without a fight. So why was he desperate? He even called Prongs by his name. It was very unusual.
“It’s not that easy Snape” James tutted and continued with his decent.
“James no! Please!” he pleaded.
It came to an end. A flash of red and it barreled into James’ side, knocking him down.
The spell broke and Severus fell with a yelp.
Sirius was too stunned to do anything. He was dumbfounded, just standing there as his best friend had been tackled by Evans?
The same girl he’d taken a shining to. Remus who had given them a wide berth came closer.
“Lily!” Severus screeched and that made him react. He moved to lift the redhead off his friend who seemed to be trying to make James eat grass.
Severus leaned down to hold her. Wrapping his arms around her middle, but she didn’t budge. She scratched at his face and pulled at robes.
“You insolent toe rag!” she cursed.
Sirius bent down to pull her off James who didn’t even try to push her off. Just protecting himself.
Lily flung her elbow back and got him right in the bollocks. He released a hoarse groan as he dropped to his knees, cupping himself as he fell on his side.
He'd forgotten about the crowd. Now he had witnesses to his shame.
“Lily! Lily please stop. The professors will be here soon. Let’s go!” he said fretful.
That got her to stop. She let her friend hold her hand and lead her away from the small crowd.
What Severus said was true. The professors would be here soon. It was best that they all disperse. The Marauders would need privacy so they could collect themselves. This rare loss had to be embarrassing.
Luckily Remus was close so he could his mates getting patched up.
Today was really a weird day.
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They were far from the whole spectacle. They could calm down. He felt he could breathe now. Which he could say the same for Lily. But they were okay now. No one followed them and he was still…safe.
Lily seemed to have calmed down. There was still a red flush to her face. He hoped it was exertion and not anger. He gulped.
She fixed sharp green eyes on him. “What was that?” she growled.
“I-I don’t know. I was on my own and-“
She scoffed. “Yes” she said with overt sarcasm. “You’re just on your own, and somehow they always find you” she said with derision.
“It’s the truth!” he said firmly.
She smirked with contempt. “You know, this has me wondering what you’re doing on the side. When I’m not there”.
“I’m not doing anything!!” he denied hotly.
“It’s already hard enough with you being in Slytherin, but now it’s not enough for you, is it?!” she said scathing. “Just putting up a sign that you’re an Omega for purebloods to come get you. Isn’t that right?!” she spat.
“You’re being stupid” he grumbled.
She struck him. It was loud and sharp on his cheek.
He covered his face with his hair and bit his lips. It wasn’t anything new. He was far used to worse.
“Don’t insult my intelligence” she growled in his face. “Fix yourself and get to your next class. Hopefully you can stay out of trouble” she said with arrogance as she walked off.
He parted his hair and worked his jaw. It was just a little sting.
He’d had enough problems for one day. He should just keep his head down and focus on the rest of his classes. If you didn’t look for trouble, it wouldn’t come to you.
It didn’t work for him, but he could only hope.
As he smoothened his robes and stood straight, he felt he was being stared at. He’d had years of experience. So he turned his neck to see Sirius Black standing at the end of the hall.
With no time to spare, he turned in the opposite direction.