Chapter 2
Severus hurriedly ran walked to the old-fashioned castle, his trunk floating behind him.
He didn’t pay any mind to any of the people staring at him. He was used to it.
After he entered the castle, he sprinted. There were people giving him flabbergasted looks.
He would see Poppy today. The last two months were hell but he had stopped himself from killing Tobias by convincing himself that Poppy’s horrified look would not be worth it.
He ran and ran and ran until he reached the hospital wing. He put his hands on his knees, wheezing.
A familiar voice shrieked.
“Severus! My boy, you’re so fragile, I told you not to overexert yourself!” Poppy had popped in front of Severus, now fawning over the boy.
Severus’ face turned pink and he apologized.
He apologized.
“Sorry, Poppy… I couldn’t wait to see you again…”
Poppy’s stern look softened and she sighed.
“I know you didn’t mean to worry me. It’s fine.”
Severus sat down on one of the beds, taking deep breaths. Merlin’s beard, he hated sport or anything that required physical energy.
“So, how was your summer break?” Poppy seemed so cheerful, it made Severus nervous to tell her.
He tensed a bit, averting his eyes.
“It was… fine.”
Poppy scoffed, sitting down next to the Slytherin.
“Severus Snape. You know you can tell me. It’ll be fine.”
Severus frowned a little, furrowing his brows.
Poppy sighed, gently keeping her hand on his shoulder. Severus couldn’t help but feel guilty at the look on her face.
All his fault she was sad. Only good for nothing but causing trouble.
He shoved his intrusive thoughts away.
“I’ll… I’ll tell you tomorrow. I just want to get organized for tomorrow. I can’t focus properly without getting everything ready. I don’t want to seem suspicious by not being at the Great Hall during the sorting and the feast.”
Poppy nodded, gently caressing Severus’ head.
She always told him that his hair would be silky and soft if he washed it properly enough times. He never had the time (or resources) to focus on it. But he entertained the thought.
“It’s really alright for you to be yourself at school. I know those Gryffindors are trouble and the Slytherins don’t seem like ideal friends, but you’ll find someone for you. Eventually.”
Severus smiled, his eyes shining for a few seconds.
Poppy always told him that.
“Yep. I know that. I’ll come meet you during lunch tomorrow.” Severus fidgeted with his school robes, a green emblem with a snake stitched onto the left side of his chest.
Poppy smiled softly, patting the boy’s head gently.
“Well, you should be going now. Hopefully this year will be better than the last few years.”
Severus nodded, a giddy smile on his face. He had someone. Someone who loved him. Someone who cared about him.
He had Poppy.
And that was enough for him.
Severus walked into the Great Hall with a poker face. He had perfected it during the summer break.
He slid onto the wooden bench of the Slytherin table, into his spot. The spot no one ever sat on because they knew it was his spot.
Respect or disgust, Severus didn’t know. But it did save him from awkwardly looking for a spot to sit every year.
His happiness was short-lived though.
Four Gryffindors walked in after he sat down, the doors to the Great Hall slamming open dramatically.
Severus sighed. Those flashy weirdos never seemed to be predictable.
James Potter, the ringleader, walked in with a strut, arrogance and confidence oozing from him. He walked over to the Gryffindor table, a grin on his face.
Sirius Black, the “blood-traitor”, followed James, winking and blowing kisses to girls fanning themselves.
Remus Lupin, the nice guy, awkwardly walked after the two, sighing with resignation.
Peter Pettigrew, the fanboy, giddily ran after them.
Severus wasn’t exactly fond of any of them.
James slid into the spot next to Lily Evans, the feisty redheaded muggle-born.
She was extraordinary at magic and she was a favorite among teachers.
Severus never really knew the girl. He knew she lived in his neighborhood in the muggle world, but that was about it.
And seeing how James and Lily acted, Severus didn’t want to know.
He zoned out, looking at the large wooden table in front of him.
He only came to his senses when his house roared with applause, a prideful first-year coming to join Slytherin.
Too prideful.
Too prideful indeed. His house would rip her apart.
He didn’t necessarily care. Just another random pureblood who thought she was better than them.
He was occasionally approached by Regulus and Evan. Though he wouldn’t consider them friends. Just homework pals.
He zoned back in again when he realized that Dumbledore had stood up and started talking.
Severus’ mood soured. The man had blatant favoritism for Gryffindors and it put him off.
He sighed, picking up his fork and digging into the food in front of him.
Poppy would be sad if he didn’t eat.
Unbeknownst to Severus, two Gryffindors were staring at him and plotting something. One with glasses, one with black hair. A certain boy with brown hair sighed. His best friends were up to trouble again.