Abuse
An awkward silence swept over the trio.
Lily’s mother, Mrs Evans, looked like she was going to have a heart attack.
Severus went to speak but Lily cut him off.
“We were playing at the park and I was trying to get him to stand up and his sleeves went up and-“
Mrs Evans nodded her head and let out a shaky breath. She smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, and led the two children inside.
“Darling, come here for a moment. It seems like we have to talk.” She called for her husband.
The man walked down the stairs and towards the lady.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Lily’s friend here has a… little problem.”
The man was confused and turned to look at what his wife had ben talking about when his eyes landed on the bruises and red welts the young boy had on his arms. He sucked in a breath before forcing a smile.
He kneeled down.
Severus had a bad feeling about this.
“Hey, bud, could I see any of those bruises for a moment? Just a small little moment.”
Severus hesitated. But he saw Lily’s confident grin and nod. He agreed.
Lily and Severus had been forced to sit down on the living room couch while Mr Evans tried to check on the younger boy’s condition.
Horrible. He had bruises all over his arms and they seemed to be shaped like hands. He shuddered at the thought of what was under the shirt and pants if there was that many on just his arms.
“Alright, bud, why don’t you tell us more about this… problem?”
Severus stayed quiet and looked at his feet, suddenly finding interest in the floor.
“I can’t tell anyone… He said so…”
Mr Evans and Mrs Evans shared a glance before the latter brought over a tray of cookies along with cups of tea.
Severus’ eyes sparkled but he seemed hesitant to eat. Lily nudged his side gently, smiling as she grabbed a cookie.
“Eat! Mommy made these with lots of love.”
Mr Evans nodded, still a bit dazed by the boy’s injuries and called for someone Severus didn’t know.
“Petunia, mommy made cookies for you! Come get them before I eat them all!”
Severus picked up a cookie and shyly nibbled on it, looking more like a bashful beaver.
Petunia, said person, came rushing down and sat down on the couch, picking up a cookie before looking at the couch and seeing a stranger in her house. Her mouth fell open and the cookie she was holding fell to the ground.
Severus felt uncomfortable and clammy as he saw that everyone had their eyes on him. He coughed, though it came out more like a squeak, and continued nibbling his cookie.
Mrs Evans sighed and sat down on a nearby beanbag, next to Mr Evans.
Looks like Severus had some explaining to do.
Severus felt as though he was free inside Lily’s house. Oh yes, that’s right, Lily, his new friend. He wasn’t trying to brag but- yes he was. He felt welcomed. His mother was always there but it wasn’t always enough. He felt selfish admitting it.
He finished nibbling his cookie and looked at his lap, his hands between his legs on the couch.
“Father…”
Mr Evans’ body went rigid at the word while Mrs Evans gasped.
Severus flinched. Were they going to hit him? Beat him? He should’ve never went out. He could run away right now if he-
“Hey, why would your dad ever hit you?” Petunia’s voice cut the thick silence.
“Yeah! That’s a good question. Daddies are supposed to love and take care of their family!” Lily had spoken next.
The two adults were horrified at the look of confusion on the boy’s face, as if that concept was foreign.
That’s how Severus ended up in front of the rundown building called his house with the Evans family behind him.
Mrs Evans cleared her throat and knocked on the door.
A burly man opened the door with a scowl.
Severus crumpled under his gaze. Tobias Snape wasn’t someone he had good memories with.
“What did he do?”