When Severus Snape awoke the morning of November 3rd, he was ready for his routine. He got dressed, packed his school supplies into his bag, went down to the great hall almost an hour before everybody else to avoid the jeers and taunts from not just the Gryffindors but also from his house. He ate little more than an apple before heading to the library to get ahead on his charms essay. Then he walked down to the dungeon with a purpose, he wanted to ask Professor Slughorn if he could borrow some potions ingredients to practice making a few potions. When he arrived, he was almost immediately interrupted by the sight of James Potter and his dogs. Right as he turned to leave, he heard Black's leering voice.
"Oh Snivellus, it's a pleasure seeing you here though I'm not surprised considering you're always here an hour before everyone," Black said with animosity coating the words. The brute had his hair styled perfectly, obviously not having been brewing.
"Unlike you, I actually care about my work, but not all of us are rich lunatics." Severus said with a sneer before heading to his seat ignoring the eyes of the four Gryffindor boys.
"Actually Mr. Snape, we have a new seating arrangement, you're in the back row now." Professor Slughorn said absently as he appeared to be reading. Snape simply huffed despite the rising rage bubbling under the surface and shifted his aim until he noticed the bag on the other seat at the table. He knew it well enough to recognize it as James Potter's bag. He thought about raising a scene but Slughorn was one of the only teachers who he actually respected, even if only a bit, so he bit his tongue and sat down. The time whilst he waited for the actual lesson to begin was torturous and he'd rather suffer one hundred crucios than sit there and listen to the senseless squabble from the Gryfindors. Finally, much to Severus' chagrin, more people began to enter the classroom where they were directed to their new seats.
When Potter took his seat next to Severus, he scooted his chair as far away from Severus as possible, which the hooked-nose boy was okay with. They casted glares and sneers towards each other the entire class period. Then Severus' worst nightmare came to fruition, a group project. With your partner. His partner was James bloody Potter. Severus would've rather been burned at the stake or drowned in the Black Lake.
It appeared James was having similar thoughts because when Severus left his thoughts he could hear the angry muttering coming from the glasses-adorning boy.
"So...Snivellus...you're good at potions right? As much as it pains me to admit it. Skele-gro is pretty advanced and I'm dreadful at potions." Potter said with a resigned glare and Severus rolled his eyes. Everybody knew Potter was garbage at potions, it was remarkable that he even made it into the OWL level classes at all.
"Yes. I am. And it's not a secret that you're terrible at potions, you're not good at everything." Severus said with a snarl, his upper lip furrowing.
"I complimented you...you mongrel! You must have been raised in a pig-stye if you don't know that you're meant to say thank you!" Potter said louder than he must've intended because there were looks coming from tables around them, including a jeer from Black. "Yeah Snivellus!" Despite the leering taunt, all Severus could focus on was the comment about a pig-stye as it wasn't too far off from where he was staying currently over the summers and yule. Severus only panicked for a moment though because he had maintained a very careful image of himself and he'd been so careful that there was no way someone of the likes of Potter would know. Severus maintained his composure and sucked a breath between his teeth before growling.
"Must you always be so incessantly loud? Not everyone in the dungeons needs to hear you're opinion of me that you've so kindly shared." The sarcasm rolled of his tongue like a second language.
"It wasn't loud these god-forsaken dungeons are just so damp that they echo you twat!" Potter said back, not losing the volume.
They continued to bicker until it seemed that the entire class was staring at them including Professor Slughorn. He appeared to be at his wits end and looked about ready to keel over.
"Boys! Must I tell you again. Enough. Of. The. Arguing." He said loud and punctually to get his point across and snickers echoed from throughout the class.
"Yes sir" Severus stated bowing his head right as Potter said;
"But he started it sir!" but Severus reeled in his anger and opted for setting his jaw in place.
The class continued on smoothly for the following days until about two months later.
It was shortly after yule and Severus had just endured some of the worst beatings he had ever endured at the hands of Tobias. Eileen, as predicted, was to cracked out to realize what was happening and simply let it happen until about a day later when she brought him a can of green beans. When Severus walked into potions a couple minutes late, he kept his head down and quickly scampered to the back of the class where his seat next to enemy Potter was. He let his hair hang in front of his face in a feeble attempt to cover his black eye. It was a sickly shade of purple with yellowing edges but it had nothing on the bruises that littered his back and arms.
"What the hell happened to you?" James scowled, glancing at Severus.
"None of your buisness, Potter" He said through clenched teeth, siting in his seat was pushing directly on a bruise from Tobias' belt.
"It clearly is when my partner comes stumbling into class when we need to make a potion that I don't know how to do." Potter said with venom before adding in a slightly kinder tone; "Can I see?"
Severus was in for a culture shock because never once in his pain-filled life had he ever, ever heard Potter speak in a tone other than deadly towards him.
"And why would I do that? So you can curse me again? Not happening" Severus said, his voice filled with distrust.
"I wouldn't do that." Potter said in that same kind voice.
"Why should I believe you? When have you given me a reason too?" Severus said, pressing on the matter again.
"I did some... thinking over the break, me and Moony actually, and I want to stop tormenting you. It's rude, and I regret it. I'm sorry." Potter spoke with full honesty, Severus could tell, and he could feel that Potter felt guilty.
"Are...Are you lying?" Severus questioned, he was vulnerable right now, physically and mentally, and all of the possible outcomes flashed through his mind.
"No! I'll swear on it!" Potter said, hastily, like he didn't want Severus to pull away again.
"Okay...but you have to promise not to tell anybody." Spoke Severus, being more trusting than usual.
"I swear."
Severus looked up towards James' taller figure and he tucked a piece of hair behind his ear as to reveal the large, swollen bruise on his eye. James let out a small gasp before glancing at him again. Severus let his hair fall again before rolling up his sleeves to show the bruises on his arms.
"What are these from?" James asked, anger slipping into his tone.
"My father. He hates magic." Severus said bluntly, he was at the age of acceptance where he realized nothing he would do would make Tobias love him. He was beyond forgiveness and at that point of uncaring.
James' eyes held so much anger, and in that split moment of unthinking, he grabbed Severus' arm and hauled him up out of seat before running out of the potions room. They ran together until they were at a large, shaded tree near the Black Lake. Potter unhanded him before he collapsed onto the grass and huffing before laughing. Severus collapsed as well, heaving air into his lungs before he shouted;
"What was that! Do you want to get us into trouble!"
"I don't know what came over me, but besides, live a little Sev, it's not that bad."
James said with a laugh and Severus, against his better will, let himself get charmed by James' antics and began to laugh a little bit.
"I've never heard you laugh before." James said with a small smile.
They stared at each other for a moment before James leaned in. Their lips touched in a beautiful exchange of love, caring, and perseverance.
It was a sweet and tender moment that they both shared and when the pulled back, Severus' lips were puffy and red and he looked a bit disshevelled.
James looked similar and in that moment they both came to the same conclusion.
They may not figure it out now, but there's always tomorrow.