The cruelty of others
Sirius took his place behind his desk, between James and Remus, Lily next to James and Peter next to Remus. Despite being surrounded by his best friends in the whole world, Sirius felt so alone.
As Slughorn began his lecture about the importance of cauldron safety ahead of their practical lesson on shrinking solution, Sirius fiddled nervously with his robes, knowing and dreading what he knew would come as soon as the class was dismissed. A line of intrusive and hard to avoid questioning from his friends that he would have no choice but to lie to.
Slughorn’s rant came to an end and the class burst into life as they all rushed around the room collecting ingredients and setting up their stations. As Sirius transferred his weight slowly from one leg to the other to try and abate the growing stiffness in his knees and ankles, Remus (his potions partner since James swapped with him to be able to flirt with Lily) came back from his trip to the side of the classroom to get the equipment they needed for the task at hand.
“Are you sure you’re okay Sirius? I can take the bulk of the work in this lesson if you want to take it easy?” Remus offers.
Before Sirius could answer however, a bulky shoulder collided with his own, sending him backwards before he could stabilise himself.
“Look where you’re going when you’re walking, Snivellus!” Sirius shouted at Snape’s back as he walked away.
Sirius heard Snape mutter under his breath, “Blood-traitor”
“What did you just say to me you git?” Sirius demanded.
Snape whipped around, looking Sirius in the eyes. “I said, ‘Blood-traitor’, blood-traitor” Snape retorted snidely.
“So what if I am a ‘blood-traitor’. At least I’m not a snotty racist loser like you!” Sirius shouted back. He could feel his cheeks getting hot as his fists clenched by his sides.
James had turned around at this point, ready to defend his best friend, but he didn’t expect what came next.
“Well at least I don’t spend my nights screaming for my mummy to stop hurting me.” Snape replied viciously. “Isn’t that right Sirius? What does mummy do? Does mummy hurt you? Does mummy cut you?” He added, an evil smile growing on his face.
Sirius felt all of the blood drain from his face. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Images of his Mother flashed up in his mind, the screaming was back too. Suddenly he couldn’t seem to get any oxygen into his lungs. Breathing unevenly and unable to see through the haze of tears filling his eyes, Sirius stumbled towards Snape, trying to take a swing at his face but inevitably missing as Snape ducked back.
The Class was dead silent apart from the sound of Sirius’ heavy panting and Snape’s cruel laughter at his flailing.
“I will fucking kill you Snape” Sirius screamed between heavy breaths. Unable to get a proper breath into his lungs, and unable to banish the images of his mother’s cruelty from his mind Sirius couldn’t do much but stumble in vain.
James, snapping out of his initial shock, came to the rescue thankfully. Stepping up behind Sirius, he grabbed his arms and held him tightly around the middle. Attempting to comfort Sirius and hold him back from Snape, he whispered reassurances into his ear. At the same time, Slughorn walked over to the commotion in the corner of the room.
“What is going on here boys?” He asked, trying to regain authority over the class.
“Snape… Snape… he …” Sirius tried to respond but was unable to get words out between his panting and overwhelmed senses.
“Snape said some awful things about Sirius that were totally uncalled for and vile, Sir” Lily said, defending Sirius.
Seeing Sirius Struggling against James’ hold, Slughorn ordered sternly “Sirius, would you stop that nonsense and calm down. I’ll see you both in my office.” When neither of the boys reacted to Slughorn’s orders, he added “NOW!”
Without warning Sirius slumped into James’ arms, unconscious.