Chapter 3
They’re behind by fifty points in the house cup.
This is the final game of the season. There were less than two minutes left in the game. Gryffindor was down by five points. Their seeker seemed to have no bloody clue as to where the stupid snitch was and Slytherin’s defence was stronger than ever with Rosier and Goyle as the beaters for the team.
Realistically they only have time for one final play. This is they’re last shot. The last chance they have to get one good push to boost up house points and make sure that they can get ahead and beat Slytherin at the end of the year. Just one last shot.
James felt like he was sweating out of every crack and crevice on his body. His heart was pounding in chest and vibrating in his ears as the adrenaline pumped hard and fast. He looked around the field to make sure that everyone was in place. There’s Sirius, McKinnon and Longbottom with Prewett and Woods to back them up. Really, all they have to do is get by Rosier. Goyle is a moron, it shouldn’t take too much to get by him.
A quick glance to the side and James’ heart started thumping faster. Regulus managed to catch sight of the snitch. He was heading for the back of the stands as he raced after the golden glimmer that zipped ahead of him on his brand-new Nimbus.
There’s no time to signal they’re own seeker. Try outs went piss poor this year and the only one who was fit to play the position of Seeker was Sirius, but they desperately needed him to stay on his position as a chaser so unfortunately, they had no other choice than to choose Bell; who was slow on a broom but had the best eyes of anyone that tried out that year.
One minute left.
Hopefully they can score the last points before the game ends. Hopefully Regulus won’t catch the damn snitch before then.
James gave the signal for the others to follow his lead. He raced by Lestrange to quickly intercept the quaffle. Sirius and Marlene quickly caught up to follow his lead. A bludger went soaring just by his head and he quickly threw the ball to Sirius who caught it and zipped around Goyle who was definitely trying to knock him off his broom. Unfortunately the bludger hit Marlene and she went down. But there wasn’t any time to check and see if she was alright. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Regulus catching up to the snitch.
Thirty-seconds left on the clock.
James started praying to Godric himself that the younger Black wouldn’t reach his target, that they could manage to score the last goal.
Sirius was locked down hard, he threw the quaffle to James who caught it before racing ahead to the goal, moving as fast as his broom would allow. Merlin, he almost missed it when Padfoot threw the ball at him. Thank goodness he decided to opt for the sticking charm on his glasses before the start of the game. Thank goodness he got his prescription updated before the start of the new term. If he wasn’t better as a chaser, he would’ve opted to play the position of Seeker himself.
His eyesight was impeccable.
So impeccable in fact, that he couldn’t help but glance over to the stands. To the Gryffindor’s on their feet, cheering like mad for their great and powerful hero James Potter to score the goal and bring home the win. He couldn’t help but smile as he caught sight of Lily next to her friends, who was also on her feet and cheering just as loud as everyone else. That pretty red hair fluttering in the wind since she’d apparently decided not to tie it back despite the windy weather of the day.
Lily’s hair fluttered in the wind like a beacon. Bright and red and proud, the symbol of everything that Gryffindor stood for and more than a fine flag in his opinion. Blowing in the breeze almost like it was signalling something. Victory, perhaps? James eyes followed that pretty red hair as it seemed to point east, right in the direction of the Slytherin post towards his ultimate goal and… towards the stands just beside the Gryffindor stands. Decorated in colours of silver and green, the Slytherin students were shouting as well. Screaming and cursing at Crabbe and Goyle just as James was about to reach the goal, more than close enough to throw the quaffle and score the winning goal for the lions den. He felt their sneers and hateful glares and couldn’t help but laugh as he brought his gaze back up to Crabbe who seemed to be all alone at the goal post. His fellow teammates trying to catch up and stop James before he could get there first.
But it was no use.
He was an even bigger idiot than Goyle, all brawn and no brain; getting by him will be a piece of cake. He could hear Lestrange shouting for the others to stop him even over the noise of the cheering and cursing crowd. If his heart was thumping before it was positively racing now.
He’s almost there, just a bit further, ten seconds is plenty of time to make that final goal – Just then something caught his gaze. Just out of the corner of his eye just before the frame of his spectacles he saw a flash of black. Black hair he realised. The wind really was fierce that day, they had to put in much more effort in their throws when passing the quaffle around, be much more careful when steering their brooms. James’ arms and legs were aching from the effort of doing both at the same time for ninety minutes. But James could barely think of that.
Something caught his eye, an image. An image so shocking that he thought he was imagining it at first so he turned his head and looked to the left, over to the Slytherin stands decked out in silver and green, filled with students that were cursing at him and screaming at the top of their lungs hoping he would fail. What caught James’ eye however, was none of that.
What caught James’ eye, was a head of inky black hair fluttering in the breeze much less gracefully than Lily’s was just a bit further right. What caught his eye were pale cheeks which had suddenly flushed this odd dark pink. There were hands on those cheeks, slightly larger hands that cupped the sides of that head to pull him in closer to the one right beside it.
What caught James’ eye was Avery and Snape, practically snogging in the middle of the Slytherin quidditch stands. With Snape blushing a bright pink, while Avery looked like he was trying very hard to choke the raven by shoving his tongue into Snape’s throat as far down as he could.
James’ brain shut down for a split second, though his broom kept moving and the quaffle remained in his hand.
“What the ever-loving fuck-“
Yes.
James has impeccable eyesight. He would have made an excellent seeker. The other problem with why he didn’t take the position is the fact that he sometimes had the tendency to lose focus. He got distracted so easily. It’s actually one of the things that he and Padfoot had in common.
He has great eyesight.
As long as those eyes are focused on what’s most important.
At that moment however, even as his broom kept heading for the goal post and the quaffle stayed under his arm, he neglected to pay attention to his surroundings.
Rosier hadn’t managed to catch up to help defend the goal. But realistically, he didn’t have to.
A bludger came hurdling right towards the blonde. He drew his arm back and used every ounce of strength he had to hit it away with the club in his hand, redirecting the furious black ball’s trajectory so it went hurdling towards the Gryffindor chaser instead.
“JAMES!”
He heard Sirius scream and blinked before he turned his head to look-
“WATCH OUT!”
Too late.
The bludger found its target, hitting the end of James’ broom with enough force to cause it to go spinning out of control before he even knew what was happening. Round and round and round and round until he lost his grasp, and like a wild stallion rejecting an arrogant and inexperienced tamer, his precious Nimbus threw him into the air. He connected with the top of the Slytherin goal post, back colliding hard with the ring in the sky. Pain exploded along his back only slightly dulled by the padding underneath his robes, before he dropped down to the cushioning grass down below; the quaffle in his hand rolling away just a few feet from where his broom landed as well.
The whistle blew. The game ended.
Regulus didn’t manage to catch the snitch. But he didn’t have to. The whistle blew and the game ended and Gryffindor was still behind by five points.
“GAME TIME! SLYTHERIN WINS! SLYTHERIN WINS THE QUIDDITCH CUP!”
Slytherin rose with a roar so loud and so fierce you would swear that they were the students of the lions den. James could see charmed silver and green confetti fluttering down around him, glittering like emeralds and diamonds in the afternoon sun. He heard Sirius scream some incredibly impressive expletives even over the roar of the crowd. Gryffindor students oddly subdued in the aftermath of their defeat.
As James’ eyes slid shut and he let the dark embrace of unconsciousness take him, he still saw that one image flash behind his eyes. Dark hair fluttering in the air. Flushed pale skin. Avery kissing Snape right in the middle of the bloody stands.
Merlin.
What the actual fuck?!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So maybe this is going a little too far. Though in his opinion, they passed the point of no return when the love potions came out. Might as well keep going and hope the blow out doesn’t end up ruining everything for everyone.
Large onyx eyes glanced up at him through pitch black hair and Avery could see that faint blush flooding the shorter wizard’s cheeks.
Onyx.
He never noticed that before but Snape’s eyes weren’t actually black. Just a very very dark brown. They were actually quite pretty. Big and dark and oh so intelligent. But really, Snape didn’t look all that bad once you actually took a look at him.
He was pale yes, but his skin was no longer that almost stark white that it used to be in first year. Bone straight black hair down to his shoulders, no longer the greasy mess that it was before he and Avery started doing this thing that they started doing. Mostly because he insisted on getting his… paramour whatever it is that he wanted or needed. Severus had protested at first, because the shorter wizard seemed to be quite modest and impossibly proud. Refusing even a little bit of help since he thought it a sign of weakness. But Avery insisted and persisted and he learned quickly enough that he could get Severus to do almost anything as long as he held him close and kissed him long enough.
Those dark eyes quickly looked away when they were caught staring, he lowered his head a bit more though Avery could tell that the other was still blushing even as he tried so hard to hide it. He really is the sweetest thing when he lets his guard down, isn’t he?
Avery almost sighed at that as he brought his gaze up ahead and they continued on their way to the potions classroom, the most annoying and unfamiliar feeling of guilt prickling at his insides. What they’re doing is wrong – what he’s doing is wrong. He doesn’t regret making Potter miserable, no Avery didn’t mind making that arrogant twat’s life a living hell at all. It’s what they’re doing to Severus that’s the problem.
They’ve never been friends, not really anyway. They were housemates. Rosier shared a dorm with him and they seemed to get along well enough, though if you asked anyone in Slytherin and actually got them to answer honestly; they would tell you that they didn’t really care for Snape. He was quite talented for a half-blood. Intelligent and very well-read but he was still a half-blood. That alone made a connection beyond that of a mere acquaintance nearly impossible under any circumstances. Then there were Snape’s looks and personality but if any of those things were of any real importance then that would make Mulciber a social pariah of the highest order.
They weren’t friends. But he certainly didn’t hate the raven, not enough to do what he’s doing to him right at this moment.
It really is the worst thing to do to anyone.
Avery hasn’t felt this guilty before in his life. Especially since Severus started letting his guard down around the brunette, especially since he’d let the other see his vulnerabilities. He trusted Will and Salazar…
Didn’t that just make him feel like the biggest piece of shit.
They made it to the potions classroom quickly enough, by then only a few other students were there. A few Slytherin and a few Gryffindor as well. The students from the serpent’s house would sneer and smirk at the lions every now and then. With the great victory they achieved with the Quidditch cup, there’s been just the most indestructible feeling of triumph that vibrated all through Slytherin house. Especially since they knew that the with the points gained from the quidditch cup, the house cup was already in the bag.
Gryffindor house has been oddly subdued though they very quickly rose to the taunts and insults thrown at them from students in other houses over their loss. The house cup was lost already. What did it matter if they lost a few points more? And hey, maybe they could rip away a few of Slytherin’s points in the process.
It took some serious intervention from the professors to keep things calm. Though most of the Slytherin students were careful to make sure that they weren’t caught, to make sure that they’re impending victory was absolutely secured.
Will and Severus stopped to stand by the classroom. With Avery leaning against the wall, potions text underneath his arm and hands in his pockets while Severus kept his text folded in his arms against his chest, his backpack lung over his shoulder.
“Year’s almost over, think we’ll still be brewing today?”
He asked and Severus shrugged.
“We haven’t done Draught of the Living Death yet. There’s only a few weeks left before OWLS. We should be starting with it today.”
“Do you know how to brew it Sev?”
Severus seemed to flush a little at the nickname, Avery couldn’t help but smirk.
“I’ve done a bit of experimenting, trying to see what worked-“
“So that’s a yes?”
Severus huffed, “It’s a maybe.”
“It’s a yes.” The raven scoffed and Avery turned to lean against the wall edging a bit closer to the other, “You realise that I simply couldn’t let you out of my sight now.”
“Because you’ll fail potions without me?”
“That and other things.” The raven blinked at the implication and flushed a bit more.
“Well,” He briefly bit his lip, staring down at his feet and letting his hair cover a bit more of his face, “Maybe I don’t want to be out of your sight.”
The brunette laughed, “Careful Sev, don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Severus smiled a little only for the moment to break when-
“Really Avery, not even nine yet and you two lovebirds are already flirting.”
They looked up just in time to see Mulciber and Wilkes heading towards them with Rosier just a few feet behind them wearing a frown.
“You two are just insatiable, aren’t you?” Mulciber teased with a smirk while Wilkes laughed. Avery rolled his eyes as he straightened up to turn and face the other.
“Morning to you as well, Mulciber.”
“No no, don’t let us interrupt your little moment.” He said dramatically as he held up his hands in surrender. “We wouldn’t want to ruin the show, now would we?”
Avery paused at the other’s tone only to look over Mulciber’s shoulder a little further back to see Potter and his little entourage standing a bit further back.
Potter was there standing by the wall with his little muggleborn girlfriend Evans. Black and Lupin standing with them.
Surprising that he didn’t immediately see them arrive. Surprising that they didn’t immediately make their presence known the way they usually did. But then again-
He looked over to the Gryffindor students that stood waiting in front of the class. The annoyed looks they sent Potter’s group every now and then. Ah yes, things must a bit tense after their loss. Though Avery didn’t fool himself into believing that this would last very long. The Gryffindor golden boys will be back in the spotlight soon enough and then it’ll be like the Quidditch cup never even happened. Until the ceremony at the end of the year anyway.
Mulciber was giving him a very pointed look and Avery almost rolled his eyes even as he leaned in a bit closer to the raven beside him and smiled.
“Jealous, Mulciber?”
Mulciber did roll his eyes, “Oh yes, quite jealous of you and your concubine.” He felt Severus tense beside him but kept going anyway.
“The proper word here would be consort, mate.” Avery winked as he wrapped his arm around Severus’ shoulders. Dark dark eyes went up to glare at him and hiss as he tried to pull free. Avery just smirked as he leaned in to press a kiss on the raven’s cheek.
“Will-“ Severus said finally shoving him away, his blush now the darkest it’s been all morning and Avery laughed.
“Feisty little thing, isn’t he?”
Mulciber and Wilkes both snickered, Rosier while not exactly frowning anymore just watched on and then-
“Oh for the love of Merlin, your standard really couldn’t be that low Avery.”
A loud obnoxious voice cut through the air and all eyes fell on Potter’s group. Lupin seemed to sigh as he shook his head while Evan’s glared at Black who was glaring at Avery. Potter was glaring at Avery as well.
He was glaring very very hard.
Really if he was better at casting silent wandless magic, Avery might have been worried for a moment.
It looked like Potter was desperately trying to cast a stinging hex with nothing but will power alone.
Avery felt entirely too amused and if the scoff from Mulciber and the smirk on Wilkes was anything to go by so were they. Severus was back to tensing all over again. Avery only gave the older Black a bored stare.
“At least better than Potter’s standards I recon.”
Potter immediately pushed off the wall, “What did you just say?”
“James don’t.” Evans hissed as she grabbed a hold of his arm but she wasn’t fast enough to stop Black who stepped forward and already had his wand out.
“Say that again you worthless bastard.”
Wilkes stepped back, Rosier immediately pulled his wand out as well and aimed it at Black and Mulciber quickly did the same. The other students around them seemed to immediately duck for cover.
Avery scoffed as he reached out a hand and waved it at his friends dismissively. Mulciber seemed to hesitate before he lowered his wand and Rosier did the same.
“What? What’ll happen if I do, Black?”
“I-“
“I’d like to remind you that unlike your pathetic little pet over there, I’m not completely useless as a prefect.” He said glancing over to Lupin who’s jaw seemed to clench before he brought his gaze over to Evans, “And unlike Potter and his little wife, I don’t just help people whenever it suits my ego.”
Evans looked over to him sharply as she let go of Potter’s arm. He felt Severus go completely stiff in his grasp. Right, he still has some affection for the muggleborn doesn’t he? But that doesn’t really matter at this point.
Avery brought his gaze back to lock onto Black, seeing the utterly murderous storm brewing there, “Just try it Black, I’ll have you in detention for the rest of the term, maybe even all of next year if I’m lucky.”
Lupin stepped forward, “You don’t have the authority for that.”
“And you don’t have a spine, but somehow you’re still standing like the snivelling dog you are.” Severus suddenly hissed out and Lupin blinked before he shrank right back.
“You’re one to talk Snivellus.” Potter sneered at the smaller raven, “Hiding behind your boyfriend like the greasy haired coward you are.”
“Who else would he hide behind Potter?” Avery asked, “I am his boyfriend and I’m more than willing to protect him.”
Alright, now Potter’s trying to cast a fiend fyre.
“Really?” Evans said now folding her arms over her chest, lips pursed in displeasure as she shook her head, “Who’s the little wife now?”
He felt the slight jump in Severus’ form, noticed the way his arms tighten around his books and he glared at the girl.
“Unlike some people, Evans, Severus isn’t bothered by silly little muggle notions… those gender politics and whatever have you.” Avery said dismissively, “Severus is a wizard through and through. He knows when to stand his ground and when to graciously step back and let someone else take the lead, instead of ranting and raving like some mad banshee in heat.”
A few gasps further down the hall, a few snickers from the Slytherins. Evan’s eyes widened a bit and she opened her mouth but Avery quickly spoke before she could.
“The instinct to pick your battles. The ability to know what is worth fighting for and what is better just left alone. The grace to know your place and exactly what it means when you stand by your partner’s side.” He reached out with a smile to tuck Severus’ hair behind his ear. The raven blinked up at him before simply looking away. Avery looked up at the girl, blue eyes almost glinting, “Class, Evans. Something some people just very clearly don’t have.”
“Well,” Evan’s started even as her hands clenched on her arms, “I apologise if my, behaviour isn’t good enough for your pureblood sensibilities.”
Avery blinked, “Oh, I’m sure it has nothing to do with you being a muggleborn Evans. After all, you were raised muggle as well, weren’t you Sev?” He asked looking down at the raven who didn’t respond but Avery didn’t need him to. He looked back at the girl, “So… what’s your excuse Evans?”
The redhaired girl opened her mouth only to shut it again. Mulciber laughed, “Don’t think she as one mate.”
“Piss off, you-“
“Like I said before, Black,” Avery glared, “Unlike your pet and Mr and Mrs Potter over there, I have absolutely no problem fulfilling my prefect duties. I’ll remind you that your status as a Black doesn’t mean much at this point.”
“You-“
“One move, we’ll see just how long Dumbledore is able to protect you.”
“Sirius, just stop.” Lupin hissed out, “None of this is necessary.”
Avery huffed out a dramatic sigh and shut his eyes for a brief moment before he gave a nod.
“Lupin is right. All of this is unnecessary. I apologise for my behaviour, really I do.” Mulciber looked up at him in confusion. So did Wilkes and Rosier and everyone else that was listening down the hall. Potter and his entourage seemed to blink in surprise in confusion.
“No, really forgive me. Letting my emotions get the better of me like that.” Avery gave them the most charming smile he could manage and tightened his arm around Severus’ shoulders to pull him in close and press a kiss on the top of his head. “I suppose I’m maybe just a bit overprotective. I can turn into the most unsightly, possessive monster when it comes to Sev.” He let out a heavy sigh before he looked up at the hazel eyed chaser. “Potter, I’m sure you must understand. When something is yours, you’re just willing to do anything and everything that’s necessary to protect it and make sure it stays yours.”
Now Potter looks like he’s trying to silently cast an unforgivable. Hands white knuckled, face flushed with more rage than even Black’s right at that moment.
Glancing over to Mulciber, he could see the other desperately trying to contain his laughter and Avery couldn’t resist-
“You’re mine, aren’t you Sev?” He leaned over to the raven in his grasp and quickly pressed a kiss on his lips. Severus’ eyes went wide and he started pushing at the other’s side as subtly as he could.
“Will… please.” He whispered and honestly, he looked very uncomfortable. Avery paused and decided to give it a rest for now. He straightened up and gave Potter and his minions a smile, his voice practically dripping honey.
“Sorry again.”
Before anything else could be said, Slughorn came walking down the hall and whatever commotion was going on quickly quieted down.
They went into the class, settled into their seats, ignoring the very pointed glares directed at their backs.
“Why do you always have to do that?” Severus asked and Merlin, he still looked incredibly uncomfortable. Avery felt that guilt beginning to prick all over again. He forced a smirk onto his face and shrugged.
“Potter and his idiots need to be put in their place every now and then, besides I meant what I said before. I don’t mind protecting you Severus.”
The raven glanced up at him for a brief moment before looking away with a near silent sigh, “I-“
“With everything else that’s been going on… You deserve it.”
He might be lying about everything else, but he meant that last bit at least.
What he’s doing, is beyond awful. It really is the most terrible thing. And all because of a prank.
At first, their only target had been Potter, because enough is enough. Because Dumbledore’s little pets couldn’t keep getting away with the things they did. Because they’d had enough of the marauders parading around like Malfoy peacocks, like they weren’t the filthy blood traitors they were. Someone needed to put Potter and his brood in place, someone needed to teach them a lesson.
They spent weeks trying to think of the perfect plan, the perfect revenge, the perfect… prank. Something to completely and utterly humiliate Potter, something that would finally, finally put the arrogant twat in his place and therefore by extension humiliate his friends and potentially the rest of Gryffindor as well.
They spent weeks trying to think of the perfect revenge when it suddenly hit them.
It hit them one day, when they were in the Great Hall and noticed Potter fawning over his mudblood girlfriend.
How long had the bastard been chasing after again? He’d been doing it for years. He was so bloody loud and obnoxious about his feelings for the girl that basically everyone in school knew about it. Until he eventually seemed to wear her down and she finally agreed to go out with him.
Of course that only came after Snape’s fall out with the girl. Only after they stopped being friends. Before then, even the most casual observer could guess that the reason Evans kept refusing Potter was because Potter was such a bastard to Snape. And so of course, like the idiot he is, Potter decided the best way to remedy that situation would be to continue being a bastard to the half-blood. Because, obviously that makes perfect sense.
Of course there were other reasons why Potter seemed to hate Snape. Snape was a Slytherin and he was quite smart and talented. With house rivalries being so fierce, tensions between them were to be expected really. And with that oh so holier than thou attitude that he had, his conviction that all Slytherin were dark and evil; Potter hating Snape actually did make perfect sense.
That’s when they looked over to Snape, who was sitting between Rosier and Regulus Black. Though he tried not to show it, Snape had been particularly miserable after his friendship with the mudblood ended. That misery seemed to increase after it became known that the mudblood was now officially dating Potter. And really, how could he not be with Potter constantly just crowing about it at the top of his lungs even as he continued to prank Snape and call him an evil-
And that’s when it hit them.
Potter’s in love with Evans. Potter hates Snape.
Wouldn’t it just make the most peculiar turn of events if he suddenly fell in love with Snape instead? Wouldn’t it just be the most interesting thing, if everyone saw Potter fawn and dote and chase after Snape, when he made it so abundantly clear that he hated the other? Wouldn’t it be the most hilarious thing, if Potter fell for greasy snarking Snivellus Snape? Wouldn’t it just be perfect if he did all of that and then at the end of a few days remembered that he didn’t actually love Snape, remembered how much he hated him and then realised that he still chased after the dungeon bat, humiliated himself over and over again.
It… would be glorious.
And that’s how the plan had been made. Slip Potter love potions, watch him lose his mind over Snape and then watch the carnage unfold once the potions finally wore off.
It was perfect.
And if it was found out that someone had used love potions on Potter then they could just pin it all on Snape. Make it seem like he was the one to slip the Gryffindor love potions in an act of revenge and with things between Potter and Snape being so contentious, everyone would believe it.
It was fool proof and so they got started.
Initially they thought about getting Snape to brew the potion for him. The smaller teen was an absolute genius when it came to potions. He’d probably be able to brew it no problem. Plus, it would make setting Snape up in case they got caught so much easier as well. But they knew that Snape wouldn’t brew Amortentia for them. They knew that despite his surly and just generally unpleasant demeanour, the raven wouldn’t help them trick anyone into falling in love. Regardless of who or why.
But that was an easy fix. Mulciber was able to get one of his family contacts to get Amortentia for him and then send it to school to him, charmed and disguised as one of many brain new ink pots in a box of stationary.
Then they needed a piece of Snape to put into the potion. Avery managed that part. Again, he and Snape weren’t friends but they were on friendly-ish terms. He managed to get close enough to the raven to steal a surprisingly dry strand of hair off of his robes one day to mix in with the rest of the potion.
They were all set but really that was the easy part. The hard part would be slipping the potions into Potter’s food without him noticing. Wilkes turned out to be quite useful in that regard.
It was a huge misconception that Potter and most believed; that all Death Eaters and dark wizards come from Slytherin house. That it would be impossible that someone with Death Eater connections could ever be sorted into Gryffindor.
Such a huge misconception.
Peter Pettigrew had been turned ages ago. Apparently the loyal devoted pet façade he put up in front of his little friends was just a façade and he actually despised Potter, Black and Lupin more than anyone else in the school. Possibly more than Snape himself.
Wilkes contacted him, managed to get him to agree to slip Potter the potion whenever they told him. Though if Wilkes is to be believed, he didn’t really need too much convincing. Apparently, Potter and Black had been mocking him over his love life or rather, lack thereof. Potter especially since he started dating the beautiful Lily Evans. Pettigrew decided that heir Potter needed a little humbling.
Everything was set. One night at dinner, they watched as Pettigrew discreetly poured the vial of Amortentia into Potter’s goblet of pumpkin juice while the twats joked and carried on the way they usually did during the evening feast.
They watched as Potter argued with Black and Longbottom over something, mindlessly grabbing his goblet and downing the whole thing. He paused and frowned before just shaking his head as he carried on.
Amortentia sometimes takes a bit of time to work so they weren’t worried. They knew that all they had to do was wait and watch.
The next day, they barely paid any attention to anything that was discussed in classes, to busy watching Potter and also watching Snape. They knew it was only a matter of time until Potter made his potions induced affections clear to Snape.
Nothing happened.
They shared Transfiguration with Gryffindor. Charms, Potions and DADA.
But nothing happened. It was insanely frustrating. Especially when Potter actually tripped Snape during Charms as the raven was making his way over to his desk before howling with laughter.
Clearly something was wrong.
Maybe Pettigrew screwed up somehow.
They caught hold of the portly teen just after Defence and interrogated him on what happened. The blonde seemed close to shitting himself during the confrontation as he tried to explain that he did exactly what they asked. Took the vial they gave him and emptied it into Potter’s cup.
But… nothing happened?
Well maybe they got the dosage wrong.
A little more couldn’t hurt.
So they gave Pettigrew some more and ordered him to dose Potter again.
He did…
And still nothing.
The next day, Potter and Black charmed Snape’s hands to his desk during potions so he couldn’t move or get up to get his potions ingredients. Slughorn caught them and gave them a laughable ten point deduction before sending them off to the headmaster, probably for some other kind of slap on the wrist.
It didn’t work.
Well, maybe a bit more.
The day after that, Potter hexed Snape into hanging upside down in the library. Madame Pince deducted fifty points and had the marauders in detention with her for the rest of the week since she unlike most of the professor’s did not take kindly to the Gryffindor’s pranks.
By the end of the week. They’d practically used up all of the potion in one of the bottles they had and were extremely frustrated. They couldn’t understand what they did wrong. And in their frustration, they decided to consult an expert.
“You’re slipping someone love potions?” Snape asked dryly as he looked over his book at the three sitting at the table with him in the library.
Mulciber rolled his eyes, “We meant hypothetically Snape.”
“Hypothetically?” Snape clearly didn’t believe him, but he knew better than to ask any details about what they were doing lest he incriminate himself along with them.
“Yeah, so.” Avery, who was sitting beside Snape leaned on the table to get a bit closer to the other and lower his voice. “Hypothetically, if we were giving someone Amortentia but it didn’t seem to be working, how do we fix it?”
Those dark eyes glanced up at Avery before looking away, “Hypothetically.” Snape muttered, “Hypothetically, that would mean that your potion is a dud.”
“It’s not a dud. I got it from a family friend, one of the best potionsmasters in the country.” Mulciber said before catching himself, “Hypothetically.”
“There’s no other explanation for it. If this hypothetical Amortentia was brewed correctly then it would absolutely have an effect on whatever hypothetical person you’re hypothetically trying to dose.”
He drawled and Avery couldn’t help but scoff, “Humour us Snape, what if the potion was perfectly fine, but it wasn’t working. What would it mean?”
Snape sighed as he set his book down on the table.
“Amortentia works by inducing feelings of romantic want and desire into the person that digests it. Not true love more… infatuation. A mockery of the shadow of love.” Snape said that last bit with a roll of his eyes, “The only way the potion would fail is if the person that ingests it is already in love to begin with.”
“So.” Wilkes moved a bit in his seat to lean a bit further over the table, “If this person has a girlfriend then, hypothetically?”
Snape arched a brow at him, “Are you trying to get them to fall in love with their girlfriend?”
“No. Someone else.”
“Hypothetically?”
“Yeah, hypothetically.”
Snape shook his head, “Typically having a girlfriend or partner or whatever usually doesn’t matter. The potion would work regardless. It’s only if you’re trying to get them to fall in love with someone they’re already in love with that it would fail.”
They all stared at him and then Mulciber gaped, “No…”
Avery’s eyes went wide as he moved closer to Snape, “So if the potion doesn’t work, it means that-“
“Oh Sweet Salazar.” Wilkes gasped and Severus gave them all wary looks as they just stared at him in shock.
“Alright… I don’t want to know.” He got up from his seat and started putting his books away.
Mulciber leaned over towards Avery, “No way, right?”
“Well how else do you explain it?”
“We-we should make sure just in case.” Avery looked up at the raven who was closing up his bag, “Snape, wait!”
The raven stopped.
“How do we make sure?”
Snape rolled his eyes, “Hypothetically?”
“Yeah.”
“The first thing to do is to check that the potion is made correctly.”
“You’d be able to check it right?” Wilkes asked and Snape took a step back.
“I’m not getting involved in whatever this is.”
“Fine.” Mulciber growled, “How do we check it ourselves?”
Snape sighed, “Use the potion on someone else. For example, you could use the potion on yourself to try and make yourself fall in love with someone you dislike. Wait for a reaction. Two drops should be enough for two hours of potion induced euphoria. If nothing happens the potion is a dud.”
“And if something does happen?”
Snape shook his head as he picked up his bag to leave. “Amortentia doesn’t work on someone who’s already in love.”
With that the raven turned around and left the library.
This-
This means…
But nooooooo-
It couldn’t be. They had to be sure.
Mulciber agreed to be the test subject for their experiment, or rather, they blackmailed him into it. As for the temporary object of his affections, they needed someone Mulciber despised, someone who disgusted him, someone the Slytherin couldn’t stand.
And who better than Mary McDonald.
Pettigrew came through for them again, getting a strand of the blonde’s hair and thankfully not asking any questions as to why.
Mulciber had glared at the potion once they held it out to him. They were locked in their dorm room at around eight o’clock at night. Mulciber agreed to this under the condition that absolutely no one was around to see him do it.
“If this works.” Wilkes started as they all stared at the potion in Mulciber’s hand, “Then you’re going to be in love with Gryffindor filth for two whole hours.”
Mulciber reached out and shoved him right off the bed. Wilkes just laughed and Avery rolled his eyes.
“If this works then that means that Snape was right and if Snape’s right-“
“Then Potter’s toast.” Muciber smirked just as Wilkes righted himself. He lifted the vial of potion up in the air, “Cheers boys. To Slytherin’s ultimate victory.”
He downed the potion and then they waited.
It didn’t take long.
The next morning Wilkes would be in an absolute giggle fit as he continuously teased his friend over his behaviour the night before. Everything from desperately trying to escape the dungeons to look for his radiant breath-taking Mary, to attacking Wilkes when he dared call his earthbound goddess a dirty mudblood.
All the same, their experiment worked and they had their conformation.
Sweet Morgana.
Potter’s in love with Snape.
Now what to do with this information.
They couldn’t just go around telling people that Potter was in love with Snape. With the animosity that the Gryffindor constantly displayed around Snape, no one would believe them. And they can’t use it as blackmail material either. They didn’t have any actual proof and if Potter found out that they’d been slipping him love potions and went crying to Dumbledore about it, they’d be in enough trouble to get suspended or even expelled.
So what to do. How to use this information against Potter and make him suffer for it?
They had no idea.
At first.
The solution to their problem would come much much later.
They were on their way to dinner. Avery, Wilkes and Mulciber walking behind Rosier and Snape. They had a potions practical the next day, they’d be pairing up. Rosier was trying to get Snape to agree to be his partner for the day.
Snape rolled his eyes and spoke in that sarcastic drawl while Rosier complained.
For what was the first and probably wouldn’t be the last time, Avery wondered how it is that someone like Rosier could get along so well with a half-blood of all things. But he figured that probably mostly had to do with Snape being his dormmate. Although even he could admit that Snape wasn’t so bad.
It was just then that Mulciber suddenly nudged him in the side.
“What?”
He nodded up to the four standing by the wall not too far from the doors leading to the Great hall. It was then that he noticed how Snape seemed to have tensed a bit. How he almost seemed to curl into himself a bit even as Rosier went on beside him.
The marauders were up ahead. Potter and Black were leaning against the wall as they talked while Lupin kept his nose buried in his book and Pettigrew stood fawning over them the way he usually did.
They all glared and almost like the Gryffindor’s could feel those glares they looked up and glared themselves. Though Potter made eye contact with Avery and seemed to stand down. They wouldn’t try anything with a prefect that wasn’t consistently worshipping them right there watching. Dumbledore may always be protecting them but Potter was headboy, he had to maintain some imaginary shell of propriety at least.
It was just then that Rosier moved.
Seemingly oblivious to the tension that had just risen – or more likely, Rosier just didn’t care – he reached out to wrap an arm around Snape’s shoulders to drag him into his side.
“C’mon Snape, not like we’ve never worked together before.”
Snape took a deep breath to take his gaze off of the marauders and gave the blonde a very bored look. “Brown is giving me five galleons to work with him for tomorrow instead.”
“Really, Brown?” Rosier asked incredulously, “You’re ditching me for Brown.”
“Unless you have a counteroffer.”
“But Brown is such a bloody twat-“
“Six galleons should be enough.”
“C’mon Severus.” Rosier said pulling Snape in even closer, “Do us a favour, just this once.”
Snape sighed with a shake if his head. While they’d normally roll their eyes at that behaviour, Avery, Mulciber and Wilkes were much too busy for that right at that moment.
As Rosier and Snape carried on they noticed the marauders glaring at Snape, the way they usually did only… Only they noticed that the anger and vicious hatred in Black’s eyes was different from the glare in Potter’s eyes right at that moment.
The hazel eyed wizard’s hands were clenched, his jaw locked tight, eyes glinting dangerously and yet… there was something oddly longing in his eyes. Avery frowned first and then-
The most wicked smirk spread over his lips as he quickly moved to catch up with Rosier and Snape.
“But-“
“Give it a rest, Rosier.” He said as he grabbed a hold of the raven and pulled him out of the blonde’s grasp to drag into his side. “If Sev, doesn’t want to do it then, he doesn’t have to do it.”
Snape frowned at him, he could feel the questioning gazes from the other Slytherin around him but he ignored them as he leaned in to whisper in Snape’s ear.
“How about ten galleons, and you work with me instead?”
The raven jumped in his grasp at the initial action before his frown grew even as his cheeks caught in a flush. He nodded anyway.
“Fine. I’ll work with you.”
Avery gave Rosier a grin, “Tough luck mate.”
And then the blonde rolled his eyes as he started to bicker with Snape again.
Avery glanced back, he saw the marauders still glaring. Black just shook his head as he tried to continue whatever conversation they were having before. Lupin returned his attention to his book and Pettigrew returned to fawning.
Potter is the only one that kept glaring. Only his eyes followed them all across the hall and into the doors of the Great Hall and that’s when Avery knew-
That’s how they make Potter miserable, by putting Snape completely out of his reach.
He told Mulciber and Wilkes about his plan later. At first neither Slytherin had been too sure about it, but they figured it was worth a shot. The only real problem was finding someone who would be willing to go along with their little plan and… courting Snape, of course without letting Snape find out about it.
Again, Snape wasn’t much to look at and his personality left something to be desired. They weren’t sure who they could get to even get close to Snape, let alone get the Slytherin to warm up enough to openly date them… and also not explain what was going on.
Eventually they decided-
“You have to do it, mate.”
“Me? Why me?!” Avery asked incredulously.
“It was your idea.”
“This whole entire plot was your idea.”
“Yeah, but if one of us goes and starts being creepy with Snape, he’ll know something’s up.” Mulciber said and Avery huffed.
“So I have to go be creepy with him instead.”
“At least Snape actually likes you.” Wilkes said with a shrug and Avery frowned at him.
“What? Snape doesn’t like me anymore than he likes either of you.”
Mulciber scoffed, “Sure.”
“You really haven’t noticed, have you?” Wilkes asked with a tilt of his head and an amused smile, “And here I thought Lestrange was oblivious.”
“Notice what? Snape doesn’t fancy me.”
“No he doesn’t.”
“Then what-“
“You don’t have to fancy someone to want to shag them.”
Avery blinked, “No way.”
“Alright, how about a little experiment.” Mulciber challenged with a vicious smirk. The kind he reserved for cornering muggleborns in the dungeons where no one could see. “Go ask Snape to help you something. Some potions essay or whatever, it doesn’t matter. But ask him to do it for free, if he agrees, then we’re right and you have to date Snape to mess with Potter.”
“And if he says no?”
“Then I’ll date Snape. Sound like a plan?”
It was the dumbest thing he’d ever heard in his life.
Snape didn’t like him. Up until a while ago they didn’t think he noticed anyone other than that muggleborn friend of his. There’s absolutely no way-
“Alright.” Snape said softly and Avery resisted the urge to gape.
Salazar’s tit, how is it that he never noticed this?
Snape wasn’t really looking at him. And Avery realised with a start that Snape never really looked at him. It was always just at the side of his face or at his chest but never directly into his eyes. Snape’s voice also seemed to go soft when it was just the two of them. That ridiculous low timber he’s been sporting since fourth year even lower, softened in a way that he knew the raven wasn’t doing on purpose. And he blushed. At first a barely visible tint that would to darken and grow the closer he got to the other, just about anytime that Avery tried and somehow managed to touch him.
Bloody hell
Snape likes him?
Or according to Mulciber and Wilkes, Snape wants to shag him at least.
That thought surprisingly didn’t repulse him as much as he thought it would. Snape wasn’t completely hideous, despite what some said at school. He was a bit scruffy, a little unkept; despite the obvious effort he took in fitting in with most of the students in their house. But that could be blamed on Snape’s obvious poverty. Really at most, he was just below average. Besides, Snape was smart, quite brilliant for a half-blood. He wasn’t a terrible catch and really its not like he’s actually going to be courting Snape. They just need to make it look like he is. Just enough to drive Potter mad.
He can totally do that.
“Brilliant. We’ll meet in the hall then, start going over things at dinner.” He said with a smile and Snape quickly looked away to give a nod.
“That’s fine.”
Seriously, how did he not notice this?
All of that was two months ago, since then he’s managed to get Snape completely under his control. Since then Potter’s been losing his mind a little bit over and over again.
As they sat in class, Avery looked back at the spot where Potter and his cretins sat. He looked back just in time to catch the Gryffindor’s gaze and have that dark hateful glare rest fully on him. The brunette couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Snape asked as he looked up at the wizard beside him. Avery had to yet again swallow back his guilt. This is the only part of all of this that he regrets.
Over the past two months he’s gotten to be around Snape. Gotten to know him and so managed to feel like absolute garbage for what he’s doing.
Avery leaned in to press a kiss on Snape’s temple and gave a soft smile,
‘I’m sorry Snape’
“Nothing, don’t worry about it.”
He turned his attention to the front. Deciding for once, to ignore the glare that stayed planted firmly on his back for the rest of the class.
“You look nice today, by the way.” He said and Severus flushed, letting his head fall forward to hide his flush with his hair. He didn’t respond, Slughorn started his lecture. Avery sighed.
Merlin, he’s an absolute bastard.