The Date

The carriage ride back to school was fine.

Although Padfoot was practically pouting the whole way there. He'd suggested taking separate carriages, for... reasons that he didn't even try to explain only for Lily to insist that they all just go together.

Once they got to school; they headed straight for the quidditch field, which was surprisingly empty despite it being a warm Saturday afternoon. Sirius summoned his broom as promised and James decided to summon his own as well while Lily enlarged the one she got from the shop.

They were up in the sky in seconds.

Or, at least, James and Lily were.

Sirius and Snape had yet to get up off the ground for some reason. James couldn't help but frown at the tiny figures down below. Even from up there, he could hear Sirius whine loudly at the unfairness of... something.

Lily went right by him just then. The twists in her hair seeming to have purpose as it kept those bright red locks out of her face as she made a turn before coming back.

James grinned, "How about a race, Miss Evans?"

Lily stopped just beside him and her head gave a tilt, "A race?"

"Yeah, we'll say... over the castle and back to the goal post on the north side."

"Alright." Lily smiled, "What's the prize?"

"If I win, you have to give me a kiss."

Lily scoffed, "And if I win?"

"What would you like?"

Lily's lips seemed to twist a little in thought, her eyes wandering around them for a brief moment before she finally made a decision, "No more pranks, for two weeks."

James rolled his eyes hard. That's easy. He's not some petulant obnoxious brat, it's not like he goes about playing pranks every second of ever day or anything... well, at least... Not EVERY day. Usually Padfoot is the one to suggest them anyway, besides they usually take some time to plan to get them to go just the way they want-

James suddenly remembered the slime bomb prank and couldn't help but swallow hard at the memory.

Well, alright clearly some of their pranks don't go exactly according to plan. The slime bomb wasn't supposed to suffocate Snape, just cover him in slime that's all. But James remembered the look on Sirius' face when Snape demanded that he buy the bomb from Zonkos. The sheer amount of guilt in his expression. Has Padfoot known all this time and just kept quiet about it? That didn't seem like him at all. Then again, maybe he was just trying to spare his friends of the guilt that he clearly felt.

It made James pause... he paused because that wasn't the only time Snape seemed to disappear after a prank. It wasn't the only time where they ignored instructions or didn't pay too close attention to the details of some spell or potion they bought. How many others went wrong like that?

"I... Fine, no pranks."

For at least another month.

Lily watched him with a frown before giving a nod of her own.

"Then we have a deal, Potter." She said flying over until she was just beside him and holding her broom steady and aimed faced towards the castle, "Ready?"

"Ready when you are Miss Evans."

It went fast.

Lily was decent on a broom but nowhere near as good as James was. It didn’t even have anything to do with the fact that she was on a second-hand broom, he could tell. It should have been an easy victory but, despite what some people – mainly Snape – believe he was raised to be a gentleman. James Potter was chivalrous and kind and not nearly as self-centred and egotistical as some people – mainly Snape – thought he was. So he didn’t go as fast as he could have, let her have a bit of an advantage around the turn over the castle. By the time they reached their finish line Lily had won. Not by a huge gap. James made sure to leave just enough distance between them for the win to be believable at least.

They touched down on the far end of the field beneath the goal post.

“I win!”

Lily smiled, her cheeks were flushed and there were strands of red hair clinging to those cheeks as her eyes almost seemed to sparkle in the noon day sun. James smiled back.

“That you did.” He gave a dramatic bow, “I concede defeat. You have bested me my lady.”

Lily giggled as James went closer, “I don’t suppose I could ask for a rematch?”

“Uh uh. A deal’s a deal, two weeks, no pranking. You lost fair and square.”

“Well then, how about a consolation prize.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss against the back of it, Lily blushed. James couldn’t help but grin when Sirius suddenly burst out with laughter.

The both looked back, right over to where they left Padfoot and Snape when they took off into the air and found the two on the ground with Padfoot beneath Snape on the ground. The Slytherin was practically perched on Sirius’ lap, rolling those dark dark eyes hard while Padfoot just beamed at him. The broom a few feet away.

James frowned.

“They didn’t even make it onto the broom.” Lily said with a sigh as she pulled her hand free of James and walked over to the other two. James let out a slightly more frustrated sigh as he followed.

Snape tried to get up but Sirius grabbed hold of the wrist he had braced on the Gryffindor’s chest to keep him still.

“What’re you-“

“You know we could probably do it out here.”

Those dark eyes went wide, “No we can’t-“

“No one’s even looking.”

Snape looked up around them and his eyes fell on James and Lily. The Slytherin seemed to let out a sigh of his own.

“Your idiot friend is looking, now let go.”

Sirius looked over to them as well and blinked. Snape got up and pulled free of the Animagus’ grasp, brushing down his pants as he straightened out and Sirius did the same.

“Done already?” Sirius asked and Lily scoffed.

“Looks like you two haven’t even started yet.”

“We were busy.” Sirius said with a shrug as he tried to wrap his arm around Snape’s waist only for that arm to immediately get smacked away. Padfoot gave the Slytherin a look that he very obviously ignored, “You two seem like you had fun.”

Lily smiled, “Well, not every day you get to put an arrogant toad in his place.” She said holding her broom upright, “Just so you know, Black, there’ll be no pranking for at least two weeks.”

Sirius blinked, Snape frowned and then realisation dawned in those stormy grey eyes, “Oh, so you had a little race then?”

“Yes.”

“And Potter lost.” Snape said, there was something in his tone. Something that mirrored the calculating look in his eyes and had James resisting against the urge to squirm uncomfortably – but there was no reason to be uncomfortable, or feel guilty or feel like he’d been caught in the act because he didn’t do anything wrong-

“Well, congratulations Evans.” Sirius, ever the dutiful wingman said with a smile, “Maybe you should try out for the quidditch team, take over as the new captain.”

James couldn’t stop the glare.

“Thank you, but I’m not interested.” Lily said before looking over to her friend, “I’m a little dissappointed you didn’t get the chance to fly Sev.”

“I’m not.” Snape mumbled and Sirius shrugged.

“There’ll be plenty of other chances for that later.”

What does that mean?

“Snape and I were actually going to head inside anyway. Figured you two would be fine for the rest of the day.”

Lily frowned, “But what about-”

“I’m sure you don’t need us to babysit you any longer.” Sirius said dismissively, “Besides, Snape and I have things to do.”

“What things?” James couldn’t help but ask and Snape looked away, Sirius shrugged again.

“Nothing you need to worry about. He’s my date so I’ll walk him back to the dungeons later, you two have fun.” The Animagus said already grabbing hold of Snape to turn him around only for Snape to pull loose.

“Black-“

“A deal’s a deal, Snape.” Sirius said with a smirk taking a step closer to the other, “You’re not trying to welch out on a bet, are you?”

“I-“

“Or alternatively, if you don’t want to stick to the original terms; I’m sure I could come up with some other more inventive reward.”

Snape flushed a dark red and took a step back. James has never seen the other look so red before. Lily frowned.

“What bet is that, exactly?”

Sirius blinked and looked at her like he’d genuinely forgotten that they were still there.

“None of your business. This is our date not yours. Take a hint Evans.” He said in a way that may have seemed overly dramatic but James knew it meant that his friend was actually very annoyed. He waved them off, “We’ve been chaperoned long enough. We’ll finish our date while you go finish yours.”

“But-“

“It’s fine, Lily.” Snape said rolling his eyes for the millionth time that day even as the blush on his face stayed right where it was, “I do have something I need to settle with Black.”

“What’s that?”

He shook his head and sighed, “Nothing important. We’ll just catch up tomorrow, alright?”

Lily’s lips pursed together in a tight line before she seemed to relent, “Alright, fine, but if he tries anything-“

“I’ll be fine.” Snape said and Sirius nodded.

“See, he’s fine. We’re both fine. And now; we’re leaving.” He said grabbing a hold of Snape’s wrist to start pulling him towards the castle, “Show the lady a good time, Prongs.”

James frowned, “What’re you going to be doing?”

Sirius stopped, looked back at his friend before looking down at Snape who seemed to have given up on pulling free of the Animagus’ grasp for the moment. Cheeks still pink. He smirked.

“Things. But mainly, I think we’ll be having some chocolate.”

And then he kept walking. Snape seemed to curl into himself a bit, hair falling forward to cover his face. He pulled his hand free and walked faster, practically stomping his way towards the castle. James could almost hear Sirius sigh in frustration as he quickly caught up to walk beside the other.

James was frowning as he watched them go, right up until they disappeared around a turn that led to the door near the side.

“Potter.”

He blinked, “What?”

“I asked what you wanted to do.” Lily asked, she was frowning at him now. She looked back to where Sirius and Snape disappeared. James took in a deep silent breath.

“I was thinking that I could ask you.” He said with as charming a smile as he could manage, “Maybe a walk, unless there’s something else you’d like to do. Another race maybe?”

“No, I think one victory is enough for one day.” She teased with a smile and James scoffed. She set her broom down and pulled out her wand to tap the hilt. The broom hovered in the air for a brief moment before taking off, back towards the village. James did the same with his rented broom and then with his own, watching as it flew back to their dorm. He held out his arm and Lily took it.

And then they started walking.

“I’m surprised, that Black’s been so well behaved today.” Lily suddenly said and James looked over towards her. “I thought he and Sev would be at each other’s throats all day. But they seemed surprisingly fine.”

“They did, didn’t they.” James was frowning again, “Did Snape tell you why he agreed to this? I know you said you don’t know how Sirius convinced him but, he didn’t say anything?”

Lily shook her head, “No, but really it could’ve been anything. Black didn’t tell you?”

“No.”

She hummed and James paused with a frown, “You don’t suppose Snape would actually agree to go out with Sirius? Like, maybe Snape fancies him or something?”

Lily laughed, “Absolutely not. Black is nowhere near to being close to Sev’s type.”

“Well, exactly what did Sirius say to you, when he was telling you about all this?”

The redhead let out a sigh, “He asked if I’d be willing to go on a double date with you and him. I said no, but then he said the other person in the equation would be Severus. He said I’d be your date and Sev would be his. I still said no, but he kept pestering me about it so I told him that I would go on the condition that he gets Severus to agree to it as well. I don’t really know what happened after that. He said Sev agreed and when I asked Severus himself, he said that Black was telling the truth. I asked him why he agreed to it but, Sev wouldn’t answer me.”

James’ frown grew, “That’s odd.”

“I thought so as well, then again Sev’s been odd since the beginning of the new term really.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing, he’s just been a bit different that’s all.” She looked off to the side, “Although, I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising after what happened.”

“What happened?”

Lily looked up at him for a brief moment before just looking away, “Nothing.”

“What do you mean-“

“It’s not my place. Severus wouldn’t be happy about me telling you something like that.”

James suppressed the urge to hiss in frustration. They were headed towards the lake when the thought suddenly came to mind about Sirius. He was disowned before the start of the new term.

James and the others didn’t find out about it until the term actually started despite the incident happening right in the beginning of the summer. It was strange. James thought that Sirius would have gone to stay with them after it happened but the Animagus never showed up. When he asked, Sirius said that he stayed with his uncle Alphard, he said he was fine and his uncle was taking care of him.

Despite the disownment, Sirius seemed fine. He seemed happy, almost. Of course things were visibly tense between him and Regulus but otherwise, Padfoot seemed O.K.

“Sirius has been different too. Did you hear about-“

“The disownment?” Lily sighed, “Everyone heard. It’s awful what happened. Purebloods can really be a terrible lot.”

James frowned, “Well, not all purebloods obviously, right?” He shook his head, “Snape’s mum is a pureblood right?”

“Was a pureblood.” She seemed to correct without even thinking about it, only for her eyes to go wide when she realised what she’d just said. James stared at her, his brain working to figure out that-

“Was… his mother’s dead?”

Lily stopped right in her tracks and pulled her arm free of his as her eyes narrowed into a glare, “James Potter if you try and use Sev’s mum against him for any of your stupid stunts I swear-“

“I would never-“ The raven growled in frustration, “You really think I’m heartless enough to have a go at someone over their dead mum?!”

“I think that you don’t think about anything before you do it! I think that you’re obsessed with Severus!”

“I’m not obsessed with him!”

“Merlin, if Sev weren’t a boy, I’d think you were in love with him. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. This whole time that we’ve been out, you’re constantly just asking about him.” Lily huffed as she folded her arms over her chest and James sputtered in disgust quite dramatically, even by his standards.

“Oh please, I wouldn’t touch Snivellus under the threat of death. The only reason I’ve been asking about him is because he’s your friend.” James took a deep breath and let it back out, “I’m not… I’m trying to make an effort.” Yet another deep breath, “Snape’s important to you, would you prefer it if I pretend like he doesn’t exist? Because I’d be more than happy to do that.”

Lily glared before she shook her head and looked away. James took in yet another deep breath.

“I know that it doesn’t make much sense for you because you’re a muggleborn-“ Lily gave him a sharp look and James spoke quickly, “-and it isn’t a big deal really, but in the pureblood world who your parents are is important. It can say a lot about a person when you know what family they’re from.”

“Like it matters that Sirius is a Black?” Lily snapped back and James almost paused.

“Yeah actually, it says a lot about what he’s had to deal with and everything he’s gone through.” Lily paused, looking away as her lips pursed for a brief moment. “I swear I’m not trying to use any of this against Snape. You suggested that I get to know him, that’s what I’m doing.”

Lily shook her head, and James lifted his hands in surrender.

“If you don’t want to tell me its fine. I won’t bring up Snape again-“

“There isn’t even anything to say, I don’t see how his pureblood side matters. Sev was raised muggle like me. His mum was quiet, she liked to keep to herself.” Lily sighed, “He said her maiden name was… Prince. I think?”

James eyes went wide and his mouth fell open in a gape.

“Prince… Eileen Prince?”

Lily shrugged with a frown on her face, “Yeah, but like I said, Severus was raised muggle so I don’t see why-“

“Sweet Merlin.”

“What?” The redhead started and her frown grew when she saw the look of complete and total utter shock on the chaser’s face, “What is it?”

“I… do – uhm.” James swallowed hard, he paled ever so slightly. “Do you know if Snape… if he’s in contact with his maiden family… maybe his grandfather on her side? Augustus Prince.”

Lily shook her head, “Sev never mentioned anything about him.”

“You’re sure?”

“I don’t know, like I said Severus doesn’t really like to talk about any of-“ James suddenly turned on his heel and headed straight for the castle.

“What… Potter?! Where are you going?!”

“I-“ James turned back and made an incredibly vague gesture with his hand but didn’t stop moving, “I need to go do something.”

“Do what?!”

“I’ll talk to you later!”

Lily just stared after him, dumbfounded and shocked until her hands clenched and she huffed, “Potter! Unbelievable!”

~ FLASH BACK ~

The life he’s always wanted was a life filled with love, care, honesty and safety. He wanted a home. Someone who would love him unconditionally. Someone he could trust implicitly. Someone he could bare his soul to. Someone who would see him as he was and accept – maybe even adore him regardless.

No fear, no impossible expectations, no need to constantly doubt and question himself. Someone who would look at him and see him, actually truly see him and not hate him for the darkness that was always lurking just there out of sight. The evil that at all hours of the day threatened to take over his soul.

This is what he’s always wanted.

He never thought he’d ever get it though, never thought that he’d get the opportunity to even get a taste.

How ironic then, that the experience of his perfect home, would come curtesy of his so-called greatest enemy.

“Morning.”

A sleepy voice said, strong arms wrapped around a slim waist and Severus let himself melt into that grasp, a soft sigh escaping his throat as he shut his eyes.

“Morning.”

“You’re always up so early.” Sirius pressed a kiss against the raven’s cheek, Severus smiled just a bit.

“Force of habit.”

“Even on the holidays?”

“Yes, even on the holidays.”

Sirius shook his head as he walked over to the kitchen table and slumped into one of the chairs. He picked at the varnish chipping off the side of the wood, giving another snort as he reached for the coffee pot, while Severus continued to ready breakfast.

The scene was entirely too domestic. The sort of fantasy that Prongs would talk about all the time just before Sirius mocked him for it. He’s never imagined this sort of life for himself, never even wanted it, despite – or maybe because – of the expectations placed on him as the heir of house Black.

And yet here he is.

So how did this happen?

He was disowned of course.

He got into one final row with his mother, this time in front of family and associates during a gala dinner. He got into it with Walburga and said things that – well he didn’t regret everything that he said but he did regret some of it. Some of it was uncalled for, entirely unnecessary. It had everyone in the room staring in shock. For once even Bellatrix had been stunned speechless and Sirius finally came down from his rage when he realised that this time he had truly fucked up.

Walburga reacted the only way she could have. Her eyes went ice cold and she suddenly had her wand in her hand. Out came the tapestry with the family tree on it and instantly Sirius was burned off. An even more pronounced silence than before fell over the room and his mother said just one word.

“Leave.”

He looked to his father, looked to Narcissa and then his brother. No one looked back.

And so, he left.

He headed for the foyer right in front of the front door, summoned his broom and trunk, still unpacked since he literally only came back from school the day before, shrunk it and headed out. Sirius doesn’t know how long he was out there for, he just knows that by the time he actually touched down in the middle of some random muggle street he was exhausted. His throat ached, his head was throbbing and he’d finally grown tired of trying to fly and see through the tears that fell down his face.

He stopped in an alley and stopped to try and breathe and figure out what to do next.

He had some money on him, about fifty galleons. Sirius was smart enough to know that while fifty galleons certainly wasn’t something to sneeze at, it wasn’t quite enough to keep him going for too long in the wizarding world. He wasn’t even sure where he’d start really.

Maybe he could go stay with his uncle? Assuming that his mother doesn’t try to convince the man to cut him off as well. He could always crash with Andromeda, but she already had so much to deal with, Sirius didn’t want to become a burden.

The Potters? They’d welcome him with open arms but… Sirius didn’t know if he was up to facing up to his best friend quite yet.

He was still debating his options, wondering what on earth he could do when he suddenly heard noise. It sounded like arguing, one sided arguing that is.

A deep baritone voice rough and slurred with alcohol, cursing and raving and headed his way. Sirius quickly shrunk his broom and decided to make himself scarce, find some other place to try and think of his next step. He pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head and started making his way out of the alley way.

“Worthless, worthless little runt… you know I always knew you were good for nothin. This just proves it don’ it?”

Two figures appeared at the mouth of the alleyway, Sirius kept his head down.

“Nothin more than a freak ain’t ya? A worthless freak… all that whatever you call it, magic and you couldn’t even stop the wretch from croaking.”

Magic?

Sirius frowned. Finally looking up to see the two figures making their way over towards him. One was a large looking man, dark haired and stocky stumbling along with what seemed like all of his weight on the younger man beside him.

“Father please.” The younger man hissed, “Not here.”

Sirius paused when he realised that he recognised that voice, he froze when he realised exactly who that voice belonged to.

“’ll do whatever I want!” The man screamed out as he seemed to tug a bit from the other’s grasp but only for them to hold on tight. “Who the hell told you, you could tell me what to do? What, the whore’s dead and you think you can order me around?”

The other didn’t say anything. Sirius stood still lifting his head just enough to be able to see the figures that stumbled along passed him and his eyes went wide at the sight of long black hair and even darker eyes, pale skin and the oddest shaped nose.

Snape.

“Is that what you think?!”

The man screamed and Snape said nothing as he just kept urging him on. As they moved passed him Sirius held his breath, hoping that Snape wouldn’t recognise him, but the Slytherin didn’t even seem to be aware of the fact that anyone else was there as he just kept walking. His head was down, hair covering his face even as he tried to keep the other man steady, a man that seemed to reek of alcohol and some other terrible rancid smells.

What’s Snape doing here? Well, he is in a muggle area and Snape’s a half-blood right-

“Answer me! You little shit!”

Silence and then, “No, father.”

Father? This is Snape’s father?

Come to think of it, they did look a bit similar. Specifically, they seemed to have the same nose. Any other time Sirius would have laughed at that thought, but at that moment… after what happened at Grimmauld Place and suddenly seeing Snape’s father like this, the Animagus honestly just didn’t know how to feel, but for once amusement did not make the list.

Sirius turned his head to watch them go. He didn’t know what to think, if he should even think anything at all.

It isn’t any of his business, he doesn’t like nor does he care about the greasy haired git.

Snape is evil, always has been. Since first year, that much was clear to pretty much everyone. He was an ugly know it all, obsessed with dark magic. Everyone knew.

“You’re bloody well right. Should be grateful I haven’t tossed your arse out in the street after your mother croaked-“

Snape’s mother is dead?

No, no this isn’t any of his business. Besides, he has his own issues to deal with. This doesn’t matter.

Sirius couldn’t look away though. He watched them go. Watched Snape struggle to keep walking as he dragged his father on beside him while the man kept slurring obscenities. But that shouldn’t be too surprising, Snape’s always been a strange fascination to Sirius. A morbid specimen to be taken apart and examine as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Why? Sirius didn’t know why and he didn’t care either.

He kept watching even as it felt inappropriate, even as it felt like he was intruding on a private moment, an uncomfortable moment. But he still watched. He wondered if anyone else had ever seen Snape with his father, if anyone else knew what he was like. Was Snape’s father always like this or was this an isolated incident.

If its an isolated incident then maybe Snape senior is simply having a bad day, but if it isn’t… if this is what he’s always like-

“Should’ve tossed you the second they pulled you out of her. Would’ve been better off I reckon, pathetic runt-“

Sirius almost flinched at that one, it sounded very close to something his mother said to him a few times. It was odd however, when Snape stayed silent and just kept moving. At school the raven always had some kind of clever little retort right on his tongue, just about any time Sirius or James or whoever tried to have a go at him. It was strange to hear that silence.

Though it is his father, who would honestly say anything against their father after saying something like that? Besides Sirius himself of course. The Animagus almost scoffed at that.

When his mother insulted him Sirius always made sure to return the favour in kind. He’d be punished for it mercilessly later, but he always thought it was worth it. Now, he’s not quite so sure.

He went a step too far tonight and now, he doesn’t really have a mother. Is that what Snape’s afraid of? Of losing his parent, regardless of how awful they might seem. Briefly Sirius wondered if he’d do that, just put up with his mother the way she is just so he could remain part of the family.

At that moment, Sirius was shocked to discover that his answer is yes. He was shocked to realise that if he could take back what he said to Walburga, he would. Would it be worth it? No, it wouldn’t. But at least he’d be home right now. Either bored of his mind in his room or locked up under punishment for fighting with his family maybe but…

He’d still be home.

Sirius saw the image of his name being burned off the tapestry right before his eyes and his jaw clenched.

He doesn’t have a home anymore.

“Maybe I shoulda just had the whore abort you, would’ve saved us both the trouble.”

It was odd seeing Snape so silent, somewhere in his head, Sirius thought that Snape was a bit similar to him. At school it was like the Slytherin didn’t know when to keep his greasy trap shut and so Sirius would do whatever was necessary in order to make him. But this time Snape stayed quiet… and that was weird.

It felt wrong. He should be fighting back. Snape should tell the man off for speaking that way, for not only insulting him but his mother as well. He should hex him or hit him or shove him away or just… do something other than just take it.

But Snape didn’t say a word, he just kept his head down and kept walking. The sight left Sirius feeling distinctly irritated.

Snape always fought back.

He should be fighting back right now, regardless of the odds, regardless of the consequences. The way he fought back against the marauders. The way he’s always fought with Sirius.

“Disgusting freak.”

Snape didn’t say a word. Sirius’ hands clenched tight.

Say something.

“If only I knew that your worthless mother would leave me stuck with you. I would’ve offed ‘er myself.”

Say something, damnit!

“Maybe I should just kill you right now.”

Say something!

“Ey! Ya listening to me?!” Snape senior suddenly started to struggle hard, wrenching himself free from his son’s grasp. The teen stumbled back a step only to gasp when he was grabbed all over again and yanked forward, “Ya think you can disrespect me?!”

“No, father-“

Snape’s sentence was brutally cut off when the older man back handed him hard, causing the teen to stumble back. Sirius’ eyes went wide at the force of it and he froze when the older man pulled his arm back and punched him square in the face and the Slytherin dropped on the grimy alley floor. The dull thud of Snape hitting the ground almost echoing in the small space.

“Look at ya miserable runt! Can’t even stand yer ground like a man, just like the whore. Fucking poufter, just like your mother ain’t ya.” He reached down to grab the teen by his hair. Snape winched as he reached up to his head as his roots started screaming in agony, “I’ll show you-“

As far as Sirius was concerned, there are very few ways for him to intervene in a situation like this… if he was even willing to intervene in the first place.

He’s still technically underage so he can’t use his magic to stop the older man. The Auror corps typically stayed out of domestic affairs unless an actual fatality occurred and even if Sirius managed to call them, any intervention by the ministry would all be dependent on Snape’s testimony. And even if they did intervene, who knows what would happen? He might end up adopted and placed with someone worse. Sirius has heard a fair amount of horror stories concerning adoption in the wizarding world, stories he’d heard from some of his family’s associates.

The birth rate in the magical world is low and magical children are in fact seen as a blessing. But most of the families that sought out adoption were pureblood families and those who could afford adoption were usually very… particular about blood purity and could be unfortunately strict when it came to the instruction of children who weren’t – exactly – pure.

But… why should Sirius care? Why intervene?

He and Snape have never been friends, they weren’t even civil towards each other on most days and they had no reason to be.

Sirius had no reason to intervene on Snape’s behalf and he could guess that Snape felt the same way about him. But somehow… Sirius couldn’t walk away. He couldn’t look away and before he even knew what he was doing-

He was intervening.

“Oi!”

Snape senior looked back just in time to receive a punch right in the jaw, causing the muggle to stumble back and drop the raven in his hands.

The Slytherin didn’t move.

“What-“ The older man looked dazed for a second before he looked up at the assailant. Some pretty boy in funny looking clothes, “The hell do you think you’re doing?!”

“Should be asking you the same thing.” Sirius growled as he moved to stand between the teen on the ground and Snape senior, “Now piss off before I do something I won’t regret.”

The man still looked a bit dazed he blinked lifting a hand to his jaw in shock before that shock melted away into rage, “What gives you the bloody right-“

“I said, piss off old man! I won’t say it again.”

The older man practically snarled, “You arrogant little bastard-“ He charged forward, lunging out towards the teen who quickly ducked out of the way and landed another punch right in the man’s gut causing him to double over before he hit him again and again.

Eventually they were on the ground. The Animagus didn’t notice or care about the fact that he was getting terrible stains on his pants from the grimy alley floor.

Sirius was long gone. Drowning in his emotions as he hit the man over and over and over again. It wasn’t a fair fight. Snape senior was clearly drunk out of his mind, but in hindsight, whether or not a fight was fair never really mattered to Sirius and it didn’t matter right then. It wasn’t even about stepping in anymore. It had nothing to do with Snape.

Sirius was just focused on that sound, the sound ringing in his ears since he left Grimmauld Place. The silence. His father, brother and the rest of his family saying absolutely nothing when his mother burned him off of the family tree. The silence as he left the room to collect what he could and leave the house.

Silence, so loud it was almost deafening in his ears. Distantly he could feel the pain throbbing in his knuckles, the sticky splat of blood as his fist connected over and over again. The man wasn’t even moving anymore, but he still didn’t stop. At that point, maybe he didn’t know how when anger and hurt were all that he registered in his mind.

Rarely did Sirius lose it like that. He had his moments. Moments where he’d snap and hurt people, say cruel or just plain despicable things. Usually to his mother, sometimes to his friends. He’s no good at controlling his emotions. Never has been, just about anyone that’s been around Sirius and been around him long enough could testify to that. He didn’t know how to control himself and in those rare moments when he did lose himself, no one could calm him down. In the few instances when it happened in front of his friends they usually just backed off, gave him the time to cool off and come back to his senses. When it happened in front of his family, Walburga would lock him up or tie him down until he was finally ready to be reasonable and even then sometimes, she wouldn’t let him out until hours later.

He has terrible – what does Remus call it – impulse control. Usually when he’s pissed, the people that know him well enough know to leave him alone until he cools off.

Clearly Snape wasn’t one of those people.

“Black… what’re you doing-” Snape started as he pushed himself up on his arms, blood streaming from his bottom lip and his cheek already swelling as he squinted at the Gryffindor just a few feet away. The Gryffindor who was straddling his father’s waist, hitting him over and over again, showing no signs of stopping. Dark eyes went impossibly wide.

“Black!” He scrambled off the alley floor and moved as quickly as possible to grab hold of Sirius’ arm. “Black, stop it!”

Sirius didn’t stop he didn’t even really hear Snape’s voice and when the Slytherin grabbed his arm, Sirius quickly shoved him off and kept beating the man on the floor.

“You’ll kill him you moron! Stop!” It was odd, hearing Snape’s normally rich voice rise to the pitch of an almost terrified screech as he was grabbed again, but before Sirius could shake him off Snape did in fact manage to dislodge him. Using his body weight to shove Sirius off and force him to the ground. “Stop!”

“Snape-“

“You’ll kill him!” Snape’s hands were clenched in his robes as he screamed, “Stop you idiot!”

“I-“

Snape looked terrified, he’s never seen the Slytherin look so utterly panicked before. Not even during their worst pranks. The last time he even saw tears in the raven’s eyes was second year. By third, it seemed almost impossible to get Snape to even flinch. Something in him stalled at the sight and so he just froze as well. Snape was breathing hard, his hair falling over his face and causing shadows to dance along his skin, almost muting the swelling that was on his face, almost making the blood on his lips look like smeared lipstick.

It’s around that time that Sirius realised that his heart was racing, he was panting as well, adrenaline still pumping hard and fast in his veins. He slumped onto the ground, his eyes darting around them as he tried to figure out just what happened and catch his breath.

Snape was breathing hard as well, but seemed to move when he realised that Sirius wasn’t. He rolled off of the Gryffindor and onto the ground as well, not giving himself much time to breathe before he forced himself up on his hands and knees and crawled over to his father.

Sirius was still trying to come back, he was still trying to pull himself back to reality even as he slowly sat up as well. He looked up just in time to see Snape kneeling over his father. He seemed to check the older man’s pulse and then his breathing before letting out a heavy sigh. His shoulders sagged and his head fell forward. He took in five long deep breaths before he started getting up and tried to pull the older man up with him.

“What’re you doing?” Sirius rasped out, his heart still pounding in his ears. Snape didn’t respond. He grunted and struggled, falling to one knee as he tried to pull the muggle’s arm around his shoulder and stand. “Snape…”

He didn’t even get one step in before he collapsed along with his father, letting out a cry of pain when he hit the floor only to try and start standing again.

Sirius still hadn’t come back to himself yet. But he managed to force himself up all the same and moved over to Snape’s side to pull him away from his father.

“Stop, you’ll just-“

“Don’t touch me.” The raven hissed as he weakly shoved back at the Gryffindor, his eyes narrowing in an impressive glare for someone who was very clearly hurt and exhausted. “Go away.”

“Snape-“

“I didn’t ask for your help Black. So piss off!” Snape tried to push him again, only to miss completely and end up almost falling to the floor. He was taking panting breaths. It was then that Sirius noticed just how unfocused that glare was. With Snape’s eyes being so dark, he almost didn’t see it.

He hit his head pretty hard when he fell earlier… he might have a concussion. Having experienced his fair share of blows during quidditch, Sirius knew that it wasn’t something to be messed with.

Sirius looked around the alley, his heart was still hammering in his chest. He still felt a little loopy, not entirely there. The adrenaline high hadn’t faded yet. This is what Sirius would blame his behaviour on later on when he came down. He’d blame it on the adrenaline high, on the fact that he wasn’t thinking clearly. His judgement was impaired and therefore he couldn’t possibly be held accountable for his actions.

Stormy grey eyes darted around the alley and he did the same mental calculation as earlier.

He can’t just leave Snape here even though Snape clearly doesn’t want his help. He can’t cast any spells on Snape’s father, being a minor the ministry would immediately be informed, which basically means that he can’t really cast any magic on Snape either since that would also draw attention.

He looked at the raven, saw just how much he was struggling to move and just stay coherent. He isn’t really in any position to refuse Sirius or stop him right now, is he?

It really isn’t fair, but, when has that ever truly mattered to Sirius?

The Gryffindor got up on his feet and grabbed a hold of Snape to drag the raven up with him.

“What’re…” Snape started in confusion only to try and jerk loose, “Let me go!”

“No.” Sirius said wrapping an arm around the raven’s worryingly slim waist and pulls his arm around his shoulders. It was concerningly easy to do, Snape didn’t seem all that strong and with his potential concussion weakening him as well-

“Get… get your hands off of… off of-“ His head swirled and his legs buckled beneath him, Sirius’ eyes went wide as he shook the raven on his shoulder.

“Snape? Snape, stay awake!” Dark eyes opened briefly a look of confusion settling in his features but he wasn’t able to stand up straight. The raven groaned.

“What-“

“We’re leaving.”

“Black? No no no no, not you… anyone but you.” Sirius rolled his eyes.

“You don’t have a choice.” He started walking, dragging the Slytherin on along with him. He didn’t even glance back at the man on the ground. Didn’t feel the need. Sirius didn’t even think of it. He just kept walking, ignoring Snape’s groans and protests as they made their way along the dark vacant street.

Where did they end up?

At an inn that wasn’t too far away. Sirius got lucky, the man that owned the place was a half-blood himself and he was able to get a room for five galleons a night. The innkeeper didn’t ask questions about the clearly injured wizard over his shoulder or the fact that they were both clearly underage. Just charged them extra to treat the injured Slytherin and keep the whole age thing under wraps. Sirius ended up forking over a whole fifteen galleons when all was said and done. But once all was said and done, he finally started to come down from his high. He finally felt calm enough to relax and rest for a bit. There were two single beds in the room. Snape was fast asleep on the one on the left, Sirius was too tired to really think about his rash actions or the person sleeping in the next bed or how he’d deal with all of this in the morning or even how he felt right at that moment. He just wanted to sleep.

Sleep and forget about everything, even if it was for just a bit.