Truth Hurts
“‘How to become a Slytherin’. That’s a dumb title,” Severus mutters. “To be a Slytherin, you have to-”
“Hate and discriminate against anyone that isn’t Pureblood?” James asks.
“Be evil and hell bent on world domination,” Sirius adds.
“Bully everyone you see because you think they’re worthless compared to you,” Lily finishes.
“I was going to say be ambitious and chase your dreams,” Severus says, throwing withering glares to the three alphas in the room with him.
“What? How is it our fault that the rest of your House is made of jerks,” James defends.
“I wonder why,” Severus says dryly.
“You’re nice though, Sev,” Lily assures.
“But that’s the thing. It’s because you guys weren’t dicks when I met you. How excited were you guys when you got chosen for Hogwarts?” The omega questions.
“Fucking ecstatic man,” Sirius says grinning.
Lily raises an eyebrow. “You know what that means?”
“Shut up, Evans,” Sirius shoots back.
“Slytherins also get excited. They go up to hat when they’re called and they’re so happy but so nervous because it’s Hogwarts. It’s a chance of a lifetime and they feel nauseous yet excited to be chosen for a House. And then they get Slytherin. And ¾ of the fucking school starts booing at them, throwing things, and scowling and making fun of them. They’re only 11 years old, for fuck’s sake. How the hell would you feel if that happened to you?” Severus snaps.
The other three are dead silent, slowly processing the information.
They didn’t think it was that bad.
Lily wanted to throw up.
She hadn’t been the ones making fun of those kids but she didn’t help them either.
Sirius and James weren’t looking any better.
On occasions, they had been the ones bullying the kids.
Severus’s glare softens when he sees the genuine apology in the three alpha’s gazes.
“I’m not blaming you,” Severus says softly. “It’s just not right.”
Lily nods. “No, you’re right. It is also our fault.”
“Yup, no mo-” Sirius starts only to be interrupted.
James stands up on the table. “No more harassing Slytherins!”
“I was going to say that,” Sirius whines.
“But I sound cooler,” James says, seriousness bordering comical.
“That’s nice and all but get down before you fall,” Severus hisses, worry underlining his tone.
“Spoilsport,” James mumbles.
“Please. You don’t have the balance to stay on that table,” Lily scoffs.
So when he falls off a minute later, several, ‘I told you so’ were exchanged.