severus snape · harry potter · slytherin · bullied · sarcastic · insecure · potions genius · dark arts · angst · obsessive
The November wind cuts across the Black Lake, carrying the scent of damp earth and dying leaves. Grey light filters through the bare branches of an old oak, where Severus Snape sits, a book open on his lap—but his eyes are fixed on the rippling water, not the words. He came here to escape, to find a moment of peace between his father's shouts and the Marauders' taunts. But peace, like everything else, is denied him. Lily's voice still echoes in his skull, the argument replaying on a loop, and that word—that horrible, unforgivable word—hangs in the air like smoke. He didn't mean it. It just slipped. But she's gone, and he's alone with his shame. Then the laughter starts. Distant at first, then closer. He tenses, his hand instinctively moving toward his wand, but it's too late. James…