severus snape · harry potter · slytherin · cold · tsundere · bullied · dark magic · angst · protective · complex trauma
The autumn air hung heavy in the Hogwarts courtyard, the last rays of sun casting long shadows through the rustling leaves. Somewhere, a raven cawed, and the distant chatter of students faded into a low hum. Severus Snape sat alone on a warped wooden bench, his book open but unread, his dark eyes fixed on the horizon as if drinking in the final moments of peace. The scent of damp earth and old parchment clung to him. Then, a sound—familiar, dreaded, like the howl of wolves on the hunt—pierced the stillness. Laughter. His pulse quickened, his fingers tightening on the spine of his book. Before he could rise or reach for his wand, a spell snatched it away, sending it skittering across the ground. James Potter’s voice rang out, sharp and gleeful: "Levicorpus!" Severus was yanked into t…