The Snake Within

Chapter Two: Punishments

I dragged myself behind the Headmaster, cursing that dreadful Black in my mind, and I knew that the next time I met up with him he would be hexed polka dotted, if he was lucky. We made our journey passed the gargoyle in silence, save for the muttering of the old man of something similar to "Tutti Frutti". At the time I thought it was just the utterance of an extremely eccentric man, that my father called other long names that weren't quite so elegant.

In my family life, you were either all for the Green and Silver, or you were most likely the worst creature to crawl over the upper crust of the planet. My mother was a self-indulged woman that lavished upon herself all the things in life my father wouldn't afford her. They both were highly influential in the world of wizarding politics, they just had different forums. As my mother was shops and social committees, my fathers' social obligations were more of the cultist at the time. He was a High Member in the Dark Lords Order. He was one of the first called upon when Lord Voldermort (if Harry Potter has done anything for me, its given me the nerve to write that name without clasping a forearm first) had a craving for Muggle Born torture and ultimately death.

It was always assumed that I would follow in my fathers' path, and everyone knew to keep very still around me. A rumor was started in my first year that I knew more hexes and curses than any seventh year. The idea is nearly hysterical to think about, but it certainly kept the unsavory and idealistic away from me. Unfortunately it kept away most of the breathing population, and some of the un-breathing as well. As I would walk the halls to get to my classes, I could hear that unbearable Gryffindor ghost, Sir Nicholas, prattle on about my terrible home life. I passed it off as arrogance.

But, I digress from my recollection. The headmaster motioned for me to sit on a chair that was all too recently fidgeting back and forth towards the fire. I sat on the edge; I sat on my hands, as was the fitting way in Slytherin House. Our head of house was not entirely up to long talks with cups of cocoa. He was more in corporal punishment with a very large paddle. Breathing the wrong way could give you welts for weeks. In many ways, the spite in my eyes at the time when regarding the Headmaster was for hiring a monstrous fellow such as our Head.

"Severus, what are your plans for post graduation?"

The question didn't seem odd at all, and I mechanically began to answer him in what I had been thoroughly taught to respond.

"I want to become a Potions Master, and work for the Ministry of Defense, in order to help my research. My goal is to be able to cure vampire-ism, and other afflictions caused by supernatural forces."

I added a weak smile, so that I wouldn't have to press on with the rest of the unlikely story. The truth of the matter was that I was already handpicked to become on the Dark Lords new initiate Death Eaters when I turned eight-teen. There was no fighting it, and I wasn't exactly against the idea of being somewhat safe in an unsure world. I never thought of anyone else but myself usually in those years.

The Headmaster looked at me in an examining manner, then took his half moon spectacles off and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Severus, I'm afraid that what you did in Potions is very disturbing to the staff. Yes, they all know, it's not everyday a student flies out of the Potions classroom. Charms, yes, but not Potions."

Something in me seethed noticing that he was trying to make me laugh or smile even just a little bit, by poking fun at my predicament. I did neither; I was very rehearsed in keeping a straight face. With a dorm mate like Lucius Malfoy you have to keep a straight face. Dumbledore noticed immediately, I gave him enough credit for that. He stood up slowly and in a clear voice.

"I want you to perform detention with Mr. Black, tomorrow night at nine p.m."

I opened my mouth in protest, and immediately closed it in indignation. If he wanted to just give me detention, it couldn't have been all that bad. At least I wouldn't have to face the Head of House. Then he added in a sullen voice, "And I will have to deduct 50 points from Slytherin House, for disruptive behavior." My teeth instinctively clenched, I had just lost any points I had earned for the house lately for making the perfect Containment Potion. I was rather proud of actually earning a substantial amount of points for once. Oh well.

I made my way down the stone steps in deep thought about what to do the next Potions lesson. Could I possibly refuse to work with that blasted Gryffindor? I'd rather work with Longbottom! (the elder was even worse than the younger) The last time I had the misfortune to stumble upon said Longbottom, I had to spend two very painful, and boil ridden, nights tossing and turning. The coldness in every stare I penetrated his way was very effective as he would scoot quickly away and run into an unsuspecting Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw that felt pity for the puny boy. I never felt pity for any of them.

Upon entering the dungeons I heard a cold and mirthful laugh. The silky tone to it was nearly as sugary and white as the person who claimed it. Lucius Malfoy. I tried to walk past him with the air of being unaffected by anything at all.

"Did you have a nice flight, Severus?"

I didn't turn, but responded in the best voice of mock. "I'm going for a record of most consecutive broom less flights out of doors, Lucius."

The laughter rose again as I made my way deeper underground to the boys dormitories. It swelled in my heart that someday I would love to get even with him and all his wealth and disregard. It was a pity that we were destined to be colleagues as adults as well. What I would have given to have been sorted into Ravenclaw. I think that would be the only acceptable alternative to Slytherin. At least they think with their brains. I always felt the Gryffindor pride was much bigger than any of the organs in their heads (save for the tongues they can not hold at times). Hufflepuffs worked much too hard, and toiled much to long for my tastes. And if any house that went around with eternal optimism as much as Hufflepuff, it was no wonder they never won the House Cup.

I lay on my soft bed and pulled the drapes around me. I was nearly as sick of seeing green and silver, as much as I was tired of hearing stories about make out sessions with Narcissa. It's funny, as much as I had been in classes with her, I never heard her once be called by her last name like the rest of us. Rumor had it she was part vela as well. I swear that those women ought not to be able to breed. But, watching Lucius trip over his words for once was a very delicious idea, while one was laying on ones bed. I tried to conceive my revenge; hexing Black just seemed too easy. If there were something that he had, a deep dark little secret about him, it would be lovely. My new plan was to hunt Black like the prey he so begged to be.

Sadly this also meant having to stare at James Potter as well, and that was a sickening thought, indeed. I couldn't bear watching Quidditch matches that he was the key player in, of course. How I so wished that I could just jinx his blasted broom, or even pelt him with a bludger. Perhaps that is why I gave into the pleads (and threats) of the Quidditch Captain, Avery. I detested him. I detested mostly everyone in the school, come to think of it, but it gave me the option to distance myself from anyone, or anything.

I dreamt of the next Quidditch match, it was to be Slytherin Vs. Ravenclaw. Of course the four Gryffindors would be there, watching, booing mostly. Booing me. I was most inclined to ask for the available Beater spot on the team. I was given the spot with slight remorse. There was a prettier looking Slytherin that so wanted the spot, but she couldn't fly a broom, much less hit flying objects while hovering on one. I was slightly pleased with this appointment.

Slowly sleep crept over me that night, and thoughts of flying Bludgers crashing in Sirius Blacks head lulled me safely through the night and well into the morning.