The Severus Snape Saga-Book 1, the Sordid Hat

Chapter 9: When things go bump in the night

Severus stiffened just as he was debating whether they had a good beater with Michelle. He had felt that distinctly evil laugh sound in his head and he heard Voldemort's voice.

Trick or treat, Severus.

"Sev? Are you alright?" asked Michelle.

"Yeah, you look a little paler than usual, Sev," added Lucius, feeling Severus' pulse.

"I'm fine," said Severuis, "I'm just worried. Is everybody here?"

"Everyone except Augustus, he had to go to the toilets," said Antonin.

"Oh, Gods," said Severus, "He's been attacked!"

"How do you know?" asked Michelle quizzically.

Severus was spared the inconvenience of answering as Riddle had just walked in.

"Attention, everyone. Augustus Rookwood was just found on the third floor. He was unconscious and had a large cut on his right arm which can only be the work of a flesh eater curse. I have alerted Auror Snape and he has asked me to implement the following safety precaution. All members of the group known as Villa Severum must be accompanied to class by a teacher at all times."

Riddle then strode out of the common room with a grim look on his face. Antonin, Michelle and Bellatrix's jaws all dropped.

"Severus, you were right!" gasped Michelle.

"How did you know that?" asked Bellatrix.

"Don't ask, I don't know how I know either. I just...know," said Severus somberly.

"Sev, this is really serious. What's the pattern to these attacks? And why do we have to be accompanied by teachers?" asked Lucius.

"I think Voldemort's just going after my friends," said Severus despairingly. Bellatrix and Michelle simultaneously clapped their hands over their mouths

"Your friends? You mean he really could attack us?" Michelle gasped, looking about as terrified as a squirrel cornered by a Great Dane.

"The old git!" snarled Bellatrix, "You just see, Severus! One of us will teach him a lesson when he tries to zap us!"

"Rodolphus and Serena and Augustus couldn't do it," said Severus. "I don't see how we will."

"Look at when he's attacking people," suggested Antonin. "He gets them alone and goes for the jugular. Augustus was about as isolated as you can get since he was in the toilet. Serena was found alone. Rodolphus was found alone. But still, I get the feeling that we're missing something."

"Yeah, I get that feeling too," said Bellatrix.

"Wait, wait....you guys aren't thinking of actually going after him, are you?" asked Michelle.

"He got Rodolphus," said Bellatrix bitterly, "I'm not letting that slide."

"It's not a matter of letting it slide!" said Michelle urgently, "It's a matter of suicide!"

"Look, if you're so afraid why don't you just leave us alone like the foolhardy lunatics that we are?" asked Antonin snidely. Michelle glared at him.

"I don't think you're foolhardy lunatics..." she began, but Antonin interrupted.

"Good, then you're in," he said.

Michelle looked like she was about to protest, but then her face showed a telltale flicker of mischief.

"This is Villa Severum," she said. "We stick together."

Severus smiled and for once decided to take the role of Villa Severum's leader.

"Alright!" he said with as authoritative voice as he could manage, "From now on we stick together. Bellatrix, if Michelle has to go to the toilets or do anything that would isolate her, you go with her. Antonin, if either Lucius or me has to put ourselves in isolating positions, you join us. If we both have to you don't need to. We can protect each other."

"Ok," said Antonin, "If he attacks then what should we do?"

"Use any and all curses and disarming spells at your disposal. If he takes one of us down, the other one should run because alone we're nothing. Got it?" asked Severus.

"Got it," said Bellatrix.

"Got it," said Antonin.

"Got it," said Lucius.

Michelle sighed and said "Got it."

"Good," said Severus, "And one more thing. Nobody goes anywhere near my hat including me."

"Alright," they all said. Severus was glad that he had such trustworthy friends. Little did he know that at 45 he'd still be replaying these events over and over in his head, unable to believe that many of his friends would be his enemies by then.

The next few days passed fairly without event. Pravus Snape set the first year class to work on practicing curse blocking. Severus and Antonin managed to hit each other with a few minor jinxes the first time, but some students (James Potter's friend Peter Pettigrew in particular) resembled large slugs by the end of the class due to the jumble of jinxes that had got past their utterly hopeless curse deflection.

Meanwhile, Villa Severum's new buddy system seemed to work as no more attacks broke out over the two weeks before Halloween. Although the teachers did look a little suspicious when Bellatrix and Michelle always seemed to both need to go to the toilet at the same time. There was, in fact, a moment when all of Villa Severum actually got up and went to the toilet simultaneously, to the amazement of Professor Lodovico.

Meanwhile, Professor Riddle was grilling Severus and his sixth year compatriots even harder in potions. Severus got the feeling he was annoyed about something, but decided he wouldn't mention it.

And then there were the Dark Arts lessons. Regardless of the fact that Severus and his three classmates got dreamless sleep potions to ward off nightmares, Severus soon began to feel that the whole class was a nightmare. Riddle had taught them the gruesome details of effigy magic, which involved doing things like melting wax images of someone. They were now on the uses of Hangman's rope, a horrible component which was often used in dark potions and other insidious rituals. One of the most horrible moments in the class was when Riddle had poured a strange fluid which looked like blood on the rope and it had hung in midair like an actual noose. He told them that this was called the "Punjab lasso effect."

Then Halloween rolled around.

Severus had always loved Halloween, especially since he had always looked a bit strange even when not in a costume. He loved the strange costumes and bizarre twists involved in all hallow's eve. In fact, he remembered only too well when Bellatrix, Antonin, Rodolphus, Augustus and he had used a very basic flame charm on themselves which made them all look like they were on fire and dressed up as devils.

What Severus, however, had been looking forward to all those years was his first Halloween at Hogwarts. And here it was at last. The classes on Halloween seemed to go too slowly for everyone even though they were allowed to wear their costumes and Bellatrix was seen drumming her fingers on the desk during Charms, which was her favorite subject and Antonin pointedly yawned during Defense against the Dark Arts, which ironically allowed Severus to get past his curse deflection.

But the impatience for the Halloween feast didn't pervade enough to stop people being interested in other people's costumes. Lucius had charmed his teeth so that they actually grew longer and put on a very convincing act as a vampire. Antonin had used the old flaming charm trick and dressed like the devil, which gave plenty of people the frights. Severus, for his part, had donned an oversized cloak and hood and used the levitating charm to make his feet float far enough off the ground that he looked like he was gliding. He was, needless to say, a dementor. Michelle had put up a pretty good costume as a cackling witch, though plenty of older boys seemed to only notice that her black robes accentuated her figure and not the way her hands were green.

But Bellatrix's costume had been the clincher. She had waltzed in at breakfast dressed in a set of robes with a Hogwarts crest displayed on them and had used Severing charms to make her hair look straight and flat. To crown all, she had used a hair growing charm to make herself grow a moustache and wore an obscene purple cloak. When she walked over to the Slytherin table, she glared down at them all and said in a mocking deep voice "I am Professor Corlagon, you are all mushrooms."

The only person for whom Bellatrix's costume didn't go over well was Umbridge (who was dressed in an absurd fairy princess costume), who had spent her time looking daggers at Bellatrix and muttering disrespectful WHORE! Bellatrix had actually sauntered over to her and called her "my ickle precious baby daughter" and promptly had to dodge a boils curse.

Now, with the feast drawing nearer, Severus straightened his costume and, accompanied by Villa Severum, walked (or rather, glided) to the doors of the great hall. However, just as he was settling into a conversation with Michelle on the nature of the Ballycastle bats' chances of winning the world cup...

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" shouted McGonagall's voice and Severus turned around to see McGonagall running toward him with her wand out and a small white cat following behind. Severus didn't know what was going on.

"Get away from those students, you!" she growled at Severus. "Go on, get out of here!"

"Professor, it's Severus," said Bellatrix calmly. McGonagall let out a massive sigh of relief.

"Oh...Mr. Snape....I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were a real dementor. How did you manage to get so tall? Even I've never heard of children growing that quickly."

Severus smiled (though McGonagall couldn't see this, as his hood obscured his face) and pulled back his robes to show his two feet levitating above the ground. The silver cat was curled up contendedly underneath them, purring.

"Oh...a levitation charm. I see. That was an excellent bit of magic, Mr. Snape. Five points to Slytherin for being a convincing dementor. And...MISS BLACK JUST WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO BE?"

Severus understood why McGonagall hadn't recognized him. He hadn't had Transfiguration that day and when sitting down the levitation charm added absolutely nothing to his height, so he must have looked just like a hooded and cloaked figure of no special signifigance during breakfast. Bellatrix was blushing.

"I'm Professor Corlagon, Professor. I figured that since he isn't here it's safe to dress like him," she said.

McGonagall laughed out loud. "I am sure Dalverry will have a fit when I tell him. Another five points to Slytherin, Miss Black. That's for putting on the best impression of a teacher I have yet seen. However, anyone dressing like me will be severely punished."

"Alright, Professor McGonagall," said Bellatrix, and Severus had to fight down a laugh as he thought of Bellatrix wearing emerald green robes with her hair tied up in a bun.

"Now, just to get Mr. Snape to stop looking down at me with that menacing costume of his if for no other reason, I do believe it is time for the feast!" said Professor McGonagall, and she flung the doors wide. Almost instantly, the huge crowd which had gathered around the doors surged in.

It was Halloween as Severus had never imagined it could be: with monumental flaming pumpkins, whole clouds of live bats fluttering around the tables and an unearthly glow which came from the massive pumpkins which hang over the house tables, each one with the house animal carved into it.

Severus took his seat at the Slytherin table after pausing to marvel at the giant pumpkin embossed with serpents which hung over it. He was just preparing to start talking to Michelle again when suddenly, with a resounding crash, the pumpkin detatched from the ceiling and fell toward the Slytherin table. Michelle and Severus, who happened to be sitting the farthest under it, managed to eject themselves from their chairs and lunge away from the falling pumpkin, which instead splintered over the heads of Crabbe and Goyle.

Professor Riddle swept over with a terrified look on his face and gasped "Reparo!" The pumpkin flew back together, leaving the unfortunate pair caught under it exposed.

Crabbe's nose was bloody and his head was hanging at an odd angle with his neck. Goyle was slumped forward with his head smashed into the table. Dumbledore stood up and stared around the hall and said in a hoarse voice:

"All students must adjourn outside, where we will continue this feast. Lord Voldemort has struck again. Pravus, I--"

But in mid sentence the pumpkin above Pravus Snape's head had crashed down on him. "DAD!" cried Severus, staring at the orange mass where his father had been.

But then Pravus Snape burst through the pumpkin, brushing the scraps off his robes. "Good thing I placed that deflecting charm on myself when I came in here," he said, "You were saying, headmaster?"

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "Pravus, I want you to perform the reverse spell effect on everyone in this room. Students included. If any of them recently performed any Severing charms then they are already on the train home."

Pravus Snape nodded and ordered everyone in the room to put up their wands. He then conjured a massive mirror and yelled "Priori Incantatem!", while pointing his wand at it. Thousands of blasts of light exploded off the mirror and hit everyone's wands. None of them showed any signs of having performed a Severing charm. Dumbledore nodded and the tables were moved outside along with the students, who seemed to enjoy sitting on Levitating benches quite a bit.

Despite the absence of the pumpkins, the feast was still magnificent and if anything, the outside atmosphere contributed to it. Magical light had been provided for the students to eat by and Severus thought he had never had such a good dinner in his life, for the food was exquisite when tasted with the fresh night air and the eerie moonlight (it was a full moon) made it a Halloween worthy of legend.

When the dinner was finished, the students really enjoyed the fact that it was outside, as they were allowed to enjoy themselves outside under the moonlight. Michelle actually got on a broom and soared into the night sky, where she let out a bloodcurdling cackle which scared a group of Hufflepuff first years. Severus, for his part, walked around imitating the rattling breath of a dementor and actually managed to terrify the same Hufflepuff first years that Michelle had. Severus enjoyed watching them shooting sparks at him before he threw up his hood only to be called a "Slytherin meanie."

But as Severus was gearing up to scare more people, he suddenly heard someone roar "STUPEFY!"

And saw Bellatrix narrowly dodge a jet of red light. Severus glided as fast as he could toward the direction of the light and heard someone's footsteps running away. However, when he caught up to them he saw no one.

But that changed in a flash, for suddenly someone shouted "Crucio!" from behind him and Severus made a wide turn and blocked the curse, which hit a nearby tree. He heard his invisible opponent cursing and raised his wand to try and aim but...

At that instant Pravus Snape rounded the corner and snarled "stupefy!" at the darkness. His jet of light didn't hit anything but Severus heard the fleeing footsteps go in the direction of the forbidden forest. He moved to follow, but Pravus seized the hem of his robes.

"NO. Don't go after him, son. It's too dangerous. Someday he'll make too dangerous a move and I'll have him, don't you worry. Thank the Gods I taught you all how to block curses...just imagine how horrible it would have been if you'd been hit by the Cruciatus curse! Get back with the others, son. I'll attend to this."

Severus reluctantly returned to the moonlit Halloween party. He was shaken, but at the same time bitter. How could his father send him back like this? Didn't he think Severus would be of any help with all the curses he knew? Severus' logic, of course, told him that his father hadn't wanted him to get hurt, but part of him didn't want to believe that.

When he got back to the party, he found Bellatrix, Antonin, Michelle and Lucius waiting for him. Michelle and Bellatrix collided in their attempts to hug him and even Antonin and Lucius looked beautifully relieved. Severus told them the story of what had gone on and when he reached the part with the Cruciatus curse, Bellatrix and Michelle both gasped.

"The big question is, who's doing this?" observed Lucius when the story was over.

"Lord Voldemort, of course!" said Bellatrix irritably.

"But I mean, who's Lord Voldemort anyway? I'm willing to bet all my family's vault that Voldemort isn't the guy's real name! No, it's probably just some code name he's using."

"But why would-" began Bellatrix when suddenly a hideous voice screamed "MORSMORDRE!" and a massive ball of green light hurled up into the sky. It formed itself into the shape of a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. Lucius' mouth fell open.

"My wand conjured that effect when I got it!" he hissed at Severus, "It was smaller, of course, but the same symbol. What d'you reckon that means, Sev?"

"That something funny's going on," said Severus, looking with a look of loathing at the sinister magical constellation. Then, about five minutes later, Severus' father burst from the Forbidden forest with his robes in tatters.

"Sound the alarm!" he bellowed at the assembled throng. "Dumbledore, I need you to send an owl to the ministry of magic requesting the presence of Aurors here. Dalverry Corlagon has returned to Hogwarts and it was he who attacked my son and conjured that mark!"

"Corlagon?" asked Dumbledore in mild surprise, "What makes you so sure, Pravus?"

"He just attacked me in the forest!" yelled Pravus, gesturing back at the forest. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Then why isn't he back here with you?" asked Dumbledore.

"The bastard put on an invisibility cloak before I could stun him. But I know it was him! I saw his face!" snarled Pravus.

"Very well," said Dumbledore, "I trust you, Pravus. What do you suggest?"

"I suggest that we have Aurors stationed in Hogwarts itself to watch for possible attacks and..." he gave Dumbledore a tolerant smile, "I know you'll never tolerate them, Albus, but we shall need Dementors stationed around the grounds. They will be able to see through Invisibility cloaks and other methods of disguise."

"Dementors?!" roared Riddle with an enraged indignation that Severus would never have expected from his usually unnervingly calm potions professor. "You must be mad, Snape! Dementors floating around this school?! They'll be even more dangerous than Voldemort...and what happens if they...well...kiss someone?"

"Dementors won't kiss any student," said Pravus calmly, "And we'll be sure they don't enter the grounds, but just guard them. Bother, I'll have to find some way to give them human prey..."

"We never said we'd accept Dementors at this school, Pravus," said Dumbledore quietly, "I myself agree with Tom."

"Dumbledore, it's a risk we'll have to take. Corlagon is a dangerous maniac and a threat any way you look at it. If he IS Lord Voldemort then we know what he's capable of. If he's not Lord Voldemort than he's probably working for our precious Lord and that makes it even more dangerous because it means there will be two people to watch out for."

Dumbledore sighed and looked at Pravus with a very skeptical look. "Very well, Pravus, if you believe it's absolutely necessary I'll allow Dementors to guard the school grounds, but if they come into our school I will destroy them without reservations."

Pravus smiled. "Thank you, Albus," he said. "Thank you."

"Minerva, kindly send an owl to the ministry," said Dumbledore. "And let us all retire. I think there has been enough excitement for one night."

Severus' brain whirled with questions as he glided up to the school. Corlagon had attacked him? Why? Was Corlagon Lord Voldemort? If so, why did he hate Severus so much? If not then why was he working with Dark Wizards? Who was Lord Voldemort? How could he speak to Severus mentally?

"Penny for your thoughts, Severus," said Voldemort's voice in his head. Severus froze.

"Leave me alone!" he spat mentally at Voldemort.

"That's a poor response. I thought you would have questions about what happened at your little party."

"I know what happened. You tried to attack my friends again."

"Good, boy. Fortunately you were too quick for my associate's pumpkin. I had no desire to harm you, my target was Miss Stormblossom."

"So why did you try to put the Cruciatus curse on me?"

"Oh, Severus, you disappoint me. You don't seriously believe that you're talking to Dalverry Corlagon right now?"

"Well, if the summoner's cap fits."

"I have no time for jokes, child. You may rest assured that I am not Dalverry Corlagon."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because if I don't you will never know what you are up against. Oh, I want you to know enough about me, Severus, that when I finally break you then you will be able to fully appreciate how powerless you were."

"What's your true name?"

"That you don't need to know. Besides, what is a name? Something which is forced on you at birth, that's what a name is! What were your parents thinking, boy, when they named you Severus?"

"What were you thinking when you decided to call yourself Voldemort?"

"Good response. Severus, I am going to try a different approach to get you to join me. I will stop attacking your friends. I might even help you a little. Maybe I'll dispatch your enemies instead. I know you wouldn't object to me torturing Dolores Umbridge. I'll give you enough power to make you hunger for more...and then you will be mine."

And with that, Lord Voldemort was gone. Severus caught his breath and suddenly felt a strange sensation spreading up his arms and legs. They felt like they were growing larger...stronger...more muscular."

And at the same time, Severus saw that James Potter had tripped.

But then he heard a voice behind him, a voice he hadn't heard in the longest time, the voice of Lily Evans.

"Hey, Sev."

"Lily?!" gasped Severus, rounding to see Lily's face smiling at him. He felt about as self-conscious as a thorn in a field of roses. Lily's smile widened.

"So, is it true? Did Professor...I mean, Corlagon really attack you?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Severus, "tried to use the Cruciatus curse on me, the git!"

"That's weird. He was always really nice to me...." she said, but suddenly caught the expression on Severus' face, "Of course, if I'd known what he was I'd have told him to go snuff himself."

Severus let his eyes travel up Lily's form and they suddenly caught the Gryffindor lion on her chest. For some reason it infuriated him.

"No, you wouldn't have," he said bitterly, "I bet you and your friends would have loved it if he'd snuffed me, wouldn't you? Would've thought it was funny that old Snivellus was getting his dues, eh?"

Lily looked shocked. "Severus, what are you saying?" she asked, "You know I'd never wish you ill."

"Oh, wouldn't you?" snarled Severus, "Look at your chest, Lily! You're a Gryffindor! I'm a Slytherin! I should've known you probably were just spying on me...trying to get close to the enemy..."

"Severus, have you lost your mind?!" he felt Lily's hand smack his face. When he'd recovered he saw her glaring at him.

"Sorry..." he began, "I don't know what came over me..."

"Oh, you're not sorry!" she said hotly, "Because I'm a Gryffindor and you're a Slytherin! AS IF THAT MATTERS!"

"Lily, I'm sorry, I really am. It's just I'm feeling a bit angry. My dad was just attacked, I was just-"

"Oh, it's all about YOU, isn't it, Severus Snape?!" snarled Lily, "You just rationalize everything so it revolves around YOU! Well, you may think you're such a tragic little hero, but I have news for you Achilles, you're no different from the rest of us! But if you must insist on wallowing in self pity, don't expect me to be your friend!"

"All right, I deserve that. Lily, I'm sorry, ok? I'm really sorry about the way I treated you and..."

"Is Snivellus bothering you, Evans?" came James Potter's voice, sounding silky. Lily glared at him.

"Get out of here, Potter," she growled.

"Ahh, come on Evans! I know you're just playing hard to get! Now why don't you..." James Potter began, but Lily had snapped.

"Oh, AM I?! Well, I've got news for you, James Potter! You're no different from Severus or any of the Slytherins you all hate so much! You think you're so cool picking on people who are less fortunate than you are, but you're NOT! Do you hear me, Potter?! You're NOT!" and Lily slapped Potter. Severus couldn't help but smirk. Lily caught him at it.

"Oh, you're smirking are you? You enjoy it when I call someone else a prick but when it's you, oh no you're so SORRY about what you said but you know what, Snape? ROT IN HELL!" Lily stomped away from both of them.

"What did I ever do to her?" asked James.

"Well, it's more the fact that you exist if you know what I mean," said Severus snidely, repeating James' words aboard the Hogwarts Express, and he glided after Lily.

"Lily," began Severus when he found her, but she fixed him with a stare that said quite clearly "I dare you to come one inch closer."

"Lily," began Severus again, but he stumbled over his words, "Er..well...see...it's like.....ermm....apologies for you suspecting me.....I mean for me suspecting you....er..."

But Lily had burst out laughing. Severus closed his mouth abruptly. He was interested in what she was laughing at. "Good one, Sirius," she said to the boy to her right and turned back to Severus with a very cold stare, "I'm sorry, Snape, I'm open from when I forgive you to when you act like a prat again so leave me alone."

Severus felt crushed. She was warming up to Sirius Black and James Potter and the rest of their accursed group and leaving him begging for forgiveness. Well, if she was going to act like a Gryffindor let her. But he'd act like a Slytherin.

"Well, have fun pleading to be my friend again, Evans," he said and gave her his most sarcastic sneer before running back to Villa Severum and starting a very loud conversation with Michelle solely for the benefit of arousal of jealousy. He'd make Lily sorry if it was the last thing he did....

But suddenly there was a crack, and a scream from Lily and the sound of Sirius Black cursing. Severus rounded and stared in abject horror as he saw Lily's milk-white skin redden horribly. A blood burning hex! He ran to her and pulled out his wand and before anyone could stop him he'd yelled "Finite Incantatem!"

Lily stirred as her skin returned to its normal color. Severus was just going to try and help her up when suddenly Professor Riddle bolted up and poured a few drops of a potion down Lily's throat. "That'll dampen the fever she'll have after this," he muttered. "Come on, boys, help me get her to the hospital wing!"

Riddle conjured a stretcher and levitated Lily on to it. Severus watched as Sirius Black and James Potter ran up to the castle with Riddle and the stretcher. Severus suddenly got a sick feeling in his stomach. They would get all the glory for saving her. They would be hugged and not him. They would be called heroes while he would still just be that greasy haired Slytherin creep. He couldn't let that happen, he sprinted after them.

When he caught up they were already in the hospital wing and Riddle had set Lily up on a bed next to another girl. Severus caught a glimpse of her as he walked towards Lily and his jaw dropped.

It was Serena. But she looked horrible. Her arm was exposed and it had a deep, flaring gash across it. Severus stared for awhile before returning to Lily's bedside, which Riddle had left. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were fluttering open and closed. As they darted about they fell on Severus.

"Thank you, Sev..." she just managed to say before dropping off to sleep. Severus felt proud. He'd gotten the credit, he'd stopped the opportunist Gryffindors from getting their prey.

But Potter was livid. He rounded on Severus and snarled "Alright, Snivellus. I've been considering leaving you alone for awhile now, but if you're this friendly with Evans I'm gonna have no choice but to settle this score here and now. Put 'em up!"

Severus made to pull out his wand, but Sirius Black had his out first. "Don't even think about it," he said. Severus smiled bitterly, "Oh, so it's two against one?" he asked. "That doesn't seem fair."

"It doesn't seem fair that you exist, Snivelly," snarled Potter. Black, however, looked like he understood what Severus was saying.

"You're gonna have to fight him on your own, James. Where's the victory in fighting a battle you can't lose?"

"Ahh, come on, Sir. Or are you too chicken to fight him? Come on, he'll be a pushover."

"Good. Then you should have no trouble with him."

Potter was trapped. He rolled his sleeves up and went into a fighting stance. Severus mimicked him. He knew it was an unfair fight, but he was determined to at least get some damage in on Potter....

Potter roared and charged him. But Severus, to his great surprise, dodged the attack with ease. He then rounded and went on the offensive, sending a vicious uppercut into Potter's jaw. He was amazed at the force the blow dealt. But he couldn't ponder where his new strength came from now. He had Potter and he was going to destroy him here and now.

Severus dodged another clumsy attack from Potter and elbowed him in the face before kicking him in the stomach and then in the crotch. Potter screamed. Severus looked on with grim satisfaction.

"Enjoying beating me up, Potty?" he sneered, "Who have you been practicing on, house elves?"

"I thought I'd be fighting one," snapped Potter, glaring defiantly back at Severus, who pushed him over backwards and laughed cruelly.

"Well, you were quite mistaken, Potter. Now...." he emphasized his points with punches, "You will stop acting like a prick and tormenting me. You will NEVER bother me again. And finally, if you go within ten yards of Lily Evans I will put you in this wing for the rest of your miserable existence!"

Severus pulled out his wand, dodged the spell that Sirius sent at him and cast the leg-locker curse on both of them.

"And let that be a lesson to the both of you," he snarled and walked out of the hospital wing leaving Potter and Black dumfounded.

But underneath, Severus was terrified. He had been angry at Lily, so Voldemort had attacked her. But what was even scarier was that Voldemort had at that instant been close enough to attack her. He probably could have reached out and touched Voldemort right then.

And when Severus had walked through the common room and into his dormitory where he got into his pajamas and bed, he lay awake looking at the ceiling replaying things in his head: Voldemort's conversation with him that night, the falling pumpkin, his fight with James Potter and especially...ESPECIALLy...the look in Lily Evans' eyes when she thanked him from her bed in the hospital wing.