The History of Half a Prince

The History of Half a Prince

Chapter 5

As I walked down the staircase that led to the dungeons, I literally ran into Regulus Black. The books he was carrying tumbled down the steps.

"Do watch where you are going Severus. Wouldn't want to harm anyone else today, would we?"

The look on his face was one of pure amusement. He peered around to see if anyone was within earshot. "If you want to cause Potter and his entourage harm, I know a better way."

I looked at him, a brow raised. I rarely talked to Regulus, but his comment piqued my interest. Especially since he was, in fact, Sirius's younger brother.

"And how would you suggest I do that, Regulus?" I asked, trying to bite back the annoyance that lingered in my voice.

He smirked. "Surely you've heard of the Dark wizard who calls himself Voldemort?"

I rolled my eyes, and nodded. "Undoubtedly."

The younger boy looked around and moved closer to me, whispering.

"He needs followers. I overheard my father talking and I decided that the moment I leave the school, I'm joining his followers. They have it right about the filthy half-bloods and Mudbloods. You stay with Lucius Malfoy over the summer holidays?"

I nodded slowly, unsure of where Lucius came into this.

"He's joined with Voldemort. I heard my father tell Mother. He said that Malfoy had the right idea. If it'll please my parents, I'll join too. You should think about it."

I nodded, though I hadn't really paid attention past the point when Regulus informed me that Lucius was one of Voldemort's followers - a Death Eater, to be exact. Regulus continued up the staircase, and I continued to stand there thinking. Perhaps that was the way. To get revenge on my father, my grandparents. To seek revenge on Potter and Black. There was no point ignoring it. I lost the chance of true friendship by being sorted into Slytherin. A petty prejudice by those whose first inclination is to judge and adhere to stereotypes. I decided that I should join the dark forces and seek revenge on those who had never done me wrong solely because that is what was expected of me, so why do anything different?

In truth, that was an excuse. I wanted an outlet: I wanted a way to get revenge on all that had happened to me and I truly didn't care who or for what cause. I was angry and hurt; my mind was cloudy with the words of those in my house.

With Regulus's suggestion still in the foreground of my mind, I continued down the stairs and made my way to the Slytherin dungeons. As I entered my dormitory, my dorm-mates nodded or called out a greeting. I barely raised my hand in acknowledgement as I crossed the room to my bed, falling back onto it and looking up at the ceiling. I don't recall how long I lay there, but soon I had picked up my wand and shot a spell at the canopy of my four-poster, flies falling down on either side only to vanish before they hit the floor. I got so caught up in my thoughts that I was surprised I didn't jump when I finally noticed the Headmaster's presence.

"Severus, I do believe I asked you to come to my office after dinner," he said softly. I could tell from his eyes that he was worried and this did nothing but irritate me.

"Well, I was busy," I said, unable to think of another excuse.

"Talking to Regulus and making flies fall from your four poster does make your schedule rather pressing," he stated nothing in his voice to determine whether he was joking or not. I decided he was joking and chose to ignore it. I didn't even wonder how he knew I had spoken with Regulus.

"You're here now, sir," I said. "What do you want?"

I placed my wand on the nightstand by my bed, but continued to peer up at the dark green material of my bed curtains.

"Sirius will be fine, though I'm sure it does not please you to hear it," he said after a pause. I said nothing, hoping he'd get on with whatever he wanted and let me be.

"Look, Severus. I know that you despise your father for how he treated your mother and you, and how you hated your grandparents because they wouldn't accept you, but don't hold in your anger. Unbridled anger is the worst thing a person can have: your enemies can use it against you, or trick you into doing something that isn't the best or right thing to do. It's what makes people like Voldemort who they are."

I looked up at him, eyes widened slightly. Dumbledore gave a small nod, and I knew that some how he knew what Regulus and I had discussed. For some reason, this angered me further, though I really didn't understand why.

"You don't understand," I snapped, jumping out of my bed to point at him. "You've probably had everything. I've had nothing, nothing but my mother and now she's gone. I had a bit of hope when I met Black and Potter, but they dropped me like a hat the moment I was sorted into Slytherin. They're all the same."

Dumbledore sat silently while I ranted, and when I paused to catch my breath he merely sighed.

"Why do you think that Mr. Black and Mr. Potter dislike you, Severus?"

"Because I'm a Slytherin," I answered, a little annoyed. I'd just said that.

"Do you really think that's all there is to their dislike?"

I glared at him, wanting to tell him that I really didn't care. That was a lie, however, and he'd know it.

"I have no idea," I said, taking a seat on my bed.

"James and Sirius were told by James's father what happens to most Slytherins when they leave the school. Naturally, as James's father is an Auror, he would only know of the very bad ones. Many of them have gone into shady business or more recently, joined forces with Voldemort. After being told that, why should they think anything different?"

"Because I'm different," I said, but it was half-hearted.

"Are you, Severus? Have you given them reason to believe that?"

I didn't say anything. Of course he was right; I hadn't done anything to show them that I wasn't like most of the Slytherins.

"Don't rise to their bait, Severus. You have potential to do great things, but I want that potential to be focused on the good, not the bad. You might never prove to them that you are good, but you can believe it yourself. If they continue to pester you, come find me and I will sort it out."

I watched my feet, keeping silent as he left the dorm. How could I not rise to their bait? If I ignored them, they would just continue to torment me until I did. I could never go to Dumbledore and tell him, it was an unspoken agreement that one never told on another, no matter what.

No, I would continue as I had. If they picked a fight with me, then they would get a fight in return. After all, I wasn't a true Slytherin. I would save my own skin, but I would never run or back down.

Especially from the likes of Potter and Black.