Prelude to a Love Story

Chapter Three: Severus Snape, a Sinuous, Sickly, Slimy, Sleaze: Slips into a Sinky Step!

Or:

Of Severus and Saviours

Severus Snape's mind was still blank, as once again he tried to draw a memory from only a few nights ago. All he could recall from that night was how bright the full moon had been. He couldn't remember any of the events that Professor McGonagall, the Gryffindor Head of House, had said occurred. All he knew now was that he wasn't to go near the Whomping Willow. And that Remus Lupin was a werewolf.

That had come as a huge shock to Severus. He had always considered himself to be smart - which was one of the reasons why the obviously stupid James Potter annoyed him so. Yet now, after being handed all the evidence on a plate, he still hadn't put two and two together and realised that Remus was a were

wolf. The worst thing was, that after all the effort that he'd apparently went to (he still couldn't remember anything) he had been FORBIDDON to use it as blackmail.

Disgusted, Severus stamped his foot, glaring at a few first years with the temerity to giggle.

Walking away from the stupid first years, Severus wandered around simply looking and thinking for a few minutes until he found a place he considered comfortable enough for him to sit down once more.

Severus was currently in the library, with his attention having been on completing the homework set by his potions master, Professor Leech. Severus was slightly preoccupied with his thoughts, however, and his mind had drifted away from the brews that would usually fascinate him. It was dark in the corner where he sat, with dust thick on the shelves. These books were in the Restricted Section of the library, and Severus was very proud to have finally earned the respect of enough teachers for him to have a continued access to these ancient volumes. If he appreciated anything more than Potions, then it would have to be the study of the Dark Arts.

With a slight plopping sound, a spider dropped to his head. It had crept out from in between the large covers of a book from above him. Glancing at the title as he flicked away the spider he read: "Dark Creatures for Dark Arts", written by M.X. Grindelwald. Immediately interested, Severus pulled down the heavy book and sat it to his lap. The cover was a dark black, with some weird mould growing around the outer edges. As he opened the book the slightest crack another spider stuck its leg out and began to squeeze through. Slamming the book shut on it as it was halfway through gave Severus some satisfaction. He smiled as the crushed body and innards added to the book's stains. Standing up once more with the idea of searching for more of Grindelwald's books, he chanced a look through the crack left in the shelf from where he had taken out the dark book.

Standing by the door was Sky Winkkin, the flower slut's best friend.

Sneering in a happy sort of way at the prospect of harassing someone, Severus Snape quickly placed the book back on the shelf and began to walk his way over to the entrance of the library.

***//\//\***

Sky looked around, nervously. She was worried about the upcoming tests; she'd never had to do them without Lily's help before. They had always seemed slightly difficult, though this year they were completely impossible. She didn't want to fail, yet she didn't know how she could possibly succeed - and they were only two days away! What was she to do? Ask Severus for help?

Sky nearly giggled at the prospect. While her best friend had seemed to be quite close to that Severus Snape, Sky herself had never really been able to think much of him. Her forehead crinkled with worry once more as she considered just what her prospects were. Before the end of the night she just might be resorting to asking Severus for help - for, whomever the help came from, she was certain that she would need it.

Sky sighed once more: it seemed that she couldn't do anything without Lily there to help.

"You sighing about me, Sweetheart?" asked a greasy voice behind her as an arm slipped over her shoulders. "As I'm certainly not sighing over you."

Shocked, Sky turned, wrenching the arm of her shoulders as she did so. Seeing the slimy black hair was enough for her to recognise her recent adversary. Shuddering at the fact that he had touched her, she tried to say in as much of a degrading voice as possible: "Who? You? Why would I ever sigh over the likes of you? "

"Hey," said Severus, returning his arm, "I just thought that you girls were always sighing over guys you couldn't have," he smirked at her. "But hey, I could be nice and give you a treat - I've heard that you're worried about the upcoming tests-" Sky's muscles tensed obviously at that remark, "-But I suppose you should be, what with that slutty best friend of yours too crazy to help."

Seeing that face so close to her own made her want to puke, his breath was stale with unwashed teeth, and his hair! She could see the small flecks of white dandruff and dirt clearly against the black of his slimy hair. She was sickened to see something that looked distinctly like a small insect move through his hair. Disgusted, she watched him lift his free hand and lazily itch it.

"What do you care for my worries?" she asked, trying to remove the tremble in her voice. He must have heard it, however, as his arm tightened considerably and his smile became all the more malignant.

"Hey, I'm always concerned for those who have been hurt," Severus replied, holding the same hand that had itched the creature against his heart in a mocked gesture of honesty. "I don't think that silly girl, Lily Evans, really knew how much her... degrading way... hurt people." Severus was delighted to see the spark of anger that lit in her eye. He so loved to crush people, and his smile broadened to include his joy.

Sky's eyes lost their angry gleam as they opened wider, frightened. She was angry with him, and there he was, leering at her best friend! And now he had that scary look upon his face... The one he'd worn just before he hurt Lily. Sky had been there, in the shadows, and she would never fall for his lies. No, she would never betray her best friend in this way.

Defiant, Sky tried to tug out of his grasp, yet he just gripped her arms the harder, digging his grotty nails in. What is this?! Sky thought to herself, I'm only fifteen! Sky had never thought that she might get entangled in something such as this. She became dizzy with fear. Where was the teacher? Where were the students? The smell of Severus' bad breath was making her feel nauseous, and she turned her head away from his, hoping to avoid the stink.

The spark of defiance that had lit her eye faded as, like a falling wall, her resolve crumbled to pieces.

Severus saw her eyes, just before she faced away. He saw exactly when she broke, and a fierce smile of glee lit his face as he realised his success. She was weak, and would make a good vessel through which he could inflict pain.

"Well?" he asked, turning her head so that he might see her eyes, "Are you willing to take up the offer?"

"And what offer might that be, Severus?" asked a voice from behind.

Sky almost laughed in relief. Like some heroes from a muggle flick, her saviours had come to the rescue. She breathed out deeply in, what was this time, a sigh of relief as she felt Severus' grip loosen and then drop altogether as Remus yanked him off. Sirius came to stand in front of her as Peter walked up to her side to ask if she were alright. Never had she so appreciated that height of Sirius and Remus as she did then - they made Severus' all of 5"2 look even less than usual.

Remus asked the question again, now that he had Severus' attention. In reply, Severus only sneered sourly, angry at being interrupted.

"I believe that was between myself and Sky," he said disdainfully, with a snobby little sniff that nearly sent Sky into hysterics. Remus glanced at Sirius, as though searching for her. When he couldn't see her, he replied:

"Oh, was it? Well - she isn't here now, so," and he dropped to a whisper, "you know, just between you and me?" he brought his head closer to Severus', "I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE!" he shouted, raising Severus a few feet off the ground. Severus ran from them as though he'd been booted across the backside, with Sirius, Sky, Peter and Remus laughing at his departing back. They didn't catch a glimpse of his face, however, which was twisted into an angry and embarrassed scowl.

"So, what was all that about?" asked Sirius, as he raised his eyebrows in an indicating fashion after Severus' exit point. "I hope we weren't interrupting anything important..."

Sky began to chuckle, smiling and shaking her head in disbelief.

"What is it with this girl," asked Sirius in an aside to Remus, "Every time we see her, she's laughing!" Remus smiled in return, looking fondly down at the girl he'd just rescued.

"I'm sorry," said Sky, with uncontrollable tears of laughter running down her face, "but it's just that... well... You really did come at the most opportune moment - and then to think that you didn't even really realise what you'd done!" Sky snorted in another burst of laughter. She felt amazing, as though a whole massive weight had been lifted off her chest. She stopped laughing, however, when she thought of just what was weighing down her chest.

Unthinking, Sky sighed again.

"And that was for..?" asked Sirius questioningly. Sky looked up at him and Remus, not really noticing Peter who had drifted into the background. Her eyes were big and round, and her forehead once again creased with worry. Dropping her eyes to the ground, she mumbled an answer that she didn't really want them to understand. These boys were the most intelligent in the year! As if she could ask them for help.

A finger under her chin raised her eyes to their level once more, though this time it was only Remus that she was looking at. His brown eyes held her mesmerised, and they probed her with questions. So gentle, and concerned. She wondered why he would worry himself with her. His gaze giving her no other option, she answered him, her voice clearer this time, though still filled with embarrassment and worry.

"I'm not smart enough. I'm worried I'll fail the tests."

Sirius snorted in laughter, and even Remus' eyes sparkled at her.

"Worried about the tests?" asked Sirius between gasps, "Is that all?! We had thought it must have been something much more serious!" He stopped laughing, however, when he saw that Sky looked hurt by his comment.

"Don't worry," that was Remus, his finger was gone from her chin now, though his eyes still rested on her face. "We'll help you."

The relieved look Sky gave them was enough to send everyone back into fits of laughter. She didn't really find it all that funny, but it felt good to laugh - and she seemed to only ever laugh around these people. Looking up at the tall boys around her and the shorter Peter, she wondered whether she had found someone to replace Lily. But then her thoughts drifted over to that figure asleep in the pale white sheets. So alike a sleeping princess... Sky nearly cried for all that had been lost. Only Remus noticed her lapse in laughter, and wondered if there was more to this girl than a pretty face and gurgling laugh.

***//\//\***

Severus Snape felt as though he was just about to explode with fury. He couldn't believe the impertinence of those, those boys to interrupt. He had been so, so close to getting his way and crushing that girl. He'd seen her will snap, seen that lost look. Despite what he'd said about Lily, he'd never actually gotten anything from her. Although, as he thought over that, he had to admit that driving her insane had been a reward in its own sense. He still couldn't believe it though... The watch of Remus Lupin had been Lily's job, and he was certain that she would have known long before that he was a were-wolf. Yes, she would have known, and it tore Severus to pieces that she had never told him. Did she hold no respect, no decency towards him? He was glad that he'd broken her, for despite the fact that he was without proof, he had always suspected her traitorous thoughts.

Distracted, Severus managed to misjudge his step and with an ungainly lurch felt his ankle sink into one of the trick steps. Ferocious, Severus yanked at his leg, trying to dislodge it, yet it seemed that the more he struggled, the further he sank. Tempted to scream in anger at his stupid foot and the stupid step, Severus managed to cut himself short before he began to swear viciously. Scowling in annoyed disbelief, Severus searched through his robes, of the intention of finding his wand and somehow getting his foot out.

The stair he was trapped in was made was made out of some ancient polished wood. A spiral staircase that was fixed with an illusion that made it appear to go forever, he had never particularly liked going this way. Actually, Severus decided, he didn't like any stairs. All they did was move around an suck people into their trick steps, ugly, stupid, worthless things.

Severus was distracted from his angry reverie by the sound of footsteps coming towards him. Great, he thought to himself, Just wonderful. Trust my luck to have people come along to laugh at me while I'm in this sort of situation. Harder, Severus began to pull at his leg with one arm - the other was still searching his robes for the wand. Somewhere in his mind the thought registered that he should have found his wand by now.

Up past his thigh now, Severus was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his balance as the stair held him tight. It was quite a comical scene for Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, to walk in on. He stood there, apparently trying not to smile to widely, as he watched Severus Snape wriggling around, trying to find balance, with half his leg gone.

"Ahhh," said Professor Dumbledore, in a curious sort of voice, "An uncomfortable predicament, I would presume. I myself have often found it to be most irritating to be caught by one of the trick stairs. Though I must say, I do often wonder at where they gain the intelligence to know just when we are either in an incredible hurry or all alone - for it seems that only at these times does the stair truly catch us." Severus was listening to this with only partially disguised impatience. He would never yell at Dumbledore, for despite certain disagreements, he did rather respect this fabulous man. Professor Dumbledore was still speaking, though now his topic had drifted to brooms and cupboards... Severus wasn't really concentrating.

"Anyway," he said, regaining Severus' attention in the process, "Let's see if we can't do something about this leg of yours... I've always found that the leg locker curse works best, I suppose that's because the leg doesn't wriggle so much as you try to remove it..." Having reached for his wand, Professor Dumbledore removed out from under the folds of his cloak a long wooden magical implement. Smiling fondly at his wand, he wiped it once before he pointed it at Severus' leg and muttered "Petrificus Intendis." Severus gave a slight shudder as he felt all of his leg lock up, even that which was stuck in the stair. "There," said Dumbledore, "That should do it - I expect that if you give a slight jiggle of your hip then it will come out nice and easy." Severus lost his frown as his leg began to slide easily out of the step. "There we go! I'd best be on now, I expect you can perform the reversal spell..." Dumbledore's voice faded out as he quickly walked up the stairs beyond Severus and away from him.

Smiling in satisfaction, Severus felt his leg come out with a slight "pop". He was finally free from the constraints of a stairway! And he'd learnt a nifty trick in the process. Now all he needed was his wand... This brought about a fresh wave of annoyance, as he soon found that his wand was missing. After checking through what seemed to be every pocket in his garment - even ones he hadn't knew existed - he still couldn't find his wand! Severus began to get angry. He supposed that one of those idiot kids from the library had stolen it. That would be just like them; stealing his wand!

Severus' anger soon drifted towards worry, however. He was stuck here, with a petrified leg, and no wand with which to fix it. He began to feel even more nervous as he wondered just who had gotten hold of his wand. Suppose it wasn't those idiots in the library - what if it had been one of the Dark Lord's followers... Severus shuddered at the thought. He had never lost his wand before. Like everybody, he was afraid of the Dark Lord, although Severus did have a definite fascination with him and his Art.

His mind returning to the problem at hand, Severus began to consider his possibilities. It was too late for him to call out for Professor Dumbledore - he had been walking fast and would be long gone by now. Besides, any shouts for help Severus made might bring Peeves, and Severus could just imagine the situation that might arise from that! Disgruntled, Severus decided that he would have to take the only option that appeared open to him - he would have to walk.

Pulling himself upright through use of the banisters, Severus suddenly found himself swaying to and fro on a leg he couldn't bend. Overbalancing, he nearly found himself falling in the trick step again. It was only the quick movement of his hand that saved him. Scowling furiously he decided that walking actually wasn't an option.

Flat on his face with his legs sprawled behind, Severus Snape progressed to wriggle his way down the stairs on his belly - face red with embarrassment and rage.