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Severus Snape, favourite enemy

Chapter one: Let down

Severus Snape hung upside-down in mid-air, wishing he was dead. More than anything else. Frantically he tried to keep his cloak from slipping over his body and eventually his head. It was happening for the second time within five minutes, and now Evans was no longer there to stand up for him. She was no longer there because Severus had been too proud to let himself be defended by a girl. Unfortunately had he not only been too proud, but - thanks to the body binding curse – also too slow to reach his wand lying in the grass before James Potter had.

And now his own cloak was blocking his vision. Severus cursed himself for having chosen this particular day for washing his only school uniform. Wealthy guys such as Potter and Black surely never had problems like not having enough clothing or not being able to buy anything in Hogsmeade. Having to wear his cloak buttoned-up all day, summer or winter. Having to walk close to the walls, hoping no one would notice that he only wore his grubby underwear underneath it… Severus pressed his jaw and his eyelids shut tightly, keeping tears of fury from streaming up his forehead. No, ever since his first year he hadn´t given anyone the satisfaction of seeing him cry. But this year had been enough to give Severus his famous nick name.

This is a nightmare. Please make it stop… Voices penetrated Severus´ little world that only consisted of black fabric and his own racing heartbeat.

“Who wants to see me take off Snivellus´ underpants?” Potter´s voice sounded over the muttering and giggling of the spectators. The suggestion was greeted with loud cheers.

Severus felt the fabric glide down his hips slowly. No, no, no…

“No!”, Severus cried into the sudden silence.

“No?”, the Gryffindor drawled. “Say ´please´ then! Say ´please´ and I´ll release you.”

“Never!”, Severus growled against the dark fabric.

“What a pity…” Potter´s wand drew tiny circles in mid-air, and the waistband of his underpants pressed against the tip of Severus´ penis. His face flushed with shame and humiliation.

“Sa-a-ay it! The little ma-a-agic word!”, Potter sang pleasantly.

“No!”, Severus groaned.

“For Heaven´s sake, Snivellus! Just say it and get over with it!”, Black added, laughing. “You don´t want to show us your thing, and we certainly don´t want to see it either. So why can´t you be a good boy and demonstrate the perfect Slytherin manners?”

“Come on, Snape.”, he heard Lupin say. Hatred welled up inside Severus. Peaceful Lupin finally got involved and all he did was suggesting HE should give up?

He doesn´t even think about keeping the precious Potter away from me…

Severus sensed that just a small motion of Potter´s wand would be enough to make the greyish underpants reveal everything. Before long he´d hang in his glorious nudity in front of half the school.

“Please…” He heard a hoarse whisper. In horror he realised that it had been his own voice.

“What was that? If you keep mumbling like that, I can´t understand you, Snivellus.”, Potter said, sighing, as if he´d soon lose his patience. “Don´t you think we all should be able to hear you?”, he added.

A fresh wave of cheers. Pettigrew laughed loudly, as if James had made the best joke ever.

“Please…”, Severus panted, nearly choking on his own tears, but clearly audible.

Suddenly the invisible chains that had suspended him gave way. Severus fell hard on his back, landing on a mass of skinny limbs. Quickly he pulled his cloak over his trembling body.

“See? It wasn´t that difficult after all, you greasy git.”, James Potter said icily. With one hand he covered the bleeding wound Severus had caused earlier.

His face wet with tears, Severus gazed up at him, unable to make one of his usual sarcastic remarks.

“He´s crying.”, Sirius Black stated in a disgusted voice.

“Well, he has to live up to his nick name, hasn´t he?”, Pettigrew said with a lopsided grin and looked around, as if he waited for applause.

Remus Lupin pressed his lips together in disapproval, but just like always he didn´t say anything.

Severus ignored the three other Marauders; his eyes were fixed on James´ face.

“I hate you, Potter.”, he blurted out.

“But no, Snape.”, James gave back pleasantly. He leaned down to the Slytherin. “You adore me, just like everyone else.” Grinning he straightened up again.

The circle around the Marauders and Severus dissolved slowly as there was nothing happening anymore. Black shook his head and gave the boy on the ground a dazzling smile, showing his brilliantly white teeth. Potter put an arm around his shoulders and pressed his forehead against Black´s in passing.

Severus was overcome with envy as he witnessed this gesture that spoke of a deep friendship. He wondered how it would feel to have someone to share every secrets with. Someone who hugged you when you were sad… Pulling himself together he wiped his nose with his sleeve and tried to stand up. No, he, Severus Snape, needed no one.

After this great show the Hogwarts students strolled down to the lake, ready to enjoy the rest of the hot summer´s day. Nobody bothered to help the black-haired boy sitting there like the picture of misery to his feet.

Just because I exist…