Roads Not Taken

Ch 5 Adjustments and Alignments

Severus hurried into the Great Hall. He was late for lunch, and had missed charms while talking to Professors Fortune and Dumbledore.
Remus, James, Sirius, Peter, and several other first years were at the end of the Gryffindor table. Severus sat next to Remus and away from James and Sirius. Lily was across the table. As he started reaching for food Remus studied him with a worried expression.
"What did Fortune want?"
"Just to ask something about my Grandfather."
"So everything's alright then?"
"Sure."
Lily had followed this exchange with a puzzled expression that turned calculating.
"You wouldn't know anything about what happened in Defense class, I suppose," she asked. Severus shook his head with his mouth conveniently full. "Professor Fortune kept you a long time. You completely missed Charms."
"It's alright, Professor Dumbledore gave me a note."
"Professor Dumbledore?" Lily's voice squeaked in surprise. "You've been to see the Headmaster?"
By now their whole end of the table was listening.
"And I thought I was in trouble," sneered Sirius.
Severus stopped eating and frowned at Sirius. "Who said I was in trouble?"
Remus blurted out "but after what Fortune saw in Defense..." and trailed off as everyone stared, first at him, and then at Severus.
Remus murmured, "Oops, sorry about that," but Severus shook his head. It had occurred to him that if he played this right it could work in his favor. He mustn't actually admit anything outright, though. He didn't want the Professors angry at him.
"What are you talking about? He didn't do anything in Defense.He just stood there," said James.
Severus fixed James with a slight smirk.
"But you couldn't have done that! No first year could do that!" This from Sirius.
Severus broadened the smirk into a real sneer, and then returned to his lunch, leaving the other students staring at him.
He looked up at Lily, who had a broad grin on her face. She said softly, "I knew it. I knew it was you."
"I didn't want those idiots to hit you or othername"
"Thank you, " she said shyly. "I didn't know which way to run. I've never seen magic used in a fight before."
"Yeah, thanks," said Bonita, the girl who had been Lily's partner in class, from down the table. "It was scary when the hexes were flying all around us."
"Not but what I would have hexed the idiots myself if I had known a spell to use." Lily looked irritated.
"Where did you learn that spell?" asked Peter.
"I haven't said I did anything."
The first years stared at him. Even Sirius looked a little intimidated.

Afternoon classes were filled with gossip. Severus just looked serious and concentrated on his lessons. After their last class he headed for the library. Remus and Lily and the rest of their group had headed for their common room, but Severus wanted to see what spells books the library had.
As he rounded a corner he nearly ran into a bunch of older students. Looking up, he realized they were all Slytherins. He warily started to go around but a hulking boy blocked his path. Bella smirked at him, next to a pretty, if somewhat haughty looking blonde girl. The boy named Malfoy stepped in front of him.
"We heard what you did in Defense class, Snape."
"I didn't do anything," Severus said quietly.
"Yeah, tell that to the Gryffindors. Although even they didn't believe you at lunch. I know what spell you used."
"I told you he was dark, Lucius," Bella purred, and Severus frowned at her, but she just laughed at his expression.
"So," continued Malfoy, "is Dumbledore expelling you for it?"
"No." There didn't seem to be any point in further denials.
"I'll bet he told you off for using it, though," said a brown haired boy. "I'd have liked to have seen Black trying to throw a hex and finding his arm frozen."
The Slytherins seemed approving, if anything, and Severus relaxed a fraction. It seemed he wasn't going to get beat up, even if it HAD cost Slytherin house points.

Malfoy seemed to be the leader. "You know, Snape, not everyone thinks that kind of magic is bad. There are some who would respect the knowledge and skill required to use it. There are places where you would be honored for it."
"C'mon, Lucius. Professor McGonagall's coming" said another girl.
"Think about where your loyalties lie, Snape." Malfoy and the others swept away. As she went by the blonde girl gave him a small smile, and Severus stared after her. It was a nice, normal smile, at least compared to Bella's.