Sev's Gang

Sevs gang 9

Severus was a sorry little boy after Malfoy promised to show his displeasure on Severus’ ‘poor behaviour’ in potions class. Luckily, Malfoy had not punished the first year yet. Unluckily, Severus was left in no doubt that he *would* be punished, and was so distressed by the threat that he had decided to skip class.

It was only history of magic anyway, but Severus hoped he would not get caught. The class was so mind-numbing that if he merged with the rest of his housemates as they were leaving the class they would probably assume he had been there the entire time.

So Severus was wandering lonely corridors, attempting to stay out of sight and also keep his stomach from twisting into an even more uncomfortable knot of foreboding.

Meeting Remus Lupin was not what Severus had anticipated in his immediate future, but the quiet boy was suddenly blinking at him with odd amber eyes. Severus swiftly clenched his wand.

“We’re both supposed to be in class,” Lupin said.

“Astute observation,” Severus snapped. “What are you doing here and where are your pack? Are you following me?”

Lupin blinked again slowly. “I wanted some peace,” he answered calmly. “They’re in class. No: I’m coming from the opposite direction, aren’t I?”

Gay, gay, gay. Severus remembered what Evan had said about Lupin. Severus blushed and tried not to look at the Gryffindor. And tried to stay alert in case Lupin hexed him. And tried not to look gay. And wondered if it was worth sleeping with a Gryff to piss off Malfoy.

How dangerous was it to be near Lupin? Would Potter, Black and Petty take umbrage?

“Snape?” Lupin murmured.

“What?” Severus snapped, still staring at the boy suspiciously.

“Conversations are not typically one-sided,” Lupin said.

What? Oh. Severus realised he had not replied to Lupin’s explanation. So Severus answered with a sneer: “Don’t *you and your irk* usually monologue?”

“I don’t,” Lupin said coolly.

It occurred to Severus that being hostile to Lupin was possibly not his cleverest move. “I have little experience in conversing with you,” Severus admitted as diplomatically as he could bear (resisting speaking through gritted teeth only marginally).

Lupin inclined his head. “Do you have something more pressing to do?” he asked softly.

The answer that Evan would have given was ‘no’ so that was the reply Severus pushed from between his lips. Was Lupin looking at his lips?

Lupin smiled mildly. “What were you intending to do?”

“What business is it of yours?” Severus snarled.

Lupin retreated ever so slightly. “I was hoping we could perhaps do it together.”

Dunderhead! Severus cursed himself internally. “Oh,” he said, hoping that would be enough of an apology. It wasn’t. “My apologies,” Severus muttered, and Lupin’s face opened back up.

“Perhaps a walk?” Lupin suggested in a murmur.

Severus stifled an ambush accusation and nodded tersely.

“Or we could stay here and make an attempt at conversation?” Lupin suggested.

Was Severus so easy to read? He nodded stiffly but then wondered what he was supposed to say. What would Evan say in this situation?

Severus tried. He really did.

Lupin was trying too.

Unfortunately Severus was not practiced enough at making small talk with Marauders, even when the Marauder could prove useful and seemed interested in conversing, for whatever suspicious reason. If the snapping was not enough to make Lupin uncomfortable, Severus twitching his wand ill-naturedly certainly was.

“I’ll take no more of your time,” Lupin murmured, softly moving away. Severus watched him go. He knew he should apologise and go after Lupin –the boy did not seem offended to the point that he would rebuke that, which was something at least- but Severus knew he was a dismal failure in his effort to befriend Lupin and did not wish to bring about more of the same awkwardness.

“That was pathetic.”

Severus did not bother to turn around. Any Slytherin could recognise the voice of the Bloody Baron. “No need to reiterate the obvious,” the boy replied.

“You could learn much from the current Malfoy progeny,” said the Bloody Baron, “about how to interact with people. It would suit you to be less cruel however, you do not have the standing to be as impudent.”

Severus quirked an eyebrow lazily at the words of the ghost behind him. “You think he’s cruel?”

“Perhaps not to you,” the Bloody Baron said, “but he could be. It is the way they are bred.”

“Noted,” Severus drawled. “Why are you telling me this?”

“We don’t get many impurities in the House,” the ghost said, “I am not inclined to see you shame us, or perish. Learn how to play the game.”

“I was sorted,” Severus said.

“That means that you are capable, not that you are currently *at* the standard.”

“I am smarter than many of my housemates, and quicker with my wand,” Severus said.

“They have breeding that compensates for their softness. You cannot afford not to hone every weapon in your meagre arsenal.”

“Noted,” Severus said. He began to walk away, and when he looked around the corridor was empty. He cast a casual tempus that persuaded him to head back to the classroom. He had a foul day ahead of him.

At least Lupin had not had the same idea to join their leaving classmates.