It was pathetic, terribly pathetic. Shame overwhelmed Serverus. Pott.er and his friends had, once again, succeeded in humiliating him.

Many would say that he had asked for it, that he had deserved to have a bombarda thrown at his face, breaking his nose, and then beaten up by the Maraud.ers for insulting Sirius as a blood traitor. But Severus knew that he was not wrong. Sirius is indeed a blood traitor, whether his friends like it or not.

Severus was bloody and his eyes were red and puffy, because yes, Merlin, he had cried despite his internal fight against tears. He had slipped away as far as possible from the other students, not wanting them to see him so weak. He felt so pathetic, but never more so when he staggered towards your dormitory.

He sat on your bed, his mind still troubled and his ego wounded. You gently patted a damp cloth against his bleeding nose. Severus let out a miserable groan when you pressed a little too hard against his nostrils.

His voice was rough and a little nasal as he spoke. "This is ridiculous, you know." He said, referring to the fact that he was being treated like an injured child. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

He looked up at you, and despite his attempt to appear nonchalant, the pain and anger in his eyes were evident.