The Black Lake was still today, no ripples from skipping rocks or the giant squids tentacles, just a solid expanse of glass. The willow that hung over it, leaves sometimes falling to rest in the water, was sheltering Severus from the sun. His hooked nose was buried in the pages of a book, probably containing secrets of the dark arts, which everyone knew was something he was infatuated with. Maybe that could have been avoided, but it was who Severus was. It didn’t help him socially, no, he had barely anybody he was close with. The people he called “friends” shared the same wicked talents as him, and that’s how they connected. They wanted the same future.

His way of thinking was only popular in Slytherin, and in no way was supported by the group of boys about to pass. The Marauders. Remus Lupin was the most resigned of them all, but Severus loathed him by association. Peter Petigrew was a pathetic little boy who followed the more popular boys around. Sirius Black was a pompous, rich, brat who constantly made his life hell. And then there was James, the bane of his existence. Since the first day of school, James made it clear he was stop at nothing to ridicule Severus every minute of his life. He strut through the school, messing up his hair and gloating his quidditch abilities. Disgusting. And most of all, he liked Lily Evans, Severus’s only real friend.

If Severus hadn’t been paying so much attention to his book, he might have heard the group. Now, it was too late.

“Watcha’ reading, Snivelus?” Jeered James. “Trying to find a spell that will make you not look like a slimeball? Sorry, but I’m pretty sure there’s no cure for that,” Laughed Sirius. Petigrew chuckled along while Lupin stood back slightly, looking torn between stopping his friends and observing meekly. “Screw off, Potter-“ Snape started to speak before he was wrenched up into the air by James’s curse. His legs kicked and flailed as he tried to pull his robes back up. They swung down due to gravity, and he choked out a string of curses.