the boy that could have been

an old feud

"Explain, now." McGonagall said sternly once the four of them were sat in her office. Harry felt slightly uncomfortable, seeing as he was very clearly out of place. Severus was sat in the corner, trying to hide from both Lily and James.

"Didn't you see Harry's broom? It was him! I spoke to the Weasley kid, he hates me and he's taking it out on my son!"

"Don't be ridiculous, James." Lily snapped, "He might hate you - and for good reason - but Sev wouldn't curse a student! You're the one that's screwed up here, yet again!"

James scowled at her, "Oh, so he's your little Sevvy again now, is he? Before you go defending him, why don't you ask our son!"

Harry was completely bewildered. His parents knew Snape? Clearly, they had a lot of history.

"Potter?" Minnie said with a sigh. All three Potters turned to her and she internally facepalmed, "I meant Harry. Is there anything you'd like to say about Professor Snape?"

Harry shot an anxious glance towards Snape, who looked slightly murderous, "Erm- I- maybe I shouldn't be here..."

McGonagall saw his internal conflict, and nodded, "I believe your friends went to see Hagrid."

Harry thankfully scuttled away, and James indignantly leapt to his feet.

"He could've told the truth! Snape's a wa-"

"James." McGonagall said firmly, "You may be a grown man now, but you're pushing it. Why don't we give Severus a chance to speak?"

"In all honesty, Minerva," He drawled, "We're not teenagers any more, and if Potter can't keep control of his emotions, it's clear who the problem is and who should be banned from Quidditch matches."

"What, you want me gone so I can't protect my son?" James said furiously, "You have a problem with me, not him, so come on, have it out then piss the fu-"

"JAMES!" Lily shrieked, "What sort of example do you want to be to our son? The first letter, fair enough. The Howler was pushing it. But now this, really?"

James, to his credit, looked ashamed, but before he could respond, McGonagall intervened.

"I must say, James, I thought you would be a bit more responsible than this. Your son seemed like an incredibly sweet boy, like his mother, but then he accosted another student and made rude hand gestures to Severus' back. I had grounds to expel him, and I really think that the blame would have been with you more than him. Have you forgotten where the boy grew up? He's probably desperate for you to be proud of him, and show him love! If he thinks that the only way to do that is by acting out and misbehaving, then he's going to land himself in a lot of trouble."

"Wait, he did what?" Snape snapped, at the same time Lily said, "Exactly."

James wilted under McGonagall's stern look.

"Okay, maybe you're right about a few things-"

"A few?" interjected Lily angrily.

"- but I would love my son no matter what! That's why I got angry at Sniv- er, I mean, Snape - because he threatened my little boy! I've only ever acted out of love!"

"Be that as it may, Potter, does the boy know that? Have you made it clear that you'll love him even if he wasn't in Gryffindor, or if he decided he'd rather be quiet and studious? I thought not. Now, I don't want to hear any more excuses. Leave, now, before you cause any more damage."

He looked incredibly depressed after this telling off. Minnie certainly had the power to make him feel like a misbehaving four year old child. Even the fact that she'd switched from 'James' to 'Potter' made him feel small. Shoulders sagging, he muttered an apology and left, followed by a very angry Lily. His lecture certainly wasn't over yet.

"Everything okay, Severus?" Minnie asked softly once they'd gone. He was visibly shaken, but at her words his cold exterior snapped over his face again.

"Fine. Although I would ask that you consider my recommendation of banning him from Quidditch matches."

He turned on his heel and swished out dramatically, cloak billowing behind him. McGonagall let out a sigh.

"I thought I was done with all of their drama."