Stronger Than Silver

Black-Haired Boys and Gryffindor Bullies

Quiet and standoffish as ever, Severus Snape was the most humongous joke in his year at Hogwarts. He drifted like a phantom in the classrooms, poring over his books and potions for class, greasy black hair covering his face. He was the target for Gryffindor rabble-rousers and the butt of the joke in nearly every clique's conversations, even the Slytherins. They accused him of being a filthy half-blood and a disgrace to the house. 

Even though Severus was a half-blood, Lucius wanted to know more about the boy. Despite Severus' blood status, the blonde felt sorry for the boy due to all the bullying. For Merlin's sake, he was in the first year! 

It was much like Narcissa's case five years ago, except no one looked up to Severus. Narcissa's situation was relatively more bearable, although Lucius loathed comparing their troubles. He soon recognized that the bullying was way harsher than teasing. It turned out that the most popular Gryffindor boys of the year physically attacked him, harassed him, stole possessions from him, and blasted all sorts of hexes and jinxes at him. From the conversations he had overheard while patrolling the hallways as part of his job as a Slytherin prefect, these boys called themselves the "Marauders." The Marauders consisted of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. 

Lucius grew increasingly apprehensive as Severus' name resurfaced in first years' conversations. He often found himself wondering if he wanted to get involved in the situation or not. Despite his struggles, the Malfoy tried to be there for everyone that needed solace. Well, nearly everyone. He hated it when he knew someone was in anguish alone. It was tiring to help them, but someone had to do it. Usually, if students of whatever year brought up someone's name frequently and distastefully, he would get concerned. Lucius tried to befriend those without companions, and those he sensed suffered. Most of the time, they were Slytherins. Gryffindors mostly received the filthy end of the stick in the Slytherin house, so Lucius did not bother to care about their problems. There were too many arrogant bullies in that house; he did not like the house at all. Most of the Ravenclaws were either too logical or too tame to be caught dead in a troublesome situation and require help, so the boy did not bother either. Although Lucius had a soft spot for the Hufflepuffs, so he sometimes helped them when they needed it. One of the Hufflepuffs was in the same year as him before, named Theophanes. He was a pure-blood living under the roof of abusive muggle adoptive parents. He had helped Theophanes, whom he called Teddy, for around a year before his foster parents took him out of Hogwarts, never for others to see again. Lucius could only hope he was alive and breathing.

He hoped the people he wanted to help and befriend had a decent blood status, meaning they were not muggle-borns or blood traitors. It was not like he had that much against them at the time, but what would his father say? He would most certainly kill him for associating with such an atrocity. It would do so much damage to his pure-blooded Malfoy image.

Throughout his Hogwarts years, Lucius learned that listening and observing could open up one's eyes to many perspectives of the outside world. Years of firsthand experience from his sickness, his family life, and Narcissa's problems made him keen on the strife around him. If anyone were to be the best at picking up people's thoughts and emotions, it was Lucius. He could smell someone struggling with intrusive thoughts, a mental disorder, or external problems from miles away. He noticed things most people could not, ranging from dark eye bags to scarred knuckles to long sleeves to looks of distrust and apprehension.

As much as the ability helped him to manipulate people and get his way by observing the thoughts and plans of another person, it aided him in finding people in need of support. 

Ha, I did not get into Slytherin for nothing, did I?

Things quickly escalated when Lucius caught the Marauders threatening Severus in the corridor. Sirius had him pinned against the wall, while James had his wand aimed right at his neck. Remus stood idly by while Peter egged his other friends on, large eyes shining brightly. They did not have enough wizarding skills or power to cause real damage, but the poor Slytherin was frightened for his life. His eyes fluttered closed tightly; his entire body was trembling. Hot tears spilled over and cascaded down his face. He sniffed as he whimpered broken apologies and pleas for mercy.