Saints and Sinners ||Severus Snape

01 : birthday boy, interrupted

01 : birthday boy, interrupted

"That third year Hufflepuff really thought he was being slick with hiding behind Nearly-Headless Nick trying to get away during night rounds. It was honestly pathetic," Draco Malfoy told his best friends Blaise Zabini and Vincent Crabbe. "The next generations become dumber and dumber, in my opinion."

"And way lazier with their little tricks," added Blaise Zabini, glancing at the younger children who danced around their parents in polished tuxedos.

Draco Malfoy scoffed at the sight of them. He'd hated kids since he could remember. He'd hated being one even more. But tonight, he was celebrating the fact that he'd no longer be considered a child - legally, at least. Tonight, during the winter holiday break, he turned eighteen. And he couldn't wait. Only yesterday he was reminded by his mother of how times had gone by so fast that he'd went from being a mealy-mouthed little boy to a proud Malfoy man. But to that, he could only say "Not fast enough."

Pansy Parkinson came along the group and began spewing gossip about a Slytherin girl who was prompted to shave the entirety of her hair after accidentally using a balding spell rather than a hair-enriching one. Draco rolled his eyes. He was about to say something smart to Pansy's little gossip, but then he remembered why he was in such a mood tonight. And it wouldn't even compare to how small a problem Pansy's gossip was.

But he weighed the pros and the cons successfully and decided that he should enjoy this night to the fullest - it was the last weekend of winter break and he was having his birthday to only himself again! Merlin knew how stoked he was finding out he was the only person who would celebrate a birthday at this date last year. And to have it occur once more?? That was a miracle. And Draco decided he would appreciate these offerings a little more now.

The party, at first, he thought would be lame. Especially after taking a look at the guest list given to him by a house elf. At first look, it seemed generic. It was always the same people; elite families; affiliated with dark magic more often than not. At second look, he would even see some professors from his school such as Remus Lupin and, Merlin forbid, Severus Snape. Sure, they were technically family friends. But he hadn't thought they were invite-them-to-your-son's-birthday-party friends. But as it turns out, the party was still turning up every hour.

The thing about the Malfoys is they will warmly invite everybody to a party, but they will frown on you for actually coming. And Draco had bet that his parents had been snugging their chins at Remus Lupin for coming. He'd also carefully remembered that his mother had written a letter to the Weasleys even to come celebrate his birthday, but upon looking at the guest lists, he'd assumed they were trying to set them up for humiliation. Not that anyone would think the Weasleys would actually come.

Pansy's hands smuggled their way onto Blaise's waist as she laughed with her friends - or whom she'd liked to call minions. She'd always held a certain obsession for Blaise Zabini even before they got together. She'd always considered him the love of her life but she'd always thought it was all one-sided. But when he'd asked her out, she knew it was really meant to be.

"Pansy, dear," called Mrs. Parkinson in her haughty voice as she whisked her long cigarette holder between her slender fingers. She ushered Pansy to come and said, "Why don't you tell us how you and Blaise got together?"

Pansy laughed with Blaise as they walked on forward to her mother and her little posse. She glimmered as Blaise shared to her mother their love story, it all came straight out of a fairytale. He spoke confidently when he told them how he'd swept her off her feet and Pansy couldn't help but feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

"Next time," whispered her mother as the blazing smoke of her cigarette hit her dainty nose. "Wear a larger size. I can see the flabs in such a low-lit place." Mrs. Parkinson proceeded to pinch her sides and snicker as Pansy grabbed at Blaise tighter and quietly squealed from the cold hands of her mother.

Draco Malfoy watched as his two friends bragged about their relationship - one that he knew would turn into dust the moment a particular somebody comes back. He'd tried to shake off the thoughts of what he knew was to come but it kept coming back to him like a stubborn bile in his throat. He simply couldn't help but keep an eye on the entrance door to his manor.

"Draco!" His mother yelled from afar. "Come! Let's blow your candles it's almost midnight!"

Her words caught the attention of everybody in the manor and soon, all eyes were on him. It felt much better last year celebrating his birthday by himself but now, knowing that somebody could just waltzed through the door and steal the spotlight again like always, it felt like he was walking to his death sentence as he approached the eighteen-tier cake as a representation of the eighteen years he's been alive.

The crowd chanted him a happy birthday, with the only lighting in the room coming from the candles that beemed crimson shadows on everyone. He wanted to smile and be happy because today, or right now this second, could be the last time. Because suddenly, a voice rang out, loud and clear, from the other room, and it struck Draco's ear right down to his heart like thunder.

"Alicia Malfoy! You're back!"

And just as easily, Draco Malfoy's world had come crumbling down. He made his birthday wish and blew out his candles at exactly 12:00 AM.