Perhaps Another Time, Severus [A Severus Snape Fanfiction]

1994

1994

Professor Moody had practiced the unforgivable curses during their class, made school children witness the horrors the spells wrought on spiders. Shaylah's spine stiffened as she was forced to watch the wretched presentation, bile rising in her throat, threatening to make her vomit. It took everything she had not to shout or cry, to stop the vile display. Instead, she chewed the inside of her cheek to bleeding, biting her tongue.

She had not only witnessed the effects of the Cruciatus curse first hand more times than she would like to admit, but she had been the one to receive it too. As she watched the spider writhe it brought back the horrendous feeling in her nerves, the twitching in her limbs as her body reacted to the pain running through it.

She had sat with her hand over her mouth as other students around her had whispered, some of them seemed more than ready to learn the curses but some were apprehensive, as they should be. The killing curse struck the last spider and the room fell silent, wide eyes glued to the motionless arachnid. Something that was just so full of life and vigor now lay still, dead. Voldemort's favorite curse. Another one she had seen in action, that had taken people from her.

Moody's expressions as he performed the curses made the sickness brewing inside her even harder to conceal. Knowing who he truly was made the whole ordeal different for her. He was a wretched man and she had seen some of his viciousness first hand during her time within Voldemort's fold. He was despicable, bloodthirsty, sickeningly loyal to his master.

Carrie followed her out of class to make sure she was alright. "I will be, that was just disgusting, don't you think?"

"I agree. It gave me chills. Come on, let's get some dinner, I'm starving." The two girls walked to the Great Hall together, thankfully Carrie had changed the subject to the upcoming Triwizard Tournament. They would soon know who the three challengers were. Shaylah had completely forgotten about it during her attempt to catch up on homework and attend her extra potions lessons.

Dark eyes followed her, as they did every time she entered the Great Hall for a meal. He wasn't stealthy about the way he watched her and she wondered if he wanted her to know, attempting to work his way under her skin.

He hadn't revisited her mistake in their continued potions lessons, in fact, the last one had been an even greater disaster. He stood close enough that she bumped into him, sending the whole Valerian Root clutched in her hand into the cauldron when it only called for a small amount. Both of their faces were covered with soot after the contents congealed and created a small blast.

She hadn't been able to keep herself from laughing, though he was furious. He muttered under his breath as he flicked his wand over the cauldron, resetting their attempt. Small pieces of his raven hair stuck out in all directions and she couldn't help but swipe her thumb down his cheek causing him to shout. He practically chased her out of his classroom before granting her a second chance and she erupted in more laughter after she was in the corridor. Her Severus had been covered in soot more times than he would ever be able to recall and she didn't let this Severus' insults or jeers grind her down anymore. Not when the memories brought her such joy.

Nate joined them at the Slytherin table, practically bursting at the seams with news. "Have you heard?" he asked excitedly, "There's rumor of a Yule Ball!"

Shaylah and Carrie both lifted a brow as they glanced at one another. "You're excited for a dance?" asked Shaylah.

"Of course!" Nate answered as if it was obvious, "I can't wait to wear my dress robes and dance the night away," he said, "My Gran taught me how to dance when I was little." He shot Shaylah a glance as he took a sip of pumpkin juice, "You're going to go, aren't you?"