Biweekly reponse: Same mistakes
Who: Severus Snape, Abraxas and Draco Malfoy
What: His wake-up call
When: GrownHP, with flashbacks to pre-books.
Why: Because Severus only reacts when his life’s endanger and Malfoys are pushy bastards who like to pick on Headmasters… Really more that second part.
Author's Note: Many kind thanks to their wonderful mun who let me borrow them to pick on Sev. I know it was a great burden for them to bear.
If Abraxas Malfoy had noticed Severus entrance, he made no sign of it nor did Severus seemed to care much about being ignored. He simply watched as Abraxas fought his opponent. Fencing was by no means a subject of interest to Severus, not because he didn’t understand it but rather had no desire to learn. It was a gentleman’s sport, and Severus was a workman’s son. It was one of those simple, alien things that belonged completely and utterly in a world Severus would never belong too- like charity balls and foxhunts.
So, the young man just sat and watched as Abraxas parried, and couled and broke ground and all those other pretty words rich folks came up with for ‘fighting’ and ‘retreating.’ Severus studied as his mentor move. He couldn’t help it. He was always watching, looking for something he could take, or use at a later date. It was that greed that Abraxas had first noticed in the boy.
The bout ended with a ‘priese a fer’ which as far as Severus was concerned meant, in English, “Abraxas showing off.” Severus half-smirked as he watched Malfoy lunge forward, aiming for the wrist with his foil and then grabbing the other man’s blade as it fell.
“Choose one, Mr. Snape.” Abraxas said, as he motioned with his sword to the collection of rapiers on the wall. "And right there." He pointed to the line on the practice mat that not a minute before had held his defeated opponent.
Severus resisted the urge to ask why. Very seldom did Abraxas give the answers before a test.
The only noise between them was the sound of shuffling feet, as each man corrected his footing and balance and the crisp metallic snap of sword meeting sword. Draco was younger and more talented. He moved under and around Severus with ease, not caring to speak, or react to Severus outside of defense and in anticipation of the next move. The only flash of emotion from the young man had come earlier tonight when Severus had walked into his office to find Draco sitting in the Headmaster’s throne-like chair with a surprised expression that Snape was there at all. There was one small glance towards Severus left forearm before a meeting of the eyes and Draco moving to the door.
“You need something more then a walk.” Draco had said, and he had followed.
They weren’t using foils but the difference of weight made little difference in Draco’s hand. He moved easily, pushing Severus back. Twice he had caught Severus’ sword by the hilt, and twice Severus barely had been able to pull away in time to block a thrust aimed for his arms. One of those strikes hit Severus flat against his knuckles.
The first blood didn’t so much as break Draco’s stride.
“The Headmaster wrote me.” Abraxas said as he toyed with Severus blade. The strikes were light, and quick. Severus watched intently, blocking each move in turn and never moving an inch. The other man seemed content with the game at the moment. “You were offered the Head of Slytherin House. You declined.”
Severus turned to look off into the corner and was met with the slap of Abraxas’ foil against his chin, forcing his gaze back to a set of cold blue eyes. “I’m no teacher.”
Severus moved quickly enough through the dungeon, blocking and retreating. The sheer force behind every swing and lunge reverberated through Severus’ arm and through his chest. It loosen his grip on the sword just enough to make the impacts more painful but still he moved, partially because he had he had the impression that if he did anything less, Draco would take his arm as a fencing trophy.
There was a rabid werewolf with his eyes set on Hogwarts. It had already attacked a child, and set into action someone that could possibly be more dangerous. Heim was investigating the Death Eaters. He was after the werewolves. England was frightened. The school was frightened. The wolf had threatened the champions. He had gotten to one. He had gotten to Sebastian.
And Severus was in a basement, fencing with Draco when he should be…doing something. Severus grimaced. That was the problem. There was so much he could be doing, that he was doing nothing at all.
There was too much at risk, and it was all on his shoulders.
“The old man is daft.”
“You seem content to hang on his every word.”
“Stop being patronizing.”
“Stop being childish.” Abraxas lunged then, almost toppling Severus over with the sheer speed of the assault. Snape tumbled over, ignoring the conversation and throwing his guards up. He dived forward, towards the hilt of the other man’s sword. Abraxas pulled his sword close to his body, a flash of behind his eyes: albeit pride or surprise Severus didn’t notice or care at this moment. He threw his weight into another attack and again Malfoy retreated to find the space to block. “Why don’t you take the post?”
“What place does a Death Eater have at the head of a House?”
“Very little. A Potions Master has more right to it.”
“I was sent to kill him.”
The Mark had burned earlier tonight. It had done so several times since this whole mess had begun. The Dark Lord was near, too near to let Severus be at ease, and before that Sirius had called the Order together. The truce was secure (for now) but it felt like it did before: like the battle lines were being drawn and Severus was standing in the middle just waiting for the world to explode under him.
Except now he had a school and the children that were being threatened were no children of prophecy, even if they were still his.
And he wanted to fight. He wanted to kill. He wanted to find this beast by any means necessary, find it and take him apart bit by bit until he saw what monsters look like from the inside. He was hungry for it, more then hungry for it, he had his Master’s bidding for it.
Voldemort wanted him to do it. If Albus were here, he would have said the same thing. Let the tournament go on, watch. Wait. See. The beast said it would come like it had before. There were two more it was after. Wait. See. Let it come. Let it come for your daughter, like it did with your son.
They’re only two for hundreds. But they’re his.
The school was his, and every time he thought of it used once more as chess board for other men: either this wolf, or Heim; for him or his masters, he felt sick. Hogwarts had done its bit for God and Country. She had paid the price already. With the fifty. With Scorpius. No more. No more.
His Masters couldn’t have him anymore. He had fought to get himself back. He had fought and faced all the horrors of the basement and everything else to get back. For the school, for himself. He would let no one else endanger this school.
But wasn’t that what he doing that for something as meager as his pride? If it meant protecting the school, wouldn’t he do anything? Even risking losing it? Himself?
He wondered for a moment if that’s how Albus felt when he discovered he would leave Hogwarts alone.
There was a pain that blossomed in his hand that blacked out the next thought and sent a blinding white light into his eyes. Severus became aware of his body falling hard against the stone, of the sound his sword made as it clattered to the floor.
“Voldemort is gone.” Abraxas said over the noise of clattering blades. He tried to push forward, only to be countered by the sheer fierceness of Severus’ onslaught. That was one thing people tended to underestimate about Severus. He was a quick leaner, and his survival instincts had kept him alive at Spinner’s End, behind a mask and in enemy territory. It didn’t matter for a moment that Abraxas had insulted his Lord and Master by speaking his name. The conversation was only barely registering.
Severus was trying to survive. Abraxas watched for a brief moment before continuing. “Lily is as well.”
The words had the desired effect. Severus’ hesitation only lasted for a moment but it was more then enough time for Malfoy to dive closer, forcing Snape’s sword wild, and taking point right over Severus’ heart. “Those children aren’t and while you hesitate, thinking of all the things you use to have and be, they’re needing guidance. If you don’t provide it, then who?”
Draco’s sword was against Severus’ throat. Their eyes met, as Draco pushed the blade closer to Severus’ neck, brushing against a scar on his neck and the vein underneath them. There was no emotion in those clear blue eyes. Severus didn’t move.
He had a school to run. There were students who needed to be protected and parents who were looking to him to do that. There was a man who was threatening to bring the battle to Hogwarts. There was a wolf who had.
He was letting them. No more.
“It worked.” Severus whispered softly, he lifted his chin just enough to give Draco a cleaner cut. “Enough. It won't happen again.”
Something danced behind Draco’s eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. The sword remained in place for a moment too long. Severus wondered briefly if Draco had the strength to push. It would be no small thing. Then, as easily as he had moved earlier, Malfoy turned and retreated, flicking his wrist almost lazily as he pulled the sword away. It ran hungry against the vein. Snape put his hand to the cut. It hadn’t been deep, just enough to draw blood, enough to quiet whatever else remained.
“Never again.” Draco said simply. The sound of his sword hitting the floor rattled in the quiet castle and then was swallowed up by silence.
What: His wake-up call
When: GrownHP, with flashbacks to pre-books.
Why: Because Severus only reacts when his life’s endanger and Malfoys are pushy bastards who like to pick on Headmasters… Really more that second part.
Author's Note: Many kind thanks to their wonderful mun who let me borrow them to pick on Sev. I know it was a great burden for them to bear.
If Abraxas Malfoy had noticed Severus entrance, he made no sign of it nor did Severus seemed to care much about being ignored. He simply watched as Abraxas fought his opponent. Fencing was by no means a subject of interest to Severus, not because he didn’t understand it but rather had no desire to learn. It was a gentleman’s sport, and Severus was a workman’s son. It was one of those simple, alien things that belonged completely and utterly in a world Severus would never belong too- like charity balls and foxhunts.
So, the young man just sat and watched as Abraxas parried, and couled and broke ground and all those other pretty words rich folks came up with for ‘fighting’ and ‘retreating.’ Severus studied as his mentor move. He couldn’t help it. He was always watching, looking for something he could take, or use at a later date. It was that greed that Abraxas had first noticed in the boy.
The bout ended with a ‘priese a fer’ which as far as Severus was concerned meant, in English, “Abraxas showing off.” Severus half-smirked as he watched Malfoy lunge forward, aiming for the wrist with his foil and then grabbing the other man’s blade as it fell.
“Choose one, Mr. Snape.” Abraxas said, as he motioned with his sword to the collection of rapiers on the wall. "And right there." He pointed to the line on the practice mat that not a minute before had held his defeated opponent.
Severus resisted the urge to ask why. Very seldom did Abraxas give the answers before a test.
The only noise between them was the sound of shuffling feet, as each man corrected his footing and balance and the crisp metallic snap of sword meeting sword. Draco was younger and more talented. He moved under and around Severus with ease, not caring to speak, or react to Severus outside of defense and in anticipation of the next move. The only flash of emotion from the young man had come earlier tonight when Severus had walked into his office to find Draco sitting in the Headmaster’s throne-like chair with a surprised expression that Snape was there at all. There was one small glance towards Severus left forearm before a meeting of the eyes and Draco moving to the door.
“You need something more then a walk.” Draco had said, and he had followed.
They weren’t using foils but the difference of weight made little difference in Draco’s hand. He moved easily, pushing Severus back. Twice he had caught Severus’ sword by the hilt, and twice Severus barely had been able to pull away in time to block a thrust aimed for his arms. One of those strikes hit Severus flat against his knuckles.
The first blood didn’t so much as break Draco’s stride.
“The Headmaster wrote me.” Abraxas said as he toyed with Severus blade. The strikes were light, and quick. Severus watched intently, blocking each move in turn and never moving an inch. The other man seemed content with the game at the moment. “You were offered the Head of Slytherin House. You declined.”
Severus turned to look off into the corner and was met with the slap of Abraxas’ foil against his chin, forcing his gaze back to a set of cold blue eyes. “I’m no teacher.”
Severus moved quickly enough through the dungeon, blocking and retreating. The sheer force behind every swing and lunge reverberated through Severus’ arm and through his chest. It loosen his grip on the sword just enough to make the impacts more painful but still he moved, partially because he had he had the impression that if he did anything less, Draco would take his arm as a fencing trophy.
There was a rabid werewolf with his eyes set on Hogwarts. It had already attacked a child, and set into action someone that could possibly be more dangerous. Heim was investigating the Death Eaters. He was after the werewolves. England was frightened. The school was frightened. The wolf had threatened the champions. He had gotten to one. He had gotten to Sebastian.
And Severus was in a basement, fencing with Draco when he should be…doing something. Severus grimaced. That was the problem. There was so much he could be doing, that he was doing nothing at all.
There was too much at risk, and it was all on his shoulders.
“The old man is daft.”
“You seem content to hang on his every word.”
“Stop being patronizing.”
“Stop being childish.” Abraxas lunged then, almost toppling Severus over with the sheer speed of the assault. Snape tumbled over, ignoring the conversation and throwing his guards up. He dived forward, towards the hilt of the other man’s sword. Abraxas pulled his sword close to his body, a flash of behind his eyes: albeit pride or surprise Severus didn’t notice or care at this moment. He threw his weight into another attack and again Malfoy retreated to find the space to block. “Why don’t you take the post?”
“What place does a Death Eater have at the head of a House?”
“Very little. A Potions Master has more right to it.”
“I was sent to kill him.”
The Mark had burned earlier tonight. It had done so several times since this whole mess had begun. The Dark Lord was near, too near to let Severus be at ease, and before that Sirius had called the Order together. The truce was secure (for now) but it felt like it did before: like the battle lines were being drawn and Severus was standing in the middle just waiting for the world to explode under him.
Except now he had a school and the children that were being threatened were no children of prophecy, even if they were still his.
And he wanted to fight. He wanted to kill. He wanted to find this beast by any means necessary, find it and take him apart bit by bit until he saw what monsters look like from the inside. He was hungry for it, more then hungry for it, he had his Master’s bidding for it.
Voldemort wanted him to do it. If Albus were here, he would have said the same thing. Let the tournament go on, watch. Wait. See. The beast said it would come like it had before. There were two more it was after. Wait. See. Let it come. Let it come for your daughter, like it did with your son.
They’re only two for hundreds. But they’re his.
The school was his, and every time he thought of it used once more as chess board for other men: either this wolf, or Heim; for him or his masters, he felt sick. Hogwarts had done its bit for God and Country. She had paid the price already. With the fifty. With Scorpius. No more. No more.
His Masters couldn’t have him anymore. He had fought to get himself back. He had fought and faced all the horrors of the basement and everything else to get back. For the school, for himself. He would let no one else endanger this school.
But wasn’t that what he doing that for something as meager as his pride? If it meant protecting the school, wouldn’t he do anything? Even risking losing it? Himself?
He wondered for a moment if that’s how Albus felt when he discovered he would leave Hogwarts alone.
There was a pain that blossomed in his hand that blacked out the next thought and sent a blinding white light into his eyes. Severus became aware of his body falling hard against the stone, of the sound his sword made as it clattered to the floor.
“Voldemort is gone.” Abraxas said over the noise of clattering blades. He tried to push forward, only to be countered by the sheer fierceness of Severus’ onslaught. That was one thing people tended to underestimate about Severus. He was a quick leaner, and his survival instincts had kept him alive at Spinner’s End, behind a mask and in enemy territory. It didn’t matter for a moment that Abraxas had insulted his Lord and Master by speaking his name. The conversation was only barely registering.
Severus was trying to survive. Abraxas watched for a brief moment before continuing. “Lily is as well.”
The words had the desired effect. Severus’ hesitation only lasted for a moment but it was more then enough time for Malfoy to dive closer, forcing Snape’s sword wild, and taking point right over Severus’ heart. “Those children aren’t and while you hesitate, thinking of all the things you use to have and be, they’re needing guidance. If you don’t provide it, then who?”
Draco’s sword was against Severus’ throat. Their eyes met, as Draco pushed the blade closer to Severus’ neck, brushing against a scar on his neck and the vein underneath them. There was no emotion in those clear blue eyes. Severus didn’t move.
He had a school to run. There were students who needed to be protected and parents who were looking to him to do that. There was a man who was threatening to bring the battle to Hogwarts. There was a wolf who had.
He was letting them. No more.
“It worked.” Severus whispered softly, he lifted his chin just enough to give Draco a cleaner cut. “Enough. It won't happen again.”
Something danced behind Draco’s eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. The sword remained in place for a moment too long. Severus wondered briefly if Draco had the strength to push. It would be no small thing. Then, as easily as he had moved earlier, Malfoy turned and retreated, flicking his wrist almost lazily as he pulled the sword away. It ran hungry against the vein. Snape put his hand to the cut. It hadn’t been deep, just enough to draw blood, enough to quiet whatever else remained.
“Never again.” Draco said simply. The sound of his sword hitting the floor rattled in the quiet castle and then was swallowed up by silence.