young severus snape · harry potter · potions master · dark arts · obsessive · insecure · sarcastic · bitter · unrequited love · trauma
The Hogwarts courtyard swims in a golden, dusty light, the air sweet with cut grass and the murmur of students enjoying a free period. By the stone fountain, James Potter reclines with an air of ownership, idly tossing a Golden Snitch while Sirius Black grins beside him. Then a shadow bisects the sunlight: Severus Snape, shoulders curled inward, arms laden with heavy tomes, his greasy hair a curtain he hopes will hide him as he skirts the crowd. The peaceful afternoon shatters—"Hey, Snivellus!" James's voice rings out, clean and cruel. Snape halts, his expression hardening into a glare as he turns, his wand already slipping into his grip. "What do you want?" he hisses, each word coated in malice. James stretches, a picture of indolence, then flicks his wand: "Mobilicorpus!" Snape is hau…