Don't Save Me

 We arrived in the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony. The first years walked into the Great Hall looking nervous for the start of term. My eyes fell on a young boy who looked so similar to Sirius I had to look again to be sure it wasn't him. I looked over at Sirius, giving him a questioning look. He chuckled and nodded.

"That's my brother, Regulus." I nodded as the first years walked up to the front of the hall and prepared to be sorted. Professor Mcgonagall called a few names before Regulus was called to the front.

"Regulus Black," Professor Mcgonagall called. The young boy slowly walked up to the stool and Professor Mcgonagall placed the hat on top of his head. At Regulus's name, Severus focused his attention on the front. I could see his interest piqued the moment Regulus's name was called. Clearly having heard the last name, he was curious about this member of the Black family. I could see him searching Regulus, trying to see if he was like his brother. There were a few moments of silence before the hat called out: "Slytherin!" The Slytherin table cheered including Severus. Regulus moved toward the Slytherin table and took a seat next to Severus which was empty now that Lucius had graduated. Severus and Regulus introduced themselves, though I could sense Severus's hesitation about sitting next to Sirius's brother. He looked up and locked eyes with mine. I gave him a small nod and smiled; this seemed to relax him. I could hear Sirius seething next to me.

"Seriously! Slytherin!?" he hissed as he watched Severus and Regulus talking. "How could he just voluntarily sit next to Snivellus?"

"Shut up, Sirius!" I hiss, growing angrier by the minute as Sirius continues to speak ill of my best friend.

"I thought maybe if he was sorted into a different house... maybe we could've worked things out, but he... he's just like the rest of them." Sirius looked down and began picking at his food. "It wasn't supposed to be this way..."

"I'm sorry, Sirius..." I said as I placed my hand on his back. His breath hitched and he looked up at me, sadness in his eyes. Sirius rested his head on my shoulder, and I stiffened as his head rested directly on one of my bruises. I let out a small whimper and Sirius instantly shot up to look at me. I instantly felt James, Remus, Peter, and Lily also turn to look at me. Their eyes burned holes into my skin as they tried to decipher why I was in pain.

"D-did I hurt you?" Sirius asked, concern in his voice as he slowly reached up a hand to touch my shoulder where his head once was. His fingers brushed the cloth on my shoulder before slightly pressing down.

"Don't!" I quickly jumped away from his hand and it hung in the air. I could feel all their eyes on me, trying to figure out what was going on. I felt eyes on me from across the room and I turned toward the Slytherin table, instantly knowing whose gaze was on me. I locked eyes with Severus and he slowly brought his fingers to his temple, tapping it twice. I gave a slight nod and allowed Severus into my mind, only giving him a small amount of access to communicate using Legilimency.

Why was he touching your shoulder? Are you in pain? Is everything okay? His voice asked inside my head.

Everything's okay... I just... I fell and hurt my shoulder... his head was on it and it hurt for a minute. Everything's okay. I responded, hoping my answer would be good enough.

"Y/n?" Sirius's voice called. I looked over at him as our friends' eyes were focused on me. "Y/n... are you okay? W-what happened to your shoulder? What were you just looking at?"

"Oh... uh... nothing, Sirius. I'm fine. I fell and injured my shoulder. I sorta forgot the bruise was even there until just now," I laughed, returning my gaze to Severus.

Get me out of here, I begged him. At this, he instantly stood up from the Slytherin table and came marching over to the Gryffindor table. He placed his hand on my shoulder and began to speak.

"Y/n? Are you done eating? Can I borrow you?" he asked, loud enough for my friends to hear.

"Yes, I'm-" Sirius cut me off before I could finish.

"Go away, Snivellus. Let the girl finish her meal. Plus, we were in the middle of a conversation."

"Sirius, shut up. You don't get to speak for me." I quickly stand and Severus leads me out of the Great Hall.