In Vino Veritas

June 1978

Severus sat with his arms crossed over his chest, legs spread wide to prevent anyone from sitting too close to him on the boat. He scoffed at how ridiculous his peers were being– they seemed to treat this night as something poetic, leaving the castle in the boats, just as they had arrived seven years prior.

He supposed, if he allowed himself to think about it, that it had a certain...symmetry that he could appreciate. Still, this night held no special meaning for him. He had mastered his OWLs and NEWTs, created new spells and curses completely on his own (he was particularly proud of Muffliato), created and updated numerous potions, and graduated top of his class. But Severus was a Slytherin, and Slytherins were scarcely recognized for anything positive, least of all, academia.

Severus was tired of House rivalry. Who said the Ravenclaws had to be the smartest? The Hufflepuffs the kindest, and the Gryffindors, of course, were the Headmaster's favorite. Of course they were– they were his own House. Severus swore if he were in that position, he'd make sure to improve the reputation of his House. Afterall, Slytherin did more than just dark magic. They were cunning, yes, but also full of ambition, determination, and had loyalty that would rival any puffer.

Severus scowled deeper. Everyone was cheering and applauding, talking about what they would be doing later that night. Severus didn't have to think what would happen. His parents didn't even attend– he suspected his mother wanted to, but that wanker Tobias likely refused. He felt betrayed. His mother was a powerful witch, from a powerful family. Why she settled for that Muggle fucker...

But Severus didn't want to think about that. He knew as soon as he got home, he'd likely get the belt. If he was lucky, since this was an important day, he'd only feel the sting of the leather and not the thunk of the buckle. He subconsciously rubbed his stomach as he felt the memory of his last whipping. He was so thin, the belt wrapped around his back completely, finally landing on his stomach.

He was now allowed to use magic outside of school, had been for an entire year already but was too fearful of being unable to return to Hogwarts should he accidentally murder his father. Severus would never again allow that man to harm him. He'd never allow himself to be at anyone else's mercy. He was alone in the world, it was time he came to terms with it. He glanced at a boat that was floating beside him, to see his favorite group. The damn dog, wolf, rat, and the fucking stag. Of course, Lily was practically on top of James– they hadn't stopped snogging since he put that ring on her finger.

Severus had long since come to terms that he had lost her. Truthfully, he never had her, so the loss of his "love interest" didn't hurt nearly as bad as his loss of friendship. She was the only thing that kept him grounded. When he was being beaten, he'd think of her. Afterwards, when they'd meet under their tree, she would give him plasters and ice and try to heal him the best she could. He'd missed that since last year. He had to stitch himself back up, quite literally, by himself that summer.

He tilted his head to the side, cracking his neck as he released the tension, forcing himself to look straight ahead. The ride was almost over and he needed to enter the correct mindspace. He'd tell his parents to fuck off tonight– he was finished with them. He had been presented with an opportunity to join a group of powerful wizards. He–Severus Snape– had been sought out for his skills with both potions as well as spell-invention. He finally found somewhere he belonged and couldn't wait to align himself with them. In a few weeks time, there would be a grande ceremony where he would be inducted and glady serve under the powerful wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort.

"Severus!" a woman's voice called out to him, shaking him from his surly mood. He glanced up, noting that the boat had stopped, trying to find who was calling to him. "Over here!" He lifted his eyebrow, surprised to see Narcissa Black– no, Malfoy it was now, calling to him. He offered a small smile–after all, he did have a reputation of a bastard to uphold–as he stepped off the boat and strode over to her with a confidence he would likely never actually feel.