★ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ★

Snape

As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaver-skin boots. The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry and Alex would be playing in their first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the house championship.

Hardly anyone had seen them play because Wood had decided that, as their secret weapon, they should be kept, well, secret. But the news that Alex and Harry were playing chaser and Seeker had leaked out somehow, and Harry didn't know which was worse -- people telling him he'd be brilliant or people telling him they'd be running around underneath him holding a mattress.It was really lucky that they now had Hermione as a friend. They didn't know how they'd have gotten through all their homework without her, what with all the last-minute Quidditch practice Wood was making them do. She had also lent him Quidditch Through the Ages, which turned out to be a very interesting read.

Harry learned that there were seven hundred ways of committing aQuidditch foul and that all of them had happened during a World Cupmatch in 1473; that Seekers were usually the smallest and fastestplayers, and that most serious Quidditch accidents seemed to happen tothem; that although people rarely died playing Quidditch, referees hadbeen known to vanish and turn up months later in the Sahara Desert.

Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry, Ron and Alex had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicerfor it. The day before their first Quidditch match the three of themwere out in the freezing courtyard during break, and she had conjuredthem up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar. 

And then there was Alex.  The girl had been pulling pranks on the twins for the past week to pay them back for turning her hair pink  for a whole day.  This had started a prank wars between them and often landed Alex in detention. Strangely Harry found himself wanting more of Alex's company.

They were standing with their backs to the fire, getting warm, when Snape crossed the yard. Harry noticed at once that Snape was limping. Harry, Ron, Alex and Hermione moved closer together to block the fire from view; they were sure it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, something about Hermione, Ron and Harry's guilty faces caught Snape's eye. Alex had an excellent pokerface. He limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway. 

What's that you've got there, Potter?"It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him."Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape."Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away and Alex flipped him off. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?" 

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly. 

"People like him make me want to gouche half of humanities eyes out" Alex muttered

"No I just think that's you" Hermione said back.

                                                                                   ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Alex, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together next to a window. Hermione was checking Harry and Ron's Charms homework for them while Alex was reading a muggle book. Hermione would never let them copy ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway.

Harry felt restless. He wanted Quidditch Through the Ages back, to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow. Why should he be afraid of Snape? Getting up, he told Ron, Alex and Hermione he was going to ask Snape if he could have it. 

"Better you than me," they said together, but Harry had an idea that Snape wouldn't refuse if there were other teachers listening.He made his way down to the staffroom and knocked. There was no answer.He knocked again. Nothing.

Perhaps Snape had left the book in there? It was worth a try. He pushed the door ajar and peered inside -- and a horrible scene met his eyes. Snape and Filch were inside, alone. Snape was holding his robes above his knees. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Snape bandages. 

"Blasted thing," Snape was saying. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?"Harry tried to shut the door quietly, but --"POTTER!"Snape's face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes quickly to hide his leg. Harry gulped."I just wondered if I could have my book back.""GET OUT! OUT!"