Introduction:

I didn't think I'd write fanfiction again, but I've been toying with this idea for a while. It's an AU, and its definitely not canon compliant, as you can tell. This won't be a case where even though the genders are changed, the story will stay the same, this will go off the rails fairly early on. I should note that this story is rated M for depictions of unhealthy relationships, and potentially emotional abuse. Many of the characters in this story have unhealthy coping mechanisms and lash out. I'm aware this concept isn't original, but my story is my own and I haven't seen this angle. I apologize for how ridiculous this will get, but hopefully you will have fun reading it along the way.

Snape adjusted her robes and scowled as she tried to get the residue of Bubotuber pus. Its foul stench only seeping further into her threadbare clothing. This was her last good pair of robes.

Black had charmed her plant to spurt at her in anger. As the pus burned her face and stung her eyes, she could hear Potter make a snide comment about how it will help clear her spots.

Black retorted that it should clear the rest of her face, then they wouldn't have to look at her.

She cursed the blasted Gryffindor boys who had made her life a living hell these past few years. The so-called Marauders, an apt name, terrorized the school with their pranks with barely any consequences. Just a few detentions which they laughed off with ease. Of course, she wasn't one to let these slights pass. She would have her revenge.

But first, she was due to meet Lily in the library to revise their Arithmancy essays.

Lily was already there, scribbling like mad. Snape loved to watch her work, her frenetic energy buzzing as her magic was quietly humming along. Snape took a seat next to Lily.

"Hullo Vera, you're late." She looked up from her work and let out a warm smile. Lily technically smiled at everyone, but somehow Snape felt like this smile was for her. Snape never really liked the nickname, but Lily had been calling her that since they were ten, and didn't seem likely to stop.

"Sorry, had to deal with cleanup after our Herbology session."

"But you got out of the Hospital Wing hours ago, I was with you." Lily's voice was laced with concern, but her eyes were filled with suspicion. "Were you thinking of ditching me?"

"You know I'd never do that." Snape snapped.

"Sorry." She apologized seeing Lily's scowl.

"Then where were you? Were you with Pritchard and Mulciber?"

"If you must know, I was cleaning my robes, which are still rank from that prank your fellow Housemate pulled on me this afternoon. And, if I was with Honoria or Cassius, what of it? They're my friends Lils." Snape pulled out her book from her knapsack and opened it to the assignment. "I think we should make up for lost time and just compare answers. If there's any discrepencies we can talk though the problem."

"So you're going to deflect from the real issue at hand?" Lily was picking at her quill. She must be irritated.

"I think if we look at the quincunx pattern created by the spell, we can use it trace a five point stencil, which will allow us to find the derivative." Snape rambled.

"You know I could have a word with them, if you feel like you need those toffs in your house to counterbalance the Marauders, you don't. You have me, you have Mary, Marlene…."

"I know who I have Lily. And do you think I'd risk you putting yourself at Potter's mercy for my sake?" Snape studied her for any reaction, but she just laughed.

"I can handle Potter. If he tries to be fresh with me, I'll hex him, nothing new." She tucked a strand of her thick red hair behind her ear. "We aren't finished with this conversation Vera."

After they finished their assignment, Snape headed to the Common Room. It was mid-September and already the damp was setting in. The shadows of the fire danced high in the dark room. Her fellow Housemates had taken the chairs by the fire, while a small group was on the floor playing Gobstones. A tall girl with chesnut brown hair and pale, almost silver eyes greeted Snape from one of the chairs.

"Severa, must you spend all your waking hours in the library? I feel as if we haven't seen you in ages." She idly rested on a young, broad-shouldered man with sandy hair. "Isn't that right, Cas?" He laughed. It was lazily elegant.

"Were you playing with your pet Mudblood, Snape? Copying your answers for tomorrows assignment then? I hope you are planning on sharing."

Snape scoffed. "What are you willing to give me in return Cassius? I can't keep doing your homework, or you're never going to learn anything." While she meant it in full maliciousness, Snape always wondered why men were amused by her acerbic nature. She had been horrified to find out from Honoria that many considered her barbs as some gesture adjacent to flirting, but assumed she was daft.

"Now Vera, is that any way to treat your friend? After all I have done to defend your virtue against those ghastly Gryffs, it would be cruel not to reciprocate. Wouldn't it Reg?" He gestured to a younger boy sitting nearby, his face buried in a book.

"Do not involve me in this Cassius," he replied tersely. Cas rolled his eyes.

"I can handle the Gryffs myself, thanks," Snape replied sourly.

"Could have fooled me."

With a grimace, she pulled out the assignment and shoved it in his hands.

"Take better care of this one, I don't want it back the morning of crumpled up and covered in beans." Cas gave her a mock salute and rolled up the parchment.

As Snape trudged up the stairs, Honoria followed behind. "Vera, have you given any thought to the Hogsmeade visit this week? I know you might have work you were planning on, but I was thinking we could make a day of it; you, me, Cassius, Reg, and the group. Maybe I could even ask Evan. I know it's a bit of a reach, but I think he might be convinced."

When they were in the safety of their room, she threw her bag on her bed and took off her shoes. "I'm not interested in Rosier, you know that. And I'm thinking of going with someone else."

Honoria frowned. "Oh, you really aren't going with that Evans girl are you? Vera, I think its sweet that you two have this Inter-House friendship, but you don't have to be so close to her. You're in a better crowd now, it's perfectly understandable to drift apart from your connections from your, well, unfortunate circumstances."

Snape hid her face, hoping she wasn't blushing. "It's not that. I don't think you would understand Honoria." She felt Honoria's pale hand on her shoulder.

"Well, I hope you will let me someday. But consider going with us. It will be fun. We can even hex a few firsties for old times sake. I'm sure you have some jinxes you'll want to try."

Snape gave her a ghost of a smile before opening her trunk and getting out her nightgown.

"I'll think about it. Goodnight H."