they call me killer, they see my claws / marlene & severus
It was absurd to think that it was only October. So much had happened—this had been an emotional maelstrom unlike anything else Marlene had ever weathered, and it was something she couldn’t fight with magic, with fists or threats or speed or sharp words, and it had been an extremely unpleasant experience—but finally, things were starting to look up. Inside the castle, anyway; Marlene’s father worked as a foreign ambassador with the Ministry, and whilst he could hardly share work details over an owl, the dropped hints had been enough to ensure Marlene was aware her father was greatly troubled.
However, Sirius Black had not been the only S-us on her mind. Following her altercation with Sirius in the library, she had confronted Alice about her friendship with one Severus Snape. The letter she had received in return had burned itself into her pocket until she finally made up with Sirius, and showed him the letter. Still, she wasn’t done with this situation, because Severus Snape still appeared to be a blip on the radar.
It was rather lucky, then, that she happened upon him on a traipse through the courtyard, on her way to the Pitch. It had been largely unintentional, but a rather burly Sixth Year had knocked over a Hufflepuff firstie, and she’d been collecting the poor boy’s items and handing them to him when she turned around and found herself facing Severus Snape. Her face immediately morphed into a scowl. “What d’you think you’re playing at?” she demanded, apparently seeing no great need to provide any context. She rather assumed he could work it out, but she could always enlighten him if necessary.