In those moments, he becomes the most vulnerable version of himself. He forgets everything—every grudge, every precaution, every defense mechanism—and his only focus is getting people out of harm's way, no matter the cost.

So vulnerable that hearing about Ginny Weasley's kidnapping forces him to lean on the back of a chair. So vulnerable and unguarded that while saving Harry from Quirrell’s curse, an eleven-year-old sets him on fire. So vulnerable that, in his attempt to manage the chaos of the Shrieking Shack—with children, a werewolf, and a supposed murderer—he’s disarmed by 13-year-olds. He's so reckless that he makes an Unbreakable Vow for Draco. So reckless that he chases a werewolf, without Wolfsbane, under the full moon near sunset. So reckless that he ventures into the Forbidden Forest to find lost children. So reckless that he roams the hallways in the middle of the night, in his nightgown, chasing the sound of a scream. So reckless that, as a Death Eater, he risks everything to warn the leader of the opposite side about Voldemort's plans to kill the Potters—and is willing to give anything to save them. He's so ungrudging that he carefully carries an unconscious Sirius Black. So ungrudging that when Black is captured, he checks on him immediately and alerts the Order of the Phoenix. So ungrudging that he risks his cover to save Lupin.

Question one: how many times did Lucius talk about Severus Snape being great to the Ministry officials like Umbrige? Not "Lucius spoke most highly of you" – but he "always speaks".

Question two: to who else Lucius "got trusted with Voldemort's soul piece during the first war" Malfoy might've been actively praising Snape?

Sirius also is the one who mentions Bellatrix and Rodolphus as a part of Snape's "gang". Bellatrix is 9 years older, Rodolfus – at least 7. Now, Bella and Severus don't behave like they had ever been close – so is Sirius just listing older DEs who Snape could be seen with if he sticked to Lucius? How old Rosier and Wilkies were? Rosier held his own against Moody well enough, I don't think a teenager was likely to do that. Avery and Mulcibier, people we know Snape had something to do with during his 5th year, could be his classmates (I think it's likely), or could be a bit older. So how old were underage Snape's "friends"? The ones who already had social, economical, psychological upper hand in the relationship because Snape was a neglected, dirt poor, muggle raised, traumatised child?

Lucius pats Snape on his back when he sits at the Slytherin table. Just a welcoming Prefect greeting a new student, sure. But for some reason this particular kid, with a muggle surname and visibly unloved, uncared for look, found a place to sit near the Prefect (and quite popular I'd imagine) Lucius Malfoy himself. How very convenient. Narcissa calls them "old friends" – how old, exactly? Even if we take Snape's oldest school year – 18yo being "friends" with 27yo is plenty predatory, especially considering their gap in social standing. Especially considering the organisation Lucius was a part of and his closeness to the Dark Lord himself during the first war.