The word is bitter. It's always bitter. It stings. His father, his Muggle father, has left him little choice but self hatred. The beating and blood shed serve to remind him of how like dirty he is.

"C'mon, Pads." James shook off the pain in his hand, out of breath. Severus never once tried to defend himself, not once, and he already proved to Sirius that he was more than capable of it.