Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Becoming ❯ Chapter 2

AN: First off, thanks to the few reviewers! My editor and I are pretty xHARDxCOREx when it comes to research and I myself have a tendency to go through each chapter nine or ten times to make sure it's accurate. I'd like to say it's because I just want it to be the best it can be, but I'm just anal retentive. :)

In response to some questions that were posed that I'm sure others might have, Suellen is Pansy's aunt on her father's side. Obviously Pansy will have spent some time with her paternal family because she's got some very familiar characteristics. ;)

I did make a personal choice in making Lily a Prefect - I realize that it is not explicitly said nor is it necessarily implied. However I took some creative license since it is not stated specifically otherwise, either. I think what we see of her in canon (however little that may be) would uphold this particular character choice. If you don't agree, that's fine. This story isn't here to convince you otherwise - just entertain you. If it doesn't, then feel free to click the back button and find one that does. :) There are 300,000 Harry Potter fanfics alone - I'm sure one will suit your fancy.

I think that's it for now. Enjoy and please review if you have something to say!

DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me, but I do claim authorship of the story itself.

Becoming

Point Blank Fuchelli

Chapter Two

 

 

“Alright Severus?”

 

It was late October and the Hogwarts castle seemed brittle with cold. The dungeon dormitory was particularly frigid and the massive stone fireplace was roaring from very early in the morning until the last person retired in the evening. At the moment, several fifth years were huddled in the leather chairs, most pouring over the latest Charms essay, Severus among them. Tomas took a seat to his left and pulled at his own bag with the pretense of joining the studying, slapping Severus hard on the back in greeting. As he did, Tomas leaned over his paper and scoffed.

 

“Are you still working on that?” He said, a hint of conceit in his voice. “Sue knocked mine off Monday.”

 

“How wonderful for you.” Severus drawled in reply. “That doesn't help the rest of us, unfortunately.”

 

Tomas shrugged, unbothered, and propped his massive feet up on the dark cherry wood of the coffee table. He hefted what appeared to be a book from the Restricted Section of the library into his lap and flipped it open at random. Curious but trying not to appear so, Severus tried, in vain, to catch a glimpse of the title out of his periphery. It was odd, for many reasons, that Tomas Mulciber was using his free time to read and even more peculiar that the text he was now immersed in was not an assigned one. Severus fought the urge to inquire as to just what he was doing. For Tomas was a boy who did not appreciate even friendly advances let alone suspicious ones. Besides, the very peculiarity of the situation made Severus wonder if this wasn't, indeed, a blatant attempt to garner attention, in which case Severus wouldn't need to pry with questions because Tomas would make his intentions known in due course.

 

“Eh up, Tom.”

 

Without much ceremony Avery pulled up alongside a chair occupied by a hefty second year and ordered her out. She obeyed with a yelp and scurried to the tables farther from the fire. Avery gave a gleeful smile to both of them as he slumped into the vacancy and tossed a folded newspaper onto the table amidst them.

 

“Good news for once, boys.”

 

Tomas sat up and snatched at The Daily Prophet, looking skeptical. His eyes scanned the front page briefly before giving a disappointed grunt and handing it to Severus. He took it but kept his eyes on the other two and Tomas slid back into his seat. “So?”

 

Severus gave a cursory glance at the paper in hands, the title of which read “Rash Of Deaths Unrelated Says Ministry Representative,” and then turned his attention back to Avery, who was looking slightly exasperated.

 

“So? Are you daft?” He exclaimed. “Seven murders in seven days! And Ivan says that the entire Ministry is turning itself on its head trying to deal with it!” Tomas shrugged, not seeing the significance; Avery groused in annoyance before spelling it out. “Tom, they were all muggle-borns.”

 

Tomas's eyes got wide while a small, sly smile spread over his features. He turned a darkened face to Avery, who was looking right satisfied with himself. “How d'you know that?”

 

“Ivan's father works in the Ministry, doesn't he?” He said and laughed without much humor. “Says Magical Law Enforcement has been in chaos all week trying to track down who's behind it, although it wasn't until the third one turned out to be a mudblood that anybody started connecting the dots.”

 

“It sounds like the Ministry isn't entirely convinced there are any dots to connect.” Severus interrupted, almost absently, now skimming the text with some interest. Avery regarded him with mounting frustration and exhaled loudly.

 

“'Course they aren't going to announce that.” He jeered. “There's nary a mention of the fact that they were all muggle-born because it'd be hard to convince anyone with half a brain that it's just a coincidence. Trying not to start a panic, I suppose.”

 

“Obviously someone's caught on though, haven't they?” Tomas said. “Otherwise Wormsgau wouldn't be making the denials front page news.”

 

“Exactly.” Avery was smug, now fully understood, and relaxed back into the cushions. “Personally, I think someone wants the truth out there, y'know?”

 

“I would.” Tomas stated simply. A contemplative silence fell over the three again, each one mulling on the information privately.

 

In the two months since the term started, things had grown steadily tenser although Hogwarts was isolated enough to make it less palpable to the inhabitants tucked inside. The impenetrable walls of the castle combined with the singularly self-centered minds of teenagers kept the atmosphere free of any deep apprehension, but even the thickest skull couldn't remain ignorant forever.

 

Severus stared down at the paper still in his hand and let his eyes graze the columns negligently. Just below the denial from the Ministry was the related article on the most recent death, a shopkeeper in Hogsmeade whose name was conspicuously missing. It revealed pathetically little about the incident but didn't fail to repeat the denunciation that it was “not believed to be linked to any recent events however similar or familiar the details may appear.” Avery was correct it seemed; there was indeed some attempt at a cover-up.

 

Severus wasn't thick; he was quite aware of the politics of the period. More than any of the other houses Slytherin was involved in the affairs of the wizarding world; many of the family names there were as ancient as magic itself and they felt it was their duty to make certain it stayed pure. Of course “purity” was highly subjective and was contested frequently by just about all members of the magical community each side just as vehement as the other.

 

There was a squeak of fabric and a rustling of parchment. Two students departed the common room, maybe in order to arrive early for the Halloween feast. Beside him, Tomas was again engrossed in that large volume perched on his lap although Severus could see a small smirk flicker over his lips every so often as if his mind were elsewhere for the moment. His essay, now almost completed, was in front of him but he was certain that all the interruptions had lowered the quality considerably. With the conversation between his friends now over and both companions engaged in other activities Severus decided to go elsewhere for help.

 

~~~~~

 

“I might have known.”

 

Lily gave a chuckle and pushed the stack of papers she was marking away from her. Severus wondered if grading was part of normal Prefect duties or if it was simply something McGonagall entrusted only to her. Somehow he couldn't imagine any professor, Slughorn included, trusting Avery with such a task. “Well, let's have it then.”

 

Severus took the chair across the table and slid his essay in front of her. She was silent except for the occasional quill scratching or murmur of agreement and he watched her patiently making corrections and writing suggestions, her thick hair draped like a blanket over one shoulder, ink smudges across both hands. Every so often she'd brush a stray strand from her cheek or rub her nose adding black splotches among the freckles. A grin itched at the corners of his mouth and a small laugh escaped as he exhaled. A second later she finished and set her quill down with a flourish.

 

“There. Not bad really, Sev.” She said and then frowned. “What? What are you smiling at?”

 

“You're a mess, you are.” He gestured to her hands and then her face. She caught sight of her fingers and then joined his amusement with her own, laughing sheepishly. “Very attractive, really.” The words slipped out before he could stop them and a slight blush bloomed on his face. Lily didn't appear to notice though as she dug through her bag for a handkerchief, still giggling, and Severus masked his embarrassment by making a scene of reading over her ideas.

 

“That should be fine the way you had it.” She said, wiping her hands on a hankie. “All the mechanics were correct, at least. You just have a tendency to be vague when you should really learn to just spit out what you're trying to say.”

 

He nodded and sat back. Lily looked at the clock and groaned audibly.

 

“Bugger. I'm going to have to miss the feast if I want to get these finished by tomorrow.” She sighed wearily and reached once again for the stack of underclassmen essays.

 

“That's what you get for being so bloody dependable.” He chided. She glanced up from the paper she was poised to mark and gave him a limp smile. “Absolutely no fun at all.”

 

“Blatant falsehood.” She retorted, feigning haughtiness. “I have loads of fun.”

 

“Really? Not much that I've seen so far and we've only been back two months.” He paused and let a touch of sincere indignation seep into his voice. “In fact, I've hardly seen any of you.”

 

“Well, being Prefect keeps me busy. McGonagall expects a lot of Remus and I.” She stopped as she saw the look on his face and added, “It's nothing personal, Sev.” She stated it simply but Severus didn't miss the tiniest bit of annoyance.

 

“So what is all this mythical `fun' you claim to be having?” He asked, determined to change the subject.

 

“Wouldn't you like to know?” She said being deliberately coy and turned back to her grading. “It's not like I'm keeping a diary of my exploits.” She looked up and her eyes were bright with laughter, all previous irritations forgotten. “Of which there are many. Many, many.”

 

“Yes, I'm sure you're raising hell when you aren't busy playing Hall Monitor.” He added dryly. “Been keeping books from the library past their due date?” She smirked and her eyes gleamed mischievously, papers all but abandoned in front of her.

 

“I'm number one on Pince's `Most Grievous Offenders' list.” Lily leaned in conspiratorially as if the stacks of books might overhear. “I'm a rebel.”

 

“I always said you should've been Slytherin.”

 

She grimaced. “Please. I have far too much…” she started but was interrupted as her elbow clipped the inkwell and a thick puddle of dark ink stretched hastily over the table. “Damn damn damn!” She moaned and they both jumped up as if jinxed unexpectedly, pushing papers from the reach of the growing stain. Black tinged the unfortunate few essays she couldn't get to in time and Severus' own Charms assignment sopped up a fair amount. Lily moaned and clenched a dripping mass in between two fingers.

 

“Well, this is just lovely.”

 

“Not to worry Lil, it'll be fine. We'll fix it.” Severus reassured her although he eyed his own parchment uncertainly. “Too bad I'm terrible with those domestic spells…”

 

“Mummy didn't teach you to bewitch sponges and transfigure garbage?” Lily kidded as she pulled out her wand and began draining the excess ink. He glowered, wrinkling his nose as if he'd smelled something foul.

 

“Yes of course. Right after our trips to the shore but before we roasted bangers over an open fire.”

 

Lily laughed despite his acid-laden tone.

 

“My father would sooner swallow needles than let my mother use those spells, let alone teach them to me.” He was now holding his paper at arms length, attempting to use the same wand-work she had with less impressive results. The ink began to dry, leaving large blots behind and he grumbled under his breath.

 

“Well, you certainly knew more coming into school than I did so you must have been taught something.” She said, stacking her clean sheets on the table. “Here Sev, let me…” She tutted gently and shook her head, reaching out. Severus gave her a grateful look, if somewhat abashed, and brushed his hair from his eyes.

 

“I assure you all my lessons were self-learned.” He said. His voice was wry but his eyes were soft as he watched her gingerly clean his nearly ruined text easily. Fingers moved nimbly over the surface in complicated patterns and low incantations whispered under her breath caused the blemishes to disappear entirely. Severus was stirred by the simplicity of it although he wasn't sure why and he found his face blushing crimson again as she handed it back to him.

 

“There. Now put that some place safe before I get the chance to tear it to bits or set it on fire.” She said just a moment before she yelped out a giggle. He was taken aback but she pointed to his forehead, chuckling. “I see how easily that happens, now.”

 

Severus glanced down and found an excess of blank ink on his left hand and understood. Touching his brow with clean fingers, he laughed despite himself. Absently he rubbed his left hand across the folds of his robe and succeeded in smearing it farther up his arm. Lily was sniggering as she pulled out the hankie still slightly soiled with the ink from her own fingers and took a step closer. The laughter died instantly on his lips with Lily less than a breaths' distance from him, the dexterous hands he had just been admiring privately now kneading the skin firmly just above his eyebrow.

 

Her eyes were focused just above his own and he was vaguely glad her attention was diverted although how she could miss the furious pounding of his heart he didn't know; the sound of blood pumping with each successive beat was deafening. But even that seemed to grow distant with the gentle massage of her warm fingertips. Her other hand gripped his chin tenderly, holding him steady and tilting his face downwards. Severus' gaze was fastened to her lips and the slow, steady exhalation coming from them. She smelled faintly of peaches and mint.

 

It might have lasted an hour or two but it felt like an instant before the pressure of her fingers disappeared and she turned his chin upwards to look at her. She smiled and glanced over her handiwork. Severus realized he'd been holding his breath but as long as her skin was next to his he imagined that he wouldn't be able to force his lungs to contract.

 

“We're kind of a matched set now, aren't we?” She said softly as she finally stepped back and drew her touch away. Air rushed through his nostrils and warmth flooded the spot her fingers had rested, knocking him back into reality. He felt the urge to cough and suppressed it.

 

The large clock on the far side of the library chimed six times, further jarring the moment and they both jumped. She looked at it reflexively and muttered under her breath.

 

“You're going to miss the feast. You should go - I'm not going to be very good company.” She said gesturing to the stack of papers still left to mark. She looked genuinely sorry and from this he was mollified, if only a little.

 

“You're going to sit in the library all by yourself? On Halloween?”

 

“I don't have much of a choice, do I?” She shrugged. Severus looked around, thoughtful, until an idea struck him.

 

“Why don't I bring something up? From the feast, I mean.” He offered; she raised an eyebrow. “You can't just skive off dinner, Lil.” She was hesitant.

 

“Pince'll bludgeon you if you're caught.”

 

He shrugged. “Won't be.” She gave him a big smile and finally nodded.

 

“Thanks, Sev.”

 

Her tone was a bit uncertain, as if she wasn't sure what to make of the offer and it made her a bit shy… and he couldn't be sure in the dim lights of the library, but he could have sworn her cheeks were a bit pinker. He ducked his head, snatching his bag from the table and slung it over his shoulder, suddenly awkward.

 

“Right then. Be back in a bit.” He turned to leave.

 

“Don't forget the pudding!”

 

Severus departed the library while a smile crept, unknowingly, onto his lips.

 

~~~~~

 

The hallways were dead silent as Severus made his way back to the library less than thirty minutes later, canvas bag tucked snugly under his arm. It was warm from the various foodstuffs he'd retrieved from the house elves in the kitchens and, although he had tried to make it otherwise, still quite conspicuous. If anyone were to stumble upon him at the moment it would be quite obvious he wasn't hauling books around. Luckily for him however it was a holiday and the entire population inside the castle had congregated inside the Great Hall.

 

Well, almost the entire population.

 

Severus saw them half a minute before they noticed him and for a brief second he entertained the possibility of tailing Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. To be away from the feast was practically unfathomable for most students and it wasn't until he remembered his own reasons for declining to attend that he decided against the surveillance.

 

Just as they were about to turn a corner fifteen meters in front of him, Sirius gave a cursory glance in all directions and caught sight of Severus in an instant. He stood erect reflexively; surprised at being seen, but his expression turned jovially malicious when he recognized the curtains of black hair and defiant, proud gaze.

 

“Well well well, if it isn't little Snivelly.” His head gave a snap of acknowledgement in Severus' direction and he took a few slow deliberate steps towards him abandoning Remus who had yet to see the distraction. “Taken up stalking, I see?”

 

Severus' eyes narrowed and he gripped the bag tighter in quiet fury. “As if anyone would be enticed to follow you, Black. One would find themselves in the lavatory for hours on end watching you do your hair.”

 

“Perhaps you ought to take up the hobby then, because you could obviously use the tips.”

 

“I have better things to do with my time than…”

 

“Sirius!” Remus had finally noticed the sidetrack his companion had taken and had reeled around. “We don't have time for this!” He hissed, looking alarmed, but Sirius barely heard him.

 

“Better things? Really? You do?” He mocked Severus with wide eyes and an innocent expression. “What, pray tell, is Severus Snape spending his time with other than furious, hard-core wanking or sticking that great road-obstruction he calls a nose into the business of others?”

 

Sirius stood less than a meter from Severus and crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk growing on his features. The muscles in Severus' arm twitched and he was frustrated by the fact that his wand was stuffed into the pocket of his book bag and far out of reach. He'd have to drop the canvas bag stuffed with food in order to have even a chance at grabbing it and that would be unfortunate. It'd already been a half hour since he'd left Lily in the library.

 

“Sirius!” Remus barked eyeing the darkening windows with trepidation. “Damn it now is not the time! Let's go.” In a rare moment of independence, Remus growled in frustration and stalked off alone down the corridor leaving the opponents to their own devices.

 

“Yes, run along. You wouldn't want Lupin to be forced to take points away, would you?” He scolded. “I'm sure you've got some toilet that needs blowing up or a bag of poo that needs to be set aflame.” For a second Sirius was stalk still, as if contemplating his words and then suddenly his eyes flickered almost imperceptibly. He cast a hasty look at the retreating back of Remus and leaned in further.

 

“Wouldn't you like to know, eh Snivellus?” He said with barely masked contempt. “Don't think we haven't seen you, James and I, following us like some pathetic, oily blood hound. You aren't as clever or sly as you might think so don't strain anything patting yourself on the back.”

 

“A rich family or mediocre Quidditch record does not put you or your little Potter pal above the rules the rest of us abide by. This school is not your kingdom and we are not your subjects.”

 

“Which is a pity, because you'd be the first to be dumped unceremoniously outside the territory walls if it were. Simple hygiene would be a requirement.”

 

“One day you're going to be knocked on your bony arse, Black, and I hope to God I'm the one who does it!”

 

“You are entirely too focused on my arse, Snivellus, and I find that not only disturbing but disgusting.” He got a knowing smile and stood upright. “If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had some unhealthy fixation on Gryffindor arses.” His meaning was as plain as the unpleasant smile on his face. Anger simmered into boiling hot fury and it was difficult to tell if the blotchy redness covering Severus' cheeks was caused by embarrassment or rage. Both were powerful motivating factors.

 

“Just you wait, Black.... One day, I'll…” He spluttered incoherently. Sirius laughed, not frightened in the least.

 

“You'll what? Teach me a lesson?” He sneered. “Well, why wait Snivelly? I'm here now.” There was a pause and the tension hung around them, as Sirius seemed to hold onto his next words for maximum effect. “Or better yet, take a trip down to Willow tonight and we'll see which of us is taught a lesson.”

 

“Why on earth would I do that?” Severus spat. There was a dangerous gleam in Sirius' dark eyes that anyone else would have been terrified by. Black and Potter and their two sycophants were notorious pranksters and Severus was a favorite target possibly above all others.

 

“Bloody interesting, don't you think?” He got a half-smile on his face, highly amused by something unclear to Severus. “'Specially at night. You never know what you'll find.”

 

“What are you talking about?” Severus was eyeing him warily but his interest was, despite the source, piqued.

 

“Nice night for a stroll; full moon even.” Sirius' expression turned innocent. “Wouldn't even need Lumos, I should think.”

 

“What…” Severus started.

 

“Must be careful, though, of course. You never know what might be crawling around outside. All manner of dark creatures come out. Wouldn't want you to get hurt, Snivelly.”

 

“Well, as hard as it is for you, do try to stay out of trouble, eh?” Sirius clapped him roughly on the shoulder with a self-satisfied grin but Severus missed it completely. His brain was too busy churning out scenarios to take notice as Sirius turned the same corner his friend had just minutes prior, practically shaking with suppressed laughter.

 

Severus stood motionless for almost an entire minute, his ears buzzing with unformed words. He still clutched the canvas sack possessively but he'd all but forgotten the mission his heart had him on just moments ago. Now, his senses were rallying for action of a different kind.

 

Severus and James Potter had been waging war ever since their first year at Hogwarts and it only escalated as they got older and bolder. At 11 years old they talked a lot of trash but were too timid and afraid of the consequences to do much else; summers came and went though and both parties took greater risks in their pranks. They remained pranks, however, until the fateful day Severus caught Potter and Black dumping slugs in Lily's bag during Potions their fourth year. He'd been livid on her behalf even though she'd always been more than capable of defending herself. Still, he vowed to keep a closer watch on the pair. What he discovered, aside from a disgusting disregard for rules and regulations, was an increasing focus on Lily. And Severus had a good idea what the motivation behind that attention was. Despite her repeated insults and castigations, James Potter had a crush on Lily Evans.

 

For all appearances, she didn't return the fancy but it was not something Severus was likely to take lying down. What bothered him most was not that Potter thought himself deserving, but that almost the entire rest of the castle seemed to agree. Moderate marks in class and a prowess on the Quidditch field were enough to impress the simple-minded masses and Potter's already swollen head only increased in size because of this.

 

What Severus feared the most was that Lily's common sense might one day falter and she too would succumb to Potter's inexplicable charm.

 

Out the great windows that lined the hall Severus could see the twilight beginning and, as Sirius had said, the full moon growing more and more visible as the sky turned inkier. Though the mounting darkness made it difficult, he could barely make out two figures heading south of the grounds. Beyond them the willow stood erect and, apparently not sensing any approaching danger, stock-still.

 

Logic told him it could all be folly but he had a persistent itch when it came to revealing James Potter for the sham he earnestly believed him to be. There was a recklessness about this that Sirius alone was known for and that belied an absence of time required to weave a convoluted yearn. If there was any truth beneath the mire, Severus was sure he could use it to his advantage.

 

Without a chance to consider the ramifications sensibly, Severus made an impetuous decision. He threw the bag behind a nearby suit of armor and dashed towards the nearest exit off the Great Hall.

 

~~~~~

 

The Whomping Willow swayed slightly in a cool wind. The grass came to just above Severus' ankles as he padded swiftly towards the tree in a brisk jog. It had remained stationary for the twenty minutes or so that he'd watched it get larger as it drew closer. Not even a slight twinge of its branches belied any previous trespasser which led him to believe that no one had arrived ahead of him or they had done so quite awhile before.

 

The heavens were officially hosting the night sky now and it looked even blacker as it played backdrop to the stark and pale moon. So far from the city, the evenings were less dense with noise and Severus could hear the leaves barely moving in the draft but could catch no clamor of feet. This was good, for it meant he hadn't been followed, but it also seemed to imply he hadn't followed anyone either. What he was looking for he didn't know, but he'd assumed it had something to do with a student - specifically one of Potter's crew of miscreants. He stopped to catch his breath just a bit from the base of the tree not daring to go any closer. Staring at the branches bare from the Autumn chill, he cursed.

 

Severus knew the rumors - that saying certain incantations would make you impervious to the blows or that tweaking a particular branch would freeze it mid-air - but of the half-dozen or so remedies that were commonly bandied about, all seemed just as unlikely as the next. Furthermore, all he needed was one wrong attempt and he'd be toast. He racked his brain for spells or enchantments that might lend themselves to the situation but he was already flustered beyond normal comprehension and not thinking straight. The only spells coming to mind were the ones he'd added to his recent Charms essay.

 

“Bloody hell.” He muttered as his mind rested on Lily and what he'd been doing in that God forsaken corridor in the first place. What would she do when he didn't return? Was she still waiting? At least an hour had passed since he'd left her in the library; surely she'd stopped expecting him.

 

His heart sank desolately into his chest and he continued to stare ahead at the tree, beginning to feel foolish. This had to have been another prank and he'd played right into Black's hands. For all he knew, nothing was awaiting him out here. Perhaps that had been the ruse all along - get him out of the castle after hours and then spring a teacher or the Headmaster on him when he tried to sneak back in. There was a bitterness rising in the back of his throat. That was fairly pathetic, even by their standards, but Severus had never considered Black a formidable foe in the intelligence department.

 

A millisecond away from turning back, Severus was startled as the tree in front of him sprang to life. The gigantic branches swung out with such force, striking nothing but dead air and whistling as they whirled past, missing Severus by a few short meters. Confused, he stumbled backward and looked frantically around for the person who could have set it off. Through the haze of moving limbs he could see no one, not even in the distance, but there was distinct movement at the trunk of the tree. There was a shadowy hole, just big enough for a fair-sized person to squeeze through; beside it was a wooded notch and it was there that Severus saw the shifting mass again. It was an animal - a wolf or a rather large dog, by the looks of it - and it had somehow managed to escape the wrath of the tree. Severus was transfixed as he watched it raise a great paw to prod the protruding knot next to it. In an instant the immense arms of the tree halted as though petrified and Severus' curiosity turned to shock.

 

For a moment he was overcome with astonishment but as he watched the dog disappear into the grass and brush, he snapped himself out of it.

 

He didn't know how much time this fateful turn of events gave him but he didn't want to take any chances. Severus picked up his pace, stumbling on his long robes just as he arrived at the gap in the bark, and then fell to his knees. Cursing again, he scrambled through the opening on all fours in case the tree came to life again. The dog had disappeared as mysteriously as it arrived and he knew he couldn't count on another inexplicable set of circumstances should he be trapped. It occurred vaguely to him that he didn't have a way to get out without enraging the tree again but for the moment he was flushed with adrenaline at his luck. The odd conditions that led him to where he was, crawling in the pitch-black, on a dirt path under a tree, were hardly a consideration. Severus did have to admit that it all was very strange; and the fact that Sirius Black of all people had suggested it should have put him more on his guard. But he didn't let those doubts plague him for long.

 

Now completely underground, the only light was a faint glow coming from the entrance behind him. Severus groped around for his wand and muttered “Lumos,” with a voice shaky from exhilaration. A blue streak of light erupted from the tip and Severus, unable to stand upright for the moment, shoved it in his mouth and continued onward until he was far enough below the earth that he could climb to his feet.

 

For just a brief pause, Severus allowed himself to be awed at where he was. Hogwarts was a maze of wrong doors, moving staircases and hidden rooms, but even this was beyond what he could have expected. He turned a circle on the spot, shining the light on all 360 degrees around him. It fell on a path just behind him - the only one, apparently - and he immediately broke off into a trot down it, certain he was getting close. Close to what, he wasn't quite as certain, but it had something to do with Potter and Black and Lupin and Pettigrew. He could feel it in his bones. Maybe it's the full moon, or the way Sirius provoked him, or maybe after five years of loathing and malicious teasing he'd simply developed a sixth sense about all things James Potter. It doesn't matter how he knows, he just does, and it overwhelms all logic or reason that might otherwise have tried talking some sense into him at that moment.

 

He walked for what seemed like hours until finally up ahead of him, barely reached by his wand light, was a crawl space with a hole at the top. Severus has been singularly focused on getting to that point but now he ceased walking, suddenly suspicious.

 

There were sounds now where there used to be silence in between the shuffling of his boots. Thuds and scratches, along with something akin to strangled speech were audible above him. [Author ID1: at Sun Aug 26 18:41:00 2007 ]

 

At this, Severus had a better idea what he was getting himself into and suspected whatever it was, it was alive.

 

For the first time that evening, Severus was actually frightened and it showed in the trembling steps he took towards the opening. Looking upward, he spied planks of wood covering the hole just above him. Cautiously he pressed his palms up and felt it swing effortlessly up and over and he stood upright.

 

The sounds became louder. To his left was a set of stairs and he guessed from the way the walls and ceiling were rattling that whatever he had followed here was on the second story.

 

Hesitantly and ready to retreat should the need arise, Severus heaved his body entirely through the opening, wand still lit and in hand. The shaking in his hands had spread throughout his body but he forced one leg in front of the other, sending the beam from his wand to and fro to inspect the area.

 

Before he had a chance to take even a few breaths the building got eerily quiet. The scuffling from above ceased, far too suddenly for Severus' liking, and his heart rate increased.

 

For a few brief moments the only sound was his ragged breathing and then suddenly there were footsteps moving tentatively on the top floor. His eyes followed the route of the sound making its way towards what must have been a door because there was a squeak of hinges and abruptly the sounds were clearer… and closer.

 

Severus knew he should retreat - obviously he was not meant to be here and whatever it was he had happened upon was, more than likely, not going to take kindly to intruders. The steps got slower and louder and Severus got the feeling he was being sniffed out by whatever the bloody hell he had sought here - and it was then that Severus realized he sought this out. Common sense had abandoned him and he'd taken the tip of a boy he not only did not trust but also despised.

 

The danger was so palpable it could have been a separate entity, sneaking into the room uninvited, unwelcome…

 

“SNAPE! SNAPE, YOU COMPLETE AND UTTER ARSE!”

 

The shock of another human voice snapped him out of the paralysis. And then a howl unlike anything he'd ever heard before bounced around the walls and the steps increased at a frantic pace. It would be rounding the top of the stairs any second….

 

“What - the - bloody - HELL are you waiting for?!” Severus was yanked backwards by his robes and both he and his rescuer stumbled through the trapdoor gracelessly, but not before Severus saw the glint of massive, sharp teeth, eyes as wide as galleons and a matting of fur over sinews.

 

“Get out of the way!” James Potter screamed, scrambling over the tangle of limbs they were now in. Just above he could hear the werewolf howling as its pace quickened towards the hole they just disappeared beneath. James, in an apparent fit of idiotic bravery, stood up and grabbed for the door as it barreled nearer, and slammed it shut. There was a scraping of claws as the animal skidded to a stop, tearing at the wood, enraged at being outrun and deprived of its prey. James held the handle tightly while Severus caught his breath.

 

“A werewolf…”

 

“Yes, well spotted. It's a werewolf!” James bellowed and his glasses slid down his nose slick with sweat. “Now will you please move.” He barked. “He can still smell us down here and this door won't hold up much longer if he keeps at it!”

 

He didn't need to be told twice and he tripped over his own body trying to get further down the passageway. James waited until he was a good twenty meters away and gaining before he took a deep breath and sprinted behind him.

 

They both ran for ten straight minutes before their James' lungs gave out and he bent over, gasping for air. Severus was grateful for the reprieve but his fear diminished the further they got from the door they left back at the end of the channel and the reality sunk in. At fifteen years of age, Severus had narrowly avoided death - or, at the very least, narrowly avoided being ravaged by a werewolf - and he was now alone with James Potter who had snatched him personally from that cruel fate.

 

“How can they… does anyone know what's up here? So close to the school?” He muttered. James stayed quiet. There was a harsh coldness emanating through his glasses and he hadn't said a thing since ordering Severus away from the threat. “Potter, how did you…”

 

“Does it matter?” James bit back. “I saved you. Just be grateful, you git, and keep walking.”

 

“How can you just amble on like nothing happened?” Severus erupted, whirling around to face him. “That was a werewolf and we were almost…”

 

“I KNOW!” James lost his patience and unceremoniously shoved Severus with all his might forward again. “Just… keep walking! I just dragged your sorry arse away from certain death, it'd be a right shame if I were to kill you for making us late in getting back.”

 

After another fifteen minutes of hearing nothing but their own staggering footsteps, a sliver of light appeared 30 meters ahead and two voices broke through the silence. They were arguing and the sound made James tense up visibly.

 

“…already told you, Wormtail, I don't bloody know!”

 

“But James…”

 

“Yes, well, James isn't here right now, he's off playing the hero, isn't he?”

 

And as if struck by lightening, Severus understood. James rammed his shoulder as they reached the gap in the tree and pushed past him to emerge first. He had his hands shoved in his pockets and he looked like he'd just taken a nap on the dirt, all disheveled and soiled. James didn't look back at him but approached Sirius, his shoulders taught with resentment and frustration.

 

“Oh, God, Prongs…”

 

“Save it, Sirius.”

 

“What in Merlin's name happened?”

 

“You bloody well know what happened! He went to the fucking shack, that's what happened!”

 

Peter was wringing his hands frantically, clearly the most distressed, and Sirius looked only mildly worried. Both converged on James the second they spotted him.

 

“Did anything… er, you know… happen?” Peter asked. He cast a wary look at Severus who had finally come out of the tree, and the other two gave him a grave look but continued with the conversation as if he wasn't there.

 

“No.” James sighed. “No, thank God. He's fine.” He stopped. “I mean, it's not fine. He saw him and he knows now.” Both James and Sirius stared at each other for a few apprehensive moments.

 

“Yes, I know!” Severus finally interjected, stepping forward. Something was amiss and there was definitely a piece of the puzzle that these three tossers knew that he didn't. For coming face to face with a werewolf, James Potter was surprisingly docile. “Now what the bloody hell is that thing doing so close to Hogwarts? Surely the headmaster must know about it!”

 

“You just keep your mouth shut! You should just be glad we didn't leave you up there!” Sirius shouted indignantly.

 

“Leave me?! You sent me there! Or did you forget that, Black?” He snarled and stepped closer to the group. Peter whimpered and backed away but Sirius and James stood firm. “It's your own bloody fault that I was put in that position in the first place!”

 

“SHUT UP! Both of you!” James commanded. “Sirius, you were a complete… God, there isn't even a word for what you are. And Snape, you sneaky little bastard, why the hell would you listen to him? Are you absolutely and completely mental?”

 

Silence fell over them all but Sirius and Severus stared menacingly at each other over James' shoulder. Peter was still making stifled squeaks behind the other three and James began pacing anxiously. It was then that it dawned on Severus just exactly what was absent.

 

“I'm quite shocked your Prefect pal didn't come to join in the fun.” Severus stated dryly. “Wouldn't he enjoy taking points away for this malicious little night-time romp?”

 

Peter stared at the ground. James and Sirius exchanged looks. None said a word, but Severus was certain they were communicating enough without his knowledge.

 

“You should just shut…”

 

“Sirius! For God's sake, you've said enough tonight as it is! Can't you keep your trap closed for once?”

 

“This greasy mongrel sticks his nose where it doesn't belong and I'm not supposed to do anything?”

 

“No!” James, again, yells. “God! Haven't you learned anything from this? Stop and think for once in your life! There are consequences and you nearly got us all expelled, not to mention risking Snape's life-“

 

“Ha!”

 

“And what about Moony? What do you think would have happened to him if you'd let this play out?” James exhaled loudly and stared pointedly at Sirius. “What do you keep in that thick skull of yours? Sausages?”

 

“Moony?” Severus spat out, his brain working overtime. “What's Lupin got to do with all of this?”

 

At the mention of Remus, James' color went from infuriated red to ghostly pale in less than a second while Sirius just looked ill. The exchange halted unexpectedly and Severus looked from one to the other, waiting for an explanation that he suspected would never come.

 

“You need to just… just leave it, Snape, all right?” James sighed, exhausted at having to mediate the argument, but there was an edge to his voice still. “Just walk away and we'll do the same for once.”

 

“Wha… WALK AWAY?” Severus spluttered, his face contorting in indignation. “Your lot almost gets me killed - on purpose! - and you expect me to pretend as if nothing happened?”

 

“Yes, actually, that's exactly what I expect of you, Mr. Snape.”

 

“Not bloody like-“ Severus sneered and turned to the voice, but instead of Sirius Black's foreboding eyes staring him down he was met with twinkling and serene gaze of Albus Dumbledore.

 

“In fact, I will expect similar promises of secrecy from you three, as well.” He nodded gently in their direction, but just like Severus they seemed frozen in place, unable to affirm or rebuke.

 

“Perhaps you would all care to join me in my office? I believe there are matters that must be discussed.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AN: One thing that I've wanted - indeed, been compelled - to do since I started writing this is make a mention of the one story that has been kind of my reference point; it's what I'm "shooting for," so to speak. When I'm working on this, alongside several of the actual novels and my hand-written notes, I also have a British Slang dictionary, the Harry Potter Lexicon and The Shoebox Project open in separate windows. If you haven't checked out The Shoebox Project yet, I highly suggest you do. In fact, don't even read this any further - just go to The Shoebox Project on LJ and start at the very bottom.

I say this now because I was really impressed with their version of this incident and I did keep it in mind while writing this chapter. I don't believe I infringed on their ideas or version of events, but they definitely deserve to be acknowledged for the bad mofos that they are. LadyJaida and Dorkorific have one of the most unique ideas - I had to even call it a "fanfic," because it's so much more - with hilarious dialogue, well developed characters and an engaging story.

I am not a SB/RL 'shipper by any means but I would put up with even the most repulsive 'ship if it were written this well. Check it out.

Do I sound like a fangirl? Because I am.

But I'm done.

Chapter 3 is about a third finished. Please review if you have something to say!