By Ratwoman
September 1993
Remus looked around happily in his quarters… Hogwarts, I’m back! The years at school had been the happiest in his life. Now he was back, as teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
His quarters were spartanically furnished, probably because teachers usually brought a lot of their own stuff along. Remus had only one big bag. There was no time to unpack before the feast, but Remus went to the neat bathroom to refresh himself. A pretty, clean bathroom with a big bathtub.
Smiling happily, he went to the Great Hall. Everything was just as he remembered. On the way he met Prof. McGonagall. Her hair was completely gray by now, but except that she looked the same. She smiled at him, saying: “Remus, so good to see you again! How have you been?”
He was having a pleasant chat with her, when Severus Snape came around a corner. Remus smiled and said: “Good evening, Severus.”
Severus merely nodded at him and entered the Great Hall. Remus smiled resignedly. There was probably no hope of ever becoming friends with Severus. He entered the Hall after him and sat down at the Staff Table. Hogwarts was just as he remembered, just that now he saw it from a different angle.
Looking at the students’ tables, he noticed how much Harry looked like James at his age. Remus winked at him, then watched the sorting.
**
Some days later Neville Longbottom was confused. Or rather taken aback. Their first lesson in Defence Against the Dark Arts had been fun alright. Professor Lupin had shown them how to fight a Boggart. First he had shown Ron Weasley how to ridicule his huge spider, then everyone had filed for a queue. Of course Neville had been nervous; but he had just thought up a way to master the Riddikulus curse, when Lupin had shoved himself in front of him and had fought the Boggart himself (Why was Lupin afraid of the moon?). Why had he done that? Was he thinking Neville was too squeamish to face a Boggart?
Neville hardly noticed that he stayed behind when the other students filed out of class. Professor Lupin looked at him questioningly. “What is it, Neville?”
“I…. I was just wondering,” Neville said shyly, “why didn’t you let me fight the Boggart?”
“Ah, yes,” Lupin said, “I was just worried that the other students will be frightened when the Boggart turns into Voldemort…”
Neville blinked: “You thought my biggest fear was Lord Voldemort?”
“Yes,” Lupin said, looking surprised, “is it not so?”
“N…no,” Neville felt himself blush, “I was thinking of Professor Snape.”
Lupin looked surprised but smirked. “You fear Professor Snape more than Voldemort? Bet he would like that. Did you think up a way how to use the Riddikulus?”
“Yes,” Neville said, blushing further, “I was going to imagine him in my granny’s clothes.”
Lupin smiled. “Do you want to try it now?”
“Yes!” Neville called. Earlier today Professor Snape had threatened to try his potion on Trevor to “encourage” him to do it right. He’d like to take revenge even if Snape would never find out.
Some sparks shot from the end of Professor Lupin’s wand and hit the doorknob. The wardrobe burst open again and out stepped Professor Snape, looking menacingly at Neville.
Neville backed away, but the told himself, that he had faced Tom Riddle last year, he would be able to face a Boggart now.
"R___r___riddikulus!" squeaked Neville.
There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled; he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was swinging a hug crimson handbag.
"Well done, Neville!“ Lupin called. "And sorry that I didn’t let you face the Boggart in class. As I said, I was expecting it to look like Voldemort.“
**
Christmas 1993
Sirius was listening thoughfully to Harry’s stories. Lily had invited him over for Christmas and having no family, Sirius had cheerfully obliged. Now, while Lily was still in the kitchen and he was setting the table with Harry, his godson had told him about the Hippogriff Buckbeak. It had attacked a student, Draco Malfoy, his cousin Narcissa’s son, but according to Harry the Slytherin boy had provoked it by shouting names at it, even though Hagrid had told them not to do so. And now Lucius Malfoy had asked the ministry to kill the Hippogriff.
"They won’t do that, will they, Sirius? They will see that Buckbeak is not an evil creature...“
"I hope so,“ Sirius said, but he had little hope. The Ministry was so unfair at times...
"Oh and,“ Harry lowered his voice so that Lily couldn’t hear him, "Professor Snape is such an arsehole...“
Sirius smirked. "That’s no way to talk about a teacher...“
"Come on, Sirius,“ Harry said, "You don’t like him either.“
"Oh, he has a very interesting personality,“ Sirius said. Harry was looking at him with huge eyes. "Not a nice person, but... interesting.“ Actually, Sirius was quite looking forward to seeing Snape again in three days... and then on New Year’s Eve. But he’d better stop thinking about what he’d do to Snape or he’d be getting hard.
**
Three Days Later
Sirius smiled in satisfaction. This time they had met in his flat. Sirius also had a house, but he hardly used it, because he had been rather unhappy there in his childhood. His flat was more to his taste, furnished in a seventies-hippie-style. How he loved the snappish remarks Snape usually made about his colourful flat. Somehow their constant quarrels had turned into their own way of dirty talk. They had fallen over each other after a while, torn each other’s clothes off and done it right on the floor.
"Shall we go to bed now?“ Sirius asked. "For round two?“
Severus smirked and nodded his head.
"How is this school year, by the way?“ Sirius asked as he rose to his feet.
"Too quiet,“ Severus answered, equally standing up.
"Too quiet?“ Sirius asked.
"Yes,“ Severus answered, "neither Neville Longbottom nor Harry Potter got themselves into trouble yet. It really makes me nervous.“
Sirius stared at him.
"I wonder if I missed something,“ Snape added.
Sirius smirked. "You’re not happy if there’s not something you can be angry about.“
Severus raised an eyebrow at him: "How exceedingly happy you must make me then.“
**
New Year’s Eve 1993/1994
Remus gazed thoughtfully at Severus. He was sitting in an armchair alone, gazing into his drink, so Lily hadn’t introduced him yet to whoever she would be trying to pair him off with this year. Good opportunity to talk to him.
Remus swallowed and walked over to Snape. "Evening Severus,“ he said, sitting down on a chair next to him.
"Evening,“ Severus replied, looking up.
"Er... I wanted to thank you... for brewing the wolfsbane.“
Severus smiled, a rather nasty smile. "You should rather thank me for not doing werewolves with the students when I had to replace you at full moon. I was toying with the thought, though.“
"Oh,“ Remus said, "what made you change your mind?“
Severus didn’t answer, but his eyes wandered to where Lily was standing. Remus assumed he had wanted to avoid getting in trouble with his best, maybe his only friend.
"I was teaching the third years how to fight Boggarts.“ Remus said. "Do you know what Neville Longbottom’s Boggart looks like?“
Severus shrugged, obviously not interested.
"It looks like you,“ Remus said.
Severus looked surprised, then laughed. "Really?“
Remus nodded. "The Boy Who Lives fears you more than You Know Who. Maybe you should think about your teaching methods.“
Snape’s eyes flashed with anger: "Don’t try to tell me how to teach.“
"Well, I just mean... do you have to bully them like that?“
Severus darkly looked into his glass. "Better teach them early that life is not always nice and sunny.“
"So that they may all become as bitter as you?“ Remus asked quite annoyed with how the conversation was going.
Snape’s hand jerked to his wand, but then he controlled himself. Taking a deep breath, he asked: "And, was Longbottom able to fight the Boggart?“
“O yes,“ Remus answered, raising to his feet, "he dressed him in the clothes of his granny.“ Severus stared at him. "Fortunately for you, no one else was around.“
**
February 1994
Severus wandered the corridors of Hogwarts at night. Maybe Sirius was right and he was only happy if there was some trouble, but it really made him nervous that this year had been so quiet. He was worried he might lose his sharpness. He even had reached only third place in Lily’s Dueling Competition. Sirius had been in first place, James in second.
Well, next year he would win again… Anyway, it had been a wise decision of Lily to start those competitions. He was always looking forward to New Year’s Eve, half past midnight. Knowing that he would duel the Marauders made their presence endurable.
Snape turned around a corner and saw the Weasley twins, hastily storing away a piece of parchment.
“Good evening, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley,” Severus said in a mock friendly voice. “What are you doing here in the middle of the night?”
The twins turned around, looking rather angry with themselves at getting caught.
“We were sleepwalking,” one of them said.
“Thank you for waking us up, Professor,” the other one added.
Severus raised an eyebrow at them. “Give me that piece of parchment.”
The twins looked at him innocently. “What piece of parchment?”
“The one you just stored away. Give it to me, or do you want me to search you?”
Rather unwillingly one of the twins pulled a parchment out of his bag and handed it to Severus. It was blank.
Severus drew his wand “Show yourself!” he said, tapping the parchment. It stayed blank. The twins looked at him expectantly. Severus decided to have another try.
"Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!" Snape said, hitting the map with his wand.
As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the parchment.
"Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people’s business."
Snape blinked. Interesting.
"Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git."
The twins were obviously trying hard to bite back their laughter. More words appeared on the parchment.
"Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor."
"Thank you, Sirius,“ Snape murmured.
"Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball."
His heart was racing in anger. He gazed darkly at the twins. "I think I confiscate this. Now go back to your beds. Fifty points off Gryffindor, each, and detention on Friday, 7 pm, my office!“
The twins looked nonplussed but didn’t dare to protest.
**
Remus was marking homework in his office when someone knocked. "Come in,“ he said. Severus strode in. But it wasn’t full moon yet?
"Mr. Moony,“ Severus said, "I think this belongs to you!“ He threw a piece of parchment onto the table.
"The Marauder’s Map!“ Remus recognized. Nostalgically he took it in his hands. O dear, obviously Severus had tried to find out what it was... there were insults written on it. "Where did you find it?“ Remus asked. "Filch confiscated it when we were in seventh year.“
"And last night I confiscated it from the Weasley twins,“ Severus said in an icy voice. "What is it?“
"A map of the castle.“ Remus said. He tipped his wand at it: "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.“
Severus sneered. Remus smiled apologetically. "You see,“ he said when the lines showed up on the map, "it is not just a map, it also shows where everyone is.“
Severus studied it for a few seconds, then said earnestly: "Do you have any idea how dangerous this might be in the wrong hands?“
"We didn’t think much about dangers when we were young,“ Remus answered.
"Just keep it out of reach of the students, will you?“ Severus asked.
"Of course,“ Remus said. Severus Snape turned on his heel and left the room. Remus cast on last nostalgic glance at the map, then tapped it with his wand and said: "Mischief Managed.“
**
Months later (in June)
Sirius reread the letter he had got from his godson.
".... and the Ministry of Magic is going to kill Buckbeak, Hagrid’s Hippogriff. It is so unfair, he didn’t do anything. He is not dangerous at all, but Lucius Malfoy frightened everyone at court. Hagrid said, the execution is in four days at 5 pm. Yours, Harry“
Of course, as an Auror Sirius should follow the Ministry’s orders. But as an Auror it also was his job to save the innocent, and Buckbeak was an innocent. Besides, his godson would be deeply depressed if Buckbeak was killed.
Sirius entered Hogwarts grounds and turned into a dog. Quickly he ran to Hagrid’s hut, stopping a few feet before it. With interest he watched Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville leave Hagrid’s hut from the backdoor, while Cornelius Fudge, Macnair and Albus Dumbledore entered through the front. Nervously he waited until the children were out of sight, then he crossed the last few feet and turned into a man. Buckbeak looked at him with curiosity.
"Hello Buckbeak,“ Sirius whispered, then bowed. The Hippogriff, sitting on the ground, bowed back. A beautiful beast, Sirius thought. Sirius carefully stepped closer and loosened the leash that bound Buckbeak to a stake in the ground. Then he took a piece of meat out of his pocket and waggled with it. Buckbeak hungrily rose and followed Sirius into the Forbidden Forest.
Just quick enough! They had hardly vanished under the trees when the door to Hagrid’s hut opened and out came Fudge, Hagrid, Macnair and Dumbledore. Buckbeak’s head turned and he was about to walk back to Hagrid.
That couldn’t be true! "Stay where you are, you stupid bird!“ Sirius hissed angrily.
Buckbeak’s head turned, its eyes flashed. Never offend a Hippogriff – Sirius had momentarily forgotten about that.
“Holy shit!“ he swore, letting go of the leash and backed away. The Hippogriff angrily followed and reared, about to attack.
Sirius turned and ran deeper into the forest, followed by the angry Hippogriff. There was no chance to escape an angry Hippogriff except.... Sirius turned into a dog.
Buckbeak stopped, looking around in confusion. Sirius grinned inwardly, obviously Buckbeak was wondering where that offensive man had gone.
Sirius sat for a moment, waiting for his heartbeat to slow down. They were far in the Forbidden Forest now, Macnair would not find them here. Sirius was quite content with himself. And... horny. Sirius rose and ran to the castle. A good opportunity to pay Snape a visit.
**
Severus was sitting in his office, marking homework. In a corner a cauldron with Wolfsbane was simmering. It would be ready in an hour, just when Lupin would need the Potion. Severus read Goyle’s essay – hardly any sentence of it made any sense - when someone knocked urgently at his door. Whoever that was, Severus hoped he’d have a good reason to disturb him, or he’ll... Severus rose, crossed the room and opened the door.
Sirius Black was standing outside, looking dishevelled and grinning lecherously. Before Severus realised it, he was pushed inside, crushed in an embrace.
Severus was about to protest, but his mouth was shut by a deep kiss. Severus decided, that sex was a good reason to disturb him and yielded to the kiss. Sirius kicked the door shut behind him and pushed Severus onto the table.
Severus noticed a glass of ink falling and rolling down the table. There it smashed on the floor. With a frown he looked at the spilled ink, while Sirius was hastily unbottoning his robes. He’d take care of the ink later... first he had to get Sirius out of his clothes.
**
In a moment of nostalgy Remus tipped his wand at the Marauder’s Map. "I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good.“
There, all the lines showed, the parchment was turning into a map of the castle. There were all the tiny blots showing where everyone was. Albus pacing in his office, Minerva walking through a corridor, Harry and his friends between Hagrid’s hut and the Whomping Willow... but... wait... Peter Pettigrew was with them?
Remus rose to his feet. Severus’s office was not far, he’d ask him for help... Peter had kept in hiding for thirteen years, it was better to have two wizards to catch him.
Remus ran through the corridors, ignoring the students who were looking at him in surprise. Finally he reached Severus’s office door, knocked... no answer. Where was he? Remus decided to look inside before searching him on the map and opened the door.
Severus Snape was inside. Stark naked and bent over the table, while an equally naked Sirius Black was fucking him from behind. Remus hardly believed his eyes and just stared for a moment.
Then Snape turned his head and noticed him standing in the doorframe.
"Lupin!“ he spat and jerked back. Sirius stumbled backwards, still erect. Hiding his crotch behind a piece of parchment, Snape turned to Remus, glaring at him angrily: "I hope you have a very good reason for coming in without knocking...“
"I did knock,“ Remus said, "and yes, I have a reason,“ he said, taking the Marauder’s Map out of his pocket. "I was having a look at the Marauder’s Map...“
“Where did you find it?“ Sirius asked enthusiastically. Lupin tried not to look at his cock, not to think about where it had been just seconds ago.
"Severus confiscated it from the Weasley twins...“ Remus said, "anyway, I was having a look at it, when I saw Peter Pettigrew on it.“
Sirius’s eyes narrowed. "He’s here?“
"Out on the grounds, with Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom.“
Severus quickly grabbed his robes. "We’ll get him,“ he said, hastily putting on his clothes. Sirius did the same.
When they had put on their robes, Severus glared darkly at Lupin. "Don’t you dare tell anyone what you have seen!“ Sirius rolled his eyes.
Lupin shrugged. "If you wish.“ Then the three of them rushed across the ground. None of them thought about the Wolfsbane.
**
Harry was desperate and angry. By now, Buckbeak probably was dead. If he got his hands on Draco Malfoy, he would...
But at least, Ron had found his rat, Scabbers. Hermione’s cat had not killed it, they had found it in Hagrid’s hut. Now, the rat in Ron’s hand seemed to panic.
"Scabbers?“ Ron asked, trying to appease the rat. Harry noticed that Professor Lupin, Snape and Sirius were stroding up to them. What was Sirius doing here?
"Scabbers bit me!“ Ron squeaked, letting the rat drop. It ran towards the Whomping Willow. Ron followed.
At that moment, the two professors and Sirius started to run. Sirius turned into a dog while doing so, leaving the other men behind.
"Sirius?“ Harry called when Sirius ran past him, after Ron as it seemed. Snape followed closely by, Remus was last. Harry, Neville and Hermione looked at each other helplessly, then followed. What the heck was going on?
Ron tried to follow his rat into a hole at the foot of the Whomping Willow, but a branch hit him. Sirius in dog form ran past him, obviously undisturbed by the tree. Snape quickly grabbed a large dead branch and touched it to the roots of the tree. To Harry’s amazement it froze in its movements.
Snape ran towards the tree and vanished in the hole in the ground, closely followed by Ron.
"Stay where you are!“ Lupin called to Harry, Neville and Hermione.
"But, Professor, what ist going on?“ Harry asked.
Lupin quickly looked at him. "Ok then, come along, but keep behind me.“
They followed Lupin through a long, damp underground corridor and then got out in the cellar of a hut.
"Where are we?“ Hermione asked nervously.
"The Shrieking Shack,“ Professor Lupin answered. "Don’t worry, it’s not haunted.“ Harry wondered why he was so sure about it.
They went up some stairs and got into a shabby room that looked as if it had not been in use for years. Between some dusty old pieces of furniture Sirius and Snape were standing, with drawn wands, looking around as if they were searching for something. Ron was standing in a corner, looking confused.
"Wormtail, we know you’re in here!“ Sirius called in a mock friendly voice. Wormtail... Harry wondered where he had heard that name before?
Remus Lupin joined them in searching.
"There!“ Snape called, then Harry saw Scabbers running past a couch.
"Scabbers!“ Ron called. The three wizards pointed their wands at the rat, sparks shooting at him. "What are you doing with Scabbers?“ Ron sounded as if he was close to tears.
Then the rat grew. And it changed form until on the floor was a rather short balding man who looked as if he had recently lost a lot of weight. Ron stared at him in shock. "Scabbers?“ he whispered.
"Peter Pettigrew!“ Snape spat, pointing his wand threateningly at the man’s forehead.
"Peter Pettigrew?“ Harry asked. "Dad mentioned him...“
“Yes, Harry,“ Remus Lupin said, "he was a traitor, betraying your parents to Lord Voldemort.“
"Yeah, if it wasn’t for Severus...“ Sirius said.
Snape looked sharply at him: "Shut the fuck up, Sirius!“
What was Sirius insinuating? That Snape had rescued Harry’s parents? But why should Snape want to keep it secret?
Pettigrew whimpered and looked full of fear from Lupin to Sirius. "Remus, Sirius... my friends, my old friends...“
"You betrayed that friendship long ago!“ Sirius shouted furiously. Snape was still pointing his wand at Wormtail’s forehead.
"I... I was afraid... The Dark Lord... you have no idea... he has weapons you can’t imagine... I was scared, Sirius, I was never brave like you and Remus and James. He Who Must Not Be Named was taking over everywhere. What was to be gained by refusing him?“
"What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who ever existed?“ said Sirius Black, pretending to be pondering the question. Snape was staring at Pettigrew, white with fury. "Only innocent lives.“
"You don’t understand,“ whined Pettigrew. "He would have killed me, Sirius!“
“Then you should have died!“ Sirius shouted. "Died rather than betrayed your friends, as we all would have died for you.“
"But I was weak,“ Pettigrew squeaked, "not strong and courageous as you, Sirius, Remus...“
Snape’s eyes were glowing. "Well,“ he said, "the Dementors will be quite happy to get a new toy. Even if it is just a piece of slime.“
"What is a Dementor?“ Hermione asked.
Harry knew, he had heard his parents talk about it. The guards of Azkaban were creatures that fed on happy memories, leaving the prisoners in endless despair. He shivered. No wonder that the sadistic Snape was happy about someone being brought to Azkaban.
Pettigrew looked fearfully at Snape: "Severus... please... you always hated James... shouldn’t you be on my side?“
"You might have forgotten,“ Snape said in a deadly soft voice, "but Lily is my best friend. She would have died if Albus had not found out about your betrayal.“
Pettigrew whimpered and turned to Ron. "Haven’t I always been a good pet? Please, don’t let them take me to Azkaban...“
"I let you sleep in my bed!“ Ron realised with a disgusted look on his face.
"Get up, Wormtail!“ Sirius ordered.
Pettigrew carefully rose. Snape looked as if he was just waiting for him to give him a reason to kill him.
"We’ll go up to the castle now,“ Sirius said, "and if you try to escape, Remus and I will let Snape loose on you,“ Sirius’s eyes were sparkling, "our double agent does not like other double agents.“
Double agent? Harry looked in surprise from Sirius to Snape.
They walked back the tunnel, Sirius first, then a shivering Peter Pettigrew, behind him Snape, then Lupin. Harry and his friends took the rear.
"Professor Lupin?“ Neville asked hesitatingly.
"Yes, Neville?“ Lupin said in his usual friendly voice.
"Could you explain to us... everything?“
Yes, Harry’s head swam, too.
"I’ll do my best, Neville,“ Lupin answered. "You see, we all went to school together, Severus, Sirius, Peter, Harry’s father and I. Sirius, James and I were very close friends with Peter. We formed a gang called the Marauders. – As you might have guessed, Severus was not one of us, but times have changed.“
Snape snorted, as if to say that he still was not "One of us“.
"When the war against You Know Who started, we were all members of the resistance. Even Severus, though we did not know back then that he was working as a spy for Dumbledore. Peter changed sides and betrayed us to You Know Who. We knew that Voldemort was planning to kill your parents, Harry, so they went into hiding, but Peter told him where to find you.“
"How did they survive?“ Neville asked.
"We got a warning,“ Lupin cast a glance at Snape.
Snape had warned them? Somehow Harry did not like that thought... he’d prefer to dislike Snape.
"A short time later You Know Who killed your parents, Neville. After he disappeared, Peter went into hiding. He’s an animagus, so he lived as a rat. As Ron’s rat as we know by now.“
Ron looked sick in the face.
"Why did he not try to kill me?“ Neville asked, "he shared a dormitory with me, and as The Boy Who Lived I should be his Lord’s enemy.“
"He’s never been brave,“ Remus said sadly, "he simply wouldn’t risk doing a favour for Voldemort as long as he is not in power. At school he stuck to Sirius, James and me because we were quite popular. He bathed in our popularity, so to speak. Loyalty is not one of his strong character traits, neither to us nor to Voldemort.“
**
Severus did not let Pettigrew out of his sight. Finally they got the traitor. Because of him Lily would have died. Though maybe he should rather thank Pettigrew, because would Lily have become friends with him again if he had not saved her? Would he have that affair with Black?
They got out of the tunnel, Pettigrew was whimpering like the coward he was. The sun had already set, the full moon was in the sky. The full moon? Merlin’s balls!
Severus cast a glance at Lupin, who had just come out of the tunnel with the students. Lupin stared at the moon, whispering: "Oh no!“
Then he growled deep in his throat, writhing.
"Remus!“ Sirius called, rushing towards his friend. "Did you drink your potion?“
Severus hurried towards the students, stepped before them. "Stay behind me!“ he shouted. Fur was growing on Lupin’s skin, and his form was changing.
Severus felt his heartbeat accelerating, found it difficult to breathe. Don’t panic, he told himself. Memories of another time he had faced the werewolf were haunting his mind.
Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Pettigrew taking the chance to escape by turning into a rat. Dammit, but there was no time to guard the prisoner now.
Severus drew his wand, pointed it at Lupin, who was almost a wolf now. "Get out of the way, Sirius!“
Sirius stepped aside. "You’re not going to kill him, Severus, are you?“ he called.
"Only if I must!“ Severus answered, then shot a hex at Lupin. A big spiderweb fell onto the werewolf.
Maybe it was because of his fear, but the net was not strong enough. Lupin tore it apart quickly and jumped at Severus. Severus saw claws and teeth, momentarily paralysed. Then a big black dog – Sirius – jumped at the werewolf, pushing it aside. The werewolf and the dog rolled into the nearby forest.
"Sirius!“ Harry Potter called and was about to follow them, but Snape quickly grabbed him by the arm. "Stay where you are, Potter!“
"But Sirius...“ the boy stammered.
"Sirius Black has enough on his mind without having to take care of you, boy!“ Snape spat. He glared at the children. "I’ll escort you to the castle now. Don’t try anything stupid!“
He’d much rather look how Sirius was doing, but the safety of the students had priority.
They ran to the castle. Probably at high speed, but to Severus it seemed to last an eternity until they had finally entered the Great Hall. Severus was relieved when he and the students met Minerva as soon as they had entered the castle.
"Minerva!“ he called. "There’s a werewolf on the loose in the grounds!“
Minerva’s eyes widened. "But Severus, how can this be...“
"He forgot to drink his wolfsbane,“ Severus answered shortly. "Please make sure that no student leaves the castle.“ Minerva nodded. "I’m going to catch Lupin!“ he said and left before Minerva could protest.
**
Finally he reached the Forbidden Forest. Severus slowed down and stepped under the trees, wand drawn, looking around carefully. No trace of the werewolf.
Severus’s heart beat like a hammer. What was that, he had seen horrors beyond imagination as a Death Eater, but he was scared of a werewolf? He breathed in deeply. Not a good time to panic...
He walked deeper into the forest, scanning the area, sweating and cursing himself for his fear. Then suddenly, a deep growl sounded behind him.
Severus jumped and turned around. A huge grey wolf with red eyes was snarling at him, ready to jump. His muscles cramped and Severus could just stare for a moment.
Then the sound of wings flapping the air, a hawk shreaking... Severus’s view was blocked by a huged winged horse – no, a Hippogriff. On its back was Sirius Black.
"Come here, Severus!“ he called, holding out a hand. Without thinking Severus took it and jumped onto the Hippogriff‘s back, behind Sirius. He glimpsed the werewolf on the other side of the Hippogriff, who looked momentarily perplexed, but already strained its muscles to jump.
The Hippogriff rose high up into the sky. Severus held fast to Sirius’s waist.
"Isn’t that Buckbeak?“ he asked.
"I don’t think so,“ Sirius replied, "wasn’t Buckbeak killed?“ his voice sounded as if he was biting back laughter.
"So that’s why you came to Hogwarts,“ Severus called, "to set Buckbeak free.“
“No,“ Sirius replied, "I only wanted to fuck you. Isn’t that reason enough?“
They flew away from Lupin. Getting worried, Severus said: "We’ve got to imprison Lupin! He might attack students if we don’t.“
Sirius sighed, "You’re right, of course. Ok, what kind of spells shall we use on him?“
Severus thought for a moment. Not the Unforgivable curses, for obvious reasons. Also not the Sectumsempra... "The Iacio retem did not work, earlier,“ he said.
"Maybe we just need more of the nets,“ Sirius said, "if we both throw a couple of them at him...“
"Might work,“ Severus nodded.
Sirius steered the Hippogriff to dive down. When they were closer to Remus,
Sirius shoutet: "Iacio retem!“
"Iacio retem!“ Severus called.
"Iacio retem!“"Iacio retem!“"Iacio retem!“"Iacio retem!“"Iacio retem!“
Soon the werewolf was buried under several webs. It didn’t look as if he was still able to move. "Let’s get to the ground,“ Severus demanded. He was not exactly a fan of flying, though it was something he could manage quite well if necessary.
Severus jumped off the Hippogriff’s back as soon as it had reached the ground, but stayed a few feet away from the werewolf. It was growling deeply under the nets, but hardly moved.
Sirius climbed off the Hippogriff’s back. "Thank you, Buckbeak,“ he said. So much to not having set Buckbeak free!
Severus sat down, wand drawn, and watched the werewolf. Sirius crouched down beside him. "So, what are we going to do now?“
"Watch the werewolf,“ Severus said. "So he won’t get out.“
"And while we keep watch...“ Sirius said, letting his fingers wander over Severus’s arm.
"Contrary to popular belief, I’m not suicidal,“ Severus replied.
Sirius shrugged and kept his hands to himself. "Always so rational, Severus.“
**
Remus woke up and found himself unable to move. Strings like from a spiderweb were holding him to the ground. What had happened? All he remembered was Peter Pettigrew, that they had caught him... Then the full moon and the realisation...
"I think he’s harmless now,“ he heard Sirius say, "Finite Incantatem!“
The strings dissolved. Remus slowly sat up. Every inch of his body hurt. Looking up, he saw Sirius and Severus standing in front of him.
"What happened?“ he asked miserably.
"You forgot your Wolfsbane,“ Severus said.
"And then?“ Remus said, afraid that he might have hurt anyone.
"Well,“ Sirius said, "Severus took the students to the castle, while I held you in check, Peter escaped in the chaos, then Severus and I threw some nets on you and waited until dawn.“
"But I did not kill anyone?“ Remus asked.
"Not this time,“ Severus said darkly.
Sirius bent down and helped Remus up.
Tiredly they went back to the castle.
**
"What do you mean, you’re leaving Hogwarts?“ Sirius was talking with Remus via the floo network. It was a few days after the full moon and Remus still looked quite pale.
"Severus ‚accidently’ let slip that I’m a werewolf... I’d better leave before the letters of the parents of the Slytherins students arrive, demanding my resignment.“ Remus replied.
"Severus?“ anger welled up in Sirius. "I’m going to have a little chat with him!“ He had apparated into Hogsmeade before Remus could protest. From here it wasn’t far to Hogwarts. Sirius turned into a dog and ran.
**
Severus looked up with a frown when his office door was pushed open and Sirius Black stormed in.
"You son of a bitch!“ Sirius shouted. "What did you do that for?“
"Do what?“
"Tell the Slytherins that Remus is a werewolf, of course!“
Severus sighed. Was that so hard to understand? "He almost killed four of our students.“
"He didn’t even come close to them!“ Sirius shouted, eyes flaring with anger. Sirius was really handsome when angry.
"Well,“ Severus replied, trying to keep his calm, "he didn’t come close to them, because I stood before them and you kept him in check. Next time they might be less lucky.“
Clenching his fists, Sirius hissed, "that’s what the Wolfsbane is for, so that things like that won’t happen.“
"He forgot to drink it once,“ Severus replied, "he might forget it again.“
"Come on, Severus, how likely is that?“ Sirius stepped closer, putting an arm round Snape’s thin waist. "You did it because he knew of us, didn’t you? You were afraid he might tell the students about it.“
"Don’t be ridiculous,“ Severus said.
"So?“ Sirius said, then slowly licked along Severus’s jaw. "Then why don’t you go and tell everyone?“
"Tell them what?“ Severus replied, "that I fuck Sirius Black?“
"Yes,“ Sirius said, "tell them that.“
Severus took a step away from Sirius, shaking his head. He really couldn’t imagine making that public. What would Lily say?
"Fine,“ Sirius said icily. "But I won’t take this any longer. I won’t keep it secret as if it was something to be ashamed of. As if you were ashamed of me.“ Severus glanced at Sirius. Was he serious?
“If you ever decide to stand by me, fine, but I will not meet in secret any longer,“ Sirius still looked angry, but also sad, "so, if you ever decide... but don’t wait too long...“ with that he turned and left the office.
Severus sat down, wondering why he suddenly felt so cold.
TBC