Unofficial Portkey Archive

Wells Wells 19 178 2003-05-22T18:48:00Z 2003-05-22T21:46:00Z 18 15620 89037 DellComputerCorporation 741 178 109343 9.3821

* * *

~ Still Alive and Well? ~

By: Oy! Angelina

* * *

~ Twenty Minutes Earlier ~

* * *

"I swear if whatever James has gone after doesn't kill him, I will." Lily muttered to herself in the dim closet.

After spending what she assumed to be half an hour trying to find a way out of the storage room or calling for help, Lily gave up to pacing out of frustration and worry. All the students were in their Houses, celebrating the New Year, the faculty had their own party they were all attending, and the only individuals who were probably about the castle corridors were Filch and Mrs. Norris, but it was a rather large castle and they certainly had a lot of duties to attend to. Lily wondered how often Filch revisited the closet or if she was stuck there until James came back.

If James came back.

Lily had a chill.

Not wanting to work herself into a frenzy fretting over whether James and Severus were presently hurt or dead, Lily put the rational part of her mind to work in an effort to figure out the situation itself.

James had alluded to something very secretive and dangerous the boys were keeping, something the Severus could uncover. Lily had no idea what it might be. A cursed artifact? A Dragon? Lily could only guess but knew James probably was serious about the threat involved with it. Admittedly, she was angry with James for locking her in the closet like he had, but it was mostly because he had wounded her pride. Although he didn't seem particularly happy about doing it to her, James had still just inferred that he thought of Lily as a hindrance rather than a help.

Was it because she was a woman? A Muggle-born perhaps? Lily couldn't decide what James's motivations were for his actions, but decided it wasn't anything consciously bigoted. She figured James's mind was probably operating under more ease now that she was so effectively removed from harm's way and Lily didn't want him to do something stupid because he was too busy worry about someone he cared about.

Still, Lily doubted James would have locked Sirius in a damn closet.

Prat.

Lily searched her robes and realized James still had her letter from Severus. She was going to reread it to see if she could pick up on something she might have overlooked initially. Recalling what she could, Lily remembered that Severus had mentioned the note prompting him to venture out that night he had been written by Sirius but James had said they never exchanged notes to one another about that sort of thing just in case someone happened to find it.

So what did that mean then?

Lily wondered if Sirius had just been careless and wrote a partial confession of some kind down that Severus happened to find, but it seemed uncannily coincidental for something so incriminating to fall into the possession of the boys' most persistent enemy. Lily began to question whether Severus did just "happen" across the parchment or if there was more to his acquisition of it than she could presently see. Of course that meant she had to expect something foul of either Severus or Sirius to explain it.

Did Sirius plant the note for Severus to find, working for a larger purpose of sorts? But James's reaction gave the indication that whatever Sirius was leading Severus into would be unsafe. Would Sirius intentionally try something that might leave Severus hurt? Lily knew the two had a bad feud going, worse that Severus and James at times, but she didn't think they were at the point where putting one another in danger were acceptable terms of engagement.

Or was it just Sirius who crossed the line?

Lily didn't like that thought. Sirius was outspoken and a little hasty but he never struck her as malicious. Also, this would mean that Severus had somehow been easily duped by a planted note. Severus was always so suspicious and astute; Lily failed to see how he would take so much on faith with just a slip of parchment as his basis. Of course, Lily had remembered Severus mentioning to her, around the time he asked her to the ball that, that he had been aware of the boys sneaking about for sometime. Maybe he had more to support him that Lily was aware of.

Lily attempted to process the situation from a different angle so as not to damn Sirius straight away. What is Sirius didn't lure Severus out intentionally? Did Severus find the note under the pretense of happenstance or had he done something more illicit to get it? Was there EVEN a note? Lily couldn't really see Severus stealing or planting evidence, he seemed to possess too much personal integrity for something like that, but Lily knew that there was nothing Severus wanted more than to get the boys in trouble. Was he so fixated on his grudge that he was willing to do whatever he could think of just so James and his friends would be stuck in detention or worse?

But then why would he call her out to meet him if he was engineering some elaborate net to ensnare James and the others? Was it so clever and seamless that even Lily would be convinced?

Lily hated how her mind was working. It made her feel like she belonged in Slytherin with all the mistrust it was conjuring. The faint echo of footsteps shook Lily's attention. She jumped back to the door and started pounding her hand against it.

"Hello! Quickly, let me out, I've been locked in!" Lily called through the wooden door, hoping whoever it was would hear her. She heard feet come towards her at a hurried pace.

"Prefect Evans?" The voice sounded like it belonged to Bill Weasley. "What are you doing in a closet?"

"James locked me in, let me out!" Lily insisted.

She heard a snorted sound of laughter.

"How'd he manage that?" Bill asked in an amused, admiring tone. "That man's brilliance at work, he is!"

"James Potter is NOT a role model!" Lily screeched. "Now let me out of here this instant Bill Weasley or you'll be landing yourself in the same cauldron of hot water as James!"

"Alright, alright!" Bill consented. Lily thought she heard him mumble something about not getting how James could like a girl with no sense of humor. "Alohomora!"

The door swung open and Lily stepped out and shut the door behind her.

"You're lucky I took this way back from the Owlry." Bill informed with a proud grin for saving his Prefect from the result of her trusting nature.

"Now I'm going to need you to find Professor McGonagall." Lily instructed. The grave tone in her voice snapped Bill into a serious disposition.

"What's wrong, Lily?" Bill looked eager to sprint towards the faculty party on her command.

"I'm not quite sure, but I think it might be bad." Lily replied. "The most I know is that James followed Severus Snape outside to the Whomping Willow. Something horrible might happen, I'm going on ahead to see if I can do anything."

"Is that smart?" Bill looked concerned.

"No. Incidentally, that's why I'm not a role model either." Lily admitted, remember her lack of wand. "But, well, I'm the Prefect aren't I? Now go!"

Bill and Lily ran off in opposite direction, him to the faculty party at the other end of the castle and she to the Whomping Willow.

* * *

James and Snape stood within arms length of one another, but amidst the fury of snow, they were still forced to shout at one another just to be heard. Committed to a momentary truce, Snape and James were still wary of one another's presence and would catch each other's glare in between their scanning about for any sign of Lily.

At the mouth of the Whomping Willow passage, James was about to forge ahead into the tunnel when Snape grabbed him by the robes.

"Wait." Snape ordered over the screaming wind. "There are tracks here. The roots and trunk guarded most of them against the wind."

James stepped off to the side and bent close to the ground to determine what the tracks were. A thoughtful expression crossed James's face as he examined the marks left in the snow.

"What do you see?" Snape demanded, noting Potter's disposition.

"Our tracks and Lily's, they walk off towards you, not into the passage I think." James reported.

Snape began peering around his own feet to see if he could discern where the tracks head off too. James had also noted what appeared to be the impressions of Padfoot and Wormtail, but said nothing since he felt Snape had learned enough secrets about him and his friends for a lifetime. Pausing, James wondered why the hell Sirius and Peter would be out this way unless -

"Oh Bloody Hell!" James yelled in frustration and fear as he saw footprints that were a marriage of man and beast. "Remus is out!"

A shallow expression of fear crossed Snape's face but he quickly traded it in for resentment.

"Damn you all for this, Potter!" Snape hissed as he went back to his guess work of Lily's direction. Scarlet drops speckled the snow. "Blood. There's blood here."

James could be sick.

Someone he loved was bleeding and he didn't know why.

"We have to hurry, the storm has probably swept most of it away by now!" James's was urgent. He felt himself close to hysterics making it impossible for his mind to think rationally. "Can you think of any Charms we might have learned that would make the trail more visible?"

Snape eyed Potter. He knew of several means to achieve what Potter was asking, but only a few could be done with a wand alone. It was the sort of incantation that raised questions amongst the morally inclined and Snape knew it was probably blacker than Potter typically liked his magic. Faced with the possibility of Lily Evans bleeding to death somewhere in the midst of the blizzard, Snape decided he'd worry about the consequences later on. Not willing to waste any further time, Snape waved his wand and chanted the spell.

One of the benefits of being a Pureblood wizard was a firm grasp of Latin and other dead languages; this allowed James to understand what Snape was calling upon.

"Stalk my wounded prey so I may render its final breath."

At least that was the rough translation.

A black wisp of smoke in the form of a sinister looking bird sprang from Snape's wands and soared out into the storm. Beneath its path of flight, the hidden blood illuminated like the dying embers of a fire, revealing a broken path traveling off. James and Snape followed the crimson trail, neither wishing to speculate what would be found at the end of it.

The most they knew was the path was leading towards the Forbidden Forest.

* * *

It had occurred to Padfoot about fifteen minutes ago that he had screwed up royally. He had spent the remaining fourteen trying to set everything right.

Moony went into a frenzy back at the Shack. Padfoot had managed to keep him under control for a little while, but a werewolf would have none of that once it was properly agitated. Moony had slammed him into headlong into a wall.

That had really hurt.

It was a stunning blow; forcing Padfoot to take a minute to remember which way was up before he could chase after his friend. He had discovered Moony had broken his way out through the door connecting them to the Willow tunnel.

Wormtail was nowhere to be found.

Padfoot could guess that he probably went to trail after Moony, so as not to lose track, but who could be certain of anything right now?

Sniffing out for Moony, Padfoot smelled fresh blood. Mostly Moony, he must have hurt himself busting loose. A little was James's.

This was when Padfoot exactly discovered he had screwed up royal.

Bounding ahead, Padfoot was terrified he'd be tripping over the body of his best friend any moment but found nothing more than a storm awaiting him at the end of the passage. To his relief, Padfoot lost the scent of James and picked up Wormtail's.

Like hot chocolate with a splash of aftershave.

He had been right. Wormtail was following Moony. Padfoot was loosing track of Moony over the wind, but Wormtail's was still there, clingingly low to the ground.

Padfoot followed.

Wondering if it was possible to herd back Moony to the Shrieking Shack before dawn, Padfoot figured the best he could do now was keep on his friend and make sure he hurt no one and nobody hurt him. Padfoot caught the dark impression of tress.

Moony had gone into the Forbidden Forest.

Great. The only place with things that could scare a werewolf.

Padfoot was about to resume his chase when he caught a new scent.

What you would expect of old parchment fluttering across an April flowerbed.

Lily?

Padfoot had officially screwed up.

* * *

~ Five Minutes Earlier ~

* * *

In spite of the whipping winds and blinding snowfall, Lily had found her way to the Whomping Willow. It looked odd to her, not thrashing about trying to pummel everything in range. Lily hadn't been near the tree since the Ravenclaw boy, Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye to it and she, along with the rest of the students, had been prohibited to go near it again.

She wondered if more than eyes would be possibly lost this evening.

There was an entrance way leading past the roots. Lily was hesitant to enter the dark mouth of the tunnel. Without her wand Lily wasn't only without a source of light, she was helpless. Lily wasn't even sure why she had dared to come out and face an unnamed peril knowing that James was in possession of the only weapon she had.

"Because I'm a Gryffindor and that makes me a recklessly, gallant prat." Lily decided, with the wind as her witness. "And because people I care about need me."

Didn't they?

Lily glanced around, feeling completely ineffectual at the moment. It was as thought she was searching for something to push her towards some specific action.

It came in the form of blood.

Lily felt her breath stolen from her as she crouched by speckles of blood on the white snow. It had yet to freeze.

That meant it had been shed recently.

Walking hunched so she could peer at the snow, Lily caught sight of where the blood was trailing and tried to follow. She squinted into the blizzard, wondering if she'd find a body lying not to far off of someone injured. . .or worse. It was then she caught the silhouette blurred under the snowfall.

It was impossible to distinguish who the figure belonged to, but they were tall and bulky. From their cloak maybe? Lily started to chase after them, but it was so hard to keep her footing without watching her step. She ran hard in spite of the poor traction; she needed to get close enough to the person so they could hear her call to them over the wild howl of the wind that kept blaring. Stumbling through the cold, resistant snow, Lily kept using her hands to brace herself and correct her stance. She was about to call out to whoever was ahead of her when she felt someone seize her by the arm and pull her back.

Lily gasped and spun around, face to face with Sirius Black.

"What are you doing out here, Lily?" Sirius demanded in an anxious voice.

"What am I - " Lily started in disbelief, but shook herself back to the situation. "Forget it! James and Severus are out here, Sirius! I found blood and saw someone moving that way!"

Lily pointed off to where she had last seen the figure treading. Sirius's reaction suggested that he was afraid she was going to say that.

"Let me walk you back to the castle, Lily! You shouldn't be out tonight!" It wasn't really a request since he had already started to drag her. Lily struggled against Sirius's grip.

"Of course not!" Lily agreed completely put off by Sirius's peculiar behavior. "But Severus and James are out there and SOMEONE is BLEEDING Sirius! Now let me go, help me find them or I'll - I'll knock points off Gryffindor for your insolence and unchivalrous behavior!"

"Lily, I'm not asking!" Sirius screamed at her.

He had the same haunted expression as James did.

"What's going on, Sirius?" Lily cried. "Why is everyone so afraid? Why did you want Snape to meet you out here?"

"How -" Sirius started to question this but stopped. "DAMN IT! It IS my fault you're out here! Come on!"

Again, Sirius was pulling Lily towards the castle. Lily fought harder to escape Sirius, but she wasn't having much success since the boy was much taller and stronger than she herself was. The most Lily was accomplishing was making it hard on him.

"Stop it!" Sirius ordered.

"You stop it!" Lily countered childishly. "What the HELL is wrong with you!"

Sirius released Lily. She lost her footing for a moment until she could correct her balance. Turning back to Sirius, Lily saw him pointing his wand at her with a reluctant, but resolved expression. Lily wasn't scared of this sight.

She was stunned.

"You're joking." Lily had to believe that.

"Not tonight, Lily. Not a thing I find funny about tonight." Sirius shook his head. A sudden howl on the wind shook Sirius. "We're heading inside. Now."

"Sirius . . .you're pointing your wand at me." Lily sputtered out, as though he were somehow ignorant of the situation. Lily certainly didn't understand it.

"I know." Sirius replied regretfully. "Come along."

"I can't believe this." Lily shook her head, tightening her cloak. "Well go on then!"

"I'm not kidding here, Lily!" Sirius warned.

"Then show me how serious you really are!" Lily challenged. "Come on! Attack an unarmed Witch! Proud moment for Gryffindor, glad to play part in it!"

Sirius's entire demeanor was conflicted. He could barely keep his wand steady. Who could blame him, considering who he was pointing it at?

"You had best be under the Imperius Curse Sirius, because that is the ONLY explanation I'm accepting at this moment! I'm not going anywhere without first finding James and Severus! So your options are to hex me, drag me kicking and screaming, or helping me out here. Which is it?" Lily transferred all her feelings of pain and deception into seething anger. It was the only way she could cope with this situation.

To cope with this entire night.

"Someday I'll have to explain all this to you, Lily. " Sirius looked like a kick dog as he spoke this. "I'm sorry I don't have time tonight. Hopefully you won't hate me too much later."

Sirius raised his wand steady on her. Lily couldn't look at him anymore.

"Oh, Sirius. . ."

It was the disappointment and betrayal in her pitch that would bother Sirius long after that night.

"Stupefacio."

* * *

A flash of light caught both Snape and James's attention, abandoning the trail the two sprinted toward the source. Neither knew were certain of what they'd expect to find once they reached the origin, but it definitely wasn't what they did find.

In the least, James didn't expect it.

Directing the Mobilicorpus Charm with his wand, Sirius levitated what appeared to be an unconscious Lily in front of him as he made his way toward the castle. He turned suddenly when he saw James and Snape.

James was beyond words at this sight.

Snape was not.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Snape cursed Sirius, causing his entire body to seize up and topple backwards in the snow. As his wand lowered, so did Lily's suspension in the air, leaving her crumpled on a snowdrift. This jarred James back to himself. Fighting his natural instinct to hex Snape for what he had just done to his friend, James pointed his wand at Sirius instead.

"Finite Incantatum!" James dispelled Snape's hex. "How are we supposed to get him back to the castle? Ride him like a bloody sled?"

"Petrificus Totalus." Snape hexed Sirius again stubbornly. "I think Black just proved on Evans that the Mobilicorpus charm is extremely effective."

"Fine!" James didn't feel like arguing this anymore. He just wanted to get everyone back into the castle before they ran into Remus in his altered state. Snape used his wand to lurch Sirius into the air. James approached Lily and waved his wand.

"Ennervate." James cast, causing Lily to revive. She reacted as any person who had just been shaken awake in a strange location would.

"Lily, I am so extraordinarily sorry!" James apologized as he leaned in to help Lily.

Lily slapped his hand away before she struck her own across James's face. The crack could be heard over the wind. The blow knocked his glasses into a snowdrift, causing James to retrieve them before looking at Lily. There was not expression of surprise or indignation on his face.

James had no right to be either of those things.

"I've got you shoving me into closets, Sirius hexing me, someone's hurt and bleeding out in the snow and I don't know who they are. I've spent the last hour worrying people were dead or homicidal. I've had a very horrible night and I don't think you being 'extraordinarily sorry' about it will make it any better." Lily vented near manic with tears streaming in spire of the cold.

"I am sorry, though." James assured as he handed Lily's wand back to her. Lily accepted it. James saw her fingers were black and blue. Though revived, Lily didn't look particularly well from what James saw of her . . .crying, shaking, and probably suffering from more trauma and worry than she had any other time before, it broke James's heart to see her like this and know that he was responsible.

"Lily's got frostbite." James reported to Snape. "Let's hurry and get her inside! We really need to tell the Professor's what's going on since Peter and Remus are still unaccounted for."

Snape nodded as he directed Sirius along towards the castle, following behind. He stole a glace at Lily before moving on ahead.

"Here." James put his arms under and around her to help her through the snow. Lily resisted this a bit, but was too fatigued to put up much of a fight. "You used the last of your strength on that shiner you just gave me. Let me help you now and you can hate me later. I promise."

As the castle came into view, so did the party of Hogwarts faculty, lead by Dumbledore.

"My goodness!" Professor McGonagall cried as she dispelled the binding charm holding Sirius. "What has happened here?"

"Indeed." Snape replied coldly, before turning to Sirius. "Black?"

"Is there anyone else we should know about wandering this horrible storm?" Professor Dumbledore frowned in concern.

"Remus." Sirius spoke up. "He got lose and worked his way back towards the school through the passage. He made his way into the Forbidden Forest best I can guess. Peter was following after him."

"Professor McGonagall, I will require your assistance in sorting out the events of tonight as Deputy Headmistress and the Head of Gryffindor since so many of your charges are involved." Dumbledore requested earnestly.

"Of course." McGonagall agreed as she went over to help James with Lily, observing her exposure to the cold. "Quickly, James! We must hurry Lily to the Hospital Wing at once!"

"Yes, Professor." James lifted Lily off her feet so she was cradled in his arms and followed after the Head of his House.

Dumbledore turned to address the remaining faculty, consisting notably of Professor Sprout the Herbology instructor, Professor Brewsteem the Potions Mistress, Professor Kettleburn the Caretaker of Magical Creatures, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Heilsing, Charms instructor Flitwick, and Hagrid, the Groudskeepeer,

"I must ask the remainder of you to venture into the Forbidden Forest to find our unaccounted for students. Even in his feral state, I do not believe that the dark woods are a place for Mr. Lupin and there is still Mr. Pettigrew to think of. Be as gentle as you can afford in retrieving Mr. Lupin, he is not his usual accommodating self tonight I'm afraid. I believe Vigilia Heilsing will serve well in command of this situation."

Vigilia Heilsing was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in her late thirties with hair bound in a long braid that had gone completely white from stress. Prior to teaching at Hogwarts, she had assisted the Ministry in identifying and tracking intelligent or part human dark creatures, such as Vampires, Werewolves, and Banshees that were a menace to Muggles and Wizards alike. One of Dumbledore's first acts when becoming the Headmaster was tempting her with the position of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, which she agreed to accept only if she could be the Head of Slytherin House as well. Dumbledore had obliged her terms.

"We will divide into three groups." Heilsing announced. "Hagrid and Kettleburn both know the geography of the woods and the creatures inhabiting them so they shall each lead their own party through. You two will be responsible for finding Peter Pettigrew before some bad fate befalls him. I will take up the remaining third with me after Mr. Lupin and this will not be an effort of the faint or cruel of heart."

Heilsing turned to Snape, her House Prefect, abruptly.

"You did a pretty good job of binding Black up with Potter. You feel up to a stroll in the woods, Snape?" Heilsing offered. "Might be an excellent learning experience for you."

Snape couldn't restrain himself from blinking a bit at this invitation. Although she was the Head of his House, Heilsing had never seemed particularly fond of the Slytherins in general. Unlike McGonagall's expectations and refusal to show favoritism to the Gryffindors, Heilsing almost searched for reasons to punish her students for. Her House was fairly mutinous, as well; quick to undermine her word when they could afford it and discontent with her constant prying.

Snape wasn't entirely sure what Heilsing was playing at since she had never expressed anything aside from general dislike and suspicion of him in the past, yet she had trusted him enough to make him Prefect and she was willing to trust him more with tracking down a werewolf.

"Absolutely." Snape consented eagerly after a moment of pause and moved to join the rest of the party.

"I'm going too." Sirius joined in. "This is my fault and he's my friend."

"I think your sense of loyalty would be better served explaining how you attacked your Prefect and endangered people you consider friends. Not to mention myself." Snape glared with hatred at Sirius.

Dumbledore cast a disapproving look at Professor Heilsing.

"I think the students have had enough excitement, Vigilia. I will leave this matter to you and your colleagues while I take our students inside to discuss what has happened." Professor Dumbledore soothed, before glancing at Snape. "The three of us."

"Yes, Headmaster." Vigilia relented as Snape and Sirius followed the elderly wizard into the castle as she and the other Professors made their way towards the woods.

* * *

As Madam Pomfrey tended to Lily, James followed Professor McGonagall to her office to explain everything that had happened and divulged anything he suspected as well. Professor McGonagall seemed more than shocked by James's behavior that night, but he caught a small hint of admiration in her eyes that he didn't feel he deserved in the remotest sense. After finishing what he knew to be true, James told her his suspicions that Sirius had anticipated Snape to make his way to the Shrieking Shack and would have done so without his intervention.

"James." McGonagall's green eyes peered over her square glasses at him, her lips tightly pressed. "This is a very serious accusation, particularly of a friend. Do you realize that you are implying Sirius Black may have knowingly lured Mr. Snape to a werewolf during a full moon in spite of the obvious danger?"

"I know." James couldn't look at Professor McGonagall at the moment. "Like I said, I'm not certain. I'm not saying this is an excuse, but, in Sirius's defense, I don't think he'd really have meant for Snape to get hurt if he was responsible. He's thoughtless like that sometimes."

"Yes, he is." McGonagall admitted with a sigh. She sadly shook her head, as she thought of Sirius Black. "Thank you, James. I'll probably want to speak with you later and I'm certain Professor Dumbledore will wish to hear your perspective on all this. I think it would be best for you to head back to the dorms for the evening."

Professor McGonagall rose from her chair; James imitated her action as she prepared to see him out before she went to find the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

James hesitated.

"If I could." James began awkwardly. "I know I don't have much of a right to ask for favors after everything I've done tonight, but could I return to the Hospital Wing?"

"I very much doubt Madam Pomfrey will be happy with you disturbing her patient after the care she invested in mending her." McGonagall said dismissively. "Your Prefect will pull through, Mr. Potter."

"I'm not worried about my Prefect." James countered bluntly.

She was about the question this, when she noticed the slight blush on James's cheeks. He adverted his eyes only briefly before locking them back onto her own. It became clear to Professor McGonagall what James was saying and this gave her a small amount of joy despite all the tragedy that had occurred that evening.

McGonagall studied James with a soft expression she reserved only for special occasions. James was coated in mud with dried scrapes covering him all over with a worn stance and worried look. Although she had never seen James Potter appear more disheveled than he did at that moment, she marveled at how resilient and strong he had remained in a situation that would have broken a lesser man twice his age. The resolved glint to James's eyes showed McGonagall that although he had broken enough school rules already that evening than most students would in their entire education at Hogwarts; he was entirely prepared to break a few more if she denied his request to stay with someone he had risked so much to protect.

"This is a Gryffindor." Minerva McGonagall thought proudly.

"I suppose it would be prudent to have your own injuries tended to." Professor McGonagall gave a small smile. "Tell Madam Pomfrey I would prefer you remain in the Hospital Wing until I or Professor Dumbledore come to reclaim you."

"Thank you." James managed out quietly as he left her presence for the Hospital Wing.

* * *

In the Headmaster's office, Severus Snape and Sirius Black sat before Professor Dumbledore's desk as he poured them each a hot cup of tea. They glared at each other, not caring if their Headmaster noticed or not.

"Sirius." Dumbledore interrupted the staring contest. "I expect Professor McGonagall will be along shortly. I would like you to go with her and explain, from you perspective, what has transpired here this evening and all the events that may have led to it. I shall discuss the same with you, Severus."

"Yes, Sir." Sirius and Snape both agreed softly.

Professor McGonagall strode in promptly, as though waiting for her cue. Professor Dumbledore greeted her with an acknowledging smile even with the circumstances being what they were. She placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder.

"Come with me, Mr. Black." McGonagall said firmly. Sirius appeared petrified.

"You are welcome to take your tea with you, Sirius." Dumbledore informed. Sirius could only dumbly nod in response as he followed the Head of his house away. Reverting his attentions back on his remaining student, Dumbledore folded his hands while staring intently at Snape.

"Where would you like me to start, Professor?" Snape inquired respectfully.

"I've always been fond of beginnings, Severus." Dumbledore smiled. Snape offered a quizzical look.

"Of this evening?" Snape wasn't entirely sure what the Headmaster was implying.

"Where ever you feel the beginning is, Severus." Dumbledore encouraged. "It is, after all, your story I am about to listen to."

Snape nodded.

"Then, I suppose, we should start with my impressions of Black and his friends."

* * *

Sitting in the Hospital Wing, James allowed Madam Pomfrey to fuss over him as she cleaned him up and applied medical potions to his injuries.

"I swear I can't go a solid day without at least one Gryffindor in need of my care." Pomfrey chided. "Have the lot of you no eyes? It's a nightmare out there and you four just are strolling about through snow drifts in completely inadequate attire!"

"We had our cloaks and scarves." James stated.

"Oh, tell that to Miss Evans who's lucky I didn't have to regrow the tips of her fingers and toes!" Pomfrey shook her head. "Cloaks and scarves! Hmph! It's colder than the dark side of the moon out there, Potter! I'll be treating half the faculty and your other friends, once they're, found in the morning."

"If they're found." James muttered gravely.

"ONCE they're found." Madam Pomfrey repeated gently. She applied the last of her bandages on James. "Now, unless you want me to check your hearing, scoot!"

Smoothing out her medical robes, Pomfrey began to clean up the area to keep her wing sanitary.

"I'll be giving Miss Evans a mild sleeping potion shortly. Poor girl's worn to the bone." Madam Pomfrey informed. "You can have a bit to talk with her, but if I catch you agitating her - "

"I'll be a gentleman." James interrupted, throwing out a charming smile to help seal the deal.

"Save it for Miss Evans, Potter." Pomfrey smirked as she left.

"I'll be needing more than a smile." James muttered to himself as he walked over to the opposite end of the Hospital Wing. Lily was resting in her bed, bandages covering the frostbitten parts until the potion set in. She appeared to be dozing and James didn't have the heart to wake her if she was getting some sleep. Pulling a chair to him, the legs scrapped along the stone floor causing James to cringe and Lily to stir. She glanced at James.

"I'm sorry I hit and yelled at you." Lily apologized in a weak pitch.

"No, don't be! In fact, you shouldn't have let me off so light." James had no idea that the hell to say. "Anyway, never mind about me. Are you feeling alright?"

"Sore and numb all at once." Lily informed. "I can't seem to get warm either."

James turned his head about until he spotted some spare blankets and brought them over. He began unfolding them and adjusting them over Lily, tucking her in a bit more.

"Do you want me to start groveling now or when you're feeling good enough to fully appreciate it?" James had meant it to come out lightly as a joke but his voice broke a bit over the words.

"I'd like you to explain what happened tonight." Lily requested. "Like you promised you would."

"Okay." James retook his seat and explained Remus's condition, what had happened between him and Snape that night while looking for her, and what part he suspected Sirius to play in the incidents of that night.

Lily took this all amazingly well. James guessed it was because she was tired and wouldn't be able to completely take in how bizarre it was at just that moment.

"I had no idea about Remus. Poor boy, as if he doesn't have enough troubles without putting up with all this tonight." Lily said sympathetically. "I hope he's alright."

"He can take care of himself. I've had the bumps to prove it." James assured.

"You've been around Remus when he was a werewolf? How?" Lily's eyes were wide at this.

"I - " James stopped, afraid someone might overhear him. "I WILL explain that. Can I just hold off until I don't have to worry about the wrong ears hearing?"

"That's fine." Lily agreed.

"What happened with you and Sirius before we found you? I mean, why did he hex you?" James questioned, that had been bothering him ever since they had found the two of them outside.

Lily described what had happened from her end that evening to James, with Sirius cursing her serving as the climax. James groaned at his friend's behavior and was amazed Lily was still willing to talk with him anymore after all this

"I'm going KILL Sirius." James decided dispassionately.

"I think you'd best serve him by being a friend." Lily advised. "Sirius is going to have enough people angry with him; he'll need someone to be supportive."

"Even after what he did to you?" James was astounded at how forgiving Lily was being.

"I'm not HAPPY about that anymore than being left in a closet, but like you he meant well in his own way." Lily sighed. "He was under a lot of pressure and it's not like Sirius enjoyed hexing me."

"Yeah, well, I don't know how to feel if it turns out he was trying to do what I suspect." James removed his glasses to rub his eyes. "It was just stupid, even by Sirius standards. I just think about how awful it all could be right now and I'm right back at wanting to kill him."

James felt Lily place a hand on his knee. He put one of his own on top of it, careful not to apply any pressure to a bandaged area.

"I know." Lily replied in an understanding tone. "I can't tell you to forgive him, but you have to ask yourself if a mistake, even one of this magnitude, is worth trading in every last thing Sirius has done for you as a friend these past six years."

Reflecting on the countless good times and phenomenal support Sirius had generously provided before and after the deaths of all his living relatives, James saw what Lily was getting at.

"You're right." James nodded. "I'll stand by Sirius through this, but it's going to be hard. There's Remus to consider. I don't want him to take it as me condoning Sirius's behavior and I imagine he's going to be beyond furious with Sirius."

"Do you think they'll ever set things right again?" She asked sadly.

"I hope so." He did.

"Do you think Sirius will be expelled?" She sounded even sadder.

"I hope not." He really did.

They sat in silence for a minute. Remembering everything that had happened as though it were just a story they had heard and hadn't actually endured any part of it. But the hollow feeling in both Lily and James about the people they knew and the uncertain futures before them left a sting to remind them of how real it had all been and would be with the beginning of the New Year. The most James had wanted do to on the cusp of 1976 and '77 was ask Lily to be his girlfriend and have everything be perfect.

This was so far past perfect James was ill.

Still, even all bandaged. Even though she had slapped him. Even though she had almost gotten herself killed. Even though he had spent almost every moment of that night frightened for her, James was never more convinced of how much he wanted to be with her. Of how much he needed to be with her. Although he had never undervalued Lily Evans significance in his life, James completely reaffirmed this at the possibility he had faced with her not being a part of it.

Running his free hand through his hair, James stared at Lily as he drew his chair closer to her bedside.

"Tonight, I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend." James confessed. "I had been agonizing since Christmas on how to do a brilliant job of it. I thought I had it tonight before it came completely undone with me utterly helpless to prevent all that. I was going to tell you that I cared about, wanted to protect you, trusted you with everything in my life including my life itself. That I needed you, couldn't imagine being without you, would be frantic without you and inconsolable if I lost you. That I would risk my very life for yours if it was called for."

James went on, barely listening to himself as he spoke completely from his heart.

"And I wanted it all to be memorable when you found this out."

James took a deep breath as he touched Lily's face.

"This night's been Hell, Lily, and even though I couldn't make the beginning perfect for you, I'd still like you to be with me anyway." James whispered.

"You were going to tell me all this in the attic?" Lily smiled.

"Yeah." James smiled back. "I would have meant it, too."

"You're right. This night's been Hell." Lily fought back a few tears. "But I'm glad I went through it with you."

"Why?" James stoked her cheek.

"Because, you could have told me all that, about how you felt and I would never have known if you truly meant it." Lily explained. "Tonight, you proved every last word of it and so much more aside from that. How can I even think of doubting you?"

She briefly recalled her last conversation with Snape and the life he describe James of leading.

"I saw the man you are tonight, James. And the man you're going to someday be. And that's the kind of man I want to be with. That's the kind of man I want to fall in love with." Lily admitted; James felt his heart skip a beat.

"If I can't fall in love with someone like you James, who could I love?"

James didn't want to think of an answer.

James only kissed Lily, feeling excited, stunned, and at peace all at once. He knew she felt the same.

You just sort of know these things about the people to value sometimes.

Catching Madam Pomfrey coming over to settle Lily to sleep, James reluctantly stood up and remembered something. Reaching into his robes, he returned the letter he had taken from her that evening.

"I should give this back to you." James smiled as he passed onto the nightstand next to her. He paused before asking a cautious question he didn't know if he would regret. "In the letter, Snape mentioned he upset you. What happened with you and Snape at the lake?"

Lily seemed to think about this before she smiled.

"Just my realizing I'd follow you into Hell on a moth's wings if I needed to."

* * *

Speaking with James Potter first had helped to brace Minerva McGonagall for Sirius Black's account of that night's events but to actually hear the seventeen year old boy confirm everything his best friend had suspected?

Who could ever be fully prepared for that?

"Then you intentionally enticed Mr. Snape into following you out to the Shrieking Shack, aware that Remus would have fully completed his transformation as a werewolf by this point?" Professor McGonagall asked rhetorically, staring in disbelief at Sirius from across her desk. "Mr. Black, what were you thinking? No, a better question is were you EVEN thinking?"

Sirius's eyes darted back and forth slightly, as though he expected someone to help provide the answers to her questions.

It was strange for McGonagall to see Sirius like this. In all her prior interventions, lectures, and detentions with Sirius, he was always quick to provide a whimsical excuse or entertaining rationalization for whatever she had called him for. He'd throw out a broad smile and pour on the charm to try and talk himself and at times his friends out of whatever bit of trouble their mischief had landed them in. Professor McGonagall doubted that Sirius ever truly believed such tactics would win her over, but it was simply his way in dealing with everyone and he wouldn't quite be Sirius Black if he wasn't the same with her.

This was not that boy before her.

McGonagall could barely recognize him as Sirius Black.

Sirius was nervous and silent. When he spoke it was barely audible. No jokes were woven in his tale or smiles to brighten his words. He attempted to tell his version of that night's events as though he were giving an oral presentation, but his voice betrayed him several times, such as when Remus had broken loose or he felt he was compelled to render Lily Evans unconscious for her own safety. Unlike every other instance she had asked for Sirius to explain his actions, Sirius's didn't have that small hint of amusement or pride in his pitch when he recited them for her now.

Professor McGonagall was deeply grateful for this.

"I - " Sirius managed out, head hanging. "I thought it would be funny when I did it, you know? I was just sick of Snape always lurking about like some arrogant git, I wanted to make him back off a bit. I figured one really good scare might make him think it wasn't worth harassing the lot of us anymore."

"And nothing short of a frenzied werewolf would have accomplished this?" McGonagall harped.

"It was the first idea that came to mind." Sirius turned his eyes back up to McGonagall as he spoke. "It seemed like the best one as dumb as it sounds now. I thought I could keep a handle on Remus, no big deal. Snape gets a scare; we get a laugh, business as usual the next day. I know you're not going to believe me when I say this, but I didn't think anything bad would happen. . . I didn't think. . ."

"You most certainly did not." McGonagall agreed. "Sirius, you will never know how fortunate you were this evening in spite of your taunting of fate, but I will try to place a scope on all this for you to attempt to grasp. Severus Snape could have been bitten, doomed to share poor Remus's dreadful condition. He could have very well been killed. For that matter so could have Miss Evans and Mr. Potter. You may have no love of Mr. Snape but I know how close you are with Lily and James."

Professor McGonagall felt the weight of this possibility touch her and felt a distraught expression form as its mark.

"Sirius, could you even imagine living on with the deaths of Lily and James on your conscience? To know that if you hadn't indulged a severe lapse in judgment that they would still be alive? Could you shoulder the guilt of knowing two of your friends were no longer alive because of a choice you made?"

"No." Sirius appeared as though he was going to cry over that prospect.

"Well thankfully you will never have to know such regret, Mr. Black." The Deputy Headmistress nodded, glad he understood. She took no joy in pushing her Gryffindor students to the verge of tears but it was imperative Sirius not treat the matter lightly because no one happened to be hurt worse than they were.

Sirius straightened up a bit, wide-eyed with his lip quivering slightly.

"So, when do I go home?" Sirius asked. "I mean, can I stay long enough to apologize to everyone?"

"You mean, before you're expelled?" McGonagall studied Sirius for volunteering such a notion.

"Yes Ma'am." Sirius nodded.

Professor McGonagall sighed as she leaned over her desk, putting her closer with Sirius.

"While your gross negligence placed many students in danger tonight, I do not feel your lack of foresight does warrant your expulsion from Hogwarts and that will be my recommendation to Professor Dumbledore when I speak with him." Professor McGonagall was stern as she spoke, but Sirius felt that she was almost as relieved to say it as he was to hear it.

"I believe that you are completely sincere in your claims that you had no intention of bringing anyone to harm this evening, although this in NO WAY excuses your behavior." McGonagall went on. "My basis for this assessment stems from the fact so many people you care about may have had their lives ruined or ended as a result of your poor decision making. Your concern and remorse also speak greatly in your defense, Mr. Black. If I had even the most remote of suspicions that you had acted against Mr. Snape with more malice than that of an ill-conceived prank I wouldn't hesitate in breaking your wand myself!"

"Yes Ma'am." Sirius stupidly repeated before going back to being silent.

"Though not nearly as severe as what you suggested for a punishment for your conduct, there will be repercussions." Professor McGonagall informed.

"Absolutely." Sirius replied eagerly as he waited for her to go on.

"Your parents will, of course, be notified."

Sirius cringed, but nodded.

"As well as all those of the other students involved."

More nodding.

"And most likely the Ministry of Magic if Professor Dumbledore feels it is necessary. While I doubt he would like to make a public spectacle out of this already delicate situation, our Headmaster might be aware of procedures to be followed that I am not. And that is not even considering whether any or all of the parents involved care to purse such a measure themselves."

A look of horror washed over Sirius's face, but he didn't bother to plead or argue verbally.

"You are expected to apologize, formally and sincerely to everyone who could have been a victim of your prank along with all the faculty you have inconvenienced and worried in attempting to locate Remus and Peter."

"Okay."

"In particular, I expect your apology to Severus Snape to be very heartfelt since he was the target of all this."

Professor McGonagall noticed Sirius slightly glower over this stipulation, but consented with another nod.

"I'd also recommend you make a serious effort for amends with Remus Lupin considering you not only exploited him, but could have left him and his secret vulnerable to the entire Wizarding World if anyone had been harmed by him. Why, Remus might have possibly ended up in Azkaban for all this misery and nonsense."

Sirius was horrified again. He hadn't even considered that Remus could have been held accountable for what he had done. Sirius felt himself begin to shake his head, as though it would make such an outcome less true.

"You will not be attending any Hogsmeade trips or school functions for the remainder of the year, I'm debating whether or not I'll even allow you to attend Quidditch matches, and neither of us can fathom the amount of detentions and extracurricular assignments this has amassed for you."

Sirius sighed and nodded. He was going to have a really dull remaining 6th Year but he deserved no less.

"And this I cannot stress enough, if you do anything, anything at all to mirror the magnitude of this fiasco, Mr. Black, I very much doubt that there will be many other second chances allotted to you."

"So no more practical jokes, huh?" Sirius hoped he could stick to this.

"Of the felonious sort, yes." Professor McGonagall cracked a smile for the first time that night. "However; for those offenses that fall somewhere short, well, I suppose it would be unreasonable to ask you to suddenly stop being Sirius Black."

"Thanks." Sirius smiled appreciatively and felt privileged to have a Head of House who understood her student as Professor McGonagall did. She slid over a quill, inkwell, and sections of parchment to Sirius.

"I'd like you to begin your letters of apology now, Sirius, while I speak with Professor Dumbledore about what you have told me and how I believe we would best handle the situation. I will return and inform you of what is decided." McGonagall gestured to the stationary. "In the meantime, I recommend you begin with either Mr. Snape or Mr. Lupin."

Leaving him alone in her office, Sirius stared at the blank parchment, waiting for his apology to Remus to come to him. Although it had never been his strength, Sirius acknowledged how important it was that he composed something, anything to make sense of his actions and hopefully prompt Remus to forgive him someday.

It occurred to Sirius that Remus didn't even know about any of this yet technically. Sirius frowned to himself.

"Why am I such a jackass?" Sirius asked aloud.

"I've been asking myself that for years." James's voice carried across the room as he entered.

"James!" Sirius spun around, uncertain of how to address his friend. "I'm . . .oh God, is Lily okay?"

"Yeah. I left her to get some rest. I plan on going back there for the night but I wanted to see about you." James nodded.

This felt awkward.

"So on a scale of 1 to 10, how furious are you with me?" Sirius inquired quietly.

"I think I'm around 47." James informed.

"Oh."

"But I still consider you my mate. My stupid, thoughtless mate who owes our other mate the apology of a lifetime." James added. "You sore with me for tipping off McGonagall about how, well, how you meant to do all this?"

"I was going to admit to it anyway, so no." Sirius shook his head. "If anything, you probably cushioned the blow a bit so she didn't walk around her desk and strangle me for all this mess. I'm sorry, James."

"I think you should save most of that for Lily, Remus, and Snape." James advised.

Sirius rolled his eyes a bit before sighing.

"Yeah, well Snape can bugger off as far as I'm concerned." Sirius muttered. James cast a shocked look at him.

"Sirius, I know you wanted Snape out there but did you really mean to hurt Snape?" James had to know.

"No!" Sirius protested. "I don't want the pasty faced wanker killed off, but that doesn't mean I feel particularly remorseful towards him either. Just because he had a close brush doesn't give me the big warm and fuzzy for the Slytherin."

"You could have killed him tonight Sirius." James spoke cautiously.

"I - I know." Sirius shook a bit. "I'm not proud of that. I plan on apologizing and whatnot to him. I plan on making it sound good too. I just don't know if I can feel sorry about putting him out."

James didn't know how to feel about Sirius's bitterness. Although he, by no means, had any fondness of Severus Snape, James had been concerned when he thought he might have been hurt. But had he really been concerned about Snape, or was he worried what might happen to Sirius or Remus if something had happened?

James didn't like talking with Sirius at the moment, it was making him think things about himself he really wasn't comfortable with.

"Well, I'm going to leave you to start your letters." Was all James could say. "I'll see you later then."

"I'm still sorry, James." Sirius called after him.

James hoped Sirius was.

* * *

Albus Dumbledore had listened patiently and without interruption as Severus Snape explained what had transpired from his very distinct point of view. Severus's angry feelings expressed through a detached monotone required Dumbledore to read between the lines of the tale in order to discern what had happened that night. An intelligent young man who was both eccentric and emotionally complicated, Professor Dumbledore silently debated how to best appease his wronged pupil without reinforcing his already unique slant on things.

"If you were in my position, Severus." Dumbledore began with interest. "How would you remedy this situation?"

"I would expel Black." His eyes bore directly into the Headmaster's as he gave his reply. "I would see his performance tonight as only a taste of what he will be capable of later. Imagine how dangerous a person like Black could be as a fully accredited Wizard? I wouldn't risk it."

"An understandable recommendation if Sirius Black is the, how did you describe it before? 'A sociopathic degenerate who poisons the very nature of magic by being a part of it'?" Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. He watched Severus's eyes narrow.

"Are you implying I'm being dramatic in my portrayal of events, Professor?" It could have been a challenge by the way Severus had said that sentence. Dumbledore dismissed this as a young man worn from a stressful evening.

"Not at all. I can completely understand how your perspective had represented the events of this evening as such. Your association with Mr. Black has always been a particularly colorful one and the bad blood flowing between you two has most certainly appeared to come to a head this evening. However, I must say Severus, if I know Sirius Black as well as I believe I know you, I do not think he is capable of the deliberate cruelty you would credit him with." Dumbledore confessed.

"I'm assuming then Black will not be expelled then?" The look in Severus's eyes was traitorous.

"No. I do not believe he will be unless Professor McGonagall will be providing some significant insight that would merit such a drastic course of action." Professor Dumbledore agreed. "I have yet to expel a single student since my appointment of Headmaster at Hogwarts and I would very much wish to keep my record as such."

Severus rose abruptly.

"I would like to be excused if it is all the same to you, Sir." Venom poured over his words. Professor Dumbledore gestured for him to sit once more.

"Actually, I would very much like to talk with you further Severus." Professor Dumbledore smiled kindly. "I think we should discuss Remus Lupin for a few moments."

Snape said nothing as he reclaimed his seat.

"I'm aware of your impressions of Mr. Black; however, I'd like to know what you think of Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore inquired.

"I find him to be possibly the least obnoxious of Potter's group, but, in all fairness, that says very little considering they are the most obnoxious cabal of Wizards ever assembled." Severus reported candidly. "Though, I must admit, he has certainly managed to set himself apart from the group now in my mind."

Professor Dumbledore locked eyes with Severus. It was not a threatening glint in his eyes, only a resolute one.

"I must ask your discretion in regards to Remus's condition, Severus. Precluding members of the faculty and only those he wishes to divulge such knowledge to, no one must know that Mr. Lupin is a werewolf. I understand how resentful you undoubtedly and justifiably feel about this situation; however, I must request you bear in mind that this was not Remus's doing nor would it be fair to exact any retribution through him by exploiting his unfortunate secret." Dumbledore stated firmly.

"And if, as a Prefect, I felt that the student population had the right to know if something, I apologize, someONE that dangerous was in their midst?" Severus raised an eyebrow in a taunting manner.

What was it about youth that invited such rebellious behavior? Dumbledore had always found this tendency to be both refreshing and trying in his long association with developing witches and wizards.

"Then, as the Headmaster, I would be most disappointed." Dumbledore's expression showed this would be only the introduction of other, less pleasant reactions to follow. Severus settled back into his seat, albeit stiffly.

"Very well, Lupin can keep his secret." Severus relented. "However don't ask me to attempt to form any long lasting bonds with either him or his friends. I have little room in my life for a rabble of self-absorbed delinquents."

"While I can understand your wariness of Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin, I must admit that I am surprised you still consider James Potter to be your rival, outside of an academic setting." Dumbledore marveled somewhat to himself.

"Very little has occurred in this evening to change my previous impressions of Potter." Severus informed. "If anything, I would say he has only reinforced everything I had already presumed him to be."

Dumbledore settled back into his chair with a pensive expression before turning to Severus.

"One perspective to look at this from, Severus, is that James Potter saved your life." Professor Dumbledore mused.

"What?" Severus spat the word out as his usually stoic manner was chipped away at.

"If James hadn't possessed the foresight and maturity he had, why, I fear the situation would have been far worse that what we are presently facing." Dumbledore shook his head. "James literally sided against the judgment and actions of his closest friend to come to the defense of his long time adversary. Whatever your opinion of James Potter may be, he might have saved several lives this evening from being irreparably altered."

"I can't believe your describing him as some - some noble hero for all this!" Severus tone flared against the praise of his competitor. His usually aloof composure faltered.

"And how would you describe the situation?" Dumbledore inquired with interest.

"The most credit to James Potter's character I can allow is his knack for self-preservation." Severus sneered. "He knew he would be facing just as much trouble as his friends if he turned a blind eye to Black's destructiveness. Potter's concern was expulsion or jail, not me. He saved his own skin as much with his supposed 'gallantry' as mine."

Dumbledore rose from his chair and walked around so he could place a hand over Severus's shoulder. He didn't appear entirely comfortable with the idea of being touched, even in a reassuring manner. Dumbledore suspected such a gesture had been long absent from the boy's life, if it had ever been present at all.

"You are angry now, Severus, and with a certain amount of privilege to be such." Dumbledore spoke in an understanding tone. "Once the shock of the evening has left you, I'd strongly recommend you reflect with a rational mind upon what has happened and let that shape the person you will become from it. Perhaps you will still feel you have no reason to be obliged to James Potter, perhaps not. The most I can request is you not allow your decision to be made this very instant."

"I will attempt what you ask." Severus promised vaguely.

"That's good." Dumbledore smiled knowingly. "Acceptance and forgiveness are rare gifts to give, Severus. You may find, sometime in your own future that you will be in a situation not unlike our young Mr. Black or Mr. Potter. Perhaps a little good karma would be prudent to acquire?"

"May I leave to check on Evans?" Severus deflected softly. "I wish to see how she's fairing since Potter was the one to bring her to the Hospital Wing."

"I'm sorry, of course." Dumbledore permitted. "If she happens to be awake, please give her my warmest wishes for a fast recovery. I fear it may be while before I will be allowed to deliver them myself."

"Certainly." Severus nodded one as he left the office.

Returning to his desk, Professor Dumbledore wished to start sending out Owls to the parents of the children involved but he had to first wait until Remus and Peter were safely back within the castle walls. Recognizing he might not be able to deliver his messages until the first hours of morning, Albus Dumbledore did think of someone he could write to.

Beginning the first of many letters he would be expected compose, Professor Dumbledore thought of the defensive Severus Snape as he wrote to someone whom he hoped would accept his invitation to help mend the situation still unraveling itself before he would have to meet with several anxious and angry parents.

Professor Dumbledore could only hope she would be able to spare a day or two on behalf of Sirius Black and Severus Snape.

* * *

The torches burned low in the Hospital wing when Severus Snape arrived. After a brief and irritating exchange with Madam Pomfrey, she reluctantly admitted him since he had Professor Dumbledore's approval.

"Go on ahead, though I doubt you'll get much out of the visit." Madam Pomfrey warned as she waved him past. "I gave her a tonic to help her rest only a few minutes ago so she's probably fast asleep. Try not to disturb her and make sure that Potter does the same if he's so adamant about perching himself by her bedside for the remainder of the night."

Snape said nothing as he made his way to the other end of the Hospital Wing. Sure enough, Lily Evans appeared to be peacefully sleeping with Potter watching her with a mixed expression of fondness and concern as he held her hand.

"I would have imagined you would have had your fill of watching Evans sleep." Snape commented loftily. Potter jumped slightly, Snape wasn't sure if this was because he had startled him or touched a nerve. He appeared to be slightly flustered by this comment and was acting guilty, even for Potter. "Must not have the same flavor, what with her being aware that you are staring at her."

Potter sighed and glanced unappreciatively towards him.

"Did you come here to check up on Lily or did you want to take a few more shots at me before you decided to turn in?" Potter hissed, looking like he could use some rest himself.

"I see no reason why I can't manage both," Snape shrugged. He didn't sit down nor did he approach Lily. Still Potter appeared uncomfortable with his presence and he had little desire to put Potter at ease by leaving.

"Yeah, well if you're planning to really get into it with me, let's step to the other end of the wing, shall we?" Potter replied curtly. "I don't feel like waking her up because you're inclined to be an uncivil prat."

"Perhaps it would be best for us to speak to the side then." Snape consented. "After all, I thought you might like to hear what will be happening with your friends."

Potter stood up, placing Lily's hand gently at her side. He trailed behind Snape as the walked past a few rows of beds.

"I assumed you tried your damnedest to get the lot of us booted out, hm?" Potter guessed.

"As though you deserve anything less." Snape confirmed. "In complete disregard to my protest, it's almost assured that Dumbledore has every intention of making sure you and your company will be around to bother me for my remaining education at Hogwarts."

Potter seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at this, but tried not to lose whatever amount of personal intimidation he assumed himself to possess with Snape. No taller than himself although a little broader across the chest and shoulders from his time with Quidditch, the most daunting thing Snape could recognize in James Potter was his flare for magic. Still, as adept as he was, Potter had proven more or less that evening that he lacked knowledge of more potent magics or was too afraid to use them.

Such ignorance or weakness provided Snape with no concern regarding Potter, although he felt Potter should be more than wary of these qualities within him.

"And what about Remus or Peter, any word?"

"None to my knowledge." Snape informed. "It's very possible they're dead, you know. I wouldn't raise my hopes if I were you."

Potter went chalk white and reacted as though he had been winded. He behaved as though the thought hadn't occurred to him. It was optimistic, if not foolish, to assume that a sub-par wizard like Pettigrew or the enraged Lupin were completely safe amongst the vicious denizens of the Forbidden Forest.

Snape seemed to be the harbinger of obvious bad news lately to the Gryffindor House.

"Don't say that." Potter ordered, straightening up.

"Why? It's an entirely plausible outcome." Snape pressed.

"Maybe, but you're just doing it to be a sadist." Potter bristled.

"Sadist? Let's discuss Black for a moment then." Snape glared taking a step towards Potter. "I think having two of his closest friends suffer as a consequence of his attempt to get at me would be a more than poetic ending to this demented display he took upon himself to orchestrate."

"And I reckon it would be right poetic if I dragged you into the hall and went at you like a Bludger." Potter took a step up to Snape crossing his arms. "I'm more than tired of the nasty comments and disparaging insights you're always so willing to offer up. Specifically about those I considered to be family."

So the child wants to play?

"An important sentiment to you, I'd wager. Pity there aren't a few more Potters to charge to Black's defense. Of course, they all saw fit to recklessly undertake their own uphill battles already, haven't they? So refreshing to know their sole surviving member is selecting his own noble crusades just as wisely." Snape coldly commented, completely rattling what remained of Potter's composure.

"You low-blowing bastard." Potter growled as he prepared to seize Snape by his robed; however, Madam Pomfrey's hurried steps toward the both of them restrained him.

"How considerate of you two to pummel one another right in the Hospital Wing so no one will have to be troubled with dragging you up here!" Pomfrey stated sarcastically. "Once you're done bloodying each other up, have the proper decency to see yourselves into a free bed."

"Sorry, Madam Pomfrey." Potter muttered apologetically. Snape said nothing since he didn't feel as though he was responsible.

"Anymore trouble out of the two of you tonight and I won't care if Merlin himself says you can be here! Fair warning." Pomfrey strode off.

Potter glared at Snape and turned to make his way back to Lily. Snape followed along, prompting Potter to comment.

"Okay, you've seen Lily is alright, you've found humor in the possibility that two of my friends are dead so my best friend could regret it until the end of his days with pointing out how I'm an orphan as a showstopper. WHY are you still here, Snape?" Potter demanded.

"I'm not entirely comfortable with leaving Evans alone in your company." Snape explained. Potter's jaw dropped as though this comment were somehow out of line considering the track record he had managed for himself this year alone.

"And you've just called me a rapist once more, thank you very much." Potter ground his teeth.

"Or some other type of violent criminal. I'm not entirely positive of what motivates you, Potter." Snape leaned against the wall, content with his games of agitation. Assuming that it wouldn't be long until Potter did something to get him thrown out or left on his own, Snape could antagonize him as long as necessary.

"Lily wouldn't seem to agree with you." Potter noted dryly before he took his place at her bedside once more.

"She was always a generous judge of character." Snape reported.

"Yeah well I would very much doubt she'd agree to be my steady if she was harboring any hesitations about mine." Potter responded, looking at Snape over the frames of his glasses. "No smart retort to that?"

"Don't you have friends to discuss Evans's milestones in self- degradation with?" Snape glowered, uninterested in this conversation.

"You were the one who was just saying they were all too busy being dead or sadistic." Potter mumbled.

"That doesn't explain why you reason I should preoccupy my thoughts with the inconsequential events of your life?" Snape retorted.

"I'm just trying to figure out how much we have in common." Potter glared as Snape in a challenging sort of way. "I don't like cold wars, Snape. If you're looking to win Lily over, have the decency to be a man about it and tell me to my face rather than trying to steal her behind my back. I don't know all the details of your and her relationship or what history you two might have if any, but it's not fair for you to play at being her friend if you're just angling for something else."

"Spare me your alpha-male posturing, Potter." Snape sneered. "It confounds me how someone as arrogant as yourself can be so insecure. If you have inadequacy issues about how committed Evans is in your recently established relationship, I think you're taking them up with the wrong person."

"Look." Potter tried, getting annoyed. "I'm just attempting to figure out how much worse I can expect things to get between us."

"Put your mind at ease." Snape advised. "They can't possibly get worse."

That was when Professor Sprout, the herbology teacher, and Professor Heilsing, the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor entered the Hospital Wing, leading Peter Pettigrew along with them. Madam Pomfrey rushed over and started coaxing the boy into the nearest bed.

"Oh thank goodness, Mr. Pettigrew!" Madam Pomfrey gasped. "My, my, my, you're in the same sorry state Miss Evans managed for herself! Lie down and relax. You'll need some potions applied to all your frostbite. A little Pepper-Up Potion probably wouldn't hurt."

Rising from his seat, Potter sprinted the length of the wing to get closer to his friend.

"You alright, mate?" Potter demanded with sincere worry. "What about Remus?"

"They're fine, Potter. Both of them." Professor Heilsing answered on Pettigrew's behalf. Her intrusive gray eyes darted, taking note of Snape's presences before turning to Madam Pomfrey. "Leave Pettigrew to Professor Sprout's care, Lupin is in need of your expertise more. Ugly gash along the shoulder and whatever he earned for himself before we broke up a rough tussle he was having with a troll playmate."

"You retrieved Mr. Lupin?" Pomfrey sounded impressed, before she hurried to gather her things to tend to Remus.

"Not that he felt the need to make things easy on us, mind you." Professor Heilsing nodded, glancing at Potter. "I brought him down gently as I could, though he's thoroughly stunned and restrained with Hagrid, the Groundskeeper. You can thank him for finding Pettigrew, bumped into him out in the Forest and kept him from wandering into a particularly rough neighborhood of it. We're presently keeping Mr. Lupin in the Care for Magical Creatures stables since we can't risk bringing him into the school until morning so you'll have to go to him, Poppy."

Potter seemed to be in a moment of indecision as he couldn't decide whether Lily, Pettigrew, or Lupin required his presence more. He seemed to come to achieve a verdict when he started to trail behind Madam Pomfrey.

"Keep warm, Peter, I'll go see about Remus." Potter announced. Heilsing put a hand on his shoulder to prevent him from running off.

"No. You both are to come with me. There's something we need to discuss with the Headmaster present." Heilsing was grave as she spoke this.

Her eyes glanced to Snape in an accusing sort of manner. Snape knew Heilsing seemed to loath him the most of all her charges, making herself always known by peering over his shoulder or being quick and fierce in correcting any out of turn behavior he engaged in. She maintained the illusion of professionalism, but Snape guessed Heilsing would probably hammer a stake into him if they crossed paths in some dark alley. Still, he had to admit that he was more than a little surprised when she had selected him to be the Slytherin Prefect. Knowing Heilsing, this was less a gesture of respect as it was an attempt to keep his presumably idle hands busy.

Ushering the boys ahead of her, Heilsing herded them to her office, encountering McGonagall along the way.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Heilsing exchanged nods as she passed with James Potter and Severus Snape. Entering the Hospital Wing, McGonagall approached Peter Pettigrew to see how he was fairing. While speaking with Professor Dumbledore, the search party had returned and informed them of the situation. Checking on poor Remus first, McGonagall had only just found her way to see Peter.

"Goodness, Peter!" McGonagall gasped at the sorry sight of the boy. His clothes and blond hair were completely soaked through from the snow. Professor Sprout was presently applying potion and bandages over his cold damaged skin, making tsking sounds all throughout the process and offering encouraging words to the boy.

"Professor McGonagall. . ." Peter greeted quietly, waiting for her to launch into a lecture.

Never being one to disappoint.

"Did none of you aside from Miss Evans have the good sense to alert the faculty as to what was happening? What could have possibly possessed you to chase a werewolf into the Forbidden Forest, Peter? Why there are things in there that I shudder to the thought of encountering and you charge in headlong? You were inconceivably fortunate tonight, Peter, I hope you know. Along with that of your friends, I'm going to recommend dumb luck become a new Gryffindor trait."

"I know." Peter admitted. "But Remus is my friend, even if he was REALLY scary at the moment. How could I just leave him out there alone?"

"It was a hard decision." Professor McGonagall agreed with a sigh. "Still, if ever faced with something similar to it, I'd recommend asking yourself whether Remus would want you to follow after him under such circumstances."

"Yes Professor." Peter nodded.

"Very well then, I believe I shall check to see how Miss Evans is doing. We will discuss this matter when you're fully on the mend." Professor McGonagall nodded as well as she walked over to where Lily was resting. The Head of Gryffindor saw that Lily was sitting up slightly, awake.

"Lily, I would have assumed you would be fast asleep by now." Professor McGonagall confessed slightly surprised.

"I was for a bit." Lily smiled weakly. "When James and Severus started to exchange words, it woke me up."

"I should have suspected as much. I'll have a word with them." McGonagall assured.

"No, that's okay." Lily assured. "It's probably good I was awake to hear their arguing. I can sort of understand why they don't like one another so much. It's as though they bring out the worst when around each other."

"I'm afraid Mr. Potter and Mr. Snape happen to possess two personalities that greatly conflict with one another." The Deputy Headmistress took the seat James had previously been occupying. "They agitate one another and it's not always a deliberate or even conscious act. I had hoped they would out grow this feud and come to recognize that they were both talented and brilliant minds who could contribute and accomplish much with the other's influence, but, well. . ."

McGonagall trailed off before smiling slightly at Lily, who seemed troubled by all this.

"I wish it were as simple to accept as that, but I find myself so conflicted, Professor." Lily shook her head. "I'm friends with Severus and, um, well,"

"More than friends with James?" McGonagall offered helpfully, causing Lily to blush.

"Yes." Lily verified. "Anyway, it's very hard to be in the middle and not feel compelled to take sides. Like this evening, Severus was particularly harsh to James and said many uncalled for things but I imagine he's fairly upset and shaken by everything that's happened. He always gets odd when he's defensive."

"I've found it to be a rather endearing testament of your character, Lily that you have coped with Mr. Snape's rather challenging disposition in order to maintain a friendship with him." McGonagall said approvingly. "I will also attest to you providing a beneficial influence upon him. From a distance, Mr. Snape appears to be making more of an effort socially than he probably would have without you beside him."

"I'd like to be content with all this but there's just such a darkness in Severus that I sense, Professor." Lily continues helplessly. "I don't know if I will always be able to remain neutral in my feeling about his and James's rivalry and I'm concerned that will eventually tear down any rapport I have with him currently. I don't want any happiness I find with James will be at the expense of the friendship I've built with Severus. And if you think my associating with him has had positive effects, what if Severus becomes someone wicked because of what I'm doing now?"

"You cannot choose Mr. Snape's path any more than he can choose your own." McGonagall reminded in a stern tone before it softened slightly. "Although extraordinarily temperamental, that does not mean Severus is an evil man at heart. It is only when we give up on people that they have an excuse to make poor decisions."

"I've always tried to see the best in Severus. And I have no intention of pushing him away, even if I am going with James now." Lily insisted, causing McGonagall to smile.

"Oh, don't misunderstand me, Lily." Professor McGonagall corrected. "You are more than aware of the good in Severus that others overlook. I am certain of this because I believe you are only capable of viewing the excellence in others, no matter how deeply hidden it may be. This was one of the reasons I chose you as a House Prefect and I would be very surprised if someone as astute as Severus were oblivious of such a thing."

"So you don't think everything between Severus and I will be lost?" Lily asked hopefully.

"I very much doubt the compassion you have shown to Severus Snape will be easily forgotten or lightly repaid." McGonagall assured gently. "Even the smallest acts of kindness leave an impression upon our hearts; whether or not we are aware of such. That is why no generosity is ever performed in vain, Lily. I think our James Potter may have proved this very point tonight."

"I could have done without him locking me in a closet to do it." Lily frowned but her tone showed she was proud of James.

"I don't find that to be a completely unreasonable sentiment." Professor McGonagall agreed, smiling again. "I trust you won't let Mr. Potter off lightly for his usual offenses simply because you are now attached at the hip."

"Oh, I imagine it would significantly dampen his fun if I did." Lily grinned.

* * *

James and Snape sat in silence in the office their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor as they waited for the Headmaster to join them.

Professor Heilsing obviously had something on the tip of her tongue but had refused to mention it and James certainly didn't want to be the one to push her into it. She busied herself at her desk while James noted all the interesting items and photographs decorating the walls. Snape sat rigid, staring at the Head of his House. James wasn't entirely certain if he had seen Snape blink once while doing this. After five solid minutes, Heilsing appeared to either notice or finally decide to comment on Snape's behavior.

"Is there any particular reason you're staring at me, Mr. Snape?" She asked pointedly.

"Is there any particular reason I shouldn't, Professor?" Snape questioned. "I don't believe it's a violation of any school rules to look at the faculty."

James suspected this was a game of Snape with Heilsing, since he was always doing this sort of thing in her class. Making himself obnoxious or offensive without necessarily doing anything in specific to get a rise out of her. If she snapped at him for it, then James assumed Snape found satisfaction in knowing he could agitate a distinguished defender of the public who had faced some of the most vile manifestations of darkness.

Slytherins and their damn mind games.

"No but it certainly contradicts with a few social norms." Heilsing informed.

"I've never held such things in much regard. I find them to be too fickle to bother keeping up with." Snape confided.

"One point from Slytherin, Snape." Heilsing announced. "For the record, no one cares for a smartass."

"You seem to like Potter well enough." Snape observed.

"I assure you that has little to do with Mr. Potter's sense of humor." Heilsing noted. James didn't like being talked about as though he weren't standing with them.

Debating whether he should interject or continue impersonating a suit of armor, James was relieved when Professor Dumbledore entered the office. James, Snape and Heilsing all stood.

"Professor." Heilsing greeted respectfully. James and Snape shared a nod.

"Severus. . . James." Dumbledore nodded back before turning to Professor Heilsing. "Now, I think it would be best to discuss the matter Professor Heilsing has already brought to my attention." He gave a gesture for her to take the floor. Heilsing turned faced both James and Snape.

"When pursuing Lupin, I discovered the remnants of a dark spell called the Venaticus Insontis; it was how we were able to track him so quickly. It's used to illuminate the blood of an innocent. I'd like to know if either of you know anything about it." Heilsing explained sternly.

"I don't know if I'd necessarily call Lupin an innocent." Snape commented thoughtfully. Heilsing focused her attention exclusively on Snape.

"Is that a confession, Mr. Snape?" Heilsing demanded.

"An observation." Snape clarified.

"Keep them to yourself." Heilsing advised.

James gave Snape a queer look for his taste and timing in playing games with the faculty, before joining the conversation.

"Um, professor." James spoke cautiously. "I was wondering, why this spell is necessarily a dark one if all it does is illuminate a blood trail for someone to be found. I mean, in cases such like this, it's a good thing right?"

"The Venaticus Insontis is dark, I assure you Potter." Heilsing replied. "It can only locate someone who has been subjected to a violence they did not invite or deserve. It's used to find and finish off a victim traditionally. While it may have been helpful in this instance, once you start crossing these kinds of lines it gets harder to see them. Now, is there anything either of you would care to mention."

James and Snape were back to being silent. Heilsing seemed to be studying them over with her gray eyes, as though to root out the guilty party. James noticed she was looking over to Snape much more than she was him. Finally she spoke.

"Well, gentlemen, here's the circumstance as I see it." Heilsing reported. "I'm looking at two of the top students in their Year who are capable of performing this spell and neither seems to have the foggiest idea of how it appeared in the middle of a blizzard in which they were wandering about in. Doesn't this strike you as odd?"

Again silence.

Snape didn't dare look at Potter, but he wondered why Heilsing and Dumbledore's golden boy was contributing nothing to incriminate him. He sincerely doubted that he had bonded enough with Potter to cause him to develop some desire to protect his actions. Guessing that Potter was planning to lord this knowledge over his head later or use it for some purpose presently unseen, Snape watched Heilsing grow irritable.

"Enough of this. Wands out." Professor Heilsing ordered. "We'll see what Prior Incantatem knows."

"Vigilia, I doubt that will be necessary." Dumbledore, who had been silent, interjected. Heilsing didn't look pleased with this.

"Professor - "

"I trust." Professor Dumbledore began as he looked toward James and Snape. "That a respectable student and school Prefect who had spent their evening attempting to save their peers would be forthcoming on their own if they had any information for us. Let us not insult the word of either Mr. Potter or Mr. Snape by investigating their previous incantations."

James felt horribly guilty for abusing Dumbledore's faith in him but he found himself unable to implicate Snape with the curse. Not out of any sense of obligation to Snape himself but that spell had probably led them close enough to Sirius and Lily to find them. If James had known the spell himself, he knew he would have cast it so how could he persecute Snape, in good conscious, for something he was willing to do himself?

Of course, James would have admitted to it if asked by either Heilsing or Dumbledore.

Evidently unwilling to challenge Dumbledore (or in the very least in front of them), Professor Heilsing sighed.

"Fine." She relented. "I suppose I'll speak with the others about this later. You both are excused, unless Professor Dumbledore has something further to say."

Dumbledore smiled at James.

"Give my regards to Lily, Remus, and Peter when you see them next. Have a good evening both of you. Oh, and Happy New Year."

James headed to check on Remus before he became conscious of Snape following him.

"Aren't you sick of riling me up yet?" James glanced over his shoulder.

"Why did you lie?" Snape demanded.

"I didn't. I just omitted things." James corrected quickly, evidently not comfortably with being accused of lying.

"But for what purpose?" Snape persisted.

"I don't know. I suppose I can't fault you for something I would have done myself." James shrugged before turning to face Snape fully. "I'll keep silent about this but this is the LAST blind eye I turn, Snape."

Snape sized Potter up, trying to decide if he meant what he said. Figuring Potter more or less proved back with Heilsing and Dumbledore that he was good to his word, Snape trusted this would be the last he would hear on the matter from him.

Still, he didn't like feeling indebted to James Potter.

He didn't like Dumbledore being right about this particular matter.

"I suggest you do that." Snape nodded. "You'd make a rather poor Auror otherwise."

That was where James and Snape parted.

* * *

Not long after daybreak January 1st Remus was moved to the Hospital Wing where he could be further tended to by Madam Pomfrey. It wasn't bad enough that he was worn and sore, but Remus was also greatly confused and no one was providing many answers for his questions. Lily and Peter were sleeping in beds not far from his with bandages covering them.

Questions.

He had seen James only briefly before Professor McGonagall pulled him to the side to speak about something. Remus hadn't even seen Sirius yet.

More questions.

Remus was at the point where he was seriously giving thought to grabbing someone and shaking them for the answers when Professor Dumbledore arrived. It took only ten minutes to explain what had happened and then the Headmaster left Remus to reflect on all he had just been told.

It was surreal for Remus to listen to. So many events that he was apart of or that were somehow linked to him that he was completely oblivious of. It was so bizarre. Remus wasn't sure how he would feel about all of it, if he would be able to feel anything until he saw Sirius step into the Hospital Wing, looking tired but mostly worried.

It was then all the emotions hit Remus at once.

"Remus, I - I don't even know where to begin." Sirius stammered as he approached his friend.

"How about by getting the hell away from me?" Remus suggested darkly, causing Sirius to flinch against the words.

"I'd really like to apologize." Sirius tried helplessly.

Remus couldn't even look at him.

Outrage. Betrayal. Guilt.

All of these belonged to Remus.

"Fine, I'll leave then."

Pushing himself out of bed, Remus pulled on a shirt over his bandaged shoulder and other treated injuries. Sirius looked panicked by this as Madam Pomfrey came out.

"What's going on?" She demanded. "Mr. Lupin, back in bed!"

"I'd like to walk about a bit." Remus explained.

"You most certainly will not! You've been walking about a bit all night!" Pomfrey countered.

"Then I'd like to walk around without worrying about mauling someone." Remus snapped, before turning to Sirius. "Or being exploited by my friends for their STUPID, CHILDISH, DANGEROUS STUNTS!"

Lily and Peter were awake now and starting to get out of their beds to investigate and sooth the situation.

"Remus, get back in bed, I'll go!" Sirius backed off in the pleading tone. "I don't want anything more to happen to you than it already - "

"Maybe you should have thought about that before, hm?" Remus hissed. "Oh wait, that would only be asking Sirius Black to do the one thing he can never be bothered with: Thinking before he acts!"

"I deserve that!" Sirius encouraged.

"You deserve A LOT more than that!" Remus informed with a snarl.

"I'll take whatever you want to give, mate." Sirius assured sincerely. "I can't begin to apologize for how I mucked things up and I can't do enough to make up for it, but I'll try!"

"Try. Away. From. Me." Remus instructed as he stormed out in spite of everyone's protests. "I don't want anything to do with you. Not anymore."

Sirius was about to go after him some more before Lily brushed past him, motioning for him to stay.

"I'll try to talk with him. Try to get him back here." Lily stated as Madam Pomfrey nodded reluctantly for her to go on.

Trotting out into the hall, Lily could catch no sight of Remus anywhere. Guessing there must be some passage that she wasn't aware of; Lily grumbled as she traveled the common corridors of Hogwarts Castle and hoped she would eventually run into Remus somewhere along the lines.

* * *

Remus knew it probably wasn't a good idea for him to get so worked up or leave the care of Madam Pomfrey but he couldn't help it. He felt completely restless and helpless at the moment and needed to do something he had control over. Even if it was nothing more spectacular than making his way around the school.

Not really paying attention to what routes he was taking, caught up too much in all his other nagging thoughts, Remus found himself in the school dungeons. Deciding against lingering for a Slytherin to find him, Remus glanced around for the most convenient escape route.

"Should you be walking about like this?"

All he found was Severus Snape.

Remus exhaled audibly as he turned to face the Slytherin Prefect. Snape hadn't sound particularly concerned when he had made his comment so Remus wagered he was just donating another of his brilliant insights to the valiant cause of aggravating himself and his friends.

Still, today Remus owed Snape an apology of sorts.

"Listen Snape, I imagine you're right upset about everything and I really don't blame you." Remus attempted. "I just wanted you to understand that I'm not the type of person I am when I'm, well, that type of person. I thought it would be proper of me to say that I would have no intention of physically hurting you otherwise."

"Get back to bed, Lupin. Before I take off points for you wasting my time with your nonsense." Snape ordered.

"What's nonsense about this?" Remus demanded with a furrowed brow. "I'm beside myself with what might have happened here."

"Oh please." Snape chuckled. "Yes, I'm sure you or any of your playgroup would have been greatly upset if you had bitten or killed me. In fact, I wouldn't put it past Black to even plan on something to the effect. Probably figured you could use some company in your cursed fate."

"I don't pretend to know what Sirius was thinking but that's uncalled for when I'm trying to be a good man about this and set things right for my part." Remus looked away.

"A man? Come now Lupin, we both know what you are at heart." Snape's eyes narrowed. "You're nothing short - "

Remus cut Snape off when he strode straight up to Snape, standing a few inches taller with just as much animosity stored in his brown eyes.

"What were you going to say, Severus?" Remus challenged, using Snape's first name intentionally to be assured he had the Slytherin's attention. "What were you going to say that could POSSIBLY make me feel worse than the knowledge that I could have killed you, Lily, or James last night without even having a choice in it? Without even knowing it? Something about me being an animal? Or a monster?"

Snape saw that Lupin wasn't addressing him with rage, rather frustration and grief over what might have happened. Lupin eyed him. Was it an expectant look? A challenging one? Snape couldn't decide. Either way, Lupin would be disappointed. Although it was unlike Snape to let up once he began one of his verbal assaults, he realized Lupin had an unmistakable point.

What could he possibly say that would be more effective than this boy's tormented soul anymore than it presently was? Lupin was the type to allow his sensitivity to dominate his life.

"So you're going to call me a freak or make some snide comment about the company I hold, you might want to wait on that for a few weeks." Remus finished in a harsh tone that didn't suit his usually calm voice. "I'm afraid it won't even dent the surface of all the other things I have to feel sorry about and I'd absolutely HATE it if you wasted any of your A- material!"

With a disgusted noise, Remus threw one more look over his shoulder before walking off down the opposite hall.

"I should probably warn you though Snape, I've heard a lot worse from a lot better than you over the years."

The thumping of Remus's heavy steps was replaced by softer ones.

"I know you're more than justified in your anger at the moment, Severus, but don't you think Remus is the wrong person to take it all out on?"

"If I feel the need to have someone around to censer my actions or emotions, Evans, I'll be certain to let you know." Snape turned towards Lily with a glare as he saw her standing in a nearby archway. He wondered how long she had been there.

'Long enough' was all he could commit to at the moment.

"For someone who spent the night worry about other people's safety you seemingly couldn't give a damn if you hurt their feelings in the morning." Lily commented sternly.

"Now whoever said I was concerned about Lupin?" Snape demanded in an icy tone.

"Well you should be." Lily informed. "He's concerned about you."

"Have I ever struck you as someone who tends to go along with the crowd?" Was Snape's aloof reply. Lily walked up to him; her entire composure showed she was agitated.

"You never struck me as the ice-hearted bastard you fancy yourself to be either." Lily returned. "You have no idea how upset and angry it makes me to watch you lash out at everyone with little or no provocation."

"Well, perhaps a good cry on Potter's shoulder will make you feel faintly better then?" Snape recommended.

Lily stared at him in silence for a minute before she replied.

"Now I'm asking myself why you would say that to me." Lily's eyes bore into Snape's. "Why did you just bring James into this conversation?"

"Are you about to get obnoxiously black and white on me, Evans?" Snape demanded, showing he had little interest in the discussion if that was her intentions.

"Severus, what about you IS black and white?" Lily questioned. "You wrap yourself in so many layers I don't even know what you think about you at times. And anytime I or anyone else might be getting close to something true you devise a clever new method to shove us all away. It's like you expect everyone to walk out on you in life and you help push them along just so you can have the satisfaction of knowing you were right. Well, Severus, it must get pretty damn lonely being right all the time."

"Are you done now?" Snape asked curtly.

"Severus," Lily groaned. "I haven't even started nor have I finished because I am stuck right in the middle of all this with you. So, no I'm not done, but I'm also can't keep going on discussing this with you. Remus needs someone now. Goodbye."

Lily crossed her arms and followed after Remus, hoping he didn't get to far ahead again. Snape watched her leave. It occurred to him that he hadn't asked her if she was feeling alright. It was easy to neglect such pleasantries when you were busy fighting with someone.

Snape decided a simple "Are you feeling well" wouldn't have been a poor contribution to their conversation.

* * *

Under order of McGonagall, James had returned to Gryffindor tower where she insisted he get some rest in spite of his epic level protests. Threatening to relieve him of his duties as Quidditch Captain for an entire month if he disobeyed her, James was tempted to persist but knew it wouldn't be fair to the rest of his team. Reluctantly he made his entrance into the Gryffindor common room.

He found Arabella propped up rather uncomfortably in one of the chairs; she stirred and looked at him before leaping to her feet.

"James!" She breathed. "What's happened? Bill Weasley came running in just after midnight from the Owlry telling everyone about how you had locked Lily in a closet while you and Snape were getting yourselves killed by the Whomping Willow! I was so worried I didn't know what to do."

"Oh he had best be a better Quidditch player than he is a confidant." James groaned.

"It's true then?" Arabella's clear eyes widened. "I almost thought he was spinning tales just so no one question why you and Lily weren't about. What happened then? Are the both of you alright?"

James had no idea what to say to Arabella at the moment. Remus had asked him not to tell her about his condition and, although he wasn't entirely certain if that would still apply after tonight, James didn't want to give away any more of Remus's secrets than Sirius had already accomplished. He had to tell Arabella something.

"Um, Arabella. Please sit down for a minute." James coaxed. Arabella paled.

"Oh god, Lily." She looked as though she were prone to faint. James grabbed hold of her and led her back to her chair.

"No, Lily's perfectly fine." James assured. "But well, there was this thing that happened last night. I can't get specific because it's pretty serious and I don't know how Dumbledore will be handling it to tell the truth."

"What trouble are you in, James?" Arabella pressed, still concerned.

"Myself, probably not all that much." James sighed. "But the guys lied about being in Hogsmeade last night and Sirius, well he had a really bad idea for a prank on Snape. Remus and I knew nothing about it and I don't know what part Peter played as of yet but, well it looks like big trouble for Sirius. In the very least, Remus and him probably won't be speaking for a bit and Snape will be more foul than ever."

"I don't understand." Arabella shook her head.

"And I can't be any clearer right now." James replied apologetically. "I'm afraid if I say any more it will make things worse between them. Please, understand it's nothing personal."

"Do you reckon Remus will tell me?" Arabella asked.

"I - I can't say." James shook his head. "Depends on what the school will allow him to repeat. His silence might be a condition in keeping this whole thing from getting worse than it is. All our silence for that matter."

"I wouldn't tell a soul." Arabella promised, completely distraught with not knowing what was happening with her friends.

"I know, Luv." James nodded. "It's just not my decision."

Arabella started to sob a little and James drew her into a hug.

"Shhh now." James soothed. "Everyone's okay. Sirius and Snape are completely unscathed. Peter and Lily have a couple bumps and bruises along with myself but it will all heal. Remus, he got roughed up a bit. Hurt his shoulder though he'll be completely fine in a week at worst."

Arabella looked up at James with wide, tearing eyes.

"What the HELL kind of prank was this?" Arabella cried.

"A senseless one." James sighed. "Sirius feels horrible about it so try not to hold it against him too much if you can. He never intended for anyone to get hurt in the least. Things might be tense between him and Remus for a while so - "

The portrait swung open and Remus darted into the common room, surprising both Arabella and James. His already narrowed eyes shifted onto James and Arabella holding each other as he approached.

"Do I even have to ask James or should I just start making a list of people whom I shouldn't consider friends on account of acts of betrayal?" Remus demanded half-heartedly. James became conscious of what he was doing and let go of Arabella.

"I was only explaining that you got hurt with Sirius last night. Nothing specific since I didn't know what I should go into detail about yet." James explained in an anxious. "You should be in the Hospital Wing where people can look in on you properly."

"Didn't care for the company there." Remus reported.

"Are you alright?" Arabella inquired softly as she approached Remus. "Are you in any pain?"

"I'm - none that you can help, Arabella." Remus confessed as gently as he could considering he'd been running on undiluted rage for countless hours. "I've just had a long night to get over. I'll talk to you later when I'm up to it. Both of you. I'd hate to say anything I don't mean and I really can't promise otherwise. Oh, and sorry about the accusations when I came in. Of course I trust you both."

Remus patted James on the shoulder with a forced smile and kissed Arabella on her forehead before wiping off a few of her tears. The he retreated up to his room.

"Should I try to talk to him?" Arabella questioned, but James only shook his head.

"Don't talk to him now." James shook his head as he put a reassuring arm around her. "When he's riled like this, the nicest thing you can do is just leave him be. Brooding is his preferred method of coping, gives him a chance to think things out. Remus'll shut himself up somewhere until he's ready to say whatever he's going to. Anything before that, well, he'll say something he won't mean and feel really bad about it later. You're doing him a favor really."

"What should I do then?" Arabella stared at her feet.

"I'd recommend a bit of good sleep or a hearty breakfast." James smiled. "I'm bound for one or the other myself."

"I think I'll go to bed." Arabella decided to herself. "I'll see you later today. Do you think Remus will be in the mood to talk?"

"Let's hope. Pleasant dreams, Arabella." James wished as she left him in the common room.

Lily trailed in not to long after that, finding James resting on the couch in a vain effort to sleep. He sat up and smiled.

"Hey, feeling better?" James asked.

"Fairly. Have you seen Remus? He blew up at Sirius and ran out of the Hospital Wing." Lily leaned against the back of the couch as though she needed its support.

"I'm not at all surprised. He's up in our room; needs some time to think, maybe sleep." James told Lily. "Until he's done doing that, I'm camping out on the couch."

Lily placed a hand on James's cheek, examining the dark circled lining James's eyes and his haggard appearance in general.

"You haven't slept at all, have you?" Lily rhetorically asked.

"I've had a lot on my mind." James justified.

"Come on." Lily led James to her bedroom, walking over to the windows and pulled the drapes shut. "You can't even sleep in your own bed right now with Remus in there as he is and everyone will be running about the common room shortly. Lie down. Get some sleep."

James sighed, completely enticed by this in spite of everything going on around him presently that he should be worrying about or tending to.

"Will you lie with me?" James requested. "I know you've slept some, but, I don't know if I'll be able to relax enough if I'm just here with my own thoughts."

Lily smiled and nodded.

"I'll stay until you fall asleep." She agreed. James smiled back as he took Lily by the hand and led her over to the bed with him.

Settling in, James was slightly depressed that he couldn't hold Lily closer to him if she intended to leave once he had drifted off. That's all he had wanted to do all night. Hold her, kiss her, tell her how important she was to him. The most he could have of that was lying beside her on her bed, looking at her sleepily with his arm brushing against hers.

Even so.

"Having you here like this, it reminds me how spectacular things can be even when everything else really isn't." He confessed softly

"I'm not doing anything particularly grand." She modestly observed.

"That's how I know." He agreed. "How else could explain someone just lying next to you making everything all right?"

"I suppose you're right." Her voice said in the dark.

"No. Just us like this."

He kissed her gently in the dark, just before falling asleep.

* * * * * *

AFTERWARDS

I thought these past couple of chapters over and over trying to figure out how I wanted the Whomping Willow scene to play out. My first few ideas were really dramatic and action packed, then I started to remember that really wasn't what happened from what we can tell. In an attack of conscience, James prevents Snape from walking into a really dangerous prank. That's about all we hear and I think that's about all there was too it. Sadly no blaze of glory for James to earn Snape's debt to him as we've come to recognize JKR is a very subtle woman when it comes to character motivation.

Still, Snape has always been one to pick up on the subtle things in life.

So Professor Vigilia Heilsing is the DADA teacher for the J/L era of things according to my crack-pot mind. Naturally, like most things JKR it's a pun since Vigilia means watchful and Heilsing is a derivative of Van Heilsing, the famous vampire hunter and what's that popular speculation about Snape's nocturnal habits? (note: I will not be making Snape a member of the undead legions, he's just sallow)

Venaticus Insontis = Hunting the Innocent

In the upcoming chapters, I'm going to start bringing in a lot more characters (original and un) and start bringing in the big old Harry Potter plotline (yay, this story will soon have a point!) So we'll be seeing more Slytherin fun and have a better appreciation for how warped that House is, some of the family and friends of all our fav. Characters, along with a little more action (both of the ass kicking and snogging variety ~_!)

But for now something in honor of our boy Sirius!

* * *

Black

By: Sarah Mclachlan

* * *

As the walls are closing in And the colors fade to black And my eyes are falling fast and deep into me And I follow the tracks that lead me down And I never follow what's right And they wonder sometimes when they see all the Sadness and pain the truth begins to light

'Cause I can't see no reason What is blind cannot see 'Cause I want what is pleasin' All I take should be free What I rob from the innocent ones What I'd steal from the womb

If I cried me a river of all my confessions Would I drown in my shallow regret As the walls are closing in And the colors fade to black And the night is falling fast and deep into the sea And in the darkness all that I can see The frightened and the weak Are forced to cling to mistakes they know nothing of At mercy are the meek

'Cause I can't see no reason What is blind cannot see 'Cause I want what is pleasin' All I take should be free What I rob from the innocent ones What I'd steal from the womb

If I cried me a river of all my confessions Would I drown in my shallow regret If I cried me a river of all my confessions Would I drown in my shallow regret If I cried me a river of all my confessions Would I drown in my shallow regret If I cried me a river of all my confessions Would I drown in my shallow regret