Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Halfblood heroes (Book 3)

Chapter 14

I found this at the base of the Whomping Willow," said Snape,throwing the cloak aside, careful to keep this wand pointing directly at Lupin's chest. "Very useful, Potter, I thank you. . . ."

"You're wondering, perhaps, how I knew you were here?"Snape said, his eyes glittering. "I've just been to your office, Lupin. Youforgot to take your potion tonight, so I took a gobletful along. Andvery lucky I did . . . lucky for me, I mean. Lying on your desk wasa certain map. One glance at it told me all I needed to know. I sawyou running along this passageway and out of sight."

"Severus —" Lupin began, but Snape overrode him.

"I've told the headmaster again and again that you're helpingyour old friend Black into the castle, Lupin, and here's the proof. Not even I dreamed you would have the nerve to use this old placeas your hideout —"

"Severus, you're making a mistake," said Lupin urgently. "Youhaven't heard everything — I can explain — Sirius is not here tokill Harry —"

"Two more for Azkaban tonight," said Snape, his eyes nowgleaming fanatically. "I shall be interested to see how Dumbledoretakes this. . . . He was quite convinced you were harmless, youknow, Lupin . . . a tame werewolf —"

"You fool," said Lupin softly. "Is a schoolboy grudge worthputting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?"

Thin, snakelike cords burst from the end of Snape'swand and twisted themselves around Lupin's mouth, wrists, andankles; he overbalanced and fell to the floor, unable to move.

Black started toward Snape, but Snape pointed hiswand straight between Black's eyes.

"Give me a reason," he whispered. "Give me a reason to do it,and I swear I will."

Black stopped dead. Face filled with hatred.

Nobody moved. Ron looked confused, Harry was paralyzed shocked while Hermione, took an uncertain step towardSnape and said, "Professor Snape — it —it wouldn't hurt to hear what they've got to say, w — would it?"

"Miss Granger, you are already facing suspension from thisschool," Snape spat. "You, Potter, Jackson and Weasley are out-of-bounds, in the company of a convicted murderer and a werewolf. For oncein your life, hold your tongue."

"But if — if there was a mistake —"

"KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Snape shouted, lookingsuddenly quite deranged. "DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUDON'T UNDERSTAND!"

Hermione fell silent.

"Vengeance is very sweet," Snape breathed at Black. "How Ihoped I would be the one to catch you. . . ."

"The joke's on you again, Severus," Black snarled. "As long asthis boy brings his rat up to the castle" — he jerked his head atRon — "I'll come quietly. . . ."

"Up to the castle?" said Snape silkily. "I don't think we need togo that far. All I have to do is call the dementors once we get out ofthe Willow. They'll be very pleased to see you, Black . . . pleasedenough to give you a little kiss, I daresay. . . ."

The color in Sirius's face drained out.

"You — you've got to hear me out," he croaked. "The rat —look at the rat —"

But it looks like he seemed beyond reason."Come on, all of you," he said. He clicked his fingers, and theends of the cords that bound Lupin flew to his hands. "I'll drag thewerewolf. Perhaps the dementors will have a kiss for him too —"

But Harry had crossed the roomin three strides and blocked the door.

"Get out of the way, Potter, you're in enough trouble already,"snarled Snape. "If I hadn't been here to save your skin —"