The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 69: The Night in Changing Expectation

Why am I always in this kind of situation?

Harry never thought he would ever be in the Shrieking Shack, the most haunted place in Hogsmeade.  He also never thought he would be face to face with Sirius Black, escaped mass-murderer and his parents' betrayer.  Not to mention being in this situation with Hermione, Ron, Crookshanks, and Scabbers.

To add even more strangeness to the situation, Remus had shown up and is seemingly on Sirius' side.  Then it came out that Remus was actually a werewolf.

The strangest cherry on top of the eerie sundae was Snape appearing before them, his wand out and menacing Remus and Sirius.  His presence instantly set Sirius on edge and a giant argument broke out.

Finally, Harry could take it no more.  "Just stop shouting!" he screamed, belatedly recognizing the irony.

For some reason, everyone did stop shouting and all their eyes were drawn to them.

Harry flushed but took advantage of the moment.  "Professor Snape, look, they were about to say something really important.  Do you mind letting them finish?"

Snape sneered.  "Potter, you cannot trust a single word they say.  Lupin has been lying to us all year.  He's been aiding the criminal!  Sirius is a mass-murderer, he killed all those Muggles and he's responsible for the death of your parents!"

"Severus, wait," Remus begged.  "I have not been helping Sirius until now and there's an explanation, I'm sure of it!"

"Don't bother Remus," Sirius scoffed.  "Snivellus won't listen.  He's just aching for an excuse.  He's still upset over what I did to him all those years ago."

"You're not wrong," Snape said coldly.  "You're a fool, Black.  Of course you would bring that up now while I have you at your mercy."

"Sirius, shut up for once in your life!"  Remus looked disgusted at the escaped convict.  "I have never quite gotten over that incident either and I'm trying to help you right now you idiot!"  He turned back to Snape.  "You said you saw us here because of the Map I left on the table, yes?"

Snape nodded slowly.

"There is another name on the Map, it accurately shows people on the Map.  You cannot trick it.  I saw that in this Shack there is someone I long thought dead, Peter Pettigrew."

"Impossible," Snape spat.  "He's dead.  Your compatriot killed him."

"I wish I did," Sirius said madly.  "And I'll do it tonight.  I've already been convicted of it, I might as well do what I was charged!"

"Sirius shut up!" Remus implored.  "We must explain everything!"

"No, I think not.  I have much better things to do than to listen to the raving lies of a madman."  Snape shook his head.  "Vengeance is sweet I must admit, but getting justice for your crimes is even more delicious."

"Oh don't pretend you care about justice!"  Sirius spat at Snape.  "I know for a fact that you don't care James died.  And Lily, well, if you're still carrying a torch for her then that's just pathetic.  I feel bad for her memory."

"Wait, you knew my parents?" Harry asked, staring at Snape.

Snape met his eyes briefly before he looked away.  "Yes," he grated out.  "We went to school together, along with these two and the aforementioned Pettigrew."

"Oh tell him more Snivellus," Sirius goaded.  "Tell him that you were best friends with Lily until you ruined the one good thing you had in your life!"

Snape seemed to grow older at that statement.  His skin became sallow and his dark eyes flickered with regret.  "He's...not wrong.  I did ruin my friendship with your mother," he admitted softly.