IN ANOTHER LIFE (James Potter x Severus Snape)

Chapter 14 - Heat

The Black Lake was eerily calm in the evening light, a mirror reflecting the fading hues of the setting sun. The Marauders, a close-knit group of four, emerged from the forest's edge, their eyes scanning the vast expanse for their missing friend.

"Over there," Remus Lupin whispered, his keen gaze falling on a lone figure by the lakeside. Sirius Black leaned against a tall tree, his hands covering his face. His usual vibrant demeanor replaced by an unnerving silence.

As they approached cautiously, James Potter broke the silence. "What's wrong, mate?"

Sirius remained silent, his hands tightly clenching and unclenching.

James reached out, placing a comforting hand on Sirius' shoulder, but was met with a harsh slap, sending his hand flying back. "Don't touch me!" Sirius snapped, his voice hoarse.

The intensity of Sirius's reaction left the boys taken aback. Peter Pettigrew, in particular, looked utterly confused.

"Sirius? what's going on?" Remus asked, concern etched in his features. He reached out to Sirius, but recoiled when Sirius yelled, "I said don't touch me!"

"Siri, you're scaring us mate," James said, his voice filled with worry. "What's wrong?"

Sirius's voice was a mere whisper when he finally spoke, "I can still smell him..."

"Smell who?" James asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Lucius," Sirius growled, his eyes wide and wild. "His scent...it's driving me mad."

James exchanged a look with Remus, both of them equally bewildered. Peter was silent, his eyes wide with anxiety.

"Lucius smells like... winter," Sirius continued, dazed, his voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the lake's waves. "Like...like those flowers I saw at the Malfoy Manor... I can't get it out of my head."

The Marauders stood in silence, the revelation hanging in the air. The setting sun cast long shadows across the landscape, the cool evening breeze rustling the leaves. As the scent of the lake filled the air, the boys found themselves grappling with the reality of Sirius's words and the implications it held for their friend. For the first time, they saw a side of Sirius they had never seen before - vulnerable, confused, and shaken to his core.

~~~

Serena sighed, leaning against the cold stonewall of the hospital wing, her mind replaying the whirlwind of events from the past few hours. It had started with laughter and light-hearted banter with Lucius, Regulus, and Evelyn at the Slytherin table. The four of them, sharing jokes, discussing their subjects, and simply enjoying their time together. But then the Marauders had arrived. And trouble came right behind them.

Sirius, with his unusual determination, had taken Regulus aside, and Lucius had followed them. She remembered Regulus returning alone, looking upset yet trying to mask it with a smile. He brushed it off, saying it was just Sirius being his usual self. Yet, Lucius and Sirius never returned.

The Marauders, noticing their friend's absence, had left to find him, leaving the Great Hall filled with an unsettling silence. Serena's mind was filled with worry and confusion. Did something happen between Sirius and Lucius?

A tap on her shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. It was a first-year Hufflepuff, looking nervous and saying that Madam Pomfrey was asking for her. Serena's heart pounded with a sudden dread. She had just had her monthly check-up a week ago, why would she need to see the nurse again?

She had left Evelyn and Regulus at the table, promising them she'd be back soon. However, when she arrived at the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey led her to a private room she had never seen before. Before she could question it, Serena was bombarded with a heavy smell of snowdrop flowers, and met with an unexpected sight of Lucius looking absolutely debauched, his face red and his breathing heavy.