The Potter Twins and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter 24- The True Betrayer

Snape's shock appearance sets off a tidal wave of reactions; Hermione screams. Black leaps to his feet. Tay curses and Olivia jumps as though she's received an electric shock.

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

Snape is slightly breathless, but his face is full of suppressed triumph. "You're wondering perhaps, how I knew you were here?" He says, his eyes glittering. "I've just been to your office, Lupin. You forget to take your Potion tonight, so I took a gobletful along. And very lucky I did...lucky for me, I mean. Lying on your desk was a certain map. One glance at it told me all I needed to know. I saw you running along this passageway and out of sight."

"Serverus-" Lupin begins, but Snape overrides him.

"I've told the Headmaster again and again that you've been helping your 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 place as your hideout-"

"Severus, you're making a mistake," Lupin says urgently. "You haven't heard everything -I can explain- Sirius is not here to kill Harry and Olivia-"

"Two more for Azkaban tonight," Snape says, his eyes now gleaming frantically. "I shall be interested to see how Dumbledore takes this...he was quite convinced you were harmless, you know, Lupin...a tame werewolf..."

"You fool," Lupin says softly. "Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?"

BANG!

Thin, snake-like cords burst from the end of Snape's wand and a series of ropes twisted around Lupin's mouth, wrist and ankles, and he falls to the floor. He then points his wand directly at Black.

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

Black stops dead. It's impossible to tell which of their faces show more hatred.

Olivia stands still, paralyzed, with no idea what to do or who to believe. Ron, Harry and Tay look just as confused as Olivia. Hermione, however, takes an uncertain step towards Snape.

"Professor Snape -it-it wouldn't hurt to hear what they've got to sat, w-would it?" She says breathlessly.

"Miss Granger, you are already facing suspension from this school," Snape spits. "You the Potters, Weasley and Saunters are out of bounds, in the company of a convicted murderer and a werewolf. For once in your life, hold your tongue."

"But if - there was a mistake-"

"KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Snape shouts, looking suddenly very deranged. "DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

Hermione falls silent as a few red sparks shoot from Snape's wand.

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

"The joke's on you again, Severus," Black snarls. "As long as this boy brings his rat up the the castle-" he jerks his head at Ron, "-I'll come quietly..."

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

What little color is left in Black's face disappears.

"You - you've got to hear me out," he croaks. "That rat look at the rat-"

But there is a mad glint in Snape's eyes that Olivia's never seen before. He looks beyond reason.

"Come on, all of you," he says. He clicks his fingers, and the ends of the rope tied to Lupin springs to his hand. "I'll drag the werewolf. Perhaps the Dementors will have a kiss for him, too-"