What Lies Within the Shadows [SEVERUS SNAPE]

Heartbeat-27

The fall air was crisp as I sat in a tree, simply doodling leaves to myself. I smiled instinctively, listening to the chaos around me.

"Padfoot, don't do anything stupid!" Remus yelled, watching as Sirius ran past me. I watched the two act like children, despite being grown adults. Suddenly, my foot was pulled, making me gasp as I quickly fell from my branch, the man quick to catch me.

"A damsel in distress!" Sirius spoke in a playful royal tone, making me roll my eyes.

"You're the one causing my distress, mutt!" I laughed, the man holding me as one would a bride. He was used to my insults, and with that same cocky grin, he spun us around, eliciting more laughter from me. Remus soon ran over, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"For a werewolf, you're very slow, Moony," Sirius teased, making Remus roll his eyes. But just as quickly, Sirius seemed to get an idea, his grip tightening on my waist and back as he tossed me up into the air, catching me with ease. I laughed, feeling the rush of adrenaline, while Remus instinctively reached out as if to catch me.

"It's your favorite holiday, (Y/n)! Halloween!" Sirius announced, making me nod. "What do you plan on doing today?"

"I was thinking of dressing Harry as a wolf and me as Little Red Riding Hood. I think it'd be cute!" I chirped, the image of James's little boy in a tiny wolf costume bringing me a joy that warmed my heart. "Lily says she'll let him try one piece of candy today."

"Haven't you been giving him candy anyway?" Remus asked, his tone lightly accusatory, though the smile on his face suggested he already knew the answer. I quickly pressed a finger to my lips, signaling for him to keep quiet. It was obvious Lily and James would never know of my little secret—after all, they were in hiding, and I intended to keep it that way. "How are they, anyway?"

"They're better than a few months ago—less scared. They keep begging me to sleep, but it's hard when there's so much going on," I admitted. Sirius seemed to understand the weight behind my words. Sirius and I were the only people who knew the Potters' whereabouts, with Sirius ensuring things were normal in the outside world while I stayed with them at all times.

Today, however, was Remus' annual "Get-Out-The-House" day—a day where, once a month, we three simply hung out outside, free from the burdens that weighed on our hearts.

"You're going to spend the night with the Potters again?" Sirius pouted, his tone playful yet tinged with something more—a longing, perhaps. I looked at him with confusion, unsure where he was going with this. "You should come to a party with us instead! One break wouldn't hurt, don't you think?"

Immediately, I grew skeptical. After two years of hiding with the Potters—James, Lily, and now baby Harry—not being with them for a whole day felt... naive given the situation.

"I don't think I should. Who will watch over James and his family?" I asked, the unease in my chest growing. Sirius fell silent for a moment, clearly thinking before he spoke up again.

"I'll ask Wormtail to watch over them for you," Sirius suggested. The mention of Peter threw me off guard. I'd never had a strong relationship with him, especially after he had spread rumors about me being a "slut" back when we were children at Hogwarts. He had apologized, and I had forgiven him, but those things weren't easily forgotten.

"Peter isn't as strong as us, Sirius. What if Death Eaters show up? Or worse... Voldemort himself?" My voice trailed off, the dark possibilities making my stomach churn. I knew I was overthinking it—there had been no signs of Voldemort anywhere near the Potters. And yet, I couldn't help but ask the questions that already had clear answers.