The Marauders' Era (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Part 3

Dammit, Sirius, thought James as he ran out of the castle and towards a twisted, mad-looking tree. Its branches swung around in the air and scooping down as if to hit something. Then suddenly, the tree froze. A figure in black robes disappeared under the roots.

No! James screamed inside his head. He bolted forward like lightning. Soon he had reached the Whomping Willow, ducking from a hard blow and picking up a long stick. He stabbed the stick at a knot on the trunk, and the tree froze immediately in mid-air. A tunnel was revealed at the roots and he quickly crawled in.

"Snape! Wait! Don't go down there!"

The nosy git only turned his head and sneered. "Think you and your little friends are so clever, eh? I'll find out what you're doing. I told you so. I'm going to Dumbledore and perhaps--" he smiled, a thin, malicious smile,"--you will be expelled. Or better yet, sent to Azkaban." Azkaban, the wizard prison, was guarded by the Dementers, creatures that were born from fear and sadness. Most prisoners went crazy after a while... James shivered. Not wanting Snape to discover Remus' secret, he attempted to speed up and bumped his head on the ceiling.

"Don't go there! You'll get killed!" He yelled, ignoring the pain at the back of his head.

"Trying to scare me now, are you, Potter? Don't worry, your friends will accompany you to Azkaban as well. I'll make sure of it." Snape hurried on. He was very close to the Shrieking Shack now, and James was panting to catch up.

Snape's hand gripped the doorknob.

"Don't! You'll get--" but his voice was cut off by a low, hungry growl as the door flew open.

A creature covered in long gray fur was standing in the doorway. Its yellow eyes narrowed at the sight of the two wizards, and saliva dripped down from the sharp fangs.

Snape stood there, petrified. The creature howled and advanced at him, mouth wide open and claws stretched outward.

James grabbed Snape's arm tightly. He ran out as fast as his legs could carry him, dragging Snape behind him. They could still hear a piercing howl behind them; however, it did not pursue them. The boys climbed out of the tunnel and started towards the castle. The full moon gazed down at them, high in the night sky.

"I knew it," Snape hissed, "Lupin is a werewolf! That's why he's sick every month! You three--you are hiding a werewolf! And Black tried to kill me with him! I bet you are on this too, aren't you, Potter? Backed out last minute, eh? I'm going to the headmaster right now!"

"That, mister Snape," someone said from behind them, "is completely unnecessary. I am here myself."

James turned his head so fast his neck cracked. "Professor? What are you doing out here?"

Albus Dumbledore's expression was solemn, and the usual twinkle in his eyes was done. "Mister Black came and told me everything after you left your common room, mister Potter. Please come with me to my office."

•

They stopped before a familiar-looking gargoyle after climbing up to the third floor.

"Caramel cobwebs," said Dumbledore. The gargoyle slid aside and a slowly ascending circular staircase came into view. The boys followed Dumbledore, until they came face to face with a pair of oak double doors.

Dumbledore pushed the door forward, revealing a large circular room, decorated with funny little things. Portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses took up the walls; they pretended to snooze softly. Strange-looking silver instruments sat on the table, some smoking, some making noises; a bird in red and golden feathers was resting on Dumbledore's desk. James' best friend--or rather, ex-best friend, Sirius, was sitting in a wooden chair.

"Hello, Fawkes," James said softly, ignoring Sirius. The Phoenix stared at him, as if already known what he has done.

"Please have a seat." Dumbledore conjured two chair similar to Sirius', on which James and Snape sat down.

"Now, mister Snape, please tell me what happened after mister Black told you about the Whomping Willow."

Snape took a deep breath. "I went down to the willow at seven o'clock, like he said," here he glared at Sirius, "and I poked the knot so that the tree froze. Potter came along when I went down the tunnel. I saw Lupin, and he-he's a werewolf! Professor, you must do something!"

"I am fully aware of mister Lupin's condition," said Dumbledore, "and it was me who allowed him to attend Hogwarts."

"You mean, you knew it all along?" James could sense Snape's disappointment; he had missed a chance--again--to get them in trouble. "But he's dangerous! He could've killed me tonight! And what about these two?" He pointed at James and Sirius. "They plotted this!"

"Mister Lupin is not a threat to the students under our safety precautions," Dumbledore said firmly, "and I am rather... curious about how you escaped."

"We just... ran out after Snape opened the door," said James, in a voice so quiet it didn't sound like his own.

"Yes... quite interesting indeed. Now, it will be fifty points from Slytherin and three nights' detention for your behavior, mister Snape."

"Me? What about them?" Snape cried out angrily. "They tried to kill me!"

"I will discuss it later with misters Potter and Black," said Dumbledore, very calmly, "and you are forbidden to tell anyone of tonight or mister Lupin's condition. If you did, it will result in immediate expulsion from Hogwarts. Do you understand?"

Snape nodded grimly.

"Very well. Now, would you please retire to the Slytherin common room, mister Snape? It's been a very long and exhausting night. If you happen to come across a teacher or a prefect on your way, you can tell them you were at my office and have my permission to return to the Slytherin common room."

"Yes, professor," Snape murmured. He left the room quietly.

"Now, mister Black," Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, "I am very disappointed by your decisions and actions."

Sirius hang his head low in shame. "I'm sorry, professor. I know it's wrong, but at that time it just seems like... er... like a big joke, you know? I just wanted him to stop poking around in Remus' business... I didn't mean for it to go this far..." he swallowed his guilt, "I didn't even think that Remus could kill him. And now Snape knows about him, too."

"You will have to inform mister Lupin about this misfortune tomorrow, mister Black. And you too, mister Potter. I'm afraid I have take seventy points away from Gryffindor and detentions for two weeks. I hope you have learned a lesson from this. Please return to your dormitory and stay there for the rest of the night."

"Yes, professor," Sirius muttered. With that, he fled the room, not even sending a glance to James' way.

"Mister Potter," Dumbledore turned to him, "I must thank you for your brave act tonight. You have saved a student's life at your own great risk, and for that I award Gryffindor fifty points."

"Er... Thank you, professor, but it was nothing big." said James.

"Nothing big? My, my, you have a lot more to learn, James."

A moment of silence passed before either spoke.

"Should I go now, professor?"

"Yes, I think so, it's been a rather exhausting night, isn't it?"

James stood up and strode over to the oak doors. As his closed the door behind him, he was sure that he had heard a "Good night, James."