Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 11: Secrets Revealed

Chapter 11: Secrets Revealed

Lily stood where James had left her, lost in indecision. Should she do what he had asked her to and return to the castle, or should she stay and see if she could be of any help? If whatever was in this tunnel was as dangerous as Potter had said, she hardly felt comfortable with leaving Potter and Snape here to face it.

James' footsteps had died away by this time. Feeling apprehensive standing in this dank tunnel with danger lurking round the next corner, as far as she knew, Lily lit her wand and peered into the gloom in the direction James had gone.

She was so engrossed in trying to see James and Snape that she didn't notice the running footsteps behind her until they were almost upon her.

Lily jumped as someone touched her shoulder and whirled around to face Sirius Black.

*** 

James' legs sped along the tunnel as fast as they would go. Please, please, he thought over and over again, let me get there in time.

Finally he saw the figure in black up ahead. The figure had removed his hood and was now recognizable as Snape. He turned around as he heard James approach but did not stop when James called out to him. Instead, he picked up his pace until he was running flat-out.

Not to be deterred, James gave chase, his desperation giving him extra speed. They were close, too close, to the Shrieking Shack now, and if James didn't get to Snape in time -

Speeding up even more, James caught up to Snape and dove at him, tackling him to the floor of the tunnel. Snape gave a loud "Ooof!" when the breath was knocked from him as they hit the ground. Cursing and struggling, Snape managed to shove a wheezing James off of him.

"What in the bloody hell are you about, Potter?" Snape demanded, his habitual cool reserve disappearing as it often did when he encountered James.

"Snape," James gasped, still trying to catch his breath. "You have to listen to me. What's waiting at the end of this tunnel is dangerous, deadly even. You can't go any further; it isn't safe even here. We have to make our way back to the Whomping Willow as quickly as possible." 

"Nice try, Potter," Snape sneered. "But I happen to know that your friend Lupin is at the end of this tunnel and that you're just protecting his pathetic little secret, whatever it may be. But I'll tell you this: when I catch him in whatever illegal activity he's engaged in I'll have him expelled, and you as well for covering up for him."

James tried to hide his disgust at the gleeful expression in Snape's eyes at the thought of his expulsion. "That letter was a set up, Snape," he said quietly. "The person who sent it to you wanted to get back at you for - certain things - because that person knew what was in this tunnel and wanted to scare you."

Snape snorted, his eyes contemptuous, but James could detect a hint of surprise in them as well. "I won't even inquire as to how you found out about the letter, but I think I can determine what's dangerous and what isn't for myself, thanks. Now if you'll just step aside, Potter, you might be in less trouble when this whole thing is brought before Dumbledore."

Snape made to push past James, who stood his ground determinedly. The two circled each other ferociously, like two tigers about to compete for territory. Finally Snape threw the first punch, his right fist landing on James' jaw. James returned with his left, sending Snape staggering back. The two continued to eye each other warily, both waiting for the other to make his move.

Snape knew he couldn't win this fight, they might be somewhat well matched when it came to wizardry, but physically James had the clear advantage. Years of Quidditch training had sharpened his reflexes and strengthened his muscles, whereas Snape was not a physical person at all with little strength and clumsy reflexes.