To Have A Home

Chapter 11

*Flashback to night of full moon*
     James rushed out of the common room, Peter right behind him. The two rushed outside of the castle and did not slow down until they reached the Whomping Willow, where a scrawny figure was standing.
     "SNAPE," yelled James. "Don't go in there!" Snape turned back to scowl at James before proceeding into the tree's passageway to the Shrieking Shack.
     James sprinted towards the tree to follow Snape through the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel was a door which Snape opened eagerly. James, who had finally caught up, flung himself through the door to block Snape from entering, because inside the room, standing next to a heap of Remus Lupin's clothes, was a werewolf. Snape's eyes widened as he saw it and made the connection.
     The werewolf begin to make its way towards James and Snape; James shoved Snape out of the way and cast a spell to deter the werewolf without hurting it (because he knew that Lupin was in enough pain after transformations as it was).
     "GO!" shouted James, and he and Snape ran out through the tunnel, emerging outside the Whomping Willow where an anxious Peter was waiting.
     "Listen," said James to Snape in a low voice. "I know we hate each other. But please, you can't tell anyone about Lupin. It would kill him and could ruin his entire future if everybody found out."
     "And why should I care?" replied Snape. "You guys were the ones that told me to come here. You almost got me killed."
     "That was Sirius, not me," said James. "It was never planned and he's a bloody idiot for doing it. Go ahead, get your revenge on him. But don't take this out on Lupin, he had nothing to do with it." Snape looked conflicted, but finally said,
     "Fine. Your precious secret is safe. But on one condition."
     "What?"
     "Don't ever tell anyone you saved my life. And don't expect a thank you."
     "Deal." James and Peter stayed outside while Snape made his way up to the castle, then went back through the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack to transform into their animagus forms and accompany Lupin for the rest of his transformation. The next morning, when they told Lupin, he was livid. And then he became immensely sad, which was more painful to witness than his anger. He refused to speak with Sirius anymore, and James and Peter decided to do the same; how could they trust him if he'd almost unveiled Lupin's biggest secret to the rest of the school?

*Flash forward to Easter break*
     Sirius was about to depart home for Easter break, a huge feeling of dread in his stomach. As he left the dormitory with his bag, he ran into James, Remus, and Peter. He stepped aside to let them through and then proceeded sadly down the steps.
     "Wait... where are you going?" James called after Sirius.
     "Home," replied Sirius, shocked that James had actually spoken to him. James looked like he wanted to say something else, but was unsure how to get the words out. Eventually he settled on,
     "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sirius  was silent for a few seconds. Eventually he said,
     "I don't think it makes much of a difference anymore, whether I'm here or there." Sirius continued down the stairs to leave for home. James felt sick to his stomach.
     "Guys, I know Sirius did something awful, but... d'you think it's time we forgave him? He is as miserable with us as he is with his family and... that's saying something."
     "I mean... we do have a right to be angry" said Lupin, "but I don't want to be anymore." The other two boys nodded in agreement.