Splinters

Chapter 9

"How thick can Snivellus be? Maybe we'll just get him like the time in our fifth year, after our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.," James snickered. 

     "That was a good one," Peter added. "His mouth filled with soap, gasping for air . . ."

     Penelope shuddered and looked over her shoulder, remembering the way he squirmed while being magically hung upside down. 

     It was as if Penelope had fallen into a Pensieve of the dreadful day. Penelope laid on fifteen year old Remus's legs as he read a book. She played with a lock of hair that had escaped her bun, twisting and twirling it around her finger. 

     "I'm bored," said Sirius. "Wish it was a full moon."

     "You might," said Remus darkly from behind his book. "We've still got Transfiguration, if you're bored you could test me . . . Here." He held out his book. 

     Sirius snorted. "I don't need to look at that rubbish, I know it all."

     "This'll liven you up, Padfoot," said James quietly. "Look who it is . . ."

     Sirius's head turned. He had become very still, like a dog that has scented a rabbit. 

     "Excellent," he said softly. "Snivellus." Penelope wished the two would have had a good reason to lash out at Severus Snape, a fellow fifth year and a Slytherin, but there was none. 

     Few times had Sirius and James had a good reason to harass the boy, using Penelope quite often. the excuse used multiple times was that Snape had looked at their friend in an aggressive or provocative manner. 

     "Remus-" Penelope broke off. When they had first met, Penelope had tried to stop the bullying, but had given up as no objection reached the ears of the duo. 

     The scarred boy didn't look up from his book, but a faint frown line appeared between his eyebrows and his eyes didn't move over the page. Penelope turned her eyes away from the impending interception between the two Marauders, the name they had given themselves, and Snape. 

     "All right, Snivellus?" said James loudly. 

     There was some shuffling and Penelope was forced to look over as James shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

     Snape's wand fell twelve feet into the air and fell with a little thud in the grass behind him. Sirius let out a bark of laughter. 

     "Impedimenta!"  he said, pointing his wand at Snape, who was knocked off his feet, halfway through a dive toward his own fallen wand. 

     Students all around had turned to watch. Some of them had gotten to their feet and were edging nearer to watch. Some looked apprehensive, others entertained. 

     "Look away, Penny," Remus whispered. "I know you hate seeing this."

     She took his advice and moved closer to him. Remus removed a hand from his book to pull Penelope into his chest. But while she couldn't see anything anymore, she could still hear it loud and clear. 

     "How's the exam go, Snivelly?" said James. 

     "I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," said Sirius viciously. "There'll be great grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word."

     Laughter sounded all around Penelope. Peter sniggered shrilly. 

     "You - wait," Snape panted, staring up at James with an expression of purest loathing. "You - wait . . ."