The Marauders Unite (III)

Snape Sabotaged

January 23, 1976

On the Hogwarts grounds, the sun is beginning to set. Out of the tunnel underneath the Whomping Willow, three animals come running out onto the grass under the immobilized tree. Quickly, the stag, dog, and rat transform back into JAMES, SIRIUS, and PETER.

PETER: Do you think he'll be okay?

JAMES: Remus'll be fine. We stayed with him for as long as he needed us.

SIRIUS: He says it's good for him to be by himself for part of it. I don't know, I guess werewolves need their alone time, too. 

PETER: Or maybe he's just worried that he'll eat one of us.

SIRIUS: (laughing) Maybe you, Peter. A rat could barely fight a werewolf.

JAMES: Yeah, okay, Sirius. You think a dog would do much better?

SIRIUS: I could take a werewolf in my sleep.

JAMES: Whatever. Did you bring the Map?

SIRIUS: Yeah, I have it here. Why?

JAMES: I want to take a look. What else is there to do?

PETER: How long until Remus transforms?

SIRIUS: Well, the sun's just setting now, so probably soon. After an hour or so we can go back in and see how he's holding up.

JAMES: I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

Immediately, the Marauder's Map begins to trace itself at the sound of the JAMES'S words.

JAMES: Let's see- Lily's in the library, no surprise there-

SIRIUS: Slughorn's in the greenhouses, probably stealing some of Sprout's Tantacula Leaves-

JAMES: And- oh, damn, get down!

PETER: What?

JAMES: Hide! Quickly!

The three boys lower themselves down behind a large rock.

SIRIUS: What's going on?

JAMES: (smiling) Look who's coming down to join us.

On the map, SEVERUS'S name moves down the grounds towards the Whomping Willow. Looking up, they see the real SEVERUS sprinting down the snowy slopes towards them.

SIRIUS: What does he think he's doing?

JAMES: Spying on us, no doubt.

SIRIUS: Should we scare him off? I'll do the honors.

JAMES: No, wait. Let's have a little fun with him.

SIRIUS: What do you mean?

JAMES: Just watch-

SEVERUS approaches the immobilized tree, and spots the open tunnel at the trunk. Glancing around, he quickly enters the tunnel.

SIRIUS: Is he trying to get himself killed?

JAMES: Relax, Remus isn't transformed yet. Let's just wait until he gets scared and comes sprinting back out.

SIRIUS: I don't know, James, this seems kind of risky-

JAMES: Oh, come on, Sirius. You know what a creepy bloke he is! And now he's stalking us! Let's just-

Suddenly, they hear a loud howl from the Shrieking Shack.

SIRIUS: Oh, damn-

JAMES: He's transformed already! Quick, we've gotta get him out of there!

The three Gryffindors hurriedly run towards the Whomping Willow and enter the tunnel.

PETER: Where'd he go?

SIRIUS: Snivellus! Get back here!

JAMES: Snape! Where are you-

They run down the earthen tunnel until they arrive at the barren entrance to the Shrieking Shack, where SEVERUS is standing at the stairwell.

SEVERUS: What the-

JAMES: Get back here-

JAMES grabs SEVERUS by the robes and drags him back through the tunnel.

JAMES: (angrily) What do you think you're doing, you little git?

SEVERUS: (huffing) I know you all are up to something- what even is this place?

SIRIUS: It's called none of your business!

JAMES: You should know better than to stick your nose in things that have nothing to do with you!

SEVERUS: I know what's going on with that Lupin! Always "sick" at the full moon? And how convenient that he's suddenly absent from this little party?

JAMES: What Remus does in his free time is none of your concern, Snivellus.

They arrive back at the entrance of the tunnel, and JAMES pushes SEVERUS to the ground. Behind them, the howling continues.

SEVERUS: What is that noise? And why isn't this tree moving?

JAMES: You better listen good, Snivellus. If I see you anywhere near here again, you're gonna regret it.

SEVERUS: I know something's going on here! And I'm gonna tell Dumbledore about it!

SIRIUS: Then we're gonna go straight to McGonagall and tell her you've been stalking us!

SEVERUS: How good for you! Just because McGonagall fancies you lot you think you can get away with anything-

JAMES: Keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you. Now get out!

SEVERUS stands up and sprints back up to the Castle. JAMES, SIRIUS, and PETER watch him as he goes.

SIRIUS: That miserable little git! I can't believe him-

JAMES: Relax, he didn't see anything and he didn't get hurt.

PETER: Do you think he'll tell anyone?

JAMES: No, he won't. And if he does, then we go straight to McGonagall. She'll do anything to cover up Remus' secret. Dumbledore, too.

SIRIUS: Yeah, you're right.

JAMES: Come on, we've gotta get back in there. Remus needs us.

JAMES, SIRIUS, and PETER transform back into their animal forms and return to the tunnel under the tree, while the howling sounds continue to pierce the night.