Sky full of stars {Harry Potter Fanfiction}

35. A Storm Brewing

Almost immediately, without speaking, Sasha and I came to the agreement that we needed to speak to Mum. While we'd been struggling this term, a band of misfits, to prove Dad's innocence, we couldn't sit on this. A possible traitor and murderer running around the castle as a rat—this was big.

"I hope she believes us." I said breathlessly to Sasha as we hurried to Mum's office. "This is a lot."

"She will." Sasha said confidently. "She knows us—we only agree on the important things: The Ruby series, pineapple on pizza is wrong, and that we've found damning evidence to prove Dad is innocent."

It was the first time in a long time that Sasha had referred to him as Dad.

Mum's office door was open, so we barrelled in. "Mum—"

We both stopped. Mum's small office was crowded: Remus, Snape and Harry were all crowded around her desk staring at one item: the map.

Harry shared a panicked look with us. He'd obviously been caught going to Hogsmeade—it was way too early for him to have had a lovely day out. Sasha licked her lips nervously and grasped onto my arm. We knew how much trouble Fred and George would be in if the teachers knew they stole the map.

"Daughters, what a pleasant surprise." Mum said drily. "I don't suppose either of you could explain this?"

Stepping forward I saw a message on the map: Messrs Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Progs kindly ask Professor Snape keeps his abnormally large nose out of others business.

"I'm not sure why you ask your children, Professor Rees." Snape said quietly, though venom hinted at his tone. "Lyra may be above average at potions, and Sasha adequate at Defence—but neither of them could recognise dark magic when they see it."

Sasha said calmly, "I believe it's a from Zonko's, Sir. A piece of parchment to insult anybody who tries to steal it from the owner."

Snape narrowed his eyes at my sister. "So, you don't believe Mr Potter got it directly from the manufactures?"

Mum narrowed her eyes, and slowly reached for her wand. "I'm not sure what you're implying of my Godson, Severus, but I suggest you leave it now or else—"

Snape snorted. "Or else what? You'll sent your husband on me? Oh wait, you can't—"

"That's enough." Remus said quietly, as Mum's face turned a deep shade of scarlet. "Harry—do you know any of these messrs."

"No."

Remus clapped his hands together. "Well there we are then—"

He was interrupted as Ron skidded into the office, breathless and holding onto his knees. "That parchment—that parchment—I got it for Harry, from Hogsmeade—"

"Yay!" Mum exclaimed in an overly-chipper tone. "Glad that settles it! Now, Severus, don't you have some students to needlessly terrorise?"

Snape narrowed his eyes at Mum but didn't say a word. He turned on his heel and left the office, slamming the door a bit too hard behind him. The remaining occupants of the office stared at each other, all unsure what to do or say.

Remus acted first and grabbed the map from the table and pointed it at Harry like a sword. "I'm not sure how this map fell into your possession—and yes, I know it's a map." Remus said warily at Harry and Ron's expressions of wonder. "I am surprised you didn't hand it in. Especially with what happened the last time somebody left information lying around. I can't let you have it back, Harry."

"Remus—" Mum began, but Remus carried on talking.

"These map makers would have wanted to lure you out of the castle, an unwise thing to do considering the current climate. I think it's foolish Harry, to gamble away your life—the one your parents sacrificed themselves for—on a foolish treasure map—"