Recovered Ivory [1]

Fourteen

I crept silently after Lupin, which was extremely difficult. My knees hurt like hell and he was moving very quickly and surely over the uneven ground. I knew we were getting closer, I could hear exclamations and shouting. Lupin heard it as well and picked up his pace, reaching the stairs in a matter of a few moments. I hurried after him, though as quietly as I could. 

"Professor?" I heard Harry exclaim, and I lifted my head to glance into the room where everyone was. Lupin had his wand raised at Sirius, but there was a exasperated look on his face. 

"Sirius," Lupin sighed, lowering his wand. 

"Remus," Sirius said, a grin spreading on his face. I found myself hating that smile.

"No!" Hermione shouted, making me jump. "I trusted you!" 

"Calm down," Lupin said, trying to calm her, but she wasn't having any of it. 

"Come on, Remus, let's kill him."

"Not yet," Lupin whispered, pleading hime with his eyes.

"You're the reason my parents are dead!" Harry shouted, launching himself towards Sirius, but Lupin was between them in an instant. "I trusted you, Professor!"

"Harry," he began, but Sirius began to laugh. 

"I had nothing to do with the death of James and Lily Potter," he said, his voice almost soft. "But he did!" He pointed his grimy finger at Ron, who was surprisingly holding a squirming Scabbers. 

"Me? He's mental!" Ron exclaimed. 

"The rat?" I whispered out loud, surprised, my voice carrying.

"What is she doing here?" Sirius' hand grabbed the back of my sweater and dragged me up the rest of the stairs, roughly. 

"I followed Harry," I grunted, making his scowl at me. He pushed me towards Hermione who grabbed me with a surprised look on her face. "I figured this was where he was going to end up."

"You knew?" Harry asked, staring at me in horror and betrayal. I wouldn't meet his eye. "Ivy, how could you?"

"It's not what you think!" I exclaimed, burying my face in my hands.  

"It'd better not be." The voice didn't belong to anyone who had been present in the room, but I recognized it instantly. Severus stepped into sight, flicking his wand to send Lupin's across the room. "Sirius Black."

"Severus, always where you're not wanted," Sirius sneered, sending him a look that could curdle blood. A shadow passed Severus' face, but I was sure I was the only one who noticed, because I was watching his face. 

"I've been trying to convince the Head Master you were using an old friend to get into the castle," he began, converging on him. "Now, I see I was correct in more ways then one." His eyes flickered to Lupin, who was standing near me. His eyes shot down to me, and I could see the disappointment and betrayal in them. I could feel tears pricking my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall.

"Severus, run back to your hole and play with your Chemistry Set." Sirius' words made me angry, but there was little I could do.

"I hear the dementors are looking for you," Severus sneered, putting the tip of his wand against Sirius' throat. "They want to give you a big fat kiss. They say it's unbearable to watch, but I'm sure I'll try to make an exception."

So this was what it was like when they were both in the same room. It was exactly as I had imagined, only this time I was in the middle. Sirius probably thought I had led Severus here, and Severus definitely thought I had kept Sirius hidden. Though partially true, I was more then just a little ashamed. For the first time in my life, I was afraid of what Severus would do once we were alone.