1977

Chapter 4

The feast was absolutely delightful. Delicious and savory food from assorted sandwiches to roast turkey to bacon and eggs filled the four tables. However, the Gryffindors had something extra.

The sweet taste of victory.

As usual, the Marauders sat together, celebrating James's victory over Slytherin. Only Wormtail wasn't there, but James couldn't be bothered finding him.

"And then I bravely jumped off my broom, and caught the snitch. My act of boldness probably made my broomstick-"

"You would have been dead if not for me," reminded Remus mildly, cutting James off mid-sentence. 

"Oh, stop bragging, you self-conceited prat," said Sirius, biting off another chunk of his grilled cheese sandwich in an extremely doglike manner.

As dessert was served, Dumbledore went up onto the podium. It took a while, but after he got everyone's attention, he cleared his throat and said merrily, "May James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus John Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans and Severus Snape please meet me in my office? Thank you for your blubbery attention, you may go back to eating now. I hear the pumpkin tarts are quite good."

"What the heck does Dumbledore want with us? Merlin knows if he found out I dunked Snivellus's bag in the Black Lake," remarked James.

"Well, let's go first then, I'm not waiting for Wormtail, he didn't even bother coming to sit with us!" Sirius said indignantly, standing up and walking out of the dining hall, with Remus following closely behind, and James grabbing as many treacle tarts as possible before trying to catch up with his friends.

***********************************************************************************************

Why did Dumbledore call her and Sev out? Along with the Marauders! Was it because someone saw them kissing? That was impossible! Lily thought. According to gossip, the arrogant toerag and his lackey were caught snogging in a broom closet by DUMBLEDORE and nothing happened!

 Lily went over to the Slytherin table to find Severus, but was greeted with tomatoes and a few choice words from the Slytherins..."What are you doing here, Gryffindor? Get lost!" shouted one as he spat at her foot. Lily stood her ground. "I need to find Severus," she started, then saw him running over. 

Meeting him midway, Lily asked him urgently, "Why are we being called to Dumbledore's office?" Snape shrugged and replied, "Merlin knows." Dreading the worst, they held onto each other's hands, hoping for luck. 

When they reached Dumbledore's office, they found that James, Sirius and Remus were already there. As Dumbledore closed the door, he summoned two more plushy armchairs for Severus and Lily. 

Sinking into her armchair, Lily asked, "So...Professor Dumbledore...why are we gathered here?" 

Smiling cheerfully, Professor Dumbledore replied, "Well, Peter Pettigrew has been kidnapped by Voldemort!" 

A string of question marks appeared from Lily's head (metaphorically, of course!) and she couldn't resist asking, "Firstly, why did you call for Peter if you knew he was going to be kidnapped? Secondly, what do me and Sev have to do with it?" 

Continuing to smile, Dumbledore chuckled, "Merely to confirm my suspicions that he had been kidnapped. As to why you and Mr Snape are here, it is because I want to send all..." he did a quick head count of the students gathered in his office. "...five of you on a mission to rescue Peter Pettigrew from Voldemort's clutches.

Severus gritted his teeth. "Why can't Potter and his lackeys go, then? Why are we being dragged into this?"

"Because-I am terribly sorry to say this, Mr Black and Mr Potter- you're not the brightest lumos in the wand shop, and Mr Lupin is probably the only reason you are still passing your exams."

"Ouch. Feel the burn, toerags," Lily stated, her monotone simultaneously giving nothing and everything away.

"Ouch, indeed, Miss Evans," Dumbledore twinkled.

***********************************************************************************************

Typical. 

Right after he had gotten the best girlfriend in the world, Severus's luck ran out. Now, he was being forced to go on a fool's treasure hunt with Potter and his lackeys. However, he couldn't say that he wasn't pleased at Dumbledore's comment at the idiocy of Potter and Black. 

"So," Dumbledore continued pleasantly. "I think you can start packing for the mission already. You can leave at around...sunrise tomorrow?" 

Trying to restrain himself from shouting, "Oi! Can you at least tell us where we can find the Bald Lord?" (Yes, he actually had a [small-ish] sense of humor) Severus asked, "Where would Pettigrew's location be, Headmaster?" 

"That, Mr Snape, is for you to find out. Although, you might want to research forests- I hear Voldemort (*cue flinches from the students*) likes them... and you'll be dropped off in one, did I mention? Now, chop chop! Off to bed with the lot of you! And also, please get your packing done!"

The screeching sound of chair legs scraping against the floor filled the room, alongside hushed whispers as the door creaked open.

Great. Snape couldn't wait to go camping with his worst enemies to find someone he absolutely loathed. At least his girlfriend would be with him.