I don't own anything you recognize.

Snape was getting suspicious. Sirius could see it in the way he looked at Raina in classes and at meals.

He seemed to be studying her, almost more intrigued than afraid. When Sirius mentioned it to James, his best friend didn't seem to be as worried about it as he was.

"Just let Snivelly guess, mate", James had said. "He doesn't have any proof, and he won't get any. Stop worrying so much."

But he couldn't stop worrying. Raina could get expelled if Snape found out and told everyone.

And he would tell everyone - he'd do anything to mess with their group. Sirius knew what he had to do.

The next day, Sirius got up and went to the Great Hall to breakfast early (too early, to be honest) and found Snape when he was on his way to eat.

"Oi, Snape", he called, walking over to him. Snape glared at him (Sirius, James, and Peter had always imagined that was his resting expression).

"What do you want, Black?"

Sirius put his hands up in defense. "Whoa, relax. I just wanted to tell you about something we figured out. It's about the Whomping Willow."

That caught his interest.

"If you take a stick and tap it on each of the roots, a passageway will open up."

Snape hid his intrigue with a sneer and walked away.

The next full moon was that week, and Sirius was excited to see if Snape believed him or not.

After Madam Pomfrey left, they saw Snape sneak up to the tree.

"What is Snape doing here?", Peter whispered frantically. James stared with wide eyes and shook his head.

"What's he doing?", James whispered as Snape poked at the roots with a stick. "Bloody idiot's gonna get himself killed!"

Sirius was surprised. "He won't get killed, Prongs. Just hurt."

James slowly turned to look at him.

"Sirius...Did you tell him to do this?"

Sirius had never heard James use this tone of voice before. It made him sound like his dad.

Sirius was about to answer when they heard the Willow begin to move. Branches started to swing - but Snape wasn't moving.

James ran over to Snape and pushed him out of the way as a branch came swinging down exactly where he was standing.

"Get off me, Potter!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry for saving your bloody life, Snape!"

"Oh, chickened out of the prank at the last moment", Snape mocked him.

James stood up. "Prank?"

Snape stood as well brushed himself off. "Playing dumb doesn't suit you, Potter. I know you and Black were planning this."

James looked at Sirius - looking the most hurt as Sirius had ever seen his best friend.

Snape sent a glare in Sirius' direction and turned to walk back to the castle.

James shot another hurt look at Sirius and began to follow Snape.

000000

Dumbledore's Office

Severus was nervous. Which didn't make any sense, seeing as he was a victim of this prank.

"What did you see?", Dumbledore asked in a tone Severus had never heard him use - especially not with him - before

"I saw a-a wolf…"

Dumbledore held up a hand to stop him.

"Severus, it is imperative that you do not speak of this to anyone. Do you understand?"

Severus nodded. "What about Black and Potter?"

"They will be dealt with accordingly", the Headmaster replied. "But that is none of your concern."