I am a physicist and one day I am going to invent a time machine. Then I will go back, taking a copy of Harry Potter with me, and publish the books before JKR does. Until then, none of this belongs to me.

On a somewhat more serious note: I can't promise that I will ever finish this story. I do promise, however, that I will post a summary of the already plotted parts if I don't manage to finish it and if there is interest.

I'd be glad for your opinion on this. And if you find any mistakes (and as I'm not a native speaker I can promise you: there are many) please point them out to me.

Wolf Moon

Friday, January 5 (21:51)

On January 5, 1996, three events took place that together would change the course of history. In the morning, the potions master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had begun to brew a batch of Wolfsbane potion. At noon, the dark wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort summoned his followers to a meeting. In the evening, a full moon shone over Britain.

Severus Snape was a Death Eater and a teacher at Hogwarts. It was because he had to attend the meeting with Voldemort that he could not finish the Wolfsbane potion. It was also because of the meeting that Snape was at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix later to report on Voldemort's plans.

Merely a small crowd had gathered in the kitchen of the old Black house: only those whose trustworthiness was beyond doubt had been invited, and only a few of them could attend at such short notice. Albus Dumbledore was there, of course, as well as his deputy Minerva McGonagall. Surprisingly enough, of the four aurors in the Order, three managed to be there. Kingsley Shacklebolt was talking animatedly with McGonagall. Nymphadora Tonks, after having roused the vociferous portrait of the late Mrs Black, had proceeded to knock over a chair, break a glass of water and stumble into almost everyone who was already there. She was now under orders not to move unnecessarily. Alastor Moody, having gained his footing again after being knocked over by Tonks, was surveying the room as thoroughly as if he expected Death Eaters to apparate in at any moment. Knowing Moody, he probably did. Then there were Arthur and Molly Weasley. The latter was busy preparing sandwiches for the assembled crowd. As a mother to seven it was a habit for her to look after the nutritional welfare of many. The last attendant was Sirius Black, the owner of the house. It was no surprise to anyone that he was there, as he was still hunted by the Ministry after his escape from Azkaban. Luckily for him, the one who lead the search was currently sitting at the same table and had no intention to hand over a fellow Order member.

There were four people in the house who did not attend the Order meeting. Three of them were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, all Hogwarts students. Dumbledore had decided that even Hogwarts was not save enough to protect them in the absence of the three Order members on staff. They were resentful that they were not allowed at the gathering and had gone upstairs only under great protests. It was highly likely that they were plotting ways to listen in to the meeting at that moment.

The other one not to attend the meeting was Remus Lupin. He was the werewolf for whom the Wolfsbane had been intended and had been locked securely in the cellar. Of course, he could not have attended even with the potion.

"Welcome, my dear friends", Dumbledore greeted the assembled when everyone was there. "I apologise for the short notice. There is, however, important news that cannot wait. I will leave it to Severus to explain."

The eyes turned to the wizard who until then had been blending in with the shadows at the back of the room. He now strode forward and stood before them with crossed arms. It was impossible to tell from his expression if the news was good or bad.

"A few hours ago I was called to the Dark Lord", he began.

Predictably, there was a snort from Moody and a muttered comment from Black. Dumbledore's presence, however, was enough to keep it civil for the moment.

"As we suspected, he has made plans to free his followers from Azkaban. The Dark Lord intends to enact them in one or two weeks' time. After the failures of the last month he has grown suspicious and has revealed the exact plans only to those who will be directly involved. Taking an educated guess, however, it is likely that the Dark Lord will provide a distraction to draw the aurors away from the prison."

"There are still the dementors", interjected Tonks.

Snape shook his head dismissively.

"The Dark Lord is able to offer them what they crave. They will turn to his side soon enough. I will try to find out particulars, but for now that is all the information I have."

"Thank you, Severus", Dumbledore smiled. "Kingsley, is there any chance to keep the aurors there, or even send more?"

They proceeded to discuss the benefits of different approaches. In the end, the aurors left the meeting early to start putting the measures into action.

"Does he suspect you, Severus?" Arthur asked kindly.

"Not more than most of the others. A certain distrust is a given in my position, but he has no reason to suspect me personally."

"I bet", muttered Black. "Betraying us behind our backs will do that."

Dark robes flared as Snape turned on his heel, a cold sneer securely on his face.

"What, exactly, are you implying, Black?"

"You bloody bastard, you know what I'm implying!" The man had risen from his chair and was leaning forward over the table. His teeth were bared in a dog-like snarl. "Your master mucks around in your mind and Dumbledore trusts your word alone. Wonder who of them you're betraying!"

Snape's hand shot to his wand in an instinctive motion, but he stopped himself from drawing it. With carefully restrained anger he turned his head, seeking Dumbledore's eyes.

Understanding seemed to pass between the two men and finally Snape shook his head slightly and broke the contact.

"Occlumency, Black", he sneered. "I trust you have heard of it."

It was only Arthur's restraining hand and McGonagall's stern "Sit down, Sirius!" that kept Black from lunging at Snape.

Dumbledore stood, smiling benignly.

"Severus has my fullest trust", he stated. "I believe we have covered all important points for now. This meeting is dismissed."

He turned to Snape and continued more softly, "I have important business right now. I must ask you and Minerva to apparate our students back "

Snape nodded although he was clearly not impressed.

"Certainly, Headmaster."

Dumbledore left and Snape, after throwing a short look at McGonagall who was in deep conversation with Molly Weasley, decided to wait in the hall.

Rage reared its head again when he spied the retreating end of an Extendable Ear.

"Potter!" he snarled and briskly strode up the stairs. He proceeded to lecture them about the importance of privacy, but only Granger seemed slightly impressed. The boys just stared at him in defiant anger. They still believed themselves entitled to every piece of information. As if this was some sort of game and not an impending civil war.

"Downstairs!" he barked finally, when his temper threatened to snap. "We are leaving right now."

They trudged down the stairs in silence. Suddenly there was a muffled crash, followed by the rapid patter of paws on stone.

Snape could feel the panic engulf him. His breath quickened and cold sweat ran down his back. He was unable to move. But he was not longer sixteen years old and governed by fear. With an effort of will he broke from the frozen state.

"What …?" That was Granger's startled voice.

"Up!" Snape commanded, and if his voice was not entirely steady it did not matter. "Run!"

He threw himself forward, wand drawn, at the same moment as the large wolf burst from the flight of stairs that lead to the cellar. It was quite literally a sight directly from his nightmares.

"Remus", Potter gasped. He had not moved.

Snape cast a quick succession of spells, but while they injured the werewolf they were not enough to stop it. There was no room to move on the stairs, not with the students right behind him. The beast ploughed into him and then there was only pain. Something ripped his skin, claws or teeth or both, he could not say.

It was ironic, a not-quite-sane thought interspersed itself in Snape's mind, that he should die like this. At least it was better than being tortured to death by the Dark Lord.

He could feel the wolf's damp breath on his face.

Almost surprised he noticed that he could still move his wand-arm. Fur scratched over his closed eye-lids as he concentrated on the words that would kill even a werewolf.

And then suddenly the pain spiked, and when he opened his eyes he saw that the beast had been yanked backwards, its claws forcefully ripped out of his flesh.

"Severus!" It was McGonagall's panicked voice.

Snape struggled to sit up.

"Is it …?"

"Unconscious", McGonagall said grimly. "We will lock him in and make sure that he will not escape again."

"Good", Snape gasped. Then, "Did he ...?" He seemed unable to finish a full sentence, but they understood. They exchanged uncomfortable glances and he looked down at his mauled and shredded skin.

Right.

"He did", he stated and was astonished by his own calm. The anger would come later, he was sure.

There was silence as nobody wanted to acknowledge it.

"The students?" he asked instead.

"W…we're all right, sir", came a stammer from behind. Granger again.

"Good", he repeated, unable to say anything more.

Then he passed out.