I am numb. The shock of it is holding me still in my chair, but my mind is reeling. Dumbledore is expecting a responses from me.
"Are you sure, sir? I mean, Sirius doesn't like Snape, but…" and I trail off. How could Sirius do that! How could he do that to me? Hell, Snape alive, Snape dead, doesn't much matter, but he was going to use me. ME!
I realize Dumbledore is looking intently at me again. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know about Sirius' plan, and… it makes me sick."
"I believe you Remus." Dumbledore is looking kindly at me. "Now, about your friend."
"I'm not sure he is that."
"He is. I don't think he realized exactly how badly things could have gone. Luckily for all involved, James did." Thank all that is good for that. Prongs had enough sense to realize that I'm not safe to be around a few nights a month. I could have killed Snape. Worse, Snape could have killed me, and they would have called him a hero for it.
Dumbledore's voice brought Remus back from his thoughts, "I have spoken with Severus, and he will remain quiet about this matter. He is convinced that you were not in on the plan, and there is no way to punish Sirius as he should be punished, without publicizing your… affliction. Since we would prefer that not to happen…"
"Yes, Sir, I would very much prefer that not happen." I can't believe you did this to me Sirius, if the world found out I am a werewolf… My life would be over. No one would hire me. People would shun me. Anyone who wanted to could cast a killing curse on me come the next full moon, and that would be that. How could you put me in this position!?!
"Sirius will be 'going home for a family matter' for the rest of the year. I know that a two week suspension is not really suitable given the gravity of the situation, but it's really the best we can do. I've spoken with Sirius about not just what he did to Severus, but what he did to you as well. I can tell you that he did not realize that you could have come to harm by this. I know that doesn't make it any better, but before you speak to him again I'd like you to remember that he did not think you'd be damaged by this. I think he thought this would be a very funny joke."
Very funny joke. Oh yes, Sirius, that would be a laugh. I'm in the midst of ripping out Severus' throat while he curses me into next week. HA. HA. HA. And you'd, what, sit and watch? Morph and stop me? Maybe you could stop me, as Padfoot you're big enough, but what would stop Severus? My head fell into my hands. Dumbledore shares the silence with me.
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Should I apologize to Severus?" Uggh. What would I say? Sorry Snivelus, I didn't know. Thanks for being such a good chap and not demanding I be put down as a threat.
"Usually I would advise that an apology is always a wise course of action, but this time I'd have to say no. I think the best thing you can do is leave Severus alone. I'm certain he has no desire to be reminded you even exist, let alone have to be gracious about accepting your apology for something you didn't do."
"James is waiting for you outside my office. He'll see you back to the Gryffindor common room. Sirius has already left for home."
I walk out of the room and see James. He looks at me with apprehension in his eyes. He's not sure if I blame him, and I'm not sure if I blame him either. James hates Severus. Sirius loves James. So Sirius will do whatever he can to make James happy. This time he went too far.
"I'm glad you stopped it. I know that Sirius is your best friend, and I am your friend as well, so I'll tolerate him for your sake. Eventually we'll be pals again. But I'll never trust him again."
James looks at me with something, I don't know what, in his eyes, "I can't ask for more than that."