Sneaking Around
Author: Laurahonest
Post Date: 6/15/07
Author's Note: This is a one shot. I know this isn't exactly canon but it is my idea about how Snape discovered Lupin's secret.
Disclaimer: I do not out the charcters, or places in this story. J.K. Rowling is the woman with that honor. She is just kind enough to let others play with her toys.
A figure lurked in the shadows near the entrance to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The lurker didn't move a bit. It was perfectly still, even avoiding shivering in the bitter cold wind. There were lights flickering inside as the students enjoyed their Halloween feast, but the person in the shadows showed no interest in joining the festivities. He seemed to be waiting for something, for the lurker was indeed a teenage boy.
Nearly an hour later the lurker was about to give up and go inside. The castle doors opened and the lurker froze in place. Nothing seemed to come out. This was what the lurking person had been waiting for. He watched the snow intently and saw footprints appear but no person was there. An invisibility cloak? Those are really rare and forbidden. How did Potter get his hands on one I wonder?
He waited about twenty minutes before stealthily starting to follow the tracks in the snow. He kept to the shadows and moved slowly. If he was right he had plenty of time. The tracks led across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow tree. Why would they go near there? That tree was mean.
He got as close as he dared and held his breath hoping that the tree wouldn't attack him. The tracks here looked odd. He strained to see them better. They almost looked like animal tracks. He took a tentative step forward then, when the tree didn't move, he took another. The closer he got the more confused he became. They were definitely animal tracks. They just appeared though. There was no trail leading to or away from the tree. The tracks led straight up to the tree and disappeared in the tangle of roots. He edged closer trying to figure out how they had done it. The tree suddenly swung a branch at him and he had no choice but to run.
He went back to the castle. There was nothing more he could discover outside, not while the tree was moving. Inside the castle, he skipped the Great Hall and the lingerers over the feast and went straight to the dungeons. He pulled out a book and flipped through it with the air of someone looking for a specific piece of information. Finally he found it. As he read comprehension dawned on him.
They were animagi! That was how they got so close to the tree. That was why the tracks became animal tracks. How had they done it? That was difficult magic. Why had they done it? Surely they had a reason other than "because we felt like it." What was that reason? Only three of them were there had only been three sets of tracks. All four of them went missing though. He didn't believe that Lupin was sick so often. Wait, it was once a month that he was sick wasn't it? Tonight was the full moon.
Lupin was a werewolf! That was the last piece he needed. He was going to catch them in the act and then go straight to Headmaster Dippet with the evidence. That would take care of that and he could finally walk down the halls without being afraid of being levitated and magically depantsed.
He decided to go out early in the morning and catch them coming in. With that happy thought in his mind Severus Snape fell asleep.
Author's Note: Please review. I like feedback, it helps me write better.