Severus Snape clenched his wand tightly in his pocket as he strode towards the Gryffindor common room. The dark corridor was silent except for the flapping sounds from his bat-like robe and the echoing sounds of his footsteps on the stone floor. Faint light from the full moon seeped in through the velvet curtains, making it somewhat easier to see in the heavy darkness. Not that he needed any light or other form of guidance to find his way in the castle. He had strolled the corridors a countless number of times, trying to catch students on a midnight prowl. Fortunately most of the students knew better than to try their luck on a nightly adventure by now. To wander the corridors at night without getting the chance to enjoy a pleasant chat with the Slytherin head of house was as likely as visiting the headmaster without being offered a lemon drop. They all knew that the consequences for such foolishness should they be caught by him were without a doubt severe. This was true for all students, except for one especially obnoxious Gryffindor who apparently was under the false impression that he had certain privileges when it came to school rules.
The harsh features of the black-haired man darkened at the thought and he quickened his pace even more. He stopped abruptly and turned to face what seemed to be an empty stone wall. With a flick of his wand a portrait of a round-faced black-bearded man came into sight. The two men tried to match each others scowls for a few seconds before the man in the picture drummed his fingers in apparent irritation.
"Who the bloody hell is trying to blind me? Get that ruddy light off of me!" he sneered at the poitons master.
Snape shot a cold glare at the man before lowering his wand an inch or two. Raising an eyebrow he just continued to glare in cold indifference at the man in the picture, waiting for a sign of recognition.
"Aah Sniv- I mean, Severus, what an unexpected encounter." The man's expression turned from irritation to amusement and he added sarcastically. "You are aware that this is the Gryffindor corridor. Not lost are you?"
Snape gave a slight snort and his scowl deepened even more.
"Seeing as I am a teacher in this school I would hardly call this an unexpected encounter and I don't have time for your meaningless blabbering Santrius What I've come to tell you is of utmost importance." He tapped his foot while leaning his free arm on his hip as he waited to have the man's attention.
Severus Snape was as the whole castle knew not a man of patience and right now he was finding himself running dangerously low on it. Gritting his teeth as the black bearded man began to untie his own shoe laces he made another attempt.
"This could be a matter of life and death Santrius! It's crucial that I have your full cooperation." Snape pressed on.
"Life and death you say?" Santrius stretched his arms lazily behind his back. Yawning he added. "Surely not even you are in that bad need of a shampoo Severus. Slimy hair won't make your head fall off you know." The man was obviously having a hard time suppressing a laugh as Snape made a growing sound and slammed his wand hand forcefully against the hard stone wall beside the portrait, causing the portraits around them make frightened gasps. Santrius was grinning broadly, apparently satisfied with the effect of his taunt.
"One more offending sentence from you Santrius and I swear that I will personally make sure you are removed from your dearly beloved Gryffindor corridor and placed with a permanent sticking charm in the depths of the dungeons!" Snape sneered venomously and pointed his wand right between the bearded mans eyes.
To Snape's satisfaction Santrius seemed to have come to his senses. He was glaring hatefully at the potions master while crossing his arms.
"Now you foolish Gryffindor, for your information this is about your favorite student so will you for once in your life listen to me?!" Snape snapped acidly.
As he had foreseen the man's expression turned into concern at the mention of Potter. Precious Potter. The insufferable boy had once again managed to land himself in trouble and was driving Snape beyond madness.
"Am I to understand that Harry Potter is in some kind of serious trouble yet again?" Santrius said with raised eyebrows while giving Snape a skeptical eye. The indifference he spoke with was a little odd thought Snape.
"Excellent conclusion Santrius. Now…" Snape drawled silkily but stopped himself abruptly.
He snapped his head around as he thought he had heard something rustle in the distance. The two men stared into the darkness of the seemingly empty corridor until Snape suddenly turned back to the portrait. When he spoke it was with urgency.
"Listen, there might not be a lot of time to waste." Snape's voice turned into a mere whisper.
"Death eaters are attempting to take Potter from the castle tonight, we must act fast."
"Death eaters!" Santrius shocked tones rang in the empty corridor.
"Schh! I didn't mean for the whole castle to know before dawn." Snape hissed while glancing around suspiciously once more.
"Well, I most certainly will not get involved with anything that hast to do with vermin, so you might as well waste you time as you so accurately put it with someone that will care." The black-bearded man said and with a snort he went back to tying his shoe laces.
Snape was a little taken aback at the response he got. Something about that comment didn't quite add up. Santrius should be aghast by the news about the golden boy in danger, after all he and the obnoxious attention seeking part James Potter had been the best of pals back in the days. Everyone knew that, even the Slytherins had all known.
Snape shook his head in disgust as memories of James Potter sprang up. Santrius had happily provided Potter and his useless side kick Black information about all things going on in the castle through that portrait. Santrius was one of the few portraits in the castle that had access to the head masters office and was in that way able to pass on information, which reminded him why he had come to visit the blasted portrait of the former Hogwarts teacher in the first place. The headmaster had to be warned as soon as he arrived from another one of his mysterious trips or quests or whatever they were.
"You might have the nerve to refer to all death eaters as vermin Santrius, but be warned…" Snape spoke in a dangerously low voice and his eyes narrowed into small slits as the man in the picture rudely interrupted.
"Low as your self esteem might be Severus I wasn't talking about you this time." The corner of Santrius mouth twitched as he watched Snape scowl perplexedly.
"You insolent..." Snape hissed and pressed his wand against the painting, but broke off as sounds of fast approaching footsteps echoed from somewhere further down the dark corridor.
"Nox." With a flick of his wand the corridor was swallowed by darkness again. Snape moved quickly to stand behind a suit of armor. To his utter frustration Santrius burst out in a mad bark-like laugh. If the insufferable man would only suffocate thought Snape as he clenched his jaw and tightened the hold on his wand.
The footsteps suddenly came to a stop. He strained his ears to catch even the slightest sound of movement. If this was a death eater he might have blown his only chance of warning Albus. He cursed himself for allowing the obnoxious Gryffindor to make him loose his temper. Not even five seconds passed until he heard the unmistakable sound of a rustling robe. Without a seconds hesitation Snape leapt from behind the statue firing a disarming spell.
"Expelliarmus!" he heard someone shout from a short distance.
Two flashes of red light collided in mid air and Snape had to duck in order to avoid being hit by his own spell. A loud crash followed as pieces of the suit of armor flew around the corridor making loud clangs as they hit the stone surfaces. In a matter of seconds Snape was on his feet again making to grab the person that had apparently tripped over as he was hit by either the expelliarmus or the iron pieces that had flown around. He managed to grab a wrist and forcefully pulled someone up to an upright position.
"Lumos" Snape said and was surprised to find himself staring into the familiar emerald green eyes of his least favorite student who was glaring back at him furiously. A rather strange combination of relief and irritation washed over him and he slowly let go of Potters wrist.