Hi, this is Madam Dobby and Efnie and since we are both hopeless Harry Potter-Fans we thought about writing a story together. We decided to have a look at the Marauders and what it was like for them in school. Obviously, we couldn't leave out our favourite potions master Severus Snape. We start off with a well known 'prank' and explore their developing relationship. They might even become friends...

We hope you enjoy reading this story as much as we liked writing it.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, we do not own any of the characters or places.

The Snake and The Lions

A Secret Revealed

A dark figure was walking across the grounds. Nothing moved. Not a single mouse dared to set a foot outside its hole in this icy October night. Even the full moon hid his face behind a cloud.

Running over the meadow he stirred up the dried leaves, making them sound as if shushing him not to disturb the eerie quiet.

„Wingardium Leviosa", whispered a voice from under the cloak. And a twig lifted itself from the ground and floated over to a tall menacing looking tree where it moved silently to a knot in the bark. After the branches had ceased their threatening movements the figure swiftly approached the trunk. Stooping low at the Whomping Willows roots the human form entered the gloomy dark of a hidden corridor. Many twists and turns, crawling insects and sticky cobwebs marked his path until reaching a small opening.

„Lumos."

Raising his wand he edged cautiously into a room. Its floor was covered in dirt and dust, the tapestry was peeling off the walls and not one single item of furniture seemed to be intact. Not one single ray of moon light shone through the boarded windows.

A faint panting could be heard from upstairs. Climbing the old and creaking staircase, the hooded shape tiptoed around the edge of a worn, with claw marks covered door. Moving into the destroyed room behind, he saw the outline of a thin boy, the crest of Gryffindor House just visible on his robes.

Terrified eyes met each other and all remaining colour drained from the peaky looking person.

„Snape?! What...?"

With one last look at the intruder and a feral scream the student started to transform into something big and vicious. His light-brown hair became charcoal grey and rough like fur, his hands grew into paws and his nails into sharp claws and his eyes turned dark and lifeless. Snarling and emitting a low rumble the beast turned to Snape who stood rooted to the spot staring horrified at the place where the boy had been just seconds ago.

„Snape!" A second time this night his name was uttered in sheer panic. „We need to get out of here!"

Snape turned around wide eyed and looked at his nemesis James Potter standing in the doorway.

The Gryffindor hastily grabbed Snape's arm and pulled him down the stairs and into the tunnel the werewolf all the while howling behind them. Crashing noise told the boys that the beast had just broke the door into a million small pieces and was now coming after them. As fast as they could they stumbled through the dark corridor which lead back to the school grounds.

While running back to the end of the passageway Snape raised his wand to fire a hex at the creature following them but Potter pushed his arm down immediately. „It's still Remus, Snivellus!" He shouted angrily. Snape just glared back but was not able to answer as the stomping of the werewolf''s paws grew louder and louder behind them.

Soon the path rose upwards and ended in between the roots of the Whomping Willow. In panic they climbed out of the secret tunnel. As soon as they had left, the branches started moving furiously. After a few steps one of them crashed to the ground right next to Snape making him jump to his left. Suddenly something hit his side with such force that it knocked him over. The sharp pain made him gasp for breath and he lay there dazed and unable to get up. It was clear to him that he had broken a few ribs. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see the werewolf jumping out of the passageway while branches were still whipping around him. Fiercely growling the beast approached the fallen student. Then a distant howl pierced the gloomy night. The distracted werewolf looked in the direction of the forbidden forest where the scream had come from. Answering with a cry of his own he swiftly ran towards the woods.

„Come on before he gets back!" Said a voice and suddenly Snape saw the hovering face of Potter over him. Grudgingly, the Gryffindor pulled the Slytherin to his feet, put his arm around him and supported his weight.

Moving carefully but hurriedly in the direction of the castle's bright lights, never slowing down until they had reached the warm and safe insides of the school. The doors closed firmly behind them.

„Don't ever do that again!" Potter panted heavily.

Well this is it: our first chapter.

Please, let us know what you think and leave a review. Stay tuned for more... we will add the next chapter soon. :D