The Last Marauder Story
by the Fox.
Chapter One: The Look.
The snowy winter had came and passed. As the rainy days alternated with blue, frosty mornings, Harry Potter felt his heart
lift. The winter's nights have been filled with the touch and smell of Voldemort, the Dark Lord shadow, and he had trashed
each one in nightmares, half memories and half-buried fears. But it was hard to be scared with the apple trees blossoming
around the school, the laughs and sunny days spent lounging near the lake and even the most stern teachers looking at them
with smiles.
But it's there always exceptions, Harry thought with a cringe, as he entered the cold, sunless, dimly lit Potions classroom.
Snape was not even wearing his usual sneer: he was downright vindicative today, and Harry had the sinking feeling- well,
certainty- he would be the focus of Snape' anger. He had been the gum in the shoe, the target of every bad temper tantrum
Snape have had in the last five years: how you can expect the old greasy git to change his favorite hobby, indulgent pleasure
and happy sport for the sake of righteousness?
To ask for Snape not to torment Harry is, of course, like to ask for the sun to stop shining.
" Afternoon, class" he said with a casual swipe of his black robes, hovering in the front of the classroom like a giant bat, eyes
downright scary: he looked so ready to torn something- and knowing Snape, * someone* was even more likely- to pieces that
Neville, next to Harry, started to tremble so hard his cauldron rattled.
" Today we would be mixing a Potion of the family of antidotes, a very useful Conservative Potion. This Potion is to be applied
to perishable things that you want to preserve from aging, or from the destroying action of fire, water and erosion. This Potion
is not made to preserve a person's beauty and can have very nasty effects in alive things" he ended with a sneer, and turned
his back to use his wand and start writing the recipe in the blackboard.
" What, first hand experience?" Ron chuckled in his side. Harry darted a peek, fearing his friend could have been heard, but it
was no sign of, well, murder in Snape's black back.
CLAAANG.
Draco had just like clanged Ron in the head with his cauldron.
" HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR, YOU JERK!" Ron howled.
Harry buried his head in his hands. Snape was over them before he could do anything more than groan.
" Where on earth do you think you are, Mr Weasley?!" he said, not raising his voice, but the anger creeping in. Harry would
have suggested Ron to keep shout, but Ron, of course, had other ideas.
" MALFOY HIT ME!"
" And why was that, Mr Malfoy?" Snape suddenly smirked to his favorite student, who, was starting to smirk just like Snape.
But not as scary, because Draco, no matter how sheer Death-eater-ish genes had, wasn't 1.80, hadn't a reputation darker
than the devil and, well, generally wasn't Snape.
" He insulted you, Professor. And being you my Housemaster, I felt the need to retaliate. I'm sorry for the timing, sir. I just
got very angry" he said, eyes downcast, all sweet baby face pouting. Harry knew Snape wasn't buying it for a second, but it
wasn't obstacle for him to enjoy it immensely: no doubt Draco would be loved even more dearly after this for the greasy
bastard.
" Oh my. What did exactly you say, Weasley?"
Harry hoped against any hope that Ron had grown a brain in the last minute. But of course, magic exist but isn't so powerful.
Ron mumbled something. And Draco gently subtitled.
And then, hell broke loose.
Harry wasn't even complaining for the detention, even if all he did was, aside to be born, to happen to sit between Draco and
Ron. But fifty points after, an hour of tongue-lashing with Snape- mostly on his part, of course: his sarcasm had the finesse of
an art and he liked to exercise it as much as he loved to breath- and two hours being acquainted with the sheer enjoyment of
scalping toads apart, Snape came back and told Ron off. Harry was gathering his belongings and trying to vanish in the
background as well as he could do without the cloak, hoping dearly to have heard the last of Snape for the day, when he was
paralyzed with the words he dreaded the most.
- I haven't told you off, Potter.- he said with his more silky, more menacing voice. Ron gave Harry a look that spoke volumes
of commiseration and pain, and hurried off.
Ungrateful git.
A silence. Harry waited, but Snape looked fairly content to be there, glaring to him down.
Harry licked his lips.
- Umm, it's, hmm, all, sir?- he said as softly as he could. But when he dared to peek green eyes to Snape, he almost fell back.
Snape had a smile, a non-legitimate, true evil smile, the most perverse smile he had seen, dark eyes glistening.
- Why so unquiet, Potter? A guilty conscience, maybe?- he whispered so softly that Harry had to repress the urge to shudder.
He blinked, starting to get annoyed. The greasy old git is getting a kick from this, he thought.
- Not at all, sir.-
- Very … unlikely.- he said even softly.- So very… unlikely, Mr. Potter. You had been in trouble, in fact being the lord and
king of it since you came to this school. So, why a succeeding and ascending career of making fools of your teachers and
breaking rules in a daily basis had been so tragically cut short?-
Harry opened his mouth and closed it.
Snape looked like he was waiting for a coming explosion. As it didn't came, he sighed, in mock deception.
- Scared out of your wits? And the hat said * Gryffindor?*- the relaxed, but acid tone made Harry start to boil. Sending his last
wills mentally to Ron, he snapped:
- Can I GO, sir?-
- No. We're going to the Headmaster's, Potter.- snarled Snape. Harry choked, and watched incredulously as Snape opened
the door and started to walk. He staggered behind, mouth open in horror.
- But… sir…-
- One more word, Potter…- Snape left the words hanging. – Now, you WALK-
It wasn't a joke. He hurried behind the silky black robes, mind in turmoil, stomach clenched. He would have laughed in other
occasions, hearing Snape mouthing " Chilly Cherry Cheekie Chops" but now he was wild eyed. What the HELL was Snape
planning…?
Snape gestured him bluntly to enter first. He entered into Dumbledore's office, and rose his eyes, half fearing what came. But
Dumbledore weren't looking at him, but to Severus, and two tall men had rose at his entrace.
- Thank you for escorting him here, Severus. Have you been discreet, am I sure?-
Snape nodded, his face full of a dark pleasure, and then of contempt looking both men next to Dumbledore's desk. And Harry
blinked, his nerves gone so quickly that the replacement with joy almost hurt.
- SIRIUS!- he hadn't meant to spoke so loud, but when Sirius smiled Harry did something he had never ever did before: he
jumped to the tall man's arms, who, even with a passing moment of surprise hugged him back with amazing gentleness.
- Hi, Harry.- he said with a smile.- Received my last letter?-
- Yes! But you didn't… I mean, you didn't say you would came…- Harry blurted, overjoyed.
- It wasn't safe to, but I hope is all right.- Sirius said nonchalantly, and smiled again when Harry nodded happily.
- Why, Harry, aren't you going to say hi to me?- The voice was well known and soft, so soft. Harry turned, and his smile
changed to even brighten more.
- Professor Lupin!-
- It's "Remus", Harry.- Remus Lupin smiled, slightly healthier, slightly younger that last time Harry saw him.- I am very
pleased to see you well.-
- I'm happy to see you too, Professor.-
- Hi, Severus, It's good to see you too.- Lupin's soft words made Harry realize he had forgotten totally about the professor he
was busy ten minutes ago wishing death and torment. Snape was standing there, the black tunic forming rivulets around him,
busy staring to Sirius Black with a hate and contempt that could have made a tiger recoil.
Not Sirius Black, of course. He was smugly staring back, as Snape was something the cat dragged from the nearest sewer.
- Same to you, Lupin.- Snape crossed his arms, but his gaze didn't vary his glaring work.- What have been doing this, let's say,
vacant months? Having a howling good time?-
- Snape…- Sirius growled very much like a dog, but Remus only shook his head, exasperation in the lines of his kind face.
- Gentlemen.- Dumbledore said quickly, voice smooth but demanding.- That's more than enough.- he softened, and peeked to
Harry over his half-moon glasses, with something akin a excuse.- I'm sorry, Harry, that this can't be just a visit from your
godfather and Remus. I'm afraid I've summoned them to talk about something very important, and risky. But I hope you're
happy to see them, nonetheless.-
- I supposed…- Harry blinked, and then sighed, defeatedly.- Oh, well. It was too good.-
- Sorry, Harry.- Sirius said, his hand in his shoulder. Harry sat in chair next to him, but it was calming, anyway, to have him so
close by. What wasn't more that one could say of Snape's presence standing behind them- in the best of cases.
- What's this all about?- Remus Lupin asked, voice dripping symphaty for Harry.
- It's about a Death Eater in Hogwarths, Remus.-
- Not him?-Sirius used a thumb to point behind not even turning. Harry had to suppress a giggle to the murderous look in
Snape's face, but Dumbledore eyed Sirius sternly and Sirius crossed his arms and sobered.
- No, Sirius. But all I got to know it's a teacher.-
- Grab the DADA guy. They always are, from what I've been informed.- Sirius said automatically.
Remus looked at him.
Sirius smiled cluelessly.
Snape snorted.
Remus drummed thin fingers in the desk.
- Not talking about you, Moonie! Don't get sensible with me!-
Snape laughed so darkly that it sounded like a purr.
- You laughed like that again, I punch your lights out. It's almost so disgusting as you!-
- Get serious, Sirius!-
- But * I'm* Sirius!-
-…-
- That joke was OLD when you were five, Black.- Snape sneered.
Harry, meanwhile, started to think he have just discovered where Dumbledore and MacGonagall's white hairs came. To have
them three in class, at fifteen… God.
Maybe I'll be a Quidditch player, or an Auror, but I'll rather sell Uncle's Vernon stuff than being a teacher, thank
you very much!
- Gentlemen…-
They sobered. But Lupin still looked rather offended.
- I'm afraid it's a teacher we have from long years ago. And from what Severus.- he gestured.- had managed to know, it's a
very dangerous one. In special now, because he or she had been sent to, specifically, get Harry.-
Sirius groaned. Harry looked to the ceiling, and sighed.
- And I have the NEWTS, too.-
BONUS TRACK:
The twenty things needed for a good game of Exploding Snape.
20.- Ordering him to bed. (NOT THAT WAY!) (By Alastor Moody)
19.- Blaming the rat. (He doesn't get the joke) (By Sirius "Mr. Harley" Black)
18.- Having wife, kids, money, good reputation and a tan from the Bahamas. And having blonde sexy hair, of course. (By
Lucius Malfoy)
17.- Being the bad guy, and getting him LOOK like the bad guy. (by Quirrell " I'm not Osama")
16.- Breathing. (by Neville Longbottom & Trevor the Toad )
15.-Show him my perfect, muscular, *ahem* SPOTLESS forearms. That's gets him off, dunno why. ( by Sirius Black)
14.- Trying to eat him. He doesn't get the sexy meaning of it. (Signed Remus " Wolves are Sexier Than Dogs" Lupin &
Fluffy)
13.- Gifting him Herbal Shampoo for Xmas ( by Fiona Sprout)
12.- Boinking Draco Malfoy ( Not that way, you PERVERTS!) (By Alastor " I'm the good cop" Moody)
11.- Blowing him kisses. Or try to grab his thigh in staff sessions. Or * accidentaly * changing his robes to lurid, sexy
pink.(Gilderoy Lockhart)
10.- Stealing his lunch, by name Gryffindors students being tongue-lashed from under his *big* nose. (Contributed by Remus
Lupin)
9.- Being smarter than him, and replay to his questions quickly and good. Or to set his favorite robes in fire when he's doing
counter-courses. He is a cold guy. (By Hermione Granger)
8.- Calling him" greasy haired git" for seven years straight. (By Sirius Black)
7.- Getting the girl. (By James Potter)
6.- Having a nicer, cute nose than him (by Voldemort)
5.- Receiving more like pocket money from Dad than what he is paid like Potions Master ( by Draco Malfoy)
4.- Putting a Dr. Filibuster Firework in his toilet, when he's having his quality time with it. (By Fred and George)
3.- Having a family. I mean, having a LIFE! HAHAHAHA!!(By Ron Weasley)
2.- Ordering him around, underpaid, and everytime he protests, you say " I have a special mission for you-u!" ( by
Dumbledore)
1.- Being Headmistress ( AND better paid!) ( HA! Women rule, Sevvy! Nicnicnicnic!( by Minerva McGonagall)
0.- Being me. (Harry Potter)
by the Fox.
Chapter One: The Look.
The snowy winter had came and passed. As the rainy days alternated with blue, frosty mornings, Harry Potter felt his heart
lift. The winter's nights have been filled with the touch and smell of Voldemort, the Dark Lord shadow, and he had trashed
each one in nightmares, half memories and half-buried fears. But it was hard to be scared with the apple trees blossoming
around the school, the laughs and sunny days spent lounging near the lake and even the most stern teachers looking at them
with smiles.
But it's there always exceptions, Harry thought with a cringe, as he entered the cold, sunless, dimly lit Potions classroom.
Snape was not even wearing his usual sneer: he was downright vindicative today, and Harry had the sinking feeling- well,
certainty- he would be the focus of Snape' anger. He had been the gum in the shoe, the target of every bad temper tantrum
Snape have had in the last five years: how you can expect the old greasy git to change his favorite hobby, indulgent pleasure
and happy sport for the sake of righteousness?
To ask for Snape not to torment Harry is, of course, like to ask for the sun to stop shining.
" Afternoon, class" he said with a casual swipe of his black robes, hovering in the front of the classroom like a giant bat, eyes
downright scary: he looked so ready to torn something- and knowing Snape, * someone* was even more likely- to pieces that
Neville, next to Harry, started to tremble so hard his cauldron rattled.
" Today we would be mixing a Potion of the family of antidotes, a very useful Conservative Potion. This Potion is to be applied
to perishable things that you want to preserve from aging, or from the destroying action of fire, water and erosion. This Potion
is not made to preserve a person's beauty and can have very nasty effects in alive things" he ended with a sneer, and turned
his back to use his wand and start writing the recipe in the blackboard.
" What, first hand experience?" Ron chuckled in his side. Harry darted a peek, fearing his friend could have been heard, but it
was no sign of, well, murder in Snape's black back.
CLAAANG.
Draco had just like clanged Ron in the head with his cauldron.
" HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR, YOU JERK!" Ron howled.
Harry buried his head in his hands. Snape was over them before he could do anything more than groan.
" Where on earth do you think you are, Mr Weasley?!" he said, not raising his voice, but the anger creeping in. Harry would
have suggested Ron to keep shout, but Ron, of course, had other ideas.
" MALFOY HIT ME!"
" And why was that, Mr Malfoy?" Snape suddenly smirked to his favorite student, who, was starting to smirk just like Snape.
But not as scary, because Draco, no matter how sheer Death-eater-ish genes had, wasn't 1.80, hadn't a reputation darker
than the devil and, well, generally wasn't Snape.
" He insulted you, Professor. And being you my Housemaster, I felt the need to retaliate. I'm sorry for the timing, sir. I just
got very angry" he said, eyes downcast, all sweet baby face pouting. Harry knew Snape wasn't buying it for a second, but it
wasn't obstacle for him to enjoy it immensely: no doubt Draco would be loved even more dearly after this for the greasy
bastard.
" Oh my. What did exactly you say, Weasley?"
Harry hoped against any hope that Ron had grown a brain in the last minute. But of course, magic exist but isn't so powerful.
Ron mumbled something. And Draco gently subtitled.
And then, hell broke loose.
Harry wasn't even complaining for the detention, even if all he did was, aside to be born, to happen to sit between Draco and
Ron. But fifty points after, an hour of tongue-lashing with Snape- mostly on his part, of course: his sarcasm had the finesse of
an art and he liked to exercise it as much as he loved to breath- and two hours being acquainted with the sheer enjoyment of
scalping toads apart, Snape came back and told Ron off. Harry was gathering his belongings and trying to vanish in the
background as well as he could do without the cloak, hoping dearly to have heard the last of Snape for the day, when he was
paralyzed with the words he dreaded the most.
- I haven't told you off, Potter.- he said with his more silky, more menacing voice. Ron gave Harry a look that spoke volumes
of commiseration and pain, and hurried off.
Ungrateful git.
A silence. Harry waited, but Snape looked fairly content to be there, glaring to him down.
Harry licked his lips.
- Umm, it's, hmm, all, sir?- he said as softly as he could. But when he dared to peek green eyes to Snape, he almost fell back.
Snape had a smile, a non-legitimate, true evil smile, the most perverse smile he had seen, dark eyes glistening.
- Why so unquiet, Potter? A guilty conscience, maybe?- he whispered so softly that Harry had to repress the urge to shudder.
He blinked, starting to get annoyed. The greasy old git is getting a kick from this, he thought.
- Not at all, sir.-
- Very … unlikely.- he said even softly.- So very… unlikely, Mr. Potter. You had been in trouble, in fact being the lord and
king of it since you came to this school. So, why a succeeding and ascending career of making fools of your teachers and
breaking rules in a daily basis had been so tragically cut short?-
Harry opened his mouth and closed it.
Snape looked like he was waiting for a coming explosion. As it didn't came, he sighed, in mock deception.
- Scared out of your wits? And the hat said * Gryffindor?*- the relaxed, but acid tone made Harry start to boil. Sending his last
wills mentally to Ron, he snapped:
- Can I GO, sir?-
- No. We're going to the Headmaster's, Potter.- snarled Snape. Harry choked, and watched incredulously as Snape opened
the door and started to walk. He staggered behind, mouth open in horror.
- But… sir…-
- One more word, Potter…- Snape left the words hanging. – Now, you WALK-
It wasn't a joke. He hurried behind the silky black robes, mind in turmoil, stomach clenched. He would have laughed in other
occasions, hearing Snape mouthing " Chilly Cherry Cheekie Chops" but now he was wild eyed. What the HELL was Snape
planning…?
Snape gestured him bluntly to enter first. He entered into Dumbledore's office, and rose his eyes, half fearing what came. But
Dumbledore weren't looking at him, but to Severus, and two tall men had rose at his entrace.
- Thank you for escorting him here, Severus. Have you been discreet, am I sure?-
Snape nodded, his face full of a dark pleasure, and then of contempt looking both men next to Dumbledore's desk. And Harry
blinked, his nerves gone so quickly that the replacement with joy almost hurt.
- SIRIUS!- he hadn't meant to spoke so loud, but when Sirius smiled Harry did something he had never ever did before: he
jumped to the tall man's arms, who, even with a passing moment of surprise hugged him back with amazing gentleness.
- Hi, Harry.- he said with a smile.- Received my last letter?-
- Yes! But you didn't… I mean, you didn't say you would came…- Harry blurted, overjoyed.
- It wasn't safe to, but I hope is all right.- Sirius said nonchalantly, and smiled again when Harry nodded happily.
- Why, Harry, aren't you going to say hi to me?- The voice was well known and soft, so soft. Harry turned, and his smile
changed to even brighten more.
- Professor Lupin!-
- It's "Remus", Harry.- Remus Lupin smiled, slightly healthier, slightly younger that last time Harry saw him.- I am very
pleased to see you well.-
- I'm happy to see you too, Professor.-
- Hi, Severus, It's good to see you too.- Lupin's soft words made Harry realize he had forgotten totally about the professor he
was busy ten minutes ago wishing death and torment. Snape was standing there, the black tunic forming rivulets around him,
busy staring to Sirius Black with a hate and contempt that could have made a tiger recoil.
Not Sirius Black, of course. He was smugly staring back, as Snape was something the cat dragged from the nearest sewer.
- Same to you, Lupin.- Snape crossed his arms, but his gaze didn't vary his glaring work.- What have been doing this, let's say,
vacant months? Having a howling good time?-
- Snape…- Sirius growled very much like a dog, but Remus only shook his head, exasperation in the lines of his kind face.
- Gentlemen.- Dumbledore said quickly, voice smooth but demanding.- That's more than enough.- he softened, and peeked to
Harry over his half-moon glasses, with something akin a excuse.- I'm sorry, Harry, that this can't be just a visit from your
godfather and Remus. I'm afraid I've summoned them to talk about something very important, and risky. But I hope you're
happy to see them, nonetheless.-
- I supposed…- Harry blinked, and then sighed, defeatedly.- Oh, well. It was too good.-
- Sorry, Harry.- Sirius said, his hand in his shoulder. Harry sat in chair next to him, but it was calming, anyway, to have him so
close by. What wasn't more that one could say of Snape's presence standing behind them- in the best of cases.
- What's this all about?- Remus Lupin asked, voice dripping symphaty for Harry.
- It's about a Death Eater in Hogwarths, Remus.-
- Not him?-Sirius used a thumb to point behind not even turning. Harry had to suppress a giggle to the murderous look in
Snape's face, but Dumbledore eyed Sirius sternly and Sirius crossed his arms and sobered.
- No, Sirius. But all I got to know it's a teacher.-
- Grab the DADA guy. They always are, from what I've been informed.- Sirius said automatically.
Remus looked at him.
Sirius smiled cluelessly.
Snape snorted.
Remus drummed thin fingers in the desk.
- Not talking about you, Moonie! Don't get sensible with me!-
Snape laughed so darkly that it sounded like a purr.
- You laughed like that again, I punch your lights out. It's almost so disgusting as you!-
- Get serious, Sirius!-
- But * I'm* Sirius!-
-…-
- That joke was OLD when you were five, Black.- Snape sneered.
Harry, meanwhile, started to think he have just discovered where Dumbledore and MacGonagall's white hairs came. To have
them three in class, at fifteen… God.
Maybe I'll be a Quidditch player, or an Auror, but I'll rather sell Uncle's Vernon stuff than being a teacher, thank
you very much!
- Gentlemen…-
They sobered. But Lupin still looked rather offended.
- I'm afraid it's a teacher we have from long years ago. And from what Severus.- he gestured.- had managed to know, it's a
very dangerous one. In special now, because he or she had been sent to, specifically, get Harry.-
Sirius groaned. Harry looked to the ceiling, and sighed.
- And I have the NEWTS, too.-
BONUS TRACK:
The twenty things needed for a good game of Exploding Snape.
20.- Ordering him to bed. (NOT THAT WAY!) (By Alastor Moody)
19.- Blaming the rat. (He doesn't get the joke) (By Sirius "Mr. Harley" Black)
18.- Having wife, kids, money, good reputation and a tan from the Bahamas. And having blonde sexy hair, of course. (By
Lucius Malfoy)
17.- Being the bad guy, and getting him LOOK like the bad guy. (by Quirrell " I'm not Osama")
16.- Breathing. (by Neville Longbottom & Trevor the Toad )
15.-Show him my perfect, muscular, *ahem* SPOTLESS forearms. That's gets him off, dunno why. ( by Sirius Black)
14.- Trying to eat him. He doesn't get the sexy meaning of it. (Signed Remus " Wolves are Sexier Than Dogs" Lupin &
Fluffy)
13.- Gifting him Herbal Shampoo for Xmas ( by Fiona Sprout)
12.- Boinking Draco Malfoy ( Not that way, you PERVERTS!) (By Alastor " I'm the good cop" Moody)
11.- Blowing him kisses. Or try to grab his thigh in staff sessions. Or * accidentaly * changing his robes to lurid, sexy
pink.(Gilderoy Lockhart)
10.- Stealing his lunch, by name Gryffindors students being tongue-lashed from under his *big* nose. (Contributed by Remus
Lupin)
9.- Being smarter than him, and replay to his questions quickly and good. Or to set his favorite robes in fire when he's doing
counter-courses. He is a cold guy. (By Hermione Granger)
8.- Calling him" greasy haired git" for seven years straight. (By Sirius Black)
7.- Getting the girl. (By James Potter)
6.- Having a nicer, cute nose than him (by Voldemort)
5.- Receiving more like pocket money from Dad than what he is paid like Potions Master ( by Draco Malfoy)
4.- Putting a Dr. Filibuster Firework in his toilet, when he's having his quality time with it. (By Fred and George)
3.- Having a family. I mean, having a LIFE! HAHAHAHA!!(By Ron Weasley)
2.- Ordering him around, underpaid, and everytime he protests, you say " I have a special mission for you-u!" ( by
Dumbledore)
1.- Being Headmistress ( AND better paid!) ( HA! Women rule, Sevvy! Nicnicnicnic!( by Minerva McGonagall)
0.- Being me. (Harry Potter)