Chapter 1- Snape's Discovery

Remus Lupin was very bored to say the least. It was odd that he shouldn't take the opportunity to get some extra reading and studying done, as he had the Gryffindor Common Room to himself. All the Gryffindors but him had gone home for the Christmas Holidays; even Sirius was gone, staying at the Potter's with James. James had invited him as well, but Remus had politely declined, insisting in a teasing manner that he needed the peace and quiet for a change, and that he could use the extra study time since their exams weren't that far away. Now, however, he found the idea of cracking open a book very unappealing.

He sighed and lifted himself up off the couch. If he didn't do something he knew he would die prematurely from utter boredom. Leaving the common room, he stopped as he saw Severus Snape making his way towards him. He grinned lightly. He and Snape had made amends of sorts, without Sirius and James's knowledge. Every once in a while, Remus would strike up a conversation with the Slytherin in the hopes of a possible friendship. He couldn't really explain it, but he liked Snape. The boy was intelligent in a way that he, James, and Sirius were not. The fact that Snape had sought him out was good news in his eyes. He smiled and made his way towards the boy.

"Severus," he said kindly. "Doing well, I hope."

Snape said nothing but an abrupt nod was answer enough for Remus. He frowned slightly, however, as he noticed that Snape was shifting from side to side, hands twisting together.

"Something wrong?"

Once again, Snape didn't answer but looked around before stepping closer.

"Follow me," he whispered and without another word, he turned on his heels and started back down the corridor.

Brows raised, Remus hurried after and looked at the boy quizzically as they entered the library.

"You need help with an assignment?"

Remus had offered his help to Snape if he ever needed help with an assignment.

"Just follow me, Lupin," Snape hissed and Remus fell silent. It was best to keep one's mouth shut is Snape was in a temper. James and Sirius had yet to learn that.

They passed the tables, making their way to the long rows of shelves. Snape led him to the very last shelf and stopped suddenly as he came to the middle. Watching as Snape raised his hand to pull out a book, Remus felt utterly perplexed. He was even more so when Snape handed him the book. Snape had dragged him all the way here to show him a book?

"Open to a page near the middle and read," Snape ordered. Remus was beginning to dislike the abruptness at which Snape was speaking to him.

"Now, look here, Severus--"

"Just do it, Lupin," Snape barked, leaving no brook for argument. With a sigh, Remus flipped open the book and read for a few moments before his eyes widened slightly. Flipping a few pages, he read once more before he looked at Snape.

"Why are our names in this book?

Snape rolled his eyes. "You expect me to know the answer to that, Lupin?"

"Surely you didn't think that I would know."

"I merely thought you'd want to see it for yourselves. Ours aren't the only names in that book. Black's, Potter's, and even McGonagall and Dumbledore's. Pettigrew was even mentioned--"

Snape stopped speaking. He was looking at the book in Remus's hands, eyes wide. Remus looked down and dropped the book which was now glowing, light spilling from the center. Remus experimentally reached his hand out to the light, Snape following suit. As their hands touched the center of the book, heat ran up their arms and before they could pull away, they felt a tugging. They were then pulled into the book, which shut itself.

Coming to, Remus and Snape opened their eyes to a beaming Albus Dumbledore.

"Welcome, Misters Lupin and Snape. I trust your journey was well."


Note: If you have seen this story posted somewhere before, it was posted without permission by another who claimed to write it. That is not so, as I was the author of this story. Please let me know if you have seen this story elsewhere. Thank you.