Chapter 6: Everyone Learns Faster on Fire

By Golum

As always, many thanks to my beta: Electromoon

With the transfiguration O.W.L. postponed, Remus insisted that the Marauders immediately slip away to discuss the consequences of the prank. One look at his furious face had convinced the others to go along quietly.

The somber boys hardly even looked at each other as they made their way outside to a private space underneath the Quidditch stands, where they liked to meet. The sky was darkening with rain clouds as if sensing their mood. Even Peter seemed cross with Jamie and Sirius.

"You were out of line! Both of you!" Remus blared at his so-called friends, once they had gotten to the sheltered spot. "You didn't just hurt Snape this time. More than a dozen kids ended up going to the Infirmary! You scared half the school! Some of the Hufflepuffs even thought that Hogwarts was under attack by Dark wizards. Some of the first years are going to be crying themselves to sleep tonight!"

"Bugger-all to do now!" Sirius muttered defensively, "Most of those hurt were Slytherins, anyway." … But he could not meet Remus's eyes as he said it.

Remus stabbed his finger - still flecked with Snape's blood - in Sirius's face.

"By Merlin, what WERE you thinking? You told me you two were planning a prank, not a massacre! Why shouldn't I turn you all in!" he thundered.

Peter seemed upset with the other two as well. "Yeah, and it was supposed to be against just Snape, not all of us!"

"But it wasn't supposed to go like that! It was supposed to call one stork, two at the most … I swear!" Sirius pleaded for belief; his blue eyes guileless as they focused on Remus.

"He was supposed to just get a peck or two. It was a joke. No one was supposed to really get hurt."

James agreed. "That spell shouldn't have worked like that. I would NEVER have planned that!" He slammed his hand against one of the wooden support beams for emphasis. "No one should have gotten hurt, only that one little bite for Snape, just like in that old wives' tale. No one else should even have gotten scared!"

"I think what went wrong had to do with not using my own wand. I shouldn't have agreed to do it." Sirius admitted glumly.

"Bollocks! My wand works just fine! I may not be as multifaceted a wizard as some … but I can do plenty with that wand!" Peter indignantly huffed as if it was he and not his wand being blamed; "You must have messed up the spell."

"We know your wand's okay!" James assured him, "But Sirius should have taken some practice runs with it. His is plenty stiffer than yours. That may be why the spell was so magnified. We're just lucky it didn't explode and take someone's hand off, or worse." He frowned; "Even the likes of Snape shouldn't have gotten so hurt."

Remus was relieved that both Jamie and Sirius seemed to be mortified. If they had been gloating after what happened, he would have gone straight to McGonagall and informed. He was still immensely angry - but wasn't sure how much of that was his own rightful distress over a prank that had gone so massively awry … and how much was the inner rage of the Beast inside him, so strong being the day before the full moon.

A distant clap of thunder seemed to emphasize his thought. It smelled to Remus as if rain would follow soon. He groaned, as he realized that it would be a fearsomely wet full moon to boot.

"Yeah there was lots of blood. Moony, I saw you run over there. How bad off was the dirty bugger?" Sirius asked.

"Bad enough! Pomfrey looked really worried." Remus was still fuming, though he believed that his friends had not meant to have things go so far.

"She'd gotten the blood stopped before they took him away," James added, "Didn't even look at my face." He laughed, and the others took their first good look at him since the fight. His lip was split and puffy; while his right eye was swollen so badly that it was a wonder he could see through it. "Who knew that Snivelly Snape finally learned how to throw a punch?"

"Well it has been four years since you last tested him on it," Sirius said almost primly, "Even Snivie can learn something in four years."

"Hey, the fight as a diversion was YOUR idea, Padfoot!" Jamie chuckled, "I should give you a bit of this to make us even. He playfully moved as if he would tackle him, but Sirius just stepped back and raised both hands in gesture of surrender.

Jamie caught Sirius's eye then both boys turned to fully face the other two.

"Are we forgiven?"

Remus and Peter exchanged looks.

"Should you be?" asked Remus.

"We're sorry. We both are, right Sirius?"

"Yeah."

"If you want me to forgive and forget, you'll to make me some promises and keep them." Remus warned.

Both Sirius and Jamie looked startled at that. They had been used to receiving absolution from the other two without any penance.

"Guess your taking your Prefect badge a bit seriously there." Jamie ventured

"If I was, I would have stopped all this before it started. But I didn't, and I'd have to explain that if I hauled you guys into McGonagall's office now. In addition, poor Peter would get in trouble when he did not really do much at all. So you'll make some promises!"

It took a moment for the two to decide, but they did give their agreement.

"First, do you promise no more pranks for the rest of the year?"

"You mean big ones, not like sneaking out for snacks or something?"

"Nothing mean. And nothing against Snape!"

"Alright."

Sirius grimaced in distaste. "Yeah, but I reserve the right to self defense!"

"You both help Hagrid muck things out until the term ends, to make up for all the extra work you gave him and Filch."

"Fine."

Sirius just nodded while wrinkling and holding his nose as if already sweeping manure.

Remus ignored him and continued. "Plus, I want you both to apologize to Snape. Sincerely. Jamie can say it's for the fight and Sirius you can say it's for yesterday. You should have done that anyway." Remus held his breathe and waited for the inevitable…

"No WAY. Not even McGonagall tried that!" Jamie's eyes were bugging out.

"I'll apologize if that's what you want Moony. But there's no possibility I can mean it." Sirius's face reddened as he raised his voice. "He's Dark, you know it as well as we do. You've seen the vicious Dark Curses he uses, the spells he's cast … he sliced Jamie's cheek yesterday!"

"In his own defense, yes. I've never seen him start something with anything nasty."

Sirius was indignant, and his fists were clenched. "That doesn't matter. He's still a Dark wizard. And I can say the words to him if I have to. But I can't mean them!"

"Then just say them. For me." Remus replied sadly. He had not expected this to be easy and one of the Gryffindors' characteristic qualities was perseverance in the face of seemingly monumental difficulties and insurmountable obstacles. "… Please."

Two extremely reluctant grunts of agreement were the only response he got.

"It wasn't all bad. At least we didn't get caught for the spell," Jamie shrugged with forced nonchalance, "I got three hundred lines for the fight plus 40 points from Gryffindor. McGonagall said she would give the same to Snivellus, so we're still ahead for house cup. And Pomfrey will tell the Headmaster about whatever Snape's hatching. I overheard one of the Ravenclaw girls talking about male gestation and familiars - apparently there is a Curse of some sort involved."

"We should at least find out exactly what Snape's carrying," Sirius ventured, "That's not a prank so it won't count."

"That's cack! It isn't our business, Sirius!" Remus shot back, "You've made far more than enough trouble already. Who will get hurt next? Anymore and I'm going to McGonagall and Dumbledore. Just lay off Snape!"

"It is our business. We're the ones who discovered it." Replied Sirius, "Who knows why sneaky Snivillus was hiding it. I know we went too far but why are you defending him, anyway? You don't even like him."

"I don't know if I'd like him or not. You two never did anything but hate him! Maybe I'd like to …"

Looking anxious at the apparent renewal of dissension between his friends, Peter interrupted the budding argument.

"Look. It wouldn't hurt to do some research on it. We need a break from exam stuff anyway. Besides it's about to pour."

"Great suggestion, Wormtail." Jamie said throwing a careless arm round the smaller boy.

Remus agreed to the implicit suggestion to drop the Snape issue. It would not do to have his friends realize that he had somehow developed an attraction to the coltish boy. Besides, he would feel calmer in the library, more human.

They made their way across the grounds running from ancient oak to ancient oak for shelter, as Peter had been right. A deluge had poured from the sky very soon as the boys left the shelter of the stands. A simple spell could be used like a Muggle 'Umbella' to stave off the rain, but where would have been the fun in that? The close band of friends needed the races and subsequent muddy roughhousing to blow off steam from their quarrel.

They had tracked over what seemed to be a significant portion of schoolground quagmire before they could reach the Castle's Entrance Hall. Crossing its previously pristine marble floor, they paused only to admire the large quantity of rubies that the Gryffindor hourglass held. Unless the Stork incident came to light, it seemed inevitable that they would win the House Cup again this year - their only real threat being Slytherin.

They found the library filled to bursting; students seemed determined to use their extra time to study rather than play. Or perhaps they were unsettled enough by the stork attack that books seemed the best escape.

The boys were not the only students curious about childbearing; Madam Pince was kept busy continuously re-shelving many of the texts that might reference male pregnancies, while muttering over their sudden popularity. The Marauders each grabbed a couple of books directly from the shelves, though Sirius snatched a promising one right out of Pince's hands with a grin and impish wink.

Apparently, even she was not entirely immune to Sirius's charisma … as she just frowned and did not even bother to chastise or discipline him. Remus just rolled his eyes at how often Sirius's charms had let him get away with murder.

The boys found a semi-private study alcove in the unusually crowded library, by virtue of glaring at a pair of 4th year Slytherins until they packed up their books and moved. For a few minutes, they discussed the depths of the Forbidden Forest that they intended to explore while running with the Werewolf, and reminded each other of adventures during past moons. The other three assured Remus that they would tell him of every encounter and thrill.

This was why Remus could not stay mad at any of the others. His friends had not just accepted the Werewolf inside him; they had spent long risky months of self-study on a dangerous subject just so they could ease his life. By keeping him company as animals, they allowed him the illicit relief of running free without endangering others.

Finally, they turned back to their research and dug in. Each took a few of the books and tried to make sense of what they found. Remus found that his volumes consisted mostly of rumors and legends, many of which turned his stomach with their gruesome details. However, hard facts seemed rare and difficult to glean out without at least a basic understanding of what could create a male pregnancy. And that understanding was exactly what they were lacking.

The Marauder's hard work eventually paid off. They found far more information than they had expected; it was who Peter uncovered the most useful facts. He had been led by his initial research to a thick leather-bound volume that fairly crackled with magical energy despite the dust that covered it.

"Look here!" He showed the group. The small teenager was so excited at having found the reference that he began jumping up and down, giving a brief whoop of joy. Madam Pince, looking completely exasperated, gave him a stern reproving look and motioned him down abruptly. As he retook his seat, he gave an unabashed grin to his fellows. The others reciprocated, and turned their attention to carefully scrutinize the weighty tome.

According to the book, male gestation could occur both 'naturally' and unnaturally. There were a number of disturbing Dark Curses and Potions that could cause the later. If the result of Dark magic was a babe that appears human, the experience often twisted it in body, mind and soul – along with the bearer. The only "cure" for pregnancies believed to be created by Dark magic, was the execution of both father and child … considered in many wizarding places a mercy killing, even for reluctant bearers.

With many of the Dark Potion-created gestations, what the recipient of the magic harbored within his body was not a true baby. Instead, it would be a Nephilim, Gilian, or Jann demon … or even one of many non-humanoid demon broods. The most common of those spells were Familiarus Bejang, used to create an extremely powerful minion that, when fully-grown, had the appearance of a large lizard or weasel-type animal.

The resultant creature would quickly grow to become a familiar bound to either the bearer or the instigating wizard. It would have enormous capabilities controlled by the Dark wizard who created it. The description was followed by a long list of evil possibilities for its use.

To three of the Marauder's, it seemed clear which category Snape fell into. They had often speculated that Snape was a Dark wizard; therefore, he must have wanted an evil minion to boost his already considerable powers.

"That's got to be it! He must be having a Nephilim." Peter exclaimed a bit too loudly earning him another quelling glance from Madam Pince.

Sirius said. "It's probably a Bejang! He's always been a Slytherin weasel. Probably wants a nightmare version of himself!"

"Naw," James chimed in. "It might be a Bejang, but Snape would go for a snake type lizard, don't you think? It would remind him of his mummy! Besides, he could hiss at it and it wouldn't mind."

All the boys laughed. Even Remus found himself with a small chuckle at the well-delivered quip.

"Do you think we should do something? Maybe we should make sure that he isn't bringing a Dark creature into the world! If he is, we could deal with him properly!" Sirius exclaimed excitedly, visions of Auror-like heroics clearly filling his head.

Even Potter gave Sirius a dirty look for that one. "Didn't we risk enough trouble today and yesterday?

Remus, having seen the love on Snape's face as he had held his swelling belly, tried to refrain from making assumptions. Snape had caressed his bulge with a tender hand. Surely, a Dark Arts begotten babe or creature would not have inspired such care. One did not easily love a monster, Remus knew from bitter experience.

Nevertheless, the possibility of Dark Arts involvement of another type did worry at him. It could not really be discounted given the company Snape had been known to keep. Maybe that was why the Headmaster had been so concerned and foreboding about it, Remus thought to himself. Maybe he should have told Dumbledore the truth.

"Is it any of our business anyway? The Headmaster would take care of it if it were Dark Arts. Besides what if it's a natural pregnancy?" Remus audibly replied.

The boys' attentions turned back to the book. In later chapters, it went on to explain that it was a tremendously unusual thing for males to reproduce without the use of the Dark Arts. Even when not a product of Dark magic, male gestation - tied as it was to blatant homosexuality - was often regarded as an abomination … or at best a mixed blessing to be controlled. This was true in most areas of the magical world. The few modern exceptions were certain Caribbean islands, as well as some Pacific Rim cultures who viewed it at as a tremendous boon.

Whenever a 'natural' male gestation occurred, it was one of two extraordinary possibilities. One was an almost irreproducible side effect of one of the many types of complex magical bondings possible, combined with strong magic or emotion from both the fathers during an intimate moment. The offspring conceived by such magic was a normal, though often powerful child.

Or - most rarely or all, 'natural' male gestation occurred because the bearing father was an Iblis Breeder. In all of the recorded history of the western world, there were maybe a few dozen Breeders fully chronicled. It was inevitable that a child born of a Breeder would be especially talented, far more than just highly powerful.

In the days of legends, male-born children were considered divine gifts, worthy of great reverence. It was said that fabled wizards and witches such as Merlin, Deirdre the seer, Cathbad the wise, Circe, and Paculla Ania were all born of an Iblis Breeder. More ominously, the modern wizards Rasputin, Gerald Fitzgerald, and Grindelwald had certainly been documented as such.

According to the book, there was also immense distrust from the modern wizarding population for such a powerful magical sport. So much distrust in fact, that many countries had instituted tight regulations to dictate both the monitoring of any gestation by Bonded males, and the control of Breeders and their offspring.

Depending on the nation, a fecund Breeder could face anything from life-long tracking and 'inspection' with state control of any children, to purposeful attempts to mate the Breeder and confiscate the offspring … to mandatory abortion. In some smaller states, life-long captivity or execution of Breeders and their children was compulsory as soon as the pregnancy was discovered.

Luckily, Breeders were so rare that these laws had rarely, if ever been utilized. The book went on the document the dozen or so instances where it had been.

"Doesn't sound like any of the options are good. Snape's plans with this thing are dangerous whatever it is," James commented, "I bet that the Aurors would be interested in Snape's condition."

Sirius added. "Yeah, I wonder if any of the Professors know. They'd just about have to tell the Ministry! Maybe we should tell…"

"Tell what? Who? We don't know anything for sure yet. Not what, how, or why!" Remus was quick to cut in. "Besides how would we explain how we discovered it in the first place? There are just as likely point deductions and detentions for all of us if we tell. Do you want to admit to either the lake or the stork prank? I think we should leave it alone."

While the other continued the conversation, Remus went back to reading. The idea that any baby could be considered as … or more dangerous than Werewolves had shook him, no matter how powerful they might become.

"Surely, Dumbledore knows by now …" Peter trailed off uncertainly

"Besides," James added as they resumed reading, "we already promised Remus that we wouldn't do anything to Snape before the end of the term."

The book went on to indicate that all male pregnancies, Dark magic or not, held extremely high risks for both wizard and child. Gravid males suffered through uncomfortable, painful symptoms and complications more than the average witch, and far more then a Muggle. The significant drain on the magic of the bearing wizard was highly unsafe and often life threatening.

Of the 'natural' male pregnancies, it was estimated that more than a few babes were lost to the stress of delivery or the abnormality of the pregnancy. Only through repeated magical donations, often by the other genetic father, could the odds be made even marginally more favorable. More than 19 of bearing wizards died from the magical drain associated with making a male pregnancy possible … or else through miscarriage complications, or during the extremely painful birth.

On the other hand, reproduction of an inhuman creature through any of the Dark magical means seemed to have far fewer risks - though many of the same symptoms. Remus felt suffocated by the data; he almost missed the end of the other boy's discussion.

"Maybe we should do something more. If no one else is, I mean." Peter had continued to argue.

"No. Jamie was right. We promised to leave Snape strictly alone until the end of the term.. That's why we need to wait for the train. Then we can do whatever's needed." was Sirius' smiling reply.

The other two seemed satisfied with the proposal … but to Remus, Sirius's usually beloved grin suddenly looked perverse.

bugger-all: Absolutely nothing at all. E.g. "There's bugger-all we can do about it now."

cack: excrement.

The use of the word sport is to indicate a: mutation/genetic variation