Chapter 10

Sirius couldn't understand it. No matter how many times he thought about it, he just couldn't see or find a reason as to why James was acting different towards Snivellus. He gave him a hard look during dinner the first day back and he was still his same disgusting self, greasing hair and all.

There was literally nothing different about him, at least nothing that Sirius could see that would make James act differently towards him.

He tried to talk to Remus about it, but he wasn't much help either.

"What is?" cried Sirius. They were in the Gryffindor common room and Sirius was pacing in front of the burning fire. Remus was watching him, looking a bit sick and tired. It was the full moon a few days ago and he wasn't feeling his usual self yet.

"I mean, come on! We haven't played a single prank on him, not since the end of last year."

"Maybe that's why," Remus said, giving him a hard stare. Guilt filled Sirius, but he shot it down in anger.

"With what? With last year? Come on Remus, the bastard had it coming. If he didn't mind his own damn business than he wouldn't have been in danger in the first place."

"No Sirius, that's not how that works." Neither James or Remus had forgiven him for what he did to Snape last year. Remus, he could understand. He such caring guy that it would have killed him to know he attacked another student, even if that student was a Death Eater like Snape. And because what would happen to him if his plan had worked. It was the only reason why he felt any guilt about it at all. It had nothing to do with Snape. The bastard was evil and dark. Sirius quite frankly thought he was doing everyone a favor, taking out a Death Eater before he did anything dangerous. However, neither James nor Remus saw it that way. As soon as James had found out what he did, he raced to save Snape.

It was the first time Sirius was actually surprised with James. When he told him, he thought he would laugh and congratulate him on being so smart. But the horror that filled James's eyes was something that Sirius would never be able to forget. He watched as James paled, fear taking over him before he pushed Sirius away and ran out their room. He called for him, but it was too late.

The next day, James refused to talk to him. He walked right passed him during breakfast and didn't sit next to him during class. Remus was confused with the change in their relationship since he didn't really remember what happened during his transformations. Remus had asked if anything happened, but Sirius didn't answer. After a week of being ignored by James, Sirius couldn't take it anymore and had confronted James about it.

"What's the problem?" yelled James when Sirius asked him after dinner. James got red with anger. "The problem is that you sent Snape to get eaten by Remus! You not only risk the life of Snape, who, by the way, we agreed to no longer play a pranks on," Sirius scoffed at that. James was the one who said they shouldn't prank him anymore, Sirius did not such thing. He was going to tell him so, but James kept going. "But you also risked Remus as well. Are you just stupid or completely mad? Do you have any idea what they would have done to Remus? They would have killed him. I know that we used to bully Snape and it was fun while it lasted, but we need to grow the hell up. This shit won't stand outside of Hogwarts. You are so lucky that Dumbledore didn't kick you out or that Snape didn't rat out that Remus was a werewolf and had almost killed him. God you are so stupid. Do you have no human decency? Playing a prank is one thing, but staging a murder is something completely different Sirius."

James had practically ran out of the room, leaving everyone in shock. Never had they thought that James would yell at Sirius over someone like Snape. Remus was on the brink of tears, hyperventilating from shock. It was only when Sirius saw Remus did he see his mistake. Remus could have died if James didn't save Snape in time and it would have been his fault. But that was the only reason that Sirius saw it as a problem.

Ever since that day, they have been walking on eggshells. James didn't talk to him and Sirius didn't try to talk to him either for the rest of the year. It hurt him that his best friend, practically a brother, had chosen Snape over him. He still couldn't wrap his head around it. It felt like James was a complete stranger in that moment. Sirius would admit that it was kind of his fault and that he let Snivellus get the better of him and make him make a dumb decision like revealing Remus's secret. But he just couldn't help it! It was because of that damn lesson! Sirius was sure of it. If Sirius really had to pick a time that James started to change, it would have to be that damn lesson that they had in their Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

It wasn't meant to be anything different. It was just supposed to be another lesson, but Professor Warlock had thought it be best that they practice the Patronus Charm. It wasn't going to be a full blown lesson, just a quick discussion as a preparation for the end of the year and next year exams. It started off simple, with just an explanation of what it was and how it was done. But everyone got really into the lesson and they wanted to see if they would be able to do the spell correctly.

Only seven students were able to make a very visible apparition of their Patronus spirit. Naturally, James, Sirius, Remus, and Lily were part of that group. Everyone was in awed at the beauty of their animals. James had looked a bit smug when Lily had a doe that matched his buck. It clearly showed that they were meant to be together, and he said as much. Both Remus and Sirius elbowed each other in amusement. But then Lily had done the same with Snape, elbowing his side when he refused to even try the spell. They all joked that he wouldn't even get a wisp of light or smoke since he was a dirty snake and wouldn't be able to even cast a light spell like the Patronus Charm. Reluctantly, Snape casted the charm and in a bright light, brighter than all the others, Severus had created a beautiful doe. The spell was so strong that it was completely full of light, almost as if the doe was real and solid.

It had walked towards its creator, budding her head against Snape's arm before it walked towards Lily and her doe and doing the same. All the girls had 'awed' and cooed at the cute display. James had a frown on his face and had that look in his eye when he was thinking of something very carefully and thoroughly. It was only when Snape's doe had walked towards the direction of James's buck, who stood straighter and practically puffed its chest, displaying itself proudly, that James snapped out of his thoughts.

Everyone watched in amazement as Snape's doe barely gave James's buck a glance and walked right passed him towards the other students, sniffing them in contemplation. The buck was hurt, which showed as it almost sagged in sadness if they could even do that, and tried to get the doe's attention, which it did, much to everyone's surprise and to some people's discouragement. They nuzzled each other causing a jolt of electricity to run in both James's and Snape's body, making them both blush simultaneously . It was only when Snape shakily called his doe back had the enchanting moment ended.

Everyone was still amazed at what happen. The teacher was quite shock since he has never heard of such a thing happening. Sirius had frowned when it had ended. Sending a quick glance towards James, he wasn't much better. His face was stoic and his eyes were glazed. It was a look that Sirius didn't see often from James and never knew how to approach it.

When class had ended, they walked in an awkward silence until Peter had made a bad joke and then everything was fine again. Everything went back to the way it was, except it didn't.

Ever since that moment, James became more distant and didn't want to play as many pranks as he did before, especially on Snape. He would watch Snape, Sirius noticed, during classes and during meals with a look Sirius couldn't identify. Sirius had thought he was losing his best friend which is why it was such a relief that James had cast a spell on that fateful afternoon. It brought Sirius such joy that James was back to his ways despite that it didn't quite reach his eyes and his smile seemed a bit force.

Everyone watched and chanted at them when James had spelled Snape upside down. Sirius laughed and then spelled his pants down. Snape hissed like the snake he is and tried to break free from the spell mind alone since he had dropped his wand. It didn't work of course. It was only when the lovely Evans came to his rescue that their fun ended.

She yelled and screamed at them until James released him, but before Lily could even ask Snape if he was okay, he spitefully cursed at her.

"I don't need the help of a mudblood," he said angrily. It was such a sweet surprise to see, thought Sirius. Snape had shown his true colors that moment and Lily was finally able realize that he was just no good. It was a historic moment.

Sirius saw a pain expression take James's face. He assumed it was because his dear Lily had looked so distraught, but now he wasn't so sure. Sirius had wanted to talk about it since Snape was no longer in his way and that he must be ecstatic now that he has Lily (since they were practically dating then), but James never spoke a word of it and had started to hang out with Lily more often since then. It hurt then that they weren't hanging out as much as they used to, but Sirius let him have his fun since James has practically been dreaming of this moment since he first laid eyes on Lily. It still hurt though. Of course he had Remus and Peter, but it just wasn't the same.

Since Snape was no longer a problem and there wasn't an actual need to make contact with him, they unofficially agreed to not do anything to him.

"Allow him to weep in his misery," James said. It was a good idea and Sirius didn't see anything wrong with it and he had silently agreed to it. Even if the look in James's eye didn't sit well with him. Remus saw it too and had asked if anything was up with him, but Sirius just said he didn't know and Peter shrugged his shoulders in agreement.

It was fine for bit. However, Sirius was a bit of attention whore and it got a bit lonely when James started to spend all his free time with Lily, Remus studying for exams and preparing for the full moon coming in the next few days, and Peter going who knows where doing who knows what. Which is why it seemed like it was such a good idea to go bother Snape. He should've known better to go at him alone. Snape was a dirty snake, but he was a powerful dirty snake which is why Snape had him in a magical bound in a matter of minutes. Sirius had offered Snape the secret he was dying to know in exchange for him to release him and the bastard believed him. He told him of course, to go to the whomping willow and how to bypass its destructive nature. Sirius, which he gladly points out, had warned him to not go tonight since it was going to be a full moon.

Some part of Sirius knew that Snape wouldn't listen and would go before he told him, but he thought it would serve him right and told him anyway.

Every since that moment, things just weren't the same. Even now, after a whole summer away from each other, things just didn't stand the way they used to. James still talked to him, but he always seemed a bit nervous and often avoided certain topics like Lily and Snape. Peter was acting strangely too, he wasn't sitting with them or hanged out with them anymore like he used to. The only one who was the same was Remus, but he often gave him a disappointed look whenever he did something he wasn't supposed to.

It just didn't feel right. Their gang was falling apart and Sirius just got so angry that the only people he cared about were leaving him. And it was all Snape's fault which is why he sought him out on the very first day back on the train, but it didn't work as plan. James still sent him those looks when he thought nobody was watching. It brought fear to Sirius since he hoped those looks weren't what he thought they were. When he talked to Remus about it, who was the only person he really talked to these days, he just said the same thing he always did.

"James doesn't see Snape the way he used to. He spent a lot of time thinking about what he's done to him and reflected on that at the end of the new year. He just wants to leave him alone and I think it will be best that you do too. It won't do anybody any favors to keep tormenting Snape. I think we all outgrew that phase in our lives. Just let it go."

Just let go he says, as if. But Sirius did try. His actions eventually lead him to talking to James again, as rocky as it was, but it was better than before. Sirius thought he was doing a good job at it and it got even better when Dumbledore announced the Triwizard Tournament. Oh, how excited they were. It brought a feeling that Sirius thought was lost. Him and James spoke everyday, coming up with different ideas of what the task would be, who the other champions would be, and they would argue which one between them would represent Hogwarts. It was great up until that moment that Dumbledore called out Snape's name. He couldn't believe it. He refused to believe it.

"He bloody well cheated," Sirius screamed. "He used some dark magic to get his name called."

Several students murmured in agreement with him, but James wasn't one of them. He had that look in his eye again and his face was frozen and empty. Sirius watched as James looked at Snape and Snape looking right back.

Ever since then, James started to hang out with the bastard and with Lily, helping him with tournament he said. Remus thought it was a great idea, a way to make amends he said like a proud parent, but Sirius didn't see it that way. He watched in anger he lost his best friend to Snape, which is why he confronted him that day in Hagrid's hut.

James stopped him of course. A whole conversation had gone by between them in a matter of seconds. Sirius couldn't believe that he really picked Snivels over him.

At the first task, Sirius somewhat hoped he wouldn't make it pass the first task, but the bloody bastard just won't die and had made through. Even though he passed out the first second he got there, Sirius watched in disbelief as James picked him up and rushed him to the medical tent.

There had to be something that he just wasn't seeing because to him, Snape will always be that vile snake who hated muggles and played with dark magic, just like the rest of those evil Slytherins.