CHAPTER 11 - Whomping and Shrieking

Sirius strolled down the hall chuckling to himself, a large grin spread across his face. His plan was perfect. Snape would get what was coming to him and have his wits scared out of him. He'd never mention a thing about Remus to anyone. All he had to do was nonchalantly explain to Snape how to get past the whomping willow. Maybe Snape would even end up injured. That brightened his smile even more. Whatever happened would be no fault of his own. Snape needed to finally learn a lesson in keeping his big nose in his own business.

Snape had followed the Marauders around for years just looking for an excuse to get them expelled. James especially. Sirius knew that Snape had always been jealous of James and what he had. Sometimes even he, Sirius Black, was jealous. He had great parents, though very old, untold wealth, and plenty of skill and attention. What young wizard at Hogwarts didn't want to be James? Thinking of James caused Sirius' grin to grow even more. He would love Sirius' most recent prank. With that thought he decided to find James and let him in on the fun.

He sped up a little more, heading for the common room where James was sure to be. Lounging in the common room after classes while Lily and Braxton played wizards chess had become a past time of sorts for James and he didn't think any of his friends noticed. Sirius let his mind wander back to Snape's expression when he told him how to get to Remus.

"Just poke the knot and you'll be ace. It's a walk from there. Go ahead Snivellus. That's what you've been waiting for isn't it?"

Sirius could see the skeptical look in Snape's eyes but said nothing more. He knew that his hatred and desire to expose them would overcome his doubts. After he walked away Sirius swore he heard Snape's footsteps headed to the great doors that led to the grounds.

The Fat Lady winked and swung open for Sirius without even asking for the password. James always said she had a crush on him. He spotted James near the fire. Of course, he knew his best friends better than anyone. James noticed Sirius and the look on his face and stood up, returning the mischievous expression.

"Let's hear it padfoot," He sat down again.

"You'll be rather pleased with this one Prongs," He leaned back enjoying the moment and letting his best friend hang a moment, "I've got Snivellus. He won't be bothering us again. He'll keep his great trap shut from now on."

James looked confused and a little worried, "What did you do?"

Sirius leaned forward still grinning, "I told him how to get past the whomping willow."

"Sirius, what did you do!?" James jumped out of his seat.

Sirius looked confused. Where was the pat on the back, the matching grin? Where was the 'good job mate?' Before he could say anything at all James grabbed his wand and sprinted out the door after throwing Sirius the worst glare imaginable. He sat there frozen and bewildered. Why would he run after Snape? He was the bane of their existence at Hogwarts. Severus Snape had only ever caused the Marauders trouble. He was death eater material in the making. There was no doubt in his mind that that was what Snape would be immediately after graduating, or possibly after his seventeenth birthday.

As he sat the events began to sink in slowly. Remus would be monumentally upset if he knew that he told Snape how to find him, even if it was for his own protection. If Remus, in werewolf form, hurt Snape he'd be even angrier. He had always feared something like that might one day happen. He was more afraid of killing or turning someone than anything, apart from the moon itself. Killing? Surely he wouldn't kill Snape? He could kill Snape and it wouldn't even be his fault. Remus Lupin, his best friend, could end up in Azkaban for life because of Sirius' five second decision.

His jaw dropped and he felt his body stiffened. He felt like his limbs weighed ten time more. He couldn't think, hear or feel correctly. He may have just condemned his best friend to life in the most horrendous place on earth. It would be his fault if Moony was never happy ever again. It would be his fault if Remus never had the chance to grow old. It was his fault if his best friend never saw the light of day again. His fault.

Sirius stayed frozen on the sofa. James had run after Snape, his worst enemy, to save his life and to save his best friends' neck. What a mess he had made, and to think only moments ago he had been proud of himself. He felt ashamed, no better than dirt. He may have betrayed one of the few very important people in his life. Maybe he wasn't so different from the rest of the Black family. Surely this was something they would do.

A weight shifted beside his and brilliant green eyes looked into his with worry. Lily Evans sat beside him, waiting for him to explain James' outburst and sudden departure. Her instincts told her it wouldn't be good. Sirius looked back at her unsure what to say. She trusted him to keep their friend safe and instead of doing that he gave her old best friend a death sentence. He opened his mouth slowly, hoping she wouldn't hex him into oblivion.

Meanwhile, James Potter thrust open the doors of Hogwarts and raced down the steps. He thought he saw a dark figure disappear under the whomping willow. He was close; if he hurried he could catch Snape before it was too late. He ran after Snape as fast as he could without thinking. He was so very close to the hollow in the tree before it happened. The whomping willow had recovered and took a swat at him. The branch connected with the side of his head, hurtling him side ways onto the ground.

If James was not a particularly good chaser he might have been beat to a pulp. He rolled back to his feat but kept his head low and covered it with his arms. He zigzagged past the branches that were trying to pummel him. He kicked the knot at the base of the tree and it froze. He slid through the hole and under the tree. Warm blood was trickling down the side of his forehead as he lit his wand to see. He could hear slight noises made from Snape not too far ahead. Adrenaline was kicking in, he was sure that had it been any other time or reason he would never have made it past the willow.

As James struggled to catch up with Snape he finally managed to see his form crawling through the tunnel. He was so close. James wasn't sure what to do. There was no way Snape was going to trust him. Then again if he didn't say something now Snape would enter the shanty in a matter of minutes and never make it out alive.

"Snape! Stop Snape!" James shouted, now crawling after him.

Snape looked behind him, "Afraid I'll get you expelled Potter? Well there's nothing you can do about it now. You're too late."

"Snape stop! You don't want to go in there!" How could he make him understand?

"You can say goodbye to Hogwarts Potter," Snape smirked before turning back and pushing himself through the secret entrance.

James put his wand between his teeth and dashed after him. He practically rolled into the Shrieking Shack. Snape was standing upright, looking around. James grabbed him by the collar and tried to force him back into the tunnel. Snape whirled around and pointed his wand in James' face.

"I'm not going anywhere Potter. I have you right where I want you. You and your horrid friends will be gone by morning," Snape looked determined.

"We have to get out of here Snape! Now! Do you want to die?" James practically shouted he knew wherever Moony was right now he was on his way to find them.

Snape's expression of determination wavered before misunderstanding the meaning of James' words, "It is I who was the wand pointed at you Potter. Still as arrogant as ever."

James didn't get the chance to reply. He dived at Snape throwing him to the ground just as the giant werewolf lunged. James rolled over and dragged Snape's shocked body toward the secret passage before pointing his own wand toward the recovering werewolf.

"Get out! NOW!" James growled.

Snape sat up staring at the werewolf preparing for another attack. He knew this is what he expected but he still was not prepared. Remus Lupin was about to kill them both. He scrambled to get himself back into the tunnel. To leave James Potter to handle his werewolf of a friend. He managed to get inside and start crawling through the tunnel but left the entrance open. That was as far as his good deeds were going to go for Potter. He heard a howl and some racket followed by a few bangs from spells. He heard the entrance close and the heavy breathing of James not far behind him. The werewolf was trying to dig through to tunnel, the two boys had probably never moved so fast in their lives.

"GO!" James bellowed.

The racket behind them grew louder and was supplemented with howling. It felt like they would never reach the end as the scrambled in the dark trying to make their way out. Neither boy said a single word to the other. When the reached the fresh air again, pressed the knot and ran away from the branches, hoping that the werewolf had not gotten far enough to leave the tunnel. Snape's run had turned into something other than just fear, James could see it. Luckily he was faster. He tackled the less athletic boy to the ground.

"You won't say a word! Not a word!" James shouted before Snape forced him off and continued running.

"Like hell I won't." He dove up the steps and plowed through the doors, running into two unaware students.

Snape looked up to see three people before him, the familiar face of Lily Evans, Sirius Black and Dumbledore. James stopped before them out of breath. He looked a mess, covered in blood and pale as the moonlight.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Snape. To my office please. Mr. Black please escort Ms. Evans back to the Gryffindor tower, I've heard all I need from you."

Sirius and Lily returned to the common room as told and sat quietly in front of the dwindling fire. No one was getting sleep tonight, though both were relieved that nothing more serious had resulted. Lily was angry with Sirius and as soon as he had confessed to her what he had done she forced him to Dumbledore right away. His head hung low in shame, something Lily had never seen from him before. He had always been proud like James.

She didn't want to speak to him but she was beginning to feel more pity than anger, "You're lucky nothing happened."

She had not meant it rudely. It was a fact, Sirius really was very fortunate. That didn't mean he wouldn't be paying consequences. Having to tell Remus about what he did was punishment enough in her opinion. Sirius nodded and swallowed hard. He began nervously rubbing his hands together, waiting for James to enter the common room.

About an hour later James stepped through the portrait hole looking weary. His head and scratches were cleaned up but the look on his face told the whole story. Sirius stood up suddenly looking at his best friend. James just looked at him and shook his head in disgust. He took a seat near the fire, as far from Sirius as possible. He knew this was his queue to leave.

"I'm sorry mate," Sirius choked out before sauntering out the portrait hole before Lily had a chance to stop him.

Where was he going?

Lily stood to follow him but stopped, "Potter."

James looked at Lily, allowing her to see his conflicting emotions written all over his face. His eyes were pleading with her not to ask questions. Not now. She didn't intend to. She moved closer to him, placing a hand on the arm rest of his chair so they were face to face.

"That was very decent of you," She said before straightening up.

James let out a heavy breath and stood to follow Sirius, "I better go."

Lily decided it was best to let James track Sirius down and bring him back. Little did she know, James was not looking for Sirius, he was headed back to the grounds.