Severus spent two days in the hospital wing, allowing plenty of time to reconsider his offer to foster the cousins. Potter visited often to apologies desperately, which would be met with a severe threat if word of what happened ever got out that a first year dropped a troll on him. The staff, once Albus had followed Snape's patronus to the library, found the whole thing hilarious. There may have been some undisclosed retaliation on the injured party, and everyone had agreed it was best to put the incident behind them. Save the librarian, Miss Pince, who had promised to beat Severus to death with a caldron if the young man didn't help repair the library after his recovery.

There were darker consequences, however. For one, Snape found he actually liked Potter. The boy had a quiet eagerness and lust for learning that reminded the spy of his childhood friend. He had none of his father's arrogance, and listened attentively to everything said. Stuck in the hospital wing, bored out of his mind, Severus found himself telling Harry stories of Lily, and even a few more amusing and harmless anecdotes of the seven year prank war between himself and the Marauders. On the second day, Potter even brought Dursley, and the two firsties spent the afternoon listening to stories of their mothers growing up. Heavily edited, of course. Severus drew a blank on acceptable stories with a happy Petunia, but did recall some memories Lily had shared with him of when the sisters got along.

Another unfortunate backlash was that Snape was brought under the scrutiny of the Dark Lord and his puppet. Quirrel visited on occasion, leaving the impression that the troll was planted by the DADA professor himself, and that Severus had greatly displeased their shared master by saving Harry Potter. The potions master slyly replied that he had gained the trust of the Brat-Who-Lived-To-Be-A-Pain and praise from the staff, putting him in a better position then he had ever had before. Quirrel pointed out that Snape was widely hated within the school, and surely protecting one student from a troll didn't change that.

Severus cursed the other man's toenails to grow continuously and sign Happy Days off key for two hours.

Quirrel left, and hadn't contacted him again that weekend.

In the afternoon of the second day, Lupin nervously asked to speak to Severus.

"Just for a moment." He said.

"Fine," Severus sneered, glaring at the werewolf. "Speak."

"Oh, um, I just wanted to-" Lupin was a stuttering mess. He usually was without a pack to back him. "I rented an apartment," He blurted out. "In Hogsmeade. I know Albus wants you to foster Harry and Dudley if no-one else can, and I just thought I'd-" He breathed out in a windy gust of nerves. "Well, tell you, I guess..."

"Why." Severus' voice was the first recorded instance of absolute zero. It froze Remus' thin bravery into brittle cowardice.

"SoIcantaketheboysthissummer." Lupin said before fear locked his jaw.

"Why would that concern me? Talk to Dumbledore, Lupin." The spy spat. "Better yet, speak to Dursley and Potter. Not tonight!" He ordered when Lupin perked up and stood.

"Oh, yes!" Remus lit up, smiling goofily. "Yes, I will!" The werewolf tore out without another word, looking like Snape had just cured him of Lycanthropy.

Confused and annoyed, Severus was finally released from the hospital wing an hour later.

"So long as you don't pick anymore fights with trolls." Madame Pomfrey patted Snape's cheek, grinning at his scowl. "Actually, avoid spending too much time near Mr. Potter, just to be safe."

"And don't go for a run!" She yelled at his fleeing back.

Three minutes later, she could hear surprised and happy cries drifting up from the grounds, and caught the barest glimpse of a giant black cat streaking off into the forest.

"Three broken ribs, broken arm in two places," She muttered to herself, "Bloody concussion, that boy doesn't know when to quit."


Shadow stopped four miles inside the Forbidden Forest. The sounds of wakening night-life filled the dark woodlands around him. A small (bear-sized) acromantula caught a fox somewhere in the underbrush, its eight beady eyes fixed on him thoughtfully before beating a hasty escape. The unicorns had fled much further into the forest and the centaurs often take to their camps when the sun sets. He was alone.

Bright silver light splashed the undergrowth, making small flies glow and turning the dark into a blue fog. Somewhere in the back of Shadow's animalistic mind, the potions master rung a bell of alarm. None of the feline's fine senses picked up danger, and the warning sunk into the misty background.

Shadow melted into a patch of moonlight, briskly licking traces of his run off his sore ribs. Far off into the foothills, a demonic howl rent the air.

With sudden clarity, Shadow looked up at the full moon peeking between the branches. Full moon.

Moony's in the Shack by now. Shadow thought to himself.

That deballed mutt isn't the only werewolf in the area. Another part of him helpfully added.

There was a crunch of leaves and frost trodden by a heavy paw. Gleaming yellow eyes appeared around level with Shadow's ears. To Shadow's surprise, the sight of the werewolf scared him far less then when he had first seen Moony crouched snarling in the decrepit ruins of the Shrieking Shack. There was something less... animal in those eyes when they were seen on four legs.

Then he remembered he was a cat.

Shadow swelled up like only a feline can, a deep rumble of warning slipping past inch long fangs. The werewolf stopped on its haunches, sniffing the air. It opened its mouth, revealing gleaming fangs.

Severus? Moony whined, confused.

Lupin? Shadow hissed. What are you doing out of the Shack?

Since when are you an animagus? The werewolf growled, baring his teeth. The transformation gave more bite to Lupin then simple anger ever had. When the massive panther just huffed, Moony answered reluctantly. It drives me mad, spending a whole night alone in the shack. I'm in control, I'm no more dangerous than you!

I am very dangerous. Shadow replied. I have been an animagus since I was seventeen, there was little use learning before that. You should go back to your den. He said haughtily, flicking a pure black tail. Moony rumbled in annoyance, then whimpered slightly.

I don't want to stay there alone. He repeated. I used to stay there with- I don't remember it, but Moony does. He gets lonely. The werewolf sat down on his tail, looking like a kicked puppy. I don't remember much of anything between the moon rising and setting, even with the potion.

I'm not dog-sitting you. Shadow started trotting back towards the school. He could feel Moony's breath on his tail.

After fifteen minutes of having the werewolf follow him like a love-sick puppy, the cat gave up, and lead the beast back to the Shrieking Shack himself. Lupin woke up the next day mostly without pain, covered in black fur and scratches. He had vague memories of trying to hug a massive black cat.