AN: Wow... it's been a while, hasn't it? It's been a long year, but my first year of Uni is over... I'm waiting on my results now.
I'm sorry that I have updated in so long, it couldn't be helped but I still feel bad, especially since I usually end on cliff-hangers.
I'm on holiday now though, so I should get a few more chapters up in the coming weeks. Here is the first.
~GreenEyes
PS- Expect updates on my other fics in the coming days!
Transfiguration was a tense affair. Sirius glared at Harry openly when McGonagall wasn't looking. Harry resolutely ignored him with a scowl on his face and took notes while McGonagall outlined things to consider when transfiguring living objects.
Remus sat at the desk between the two of them. He shot confused looks at Harry –James surely wouldn't act this way, especially with Sirius looking at him that– who answered with a shrug. Let Sirius glare until he was blue in the face; he would deal with that later, maybe in the common room after dinner… or maybe he should speak to Amy again first, he hadn't finished speaking to her the previous night.
Sirius could wait, Harry decided, he needed to speak to Amy tonight. There were still too many things he didn't know.
McGonagall asked the students a few questions on the subject of transfiguring living objects –Remus earned Gryffindor five points answering a question correctly– and then handed out brown rats to each students and instructed them to pick up from where they had left off the previous day.
Harry and Remus congratulated each other on producing near-perfect goblets at the end of class. Sirius stalked off to his next class which, unfortunately, Harry shared with him –classes were grouped according to House even now. Remus sighed at Sirius' retreating back, and bid Harry farewell –Remus had Ancient Runes next.
Care of Magical Creatures next. Between a mad –in both senses of the word, as far as Harry was concerned– Sirius and dangerous creatures to watch out for, Harry was sure this class would be quite interesting.
Care of Magical Creatures was a very quiet affair compared to what Hagrid's classes had been like. The class was actually held in a classroom and they weren't introduced to any creatures, the Professor –a strong looking wizard with auburn hair– taught them about centaurs. Sirius took up his past-time of glaring at Harry, and Harry continued to ignore him while take notes –Hermione would have been proud, he thought.
Finally, the Professor mentioned that there were herds of centaurs living in the forest.
"But they wouldn't appreciate a large group of witches and wizards marching around their territory." He told them.
After Care of Magical Creatures was over, Harry hurried out of the classroom in order to avoid Sirius' childishness for the time being. He made his way to the Great Hall where lunch was commencing. Harry grabbed a couple of sandwiches and a goblet of pumpkin juice and walked out of the main double doors, not sparing a glance for any Marauders that might ask him where he was going.
Not long after, Severus exited the doors as well. He too was carrying food and drink. The two of them made their way outside and settled themselves under the shade of a tree near to the lake.
"Lily saw me leave," Severus informed Harry. "She might fellow us out here, at the very least she'll ask where I went."
"That's fine," Harry said. "She's welcome to join us, and you can tell her whatever you want."
"Not worried about what your girlfriend would say, James?" Severus' tone was teasing, but there was something serious in his eyes.
Harry snorted.
"Please," Harry rolled his eyes dramatically. "She hates my guts."
Severus seemed taken aback. Harry could understand why, James didn't seem as if he ever made his feelings for Lily any more clear, he had probably even asked Lily out many times in the past. But Harry was going to nip this thing in the backside before he had any awkward situations with Lily –this was his mother for Melin's sake!
"Hate is a strong word," Severus answered. "I would've gone with 'strongly dislikes'."
Harry laughed at this.
"Whatever," Harry said. "I know what my chances are there."
Severus looked perplexed.
"In all honesty," Harry continued. "I think she deserves better than me."
Severus quirked an eyebrow.
"Better than you?" He repeated. "Gryffindor golden boy? Quidditch Captain?"
"Arrogant? Lazy?" Harry threw back at him, using the adjective he had had the adult Snape throw at him to describe James Potter. "A bully?"
Severus frowned at him.
"Is that why you're doing this?" Severus asked in a guarded voice.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Doing what?" He asked.
"This 'friend' thing," Severus answered. "The 'new you' thing! Is that just to be better man so that you can convince yourself that you deserve Lily?"
"No!" Harry exclaimed. "No, of course not, Severus, that would be stupid!"
Severus didn't say anything.
Harry sighed.
"What can I do to prove that to you?" Harry asked. "I promise you, Severus, I want to be your friend. I promise I'll never ask Lily out again, I'll be nothing more than friends with her if she'll ever allow me that much! I'll make an Unbreakable Vow if that's what it takes to convince you!"
Severus' eyebrows shot up at that offer. He even seemed to think it over seriously before shaking his head.
"No," He said. "That's alright, I believe you."
Harry smiled.
"You need to be careful, James." Severus warned. "You shouldn't be so willing to make Unbreakable Vows, that lasts your whole life and it's really dangerous."
Harry nodded. He knew this.
"I know, Severus." Harry answered. "That's why I offered, there's no way I'll ever break those promises to you."
Severus seemed to be shocked into silence. He cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded.
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
"Actually, Severus." Harry said eventually. "I was thinking that you-"
Harry stopped talking when he saw Remus running up toward them.
Severus reached for his wand, but Harry stopped him.
"Don't worry," He said. "Remus won't do anything."
Remus stopped in front of them, breathing hard. He looked around to make sure that they were alone.
"James!" Remus said, still breathing heavily. "We have… a problem!"
Harry frowned.
"Sit down, Remus." Harry said. "Here, catch your breath. Do you want some juice?"
Remus sat down, he kept looking around them. Harry gave their surrounding a scan himself, he was sure Severus was doing the same.
"No time for a drink, James!" Remus said urgently. "It's Sirius… I overheard him talking to Peter, he planning something awful!"
Harry's gaze flicked to Severus for a split-second, he was scowling at Remus.
"What's he planning, Remus." Harry asked.
"He- He thinks it's just a prank, James!" Remus was getting hysterical. "He doesn't see how dangerous it is, or he does and he just doesn't care!"
"Remus!" Harry caught a hold of his shoulders and held his gaze. "What is he planning?"
Remus looked terrified, his face was pale. He swallowed hard.
"It's a full moon tonight, James." He answered. "A full moon, do you understand."
Harry's eyes widened. He understood. He remembered Dumbledore telling about that night –tonight– and what Sirius did.
Harry's gaze flicked back to Severus. Severus was frowning at the two of them in confusion. Harry returned his gaze to Remus.
"I understand." Harry choked out.
"Can you speak to him?" Remus asked.
"He won't listen to me now." Harry said.
Severus didn't say anything, but Harry could tell he wanted to know what the bloody hell they were talking about.
"Can I tell Severus, Remus?" Harry asked him, it wasn't his secret to give away. "He won't tell anyone I promise."
Remus nodded.
"Tell him! Please tell him, James, he needs to know," Remus said. "For his own protection."
Severus raised his eyebrows at that, but didn't say anything.
"Promise me, Severus, that this information will be kept a secret." Harry said solemnly.
Severus looked at the two of them, his gaze resting on Lupin for a while before returning to Harry.
"The Cruciatus curse will not loosen my tongue." He said. "You have my word."
Harry looked at Remus, who was staring at Severus with shock mixed with admiration. Harry turned his gaze back to Severus. He was convinced.
"Remus is a werewolf." Harry said. "And Sirius wants to use him against you."
AN: There you go! Hope it was worth the wait.
~GreenEyes
