14

Peter was back on his feet in a couple of days. Madam Pomfrey theorized that he had been hit with a combination of Confundus Charms that had taken a little bit of time for her to undo. That was the good news. The bad news was that via a combination of excessive OWL homework and their new detentions, James, Sirius and Peter didn't have much time to devote to becoming Animagi. So it was that Remus' time of the month arrived and they still weren't prepared to join him.

'It's fine,' Remus said reassuringly as he packed his back to leave. He was still ostensibly keeping up the façade of going to visit his sick mother for the rest of the school. 'I've been transforming on my own since I was a boy.'

Sirius kicked at a pair of his shoes—they were all seated in their dormitory as curfew had come and gone. 'This still sucks,' he muttered. 'We should be out there with you. These detentions are a big, steaming pile of horse—' he began.

'They're fair in the grand scheme of things,' Remus cut in calmly. 'We're probably fortunate they weren't longer than they were.'

'Prefect Moony is lecturing again,' James chuckled and Remus smiled at him patiently. 'I'm sorry, Moony. I wish we could be there with you.'

Remus smiled more warmly. 'I know you do,' he said softly. 'You three…you know you're the best friends anyone could ask for, right?' He clasped his hand on Peter's shoulder as he was closest to him and glanced at the others. 'Seriously, I'll be fine. You're there with me in spirit anyways. I'll see you in a couple of days.'

They watched sadly as Remus shuffled out the door and Sirius full on kicked a boot across the room. 'Damn McGonagall!' he hissed. 'We didn't start anything, why are we serving stupid detentions all the time!'

Peter looked uncomfortable. 'We'll just have to try for his next cycle,' he said quietly.

'We've been saying that for years!' Sirius said angrily.

'Let's just calm down,' James said firmly. 'Running around with our hands in the air screaming woe is me isn't going to help Moony.'

Sirius looked as though he wanted to protest the point, but he relented and sat down. 'It just feels like we've let him down. I can't wrap my head around this stupid Animagi thing,' he said with a sigh.

'We'll get there, mate,' James said firmly. 'We've made progress—most full fledged wizards have a Dickens of a time with this sort of thing.'

Sirius sighed again. 'I suppose,' he said.

'So what should we do?' Peter asked. 'Study?'

Sirius snorted. 'I don't need to study,' he muttered. 'The only thing I want to study, I can't, because Moony's using the Shrieking Shack.'

'How about we go grab a bite to eat then?' James suggested. 'We could go to the kitchens?'

Sirius seemed to brighten. 'Good idea,' he said.

'Let me just grab the map,' James grunted as he sprawled across his bed and reached into his rucksack to grab the Marauders' Map. 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,' he said softly as he tapped the map with his wand.

Sirius was getting changing into his pajamas. 'I've been craving an éclair,' he said.

'That's surprising, given what happened last time you…' Peter trailed off at a venomous stare from Sirius. 'I mean—sounds divine,' he added hastily.

Sirius shrugged. 'Well then,' he said. 'Prongs, are we in the clear?'

'Er,' James said, staring at the map.

'That's a no, then, is it?' Sirius asked as he strolled over.

James pointed. 'This can't be good,' he said.

They all peered at the map—Madam Pomfrey was escorting Remus across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow, their inkblots moving rapidly. Heading for the front door of the school all by itself was another inkblot—labeled Severus Snape.

'That weasly little…' Sirius breathed.

'We'd better move,' James said quickly.

Peter looked alarmed. 'Move? Why?' he asked.

'If he tracks down where Moony's going, it'll only mean trouble—he'll blab the secret to anyone who will listen, and that will cause a panic,' James said as he swept his robe over himself.

'Why a panic?' Peter asked.

'Don't be thick, Peter—you know how werewolves are perceived in our world,' Sirius said grimly. 'Snape would love to ruin Remus' life.'

James grit his teeth. 'Not if we have anything to say about it.'

'How do we divert him?' Sirius asked eagerly.

James thought quickly. 'We're not going to fight him,' he said, ignoring the crestfallen look on Sirius' face. 'We just need to distract him. Come on!'

'What about the Invisibility Cloak?' Peter whined.

'Forget about that, we don't have time,' James answered and they tore out of the dormitory and down through the common room. It was mostly deserted save for Lily, who was reading by the fire, and the Prewetts, who were playing a lively game of Wizarding Chess.

Lily looked up in surprise. 'Where do you think you lot are going? It's past curfew,' she said.

'Out—for a snack,' James said.

Lily looked indignant. 'You could at least not flaunt your rule breaking directly under my nose, Potter—I am a Prefect, you know.'

'Yes, and I'm terribly sorry, but our stomachs can't wait,' James replied as they peeled out of the portrait hole, the door closing behind them on raucous laughter from the Twins and some choice swear words from Lily.

'Move!' Sirius implored and they sprinted as one. Sirius was in the lead, his long legs carrying him faster than the others. James brought up the middle and Peter, wheezing away, was in the rear. They quickly arrived at the entrance hall and slowed down their pace—the front door of the school was just opening, and Snape's greasy main of black hair was disappearing through it.

'Desperate times,' Sirius whispered and he pulled out his wand. 'Levicorpus!'

There came a muffled yell from outside and they quickly descended the staircase. They could hear swearing coming from the other side of the door as Snape tried to work his way out of his predicament.

'Can we just leave him there?' Sirius asked hopefully.

James shook his head. 'If he gets down, he could track them to the willow. Let him down.'

Sirius sighed and flicked his wand. With a thud on the other side of the door, Snape landed on the ground. James gave a bodily heave and the front door opened. Snape whirled on them, his wand pointing at James first, an ugly smile on his face.

'Why hello, Potter—violating the terms of both curfew and your arrangement with Lily?' he asked with a leering smile.

James returned the smile coldly. 'Seeing as you've done both yourself already, it would serve you right—but in this case, you're one for two. Sirius was the one who hexed you,' he said.

Sirius waggled his fingers at Snape as he grinned maliciously at him.

'What are you doing out here?' Snape asked more aggressively.

James chuckled. 'Right, because that's any business of yours,' he said.

'Oh really,' Snape whispered softly. 'So you're not out here to try and draw attention away from something else?' he asked.

Sirius barked with laughter, the loud noise causing Snape to wince and glance around to make sure no one had heard. 'What do we have to draw attention away from, you prat? You think we want to be caught our after curfew?'

Snape's lip curled. 'You seem to have precious little regard for rules as it is,' he said. 'Untouchable Potter here knows all about that.'

Sirius shook his head in amusement. 'Envy doesn't become you, Snivellus,' he said.

Snape's eyes narrowed. 'Have you composed any sonnets for Lily lately, Black?' he asked in a soft and deadly voice. 'I hear your last go round with her was positively touching.' Sirius raised his wand, but James batted it back down. Now it was Snape's turn to laugh. 'You're so easily manipulated—running around with your hearts on your sleeves, it's no wonder you've nearly been killed several times over.'

'Haven't succeeded yet, though, have they?' Sirius demanded.

Snape smirked. 'Not yet. But perhaps your fortunes will take a turn for the worse—and mine for the better.'

Now Sirius looked angry. 'You'd best get back to your dormitory, Snivellus,' he said. 'Before I do some damage that you won't walk away from.'

'Oh, but I'd love to have a go, Black,' Snape said, drawing his own wand slowly from his robes. 'There's no teachers around—and there's no arrangement barring you and I from settling our differences with our wands…so why not?'

Sirius scoffed. 'You're seriously challenging me to a duel?'

'Unless you're afraid of taking me on without the assistance of your friends…' Snape said in a delicate voice.

Sirius raised his wand when a new voice cut across the hall. 'What is going on here?'

They all turned at once to see the massive, imposing figure of Professor Zharkov standing still near a door leading off to the dungeons. 'Snape, back to your dormitory. Now. I shall discuss this with Professor Slughorn in the morning.'

Snape looked like he would like to protest, but he obeyed, slinking off down the corridor behind Zharkov, who fixed the other three with a piercing gaze. 'I have been warned about you three, of course,' he said after a moment.

'Er—warned?' James asked.

'Oh yes,' Zharkov replied as he strode over to them, towering over the three of them as he smiled grimly. 'Rarely are you caught somewhere you oughtn't to be without having a reason to be there.'

Peter squirmed. 'We—we were just—going to the kitchens—hungry—' he stammered.

'Indeed,' Zharkov said quietly. He surveyed them for a moment. 'I shall, of course, have to mention this to Professor McGonagall in the morning as well. Back to your dormitories, but, Mr. Potter, if I could have a word.'

Sirius and Peter cast sympathetic looks at James as they retreated up the staircase, leaving him alone with their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Zharkov surveyed him for a moment. 'I have been meaning to have a private conversation with you, but between your Quidditch and your detentions, there has been little opportunity.'

James was surprised at this. 'What did you want to see me about?'

'Is that not obvious?' Zharkov asked, in what appeared to be genuine surprise.

'Well—no, I guess not,' James said, equally bewildered.

'You are one of the few opponents of the Dark Lord who has laid eyes on him and lived to tell the tale,' Zharkov said. 'It is also no secret that Gilles Rochefort has made it something of a mission to destroy you.'

James did his best to smile. 'It sounds pretty frightening when you say it like that,' he said.

'Are you frightened?' Zharkov asked.

James swallowed. 'Yes,' he replied.

'Good—I would be worried for your sanity were you not,' Zharkov replied. 'I have…encountered Rochefort in the past, so I may be of some assistance to you,' he said slowly.

'Encountered? You mean dueled?' James asked.

Zharkov shook his head. 'Not exactly…but I am aware of how he operates, and of some of his most glaring weaknesses,' he said. 'It's information that could prove useful to you.'

'You think he's going to try and kill me again,' James stated.

Zharkov regarded him carefully and nodded. 'It is not a question of if, Potter. It is a question of when. And it is not only he that you have to fear, but Lord Voldemort as well.'

'Aren't I lucky,' James deadpanned.

Zharkov smiled. 'You have actually had exemplary luck—and not a small amount of talent—to this point. But a greater hand will be needed in your preparedness for what is to come. I am offering you private lessons.'

'Just me?' James asked—he couldn't help but wonder when private lessons would stop. He had received them from both Professor Bowen and Madam Bones, and had also had to endure Professor Mondego's Occlumency lessons as well.

'Yourself, Ms. Evans, Mr. Longbottom, and Ms. Dearborn,' Zharkov replied, cutting into James' thoughts. 'You see, all four of you have managed to defy the Dark Lord—something he intends to remedy at his earliest opportunity.'

James swallowed again. 'Do you think we have a chance?' he asked.

'Not alone,' Zharkov replied. 'But therein lies your strength—the four of you can rely on one another, whereas Voldemort relies only upon himself. It is simultaneously his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.'

'You really understand him,' James said quietly.

Zharkov nodded after a moment. 'I have seen many like him,' he said quietly.

'You're talking about Grindelwald,' James said, his heart pounding in his ears. 'Did you ever duel him?'

Zharkov glanced at James. 'I think that is enough for now,' he said. 'Back to your dormitory—I will discuss the timing of your private lessons with you as soon as I can,' he said.

James did not need to be told twice—he jogged up the stairs, but he was now certain of one thing. Zharkov had been brought here to keep him, Lily, Alice and Frank alive, which meant Dumbledore suspected Voldemort would attempt to kill them.

Soon.