Author's note: Sorry for another update delay. I do have the end of this story mapped out and I still plan to finish it. I've also been editing/rewriting other chapters so if you notice any changes on any re-reads that's the reason (no change to plot or characters in any of the edits). Enjoy!
Chapter 25 – The Visitor
Remus tossed the quill he was using on the table. He leaned back stretching before picking up the letter he was writing to his parents. He hoped his parents wouldn't be too disappointed with his decision to stay at Hogwarts over the Easter Holiday. Remus had been tossing around the idea for a few weeks and when it became apparent the full moon landed that week, his choice had been easy. His parents meant well, but they could be smothering at times. And with access to the Shrieking Shack, the full moons were inherently better at Hogwarts.
It turned out that Remus was the only one of their group to notice the timing of the full moon fell during the Easter Holiday. So when Remus casually brought it up to his friends, it sent them all scrambling to figure out how they'd still be there for him. Remus knew that allowing his friends to once again join him made the next one meaningful, but it still surprised him how his friends all genuinely wanted to be there. The fact the full moon fell on a holiday would have made for an easy excuse. Then again he really shouldn't have been surprised.
It was expected that Sirius would be around. He wasn't going back to Grimmauld Place ever. No one had thought it a possibility until Peter brought up that the Professors might consider Sirius staying a privilege as they had during Winter break. After a tense half day of worrying Sirius went to ask McGonagall and it was a relief to learn that given the 'new circumstances' Sirius could stay at Hogwarts.
It was also expected that James would spend the holiday break with his parents. The Potters may have been older than most parents, but James was never embarrassed by this fact. He was close to his parents and any friend or classmate that met them instantly liked Mr. and Mrs. Potter. James, without the slightest bit of hesitation, said he'd return back early.
"Shouldn't you ask your parents first?" Remus questioned. The Potters might be easygoing, but James was not home often and Remus could understand if they wanted their son for the entire week.
James grinned. "They'll allow it. Not to worry. I'll tell them I have to study or better yet extra Quidditch Practice."
It should have been expected that Peter would be the issue. Peter's mother had never taken a liking to Sirius and James. It had started in second year after Peter's first invite to his house over the summer for several days. James and Sirius being extremely boisterous and their habit of trouble making had not made a good impression on Mrs. Pettigrew. Then when Peter returned the next summer with a detention record doubled from the year before, she blamed it on their influence.
In typical Peter fashion, he waited to bring up the issue until only days before the holiday. It was understandable that he was worried about their reaction, but if anyone understood difficult parents, it was Sirius. The truth came out when James finally asked Peter out right why he was being so quiet. Peter having barely spoken a word while they discussed Easter Plans and full moon logistics was acting out of character. The direct question finally caused Peter to spill everything.
"I'm sorry Remus! My Mum won't let me come back early! She says she barely gets to see me as it is. I even told her about all the school work we have, and she said I'd have plenty of free time at home to get it done." He'd apparently been writing desperately back and forth with his mother for days.
"Don't worry about," Remus said.
James nodded in agreement. "Padfoot and I will be there to keep him company."
There was a flash of hurt in Peter's face.
"Of course I want you there," Remus added quickly seeing the look on Peter's face. He lowered his voice. "It's not as if it's the last full moon of the year."
"Yes, but it was supposed to be our first adventure since-" Peter stopped, looking embarrassed. It was no secret among the Marauders that Peter hated to be left out of things.
"It won't really be an adventure this month. We'll not be leaving the shack…we have to see how the wolf reacts after all this time," Remus explained.
Peter nodded, looking still somber. His eyes suddenly widened. "Do you really think the wolf won't remember us?"
James shook his head. "We're only being cautious."
"Super extra cautious," Sirius added with a wry smile.
Remus threw him a look. "There's no such thing as being too cautious in this case."
Sirius looked taken aback by the severity in Remus's voice. "I know we have to be careful. I was only trying to lighten the mood."
Remus immediately felt guilty. He did trust his friends, all of them. Wasn't that the point of letting them join him? To show with actions and not just words that he'd fully forgiven Sirius. Still Remus was a worrier, and when it came to running around with a werewolf any mistake could turn deadly.
""It will be fine," James stated breaking into his thoughts. James still often acted the mediator between them. "We all gave our word. We agreed it was best not to leave the shack this time around."
Remus let out a sigh. "Right. I know." Remus glanced back at Sirius trying to gage the expression on his friend's face. Sirius was staring resolutely in the other direction, and Remus found that he had no idea what his friend was thinking.
Sirius yawned. It was only the second day of Easter Holiday and he was itching to do something more than homework. The thought of doing any revising made him want to throw things. Could the Professors in good conscience call this week a Holiday and assign them insurmountable amount of homework?
Poor Remus was out patrolling. As a prefect staying for the Holiday Break he still needed to keep up with patrolling duties. Lily Evans having also stayed was during rounds with Remus.
Sirius turned to the notes on the Map he was looking over. They'd had no time to work on it over the past weeks, and so far Sirius hadn't brought it up to Remus. His friend was already stressed with finishing up all the required schoolwork before the full moon, and certainly didn't need to worry about an extracurricular assignment. Sirius quickly became so enveloped in looking over the notes that he had no concept of the amount of time that passed upon Remus's return.
"I didn't expect to find you still up here," Remus commented. "McDonald and York were asking me what you were up to."
"What did you tell them?" Sirius tilted back lazily in his chair. "I hope something witty and interesting."
Remus laughed. "I told them you probably fell asleep."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "I suppose that's better than doing homework."
"Yes the horror of anyone knowing James and you actually study. It would ruin your image for us mere mortals to think you don't just soak up knowledge by just putting it under your pillow."
"I'm glad you finally understand."
It had been a joke between the boys for several years. Somehow a rumor had started in the beginning of second year that James and Sirius had never set foot in the library. It was completely untrue, but James and Sirius had great fun with letting everyone believe it.
Remus looked at the papers around Sirius, his brow furrowed. "Are you actually doing homework?" he asked incredulously.
Sirius scoffed. "Of course not. I'm looking over our Map notes. We've made dismal progress on it."
"We've made no progress really," Remus agreed taking a seat and scrutinizing the first page he picked up.
Sirius passed the paper he was holding to him. "What's this Homonculus Charm you've written? What is it? Where did you find it?"
Remus shrugged. "It's an obscure tracking spell I read about in one of the books. There wasn't any information besides listing the charm as complex and advanced magic. I wrote it down, but I don't think it's going to be much help. Especially if we can't find more information about it."
"I think it might be worth a second look. The magic we are looking for isn't going to be in the average textbook. I think what we need is older magic. The castle is full of that kind of magic, and we'll need to tap into that for this map."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Have you looked in the restricted section yet?"
"When would I have time to do that?" Remus countered causing Sirius to let out a laugh. The werewolf rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I'm not sure it would even be worth our effort. There's no guarantee there's any information or enough information to make the spell useful."
Sirius looked pensive. "Or we ask a Professor?"
"A Professor?"
"I know it's not like us…which is why it might just work."
"None of us are exactly on Professor Flitwick's good side."
"I wasn't thinking of Flitwick." Sirius paused. "I was thinking Professor Keenan. He always wants to help. He always wants to chat. If I can think of a believable reason why I need the information, I think I can convince him to give it to us."
"Professor Keenan," Remus repeated.
Sirius nodded. "Unless you don't think it's a good idea?"
"No, it is." Remus pushed himself out of the chair and headed across the room towards his bed.
"Is something else wrong?"
"No. I'm fine. I'm only tired. It's that time of the month…you know how it goes."
"Let's call it an early night then. You need your beauty rest."
Remus answered his last statement with a pillow to the face. And that action assured Sirius things really were fine more than any words.
Sirius moved the curtain in their dormitory to the side to gaze outside. The moon was nowhere in sight, hiding behind the thick darkening grey clouds. The cloud cover would make it easier for them to sneak out. The rain however would not. A soaking wet invisibility cloak would not do as adequate job of keeping them invisible.
Sirius turned away from the window. "Are you ready to go?" Sirius asked fastening his cloak.
James was now there, having returned to Hogwarts that morning along with a large tin of cookies and sweets. Remus was already in the Hospital Wing, the usual nausea making him dizzy and weak.
When James didn't answer immediately, Sirius glanced at James curiously. James's trunk was open, the glittery fabric of the invisibility cloak visible. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," James answered. "Have you given any thought to where you're going to stay during the summer?"
Sirius frowned. "Are we really going to talk about this now? We need to get going to the Shrieking Shack."
James ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly guilty. "I spoke to my parents about it yesterday."
Sirius was in no mood to have this conversation with James. He also couldn't just walk away. And judging by the fact his friend wasn't budging, James wasn't going to agree they head out until he let James have his say.
"Ok. Before you try to explain it to me, I understand if I'm more trouble than I'm worth."
"What?" James was looking at him strangely.
"I'm not your parents' responsibility. I completely understand."
"That's not why I want to talk to you. My parents already gave you a key to our house, and nothing has changed." James looked exasperated. "It's the exact opposite really. My parents want to be sure it is what you really want, and that we aren't pressuring you into this decision. They think you might have some long lost uncle or wayward cousin that you'd rather go live with, but are too polite to say so."
Sirius let out a laugh. "I do in fact have a wayward cousin."
"Andromeda?" James asked.
"Yes. I'm not sure she'd take me. She always warned me not to run away until after I was seventeen…"
"You didn't have a choice! They were going to make you pledge allegiance to Voldemort."
"She doesn't know that, and I don't think she'd want to know."
"So that's a yes then?"
Sirius thought it was the most ridiculous question ever. If there was one thing he'd always wanted was a family like the Potters. He did need a place to stay. He knew the Hogwarts staff needed to ensure all their pupils had somewhere safe to stay over the summer. There had been a girl who had graduated last year that had returned each summer to a Muggle orphanage.
"Yes. Of course."
Sirius was a bit startled to see relief in his best friend's face. James couldn't have possibly thought he wouldn't accept the offer. It was Sirius who should have been relieved as he really had nowhere to go if the Potters rescinded their offer.
"I'll write to my parents tomorrow. Or it might be better if you write the letter."
"Then I'll write it."
"Then they'll speak to Dumbledore…to see the best way to go about it." James ran his hand through his hair, frowning slightly. "Do you think your parents will make it difficult?"
"I don't know," Sirius replied truthfully.
It was a tricky situation. They wouldn't be thrilled to hear the Potters were offering to take him for the summer. His parents knew that as an underage wizard he needed a permanent residence for the summer. Despite his brother's words, Sirius was positive his parents didn't want him back for the summer. Right now it looked to the public that Sirius was more in the wrong. He was the he one to run away. He was the one making trouble, breaking rules. The Blacks already disinherited him; it would look spiteful if they denied the Potters offer.
"Even if they say no, we're not letting you go back there."
"Don't worry. I'm never going back there." Sirius walked across the room and then turned back around his hands stuffed in his pockets. "I think they'll agree eventually. They'll make a fuss, probably request behavioral reports from your parents or make me write reports about pureblood ideology."
"What?" James exclaimed.
"I'm kidding, mostly." Seeing the way James was looking at him only made Sirius eager to end the conversation. "We should really get going."
"You're right. Let's head out," James said. He picked up the Invisibility Cloak placing it under his regular cloak.
As they planned, it was easy to just walk out of the common room. No one could technically stop them with forty minutes until curfew. It didn't prevent several students from watching them curiously as they passed.
"Where are you two off to?" the Fat Lady demanded.
"Just a walk," James replied with a wink.
"I'm not letting you two back in if you're out past curfew," the Fat Lady called out after them. They weren't worried. She often threatened, but as long as they had the correct password it was her duty to let them back in.
Out in the corridor they continued visible until they reached the ground floor and let themselves out into the courtyard. They looked around the courtyard and spotted a couple engrossed in each other. Once they were sure they were alone and under the cover of the growing night, they slipped the cloak over them with practiced ease.
They stayed silent during the trek to the Whomping Willow. James took the lead with Sirius behind him. The ground was wet and the cool air refreshing. Only the occasional hoot of an owl pierced the silence of the night. The stick they'd hidden the other day for the knot was where they left it. Sirius let out a breath of relief once they were safely in the tunnel. It had been surprisingly easy for them to sneak out. He'd expected (as Remus had been warning them) there'd be more Professors on the prowl. Sirius supposed it was the fact that more than half the school was home for Easter that the extra security had lapsed.
James and Sirius found Remus outstretched on one of the couches in the Shrieking Shack. The piece of furniture was still intact despite having a werewolf roaming around every month.
"How's it going?" James remarked lightly.
"I've been better," Remus muttered. He had his arm over his eyes and hadn't moved it.
"It will be over soon," Sirius added consolingly.
They still had an hour before the transformation, so James and Sirius found seats on the other random pieces of furniture. Sometimes Remus wanted them to talk to make the time go faster; other times he preferred them to be silent. After a few attempts at conversation it was clear Remus wanted silence. So they fiddled with their wands and whispered to each other as they waited.
Suddenly Remus sat up, his face pale and sweaty. "I'm going to – ahh-" He doubled over in pain. Sirius and James were immediately by his side. He tried to bat them away, but his strength was nearly gone. They helped him hobble to the next room where he'd go through the actual transformation on his own. They'd promised him long ago that they'd at least give him the privacy, the dignity of going through it by himself. The boys had only seen Remus fully go through the transformation once and it had been enough for it to be forever in their minds. They helped him out of his clothes, laying a blanket over him for some modesty.
Sirius took a seat beside James on the couch Remus had been lying on. This was the worst part. Sitting there, hearing the pain, the torture and not being able to help. They could make the time while he was transformed better, but the actual transformation would always be terrible. As the cries turned to growls Sirius looked at James, his thought mirrored in his best friends face. James nodded and Sirius took a deep breath before transforming. The simple mind of a dog was immediately calming. It was going to be a long night.
The end of Easter Holiday was also the end of any leisure time for the fifth years. OWLs were now only eight weeks away. Even the laziest of students were beginning to worry, and clusters of fifth years were often seen comparing revision schedules. It was an unfortunate fact that the warmer weather always coincided with increase in indoor studying for end of the year exams.
One morning the fifth years woke up to find pamphlets and literature about various wizarding careers scattered over the tables in their common room. Along with the literature, there was a notice on the board that listed the time and date for their Career Advice meetings.
While Sirius spent very little time perusing the different career paths, it was all this fellow classmates talked about for several days. He was still strongly leaning to becoming an Auror, and only when James suggested Dragon Trainer as a prospect (besides James's usual interest in playing Professional Quidditch) did Sirius give another career a bit of thought.
That week Sirius was also focused on making progress on the Map Project. He was still working on the finer details of the story he was going to spin to convince Keenan. He knew it would center on his family and his fear of them tracking his movements over the summer. His friends all agreed the idea was believable.
So one evening, shortly before dinner, Sirius headed alone to Professor Keenan's office. It was imperative he was in the right mind frame so that he appeared both earnest and slightly embarrassed. Keenan's office door was closed and Sirius hesitated for a moment. He berated himself for almost losing his nerve before stepping up to knock loudly. It was several seconds before the door opened and in front of Sirius stood a stranger.
"Are you looking for Professor Keenan?" the man asked pleasantly. He looked about Keenan's age with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. Sirius took note of his well fitted dark blue robes.
"Yes. Who are you?" Sirius reached his hand slowly into his robes to take hold of his wand. It occurred to him that he should be wary of the stranger.
"He'll be back shortly." He looked Sirius over for a moment, and Sirius had a feeling he was being sized up. Sirius gripped his wand tighter. "I'm one of his good friends. We went to Hogwarts together. I work in the Ministry – for the Auror department."
"You're the Auror?" Sirius asked suspiciously. "Aren't you speaking to us tomorrow?"
"I'm here a day early. I was allowed a rare second day off, so I thought to stop in tonight as well. It's been while since we've gone out to our favorite pub."
There was the sound of boots thumping down stairs as Keenan arrived. "Mr. Black? Is everything all right?"
Sirius faltered, letting his wand go and casually taking his hand out of his pocket. He needed to think quickly. He certainly wasn't going to ask Keenan about the Homonculous Charm in front of the Auror. He could feel the Auror scrutinizing him again after hearing his surname. "It's nothing important. It can wait."
"Are you sure? We aren't in any hurry, I assure you."
"I can step out," the Auror offered.
Sirius shook his head. "It can wait," he repeated.
"All right," Keenan said. "Then I'd like to introduce you to one of my very good friends, Auror Scott Anderson. And this is Sirius Black. My top student in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Anderson offered his hand and Sirius took it hesitantly. "I'll be honest, I recognized you right away. I've seen your picture in the Daily Prophet."
Keenan smiled. "Sirius knows I've spoken to you about him before, so we don't need to pretend otherwise."
The Auror nodded. "Let's see what I remember. Fifth year. Gryffindor. Interested in the Auror Program. And lastly trouble maker… along with his best friend James Potter. How'd I do?"
"You forgot no longer heir to the House of Black," Sirius retorted.
"I didn't forget. I think it's safe to say your family is no longer one of your defining characters."
Sirius didn't know quite how to respond. Recalling his earlier conversation with Keenan, he knew Anderson was not distrustful of his pureblood background. Perhaps sensing his unease, Keenan stepped in calmly. "I think you two would have gotten along. Anderson was a bit of troublemaker back in his day."
The Auror laughed. "Yes, I was. I recall you joining in more than not."
"Which is why Walter got the Prefect Badge."
"No one liked Walter."
"Poor Walter."
"Do you know he works in the Ministry? Department of Magical Enforcement. He's in charge of taking our official statements after any Auror Mission. He makes sure all the proper procedure and protocol were followed. And if there's any issue, and he has quite the talent of finding a problem when there appears to be none, it's reported to our superiors. As you might guess, he's as popular as he was in Hogwarts."
Sirius listened to their conversation avidly. He decided right then and there he liked Anderson.
Keenan cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should continue this discussion about our former housemates later this evening." Keenan looked pointedly at Sirius; clearly reminding Anderson that it was not a proper subject to have in front of a student. "I know you're speaking to the students tomorrow, but perhaps if Sirius has any, you can answer a few questions about the Auror Program?"
"I don't mind at all." Anderson grinned, looking at Sirius expectantly "Ask away."
Sirius racked his brain for something to ask. He wasn't expecting this to turn into a question and answer session, so he fell back on the question he'd asked Keenan previously. "I've been wondering about my detention record. Since you also got into some trouble, did it matter when you applied to the Auror Program?"
"It won't automatically hurt your chances. Though I can't say it didn't matter. The first few tests are strictly about intelligence and ability. After you pass those, the next challenge is the character test. It was certainly brought up there, and I had to answer for my actions. I had to prove to them I could follow orders. That's especially important during the years you are under a mentor." Anderson glanced at Keenan and then back to Sirius. "They are looking for bravery and creative thinking, and I believe a little bit of troublemaking in your youth shows both these."
"Were there a lot of candidates when you applied?"
"We started out as a group of nineteen, which is considered a large group. Most of us were recent Hogwarts graduates, though some were out of school for a year or two. Only six of us made it to the end. It's a rigorous process and they cut candidates throughout it. The good news is often those that are dismissed from the program end up with Ministry job in another application."
"Any general advice for a student looking to enter the program?" Professor Keenan inquired.
"Keep your grades up. Be aware of the NEWT requirement and strive for higher. Show an improvement in your behavior in your next two years. There's many in the Auror department who like to scare students away from this career path. I'm of the opposite frame of mind. I think a larger group of candidates makes for a stronger candidate selection."
There was one other question that was on Sirius's mind, and he was hesitant to ask it. If he wanted it answered it wouldn't be any easier in front of his friends and classmates tomorrow. "All the NEWTs in the world will not erase the fact that I'm a Black. My family has always endorsed the Dark Arts. Don't bother telling me it won't matter; I only want to know by what degree."
By Anderson's expression Sirius could tell he was carefully pondering Sirius's question. He was grateful the Auror was considering his concern rather than brushing off the issue. "I won't lie. A candidate who has a family known for being involved in the Dark Arts will be scrutinized more harshly by some. It is another aspect that would be investigated during the Character Test. It might seem unfair, though there are those in Ministry who are concerned about infiltration by Voldemort's supporters. Do your best, and don't give them a reason to cut."
"I think that's excellent advice," Keenan said. "Any other questions, Sirius?"
He could feel both of the adults watching him. "No, sir."
"I'll be here tomorrow if you think of anything," Anderson added.
"Thank you, sir."
"I'll soon be mentoring the new Aurors. Who knows, perhaps we'll be working together?" Anderson clasped Keenan on the back. "Ready to go? First round is on me."
With Keenan's affirmation that he was ready, Sirius headed out of the office with the two adults following behind. After locking his office with a swish, Keenan turned one last time Sirius. "See me tomorrow about your original question."
"Yes, sir."
Sirius headed in the opposite direction of the two adults. He was no wiser about the Homonculous Charm, and yet he didn't care at that moment. He decided then and there that being an Auror was exactly what he wanted.
Severus knocked on the seventh year dormitory. There was no immediate answer and he felt himself grow irritated. He glanced down at his watch to confirm he was on time. He knocked again, more loudly and insistent.
"Come in."
Sirius entered the dormitory to find Lestrange in his usual seat for seeing visitors. Lestrange was not alone; fellow housemate Wagner stood before Lestrange in his Quidditch robes. Wagner looked miserable, and even with his dark skin his embarrassment was evident.
"Ah, Severus. Punctual as always." Lestrange leaned back arrogantly in his chair. "Let me just finish up here with Wagner."
Snape didn't pay attention to Quidditch as much as most boys his age. He did know Wagner was taking Lestrange's spot in the next game. Wagner was a reserve Seeker, but he would be playing Chaser with Regulus Black keeping his usual position as Seeker. Wagner and Regulus were in the same year, though Regulus was the better flyer by far.
"Let me ask you again why you were late to practice twice this week?" Lestrange commanded.
Wagner paled. He kept his eyes firmly on the ground. "I lost track of time. It won't happen again."
"It better not. I expect us to win. I expect you to fly better than you have ever before. And if you disappoint me, there will be harsher consequences than losing your reserve position, understand?"
Wagner nodded.
"Get out." Lestrange waved his hand and the fourth year almost tripped over himself trying to leave the room. Snape wasn't sure if scaring the boy was the best strategy to get him to perform his best.
"Come forward, Severus. I skived the Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson the Auror was teaching the seventh years, so I am eager to hear you report."
Snape stepped closer to Lestrange until he was in the exact spot Wagner previously occupied. He was reporting to Lestrange about the Auror visit set up by Professor Keenan. He was the only Slytherin in attendance and he was only there on Lestrange's orders. The meeting was a waste of time in Snape's opinion. . He'd slipped in late, taking a seat in the back to avoid any confrontation. If Black and Potter noticed him, he didn't need to worry. The Gryffindor duo was quite taken with the Auror.
"It was as expected. The Auror drawled on about the difficulty in choosing this career path. NEWTs needed, examinations to pass. He was – not pushy – but he seemed hopeful by the amount of interest among the students in the career path."
"They are worried about their number of applicants dropping," Lestrange mused. "The life of an Auror will only get more and more dangerous. They'll be the first the Dark Lord will want to go after." Lestrange tilted his head for Snape to continue.
"The Auror opened it for questions. I won't bore you with going through them. He ended the meeting with a demonstration. He called up Potter and Black as his helpers. Bloody Gryffindor favoritism if you ask me-"
"No," Lestrange stated softly. "Not favoritism. Recruitment."
Snape stared at him dumbstruck.
"He's there to recruit Black and Potter for the side of the light."
"No," Snape said sourly. "Who'd want them?"
"Don't let your dislike for them cloud your judgement. They are clever, popular, and pure. I am sure the Dark Lord has thought of them as potential recruits."
"They are blood traitors," Snape stammered incredulously.
Lestrange gave him a leveled look. "They are. They are also young, and The Dark Lord can be very persuasive."
Snape scowled. Potter and Black were hated among the Slytherins. It was laughable to think of any of them fighting alongside a Gryffindor. None of them would trust a blood traitor; not even on Voldemort's orders. For the second time he wondered about this change in Lestrange. For all his outrage on Sirius breaking into their common room, the Slytherins had yet to retaliate.
As if reading his mind, Lestrange added, "Don't look so distraught, Severus. Potter and Black would only be trophies. Picture them kneeling in front of the Dark Lord, pledging their allegiance in front of a cowering crowd. The resistance would crumble. And once they were not longer useful, they'd be killed." Lestrange grabbed a piece of paper and hastily scrawled a message. He didn't sign it or use his family seal. "My brother will want to know about this. Severus, you're to bring this to the Owlery immediately. Don't use my owl, use one of the schools."
Lestrange held out the letter forcing Snape to step up to receive it. Right before the letter was in his hand Lestrange leaned back leaving Snape standing with his hand out comically. "One more thing. I have yet to see a sincere effort on your part to prove to me you hold the correct view on blood, Sev."
Snape froze. His heart hammering rapidly, he looked directly at Lestrange. "I'll try harder." The use of Lily's nickname for him was no coincidence.
"See that you do. We've not targeted her out of respect for you. Don't force my hand." Lestrange offered the letter once more, and Snape wasted no time leaving the room the moment he was dismissed. Knowing it was in his best interest to get the errand over with quickly, he headed to the Owlery. He was worried. His delay in proving to Lestrange that Muggleborns were worthless had caused the stakes to be raised and now Lily was being threatened.
Snape tore through the halls to the Owlery. Any student he encountered scurried away, wary of looking at him directly. The Owlery was empty and he almost gagged from the strong smell. Snape eyed the Owls warily, the school birds having never particularly taken to him. He began attempting to coax one of the owls down, only to find them watching him curiously and resolutely ignoring him.
He tried waving his arms in a ridiculous fashion hoping it would get the birds attention. Finally with a haughty flourish that reminded Snape of Sirius Black, one of the barn owls spread out its wings slowly and flew down gracefully, offering her leg. Snape carefully tied Lestrange's letter and relayed the address quietly. The owl hooted and then flew out of one of the open windows.
Now outside the Owlery, Snape paced the hallway. He needed to think. He was smarter than this. There had to be a way to keep Lestrange satisfied while keeping Lily safe and their friendship intact. And if anyone could figure this out, it would be him.
Author's note: Thanks for reading and please leave a review. I rewrote the end scene several times and I'm mostly satisfied. We're getting closer to Snape's Worst Memory with every chapter. Also if you have somehow not heard of it, go check out a fantastic fan made film called "Severus Snape and the Marauders".