Chapter 45: Sirius Awakens
Sure enough, just as Severus had sinisterly predicted, it happened on Tuesday: Dumbledore commenced his inevitable questioning of the sixth and seventh-year Slytherins.
Severus knew it instantly. In each class, or each break-time, a different one of his housemates was absent. This behaviour would not normally have dawned on his radar given how fond of skiving off classes several of his housemates were, but Severus knew without a shadow of a doubt precisely what their absences meant, and that filled him with dread.
If it had been only he who was put under scrutiny, he would not be so concerned! But he was so on edge because his future at the school rested on the acting abilities of dunderheads like Wilkes and arrogant twits like Mulciber, who was so up himself he could be goaded into blurting out all that they had done just so that he could revel in the satisfaction of parading the magnitude of the misdemeanours they had achieved under Dumbledore's nose! The direness of his situation was really quite alarming. Dumbledore would probably not be so obvious as to use Legilimency directly upon them, but the Headmaster was sharp and attentive to detail; as his housemates were not masters of Occlumency like he was, Dumbledore would read any sign of discomfort or fraud in them with ease.
It was with a peculiar sense of expectation that Severus awaited his own owl summoning him to Dumbledore's office – if he could just get the inevitable over with, and set out the perfect story he had fabricated just as he wanted it, he would be able to relax; but when no owl found him at break, or at lunch, or in any class, his nervousness intensified. Did Dumbledore suspect them? Had he known that he, Severus, would be the one clever enough to engineer their alibi, able enough to lie with ease, confident enough to not crack under pressure?
Finally, at dinner, Severus was forced to concede that today might not be the day that Dumbledore interviewed him. However, feeling unpleasantly helpless and concerned that Dumbledore's views of their activities on Halloween would now be based on his housemates' accounts, he endeavoured to ask as many of them as he could how their interviews had gone.
"It was alright," Wilkes shrugged, taking a large bite of his steak-and-ale pie. Severus, annoyed that Wilkes clearly weighted the importance of eating over their precarious situation, fixed him with a severe look that prompted him into elaborating with a few more words.
"Thought it'd be awful, but he was pretty casual about it all."
Highly mistrustful of Wilkes' judgement and ability to pick up on the finer details, Severus turned impatiently to Rosier, hopeful for a more satisfying answer. "So? What happened?"
"Well, it really wasn't that bad," Rosier said, laying down his knife and fork. "I assured him that we'd had a hell of a party and that my father would be only too happy to speak to him if he was in any doubt, but he didn't press me for any more details."
"You talking about when you were in Dumbledore's office?" Mulciber asked, dropping down onto the bench opposite Severus. "Just been in there myself."
"But that means he has spoken with everyone except me!" Severus erupted, looking up and down the table, counting heads.
"Perhaps he has enough information already," Avery suggested.
"Not quite," Mulciber said darkly, glowering at his empty plate. "Dumbledore wants to see us all together, in our Common Room straight after dinner."
That announcement entirely abolished what scrap of hunger Severus had previously possessed. The speculations that were slung across the dinner table only made him feel worse, while his ideas and fears revolved sickeningly in his head.
They processed down to the Slytherin Common Room soon after and assembled obediently along one of the walls. To Severus' relief, Slughorn joined them, bumbling on about how ridiculous it was for the Headmaster to investigate so industriously into a mere party and how, as it would ultimately be down to him as their Head of House, they really need not worry.
It was easy enough for him to say, completely oblivious as to their real whereabouts on Saturday night. As Slughorn settled himself down on a nearby armchair and extracted a chocolate éclair he had appropriated from the dinner table, Severus turned and shot his companions looks of warning, his eyes dangerously cold. If they should dare be so complacent as to give them away now, he would personally make sure they suffered far, far worse curses than Sirius Black…
Severus' skill in Dark Magic, which several of them had witness firsthand, appeared to be a sufficient enough threat. By the time Dumbledore appeared, smiling and cursorily counting heads, his friends were all looking suitably on guard and alert, as near as was possible to the cool Occlumency state Severus himself was now steeped in.
"Now, now, Dumbledore, what is this all about?" Slughorn tutted, wiping his chocolatey fingers on an embroidered handkerchief. "Surely this is all unnecessary…"
"I merely wish to satisfy myself that your students did indeed host a party in this Common Room on Saturday night," Dumbledore said placatingly. "As they are in your House, it would be fitting that you are present, but if you would rather return to the Great Hall…"
"No, no, of course not," Slughorn blundered, visibly embarrassed by Dumbledore's insinuation, but it was amusingly obvious to Severus that the cream-filled pastries left behind in the Great Hall were indeed the object of the Potion Master's thoughts.
"Now, I should just like to take a look at your sumptuous Common Room… Horace, would you care to join me…?"
Slughorn's nonplussed look as he mopped his moustache seemed enough for Dumbledore to take his answer as a 'no'. Without further ado, he began to inspect their surroundings. Slughorn shook his head, entertained by the Headmaster's behaviour, and took out another éclair.
Severus held his breath, and with him so did his housemates. They stood, impossibly still, watching Dumbledore's every move as he slowly circled around the Common Room, looking here and there, passing his weathered hands over the walls and the furniture, muttering occasional spells under his breath. Severus knew it was a tight call; while there could not possibly be any evidence that they had left Hogwarts on Halloween, and there was fake evidence that they had had a party in here, he knew Dumbledore was a clever wizard, and if anyone was to figure out the truth, it would be him.
"Hmm…"
Dumbledore had stepped into the gloom of one of the alcoves lining the room and was stooping down, apparently having discovered something. Severus' heart thumped. He knew what had been placed there.
"Butterbeer, I see," he said with mild interest, emerging from the alcove with a bottle. Rosier and Avery had the presence of mind to look abashed (the same could not be said for Wilkes, who looked put out that it would likely be confiscated rather than consumed), and Severus glanced down at his feet, in what he hoped would be interpreted as embarrassment.
"And…" Severus looked up to see Dumbledore crouched on the floor, hand outstretched as two empty bottles of Firewhisky rolled out from underneath and shot into his hand as if Summoned.
"It must have been quite a party," Dumbledore mused, looking over at them with a smile.
Severus lowered his eyes again. "Yes, it was, sir," he said quietly.
Dumbledore resumed his tour of the Common Room, but Severus was now fairly confident that Dumbledore had secured sufficient evidence to support their story. Slughorn, who was drumming his sticky fingers on the armchair, had certainly bought into it.
However, Dumbledore had just passed by the fireplace when he hesitated and stepped back, looking into the grate curiously. Severus felt prickles rise on his skin. There couldn't be any trace of the fireplace's connection to the Floo Network, could there? So why was he lingering with interest?
Then, to Severus' abject horror, Dumbledore knelt down and reached into the fireplace. He scooped up a handful of ashes and lowered his eyes to the dark dust, peering at it intently through his half-moon spectacles.
"Curious," he muttered. "Most unusual."
He stood up and addressed them, focussing particularly on Severus. "I believe I am correct in detecting Floo Powder here."
Fuck. It had not occurred to any of them that Dumbledore would be able to find evidence that they had flooed out of Hogwarts. This was condemning evidence, and Severus knew it! How in Merlin's name would they wriggle out of this tight spot?
His housemates' panic was palpable. Severus himself could barely breathe with fear. No one was speaking, yet the longer they lingered in silence, the guiltier they would be deemed to be! But to deny it would be the worst folly, and Severus could already see Wilkes opening his mouth – something which could only make their situation worse.
"Yes, sir," Severus said quickly, raising his voice. His companions' heads all turned to look at him in unison. It was time to play his joker card.
Calmly he said, "That is Floo Powder. We used it to turn the fire green. As it was a Halloween party, some of us had wanted there to be a rather 'spooky' atmosphere, and alongside our other decorations, we thought that having emerald fire would be quite an ingenious way to give off that impression. It certainly gave the younger students much amusement."
Severus shot a burning look at Rabastan, who instantly began to nod.
"I see," Dumbledore said, but he tipped the ashes into a test tube and pressed in a cork before pocketing it.
"Well, I for one am only sorry I missed what sounded like a spectacular party!" Slughorn boomed, pushing himself to his feet and wagging his finger at them. "Next time, I should like an invitation to be passed my way. Whose idea was it to use Floo powder to colour the fire? What a clever idea… Most original…"
Dumbledore coughed politely.
"Oh, come, Albus! Were we not young once, too? Why should we condemn these excellent young students for having a fun evening?"
Dumbledore held out the bottles for him to take. The sight of the full Butterbeer in his hand seemed to have a slowing effect on Slughorn's thoughts.
"Well, well… While I cannot give my approval for the consumption of Butterbeer and Firewhisky on school premises, and I am obliged by protocol to confiscate such items, as your Head of House I feel you do not deserve any punishment," he said, glancing to Dumbledore who looked back impassively. "Although," Slughorn added, with a booming chuckle, "next time I feel in the mood for a night of revelry, I shall pay you all a visit and expect a party to remember."
Rabastan's mouth formed a false smile, and Rosier simpered.
"Very well," said Dumbledore. "Thank you, Horace. I believe that is all." Slughorn waddled over to the exit, and with a whirl of his scarlet robes Dumbledore turned to follow.
Severus was thoroughly bemused – a state that did not agree well with him. What in Merlin's name had that all been about? Surely Dumbledore could have done that search without all of them being present? Why had he assembled them all there, if not to address them afterwards? It was a complete farce-!
"But, sir," Severus blurted out, too irritated by the Headmaster's antics to bother trying to stop himself. "Do you not wish to speak with us?"
Dumbledore turned. "Thank you, but I have not made a mistake. I do not require any more of your time. You may all do as you wish – all except you, Mr Snape. Would you join me?"
Not even a string of all the curse words known to the foulest-mouthed Death Eater would accurately reflect the sentiments Severus currently felt.
xXxXx
Severus seethed as he found himself seated, another damnable time, in the hard chair in Dumbledore's office. Was he cursed to be eternally summoned here? He wondered whether it been Dumbledore's plan all along to speak to him last, and what more information he could possibly give to resurrect the situation.
Dumbledore sat down at his desk and looked straight at Severus, but said nothing. After a long moment of discomfort, during which Severus refused to back down and look away, Severus broke the silence.
"Would you like me to tell you about our party on Saturday night, sir?"
Dumbledore grimaced. "No, thank you, Mr Snape. I have already heard a dozen or so accounts of this party. As fluent and detailed your own account would doubtless be, I must say it is somewhat dreary to hear the same story over and over again."
Dumbledore fell silent and resumed his level gaze on Severus once more. Dumbledore's failure to explain himself irked Severus.
"Forgive me, sir, but I fail to understand why I am here…" he said, unable to keep a hint of frustration from his voice.
"You are here because I wish you to speak with me," Dumbledore said simply. "Now, would you like to tell me anything, Mr Snape?"
"As you have already told me you would not like to hear what happened on Saturday, I have nothing to tell," Severus retorted, now exceedingly irritated.
"On the contrary, I would very much like to hear what happened on Saturday," Dumbledore replied. "I have heard multiple accounts of the same party held in Slytherin Common Room that night, and I must give it to you that the consistency between them is impressive. You have certainly won over Professor Slughorn, I shall give you that. However," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes turning hard like ice, "I do not accept your explanation for your activities on Halloween.
"You might think I am a doddery old man, blinded by kindness and an obsession with muggle welfare, but I assure you that you have made a grave error of judgement, Mr Snape. I may not know the whole truth but I have an idea of what you and your housemates are up to, and I am furious that you would lie to me. I expect little more from the sons of the Lestrange and Rosier families, but of you, with whom I have trusted a prized place in my class, to whom Lily Evans has opened her whole heart, I expect better.
"You are capable of effortlessly convincing even the most sceptical, yet the majority of your housemates are incapable of concealing their discomfort when they are lying to me. I am astonished that you believed you could hoodwink me with such a feeble Floo Powder story. And did it not occur to you that the House-elves would have tidied up any empty bottles left lying around? Truly, Mr Snape, do you have such little respect for me, for Lily Evans, and for yourself? Will you not raise yourself above your Slytherin peers and admit the truth rather than cowering behind the same story?"
When Dumbledore first revealed his doubt in his story, Severus felt a twang of fear that instinctively brought his Occlumency shields over his eyes; but as Dumbledore chiselled away at Severus' attempt to cover his and his housemates' backs and tried to cow him into breaking, Severus' emotions hardened like brittle ice. So Dumbledore thought he had caught him out, did he? Well, he was not about to admit defeat so easily!
"If you are so adamant that I, along with all of my housemates, are lying, sir, why not call them and Professor Slughorn here, and let him decide on our punishment?" he retorted snarkily. "Why bring me here alone?"
"You know very well why you and I are having this conversation alone, Mr Snape," Dumbledore replied. "Professor Slughorn – and your housemates – are unaware of the Vallatus Class and I intend to keep it that way. Besides, he would have no interest in punishing you, for unlike me he does not see anything beyond your party story. Unlike me, he does not have Mr Potter's information and hence does not suspect that you all may very well have flooed out of the Slytherin Common Room and passed the evening elsewhere."
"As the Headmaster, I am sure you are aware that Hogwarts fireplaces are not connected to the Floo Network," Severus said drily, making Dumbledore's eyes narrow. "So if your harebrained theory is correct, how did we manage to floo out of Hogwarts?"
"How indeed?" Dumbledore shot back, eying him intently.
Severus kept his mouth clamped firmly shut and glared back. The longer Dumbledore stared at him challengingly, the more absolutely resolute he became that he would not say anything. A small voice in the back of his mind, sounding unnervingly like Lily's, urged him to admit the truth and ask for forgiveness, but Severus smothered it with little difficulty or guilt. He was not about to pick a side. He would not waste all his efforts with the Dark Lord. He would hold his silence so Dumbledore could hold nothing against him as potential proof.
After a long moment of loggerheads, Dumbledore broke the silence.
"I would like to remind you that the students in my Vallatus class have been carefully chosen – and for good, not arbitrary reasons, as I think you assumed when you first approached me. The other students are good, honest, moral people who have a keen sense of doing what is right and acting towards others in a kindhearted manner. Breaking a few school rules is one thing, but I will not tolerate liars who have the gall to practice the most abhorrent kinds of magic within my school. I am highly disappointed in you, Severus. Please tell me the honest truth and prove you are worthy to be Miss Evans' partner in my class."
Severus was livid. How dare the Headmaster twist his words like that? So he was not worthy of Lily unless he admitted he had paid a casual visit to the Dark Lord on Saturday night? He was not worthy, yet the likes of Potter and Black were? He was so outraged, he knew he dared not open his mouth or he would be expelled there and then for the atrocities that he would spew out. Instead he kept his lips firmly sealed in a tight scowl and channelled all of his strength into keeping his Occlumency intact.
"Why do you not speak, Mr Snape? You owe no loyalty to your housemates; housemates whom you have already stood up to, housemates whom you have conceded attacked Mr Potter and Mr Black. Surely you wish to prove your loyalty to myself and Miss Evans so that you might join us once and for all?"
"If you are so certain you know my housemates attacked Potter and Black, why not expel them?" Severus spat angrily.
"If it were only so simple, my job would be much easier," Dumbledore sighed. "Alas, I need evidence – evidence I can present to the governors to be able to do that, and your previous allegation is unlikely to suffice, particularly as a couple of the students in question have relations on the board of governors itself. No, I need more evidence of their character and participation in unquestionably illicit activities to be able to remove these dangerous pupils from the school. You can give me that evidence, Severus, and in doing so prove yourself to me and to Miss Evans."
Severus glowered at Dumbledore. So Dumbledore was asking him to sell out his friends in order to prove to him that he had truly chosen to join his side of the War? That was a tall order, highly dangerous and highly distasteful. Admittedly Dumbledore had made a clever attempt at making him feel as if he had already abandoned his housemates, but Severus knew that was far from true. He had faked standing up to them when they had been attacking Potter and Black, when really it was so it would fool Dumbledore into trusting him, and he had only conceded that he could narrow down the attackers to four suspects – he had never once admitted names. Nor he did not intend to. They were his friends – they shared common appreciation for Dark Magic and admiration of the revolution the Dark Lord was orchestrating. They were fighting for a better wizarding world together.
Besides, even if he had no qualms about betraying his friends, one way or another his betrayal would eventually be sniffed out – and that would be fatal. He and Lily would lose the Dark Lord's favour, the ultimate trophy he had strived so hard for. And they would not just lose His favour – they would reverse it to the furthest, most terrible extreme. They would incur His infamous wrath, and he and Lily would be hunted until their deaths.
Severus saw it now. No matter how much Dumbledore pushed him, no matter how much Dumbledore twisted words to make him think this would be better for him and for Lily, it was all empty reassurance for the sole purpose of securing his own ends. The old man wanted him and Lily as a tool to manipulate in the War and nothing more.
But he, Severus, had the astuteness to discern that fact, and, blazing with rage that Dumbledore would dare try to pull off such a foul, backstabbing trick, he vowed that he would flatly deny the Headmaster what he sought. Nothing would make him jeopardise the one thing that would secure him and Lily a future together! Nothing!
"There is no such evidence that I can give you," Severus answered coldly.
An odious silence, loaded with frustration and anger from both sides, suffocated the room. Dumbledore slowly shook his head, looking thoroughly disillusioned with him. Severus stonily looked back, willing himself to appear unaffected, though inside he harboured an inferno of blistering anger and resentment.
"You are being deliberately obstructive, Severus," Dumbledore said, his voice hard. A trace of fury simmered underneath his words. "I would truly like to have you on board in my class and to have the pleasure of teaching you the wonderful intricacies of the Vallatus Charm, but when I know that you have not detached yourself from the questionable activities of your housemates and are actively attempting to conceal information from me, you leave me with no choice.
"I will not go back on my words from Sunday night; you may at least observe the Vallatus classes. But you may not take part, with Lily Evans or with anyone else, until you confess to me the truth of what happened on Saturday night. I urge you to reflect on the impact of your actions; not least on how it shall affect poor Lily Evans. Think on how such obstinacy will affect your learning, and even your conscience. You can achieve so much in my class with Lily Evans, if you would only give yourself the chance and decide to whom you are truly loyal."
Severus eyed Dumbledore darkly. As if his learning was everything… as if he was not thinking of Lily… She occupied his every thought, he was doing everything for her sake! The injustice of Dumbledore's words made his insides burn.
Dumbledore heaved a sigh and put his head in his hand; he did not bother to look at Severus any longer.
"I have nothing further to say to you, Mr Snape. You know where to find me should you rethink your decision. You may go."
Severus jumped up and stalked from loathsome room, shaking with rage. He swept along the corridors, muttering and swearing as all his emotions bubbled out – the internalised anger at being caught trying to play both sides, the incensed disbelief at Dumbledore's insinuations about his worthiness of Lily, the outrage at Dumbledore's attempt to use him as a snitch…
Severus had worked himself into such a dark net of hatred that as he entered the Slytherin Common Room a group of first and second-years scattered at the very sight of him and fled to their dormitories. He marched into the sixth-year dorm, wanting nothing more than to be left alone, only to find Mulciber, Avery and Rosier there, holding two large jars containing grey snake-like objects that made his stomach clench in revulsion. For a moment he was rooted in the doorway, transfixed with mind-numbing horror, until the frightful reality of the situation crashed down on him and his sense returned.
"What the FUCK are you doing with those?" he snarled, slamming the door behind him with such force that his friends jumped and the liquid in the jars sloshed around, making the dead innards wave eerily from within.
"Bloody hell!" Rosier yelped and whirled around to see who had interrupted them. "Oh, it's only you," he sighed, clutching his heart.
"If those are what I think they are…" Severus trailed off menacingly, unable to look away from Potter and Black's bodily parts. In their hideousness, the dead intestines held over him a perverted kind of fascination…
Mulciber cackled evilly. "You bet they are. We're going to have a bit of fun with these foul beauties."
"Are you completely insane?" Severus hissed, tearing his eyes off the jars. "Haven't we got ourselves in enough trouble for now as it is? Are you actively trying to get us expelled – or even locked up in Azkaban?"
"You heard what Slughorn said, Snape, we're let off the hook," Rosier said calmly.
"Besides," Avery added, "the Dark Lord gave some of us tasks on Saturday. Some of us are charged with converting as many students of Hogwarts as possible."
"Get off your high hippogriff, you're not the only one to have spoken privately with the Dark Lord," Severus snapped. "What are you playing at?"
"I for one am not going to let that old crone Dumbledore scare me into disobeying the Dark Lord's orders, even if you will!" Avery shot back defiantly.
"There is a highly significant difference between being scared and being judiciously cautious!" By now Severus' patience had worn very thin. He was beyond pissed off. He was seeing red. "Now tell me what the fuck are those doing here!" he roared. Goddammit, he'd hoped never to look at those bloody jars again, and now they were in his very own dormitory! Wasn't the ordeal he'd just gone through in Dumbledore's office enough, without being forced to suffer his housemates' stupidity and repulsive humour on top?
"I thought it was time to teach those mudbloods and blood-traitors a lesson," Avery answered.
"With them?" Severus cried in exasperation. "Merlin above! If the teachers find out you've got those we'll be dead!"
"Once that everyone sees what we've done with these blood-traitors' miserable guts, they'll be too terrified to dare mess with us!" Mulciber crowed. "They'll piss themselves with fear and not even think of going against anything we say! And the teachers will be so pathetically useless out of worry for what we might do next to their precious students, they won't dare hunt us down."
Avery sniggered.
"I must say I agree," Rosier said, offering Severus an apologetic smile.
Severus sagged against his bedpost and squeezed his pulsating temples; a thunderous headache was coming over him. "Merlin save me…" he muttered. He could sense he had come up against a brick wall and would get nowhere. Besides, the idiots had already stolen the darned intestines from the nurse's safekeeping. There wasn't much he could do now…
"For Merlin's sake, if you are seriously intent on keeping hold of those wretched things," he said, jabbing at the offending jars, "bloody well get them out of here and somewhere safe, somewhere where they can't be traced back to us!"
"Fine, fine, we'll hide them away for now," Mulciber muttered in annoyance while Avery and Rosier fumbled with wrapping up the jars in some cloaks. "Coward."
"And I want nothing to do with this demented scheme!" Severus shouted as they hastily made for the door, sparks from his wand snapping at their heels. "Absolutely nothing! Just get those foul things out of this fucking room, or Merlin knows I'll make you regret it!"
xXxXx
The first thing James saw when he opened his eyes was Remus' blurry face. He felt a bit woozy and let out a groan.
"Blimey, I don't look that bad, do I, Prongs?" Remus teased. James couldn't see Peter, but it sounded like he was chuckling somewhere nearby.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the cobwebs that seemed to be clinging onto his mind, obscuring a clear train of thought.
"What… what happened?" he slurred. The dazedness he felt didn't feel like normal tiredness somehow, but he couldn't remember what could have caused it…
"You've been out for two days," Remus answered, passing James his glasses.
"I have?" Now that he could see Remus and Peter clearly, he seemed able to think a little more straight.
"Madam Pomfrey gave you a rather potent draught to keep you asleep and force you to rest for a good length of time, whether you wanted to or not. I understand that it was to give your body a chance to recover after what you'd put it through, hobbling down to the Quidditch Pitch like the loon you are." Remus eyed James a little sternly.
James pulled a face. "I was perfectly fine! I can't believe Dumbledore let Pomfrey get away with that! I bet she did it because she was embarrassed that I slipped out under her very nose."
"You could have made yourself very ill."
"Pfff." James shrugged. "She may have done it on the pretext of doing it for my own health, but I bet she was just taking her anger out on me."
"Shh," Remus hissed, indicating wildly to the drawn curtains next to James' bed. "She's just there-!"
"Yeah, she's with Sirius," Peter whispered with the air of one bearing news of great importance.
James shot up in bed. "Why? Is he alright?"
But he knew Sirius was more than alright from the smile that broke over Remus' face before he had even finished asking. "She's decided to bring him around at the same time as you. He's awake! She's just checking him over now–"
This was too much information for James to handle at once.
"She's – Padfoot's awake? – Pomfrey made me miss out on seeing him finally wake up? – Wait, she kept him purposefully asleep too?"
Peter nodded smugly. "We heard her muttering to herself as she gave you the reversing potions, she said you're both a 'liability unto yourselves'."
As James made loud noises of indignation, Remus explained. "It was to help you both recover more quickly. Anyway, you're both awake now, so there's no need to be peeved."
"Peeved? I've got full right to be totally pissed off! You're not the one who's been waiting by Sirius' side day and night for ten days, only to find that I've missed him waking up!"
"Hey, Madam Pomfrey hasn't let us see him yet!" Remus said. "As soon as he was stirring she hurried in and drew the curtains. You've not missed out on anything."
Somewhat appeased, James nodded and pulled up his legs, giving his two friends room to sit on his bed for the wait. They all stared at the drawn curtain, as if with willpower they could visualise what was happening to Sirius behind it.
"So, when can we see him?"
"Any time now, I suppose." Remus checked his watch. "I swear I've heard him moving about. Pomfrey must be nearly done with him now."
There was then the sound of lowered voices, and suddenly the most wonderful sound that James had longed desperately to hear for ten painful days – a bright, barking laugh.
"Sirius-!"
The three boys all gave a jolt and eagerly looked at each other in excitement.
Before they could even voice their delight at hearing their friend's laugh, the curtains were pulled back with a jangle and Madam Pomfrey walked out, carrying an armful of vials and strange medi-wizard equipment, smiling at them in spite of herself.
"You three boys," she sighed, shaking her head at them hopelessly. "I couldn't keep you away even if I had Dumbledore on my side. Go on then. He's awake."
Whooping in joy, James shot out of bed and beat his friends to the next bay.
There, propped up in bed with three plump pillows, was Sirius, gaunt but grinning.
"Padfoot!"
James let out a cry and flung himself at his best friend, crushing him in the biggest hug he had ever given anyone. Nothing compared to this glowing feeling of having his best friend back, not even winning the Quidditch Cup!
"You're awake!"
"Gerroff me," Sirius groaned, shoving him away. "I've barely drawn breath and you're trying to suffocate me."
James sat back, giving Remus and Peter a chance to greet Sirius too.
"Oi, don't you take that tone with me!" he huffed. "You've had us hanging on a cliff edge for days, you git! Don't you dare do that again!"
"Ah come on, Prongs, when have I ever let the Dark Arts get the better of me? I even told my parents to shove off when they wanted me to indulge in that little side-line."
"Fair call. But don't die on us again!" James shouted into Sirius' face, shaking Sirius' shoulders slightly as he did so.
Sirius grinned and his eyes flickered sideways toward Remus.
"Oh fine, if you insist," he sighed, his grey eyes twinkling. James had never been gladder to see that spark of mischief. He'd welcome all the trouble and tempers Sirius would give him if it meant he'd never be so terrified for his friend's life again.
"I do insist," Remus agreed. Peter nodded vehemently.
Sirius laughed. "Madam Pomfrey's brought me right up to speed. I hear you've been quite a handful recently, Prongs."
James glowered as the others laughed and poked fun at him. "I resent being knocked out for that. It was totally unfair."
Sirius was shaking with laughter so much that one of his pillows flopped onto the floor and he almost toppled out of bed himself; he would have done too if Remus wasn't there to steady him and push his pillows back in place.
Remus sat back down on Sirius' bed next to James, looking surprisingly serious. "You know, this is strange…" he commented quietly, as if to himself.
"What's strange?" James asked.
Remus kept his eyes locked on Sirius'. "Being the one here, looking after you. Normally it's the other way round. You looking after me…" There was a strong hint of gratitude in Remus' voice, and James could see the warmth swimming in his eyes. James slung an arm around his shoulder, giving him a hug.
It was true. Every month, he, Sirius and Peter doted on Remus, working their socks off to cheer him up and make him feel bright and chipper once more. But they never begrudged it. They all cared for each other as if they were family. And now that he thought of it, what with Sirius cutting off his blood family, and them spending so much of the year together, they really were like family. True family. And nothing felt more right than to be here now caring for Sirius.
"Well, it's about time I got a little pampering back," Sirius answered. "I'm thoroughly enjoying all your attention, even though I doubt I feel anywhere near as crap as you do each month, Moony."
"You were hit with two really dark curses! You must feel awful!"
"Nah, Madam Pomfrey's got me well on the mend now. Pity she doesn't have such a handy fix for your furry little problem."
"Don't worry about that now," Remus said. "You're the one who's ill. I'm sure you must be feeling a lot worse than you'll admit."
Sirius raised an ailing hand to his head and sighed melodramatically. "Perhaps I am feeling a little off-colour…" Suddenly he perked up again. "Hey, while you're caring for me, is there any chance of having some chocolate?"
James snorted. "You know, I think Pomfrey kept you asleep for so long because she knew you'd be naughty like this, Padfoot!"
"Like you were, eh Prongs?" Sirius shot back.
"Touché."
"Just a square of chocolate, Moony," Sirius persisted as James grinned.
Remus looked appalled. "Padfoot, you can't!"
"Oh, go on, just a little," Sirius said, making his eyes big and pleading, knowing full well that they were totally irresistible. "Come on, Moony, how would you feel if you'd been deprived of chocolate for – how long has it been? Ten days? Just a taster."
"I don't think I've ever seen you so willing to share your chocolate, Moony," James chuckled as Remus handed over a small square from the standby stash in his pocket.
"That's only because he's being stingy," Sirius grumbled, sullenly inspecting the modest size of the chocolate.
"I'll be dead if Madam Pomfrey finds out I've given you any – especially after being with you for barely five minutes!" Remus hissed. "And I'm not stingy, it's for your own good, Sirius!"
"No need to get your wand in such a knot, I'm kidding, Moony," Sirius said, rolling his eyes as he popped the little square into his mouth. "Mmmhmmm… That's amazing," he mumbled as he demolished the chocolate and licked each of his fingers in turn. Remus turned a little pink.
James elbowed him. "You've gone a bit soft on him, I think," he teased. "You've forgotten how bloody annoying this oaf can be, not to mention too damned manipulative." He eyed Sirius severely.
Sirius put on a look of wounded indignation, but Peter chuckled.
"Make the most of this, Padfoot," Remus said. "Once you get up to your usual tricks you won't be having any more of my chocolate."
"Aww, come on, Moony, don't get like that. You're brilliant, don't you know?"
"There he goes," James sighed.
"Hey, don't you dare be mean to me, I'm ill!"
"I am too!" James protested. "I was hit with Dark Magic as well!"
"Yeah, but you only got one curse. I had two."
"Fine, you win, you ridiculous dog," James grinned.
"So where're all my presents and cards?" Sirius asked.
"What are you on about?"
"Don't play all innocent, James!" Sirius said sternly. "I've been in here for days, so I hear. I'm bound to have a stash of offerings from all my admirers. What the hell have you done with them? I want to see how popular I've become now I'm a wounded hero."
"I can't believe how vain you really are," James shook his head. "I don't know how I forgot so quickly that you can be such a prat sometimes."
"Sadly he's right," Remus sighed, smiling in spite of himself. "They're all up in our dorm, Padfoot. James got sick of chocolate staring him in the face and being unable to eat it."
"Told you," Sirius sang, pulling a face at James. "Thank you Moony, for being so kind, unlike puffed-up Prongsie here, who's been used to hogging the limelight while I've been out of it. You can take one of my bars of chocolate from the pile."
A smile of delight lit up Remus' face, while beside him James grumbled.
"God, you're a menace," he muttered, his eyes travelling to the clock on Sirius' bedside table. "Right, some of us have classes to go to."
Peter groaned. "But you don't have to go!"
"Right you are," James said, wearing a devilish grin, "but sadly you and Remus do. It's three minutes to two! Off you trot!"
"You're evil, James, you're worse than a Prefect!" Sirius said to James crossly. "You're sending away my most affectionate admirer! Remus can skive off class if he ruddy well wants!"
"I want to skive!" said Peter.
"No one is skiving," Remus laughed as he got to his feet. "Come on, Peter. These two will need our notes to catch up on the work they've missed later."
"I don't want to catch up! I don't care about work!" Sirius pouted. "You shouldn't listen to James, you're such a spoil-sport, Remus."
Remus raised an eyebrow. "You've got James for company, that's hardly a bore."
"Yeah, at least you didn't have to spend a week in here with your best friend completely out of it," James reminded him. "You're shit company when you're unconscious and pretending to be dead."
Sirius let out a barking laugh. "Sorry about that, Prongs. I'll make up for it now, you can count on that. Now that Remus is leaving, tell me all about the revenge you've been plotting on the Slytherins."
"I can still hear you," Remus called over from the doorway, Peter next to him looking back longingly.
"Oh piss off, Moony, you love me really."
Remus grinned before shaking his sandy hair out of his eyes and going to class, Peter following him dutifully.
Sirius rolled over onto his side and fixed James with an eager expression. "Go on, Prongs. I'm ready."
James' heart leapt. He loved having his best friend back.
He took a deep breath. "So…"
xXxXx
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed seeing the Marauders all back together, it was a fun scene to write :) Next time we'll see Sirius receiving some unexpected visitors, and hear more from Severus' POV.
I just have a couple of replies to guest reviewers:
ForensicGeek: Thank you so much for your amazing review, it was a brilliant present! I'm so pleased at how much you have enjoyed reading this story, especially Severus' characterisation. As to how long I intend the story to be… I think we are roughly halfway. Not near the end yet at all! And as to Wolfstar… if you have a keen eye you may have spotted traces of my views on that throughout this story ;)
Poly: I'm sorry you thought the previous chapter was dodgy, could you say exactly why you thought that was the case so I can try to make things more plausible in future?
