Well, here's the next chapter as well. Enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: Nope not mine.
"Will everyone of you just shut up?"
Every occupant of the room looked towards the two teenagers, who still looked quite livid. "We're standing right here. Mind asking us what happened?"
"And not a word about us being confunded." Sirius looked towards Moody who had moved to speak.
"Don't you people ever check facts before you throw teenagers into Azkaban." James continued. "It wasn't Severus. How many times do we have to say it before you will listen?"
"If it wasn't for him James would be dead right now. He made that healing concoction. He stole the keys to the bike. Lucius Malfoy gave us a key because he was with us."
"James? Dead? Sirius what are you talking about?", Mrs. Potter asked.
"Yes Mr. Black. What do you mean by that? When I ran a diagnosis Mr. Potter was the healthiest out of all of you.", Poppy inquired.
"Perhaps", Dumbledore's calm voice spoke, "it would be beneficial if the boys were allowed to tell their stories from the start?"
Everyone grumbled in agreement and they sat down.
"Right then.", James recounted. "It started when Peter gave us the news…."
For the next hour James told every detail of their adventure, with Sirius putting in any details they might've forgotten. During the story though the boys only wondered when the rest would get here.
The story was interrupted only once or twice, at points where something was unclear.
"Which spell was that?" Mr. Potter asked.
"Sectumsempra?" At his father's nod he elaborated. "Severus said that he made it himself. It's a slicing hex."
"Do you know it's counter-spell?"
"Yeah. I asked Severus. It's Vulnera Sunentur."
"I see."
"So Malfoy came in and just gave that note?", Alastor asked gruffly.
"Well not exactly. We didn't even see him slip them in."
"And how did you know when to get out?"
"We were getting to that. The note was charmed to burn when the meeting would start."
"And did you hear something from the meeting?", Dumbledore inquired.
"No sir." James said quite firmly.
"Ah I see. Please continue
"What did you say Mr. Snape used to heal you?" James was interrupted by Madam Pomphrey.
"He brought Bubotuber pus and Dittany. Combined them with water and Lavender then gave it to James." Sirius supplied.
"That was a high risk he took."
"Why?"
"Bubotuber pus is quite difficult and dangerous to remove. One wrong step and it could burn you. Then there's it's dilution. If it's slightly wrong, there could be dire consequences."
James gulped before continuing, silently thanking Merlin that Severus was amazing at Potions.
Once their tale was completed they looked expectantly at all the adults. "So? Do you believe us now?"
"My boys you have given us much to think about. But alas we cannot do anything until we have proof."
"What? But we were there. We're witnesses. Surely that can be used as proof?"
"Your words cannot be used. You were the victims in this case."
"But we have to get Severus out. Isn't there anything we can do?"
"Albus." Minerva called for the attention od the headmaster. "We can interrogate Peter Pettigrew. He is still in school at this moment."
"Then we need to bring him in."
"There will be no need of that Sir." a feminine voice spoke up from behind them. Lily Potter stood with Regulus Black, a shaking Peter between them.
Remus came running in, panting. "Guys I've got it." He held up a vial with a clear liquid in it.
"Mr. Lupin is that-"
"Yep." Sirius grinned. "It's Veritaserum."
"You boys do realize that it's illegal right?"
"So? Let's use it on him. You want answers right."
Before any of the older occupants could protest, Remus put three drops in a squealing Peter's mouth. The effect was instantaneous. His eyes became blank, all movement stopped.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Sirius looked towards Alastor. Shoving everyone aside, he limped forward and stood in front of Peter.
"Answer me correctly boy. What is your name?"
"Peter Pettigrew." came the monotone reply.
"Did you have anything to do with the disappearance of Messers Black, Potter and Lupin?"
"Yes."
"Did Severus Snape assist you in any way?"
"No. He didn't even know of the plan. But he almost ruined it by showing up."
"Why did you come back here?" Sirius asked.
"After you escaped I had to come back and pin the blame on Snape. I was going to escape right now but I was caught by these two."
"Why you little-" James wanted to strangle the rat but held himself.
"Now do you believe us?" he turned towards Albus who was staring wide-eyed at the interrogation.
"Richard it seems that we've made a grave mistake." he said to James' father.
"Well then what are we all waiting for? Severus Snape is in Azkaban. File for his release right now Albus." Madam Pomphrey glared at the headmaster. Dumbledore instantly set to work, writing a letter that would mark release of Severus Snape.
"And that's how you got here Severus. Any questions?"
"What happened to Pettigrew?"
"He… escaped. Using his animagus form."
"What happened after I came back?"
"You were admitted here. You kept having nightmares and wouldn't wake up. We were really worried you know?"
Severus smiled softly. There were people that cared about him. He never thought that he could have someone like that in his life especially after fifth year, but he was happy that he did.
"Oh and we forgot the best news. You don't have to go back home anymore."
"What?"
"Hogwarts now allows students to stay during summer. Also your dad's in jail now. Filed for child abuse."
"How did this happen?"
"Madam Pomphrey and Professor McGonagall were working on this before your disappearance. While you were unconscious this decision was finalized."
"So I won't have to go home?"
"Yep that's rig- Severus are you alright? Why are you crying?" Lily asked confused. Severus touched his cheek and realized that, yes, he was crying. He was crying out of happiness. Because his father was in jail.
Severus knew it was bad, but he couldn't help the feeling of peace that spread through him. He was glad that his father was in jail.
"I'm fine." He hastily wiped his tears. "So will I be allowed to return to Spinner's End?"
"About that Sev. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind moving in with me?"
"Wha-"
"Before you say anything about being a burden I assure you, you won't. Even Mom and Dad agreed."
"But Lily-"
Severus was once again interrupted, "Look just think about it ok?" Lily then got up. "Sev, I'm going now. You need rest. We'll talk tomorrow. Are you guys coming?" she asked the marauders.
Sirius shook his head. "We'll come in a little while. We've got to do something first."
Regulus got up though saying that whatever it was he didn't want to get involved in it. Waving to them he went to him dorm, Lily going to hers.
"So Severus. We thought long and hard about this and we've got a question for you."
Severus in turn only raised his eyebrow. He really hoped the question wouldn't be something stupid.
"How would you like to be a marauder?"
Severus, for his part, reacted accurately to this question. He remained speechless.At least the question wasn't stupid but it was surprising.
"Hello? Snape? Snape, Snape, Severus Snape?"
"But- but why?"
"Look, Severus." Remus called for his attention. "We did think about it. Sirius came up with this idea out of the blue actually." At that Sirius rubbed the back of his head while Severus stared at him incredulously.
"But the more we thought about it the more we liked it." Sirius continued. "Look we were always four. It's the best number for a snowball fight and the best number to play pranks. And when Wormtail betrayed us it was us four. And I think we need you.
"James is the leader and Remus is the one that makes sure we do our homework or of we're feeling down he cheers us up.
"And Sirius here gives us our daily supply of drama and crazy." James innocently stated.
"And I'm not denying it. But you, Severus, your the one that pulls us out of our Gryffindor tendencies. We need you to keep us in one piece, to make sure we get through it."
"So," James turned towards Severus, "what do you say?"
"I don't know what to say. But that I'm quite honored to be even considered a part of this rag-tag group."
"Is this your round about way of saying yes?" Sirius asked.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes it is."
They all grinned and cheered and even Severus' lip twitched.
"And seeing that you'll be discharged from the wing tomorrow I think you should join us the day after tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Because it's a full moon. And we are going to give him company." James pointed to Remus.
Severus blinked. Once. Twice. He wasn't certain if he had heard them right. Give him company? Give a werewolf company? Were they mad? He said as much.
"Look, it's why we became animagi in the first place. Moony used to hurt himself quite a lot. We trained so we could prevent him from doing so."
Severus understood. He had read about this. If this helped Remus then maybe it wouldn't be bad. And hadn't they been doing this for the past year now?
"Oh Severus. Can't believe I didn't ask this before? What's your animagus form by the way?"
Severus only grinned sweetly. "You'll know two days later."
Yes the next chapter is also coming up. So no notes for now.