Chapter Forty-Nine: Even I Know You Aren't That Stupid

Sirius stood next to the bed, looking down at Remus, who was fast asleep. He hated waking him, but he knew he had to do it. He leaned down, gently shaking Remus. "Remy, baby," he whispered. "You've got to get up. You need to get down to the Shack pretty soon."

Remus groaned and opened his eyes. Sirius kissed him on the forehead. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

Stretching, Remus stood up. "It's fine," he said, kissing his boyfriend. "Don't worry about it."

Sirius smiled and hugged him. "I love you."

"I love you too," said Remus, melting into the hug. He sighed after a moment, extracting himself from Sirius's arms. "I need to go," he said, though he wanted so badly to just be able to stay with Sirius.

Sirius kissed him one last time. "Want me to go with you?"

Remus shook his head. "It's fine. But thanks."

"Of course. See you tomorrow?"

Remus nodded, smiling half-heartedly. He dreaded the full moon. He kissed Sirius on the cheek and hurried out the door. He reluctantly made his way to the front gate of the castle, which was specifically left unlocked for him.

"Sneaking out, are we, Lupin?"

Remus sighed, but didn't turn around. "Piss off, Snape."

"Better be careful," drawled Snape. "You don't look so good, Lupin. Wouldn't want to run into any werewolves now, would we? You know, since it's the full moon and all."

Remus's grip on the door handle tightened, his knuckles white.

"Food for thought." Snape paused for a moment. "See you round, Moony," he said, spitting out the nickname.

Remus winced. He heard Snape's steps retreating down the hall. He shook himself, trying to clear his thoughts, and stepped outside, going to meet Professor Dumbledore. As usual, the Headmaster was waiting at the base of the Whomping Willow.

Sirius was unbelievably anxious. James had suggested that they go on a walk before curfew, to try and take his mind off of things. Sirius readily agreed, so that's what they were doing.

"But how does he get past the Willow?" asked Peter. "That thing's fucking pyscho."

"He said there's a knot," replied Sirius. "The biggest one. And if you push it, the tree stops."

They rounded the corner, and Sirius stopped suddenly, having almost run into Snape.

"Evening, Black," sneered Snape.

"Oh, fuck off, Snivellus," spat Sirius.

"Looking for your boyfriend?" drawled Snape, a malicious glint in his eyes. "I doubt you'll have much luck. I got the impression that he was going to be rather… indisposed for the night."

Much to his credit, Sirius recovered himself very quickly. "I- what the hell are you going on about, Snivellus?"

"Oh, please," scoffed Snape. "Even I know you aren't that stupid, Black."

"Why you little-"

Sirius launched himself at Snape, but James grabbed him by the back of the robe and yanked him back. "Don't," he hissed.

"That's right," jeered Snape. "Listen to Potter. That is, if you're too much of a pussy to defend your pathetic, half-breed excuse of a boyfriend."

Sirius had had enough, and pulled himself free of James's grasp. He punched Snape, hard, across the face, sending the Slytherin stumbling back against the wall. "You watch your mouth!" he growled.

James and Peter grabbed him, holding him back from attacking Snape again. He struggled, but couldn't get free from both of them.

Snape wiped a little bit of blood away from his lip with his sleeve, grinning slightly. "He is, isn't he? He's a fucking monster, and you know it!"

"Son of a bitch!" howled Sirius, struggling harder. James and Peter just held on stronger, not going to let Sirius absolutely destroy Snape.

"Remus Lupin," Snape said slowly, dragging out each syllable. "A rather ironic name for a werewolf, don't you think?"

"You shut your mouth!" yelled Sirius.

"Why don't you make me, Black?"

"Let me go, James!" Sirius yelled, trying to break free. "Let me kick his ass! He fucking deserves it!"

"Sirius, stop it," begged James. "The last thing Remus needs is for you to be in detention."

"That's right," taunted Snape. "Think of your mangy half-breed. After all, that's what he is, right?"

"Shut the fuck up!" screamed Sirius. "You shut your fucking mouth!"

The dots connected in Snape's head. His eyes lit up. "He's in the Shrieking Shack, isn't he? You can get to it from the Whomping Willow."

"Why don't you go see for yourself?" Sirius screamed angrily, mostly unaware of what he was actually yelling. "Let me go!"

That was all the confirmation that Snape needed. He took off running down the hall.

"Son of a bitch," breathed James, realizing that Snape was going to see if Sirius was lying or not. He dropped Sirius's arm and took off after Snape.

Sirius fell to the floor, not expecting James to release him so suddenly. He was breathing hard, trying to catch his breath. Peter helped him to his feet as his head cleared. "Oh, fuck," whimpered Sirius, realizing what had just happened. "What the fuck did I do?"

He grabbed Peter's arm, pulling him along as he chased after Snape and James. They got to the front gate pretty quickly. It was still unlocked. Sirius dropped Peter's arm and sprinted across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow.

The tree was standing perfectly still, and neither James nor Snape were in sight. Sirius was trying to decide whether or not to head down the tunnel when he heard a blood-curdling scream. A minute later, James dragged Snape out of the tunnel, both of them collapsing on the grass.

Sirius stood there, petrified. Peter came jogging up to him, taking in the sight of a shaking Snape and a terrified, out of breath James lying side by side on the grass. "Oh, Merlin," breathed Sirius.

Someone else was coming as well. Sirius turned around to see Professor Dumbledore storming towards them. He reached them with surprising speed. "My office. Now." There was no twinkle in his eye, no mirth in his voice. It was cold and hard and just plain scary.

Sirius gulped. He and Peter followed Professor Dumbledore, James and Snape on their heels. It was perfectly silent. None of them dared to make a single sound, not that they would have wanted to talk anyways.

This was bad. Sirius just hoped that he wouldn't be expelled. His heart was racing. How had he managed to fuck up so badly? Oh, fuck. Remus.

A/N:

i am sorry.

ugh it's like 2 am, i was out all day, it was exhausting. also if u watched the latest episode of falcon and the winter soldier, asjdgyfuhkasjndbshjgifuaskjdbhfiahusjkdsnvfbh. that is all. thank u

take care, drink some water, get some sleep, please don't murder me. ur all amazing and i'm so proud of you and i'm so sorry. i love you all so much 3

ktf xolyn