CHAPTER SIX

Unaware of the cruel trick that awaited him, Snape left the Great Hall with a spring in his step. Snape knew that he could fulfil his deepest desire and get James Potter expelled. It isn't anything personal, I just don't like him, he mused. The plan was that he would open the passage at the Whomping Willow, and try and corner Potter and his friends, while Sirius went to fetch Dumbledore from the castle to catch them in the act. He couldn't wait until the moon came up that evening.

*

Meanwhile in the Gryffindor common room, Lily was preparing a veritable feast for the night's vigil with Remus, when the portrait opening interrupted her and a pair of long, slim legs appeared through the hole, followed by a face wearing a huge grin.

Lily smiled back. "Hello Sirius. Where are the others?" she enquired brightly.

Sirius shrugged his shoulders. "I was about to ask you that same question!" he replied. He couldn't wait to tell James of his plan to fix Slimy Snape, once and for all.

Lily pondered on whether they might be in the Great Hall or not. Sirius saw the concentration on her face and laughed. When Lily concentrated her nose wrinkled up, and her bottom lip stuck out so far you could place a plant pot on it.

Sirius patted her on the shoulder affectionately. "Never mind Lily, I'm sure they'll turn up sooner or later," he reassured. Lily rolled her eyes upward, and carried on with packing the food and drink. Lily had been to the kitchen earlier and asked the Hogwarts house elves if they could supply her with some food and drink. By the looks of things, they had surpassed themselves. There were cold cuts of ham and beef, crusty bread, apples and pumpkin pie. To wash it all down, the house elves had supplied them with a few bottles of Butterbeer. Having packed up all the provisions, Lily turned and picked up the shimmering silver Invisibility Cloak. James had said that she could borrow it earlier.

"Right Sirius," she said with an air of authority, "I'm going down to the Shrieking Shack." Sirius gave her a questioning look. "I'm going to leave the food and drink on the table, so you can find it easily," she concluded. As an after thought, she added, "If I see Remus, I will take him down to the Shrieking Shack with me. That way we're not leaving anything to chance," she said wisely. Sirius nodded in agreement. Lily picked up the Invisibility Cloak, folded it over her arm and exited the common room. She made her way stealthily through the corridor and down the marble staircase. On reaching the Entrance Hall, she ducked into Mr Vim's storeroom. Once inside the small, dark cupboard, she quickly covered herself with the Invisibility Cloak. Making sure that she was completely undetectable, she put her ear to the door. She heard the sound of footfalls close by, so she waited until they passed. Lily opened the door slowly, and quietly edged her way into the vast Entrance Hall. She moved silently to the huge oak doors that led to the castle grounds. As she descended the steps, she saw James, Remus and Peter coming towards her. I think I'll have a bit of fun! she thought mischievously. Lily stood undetected at the base of the staircase, and waited for the boys to come within her reach.

Remus was talking animatedly to the others, as they walked. "I am fine, I tell you!" he said exasperated. "It's just a headache. Peter, what are you doing?" Remus asked, looking at his podgy friend suspiciously. While Remus was trying to allay their fears, Peter had taken Remus' hand and was turning it over in his.

"Checking for hair growth!" he teased

Remus rolled his eyes. "For the love of Merlin. Gerroff!" he grumbled.

Peter and James sniggered at the perplexed look on Remus' face. Just then James jumped out of his skin. Clutching his bottom with both hands, he spun round. "Hey! What did you do that for?" he glared at Peter.

Peter was amazed. "Do what?" he asked puzzled.

By now James was rubbing his sore backside vigorously. "You pinched my ar. Er my backside!" he accused.

"No I didn't!" said Peter indignantly. Just then, it was Peter's turn to jump clutching his bottom. "What in Merlin's name is going on?" he squeaked.

The sight of the two boys running in circles, clutching their posteriors was too much for Remus, and he started chuckling. From beneath the Invisibility Cloak Lily was having a whale of a time. She had created a scene of utter confusion, and she loved every minute of it! However, Lily forgot herself, and chuckled at the sight before her. The boys stood still, looking around wildly. "Who's there?" they asked warily.

Lily knew the game was up. "It's me Lily," she replied from her hiding place.

"Where are you?" said James glancing around. Just then he felt another painful pinch on his bottom.

A voice in his ear said " Behind you!" Lily quickly wrapped James up in the cloak, and gave him a kiss. "Sorry, but I couldn't resist it," she said apologetically.

James smiled down at Lily, who was wrapped in his arms. "So you think a kiss will make things better do you?" he asked.

Lily stood back from him slightly. "It was only a prank!" she replied, with a hurt look on her face.

James scooped Lily back into his arms. "I know it was sweetheart, so was my response," he cooed lovingly. He tilted his head, and leaned towards her. He kissed her hungrily, wanting to consume her very being with that one kiss. They were interrupted by a loud cough. James reluctantly broke away from the kiss. "What," he groaned.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you should know," said Peter quietly. James' face appeared from behind the Invisibility Cloak, and it stared at Peter, suspended in thin air.

"Know what," he hissed.

Peter shifted nervously. "Everyone's going into the Great Hall. It's tea time!"

"Oh bugger!" exclaimed James, as he quickly slipped from beneath the cloak. "See you later Lily!" he whispered, and blew her a quick kiss.

Before the boys could leave, Lily grabbed Remus by the cloak and she hissed in his ear. "Remus, I shall escort you down to the Shrieking Shack now if you like."

Remus nodded. "Good idea!" he replied. He quickly told Peter and James what the plan was, and then left with Lily.

*

Lily took Remus in the direction of the back of Hagrid's hut, so that he could easily hide under the cloak, without being seen. Once this had been accomplished, they made their way to the Whomping Willow. Using the stick, they pushed the knot that froze the tree and entered the opening to the passage. When they were safely inside, they slipped from beneath the cloak, and removed their wands. "Lumos!" A small beam of light emerged from the tip of their wands, allowing them to see their way. After a long, difficult journey through the passage, they eventually saw light ahead of them. "Nox!" The small beam of light was extinguished. Lily and Remus entered the shack. Lily placed the picnic basket of food on the table and brushed the dust from her robes. "There's plenty of food and drink here, would you like some now?" she asked.

Remus nodded eagerly. "Mmm. yes please, I'm starving!" he grinned. Remus pulled up a couple of chairs, and held one out so that Lily could sit down. Once Lily was comfortably in her seat, he sat down himself. Lily opened the basket, and gave Remus some cuts of meat, and crusty bread. Remus got stuck into his food, while Lily put a plate of food in front of herself. Lily was busy eating, with a far away look on her face when Remus broke the comfortable silence.

"So how are things with you and James?" he asked with a mouth full of bread.

Lily finished chewing, "It's going very well thanks," she said blushing. Lily was still thinking about that last kiss. Mmm. very well indeed! she thought dreamily. Lily picked up the bottle opener and two bottles of Butterbeer. Popping the lid off one bottle, she passed it to Remus. "Here, this should wash the food down," she grinned. She opened a bottle for herself, and as she gulped the drink thirstily she could fell it warming her inside. It felt strangely comforting. When they had finished eating, she neatly packed the plates, and empty bottles back into the basket. "I'd better be getting back now," she said pulling out her wand.

Remus gave her a friendly hug. "Thanks for my tea," he muttered into her shoulder. Remus let Lily go, and waved her goodbye.

"Lumos!" she said, disappearing into the dark passage and wrapping the Invisibility Cloak around herself.

Remus was now alone; all he could do now was wait.

*

As Lily emerged from the Whomping Willow, the sky was etched with hues of scarlet, purple and orange swirling clouds like an artist's palette. Lily made her way quietly back to the house common room, only removing the cloak when she was safely in her dormitory. Folding the cloak up, and hiding it in her school robes, she quickly went to the boys' dormitory. Knocking on the door, she heard James' muffled voice. "Come in, you're better then nothing!" he joked. This was his usual greeting that was funny for the first few times, but it was wearing thin now. Lily opened the door, and peered into the room. James was sitting on his bed with Peter. "SNAP!" James shouted. A small explosion, and a puff of smoke followed. James was bouncing on his bed like an over zealous toddler. "I win, I win!" he chanted. Peter looked crestfallen. "That's the third game in a row!" James announced triumphantly.

Lily wafted the smoke away from her face. "Really James, how old are you?" she scolded playfully.

"Sixteen," said James sheepishly. He gave her a hug, and a quick kiss.

Lily scowled at him. "Apologise to Peter, for being a conceited big head," she chided.

"Peter, I'm sorry you're a conceited big head!" James grinned. Lily slapped him on his arm. "Ouch! All right, sorry for rubbing your nose in it Peter," he said apologetically.

Peter shrugged. "'S alright," he muttered.

"Where's Sirius?" Lily asked, as she scanned the room for him.

The boys shrugged their shoulders. "Dunno," they said simultaneously.

Sirius has been disappearing rather a lot recently, I wonder if he has a secret girlfriend? Lily mused. James jerked her back to the present. "Earth to Lily," he said, waving his hand in front of her face. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.

A wry smile crossed her face. "I was just wondering if Sirius had a secret girlfriend?" she winked.

James looked at Peter, who looked at Lily in amazement. "No, he would have told me!" said James with certainty.

"And me!" Peter quipped.

The dormitory door opened and Sirius walked in. Questioning looks greeted him. Sirius was puzzled. What's going on here? he thought to himself. Putting on his brightest smile, he sat on James' bed. "Hi all. Ready for the moonlight watch?" he asked, looking round at his friends, a picture of innocence.

James looked at Sirius with a bemused expression. "Is there something you want to share with us Padfoot?" he asked.

Sirius looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" he replied innocently.

Peter cut into the conversation. "Lily here reckons that you have a secret girlfriend and that's why you've been disappearing so much!" he concluded.

Sirius looked shocked, and a little bit relieved. A grin played at the corners of Sirius' mouth. "Oh is that all!" he exclaimed. The others looked at him blankly. "No I haven't got a girlfriend, although there is a girl I'm quite interested in, in Ravenclaw," he confided. If he was hoping this would placate his friends, he was wrong. They waited expectantly for him to continue. "It's all rather embarrassing really," he said sheepishly. "I've been having dancing lessons from Cynthia Raven," he lied.

Cynthia Raven was a student in Gryffindor house, who kept very much to herself, and who also, had a fantastic crush on Sirius, and he knew it. He also knew that she was too shy to talk to the others, so his secret would not be found out.

"Dancing Lessons! Since when do you want dancing lessons?" shrieked James in disbelief.

"Use your head Prongs, for the Yule Ball! I was thinking of asking that pretty Ravenclaw girl," said Sirius in exasperation.

James grabbed Lily and started twirling her around the dorm, counting each step as he went. Lily was giggling as he guided her around. Peter and Sirius played imaginary violins, humming the Viennese Waltz.

*

In the Shrieking Shack Remus was reading an old Quidditch Aficionado magazine. Well not really reading, more flipping through, and looking at the pictures. He wasn't interested enough to read the text. He looked at the pictures, and drew his own conclusions. Bored with the activity, he threw the magazine on the table, and started pacing around the room. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The anticipation was now building in him. He knew he would not have long to wait before the beast took over.

In the Slytherin common room, Snape was preparing to go out. "Where are you off to Severus?" Wilkes asked lazily. Snape didn't answer him. He just went out of the common room with a determined stride. Snape made his way up from the dungeon common room, across the Entrance Hall and down the stone steps that led to the castle grounds. Concealed by a blanket of darkness, he walked slowly to the Whomping Willow. A cloud moved slowly across the sky to reveal a bright full moon. It shone through the night like a giant torch guiding Snape to his destination.

*

Remus felt a sudden pain in his head. Throwing his hands up to cover his eyes, his knees buckled as he fell to the floor; he was screaming out in agony. Remus writhed on the floor, his body jerking convulsively as his nose and jaw stretched forward into a snout. Coarse brown hair was beginning to sprout all over his body. He screamed as his legs and arms bent back on themselves to create haunches and paws. Claws grew at a tremendous rate. The whole metamorphosis took seconds but to Remus it felt like an eternity. The beast sat panting in the corner of the room, it's dark eyes glancing round, trying to find a way of escape. Snape was nearing the Whomping Willow unaware of the danger ahead of him.

*

Lily checked her watch. "Look at the time!" she exclaimed. "You boys had better get going," she said wisely.

Peter, Sirius and James grabbed their cloaks, and left the dorm. "Be careful!" Lily called after them.

The boys left through the common room at breakneck speed. Peter offered to run ahead to freeze the Whomping Willow. Leaving them to find a secluded corner, he transfigured into a rat and scurried off. James was jogging down the marble staircase, when Sirius pulled him back. "Slow down a minute, I've got something to tell you!" he panted.

"Can't it wait? Remus will have changed by now," James said exasperated.

Sirius had an evil grin on his face. "I know!" he replied vaguely.

Sirius' expression sent a cold chill down James' spine. "What's going on?" he asked, not really sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Sirius lowered his eyes. "I've played a little trick on my new friend, Snape," he muttered. James' eyes widened, as Sirius continued with his revelation. "I thought I'd get him back for all the trouble he's caused over the years," he confided.

James was reeling as his brain took in the fragments of information, and the sudden realisation hit him like a thunderbolt. Looking at his friend with new eyes, he shook his head. "No! Tell me you didn't do what I think you did?" he asked in disbelief. Sirius looked shame-faced at James, and nodded his head. "You IDIOT!" James was screaming at him. "God I hope I'm not too late!" he said. Turning on his heel he ran to help Snape.

James' robes billowed behind him as he quickly descended the staircase. "You aren't going to help him are you? It's too late, you could be killed!" Sirius called.

James came to a halt at the end of the Entrance Hall. Turning slowly, his eyes met Sirius'. "You should have thought of that when you hatched this stupid plan!" he growled. James wasn't finished. His face white with fear, he continued. "I do not want my two best friends in Azkaban for murder!" he hissed through gritted teeth. James didn't waste anymore time waiting for Sirius to respond. He ran at breakneck speed to the Whomping Willow.

*

Snape was creeping up the long, low passage, his wand giving off a small beam of light. The going was slow, as he was too tall to crawl along comfortably. He was making steady progress, though, lost in his own thoughts.

James slid down the opening of the passage, and landed in a heap. He straightened his glasses, which were askew on his nose. He fumbled around in the darkness for his wand. Closing his long fingers around the missing wand, he raised it in the air. "Lumos!" he muttered. A small beam of light emerged from the tip of the wand, illuminating the narrow passage. "Severus!" he shouted. He strained his ears for a reply, but only a deafening silence greeted him. As quickly as he could, he made his way towards the Shrieking Shack, panic building in him. I hope I'm not too late! he thought.

Suddenly a howling was heard in the distance. James and Snape froze.