The Marauders

Chapter Two – Bells and such…

Severus Snape shuffled along the stone floor towards the great hall, smiling to himself. The four gits were being punished and it was working to his advantage.

He suddenly felt a weird sensation all over his body and he froze. He heard a cry of disgust and Remus Lupin came running towards him.

'Don't move!' he yelled out in distress and pulled out his wand. Severus snarled.

'Why not?' he growled, ready to start punching if Remus came any closer. Remus was panting and stuttering, as he appeared to be struggling for the words of a spell.

'B…because they put a binding hex on you. If you move, something bad'll happen.' Snape narrowed his eyes.

'This is just another one of your stupid jokes.' He lifted a leg and started to move forward. Remus leapt forward and grabbed his arm.

'NO!' he yelled. 'Wait, I'll go and get Professor McGonagall.'

Snape looked at him suspiciously. It was a well known fact that Lupin wasn't quite as keen to get into trouble as his friends were, but he was still one of them none-the-less. Snape nodded and Remus turned smiled and walked away.

'Whatever you do, DON'T MOVE!' he turned and headed in Sirius' direction. "Now." He mouthed. Sirius grinned and aimed his wand at the box hung on the ceiling above Snape.

'Alohomora.' He whispered and the two watched with glee as the lock snapped open and the two bludgers flew out and headed straight for Snape.

'Yes!' both hissed in unison. Snape looked up and let out a cry. He closed his eyes ready for impact but a cold voice sounded through the hall. Lucius Malfoy strode purposely up to Snape and pointed at the bludgers that were hung in mid-air. He put them back in the box and locked it. Severus thanked him and dared his luck by moving towards him. Nothing happened.

'BLOODY GRYFFINDORS!' he screamed. Lucius smiled and started proposing and idea.

From their hiding place, Remus and Sirius heard every word that was exchanged between the two Slytherins and their eyes grew wide with shock.

'We have to warn James!' Sirius whispered frantically. He lunged forward but Remus pulled him back.

'It's too late.' He said mournfully.

James Potter and Peter Pettigrew were sauntering across the hall. James smile at the two Slytherins.

'Good evening Snivellus, Mankfoy.' He nodded politely and carried on walking. The Slytherins smiled.

'Rodentus preforda!' they cried. James yelped and disappeared in a puff of smoke. He appeared a few seconds later, as a rat in a cage. Lucius picked it up and held it to his face.

'We're going to have so much fun!' he sneered. He and Severus walked back towards their common room leaving a startled Peter all on his own.

Remus and Sirius rushed forward and stared after them.

'They'll pay for this!' yelled Sirius. Remus put an arm around his shoulder.

'Yes my friend, they will.'