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Green Eyed Monster

By: Noelle

Chapter 19: The Perils of Plotting

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Disclaimer: I do not own Lily Evans, James Potter, Sirius Black, and any of the recognizable characters. I do own Ella Reichman though. I do not own the recognizable places, such as Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. J.K. and Warner Brothers have the right to the Harry Potter universe, and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

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Sirius Black opened one eye groggily, as light streamed through the window onto his form. Exhausted, he shut it. He reached to throw his pillow over his head, when he knocked something soft off the bed. Curious.

The air was heavily perfumed. 'Probably that horrible cologne James like to wear', he thought, as he rolled over. Something was crushed under his head.

A flower blossom.

Opening his eyes, Sirius looked around. White orchids were piled on top of everything -- even an unhappy James, who was being crushed under their weight. An incinerated banner lay at the foot of Sirius' bed. 'I O YOU ELLA' it read.

Dejectedly, Sirius muttered a spell, and the flowers disappeared. So, that didn't work. It was shocking -- even Natalie had thought it was romantic, and Ella would forgive him. It didn't matter though. He'd think of something else. Eventually.

James stomped out of the room, muttering about 'pansies' or 'daisies' or something of the like. Sirius followed. However, he froze at the foot of the stairs. Ella.

Ella didn't glare, or yell out obscenities. She just looked at him once -- with pity? Or was it hurt? She turned, and walked out of the Common Room. Unfortunately for
Sirius, Natalie didn't follow. She walked straight over to Sirius, and punched him in the stomach.

"You tosser!" she said furiously, as Sirius doubled over, and was gasping for air. Natalie then stomped on his foot. "You prat!"

"Owww!" Sirius yelled out, trying to rub his foot. "What are you doing? I haven't done anything to you… lately…"

Natalie was even more livid now. "Of course you didn't. Instead, you bloody broke my chum's heart. For future reference," she said, as she kicked Sirius in the groin, "Before you do a romantic gesture, make sure you don't have any other dates lined up." She spun on her heel, and sauntered away.

"Remind me to tell Moony," Sirius said, doubled over in pain, "that his girlfriend has one hell of a kick…" James just smirked, while he helped Sirius to a fully upright position, and then to the Hospital Wing.

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"So… what's the plan?" Severus asked, as he looked over his shoulder. He was so paranoid about someone overhearing.

Vanessa smiled sweetly, trying to maintain her innocence. For extra effect, she pouted slightly. "Well, it's simple really. The Marauders have a secret, and we are going to let the cat out of the bag. They are planning on meeting in front of the Whomping Willow tomorrow night -- at 7:00. They are going to then proceed on to push some knot. They mentioned that a passage then opens up. That passage leads to the Shrieking Shack."

"But," Severus began, suspiciously, "what is going to happen at the Shrieking Shack?"

"I'm not sure," Vanessa said honestly. "But I do know that it is significant, and it involves Remus Lupin… I saw Madam Pomfrey walking him there earlier this afternoon. So, here's what you should do. The best thing, to make sure that they don't know about my involvement for the time being, would be to rile Sirius up. You know how Sirius is when he's upset…"

Severus muttered, "A threat to humanity."

"Yes. But he always blurts something out about what he's trying to hide. You remember when I told you about the prank they were planning last year, and you confronted him. He blurted out the time. And you all were ready. It always happens like that. He'll get mad, and he'll blurt something out -- about the time, or the knot… something. That way, we can put the blame on Sirius, which would further alienate the Marauders." Vanessa smiled, and fluttered her eyelashes slightly.

"Very well. But what will you be doing, Ms. McKinnon? Sitting back, while I get in trouble?"

Smiling, Vanessa gently rested a hand on Severus. He ignored her advances, the prat! "If all goes according to plan," she said seductively, "we'll both be in the clear."

"But what will you be doing while all this is happening?"

Vanessa tutted. "I'll be doing my part, I assure you. I will make sure that James Potter will never want to speak to Lily Evans ever again, and vice versa."

Without another word, Severus stood and exited the small room. Vanessa looked after him. Severus Snape was just a pawn, just as Remus and Peter were. In this chess game, James was the King, and Lily the Queen, and Sirius the Knight. And she would crush the Knight, and take the Queen, and ruin the King, if all went according to plan.

Vanessa would win this chess game.

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It was Saturday night. The cool wind beat upon the earth furiously, howling its fury. The full moon hung low in the velvet sky, casting the grounds in an eerie yellow light. Severus Snape shivered, as his cloak whipped behind him. He pulled it closer. How did he get talked into this?

He paced in front of the doors, awaiting the Marauders. His mouth twisted at the name. But did a name better suit them, the robbers… the plunderers… the no-good Gryffindors.

A howl pierced the night. But then again, it could be his imagination… A rat ran past him. Severus jumped. He hated rats. He could deal with snakes, or spiders… but rats? The anxiety was truly getting to him.

The door creaked open. Now, he knew that was not his imagination. Sirius Black tentatively peaked his head out. Severus sank into the shadows. Sirius stepped out, and froze.

"Snape. Why am I not surprised?" Black frowned.

"Black," he said smirking. "I thought I'd find you here. What an odd place to meet your chums though… especially when the grounds are off limits after 6:00. Curious. Especially when you think of other curiosities."

"What are you getting at, Slytherin?"

"Lupin. It's curious that he is out of school again. In fact, doesn't he miss three days during the last week of each month? And today. And you are sneaking around. Curious, indeed."

Sirius growled. "Nothing is going on, Snape. Now, I will tell you one time. Get lost."

"It's also curious that James Potter is feeling ill, yet he moved his broom to his room today. And Peter Pettigrew lost his toad again. The least curious of them all, yet coincidence, or not? I wonder…"

"You wonder? I wouldn't bother. Now, leave." Sirius glared at him distastefully.

"If I do leave, I may let it slip that you and your friends are planning on meeting tonight. 7:00, was it? In front of the Whomping Willow. Now, why the Whomping Willow?" Snape smirked at Sirius, who had a look of confused outrage on his face.

"How did -- never that matter. You want to know why? Push the knot, and follow the passage. Perhaps you will find more than you would like to know -- " his voice trailed off, as Severus Snape raced toward the Whomping Willow.

He would get his revenge.

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"Lily?"

Lily Evans looked up from her book. Vanessa McKinnon stood, her arms behind her back. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"

"Er… sure. Have a seat." Lily set down her book. "Is something wrong?"

Vanessa frowned. "Actually, yes. Now, I know that we have never really gotten along. But, I think that you are the only one who would know what to do."

"Do?" Lily asked. "Do about what?"

Vanessa looked down, her eyes full of innocence. "Well. I overheard Sirius Black and James Potter talking in the library. Now, I know that it's wrong to listen to other people's conversations, but they were talking quite loudly. I was getting ready to leave, when I heard the worst of it." Vanessa paused for a dramatic effect. "I believe that they are conspiring to kill Severus Snape."

Lily's face dropped immediately. "I don't believe you. They're Gryffindors!"

"Which proves," Vanessa said, "that they have the bravery to pull it off."

Lily shook her head. "No. James and Sirius? Never. What even made you have this disillusionment? Because, you are quite clearly not seeing things right."

"Well, I heard Sirius tell James that he was going to lure Snape out to the Whomping Willow. And James was supposed to be there waiting. And then Sirius said something like, 'he'll never be in our way again'. And I've been thinking about what to do. And I was so confused. But I knew that you would know what to do. You always do, Lily."

Silently, Lily shook her head.

"Lily, what do we do?"

Taking a deep breath, Lily closed her eyes. "Well… we should probably tell somebody. I'll go tell Professor Dumbledore. Why don't you go up to the North Tower, and see if you can tell what's going on."

Vanessa nodded. "All right, Lily."

Both girls got up, and walked silently out of the library. Lily turned toward Professor Dumbledore's office, walking slowly down the corridor. Her feet dragged. She felt sick to her stomach. How could James do such a thing? And Sirius. How could they?

"Lemon drop," Lily said to the gargoyle. It jumped out of the way. She followed the stairs up to the oak door. Knocking, she entered.

"Lily Evans. How are you, my dear?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"I have to talk to you sir," Lily said solemnly. Her stomach lurched.

Professor Dumbledore gestured toward an empty chair. "Have a seat then, and we shall talk. What is troubling you, Ms. Evans?"

"A student has overheard a conversation that led her to believe that another student's life was in danger. And this student asked me what to do. Well, I didn't know what to do, but I figured that you would. So, I'm here."

"You made a wise decision, Ms. Evans. I will not ask you to identify the student who overheard this conversation, but I must ask you what student's life is in danger, and how."

Lily took a deep breath. "Severus Snape, sir. And he is meeting with the alleged conspirators at the Whomping Willow."

Professor Dumbledore bolted up. "The Whomping Willow? Ms. Evans, please return to your common room. Tell no one of this." He dashed out of the room, leaving a bewildered Lily Evans.

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Severus Snape ducked, as a branch swung at him. The Whomping Willow was well named, after all. Muttering an incantation, Severus flicked his wand, and the Whomping Willow froze. The Freezing Charm was rather handy, at times. He stepped over one branch, and ducked under another, as she searched for the knot. Finding it, Severus reached out to press it.

"What are you doing Snape?" James Potter growled, as he pulled Severus back.

Severus turned around. "I know about Lupin," he said. He pushed James, who flew backward after tripping over a branch. Groaning, James tried to get up. Severus gingerly touched the knot. The tree moved slowly, into some set position. He noticed a gap in the roots.

James grabbed his foot. "Snape, you don't know what you're doing. Now, come on!"

Severus stepped easily out of James' grasp. He crawled down a slope, into an underground tunnel. He stood up, but was knocked down as James Potter came sliding, headfirst.

And then he heard it. A snarl, and the crunch of dirt. Something was coming toward them. James tried pushing Severus up the ramp, but Severus wanted to see what it was. And then he saw it.

A wolf. And not just any wolf.

A werewolf.

Severus let out a piercing scream, as James put himself between Severus and the monster. "Go Snape. Hurry!" Severus ran up the ramp, and pulled himself out of the ground. He looked down, but couldn't see James. Suddenly a hand burst out of the opening. Severus grabbed it, and yanked James Potter out. And then he saw the monster, trying to get out of the hole. James quickly pushed the knot.

As if in slow motion, the Whomping Willow began to thrash. Severus could no longer see the opening. He watched as a branch struck James squarely in the stomach. James bent over, gasping for air. Another branch swung at James' feet, and he watched as James crumbled to the ground. And Severus watched as a branch swung toward him. He ducked, barely missing it. And then, Severus felt something hit the back of his head, and everything went black.

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