Disclaimer: As usual anyone you know from the book isn't mine.
Note: This chapter takes place near the end of the year, and there's violence in this chapter so.......not good for younger people..
A/N: I like this chapter because of all the action! Hope you like it as much as I do!!! Oh, and sorry it's so long...once I started writing I just couldn't stop!!
Snape's worst memory
"Wow! So you mean one of those real kisses?! Not the really real kisses?"
"Shut up Peter, before you hurt yourself with all this thinking. We wouldn't want to have another brain malfunction." Moody growled.
"I just wanted details!" peter said defensively.
""Hmm..I had no idea Erica was an Animagus.." James mused, ""I never saw her study on how to transform..or practice.."
"How would you know?!" Lupin asked suspiciously.
"I raid her room for homework and stuff over the summer and 'borrow' books a lot." James explained lazily.
"She must have hidden it well for you to miss anything.." Peter said impressed with Erica's ability to out wit James.
"Yeah, maybe..." James continued to muse.
"Did you tell her about us too?"Lupin asked thoughtfully.
"Yup."
"How did she take it..particularly the part about me.."
"She said she already knew about you Lupin.."
"Really? Impressive..nothing gets past her.." he rubbed his chin and went back to reading his book.
"So what are we gonna call her? Now that she knows everything..and is an Animagus too?"
"What?! Call her...what are you talking about Sirius?" James said startled.
"Well..I mean..for her to.." he looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, "join the Marauders.." he whispered.
James looked upset, "She won't..she can't!" he said forcefully.
"Why not?!" Sirius said taken aback by James's reaction.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lupin said not looking away from his book, "He's protective of Erica..he doesn't want anything to happen to her.."
"Oh...well James you don't have to worry about that! We'll look after her..besides she has already proven she can get away with anything!"
"Lupin?!" James looked to Lupin for support.
"Why not let Erica decide?" he suggested.
James sighed, "I already know what her answer will be.."
"Then can we name her?" Sirius asked hopefully.
"Sure, yeah. I guess it would be fun to have her in the 'group'" James admitted.
"Good." Sirius beamed.
"Well, she said she was a unicorn..right?"
"Yup." Sirius nodded.
"I'm named after my antlers, Prongs, so she should be named after her horn.."
"I like the name Spiral.."Lupin said out of no where.
"Have you been planning to name her?" James laughed.
"No, I just thought..you antlers are like prongs and a unicorns horn is like a spiral. So it makes sense."
"Sounds good to me.."
"I like it!" Peter nodded vigorously.
"And maybe she can come out on our.. 'romps' through the woods." Sirius smiled.
"Maybe.." James said doubtfully.
"Let's go down stairs to breakfast, I'm starving!" Moody said abruptly.
They went down to the Great Hall and met Erica at the Gryffindor table. They all sat around her and began to fill their plates.
"Hi, Spiral!" Peter laughed.
"Hmm?" she asked through a mouth full of toast.
"Your one of us now." James explained.
"Ah..." she said thoughtfully, "What an honor."
"What's wrong?" Sirius asked concerned.
"Look.." she nodded over at the Slytherin table. Snape was stabbing at his plate violently with his fork.
"And? What about that git?" Moody asked curiously.
She turned to Sirius and talked quietly to him. The others didn't even notice.
"I don't think we were alone last night..." she muttered quietly.
"You mean..you think he was watching us?!" Sirius started to stand but Erica quickly pulled him back down.
"It's possible. We weren't exactly careful after we left the castle. Anyone could have seen us from an upper floor, easily."
"Why does Snape's temper bother you?"Sirius snorted glaring at him.
"Because..rage is a powerful thing Sirius, people do reckless things when their upset.." She said ominously.
Sirius thought about this for a while. Most guys in the school thought Erica was very pretty and would want to go out with her too. Could Snape be jealous? Sirius didn't even think Snape had a heart for that kind of thing..only for the Dark Arts.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked her calmly.
"Stay away from him, and if he says anything to you..walk away. No matter what." she said firmly, looking him in the eye.
"Sure.."
"No.. swear it.."
"Why?"
"I don't want you to get hurt or in trouble.." she said taking his hand.
"Ok, ok..I swear."
Erica raised her eyebrows but said nothing more about it.
During the 4th class of the day, History of Magic, with Professor Manger James had begun to taunt Snape. Class started with Snape resembling a turnip, by color at least. (red)
"I don't think you should do that Prongs.."Sirius warned.
"Man, my sis is changing you! Where's your good old sense of adventure and danger?"
"With Erica..." he muttered so James couldn't hear. He said nothing for the rest of class.
During class James appeared to be making a plan to get Snape..another trick. Sirius would have to stop James before he did something really stupid. At the end of class Snape headed down a deserted hallway.
"Excellent!" James hissed hiding behind a pillar.
"James!" Sirius said desperately, "We..we have to get to Herbology in 5 minutes!" he lied.
"This will only take a second Black." James muttered over his shoulder as he crept after Snape.
As James came out from behind a pillar further down the hall to attack, Snape whirled around and shouted "Expelliarmus!". James's wand went flying out of his hand and he was flung into the opposite wall by the force of the spell. Sirius gripped with rage drew his own wand and charged at Snape.
"Your asking for twice as worse Black!" Snape shouted hoarsely.
"Why?" Sirius seethed enraged. He was fighting the impulse to fight and listen to Erica at the same time.
"You...her...!" Snape sputtered, shaking.
"She's a Potter! She would sooner die then be with you! And why like her?! You hated her after she outscored you on the Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L's!!!"
"St...still!" Snape raved on.
"And on top of being hideous, your in Slytherin! She hates you little forked tongued ...." Sirius was flung back by a spell that he never even saw coming. The energy of the blast burned his skin, he flew several feet to the floor and lay still on the cold stone floor.
"How do you know what she want's!" Snape spat.
James was recovering and tried to stand and attempted to say something, but it only sounded like some curse words slurred together.
"Wash your mouth!" Snape snarled with laughter as he shouted "Scourgify" pointing his wand at James's face. Bubbles began to pour from James's mouth .
Sputtering, James dropped onto all fours and looked for his wand.
"Accio wand!" Snape said smoothly.
James's wand shot out of his reach and landed in Snape's hand.
"Not so tough without your wand or your friends are we, hmm?" he taunted. Snape began to circle James like a predator going in for the kill.
"Why are..you doing..this?" James panted, spitting out soap.
"Revenge, you fool! Revenge! After all you've done to me! You thought I would take it laying down? Never! Here I make my stand! And I'm not finished with you...you'll be lucky to be even able to walk after this!"
"Reducto!"
James staggered backwards, his foot catching a step to a staircase leading down to the 2nd floor. James fell and tumbled down the steps. When he hit the last step a loud crack of bones could be heard. James lay there unconscious.
Looking around, Snape thought for a moment. He then ran off and returned a few moments later, "You see!" Snape was explaining to Professor Banner who he was leading to the scene, "Potter mush had fallen down the stairs..I found Black upstairs not far way..they must have been dueling..."
Professor Banner sneered, "Well...yes..right you appear to be..Go warn Madam Poller that I'm bringing them.."
"As you wish." Snape said with a respectful nod to Professor Banner and started towards the hospital wing with the most triumphant smile on his face.
Later that day, with much healing, James was released from the hospital wing with a splint for his arm. Sirius was still too badly hurt to be released. Snape's spell had hit him dead center in the chest so he was having trouble breathing.
Limping down the hall to the Gryffindor common room he mused on what had happened, anb how Sirius had warned him...
"James!" Peter shrieked like a worried mother, as he passed the portrait. "What happened?!" He asked in shock.
James painfully sat down in a chair close to the fire and sighed heavily, "Snape..." he muttered rubbing his head, "Where's Moony?" he asked after looking around.
"Full moon..." Moody said looking out the window, "He has been out there for about and hour or so already.
"We better go then..." he said looking at Peter who nodded and stood too.
Taking the invisibility cloak they headed out to the Whomping Willow.
By the time they got to the tree James's limp had improved a little and his muscles were allowing more movement.
Moody got a long stick and prodded the knot. The tree instantly froze and allowed them to go towards it.
They quickly shifted into their Animagus forms and went into a tunnel that lead to the Shrieking Shack. Lupin was curled up in the corner snarling.
"Hey, Lupin!" James said in the animal language they used when in this form.
Lupin growled a hello and went up to them, his tail wagging a little.
"Where..Black?" he growled in the same language except his 'voice' was very deep and slow.
"Hurt, he's in the hospital wing.." James explained.
Lupin nodded, "Let's..go!" he headed towards the door and went outside where he romped playfully in the grass. The others followed, Peter being the last to leave because he was the slowest in Animagus form.
Moody's panther form followed casually. Lupin stopped for a moment and looked at Moody, "You no usually come!"
"Just taking Blacks place for today." Moody growled in response.
Lupin looked at him for a long moment, then shrugging went on romping through the tall grass.
After about an hour they froze at the sound of distant thudding that was getting closer.
"What do we do if it's a person?" Moody asked.
"...chase Lupin off..and hope for the best.." James replied as he strained to hear what was approaching.
"You left without me!" came a whinny.
"What?" Peter squeaked.
Erica's unicorn form came galloping up to them, and then came to a plowing stop in front of them sending dirt into the air. She then snorted releasing puffs of steam into the cool air.
"Hey, Spiral..we were worried you were someone else!" Peter chattered.
Lupin bounded up to her and sniffed her nose and batted playfully at her horn.
"Come on..let's move into the forest before were seen." Moody said glancing towards the castle.
They all raced towards the forest. Erica got there first being faster and stronger and able to plow threw the snow easily. James couldn't even keep up with her.
A few hours later, as the night came to an end, they headed back to the Whomping Willow. They only had an hour before Lupin would change back into a man.
None of them noticed someone moving in the shadows of the castle moving to the trees.
Once they were inside the spy ran quickly towards the tree with a long handle of a broom in his hand. Staying low he poked the trees knot.
The tree stopped it's threatening moments and fell still.
The spy slowly followed the tunnel that lead to the Shrieking Shack.
James didn't hear anything till he heard the creaking of the stairs leading up to the room they were in. Wormtail went to go investigate.
Lupin raised his head and began to growl the hair on his back rising. He bore his teeth and his claws began to sink into the wood of the floor.
"That can't be a good sign..." Erica snorted, backing into the corner furthest from Lupin, her hooves making hollow thudding sounds that seemed to echo through the shack.
The door behind James's stag form flew open. Peter scurried between the feet of the intruder, who didn't even notice.
"Well, well, well. A nice club meeting of the idiots. A stag..probably Potter..A panther, Alasor.." Snape smiled in triumph, "And a filthy little rat, Pettigrew.." He looked at the dark brown unicorn with bright brown eyes in the corner, "And the other Potter.." he sneered, Erica tossed her mane and glared at him, "And...and...and..." Snape's eyes had fallen on the werewolf who was snarling in his own corner. Lupin drew himself his full height, drooling and snarling. He gave a mighty snarl.
"GET OUT OF HERE SNAPE!" James yelled, as he returned to his human form.
Lupin lunged, teeth bared. Before Snape could even respond James jumped at him too and knocked him out of the doorway. James then dragged Snape out of the Whomping Willow and ran with him.
Lupin flew after them with a unicorn, rat and panther following. Lupin easily caught up with James and Snape, but Erica was running beside him easily keeping stride.
In a instant James was a stag again and charged, antlers down, at Lupin. Lupin came to a skidding stop and avoided James.
"Man flesh! Move!" Lupin howled, enraged.
James put himself between Snape and Lupin again brandishing his antlers. Erica circled around and stood next to James swinging her horn threateningly.
"No Lupin!" she whinnied forcefully.
Lupin shaking with eagerness and rage tried to charge past his friends, but failed. Giving a roar of rage he plowed into James knocking him over. Snape frozen with fear was just standing there. Lupin rushed at him and when he was only two feet away jumped. In midair Erica smashed into him, they both landed in a heap of snarling and shrieking neighs.
The sky began to get lighter, but still Lupin was going to remained in his werewolf form until the sun rose, so he continued to fight.
Snape finally started running towards the castle. Lupin still desperate to kill, slipped under Erica and rushed at Snape again. This time Erica made a more violent move. Leaping forward she grabbed Lupin's tail in her teeth and threw him into the air behind her. Turning she charged at Lupin who was already recovering from his fall. Giving a yelp, Lupin turned tail and ran from her. She chased Lupin all the way to the edge of the Forbidden forest where he began to change in mid stride. Howling in pain Lupin transformed.
Erica looked back to see where Snape had gone, but found that he was gone.
Lupin looked around looking confused, "Wha..what happened?" he asked rubbing his shoulder.
James, Moody, Peter and Erica quickly transformed.
"Forget that! We gotta get back to the castle!" James said desperately, turning they quickly ran back to the Gryffindor common room.
The next few days went by poorly for everyone (mostly because of O.W.Ls), but what amazed the Marauders most was that Snape said nothing about the attack. They had expected Snape to be rattling it off to the whole school. But there was only the normal stress of the exams.
"I guess we should be calling it a good thing.."Lupin said quietly in the boys dormitory.
"No.." Erica said seeming a bit detached, "This means he has something on us now..he can tell anyone that we're Animagus and that Lupin's a werewolf."
"She's right.." James admitted, coming to the window that Erica was standing at. He watched some first years run from some Slytherin bullies. James actually found himself feeling good that he had saved Snape's life. Yes, James hated Snape and vice versa but James would never kill him.
"Too bad I missed it.." Sirius said regretfully from his bed. Sirius was still recovering from Snape's attack but was defiantly doing much better. All Sirius had now was damaged pride. "Don't be."Peter said shuddering from the memory.
It would be time to go home soon. They would recover from the mayhem over the summer, and plan next years destruction.
Sighing, Erica went to her own dormitory to finish packing her things. She smiled as she picked up a picture (that moved inside) of her and Sirius in the snow 4 months ago. Sirius was on her right with his arm around her and she was making bunny ears behind his head. A lot had happened in just those 4 months. What else would have to change before there was no more trouble..or pain?
Snape sat under a tree by the lake, staring out at the glass like water. A faint breeze blew trough his shoulder length hair, as he mused on pass events.
He had longed to tell the shool what had happened but whan he had gone to the headmaster he had told him to never say anything about it, to keep it a secret.
Angry Snape stood and hurled a rock he had been holding, into the lake. Shaking he walked closer to the water edge, and looked down at his reflection.
He felt sick, humiliation burning his face. He'd been a fool, an idiot. He had been too hungry for revenge..he had lost control.
"Potter will pay.." Snape hissed at his reflection. James would suffer more..for all the things he had done to him over the years. This had only been the first step, but next year.....
But then Snape's reflection smiled sickly back at him.
"But how do you get revenge on people who saved your life?" he muttered, smiling sadly at the rippling waters.
Note: This chapter takes place near the end of the year, and there's violence in this chapter so.......not good for younger people..
A/N: I like this chapter because of all the action! Hope you like it as much as I do!!! Oh, and sorry it's so long...once I started writing I just couldn't stop!!
Snape's worst memory
"Wow! So you mean one of those real kisses?! Not the really real kisses?"
"Shut up Peter, before you hurt yourself with all this thinking. We wouldn't want to have another brain malfunction." Moody growled.
"I just wanted details!" peter said defensively.
""Hmm..I had no idea Erica was an Animagus.." James mused, ""I never saw her study on how to transform..or practice.."
"How would you know?!" Lupin asked suspiciously.
"I raid her room for homework and stuff over the summer and 'borrow' books a lot." James explained lazily.
"She must have hidden it well for you to miss anything.." Peter said impressed with Erica's ability to out wit James.
"Yeah, maybe..." James continued to muse.
"Did you tell her about us too?"Lupin asked thoughtfully.
"Yup."
"How did she take it..particularly the part about me.."
"She said she already knew about you Lupin.."
"Really? Impressive..nothing gets past her.." he rubbed his chin and went back to reading his book.
"So what are we gonna call her? Now that she knows everything..and is an Animagus too?"
"What?! Call her...what are you talking about Sirius?" James said startled.
"Well..I mean..for her to.." he looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, "join the Marauders.." he whispered.
James looked upset, "She won't..she can't!" he said forcefully.
"Why not?!" Sirius said taken aback by James's reaction.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lupin said not looking away from his book, "He's protective of Erica..he doesn't want anything to happen to her.."
"Oh...well James you don't have to worry about that! We'll look after her..besides she has already proven she can get away with anything!"
"Lupin?!" James looked to Lupin for support.
"Why not let Erica decide?" he suggested.
James sighed, "I already know what her answer will be.."
"Then can we name her?" Sirius asked hopefully.
"Sure, yeah. I guess it would be fun to have her in the 'group'" James admitted.
"Good." Sirius beamed.
"Well, she said she was a unicorn..right?"
"Yup." Sirius nodded.
"I'm named after my antlers, Prongs, so she should be named after her horn.."
"I like the name Spiral.."Lupin said out of no where.
"Have you been planning to name her?" James laughed.
"No, I just thought..you antlers are like prongs and a unicorns horn is like a spiral. So it makes sense."
"Sounds good to me.."
"I like it!" Peter nodded vigorously.
"And maybe she can come out on our.. 'romps' through the woods." Sirius smiled.
"Maybe.." James said doubtfully.
"Let's go down stairs to breakfast, I'm starving!" Moody said abruptly.
They went down to the Great Hall and met Erica at the Gryffindor table. They all sat around her and began to fill their plates.
"Hi, Spiral!" Peter laughed.
"Hmm?" she asked through a mouth full of toast.
"Your one of us now." James explained.
"Ah..." she said thoughtfully, "What an honor."
"What's wrong?" Sirius asked concerned.
"Look.." she nodded over at the Slytherin table. Snape was stabbing at his plate violently with his fork.
"And? What about that git?" Moody asked curiously.
She turned to Sirius and talked quietly to him. The others didn't even notice.
"I don't think we were alone last night..." she muttered quietly.
"You mean..you think he was watching us?!" Sirius started to stand but Erica quickly pulled him back down.
"It's possible. We weren't exactly careful after we left the castle. Anyone could have seen us from an upper floor, easily."
"Why does Snape's temper bother you?"Sirius snorted glaring at him.
"Because..rage is a powerful thing Sirius, people do reckless things when their upset.." She said ominously.
Sirius thought about this for a while. Most guys in the school thought Erica was very pretty and would want to go out with her too. Could Snape be jealous? Sirius didn't even think Snape had a heart for that kind of thing..only for the Dark Arts.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked her calmly.
"Stay away from him, and if he says anything to you..walk away. No matter what." she said firmly, looking him in the eye.
"Sure.."
"No.. swear it.."
"Why?"
"I don't want you to get hurt or in trouble.." she said taking his hand.
"Ok, ok..I swear."
Erica raised her eyebrows but said nothing more about it.
During the 4th class of the day, History of Magic, with Professor Manger James had begun to taunt Snape. Class started with Snape resembling a turnip, by color at least. (red)
"I don't think you should do that Prongs.."Sirius warned.
"Man, my sis is changing you! Where's your good old sense of adventure and danger?"
"With Erica..." he muttered so James couldn't hear. He said nothing for the rest of class.
During class James appeared to be making a plan to get Snape..another trick. Sirius would have to stop James before he did something really stupid. At the end of class Snape headed down a deserted hallway.
"Excellent!" James hissed hiding behind a pillar.
"James!" Sirius said desperately, "We..we have to get to Herbology in 5 minutes!" he lied.
"This will only take a second Black." James muttered over his shoulder as he crept after Snape.
As James came out from behind a pillar further down the hall to attack, Snape whirled around and shouted "Expelliarmus!". James's wand went flying out of his hand and he was flung into the opposite wall by the force of the spell. Sirius gripped with rage drew his own wand and charged at Snape.
"Your asking for twice as worse Black!" Snape shouted hoarsely.
"Why?" Sirius seethed enraged. He was fighting the impulse to fight and listen to Erica at the same time.
"You...her...!" Snape sputtered, shaking.
"She's a Potter! She would sooner die then be with you! And why like her?! You hated her after she outscored you on the Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L's!!!"
"St...still!" Snape raved on.
"And on top of being hideous, your in Slytherin! She hates you little forked tongued ...." Sirius was flung back by a spell that he never even saw coming. The energy of the blast burned his skin, he flew several feet to the floor and lay still on the cold stone floor.
"How do you know what she want's!" Snape spat.
James was recovering and tried to stand and attempted to say something, but it only sounded like some curse words slurred together.
"Wash your mouth!" Snape snarled with laughter as he shouted "Scourgify" pointing his wand at James's face. Bubbles began to pour from James's mouth .
Sputtering, James dropped onto all fours and looked for his wand.
"Accio wand!" Snape said smoothly.
James's wand shot out of his reach and landed in Snape's hand.
"Not so tough without your wand or your friends are we, hmm?" he taunted. Snape began to circle James like a predator going in for the kill.
"Why are..you doing..this?" James panted, spitting out soap.
"Revenge, you fool! Revenge! After all you've done to me! You thought I would take it laying down? Never! Here I make my stand! And I'm not finished with you...you'll be lucky to be even able to walk after this!"
"Reducto!"
James staggered backwards, his foot catching a step to a staircase leading down to the 2nd floor. James fell and tumbled down the steps. When he hit the last step a loud crack of bones could be heard. James lay there unconscious.
Looking around, Snape thought for a moment. He then ran off and returned a few moments later, "You see!" Snape was explaining to Professor Banner who he was leading to the scene, "Potter mush had fallen down the stairs..I found Black upstairs not far way..they must have been dueling..."
Professor Banner sneered, "Well...yes..right you appear to be..Go warn Madam Poller that I'm bringing them.."
"As you wish." Snape said with a respectful nod to Professor Banner and started towards the hospital wing with the most triumphant smile on his face.
Later that day, with much healing, James was released from the hospital wing with a splint for his arm. Sirius was still too badly hurt to be released. Snape's spell had hit him dead center in the chest so he was having trouble breathing.
Limping down the hall to the Gryffindor common room he mused on what had happened, anb how Sirius had warned him...
"James!" Peter shrieked like a worried mother, as he passed the portrait. "What happened?!" He asked in shock.
James painfully sat down in a chair close to the fire and sighed heavily, "Snape..." he muttered rubbing his head, "Where's Moony?" he asked after looking around.
"Full moon..." Moody said looking out the window, "He has been out there for about and hour or so already.
"We better go then..." he said looking at Peter who nodded and stood too.
Taking the invisibility cloak they headed out to the Whomping Willow.
By the time they got to the tree James's limp had improved a little and his muscles were allowing more movement.
Moody got a long stick and prodded the knot. The tree instantly froze and allowed them to go towards it.
They quickly shifted into their Animagus forms and went into a tunnel that lead to the Shrieking Shack. Lupin was curled up in the corner snarling.
"Hey, Lupin!" James said in the animal language they used when in this form.
Lupin growled a hello and went up to them, his tail wagging a little.
"Where..Black?" he growled in the same language except his 'voice' was very deep and slow.
"Hurt, he's in the hospital wing.." James explained.
Lupin nodded, "Let's..go!" he headed towards the door and went outside where he romped playfully in the grass. The others followed, Peter being the last to leave because he was the slowest in Animagus form.
Moody's panther form followed casually. Lupin stopped for a moment and looked at Moody, "You no usually come!"
"Just taking Blacks place for today." Moody growled in response.
Lupin looked at him for a long moment, then shrugging went on romping through the tall grass.
After about an hour they froze at the sound of distant thudding that was getting closer.
"What do we do if it's a person?" Moody asked.
"...chase Lupin off..and hope for the best.." James replied as he strained to hear what was approaching.
"You left without me!" came a whinny.
"What?" Peter squeaked.
Erica's unicorn form came galloping up to them, and then came to a plowing stop in front of them sending dirt into the air. She then snorted releasing puffs of steam into the cool air.
"Hey, Spiral..we were worried you were someone else!" Peter chattered.
Lupin bounded up to her and sniffed her nose and batted playfully at her horn.
"Come on..let's move into the forest before were seen." Moody said glancing towards the castle.
They all raced towards the forest. Erica got there first being faster and stronger and able to plow threw the snow easily. James couldn't even keep up with her.
A few hours later, as the night came to an end, they headed back to the Whomping Willow. They only had an hour before Lupin would change back into a man.
None of them noticed someone moving in the shadows of the castle moving to the trees.
Once they were inside the spy ran quickly towards the tree with a long handle of a broom in his hand. Staying low he poked the trees knot.
The tree stopped it's threatening moments and fell still.
The spy slowly followed the tunnel that lead to the Shrieking Shack.
James didn't hear anything till he heard the creaking of the stairs leading up to the room they were in. Wormtail went to go investigate.
Lupin raised his head and began to growl the hair on his back rising. He bore his teeth and his claws began to sink into the wood of the floor.
"That can't be a good sign..." Erica snorted, backing into the corner furthest from Lupin, her hooves making hollow thudding sounds that seemed to echo through the shack.
The door behind James's stag form flew open. Peter scurried between the feet of the intruder, who didn't even notice.
"Well, well, well. A nice club meeting of the idiots. A stag..probably Potter..A panther, Alasor.." Snape smiled in triumph, "And a filthy little rat, Pettigrew.." He looked at the dark brown unicorn with bright brown eyes in the corner, "And the other Potter.." he sneered, Erica tossed her mane and glared at him, "And...and...and..." Snape's eyes had fallen on the werewolf who was snarling in his own corner. Lupin drew himself his full height, drooling and snarling. He gave a mighty snarl.
"GET OUT OF HERE SNAPE!" James yelled, as he returned to his human form.
Lupin lunged, teeth bared. Before Snape could even respond James jumped at him too and knocked him out of the doorway. James then dragged Snape out of the Whomping Willow and ran with him.
Lupin flew after them with a unicorn, rat and panther following. Lupin easily caught up with James and Snape, but Erica was running beside him easily keeping stride.
In a instant James was a stag again and charged, antlers down, at Lupin. Lupin came to a skidding stop and avoided James.
"Man flesh! Move!" Lupin howled, enraged.
James put himself between Snape and Lupin again brandishing his antlers. Erica circled around and stood next to James swinging her horn threateningly.
"No Lupin!" she whinnied forcefully.
Lupin shaking with eagerness and rage tried to charge past his friends, but failed. Giving a roar of rage he plowed into James knocking him over. Snape frozen with fear was just standing there. Lupin rushed at him and when he was only two feet away jumped. In midair Erica smashed into him, they both landed in a heap of snarling and shrieking neighs.
The sky began to get lighter, but still Lupin was going to remained in his werewolf form until the sun rose, so he continued to fight.
Snape finally started running towards the castle. Lupin still desperate to kill, slipped under Erica and rushed at Snape again. This time Erica made a more violent move. Leaping forward she grabbed Lupin's tail in her teeth and threw him into the air behind her. Turning she charged at Lupin who was already recovering from his fall. Giving a yelp, Lupin turned tail and ran from her. She chased Lupin all the way to the edge of the Forbidden forest where he began to change in mid stride. Howling in pain Lupin transformed.
Erica looked back to see where Snape had gone, but found that he was gone.
Lupin looked around looking confused, "Wha..what happened?" he asked rubbing his shoulder.
James, Moody, Peter and Erica quickly transformed.
"Forget that! We gotta get back to the castle!" James said desperately, turning they quickly ran back to the Gryffindor common room.
The next few days went by poorly for everyone (mostly because of O.W.Ls), but what amazed the Marauders most was that Snape said nothing about the attack. They had expected Snape to be rattling it off to the whole school. But there was only the normal stress of the exams.
"I guess we should be calling it a good thing.."Lupin said quietly in the boys dormitory.
"No.." Erica said seeming a bit detached, "This means he has something on us now..he can tell anyone that we're Animagus and that Lupin's a werewolf."
"She's right.." James admitted, coming to the window that Erica was standing at. He watched some first years run from some Slytherin bullies. James actually found himself feeling good that he had saved Snape's life. Yes, James hated Snape and vice versa but James would never kill him.
"Too bad I missed it.." Sirius said regretfully from his bed. Sirius was still recovering from Snape's attack but was defiantly doing much better. All Sirius had now was damaged pride. "Don't be."Peter said shuddering from the memory.
It would be time to go home soon. They would recover from the mayhem over the summer, and plan next years destruction.
Sighing, Erica went to her own dormitory to finish packing her things. She smiled as she picked up a picture (that moved inside) of her and Sirius in the snow 4 months ago. Sirius was on her right with his arm around her and she was making bunny ears behind his head. A lot had happened in just those 4 months. What else would have to change before there was no more trouble..or pain?
Snape sat under a tree by the lake, staring out at the glass like water. A faint breeze blew trough his shoulder length hair, as he mused on pass events.
He had longed to tell the shool what had happened but whan he had gone to the headmaster he had told him to never say anything about it, to keep it a secret.
Angry Snape stood and hurled a rock he had been holding, into the lake. Shaking he walked closer to the water edge, and looked down at his reflection.
He felt sick, humiliation burning his face. He'd been a fool, an idiot. He had been too hungry for revenge..he had lost control.
"Potter will pay.." Snape hissed at his reflection. James would suffer more..for all the things he had done to him over the years. This had only been the first step, but next year.....
But then Snape's reflection smiled sickly back at him.
"But how do you get revenge on people who saved your life?" he muttered, smiling sadly at the rippling waters.