Author's Note: Remember that this is from Snape's PoV; and so things that Harry knows to be true - or feels - may not match up with what Snape perceives. (Re: The comment in a review about the fact that Harry wasn't about to laugh when the map was insulting Snape, and some of the events that happen in this scene.)
Additional Note: There is a minor - very minor (as in 'blink-and-you-might-miss-it) - spoiler for a certain event referenced in OotP here. Just an FYI...
Disclaimer in Part 1. All dialogue in this scene is taken from Chp. 14 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, copyright © J. K. Rowling 1999.
How had Potter got hold of this? Had Lupin given it to him?
Snape frowned as he thought rapidly. It would make sense, if Lupin was helping Black - of course they'd want to lure Potter out of the school! But Dumbledore would never believe him without proof...
Lupin was a somewhat better actor than Potter - as a werewolf, he'd had to be in order not to betray his secret. However, if he confronted Lupin in front of Potter, perhaps the reactions from one or the other of them would tell him what he needed to know.
Potter was still watching him apprehensively.
"So..." he said softly, keeping an eye on Potter's reactions as he did so. "We'll see about this..."
Walking over to the fireplace, he grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and tossed it into the fire. "Lupin! I want a word!" He did his best to keep his rage out of his voice - no sense warning the werewolf that there was something going on.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the confusion on Potter's face as Lupin arrived. Confusion because he'd never seen the workings of the Floo before, or because Snape had known to call Lupin?
"You called, Severus?" the werewolf asked, his tone the mild one that constantly succeeded in fooling people into thinking he was harmless. Snape felt his anger strengthen at the reminder of how thoroughly Lupin was able to fool others.
"I certainly did," he replied cuttingly, walking back over to his desk. "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this." Snape pointed at the parchment.
Lupin's expression tightened.
So... he does recognize it. "Well?" Snape demanded.
Lupin continued to stare at the parchment, and Snape recognized that he obviously had no intentions of admitting to anything. Not that that was a surprise, of course...
It was time to push, before the werewolf had too much of an opportunity to think up excuses.
"Well?" Snape repeated. "This parchment is plainly full of Dark Magic."
That wasn't necessarily true, of course; but even if they hadn't used Dark Magic in its construction - which was most likely, considering Black's prejudices during their school years - anything that held impressions of the mind of its creator - or creators, in this case - certainly came perilously close to being Dark Arts.
"This is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin," he continued bitingly. "Where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?"
Snape didn't miss the warning glance the werewolf shot at Potter. So, he did get it from you, did he, Lupin? Still playing the innocent, uninvolved role, are we? Pretending to be available to help, while doing nothing to hinder the enemy?
"Full of Dark Magic?" the werewolf asked in that oh-so-innocent tone of his. "Do you really think so, Severus?"
It was all Snape could do not to snap at the beast's temerity in using that particular tone on him, of all people, who was so well aware that Lupin was anything but innocent.
"It looks to me as though it is merely a piece of parchment that insults anybody who tries to read it. Childish, but surely not dangerous? I imagine Harry got it from a joke-shop--"
Snape was furious, and more certain than ever that Lupin was assisting Black. "Indeed?" he interrupted coldly. All three of them were well aware that it was no such thing. "You think a joke-shop could supply him with such a thing? You don't think it more likely that he got it directly from the manufacturers?"
"You mean, from Mr. Wormtail or one of those people?" Lupin's tone was still innocent, despite the fact that it should be obvious Snape knew he was not. "Harry, do you know any of these men?"
"No," Potter replied quickly.
"You see, Severus?" the werewolf continued. "It looks like a Zonko product to me--"
Before Snape could say anything else concerning the fact that he was well aware that Lupin was one of said manufacturers, much less point out the fact that Potter shouldn't have anything from Zonkos if he hadn't been in Hogsmeade, Weasley burst into his office. The boy was out of breath, having obviously run all the way from the village. All the more proof of what Potter had done, at least, as there was no other reason for Weasley to have cut his Hogsmeade visit short like this. How else would he know that Potter needed an alibi?
"I - gave - Harry - that - stuff," the redhead said, in between taking deep breaths in an obvious effort to recover from his run. "Bought - it - in - Zonkos - ages - ago..."
"Well!" Lupin exclaimed, clapping his hands and looking altogether too cheerful. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll take this back, shall I?" The werewolf didn't even give him a chance to protest, folding the parchment and slipping it into his robes. "Harry, Ron, come with me. I need a word with you about my vampire essay. Excuse us, Severus."
Snape could do nothing to stop them as the werewolf led Potter and Weasley out of his office, Potter avoiding his gaze completely. The only reassurance he had was that he was fairly certain Lupin wouldn't try anything with the Weasley boy around - not after having gone to so much trouble to make sure that he was well-liked by the students.
As soon as they were gone, Snape cast a Silencing Ward, and then proceeded to throw a set of empty glass vials against the wall. Childish, yes - but Dumbledore didn't respond well to displays of temper, and he was feeling so angry that he had to do something.
At least now I have some proof that Lupin isn't innocent in this, Snape thought grimly, as he took down the ward and strode out the door, walking in the direction of the headmaster's office. If he was, he would never have let Potter get off like that; in fact, considering his 'friendship' with... Potter's father, he would have been even angrier than I am at the danger Potter placed himself into - idiot boy that he is, going into Hogsmeade like that! That should, at least, convince Dumbledore that he needs to keep a much closer eye on that damned werewolf...
Additional Author's Note: Yes, Snape's discussion with Dumbledore will be the next part posted - but I have to re-read all of PoA first.