Author Note: Hey guys! Time for a Snape narrated chapter. I want to thank everyone that has reviewed; it makes me very happy to get feedback. The next chapters will still be coming though maybe slower now that I'm going back to school. So, I apologize in advance for making you wait!

A roaring fire was burning in the grate of the Slytherin common room but Severus Snape didn't feel it at all. Sitting at the opposite side of the room secluded in one of the many dark corners Severus hardly noticed any amount of warmth was even being supplied to the room. Head bent over books Severus scribbled onto a roll of parchment furiously. He thought perhaps is he spend enough time working on his class assignments everything else in his brain would have no room to trouble his thoughts.

"Did you see that James Potter today?"

The voice of a young Slytherin girl floated toward Severus' ears and his quill stopped.

"Oh, yeah, and Sirius Black."

"Yeah, they're cute ones."

"Drop dead handsome you mean!"

"For Gryffindors." The girl's voice turned sour at her last word.

In the corner Snape's hand tightened on the quill he was holding bending it near breaking point. It seemed he could never get away from them; their names even crept into his own common room. Potter and Black, the two people he most wanted to see drown at Hogwarts wouldn't go away even when they weren't physically there. Everyone talked about them, how wonderful they were and all Severus wanted to do was hex them into dust. Unfortunately no one else seemed to share his position. No other Slytherins in his year stood up against them or would be caught dead helping him in doing so. No need for anyone to risk their own hides and get involved in the Potter/Snape war.

Still, by now, none of this surprised Severus anymore, not that it ever did. However, he still wished that at least the common room could be free of talk of the likes of them. (Purebloods of the best house should know better). Then again, why would he ever get anything he wanted.

It was partly because of something he wanted that Severus couldn't stand the mention of Potter or Black. With Potter and Black came the fact that it wasn't just Potter and Black but that there were four of them. When it came down to it, it wasn't either of the more famous members of the foursome but rather one that was rarely spoke of that sparked Severus' interest.

Severus wasn't blind, he knew what his emotions were; he kept them closely guarded enough to know exactly what he was feeling long before most people that just let their own run wild did. Thus, Severus knew that he was highly attracted to, possibly in love with one member of the Gryffindor quartet, Remus Lupin. He was one rarely noticed by most of the school, with such friends it was hardly surprising. However, when ever any one of all of those Gryffindors were around it was only Remus that he could think of.

The fact alone that Remus would not leave Severus' head infuriated him. He knew what his emotions were but he could not control their course. Thus he was stuck, no matter how hard he tried to change it, on a half-blood Gryffindor boy. Severus really couldn't stand it. These feelings made him want to stab his wand right through someone's, preferably a Gryffindor's, throat and if he could Severus most certainly would have by now. Of all the people at Hogwarts why did Severus' emotions have to rest on Remus Lupin?

Fortunately this attachment of his did not stop Severus from wanting the Gryffindor foursome, Potter and Black in particular, expelled by any means. In fact it only fueled his desire. If Remus was no longer around perhaps his adoration for the other would fade. After all, there was no way Severus would ever admit his affections to anyone, least likely Remus.

"Snape!"

Severus' eyes focused on the world around him again searching for the source of his name. He found it issuing from the lips of Lucius Malfoy once again as the said seventh year walked over to his seat in the corner.

"Snape." Lucius sat in a vacant chair across from Severus. "Hiding in a corner again?"

"Working." Severus said, indicating the books before him.

"As always." Malfoy said with a smile made of liquid charm.

Snape nodded curtly. For awhile they just sat in silence, looking out of their dark seclusion onto the fire lit common room. It seemed to Severus that patience was a common Slytherin trait when it came to things that mattered. Severus knew Malfoy wanted to talk, but it was his lead, so Severus stayed silent. Finally, Malfoy turned regally to look at Severus.

"So, have you given any thought to our previous conversation?"

"Of course I have." He replied.

Severus knew that was exactly why Lucius had sought him out again. Malfoy wanted a decision, something to tell him which side Severus was on, that was obvious. However, Malfoy didn't push. He simply waited for Severus to speak again and that Severus appreciated. Unlike some of his fellow class mates that jumped head long, Gryffindor-like, into any situation that seemed to bode advancement or position for them, Severus was more cautious. He liked to see all his options on the table before he dove into one.

"I have thought about what you said before." Snape said, breaking the stillness. "However, I have questions."

"Of course," Lucius replied. "It's only natural."

"First of all, why me? What special thing to I have to offer?"

Lucius nodded as if he had expected just that question.

"Severus," Malfoy used his first name. "There's no end to the things you can offer. You're a pureblood, you know the importance and the good of what he wants to accomplish. I know you are well versed and quite interested in the dark arts or else I wouldn't have come to you. Not to mention your unmatched potions skills. You're a good and powerful wizard Snape; one of the better ones of this school. Your abilities speak for themselves and what you can offer."

Severus nodded. He'd expected a speech such as this and hearing it only made it more real.

"Snape, it's a good calling." Lucius continued again. "Someone needs to clean up our world and put it back to the way it should be. Changes need to be made."

"I understand." Severus responded. "Mudbloods and purebloods shouldn't mix. There need to be standards."

Severus felt like he was talking almost to himself until he glanced over at Lucius, reminded that the other was there. Malfoy was smiling slyly at him.

"And he can teach you, Severus, teach you things you'll never find in a book here."

"I know." Severus replied.

It was this that sparked his interest in Lucius' offer most. This was a chance to learn about and see that area of magic which fascinated him most of all. This seemed to be one thing he wanted that he could get.

--X--

I will not hex fellow students.

I will not hex fellow students.

I will not hex fellow students.

Severus put down his quill at number 221 and rubbed his hand. Looking down at his parchment Severus wondered on the professors' sanity. Surly, they were smart enough to realize that writing lines in detention didn't do a damn thing to change how students acted?

"Can't handle writing, Snape?"

Severus turned to glare at the boy sitting in the row next to him.

"Swallow your quill, Black." He responded.

"I want silence from you four!" Yelled Professor McGonagall from the front of the room.

With a last sneer, Severus returned to his lines.

I will not hex fellow students.

I will not hex fellow students.

As he wrote Severus glanced up at the other three members of his detention party, three Gryffindors and one Slytherin, a classic gathering. The four of them had all landed in detention after Black and himself had had a bit of a hex sharing in the hall, Pettigrew contributing as cheerleader and Lupin just watching from the back. The simple spat had escaladed some causing Professor McGonagall to intervene and punish all 'offending' parties involved. Amazingly, Potter had not been around, probably chasing after that mudblood.

Looking over at Black, Severus noticed him muttering down at a mirror in his lap.

Severus snorted and whispered, "I should have known, in love with your own reflection, Black? Feel the need to talk to it?"

Sirius jerked his head to look at Severus, stuffing the mirror in his robes' pocket.

"Stuff it, Snivellus. At least my reflection can be looked at without breaking the mirror."

"Ahem!"

Both looked up to the front then back to their parchment. In front of Sirius, Peter turned around briefly.

"She's gonna give you another detention."

"Turn around." Sirius snapped quietly, pushing the other's shoulder.

Severus saw Remus shake his head without turning around.

I will not hex fellow students.

I will hex fellow students.

Severus stopped and crossed out the line. He couldn't concentrate on the monotonous task of writing 500 lines of the same thing. Still, he pressed on, the sooner he was done the sooner his hand wouldn't feel like it was in a vice.

I will not hex fellow students.

I will not hex fellow students.

I will not

Severus raised his eyes from not hexing again, this time they looked straight ahead of him at Lupin's back. These were the only times, turned backs and sparsely populated rooms, when Severus dared look. He hated himself for the fact that he looked at all. He wanted to ignore his feelings, push them away, not look, not feel this need, but he couldn't. No matter how much he tried to force his eyes in other directions they always gravitated back to the same light brown fluffy hair and sloping shoulders. What could he do? Remus Lupin was beautiful, no comparison to the over-shinned or rough arrogant looks of his Gryffindor cohorts Potter and Black. Remus was just beautiful, from all angles, and he couldn't look away. Getting Remus expelled would definitely end up being the only option.

Realizing that he's been staring far too long, Severus forced his gaze back down at his parchment.

I will not hex fellow students.

I will not hex Remus Lupin.

Remus Remus Remus Remus Lupin

This change in his lines only half surprised Severus and he sighed at his own idiocy. Couldn't he control himself enough to write properly?

Suddenly he heard a half strangled growl from beside him. Turning his head in annoyance he saw Sirius Black glaring spears tipped with poison at him. Severus' brow furrowed in aggravated confusion until he noticed Sirius also glaring at the parchment before himself. One second away from making a comment about Sirius minding his own damn business Severus noticed Black's parchment. Remus' name was written on it over a dozen times in varying styles and with that comprehension dawned on Severus.

Severus' lip curled in anger. Sirius Black, feel the same way he did? For some reason this made Severus more angry than any other thing those Gryffindors had ever done to him did. He wanted to jump over to Black's chair and strangle him right there in detention. From the looks of it Black felt the same way.

"I don't believe it," Severus spoke so softly only Sirius could hear. "You, Black, Mr. Don Juan?"

"Don't you ever dare touch him or even speak to him." Sirius growled impulsively.

Severus' eyes narrowed, not that he ever planned to follow through on his emotions, but Sirius had no justification to control his actions at all. Plus, if he wasn't going to be with Remus then there was no way in hell Black was.

"Protective are we? Like you even deserve him."

Severus was a bit surprised with himself to speak of Remus in terms of more exalted status. However, Sirius seemed to be more focused on the slight against his person, typical self-centered arrogance.

"Better chance than you, like you're ever looked twice at by anyone, least of all him!" his voice was getting louder.

Severus was about to reach for his wand so he could blast Black's teeth out but just then Peter swung around in his chair.

"What are you goin' on about?"

Before Sirius could reply Remus abruptly stood up from his chair and walked to the front of the classroom.

"I've finished, professor."

He handed her his layers of parchment.

"Thank you, Mr. Lupin. You may go."

As they all watched Remus walk gracefully like a mist out the door Severus half wondered if Lupin had heard anything of what he and Black had said.

Sharing one last death glare with the other Severus returned his gaze firmly to his parchment. Now he had a new war to fight.

--X--

Severus slowly chewed his toast at breakfast. It was eggs today and in his opinion eggs were one of the most disgusting things on the planet, eating wise that was.

"Hey, Snape?"

Severus turned with exasperated eyes to the boy next to him.

"Yes, Avery?"

"Did you do your potions homework?"

"No, I burned it."

Avery blinked at him dumbly. "Why?"

Snape groaned. "You're an idiot."

"What… you mean…"

"Shut up, you sack of lard."

Avery turned away back to his breakfast still looking befuddled.

Severus shook his head at the severely lacking insult he had just used and took another piece of toast. Thoroughly spreading jam on it Severus soon found his eyes traveling to the Gryffindor table. Through a gap between two Hufflepuff girls Severus saw Remus sitting beside Potter, fortunately facing his way. Remus' hair was falling gracefully in his face and he seemed to be listening to Potter and Black talk. If Severus focused all his attention on that point he could hear their voices above everyone else's in the great hall.

"…finally get some fun." Black was speaking. "Enough boring charms…"

"…no potions." It was Peter. "Feels like forever… didn't do essay… yours?"

Severus strained to hear clearly then rolled his eyes at himself, questioning his own sanity for deeming it necessary to hear a conversation between Gryffindors he hated across the room. Then he heard Remus' voice over the din and his heart tried to rise through his throat.

"…can't study with you tonight." Remus was addressing Frank Longbottom who was standing behind him. "I have to visit my mother… sick… special permission."

With the greatest effort Severus forced his eyes back onto his jam covered toast, refusing to listen any longer; he shouldn't have wanted to listen anyhow.

Once again Remus was leaving Hogwarts for a night or two. Severus had noticed that year and ones past that Remus disappeared on and off for assorted random reasons throughout the school term. Severus was never privy to all the reason for Remus' absences but it still seemed rather suspect to him. How could one student get special permission to leave school or get sick so often? He'd never heard of such a thing before. Severus had called Lupin on it in the past but usually it had just led to another of his many hexing battles with Potter.

"Hey, Snape." Avery was speaking again. "Did you do that charms assignment?"

Severus didn't bother to answer only glanced across the room again. Seeing the Gryffindor quartet rising from their table Severus chomped down his last piece of jam toast and rose to meet them at the great hall doors. Avery got up with him, seemingly still in hope of charms assignment help.

Almost at the door Longbottom was still speaking to Remus.

"Is she really that sick?"

Remus coughed, sounding a bit reluctant to talk. "She'll be ok. I just need to go see her."

"Leaving again Lupin?" Severus yelled to the Gryffindors. "You'd think your whole family was going to kick it with the amount of emergencies you disappear for."

"Stuff it, Snape." Sirius growled menacingly, Severus smiled ruefully at his protective nature. "Are you saying he's lying?"

"Just a little curious isn't it, Lupin leaving or being absent so often from school."

"Just shove it, Snape." Lupin said half heartedly. "Come on guys."

"Keep to your own 'curiousness' Snivellus." Potter said, glaring. "Not any of your business, is it?"

"Why so defensive? Got something to hide?"

Next to Potter Severus thought he saw Black's lips curve in a sly smile but as he blinked it was gone.

"Why? Do you?" Remus snapped and stalked out the doors, the other three Gryffindors following.

Half of Severus' brain worried if Remus knew what he had said really meant.

As they walked Severus heard Black whisper to Peter beside him. "Why doesn't he go under the Whomping willow if he's so curious and find out for himself where Remus goes, like he could get past it."

"But Sirius, it's easy. Press the knot at the bas-"

Sirius cut Peter off, whacking him in the chest. They subversively glanced back at Severus then assuming he hadn't heard, they continued on after Potter and Lupin.

Severus stood dumbfounded at the great hall entrance with what he'd just heard. He's always thought Lupin's absences were a little strange and maybe false but he never really thought he'd be right! Questions started to fill Severus' head but a tap on his shoulder interrupted their complete formation.

"Snape, we've got to go to Potions."

Looking over at Avery who has spoken Severus walked out the door and toward the dungeons.

Severus hardly noticed the other students that skirted by or the path he was walking to class, his mind was so loud with thoughts he couldn't concentrate on anything else. What was beneath the Whomping willow? Was it a tunnel out of Hogwarts? Was it a secret classroom or was it a laboratory? Were there things hidden underneath that tree? Severus suddenly has the image of a huge underground room with walls of books, cauldrons, and glass jars, a dirt floor and tables covered in dragon hide.

Also what was Remus going down there? Why Remus? Did he go somewhere out of Hogwarts down there? What was so important that he has to use a hidden room or tunnel or whatever was down there?

Perhaps Remus was getting private lessons. Severus shook his head, if it was private lessons he could use a classroom, unless of course the lessons were for an illegal subjects. Maybe Remus was learning about the dark arts in the depths below the earth. Still, Lupin didn't really seem the type. On the other hand you never could tell with the quiet ones and Remus was fairly secretive. Perhaps he was having secret training. He could be learning to be an animangus or to apparate. Also, was Remus alone when he went below the Whomping willow or did me meet someone?

It took Severus a bit too long to realize that he had walked all the way down to the dungeons and was in the potions classroom. Taking his seat beside Nott, Severus glanced over at Remus sitting two tables forward with Pettigrew. Lupin didn't seem like the underhanded type to Severus. Perhaps he really was allowed to be disappearing as he did, Severus wouldn't put it past their muggle loving headmaster. Still, it seemed so secretive to Severus that it had to be against the rules.

Severus watched Remus' back through most of the class, as if some subtle movement of the Gryffindor would reveal his secret. This was the most he had ever looked at the other over a period of time but he had put discretion aside. Whatever it was that Lupin was up to could very likely be punishable, maybe even grounds for expulsion and part of Severus relished in the idea of seeing the foursome knocked down by loosing one of its members. Getting any one of them expelled would be a major victory for him.

Of course there was the other part of Severus which thought the idea of Remus being expelled was the worst thing to ever grace his mind. Severus hoped the previous of the two parts would win out. Plus, if Remus was doing something against the rules it would be only fair that he be brought to justice.

--X--

Standing in the shadows by the front doors Severus was still deliberating. His battling brain had narrowed down his options. One half said go under that tree, find out where Lupin went and what he did then get him expelled. However, another rather insistent part of his head had come up with the hair brained idea of telling Remus how he felt. Maybe Remus would understand, be sensible and not hex him. He seemed like a calm, rational person. Plus if the attempt failed Severus could still get Lupin expelled. Damn his confounding logic. There was also a small wicked part of him that relished the thought of snogging Lupin senseless.

Stepping out of his hiding space Severus moved resolutely towards the doors, only to see them open. Stowing himself back into shadow hoping to be passed without sight he saw Madam Pomfrey walk by from the entrance. Severus' brow creased but he decided not to add Madam Pomfrey to his wonder list.

Once again emerging from the shadows Severus slipped outside onto the moonlit grounds. He'd wished the moon might have been masked by clouds to hide his creeping but the sky was clear and bright. He hoped no one looked out the window and spotted some black robes moving across the lawn.

Severus sighed as he walked, rounding the edge of the castle nearing the Whomping willow. He was getting doubts now. Remus really wasn't a bad person, did he deserve to get in trouble or be expelled? Was he doing anything against the rules at all?

"He's a Gryffindor…" Severus muttered to himself. "A half-blood Gryffindor…" He sighed. "They all deserve it."

Still, he thought, how could a sweet gorgeous, maple haired boy like that deserve any harm or upset at all? How could something so perfect deserve it?

Severus shook his head violently.

"Stop it!" He yelled at himself.

He couldn't think like that. The four Gryffindors, all four, should be punished and expelled, end of story.

Coming up on the mysterious tree Severus looked around for a stick to press the knot Pettigrew had talked about. Finding one long enough to protect himself from the swinging limbs Severus looked around for this knot. On the third try he seemed to have found it as the tree's bone breaking motion suddenly stopped. Rather surprised Severus crept close to the trunk and saw the dark entrance that had appeared. Stepping down Severus soon found himself enveloped in darkness.

"Lumos."

A beam of light appeared before him guiding his path through the tunnel. Severus walked with an argument raging in his head. Why should he try to get Remus expelled? Why not? Why shouldn't he tell Remus how he felt? Why should he let a gap in his shield appear and give an enemy Gryffindor the way in? Why is Remus an enemy? Why wouldn't he be? Why shouldn't he take a chance? Why show weakness? Why couldn't good come out of telling Remus he loves him? Love?

Severus stopped his thoughts there and decided that he would pick a course of action when he found Lupin. Coming up on the end of the tunnel Severus saw a battered looking door with large cracks of missing wood at the top and bottom. He heard what sounded like movement behind the door, a scraping noise. Turning the handle Severus pulled the door towards him self and looked inside.

"Oh my God…"

--X--

"He's a werewolf!"

"He wasn't supposed to be out on the grounds!"

"They tricked me!"

"He was trying to get Remus expelled!"

"He is a werewolf!"

"He just wanted to make trouble!"

"That can't be allowed!"

"It's not his business!"

"He just wants to make people miserable!"

"They wanted to get me killed!"

"That's insane!"

"Then what were you trying to do?"

"He was eavesdropping!"

"He should have minded his own business!"

"You wanted me to hear!"

"Yeah, right!"

"I could have been killed!"

"He's exaggerating!"

"I am not!"

"Remus wouldn't hurt him!"

"He's a werewolf!"

"He shouldn't have been out after hours!"

"Neither should you!"

"I saved you!"

"You shouldn't have needed to!"

"You're lucky I did!"

"Like I'd even want your help!"

"See! He's ungrateful!"

"To be saved by you when you tired to get me killed in the first place?"

"Enough."

Severus, Black, and Potter had been shouting accusations across the headmaster's office for five minutes without halt. However, the headmaster's quiet voice somehow cut right through their shouts, silencing all three.

"I have the picture now gentlemen, you may relax your voices."

"Professor, he shouldn't have been outside."

"You tricked-"

Dumbledore raised a hand to silence them.

"Both sides are at fault here."

Severus sighed, sensing defeat on the horizon and let his mind wander.

He could vaguely hear Dumbeldore's words, the slow calm voice that always remained that way even when the worst seemed to happen, telling Potter and Black how they could be expelled, remarks about safety and leniency. It all only came as a whisper because Severus could only think of one thing. His mind was swimming with the vision of a full grown werewolf's eyes piercing his body and looking at him only as prey. Bright yellow eyes that leapt at him and disappeared in an instant behind a door as he felt himself yanked backwards, the brightest yellow eyes filled with an uncontained ferocity and hunger for his flesh. And what seemed to be penetrating his thoughts most of all was the tint of despair hiding behind the animal in those glowing eyes. However, what disturbed him above all was not that Remus was a werewolf, nor that he had just nearly died by Remus' hands but that despite all that had happened in the past hour Severus knew that his heart, his feelings toward Remus had not changed at all. He was still bound by every emotion he dared to feel to precious strings and bows of Remus Lupin.

"Now, I would suggest," Dumbledore's voice came through clearly again. "That all three of you return to your dormitories. I shall be speaking to your heads of house."

All three nodded simultaneously in silence and exited through the office door.

Severus was sure now that his hatred for the two Gryffindors had grown exponentially, Sirius for nearly getting him killed and Potter for saving him. He was in Potter's debt and he wanted to kill Black for it. He wasn't sure if it would have just been better to die than have himself be saved by that Gryffindor. Also Severus' and Black's mutual hatred and semi battle over the werewolf felt only intensified by the evening's events. For some reason Severus was sure that Remus did not know about the trick. The one good Severus found from his near death experience was that Remus would undoubtedly be quite irate with Black and the others for betraying his dark secret.

Parting ways with the Gryffindors, Severus and Black shared a glare. Sirius' plainly said, 'I don't care if you could have died,' while Severus' said 'I wish you would.' Walking down the stairs into the dungeons Severus grimaced. He was in a contest with Black, in debt to Potter, and still in love with Lupin. There had to be a way to fix this.