Chapter 7 : Vengeance and Pranks
Sirius abandoned his clothes on the floor, made sure he had his shampoo then stepped into the lukewarm shower. Monday again, he thought as he squirted shampoo onto his hands and smoothed it through his hair. And then his thoughts turned to the previous day. When he'd woken up on the Sunday morning, he'd remembered how Remus had collapsed in Hogsmeade. He'd gotten worried about him and had kept a close eye on the boy all day. Then he remembered how the boy had jumped under his touch more than once and he dwelled on the thought. There was something strange about the way Remus had been acting. Ever since..That's it, he realized. Since Peter and Jamie dared me to kiss him! But why...No! Surely he knows I'm straight! He probably freaked thinking I fancy him or something! I've never fancied a guy in my life, Sirius thought, everything now making sense. He also remembered the way Remus had reacted when he'd told him to shift over on his bed in the Hospital Wing to make room for him. Remus must think he fancied him! How stupid!
He made a resolution to make it clear to Remus that he didn't fancy him.Though he should already know, he thought with a frown. Had he not carried on with James too? Had James not realized that it was a joke? Yes, so why didn't Remus? And it wasn't him that had started it anyway. That had been James. With the comment of Sirius looking hot. That had been..something. Sirius had been the tiniest bit freaked out by it, but had soon decided that it was okay once James reassured him he didn't fancy him and was straight. Sirius had never had anything against gay people but he didn't think he'd have handled James fancying him. That would have been..weird. 'Cos he'd never return that feeling..he liked girls anyway. Ruin a perfectly good friendship, that would! Then wickedness spread through his mind as it more than occasionally did with Sirius.
Where was the harm in Remus thinking this? As long as Sirius never actually felt something for Remus, then there would be no problem. In fact it could probably be quite fun teasing Remus. He wasn't going to stay back from the boy more as he'd first thought, he'd maybe hang around him more!
So Sirius got out of the shower and walked out to the Marauders all waiting for him as usual to go to class. They all walked down and Sirius made a point of talking loads to Remus. He put his arm around his shoulder as they walked down the stairs and found much amusement in the way Remus flinched. Straight away, Sirius asked as innocently as he could, "What's up, Moony? Why so jumpy?" He was satisfied at the shock on Remus's face.
"N-nothing! I'm not!" Remus rushed and flushed. Can't wait to tell James this one! Aww, and Remus is too kind to say anything, Sirius thought, amused. Approaching the class, Sirius let his arm slip close to Remus's ass before taking it away from him. The boy flushed even more as he flinched, but he never said a word.
As soon as they walked in, they were told to partner up. All amusement was immediately lost when, after only ten minutes in the class, Snape decided to come over to annoy them.
"I like your potion", he said icily to Peter and Remus beside him. Remus was fine in potions by himself, but he did struggle a little on his own, never mind trying to keep Peter right too. "Oh. Wait. It's not actually supposed to be green, is it", he added venomously. Peter coloured and Remus just said, "No. It's not. Can be fixed though", and he added some extra powdered newt skin and the potion turned turquoise, as it was meant to be.
Sirius never knew how Remus could be so calm with Snape. He, himself always felt like wringing his scrawny neck and he knew James felt the same way. Snape's mouth twisted sourly as Sirius and James smirked at him.
"There was something different about Hogsmeade yesterday..I couldn't quite put my finger on it", James said, "It was...cleaner..Oh! Would that be because you weren't there?", he finished viciously and Sirius let out a bark of laughter, along with a few people from the class who were rapidly turning their attention to the bickering. Sirius heard Professor Reficul call from the front of the room that he was going to be out of the class for a couple of minutes and he left. This allowed the full class to turn their attention to the slagging match that was getting more and more heated.
Soon, all the Gryffindors were laughing at Snape, even Remus and Lily Evans, who normally didn't approve of it. The other Slytherins were crowded round too, not liking what was being said, but none of them wishing to go against the Marauders. Snape stood with his mouth open, having ran out of comebacks and looked around him like a caged animal.
Suddenly, an ugly smile appeared on his face and he looked slowly this time around the crowd and settled his eyes on Remus before hissing, "Well, Potter, Black, at least I don't hang around with a werewolf!" He looked pointedly at Remus.
Sirius couldn't believe he'd said that. Sound cut off at the words. It seemed everyone held their breaths and there was a sudden tension in the air that could have been cut with a knife. Sirius looked at Remus and saw he had paled and his eyes bulged in terror as he searched the faces of the crowd. The crowd had sent up gasps of shock and had instantly recoiled away from Remus. Their looks were of mingled fear and disgust. Sirius stood with his mouth wide open and looked quickly to James to see what he was doing. James only reflected his own shock.
Then, without warning, Remus ran from the class, banging the door tight behind him. They all stood still in silence for a few moments before a wild upsurge of words rang through the room. People were saying, 'Oh my God' and 'It can't be true" and Sirius knew he had to do something. He reached forward and pulled James and Peter away from the crowd.
Sirius heard the teacher reenter the class as he said, "James, go to Dumbledore and tell him what just happened", James nodded and looked as though he'd just came out of his trance at the words, "He can put a memory charm on the class. Go!" And he watched James run from the class. Professor Reficul was to be heard shouting in the background, both at the class and after James. Sirius turned to Peter, who was looking anxiously up at him, "Pete, I want you to stay here and make sure nobody else leaves the class. Okay?" Peter nodded so Sirius continued, "Right, I'm gonna go find Remus" and left, vaguely hearing Professor Reficul call, "Come back here, Black!"
He ran up the dungeon steps and at the top he realized he didn't know where Remus had gone. He bit his lip and decided to try the Dorm first. He ran all the way and by the time he reached the Common Room, he was out of breath. But he didn't care. He ran through the portrait hole and slowed only as he climbed the stone steps to the dormitory. He listened at the door for any telltale signs that Remus was there, and hearing none, he thought he probably wasn't. But when he opened the door, he found Remus sitting on his bed with his head on his knees that were drawn up close to his body and he had his arms around them, holding tight.
As Sirius approached him, Remus didn't look at him but said in a quivering voice, "Go, Sirius. I want to be alone". But Sirius continued to approach him. When he stopped at the bed, Remus looked up at him pitifully and Sirius noticed Remus was shaking and his face was ghostly white.
"Tough", and he sat beside him, "It'll be fine, Moony. James is away getting Dumbledore to put a memory charm on the class. They won't remember a thing". Remus, though looking a little relieved at the news, scoffed and looked to Sirius, who was now pressed against his side. Sirius took in how Remus's eyes looked watery.
"You saw how they looked at me though, didn't you? Like a freak..", Remus said and Sirius pulled him into a hug. He half expected him to flinch from the gesture, but Remus clung to Sirius like a child to it's mother. Sirius whispered reassurances into his ear of, 'They were just shocked is all', 'They don't matter' and 'you're not a freak, I think it's way cool'. Sirius hugged the boy for ages because Remus seemed to be calmed from it. Soon enough, he had Remy laughing and they sat, happy that they were missing a lesson of Reficul's.
Once Sirius thought it was safe enough, he brought Snape up. "I'm gonna get Snape for this.."
"No! Don't. He's not worth it, Siri", Moony said passionately. Sirius just shook his head, "It has to be done. I'm sure Prongs'll agree there. Snape will pay".
Remus looked mournfully at his sheets, realizing it was not a matter that Sirius would be swayed on. He must have known Sirius was not going to change his mind. Through the panic of it all, Sirius had forgotten to pretend to Remus he fancied him. He'd forgotten even thinking about it and Remus had stopped flinching every time he touched him anyway.
.--.
James worried through classes as Sirius and Remus failed to turn up. Dumbledore had successfully put forgetting spells on the class. It was a pity that Snape didn't have one put on him too, but he had been shocked and pleased to find that Lily Evans had actually put a hex on Snape and he'd been taken to the Hospital Wing before he and Dumbledore had arrived. The headmaster had said that he'd have a word with Snape and how he thought that it would be unnecessary to take away Snape's memory of Remus being a werewolf. He'd protested, of course, but the old Professor would have none of it. He decided he'd check their dorm at lunch time to see if they were there.
As he reached the door, he was relieved to hear laughing from inside and he stepped in to see Sirius sitting beside Remus on his bed. He couldn't help but think, Remus'll be enjoying that before announcing his presence by banging the door closed. He laughed as the pair on the bed jumped.
"D'you know Dumbledore wouldn't even get rid of that greasy git's memory", he said as he sat beside them.
"Well, he'll think twice before doing it again once we're done with him, eh Prongs?"
James smiled at his best mate, who had his trademark wicked grin plastered on his face. "Mmm hmm. How's tomorrow sound for some Snape pranks?"
"Sounds good to me", Siri said through a gorgeous grin and Remus announced that he, as usual, didn't want anything to do with it and left the room for Sirius and James to discuss it. They didn't bother going to their last classes as they planned their prank.
Remus wasn't looking forward to what Sirius and James were going to do to Snape. He didn't want them getting into trouble over him. Remus had sat looking to James and Sirius and watched as the two chatted animatedly during class in whispers. Part of him was excited, he must admit. When lunchtime came, Sirius and James almost ran up to the Great Hall. Remus wanted to see what they were going to do, so made sure he kept up with them.
They sat down and Remus saw how they stared almost unblinkingly at the entrance doors. They hadn't even bothered to say hello to Peter as he sat down with them. They never took their eyes off it and Remus saw the hunger in their maddened eyes as Snape walked in with Rosier, Wilkes, Avery and the Lestranges. The look they were giving him made the hairs on the back of Remus's neck stand on end and Snape seemed to have felt their penetrating stares too because he looked over suddenly before sitting. He seemed frightened and turned away straight after. Remus would have been scared too had that look been there for him. It worried him. What if they done something that would get them expelled?
"Please don't do anything! Or at least tell me what it is", Remus pleaded. The mad pair's eyes softened a little as they looked to each other, then to Remus.
"You'll see in a minute, Moony. It's all right, it's not something serious. Just a normal prank. We did think about other things, mind you...but I don't think any more than you do that Snape's worth being put in Azkaban for", Sirius said.
"Azkaban? What had you been planning before? I was thinking more along the lines of not wanting you expelled never mind sent to jail", Remus exclaimed. Sirius and James grinned to each other, madness returning in full force as they clearly thought of what they'd had planned before.
"Doesn't matter, Moony. This one's just a normal prank. Nothing even to be expelled over", James reassured him. Remus felt relieved. Just a normal prank. He would be fine with that. God, though! They must have been really mad at Snape to even consider going to that horrible wizard prison! This oddly comforted Remus, though he berated himself for it; he should never want his friends to risk that place for him.
James was turned around in his seat so he could easily glare over at Snape and Remus noticed how Snape kept giving darting glances to them, looking now and then to the door as though he may run through it any second. From beside him he heard Sirius suddenly mutter, "Verbum.." and James murmured, "..Rotulus" straight after it.
Remus looked over at Snape to see what they'd done. Nothing had happened. When Remus looked back at his friends, he found James had turned around and had started to eat his meal and then he looked at Sirius and saw he'd done the same. Remus thought briefly that it must not have worked. Then he remembered that Sirius and James had never been unable to perform a spell. So what had they done?
Remus waited for something to happen all during the meal. But Sirius and James sat and spoke normally through their food, with only small glances to the Slytherin table. Remus suspected this was to see when Snape was leaving. He wondered why nothing had happened and was just about to ask when Sirius stood up beside him and James followed suit. Remus looked to Snape. He hadn't moved so what were Siri and Jamie doing? He gave a worried scan of the teachers table and found everyone present. Were they going to do this thing, whatever it was, in front of all the professors? Remus and Peter, however, were the only ones to have noticed Sirius and James getting up, as a moment later, people began to rise from their seats to leave.
It was then that Sirius and James strode over to the Slytherin table. Remus followed and amongst the bustle, many surrounding students noticed the Marauders all striding purposefully toward the Slytherin table and had also joined in following.
Snape looked up as Sirius and James stopped at the table, staring, again almost unblinkingly. Snape sunk low in his seat and the people around them formed a ring around the table. While James continued to give a stony glare to Snape, Remus was worried by the grin that filled Siri's face. It was not a fun grin, it was slightly scary.
Sirius looked down the crowd, taking his eyes off Snape for the first time as James continued staring.
"So, Snivellus", looking back at him and slowly saying," Somebody told us that you fancied Professor Lorinov..It's not true is it?" and some people laughed nervously in the line of watchers. Snape looked to Sirius with a look that clearly said, 'don't be absurd' but shocked everyone when he said, "Yes! In fact, I love him!"
What? People burst out laughing and Sirius gave a wry smile. Snape had clutched a hand to his mouth and had stared wide-eyed at James and then down the crowd and shook his head wildly. Remus knew then that James was holding the spell over him and that was why he wasn't speaking. He must be controlling what he said.
"Well, absolutely shocking news", Sirius said dripping sarcasm and people were in fits of laughter, "Well, Snivelly, me and Jamie here have a bet on see. I'd like you to settle a score for us"
"Anything dear", came Snape's voice from behind his hand and Sirius shot a scornful look to James. Remus couldn't help but laugh at this. James had obviously made Snape say that but it seemed that nobody else had clicked on that Snape was unable to control his words. Sirius looked disgusted that James had made Snape say that, but turned his attention back to Snape.
"Well, don't ever call me that again", more sniggers, "Well, I bet that you wash once a month, but Jamie here thinks its only once every season..Well?" Everyone looked at Snape, who was trying to clamp his mouth shut with his hands. As he was about to speak, something saved him from answering. Another voice.
"What on Earth is going on here", came the waspish drawl of Reficul. A few people scattered, but when Remus looked at Sirius and James, they did not look at all concerned. But there was a difference. Sirius was now staring stony faced at Snape, while James stood in front of him with a wide smile, blocking Siri from Reficul's view. Now Remus was worried.
Nothing short of terror crossed Snape's face as James piped up, "Oh, Sir! But Snape was just talking about you! Now, Severus, tell dear Mr Reficul what sweet things you had to say about him". Snape was shaking his head again and people in the crowd held their breath, not wishing to miss his answer. Snape's hand slipped.
"I was saying what a slimy, greasy, crappy teacher you were and how much I hate your guts!", Snape's voice came in a hiss, magnified by the silence. He shook his head wildly so Remus was sure it would fly across the hall any second. Remus looked to Reficul and saw he was flabbergasted.
"WHAT?" he roared and looked as though he couldn't believe a Slytherin of all students, especially Snape, would say such a thing. Remus realized bitterly that Reficul still would not take points from his own favourite house, even if Snape had meant what he was saying. Students all around wouldn't take their eyes from them and Reficul just seemed to notice the crowd of watchers.
"Right! Everyone except from Severus to their dormitories! Now!" and everyone rushed. Remus noticed as he was swept away in the crowd that Sirius and James were both laughing now; the spell must have stopped. He wondered what would Reficul do when Snape would say he was under a Marauder's spell. There was simply no proof. James and Siri were great that way. People knew that they did most pranks at Hogwarts, but not one person could prove it. Well, hardly ever. They always carefully covered their tracks.
When Remus entered the Common Room, he decided to wait for them in the dorm as he'd never get to Siri and James through the crowd that were all waiting to congratulate them and tell them how awesome they were.
He figured that they would be a while in getting up to the room so decided to make a start on his History of Magic essay. He'd just written his first words when the door opened.
"Oh. Sirius. I thought you'd be down stairs being honoured just now..", Remus said with a smile without looking up.
"Well...Left Jamie to it. Enjoys it a bit more than me", Sirius said and Remus looked up as Sirius sat on the bed and lay backwards, arms beneath his head.
Remus watched for a second, observing the cadenced rising and fall of his well built chest and looked up to a smiling Sirius. He was caught off guard by the smoldering look his face. He averted his eyes quickly back to his homework and he heard Sirius chuckle and panicked. Does he know?
"So..you wanna join in our next prank, Moony?" He looked back up and Sirius was making puppy dog eyes at him. So hard to refuse!
"Another? Look, I don't want you two getting in trouble over me. Can't you just leave it? You still might get into trouble for today.."
"No proof. C'mon, Moony. Y'know me and Prongs would be doing this anyway. Just, now we have a better excuse is all. So, take it you're not in then?"
Remus looked up to Sirius and used all his will power to say, "No, Sirius. What are you - ". Sirius had jumped on Remus and had started tickling him. "Siri!...Off!", he managed, panting as he squirmed. Remus realized that Sirius had better get off him quickly. Sirius was sitting round his middle and if he moved any further down, he'd find Remus had a major hard-on. Not too good if he wished to keep his feelings secret. God, though! Did he really want him to move? His heart thundered against his chest and he knew that he really did have to remove Sirius. He was enjoying this far too much and it showed in how this was the most aroused he'd ever been. He pushed Sirius off with all his strength and the boy finally relented and rolled over onto his side.
They lay side-by-side in comfortable silence for a few moments, all homework forgotten, just catching their breath. Remus, for two reasons; all the tickling had taken it out of him..and obviously Sirius took his breath away with the slightest touch. It was Sirius who spoke first.
"Moony", Sirius said. The questioning tone in his voice made Remus look over at him. Sirius. On my bed. For the second time in the same day. Beside me. Wish it could be like this forever, he thought before remembering Sirius had spoken, "Yeah?"
Sirius propped himself up on his elbow and looked down to Remus, uncharacteristic seriousness flooding his features. "I know you don't want me to keep bringing it up, but..the girl you like", not again, "You still in love with her? Still like her as much?" Remus would allow this. He could not tell Sirius it was him he loved, but he'd allow him to question about 'her'.
"Yes, Padfoot. I love her more every time I see her", Remus sighed. He was getting used to saying 'her' now. Sirius smiled for being answered.
"Well, I won't ask who she is..but would you tell me what you love about her?" Sirius asked and Remus wondered why Sirius had come over so serious about love.
He smiled nervously at Sirius and picked through his words carefully, not wanting to disclose too much. "Everything, Padfoot. There's not one thing I can say I don't love about her. I know her faults - believe me there aren't many - but I love them too. They are part of her, they make her who she is", Remus said, surprised at how the answer poured from his mouth like a stream of words bursting their banks to surface and overflow.
Sirius was smiling warmly at him, not a trace of wickedness. It was welcoming and comforting. "Do you think about her all the time?"
"Never stop", Remus exclaimed and Sirius laughed. Remus was loving this. Being so close to Sirius. Having such an intimate conversation. "What made you ask?"
Sirius bit his lip. It was so seductive looking and Remus watched, wanting to help him.."I think I'd like to feel that way about somebody", he finally said. Please God, not about Melanie! Remus didn't feel he'd cope if Sirius was in love with someone.
"Not if that person doesn't feel the same for you! Trust me!" Remus said, hoping to put Sirius off the idea. But Remus knew that if Sirius ever did choose to love someone, there was no chance of it being unrequited love. Remus was overwhelmed by the pity on his friend's face.
"You don't know that Remy! You said it yourself, you haven't done anything about it! Anyway..I dunno. I guess I'm just feeling ready to commit to someone. I'm getting tired of going out with somebody new all the time. I want to fit together with someone", Sirius said. Remy was heartened by the tender authenticity of Sirius's hopes. He deserved more than anyone to be happy and be in love.
"Sirius! You're the one that dumps the girls! You've never been dumped!", Remus said truthfully.
"I know, but I've just never been with anyone I can feel that way about yet", Sirius said pensively.
Please say no, "What about Melanie? Do you think you could love her?" Say no, say no, say no...
"Don't think so. I mean, it's one thing fancying her isn't it, but I don't think I could love her", hallelujah, "No".
"You'll find somebody, Siri. I think Melanie loves you", Sirius looked up quickly, frowning.
"You don't think..Oh, not again! Another disaster of a breakup in the distance. I won't break up with her yet though", Sirius said with scorn.
"Why go out with someone if you know you've no future?" Remus wondered aloud.
"I like having a girlfriend. And I can't keep saying no all the time...they hassle me...", Sirius said and Remus laughed. But it was true.
"People constantly ask you out, don't they", he asked, still laughing. Sirius hit him softly and gave him daggers before saying, "Hmm..They - "
The door slammed shut. James had walked in with Peter. Jamie was looking mightily pleased. Must be all the praise, Remus thought, amused. He wouldn't get to hear what Sirius had been about to say and he regretted it.
"Good news, guys! Free double period next!", James cried delightfully. Sirius grinned and gave a 'Yes!' and Remus smiled. He'd actually forgotten all about classes...
"Oh, Sirius! Melanie's looking for you. She says if I see you, she wants to meet you in this empty classroom. When I asked what one she just said 'he'll know' and walked away", Peter ended with some confusion in his voice.
"When did she say?" Sirius asked. James had laughed when Peter had ended and Remus lowered his eyes. He noticed he was digging his nails rather sorely into his leg and stopped. He was thankful to see Sirius wasn't giving any telltale grins or accounts of what he and Melanie had gotten up to in this empty classroom. Peter was really stupid not to have figured it out.
"Umm..in about ten minutes?" Peter said, screwing up his face in concentration. Sirius nodded and got up from the bed. He then sat back down suddenly and Remus looked up to him.
"What's wrong? Get moving!" James said excitedly. Sirius got up and just as Remus was sure he was going to leave, he changed course and flopped onto his own bed.
"I can't be bothered. I'll just say I didn't see Peter to get her message", Sirius said and Remus was intrigued. So was James.
"Padfoot! You know fine well what Melanie wants to do and you can't be bothered? You nuts?" James implored. Remus kept his eyes on Sirius. He shook his head and laughed.
"Jamie, a guy doesn't have to be horny all the time. I don't want to do it now and I'm not going to. No big deal!" And Remus felt proud of Sirius. James looked bewildered and Remus laughed at his look.
"A guy, not horny? You are nuts..." James said and Peter clicked on to what Melanie wanted.
"Oh! Sirius! Why not?" Peter called loudly. Sirius looked to the door and back to Peter with a frown.
"Keep your voice down or she'll hear you from down there and know I'm here. God, is that all guys are meant to think about? Well, excuse me if I don't piss myself with excitement. I've already been there. Okay, it's a good time...but it's not all I think about! And you, Prongs! I thought you had a bit of sense! You agree with me, Moony, don't ya?" He added, catching Remus by surprise. He took a few seconds to find his answer.
"Yeah. I do agree. And James, does that mean that's all you think about", he added, his own wickedness showing.
"Nah, suppose you're right. Just, if I was going out with Mel, I don't think I'd turn her down..But, yeah. You're right", and he turned to Peter.
"Oh! Of course! I mean, I know I think about other things", Peter said lamely. It was clear to the others that Peter was only saying it to be agreeable. He obviously didn't want to be the only one with a different view on the matter.
So Remus got to spend the rest of the day with Sirius. And the others, but he was ecstatic that Sirius had passed up on such an offer. Sirius couldn't leave the Dorm in case he bumped into Mel, so they all decided to stay in there with him, to Remus's delight. James had annoyingly suggested leaving under the invisibility cloak, but Sirius had said he 'couldn't be bothered'. They had just sat and spoke for hours. Jinxing Snape, of course, had come up and Peter had agreed to help them (not that he'd be any use) but Remus had stuck to his decision.
Over the next few weeks, there had been tonnes of pranks between the Marauders and Snape. Mostly from the Marauders, and Snape's were always crap anyway.
Snape had pathetically transformed James's plate of spaghetti into worms. Sirius and James (and they let Peter have credit, even for doing nothing) had retaliated by jinxing Snape into insulting someone he never would have done otherwise. Remus had watched, entertained as he told a burly trollish seventh year, 'I saw your mother last night. And I had thought it was impossible for anyone to be as ugly as you, but I stand corrected!' and Remus had witnessed Snape having to run for his life after that one.
Remus had been mystified by how Siri and Jamie had been able to sneak into the Slytherin Dorm to bewitch a pair of Snape's shoes into making him tap dance every time he spoke. It had been funny, but even though there was the usual lack of proof, Reficul had given Sirius and James separate detentions. But of course they had their revenge on the Potions Master for that. They had jinxed the back of his cloak to read insults. Statements such as "1st rate loser" and "I'm almost as ugly as my mother" had flashed across his back in an incandescent pink. It had been Professor McGonagall who had pointed it out to him, while throwing a stern look at the Marauders. But Remus could swear he saw her lips twitch as though she'd been about to smile. Teacher's can't like him either, he thought.
It had been safe for a few nights now. The last conflict between the boys seemed to have ended the prank streak.
Remus remembered he, Siri and Jamie had walked out of the Hall to find Snape with his mates crowded around him. They had walked over out of curiosity and had been horrified to find Peter kneeling on the ground before Snape, kissing his shoes!
Sirius had gone over and grabbed Peter off the ground and almost flung him to the side in anger while James had gone up to Snape and said, "What did you do to him?". Remus hated the thought of the look that had passed across Snape's face. It was as though he'd received and Order of Merlin, first class. He'd said, "Oh, but I only threatened to hex him. He begged me not to, so this is all in his own free will" and he'd swept off down to the dungeons. Peter had apologized profusely.
Sirius and James had been very mad with him, saying things such as, 'Don't have a clue why you were put in Gryffindor' and 'aren't Gryffindor's meant to be brave or something'. Remus felt slightly sorry for Peter, but also felt it had been very cowardly. No matter how scared he'd ever be, he knew he'd never sink that low for mercy.
The next day, the Great Hall had all been given a great show to laugh at. Siri and Jamie had somehow slipped something into Snape's drink and as he'd got up to leave the Hall, he'd put on a great performance. The entire Hall of people were in stitches as they watched Snape attempting to leave. Every fifth step he took, he twirled twice on the spot and called out, 'yipee'. It was hilarious! The only thing that he was able to do to quicken his escape from the Hall had been to take the longest strides he could before the fifth step. That looked almost worse and everyone in the Hall laughed and pointed at him until his voice had died off in the distance a minute or so after he'd left through the doors.
Remus thought over all this as he lay on the shredded couch in the Shrieking Shack, waiting for his lycanthropy to devour him. Then for his friends. He couldn't wait to run with the dog.
He stared up to the cracked ceiling as a blinding pain shot through his legs and traveled upwards, curving his spine and snapping the bones into a different pattern. He felt himself detach from his body and consciousness as the wolf came into play. ,--,--,--,--,--,--,