CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN War Within the Walls

"This is going to be hard without Pete," muttered James, surveying the tree. The long, thick limbs had sensed their presence and were beginning to sway, hoping to flatten one or both of them. In one swift motion, he ducked under the hanging branches and scratched the knot.

Sirius reluctantly followed, crossing his arms over his chest.

Another howl broke the stiff evening silence, making both wizards quicken their pace.

James tripped across a half-buried root, but quickly regained his composure and brushed the dirt off his knees.

"I would take that as a sign if I were you," Sirius remarked solemnly, "The Powers that Be obviously don't want you to rescue the wanker. Just leave him be."

"No!" snapped James, "That's what you should have done. Then we wouldn't be in this mess..."

"Mess?" he repeated incredulously, "I was just having a bit of fun. How many times do I have to tell you that? And what's wrong with you? You're acting rather high and mighty considering just last term you threw Snivelly into the lake."

"Because I knew it wouldn't kill him! There's a differ--"

"I keep telling you, Prongs; he's not going to be killed. Just... scratched up a bit."

James opened his mouth to say something but instead pressed on through the tunnel. A sliver of light was illuminating the passage, they were getting closer to the Shack.

At the end of the tunnel, a figure was standing hunched over, blocking the rest of the light.

"Severus?" asked James, after hesitating for a moment.

The figure spun around to face them, a smug smile plastered across his face. "Surprised to see me here, Black?"

"Not really."

"Come on," James urged, grabbing onto his robes, "We have to get you out of here."

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Snape spat, turning on his heel and stepping into the Shack. The old floor creaked loudly beneath his foot, echoing round the room. His eyes widened in shock, as he took in the mangled furniture and blood stains "I... I see it! I always knew there was something sick about your bunch, and now... so will the rest of the school!"

"You do that and it won't be the werewolf that kills you!" snarled Sirius, taking out his wand.

"W-Werewolf?" he stuttered, "That's what you've been hiding all this while?"

"Nice one, Padfoot," sighed James, rolling his eyes, "He didn't know."

Snape backed into the room, trying to avoid Sirius' sights. James followed him into the house, putting himself between the two. Snape fumbled with his own wand but managed to point it squarely at James' chest.

"Put down your wand, Black," he commanded.

"Do it, Sirius," James agreed, as he was in no position to reach for his, "And do it quietly."

"Make him put away his first!" he retorted angrily, "If you haven't noticed, he's seconds away from turning you into a toad or something."

"Trust me to turn him into something fouler than a toad."

"I wouldn't trust you with an ounce of owl pellets!" cried Sirius.

"Stop yelling," James hissed, as a heavy thudding was heard above their heads. In moments, a fully grown werewolf appeared at the far entrance, panting deeply and eying those in front of it.

"Run," said James hopelessly, throwing himself in front of Snape. The greasy-haired boy turned to break out of the room, but slipped on his own cloak.

The werewolf pounced, leaping into the air and coming down with a sickening thud on top of Snape. James picked him up by his collar and swiftly threw him from the house.

"Go after him!" he instructed, "Make sure he doesn't run into any--"

With a flick of his tail, the werewolf sent James flying over to the other side of the room. James crashed against the wall, breaking small pieces of plaster from where he hit.

After a few seconds of deliberation, Sirius dashed through the tunnel. He could see Snape scampering away, like a gangly sort of mouse, but kept on his trail.

Sirius gained on him, almost matching his speed, and charmed him with a full-body bind. Snape fell stiffly to the ground and began rolling back and forth.

"Don't take me back there!" he pleaded, his hair matted to his face more than usual.

"I wasn't going to," he replied, hoisting Snape into a standing position, "I'm taking you to Dumbledore."

Once they had emerged onto the moonlight bathed grass, Sirius threw him to the springy ground.

"We're waiting for James," he said through raspy breaths.

"You can wait here all you want," retorted Snape, "I'm getting back to the castle."

"And just how do you expect to do that when you can't walk?"

Two minutes passed in silence. Which became five. Then seven. Sirius was becoming worried when his friend's familiar ruffled hair shot through the opening beneath the Willow.

James looked as if he had just fought off an angry Quidditch mob. He shakily ran a hand through his hair and turned to look at his best friend.

"Help me take him up to the Infirmary," he instructed, slinging one of Snape's gangly arms over his shoulders. Surprisingly, he did little to fight it and allowed himself to be led back to the castle.

"I'm sure the old git can get himself to Madam Pomfrey," groaned Sirius under his weight, "He has been lurking outside of the infirmary for quite some time now."

James set his jaw, "Let's not get into it here, alright Sirius?"

"You sound like a married bunch of wizards," tittered Snape, as he allowed himself to be dragged across the grounds.

"Hold your tongue, Snivellus," James warned, "Or I'll leave you to Sirius. The only reason I'm coming along is to make sure you speak with Dumbledore and don't go running off to your little friends."

"Do you expect the Headmaster to scold me?" Snape continued, "He's going to be furious with you."

"He told you to be quiet," retorted Sirius, giving Snape's arm a painful tug in the direction of the castle.

"Get your paws off me, Black. I'm sure I can find my way."

"I thought we had been over this already," sighed James impatiently, "We're taking you to Dumbledore."

They quickly brought him into the castle and made their way to Professor McGonagall's office. As the two boys dragged Snape into the room, McGonagall jumped from her seat.

"What have you done now, Potter?" she screeched, running over to their side.

"It wasn't me, Professor," argued James, throwing the Slytherin boy into a desk.

"Do not lie to me, Potter. This has your mischief written all over it," McGonagall replied, eying the cuts Snape had acquired on his way from the Shrieking Shack. "What has happened here?"

"Black tricked me into spying out his little friend," Snape blurted out, "I saw him, Professor. I saw the werewolf and I know who it is!"

McGonagall looked as though she didn't know who direct her anger to, and compromised by glaring at all three of them. "Is this true, Black?" she cried, "You put another student's life in danger? You knowingly led him into the path of.. of.. a werewolf?"

Sirius frowned, "Not in those exact words, Professor, no."

"Well then how would you describe your actions?"

"A good-natured prank?" he suggested, causing James to burst into a quiet fit of laughter.

"Potter! This is not a laughing matter," she hollered, "I must go get the Headmaster, he'll want to know about this. And once I return, you will all be punished."

"Am I to understand that I too, will be punished?" started Snape, a look of disgust washing over his face.

"I knew a bright wizard such as yourself would be able to figure that one out," McGonagall called over her shoulder as she exited the darkened classroom.

Sirius clapped his hands together, "Well, I'll take that as our cue to leave."

"We better not," chuckled James, "McGonagall would have our heads on stakes."

"I would take that over spending another minute in here with Snivellus."

"If I were you two, I would be spending this time collaborating a story instead of whining," said Snape, kicking the ground with his shoe.

"I wasn't whining!" cried Sirius.

"Yes, you were, Padfoot."

"First you save the git and now you're taking his side in an argument?"

James sighed and let his head drop to the table, "I wasn't agreeing with him, I was merely saying that we could be spending our time wiser. And yes, in this current situation I'd tend to take Snape's side over your's."

"What the hell does that mean?" shrieked Sirius.

"Must be pathetic when your own best friend teams up with your sworn enemy, eh Black?"

Sirius crossed his arms over his chest and collapsed into a desk across the aisle from his friend.

Ophelia flopped against her soft bedspread as another anguished howl cut through the still night's air.

"I wish they would get back already," said Lily over the dull hum of a record, "The waiting is driving me insane."

"The waiting for what?" asked Vega, looking up from her notes. She crossed the room and shut the window, drowning out the noise from outside.

Ophelia and Lily exchanged a quick look. "James and Sirius went to Hogsmeade for some sweets," explained Lily, "I want them to hurry and get back."

Vega nodded and turned back to her textbooks.

"I think maybe we should go... look for them," whispered Lily, diving onto her friend's bed, "What do you think?"

Ophelia nodded slowly and pulled a sweater down over her head, "Yeah, sounds good. I'm getting kind of worried myself. We're going for a walk," she said to Vega, "Want to come?"

"Alright," she replied, closing her books, "Are we going to go track down your boyfriends?"

"Something like that," chuckled Lily.

The three girls left the dorm and made their way down the corridor. Vega checked her pocket watch, "It's nearly curfew."

"I know," Lily grumbled, quickening her pace, "But this is more important. Besides, you have one of Gyffindor's finest Prefects at your side; we won't get hassled."

"...severely punished to the greatest extent at our disposal, Albus," came Professor McGonagall's voice, traveling down the hall to meet them.

"Bollocks," groaned Ophelia, flattening herself against the wall. Lily and Vega followed suit, just as the two professors passed them.

"It looks like they're heading to the Transfiguration lab," said Lily, once they were a safe distance away.

They stealthily followed the teachers to the classroom and pressed themselves against the stone wall.

"You mean to tell me that you purposefully led Mr Snape to your friend?" the Headmaster asked, "Did Mr Lupin know of your plan?"

"Not at all," Sirius answered hastily, "Neither did James. It was just me."

"Is this true, Mr Potter?"

There was a moment of silence before James replied. "No, sir. It was my idea as well."

"What are you do--"

"He was only trying to cover for me," said James finally.

"Well, than I am afraid you must all sit detention," Dumbledore explained, "I think two weeks will suffice."

"Two weeks?" Snape exclaimed exasperatedly, "I hardly think I deserve one hour, let alone two weeks!"

"Mr Snape, I am afraid not one of you alone is guilty in this matter. You will all serve two weeks," said Dumbledore, "And you will not tell a single soul what you saw tonight. This is of the utmost secrecy. If anyone finds out, I will be forced to expel you from Hogwarts."

"But without Hogwarts I'll have nothing, Professor!" cried Snape.

"I know, Severus," responded Dumbledore wearily, "That is why I know you will remain quiet."

Following another pause came his barely audible answer, "Yes, Professor."

"Alright, you may go. All of you."

After a scraping of chairs the three boys exited the room. Shutting the door behind himself, Snape turned to the others.

"Just because I can't tell everyone about your dirty half-breed friend does not mean I can't make your lives hell," he began, his gravely voice just above a whisper.

"Funny, because I thought that's what you had been doing for the past five years," muttered Sirius.

"The days are changed," he continued, "I have changed. I will not stand for your mockery any longer. Things are going to be different around here, mark my words."

Ophelia stepped out of the shadows, Lily and Vega reluctantly joining her. "Severus, why don't you go slither away," she said, rubbing her temples.

Snape took a step towards the girl, "The day will come when you are forced to walk around in the shadows, to fear being ridiculed by the masses. You will writhe in pain on the ground li--"

"I'll show you the meaning of pain if you don't leave in the next second," growled Sirius, stepping in front of Ophelia.

Snape narrowed his eyes at his opponent but spun on his heel and left them to themselves.

"Is it always this intense around here?" asked Vega, breaking the silence, "It's so dramatic."

"Only lately," Lily sighed, as she began leading them back to the common room.

"Oh come on!" cried Sirius, "Snivellus has always been a git, nothing's changed there. Since the first days of our fir--"

"Who cares if he's a prat?" hollered Lily, "What you did to him was inhumane!"

"I was just having a bit of fun!"

"Oh yes! How grand it would have been if he had been savagely torn apart! Excuse me, I failed to see the humour in it."

Vega frowned, "What do you mean 'torn apart'? What would have happened to that boy out there?"

Lily clasped a hand down over her mouth, as if trying to seal in the words she had just muttered. "Nothing... I meant nothing."

"She was talking about the Forbidden Forest," answered James, coming to her rescue, "Terrible things can happen if you set foot in the forest."

Once they entered the common room, Lily, James and Vega retreated to their dormitories. Sirius sank onto the squashy couch, resting his head in his hands.

"I really messed up this time, didn't I?"

Ophelia sat down next to him, carefully going over the words she was to say in her head. "What you did was daft," she said, stroking his back, "But we've all had our moments..."

"So you're not upset with me?"

"That would be a bit hypocritical of me," she chuckled, staring into the glowing flames, "And I'm sure I'll find reason enough to be upset with you in the near future."

A faint smile broke at Sirius' lips, before he shook it away. "James is mad. Remus will be when he finds out what happened."

"James will get over it. You're his best mate, he's not going to hold a grudge for long. And Rem--"

"You could talk to him for me!"

Ophelia groaned and retreated to the other side of the couch, tucking her knees in under herself. "Don't make me do that."

"I wouldn't be making you do anything," he reasoned, sliding closer to her, "You would be doing it because you want to help me."

She thought for a moment, before replying, "You owe me huge."

Sirius kissed her, feeling himself become almost giddy. "Thank you, thank you."

"Want to make it up to me?" asked Ophelia, her eyes gleaming.

"Yes, of course. Name your price."

"Don't hex Severus for the rest of the year," she blurted out.

Sirius fell back against the couch, "Phe, I'll do anything for you, but don't ask that from me."

"Please do this," she pleaded, "You're so much better than stupid pranks against the Slytherins, I know you are. You want people to think you've broken away from the other Blacks? Prove it."

"That wasn't fair," he smirked, "You know my one weakness."

"You're one weakness?" laughed Ophelia.

"To think a god like myself has more than one imperfection is... inconceivable."

Ophelia shook her head, "You're going to get struck down one of these days. But hopefully not tonight, I'm off to bed. Good ni--"

"You're going to bed now?" Sirius frowned, glancing over to the grandfather clock, "It's only... eleven o'clock."

She kissed his forehead, "You're going to have to face them sooner or later. Night, Sir."

"Good night," he mumbled, not getting up from his spot on the sofa.

James came padding down the stairs a few minutes later, once he had washed up and changed into a pair of warm pajamas. He sat down across from Sirius and studied his friend's face.

"Why did you do it?" he asked finally.

Sirius frowned at James, as if he had been speaking a foreign language. "What do you mean? The whole Snivellus thing?"

"That's exactly what I'm talking about; right there," he sighed, "Were we not giving you enough attention or something? Because no offense, Sirius, but I think we give you plenty of attention."

"It wasn't for the attention. I'm not that much of a wanker, am I?"

"Than what was it? Please tell me, I want to understand what would drive you to do something so unbelievably daft."

"Every time I walk down the corridors and see Snape, he reminds me of everything I hate," Sirius began, "Of everything I left behind. He's filled with such hatred and intolerance to those who are different than himself. And lately... he seems so determined to to destroy us."

"Maybe he would be easier distracted if you left him alone for one moment. If you weren't there-- breathing down his neck -- every time he turned around."

"What? Just wait around for him to come after the people I care about?" cried Sirius, "Wait for him to make the first move? If I'm on the offensive from the get-go, I have nothing to be defensive about in the future."

James stood up and headed back up the stairs. "Lay off Snape," he called over his shoulder. "That's the last thing I'll say about that."

Ophelia climbed the stairs that led to her dorm, her shoes making soft scuffing noises with every step she took.

Once she reached the landing, she saw Lily standing by the window, brushing her long, fiery hair. She turned to face her friend, "I was wondering when you were going to come up."

"Where are Mai and Vega?"

"Washing up," said Lily, setting her brush down.

Talia sat up in bed, her eyes blazing, "Is it true? Did Sirius really kill Snape?"

"What?" cried Ophelia, falling back onto her own bed, "Who did you hear that from?"

"No one in particular."

"She exaggerated what I told her," Lily explained, "That Sirius lured him there and James saved the day."

"That's pretty accurate," said Ophelia, pulling off her black, dragon-hide boots, "Except you left the out the part about Severus seeing the werewolf."

"He... he knows?" Talia stuttered.

"Yeah, he knows. But Dumbledore swore him to secrecy."

"How does we know Snape will keep his word?" she shrieked, "He's never gone out of his way to help us before."

"I think Dumbledore's threat will suffice," replied Ophelia wearily, "We don't have to worry about that..."

"Then what do we have to worry about?" asked Talia.

Lily and Ophelia exchanged a look. "He mentioned something stupid about how things around school are changing. How he's changed," Ophelia muttered.

Talia shrugged, "Sounds like Snape's regular nonsense, I wouldn't worry about it."

"I don't know, this seemed more serious," said Lily, "He seemed to have... confidence. An angry prat who's been tormented for years and suddenly develops confidence... well, there might be something behind that."

Talia bit her lip, deep in thought, "I think you're reading more into it than there really is. Maybe Snape's just growing up."

"We can only hope so," answered Lily, "Maybe it'll rub off on the others."

"I doubt that," Ophelia chuckled, drawing the covers up to her chin. A sudden wave of exhaustion came over her and she fell into a deep sleep.

When she awoke early the next morning, Ophelia quickly dressed and made her way down to the Infirmary.

The halls were cold, a sign of the coming winter, and made her pull her sweater tightly around herself.

Remus mustered a smile when he saw his sister, and made some effort to sit up. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," she frowned, "How are you?"

"No worse that usual," he groaned, as his dressings pulled at the bandages on his stomach.

"You're a terrible liar," sighed Ophelia, tucking in the corners of his blanket. She paused before continuing. "Do you remember anything from last night?"

"I remember James and Sirius not showing up," he scoffed, only being half serious, "I think James said something about studying for a test, so it's not a big deal."

"Actually... both Sirius and James were there last night," she began, "With someone else, too..."

"They were? I don't remember them being th--" Remus studied her face, "Out with it; what are you hiding?"

"Sirius kind of tricked Snape into going to the Shack."

"Pardon? I must be hallucinating because I could've sworn you just said Sirius led a Slytherin to me last night!" he cried.

"Rem, please calm down."

"Did he see me?" asked Remus, taking a deep breath.

Ophelia squeezed her eyes shut, "Yes. But James was quick to get him out of there. He's good in a tight spot."

"Does he know it was me?"

"Yes," she repeated, "But listen, Dumbledore made him swear not to tell a soul. He threatened him with expulsion even."

"Severus Snape-- a boy who my friends and I have been hexing since First Year --knows the one secret about me that he could use to benefit?"

"When you word it like that of course it's going to sound like the end of the world."

"Oh! Well, how would you like me to word it, Ophelia?" hollered Remus.

She set her jaw, "Don't call me Ophelia. You only call me that when that when you're talking down to me. This isn't you and me against mum and dad. I'm on your side, remember?"

"I was under the impression you were here to convince me your boyfriend didn't do too evil of a thing."

"He's not just my boyfriend, he's your best friend, Rem," she replied. The soothing tone she had used a few minutes earlier had disappeared. "He does stupid things sometimes, we know this. He's been doing it since the day we met him. Let's not pretend you're totally shocked."

"This is far worse than anything he's ever done. This is above and beyond what I've come to expect from him."

"Come to expect from him?" she repeated, "You make it sound as though you just sit around waiting for Sirius to screw up."

"Don't try and make this out to be about me having something about you and Sirius because it doesn't, Ophelia. It's about the arrogant, self-absorbed traits Sirius has had since he was a boy. But instead of growing out of it like the rest of us did, he wallows in it."

Ophelia stood up suddenly. "Yeah, Remus John, you seem to know a lot about being mature."

"So goes it for not taking sides, eh Ophelia?" he called after her, as she stalked from the infirmary. She left her brother and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She sat down next to Vega and helped herself to a glass of water.

"Everything alright? Where's Remus this morning?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Remus isn't feeling well, he's taking the afternoon off and resting."

Vega nodded, satisfied with the answer and returned to her meal.

Lily pushed a stack of books down the table, "I thought you might need these."

"Thanks, Lil."

"I couldn't believe he would've been that daft," continued Pete, telling his friends of the earlier day's class, "Imagine it; a Professor at Hogwarts who doesn't know where Dwessindale is! It's a right scandal."

"Calm down, Worm," chuckled James, "Not everyone should be expected to know the town where you grew up."

"Not just me, James! Theden the Superb was born in Dwessindale."

"Who?" Talia frowned, nibbling on a stick of bacon, "I've never heard of Theden the Superb."

"Well it's kind of hard to hear of a wizard when he doesn't exist," whispered Ophelia.

"He does exist!" cried Pete, calling the attention of the entire Hall, "And I'll prove it to you."

"That was unexpected," said Sirius, watching their stout little friend stalk off.

Lily rolled her eyes, "Just a wee dramatic."

"That's Pete for you," replied Ophelia, getting to her feet.

"You're leaving already?" asked Talia, "You haven't eaten anything."

She grabbed a piece of toast, "Thanks Tal, hadn't noticed."

Ophelia tucked her books away into her bag and made her way to her first class of the morning, Wand Combat.

As she left the Great Hall, she heard footsteps echoing after her.

"Wait!" hollered Sirius, grabbing her by the wrist, "Wait. Why did you run off so quickly?"

"Did I? I guess I'm a bit wobbly from my visit with Remus."

He squeezed his eyes shut, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to--"

"I didn't have to do it now did I, Sir?" she replied, shaking her head. "He's being a prat."

"How so?"

"You don't want to know," she muttered, continuing on her way to class. "Sometimes I wonder if this was all a mistake..."

"If what was?"

Ophelia shrugged, "Just thinking aloud."

"So my two best friends are mad at me? This is terrific; I'm doomed to become a social leper."

"Luckily for you I've already got my leper shot and I'm immune to your stupidity," she smiled, linking her arm through his. "Just remember what you promised me; lay off Snape for the rest of the year."

Sirius dropped his books to the floor and fell to his knees. "Oh wise and beautiful Ophelia! To have a witch with such grace and intelli--"

"Get up," she pleaded, as students were beginning to make their way to class, "Get up now."

"Don't interrupt me when I'm praising you. Now where was I?"

"'To have a witch with such grace and intelligence'," repeated Mai, joining them.

"Thank you, Miss Thylacine."

"Please continue, Mr Black."

"To have a witch with such grace and intelligence puts me to shame each and every day. In fact, every morning I wake up, I get on my knees-- as you find me now –and thank the Heavens that I have found such a creature."

"Believe me; he does," groaned James, "He wakes me up every morning with it."

Ophelia could feel her cheeks turning crimson as a crowd was beginning to gather, "Get up now, or so help me, I will hex you down."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

"I'll get up if you kiss me," smirked Sirius.

"That's it?"

"That will be all, fair Ophelia."

She knelt down and quickly kissed him, before grabbing his hands roughly and pulling him to his feet.

The three of them entered the class and took their seats near the front.

Professor Nostrom strode in and dropped his books on the desk. He glanced around at his students, a small smile dancing at the corners of his lips, "Today we will be continuing with our demonstrative classes," he explained, "After last week's debacle with Mr Akada, I will be supervising."

The class looked over to Ralph's desk, where the Ravenclaw boy was sitting, heavily bandaged.

"Right, so I will need two volunteers."

Not a single hand was raised.

"No one will accept my challenge?" asked the Professor, "Not one of you? Then I must choose the opponents. Miss Lupin, please step forward."

Ophelia groaned and went to the front of the class.

"And your partner will be... Miss Cygnus. Yes, I think that will do. Will you both make your way over to the sparring mats?"

Sirius raised his hand, "Professor. Pardon me, but I don't think that is the wisest match."

"You should have considered that when I was asking for volunteers, Mr Black."

Pandora practically skipped to the other side of the room, leaving Ophelia to shuffle behind her.

"I've been waiting for this moment for months now, Lupin," muttered Pandora only loud enough for her to hear.

"So have I."

"Severus will be so very happy when I tell him I floored you," gushed Pandora, "Even more so when I don't get punished for it."

"Wands at ready," instructed Nostrom, "On a count of three; one... two... three!"

"XXX!" cried Pandora, ripping a large gash across Ophelia's forehead.

Ophelia screamed and clutched at her searing forehead, "Expelliarmus!"

Pandora dropped to the ground and quickly retrieved her wand. "Arrovis punucular!" A barrage of arrows issued from the tip of her wand and stuck Ophelia like a pin cushion. With a confused groan, her eyelids shut and she fell to the ground.