Strutting About
Just having finished lunch in the Great Hall, Severus was walking through the courtyard. His schoolbag was hanging from his left shoulder, though it wasn't as heavy as usual. It only contained the boy's Transfigurations book, some parchment, a quill and ink. He had decided to write his homework outside, so he could enjoy the beautiful weather.
Before he had decided on a spot, however, something else had caught his attention: the Marauders were huddled together, talking. James was raising his head every once in a while, to see if anyone was listening in. His gaze met Severus, they stared in each other's eyes for a moment, then James went back to the discussion.
They were obviously planning something important and James had almost dared him to find out. As usual, Severus' curiosity got the best of him. Pretending to be aimlessly wandering around, he got close enough to where the group was sitting. Sirius had his back against a tree, and that was a very good hiding place for a curious student trying to eavesdrop.
No sooner said, than done. Severus had quietly installed himself on the grass, leaning on the tree on it's other side. He pretended to focus on his essay, but in fact he was all ears. Something that he hadn't noticed, though was James poking his head into the air again and noticing the extra pair of ears that was registering everything they spoke. He had pointed a finger at the tree, his grin growing wider. Similar grins had appeared on both Sirius' and Peter's faces. Remus only allowed himself a faint smile. As it was most of the times, he didn't exactly agree with his friends' plans. And just as usual, he didn't do anything to stop them, either.
Frowning, his eyes fixed on a random point on the blank piece of parchment he was holding on his knees, Severus could hear every word the Gryffindors were speaking. It was as if they took special care to speak louder and clearer than before. Severus assumed that it was because they were careless.
"So, we're doing it tonight, right?" sounded Sirius' excited voice.
"You'll have to be very careful, you know." Remus spoke firmly. He had meant it for what they were really up to.
"Chill, Moony. Filch never stopped us before." James retorted.
"Yeah, we always got out with just a detention or something. Big deal!" Sirius continued.
"You could even get expelled this time, Padfoot. This is bigger than your usual fooling about, and that's exactly why I want no part in it." Remus said, on the same grave tone.
"You're no fun!" James retorted. "You're in, right Wormtail?"
"Of course I am! So tonight, right? In the Trophy Room, right, Prongs?"
"Right." Sirius answered for him. "Make sure you're not followed and no one sees you leaving the Common Room. We'll meet there at midnight."
Remus gave a sigh.
"So, it's settled then." James got up, and the others followed his example. "Remember, this is top secret. No one – and I mean NO ONE must hear of this."
And with those words, they all made their way to the castle, leaving Severus contented, but even more curios than before. It took him only seconds to decide: he was going to see what they were up to.
The day passed quickly and, before he could realize it, Severus found himself sitting in the Common Room at 11:30 in the night, waiting for the last Slytherin to go to bed, so he could sneak out to the Trophy Room. Ten minutes later he got his wish. He decided not to wait any longer, as he watched a 7th year collect his books and head for the dormitories, leaving Severus alone in the room. He wanted to get there before them, and find a good hiding place, so he could see exactly what they were up to.
Swiftly making his way through the corridors and not running into anyone on the way, ghost, student or professor, he only stopped in front of the entrance of the Trophy Room. He pressed his ear against the door, trying to hear if there was anyone there or not. It seemed they hadn't made it yet. Relieved, he opened the door. Before he could take another step, someone from behind the door yelled "Petrificus Totalus!" and Severus fell to the ground, flat on his face, unable to move a muscle.
He felt hands turning him face up and his terrified gaze met the triumphant looks on James', Sirius' and Peter's faces.
"That'll teach you to mind your own business!" Laughed Sirius.
Severus was boiling on the inside. It had been a trap. And he fell for it. Just as he thought things couldn't get worse, he realized how very wrong he was. Actually, things were going to get much, much worse. To his own horror, the trio stripped him of his robes, leaving him only in his grayish knickers. They placed him next to a case that contained a good number of sparckling trophies, leaned against the wall so he wouldn't fall down, and stuck his robes to the wall around him with a clever charm, so that he now looked like a wax figure on display.
Howling with laughter, James, Sirius and Peter exited the Trophy Room, leaving Snape to be found by Filch or, if he was particularly unlucky and the charm would hold long enough, by some students that would pass through there on their way to class.
AN: Ok, I know it's shorter and not so funny as the first, but I promise to do better in the future! Please Review!
