James and the Giant Squid
(Otherwise known as Severus' attempt at revenge)
One beautiful spring Sunday morning, the Marauders had taken their usual place in the courtyard. Severus' anger hadn't passed for a week, since Filch had found him in the Trophy Room. Eyes narrowed with hatred and the right hand fermly holding his wand, Severus was walking aimlessly across the courtyard, hoping he would get a chance to do something. He had to get his revenge, and he didn't care how much trouble he'd get into because of it.
And yet, Severus didn't get his wish. Everything was peaceful. Small groups of students were sitting here and there on the grass, enjoying the good weather. Even the Giant Squid was poking out of the water for a bit of sunlight.
But then, a particular group of girls made their way into the courtyard. And that which made the group so special was a young witch, that went by the name of Lily Evans. Severus watched as they walked towards the lake and settled close to it, on the soft grass. As expected, the Marauders had noticed them too. James was now talking and laughing louder than ever.
Feeling that he might get a chance to do something, Severus quietly made his way closer to the scene. As he was getting nearer, James stood up, and began to juggle empty butterbeer bottles, walking backwardly and laughing. Many students had turned to watch him and were clapping loudly. Lily ignored the scene, preferring to talk to her friends, rather than join the crowd that was cheering for James and that was lead by Peter.
Severus was now only a few feet away from Lily's group and was eyeing James intensely. The latter was standing on the edge of the lake. Two more steps, and he would have fallen in. Slowly, as if he was trying to savour the moment, Severus aimed his wand at James. Three things happened in the same time.
Sirius had only just noticed him, and raised his own wand, shouting over his shoulder "Watch out, Prongs!". A curse had left from the tip of his wand, and hit Severus, but not before the latter had managed to send hid own curse flying in James' direction.
James had dropped the bottles and ducked right in time, Severus fell flat on his face, unable to move a muscle because of Sirius' well aimed Petrificus Totalus and the Giant Squid began shaking uncontrollably moving his tentacles in a threatening way, as a response to Severus' Rictusempra that had missed its target and hit the creature instead.
There was a moment of total chaos. All the students that were too close to the lake quickly scrambled up from the ground and ran as far away as they could, because the Giant Squid was now running his tentacles over the grass, dragging everything he could find into the water. James, who had quickly departed the danger area was now roaring with laughter at the frightened first years who were running right passed him, without realizing that they were safe at that distance.
In the commotion, the Marauders lost sight of Snape, who was now getting up from the ground, since the effects of the curse had passed. Unfortunately, since a rather big part of the courtyard had now been emptied, it didn't take long for James to see him.
"Wanted to curse me when I wasn't paying attention, eh?" He yelled, and with a flick of the wand, Severus was up in the air, suspended by the ankle. Another charm, this time Expelliarmus, coming from Sirius made Snape's wand fly out of his hand and hit the Giant Squid right in the eye.
Angry and still confused because of the curse who had just worn off, the monster sank back in the depths of the water, causing waves that pushed the wand to float even farther away from land. Severus was boiling with anger.
"You'll pay for a new wand if it don't get that one back!" He hissed at Sirius, with the utmost hate sparkling in his eyes.
"Oh, you want your wand, do you?" Padfoot replied mockingly. "Let him go get it, Prongs." He spoke, grinning broadly.
"My pleasure, mate." James replied, grinning back.
And with a swing of the wand, he sent Severus flying right into the lake. The students that had stayed behind to watch the scene were now laughing loudly and pointing at Severus who was trying to untangle himself from the robes and keep his head above the water at the same time.
"How's the water?" James yelled in his direction, laughing along with the others.
"Hey, Snivellus, I never knew you could swim!" Sirius called out, and started walking back to the castle along with his friends.
After a moment of pause, Peter turned around and shouted "Don't forget to write!", then joined his friends, looking very proud of himself.
Remus was walking a bit behind them. He wasn't even smiling.
AN: Now, I'm not sure that squids have eyes so they can be hit with wands in them, but just humor me, ok? Hope you liked this and please review!
