A/n: Everyone knows what happens in this chapter and the next one if you read POA. * chuckles * Enjoy! R/R!

Chapter 14

Sirius had had just about enough. Snape was very interested in what Remus and them did every month. No one thought he knew as of yet but he was awfully curious, and Sirius didn't want anyone to be curious, especially about Remus. Sirius knew he just wanted to get something on them that would get them expelled. Well, he wouldn't let him do that. Sirius knew that something had to be done, but what he didn't know just yet. He knew something would come to him, though. Sirius wasn't stupid.

Sirius nearly growled at the thought of what Snape could do to Remus. That greasy-haired creep, he thought. He could get Remus expelled from Hogwarts. If anyone found on Remus was a werewolf, they would force Dumbledore to expel him, and worse… Sirius shuddered to think of what damage the Ministry idiots could do if they found out that Dumbledore was knowingly keeping a werewolf at the school. Sirius couldn't bare it if anything happened to Remus. And Snape… Sirius growled. That idiot was looking for a way to expel Remus, to expel them all. That's why he was so curious about where they were going every month. They would do worse than expel if they found out the details. James, Peter, and him being illegal Animagi, and Remus… Sirius closed his eyes in pain. He couldn't bear to think about it. He just loved him so much. He couldn't bear to think of what those idiots would want to do to him.

"Get this stuff out of your mind, Black." Sirius said aloud to himself. "Tonight's the full moon. Don't be distracted. Plus, remember Remus. You know him. You don't need him worrying about you tonight." It was the truth. He didn't Remus worrying about him at all, especially tonight. He would have to get it out of his mind before he saw him. Sirius sighed and was prepared to face it all. As he was preparing to live Gryffindor Tower, he caught site of the sky outside. It was nearly dark. Damn it, he thought. If I don't hurry up, I'm going to miss him. Damn it… Sirius sped and left the tower, preparing to find his friends.

Remus looked about worriedly. "Where is Sirius? Where the hell is he? I know he wouldn't have forgotten about tonight… would he?"

"No." James said sternly. "Don't even think about that. He never forgets. He never did, even before he fell in love with you."

Remus sighed. "I know, but… I want to see him before I-"

"I know, Remus, I know." James said, putting a hand on Remus' arm to calm him.

"Ah, don't worry, Remus, he'll be here." Peter said kindly.

"Yeah, well, he'll miss me." Remus said. "I have to go. Now. I don't have to wait. I'm going to need to go up and see Madam Pomfrey now. You'll have to tell him for me."

"No need," said Sirius from behind Remus, making him Remus jump. "I'm right here."

Remus spun around, smiling. "You're here! I thought you wouldn't be here." Remus' eyes filled with emotion. All Remus wanted to do was hug him, right now, put his arms around, and kiss him… But not here, not now. Plus, Remus didn't have enough energy to do much. He was so tired… He always so tired this time of the month.

"Don't worry." Sirius said. "I'd never be late." Sirius dropped his voice slightly, and said, "I'd never be late for you."

A deep blush crossed Remus' face as he stammered. "Well, I better go now."

"Bye, Remus," said James.

"Goodbye, Remus," said Peter.

"Bye." Sirius said.

Remus just smiled.

James and Peter looked at Sirius and James said, "Let's go into the great hall and eat."

"You two go ahead, I'll join you in a sec." Sirius said.

"Alright," James said skeptically. "We'll you soon." And with that, James and Peter headed into the Great Hall. Sirius was about to retreat into thoughts before he followed his friends into the Great Hall, but he didn't have to think as a sneering voice behind him speak to him. "Where's he going this time?" He heard from the voice from behind him say. "Are you going to join him again, huh?"

Sirius turned around to see the source of the voice, which was none other than Severus Snape. Sirius' face became contorted of absolute loathing, mirrored on Snape's face.

"Look, Snape." Sirius said. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but frankly, I don't care. Now, I don't have time for you, so just get out of my way. Don't talk about what you don't know, Snape." Sirius sneered.

"Oh, now, was that a hint that there really is something you three and Lupin are hiding?" Snape asked.

"No, I'm merely saying, don't talk about what you don't know." Sirius said again. "You don't know what happens, so don't talk about it."

Snape stepped closer to Sirius, who was in the front. "I know you're hiding something, and I have a distinct feeling it's about Lupin. Now, I will find out. It's only a matter of time. I'm not stupid, you know, Black."

"Oh, well, you could've fooled me," Sirius snarled.

"I'll find out where you go every month, mark my words." Snape said. By that time, Madam Pomfrey and Remus were already out by the Whomping Willow, and it was nearly dark. An evil idea came into Sirius' mind. Grant, a little too evil, but Sirius knew that this would get them out of their (and Remus' mostly) hair for good. An evil smile crossed Sirius' face.

"What are you smiling about, Black?" Snape asked.

"Look, Snape." Sirius said, ignoring Snape's question. "Obviously you're interested in what happens every month. Go out to the Whomping Willow, there's a stick on the ground. Pick up and prod the knot on the tree, and the limbs will stop thrashing and you'll see an opening in the tree. Follow the path in there, and then you'll see where what happens to Remus every month." The smile never left Sirius' face.

Snape looked at Sirius questioningly. He couldn't figure out if he was serious (fat chance) or this was some kind of prank or other (most likely). He decided to give Sirius the benefit of the doubt. He knew he serious about one thing, and that was that if he did what Black said, and then he would find out what happened to Lupin every month. But, then again, curiosity killed the cat, but… Ah, to hell with it, Severus thought. I'll do it. I've been dying to know, and he knows that… Oh, well… "Fine." Snape said. "I'll do it. But I hope you're telling the truth." He said as he walked away to the doors of the Entrance Hall, and out onto the grounds, leaving Sirius behind with a very satisfied look on his face. Perfect, he thought. All going according to plan. This is going to be great… Sirius stood there reminiscing as James and Peter came out of the Great Hall, looking for him.

"What happened to you?" James asked. "We got worried." James noticed the smile on Sirius' face. "Wait… what happened? What did you do to Snape? Not that I care, but… what did you do?"

"Nothing." Sirius innocently. It was the truth. He didn't do anything to Snape, directly…

"You're lying." James said flatly.

"I am not!" Sirius indignantly. "It's the truth!"

James laughed. "Yeah, right. You would not be smiling like that if you hadn't done anything."

"Look," Sirius said. "I didn't do anything. All I did was tell Snape to go the Whomping Willow, pick up the stick, stab the knob on the tree, and follow the path the find out where Remus went every month. After all, he's so curious-"

"YOU DID WHAT?!"  James nearly screeched. Neither Peter nor Sirius had ever seen James so mad. He was practically livid. Peter was actually a little scared of James, he was furious.

"What?" Sirius said. "He deserves it! He's been dying to know, now he will."

"YOU CAN'T SERIOUSLY BE SAYING THAT! WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU?" James continued.

"How could you do that, Sirius?" Peter said, clearly upset as well. "What's wrong with you? I mean, none of us likes Snape, but come on, Sirius!"

"I HATE SNAPE JUST AS MUCH AS YOU, BUT THAT'S JUST PLAIN STUPID! SIRIUS BLACK, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" James yelled, and then said to Peter, "Peter, go get Dumbledore. Now."

"Where are you going?" Peter asked.

"To get Snape!" James said.

"Why don't you transform?" Peter asked.

"No time," said James. "He could be hurt by the time it takes me to transform and get there and all. Look Peter, just go get Dumbledore now." James sent Sirius a deadly glare as he ran out the Entrance Hall and onto the grounds of Hogwarts after Snape.

"Look, Peter-" Sirius began, but Peter cut him off.

"I know what you're going to say, Sirius, and it won't work." Peter said. "I'm going to get Dumbledore. I just have one thing to say to you…"

"What?" Sirius asked.

"You're very smart, Sirius. Too smart sometimes, I think. But it's times like this that I wonder... You can be awful stupid sometimes." Peter said. "And to think…" He shook his. Sirius didn't need to know that Peter actually looked up to him. But Peter did say other thing before he started running to Professor Dumbledore's office. "Remus…" The look of shock and horror on Sirius' face and the thoughts going through his mind was enough to calm any positive he could've had.

Peter ran as fast as he could away from Sirius to get to Professor Dumbledore's office as soon as possible. This was bad. Very bad. Peter still couldn't believe that Sirius had done that. I mean, he knew he hated Snape, but… did he even realize what could happen? No. Sirius never thought of the consequences of anything. He was so reckless and stupid sometimes. Even James wasn't that reckless. Look at how furious James and been at Sirius for doing what he did. He was actually going to save Snape. Well, what else could he do? He couldn't leave him… Peter shuddered. Dear God, no, that was a horrible thought. And Peter had thought that Sirius loved Remus. He knew he did. If he did, why in the bloody hell would he do something so bloody stupid that could only hurt Remus? Peter knew he had his best interests at heart, but why would he do something like this? Peter knew the answer to that: Snape. Snape had been so curious about where they went every month. He was constantly tormenting Remus to find out what. It ticked off Sirius so bad to see the one he loved getting tormented like that by such a slime ball like Snape.  But, that still didn't explain why he… Peter shook his head. He would never understand. He knew that.

Finally, Peter approached Professor Dumbledore's office. Peter's face paled. He didn't know the password. They had just been in here two weeks ago, and he had forgotten the password. What was it? What was it? Then Peter's face lightened up. "Sugar Quills." He said happily, as the stone gargoyle moved aside and the moving staircase was revealed. Peter jumped on it, and just then realized how heavy he had been breathing. He was out of breath. He had run all the way from the Entrance Hall to Professor Dumbledore's office without stopping. Geez… He never he had it in him… Then the moving staircase stopped, and Peter walked up to the door, and knocked on it impatiently. "Come in," said Professor Dumbledore's calming voice, and Peter opened the door and rushed in. "Mr. Pettigrew." Dumbledore with a smile, then he saw how heavily he was breathing, and the look on Peter's face. "What ever is the matter, Mr. Pettigrew?"

"It's Sirius, he – James – Snape – Remus –" That stopped Dumbledore right there. The second Peter said Remus' name, Dumbledore knew that this was trouble, and to top it all off, he had said Sirius, James, and Snape as well. Not a very good combination.

Dumbledore leapt up from his seat. "Is something going to happen to Remus?" He asked worriedly.

"No," Peter said. "But something might happen to Snape because of Remus."

Dumbledore's face actually paled at that, and he rushed toward the door. "Tell me on the way." He ordered Peter, and then he Peter rushed down the Entrance Hall, and Peter told Dumbledore everything. As soon as they got there, Sirius was still standing there, and as Sirius turned around, to his horror, he saw Peter, with Professor Dumbledore, who had a very harsh glare on his face. "Where are Mr. Potter and Mr. Snape?" Dumbledore asked him.

"I don't know." Sirius said, and his voice wasn't his usual calm, confident voice. "They haven't come back yet." Fortunately, at that time, James came in with a very pale and scared looking Snape.

Severus rushed out of the Entrance Hall, headed toward the Whomping Willow. If what Black said was true, then today would truly be a day to remember. He would finally know that Lupin and his idiotic friends had been up to all this time, where they went every month. Today, he could finally get them expelled. Severus grinned at that thought. He knew they were not up to anything good. This was Black we were talking about. But something about this just didn't feel right. Something was definitely wrong if Severus' gut lead him right. But, that was stupid, there was nothing wrong. Severus shook off that thought. That was stupid…

He arrived at the Whomping Willow. Not near enough, of course, to make the limbs start thrashing. He was looking for that limb. Ah, there it was. So Black wasn't lying about that… Severus rushed up and grabbed the limb, but at the same time, the limbs started to thrash, aiming at Severus. But Severus pressed the knot on the tree, and the limbs stopped, just like Black said. And there was the passageway he talked about, too… Maybe Black wasn't lying for once. Severus climbed into the passage, and followed it.

It was dark… and damp… and long, oh so long… was it ever going to end? Severus thought. There was something awfully suspicious about this though. He still had that funny feeling. It was probably nothing, though. And this passage – a tunnel of some sort – was so short! Severus could never have stood up in here. He hadn't been this short in years, many years.

Severus sighed. This tunnel had to end soon… just had too… then tunnel began to rise up ahead, and Severus could see light up ahead. Looking up into the room, Severus realized that it was the Shrieking Shack, it had to be… and then… he saw him… He knew it was Lupin, but… Lupin was… Severus' face paled. Remus Lupin was a werewolf. Of course, that explained everything, but… It had just been a glimpse, but there was no denying it… Remus Lupin was a werewolf…

Severus gasped as he felt two strong arms grab him and drag down the steps he was on. Almost in a daze, he turned his head to see who his savior was, and his face paled even more, if that was possible. It was Potter! "What are you doing here?" Severus asked, though his voice had lost its usual sharp edge in his shock.

"Saving your life, now shut up and cooperate!" It was obvious that Potter was mad. Then it dawned on him. Of course, Potter had been in on it. It had been a prank planned by Potter and Black. And Lupin as well of course. It had to be. It was a stupid prank planned by Potter and Black, and of course Lupin was in on it. That was it. That's why Potter was so mad. He had realized too late it was wrong, so he came out here to save him. He had gotten cold feet at the last minute.

Severus tried to fight James' arms, but he was too shocked about the new revelation about Remus Lupin. Severus knew he always been odd, but… He had certainly never expected that.

Now James was pushing Severus' head as they walked through the tunnel. "Stay here." James said, pushing Severus toward the nearest wall, and going before him. Severus could see the limbs outside thrashing, trying to get James, but then they stopped. James dipped back inside, grabbed Snape, and pushed him out. "Hurry up, we haven't got much time." They cleared the Whomping Willow before it began to thrash again. Then Severus could see the school… Hogwarts… Then James reached in front of him, and opened the doors and closed them behind them. There, right in front of them, was Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and – best of all in Severus' opinion – Headmaster Dumbledore.

James rushed out the Entrance Hall, running faster than he ever had in his. Curse Sirius. He knew Sirius hated Snape, so did he, but that was no call to do something like this! Obviously Sirius didn't realize the consequences. He couldn't have. Surely Sirius wasn't that stupid. Although now, James was beginning to wonder… How could he do this? What was wrong with him? James wanted to slap Sirius stupid. What would knock some sense into him? Sure, Sirius enjoyed playing pranks on Snape, so did James, but this was no prank, this was – no, James was not going to think about that. But what would happen if he couldn't get to Snape in time. What if he saw? What if – no. Not that. That would haunt Remus for the rest of his life, not to mention what it would do to his life. This was what Remus was so afraid of, James realized. Hurting someone… Even if it was someone he didn't like… God, how in the world could Sirius deserve to be with someone like Remus? James sighed. Sirius didn't deserve Remus. Especially after the stunt he pulled tonight.

Finally, James arrived at the Whomping Willow. He rushed for the limb, grabbed it, and pushed the knot, succeeding in not getting hit by one tree limb. James climbed inside, being careful to duck. James wanted to transform, but he knew he couldn't. There was no time. It would certainly help his chances of surviving this. If Remus him or Snape…James shuddered. It was horrible to think about. It was never Remus he hated, it was the werewolf. Remus wasn't the werewolf, that's what he, Sirius, and Peter realized. That's why they were never afraid of Remus. Because Remus couldn't help it. Remus wasn't the dangerous one, it was the werewolf.

Where the hell is Snape? James thought. Surely… no. I couldn't be that late, could I? Oh, damn, when does this bloody tunnel end! Then he saw it up ahead, the rise of the tunnel into the Shrieking Shack. And – oh, god, there was Snape. He was frozen on one of the steps. He saw… James gasped, and rushed up ahead to Snape. He grabbed him, one arm around his waist, and the other around his chest, pulling him down and through the tunnel. As James grabbed him, Severus gasped, and turned his head. "What are you doing here?" Severus said, although, James noticed, it was not his usual harsh, sharp tone that he usually carried when speaking to James or his friends. He had definitely seen, and now was too scared to snap and snarl at James.

"Saving your life, now shut up and cooperate!" James said. . Severus even tried to fight James off, but was too weak from shock. James regretted the harsh tone of his voice, but was too mad at Sirius to try to calm his voice down.

James moved Severus in front of him, and put his hands on his shoulders and led him through the tunnel. When they got to the other side of the tunnel, James pushed Severus toward the wall, and told him to stay there, still absolutely furious. James grabbed the limb, pressed the knot, set the limb down, and then turned back to Severus. James grabbed him, and told him, "Hurry up, we don't have much time." The tree limbs would start thrashing again any minute now. James was secretly glad Severus wasn't fighting, although he knew it was because he was too shocked about Remus. This can't be a good thing, James thought. Snape knowing about Remus and all… Oh, I have a bad feeling about this.

When they got back to Hogwarts, James reached around Severus and opened the door, and led him in, and then closed the door behind them, and was very glad to see Professor Dumbledore standing with Peter and Sirius in front of them.

Sirius was not shocked at all when Peter came back with Professor Dumbledore right behind him, not looking happy at all. Peter told him, he thought.

"Where are Mr. Potter and Mr. Snape?" Dumbledore asked him seriously.

"I don't know." Sirius said, surprised at how weak his voice sounded. "They haven't come back yet." Then the doors of the Entrance Hall opened and in came James, leading Peter in front of him.

Severus shook James hands off him, wakened out of his "trance". "Get your hands off me." Severus snarled, his voice back to normal as well. But his face still gave him away. It was still paler than it should've been.

"Fine." James snapped. "I don't want to touch you any longer than I have to."

Dumbledore stormed over to him and said, "Are you all right, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, and Severus could feel his paleness disappearing as Dumbledore used his first name in front of Potter, Pettigrew, and Black. But he was still paler than he should've been.

"First of all, before we do anything," Dumbledore said, "what happened?" Sirius and Peter had joined them now.

"He saw." James said simply. Peter, Dumbledore, and Sirius' faces blanched.

Dumbledore stepped up to Severus, and grabbed his arm lightly. "Are you alright?" He asked. "Did he see you?"

"No." Severus answered. "He did not."

Dumbledore looking to James, and James nodded. "He didn't." James agreed. "He wasn't in the Shrieking Shack, he was just below it, looking in. I grabbed him before he could go further, or before Remus could see him."

"Alright." Dumbledore said. "Then let's continue this conversation in my office, and I want no discussion until then." All four boys nodded their heads and followed Dumbledore to his office, Severus and James on one side, and Peter and Remus on the other.

When they got there, Dumbledore said the password, and led the teenagers inside. When they got to his office, he summoned two more chairs, one on either side of the two already there. Peter Pettigrew took the farthest one to the left, and Severus Snape the farthest one to the right. James Potter sat next to Peter, and Sirius Black next to James. Severus moved his chair away from Sirius'.

Dumbledore sighed, resting his hands on his desk, and his head lowered. What he said made Sirius very disappointed in myself. It was terrible to have Dumbledore to say that to you. He was starting to think he deserved it now. Snape deserved what he go though, no doubt about that. That would never change. But, still…

"I am very disappointed in what you did tonight, Sirius."

A/n: Yes, that last line was Dumbledore's. * sighs happily * I've have been waiting for this chapter for like, forever. I'm glad I got the chance to write it. It was very exciting. But I can't believe how long it is! My god! Almost 4000 words! Jesus Christ! Anyway… I really hope you enjoyed that. Oh, and I know, not much R/S this chapter, but trust me… there will be plenty in the next one. (Remus finds out in the next chapter, Chapter 15.) R/R!