Over a week had passed since Sadie and Sirius had spoken to each other. Part of it was that Sadie spent most of her time holed up in her dormitory studying for O.W.L.s, but even when they were in close proximity, they both carefully avoided looking at each other. James and Remus had tried their darnedest to pull Sadie aside and talk to her about things but to no avail. Finally, one morning, James got his golden opportunity.

Sadie had just stepped into the common room when a sudden howling of pain sounded from up the staircase to the boys' dorms. The common room went silent as people stared, wide-eyed, in the direction of the screaming. It stopped after a moment, and nervous chatter slowly resumed. Sadie's eyes fell on her brother who was lounging in an armchair and trying desperately not to look too smug. Her eyes narrowed, and she approached him.

"Alright, what did you do this time?" She asked him quietly. At that moment, Gideon entered the common room. His face was beet red, and his jaw was set angrily as he shuffled stiffly across the room and through the portrait hole. James sniggered.

"Let's just say he won't be sticking his man parts anywhere they don't belong for a little while. Boils and swelling tend to make that a little uncomfortable, or so I hear anyway."

Sadie's mouth fell open. "You didn't!"

"It was Sirius's idea," he shrugged. Sadie's heart skipped a beat, and James gave her a sidelong glance. "Speaking of Sirius..."

"Can we not do this?" She interrupted. She made to turn and leave, but he grabbed her arm gently.

"He's a wreck, Sade! He told me what happened, and he feels awful! Can't you just...talk to him about it?"

Sadie bit her lip. "I just...need some time, okay? This is really painful for me."

"So why don't you fix it?!" James rubbed his face in frustration. "Can't you just get over it?"

"It isn't that simple, Jamie!" She scowled at him, feeling rather hurt that he would just dismiss her feelings like that. "I would think you of all people would get that!" He looked a bit confused at that but didn't have time to respond before she sighed. "I've been thinking. It's probably best if I stay here tonight during the full moon. Having Sirius and me both there would complicate things, and he's more helpful to Remus than I am."

James frowned and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Alice rushing through the portrait hole. Her eyes fell on Sadie, and she hurried over, looking anxious.

"You need to come. Mary's been attacked again."

Sadie's stomach dropped. She nodded curtly and glanced briefly at her brother before following Alice briskly out of the room and toward the hospital wing. When they entered, Mary was already surrounded by Lily, Marlene, and Sirius, who had apparently been in the hospital wing already, visiting Remus. Sadie ignored the pounding of her heart as she approached, making sure to stand as far from Sirius as possible while still getting close to Mary.

"What happened?" She asked softly, but as she took in Mary's appearance, she realized she didn't need anyone to answer. Mary was covered in what looked like slash-marks. Sadie inhaled sharply as she was hit with a sudden flashback of Snape's twisted smirk as he used his wand to slice open her leg and side. Marlene spoke angrily, forcing her back to the present.

"We were just walking to breakfast, and it came out of nowhere. We don't know who did it."

"Could it have been Mulciber again?" Lily asked tearfully.

Sadie shook her head and spoke without thinking. "No. This looks like Snape's work." She realized her mistake too late as Sirius's gaze shot toward her for the first time in days. She winced and cursed herself inwardly before slowing looking up to meet his eyes. She barely registered Lily's protests in defense of her friend as she saw Sirius's face darken in anger. He suddenly turned and strode quickly out the door, and Sadie stood frozen for a moment before bolting after him, heart hammering in panic.

"Sirius!" She shouted at his back, but he ignored her. "Sirius! Sirius Orion Black, you listen to me!" He halted his steps and slowly turned back toward her, eyes blazing with a level of fury she had never seen from him before. She swallowed hard and ran to catch up with him. "Sirius, please don't go doing anything reckless. Please."

"It was Snivellus," he snarled. "Why did you tell us you didn't know who it was?"

"Because I knew you'd react like this, go off and do something stupid, and get yourself and your brother into trouble! It's not worth it!"

For the first time in his life, Sirius felt angry with her. He struggled to keep from shouting as he responded. "It's not worth it? That greasy git is going around slicing people up, including you, and it's not worth it because you want to protect Regulus? You haven't even looked at me in days, and suddenly you're willing to talk to me so that you can keep me from hurting Snivellus?" His eyes barely betrayed the hurt he was feeling.

"It's not like that, and you know it," Sadie hissed in response. "I don't want you getting hurt or getting in trouble." She automatically reached for his hand. "No matter what else is going on, I still care about you, you know. So much."

For a moment, Sirius could only stare at her, reveling in the feeling of her hand in his. Then reality hit him, and he snatched his hand away. He didn't need her pity. "You should get back to Mary," he told her stiffly, ignoring the devastated look on her face. "I promise I'm not going to go after Snivellus." And with that, he turned and strode swiftly away, hands buried in his pockets.

He meant to keep his promise to her, he really did. But that evening after dinner, Snape caught up to him as he was headed out of the Great Hall. Sirius's hands clenched.

"So," the Slytherin sneered. "It's the full moon tonight. Where's Lupin going to be disappearing to when he sneaks out to the Whomping Willow?" Sirius nearly tripped over his own feet. The git had been spying. "Every month on the full moon? That's a bit suspicious, don't you think?" Sirius knew exactly what he was implying and didn't like it one bit.

"Well, if you're so eager to find out, why don't you sneak in after him? All you've got to do is use a stick to prod the knot just above the roots. It'll immobilize the tree and let you in. Maybe you'll die while you're down there. That'd sure make the world a better place for everyone."

Snape had frozen, and his eyes held a gleam that made Sirius more than a little nervous. Surely, he wouldn't be stupid enough to actually try it, would he? But before Sirius could say anything else, Snape and disappeared around a corner. Sirius stared at the spot where he had last seen him, heart thumping in his chest.

What had he done?

"You did what?!" James hissed, and Sirius flinched at the anger in his friend's eyes. "Merlin, Sirius, what were you thinking?! Can you imagine what it will do to Remus if he ends up hurting him? Never mind that it's Snivellus! And there won't be any covering up what happened! Everyone will know, and Dumbledore won't have any choice but to have him kicked out!"

"I know, James! I know! But Snape has already pretty much figured it out! If he goes down there, knowing full well what might be waiting for him, it's kind of his own fault, don't you think?!"

"Remus won't see it that way," James argued. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing in agitation. "And neither will most people. We've got to make sure..." He froze and stared out the window, a look of horror crossing his face. "Godric, he really is that stupid." Sirius rushed to the window just in time to see Snape's distinct silhouette disappear underneath the Whomping Willow. James reacted instantly, grabbing his broom and throwing the window open before diving out and speeding toward the tree. Sirius shook as he watched his friend land and bolt after Snape. He hadn't wanted to get anyone seriously hurt or killed...

He turned and sprinted down the stairs, through the common room, and down to the grounds just in time to see James pulling Snape frantically out of the tree. The Slytherin's eyes were wide with terror, and James was gasping for breath. Sirius rushed forward.

"You absolute idiot!" He shouted at Snape. "What were you thinking?!"

James kept a firm grip on Snape's arm, and he gave Sirius a look that made him wish he could just melt into the ground. "Come on. We need to go see Dumbledore."

A half hour later, the three boys found themselves standing in the headmaster's office, Abus Dumbledore gazing at them somberly. Each time his eyes fell on Sirius, Sirius felt a new wave of white-hot shame flood through his body. It had been stupid and reckless and selfish, and he was sure he was about to be expelled.

"Mr. Snape," Dumbledore finally spoke in a calm voice. "I need your word that you will not mention this to anyone."

"Are you kidding?!" Snape exploded. "That thing almost killed me! And that was Black's whole goal in telling me to go down there!"

Dumbledore held up a hand. "I am not discounting the seriousness of what Mr. Black has done." Sirius flinched. "Nonetheless, an innocent boy's life may be ruined if you spread this around the school."

"That isn't my problem!"

"I will make it your problem if I hear that you have told anyone." A dangerous edge had crept into Dumbledore's voice. "I can assure you that the consequences will be most severe."

For a moment, Snape simply stared at Dumbledore, a look of intense loathing on his face. Then his eyes dropped to the floor, and he muttered, "Yes, sir."

Dumbledore nodded in approval. "Very well. You may go back to bed Mr. Snape."

Snape looked like he wanted to argue, but he resisted the urge and turned, giving James and Sirius hate-filled looks before storming out of the office. Dumbledore sighed and turned to Sirius. "Mr. Black..."

"I know I shouldn't have said anything," Sirius mumbled. "I just didn't think he would actually do it. It's not like he hadn't already figured out what Remus is. He knew exactly what he would find down there. He just wanted proof so that he could ruin Remus's life."

Dumbledore stared at him in thoughtful silence for a moment. "Why did you tell him in the first place?"

Here, Sirius hesitated. "I...well, I suppose I was rather angry. So, I did something reckless."

"And why were you angry?"

"I..." He took a deep breath. "I think Snape was the one who attacked Mary MacDonald. He's used that curse before on...someone I know." James looked at Sirius sharply, very quickly putting two and two together.

If Dumbledore was surprised, he didn't show it. "Why haven't you told a teacher of your suspicions?"

"Well...I didn't know until today, and...we don't have any real evidence..."

Dumbledore sighed. "Mr. Black, while I understand your anger and subsequent urge to get revenge, I cannot impress upon you enough the gravity of what you did tonight. You nearly got another student killed, and you risked exposing your friend's secret in the process." Sirius felt tears of shame prickle in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "I have no choice but to deduct fifty points from Gryffindor house and to give you detentions every night through the end of the term. Please report to Mr. Filch each evening at 7:00." Sirius nodded stiffly. "Mr. Potter." James looked up in surprise. "You have shown great bravery tonight in risking your life to save a fellow student, particularly one you don't particularly like. Fifty points will be awarded to Gryffindor for your actions." Sirius felt a wave of relief wash over him. At least Gryffindor wasn't going to suffer for his lapse in judgement. "You both have my leave to go."

The two boys nodded and left the room. As soon as they were sure no one could hear them, James turned to Sirius, looking somber. "It was Snape who attacked Sadie." Sirius nodded, and James swore. "I'm almost regretting pulling him out of that tunnel." He took a deep breath. "We'll talk about this later. At the moment, we need to get out to the shack. Moony is waiting for us." Sirius nodded again, and they hurried back to Gryffindor Tower to collect Peter.

A/N: I've really debated about whether or not to even include this little incident in this story, but ultimately, I felt like I needed to. Hopefully it turned out alright! Thanks to everyone who has favorited, followed, and reviewed! I love hearing from all of you!

WindSongEnchantment: Well, maybe not so much in real life, but they sure do make for interesting stories! :P

bluehairedraven: I mean...I think we would all swoon just a little bit at that! I'm feeling giddy just writing about it! Haha!

SeraphicDuchess: Oh, definitely forced! There's a whole lot to unpack there, for sure! She'll definitely need to work through a lot of that at some point.