End of Year 3 (chapter 16)

Word count: 1.6k

Warning: Werewolves

A few hours after Lucius has left Hogwarts, Severus is heading to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. He has to give Lupin his Wolfsbane Potion - the full moon is tonight.

However, once he enters the room, there's no one there. He raises an eyebrow at that. Where could Lupin be?

He then notices something on the teacher's desk. Severus takes a look...

That looks like the parchment Potter had in his possession a few months ago. But this time, it looks like a map.

He decides to check it. According to the map, Lupin is in the Shrieking Shack with Potter, Granger, Weasley... And Sirius Black!?

Severus immediately storms off with his destination in mind.

Not too long after, he enters the Shack. He immediately spots him - Sirius Black, looking crazy as he shouts.

Severus doesn't hesitate to disarm the Azkaban escapee. "Expelliarmus!" he exclaims as the wand flies out of Black's hand.

He doesn't even notice the surprised looks on the three Gryffindor students as Severus is too busy looking at Black, wanting to get revenge.

"Ah, vengeance is sweet. I hoped I would be the one to catch you" he says, enjoying this moment.

"Severus-" Lupin starts as the Potions Master points his wand at him.

"I've told Dumbledore you were helping an old friend into the castle, and now - here's the proof!" Severus states, gesturing to Black with his wand.

"Brilliant, Snape. You always come to the wrong conclusion" Black says, giving him a taunting look. Severus glares at him.

"Now, if you would excuse us, Remus and I have some unfinished business to attend to-" Black starts just as Severus presses his wand onto the man's throat.

"Give me a reason" he says, giving him a dangerous look.

"Severus, don't be a fool" Lupin pleads.

"He can't help it, it's a habit by now" Black dares to say.

"Sirius, be quiet" Lupin warns.

"Be quiet yourself, Remus!" Black yells, making Lupin give up.

"Look at you two, quarrelling like an old married couple" Severus taunts.

"Why don't you run along and play with your chemistry set!" Black snaps, looking irritated as the Potions Master is preventing him from committing murder tonight.

That makes Severus press the wand harder onto his throat.

"I could do it, you know. But why deny the Dementors? They are so longing to see you..." he warns as he notices Black suddenly looking fearful.

"Do I detect a flicker of fear? Ah, yes, the Dementor's kiss. One can only imagine what that must be like to endure. It's said to be nearly unbearable to witness, but I'll do my best" Severus says, resisting the urge to kill Black himself.

"Severus, please!" Lupin pleads with his colleague.

"After you" Severus says to Black, gesturing to the door.

He doesn't notice Potter grabbing Granger's wand.

"Expelliarmus!" the boy exclaims.

The spell hits Severus hard in his chest - in fact, so hard he flies across the room, landing on a broken bed. He's knocked unconscious as everything turns black.

--

After a while, Severus wakes up. His head hurts quite badly. What happened?

He then remembers - Potter! The insolent boy attacked him!

Severus runs out of the Shack and spots the three Gryffindors immediately. He's absolutely furious with the boy.

"There you are, Potter!" he says through gritted teeth as he grabs Potter harshly by the shoulders.

He suddenly notices the fearful look on their faces just as he hears a noise behind him.

As he turns around, he immediately shields the students with his arms. The full moon... Of course.

He's looking directly at Lupin's werewolf form. He was hoping he would never see that again...

Lupin the Werewolf attacks, scratching Severus' right arm as he and the Gryffindors fall onto the ground.

Just as Lupin is about to attack again, something saves them. A dog. It's Black.

The four of them rise up from the ground as Severus once again protects the Gryffindors while the werewolf and the dog attack each other.

Black makes Lupin follow him into the woods.

"Sirius!" Potter exclaims as he idiotically runs after them.

"Come back here, Potter!" Severus demands, but it's too late. The boy is out of reach as he's nowhere to be seen.

Well, great... The Boy Who Lived is running off to yet another dangerous adventure. He's going to finish what the Dark Lord couldn't do and get himself killed.

Speaking of the Dark Lord, Severus can't help but worry a bit. He has a feeling he will be back sooner rather than later.

"Harry!" Granger yells.

The Potions Master sighs. "I will take you to the Hospital Wing and let the Headmaster know about this... He will make sure that Potter doesn't get himself killed" he states, looking at the two Gryffindors.

Nodding, Weasley and Granger reluctantly follow him to the castle.

Once they enter the Hospital Wing, the Headmaster is already there.

"I suspect that Mr. Potter is still out there?" Albus calmly asks.

Severus raises an eyebrow at that - does he know what happened?

"Yes" he simply replies.

Nodding, the Headmaster gestures to an empty bed. "You may lie down here, Mr. Weasley. Madam Pomfrey will take a look at your leg. While you two stay here, I will make sure that Mr. Potter is safe" he assures them just as he leaves the Hospital Wing.

Confused, Severus decides to leave as well as his presence is no longer required here.

As he walks towards his private chambers, he hisses in pain. He first notices it now - his right arm hurts quite badly.

He however doesn't notice Y/L/N hurrying towards him.

"Professor, are you all right?" the girl asks with worry in her voice.

Severus huffs. "I am fine, Y/L/N. Don't you worry" he says, trying to ignore the horrible pain.

The girl can tell that he's lying. "I can heal you, sir. Please let me help you" she pleads with him, begging with her doe eyes.

Sighing, Severus gives a nod of approval. The girl immediately but gently grabs his left arm as she guides him to the Potions classroom. She gestures for him to sit on his chair.

"I will heal your wound and afterwards bandage your arm" Y/L/N explains as she rolls up his sleeve. She gasps when she sees the scratch.

"It isn't that bad, at least I still have my arm" he mutters as he rolls his eyes.

Ignoring his comment, she levitates a Wiggenweld Potion as well as a clean cloth. She pours a bit of the potion onto the cloth.

"This might sting a bit" she gently warns.

As he's about to tell her he knows that, he hisses as the potion makes contact with his skin.

She gives an apologetic look as she keeps cleaning the wound. It disappears, leaving a scar behind. She wraps the bandage around his arm.

"Just in case so it doesn't get infected" she says once she's done.

Severus moves his arm a bit. It doesn't hurt.

He then realises something. He's so glad that it was his right arm that got injured and not his left - otherwise, she would have seen the Dark Mark.

He clears his throat. "Thank you, Y/L/N. I would have gone to Madam Pomfrey, she's however... busy at the moment" he says, not letting her know what happened.

She seems to have an idea, though. "The full moon... It was Professor Lupin, wasn't it?" she questions, giving him a worried look.

Severus sighs. "It was. I went to give him his Wolfsbane Potion. As he wasn't in his classroom, I found him outside. When I got there, it was too late. He had already transformed" he explains, not telling the whole truth.

He doesn't want her to know about Black - it would just give her yet another reason to worry.

The girl slowly nods. "I trust that the Headmaster already knows about this?" she asks.

He nods at that. "He does. You should head to the common room unless you wish for Filch to catch you" he tells her when he notices how late it is.

She widens her eyes. "Oh, right! Good night, Professor!" she says as she hurries out the room.

He chuckles to himself at that. "Well, good night, Y/L/N" he says in an amused tone, even though she has already left.

He decides to head to his private chambers. Hopefully, he will get some sleep tonight.

--

The next morning, Severus growls. Black somehow got away... It was probably Potter's doing. He wonders where that dog is right now.

Once breakfast is over, all the students prepare to leave. Draco and Y/L/N approach their Head of House.

"I do hope you will visit us this year... Father might throw a fit if you don't" the boy says, giving the man a serious look.

Severus sighs. "I'll think about it..." he mutters, ignoring the warning look from Draco.

The boy huffs. "Well, I'll head to the train now. We will save you a seat, Y/N" he tells his friend as he looks at her.

The girl gives him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Draco" she says.

As he leaves, Y/L/N looks at the Potions Master.

"See you in September, professor. I really enjoyed your classes, and it was nice having you teach us Defence Against the Dark Arts for a day" she says as she chuckles.

Severus smirks at that. "Well, I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for always organising the shelves, Y/L/N. I do appreciate your help" he tells her.

Severus Snape usually never thanks anybody - Y/L/N must be a very special case.

She gives him a sincere, bright smile. "It's the least I can do, sir. Have a good summer" she says, waving at him before leaving.

Once she's out of sight, Severus sighs. He won't admit it to anyone, but he will miss his favourite student.

He's thinking whether or not to visit the Malfoys this year... Well, time will tell.