Updated 12/23/22 to match version posted on AO3
Chapter 11 – Making Strides
Severus Snape watched the werewolf warily. He looked so weak...so human...so normal. Snape had seen him in his monster form. He'd seen the fear in cocky James Potter's eyes. Lupin was just allowed to walk among them as if there wasn't something wrong with him. Dumbledore with all his warnings about Dark Magic was letting a Dark Creature attend classes. A Dark Creature with Dark Magic flowing through his very veins. It was so unfair! And there he was sitting right next to Lily as she smiled at something he said. He did give Lupin credit for continuing to give Black the cold shoulder. It wasn't so great when Black's disregard for others was directed at you, now was it?
"If you are going to lust after a Mudblood, Severus, would you mind not making it so obvious?" Avery asked beside him breaking into his thoughts.
"I wasn't-"
"Which do you think it is? Lily Evans or Mary McDonald?" Avery asked Mulciber who was sitting across from them.
"Hasn't it always been Evans?" Mulciber asked with a tone of boredom.
Snape hid his annoyance. His 'friends' (he was using the term loosely) took great pleasure in teasing him about Lily Evans. He bore it because he enjoyed having people to sit with during meals, and sometimes he even impressed them with his wit and talent. Lily might not approve of them, but he didn't like her friends either.
"Unless you swing the other way? Is it Loony Lupin you're after?"
"I've got a score to settle with Lupin," he stated darkly.
Mulciber cleared his throat. "Didn't Lestrange tell you? All of Black's friends are off limits."
"I thought only Potter-"
"No. All of them."
"Right...my mistake," Snape muttered thinking back to the words Lestrange had spoken to him:
"The Potter family might not have real political influence, but they are well liked and there will be those who disapprove of us going after their only son. So, we wait. We leave him alone. We let Potter watch while we destroy Sirius Black...let him live with the knowledge he was no power to stop it...and when he and any allies properly fear us, then we go after him too."
He still didn't fully understand what had happened over the winter break. Sirius Black had never been liked in Slytherin, but now he was the number one enemy. However, Black (and Potter) were still his enemy and it didn't sit right that he now needed permission to curse them.
He was trying to understand the Slytherin Pureblood's perspective. But as far as he had learned, the only 'crime' Black had committed was running away. If he preferred a life on the streets to a life in luxury, then let him. If he wished to risk his life to defend Muggles, then so be it. Black had thumbed his nose at Slytherin and all they represented since his first day at Hogwarts. Had they really not seen this coming?
He wasn't so green to say any of this out loud. He had come to understand that to thrive and survive in Slytherin meant not to challenge their established ways. The truth of the matter was that the Slytherins simply followed a bunch of made-up rules. The rules only held power because they had all agreed to it. So, when someone like Sirius Black came along and did not follow them, they had to punish him or risk the whole foundation of their society from falling apart.
He agreed with the purebloods on certain things, like Muggles being inferior and Dark Magic not being inherently bad. He was certain Lucius Malfoy would have never taken him under his wing if he hadn't shown such a disdain for his Muggle side. However, he hadn't seen any proof that creating a hierarchy based on blood, like the Sacred Twenty-eight, made any logical sense. Every day at Hogwarts it was proven that there were as many talented pure-bloods as half-bloods, and even some Muggleborns. Expressing his true thoughts would do him no favors, so he kept quiet and didn't make a fuss every time someone brought up his 'dirty blood'. Instead, he used those negative, angry thoughts to push himself to work harder and prove he was an asset.
If Lestrange requested he leave Black's friends alone, he would not disobey. Lestrange had acknowledged his personal feud with Potter, so he had no real justification to complain. Potter would suffer in the end, and Black was already being tormented. He was absolutely enjoying watching them take down his enemy. Working as team – they were everywhere – making it impossible for Black to escape. It was truly remarkable and terrifying to watch.
There was a disturbance down the table as Regulus Black and two of his friends walked into the Great Hall. They were quickly hailed to join the group holding court in the middle of the table. Regulus Black was being treated as the new crowned Prince of Slytherin. But Snape knew not everyone supported this. That some believed the Blacks had already been given a second chance after Andromeda Black had married a Mudblood...and now that a second Black, so soon after, had disgraced them further...that maybe it was something endemic and that it was time to let another purer, better family rise to the Blacks' spot.
Avery and Mulciber certainly felt that way, and they also made it clear that as a half-blood it was none of his concern. As if he even wanted to waste any energy on Black's little brother. Avery and Mulciber could plot all they wanted against Regulus because while they were busy with that, he was getting noticed by the older students. In fact, he'd been personally invited to take part in the next attack on Sirius Black.
"Oi, Snape! Are you coming?"
Snape looked up at Nott disinterestedly; pretending he hadn't been waiting the entire breakfast for this moment. Nott was holding hands with a pretty blonde girl, who Snape was pretty sure was one of Avery's many female cousins. The Avery sisters all looked the same to him. A small gaggle of Slytherins had also stood up heading already out the Great Hall.
Mulciber and Avery exchanged confused looks.
"Right!" Snape said standing up. "The meeting."
"What meeting?" Mulciber demanded just as Snape known he would.
Nott was having none of it. "You'd know if you were invited."
Snape shrugged apologetically. "Can't keep Lestrange waiting you know...I'll tell you what I can later..." Name dropping Lestrange purposely to let them know the importance of the meeting.
He followed Nott out of the hall letting a small smile grace his lips. He may be on friendly terms with Avery and Mulciber, but there was nothing more satisfying then washing away the smug looks on their faces.
Sirius Black had been lying to himself.
He had convinced himself he would be understanding if Remus never spoke to him again. He had convinced himself it would be enough to see James and Peter continue to be friendly with Remus. He had convinced himself he would not complain about the consequence of his actions.
None of it was enough. He'd only convinced himself it was enough because deep down he hadn't actually thought he'd be where he was – no closer to mending the rift between them.
He found himself growing impatient and irritated that Remus had still made no effort to speak to him – even if only to yell. At this point, he would have even embraced Remus hitting or hexing him. Anything would be better than the cold shoulder.
His irritation at the situation was ruining the few things in his life that he looked forward to. Today, he had a rare detention free day...and he was having trouble being in the moment. He had been looking forward to his own free day all week.
He had managed to cajole James and Peter to join him outside despite the frigid temperature. His mind though kept drifting to Remus and the full moon that had happened several days prior. Remus was needlessly suffering for there was a way to make his transformations better! And he knew the moon had been as horrible as he had feared because Remus had not returned yet to the dormitory.
He was starting to have terribly negative thoughts that his friendship hadn't meant all that much to Remus. And that nonsense that he thought of Remus as a monster? As he let the accusation run through his mind, he only grew frustrated.
"We're here. Can we go back in now?" Peter asked as they arrived at the edge of the lake. "I can't feel my fingers or my toes."
"Don't be such a baby," Sirius snapped. So, what if they were half-frozen. There was something soothing about the crunch of the leaves underfoot and sway of the branches from the wind. He needed this – a reprieve from the stuffiness of the castle and his rigid daily schedule.
"Err...what are we doing out here?" James asked diplomatically. James's voice was slightly muffled from the huge red and gold scarf he'd wrapped around his neck.
"Fresh air is important, and it's not that cold out," Sirius lied. He stepped forward placing one foot at the edge of the frozen lake. here was a slight sound of cracking underneath, but the ice did not break. He looked out onto the frozen expanse feeling a sudden recklessness. "Do you think the ice would hold my weight?"
James frowned. "I'm not fishing you out if you fall in."
Sirius stepped back. "You'd let me drown? Freeze to death?" Sirius asked with mock outrage.
"Maybe the Giant Squid will feel pity and save you?"
"Peter?"
"Don't count on me. I'm rubbish at swimming," Peter said. "And then the poor Giant Squid will have to choose between us...and he'll spend the rest of this days wondering if he saved the right person..."
Sirius snorted. "Well, if you put it that way...wouldn't want to force the Giant Squid into such a moral quandary."
"Sorry, mate," James said, "but spending time outside today is not in the cards. I've got a better idea that involves the warmth of a fire, hot chocolate in our bellies, and -"
"If you say homework, I'll throw you onto to the ice myself," Sirius interrupted.
James rolled his eyes. "You wound me to even suggest such a thing. I can't tell you though – it's a surprise."
"A surprise?" Sirius asked skeptically. Peter also looked confused.
"Yes." James grinned. "And a good one too."
"I'll be the judge of that," Sirius muttered under his breath, but he begrudgingly agreed to return indoors. Peter ran up ahead (as Peter was not one to exert himself more than necessary Sirius surmised, he might have judged Peter too harshly earlier).
He and James kept a slow, steady pace in companionable silence. The moment Peter was no longer in earshot, Sirius braved the question he'd been wanting to ask for days. "How is he? How is Remus?"
James looked stricken by the question, and his silence spoke volumes.
"It was bad, wasn't it?"
James sighed heavily. "Yes, yes it was."
"How bad?"
"He'll recover. That's what matters. He was already looking better yesterday."
"He's clearly not ok if he's still in there."
"Madam Pomfrey said he can probably leave tonight. There was just one really jagged laceration that wasn't closing."
Sirius cursed.
"Blaming yourself isn't going to help anyone."
Sirius was about to respond when he saw Peter waving to them. He was standing outside shivering. "Why isn't he inside?"
"Door locked, Pete?" James asked they approached.
"There's a group of Slytherins – in the archway – waiting."
"Waiting?" James repeated. "For us, you think?"
Sirius didn't wait for a response, he pushed open the door straight towards the threat. The conversation about Remus had made him angry and agitated...and he was sick of the Slytherins. It was about time he be given the opportunity to face them head on.
"Sirius - no – wait!" James called out after him, but he was past the point of turning back.
He strode right towards the gang of fifth year Slytherin; Mulciber, Avery, Gibbon, Walker, and Snape.
"Well..." he drawled. "That explains the smell wafting through the halls."
The group looked momentarily startled. Perhaps they hadn't been planning an ambush, but it didn't take long for them to get their footing.
Avery smiled at him in an unnerving manner. "That's what happens when you let Mudbloods in, their stench seeps into the walls and the floors – not even a good scrubbing gets is out. Though we do so appreciate how you've volunteered all your evenings in an attempt to clean the place up from all the filth."
Sirius glowered at him and then turned his attention to the one Slytherin he should be fully ignoring. "Next week my volunteering will include teaching greasy haired gits how to properly bathe."
Snape's face reddened under the implication. "And the week after that will you be teaching half-breeds how to read and write?"
"Half-breeds?" Gibbon asked looking revolted. "Surely there aren't halfbreeds at Hogwarts."
Snape shrugged noncommittedly as one of the usually quieter Slytherins, Walter stated, "My father told me there's goblin blood in Professor Flitwick's family. If he was allowed to attend and then teach at Hogwarts-"
"That's rather unkind," James interjected, slipping out his wand deftly. "Seeing as your dealing with your own troll blood problem."
There was a long pause of quiet, and finally one of the Slytherins took the bait. "Troll blood problem?"
"My apologies...didn't realize it was a secret seeing as your Quidditch Captain has purposely populated your team with trolls."
Every one of the Slytherins looked like they were ready to murder James.
"There's no troll blood in Slytherin,"Mulicber said with barely controlled fury.
James shrugged. "If you say so." His tone clearly implying he didn't believe it. James made a show of pocketing his wand. "While this chat has been very enjoyable and riveting, we need to go."
James turned to leave, and while Peter followed promptly, Sirius did not.
"Sirius, let's go," James said.
And Sirius had every intention of leaving. He'd turned and began to follow James when he heard.
"That's right, Black. Listen to your master."
It took only a few long strides before he was inches from the Slytherins. His wand was out and ready. There was a flicker of fear in Mulciber's eyes that Sirius relished, but was quickly extinguished as the others whipped out their wands. Sirius suddenly found himself outnumbered, but before anyone could call out a spell, James stepped in front of him.
"Let's call it a draw. You go your way and we go our way," James said his tone placating.
Mulciber shrugged; his fear gone now. "He's your blood traitor, Potter. Make sure to keep him on a shorter leash!"
Sirius felt a surge of anger and the hex was out of his mouth before he could stop it. James grabbed his arm just in time so the spell hit the floor in front of the Slytherins with a loud crack. They backed away looking at Sirius as if he was crazy.
Sirius met James's eye and he turned stalking around the bend away from the Slytherins. James and Peter followed shortly after.
"Are those idiots worth being expelled?" James demanded once they were out of earshot.
"Did you hear what they were saying?" Sirius asked hotly.
"I heard it as clear as you."
Sirius shook his head. "Just forget it." He didn't want to argue and he most certainly didn't want a lecture.
"Do you think they know?" Peter asked glancing worriedly over his shoulder.
"Know what?" James asked tiredly. He'd taken his glasses off and was wiping them clean.
"That Sirius turns into a dog," Peter said referring to Mulciber's comment about the master and leash.
"Don't be thick. Of course, he doesn't," James stated.
Sirius could bear standing there any longer, and turned left – away from his friends, from everything.
"Aren't we going to the kitchens?" Peter called out to him. "That's in the other direction."
Sirius ignored the question and continued walking briskly. No more than a minute later James came running after him.
"Ditched Peter, I see," Sirius remarked.
"Nah, he ditched me," James said lightly. Sirius covered his snort with a cough. "He's bringing up thermos of hot chocolate and some sweets up to the dormitory. You can thank him then."
"Hmmph."
"And I wasn't lying about a surprise. There's something Peter and I wanted to give you. I'm sure it will cheer you up."
Twenty minutes later Sirius was enjoying a large mug of hot cocoa, munching on his favorite chocolate, and sprawled out on his bed...and in a considerably better mood. He was also fiddling with his new wireless radio. The surprise James had been talking about was the presents for his past birthday...the ones they had not given him because they had been fighting.
The wireless radio was from James (the box promised it would receive Muggle radio stations though he doubted it would fully work inside the castle). The chocolate he was consuming was from Peter, who had given him a large assortment of his favorite sweets and chocolates.
Sirius continued to fiddle with his radio. He knew Hogwarts was too far from Muggle areas to get one of their stations but it didn't stop him from experimenting. Sirius felt the bed dip as James took a seat.
"I've one more thing for you."
"More?" Sirius asked looking up.
"This is from my parents and me."
James was holding a small envelope in his hands and he handed it to Sirius. Inside was a plain thick card; his full name was printed out in fancy silver print.
"Uh – James what is this?"
James's face split into a grin. "Since you practically live at my house now, my parents wanted to make sure you can come and go as you please without one of us needing to be there to let you in. You just need to tap your wand twice on that card and it will complete the magical contract."
Sirius swallowed, unsure of what to say. "You didn't need to do this," he managed. As with most magical houses there was no actual key to be let inside the house like Muggles. The house was enchanted to only let those the owners allowed inside.
"We wanted to."
"But – I – it hasn't even been decided where I'm going to go in the summer," Sirius said.
"Not officially…no…but as you can see my parents want you there. And where else would you go?"
Sirius knew there were only two possibilities; his cousin Andromeda or his Uncle Alphard…but even he knew the likelihood either would allow him to live permanently with him was slim.
"Look even if you do live somewhere else. My parents will still expect you to visit regularly. This will make it easier."
"Thank you," Sirius said quietly, gazing down at the card. He took out his wand and tapped the paper twice. The paper glowed as the magic activated and then returned to normal. "I'll have to owl your parents to thank them as well."
It was probably a result of all the sugar flooding his blood stream and overt display of affection from his friends, but he was feeling almost cheerful. If he was in his dog form his tail would surely be wagging nonstop.
A week had passed and Remus was still feeling the effects of the last full moon. It was his first transformation since Sirius had sent Snape to the Shrieking Shack with a full-grown monster inside. The wolf had been angry, very angry. He wondered if he should have just let Sirius join him, and let the wolf and the dog battle it out. Instead, he had taken out all the bottled emotions out on himself – leaving poor Madam Pomfrey to stich him back together. James and Peter had visited full of optimism and cheerful lies that he didn't look as terrible as he felt.
He still hadn't decided what to do about Sirius.
I can't be friends with Sirius.
He'd said those words to James, and he'd meant it at the time. His words full of conviction. Though with each passing day it was feeling like it would take more work to not be friends with Sirius than to forgive him.
He sensed that Sirius was growing frustrated with the situation, and that he was going to make a move to force them to have a conversation. He knew it would be better for him to dictate the terms – the time and place. It would give him more control...but he also needed to decide whether he was going to listen to Sirius or tell him simply that the friendship was over and that was that.
He didn't doubt that Sirius was sorry. Sirius would have been overcome with guilt if he had bitten and killed Snape. The same boy that could be cruel and impulsive could also be loyal, caring and selfless. He saw plainly how he could forgive Sirius, let his words of apology soothe the hurt, and it would all be under the bridge. But at what cost to his own self-worth?
He was still mulling this over a week later...while he should have been working on an Astronomy Essay. It was late Sunday afternoon, and he had joined Lily Evans and several other Gryffindors in the common room. Sundays were reserved for James and Peter to hang out with Sirius. And yes, he knew how ridiculous it was that they had such a schedule, but that was where they were at the moment.
It was quiet and calm...the rowdier Gryffindors having chosen to be elsewhere. Remus rubbed his neck hoping to allay some of the tension he could feel building. As he lifted his arm, he winced – the jagged laceration from the last full moon was still bothering him. He should probably tell Madam Pomfrey about it. That's when James entered the common room with Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, Aidan Gallagher...and Sirius in tow.
"Peter's in the Hospital Wing," James stated without preamble.
"Er...what?"
"Because of me," Sirius deadpanned. He was still near the Common Room Entrance, and his words caused everyone in the room to stare at him, including Remus. "The curse was meant for me."
Sirius met his gaze sharply, and Remus froze. Then Sirius stalked up the stairs to their dormitory. James looked like he was debating whether to follow him, and then he finally took a seat beside Remus.
"What exactly happened? How's Peter?" Remus inquired immediately.
"Sirius's school bag was cursed. With Dark Magic. Peter happened to come in contact with it before Sirius, so that's the only reason he's the one injured. I barely stopped Sirius from touching it as well...so it could have been a lot worse." James ran a hand through his hair. "Peter will recover, but he may be in the Hospital Wing a night or two."
"Any idea who cursed the bag?" Mary McDonald asked. She was sitting beside Lily.
"The Slytherins and..." James turned to Lily. "Snape was there."
"He's allowed to be in the library, Potter," Lily said exasperated.
"He also knows a lot of curses and Dark Magic."
"Same could be said for you," Lily countered.
"I don't use Dark Magic!" James looked clearly offended.
"You use magic to hurt and embarrass others, so you don't really have a leg to stand on."
"I've never seen anything like it," Gallagher interrupted. Being Quidditch Captain gave him more clout than the average student. "It was certainly daker Magic. Though I agree, it probably wasn't Snape. Or at least not only him. The fanatical purebloods have it out for Sirius. We've all seen it."
There were murmurs of affirmations. Remus though was a bit dumbfounded. Avoiding Sirius and being consumed in his own woes, meant he wasn't aware.
"And now someone else got hurt," Gallagher continued. "That's two if you count Jeremy Archer...and who knows who else was verbally bullied in private."
"Sirius is very brave," Mary MacDonald stated coloring slightly. "Fighting against his family. He's defended me before when Mulciber and Avery called me a mudblood. Maybe it's time we came to his defense?"
"We can't continue to let them get away with this – attacking other students – attacking other Gryffindors." Gallagher stated, raising his voice so he was addressing the full room.
Fay Clarke, pretty, popular, and a seventh-year prefect jumped in as well. "I agree. He's been a true Gryffindor since he's sorting...despite many – including my own- reservations. So, Potter, what can we do to help?"
The surprise on James's face mirrored his own, but James quickly found his voice. "Umm...well...we need to strike back at the very least-" James started.
"Hold on," Lily said quickly and she turned to him. "Lupin, you aren't on board with this are you? Isn't escalating the situation only going to make things worse?"
The very last thing Remus wanted to was to be put on the spot – to have to take a side - on something relating to Sirius Black. He could see her Lily's point. Look how out of hand everything had gotten between them and Snape. The whole 'eye for an eye' was a dangerous way to live. But if other students who were not close to Sirius were concerned about the actions of a certain faction of Slytherins then maybe the situation did require action. With every passing year the war outside was reaching closer and closer into Hogwarts, and maybe it was fully here now.
"It's not really up to me to decide," Remus answered evasively.
"Are you going to stand in our way, Evans?" Fay asked.
"No, but I'll also not be a part of it." Lily swept up her school books and up to the dormitory.
James's gaze followed her up the stairs looking perplexed. Then he saw everyone was still looking at him expectantly, he straightened up with that glint in his eye that Remus associated with troublemaking. "We should strike back...but more importantly, keep your eyes and ears open for trouble and do step-in to help any fellow student when it does. They can take down one or two of us – but not all of Gryffindor House. Spread the word to those not here."
There was a bit more discussion, and then slowly the conversation dissolved and everyone become focused on other things.
"Thank you for not siding with Evans," James said carefully.
"I have a lot of experience in spotting a losing battle," Remus replied dryly. "I - I didn't realize how awful things were for him...for Sirius."
"You know how he is...he likes to fight his own battles."
"Right."
There was so much more to say, but they both let it go. Remus returned to his essay, which he really did need to work on. James stayed a while before heading back upstairs to check on Sirius.
Peter made a full recovery, and he basked in the female attention from his 'brush with death'. Peter had always been more like James than he or Sirius when it came to the adoration of their peers.
The next week resembled very much the way students acted right before a Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match. It wasn't just scuffles; there were spontaneous duels, cauldrons exploding, hair turning colors, and changing body parts. Madam Pomfrey was busy undoing hexes and the Professors were constantly throwing students in detention.
The Gryffindors had come out in full support of Sirius. Remus wasn't convinced any of this had deterred anyone in Slytherin from having a go at Sirius. Remus supposed at the least Sirius had regained his House's support and respect, even though he had lost it from his parents, brother, and other family members. And despite his mixed feelings toward his friend, he didn't begrudge Sirius for receiving this unexpected support.
And, he still hadn't decided what to do about Sirius.
Author's note: So I know I promised more Sirius and Remus interaction, and I didn't exactly deliver. The 'talk' you have all been waiting for will happen next chapter. I still needed this chapter to set it more up.
I'd like to thank all my readers for reading, reviewing, and sticking with this story. As always, let me know what you think with a review!