September went by without many problems, and Sirius Black no longer became the scandalized talk of the school.
Severus tried to juggle his time between studying, making potions for Madam Pomfrey and discussing the progress of his plan with the first-years. He knew he should have dropped both Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic, but the benefits surpassed the disadvantages and he was determined to get through them until he graduated. Besides, he would like to keep his job options open.
Another full moon passed by 8th October, and the next day he was in the library with his young protégés to talk of their findings.
The children's faces went pale as they finally found out the reason of his carefully made plan. The Badgers, Ravens and Snakes immediately scooted away from the Lions, who were torn between hiding the fact there was a horrible (cool) secret in the school, or telling their parents and the authorities about it.
"…But, why?" a Hufflepuff spoke up what they all had in mind.
Severus only shrugged. "Perhaps he actually has a good heart. Perhaps he was luring our subject by the prospect of making friends and thus gaining his eternal loyalty. Who knows whatever he had thought of?" He gave them a weak smile.
The students shared a look with each other. "C- Can we tell our parents?"
"You've made your discoveries and found concrete evidence; the choice is entirely up to you."
A Slytherin boy frowned. "Surely the other teachers know of this, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Maddock. It's just the students who were never told of it. Apparently he thought children would never be curious."
A brown-haired girl from Ravenclaw bit her lip in agitation, "But how did you know, Prefect Snape?"
Severus sighed, absent-mindedly twirling his hazel wand all the while. "Now, isn't that a story to tell. Unfortunately I was forced into silence."
"He put an Oath on you?!"
He smiled over the cleverness of his charges. They certainly would be a bright generation of witches and wizards in the future. His good mood rose upon seeing the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin Prefects entered the library.
"Thank you for coming," Severus nodded to the newly arrived group and clapped once to get everyone's attention. "Now, I'm not sure if you've ever noticed this," he began slowly, "but has it ever crossed your mind as to why Lupin got sick often? Surely he had asked for your help to cover up his patrol rounds several times already, hadn't he?"
The Prefects turned to one another in contemplation. "Yeah," Dirk Cresswell, a fifth-year Ravenclaw finally spoke with a frown. "What about it, Snape?"
Severus inclined his head to the first-years. "Why don't you show them your findings?"
He watched as they compared the notes gathered by their juniors, especially those of the Gryffindors', smiling gratefully as their faces gradually turned from shock to utter disbelief and complete puzzlement.
"Lupin is a werewolf?!" one girl blurted out, to which the others quickly shushed her up. They still looked wary, however, and Severus couldn't really find the blame to that.
"If you really don't believe me, we will see on the next full moon, which is…" He quickly checked his lunar chart for November. "On 6th November. If he still looked sick on the day after, we all will be proven correct. Third time's the charm, right?"
"Now remember, not a word to the Gryffindors." He smiled when the large group nodded, some were determined while others looked apprehensive.
"What about them?" Maddock addressed the young Lions with a jerk of his thumb.
Severus took a deep breath; this was a tough one. "What do you believe in, kids?" he simply asked.
The students in red and gold turned to each other with a frown. "We think…" a girl started, "it's best to do the right thing, Prefect Snape."
"Swear on a Slytherin's honor?" he smirked. They all nodded.
"So be it."
It was Halloween, and as per tradition, the Hogsmeade visit was open to third-years and above. Severus, along with the other Prefects had taken the liberty to buy the first-years some candy from Honeydukes as rewards for their excellent work. He frowned when he saw Lily Evans was walking with her friends, the Marauders were tailing after her from behind.
"She doesn't worth your time, Snape," Mulciber spoke and Severus sighed. He should have seen the signs, but he was still so naïve, still hoping that she would forgive him. His heart somewhat ached whenever they crossed paths, and he was nowhere closer to find a way to cut the loyalty bond with her. Could his ancestors help him with that? Perhaps he should visit them during Christmas break.
…Or, he could just use the Prince Manor's pendant to sneak out illegally. Oh well, maybe he could make that his research project for the holidays. Right now, he needed to focus on the best way to expose the Marauders' next secret.
He wondered if the Hogwarts Board of Governors actually approved of Remus Lupin's admission into the school. Surely they wouldn't, right? And that could only mean one thing.
After making several stops to buy his necessities and the sweets for the first-years, Severus and his friends went to the Three Broomsticks for a quick drink when they thought they saw a familiar figure sitting by his own.
Could it be…?
"Lucius?" he asked in bewilderment.
"Severus!" said the blond upon seeing him, spreading out his arms to hug the younger boy. "It's been a long time!" He then glanced at Severus' stand-in Prefect badge and slapped him lightly on the shoulder. "A Prefect! You're surely full of surprise, Severus! Come; let me give you all a treat!" He then called for Madam Rosmerta for seven bottles of Butterbeer.
"Well then, what should we talk about?"
Severus turned to Mulciber and gestured to his old satchel. "Oh, right," said the brown-haired and he pulled out some parchment and gave them to Lucius, who frowned but took the sheets and read what was on them.
After several minutes, Lucius' face went pale. "I- Is this true?" he choked out.
The six boys nodded.
"How?"
Rosier took a swig of his drink before sighing, "Dumbledore shut Snape up with an Oath. Got the firsties to do the job instead."
"We need some Ministry officers to take Dumbledore down, even it's just for a while," Severus pleaded, "Surely you have close friends there, right, Lucius?"
Lucius blinked; was this the chance they're looking for? The Dark Lord would be very pleased with this sudden turn of events, though he also didn't want to jinx it.
"I will ask Walden Macnair to look at it if he can, but otherwise I can't promise anything."
That was enough for Severus, and he sighed in relief. "Thanks Lucius, I owe you one."
The blond only smiled. "Oh no, don't think too much of it."
"When can you come back here?"
Lucius tapped his chin thoughtfully. "When's the next full moon?"
"6th November. We want to apprehend him on 4th."
"Then I will do my best to get Macnair and his team to come over by that date." the blond patted Severus' shoulder. "Don't worry; it's about time someone did something over this. I'm so happy that it was you."
Lucius' response came two days later, and Severus along with his friends all celebrated in hushed joy in the library. About ten employees of the Ministry's Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures would arrive at noon in the pretense of examining the Care of Magical Creatures' syllabus. Upon asking Michael Avery about who was in the department, Severus didn't know if it was some sort of twisted fate that Lyall Lupin also worked there. Luckily, he was not invited.
When the morning of 4th November came by, Severus stared at the tiny vial of Felix Felicis he had won about a month ago; the potion's golden flakes were twinkling in the light as if enticing him to use it. But should he?
…No. Severus wanted what he would get was well earned, not by a deliberate stroke of luck. Though… surely it wouldn't hurt to have a small drop of it; just enough to give him a boost of confidence. And he was paranoid enough to know Dumbledore would shut off his words yet again.
He remembered how the luck potion would result in recklessness if taken in huge doses, and compared it to the alcohol his father occasionally drank. Could they be the same thing? Why was he thinking about this right now? Shaking his head, Severus lightly swirled the potion and sighed once again.
It never hurts to be careful.
The day went by without any problems, except for Professor Kettleburn who was slightly subdued by the presence of the Ministry officers. Severus had hoped Albus Dumbledore wouldn't know the real reason behind their visit up until when they turned to leave.
He smiled weakly upon seeing Lucius winked at him before leaving. They would re-enter the school from a secret passageway and hid themselves under some invisibility cloaks which while not long-lasting, still served their purpose well.
At that night, Severus took two drops of Felix Felicis before his patrol began. He nodded at Dirk Cresswell who then would quietly alert the other Prefects and students to hear the supposed secret conversation.
The moment he entered the Great Hall, he saw Dumbledore was at the teachers' table, seemingly in deep thoughts.
"Headmaster?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Ah, Severus," the man spoke with a smile upon seeing him, "Do you need anything?"
Severus hated how the old wizard spoke his name; it was all a disguise and he wouldn't play by the stupid rules. Not tonight.
"May I join you?" he said instead.
"Of course." Dumbledore spread out an arm to his right and Severus went there cautiously, thanking him before taking his seat.
"Sir, if I may inquire…" Severus felt the luck potion was pushing the words out of his mouth, "Lupin would still be safe here, right?"
The headmaster turned to look at him. "Why won't he?"
"Well… is it wrong for a student to address his concerns? I- I know you meant well, but… Surely, surely it wouldn't hurt to tell the others about his condition, right?"
"I still can't see where you're going with this, Mr. Snape."
Severus silently gulped; it was now or never. Taking a deep breath, he then continued, "I mean… who's not to say there won't be a Hufflepuff that create lovely shelters for them? Why won't there be a Ravenclaw that search out on how to cure them?"
Dumbledore's icy blue eyes stared at him and Severus tried hard to keep his composure. Then the old wizard spoke gravely, "And where do Slytherins fit in this situation, Mr. Snape?"
Severus blinked in utter puzzlement before frowning; was the old coot trying to deflect his suggestions? Or rather, shifting the blame on him? Just like the damned Shrieking Shack incident?! "I believe I've already represented Slytherin in this whole debacle, sir," he hissed, onyx eyes glinting dangerously. "And apparently, so do Gryffindors." He looked down to the headmaster in utmost disgust.
"You're a mere child, Mr. Snape; I suggest you put a stop to this conversation and continue your patrol. Or even better; go to sleep. It had been quite a tiring day, after all."
"Perhaps," Severus muttered, "Perhaps I should, Headmaster. But, you must have been familiar with the words, 'Fear a man who got nothing to lose'. Well, I dare to take it another step further, which is 'Especially a Slytherin'."
"Go on, sir," he took the risk to goad the headmaster, "Expel me if you must. You will only prove me right, however."
Dumbledore's frown went a bit more pronounced. "Mr. Snape-" he began.
"Are you saying I'm in the wrong, sir?! You gave me this badge, a symbol of power to protect other students! It may be not official, but isn't a Prefect's duty is to take care of them in the place of the teachers?!" Severus knew he was pushing his luck but he still couldn't comprehend on why the man had the need to hide Lupin's condition.
"Are you denying the true nature of children, Headmaster? They are all curious, eager to learn and know new things. Who's not to say there won't be someone who will do as I did? Are you willing to take the blame? Or will you put the whole school into silence?!" He panted as he finished his rants.
In a dawn of horror, Severus realized the luck potion's effects had run out.
But somehow, it was more than enough.
Apparently, the great wizard had failed to notice the invisibility cloaks the Ministry officials had used and thus, was caught red-handed when they took off the cloaks and pointed their wands at him.
"Albus Dumbledore, you are on indefinite probation for allowing an unregistered werewolf to attend Hogwarts and thus, putting innocent children in danger," Lucius Malfoy spoke sweetly; his blue eyes were shining with mirth. "Take the Lupin boy away too; there should be a hearing in the nearest time." When the blond made eye contact with Severus, he almost cried in joy right there.
"Long live Snape! Long live Snape! Long live Snape!"
Astounded, Severus turned around only to be caught by surprise as he was lifted up by his friends. He shared a nod with the other Prefects before enjoying his latest triumph.
"Long live Snape!" they chorused.
"Quick, take a picture!" Wilkes called upon the school photographer and they, along with Lucius poised to give out their utmost joy. Even Severus couldn't hide his wide grin as the student snapped a photograph and they immediately made copies of it.
He only wished they had called him 'Severus Prince' but whatever; this was a huge victory on its own and Severus was determined to keep at it as much as possible.