Chapter 08
His Words As Truth

Sirius' POV

I don't know what Ron, Harry and Hermione discussed in the Antechamber, but it seems to have both made them all the more confident about something and confused them on the same time as they come back with determination in their eyes, but confusion and a slight hint of defeat in their forms as they all walk back to their seats.
Harry himself sits down next to me and looks at me questioningly, as if I hold the answer to his inner problems, before he just silently smiles at me, as if seeing something in me that takes away his confusion before he asks: "What's the next chapter called?" As if Ron never led him and Hermione into a secret conversation.
Then I answer: "Snape, I was a little angry with him over Remus and decided he should be punished by reading about his own chapter." Harry nods, while he had wide eyes when I mentioned the man's name and we both look at the man, me trying not to wince in pain as there are memories trying to resurface every time I do so.

Snape's POV

Black may have sworn on his magic that it wasn't Lupin who helped him, but until I read the evidence of his so-called innocence – something Potter is stupid enough to believe in – am I not going to give up on finding out who that bastard is using as his little apprentice for the Dark Side, something I hope to get help in soon enough.
Then, as if the idiot is somehow able to read my mind, does Black throw me the book from Weasley Junior's seat and says: "Here, Snape. Because you thought you could accuse one of the people I care about of doing something illegal, you can now go ahead and read of your favorite little hate target, a thirteen year old."
I had glared at the man for thinking I waste my time targeting the brat, yet it had apparently not even faced him as he had kept a passive, slightly angry face, his frown being the only thing proving his anger and while I feel caught off guard by the man that used to carry his heart on his sleeve all the time, do I start to read.

Snape's Grudge
No one … been caught.

At this Black laughs and says: "Perhaps if you had someone who could be as fast on four legs as I am." And while I want and wish for Dumbledore to allow me this chance, do I instantly feel the Headmaster's reprimanding stare on me, silently telling me not to even try and I growl at the perfect chance lost, before I read on.

Professor McGonagall … been sacked.

"ABOUT FRICKING TIME!" Those twin menaces shout in unison, some of their year mates from other Houses and most of Potter's little friends actually cheering along and while my fellow colleagues share looks of shame that make me want to glare that little group to silence, am I forced to wait until they calm before reading on.

His portrait … their clubs.

"Can someone cast a spell on the ears of those not yet ready to hear adult themed pranks, so to say?" One of the twins asks, he and his little menace of a brother smirking at each other, but then, while I turn green at following their train of thought, does McGonagall spat: "We will most certainly do not – and neither will you, understand?"
The two nod, both looking disappointed for not being able to continue their little word joke, but then Potter whispers: "You do realize you're talking about trolls, right?" And the brat of a boy actually gets it done to make those two menaces look as green and sick of their own thoughts as I felt before I quickly focus back on reading.

Harry couldn't …within it.

This makes me smirk, while I think: "Not anymore. That passageway will be closed as soon as Dumbledore –." But then again, do I feel the man's glare on my person and I glare back at him this time, not planning to give into his wishes to offer his so-called grandson some amusement when we're supposed to protect him.
Then the man says: "A new rule. No uses of the Passageways out of the school if both Headmaster and all Heads of House agree that there is any form of danger outside our Hogwarts wards. All passageways through the schools will be accessible, those going outside will be closed, were the area around the school to be under threat."
And while my glare intensifies at the words all the Heads of House, do my colleagues actually nod with smiles on their faces, which I just know are aimed as a joke at my displeasure and I grumble as I silently decide to fight the full consequences of this rule later on, when the brats have gone to sleep before I read on.

"D'you reckon … Hogsmeade again.

"Trust me, Harry, it's during fifth that you will really want to be going to Hogsmeade, if only to relax from all the stress that comes with ten months of studying for your O.W.L.s." The Gryffindor then says with sick humor in his voice and many other sixth and seventh years – even some of my snakes – nod in agreement.
"What are you talking about? O.W.L.s are one of the two most important tests a wizard takes in his entire life." Granger then complains and Wood says: "Exactly, and no one likes being stressed over such an important something for ten months straight, Hermione." And while the girl looks properly bashed, do I read on.

Ron had … filthy hair …

"A skeleton, Ron? Really?" Black then annoys me as he asks and Lupin wraps an arm around him as he laughs: "Sirius, you can't possibly say that twelve years Azkaban and several months on the run can be good for your health." And while Black pouts: "Yes, I can." With his arms crossed, do I sneer at both of them and read on.

Holding this … were asleep.

This makes both victim and murderer shudder, the Weasley kid in fear of actually being murdered and Black for who knows what reason as he says: "I could never kill an innocent kid. I had my sights on someone completely different." And while the look between the Golden Trio makes me know they're onto Black's target, do I read on.

"He must've … the teachers …"

Again Black shudders and says: "Facing Dumbledore and McGonagall is definitely not something on my wish list, but – but knowing I – that I might have to face you, old pal." He then looks at Lupin as another, more violent shudder runs through his body and while I personally feel that Dumbledore should just strike him, do I read on.

Neville was … a Howler.

"Wait, what?" Black then interrupts me, his confusion amusing me as he turns to the Headmaster and asks: "I thought Hogwarts had created an Anti-Howler ward in my first after my dearest mother kept sending them to me for over a month. What happened with that?" But like with Black, does the Headmaster grunt in pain.
The grunt alone makes me know that whatever happened to the ward was done by the same wizard as the one to have cursed us all with this really bizarre memory spell and while I can't help but wonder what could be hidden behind this spell, does Poppy quickly help Albus heal of his pain, many students looking worried, before I read on.

The school … year before.

"For what?" Black asks bewildered and Potter answers: "There was a really big threat endangering the students last year and the House-Elf of the culprit wanted to make sure I wouldn't be involved in it all, so he tried to keep me from going to Hogwarts by sealing the passageway to Platform 9 3/4, only Ron's dad – well, he had a flying car."
The boy ends with a cringe and both Lupin and Black look wide eyed with shock and Lupin asks: "Please tell me you had someone who could drive behind the wheel." And Weasley raises a tentative hand as he mutters: "I saw dad and the twins do it plenty of times. I – I knew how to drive." To which I can't help but think:
"But not how to land safely, apparently." And while the memory of having caught those two rule-breakers still sweetens my mind, does the fact that they got off with nothing more than a single detention and a slap on the wrist anger me enough that I interrupt Black and Lupin before they can question further and read on.

"Run for … whole family.

This makes Black shake his head as he says: "And that is why Uncle Charlus vetoed against the whole Howlers to School idea. He didn't think it right for hundreds of students to hear the drama and private issues of one family and so tried to make it so that Owls with Howlers would deliver these to the students in the dorms, not the Great Hall."
This makes me raise an eyebrow and the man sighs and says: "He never got that vote through as no one could really calculate how much time an owl would need to get from one address to Hogwarts, so to regulate when a Howler would be send was impossible and so the veto was left unanswered, no matter how hard he tried."

The man then lowers his head and Potter asks: "This Charlus man sounds amazing, who was he?" And Black sends a disgustingly loving smile at the lad as he says: "He was your grandfather, James' dad. He was an amazing man and he took me in after I ran away from home. He became my true father, just when I needed it."
"What you need is a reality check and a sentence straight to the Dementors." Goes through my mind, but then I feel a small twinge of pain, as if the memory spell is trying to break and the memories behind it are trying to prove me different. Feeling as if that possibility is just ludicrous and impossible, do I quickly read on.

Harry was … Neville's cornflakes.

"She eats that?" Longbottom asks in shock and while I personally try to keep my eyebrow from raising at this strange part of the story, does Potter nod and say: "She pretty much eats everything. Had to teach her that summer after first." And while a small part of me tries to feel worried, do I sneer at this feeling as I read on.

The note … Cheers, Hagrid

"What is it with you wizards and your weird writing methods. First you friendly invite him over, then you order him around and then a friendly greeting to end it?" The youngest of the new group of brats then asks and while I feel my heart and mind conflicting even more with them than anyone else here, do I just huff and read on.

"He probably … put out.

"I'm sure the teachers already discussed everything amongst themselves, Ron. McGonagall was involved, after all, seeing you're her student and in danger at the time." Granger then lectures the boy, but Weasley seems not to care for the way she tries to make him look stupid and just nods at her with a smile before I grunt and read on.

The first … wardrobe door .

This makes me smirk, while the giant in question turns red and I think: "There you have it. Proof that Potter is just careless towards everything and everyone around him." But then the brat proves me wrong and asks: "Parvati, Lavender, could you two help Hagrid with that? For it if becomes necessary, you know."
The two nod and while many of the dumb brats around him – including that strange gang of misfits – smile at the boy, do I think: "Sure, Potter saves his own hide from evidence that he's a careless brat and everyone loves him. Just like that blasted father of his." And while ignoring the strange pain within my heart, do I read on.

"What are … their minds.

"Selfish brat." I think with a smirk on my face, but Albus thinks different and says: "That broom almost cost you a friendship with someone you care for very much. It's not unusual for someone your age to have such a thing happen." And while I wonder when he will stop keeping a hand above the brat's head, do I read on.

Hagrid poured … Hagrid's cooking.

By now I am thoroughly enjoying myself as almost every paragraph proves that everything I ever thought about Potter to be correct, but then Hagrid says: "It's because I bake them for peeps like myself, isn't it?" And while Potter and Weasley share a guilty look, do they still nod, making me grunt at them doubtfully before I read on.

"I got … chance now …"

"Ms. Granger, that is far too much work for someone your age. Goodness Merlin, why didn't you just ask one of the older years for help if you felt you couldn't rely on Misters Potter and Weasley anymore? Or come to me about all these issues the three of you are dealing with?" Minerva then asks the girl, but Potter snorts.
Everyone looks at him and he says: "Hermione's much too independent and – like the rest of this world – proud to ask others for help when she thinks she can handle something herself. As for not coming to you –." And with that does the arrogant brat send her a stare that would actually make Lucius proud as he asks:
"When, other than the few times you wanted our intel on the Chamber of Secrets last year, did you ever proof to us that your office was open for more than school work? You never visit the common room, your behavior in the book during Christmas speaks for itself and I'm not even going to mention the 150 point loss incident."

By now almost the entire school is silent, none of the students quite understanding what Potter could have against his Head of House and my fellow teachers not quite knowing what to say about all of this, but then Albus asks: "Minerva, why did you stop your weekly visits to the common room? You used to do that all the time."
And when Potter asks: "When? During the war?" Does Minerva cringe, making the boy raise his eyes skyward and continue: "Oh, so because peace has returned to England, did you assume that your students no longer need weekly visits of their head of House? The same person who said Your House is like your family?"
At this several of my colleagues hit themselves on the head and while Potter has now gone to lounge against the moss covered seats his so-called friends are seated on, does he say: "Yeah, I noticed they're like family, alright. Like the Dursleys to be exact." And while the group of misfits snorts and cringes at this, do I read on.

"Hagrid, we … Tha's all."

"I'll agree with what you say any day, Hagrid, but I do want to point out a few quick flaws before our reader continues." The woman that was picked up by those misfits interrupts me and she goes on: "First of all, when you started noticing that she was putting too much hay on her stack – so to say – you should have stopped her.
And even if you couldn't do that, were you not the intended person to make sure that she kept herself healthy and without all that pressure she put on herself. You obviously realized that things were running out of hand, so why did you contact Harry and Ron and not McGonagall? Surely you knew of Harry's distrust of her."

And while part of me wonders when this whole thing turned into a Blame your teacher activity, does Hagrid turn red and say: "I just thought that, because those three have already been able to do so many amazing things together, that they could easily solve these issues between themselves if I just pointed it out to them."
The woman sighs and says: "I get that you trust in their independence, Hagrid, but those levels of theirs are much too high to be right. You really should have brought these issues with the one responsible for them, if for no other reason than to give her another chance to earn their trust." The giant nods and I read on.

Harry and … said angrily.

"Ron, you can't demand of someone to get rid of their pets. You can ask them to keep them away from you or to – as you wanted at the beginning of the year – keep them in their dorms, but you can't demand them to just get rid of their pets. That's just unreasonable, even with the current situation." Lupin then tells the boy.
The brat himself turns red and says: "I guess so. Sorry Hermione, it's just – almost every time I have Scabbers outside his cage, that cat of yours seems to be there. As if he only wants to be around us to get him. And then – in the book – Scabbers got eaten and – well." The girl nods and I snort at how pathetic it all sounds as I read on.

"But she's … more quietly.

"Which is kind of dumb, if you ask me." The second eldest of the misfit gang then says and he goes on: "First it takes Black attacking the Fat Lady before you decide to inform Harry of the danger and then, when Black proves twice that he can infiltrate Hogwarts, you still keep such dangerous passageways open?"
At this I angrily retort: "If Potter would just hand over that blasted map –." But the lad snorts and says: "Give me a break. Those passageways existed long before that map was created. You don't fool me, you know. There must be at least one of you teachers that knows of them and their existence, so why –?" But then Albus says:
"You are indeed right, Isaac, which is also why we installed the new rule regarding the passageways going through and the passageways leading in or out of the castle. Something we should have done at the start of the year, not two months in." The silver-white haired boy nods in understanding and I grumble at him as I read on.

"Harry!" said … at Hermione.

At this the teachers and Hagrid hit themselves on the head and one of the twins asks: "What happened to that talk you had with Hagrid earlier?" And his blasted brother asks: "Did that perhaps slip your mind when you saw the notice or something?" And while Weasley turns a deserving red, does the woman say:
"And this is why issues like this should be discussed with someone these kids trust. You can't rely on teenagers – especially not those that are newly discovering their hormones or those with high tempers – to solve problems this big or this personal. You need a trustworthy and responsible adult for that." My colleagues nod and I read on.

"Ron, how … Zonko's yet!"

"Last time he went, he heard things he should have been told months sooner. I don't think you should be using that for an example, you know?" The girl that Potter has been warning me about the entire time then says and while Weasley turns red and mumbles: "I probably wanted him to forget about that." Do I grumble and read.

Harry looked … this time."

Then suddenly does Potter groan and while I silently think: "Now what is up with little Boy Wonder?" Does the brat ask: "Wasn't this chapter named after Snape?" And while I hate him for not showing me proper respect, does his friend nod and he groans: "Great, cloak or no cloak, I'll be getting caught." Making me smirk and read on.

On Saturday … and winked.

"Great acting there, you two." One of the misfit twins says and the other goes on: "Yeah, all the way up to the wink. That would give it away to anyone watching." And the twins – to my annoyance – chant together: "Like those responsible for you – NOT!" And while they raise their eyes skyward at us, do I glare at them and read.

Harry hurried … it, or …"

"Mr. Longbottom, were you onto them by any chance?" Albus then asks, but the pitiful boy shakes his head and says: "I was banned from visits in the book, remember? I must have seen the students leave and decided I wanted to see some of them off. I think all of this was just random dumb luck – like usual for me, really."
And while I don't even feel a hint of pity for the pitiful brat, does the oak-brown haired girl move over and does she sit next to him as she says: "I can sense a great deal of power within you, you know. It feels like this amazing oak tree that is trying to grow out of the small seedling, of which the shell just doesn't want to break."
And while I can only roll my eyes at the sappy way that the girl tries to cheer up someone who is a lost cause anyway, do I feel confused as a strange sense of pride enters my heart, something I have only sensed whenever the eldest of the misfit gang did something and while I wonder what my bond is with these misfits, do I read on.

Neville broke … behind Harry.

This makes me smirk, but then the same leader of those loners speaks up and asks: "You're actually proud of that? What teacher – a person responsible for the health and feelings of those under his care – is proud of a student fearing him? Fearing a failure is one thing, but this kind of fear? How can you be proud of that?"
And while I glare at the brat for daring him to question me, does Potter worsen it and say: "He should be proud. Neville's not just scared of him, Snape's even the one thing Neville fears above all others. Professor Lupin's first lesson proves that when he had us study and fight of a Boggart." This seems to shock the brat and he asks:
"You're a student's worst fear? How can you be proud of that?" But then I say: "Who says what Potter says is even true?" But then Potter's words seem to come true as something happens that I never could have expected. Heat starts gathering in the center of the circle of misfits and Potter hits himself on the head as he says:

"I warned him. He can't say I didn't, cause I did." And while I wonder what boy wonder could be on about, do I feel like taking off my robe as the heat that is gathering in the center of the group is now moving out in waves of heat, the temperature of this heat increasing with the minute if not the second and making me sweat.
Wondering how this can be possible as the candles above us are supposed to temper any and all temperature in the Great Hall, do I suddenly get the shock of a lifetime as all of the candles above us get lit like supernovas and explode, but while the heat shocks me, does something else happen that follows it.
The girl with the wavy black hair, who had been helping Black heal twice now, rises her arms into the sky and amazingly enough calls forth all of the water from the jugs and glasses and goblets around her before moving her arms to one of the others in the group, the whole amount of water she summoned blasting the center of the group.

Instantly the temperature around us returns to normal and while the candles above us now all fall from the sky, all of them having been reduced to stomps the size of my little finger, do I see where the heat came from as I duck from one of the candles falling and to my shock, is the source actually the girl Potter warned me about.
The girl is soaked to the core of her cloths and bone and her cherry blonde hair is sticking to all sides of her face, her curled up fringe covering her eyes, but not the fire that is actually still burning in their gaze, the color of her eyes having turned from a dark pink to a blood red that scares me as it looks too familiar for comfort.
The girl's cloths also stick to her body and accentuate her hourglass figure as well as her incredible curves and while many of the elder lads now look at her as if they want to eat her, does she shake her head to clear her vision before she levels me another glare, the heat of it alone making me feel as if I just jumped into a volcano.

"Never. Call. Any. Of. My. Friends. A. Liar." The girl then hisses and while I suppress the need to gulp, do I feel a strange sense of déjà vu, which is followed up by a twinge of pain within my mind, making me wonder what memory I could have that is blocked and where a similar event apparently took place.
Instead of that, do I retake my seat and calmly use my wand to vanish the candle that landed on it, vanishing the dripped candlewax as well before sitting down, pretending as if the girl and her actions haven't scared the living daylights out of me and probably some of the students around me and instead of that, do I read on.

"And what … you belong."

"I highly doubt it's up to the likes of you to decide where those two belong, Professor." The same girl then spats and while her words – strangely enough – remind me of Lily after I made my foolish mistake all those years ago, do I use my Occlumency lessons to pretend that I am ignoring the girl and do I read on.

Harry and … doubling back.

"You could have taken him with you, you know?" The girl with the oak brown hair says, but Potter shrugs and says: "I'm guessing book me wasn't sure if Neville's footing would work with the stealth needed once you're under the cloak." And while Longbottom sends him a guilty grateful smile, do I sneer at the two and read on.

Once out … feels weird …"

"Yeah. I can attest to that one." Black then laughs, but when Lupin asks: "What are you talking about? That cloak always fit the four of us easily." Does Black turn a confused face downward, before he grunts and says: "We – we wanted to – to take more than – the four of us once, but – but it wouldn't – it wouldn't work."
"When did we do that?" Lupin asks shocked, but Black seems to be in too much mental pain and Potter says: "He's trying to break through that mental blockage on his memories. Girls, help him." And the same three girls as before do their thing, Black's pain erasing itself off his face before he says: "In fourth."
We all look confused and he says: "It – it was in our fourth. We – we wanted to organize a picnic between the – the – I can't remember but it was more than us four – and – and because some of us didn't have sneaky reputations, did we try to keep it that way and so we – we wanted all of us under the cloak, but it wouldn't work."
This makes Lupin look down, his face a mix of confusion, doubt and thoughtfulness, but I already know that Black has to be raving as no memory spell can be strong enough to make a werewolf forget about members of his pack and Black sounds as if this group has been bigger than the four of them for years. At this I snort and read on.

They went … Teacup apiece.

This makes my colleagues groan and makes the blasted twins apparently forgive their blasted little brother for his earlier mistakes as they smile at him and high-five him, but before they can do the same with Potter, does one of the twin like misfits says: "Who wants to bet that Harry –." And his misfit of a brother goes on:
"Will send those our way –." And the two chorus: "To help us pester our own blasted relatives?" And while Potter now raises his hands, palms facing the sky, and accepts one high-five from each of them, does the eldest of the loner group say: "No bet, boys. We all know Harry only uses prank products on those who really deserve it."
Making me roll my eyes and think: "And of course to someone like Potter, that means the entire school for not being as great and mighty as he is. Blasted arrogant little brat. No different than his stupid father." And while I continue my reading, do I shake away the strange feeling to send a glare at that cursed bastard, Black.

The day … sealed shut …"

Hearing this makes me grind my teeth together as my need to reveal little Lupin's secret and expose him for the monster he is becomes stronger with each paragraph, yet I know I will get all of the teachers on my neck – including Albus – if I try and the memory of the last time he got angry makes me read on instead.

Harry, feeling … three months …"

"Which is something anyone who knows Madam Pomfrey should know isn't even true, wouldn't you agree Mr. Malfoy?" Minerva then asks the boy and while I glare at her, does she then turn her glare to me as she goes on: "And even if it was, wouldn't it befall your Head of House to send you to St. Mungo's to treat that so-called injury?"
And while Draco had turned red in anger at being called out, does his redness now worsen in embarrassment as he must not have thought of how his little scheme will affect my reputation and where I do and do not show care to my own students. Hating the elder woman for doubting my care for my own Snakes, do I read on.

Crabbe and … that true?"

"And where did you hear that from, Malfoy? Your father? Not really a good source of information seeing the growing hatred between him and Arthur Weasley now, would you say?" One of my own Snakes then asks and while Draco sputters at this, do I hate how my own students are turning against each other as I read on.

Harry seized … Ron's ear.

"A little unfair, wouldn't you think Potter? To fight them when they can't even see you?" I then sneer at the boy, but Potter remains calm and retorts: "And the fact that Malfoy could have sicked Crabbe and Goyle on Ron by himself makes my actions be called unfair?" And while I hate how he outsmarted me, do I read on.

The opportunity … the path.

"Well now, Severus. Does that not prove that Harry has no real ill intent towards your students? If he really wanted to hurt them, he could have used all kinds of jinxes, but instead he only plans to throw a little mud. Nothing too bad, would you say?" Albus then asks me and while I say: "Humiliation is still painful, you old fool." Do I read on.

"We were … in muck.

This makes some of those around me actually snicker and while I hate feeling like I am back in school, back in the mercy of those blasted Marauders, do I shake off the painful twinge that hits me as I think of all those humiliating things they did to me and while I think: "They did do that to me, I know they did." Do I read on.

"What the –?" … of Harry.

"And you wonder why I don't consider you real Quidditch competition." Potter then comments, using the same airy tone as Weasley must have done in the book and while Draco glares at him, does Potter say: "Reminds me of last year's first Quidditch match, this does." And now Draco is almost steaming in anger as I read on.

Crabbe blundered … his face.

Now Potter hits himself on the head and says: "That blasted foot." But my mood has finally changed as I have no doubt that this is where things will finally start to look much better for me and for Draco. This is where the title of the chapter will become reality and while I try very hard to hide my glee at this fact, do I read on.

For a … said anything –

At this I want to roll my eyes, but then Albus seems to read my thoughts as he says: "I highly doubt it is me that young Mr. Malfoy will be going to." And while I have no doubt that the new information of Albus being Potter's grandfather only further confirms this fact, does Potter shrug at the man and do I read on, annoyed at how calm he is.

Back into … said Snape.

"Am I the only one who is getting a Muggle moment here?" One of the misfit twins then asks and my stomach churns in disgust as I see all the other misfits shake their heads, Potter smirking at them and making me finally understand why he was so calm this entire time. He knew his stupid little buddies would make the resemblance.
Disgusted that the brat dares to compare me with that no-good lump of a human that Petunia – Merlin may only know why – married to, do I send my fiercest glare their way to punish them for their comment, but it seems that the fiery-tempered girl has yet to forgive me as she sends me a glare back that actually scares me.
I shake my head, shocked to find myself seated a little further back in my chair than I normally would and while wondering how one measly girl of almost twenty can have such effects on me and while I violently push back memories of another young woman who had – at one time – been able to do so, do I grunt and read on.

Harry followed … threatening atmosphere.

"Severus, if you believed you had caught Mr. Potter breaking the rules, you should have come to me, not take him to your own office. I accepted this back last year, because it happened during the feast, but normally I expect such matters to be settled within my own office, you understand?" Minerva asks, but then Potter says:
"I'd rather it be in his office. With him I at least know where I stand." The woman looks shocked and while I know that I should not have taken his words for a compliment, do I still feel myself reeling with shock over the fact that Potter has more trust issues with his Head of House than I expected before I read on.

"Sit." Said … apparently alone."

"Did he say who was alone or did he try and sell you another crappy story to make you feel sorry for him. Like he thinks he can try with the rest of us and his so-called damaged arm?" Mss. Greengrass then asks and the girl with the notes answers: "The second." Before she puts another blasted note in a different file and I read on.

Still, Harry … have happened?"

"You seriously call that talking? You need to get a dictionary if that is what you call talking, you nitwit." The misfit twins then say, their tones of voices so in sync they actually sound as one and while I feel weirded out by this fact, do I ask: "What did you just –?" Only for Potter to – annoyingly so – interrupt me and ask:
"Nitwit? Really? A little soft for you liking, right guys?" And while I still cannot understand how Potter can remain calm like this, do the twin boys shrug and say: "What can we say? He just hasn't worked on our nerves enough yet. He has to earn our ire before we really insult him. Now we just want to toy with him, really."
And to my great annoyance, does Potter laugh and say: "Toy with him all you want, guys. Might make him feel how he thinks he can make others feel. Would be about time too, if you ask me." And while the two boys mock-salute the younger, black-haired brat, do I grumble and glare at them together with my Snake before I read on.

Harry tried … things like –"

"Seeing how he thinks he can fake that injury of his, would I be delighted if you could send Mr. Malfoy my way next time he starts raving like that, Severus." Poppy then says and while part of me feels furious over the woman picking Potter's side, do I know quite better than to argue with the famous matron and read on.

"What would … foot apart.

"Severus, there is absolutely no need for you to stand so threateningly over one of my students. I understand you have your beliefs of Potter and that you wish to keep those strong, but that does not mean you can terrorize one of my lions. Although you already seem to be doing so for more than just Mr. Potter, haven't you?"
Minerva then ends, her voice sounding like a mountain lioness protecting her cubs from wild threats and while I feel as if I am again in my teens and caught snooping where I don't belong, do I keep these feelings from showing on my face and ask: "What proof do you have that I have been – as you say – terrorizing your lions, exactly?"
And the whole Gryffindor Third year group shouts: "Neville's Boggart, that's what!" Angering me and making the boy in question turn red, while the rest of his year mates actually return my glare with one of their own, the fact that they don't even cower under my anger due to their own united anger making me read on furiously.

"If your … confirm that?"

"I would have, in a heartbeat." The blushing boy then says, shocking me and making those around him smile before he glares my way and says: "Would be a good way for me to finally end that stupid fear. Like professor McGonagall said, you have no right to intimidate, threaten or terrorize any of us – or our pets, Professor."
And the way he sneers at me actually reminds me of his mother Alice, something that makes me keep back my own retort as I had never expected of the boy to resemble his steadfast mother, but forever resemble his easy-going, slightly wonky and physically unbalanced father, who shockingly enough became an Auror to boot.
Feeling myself wonder yet again what Alice Hesterfield ever saw in old Franklin Longbottom, do I shake my head as that same twinge hits my memory yet again and I hiss: "We better get this book over soon. That Memory spell is starting to annoy me." And while my colleagues look shocked that I too am affected, do I read on.

Harry didn't … us, too.

"A small amount? You and James constantly tried wiping the field with each other. Your Quidditch matches became bloody legendary right from the first one in our fourth year when Slytherin's seeker graduated and you decided to take his place." Black then says, yet I sneer at him and say: "Wow Black, Azkaban –."
Only for Black to again reach for his head and shout out in pain, the three girls responding the minute they see his hands move to his head and before long has Black been laid down next to his godson, Potter worriedly wrapping his arms around the man, while the Aurors around us now have their hands on their wands worriedly.
Wondering why those girls are stupid enough to put Black so close to his target, do I see the three and the girl with the cherry-blonde hair sit themselves down on the slabs the brat and the mutt are leaning against and while I wonder if the fiery-tempered girl is planning to burn Black alive, do I smirk at this happy thought and read on.

Strutting around … so swollen –"

"Look who's talking. With the way you're treating us and the way you're treating your own snakes, I'm not surprised the Gryffindor-Slytherin feud still exists, really." Potter then says, while he keeps himself sickeningly close to Black and I glare at the two, challenging them with my eyes to proof it as Potter goes on and says:
"You bully the Gryffindors as if you're the most popular in school and they're a bunch of weak, geeky nerds, they get angry with you, but aren't stupid enough to lash out and so turn on your Snakes, those go and complain to you and you go even worse on the Gryffindors in return, which makes the whole circle start all over again."

This shocks and astounds me and while Albus looks at the boy in pride, does he calmly say: "It's an endless circle, but it doesn't really have to be as both the start and the end of it begin with you. If you were to just be a little less into that whole feud and prove it should exist, the students will follow and none of this has to go on anymore."
And while I hate how the brat thinks he can just blame me for something that has been going on for hundreds of years, not to mention the fact that he knows nothing about why I am doing this and that he shouldn't judge without knowing everything, do many of my actual Snakes and several of Potter's own lions nod before I read on.

"SHUT UP!" … my dad!"

This makes me look shocked before I send a glare at Albus and I hiss: "What the bloody hell did you even tell that boy?" And when Albus calmly says: "The truth as I know it." Do I gnash my teeth together as neither Black nor his little friends were ever really honest to the man when it all came down to it.
"We'll just see what the truth is, Albus. Before this book is over will the world get proof that Black is nothing more than a careless criminal and a murderer." Yet while I try with all that I am to put all of my belief into these thoughts, does that stupid spell make me cringe in silent mental pain as it stings in my memory before I read on.

Snape's sallow … last moment.

"Not true." Black suddenly says, his face no longer the same calm posture as it was earlier, but instead a visage of full blown anger and he says: "It was someone else who lead you there. We protected you – all of us did – that's how –." But before the man can utter anymore of his ridiculous nonsense and lies, does he scream again.
Instantly the three female misfits and Poppy are at his side, the girls doing the same thing they've been doing so many times before and Poppy giving the madman another Pain Relief potion before Lupin shocks us all as he says: "Your memories are getting mixed up, aren't they?" And the certain way with which he speaks shocks us.

Black nods and says: "The longer we read all of this, the more I am seeing my memories of before Lily and James were killed change before my very eyes. Everything that has something to do with our past seems to be changing and reforming itself to the truth. I – I just don't get why – why I'm the only one affected."
"Because of me." Potter then says and when we all look at him, does he say: "The same person who did this to you is the one who betrayed my parents and killed those Muggles. It's the same guy and because he wants you to think that his crimes start with that and because you're my godfather, are you the one affected the strongest."
"And so the curse on us all breaks with me the first. Instead of breaking first with the one least affected, does this undoing start with me because I got the first and most direct blow of that bastard's magic. So – so does that mean that – that I'm actually – breaking free, perhaps?" And after Potter and Lupin nod, do I read on.

There was … from Hogwarts."

"I told you, it was someone else. Someone else sold out Remus' secret to you and you trusted him for some reason. We realized the danger you were in and because –ugh, dammit." Black then says, apparently still experiencing a minor attack from the spell, yet what I don't let show as I read on is that I now remember – his words as truth.

Snape's uneven … last time –"PoA – chapter 14, page 303 & 304 – PoA

"As if that would even be necessary. Want to bet I already figured that Snape had you and that I'm heading there myself to support whatever story you came up with." This makes the sneer at the red haired brat and I ask: "And how would you know that, Mr. Weasley." And his answer makes me hiss at him in fury as he says:
"I'm a chess-master, remember? I knew you'd want to get evidence and that's in Harry's pockets. Yet I was with Harry when he bought his stuff, so I'd know what is and what isn't in there and by the time I got to your office, I would have known exactly what to say to stand up for my friend." And with fury over being bested, do I read on.

"Indeed? And … the fire.

"Severus Tobias SNAPE! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY SCHOOL RULES YOU WOULD HAVE BROKEN IF YOU DID THAT?" Minerva then shouts at me and I retort: "The same amount as Potter, probably." Yet the calm way with which I speak seems to only ignite her temper further and she shouts:
"SNEAKING OUT IS NOT THE SAME AS DESTROYING PERSONAL PROPERTY, SEVERUS!" Then Albus makes it even worse as he asks: "Severus, when exactly in your youth did James ever destroy something of yours? And don't bring up your O.W.L.s, Severus as –." But then something worrying happens.

Albus himself grunts in pain and the four females instantly head for the man, performing the same tasks as they did with Black before Albus makes almost my entire world crumble as he grunts: "That event – never happened." And the astounded tone the man speaks with proves that he never saw this coming either.
All teachers look shocked at this as almost all of them – bar Sybill, Rolanda and a few others – were actually faculty during that year and must also have memories of the event that I believed for years was the end of my most important friendship yet and with a haltering voice do I ask: "Albus – are – are you sure?"
The man nods, now apparently healed from his sudden bout of pain as he says: "The pain actually made the memory clear up, Severus. What we all thought we remembered is not true. It was not that you lost one friend that day, Severus, it was that on that day – you gained eight." And with this astounding news do I read on.

"No!" Harry … the Dementors?"

This astounds everyone around me and I grumble as I think: "I was actually right and I didn't even know it." But then I silently read ahead and while the first paragraph makes me feel very pleased with my book-self, do the next few parts infuriate me and when Lupin asks: "You wanted the secrets revealed, didn't you?"
Do I glare at him with raging fury, but the man wave his wand while on his lap, sigh and say: "Severus please. Give us some credit. This was our master piece and we were very protective of it. Of course we wouldn't just protect its secrets with only a single password, we were smarter than that, you know?" And while I grumble, do I read on.

Harry blinked … his wand.

By now Black hits himself on the head and says: "Two mistakes there, Snape. First, you said your name. Anyone knowing us would know we charmed that thing against you. Two, you called yourself a teacher. We were teens, of course we wouldn't want that map in teacher's hands." And while I give him right, do I read on.

As though … the slimeball."

By now even Black is glaring as he looks at where I am reading this through gnashing teeth and to my astonishment, does the man say: "That's not right." I glare at him with raging fury and he says: "I remember we charmed that thing to keep its secrets hidden, but – but we changed the method back in our sixth.
Why did it change back?" This question is not one I was expecting and actually takes all of my anger away, replacing it with shock and then Potter asks: "Was the one who casted the spell causing you all those headaches perhaps one of the creators of that map?" And the man's groan is answer enough as he says:
"He was. That little bastard must have snuck up to the twins after they came home with that map and adapted the spell work we all casted on it. He must have recognized it the minute the twins came home. Part of his magic is linked to that map, of course he would be able to sense its presence." This worries the lot of us and Potter asks:
"Can you?" The man calms down at this, his agitation being replaced with tranquil happiness and he says: "I can indeed, but let's stop giving these hints. I think Remus is getting a little sick constantly having to charm the twins before the book ends." And while the werewolf mock-glares at his friend, do I read on.

Harry waited … Lupin's face.

"I guess I was expecting that thing to still be with Mr. Filch. Must have underestimated what the twins here can be capable of." And while Lupin had made sure that the twins were distracted while he said this, had I used his opportunity to read ahead, the texts I read not improving my mood and when he undoes the spell, do I read on.

"Well?" said … Dark Magic.

At this Black sits up with shock and he says: "I can't believe I'm saying this – well, part of me can – but Snape might be onto something. That map was in hands of that little rotten bastard for the last four years, who knows what he could have done to it." Everyone looks shocked at this and then Lupin asks the twins:
"Would you boys mind if I check that Map for dark magic before handing it over to Harry?" The twins however, have turned as white as everyone else after Black's statement and almost faster than my eyes can blink have they pushed the retched map into the man's hands, the werewolf giving them a grateful nod before I read on.

This is … ages – ago …"

"Told you." Weasley then laughs and I glare at the brat, but the boy seems unaffected as he says: "I don't like lying, Professor, but I'd rather be called a liar than a personal property destroyer." And while the slur against my near attempt stings more than I expected, does something unexpected happen after the sting goes away:
"Trust me, depending on the severity; being called a liar sucks." The girl with the file then says and when she looks up, does she say: "The note said to read this if anyone admitted pride to being called a liar. It even actually had this chapter number on it." And while shocked that Potter from the future expected this, do I read on.

"Well!" said … said shortly.

"You know the Marauders?" The twins then ask in astonishment and while I am shocked that Lupin got them to not hear all of his hints for this long, does the man say: "We've met." Sharing a secret grin with Black and making those around him laugh, while the twins pout, obviously wanting to know more, yet I do not and read on.

He was … magic tricks."

"Okay, that is just wrong on so many levels, I don't even have words for it." Black then says, the grin he had been sharing with Lupin now changed into a furious glare and he says: "It's one thing to make Harry remember how dangerous I am supposed to be, but using his parents when he's not even supposed to know I betrayed them?"
At this Lupin hangs his head and the eldest of the misfits says: "And this is exactly why we formed our gang of misfits." Everyone looks at him as his voice sounds old beyond his years and he says: "The only adult we ever kept getting proof of that we could trust them was Aunt Rosie. Others just loved screwing us over again and again."

By now many of the adults around me are looking down with either guilt or worry and the brat continues as he says: "Telling half-truths, making up lies just to make us do stuff no kid our age should do, accepting that we were but the bully targets of their kids. We had no one – no one, but ourselves and Rosie.
So excuse us for having trust issues, but you're not exactly proving yourselves any better than the Community there – and they were Muggles and our magical parents, for crying out loud." And while I feel that I should be furious with them over comparing us to their guardians, do I push down on my own growing worries as I read on.

He walked … be executed."

"Can things possibly get any worse?" One of my own Seventh years asks, while others in all four Houses are now glaring at Draco, who had tried to look gleeful, but now looks shocked and abashed as he sees how angry everyone is with him and while I can barely believe what these books do with his popularity, do I say:
"They might be, Mr. Erinsworth, but we won't know that just yet. It's break time now and you all have one hour before we return to this reading. Let us hope we can get to the end of this book before nightfall." The seventh year nods and the students all leave where they had been seated, Potter and Black getting up from the floor.
And as they do, do I finally see what kept Potter and Black as calm as they were as there is actually a small field of very fragrant flowers growing under their seats, the mixture of aromas now able to reach me as they no longer have two bodies blocking them and for the first time since the reading, do I feel myself calming down.


Wow, that was intense!
Okay, so Sirius and Albus are slowly breaking through whatever it was that Pettigrew cast upon them all those years, Jeremy gave off a little more information as to why he and the others formed their little gang and Severus himself got the shock of a lifetime as he apparently has eight friends who he forgot about.
BUT WHO ARE THEY? Well, anyone who has read my story so far – and who has been keeping an eye on those OC characters of mine – might just be able to guess that, but I do promise one thing. This break will be based on Albus and Snape talking about Snape's O.W.L.s and about Jeffrey coming clean with his dream.
Will be fun, right?

Venquine1990