Disclaimer: Silver leaves and golden boughs

Sweet water and hair-string bows,

'Lady Galadriel!'

Call the graceful Eldar in their olden tongue

'Thy mirrored glass and starlit eyes,

fair is thy face, and soft thy voice,

Queen of Lothlorien.'

Swift run the waters, whisper the trees,

loud scream the orcs and the darkness leaps,

through the planes and fast as breath,

sails the ship: the silver key

to Havens Grey beyond the moonlit sea.

Note: Well, I did my very best. Thanks for the reviews! Delicious pastries. Anyways, please tell me what you thought: too fluffy? too hard? brilliant? or dark? I'm feeling poetic, though I can't rhyme correctly. Oh well. Enjoy!

Snape skirted the edge of the forest silently, the bright full moon casting pale lights on his figure. He held his wand high before him, his eyes narrowed as they pierced the night's gloom. He swallowed nervously, though his eyes glittered with excitement and a twisted smile of anticipation played on his face. He stopped abruptly, licking his thin lips and watched the Whomping Willow as it's thick branches swayed ominously in the cool breeze.

Severus shook his head slightly, the angry pounding in his head growing and reaching nearly unbearable peaks. He had been so anxious then, longing to finally catch them in one of their surely illegal activities and rid himself of their constant harassment. But he had unwittingly fallen into one of their own tramps once more. Made a fool of again.

The seventeen year old bent down and picking a long branch from the floor took a step forward. Instantly, a large bough swung towards him making him duck quickly as he darted towards the knot. A thin branch whipped through the air and slashed him right above the eyebrow, he hastily wiped the trickle of blood with the back of his hand as he prodded the knot and the tree froze.

The Slytherin stole in after a moment's hesitation and slid down into the dark passage. His skin seemed to shine white in the darkness as he strode down the path, black eyes darting around attentively. A door loomed in the distance and the boy quickened his strides, greasy hair flopping in and out of his eyes. A low grumbling echoed dimly, Snape frowned lightly, a flicker of doubt shining in his eyes. He stood still for a few moments, and silence fell like a heavy blanket.

He wished somehow, to have heeded that foreboding sound. But his thirst for revenge had been too great- to make them pay for their years of unceasing torment.

Severus gulped and a took a deep breath, before his face acquired once more it's usual glower and he opened the door.

All color drained from his face, and the black eyes widened as the lips thinned and every muscle tensed. A werewolf lay on the floor before the door, nibbling on one of it's own paws. Amber eyes shot up as the wooden door creaked open. He inspected the human carefully, then abandoned it's paw and scrambled to his feet, a wild lust shining in his eyes. Snape took a step back, his wand clattering to the floor as his hands clenched and unclenched spasmodically, eyes still wide and hardly breathing.

His wand had been lost that night... his very first wand. The werewolf had returned it a few days later, when he was back in his human form, but it had been gnawed to the very core by the filthy beast, rendering it useless.

The werewolf bared it's teeth and growled as it inched forward, shaking the dust from his dense, gray hair. The Slytherin took a shuddering gasp, his breathing quickening until he was hyperventilating, he took another step backwards. Thick, muscled legs bent slightly before the wolf lunged, with a snarl, it's sharp fangs bared. Severus turned on his heel and ran off, robes billowing behind him.

His face was contorted in dread and despair as he ran, the wolf right behind him, tongue hanging out lazily.

'Expelliarmus!'

Potter. The Gryffindor, arrogant, conceited bastard. He owed his life to him. How he wished the werewolf had finished him off then, ended his life before he plunged head-first into the abyss of darkness that had nearly overflowed the well of misery he had been drowning in since his birth.

A voice bellowed suddenly from amidst the darkness, throwing the animal against the tunnel's wall. It hit it with a dull thud and slid to the floor, then leapt to his feet and continued trotting after the Slytherin. As the boy turned his head to look back the wolf pounced, it's sharp claws ripping the cloth and digging into his shoulders as it's heavy weight knocked against his sides, leaving him breathless as he crumbled to the floor. The canine snarled, it's damp breath on his jaw as it licked it's chomps.

'Stupefy!'

The wolf yelped and keeled to a side, though it's eyes remained open, yellowish amber glowing through narrowed slits.

Those wild, shining golden orbs that had haunted him for years... Now, they were tinged with the blood of the innocent and the fires of hell.

Snape remained on the floor, white as marble, cold sweat running down his face as blood seeped through his robes where the claws had cut into the skin. James Potter ran into sight, his wand still poised before him. He frowned, a slightly wild look in his eyes as he caught sight of the prone Slytherin.

'Come on Snape, the spell won't last for long.'

He muttered. The black-eyed boy stared at the dark ceiling, his eyes still wide but somewhat vacant. The Gryffindor shook him impatiently.

'Move!'

He shouted angrily, as the wolf began stirring. Severus remained immobile, his breathing quick and shallow.

'Impedimenta.'

James said, his wand pointed at the furry creature, which was once more knocked over. Mopping his messy hair out of his face, Potter shook Snape roughly again, but to no avail.

'Mobilicorpus.'

Why did you save me Potter? Snape asked himself frustratingly.

He spelled finally, and began walking hurriedly, Snape's body floating beside him. He heard a low growl and quickened his paces. He dragged the Slytherin out of the Whomping Willow and out into the grass before the tree, getting a few small cuts himself as he fought to avoid the attacking branches. He slumped down next to Snape, who was still in the same position he had left him, tingeing the grass blades red with blood. James frowned in desperate concern and crawled to him.

'Snape.'

Potter called loudly. Suddenly a dull trotting sound could be heard through the woods, James raised his head and saw Sirius Black running towards him. He was grinning slightly, though his smile became somewhat fixed as he noticed the messy-haired boy's expression of suppressed rage and confusion.

'What were you playing at Sirius?'

He asked angrily. Black frowned at him blankly, his mouth still twisted in a half-smile.

'What? That filthy Slytherin deserved it. Always sneaking around trying to find out what we're up to.'

'Moony almost bit him, Padfoot! Are you stupid!'

'What's wrong with you Prongs, defending Snape?'

Sirius replied with a bark-like laugh. James frowned, his hazel eyes flashing.

'He's bleeding... You've gone way too far Sirius. I hate him too, but he could have died!'

The Gryffindor said, pointing at the still silent and unmoving Slytherin. The long-haired boy stared at Snape contemptuously, his happy smile fading slightly, although there was a grim sort of satisfaction on his handsome face.

'As if you cared James, as if anyone did anyway.'

True. Such bitter truth. He should have died. Spared from all the suffering he had endured and had yet to face, saving those people whose lives he had taken... an the two hateful Gryffindors would have been expelled. Yes, a much better fortune than the one that had awaited him.

'What the hell is wrong with you Sirius? We would have been expelled too, are you aware of it?'

The answer behind the golden mask of lion, the taken for granted Gryffindor nobility.

James asked incredulously, then turned away from his friend, shaking his head and shook the Slytherin roughly. Severus blinked slowly.

'Snape, can you hear me? Snap out of it, damn!'

Black eyes narrowed before he sat up abruptly, Potter backing away in alarm. Like glowing embers burning with hatred Severus' eyes roved around him, glaring at both the Gryffindors.

'You bastards!' he snarled suddenly, ' You tried to kill me. You and that filthy beast.'

The bespectacled boy's eyebrows raised in surprise and Sirius simply smiled unpleasantly. All three heads turned as they heard quick footsteps, four shadowy forms coming towards them. As they ran under the moonlight, they distinguished Dumbledore's shining silver beard, Mcgonagall's pointy hat and Giftiger's dark wooden cane the man always carried around.

James stood up next to Sirius, giving him a small pat in the arm in a conciliatory manner. Snape was still sprawled on the floor, half-sitting resting on his shaking, thin arms. Dumbledore was the first to reach them, his eyes were glittering strangely in the moonlight. He seemed to be torn between anger and concern as he surveyed each of them with his penetrating blue stare. The Transfiguration professor arrived, panting slightly. She was very white, her lips stretched thin in anger and nostrils flaring in a foreboding manner. The fourth figure that had remained in shadows turned out to be Madam Pomfrey, whose eyes were already darting from one to the other inspecting them closely. She gasped and rushed when she saw Severus' robes tinged red. She took out her wand and tried to pull off his robes to see the injuries, Snape pushed her away impatiently and scrambled to his feet, still swaying.

Professor Giftiger arrived last, walking leisurely and swinging his cane. He cast an indifferent glance around and raised a questioning eyebrow.

The Head of Slytherin House had been quite the model Slytherin, caring for nothing more than for his own pleasure and well-being and those that might contribute to aid him in his self-centered goals.He had not been one of those people.

'What has happened here?'

The Headmaster asked calmly in his deep voice.

'Those two and the-the filthy werewolf creature tried to kill me!'

Severus shouted angrily as he took a step forward. Dumbledore raised a wrinkled hand.

'This is no place to discuss these matters, follow me all of you.'

He ordered quietly and turning began walking towards the castle. Madam Pomfrey ran after him,

'The boy's injured Headmaster, he should go to the Hospital Wing!'

She cried out irritably. Albus stopped and cast a worried glance at the Slytherin.

'Mr. Lupin did not bite you, did he?'

The only thing that had worried him naturally. If Lupin had bit him it would have inevitably brought a great amount of problems on all of them, mostly on himself and Hogwarts.

He asked, his voice shaking slightly. Snape shook his head, a snarl disfiguring his face quite and ugly way.

'No. But he was close to it.'

The matron went towards him and tapped him with her wand in the shoulders. Snape sprung away from her, but not before a dim white light settled around the wounds and scarred them quickly, stopping the bleeding.

'You'll have to visit the Hospital Wing after you talk with the Headmaster though.'

She warned and Dumbledore agreed with a nod, turning back again towards his office. Madam Pomfrey left them as they reached the stone gargoyle guarding the headmaster's quarters as it opened after he proportioned the password. All were quiet as they ascended the roving staircase and took seats before the desk, Mcgonagall remained standing and Giftiger wandered to the window.

'Mr. Potter, tell me your version of the events please.'

Dumbledore asked politely, leaning forward in his chair and entwining his fingers to rest his chin on them. James glanced at Sirius anxiously and then at the now smirking Snape, who seemed to be savoring glory.

Tricked. Fooled. Betrayed? No, not really, he had never had Dumbledore's favor anyways. More likely disillusioned, the final thread pulled abruptly, crumbling the veil of perfection that covered the Headmaster.

'Well, sir. The thing is like this, erm, Snape...mmm.. heard someone,' he cast another fruitlessly subtle peek at his friend,' talking about how to make the Whomping Willow freeze. He, erm, got in and met Remus there sir, and then... well, Moony tried to attack him, and fortunately erm, I had heard that he was there and helped him out.'

He explained lamely and hesitantly. Dumbledore stared hard at him, then at Sirius for almost a whole minute and finally at Snape.

'I am very disappointed in all of you. This was a highly dangerous prank and very disrespectful towards Remus Lupin. Fifty points will be extracted from Gryffindor house, 'he turned to look at Mcgonagall who nodded vehemently in agreement, ' and you Mr. Black will be serving detention for a month, as will you Mr. Potter for a week.'

At least he had learnt his value that night. Fifty points from Gryffindor, that was all he was worth. He had suspected it of course, from his father's snide remarks and stinging words... but Dumbledore had confirmed it, had he not? He was nothing but a slimy Slytherin, a greasy git. And snakes were but worms to the giant dazzling lions. And now, what was he now? A murderer. A traitor. And alone. Alone, isolated from all as he hid behind that cloak of darkness he wore and the mask of impassiveness behind which he raged and grieved in silence.

His blue eyes turned to Severus, who was gazing at him incredulously, a shadow of a smirk in his face.

'I am sure I did not hear correctly, surely the three of them will be expelled?'

He asked, eyes flashing angrily, his breathing quickening. Albus shook his head slightly.

'No Mr. Snape, I hardly believe expelling will help in any way. As to you, thirty points from Slytherin for meandering around after curfew.'

The Slytherin's crooked, yellowish teeth were visible as he stared at Dumbledore agape, then he closed it, appearing to have just swallowed a very sour lemon.

'They tried to kill me, and you are going to let them leave without punishment?'

He shrieked, looking quite deranged. Dumbledore frowned at him.

'I hardly think there was any real intent to end your life, Mr. Snape, and Mr. Potter did save it. And they are being punished.'

Of course, he seemed to say, what more can you expect? They were Gryffindors and the courageous Potter saved your life, risking his own. They have had more than enough punishment for endangering Hogwart's reputation.

Severus stared at him, panting. His nose wrinkled, mouth twisted in an ugly snarl. He turned got to his feet and made for the door.

'One more thing Severus.'

The Slytherin turned his head, hand on the doorknob. Dumbledore untangled his hands and looked at him seriously.

'You are not to reveal Mr. Lupin's condition to anyone.'

The raven-haired boy raised an eyebrow, his eyes suddenly gone quiet cold, his face impassive once more.

'What if it should slip?'

He asked nastily.

'Then I am afraid you will be facing expulsion from this school.'

Potter and Black had not been expelled for attempting to murder him, nor had that creature passing by the name of Remus Lupin, and yet he had been threatened with expulsion. Well, he was nothing compared to the Marauders. He was more than expendable, a simply toy for them to play with until it broke and then to be thrown away. And he was diving into the same cold waters. A spy. For how long? Until he was used up and could no longer serve. Forever bound to an invisible chain hung around his neck: choking him, strangling him. Prisoner and slave until one of his owners pulled two hard and then- then he was dead.

A fire of anger flared up in the black coals, his face looking quite livid. He shook his head and tore from the room, banging the door behind him. His robes were billowing behind him as he swept through the corridors, his lips still twisted angrily. He leapt up the stairs, a stream of curses and insults trickling out of his mouth. He reached the Astronomy Tower and stepped outside, the wind whipping the cloth around his thin figure. He walked to the edge and stared at the blackened abyss before him. Chest heaving he knelt on the floor and buried his face between his knees, trembling.