Disclaimer: I won't bore you with my unrhyming poetry again...

Note: Well, here go Dumbledore's thoughts. Hope you enjoy them... See you in the next chapter! Thanks for all the reviews, they are inmensely appreciated!

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.

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.

Dumbledore gazed upon the scene intently, recognizing the slightly sick glee shining in Snape's black eyes as he inched forward, undoubtedly eager to catch the Marauders, his tormentors, in some unruly behavior. It made sense, he reasoned, that he should somehow seek revenge for their ceaseless harassment- (which he attempted to return, though, being one against four he was nearly always on the losing side), even if revenge sometimes turned out more bitter than sweet.

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.

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

He wondered for a moment how the door happened to be unlocked when Poppy was supposed to have left it closed after leading Remus into the Shrieking Shack. He frowned slightly in confusion and then let the thought drift away as he concentrated on the young Slytherin's worrying reaction.

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.

Albus shook his head slightly, he should have expected this. Of course, Snape had been hardly a child anymore ( Had he ever? Dumbledore asked himself now ) and yet it would bring anyone to hysterics to encounter a werewolf so suddenly.

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.

The old man found himself suddenly sitting on the edge of his chair as he watched Remus Lupin pursuing Snape with an almost playful expression on his canine face, it seemed as though he were pretending to let the Slytherin, his prey, escape before finally pouncing and acquiring his dinner.

'Expelliarmus!'

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.

Werewolf's, alike to trolls and giants showed great resilience to most spells and were quite difficult to effectively bring down. Unless using silver, in this case.

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.

Dumbledore fancied he could almost hear the child's frantic heart beat above the harsh, loud pants of the canine

'Stupefy!'

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

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 had been so worried to avoid Remus Lupin any problems- and, yes, he recognized, so completely shaken that something like that had managed to happen; that he had not paid the necessary attention to the other boy, of course, he should have never left the school so late. But it was clear, now that he saw it without his mind straining for a quick, fair solution- it was painfully obvious that Severus Snape had been in quite a keen state of shock.

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.'

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.

It was no surprise, seeing as he had just risked his life and future education for Mr. Black's thoughtless and dangerous prank.

'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.'

So cruel... Dumbledore thought with a sad sigh. Though the worst was the fact that the truth was probably very near Sirius' remark. Snape had been most unpopular amongst his peers, and the few Slytherins he now saw had any contact with the greasy-haired boy did not seem exceptionally close. Perhaps Miss Evans... but it had been more than two years at that point since they had ceased being friends. His father would certainly not care, except perhaps as the loss of someone to torture. His chest seemed to ache constantly as Pity writhed unstopping, bathing in the blood flowing from the wounds created by Guilt and Horror.

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

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.'

He understood the reaction, it was natural, and even the more so in a person like Snape.

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.

Dumbledore noticed the expression in his own eyes, and that more than anything seemed to him to confirm his suspicions; that he had been far too shaken that such an incident had occurred. Much too shaken to properly set up his Occlumency barriers, to realize the things happening around him at the moment. He felt Guilt tugging at his entrails and wondered how he would be able to swallow food again once this was over. Of course, he knew that Snape's decisions had not been his fault- but it was his passive ignorance and lack of attention that had complicated things needlessly. The fact that he could have avoided many of the situations that had twisted the boy's life so horribly was what was truly consuming him inside.

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.

Poppy, as a nurse had noticed something was wrong with the Slytherin, of course. But he, in his blindness had not seen.

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

He should have perhaps picked a different Head of House, he had a feeling Hans Giftiger's cold and self-centered attitude had contributed to losing some of the Slytherins and accentuating the gap between the snakes and the rest of the Hogwart's houses. And yet, that division had been present for so many years... He would have to try much harder for them to unite, for he saw now, more than ever before how terribly he had failed.

'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?'

He asked, his voice shaking slightly.

The Headmaster had been frightened then, yes, he had dreaded an affirmative answer. For not only would it have doomed Snape to a werewolf life, but possibly ( most probably) broken Mr. Lupin who was somewhat weak of nature and would be devastated to know he was responsible for positively ruining a fellow student's life. Apart from those horrible repercussions, there wound surely be serious legal implications and the poor werewolf boy might have found himself dragged off by the Ministry after all.

Snape shook his head, a snarl disfiguring his face quite in quite an 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.'

Should he have perhaps asked them all? But it had been obvious Snape was only going to accuse the two Gryffindors, as would Mr. Black unfalteringly stand by his conviction that Severus had deserved the scare, though he had not attempted to kill him.

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.

'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.

He had been subtly checking for lies in their eyes, especially trying to detect any real murderous intentions on Black's behalf. But he had met only stubborn recklessness and a mingled nasty hatred and disgust. James had clearly been surprised by his friend's prank, but it was also visibly that a small part of him agreed with the other Gryffindor. Snape had not required any penetration, his face a mirror, reflecting his feelings quite easily.

'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.'

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.

Albus frowned deeply, mirroring his past self; perhaps his father's treatment had affected his brain? He certainly looked quite mad. He shook his head slightly- then again, his rage had been palpable in the air.

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.'

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.

Gryffindor and Ravenclaw traits or not, he was undoubtably a Slytherin.

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

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.

Dumbledore watched Severus as he trembled, and inevitably the image came to his mind of the memory he had witnessed a short time before; when the boy had seeked refuge in the forest to weep the breaking of his friendship with Lily, or when he had attempted to rest after having beat up and submitted to the Cruciatus by Sibilius Snape. Though, he noticed with a strange and acute sense of grief and dread, his black eyes had seemed to have gotten progressively colder with the years. And now, he saw, though the youngster's eyes sparkled with tears, none were shed. Yet, all in all, the Headmaster pondered that should the situation arise again there was not much else he could have done. It had been frankly perilous and stupid on Sirius' part, but expulsion would not have solved anything. As to Mr. Potter he had risked his own life to save the Slytherins- whatever the real motives. And Remus Lupin had had not fault at all, the small werewolf had enough hardship as it was. Severus did too, undoubtedly, he now knew. But he had done what he had thought fair. He should have been less harsh, paid more attention to the Slytherin's obvious distress maybe- but in the end he still stood by his actions.