A/N: wheeew I worked the whole night through trying to get this chap done. When I finally get going I don't want to stop so it usually results in tiring nights like these where I get all my work done and no sleep… but oh well at least there's another chapter up. Well enjoy while it lasts, since I have to admit it's not a very long one, for that I'm sorry, but now I'm going to bed…. zZzZzZzZz

A leap in the dark

Chapter four
A sore spot

Severus looked up, as Poppy was the last to enter Albus's study. Albus himself, Remus and Minerva were enjoying a cup of tea that Severus had declined.

"Ah Poppy, take a seat, will perhaps you accept a cup of this excellent tea?" he smiled warmly at the witch and she nodded grateful. He conjured a cup and an armchair and waved his wand so the teapot swirled through the air to pour some tea into Poppy's cup.

"Are you quite sure you don't want anything Severus? Can't I even persuade you to take a lemon drop?" he asked, sparkly eyes focussing on a darker and colder pair of orbs. The man in question just narrowed his eyes and leaned further into his chair. He knew it was ridiculous, but he felt highly threatened by the mere company of Lupin. He knew the man couldn't control his transformations except with the use of the Wolfsbane potion, but he couldn't shake the grudgingly feeling he had always felt towards the man.

The grudge had formed during their time at Hogwarts. Lupin formed along with Potter, Black and Pettigrew the infamous yet extremely popular Marauders. The boys had bullied him from the beginning he had set foot on Hogwarts ground. He had never completely figured out why, but he guessed they just needed an object of derision and slander. He was the perfect victim; he was neither handsome nor popular and he was already considered the odd man out because of his intellect and great knowledge of the Dark Arts.

His first year at school had been rather quiet considering the rest of his years. They only called him names when passing him and talked about him behind his back. Their second year had brought a change, Black and Potter started seeking him out, taunting him and calling him a coward when he just walked past. The bullying only became worse every time he responded to their ridicule.

During their fifth year the Marauders all learned how to become an animagi, of course he didn't know that at the time, but they began using absurd nicknames all over the school. Potter became Prongs, Black became Padfoot, Pettigrew became Wormtail and Lupin used Moony. He learned about Lupin's mysterious disappearances once a month and had heard of the supposed ghost that haunted the Shrieking Shack. He overheard conversations between the villagers of Hogsmeade speculating about the cries they heard coming from the Shrieking Shack every full moon, the exact same nights Lupin and his friends darted off over the schoolyard. When combined with his exhausted and bruised appearance the day after a full moon, it's hadn't been hard for Severus to put one and one together.

He knew about Lupin's condition, all he didn't knew was how they managed to get inside the Shrieking Shack from Hogwarts's grounds. One night he saw Lupin, guided by madam Pomfrey, make it to the Whomping Willow and Sirius told him how to calm the violent tree. He knew it was yet another prank of Black and he knew as well that going in there would be suicide. The truth was though, that he didn't give a damn about his own life anymore. He was a Slytherin and therefore always tried to save his own ass, but if he died by the hands of Lupin in his werewolf form, not only would Lupin be sent to Azkaban, but Sirius as well. James and Peter's lives would be emotionally destroyed by the loss of their two friends and all that in exchange for his own miserable life. He didn't knew for sure whether Black would confess or not though, but he also knew wizards who didn't want to move on with their deaths could come back as ghost. As a ghost he would be able to both tell everyone about his horrifying death and torment James and Peter.

It was a solid plan and nothing could've gone wrong, or so he thought. Apparently James had learnt of Sirius's supposed prank and came to rescue him. How he hated the boy went he pulled on his robe to get him to turn around. He hadn't gone back without a fight, but because the tunnel was so darn crammed he hadn't been able to hit Potter with the intended hex and Potter quickly followed suit, Stupefying him instead.

He woke that same night in the infirmary and later on had a long talk with Dumbledore. He knew the moment he set foot into the headmaster's office that whatever the elder wizard felt wise, would be the condition they'd all had to live with. Sadly, it was a condition in great favour of the Marauders. They got a minimum of punishment for their actions and Severus found himself agreeing never to speak of it to anyone. He couldn't use his knowledge of Lupin's disease to force the Marauders to stop bullying him either as Dumbledore had him take an Unbreakable Vow. One Dumbledore relieved him of when he left school though.

Till this day on he still believes his will to join the Death Eaters was formed because of the Marauders actions and lack of consequences those actions brought along. Of course, at that time he was young, naïve and his craving for power and acceptance couldn't have been greater. He loathed Sirius and James not only because they bullied him, but even more because they were still so popular and had such an influence. People looked up to them and cheered on them. They had great friends and could rely on each other. Thought as it turned out not so much on Peter as they might had thought.

But at that time they all didn't know that and Severus saw only the fun they had, even if it was with taunting weaker ones like he. He was so very jealous of what they had so easily attained and what he had always wanted but never had received. Suddenly there was the Dark Lord, offering his that chance to make people look up to him, even if it was through fear.

"Are you okay, Severus?" his stream of thoughts was interrupted by Albus who leaned over his desk as he looked worried at his potions master.

"I'm fine." He mumbled and suddenly noticed how deep his brow was settled. He must've looked furious.

"We were talking about how we were going to act from here on, given Remus immunity for the Wolfsbane." Albus continued, but Snape sat up a little shocked.

"What did you say?"

Albus smiled a sad smile, Severus must be really tired if he let his mind slip while they were discussing such an important matter, "the reason Remus came to you last night was because the potion isn't effective anymore. I haven't heard of any case as of yet were a werewolf turned immune, but I guess as it worked on everyone it was never considered one might become immune at the time the potion was created."

"When did this start Lupin?" Severus asked serious thinking of the thousands of variable ways the potion could've lost it's potency with the man.

"I guess 4 months ago was the first time I felt a little wilder."

"Four months ago! Why are you telling me this now!" Snape sat up straight, a low demanding voice rumbled from his throat.

"I didn't notice it back then, it's just that now that I look back at it, that's when I think it started." Remus said quietly. Severus had every right to be furious, because of him he now too had to suffer the life he wished on no one.

"Then when did you notice!"

"Last month." Remus admitted guiltily. He felt really bad about not warning anyone, then perhaps all of this wouldn't have happened.

Snape was giving him a dangerous look, but not saying anything. The little bit of trust he had gained from the potions master over the years had dissolved completely, he knew. Severus still held a enormous grudge towards him from when they were young and he had tried to be as nice to him as possible but the dark man just didn't want him near. He couldn't blame him, for all he and his friends had done, it was only a miracle Snape was willing to brew the Wolfsbane all those years. Even if it was by Dumbledore's orders.

Remus was shook from his thoughts as Snape suddenly stood, pacing the length of the room. He mumbled some things and Albus inquired about what he was thinking.

"I will have to experiment on how Lupin got immune, maybe then I can alter the potion so it's potent again." He said as he paced, but suddenly he stopped and looked at Albus.

"Won't this mean that I will be immune to the potion as well?" he said, dark hollow eyes meeting Albus' blue ones.

"We aren't completely certain," he looked shortly at Poppy, "but it is a very real possibility."

Snape turned and looked out the window he had been standing in front of. Despite popular believe he did felt emotions and at the moment it was hard to control them like he should. The exhaustion certainly had it's part in it.

"Can that be the reason as to why I'm already healed?" he asked himself more than anyone else in the room.

"It could be," Albus replied, "I'm not very familiar with the lycanthrope curse when it comes to that , I had hoped you could think up a good theory. I'm certain the two cases are connected someway but how Remus' immunity could've caused you to heal better and faster is a puzzle to me."

"If there's nothing more that I need to know I would like to start experimenting instead of wasting my precious time making small talk here." Severus said and stared towards the fireplace.

"I have never known you as man that would ever even consider making small talk, Severus." Albus said gently, "This is a very serious business indeed, so as far as I'm concerned this meeting is over." He looked over at his colleagues and they all nodded.

"Oh before I forget, I examined miss Granger and she is fine." Poppy said and made move to leave as well.

"Good" Severus sneered and left for his room by Floo.

The rest of the day went by rather normal for Hermione. All those awful feelings from that morning had disappeared and though she still felt something nagging it was surprisingly easy to take her attention from them as she concentrated on her schoolwork. After lessons she went to library making the homework they had gotten for the Christmas break. The common room would be far too crowded and excited, almost everyone would be packing and there wouldn't be a moment of quietness. Luckily she had packed everything yesterday.

Around five o'clock – she didn't even know it was already that late – Ginny found her and dragged her up to the common room. They had their Christmas party that night with Professor Slughorn, after all.

She didn't really felt up to it, but after hearing Ginny going on and on about how she should come the elder witch had given in and that night they both went to out to find their dates. Naturally Ginny's date was Dean Thomas and like a true gentleman he was waiting smilingly at her.

Cormac was near him but was looking rather annoyed. When they joined the two young men Hermione found out why.

"What were you doing inside those dormitories, did you first had sow all your clothes before you could put them on?" he said disdained as they hurried towards the slughorn's chambers.

"I'm sorry, but we're only 10 minutes late."

"Yes, but harry has already left."

"So?" she questioned confused, why would Cormac care whether Harry was there or not.

"Well after golden-boy enters there only mind for him."

"That's not my, nor Harry's fault." she said outraged, this night was turning out to be a long one.

The rest of their walk was silent and when they entered Cormac immediately went to kiss up to professor Slughorn.

Hermione didn't care, she didn't want to see him anyway.

A/N: sorry it took so long to update again… I'm just a really slow person I guess. This story probably won't be done before book 7 comes out. Anyway hope you liked this chap, you'll hear more from me soon I hope.

Let me know what you think ought to happen now, I'm very curious. I've got most of the upcoming chapters already scetced inside my head and one chap is even already done haha.

And happy carnival, if anyone's celebrating anyway. Greetings from BOEMELDONCK!! Whooooh (that's what my village is called during carnival)