Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: This follows Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This is a mesh of the book and movie, but tweaked to fit into the Shadowfang universe.

'blah' means thoughts

Chapter Three – Prisoner of Azkaban Part One

Severus stalked up the stairs leading to the Great Hall, grumbling about pointless feasts. He was intercepted by Dumbledore whose blue eyes were twinkling. Severus nodded. "Headmaster."

"Severus, I thought I'd inform you of the teacher whom I appointed to the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Severus's heart leapt up into his throat. His hopes were high, but his face was neutral. "Oh?"

"Remus Lupin."

"Excuse me, Albus, but did you say Remus Lupin?"

"Yes."

"Where is the esteemed professor?"

"On the Express."

"Really?"

"Yes. You will share the Wolfsbane Potion with him."

"Of course I will!"

Dumbledore smiled and continued on his way to the Great Hall. As soon as Dumbledore was out of sight, Severus smiled. 'Remus is coming. I'm going to have company.' As soon as he finished that thought, the doors opened. The Potions Master smiled. "Remus!"

The shabby-looking professor looked up at his name. He smiled. "Severus!"

The raven-haired man closed the distance between them before wrapping his arms around his best friend. Remus dropped his suitcase and wrapped his arms around the Potions Master. "I've missed you, Remus."

"Me too, Sev."

They unwrapped their arms and stepped back a little. "The feast will be starting soon, Remus. Just leave your suitcase by the wall over there." Severus pointed at a nearby wall. "You can sit next to me at the Head Table."

"Lead the way, Sev." Remus followed Severus into the Great Hall. "Did you hear about Sirius and Peter?"

"Yes, but the news about James and Lily was devastating."

"I still can't believe Sirius would do something like that."

"I knew Black was capable of treachery. Look what he did to me."

"Well…"

"He wanted you to kill me, Remus! How can you defend him?"

"I'm not defending him, Sev. I just…"

"You're in denial." Severus hugged his best friend before pushing the doors to the Great Hall open. They walked in side-by-side and took their seats just as Dumbledore started his start of term speech

%%% THE NEXT DAY

Remus was leading his third year DADA class to the staff room for their first lesson. To his surprise, Severus was there, sitting in a comfortable-looking armchair. The Potions Master didn't look up to know his kin had come into the room. Without putting the book down, Severus said, "Possibly no one's warned you, Remus, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you no to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instruction in his ear."

Neville went scarlet, but Remus had raised his eyebrows. "I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operations, and I am sure he will perform it admirably." Neville's face went, if possible, even redder. "Now, then," said Remus, beckoning the class toward the end of the room, where there was nothing but an old wardrobe where the teachers kept their spare robes. As Remus stood next to it, the wardrobe gave a sudden wobble. "Nothing to worry about," said Remus calmly because a few people had jumped backward in alarm. "There's a boggart in there. Can anyone tell me what a boggart looks like?"

"No one knows," Hermione spoke up. "It's a shape-shifter. It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most."

"Couldn't have put it better myself," said Remus, and Hermione glowed. "So, the boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. So, Neville, what frightens you most?"

"Prfsr Snp," Neville mumbled.

"What?"

"Professor Snape." The class laughed, Remus chuckled, and Severus smirked.

"Professor Snape," Remus chuckled again, "frightens all." Remus caught Severus's eye and knew that Severus caught the joke. "And I believe you live with your grandmother."

"Yes, but I don't want that boggart to turn into her either."

"It won't. Now, I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, in your mind very clearly."

Severus glared at Remus when he heard that and continued to do so until the students left at the end of the lesson. "What were you thinking, Remus?"

"I needed him to laugh, and that was the only thing I could think of."

"I try to instill fear into some of my students. It's hard to do so with you undermining my efforts."

Remus smiled at him. "What's the real reason you wanted to talk?"

"I've begun brewing the Wolfsbane Potion. You take it everyday of the week preceding the full moon. It allows you to retain your human mind while in lupine form. When I take it, I would curl up in my locked rooms," Severus whispered.

"Can I put sugar in it?"

"No, it renders it useless."

%%% HALLOWEEN

Severus ladled some of the completed potion into two goblets. He drank one and shuddered. 'Disgusting.' He picked up the remaining goblet and left his workroom, waving his wand to spell the door locked. He stalked to Remus's rooms and knocked on the door.

"Come in," called Remus.

Severus opened the door and walked in. The goblet he was carrying was smoking faintly, and he stopped at the sight of Harry, his black eyes narrowing. 'I was hoping to have a chat with my best friend.'

"Ah, Severus," said Remus, smiling. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Severus set down the smoking goblet. "You should drink that directly, Remus."

"Yes, yes, I will."

"I made an entire cauldronful," Severus continued. "If you need more."

"I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus."

"Not at all," said Severus, backing out of the room.

Remus smiled when he noticed Harry staring at the goblet curiously. "Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me. I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex." He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. "Pity sugar makes it useless," he added, taking a sip and shuddering.

"Why-?" Harry began. Remus looked at him and answered the unfinished question.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color," he said. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

%%% A WEEK LATER

Remus and Severus silently crept out of the castle after telling Madame Pomphrey that they were leaving. They headed toward the Whomping Willow, and Remus poked the knot with a stick. They slipped into the tunnel that led to The Shrieking Shack. The trip was done in complete silence until they were almost to the door leading to the main room. All along the ground and half-way up both walls was blood, dried blood, which looked black in the twinkle of starlight. (AN: The stars do come out before the moon appears.)

Severus looked at the blood and memories flooded his mind, memories of a vicious trick on the night that changed his life.

"Severus," Remus half-whispered.

"It's amazing I survived."

Remus stared at the horrendous scene frozen in time and etched into their minds forever. To him, it was a reminder of the only time he had ever lost control. He put an arm around Severus's shoulders. "I know, my friend. Let's go."

Remus led Severus into the main room and away from the depressing scene. They removed their robes and placed them right outside the door. Then, they went to separate corners and took their shirts off. Remus threw his to Severus, who threw his and Remus's out into the hall.

"Good aim, Sev."

"Thank you, Remus," Severus said before he gasped.

Remus gasped too, but it wasn't from the pain. It was from the lack of pain. For the first time, Remus could feel himself transform instead of the pain that usually accompanied said transformation. He could feel his fangs grow, and his face began changing into a canine's countenance, complete with a muzzle. He raised his hands and felt his muzzle. It felt strange and yet normal. He could barely feel his human ear disappear and his lupine ears appear on the top of his head. His nails grew into claws, and he heard fabric ripping as his pants were shredding, because his back became curved. His arms grew in length. The heels of his feet traveled up, elongating his feet. The sensation of grey fur covering his body (with a small patch of light grey fur where is right knee would be) was indescribable. He let out a howl, but instead of the normal one of pain, it was of joy. His gold eyes landed on the other werewolf in the room. He was lying on one side with his hind legs against the floor in a relaxed position and his upper body positioned like the Sphinx of Egypt.

Remus walked over to the other werewolf, recognizing him as Severus. If he hadn't remembered that Severus was in the room with him, the patch of light grey fur on his left forearm was a dead giveaway. Remus gave his best friend a rub on his cheek. Severus stood up, gave him what could pass as a grin, and bopped Remus on the head, accidentally leaving a scratch. Severus's ears slicked back, and he hung his head. Remus bopped Severus on the head without leaving a scratch. Then, Severus playfully tackled Remus. They played that way for awhile before they curled up next to each other until morning's light streamed into the dilapidated windows. They woke up, wrapped their robes around themselves, and stole into the castle, heading towards the Hospital Wing.

%%%

Dumbledore walked into the Hospital Wing to check on the resident werewolves. Thanks to the potions, neither of them was injured, save for a minute scratch on Remus's forehead. Speaking of the DADA professor, it certainly looked as though he had been ill. His old robes were hanging more loosely on him and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes. The Potions Master didn't look too bad. His skin was more sallow, but that might have been just an illusion caused by his black robes.

They were sitting up talking, when they noticed Dumbledore was at the foot of their beds.

"Headmaster," they chorused.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles. "While you two were indisposed, Sirius Black broke into the castle and tried to get into Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady denied him access, and he slashed her painting. Fortunately, she's all right, just frightened. Sirius Black has fled the castle."

"If he touches any of the students, there won't be anything recognizable left," Severus snarled.

"Is it worth going to Azkaban?" Dumbledore inquired.

"No." Severus was silent for a moment. "I think I would just bite him instead."

%%% A WEEK LATER

Severus laid his quill down and placed the stack of graded essays on the corner of his desk. The essay that was on top of the stack was Ms. Granger's. He graded it with the usual E (Exceeds Expectations) along with his usual comment reminding her to remain within the required length.

He sighed as he stood. Dumbledore asked him to patrol the halls tonight, and of course, he consented. Normally, no one saw him after dinner, and sometimes he would "skip" dinner and have the House Elves bring him something simple from the kitchens later on. However, the Headmaster required all the teachers to patrol the halls under normal circumstances and even more so after Black's miraculous entrance into and escape from the castle. The only teacher that got out of patrolling the halls was Trelawney. She claimed leaving her tower clouded her Inner Eye.

Severus snorted as he spelled his door closed and locked. He couldn't really stand the Divinations teacher. Even though she made an important prophecy and was the descendant of an accomplished seer, Severus considered her a fraud. He shook his head as if to dash the thought of Trelawney from his mind and started his rounds.

He was almost done when he noticed want light and black hair. Noting the short stature of the person in front of him, he surmised that it was a student. Suddenly, the wand light went out, so Severus lit his own wand wordlessly. There standing in front of him was Harry Potter.

"Potter, what are you doing wondering the corridors at night?"
"I was sleepwalking."

'That was the best excuse he could come up with?' Severus decided to insult the boy slightly, while having a joke at James expense. "How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter. He too was exceedingly arrogant; strutting about the castle." (AN: Bucks can be arrogant.)

"My father didn't strut nor do I. Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you could lower your wand."

Severus scowled at the boy's insolence, but did so anyway. "Turn out your pockets." When Potter didn't move, Severus forcefully repeated, "Turn out your pockets." Potter produced a folded piece of parchment from the pocket of his hoodie. "What's this?"
"Spare bit of parchment."

"Really? Open it." Potter did so, and Severus placed his wand tip on the parchment. "Reveal your secrets." Words started appearing on the parchment. "Read it."

"'Messers Moony, Wormtail, Shadowfang, and Prongs offer their compliments to Professor Snape and…'"

"Go on." Severus's left eyebrow twitched.

"'Messer Padfoot requests that he keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.'"

Severus's thoughts turned to Black and what he'd like to do to him and accidentally said out loud, "Why you insolent little-"

"Severus!" Remus came up from behind his best friend.

"Well, well. Remus. Out for a little walk in the moonlight, are we?"

Remus caught Severus's joke, but he turned to the boy standing in front of them. "Harry, you all right?"

"That remains to be seen." Severus snatched the parchment out of the Gryffindor's hand. "I have just now confiscated a rather curious artifact from Mr. Potter. Take a look, Remus. It's supposed to be your area of expertise. Clearly it's full of dark magic."

Remus took the parchment and glanced at it. "I seriously doubt it, Severus. It looks to me as though it's merely a parchment designed to insult anybody who tries to read it." Remus chuckled slightly. "I suspect it's a Zonko product." Severus tried to snatch the parchment in question back, but Remus kept it out of his reach. "Nevertheless, I shall investigate any hidden qualities it may possess. It is after all as you say my area of expertise. Harry, would you come with me, please? Severus, good night."

Severus followed Remus and James's son with his lit wand. Then, one of the portraits exclaimed, "Are you deaf? Put that light out!"

Severus scowled at the portrait's inhabitant before wordlessly extinguishing the light and stalking back to his rooms.

The next evening found Severus knocked on Remus's office door. "Come in."

Severus walked in and saw Remus staring at the parchment he had confiscated the previous night, obviously lost in thought. Suddenly, Remus looked up at Severus and nodded, smiling as his best friend approached the desk. As one, they drew their wands and encanted, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." They tapped their wands against the blank parchment. The words Messers Moony, Wormtail, Shadowfang, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present The Marauders' Map were scrawled upon the parchment as if written by an unseen hand; a fact that to this day still amazed Severus. 'James had to have been clever to come up with this.' Out loud, Severus commented, "We lost it a long time ago."

"How'd Harry get it?"

"The Weasley Twins. They have a knack for breaking into Filch's office. He had more than likely confiscated it, unsure of what it truly was."

"Did you drop it, Sev?"

"No," Severus half-sneered.

"I'm just joking, Sev. We all believe that James was the one who lost it."

"Not me. I believe Black did it. He always hated the fact that my name was written in before his."

Remus sighed. "You won't let your hate for him die, will you?"
"No. What he's done is unforgivable; trying to get you to kill me, handing James and Lily over to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, killing Peter and those twelve muggles, and now coming after Harry. He must be stopped!"

%%% FIVE MONTHS LATER

Remus had finished grading the essays he had collected and was preparing to relax before joining Severus for their journey to the Shrieking Shack. On a whim, he decided to look at The Marauders' Map. He drew his wand and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He tapped the parchment with his wand. As the words appeared, Remus smiled. True, he liked teaching, but he longed for the old days where he hung around with his four friends.

Suddenly, a group of dots caught his eye. He smiled again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were going to visit Hagrid. Twenty minutes passed before the trio reappeared, but wait! There were four dots; one labeled Peter Pettigrew. Remus stood up as a dot labeled Sirius Black rushed towards them and drag Ron and Peter below the Whomping Willow. Remus rushed out of his office without clearing the map.

%%%

Severus walked towards Remus's office, carrying a potion-filled goblet. He was slightly surprised to see the door somewhat ajar and eased the door open the rest of the way. A quick glance around the room proved that Remus wasn't in the room. He set the goblet on the desk, and his eyes landed on the map. "Why would Remus leave it exposed?"

As if answering Severus's question, a dot labeled Remus Lupin caught his eye, and he watched it head in the direction of the Shrieking Shack. He decided to go see what Remus was doing. When he left the office, the goblet containing Remus's last dose of Wolfsbane potion was smoking faintly, abandoned on the desk.

%%%

Remus dashed up the two creaky flights of stairs as quickly and as safely as possible. The climb brought him face-to-face with a strange scene: Sirius on his back with Harry pointing a wand in his face. He knew what he had to do. Remus pulled his wand out. "Expelliarmus!"

Harry's wand flew out of his hand, and Remus motioned with his head for Harry to get away from Sirius, which he did. Remus then pointed his wand at Sirius. Well, well, Sirius. Looking rather ragged, aren't we? Finally, the flesh reflects the madness within."

"Well, you'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus" Remus lowered his wand and helped Sirius to his feet, which was rewarded with a hug. "I found him."

"I know."

"He's here!"

"I understand."

"Let's kill him."

"No!" Hermione yelled, causing Sirius and Remus to break the hug. "I trusted you, and all this time you've been his friend! He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes!"

"How did you know?"

"I looked at the Lunar Charts and noticed that you were always sick during the full moon, and I noticed that the Boggart turned into a full moon when it saw you."

"Well, well, well, Hermione, you really are the brightest witch of your age I've ever met."

"Enough talk, Remus! C'mon, let's kill him!"

"Wait."

"I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban!"

Remus sighed and gave Sirius his wand. "Very well. Kill him, but wait one more minute. Harry has a right to know why."

"I know why. You betrayed my parents. You're the reason they're dead."

"No, Harry. It wasn't him. Somebody did betray your parents, but it was somebody who until quite recently I believed to be dead."

"Who was it then?" Harry demanded.

"Peter Pettigrew and he's in this room right now. Come out, come out, Peter! Come out, come out and play!"

"Expelliarmus!" a voice cried from the doorway and the wand Sirius was holding was sent clattering to the floor. It was Severus. "Vengeance is sweet. How I hoped I'd be the one to catch you."

"Severus."

"I warned you and Dumbledore that Black was capable of murder and now here's the proof."

"Brilliant, Snape. Once again, you've put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual come to the wrong conclusion. Now, if you'll excuse us, Remus and I have some unfinished business to attend to."

Severus pushed his wand against Sirius's throat. "Give me a reason. I beg you."

"Severus, don't be a fool."

"He can't help it. It's a habit by now."

"Sirius, be quiet."

"Be quiet yourself, Remus."

"Listen to you two. Quarreling like an old married couple."

"Why don't you run along and play with your chemistry set?"

"I could do it, you know, but why deny the Dementors. They're so longing to see you. Do I detect a flicker of fear? A Dementor's Kiss, one can only imagine what that must be like to endure. It's said to be nearly unbearable to witness, but I'll do my best."

"Severus, please."

"After you." Severus kept his wand trained on Black and motioned with his head for the three Gryffindors to leave the room. Harry approached with a wand raised and pointed at Black, but at the last second disarmed the Potions Master.

Remus saw this as his chance to tell his best friend what he found out. "Sev, Peter's alive!"

Severus whipped his head around. "What? You lie."

"He was on the map."

"What?" Realization dawned on Severus. His eyes turned in the direction of the trio and then back to Remus. "Is he…?"