Chapter Thirty Four: Surprises in the Forbidden Forest:
Winter came to Hogwarts blasting in freezing everyone in the castle and turning the grounds into a winter wonderland. Harry loved the weather and he loved going to Hogsmead with his friends. He did feel a tiny bit sorry for Draco who was not allowed off the grounds and by the way he carefully took a seat in his next defense class Harry knew he had tried to sneak off and he was sure Snape had something to do with disciplining him. Harry slipped him a jar knowing it helped at least and Draco nodded his thanks. A few days later Harry was curled up in the warmest spot he could find when Moody came to find him.
"Wrap up warm Harry." He said. "Someone wants t' see ye."
"Who?" Harry asked and then he saw Severus with Sirius behind Moody.
"Oh joy I get to deal with the golden brat." Severus said and Harry knew he was teasing though he look dead serious. "Why do I need to freeze outside when I could be in my dungeons?"
"Torturing an innocent first year sir?" Harry said then he realized what he had said and horror crossed his face. "Oh I am sorry sir, I did not mean to be disrespectful…"
"Indeed Harry?" Severus said. "If you were any other student I would skin you alive!"
"Severus stop terrorizing Harry." Moody said. "An' if you take points I will just add them back."
"You would not dare." Severus said.
"Try me boy, just try me." Moody replied. "No' Harry ah know he is evil an' all but do be respectful."
"Yes sir." Harry said, "I will be respectful sir."
Snape arched an eyebrow at that and tugged his cloak about him tighter. He followed Moody out of the school and found Bane waiting for them pawing the ground with large sturdy hoof. Without a word he lead them into the forbidden forest and Harry wondered what was going on. Dread filled his heart at each step and finally they came into a clearing. Harry saw someone clad in a fur cloak get up and walk to them. With a shout of joy he ran to Remus and did knock him down into the snow. He helped his uncle up and hugged him, refusing to let him go.
"Uncle Moony what how, are you okay? What happened, you were not hurt were you?"
"Whoa slow down Harry!" Remus said laughing. "I am fine, but I do have a slight problem."
"What is that sir?" Harry asked him.
"Well Grayback found my camp and we barely got out before he could take us."
"What do you mean us?" Severus asked.
"Your werewolves are in my forest professor Snape." Bane said clearly not happy about this. "My forest is not hope to every creature you humans see fit to bring here!"
"I assure you I never knew that there would be werewolves coming here lord Bane." Snape said, then at realization of what Bane had said he narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by my werewolves."
"Now Severus you cannot get mad at me." Remus said as Snape turned to face him his hands twitching to strangle the werewolf. "Um well you know I did imprint on you and it's your fault!"
"Remus tell me what you have done!" Snape snarled.
"Um you all better come see." Remus said.
They followed him to some caves where he gave a shout and several shaggy forms came out of the caves. They were all young and all were clad in warm clothing made of furs. They scampered around Remus whining and whimpering and to Harry they reminded him of dogs or wolves. They saw Snape and walked up bowing and staring at him in awe. Sirius finally could take no more and threw back his head and gave out a bark-like laugh. Harry dared not laugh but he got the joke, Severus Snape had pet werewolves now. He dared not laugh or smile, he valued his life and did not enjoy pain.
"Remus I am going to kill you." Severus said softly his face white with anger.
"Now really Severus it is your fault I imprinted on you." Remus said. "You could have left it at making the Wolfsbane but no you had to act dominate! You are my alpha and as I am alpha to these fine werewolves now, well you know the rest."
"Aw Severus Snape and his pet werewolves…." Sirius said dissolving laughter.
"Stop it boy, not funny." Moody said then to Remus. "So why are they here?"
"Well this forest is safe, and they can help guard the school against the coming battle." Remus said and the werewolves nodded as one. "Besides they are housetrained so Severus you do not need to worry about that you see."
"Hilarious, remind me to kill you slowly later wolf." Snape said coldly.
"Yes Severus." Remus said.
"You still have not done anything about these creatures." Bane said. "I will not have a bunch of monsters running through my forest!"
"We are not monsters not now!" One of the young werewolves said. "We take Wolfsbane in chewy form, tastes badly but we are good wolves we are!"
"You will have to be tagged." Severus said.
"Yes master Snape."
"If I am displeased with you I will beat you and torture you and ground your bones into potions." Snape said.
"We would expect nothing less master Snape."
"Lupin you will come with me." Severus said.
"Ah yes of course." Remus said.
Sirius watched this with interest, Remus never had acted that way around him and he was the dog Animagmus! Then again Remus had seen James as his alpha and the when he married Lily, it made since really. He was just too much fun to be a leader to the poor werewolf and Severus was good to Remus even if he had beaten him badly. A wicked thought came to his head and he walked up to both Remus and Severus a wicked grin on his face. Harry looked at Moody who looked grim but was not about to stop this fun for anything.
"So what is up with you two?" Sirius asked them.
"What ever do you mean?" Snape said.
"Come on, how long have you to been an item?" Sirius said grinning insanely.
"Funny Sirius you know I am not gay." Remus said.
"You dare think that way?" Severus said taking his wand out going white. "Just because the headmaster is does not mean I am!"
"Sirius you may want to stop, Severus is getting upset." Remus said.
"Well you to act like a couple…"
That was it, Remus had his wand out and Sirius took this time to run for it, in doggy form. The yelps of pain from the dog got Hagrid to come out of his hut. He watched as Padfoot ran by and hid in his house and Severus and Remus stopped before him. They dared not go into the house as they respected Hagrid very much. Hagrid walked into the house and picked up Padfoot and put him down before Remus and Severus.
"This yours?" He asked.
"That was not nice….oh crap." Sirius said trying to morph back to his dog form but getting hexed badly by two ticked off wizards.
"Ye should get inside there professors, it's going t' be a cold night." Hagrid said.
"Right, got to speak to the headmaster." Remus replied.
Sirius limped by them cursing under his breath as he needed the hospital wing now. Harry had to admit he looked…interesting to say the least. The hexes had left him barely looking human and Harry laughed at what his godfather had gotten himself into. He deserved it as Harry knew all too well. He was going to head back to his common room when Moody told him to put his cloak on and follow them. Harry did as he was told and followed Moody to the headmasters office with Remus and Severus. Once inside he took off his cloak and wondered why he was here.
"Ah Severus, Remus, Alastor Harry what do I owe this pleasure?" Dumbledore said smiling merrily.
"This damn werewolf has brought some cubs…"
"They are pups sir." Harry said.
"Five points from Gryffindor for cheek!" Snape snapped at Harry.
"Five points to Gryffindor." Moody said.
"Ten points from Gryffindor!"
"Ten points to Gryffindor."
"That is enough." Dumbledore said still smiling. "What on earth has Remus done Severus?"
"He has pups in the forbidden forest!"
Here Remus explained to the headmaster what had happened, how he was tipped off Grayback had found the break away pack and how they had barely escaped with their lives. There were fifty pups out in the woods now and Snape was glad that the Wolfsbane could be brewed and stored as it was. He would not admit it but he loved the Weasley twins as this would revolutionize the world for werewolves and werewolf rights. He stood looking as threatening and grim as he could though it seemed even Harry was no longer afraid of him, if the brat ever had been.
"Ah well then they must be put to work." Dumbledore said.
"That is it, this is the end headmaster." Severus said fuming. "I am going to borrow Potter's weapons and, and shoot myself!"
"Please don't sir." Harry said. "I would miss you."
"Oh joy."
"Severus you do not have to train them, we can have Remus do so." Dumbledore said. "Now why don't you go and help Poppy with Sirius." Remus and Severus headed to the door. "Oh and you are not to do that again to Sirius."
"Fine." Severus snapped.
"Yes headmaster." Remus said.
They left leaving Harry and Moody in the room and at once Dumbledore looked grave. Harry knew he had something to say and as he had promised to be honest with Harry he had something to relate to him. Harry had a feeling he would not like it at all. Moody sat looking at Harry protectively then at the headmaster with his magical eye.
"What is Voldemort planning sir?" Harry asked.
"Harry your aunt and uncle were attacked." Dumbledore said.
"What are they okay?" Harry asked, "who did it?"
"Yes they are alright, I wanted to let you know that for now they will be residing in a village not far from here. Your cousin is safe at school."
"Why not have Remus here to hear this?" Moody said.
"He has much to do right now, and he would blame himself for the attack." Dumbledore said. "Grayback attacked the house, fortunately they were not home but understandably they are upset."
"I should see them." Harry said.
"No, you stay here boy." Moody said and at a protest from Harry, "I know ye love them, do' know why they are not nice people but you have t' stay here, Voldemort would do anything to draw ye out now."
"So what do we do?" Harry asked.
"Are you up for a game of chess Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I am guessing this is no ordinary chess sir?" Harry asked.
"No my boy not at all, but it is a game I think you will enjoy very much." Dumbledore said the twinkle back in his eyes.
Harry sat back and knew now the reason for secrecy and his cloak coming up here. He wondered what the plan was and hoped he was ready for it. He learned part one that day, Draco was sent to get his father and bring him, if by force to Hogwarts. Harry hated this but knew there was a reason for this. Part two of the game would involve danger, a bit of trickery and if it went well Voldemort would be dead before the school year was out. Harry knew his time was coming and that soon he would have to kill Voldemort or die by his hand. Harry liked living thanks so the killing Voldemort looked more and more real as the days went on…
Yes poor Severus has "pet werewolves" I do feel sorry for him. Oh and yes Voldemort is going down! Harry will see to that!