AN: As said before dialogue REALLY isn't my strong point, so this chapter might seem a bit lop sided. But reviews would be appreciated, I didn't get a whole lot of them last chapter and have been feeling un-loved, seriously was there something wrong with the previous chapter?

This isn't my best, but I'm feeling a bit anxious with the surgery coming up.

Chapter 9. Full Moon Madness

Fourth year rolled by and Severus and Harry returned for fifth year. Harry was growing into a very attractive young man. He was getting love letters and people asking him for dates. Unfortunately Harry was too shy to do anything. He confined to Severus that he didn't feel anything for the girls that asked and he didn't know how to approach the few boys that he himself found attractive. Severus watched all this from the sidelines half jealous and half amused. It was clear that Harry could have had anyone he wanted to, but was too shy to do anything about the few crushes that he'd had over the years. Severus hadn't really noticed any girls or for that matter boys in that manner yet, so he could be supportive and secretly amused as heck. Love makes fools of us all and it's rather fun to watch. Whoever said that had it right on the spot, Severus chuckled to himself, watching another girl throw herself at Harry.

Sirius had returned to fifth year a different boy from before. He was actively hostile toward Slytherins and Severus heard from Narcissa that Sirius had run away from home that summer after a very long and angry argument with his mother. Sirius rebuked every effort that Harry made to remain friends and with James' encouragement started harassing the Slytherins. Remus couldn't really do anything; he tried to rein the two boys in, but couldn't really find the energy to keep track of the two Marauders. Peter went along with the harassment, but privately talked to Harry and was grudgingly forgiven for going along with the unfair treatment. By Easter the relationship between the Marauders and the Slytherin Duo was at an all time low. Even Harry was giving up on the boys.

After Easter break Severus received a missive from Sirius wanting to talk and apologise. It was meant for Harry, but Severus intercepted it before Harry even knew of its existence. He was told to meet the other boy by the tunnel in front of the Whomping Willow. The letter held instructions on how to get into the tunnel without getting whipped by the aggressive tree.

The meeting went south almost immediately. There was no sign of Sirius and all Severus could hear was a low gravely sound coming deeper from the tunnel and a pair of moving shadows. Suddenly someone grapped hiscloak sleeveand started to drag him up from the tunnel.

"What in the hell is going on here?" Severus snapped incensed when he realized that it was James that was dragging him away from the odd sounds.

"What in the hell are you doing here anyway?" James snapped back clearly frightened as they emerged from the musty tunnel and started walking towards the castle.

"I got a message from Black to meet here." Severus said affronted.

"What! – How could he? He knows how dangerous he's on the full moon!" Severus heard James mutter half furious and half frightened.

Something was clearly wrong here.

"What's going on? Who's dangerous? Where are we going?" Severus asked concerned.

A gravely growl grew progressively louder behind them. Suddenly a huge beast came into the moonlights view. At first only its head emerged from the ground, then its upper body and a taloned paw.

"Is that – is that a werewolf?" Severus stuttered. The thing was enormous. There was no way that they would get to safety before it tore them to shreds. A small pop sound made him swing his head to his right where only a moment ago James stood, and where now stood a massive stag. It swung it's antlers at the beast and forced it to back away. Severus watched breathless and slowly started backing away as the stag kept the werewolf busy. He quickly walked to the castle looking over his shoulder time to time to make sure that the stag had the wolf in hand. He knew that if he'd start running the werewolf would be compelled to attack the fleeing prey. Severus' thoughts remained stunned and in a state of shock that would have him berate himself later on. He slipped a sigh of relief when he noticed the castle doors. A few feet and he'd be safe. – Safety at last, Severus thought as he collapsed inside next to the door.

Half an hour later he heard a knock and James slipped inside.

"Now what in the name of Hades is going on? Who was that? And how'd you end up as a stag?"

"What do you mean? There was nothing going on, you must have hit your head or something. Don't talk crazy stuff like that. There was NO werewolf!" James rapidly replied.

Severus trusted his instincts and this smelled really fishy, like shark fishy. Beside his own memories, James wouldn't even look him in the eye. This was a really messed up situation. He'd had to talk to Harry. Soon, preferably now.

Harry! How could he forget! The message had been for Harry, he could have been killed or torn to shreds. It was that bastard Black! He'd pay for this. No one and he meant no one tried to hurt Harry and got away with it. Not to mention he himself could have been killed or eaten by a rapid werewolf. This called for revenge. James would pay too, life-debt be damned. Tossers probably planned the whole thing together. But who could the werewolf be? –Remus! Of course, it all made sense now. All those sick relatives, those odd sicknesses and his little moodiness near the full moon. Was he as well in on the murder plan? Could be.

Severus had to stop a strong wince and a nauseous feeling started to rise, when he thought of being eaten by someone he'd thought of as a friend. He'd really thought that they were friends. He'd counted on Remus, trusted him, he'd even confined his little crush on Harry a while back. Had he told everyone. Had he been laughed at by the whole Gryffindor house, or hadRemus just told his little buddies, the Marauders. What if, What if Remus had told Harry? Would Harry have laughed or – No, wait what was he thinking Harry wouldn't have laughed, he'd have come toSeverus and reassuredhim that they'd stay friends. Harry would never have betrayed him. Harry was a constant in his life and nothing, nothing would change that. That was better, or not. He was going to be sick. This was a nightmare. Nothing was right.

Severus stayed huddled in the corner and trembled with shock and nausea. After long moments of thoughts that made him just more upset, he slowly pulled himself together. He'd go to Harry. Harry would make everything alright. With Harry he was safe. Harry would make everything better. The mere thought of a warm hug from Harry made him hurry to the dungeons where he'd be safe and no one would try to kill him.

TBC…