Title: What Do You Think?

Summary in the first chapter.

Disclaimer: I have already said this, but just in case… the italicized parts that look and feel an awful lot like parts from the book, actually are from the book. I know that it's a big shock, but I think you're all ready to hear it.

James, Sirius, Remus, and Lily walked back into Room of Requirement, where they had been reading the book, arguing. Sirius had taken a handful of desserts with him, just in case he got hungry, which he had already started to eat.

"…terrible thing to do, Potter," Lily was saying. "Severus Snape does not deserve to be embarrassed in front of the entire school."

"Yes, he does"

"Why?"

"Because he's a Slytherin, they think they're superior to everyone else."

"And should you have the same done to you because you're a Gryffindor?"

"Of course not."

"Why not?"

"Because we are superior."

"I agree with James-" Sirius began.

"What a surprise," Remus said sarcastically.

"-Snape is one of those people who believe pure-blooded wizards are the only wizards that deserve to be respected. I'm surprised you like him, Lily. He wouldn't ever like you."

"How can you be so quick to judge, Black? Especially considering your background." Lily asked. "And by the way, I don't like him. I just don't think what you do to him is fair."

"Can we get back to the book?" Remus interrupted, feeling like he had said that a million times already. "Please?"

"Fine, but only because you said 'please'," James replied.

----------

(After a brief description of quidditch)

"Best sport in the world, isn't it?" James asked.

"Well I don't know, Potter, you haven't tried any muggle sports. Maybe you'd like those just as much," Lily replied.

"Don't even joke like that."

----------

(Fred after seeing the Hogsmeade date posted)

"Excellent…I need to visit Zonko's. I'm nearly out of Stink Pellets."

"Oh no," Sirius exclaimed, "they can't have that. What are they going to do without Stink Pellets?"

"I'm sure they could find something else, but it would be a shame if their supply ran out too quickly," James agreed. "Maybe they could just sneak off one day and go to Zonko's, buy the Stink Pellets, and come back before anyone notices."

"They don't have the map, though," Remus pointed out.

"Yeah, that's true."

Little did they know…

----------

(Harry talking to Lupin about what Harry's boggart would turn into)

"I-I remembered those dementors."

"I probably would, too," James said.

"I see," said Lupin thoughtfully. "Well, well…I'm impressed."

"So am I," said Sirius. "Not about it being a dementor, because I don't understand that. But about Harry impressing Remus, that is impressive."

"That suggests that what you fear most of all is – fear. Very wise, Harry."

"Go, Harry," James cheered. "My son is a genius."

The door opened, and in came Snape. He was carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly…

"Don't take it," Sirius warned. "He's trying to kill you."

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

"It seems I know what it is," commented Remus.

"He's still trying to kill you."

…taking a sip and shuddering.

"Well, Moony, it was nice to know you."

"Thanks, Padfoot. I appreciate it," Remus replied, playing along.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color."

"Of course you have," James said, like it was obvious. "That's because you just took Snape's poisonous potion."

Lupin drained the goblet and pulled a face.

"Oh no," said Sirius, burying his face in his hands. "It's already begun."

"Well, Harry, I'd better get back to work. I'll see you at the feast later."

"If you make it that long," said Sirius, ominously.

----------

(After the Portrait was slashed)

"Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

There was silence in the room for at least a minute before James tried to break the tension.

"Well, Sirius does kind of have a nasty temper. Gotten us in trouble countless times because of it."

That, however, was to no avail since Sirius was staring at book with a look of complete shock on his face. The fact that Sirius had broken out of jail and was after Harry was a surprise in the beginning, but they had mostly overlooked that and tried their best to ignore it. Now would be harder, though, since in the book Sirius had successfully gotten past the Dementors, entered the heavily-secured castle, and broken into Gryffindor tower.

"Maybe I just came to say hello," Sirius suggested.

"Yeah, Padfoot," James agreed, trying to cheer up Sirius, "that's it. Maybe you heard that there was going to be a quidditch match soon and wanted to cheer on Harry."

----------

(Talking about how Sirius broke into Hogwarts)

"And Filch knows all the secret passages…"

"Not all," Sirius corrected, grinning for the first time since he supposedly entered the castle.

"Filch has nothing on you Sirius. You could get past in him in a second if you wanted to, and especially if Padfoot were the one to do it," James said, matching his grin.

----------

(Harry listening in on Dumbledore, Snape, and Percy's conversation about Sirius entering the castle)

(Snape speaking): "It seems – almost impossible – that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed-"

"He better not be talking about me," Remus said in a dangerous voice.

"See, Remus? Now do you think we shouldn't prank Snape?" James asked.

Shockingly, there was no answer and Remus just continued to stare at the book as if it had just insulted him.

"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it,"

"At least Dumbledore's on your side," Sirius said, feeling a little strange that it would be better if Remus didn't help him.

----------

Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spent much of their next Herbology class telling anyone who'd listen that Black could turn into a flowering shrub.

" I didn't know people turn into flowering shrubs so often," Sirius commented.

"Well, Sirius, it's not every day," Remus said, calmed down enough that he could answer sarcastically, "it's a special occurrence. Only happens a few times a year. There are huge celebrations about it in Hogsmeade. I'm surprised you've never been to one."

"Must have missed it," Sirius answered seriously.

----------

(McGonagall explaining that Sirius is after Harry)

"Well, in that case, Potter, you'll understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field with only your team members, it's very exposed, Potter-"

"What?!" James shouted. "How could she punish Harry because of Sirius?" He quickly added to Sirius, "Not that I'm saying you're after him."

"I understand, Prongs."

"How could she take the best thing in the world away from him?"

"If it will save our son, Potter," Lily began, "Isn't it worth it?"

"It won't save our son, Lily, because he isn't in danger. Even if Sirius was after him, the dementors would catch him."

"Then why didn't they catch him the first time?"

"It doesn't matter. Sirius isn't after him, right Sirius?"

"Right. I would never want to hurt James' son."

Lily didn't think this was conclusive evidence, but couldn't help but believe that Sirius would be nice to James' son. Maybe a bad influence, but that's something completely different. Remus had stayed silent the entire time, not bothering to change the subject, because he wasn't sure who he agreed with.

----------

"Oliver, calm down!" said Fred, looking alarmed. "We're taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously."

"Why is everyone saying my name?" asked Sirius, smiling at his extremely annoying joke.

"Because you're such a great person, Sirius," Remus replied. "How could someone not?"

"Good question, Moony. Good question."

----------

(Snape taking Lupin's DADA class)

"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin, I-"

But it wasn't Professor Lupin who looked up at him form the teacher's desk; it was Snape.

"Oh no. He hasn't just killed you, Remus, but he's taken your job, too," Sirius said. "I don't which is worse."

"Yeah, that's a tough one, Padfoot. I wonder."

----------

(DADA class with Snape)

"Today we shall discuss-"

Harry watched him flick through the textbook, to the very back chapter, which he must know they hadn't covered.

"-werewolves," said Snape.

"That's just cruel," James said, shocked. He had always known Snape to do malicious things, but hadn't thought him capable of this.

"You think he knows?" Remus asked, color draining from his face.

"He must. You'd have to tell the faculty once you were hired, right?"

"I don't think I like him knowing."

"Neither do we."

"Knowing what?" Lily finally asked, confusion getting to her. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, dear, don't worry about it," James replied, knowing that the word "dear" would get her to forget it.

"Don't ever call me 'dear' again."

"How about when you go on a date with me?"

"Sure, because then you would still never call me that again."

"That's what you think."

"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" said Snape.

"We could," Sirius answered.

"Really?" Lily asked, surprised. "How do you know something that can only be learned through books?"

"That's not the only way you learn about these things," James said.

"You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves."

"Why does he want them to know how to kill werewolves?" Remus asked, panicking.

"Why do you think?" Sirius returned.

"D'you know what that-" (he called Snape something that made Hermione say "Ron!") "-is making me do?"

"Go Ron," James cheered. "Call him anything you want to. We don't have a problem with it."

"You should be a better role-model, Potter," Lily advised, "especially if you have a son."

"Why couldn't Black have hidden in Snape's office, eh? He could have finished him off for us!"

"Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind, Ron," Sirius said.

----------

A/N: That was the second installment of the marauders reactions to the third book. More to come soon.