Chapter 26
"Welcome back, James!" Sirius said on March 1st. "So did Professor McGonagall send you to Azkaban for your suspension?"
"Ha ha very funny, Sirius. No I just had to do community service for the Ministry of Magic for ten days. It was so boring though, that I wish it was Azkaban." James said as he collapsed on his bed. "I actually worked for Remus's father." James added.
"You did?" Remus asked suddenly interested in the conversation. Remus was still feeling guilt for accidentally snitching on James.
"Yeah, and I did some snooping in the files I had to put away, and I actually found out a lot on the werewolves, Frederick and Fenrir Greyback."
"You did?" Remus gulped.
"Yeah, I know you've been at your doctor's appointment around the full moons lately, but they're are aurors guarding the school from Frederick Greyback every full moon."
"Really?" Remus asked trying to sound naive.
"Yeah and after this last full moon I found their report that said that one of the aurors had been injured on the job. Apparently Frederick didn't come to Hogwarts alone this time, he came in a pack of 4 different werewolves. The aurors were overwhelmed and one was injured. Luckily he wasn't bitten, but he nearly died." James explained.
No one told me anything about someone being injured.
"Really?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to do some more investigating. It turns out that your dad had captured one of Frederick's closest friends and questioned him about his location. So I may have used my invisibility cloak to overhear the interrogation." James said while smirking.
Oh no, what did you find?
"It sounds like Frederick is being sent to Hogwarts looking for someone every full moon, someone who was turned into a werewolf by Fenrir."
"Someone at Hogwarts is a werewolf?" Peter asked.
"Maybe. And I think I have an idea of who it is." James said.
"Who?" Remus asked nervously.
"Sneverus Snape." James said disgusted.
"That would make so much sense!" Sirius yelled.
Thank Merlin he didn't think of me. I feel guilty for letting him take the blame, but my friends cannot find out my secret.
"Yeah, I think he could like smell me underneath the invisibility cloak and that's how he was able to turn me in - you know with his super smelling powers." James added.
"Yeah, that's how." Peter squeaked guiltily
"So I've created a plan to follow his footsteps throughout the school, in order to track where he goes and eventually to turn him into McGonagall."
"Tell us!" Sirius screamed in excitement.
"Well, we would start by drawing a map of the school and then using a Homonculous charm to track the movements of Sneverus." James said.
"That sounds pretty difficult. . ." Peter exclaimed.
"That's where our friend Remus Lupin comes in." James said.
"What?!" Remus hallard.
"Come on Remus, you were the best in Charms last semester, even better than that brainy Evans. You could totally do this one charm." James encouraged.
"Even if I could do it - which I probably wouldn't - you'd have to promise me that you wouldn't use it to harass Severus, just observe him." Remus stated.
"Of course." James mumbled quickly.
"No, you must promise that you wouldn't!" Remus yelled.
"Fine, I promise."
"Okay, draw the map and I'll research the charm." Remus reluctantly said.
Remus went to the library to check out an advanced 5th year charms text book when he saw Lily and Severus studying.
"Hey, Remus!" Lily shouted in a library whisper.
Remus walked over to their table and said "Hi Lily, Hi Severus." Severus looked up and nodded and continued studying.
Lily turned her head sideways to read the title of the textbook, "The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 5" "Ooh what's that for?" She asked.
"Um, just some light reading. I should be going. Pleasure seeing you both." Remus said.
"Have fun!" She called after Remus Lupin as he quickly walked away.
"Remus, we drew a rough map of Hogwarts, did you get the book?" James asked.
"Yes, I think I know how to cast it." Remus said as he took out his wand. He turned to a chapter called "Introduction to the Homonculus Charm"
"The Homonculus Charm is a charm that when cast onto a map, allows the possessor to view and track every person's whereabouts. It is a very advanced charm that not many can cast. However, there are practice charms - smaller versions - to help the wizard or witch build their skill. The first practice charm is called the Homonculus Solomente Charm which allows map possessors to follow one person on a map -" Remus read aloud.
"Perfect, let's do that." James said.
"In order to do this charm, the wizard or witch must point their wand to the map, move their wand in a counterclockwise circle exactly 270 degrees and say Homonculus Solomente (and the name that they wish to track)." Remus read. He took a deep breath and pointed at the map, closed his eyes and said "Homonculus Solomente Severus Snape".
Before he opened his eyes he heard a small gasp coming from his three friends.
"Did I do it?" Remus asked nervously.
"Yeah look down." James said proudly.
Remus looked down to the drawing of the library and saw two small footprints and a label in the upper lefthand corner that read Severus Snape.
"This is the coolest thing ever!" Peter yelled. The boys watched as the tiny steps walked out the doors and walked to the slytherin corridor. And disappeared as it went off the map.
"Where did it go?" Peter asked in confusion.
"It only shows up on mapped parts of Hogwarts. We only drew parts that we know are there. We haven't ever been to the Slytherin dormitories. Or other parts of the castel." Sirius explained.
"That will have to change!" James said menacingly. The three boys laughed and started to plot how they were going to explore the entire castle without being caught while Remus once again questioned if he should be James' side, or Severus'.