Days in Avalon
Chapter Thirty-six: Going Under
The next two weeks or so went by in a blur. All of the students fifth year and above were concentrating on studying for their exams and finals. Lily and James pretty much ignored each other saved for the few hours they spent together while in class. Sirius and Andy knew better than to try to get them together now. Granted Lily and James were both very single now, but too much damage had been done. For now the only thing they could do is let them be for a moment.
Sirius was getting a little tired of schoolwork and the lack of excitement in his life, as were the rest of the Marauders. But that all would change one Tuesday afternoon.
James and Sirius walked into the Great Hall for lunch still reaming about the pop quiz they just had in their potions class.
"Can you believe that? Think old Slughorn has finally lost it,"commented Sirius as he continued to rub his head.
"Oh come on mate, it wasn't that bad," said James tiredly. As they walked into the hall James instantly scanned the room and found where Lily and her friends were sitting. An old habit that just didn't seem to want to go away.
"Yeah, right, I'd be surprised if I got two points on that stupid quiz," grunted Sirius as the two of them sat down next to Remus and Peter.
"I told you to read the last two chapters he assigned," said a very tired and sick looking Remus as he played with his food.
"How's it going, Moony?" asked Sirius noticing his friend's state.
"I've had better days," he replied weakly.
"Is it bad this month?" asked James in a low voice.
"When isn't it bad,"commented Sirius. .
"Yeah, it's a little worse this month," said Remus as he tried to eat some of his mash potatoes.
"Are you going to make it," asked Peter shyly.
"Yeah, I'll be fine Wormtail," said Remus with a small smile. "I just can't wait for this too be over with for this month."
"Do you not want us to come this time?" asked James as he looked around to make sure no one else was listening.
Remus shrugged his shoulder as he looked down at his plate. "I don't know."
"Well what do we have here?" said a voice coming from behind Remus and James. All four of the boys looked up and gave a sigh of relief when they saw it was Andy.
"A couple of misfits planning to dominate the world one prank at a time?" she said cheerfully as she took the empty seat on the other side of Remus.
"Andy, now isn't a good time," said James a little annoyed.
She gave the group a quizzical look before asking what was the matter.
"It's none of your business," said Peter trying to act tough. Sirius glared at him for amoment until Peter remembered who exactly they were talking too.
"It's Moony," Sirius said simply.
"Huh?" she said before turning toward her friend. She saw that he was now paler than usual and was trying his best not to scream in pain. "Oh! Right...that problem."
"Urgh," groaned Remus as he hunched over a bit grabbing his sides.
"Are you going to be sick?" asked James quickly. He was ready to spring into action to help his friend get too the loo or to Madame Pomfrey's office.
"No...cramps," he grimaced.
"Try taking a deep breaths while rubbing your stomach a little," said Andy as she grabbed a piece of bread. All four of the boys looked at her as if she had suddenly grown an extra set of limbs and head. "Just try it!"
Remus did as she told and with in a few moments the pain started to subside. "That seemed to help a little," he said a bit shocked.
"Hey how did you know that would work?" said Peter in amazement.
"Remus isn't the only one who has to deal with monthly cramps," said Andy a little darkly. All four of the boys looked at her oddly until it dawned on three of them.
James hung his head in disgust, while Remus blushed a bit before talking a drink from his glass. Sirius on the other hand chuckled lightly to himself while shaking his head.
"Huh?" questioned Peter who wasn't understanding what was so wrong.
"It's over your head Pete," said James as he glared at Andy.
"When are you going out?" she asked changing the subject before Peter started asking questions.
"Tomorrow night," said Sirius before taking a drink from his glass.
"I'm not sure if you guys should come this time," said Remus in a hushed voice.
"Moony it's not like this is the first time we're doing this," stated Sirius who was eager for some action. "We'll be fine, and ready to reek havoc over the land."
"Is that so?" said a low voice from behind Sirius. None of them had noticed Severus Snape come up right next to them. All five of them had a look of horror on their face, especially Remus. Each not knowing how long he had been there.
"Well by all means, please tell the world what kind of havoc you and your lot are going to cause tomorrow," he said oily.
Sirius gave a low growl as he glared at Snape.
"That's none of your business, Snivellus," barked James, ready to attack if it came down to that.
"Ah, if it isn't the wing man. I don't think anyone was talking to you," stated Snape as he glared daggers at James.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you," sneered James.
"Is that all you can come up with Potter?" retorted Snape.
James was about to pull out his wand before Andy had jumped up and grabbed a hold of his arm. He gave her an exasperated look as he tried to pull away from her grip.
"Jay, don't do it. You're in enough trouble with McGonagall as is with the stunt you pulled last week," she said in a warning tone.
"What this? Taking orders from a girl now, eh Potter?"said Severus with an evil smirk.
Andy glared darkly at Snape which would give anyone chills. "Look Snivellus, no one asked you to listen in on this conversation. So why don't you take that oily hooked nose of yours and go play with your chemistry sets."
Sirius couldn't help but grin at Andy's choice of words. Snape on the other hand did not look too happy. For some reason, Sirius didn't like the look in Snape's eye as he glared at Andy and James.
"Someone has to foil your little plans," said Snape smoothly.
"And you sure do love being that little git right?" commented Sirius as he stood up to glare down at Severus.
"As a matter of fact I do," he replied smoothly before turning his attention back to James. "Mark my words, Potter. One of these days you're going to wish you'd never even heard my name."
With that, Severus turned on his heels and stormed away from them and out of the Great Hall.
"Too late. I'm already there," said James aloud before sitting back down.
"Do you think he really over heard what we said?" asked Peter.
"Doubt it," said Andy as she grabbed a hold of her bag that she put on the floor. "Knowing that little weasel, he was probably just blowing smoke. But who really knows. Listen guys, I have to be heading off. See you later."
With that she walked out of the Great Hall but not before she messed with James's hair and gave Remus a quick friendly hug.
"Now I really think you guys shouldn't come tomorrow. I don't want to put you guys at risk," said Remus.
"If you really don't want to, then we won't come," said James giving into his friend's request.
"What!" said a frustrated Sirius.
"Come on Padfoot, it's too dangerous right now. We'll do it next month, right before finals," said James as he took a drink from his glass.
"I guess you're right," said a dejected Sirius as he glanced over at the doors in which Andy had just walked out of. James on the other hand had a feeling that someone was looking at him. When he tuned his head to look down the table he saw a flash of red hair whip around. He couldn't help but grin at the thought.
Andy walked quickly from the Great Hall toward the staircase to get to the library. She wanted to get a head start on her part of the final project for McGonagall's class. As she took a short cut down what she thought was an empty hallway, she suddenly came face to face once again with Severus.
"Off to save yet another helpless friend?" chimed Severus as he raised his eyebrows to her suggestively. Andy merely rolled her eyes before side stepping him and continuing on her way.
"What is with you today? Did you wake up and decided to be a bigger prat today than usual?" she asked offhandedly as she walked past him. She got about four steps away before he grabbed a hold of her arm and spun her around.
"No, not really," he said as he looked down at her. Granted he was only a few inches taller than her, but he seemed to give off an illusion that he was taller.
Andy looked at her arm that he was currently holding then up at his face before she pulled free of his grip. "You do realize that stalking is illegal right?"
"Why do you hang out with them?" he asked with a chuckle. Ignoring her comment completely.
"Excuse me?" said a bewildered Andy. "Why wouldn't I?"
"You never really got along with all those friends of your's before," he said with a weird smirk. "You're so much better than they are."
"Okay. What are you playing at, Snivellus?" she said, calculating him.
"Oh come on, don't tell me you haven't thought about it before? You're too good of a witch to be associated with those people," he said as he took a step toward her. Andy took a couple of steps back as she continued to stare at him.
"Those people? Since when did you start addressing me as if I were a pure blood like the rest of your lot?" said Andy cautiously.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Miranda," said Snape icky sweet. Andy started at him for a moment.
"What did you call me?"said Andy a little harshly.
"I don't know what you mean?" he said with a grin.
"No, you called me 'Miranda'. Nobody calls me that save the professors and those stuck up, prissy little pure bloods that think they are so much better than everyone else because they have a lot of...money." Once she had said those words, she knew exactly why he was acting this way.
"Ah shit," she said to herself. "You know, don't you? You know about my family."
Severus looked up at the ceiling as if he were pondering her words. "Perhaps."
"Wow...and it only took you a year to figure it out. What did mummy and daddy find out and told you to play nice?"said Andy wanting nothing more than to wipe the floor with this jerk before her.
"Actually it took me less than a year. And no my parents didn't inform me," said Severus darkly.
"Well...I'm impressed," said Andy sarcastically. "Now if you don't mind, I'm tired of this game."
"Why now?" asked Severus as he once again grabbed a hold of her arm and spun her back around.
"I'd really wouldn't do that if I were you,"growled Andy as she balled her right hand up into a fist ready to let it fly.
"What's going on here?" said a voice coming from behind them. It was Sirius who they hadn't heard come up. "Sparky?"
Andy saw the look of confusion on his face when he saw what type of state they were in. In a flash she saw the confusion turn into almost pure rage. She knew that he would be digging out his wand soon which would lead into a type of trouble she didn't want.
"Nothing," growled Andy as she ripped her arm once again away from Snape. She gave him a threatening look before taking a few steps away. "We're finished here."
With that Andy quickly left the scene, but not before Sirius got a look at her face and saw the far off disturbed look in her eyes.
"My, my," said Snape a little coyly as soon as Andy was gone. Suddenly out of no where he felt a suddenly bolt to the head, and realized that Sirius had physically thrown him up against the stone wall in which his face was currently squished against.
"Don't go there," threatened Sirius as his grip on Snape's arm tightened for a bit before he let go of him.
Severus spun around quickly to look at his attacker as he rubbed his now sore jaw. "What's with you Black? Afraid I might get between you and your little crush on 'Sparky'?"
Sirius tried to hide his feelings with a look of confusion, and it would have worked, had Severus not seen the surprised and shocked look in his eyes.
"Oh come on now, you didn't actually think that no one noticed how you constantly stare and drool over her. Although I don't know why. Anyone could do better than that brash tomboy, even you," he said as he brushed Sirius's hand off him.
"She's my friend, and I don't drool over her. And besides I don't have to explain anything, least of all you," barked Sirius.
"Right, keep telling your self that Black. Maybe then when your precious Andy finds out about your little infatuation for her you'll be more convincing for her. That is if you survive her temper," said Snape mockingly.
"I'd stay away from her, because liable to bite your head off and not think twice about it," said Sirius as he saw Snape began to walk away.
"Just like you and your little gang?" asked Severus from over his shoulder. By the time he turned around, Sirius was now towering in front of him.
"Stay away from them if you know what's good for you," warned Sirius.
"Now have I ever really taken your advice? No Gryffindor can order me around, even if he is a Black," sneered Severus.
"Is that suppose to scare me or something," said an unamused Sirius.
Severus merely shrugged his shoulders in response. Sirius glared down at Severus so frustrated with him. He began to storm away when he heard Severus's oily voice disturb the silence in the hallway. "Perhaps you should be more afraid of when I bust your little fun bubble."
Sirius had had enough of this little game as an impish grin came across his face. "If you want to talk about being afraid, then perhaps you should be taking you own advice. I'd hate to see what horrors you'd fine near the Willow tomorrow night. I doubt you'll even survive."
With that Sirius left a slightly confused but highly curious Snape in the middle of the hallway. Severus's mind began to wheel with ideas and thoughts of what Black was talking about...and how could he put an end to the Marauders' reign of terror on the school.
For the rest of the day and next day as well Severus kept an even closer eye on the Marauders. He saw that Remus was looking even sicker as usual and that the rest of them seemedmoresilentthan normal. He eyed both James and Sirius with the utmost disgust. Every now and then his mind would wander off and picture what the world would be like if those two were destroyed. An evil smirk would occasionally form on his face as he reveled in this thought.
As night approached, Severus continued his vigilance over the boys until after dinner. He had to give up on his stakeout since it was his night to patrol the corridors and make sure no students were acting up. As the hours passed by slowly, Severus continued to ponder what in the world Black was talking about the day before. He knew better than to follow Sirius's suggestion. Knowing Black he figured the Marauders were just trying to throw him off with a trick. So what were they really up too?
Severus continued to contemplate what were his adversaries really up too as he walked down the fourth floor corridor and looked out the window to look at the now almost dark sky. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes as he savored in the slight hint of summer in the night air. When he opened his eyes he saw someone run across the grounds clutching his stomach. He took him a moment to realize that the boy was none other than Remus Lupin, heading for the direction of the Whopping Willow tree.
"Nice try, but I'm not falling for it," said Severus to himself. But for some reason Severus couldn't help the nagging feeling in his gut that was telling him to follow Lupin. After a few minutes of inner debate, curiosity prevailed and Severus silently slipped into one of the secret passages that lead outside to find out what was going on exactly at the dangerous willow tree.
As the evening hours got later and later, Lily was found sitting in one of the very comfy chairs near the fireplace in the common reading up on some of her studies, getting ready for finals that were just a few weeks away. It was nearly nine o'clock and she was the only one there, which was a slightly odd. But none the less, Lily welcomed the silence as she continued to read up on some of the newest defenses they learn in Defenses Against the Dark Arts class. Well that was until a loud bang disrupted her concentration. A moment later she saw a very frustrated looking Andy storm in to the common room and gave out a slightly loud growl as she flung her bag at the couch.
Andy noticed her friend sitting in the far chair as she grabbed a hold of the back of the chair closest to her and took a few deep breaths.
"Ugh...can this week get any worse," said a tired and frustrated Andy. Lily couldn't help but giggle at her friend's actions.
"What is it now, Andy?" she said merrily as she put her book off to the side.
"What hasn't it been," said Andy as she took a seat on the couch closest to Lily. "First the laces on my favorite shoes broke. Then I find out that the essay I turned in for McGonagall's class wasn't as good as I thought it was. So needless to say I'm a bit pissed about that. Plus we have Quidditch championship next week against Ravenclaw and just ...ugh...nothing else has gone right for me."
Lily looked at her friend with sympathetic eyes. She knew it was a stressful time for many people, so she chose be a little cheeky.
"Aww...poor Andy," said Lily in a little baby like voice. Andy watched as her friend began to pout and blink her eyes rapidly. Normally Andy would give her custom glare but she just couldn't seem to do it right then and there. Instead she gave Lily what her best friend set out to accomplish, she began laugh uncontrollably.
"Shut up," laughed Andy as she through a pillow at her friend to get her to stop acting like that. "Okay it isn't that bad. But still, I just wish this year was over with."
"I know what you mean," sighed Lily. At that moment an idea popped into her head. "Hey tell you what, since exams are coming up..."
"Don't remind me," whined Andy.
Lily gave a slight glare before she continued. "Why don't we have a girls weekend? Hmm? We can do a slumber party on Friday and Saturday we can go to Hogsmeade. What do you think?"
"That actually sounds like a good idea, Evans," commented Andy.
"Of course it does," said a voice coming near the fire place. Andy and Lily looked over toward the door and saw James leaning near the fire place. He had a slight grin on his face as he walked toward the girls. "Whatever idea comes from Evans is bound to be a good idea."
Andy and Lily couldn't help but laugh merrily at his comment. "Jay, quit being a kiss up."
James merely gave them a bemused look while shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry, I have a bad habit of that."
"Wow, I'm amazed. A boy of sixteen and he is already able to admit his faults," Lily flirted.
James responded in the same kind of tone slightly enjoying this little game of theirs. "Is that a trait you admire, Ms. Evans."
Andy looked at her two friends and couldn't help the bright smile that forced its way to the surface as she watched their actions. They looked too cute together.
"Well, if it is I wouldn't tell you," said Lily a little cheekily. James slightly frowned at her words not sure if she was still playing or was being serious now.
"Hey don't be too harsh on the boy," said Andy defensively, playing along with Lily's game.
Lily gave a dejected sigh that caused part of her hair to fly up. "If I must."
Andy let out a slight giggle before she got the attention of James who was now standing before her. "Relax," she said in a low voice. "She's just playing."
James gave her a quizzical look before turning his attention back to Lily who was now trying very hard to fight off the fit of giggles that wanted to escape. James slightly rolled his eyes at his own stupidity for falling into her trap.
"Would you care to join us in our little chat," asked Lily brightly after she had her laugh.
"Thank you, but no," he refused politely. "I don't want to interfere with your girl time and what hair tips you two just discovered."
"Is that what you think we do," said Andy with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes because that's what we always talk about," said Lily in a slight dramatic tone. "Hair. Clothes."
"Accessories," added Andy.
"Make-up," stated Lily.
"And of course our favorite topic of all time," said Andy in a dramatic tone.
"Boys!" the two of them said in unison.
"Okay. Okay. I get the picture," laughed James as he took a seat on the edge of the coffee table so that he was now between Lily and Andy. "So what were you two lasses talking about then."
"Curious now?" asked Lily with a raised eyebrow.
"Perhaps," replied James as he looked up to the ceiling as if pondering the thought. Both Lily and Andy looked at each other before they broke into a fit of giggles.
"We were just talking about how terrible Andy's life has been lately,"said Lily once she calmed down a bit. Andy told James the same speech she gave to Lily a few minutes ago.
"Yeah, but luckily McGonagall is letting me fix up the essay," said Andy once she was done.
"Your life is sounding like mine, Star," said James with a slight chuckle.
"Yeah, well welcome to the club," replied Andy with a hint of sarcasm. "What's your excuse?"
James let out a sigh before rambling off a list. "Class, mates, pranks, and Snivellus."
"What happened with you and Severus," asked Lily in a concern tone.
"Oh, don't even get me started on that prat," said Andy under her breath.
"He's been following us, the guys and I," answered James.
"Why?" inquired Lily not seeing where he was getting at.
"He's just looking for trouble," replied James. Lily raised an eyebrow at his reply. She wasn't entirely sure he was telling the truth.
"Yeah, and I almost put him in the hospital wing the other day," said Andy backing up James's story.
"Why?" said Lily sharply as she turned her attention to her best friend.
"What did he do?" said James slowly getting angry at the thought of Severus trying to do something to someone he saw as a sister.
"After I left you guys the other day in the Great Hall, Severus followed me out int the hall,"started Andy.
"What did he want?" inquired Lily and James.
"Oh, he just wanted to rub in the little information that he discovered on me," replied Andy as she began to pick at the couch.
"What information?" asked James.
Andy stopped what she was doing and looked straight at both of them. "The fact that I'm a bloody heiress and that I now probably have more money than anyone in this entire school."
"Great," sighed James as he rolled his eyes.
"So what?" replied Lily not seeing what the big problem was.
"If he knows," started James. "Then every Slytherin and his family knows. So they're now going to want to convert her into a cold hearted prick they are now. Or worst, try to 'persuade' her into marrying one of their idiot sons so they can get a hold of her money."
"Persuade?" questioned Lily.
"He means threaten. Those...piranhas would do anything to get a hold of money, considering most these 'purebloods' no longer have any because of their 'bad habits'," said Andy.
"I see," replied Lily with a nod.
"Exactly, but luckily I had a rescuer," said Andy.
"Who?" inquired James.
"Your best mate. Blackie," replied Andy.
"Really?" said James with a raised eyebrow. At that moment the portrait door began to open and in walked in a student.
"Yup,"answered Andy. When she heard someone come in she looked up and saw that it was none other than the boy they were talking about. "Ah, speaking of the 'great savior'".
"What did I do now?" said Sirius with a hint of fear in his voice.
"Stopped Snivellus from harassing Andy, apparently," said James with a chuckle.
"Oh yeah. That. It was nothing,"said Sirius sadly as he continued to have a far off look across his face.
"Oh my hero. Ever so humble," joked Andy. She watched Sirius as he walked slowly behind the couch lost in his thoughts.
"Well that's Sirius for you, always the quiet one," laughed James. He too noticed his friends strange behavior.
"Oh yeah. That will be the day," laughed Lily. She also began to watch the boy's odd actions.
"Hey," said Andy as she grabbed a hold of his wrist. "Is something wrong?"
"No," replied Sirius as he pulled away from Andy. " Why would you ask?"
"Because you are too quiet,"said James as he got up and went over to his friend. There have only been a hand full of times James has seen Sirius like this. Normally his best friend has an air around him, as if he doesn't have a care in the world. But as he stood before his friend now, he saw the same lost expression he saw about a year ago when Sirius came to live in at the Potter household.
"Sirius what did you do?" said James with a sigh.
"It's nothing," said Sirius as he looked at the floor.
"Come on mate," stated James with a friendly tone.
"Ah, I just got into a bit of a row with Snivellus after Andy left," said Sirius with a sigh. "I said something to him that I really shouldn't have."
"What did you call him a prat that favors boys or something like that?" laughed Andy. It was that remark that caused James to be engulfed with laughter as Lily fought to keep her giggles to herself. Sirius on the other hand cracked a small smile before going back to his depressed look.
"Not really," he said a little awkwardly.
"Well what did you tell him?"laughed James.
"I told him if he didn't want to get the scare of his life, then he shouldn't go out to the willow tonight,"said Sirius with some hesitation. Once those words left his lips, the entire room went silent. James, Lily, and Andy stared at him as if he had told a very bad joke.
"But isn't tonight a full moon?"said Lily. Sure enough out the far window, the four of them saw the monthly full moon begin to rise in the sky.
"You didn't," said a slightly scared James.
"Oh come on Prongs. It's not like the fool will actually listen to me," said Sirius, more or less trying to convince himself then James and the rest of them
"Well there's one way to find out," replied James. With that he went over to his bag and pulled out a piece of parchment. He unfolded it and placed the tip of his wand to the paper.
"What is that?" asked a highly curious Lily.
"Later Lily," said Andy as she joined James in searching the map. It took her a moment, but she found where the willow tree was marked. Sure enough she saw a little figure marked 'Remus Lupin'. But it was the figure marked not too far behind that caused the color in her face to drain away.
"James...look," said Andy in a low voice as she pointed to the map.
James looked in the direction of her figure and saw the figure marked 'Severus Snape' not too far behind the one marked 'Remus Lupin'. "Ah bugger me."
"He didn't did he?" said Sirius suddenly as he came over to the table. The moment he saw that he's fear was now a reality, Sirius felt sick to his stomach. "Ah shit."
"Goddamn it Sirius!" screamed James as he slammed his hands against the table. "You put our best friend's life in jeopardy."
Sirius continued to stare at the map with the same shocked and bewildered look on his face. It was until James stood up abruptly with his wand out and called for his broom.
"James, where are you going?" asked Lily as James headed for the portrait.
"To stop him," replied James as he glared at Sirius. Once he had his broom in hand, James flew out of the common room to try and stop Severus. Lily started to go after him, but was stopped by Andy's hand.
"Lily don't," said Andy as she took a hold of Lily's arm. Lily watched as the portrait door softly closed, feeling slightly helpless.
Andy shook her head trying to absorb what had just happened and what was going on. As looked over toward the fireplace, she saw Sirius stand up and look at her.
"Sparky..."he started.
"Don't say another word to me," growled Andy as she tried her best to contain her temper.
"Sirius what were you thinking?"said Lily suddenly as she walked over toward Sirius.
"He wasn't!" barked Andy as she tried to get her thoughts together.
Lily chose to ignore Andy's comment and continue to question Sirius. "How could you do that to Remus?"
"I...I don't know,"stuttered Sirius. Lily could see that the boy was in shock. But in the blink of an eye Sirius's lost look disappeared only to be replaced by one of determination. Before Lily knew it, Sirius had past her and was making his way toward the portrait. That is until Andy stepped in his way with her wand pulled out at him.
"Don't even think about it!"threatened Andy. Sirius raised an eyebrow at her.
"What are you going to do? Hex me?" he replied. Andy silently muttered a curse which stop past Sirius's ear and hit a vase causing it to explode.
"That was a warning. I don't want to hurt you, but if I must, I will knock your bloody lights out until the middle of next week," warned Andy. Sirius slightly twitched at the thought of what she could do.
"As will I,"added Lily. She too pulled out her wand and pointed it at Sirius. Seeing that he was out numbered, Sirius bowed out.
"Fair enough,"he said.
"Come on Lil, before it's too late,"said Andy as she put her wand away. She knew that Sirius wouldn't try to leave the common room now. Not when he saw her grab a hold of the map and pocketed it.
Andy and Lily left the common room quickly, leaving Sirius by himself in the common room. He walks over to the window and looks out at the bright full moon hanging in the black of night.
"Merlin what have I done," he says in a whisper as silent tears begin to fall from his face.
James flew through the castle trying to avoid various students who were heading back to their houses for the evening. Once he was outside, he willed his broom to fly faster toward the far off willow tree. He arrived at the tree in the matter of a few moments to find that Snape was no where in sight. Seeing the branch near the tree, James grabbed a hold of it in order to hit the knot that would disable the tree. He glanced back at the castle before taking a deep breath and going through the opening with his broom and wand in hand.
"Andy where are we going? Shouldn't we be going the other way toward James?"asked Lily. The two girls were now running through the dark halls of the school feeling as though they were already too late.
"Dumbledore. We're going to Dumbledore's office," huffed Andy as she came to a stop trying to catch her breath for a moment.
"What?" said a confused Lily.
"Lil, if James doesn't get there in time there could be two deaths instead of on," stated Andy as she looked at her friend. " I know I would usually say no, but this is major. Even by my standards."
Lily stood there for a few moments taking in her words. "Then what are we waiting for?"
With that, the two of them ran in the direction of the Headmaster's office. Within a matter of moments, which seemed like an eternity for them, they arrived at the entrance.
"Chocolate Frog!"screamed the both of them.
"How did you?"asked Andy as she started at her friend.
"Prefect remember," replied Lily as she hopped onto the rotating staircase.
"Right,"said Andy as she too jumped onto the staircase. Once they had arrived at Dumbledore's door, both of them began to pound on it.
"Professor!"screamed Andy.
"Enter" said a voice within. The two of them bolted through the door, to find Professor Dumbledore sitting behind his desk and Professor McGonagall standing near the fireplace.
"My my," chuckled Dumbledore as he greeted the girls. "To what do I owe this late visit ladies?"
"Someone's in danger!"gasped Lily.
"Danger? Of what?" asked Professor McGonagall as she stared at the both girls state.
"Werewolf!" said Andy as she tried to catch her breath.
"What are you talking about?"asked Dumbledore as he rose from his seat.
"Someone's gone to the Whomping Willow and is about to run into Remus's other side,"replied Andy as looked directly at Dumbledore.
"How do you know about Lupin?" asked McGonagall in a low voice.
"Who?" said Dumbledore with a hint of urgency.
"Severus Snape," answered Andy. Lily and Andy heard McGonagall give a small gasp as she held her hand over her heart.
"There's more,"added Lily. "James went after Snape. He's on his way there now."
Dumbledore smiled lightly and nodded at the girls. "Thank you."
He then turned his attention to McGonagall. "Minerva, I want you go alert Professor Slughorn and our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Also tell Pomfrey that we may need two beds made up."
With that Dumbledore headed toward door and down the staircase. McGonagall glared slightly at the girls before she too headed out of the office. "You two back to your dormitories."
Andy and Lily followed McGonagall down the stairs and watched as she hurried down the corridor toward Slughorn's office.
"We should go," said Lily after a few moments. "It's out of our hands now."
"Like hell it is," said Andy. She then walked down the corridor toward one of the tapestries. Lily watched as she lifted the heavy piece of art work and tapped the wall three times to open the secret passageway.
"Come on," waved Andy as she lite her wand to guide them down the dark way.
Snape walked down the dark tunnel slowly. He wondered how long this tunnel had been in existence as he tried to avoid getting hit in the head by roots from above. He had been walking for a good amount of time and figured that he was nearing the end of the tunnel. After a few moments, he began to hear unnatural sounds. It sounded as if someone was in a great amount of pain...as if they were being tortured.
"Lumos," he whispered. The sight before him was of absolute horror. Standing before him, was Remus in the middle of his monthly transformation. His face and mouth were slightly distorted as vicious fangs and unruly hair began to grow everywhere. Severus saw as Remus began to convulse uncontrollably while his clothes began to rip to shreds, revealing dark brown fur covering his body.
"S...S-Severus..."grunted Remus. "G-g-get a-a-awwwwaaaayyyyy!"
Severus couldn't move as he watched what was happening before him. "My God."
James ran as fast as he could down the tunnel and saw that there was some light at the end of the tunnel. Soon he saw the outline figure of Snape, standing in the middle of the tunnel.
"Snape!" shouted James as he continued to run up to his long enemy. By the time he reached him, he saw that Remus was in the final stages of his transformation.
"Snape!" shouted James as he grabbed a hold of Severus and shook him. "Come on man are you mad?"
The next moment literally turned both Severus and James's blood ice cold. "OOOWWWWOOOOO!"
James quickly turned around to find a full fledge werewolf before them.
"Ah shit," muttered James. He watched as the werewolf began to calculate his prey and snarl at the two of them.
"Sorry for this mate," said James as his grip on his wand tightened. As the werewolf began to lunge forward, James fired off a curse that sent the werewolf flying down the rest of the tunnel a few feet.
James then pulled Severus down the tunnel a few feet until they reached the broom he had dropped. "GET ON!" yelled James to Severus.
Snape startled back into reality, jumped on the back of James's broom and saw soon speeding off back down the tunnel with a now very angry werewolf right behind them.
"Andy what are we doing out here?" asked Lily once the two of them were outside of the castle.
"Shh," whispered Andy as she pulled out a cloak from her pocket. "Quick get under."
"When did you get this?" asked Lily as she got under the Invisibility cloak.
"I called for it as soon as we got out of Dumbledore's office," replied Andy. The two of them silently made their way toward the willow tree. Once they had arrived at a near by oak tree, Andy pulled off the cloak as she looked at the moon and then at the willow.
"Remind me again," started Lily. "Why are we out here?"
"Incase Remus decides to become violent," muttered Andy.
Lily looked at her with horror as her friend continued to stare at the tree. "Shouldn't we let the professor's deal with that?"
"What, Slughorn, Russell, and McGonagall?"asked Andy as she looked over her shoulder at her friend. "Those three won't get here in time if Dumbledore can't stop Lupin."
Sure enough, Andy and Lily saw Professor Dumbledore in the distance along with Hagrid walking toward the willow. At the same time, they saw James fly out of the tunnel with Snape and land a few feet away.
"Looks like James got him," said Andy with a sigh of relief. At the same time she said it, Andy felt Lily go ridged next to her.
"Lily?" asked Andy as she turned toward her friend who was now white as a ghost. "Lily what is it?"
"That," she whispered as she pointed to something behind Andy. Andy slowly turned around to find Remus in his werewolf form crawling out of the tunnel.
"Oh! Yeah. That might be a problem," said Andy she found herself frozen in place.
The two girls watched as James began to fire off a number of curses to keep the werewolf at bay.
"James," whispered Lily as she watched him battle against his friend's other form.
"Oh...that's got to hurt," commented Andy as the two of them watched as Severus tried to fire off a curse, but instead got hit by the willow knocking him out of a moment.
Suddenly the werewolf was hit by a bright beam of light that seem to come out of nowhere. Lily and Andy then noticed that Dumbledore was now standing next to James with Hagrid coming up from behind.
"Where did Dumbledore come from?" questioned Lily, who knew that Dumbledore wasn't there a second ago.
"Who knows," shrugged Andy as she watched Dumbledore tell James and the now conscious Severus to head back to the castle with Hagrid.
A second later both girls saw that the werewolf was beginning to get back on his feet and charge at the small group.
"Uh-oh," said Andy she watched from their hiding space. Both of them watched to see if Dumbledore would turn around and keep him at bay, but they didn't.
"Andy what are you doing?" said Lily as her friend jumped out of their hiding spot.
"Baking a cake, what does it look like I'm doing," said Andy. She fired off a hex right as Remus was about to charge the group.
A second later, another curse was cast, causing a small twister to cut through the grounds and chase after the werewolf. Andy stared at Lily who continued to have her wand pointed in the direction of her spell.
"Whoa, Lily," commented Andy as she gasped at her friend.
"Couldn't have you having all the fun now could I," chuckled Lily. Andy couldn't help but chuckle too, until she heard the ear splitting sound of wood cracking.
"Look out!" said Andy as she dove and pushed Lily out of the way of the falling tree branch.
"Why don't we get out of here," said Andy as she tried to catch her breath.
"That would be nice," commented Lily.
With that, the girls quickly got under the invisibility cloak once again and headed back to the castle.
A/N: Well there you go, a new chapter. (And on my birthday no less!) I hope everyone enjoyed reading this. You have no idea how long it took for me to write it. I probably won't update for awhile, because I'm trying to work a little bit ahead on the next installments. So please be patient. Hey I've put almost three years into this story...you think I'm going to give up on it now? Heck no!
Anyways...I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed. I love you guys!
And now as always...you know what to do...just go ahead and hit that button at the review. You know you want to. Flames, praises, or whatever are welcomed as usual.
Until next time...
Disclaimer: It's all J.K. Rowling. I only own this story and the characters I made up.