Disclaimer: All characters belong solely to JK Rowling. If you recognize a scene or a name, it is hers.

Chapter Three: Transfiguration

A week later, Remus found himself in Transfiguration, a double period, which the Gryffindors shared with the Slytherins. There was still tension between the Marauders, mainly between Remus and Sirius. James kept trying to get his best friends to at least speak with one another, but to no avail. Remus could still not believe that Sirius could do something that terrible, and his claims that it was "Just Snivellus" did not help matters.

Not to mention the growing sense of protection Remus felt over Severus. He couldn't explain any of it, not that he was planning to tell the other Marauders, but he couldn't explain it even to himself. Every time Sirius or James were heard whispering about the Slytherin, the werewolf would glare at them, as if daring them to try anything. It was clear that Snape had noticed a difference as well, as he avoided the Marauders with the exception of their shared classes. And even there, the pranksters had done nothing.

Professor McGonagall assigned homework, as usual, only this time was much more than was normal. Sirius grumbled to James, claiming to have no time to sleep anymore. "I've got detention every night because of Snively, and now this! Prongs, we've got to find a way to get this done, I refuse to quit Quidditch over this! Our team needs us, and we keep missing practices because Filch won't let us out till midnight! This is so unfair!"

James glanced over at Remus. "Maybe I can get Moony's help. He won't help you, I know that, but if he'll help me, I can help you, and voila!"

"This is all Snape's fault. Who knew he was so goddamn stupid! If someone who pranks me all the time tells me about a secret passage I'm damn well not going to check it out at night! What the hell did he go for?"

"Padfoot, you know you shouldn't have done it."

"I know, Jamie, but still. Why the hell did he go?"

"To get us in more trouble, Siri."

Professor McGonagall looked over at the Marauders. "I believe the assignment you are supposed to be working on, Mr. Black and Mr. Potter, is changing that rat into a cup. Now unless you two want even more detentions, you may want to do it!"

Shuttering at the idea of more detentions, James looked down at his own rat, waved his wand, and a second later, a goblet appeared on the desk. A goblet with a tail. The boy glanced toward Remus and Peter, who were working together, and saw that Remus already transfigured his rat into a golden goblet, complete with some sort of juice in it, and Peter had created a furry goblet with a tail, which was emitting a loud squeak every time he pointed his wand at it. Turning around, he saw Snape had already done the same as Remus, only without the juice. James faced the front again, and saw Sirius's rat become a goblet. He sighed.

Remus went to the library after class, fully intending to use his free period to start on his Transfiguration and Potions homework. Both Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn had decided to give much more than their usual assignments that morning, so there was little chance of completing the work without the free period. Unfortunately, most of his fellow fifth years had made the same choice, so when he went in, there was only two available table. So he had a choice: he could either sit with Snape, or with Sirius. Remus stood in the doorway a moment, trying to decide his course of action, but Sirius looked up and saw him standing there. He's got some nerve, Remus thought to himself as Sirius beckoned Remus toward his own table. The werewolf ignored him and headed over toward the Slytherin, praying that Snape wouldn't get up and leave the second Remus sat down.

Severus looked up when Remus sat across from him, his dark eyes unreadable. After only a moment's hesitation, he began putting his books into his bag, fully intending to leave. Remus sighed.

"Um… Snape, wait a second." The dark-haired boy did not stop piling books into his bag, but Remus saw he was listening. The werewolf had no idea what had come over him, but knew he had to say this now, or he would never get another opportunity. "I uh… I never thanked you… For not saying anything. And for letting Sirius and me stay. I owe you. Big time."

Snape paused from his packing, and glared at Remus, trying to find the hidden insult. "Just go away, Lupin. I have no desire to be anywhere near you," he dropped his voice even further, "werewolf."

Remus' face fell. "I… I'm sorry. Don't go, you were here first. I'll just… uh… Look, I had no idea he would ever go that far. I don't think he knew he would," Snape glared at him. "I'm not defending what he did, I can't defend that. I just… I'm sorry, okay. I'm so sorry." Remus' felt his eyes filling again, but refused to let the Slytherin see that. He rose from his seat, grabbed his bag and began to walk away. He heard a soft voice behind him say, "I know you didn't. I know."

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